Don't Let The Devil Ride By Ace Atkins

Intense and engaging, thrilling and suspenseful, Don’t Let the Devil Ride is a smashingly entertaining dive into a dark underworld filled with secrets, greed and malefactors. 

Addison McKellar's world is turned upside down when her husband, Dean, abruptly disappears. Desperate for answers, she enlists the help of venerable Memphis PI Porter Hayes to uncover the truth. As they delve into Dean's secrets, they unravel a dangerous web of international intrigue involving mercenaries, celebrities, and impostors. With danger lurking around every corner and her family in the crosshairs, Addison teams with Porter in a race against time to find Dean and unravel a perilous plot before it's too late.

Ace Atkins latest novel will hook you early and captivate you with well-developed characters, infuriating moments, violence of action, and surprising twists.  You will be challenged to keep your cool as everything and everyone seems to conspire against Addison, a mother and a wife who grows stronger and more resilient as events unfold despite the odds stacked against her.  And you will be thoroughly enchanted by Porter Hayes, who reminds me of a cross between Spenser and Shaft.  Cool, connected and incredibly good at his job.  All of which is wrapped within a compelling southern noir story that is part mystery, part crime novel and part psychological thriller.  It’s a superb novel by a fantastic author who once again comes up aces with this new release. 

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Shadowheart By Meg Gardiner

Reading Shadowheart is not for the faint of heart. Expect frayed nerves, heart palpitations, a daisy chain of gut punches, sweating the ending and yelling at characters who can’t hear you. It’s a thriller that causes a reaction you feel throughout your body. Brilliant and chilling stuff from the marvelous Meg Gardiner.

FBI Special Agent Caitlin Hendrix is on the hunt to stop the Broken Heart Killer. This serial killer appears to be a copycat of Efrem Judah Goode, a man convicted of multiple murders and serving time in a Tennessee maximum security prison. The crimes and locations are very similar to the point where Hendrix wonders if there’s a connection and communication between the two. And she’s tasked with a clear mission – find the connection, stop the killings. Caught between a devious psychopath and a vicious UNSUB, this case will be anything but easy. But Hendrix will stop at nothing and risk everything to solve the case, hunt down the killer and put an end to the mayhem they have wrought.

The UNSUB novels constitute the best serial killer series in print today. Combining tremendous pacing with storytelling that will scare the ever-loving crap out of you – and featuring terrifying psychopathic killers that will cause you to have your head on a swivel anytime you leave the house – they will have you frightened of the dark and lead to questioning your sanity anytime you’re walking alone at night.

Shadowheart fits this to a T and is a superb continuation of the series after a three-year hiatus. Caitlin Hendrix continues to grow and evolve as a character while exhibiting incredible intellect and drive to relentlessly pursue and thwart a prodigious murderer. The plot is fantastic with The Silence of the Lambs vibes. Goode the Hanibal Lecter to Hendrix’s Clarise, the law enforcement officer needing the insight of a jailed sociopath convict to track down the new serial killer. And it works incredibly well, moving at the speed of light with tensions ratcheting up every single page until it explodes like a shotgun blast. It’s simply fantastic.

Meg Gardiner is an incredible writer and her talents are on full display in the remarkable Shadowheart. Don’t miss this book…but don’t read it in the dark. You have been warned.

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What Fire Brings By Rachel Howzell Hall

Twisting, anxiety-inducing and filled with misdirection, What Fire Brings will leave you sweaty and breathless on this decent into the abyss to find the truth. Rachel Howzell Hall skillfully pairs the suspense of a missing persons investigation with the intensity of an approaching wildfire to craft this tension-filled thriller where no one is who they seem.

Bailey Meadows is the new writer-in-residence at the home of best-selling thriller author Jack Beckham, where she’s expected to improve her craft while helping Jack write his next big hit. But Bailey is really a private investigator in training, searching for a missing woman who disappeared in the canyon around Jack’s property. As she conducts her search, she learns about other disappearances, weird occurrences and questionable characters that puts her on high alert. And as a roaring wildfire bears down on the estate, Bailey must quickly uncover the truth before she becomes the next victim.

This novel has a great premise – going undercover as a developing writer to find the truth about a woman who disappeared around the home of a famous writer. Going into the belly of the beast if you will. And it grows into something even more promising with the introduction of additional missing persons, a wildfire that threatens to cut the investigation short and the realization that each character has a hidden agenda. All of which gives What Fire Brings a sense of urgency and depth that engages the reader. It also results in a lot of moving parts, some of which will seem confusing. But choosing to stick with it is rewarded handsomely by the author with a fiery and explosive race to the finish that will rock your world.

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Assassins Anonymous By Rob Hart

What happens when you take Alcoholics Anonymous and breed it with John Wick? You get Assassins Anonymous, a clever tale about how hired guns go into recovery and support each other to rediscover their morality. Even when there are hoards of killers who want nothing more than to murder you right in the face.

Mark is a former hit man known to all as the Pale Horse, a name that strikes fear and reverence across the world. However, the toll that all the killing had taken on him became too much and he turned to a support group of former assassins to begin a 12-step program towards recovery. But this is not a job that you can quietly retire from, which Mark realizes the moment he’s engaged in a violent attack and fighting for his life. Now on the run, he must determine who’s after him, why they are chasing him and, in the process, not kill anyone and reset his recovery clock from almost one year since killing someone to zero. Which turns out to be a real disadvantage when the other side has guns, knives and goons ready to put you 6 feet underground. Regardless, he’s still the Pale Horse and can kick major ass when the occasion calls for it. And the occasion most definitely calls for it right now.

Assassins Anonymous is the most unique take on a hitman-centric thriller you have ever read. A thriller in which the killer refuses to kill. A crazy concept that works. Maybe because the incredible violence is counterbalanced with pensive exploration of a person’s humanity and capacity for change. And just because the reformed assassin doesn’t want to take more lives doesn’t mean there isn’t a smorgasbord of brutality and bloodshed. Au contraire mon frère. The action sequences are plentiful and glorious. With more than a few gut punches – literally and figuratively – to elicit emotion and keep you on your toes throughout the twisting story. Add in some humor and heart, and this novel delivers a compelling read that is much more than just an interesting premise.

Kudos to Rob Hart on taking a risk and providing an unusual spin into a well-defined genre. It pays off in a big way, delivering a book that is equal parts playful, vicious, and heartfelt. One not to be missed by thriller fans.

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Don't Ask, Don't Follow By Mary Keliikoa

Murder, intimidation and keeping secrets hidden take center stage in Don’t Ask, Don’t Follow, an investigative thriller that will keep you guessing before leaving you shook.  Mary Keliikoa has crafted an intense and twisty story in which no one can be trusted and the truth is hard to swallow. 

Beth Ralston is a paralegal at her father’s law firm.  During an office party, she finds her boss murdered in his office and a woman that looks like her sister Lindsay running away from the scene of the crime.  Shocked and awaiting the police to question her, Beth finds a message from her sister that states “Don’t ask. Don’t follow.”  But Beth isn’t one to sit idly by, especially when her sister is unreachable and in danger.  And as she investigates, dark secrets come to light, everyone she comes into contact becomes a target, and the truth about her own family threatens to rock her world.  But she won’t stop until she finds out what happened to her sister and takes down those responsible for the reprehensible plot she uncovers.  Even if it might kill her in the process.

Don’t Ask, Don’t Follow kicks off quickly with a murder in the first chapter, but then does an excellent job patiently and methodically building the investigation while maintaining a high degree of tension through casting doubt upon everyone and raising tons of questions.  But when the answers to those questions finally come…oh boy, look out!  Shocking truths and major twists hit you like a two by four to the face.  Making you wonder how Beth can ever pick up the pieces of the life she though she knew.  And making you think about your own family and what secrets they could be hiding.  Resulting in an entertaining, engaging, suspenseful and contemplative novel.

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If Something Happens To Me By Alex Finlay

If Something Happens to Me is an engaging, vivid thriller that demands attention and dares you to put it down.  Adrenaline-fueled, edge of your seat stuff by Alex Finlay.

Ryan Richardson, haunted by the disappearance of his girlfriend Ali five years ago, lives under the weight of suspicion and online harassment. Despite never being charged, he changes his name and pursues a law career to move on. However, his past resurfaces when Ali's car is discovered in a lake with two bodies and a mysterious note, reigniting his quest for answers. During a trip to Italy with classmates, Ryan receives a chilling call from his father, leading him on a journey across continents to unravel the truth behind Ali's disappearance. Along the way, he encounters unexpected allies, including a rookie sheriff's deputy in Kansas and a mobster in Philadelphia, as he races against time to uncover the secrets of that fateful night.

