TIM CHAPMAN

"Kiddieland and Other Misfortunes" takes readers on a wild ride through a series of unconventional and unforgettable tales. From a former hitman who must return to his violent ways to save his beloved, to an advertising executive who abandons her family to live as a forest nymph, to a young girl grappling with the gift of divine power, these stories explore themes of family, class, crime, and love.The author of "A Trace of Gold" and "The Blue Silence" delivers a collection of engaging and thought-provoking stories that delve into the human psyche. At once familiar and bizarre, the characters in "Kiddieland and Other Misfortunes" will stay with readers long after they turn the final page. With its blend of humor, suspense, and emotion, this collection is a must-read for fans of literary fiction and short story collections alike.

In "A Trace of Gold" (formerly published as "Bright and Yellow, Hard and Cold"), forensic scientist Sean McKinney embarks on a dangerous mission to catch a serial killer targeting elderly members of the Barker-Karpis gang from the 1930s. With his determination to exonerate an innocent man, McKinney puts his own life in jeopardy and must navigate a corrupt system to bring the true killer to justice.The novel takes readers on a journey through two eras of Chicago crime, from the gritty underworld of the 1930s gangsters and gun molls to modern-day Chicago. Blending crime fiction with historical fiction, "A Trace of Gold" offers a vivid portrayal of the citys criminal past and present, with a thrilling plot full of suspenseful twists and turns. As the body count rises, McKinney risks becoming the next victim in the killers deadly game.

In "The Blue Silence," forensic scientist Sean McKinney faces one of his toughest challenges yet when hes called upon to help find his daughters missing college roommate. Struggling to adjust to being an empty nester, McKinney travels to New Orleans to investigate, but when his own daughter is kidnapped, hell stop at nothing to bring her home safely.The novel seamlessly transitions from modern-day Chicago to the Reconstruction Era in Louisiana, offering a glimpse into the states haunting past and the dark secrets that still lurk in its murky waters. In this gripping crime story, McKinney must venture into the treacherous Louisiana swamps to face a deranged killer in a heart-pounding finale that takes readers on a thrilling ride through the dangerous bayou, where the most deadly predators arent always the gators.