Strike Bag

Welcome to Bleeding Hearts Valley, a standalone series of interconnected thrillers in one twisted midwestern suburb.

A mystery from USA Today Bestselling author, P.D. Workman that will keep you turning the pages!

THE JUNKMAN STUMBLED ONTO A CONSPIRACY. NOW HE’S THE NEXT ITEM TO BE DISPOSED OF.

When a junk-removal man unzips a duffel bag in an abandoned warehouse, what he finds should have stayed buried. Now someone wants it back — and they don’t negotiate.

Graham Mack clears other people’s crap for a living — broken houses, hoarded apartments, the things folks hide when they don’t want to see their own lives. He’s not looking for trouble. Trouble finds him.

But when he unzips a discarded duffel bag in an abandoned warehouse, he finds it stuffed with guns, masks, duct tape, and a photograph of a beautiful blonde. This “strike bag” may mark the blonde as the next target.

Suddenly, Graham is dragged into a high-stakes investigation alongside the weary Detective Joiner. As he struggles to identify and protect the woman, his involvement draws the attention of dangerous criminals. When his own sister, Kay, arrives seeking refuge from her disastrous marriage, Graham’s hope for a quiet life combusts. Now, running from threats, dodging bullets, and trying to protect his family, Graham must unravel the truth hiding behind the pink facade of Bleeding Hearts Valley before the mastermind behind the chaos succeeds in disposing of the curious junkman.

Taut, propulsive, and textured with small-town grit, Strike Bag is a crackling thriller about chance discoveries and the too-human compulsion to fix things no one asked you to fix.

Tropes:

• Small town underbelly
• Character with a dark past
• Amateur sleuths with unique occupations
• Complex sibling relationships
• Hidden villain twists
• Detective partnerships
• Fresh starts and second chances
• Art heist intrigue
• Moral ambiguity

Who will like it:

Readers who enjoy small-town mysteries with a gritty undercurrent, thrillers featuring non-traditional heroes, and fast-paced suspense where the protagonist is constantly one step behind the criminals.

A Bleeding Hearts Valley Thriller

While Strike Bag tells a complete story, readers will want to follow the exploits of Graham Hall and others in Bleeding Hearts Valley. The main case is resolved, but Graham’s past—and Bleeding Hearts Valley’s secrets—hold plenty more stories to tell.

Dumpster dive into this suspense-filled thriller today and uncover whether truth or danger awaits at every turn!

Keep coming back to Bleeding Hearts Valley to uncover more dark secrets. But before moving in remember, you can never trust your neighbors.

Praise for P.D. Workman

“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.”

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P.D. Workman Authorpreneur

P.D. Workman is a USA Today Bestselling author and multi-award winner, renowned for her prolific output of over 100 published works that span various genres. With a knack for crafting page-turners, Workman captivates readers with everything from cozy mysteries like the Auntie Clem's Bakery series to gripping young adult and suspense novels. Her stories resonate deeply as she masterfully weaves sensitive themes—such as childhood trauma, mental illness, and addiction—into compelling narratives that evoke a powerful emotional response. Readers are drawn to her unique voice and empathetic portrayal of complex issues. With each new release, fans eagerly anticipate another thrilling blend of thought-provoking storytelling and relatable characters that define P.D. Workman’s brand as an author of unforgettable page-turners—gripping tales that leave a lasting impact long after the last page is turned.

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Mystery and suspense fiction Young adult crime thrillers Character-driven storytelling Cozy Mysteries Mental health and trauma in fiction Resilience and personal growth themes Indie publishing Writing craft and novel development Obsidian for writers and authors Forensic and medical thriller research Social issues in contemporary fiction Psychological thrillers Traditional mysteries Police procedural mysteries Characters with disabilities