True Wolf by Paige Tyler is riveting, suspenseful, and heart-pounding. It combines supernatural suspense, paranormal romance, and action-adventureTrue Wolf by Paige Tyler is riveting, suspenseful, and heart-pounding. It combines supernatural suspense, paranormal romance, and action-adventure in a thrilling novel that is the third book in the STAT: Special Threat Assessment Team series. It takes the reader on an international journey from Turkey to Croatia to Russia to Ukraine and then for a showdown in New York City. The reader is immediately plunged into the action and drawn into the story.
In this series, supernatural beings are known to a few, but not all humans. As with humans, some supernatural beings are criminals and the United States has put together a team of supernatural beings and humans to deal with these criminals domestically as well as internationally. Caleb Lynch is a werewolf and a member of STAT. His team is sent to Turkey where they’re led to vaults that have been broken into and terrorists have stolen dangerous weapons. Brielle Fontaine has a possible lead on the weapons and her missing brother and joins the STAT team as they travel the globe in search of both.
Both main characters have their flaws that made them seem more real. As an omega werewolf, Caleb can lose control and has to be slapped back to reality, but he can certainly fight. (Omegas are the result of going into a traumatic event with bad intentions and the werewolf gene gets tripped.) Brielle has always taken care of her younger brother and sacrificed other relationships for getting him out of continuous trouble. Add to that both are afraid of not being accepted by others as well as not accepting themselves for what they are. I felt like the characters were emotionally rich with an undercurrent of self-growth amidst the action, suspense, and developing romance.
Tyler does a great job of world-building. I was able to easily visualize the settings, especially the tunnels. There are several twists to the story as it deals with important themes of terrorism, trust, wanting a better world and what you’re willing to do to make it so. Family, concern for others, social awkwardness, friends, and romance also play into the tale. The opening is strong and intriguing and the connection between Caleb and Brielle is deftly handled. There are a couple of steamy scenes later in the book.
This story was a mix of investigation, planning, romance, and action that kept me turning the pages to find out what was going to happen next. I was kept fully invested in the mission becoming a success. My one quibble is that I did not believe the head criminal would do what he did in the final showdown.
Overall, this book was fast-paced, action-oriented, and entertaining. If you enjoy action thrillers with some romance that have both strong male and female characters set in a world where supernatural beings exist, then this may be the series for you. Since there are several recurring characters in the book, it helps to read the series in order. That way, a reader is not learning all of the secondary characters at once, but gradually over time. I can’t wait to find out what is next for the STAT team.
SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca and Paige Tyler provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for February 22, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
------------------ My 4 star review will be posted in late January per publisher guidelines....more
The Best of Both Wolves by Terry Spear is the second book in the Red Wolf series. This one is a paranormal romantic suspense novel featuring femalThe Best of Both Wolves by Terry Spear is the second book in the Red Wolf series. This one is a paranormal romantic suspense novel featuring female protagonist Sierra Redding, a red wolf shifter. She is a retired army finance officer who has moved to Portland, Oregon as a part-time art teacher for the red wolf pack children. She also has her retirement pay. When her hotel room is broken into and she sketches the intruder for Detective Adam Holmes, she gets a part-time job with the police department as a sketch artist. When the thief is caught, he has friends that make her life challenging.
Sierra and Adam are likeable main characters. Both are charismatic, loyal, playful, and well-liked by others. Their connection is handled deftly and it isn’t an instant love scenario. Seven months go by between chapters one and two to give credence to their developing friendship. The secondary characters are a blend of characters from the first book in the series plus some new additions which gives continuity but keeps things fresh.
Spear does an excellent job of blending romance, suspense, and action in this latest novel. I also enjoyed learning more about the job of a sketch artist in a police department as well as the various cases Adam was investigating. There was a lot of focus on friendship and family during the down-time from their jobs. My biggest quibble was that many of the criminals were a little too inept to make the cases much of a mystery.
Overall, this was a fun and entertaining novel with some humor to go with the suspense and romance. I enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca and Terry Spear provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
------------------------------ My 4 star review will be posted around 12/25/2021. (1 month prior to publication)....more
The Appeal by Janice Hallett is her debut novel and its epistolary format may tempt amateur sleuths to work alongside the two junior lawyers taskeThe Appeal by Janice Hallett is her debut novel and its epistolary format may tempt amateur sleuths to work alongside the two junior lawyers tasked with sorting through emails, texts, newspaper clippings, social media activity, messages, letters, and police reports which make up the narrative of the book to answer the senior partner’s questions which change over time. As Olufemi (Femi) Hassan and Charlotte Holroyd read, took notes, and sorted through the various information, so did I. They are kept in the dark initially as to the true nature of the case and it is best that readers go in without all of the details as well.
A local theatre group, The Fairway Players, are getting ready for Arthur Miller’s play, All My Sons, when tragedy strikes the family of Martin Hayward, the director, and his wife, Helen, the play’s star. Their granddaughter has been diagnosed with a form of cancer. An experimental treatment costing a large amount of money may be the only thing to save her life. Their friends and colleagues support them by babysitting, dog-sitting, and fundraising. However, accusations, fights, and a dead body bring a mystery to life.
This book had a very large cast of characters that required notes as I attempted to uncover the truth and answer the senior partner’s questions. It’s the second book that I have read with an epistolary format in 2021 and it worked for me. Some of the correspondence is just gossip and others provide key information if one reads them carefully while others seem enigmatic or irrelevant. But are they? To my surprise, given the format of the narrative, suspense was built as details were revealed.
