#Goodreads – Page 32 – Rosepoint Publishing

The Stolen Coast by Dwyer Murphy- #AudiobookReview – #NoirFiction

Book Blurb:

Adrift in a sleepy coastal Massachusetts town, a man who ferries fugitives by day gets twisted up in a plot to pilfer diamonds in this Casablanca-infused heist novel.

Jack might be a polished, Harvard-educated lawyer on paper, but everyone in the down-at-the-heels, if picturesque, village of Onset, Massachusetts, knows his real job: moving people on the run from powerful enemies. The family business—co-managed with his father, a retired spy—is smooth sailing, as they fill up Onset’s holiday homes during the town’s long, drowsy off-season and help clients shed their identities in preparation for fresh starts.

But when Elena, Jack’s former flame—a dedicated hustler who’s no stranger to the fugitive life—makes an unexpected return to town, her arrival upends Jack’s routine existence. Elena, after all, doesn’t go anywhere without a scheme in mind, and it isn’t long before Jack finds himself enmeshed in her latest project: intercepting millions of dollars’ worth of raw diamonds before they’re shipped overseas.

Infusing a fast-paced plot with sharp wit and stylish prose, CrimeReads editor-in-chief Dwyer Murphy serves up an irresistible page-turner as full of heart as it is of drama.

My Review:

My choice for audiobook of the week is usually gleaned from recommendations or suggestions from my local library. I chose this one reading the blurb. That might have been a mistake.

Living vicariously through book descriptions of the East Coast, I also chose this one to get that Atlantic flavor in the village of Onset, Massachusetts. Unfortunately, there appears to be a reason for Onset, set offside of the bay from Cape Cod considerably more affluent. And the inhabitants of Onset—those year-round—often engage in shady occupations to pay the bills in the off-season. One of these inhabitants is Jack.

Jack has a side hustle—moving people considerably more interested in doing so quietly—privately. Slightly illegally. He works with his dad who helps to fill vacation cabins with those seeking new identities. Dear ole dad is a retired spy.

To round out the main characters, Elena, an old love interest pops up in his life again with a whole new hustle. It could be a little dangerous, but doesn’t she thrive on that?

While it could be said that Elena is interesting, most of the rest of the characters are not. Contrary to popular opinion, multi-tasking (as I’ve mentioned before) while listening to a rather boring audiobook is just an invitation to tune out boring parts. Tuning in and out doesn’t really work.

The narrative just doesn’t pick up the pace. It may be well-plotted but moves at a glacier pace. I did enjoy the descriptions of the area and the characterization of the village’s lack of inspiration, but so much is left out that it feels incomplete. Elena, looking for a way to intercept (and steal) rough diamonds, is laser-focused and excited. But she’ll have to light a fire under Jack. Not a lot of action, I wouldn’t classify as noir—it’s not that dark. Maybe a shade of gray. Meh.

I downloaded a copy of this audiobook from my local well-stocked library. These are my honest thoughts.

Book Details:

Genre: Noir Fiction, Private Investigator Mysteries
Publisher: Penguin Audio
ASIN: B0BL9Q67DD
Listening Length: 7 hrs 1 min
Narrator: Robert Petkoff
Publication Date: July 11, 2023
Source: Local Library (Audiobook Selections)
Title Link: The Stolen Coast [Amazon]

Rosepoint Publishing: Three stars

The Author: Dwyer Murphy is the author of An Honest Living, a New York Times Editors’ Choice selection, and the editor-in-chief of CrimeReads, Literary Hub’s crime fiction vertical and the world’s most popular destination for thriller readers. He practiced law at Debevoise & Plimpton in New York City, where he was a litigator, and served as editor of the Columbia Law Review. He was previously an Emerging Writer Fellow at the Center for Fiction. –This text refers to the hardcover edition.

Good Bad Girl by Alice Feeney – #BookReview – #TuesdayBookBlog

Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

Book Blurb:

Twenty years after a baby is stolen from a stroller, a woman is murdered in a care home. The two crimes are somehow linked, and a good bad girl may be the key to discovering the truth.

Edith may have been tricked into a nursing home, but at eighty-years-young, she’s planning her escape. Patience works there, cleaning messes and bonding with Edith, a kindred spirit. But Patience is lying to Edith about almost everything.

Edith’s own daughter, Clio, won’t speak to her. And someone new is about to knock on Clio’s door…and their intentions aren’t good.

With every reason to distrust each other, the women must solve a mystery with three suspects, two murders, and one victim. If they do, they might just find out what happened to the baby who disappeared, the mother who lost her, and the connections that bind them.

