Book Review – Flash Harry
Flash Harry – Murder, Money, and Mystery in Asia’s Seedy Human Trafficking Underground
Rating: 5 of 5
Author: Carole Sutton
Format: Kindle, Paperback
After the brutal and shocking murder of her mother, Liz Tremaine decides to find her long lost father, inform him of her death, and close some wounds that have been open for years. Having nowhere else to start but her father’s last known address in Bangkok, Liz travels from her quiet life and home in Autralia to bustling Thailand where she learns about her father’s secret life. Soon Liz finds she is in for much more than a reunion but a fight for her life finding herself in the middle of an illegal human trafficking business and adult video cartel. Will Liz find the answers to her father’s disappearance and her mother’s death or will she suffer their same fate?
Carole Sutton’s, “Flash Harry” is her best novel yet. Expertly plotted and fiendishly clever with a pace that keeps the pages turning well into the night, Sutton’s narrative pops off the page. Her descriptions of Bangkok’s red light district are the stuff movies are made of. Infused with just the right amount of twists and turns, you’ll keep guessing well to the end what will be the fate of Liz, her friends, and what remains of her family.
I’ve enjoyed Sutton’s work since her Debut novel – Ferryman. She hooked me with her creativity in this first book portraying her antagonist through his psychotic actions – such as the parading of his conquests for all to see without anyone even realizing it was happening. Since then she has retained this creativity, but added even more depth to her plots and her turn of phrase is spot on. “Flash Harry” is a great read. Race to pick up your copy.
Note: A complimentary copy of this work was provided in return for a review.
Book Review – Sadist: The Rise
Sadist: The Rise – Evil in the Projects
Rating: 4 of 5
Author: Kel Fulgham
Format: Kindle, Paperback
The progeny of a bizarre coupling between a beautiful young Jamaican immigrant and an old New York city cabbie, Cal Johnson is cursed. As a young boy beaten into a six year coma by boys in the project, Cal awakens in his sixteen-year-old body with a nine-year-old brain. His dreams take him to bizarre places where brutal murders of drug pushers and others who have committed various wrongs occur. Not wanting to remember of even acknowledge these images, Cal wants to forget they have even occurred. But when he sees his own teenage tormentor murdered, Cal realizes that the twined presence within him is responsible for all these evils and he desperately wants to rid himself of this beast. But when the young girl he loves is raped and beaten, Cal wants to exact revenge and realizes embracing the beast is the only way to accomplish his task. But will Cal loose himself to this evil or will he be able to save himself and others before it is too late?
Kel Fulgham’s “The Sadist” is a methodically paced novel fusing together multiple story lines over a period of years. The slow temptation and transformation of evil as Cal first resists then somewhat accepts and finally embraces the anonymous uncontrolled power is troubling to witness but serves as a reminder for how one’s own actions and beliefs can be slowly warped over time through incremental, seemingly small insignificant steps, until it is too late. The road to hell, is as they say, paved in good intentions.
The Sadist is written with great intention, carefully crafting its story with a series of interactions between the various characters that might at first appear to be insignificant until later chapters connect the dots. This could be frustrating for readers who are drawn to more fast paced action thriller types of reads but these narratives are balanced by the brutal murders the sadist commits which quickly ramp the pace. For those on the squeamish side, be aware these crimes are and graphically described.
Overall, however, “The Sadist” was an engaging and intriguing read.
Note: A complimentary copy of this work was provided in return for a review.
Book Review – The Case of the Unnecessary Sequel
The Case of the Unnecessary Sequel – Fargo 2: Electric Boogaloo! Oh my, what a riot!
Rating: 4 of 5
Author: Brian Landon
Format: Kindle, Paperback
Jealous of her brothers’ success, Maura Coen begins filming “Fargo 2: Electric Boogaloo” in a small quite Minnesotan town. But when what was believed to be a prop gun results in the very real death of one of the cast, Doyle Malloy former police officer to the stars turned private detective, swoops in to solve the murder.
As he did in “A Grand ‘ole Murder”, Brian Landon once more brings his wonderfully quirky characters and crisp wit to small town Minnesota where, unfortunately, not all of the men are good looking nor are all the children above average to paraphrase Garrison Keillor.
