Crucifixion Creek: A Belltree Mystery    by Barry Maitland Order:  USA  Can Minotaur, 2015 (2015) Hardcover, e-Book     Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth Crucifixion Creek is Barry Maitland's first book of a new series, which is good news for his fans. Some say that 'this may prove to be Maitland's most exciting mystery yet.' 'A meth-addicted biker shoots a woman during a police siege. An elderly couple commits suicide on the terrace of their favorite café. An unidentified white male is stabbed to death in the street.' And this is just the beginning of this new mystery novel. Harry Belltree is a Sydney homicide detective. The severity of these deaths brings Belltree up short, especially after he realizes that the stabbing victim is Greg, his own brother-in-law! Kelly Pool, a journalist, suggests that the three deaths could somehow be connected. She feels there is a definite link because Greg and the old couple were somehow all involved with a corrupt money man who was not a stellar citizen. This slim coincidence is enough to start Belltree on his own quest to discover why these people died. He is forbidden by police protocol to work on his brother-in-law's case. That doesn't stop him from delving into each clue, which leads him down a path that could result in his own death! Crucifixion Creek starts with a jolt and continues to maintain heart-stopping action throughout. It's well worth a read. The weather is starting to turn. Curl up in your favorite chair in front of the blazing fire in your fireplace, sip a glass of wine, and satisfy your yen for a good mystery. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews