Books published by Shepherd King Publishing LLC

"What sets The Actress apart from most murder mysteries is a wry sense of ironic humor that permeates events seen through the eyes of the narrator-Martha McRae, boarding house owner and publisher of a small-town newspaper." Diane Donovan.The Actress-America's most famous actress, Tallulah Ivey, is in Solo, Mississippi to film a controversial movie about capital punishment. Andrew Dawkins, a prominent Solo citizen, is shot and killed outside her bedroom window. A typewritten note was found clenched in his hand. The note would hold the key to Ivey's guilt or innocence. Martha investigates the who, what, and why in this twisty, suspenseful murder mystery full unforgettable characters and a bit of Christian theology.From the Editor-In-Chief of Southern Writers Magazine after she read The Actress manuscript:"This book captures Thompson's mastery of mystery. His ability to bring his characters to life is truly an art-you forget they aren't real. You find yourself involved in their lives as if you were there. The manner of twist he weaves through the story gives depth to the plot and has you guessing throughout the story, "Who did it?" You don't want the story to end because you don't want to say goodbye to the characters."~~ Susan ReichertProtagonist's Quest: Martha is searching for truth. She wants to help friend Shirley Dawkins understand why her husband was shot outside Tully Ivey's window. The sheriff impedes Martha's progress-until he realizes how smart she is.What's at stake? Mississippi's reputation. Why? Because the movie being filmed will make Mississippians look like heathens for executing the most evil man who ever set foot in Solo. Capital punishment is the issue.More from Diane Donovan, Donovan Literary Services:Christian readers who love a good mystery are in for a treat with Michael Hicks Thompson's new novel in the Solo series-The Actress.It weaves a diverse cast of characters from all walks of life into a lively story replete with intrigue, humor, and religious inspection.It's not an easy job to keep all these facets in balance while juggling a series of puzzling events, but The Actress performs admirably, enriched by the fact that it is inspired by a true story.The author keeps the story line clean, reflective, and delightfully revealing-all this tempered with passages about Mississippi culture that include social insights, as well.The subtlety of these approaches belies any belief that the story will become preachy, staid, or predictable. These characters are rooted in their small-town traditions and beliefs; but his doesn't mean they are inflexible, prejudiced, or single-minded. In fact, these beliefs ground them and enable them to examine their world and its events with a solid foundation of faith mixed with social consciousness.Are the events coincidences? Or, does God have a purpose in mind, even in murder? Watch for the clues that ultimately lead to real answers.The result is a delightfully lively, clear, clean production filled with a fun group of disparate characters whose choices and decisions affect and reflect a small town's God-fearing approaches to life, justice, and death.All mystery readers will be delighted with its wry observational style and the humor which is embedded into a search for the truth.

Combine a suspenseful murder mystery with theology (the study and explanation of religious faith, practice, and experience) and you have The Rector—with an allegory of Christ’s ministry!Martha McRae is a widow living in a small Mississippi Delta town in the 1950s. She’s obsessed with the sudden death of her Episcopal church’s young rector. A murderer could go free if she doesn’t investigate. But Martha is torn. If she pursues the suspect, her Bible study friend’s awful secret could be revealed. It would be devastating, and life-changing. When the new rector arrives, she encounters a new puzzle--one that takes her into Parchman Penitentiary, where she comes face to face with evil. “Michael Thompson offers a tantalizing murder mystery filled with chilling explorations of hypocrisy, true faith, and small-town secrets. It’s about sin and redemption. It’s about the search for truth, in both the physical and spiritual realms. And it’s all wrapped up in a puzzle that keeps even skeptics on their toes. The writing is compelling with a plot that grows ever thicker and offers even ardent mystery fans delightfully unexpected twists and turns. The intrigue is well developed with well-placed clues and cliffhangers. The characters are multidimensional and fascinating. The faith themes are so masterfully woven in that those who aren’t religious should simply find the novel to be top-notch suspense.” Diane Gardner, ForeWord’s Clarion Review.The Editor-in-Chief, Southern Writers Magazine, writes: “Michael Thompson is an author who takes you by the hand and leads you down unexpected paths. His ability to create believable characters instantly draws you into their world. You will find yourself rooting for goodness to prevail as you follow the twists he so brilliantly weaves in this story.” Richard L. Pratt, Th.D., Harvard, professor of Old Testament theology: “The Rector penetrates the facades of southern cultural Christianity to take us to the true gospel … There is no Savior but Jesus and no salvation from the judgment of God but faith in Christ alone.” “Michael Thompson has brought to life the Mississippi of my youth, complete with small town scandals, murders, prison, and the powerful southern female. Sit back, put your feet up, and enjoy a glass of sweet tea and a romping good tale.” ~~ Carolyn Haines, author of 68 mysteries and the on-going Sarah Booth Delaney mystery series.