Three Friends, One Attack, and a Past That Won’t Stay Buried — Introducing Scarlet Shadows
Dr Jo Szewczyk Unveils Scarlet Shadows: A Razor‑Sharp Las Vegas Crime Mystery
ALBUQUERQUE, NM — October 15, 2026 — Author Jo Szewczyk introduces an unconventional trio of amateur investigators in Scarlet Shadows, a fast, dark Las Vegas crime mystery published by Czykmate Productions.
Scarlet Jameson is a taekwondo champion with a badly injured leg, a short fuse, and absolutely no intention of becoming an amateur detective. Then her friend Michelle is brutally attacked by three masked strangers — apparently over an ancient laptop nobody should want.
Before her failing sight ended her career as a pediatrician, Michelle treated a young girl named Emily as her first patient. Years later, Emily became her last. When a desperately needed transplant fell through, Emily died, leaving behind a tragedy Michelle thought she had buried. But when Scarlet, Michelle, and their loyal but unpredictable friend Bean begin asking questions, it becomes clear that someone else is equally determined to keep the past hidden.
Fast-paced and laced with wry, quick-witted banter, Scarlet Shadows combines a dark crime mystery with explosive martial arts action, an unusual cast of characters, and the neon-lit backdrop of Las Vegas. At its heart is a story about friendship, buried secrets, and three people who do not know when to walk away — even when someone is prepared to kill to stop them.
“This started out as a short story I wrote to help a friend teach English to adults. Most second-language books are aimed at kids, so the goal was something that could hook a mature reader. At the same time, I kept seeing stories in the news that stuck with me. Maybe it’s the journalist in me, but I couldn’t get them out of my head. I figured there had to be a way to take the idea of a Scooby Gang and apply it to the reality of today. The result is Scarlet Shadows, book one of The Scarlet Mysteries.”
— Jo Szewczyk
Amazon.com: Scarlet Shadows (The Scarlet Mysteries Book 1) eBook : Szewczyk, Jo: Books
Praise for Dr Jo Szewczyk:
‘A twisty mystery with explosive martial arts action and a crime almost too horrible to be real.’
— Randy Overbeck, award-winning author of the Haunted Shores Mysteries and Abigail Trench
‘An action-driven mystery… and a fun read.’
— Isaac Thorne, award-winning author of Tab’s Terrible Third Eye
About Scarlet Shadows
Scarlet Shadows is the first novel in The Scarlet Mysteries.
Publication date: Paperback October 8; ebook October 15, 2026
Publisher: Czykmate Productions
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-989225-51-6
eBook ISBN: 978-1-989225-52-3
Library of Congress Control Number: 2026921001
Publisher website: http://www.czykmate.com
The novel is available in paperback and ebook editions. Audio edition slated for December 12, 2026.
About Dr Jo Szewczyk:
Jo Szewczyk once wrote for a Las Vegas fashion magazine under a woman’s name and was never once caught. He has cohosted the Bazowie Awards, hosts the interview show What’s Kraken?, works as a voice actor, and edits charity anthologies that have raised over $40,000. Each summer he helps out at a David Bowie charity event in London, where an organizer dubbed him “tall for your age” — a title he has stopped trying to shake. He can be found, generally, against his better judgement, at
Empty Hell – website
Amazon.com: Jo Szewczyk: books, biography, latest update
Jo Szewczyk | Empty Hell (@szewczyk.jo) • Instagram photos and videos
To request additional review copies or an interview with Dr Jo Szewczyk, please contact Mickey Mikkelson at Creative Edge Publicity: mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com / 403.464.6925.
We look forward to the coverage!
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