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
Death, mystery, and suspense take center stage once again in Robert Dugoni’s fourth book in the Detective Tracy Crosswhite police procedural series: Death, mystery, and suspense take center stage once again in Robert Dugoni’s fourth book in the Detective Tracy Crosswhite police procedural series: The Trapped Girl. Tracey and her partner Detective Kins Rowe are called to Puget Sound where a woman’s body had been discovered in a cab pot. Identifying the victim won’t be easy though. Eventually evidence surfaces that the woman may be one who disappeared months ago when climbing Mount Rainier and the Seattle police department team must work with the Pierce County sheriff’s office.
Tracy feels realistic and authentic as she continues to struggle with the guilt for not being there to protect her sister years ago while she works the case involving a young woman who died. She loves the mental and physical challenges of the job. It was fascinating to see her approach the evidence from a visual versus an analytical standpoint near the end of the investigation. Her struggles with the captain of the police department’s Violent Crimes Section, Johnny Nolasco, aren’t quite apparent as he was investigated for some of his prior cases. Tracy’s boyfriend, Dan O’Leary, is a lawyer who’s adept, strong, and sensitive but didn’t play as large a role in this one until near the end of the book. I also enjoyed seeing Detective Vic Fazzio have a larger role in the investigation. Dugoni uses vivid descriptions that help a reader to better understand the environment whether it is the task force office or a small town. The story also uses flashback scenes from a point of view other than Tracy’s without derailing the pacing. The plot has several twists within the intricate story that’s full of betrayal, greed, deception, lies, murder, and more.
The storyline is engaging, suspenseful, and includes some tense scenes. This engrossing crime novel keeps you on the edge of your seat. Besides the investigation, readers get insight into Tracy’s dynamics with her co-workers, Dan, and those in other police departments. The author has weaved another installment involving murder, relationships, grief, lies, the pursuit of justice, and much more.
Overall, this well-written book has well-developed and compelling characters. If you are expecting a solid series that will have mysteries, suspense, crime, action, and a little romance, then this is a series that I recommend. It should be read in order. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
I purchased a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date was January 24, 2017. ----------------------------------------- My 4.13 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon....more
Murder, mystery, suspense, and action take center stage in Robert Dugoni’s second book in the Tracy Crosswhite police procedural series: Her Final Murder, mystery, suspense, and action take center stage in Robert Dugoni’s second book in the Tracy Crosswhite police procedural series: Her Final Breath. She has just returned to her job as a Seattle homicide detective after taking leave for the retrial of her sister’s killer. However, she and her partner, Detective Kinsington “Kins” Rowe, are soon drawn into a new case. A serial killer known as the Cowboy is killing young dancers in cheap motels. With few clues, a task force is formed with Tracy as the lead. On top of that, she is being stalked. Is it the Cowboy or a copycat?
Tracy feels realistic and authentic as she continues to struggle with the guilt for not being there to protect her sister years ago while she works the case involving young women being murdered. She loves the mental and physical challenges of the job. Additionally, she is mentoring a young police officer needing to pass her firearms qualification test. Her struggles with the captain of the police department’s Violent Crimes Section, Johnny Nolasco, continues to provide another layer of conflict to the story line. Tracy’s boyfriend, Dan O’Leary, is a lawyer who’s adept, strong, and sensitive and continues to be a major secondary character in the series.
Dugoni uses vivid descriptions that help a reader to better understand the environment whether it is the task force office or Tracy’s home. The story is complex with several possible culprits and a couple of twists. My only quibbles are that it was slightly slow in a couple of places, and the serial killer was a little too easy to guess.
The storyline is engaging, suspenseful, and includes some very tense scenes. This engrossing crime novel keeps you on the edge of your seat as the race is on to find the killer. Besides the investigation, readers get insight into Tracy’s dynamics with her co-workers, Dan, and a couple of young police officers. The author has weaved another installment involving murder, relationships, balancing work and family, grief, lies, the pursuit of justice, and much more.
Overall, this book has well-developed and relatable main and secondary characters. If you are expecting a solid series that will have mysteries, suspense, crime, action, and a little romance, then this is a series that I recommend. I recommend it to those who enjoy police procedurals, mysteries and crime novels and am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
I purchased a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date was September 15, 2015. ------------------------------------------ My 4.27 rounded to 4 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
Category Five is the first book in the Donovan Nash thriller series. This heart-pounding and suspenseful thriller starts in Bermuda with Dr. LaureCategory Five is the first book in the Donovan Nash thriller series. This heart-pounding and suspenseful thriller starts in Bermuda with Dr. Lauren McKenna and a colleague being driven through a storm to get the last plane out before Hurricane Helena hits. Donovan and other members of the scientific research organization Eco-Watch are called to fly in and extract key government people who have been studying the hurricane. It turns out Lauren is a woman from Donovan’s past and her exit from Bermuda isn’t smooth. Later, as the hurricane grows in significant strength, a final flight is made to gather more scientific information when the jet suffers engine failure. Who will survive and why did the failure occur?