Multiple storylines are expertly developed in parallel, containing twists and turns to keep readers off balance, before converging in an explosion of violence.  Pulsating with an intensity that thrusts readers onward with a craving for discovering the truth and witnessing the end game.  Which only works because the characters are expertly crafted with depth that elicit complex emotions.  So, while they are divided between groups of characters that you root to succeed versus those you harbor hope of being destroyed, most of the individuals are not straight good or bad.  Allowing readers to sympathize with the “bad guys” while still wishing for their demise…and harboring dislike for some of the actions of the “good guys” but ultimately cheering for them to win the day.  A well-written, fast-paced and action-filled tale that’s brilliantly crafted by one hell of a thriller author.

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The Main Character By Jaclyn Goldis

Twisting, turning and dramatic with a capital D, The Main Character will hold you in suspense while you try to unravel the tangled, tension-filled web spun between key players in this story.  Jaclyn Goldis has delivered an absorbing Agatha Christie-esque tale that propels readers forward with a desperate need for answers.

Bestselling author Ginevra Ex takes the unusual approach of hiring real people, interviewing them and their family/friends, and then fictionalizing them for her books.  Her latest main character is Rory, a former news anchor from the United States who is thrilled with the opportunity that comes along with a generous bonus and a trip along Italy’s coast on the newly renovated Orient Express.  Once she boards the train, she’s shocked to find her brother, best friend and ex-fiancé are also along for the ride.  And as the voyage commences, it’s clear there’s an ulterior motive for Ginevra inviting these individuals.  Which induces Rory to conduct an investigation.  Leading to uncovering life-altering secrets.  Some of which are worth killing for.

Having the storyline revolve around an author using real people as subjects for a fiction novel is fresh, creative and unique.  But on its own that isn’t enough to make a compelling novel.  Thankfully, The Main Character includes interesting characters with secrets they do not want to come to light, adding a big dose of intrigue and conflict, fed to readers with a slow drip until it explodes with action, violence and clarity that satisfyingly resolves every open question.  Resulting in a book that hooks readers early and takes them on an intense journey of lies, betrayal, and murder.

If you like a good reality TV drama, then Jaclyn Goldis has gifted you a book squarely in your wheelhouse.  But even if that’s not your thing, The Main Character serves up enough intrigue, mystery and charm to entertain any mystery fan looking for a good story. 

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Double Tap By Cindy Dees

Double Tap is a suspenseful, action packed and highly entertaining thriller with a hell of a body count.  A buffet of death served up by a fifty-something year old woman who at this stage of her life would prefer serving apple pie at family functions rather than being called to thwart would be assassins.  Cindy Dees has delivered another tantalizing story of deceit, spy craft and violence that will satiate even the biggest appetites for blood lust.

Retired CIA assassin Helen Warwick is brought back into the agency to hunt down a Russian mole embedded in the CIA, code name Scorpius.  Not only has this individual provided Russia with unparalleled access to American intelligence, but this person has been recruiting psychopaths who have mustered out of the military, training them to become an extremely off-the-books hit squad.  With her family at risk, Helen has never been more motivated to succeed.  And the only way she can enjoy the peaceful retirement she earned is to go head-to-head with this traitor, expose the conspiracy and put an end to their nefarious endeavors.  That is, as long as she can stay alive while being targeted by a bevy of crazy killers.

Once again readers will be captivated with Helen Warwick’s guile, intelligence and deadly skillset as the quinquagenarian woman is called upon to ply her trade one more time in service to her country.  But it’s the personal aspect of this mission that hooks you in and keeps you engaged.  With her family at risk and past secrets coming to light, the stakes are higher than just stopping a mole.  Additionally, Helen’s adversary is equally cunning as more ruthless, willing to do whatever it takes to ensure they come out on top.  Which leads to an intense journey for the truth that leaves many dead bodies in its wake. 

If you’re middle aged and looking for a protagonist in your age bracket, then this is the series for you.  But even if that’s not what you seek, Double Tap provides an array of skills, thrills, and kills sure to entertain thriller fans of all ages. 

