Murder On The Leon: A clean private investigator mystery

Bruce Hammack

Apr 2026 · Fen Maguire Mystery Book 9 · Bruce Hammack

About this ebook

One ship. Two suspects. And a killer everyone missed.

Private investigator Fen Maguire boards an Alaskan cruise with a cover identity and a cold case: solve a two-month-old murder that's turned into a jurisdictional nightmare. A woman's body was pulled from the Leon River, but no one knows where she actually died. Two sheriffs are locked in a turf war, each convinced the other arrested the wrong suspect. Both prime suspects are onboard. And Fen's job is to figure out which lawman got it right—before the case collapses entirely.

Posing as the ship's art instructor, Fen begins working the passengers. What he uncovers suggests both sheriffs might be wrong. Hidden relationships surface. Alibis that seemed airtight fall apart under scrutiny. And the more Fen digs, the more he realizes the victim had enemies neither investigator knew existed—each with motive, means, and opportunity.

The ship docks in three days. A killer is counting on walking away clean. With time running out and suspects scattering to different ports, Fen must cut through the lies, outmaneuver a murderer who's stayed two steps ahead of two police departments, and deliver justice before the Alaskan wilderness swallows the truth forever.

Murder On The Leon is a traditional detective mystery with classic PI investigation—cold case intrigue, police procedural elements, hidden motives, crumbling alibis, and a sharp investigator who sees what others miss. No graphic violence. No foul language. No sexual content. Just intelligent detective work and a race against time. Perfect for fans of clean private investigator mysteries and whodunit series.

Book 9 in the Fen Maguire PI Mystery series. Can be read as a standalone.

 

 

Ratings and reviews

Fen never disappoints, and he sure doesn't in this page turner with several plot twists! I found myself staying up WAY too late just in order to finish to what I felt was a possible stopping point, only to want to continue to read on! All of Fen's usual companions are there, including some new ones with new facets of the characters revealed. A GREAT read, and a wonderful series! I can't say enough about this author, and this book series. Fen seems like an old friend you just want to drop in o

THE FEN MAGUIRE MYSTERY SERIES: Source: BookSirens, unless otherwise noted. MURDER ON THE LEON, #9 - An interesting, relaxing, and enjoyable read. I love the way the main core of characters relate to each other and their relationships. I figured out the killer early in the cruise, but the story was still immersing. I love the Master Sergeant. 5* MURDER ON SHINBONE CREEK, prequel - My first read by this author and I enjoyed it. I like what the Sheriff did for the Sheriff-elect. Interesting story

Murder on the Leon by Bruce Hammack is a story that you must read! You will not be able to figure out whodunit until the very end when the murderer is revealed. The plot and characters are well developed. I felt that I was on the cruise to Alaska along side of Fen, Baily and Lou. The description of the scenery brought back memories when I actually was on an Alaskan cruise. I received an advance copy of this book and I always review every book that I read. I read this one so quickly, that the pag

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.