Bob Moats

Biography

Detroit area resident, Bob Moats, has been writing short stories and plays for as long as he can remember. He has lost most of his original stories, typed or handwritten, in the numerous moves he has made from his hometown of Fraser, Michigan to Northern Michigan, to Las Vegas and back to Fraser, where he now lives. Moats became one of the causalities of unemployment a year ago, and had time on his hands to finally pursue a life long dream of writing a full blown crime novel. Thus was born the first book, "Classmate Murders".

What followed was a series of seven books starting with "The Classmate Murders" which introduces the main character, Jim Richards, who has to admit he has become a senior citizen, reluctantly. Richards, one day, receives an email from a childhood sweetheart asking for his help, but by the time he reaches her, she has been murdered. His life turns around and he is pulled into numerous murders of women from his high school who he hasn't seen in forty years. Along with a friend of his, Buck, a big, mustached biker, they go off to track down the killer before he can get to one former classmate, Penny Wickens, a TV talk show host who Jim has just fallen for while protecting her. The killer is also murdering the women right out from under police protection, driving homicide detective Will Trapper crazy, and he slowly depends on Jim to help. There's humor, suspense, wild chases across suburban Detroit with cops, classic cars and motorcycle clubs; murder, mayhem, a good amount of romance and a twist ending.

Jim and his crime fighters, continue in the other books, traveling to Las Vegas twice, back to Detroit and out to New York to solve murders involving dominatrix; mistresses; Bridezillas; magic and strip clubs.

Book titles: Classmate Murders; Vegas Showgirl Murders; Dominatrix Murders; Mistress Murders; Bridezilla Murders; Magic Murders; Strip Club Murders and Made-for-TV Murders.

Where to find Bob Moats online

Where to buy in print

Videos

Murder Novels book promo trailer.
This is the first book promo trailer for the entire series of Jim Richards murder novels. Crank up th emusic and enjoy.

Classmate Murders Promo Trailer
This is the Promo Trailer for "Classmate Murders", the first book of the Jim Richards series.