My Review:

OMG, not like I haven’t read this author before, my first being His and Hers back in July 2021 followed shortly after that by two more of her successful audiobooks. I loved the first—but experienced a bit less enthusiasm with the successive choices.

This narrative begins with a baby kidnapped on Mother’s Day (twenty years previous) and the POVs of those most closely related to the scenario of the missing child after that. Now, Edith, 80 years old, is plotting her escape from a local nursing home placed there by daughter Clio—her greatest disappointment. Patience works at the nursing home and has bonded with Edith.

There is a jump between the original event and twenty years later when the POV goes to Frankie who lives and raises her estranged daughter, Patience, on a narrow boat on the Thames. Frankie found employment as a librarian at the local prison and is frantic to find her missing daughter.

The characters are obstinate, paranoid, distrustful, and alienated. The author carefully develops these characters bit by slow bit, adding a layer each time. They are wonderfully diverse and sympathies begin to divide and invite reader engagement or alienation. Can this dysfunctional cast of personalities possibly find a way to reconcile?

The storyline weaves in and out of the varied characters and timelines, adding a bit more backstory, information that fills in the blanks. There are secrets quietly divulged, lies, deception, and finally murder.

Yikes!! There are twists and turns but I couldn’t believe what I’d just read. Are you kidding? Somebody has a dark sense of humor…

This is a study of mother-daughter relationships like you’ve never read before leading to a raft of notable quotables:

(Motherhood) “A job I thought I wanted and now can’t quit.”

“Sadly it is human nature to squander love and stockpile hate.”

(A reference that brought a chuckle and mood-lightening moment)

“Am I supposed to Columbo what you just said…”

“Life seems better at punishing bad deeds than it is at rewarding good ones.”

(Of course, the mantra, theme of the narrative)

“The world is full of people who are good at being bad, and people who are bad at being good.”

(But my favorite)

“Mother knows best but sometimes it’s best Mother doesn’t know.”

It might be that you’d read the book for the pearls of wisdom doled out in bite-sized pieces—the easier to swallow—almost slipped by, but then you’d miss the lesson in a book with themes of dysfunction, abuse, manipulation, and reconciliation.

Is blood thicker than water? It’s gentle, but you can’t have missed that capsule.

You might need a chart to keep up or just pay attention so you don’t get lost. I did appreciate the conclusion. The novel is satisfying, in that defying kinda way, but on the whole, I found it rather depressing heartrending.

I received a copy of this book from my local library’s recommended list that in no way influenced this review. These opinions are my own.

Rosepoint Rating: Four Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Domestic Thrillers, Kidnapping Thrillers
Publisher: Flatiron Books
ASIN: B0BST5X6GS
Print Length: 310 pages
Publication Date: August 29, 2023
Source: Library recommendation

Title Link(s):

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

The Author: Alice Feeney is a New York Times million-copy bestselling author. Her books have been translated into over thirty-five languages, and have been optioned for major screen adaptations. Including Rock Paper Scissors, which is being made into a TV series by the producer of The Crown. Alice was a BBC journalist for fifteen years, and now lives in Devon with her family. Good Bad Girl is her sixth novel.

You can follow Alice on Instagram and Twitter: @alicewriterland

To find out the latest book and TV news, or to sign up for Alice’s free newsletter, please visit: http://www.alicefeeney.com

Cruel Lessons by Randy Overbeck – #BookReview – #AmateurSleuths

Lessons in Peril Book 1

Book Blurb:

On a school camping trip, fifth graders experiment with a dangerous new hallucinogen and die in a horrific accident, their deaths shattering the quiet town. Assistant Superintendent Ken Parks, hoping to redeem a fatal mistake from his past, grasps the opportunity to conduct the district investigation of how students are getting the drugs. Almost before he begins, the cops make a stunning arrest. But Parks battles on, convinced the real pusher is still out there, poisoning more kids until he receives an anonymous threat: if he continues, those close to him will pay. Is Parks willing to risk those he loves for a chance at redemption?

His Review:

Teaching could be a noble profession, but the introduction of hallucinogenic drugs into society has changed the focus of the teaching profession. Telling young middle schoolers of the dangers of drug use falls on deaf ears. Four students, one being a 13-year holdback are off to enjoy the ride of their lives. Stealing his father’s car, he takes three friends out for a “fabulous time” but dies in a chemical-induced wonderland. All are laughing as the car crashes.

The funeral was somber! Who could the school officials blame for the tragedy? The senior counselor and administrator were selected by the head of the school board. The die was cast and the career ruined for the man who was the trustee/coordinator at the event.

Parents of course are devastated and thrash around for someone to blame. The man was there to chaperone the students and keep them safe but was asleep when the four snuck out and went for their final ride. Everyone wanted answers.

