The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
The Beijing Blunder
Jay Perrin
East River Books
www.eastriverbooks.com
9781736468067, $4.99 ebook
https://www.amazon.com/Beijing-Blunder-Historical-Political-Saga/dp/1736468= 073
Book 4 of the One Hundred Years of War series represents another powerful d= isplay of historical mystery, suspense, and Middle East intrigue that pulls=
readers into the story of former president Temple, who has built an oil em= pire and a network of companies which fall under threat from a criminal.
Temple has manipulated his daughter to build this empire. Now Lilah is on t=
he run, Steven Kingsley has assumed her role and cultivated a subterfuge th=
at threatens more than a singular interest or operation, and the elderly Te= mple finds himself mired in a situation that threatens all the work he's do=
ne to assure success for himself and his family. International politics, pr= essures, and espionage mark a heady group of characters and mercurial situa= tions that keep readers on their toes as the story progresses.
Ripe with the threat of assassination, power plays, and world-hopping actio=
n that moves the story from domestic to international playing fields, reade=
rs should cultivate an ability to absorb a myriad of satisfyingly complex s= cenarios as the cat-and-mouse game constantly evolves unexpected twists. Th=
e old-money families from New York are still contending for control, but in= jected into this mix are social and political changes that buffet all the f= amilies who vye for control and power. While newcomers can easily delve int=
o the story, it's the prior readers of the One Hundred Years of War series = who will best appreciate the way this story so neatly dovetails with and ex= pands the special interests and focus of many of the characters in the prio=
r books.
The Beijing Blunder creates yet another chapter in a family saga that expan=
ds and ripples changes through disparate lives. Its strength lies in the pr= ocess of changing these interconnected relationships, which is why prior re= aders will find the new events particularly enlightening and compelling, an=
d why newcomers will want to turn to the other series titles for a fuller f= lavor of the impact of these suspenseful twists and turns. New gambits, pow=
er plays, and obstacles are presented here which build on characters and in= tentions, creating conundrums that are steeped in political, legal, and soc= ial transformation.
Thriller enthusiasts who like their stories firmly rooted in history, myste= ry, and suspense will relish the solid development of all three facets in T=
he Beijing Blunder. Ripe with connections between interpersonal relationshi= ps, individual decision-making, and political intrigue, The Beijing Blunder=
is highly recommended for historical fiction and thriller readers who look=
for espionage and power struggles tempered by strong psychological develop= ments and characters that represent different forces in life and political = choices.
Bloody Soil
S. Lee Manning
www.sleemanning.com
Encircle Publications, LLC
https://encirclepub.com
9781645994046, $19.99
https://www.amazon.com/Bloody-Soil-Kolya-Petrov-Thriller/dp/164599404X
Bloody Soil is thriller set in Germany that tells of American Michael Hall,=
who arrives in the country on a mission to join the far-right political gr= oup Germany Now. The requirement for joining is stiff: he must kill a promi= nent Jewish anti-Nazi activist. Less evident (but equally formidable) is th=
e leader's girlfriend Lisette, who opens the story and demonstrates capabil= ities and deadly intentions beyond her seemingly-innocent countenance. For = Lisette is on a mission of revenge for her father's death years ago, has in= filtrated the group intent on completing her mission, and has Michael in he=
r sights as the next murder victim.
S. Lee Manning's special brand of political and criminal prowess creates a = murder within a murder scenario, set in Germany where an alt-right world is=
rocked by violence within its own ranks. Her portrait of Lisette incorpora= tes many insights that lead readers to understand her motivations for conti= nued killing and subterfuge. As she, Russian Jew Nikolai Ivanovich Petrov (= a.k.a. Kolya), and elaborate schemes powered by hatred on all sides evolve = against a political and social examination of European sentiment, readers a=
re treated to an engrossing story that embraces some of the major themes of=
modern movements and the peoples and forces behind them. The psyches of va= rious groups, from the Mossad to rich American boys playing spy, are examin= ed, contrasted, and play out against an international backdrop of special f= orces and underlying influences.
Backed by strong characterization, the action proves gripping as readers re= ceive a cat-and-mouse game in a playing field where individual special inte= rests collide with forces that aim to take advantage of and redirect them. = The result is a spy thriller that represents the third book in the Kolya Pe= trov series, but requires no prior familiarity in order to prove an intense=
ly compelling stand-alone powerhouse of a read. Libraries and readers looki=
ng for thrillers that probe the motivations and influences of realistic cha= racters will find Bloody Soil's ability to incorporate the political milieu=
s and groups of modern times lends a special flavor to the evolving dilemma=
s.
The Book of Jobs
M.L. Grider
Thursday Night Press
c/o DX Varos Publishing
https://www.dxvaros.com
9781955065542, $18.95 (paperback) $4.99 (ebook)
https://www.amazon.com/Book-Jobs-Collection-Dresden-Stories/dp/1955065543
The Book of Jobs is a prequel to Bitter Vintage but requires no prior intro= duction to prove inviting to newcomers and prior fans alike. It gathers sto= ries about Helen Wu and Amy Dresden before their appearance in Bitter Vinta= ge, building a series of formative events in their lives designed to enhanc=
e their backgrounds and believability. All nine stories take place before t= hey met, cementing a foundation of their lives and careers before they beca=
me a crime-busting team in 1995.
