Pray for Mercy (Detectives Kane and Alton #14), by D.K. Hood

Eight stars

D.K. Hood keeps the action high and the. mystery suspenseful with yet another book. The stories keep getting better and I am always looking for the twists that Hood adds to keep the series fresh. When a number of elderly women turn up murdered, Sheriff Jenna Alton and her team begin their investigation. While all this is taking place, an acquaintance from Deputy Dave Kane’s past emerges in Black Rock Falls, causing both professional and personal strain for some. Juggling all of this, Sheriff Alton will have to rely on her deputies to find a killer, who appears to be targeting a specific group. Hood develops the series to make it on that is unputdownable!

A noise downstairs startles her awake, requiring a trip to the main level. When she arrives, a door has been left open, one she was sure had been shut before bed. Closing it and returning upstairs, there is an odd feeling in the bedroom, where two eyes peer out at her. Before she can scream, all is muffled and there is no chance for help any longer.

After an overnight message is left at the sheriff’s office, Sheriff Jenna Alton and her senior deputy, Dave Kane, make their way to a small home on the outskirts of Black Rock Falls. What they discover is the body of Agnes Wagner, a pillar of the community. She is in a pool of blood, with stab wounds all over her body. The question remains, who would knowingly attack Agnes and what was the motive?

No witnesses and little trace evidence leave Sheriff Alton baffled as to what could have happened. Speaking to a local contractor who had done work for Agnes, Alton discovers little. It is only when she and Kane are called to the scene of a car crash that another body, that of Agnes’ best friend, is discovered, mangled.

The connection between these two women has Sheriff Alton wondering if these are targeted kills. Her worries intensify when one of her team members is found, unconscious, with blood all over him and a knife, a third body completing the montage. Could Alton have misjudged one of her own and let a killer into the sheriff’s office? The clues are making that a distinct possibility.

While Alton tries to put the pieces together, an acquaintance from Kane’s past makes her way to town and is hired by the mayor as the newest deputy. Sheriff Alton is less than impressed, particularly when the woman has little skill or obvious interest in taking things seriously. When she, too, disappears, some wonder if the job was too much for her. However, there could be more to it. Hood dazzles once again with a strong addition to the series.

D.K. Hood has almost perfected her serial killer series with novels of this calibre. Set in a small Montana community, things are both cozy and confusing, which adds depth to an already strong narrative. The action leaves little room for the reader to lag behind, as the story’s momentum dictates being highly attentive. I have long enjoyed this pace and hope it continues as the series keeps progressing

Character development remains essential to the series and Hood offers it up without hesitation. A core collection of characters that keeps growing work well together, but all harbour their own secrets and pasts. The long sought connection between Alton and Kane appears to be emerging, though there are rocky moments that add flavouring to the story arc many have been anticipating. I can see a number of changes are on the way and Hood has done really well to action them with small nuances between her characters. Patience will be required, but my eagerness will help along the way.

The series relies on killers who have motives and rationale that is not entirely clear from the outset. Hood weaves these plot twists in the narrative effectively and provides the reader with a great addition to the series. There will always be loose ends to tie off, but Hood does not let them dangle for too long, hoping the reader will pick up on the subtleties she provides. This series has me hooked and keeps getting better. I cannot wait to see how things will go from here.

Kudos, Madam Hood, for penning another unputdownable book!

Calico, by Lee Goldberg

Eight stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Lee Goldberg, and Severn House for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Everything that I have read by Lee Goldberg has kept me enthralled and this newest novel is no exception. Goldberg utilises his abilities in writing police procedurals with a career working in television to develop this piece, which adds a little mind- and time-bending to keep the reader hooked. A small California community comes to life when a man dies in a motor vehicle mishap around the time a freak weather event and explosion occur. What’s even more confusion is his state of dress and presentation. That is further exacerbated when a local man disappears into thin air around the same time, leaving Detective Beth McDade to piece things together. What follows is a mystery that no one saw coming, with ties across decades and through a rooted family tree. Goldberg does a brilliant job with this piece, keeping the reader hooked until the final page turn.

Those who have heard of Barstow, California, know that this dusty town in the Mojave desert is destination for no one, save those trying to flee its confines. Such is the truth that Detective Beth McDade has come to discover since being forced from the LAPD. With a past she chooses to shelve, Detective McDade has found this small area and calls it home.

After arriving at the scene of a man run over by a motor home, Detective McDade wonders why she is here. It is only when she examines the victim, who has no signs of being from around Barstow, that McDade sees the oddities. The man’s presentation and state of attire are from another time, which baffles those who saw what happened. Add to this, Owen Slader disappears into thin air. Something is surely amiss and all Detextive MxDade can decipher is that there was something going on at the local military base. Witnesses saw a fork of lightning, but nothing can substantiate events enough to put the mysteries to rest.

Not long thereafter, McDade finds some skeletal remains, adding to the ongoing confusion. The skeleton shows signs of modern medical advancements, but also has deteriorated.to the point that it must have been from the late 19th century. Could this skeleton and the man who died on the interstate be connected in some odd way? Detective McDade will stop at noting to connect the dots, even if there’s s no way of making sense of them.

Owen Slader has his own story here, a man who disappeared into thin air and emerged in the middle of Calico, California. A mining community is nothing like the modern community in which he was living, but it holds new and valuable assets. Slader takes on a new identity and tries to make a life for himself in the 1880s, while leaving clues that he is not from this time. He plants roots and tries to help those from his future life better understand what’s happened to him.

As the truth soon emerges and she must make a pronouncement, Detective McDade realises that she has something out of this world on her hands, with no chance of tying the mystery up in a tight bow. There are forces she could not have expected trying to silence her, with others seeking answers from a fore-bearer who appears to have straddled two points in time. Goldberg does well to pace this book and keep things going for all to enjoy until the final reveal.

There is something about Lee Goldberg and his writing that has long excited me. I love his description and how he uses his narrative to paint a picture the reader can easily see as thy keep reading. While things may appear a tad “science fiction” on the surface, there is a great mystery afoot and the reader is in the middle of it all. There are great developments, though the reader will have to keep up or risk losing it all.

Characters emerge with ease and Goldberg knows how to place them in such a way that they cannot help but impact the larger storyline. While Beth McDade remains central throughout, she pales at times in comparison to the life of Owen Slader, whose existence has also been turned upside down. Goldberg depicts all this with ease and great detail, entertaining the reader while flavoring the narrative.

It is the plot twisting that takes centre stage in this piece. Goldberg knows how to tell a story and add folds to the linear presentation to keep the reader from guessing too much. There is little time to rests on one’s laurels, though Goldberg makes the adventure something exciting that all can enjoy. The book plays out like a great television movie, which shows Goldberg’s influences. I cannot wait to see what else he has in store for readers and where things are headed with his writing.

Kudos, Mr. Goldberg, for opening my mind to something well outside my usual reading comfort zone.

Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.

https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/calico/

Don’t Look Back (Detectives Kane and Alton #13.5), by D.K. Hood

Eight stars

D.K. Hood has developed a strong series through the use of full novels, to delve into a number of poignant topics. This is the second novella in the series that seek to explore backstories of the protagonists. While D.K. Hood warns not to read them as prequel stories, she does look to the past in order to explain the present. This piece is all about the life of Jenna Alton, before she arrived in Black Rock Falls. Working undercover as DEA Agent Avril Parker, things go awry and a raid ensues, making sure Parker is the target of a cartel. Seeking to reinvent herself, Parker becomes Jenna Alton and arrives in Montana, ready to effect change.

Avril Parker has been building a case, working undercover, as a DEA agent for four year. Now it’s time to act and take down a highly dangerous member of the cartel she’s infiltrated, her husband, Michael. While she has been the dutiful wife, she knows that there is a major event taking place, one that could be the raid she has been working towards.

Realising just how bad things have become, Avril waits for dark, when everything is supposed to go down. In a lightning attack, DEA agents storm the property, leaving Michael and others in senior positions within the cartel scrambling to negotiate plea bargains.

With her life in danger, Avril will have to undergo significant changes in Witness Protection. A new face, new body, and definitely a new name. With a lead on placing her in a small Montana community, Avril is transformed into Jenna Alton, a former Baltimore PD hot-shot looking for a new life. She agrees to the change, as long as she can blend in.

Arriving in Black Rock Falls, Montana, Jenna Alton seeks to make a name for herself and secure the role of sheriff. It’s little crime and a cozy community to boot. Jenna is happy with the move and eager to set down some roots, while trying to keep her law enforcement career going. A great novella by Hood to fill in many of the Jenna Alton gaps.

D.K. Hood has yet to stop with her slew of powerful thriller stories, rich with action and series development. Offering up a chance to fill in the gaps of Jenna. Alton’s past and how she evaded the cartel, Hood provides a solid narrative to guide the reader through this shorter piece, without cutting out the details or action. The momentum of the piece helps push things along and leaves the reader wanting more, as the story connects with the start of the series in Black Rock Falls.

Character development has long been a cornerstone to the series, which is offered up throughout. This prequel-type piece offers the reader the needed backstory to better understand Jenna Alton’s past life and the reason she is so secretive about it. While there has been mention of a cartel hunting for her, it is only with this piece that the truth comes out for all to see. Much like the previous novella that expounded on the life of Dave Kane, this one offers the other protagonist’s life story and does so masterfully.

The series relies on major twists and story arcs to fuel its momentum. While D.K. Hood has been working on backstory here, she does offer up some great moments of action and a few twists. Things in this piece connect well with the series I have come to love. I am eager to find more breadcrumbs embedded in the narratives, as they relate to the past lives of both Alton and Kane. Hood seems to never run out of ideas, as my binge continues with this series. I cannot wait to see what’s to come.

Kudos, Madam Hood, for another quick break from the intense story writing this series has provided to dedicated fans.

Moving Target (Jack Lisbon #7), by Blair Denholm

Eight stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to Blair Denholm for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Always eager to reach for another book in Blair Denholm’s Jack Lisbon series, I jumped at the chance to read the latest instalment. As Denholm has crafted his protagonist over the last number of novels, he is ready for a new chapter in his life. Returning to the U.K. for his ex-wife’s funeral, Jack is now in charge of their daughter, Skye. During a side trip to Portugal, they witness a shooting aboard a tram one night and Jack’s expertise is used to help with the investigation. Torn between his love of investigating and the new-found responsibilities towards Skye, Jack Lisbon tries to balance it all. Back in the country of his ancestors, Jack discovers new mysteries of his own, Denholm does well with this piece and keeps the reader hooked until the very end.

After attending his ex-wife’s funeral in the United Kingdom, Detective Jack Lisbon now has full custody of his daughter, Skye. Precocious and full of life, Lisbon decides they will take a detour to Portugal before returning the Australia. While in the country’s capital, Detective Lisbon and Skye find themselves in the middle of a targeted shooting of a university student while travelling on a local tram.

As panic ensues, Lisbon makes she that his daughter is safely taken to his relatives before making his way to the police to offer his assistance. It would seem the victim was a part-time journalist who had been stirring the pot quite effectively. While Detective Lisbon does not have the jurisdiction to work the case, he is taken in as a consultant of sorts, hoping that his expertise can aid in finding the killer swiftly.

As suspects emerge, Lisbon will have to pare them down and get to the root of the assassination. Who would want to kill a young woman who appeared only to be reporting the news, as she saw it? When Lisbon is attacked, one can only wonder if this was a sign to stay away from the case, or a warning that more is to come.

