A preacher known for surprising results faces a test only doubt can solve in this twist-filled, small-town mystery. Here is the stunning third installment in Gerald Everett Jones's Evan Wycliff Mystery series, blending small-town mystery, spiritual inquiry, humor, and the eccentric humanity that has become the hallmark of the series. Set in southern Missouri during the height of the pandemic, the story finds reluctant pastor and part-time investigator Evan Wycliff confronting a phenomenon that threatens to deepen his reputation as a miracle worker—a reputation he desperately wishes to avoid. When Ann Shackleton, an elderly woman suffering from dementia, is declared dead after a cardiac arrest and then inexplicably revives fourteen minutes later, rumors spread that something supernatural has occurred. Although Evan arrives after the event, whispers soon credit him with yet another miracle. His curiosity is piqued when Ann appears to possess knowledge she should not have had, suggesting she may have experienced consciousness beyond death itself. As Evan seeks answers, he finds himself drawn into questions of faith, science, mortality, and the mysteries of human consciousness. Complicating matters, Ann's husband, wealthy banker Stuart Shackleton, has just escaped prosecution for murder. Once again, the controversial financier becomes both benefactor and burden to Evan. Shackleton entrusts him with power of attorney over his fractured family and provides a substantial donation to the church, while insisting he is innocent of past crimes. Evan must navigate difficult responsibilities involving Shackleton's troubled son Luke, young grandson Buzz, and recovering abuse survivor Melissa Benton, all while trying to determine whether redemption is truly possible for a man whose moral compromises have devastated so many lives. Meanwhile, old enemies resurface, former conspirators seek to bargain with secrets, and new revelations surrounding the trafficking network and the murder of Father Michael Coyle suggest that the truth may be more complicated than anyone imagined. Against the backdrop of pandemic tensions, church divisions, and the everyday struggles of family life, Evan grapples with his own doubts about faith. A minister who often questions his beliefs more than his parishioners do, he is forced to confront the possibility that miracles may exist—and that grace can appear in unexpected forms. Part cozy mystery, part spiritual drama, and part meditation on life after death, Preacher Raises the Dead explores redemption, forgiveness, found family, and the uneasy coexistence of science and faith. Filled with quirky characters, dry humor, and surprising twists, the novel continues the journey of one of contemporary mystery fiction's most unconventional sleuths: a preacher who is never entirely sure what he believes, yet cannot stop searching for the truth. Recommended for fans of Charlaine Harris and M.C. Beaton. Four-time winner in 2022, including Silver in both the Independent Press Award and New York City Big Book Award. The Preacher Evan Wycliff series has won 10 awards in mystery.

Intrigue on the white sands of the Indian Ocean. A lonely widower seeks escape in Kenya — what he finds is temptation, truth, and a second chance at life. Harry Gardner, a recently widowed American publisher in his late sixties, sets off on an uncharacteristic adventure to Kenya, lured by a charming travel arranger and the promise of leisure, comfort, and maybe a little illicit fun. With a soul weathered by grief and a life dulled by routine, Harry seeks escape—but what he finds is a world far more complex, colorful, and morally ambiguous than he imagined. In the sultry rhythms of the East African coast and the pulse of Nairobi’s urban sprawl, Harry’s cushioned notions of retirement, romance, and responsibility are soon upended. At the heart of Harry’s transformation is his relationship with Esther, a captivating Kenyan widow whose motives remain as layered as her beauty. Their connection is tangled in cultural assumptions, power imbalances, and economic dependencies—yet it also pulses with a sincere, if uneasy, desire for mutual meaning. Meanwhile, Aldo, the smooth-talking fixer who drew Harry to Kenya in the first place, seems to have an agenda of his own. As the trio’s paths intertwine, Harry must confront uncomfortable questions: Who is exploiting whom? Can any cross-cultural connection be truly equal? And what does it mean to be generous without being taken for a fool? Told with wit, introspection, and a knowing eye for the absurd, Harry Harambee’s Kenyan Sundowner is part travelogue, part moral inquiry, and part late-in-life coming-of-age tale. It traces one man’s attempt