About the Author
Christa Loughlin has always had a passion for crime fiction. She attributes that to having had six police officers in her family and listening to their many stories and anecdotes over the years. As a result, she became familiar with the various aspects of policework including procedures and terminology. Christa’s love for murder mysteries grew even more through reading, watching, and listening to anything that left her trying to figure out the who’s and why’s of the story.
Christa has spent twenty-eight years helping people with better health and wellness as a Registered Massage Therapist. As gratifying as it is to help people who are experiencing physical pain, her second passion for writing has been there since she was a young child. Her dream is to write novels full-time.
In November 2022, Christa was humbled and honored to have been named as a FINALIST in three categories in the "INDEPENDENT AUTHORS NETWORK BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDS" including Thriller/Suspense, Mystery, and 1st Novel.
Christa lives in Peterborough, Ontario with her husband, Paul, their dog, Dexter, and their cat, Scout. And for those of you wondering—yes. Dexter, their seven-pound Maltipoo, was named after the serial killer, Dexter Morgan.
About the Book
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Young women aren’t safe in Oshawa with a sadistic serial killer on the loose. Detective Sergeant Hannah Phillips is fierce and dogged as she tirelessly works to find out who is behind the abductions and murders of young women around the Ontario city. After one of the missing women is found alive, Hannah and her Durham Regional Police Service special task force, hope to finally solve the mystery and put a stop to The Pallbearer once and for all.
At the centre of the police investigation into The Pallbearer is Matt Davidson, the son of a wealthy and renowned plastic surgeon. Matt continues to find himself on the wrong side of the law, being charged for criminal offenses multiple times in the past three years. He claims he is innocent and being framed but nobody—not even his father—believes him. When Matt’s charges are upgraded to murder, he finds an unlikely ally in Bobby Ross, a tenacious investigative reporter with a Toronto newspaper. Meanwhile, Kelly Griggs awakens alone in a cold, dark room, held captive and tormented by The Pallbearer. She scrambles to find an escape before her captor exerts his twisted desires. Slowly, dark secrets from the past are revealed, and the present becomes clearer. Can Hannah solve the mystery and save Kelly before it’s too late? Who is The Pallbearer? |
This procedural is relentlessly edgy... A tense, quietly absorbing, and pragmatic whodunit."
— Kirkus Reviews
Loved it, terrifying, great characters, shocking, totally believable, and thoroughly enjoyed the Canadian references. Cannot wait for the next!"
— Amazon Review
Absolutely great book filled with twists and suspense. Just when I thought I had it figured out, boom not at all. I couldn’t put it down until I finished it."
— Goodreads Review
So glad that I found out about this book! I enjoy a good criminal thriller, especially when the author has you wondering at every turn "what's going to happen next". Descriptive writing that had me watching events unfold in theatre of my mind and I kept thinking "what if this were a show or a movie"! Well written, researched, exciting and I can't wait for the next in the series. At least I hope there's a series coming from this one. Nice work Christa!"
— Amazon Review
The Pallbearer is a fantastic crime story that is enjoyable and captivating. The book is full of twists and turns and driven by compelling characters. I felt like I was right there with the investigators and found it hard to put the book down. What an incredible first novel and I really hope there are more to come. Well worth the read."
— Goodreads Review
From the minute I opened the book until the last word, I was totally captivated. I read the book in two days!
I particularly liked the local geographic references (Port Perry), the development of the characters...particularly Hannah and the superb attention to details. I really hope that some characters migrate through future efforts. I can't wait for next book!!"
— Amazon Review
Great insight to a killer’s psyche and the determined police work to solve the crime. Kept me on the edge of my seat and couldn’t put it down."
-- Amazon Review