The plot is clever and somewhat convoluted, requiring more notes to keep things straight. The epistolary dialogue is well-crafted. Even the main characters become fully drawn and unforgettable. The last minute evidence added after an initial report back to the senior partner clarified some things. Did I get all of the questions answered correctly? No. However, I did arrive at several of the answers. How will you fare? Will you be able to pick out details and make the connections? Several themes were woven into the novel including social hierarchy, social exclusion, friendship, family, community, stress, obsession, jealousy, and much more. The others would be spoilers.
Overall, this was suspenseful with compelling characters that engaged my inner sleuth and kept me turning the pages. The occasional humor helped as well. It’s an impressive start for a debut novel. I am looking forward to reading more from this author. If you are looking for a mystery with twists, plenty of suspects, and lots of motives, then this is one you may want to check out.
Atria Books and Janice Hallett provided a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for January 25, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
---------------------------- My 4 star review will be posted 3-4 days after it appears in Mystery and Suspense Magazine....more
The Wrong Woman by Leanne Kale Sparks is an intense, suspenseful, and engaging debut novel featuring FBI Special Agent Kendall Beck and Denver polThe Wrong Woman by Leanne Kale Sparks is an intense, suspenseful, and engaging debut novel featuring FBI Special Agent Kendall Beck and Denver police detective Adam Taylor. This police procedural, romantic suspense, and crime thriller is mainly set in late February and March with a waning winter in Colorado. The book starts with a chilling prologue from a killer’s point of view and then proceeds to engage the reader with multiple cases. Kendall is investigating the disappearance of five-year-old Emily Williams and Adam is investigating a case where a young woman was found dead at the edge of a golf course. When Kendall’s roommate, Gwen Tavich, goes missing, Kendall and Adam meet.
Kendall is a strong female protagonist and has plenty of character depth for a first novel. Her friends are the biggest part of her life besides her job. She’s compassionate and relentless in her pursuit of justice, but she also has flaws such as a temper that can get her in trouble. Readers gradually learn about her past and how that influences her actions and thoughts today. Adam seems more laid back than Kendall, but just as devoted to his work. While readers also get insight into his relationship with a past girlfriend, his character isn’t as fully fleshed out as Kendall’s is.
The opening is strong, chilling, and memorable. The plot and sense of urgency move the story forward. Both story lines have twists that keep readers guessing. The writing was well-done and transported this reader into the dark and gritty world of victims and investigators. While the ending was a little over-the-top, it wrapped things up nicely, but left an opening for a thread to be followed in future books. The emotional toll on victims, families, and investigators was shown throughout the novel.
This novel shows how hard it can be to get an investigation going when an adult goes missing. Themes include abduction, murder, assault, child abuse, torture, friendship, family, grief, severe trauma, and much more. Readers should be aware that there are descriptions of torture as well as descriptions of crimes against a child.
Overall, this was an intense and gripping thriller with complex and compelling characters that kept me turning the pages. It’s an impressive start for a debut novel. I am looking forward to reading more from this author and hopefully about Kendall and Adam. Readers of police procedurals and crime thrillers may want to check this one out.
Crooked Lane Books and Leanne Kale Sparks provided a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for February 08, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
------------------------ My 4 star review of this police procedural and crime thriller will be posted 3-4 days after it is published at Mystery and Suspense Magazine....more
Michael Ledwidge brings intrigue and action to his latest crime novel, Beach Wedding, set mainly in Southampton, New York. Terry Rourke and his wiMichael Ledwidge brings intrigue and action to his latest crime novel, Beach Wedding, set mainly in Southampton, New York. Terry Rourke and his wife and daughter are spending a month at a luxurious home in Southampton on the beach. His oldest and wealthy brother is getting married and has invited the whole family to stay at the house prior to the wedding. The Rourkes grew up in a nearby middle-class neighborhood where his father, Sean, was an Assistant District Attorney 20 years ago. Sean’s last case was a murder trial that changed their lives forever when he lost the case and subsequently drowned. Terry, a Philadelphia cop, can’t resist looking at the old case while he’s in the town. But messing with the rich and powerful can be dangerous.
Terry is a likeable and determined character, but sometimes gets so wrapped up in his investigation that he can lose sight of other things. The author did a great job in bringing the Rourke family to life as well as the non-family characters. The characters were quite believable, and injected with a blend of attributes both good and bad.
The plot is well-developed and clever and the narrative is descriptive, bringing the locations to life. There’s also a bit of humor which relieves some of the tension from time to time. The pacing was just right and the writing style was smooth; even with relatively short chapters it draws the reader into the story. While it takes a while to get to the mystery as readers learn about the lives of the members of the Rourke family, the intrigue grows as the investigation falls into place.
Don’t expect much action until near the end of the novel. This is more about the investigation and the people involved in it and those affected by it as well as uncovering the mystery. I appreciated how the author showed the impact on many characters, not just the Rourke family. The action at the end is nerve-wracking and somewhat harrowing, and it includes a shocking surprise or two that I didn’t see coming. Themes include family, friendship, corruption, murder, money, and power.
Overall, this was suspenseful with a great mystery and compelling characters that kept me turning the pages. It is well worth the read and provides entertainment, thoughtful moments, and thrills. This is the third solo book that I’ve read by Ledwidge and I’m looking forward to reading more books by him.
