Natural Causes by Nikki Stern

NATURAL CAUSES

by Nikki Stern

July 20 – 31, 2026 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

A SAM TATE MYSTERY

An intelligent suspense thriller and gritty crime procedural featuring a complex female detective.

Three years after quitting her job as a homicide cop, Sam moves to Denver as a named partner with a boutique private investigation firm. She’s finished with the violence and trauma that have marked both her personal and professional lives. But when a zealous eco-terrorist begins a killing spree with plans to escalate, she finds herself once again hunting a serial killer whose past too closely resembles Sam’s own.

Praise for Natural Causes:

“A memorable mystery that sizzles with action, twists of plot, and a host of possibilities and characters”
~ D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Literary Review

NATURAL CAUSES Trailer:

Book Details:

Genre: Police Procedure, Suspense Thriller, Crime Mystery
Published by: Ruthenia Press
Publication Date: June 23, 2026
Number of Pages: 280
ISBN: 979-8996092208
Series:The Sam Tate Mystery Series, Book 5
Book Links: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub

Read an excerpt:

“Gorgeous, absolutely drop-dead gorgeous.”

Todd Fischer stood near the edge of a snowy precipice and slapped his chest like a primate surveying his kingdom. He pulled in a lungful of air, his new Filson hiking vest tight against his broad chest. He was winded, more than he cared to admit, and cold. Even at the end of April, the temperatures on this trail lingered in the low thirties. A late-season snowfall added to the discomfort, not to mention the threatening gusts of frigid air.

“You know,” he continued, turning to his companion, “people would pay plenty to live here.”

“I don’t think you can just put up housing in a national park,” she replied.

“Anything can be bought and tamed, Elena. Even the Rockies.”

“I believe you, Todd. Now, please come down off that ledge? Remember the warnings we received about the missing railings and the danger of microbursts? I do not want my husband to be blown away like a character in The Wizard of Oz.”

Fischer laughed. “I’m not about to be knocked over by a blast of air. I think you should worry more about the kids. Go see what’s happened to them.”

As soon as she’d moved out of sight, he bent over, suddenly dizzy. Crap, getting old was not for sissies. He needed more exercise, more hydration, more time, more of everything.

Elena turned back to the trail, shaking her head. The “kids” were young adults and, as far as she was concerned, pampered twenty-somethings. She was the “wicked” stepmother, just ten years older than the eldest, perpetually a graduate student. Whereas younger brother Paulie treated school as one long excuse to party.

Now she heard them, bickering, as usual.

“Could you stop complaining?” Rowan was saying.

“Not a chance,” Paulie griped. “We are tramping in the mountains, just past dawn, in the cold and the wind. In late April. I left a warm bed and a warm body so I could freeze my backside off with distant dad and wife number three.”

“Maybe the warm body should have helped you dress for a hike in the Rockies.”

“You’re just jealous.”

Rowan appeared first, dressed perfectly for a mountain trek. Paulie, on the other hand, looked like he’d come from a night of clubbing, right down to his overpriced sneakers and his curated day-old beard.

“There you are,” Elena said, forcing a smile. “We were on the ledge for a better view.”

“The one with the ‘danger’ sign?” Paulie asked. “Oh, right. Dad likes to go where he’s not supposed to. I guess you could call it his specialty.”

Elena reminded herself that she could handle two brats for one morning. Before long, she would get herself pregnant and make them both irrelevant.

“Take a look,” she suggested. “It’s quite lovely.”

But they were back to fighting, ripping into each other like territorial animals. Until an unexpected gust of wind interrupted their discourse, strong enough to send a few rocks scuttling down into the valley.

“What was that?” Paulie asked.

“Nature, dummy,” Rowan retorted.

“Wait, where is your father?” Elena demanded.

Paulie cupped his hands and yelled, “Attention, Todd Fischer. We’re officially concerned. Show yourself.”

Rowan climbed to the ledge and swallowed hard. “Maybe he found another way to head down,” she said.

“No,” Elena declared. “Something happened.”

***

Author Bio:

Nikki Stern is the author of eight books, including five in the award-winning Sam Tate Mystery Series. She was a co-author of several musical murder mystery plays in the popular Café Noir collection. She’s also written a number of short stories and essays, some of which can be found here. A former families’ advocate following the death of her husband on 9/11, Nikki now serves on the leadership council for Search for Common Ground, a global conflict transformation organization. She lives in Princeton, New Jersey.

Catch Up With Nikki Stern:

NikkiStern.com
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads
BookBub – @NikkiStern
Instagram – @realnikkistern
Threads – @realnikkistern
Facebook – Nikki Stern, Author
YouTube – @NikkiStern

Tour Participant Reviews:

‘This is an entertaining novel right up to the suspenseful end.’
~ Book Reviews From an Avid Reader

‘NATURAL CAUSES, a page-turner filled with red herrings and side twists involving academia, science, and the environment. Nikki Stern sets many of her fast-moving scenes against the backdrop of recognizable Denver neighborhoods as well as a few tantalizing restaurants and coffee shops .’
~ G.P. Gottlieb

‘I am eagerly awaiting for the next book in the series. I highly recommend these books if you like action, suspense, and a great female character!’
~ Wall-to-wall Books

‘Sam is trying to move on and yet she gets pulled right back into a serial killer investigation… fast-paced and full of red herrings and twists that continually surprise.’
~ Avonna Loves Genres

‘The writing is fantastic and a great mystery series that keeps readers on the edge of your seat until the end!’
~ Country Mamas With Kids

‘Natural Causes is an immersive, fast-paced crime thriller that pulls you right into a high-stakes, multi-agency investigation. There is so much to love about this book. Stern does a fantastic job centering the plot around eco-terrorism and themes of “Mother Earth,” creating a unique narrative where every solved mystery only uncovers further secrets. I ended up flying through the entire book in one sitting.’
~ Ekaurbook

‘This was a fast page turner. I really liked the way the author kept me reading and guessing. This could definitely be a crime movie. I would go to the theater to watch it!’
~ Deal Sharing Aunt

‘One of the most interesting aspects is Sam’s growth as a character. She has had time to grieve and returns stronger than ever—with the potential for a new relationship. Natural Causes delivers a strong female sleuth ready to navigate a challenging foe.’
~ Novels Alive

‘Natural Causes by Nikki Stern is a turbo-charged thriller with plenty of well-developed characters and dynamic action that just won’t quit. Natural Causes has a lot to offer, including danger, mystery, engaging characterization, lots of coffee, and even a bit of romance. This thriller packs an incredible punch.’
~ Reading by Moonlight

‘The author does a great job in building your anticipation as to who the killer is. When you think you know, the story plot twists and you realize you have guessed wrong. The characters seem very real and they are well developed characters. I recommend you read this book. ‘
~ Pat Fayo reviews

Tour Host Info:

Book Formats: ePub, Print (US)
Hosting Options: Review, Interview, Guest Post, Showcase
Giveaway: There will be a tour-wide PICT Giveaway
More: According to the author Natural Causes is considered to be PG-level content or less. Readers may still encounter potentially sensitive material. If you have specific trigger or content concerns, please contact Partners in Crime Tours directly for more detailed information.