While juggling time with Skye and trying to catch a killer, Lisbon realises that his life has changed significantly now and his priorities must shift as well. While you can take the detective out of Australia, you cannot take the detective out of Jack Lisbon. Forging ahead, Lisbon promises Skye that he will be careful, but cannot let one of Portugal’s most baffling investigations slip through his fingers. Denholm tells quite the story here and is sure to impress the reader.

While I have never shied away from a Blair Denholm novel, I have also never had an issue with his narrative style. Full of grit and quick dialogue, Denholm knows how to paint a picture that is well worth the reader’s time. Keeping things gritty and always evolving, the story moves along with a strong narrative foundation, building from there as time progresses. The momentum is never lost and the reader is able to see things through Jack Lisbon’s eyes.

The character development of Jack Lisbon appears to have waned in this, the seventh novel. However, with the full-time parenting being thrust upon him, Lisbon will have to amend his style and this shines throughout in the novel. Lisbon adapts as best he can, but has trouble separating family life and professional responsibility when murder is on the table. This is sure to be the start of an intriguing new development angle that Jack Lisbon must address.

Plot points are key to keeping the reader hooked. While Lisbon is away from Australia, he has not lost the ability to attract action and detective work. Denholm is able to fashion both of these effectively and keep the reader engaged until the very end with ideas that some may not have seen coming. I am eager to see what’s next and how Jack Lisbon will handle being full-time dad in a series that has never lacked for action.

Kudos, Mr. Denholm, for a great addition to the series and new story arcs to come.

Fallen Angel (Detectives Kane and Alton #13), by D.K. Hood

Eight stars

D.K. Hood has effectively built this series with all the elements needed for a strong thriller collection. Elaborating on many of the story arcs presented in the previous dozen novels, Hood provides the reader with something strong and. well-plotted. The series has come so far and yet still has a ways to go. When a crime writers’ convention come to Black Rock Falls, the town is excited. Sheriff Jenna Alton and her senior deputy, Dave Kane, are eager to have so many new faces around town, particularly the author who has been spinning tales about murder in their Montana community. When a literary agent turns up dead, Alton and Kane are alerted to troubles and can only hope they will choke off the spree before it gets too intense. Hood weaves quite the story here with her lucky thirteenth novel in this collection.

As she watches the scenery around her, she must hurry, as things are getting dark. When the sound of footfalls behind her break her concentration, the intensity increases. Worried for her safety, she picks up the pace, but is soon overtaken and before she can alert anyone else, her surroundings fade.

Black Rock Falls is home to a crime writers’ convention, using the newly built ski lodge and hotel as its setting. Faces from across the industry appear, ready to sell their ideas to authors or present new twists on long-developed ideas. However, there is not only a sense of joy when a young literary agent disappears from the hotel and is soon found dead. Her body, pale and lodged under the ice, tells a story of something sinister and macabre. This was no accident, though Sheriff Jenna Alton will have to investigate to find out just what happened.

Working with her senior deputy, Dave Kane, they find an earring, which might prove to be a clue worth building upon. Trying to keep the guests calm and in their rooms, many speculate that this is all part of the conference, a murder mystery to solve. When a second body is discovered in one of the chalets, Alton and Kane know that there is something nefarious going on. They try to contain it before things get too out of hand, discovering a second earring. Could this be a clue to identifying the killer?

While interviewing guests, Alton and Kane try to discover a motive or a possible suspect, particularly when they hear that arguments had taken place not long before either victim was found. When a flash blizzard descends on the Montana community, both Alton and Kane realise that they are in close confines to the killer. A distressing call and another piece of evidence turns the hunt for a killer into a race for safety, with many more possible victims who could be targeted in the blink of an eye. Can the killer be caught before things turn serial? Hood develops this stunning addition to the series and keeps the reader on their toes.

D.K. Hood has not stopped perfecting her serial killer series, based in the small community of Black Rock Falls, Montana. There seems to be little Hood has not done or is willing to do. Working with a strong narrative base, Hood finds ways to keep the reader on their toes and provide a crescendo in the action until things climax with a final reveal. This series relies on great narrative development and utilising strong ideas to propel things forward. Thirteen books and counting proves that something must be going well.

Character development is another essential element for keeping the series fresh. With a core collection of characters who work well together, Hood has been able to develop strong advancement throughout. This keeps the reader intrigued with how things are going. While Kane and Alton both have pasts veiled in secrecy, they are coming out of their shells and appear to be connecting with one another on a more personal level. This is something series fans have been hoping for and they can now see it coming to fruition, though there are many other storylines that flourish with this momentum.

The series relies on unpredictable factors and strong plot points. Hood has been able to pace them effectively, without releasing too much in any one book. The stories flow well and appear to have a strong sense of development, building on one another without being too intertwined, so as to leave the reader lost if this miss something. I will always encourage readers to begin at the start of a series, though there are portions of each book that could allow for standalone reading. That said, who would want to miss out from all the building action? Hood has so much more to say, including another novella reading to read next. I cannot wait to see how things will fit together.

Kudos, Madam Hood, for perfecting the art of thriller writing!

Face of Greed, by James L’Etoile

Eight stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, James L’Etoile, and Oceanview Publishing for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

New to the world of James L’Etoile, I eagerly reached for this police procedural. L’Etoile has a great way of setting the facts out in a blunt fashion and allowing the reader to digest things at the breakneck speed his narrative presents them on the streets of Sacramento. When a business tycoon is found murdered in his home and his wife is brutally attacked, Detectives Emily Hunter and Javier Medina arrive at the scene to investigate. Things get off to a rocky start, as both the mayor and Chief of Police seek to rush the case to closing. Hunter and Medina do not work that way, pulling up any proverbial rugs to find all the dirt. While Hunter pushes back a little too hard, it will take her diligence to get answers in a case that runs far deeper than simple murder, L’Etoile shines with this novel and sets the scene for what could be a great series.

After being called to the scene of a brutal murder and attack, Sacramento Homicide Detectives Emily Hunter and Javier Medina discover that money talks. Roger Townsend is in a pool of his blood, while his wife, Lori, is consoled by the mayor and Chief of Police. After taking some initial statements, both Hunter and Medina feel that there is more Mrs. Townsend is not sharing, but she plays the grieving widow and has powerful friends willing to play the shield. Neither detective is ready to let this go, though it is Hunter who pushes well past what some would call acceptable.

While trying to push through a case that the politically connected want closed as swiftly as they can, others hope to bury it by any means. Hunter and Medina are in the middle, trying to find justice and answer, as walls are built. Add to that, Hunter is trying to handle her ailing mother, whose mental acuity is becoming questionable.

When the detectives follow a lead that could open new motives, they are quickly shut down, especially when a homeless man is fingered as the murderer. Still, Hunter and Medina refuse to stand down and discover that there are gang ties and some crooked members of the legal community who are paving the way for a complete cover-up. As Hunter and Medina make some accusations, they find themselves threaten with suspension, though neither is concerned if it will bring about the truth. A great start in which James L’Etoile keeps the punches coming until the final reveal.

While I am not familiar with the author’s work, it did not take me long to get accustomed to his swift delivery. The narrative flows easily and quickly in a piece that evolves with every chapter. The momentum increases the more Detectives Hunter and Medina are stifled, making this one of the great police procedurals I have read in a long while.

Characters develop and evolve with ease throughout the piece adding flavouring to an already great story. I can see some great initial traits to Emily Hunter, who I surmise has a lot to offer readers should this flourish into a series. I am eager to see how things develop, as well as what Javier Medina brings to the larger series. He appears to have a great personality worth exploring as well.

The plot of a police procedural is usually quite easy to follow, though it is the stumbling blocks along the way that add greatness to the story. L’Etoile adds effective twists to keep the reader guessing and some sub-plots to entertain away from the gruesome nature of the central story. The reader can find something they enjoy and latch on, while things progress and regress throughout. I am eager to flow this series, should it happen, and will keep the author on my radar.

Kudos, Mr. L’Etoile, for being a shining beacon throughout this piece.

Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.

https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/face-of-greed/

Lose Your Breath (Detective Kane and Alton #12.5), by D.K. Hood

Eight stars

D.K. Hood has developed a strong series to date, as many of my reviews have helped show. While she has used full novels to delve into a number of topics, this is the first of two novellas that seek to explore backstories of the protagonists. While D.K. Hood warns not to read them as prequel stories, she does look to the past in order to explain the present. This piece is all about the life of Dave Kane, before he ever found his way to Black Rock Falls. In it, Kane is called into service to help exfiltrate the daughter of a high-ranking US official, after her kidnapping on the streets of Jerusalem. As Kane tries to work with the target, he realises that what he holds dear may have changed and that he wants a new and exciting life outside of the Secret Service and as a military sniper. Hood paints that picture well and provides the reader with a stellar short piece of writing.

After a long day of work, she leaves the office and rushes to her old vehicle, parked along a deserted street in Jerusalem. The US Embassy is a great place to work, but she loves the downtime too. When she looks up into the rearview mirror, she sees two eyes staring back at her. Before she can gasp, a man pulls her out of the vehicle and the time of horror begins.

Annie Parkes is missing and her father’s connection to POTUS makes finding her essential. Enter, David Kane, the pseudonym of a highly-trained operative with skills like no one else. His solitary nature makes him the ideal candidate, as no one will miss him should the mission fail. That said, this mission cannot fail and Annie must be saved before the kidnappers can kill her, as they promise to do.

While working to locate her, Kane finds himself feeling more than simply patriotic duty to help POTUS. When he locates her, Kane and Annie share a connection. Kane vows to protect her and to find out who has plotted the abduction. That will take time and determination, which Kane has always found useful.

What follows is a connection between Annie and Kane that defies a simple rescue. Their connection will pull them together, to the point that when tragedy strikes, Kane wonders if he can go on. Hood fills in many gaps for her protagonist in this great novella. A great addition to the series!

D.K. Hood has not stopped creating strong stories that are rich with action and series development. A powerful narrative offers the reader a rich story, filled with details that help to create a better understanding from Kane’s point of view. Well-paced writing keeps the reader hooked with what is taking place throughout.

Character development is key to the series’ success, which is helped with this piece. Dave Kane’s backstory is key to better understanding the man he is today and how his past wounds shape his future successes. While there is mention of Annie in passing throughout the series, Hood takes the time to offer a thorough explanation of Annie’s personal side and how Kane’s connection to her shapes his policing in Black Rock Falls.

The series relies on major twists and story arcs. Hood chooses backstory development, rather than plot twists, with this piece. There is an ongoing need to fill in gaps, which Hood addresses with ease. I enjoyed this piece, understanding why it is better not to treat it as a prequel piece. Rich with references that will add depth and flavoring to the ongoing series, I was happy to get this novella read as I delve deeper into the world of Kane and Alton. Another novel awaits me, so I can find out a little more.

Kudos, Madam Hood, with a nice break from the intense story writing the dozen novels have offered series fans.

Killer Flowers (Christie’s Flower Shoppe #1), by P.J. Peterson

First and foremost, a large thank you to Reedsy Discovery and P.J. Peterson for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Always one who enjoys the ‘cozy mystery’ work of P.J. Peterson, I gladly accepted an ARC of her latest book. In what looks to be the debut of a new series, Peterson creates a great mystery that has all the elements for success. After taking over her grandmother’s flower shop, Christie O’Mara finds herself in the middle of a mystery, a long-ago penned note about murder. Things become more mysterious when a secretive man orders a bouquet of flowers, the recipient of whom soon dies. With some police involvement and a great deal of amateur sleuthing, Christie makes a name for herself, while adding to Peterson’s abilities as a writing. Grab some cocoa and warm cookies for this book, as it is as cozy as they come.

