Murder At The Monument: A clean private detective whodunit

Bruce Hammack

Jun 2025 · Smiley and McBlythe Mystery Book 14 · Bruce Hammack

About this ebook

A blind detective. A mysterious drowning. A tangled web of secrets.

 When the body of an oil magnate's son is found in the reflecting pool at a famous Texas monument, the police are quick to call it an accident or suicide. But blind former homicide detective Steve Smiley senses something more sinister at play.

Despite his blindness, Smiley hasn't lost his investigative instincts. As he delves into the case, he uncovers a dangerous web of deception where political rivalries, environmental activists, and family secrets collide.

Navigating a world of darkness to illuminate the truth, Smiley races against time to solve the murder before tensions escalate and more lives are lost. But as he closes in on the killer, he discovers that the most dangerous threats often hide in plain sight—and the motives for murder are as old as time itself: love and money.

Using his heightened senses and razor-sharp deduction skills, blind detective Steve Smiley proves that true acumen doesn't require eyesight. This page-turning whodunit will keep you guessing until the final revelation, with clever clues scattered throughout for armchair detectives to discover alongside our protagonist.

Perfect for mystery lovers who appreciate clean fiction—no foul language, graphic violence, or explicit content—just a well-crafted detective story in the classic tradition.

Ratings and reviews

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I need to go back and read the others I've missed. I love that you can just jump in and not be too far behind. But there are little details I want to see. I know they will be good. Not going to lie, I love Le Roi. Princess… a given lol. They added such an intensity and it was great. I love Steve and Heather as a team. Even Leo. Great chemistry with the characters. And it made for one heck of a story!

The Smiley and McBlythe Mystery Series: MYRDER AT THE MONUMENT, #14 - I live this series. This is another interesting and immersing read for a relaxing afternoon. Excellent characters and intriguing story lines along with plenty of humor. Source: BookSirens. 5* 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*

couldn't put it down,reading most of the night, didn't guess at all. love these books, the writer is fantastic and keeps you interested and on the edge of your seat to the end

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.

Get the latest book news (and receive a free short mystery) when you join his newsletter at brucehammack.com.