NEW upcoming book - The Scientology Murders: A Dead Detective Novel

[CommunicatorIC]

NEW upcoming book - The Scientology Murders: A Dead Detective Novel.

I think it is significant the author won an Edgar Award, and that he was an award-winning investigative journalist before he turned to fiction.

https://www.amazon.com/Scientology-Murders-Dead-Detective-Novel/dp/1617755354/

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The Scientology Murders: A Dead Detective Novel Hardcover – April 4, 2017

by William Heffernan (Author)

Hardcover $27.95

Paperback $15.95

Audio CD $59.99


"The Dead Detective pursues miscreants attached to the Church of Scientology from their Florida headquarters to the Yukon State...Highly entertaining."
--Kirkus Reviews

"While investigating a murder that has also left his much-loved adoptive father seriously wounded, Harry Doyle (aka the Dead Detective) finds himself contending with executives from the Church of Scientology."
--Publishers Weekly, Spring 2017 announcements, Mysteries & Thrillers

"The Dead Detective is Heffernan's first novel in seven years, and wherever he's been, he hasn't forgotten how to write a good, gritty police procedural...This edgy police drama succeeds in capturing the hysteria that grips Tampa residents when a celebrity criminal is found dead in a cypress swamp."
--New York Times Book Review on The Dead Detective

While investigating a murder that has also left his much-loved adoptive father seriously wounded, Harry Doyle, known to his peers as the Dead Detective, finds himself faced with what many consider the most powerful and secretive cult in the country—Scientology. Clearwater, Florida, is the spiritual center of Scientology, which is run by a fanatical group of true believers who insist that members remain pure and true to their faith. One senior leader has a young man in his employ, a twisted soul who will stop at nothing to make sure the rules are followed. But Harry Doyle, his partner Vicky Stanopolis, and Clearwater Sergeant Max Abrams are in hot pursuit, forcing the killer to run for cover.

The Scientologists have places to hide in every part of the globe, and Harry finds himself pursuing the killer to the far reaches of Alaska. In a shocking denouement where everyone's life hangs in the balance, Harry and Vicky come face-to-face with death in a form they never expected.

Editorial Reviews


About the Author

William Heffernan is the Edgar Award–winning author of nineteen novels, including the international best sellers The Corsican, Corsican Honor, and The Dinosaur Club. He has also written two series, the Paul Devlin mysteries and the Dead Detective novels. He divides his time between his forty-foot trawler in Florida and visits to his six children in various parts of the country. Prior to turning to fiction thirty-six years ago, Heffernan was an award-winning newspaper reporter in New York City. Nominated three times for the Pulitzer Prize, he was twice awarded the Heywood Broun Award and received a Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award for Investigative Reporting, along with numerous regional and local awards.

Product Details

Series: Dead Detective
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Akashic Books (April 4, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1617755354
ISBN-13: 978-1617755354
Product Dimensions: 6 x 1 x 8 inches
Shipping Weight: 14.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,673,601 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
#204 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Religions, Practices & Sacred Texts > Scientology
#17985 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Mystery > Police Procedurals
#48698 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Thrillers & Suspense > Crime


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EDITED TO ADD:

Publishers Weekly Review of The Scientology Murders: A Dead Detective Novel

http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-61775-535-4

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Edgar-winner Heffernan’s ambitious if flawed sequel to 2010’s The Dead Detective offers an engaging critique of the Church of Scientology. Det. Harry Doyle tangles with the secretive church in Clearwater, Fla., its spiritual headquarters, after his adoptive father is shot and seriously wounded while trying to rescue a young Scientologist who was targeted by the office of church discipline, then later found dead. As Doyle investigates outside his jurisdiction and off the books, the body count climbs. The crimes give Heffernan a chance to explore the bizarre tenets of the faith, sometimes through overly explanatory dialogue.

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[WildKat]

Fiction or nonfiction?

 

[CommunicatorIC]

Publishers Weekly Review of The Scientology Murders: A Dead Detective Novel

http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-61775-535-4

* * * * * BEGIN PARTIAL EXCERPT * * * * *

Edgar-winner Heffernan’s ambitious if flawed sequel to 2010’s The Dead Detective offers an engaging critique of the Church of Scientology. Det. Harry Doyle tangles with the secretive church in Clearwater, Fla., its spiritual headquarters, after his adoptive father is shot and seriously wounded while trying to rescue a young Scientologist who was targeted by the office of church discipline, then later found dead. As Doyle investigates outside his jurisdiction and off the books, the body count climbs. The crimes give Heffernan a chance to explore the bizarre tenets of the faith, sometimes through overly explanatory dialogue.

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[Freeminds]

Fiction or nonfiction?

Don't you wish you’d asked the same about the life and works of L Ron Blowhard, years ago?

 

[CommunicatorIC]

It is clear the author, William Heffernan, did not write this book to capitalize on recent Leah Remini generated publicity about Scientology, and indeed took his time researching and writing the book. In a May 3, 2011 interview he stated, "I’m starting the research for another “Dead Detective” book, this one set within the Scientology community in Clearwater, Florida."

 

[Boson Wog Stark]

The Scientology Murders -- is that a perfect title or what? This detective novel sounds like a winner. Americans need a diversion from The Trump Show -- or at least I do -- and it is great to see Scientology right there in the title along with "Murders." Wouldn't CoS have attacked 10 years ago over something like that?

Having books like this in the popular culture will help Scientology from finding cover under the Trump regime.