Harlequin Trade Publishing – Hanover Square Press and Michael Ledwidge provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for February 15, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine. -------------------------------
My 4 star review will be posted in the second half of January (per publisher guidelines)....more
Cry Wolf by Hans Rosenfeldt is shocking, suspenseful, violent, and heartbreaking and set in and around Haparanda, Sweden. It has aspects of both aCry Wolf by Hans Rosenfeldt is shocking, suspenseful, violent, and heartbreaking and set in and around Haparanda, Sweden. It has aspects of both a crime thriller and a police procedural. Policewoman Hannah Wester starts investigating the death of a wolf and her pup. When human remains are found in their stomachs, the search is on for a body. When a link is made to a drug deal gone wrong across the border in Finland, a task force is assembled and events rapidly escalate.
While Hannah is the main character, the story is told from multiple points of view (POV). Hannah is around 50 years old, sometimes too quick to draw conclusions, but relentless in her investigations, and is experiencing several personal issues. Readers get insights into many of the characters’ personal, professional, and criminal lives without detracting from the investigation. There was an amazing amount of depth to several characters without ruining the flow of the story. I don’t remember ever seeing this much depth in so many characters in a book before. One POV that stood out to me was that of the city itself. This lent a unique perspective to the story and how events can affect a city. I enjoyed the historical information as well.
The opening scene grabs readers’ attention and quickly pulls them into the investigation. The novel is interspersed with police investigations into the crimes, violence, and the personal troubles of various characters in the novel. While the transitions were somewhat abrupt, it seemed to work for me. One thing that was a little different is that readers occasionally got insight into a character’s future life situation. While this was interesting, it could sometimes be distracting to the flow.
The plot is well developed, the pace fast, and the story line is action-packed. The episodic writing style takes a little while to get used to but works for this novel. Descriptive writing gave a great sense of place while twists and turns take readers on the journey. This book is dark, clever, and gripping with great characters as well as a tense and spellbinding story line. Readers should be aware that there are some gruesome details and some chilling and emotional scenes. The ending wasn’t quite what I was expecting. However, the culmination was impactful and raised some questions and threads that could appear in a future book. Themes include murder, double-crosses, drugs, greed, social media effects on police investigations, infidelity, family relationships, and much more.
Overall, this book was suspenseful, intense, riveting, and thought-provoking. If you enjoy international crime thrillers and police procedurals that have strong characters, then this may be the novel for you. While this is the first book I have read by this author, I am looking forward to reading others by him.
Harlequin Trade Publishing – Hanover Square Press and Hans Rosenfeldt provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for December 28, 2021. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
------------------------------------------ My 4 star review of this international crime thriller and police procedural will be posted 3-4 days after it appears in Mystery and Suspense Magazine and about one month prior to the publication date....more
City of the Dead by Jonathan Kellerman brings more than just murder and suspense to the 37th book in the Alex Delaware series. It combines a policCity of the Dead by Jonathan Kellerman brings more than just murder and suspense to the 37th book in the Alex Delaware series. It combines a police procedural with psychology to bring additional insights into the story and people. The books are also tend to be cerebral in nature. Los Angeles Police Lieutenant Milo Sturgis and psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware team up again when Milo is called to the scene of young naked man hit by a van. But a blood trail leads to a nearby home where a woman has been murdered and any thoughts of accidental death disappear.
Milo and Alex have been friends for years and while they often approach cases from different standpoints, their investigative and cognitive techniques gel as well as their dispositions, and they keep the cases fresh, entertaining and moving along. The way they bounce ideas off of each other feels natural. At this stage of the series, the main characters are well known to this reader and have depth. Some secondary characters from previous books in the series show up to keep things interesting and provide additional awareness of how Milo and his team work together.
The writing style flowed well and I knew I was back with old friends. Kellerman’s writing is polished and appealing, doing a good job of transporting me to the Los Angeles area. Whether they are talking about or experiencing the traffic or food or the people, I was living the events with Milo and Alex. They both want to achieve justice and hold bad people accountable for their actions. The story had several twists and there were a couple of surprises at the end. It was definitely not predictable to me. Will you be shocked by the culprit’s identity?
Overall, this was a story that quickly drew me into Milo and Alex’s world and their latest case. It was an engaging read with a solid mystery to unravel. I also liked the insights into Alex’s work with child custody cases including his approach and his thoughts going into a new case.
Readers that like the series and police procedurals should enjoy this latest novel. I don’t recommend jumping into this series at number 37, though. Start earlier in the series to have the best reading experience. I have read over 20 books in the series and plan to read them all. They’re never disappointing.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine and Jonathan Kellerman via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for February 8, 2022.
--------------------------------------- Per publisher guidelines, my 4 star review will be posted approximately 2 weeks prior to publication....more
The Texas Job by Wortham gives readers a view of East Texas in 1931 when a huge oil field has been found and towns are exploding with people, oil The Texas Job by Wortham gives readers a view of East Texas in 1931 when a huge oil field has been found and towns are exploding with people, oil wells, and the good and bad that came with it. Texas Ranger Tom Bell is tracking a fugitive murderer. He is examining a dead body before going into town when someone shoots at him. That is the start of an exciting time in this area of Texas. From a sheriff of the boomtown PineTop to the roughnecks working for the oil companies, no one offers him help. In fact, he obviously ruffles some feathers, and multiple attempts on his life occur. As he tries to find the murderer, Tom uncovers more crimes are happening in and around the town. Will he live to solve the cases?
