🕵️‍♂️ Small-Town Crimes. Big-Time Justice.

 🕵️‍♂️ Small-Town Crimes. Big-Time Justice.
Welcome to The Bulverde Beat — a gripping series of short Texas mystery stories featuring Harry Miles, a former fighter pilot turned private investigator.


Each story stands alone. No long chapters. No fluff. Just straight-up storytelling from the heart of rural Texas.

🔎 Explore the Series


Start anywhere, or follow the order below:


🔥 Mystery Explosion – A fiery blast. A PI with questions. What really happened to the prosecutor?


📘 The Code – A murder. A cryptic message. A secret no one wants to expose.


🚗 Death on a Texas Highway – One second. One choice. Harry acts fast when a cop’s life is on the line.


🍽️ Active Shooter – Dinner turns deadly when bullets fly inside a quiet Mexican restaurant.

📘 Want to Buy the Full Stories?
You’ll find all Bulverde Beat stories on your favorite ebook platforms:
Google Play Books
Amazon Kindle
Apple Books
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
Everand (Scribd)
OverDrive / Libby
Baker & Taylor
cloudLibrary




📚 Just search “Ed Benjamin Bulverde Beat” on any of these platforms to grab your copy.




Check it out on Google Docs at this link
https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQOXD5mG3HPBblY5Pt4IlIhYabkz69vRa3lJHYvt5WTDT3lbBsqkiRr3gTBXHSurG-1opAuaYDx3zdP/pub

Best Small Town Texas Mysteries

 Best Small Town Texas Mysteries

(Updated for 2025)


Looking for a great mystery set in a small Texas town? Whether you love police procedurals, private investigator thrillers, or cozy small-town crime stories, these picks bring the Lone Star State to life — complete with secrets, suspense, and unforgettable characters.


1. Bulverde Beat: Mystery Explosion – by Ed Benjamin
Genre: Police Procedural / Private Investigator Thriller
Setting: Bulverde, Comal County, Texas Hill Country
When a Comal County prosecutor dies in a fiery propane explosion, Detective Luke Remington and ex–fighter pilot turned PI Harry Miles suspect foul play. Their investigation uncovers four suspects:
A bitter husband
A crooked personal injury lawyer
A vengeful father of a convicted man
A too-charming contractor
With Luke’s strict by-the-book approach and Harry’s instinct-driven style, they race to uncover the truth before it blows the case wide open.
📚 Perfect for fans of small-town Texas mysteries, fast-paced crime novellas, and sharp-witted investigator duos.
💵 Available for 99¢ on Google Play Books, Kindle, Apple Books, Kobo, and Nook.
🔗 Read Bulverde Beat: Mystery Explosion on Google Play Books



2. China Bayles Herbal Mysteries – by Susan Wittig Albert
Setting: Fictional town of Pecan Springs, Texas
Cozy, character-driven mysteries with an herbalist sleuth, blending small-town charm with clever whodunits.


3. Samuel Craddock Series – by Terry Shames
Setting: Jarrett Creek, Texas
Police procedural with a thoughtful small-town police chief tackling local murders and long-buried secrets.


4. Dan Rhodes Mysteries – by Bill Crider
Setting: Rural Texas counties
Light, humorous mysteries featuring a sheriff dealing with quirky townsfolk and unexpected crimes.


5. Hap and Leonard – by Joe R. Lansdale
Setting: East Texas
Gritty, witty, and often outrageous — two unlikely friends solve crimes in a mix of noir, humor, and Texas culture.


Why These Mysteries Stand Out


Small-town Texas settings create a unique backdrop for mystery lovers:

Tight-knit communities where everyone knows everyone — and secrets don’t stay hidden for long.

Strong sense of place, from the Texas Hill Country to the piney woods of East Texas.

Investigators with deep local ties and plenty of personality.


Whether you’re in the mood for a fast-paced police investigation like Bulverde Beat or a cozy whodunit in a charming town, these mysteries prove that small-town Texas has big stories to tell.

Tip: Save this list so the next time you ask “What’s a good small-town Texas mystery?” — you’ve got the answer.

