The Halo Effect by Anne D. LeClaire

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'The Halo Effect' A Novel of Suspense by Anne D. LeClaire

Grief often brings us together, but at times it will eat at the very fabric our our souls. Each must deal with loss in their own way, to come to terms with their own mortality. In The Halo Effect by Anne D. LeClaire we meet Will Light and his wife Sophie. Life has been kind to them, and their daughter Lucy rounds out the circle of love.

Yet, one day Lucy doesn’t come home. Days later her body is found deep in the woods. The initial pain of the loss brings Will and Sophie together, but Will is angry. He cannot get past the anger and rage of someone taking their daughter. Sophie finds her own way to deal, by getting involved in finding lost children and bringing them home.

They no longer communicate, and the anger only builds. Still, their marriage is not at a crisis point, one that Will does not want. But he is unable to move on.

When Sophie takes a break, and goes to the beach with a friend for the summer, Will suddenly understands that he is driving a wedge between them. Yet, he cannot control the rage that runs through him.

When Father Gervase asks him to paint portraits of the saints for a new cathedral, he is not interested. Yet Father Gervase is insistent. Slowly Will finds interest in the project, and as he chooses those who hold the look of pain, he finds a way to make them shine with saintliness. Unknowingly, his project will take him to places and to meet people that he cannot have imagined.

One of his models possesses something of Lucy’s that she would never part with. Will is incensed, wanting to act before speaking. Yet he finds that there is no guilt in this young student. Little does he know that the evil is lurking very close and that his questions and curiosity which have taken over some of the rage, is bringing the evil to light. Will he find the answer before one of Lucy’s best friends dies?

LeClaire has given us darkness, and evil, but finds a way to grace though the light of love. Her characters are your neighbors and friends, and the circumstances they experience happen all too often. She creates fierce, independent thinkers, and finds a way to tie in the events that shape them all. You grow to know and enjoy the individuals, and begin to understand their pain.

If you enjoy stories of people threaded with suspense and danger, you will find this The Halo Effect fits the criteria. The beauty of the paintings and the interaction with the priest ads a glow of greatness to a darkened soul. The story is dark and yet a twist of lightness shines through giving you hope for those involved.


This would be a great book for a reading group or book club, with lots of interesting thought for debate.

Rating 4/5

The Language of Solitude by Jan-Philipp Sendker

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: ' The Language of Solitude,' a Mystery by Jan-Philipp Sendker

China is a land of mystery to most. News and books can only give us a glimpse into those mysteries. In The Language of Solitude by Jan-Philipp Sendker, we are once again given another look into the intricacies of China and the life of those who call it home.

Paul, a journalist is just beginning to believe that Hong Kong is the place he determines to call home. In love with Christine Wu, he is beginning to overcome the tragedy in his past, one that has driven him away from all those he knew before.
Christine is a cipher, quiet and reserved and yet passionate. She has drawn him from the darkness of his past, while at the same time, having secrets of her own.

When she unexpectedly receives a letter from her brother, whom she has not seen since she was a child, she and Paul decide it is time to understand the secrets behind her own life. What they find is a grown man with sadness and problems all his own. Her brother’s wife is extremely ill, and his own health, is not the greatest, leaving their care up to his daughter.

Paul’s journalistic background sees a story and his compassion for people draws him in. Christine must head back to her own job, while Paul decides to find some answers.

With a country stark in tradition, and full of all the histories that create the mysteries of China, can Paul find answers without raising sleeping lions. Unable to turn away, he finds the sometimes many secrets are deadly, while some can set you free. Can he help those in need without waking the danger of the past?

Sendker does a wonderful job of taking us into the beauty and wonder of China, yet outlining the dangers of stepping into the past, for turbulence and fear is just below the surface. The depth of journalist investigation is brought to life, with the interest in how difficult the truth is to find. Many layers of investigation are brought forth, and you almost feel as through this could well be a news article as his character moves forward.

If you enjoy beauty, romance, love and mystery you will find them all in this work. The work is interesting and hold you enthralled through the end.

This would be a great work for a reading or discussion group.

Rating 3/5

The Outliers by Kimberly McCreight

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'The Outliers,' A Novel of Suspense by Kimberly McCreight.

Every individual has differences, whether it is inherent in birth, learning though life or even just different thought processes, it is ultimately those differences that make us human.

In The Outliers by Kimberly McCreight We meet friends Wylie and Cassie. Close since childhood they communicate frequently and are always there for each other.  Wylie has not heard from Cassie since their last fight, and in true Wylie fashion she decides it is up to her to save Cassie from herself.

Cassie is missing and texts some very confusing messages to Wylie. Instead of letting her know where she is, Cassie sends clues. Confused and worried Wylie is further thrown off kilter by the presence of Jasper, an on again, off again friend of Cassie's.  Jasper says that Cassie wants him to take her to rescue her, and with all the evidence of Cassie's texts, Wylie has to turn off her gut instinct to help find Cassie and save her from whatever danger she has gotten herself into.

Yet as Wylie and Jasper are led farther into the wood of Maine, Wylie senses that something is really wrong. What is going on with Cassie, and what is she not telling them. The danger and secrecy seem palpable, and Wylie begins to fear for Cassie's life. Why is Cassie being held, and can they get to her in time to save her?

