Office Supply

Conspiracy, Mystery, Intrigue

David Endicott returned home from a tour of duty in Iraq with the military police. Within twenty four hours of his return David stumbles into his first case as Private Investigator. He rescues a dead body from a fire in the guesthouse of Baulden Grey, eccentric and rich. Grey hires Endicott to uncover three things: identify of the corpse, how he gained entrance, and his motive for entering the heavily protected grounds. He gave David a seven day deadline to come up with the answers.

The plot is two fold and introduces the secret power of a rare Chinese butterfly. The wings of the Golden Yellow butterfly possess a powerful powder strong enough to change the threat of gang crime in Southern California. The plot is based on little-known facts history of the U.S. Human Betterment Foundation. This foundation was the key source for information launching the German Nazi Party?s racial cleansing movement.

I was enthralled with David Endicott?s character. David is real, impulsive, and likeable. Burn?s scenes are well written. His choice of locale creates the awareness that Burns writes from his personal knowledge and experience.

Burns intricately intertwines the story line with engaging, crisp dialog. This thriller takes the reader on a fast moving pace that never slows down, right up to a strong finish. This is an extraordinary first novel. Burns has created memorable characters in ?Deadline: Stiff.? I am enthusiastically looking forward to more David Endicott Mysteries.

As reviewed for Midwest Book Review