Donovan’s personality slowly takes shape during the novel. He’s generous, an excellent pilot, and terrified of being in water after a childhood incident. Lauren is graceful, intelligent, and poised. She’s the manager for the Bermuda project and oversees the monitoring and tracking of weather patterns on a global basis. The other characters have varying degrees of depth as one would expect in the initial book in a series.
Non-stop action and intense scenes make up much of this thriller. Mixing politics, a monster hurricane, a mystery, and a romance, Donlay keeps the suspense high with crisp writing that is atmospheric. While a some of the events are unrealistic or over-the-top, I went with the flow and enjoyed the ride.
Overall, this is a pulse-pounding and suspenseful thriller with good characterization and excellent atmosphere. It immediately captured my interest with a compelling plot and intense action.
I purchased a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date was September 15, 2004. --------------------------------------- My 4.52 rounded to 5 stars review is coming soon....more
A Spring Kill is the second book in The Killing Seasons FBI Crime Mystery Series. Carolyn Ryder is now retired from the FBI, but she has some unfiA Spring Kill is the second book in The Killing Seasons FBI Crime Mystery Series. Carolyn Ryder is now retired from the FBI, but she has some unfinished work to do. Sam Pritchard, the Highway Killer from Utah, tried, but failed to kill her. She wants to find him and isn’t interested in capturing him. She wants vengeance exacted for the women he’s killed as well as for her attempted murder.
Carolyn can be vindictive and vengeful. She’s willing to trash friendships to get Pritchard. She’s fiercely independent, strong-willed, determined, and has a relentless focus on her goal. Readers also get some incite in other characters, including Pritchard.
This fast-paced and traumatic story kept me engaged, but I had trouble understanding her lack of weapons. Additionally, there are some graphic and violent scenes that are disturbing with vivid descriptions. Despite this, I was hooked on the story and kept turning the pages.
Overall, this is an intense and suspenseful crime thriller with good characterization and excellent atmosphere. It immediately captured my interest with a compelling plot and intense action. Will you see the end coming? It was a surprise for me.
I purchased a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date was July 14, 2013. -------------------------------------- My 3.92 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon....more
If you enjoy paranormal romantic suspense and urban fantasies, then this novel was written for you. Despite being the fourth book in the series, DaIf you enjoy paranormal romantic suspense and urban fantasies, then this novel was written for you. Despite being the fourth book in the series, Darkness Rises worked as a standalone for me. However, I plan to go back and read the earlier ones.
Krysta’s special abilities help her fight vampires. She sets herself up as bait and then proceeds to fight those she lures in. However, one night she finds an unexpected ally. Etienne is two hundred years old, but he’s not a vampire. He also fights vampires preying on humans.
Krysta is strong and outspoken, but somewhat selfish in the beginning of the novel. She is so focused on revenge that she puts her brother’s life at risk night after night. However, she does show growth during the story.
Due to the number of characters, I believe it would be better to start at the beginning of the series. Additionally, there may be nuances to the world-building that would be clearer by reading the books in order. Despite this, the world-building was great and the relationships between individuals were amazing.
Duvall brings action, suspense, and romance to this novel. The characters are well-defined and there is a solid plot with plenty of action and some heat. The ending sets up the next book in the series which I can’t wait to read. Woven into the story line are revenge, family, friendship, romance, loyalty, hatred, and power.
Overall, this novel immediately captured my interest with intense action, great characters, and a compelling plot.
I purchased a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date was January 1, 2013. ---------------------------------------- My 4.41 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
What a fantastic addition to this series! Combining a police procedural with family drama and a little romance, On Her Watch by Melinda Leigh, is the What a fantastic addition to this series! Combining a police procedural with family drama and a little romance, On Her Watch by Melinda Leigh, is the eighth book in the Bree Taggert series. Bree has been sheriff in her home county in upstate New York for over a year and the book is set in fictional Grey’s Hollow in Randolph County. A pair of hikers find a tarp-wrapped body in the woods. When a search of the surrounding area yields two more bodies, Bree knows they’ve found a serial killer’s dumping ground. With the help of her team and civilian criminal investigator and Bree’s boyfriend, Matt Flynn, the case is worked. However, the killer is escalating and threatening Bree’s family.
