A vicious serial killer is terrorizing the peaceful waterways of Upstate New York. Young women are vanishing, their bodies resurfacing in the canals and rivers — a nightmare that has gripped an unsuspecting community in fear. When Amber Miller, a gifted young artist, is brutally assaulted and left in a coma, Detective Chris Taylor suspects her hauntingly beautiful paintings may hold a clue to the killer’s identity. Amber’s sister, Kate, a sharp Manhattan attorney with a fiery spirit, joins Chris in his desperate hunt for justice. But as sinister secrets surface and the body count climbs, Chris and Kate find themselves drawn not only into a chilling web of deception — but to each other. Can her art reveal what the killer wanted to keep hidden? Can a detective and a lawyer uncover the truth before one of them becomes the next target? This fast-paced, heart-pounding whodunnit is filled with unexpected twists, small-town secrets, and a simmering tension that will keep readers breathless until the shocking final page. ⭐ A Five-Star Reader’s Favorite Review: “Jimmy Ray Conner weaves a tantalizing sleuth mystery with plenty of thrills, suspense, and action… Fast-paced and featuring a few well-placed surprises, The Deadly Canvas is a stellar start to what promises to be a gripping series.” If you love James Patterson , Tess Gerritsen , or C.J. Box , you’ll devour The Deadly Canvas . Readers' Favorite FIVE STARS The Deadly Canvas is the first book in the Chris and Kate Taylor Mystery Series by Jimmy Ray Conner. Amber Miller is a budding artist eager to make her mark on the New York art scene with her upcoming exhibition. But her plans are turned upside down when someone brutally assaults her in her home, leaving her in a coma. Investigating the case is Detective Christopher Taylor, who soon finds links between Amber's attacker and bodies recently discovered in the local canals and rivers. Chris teams up with Amber's sister, Kathleen Johnson, a New York City defense attorney, who is determined to put her sister's attacker behind bars. The evidence points to Amber's boyfriend, Trevor Stuart. With Kate representing Trevor during the trial, will she be able to prove his innocence, and will the killer pay for his crimes? 

Jimmy Ray Conner weaves a tantalizing sleuth mystery with plenty of thrills, suspense, and action. The Deadly Canvas is bound to appeal to whodunnit lovers. Fast-paced and featuring a few well-placed surprises, the plot twists and turns its way to a resounding climax that crime mystery readers will thoroughly enjoy. Apart from the plot and pacing of the narrative, the characters make an impression on the reader with their believable and layered personalities. Each of them has a little backstory that provides readers with a look into their actions and motives. I enjoyed the chemistry between Chris and Kate and their teamwork to solve the case. This is a stellar start to what promises to be a gripping series. Reviewed by Pikasho Deka. Jimmy Ray Conner was born in Wichita Falls, Texas, but grew up in Central California when his parents moved there with his two sisters, seeking a better life. After high school, he received a BS in electrical engineering and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Pacific's McGeorge School of Law. The author began his professional career as an entry-level engineer for a large multinational conglomerate. Within fifteen years, he became manager of one of its European divisions in London, England.   Seeking a more creative outlet in his subsequent career position, the author left corporate life and started an independent production company, producing and distributing several hundred hours of television and video programming. His documentary programs won numerous cable television industry awards. The author personally won a prestigious Emmy Award as Executive Producer of a three-hour documentary series appearing on The Disney Channel.   After publishing a media industry newsletter for a few years, he wrote his first fictional book, Murder, and a Midnight Swim, a standalone murder mystery based on facts surrounding the tragic death of a wealthy widow who had recently married a much younger man. That initial book was so successful the author was encouraged to create the Chris & Kate Taylor Mystery Series to allow readers to follow two or more of his main characters through their lives.   Book One in that series is The Deadly Canvas: A Chilling Tale of Art, Mayhem, and Murder . Book Two is Warpath to Murder: An Ancestor's Revenge . The last book in the series, The Transparent Terrorist: Martyrs in Their Midst , completes The Courtship Trilogy . The first book in The Honeymoon Trilogy is Murder on the Waves: A Voyage of Violence . Additional books in this trilogy  are on their way.   The author's immediate family includes two beautiful adult daughters - both educators - and four adoring grandchildren. He lives in California's Coachella Desert.