Connor Hawthorne Series by Lauren Maddison

On the muddy banks of Washington, D.C.'s C&O Canal, a beautiful supermodel is murdered, unleashing a wave of terror that reaches to the highest levels of power. Devastated by the death of her longtime lover, Connor Hawthorne, a best-selling mystery novelist and former district attorney, is determined to bring her murderer to justice. Yet when the mystery is solved -- almost too easily -- she vows to put the experience behind her and rebuild her life... moreOn the muddy banks of Washington, D.C.'s C&O Canal, a beautiful supermodel is murdered, unleashing a wave of terror that reaches to the highest levels of power. Devastated by the death of her longtime lover, Connor Hawthorne, a best-selling mystery novelist and former district attorney, is determined to bring her murderer to justice. Yet when the mystery is solved -- almost too easily -- she vows to put the experience behind her and rebuild her life. But someone is determined to make sure she doesn't. While vacationing in the Southwest, Connor finds herself running for her life across the high desert, aided by a beautiful Navajo guide. As the murderer draws closer, they must unravel the web of treachery, some of which lies in Connor's own past, to save their lives and prevent the discovery of a powerful secret someone is willing to kill for. Expertly weaving diverse elements of political intrigue, mystery, and Native American folklore, Lauren Maddison has crafted a tense, riveting thriller while exploring ancient mysteries and secrets. less

No one knows what the grave robbers were looking for when they violated the grave of Connor Hawthorne's recently deceased grandmother, Gwendolyn. Whatever it was, they didn't find it, but they died trying. Two corpses and a casket full of stones are all that Connor has to go on as she leaves her home in Santa Fe, N.M. for Glastonbury, England, with Laura Nez, the courageous Navajo guide who saved her life in the high desert of New Mexico... moreNo one knows what the grave robbers were looking for when they violated the grave of Connor Hawthorne's recently deceased grandmother, Gwendolyn. Whatever it was, they didn't find it, but they died trying. Two corpses and a casket full of stones are all that Connor has to go on as she leaves her home in Santa Fe, N.M. for Glastonbury, England, with Laura Nez, the courageous Navajo guide who saved her life in the high desert of New Mexico. Once again Lauren Maddison blends thriller fiction with mythology and lets it build to a heart-pounding conclusion.Lauren Maddison is the author of the best-selling, "Deceptions." A former resident of just about everywhere, she now makes her home in Southern California. less

While traveling the California coast visiting historic missions, Connor Hawthorne and her partner, Laura Nez, are unwittingly thrust into the middle of an age-old conflict as they help investigate what may be terrorist threats against nuclear power plants... moreWhile traveling the California coast visiting historic missions, Connor Hawthorne and her partner, Laura Nez, are unwittingly thrust into the middle of an age-old conflict as they help investigate what may be terrorist threats against nuclear power plants. But is Ricky Bell a terrorist? A religious zealot who interprets Biblical prophecy to suit his beliefs? Or merely a sociopath who murders those who disappoint him? The two women quickly become neck-deep in a mystery that not only leads to hidden truths that the Vatican will do anything to suppress but also forces them deep into a battle between two secret societies: one a ruthless organization whose members are sworn to search out and silence the heretics who are their enemies; the other, a band of mystics whose magical abilities and unswerving loyalty to the Holy Mother are their only weapons in preserving the one sacred relic that could rewrite history. Returning in "Death by Prophecy "is the rich cast of unforgettable characters from the first two Connor Hawthorne mysteries: Connor's father, Benjamin, whose former CIA position allows his daughter access to classified information but also presents hidden dangers; Malcolm Jefferson, a Washington, D.C., police captain, whose friendship with Connor sometimes borders on the overprotective; and of course, Connor's grandmother Gwendolyn, who continues to provide guidance from beyond the grave."Lauren Maddison "is the author of the bestselling mysteries "Deceptions "and "Witchfire." A former resident of just about everywhere, she now makes her home in Southern California. less

Connor Hawthorne and Laura Nez travel to Boston to attend the funeral of Catherine Pettigrew, the mother of Connor's college friend and former lover, Grace. Before the funeral, Grace reveals to Connor that she is troubled over the manner of her mother's death, and Grace's concern is made graver by the sudden appearance of a sibling she never knew she had. Even worse, the mysterious -sibling appears to have inherited the lion's share of Catherine's sizable estate... moreConnor Hawthorne and Laura Nez travel to Boston to attend the funeral of Catherine Pettigrew, the mother of Connor's college friend and former lover, Grace. Before the funeral, Grace reveals to Connor that she is troubled over the manner of her mother's death, and Grace's concern is made graver by the sudden appearance of a sibling she never knew she had. Even worse, the mysterious -sibling appears to have inherited the lion's share of Catherine's sizable estate. Connor's attention, however, is diverted by the presence of her own mother, Amanda, with whom Connor has not spoken in years.Matters take a horrifying turn when the limousine carrying Amanda and Grace's aunt, Florence Earnhardt, is forced off the Fore River Bridge and plunges into the water, killing all the occupants. Joining forces to investigate the deaths of Catherine, Florence, and Amanda is the stalwart cast from the previous Connor Hawthorne mysteries, including Connor's father, Benjamin; FBI agent Ayalla Franklin; and Washington, D.C., police captain Malcolm Jefferson. Their investigation uncovers a Pettigrew family conspiracy dating from 17th-century America through Hitler's Third Reich into present day. What is the nature of the special gift of the Pettigrew family, and will Grace use it for good or for evil?Lauren Maddison is the author of three previous Connor Hawthorne mysteries: "Deceptions, Witchfire," and "Death by Prophecy," all three of which were Lambda Literary Award finalists. She has lived in so many places even she has lost track of them, but she now makes her home in Southern California. less

Connor Hawthorne and her lover, Laura Nez, are enjoying a quiet weekend at a women's resort in Palm Springs, but a poolside conversation soon has them neck-deep in a mystery with global ramifications. Soon, they are in England investigating a healer named Sister Sonia, who is toying with forces about which she has little understanding, which could have disastrous consequences. Then Connor's daughter, Katy, against her mother's wishes, goes undercover to investigate Sister Sonia and disappears... moreConnor Hawthorne and her lover, Laura Nez, are enjoying a quiet weekend at a women's resort in Palm Springs, but a poolside conversation soon has them neck-deep in a mystery with global ramifications. Soon, they are in England investigating a healer named Sister Sonia, who is toying with forces about which she has little understanding, which could have disastrous consequences. Then Connor's daughter, Katy, against her mother's wishes, goes undercover to investigate Sister Sonia and disappears.Lauren Maddison is the author of four previous Connor Hawthorne mysteries: "Deceptions," "Witchfire," "Death by Prophecy," and "Epitaph for an Angel." She makes her home in Southern California. less