Tom is a young Ranger in this novel and his sense of duty and desire for justice comes through in his character which has more depth than I expected. Interspersed in the narrative are insights into his young history of serving in World War I and dealing with the loss of his wife. This delivered realism and empathy that made him more relatable. Several of the supporting characters had distinct personalities that made the story even more interesting.
The author did extensive research on this period of Texas history during the Great Depression and the oil boom, but also in Oklahoma when oil was discovered under land owned by the Osage Nation, and it shows. While this is not a traditional 1800’s western, it does have similarities with a lone lawman going up against criminals in a good versus evil story and set in a historical period. The writing is descriptive without slowing down the vivid and action-filled plot. This feature created atmosphere that elevated the story line. Readers will rapidly turn the pages and learn about daily life and conditions in boomtowns during the beginning of oil drilling in that part of Texas. Themes include murder, attempted murder, corruption, racism, power, and more.
The action starts out strong, moves at a fast pace, and the suspense continues to build throughout. The author brought a strong sense of place and time to the events in the book. The action somehow managed to seem plausible for the times even though it was definitely extreme. I could easily visualize the towns, the people, the unsanitary conditions in the temporary camps and tent cities, the landscape, and the inability of infrastructure to keep up with the booming population. One thing that stood out for me was the concerns over water and air pollution that showed up even in 1931.
Overall, this book was an engaging and action-filled crime thriller in a historical setting that kept me turning the pages. This is the first book that I have read by this author but it won’t be the last. I highly recommend this novel to those that like his crime thrillers.
Poisoned Pen Press and Reavis Z. Wortham provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for February 15, 2021. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
-------------- My 4 star review of this historical mystery will be posted 3-4 days after it appears in Mystery and Suspense Magazine....more
Matt Brolly brings plenty of suspense and some action, as well as an edginess, to the fourth book in the Detective Inspector (DI) Louise Blackwell serMatt Brolly brings plenty of suspense and some action, as well as an edginess, to the fourth book in the Detective Inspector (DI) Louise Blackwell series set in and near the seaside town of Weston-super-Mare in England. While the tale occasionally switches points of view, it is primarily that of Louise with a few sections from a criminal. A man is found unconscious on the beach with a strange symbol branded on his arm and he can’t recall who attacked him or how he got there. As other victims show up, Louise and her team are relentlessly pursuing the criminals. What is the symbol and how are the criminals targeting people? As usual, Louise’s nemesis, DCI Finch, puts in an appearance.
Louise is a hard-working, resilient, and fascinating individual who has trouble delegating. However, she is respected by many, and her fighting for what is right inspires loyalty in her co-workers. Despite this, networking is an aspect of her career that she has never been great at. Her flaws make her feel more realistic as does her struggle for work/life balance. The other characters are a mix of new and familiar faces and are well-drawn.
A strong, intriguing, and memorable opening scene immediately will pull most readers into the story. That scene is vivid and horrifying. The narrative is suspenseful, and readers will wonder what the criminals’ motivations are. A creative, absorbing, complex, and well-paced plot with some twists will keep a reader guessing. High stakes kept me engaged throughout the story. As Louise and her team working to find connections and working through the clues, there are also shocking actions scenes, and disturbing insights into the criminal’s mind. The people in the story came to life, and I was cheering on the police as they searched desperately for the criminals. Themes include work relationships, the drive to succeed, loyalty, family, alcoholism, self-harm, assault, bullying, and much more.
Overall, this was a gripping and chilling story with complex characters. It’s intense and dramatic and kept this reader turning the pages. While there is some background given in this book, the series is best read in order. Louise’s full background is shared in book one and helps shed light on her situation and mind-frame in the following books. I would recommend it to those who enjoy police procedurals and British crime dramas. I hope there will be another book in this series and want to check out this author’s DCI Michael Lambert series.
Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and Matt Brolly for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for November 23, 2021. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine. ...more
The Witching Tree by Alice Blanchard is an excellent atmospheric police procedural with some romance, and it’s the third book in the Natalie LockhThe Witching Tree by Alice Blanchard is an excellent atmospheric police procedural with some romance, and it’s the third book in the Natalie Lockhart series. Natalie is a detective in the Burning Lake, New York police department. This is a town that makes the most of its history with witchcraft and has a large tourist trade around it that culminates with the Halloween celebration. It’s March, so the town is quieter until a modern-day witch is murdered.
Natalie is a protagonist that solved two high profile murder cases as a rookie and is questioning her career and her love life. She is strong when she is pursuing leads and has insights that others miss, but she is also burned out. However when the leader of the town’s oldest coven is killed, Natalie pursues justice for her. Her character felt real with clear goals for solving the case and believable motivations for why she is questioning her lifestyle. The secondary characters were well-rounded and enhanced the story.
A dramatic and heartbreaking opening is memorable and immediately hooks readers. The stakes were high throughout the novel and kept me turning the pages. A fast-paced story line kept me turning the pages. The world-building enhanced the setting and gave me a clear sense of place. I felt transported to Burning Lake as though living through the events with Natalie. There were plenty of red herrings, twists and turns along with the action that kept me guessing who was responsible for the murder. A suspenseful, but sometimes disturbing, narrative from beginning to end kept this reader fully engaged. Themes include violent death, grief, family relationships, friendship, drugs, secrets, romance, Wicca, and much more. My biggest criticism with the book is the major cliff-hanger ending. I don’t mind a few threads being open to explore in the next novel, but this was more significant. Despite this, the novel captivated me from the beginning to its shocking finish. Wow!
