"A beautifully written page turner..."
Inspired by true-crime events, No Motive in Murdoch delivers a vivid story that draws you in and won’t let go.
Behind the Book
Inspired by True-Crime Events
The murder of a 17-year-old girl and 4th grade school teacher, just four months apart, shook our one-red-light town to the core. In recent years, these events caught a new wave of attention from The New York Times Magazine and ABC’s 20/20.
We used that real-life inspiration to craft the story of No Motive in Murdoch under pen name, J.L. Bass. Delivering a mix of mystery, humor, and romance, the novel explores the universal ideas of overcoming tragedy, moving through grief, and forgiving the past.
Book Synopsis
Sometimes the only way to return to life is to face death.
At the urging of her publisher, however, Julia returns to the sleepy, one red-light town of Murdoch, Mississippi after twenty years. It was in Murdoch, the hometown of her late husband, Seth Dixon, where she got her start as a newspaper reporter.
In a shocking twist of events, Julia found herself as a young reporter covering the still-unsolved murder of high school student, Allison Mercer—and just months later, the murder of Betty Ann Stark, wife of Murdoch’s prominent mayor. But it’s been the mysterious death of her husband Seth that’s haunted Julia the most.
Now Julia wonders if she can piece together what really happened in Murdoch decades ago to write her next book—and save her own life.
Media
As Seen In…
ABC-25 Waco
“Novel Based on Two Murders in Central Texas”
KCEN-TV Central Texas
“Fictional Book Based on 1985 Murders”
KCEN-TV Central Texas
“30 Years Later: Why Judy Whitley’s Sister Believes 1985 Murders Are Connected”
KWTX-TV Waco
“Educator’s Murder Conviction Inspired Local Women’s Novel”
Reviews
Praise for No Motive in Murdoch
“LOVE this book!”
Tiffany
“Beautifully written page turner”
Elysa
“Engaging and invigorating”
Brittany
“This is a must read”
Kippi
Available in Paperback & Kindle
ABOUT LARA
Based in Austin, Texas, Lara Hollers is a communications leader, award-winning writer, and keynote speaker. Through her work, she's on a mission to help individuals and teams reclaim their time, focus, and creative confidence.
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