Readers who look for stand-alone crime stories of lives interconnected by c= ircumstance and experience will find The Book of Jobs a compelling read. It=
opens in 1982, where fourteen year old Helen is being babysat by her older=
sister Lynn. There is something different about their dark house, that eve= ning -- something that portends change to the quiet October night. Helen mo= ves from being the younger, protected sister to a potential crime-buster in=
charge of figuring out the moves of a potential predator as the story intr= oduces her early proclivity to solve problems and take charge of situations=
..
As each short story builds new insights into the evolving psyches of Helen = and Amy, the stage is set for better understanding the nature of their futu=
re relationship and the strengths each bring to the table of crime-fighting=
..
As the chronological stories move from 1982 to 1990 and beyond, readers rec= eive a series of interrelated events that feature strong characters, unusua=
l situations that challenge them, and dose many of the explorations with an=
unexpected sense of humorous description: "Amy Dresden slammed the door of=
her baby-shit-green '72 Vista Cruiser so hard that the sun visor fell open=
.. The jolt was too much for the brittle old rubber band holding all the bus= iness cards, receipts, snapshots and other miscellaneous junk. They flutter=
ed down on her like confetti. She pounded her fists against the steering wh= eel and made a sound not unlike a cat stuck in a washing machine. How could=
she have been so stupid?" The result is an evolutionary series of life-cha= nging events that draw together to connect two powerful young women who fin=
d their skills, natures, and abilities tested in different ways.
While fans of Bitter Vintage will be a good audience for this prequel, it's=
also highly recommended for newcomers interested in short stories that exp= lore how crime fighters learn, evolve, and employ their special and newfoun=
d strengths to further both their careers and their prospects for personal = growth. M.L. Grider's ability to connect the dots of these seemingly dispar= ate life experiences in unusual ways makes The Book of Jobs a fine recommen= dation for libraries strong in crime stories that take the time to craft in= triguing, impossible circumstances.
DoGoodR
W. A. Pepper
Hustle Valley Press, LLC
9781958011041, $6.99
https://www.amazon.com/DoGoodR-Tanto-Thriller-W-Pepper/dp/1958011045
Readers of the thriller genre who like a taste of eroticism added into the = action will find DoGoodR nicely seasoned with a combination of suspense and=
sexual fire. It should be cautioned that the story also embraces a number =
of potential reader triggers, from physical and mental violence and assault=
to social issues ranging from drug abuse to neglect.
Those of faint heart will want to look elsewhere for their thrillers; but a= udiences who relish vivid tales that bring social issues, psychological cha= llenges, and terrible choices to vibrant life will find DoGoodR the item of=
choice for a thoroughly engrossing, thought-provokingly realistic saga.
The story opens with Tanto, the hacker who was the subject of a prior book.=
It covers the dilemma which evolves when he and his group try to protect a=
determined young computer genius who hacks into NASA, only to find themsel= ves on the wrong side of the law, and in trouble. Tanto may have been intro= duced in You Will Know Vengeance, but this story serves as its prequel, set= ting forth his origins, motivations, personality and influences in far more=
detail that leads readers to a better understanding of Tanto's world and p= syche.
From the start, it is evident that W. A. Pepper writes to involve, from the=
unusual chapter titles (Chapter 1 is 'My Damn Life', for example) to the c= andid, first-person revelations from the start that go beyond creating a 'y=
ou are here' feel for readers, virtually compelling them to move into this = world and its major players. The story evolves a sharp social, political, a=
nd crime inspections that have the ability to draw all kinds of readers int=
o Tanto's choices and dilemmas.
From the unusual nature of characters (whose names run from Mane-Eac and Sq= uirrel_Lord) to smuggling, hostage situations, and clients who move dangero= usly close to babysitting roles that are resented, Pepper keeps the action = fast-paced, high-tech, and thoroughly unpredictable. The desire for revenge=
, redemption, and renewal underlies many character choices and actions, but=
embeds the thriller in a realistic milieu that keeps readers on edge and g= uessing.
The result is an especially compelling example of just how diverse and invo= lving a solid contemporary thriller can be. Based in a familiar world reple=
te with violence and social dilemmas that cross boundaries to challenge ver=
y different worlds, DoGoodR will ideally be read before and in tandem with = Tanto's previous exploits in the first You Will Know Vengeance. It is a top=
recommendation for libraries seeking exceptional thriller writings that op= erate on the cutting edge of urban reality.
Gallery of Gangsters
William J. Cook
Independently Published
9798841126331, $13.99 Paper/$5.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Gallery-Gangsters-Driftwood-William-Cook-ebook/dp/B0= B83Y1NHS
Gallery of Gangsters is the final Driftwood Mystery in the series, expandin=
g its five predecessor titles with a new and final battle between Native Am= erican detective Charley Whitehorse and Russian crime czar Vasily Volkov. I= t's a confrontation that will rock prior readers, and is introduced by an A= uthor's Note about currency security and counterfeiting that features some = key facts to lend better understanding to this mystery's subject and progre= ssion.
This information in hand, readers embark on a vivid romp that opens in the = art auction world of 2019. Here, a meteoric bidding war is taking place, wi=
th prices hitting the millions for a work of art that two contenders have n=
o intention of losing.
As the bloodless combat between the contenders evolves a chess-like game of=
strategy and countermoves, readers will be thoroughly engrossed in the sto= ry's mystery and outcome by the time the purchase of Hurricane is complete.=
This is just the first chapter of a complex story that moves into the myst= erious death of an art gallery owner in Driftwood, who specialized in high-= end paintings. It reveals not just the game being played by Whitehorse and = Volkov, but a strong woman caught in the middle (Michelle Garrison), whose = auction house work has placed her in the crosshairs of a powerful female as= sassin. As Michelle asks hard questions about who killed McKinley Striker a=
nd Dashiel Owen and becomes immersed in the identity and subterfuge of Odes=
a (nee Kseniya, whose job is murder), all characters dance into an arena of=
threat that reaches out to embrace the innocent and guilty alike.
