The Buffalo Hunter By Stephen Graham Jones

There are a few things that I think everyone should know before they read anything by SGJ.  First, you need to pay attention to every single detail.  Everything is on the page for a reason, and it will come back around.  Second, try not to read too many reviews or spoilers and let the story happen to you.  It will always be worth it.  Finally, you need to expect a lot of gore and death, but hey, you are reading horror so suck it up.  The characters are so meticulously written that you will be invested in each and everyone of them.  Promise. 

We have three narrators and three timelines.  Etsy (short for Betsy), a struggling associate professor. In 2012 a construction worker in Montana stumbled upon a hidden journal belonging to an unknown relative. The University reaches out to her as the next of kin, leading her to uncover the journal of her great-great-grandfather, a Lutheran pastor in Miles City from 1912.  Beaucarne, the minister, has kept meticulous entries from his past including the confessions of Good Stab, a Pikuni who was involved in the 1870 Marias Massacre.  The journal entries from the confession take a little getting used to because of the names of the animals, and places and objects that are described are from the Native American language as transcribed by Beaucarne.  Once you get used to it, it just simply makes things so vivid that you can’t unsee what you read.

The author seamlessly intertwines real people, with real events that happened in the settling of the west with an unsettling fictional narrative, morally grey characters and the perfect amount of vampire lore.  The subject matter is undeniably dark and at times hard to stomach. Yet, it's both captivating and skillfully written, offering a sobering glimpse into a truly horrific chapter of American history. If you're a fan of horror and historical fiction and can stomach the violence and death that pervade the narrative, this book is definitely worth reading.

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The Extraterrestrial Zoo By Samantha van Leer

It’s official.  I have found myself utterly and completely immersed and mesmerized by Samantha van Leer’s writing. 

 

Welcome to a world where extraterrestrials are landing on Earth.  Two per year, each in their own egg with a white card containing one word written on it.  No one knows why or how or where they come from, but the Extraterrestrial Living Being’s (ELB’s) have needs, powers and skills that could be harnessed for good or bad.    

 

After her mother's passing and her father's departure, 13-year-old Ava Ardent has become the sole caretaker of 32 Extraterrestrial Living Beings (ELBs) housed in the Alien Zoo in Maine. Her already difficult life takes an unexpected turn when her uncle Pete, a veteran of the war in Iraq, hires 14-year-old Harley as an intern just as a powerful hurricane approaches them. During the storm, many of the ELBs escape, and with Uncle Pete joining the police to manage the crisis, Ava and Harley are left to care for the one remaining ELB while also pursuing an escaped creature in the nearby woods. As they navigate this high-pressure situation, Ava and Harley develop a deep connection, sharing personal stories and becoming each other's first true friend.

 

There are so many wonderful things to unpack on these pages.  First of all, each ELB that was introduced was nothing short of vivid and so full of imagination that the world van Leer has created comes to life for the reader.  This heartwarming and thrilling science-fiction adventure will be loved by middle-school readers while they navigate through a world where trust and friendship, responsibility and family are discussed in a way that they can relate to and understand. 

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The Unworthy By Agustina Bazterrica

The Unworthy is an unforgettable, immersive journey through a post-apocalyptic world that is both haunting and surreal, blending terrifying, mind-bending experiences with moments of quiet reflection – all of this is through the journal of a woman who has found her way to a mysterious convent.  As you follow the narrator through their journal entries, the dystopian world becomes hauntingly real, amplifying the terror of its dark reality. A must-read for fans of dystopian and religious horror alike.  The Unworthy, like everything Augustina Bazterrica's writes, will leave you deeply unsettled. Her talent for evoking profound discomfort while delving into the complexities of human nature and the unraveling of society is truly exceptional.

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The Memory Ward By Jon Bassoff

The Memory Ward is broken into 5 parts for different characters all who live in the perfectly perfect town of Bethlam, NV.  Henry, our neighborhood mailman, does his daily route.  It is monotony at its finest until one day Henry trips and drops letters out of his mail bag and finds them blank.  Henry decides to pay close attention to his surroundings and not just take it at face value.  That’s when he finds several oddities.  On their own, none of these things are significant, but together they show a pattern of maliciousness.  