Overall, the plot was complex, absorbing and well-paced. Complex characters, the town’s cultural history and traditions, a twisty story line, and fantastic writing keep me coming back to this series for more. While this can be read as a standalone novel, to get the most enjoyment from it, the first two books in the series should be read before starting this one. That will give readers a better understanding of Natalie’s situation. I can’t wait to read book four.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books and Alice Blanchard for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently scheduled for December 07, 2021. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
---------------- My 4 star review will be posted 3-4 days after it is published in Mystery and Suspense Magazine....more
In A Thousand Steps by T. Jefferson Parker, the author blends historical fiction, a thriller, and a coming of age story in a gripping tale set in In A Thousand Steps by T. Jefferson Parker, the author blends historical fiction, a thriller, and a coming of age story in a gripping tale set in 1968 in Laguna Beach, California. The protagonist, Matt Anthony is 16 and lives with his mom, Julie, and his sister, Jasmine (Jazz). His father occasionally writes or calls, but Matt hasn’t seen him in six years. His mother is hooked on drugs. Matt has a paper route, is always hungry, and seems to be the only responsible one in the house. When 18-year-old Jazz doesn’t come home the police think she’s just run away from home. Matt doesn’t believe that and seems to be the only one looking for her. At the same time, he wants to ask Laurel out on a date and is looking forward to his brother Kyle returning home from the war.
Matt is an appealing, determined, and likeable character. (One of the few in the novel.) He takes on responsibilities that the adults in his life should have. Instead, they’re irresponsible and undependable. Despite this, the characters felt authentic.
This novel is extremely well-written and is often heart-wrenching and distressing. The author does a great job of depicting the times and place. The prevalence of drugs as well as the attitudes of the times toward hippies, the police, and the Vietnam War are vividly portrayed. I was stunned by some of the comments Matt’s father made to him on the phone. I was also angry at his mother. No child should be treated like that.
Overall, I am glad that I read this novel, but it wasn’t always an easy read.
Macmillan-Tor/Forge – Forge Books and T. Jefferson Parker provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for January 11, 2022. ...more
Jonathan Maberry’s foray into epic dark fantasy is a fantastic start to a new series. It features Kagen Vale, the captain of the palace guard and protJonathan Maberry’s foray into epic dark fantasy is a fantastic start to a new series. It features Kagen Vale, the captain of the palace guard and protector of the royal children of the Silver Empire. One night when he is off-duty, the entire imperial family is killed and the empire is in ruins throughout all of its nation states. Kagen feels abandoned, heartbroken, and haunted. He turns to alcohol and vows to kill as many of the enemy as he can until he can kill the Witch-king of Hakkia who will soon be crowned emperor. His rage fuels him as he wanders the lands and gathers allies.
Kagen is a strong character with plenty of good qualities, but also many flaws. However, he initially isn’t very likeable. His petulance, guilt, and rage consume him. Can he find a way to regain his balance and overcome magic and sorcery?
Kagen is not the only one that wants to kill the Witch-King. The nun Miri and a fifteen year old girl Ryssa manage to escape the capital city. What role, if any, will they play? Another nun, Mother Frey, and her cabal of friends have plans as well. But can any of them succeed or is all lost? Who is the Witch-King that came from nowhere and is so enigmatic with a veil covering his face? The characters are well drawn and unforgettable.
Maberry’s writing is always great, but his world-building in this novel was fantastic. There was a strong sense of time and place causing me to feel transported, as though living the events alongside the characters. There was a balance between cultural elements, historical events, and action that made the reading experience an immersive one.
The book ends with more of a cliffhanger than I would have liked. While the epilogue helped, there are still a lot of unresolved threads for future books in the series. Themes include different cultures and religions, battles, heroes, how history can be altered or slanted by those recording it, treatment of the defeated and dead, magic, sorcery, and much more.
Overall, this was suspenseful and action packed with compelling characters that kept me turning the pages. It’s an impressive start for the first novel in a new series. I’m looking forward to reading the next one. If you are looking for a dark epic fantasy with twists, action, and a few surprises, then this is one you may want to check out.
St. Martin’s Press – St. Martin’s Griffin and Jonathan Maberry provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for May 10, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
-------------------- My 4 star review of this epic dark fantasy will be posted 3-4 days after it appears in Mystery and Suspense Magazine....more
A Cornish Christmas Murder by Fiona Leitch brings a death, but also some humor to the fourth book in the Nosey Parker cozy mystery series set in aA Cornish Christmas Murder by Fiona Leitch brings a death, but also some humor to the fourth book in the Nosey Parker cozy mystery series set in a 13th-century abbey on Bodmin Moor in Cornwall, England. Jodie ‘Nosey’ Parker has moved back to her home town of Penstowan after leaving the London police force. She has retrained as a caterer and started Banquets and Bakes, her own catering company. With three days before Christmas, she’s been asked to cater a children’s Christmas party put together by Isaac Barnes. He’s a multi-millionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist.
