Captain Heimrich

From the authors of the "excellent" Mr. and Mrs. North Mysteries: Captain Heimrich investigates family secrets behind closed doors (TheNew Yorker). Capt. M. L. Heimrich of the New York State Police may not have the flash of hard-boiled city detectives, but there's no lead the intrepid investigator won't follow until his every hunch is satisfied . . . After four years serving as a lieutenant in the US Naval Reserve, all World War II widow Jane Phillips wants is to reunite with her great-aunt Susan Meredith at her home in Westchester, New York. But Jane's journey soon proves to be fraught with danger. First, a series of unfortunate events almost causes Jane to miss her train. Then, another passenger attempts to trick her into a premature disembarkation. Jane would like to think the mishaps are simple coincidence, but what she doesn't know is someone doesn't want her to make it home at all . . . When Susan's grandson insists the family matriarch is being poisoned to death, police detective Captain Heimrich is duty bound to investigate. And soon he'll uncover a dastardly plot involving greedy relatives, a woman in peril, and the kind of wealth some people would kill for. I Want to Go Home is the 1st book in the Captain Heimrich Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

An overwhelming fog obscures a killer in this Captain Heimrich whodunit from the authors of the "excellent" Mr. and Mrs. North Mysteries (TheNew Yorker). Capt. M. L. Heimrich of the New York State Police may not have the flash of hard-boiled city detectives, but there's no lead the intrepid investigator won't follow until his every hunch is satisfied . . . Those of lesser means would jump at the chance to live in a grand estate like High Ridge. But in the dense January fog, the Bromwell family's mansion becomes home to a dastardly murder that shocks the whole of Westchester County. When Captain Heimrich is called in to solve the case, he quickly realizes the task set before him won't be easy. The timeline of Marta Bromwell's death is hazy, and the suspects are many. There's the mousy secretary, the indifferent mother-in-law, the motorist with a convenient flat tire, and a thief brazen enough to steal a Cadillac with a fortune in gems stashed in the glove box. Heimrich knows the obvious answer isn't always the right one, but as he digs into the Bromwells' secrets, someone else in the house is murdered. Now he'll have to catch a killer hiding right under his nose . . . Foggy, Foggy Death is the 3rd book in the Captain Heimrich Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

A pair of inexperienced sleuths attempts to best Captain Heimrich in this mystery from the authors of the "excellent" Mr. and Mrs. North series (The New Yorker). Capt. M. L. Heimrich of the New York State Police may not have the flash of hard-boiled city detectives, but there's no lead the intrepid investigator won't follow until his every hunch is satisfied . . . A cocktail party at which no one is particularly fond of one another can be quite a bore. But when two partygoers decide to liven things up by skinny-dipping in the Townsends' pool, they stumble across a body and dive into a whole lot of trouble. Paul J. Barlow was a man of means, and now that he's been shot in the back his wealth will go to his relatives-a fact that doesn't bode well for the couple who found the body: Barlow's niece and her husband, Winifred and Orson Otis. The state police are summoned to the Townsend home, and Captain Heimrich intends to sort out the case right quick. But when the Otises decide to become amateur sleuths to clear their own names, they're soon in over their heads-and it's Heimrich to the rescue. A Client Is Canceled is the 4th book in the Captain Heimrich Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

From the authors of the "excellent" Mr. and Mrs. North Mysteries: Captain Heimrich's vacation in Key West turns stormy when a Communist snitch is silenced (TheNew Yorker). Capt. M. L. Heimrich of the New York State Police may not have the flash of hard-boiled city detectives, but there's no lead the intrepid investigator won't follow until his every hunch is satisfied . . . There's no better place than Key West for relaxing under a palm tree with a daiquiri in hand. It should be the perfect location for Captain Heimrich to recover after being shot in the shoulder during a confrontation with a killer. But Heimrich's recuperation soon turns into a working vacation when a fellow guest at the Coral Isles is murdered. A former Communist famous for exposing his compatriots, Bronson Wells wasn't much liked-giving the local authorities a long list of suspects to sort through. And even though Captain Heimrich is outside his jurisdiction, the experienced detective can't resist doing some investigating of his own. With the assistance of his associate, Dr. Barclay MacDonald, and Miss Mary Wister, a young artist from New York, Heimrich will forgo the sand and sun of the Keys and digs into possible motives for wanting the arrogant Wells silenced forever. Death by Association is the 5th book in the Captain Heimrich Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

