Category: Gerald W. Darnell

Posted on

“Hard to put down.” – “The Illegals” (Carson Reno Mystery Series – Book 8) by Gerald W. Darnell  

Ger the illegals

All Carson Reno Mystery Series Books are standalone novels. It is not necessary to read them in any particular order.
Crime DOES pay – especially crime that has the support of our legal system.
Carson’s investigative work for Attorney Jack Logan runs smack into the path of the largest law firm in West Tennessee. Trying to stay out of their path only succeeds in putting Carson in the crosshairs of lawyers who want him out of the way.
Power struggles, infidelity, organized crime and eventually murder all appear to be somehow linked to this powerful law firm – McCabe, McCabe, Clark, and Lewis.
This is a story of the small versus the large in a little West Tennessee community that has no idea of the crime and corruption that lay underneath their quiet daily lives.
Join Carson as he takes on the fight of his career when he challenges ‘the Illegals.’
5-star review
By Nancy Early
Just finished The Illegals, and I liked it! Hard to put down. And I never thought xxxxxxxxx did it! Should have though, thinking back over the Clues (remember the game Clue?} Keep up the writing. Nancy
Line for video
line-for-ger
Ger the illeglas.jpg

“the Illegals”
(Carson Reno Mystery Series – Book 8)
by Gerald W. Darnell
Can be found at:

 Amazon
Apple iBooks
Audible
Barnes & NobleBookDaily
eBookMall
GooglePlay Books
Rakuten-Kobo
Lulu
Smashwords

Posted on

Please vote for the cover for “Shadows & Lies” (A Carson Reno Mystery) by Award-winning author Gerald W. Darnell on AuthorsDB

Ger

Ger
A Florida native, Gerald grew up in the small town of Humboldt, Tennessee. He attended high school and was a graduate of HHS class of 64. Following graduation from the University of Tennessee, he spent time in Hopkinsville, KY, Memphis, TN and Newport, AR before moving back to Florida – where he now lives. During the early 70’s the author actually worked from an office in the Memphis Peabody Hotel. So many of the events about the hotel in Carson Reno’s stories are real as well as many of the characters you meet.
His fiction books are what he calls ‘Fiction for Fun.’ They use real geography and include pictures and characters some readers might recognize. The ‘Carson Reno Mystery Series’ features adventure mysteries set in the early 1960 time period. The primary geography is Memphis and West Tennessee, but Carson’s stories take the reader across the United States and occasionally to foreign countries. Each story is considered light reading and is rated PG for everyone’s enjoyment. You are invited to pick your character and put yourself in the ‘play.’ You might find it fun!
The reader will experience character continuation through all the stories and enjoy the growth of the core characters with each new adventure.
Current published ‘Carson Reno Mysteries’ include ‘Murder in Humboldt’, ‘The Price of Beauty in Strawberry Land’, ‘Killer Among Us’, ‘Horse Tales’, ‘the Crossing’, ‘SUnset 4’, ‘the Everglades’, ‘The Illegals’, ‘Dead Men Don’t Remember’ ,’Fingerprint Murders’,’Reelfoot’, ‘Justifiable Homicide’, ‘Dead End’ and ‘Murder and More’.
Gerald’s non-fiction book ‘Don’t Wake Me Until It’s Time To Go’ includes stories and events spanning time from pre-high school to his now retired in Florida. As an avid hunter and fisherman, many of the events involve activities and stories from his personal outdoor adventures. As a business executive, and extensive traveler, he gives us some playful observations accumulated from the millions of miles he traveled across the US. As someone who loves animals and adventure, he offers thoughts and observations that are probably outside most reader’s imagination. Not a ‘tell-all’ narratives, real names and real people are included. If you know the author, you might find yourself – or one of your adventures – included. If not, I’m certain you will find a real familiarity with the stories and the times chronicled in the book. A must read if you enjoy hunting, enjoy humor and can laugh at yourself – while others are also laughing at you

Click here to vote for the cover for “Shadows and Lies”

Ger line

5-star review

Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews
Reno is at it again!

Of course I am a big Carson Reno fan. Just when you think you figure it out, something happens … full of intrigue and captivating characters, I loved this story. Reno is one of those unforgettable characters, and Darnell brings the pages to life, with his unique and formidable writing style. Reno grabs your attention and leaves you hanging on every single word. As always, I look forward to whatever comes next from Darnell’s pen and whatever hunt Reno will be on next.