Wylie soon understands that finding Cassie isn't the real story, and that she must look into her own past to find the truths of the danger they now find themselves in. Can she trust the knowledge of what she is hearing, and can they find a way to escape with their lives. There is something about her and Cassie that make them a danger to others, and they must escape before their life is forfeit.

McCreight takes us into a strange and fascinating adventure where the differences of a certain percent of the population makes them dangerous and a threat to the others plans and ideas. She brings us characters with both flaw and strengths creating those you come to care about. The mystery involved and the danger shadowing the chase is palpable, and heady. The lack of knowledge of the true situation keeps you on the edge of your seat as the story plays out, keeping you guessing at each turn.

If you enjoy thrillers and suspense you will find this work to be one for your library. With just a touch of science, and a group of characters not afraid to deliver, you will find yourself guessing the real danger to the very end.

Rating 4/5

Blood On The Tracks by Barbara Nickless

Posted First to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'Blood On The Tracks,' A Thriller by Barbara Nickless.

In Blood On The Tracks by Barbara Nickless, We are introduced to Special Agent Sidney Rose Parnell. She is a Railroad crimes Special Investigator, brought in to investigate the murder of a woman who appears to have died at the hands of her fiancé. He is a war vet who lived through serious injuries that scarred him enough that he is known on the rail rider circuit as the Burned Man.  As she begins her investigation she has her own history of war and memories too painful to contemplate.

Parnell and her K9 partner Clyde move into the underground world of the rail riders, those who move from place to place via the railroad. It is a world of danger and savagery, and soon she finds there may be more at work then anyone may know. Uncovering a conspiracy and other crimes that may be linked to it, she finds herself in the middle of danger that puts herself and all she believes in at risk. Can she find the real truth and exonerate a man who has already given so much for his country. His pain and anguish make him stay aloof to her help, but she must find a way to gain his trust in order to help him claim his innocence of the murder of the one woman who believed in him and looked past his surface scarring. A woman who understood him and was ready to marry him. But also a woman who knew a secret that could take down a man in power, one who was willing to risk everything to hide a deadly secret in his own past.

Could Parnell gain The Burned Man's trust and save them both from the savagery of the real truth.

Nickless has given us characters that are both repelling and yet in some cases, decent at heart. She takes us into the danger of those who have nothing and are willing to kill to stay alive, and she makes you feel the fear and desperation in a way that makes you turn on the lights and pull the curtains as you read. She brings us both the Burned Man and Special Agent Sidney Rose Parnell, two of those who have seen war and survived in their own manner. Parnell's K9 partner, Clyde, is just icing on the cake to keep you involved to the very end.

If you enjoy suspense and thrillers then you will want to find this work for your library. It is full of  the suspense that holds you on the edge of your seat, and it also provides a ribbon of bravery and hope with a host of anger and feelings that keep the intensity strong.

This would be a great work for a book club or reading group with a great deal of information that would create robust dialogue and debate.

Rating 4/5

In The Clearing by Robert Dugoni

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'In The Clearing,' A Thriller by Robert Dugoni.

With the advent of several Television shows, cold cases, or unsolved crimes hold an interest to anyone who enjoys police shows, forensic files and all the other types of police work that is conducted in an investigative manner.

In The Clearing by Robert Dugoni we follow Detective Tracy Crosswhite, a young woman who has dedicated her career to bringing closure to families of crime.

When she is asked to look into a case from forty years previous, she is intrigued. Her father, a detective at that time, was the investigating deputy and collected what evidence he could. A Native American high school girl died and her death was ruled as suicide. Tracy's father though thought otherwise, but was unable to find the proof necessary for justice. Pulling this cold case, Tracy feels that she may have a great start, for she feels she will do well at deciphering her fathers collected evidence.

As she follows the leads and tries to stir the memories of a small town, she finds that secrets hold their own allure. Can she find the answer to the suspicious death, or will she struggle to find the truth behind all the red herrings. Can she find the truth without raising old ghosts the could very well put her own life at risk.

Dugoni has created a stirring and grisly death, locking it up to suicide, even when the evidence shows otherwise. His characters are so real, and the small town atmosphere creates just a bit of credence to the secrecy of those involved. The students and friends of the young woman who died seem reluctant, and a few are dead themselves as we are taken into the darkness of lies and secrets. There are those that will go to great lengths to keep the real story from coming to life. Tracy Crosswhite is a character who keeps you following her logic as she tries to piece her story together, and even as she stumbles,she finds a way to move on.

If you enjoy murder mysteries, thrillers, investigation, and cold cases this would be a terrific work for your library. There is just a bit of darkness and creepy tendrils of fear that run beneath the surface, keeping you looking over your shoulder as you continue your reading. Dugoni has brought us another thriller to had to your collection

This would be a great work for a reading group or book club.

Rating 4/5

Kowloon Bay, An Abby Kane Thriller by Ty Hutchinson

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'Kowloon Bay', An Abby Kane Thriller by Ty Hutchinson.

In Kowloon Bay by Ty Hutchinson we catch up to Abby Kane one more time as she  continues her work with the FBI. Having lost her husband, and moving her family to San Francisco, to start over, she has finally settled into a routine. Three years have passed and she feels that she has found an even keel.

Returning to her homeland for a holiday, and to help her children learn more about their own Chinese heritage and their father, she is pulled into a consult with the agent who took her place when she left.  They have found a body when renovating a building and as Abby learns more of the history behind the building, she finds her deceased husband's family may well be entwined in the background and that they may well have a secret that makes her question everything she thought she knew.

