With rookie detective Matt Jones recovering from the wounds he suffered in The Girl Buried in the Woods, and with his partner, Denny Cabrera, lucky to have survived but still unable to walk, a reporter from the Los Angeles Times, Ryan Brooks, makes a late-night call requesting a small favor . . .

"I've heard that you’re on medical leave," Brooks says. "Meet me in the morning, Jones. I need to show you something that I can’t talk about on the phone."

Unfortunately, when Jones shows up at the writer's beach house, he finds a crime scene that’s beyond the pale. And while LAPD brass and two hotshot FBI agents are calling the brutal murders the indiscriminate work of a madman, Matt Jones knows in his heart of hearts that Brooks was killed for something he knew . . . 

Praise for Robert Ellis and the Detective Matt Jones Thriller Series

For something he couldn’t talk about on the phone—a secret that someone’s been keeping for three long years. Jones’s drive to turn over the stones of the past is only matched by the murderer’s will to keep that secret buried. As one dead body turns up after the next, Jones finds himself cornered, and now, the killer’s next target. Chased through the night—with everything lost and the Grim Reaper reaching for his back—Jones makes the most shocking discovery of his life.

He’s just found out the killer’s secret . . .

He finds the killer’s secret . . .

He’s just found out the killer’s secret . . .

"A moody, white-knuckle murder tale with an incisive, blunt hero... As in his previous appearances, Matt is a detective who doesn’t pull any punches. But he’s no antihero; he’s generally by-the-book and unmistakably concerned when his actions may put another in harm’s way. Ellis’ story moves at a steady beat; brief scenes and rapid-fire dialogue deftly showcase the detective methodically unraveling the mystery. Moreover, there’s a taut atmosphere, as Matt examines crime scenes alone; covertly meets someone at a fog-covered, darkened house; and even stumbles on another body. The narrative further intensifies once the villain becomes evident. Still, questions linger all the way to the end while the denouement will surely reverberate long after readers have finished this riveting book.”

—Kirkus Reviews, CITY OF STONES  (Link to Entire Review)

“Stunning emotional force. Ellis keeps everything in focus while building a staggering momentum.”
—Booklist Starred Review, CITY OF ECHOES

“Only really good writers can make you feel so strongly. CITY OF ECHOES is another bravura effort from the talented Robert Ellis.”
—Mystery Scene magazine

“CITY OF ECHOES is an absorbing and entertaining read from first page to last and documents novelist Robert Ellis as a master of the genre.”
—Midwest Book Review

“CITY OF ECHOES is a Best Book of the Month.”
—Amazon.com

“Ellis eases new readers into the second Matt-centric novel. Having previously suffered betrayal, Matt has good reason to be paranoid, which results in a gleefully tense sequel. His relationships are complex . . . the mystery is straightforward. A persistently gripping thriller with strong characters.”
—Kirkus Reviews, THE LOVE KILLINGS

“With an early focus on the possible murders, Ellis’ series entry is more thriller than mystery. The author works this to great effect as the story reveals the burden of unearthing evidence. Ellis generates an impressive amount of suspense. Solid entertainment.”
—Kirkus Reviews, THE GIRL BURIED IN THE WOODS

From the BOOKLIFE PRIZE 2021—

CITY OF STONES Assessment:

Plot: This fourth installment in the Detective Matt Jones series moves quickly and never slows down until a satisfying ending surprises the reader. The mystery is methodically solved, which makes it believable. The plot climaxes and unfolds at a steady rate that allows the reader to keep guessing about how it will end.

Prose/Style: With the implementation of the dialogue, the author maintains tension throughout the story by keeping the main character in situations where he is alone or meeting others in uncertain circumstances. Using an appropriate and relevant setting, the author has created a suspenseful tone throughout the book. The dialogue is fluid and intriguing.

Originality: Even though the book is the fourth in the series, it did not feel as though the reader needed to have read the other three in order to appreciate the book. As the story unfolds at an even pace, readers will appreciate the ending.

Character Development/Execution: A concerned main character is reliable in his decisions; strong and likable, the reader wants him to successfully solve the crime. The characters that surround him are well-rounded and intriguing.

Blurb: Fans of the first three books will not be disappointed in this skillfully plotted novel. nning emotional force. Ellis keeps everything in focus while building a staggering momentum.”