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Also by Bernadette Pajer:

The Edison Effect, September 2014
Hardcover / e-Book
Capacity For Murder, June 2013
Hardcover
Fatal Induction, May 2012
Hardcover / e-Book
A Spark of Death, July 2011
Paperback
A Spark of Death, July 2011
Hardcover

A Spark of Death
Bernadette Pajer

The Professor Bradshaw Mystery book 1
Poisoned Pen Press
July 2011
On Sale: July 5, 2011
Featuring: Benjamin Bradshaw
250 pages
ISBN: 159058905X
EAN: 9781590589052
Hardcover
Add to Wish List

Mystery Private Eye

Can death bring a man back to life? When UW Professor Benjamin Bradshaw discovers a despised colleague dead inside the Faraday Cage of the Electric Machine, his carefully controlled world shatters. The facts don't add up—the police shout murder—and Bradshaw is the lone suspect. To protect his young son and clear his name, he must find the killer.

Seattle in 1901 is a bustling blend of frontier attitude and cosmopolitan swagger. The Snoqualmie Falls Power Plant lights the city, but to most Seattleites, electricity is new-fangled and dangerous. The public wants a culprit—they want Bradshaw behind bars.

The killer wants Bradshaw dead.

His life and liberty threatened, Bradshaw discovers the thrill of investigation as he's thrust deeper into the hunt.

Questions abound. How had the Electric Machine's Tesla Coil delivered a fatal shock? Was the murder personal—or connected to President McKinley's planned visit? Were students involved, or in danger? And why had Bradshaw's best friend, Henry, fled to Alaska the day of the murder?

When Henry's niece Missouri appears on Bradshaw's porch in need of a home, her unorthodox views and femininity confuse and intrigue him as he struggles to protect his own haunting secret. Danger and death lurk everywhere—disguised as accidents. Has Bradshaw come alive again only to lose all he holds dear? Before it's too late, will he discover the circuit path that led to a spark of death?

Read An Excerpt

Comments

42 comments posted.

Re: A Spark of Death

Sounds like an intriguing read!
Good luck and happy writing!
(Tracie Travis 1:16am July 15, 2011)

I'm REALLY liking the cover!!
(Michele Powell 1:55am July 15, 2011)

Sounds like an auspicious start to a new series. I wish you much success with your new sleuth!
(Karen Gervasi 6:50am July 15, 2011)

Sounds like it'll be a good series.
(Sandy Giden 9:41am July 15, 2011)

A mystery series...this will be great! Thanks for sharing!
(Dawn Staniszeski 10:06am July 15, 2011)

I'm excited to check this one out!
(Tracy Kulach 11:26am July 15, 2011)

What an eery book cover - love it!
(Birgit Lehner 12:05pm July 15, 2011)

they way you did the book is great and then you keep all on there toes and the cover is great
(Desiree Reilly 1:15pm July 15, 2011)

What a clever way you handled the "reviews!" I love it. Makes the book even
more intriguing to read. That book cover sends chills up my spine. Would love
to read this....with all of the lights on!
Connie Fischer
[email protected]
(Connie Fischer 1:21pm July 15, 2011)

I went to your website, saw the wonderful cover, and tried to find the first chapter to read. Either I'm totally stupid, or it wasn't there. It could be my server, who doesn't put half of the items up on my pages as well. I don't have a lot of choices on dial-up. Anyway, I loved the cover, and am sure you're thrilled with the reviews. I would love to read your book, and would love to pass it around to my friends at the library. Perhaps they'd choose it for their book club. Congratulations and best of luck with the series.
(Peggy Roberson 1:24pm July 15, 2011)

I've only lately been drawn to this genre, but I've been well rewarded for my interest so far.