I received this book free in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. ~Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews

Line for video

Ger shadows & Lies Christmas

“Shadow and Lies”
(Carson Reno Mystery Series – Book 16)
by Award-winning author Gerald W. Darnell
Can be found at:

Amazon – FREE on Kindle Unlimited
Barnes & Noble
Books-A-Million
Lulu

Posted on

Please vote for the cover for “Shadows & Lies” (A Carson Reno Mystery) by Award-winning author Gerald W. Darnell on AuthorsDB

Ger

Ger
A Florida native, Gerald grew up in the small town of Humboldt, Tennessee. He attended high school and was a graduate of HHS class of 64. Following graduation from the University of Tennessee, he spent time in Hopkinsville, KY, Memphis, TN and Newport, AR before moving back to Florida – where he now lives. During the early 70’s the author actually worked from an office in the Memphis Peabody Hotel. So many of the events about the hotel in Carson Reno’s stories are real as well as many of the characters you meet.
His fiction books are what he calls ‘Fiction for Fun.’ They use real geography and include pictures and characters some readers might recognize. The ‘Carson Reno Mystery Series’ features adventure mysteries set in the early 1960 time period. The primary geography is Memphis and West Tennessee, but Carson’s stories take the reader across the United States and occasionally to foreign countries. Each story is considered light reading and is rated PG for everyone’s enjoyment. You are invited to pick your character and put yourself in the ‘play.’ You might find it fun!
The reader will experience character continuation through all the stories and enjoy the growth of the core characters with each new adventure.
Current published ‘Carson Reno Mysteries’ include ‘Murder in Humboldt’, ‘The Price of Beauty in Strawberry Land’, ‘Killer Among Us’, ‘Horse Tales’, ‘the Crossing’, ‘SUnset 4’, ‘the Everglades’, ‘The Illegals’, ‘Dead Men Don’t Remember’ ,’Fingerprint Murders’,’Reelfoot’, ‘Justifiable Homicide’, ‘Dead End’ and ‘Murder and More’.
Gerald’s non-fiction book ‘Don’t Wake Me Until It’s Time To Go’ includes stories and events spanning time from pre-high school to his now retired in Florida. As an avid hunter and fisherman, many of the events involve activities and stories from his personal outdoor adventures. As a business executive, and extensive traveler, he gives us some playful observations accumulated from the millions of miles he traveled across the US. As someone who loves animals and adventure, he offers thoughts and observations that are probably outside most reader’s imagination. Not a ‘tell-all’ narratives, real names and real people are included. If you know the author, you might find yourself – or one of your adventures – included. If not, I’m certain you will find a real familiarity with the stories and the times chronicled in the book. A must read if you enjoy hunting, enjoy humor and can laugh at yourself – while others are also laughing at you

Click here to vote for the cover for “Shadows and Lies”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on

“Well written and fun to read.” – “Killer Among Us” (Carson Reno Book 3) by Gerald W. Darnell

Ger killer among us with blurb.png
All Carson Reno, Mystery Series Books, are standalone novels. It is not necessary to read them in any particular order.
The witness protection program had simply not worked as promised. He and his wife had been relocated to a one-horse hick town in West Tennessee, with a promise to start life over – on the right side of the law, this time.
His factory job lasted less than a year. A strike and major labor dispute had cost him his job – and his running around with other women had cost him his wife. He never intended for any of this to happen, but it seemed he was meeting failure at every turn. He had made that difficult move from the underworld to the real world with all good intentions of making it stick – it wasn’t working. Things were dragging him back, and he was finding it too easy to drift into the dark side of life once again.
He knew that if he crossed back over, all chances and opportunity for a life in the real world were over – his one chance gone forever. While he resisted, it just didn’t seem to matter – circumstances were taking him back – he couldn’t stop himself.
He started by renewing some old contacts, asking the right questions and finally by offering his services for hire. It didn’t take long for things to happen, and contract offers coming his way.
They started with a call from Anthony ‘Tony’ Scarsetti. He had worked for Tony in the past, and he believed they held a mutual respect for each other – him for his skills and Tony for his leadership. Tony was a rival of Steve Carrollton, and their competition for the vices in Memphis and on Beale Street was well known. Evidently, Carrollton had been temporarily sidelined – but his operations continued. Tony was looking for some professional help to make his temporary situation a permanent one.
Once again in his life, things were looking up, and he was feeling good about himself – being useful. His skills were needed, and he would again be a contributor. His little house on Mullins Avenue, in this hick town of Humboldt, would also be useful. Quiet, out of the main activity in Memphis, and allowing him to operate under the radar. Besides, the government had bought it, why not put it to good use?
He would start by sharpening the skills that had once made him successful. After all, failure was not an option in this business – only death. Hours in the local forests and woods would give him the privacy required – he had the perfect set-up and the perfect location. Nobody local to challenge him, and besides, if someone did – he was still the best at what he did. Everybody knew that.
5-star review