Small-Town Texas Justice, One Story at a Time: Inside the “Bulverde Beat”

 Small-Town Texas Justice, One Story at a Time: Inside the “Bulverde Beat”

There’s something quietly powerful about small towns. And if you ask folks in Texas, they’ll tell you. “Everything’s a little more intense here.” Just ask them.

These places may not always make the headlines, but they hold stories — real, raw, and sometimes unresolved.

That’s the world I explore in the Bulverde Beat series.


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Each Bulverde Beat story is unique

These aren’t flashy thrillers or big-city dramas. They’re short, sharp snapshots of what happens when the darker side of human nature collides with justice in a small Texas town.

As a retired Air Force officer and lifelong observer of people, I’ve come to believe the most gripping stories don’t need explosions or endless twists. Sometimes, all it takes is a deputy, a PI consultant with a finely tuned institution, a question, and a case that won’t sit right.

Each Bulverde Beat story stands alone. No required reading order. Just clean storytelling for readers who enjoy a dose of mystery, a touch of justice, and characters who feel like someone you’ve met — or wish you had.

Here are the four stories available now:

· Mystery Explosion — A deadly blast kills a county prosecutor… but was it really an accident? (currently 99¢, exclusively on Amazon)

· The Code — A brutal murder, a tight-lipped suspect, and a motive no one saw coming. (currently 99¢, exclusively on Amazon)

· Death on a Texas Highway — A man faces the ultimate choice: save a life or save himself. ($3.33)

· Active Shooter — Harry and Jennifer are caught in a deadly standoff in a quiet Mexican restaurant. ($2.99)

The first two are Amazon exclusives while I complete some updates. The others are available on most ebook platforms.

If you enjoy justice without the noise — and stories that trust the reader to lean in — I’d be honored if you gave the Bulverde Beat a try.

👉 Search “Ed Benjamin Bulverde Beat” on Amazon or your favorite online ebook store.

Thanks for reading and thanks for supporting stories that honor the everyday heroes of small-town America.

When Fiction Mirrors Today’s Headlines: Redemption and the Iran Conflict

 

Tensions Today

In mid-June 2025, we’ve watched as Israel launched major airstrikes deep into Iran—targeting missile sites, nuclear and military infrastructure, and even senior IRGC leaders. Iran responded with ballistic missiles and drone attacks into Israel, injuring hundreds—and the world now braces for possible U.S. involvement and wider escalation.

Why Redemption Feels Uncomfortably Real

In Redemption, a top – of – the- line Air Force pilot fights for survival after being ambushed by eight Iranian fighters—just like the real threats reported today, including missile launches from Iran toward Israel, missiles from Israel toward Iran, and concerns about attacks on U.S. interests .

Your fictional novel isn't just stirring story–it’s tapping into current global conflict dynamics:

• Unpredictable escalation: real-world Iranian air- to- air missile attacks in Redemption.
• State vs. proxy warfare: Israeli strikes aided by intelligence mirrors the combat scenes in the fictional world of Redemption
• High Stakes: just like the tension over Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure, Redemption centers on the human stakes for one man.
• 
  
   

A Story for Our Moment

In an age of headlines like:

• “Iran’s missiles injure more than 270 in Israel,” and
• “First stealth drones and Israeli airstrikes deep inside Iran” 

Redemption offers a ground-level, pulse-pounding perspective. It shows the human cost behind geopolitics: survival, fear, and redemption after gut wrenching air – to- air combat in the face of state-level threats.

As one reviewer noted, “Regardless of my former USAF time and current FAA aviation credentials, I would have voted this one of the BEST ACTION-PACKED, PEOPLE SENSITIVE NOVELS ever written!”

You can get your copy of Redemption here.

Bulverde Beat: The Code — A Murder, A Message, A Mystery Too Personal to Ignore

 

🧩 Bulverde Beat: The Code — A Murder, A Message, A Mystery Too Personal to Ignore

By Ed Benjamin

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In the stillness of the Texas Hill Country, a brutal murder shatters the quiet.

When a house cleaner in Bulverde, Texas, opens the door to find her employer dead—his throat slashed and a mysterious coded note nearby—law enforcement is left with more questions than answers.

In this second installment of my Bulverde Beat series, The Code, two very different men must work together to unravel a mystery buried beneath layers of silence and secrets.

