Dead Man's Hand

Calvin Watters was supposed to be playing football on Sundays.

Instead, he’s running for his life.

Once one of football’s brightest prospects, Calvin thought his dreams were over when a devastating injury ended his career. Now working as a debt collector in Las Vegas, he finds himself framed for the murder of a powerful casino owner—and hunted by both the police and the real killer.

As the city’s biggest homicide investigation in years unfolds, veteran detective Dale Dayton is one of the few people who believes Calvin may be innocent. But proving it won’t be easy. Every piece of evidence points in the wrong direction, and someone is determined to keep the truth buried.

With the Las Vegas police closing in and a professional assassin determined to eliminate him before he can clear his name, Calvin must uncover the real killer before he becomes the next victim.

Dead Man's Hand is the gripping first novel in the Calvin Watters Mystery series, introducing a compelling new hero readers won't soon forget. Packed with murder, corruption, relentless suspense, and unexpected twists, it's the perfect place to begin Calvin Watters' journey.

Reviews for Dead Man's Hand

"Dead Man's Hand is a pleasure, a debut novel that doesn't read like one, but still presents original characters and a fresh new voice."—Thomas Perry, New York Times bestselling author of Poison Flower

"You may want to give it the whole night, just to see how it turns out."—William Martin, New York Times bestselling author The Lincoln Letter

"Part police procedural, part crime fiction, Dead Man's Hand is a fast, gritty ride."—Anne Frasier, USA Today bestselling author of Hush

"Murphy writes in a clean, mean style, as compelling as a switchblade to your throat…the real deal."—Rick Mofina, award-winning author of They Disappeared

"A pedal-to-the-metal thriller…Vivid characters and wire-taut plotting…a five star read."—James Thayer, author of White Star

"For a tight taut thriller, bet on a Dead Man's Hand."—Anthony Bidulka, award-winning author of the Russell Quant Mysteries

"Calvin Watters is an anti-hero you will cheer in this solid debut."—Julie Kramer, award-winning author of Shunning Sarah

"Luke Murphy is a great mood-builder on the order of Dean Koontz!"—Betty Dravis, award-winning author of Six-Pack of Blood

Luke Murphy lives in Shawville, Quebec with his wife, three daughters and pug. He played six years of professional hockey before retiring in 2006. Since then, he's held a number of jobs, from sports columnist to radio journalist, before earning his Bachelor of Education degree (Magna Cum Laude). For more information on Luke and his books, visit: www.authorlukemurphy.com, 'like' his Facebook page www.facebook.com/AuthorLukeMurphy and follow him on Twitter www.twitter.com/AuthorLMurphy