TANGLED DARKNESS
In a twisted web of lies, she’s either the spider or the fly.
When a psychiatric clinical assistant turns up dead,
Dr. Leslie Schoen finds herself a suspect in the case—and facing allegations which could destroy her career.
As Detective Davis works the investigation, Leslie launches her own inquiries. She soon uncovers deception and illegal schemes involving stolen prescription opioids. It seems everyone around her is hiding something, and as she gets closer to the truth, the threats against her escalate. She struggles with keeping dangerous information from her pregnant wife, Izzy, and knows she needs to confront traumatic demons from her own past. But as she delves deeper into a web of lies, one thing becomes clear: someone will do anything to keep their criminal plans in the shadows.
With her family and even her life on the line, Leslie must outwit those who want her silenced before it’s too late. No one’s motives are what they seem, and the killer may be closer than anyone thinks.
An overview of
The Portland Murders Series
The Portland Murder Series is a collection of novels and novellas that weaves together intricate plots of psychological suspense and criminal investigation. Set primarily against the atmospheric backdrops of Portland, Oregon, and Durango, Colorado, the series delves into complex themes of corruption, betrayal, and the dark undercurrents of human relationships. Each story stands on its own as a compelling thriller, yet the collection is enriched by recurring characters whose professional and personal lives intersect, creating a broader, interconnected narrative tapestry.
Viewed as a whole, the Portland Murder Series achieves a remarkable thematic and structural cohesion. A recurring motif is the professional woman—a psychiatrist, a city employee, a farm owner—whose expertise becomes both a weapon and a vulnerability when she is thrust into harrowing circumstances that test her resolve to its limits. The narrative architecture, which alternates between the rain-slicked streets of Portland and the sun-scorched mesas of Durango, creates a palpable sense of a larger, interconnected world where crime and corruption are not isolated incidents but sprawling networks. This effect is amplified using recurring characters like the steadfast Leslie Schoen and the intrepid Detective Aaron Davis whose intersecting arcs provide a rich, layered reading experience that rewards attention to the series as a single, ambitious work of crime fiction.
Tangled Darkness
Available to read!
If i go quiet
Psychiatrist Leslie Schoen goes undercover at a remote wellness retreat to investigate a disappearance. She soon discovers that the retreat’s leaders are administering a dangerous psychoactive compound to their clients for the purposes of blackmail and control. Trapped and isolated, Leslie must rely on her psychiatric expertise to expose the deadly operation from the inside.
lethal loyalty
Available to read!
play me once
Grace MacKenzie’s new relationship with the enigmatic Kate Nichols is thrown into turmoil when investigative reporter Derek Wilson is murdered at a Portland conference, and Grace is framed as the prime suspect. To clear her name, Grace must confront the shocking secrets of the woman she loves while untangling a lethal knot of financial corruption and betrayal.
pancake Man (working title)
Portland Detective Aaron Davis investigates a murder that plunges him into a complex web of political corruption linked to the powerful City Administrator, Jack Hoffman, and a sophisticated car theft ring. Davis must form a tentative alliance with tenacious journalist Mia Davis to follow the trail of evidence. Together, they race to unravel Hoffman’s criminal network and expose the corrosive corruption at the heart of the city’s power structures before they are permanently silenced.
Lethal Loyalty
Obsession knows no bounds…
In the shadow of the Rocky Mountains, the small town of Durango, Colorado, hides a sinister secret. As millions of dollars pour in for a pipeline project, three women find themselves caught in a deadly web of greed, betrayal, and murder.
Olivia Hahn, desperate to rekindle a romance with her childhood sweetheart, becomes ensnared in a plot orchestrated by the man’s new business partner. Valerie Roberts, trapped in an abusive marriage, uncovers evidence of corruption that could bring the city to its knees. And Dominique Shale, the newly appointed City Attorney, must navigate a treacherous landscape of politics and personal vendettas to uncover the truth behind a threat to the city’s wealth.
As loyalties are tested and the lines between friend and foe blur, each woman must confront the darkness within and the enemies at their doorstep. With its atmospheric setting, complex characters, and heart-pounding suspense, LETHAL LOYALTY is a gripping psychological thriller novella that explores the devastating consequences of misplaced trust and the lengths we’ll go to protect our secrets. MM Desch has crafted a chilling drama that will keep readers guessing until the final, shocking twist.
BETRAYAL IN THE BALANCE
…a short story
In the gripping short story BETRAYAL IN THE BALANCE by MM Desch, Olivia Hahn’s life spirals into chaos as she navigates a web of deception and danger in the seemingly peaceful town of Durango. Haunted by recent losses and desperate to regain control, Olivia finds herself entangled with the enigmatic Kate Nichols, who pulls her into a sinister plot involving betrayal, theft, and a disturbing ultimatum. As Olivia grapples with moral dilemmas and her own past, she is forced to make harrowing decisions to protect her future. With every step deeper into the shadows, the line between ally and enemy blurs, leading to a climactic confrontation that will leave readers astonished. This psychological thriller explores themes of loyalty, trust, and the devastating consequences of secrets. The story is a condensed version of the novella, LETHAL LOYALTY.