Well written and fun to read.

JonJTN
As a native of the real town that is the setting for most of the Carson Reno adventures, I probably get more involved than the casual reader of mysteries. But, aside from being able to actually remember the locations in the book, the stories are logically devised and well written. Carson, as chronicled by Gerald, is fun to follow.

Line for video
Ger line

Ger Killer among us
“Killer Among Us” 
(Carson Reno Mystery
Series, Book 3)
by Gerald W. Darnell
Can be found at:

Amazon

Apple iBooks

Audible

Barnes & Noble

Lulu

Smashwords

Posted on

“A Page-Turning Crime Mystery” – “Dead End” (Carson Reno Mystery Series Book 13) by Gerald W. Darnell

Ger dead end Christmas.jpg
All Carson Reno Mystery Series Books are standalone novels. It is not necessary to read them in any particular order.Is this the end of Carson Reno? Has he finally reached the end of the road – his ‘Dead End’? Is this Carson’s last adventure?While trying to protect a client for Jack Logan, Carson finds himself in the middle of a family feud – a deadly feud with skeletons AND bodies hidden in all the family closets.Murder, blackmail, infidelity, counterfeit money and, of course, the Mafia send Carson in search of a client that doesn’t want to be found. In fact, finding the client could turn out to be the worst solution for Carson Reno and his friends.Join Carson as he follows clues and stumbles down a road of mystery. A road with a bad ending – a ‘Dead Ending’!  A Page-Turning Crime MysteryBy Amazon CustomerA great crime mystery that kept me turning page after page. I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next. Carson Reno is a captivating lead character fit to be a private detective in such a gripping mystery. Gerald Darnell’s writing brings all the characters to life, including Reno, and creates a riveting picture of murder, organized crime, and suspense in the small Tennessee town.
Line for video

Ger line
Ger dead end

“Dead End”
(Carson Reno Mystery Series Book 13)
by Gerald W. Darnell
Can be found at:

Amazon – FREE on Kindle Unlimited
Audible
Barnes & Noble
Books-A-Million
BookDaily
Lulu
Smashwords

Posted on

“Mystery at it’s best!” – “Murder in Humboldt” (Carson Reno Mystery Series, Book 1) by Gerald W. Darnell

Murder in humboldt.jpgSet in the sixties, Carson Reno is the owner of the Drake Detective Agency in Memphis. When asked to investigate what might be infidelity by a wife who thinks she is hiring a stranger, he ends up implicated in the murder of JR Maxwell in his own hometown. Two thugs (Bubba and Bobby) try to convince him to keep his distance while the police chief insists he return to Humboldt to answer some questions. Of course, there are some lovely ladies to provide some distraction, as well as Carson’s friends at Chiefs and the Starlight to provide support and libation. The union shut down at the textile mill, the trucks not allowed to leave, and the questionable meetings of JR, especially with General Samson and Judy Strong, give the story added dimension.
Having come of age in the sixties, the classic cars and social norms depicted by Darnell held a touch of nostalgia. The characters seemed to fit the times. The plot was easy to follow, but JR’s murderer and the motive weren’t obvious until the end. Fans of Perry Mason, Mike Hammer, Donald Lam and others from that era will like Carson Reno for sure. This is the first in the Carson Reno series, the 12th (Justifiable Homicide) was published in October 2014.
5-star review
Mystery at it’s best
By Michael G.
If you’re from a small town, you know how politics and personal relationship have a huge influence over life and/or death in the community. Murder is seldom experienced in small towns and when it happens, the world is turned totally upside down. Murder in Humboldt is exciting, never know who “done it” until the end mystery novel. Well written and enjoyable. Can’t wait till the next issue is available.
Line for video

