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Murder in Disguise
"In his distinctive voice, Donn Taylor delivers a murder mystery set to music—even if the musical accompaniment is only in Professor Barclay's head."
--- Mary Hamilton,
Author of
Hear No Evil
(Rustic Bible Camp Series)
Preston Barclay
Murder Mezzo Forte
“Richly embellished with literary and musical references and peopled with academia’s most intriguing eccentrics and snobs…”
--- CBA Retailers and Resources Magazine
“An expertly woven yarn that delights on every page.”
--- Cathy Elliot, Author of
A Vase of Mistaken Identity
“The descriptive wording is a delightful change from the clichés of most novels…”
--- Christian Review of Books
2008 © Donn Taylor
Moody Publishers
Softcover - 364 pages
Released:
September 1, 2008
Rhapsody in Red
Preston Barclay Mystery Series - Book 1
Preston Barclay is a self-made recluse (and he likes it that way). Teaching college history allows him time to grieve the loss of his pianist wife and find relief from the musical hallucinations that have been playing in his head since her death. But when he and headstrong colleague, Mara Thorn, discover the body of another instructor on campus, Press’s monotonous solitude is shaken up.
When the preliminary evidence singles out Press and Mara, they must take some chances (including trusting each other) to build their own defense—by bending the rules just a little bit.
They form an unlikely alliance to stay ahead of the police, the college’s wary and incompetent administration, and whoever is trying to get away with murder. Or else they both might end up unemployed, behind bars, or worse.
Books - Mystery
Preston Barclay Mystery Series - Book 2
She a headstrong professor of religion, a converted Wiccan. Earlier, they solved a campus murder, but now police say they formed two-thirds of an illicit love triangle with a newly-murdered female colleague and they're probably guilty of her murder. A leak of the alleged scandal to the college administration threatens their jobs. Their desperate attempt to prove themselves innocent of the triangle and the murder plunges them into a tangle of unsavory corporate relationships among college trustees. And it puts their lives in danger from a mysterious criminal organization that seems to have tentacles everywhere.
Can this ill-matched pair's stumbling efforts succeed against the entrenched forces of the police, the college's incompetent administration, and that powerful but unseen criminal organization? If not, they may end up unemployed, in prison, or suffering a fate much worse .
2016 © Donn Taylor
"If Donn Taylor has as much fun writing mysteries as his fans have in reading them, he and his writings will remain forever ageless.
The first sentence will make you want to keep reading."
--- Roger E. Bruner, Author of The Devil and Pastor Gus,
Found in Translation, and Lost in Dreams
Lamplighter Fiction
Softcover - 289 pages
Released:
June 9, 2016
"Bravissimo! Music, mayhem, and murder. Donn Taylor delivers another delightful mystery full of surprises, sarcasm, puns, and edge-of-your-seat plot twists—a winner for sure!"
--- Sadie and Sophie Cuffe,
Authors of
The Maine White Pine Cone Conspiracy
"Author Donn Taylor brings to life Professor Preston Barclay in Murder Mezzo Forte. Soon, you'll find yourself trying to help the professor escape the mortal coils of this intricate plot."
--- James Callan,
Author of
Over My Dead Body
(A Father Frank Mystery)
Preston Barclay Mystery Series - Book 3
Official verdict: Suicide. But why would that vigorous department chairman kill himself? To avoid disgrace? Those rumored ventures on the dark side? Some other secret life? Visiting professor Preston Barclay wonders. But his questions bring no answers, only anonymous threats. He has enough problems already, proving himself on a strange campus while radical faculty do all they can to undermine him. Worse yet, that sexy siren assigned as his assistant complicates his courtship of the beautiful Mara Thorn.
While Press keeps asking questions, Mara's research reveals a cancer of criminal activity that permeates the community and even the campus itself. The more Press questions, the more dangerous the threats against him become, and the more determined he grows to clear his friend's name.
But can Press and Mara's stumbling efforts prevail against the entrenched forces of the police, the campus radicals, and an unseen but powerful criminal organization that increasingly puts their lives in danger…?
2017 © Donn Taylor
Lamplighter Mysteries
Softcover - 301 pages
Released:
October 16, 2017
“In circumstances closer to reality than we want to believe, Donn Taylor has crafted a tight, mesmerizing mystery. Once you start reading it, you won’t want to stop.”
--- James R. Callan, Award-Winning Author of A Silver Medallion
“Donn Taylor has done it again. In Murder in Disguise he has created a riveting mystery filled with intrigue, erudition, and just the right amount of humor necessary to make this book a recipe for success. An excellent and worthwhile addition to your fiction library.”
--- MaryAnn Diorio, PhD, MFA
Author of
The Italian Chronicles Trilogy
“In Donn Taylor’s Murder in Disguise, you’ll meet Professor Preston Barclay, whose mild manners belie his background in military special ops. Barclay’s witty word play will have you chuckling one moment, and the next moment his stepping into danger sill start your heart pumping faster. If you like a mystery that keeps you guessing right to the finale, this is the book for you!”
--- Rick Barry
Author of
The Methuselah Project