Red Dead’s History by Tore C. Olsson has a fantastic premise and was inspired by the author’s college history class that he taught. It covered theRed Dead’s History by Tore C. Olsson has a fantastic premise and was inspired by the author’s college history class that he taught. It covered the Red Dead Redemption games and history and drew upon years of gaming experience, research, and reflections on how video games can interest individuals in serious history. The book focused on the game set in 1899 that has been touted for its realism and attention to detail. The author looks at the game and the actual U.S. history and evaluates where the game shines and where it falls short as he explores events in the West, the Deep South, and southern Appalachia that the game introduces.
While I enjoy history, I found this book somewhat slow-paced, which is not what I expected. If you are familiar with the late 19th century U.S. history, you probably won’t learn anything new. However, it did flesh out a couple of items in more detail than I had studied. I appreciated that the author covered the social, cultural, economic, and political atmosphere, as well as the violence, of the time. There are also many footnotes with sources listed.
Overall, this is a creative, well-researched, and well-organized book that ended up a little too slow for my tastes. I was expecting history to come alive and to learn something new, but that didn’t happen. However, it may work to get someone who doesn’t already like history to engage with it; especially if they enjoy the video game.
St. Martin’s Press and Tore C. Olsson provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for August 06, 2024. ---------------------------------------------------- My 2.63 rounded to 3 stars review is coming soon. Outlier rating....more
What an enchanting world Alexandra Ivy has created in the Magic for Hire series. Book two is Ancient Magic and features Skye Claremont and Micha. What an enchanting world Alexandra Ivy has created in the Magic for Hire series. Book two is Ancient Magic and features Skye Claremont and Micha. Urban fantasy, a mystery, a kidnapping, and a paranormal romance are combined into an enthralling storyline. The Vampire Cabal are investigating Skye’s friend Peri to determine whether she is a threat to vampires. However, someone is trying for a power grab.
Skye is a mage who has visions and whose father indentured her when she was young to pay off his gambling debts. When he returns and asks her to meet him, it turns into a trap. However, a vision tells her Micha must be kidnapped as her father’s debtholders desire.
Both Skye and Micha are well-defined characters with depth. A byproduct of Skye’s magic is that she can sense emotions which can be overwhelming at times. She tends to hide her emotions, has a rigid sense of integrity, is intelligent, courageous, stubborn, and has a high degree of curiosity. Micha is a scholar at heart. He’s self-controlled, stubborn, plans meticulously, and can be arrogant at times.
Action, suspense, and drama immediately pull readers into the story, which is well-written. The plot is twisty and flows well. There is the right amount of mystery, romance and creative twists to the paranormal to keep readers engrossed and wondering what was going to happen next. The descriptive writing doesn’t slow the pace, but enhances the reader’s experience. The world-building is excellent except I wanted to know more about the Gyre. Themes include trust, instant romance, betrayal, fear, greed, murder, kidnapping, found family, ruthless ambition, and much more.
Overall, this is a fast-paced and entertaining tale with great characterization and plenty of action that kept me engaged throughout the story. Whose story will be next?
Kensington Publishing – Lyrical Press and Alexandra Ivy provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for July 23, 2024. ------------------------------------------ My 4.23 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon....more
The Lost Coast by Jonathan Kellerman and Jesse Kellerman is the fifth book in the Clay Edison mystery series. With an intriguing and multilayered The Lost Coast by Jonathan Kellerman and Jesse Kellerman is the fifth book in the Clay Edison mystery series. With an intriguing and multilayered plot, the authors give readers a story that is suspenseful, full of fascinating characters, and largely set in a picturesque but secluded area of the California coast.
Clay Edison is now working as a private investigator when a client brings him a potential fraud case. Chris Villareal has been named the executor of his grandmother’s estate and has found a reoccurring charge that doesn’t make sense. Investigating what seems to be a scheme targeting those who are easily preyed upon leads Clay to the remote community of Swann’s Flat, California. The small coastal community doesn’t like Clay asking questions, especially when he also starts investigating a second case in the area.
The story has a deeply involved plot, fantastic worldbuilding, and a remarkable set of characters. The characters are well-defined and Clay’s character was especially dynamic as he responded to events and experienced changes in his outlook. His relationship with his wife and children added another layer of depth to his character. It seemed most of the individuals in the story had agendas. But who is prey and who is a predator?
The setting is incredible. This area is mostly natural and undeveloped with geotechnical challenges that only allows for a very rough, curvy, and steep road in and out of the community. The authors made the spectacular setting come to life, making this reader feel transported to the remote coastal community.
The story lived up to its potential with plenty of deceptions, secrets, and an action-packed ending. Additionally, the book did a great job of revealing the past events. An ever-present threat looming piqued my curiosity and kept me engaged. The evolving quest for answers and the suspenseful twists are sure to delight readers. My biggest quibble is that the pacing was slow in a couple of places in the middle.