 

[Churchill]

Publishers Weekly Review of The Scientology Murders: A Dead Detective Novel

http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-61775-535-4

* * * * * BEGIN PARTIAL EXCERPT * * * * *

Edgar-winner Heffernan’s ambitious if flawed sequel to 2010’s The Dead Detective offers an engaging critique of the Church of Scientology. Det. Harry Doyle tangles with the secretive church in Clearwater, Fla., its spiritual headquarters, after his adoptive father is shot and seriously wounded while trying to rescue a young Scientologist who was targeted by the office of church discipline, then later found dead. As Doyle investigates outside his jurisdiction and off the books, the body count climbs. The crimes give Heffernan a chance to explore the bizarre tenets of the faith, sometimes through overly explanatory dialogue.

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"The crimes give Heffernan a chance to explore the bizarre tenets of the faith..."

Much more than just bizarre...Scientology is rapacious capitalism's equivalent of Radical Islam;
utterly intolerant, absolutist, money and power obsessed, and fanatically violent.

 

[Out/Int]

"The Scientology Murders"

This is a new rundown being $old to the clubbed seals in Scientology.

How appropriate.

I prefer the title

Scientology MURDERS

....murder of the soul, rape of the spirit and shattering of the mind

 

[hummingbird]

Woo-hooooo!!

I love me a good detective novel. This will be FUU-UUNNN!!!

On my Amazon Wish List it goes.

I hope it's part of a series. Wouldn't that be great??

 

[CommunicatorIC]

First pre-publication Amazon Vine Review.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R2GBI...annel=detail-glance&nodeID=283155&store=books

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The Scientology Murders: A Dead Detective Novel by William Heffernan, February 10, 2017
By
E. B. MULLIGAN

This review is from: The Scientology Murders: A Dead Detective Novel (Hardcover)

Vine Customer Review of Free Product (What's this?)

A solid police procedural, sequel to 2010’s The Dead Detective. I was completely riveted. I lived in the Clearwater, Florida area from 1990 to 2013 and the author paints a vivid and accurate picture of the land, the people and the culture. Det. Harry Doyle of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, gets mixed up in all kinds of nasty when his retired from the Clearwater Police Department father, Det. Jocko Doyle, is shot while trying to liberate a disciple of the 'church' of Scientology from their 'office of church discipline' (like they never got over the middle ages and think the Spanish Inquisition might have had the right idea). The disciple, Mary Kate O’Connell, Jocko's friend’s daughter, is later found dead and Harry follows the investigation even though it is outside his jurisdiction. Doyle's partner, Det. Vicky Stanopolis and Clearwater police sergeant Max Abrams add a nice touch of entertainment. There is a lot going on in this novel apart from the super creepy Scientologists, the sadistic Scientologist henchman, to the return of Harry's warped birth mother who killed his little brother over 20 years ago and is determined to do the same to Harry.

Super satisfying ending.

books #1 written in 2010 The Dead Detective When Florida homicide cop Harry Doyle was 10, his religious fanatic mother killed his younger brother, Jimmy, to send him to heaven. The police were able to resuscitate Harry after he technically died which is how Harry got the nickname "the dead detective" when he joined The Pinellas County Police force years later. Harry is working a high-profile murder investigation. Darlene Beckett, was a teacher who had a sexual liaison with her students disgraced until her body turns up with a slashed throat and "EVIL" carved into her forehead.

The author is, a multiple Pulitzer Prize nominee, is the author of over a dozen novels, including bestsellers The Dinosaur Club: A Novel and The Corsican: A Novel



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[CommunicatorIC]

Early Reviewers: 15 Free advance copies of The Scientology Murders: A Dead Detective Novel, by Edgar Award winner William Heffernan.

Library Thing: http://www.librarything.com/er/list#19033475

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The Scientology Murders: A Dead Detective Novel by William Heffernan (Akashic Books)

Description: While investigating a murder that has also left his much-loved adoptive father seriously wounded, Harry Doyle, known to his peers as the Dead Detective, finds himself faced with what many consider the most powerful and secretive cult in the country—Scientology. Clearwater, Florida, is the spiritual center of Scientology, which is run by a fanatical group of true believers who insist that members remain pure and true to their beliefs. One senior leader has a young man in his employ, a twisted soul who will stop at nothing to make sure the rules are followed. But Harry Doyle, his partner Vicky Stanopolis, and Clearwater Sergeant Max Abrams are in hot pursuit, forcing the killer to run for cover.

The Scientologists have places to hide in every part of the globe, and Harry finds himself pursuing the killer to the far reaches of Alaska. In a shocking denouement where everyone’s life hangs in the balance, Harry and Vicky come face-to-face with death in a form they never expected.

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[CommunicatorIC]

NOW AVAILABLE - The Scientology Murders: A Dead Detective Novel

https://www.amazon.com/Scientology-Murders-Detective-Novel-Mysteries/dp/1617755362/

 

[JustSheila]

Oh this is absolutely hilarious!

William Heffernan is a well-established, best-selling mystery, crime and adventure writer, with close to 20 novels dealing with all sorts of subjects. He started as an investigative reporter for the New York Times. He's had several Pulitzer Prize nominations and has a long list of awards for his novels, including the Edgar award. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Heffernan

Good for him taking on Scientology for a crime story!

I'm sure the book is good, but I wonder how accurate it is and how much detail is in it and if it mirrors someone's actual story?

Guess I'll have to buy it and read it to find out!

 

[phenomanon]

Murray Burns.

 

[OperatingThespian]

Don't you wish you’d asked the same about the life and works of L Ron Blowhard, years ago?

Indeed.

 

[wogX]

So I picked this up at the library and finished it today. Honestly...not very good. It has little to do with Scientology. Just a few facts here and there. The book wouldn't really have been any difference without the Scientology angle. The characters are not really based on any known members, other than a small (sorry) swipe at TC. And they are just caricatures, even the good guys. There's a lot of what I call "false machismo" that just irritates me.

That being said, if you like Stuart Woods novels you might like this. I used to like Woods, but grew tired of them long ago.

Just one person's opinion!