Jamie Katz is a certified Florida Man and swamp creature, even if he is living in California and begrudgingly working as a writer for his two-time ex-husband Paul’s porn outfit, Scorch Studios. It wouldn’t be a bad gig except for Paul’s new wife and second-in-command, an uptight Southern Belle named Tater.When Paul is found shot to death in the alley behind Scorch, every clue points to Jamie. Which is insane because why would Jamie kill one of the only two men he ever loved? Okay, yes, the obscenely expensive wedding rings Paul desperately needed back were hiding among Jamie’s nipple ring collection. And, sure, he was still sleeping with Paul, and Paul had just fired him. And, you know what, yeah, Jamie had just blown up Paul’s life and possibly marriage after getting fired. Of course he had! What, being hot isn’t enough, now he has to be a saint too?Well, Jamie hasn’t survived four decades of his own bad ideas to go down for something he didn’t do. Between a jealous Tater and Scorch’s sketchy crew and wild porn stars, there are still plenty of suspects. So, if the cops are hell-bent on proving his guilt, then he’s just gonna have to solve this case himself.And if Jamie’s brand of investigation means jumping into bed with every guy in California, hey, that’s just a hard day’s work.

“I have no idea what I just read, but I loved it! … this was an amazing amalgamation of noir, dark comedy, coming-of-age, and romper fiction.” —Harrison Lamon, NetGalley ★★★★★“I’ve never read a book like this one …” —BobJ, Booksprout ★★★★★“The story balances outrageous humour with a surprisingly bittersweet look at turning forty and facing the consequences of a lifetime of questionable choices. Jamie’s voice is sharp, self-aware, and often hilariously delusional yet there’s vulnerability underneath the bravado…I need more!” —Deb Kel, Booksprout ★★★★★“An absolutely unhinged storyline that keeps getting better and better … I adored the whole thing and I will be putting this book on my reread list.” —Suzanne Irving, Booksprout ★★★★★"I was left reflecting on how hard it can be to live with yourself, but also how humor can sometimes make the chaos worth navigating."
—Tanya Kays, Readers' Favorite ★★★★★I got drawn in because Jamie’s voice is so raw and unpredictable ... If you’re drawn to stories on forgiveness and whether people can really start over, this book is the ideal choice for you. —Makeda Cummings, Readers' Favorite ★★★★★

My books are available at all online major retailers. Sicko will be available in print as well.You can also shop my books at the links above. Bookshop.org supports Indie Bookstores!

Avril Grady is a Ph.D.-havin’ STEM girlie who started writing in March 2025 when her stable career became calamitously unstable and she found herself asking what do I actually want to do with my life if I lose it all?But when she sat down to write an outline for a completely unrelated action novel, Jamie Katz tore his way onto the page. Three months later, Avril had a first draft of Jamie’s San Fernando mystery and was trying to learn the difference between developmental and line editing.Avril’s storytelling is informed by that feeling when the rose-tinted glasses come off and everything crashes down around you. She integrates elements of grief and loss, along with a desire to just have some goddamn fun. Avril’s goal is to make the unloved lovable, to tangle pain with joy, and to never, ever, ever get too preachy.And most of all, she just wants everyone to laugh.