Review: Ghost Phone by Melissa Bowersock

Genre: Mystery/Paranormal/Detective

Description:

“When Sam first starts getting phone calls with no name and no number—and no one there on the line—he thinks it’s strange but not a big deal—just irritating. Without a number, there’s no way to trace the calls to either find out who it is that’s calling, or to block them and their annoying pranks. But then the calls take a darker turn, spewing an unintelligible stream of angry, garbled nonsense. The calls are very insistent, ringing through even when the phone is turned completely off. To save their sanity, Sam and Lacey have to figure out who—or what—is calling, and what it wants. But how?”

Author:

“Melissa Bowersock is an eclectic, award-winning author who writes in a variety of fiction and non-fiction genres: paranormal, biography, western, action, romance, fantasy, spiritual, and satire.”

For more visit Ms.Bowersock’s website and follow her on Facebook.

Appraisal:

If you’ve read a few of the 50 prior books in this series then you’ve come to expect certain elements. A house or some place seems to be haunted. Sam Firecloud is called in with his wife, Lacey Fitzpatrick, to figure things out. Sam, with his ability to communicate telepathically with spirits who have not yet left this world visits the haunted space and Sam describes what he’s seeing which Lacey records. Together they ponder with Lacey figuratively putting on her detective cap to help figure things out. As a team, they find what it will take to help resolve the unfinished issues preventing the spirit from peacefully moving on. It’s an engaging and thought-provoking pattern that the author has managed to keep entertaining with each of her stories keeping the reader guessing along with Sam and Lacey, just what you’d hope for in a mystery story.

This book throws a few twists into the pattern especially in the beginning, when they get calls that give no caller ID information and are silent on the other end, at least at first. Later, some of the calls have a voice that is too garbled to understand. How these calls evolve, how they figure out where they are coming from and ultimately how to communicate in a way they can understand with the being on the other end is full of twists and turns we haven’t seen in any other book in the series. Then where this leads them to resolve the issue at hand and how they get there is much different from any of the other books in the series. Sam’s connection with the spirit behind it all matters, but it felt like Lacey’s detective skills got much more of a workout than is typical for the series too. In the end, it was an entertaining read that shakes up the normal pattern, but that fans of the series are still going to enjoy, find entertaining, and make them work a bit harder trying unsuccessfully to figure out where things are going through most of the story. I’d call that a positive.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

While the 51^st first book in the series, each book stands alone.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 25-30,000 words

Review: For Your Benefit by Patrick Canning

 Genre: Detective/Satire

Description:

“Teddy Lint is the kindest private investigator on the planet, committed to seeing the best in everyone he meets. The detective agency he runs out of a Los Angeles strip mall with his brother Ralph has seen a strange case or two before, but never anything like this.

A man claiming to work for the CIA hires the Lints to find a shipping container of radioactive Agent Orange that vanished over fifty years ago. He insists someone is planning on using an army of drones to drench L.A. with the deadly chemicals before the week is out.

The Lint Brothers enter a maze of bizarre suspects, from nefarious ad executives, to anarchistic Boy Scouts, to a toga-clad militia fighting for exclusive rule by women. The propaganda-obsessed society that seems to be running the world is probably worth looking into as well.

The power of empathy collides with the dangers of disinformation as Teddy fights to save the people he loves. Our beloved detective doesn't give up easily, but any Angelenos with an aversion to death by herbicide might want to dust off that umbrella, just in case . . .”

Author:

“Patrick Canning is the author of For Your Benefit (2024), Cryptonalia (2021), Hawthorn Woods (2020), The Colonel and the Bee (2018), and Cryptofauna (2018).

His work often blends genres, combining elements of humor, adventure, fantasy, and mystery into stories with imaginative settings, quirky characters, and typos.

Patrick lives in Chicago with his Australian Shepherd, Hank. When he isn’t writing, he enjoys walks on the lakefront, being excited/worrying about AI, and eating his bodyweight in potatoes.”

Appraisal:

This was an interesting read. It was described to me as a “satirical detective novel” and I wasn’t sure how satire was going to work with a mystery or detective story. I found the characters in this to be interesting, amusing (the satirical qualities were at least part of that), and, as you’d want with a detective novel, the story kept me guessing, having little clue what direction things were going. There were times when it felt like my ability to suspend disbelief was being stretched to its limit, but I think the strange detectives allowed me to keep believing and continue reading since I really wanted to know where the story was going to end up. All in all it made for a fun and very unique read.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Some adult language.