Mystery readers who enjoy stories centered on the art world will find Galle=
ry of Gangsters satisfying for its insights into that community's activitie=
s and the works of art that drive passions and pocketbooks alike. These mot= ivate characters to move outside their comfort zones and into the unfamilia=
r territory of murder, investigations, and nefarious connections. Powered b=
y strong personalities whose special interests create different perspective=
s and representations of moral and ethical behavior, William J. Cook's stor=
y assumes a provocative tone of surprises that embrace unexpected romance a=
nd adversity alike.
As events unfold, this final Driftwood mystery comes to life in ways even s= easoned genre readers won't see coming. As a stand-alone mystery, it will a= lso nicely attract newcomers who have and need no prior experience with the=
exploits of Charley Whitehorse and Vasily Volkov to prove understandable a=
nd engrossing; especially since Michelle's character powers many of the sce= nes and insights. In the end, love wins. But, via a circuitous route that k= eeps readers guessing right up to the mystery's satisfying conclusion.
Libraries and readers who look for outstanding characters, an art world bac= kdrop, and intrigue and subterfuge that moves from a small town into intern= ational waters will find Gallery of Gangsters the perfect crescendo of a co= nclusion that explores what is unique and fragile not just in the art world=
, but in matters of love, power, and the pursuit of profit.
The Immortal Target
Jonas Saul
Vesuvian Books
https://vesuvianmedia.com
B0B7NBQH37, $5.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Immortal-Target-Jonas-Saul-ebook/dp/B0B7NBQH37
The Immortal Target is a sci-fi thriller reviewed in the Mystery/Suspense c= ategory because its thriller components are so strong that mystery genre re= aders won't want to miss it.
As Book 2 of a series, it can be read alone by newcomers, who will find tha=
t Jake Wood's special dilemmas are a draw from the opening lines: "Jake Woo=
d should have killed the man when he had the chance. That man, Adam, claime=
d to be immortal, but once his head was removed, Jake would be able to test=
that theory. But because he hadn't killed Adam, people he cared about were=
in grave danger." Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Because Jake didn=
't murder this man, he has now condemned those he loves. It's an untenable = position to be in, and Jake responds by fleeing both the authorities and th=
e pharmaceutical company, Fortech Industries, who are both after him. How c=
an he preserve his freedom while simultaneously working to expose and bring=
down the dangerous intentions of a company committed to genetic manipulati= on?
Jake has to kill Adam and dismantle his company -- that seems to be the onl=
y solution. As he becomes more deeply mired in a conundrum which tests not = only his morals and ethics, but his personal survival and those he loves, h=
is problems continue to multiply. Jonas Saul crafts a heart-pounding read f= rom the start.
While it requires no prior familiarity with its predecessor The Immortal Ge= ne, it successfully augments and expands the motives, personality, and chal= lenges to Jake on different levels that will fill in gaps for prior readers=
while attracting newcomers into this dangerous game. The tension is nicely=
crafted, the high-tech components of the story add a realistic sci-fi back= drop to the futuristic tale, and many of the usual detective/intrigue devic=
es are turned on end, such as when Jake finds himself capturing a detective=
via the neurotoxins in his teeth, which make his bite lethal. Jake is immo= rtal. But immortality doesn't guarantee a peaceful, long life.
As readers absorb Jake's latest dilemma, they will find the thriller and sc= i-fi components finely tuned and so thoroughly bound to one another that fa=
ns of either genre will find much to enjoy in The Immortal Target. It's rar=
e to find a thriller that incorporates sci-fi atmosphere, yet remains true =
to the buildup of suspense, tension, and conflict that the thriller genre e= mbraces. The Immortal Target is such a rare mix, and deserves a prominent p= lace in any library strong in either sci-fi or thrillers.
The Ridders
Lisa Towles
Indies United Publishing House, LLC
www.indiesunited.net
9781644564387, $16.99
https://www.amazon.com/Ridders-Lisa-Towles/dp/1644564386
The Ridders represents political action thriller writing at its finest, fol= lowing PI Brock "BJ" Janoff into a dilemma that begins when he is offered a=
million dollars to bring an envelope to the front desk of a luxury hotel. = Sounds like simple money. Feels like a simple mission. But it turns out to =
be anything but easy as BJ is drawn into a time-sensitive job that prepays = the million dollars, but places him in jeopardy no matter what he does.
It's a social experiment that seems designed to test BJ's mettle and ethics=
; but once a PI, always an investigator. BJ's curiosity, combined with an i= ncreasing conviction that his seemingly innocuous job is involving him in a=
high-level scam, leads him straight into danger. Curiosity killed the cat,=
and it more than threatens BJ's life, ethics, and career as he pursues int= angible trails of deceit, only to see his friends and family come under the=
gun of his decision-making processes.
Novelist Lisa Towles brings her story to life, employing the first-person t=
o bring home reflections that BJ makes as he feels increasingly lost by the=
twists and turns his case makes, challenging his professional abilities an=
d his life. From decoys and Russian operatives to unregulated international=
freeports, a group of Ridders involved in environmental conservation at al=
l costs, and a family sword that's been stolen, readers receive a romp thro= ugh political and personal worlds that carry them on an international inves= tigation with no clear outcomes or perps.
