Every hour the lines of our case were spreading out wider, and it was no easy task for Mary Eliska Girl Detective to direct them all and at the same time play the part of a lady with nothing in the world to do but be amused.
“Easy To Kill” by William Stricklin is a suspenseful mystery novel, featuring a young amateur detective, Mary Eliska, who steps into danger while chasing the truth behind a sinister blackmailer. Proudly published by Citi of Books, this is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other major retail platforms.
William A. Stricklin is a Phi Beta Kappa scholar who earned his AB with honors at the University of California, Berkeley. He was student body president and was the outstanding cadet of the United States Army ROTC program at UC Berkeley then trained at Fort Lewis, Washington, then Infantry Officer Training School at Fort Benning, Georgia, cloak-and-dagger training at Army Counterintelligence School, Fort Holabird, Maryland, learning Cold War spy-craft-followed by a doctor of laws JD degree earned at Harvard Law School in Class of 1964.
In “Easy To Kill,” Mary Eliska — known as the “Girl Detective” — lives in Piedmont, California, supported by her grandfather, Albert Stricklin, a local newspaper publisher. A curious and capable reporter for The Piedmont Star, Mary is drawn into investigative work beyond ordinary news coverage, this time chasing a blackmailer named Nick who targets wealthy, elderly citizens. As she pursues leads, Mary finds herself in increasingly dangerous territory, testing both her courage and her wits. Her investigation forces her to confront threats that go beyond simple corruption — and into schemes that might take more than her career if she isn’t careful.
The novel combines classic detective storytelling with action, suspense, and unexpected twists as Mary seeks justice. Her resourcefulness, intelligence, and personal bravery become central to unraveling the web of deceit, making “Easy To Kill” not just a mystery but an engaging adventure.
What makes this book compelling is its blend of mystery, action, and character drive. Mary Eliska isn’t a passive observer — she’s proactive, curious, and willing to dive headfirst into peril to expose the truth. That gives the story a dynamic energy: each clue she uncovers raises the stakes, not just for the mystery’s solution but for her own survival. The novel balances traditional investigative elements — such as reporting, gathering evidence, and tracking leads — with high-stakes danger that keeps readers turning pages.
Mary’s resourcefulness, bravery, and sharp mind make her a protagonist worth rooting for, especially in a genre that can sometimes relegate women to the sidelines. Stricklin’s pacing and suspenseful plotting make the book more than just a whodunit — it’s an immersive experience of danger, deduction, and decisive action.
If you enjoy stories where an intrepid detective refuses to back down, even when danger looms, this novel offers a fast-paced, engaging adventure that delivers both thrills and smart detective work.
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