Christie O’Mara has had some life spills before finally realising her dreams of owning the family flower shop. Taking over the reins of her grandmother’s venture, Christie is eager to make a name for herself in the community. While she cannot wait to show off her new ideas, the grand opening is clouded by a murder mystery decades in the making. A note appears in a long-forgotten desk, which is cryptic, but points to something from the past.

The note discusses innocence in a murder that gripped the community, but there is little to trace the sender or recipient. While she is intrigued there is too much to do, so Christie turns her focus to the flowers at hand. Soon, a mysterious male caller places an order for some flowers ‘with a meaning’ which baffles Christie, but she is there to serve.

After the flower delivery leads the police to her shop, Christie is slightly concerned. It appears the receiver of the lovely bouquet was found dead the next day. While no one is pointing the finger at Christie or her flowers, the oddity of the order cannot be ignored. Christie remains on edge when other orders come in the from the same man, collected by a go-between, and delivered before tragedy strikes again. With the police eager to track things, Christie is concerned that her shop is being used as a quasi-front for murder.

All the while, Christie finds herself digging deeper into the note she has and who might be involved. She narrows it down to a murder at a bar and a group of younger men, as well as a woman who captured the attention of one man accused of the crime. The trouble is, said young woman disappeared soon after events involved the police. Could this woman be involved in something nefarious? Christie will have to probe a little deeper, which brings her closer to one of the great legal minds in town, and a spark of something appears to be building.

While Christie finds herself in the middle of two investigations, the one involving the police has her worried, especially when damage occurs late one night. She must find out who the mystery man is and hope the police can apprehend him, if the deaths of the flower recipients are not simply coincidental. All this as the flower shop begins to bloom and Christie’s dreams are finally coming to fruition. Peterson pens a great piece that is as cozy as it is entertaining. I cannot wait to see where things are headed with this series.

I have yet to read a book by P.J. Peterson that I did not enjoy. Her ability to tell a tale and keep things cozy has left me always eager to grab the next book she publishes. With a strong narrative base, Peterson is able to weave a story without all the violence, sex, and bloodshed that seem to be appearing all throughout the genre. Peterson provides a clear pathway to success and leaves the reader with a great deal of satisfaction as they follow along to see if they can also crack the mystery wide open.

A new series means a number of new characters to handle, which Peterson does with ease. Christie O’Mara is central, but there are many who help flavour the piece and offer their perspectives, all building on the larger themes of the story. Peterson is able to do this without getting too gritty or leaving the reader wondering what is to come. I enjoy her character creation and development, though she has surely left a great del for the reader to ponder until the next book in the series emerges,

Plot development is key, when the story is short and wants to make an impact. The ability that P.J. Paterson has to make plot twists and development matter is not lost on the attentive reader. I can only hope that more books in the series will build on the foundation that occur with this debut. Peterson has a stellar career in other professions, but her time as an author is surely deserving of a bouquet, particularly for this piece.

Kudos, Madam Peterson, for another success.

Cross My Heart (Detectives Kane and Alton #12), by D.K. Hood

Eight stars

D.K. Hood provides a strong series, adding to it with a stellar novel here. Building on past stories and adding great ideas for future novels, Hood creates a wonderful reading experience. A killer has been hunting people with a crossbow and sending chills throughout the community. Sheriff Alton and Deputy Kane rush to help, discovering that the killer has been emulating someone they put away in years past. The killings ramp up and the terror increases as Hallowe’en creeps closer. Hood keeps things on track to stay of the highest quality and provides the reader with a sensational experience.

With sounds of footsteps echoing in her house, she wakes and wonders. A sight outside the window provides an additional chill as a shadow lurks just out of the moonlight. Outside, a man waits for her to realize, a crossbow pointed in her direction. She sees a flash of lightening before the figure disappears, leaving her wondering what’s to come.

The body of a man is found in the dense forest around Black Rock Falls, a crossbow bolt rammed in the head. Sheriff Jenna Alton arrives at the scene and sees a number of similarities to a past case she worked. The weapon and locale are

eerily familiar, but that killer has been securely kept in prison for years already. This adds to the confusion and worry:

Jenna presumed this must be a copycat killer. During the town’s Hallowe’en festival, all is confirmed as two tourists are murdered along the trail in the same crossbow fashion. It appears they were chased and hunted down, before being killed by a skilled hunter. Sheriff Alton turns to the man she put away, hoping that he can help shed some light on the killing and how to catch the perpetrator.

Bracing herself, Jenna faces him head on and hopes for some answers. However, it appears as though he knows more than he will share, hoping their past prior to incarceration will spark anew. When he agrees to help, things take a turn and the prison guards drag him off before he can share too much.

An emergency sends Sheriff Alton and Deputy Dave Kane into the forest to investigate. There, a killer comes face to face with them and shows just how cunning he can be. In a moment of weakness, neither Kane nor Alton are ready for what awaits them and the killer’s motives come to life. Now, it will be a race to see if they can survive and bring justice to pass. Hood does a great job at keeping the reader hooked.

D.K. Hood does not stop with these great serial killer stories. The narrative provides a strong guide to keep the story moving in a forward direction. I cannot wait to see what is to come, as Hood never appears to run out of ideas. This story builds on a past piece, but shows some of its own individuality. Hood keeps the momentum going and the reader highly entertained.

Character development is key to the series’ success, which has proven to be key to many of the novels. Jenna Alton and Dave Kane have numerous layers, all of which are developed effectively. Their ongoing connection keeps series fans wondering when things might transpire. Secondary characters stay rooted and provide a form of entertainment, linking to the protagonists easily, while also engaging the reader stories to provide something substantive.

The series relies on major twists and story arcs. Hood never disappoints with her development, building on the past while looking to the future. The suspense this creates is sure to impress the reader, particularly series fans. These novels continue and the series has not waned.

I am always excited about where things are headed.l, particularly as each story appears to build on the tension fostered by the last few novels.

Kudos, Madam Hood, as you keep things exciting and intriguing.

Be Mine Forever (Detectives Kane and Alton #11), by D.K. Hood

Eight stars

D.K. Hood keeps up this high calibre series with another winning novel. Building on past story arcs and developing new ones for readers to enjoy, Hood provides a stellar experience. When a teenage girl goes missing, citizens of Black Rock Falls begin a search party. Sheriff Jenna Alton is keen to see things resolved soon. When the girl’s vehicle turns up, things soon take a dire turn and a body is found. Sheriff Alton and her team try to piece together what is happening, particularly when other girls go missing. Could there be a duo working to rid the town of teen girls, or is this an obsessed single killer? Hood pulls out all the stops to ensure that this series will keep getting better.

When the clouds appear over Black Rock Falls, Montana, it looks like quite the storm. Laurie Turner is worried, as she tries to navigate the roads, but is soon assuaged when she sees a familiar face pull up in the vehicle next to her. Little does Laurie know, this smiling face will be one she soon associates with horror as as a pit of darkness opens.

Laurie’s father, Dr. Turner, soon reported her missing and is pressing Sheriff Jenna Alton to take action. When Laurie’s abandoned truck turns up, Sheriff Alton fears the worst and a search party begins scouring the town for any sign of Laurie. A body soon emerges, later identified as Laurie. Things soon spiral out of control, an emotional rollercoaster rushing into town, uninvited.

While Dr. Turner paints himself as being a stable father, Sheriff Alton and her team soon learn the darker side of the man. Rages and strict rules are all Laurie knows, as well as ranting about a mother who abandoned her. Laurie’s departure now makes more sense, though her murder still remains a mystery.

With the suspicion that someone in town is the killer, Alton and her senior deputy, Dave Kane, begin to piece things together, all in hopes that the killer’s identity will come to the surface. In the shadows, someone is planning another kidnapping, with similar outcomes. All this comes to fruition when another cheerleader goes missing.

With the intel they have, it seems as though there is a duo targeting cheerleaders, though Alton and Kane refuse to rush to conclusions. Whoever is out there, it is something worth investigation a little more, all to stop the killings, with motives that remain a mystery. Hood weaves a great tale that keeps the reader turning pages well into the night.

D.K. Hood does not rest as she develops strong mysteries with stellar police procedural undertones. The narrative remains strong as things take the story in many directions. I cannot help but wonder what is awaiting in the coming novels, as these have been so strong and left the reader to stay abreast of the action, or risk getting lost in the dust. Story arcs emerge and develop with ease, keeping the reader on the edge of their seats until the final reveal.

Character development is central to success in this series and D.K. Hood knows how to keep things fresh and evolving. Jenna Alton and Dave Kane have great layers, with missing links that need exploration. There is also the connection between them that keeps series fans guessing. Strong secondary characters provide entertainment and link the protagonists with ease, while also keeping the reader engaged with what awaits them in novels to come. Each novel adds more, while also keeping the questions emerging.

The series has found success with its plot twists and story arcs. There is always something happening that I did not see coming, providing excitement while I devour these novels. I cannot help but want more, not that Hood is holding out, but I love the style and seek further discovery. The novels are still coming and the series shows no sign of waning, leaving me eager to see where Hood will take things and how she plans to get there.

Kudos, Madam Hood, for making it a priority to showcase great writing.

Promises in the Dark (Detectives Kane and Alton #10), by D.K. Hood

Eight stars

D.K. Hood lets things smoulder in the latest addition to the Kane and Alton series. The reader is treated to more wonderful narrative and strong story development, both of which have been cornerstones of this police procedural series. When a house fire rages out of control, it’s soon discovered that one of the children is unaccounted for. Sheriff Jenna Alton and her team learn that the girl has been kidnapped, though the fire was not a diversion, but a punishment. Now, it’s time to find the kidnapper and get to the root of the issues that led to a family’s death. What follows is a harrowing game to find a killer and determine what has created such a horrifying set of events in a small community. Chilling and yet fire-hot, D.K. Hood does it once more with this novel.

While bound and stuck in the back seat of a vehicle, a teenage girl watches as her home explodes before her. No one else appears to have escaped and she sees all she loves lost in a ball of fire. Turning to the driver in front, Sophie Wood sees someone laughing and cackling, promising that there is more to come. All she can do is pray that she will remain safe.

When Sheriff Jenna Alton arrives on scene, she wonders what led to this horrifying fire at the Wood’s home. Three charred bodies lay in front of her, their lives burnt to a crisp, but one is missing. The body of the teenage Sophie is nowhere to be found. Arson is immediate suspected, meaning that there is a a killer out there who appears to have Sophie in their clutches, Alton knows that this will be the team’s primary focus, though there is a great deal to assess.

When Sophie’s body is discovered a few days later in the water, Sheriff Alton knows that this killer is out to play a deadly game. There is a plan and the teenage angle plays into it. When Sheriff Alton delves a little deeper into the lives of the family, she finds a link between the suspected killer and her own Deputy Dave Kane. Now, armed with the intel, she must not only be on the look out for the killer, but also try to ensure Kane does not get pulled in to the middle of it all, as well as the safety of his being in Black Rock Falls.

After another teenage girl is taken, it shows a connection to the larger plan and solidifies just what the killer has been doing. It takes a trip to a small community, where outsiders are not welcome and women must know their place, to solidify that something is amiss. These are dangerous people and even Dave Kane cannot outsmart them for too long. Working every angle and trying to stay one step ahead, Sheriff Alton will have to act swiftly to prevent more deaths and further emotional harm. A great story that has all the elements for success.

