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TYPORAMA
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ECHOES OF THE LOST
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A mystery that offers a gripping new take on classic crime thrillers.
Echoes of the Lost follows retired detective Ster McCaffrey as his quiet life is interrupted in the dead of night by a child sobbing on his doorstep—leaving him with more questions than answers.
PRAISE FOR ECHOES OF THE LOST:
“Tense and tender, 'Echoes of the Lost' is a lot more than a whodunit. It’s a story about found family, redemption and the hidden corners of the city most people will never see. Cindy Brown makes you care as much about the people as about the puzzle. Impossible to put down.” — April Henry, New York Times bestselling author
"'Echoes of the Lost' is a rattling good page-turner, for a start, but it's also an absorbing character study and a brilliant depiction of a setting and community not often — if ever — found in crime fiction. Unflinching and compassionate, Cindy Brown brings Portland's unhoused citizens sizzling onto the page, showing both their individual humanity and the rich structure of their society. I was as charmed by the background to this excellent novel as I was by the twists and zings of the story itself." — Catriona McPherson, multi-award-winning author of 'The Dead Room"
"'Echoes of the Lost' is a heart-pounding and heart-wrenching tale of lost souls that will draw you in and hold you captive until the final page. I loved it and hope to see more of these characters in future books." — Annette Dashofy, USA Today bestselling author of the "Detective Honeywell Mysteries"
"Cindy Brown’s 'Echoes of the Lost' is a gripping, character-driven mystery whose sleep-depriving twists and turns will keep you guessing until the very last page. Brown also authentically and lovingly captures the heartbeat of Portland, a big-hearted city struggling to find humane solutions to homelessness. Don’t miss this fine novel!" — Warren C. Easley, award-winning author of "The Cal Claxton Mysteries"
"This is my favorite kind of hero! Damaged, caring, bearing both a parent's compassionate heart and a seasoned adult's confusion and commitment. This story is fast-paced and emotional in all the best ways." — Maria Kelson, author of "Not the Killing Kind," winner of the 2025 WILLA Award for Mystery from Women Writing the West and the 2025 International Latino Book Award for Mystery
"Cindy Brown’s 'Echoes of the Lost' clung to my heart while keeping me on the edge of my seat. From the very first page, I was swept into Ster’s world — a former detective who is rough around the edges, weighed down by his own grief, but driven by an unshakable need to seek justice for those living in the shadows. Brown writes with such empathy and power that I found myself tearing up, especially as she shines a necessary light on the struggles and profound connections of the unhoused community. I cheered for Spidey and Bonnie, rooted fiercely for Fuzzy, Ster, and Harper, and felt deeply invested in every step of their journey. With a cliffhanger that left me with new questions, I can’t wait to see where Brown takes us next. This one is not to be missed!" — Ellie Alexander, author of over 40 novels, including the bestselling "Bakeshop Mysteries"
"'Echoes of the Lost' doesn't shy away from the gritty realities of Portland street life, but it still manages to convey that hope, compassion and humanity are universal. Ster is wounded, grumpy and suspicious, but the vulnerability and trust of a toddler cracks his shell — and his heart — wide open. This is a timely and deeply human tale, and I hope a sequel is on its way!" — Jennifer Hanlon Wilde, author of "Finding the Vein"
"In 'Echoes of the Lost,' Cindy Brown builds a compelling world around the character of Ster McCaffrey, a retired detective recovering from a traumatic brain injury. When he finds an abandoned child on his doorstep along with a tantalizing clue from his past, Ster throws himself into solving the mystery of the child's missing mother. 'Echoes of the Lost' is a gritty yet uplifting portrait of Portland viewed through the lens of the houseless community, the police patrolling the streets, a plucky librarian and a dedicated priest. Brown has written a taut, emotional thriller about memory, obsession and how far a father will go to find redemption." — Pamela Statz, author of "Thorn City"
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ABOUT ECHOES OF THE LOST:
One retired detective. One frightened boy. One daring librarian. The case that will unravel everything.
A tense, emotional mystery perfect for fans of Michael Connelly and Liz Moore.
He usually had something to go on: a body, a name, a weapon . . .
What did he have now?
Retired detective Ster McCaffrey has lived in isolation since the death of his beloved wife. Recently disabled from a traumatic brain injury, his quiet life is interrupted when he wakes in the dead of night to find a child sobbing on his doorstep—leaving him with more questions than answers.
After learning that the boy and his missing mother are unhoused with no official investigation underway, Ster decides to solve the mystery himself. To do so, he'll need to interview a community whose voice is rarely heard: the houseless of Portland, Oregon.
Diving deeper into their tight-knit circle, Ster realizes trust is hard-won, and answers even more so.
The further he goes, the more difficult it is to tell where the case ends, and his past begins.
With threats to his home, new evidence found in the river, and signs pointing to murder—friends and enemies are closer than Ster realizes. Only one thing is clear: the boy is in grave danger.
For fans of Cindy Brown's Macdeath, now comes a fresh take on classic crime thrillers.
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BOOK HIGHLIGHTS:
● Proven Author Sales Track: Cindy's sales for her previous books have both been steady and higher than Ooligan's typical range, and she has many media contacts in her genre that will help boost sales and promotion of the book.
● Detective with Heart: Broad appeal for classic crime readers as Ster works to solve the mystery of the boy's missing mother. The stakes are raised when Ster realizes his estranged daughter might be related to the case.
● Relatable Main Character: As Ster struggles with the loss of his beloved wife, he also learns how to be "retired," and learns to deal with his new disability. Additionally, he navigates caring for his new foster son. Many readers will be able to relate to Ster's struggle to find a new normal.
● A Gloomy City, Perfect for Murder: Explore Portland's underbelly and the rainy streets of downtown as Ster works to solve the case. Readers will enjoy how the city's dreary landscape adds to this tale of crime and intrigue.
● Realistic Disability Representation: The main character is navigating the difficulties of a traumatic brain injury. This perspective is a refreshing depiction of a person with a disability navigating through the world differently.
● The Houseless are Heard: Readers will feel intrigued by how Ster's investigation hinges on the testimonies from the unhoused on the streets of Portland.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
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Photo Credit: John Kohlepp, Jr.
Cindy Brown's body of work defies genre, yet her serious crime fiction, humorous mysteries, disability news stories and comedic plays all share themes of justice and community.
She has been shortlisted for an Agatha Award for her debut novel, "Macdeath," and has had over a dozen plays produced.
She also was awarded a disability journalism fellowship by Women's eNews in 2024.
Cindy and her husband live in their favorite city in the world, Portland, Oregon, where she continues to write stories that speak to her, hoping to shine a light on the goodness that surrounds us.
OTHER BOOKS BY CINDY BROWN INCLUDE:
● "Macdeath" (2015)
● "The Sound of Murder" (2015)
● "Oliver Twisted" (2016)
● "Ivy Get Your Gun" (2017)
● "The Phantom of Oz" (2018)