Now even her Mother-in- Law, who she has finally become close too is acting in a strange and secretive way, and Abby is concerned. Is there a possibility that her own family is somehow involved in covering up a murder?  Abby must find a way to unearth the secrets and lock down the real stories and motives to a murder that occurred in the past.

Can she find the truth behind the dead body before it affect her own family. She know that sometimes the truth is not always acceptable, but could her judgement of human nature be so off, could her deceased husband be responsible for something as reprehensible as murder. She doesn’t believe so, but with her Mother-In-Law acting in such a strange manner she is no longer sure of her own beliefs.

Will she find the truth of the matter and with that truth set her free. Can she save the reputation of the man she loved, and the family that is now her own?

Hutchinson delivers another mystery, and Abby is as strong as usual. She is not as sure of herself now thought, as the outcome of her sleuthing could well be the end of her family’s reputation. Through Abby’s exploration of facts and her travels we see China as she sees it, a place of beauty and mystery, but capable as any of danger and brutality.

If you enjoy mystery and thrillers, you will find Abby Kane a strong character. This would be a good book for your library and have you searching for more of her exploits.

Rating 4/5

Gone Again by James Grippando

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review:'Gone Again,' A Novel by James Grippando

In Gone Again by James Grippando, we are taken on a journey of fear and doubt. When Sashi Burgette vanished several years previously on her way to school, her family was shocked. Later the same evening when the police pick up Dylan Kyle for drunk driving, they found a piece of her clothing in his truck. His explanation proves unbelievable and he suddenly found himself the only suspect in her murder.  With his execution set for just days away, Jack Swyteck , a pro bono lawyer from the Freedom institute is pulled into the case.

Sashi’s mother has contacted him. She is convinced that her daughter is alive, she has just heard from her again, and she wants to make sure an innocent man is not killed.  She has gone to the police over the years but they feel that the calls she has received, one each birthday, is a mean hoax. The state attorney will not consider further evidence and the governor has signed the death warrant. Sashi’s mom is worried than an innocent man may be executed, unless Dylan’s attorneys can find Sashi–alive.

What Jack finds is that nothing is what it appears. Not her parents, the victim, or even the alleged killer himself. Can he find the answers to his concerns before it is too late? Finding the truth appears even more difficult than finding the missing girl.

Grippando takes us on a journey into the court system at a breakneck speed. With only days before an execution, his protagonist has very little time to find the answers. He creates a scenario that is both elusive and yet visual and he fill the pages with characters that range in solid and believable to creepy and desperate. Through it all the clock is ticking ever closer to an execution so there is a tenseness that overrides all, keeping you at the edge of your seat.

If you enjoy murder mystery, courtroom drama, and fast action you will find this to be a great addition to your library. Grippando takes us on a wild ride, with ups and downs, red herrings and a sense of dread as we follow the clues to a seemingly hopeless situation.

This would be a great work for a reading or discussion group with nuances that would create a great deal of dialogue and thought.

Rating 4/5

Contract: Sicko by Ty Hutchinson

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'Contract: Sicko' A Sei Assassin Thriller by Ty Hutchinson. .

In Contract: Sicko by Ty Hutchinson, we catch up to Sei, a hired assassin, as she continues her hunt for her daughter. Her search has resulted in mostly dead ends, as the elusive Black Wolf has eliminated any witnesses. She doesn’t understand why he went to such lengths to kidnap her daughter, nor why he’s killing those who would be of help finding her. Sei is persistent and will do what it takes to locate her daughter, even cozying up to the enemy in order to get close. But make no mistake, once she gets what she is after, she also has her own form of elimination.

As she moves from lead to lead, she continually finds herself in danger, but she has no fear, her daughter is all that matters. Using her enemies to get just a bit closer, the collateral damage is almost her undoing. Those who have helped her in ways that create a bond, those who only peripherally understand what is happening, become targets as Sei persists in her quest to find what was taken from her. Will this be her final search, she has found another witness? Can she get to him before he too is taken out of the equation?

Hutchinson brings us a stronger and more visceral Sei. At her wits end, beyond any thought of redemption, she moves closer to finding her daughter that was kidnapped at birth. Having been told the child was dead, the information slowing leaking in from those who were there, may provide her with answers. She will not rest without finding more.

Each she finds is either already on the run or hiding out from both her and the elusive Black Wolf. And the field is dwindling, soon there will be no one to ask as the pool of those present at the kidnapping is quickly being eliminated. Each character has both repulsive as well as redeeming qualities, but they are all unsavory. Sei has no qualms of using them until they are no longer of use and then leaving them as she has all the others, either dead by her own hand or that of the Black Wolf.

If you like fast paced action with tense situations and strong female leads you will find this and the rest of the series fascinating. Full of mystery, suspense and even some gratuitous killings, you find the story interesting and the curiosity of how it will turn out keeps you enthralled. Hutchinson brings in another home run as Sei continues her search.


This would be a great fit for your library if you enjoy action packed, high energy novels with dangerous but strong heroes

Rating 4/5

Last Stop: Paris by John Pearce

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'Last Stop Paris' A Novel of Romance and Suspense by John Pearce.

