Belinda “Bella” Jones and her brother Bernard, owners of the Cedar Valley Residence, have put their hearts, souls, and a ton of cash into this dream endeavor. Now, after five years of hard work, their charming home is almost full of a lovable cast of residents and there’s just one more building addition they want to do. But then Lana Norris, a beautiful area resident is brutally murdered on Cedar Valley Trail just a few feet from their property line, and their world turns upside down. Things like this don’t happen in Cedar Valley, and their residents are shocked―and afraid. Overnight their happy place has turned into a jumbled, unfamiliar world. Indeed, residents are checking out, belongings are mysteriously disappearing, the county government is on their back about raspberries of all things, and it seems that nothing will be right again until this homicidal maniac is captured. Quickly, and to everyone’s relief, the police arrest and charge Kirby Norris, Lana’s husband. He has an alibi, but all the physical evidence points his way; and for motive, there’s a million dollar life insurance policy. It’s enough for the DA to indict, arraign, and bring to trial. But Kirby swears he’s innocent, and so does his mother, the eerily persistent Olive Norris. She engages a slick defense lawyer, but she also calls in Belinda, a past part-time investigator to find the real killer. Belinda has had several modest successes in the crime arena, and her possibly psychic chef-brother thinks Kirby is innocent, and worse yet, the real killer is still loose and she should take the job. But once Belinda begins, she enters a turning labyrinth that not even she could foresee. Suddenly there’s another gruesome murder, and some sudden surprises, and Belinda knows that she must solve this one fast―before she, or someone dear to her, becomes the next victim.

Uncle Si's Secret

Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

Gornell, M. M.

Mystery

Champion Writers, Inc.

A brother’s call for her immediate presence in Palm Springs draws Margot Madison-Cross from her beloved Chicago waterfront—to California’s uncompromising Mojave Desert. The only possible bright spot is the opportunity to see her niece Camille. Still, even before she leaves the comfort of her penthouse, Margot senses inexplicable danger, and fears the worst for her brother. Indeed, Margot quickly realizes she is ill-prepared for Graham’s actual news, Camille’s medical world, and the Mojave—including its inhabitants. And before she can deal with her brother and unpleasant family secrets, murder rears its ugly head in wind-battered Mojave County, putting her niece’s safety and future in peril. Margot needs to think and act fast. But a monumental sand storm, a cave-like Quonset hut, repercussions from past events, and a torrential rain storm conspire against her. All the while, Graham's horrible secret hangs over all their futures. And though Margot’s enviable panorama of Lake Michigan’s waterfront is worlds apart from her niece’s kitchen-window desert view, the two women are inexorably bound by genealogy, medical connections, and most importantly—love. Nonetheless, so much of their worlds, relationships, and what Margot must do, is based upon Lies of Convenience…

Lies of Convenience

Champlain Avenue Books, Inc.

In the dark of night, murder strikes on Route 66, and once again Hubert James Champion III finds himself having to face realities he’d rather run from. Indeed, within two days, Hugh finds himself embroiled in murder on a national scale, seeking justice for petty-crimes of a local nature—and very close to home, reviving his skills as a psychologist to help people who have become friends. Indeed, his friends need him. In addition, there are troubling mysteries of the personal kind still tucked away in the recesses of Hugh’s subconscious. He may be still “hiding out” in the desert, but East Coast ties continue to haunt and thwart his building hopes for the future. Fortunately, he has his ravens to counsel him, and through it all—the Mojave winds continue to blow…

Counsel of Ravens

Champlain Avenue Books, Incorporated

In the dark of night, murder strikes on Route 66, and once again Hubert James Champion III finds himself having to face realities he'd rather run from. Indeed, within two days, Hugh finds himself embroiled in murder on a national scale, seeking justice for petty-crimes of a local nature-and very close to home, reviving his skills as a psychologist to help people who have become friends. Indeed, his friends need him. In addition, there are troubling mysteries of the personal kind still tucked away in the recesses of Hugh's subconscious. He may be still "hiding out" in the desert, but East Coast ties continue to haunt and thwart his building hopes for the future. Fortunately, he has his ravens to counsel him, and through it all-the Mojave winds continue to blow...

Time and events have turned Hubert James Champion III into a morose man trying for the last year to escape into California's Mojave Desert-somewhere a little north of Route 66 on the way to Arizona. No longer a practicing psychologist and FBI collaborator, Hugh now owns Joey's mini-mart, a half-defunct gas station with no gas, no supplies, and little food for customers. Opening hours variable. He has become a man hiding out from the world, and himself-trying to seek redemption among the creosote and Palo Verde trees. His main companions these days are an aged desert dog, and the unkindness of sometimes raucous, but usually reticent ravens. But Hugh soon senses that he can't escape-especially when a "special" young woman with red Medusa-like hair, and covered in her father's blood is brought to him one Sunday evening. Turner Jackson has been murdered, and LoraLee Jackson is the main suspect. In quick order Hugh is drawn into proving LoraLee's innocence by both locals and unwanted East Coast intruders. Add the sudden appearance of LoraLee's previously unknown brother, a bulldog FBI agent with an agenda of his own, and Hugh's cousin Della's love-sick ex-husband-not to mention multiple shootings, exploding drug-labs, and most importantly, Hugh's past demons rearing their ugly heads once again. No, Hugh cannot escape having to find a murderer-or his own past.

Reticence of Ravens

Aberdeen Bay

Interstate 15 stretches across Southern California from San Diego to Las Vegas, Nevada. If you take the driving adventure I-15 offers, you will not only join Route 66 for a bit, but also pass through three counties before finally rolling into California’s Mojave High Desert. The last stretch of highway heading northeast out of Barstow towards Las Vegas is mind-expanding—and capable of tickling the imagination in hundreds of ways. The sparse but curiously compelling terrain leads one to imagine numerous tales of human optimism, fortitude, endurance—and murder

Reticence of Ravens: Second Edition

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Gornell, M. M.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Gornell, M. M.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Gornell, M. M.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Uncle Si's Secret

Lies of Convenience

Counsel of Ravens

Counsel of Ravens

Reticence of Ravens

Reticence of Ravens: Second Edition