Dead in the Water: A Tegan Reese Mystery
A small-town murder. A dark secret. A park ranger caught in the middle.
Park ranger Tegan Reese longs for a peaceful life in Habinaw, Nebraska, but inheriting a fortune from her ex-fiancé has thrown her world into turmoil. When local gym owner JD is found dead in his pool, Tegan is reluctantly drawn into the investigation. As she digs deeper, she begins to fear for her own safety—someone seems to be watching her every move, and the closer she gets to the truth, the more dangerous things become.
At first, the evidence points to recently fired maintenance man Karl Simonsen, but when Tegan uncovers connections to a 30-year-old cold case involving the disappearance of local teenager Laura Thompson, she realizes the mystery goes much deeper. As the investigation intensifies, Tegan discovers that the killer may be closer than she ever imagined—and she might be the next target.
With help from her loyal friends and family, Tegan must navigate a web of deceit where evidence vanishes and alibis crumble. She must uncover the truth before the killer buries the past, and her, forever.
There’s been a murder at Mallet State Park…
Tegan Reese, a resilient 27-year-old park ranger, is trying to leave the heartbreak of her past behind. Recently jilted at the altar by her ex-fiancé Ivan, Tegan finds solace working in the serene surroundings of Mallet State Park. But when she learns that Ivan has a new fiancée, the peaceful park becomes the setting for a mysterious death.
During a hayrack ride one evening, Tegan stumbles upon Ivan’s lifeless body near the park’s property line. The local sheriff, fueled by Tegan’s history with Ivan, deems her the prime suspect. Now Tegan must unravel the truth to clear her name before she becomes the next victim of a justice system that seems convinced of her guilt.
Amidst the bustle of the Hunter’s Moon Expo weekend, Tegan forms an uneasy alliance with Tracy, Ivan’s current fiancé. They are determined to unearth the real murderer and find justice for Ivan. Can they set aside their differences and work together to expose the secrets hidden within the park’s boundaries?