Within the drug community, there is no conscience. The object is to make money and the more exotic the product the more funds to be made. Hidden behind the drug dealers and junkies are very rich and influential entrepreneurs. Many are the pillars of the community. Sure, people die but is it their fault? The drugs are manufactured in foreign countries and they only facilitate importing and distribution.

This narrative points out the problems, heartbreaks, and tragedies affecting all social and economic strata of our society. The drugs are becoming much more effective and lethal. Profit motivates the dealers and suppliers and they hide behind respectability. Meanwhile, lives are lost and families and futures shattered. Read this book and get a better understanding of the problems we face. 4.5 stars – CE Williams

Many thanks to Dr. Overbeck for providing us the opportunity to read and review this book. These are my own opinions.

[Note: Back in 2020 with most of the world devastated by a pandemic, I received a request from Dr. Overbeck that he might provide a guest post. I had read a couple of his Haunted Shores Mysteries and enjoyed his writing style. The guest post resulted in So, You Need an Escape. Now I am happy to present Cruel Lessons, the first in a new series and hope you enjoy as well. VW]

Rosepoint Publishing: Four point Five Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Amateur Sleuths, Mysteries
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press Inc
ASIN: B0CDJ6GL5W
Print Length: 470 pages
Publication Date: October 11, 2023
Source: Author
Title Link(s):

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

The Author: Dr. Randy Overbeck is an award-winning educator, author and speaker. As an educator, he served children for more than three decades in a range of roles captured in his novels, from teacher and coach to principal and superintendent. His thriller, LEAVE NO CHILD BEHIND (2012) and his recent mysteries, the Amazon No. 1 Best Seller, BLOOD ON THE CHESAPEAKE (2019), CRIMSON AT CAPE MAY (2020) and SCARLET AT CRYSTAL RIVER (2021) have earned five star reviews and garnered national awards including “Thriller of the Year”—ReadersFavorite.com, “Gold Award”—Literary Titan, “Mystery of the Year”—ReadersView.com and “Crowned Heart of Excellence”—InD’Tale Magazine.

As a member of the Mystery Writers of America, Dr. Overbeck is an active member of the literary community, contributing to a writers’ critique group, serving as a mentor to emerging writers and participating in writing conferences such as Sleuthfest, Killer Nashville and the Midwest Writers Workshop. When he’s not writing or researching his next exciting novel or sharing his presentation “Things Still Go Bump in the Night,” he’s spending time with his incredible family of wife, three children (and their spouses) and seven wonderful grandchildren.

©CE Williams – V Williams

Enjoy Your Sunday!

Thirteen by Steve Cavanagh – #AudiobookReview – #TBT

Eddie Flynn Book 3

Book Blurb:

2019 Hudson Booksellers Best of the Year

The serial killer isn’t on trial. He’s on the jury.

It’s the murder trial of the century. And Joshua Kane has killed to get the best seat in the house – and to be sure the wrong man goes down for the crime. Because this time, the killer isn’t on trial. He’s on the jury.

But there’s someone on his tail. Former conman turned criminal-defense attorney Eddie Flynn doesn’t believe his movie-star client killed two people. He suspects the real killer is closer than they think – but who would guess just how close?

My Review:

Holy moly, how have I missed this author? I do enjoy legal thrillers, but this dual POV had me from the first page with two unique characters that kept me absolutely super-glued to the page. Alternate POVs between protagonist and antagonist. Not really anything new with that ploy—it was the characters; honed, crafted, molded into street-wise attorney and brilliant despot.

Eddie Flynn is the conman turned lawyer and he’s been asked to help defend one of the biggest names in the movie business on trial for murdering both his wife and her associate. Eddie is pretty sure that Robert Solomon didn’t do it. One thing Eddie is good at with his experience on the other side—people—and their “tells.” Bobbie is innocent.

Joshua Kane meanwhile has set in motion another of his well-crafted dramas. He loves it, the planning, the plotting, the manipulation—like marionettes on a string.

While the POV alternates chapters, the reader is soon embroiled in the diabolical cunning of the clever and cruel Kane and the push-back of Flynn. He may be a step behind but not for long. Flynn is great for leading the reader on his investigation in descriptive show, not tell, and we get an inkling of the mind that thinks out of the box with cunning reasoning and deductive power.

Kane has maneuvered his way bit by deadly bit to be part of the jury pool. The tension rises quickly as you realize how he will handle any further impediments to his succession into the box.

There are twists, gasps with totally unexpected turns and the already fast pace ramps up the urgency. Loved the courtroom drama, the behind-the-scenes action, and the blood pressure-spiking conclusion. More than a legal procedural, crime thriller, courtroom drama, it’s a heart-pounding ride through the mind of a one-of-a-kind character.

