Reprise Review: The Reveal: A Detectives Seagate and Miner Mystery by Mike Markel

 

Genre: Police Procedural/Mystery

Description:

“Many citizens in the small college town of Rawlings, Montana, are unsurprised to learn that Virginia Rinaldi, the world-famous sociologist, was murdered. A few are secretly pleased. Her political enemies knew her as an ideologue who used insults, threats, and blackmail to promote her unpopular social views. When Detectives Seagate and Miner begin their investigation, they discover that a local prostitute had recently moved into the professor's house, angering Rinaldi's college-age son. And when the community learns that the prostitute made a lesbian porn video with one of Rinaldi's students, tensions on campus erupt, leading to more bloodshed. Drawn into a horrifying world of sexual violence and exploitation, Seagate devises a plan to flush out the killer. The plan appears to be on track--until Seagate unwittingly jeopardizes the life of her partner, Ryan Miner.”

Author:

Mike Markel teaches writing at Boise State University. In addition to the Seagate and Miner Mystery series (this is the sixth) he has written several non-fiction books on writing and numerous articles for various publications.

For more, visit the author’s website.

http://mikemarkel.com/

Appraisal:

I've read and reviewed four of the five previous books in this series, loving each of them. Going from memory, prior reviews have focused on the main characters, narrator and protagonist Karen Seagate, a recovering alcoholic with many imperfections, offset by a desire to do well, and her sidekick, Ryan Miner, her polar opposite, a devout Mormon family man. I've previously talked about how well the fictional city of Rawlings, Montana and the secondary characters reflect the geography and culture of the area it would be in, were it a real place. All of these things are still true. Maybe it’s time to talk about plot.

The short version is, the plots are good, with The Reveal as my favorite thus far. In this particular story we kick off with the murder of Virginia Rinaldi, a professor at the local college. Virginia's liberal outlook has challenged and sometimes riled up the locals, including some of her peers, but she is almost universally loved by her students.

As Seagate and Miner investigate, they uncover a plethora of suspects and additional crimes are committed that may or may not be related to the initial murder. Just when I thought I'd figured out who did what, something new would happen to shake things up, and I, along with Seagate and Miner, would be forced to reevaluate. In the end, they figured it out. I was kept guessing until the end, even second guessing whether they'd arrested the right person until they'd tied up all the loose ends. This one kept me up late, eager to find out whodunit.

Buy now from:    Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Some adult language and mild adult content.

Although part of a series, The Reveal can be read as a standalone.

Original review posted January 7, 2016.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 85-90,000 words

Review: Suicide Walk by Melissa Bowersock

 

Genre:  Mystery/Contemporary Fiction/Paranormal

Description:

“Raising teenagers is tough. Medium Sam Firecloud and his partner, Lacey Fitzpatrick, have that brought home to them in spades when Sam’s sixteen-year-old son, Daniel, calls a sudden family meeting to make an unexpected, and unwelcome, announcement. Not only are Sam and Lacey struggling to deal with the development, they’re doing it in different ways, adding to the tension. At the same time, they are hired to investigate the death of a fifteen-year-old girl who chose to tragically end what was a privileged but tragic life. When Sam’s usual methods for dealing with a tethered soul go stunningly wrong, he and Lacey are left to wonder if they can ultimately help either of the two teens—living and dead—to find peace.”

Author:

“Melissa Bowersock is an eclectic, award-winning author who writes in a variety of fiction and non-fiction genres: biography, contemporary, western, action, romance, fantasy, paranormal and spiritual. She has been both traditionally and independently published and is a regular contributor to the superblog Indies Unlimited. She has a tattoo on the inside of her left wrist that says IMAGINE. In her next life, she plans to be an astronaut. She lives in a small community in southern Utah with her husband and an Airedale terrier. She also writes under the pen name Amber Flame.”

Learn more about Ms. Bowersock and her other books on her website or on Facebook.

