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Stone & Steele: Murder on the Rocks - Book Summary
Detective Emma Stone, a reserved 36-year-old Anchorage police detective with a photographic memory and hidden musical talent, is reluctantly partnered with FBI Agent Jeremiah Steele, a methodical 41-year-old federal agent, to investigate a suspicious death near the small Alaskan town of Talkeetna.
Posing as tourists celebrating their anniversary, Stone and Steele discover that a young hiker's death wasn't accidental, he was murdered after stumbling upon a secret gold mining operation. Their investigation leads them to a survivalist compound called "the Alliance," where they must navigate dangerous undercover work while dealing with their growing attraction to each other.
The killer has been systematically eliminating anyone who discovers the illegal gold extraction in a pristine stream. When a second victim, a local geologist, is found dead, Stone and Steele realize they're hunting a methodical killer who will stop at nothing to protect his secret.
As the investigation intensifies, so does the danger. After surviving sabotaged vehicles and death threats, the partners must overcome their personal walls, Stone's fierce independence stemming from her controlling preacher father, and Steele's emotional detachment learned from his military spy father, to work together effectively.
The case climaxes with Stone's dangerous infiltration of the Alliance compound, a harrowing chase through the Alaskan wilderness, and the murderer's ultimate demise by the same blunt force trauma inflicted on the victims. Stone and Steele not only solve the murders but discover that their contrasting approaches, her intuition and his logic, make them an unbeatable team both professionally and personally.
The novel concludes with Stone accepting an FBI consulting position to continue working with Steele, and their first tentative steps toward a romantic relationship, setting up future adventures in this Alaska-based crime series.
"Money On the Run" Book 2, Set in Seward Alaska - Spring 2026
"Malice On the Bay" Book 3, Set in Homer Alaska - Christmas 2026
Avaliable Now
Marcus Chen
Detective Stone
Agent Steele
Walter Kendrick
WHERE WILDERNESS HIDES DEADLY SECRETS
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Alaska's most charming mountain town, "Murder on the Rocks" introduces readers to the most compelling detective duo in contemporary mystery fiction. When a young geologist's body is discovered near Talkeetna, two reluctant investigators, Detective Emma Stone and FBI Agent Jeremiah Steele, must overcome their conflicting methods to solve a murder that unearths dark secrets beneath the town's picturesque surface.
✦ Authentic Alaskan Setting: Experience the real Talkeetna—from its historic Main Street to the majestic wilderness that surrounds it. The novel captures the unique spirit of this beloved destination where adventure seekers, artists, and rugged individualists create an unforgettable community.
✦ Unforgettable Characters:
Emma Stone and Jeremiah Steele bring fresh energy to the detective genre. Her intuitive brilliance and his analytical precision create sparks—both professionally and personally—as they navigate dangers that lurk beneath Talkeetna's friendly façade.
✦ A Mystery Rooted in History:
The gold that once drew prospectors to Alaska becomes the center of a modern deadly conspiracy, weaving together the region's rich history with contemporary suspense.