to start over in a world that doesn’t play by his old rules, and his awkward, heartfelt quest to matter again—to someone, to himself, or perhaps just to the passing world. Winner of Multiple Awards in Literary Fiction. Included in the Prize-Winning Literary Fiction Series from LaPuerta Books and Media Harry must come to terms with questions at the heart of his character: Is corruption a fact of life everywhere? Is all love transactional? Harry Harambee’s Kenyan Sundowner is an emotional story of expat intrigue in Africa, reminiscent of The Heart of the Matter by Graham Greene and The Constant Gardener by John le Carré. Jones writes with clarity and precision, offering a convincing study of a man taking risks and exploring new relationships with an almost childlike view on the world he's thrown into. Readers looking for engaging contemporary fiction with an emotionally available adult male lead will quickly be pulled into Harry's fast-paced adventure, a memorable (literal) vacation read. - BookLife Reviews

A respected family man is dead. The police call it justified. One stubborn lawyer refuses to let the truth be buried.In 1981, struggling attorney Eli “Lazer” Wolff, a sharp-witted litigator whose practice survives on odd cases, is barely keeping his struggling practice alive when the death of Hank Ellis pulls him into a case no one wants reopened. Working out of an office above the funeral home owned by his Luther “Bones” Jackson Jr., Eli has learned to laugh at life’s absurdities. But beneath the banter and jazz-club camaraderie lies a city fractured by race, politics, and corruption. When Bones introduces him to the grieving widow of Hank Ellis, a respected family man killed after a confrontation with police, Eli finds himself drawn into a case few people want exposed.As Eli interviews reluctant survivors and uncovers inconsistencies in the official story, he realizes he is not merely pursuing a wrongful death claim—he is challenging a system capable of protecting its own at any cost. Standing beside him are an unlikely circle of allies, including Bones, whose influence within the community runs deep, and Dr. Keiko Tamura, a former deputy medical examiner who knows firsthand how politics can corrupt science.Against the backdrop of racial tensions, police culture, and the social upheavals of the early 1980s, Eli confronts a world where justice and truth are often adversaries. His investigation forces him into dangerous territory populated by frightened witnesses, powerful officials, and men who believe intimidation is more effective than accountability. As the pressure mounts, Eli discovers that exposing the truth may cost him far more than his career. Every step forward threatens to unleash forces determined to preserve a carefully maintained silence.Blending legal suspense, social commentary, and richly textured character relationships, Choke Hold explores friendship, loyalty, institutional corruption, and the enduring struggle between conscience and power. At its heart is a flawed but relentless hero whose greatest weapon is neither wealth nor influence, but his refusal to let go once he has taken hold. Through humor, humanity, and mounting suspense, the novel delivers a compelling thriller that asks whether one determined individual can force a broken system to answer for its sins.Fans of Michael Connelly, Scott Turow, and George Pelecanos will be captivated by this compelling legal thriller that blends courtroom intrigue, social commentary, and unforgettable characters. Choke Hold is a story of friendship, courage, and one man's refusal to surrender when the truth itself is under attack.And as author Gerald Everett Jones explains, “One practical result of this book's publication could be to encourage debate about whether to bring back the inquest process in police-involved wrongful-death cases. I've read that even some parties in law enforcement and the judiciary think that such a prompt, open process could help defuse public anger and improve communication based on facts rather than rumors.”“Choke Hold could be taken straight out of the headlines. This book is about a man killed by the police and the attorney that fights for justice for him. It is refreshing to see characters grow and become more confident. I was uncomfortable at times because it does feel so much like some of the recent events. It is very well written.” - InkedBookDragon, NetGalleyI’ve had the pleasure of reading several of Jones’ previous books, all quite satisfying, but now it seems that he has reached for and fully grasped a new and higher level of his art.” - Marvin J. Wolf, author of The Rabbi Ben MysteriesRecommended for fans of Michael Connelly and John Grisham.