As BJ finds himself confronting not just the Bilderberg Group, but his own = missing father's role in unfolding affairs, he comes full circle to realize=
that his family is, after all, at the heart of some nefarious events. Towl=
es cultivates an action-packed plot that is offset by thought-provoking rev= elations both political and personal. The result is a captivating tale that=
engrosses on many levels, offers satisfyingly unpredictable twists and tur= ns, and creates a political thriller that's hard to put down.
Libraries seeking superior works strongly rooted in political, psychologica=
l, and social dilemmas will find The Ridders a PI investigation a la mode. = It's a powerful tale of father/son relationships and good intentions gone a= wry that considers the heart of deception and how well-meaning objectives b= ecome corrupted by dangerous choices.
Russian Assault
John Ruane
Roswell Press
9798986637808, $12.99 Paper/$4.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Russian-Assault-John-Ruane/dp/B0BCS7DFK5
Fans of the Dylan Reilly debut thriller novel, A Dangerous Freedom, have th=
e opportunity to further delve into Reilly's world and the threats to it in=
the sequel, Russian Assault, which opens with the power of an incoming mis= sile at the White House, resulting in an Oval Office in flames and under fi= re. Marine Corps sniper and Secret Service Director, Ken Hack, has earned a=
medal for his courage. But nothing could have prepared him for this type o=
f action as he stands atop the White House defending the President and repr= esents the opening salvo of an assault that commands the reader's attention=
in the unfolding political and military suspense that is Russian Assault.
After seeing the news of the devastating attack, Dylan Reilly feels compell=
ed and called to action, joining authorities in a search for justice that l= eads him into danger from unexpected sources. His suspicion that the assaul=
t is far deeper and broader than is being depicted is correct, but the real=
truth will challenge even his own capacity to address the perps and get to=
the bottom of their actions and organization. Are activist groups destroyi=
ng the country, or does their command center go above and beyond citizen pr= otests to delve into international waters?
Once again, John Ruane has crafted a compelling story that edges between fa= miliar-sounding real-world possibilities and events and extrapolations that=
move the intrigue into unexpected realms. Dylan's character again takes ce= nter stage. This will prove compelling for both his prior fans and newcomer=
s, who will find Russian Assault stands nicely on its own, as well as being=
a powerful expanded feature of Dylan's efforts.
From comments on hope-driven leadership and historical precedent to peacefu=
l and violent demonstrations and their effects on democratic process and Am= erican issues, Ruane provides a probe that incorporates present-day, famili= ar-feeling scenarios with a futuristic examination of a disaster that simme=
rs under the surface of current events.
The tension is well crafted, the story's twists and turns are unexpected, a=
nd the overall attention to juxtaposing historical precedent with issues in= volved in defending freedom is thought-provoking, as well as action-packed.=
Libraries looking for powerful political suspense thrillers that inject in= sights about democratic processes and the forces that struggle for and agai= nst them will find that Russian Assault goes beyond the story of an attack =
to examine the foundations of how a democracy (and its individuals and defe= nders) respond to adversity.
Supernatural P.I.
Courtney Davis
DX Varos Publishing
https://www.dxvaros.com
9781955065627, $18.95 Paper/$4.99 ebook
https://www.amazon.com/Supernatual-P-I-Fawn-Malero-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B0B4M= FMLK5
Supernatural P.I. welcomes mystery and paranormal action readers with a Faw=
n Malero story of the P.I.'s alliance with a werewolf. Its P.I. components = are just as strong as its portrait supernatural events, and opens with Fawn=
's newfound success as a self-appointed Supernatural P.I. for the Seattle a= rea. She's on her way to interview a serial-killer-in-training (who was als=
o her bad first date), on a mission to extract information from the perp sh= e'd personally brought to justice.
Courtney Davis adds a touch of ironic humor into the situation from the sta= rt, which is one of protagonist Fawn's trademark responses: "Hopefully, he = didn't hold his arrest and incarceration against me." Fawn's secondary miss= ion is to prove her career value to her family, validating her dubious choi=
ce of partners-in-solving-crimes with an effective first mission. She has a=
ll the trappings of success - with one tiny problem: "...soon I would have =
a belt with handcuffs, stun gun and whatever else a P.I. might need, like m= aybe a notepad or some mints? A camera would be good, something small and v= ery spy like. What else did a supernatural private investigator need? Proba= bly a client..."
Her quest for personal validation from her family of Magicians evolves into=
a case that proves a worthy challenge to her abilities and even her supern= atural connections and influences. Fawn soon finds herself in over her head=
, vying with a powerful force that is both tapping the power of the ocean a=
nd trapping an equally formidable vampire within its depths.
Supernatural P.I. employs the first person to get into the mind, logic, and=
heart of Fawn's world, exploring volatile family relationships and connect= ions as well as the underlying mystery that she's motivated to solve: "I di= dn't really want to involve my father, I would rather just tell him after i=
t was over that I had solved it."
The forces that give her an edge in the P.I. world also cast a critical eye=
on these efforts and their results. This involves readers in a series of e= ncounters that test Fawn's problem-solving as well as her emotional stabili=
ty and connections. Davis winds the supernatural creatures and humor into a=
story that is surprising and compelling on many levels, replete with comic=
relief at unexpected junctions of discovery, and even romance: "What the h= ell is wrong with me?" "Where should I start?" Evie said popping in. I thre=
w a pillow at her, and she disappeared."