Click here to watch the book trailer
for Murder in Humboldt!

line-for-ger
Ger murder in humboldt

“Murder in Humboldt” 
(Carson Reno Mystery
Series, Book 1) 
by Gerald W. Darnell
Can be found at:

Amazon – FREE on Kindle Unlimited

Apple iBooks

Barnes & Noble

GooglePlay Books

Rakuten-Kobo

Smashwords

Posted on

“I loved this book. ” – “Reelfoot” (Carson Reno Mystery Series, Book 11) by Gerald W. Darnell

Ger reelfoot.png
All Carson Reno Mystery Series Books are standalone novels. It is not necessary to read them in any particular order.
An ex-Memphis cop and a friend of Carson is in trouble – but what kind of trouble?
While trying to answer that question, Carson finds more questions – and all with no answers.
What Carson also finds is trouble coming from all directions. The Mafia, the Teamsters Union, an unhappy sheriff and some very rough characters are all looking for his friend, and Carson is in the middle of this mess.
An apparently senseless murder only complicates Carson’s problems, which makes getting to the truth more difficult.
5-star review
Thomas E. Buzard
BooksI loved this book. Great author…..Love Gerald Darnell…I have read every one of his books, and one is as good as the next…..

About the author
A Florida native, Gerald grew up in the small town of Humboldt, Tennessee. He attended high school and was a graduate of HHS class of 64. Following graduation from the University of Tennessee, he spent time in Hopkinsville, KY, Memphis, TN and Newport, AR before moving back to Florida – where he now lives. During the early 70’s the author actually worked from an office in the Memphis Peabody Hotel. So many of the events about the hotel in Carson Reno’s stories are real as well as many of the characters you meet.
His fiction books are what he calls ‘Fiction for Fun.’ They use real geography and include pictures and characters some readers might recognize. The ‘Carson Reno Mystery Series’ features adventure mysteries set in the early 1960 time period. The primary geography is Memphis and West Tennessee, but Carson’s stories take the reader across the United States and occasionally to foreign countries. Each story is considered light reading and is rated PG for everyone’s enjoyment. You are invited to pick your character and put yourself in the ‘play.’ You might find it fun!
The reader will experience character continuation through all the stories and enjoy the growth of the core characters with each new adventure.
Current published ‘Carson Reno Mysteries’ include ‘Murder in Humboldt’, ‘The Price of Beauty in Strawberry Land’, ‘Killer Among Us’, ‘Horse Tales’, ‘the Crossing’, ‘SUnset 4’, ‘the Everglades’, ‘The Illegals’, ‘Dead Men Don’t Remember’ ,’Fingerprint Murders’,’Reelfoot’, ‘Justifiable Homicide’, ‘Dead End’ and ‘Murder and More’.
Gerald’s non-fiction book ‘Don’t Wake Me Until It’s Time To Go’ includes stories and events spanning time from pre-high school to his now retirement in Florida. As an avid hunter and fisherman, many of the events involve activities and stories from his personal outdoor adventures. As a business executive, and extensive traveler, he gives us some playful observations accumulated from the millions of miles he traveled across the US. As someone who loves animals and adventure, he offers thoughts and observations that are probably outside most reader’s imagination. Not a ‘tell-all’ narratives, real names and real people are included. If you know the author, you might find yourself – or one of your adventures – included. If not, I’m certain you will find a real familiarity with the stories and the times chronicled in the book. A must read if you enjoy hunting, enjoy humor and can laugh at yourself – while others are also laughing at you
line-for-ger
Ger reelfoot.jpg


“Reelfoot”
(Carson Reno Mystery
Series, Book 11) 
by Gerald W. Darnell
Can be found at:

Amazon – FREE on Kindle Unlimited

 Barnes & Noble

BookDaily

Rakuten-Kobo

Lulu

Posted on

“Another book by Darnell that I couldn’t put down!” – “The Price of Beauty in Strawberry Land” (Carson Reno Mystery Series, Book 2) by Gerald W. Darnell

Ger strawberry land 3
All Carson Reno Mystery Series Books are standalone novels. It is not necessary to read them in any particular order.
The year is 1962 and Carson Reno, once again, gets himself into situations that would be better left alone. A Memphis client hires Carson to prove infidelity, but instead he finds corruption and murder going all the way to the top of Memphis politics. A Jack Logan client investigation takes him back to Humboldt looking into automobile fraud, which lands him smack in the middle of a murder. Not just any murder, but the murder of a local beauty queen – one who seemed to have too many enemies for a girl her age.
5-star review
Viv Drewa
Another book by Darnell that I couldn’t put down!

I became a fan of Gerald W. Darnell’s Carson Reno Mysteries after I read the first book!
His characters are believable and interesting to follow in his books.
“The Price of Beauty in Strawberry Land” has twists and turns that keep you wanting more. It is a book I had trouble to put down because I had to know what was going to happen next.
I encourage everyone to read this, and the other books, by Gerald W. Darnell.

line-for-ger

Ger Strawberry

“The Price of Beauty
in Strawberry Land”
(Carson Reno Mystery
Series, Book 2)
by Gerald W. Darnell
Can be found at:

 Amazon

 Apple iBooks

Audible

Barnes & Noble

Books-A-Million

GooglePlay Books

Rakuten-Kobo

Lulu

Smashwords

Posted on

“Severed Finger!” – “The Fingerprint Murders” (Carson Reno Mystery Series, Book 10) by Gerald W. Darnell

Ger fingerpring murders.png
They’re not just killing people, they’re removing the victim’s fingers and leaving strange clues everywhere. Carson becomes involved when the killer sends him severed thumbs – each wrapped in bloodstained paper containing Bible scripture. Clues are everywhere, but none of them make any sense and aren’t connected – yet.
Old names surface and the mystery gets stranger and darker as Carson tries to solve ‘the ‘Fingerprint Murders.’
5-star review
Avid Reader
Severed Finger!
The Black and White pictures mixed in with the story is classic! The Jack Daniels, the butcher knife, and the severed finger. Darnell’s style of writing, along with the sparse photos, paints a vivid picture in my mind and keeps me turning the pages. I’ve read one Carson Reno book before this and have to admit I am hooked. I don’t think Gerald Darnell can top this Reno Carson story. If you are going to read a Reno Carson, this is the one!

Click here to watch the book trailer for “Fingerprint Murders”

line-for-ger
Ger fingerprint murders

“The Fingerprint Murders”
(Carson Reno Mystery
Series, Book 10)
by Gerald W. Darnell
Can be found at:

Amazon

 Barnes & Noble

BookDaily

GooglePlay Books

Rakuten-Kobo

Lulu

Smashwords

Posted on

“This was another great Carson Reno mystery. ” – “Deadly Decision” (Carson Reno Mystery Series – Book 15) by Gerald W. Darnell

ger deadly decision black backgroundAll Carson Reno Mystery Series Books are standalone novels. It is not necessary to read them in any particular order.
When a Tennessee Highway Patrolman is mysteriously murdered, the clues are non-existent. Police have the name of a possible suspect, but he’s nowhere to be found. Carson gets involved at the request of the local sheriff, but when the best lead disappears; his assistance is no longer needed.
Things are not what they seem, and it appears the bad guys are winning this war of wits. Everyone has more questions than answers, and just when it seems the mystery has been solved, Carson discovers that it has only gotten worse.
Follow Carson in this strange circle of money, lies, murder and bad guys who have everyone chasing them and their ‘Deadly Decision.’
5-star reviewDeadly Decision
By ALYo
This was another great Carson Reno mystery. I think these books are great. I love the characters, and I love to try to solve the mystery before the books tell me if I am right or wrong. This series has kept me interested the whole time, and I think these books are fun to read. * I received this book from the author—this is my honest review*line-for-ger
Deadly Decision.jpg

“Deadly Decision”
(Carson Reno Mystery
Series – Book 15)
by Gerald W. Darnell
Can be found at:

Amazon – FREE on Kindle Unlimited

 Barnes & Noble

Books-A-Million

Lulu