Overall, this tense, exciting, and gripping book takes readers through unpredictable moments as the authors provide suspenseful twists in the intricate plot. It’s engaging with an unusual and strange set of characters and a complex plot in a great setting. If you enjoy mysteries, then this is a series to consider. I can’t wait to find out what is next for Clay. While this book can be read as a standalone novel, it contains spoilers if you plan to read the earlier novels.
Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine – Ballantine Books, Jonathan Kellerman, and Jesse Kellerman provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for August 06, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine. --------------------------------------- My 3.71 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon....more
If you enjoy unusual and very different military thrillers and science fiction, then The Book of Elsewhere by Keanu Reeves and China Mieville may If you enjoy unusual and very different military thrillers and science fiction, then The Book of Elsewhere by Keanu Reeves and China Mieville may be the book you’ve been wanting to read. Legends tell of a warrior who can’t be killed. In this story, he’s known as “B” and he wants more than to kill and to die and come back to life repeatedly. When a dead soldier comes back to life, B wonders if there’s another with similar abilities to his own.
While I enjoy both military thrillers and science fiction, this one didn’t quite live up to its potential. The authors have written a novel that is stylistically different. However, it didn’t quite work for me. The writing style felt uneven and unfocused at times which adversely affected the flow and made it harder to follow. It’s non-linear and contains graphic violence at times. Unfortunately, only three of the many characters have any depth to them. Despite this, it has a great premise and is thought-provoking. The prose is also poetic at times and the worldbuilding is excellent.
Overall, this is a unique and fascinating novel that captures the imagination.
Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine – Del Rey, Keanu Reeves, and China Mieville provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently expected to be July 23, 2024. -------------------------------------- My 2.8 rounded to 3 stars review is coming soon....more
Bruce Borgos continues to excite and engage readers with Shades of Mercy, his suspenseful and action-packed second book in the Porter Beck crime tBruce Borgos continues to excite and engage readers with Shades of Mercy, his suspenseful and action-packed second book in the Porter Beck crime thriller and police procedural series. Beck is the sheriff of Lincoln County, Nevada, a dry and sparsely populated county in the high desert. He has a twelve-person department covering territory nearly the size of the state of Maryland. If you think that not much is happening in the county, think again. A childhood friend of Beck’s has succumbed to a strong drug and another one, a successful rancher, has been targeted by a hacked military drone. However, that is just the beginning.
Borgos is adept at creating strong male and female characters. Beck is fluent in several languages due to his previous military career and has an incredible ability to think critically and analyze data quickly. He has initiative, is patient, and has a degenerative disease of the retina that significantly affects his eyesight at night and in poor lighting. It was interesting to see how he deals with the condition as he does his job. This added another layer to his character. The secondary characters also have depth. I loved Beck’s newest partner, a young English Lab named Frank Columbo or Bo for short.
The world-building is terrific with fluid and descriptive writing that helps readers envision the scenes without adversely affecting the pacing. There was a strong sense of place causing me to feel as though I was experiencing the events alongside the characters. The dynamic plot has a tremendous amount of conflict and action that kept me engaged throughout. It is twisty and has exciting scenes, multiple antagonists, and an incredible setting.
Borgos is an excellent storyteller who brings an intensity and action throughout the novel, but also intersperses some humor and some thought-provoking events. The author surprised this reader with the epilogue that makes me anxious to find out what happens in the next book in the series. Interspersed into the story are themes of family, death, friendships that run out of juice, lies, found family, dementia, grief, lost opportunities, and much more.
Overall, this was intriguing, gritty, suspenseful, and action-packed with compelling characters and great world-building that kept me rapidly turning the pages as I sat on the edge of my seat. With exciting scenes and fascinating story lines that converge, this fantastic crime thriller was intense and dramatic. It kept me on an emotional rollercoaster throughout the novel. I’m thrilled I’ve found this series and can’t wait to read the next book. If you’re a fan of contemporary crime thrillers and police procedurals set in a rural western U.S. locale, then this is a series to read.
St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books and Bruce Borgos provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for July 16, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine. --------------------------------------- My 4.61 rounded to 5 stars review is coming soon....more
A dark and chilling winter scene immediately draws readers into the storyline in The Burning by Linda Castillo. This crime thriller and police proA dark and chilling winter scene immediately draws readers into the storyline in The Burning by Linda Castillo. This crime thriller and police procedural features Kate Burkholder, the chief of police in the small town of Painters Mill in Ohio. Set in the middle of Amish country, this sixteenth book in the series is somewhat darker than usual. Kate and Tomasetti have only been married for a couple of months, but doesn’t stop the midnight call to her from dispatch when a suspicious fire and scream are seen and heard in the woods. A charred body is found that had been wired to a stake. Since the Amish prefer to handle their problems without interference from the outside world, gathering information about the deceased is difficult. When Kate’s brother is implicated, she finds herself clashing with both the Amish community and her counterparts in law enforcement.
