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Dead at Third - A Henry Walsh Private Investigator Mystery (Series Book #1 - Ebook Version)

Dead at Third (Henry Walsh Private Investigator Series book #1 of 10)

He knows he’s more than just another washed-up ex-cop. Solving a murder will help him prove it.


A straight-shooter who lives on a boat and likes a drink or two, Henry’s frustrated he can't even land work as a dispatcher. And his job running security for a local baseball team is far from his idea of excitement.


But it pays the bills.


The morning after the season ends, Henry’s at his friend’s bar with a Bloody Mary in one hand and a phone in the other. He takes a call that could change everything...


Turns out a couple of fishermen pulled third baseman Lance Moreau’s body from the St. Johns River. And his teammate's been arrested for the murder.


The team's owner turns to Henry to help prove the cops have the wrong man. Henry knows working security in an empty ballpark is one thing. But investigating a murder?


It won’t be easy.


Lucky for him he has Alex Jepson on his side. She’s beautiful. She’s tough. And as Henry likes to say...she’s the one with the brains.


They’re a good match, in more ways than one.


Now all they have to do is find the real killer...

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Upgrade and get the first 6 thrilling Henry Walsh mysteries...

Catch up on the Henry Walsh Private Investigator series with the first six riveting mysteries, available today in a discounted bundle. Don't miss your chance to join thousands of readers who have been captivated by these gripping whodunits.

The Henry Walsh Private Investigator Series 6-Book Bundle

He knows he’s more than just another washed-up ex-cop. Solving a murder will help him prove it...

$4.99 ebook | $14.99 print

It’s Henry’s first big case as a licensed private investigator. If he’s not careful, it could be his last…

$6.99 ebook | $15.99 print

In his most thrilling mystery yet, private investigator Henry Walsh dodges bullets, bombs, and married women to help find a friend’s missing fiancé…

$6.99 ebook | $15.99 print

Another exciting investigation throws Henry deep into a mystery surrounding the death of someone from his past…

$6.99 ebook | $15.99 print

Henry's back to solve a puzzling mystery in Fernandina Beach when a lifelong friend confesses to a murder...

$7.99 ebook | $15.99 print

Another challenging case... Henry struggles when his newest client is killed before he’s even had the chance to meet her.

$7.99 ebook | $15.99 print

For a limited time, get 50% off the first 6 Henry Walsh EBOOKS and pay $41.95 $19.99

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Get 6 PAPERBACKS (mysteries 1-6) for just $89.95 $59.95 (33% savings!)

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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "On book four of the series and riveting storytelling with a lot of characters. Suspenseful and keeps you wondering where the plot is heading, till the final reveal..." -Hal Bigelow


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I am totally loving this series!" -DENISE MCCARRAHER


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I’ve only finished two of the series, very good reads and and I plan to read them all!" - Douglas Bright


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A surprisingly entertaining story I received the first six ebooks from Gregory Payette that feature Henry Walsh as security advisor for the local baseball team in Jacksonville, FL. I was drawn to this since I lived in Jacksonville until moving to nearby Clay County. Sadly, there have been a few attempts to use Jacksonville as a backdrop for books, movies and even a TV series. None of them have ever been successful. Finally, I read a story set in Jacksonville that should be a large success. I have a huge pile of TBR books so I have to skip around but I will be returning to this series soon. -Richard Klinzman


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I read EVERY ONE (all the 21 colors) of John D. MacDonald's series, Travis McGee, starting in the mid-70's until the end. I hope you take this as a compliment, but you write similar to MacDonald. I love the way you develop your characters, their interactions, and the bit of humor peppered through the story.  -Patricia D. (reader review)


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Classic mystery in a classic way. Think of noir only in book form. Shady bars, deep secrets and heated undercurrents of jealousy and hate. A great read. - Hawaiichick (reader review)


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Kind of a throwback to the old PI days of Mikey & Jack. Down and out cop turned security officer doggedly tracking down clues to solve a murder for a friend. - James M.


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Love the story. Never figured it out. Great mystery. - S. Kierstead

Read an Excerpt from Chapter 1

Dead at Third, A Henry Walsh Mystery #1


by Gregory Payette

Billy reached underneath the bar and came up with the Florida Times-Union, removing it from the plastic sleeve, and tossing it on the bar. “Here you go. Last delivery from the paperboy.”


“Last delivery?” I opened it up and glanced over the day’s news. “I don’t think they call them paperboys anymore. Probably some old lady working the morning shift just to pay her medical bills.”


Billy stuffed a stack of cocktail napkins in the black plastic holder. “Well, whoever delivered it... it’s the last one.”


I looked up from the paper. “What’d you, cancel it?”


“Kind of a waste of money to pay for news that’s old by the time it lands at my door, don’t you think?” He stepped toward the coffeepot and poured himself a cup. “You’re the only one who reads it.” He turned to Earl, the old man seated down at the other end of the bar. “Well, besides Earl. But he doesn’t own a phone, so he’s excused.”