Bree is smart, skilled, confident, honorable, and determined. She joined law enforcement to help people and that is what she intends to do. She has a commanding presence and utilizes common sense. She can also be stubborn and is unwilling to fully utilize media outreach to help her politically. However, she is learning to navigate the politics, media, and paperwork associated with being a sheriff in a county with a limited budget. Matt is a former sheriff’s deputy injured in the line of duty. He was going to start a K-9 training program, but his sister Cady is using the kennels for rescued dogs. Matt is a great investigator and is a master at interviewing suspects. He loves dogs, including his retired K-9, Brody. He’s also developing a mentor-type relationship with Bree’s sister’s children. Chief Deputy Tod Harvey gets some additional responsibility late in the story to continue his confidence-building.
The storyline is engaging, suspenseful, and includes some very tense scenes. The first chapter pulled me into the tale quickly and kept me rapidly turning the pages all the way to its shocking conclusion. This engrossing crime novel keeps you on the edge of your seat as the race is on to find the killer. As always, the world-building is great. The March mud season was vivid and easily immersed me in the atmosphere. I also enjoyed the few moments of humor as well as some tender moments when they occurred. Besides the investigation, readers get insight into Bree’s family dynamics and how that is changing, as well as how flu epidemics can affect small police departments. The author has weaved another installment involving family, relationships, balancing work and family, trauma, a slow-burn romance, murder, lies, domestic violence, missing persons, and much more.
Overall, this book has twists, tension, violence, and relatable main and secondary characters. If you are expecting a solid series that will have mysteries, suspense, crime, action, and a little romance, then this is a series that I recommend. Besides this one, I’ve read the seven other books and the prequel in the series. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
I purchased a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date May 14, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
----------------------------------------- My 4.61 rounded to 5 stars review is coming soon....more
Catch Her Death by Melinda Leigh is the seventh book in the Bree Taggert romantic suspense/police procedural series. Bree has been sheriff in her Catch Her Death by Melinda Leigh is the seventh book in the Bree Taggert romantic suspense/police procedural series. Bree has been sheriff in her home county in upstate New York for almost a year. The book is set in fictional Grey’s Hollow in Randolph County with a few scenes in the nearby town of Redhaven. Sheriff Bree Taggert and her team of officers arrest murderer Travis Ekin with the help of the new K-9 team of Deputy Collins and Greta. Travis’s mother and one of his brothers vow revenge.
Meanwhile, Bree’s best friend and former detective partner in Philadelphia, Dana Romano, walks into her date’s home, fights with an intruder who escapes, and finds Kent shot in the chest. The crime scene is in the jurisdiction of the Redhaven police department. The Chief of Police focuses on Dana as the prime suspect. While Bree and investigator Matt Flynn work to clear Dana with their own off-the-books investigation, Bree’s family receives threats from a stalker.
Bree is smart, skilled, honorable, and determined. She joined law enforcement to help people and that is what she intends to do. She can also be stubborn and is unwilling to fully utilize media outreach to help her politically. Matt is a former sheriff’s deputy injured in the line of duty. He was going to start a K-9 training program, but his sister Cady is using the kennels for rescued dogs. Matt is a great investigator and loves dogs, including his retired K-9, Brody. Dana is strong and known for her integrity. Being considered a suspect brings out a different side of her. Matt’s brother, Nolan, is strong, thoughtful, and nice, but can fight well. This book allows Dana and Nolan to come to the forefront.
The storyline is engaging, suspenseful, and includes some very tense scenes. The first chapter pulled me into the tale quickly and kept me rapidly turning the pages all the way to its shocking conclusion. Besides the investigation, readers get insight into Bree’s family dynamics and how that is changing. The author has weaved another installment involving family, relationships, balancing work and family, trauma, integrity, loyalty, revenge, a slow-burn romance, murder, lies, and much more.
Overall, this book has twists, tension, violence, and relatable main and secondary characters. If you are expecting a solid series that will have mysteries, suspense, crime, action, and eventually some romance, then this is a series that I recommend. Besides this one, I’ve read the six other books and the prequel in the series. I plan to read book eight this month and am looking forward to reading book nine which will be published in early July.
I purchased a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date September 12, 2023. ---------------------------------------- My 4.59 rounded to 5 stars review is coming soon....more
Sweet Dreams: Twisted Reflections Book 1 by Jessica K. Webb is supposed to explore the dark corners of our minds and dive into the human psyche. TSweet Dreams: Twisted Reflections Book 1 by Jessica K. Webb is supposed to explore the dark corners of our minds and dive into the human psyche. The main character believes he’s a doctor and having dreams. It initially piqued my interest, but I couldn’t connect with him or the story. Several themes are woven into the storyline including seeking success, bullying, conformity, guilt, isolation, remorse, and more.
Overall, this story didn’t work for me. However, if you enjoy psychological suspense short stories, this might appeal to you.
I purchased a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date was April 24, 2024....more
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