The characterization is excellent, making each person come to life for me. Readers of the series will be familiar with many of them. One thing that struck me as slightly odd was the number of nicknames for officers on Kate’s investigation team. She has learned to delegate, likes to finish what she starts, is focused, hates the politics and media side of the job, and is respected by her officers. She’s loyal, driven, intelligent, has good instincts, and is courageous. Kate comes alive and it’s easy to connect with her and want her to succeed in finding the killer.
This novel is graphic in places and the murder descriptions are brutal and hard to read at times. The descriptive narrative transported me to Kate and her team’s suspenseful investigation. The plot twists worked well and the ending was action-packed. Ms. Castillo is an excellent storyteller who kept me engaged with gripping scenes and a creative plot that built suspense. The story captivated me from beginning to end. The book did a great job bringing together historical events and current events within the storyline. Ms. Costillo is clearly a master at building tension and delivering exciting results that keep readers engaged. Themes include trust, transparency, conflict of interest, respect, secrets, murder, and complicated family and community relationships.
Overall, this book was briskly paced, suspenseful, and gripping. This novel should delight those readers that enjoy police procedurals, crime thrillers, and mysteries that have a strong female lead character. However, be aware that it is also unsettling at times. I’m looking forward to reading more by this author.
St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books and Linda Castillo provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently expected to be July 09, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine. ----------------------------------------- My 4.34 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon....more
If you enjoy crime thrillers with suspense, action, and memorable characters, then look no further than Steven Konkoly’s newest novel, A Clean KillIf you enjoy crime thrillers with suspense, action, and memorable characters, then look no further than Steven Konkoly’s newest novel, A Clean Kill. It’s the first book in the Garrett Mann series and is very different from your typical FBI thriller. Garret is the head of a specialized FBI task force containing misfits FBI agents who are hunting a killer. He kills along rural roads from near the border with Mexico to the upper Midwest. This time the bodies are found in rural Steele County, Minnesota near Owatonna. But this is no ordinary serial killer, he has powerful help making the stakes even higher.
Garrett doesn’t always share information with others and he has a judgment-impairing grudge that he fights to control. However, he works well with other police officers to gain cooperation and has a somewhat dry and sarcastic sense of humor that is occasionally shown. His flaws make him seem more realistic and relatable. I particularly enjoyed his independent thinking and willingness to listen to recommendations from others. The secondary and tertiary characters have varying levels of depth, but it was appropriate for their roles and the first book in the series. The team is far from perfect and facing overwhelming odds, but it was easy to want them to succeed. Readers also occasionally get the perspective of the killer and one of those in power helping him.
Steven Konkoly is skilled in making readers feel the rise in tension at critical moments in the story. This exciting page-turner has a riveting plot and compelling and strong characters, and it’s infused with action. The author also does a great job of world-building, making it a mesmerizing reading experience. The storyline is gripping and will grab and keep your attention from beginning to end. It kept me on such an emotional rollercoaster that I was rapidly turning the pages to see what would happen next. My one quibble is that there were some threads that were left open. I’m sure this is the start for the next book in the series, but I wanted a little more closure.
Overall, this is a riveting, intense, and violent story that is disquieting and unsettling at times. The action scenes combined with great characters and a well-written plot make this novel a must read for thriller readers. This was an excellent start to a new series. If you consider yourself a fan of action-filled crime thrillers, then I recommend this well-crafted novel. I can’t wait to find out what will happen next.
Thomas & Mercer and Steven Konkoly provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently expected to be July 01, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine. --------------------------------------- My 4.3 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon....more
Fiona Leitch’s latest cozy mystery in The Nosey Parker Mysteries series is The Cornish Campsite Murder. The author mixes a murder mystery with a pFiona Leitch’s latest cozy mystery in The Nosey Parker Mysteries series is The Cornish Campsite Murder. The author mixes a murder mystery with a police investigation in a twisty plot. This seventh book in the series is infused with excellent world-building, compelling characters, and a well-written story that kept me turning the pages.
Jodie ‘Nosey’ Parker has moved back to her home town of Penstowan in Cornwall after leaving the London metropolitan police force. She has retrained as a caterer. However, this weekend she and Detective Chief Inspector Nathan Withers are running a food truck at a music and surfing festival for a friend. Josie witnesses a heated discussion between members of a band and later that night, she, Nathan, and friend Debbie, find a body on the beach.
There are some books where it feels like readers are catching up with old friends. This is one of those series. Jodie’s sense of humor and warmth continues to shine in this story. She is a likeable and friendly character with a need to investigate that I continued to connect with. While she loves music and going to concerts, she doesn’t like some of the accommodations at festivals. The secondary characters continue to develop. In this case, we saw more growth in Nathan, mom Shirley, and daughter Daisy. The chemistry between Nathan and Jodie creates a fun dynamic. Their Pomeranian Germaine continues to add cuteness and stress relief at various times. Instead of only quaint characters, this cozy has several realistic characters that add to the depth of the story.