D.K. Hood has kept up her high quality work with this series, pulling the reader into the middle of a great story that has more to offer than meets the eye. I loved the strong narrative approach and how the reader becomes part of the investigation. The momentum of the piece is guided well and provides the reader with something on which they can connect, while remaining a conscious overseer of all that is taking place. The series prides itself on this quick storytelling and Hood does not disappoint.

Character development is key to keeping the story strong, with Hood also eager to add depth to her characters and some additional means of connecting them all together. While she has added some strong secondary characters, the core Alton and Kane are still evolving, both as individuals and a. team. I am eager to see what is to come and how it will all work out, as there is a great deal of storyline that teases at something Kane-Alton related. We have yet to see the spark many are expecting. I surmise Hood has a plan and patience is key.

The series has successes with strong plot lines and well-paced storylines, all of which keep the reader in the middle of the action. D.K. Hood has fostered a great connection with her readers and the characters, providing entertainment at every page flip. The stories keep delving deeper into the world of serial killers, but also the growth of the town and the characters who inhabit Black Rock Falls and environs. I am always eager to read more of this series, which appears to be branching out and getting even better the more books are added, which is a definite rarity in the genre.

Kudos, Madam Hood, for never shirking on great reads full of exciting possibilities.

Her Shallow Grave (Detectives Kane and Alton #9), by D. K. Hood

Eight stars

D.K. Hood provides a gripping story from the opening pages. In a piece that is as strong as many others in the series, the author positions a depraved killer in the middle of small-town Montana, where Sheriff Jenna Alton and her team are ready to hunt them down. Body parts are hanging from tree limbs, like holiday decorations, but something is surely wrong as Sheriff Alton tries to keep the townsfolk calm. All the while, a killer has been capturing young women with tattoos and keeping them until their usefulness has waned, at which time they become the next piece of public art. With a chilling rush to find the killer and the captive women, Alton will have to pull out all the stops. Hood does a masterful job once more!

Laying in the dark, chilled to the bone and in pain, a young woman awaits her fate. When she hears footsteps above her, she can only hope that someone is here to help. However, once the cellar door creaks open, she knows that it is her captor, ready for another round of games.

While Black Rock Falls is gearing up for the winter season, the small Montana community has other things to draw its attention. Body parts are tied to trees, left dangling for all to see. A quick call to Sheriff Jenna Alton has her rushing to investigate, her team in tow.

While Sheriff Alton cannot stomach what she’s seeing, a gruesome piece of holiday public art, she is soon called away to another site of body parts, frozen solid. What is most baffling of all is that there are no reports of missing persons in the area. Has Black Rock Falls become the place some killer or killers have chosen to discard of the remains of murder victims?

When more bodies emerge, it becomes a macabre game of cat and mouse for Sheriff Alton, who is determined to get to the bottom of it. Meanwhile, in a secluded house, The Preacher has been collecting women who have unique tattoos on parts of their body. His interest is not sexual, but he is sure to treat the women in such a way that they will not challenge his authority. When they are done serving a purpose, these women will have a place outside, where countless others have been placed.

While trying to work the case with her lead deputy, Dave Kane, Sheriff Alton is confronted by a woman who takes offence to the closeness she shares with her second-in-command. As Kane wants no trouble, he chooses to back away from the woman, but things take a turn and the case at hand soon becomes secondary as Alton is placed in a precarious position. With a killer on the loose and a stalker in the shadows, Black Rock Falls is rife with issues and in need of the law. D.K. Hood does a splendid job with this piece.

D.K. Hood has not waned in her writing since I began these books not long ago. She present crisp mysteries that never seem to slow and provides wonderful perspectives through her detailed narratives. A strong foundation leads the reader throughout and there is little time to rest, as the action is high from one chapter to another. In a series that keeps getting better, D.K. Hood delves deep into the disturbing psyche of many a killer to present superior stories for all to enjoy.

Increased character development provides series fans with something about this they can talk, as Jenna Alton and Dave Kane continue to evolve. Their professional lives mesh well, though it is a personal angle that gets some time in the limelight during this piece, something many have been hoping for over the last number of books. I was eager to see this, even when some pitfalls introduced themselves into the middle of the story. I am eager to see how the author will foster the ongoing closeness of Alton and Kane, as well as many of the other characters whose secondary roles still have them actively supporting the series along the way.

There are some wonderfully developed plot lines in this story, many of which work to connect past issues with those in the present. Hood weaves quite a tale and offers enough twists that there is never a lack of suspense for the attentive reader, while also finding new ways to make Black Rock Falls home to an oddly plentiful group of serial killers. I am eager to see how things will keep progressing, as well as some of the new story arcs that are sure to emerge before long.

Kudos, Madam Hood, for keeping the spine tingles with each book you present.

Betrayal (Robin Lockwood #7), by Phillip Margolin

Eight stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Phillip Margolin, and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

A long-time fan of Phillip Margolin and this great legal thriller series, I was eager to see what Robin Lockwood would be doing. Building on Robin’s past work as an MMA fighter and stellar lawyer, the story works to merge the two and show how a murder could bring many motives to the surface. Margolin proves his worth and shows how gripping a writer he is when given the chance to let all the pieces fall into place!

Robin Lockwood was once an established MMA fighter on her way up the ranks. After clashing with Mandy Kerrigan a decade ago, Robin’s fighting career came to an abrupt end and she turned her focus to law school, where she excelled and became a lawyer of some regard in the Portland area.

When Mandy reemerges in Robin’s life, things could not be more different. Her career on the literal ropes, Mandy has been arrested for a quadruple homicide, when the entire Finch household is found slain in their home. Mandy turns to Robin to defend her, a Herculean task if ever there was one.

As Robin tries to make sense of the case before her, she comes to realise that the Finches had many enemies. From mother, Margaret, who had been doing some legal work for the Russian mob; father, Nathan, who has racked up many debts with his gambling addiction; and Ryan, the ne’er-do-well son, selling designer drugs that are supposed to be untraceable. These drugs were detected during one post-fight test and have left Mandy suspended, providing the prime motive in the case. There is also the teenaged daughter, whose calm exterior hid a vicious side that had her bullying a fellow student, who ended up committing suicide.

While Robin knows that DA has a slim case, it makes more sense than anything she can muster together. When she presents her facts to a jury, things are not as effective as she might have liked, leaving little doubt about her client’s fate. However, the legal system is full of twists and should one of them tun in Mandy’s favour, Robin and her legal team will be there to pounce. Margolin weaves a wonderful web of deception, betrayal, and legal maneuvers in this piece that is sure to keep the reader flipping pages well into the night.

I can count on a strong piece of thriller work whenever Phillip Margolin is writing. The narrative foundation is always full of keen perspectives and provides the reader with something solid on which to rely as they make their way through any legal matter. The dialogue and short chapters push things along, leaving the reader eager to see where things are headed, as the story’s excitement increases with each new revelation.

Strong characters prove to the cornerstone to this piece. Not only is there a great development of the protagonist, but those around Robin Lockwood show great resolve and flavour the story effectively. There is some development here in Robin’s personal life, though it is not overshadowed by the legal matters. The numerous perspectives presented in this piece allow the reader to see things from a variety of angles and understand how the story emerges as one of Margolin’s best.

Any legal thriller worth its salt will have some great twists throughout story to keep the reader on their toes. Legal matters turn swiftly and Margolin knows how to insert these changes at the right time to ensure maximum impact. Margolin does well to leave the best for last, as the final reveal offers up a moment that few will see coming. though the attentive reader will have seen the clues laid out through the story’s climax. I cannot wait to see what Margolin and Robin Lockwood have on offer with the next instalment in this series.

Kudos, Mr. Margolin, for keeping things sharp and exciting.

Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.

https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/betrayal/

Her Broken Wings (Detectives Kane and Alton #8), by D.K. Hood

Eight stars

D.K. Hood demands all the reader has, without the promise of letting go from the opening pages of this book. In a story that tackles a number of issue, the author takes the reader on an adventure like no other and keeps the tension high, with a great deal of momentum building throughout the various twists and turns. What begins as an emergency call in the middle of the night soon snowballs and leaves the reader feeling gripped to each line, until the mystery comes together. Sheriff Jenna Alton, Deputy Dave Kane, and the rest of the team are pulled into the middle of it all, leaving only when things fall into place on the final pages of this well-crafted book. I could not ask for more, though D.K. Hood always delivers in this great addition to the series.

When an emergency call pierces the still night, Sheriff Jenna Alton is ready. She arrives at the scene, hoping that things will be swiftly handled, but the sight of Lucas Robinson laying in bed, surrounded by his own blood, is enough to raise her hackles. When his wife, Carol, is seen shivering in the corner and explaining that some random shooter committed the crime, Alton and her deputy, Dave Kane, realise that they have another case where the killer may be on the loose and ready to wreak havoc.

After commencing the investigation, Sheriff Alton learns that Lucas Robinson was having an affair, which is nothing too shocking to her. Robinson’s dalliances may have fuelled the need to ‘get him out’ once and for all. When the man’s mistress is later found murdered, Alton and Kane know that they have a murderer on their hands, likely seeking some form of revenge. All eyes turn to Carol Robinson. But there’s more to the story.

After a remote ranch is the scene of more bloodbath, Alton and Kane have their team attend, where they can be sure something is going on and that the killer is not from around here. The clues and the means of killing are unlike anything that either of them has seen since their days working for the feds, a time both have kept from the locals during their years of service in Black Rock Falls, Montana.

Asked to help explore a cold case as well, Alton and Kane have their hands full trying to keep the community calm and under control. They split their time as best as possible, it there is something niggling in their minds about the disappearance of a family, long thought dead, while the remaining son re-emerges on an indigenous reservation with no recollection.

With Halloween just around the corner and many visitors making their way to town for the festivities, Alton and Kane must devise a plan to capture the killer before more lives are lost, while also trying to piece together their cold case. However, the killer seems to be in the middle of the investigation, knowing the next move before it is done, forcing Alton and Kane to wonder if the killer is amongst them. A chilling tale by D.K. Hood that only adds to the greatness of the series.

D.K. Hood has kept me hooked from the opening book and I have not stepped back in the week I have been devouring these stories. The place of her narrative is surely one reason, as she weavers great writing inside a powerful topic. The strength of the writing is linked to the strong foundation it sets for the other elements to thrive, keeping the reader wondering until the final reveal in the closing pages of the book. I can see direction, purpose, and overall development with each chapter, as the story has a clear trajectory towards a final a chilling determination.

Evolving character development leaves series fans impressed with how things have come to pass and where they might be headed. Hood knows how to spin a backstory and keep it coming, as she provides strong characters who have much to say. Alton and Kane continue to play front and centre roles in the development area, providing the reader with something on which they can rely whenever they open a new book. I can hope that there will be some great development in the coming novels, as some portions of their lives remain under developed to date. Hood never seems to shirk on this responsibility and I can only hope that more is soon to come.

A strong plot is supported by repeated twists to keep the reader on their toes. I can see a great deal happening in this piece related to story arcs from their past and threads left for future ideas. Hood weaves her story so well that the reader cannot help but want to know more as they manage the details of this piece repeatedly and effectively. This series has pulled me in from the opening pages and I still cannot read enough. I hope to see much for Jenna Alton and Dave Kane soon, as Hood keeps providing the reader with more to enjoy, never tiring of her craft

Kudos, Madam Hood, for making this fun while also keeping the story from going stale.