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Truth Truth Lie By Claire McGowan

Truth Truth Lie is mysterious, suspenseful and will fill you with anxiety.  A story in which panic, paranoia and murder take center stage.  Claire McGowan keeps you guessing by making everyone a suspect while concurrently having them all fear for their lives.  It’s intense!

A group of friends congregate on a private Scottish island to celebrate the 40th birthdays of two members of the crew.  As the festivities begin, they play the game two truths and a lie, leading to reading a slip of paper that insinuates everyone present is responsible for someone’s death, there’s no way off the island and that they will all either kill or be killed.  But who wrote these statements, and which one is the lie?  As old actions, secrets and resentment are revealed, tensions and paranoia increase with violence seemingly inevitable.  And then someone turns up dead.  Then the fun really begins.

Claire McGowan pulls off a neat trick in Truth Truth Lie.  She spills the tea on each character and their unsavory past, yet somehow keeps several of the characters worthy of sympathy.  Not all of them mind you.  Some of the character’s actions are more despicable and unforgiving.  But even then, there are little moments where you might feel sorry for them.  Which brings depth to the story and a way for readers to pick which people they believe are behind the devious plot versus which ones they cheer for to be innocent.  That’s the beauty of this book.  Each reader could have a different view of each character.  Which makes for fun book club discussions.

Crime, suspense and the psychological collide in Truth Truth Lie.  A thriller that will leave your nerves frayed and your mind on edge.

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Tom Clancy Act Of Defiance By Andrews & Wilson

The literary tag team of Andrews & Wilson serve up a tall glass of satisfying nostalgia with Act of Defiance, a brilliantly crafted modern-day homage to the Tom Clancy masterpiece The Hunt for Red October.

Trouble is afoot in Russia.  A potential coup is in the works and the Belgorod – a special missions submarine carrying advanced nuclear torpedoes and helmed by a troubled captain – is lurking in the Atlantic Ocean.  As tensions escalate, Naval Intelligence officer Katie Ryan analyzes the unfolding events and connects the dots to prove a clear and present danger to the United States.  Now it’s up to President Jack Ryan’s youngest daughter – along with a few of the President’s old friends – to untangle the plot, thwart the enemy and stop World War III before it begins.  

The plot is fresh but sentimental, the intensity is dialed up to sweltering levels and the sequencing of events is impeccably on point.  But what makes Act of Defiance special is the parallels and throwbacks to Red October.  It starts with a young analyst named Ryan spotting patterns no one else can see, drawing all the right conclusions and putting themselves in the middle of the action.  Like father, like daughter.  And like her father before her, Katie Ryan is forced to put herself in the shoes of a Russian submarine captain to determine his intentions and safeguard the United States from imminent peril.  Knowing that one wrong assumption spells doom for the entire world but having complete confidence in her abilities that belie her age.  Sound familiar?  Then throw in several old characters we know and love, including a couple of amazing cameos, and it really takes you back in time.  Resulting in a gigantic smile and a gratifying sigh as you lean back into your chair having finished a book that you have to believe Tom Clancy would be eminently delighted with having his name adorn the front cover.  

Prepare to be blown away by Act of Defiance.  It is a beautiful symphony that hits all the right notes.  A throwback to the classic Clancy novels, reminding us why we fell in love with this genre.  If you call yourself a military thriller fan, you can absolutely not miss this book.  It’s perfect.  10/10 no notes.  Contender for best thriller of 2024.  

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Think Twice By Harlan Coben

Another satisfyingly twisting, turning and suspenseful Harlan Coben novel, Think Twice brings the heat to challenge our ideas on friendship, love and getting away with murder.  It’s a classic Coben brain bender that keeps you guessing and entertains at a high level.

Former basketball star turned sports agent Myron Bolitar is approached by the FBI demanding to know where his friend, client and murder suspect Greg Downing is located.  Only problem is that Greg died 3 years ago.  But Myron starts to think, what if he isn’t really dead?  Myron teams up with his friends and colleagues to investigate, bringing him from New York to Las Vegas to Montana and places in between.  And what they uncover goes beyond the one murder, shining a light on a sinister plot that could be the work of a meticulous serial killer.  Now the only question is can they identify the killer’s identity before more people – including Myron – end up dead?