Supernatural P.I. is a P.I. story that is just as strong in its investigati=
ve components as it is in describing the evolution of a professional proble= m-solver who hones her own unique abilities. Readers of mysteries that are = thoroughly embedded in crime and supernatural worlds alike will find Supern= atural P.I. an outstanding read, from its strong character development and = nicely paced action to the surprising twists of mystery that keeps readers = involved to the end.
The Killer Half
JB Blake
Atmosphere Press
www.atmospherepress.com
9781639885046, $18.99
https://www.amazon.com/Killer-Half-Jb-Blake/dp/1639885048
The Killer Half: The Legend of Blackhawk 6-Deuce is a novel about combat at=
home and abroad. It follows Hawk, who has become disillusioned with the wa=
r in the Middle East and has walked away from one battle, only to find hims= elf in unexpected combat territory at home. He feels sadness and remorse, a=
nd as though he's been used. But he's not used up, because he returns to fu= ll-on combat mode when he uncovers a scheme for an armed invasion of Americ=
a and makes a stand on his own country's soil.
Readers who look for action-packed stories that also retain a good degree o=
f reflective insights about the nature of military combat and civilian effo= rts to sustain democracy will find The Killer Half replete with thought-pro= voking passages as Hawk considers the political influences affecting his ta=
sk of protecting his country. JB Blake is a student of military history and=
behavioral science (among other research interests), and these lend a fine=
foundation of reality to a story steeped in unexpected encounters and a re= latively unique form of dialogue between characters which eschews the usual=
quotation-mark usage. At times, the story feels more like a film script or=
play because of this, but the format supports the action and interactions,=
highlighting the plot's impact.
The tension is well done and the changing settings and clashes are particul= arly compelling and realistic in their portrayal. A cast of supplemental ch= aracters bring Hawk's actions to life, as well. The "you are here" descript= ive moments are especially well detailed: "The pilots flew back and forth o= nce over the valley where nothing was moving. If anyone had moved, they wou=
ld have shot them. These helicopters were violent, deadly weapons, and the = men flying them knew exactly how to use them to maximize death on the groun=
d. They were made for assault and for close air support of infantry, and th=
ey had done their job with destructive efficiency. Snakes flew over the vol= canic tube and fired into it, but they couldn't get an angle to be effectiv=
e. They hovered for a time away from the wash to see if anyone would come o= ut. No one did. The enemy could still hear the helicopters because of the d= istinct sound their rotors made."
Libraries seeking thrillers that take a character's military service histor=
y to evolve it beyond the usual formula writing approach will appreciate th=
e evocative originality of The Killer Half which brings to life not only ba= ttles, but unexpected romance and characters whose hearts shine with love a=
nd conflict alike.
Human Factors
Professor Paul Griffiths
Independently Published
9798766673040, $11.20, PB, 362pp
https://www.amazon.com/Human-Factors-Prof-Paul-Griffiths/dp/B09MCC1WGL
Synopsis: A retired doctor lies exsanguinated (drained of blood) in his own=
home. The relatives and neighbors talk of suicide, but Inspector Bill Pain= ter has doubts. When further cases appear, Painter's worst fears are confir= med.
Will he be able to work out what lies behind this conspiracy before the med= ical profession is decimated? Painter is an old-school policeman with a lov=
e of jazz and a belief in old-fashioned police procedure. Modern crime, as = well as modern life, challenge him to the limits as he untangles a complex = web of intrigue. This very contemporary and extraordinary crime takes him i= nto a world of revenge, remorse and public liability like no other.
Critique: A deftly crafted and compelling read that will simply fascinate c= rime thriller fans, "Human Factors" is the latest addition to novelist Paul=
Griffiths 'Inspector Bill Painter Mystery Series'. Showcasing Professor Gr= iffith's genuine flair for originality and his background in medicine, "Hum=
an Factors" is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to commu= nity library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted = for the personal reading lists of all dedicated mystery buffs that "Human F= actors" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $3.13).
Editorial Note: Paul Griffiths, Emeritus Professor at University College Lo= ndon, studied medicine at St Bartholomew's Hospital in London and at the Un= iversity of Birmingham in Alabama, USA. In his fourth novel featuring Inspe= ctor Bill Painter, Professor Griffiths' expertise in blood borne viruses we= aves authentic medical information into the lives of fictitious characters =
to provide us with a highly topical factional thriller.
Dashing Through the Snowbirds
Donna Andrews
Minotaur Books
c/o St. Martin's Publishing Group
www.minotaurbooks.com
9781250760227, $26.99, HC, 304pp
https://www.amazon.com/Dashing-Through-Snowbirds-Langslow-Mysteries/dp/1250= 760224
Synopsis: Christmas in Caerphilly is wonderful! Unless you're a Canadian wh= ose inconsiderate boss is forcing you to spend the holiday there, far from = family and friends, with only a slim chance of a white Christmas.
Meg already has her hands full, trying to make the season festive for the d= ozen programmers who are staying with her and Michael while working on a ru=
sh project with her brother's software company. At least it's an interestin=
g project, since the Canadian company is doing forensic genealogy and DNA a= nalysis.
But when the inconsiderate boss is found murdered, there are too many suspe= cts. Even before their Christmas in exile, his own employees had plenty of = motives, and the growing number of people suing the company for faulty DNA = analysis and invasion of their genetic privacy include at least one notorio=
us murderer.
Can Meg crack the case in time to keep the Yuletide bright?