Marriage, corruption, and rubber babes — Rollo Hemphill’s life just went from awkward to illegal.Rollo Hemphill thought he’d won the jackpot — married to the woman of his dreams and newly minted director of a suspiciously generous charity. But bliss turns to blunder when his assistant proves both too beautiful and too helpful, and his “philanthropic” work at the Keppelhoffer Foundation turns out to be a front for a baffling international scam involving erectile dysfunction, Big Pharma, and dirty politics.As Rollo fumbles through marital meltdowns and seductive office encounters, he also begins to uncover a dark corporate secret that could land him in prison — or worse, in therapy. His growing paranoia is justified, especially when he realizes he's the fall guy for a billion-euro money-laundering scheme disguised as medical research.With his signature blend of clueless charm and accidental brilliance, Rollo stumbles, gropes, and hacks his way through a mess of sex, lies, and scandal. Rubber Babes is a biting comic romp through the absurdities of modern masculinity, marriage, and nonprofit corruption. Fans of Woody Allen, Nick Hornby, or Larry David will laugh, cringe, and maybe even cheer as Rollo tries to stay out of jail and in someone’s good graces.In the end, it’s not about whether Rollo will win. It’s about how he will cope with continuing to fail ever upward!This is the hilarious sequel to My Inflatable Friend and the warm-up to the disastrous Farnsworth's Revenge.“Gerald Jones takes puerile to new levels. Just when you thought Rollo was deepening into a rich and thoughtful character, he reminds us exactly what he's made of. "Rubber Babes" is a clever, hysterical, and fun romp which you can read fast, and enjoy secretly. Just don't tell your feminist friends.”-- Magdalena Ball, The Compulsive Reader http://www.compulsivereader.com“Rollicking Rollo is back in action! He's a walking, talking warning about the pitfalls of being a genius. As you follow his merry way into and out of absurdity, you will find yourself looking in a mirror. Learn from Rollo--the only fun teacher of life lessons you will ever meet.”-- Thomas Page, author of The Hephaestus Plague“This is a very funny book by a skilled and confident author. The further adventures of Rollo Hemphill are a welcome respite from the real world but one definitely gets the impression that Jones is making a lot of it up.” -- Morrie Ruvinsky, novelist/screenwriter/film director“Woody Allen meets Nick Hornby in this hilarious beach read. Gerald Everett Jones, who is every bit as clever as Larry David (and has more hair!), has created a witty, literate George Costanza for us to savor. NBC, are you paying attention?” -- Paula Berinstein, producer and host of The Writing Show podcast, http://www.writingshow.com

Milton Reynolds didn't invent the ballpoint pen. But he boasted, "I stole it fair and square." His mild-mannered, square-dealing son Jim wanted nothing to do with it.When a smooth-talking entrepreneur discovers a strange new pen in the final days of World War II, he becomes convinced it’s the next great consumer sensation. His son Jim—a Stanford-trained engineer who craves stability instead of chaos—is dragged into a whirlwind of outrageous deals, impossible promises, and high-stakes schemes that launch the infamous “Pen Wars” of the late 1940s.Inspired by the true story behind the first ballpoint pen craze, Mr. Ballpoint is a hilarious, fast-moving historical novel about ambition, family, invention, and the gloriously reckless spirit of American entrepreneurship. Filled with larger-than-life characters, sharp wit, and surprising heart, Gerald Everett Jones turns forgotten business history into a wildly entertaining adventure.Perfect for readers who love historical fiction, entrepreneurial stories, and smart literary humor with real emotional depth. "Puts American Hustle to shame. Jones has a marked talent for laying a methodical patina of logic over the most outlandish characters and events in his Rollo Hemphill novels. With Mr. Ballpoint he has turned that estimable gift to the true story of the wild entrepreneur Milton Reynolds who hustled his way to millions with the lowly ballpoint pen in the late 1940s. Reynolds lived the full, exciting "life of a salesman," and his outlandish career proves that truth can bat fiction out