The Joining

The novel opens with a nearly naked FBI agent thumping down into the front lobby of the Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria, BC, arguably one of the most haunted cities in the world and confronts our undercover female detective, Carol Ainsworth, acting as the manager while two mafia families are about to check in for a wedding. But it quickly takes off as one mafia member is found hanged in his room, but what appears to be a ghost. Carol's nephew is abducted, as an elderly psychic, Agnes Van Lunt, shows up, claiming Carol asked her to be there. The mob also brings with them an ancient curse that upsets the native and ghostly inhabitants of Victoria's underground. Not to mention that in the sewers a new being is emerging from the remains of drug addicts needles. So welcome to the first day on the job Carol. Hope you live to enjoy the high tea.

This novel entered into the Canadian Book Club Awards in 2020, finished as a top three finalist.

A contemporary suspense-filled mystery thriller with Carol Ainsworth in a strong female detective lead role. The writer weaves paranormal urban fantasy into an undercover police investigation, involving a sexy FBI agent pursing Carol, and involving herself in her own mafia romance. Toss in unknown curses, suspenseful supernatural forces, one thought-provoking psychic bearing a crystal skull, and this compelling page-turner turns into an edge-of-your-seat suspense filled crime thriller tale unlike anything you'll have ever, or will ever, read.

Also finished as a top three finalist in the Canadian Book Club Awards 2020 out of nearly 200 entries.

Mafia romance in crime thriller

Strong female lead

Strong female detective lead in a mafia romance

Edge of your seat books set in urban fantasy

Strong female lead in a mafia romance

Crime thriller strong female lead

Suspense books with strong female lead