Books

The Books

Name: Before the Brakes Failed
Author: F. Matthew Johnson

Romantic mysteries and police stories shaped by relationships, service, place, and the questions that refuse to stay buried.

Now Available

It Started With the Letter

Romantic Mystery
Military Life
Second Chances
International Settings

Joan Boyd hasn’t seen Arthur in more than a decade. Seeing the sharp, well-groomed, brown-skinned soldier standing inside her mother’s doorway is quite a shock. Their high school breakup wasn’t the cleanest thing she’s ever done, but it seemed right at the time. She’s back home in Fort Washington for some motherly marriage advice. When Army Staff Sergeant Arthur Robinson asks the attractive Pennsylvania school counselor out to dinner, it complicates her life even further. Arthur returns to his unit in Stuttgart, Germany, but within a few days, he’s on a flight back to Maryland. This time, instead of delivering a letter, the mission is to help find his high school heartthrob, who has disappeared without a trace. Some openly question whether Arthur is involved in Joan’s disappearance. Is it sheer coincidence that his reappearance, and her disappearance, happen only days apart?

Joan’s family is in a desperate race to find her… or her body. And it all started with the letter.

Available formats: Paperback, hardcover, and Kindle — all on Amazon.

Buy on Amazon Read a Sample

Coming Soon Before the
Brakes Failed F. Matthew Johnson

Final cover artwork will be revealed closer to publication.

Coming Soon

Before the Brakes Failed

Police Mystery
Detective Fiction
Homicide Investigation
Arizona to Maryland

Was it an accident or murder?

Was it an accident or murder? That is the question before Detective James Washington. A request from his wife takes James from his comfort zone as a sheriff’s deputy in Cochise County, Arizona, and lands him in the Prince George’s County, Maryland, Police Department as a homicide detective.

As he transitions to the new unit, his first homicide case is a routine, single-vehicle traffic fatality. Is the death in his case a tragic accident or something more sinister? All the evidence points to a simple conclusion, but when a second and then a third accident surface with the exact same circumstances and results, the hunt is on… and the clock is ticking…

Publication status: Coming soon. Release date to be announced.

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A First Look

Read a Sample

A sample chapter from It Started With the Letter will be available here soon. In the meantime, the opening pages can be previewed on the book’s Amazon page (external link).

Reader Reviews

From Readers

“I enjoyed Johnson’s style of writing. It’s a combination of knowledge of the geographic area, military life and experience combined with a plausible story line… Johnson draws the reader into personal aspects of each main character. Very tastefully written.”
— Bobbie, verified Amazon purchase

“After finishing It Started with the Letter, I was in big trouble. I needed to read the next Arthur Robinson book as soon as possible! … I loved the characters, and I loved the references to local places and military customs, terminology and lifestyle.”
— Darlene T., verified Amazon purchase

“Thoroughly enjoyed the read! It’s a nice easy flow. Loved reading and recognizing so many places in the Washington DC metropolitan area. Go get it, read it! Can’t wait for the next book!”
— TJ, verified Amazon purchase

For Book Clubs

Book-Club Resources

Discussion questions and book-club materials for It Started With the Letter are planned. If your club is reading the book, Johnson would be glad to hear from you—he welcomes book-club invitations through the contact page.