Magic City Murder: A Classic Private Investigator Mystery

Bruce Hammack

Aug 2026 · Smiley and McBlythe Mystery Book 16 · Bruce Hammack

About this ebook

A missing husband. A murdered journalist. A city where everyone has something to hide.

Blind former Houston homicide detective Steve Smiley and his partner Heather McBlythe take on what looks like a straightforward case: track down a missing husband so his estranged wife can finally file for divorce.

The simple case turns deadly when the body of the woman the husband has been living with is found in a Miami canal. She wasn't just the missing man's companion — she was an investigative journalist silenced before her story could see the light of day.

As Smiley and McBlythe dig deeper, they uncover a trail of political corruption and cartel money that someone powerful is determined to keep hidden. With a growing list of suspects, a city full of secrets, and a killer working in the shadows, Smiley must sort through the tangle of lies before whoever is cleaning up loose ends decides he's next.

Pick up your copy of Magic City Murder today and follow Smiley and McBlythe from Houston to Miami as they chase down a missing husband and a killer who's running out of places to hide. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie-style whodunits who love clever plots, professional detective work, and clean reads without the gore, violence, or explicit content.

Ratings and reviews

The Smiley and McBlythe Mystery Series: MAGIC CITY MURDERS, #16 - Another interesting and entertaining addition, in more than one way, to this series. Source: BookSirens. 4* A QUESTION OF MURDER - This short story steps back in time when Vega becomes Smiley's partner. Smiley invests in Leo and his training in an interesting form of training. I had this method used on me by my favorite EE boss. 5* EXERCISE IS MURDER, #1 - An interesting and immersing introduction to Steve Smiley and Heather Mc

Magic City Murder by Bruce Hammack is the 16th book in this series. I absolutely love this series and this author! The book kept me trying to figure out "whodunit" and I was surprised that who committed the crime. There we so many logical suspects, but it all fell into place at the end. The plot and the characters are very well developed. I finished this book in 2 sittings. I could not wait to read the next chapter. I received an advance copy from the author and I always review every book that

I have to read all the Smiley and McBlythe books and they just keep getting better. This one really kept me guessing. Loved it! I was an ARC reader and purchased it, too, as my husband loves this series.

About the author

Drawing from his extensive background in criminal justice, Bruce Hammack writes contemporary, clean read detective and crime mysteries. He is the author of the Fen Maguire Mystery series, the Smiley and McBlythe Mystery series, the Star of Justice series and the Detective Steve Smiley short mysteries. Having lived in eighteen cities around the world, he now lives in the Texas hill country with his wife of thirty-plus years.

Follow Bruce on Bookbub and Goodreads for the latest new release info and recommendations. Learn more at brucehammack.com.