Critique: A fun read for all dedicated 'whodunnit' mystery buffs, "Dashing = Through The Snowbirds" by Donna Andrews is the latest Meg Langslow mystery = and is certain to be a popular and much sought after addition to community = library Mystery/Suspense collections. Additionally, it should be noted for = personal reading lists of the legions of Donna Andrews fans that "Dashing T= hrough The Snowbirds" is also readily available in a digital book format (K= indle, $13.99).
Editorial Note: Donna Andrews (
http://www.donnaandrews.com) has won the Aga= tha, Anthony, and Barry Awards, an RT Book Reviews Award for best first nov= el, and four Lefty and two Toby Bromberg Awards for funniest mystery. She i=
s a member of the Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and Novelis= ts, Inc. Andrews lives in Reston, Virginia. She has written over 30 books i=
n the Meg Langslow mystery series.
Shadows in the Forest
Jennifer J. Morgan
Secret Staircase Books
c/o Columbine Publishing Group
http://www.columbinepublishinggroup.com/index.html
9781649140890, $13.99, PB, 236pp
https://www.amazon.com/Shadows-Forest-Libby-Madsen-Mysteries/dp/1649140894
Synopsis: Libby Madsen, professional massage therapist and co-owner of the = luxurious Dharma Inspired Day Spa, has probably heard it all. During what s=
he thinks of as 'tabletop confessions' her clients often talk about way mor=
e of their personal lives than she really wants to hear. So when a regular,=
Maggie Crenshaw, talks about how her daughter went away on a camping trip = with friends, it's just so much chatter. But when Maggie says Isobel didn't=
return home on time, is not answering her phone, and that the young woman =
is diabetic and really needs her meds. Libby offers to pick up the medicati= ons at Maggie's house and deliver them -- she and her Labrador puppy, Shado=
w, are going camping in the same area and it's no trouble at all.
Except when Libby and Shadow arrive at the campground, Isobel is nowhere to=
be found, and no one there has seen her or the group of friends she claime=
d to be traveling with. Libby enlists the help of handsome Forest Ranger Gr=
eg Lawson, but even he can't find anyone who has seen the girl. The fact th=
at she's now been without her insulin for several days is worrisome, and Gr=
eg initiates a Search and Rescue operation.
Libby and Shadow join Greg and the volunteers to search the adjoining campi=
ng areas. Some shady characters and a few clues do turn up. But no Isobel. = Libby becomes convinced that something more sinister is going on and she's = determined to find out what has happened, little knowing that her own life = may be in danger as she gets too close to the truth.
Critique: A fun read from first page to last, "Shadows in the Forest" launc= hes author Jennifer J. Morgan's new three volume 'whodunnit' trilogy 'Libby=
Madsen Cozy Mysteries' series. An impressively original and deftly crafted=
read, "Shadows in the Forest" will have a very special appeal for readers = with an interest in amateur woman sleuths and their canine companions. Whil=
e also available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindl=
e, $2.99), "Shadows in the Forest" will leave satisfied mystery buffs looki=
ng eagerly toward the next Libby Madsen story. Simply stated, "Shadows in t=
he Forest" will prove to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to=
any and all community library Mystery/Suspense collections.
Editorial Note: Jennifer J. Morgan (
https://jenniferjmorgan.com/index.html)=
is a gifted cozy mystery writer. Most of her characters in her Libby Madse=
n Cozy Mystery series are named after beloved pets that have blessed her li=
fe over fifty+ years.
Whale Fall
Ann Lambert
Second Story Press
http://secondstorypress.ca
9781772602685, $22.95, PB, 344pp
https://www.amazon.com/Whale-Fall-Russell-Leduc-Mystery/dp/177260268X
Synopsis: Marie Russell and Detective Romeo Leduc are finally getting marri= ed, but the joyous occasion is overshadowed by the unexpected arrival of Ma= gnus Sorenson, renowned eco-warrior and Marie's first great love. When Magn= us' plans for a dramatic environmental protest take a dark turn, Romeo and = Marie are forced to abandon their honeymoon in the Laurentians in order to = catch a killer, unearthing long-buried secrets along the way.
Critique: A simply riveting novel with a narrative story line the includes = love and romance, retaliatory vengeance, and environmental climate justice,=
"Whale Fall" by Ann Lambert is especially and unreservedly recommended for=
the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery fans, as well as community=
library Contemporary Mystery & Suspense collections.
Editorial Note: Ann Lambert (
https://www.annlambertbooks.com) has been writ= ing and directing for the stage for thirty-five years. Several of her plays=
, including The Wall, Parallel Lines, Very Heaven, The Mary Project and Two=
Short Women have been performed in theatres in Canada, the United States, = Europe and Australia. She has been a teacher of English literature at Dawso=
n College for almost twenty-eight years in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, where = she makes her home.
Viviana Valentine Gets Her Man
Emily J. Edwards
Crooked Lane Books
2 Park Avenue, 10th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781639101825, $28.99, HC, 288pp
https://www.amazon.com/Viviana-Valentine-Gets-Friday-Mystery/dp/1639101829
Synopsis: New York City, 1950. Viviana Valentine is Girl Friday to the city=
's top private investigator, Tommy Fortuna. The clients can be frustrating,=
and none more maddening than fabulously wealthy Tallmadge Blackstone, who = demands Tommy tail his daughter, Tallulah, and find out why she won't marry=
his business partner, a man forty years her senior.