The novel’s themes of memory, identity, and the nature of reality are explored with haunting precision. Bassoff’s prose is both lyrical and unnerving, effortlessly pulling readers into the disorienting, nightmare-like world Henry inhabits. The pacing is deliberate and measured, allowing for a slow-burn buildup of suspense and a deep immersion into the psychological labyrinth of the characters' lives.

The Memory Ward is a thought-provoking, mind-bending page-turner that will leave readers questioning their own perceptions of reality. With its beautifully crafted narrative and unsettling atmosphere, it is a testament to Bassoff’s exceptional skill as a storyteller. This novel is highly recommended for fans of psychological thrillers, literary fiction, and horror—anyone looking for a haunting, immersive experience that challenges the way we see the world.

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Real Bad, Real Soon By Eric Beetner

Carter McCoy is back. When it comes to vigilante justice, no one is more skilled at delivering it!

Carter McCoy may be ‘dragging death with him’, but he is the raw, unfiltered pursuit of justice outside the boundaries of the law.  His decisions are never easy, and often, Carter finds himself caught between his own personal morals, his past and the complex realities of the world where the justice system failed.

Honestly, I didn’t think anything would be better than Book 1 of this series, boy was I wrong.  Carter carries the heavy burden of what he has done with him all day, every day. Detective DeFore is playing a heavy hand at this game and knows that Carter’s days are numbered so he uses him as an enforcer.  There are twists in this book that I did NOT see coming, not for one second.  Beetner is a master of pacing.  Each chapter moves swiftly, building tension with every page. His writing is sharp.  The dialogue is perfect and add in a little dark humor amidst the grim situations his characters face (Time in a Bottle) and you realize that you are not just reading the story; you feel like you're right there with Carter and Chester. 

This novel shines with its unflinching exploration of the choices that define us. Real Bad, Real Soon is a thrilling, hard-hitting crime novel that doesn’t pull punches. Do not miss this.

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Nemesis By Gregg Hurwitz

Evan Smoak aka Orphan X aka The Nowhere man is back in Nemesis. This installment picks right back up where Lone Wolf ended and Evan finds out that his armorer, Tommy Stojak, has (in Evan’s mind) betrayed him.  Evan built his life and career around the ten commandments instilled in him through Jack Johns.  It is safe to say, that no one expected Evan to go rogue, leave the orphan program and try to find a way to do the right thing.  Sometimes the commandments don’t always work and may need to be evaluated or added to. (yes… there is an 11th amendment.  No, I am not telling you)

Evan’s character has grown and changed with every single book.  Being an assassin with emotions would be a delicate balance. Evan’s training keeps him in check and centered because ‘the price for violating a Commandment was chaos’.   While Evan is deciding how to deal with Tommy, he runs into another problem.  A family of innocent people is run over and an 8-year-old boy is murdered.  Evan is a ‘hunter of humans.  The monster sent to kill monsters.’

True to Gregg Hurwitz’s style, this book is full of hand-to-hand combat scenes, shootouts and intense fighting that is perfectly written you can see the splinter in the wood when the door flies off the handle!  Evan Smoak is evolving.  He is changing.  He hurts.  The fact that I finished this book two days ago and I still have a hard time understanding that The Nowhere Man can have feelings should make you reflect on the journey this series takes you.

Yes, this is fiction.  I understand that, but Nemesis covers current, real-world issues that American’s deal with on a daily basis.  Violence, racism, bigotry, corrupt politicians and more are all found on these pages.  Read it. Talk about it.  Change some things.  Cheer on Orphan X!

