Blood Spiral

Private Detective Mitchell King is hired to protect a sexy murder suspect but he quickly becomes romantically involved with her, and that influences Mitch’s judgment. He soon embarks upon a personal vendetta that brings him to near ruin. His reputation and honor are challenged as his fixation upon the woman affects his every move. Mitch also assists a beautiful NASA astronaut. She is being harassed and stalked by an emotionally disturbed admirer. With an impending mission facing the astronaut, she has no time to deal with distractions. Mitch must engage the stalker carefully, because adverse publicity will bring unwanted attention to the few remaining Shuttle missions. These two cases intertwine with Mitch's obsessive nature. Is he attempting to force issues and manage the lives of others when his own personal life is already in shambles? Can Mitch set aside his quirky emotional investment in his clients in time to think clearly and solve the cases? This search for resolution carries Mitch across Houston, from the refined environment of scientific space research into the darker corners of the city, rough biker bars and dregs of the drug scene. Blood Spiral is realistic, with authentic glimpses of Houston and the Texas Gulf Coast region. Themes are mature, containing intense scenes of crime violence, adult situations and language. Dialogue is brisk and lively, the narrative literate. Blood Spiral is the first novel in the Mitch King Mystery series. Here’s what author Bill Pronzini, creator of the Nameless San Francisco private detective series, says about Blood Spiral: “Sam Waas has done a good job of combining toughness and humanity in Mitch and in the people he deals with. Mitch comes across as both real and likable in spite (and in some ways because) of his shortcomings.”