From the authors of the "excellent" Mr. and Mrs. North Mysteries: The murder of a beautiful woman draws Captain Heimrich into a tangled web of secrets (The New Yorker). Capt. M. L. Heimrich of the New York State Police may not have the flash of hard-boiled city detectives, but there's no lead the intrepid investigator won't follow until his every hunch is satisfied . . . The quiet town of East Belford, New York, finds the entire ordeal of Virginia Monroe's violent death quite shocking. The way the stranger-a young, recently discharged marine-claims to have stumbled across the girl's naked and abused body seems odd indeed. After all, why was he walking down the lane in a town where he had no reason to be anyway? Captain Heimrich knows some things about Miss Monroe's murder don't quite fit, but despite pressure from the townsfolk and media, he's not about to arrest Timothy Gates without a thorough investigation. As he gets to know the players in the case-including the victim's jealous younger sister, rich invalid grandmother, and nervous fiancé-Heimrich starts to believe there's more to the story. But if he doesn't identify the culprit soon, another murder could be in East Belford's future . . . Stand Up and Die is the 6th book in the Captain Heimrich Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

Captain Heimrich has a beef with a killer after getting a bum steer in this mystery from the authors of the "excellent" Mr. and Mrs. North series (The New Yorker). Capt. M. L. Heimrich of the New York State Police may not have the flash of hard-boiled city detectives, but there's no lead the intrepid investigator won't follow until his every hunch is satisfied . . . Just as he's about to take a well-deserved break, Captain Heimrich is confronted with a fresh-faced officer who has a gut feeling about what should be an open-and-shut case. Trooper Crowley knows all the evidence points to Margaret Landcraft being trampled to death by Prince, Deep Meadow Farm's prize-winning Angus bull. But he also knows Prince to be a gentle giant and Mrs. Landcraft one of the sturdiest women around-something just doesn't add up. Captain Heimrich isn't very familiar with cattle, but following hunches has never led him astray. He soon learns that Mrs. Landcraft's sons seem much more keen on cashing in their champion bull than carrying on the family profession-leading Heimrich to believe the real killer may be human after all . . . Death and the Gentle Bull is the 7th book in the Captain Heimrich Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

From the authors of the "excellent" Mr. and Mrs. North Mysteries: Captain Heimrich discovers a fire is a smoke screen for murder (TheNew Yorker). Capt. M. L. Heimrich of the New York State Police may not have the flash of hard-boiled city detectives, but there's no lead the intrepid investigator won't follow until his every hunch is satisfied . . . Captain Heimrich expects little excitement when he attends the Van Brunt town meeting while visiting his niece and her husband. But when the assembly is cut short due to a raging fire, things get quite exciting indeed. Half the attendees rush out to fulfill their duties as volunteer firefighters, and the rest follow to see the spectacle of a firehouse ablaze. The flames rage, burning the building to the ground, but it's not until the next day that the body of town supervisor Orville Phipps is found in the charred ruins. While it all looks like a tragic accident, Heimrich knows Phipps wasn't much loved by some of the residents in Van Brunt. His suspicion that the fire was set to cover up a murder is confirmed when it becomes clear that Phipps was shot. Now, it's up to Heimrich to smoke out a match-happy murderer. Burnt Offering is the 8th book in the Captain Heimrich Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

Captain Heimrich resolves to get to the bottom of a New Year's drowning in this mystery from the authors of the "excellent" Mr. and Mrs. North series (The New Yorker). Capt. M. L. Heimrich of the New York State Police may not have the flash of hard-boiled city detectives, but there's no lead the intrepid investigator won't follow until his every hunch is satisfied . . . A New Year's Eve party should be filled with champagne, laughter, and the good company of others. And the Halley's celebration at their country house is exactly that. But the next day has barely dawned when a shocking discovery begins the new year with a dreadful bang. Psychologist Margaret Halley is convinced her depressed husband drowned himself in the lake. But why would a man intent on suicide walk through a hundred yards of deep snow to jump into a freezing lake when there was a bottle of sleeping pills next to his bed? As Captain Heimrich investigates the Halleys-and their guests-he has a sinking feeling that someone must have sent John Halley to his watery grave. Let Dead Enough Alone is the 9th book in the Captain Heimrich Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

Captain Heimrich teams up with a professor to teach a killer a lesson in this mystery from the authors of the "excellent" Mr. and Mrs. North series (The New Yorker). Capt. M. L. Heimrich of the New York State Police may not have the flash of hard-boiled city detectives, but there's no lead the intrepid investigator won't follow until his every hunch is satisfied . . . When Walter Brinkley-professor emeritus of English literature-throws a cocktail party for newlywed friend Paul Craig and his bride, he has no idea the celebratory affair will spark a chain of events ending in a string of scandalous murders. The first victim is beautiful party guest Caroline Wilkins, shot while sunbathing nude in a secluded place a few days after the soiree. Called in to investigate, Captain Heimrich uncovers information that links the dead woman to a notorious scandal rag. But before he can connect all the dots, a second malicious murder throws him for a loop. With someone in Westchester County on a killing spree, Heimrich has little time left to catch the culprit. Luckily, Professor Brinkley might have just the expertise needed to crack the case . . . Accent on Murder is the 11th book in the Captain Heimrich Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

From the authors of the "excellent" Mr. and Mrs. North Mysteries: Captain Heimrich must solve the case of a Hollywood homicide in the Hudson Valley (TheNew Yorker). Capt. M. L. Heimrich of the New York State Police may not have the flash of hard-boiled city detectives, but there's no lead the intrepid investigator won't follow until his every hunch is satisfied . . . When Captain Heimrich and his ladylove, Susan Faye, stumble across the bodies of actress Peggy Belford and her former husband, it appears a dramatic murder-suicide has hit Van Brunt. But as Heimrich takes a good look at the crime scene, he starts to think it may have been staged. Peggy was in town shooting a film, The Last Patroon, and with so many other Hollywood types swarming Westchester County, Heimrich has a long list of suspects auditioning for the role of her killer. Jealous costars and moody directors all seem likely candidates, but when the murderer targets Susan, Captain Heimrich will have to figure out the twist ending before the woman he loves ends up on the cutting room floor. Show Red for Danger is the 12th book in the Captain Heimrich Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

Captain Heimrich's honeymoon is cut short when death parts a wealthy couple in this mystery from the authors of the "excellent" Mr. and Mrs. North series (The New Yorker). Capt. M. T. Heimrich of the New York State Police may not have the flash of hard-boiled city detectives, but there's no lead the intrepid investigator won't follow until his every hunch is satisfied . . . A man like Captain Heimrich often finds himself investigating disturbing situations, but lately he's found a much more pleasant endeavor to occupy his thoughts: marriage. His Palm Beach honeymoon with his bride, Susan, was perfectly lovely, but before they can even make it all the way home to Van Brunt, news of a fellow New Yorker's death puts a stop to the Heimrichs' wedded bliss. The wife of James Bedlow-the wealthy owner of the New York Chronicle-appears to have met her end after falling into an empty swimming pool. But when evidence reveals that Ann was hit in the head with a rock before her fall, and James is later shot, it becomes clear a murderer is at large. Many people-from greedy relatives to ruthless business rivals-stand to gain from the deaths of the rich couple, and Captain Heimrich vows to employ all his detective skills to hone in on the real killer and sort out the complicated whodunit. With One Stone is the 13th book in the Captain Heimrich Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

Capt. M. L. Heimrich of the New York State Police may not have the flash of hard-boiled city detectives, but there's no lead the intrepid investigator won't follow until his every hunch is satisfied... A police captain's driveway is the last place anyone would expect to find a dead body. But when a man who's been shot collapses in front of Captain Heimrich's wife, it seems murder has landed directly on the detective's doorstep. The victim turns out to be Old Tom, a vagabond who did odd jobs around the town of Van Brunt, New York. Then, a shocking truth emerges: Old Tom was T. Lyman Mitchell, a justice of the New York Supreme Court who's been missing for six years. Heimrich needs to figure out the reason for the justice's sudden reappearance in order to determine who shot him. Maybe it has to do with a criminal he once convicted. Or maybe it involves his wife, who wants to move on with a new husband. With so many avenues to investigate, Heimrich must race to find the ruthless killer before anyone else bites the bullet... First Come, First Kill is the 14th book in the Captain Heimrich Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

Capt. M. L. Heimrich of the New York State Police may not have the flash of hard-boiled city detectives, but there's no lead the intrepid investigator won't follow until his every hunch is satisfied. . . When secretary Enid Vance comes across the bodies of her employer, Homer Lenox, and the town librarian, Loudon Wingate, her discovery marks the beginning of a scandal that will shake the town of Van Brunt to its foundations. Both men have been shot dead, and the gun is lying right next to Homer Lenox's hand. All evidence points to a murder-suicide, but the motive is unclear-until Captain Heimrich is called in to investigate the shocking crime. When Heimrich turns up the book Lenox was writing-a detailed history titled The Families of Putnam County, New York-he suspects the exposé is somehow involved. The detective finds the unfinished manuscript decidedly dull, but when an intruder breaks into Lenox's house and burns all the remaining papers found at the scene, Heimrich becomes convinced that someone in Van Brunt is willing to kill to protect their family secrets.

Capt. M. L. Heimrich of the New York State Police may not have the flash of hard-boiled city detectives, but there's no lead the intrepid investigator won't follow until his every hunch is satisfied... Lt. Nathan Shapiro of the NYPD would rather be anywhere else than rural New York investigating lawyer Stuart Fleming's claims of bribes and point-shaving schemes involving football players at Dyckman University. He's a city cop and the country makes him nervous. When he arrives at the headquarters of New York State Police Troop K, Shapiro's day goes from bad to worse as Captain Heimrich informs him that Fleming's been shot dead. Now, with a homicide on their hands, the city lieutenant and the country captain must get in the game and investigate the crime together. As they dig into the scandal, Shapiro and Heimrich uncover more than some football dirty dealings. Seems there's an entire gambling racket that won't hesitate to tackle any problems with unnecessary roughness... Murder Can't Wait is the 16th book in the Captain Heimrich Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

Captain Heimrich hunts for the killer of a fallen Hollywood star in this classic mystery from the coauthor of the Mr. and Mrs. North series. Capt. M. L. Heimrich of the New York State Police may not have the flash of hard-boiled city detectives, but there's no lead the intrepid investigator won't follow until his every hunch is satisfied . . . Real estate agent Leslie Brennan is frustrated when a prospective buyer for Annette Weaver's house fails to show up on time. She becomes even more upset when she finds Annette dead in the foyer, lying in a puddle of blood. Thanks to her haughty attitude, the late film actress more famously known as Annette LeBaron had made enemies out of half the town of Van Brunt, New York-but were any of them inclined to kill? Captain Heimrich intends to get to the bottom of all the drama. To do so he'll have to investigate the motives of everyone Annette managed to annoy, and with a killer on the loose and a large cast of suspects, he'd better get started right away. Murder Roundabout is the 17th book in the Captain Heimrich Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

Inspector M. L. Heimrich of the New York State Police may not have the flash of hard-boiled city detectives, but there's no lead the intrepid investigator won't follow until his every hunch is satisfied . . . Tensions have been rising in the conservative community of North Wellwood, New York, ever since African American lawyer Thomas Peters moved to town with a plan to open a desegregated country club. Those in opposition are determined to see Mr. Peters's plan fail at all costs-going so far as to harass liberal newcomers like Eric and Ann Martin, and commit vile acts against those who dare to support equality, like widow Faith Powers. Called in to investigate Mrs. Powers's shocking murder, recently promoted Inspector Heimrich soon finds himself caught in the storm that has taken over North Wellwood. Now, if he wants to see justice served, he'll have to make it out of a hate-fueled powder keg that's ready to explode . . . With Option to Die is the 18th book in the Captain Heimrich Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

Inspector M. L. Heimrich of the New York State Police may not have the flash of hard-boiled city detectives, but there's no lead the intrepid investigator won't follow until his every hunch is satisfied... An advertisement for an odd collection of items has been placed in the Van Brunt Citizen: a never-been-worn size ten wedding dress, a bay horse, and a.25 caliber Winchester rifle. At first glance these objects seem unrelated, but they all played a role in the accidental death of young heiress Virginia Gant the year prior. When the paper's owner brings the matter to Inspector Heimrich, there's really nothing that can be done. After all, however much the phony ads were in bad taste, their publication didn't break any laws. But even though his hands are tied, Heimrich has a feeling there's more to the story and begins his own quiet investigation. And when someone else connected to Gant ends up six feet under, it's up to the resolute inspector to make the arrest of a killer headline news. A Risky Way to Kill is the 19th book in the Captain Heimrich Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

Inspector Heimrich takes a vacation and ends up in troubled waters in this mystery from the coauthor of the "excellent" Mr. and Mrs. North series (The New Yorker). Inspector M. L. Heimrich of the New York State Police may not have the flash of hard-boiled city detectives, but there's no lead the intrepid investigator won't follow until his every hunch is satisfied . . . Over his many years on the force, Inspector Heimrich has more than earned his reputation for getting the job done. But when his wife, Susan, takes ill with pneumonia, Heimrich doesn't hesitate to put police work aside. Following her doctor's orders, Heimrich books a vacation to allow Susan to recuperate in a warmer climate. But while their Mediterranean cruise is a welcome change from the harsh winters of rural New York, Heimrich soon learns that even at sea, murder refuses to take a holiday. A British diplomat has disappeared from the ship, and the captain would like Heimrich to investigate. Now, as he observes the luxury liner's occupants and attempts to discern a motive-all while tending to his wife-Heimrich must fish for a killer, in this murderous case of international intrigue. Inspector's Holiday is the 20th book in the Captain Heimrich Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

Inspector M. L. Heimrich of the New York State Police may not have the flash of hard-boiled city detectives, but there's no lead the intrepid investigator won't follow until his every hunch is satisfied . . . A simple man, Inspector Heimrich is not particularly fond of large parties. Still, when he and his wife, Susan, receive an invitation to a black-tie event thrown by a wealthy local resident, Heimrich finds himself agreeing to attend the fete at his wife's behest. No sooner does elderly Arthur Jameson announce his engagement to Dorothy Selby-his much younger assistant-than someone decides to make sure the wedding will never occur. With an arrow to the throat, Jameson's happily ever after has shifted into the great hereafter. There are many who might want to take aim at a man like Arthur Jameson, but few who could pull off such a pointed attack. Now, Heimrich must sift through the clues to catch the vicious killer and solve yet another upper-crust caper. Not I, Said the Sparrow is the 21st book in the Captain Heimrich Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

Inspector M. L. Heimrich of the New York State Police may not have the flash of hard-boiled city detectives, but there's no lead the intrepid investigator won't follow until his every hunch is satisfied . . . On the night before Christmas Eve, in Van Brunt, New York, attorney Samuel Jackson is run over in the parking lot of the Old Stone Inn-and it's no accident. For Inspector Heimrich, Jackson's murder is personal, not only because the man was his friend, but also because the sole witness is his son Michael's new girlfriend. The shaken girl says she saw a car back into Sam and then run him over to finish the job. With a case of vicious vehicular homicide on his hands, Heimrich vows to find justice for his friend and make sure the cold-blooded killer doesn't make a clean getaway.

From the coauthor of the "excellent" Mr. and Mrs. North mysteries: Everything goes to the dogs when Inspector Heimrich must solve a veterinarian's murder (The New Yorker). Inspector M. L. Heimrich of the New York State Police may not have the flash of hard-boiled city detectives, but there's no lead the intrepid investigator won't follow until his every hunch is satisfied . . . When his Great Dane, Colonel, suddenly takes ill, Inspector Heimrich takes the dog to a local vet. Unfortunately, Dr. Barton isn't able to take the case-he's lying dead on the clinic's floor. Now, Heimrich has a case of his own. It's no surprise to find a needle somewhere in Dr. Barton's vicinity-after all the man was diabetic-but the residue inside the syringe found next to the body isn't insulin; it's a toxic plant extract that causes asphyxiation. With an exotic murder weapon and no obvious motive, Heimrich will have to examine those closest to the good doctor. Since there are suspects aplenty, his investigation risks barking up the wrong tree. But no matter how long it takes, the experienced officer intends to see that justice has its day. The Tenth Life is the 23rd book in the Captain Heimrich Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.