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Not Our Daughter By Chad Zunker

Cole and Lisa Shipley are foster parents turned fugitives when the biological mother of the child they were fostering shows up on their doorstep begging them to protect the baby as she dies at their home. At the time Special Agent Mark Burns and the FBI only saw the Shipley’s as the killers because they were devastated at the news that the child was being removed from their home and they went on the run.  Assuming new identities and living a hidden life, they were missing for 14 years until a tip comes in and suddenly this quiet and unassuming life revs up.   

The love that the Shipley’s have for their daughter is authentic and will pull at your heartstrings as they try to save their daughter. The work and the preparation that they have done to keep her safe for reasons that they really have never figured out will have you cheering for them the entire time.  Not Our Daughter is a high-speed game of cat and mouse.  At breakneck speed, across several states the questions and motives come at the reader and play out just like a movie.   All the major players in this novel have a motive, the reader must hang on until the end to figure out what and why. 

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Dark Vector By Ward Larsen

David Slaton is no longer in the field.  He is the new chief of CIA clandestine operations.  Dark Vector introduces a new protagonist, Tru Miller.   This man is an absolute bad ass.  Even though he is a new addition and has recently graduated from The Farm; he is ready for the field (with some refinement).   He speaks Russian fluently.  Tru Miller is an Olympic-level Bi Athlon competitor, a cold weather survivalist, an expert marksman, lethal in hand-to-hand combat, and is fearless of death. 

Colonel Maxim Primakov has intentions to defect from Russian along with the technology that was developed between China and Russia called Dark Vektor. Unfortunately, Primakov crash landed in Siberia.  Slaton must get a team together to rescue Primakov, get the pieces of technology that are available, and beat Victor Dubonin, a general in Russian Intelligence, to it.  Tru Miller is exactly what is needed in this brutal and unforgiving clash of power, set against the harsh and desolate landscape.

Larsen's remarkable talent shines through in Dark Vector, further solidifying his reputation as a must-read author. With captivating characters, thrilling action scenes, and a gripping storyline, he expertly elevates the genre. This novel is a seamless transition from Slaton to Miller, delivering a perfectly-paced, intense, and action-packed experience. The stakes are high, and the momentum never lets up.  This is an  exciting new series, with Slaton taking charge and Miller honing his abilities while tackling even greater challenges.

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A Long Time Gone By Joshua Moehling

A Long Time Gone is the best book yet in the Ben Packard series.   Joshua Moehling’s writing is nothing short of exceptional! He stands out as one of the top voices in contemporary mystery and police procedural fiction. I’ll eagerly read every new release without hesitation.  Details on the pages including real events that happened in the United States and Minnesota are layered in perfectly giving this story another reason to be fully invested.

Moehling has crafted a remarkable character in Ben Packard.  He is empathetic to those around him while processing so many things from his past, including losing his brother, and being able to express his sexuality while being in law enforcement and/or a position of leadership.  Sometimes Ben is a smartass, but he will always be a friend, a son, a brother, and a partner who truly cares about justice.  Justice for him doesn’t stop at finding out what happened to his brother all those years ago. The case that he is working on, the people in his small town and others - all matter. 

Moehling masterfully combines a strong sense of moral integrity with a down-to-earth charm, drawing readers in with every new release. As Ben Packard’s character develops, it unveils complexities that set him apart from other protagonists. From the first page, he pulls the reader in and maintains that grip throughout the entire book. With rich character development, a vivid sense of place, and intricately woven plots, this series excels in creating a truly immersive experience. 

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The Department By Jacqueline Faber

The Department is told from two alternating perspectives.  You have Neil Weber, a philosophy professor, who is stuck in his past and his own trauma.  He is recently divorced, has zero motivation for his job and has seemingly lost his fire.  The other is Lucia Vanotti, a female college student at the same University where Neil teaches, and she has now disappeared.   Neil becomes obsessed with the disappearance of Lucia, a student that he has never even met, but their paths keep crossing and clues keep bringing Neil into investigation.  Why? 

