Ladykiller By Katherine Wood

Sexy and sinister, deceptive and treacherous, Ladykiller will hook you with dramatic events before leaving it to your imagination to fill in the unresolved blanks.  Katherine Wood has crafted a consuming tale of murder, deceit and manipulation within the world of the rich and famous.

Gia is at her family’s estate in Greece with her new husband, preparing the home for sale in the wake of her father’s death.  Joined by other guests, everything is going well until tensions start to rise and Gia starts to wonder if the people around her are what they seem.  Then she no-shows a trip to Sweden to witness the Northern Lights with her brother Benny and her best friend Abby.  Meanwhile, Abby receives menacing emails that threaten to expose the truth of the trauma she and Gia experienced over a decade ago.  Putting that aside, Abby and Benny travel to Greece to locate Gia, but find the home deserted, except for a manuscript Gia has written about the past few months detailing the salacious story of the past few months.  Now searching for Gia’s whereabouts and with dark secrets spilling into the light, the only thing for certain is nothing will ever be the same for all involved.

Ladykiller juxtaposes hidden agendas and subterfuge from conniving individuals with the idyllic setting of a gorgeous home in the Greek islands.  Giving the reader a beautiful backdrop in which to watch rich people behaving badly with sex, violence, scams and secrets abound.  Indulgences for us normal folks to voyeuristically witness.  Allowing us a guilt-free pass to judge the actions of these well-developed and mysterious characters while playing detective to figure out who is ultimately going to come out unscathed.  And despite the conclusion of the story leaving several things unsettled, it’s still quite the entertaining, engaging and satisfying read. 

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Wilderness Reform By Matt Query and Harrison Query

Stand by Me crossed with Deliverance meets The Twilight Zone.  Wilderness Reform is an intriguing and entertaining blend of the mysterious and psychological combined with a dash of horror that keeps you guessing and makes you take a second, more curious look at those you pass on hiking trails through the woods and mountains.  Matt and Harrison Query have crafted an engaging story with compelling young characters pitted against an older malevolent force.

After being arrested for robbing a local store in Louisiana, Ben Thibodaux is sentenced by the juvenile court judge to attend a reform program for troubled teens in Montana.  The experience is intended to teach him life skills and instill discipline that will help him turn his life around.  Except Ben’s exceptional intelligence and powers of observation are screaming that something isn’t right about the camp, it’s counsellors or it’s leader.  As he learns about the other boys in his cabin and grows to trust them, he confides in them about the menacing danger he senses lurking in the shadows, and they determine making a run for it is their best option.  As they get closer to the truth and execute their escape plan, an unholy evil reveals itself and attempts to thwart them.  Which leaves the boys at a crossroads.  Do they continue to run and save themselves?  Or should they stay and fight to save others who might fall victim to this long-running wickedness?

Wilderness Reform has a little bit of everything.  Mysterious occurrences sprinkled within a setting of self-improvement and boys coming of age in a journey of self-discovery.  Alpha Individuals who are more than meets the eye and are engaged in high-level mind games with those of lesser intellect.  Patient storytelling that methodically sets the scene before unleashing surprising reveals and bursts of explosive violence.  Navigation of the natural world melded with the invasion of the supernatural.  All expertly interwoven into a well-executed tale that will have you muttering WTF to yourself on multiple occasions while simultaneously rooting for these young boys to prevail.

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Ember By Andrews & Wilson

Ember is an explosive and pulse-pounding thrill ride that revs up to full-throttle quickly and doesn’t let up for the duration.  An adrenaline-fueled adventure filled with direct action, deception and vengeance.  Another tier one banger of a story from Brian Andrews and Jeff Wilson.

John Dempsey is back with Ember, recovering from his harrowing mission in Russia.  Meanwhile, Vice President Kelso Jarvis is mourning the loss of his mentor when someone takes a shot at the Israeli Prime Minister at the same time as a devastating terrorist attack occurs in India.  An Islamic terrorist organization known as al Ghadab claims responsibility for these attacks.  Now Jarvis turns to his old team, Ember, with tasking to hunt down the terrorist organization’s leader, Abu Musad Umar.  Sending John Dempsey and team to India to investigate the rising threat and prosecute those behind it with extreme prejudice.

There is a ton of weaponry, tactics, espionage and taking the fight to the bad guys, sure to excite and satiate any military thriller fan.  And it’s awesome!  But what takes Ember to another level are what I would call the character developmental parts of the story.  Jarvis saying goodbye to his mentor and stepping up for his country once again when called upon to do so.  Dempsey trying to find his place again with Ember and reconcile how he’s changed after his rough solo mission in Russia.  The return of a character long thought dead, one who has a complicated past with Dempsey.  And much more.  All of which add depth, emotion and heart to a story that brings the heat with violence and doling out death to the bad guys.  

In addition, Ember appears to be a transitional book that sets up a new story arc.  Suggesting Dempsey and team will be quite busy for the foreseeable future.  Paving the way for more bangers from the pen of Andrews and Wilson.  Great news for thriller fans. 

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Sentinel By Mark Greaney

Intense, propulsive and fueled by non-stop action, Sentinel is a cinematic nail-biting balls-to-the-wall thrill ride.  Mark Greaney only writes bangers, and this is just the latest example.

Ghana is the most stable democracy in Africa.  That is, until a Chinese MSS plot is launched to enact a coup using local rebels, jihadists and a band of ruthless mercenaries.  But what they didn’t count on was running into Josh Duffy, the newest member of the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service team in country.  While attempting to thwart the initial stage of the attack and get his protectees out of the line of fire, he recognizes one of the mercs from his past.  Kicking off a personal battle that threatens everything Josh loves and requiring every bit of skill and operational intelligence he possesses to save the day…and his family. 

The star of this book is Josh Duffy, an accomplished and flawed man with combat experience that has left him with a prosthetic leg.  He is haunted by past missions but is able to put that aside to support his family and do his job at a high level.  And nothing less than his best will do in Sentinel given he’s up against a capable, motivated and unscrupulous enemy that’s part of an intricately planned operation with military, psychological and social media aspects designed to install a new leader of Ghana.  But as the old sayings go:  everyone has a plan until they’re punched in the mouth, and, the enemy gets a vote.  And in this case, Josh Duffy packs one hell of a punch and votes with extreme violence of action.

Combining a cunning plot with brilliantly constructed action-sequences, Sentinel is sure to thrill and delight military thriller fans.  Guaranteed to result in fist pumps, exclaiming “oh shit” and “hell yeah” multiple times, and leaving a satisfied smile on each reader’s face. 

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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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Murder By The Book
Once Upon A Crime
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The Poisoned Pen

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

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Murder By The Book
Once Upon A Crime
The Book Dragon
The Poisoned Pen

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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Purchase The Infiltrator
(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

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.

Follow Steve on Twitter or contact him via the site.

Purchase Close To Death
(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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