Readers, especially Minnesota natives, will thoroughly enjoy the local references and cultural caricatures. Malloy, his main character, blurts out insensitive questions at inappropriate times, flinches at the site of dead bodies, yet he makes ironically insightful observations just when one wonders how he ever became a police detective.
In lesser hands, this novel could not have been written, but Landon makes the premise, characters, and setting work perfectly for an enjoyable, quirky and fun read. Don’t miss this one!
Book Review – Lights and Shadows
Lights and Shadows – Book 2 in “The Prisoner and the Sun” Series
Rating: 4.5 of 5
Author: Brad Magnarella
Format: Kindle, Paperback
Trapped for months on his swampland island, Iliff knows he must leave or die. But where to go? As he considers his fate, Iliff notices a creatures hump that emerges and submerges in the surrounding water. Hoping it to be some type of sign, Iliff follows the creature eventually encountering the Fythe – a tribe that have been exiled to the forest after having lost a battle to their bitter enemies – the Garott. Taken in by the Fythe King, Iliff pledges to protect the Fythe and he offers to use his finely honed stone and mortar skills from his years in prison to build a protective wall around their community. But as the wall grows taller, wider, and stronger over the years, Iliff wonders if he is keeping the Garott out or trapping his people and himself in yet another prison.
Brad Magnarella’s “Light and Shadows” picks up where book one – The Prisoner and the Sun – left off and takes readers back into this fascinating fantasy world as well as inside the mind of Iliff who continues to flounder on his journey to the Sun. What I enjoyed most about this chapter in the story was Iliff’s inner struggles questioning his own motivations. Iliff finds ways to rationalize his decisions and behaviors as a way to protect others when in fact they may be more self serving than he would like to admit. The walls he creates are both physical and emotional and one can’t help but wonder if in the quest to protect one’s self from pain both physical and emotional, the cost of losing life’s joys and personal freedom is too high.
This second book starts a little slower than the first, but the speed picks up considerably about a quarter of the way into the story and the climax is perfectly paced leading the door open to the concluding book three. I remain extremely curious where the finale will take Iliff and what the Journey to the Sun will eventually reveal. Bring on the final chapter!
Note: A Complimentary copy of this novel was provided in return for a review.
Review – Cell Wars
Cell Wars: A Hilarious yet Heartwarming look “Inside…” 
Rating: 5 of 5
Author: Adam Fox
Format: Kindle
Working tirelessly as head of the “Immigration and Foreign Object Office” (IFOO), Bill decides it is finally time to take a vacation and get away from it all. You see, Bill is one of the many workers responsible for making sure their host – Brian – stays in good health and lives a nice long life. But as Bill travels through heart junction, spends some time with workers in the Liver and throws back a few at “The Singing Sphincter” bar, Bill sees that not all is running so well within Brian. Years of poor food choices, lack of exercise and a high stress job have caused multi system problems as well as led to something so dark and evil it could be the end of Brian. Unable to make his host change behavior in any meaningful way, Bill decides to do the unthinkable and leave the host and try to communicate with Brian’s spouse to see if the solution lies within her. What Bill finds there is something both wonderful and unexpected.
Adam Fox’s “Cell Wars” is an imaginative, hilarious, light, yet heartwarming tale of the life and the “battles” that take place every day within our bodies. The characters, their environment, and voice are spot on and the premise so unique that the pages fly by. I enjoyed how Fox painted a perfectly detailed environment within Brian and used this unique perspective to then contrast the “new world” explored within the spouse. The connection between the two hosts’ activities, behaviors, and beliefs and how they translate internally especially given their different genders is highly entertaining as well as telling when it comes to overall happiness and health.
Cell wars is a great, quick read, and readers will enjoy the journey. For the price, this is an incredible value that should not be passed by!
Note: A complimentary copy of this work was provided in return for a review.
