Federal investigator Bernadette Becker is supposed to be off the clock, enjoying a music festival in Milwaukee with her teenage daughter. But when a coded message from a confidential informant lands in her lap, everything changes. A powerful tech executive has been killed in his suburban mansion—and the killer has ties to people who know exactly where Bernadette is.
Within hours, she's sending her daughter into protective custody and heading straight into a case no one wants her to touch.
The victim, Leopold Montclair, left behind a shattered company, a bitter family, and a trail of enemies. But in a city where police brass are easily bought and investigators disappear when they ask the wrong questions, Bernadette and her partner, prickly toxicologist Dr. Kep Woodhead, know they can't rely on anyone else. With evidence disappearing and potential witnesses too scared to talk, the two must follow a trail of scientific anomalies, corporate pressure, and hidden connections that lead far beyond Ohio.
And the deeper they dig, the more personal it becomes. The killer isn't just protecting secrets-they're sending a message. And Becker's daughter is in the crosshairs.
From Milwaukee to Cleveland to California's Central Valley, The Executive Murder takes readers on a relentless pursuit of justice through corrupt police departments, high-tech labs, and boardrooms thick with lies. With smart pacing, sharp dialogue, and a pair of unforgettable investigators, this is a murder mystery for readers who love their thrillers brainy, urgent, and unputdownable.
Perfect for fans of Patricia Cornwell, Kathy Reichs, and Michael Connelly, this fourth installment in the Woodhead & Becker series delivers forensic intrigue, layered characters, and a case where science is only part of the truth.
"What a fun read! Guaranteed you won't see the final twist coming!"
—Amanda Byrd, author of The 13 Reasons for Murder series
"Woodhead and Becker are one of the most entertaining crimefighting duos I've read. The Executive Murder kept me turning pages long after my bedtime!"
—Chuck Lemoine, author of Right Behind You
Paul Austin Ardoin is the USA TODAY bestselling author of The Fenway Stevenson Mysteries, The Woodhead & Becker Mysteries, and is a contributing writer to Indie Author Magazine. Born and raised in Northern California, Paul holds a B.A. in creative writing from the University of California, Santa Barbara and an M.B.A. in marketing from the University of Phoenix. He lives in the Milwaukee area, where he enjoys Milwaukee’s surprisingly excellent symphony orchestra and unsurprisingly excellent fried cheese curds.