Red herrings and clues are dropped in each and every chapter as to what happened to Lucia and who did what.  This book is a dance between love and hate, between safety and tragedy, between secrets and the truth.   The heart of this book is set among students and members of the Philosophy Department which brings forward research from philosophers like Friedrich Nietzche, Greek gods like Dionysus and Apollo and secrets and emotions that cannot remain hidden forever.  Control, sex and power chase each other across the pages leaving the reader breathless with the truth is revealed. 

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The Enigma Girl By Henry Porter

The Engima Girl starts wide open, leaving readers wondering if having picked this book up you are now in the middle of a series.  Don’t worry, you have not.  Slim’s backstory will become unveiled and necessary as this book continues at a breakneck pace. However, after finishing let me assure you that a prequel or a second book could easily follow, and you will run to pick it up

Alice ‘Slim’ Parsons is a 4th generation spy.  She is a skilled and determined MI5 agent who recently left a deep cover operation in which she was nearly sexually assaulted.  The agency doesn’t see the outcome of what happened as she does.   Everyone must come to an agreement on how to proceed because Slim is a much-needed asset and is great at her job.  Alice is needed to work as a journalist with a regional news source who is exposing secrets that should not be released to the public.  The agency needs to know who the mole is.

As Slim prepares to start her new placement, and begins her research, she finds connections between her future coworkers for the assignment and Bletchley Park, Hut 6, and the German Enigma Operators and Code Breakers.  One of her coworkers' fathers had joined Bletchley Park in 1942.  Her research leads to rabbit hole after rabbit hole giving her fodder to work with. 

Do not let the size of this book deter you or wonder if there will be parts of it that slow down or lag.  Nope!  There's a wealth of content to absorb, and the reader will never lose the need for one more chapter. The story unfolds at a steady rhythm, carefully building the scenes and developing its characters. Just when you think you’ve settled in, a surge of action accelerates the pace, only to ease back before the cycle begins again, keeping the momentum fresh and engaging throughout.  

The Enigma Girl is a brilliant example of modern espionage fiction.  It is thought-provoking and masterfully written blending current events, the characters’ backgrounds and history adding in the perfect amount of danger making this a very memorable story!  Like other readers, I agree, this is very much in the style of LeCarre and those are big shoes to fill. 

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At Dark I Become Loathsome By Eric Larocca

Ashley Lutin has suffered the death of his wife and the loss of his son at a store. To deal with his guilt and grief, he has altered his physical appearance to reflect the pain he feels inside. He spends time online, interacting with people who feel as if the world would be better off without them, offering them a ritual that attempts to use their desire to die to give them a chance at a rebirth and new life.  What he doesn’t realize is that people will reveal things to him that he is not expecting. 

This book is the definition of transgressive horror.  At Dark I Become Loathsome is unsettling, dark and horrific, creating an increasing sense of unease with the reader as you turn each page.  Caging the reader in with less and less room to breathe.  LaRocca uses horror to evoke intense emotions that include empathy, understanding and fear.   

There are a lot of trigger warnings and social issues that will go along with this book.  However, all of them are deftly handled in a way that is truly stunning.  LaRocca peels back layers of the heart and human psyche slowly and delicately to allow these emotions and traumatic events to flesh out and become real.  This is a brutal and vivid read that will be talked about all year.  Be prepared to take a break to get over this one.

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Penitence By Kristin Koval

Kristin Koval’s debut novel exceeds all expectations. It opens with the unthinkable, something that happens on the news, and most certainly not in the small town of Lodgepole, Colorado.  Nora Sheehan, thirteen years old, murdered her brother Nico.  Her parents, Angie and David have no idea what to do next and use Martine Dumont as legal counsel.  Martine is not a criminal defense lawyer, but her son Julian is. 

Decades earlier, Julian and Angie were young, in love and always together.  Their untimely separation was due to another familial tragedy that is layered in protection and secrets.  This story is beautifully crafted, with a compelling pace and emotional depth. It weaves together dual timelines and multiple points of view, keeping the reader fully engaged in each perspective. At its core, the narrative explores themes of grief, guilt, redemption, healing, forgiveness, and love. 

