Rusty Star

Russell Stokes once wore the uniform with pride. Decorated for valor in Afghanistan but scarred by guilt and a drinking problem, his military career is slipping away. With his separation from the Navy looming, scandal and rumor push him further into disgrace.

Searching for a way forward, Stokes turns to life as a private investigator. But trouble follows him at every turn. A reckless affair, a brutal bar fight, and a mysterious woman draw him into a case that forces him to confront his past—and decide whether he will rise or fall once and for all.

Rusty Star is the first book in the Stokes Case series, blending the grit of private investigator mystery with the intensity of military suspense. Perfect for fans of crime fiction, hard-boiled detectives, and flawed heroes fighting for redemption.