Your professor and his first adventure are immediately tempting! Happy and successful launch!
(Carla Schuller 1:35pm July 15, 2011)

electrical forensics! who would have imagined. Sounds electrifing/ Please enter me in the draw.
(Heather Pearson 1:38pm July 15, 2011)

Hi Everyone!
Thanks for your comments and good wishes. The Professor and I are so glad to meet you. Don't worry, Connie, it's not a scary novel, but it does have it's "electrifying" moments. It's a sort of a thriller cozy. And Peggy, the sample chapter is now available here on Fresh Fiction. Look for the pink "Read an Excerpt" link.
(Bernadette Pajer 1:41pm July 15, 2011)

Sounds fun! I love forensics and can't imagine they had anything forensic back in the day so I am sure it would be a great read. Good luck with the book. Amazing reviews!!
(Vicki Hancock 2:00pm July 15, 2011)

Love the cover... Sounds like a great book. Can't wait to read. Good luck with the book
(Diane Castiglione 2:18pm July 15, 2011)

I look forward to meeting Prof. Bradshaw.
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 2:38pm July 15, 2011)

This sounds like a great mystery.
(Debbie Penny 3:09pm July 15, 2011)

An early CSI !! The excerpt is certainly enough to make me want to read more!!
(Cate Sparks 3:18pm July 15, 2011)

Since I lost Jim Quilleran to his author's death, I'm looking for a new mystery series sleuth to follow. Professor Bradshaw just could be my man.
(Sue Farrell 4:00pm July 15, 2011)

How interesting! Your excerpt makes me want to read more about Professor Bradshaw.
(Anna Speed 4:23pm July 15, 2011)

Love the short character sketches. This looks like a well-developed read.
(Alyson Widen 4:27pm July 15, 2011)

I love what ifs.
(MaryEllen Hanneman 4:28pm July 15, 2011)

That sounds interesting... Love to read it...
(May Pau 4:47pm July 15, 2011)

SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT, NEW SLEUTH...I AM IN IT TO WIN IT!
(Silvana Moscato 6:04pm July 15, 2011)

The cover made me want to rear the book right away,but the book sounds so good,hope I get to read it.
(Bonnie Gonzales 6:51pm July 15, 2011)

A SPARK OF DEATH looks wonderful. Yes please!!
(Mary Preston 7:38pm July 15, 2011)

Sounds intriguing..would love to win to read it!
(Leanna Morris 8:03pm July 15, 2011)

Intrigue, science, forensics -what more could a person want in a book??
(Christine Schultz 8:21pm July 15, 2011)

Love the locale, the period, and the setup sounds like my kind of mystery.
(Janet Martin 8:30pm July 15, 2011)

Ooooh! Sounds so good. Like an old Agatha Christie novel. Can't wait to read it.
(MaryAnne Banks 9:13pm July 15, 2011)

This is my kind of reading. A good plot, lots of characters,
and easy reading. I don't think every book needs to be deep and hard to read. The cover caught my attention and pulled me right in when I read the excerpt. A sucessful writing career with your new series.
(Rosemary Simm 10:56pm July 15, 2011)

Love the historical era and would love to read the new mystery.
(Sigrun Schulz 12:15pm July 16, 2011)

I've added it to my reading list.
Theresa N
weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com
(Theresa Norris 10:20am July 16, 2011)

My cousin works at the UW in Seattle and I know he would just love this fabulous mystery!
(Susan Coster 12:56pm July 16, 2011)

Nothing like a good mystery book to keep me up late at night. This one "sparks" my interest!
(Janice Milliken 3:41pm July 16, 2011)

Sounds like a great start! I love mysteries.
(Ivy Truitt 4:20pm July 16, 2011)

Sounds great to me. Thank you for the chance of reading your book!!
(Jeanne Sheats 6:25pm July 16, 2011)

My favorites are mysteries. Can't wait to try out a new detective series. Always looking for a new interesting character. Yea!
(Constance Biller 11:32pm July 16, 2011)

love mysteries. would love to read this.
(Kathy Weber 6:36pm July 17, 2011)

Adding to my ever growing to read list. I need to be left with my books on an island so I can catch up. LOl I would love to read this and I love the cover.
(Patti Paonessa 7:31pm July 17, 2011)

Interesting POV of the characters who give their impression of the main fella'. It's got my attention....;)
(Sheila Calabretta 9:52pm July 17, 2011)

This sounds like and interesting read. Good luck.
(Kathleen Yohanna 5:11am July 19, 2011)