 The novel also offers a poignant reflection on the justice system, especially the juvenile justice system, leaving me with much to ponder. Even days after finishing the book, I find myself still thinking about sorrow and regret, and reflecting on things from my own past that I have done wrong.

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Johnny Careless By Kevin Wade

Johnny Chambliss aka Johnny Careless and Jeep Mullane were best friends while growing up.  Even though one was born with a silver spoon, and how zero consequences for his actions and one was from a family of police officers who were nothing more than middle class, they found each other and a friendship that could not be broken.  That is, until Johnny was found dead and the questions around his death and crime spree of stolen cars brings them back together while sorting out the facts.  Thankfully, Jeep is the chief of police in this small town and has the truth and Johnny’s best interest at heart.

Johnny Careless is my first crime thriller of 2025.  It is a fast-paced, gritty and can’t miss crime fiction read. Flowing perfectly between past and present, the back stories of the characters are layered in perfectly.  I can’t remember the last time that I started a crime thriller where the title was the victim. The story takes the reader all over the small towns in North Shore Long Island, into the police precinct and politics that go along with the kind of generational money and privilege found there.   Descriptions of locations and situations are immersive with details so specific that this could easily be made into a television series.   I promise you will be cheering Jeep along and hoping for a possible book or television series.

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The Spear And The Sentinel By J. L. Hancock

The Spear and the Sentinel is an impressive follow up to The Hawk Enigma. These books flow perfectly together picking up where the first book in The Voodoo Series left off. The author’s military background comes through on every single page not only giving the story authenticity but also a human element to what is already a spectacular sci-fi military techno thriller. 

Hancock’s background and imagination takes the reader on a futuristic adventure full of complex algorithms, artificial intelligence technologies and possible threats to our future.  However, there is so much more going on in this book than just high-octane fight scenes (which were awesome).  PTSD, brotherhood, camaraderie, bravery, hope and even a little dry humor (Hello Kitty sex den…IYKYK) give these characters more depth and keep the reader involved in the series.

The artificial intelligence war is heating up.  How long do you think it will be before AI is considered a weapon of mass destruction?   Knowledge is power.  Countries with money and a military force to back it up will do what is needed to gain that power.  Whether it is via hand-to-hand combat, the study of quantum mechanics or mapping the human subconscious and trying to predict the future – what will the governmental power houses stop at to get what they want? And who will stop them?

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Tell Me What You Did By Carter Wilson

Poe Webb (yes named after Edgar Allen Poe) runs the top ranked podcast.  She invites people to come on to her podcast and confess what crimes they have committed to her audience.  Some are scary, some are creepy, but mostly it is people who are unburdening themselves from something that happened long ago that they can no longer be arrested for. 

 Poe, like the callers on her show, has secrets of her own.  One day, she gets an odd request from a caller and memories and secrets from her past come flooding back. This book is completely unhinged.  This is a dark and gritty psychological thriller that can be devoured nonstop.  The back and forth between podcast transcripts and what is happening in real life as she tries to come clean with her secrets and stay safe, will make this one of the best psychological thrillers of 2025.  Promise. 

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The Dragon The Eagle And The Jaguar By Rodger Carlyle

Where there is conflict there is chaos, and it is impossible to keep your finger on everything that is going on inside your country and others at the same time. Mexico has a newly elected president who wants to cut down on drug trafficking and cartel action.   Exploiting this conflict can lead to a massive amount of profit.  How?  Drugs and people are being smuggled into the US to create turmoil and unrest. At the end of the day, the most important piece to the puzzle is greed and money. 

Thadius Walker may be retired, but let’s just call it semi-retired because his skills, connections and loyalty are unmatched, and he is needed.  Chad Gritt calls upon Walker for one more (hopefully one more one more) adventure.  This time it is to figure out what is going on in Mexico before the new president is no longer in good graces with the US, her own country and let’s not forget about trying to figure out how China fits into the picture.