Jodie has enlisted the help of her mom Shirley, her daughter Daisy, and her friend Debbie. As they are cleaning up, things get complicated when roads are closed due to a snowstorm that strands them along with 8 others plus the owner and his two employees. When one of the guests is found dead, Jodie puts on her investigation hat.
With this fourth book, it now seemed like I was visiting with old friends. Jodie’s sense of humor and warmth continues to shine in this story. She was a likeable and friendly character with a need to investigate that I continued to connect with. The secondary characters continue to develop. In this case, we saw more growth in Daisy and Debbie, but I missed seeing Tony. While Nathan only showed up at the end of the novel, his and Jodie’s interactions continue to be varied and range from witty to serious. Instead of only quaint characters, this cozy has several realistic characters that add to the depth of the story. Pomeranian Germaine was along for the trip and added cuteness and stress relief at various times.
The writing style continues to flow well and take this reader to Cornwall. The author did a good job of transporting me to the ancient abbey with ‘showing’ versus ‘telling’ which made the novel more enjoyable. The story had several twists, a couple of surprises at the end and gives readers food for thought. A possible ghost, a priest hole, a sordid history, and a hidden library add ambience. Additionally, having a sleuth that was not an amateur continues to bring depth to the novel that is often lacking in cozy mysteries.
Overall, this was a story that quickly drew me into Jodie’s world. It was a fun, appealing and entertaining read with a solid mystery to unravel and a fresh take on the protagonist. All of the major plot points were resolved satisfactorily, the atmosphere was just right. Themes include friendship, parent-child relationships, alcoholism, grief, secrets, and death. Relationships continue to play a major role in this series.
I recommend the novel to those that enjoy the genre. It was a fun and relaxing read and I can’t wait for the next book featuring Jodie and her family and friends. For more enjoyment, the books are best read in order, but they can be read as a standalone.
HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and Fiona Leitch provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for November 29, 2021. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine. ...more
Swan Huntley’s latest novel, Getting Clean with Stevie Green, is thought-provoking, sad at times, and occasionally humorous. Stevie Green’s mom haSwan Huntley’s latest novel, Getting Clean with Stevie Green, is thought-provoking, sad at times, and occasionally humorous. Stevie Green’s mom has called and asked her to help her downsize and move into her new home. Stevie is so successful, she decides to start her own decluttering business. Additionally, at thirty-seven, she has decided to give up binge drinking and sleeping with strange men. While her life was derailed by a high school scandal, she was already secretly on a path of alcohol and drugs. She never realized her dreams. The seemed to become addicted to fresh starts. In fact, she doesn’t really know what or who she wants to be now except number one on the Organizely application. What could go possible wrong when she is living in her home town of La Jolla, California, the place of her painful memories.
While most of the book is from Stevie’s POV, there are some insights from Chris, Brad, Bonnie, and Kit. One thing that took me a while to get used to was Stevie seemingly talking to the reader. Her character is one that cries out for empathy at times, but is hard to like at other times.
Stevie’s background story is unveiled gradually. While she has found a purpose, will it last or will she need another fresh start? The novel has several themes running through it including hope, addiction, alcohol, betrayal, lies, mistakes, internet dating, friendship, family, social media, love, and forgiveness.
Overall, I enjoyed this change-of-pace story, but felt saddened that Stevie allowed one event to derail 20 years of her life. Will she finally get her life together?
Gallery Books and Swan Huntley provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for January 25, 2022. ...more
These Deadly Games by Diana Urban is suspenseful, shocking, and pulls on your heart strings with a high stakes twisty story line. This young adultThese Deadly Games by Diana Urban is suspenseful, shocking, and pulls on your heart strings with a high stakes twisty story line. This young adult psychological thriller with a game trope is a standalone novel and the first book that I have read by this author. What a first sentence! Then a reader’s emotions settle when they realize what’s going on. But the calm doesn’t last long.
Sixteen-year-old Crystal Donovan gets a message on her phone during class wanting her to play a game. If she breaks the rules or tells anyone, her younger sister will die. Each task is meant to hurt someone important in her life. Will she play? Is it someone trying to take her team out of the upcoming state-wide gaming tournament? Or is something else motivating the kidnapper?
Crystal was not always a sympathetic protagonist, but she was under tremendous pressure that affected her relatability. She’s a character that causes readers to feel a lot of emotions and she can be irritating at times and evoke empathy at other times. Other than her sister Caelyn who was likable, the other characters didn’t have a lot of depth and were somewhat unlikeable.
There are several twists to the story, some predictable, while others are surprising. However, the earliest couple of tasks that Crystal needed to complete felt like they were solved too easily. While the writing brought to life the situation, I couldn’t tell that this was set in Vermont. It seems everyone has secrets. How do they play into the story? Who can be trusted? Who is the kidnapper? The author drew me into the story immediately. There’s terror, chills, intrigue and cunning. In addition to this, other themes abound. These include anorexia, domestic abuse, friendship, gaming, guilt, grief, blackmail, panic attacks, fear, terrible mistakes and much more.
Overall, this book was creative, intense, impactful, fast-paced, and thought-provoking. The suspense, action, and twists kept me glued to the book. Readers that enjoy psychological thrillers and gaming will likely enjoy this novel.
St. Martin’s Press – Wednesday Books and Diana Urban provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for February 1, 2022....more
How to Love Your Neighbor by Sophie Sullivan is a heartwarming, humorous, and appealing contemporary romance set in Harlow Beach, California. HoweHow to Love Your Neighbor by Sophie Sullivan is a heartwarming, humorous, and appealing contemporary romance set in Harlow Beach, California. However it is more than your typical enemies to friends to lovers story. This novel is about all types of relationships.
