The Poser
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Published by: 82 Mercer Publishing
Release Date: May 16, 2020
Pages: 320
ISBN13: 978-1733091374
ASIN: B08882WXDL
Synopsis
It’s Oscar night in Hollywood, and after years of climbing the entertainment ladder, media darling Meredith Johansen has finally taken home a gold statue.
Across town, rookie Detective Pat Norelli is working late with hopes of breaking through her own glass ceiling with a promotion in the LAPD. Their paths unexpectedly collide when Johansen is discovered dead in her Bel Air home, only hours after Oscar night festivities ended.
With a note but few clues, authorities rule it a suicide. Norelli’s instinct says murder—a hunch worth risking a pending promotion to prove otherwise.
When a long list of suspects emerges, she and partner Detective Stuart Brown find themselves entangled in a chaotic series of lies. Trying to find the real killer amidst a web of deception, Norelli and Brown lose ground when a key suspect turns up dead. Then, in the middle of reworking hunches, and with Brown momentarily out of touch, Norelli gets too close to the truth and lands in the trap of a pathological killer.
If you enjoy Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch, you’ll enjoy David Temple’s Pat Norelli.
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Praise
"So, you want to know who killed Meredith? You’ll find out, but it’s gonna be a wild ride getting there. Not for the faint of heart, but once you’re hooked, you can’t let go. Detective Norelli and the cast of likable and not-so-likable characters are described so well, you feel like you’re there with them. Book 2 will not be ready fast enough."
-Pam Magnus, 5-of-5 Stars!
"Literally could not put The Poser down. Detective Pat Norelli in one word is AWESOME. If you're into reading books that keep you on the edge of your seat, make ya say "no way" out loud, and can't wait for the movie The Poser might just be the book for you. Someone please send me a list of David Temple's other thrillers. Way Way into this book, great work David! I am placing my order for more Detective Norelli!"
-Tim Buss, CA
"A most interesting reading! The Poser has a well knit plot with quite a few twists and turns that make the reader stay glued to the book till the end. There's a lot of action, mind games, mystery and crime, and underlying it all there's a strong friendship and family relationships. The main character, the detective Pat Norelli, is strong willed, persistent, and good-humored, and her partnership with Stuart make the duo lively, laughable and good at what they do. Hopefully there will be another book on these two characters, as are they are too good together to be forgotten."
-Claudete Takahashi, Brazil
"Intricate plat with enough twists to entertain the most jaded reader. While some characters are fairly normal, the rest are bizarre enough for the Hollywood setting to both amuse and repel. First of Temple's that I've read; recommend this read!"
-Vickie Brooks, Arkansas
"A GREAT thriller! And the most surprising book I've read in awhile. You think you know what's going on, then it twists and gives you something to think about. I highly recommend this to any thriller readers out there...was shocked to find out the extent of the killer's crimes!"
-Lynn-Marie, US
"I read an ARC copy...and WOW, I was floored! A true page-turner. I couldn't put it down, and will definitely be looking for more of (his) stories."
-Janie Kuhn, US
"L-O-V-E-D this book! Great story & characters! Freaky characters with freaky twists. I really enjoyed...and looking forward to the sequel!!"
-L.W., US
“It was obvious a lot of research was done prior to writing the story. I felt the directions about the locations were thorough enough I could get in my car and drive there. It left me looking forward to a sequel and maybe even a trilogy! I highly recommend this book if your looking for an immersive experience into a WHO DUN IT murder mystery with twists and turns to keep you satisfied.”
-Danny, FL
“I absolutely loved The Poser; it is one of the best suspense thrillers I’ve read, and I’ve read a lot of them. What a bunch of crazy people; they kept the book very interesting. Can’t wait to read the next in the series! Look for David Temple’s name to appear on the New York Times Best Selling Author list!”
-Amazon Customer, WI
"I loved this crime thriller. It's chock full of spoiled, rich, Hollywood stars and wannabes who'll do anything to get what they want. Norelli's a tough-as-nails investigator who's not afraid to ruffle a few feathers, and a character that's hard not to like. This story offers painstaking police work that harkens to the best episodes of TV Cop shows of the past, a diabolical killer you won't suspect...and action that'll have you on the edge of your seat, frantically turning pages to get to the shocking ending. It's a rollicking good read!"
-Aurorasworld22, Canada
"I really enjoyed this book. And I really hope that this is the beginning of a series. Lots of twists and turns in this one. I did not want to put it down. Well done!"
-Carol T., 5-of-5 Stars
“I loved the way the author wrote about each one of the characters; his descriptive writing makes you feel like you know them intimately. All of the characters were woven together in the story and each played an integral part. And his witty humor…is perfectly timed. The mystery of the plot makes makes it hard to put the book down. I'm hoping for a sequel.”
-Kathy Schneider, CO.
"This book is worth ten stars! I hope there will be another one about Detective Norelli soon! What I loved most? I never thought it would end the way it did. Please let me know when the next one comes out!"
-Dorothy Schaefer, 5-of-5 Stars
“David's best work, and most polished in every sense of the word. I liked that this was his first novel with a female lead.”
-John Abrahamson, NC
"I was pretty sure I had it figured out near the end, but wasn't. Just when I thought I knew the answer, came another twist!"
Carole P.
Excerpt
CHAPTER ONE - CRIMSON SHEET
Standing over the bed, he watched the erratic bursts from his lover’s neck slowly subside. Leaning closer, he saw the light leave her eyes and froze the moment in his mind like a polaroid.
That’s the last time.
Reaching for his smartphone, he began posing her body like Hollywood starlets who graced past magazine covers. He took great pleasure in orchestrating his art, capturing images from numerous angles. Minutes later, he put away the smartphone in one jacket pocket and removed a folded letter from another, placing it in the center of a nearby writing desk. Taking out a pen, he placed it in her hand before returning both to the desk. Pleased, he began gathering his clothes.
Suddenly, he heard a noise and froze in place, listening intently. On full alert, he slowly made his way down the hall. Thinking he heard another sound, he stopped.
The only noise came from a splashing fountain next to the pool in the backyard. Cautious, he continued to creep down the long hallway to the rear of the house. Light from the moon cast long shadows on the marble floor. Stopping, he scanned the room until his eyes landed on a door in the corner of the great room. It was open several inches. Approaching, and with quickening pulse, he stepped outside to scan the grounds...