Magic City Murder: A Classic Private Investigator Mystery

· Smiley and McBlythe Mystery Book 16 · Bruce Hammack
9 reviews
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256
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About this ebook

A missing husband. A murdered journalist. A city where everyone has something to hide.

Blind former Houston homicide detective Steve Smiley and his partner Heather McBlythe take on what looks like a straightforward case: track down a missing husband so his estranged wife can finally file for divorce.

The simple case turns deadly when the body of the woman the husband has been living with is found in a Miami canal. She wasn't just the missing man's companion — she was an investigative journalist silenced before her story could see the light of day.

As Smiley and McBlythe dig deeper, they uncover a trail of political corruption and cartel money that someone powerful is determined to keep hidden. With a growing list of suspects, a city full of secrets, and a killer working in the shadows, Smiley must sort through the tangle of lies before whoever is cleaning up loose ends decides he's next.

Pick up your copy of Magic City Murder today and follow Smiley and McBlythe from Houston to Miami as they chase down a missing husband and a killer who's running out of places to hide. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie-style whodunits who love clever plots, professional detective work, and clean reads without the gore, violence, or explicit content.

A missing husband. A murdered journalist. A city where everyone has something to hide. Blind former Houston homicide detective Steve Smiley and his partner Heather McBlythe take on what looks like a straightforward case: track down a missing husband so his estranged wife can finally file for divo...

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Ratings and reviews

9 reviews
Kristina Anderson
September 24, 2026
Magic City Murder delivers a clever, fast-paced mystery filled with sharp twists, engaging investigators, & vivid Miami atmosphere. Book sixteen in the series also works beautifully as a standalone. Bruce Hammack blends missing persons, murder, organized crime, red herrings, and hidden motives into a suspenseful tale with emotional depth and engaging dialogue. The plot moves quickly, the suspects keep shifting, and the satisfying surprise ending feels smart and well earned from start to finish.
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Texas Texan
August 17, 2026
The Smiley and McBlythe Mystery Series: MAGIC CITY MURDERS, #16 - Another interesting and entertaining addition, in more than one way, to this series. Source: BookSirens. 4* A QUESTION OF MURDER - This short story steps back in time when Vega becomes Smiley's partner. Smiley invests in Leo and his training in an interesting form of training. I had this method used on me by my favorite EE boss. 5* EXERCISE IS MURDER, #1 - An interesting and immersing introduction to Steve Smiley and Heather Mc
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JulieY
September 30, 2026
Superbly written! An old friend asks for help in finding her missing husband. Steve Smiley and Heather McBlythe soon find their investigation entwined with murder, cartels, and corruption at home and abroad. This is a great series! The storyline is a convoluted trail of clues and evidence. It was fun to follow and kept me guessing until the end. I received an advance copy, but my review is honest and voluntary.
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About the author

Drawing from his extensive background in criminal justice, Bruce Hammack writes contemporary, clean read detective and crime mysteries. He is the author of the Fen Maguire Mystery series, the Smiley and McBlythe Mystery series, the Star of Justice series and the Detective Steve Smiley short mysteries. Having lived in eighteen cities around the world, he now lives in the Texas hill country with his wife of thirty-plus years.


Follow Bruce on Bookbub and Goodreads for the latest new release info and recommendations. Learn more at brucehammack.com.


Drawing from his extensive background in criminal justice, Bruce Hammack writes contemporary, clean read detective and crime mysteries. He is the author of the Fen Maguire Mystery series, the Smiley and McBlythe Mystery series, the Star of Justice series and the Detective Steve Smiley short myste...

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