This well-plotted story draws readers in and doesn’t let go until the final word in the book. The small-town atmosphere of the series was expanded in this one with the festival being held near the town and bringing in several new characters. The story had several twists, a few red herrings, and a surprise near the end. However, the murderer was too predictable. As always, having a sleuth that isn’t an amateur continues to bring depth to the novel that can be lacking in some cozy mysteries
Overall, this is an entertaining story that quickly drew me into Jodie’s world. It was a fun, appealing, and delightful read with a solid mystery to unravel and humor sprinkled throughout. Themes include friendship, family relationships, family, murder, greed, trust, addiction, and much more. Relationships continue to play a major role in this series. A recipe is included at the end of the book.
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 this can be read as a standalone.
HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and Fiona Leitch provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for June 28, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
---------------------------------------- My 4.07 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon....more
Mark Greaney is skilled in bringing together diverse characters, a contemporary topic, and plenty of pulse-pounding exhilarating action. Sentinel,Mark Greaney is skilled in bringing together diverse characters, a contemporary topic, and plenty of pulse-pounding exhilarating action. Sentinel, the second book in the Armored series, features Josh and Nicole Duff. Both work for the U.S. State Department. Josh is a special agent in the Bureau of Diplomatic Security while Nicole is a junior political officer. Nicole gets her first overseas assignment and they’re both sent to Ghana, a country with a stable democracy. Their children also go with them. However, a foreign nation’s plan to embarrass the United States and gain control of resources in the country makes this assignment anything but easy.
Josh is former military and a former close protection agent. He suffers from nightmares and panic attacks. He has a competent nature, and is affable, but misses the exhilaration of high-threat protection. Nicole is highly disciplined, intelligent, and diligent. There are many other characters, but there is a character list at the beginning of the book as well as an abbreviations list. Greaney is an excellent storyteller who kept me on the edge of my seat with gripping scenes, volatile action scenes, a superb plot, and fantastic writing. In preparation for his Gray Man series, he not only traveled to multiple countries but trained extensively in the use of firearms, battlefield medicine, and close-range combative tactics. That experience has been translated into the events in this series as well.
The suspense, with its constant sense of urgency and uneasiness, kept me fully engrossed in the story. The world-building was excellent; especially for the scenes in and around the reservoir. The pace is lightning fast and the premise feels like it could easily happen. While some of the action scenes are a little excessive for one person to handle with such resilience, the story worked for me. Themes include family, power, protecting others, politics, greed, and much more. While here is some technical information on weapons, there isn’t an inordinate amount of detail. My one quibble was the beginning of the book had a few chapters that were in a different time-line and this wasn’t obvious until later.
Overall, this is a riveting, intense, and violent story that is disquieting and unsettling at times, but also has some tender moments. I recommend this series to those who like political, action, espionage, and military thrillers. The action scenes combined with great characters and a well-written plot make this novel a must read for thriller readers. While this series is best read in order, this one worked as a standalone novel for me. I can’t wait to find out what is next for Josh and Nicole.
Berkley Publishing Group and Mark Greaney provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently expected to be June 25, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine. --------------------------------- My 4.5 rounded to 5 stars review is coming soon....more
Carolyn Arnold continues to bring suspense, solid police investigation, action, and intense moments in her latest book The Wildfire Girl. It’s theCarolyn Arnold continues to bring suspense, solid police investigation, action, and intense moments in her latest book The Wildfire Girl. It’s the eleventh book in the police procedural and crime thriller featuring Detective Amanda Steele and her partner Detective Trent Stenson. The setting takes place in and around Woodbridge in Prince William County, Virginia.
Human remains have been discovered behind a dumpster in an alley. Amanda and Trent are called to the scene. Upon arrival, they smell gasoline and a burned victim. Trent recognizes the surviving gold wedding band. It belongs to his Aunt Gertrude’s husband, Don. While he’s convinced she isn’t involved, her troubled relationship with Don and her lies make Amanda question Gertrude’s innocence and Trent’s ability to stay impartial.
Amanda doesn’t get much down time and has zero hobbies. She hates being idle and feels guilt and regret while trying to balance her family and work lives. She’s resilient and has an internal compulsion to find answers and obtain closure for the victims’ loved ones. She is strong-willed, independent, and the drive for justice fuels her. Amanda’s flaws and struggles make her seem realistic. Trent is loyal, funny, and always has Amanda’s back. He’s also resilient and has a strong ethical code. However, in this case, he struggles between his commitment to the victim and his personal connection to a suspect. Once again, a dark and chilling prologue that grabs readers’ attention is followed by the arrival of police at a seemingly unrelated crime scene. How does the prologue fit into the story? As the case progresses, the novel builds suspense that takes readers to an action-filled conclusion. At the same time, Amanda’s struggle to balance work and family is highlighted as well as Trent’s conflicted emotions regarding his aunt.
The descriptive narrative is written in a style that draws you in and rapidly keeps you turning the pages. With several suspects, a twist or two, some action scenes, and well-developed characters, readers of police procedurals and crime thrillers will likely embrace this series. My biggest quibble about this book is that the relationship triangle that has been evident for a long time is not yet fully resolved. I thought this book would provide the definitive answer. While the answers are closer, it’s not yet been fully resolved.