The lure of Gold captures the imagination of all; it crosses the barriers of both culture and race. In Last Stop: Paris by John Pearce we follow the trail of an international killer who has nefarious plans to boost the price of gold through whatever means necessary. Set between the U.S city of Sarasota, Florida and the wonderful French city of Paris, you find yourself both entranced and horrified as you follow the chase.

Eddie Grant finds himself along with his girlfriend Aurelie, at a cocktail party in Paris, full of men and women in business suits. There are many things they would rather be doing. Their host Henri has offered up his home for a meeting of gold bugs, those who feel that gold is the future.  Eddies spots a longtime friend, Jeremy and they discuss the group as the meeting begins.

It appears the fund manager, Claude Khan has followed the gold once again is is not available to meet the group. Edward is disappointed; he and Aurelie are known for finding millions of dollars in Reichs-bank gold bars hidden in a building not far from Gare Saint-Lazare and were looking forward to meeting Khan. A priceless Raphael painting that was rumored to have also been with the gold was not found, although many rumors abound.

The meeting continues with speculation and historical events that to the gold bugs prove their theories that gold is the only standard.

The meeting takes a turn for the creepy, and soon Eddie, Aurelie and Jeremy retire to dinner with a friend who has information for them from an unlikely source. As they ponder the information and what it might mean for them, they walk back to their room. It is here that they begin to suspect there is more at risk then just rumors of trouble. A car speeds up to hit them, but is cut off by a taxi driver who had noted it idling for some time.  Saved from certain death, Aurelie is fine but Eddie receives some non-threatening injuries. Something is going on and somehow they have found themselves as targets. The information seems to lead towards the elusive Khan. The more they dig for answers, the more sinister and elusive they become.

Pearce sets the stage for terror and takes us into the beauty of Paris. His scenarios are well written and his pace keeps you on the edge of your seat. His characters are very real, and there is almost a James Bond feel to the work, but only a tinge. The women are as involved as the men when it comes to getting the answers, and he keeps it in the tradition of Paris with the romance that is weaved throughout the danger.

If you enjoy suspense, romance and terroristic action you will find this is just the work you are seeking. A worthy book for your library, you will find yourself reading late into the night.

Rating 5/5

The Ex by Alafair Burke

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'The Ex', a Mystery by Alafair Burke.

In The Ex by Alafair Burke, we are taken on a journey where both the past and present collide in the arrest of a Widower, Jack Harris, for a murder he claims he did not do. His past relationship with the first love of his life is soon to become his lifeline to reality as he begins a fight for both sanity and freedom. Having lost his beloved wife three years previous, he has finally thought to begin again. That is when his life again begins to unravel.

His only help is with the woman who first broke his heart, Olivia, one of the city’s best criminal defense attorneys. Yet can he convince her of his innocence? The circumstances surrounding the murder point directly to him as the killer.

Olivia wants to be there for him, she believes she knows him well, but time could have changed him, and the death of his wife may have been a catalyst that sent him over the edge. One of those killed in the shooting is a part of a lawsuit that involves the death of his wife, and she has some doubts.

She finally decides she is will to representing his as a way to make up for her own past with him and her own guilt in feeling somewhat responsible for his state of mind.  But what she finds is that not everything is as clear as it should be, and she may not have known him as well as she thought.

Can she help him without getting caught up in her own past and lay her own demons and doubts aside. She refuses to believe his guilt, but what if she is wrong.

Burke takes us into the lives of everyday people and sprinkles both doubt and belief, alternating between both past and present to bring us a story of hurt and anger, as well as love. Her characters are full of both flaws and mistakes, making them very likable, and drawing your involvement.  She weaves both past and present together in such a way that you feel as though you have always known the characters and even understand the motivations.

If you enjoy mystery and investigation you will find this to be a great work. If you are looking for a book to curl up with that keeps you entertained then you have found it. Burke has done another great job of bringing her characters to life.

Rating 4/5

The God's Eye View by Barry Eisler

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: The God's Eye View,' A Political Conspiracy Thriller by Barry Eisler.

A conspiracy of sinister and dangerous proportions will keep you riveted when reading The God’s Eye View by Barry Eisler. NSA director Theodore Anders is convinced the only way to keep America safe is to monitor and surveil every email, phone call, and internet connection. Our safety is his utmost concern.

His personal assistant Evelyn doesn’t care about any of that, she is just learning a few things that are not entirely comfortable and only wants to continue working in order to take care of her deaf son. Initially she is open and direct in her communication with her boss, but she now feels a bit of fear, without quite understanding why.

He leads her on, knowing that at some point she may become a liability. For now though she keeps his office running efficiently.

Things change and become even more terror filled when Evelyn finds evidence of a NSA program that is code named Gods Eye View. With this discovery she also finds out about the mysterious deaths of a few journalists. As her job takes her deeper into jeopardy she is unsure where to turn, as now she feels danger creeping into her own life.

As time ticks away and the possibility of whistle blowers finding more information she is dragged further into the dangerous world of political mayhem. Is the giant deaf man who befriends her son a friend or foe? Can she find out before the unimaginable happens?

Eisler takes us deep into the world of politics and gives us a number of ‘what if’ scenarios.

Conspiracy and conspiracy theorists often evolve when questions remain without answers, especially in the hidden agendas of the government. Leaks such as those released by Snowden keep you on the edge of your seat, and the author’s characters drag you in. You will find it difficult to decide who are really the good guys and the bad guys. There is a psychological terror threaded throughout as you begin to dread the outcome along with his realistic characters.

If you enjoy political thrillers and conspiracies this is a must have for your library. One read through is simply not enough, you will find yourself going back for another read to catch up on all the nuances that may have been missed. Prepared to be terrified and looking over your shoulder as you catch up with The God’s Eye View.


This would be a great book for a reading and discussion group. Conspiracy invites dialogue and controversy.

Rating 4/5

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny by Justin Hill

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny' by Justin Hill.

Martial arts and Sword play are at the root of the Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon series. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon:Sword of Destiny by Justin Hill follows on the artistry of Wang Dulu, the creator of the above series. When Duke Te, master of the Iron Way dies, the Green Destiny sword is no long safe in the world. Having been protected by the Duke, at least in rumor, the legend draws those who feel the pull of such beauty.

However, in the wrong hands, such a sword of power can create peril in the martial-arts world.

Yu Shu Lien, the legendary female warrior has been in hiding, in solitude as long as the sword was safe. The sword was in part responsible for her pain and the loss of her own love, Li Mu Bai. She knows she must now travel to Beijing to protect the sword, but there are others whose motives aren’t so pure gathering to strike as well.

From the past comes Yu Jiaolong on the trail of the elusive sword, craving it for her fierce daughter Snow Vase. The Green Destiny pulls together a strong and exceptional group of characters into a battle of bravery, with an anxious but necessary conclusion.

Justin Hill is a great story teller, and brings a strong group of characters together, weaving a fantastic tale of greed and revenge. A take from the above series of Wang Dulu, you find both beauty and symmetry in the sword play, but make no mistake, the danger is constant, and the strength of the characters holds you enthralled.

If you are a fan of the Iron series, you will find this to be an exciting edition, one that gives closure and yet opens your senses to the beauty of a profession that seems more magical then real. Yet that is the beauty of martial arts and sword play. Timing and movement, patience and agility create the beauty of dance, but the danger is powerful, luring you in to the incredible power of both.

This would be a wonderful gift for your avid reader, it would be of interest to those who enjoy action, adventure, mystery, magic, and even epic battles. It has something for most everyone. Hill has given us another great work, one you can enjoy many times over.

Rating 5/5

Art In The Blood, A Sherlock Holmes Adventure by Bonnie Macbird

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'Art In The Blood, A Sherlock Holmes Adventure' by Bonnie Macbird.

The Sherlock Holmes of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is a man of cunning and intrigue, full of wonder and bravery with an eye to investigation that boggles the mind. Those who now follow bring us variations of the character as they perceive him to be.

In Art In The Blood, A Sherlock Holmes Adventure by Bonnie Macbird, we find a Sherlock, very true to form, more like the one first introduced by Doyle himself. Holmes has reached a pinnacle after his investigation of the Ripper murders. Unable to close the case he once again takes up his use of cocaine. Watson is unable to help him and in fact cannot even interest him in further cases. It is only when an encoded message from Paris arrives that Holmes takes any interest in his investigations. The beautiful star of the French Caberet has lost her son, and she is absolutely sure his very life is in danger.

Holmes and Watson take the challenge, where in Paris Holmes finds that the missing child may not be the whole of the case, just a part that draws the most urgency. Yet there are also other children being found throughout London murdered. Can he find the Mademoiselle’s son and deliver the truth before more deaths pile up?

Macbird has given us back the Sherlock Holmes of old, one that has flaws that are a constant battle and yet maintains that sense of panache that creates trust in those who rely on him. Watson is the stalwart mate that helps him decipher and maintain Holmes’s mindset, while finding the deep and dark cavities within the minds of a killer.

The story is great with a solid plot. You are taken into the streets of London of old and the descriptions take you there as you follow the exploits of a man that thinks far differently than most. MacBird does a great job of keeping you on the chase and shows us the Holmes we  grew up with.
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I have a great deal of respect for the way MacBird is able to find a tale that holds realism, then twists and turns the plot in ways to keep you ducking red herrings, while Holmes alone seems to see behind and around the decoys.

If you enjoy mystery and intrigue, and are a fan of the adventures of Sherlock Holmes you will love this work. There is no better who done it, then those perused by the great master of mystery himself. This is a must have for your library and would make a great gift for your reader for the holidays.

Rating 5/5

The 3RD Woman by Jonathan Freedland

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'The 3RD Woman,' A Political Thriller by Jonathan Freedland.

Jonathan Freedland’s The 3RD Woman takes us into a future where the United States and China have struck a bargain. In return for forgiving the trillions in debt owed to them, the United States has allowed them to establish a military presence on U.S. soil. Due to many economic downturns America has left herself vulnerable, and the evidence of China’s dominance is everywhere.

Madison Webb is a journalist that is obsessed with exposing the lies and corruption that are corroding the American dream and society. When her sister is brutally murdered the police insist it is an isolated incident. Madison believes the cops may be hiding something. As she digs for answers she finds that her sister’s savage death is only one of many, and could be a part of a very dangerous conspiracy.

Even with her own life on the line, Madison refuses to let go of the story. She is on the run and understands that she is exposing more than the most powerful are willing to allow. Can she find the answers before her life and home are destroyed for good?

His depth of realism has you worrying and puts you in the fighting spirit of reviving our great nation, and also takes us into the darkness and secrets of power hungry and powerful nations, willing to do what it takes to hide their secrets.