China begins to meddle with Mexico and the drug cartels. Many of the supplies that make the drugs that are coming into the United States are from China. They also have superior metallurgy skills which provide more advanced weapons and technology that, in the wrong hands, is even more dangerous – and when someone comes in promising untold fortune – well – the race is on.    

This is a thriller inside of a thriller. Carlyle authentically paints every location and detail, from fish markets to flour bombs, enabling readers to join Team Walker as they try to stop China and Mexico from destroying the US.

I will always jump to read anything that Rodger Carlyle writes.  Whether it is a thriller or a historical adventure, he knows what he is writing about.  His passion for history and research and current events is evident on every single page.  Carlyle is not afraid to push the boundaries and tell the story.  I was so glad to see Carmen’s name in this one.  (I may have missed it before, but since I got to meet them both in person it made it even better.) And – if I could pick one sentence in the entire book that I could hear our author say it would be “We’re having fun now!”

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Assume Nothing By Joshua Corin

Veritas. Truth. Alik Lassiter a renowned detective/crime solver from across the pond believes that there is no nobler goal than finding the truth.  

When Kat McCann was 6 years old, Lassiter helped to solve her mother’s murder. Lassiter was also the muse for famous author Carissa Miller. The dame of who-dun-it’s.    Kat and others are huge fans of both the author and the detective because her mother’s murder was fodder for a book. 

When Kat is 16 she gets to meet Lassiter at a lecture and he remembers her from his investigation. In a dream come true, he invites Kat and her guardian to his home for Christmas break.  

Lassiter is a smooth talker.  He brings people into his story.  He owns the room and because of all of the investigations that he has solved he has the law in his pockets and people begging for his time. 

Told from Kat’s POV this sassy, curious and smart-mouthed teenager gets way more than she bargained for.  Imagine knowing the victim, the murderer and all of the circumstances surrounding a horrific crime but not able to tell the truth. Or worse - being controlled like a marionette in a monster’s play.  This witty and smart approach to a whodunnit is a must read for the masses. 

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The Good Bride By Jen Marie Wiggins

The Bancroft’s hail from the small gulf coast fishing town of Blue Compass.  A year ago it was devastated by Hurricane Charlie. Small business, family homes – you name it – it was gone.  When Ruth Bancroft announces that her wedding will be at their beach house in Blue Compass, it is a social media dream, a chance to showcase the town and get publicity … or is it?    

 

This slow-burn, family drama, thriller told through multiple POV’s layers tension, drama and buried secrets perfectly.  Character development is spot on.  I especially loved having a likeable and empathic bride.  Ruth is emotional and she truly wants to do what is best and this was an enjoyable change for this genre.  Don’t worry though, everyone isn’t perfect.  Several unexpected twists throughout the book, beginning with the gunshots at the rehearsal dinner, are placed perfectly in order to keep the reader guessing all the way to the end. 

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Nobody's Hero By M.W. Craven

Ben Koenig is back!!!  Ben has had damage to his brain takes away his ability to feel or understand fear, even down to his adversaries facial expressions.  This leads to years of training, being sought after for his skills and eventually being pursued. (you are going to want to read the first book)  Book 2 picks up because Koenig has a very large bounty on his head and hiding didn’t work out as he planned.  What starts as a visit to a coffee shop for Ben to send his monthly email, eventually turns into a global pursuit uncovering secrets and leaving multiple dead bodies in its wake. 

The Acacia Avenue Protocol, a cryptic directive, has resurfaced and Ben is needed because everyone who can stop it dead.  What makes it better is that one of the names on this list, was killed by Ben Koenig himself.  Ben loves to drop his random spiel of information and how he got to his conclusion.  He irritates those around him, especially his handler Jen Draper, but for me, it’s perfect.  This book has so much going on you just can’t stop.  A father daughter pair of contract killers, a woman presumed dead for decades, corrupt cops, a lot of action and a twist at the end that you will NOT see coming.  It’s perfect.  I can’t wait to see what’s next.

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