Overall, this novel is engaging, entertaining, and a solid police procedural. I can’t wait to find out what is next for Amanda and Trent. This series is best read in order to fully understand the backstories of the main characters.
Bookouture and Carolyn Arnold provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for June 20, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
--------------------------------------- My 4.09 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon....more
Suspense, murder, and danger are expected from Paul Doiron’s Mike Bowditch series, and Pitch Dark, the fifteenth book in the series, brings the acSuspense, murder, and danger are expected from Paul Doiron’s Mike Bowditch series, and Pitch Dark, the fifteenth book in the series, brings the action and intensity to new levels. Bush pilot Josie Jonson is ecstatic when she finds a skilled builder for the log cabin she wants built near Prentiss Pond. All Mark Redmond asks for in return is to be left alone to build and to homeschool his daughter, Cady.
Maine Game Warden Investigator Mike Bowditch is concerned about the intensity of Redmond’s secretiveness; especially after a man looking for the Redmonds has gone missing. Josie eventually agrees to fly Mike and his father-in-law Charley Stevens to the pond so they can protect Mark and Cady. But hours later, they witness a murder and are taken captive.
Mike is a great tracker and wants to believe the best of others, but he can be fiery and bold. He also has a somewhat perverse sense of humor that isn’t always appreciated by others. He’s a good listener and mentor, but can be baited somewhat easily and isn’t always likeable. He listens to his intuition and is relentless in his pursuit of his investigations. I appreciated his independent thinking and his observation skills. Mike’s wife, Stacey, plays a much smaller, but important role in this novel.
This riveting crime thriller keeps you on the edge of your seat from near the beginning to the exhilarating finish. The world-building of rural northern Maine was fantastic. I was easily transported there and felt like I was running a gauntlet of adversity with Mike and immersed in the atmosphere of the north woods.
The novel builds suspense in a way that pulls readers into the lives of the characters. Mike’s perseverance, resourcefulness, and determination were highlights in this novel. The plot is suspenseful and full of action. Moving at breakneck speed, it has several twists and turns and is darker than others I’ve read by this author. While a couple of plot points were a little predictable, my main quibble is that while the main mystery was solved, there are a few too many loose ends. However, I’m sure the next book will resolve them.
Overall, this fast-paced novel was engaging, gripping, pulse-pounding, and atmospheric with good characterization and great world-building details. Even though this is part of a series, it is a great stand-alone read too. I can’t wait to find out what is next for Mike, Stacey, and Charley. I recommend this to those who like crime thrillers with strong main characters and those who enjoy action-packed wilderness adventure novels.
St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books and Paul Doiron provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently expected to be June 25, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine. --------------------------------------- My 4.45 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon....more
Laura Griffin has interwoven a police procedural and crime novel with plenty of suspense and some romance in Liar’s Point. Solid investigation tacLaura Griffin has interwoven a police procedural and crime novel with plenty of suspense and some romance in Liar’s Point. Solid investigation tackles the many lies the police are told. It’s filled with evasiveness and a growing sense of urgency. This is the fifth book in the Texas Murder Files series and is set in the fictional town of Lost Beach, Texas.
Detective Nicole Lawson gets a call from the chief of police while on her first date in months. A body has been discovered near the lighthouse. As the medical examiner does his job, he finds several clues pointing to homicide. The police chief assigns Emmet Davis as the lead on the case when Nicole feels she should have been given the lead. When a second person is found dead, no one seems to believe Nicole’s theory that they’re related.
Nicole lacks time for a personal life and is frustrated by this. She’s competitive, self-confident, observant, and has good instincts about people. However, she feels pressure to constantly prove herself and tends to “go it alone” at times. Work is also her comfort zone. Emmet has a good memory and is tenacious and competitive, but gets uncomfortable around people going through a crisis. Both show growth as the novel progresses. Their chemistry was undeniable. The other characters had varying degrees of depth.
I was quickly drawn into the story and the main characters were likeable and relatable. However, there are a lot of characters and reading the prior books would be beneficial. Readers of the series will reconnect with and get updates on some of the characters from the previous novels. The author is a wonderful storyteller who kept me turning the pages with a great plot, gripping scenes, and formidable characters. The plot is twisty with a mystery that unfolds and culminates in a suspenseful and tense conclusion. The pacing is fast and I found myself continuously wondering which lies would be uncovered and the truths revealed.
Overall, this is an excellent mystery thriller and police procedural with a side of romance interspersed. The characters were engaging and the second half of the novel was filled with tension, suspense, and intense action. It has just the right balance between mystery, investigation, and romance. While I read this as a standalone novel, I believe this series is best read in order. I am looking forward to reading the others. Enthusiasts of mysteries and police procedurals with some romantic suspense will likely enjoy this novel and the series.