Format/Typo Issues:

Review is based on an advance reviewer copy, so I can’t gauge the final product in this area.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 65-70,000 words

Reprise Review: Way Out West by Frank Tuttle

 Genre: Fantasy/Detective/Mystery/Adventure/Magic

Description:

“Markhat and Darla journey into the unknown, where Trolls and worse await those who dare the wastelands, and old magics take on new life when fueled by vengeance and the undying power of greed.

Three thousand miles of haunted prairie lie between Rannit’s bustling streets and tiny frontier town of Railsend. Finder Markhat’s new case puts him aboard the steam locomotive Western Star, bound for Railsend…and the edge of the world. But before the Star sees its first sunrise, blood is spilled, and Markhat finds himself at the center of a murderous mystery.

When wartime magic of the killing sort enters the picture, Markhat realizes not all the passengers are who they seem. There’s a rogue sorcerer aboard the Western Star, a sorcerer bent on homicide — and not just one death will do.

Pressed into service by railroad law, Markhat must unravel the tangled web of lies before the next life taken is his own.”

Author:

Frank Tuttle lives and writes in the perpetually humid wilderness of North Mississippi. Frank tried to be a proper Southern author and write about pickups and hound dogs, but trolls and magic kept creeping into his stories, so Frank is a fantasy author. Although hounds do make occasional appearances in his fiction.”

To learn more about Mr. Tuttle’s series, The Markhat Files, and his other Young Adult series, Paths of Shadow, check out his website. I also recommend checking out his highly entertaining blog.

Appraisal:

Way Out West is sort of like Murder on the Orient Express Markhat style, but on a moving train surrounded with magic. Mama Hog is responsible for placing Markhat, Darla, Evis, and Gertriss on the Western Star headed west to secure her latest acquisition, a town she plans on renaming Hogstown.

It’s becoming quite clear there is an unsettling old magic in the air around Rannit so it seems like a perfect time to skip town for a while. Little does Markhat realize that this old magic is drawn to a certain crate in the baggage car of the Western Star as well. It’s a wild ride of murder, intrigue, and time warps. New characters who play important parts are written with depth and style. Darla is sharp and takes on an impressive role as Markhat realizes he married up in class.

There are delightful surprises among the darkness of this tale and more twists in the plot than any roller-coaster ever invented. I was enthralled through the whole story. I love it when that happens, except it makes functioning the next day difficult from the lack of sleep. Way Out West is an exciting addition to The Markhat Files and I have to wonder how Hogstown will factor into future stories. Well done, Mr. Tuttle.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Way Out West is book ten in The Markhat Files series. Mr. Tuttle does an excellent job filling in key elements so new readers will enjoy his stories without having read previous books in this series. However, I would highly recommend reading the whole series to fully appreciate character nuances.

Original review posted September 30, 2016.

Format/Typo Issues:

None.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 55-60,000 words

Reprise Review: The Darker Carnival by Frank Tuttle

 

Genre: Urban Fantasy/ Detective/ Mystery/ Adventure/ Magic

Description:

“When Dark’s Diverse Delights arrives by night to set up shows and rides that promise fun and excitement for one and all, the outskirts of Rannit begin to look disturbingly like the nightmares that plague Markhat’s sleep.

Mama Hog has sent him a new client, a cattle rancher with a missing daughter. Markhat’s search reveals genuine terrors lurking amidst the carnival’s tawdry sideshows, where Death itself takes the main stage every evening, just past midnight.

The orchestrator of the murderous, monstrous mayhem is the mysterious carnival master, Ubel Thorkel. And after Buttercup the Banshee is threatened, Markhat is in a race against time to find the carnival’s dark heart and strike it down once and for all—or die trying.”

Author:

“Frank Tuttle lives and writes in the perpetually humid wilderness of North Mississippi. Frank tried to be a proper Southern author and write about pickups and hound dogs, but trolls and magic kept creeping into his stories, so Frank is a fantasy author. Although hounds do make occasional appearances in his fiction.”

To learn more about Mr. Tuttle’s series, The Markhat Files, and his other Young Adult series, Paths of Shadow, check out his website or follow him on Facebook.

Appraisal:

In this seventh book of The Markhat Files, I see changes on the horizon. Markhat’s world is shifting. Characters are transforming, growing in ways I would never have foreseen. However, Markhat’s expanding abilities are not surprising to me. I think past installments of the series foreshadowed these changes. This story also introduces two new personae who will no doubt be appearing in future sequels. One mystical, named Shango the storm-sniffer, and the other a runt of a troll named Slim. Up until this story, I felt that most of The Markhat Files could be read as standalone books and in almost any order. While this is still true of the overall book, the secondary characters are gaining importance in the continuing story line and many nuances may be lost when read out of order.