Books

Wiseguy Murders
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 37,930. Language: English. Published: April 19, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural, Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
Jim Richards' dream of building a shelter for the homeless of Las Vegas has come true. The shelter is finally open and operating well, but Buck and Mac find something that may mar the good intentions. They find a murdered man in one of the rooms. Why was the man murdered and what did the warning that was left mean. The mob is suddenly everywhere as a search for one man starts.
Santa Murders
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 42,940. Language: English. Published: April 16, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural, Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
That Jolly old head elf from the North Pole is getting ready to be a naughty boy. He has murder on his mind. Luckily it's not the real Santa Claus, but a person with a motive to murder. Las Vegas Homicide Detective Deacon DeAngelo goes after a street preacher who loves to play Santa for the homeless shelters. It's a Vegas Christmas in this 31st book of the Jim Richards series.
Kennel Murders
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 36,350. Language: English. Published: October 13, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural, Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
Late night raids on two dog kennels results in stolen, expensive show dogs and a murder. Jim Richards is asked by one kennel owner to help find the dogs, but Jim is out of commission by a broken leg. He puts Buck on the case and then Penny gets involved with a big dog show at a hotel arena. Two more dogs are stolen at the dog show, Plenty of fur raising fun in this 29th Jim Richards book.
Trick or Treat Murders
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 41,660. Language: English. Published: October 7, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural, Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
Halloween is approaching fast and Jim Richards is asked by his police friend Deacon to help figure out who is murdering one woman every year for the last fourteen Halloweens. They have given the suspect the name, “Trick-or-Treat Killer” but they have no idea who he is. Jim and Earl Daws go on a mission to track down the facts from the first murder that set up the rest of the kills.
Jim Richards Murder Novels Box Set
Price: $6.99 USD. Words: 308,300. Language: English. Published: August 24, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural, Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
This new e-book box set contains the first six e-books of the Jim Richards Murder Novels series. Starting with the book that introduces the main characters, "Classmate Murders." The next are "Vegas Showgirl Murders" - "Dominatrix Murders - "Mistress Murders" - "Bridezilla Murders" and "Magic Murders." Follow Jim and Penny through their adventures along with their friends to fight crime.
Shyster Murders
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 46,150. Language: English. Published: August 24, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural, Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
A shyster is someone who acts in a disreputable, unethical, or unscrupulous way, especially in the practice of law. Jim Richards wasn't fond of lawyers. Alphonse Grisler was a lowlife lawyer in Las Vegas. One day Grisler comes to Jim with a problem, someone wants to murder him. Jim doesn’t like the shark, but agrees to take his case. What follows were more murders of lawyers besides Grisler.
Big Apple Murders
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 40,810. Language: English. Published: August 24, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural, Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
An invitation to speak at a book convention in New York City entices Jim to cross the country and appear. He and Penny, along with Buck, travel to the Big Apple and they fall into a murder of one of the authors promoting his books. It’s not the only murder, Jim’s curse seems to be working over-time and there is a second author murdered. Jim, along with Buck and a mob wise-guy hunt down the killer.
Reunion Murders
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 37,880. Language: English. Published: August 24, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural, Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
A letter arrives for Jim and Penny inviting them to a class reunion at their old high school back in Michigan. Do they want to leave Las Vegas to see people they knew forty-five years back. Do they know that when they get back, there will be a few murders of those past classmates. Will Jim be pulled into solving the murders.
Talent Show Murders
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 49,910. Language: English. Published: August 24, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural, Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
A big talent competition in Las Vegas brings in participants from all over the United States. Millions of dollars and a huge contract is the prize for that one act that will headline on the Vegas Strip, but do they want it bad enough to murder people? Or a judge? Jim goes in search of the killer as Penny becomes a celebrity judge. Will her life be in danger or will Jim prevent the killings?
Fatal Abductions
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 47,630. Language: English. Published: April 8, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Action & suspense, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Crime thriller
People are vanishing around Brinnon, Washington in a blue light shining down from above and it seems to be caused by a flying Saucer. Thats what a few people believe is happening. Things get more complicated when FBI Special Agent Warren Stevens returns to town to ferret out the kidnappers. Will Dave and Warren save the world. All this in the fifth book of the Fatal Series by Bob Moats.
Campground Murders
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 44,500. Language: English. Published: March 11, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Crime thriller
This book is a crossover between the Jim Richards Murder Novels and the Fatal Series of books. While on vacation, Jim manages to miss the turn to Seattle and they end up in the small town of Brinnon, Washington. While camping in their van they meet Sheriff Dave Chandler and his wife Sarah. There is a murder in the campground, but is there more when another man is kidnapped by the killer?
Network Murders
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 49,480. Language: English. Published: February 10, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural, Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
Percy Isham opened the door to his office and was confronted by a dark figure. "What are you doing in here? I'm calling the police if you don't leave right now,” he said. Those were the last words Percy Isham would ever speak as the figure brought up a gun and fired at the man. Was his murder the result of his late night orgies and the horrible secret Isham had? Jim Richards is hired to find out.
