The Bridegroom Murder: A Hardboiled Mystery of Poison, Power, and Betrayal

· The Woodhead & Becker Mysteries Book 2 · Paul Austin Ardoin
3.6
9 reviews
Ebook
366
Pages
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About this ebook

A dead groom. A strange green stain. And a toxic trail that leads deeper than anyone expected.

Two weeks before his wedding, Gregory Irsay is found dead in his condo in Bend, Oregon. There are no signs of struggle--only a bizarre green discoloration in his mouth. Local authorities are baffled, and the case is already drawing media attention. Federal investigator Bernadette Becker is sent to consult--and so is Dr. Kep Woodhead, the forensic toxicologist with the hypersensitive nose.

But the deeper they dig into Irsay's life, the more disturbing things become.

Irsay wasn't just a charming entrepreneur. He was a seasoned con man with a long list of online scams and aliases. The suspect list only grows longer when Becker and Woodhead uncover new layers of deception.

Worse, their investigation is complicated by a local sheriff's detective who seems determined to block their progress. When Irsay's fiancée is arrested, the case appears closed--but Becker and Woodhead are convinced she's innocent. And if she didn't kill him, someone else is still out there.

The search for the mysterious green substance takes them from upscale neighborhoods to corporate slaughterhouses, and from sealed evidence lockers to untraceable online identities. With every step, the danger escalates-and the toxin they're chasing might not be a one-time weapon.

As Becker and Woodhead fight bureaucratic resistance, buried secrets, and their own personal doubts, they must piece together the truth before the trail goes cold--or the poison is used again.

Taut, clever, and full of forensic twists, The Bridegroom Murder is the second gripping entry in the Woodhead & Becker Mystery Series. Ideal for readers who love sharp investigators, high-stakes science, and tight, character-driven thrillers.

Start The Bridegroom Murder today and step into a mystery where nothing is as it seems, trust is a luxury, and every breath could be deadly.

This book was originally published under the title Everything's Gone Green in March 2022.


"A mysterious and suspenseful thrill ride, with a colorful, convincing story. The Bridegroom Murder combines an intelligent, readable plot with crisp, realistic dialogue-but it's the two main characters, Becker and Woodhead, who keep you turning the pages."

—Gregory Payette, author of the Henry Walsh Private Investigator Series

"A unique break from the standard police procedural!"

—J.W. Atkinson, author of Snow White and the Silent Death


Ratings and reviews

3.6
9 reviews
wolfepak2
March 22, 2022
Bernadette Decker and Dr. Kep Woodhead return in this fast paced murder mystery. There is no lack of story or twists and turns and red herrings. The combination of Bernadette and Dr Kep is a very interesting one. Not as antagonistic as in the first book, they are learning each others ins and outs and working together a bit better. It would not hurt the story to quickly re-cap a bit of their history but one can always start at the beginning with Ceremony, although one does not have to to enjoy the story. The author writes in a straightfoward manner that I appreciate as a reader. Enjoyed this one and looking forward to what comes next. I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
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Marlice Broman
May 4, 2025
kept me interested
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About the author

Paul Austin Ardoin is the USA TODAY Bestselling Author of The Fenway Stevenson Mysteries and the Murders of Substance series. His stories and essays have appeared in the anthologies The Paths We Tread, 12 Shots, Bottomfish, and Sweet Fancy Moses. His network security articles have been published in California Computer News and European Communications.

Paul has a B.A. in Creative Writing from University of California, Santa Barbara, and he makes his home in the Sacramento area with his wife, two teenagers, and a menagerie of animals.

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