THE 1989 SERIES

Two-Time Literary Titan Gold Award Winner

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎

A killer everyone thought they knew. A daughter who faked her own death for revenge. A small Georgia town that's been hiding the truth for over 30 years.

Get Book 1

Join the Newsletter

REAL PROCEDURAL TRUTH. DEADLY SMALL-TOWN SECRETS.

Set in Monroe, Georgia, the 1989 Series follows attorney Nicole Jones as she's pulled into a conspiracy that began three decades before she was born — where the wrongly convicted, the quietly vengeful, and the truly guilty all wear the same face.

WRITTEN FROM THE INSIDE OUT

Most thriller authors invent procedural authenticity; James Smith lived it. Backed by 20 years in the U.S. Army (earning two Bronze Stars), service as a Crime Analyst Supervisor, and a career in federal law enforcement with the ATF, Smith builds every plot twist on real investigative grit, evidence, and the dark machinery of justice.

"A gripping start to an unforgettable series."‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ — Readers' Favorite

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎

1989: What Happens When A Killer Returns For Revenge

Every secret has a beginning. The past is never dead—it's waiting.

Know More

1989: An Eye For An Eye

Coming September 15

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎

In Development — 1989: Book 3

The final reckoning is taking shape. Subscribe to the newsletter to get exclusive progress updates and draft previews before anyone else.

🏆 Literary Titan Gold Award — Book 1

🏆 Literary Titan Gold Award — Book 2

OnlineBookClub

No matter how long and well you think you know someone, you may never know their secrets.

Literary Titan

A gripping, emotionally layered thriller about revenge, redemption, and the weight of long-buried family secrets.

Literary Titan

Nicole Jones has her work cut out for her. Her life hasn't been easy, but she has managed to achieve great things and has done so despite the tragedies that haunt her. When she loses her husband, the secrets they have been hiding for years begin to rise to the surface and threaten Nicole's very future. A murderer has made an appearance and seems hell bent on ruining the lives of everyone associated with a case from the past. Nicole, lonely and confused but determined, makes it her mission to find out who is behind these copycat killings and who stole her husband from her.James Smith's 1989: What Happens When a Killer Returns for Revenge, takes readers on a thrill ride that unfolds over decades and through the lives of everyone involved with the Penny Murders. The trail of despair left by these murders has inched its way into the lives of Nicole, her husband Marcus and everyone around them.

Right out of the gate, Smith hits the mark with this fantastic thriller. I enjoy a mystery with as little fluff as possible, and Smith delivers that and much more. This dark and engaging thrill ride draws readers into the lives of Nicole and Detective Howard. The steps the two take to find out who is responsible for killing Nicole's husband are extensive and keep readers on their toes. When I can predict the killer in the first half of a book, I am disappointed to say the least. Smith, however, has managed to keep me guessing to the very last page-definitely a page-turner.

Smith's characters are written with an intensity that keeps readers invested in every move they make, and he balances their appearances well throughout the plot. I appreciated the glimpses into the past, and the character development moves along at a nice clip. Readers will become attached to Nicole and her plight from the first chapter of Smith's work.

James Smith's 1989: What Happens When a Killer Returns for Revenge is a haunting crime thriller that will appeal to murder mystery fans. While it stands as a fairly long novel at just shy of 400 pages, Smith's writing is a quick read. Readers will find themselves devouring the mystery surrounding this new onslaught of murders. The ending of Smith's work will leave readers guessing and, as I have become fully invested in the characters, I am hoping to see more from Smith in this series

Mar 5, 2022

AudioBookReviewer

“A penny for your thoughts” is a terrifying adage for the people of Monroe, Georgia. The Penny Murderer left this adage on a note as his signature until the arrest of Samuel Johnson. The serial killer had been convicted and all was well until 30 years later when The Penny Murderer shows back up!

The author, James E. Smith weaves an intriguing and action-packed serial killer thriller where corruption and secrets play an integral role. Deliberate character development and plot structure enable the author to build plot twists that leave the listener spellbound. The story itself could pass as an authentic true-crime thriller easily. It was easy to become engrossed in the story

The narrator, Austin Wright delivers an intense narration giving unique and expressive voices to each character. He speaks clearly and moves the story forward at a steady pace. I enjoyed his performance.

Overall this is a very good thriller with moments of suspense and intensity. If you enjoy crime drama, this is a must-listen!

There were no issues with the production or quality of this audiobook.

Read less

Report Helpful

See more reviews

Jun 3, 2024

Chewable Orb

A copycat killer is running amok, ravaging a town of prominent figures to exact justice for a coverup of epic proportions. Thirty years after a controversial trial ended with a black man being found guilty for a killing spree within the community, a person is leaving the same calling cards at the crime scene. "A Penny for Your Thoughts" card greets officers at every new homicide, the same confusing phrase used by the killer decades earlier, the only problem is Samuel Johnson is deceased.

The main protagonist Nicole Jones, a hard-nosed lawyer is quickly thrust into the story as she finds her husband Marcus Jones dead in their bedroom. Nicole is determined to find out who would want to murder her husband. Along with the help of a new detective, we are introduced to several characters who have a connection to a coverup which includes a judge, lawyers, and the Governor. After unraveling numerous dark secrets within the community, it would appear no one is safe from the wrath of an individual with revenge on their mind.

First off, I love a great mystery. Often, I find them written too simplistically for my liking. Sure, there are a handful of characters who "may have done it" but I usually have them figured out by the end like in a Scooby-Doo episode. I want that exhilarating feeling of saying "Col. Mustard with the candlestick in the conservatory" and watching my family's jaw drop at my sleuthing abilities in a highly contested game of Clue. Kudos to Mr. Smith you have written a book where I was completely stumped throughout. The sheer number of characters that are involved and playing a part in the song and dance was impressive. I was never able to fully piece together everyone's part in the story until the dominoes started to fall near the finish. I felt like the backstory was well hidden and proper timing was used to introduce the reader to key people who started to make sense of it all. There was a sense of realism, the "I could see this happening" moment which enhanced the eeriness of the story. Culminating in a devilish grin, I read that last page of the book and knew it was the perfect ending.

Overall, I can highly recommend this book. The author has done a fabulous job of weaving a complex story into a modern-day mystery. Impressively the author succeeds in providing the reader with a vast numerous set of characters that all provide clues and insight into how the story ultimately concludes. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Jun 3, 2024