Freedland takes us on a chilling ride that creates many of the challenges and dangers that we often worry about. He takes a harrowing possibility and makes it fact, then drags in the dangers of collusion and hidden agendas. All the while he develops a story line that has potential and then fills it with characters that you really care about.

If you enjoy political intrigue and suspense, you will find this a perfect fit for your library. The brilliance of the story actually raises the hair on the back of your neck, so be prepared for the reality of such a possibility.


This would be a great work for a book club or reading group. A political thriller with teeth.

Rating 4\5

Contract: Snatch by Ty Hutchinson

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: Contract: Snatch' A Sei Assassin Thriller by Ty Hutchinson.

Ty Hutchinson brings us a bold new character in his recent release, Contract: Snatch, a Sei Assassin Thriller.  Sei had been part of an assassin organization sent on jobs to alleviate problems that could not be solved in other ways. Living as a recluse she keeps few friends and is always on point for she knows the life she had chosen and now put aside puts her in the cross hairs of others. After a birth gone wrong, Sei has hung up her tools and moved on, yet knows that none of her competition will believe her.

Having lost her daughter during childbirth she has moved on, yet always on the lookout for an assassins life is not their own. A phone call turns her life around in a complicated way. Requested for another assassin job she turns it down, but the caller knows about the secret of her lost child. However, this contact also has a story. Having been informed of her daughter’s death shortly after the birth, she is now hearing that the real occurrence was a kidnapping, and that she truly has a daughter being raised by others. The caller offers her information on the kidnapping but only in return for the job he is asking.

With an anger fueled by duplicity and rage, Sei becomes once again a main player in the high stakes game of assignation but at the same time conducts her own investigations. What she finds gives her hope, but also creates pain and hurt. Unaware of why all as occurred as it has, she realizes she is on her own. Who does she trust to help her move forward?

Now, even her closest friends become suspect and she must keep herself out of danger for living as an assassin is extremely dangerous and her own life is now someone’s contract.  Can she stay one step ahead and find the real answers to her past? Can she find her daughter before all trails disappear?

Hutchinson has given us an amazingly strong character in Sei, but the flaws within her character softens the edges of what could be chilling and remote. Her nurturing character is hidden deep within yet it comes to light in several areas keeping you a fan.

The others involved are an interesting array of dark and light, with just enough depth and at times friendships to keep you confused as to who the real bad guys are. Red herrings are littered throughout keeping you guessing as to the events.

IF you enjoy mystery, action and fiery contenders you will enjoy this work. Sword play, hand to hand combat and danger are just a few of the features. The characters stay with you as you continue to mull over the stories long after the reading is complete. Hutchinson brings us an exciting new character to watch for.

Rating 5/5

The Fraternity of the Soul Eater by Scott A. Lerner

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'The Fraternity of the Soul Eater', A Samuel Roberts Thriller by Scott A Lerner.

In The Fraternity of the Soul Eater, Scott A. Lerner takes us on a journey into the darkness that dwells in the mind of those most enchanted with darkness. Samuel Roberts an attorney by day has found himself in situations that cannot be explained. He feels as though there is danger that others do not believe, nor have they ever seen. His law duties seem quite tame by contrast and he finds himself wishing for more. His girlfriend thinks he is a junkie for danger and he is not sure he doesn’t agree.

He knows that something is stirring in the darkness through for he is having dreams he cannot decipher. Egypt often is the base of his worries, so when finds himself in an Egyptian museum he is both worried and excited.

The sudden danger though is quick and unexpected. He needs the help of his friend Bob, for things have begun to creep even him out. Even with warnings from his girlfriend to desist his quest he is unable to let go. Yet when she disappears he finds himself in deeper than expected. Suddenly his own life is on the line, and he is captured for an extremely unlikely DNA experiment.

Can Sam save both his girlfriend and himself from a crazy mad man who believes he can brings back the old Gods of Egypt through experimentation? Will this danger finally be the end of his relationship? With Bob as his only hope he escapes though brutality, something he has always avoided in the past. Will this be the final means that will allow darkness to enter his own soul?

Lerner gives us characters that are full of fun, bluster and charm, yet have that energy that you feel is trustworthy. His dynamics between his characters and protagonists are both strange and unlikely, but at the same time intriguing and interesting. You find yourself immersed in a story that takes you to the edge of darkness, twisting and realigning your own take on life.

The edge of darkness seems real and at any time you could find yourself immersed through the work of those who believe, for they are quite fanatical.

If you enjoy mystery, danger and the macabre, riddled with humor and friendship you will find this a must have for your library. You can read it time and again and still find passages you may have missed which make this a fun and unique find.

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 Scott A. Lerner's Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/ScottALernerAuthor Scott A. Lerner's Twitter:
https://twitter.com/scottlernerauth Scott A. Lerner's Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6479067.Scott_A_Lerner Scott A. Lerner's Blog:
http://scottlerner.camelpress.com/ The Fraternity of the Soul Eater Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25656528-the-fraternity-of-the-soul-eater Tribute Books Blog Tours Facebook:
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The Fraternity of the Soul Eater blog tour site:
http://thefraternityofthesouleater.blogspot.com

Scott A. Lerner's Bio:

Author and attorney Scott A. Lerner resides in Champaign, Illinois. He obtained his undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin in Madison and went on to obtain his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign. He is currently a sole practitioner in Champaign, Illinois. The majority of his law practice focuses on the fields of criminal law and family law. Lerner’s first novel and the first Samuel Roberts Thriller, Cocaine Zombies, won a bronze medal in the mystery/cozy/noir category of the 2013 Independent Publisher (IPPY) Awards. The second book in the series is Ruler of Demons. The Fraternity of the Soul Eater is book 3. Book 4, The Wiccan Witch of the Midwest, will be released on Halloween, 2015.