Appraisal:

Teen angst times two in Suicide Walk. Daniel, Sam’s sixteen-year-old son, calls a family meeting to make an unconventional and unwelcome announcement which no one is happy about. As Sam and Lacey struggle to deal with this development, tension rises as they deal with this situation in different ways. At the same time Sam and Lacey are hired to release the spirit of a fifteen-year-old girl who chose to end what was a privileged but tragic life a year ago. They have to figure out why she is tethered to this earthly plane. When Sam tries to release her spirit, she reacts violently. Oops! Then the father fires them and plans on billing them for the damage incurred. Double oops!

Even though they have been fired from this job Lacey can’t let it go. She knows they have missed something vital from Tessa’s tragic life. Suicide Walk is a captivating and emotional story that will keep you turning the pages. The characters are well rounded and their dialogues are realistic. The plot moves at a nice pace, Ms. Bowersock doesn’t mince words to pad her word count. I also love the way Sam’s kids are worked into the story and we get to share their growing pains as well. It’s like having a magical window into the Firecloud’s daily life. I love that part of the series. Okay, back to the story at hand, you may want to have a box of Kleenex close by for the emotional climax.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Suicide Walk is book 30 in Melissa Bowersock’s, A Lacey Fitzpatrick and Sam Firecloud Mystery Series.

Format/Typo Issues:

I was a beta reader for this novella so I can’t speak about the final edition.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 30-35,000 words

Reprise Review: Caesar's Ghost by Reb MacRath

 

Genre: Supernatural/Historical Fiction/Suspense

Description:

Imagine Caesar reincarnated. Even better (or maybe worse, depending on your perspective) imagine his soul or essence coming to life in someone else's body. Almost like it is possessed only by an ex-Roman dictator rather than a demon. If you can imagine that, you've got the concept of Caesar's Ghost. I'll bet you thought it would have something to do with Perry White or Superman. Fooled you.

Author:

More than twenty-five years ago, using the name Kelly Wilde, Reb MacRath wrote The Suiting, a Stoker Award winner for best first novel. It was a dark thriller inspired by his experience as “a stateless person” after fleeing to Canada to avoid the draft during the Vietnam War. If this piques your curiosity, read his full bio on his Amazon Author Central page. I couldn't even begin to do it justice. If you'd like, you can also check out his blog.

Appraisal:

I grabbed this book from the stack because I was looking for something shortish (it's novella length) and a change of pace. It was both of those. What I didn't anticipate was how much I'd like it. It's fast-paced, with short chapters that keep the story hopping and skipping along. The premise and the plot keep the tension high, but it is also full of humor. Along with being entertained by Caesar making his way through the modern world, maybe you'll even pick up a few historical tidbits. Or maybe not. It doesn't matter either way because that Caesar, once you get to know him, is a funny guy. I'd love to hang out with him. But first, he'd have to promise not to take over my body.

Buy now from:    Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Although Caesar's Ghost is part of a series, each of the books stands alone.

Original review posted February 3, 2016.

Format/Typo Issues:

A small number of typos and copyediting misses.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 30-35,000 words.

Review: Murder, Key West Style by Dave Vizard

 

Genre: Crime Fiction

Description:

“This fast-paced novel starts with the mysterious death of an American war hero who dies alone and homeless in Key West, Florida, one of the world's great tourism meccas. Millions of people flock to the island at the bottom of the United States. Fabulous weather, terrific views, a laid-back lifestyle, incredible boating and fishing. No wonder many refer to Key West as paradise. Those attributes also prompt the homeless to gather in a place where sleeping outside is ideal most of the year. News reporter Nick Steele takes the woman of his dreams to Key West to get married and honeymoon, but gets pulled into the death of the Marine Corps veteran. More digging by the news reporter reveals a shocking side of Key West that few have ever seen. Lively, colorful characters, a winding, twisting plot and sharp writing make this novel a must read.”

