Series: Zachary Goldman Mysteries
Genres: Mystery, Suspense, Mystery/Suspense
eBook Price: $ 0.99 USD
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Begins Dec. 1
It's Not Christmas
The holidays arrive with a twist in the Clean Chills Christmas series! These 13 standalone short stories—each written by a different Mystery / Thriller / Suspense author—give you all the festive chills without explicit content. Find your perfect fit with tales that delight or give you a fright! (Green covers = lighter stories Red covers = darker stories)
A private investigator. A missing foster teen. An alarming note.
Zachary Goldman planned to shut his office for the holidays and muscle through Christmas the best he could. But a call comes in about a missing girl, and the case hits too close to home for him to refuse.
Melinda is a foster teen with a history of running. The police are not treating her disappearance as urgent. But when Zachary finds a chilling message tied to her last day, he doesn’t believe she is just off with friends.
As the hours slip away and Christmas draws closer, Zachary follows the small clues everyone else is ready to dismiss. The more he learns about Melinda’s life, the more certain he becomes that this is not just another runaway case.
If he is right, waiting until morning could be fatal.
Perfect for readers who love:
- dark holiday mysteries
- private investigator fiction
- emotionally layered suspense
- winter atmosphere and high personal stakes
“It’s Not Christmas” is a gritty Zachary Goldman mystery about grief, danger, and the stubborn determination to bring someone home alive. Be sure to check out all 13 short stories in the Clean Chills Christmas series!
Praise for Zachary Goldman Mysteries
— an amazing and suspenseful story. It carries you away into a psychological tailspin that keeps you going in so many different directions.
— A really good piece of detective fiction with some novel and original features which keep the reader guessing until the last few pages.
— I love the way the investigation plays out…very interesting. That is done very well. It held my interest. I very much wanted to find out the outcome…
— Very well written. [Zachary] is flawed with a capital F … In spite of his problems, he is a very sympathetic character and doggedly pursues the truth.
— [She Wore Mourning] made for a pleasant read while presenting an interesting story.
— What a great story. Fabulous plot with interesting and complex characters. I was totally involved into the wee hours. Many twists and left waiting until the end. Highly recommended
— Wow! I just finished it. In one day! I could not stop reading it! This book grabs hold of you from the start. It’s a very well written detective novel. It pulls you not the story and is very emotional. You feel for the characters. This is the first novel I have read by this author but it will not be my last. I highly recommend this book.
On my Blog
- He Was Not Himself — A Gritty PI Mystery About Trust, Secrets, and Intuition
- If You Love Crime Novels With a Too-Perfect Suspect, Start Here
- Fresh Crime Fiction for Readers Who Miss Character-Driven Detectives
- The Best Standalone Mysteries in Long-Running Series for Readers Who Want to Jump In Now
- The Best Mystery Books for Readers Who Love Reversals More Than Body Counts
Praise for the Author
“Every single one of [P.D. Workman’s] books has spoken to me … And I have found strength in the books I’ve read.”
“This is one author I certainly will be looking out for, I can’t recommend her enough.”
“I’ll read anything by P. D. Workman that I can get my hands on.”
“Every book by PD Workman that I’ve read has been a gripping one, however different the genres are, going from lighter mysteries to really dark ones… this is one of my favourite, most dependable authors.”
“P.D. Workman is an incredibly versatile writer. No matter which of her books I read I am drawn into a great story and honestly, I don’t think I’ve followed another author that could go from cozy mystery to YA to a PI series dealing with mental health issues. Really enjoy her books!”
“[P.D. Workman’s] stories are so believable and you can’t help but feel like you know these people. You find yourself crying, laughing and feeling the characters emotions. Now if an author can make you cry and feel every emotion in a story, she is one hell of an author.”
“P. D. Workman, does not shy from probing the deep psychological scars of childhood trauma, mental illness, and addiction. Also characteristic of this author, these extremely sensitive issues are explored with extensive empathy, described with incredible clarity, and portrayed with profound insight.”
“Once again P.D.Workman has created an intense psychological mystery that impacts a wallop of thought induction. The writing is so well developed and draws you into the characters story.”
FAQs
What kind of mystery is He Was Not Himself?
It is a gritty private investigator mystery with psychological suspense, family pressure, and dark emotional stakes.
Can I read it without reading the rest of the series?
Yes. This is book 22, but the central case stands on its own and works well as a new-reader entry point.
What themes are in the book?
False appearances, trust, intuition, family secrets, loyalty, recovery, and the tension between what people show and what they hide.
Is Zachary Goldman a traditional detective?
He is a private investigator, not a police detective, and that gives the series a more intimate, character-driven feel.
What makes this one different?
The core hook is very immediate: a boyfriend who seems perfect, a father who cannot shake his doubts, and a PI who realizes the truth is much messier than anyone expected.
Where can I get it?
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