Review – Draykon
Draykon – A Great Start to the Series
Rating: 4 of 5
Author: Charlotte E. English
Format: Kindle
While exploring near her home in Glinnery, young Llandry Sanfaer comes across a hidden cave whose walls are filled with a beautiful gemstone. An amateur jewelry, she mines the gems subsequently fashioning them into rings, necklaces, and other items to sell at the local market. To her great surprise they become the desire of the seven realms selling out quickly. But soon those wearing these precious stones are found injured or murdered by creatures previously believed to be extinct from the lower realms. Summoners and Sorcerers alike are called upon to hunt and banish these creatures back to the lower realms and in the process they find the gates between worlds are appearing and opening uncontrolled and at alarming rates. What is causing this shift in the balance between the worlds? Who is hunting these precious stones and why? And how is it a small winged girl from Glinnery seems to hold the fate of the seven realms in her hands?
As I finished reading the final pages of Charlote English’s first book in the Draykon series I thought “Noooooo!” don’t let it end here! The book builds to a nice and surprising climax and satisfactorily answers many questions, but clearly leaves the main story arc unresolved with Llandry. Well done Ms. English. I’m definitely interested in seeing where this series is going. The premise of the seven realms and worlds connected through veiled gates is intriguing and English gives just enough information to describe these realms while leaving the reader to fill in the details.
The juxtaposition of Llandy, the poor girl from Glinnery and Eva, the High Summoner from Glour and how their stories evolve and intermingle is well executed and drives the plot forward along with mystery of the istore gem and the collapsing veil between the worlds. The evolution of Llandy’s character as she finds herself drawn to the istore gem and her ability to connect with the animals around her when she wears it adds to the gem’s mysterious properties as well as Llandry’s nature. Is she something more than she appears? And why are the seven realms separated at all?
Fantasy readers will find familiar elements here but at the same time something quite fresh making Draykon definitely worth picking up.
Note: A complimentary copy of this work was provided in return for a review.
Book Review – The Steel Deal
The Steel Deal – A Unique Voice in the Gumshoe Genre 
Rating: 4 of 5
Author: James Blakely
Format: Paperback, Kindle
Gumshoe Sonny Busco is broke. Worse than broke, he owes everyone – big time. With loan sharks on his tail and his security gig not paying enough to keep up with the bills, he struggles to get from one end of town to the other in his junker car. Enter Pixy – young, attractive, in trouble, and willing to pay $2500.00 up front for Sonny to simply deliver a package to Santa Fe. What could be easier? Exactly. Too easy, and Sonny knows it. Things quickly breakdown and Sonny finds himself beaten and confused. Whose side is he working for anyway?
James Blakely’s “The Steal Deal” reads like an homage to Mickey Spillane Mike Hammer novels replete with witty repartee and smug confidence displayed by Blakely’s larger than life PI – Sonny Busco. With female character names like Pixy, Bambi, and Bevel Brand, it is no surprise Busco throws out lines like there is no tomorrow. The novel’s overall voice and narrative is perfectly executed. Just take a read of this passage:
“…the figure’s deep-set eyes, red-veined and volcanic, fixed an unflinching gaze directly on me. When the figure’s stiletto-then lips split, a hideous smile lunged for me…”. Great stuff!
This book was a lot of fun to read. No one talks the way Busco talks, but that is sort of the point of it all. Enjoy the character for who he is. Beyond the wonderful characterization and unique voice, there are also a number of surprising plot twists and turns and just when I thought I had it all figured out, I was surprised again. If this is your style read, you’ll love “The Steel Deal”.
I look forward to future Sonny Busco cases.
Note: A complimentary copy of this work was provided in return for a review.
Book Review – A Trip to the Water’s Edge
A Trip to the Water’s Edge – Murder and Mayhem Mattie Mitchell Style!
Rating: 4 of 5
Author: Mary Berger
Format: Paperback, Kindle
Mattie Mitchell and her friend Clare are a pair that seem to attract trouble. While out hiking they witness a murder, later they get involved in uncovering the truth behind a potential poisoning plot, and if that isn’t enough their attempts at pottery nearly run their instructor into retirement! But can Mattie and her friend solve all of these mysteries before they become victims themselves?
