50% Off The Criterion Collection Shop Now

Tainted Monarch

Add to Wishlist

Tainted Monarch

eBook

$2.99

eBook
$2.99

Available on Compatible NOOK devices, the free NOOK App and in My Digital Library.

WANT A NOOK? Explore Now

Buy As Gift

Related collections and offers

LEND ME^® See Details

Overview

Billionaire Russ Morrison is a corporate kingpin with a habit of making enemies as quickly as money. When business rival Dieter Smythe's vice president, Amy Clarkston, turns up dead, however, Russ' arrogance and penchant for lying land him in hot water with the case's lead investigator, Detective Nolan Sand. But did Russ actually do it? Delving into the past of a life lost, Sand quickly discovers Amy was far from what she appeared to be – and had made more than her own fair share of enemies! With the truth elusive and Sand plagued by doubts, even after an arrest is made, a ruthless killer closes in on the deal of a lifetime…and prepares to strike again.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940179569589
Publisher:	Elizabeth River Press
Publication date:	07/16/2024
Sold by:	Draft2Digital
Format:	eBook
File size:	110 KB

About the Author

Jay Waitkus is an author and journalist based in South Florida. His work as a reporter has appeared in dozens of news outlets, including The South Florida Sun-Sentinel, The Palm Beach Post, Google News, and World News Network. He is also the author of the crime thrillers In the Depths of Shadows, Dividing Line, and Brood of Thieves, as well as several short stories and eBooks.

Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER ONE

Jenny McComb peered around the doorway into her boss' office. She looked a little concerned.

"Mr. Smythe, there's a man here to see you."

"Who is it, Jenny?"

"A detective," she replied.

"Show him in."

"Nolan Sand," the visitor said, as he approached Dieter's desk. Jenny left the office and shut the door behind her.

"Dieter Smythe. What can I do for you?"

"I'm afraid I have some bad news. Last night one of your board members, Amy Clarkston, was found shot to death in her apartment."

Dieter felt his heart skip a beat. He tried to say something, but couldn't. Visibly shaken, he slumped back in his chair.

"Good Lord," he finally murmured, after several moments had passed.

"I'm sorry," Nolan said.

"I can't believe this. Who would want to hurt Amy?"

"I was hoping you could shed some light on that."

"She didn't have an enemy in the world."

"Are you sure, Mr. Smythe?"

"There's no-one. No-one exep — no, it's ridiculous."

"Anything you can give us would be helpful."

"The only person Amy ever had trouble getting along with is a man by the name of Russ Morrison."

"And who is he?"

"Founder and president of Morrison Industries, my company's major competitor."

"What can you tell me about him?"

"Honestly? He's scum. Bottom of the barrel."

"You sound like you're speaking from experience."

"I am. I used to work for him."

"Why did you leave?"

"A lot of reasons. Mainly because his business practices are unethical. Even by Wall Street standards."

"Is he capable of murder?"

"Capable, maybe. But it's not his style."

"How well did he know Ms. Clarkston?"

"Only through our business dealings. I don't see why he would — oh, Christ. My wife. She's Army's best friend. I've got to go home and tell her what's happened. And my staff. They also need to be told."

"Yes, I'll need to talk with them, as well. And your wife, too, I'm afraid."

Dieter pulled out a business card and wrote his home address on the back.

"Take a few minutes and tell your employees about Ms. Clarkston," Nolan said. "I'll take it from there. Tell your wife I'll be by later."

"OK."

"Where's Mr. Morrison's office?"

"It's the tallest building on Decker Avenue. You can't miss it."

"Thanks."

Dieter and Nolan walked into the lobby.

"Jenny?"

"Yes, Mr. Smythe?"

"When everyone gets here, gather them in the conference room. There's something all of you need to know."

"Everyone's here but Amy," she said. "Do you want to wait?"

"No," Dieter replied, softly. "There wouldn't be any point."

From the B&N Reads Blog

Page 1 of

Editorial Reviews

Tainted Monarch is a tightly wound, fast moving, ever changing novella. Though void of description, the author allows the reader to build concrete images of each major character through their own actions.
The book is about big business, and the characters that make up and run them. The story centers around Russ Morrison, a rich and powerful entrepreneur, who has built an international company through greed, shady deals, and careful manipulation. He is capable of anything, including murder, and will do whatever it takes to stay on top.
The story itself moves very fast, especially in the beginning, where you will need a pen and paper to keep track of the characters and their roles. The book contains murder, sex, love, jealousy, and greed. The revelation of "whodunit" was cleverly kept until the end, and offers the reader several interesting twists.
The author leaves room for a follow up sequel, as you ask yourself — Is this the beginning or the end of the story? What else is Russ Morrison capable of? Will Dieter Smythe overtake his bitter rival? For a good, short read, by all means, read and enjoy Tainted Monarch and draw your own conclusions.
— The Gulf Coast Writers Association

Charles Kleinpeter II

Jay Waitkus has crafted a fast-paced mystery in his book, Tainted Monarch. Waitkus' monarch, Amy Clarkston shows up dead in the first chapter and all the clues point to the president of rival Morrison Industries, Russ Morrison. All the clues point that direction until it is discovered that Morrison was sleeping with Ms. Clarkston. Then things get mysterious.
Author Waitkus uses his background in newspaper reporting to craft a tightly woven story. No stray prose here. With all the speed of today's news reporting, Waitkus propels the reader through the story in seventy pages.
— Authorship

Jane Everitt

Wading through the rough waters of publishing can be tough. Just ask 33-year-old Jay Waitkus, a Boynton Beach resident. Waitkus recently got his first book, Tainted Monarch, published. This book represents many of the influences in his life. Mystery writers Raymond Chandler and Mickey Spillane were major influences.
"I've been working on this project off and on for the past year," Waitkus said. This book was not the first published material for Waitkus, however. He has also been a reporter and has written short stories for magazines such as the Magnolia Quarterly in Gulfport, Mississippi.
Waitkus said that for young writers, nothing was more important than getting your name out there to the community. "They better get ready to pay their dues," Waitkus said, referring to young authors. "Learn the rules, how to break them, learn what sells, visit the publishers. Understand that you are not going to make a lot of money out of it."
Waitkus realized his talents, with the help of his teachers, at a young age. He started winning contests as a kid and knew that writing was his future. By his senior year, he was editor of his high school newspaper.
When Waitkus attended Palm Beach Atlantic College, he met a professor named J Brabban, who was teaching detective fiction and Old Testament religion.
"We've had lots of discussions on literature and philosophy," Waitkus said. "He's had a huge influence on both my writing and my worldviews."
According to Brabban, Waitkus was one of the best writers he has taught. Brabban particularly noticed the creativity in his pupil's writing. The relationship further developed as Waitkus was working for the Sun-Sentinel and needed contact with the Jewish community. Brabban knows the community very well. The Hebrew Bible is his specialty.
Brabban, now the chairman of religion and the philosophy department at Chowan College in Murfreesboro, NC, said he remembers Waitkus getting frustrated when he would get an A- on a paper. But what set apart Waitkus from other writers in Brabban's classes was his ability to write in different styles. "When he would be asked to do dialect, he also has that ability," Brabban said.
Waitkus is now planning several more novellas, and is well settled into Boynton Beach. "My next book is already partially finished and it is definitely a crime drama," Waitkus said. "It has always been a part of me."
Copyright 2002 Forum Publishing Group Inc.
— Boynton Times January 9, 2002

Craig Hampshire