Join us for this tour from Feb 20 to Mar 10,2023
Book Details:
Book Title: When the Smoke Cleared (A Murder Mystery in Malden) by Bill Powers
Category: n-Fiction (18 +), 400 pages
Genre: True Crime
Publisher: PowersCourt Press
Release date: Oct, 2022
Format available for review: print-softback (USA), ebook (EPUB, PDF)
Will send print books out: USA
Tour dates: Feb 20 to March 10, 2023
MY RATING: Five Stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book Description:
There is no greater distinction or responsibility for a law enforcement officer than to be selected to investigate homicides. The same is true for a prosecutor. It is analogous to a call up to the big leagues where the curveballs or slapshots are frequent and more challenging, the lights are brighter, the audience larger and louder, and the scrutiny and demand for perfection can at times be a bit overwhelming.
This story follows an extraordinary murder investigation from the crime scene through to the arrest and into the courtroom. It is narrated by retired Detective Lieutenant Bill Powers, the former commander of the State Police Detective Unit for the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts:
“When the smoke from the fire cleared and the water level receded, it was visually evident that a violent struggle, quite possibly a homicide, had preceded the fire. But where was the victim? The waterlogged bloodstains in the function room told us it wasn’t likely they stood up and walked out the door. We were confronted with an unusual dilemma. We not only had to investigate what happened and develop probable cause to make an arrest, but we also had to locate the poor soul who had spilled so much of their blood.”
Walk the path of the investigation with Bill and his team, and then follow in ADA Adrienne Lynch’s footsteps as she guides the trial from opening statements through to the final verdict; a truly unique accounting with a bird’s eye view.
Beyond a police and courtroom procedural, this story is about the personal struggles in the victim’s life and how her death impacted her family’s lives in ways no one could have foreseen. It is a love story that grew from unspeakable tragedy.
Bill Powers writes from the heart because he spent twenty years living the life of a homicide investigator. He went to literally hundreds of death scenes and, while each made its mark, none had more of a personal effect on him than this case.
Buy the Book:
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MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK
When the Smoke Cleared is a story following a murder investigation all the way through, from the crime scene, to the arrest and into the courtroom. I could hardly think of nothing else while reading this book, and it was certainly hard to put this book down, once I started reading. I thought retired Detective Lieutenant did an amazing job writing this book. After so many years as an officer, he knows first hand how things go down day after day, week, after month, after year. He sure had my full attention.
It was especially intriguing because of the high profile Murder trial that just happened in our country, and watching that trial, and reading this book along with the trial was a real eye opener. If you are someone like me who likes watching true crime stories, with so much detail and a cast of characters who will remain in your heart and mind for a long time, When the Smoke Clears in one book you dont want to miss. I’m giving this book Five Stars. Be sure to check it out for yourself. I think you will be happy you did.
A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Meet the Author:
Bill Powers has been active in the Massachusetts law enforcement community since he joined the Massachusetts State Police in 1974. Over time he rose through the ranks and was promoted to the rank of Detective Lieutenant. He commanded the State Police Detective Units (SPDU) in both Middlesex and Suffolk Counties, where he had direct oversight and involvement in more than one hundred homicides. His State Police career came full circle when he was named Commandant of the Recruit Training Academy. He retired as the director of the Media Relations Section. Following his retirement, Bill was appointed as an Assistant Professor in the graduate program for forensic sciences at the Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM). For the next seven years he lectured on criminal investigation and expert testimony to the graduate students. In addition, he produced training seminars for police investigators covering a wide variety of topics. Following his tenure at the BUSM he returned to the law enforcement profession as the Director of Public Safety at Wentworth Institute in Boston. Bill earned an undergraduate degree from Northeastern University with a major in Criminal Justice and a Juris Doctorate degree from the New England School of Law.
He resides South of Boston with his wife Jane. Their two daughters and their families live nearby. He has been blessed with five remarkable grandchildren who sparkle like bright stars in the night sky.
connect with the author: website ~ facebook ~ goodreads
Tour Schedule:
Feb 20 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Feb 20 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / giveaway
Feb 21 – Stephanie Jane – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Feb 22 –Cover Lover Book Review – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Feb 22 – I’m Into Books – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 23 –Paws.Read.Repeat – book review / giveaway
Feb 24 –Novels Alive – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 24 – Novels Alive – book review
Feb 28 – The Adventures of a Traveler’s Wife – book review / giveaway
Mar 1 –fundinmental – book spotlight / giveaway
Mar 1 –Deborah-Zenha Adams – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Mar 2 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book review / guest post / giveaway
Mar 3 – Diane’s Book Journal – book review
Mar 3– Book Corner News and Reviews – book review / giveaway
Mar 3 – Sandra’s Book Club – book spotlight
Mar 6 – Celticlady’s Reviews – book spotlight / giveaway
Mar 6 – Splashes of Joy – book review / giveaway
Mar 7 – Mystery Review Crew – book review / guest post / giveaway
Mar 7 – Honey Can Do It – book review / guest post / giveaway
Mar 7 –Liese’s Blog – book spotlight
Mar 8 – Adventurous Jessy – book review / giveaway
Mar 8 – Leels Loves Books – book review / giveaway
Mar 9 – Books and Games – book review
Mar 10 – The Obsessed Reader – book review / giveaway
Mar 10 – FUONLYKNEW – book review / giveaway
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