Mary Berger’s “A Trip to the Waters Edge” is a tongue-in-cheek chic-lit murder mystery. The beginning starts off with a gripping witness of a brutal murder but I’ll admit I was a little surprised that the main characters did not react as seriously to the crime that I would have expected. The storyline leaves the murder arc and takes an interesting turn into a potential poisoning at Autumn Leaves along with another arc devoted to the ladies adventures at a pottery class. I didn’t understand why these seemingly unrelated story arcs were injected in the narrative when the murder seemed to be the central element at the beginning so the story slowed down a bit for me in the first half of the book. However, the second half finds its pace and all of what I thought were distracting and unnecessary side journeys actually come together at the end.
For those who like a light hearted humorous murder mystery, check out “A Trip to the Water’s Edge”. The characters are a hoot and you’ll wonder what Mattie and Clare will get into next!
Note: A complimentary copy of this work was provided in return for a review.
Book Review: Twin-Bred
Twin-Bred: A Richly Imaginative and Thoughtful Look into First Contact
Rating: 5 of 5
Author: Karen Wyle
Format: Paperback, Kindle
Communicating with the planet’s indigenous species – the Tofa – was close to impossible for the human colony. As a result, it was inevitable that tensions between the two races continued to escalate. If there was going to be long term success and at least a neutral if not successful partnership between Tofa and Humans, something different needed to be tried. One scientist – Mara Cadell – suggests something radical – an experiment of sorts – but one that could forever change the interaction between species and potentially create a new ruling class. Working on the theory that twin born children share a special bond of communication due to their unique shared experience, Cadell hypothesizes that a human / Tofa twin pair could potentially form bounds, empathy, and communications not otherwise possible. But Dr. Cadell has a secret that neither the Tofa or Human know – a secret that could either spell success for her experiment or result in its failure.
Karen Wyle’s “Twin Bred” is a richly unique and imaginative look into the challenges of first contact with an alien species. This is not a laser gun, spaceship, shoot ‘em up popcorn flick of a novel, but a well paced progression into an intriguing situation of two species hesitant and more than just a little suspicious of one another. Wyle crafts a tale following the grand experiment first through the chosen mothers of each species then the eventual birth and cohabitation and maturation of the offspring and their challenges. Though there is little in the way of action to drive the plot forward, I could not put down Twin-Bred in much the same way I was addicted to Nathan Lowell’s Trader Tales series.
The story’s uniqueness and Wyle’s ability to carefully inject numerous thought provoking concepts were the reasons I had to give this five stars though I would have liked a stronger climax and ending. And while the main story arc is complete, I see how a series could be made from this concept (which I would gladly read). If you like works from Heinlein and Lowell, I think you will definitely enjoy Twin-Bred.
Note: A complimentary copy this novel was provided in return for a review.
Book Review – Final Mercy
Final Mercy – Castle Meets ER!
Rating: 4 of 5
Author: Frank Edwards
Format: Paperback, Kindle
After his mentor retired as dean, emergency department (ED) director Jack Forester found himself on the wrong side of a political battle with interim dean Bryson Winter, MD. What had been a foregone conclusion with the hospital directors regarding modernization of the ED, under Winter has become a battle that Jack is quickly losing putting his department and his career in jeopardy. Soon, however, Jack and an out of state reporter learn there may be more than just politics at work after a string of suspicious suicides of hospital staff occur. Will Jack discover the horrifying truth before he is added to the list of victims?
The strength of Frank Edwards – Final Mercy – is his intimate knowledge of the inner workings of hospital administration back room politics and medical expertise that shines in this novel. With just enough details to give credibility to the medical issues presented without being over the top technically, Edwards strikes just the right balance in his narrative. The pace is leisurely at the beginning of the book leading the reader to conclude this is perhaps just a story of hospital politics. About half way through, however things pick up speed nicely and the depth of Winter as a character is revealed. Edwards does an exceptionally good job showing how such a high intellect suffering from a bit of psychosis can be such a dangerous combination. Winter is the perfect manipulator playing chess with the lesser minds around him and Edwards conveys this prowess masterfully.
Overall, this reminded me of a nice mix of the television shows ER and Castle – good medical drama with murder mystery mixed in. This is a gem of a find and I urge readers to pick up a copy.
Note: A complimentary copy of this work was provided in return for a review.