Berkley Publishing Group and Laura Griffin provided a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently expected to be May 21, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine. -------------------------------------- My 4.19 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon....more
Marc Cameron creates another action-packed, suspenseful, and shocking crime thriller in Bad River, the sixth book in the Arliss Cutter series. WhaMarc Cameron creates another action-packed, suspenseful, and shocking crime thriller in Bad River, the sixth book in the Arliss Cutter series. What could possibly connect a frozen body in the permafrost wall of a family’s ice cellar and Cutter’s search for answers surrounding his brother’s death two years ago? Before there’s any answers, a person of interest dies and Cutter’s brother’s family is the target of a home invasion. At the same time, the Alaska Fugitive Task Force is trying to track down a man wanted for crimes against children. While most of the book is set in Anchorage, there are forays into various villages on the North Slope as well as a trip to South Dakota.
Supervisory Deputy US Marshall Arliss Cutter and his partner Deputy Lola Teariki are very different characters. Cutter is experienced, uncomfortable with compliments, a fantastic tracker, no-nonsense, and somewhat surly. However, he can also be overprotective and have a way of connecting with innocent victims. He also believes keeping a secret is synonymous with telling a lie. Lola works out a lot, has a bubbly personality, and wants assignments that are new and interesting. She also wants to glean all possible knowledge from Cutter. They have flaws and virtues just like everyone else. Readers get a better sense of his sister-in-law, Mim, and her children, as well as Detective Jan Hough who is stationed on the North Slope. Their characters grew and had more depth. I also liked that readers got to see some new developments in Cutter’s and Lola’s personal lives.
The author does a great job of making the reader feel transported to early fall in Alaska. I felt as though I was living the events alongside the characters. From mud, fog, and snow to polar bears and criminals, the atmosphere was fantastic. He brings to life the dangers, challenges, and adrenaline-charged events that are faced by the U.S. Marshals as well as the police in Anchorage and the North Slope. I am also happy to see some closure regarding some ongoing open questions from previous books in the series.
This powerful page-turner kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The plot moves at a blistering pace with plenty of action and a couple of brutal and violent fights. Just when a reader thinks the situation can’t get any worse, it does. Readers are transported into the dark and terrifying world of the victims, the criminals, and the investigators. Themes include respect, friendship, mentorship, family, greed, murder, and much more. The author has included a couple of recipes at the end of the novel as well as some book club discussion questions.
Overall, this tense, exciting, gripping, and high-octane book takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster. If you enjoy action thrillers that have both strong male and female characters, then this may be the series for you. I can’t wait to find out what is next for Cutter and Lola. Readers that enjoy action crime thrillers will likely enjoy Cameron’s writing. This is an outstanding series.
Kensington Books and Marc Cameron provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for July 23, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine. -------------------------------------- My 4.52 rounded to 5 stars review is coming soon....more
The Last Hope by Susan Elia MacNeal is the eleventh and final book in the Maggie Hope historical mystery series. Maggie Hope has had numerous jobsThe Last Hope by Susan Elia MacNeal is the eleventh and final book in the Maggie Hope historical mystery series. Maggie Hope has had numerous jobs including secretary to Winston Churchill, a defuser of bombs that were dropped in London by the Germans, but had not exploded, and currently, a spy. In this one Maggie is sent to Madrid, Spain, with a few stops along the way. She has two parts to this mission. The first part is to meet with fashion designer and possible double agent Coco Chanel. The second task is to assassinate a German physicist, Werner Heisenberg. Meanwhile there are events and revelations occurring in Maggie’s personal life. The events occur in 1944.
The characterization is well done. Maggie is a mathematics major, enjoys recognizing patterns, word games, and puzzles. She’s also been trained as a spy, is a skilled marksman, and has a complicated personal and family life. Her internal conflicts felt realistic and appropriate. The writing is well-done, the plot is engaging and thought-provoking, as well as heart-wrenching during at least one scene. It was interesting to get insight into the somewhat neutral countries and life within them. Several strong themes run through this novel including the horrors of war, betrayals, spies, collaboration, assassinations, double agents, blackmail, guilt, propaganda, and much more.
Overall, this novel is entertaining and moving. It’s a strong and impactful tale with plenty of action and suspense. I feel like this series is best read in series order. The back-story will enhance a reader’s enjoyment and understanding as the series progresses. Readers who enjoy historical mysteries and espionage novels will likely enjoy this book.
Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine – Bantam and Susan Elia MacNeal provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via Net Galley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for May 21 2024. ----------------------------------------- My 4.02 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon....more
Once again, Cindy Dees has penned an exciting, action-packed, and suspenseful thriller with a more mature main character in her second book in the HelOnce again, Cindy Dees has penned an exciting, action-packed, and suspenseful thriller with a more mature main character in her second book in the Helen Warwick series, Double Tap. Helen is about fifty-five and recently retired as a deadly sniper for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) with many sanctioned executions. Her cover was as a foreign trade specialist for the State Department. After spending their childhood traveling overseas on assignments, Helen is still hoping to repair her relationship with her three children, Mitch, Peter, and Jayne and work on her marriage.