Author:

Dave Vizard has worked as a journalist, taught writing and journalism at the college level, and has now released this, his fourth novel. Vizard lives in Michigan’s thumb, near Lake Huron.

Appraisal:

On an impromptu trip to Key West in order to get married and then honeymoon, Nick Steele gets drafted by his newspaper employer to do some quick research on the story behind the death of a war hero from his hometown. That quick research turns into a trip down the rabbit hole and a much bigger story than expected. As Nick digs, he solves the mystery of what happened, but uncovers something bigger. How big and what it involves I won’t say so as to not spoil the mystery. I’ll just say that the answer isn’t obvious and in the end the complete answer is bigger than I anticipated.

As you’re solving the mystery alongside Nick, if you’re paying attention, you might find your mind taking detours as you consider various subjects. The plight of the homeless is one. Various organizations, public and private, that are there to help the homeless and how things might work or go astray is another. The issue of veterans and the long-term effects they sometimes suffer from and what might be done to help is yet another side trip my mind took. I’m sure other readers will find the story to be thought provoking for other reasons. But most important, in the end, this is a good and entertaining read.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 55-60,000 words

Review: Odriel’s Heirs by Hayley Reese Chow

 

Genre: Young Adult/Coming of Age/Sword & Sorcery/Fantasy/Adventure

Description:

“The brave, burning with fire, harnessed the Dragon's Rage...

As the Dragon Heir, seventeen-year-old Kaia inherited the power of flame to protect her homeland from a godlike necromancer's undead army. But after centuries of peace, the necromancer has faded to myth, and the Dragon Heir is feared by the people. Persecuted and cast out, Kaia struggles to embrace and control her seemingly useless gift while confined to her family's farm.

But when the necromancer's undead terrorize the land once again, Kaia runs away to join the battle.

With the help of her childhood rival, the handsome Shadow Heir, and a snarky, cursed cat, Kaia must figure out how to control both her fire and her confidence in time to save Okarria. If she fails, she will sacrifice her family, her new friends, and the enchanting world she has only just begun to see.

And time is running out.”

Author:

“Hayley Reese Chow is the author of Odriel's Heirs, the 2020 winner of the Florida Author Project. She also has short and flash fiction featured in Lite Lit One, The Drabble, Bewildering Stories, Teleport Magazine, and Rogue Blades Entertainment's omnibus, AS YOU WISH!

Until recently though, she's mostly done a lot of things that have nothing at all to do with writing. Her hat collection includes mother, wife, engineer, USAF veteran, reservist, four-time All American fencer, 100 mile ultramarathoner, triathlete, world traveler, voracious reader, and super nerd. Hayley currently lives in Florida with two small wild boys, her long-suffering husband, and her miniature ragehound.

But at night, when the house is still, she writes.”

To find more about Ms. Chow’s other stories and see what she's working on next, check out her website.

Appraisal:

Kaia Dashul is the Dragon Heir, she alone has the power of fire. When an undead army attacks her homeland, she sets out to locate the sloppy necromancer who is creating the Lost Armies. She is joined by her beloved pet ragehound Gus, Klaus Thane the Shadow Heir who has the power of invisibility, and a snarky cursed cat.

And so the adventure begins. Kaia and Klaus search for clues and allies for the coming war. As discoveries are made plans have to adapt. Kaia and Klaus are also learning to work together as they are both on their own journey to self-discovery as well. Emotions and tension run high during skirmishes and losses take their toll on our young heroes. The descriptions of landscapes and native life is beautifully written. The battles are captivating as we are right in the middle of the action watching it play out through Kaia’s eyes.

I was left with one burning question after the ultimate battle though. Then the final scene I was taken back because I had completely forgotten about that slime ball. I also can’t believe that one dark sorcerer is so flippin’ hard to kill. The slippery rat bass-tid.

If you enjoy epic fantasy with sword and sorcery, battles between good and evil with snappy dialogue, you will enjoy this novel.  