Break the Silence (Detectives Kane and Alton #7), by D.K. Hood

Eight stars

D.K. Hood grabs the reader’s attention from the outset and refuses to let go. The story takes on some interesting perspectives and builds from there, adding murder and mystery along the way. Detective Jenna Alton is in the middle of it all, trying to piece together the apparent suicide of a young woman, while whispers of a sports team and sexual assault adds to the mess. When members of the team are subsequently found dead, the line between accidental and pre-meditated death begin to blur, as Alton calls on her deputy, Dave Kane, to use some of his skills to make sense of it all. While they delve deeply into this college and the secrets it entails, there are moment of doubt about their investigation that come to the surface. A great addition to the series by D.K. Hood that has me eager to forge on.

Chrissie Lowe knew something was wrong when the loud music and blurred vision at the party overtook her, leaving her in a panicked state. Had she made a poor choice to attend? What would happen to her if she could not get out? When a door closes and locks behind her, Chrissie can only imagine what awaits her, as she is far from able to scream for help.

Chrissie’s body is found the next day, curled in a ball. Long cuts along her arms makes this appear to be some suicidal release, though not everyone can believe that. Sheriff Jenna Alton is called to investigate what might have happened to Chrissie at this college party, as well as who might have pushed her to the brink.

The marks on the body and the state in which Chrissie was found lead Sheriff Alton to feel as though someone is holding back. As the investigation begins, news of a potential sexual assault the night of the party help add fuel to Chrissie’s need for finality, but there are still some large questions that do not preclude murder. When more bodies, this time of college athletes who attended the party, emerge, Alton is sure there is something going on that merits more attention to the investigation.

As answers are not forthcoming and Alton needs them to solve this case, she calls on her second-in-command, Deputy Dave Kane, to help. He has a knack for getting intel when people feel at ease, as well as in the most covert manner. They decide to use one of the team’s newest deputies as an undercover agent, sending him in posing as a college athlete, in hopes that this will help open up the communication and get answers that are desperately needed. What emerges is a long and horrid list of secrets that could have everything to do with the deaths, but might also show that college life is much more troubling than a simple underage kegger. A killer must be out there, but how to coax the truth out of those who prefer a wall of silence? Hood does well to engage the reader in some mind games within these pages.

D.K. Hood keeps things moving in this series, telling her stories in a simple manner. Narrative flow is both simple and complex, as the reader is taken down many a rabbit hole to discover the truth. The story moves swiftly, forcing the reader to keep up or be lost in the pages of wonderful description. There is. New depth and flavouring to this small Montana community with the pen of D.K. Hood, who never ceases to amaze with her storytelling.

Ongoing character development provides series fans with keen ways to see how the protagonist have grown, as well as what is to come in this series. Both Alton and Kane have some moments of reflection to their younger days, though it is the astute way in which Hood develops the one-off characters that makes the story. College life comes to the surface here, though few are able to pinpoint the exact moment Hood turns this from a simple murder mystery into a commentary on college life and the troubles found therein. I have quite enjoyed how she uses characters to advance the plot and narrative, but am keen to see what is to come with those who appear repeatedly in the series.

Developing a strong plot is the only way this book will survive amongst the many in the genre. Hood does so effectively with keen moments of description and the twists she adds in to keep things sharp and moving forward. The unpredictable nature of some moments keeps the reader on their toes and provides superior writing that all can enjoy. I can only hope that there will be more stories that have just as much impact as this piece, which kept me guessing until the final pages of the book. Hood has a great series on her hands and I can only hope that there will be more novels of equal calibre as I move forward with the series.

Kudos, Madam Hood, for your endless ideas that captivate the reader.

Whisper in the Night (Detectives Kane and Alton #6), by D.K. Hood

Eight stars

D.K. Hood keeps up her high quality storytelling while peppering this instalment with dark twists, all to capture the reader’s attention. The story delves into some familiar territory, as readers continue to ponder how a small Montana community could be rife with murder and serial killers, but also provides unique perspectives and styles. A girl goes missing from her home after complaining of nightmares, while her family is perplexed. When she ends up dead, the town takes notice, though it is the next missing girl and a suspected ‘Shadow Man’ that has Sheriff Alton and Deputy Kane realising the danger on their hands. With some military-style boobytraps erected to cause further damage, both know this is one killer whose motives run deeper than a little mayhem. While Alton and Kane seek to rectify the situation, they discover that things are anything but simple. Hood dazzles and keeps the momentum going with this piece.

Plagued with nightmares, Lindy Rosen finds herself waking up in tears for weeks on end. Her family is worried for her, especially when they can find nothing in her room to piece it all together. When the fifteen-year-old goes missing from her bedroom one day, things move to the next level and the Rosen family seek the assistance of Sheriff Jenna Alton.

While Sheriff Alton is puzzled, she brings in her second-in-command, Deputy Dave Kane, to assist. Things take another turn when a video emerges from the kidnapper, demanding that Lindy be found in the next 24 hours or she will die. Alton and Kane realise that they have a game of cat and mouse here, though the stakes are as high as they get.

Working every angle, Sheriff Alton and her team seek out every possibility to find Lindy, going so far as to coming upon some of the kidnapper’s military tricks. As they are unsuccessful, a video emerges, explaining that Lindy has been killed. This causes havoc for the entire Black Rock Falls community.

When a second teenaged girl goes missing, the clock begins anew. The similarities are a little worrying; as both girls had been complaining of nightmares. As Alton and Kane begin pushing forward to locate this kidnapper/killer—now dubbed The Shadow Man—they learn that things may not be as they seem, pushing the narrative into some unique situations in the hunt to find the next girl before time runs out. Chilling and exciting in the same breath, D.K. Hood knows how to spin a story with ease.

D.K. Hood keeps impressing with this series, told in a simple and straightforward manner. The narrative flows and keeps the reader along for quite the ride, while there is surely a great deal to digest within its pages. A solid foundation allows for things to build from there, taking little time to expound on minutiae and keeping the intensity high as Black Rock Falls is the setting for yet another gruesome crime.

The ongoing character development provides series fans with a wonderful ability to track Hood’s interests in her protagonists. There is some personal growth and a great deal of professional emergence in this piece, which is sure to keep the reader on their toes as they discover the connection between Sheriff Jenna Alton, Deputy Dave Kane, and others. The way in which Hood develops her characters is both intriguing and alluring, as nothing is quite as it seems throughout this piece.

The plot development is key to this piece, as Hood wastes no time in keeping her series fans in check. The constant evolution of crime and murder in Black Rock Falls, is not lost on the series fan, but it is the complexity that develops, keeping the reader wondering what is to come. I was keen on the addition of new things to keep Alton and Kane on their feet, and well as the hints that this could easily be something that adds layers to the story. I always enjoy how Hood makes the most of her characters and their situations, which is seen yet again. Eager for more and hoping that Hood does not lose the momentum in the next novel.

Kudos, Madam Hood, for you never seem to be out of ideas with this series.

Where Angels Fear (Detectives Kane and Alton #5), by D.K. Hood

Eight stars

D.K. Hood shows her versatility with storytelling, a sure way to capture the reader’s attention. The story in this novel shows solid development of the larger themes in the series, as well as constant action. After a young woman stumbles into Black Rock Falls, she has a horrible tale to share. An axe-wielding man captured another young traveller in the middle of a blizzard. Now, Sheriff Jenna Alton and her team will have to follow the leads, as more reports of abductions and missing vehicles come to light. All the while, Jenna has her own personal issues connected to a past she hoped would stay hidden forever. A great addition to the series that shows Hood’s superior abilities.

Ella Tate arrives in Black Rock Falls, bloodied and broken, with a story to share. While travelling on a stretch of highway just out of town, she and her friend were ambushed by a man with an axe, who dragged Sky away. Ella barely escaped and has come for help, though the raging blizzard has left any trace of the crime buried under the snow.

Once Sheriff Jenna Alton learns of the case, she rushes out to investigate, only to discover that the list of missing persons around Black Rock Falls includes many young people who have disappeared along this stretch of road, missing without a trace. Is there a serial killer out there, waiting and hunting when people stop along the highway?

After Sky’s sweater turns up in town, Sheriff Alton realises that she has a killer in plain sight, which leads her out to a building on the outskirts of town. Bringing Deputy Dave Kane with her, they uncover something as horrible as Ella’s original story. While they are both trying to put their lives back together, the case leaves them grasping at straws to keep their personal lives together. Black Rock Falls is about to be shaken by this case, with little hope of recovering. D.K. Hood keeps the reader on edge throughout this piece, a stellar addition to the series.

D.K. Hood never fails to impress and this book continues to pull me in with its steady pace. Great narrative description and detailed development of the story arcs keep the reader front and centre with this piece. Hood builds on some momentum from last novels and adds some new flavouring and develops some of the core elements of a police procedural in a small town. The series, while still new, has taken on exciting twists and turns, with Hood always spicing things up for the attentive reader.

Character development continues, as there were some moments that both protagonists needed to reflect on their pasts as well as their connection to one another. Alton has to explore her life in hiding, while Kane tries to piece together his memory loss and everything he left behind before arriving in Black Rock Falls. This development, as well as the introduction of new ‘one off’ characters is sure to provide a strong foundation for series growth that the reader can enjoy,

There are some great plot points that develop in this piece, bridging some of the earlier novels to what is sure to be an exciting new era in Black Rock Falls. Hood spins wonderful twists to keep readers focussed on the novels, while also leaving some threads dangling for ‘what if’ moments to entice series fans. Comments continue about how Alton and Kane’s time in town have surely brought many serial killers and criminals out of the woodwork, but Hood always has something to keep things exciting, even if small Montana communities seem to be getting much of the bloodshed. I am eager to see how the series will keep growing, as Hood does not seem to be stopping her writing in this series. I am hooked and cannot wait for more Kane and Alton!

Kudos, Madam Hood, for winning me over with this series.

The Crying Season (Detectives Kane and Alton #4), by D.K. Hood

Eight stars

D.K. Hood proves her worth yet again in a piece that keeps the attentive reader on edge. Great storytelling mixes with wonderful development, leaving little to the imagination and a great deal of action on which to feast. When a body turns up in the wooded area around town, it appears that the killer has been keeping things off the radar for quite some time. However, this is anything but usual for Sheriff Jenna Alton and her team, with a killer out there, targeting couples and using tracking software to plot their next strike while stalking prey. Chilling and intriguing in the same breath, Hood dazzles yet again.

When hiking season arrives in Black Rock Falls, Montana, everyone takes notice. There is an upsurge in visitors and the paths are full of people wishing to explore. When a hiker comes across a skull along one of the paths, red flags emerge and Sheriff Jenna Alton is called to the scene. Bringing her second-in-command, Deputy Dave Kane, Alton realises that a brutal killer could be hiding in plain sight.

This shocking discovery is only the beginning, when another body, that of a man, is found tied to a tree and full of bullets. Might these be two lone incidents, or could the killings be connected, proving that there is a targeting killer out there? It seems as though the victims were together and could open the door to a motive.

Working as many leads as the forensics allow, Alton and Kane provide the townsfolk with some reassurance that they will get to the bottom of things, but the truth is much more problematic. When more bodies turn up, it appears that couples are targeted and tracking software is being used to choose victims. It will take great effort and some dedication out in the woods to piece things together, though the killer is getting more brutal with each new act. Alton and Kane are seasoned at all of this, but even they are not ready for what awaits them and the ramifications that flow from it all. Hood provides yet another strong piece that will keep readers flipping pages well into the night.

D.K. Hood keeps the reader front and centre once more with this piece. Providing a strong narrative foundation, the story flows well from there, captivating the attention of the interested reader. Short chapters tease and provide needed momentum to push along and read ‘just a little more’ as there story ramps up in intrigue. This proves to be a great addition to the early part of this series, leaving me wanting more to unwrap additional themes and story arcs.

Character development continues to be a cornerstone in this piece, as both Kane and Alton share tidbits of their pasts. I can only hope that they will keep things moving, as the reader is sure to enjoy learning all there is to know about these two. The strong cast of secondary characters help add depth to the book and keep me wanting more, as the flavours of the subplots keep things from getting too predictable.

Plots emerge and develop with ease in this piece. While there are comments within about how Black Rock Falls could have become so full of murder investigations, there is a slight eagerness for the reader to learn of so many incidents, as well as how Sheriff Alton will navigate through them. A great pacing of the story’s numerous twists keeps the story fresh and lively, while leaving room for some forks in the road throughout the piece. I am eager to see how Black Rock Falls develops as a locale, using key plot points to keep things on edge and sharp for the curious series fan. Moving through this series, I have discovered some great things that keep me coming back for more. Hood has me hooked and keeps providing a strong outlet for additional enjoyment.

Kudos, Madam Hood, for always knowing how to shape the story to keep readers enthused.

Follow Me Home (Detectives Kane and Alton #3), by D.K. Hood

Eight stars

As I keep moving through this series by D.K. Hood, I remain excited. The author has me gripped with this police procedural series set in small-town USA, where a sheriff and her deputies tackle intense and highly complex cases. When the body of a man appears in a house up for sale, Sheriff Jenna Alton and her second-in-command, Deputy Dave Kane, find that poisoning is the likely culprit. There is more to the story, as the man appears to have been involved with a nefarious group. When another man with close ties to the first is killed, a connection between them begins to emerge, as well as the fact that a vigilante killer is out there trying to right wrongs. With Alton and Kane on on their trail, the roadblocks continue, as they both begin to ponder whether the crimes committed by the now victims deserve the sort of retribution that is taking place. Justice must prevail, but at what cost? Hood keeps things moving with this third novel in the series.

Amos Price is found in his own blood, dead from numerous injuries. The crime scene is a house for sale and there are no other clues as to who might have committed the crime, though his odd tinge of blue leaves Sheriff Jenna Alton to suspect poisoning and then being bludgeoned to death.

As the investigation begins, Sheriff Alton and her lead deputy, Dave Kane, discover some disturbing information about Amos. He has been tied to the disappearance of a number of girls over the last few years, in and around Black Rock Falls, Montana. Before long, another body emerges, that of Ely Dorsey. It would seem that both men are tied to these kidnapping and substantial evidence comes to light about a pedophile ring who abducted and assaulted many young women and girls over the years.

Sifting through the ever-mounting pile of evidence, Alton and Kane realise that the killings are motivated by these past crimes, but that the vigilante nature of the murders means the killer or killers are still at large. In a small community, this worries Sheriff Alton and she puts all her efforts into finding the answers before more bodies end up at her feet.

When Kane begins to receive messages from the killer, it’s a new form of concern. Is this a taunting with hopes of being caught, or could there be a larger trap involved? As Sheriff Alton begins to zero in on the truth, she is tossed for a loop. Where does the truth lie and how will it all be revealed? Hood keeps the reader hooked with this chilling thriller.

D.K. Hood proves unique in the genre worth her strong stories and writing style that is sure to capture the reader’s imagination. Using a strong narrative and quick development techniques, Hood provides the reader with something tangible and yet masterful in the same breath. The flow of the story is clear, with just enough to keep the reader wondering as they move from chapter to chapter.

Character development continues to be a cornerstone in this piece. The development of both Jenna Alton and Dave Kane proves decent, with some of their backstories emerging for all to see. Yet, there is still much about them that remains shrouded in mystery. Add to that, their personal connections growing with each case, there is sure to be some co-mingling before long, which could add another layer to the already great story arcs.

A plot that appears simple, but blossoms as the story progresses, keeps the reader on their toes throughout the experience. This piece has two parallel crime developments, which keeps the reader wondering as all is revealed. I can only hope that Hood is able to keep up this momentum, which has worked well to date and shows a great control of the story, its characters, and the themes she wishes to present. I am eager to see how things will keep progressing, as twists and cliffhangers leave the reader wondering what is to come.

Kudos, Madam Hood, for never letting the momentum wane.

Bring me Flowers (Detectives Kane and Alton #2), by D.K. Hood

Eight stars

Continuing this series by D.K. Hood, I have high hopes. Hood proves herself once more with a gripping police procedural. Jenna Alton and David Kane work together in a small community in the Western United States, where petty crime is usually the biggest form of gossip. However, when a young woman’s body is found mutilated, people begin to take notice. Sheriff Alton makes sure that she asserts her authority, using Deputy Kane to instil some control of the locals, while they both seek to find clues and keep things from escalating. When another body emerges, there appears to be a trend, one that is backed by reports of a killer who has been working across the western states. With little to go on, both Alton and Kane try to wrest control of the situation before a bloodbath. Hood does well yet again with this piece.

When Felicity Parker walks through the wooded community, she has little that worries her. She’s travelled this route many times and finds herself daydreaming as she goes through the motions. This time, there is someone waiting for her, hidden in the brush and ready to strike. It is only when it is too late that she catches a glimpse of the face before her.

When Felicity’s body is laid out with only a bunch of flowers placed next to it, the calling card signals Sheriff Jenna Alton to come investigate. She and her deputy, Dave Kane, begin hunting for clues to stop what appears to be a new killer. After Kate Bright, a friend of Felicity’s is also found murdered both Alton and Kane are sure that they have a serial killer on their hands. This is further substantiated when reports of similar killings of teenaged girls emerge in police reports around the state of Montana.

Black Rock Falls is a small community, but they do not find themselves immune to the vicious crimes that have been taking place. Sheriff Alton was, herself, party to a killer’s control not too long ago, barely escaping in a case that still haunts her. She and Deputy Kane must work quickly and effectively to find the killer, with a small list of potential suspects already forming. Even a new deputy, with experience in computers and forces=basics, cannot help crack the case wide open at this point.

Everything points to a local being the killer, though with a rodeo in town, no one can be sure. Every person Alton and Kane lay eyes upon could be the killer, though the calm demeanours make it hard to tell. With a killer on the loose and the locals getting somewhat antsy, it is time to get answers and close this case before another young woman goes missing and is killed. Hood paints a tense picture here and keeps the reader guessing until the final pages.

D.K. Hood does well to differentiate herself from other authors in the field while still keeping an impactful story that is easy to digest. She develops her piece well, using a strong narrative that builds in momentum with each chapter. Engaging the reader, Hood is able to spin a story that keeps the pages turning and the gasps aplenty throughout this second novel in the series.

Character development sets the tone for the novel and series alike. There is more backstory for both protagonists, without inundating the reader with too much going on. Both Alton and Kane have histories and are beginning to warm to one another, to the point that their own development intertwined on occasion. The addition of a new deputy with some special skills could also add depth and flavour to an already strong series. I look forward to seeing how character development will continue as the series progresses.

A strong plot, layered with twists, keeps the reader involved and intrigued, Hood provides both as the story moves along, keeping the reader guessing as to what awaits them. While there is little time for long and drawn out explanations, the sharp development of the piece and turns that may not be expected help fuel a strong overall story with plot points that emerge with ease. With many novels to go, there is surely something for everyone as the reader seeks to connect with the story as best they can.

Kudos, Madam Hood, for keeping things on point throughout.

Murder in the Mountains (Sheriff Elven Hallie #2), by Drew Strickland

Eight stars

Drew Strickland proved impactful in his series debut, leaving me eager to read this second novel. I found myself drawn to Elven Hallie, a sheriff in a West Virginia county with ample criminal activity that only a small-town mystery brings. After a body is found just outside the perimeter of a revival church in the woods, Sheriff Hallie must put the pieces together, while trying to handle a conservation officer who plays by his own rules. After one body becomes many, the hunt is on for a serial killer.

Picking up soon after the last book ended, Deputy Maddison ‘Madds’ Cook continues being a tad deceptive when it comes to her connections around the county. Around the same time, when news of a body in the woods reaches the ears of Sheriff Elven Hallie, he is disturbed, but also eager to get to the bottom of it all. This is the second time he has trekked into the wooded area around Dupray, West Virginia, where he is the law. The trip into the woods alone is enough to knock the wind out of him, but the body shows that this was no hunting accident and that drugs were surely a part of the problem. The more he digs, the deeper his suspicions grow related to some visitors to the county.

Elven finds himself visiting a revival church in the woods, where the tent flap is always open for those looking to find salvation. Preacher Spencer Caldwell welcomes Elven onto the property, but denies knowing much of anything about what has been going on in the surrounding woods. As hunters become increasingly agitated by the disruptions and lack of game to shoot, Preacher Caldwell promises that he is only doing the Lord’s work and guarantees that he will pass along anything he thinks could be helpful.

When game warden Jesse Parsons arrives to assist with the murder investigation, he is anything but helpful. Making friends with some of the least desirable members of the community, Parsons also does not follow direction well, forcing Elven to instil some of his own law abiding when the time is right.

After a slaughter in the woods, tensions mount, forcing Sheriff Hallie and his deputies take notice. A killer is out there, drugs are running rampant, and an unwanted game warden is in the middle of much commotion. All the while, Madds continues to play a dangerous game that could see her true mission revealed. Strickland keeps the action high in this second novel of the series.

Drew Strickland does well with setting the tone once more in this series, providing a firm narrative on which the story builds. With a great sense of direction and purpose, the novel moves effectively from segment to segment without getting too bogged down.

Strickland’s development of Elven Hallie’s character proves effective, as the reader wants to know more about his past and the future possibilities he has as sheriff. Delving a little deeper into some of the other characters, Strickland keeps things interesting and flavours the book with a truly rural sense. Maddison Cook has grown as a strong secondary character, though her secret remains only partially revealed, adding to her mysterious nature.

There are some wonderful plot developments in the book, adding to some of the story arcs that occurred in the series debut. Strickland adds new ones for the curious reader to follow and piece together throughout the reading experience. The few major twists in the story highlight the sense of control and power that has been evading Sheriff Elven Hallie. I can only hope that Strickland has more of this to offer, as it sets the tone for the novel and keeps the reader on the edge of their seats, seeking to better understand what is going on.

Kudos, Mr. Strickland, for leaving me wanting more as I reach for Book 3!

Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.

https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/murder-in-the-mountains/

Don’t Tell a Soul (Detectives Kane and Alton #1), by D.K. Hood

Eight stars

Eager to embark on this series by D.K. Hood, I remember the strong first novel of hers I read. Hood does a fabulous job at painting a picture the reader can easily visualise and provides superb support throughout the mystery. This was no exception and proves to be a great start to what looks like a well-established series. David Kane is hired as a new deputy in a small Montana community, but brings a great deal of work and personal experience to the job. When a killer strikes and appears to have Sheriff Jenna Alton on the radar, Kane is quick to act, though he must soon learn to follow the chain of command. When more bodies emerge, Alton enlists Kane’s expertise to help solve the case before too many others fall victim. D.K. Hood opens this series with a bang and has me eager to read more.

David Kane has seen a great deal during his life in law enforcement, including the murder of his wife and child at the hands of some lowlifes. In hopes of convincing them that he is also dead, Kane travels under the radar to reinvent himself. He ends up in the small community of Black Rock Falls, Montana, where crime is less intense and the people seem friendlier. While he does not always remember the way things are in small communities, Kane will soon have to learn that Sheriff Jenna Alton is the one who calls the shots, leaving him to play the role of subordinate.

After Alton and Kane are called to the scene of the remains a body stuffed in a barrel, they can be sure that someone is out to sends d a message. Kane uses his past skills to try honing in on the suspect, but with little knowledge of the community, no one comes to mind. However, Sheriff Alton has some people she’d like to explore a little more and begins laying out her plan for Deputy Kane to follow, which leads to some dust-ups as they begin their working relationship.

While the body has significantly deteriorated, there are two missing person that fit the bill. As Sheriff Alton seeks to make sense of it all, she is targeted in an attack, from which she barely escapes with Kane’s assistance. Could this be a means to pushing them off the scent of the killer and the larger case? Anything seems possible as the intensity builds.

Asking the tough questions may be good police work, but if it leads to Sheriff Alton’s murder, it may all be for naught. Kane must work with his new boss, while dodging the many questions posed of him by the locals, all while trying to make sense of the killer’s motive. A great start to this series that has me ready to delve deeper with the next book.

I always enjoy mysteries and police procedurals, particularly when they stray from the traditional cookie-cutter layout. D.K. Hook does well to differentiate herself from those stories and offers up something intriguing and off the beaten path. The narrative momentum keeps the reader engaged and leaves little for them to wonder, as things get heated quickly and take numerous turns. The writing is quick paced and well-supported, keeping the reader wondering

Character development is key in the series debut novel, as it sets the tone for what is to come. Hood provides a strong backstory for both protagonists without revealing too much. The opening interaction between Alton and Kane is strained, but it leaves much in the way of imagination and possible future connections that could benefit everyone in Black Rock Falls.

Plot points develop with ease as the story gets stronger and more intense. The twists develop when needed and yet never block the overall movement of the story to a climactic finish. I can only hope things that start as riveting as the series progresses, something that a few who recommended these novels told me would come soon.

Kudos, Madam Hood, for a great debut!

A Traitor in Whitehall, by Julia Kelly

Eight stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Julia Kelly, and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Wanting to try some historical fiction, I turned to this new series by Julia Kelly. Its focus is England in the middle of the Second World War, where Evelyne Redfern is pulled from working on the munitions line and into the middle of Churchill’s Cabinet War Rooms. When Evelyne discovers that one of the women in the typing pool has been murdered, she becomes an amateur sleuth and tries to find the killer, sure that it must be someone with whom she works. While she might be a woman in the 1940s, Evelyne is ready to face the arduous task of piecing it all together to stop a killer. A great piece by Julia Kelly, set against the wartime backdrop.

Evelyne Redfern has earned the moniker, ‘The Parisian Orphan’, after her mother’s death and father leaving. Now living in London, Evelyne is working in a wartime munitions factory in 1940, when she is approached by one of her father’s friends. Mr. Fletcher has a task for her, one that puts country before everything else. She is being seconded as a secretary for Winston Churchill’s War Cabinet Rooms.

During one of Evelyne’s first days on the job, another of the women working there is murdered, a knife through the neck. Evelyne loves a good murder mystery novel and takes on the role of amateur sleuth to locate a killer without disrupting too much of what is going on around her. As she begins, David Poole crosses her path, intent not only to distract her romantically, but stymie her work. This minister’s aide is surely working on an agenda of his own, which Evelyne cannot dismiss. David’s true mission is soon revealed, as there is not only a killer, but a mole within the government trying to sell secrets to the Axis powers.

Working together, David and Evelyne must uncover the truth before Britain is placed in a precarious position, with the war at its must tumultuous stage for the country. Loyalty fuels them both and a killer’s desire for more victims proves to be their impetus to solve things quickly. Julia Kelly paints quite the picture with this series debut, which had me intrigued to see where things are headed.

While Second World War novels have lost their lustre for me, this one had some of the key elements I enjoyed. Embedded within the strong narrative is a theme of espionage and mystery, rather than guns and bloodshed. Kelly weaves a story around her well-established foundation and keeps the reader guessing until the final pages in this book. 

The characters are well presented and develop effectively, keeping the reader eager to learn more about Evelyne, David, and the rest of those who cast a shadow on the pages of this book. Kelly has a way of breathing some great energy into her characters without being too blunt. Both David and Evelyne interact well and Kelly paves the way for more in the upcoming novels of the series, leaving the reader hungry for additional breadcrumbs.

The plot proves strong, working first with a murder investigation, but soon morphing into treasonous activities, making both seem plausible and realistic in their description. That things are not entirely linear helps the story and keeps the reader focussed on twists, rather than predictable storytelling. I am eager to see where things re headed, as the war is just getting interesting and Churchill’s glory days are coming to fruition.

Kudos, Madam Kelly, for piquing my interest with this one.

Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.

https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/a-traitor-in-whitehall/

The Mark of the Dead (Jamie Johansson Files #2), by Morgan Greene

Eight stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to Morgan Greene for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Always a fan of Morgan Greene and the Jamie Johansson series, I eagerly accepted an early copy of this book. Continuing the latest chapter in Jamie Johansson’s life, both personal and professional, the book explores her time in Wales and the crimes that come her way. Working with INTERPOL, Detective Johansson has angered some of the most ruthless human traffickers ever and left her at the top of their list to extinguish. Jamie will have to work quickly to recover a young woman kidnapped by the Armenians, while juggling another new partner. Greene does a wonderful job with this piece, keeping readers wondering until the very end.

Detective Jamie Johansson has a way of upsetting people with her brash actions and provoking demeanour. This is fully apparent when she cut off the flow of young women and girls through Aram Petrosyan’s trafficking ring during a recent case. While there are surely many new paths that can be forged, the brutal Armenian wants to settle the score first. With a young Alina to protect, Jamie finds herself at the top of the hit list. Rumour has it thatThe Nhang, a mythical beast that slides amongst the shadows and kills without mercy, is being released and Jamie is its prime target.

When Alina is retaken by Petrosyan’s men, Jamie will have to get her back before she can be told to the highest bidder, or involved in what appears to be an international fight club. However, there are leaks within INTERPOL and Jamie’s latest partner has been tentative to get into the mix. This forces Jamie to work with a new and equally determined Solomon Church to bring Alina back. The first order of business is to find out just how determined Petrosyan is by trying to find out his next steps, but also remain wary of those working the case. While Church and Jamie seem to trust one another, there are those on the operation who wish them to fail.

Hunting down Petrosyan and the mole within their group at the same time, Church and Jamie discover that things are not as they seem and that they will have to work quickly or face dire consequences. Racing against the clock, Jamie calls in a favour from an unexpected contact, who may be able to help, while still playing both sides. It’s a chance to capture evil at its truest form, but also runs the risk of being highly dangerous for all involved. Jamie Johansson does not stop until the job is done, even if that means putting herself in the crosshairs. A gripping thriller by Morgan Greene that has all the elements for success.

I have followed Morgan Greene on his adventures with Jamie Johansson since the beginning, never finding any reason to turn away. The stories continue to exceed my expectations by being full of action, and yet keeping a fresh look on fighting crime. The narrative of the series morphs well, depending on where Jamie finds herself and the setting seems to come into focus at just the right time. The story moves at lightning speed, though there is no sense of being disjointed, as the reader can easily follow all that is put before them. Strong writing helps this along the way with ease.

Jamie’s character development does not stop, though there is less newness here than simply trying to find the place and redefine how she works with others. The Church angle appears to work well and I quite liked his addition to the team. There is a mystery to the man, some of which is revealed within the pages of this book, though I am constantly looking for more, to peel back the mystery. Greene does well building up the suspense and providing some great development moments for all his characters in this piece.

Greene does what he enjoys, layering plot twists and series development throughout this book. Things are never too predictable, though the end game usually has some clear path. Jamie Johansson never chooses to take the easy road, which helps build the excitement and twisted nature of a thriller such as this. There is surely much more to come and I am eagerly awaiting it all, as I try to make sense of Jamie Johansson, the person and the police detective, both of whom make drastic choices every time there is a decision to be made.

Kudos, Mr. Greene, for another great piece. I am eager to see what’s to come and how Jamie will get herself out of the next mess.

The Final Witness: A Kennedy Secret Service Agent Breaks His Silence After Sixty Years, by Paul Landis

Eight stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Paul Landis,, and Dreamscape Audio for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

A long-time fan of all things Kennedy assassination related, I was intrigued when I came across this book by Paul Landis. Telling of being a member of the Secret Service, Landis explores his time on the presidential detail, including some important years with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. Landis was one of the agent who saw President Kennedy get shot, though he admits that things were going much too quickly. Filled with nightmares for years thereafter, Special Agent Landis shares some of his most personal moments to an event whose ultimate truth remains a mystery to the general public.

Paul Landis loved all things American. When he finished high school and would be faced with joining the military draft, he turned to government work to keep him stateside. After being accepted into the Treasury Department’s training program, Landis soon found himself within the Secret Service, where he would be charged with helping protect some of the most important people in the country. Landis worked alongside the Eisenhower grandchildren , keeping them safe and learning the ropes in a job that requires precision and attention to detail.

Landis was able to move up the ranks and eventually was assigned a position on the presidential detail when the Kennedys took over in the White House. He spoke of greeting President Kennedy every morning and remained baffled that Kennedy would return the greeting by name. Landis fills the pages of the book with stories about protecting the First Family, though never deigns to smear them or tell salacious details.

When the Kennedys made their way to Texas on a junket ahead of the 1964 presidential election, Landis was among the agents tasked with protecting the family, specifically Jacqueline Kennedy, who was as friendly as she was elegant. Landis speaks of the whirlwind time spent in the state, including luncheons and various events, all of which would require a great attention to he surroundings.

When the presidential limousine passed through Dealey Plaza in Dallas on November 22nd, 1963, Special Agent Landis remembers the event clearly, though admits that things were a blur as they passed so quickly. Kennedy came around the corner, was shot, and all hell broke loose, leaving people scrambling and Landis rushing to protect the First Lady as they rushed off to the hospital. Landis speaks of the stoic nature of Mrs. Kennedy and how she would not leave her husband’s side, even when death was imminent.

In the aftermath, Landis remained on her detail and kept an eye on her for months to come, revisited by horribly haunting nightmares related to the assassination. It was all too much for him, forcing Landis to resign soon thereafter and live a quieter life. This is his breaking the silence and sharing what he knew about those fast moments, many of which he documented clearly in his reports and journals.

While I had been hoping for something more assassination focussed, Paul Landis does a great job at exploring his entire time as a member of the Secret Service. The wonderful narrative style found within the pages of this book help to provide a great memoir for everyone to enjoy with ease. Succinct and yet full of detail, Landis speaks clearly, keeping things humorous as he details the events working within the Kennedy White House, including that fateful day in Dallas. That he was plagued with regrets, confusion, and nightmares is no shock, as Landis details through the latter portion of the book. Short chapters keep the reader pushing forward and a great sense of patriotism keeps Landis from seeming to be just another agent wanting his time in the limelight. While the book was not what I fully expected, I was pleasantly surprised by the detail offered and would love to her more about Landis’ time on the front lines, protecting the First Family.

Kudos, Mr. Landis, for a wonderful perspective here, told with such relaxed nature.

Little Red House, by Liv Andersson

Eight stars

After devouring another of Liv Andersson’s novels, reading a second book seemed inevitable. Anderson effectively develops from the opening pages and builds the momentum to the point the reader will be flipping pages well into the night. A young woman runs away from home in 1997, disappearing into thin air and leaving her mother on the hunt to locate her. Years later, Eve Foster passes on without ever having found her daughter, dividing her estate between her twin daughters. One gets the money and local property, while the other is offered a small house in New Mexico. This property could be an asset, but there’s something about it that will leave its new owner wishing she’d never laid eyes on it. Andersson dazzles as she creates a powerful psych thriller.

Eve Foster has her hands full with her teenage daughter, Kelsey. After Kelsey runs away to New Mexico and vanishes in 1997, Eve is unsure what she ought to do. Making her way across the country, Eve begins her search, though the cops have little interest in another runaway teen. Eve must rely on her motherly instincts, which are activated when she learns of a number of other teen girls have gone missing. There’s a niggling feeling in Eve that Kelsey has fallen into the hands of a serial killer, something else no one wishes to acknowledge.

Many years later, Eve has created a life for herself in Vermont, which includes twin adopted daughters. Lisa was always the favourite, while Connie received the brunt of Eve’s brutal treatment, something that neither girl can deny. When Eve passes, Lisa receives a great deal of the Vermont estate, while Connie is left with a tiny stipend and a small piece of property in New Mexico. Both women begin to assess their gifts, though Connie can only wonder if the house she now owns is a sick joke.

After arriving in New Mexico, Connie is sure that this is a ploy by Eve to get her out of the way. Connie locates the property, an old and run-down red house in the desert, in which she must now live. The property comes with a caretaker, Jet Montgomery, who lives in a small shack and refuses to engage with her any more than necessary. The rules around maintenance, upkeep, and selling are clear, which Jet follows closely, much to Connie dismay. This is making things all the more mysterious for Connie, who soon learns that the community has been shocked by a number of murdered women, though no one will speak about them. What does this New Mexico community have to hide and was Eve aware of it back when she drew up her will, thereby sending Connie into danger?

As the story progresses, the two narratives develop, one with Eve searching for Kelsey in 1997, while the other has Connie trying to make sense of the community’s hushed silence and how it might tie into her mother’s last cruel act. It is only when Connie discovers that a serial killer has been haunting the area that the connection seems cemented. Connie is forced to finish what Eve never did in the hunt for Kelsey all those years ago. Someone has been targeting women and letting the blame rest with two Black men, incarcerated for a crime they did not commit. When Lisa begins being haunted as well, Connie is sure that Eve is somehow tied into everything. Will Connie get the needed answers or become another target of a killer who has been mastering their trade for decades? Andersson provides a stellar story for readers, adding a psychological angle that only adds to the intensity.

I recently discovered the work of Liv Andersson and could not put down the first novel I tried. This book is just as exciting, though also dark, as any good psych thriller ought to be. Andersson develops a strong narrative from the beginning, writing on two timelines to keep the reader paying attention. The two storylines appear only loosely connected until there is a definite merge and soon the twists appear. Strong characters pepper the story, though the protagonists’ development is key to the story’s success. Eve and Connie provide strong contrasting development tracks, as both are struggling for answers, even if one is living in the horrible shadow of the other. The plot twists develop with some ease, with moments the reader might not be able to easily differentiate between 1997 and present day. It is the emergence of a major plot twist in the latter stages that truly defines the book’s greatest as a psychological thriller. Andersson weaves a story that is full of murder, darkness, and some treachery, keeping the attentive reader shocked on multiple occasions. I can only hope there will be more books in this vein before too long.

Kudos, Madam Andersson, for captivating me and proving an entertaining reading experience.

Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.

https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/little-red-house-2/

This is Where it Ends, by Marieke Nijkamp

Seven stars

After receiving a recommendation about Marieke Nijkamp’s novel, I was not sure what I felt I should do. While I have enjoyed young adult fiction and novels centred around school shootings (the description, not the topic), I was not yet ready to offer automatic praise. The accolades the book has received helped, though it was the individual’s encouragement that pushed me to read this piece. A school is in terror when one student turns to guns to solve his own inner turmoil. Nijkamp offers up the rest in this chilling piece that is all too realistic when scanning news headlines.

After a school assembly, a shooter emerges in the halls of Opportunity, Alabama’s high school to settles some scores with those he has added to his list. Over the next hour, he will find a few, add some others he had not previously found on his list, and let the blood flow. It seems the only way for him to find peace and balance in the shards that make up his current life.

During that time, victims take cover and try to make sense of what is going on. Are they on the list and how does it all add up? Many know the shooter as a troubled youth, but it is their varied perspectives that help piece things together and offer an explanation, albeit chilling, of what is taking place today.

Through flashbacks and tweets, the story builds and the vicitms’ lives go under the microscope, leaving everyone with a reason to fear the boy with the gun. The story offers a clipped and succinct narrative delivery, accentuated by some interesting turns for the reader to ponder. While it was not as impactful as I would have hoped, I can see how the mixed reviews for this book divide the reading public so thoroughly.

While no expert on the subject matter, I felt as though there was a missing link here. True, the book is intended for the young adult reader, but I thought the grit and the struggle was too superficial, revealed through tweets rather than well-founded narratives. I had hoped Nijkamp would delve deeper and personify the struggle, rather than appear to lessen its impact with a volley of short messages to show panic and terror. I won’t push the reader of this review either way, but I admit that I am glad I took the recommendation of someone I trust to try this book.

Kudos, Madam Nijkamp, for this novel whose subject matteris becoming all too common in news headlines.

Leave the Lights On, by Liv Andersson

Eight stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Liv Andersson, and Dreamscape Media for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

In the world of thrillers, those of a psychological nature tend to be my favourite. Keeping the reader on the edge of their seat while they delve deeper into the story is a sure way to provide a great deal fo excitement for the attentive reader. Liv Andersson does just that with this piece, as she formulates a strong story on the surface but adds the impact of a secondary, and darker, tale with connections to the primary plot. When a small child goes missing, Beatrice Wicker takes notice. This child has a horrible way of reminding Beatrice of the issues within her marriage. While the hunt for the child and their kidnapper continues, Beatrice remembers an event from her past that she hopes to keep secret. However, that secret could all be revealed too soon and the reason for the kidnapping may not be what everyone is thinking. Andersson does well to keep the reader engaged throughout with a great ending.

Life in Cape Morgan, Maine is as peaceful as it could be, which Beatrice Wicker has enjoyed since arriving. Living in a massive home on the coast with her husband, Josh, there is noting that Beatrice could want more. As Beatrice begins making plans to turn an abandoned asylum into a captivating art retreat, she is happy to see things coming to fruition. Nothing can derail her, even that Josh will occasionally sneak off to see his other family, something that no one knows about and Beatrice chooses to ignore.

While he thinks himself sly and able to muffle it all, Josh is completely unaware that Beatrice knows about his indiscretion and hopes to keep it that way. Beatrice is also harbouring a deep secret from her past, which has had her running from many of the small towns in which she lives. Should it all come out, the utopian life she’s become accustomed to could come crashing down.

After an explosion leads to the disappearance of a young boy, the community is in a panic. Beatrice knows that this is Josh’s son, but remains calm in hopes that he will admit the truth and be able to panic or grieve. Yet, Josh remains stoic and does not tip his hand, which only angers Beatrice more. While they watch others in the community comb the area, Josh and Beatrice are stuck in this circular waiting game, each unsure what they other knows.

The hunt to find little Oliver is exacerbated when a clue turns up one day outside the family home. As Beatrice tries to brush it off, she is left to wonder if her own secret is about to come out, which could ruin things and force her to admit that she is not as pristine as she lets on. A struggle to find the boy, trap the kidnapper, and yet keep the truth from spilling out is all part of this thrilling psychological book that keeps the reader flipping pages well into the night.

Liv Andersson makes a glaring impact on the genre with this piece, sure to shake loose many of the cobwebs for the passive reader. The story is well-constructed, strengthened by a strong narrative core. As it moves at a brisk and yet reasonable pace, there are characters who develop and find their own footing throughout. The story uses some of these central characters to drive things along, though it is the essence of the secrets that both Beatrice and Josh keep that provides the greatest impetus. Plot development is strong and finds itself merging with every passing moment, keeping the reader on their toes as things take a turn for the worse. How will Beatrice face the truth of her past? Will Josh be able to play the role of protective father that he wants? Who is eyeing the children of the community as part of their larger game? All these answers can be found within the pages of this book, though Liv Andersson does not allow the reader to meander through this story.

Kudos, Madam Andersson, for a great and impactful read. I will have to look into some of your other work.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:

https://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.

Leave the Lights On

Buried in the Backwater (Sheriff Elven Hallie #1), by Drew Strickland

Eight stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Drew Strickland, and Dreamscape Select for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

When I saw this series debut by Drew Strickland, I was eager to explore it. Always one who enjoys a good small-town mystery, I was curious to discover how the sheriff in a West Virginia county would handle the community and crimes that pop up. Elven Hallie runs a relaxed ship, but wants to keep everyone safe, using what few resources he has. When a young girl’s body is found tossed in the river, everyone is on guard and a killer is hiding amongst them all. Strickland dazzles in this series debut that has quite the twist at the end!

Sheriff Elven Hallie is the newly-elected authority around Dupray, West Virginia and surrounding county. He’s got a small staff, few issues, and a community that likes to keep the peace. All the same, he pines for a case to keep him occupied and to pass the time. When Maddison ‘Mads’ Cook arrives to fill the vacanct deputy position, Sheriff Hallie is leery, but finds that their interaction is such that he is willing to offer her a chance.

When the body of a young girl is discovered, Sheriff Hallie and his team jump into action. Everything points to a citizen of the community, though their identity remains unknown. While the other youths are prone to bullying, could a bunch of pre-teeens have taken things so far as to bludgeon and kill one of their own? Sheriff Hallie struggles, as the last time murder darkened the door of Dupray, he was but a deputy and had a well-established mentor to lead the way.

While the community is divided along social and economic lines, one thing unites them; they want nothing to do with helping find a killer. While a family mourns and a young girl grows cold in the morgue, Sheriff Elven Dupray will stop at nothing for answers, no matter who ends up being the guilty party. As Deputy Cook tries to ingratiate herself to her new boss, she makes quite the impact on the citizenry, showing that she is not only here to stay, but to make waves as she does so. Still, a killer lurks out there and there could be more bodies to come. A chilling opening novel in this series that has me ready to reach for the next book in the series.

Discovering new authors in genres I enjoy is always a great accomplishment. While the digital dust grows on my pile of ‘to be read’ books, I like having more options, particularly when stories have great plots and strong characters. Drew Strickland makes a play for me to add him to my list of go-to authors with this wonderful opening salvo. This narrative foundation is strong and yet simple enough not to get lost along the way. He builds up a great protagonist in Elven Hallie, offering up some backstory and leaving room for strong development. Maddison Cook provides good contrast and could keep things on pace, for as long ad she calls Dupray home. A peppering of background characters around the county provide the flavouring to give the reader a sense of the setting. Plot twists are plentiful in this piece, as Strickland builds up the suspense before tossing something out there to turn the story on its head. I am eager to see where things are headed, especially since this book ended with such a great twist.

Kudos, Mr. Strickland, for making a great impact on me with this novel. I will be back to continue the series, for sure!

Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.

https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/buried-in-the-backwater/