Mitch is the acting district attorney for Washington D.C. and is announcing his candidacy for the permanent position. When Helen sees a laser light on his forehead during the press conference, she knocks him and his wife down to save their lives. While Helen prefers to keep a low profile and blend into the background, she’s been forced into a different role. Who is coming after her family and why? Is it the Russian mole embedded in the Central Intelligence Agency or is it someone else? Helen agrees to rejoin the CIA and lead a team looking for the mole. Who, if anyone, can she trust and is this related to the threat to her family?
Helen is mentally tough, aggressive, an excellent sniper, and able to compartmentalize her emotions, but she hasn’t been working out as much lately and is slightly claustrophobic. She’s also a proud mother, but her children resent her absence during their childhood years. Her flaws make her more relatable. Readers learn more about Mitch in this novel as well as Yosef, Helen’s handler before she retired.
This is a strong and impactful tale. This book demanded my attention during its entirety. The twisty plot is layered with plenty of angst, action, and suspense that kept me engaged and rapidly turning the pages. There was a terrifying realism to some of the scenes. The story grabs your attention in the first chapter and doesn’t let up until its astonishing conclusion. This novel is fast-paced with a strong female main character. The antagonist’s psychosis is terrifying and memorable. It features death, murder, spies, secrets, lies, politics, family relationships, friendship, power, and much more. The ending didn’t resolve everything so I can’t wait to read book three in the series.
Overall, this fantastic novel is shocking, emotionally-charged, and pulse-pounding. Be aware that there is plenty of danger, violence, intrigue, and references to child abuse and torture in this story. Readers who enjoy action thrillers and espionage thrillers will likely enjoy this book.
Kensington Books and Cindy Dees provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via Net Galley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for May 21 2024. --------------------------------------- My 4.63 rounded to 5 stars review is coming soon....more
Once again, Patricia Briggs has blended urban fantasy, action, suspense, and a little romance into another fantastic novel. Winter Lost is the fouOnce again, Patricia Briggs has blended urban fantasy, action, suspense, and a little romance into another fantastic novel. Winter Lost is the fourteenth book in the Mercy Thompson (Hauptman) series. Mercy is a car mechanic, coyote shapeshifter, and mate to Adam Hauptman, the leader of the Columbia Basin werewolf pack. Mercy needs to travel to Montana to help her half-brother Gary, but now that she’s not alone, Adam goes with her. In the Montana wilderness, they become trapped with strangers at the Looking Glass Hot Springs lodge. The storm isn’t your average storm and neither is Gary’s problem. Ancient magics abound. Will Mercy and Adam solve the problems and escape unscathed?
Mercy is a strong female lead character. She’s independent, kind, thinks the best of others, and has a sense of humor. She doesn’t get mad, she gets even when crossed and she doesn’t like people to worry about her, so she doesn’t always communicate what she should. Adam is a strong alpha werewolf and is good at walking tight ropes. However, his temper isn’t always his strong suit. They do a great job of supporting each other and are stronger together. The other pack members play minor roles in this story line, but occasional interludes keep readers up-to-date with some of them, but the interludes have a slight adverse effect on the overall flow of the story.
I was quickly drawn into Mercy’s life once again. It was easy to visualize the scenes and be transported to them throughout the story. The author is a wonderful storyteller who kept me turning the pages with a great plot, gripping scenes, and strong characters. The plot is twisty, the pacing is fast, and the mystery unfolds and culminates in a fascinating conclusion.
Overall, this is an excellent urban fantasy novel with great characterization and fantastic world-building. I can’t wait to see where the story goes from here. Those who enjoy urban fantasies, supernatural suspense, and books by this author will likely enjoy this series. Since the story line as well as the characterization builds over the course of the series, I recommend reading it in order.
Berkley Publishing Group – Ace and Patricia Briggs provided a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently expected to be June 18, 2024. ---------------------------------------- My 4.77 rounded to 5 stars review is coming soon....more
Once again, Carolyn Arnold has penned a strong and impactful tale in the thirteenth book in the Detective Madison Knight mystery series, Murder at Once again, Carolyn Arnold has penned a strong and impactful tale in the thirteenth book in the Detective Madison Knight mystery series, Murder at the Lake. Twenty-four years ago, Emily Kane was discovered assaulted and strangled at an end of high school beach party. Four friends went their separate ways when one of them was found guilty of her murder. One of those friends is Troy Matthews who plans to marry Detective Madison Knight. However, the wedding is interrupted by the Braybury police arresting Troy for the murder of one of those friends from high school.
Madison is strong, guarded, loyal, intelligent, tenacious, and independent, but her mouth often gets her in trouble; especially with Sergeant Winston. She tends to react first, often jumping to conclusions without fact, and seems to attract confrontation. Madison is not as likeable as many protagonists, but her faults make her feel more realistic than the perfect strong female lead. Driven to solve crimes and seek justice, Madison often goes on instinct, which doesn’t always mean she keeps an open mind. Terry Grant, Madison’s work partner, is a good balance for her. He is fair and balanced, keeps her grounded, and challenges her when it’s needed.