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Odriel's Heirs is listed free on Amazon at the time I wrote this review. Idriel's Children is book 2 in the Odriel’s Heirs series.

Format/Typo Issues:

I noted several small proofing misses.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 70-75,000 words

Review: Legend by DV Berkom

 

Genre: Historical/Western

Description:

“In the aftermath of the gunfight at the O.K. Corral, Claire accepts a job transporting a convicted murderer to prison. But Harry, the bounty hunter who captured the outlaw, is none too pleased to be sharing the reward—and trusting a woman to have his back.

Will Claire and Harry settle their differences and work together to deliver their captive to justice? Or will the murderer kill again to escape the noose?”

Author:

“DV Berkom is the USA Today bestselling author of action-packed, riveting adventure and crime thrillers. Known for creating resilient, kick-ass female characters and page-turning plots, her love of the genre stems from a lifelong addiction to reading spy novels, action/adventure stories, and thrillers.”

Appraisal:

This third volume appears to be the final installment of this series, taking the tale of Claire Whitcomb from the murder of her family in the first to what I’ll describe as her new normal by the end of this book, with plenty of excitement in between. Most of the story in this book involves assisting Harry, a bounty hunter, in transporting a prisoner to prison. Harry isn’t very pleased to have Claire foisted on him as an assistant and, at least at first, he doesn’t realize that she isn’t a man, nor does the prisoner. This was a fun read, both wondering how things were going to be complicated if Harry or the prisoner realized Claire wasn’t a guy, and anticipating complications were going to come getting the prisoner to prison (otherwise where was the conflict going to be?) and wondering how that was going to shake out. What, if anything, happens on both these fronts is something you’ll have to find out on your own. Maybe I got surprised. Regardless, I enjoyed the read which kept me entertained and on the edge of my seat throughout.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Book 3 of the series. While I think the book could be read as a standalone, knowing all that led to this point would help get even more from the book.

Format/Typo Issues:

My review is based on an advance copy and I’m unable to gauge the final product in this area.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 35-40,000 words

Reprise Review: A Billion Gods and Goddesses: The Mythology Behind the Pipe Woman Chronicles by Lynne Cantwell

 

Genre: Mythology/Legends/Folk Tales/Native American/Spirituality

Description:

“More than forty deities, representative of fifteen pantheons from around the world, have found Their way into the ten books (and counting!) of the Pipe Woman Chronicles story cycle. In A Billion Gods and Goddesses: The Mythology Behind the Pipe Woman Chronicles, you will find additional information on each of the deities in the urban fantasy series, as well as a brief foundation in comparative mythology.

The gods and goddesses in the Pipe Woman Chronicles hail from Alaska to Mexico, and from Russia and Scandinavia to Ireland and Japan – with pantheons of several Native American tribes well represented. The book is organized by type of deity: creators, tricksters, and so on. The gods are also cross-listed by pantheon, as well as by Their first appearance in the series.

A Billion Gods and Goddesses is meant to be a companion volume to the Pipe Woman Chronicles novels, but it also serves as a wide-ranging introduction to the subject of mythology. Anyone curious about what others believe will find something to interest them here.”

Author:

Lynne Cantwell is a contributing author at Indies Unlimited where she shares her knowledge about Indie publishing and promotion. She has a master’s degree in fiction writing from Johns Hopkins University and is a former broadcast journalist who has written for CNN and Mutual/NBC Radio News, among other places. Ms. Cantwell currently lives near Washington, DC. You can connect with her at her website or on her Facebook page.

Appraisal:

I found this a comprehensive guide for the Pipe Woman Chronicles, Pipe Woman's Legacy, and Land, Sea, Sky Trilogy. I wasn’t sure whether I would enjoy just reading about the gods and goddesses but Ms. Cantwell is a storyteller at heart. It would be extremely wordy to include every detail about each and every god or goddesses she included in her stories. Besides you would get distracted from the story itself that she was trying to tell.

In this book she has included more information she liked and expands a bit further. As an example, “To most people these days, myth is a derogatory term that denotes a story based on a lie. But to anthropologists, a myth a simply a sacred narrative.” And it turns out there are a lot of similarities between most if not all mythic cultures around the world.

I like the way Ms. Cantwell has organized her extensive research referencing and cross-referencing, and cross-cross-referencing. I can’t even imagine the tangled webs she wove and unwove for our benefit. Thanks for going to so much trouble for your readers' benefit, Ms. Cantwell.

Buy now from:    Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

This is where I generally mention foul language or sexual content… I got nuttin’.

Original review posted February 12, 2016.

Format/Typo Issues:

I don’t recall any proofing or editing issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 20-25,000 words

Review: Viking P.I.: Season one by Tommy Ueland

 

Genre: Detective Mystery/Short Story Collection

Description:

“After a failed career in writing crime, Norwegian author, Tommy, decides to try his hand at actually preventing crime as a private investigator. How hard can it be, right? The aptly named ‘Viking P.I.’ soon discovers that he has a real talent… for failing!

Case after case, Viking P.I. realizes he has bitten off more than he can chew, but he’s too far in it now. Maybe he’ll actually get better at it if he just keeps trying… or maybe he won’t.

Whether it’s a missing dog, a haunted house, cheating spouses or hunting trolls, Viking P.I. is probably (not) the man for the job! But he’s going to try his best, and there may be a few surprises in store for him along the way.

This series of 6 short and hilariously funny cozy mysteries are sure to make you smile and are the perfect companion for your coffee break. These quick-read mysteries are short and snappy, but full of sweet charm and intrigue.

Will Tommy be able to solve the crimes and make a career for himself in the ‘dark’ underworld of trivial crime investigation? Who knows! You’ll have to read to find out.”

Author:

This collection is Tommy Ueland’s first published book with several others in the works including one written in his native language, Norwegian. For more, visit his website.

Appraisal:

This is the first volume of a series of what the author is touting as “coffee-break mysteries.” At a couple thousand words apiece, these six mysteries are just the right length to read over that cup of java on your coffee break. The author calls them quirky in a short thank you note at the end of the book and I think that’s about as perfect a one-word description as there is for what you’ll find here. That the protagonist is named Tommy, just like the author, and decides to try his hand at private investigation after repeated failures as an author, need not be foreshadowing, at least if enough mystery fans give this book a try. I found these stories to be fun reads and my only significant complaint would be that I’d like more.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

A small amount of adult language, kind of.

Format/Typo Issues:

For a book this short the number of proofing errors I spotted was pushing the limits of what I find acceptable. It wasn’t quite enough for me to start knocking off stars, but close.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 12-13,000 words

Review: The Old Overholt and Other Stories by Michaela Casey

 

Genre: Short Story Collection

Description:

“A dreamer, a talker, a merrymaker, and a moralist, Tim Cadigan is classic Boston Irish, just the kind of local color that writer Mitch Goldberg is looking for when he moves to a working-class Dorchester neighborhood. Mitch soon learns that his elderly neighbor is both a prolific storyteller and a fascinating character, hilarious and neurotic, open-minded and self-righteous, kind and thoughtless, honorable and cagey, forgiving and grudge holding.

After hearing dozens of stories from Tim’s family and friends, Mitch decides to compile a broad sampling, including his own favorite, in which Tim produces a deathbed miracle of sorts with a shot of whiskey and a beer chaser. Blending humor and poignancy, other stories describe Tims righteous defense of a tenant victimized by prejudice, his madcap efforts to get the pope to stop in for tea, his extraordinary determination to reverse his brother’s mental illness, his annual yuletide roast of the regulars at the Connemara Gardens Bar and Grille, and his final days at the home he loves.