Long time Coben fans will enjoy this story that features characters they know and love and how they are challenged in Think Twice.  But if you aren’t familiar with these characters, don’t let that scare you away from picking up this book.  It’s easy to catch up on the character’s histories and relationships within the plot of this story.  And it’s a hell of a plot featuring someone back from the dead, multiple murders, innocents being framed, twisted personal relationships, private jets and more.  All the while keeping you guessing on who’s the culprit, who knows what and how’s it going to end.  

Another fantastic novel for the Coben catalog.  It’s high on drama, hitting all the right notes to keep you in suspense before finishing with a bang.  

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Blood Red Summer By Eryk Pruitt

A tale of justice delayed but not denied, Blood Red Summer elicits a bevy of emotions from heartbreak to inspiration, outrage to compassion, and frustration to satisfaction.  Eryk Pruitt superbly crafts another fascinating novel featuring a relentless true crime protagonist.  

After the success of her debut true crime podcast, Jess Keeler is now investigating the 1984 Lake Castor sniper case as a possible topic for a new documentary series.  The sniper killed five people in the historically Black part of town with barely any attention from the police and hardly a mention in the local news.  However, when a white journalist was killed in similar fashion, the wheels of justice spun quickly with a quick arrest and confession.  But did this individual really do it?  As Jess follows the evidence and looks for connections to another gruesome murder of three bootleggers, she will once again put herself in grave danger to uncover the truth.  A truth many would prefer to stay dead and buried.

Blood Red Summer ambitiously and successfully tells a story spanning two timelines 40 years apart that tackles complex and challenging issues relevant to both eras.  Racism, corruption, gang violence, the changing media landscape and impact on journalistic integrity all feature prominently.  And by jumping back and forth between past and present, slowly dripping clues and critical information along the way, it cranks up the suspense to high levels before landing a crushing blow when the truth is finally revealed.  All the while readers will be theorizing on what happened, who knew about it and how it impacted the communities on the different sides of the racial divide.  Making it an engaging and thought-provoking reading experience.  Another compelling and entertaining thriller from the pen of Eryk Pruitt.

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The Instruments Of Darkness By John Connolly

Twisty and laden with numerous moments of increased anticipation that propel the reader forward with urgency, The Instruments of Darkness is an incredibly well written story with a little bit of everything – crime, investigations, violent action and a touch of the supernatural.  John Connolly has crafted an explosive thriller loaded with darkness and scheming, counteracted by sincerity and righteousness.

Colleen Clark is accused of abducting and killing her own son, and everyone in Maine thinks she’s guilty.  But she’s entitled to a defense and fair trial.  Enter Lawyer Moxie Castin and private investigator Charlie Parker, who after some initial investigating believe Colleen to be innocent.  But proving that she was set up is the hard part.  Involving a husband who is certain of his wife’s guilt, a medium/psychic with a dubious past, strange characters and even stranger houses in the woods, and racists arming themselves for battle, the investigation will take multiple twists and turns – some deadly – until the truth is finally revealed.

This was my first Charlie Parker novel, but it certainly won’t be my last.  I was struck by Parker’s quiet professionalism and pragmatic investigations approach that leaves emotion out of the equation.  He’s intelligent, highly capable and relentless.  He has a stable of resources at his disposal that allows him to obtain critical and hard to get information or provide muscle/backup for dangerous situations, situations in which he’s able to handle himself with aplomb.  Furthermore, he has a past that adds depth to his actions, motivations and thought processes.  All of which make him a fascinating character.

And in The Instruments of Darkness, all those character traits come into play.  Parker engages in a battle of wits with cunning lawyers.  He must discern fact from fiction as he interviews individuals with various motivations and reputations.  He puts himself in harm's way in the name of justice.  All the while there’s a darkness lurking that he may be uniquely qualified to understand.  Leading to a showdown where no one is left unscathed.  It’s exciting and compelling stuff.

It's a masterfully crafted tale by John Connolly.  One that is sure to thrill and satisfy long-term Parker fans while also providing an accessible on ramp for new readers to experience this excellent series.  

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Missing White Woman By Kellye Garrett

Missing White Woman is a stunning, suspenseful thriller with life lessons galore. A novel that has a lot to teach us if we’re open to listening and capable of introspection. Kellye Garrett has knocked this one out of the park!

