Publishers Comments – Page 5 – Rosepoint Publishing

Rosepoint #BookReviews – April Recap

rosepoint-reviews-april-rec

April proved a whirlwind of follow-up doctor appointments for hubby at the VA. Somehow, somewhere along the line I got behind and seemed no amount of reading or writing would catch me up. I’m taking a hard look at my schedule again, as I did once before when I eliminated one post per week. With spring (supposed to be here–someone forgot to tell Mother Nature!) and visions of flower, veggie, and fairy gardens in my near future, something will have to give. Also, there is spring cleaning an equally harsh look at the bland (read boring) interior design here that just screams for some pop. Well, cleaning first. I haven’t decorated this home quite as wildly as I did the last and then there is the problem of my favorite color now being outdated.

So, how did April finally fare in the end? Fourteen reviews, a massive mix of genres, most of which were downloaded through NetGalley.

Restaurant Weeks Are Murder by Libby Klein

Lance: A Spirit Unbroken by Walter Stoffel

Murder in the Reading Room by Ellery Adams

Lessons from Lucy by Dave Barry

In Pieces by Sally Field

Murder in Tranquility Park by J D Griffo

The Eighth Sister by Robert Dugoni

Restaurant Weeks Are Murder by Libby Klein

Buried Deep by T R Ragan

Murder at the Marina by Janet Finsilver

Magickal Mystery Lore by Sharon Pape

Darwin‘s Cipher by M A Rothman

Doublespeak by Alisa Smith

The Family Lie by Jake Cross

The Body in the Wetlands by Judi Lynn

Lance: A Spirit Unbroken by Walter Stoffel

Murder in the Reading Room by Ellery Adams

Just in case there isn’t enough going on, I’ve added a summer class to the schedule, which is to begin June 10th. It’s not like we have a prolonged summer here in NWI, so I’ll no doubt be back to a somewhat normal schedule come October. In the meantime, my Goodreads Challenge is ahead by a few books, the Alphabet Challenge woefully behind, and the NetGalley Challenge somewhere in the middle.

May will be an easy month with only five NetGalley books (SO FAR–and that depends on rain or the lack thereof), one author request on the Calendar: Like Lions, Prologue to Murder, The Night Window by Dean Koontz, The Going Back Portal by Connie Lacey – book tour, Murder by the Sea – book tour, Impeccable Petunia – author request

You can always see what I have coming up next with my little widget box in the upper right corner. Last month I asked if anyone else was doing the WP block battle? Apparently you were and most agreed with my assessment. Many of the comments regarding the block template were negative. Fortunately, they answered my question and, I swear I didn’t see the link before, got it reversed to my original format.

Now the next conundrum, this one being wrestled by Fictionophile as well as myself. The awful advertisements that appear on my site MUST go. I’m suddenly plagued with them at the top, in the middle, and last thing at my sign off. Got to find enough money to upgrade JUST enough to get rid of those very embarrassing and extremely disruptive ads. You might check in on Lynne if you can help with her questions as well: Will people who have linked to my blog…still be able to use the same links they always did, OR, will they all have to change their links?

AND Will my theme and graphics transfer over smoothly to the new site?

Happy Reading! As always, please share with me your recommendations for great reads and thank you so much for taking the time to post your likes and comments. They are SOOO appreciated!

Rosepoint #BookReviews – March Recap

Rosepoint Reviews - March Recap

No Fooling–It’s Already April!

Struggling with technology is one of the running jokes foisted on seniors and it would appear, based on some truth. Change is not easy for us! Just beginning to get fairly capable with the “classic” format on WordPress, accidentally bumbled into the new and (ahem!!) improved “block” style format. It looks like a blank page and for the life of me could not figure out where my usual toolbar options were now located. Trying to beat a deadline for a blog tour, I was stuck, messing with blocks and no clue how to proceed.

WordPress used to have online help, those savvy sisters that would pop up in a chat box (remember that?) and ask how they could help–and they always did! Now it “flies” through the great blue sky and you’re lucky to get help in two or three days (one request for help took a week and I no longer cared). But is this rant really over? No. I’d love to know how many others using WP really use or like the new block system. Is it truly just me or did it just add additional steps to a formerly easy format? Okay, now I’m off the soapbox–temporarily, at least.

March…well, March as you know was (for me) Reading Ireland Month and I did have a good time with that (using the old, classic format, of course.)

