Playing Dead

Series: De La Cruz Case Files (#4)
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Release Date: February 2024
Pages: 324

The nightmare is over. Alexander “Rotten” Carter is dead. But when his body is dumped in Cleveland Homicide Detective Jesus De La Cruz’s neighborhood, there are more questions than answers. Rotten was dressed up like the king of hearts, right down to the dagger in the suicide king’s temple. The elaborate staging is perplexing at the same time it seems to be sending a message.

As Cruz investigates, he discovers Rotten Carter was more complex than the simple villain he had painted him to be. So is his murder, which is related to the deaths of his two lieutenants months prior. Both were strangled and found, with playing cards in their mouths. Jacks.

As the body count climbs, connection tie back to a dead CI and an accident that made a cop a widower. A web becomes apparent with one man in the middle: Narcotics Detective Matt Yablonski. But is he the spider or another fly?  

Back to School. Aurora is taking a graduate class and discovering a life beyond teaching. While doors are opening, she still struggles with the aftermath of the car accident – physical and mental

The House Dilemma. Determined to give Aurora a home that was truly both of theirs, he puts his house on the market. As the bids come in, the couple put together the wishlist for their new home. How hard could that be?

Mr. Matt Yablonski. Detective Matt Yablonski puts on a good face, but those closest to him see the truth. His wife’s death has this good man on a very dangerous edge.

La Familia De La Cruz. Life for the De La Cruz family is loud and messy, but the food is good. His mother and that damn Roberto Juarez are weeks away from their wedding. Mariana and Tony are getting closer to baby #3. Rhia wants to know when Cruz and Aurora are going to need a babysitter #AskingForAFriend.