Welcome to Mystery Bytes

From Lifelong Fan to Fiction Writer—The Story Behind Mystery Bytes

Hello, friend—and welcome to Mystery Bytes, a home for lovers of shadowy stories, sharp minds, and the thrill of the unknown.

My name’s Jeff Kikel. I’m a lifelong mystery junkie, proud Texan, and—after years of circling the dream—I’m finally stepping into the world of fiction as a full-time mystery and thriller author. Alongside my wife Crystal (also a devoted whodunit addict), we’re building something special here: a place to share stories that keep you turning pages well past bedtime.

You won’t find any smoking jackets or mahogany desks in my writing den—just a passion for gritty suspense, clever plotting, and characters with more secrets than they know what to do with. This has been a dream since college, but like a lot of us, life got busy. Until now.

Why Mystery Bytes?

I believe mysteries and thrillers are more than escapism. They’re blueprints for how we uncover truth—about the world, and about ourselves. Whether it’s the fog-drenched alleys of post-WWI Paris or the blinking neon shadows of modern New Orleans, I’m fascinated by the stories hiding just beneath the surface.

That fascination gave birth to The Brotherhood of the Star, my historical mystery series launching soon with Shadows of Montmartre—a noir-soaked tale of espionage, betrayal, and buried secrets set in 1919 Paris. Think trench coats, stolen art, and the kind of danger that wears a smile.

But I’m also introducing something entirely new…

🎁 Subscribe and Get Your Free Novella

When you sign up for the free Mystery Bytes subscription, I’ll send you a 10,000-word exclusive prequel to The Night Files, delivered straight to your inbox. It's the story of how Marcus Vale walked away from the NYPD and into the shadows of New Orleans. You won’t find it anywhere else.

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What You’ll Find Here Each Week

• 🕵️‍♂️ Free Short Stories – Bite-sized mysteries to sharpen your instincts.

• 🔦 Sneak Peeks – Chapters from upcoming novels and novellas.

• 🎲 Interactive Puzzles – Think you can solve the mystery before the reveal?

• 📚 Book Reviews & Recommendations – What I’m reading and why you should too.

• 🎙️ Behind-the-Scenes Insights – How I build characters, plots, and tension.

• 🎧 Audio Readings & Podcasts (coming soon!)

This isn’t just a newsletter. It’s a storytelling experience. And I want you to be a part of it.

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Let’s Start a Conversation

Mysteries stick with us because they ask something of us—they make us think, guess, feel. So let me ask:

What’s the most unforgettable mystery you’ve ever read?

Leave a comment. Hit reply. I’d love to hear your answer.

Thanks for reading—and welcome to the shadows.

—Jeff