Book Extract: Fine Points Malice and Payback by Sherrie Todd Beshore

Published December 15, 2025 | By Laura

Join me in welcoming Sherrie Todd Beshore to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, Fine Points Malice and Payback.

Fine Points Malice and Payback by Sherrie Todd Beshore presents a layered look at intersecting cold cases, rising departmental pressure, and a detective’s private search for identity.

Through a tense Tucson backdrop, the story follows how a pattern of murders emerges just as personal questions long buried begin to rise to the surface.

Rookie Detective Andrew Coates identifies striking links among three long-stalled murder cases, a discovery that unexpectedly places him at the center of a fresh homicide investigation.

When a fourth victim is found under similarly disturbing circumstances, Andrew is tasked with pulling together threads that refuse to align neatly. His work takes on new urgency when a fifth victim survives, offering the first sliver of a lead—and an emotional complication involving the victim’s sister.

While sorting through interviews, evidence gaps, and shifting motives, Andrew must also face the unresolved mystery of his own beginnings. Abandoned as an infant and raised in foster care, he finds that the search for answers professionally mirrors the questions he’s avoided personally. In a case where every detail matters, the collision of past and present shapes the path forward.

Sherrie Todd Beshore has shared an extract from Fine Points Malice and Payback with us today.

*****beginning of extract*****

CHAPTER 4

Hospital security towed Detective Coates’ Bronco.

From the hospital emergency parking lot he was able to flag down a patrol car for a ride back to the Stone Avenue police station. As tempted as he was to take the wise advice of Dr. Lopez, he felt compelled to keep going.

Now was the time to interview Rosa Chavez’s landlord, her neighbors, friends, co-workers, and family even though the shock was still like an open wound.

The general mood on the third floor felt odd when Coates stepped off the elevator. The first detail he noticed was that Captain Fleming’s office was dark and the door was closed.

Lieutenant Brayburn looked up and waved him over to his desk. His partner, Lucia Mendoza worked to clear a paper jam at the photocopier.

Cream cheese icing from Clarence’s half-eaten cinnamon roll stuck to one side of his mouth contrasting against his dark skin. “Have you spoken to the captain yet this morning? Cause…” The senior homicide detective was interrupted when the elevator door opened and Police Chief Perez stepped out.

“Detective Coates, just the man I need to see.” The Chief of Police strode beyond the narrow elevator hallway into the open office area then beyond the rows of desks into the first available interview room.

Andrew Coates thought his heart would crash straight through his chest, and for the second time that morning his legs were like rubber.

The Tucson Chief-of-Police never came to the third floor. Everyone always went to his office either by order or invitation – only.

The young detective took a deep breath for more oxygen trying not to pass out then hurried after Pedro Perez.

When he closed the door, the ex-marine chief of police was blunt. “Make sure there’s no video or sound recording of this meeting?”

Andrew couldn’t help himself; he had to pull out a chair and sit. “Of course, sir. Absolutely. Just you and me and nothing outside this room, sir.”

Chief Perez remained standing at attention extending his five-foot, nine-inch muscular frame to full height. “Officially, I’m releasing to the press that Captain Fleming has taken ill suddenly with a previously undiagnosed heart ailment – which ironically is technically true.”

Perspiration had formed on Andrew’s forehead despite the cool temperature of the small room.

“You will now report exclusively and directly to me with your investigation. And, you will do it each day in person to my office, no emails, no phone calls, no text messages. You’ll work in Captain Fleming’s office. I’ll get you a key and you’ll lock the door every time you leave it. Understood?”

Andrew wiped his brow and nodded.

“We have a possible situation that could confuse your investigation, preventing important evidence from identifying our true serial killer.” Perez circled the small table and three chairs.

He took a deep breath and looked directly into Andrew’s eyes. “Captain Fleming was seeing Rosa Chavez, romantically.”

Andrew felt the blood from his heart beating in his neck.

“Apparently the affair started just before Thanksgiving and escalated. Ms. Chavez had moved from a house she shared with a younger sister and two cousins to her own apartment exclusively to keep their developing relationship private.”

“Arthur Fleming’s DNA will be in that apartment. However, any lab comparisons will be completed by Dr. Lopez and not by anyone at the FBI forensic lab.”

“Your captain was admitted to a private rest home in Oro Valley for a few days for complete bed rest. However, neither that nor any other details need concern you.”

“Just continue on as you have been – as if this was not a factor, because from my experience I don’t believe it is. But you know the media well enough by this time and then there’s Captain Fleming’s wife. We don’t want Mrs. Fleming hurt and humiliated by this either. I know Suzanne, she’s a proud woman.”

“I can see you’re in shock. Understandable, you’ll need to process this so I’ll leave you to sort through your next move Detective. I have every faith in you.” He patted Andrew’s shoulder before he opened the door and left.

*****end of extract*****

About Sherrie Todd-Beshore –

Sherrie Todd-Beshore began her writing career as a reporter and editor before moving into magazines and daily newspapers across Canada and the U.S.

A dual Canadian–U.S. citizen, she later shifted from journalism to fiction, writing middle-grade mysteries and adult suspense thrillers. Her award-winning titles include The Crow Child, The Count of Baldpate, and Dream Gate II: Grabbing Time.

She is the author of 17 books and has earned honors from the Independent Press Award and the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards.

Learn more on her website and Facebook. You can also connect with Sherrie on Goodreads.

Click to buy Fine Points Malice and Payback on Amazon UK and Amazon US.