The Old Overholt and Other Stories is a lively portrayal of an endearing, complex individual and the people, times, and place that shaped him.”

Author:

All I can tell you about the author is that this appears to be her only book published thus far and that she lives in Maine.

Appraisal:

I’ve read short story collections before. Sometimes those have some common theme that ties the stories together. But I’m not sure I’ve read a set of short stories before that, when I finished, as different as the stories were from each other in many ways, still held together as well as this collection. The concept is that these stories are stories that one person, Tim Cadigan, originally told to one of his friends and the friend is doing his or her best to retell the story for this book. If you’ve ever had a friend or maybe a relative (my Dad is a good example) who tends to tell the same stories over and over, I’d picture something like that. One difference is that Tim is a much better storyteller than my Dad, having spent much of his adult life as a writer for the local newspaper in his Boston neighborhood. (That neighborhood also figures into many of the stories.)

Through these stories the reader may, like me. Feel like they know Tim fairly well. I assume you’ll like him. I did. The collection ends up feeling like a memoir, written not by the person the memoir is about, but by him through his friends. You can be forgiven if you start to think Tim is a real person. Based on other reviews it appears some think he is and it felt like that to me. But I’ve been clued in (and a dedication at the front hints at this) that the author’s father was the inspiration behind the ultimately fictional character of Tim. Even so, I’m glad I got to know him. Through him I learned some things, had some vicarious experiences I’d have not otherwise had, and was thoroughly entertained.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 30-35,000 words

Review: The Wobbly Wallaby by Mike Skillicom

 

Genre: Children’s Action Adventure/Fiction

Description:

“A mob of wallabies lies on the brink of starvation when a drought strikes the harsh Australian outback. Unwilling to endure the conditions any longer, a single wallaby with a bad knee gathers the courage to leave the protection of the mob to seek out a better place.

Joined by two of his closest friends, the trio begin a wild adventure through the perilous and unforgiving land. Danger follows in every footstep, until they are finally forced to confront their gravest fear...

The dingoes.”

Author:

“Mike Skillicorn is an Australian author and software architect living in Sydney, Australia. Born in Newcastle, New South Wales, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and maintains a passion for the environment and animal conservation. He loves to travel, especially with his snowboard and when he can find a spare moment, enjoys playing guitar.”

Appraisal:

Wally Wallaby has had a bad knee since birth, and despite this handicap he works up the courage to implore his mob’s commander to search for food and water. However, the old commander has made up his mind to stay where they are and wait for the rain to come. The problem is once he has spoken his word is law, even at the sacrifice of the mob who are slowly starving to death. Wally decides then that he is breaking the “Wallaby Code” by leaving the mob the following morning to strike out on his own. When day breaks he is joined by his best friends, Jake and Peg. And so the perilous journey begins as they head east in the unforgiving drought of the Australian outback.

During their adventure they encounter several indigenous species some friendly, others not so much. There is a small unrelenting band of dingoes who are trailing and taunting the trio of wallaby’s. The comradery between Wally, Peg, and Jake is admirable and heartwarming. As the adventure continues there are several lessons that could be learned by a young reader. There is also enough tension to keep them turning the pages. The Wobbly Wallaby is an entertaining, and engaging story with some humor spread throughout. I liked the way the wildlife of the Australian outback introduces critters some young readers may not know about already. I would recommend The Wobbly Wallaby to chapter book readers and older kids.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

The genre is listed as a children’s story, however, it is for young readers’. There are two other books in the series published at the time I wrote this review.

Format/Typo Issues:

None to mention.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 25-30,000 words

Review: Malice in Miami by Barbara Venkataraman

 

Genre: Mystery

Description:

“Reluctant family law attorney Jamie Quinn is loving life--and why wouldn't she? Her boyfriend Kip is back from Australia, her long-lost dad finally has his visa and she's about to start her dream job at an art foundation. But it all falls apart when Jamie is accused of stealing priceless art from a rare book collection. If she can't find out who framed her, she can kiss her dream job good-bye--and her law license too. Meanwhile, Kip has problems of his own. Now an environmental activist, he uncovers a deadly secret--one that just might get him killed. Jamie's in trouble, Kip's in danger, and Duke Broussard has gone AWOL. How could Jamie's favorite P.I. abandon her at a time like this?”