Breanna is in Jersey City for a romantic weekend with her new boyfriend, Ty. Despite Ty having to work more than expected, they’re having a nice weekend checking out the sites in New York City and the sheets in their Airbnb. But it all goes to hell when Bree wakes up one morning to find a dead woman in the house and Ty missing. And it’s not just any dead woman, but suspected to be Janelle Beckett, a woman who disappeared earlier in the week and the subject of viral posts and videos on social media. With Ty the main suspect and Bree’s past something she wants to keep hidden, she’s forced to turn to her ex-best friend, who’s now a lawyer, for help despite their falling out over a decade ago. Together, they will uneasily search for the truth while trying to keep Bree from becoming another victim of social media’s cancel culture.

I’m obviously not a black woman nor someone who has had the same life experience as Bree’s character. So, it’s impossible for me to fully understand or appreciate how it would feel to be her in this situation. But Kellye Garrett’s writing is so vivid and storytelling so immersive that I was able to connect with Bree, strongly feel her emotions, and sympathize with her plight. And that connection is enhanced by the relatability of Bree through her relationships, whether it’s finding love with someone special or the difficult nature of a great friendship that ended abruptly. All of which put me on edge the entire time, nervous energy coursing through my body, urging Bree to figure out the truth and wishing hard for her to find peace and move forward with her life.

Additionally, the usage of social media as a central part of the plot is brilliantly done. How it’s deployed to shape the court of public opinion and convict people of wrongdoing without hard evidence is poignant commentary on the current state of the world. Highlighting that by being too quick to judgment and lacking intellectual curiosity, we’re causing undue or premature harm to others. And positing that the drive for a large number of views, likes and shares has the potential for great harm and impacts our humanity. Something we should all take a hard look at next time we log on to post or comment.

Missing White Woman is a fantastic book written by a marvelous author. A thriller that entertains, educates and holds up a mirror to society. One that demands your attention and stimulates reflection. Not to be missed.

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The Infiltrator By TR Hendricks

The Infiltrator is a second straight hit right out of the gate for T. R. Hendricks. It’s action-packed, suspenseful and emotional. A book that patiently sets the stage before opening the gates of hell with a ferocious barrage of violence that’ll leave you in shambles.

Following his heroics to bring down a camp of would-be domestic terrorists in upstate New York, Derek Harrington is now the key forward element in the FBI’s effort to root out the remaining cells of the dangerous group known as Autumn's Tithe. Having successfully shut down several other locations, the latest intelligence shows a final camp located in Kentucky that appears similar to the others. But this camp is way more than it seems and the FBI operation is met with significant resistance, leading to a showdown between Harrington and the leaders of Autumn’s Tithe that will threaten everything Derek holds dear.

The star of the show in The Infiltrator is definitely the action sequences. Black Hawks, Apaches, MRAPs, SWAT & HRT, snipers, and more. A torrential downpour of hot lead and missiles. A firefight that is as intense, insane and incendiary as anything you’ll ever read. Unapologetically brutal and indiscriminate in dealing out death. Cinematic in description. Packing an emotional punch. Glorious, unputdownable stuff.

Additionally, as with any nascent series, character development is critical, and Hendricks does an excellent job on this front. He provides additional insight into Derek Harrington’s personality, skillsets and relationships that go a long way to making him relatable while also qualifying him as an elite operator. Witnessing his attempt to put the pieces of his life back together with his wife, son and father provide context on his flaws but also show how he’s approaching trying to be a better person outside the wire. But the character development goes well beyond Harrington with the introduction of several fascinating individuals who have a major influence on events and outcomes in The Infiltrator. And they are sure to provoke strong reactions from readers.

Jump on this series now because it’s got the legs to reach lofty heights. And there’s unfinished business at the end of this one that projects towards a killer third installment on the way. Which is great news for thriller fans!

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Close To Death By Anthony Horowitz

The continuation of a remarkably fun series, Close to Death is another expertly crafted tale of murder, deception and investigative genius.  Anthony Horowitz delivers another wonderfully mysterious whodunit in which he’s the Watson to Hawthorne’s Sherlock.  

