Dark Ride Deception: A Nostalgia City Mystery #4 (Paperback or Softback)

Is Tom Wyrick Dead? The computer genius is missing. So are his priceless AI tech secrets. Time for Lyle to go undercover again.

Tom Wryick’s mind-bending technology will rocket Arizona's Nostalgia City theme park decades ahead of the competition. But the computer genius is missing. So are his AI secrets. Is he dead? On the run? And where is his breath-taking, billion-dollar discovery, the Perception Deception Effect?

An FBI agent theorizes the People’s Republic of China is responsible for the disappearance. The Nostalgia City CEO, however, is convinced a rival theme park is behind the theft. He drafts ex-cop turned theme park cab driver Lyle Deming to fly to Florida to find the missing computer scientist and recover his secrets.

Back in Nostalgia City, park executive, 6’ 2½” Kate Sorensen, a former college basketball star, is persuaded to investigate the death of an actor starring in a Vietnam-era crime movie being filmed at the Arizona park. Nostalgia City is a meticulous re-creation of a 1970s small town.

Shrugging off jet lag, anxiety, and oppressive humidity, Lyle goes undercover, using a parade of false identities to infiltrate behind-the-scenes operations at other theme parks. He’s forced to jump from one covert scheme to another as his identity is exposed and his safety jeopardized.

In the meantime, Kate confronts a mentally unstable actor—who is fresh out of rehab. But she may be forced to give up the murder case—Lyle needs help.

Kate and Lyle have little time to explore their nascent relationship as both their investigations turn deadly, threatening them and the future of Nostalgia City.
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“Mark S. Bacon’s well-told mystery is clever, smooth, and intriguing, with a reluctant detective who has just the right touch of self-deprecating humor. The author’s wry wit and engaging voice will keep you turning the pages of Dark Ride Deception until the very last satisfying twist.”
--Mary Adler, author of the Oliver Wright WWII mystery series
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Recommended: Death in Nostalgia City, the first book in this series, was recommended for book clubs by the American Library Association.

Reviewers LOVE this thrilling desert detective series!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “What an ultimate thrill ride. It’s so well put together, ingenious, and original. A unique premise that was very well executed makes for a great mystery read. Don’t miss this one!” –Texas Book Nook

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Dark Ride Deception” is a mystery thrill ride.”—Kings River Life

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "On top of an expertly crafted mystery, Bacon explores deep into many characters’ lives, adding multiple layers to the story.” —Novel News Network

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I don’t think I was quite prepared to become so addicted and consumed by this story. The writing was smart and witty, which gave it another element. I found the plot to be filled with mystery, drama, and much more along the way. I loved the unpredictability with each aspect, it really made it amazing.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I enjoyed so many aspects of this. The writing style was polished and had a very natural flow. The setting was very lively and interesting. The plot twists were an adventure that I never wanted to end.”

Mark S. Bacon began his career as a Southern California newspaper police reporter, one of his crime stories becoming key evidence in a murder case that spanned decades.

After working for two newspapers, he moved to advertising and marketing when he became a copywriter for Knott's Berry Farm, the large theme park down the road from Disneyland. Experience working at Knott's formed part of the inspiration for his creation of the Nostalgia City theme park.

"Death in Nostalgia City" is the first book in Bacon's Nostalgia City mystery series. It introduces ex-cop, now cab driver, Lyle Deming and Kate Sorensen, the theme park's PR director and a former college basketball star. The book is recommended for book clubs by the American Library Association and was an award winner at the San Francisco Book Festival. Second book in the series, "Desert Kill Switch," was the top fiction winner in the 2018 Great Southwest Book Festival. "Dark Ride Deception" is the fourth book in the series.

Before turning to fiction, Bacon wrote business books including one printed in four languages and three editions, named best business book of the year by the Library Journal, and selected by the Book of the Month Club. His articles have appeared in the Washington Post, Cleveland Plain Dealer, San Antonio Express News, Orange County Register and many other publications. Most recently he was a correspondent for the San Francisco Chronicle.

Bacon is the author of flash fiction mystery books including, "Cops, Crooks and Other Stories in 100 Words - Revised Edition." He taught journalism at Cal Poly University - Pomona, the University of Nevada - Reno and the University of Redlands.

He earned an MA in mass media from UNLV and a BA in journalism from Fresno State. He gets many of his fiction ideas while walking his golden retriever.