America's leading mystery writers are being brutally murdered. Third-tier author Guy Davitt—a would-be Dashiell Hammett—stumbles upon the killer’s bizarre M.O. (the deaths are lifted from mystery novels). But Davitt cannot convince deeply skeptical police a "Sleuth Slayer" actually exists.

Through a dark labyrinth of film studio power brokers, publishing industry politics, a decadent family's wealthy influence, police immorality—as well as the dawning realization that he himself is on the killer's list—Davitt pursues the truth.

Sleuth Slayer is also available as an ebook on Amazon.com for the Kindle.

That is, until Jax himself dies suddenly in a horrific car crash; then, upon closer inspection of what appears to be a tragic accident, Davitt begins to notice intriguing signs of foul play. As a result, in typical "inquisitive author" fashion, he begins to ponder the true motives behind Jax's death, as well as the other authors who were recently slain.

As he launches his own personal investigation, Davitt soon comes to the grim realization that the murders have all been lifted straight from the pages of mystery novels, info that serves as both a blessing and a curse for him as he sloshes through the unsavory worlds of privileged entitlement, business politics, and police corruption in his quest for truth and ultimate justice. Most disturbing of all, though, is Davitt's startling realization that his time to solve the case is severely limited by none other than the fact that his own name appears on the killer's list…if ever he needed his "writer's instincts" to kick in, there's no better time than the present.

Sleuth Slayer is an enjoyable read crafted by the superbly creative father-and-son writing team of Bruce & Jeffrey Burton. A thoroughly well-written tale of suspenseful intrigue, the Burtons' engaging story is both intricately crafted and masterfully executed. In addition, the sardonic wit laced throughout is a perfect counterbalance to the grimness of the subject and its often heavy emotional undertones, offsetting the overall pathos of the tale just enough.

The true appeal of Sleuth Slayer, though, lies in the masterful way that the Burtons employ the tools of their chosen genre. By including a number of false starts and redirects, they ensure that the true identity of the killer remains a secret until the very end – and even then the reader is surprised to learn that the ultimate purpose of the murders is far from what you'd expect of a typical serial killer.

Creatively inventive with tight prose and even tighter dialogue, Sleuth Slayer is a can't miss thriller-within-a-thriller. Highly recommended.

June 22, 2008 - 1:30 to 4:30 pm - Brit's Pub - Nicollet Mall - Minneapolis, MN 55403

October 11, 2008 - 10:00 am -5:00 pm - Twin Cities Book Festival, Minneapolis Community and Technical College.