Sounds like an open-and-shut case for a P.I. known for busting up organized=
crime -- but the next day, Viviana opens the office to find Tommy missing = and a lifeless body on the floor.
The cops swoop in and Detective Jake Lawson issues a warrant for Tommy's ar= rest. Desperate to clear Tommy's name, Viviana takes on the Blackstone case=
herself. When she goes out for a night on the town with the heiress, she b= egins to learn the secrets behind Tallulah's headline-grabbing life. Meanwh= ile, Lawson is itching to solve his murder case, and continues harassing Vi= viana for answers -- until she's the victim of a series of violent attacks.
But Tommy's still missing, and Viviana is scared. As she digs into the dirt=
y history of the Blackstone empire, she suddenly realizes the true danger a=
t hand. Now, it's up to her to find her missing boss and make sure he doesn=
't turn up D.O.A.
Critique: A riveting, pulse-pounding, compulsive page turner of a novel, "V= iviana Valentine Gets Her Man" is an impressively well written and entertai= ning read that will have a very special appeal to anyone with an interest i=
n Women Sleuths and Historical Mysteries. While also available for personal=
reading lists in a paperback edition (9781639104277, $18.99), in a digital=
book format (Kindle, $13.99), and as a complete and unabridged audio book = (Dreamscape Media, 9781666620825, $22.99, CD), "Viviana Valentine Gets Her = Man" is very highly recommended addition to community library Mystery/Suspe= nse collections.
Editorial Note: Emily Edwards (
https://www.msemilyedwards.com) earned her d= egree in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College and took = the long road to becoming an author, working for over a decade as a wine an=
d spirits journalist, radio producer, and podcaster.
Devil's Chew Toy
Rob Osler
Crooked Lane Books
2 Park Avenue, 10th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.crookedlanebooks.com
https://www.dreamscapepublishing.com
9781643859439, $26.99, HC, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Devils-Chew-Toy-Rob-Osler/dp/1643859439
Synopsis: Seattle teacher and part-time blogger Hayden McCall wakes sportin=
g one hell of a shiner, with the police knocking at his door. It seems that=
his new crush, dancer Camilo Rodriguez, has gone missing and they suspect = foul play. What happened the night before? And where is Camilo?
Determined to find answers, pint-sized, good-hearted Hayden seeks out two o=
f Camilo's friends (Hollister and Burley) who are both lesbians and both fi= ercely devoted to their friend. From them, Hayden learns that Camilo is a "= Dreamer" whose parents had been deported years earlier, and whose sister, D= aniela, is presumed to have returned to Venezuela with them. Convinced that=
the cops won't take a brown boy's disappearance seriously, the girls join = Hayden's hunt for Camilo.
The first clues turn up at Barkingham Palace, a pet store where Camilo had = taken a part-time job. The store's owner, Della Rupert, claims ignorance, b=
ut Hayden knows something is up. And then there's Camilo's ex-boyfriend, Ry= an, who's suddenly grown inexplicably wealthy. When Hayden and Hollister fo= llow Ryan to a secure airport warehouse, they make a shocking connection be= tween him and Della -- and uncover the twisted scheme that's made both of t= hem rich.
The trail of clues leads them to the grounds of a magnificent estate on an = island in Puget Sound, where they'll finally learn the truth about Camilo's=
disappearance -- and the fate of his family.
Critique: A skillfully crafted and impressively original suspense thriller =
of a read, "Devil's Chew Toy" by novelist Rob Osler will have a particular = affinity and attraction for the fans of the Cosy Mystery genre. With its LG= BTQ element, "Devil's Chew Toy" is unreservedly recommended for community l= ibrary Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for th=
e personal reading lists of all dedicated mystery buffs that the "Devil's C= hew Toy" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.99) and as=
a complete and unabridged audio book (Dreamscape Media, 9781666533729, $59= ..99, CD).
Editorial Note: Rob Osler (
https://robosler.com) writes the Hayden & Friend=
s contemporary mystery series featuring a rainbow of memorable characters. = With Devil's Chew Toy, Rob coined the term, "Quozy Mystery," giving a uniqu=
e label to the colorful sub-genre of cozy mysteries featuring LGBTQ+ main c= haracters.
Hands Down
Felix Francis
Crooked Lane Books
2 Park Avenue, 10th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.crookedlanebooks.com
Bolinda Audio Books
https://www.bolinda.com
Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781639102945, $28.99, HC, 304pp
https://www.amazon.com/Hands-Down-Novel-Felix-Francis/dp/1639102949
Synopsis: Sid Halley, a private investigator, has a new left hand, having h=
ad a transplant since his last appearance in Refusal. After receiving death=
threats, an ex-jockey trainer friend calls Sid to ask for his help, but Si=
d has his own problems to deal with; like recovering from surgery and savin=
g his crumbling marriage.
When his friend's stable yard is torched, horses killed, and the friend is = found dead, Sid can only blame himself for not helping sooner. The police t= hink it's suicide, but Sid is not convinced after his friend's terrified ph= one calls. Heavy with a guilty heart, Sid starts to investigate and soon fi= nds himself embroiled in a conspiracy that cuts to the very heart of the in= tegrity of British horse racing.
Can Sid figure out what happened to his friend, or will he be the next one = that the killer targets?
Critique: A compulsive page turner of a read from cover to cover, "Hands Do= wn" by novelist Felix Francis is a carefully crafted private eye mystery th=
at delivers a clever 'whodunnit'. Highly recommended for community library = Mystery/Suspense collections, "Hands Down" is the stuff of which block bust=
er novel based movies are made! It should be noted for the personal reading=
lists of Felix Francis fans that "Hands Down" is also available in a paper= back edition (9781639105533, $17.99), in a digital book format (Kindle, $13= ..99), and as a complete and unabridged audio book (9781038616753, $45.70, B= olinda, CD).
