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CASE FILE: A TEXAS THRILLER OF MURDER AND BETRAYAL
STATUS: OPEN
JURISDICTION: EAST TEXAS
INVESTIGATORS: L. SMITTY / D. SMITTY
ACTIVE CASES: MULTIPLE
Some towns don’t want justice.
They want quiet.
These case files document crimes rooted in familiar places—where silence is currency, reputation is protection, and the truth rarely announces itself.
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CASE FILE #002 — THE DOLLMAKER OF POINT STATUS: ACTIVE LOCATION: POINT, TX CASE SUMMARY: A series of murders marked by handcrafted dolls left at each scene. The dolls are not decorative. They are deliberate, symbolic, and meant to be understood. Each victim is found with a figure that mirrors the manner of death, suggesting premeditation, ritual, and a killer operating without urgency. INVESTIGATING OFFICERS: Detective Loretta Smitty Detective David Smitty OBSERVATIONS: The offender does not rush. Crime scenes are staged. Community silence appears to be a contributing factor. NOTES: Residents display familiarity with one another and reluctance to speak. Multiple individuals possess partial knowledge. No clear witness cooperation. STATUS: Investigation ongoing.
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“A satisfyingly flowing narrative that stands on its own.” — Matt McAvoy
“A gripping thriller with twists, suspense, and a dark, eerie atmosphere.” — Goodreads Reviewer
CASE FILE — TEARDROPS OF LAKE TAWAKONI FORMAT: INTERACTIVE COLORING FILE STATUS: SUPPLEMENTAL FILE SUMMARY: An interactive coloring file created as a companion to the psychological thriller Teardrops of Lake Tawakoni. This file translates the atmosphere, locations, and emotional weight of the investigation into visual form. The intent is immersion rather than relaxation. CONTENTS: 33 single-sided illustrations inspired by key locations, symbols, and characters connected to the Lake Tawakoni case. 33 single-sided quote pages drawn directly from the investigation narrative, designed to deepen context while preventing bleed-through. MATERIAL NOTES: High-quality paper suitable for colored pencils, gel pens, and markers. OBSERVATIONS: This file is designed to be completed slowly. Details repeat. Patterns matter. Additional material encourages close attention and deduction rather than passive coloring. INTENDED USE: For readers who want to remain inside the case. For those who notice details. For anyone who understands that stillness can be unsettling. STATUS: Supplemental material.
CASE FILE #001-R — TEARDROPS OF LAKE TAWAKONI FORMAT: ERAS REMIX (GEN Z EDITION) STATUS: REVISED RECORD FILE SUMMARY: Revised case documentation adapted for a contemporary audience. Original events preserved. Language, tone, and emphasis updated to reflect cultural context and generational perspective. This file contains the same investigation, reinterpreted. CASE SUMMARY: A body recovered from Lake Tawakoni bearing a single carved mark: a teardrop. The discovery fractures the illusion of safety surrounding Quinlan, Texas. As additional victims surface with identical markings, it becomes clear the acts are deliberate, symbolic, and corrective in nature. INVESTIGATING OFFICERS: Detective Loretta Smitty Detective David Smitty OBSERVATIONS: Victims share indirect connections through drug activity and community silence. Rumors of vigilante justice circulate openly. The offender appears unconcerned with concealment. The crimes escalate alongside emotional pressure on the investigators. NOTES: Community loyalty interferes with accountability. Grief manifests as justification. Justice and vengeance become increasingly difficult to separate. This version emphasizes emotional impact, moral ambiguity, and systemic denial. STATUS: Revised record active. Original file archived.
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CASE FILE #001 — TEARDROPS OF LAKE TAWAKONI STATUS: CLOSED LOCATION: QUINLAN, TX / LAKE TAWAKONI CASE SUMMARY: Multiple bodies recovered from Lake Tawakoni, each bearing a single carved mark: a teardrop. The victims were discovered by chance, pulled from the water by locals rather than concealed or disposed of. The consistency of the marking indicates deliberation rather than impulse. INVESTIGATING OFFICERS: Detective Loretta Smitty Detective David Smitty OBSERVATIONS: The murders follow a discernible pattern. Victims share indirect ties through local drug activity. The offender demonstrates no attempt to avoid discovery. Community reaction suggests unease rather than surprise. NOTES: Meth addiction appears widespread and quietly tolerated. Rumors of vigilante justice circulate throughout the town. Moral boundaries within the community are blurred. Relationships between residents complicate cooperation. Silence functions as a form of protection. STATUS: Case closed.
Kindle & Paperback available on Amazon
Unabridged audiobook on Audible
Audiobook available on Apple Books
“Unpredictable and keeps you guessing—couldn’t put it down.” — Amazon Reader
“A well-crafted mystery that pulls you in quickly and keeps you engaged.” — Goodreads Reviewer
CASE FILE #003 — MURDER DOESN’T CLOCK OUT STATUS: ACTIVE DETAILS: RESTRICTED FILE SUMMARY: Ongoing investigation spanning multiple years and jurisdictions. This file documents a series of connected incidents predating previously recorded cases. Early patterns were dismissed as unrelated. That conclusion has since been reevaluated. INVESTIGATING OFFICERS: Detective Loretta Smitty Detective David Smitty OBSERVATIONS: Incidents do not follow a predictable schedule. Victims are connected by circumstance rather than proximity. Time gaps between events appear intentional. Employment records, travel routes, and overnight stops factor into the pattern. NOTES: Several early warning indicators were overlooked. Witness statements contradict official timelines. At least one prior incident remains undocumented. STATUS: Investigation ongoing. Release pending.