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John Santana Returns!

From award winning author Christopher Valen comes
a powerful novel of deceit, revenge, and murder.

Bad Weeds Never Die – On Sale Now

Bad Weeds Never Die - SEPT 2011

Forced to flee Colombia at the age of sixteen and haunted by
guilt for leaving his younger sister Natalia behind, Homicide
Detective John Santana is a man on a mission.

When a blood spattered Mercedes belonging to the daughter of a prominent psychologist is found abandoned, there are few clues to her whereabouts but a million dollars' worth of reasons why someone might want her dead.

Confronted with a list of suspects––a philandering boyfriend with a checkered past, the victim's estranged sister who has a penchant for mysteries and drugs, an angry man whose adopted Colombian son committed suicide, and a shady lawyer who can't be trusted––Santana's search for answers leads him to the photo of a mysterious woman who may hold the key to solving the crime. But to find her he must return to Colombia and face the ghosts of his past and the man who has vowed to kill him.

Leer sinopsis del libro Mala Yerba No Muere

Read an excerpt.

. . . Santana is an appealing series lead, strong and intelligent
––Booklist

". . . Bad Weeds Never Die, the third of the John Santana novels, delivered on all fronts. Once again I enjoyed Mr. Valen's well-plotted and intriguing mystery for all the obvious reasons: flowing and well paced storyline, great dialogue, multi-layered and vivid characters, a great sense of place and time, relevant issues and believable events . . ." (Read full review)
––Reader Views

". . . This is the first of Valen's books that I have read in the John Santana series and surely will not be the last . . . Valen's novel is gripping, fast-paced and will have you guessing until the end. The characters are intriguing and there are many plot twists and turns. It is a true page turner in every sense of the word . . . " (Read full review)
––Rebecca's Reads

" . . . The latest John Santana police procedural is an excellent investigative thriller as the two detectives methodically work a case that spins out of control with homicides. Readers will enjoy accompanying Santana and Hawkins as they follow twisted leads in Minnesota while John learns you can't go home in world filled with violent predators."
––Midwest Book Review

Watch the trailer for Bad Weeds Never Die


The Black Minute, September 2009(2009) The Black Minute

When the body of a young Hmong woman is found on Harriet Island, it appears to be a simple case of murder and revenge. But what begins as a routine investigation soon morphs into something far more sinister. Read more.

Watch the trailer for The Black Minute

 

White Tombs

(2008) White Tombs

When a prominent leader of St. Paul's close-knit Hispanic Community is murdered, Detective John Santana promises the widow he will bring down the killer. Read more.

Watch the trailer for White Tombs

 

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The Bad Weeds Never Die Contest

The contest has ended. Congratulations to all four of the mailing list winners who won an advanced, signed copy of Bad Weeds Never Die

The Winners:

Week 1 - Juan Ruiz- New Windsor, New York
Week 2 - Bill Waskosky - Maplewood, Minnesota
Week 3 - Rita Conrad - Afton, Minnesota
Week 4 - Joan Stein - San Diego, California