Grace Travis has a few months left before she graduates with her interior design degree. To make ends meet, she has student loans and works multiple jobs. She’s inherited a bungalow on the beach from grandparents she never met and plans to move into it and renovate it. It turns out the next door neighbor is a real estate developer who plans to renovate his large house and wants to buy Grace’s home so he can expand.
Grace and Noah are great characters that felt authentic. They each have their virtues and flaws, and this adds to both the realism and the humor that is contained in this book. Their determination, family issues, desire to be successful on their own, and much more made them feel real. While there is an attraction, they also challenge each other and frustrate each other resulting in some humorous moments as well as some introspection by each. The secondary characters add conflict or support. I especially liked Morty, Josh, and Rosie who contributed something extra to the story without detracting from the main theme.
This isn’t an instant love story or a steamy book. It touches on some deeper subjects such as toxic relationships with a parent, friendship of multiple types, social anxiety, giving back to the community, asking for help, learning about yourself through relationships with others, and much more. While there were a couple of slower spots, I liked the up and down dynamic between Noah and Grace. Additionally, the deeper subjects pulled the story together for me.
Overall, I enjoyed this highly entertaining and heartfelt book. It was a refreshing change from what I typically read, but it won’t be the last one that I read by this author. Those that enjoy contemporary romances, chick lit, or romantic comedies will likely enjoy this novel. I don’t read a lot of romances except for romantic suspense and paranormal romance, but I connected with this one.
St. Martin’s Press – St. Martin’s Griffin and Sophie Sullivan provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for January 18, 2022. ...more
Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson were asked to carry on W.E.B. Griffin’s Presidential Agent series. With Rogue Agent, the ninth in the series, theBrian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson were asked to carry on W.E.B. Griffin’s Presidential Agent series. With Rogue Agent, the ninth in the series, they bring the suspense and stimulation to action adventure that a reader would expect in a political and military thriller. However, there’s more happening than immediately meets the eyes.
President Natalie Cohen doesn’t have any good options when Secretary of State Frank Malone is kidnapped in Cairo and his security detail killed. Working with her Director of National Intelligence, Marty Fleiss, they decide to resurrect the Presidential Agent program and want Charley Castillo to come out of retirement to recruit, mentor, and manage the next presidential agent. This resource would report to Fleiss and Cohen only. Charley didn’t know they had already selected the candidate, Captain P. K. “Pick” McCoy. With this shaky start, the search for Malone gets underway.
This is a book that grabs your attention and fully hooks a reader before the first chapter ends. The thriller is mainly set in Africa and features Charley and Pick and their team as they learn to work together as they go up against terrorists. It’s exactly what you would expect from a well-written military action thriller with political nuances.
There was more character development than I expected in this novel for both Charley and Pick. They each have depth and some faults that play into the story line. However, each showed a tremendous amount of growth. What a reader doesn’t get is what they are truly like in the down time between missions and what their hopes and dreams are for the future. Likely readers will gain more insight as the series continues.
The authors brought a strong sense of place to the events in the book allowing me to easily visualize the settings. The action somehow managed to seem plausible even though it was definitely extreme. The writing style kept me engaged throughout the novel. The sub-plots tie together well. The story does include some of the weapons and gear discussions that are typical of this type of book, but it is not overdone. For those that need to know, there is a great deal of violence in the book. There is also some discussion of politics in Africa and between intelligence agencies. Other themes focus on teamwork, honor, courage, commitment, integrity, respect, and much more that doesn’t detract from the story, but adds depth.
Overall, this book was an action-filled, heart-pounding thriller that is entertaining, fast-paced, and thought-provoking. The high stakes made it a page turner. It’s the second novel that I have read in the series. If you enjoy military thrillers, action adventure thrillers, this series, or other novels by these authors, then you may enjoy this one as much as I did.
PENGUIN GROUP Putnam – G. P. Putnam’s Sons and the authors provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for December 7, 2021. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine....more
Kelley Armstrong brings plenty of suspense and action, as well as a unique setting, to the seventh book in the Rockton series. Rockton is a hidden towKelley Armstrong brings plenty of suspense and action, as well as a unique setting, to the seventh book in the Rockton series. Rockton is a hidden town somewhere in the Yukon wilderness of Canada. The residents have many secrets and they’ve come to the town to disappear. However when secrets start to be publically disclosed by an unknown perpetrator, the town becomes distrustful and divided. Detective Casey Duncan and her common-law husband Sheriff Eric Dalton need to find the offender while protecting those whose secrets have been disclosed.
Casey and Eric are well-developed characters with plenty of depth by this seventh book in the series. They have to protect the townspeople while appeasing the council that runs Rockton from afar. Casey has a relentless drive to serve and protect the townspeople and find the wrongdoer. She’s relatable and easy to root for and like. The secondary characters run the gamut from helpful and likeable to obnoxious liars and worse.
Overall, this is well-written and entertaining with complex characters set in an off-the-grid town. A slightly slower start quickly accelerates as the plot develops and Casey’s investigation takes off. While this could be read as a stand-alone, readers will be better served to read the series in order to better understand the full background of the residents and how the town operates. Gossip, lies, murder, spies, trust, secrets, envy, fear, threats, assault, a guilty conscious, personal vendettas, petty revenge, grief, and a sense of entitlement are all threads that are explored during the novel.