There weren’t any headlines that caught my eye, so I pushed the newspaper aside.  


Billy said, “So where’d you go last night? I thought I’d see you in here with the team. A bunch of ’em were here celebrating the end of another losing season.”


“I was out and about,” I said, and left it at that. “I gotta admit, I was pretty happy when they lost. I’m looking forward to having the time off after such a long season.” I looked down toward the other end of the bar. “So how’s it going down there, Earl?”


He shrugged, raising his glass. “Well, I woke up on the right side of the ground.” 


Billy laughed and walked toward him. “Did you hear what Henry just said?”


“Which part?”


“He’s happy they missed the playoffs. You would think the director of security would at least—”


“He’s right,” Earl said. “They wouldn’t have gone past the first round. Not with a team like that. They don’t deserve it.” 


Billy sighed and looked up at the TV with the night’s replays on Sports Blast, the local sports show. 


Earl stepped off his stool and walked toward me, reaching for the newspaper. “You mind?” 


I pushed it toward him. “You hear Billy’s not getting it delivered anymore?”


Earl tucked the paper under his arm as if he didn’t hear me. I was never really sure if he was hard of hearing or if he just chose to ignore half of what people said. I watched him walk back to his stool with a limp that was more pronounced than usual. He opened the paper. “I gotta be honest, I thought your boy Lance was going to finally get the big hit last night. Wishful thinking, uh?” 


“I don’t remember the last time he had a hit,” Billy said. “August, maybe?” 


I looked up at the TV when the reporters were discussing the game, as if right on cue. They mentioned Lance Moreau, the local kid who came home after a trade, and showed footage of his last at bat. I watched him at the plate, coming out of his shoes with his last big swing. He connected—something he hadn’t done at all lately—and drove the ball deep to left. Men on second and third were off with the crack of the bat. 


But Lance didn’t hit it deep enough.


Warning track power.


Third out. 


Season over.


Earl waved his hand at the TV in disgust. “Kid can’t hit to save his life. Another one with all the tools, but never figured how to use them. Or, I should say, he forgot how to use them. I just don’t understand how the brain trust over there at the Sharks organization thought he’d be worth more than the bag of balls they gave to the Pirates for him.”


Billy poured himself a coffee and leaned with one hand on the bar. “The trade just didn’t work out. It didn’t help that he’s not the most likable kid.” He held his coffee up to his mouth and looked at me. “I hear he’s not the most popular guy in that clubhouse.”


I looked up at him but didn’t respond.


Earl said, “Some don’t think chemistry matters on a team. But I remember living up in Boston, back in the late seventies. The Sox were good, had a lot of talented players. But one of the guys on the bench—I forget who—told a reporter up there, ‘Twenty-five men get off the plane; we take off in twenty-five cabs.’ Didn’t matter how good they were as individuals, no team can win when nobody gets along.”


I looked at my watch and thought maybe I’d order a drink and join Earl for one. It wasn’t quite noon, but it was close enough. And, for the most part, as far as I was concerned, I was close enough to being on vacation that I could at least enjoy a quick drink.


Before I said a word to Billy, he placed a Bloody Mary in front of me. "Fresh batch." He walked away when the phone at the back of the bar started to ring. “Billy’s Place,” he said, turning to look my way. “Yeah, he’s right here.” He handed me the phone. “Alex.” 


Alex was the associate director of security with the Sharks. On paper, she was my assistant. But I’m not afraid to admit she was the brains behind our little operation.  


I put the phone to my ear. “Hello?”


She said, “Why haven’t you answered your phone?”


I reached into my pocket and looked at the screen. “Oh, sorry. The ringer’s off.” I’d missed a handful of calls, including hers. 


Alex was quiet on the other end. 


“Alex?”


It took her a moment before she answered. “It’s Lance Moreau,” she said. "His body was pulled from the St. Johns, off the pier behind Riverside Grille.”

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Gregory has written over twenty-three books, and is the author of four mystery and crime fiction series, including the Henry Walsh Private Investigator series, the US Marshal Charlie Harlow series, the Joe Sheldon crime series, and the new Jake Horn mysteries. His standalone crime novels include Drag the Man Down, Half Cocked, Danny Womack's .38, Biscayne Boogie, and a number of published short stories.


He won his first award as a writer at ten years old, after sending a story to the Providence Journal about his pet husky being shot by a local farmer. 


His dog, luckily, survived.


But that wasn't a paid gig, so years later he ended up in advertising. He eventually became a copywriter, specializing in direct mail and writing fundraising letters to help raise money for animals and children.


Wanting to get away from the desk jobs, he went out and made a living building decks, custom closets, and doing handyman work, but continued thinking about his stories. 

It was later in life when he made it back to the desk and started writing again. 


Born in Providence, Rhode Island, today Gregory lives with his wife, kids, and dog in North Carolina.

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