If you are one to feel uneasy about carnival sideshows and clowns, you may find The Darker Carnival unnerving. What starts out as a simple missing person investigation quickly turns dark and nefarious. This is no ordinary carnival; magic compels everything about Dark’s Diverse Delights. When Buttercup is captured, it becomes personal for Markhat and Mama Hog. With Evis deathly ill and Stitches indisposed, it is left to Markhat and Mama Hog to get to the heart of the carnival and set things right again. It is a rollercoaster ride of twists and dead-ends until puzzle pieces start falling into place. Then Markhat finds himself confronted with something he never imagined he would find himself doing or having the will to carry out.

This is a game-changing installment in The Markhat Files and I am looking forward to further additions. Frank Tuttle’s books are, as always, a must buy for me.

Buy now from:    Amazon US        Amazon UK   

FYI:

The Darker Carnival is Book 7 in Mr. Tuttle’s series, The Markhat Files. I think this book could be read as a standalone; however, some character nuances would be missed. I don’t think that would lessen your enjoyment of this story. Original review posted March 30, 2016.

Format/Typo Issues:

I found no significant issues with proofing or formatting.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 60-65,000 words

Review: Three Mean Streets by Frank Tuttle

Genre: Urban Fantasy/Detective/Mystery/Audio Book

Description:

“Welcome to Rannit, an ancient city awash in magic and mayhem. Wracked by war, but embracing the dubious wonders of steam and iron, Rannit is on the path to renewal – but old magics and older shadows won’t go easily into the light.

Markhat earns his living as a finder. On behalf of his clients, Markhat will find anyone, or anything, for a fee. In Three Mean Streets, his clients include a dead man’s ghost, a mighty Troll warrior seeking his cousin’s mounted head, and the true identity of the corpse allegedly stalking the grounds of a rich widow’s mansion.

Markhat doesn’t believe in ghosts and walking corpses, but for twenty crowns a day, plus expenses, he’ll wade in swinging. With the aid of soothsayer and card-reader Mama Hog, Markhat sets out on three perilous cases, and they share only one thing in common – nothing in Rannit is quite what it seems, and sometimes good and dead isn’t good enough.”

Author:

“Frank Tuttle lives and writes in the perpetually humid wilderness of North Mississippi. Frank tried to be a proper Southern author and write about pickups and hound dogs, but trolls and magic kept creeping into his stories, so Frank is a fantasy author. Although hounds do make occasional appearances in his fiction.”

To learn more about Frank Tuttle you can check out his website. However, I suggest following his blog, it is always entertaining.  Of course you may also stalk him on Facebook.

Appraisal:

I don’t generally listen to audio books, I am a visual person and easily distracted. If I am reading a book my eyes are busy with letters strung together into words, punctuation, and spaces. And my mind is immersed in the story. I am not easily distracted when I am focused on a book. However, when Mr. Tuttle offered me his new audio book, Three Mean Streets, with no mention of a review, I thought I would give it a try and refresh my memory from the beginning of The Markhat Files at the same time.

I read these three novellas, long ago before I became a Pal and started reviewing for BigAl’s Books and Pals. I like that The Mister Trophy, Dead Man's Rain, and The Cadaver Client are all together in one volume now. They give the reader or listener a nice introduction to the finder Markhat and his world. He’s plain spoken, fair, easy going, and does all he can to get to the bottom of each case.

I easily became captivated by the voice actor, Conner Goff. He submerged himself into each character he is portraying. This made the stories enjoyable and easy to fall into. Each of the three cases Markhat works to solve are different, with an assortment of unique characters. Mama Hog, the elderly lady who lives a couple of doors down, has the sight and keeps Markhat apprised of things to look out for. She’s a fun character, but is usually all business. Markhat also has a three-legged office cat. He stretched his imagination in naming the cat Three-Legged cat. Markhat doesn’t joke around, the world he lives in is unforgiving and they had better adhere to the curfew if they want to live till the next day. The undead roam the streets at night looking for a meal. Death wagons patrol, picking up the bodies of those who violated the curfew.

I did enjoy the audio book experience, but I’m not ready to give up reading on my Kindle Paperwhite just yet. If you enjoy noir detective stories with a no frills type detective who is willing to eat his words if necessary, you should give Markhat a try. I highly recommend the whole series.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

  

FYI:

Three Mean Streets is book 1 in Mr. Tuttle’s, The Markhat Files. My review is for the audio book.

The three Markhat adventures in Three Mean Streets were originally published under the title The Markhat Files. The stories included are The Mister Trophy, Dead Man's Rain, and The Cadaver Client. If you have previously purchased The Markhat Files with the titles stated, you already own these, so you don’t need to purchase them again.