I found some amazing books and one very eye-opening hard-core Irish slang that definitely forced my tolerance level for F-words, sexual innuendo, and dialogue that previously would have had me saying, out loud, “nanny, nanny, nanny” through the naughty parts. That book was so full of them, I’d have been hoarse and had to be content with just thinking it. Gees–but it was a good book–how does that compute? I’d read another, revving up my nanny, nanny, nanny ahead of time, now that I know what I’m in for.

Of the eleven reviews, seven were Irish authors and/or stories, as well as the interview with author Amanda Hughes (sweet lady). These included a couple of cozy mysteries, historical fiction, literary fiction, as well as police procedural noted above.

Murder in an Irish Pub by Carlene O'Connor

Cocos Island Treasure by Stanley McShane

https://www.amazon.com/Cocos-Island-Treasure-Still-Pirate-ebook/dp/B007D58KZC/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+cocos+island+treasure&qid=1553205154&s=digital-text&sr=1-1-spell

Murder in an Irish Pub by Carlene O’Connor

One Feta in the Grave by Tina Kashian

Reinventing Hillwilla by Melanie Forde

Return to Robinswood by Jean Grainer

Treading the Uneven Road by L M Brown

Interview with author Amanda Hughes

The Secret Place by Tana French

Cocos Island Treasure by Stanley McShane

The Bones She Buried by Lisa Regan

Widow Creek by Sarah Margolis Pearce

Pinot Red or Dead by J C Eaton

2019 Goodreads Reading Challenge I added to my challenges, but as always finding it difficult to discover book titles that don’t start with the same letters used many times before. At 53 of 200, it would appear my Goodreads Challenge is just about on target. More cozy mysteries coming up as well as literary fiction and thrillers. Working on another beta read for one of my favorite authors and trying to expand my graphics crops for Instagram, on which I’m still devoting too much time.

Anyone else doing the WP block battle? As always, please share with me your recommendations for great reads and thank you so much for taking the time to post your likes and comments. They are SOOO appreciated!

Cocos Island Treasure by Stanley McShane – a #BookReview

It’s March and I’m participating in the Reading Ireland Month for 2019. This one is an action-adventure fiction by Irish author and artist Stanley McShane. He was my grandfather and you can read about the discovery of his manuscripts, paintings, and poems in my “About Us” page here.

Title: Cocos Island Treasure by Stanley McShane

Genre: Sea Adventures, Historical Fiction

Publisher: Rosepoint Publishing

ASIN: B007D58KZC
ISBN-10: 1468177338
ISBN-13: 978-1468177336
Print Length: 204 pages

Publication Date: October 8, 2012

Title Link: Cocos Island Treasure

Book Blurb:

Where did those rasty, barbaric theft-driven pirates bury their treasures in the 17th and 18th Centuries? Perhaps just a little south of the main South Sea shipping lane in a secluded harbor where a short paddle through shark-infested waters to the steamy, fetid jungle island could yield fresh water, food, and gold! Turn-of-the-20th Century fortune hunters from the schooner, Bessie, hunt where only ghosts inhabit–or are they all merely apparitions? Captain Dan was ready to retire until he gained access to a secret cipher–one that he felt sure was authentic enough to reap him millions and willing to risk one more salty adventure to seek the insanely rich treasures of Cocos Island.

Editorial Reviews:

“This book has it all, adventure, mystery and a touch of romance.” – Catmarie

“Cocos Island Treasure is an old school nautical adventure. This work is a window into the by-gone era where maps that detailed the bounty of famous pirate treasure was indeed plausable.” – S Mellen

“Not my usual subject of interest, but a recent documentary on Blackbeard peaked my interest. The author really seems to know his stuff about the subject, and the island itself.” – mpytlikhusb

“I haven’t read a good pirate novel since I read the Sea Wolf as a teenager. Cocos Island Treasure was even more interesting because it is a true story.” – Terry W Sprouse

“It was quite a trip to go back in time, not only considering the setting of the story, but the book’s birth three decades ago. A cross between Stevenson’s Treasure Island…full of the language of the day.” – N Lombardi Jr. author Justice Gone

My Review:

My grandfather wrote this book back in the late 1920s. My mother can remember him tapping out the manuscript with his two index fingers on an old Underwood–older, I’m sure, than the one I use for my logo. While I may be a bit prejudiced, I rated it a five star because I know he was there, walked that beach (Chatham Bay), climbed through those jungles and did his best not to disappear in the many bogs and crevices. (He later noted in a letter what a fun little trip it was!)

The author described this island down to the gnat’s eyeball. Since I’ve researched the island, I’ve found descriptions echoing his down to the wild pigs that were brought to the island and allowed to go feral. He wrote the manuscript over 90 years ago, turning his sailing adventure into a novel affirming the well-known rumors or stories of all the pirate treasures buried on the island, including the “Loot of Lima.” The treasure stolen by Captain William Thompson, commander of the Mary Dear, was purportedly the largest treasure ever hidden by pirates. So many stories abound regarding the captain and whether or not he survived. More stories published regarding whether or not the treasure was found. That treasure, however, was not the only one to be buried on the island by pirates. (The island is now closed to tourists or treasure hunters.)

It’s a fun, quick read and takes you back almost a century to sail on the schooner, Bessie. The book was written using sailing jargon and colloquialisms of the day and was kept faithful to his original manuscript. The narrative, however, remembers another famous pirate, Edward Davis. (It is said that he was one of the earliest buccaneers to have buried treasure on Cocos Island where he anchored in Chatham Bay as well. Cocos Island is approximately 340 miles southwest of Costa Rica.)

There were two additional sea adventures published, one describing the gruesome art of whaling in Lucky Joe and another after his year-long fishing experience out of Grimsby, England he called Sons of the Sea.

It is the anthology published in 2015, Sole Survivor, in which I pulled together several of his short stories, introduction to Lucky Joe, paintings, and poems. With the possible exception of Cocos Island Treasure, all are available in both paperback and ebook, now for free through Kindle Unlimited. (Busters of Bitter River is available only in ebook form.)

https://www.amazon.com/Cocos-Island-Treasure-Still-Pirate-ebook/dp/B007D58KZC/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+cocos+island+treasure&qid=1553205154&s=digital-text&sr=1-1-spell

https://www.amazon.com/SONS-SEA-Stanley-McShane-ebook/dp/B007ZW8GHU/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?keywords=sons+of+the+sea+stanley+mcshane&qid=1553220000&s=books&sr=1-1-fkmrnull sons of the sea free in KU

https://www.amazon.com/Lucky-Joe-Stanley-McShane-2012-08-02/dp/B01K93FCAU/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?keywords=lucky+joe+stanley+mcshane&qid=1553220194&s=books&sr=1-1-fkmrnull lucky joe free in KU

https://www.amazon.com/Hot-Air-Promotions-Exploration-Investments-ebook/dp/B00GHMAH5I/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?keywords=hot+air+promotions+stanley+mcshane&qid=1553220087&s=books&sr=1-1-fkmrnull hot air promotions free in KU

https://www.amazon.com/Busters-Bitter-River-Historical-Western-ebook/dp/B00KOG0ED8/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?keywords=busters+of+bitter+river+stanley+mcshane&qid=1553220324&s=books&sr=1-1-fkmrnull busters of bitter river free in KU

https://www.amazon.com/Sole-Survivor-Short-Story-Adventures-ebook/dp/B0166HQPNG/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+sole+survivor+stanley+mcshane&qid=1553219534&s=books&sr=1-1 sole survivor free in KU

**See the amazing story of the painting that provides an updated cover version of Sole Survivor here. (Three of the above covers were provided by his paintings.)**

The Author: Stanley McShane is the pen name of Patrick John Rose and the author of one novel published during his lifetime in 1936, “Bitter River Ranch” by Phoenix Press. Patrick was born in 1872 aboard his father’s vessel, the Marguerite, and was the sole survivor when she sank. He sailed as a captain aboard his own ship until some time after the turn of the 20th century, whereupon he caught Alaskan gold fever and ventured north. It was in the late 1920’s/early 30’s that he eventually settled down to write about all of his adventures–both land and sea. “Cocos Island Treasure,” “Sons of the Sea,” “Lucky Joe,” and “Hot Air Promotions” were published posthumously through Rosepoint Publishing by his granddaughter. An eBook historical western novella was published in May, 2014 called “Busters of Bitter River.” McShane’s short stories, poems, and paintings were gathered in a fiction adventure anthology called “Sole Survivor” in 2015.

https://youtu.be/aPPwWxSnzqk 

The vocal music background on the book trailer is provided by Marc Gunn, self-proclaimed Irish and Celtic Music celtfather. In addition to his albums, he offers a delightful podcast which was available for download on iTunes. Otherwise, check him out here.

My grandfather had an unusual writing style, often filled with slang, sailing terms, and sensitivities (or lack thereof) of his day. Have you attempted to publish one of your ancestor’s manuscripts? I’d love to hear about your journey!

Return to Robinswood by Jean Grainger – a #BookReview

It’s March and I’m participating in the Reading Ireland Month for 2019. This one is historical fiction by popularly acclaimed author Jean Grainger. Jean is a USA Today Bestselling Author and was selected by BookBub readers in the top 19 of historical fiction books AND is the winner of the 2016 Author’s Circle Historical Novel of Excellence.

March!

Title: Return to Robinswood: An Irish family saga. (The Robinswood Story Book 2) by Jean Grainger

Genre: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, British and Irish

Print Length: 289 pages

Publication Date: February 19, 2019

ISBN-10:1797471155
ISBN-13:978-1797471150
ASIN: B07NVN3G7L

Source: Direct author request

Title Link: Return to Robinswood

Book Blurb:

One Irish house, two very different families, and a war that changed everything.

Robinswood Estate, County Waterford, Ireland. 1946.

Years of neglect and abandonment have left the family seat of the Keneficks almost derelict, but the new Lord Kenefick and his charming young wife Kate, are determined to breathe life into the old house once more.

The war is over and they have survived, so now they must set about making a bright future for themselves and their family. But the shadows of the past are ever lurking, and there are many who are not willing to see the new Lady Kenefick as anything more than the housekeeper’s daughter.

Kate’s family, the Murphys, find themselves once more, inextricably entwined with both the Keneficks and Robinswood, but this time everything is different. Or at least they hope it is.

The legacy of the war cannot be erased, and the events of those fateful years will not be forgotten. Can Robinswood provide a haven for those who need it, or are the scars of the past too deep? Continue reading “Return to Robinswood by Jean Grainger – a #BookReview”

Reading Ireland Month 2019 – Here Are the Links You Need!

I’m participating in Reading Ireland Month 2019 this year and have put together a list of the books I’ll be reviewing along with an author interview.

The books may be about Ireland, have an Irish protagonist, or be written either by an Irish author or author with Irish roots. Thanks to my grandfather (author Stanley McShane), I can claim a very small portion of the Irish roots. We in the colonies celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with parades, pub specials, and corned beef and cabbage. In “Chicago-land”, they literally turn the Chicago River green.

Chicago River ready for St. Patrick's Day — Chicago River ready for St. Patrick’s Day.

Cathy at 746 Books is theming her posts this year, and you may want to check her website to see how she’ll break that down. Additionally, she’ll be hosting a giveaway each week and sharing posts on her Facebook page. She has a monster list of 100 books you can peruse and a collection of recommendations of which I’ve found several in my local library. I chose one and my associate reviewer also chose one. They both exceed 450 pages. (I’ve been reading cozy mysteries at an average of 345 pages each! Gulp!)

So here is my schedule so far:

1 Murder in an Irish Pub – Carlene O’Connor – #cozy mystery read and reviewed on March 3 here.

2 Reinventing Hillwilla – Melanie Forde – #literary fiction read and reviewed on March 8 here.

3 Return to Robinswood – Jean Grainger – March 12 – Irish #histfic

4 Treading the Uneven Road – Lorna Brown – March 15 – short stories

5 Amanda Hughes – Interview – March 17 – #histfic-Bold Women series

6 Dark Hollow by John Donnelly – March 19 – #crime

7 The Secret Place – Tana French – March 22 – Police procedural

8 Cocos Island Treasure – Stanley McShane – March 24 – Action/sea adventure

My eyes are crossing in anticipation, but I know these will be some great reads and worth it! Cocos Island Treasure is one me dear ole grandfather wrote, don’t ye know. From County Cork, he claimed to kiss the Blarney Stone and judging from some of his stories, I’d guess maybe more than once! Thinking I may revisit Cocos Island and up-to-date just a bit. Or not. He wrote it over 90 years ago. What do you think? Leave it alone and authentic or smooth the edges (wink wink).

Have you read any of the above? Which ones? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Rosepoint #BookReviews – February Recap

Rosepoint Reviews - February Recap

Welcome March!

If it’s March, can spring be lurking around the corner? Unfortunately, not in our part of the world, where we are a mere hour from the windy city, Chicago. The area in northwest Indiana (NWI) is looking pretty frigid for another two weeks (at least). Fortunately, being an hour from Jesse Brown Medical Center, the VA Hospital in Chicago, my hubby has access to some pretty amazing care and was a beneficiary of those medical wizards again this week. Either we’ve been exceptionally lucky with the care he has received, or they are all really that good. (Thank heaven and a shout out to the personnel–thank you!)

February, of course, a short month anyway, definitely saw a decrease in my blog activity. I’d decided the first of the year that there was no way I could continue to keep the pace I was trying for with any degree of quality content. So, I’ve cut my target posts to three days a week (Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday) unless something unusual crops up that demands attention. Busier than a one-armed paper-hanger, I didn’t get a recap out for January, although there were some very worthy five star reads: Fractured Truth by Susan Furlong and Freedom Road by William Lashner. And the luck continues with some remarkable books in February (see my listing below).

March signals the month to highlight Irish authors and novels and I have a number of books lined up already, as well as an interview, and those will be highlighted at an early date.

My book reviews for February:

(If you missed any of my full reviews, just click the link below.)

Ratman and Robin: The Attack of Catman and the Meows by K.A. Bolton

The Puppy Who Knew Too Much by V.M. Burns

Something Red, Something Dead by Eva Gates

Feb 1 – The Second Wife by Sheryl Browne

Feb 3 – The Gun Also Rises by Sherry Harris

Feb 5 – The Wedding Guest by Jonathan Kellerman

Feb 8 – Murders and Metaphors by Amanda Flower

Feb 10- Ratman and Robin by K.A. Bolton

Feb 12- The Puppy Who Knew Too Much by V.M. Burns

Feb 15- The Beantown Girls by Jane Healey

Feb 17- Something Red, Something Dead by Eva Gates

Feb 19- A Killer’s Alibi by William L. Myers, Jr.

Feb 22- Dead Memories by Angela Marsons

Feb 24- Open Carry by Marc Cameron

Feb 27- Final Exam by Carol J Perry

The Beantown Girls was an exceptional five star read–highly recommended! Finding no feasible way to separate my husband’s reviews from mine, I doubled my Goodreads Challenge to 200, which should amply cover the 100 I hope to read. (Sitting in a hospital can get you reading time, but zero internet or review time.)

If you’ve wondered about why I use the cell phone to showcase the book cover, it’s because that indicates either a download from NetGalley or directly from an author request. Otherwise, a blog tour includes the tour banner and identifies the book tour operator. (You can view the two upcoming shortly in the widget column on the right.)

Also, I keep a running list of all the books attributed to my NetGalley and Alphabet challenges on my Reading Challenges page and I’ve started a list of my favorite reads of 4.5 stars or better that I’ll post mid-year. It’s not too late to participate in a reading challenge and there is a challenge out there for everyone!

As always, please share your recommendations for great reads with me and thank you so much for being a part of this blog and for taking the time to post your likes and comments. They are SOOO appreciated!

#ComingSoon – New Thrillers, Suspense, and Historical Fiction

Coming Soon – My reviews For These Exciting Books!

So thrilled to score some great books from NetGalley for reading this month. While none of the following are Valentine themed (I don’t do romance), these three are ringing my chimes for thrillers and historical novels. The links will take you to the Amazon listing, the thumbnails to the Goodreads post. Check them out!

A Killer’s Alibi (Philadelphia Legal) by William L Myers, Jr.

Thriller and Suspense

Print Length: 426 pages

To be Released: February 19, 2019

For attorney Mick McFarland, the evidence is damning. And so are the family secrets in this twisty legal thriller from the Amazon Charts bestselling author of A Criminal Defense.

When crime lord Jimmy Nunzio is caught, knife in hand, over the body of his daughter’s lover and his own archenemy, he turns to Mick McFarland to take up his defense. Usually the courtroom puppeteer, McFarland quickly finds himself at the end of Nunzio’s strings. Struggling to find grounds for a not-guilty verdict on behalf of a well-known killer, Mick is hamstrung by Nunzio’s refusal to tell him what really happened.

On the other side of the law, Mick’s wife, Piper, is working to free Darlene Dowd, a young woman sentenced to life in prison for her abusive father’s violent death. But the jury that convicted Darlene heard only part of the truth, and Piper will do anything to reveal the rest and prove Darlene’s innocence.

As Mick finds himself in the middle of a mob war, Piper delves deeper into Darlene’s past. Both will discover dark secrets that link these fathers and daughters—some that protect, some that destroy, and some that can’t stay hidden forever. No matter the risk.

(I read An Engineered Injustice and thoroughly enjoyed–really looking forward to starting this entry in his series.)

Open Carry (An Arliss Cutter Novel Book 1) by Marc Cameron

Thriller and Suspense

Print Length: 304 pages

To be Released: February 26, 2019

Law enforcement veteran Marc Cameron brings an explosive authenticity to this powerful new U.S. Marshal series. Arliss Cutter is a hero for our times. And his hunt for justice cuts straight to the bone. . . .

U.S. Marshal Arliss Cutter is a born tracker. Raised in the Florida swamplands, he honed his skills in the military, fought in the Middle East, and worked three field positions for Marshal Services. When it comes to tracking someone down—or taking someone out—Cutter’s the best. But his newest assignment is taking him out of his comfort zone to southeast Alaska. Cold, dark, uninhabited forests often shrouded in fog. And it’s the kind of case that makes his blood run cold . . . the shocking murder of a Tlingit Indian girl.

But the murder is just the beginning. Now, three people have disappeared on Prince of Wales Island. Two are crew members of the reality TV show, Fishwives. Cutter’s job is to find the bodies, examine the crew’s footage for clues, and track down the men who killed them. But it won’t be easy, because the whole town is hiding secrets, every trail is a dead end—and the hunter becomes the hunted . . .

The Beantown Girls by Jane Healey

Literary Fiction – Historical

Print Length: 366 pages

Released: February 5, 2019

A novel of love, courage, and danger unfolds as World War II’s brightest heroines—the best of friends—take on the front lines.

1944: Fiona Denning has her entire future planned out. She’ll work in city hall, marry her fiancé when he returns from the war, and settle down in the Boston suburbs. But when her fiancé is reported missing after being shot down in Germany, Fiona’s long-held plans are shattered.

Determined to learn her fiancé’s fate, Fiona leaves Boston to volunteer overseas as a Red Cross Clubmobile girl, recruiting her two best friends to come along. There’s the outspoken Viviana, who is more than happy to quit her secretarial job for a taste of adventure. Then there’s Dottie, a shy music teacher whose melodious talents are sure to bring heart and hope to the boys on the front lines.

Chosen for their inner strength and outer charm, the trio isn’t prepared for the daunting challenges of war. But through it all come new friendships and romances, unforeseen dangers, and unexpected dreams. As the three friends begin to understand the real reasons they all came to the front, their courage and camaraderie will see them through some of the best and worst times of their lives.

The Wedding Guest by Jonathan Kellerman – a #BookReview

Title: The Wedding Guest-An Alex Delaware Novel by Jonathan Kellerman

Genre: Mystery, Thriller and Suspense

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Publication Date: HAPPY RELEASE DAY! February 5, 2019

Print Length: 371 pages

Source: Publisher and NetGalley

ASIN: B07CWF85NK

Title and Cover: The Wedding Guest – (I prefer the other cover)

Book Blurb:

Psychologist Alex Delaware and detective Milo Sturgis unravel a shocking crime at a raucous wedding reception in this gripping psychological thriller from the #1 New York Times bestselling master of suspense.

LAPD Lieutenant Milo Sturgis is a fine homicide detective, but when he needs to get into the mind of a killer, he leans on the expertise of his best friend, the brilliant psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware. While Sturgis has a knack for piecing together the details of a crime, Delaware can decipher the darkest intents driving the most vicious of perpetrators. And there’s no better place for the doctor’s analytical skills to shine than a rowdy hall full of young men and women intoxicated on life and lust . . . and suddenly faced with the specter of death.

Summoned to a run-down former strip joint, Delaware and Sturgis find themselves crashing a wild Saints and Sinners–themed wedding reception. But they’re not the only uninvited guests. A horrified bridesmaid has discovered the body of a young woman, dressed to impress in pricey haute couture and accessorized with a grisly red slash around her neck. What’s missing is any means of identification, or a single partygoer who recognizes the victim. The baffled bride is convinced the stranger snuck in to sabotage her big day—and the groom is sure it’s all a dreadful mistake. But Delaware and Sturgis have a hundred guests to question, and a sneaking suspicion that the motive for murder is personal. Now they must separate the sinners from the saints, the true from the false, and the secrets from those keeping them. The party’s over—and the hunt for whoever killed it is on. Continue reading “The Wedding Guest by Jonathan Kellerman – a #BookReview”