Hades' Kiss (Nicolaus & Alya Detective / Thrillers Book 1) KINDLE BOOK REVIEW: THE BEST INDIE BOOKS * Best Beach Read 2024 NIEA: 18th ANNUAL INDIE EXCELLENCE AWARDS: Finalist – Crime Fiction AFBA: 2024 AMERICAN FICTION BOOK AWARDS * (2 categories) * Finalist – Mystery/Suspense: General A serial killer works the New Orleans streets. The Shrovetide Ripper. Each year, more victims add to the body count. A new private detective emerges. Nicolaus Vagelle. Criminal Psychologist. Former cop with the NOPD, with that one bad case that forces him to throw off the badge, change his name...until he is lured back into the dark work, the bloody work of justice. These days, he bills himself as a Consultant. And his new obsession becomes the fractured psychosis of evil. Into this bleak framework, a young, unsuspecting, woman arrives. A Russian immigrant with her own shadowed past. She calls herself Alya, “born of the heavens.” And she will either learn to fight, or be lost to the eternal night. “A Study In Darkness: Hades’ Kiss” is a collection of short detective works (6 short stories, 3 novelettes, 2 novellas), interconnected as one. A Novel-in-Stories — Thriller / Mystery / Suspense — in a contemporary noir. Case notes chronicling the life of "a knight in dark armor” (to borrow from Philip Marlowe). Hades’ Kiss is the Story of Two. Two people from different worlds. Intelligent. Noble. Damaged by their pasts. Each recognizing something of themself in the other. In this star-crossed life, an act of kindness brings them together. As told in chapters, case by case, killer by killer. From their first, fragile, uncertainties together, to a greater understanding in each other, and of themselves. “Three a.m. The scream ripped at the alley’s blackest shadows, only to be swallowed by concrete and steel. But screams here were too common, and this one would go as unanswered as the rest.” “I am not a practicing psychiatrist, nor am I a priest, and your problems are not confidential unless I decide they are... “It's business. If it's heart you're looking for, St. Augustine's is only six blocks from the river." “...and in response to her pain, I felt the chains loosening on my inner animal, readying to obliterate all good judgement. I had jettisoned my psychology studies with blinding black fantasies. “I opened the car door, reminding myself that action without forethought kills the wrong people.” One might reference Peter Straub or Edgar Allen Poe, the commonality is meticulously-crafted prose to the purpose of inexorable disquiet. -Terry Rossio - author - Pirates of the Caribbean, Shrek. Book Hangover Alert...This is not some moody, atmospheric crime novel. It's the author's love letter to all of the crime fiction writers who came before him, starting with Poe and Doyle. Few books I've read have given me such an unrelenting book hangover, embedding me into other worlds so credibly...Hades' Kiss is a book to be savored-slowly-as you would your most prized amber liquid. Take small sips to make it last...Let it do its slow burn. Pause to simply marvel at the beauty of Bingham's writing. -Denise Dorman - publicist. The growth of the characters through the stories is realistic and interesting. The twists and turns in the story were placed perfectly, allowing the story to move at a good pace...The plot is well thought out, and the tiny breadcrumbs you drop along the way are just the right amount. When a "reveal" is made, there has been just enough information given to make it believable, yet still a surprise. Wow! The story moves along well, capturing the terror and sadness of Alya's childhood. Amazing climax with a powerful ending... Great job! -Kristin McTiernan - "Nonsense-Free Editor." G.J. Bingham's tale of criminal Psychologist, Nicolaus Vagelle is spellbinding from start to finish. The story pacing is excellent while excelling at character development, keeping the reader on their toes with twists and turns along the way. Highly recommended! -Kurtis Mitchell Fujita - writer/creator Shadow Ghost. This book is a literary gem that deserves every one of its five stars. From the first page to the last, it captivates with its rich prose, well-developed characters, and a plot that seamlessly blends suspense, emotion, and thought-provoking themes. The author's storytelling prowess is evident in every carefully chosen word, creating an immersive experience that stays with you long after you've finished reading. It's a rare find that effortlessly balances heart-wrenching moments and spine-tingling suspense, making it a must-read for anyone seeking a captivating and unforgettable journey within the pages of a book. -Nathaniel - Amazon reader. G. J. BINGHAM is an award-winning writer and artist, with more than forty years in publishing. Born in Chicago, he served four years as a Law Enforcement Specialist in the USAF. From there, he began his career in the Arts. Comic books and graphic novels, to short fic