of the park any day." - Thomas Page, author of The Man Who Wouldn't Die and The Hephaestus Plague "It's getting rarer these days to find humorous fiction-much less humor stories based on true stories-but Mr. Ballpoint is such a find and includes an unusual focus on a father-son relationship and a ballpoint pen. Not just for comedy readers and not just for those who want serious psychology... a recommendation for any who want a blend of entertainment and serious reading." - Diane Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Reviews and host of Donovan's Bookshelf "Gerald Everett Jones sews a mast sail of a story that tackles the ever shifting winds of the development of first ballpoint pen, and the business knots that present themselves at every gale, charting a course towards a holiday sales rush that anchors every character in the book into the blustery capitalism that defines the American Dream of progress, and a brighter future for all." - Greg Minuskin, pen professional and member of Pen Collectors of America and Los Angeles Pen Club "Thank you, thank you, Gerald Everett Jones, for showing us that history can be hilarious and needn't involve King this or Queen that to be significant. Oh, and just so you know, I'm writing this endorsement with my turquoise Bic Velocity with the medium tip, which might not exist if not for Milt and Jim Reynolds. Love your writer's voice, BTW, Gerald! Keep those great books coming!" - Paula Berinstein, former producer and host, The Writing Show "My favorite story about Milt was, that day the pen was to be introduced in New York, he had promised many retailers the exclusive on the ballpoint if they gave him a full-page ad in the Times. Boy, was Fred Gimbel surprised when he saw thirteen full-page ads that morning!" - Tom Reynolds, grandson of Edna and Milton, son of Zelta and James Reynolds

When your ex-boss’s sex doll goes missing, and you’re the prime suspect, what could possibly go wrong? Rollo Hemphill’s life has never been simple, but now it’s downright surreal. Fleeing Paris after a dubious charity scandal, he’s pulled back into chaos when Hugo Farnsworth’s most prized possession — a lifelike doll who’s been mistaken for a real celebrity — vanishes from his boat in the South of France. Armed with nothing but disguises, bad codewords, and Felicia’s occasional financial lifeline, Rollo must navigate spy games, shady art collectors, and painfully introspective nights in laundromats. Oh, and the doll’s severed ear might just hold the key to international leverage. From the Riviera to the Bosphorus, Rollo chases answers, avoids jail, and maybe—just maybe—learns to grow up.In this outrageous comic caper, Gerald Everett Jones serves up farce, philosophy, and flat-out fun. Farnsworth’s Revenge is a sendup of modern love, scandal, and the wild things we do when the truth is stranger than fiction.Here's how some close observers describe Rollo's improbable misadventures: “On the lam in Paris, computer geek-turned-shamus Rollo Hemphill is on the prowl for a kidnapped blonde. A rich old man’s plaything, this doll has a famous face, legs up to here, and all the right equipment. A soft-boiled dick if ever there was one, Rollo learns too late that as usual, the yolk is on him.”- Marvin J. Wolf, author of For Whom The Shofar Blows and other Rabbi Ben Mysteries“The first requirement to be a fan of Farnsworth's Revenge is an ability to suspend belief. While the scenario of a kidnapped life-size replica inviting international espionage seems far-fetched, the story succeeds in painting a satisfying blend of possibility and madness in a manner designed to attract male readers with an interest in fast-paced espionage stories that hold a healthy dose of angst, witty mishaps and misadventure... Blend all this zaniness with emotional reflections as Rollo strives to reconcile differences between many different factions (not the least of which is his girlfriends) and you have a blend of action, drama, humor, and laugh-out-loud reflections revolving around the male ego and its responses... Don't expect a book that's easily 'pegged': Farnsworth's Revenge provides a read that's out of the ordinary and excels in unexpected twists and turns of plot; all spiced by comedy and hilarious encounters between Rollo and forces that pull him in different emotional and intellectual directions. It's recommended for mature teens (ages 16 and older) as well as adult audiences.” - D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

