What happens to all of the letters that kids send to Santa Claus through the U.S. Mail? In Detroit, Michigan, many of them end up in the hands of Chris Archer, a postal worker who spends his free time designing computer games and uses the children’s wish lists to help detect trends in the toy market. No harm done until Chris’s brother, Nick Archer, the religiously obsessed, dishonorably … discharged fighter pilot and victim of childhood abuse, discovers them and finds out who’s really been naughty and who’s been nice. Possessed of a messiah complex, Nick turns into a charming and athletic serial killer leaving a trail of devastation in two cities, Detroit and Sarasota, connected only by the commercial route he now flies for Delta.
It takes a team of oddballs to bring Nick down. On the Detroit side, there are the co-ed partners and wise-cracking lovers, Jaq McSween and David Maxwell, accompanied by their dog, Recon. On the Sarasota side, there is the Argentinian with the taste for American hot dogs, Abel Mendoza, and his partner who goes simply by Rabbit on account of his ability to hide in a crowd, create his own burrow, and investigate unnoticed. There is the lovely nurse, Rita Rose, who has been damaged by a mendacious lover before and is now caught in Nick Archer’s web in more ways than one, and her fearless higher-up the reserved yet incisive Medical Examiner, Dr. Towers. Two teams of odd-ball detectives discover the truth, but can they outmaneuver Nick’s obsessive military trained mind and stop him in time before he kills again and someone they love dies?
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Triple Cross Killer is a murder novel written by Rosemarie Aquilina, and is the first book in the State Detective Special Forces Series.
This book introduces us to Nick Archer, a serial killer, who has made it his mission to protect those who cannot protect themselves by serving justice – in the form of murder. His executions are meticulous, making him tough to catch. Knowing who the killer is from the beginning sets apart this book from others in the same genre.
The first murder takes place immediately, allowing us to be thrown quickly into the chaos, and the killing spree continues throughout the book. Aquilina’s descriptions of the crime scenes help us create vivid images that reinforce Nick’s attention to detail.
Nick’s career as a pilot allows him to fly at will between cities, making it even more difficult for anyone to catch him. Abel and Rabbit are searching in Sarasota while David and Jaq are busy in Detroit. The urgency of both teams to solve the murders in their respective cities increases as time goes on and more victims are found. Feeling the frustration of the detectives is easy, especially since they don’t know the are both on the hunt for the same man.
When Nick isn’t busy killing, he’s wooing his new girlfriend Rita Rose. She cannot help but fall for his charm. He’s handsome, has a great smile and pays attention to her. Maybe too much attention. He’s also a passionate lover. We start to feel sorry for the naive and innocent nature of Rita Rose. The feelings Nick has for her almost seem genuine until we remember who he actually is. But Nick is not the only one keeping secrets. Rita Rose works alongside the medical examiner in Detroit and may hold the key to Nick’s demise. One minute we are rooting for their relationship and the next we’re hoping she runs quickly in the other direction without looking back.
Once Rita Rose and the two teams discover the killer’s identity, it’s a race against time to save the next victim. This book was difficult to put down after any chapter, but this is the moment I found stepping away to be the hardest. Adrenaline completely takes over and you feel like you’re right there beside them, ready to serve justice of their own.
Rosemarie Aquilina creates characters who value loyalty to their jobs and to each other. They’re people you want to have in your life and befriend. The author’s history as a lawyer and a judge enhance Nick’s desire to bring justice and protection to those less vulnerable.
Triple Cross Killer is an amazing book and one of the best I’ve ever read. Its second edition was released in 2019 by Sabieha Press, and is available in paperback, large print and electronic formats, with an audio version coming soon!
Wow! From the very first page I was sucked into this story! The author crafted a robust and compelling cast of characters, along with a thrilling story. My Kindle nearly started on fire from the speed I was flipping the pages to find out what happens next! This book was very well-written with a unique and intriguing story, and characters you’re sure to love. I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars!