INCENTIVE FOR DEATH - debut thriller novel set in DC from retired attorney James Spoonhour

Incentive for Death

James Spoonhour

Former trial lawyer and Special Agent. Having read 2 or 3 books per week since age 12, Jim Spoonhour has now fulfilled his long desire to write mysteries. Incentive for Death is the first in a series of Detective Mac Burke novels.

DC homicide detective McDermott “Mac” Burke and his partner assigned murder of prominent lawyer who set up company that buys life insurance policies. Had sellers put a target on their own backs? With help from a friendly hacker, detectives tie three current and five murders over prior six months to a single company buying the life insurance policies. Following the money, they focus on CIA executive who has personal financial benefit from the deaths. Eventually tie all eight deaths to man and woman working for their former boss at CIA. The common thread in five of the eight murders is a virtually untraceable exotic method of causing their deaths. Cell phone tracking data places the two lower-level CIA employees at all death scenes. Hacking into bank accounts traces payments before and after each murder. All cases solved within a week using help from hacker and Mac’s ex-wife who also works for CIA. Ex-wife saves Mac’s life in climactic chase scene and shoot-out.

Mystery/Thriller readers. This book is perfect for readers who like Robert Dugoni’s Tracy Crosswhite series. Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch series. John Sandford’s Prey series (Lucas Davenport). James Patterson’s Alex Cross series.

Hardback

From author: I would hope for something traditional. Don’t like the cartoonish covers which I do not think would be appropriate for this book. I favor a dark cover with light letters. Ideas: • DC map background with geolocation marker(s) • DC image with target/bullseye overlaying • Something with data, see attached image with data making up a face - just an example. There is a lot of discussion of data in the book and how it is used to find "victims". Somehow incorporating data with a DC background might work

cartoonish covers

Every design category has flexible pricing for all budgets. Book cover starts at €289.