In the heart of rural Missouri, former physicist-turned-preacher Evan Wycliff is no stranger to mystery - or pain. In the second installment of the Evan Wycliff mystery series, part-time preacher and reluctant investigator Evan Wycliff finds himself pulled into another web of secrets hidden beneath the quiet surface of rural Missouri. What begins as the disappearance of a troubled teenage mother and her infant quickly becomes something far darker. Melissa Benton vanishes after authorities separate her from her child, and her desperate sister Loretta turns to the only man in town with enough compassion—and enough curiosity—to pursue answers others would rather leave buried. At the same time, wealthy banker Stuart Shackleton asks Evan to visit his institutionalized son, Luke, a sensitive young man labeled mentally ill and accused of unspeakable acts. As Evan enters the world of psychiatric treatment, foster care, and family secrets, he becomes increasingly convinced that the truth surrounding Luke and Melissa is far more complicated than the official stories suggest. Rumors, half-truths, and hidden agendas surround everyone involved, and Evan discovers that powerful people have reasons for keeping the past concealed. The investigation leads him into a landscape populated by eccentric small-town characters, corrupt institutions, mysterious benefactors, and dangerous outsiders whose influence reaches far beyond Missouri. Long-buried connections involving exploitation, organized crime, faith, and redemption begin to surface. Throughout it all, Evan struggles with his own doubts, his calling as a preacher, and the lingering presence of his late fiancée Naomi, whose memory still guides—and sometimes challenges—him. Blending suspense, humor, romance, and spiritual reflection, Preacher Fakes a Miracle explores questions of forgiveness, mental illness, family loyalty, and the meaning of miracles. As Evan races against time to save lives and uncover the truth, he finds that appearances are deceptive, faith can take unexpected forms, and the greatest mysteries often lie hidden within the hearts of ordinary people. Rich with quirky characters and Midwestern charm, the novel combines an intricate mystery with emotional depth, delivering a story where compassion and perseverance become the most powerful forces of all. Fans of Louise Penny, Julia Spencer-Fleming, and James Lee Burke will find a new hero to root for in Evan Wycliff. 2020 New York City Big Book Award - Distinguished Favorite (Silver) in Mystery

From the acclaimed author of 2020 Independent Press Awards Distinguished Favorites Clifford's Spiral and Preacher Finds a Corpse. Christmas Karma is author Gerald Everett Jones's homage to Anne Tyler, whom he regards as his literary mother. It's about the travails of a dysfunctional family around the holidays, narrated by an angel who has a wicked sense of humor. Main character Willa Nawicki is bewildered by a series of curious karmic events that literally ring her doorbell during the frantic season, awakening years-old resentments and stimulating ever-more-intense personal confrontations. These bizarre visitations include a grizzled old man claiming to be her father, who has been missing for some thirty years but now says the title to the family home is in his name - and now he wants the place back. As the angel observes, "The surest way to invoke the laughter of the universe is to make plans, particularly devious ones."

In 1892 Paris, Julius Stewart painted The Baptism, a Vanderbilt family scene that contains an embarrassing secret. In the present day, art historian Grace Atwood becomes obsessed with the painting and its hidden clues for reasons that have more to do with her personal ghosts. Either her doting husband is trying to make her think she’s crazy, or she really is in the early stages of dementia. The author says, "Since this book was released, my whitepaper, "Deconstructing the Scandalous Narrative of The Baptism" was featured in the Fall 2016 issue of the prestigious Journal of Art Crime. Readers are curious (as am I), and art curators are not telling, what will happen next in the real-world mystery behind this painting."