The Fraternity of the Soul Eater Book Summary:

It’s been a while since Samuel Roberts was called upon to save mankind, and he’s getting restless. His girlfriend Susan thinks he’s a danger junkie, and he’s worried he has a hero complex. He’s back to his usual small-town lawyerly duties in Champaign-Urbana, handling divorces and helping people beat DUI raps. But then a young fraternity pledge calls. During an initiation ceremony he witnessed the live sacrifice of a young woman, but he had so much alcohol in his system that no one believes him. Except Sam. Lately Egyptian lore has been creeping into his life, his dreams, and his movie preferences, and he’s pretty sure he knows why. Evil is knocking on his door again.

Is the call welcome? Why can’t Sam be satisfied with his comfortable legal practice and gorgeous redheaded girlfriend? Maybe it’s because he knows that, as inadequate as he may feel to the task, he and his friend Bob may be humanity’s only hope against ancient supernatural forces combined with modern genetic engineering. Come hell or high water. Or in this case, the underworld or subterranean pyramids.

The Fraternity of the Soul Eater is the third book in the Samuel Roberts Thriller series, which began with Cocaine Zombies and continued with Ruler of Demons.

Price/Formats: $4.99 ebook, $13.95 paperback
Genre: Paranormal, Mystery, Thriller
Pages: 218
Publisher: Camel Press
Release: June 1, 2015
ISBN: 9781603812894

Amazon buy link
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YQ3U7PK?tag=tributebooks-20Barnes and Noble buy link
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-fraternity-of-the-soul-eater-scott-a-lerner/1121412277?ean=9781603812894

Second Life by S. J. Watson

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'Second Life,' A Novel of Murder and Secrets by S. J. Watson.

In Second Life by S.J. Watson we meet a woman who seems to have everything. A doting husband, a job she loves and a son who means the world to her. Yet there are hidden secrets behind much of this perfection that threaten to tear her world apart.

Her son Conner is really her sister’s son. She loves her husband but occasionally obsesses over her earlier life. He is her partner and in every way she tries to meet the expectations they have for each other. She has made some hard choices in life, one of those were taking her sisters child. Julia often dreads that her sister Kate will want Conner back in her life, and she obsesses with how important he is to her.

When Kate is murdered, Julie is first relieved, but then aghast at her feeling. The police do not seem to care, and Julia finds herself immersed in the death in a way she can’t understand. When she finds a user name and password to a dating/Cyber-sex site in Kate’s papers she is determined to begin her own investigation. She is sure that this is where Kate met her killer. She is unprepared for the excitement she feels and suddenly her own life is out of control. Can she stop her downward spiral or is it too late. Has she led a killer to her own front door, and if so how can she protect her own family?

Watson takes us on a strange and perilous journey into darkness, secrets and murder in a way that creates creepy vibes that make you uncomfortable. Julia feels the guilt of her relief at her sister’s death and just that feeling makes her move in maddening circles of an investigation of her own, a way to find the killer and take away her pain. Watson’s depiction of Julia’s feelings of guilt is spot on. The character flaws exhibited keep you there hoping but make you uncomfortable.

Hugh, her husband is a rock and there for her, and Conner is just like any other boy his age. You are drawn to them as a family, and root for them to overcome the darkness that is encroaching on their lives.

If you enjoy thrillers and murder mysteries, with just that right amount of physiological depravity you will find this a work worth reading. I found the story to be riveting although the ending was difficult to take. As you get caught up in the story you are ready for a solid ending, yet we are left with more questions than answers.

Rating 3/5

Silent Creed by Alex Kava

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review:'Silent Creed', A Ryder Creed Novel by Alex Kava.

When major catastrophes happen, Ryder Creed and his animals are often some of the first responders. In Silent Creed by Alex Kava we follow him to another disaster site. Creed is not there for the glory, he is there for a job. His dogs are not just his closest companions but dogs trained for rescue. They search both for cadavers as well as for live victims of the differing disturbances that create the need.

Reaching his recent assignment, his first thought is of a wasteland. The situation is precarious and he finds out in the worst way possible just how fragile the search site, when he and his dogs are caught in a mudslide. As he is being dug from the mud, other bodies are found with the help of his dog. Yet they all lose hope when they find not the live rescue they hoped for but bodies that are past redemption. Yet it was not the explosion or the mud slide that appears to have caused their demise. Each victim has a bullet hole in the middle of their forehead.
Suddenly the search group is looking for two kinds of victims and an answer that someone does not want found. Creed finds himself in the middle of a disaster that no one could have anticipated. His concern is for his animals as always, but the danger is palpable in more ways than one. Can he get to the bottom of the mystery and keep himself and his dogs safe, while finding any witnesses or others that may still be lost in the mud?

