Intro
Some crime novels pull readers in with shock. Others earn attention through emotional weight and lived-in realism. It Started With a Murder does both, opening a story that feels immediate, human, and deeply unsettling.
A Case That Refuses to Stay Simple
It Started With a Murder (Michael Tough Mystery Series) by Richard M Enns begins on a street locals fear and avoid. Known as The Saber, this dangerous stretch in Ocean View becomes the scene of a teenage girl’s murder. From the first pages, the story makes it clear that this is not a single act of violence wrapped up neatly by procedure. Detective Michael Tough steps into an investigation where answers slip away just as quickly as they surface.
Michael is portrayed as experienced, observant, and grounded in routine police work. Yet the case pushes beyond his usual boundaries. Each discovery opens another layer of complexity, and the sense that someone is always ahead of law enforcement hangs over every chapter. The pacing remains tight while allowing room for reflection, which keeps the mystery engaging without feeling rushed.
As more young women vanish, the tension escalates. The investigation shifts from a single murder to a larger pattern that hints at multiple threats operating in the shadows. The city itself feels complicit, shaped by silence, fear, and long-standing corruption. Readers are invited to piece together clues alongside Michael, knowing each answer carries consequences.
Becky Conway and the Human Cost of Survival
One of the novel’s most striking elements is Becky Conway. Introduced as a heroin-addicted prostitute, Becky could have been written as a background character. Instead, she becomes the emotional core of the story. Her involvement in the case feels raw and deeply personal, shaped by years of trauma and survival instincts learned too young.
Becky’s perspective offers insight into a world often ignored. Her experiences reveal how exploitation hides in plain sight and how vulnerability becomes a currency others abuse. Richard presents her story with care, allowing readers to see her strength without softening the harsh realities she faces. Becky is flawed, guarded, and resilient in ways that feel authentic rather than idealized.
As the investigation unfolds, her connection to Michael grows naturally. Their relationship develops through shared risk and mutual recognition rather than convenience. Becky is not a plot device. She is a person whose survival matters, and that emotional weight drives many of the story’s most powerful moments.
Two Predators and a City Under Pressure
As bodies begin to appear, Michael uncovers a disturbing pattern that suggests more than one predator is at work. This revelation changes the stakes entirely. The city becomes a hunting ground, and every lead carries urgency. The narrative balances procedural detail with emotional intensity, giving readers both logic and fear to process.
Michael’s pursuit of the truth forces him to confront uncomfortable realities within his own department. Corruption, betrayal, and quiet complicity emerge as obstacles just as dangerous as the killers themselves. The pressure mounts as his professional responsibilities collide with his personal sense of justice.
Richard’s background as a retired probation officer shows here. The system feels lived-in rather than imagined. Procedures, failures, and moral gray areas are presented without exaggeration. The result is a crime thriller that feels grounded in experience, where choices carry lasting impact.
An Author Shaped by Experience
Richard draws from nearly twenty-two years with the San Diego County Probation Department, and that history informs every page. His understanding of broken systems and overlooked lives gives the story credibility. The novel avoids sensationalism while remaining gripping, which allows the emotional stakes to resonate longer.
With degrees in History and Divinity, Richard brings thoughtful depth to themes of redemption, guilt, and responsibility. These influences appear subtly, shaping character decisions rather than overwhelming the narrative. Readers familiar with his earlier work, including The Gynecologist’s Daughter, will recognize his focus on human complexity and moral consequence.
Conclusion
It Started With a Murder delivers a suspenseful crime story anchored by empathy and realism. Through Michael and Becky, the novel explores how broken lives intersect in unexpected ways. Readers finish the final page with a sense that justice, however fragile, still matters when someone chooses to fight for it.
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