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Blue Sun
Alice and Don Harriman are the owners of Blue Sun, the largest residential real estate and construction service in the Pacific Northwest. When a house cleaner stumbles upon two masked men holding Don Harriman at gunpoint in his own bedroom, she is able to flee the scene before being captured. Outside, neighbors from this quiet, affluent, suburban neighborhood respond to her screams for help. They patiently listen as she frantically tells her harrowing tale. Two of the neighbors bravely venture inside the Harriman house to investigate. They find nothing, no men, no body, and no sign of a struggle. The police investigation supports their findings. There is no physical evidence to substantiate the house cleaner’s claim. It is only later, when Don Harriman’s beaten body is found floating in the Willamette River, that the house cleaner is believed.
Homicide Detective Destini Pendleton is assigned the Harriman case. During her preliminary investigation, she discovers the victim contacted ex-DEA agent, tri-ethnic private investigator, C. J. Cavanaugh on the day he was abducted. C. J. admits to having received a peculiar text message around that time. The problem is, he doesn’t know Don Harriman and has no idea what the text message means. C. J.’s curiosity is piqued by this mystery and the opportunity to capture a murderer. He offers his services pro bono to Destini to help solve the crime. Due to an extra-heavy caseload, Detective Pendleton categorically accepts his offer provided C. J. keeps her fully informed and operates within the boundaries of the law. Aside from a few inconsequential discrepancies from the last portion of their agreement, C. J. manages to maintain his side of the bargain.
For the Cavanaugh investigation team, what began as a couple of minor events sets off a shockwave of discoveries that lead to intrigue, narcotics trafficking, violence and murder.
Homicide Detective Destini Pendleton is assigned the Harriman case. During her preliminary investigation, she discovers the victim contacted ex-DEA agent, tri-ethnic private investigator, C. J. Cavanaugh on the day he was abducted. C. J. admits to having received a peculiar text message around that time. The problem is, he doesn’t know Don Harriman and has no idea what the text message means. C. J.’s curiosity is piqued by this mystery and the opportunity to capture a murderer. He offers his services pro bono to Destini to help solve the crime. Due to an extra-heavy caseload, Detective Pendleton categorically accepts his offer provided C. J. keeps her fully informed and operates within the boundaries of the law. Aside from a few inconsequential discrepancies from the last portion of their agreement, C. J. manages to maintain his side of the bargain.
For the Cavanaugh investigation team, what began as a couple of minor events sets off a shockwave of discoveries that lead to intrigue, narcotics trafficking, violence and murder.
230 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2017
About the author
Michael R. Lane
10 books61 followersMichael R. Lane is the founder of Bare Bones Press. He is a published poet and writer who turned to indie publishing. His novels include the C. J. Cavanaugh mystery series and "The Family Stone." His short story collections are "Emancipation" and "UFOs and GOD." He has also penned four books of poetry, "Love & Sensuality," "Mortal Thoughts," "Sandbox," and "A Drop of Midnight."
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 15, 2017
After a young housekeeper stumbles upon two men holding her boss hostage, Don Harriman, she escapes to alert the neighbors. When the police arrive, there is no body or evidence to suggest a crime. Several days later, Private Investigator C.J. Cavanaugh learns of the case from his love interest, Destini, who is a Portland homicide detective. Harriman’s body has been found and the abduction has turned into a murder investigation. C.J.is called in to assist in the case and interrogates a series of ingenuous witnesses, including the housekeeper, all of whom have something to hide. But when C.J. is finally able to link a cryptic text message he received prior to Harriman's abduction, motivations become clearer, and ultimately point C.J. toward the killer. Blue Sun, the second novel in the C.J. Cavanaugh private investigator series, is a taut, riveting mystery that will keep you guessing right up to the end.
January 30, 2019
Lane's Blue Sun is reminiscent of the great Robert Parker, concise, to the point, and engaging enough to want to finish in a day. A cross between Parker's tough and loyal Spenser and gumption of TV insurance investigator Banacek, following Cavanaugh into the real estate world in this mystery is easy and one even this normally cozy reader would want to see again and again.
November 29, 2018
I've Just finished the book "Blue Sun" by Michael R Lane and I'd say it was worth the time.
