Detectives Chen and Castilblanco Series

As the strange cases merge and they chase down the killers, even with federal stonewalling, they uncover a terrorist plot created by a hedge fund owner to destroy two American icons and generate a financial crisis bigger than the implosion of 2008-2009. Hiding in the background are webs of international intrigue taken from today’s post 9/11 world. “This is where it all started,” says author Moore, alluding to the mystery/suspense/thriller series now containing six novels involving these two detectives. If you missed this first novel, now is the time to rectify the error and obtain some exciting and entertaining reading. What reviewers said about the first edition of The Midas Bomb: “...very well-written, action-packed thriller. The author quickly introduces some very interesting characters.... The plot is intriguing and thought provoking with many twists and turns along the way. I found myself wondering if something like this scenario could really happen?” —Paul Johnson, for Readers’ Favorite “Midas Bomb is a thriller in the true sense of the word. It's a page turner that keeps you wanting to know what's going to happen next. There are plenty of references to modern politics and parallels to recent/current events to make the storyline believable and thought-provoking. Also appreciated are the quotes at the start of each chapter. They connect with the story, and I learned some new things.” --Serenity Carson

As a mystery novel, it is a dark probing into the nexus the crime underworld sometimes enjoys with the rich and powerful. Chen is arrested for the murder of a senator in circumstances that seem to leave no doubt of her guilt, but Castilblanco sets out to prove her innocence. In the process, the two detectives uncover an insidious conspiracy. After many plot twists, their case concludes in a surprising climax. As a thriller novel, the events and action will keep the reader turning the pages. Is Chen guilty? With the many POIs, who's to blame for the senator's death? And why is the conspiracy go beyond the gun trade and arms smuggling?

An F.B.I. agents son is murdered, and the case is given to the detectives. It leads to their joining a task force up against the cartel. The cartel's leader has a sinister plan that will make him the illegal major drug provider for the entire U.S., and it involves the two other groups. While The Midas Bomb partnered up Chen and Castilblanco for the first time, they both have separate and independent undercover work in this one, showing they are also effective working alone. The plot twists make this a mystery that will keep the reader guessing, and the action makes this a thriller that keeps the reader turning the page.

Castilblanco is with his wife on vacation. Chen's assigned to a money laundering case in Beijing for her language skills. Castilblanco turns out to be in the wrong place at the right time as he's forced to join a task force. Chen is in the right place at the wrong time when she becomes involved with the terrorist case. And those royals! They're not so helpless after all. But what is the terrorist's plan? The detectives figure that ransom isn't worth all that effort, so something else must be motivating him. He's also an old nemesis of Castilblanco, but that's not enough motivation either. What is the true motivation? Woven through the plot are twists and turns that involve American and European authorities.

As in Teeter-Totter between Lust and Murder, this novel explores the possible links between some of the rich elites and criminal elements within the tri-state area surrounding NYC. The artworks involved are from a heist in Boston, and their use as collateral for the collector's terrible business is a surprise to the two detectives. Can they prove their case against him? Can they recover the paintings? (Two minor characters, Scotland Yard Art and Antiques Inspector Esther Brookstone, and Interpol agent Bastiann van Coevorden, from Aristocrats and Assassins, help the two detectives on this case. Look for them both in Rembrandt's Angel, an offshoot of this series.)

While the two detectives try to find Teresa and prove her innocence, a case in a different precinct involving a different Castilblanco relative surfaces. Are the two cases related? The cop’s uncle, other detectives, and the Coast Guard help sort things out, including one connection to an old mafia family. Don't read this one if you're planning to go on a cruise soon...or crabbing in Chesapeake Bay. Otherwise, get ready for action and thrills that will keep you turning the pages.

As the tangled international web of lies and deceit unravels, an old nemesis of the detectives makes his appearance, and his motivation is revenge...against the Russian oligarchy and not the detectives. In a subplot, Castilblanco's struggle to adopt his cousin's children, begun in Family Affairs, continues...as do his meetings with his guru to become a Buddhist. (Interpol agent Bastiann van Coevorden makes another cameo appearance here. He's a main character in Rembrandt's Angel.)