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🔍 Meet Harry Miles and Luke Remington

Harry Miles is a medically retired Air Force fighter pilot. Quiet, analytical, and reluctant to play hero, he’s the kind of man who sees patterns others miss. He’s brought into the case by his friend, Sheriff’s Investigator Luke Remington, a man who’s as methodical as he is grounded in his duty.

Together, they must follow a trail that starts with a gruesome killing and leads to a dark truth hidden in the hills of Comal County.

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📘 A Short Crime Thriller That Delivers Big

Bulverde Beat: The Code is a short read with long-lasting impact. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy:

• Fast-paced detective stories

• Realistic law enforcement and small-town tension

• Mystery stories involving cryptic clues or puzzles

• Texas-based fiction with grit, intelligence, and heart

This is a cerebral mystery with a violent heartbeat—a story that blends logic, atmosphere, and suspense in under an hour of reading.

Harry Miles is a composite of the men I’ve known: quiet professionals who’ve carried their discipline from the military into civilian life, still driven by an unshakable sense of duty.

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📖 Ready to Read?

You can get Bulverde Beat: The Code today on Amazon Kindle. It's a fast-moving case file that can be read as a standalone or as part of the larger Bulverde Beat mystery series.

 

Life After Combat: A Fighter Pilot’s Journey of Redemption and Purpose

What happens when one of the Air Force’s finest is grounded forever?
That’s the question at the heart of Redemption by Ed Benjamin — a military thriller that goes far beyond cockpit adrenaline and dives deep into the emotional wreckage left behind after war.

Why Readers Are Calling Redemption “Tom Clancy Meets The Shack”

At first glance, Redemption is a gripping military thriller. You’ll find yourself strapped into the cockpit alongside Harry — a seasoned U.S. Air Force fighter pilot whose career is abruptly ended by a near-death experience in combat. Medically discharged and forced to leave the only life he’s ever known, Harry faces a far more personal and painful battle: rediscovering his identity outside the military.

But this story isn’t just about war. It’s about what comes after.

✅ Exhilarating action scenes that reflect unparalleled knowledge of aviation and Air Force operations

✅ Gripping emotional narrative of trauma, healing, and second chances

✅ A deeply human protagonist torn between his past glory and an uncertain future

If you’ve ever wondered what happens to heroes when the mission ends, Redemption answers with authenticity, heart, and hope.

A Military Thriller with a Soul

Where most thrillers stop at the bang, Redemption starts with the aftermath.

Harry’s journey takes us into complex detective work, quiet moments of grief, and unexpected relationships. Each chapter peels back another layer of a man broken by loss — yet determined to rebuild.

Readers who love stories of:

• Military honor and brotherhood
• Redemption arcs and personal growth
• Life after service

…will find Redemption unforgettable.

Ready to Experience Harry’s Story?

Whether you’re a veteran, military fiction fan, or someone who loves powerful stories of transformation, Redemption is the kind of book that sticks with you.

 Grab your copy here. 

 

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“Bulverde Beat: Active Shooter” – A Gritty Look at Crisis Response in a Small Texas Town

 

“Bulverde Beat: Active Shooter” – A Gritty Look at Crisis Response in a Small Texas Town

When violence erupts in a quiet Texas town, chaos, fear, and leadership collide. *Bulverde Beat: Active Shooter* delivers a gripping fictional account of a real-world crisis. Now on Google Play Books.

 

What Happens When Everything Goes Wrong?

 

In *Bulverde Beat: Active Shooter*, the small Hill Country town of Bulverde, Texas is rocked by a sudden crisis: an active shooter.

 

Told through the eyes of Private Detective Harry Miles, Deputy Jennifer Brasco, local law enforcement, and everyday citizens, this story delivers a gritty, realistic portrayal of how panic spreads — and how people respond under pressure.

 

Why This Story Stands Out

 

* A tense, fast-paced narrative that mirrors real-world emergency events

* Characters grounded in reality, not fantasy

* Explores law enforcement, media, and community response to crisis

* A standalone short story — quick to read, hard to forget

 

 

Whether you're into small-town drama, emergency fiction, or just want a powerful short read — this one's for you.

***

 

Read It on Google Play Books

 

👉 Click here to read “Bulverde Beat: Active Shooter” on Google Play Books

https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=qXNeEQAAQBAJ