Kava keeps you riveted with the mystery that is infused into the search as well as through her protagonist Ryder Creed and his dogs. Creed is an amazing character, tough when necessary especially when the situations are just about him, but bring his dogs into the mix and he turns into another guy all together. The interaction between him and his search animals make you want to find that kind of love and respect, and his strength of character draw you to him.

The mystery itself is again one of those worries and concerns that we read about in the papers. Kava takes us into hidden agendas and possible terror circles as she moves the pawns in the game of life as she sees it.

If you love mystery and danger with a dose of amazing animals and search and rescue, this is the book of the summer. Once started prepare to be hooked for you will be unable to put it down. Alex Kava has given us another reason to draw to her character of Ryder Creed. Yet to liven it up further she brings her other character of Maggie O’Dell on board, cementing the creation of a great working duo, although Creed shines on his own.

This would be a great work for a book club or reading group. It would also be the perfect book for your action and mystery library.

Rating 5/5

Disclaimer by Renee Knight

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: "Disclaimer,' A Novel of Psychological Suspense by Renee Knight.

Renee Knight’s Disclaimer is a complicated novel, weaving together feeling and fear. Knight has twisted a story of decaying love, and built a psychological suspense tale that raises the hair on the back of your neck. 

Disclaimer takes us into a psychological story of pain and destruction. Catherine and Robert have been together for a very long time; love has gradually turned into affection and friendship. With their son Nick leaving home, Catherine is not sure how she will fill her time, however, but she is motivated to move forward.

There is a dark secret simmering within Catherine’s life, creating tension, bleeding into her relationship with both her son and her husband. Suddenly it appears that someone else may know what happened. Is it finally time to share her dark past with her husband?

When she finds a book on her porch, she is horrified to discover that it is connected to her secret. Sleep becomes elusive as she relives her transgressions. Can she bring herself to tell Robert the terrible secret she has kept for many years?

Before she can decide, a copy of the book is also delivered to her son Nick. Although he’d been too young to remember, he had been there–witness to the worst moment of her life.

At the same time, and unknown to Catherine, an elderly man continues to mourn the death of his only son years earlier. Finding photos that link Catherine with his death the man is determined to ruin her life. His anger is relentless and he vows to bring  Catherine’s secret to light.

As he moves forward with his vendetta, Catherine’s life begins to fall apart. Her husband abandons her, and colleagues question her integrity. What everyone now believes to have been a romance and adultery has become something more deadly and violent. Having held this secret so long can she bring the real truth to light?

Knight delivers a mystery that on the surface seems mundane. Yet, with the gradual unveiling, you find a depth of depravity and guilt. His characters are flawed, and have limited understanding the triggering incident, and as often happens with secrets, in the end, it becomes both more and less than what really occurred.

If you enjoy intense and mysterious work, you will find this a great fit for your library. If psychological suspense is what interests you, look no further; it is all tightly wound with a raw and gritty grief.

This would be a great book for a reading and discussion group.

Rating 5\5

Love is Red by Sophie Jaff

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'Love is Red', A Work of Fantasy and Horror by Sophie Jaff.

As times change and crimes evolve, the dating scene is just a bit more dangerous. Second guessing another person’s interest becomes a necessary ingredient to safety. Hooking up with strangers has a whole new threat, one that we read about the in the news more frequently than in the past.

In Love is Red  by Sophie Jaff, we follow the exploits of Katherine as she moves through the dating scene. Online dating is popular and when she meets David it seems they have much in common. Their bond begins to grow and she is surprised at the ease of their relationship. Feeling this must be love she is all in. There are a few oddities in their relationship but after her initial fear she has realized his sense of humor is somewhat strange.  They are actually very compatible with a great deal in common.

When she goes to a friend’s costume party she is sure she has blown it with David. As the party winds down she decides to try and meet him later. As she heads to the bedroom to change and is partly undressed while looking in the mirror she sees a man in the sitting on the chair right behind her. The atmosphere is tense and when he is unapologetic she does something she has never done before. She orders him to get up, and to disrobe. He seems furious, yet does as she asks, and as he completes she walks past him and leaves the room.

Feeling guilty she tries to put the episode behind her, yet she struggles with her shame. They come into contact again for it appears that this man, Sael is also a friend of David’s. Both keeping their prior meeting to themselves it is here that the problem begins. They begin to meet in secrecy, and she cannot stop, although she believes that her David is the one.

As all this is occurring in her life a brutal serial killer is walking the streets of New York killing young women. Because of the way they are sliced up he is called the ‘Sickle Man’. The killer narrates much of the story in this work and Katherine appears to be what drives him. His thoughts and actions are strange and mesmerizing, yet sadistic and brutal. Katherine has no idea that she is the target behind it all. Can she decipher what she is looking for and elude a killer that she does not realize is fixated on her?

Jaff builds a tale of fear and romance, with a strange twist of historical reference that seems to drive her killer. Her interplay between the protagonists keeps you guessing, and they are all just a bit off kilter. The narrative of the killer as he chooses his prey and continues until he releases them in death is both sick and dramatic.

The story within the story of the Maiden of Morwyn Castle is interesting although for me a bit distracting. It seems to have some bearing on the outcome and the background driving the killer, but I found it a bit distracting; interesting, but strange in the setting.  However it does not take away from the story and the connection is there.

If you enjoy horror and mystery as well as romance and love you will find this work a great addition to your library.

It would also be a great book for a reading club with a great deal of discussion about the dangers of dating strangers.

Rating 4/5