Intriguing peek into the world of forensic pathology and what medical examiners do. I loved how the antagonist became more and more twisted as the booIntriguing peek into the world of forensic pathology and what medical examiners do. I loved how the antagonist became more and more twisted as the book went on. The ending was a bit abrupt, but not enough to detract from reading the next installment. ...more
If you've ever experienced a five star restaurant, you know the full enjoyment of all the layers woven into a gourmet meal. Such an experience is due If you've ever experienced a five star restaurant, you know the full enjoyment of all the layers woven into a gourmet meal. Such an experience is due to the masterful talent of the chef, who intricately weaves the components together, blending them in such a way that it is exquisite to the patron. Nuanced and savory, with depth, boldness, and ultimately delight.
That's the best analogy I could come up with for Vanessa Lillie's BLOOD SISTERS and I still feel like I'm not doing the book justice with it. There are so many elements that are expertly balanced. Historical context of the plight of peoples indigenous to North America. The travesties and injustices that they've endured past and present. An engrossing story that leads you on a wild chase through it all. The protagonist Syd Walker is as formidable as she is vulnerable and accessible. At times Indiana Jones and at others Detective Olivia Benson.
BLOOD SISTERS is a sumptuous plot, with all the flavors of a thriller we know and love. Mystery over missing and murdered girls. A serial killer in the shadows? Competing agendas. Misleading and questionable character motives. Action, adventure, and excitement.
And through all of these seamlessly blended elements, at the heart of the story is a poignant takeaway of the bonds of family. The ups and downs of relationships with our loved ones, both blood and as close to it as possible, that inevitably comes from life. Those that are stretched thin at times, but as is the case with the Walkers, always hold firm when the chips are down and the only thing you can rely on is each other.
If you can't tell, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and cannot wait to dive into the sequel THE BONE THIEF coming out in October. ...more
A highly technical legal thriller. Like reading an episode of Law & Order, except you're seeing the investigative work and court cases play out simultA highly technical legal thriller. Like reading an episode of Law & Order, except you're seeing the investigative work and court cases play out simultaneously rather than one before the other. Compelling narrative and insights on the inner workings of the FBI, the U.S. Attorney's office, and organized crime....more
A tightly wound plot that volleys your suspicions back and forth as if you're sitting front row at Arthur Ashe Stadium watching the U.S. Open championA tightly wound plot that volleys your suspicions back and forth as if you're sitting front row at Arthur Ashe Stadium watching the U.S. Open championship. ...more
A wild transcontinental ride that will have you white knuckling the pages and holding on by your fingerprints. THE DEVIL'S EYE is National Treasure meA wild transcontinental ride that will have you white knuckling the pages and holding on by your fingerprints. THE DEVIL'S EYE is National Treasure meets Lethal Weapon, with all the hallmarks of a globe trotting adventure and plenty of new takes that give the story its own spin. Make sure you're grounded when reading this one because the current flowing through you will be pure electricity. ...more
I often equate being an author to being a professional athlete, typically using the NFL for my analogy. Each year there are hundreds of players in theI often equate being an author to being a professional athlete, typically using the NFL for my analogy. Each year there are hundreds of players in the league, every single one of which has come up through the ranks by being at the top of their game. All of their talent, dedication, the proverbial blood, sweat, and tears, is displayed week in and week out. Their standing as the best performers in their sport is evident by the sheer fact that they are in the league and take the field every Sunday.
Still out of all those players, there is yet another tier. The elite of the elite. The smallest percentage of players that differentiate themselves with their otherworldly abilities from even the most exceptional of athletes who are their peers. They're the Pro-Bowlers. The household names. The ones who put asses in seats, have fans wearing their jerseys, and can move us to levels of utter joy or heartbreak with their performance.
Reading S.A. Cosby is the equivalent of watching a Pro-Bowler go to work. His talent is such that it inspires this author to reach for even greater heights, while being in awe of his mastery of the craft. In ALL THE SINNERS BLEED, he expertly and exquisitely weaves hard hitting topics such as race, religion, town politics, and modern day law enforcement seamlessly into a gripping serial killer mystery that leaves readers guessing until the very end. Poignant and prescient, it is the literary equivalent of those remarkable plays the best of the best make look easy. The ones that defy physics, comprehension, and belief while leaving fans cheering, jaws dropped open, and clamoring for more.
I was fortunate enough to be in the room this year when ALL THE SINNERS BLEED won the award for Best Hardcover Novel at the International Thriller Writer's annual banquet. Having finished the book this morning, I can see why. There's no doubt in my mind. From now on, whatever S.A. Cosby writes I will be reading. ...more
I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced copy of Gregg Podolski's debut thriller, and then humbled and grateful when asked to provide a blurb. ItI was fortunate enough to receive an advanced copy of Gregg Podolski's debut thriller, and then humbled and grateful when asked to provide a blurb. It is no easy thing bringing a fresh new take into the thriller world, so I appreciated what The Recruiter accomplishes in this regard even more than it being just a fantastic read. I loved the unique premise - job placement for contract killers - and the delivery of Rick Carter's wit and humor had me laughing harder than any book I can remember reading. As soon as this book drops, you have to get it. Run, don't walk.
"Rick Carter is cunning and capable with a sarcastic wit and hilarious one liners. It feels like the heir apparent to Nelson DeMille's John Corey has just burst onto the scene in a big way."...more
A phenomenal debut by Adam Plantinga, a man in the know and an author on the rise. His expertise is evident on every page, but beyond the technical prA phenomenal debut by Adam Plantinga, a man in the know and an author on the rise. His expertise is evident on every page, but beyond the technical precision, Adam weaves a gripping, intense, and action packed thriller that has you racing to the finish. Simply put, Kurt Argento is a bad, bad man that you don't want to mess with. His martial prowess is only surpassed by his sheer will and determination. His journey is Dante's Inferno in reverse, with Argento fighting tooth and nail to extricate himself and his compatriots from the depths of hell, one level at a time, while beating back the devil's hordes. Fans of The Raid: Redemption movies will be completely engrossed by this story. Stop reading this review and start reading this book!...more
Let me frame this rating with a compliment that should hit home. I'm from Long Island originally and frequently return there to visit. The island's hiLet me frame this rating with a compliment that should hit home. I'm from Long Island originally and frequently return there to visit. The island's highways are notoriously clogged with vehicles, and as such-and I would assert what a majority of us feel on the topic-I absolutely detest traffic. Listening to Lauren Nossett's debut is one of a very few novels that I found myself actually wishing for MORE traffic so that I could listen to the audiobook longer during my commutes. I was that engrossed.
THE RESEMBLANCE is an articulately written and intriguing police procedural that kept me guessing. I was drawn into the protagonist's mindset and found her continuous dissection and reevaluation of potential avenues and motives for the crime absolutely compelling. I also greatly enjoyed the fact that Lauren wrote Detective Marlitt Kaplan as someone with obvious bias toward fraternities and Greek life in general, and that these biases clearly impacted her judgment and decision making with regards to her investigation.
The simple fact of the matter is that there is all too often an expectation of a, "white knight" at times in stories, and I found it refreshing and even daring that Marlitt was the antithesis to this. Inept, corrupt, biased, and those police officers and detectives working their own agendas unfortunately do exist. Yes, her intentions to solve the crime might be grounded in the pursuit of justice her profession requires, but the way in which her pursuit gets convoluted-to the point that you don't know where or who is the culpable perpetrator-had me hanging on to the very end.
An incredible first novel with the promise of Lauren's stardom being assured. After reading (listening), I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of her second novel, THE PROFESSOR, this November....more
One of the rarest compliments I feel can be conveyed about a book is when the reader is certain the author is a subject matter expert in the field surOne of the rarest compliments I feel can be conveyed about a book is when the reader is certain the author is a subject matter expert in the field surrounding the story. Then when it turns out that they are not, and the convincing detail is as a result of meticulous research and the talent of their presentation, I am left stunned and in awe of what they have constructed. Such was the case with Stacy Willingham's debut, A FLICKER IN THE DARK.
The psychological depths of the protagonist combined with her professional acumen will have you diving further and further into the recesses of a mind fractured by the unthinkable; a father who is a convicted serial killer. Her struggle to sift through both the past and present is as compelling as the buttery prose of Stacy's writing and the mesmerizing delivery of Karissa Vacker's narration. The story has more turns than a coiled rattlesnake and just as potent of a bite. I was kept guessing until the very end.
All in all, an exceptional debut that easily explains why Stacy is an author that will astound us for years to come. ...more