Editorial Note: Felix Francis (
http://felixfrancis.com/index.php) was born =
in Oxford, England, son of the famous mystery author, Dick Francis and his = wife, Mary Francis. Felix graduated from London University. His initial car= eer led him into physics, where he was a successful teacher of A Level Phys= ics. But he could not deny that his family's gift of writing had been passe=
d along to him, and he started his second career (as an author) where he fo= und his knowledge of physics was a great advantage.
Dead Men Don't Decorate
Cordy Abbott
Crooked Lane Books
2 Park Avenue, 10th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781639101252, $28.99, HC, 304pp
https://www.amazon.com/Dead-Dont-Decorate-Antique-Mystery/dp/163910125X
Synopsis: Roberto Fratelli, proprietor of the antiques store Waited4You, is=
the meanest man in Marthasville, Virginia. So when he puts the business up=
for sale, the other merchants in town are overjoyed. And now the business = has a prospective buyer: local resident and the newly elected mayor's mom, = Camille Benson, who's thrilled at the prospect of getting into the antiques=
business.
During a celebration in honor of Camille's new venture, her best friend, Op= al, tells her about finding a letter, purportedly from Sally Fairfax to Geo= rge Washington, dated 1756, hidden under a chair in the shop. When they ret= urn to retrieve the cache, they find Roberto's lifeless body on the floor a=
nd no letter.
Police question Ella Coleman, Roberto's ex-wife, and discover that her curr= ent husband supplied Roberto with oh-so-faux Victorian furniture. Did the t=
wo cheat the wrong customer? Or could the murder be connected to an earlier=
theft of rare books from the shop -- a theft Roberto never reported? As Ca= mille prepares to confront these questions and investigate the murder, she = knows she might become the latest knock-off.
Critique: Another superbly crafted and original cozy mystery from novelist = Cordy Abbott, "Dead Men Don't Decorate" is an extraordinary and fun read fr=
om first page to last. A mystery fan's delight, "Dead Men Don't Decorate" i=
s especially recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections=
.. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of Cordy Abbott fans th= at "Dead Men Don't Decorate" is also available in a digital book format (Ki= ndle, $13.99).
Editorial Note: Cordy Abbott (
https://cordyabbott.com) is the author of the=
Old Town Mystery series. She has a post-graduate certificate in Antiquitie=
s Theft and Art Crime.
Death on a Deadline
Joyce St. Anthony
Crooked Lane Books
2 Park Avenue, 10th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781639101153, $29.99, HC, 288pp
https://www.amazon.com/Death-Deadline-Homefront-News-Mystery/dp/1639101152
Synopsis: As World War II rages in Europe and the Pacific, the small town o=
f Progress is doing its part for the soldiers in the field with a war bond = drive at the annual county fair. Town gossip Ava Dempsey rumors that Clark = Gable will be among the participating stars. Instead of Gable, the headline=
r is Freddie Harrison, a B-movie star. When Freddie turns up dead in the du=
nk tank, Irene Ingram, editor-in-chief of The Progress Herald, starts chasi=
ng the real headline.
There are plenty of suspects and little evidence. Ava's sister Angel, who w=
as married to the dead actor, is the most obvious. The couple had argued ab= out his affair with the young starlet Belinda Fox, and Angel was the last p= erson to see Freddie alive.
Irene discovers there's more than one person who might have wanted Freddie = dead. As Irene draws on her well-honed reporter's instincts to find the kil= ler -- but nothing is what it seems in Progress, and now her own deadline c= ould be right around the corner.
Critique: Cosy mystery writing at its best, "Death on a Deadline" by noveli=
st Joyce St. Anthony is a fund read that will be memorably enjoyed by all d= edicated mystery fans. While highly recommended as an immediately popular a= ddition to community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be not=
ed for personal reading lists that "Death on a Deadline" is also available =
in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.99).
Editorial Note: Joyce St. Anthony (
https://crookedlanebooks.com/joyce-st-an= thony) was a police secretary for ten years and more than once envisioned t=
he demise of certain co-workers, but settled on writing as a way to keep he= rself out of jail. She is also the author of the award winning Brewing Trou= ble mysteries set in Pittsburgh.
EDITOR'S NOTE:
The Midwest Book Review is an organization of volunteers committed to promo= ting literacy, library usage, and small press publishing. We accept no fund=
s from authors or publishers. Full permission is given to post any of these=
reviews on thematically appropriate websites, newsgroups, listserves, inte= rnet discussion groups, organizational newsletters, or to interested indivi= duals. Please give the Midwest Book Review a credit line when doing so.
The Midwest Book Review publishes the monthly book review magazines "Califo= rnia Bookwatch", "Internet Bookwatch", "Children's Bookwatch", "MBR Bookwat= ch", "Reviewer's Bookwatch", and "Small Press Bookwatch". All are available=
for free on the Midwest Book Review website at www (dot) midwestbookreview=
(dot) com
Anyone wanting to submit books for review consideration can send them to:
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
To submit reviews of any fiction or non-fiction books, email them to Frugal= muse (at) aol (dot) com (Be sure to include the book title, author, publish= er, publisher address, publisher website/phone number, 13-digit ISBN number=
, and list price).
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
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