Pasta Murders
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 52,240. Language: English. Published: July 2, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural, Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
Angelo DeMarko, former enforcer for a New York mob family and now personal friend of Jim and Penny finally got his wish, to open an Italian restaurant. Jim fronted the money & the restaurant is a reality. Open now just a month, a restaurant critic was going to review the restaurant and came to check it out. Later that same critic was found dead in the restaurant with his face buried in pasta.
Lipstick Murders
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 53,390. Language: English. Published: June 9, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural, Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
Who’s murdering the runway models of Las Vegas? That’s what Jim Richards and Deacon D’Angelo are tasked with finding out. One afternoon the Richard’s Investigating and Security office is flooded with beautiful runway models all seeking protection after one of their group was murdered. Jim has Buck take over the body guarding of the babes and then ends up involved with solving the murder.
Dark Carnival Murders
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 36,260. Language: English. Published: September 21, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural, Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
A carnival has arrived in Las Vegas and is now the center of Jim Richard's attention for possible criminal activities. Children are starting to vanish and there's a number of jewelry store thefts involving most mysterious circumstances. Things are not as they seem in this twentieth novel by Bob Moats.
Honky Tonk Murders
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 53,060. Language: English. Published: August 29, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural, Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
(5.00 from 1 review)
Penny receives an early morning phone call from a cousin who says her husband was murdered in Las Vegas just before the Country Music Award show in town. The dead cousin was a country singer who's songs were climbing up the charts and Jim takes the case to track a killer of the man who was driving a pick-up truck, married to two women and only the dog is missing from this country song.
Blue Suede Murders
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 51,100. Language: English. Published: April 25, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural, Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
(5.00 from 1 review)
Elvis has left this world. He was barbecued in a pink Cadillac on the Vegas strip and there were no witnesses. But this wasn't the real Elvis, he was an impersonator in a Casino theatre and now Vegas Metro police will have to find the killer. But Lynn Carter, homicide detective calls on Jim Richards to help, there's just too many Elvises in Vegas at the moment with a Elvis fan convention going on.
Sunshine State Murders
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 49,990. Language: English. Published: March 17, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural, Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
Jim has solved the case of the man hypnotized into committing murder and now his book publisher wants him to go on a month long book signing tour. They end up in Florida in a small town and while there, Jim finally meets his book editor who is from Florida. There is an attempt on the life of the editor, she is attacked. Who did this and will Jim solve the case. Did a stalker fan do it? Book #17.
Hypnotic Murders
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 52,820. Language: English. Published: March 15, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural, Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
(5.00 from 1 review)
A woman walks into Jim Richards office with a story of how her husband died due to his participation in the stage show of a local hypnotist. The man later walked into a casino and shot a few people before he was taken down by security, and the woman blames the hypnotist for his actions. Jim takes the case and goes on a quest to find the truth.
Mortuary Murders
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 53,910. Language: English. Published: February 2, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural, Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
Jim & Buck have returned from Area 51 & Jim is given a case to find a missing body stolen from a local private mortuary. He goes to investigate the theft but runs into the murder of a funeral director. He enters the world of pricey funerals, embalming bodies, terrorists, and threats resulting in saving Vegas from a dirty bomb and a hit on the President in this 15th book of the series.
Area 51 Murders
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 52,850. Language: English. Published: November 27, 2010 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural, Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
When a man is found dead on the property of the infamous Area 51, the wife comes to Jim Richards to find his killer. Jim takes the case and along with his friend Buck they go to Area 51 to find mysteries on every turn of the case. Will this mystery lead to the destruction of Las Vegas by a terrorist bent on killing everyone in Sin City with a new Area 51 virus. Can Jim & Buck stop them in time?
Vegas Vigilante Murders
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 53,090. Language: English. Published: November 1, 2010 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural, Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
Newest of the now 13 Jim Richards series murder novels. Someone is murdering men who abuse their wives or children. After four deaths it starts looking like a vigilante is loose in Las Vegas. Deacon is running the case as Lynn has been given an extra assignment, leaving Deacon alone to catch the killer. He turns to Jim Richards for his help and the two go off together to track down the vigilante.
Black Widow Murders
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 51,740. Language: English. Published: September 12, 2010 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural, Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
A man is found dead at home, covered in what the coroner says were bites of the Black Widow Spider. Was he attacked by the spiders or were they put on him with murder in mind? A killer is now stalking Texas Hold-em poker players in the big World Series of Poker Tournament in Las Vegas. Jim Richards is asked to track down the killer by the police & the late man's wife in this 11th book by Bob Moats
Sin City Murders
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 54,220. Language: English. Published: August 6, 2010 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural, Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