Author:

In addition to authoring the Jamie Quinn Cozy Mystery Series, attorney Barbara Venkataraman has written several other books ranging from collections of short fiction to non-fiction books on subjects ranging from proper grammar to tales of social activism. For more, check out her blog.

Appraisal:

This has everything I look for in a cozy mystery. An amateur detective I like. Interesting, quirky characters. And the most important part of all, a case for them to solve that keeps me guessing and eager to continue turning the page to figure it out. (Okay, maybe I don’t figure it out, but the detective does and clues me in. That works too.) Different story threads tie together in ways that I sure never saw coming and keep the reader guessing the whole time. If you’re into cozies, grab this one. I’m giving it a big thumbs up.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 50-55,000 words

Review: Unsavory Delicacies by Russell Brooks

 

Genre: Thriller/Short Story Collection

Description:

“Crème Brûlée

Rogue operative, Monique Beauvais, cons a software genius into selling her a coveted technology that would allow its user to control CIA drones while they’re in flight. And she will go as far as killing him in public in order to have it.

To the Last Bite

A renowned food critic—whose scathing reviews have closed down restaurants—gets a savoury surprise.

Shashlyk and Morezhenoe

CIA operative, Ridley Fox, leads a team against one of Russia’s most powerful crime families. He discovers secrets, but not one that he was expecting to find.

Three stories with three consequences. All containing three Unsavory Delicacies.”

Author:

Thriller author Russell Brooks, originally from Barbados, now lives in Montreal, Canada. In addition to this small short story collection, he’s the author of three novels. For more, check out his website.

Appraisal:

Three short stories, each an extremely quick read of a couple thousand words, that do what a thriller should do, keeping the reader engaged and curious. You’ll be wondering what’s going on, how it is going to end, and that answer to the second question isn’t likely to be what you’d initially guessed. Given the title of the middle story I can’t resist saying that each story was “good to the last word.”

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 7-8,000 words

Reprise Review: Sonnets for Heidi by Melissa Bowersock

 

Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Women's Fiction

Description:

“When her mother died, Trish Munroe inherited the care of her elderly Aunt Heidi, who suffers from Alzheimer's. But after Heidi's own death, Trish uncovers a forbidden family secret that takes her on a journey of the heart she never imagined.”

Author:

Award winning author Melissa Bowersock is the author of numerious books in a variety of genres, both fiction and non. She and her husband live in Nothern Arizona. Melissa draws on her many years as an author in her regular contributions to Indies Unlimited.

For more, visit Ms Bowersock's blog.

Appraisal:

What a great story.

Patricia Munro, Trish to friends and family, has good friends, a job she likes, and shares a townhouse with her boyfriend Eric, the kind of guy most women dream about. But all is not well with Trish. She's still recovering from the unexpected death of her mother and has been thrust into the role of running interference for her aunt Heidi, whose dementia has reached the point of having to live in a care home. Eric is hinting about taking their relationship to the next level, but Trish's short and not-so-sweet first marriage left her gunshy. She doesn't want to lose him, but she's also not ready to pull the trigger. Her brain knows that Eric is different, but her heart isn't ready to concede the point.

How these issues resolve is a bittersweet story with sadness, stress, and more than a little frustration for Trish. Along the way she uncovers a long buried family secret and learns some life lessons about risk and being true to yourself.

Buy now from:    Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Maybe one or two swear words and a few mildly racy scenes.

Original review ran January 31, 2016.

Format/Typo Issues:

My review is based on a pre-release beta version and I can't judge the final book in this area.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 45-50,000 words