The Manitou Massacre (Detective Lauren Gabriel Mysteries Book 5)

A Blood Moon Rises Over Manitou Springs

When wolves howl from the hills above Manitou Springs, fear takes hold of the mountain town. In The Manitou Massacre, the fifth book in Theodore Huntington's chilling Detective Lauren Gabriel Mysteries, danger stalks both the living and the shadows.

Detective Lauren Gabriel—known as the Murder Whisperer—finds herself entangled in a case unlike any before. Her elusive nemesis, Nastasi, an enigmatic OnlyFans performer with rumored ties to The LoDo Murders, has resurfaced. As Lauren investigates a series of brutal deaths linked to a mysterious wolfpack, she uncovers eerie clues that suggest something darker than mere vengeance—perhaps even something supernatural—is at work.

With caves haunted by more than echoes and a town gripped by terror, Lauren must navigate Colorado’s hidden underworld and its twisted secrets. Can she solve the riddle before the blood moon sets, or will Manitou Springs fall to the forces that prowl its hills?

Unravel the mystery in The Manitou Massacre—available now wherever books are sold.

Excerpt from the book

THE AIR IN THE CAVES overlooking Manitou Springs, Colorado, was thick and damp, pressing against the skin like a cold, clammy breath. A February chill settled deep in the stones, amplifying the temperature drop as the group ventured further into the darkness. The only light came from the flashlights and lanterns they brought, casting ghostly beams that danced along the rugged walls. Stalactites hung from above like fangs, while jagged rock formations lined the ground, creating narrow passages that forced the group into a single file.

The couples, dressed in casual evening attire—fitted jeans, silk blouses, leather jackets, and bags containing various pleasure devices and attire—arrived with an aura of excitement and edgy anticipation. They all received the same invitation from the fetish website, which promised a night of mystery and indulgence, a break from their ordinary lives. Lena wore a daring off-the-shoulder top paired with a black skirt, her heels clicking sharply on the cave floor. She hung on tightly to her husband’s arm. “I think these heels were a bad choice for spelunking,” she joked. Her husband Sam, feeling the energy of the night, had swapped his usual businesslike attire for something bolder: dark jeans, a tight black shirt, and a leather jacket.

The couples gathered in the cavern were ready to leave their usual lives behind and embrace a night of secrecy and thrill. Lena and Sam were not alone—Rachel and Peter, a younger couple dressed in sleek, dark clothing, exchanged smirks and whispered promises as they maneuvered through the cave. Rachel’s low-cut blouse hinted at the more risqué attire beneath, while Peter’s shirt clung to his muscular frame, an air of confidence radiating from him.

Behind them were Hannah and Mike, longtime friends and regular playmates of Sam and Lena, both wrapped in casual but alluring clothing that suggested a much wilder side. Hannah wore a lacy camisole beneath a denim jacket, and her red lipstick glistened faintly in the light. Mike, his rugged features illuminated in the flickering lantern glow, opted for a fitted sweater that accentuated a well-built physique beneath.

As the party invitation instructed, the couples looked for the arrows to direct their path within the caves. They maneuvered deeper into the caverns, their lust-filled anticipation building with every step.

The air was filled with low, teasing laughter. Lena asked the question everyone was wondering, “So, has anyone partied in these caves before?” There was a lot of head-shaking and giggling, but the cave party was a thrilling new adventure for everyone. “Oh well,” Lena announced, “we might as well get the party started.” Grabbing Hannah’s face with two hands, Lena planted a seductive kiss on Hannah’s deep red lips. The revelry began.

Hands intertwined, exploring and tempting each other as they moved deeper into the caves. The secluded, confined space seemed to encourage an unrestrained energy. They found an open pocket within the cave’s winding corridors, where several mattresses and heat lamps had been strategically placed… by someone. Lena felt a rush of thrill mixed with apprehension. The sounds of sex filled the air, building a shared sense of prurient excitement among them all.