Format/Typo Issues:

I listened to the audio book and didn’t notice any issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate audio book length: 5 hours and 41 mins

Reprise Review: The Hunt for the Well Hidden Treasure by Bob Sheard and Timothy Taylor

Genre: Middle Grade/Action/Adventure/Mystery/Detectives

Description:

Will Grainger is new to Knightsbridge, California. Since his parents’ separation, Will has relocated five times in six years. This time, Will is hoping to establish some roots and make a few friends. When the remains of the notorious Spanish pirate, El Cazador are unearthed in Knightsbridge, gold fever erupts, bringing thousands of treasure seekers to the sleepy California town.

Author:

Timothy Taylor traveled around a lot as a kid to places like California, Massachusetts, and Saudi Arabia. He loved reading mysteries and decided he’d write one too for kids like his son.

Bob Sheard, a web publisher, enjoys writing, investing, and spending quality time with his wife and two children in and around Cincinnati, Ohio.

Appraisal:

In a fast-paced descriptive style middle grade students enjoy, the writing team of Bob Sheard and Timothy Taylor tell a fascinating story of friendship, mystery, and adventure.

While researching in the town’s public library, Will meets other seventh graders with treasure fever. Mikey is an electronics buff, Susan is a computer wiz, and Evelyn has an amazing aptitude for photography. Joined with Will’s knowledge of the outdoors, these young sleuths are seemingly unbeatable, except for the fact that professional treasure hunters are on their tail willing to prevent their success at all costs.

The Hunt for the Well Hidden Treasure is an exciting read for kids, teens, and adults alike.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Added for Reprise Review: The Hunt for the Well Hidden Treasure was a nominee in the Children's/Middle Grade category for B&P 2015 Readers' Choice Awards. Original review ran May 12, 2014.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: Michael Thal

Approximate word count: 40-45,000 words

Way Out West by @Frank_Tuttle #Kindle

Genre: Fantasy/Detective/Mystery/Adventure/Magic

Description:

“Markhat and Darla journey into the unknown, where Trolls and worse await those who dare the wastelands, and old magics take on new life when fueled by vengeance and the undying power of greed.

Three thousand miles of haunted prairie lie between Rannit’s bustling streets and tiny frontier town of Railsend. Finder Markhat’s new case puts him aboard the steam locomotive Western Star, bound for Railsend…and the edge of the world. But before the Star sees its first sunrise, blood is spilled, and Markhat finds himself at the center of a murderous mystery.

When wartime magic of the killing sort enters the picture, Markhat realizes not all the passengers are who they seem. There’s a rogue sorcerer aboard the Western Star, a sorcerer bent on homicide — and not just one death will do.

Pressed into service by railroad law, Markhat must unravel the tangled web of lies before the next life taken is his own.”

Author:

“Frank Tuttle lives and writes in the perpetually humid wilderness of North Mississippi. Frank tried to be a proper Southern author and write about pickups and hound dogs, but trolls and magic kept creeping into his stories, so Frank is a fantasy author. Although hounds do make occasional appearances in his fiction.”

To learn more about Mr. Tuttle’s series, The Markhat Files, and his other Young Adult series, Paths of Shadow, check out his website. I also recommend checking out his highly entertaining blog or stalking him on Facebook.

Appraisal:

Way Out West is sort of like Murder on the Orient Express Markhat style, but on a moving train surrounded with magic. Mama Hog is responsible for placing Markhat, Darla, Evis, and Gertriss on the Western Star headed west to secure her latest acquisition, a town she plans on renaming Hogstown.

It’s becoming quite clear there is an unsettling old magic in the air around Rannit so it seems like a perfect time to skip town for a while. Little does Markhat realize that this old magic is drawn to a certain crate in the baggage car of the Western Star as well. It’s a wild ride of murder, intrigue, and time warps. New characters who play important parts are written with depth and style. Darla is sharp and takes on an impressive role as Markhat realizes he married up in class.

There are delightful surprises among the darkness of this tale and more twists in the plot than any roller-coaster ever invented. I was enthralled through the whole story. I love it when that happens, except it makes functioning the next day difficult from the lack of sleep. Way Out West is an exciting addition to The Markhat Files and I have to wonder how Hogstown will factor into future stories. Well done, Mr. Tuttle.

Buy now from:    Amazon US    Amazon UK

FYI:

Way Out West is book ten in The Markhat Files series. Mr. Tuttle does an excellent job filling in key elements so new readers will enjoy his stories without having read previous books in this series. However, I would highly recommend reading the whole series to fully appreciate character nuances.

Format/Typo Issues:

None.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 55-60,000 words