Award-winning editor and writer J.M. Burns proves his worth as a fiction writer after a long history working in wine, food and travel journalism, releasing “Deadline: Stiff,” the first in his new David Endicott Mystery Series. Freshly-returned from military police duty in Iraq, young David Endicott stumbles into his first case by finding a mysterious murder victim in an eccentric billionaire’s guesthouse. Recruited by the homeowner, David is asked to uncover the identity of the mystery man, and what he wanted in the house. It all sounded so simple, but David soon finds out that time is dangerously limited, and in the heart-pounding style of TV’s “24,” Burns’ pegs good-guy Endicott against a seven frenetic days, and a secret so sinister, it will shake the foundation of everything he knows.

Deadline: Stiff

I don’t usually read mystery novels.  As a retired Chief of Police I have found many of them lack the reality of policing, the reality of what it takes to actually solve a major case.  I’ve found many of them favor the protagonist, reducing the police to essentially negative, cynical zealots who violate one civil right after another.  Even though Mr. Burns reflects some of the officers in a similar light, I found his book to be a really good mystery read, and enthusiastically recommend it.  The book is an excellent read, and I found myself staying up later than usual at night reading it. Mr. Burns is a fine writer and holds the reader’s attention throughout the book.  The near 300 pages fly by very quickly as you attempt to solve the crime.

Having read “Deadline: Stiff,” and being a person who does not easily recommend material I don’t believe in, let me safely say this is a book well worth the investment.  I also will categorically state that if Mr. Burns produces additional books of this genre, I will be in line to buy them.  Well done sir.