It’s unclear if this is the end of the series or if it will go in a new direction in another book. I believe the author originally contracted for 7 books so this may be it. If so, all major threads are closed in this one, but there are threads that could be woven into future novels or a spin-off series.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books and Kelley Armstrong for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for February 15, 2022. ...more
Lars Kepler brings action, suspense, and heart-wrenching moments to The Mirror Man, the eighth novel in the Joona Linna Killer Instinct series. ThLars Kepler brings action, suspense, and heart-wrenching moments to The Mirror Man, the eighth novel in the Joona Linna Killer Instinct series. This is an unforgettable police procedural and crime thriller set in Sweden. Lars Kepler is the pseudonym for the husband and wife writing team of Alexander Ahndoril and Alexandra Coelho Ahndoril. While this novel is the eighth in the series, it worked as a standalone novel for me. However, I believe reading the previous novels would reveal additional background and insights into Joona’s character growth as well as his family and work relationships.
Jenny Lind was abducted on her way home from school and taken to a remote location where she and other girls face many horrors. Five years later her body is found in a playground with few clues as to where she’s been and who her killer is. Detective Joona Linna gets involved and when another girl goes missing, he fears a killer is escalating his activities.
Joona is a likeable character who feels strongly that everything should be done to find the killer and rescue Mia Andersson. This doesn’t always sit well with his immediate superior who want the quick solution and often leads to some intense situations. His character is well-developed by this eighth novel. Of the secondary characters, Pamela and Martin Nordstrom as well as Dr. Erik Maria Bark have the most depth with believable flaws and are unique in their own ways.
The conflicts and sense of urgency move the story forward and through some unexpected twists. The internal dialogues and the narrative pulls readers into the inner world of the characters making us unsettled, distressed, and thankful that Joona has the tenacity to keep investigating.
A memorable beginning sets the stage for what is to come. Reading on, the suspense was high through-out most of the novel. The plot is complex and has twists and turns to keep a reader guessing. The high stakes kept me engaged throughout the story. The well-written story and the incredible characters, combined with unnerving action, culminates in an astounding conclusion.
What a novel! Will you guess the identity of the killer? This novel contains several graphic and disturbing scenes and the antagonist’s deranged actions have a terrifying realism that is memorable. However, it is well-written, with a brilliant plot, and extraordinary characters. This reader was transported to the dark and horrifying world of the investigator and the victims. Themes include abduction, murder, family, child abuse, grief, severe trauma, physical abuse, mental health disorders, and much more.
Overall, this was an intense, dark, and gritty story with complex characters that kept me turning the pages. I am looking forward to reading the prior books as I wait on the next one in the series. Crime enthusiasts and thriller fans may want to check out this series if they can handle the triggers.
Thanks to Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group – Knopf and the writing team of Lars Kepler for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for January 18, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
------------------------------- My 5 star review of this crime drama will be posted 3-4 days after it appears in Mystery and Suspense Magazine....more
Mike Omer shows how to build suspense, add action, and keep readers on the edge of their seats in the second book featuring Abby Mullen. She’s a lieutMike Omer shows how to build suspense, add action, and keep readers on the edge of their seats in the second book featuring Abby Mullen. She’s a lieutenant with the New York City hostage negotiation team, a mother of two children, divorced, and a survivor of the Wilcox Cult Massacre in North Carolina when she was seven. Armed conspiracy theorists called the Watchers enter a local NYC high school and take hostages. How many hostages are there and what does the armed group want? Why did they enter the school?
While the book is mainly from Abby’s point of view (POV), it does switch to a few additional characters from time to time. Her character is well developed and shows both her strengths and vulnerabilities. Readers get insight into both her personal and professional lives. They also get great insight into Caterpillar, the screen name used by one of the armed Watchers, as well as Abby’s 14-year-old daughter. Other characters vary in depth, but provide support, conflict, or interest.
An intriguing and memorable opening scene will immediately pull most readers into the story. That scene is vivid and painful to imagine and leaves readers wondering how it fits into the puzzle. The suspense is built slowly initially as characters are introduced and readers begin to get a sense of what is to come. When the action started, this reader eagerly turned the pages with nervous anticipation. Who will survive? How will the situation be resolved? As Abby and her team work to resolve the situation, additional layers of mystery and deception are uncovered. What an ending! Will you guess what happens? While the main case comes to an end, there are plenty of threads that could be featured in future books.
A creative, complex, and well-paced plot with layers and twists will keep a reader guessing. High stakes and an all-too-real situation kept me engaged throughout the story. There are some shocking and disturbing scenes as it unfolds. The people in the story came to life, and I was cheering on the police as they worked desperately toward a resolution. Themes include work relationships, conspiracy theories, family relationships, PTSD, death, and hostage situations as well as how social media can influence people.
Overall, this was a gripping story with complex characters that kept me on tenterhooks. It’s intense and kept me turning the pages. There was enough background in this novel that it worked well as a standalone, but I have book one and can’t wait to read it while waiting on the next one in the series. Those who enjoy police procedurals and crime thrillers may want to check out this series.
Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and Mike Omer for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for March 22, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
-------------------- My 5 star review of this police procedural and crime thriller will be posted 3-4 days after it appears in Mystery and Suspense Magazine....more
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