Though in the initial pages it was slow to build up the part but then suddenly I was like "WOW" it escalated fast and what was a simple case became deadly; This book makes you double think and then think again and makes for good riveting read
This book has all the right ingredients for a blockbuster.
Though in the initial pages it was slow to build up the part but then suddenly I was like "WOW" it escalated fast and what was a simple case became deadly; This book makes you double think and then think again and makes for good riveting read
This book has all the right ingredients for a blockbuster.
December 8, 2018
This book takes of at a run! When Don Harriman is murdered by two men in ski masks, the mystery only deepens. Why was he killed? What was this diary? Where was he taken when Janice and John entered the building?!
The murder puts the spotlight on a private investigator when Destini (a homicide detective) finds CJ’s business card at the crime scene. His involvement takes him to visit the widow, which lands him in an almost mafioso type entanglement with two strangers waiting for him when he got outside, claiming to want to protect the widow. The author’s writing is smooth and brilliant.
As the investigation goes on, more twists and unexpected turns come into light. Just when you think that you’re starting to put a finger on who committed the crime, a wrench is thrown in it! But don’t get me wrong. The writing is true to how investigations can go, and that was what I really enjoyed about the book. It didn’t feel forced, it felt like a true investigation. Crossing off suspects. Investigating new avenues.
Infidelity, real estate, construction, marriage, and murder. That’s enough for a great story, right? KEEP READING. This book will take you on a heck of a ride! I even had to look to see if this was based on a real case when I was done reading it, it was so well done. I would love to see this turned into a movie.
The murder puts the spotlight on a private investigator when Destini (a homicide detective) finds CJ’s business card at the crime scene. His involvement takes him to visit the widow, which lands him in an almost mafioso type entanglement with two strangers waiting for him when he got outside, claiming to want to protect the widow. The author’s writing is smooth and brilliant.
As the investigation goes on, more twists and unexpected turns come into light. Just when you think that you’re starting to put a finger on who committed the crime, a wrench is thrown in it! But don’t get me wrong. The writing is true to how investigations can go, and that was what I really enjoyed about the book. It didn’t feel forced, it felt like a true investigation. Crossing off suspects. Investigating new avenues.
Infidelity, real estate, construction, marriage, and murder. That’s enough for a great story, right? KEEP READING. This book will take you on a heck of a ride! I even had to look to see if this was based on a real case when I was done reading it, it was so well done. I would love to see this turned into a movie.
December 14, 2018
Blue Sun : A CJ Cavanaugh Mystery by Michael R. Lane is a great book that gets off to a fast start. When a housekeeper happens upon some men holding Don Harriman, her boss, hostage, she manages to get away and tell the neighbors. However when the police show up, there is no evidence of a crime, no body, or anything else. But PI CJ Cavanaugh finds out about the crime, and is soon on the case. Of course a body turns up eventually and it is indeed Harriman. This is the second novel in the series by Lane, and true to form, it does not disappoint. With riveting scenes, and many topics covered from construction to infidelity and murder, it's hard to figure out who the murderer is. Saucy characters, a solid plot, and quick pace all make this an intense book. Lane writes with an exciting and fast pace, keeping your attention until the very end of this engaging story. Highly recommend for an interesting and engaging read.
December 30, 2018
I found this book difficult to read. It started well, with Harriman in a spot of bother. The idea for the plot is good, but I couldn't connect with the main character, C.J., the investigator is too perfect in his own image and I found it tiresome. He actually gives this excuse for not needing to take notes, "I have a good memory. An excellent memory. Not bragging, just fact!" I'm sorry but an investigator that doesn't take notes and relies on memory is lazy. Also we are always in C.J's point of view, it makes the book one dimensional. The supporting characters Destini and Renita, in reality, are not given anything to do other than sarcastically annoying each other for guess what? Both want the extremely tall good looking C.J. It would have benefit the book to have had their point of view.
There's too much telling in the story, not enough showing. The writer doesn't allow the reader to draw to any conclusions. C. J., constantly assumes what the other characters are thinking as fact.
There's too much telling in the story, not enough showing. The writer doesn't allow the reader to draw to any conclusions. C. J., constantly assumes what the other characters are thinking as fact.
February 26, 2019
A book about a mysterious murder that happened in mysterious conditions with no clues at all. I would say it is just a typical story with a typical ending , nothing amazingly twisted or shocking. But I liked the book in general.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews