Just weeks away from finishing his master’s degree at NYU, troubled loner August Burns tackles a shooter aiming for a lecture hall full of students, then tries to escape the resulting notoriety by taking off for Europe
But fate intervenes when he stumbles on the murder of a young equestrian in London and is arrested for the crime. As he hunts down the real killer, he is thrown together with a cowgirl veterinarian, a Texas rancher, and a grumpy cat in a series of coincidences only explained by the uncanny predictions found in a discovered manuscript from his grandmother.
The tale gallops along a foretold path filled with coincidences and plot twists, all while the actual murderer’s deadly ambition endangers all those August loves. To outrun the darkness that threatens to consume him, August must discover his own story, express his hidden gifts, and risk everything.
In this follow-up to the award–winning novel, Murder by Manuscript, the setting is late March 2020, and the pandemic is raging. Kit Raines goes missing while photographing the empty streets of Charlotte. Kit’s brother Henry calls his cousin, August Burns, for help. August packs up and roars off on his Indian Chief motorcycle, leaving New York City for North Carolina.
In his search for Kit, August joins forces with a provocative, ambitious journalist, a reclusive clairvoyant, and his cousin Henry’s tight-knit and well-armed family.
He comes face-to-face with a serial killer, who, undaunted by the lockdowns, continues to murder people in the name of atonement. When this Harley-riding vigilante on a self-declared mission from God turns his focus to August and those he holds dear, August must rise to the occasion, pushing the limits, unleashing his gifts, and embracing his purpose.
In the heart of the Texas Hill Country, August Burns is down on his luck and fighting to win back the love of his life, Rita. He’s determined to get in shape, find steady work, and rekindle their romance. But Rita has moved on, now caught in the arms of a wealthy rancher with dreams of marriage and a family. What starts as a simple love triangle, spirals into something much darker, dragging Rita into the dangerous world of organized crime and placing her in their crosshairs. When a devasting murder shakes the community, August must tap into a strange, growing connection with voices of the dead. With the help of his no-nonsense sister, a resilient one-footed veterinarian, a spirited young stable hand, and a mysterious tribal elder, August faces a near impossible battle. It’s a fight for justice – Texas style – against overwhelming odds, where only the bold will survive. Can August rise to the challenge, or will he be taken down for good?
About Susan D. Steiner
Susan D. Steiner, the author of the August Burns Series is currently working on the fourth book in the series. When not writing, Susan is an executive coach, and Human Design/BG5 consultant. She enjoys hiking and camping, and lives in Switzerland with her husband.