With no active case being investigated by Hawthorne, Anthony Horowitz is compelled to write his next book about a murder that happened several years ago in a small, exclusive gated community called Riverside Close.  Containing six houses and friendly neighbors, it seems like an idyllic neighborhood.  That is until the newest resident is found murdered.  With every inhabitant a suspect, the police call in Hawthorne to assist in the investigation.  Using notes, recordings and conducting a few new interviews, Horowitz reconstructs the events and tries to figure out who’s the killer and their motive.  But with several individuals strongly recommending abandoning this story in favor of finding a different case to write about, Horowitz just might conclude this is a crime best left dead and buried in the past. 

Close to Death has a different and intriguing feel to the prior books in the series in which the author is the sidekick during an active murder investigation.  This time, he’s researching and reconstructing a past crime investigated by Hawthorne.  And while Horowitz isn’t constantly being told by the onery Hawthorne that he’s getting it all wrong and compromising the investigation, he’s still being told that his writing isn’t capturing events exactly as they occurred.  So, there’s still some investigative stress between the two.  But the conflict ratchets up to higher levels as Horowitz attempts to learn more about Hawthorne’s past.  And that’s the part that really propels the character development and moves the series forward.  It’s a great device for delving into Hawthorne’s past and providing a deeper look into what makes him tick.  Though there’s still plenty left uncovered to keep him mysterious and enigmatic, which keeps the tension between the main characters in place.

Additionally, this feels like a potential turning point for the series with an uncertain ending that could go multiple directions.  Adding to the suspense of the novel with ambiguity for the future.  But as long as we get more Hawthorne and Horowitz, whatever comes next will be a treat.

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A Calamity Of Souls By David Baldacci

David Baldacci has written a lot of books.  Many of them instant best sellers that entertain the masses.  But this novel is on a completely different level.  A Calamity of Souls is the most profound and captivating story David Baldacci has ever told. 

It’s 1968 in southern Virgina and a black man is accused of killing the white couple he worked for.  Jack Lee, a local white lawyer, believes in the man’s innocence and agrees to defend the accused despite never having been involved in a murder trial before. He’s soon joined by Desiree DuBose, a black lawyer out of Chicago who works for the Legal Defense Fund and has offered her considerable skills and experience as co-counsel.  With the state sending in the attorney general and handpicking the judge to preside over the trial, in addition to the rampant racism in that part of the country, Lee and DuBose know the deck is heavily stacked against them.  But the two will stop at nothing to put up a vigorous defense for their client despite the grave danger they face, fighting a corrupt system and an almost certain guilty verdict in pursuit of true justice and the dream of an equal society. 

It's apparent Baldacci put a ton of time and care into crafting this intricate story, resulting in a powerful tale that elicits strong emotions.  The characters are exquisitely constructed to extract extreme compassion for those fighting against and experiencing injustice and provoke deep loathing of the contemptible individuals on the other side.  The plot is designed to constantly ramp up the intensity and levels of infuriation while systemic racism continues to wield its ugly power to facilitate a seemingly certain and exasperating outcome.  And the storytelling is formulated to propel the reader forward with great urgency and desire to learn the fate of all involved, alternating between providing hope and generating despair.  It’s an emotional rollercoaster.

And while A Calamity of Souls takes place over 50 years ago it’s also quite relevant to events of the near past and present day.  Which can make it an uncomfortable book to read.  But it’s nonetheless important to read it and spend time reflecting on it.  Kudos to Baldacci for taking on such an ambitious and important topic and turning out a brilliant novel.  It’s his finest work to date.

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Blood Mountain By Alisa Lynn Valdes

Treacherous weather and duplicitous intentions are front and center in Blood Mountain, where if the major snowstorm doesn’t kill you, a family member or a large animal might cause your demise instead.  Alisa Lynn Valdes has crafted a tension-filled, blood pressure increasing, enchanting mystery that will keep you guessing until the shocking reveal.

New Mexico game warden Jodi Luna has been ordered by her boss to lead an elk hunt on the enormous ranch of a wealthy family, one member of which is a woman Jodi has become friendly with.  When she arrives, she is thrust into a complicated situation with bickering siblings and an incoming blizzard that leaves them stranded in the lodge.  Then one of the family members goes missing and is later found murdered.  Jodi, as the sole law enforcement officer on site, must brave the elements and the warring family to determine the motive and figure out which one of the handful of suspects could have perpetrated the crime.  

This book is high on drama and contains quite a bit of intrigue that goes beyond the murder investigation.  Loud and obnoxious siblings fighting like cats and dogs.  Environmental conservation issues.  Teenagers thinking they know more than adults.  Dynamics of rich vs. poor.  A daughter trying to find her place in a family after being united with her birth mother.  And a woman referred to as the Goat Lady who shoots homemade arrows at people, keeps a black bear as a pet, and speaks almost exclusively in bible verses.  So while this book has a compelling crime and a twisting, turning, suspenseful investigation, the characters are the driving force behind making this story pop.

Blood Mountain is an engaging and gripping tale that succeeds in moving this budding series forward with a positive step in character development while also setting the stage for future installments.  A thriller that will entertain crime novel enthusiasts with a predisposition for the outdoors, animals and family drama.

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Day Of Wrath By Matt Cricchio

Day of Wrath is crackling with intensity and as dark as an underground doomsday bunker.  Matt Cricchio has crafted a malevolent crime novel that is not for the faint of heart.

Caleb and Krissy Rhoades are married but drifting apart.  Krissy owns the most popular bakery in town and has a large social media following.  Caleb is an ex-Marine who’s struggling with civilian life and owns a failing tactical training school.  Their issues are exasperated when Krissy is violently assaulted behind her bakery while sitting in Caleb’s truck.  Was Caleb the real target?  As the police seemingly botch the investigation, Caleb and Krissy each try to find out who’s behind the attack.  Which opens old wounds and puts them on a collision course with dangerous individuals.  Leading to a massive shootout that threatens to kill or maim everyone involved in this case.

This book is overflowing with tension and consternation.  Every single relationship in Day of Wrath is fraught with acrimony.  Which facilitates the transfer of each character’s angst onto the reader.  Sending you on a rough journey down a deep, dark rabbit hole of discontent, corruption, and violence.  Experiencing a gritty story filled with ruthlessness that is frightening to think exists in the world but provides macabre entertainment within the pages of a novel.

An action-packed thriller with indiscriminate viciousness, Day of Wrath is big, loud and chilling.  A story for those possessing strong internal fortitude who desire an audacious and brutal tale. 

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Four Minutes By Andrews & Wilson

Four Minutes is a brain busting and fascinating military, spy and sci-fi thriller combo containing blazing action sequences, world altering technology and enough time travel to make you exclaim “Great Scott!”  Andrews and Wilson have delivered another compelling techno-thriller that will leave you breathless and contemplative.  

Chief Tyler Brooks is one of the best special ops leaders on the planet.  After a mission that goes devastatingly wrong and leaves him with more questions than answers, he’s recruited to join Task Force Omega with the promise to get some of those answers while leading an elite team of operators who will gain an advantage over their adversaries by having access to technology that gives them a look at the future.  However, there are risks and a cost for using this technology.  Furthermore, they are being hunted by an unknown force lurking in the shadows with plans of changing the world order.  With nuclear war staring them in the face, Chief Brooks and his team will have to do everything in their power to stop the unimaginable from happening.  The question is – is glimpsing the future four minutes at a time enough to save the day?

Four Minutes is a great concept that is executed flawlessly.  Yes, there are military thrillers out there that include futuristic technology and there are also plenty of time travel novels out there.  But combining them, adding in a dash of CIA secrecy and manipulation to keep you on your toes and throwing in a twist of only being able to go 28 days into the future and stay for only 4 minutes at a time is a differentiator.  It ratchets up the suspense and the pressure the characters – who are required to have very special skills and elite brain function – feel because time is of the essence with every single operation.  It’s compelling stuff.  Not that we should be surprised when the dynamic writing duo is behind the pen.

If you’re looking for a novel to break your brain thinking about the laws of physics and the space-time continuum while being entertained by gun battles and a race to save the world, then Four Minutes is squarely in your wheelhouse.  It will entertain, mystify and engage you.  Kicking off a series with infinite potential.  

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Purchase Four Minutes
(Note: most indie bookstores can fulfill an order as quickly as larger retailers. Please consider contacting them for your next purchase.)

Barrington Books
Chapter 2 Books
Murder By The Book
Once Upon A Crime
The Book Dragon
The Poisoned Pen

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