Net Stalker by Scott Grueninger

cover.jpg (26876 bytes) Pressures mount as detectives do everything possible to solve a series of murders in Springfield. Evidence is practically nonexistent, but the murders have a common thread—the Internet.

Net Stalker is a high tech mystery that confronts Detective Sergeant Sam Ashburn and his partner, Detective Mike Murphy. The story begins with the discovery of a young woman’s strangled body. This is the second body found in just a week. Similarities between murders suggest that this is the work of a serial killer.

The detectives learn that a man had been calling and sending unwanted email to Karen Webster. Apparently, she met him online in a chat room. A link between murders is established when they discover that the first victim was also a regular visitor to the same chat room. Join the detectives as they enlist the aid of a psychologist and a systems expert to untangle this mysterious web.

sgphoto.jpg (2802 bytes) Scott Grueninger is a native of Cincinnati, where he works as a technical writer and webmaster. Net Stalker is his first novel, and the first in a planned series about Detective Sam Ashburn. When he’s not writing fiction, you can find this author reading murder mysteries. Scott Grueninger is a member of United Authors Association.

What reviewers have to say about Net Stalker

NET STALKER
Murder Express 
March, 2002

Det. Sam Ashburn and his partner Mike Murphy are investigating the murders of two young women, both blond, both in their twenties, both had been beautiful. The common thread between them appears to be a chat room, 20Something. When a third victim is found with the same connection and also strangled and this time there is a vague clue. Also connected with the chat room.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a police procedural that reminded me of the old tv series, Dragnet. (Nothing but the facts, ma'am.) This one is a winner. I read it in one day...couldn't put it down. The author is native of Cincinnati and this is his first in a series. He is a technical writer and web developer. I would advise starting with this one and reading all that follow. **** 4 Stars

NET STALKER
Book Review Cafe
June 2002

This is a really good fast-paced murder/mystery about two cops trying to figure out a string of murders in their own hometown. Detective Sam Ashburn and Detective Bill Murphy have been partners for ten years at the Springfield Police Department. There has been a murder of a young woman the week before that is still unsolved. Before they could find the killer, another young woman was found murdered the same way. With the help of psychologist Eileen Palmer, coroner Harry Ambrose, and computer expert Jason Herzog, they get closer to catching this murderer. There are many characters that keep you guessing if they are the ones involved in this crime. The person won't be revealed until the very end though. With the person right under their noses the whole time, the two detectives better watch out for their own lives! The author makes this a very believable story because it involves the internet. The fictional killer in this story used chat rooms to lure the victims to tell more information about themselves that they shouldn't have. 

There is a very valuable lesson in 'Net Stalker' as well as being a good read. The author did a great job and I can't wait to read his next book!

NET STALKER
Reviewing the Evidence
April 2002

Net Stalker features Detective Sergeant Sam Ashburn of the fictitious Springfield Police Department. Sam seems like an interesting guy.

The author tells a good story, albeit a short one. Billed as a "high tech mystery" there is a lot of interesting Internet lore and just enough computer detail to appeal to most surfers of the net.

NET STALKER
Scribe’s World 
May 2002

NET STALKER is a contemporary police procedural/mystery. Detective Sam Ashburn is chasing down a serial murderer, who seems to meet his young female victims on the Internet.

The story is a first-person narrative and a good read. I would recommend the book to older teens and an adult audience.

Published by AmErica House | ISBN 1-58851-633-4 Published 1/2002

Order your copy online at http://www.publishamerica.com/, http://www.amazon.com/, and http://www.barnesandnoble.com/
Read a sample chapter at www.authorsden.com/scottgrueninger or http://www.readachapter.com/