The book has a good mix of suspense and police investigation and has an action-filled ending. Readers are quickly pulled into the story line with a writing style that grabs and holds one’s attention. Fluid writing, great characterization, and a mystery to be solved kept me engaged. I also enjoyed the threads weaving Madison’s person life into the story. Themes include murder, friendship, death, revenge, lack of communication, assault, relationships, and more.
Overall, this was a story that hooked me immediately and pulled me into the lives of the characters. The author did a great job of building suspense throughout the story and weaving the threads together. This novel is fast-paced with a strong female main character. I look forward to seeing what is next for Madison and Terry. Readers of mysteries, crime thrillers, and police procedurals will likely enjoy this series.
Hibbert & Stiles Publishing Inc. and Carolyn Arnold provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via Net Galley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for May 09, 2024. --------------------------------------- My 4.3 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon....more
Once again Emily Shiner brings readers a suspenseful tale with great characterization in One Liar Left, the second book in the Detective Freya SinOnce again Emily Shiner brings readers a suspenseful tale with great characterization in One Liar Left, the second book in the Detective Freya Sinclair series. This book takes place at least one month after book one and continues to be set in Freya’s hometown of Fawn Lake, North Carolina. A hunter discovers the bodies of two young women at their campsite in the mountains of Clear Creek Forest. The method of death for one of them is like that of a cold case from several years ago. Is the same killer back? As the body count increases, the killer is sending messages to Freya and others around her. Why? The killer seems to be one step ahead of her. Can she and her team prevent more deaths?
Freya is loyal, dedicated, driven, and honest. However, she sometimes has trouble listening to others when she becomes too focused on what she believes. She’s a strong protagonist with a fierce sense of justice and determination that made it easy to support her. Her team consists of Candy Ellinger and Brad Williams. Candy is intuitive and calls people out on their lies. Rookie Brad is happy to be working with the detectives. Chief Callahan knows Freya’s background and rehired her, but he doesn’t fully trust her judgment yet. He also has anger issues.
This novel starts with another chilling prologue that grabs the reader and pulls them into the story. This is a crime thriller and a police procedural and it seems that the police procedural part of it improved over book one. However, there were still instances of focusing on social media even before checking criminal backgrounds. One quibble that I had in this one was Freya’s inconsistency in listening to others. At times, the communication was great. At other times, it felt lacking. The pacing was more consistent in this novel and once again the twisty plot had me fully engaged.
The storyline is nail-biting at times, especially during the prologue and at the end of the book. A few short chapters let readers get insight into the killer’s mind. The sub-plot of the cold case was a little too obvious for me, but the overall mystery was still full of enough twists and turns to keep me rapidly turning the pages.
Overall, this is an exciting, intense, and gripping novel with great characterization. This book demanded my attention and was a fast read. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series. Those who enjoy crime thrillers may enjoy this series.
Bookouture and Emily Shiner provided a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently expected to be April 22, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine. ----------------------------------------- My 3.98 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon....more
Emily Shiner brings suspense and great characterization to Three Drowned Girls, the first book in the Detective Freya Sinclair series. Freya returEmily Shiner brings suspense and great characterization to Three Drowned Girls, the first book in the Detective Freya Sinclair series. Freya returns to her hometown of Fawn Lake, North Carolina after leaving five years ago. Her roots are a sub-plot in this story. The body of a young girl is found in the river on her first day back as captain of the detectives in the small police department. Soon another girl is reported missing by her father, and a third girl is found drowned. What is going on in this small town?
Freya is loyal, dedicated, driven, and honest. However, she’s not great at letting new people into her life and she doesn’t let those in power intimidate her. She’s a strong protagonist with a strong sense of justice and determination that made it easy to support her. Candy Ellinger is her only detective for now. She and Freya communicate well. She’s also not afraid to tell Freya what she thinks. Brad Williams is a patrol officer who wants to be a detective. He’s the one she can call on for extra help when cases require it. Chief Callahan knows Freya’s background and rehired her, but he doesn’t fully trust her judgment yet.
A chilling prologue is the start to this dark and disturbing series. Freya’s background is sprinkled throughout the novel so readers gradually understand why the town may not be welcoming her back with open arms. While this is a crime thriller and a police procedural, the police procedural part had a few misses for me. The lack of evidence bags and gloves when searching for clues was one glaring error. Additionally, the pacing was a little uneven in places. Despite this, the twisty plot had me fully engaged in finding the killer and determining what was going to happen next.
The storyline is gripping, grabbing readers attention immediately and transporting them to the world of the victims and the investigators. There are several sub-plots that keep the investigators and readers wondering how or if they are interrelated. The tension was high as the detectives try to understand the events and race to solve the case.
Overall, this exciting, intense, and disturbing novel is a powerful page-turner with great characterization and tension that feels alive. This book demanded my attention and was a fast read. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series. Those who enjoy dark crime thrillers may enjoy this series.
Bookouture and Emily Shiner provided a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently expected to be April 22, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine. ------------------------------------------ My 3.88 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon....more
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