A woman tries to commit suicide by jumping off the tower of the Stratosphere in Las Vegas, the tallest structure west of the Mississippi, but Lady Luck prevents her from dying. Before she took the plunge she was just released from a psychiatric ward for delusions that she has murdered someone. But did she really kill someone, or is she being set up for the fall. Will Jim be able to help her?
Talk Show Murders
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 53,380. Language: English. Published: August 6, 2010 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural, Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
(5.00 from 1 review)
Someone is murdering guests on Penny Wickens’ daytime talk show and it’s now becoming a problem scheduling new guests. Who wants to be next? Penny and Jim have returned from their mystery writers cruise and Penny has settled back into her duties as America’s favorite talk show host. When the first guest turns up dead that’s not good, but when two more end up dead, that’s worse.
Mystery Cruise Murders
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 54,400. Language: English. Published: June 5, 2010 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » General
A woman comes into Jim's office from a mystery writers organization requesting Jim to join on a luxury cruise of the Pacific Ocean to give a speech about his book, and being a P.I. but once Jim and Penny have sailed, people are turning up dead. The Captain asks Jim to hunt for the killer before the cruise goes south. Jim tries to solve the crime in this 9th book of the Jim Richards murder novels.
Made-for-TV Murders
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 54,270. Language: English. Published: April 8, 2010 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » General
Jim has returned from New York after tracking down his kidnapped client, when Hollywood comes into his life. Jim has finally published his novel about the Classmate Murders and the book is being optioned for a mini-series on television. All goes a bit askew while he is on the production team for the film and murders are now occurring during the filming, Jim has to re-live the crimes over again.
Strip Club Murders
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 52,980. Language: English. Published: April 8, 2010 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » General
Jim Richards is relaxing in his office one day when he receives a phone call from a past Las Vegas mob connection, Angelo, who's cousin in Detroit owns a strip club and has a problem, a missing dancer and also his girlfriend. Jim starts his investigation and along with Buck, going into the world of stripping, prostitution, slavery and human trafficking extending from Detroit to New York.
Magic Murders
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 53,270. Language: English. Published: April 8, 2010 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » General
When Jim Richards is asked to go back into his past to help an old friend receive a lifetime achievement award for his service to the world of magic, Jim ends up replacing a murdered magician in a contest of wits and magic to find the killer. But there are more reasons for killing off a few magicians to get to the valuable prize, as Jim finds out. A four day convention of magic is the scene.
Bridezilla Murders
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 53,640. Language: English. Published: April 8, 2010 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » General
Jim Richards, the senior citizen sleuth, realizing life is short, proposes to Penny & they decide to go back to Las Vegas for the wedding, inviting family & friends. Penny's TV producer provides the corporate jet to fly them all out, but there's a catch, that the whole wedding be taped for Penny's show. Once in Vegas they run into a couple of real Bridezillas, then one is murdered. Who's next?
Mistress Murders
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 54,890. Language: English. Published: April 8, 2010 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » General
Jim Richards, the senior citizen sleuth, has solved the Dominatrix Murders & is now relaxing when she walks into his office. A gorgeous red-head with a husband problem, she suspects he's cheating on her and maybe getting ready for a divorce. Jim takes the routine case and when he reports his findings to her, does she take it well? To make matters worse, the husband has now been accused of murder.
Dominatrix Murders
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 54,540. Language: English. Published: April 8, 2010 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » General
(5.00 from 1 review)
re-edited June 5, 2012 Jim Richards, the senior citizen sleuth, has returned from Las Vegas and has opened up his investigation business. His first client is a housewife wanting to find out if her husband is cheating on her, but is there more to their relationship than just cheating? Is her husband a wealthy wife killer and into bondage? Is this wife going to die? Will Jim stop the killer?
Vegas Showgirl Murders
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 54,540. Language: English. Published: April 8, 2010 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
Book 2 - The senior citizen sleuth, Jim Richards, has survived the Classmate Murders along with his girlfriend, Penny. This 2nd book takes them, with Buck and Deacon, to Las Vegas, where Deacon’s sister, a showgirl, narrowly escapes being poisoned, another showgirl took the poison possibly meant for her. A second showgirl is suddenly murdered. They need to find the killer before he strikes again
Classmate Murders
Price: Free! Words: 51,620. Language: English. Published: December 23, 2009 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
(4.67 from 6 reviews)
This book has been revised and re-edited as of August 2013. - Jim Richards, has to admit he has become a senior citizen, reluctantly. Richards, receives an email from a childhood sweetheart asking for help, but by the time he reaches her, she has been murdered. His life turns around and is pulled into murders of women from his high school who he hasn't seen in forty years.

Smashwords book reviews by Bob Moats

  • Pursued on Oct. 25, 2011

    I've never cared much for romance novels, but after reading "Heaven Falls" by this author, I know how well she can weave a thriller. I received an advance reading copy of this book, "Pursued", and it held my attentions throughout, so I purchased the finished book to enjoy again. From the violent start with a hurricane and the meeting of the hero and heroine, it grabs your attention. Then it continues with the travels around the world by the heroine, in search of a mysterious chalice that possibly hold a power desired by the villains. The plot was plausible and the dialog crisp, driving the story to it's exciting conclusion. In "Heaven Falls" Winslow ties the chapters together with descriptions of essential oils, this book she uses the Tarot, an interesting choice and fascinating to read. The action and scenes change fast so pay attention. You will enjoy this book as I have, well worth the read.