Coming in without reading the first two or three? So did I. But it made no difference. I had no problem following along other than now I’ll want to go back and play catch up.

Adam Sims does an outstanding job of capturing those opposing voices and making them real. I downloaded a copy of this audiobook from my local well-stocked library. These are my honest thoughts.

Book Details:

Genre: Legal Thrillers, Crime Thrillers, Suspense
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
ASIN: B07MTKTS23
Listening Length: 11 hrs 23 mins
Narrator: Adam Sims
Publication Date: August 13, 2019
Source: Local Library (Audiobook Selections)
Title Link: Thirteen [Amazon]

Rosepoint Publishing: Four point Five Stars

The Author: Steve Cavanagh is a critically acclaimed, Sunday Times best-selling author of the Eddie Flynn series which has sold a million copies in the UK. His third novel, The Liar, won the CWA Gold Dagger for Crime Novel of the year 2018. Thirteen won the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime novel of the year 2019. FIFTY FIFTY was a Richard and Judy Book club choice, and the BBC Between The Covers book club choice. All of his novels have been nominated for major awards. His last four novels have all been Sunday Times Bestsellers.

The Eddie Flynn series can be read in any order, but the list in full in order of publication is as follows:

The Defence
The Cross (ebook exclusive novella)
The Plea
The Liar
Thirteen
Fifty Fifty
The Devil’s Advocate
The Accomplice
Standalone books – Twisted.

Find out more at http://www.stevecavanaghauthor.com or follow Steve on Twitter @SteveCavanagh_

The Narrator: Adam Sims trained at LAMDA. An award-winning and experienced stage actor, his credits include the West Yorkshire/Leeds Playhouse, the RSC, Royal Exchange Manchester and London’s West End. His screen credits include Band of Brothers and Lost in Space. As well as many recordings for BBC Radio, his voice-over credits are extensive and include computer games, animation, podcasts, television narration and corporates. He has recorded hundreds of audiobooks; titles ranging from Henry James, Edgar Allan Poe and Nathanial Hawthorne, to Haruki Murakami, Patricia Highsmith, Dennis Lehane, and Steve Cavanagh. He won the 2017 APA/Audible Audiobook Narrator of the Year for Flowers for Algernon.

#ThrowbackThursday

Head Case by Bonnie Traymore – #BookReview – #DomesticThriller

Book Blurb:

A heartbroken teacher in need of a change gets more than she bargained for in this page-turner thriller.

Never make a major life decision in the wake of emotional turmoil. Cassie Romano learned this the hard way, leaving sunny San Diego for a teaching position at a private school in the Catskill Mountains in upstate New York after a painful break-up left her heartbroken and in need of a change.

It all seemed so perfect in June when she came to interview. But now it’s December, and she’s stranded on top of a mountain surrounded by snow, ice, and acres of wilderness, lonelier than ever and bored out of her mind.

When a fellow teacher turns up dead and Cassie receives an unsettling letter from her a few days later, it’s clear to Cassie that something twisted is going on at Falcon Ridge Academy. Everyone seems to be writing the death off as a tragic accident, but she’s not so sure.

Cassie has secrets of her own, though, so she’s initially reluctant to get involved. Torn between the urge to protect herself and the desire to investigate further, she decides on the latter.

And the consequences could be deadly.

His Review:

Kimi is excited to have a new position at a prestigious finishing school in the mountains of central New York. She is a little uneasy about the competition for the coveted position of Headmaster but feels she has an open path to the position. An assisted fall down a steep staircase shatters that dream and takes her life.

Teaching summer classes is always a pain. The students are less than motivated and some of them are here from foreign countries learning English as a second language. The passing of Kimi puts everyone on edge including the entire staff of the school. Such a tragedy, a young life dying in such a tragic accident. The question on everyone’s mind, “Was it an accident”?

Compensation is good for this position and housing and food are supplied to the educators. A year or two in the position and there will be enough saved to buy a house back in California. Cassie hates the winters in upstate New York and cannot wait to get back to the beaches of southern California. She will leave as soon as the winter break at the school commences but being one of the newer teachers she is stuck with staying and teaching the students who cannot go home for break.

Madeline wants to be the head of the school’s administration. She has worked towards this goal and will let nothing stand in her way! Kimi seemed to have an inside track to the position but Madeline feels better qualified and worthy of the title. Why should an upstart get this plumb when Madeline has worked so hard?

This tale embraces the politics of a small teaching institution that caters to the very rich and foreign students. The characters are well developed and the plot simple but tragic. Avarice is a terrible taskmaster. Mix that with a mental condition and you have the ingredients for an interesting and heartrending tale. 4 stars – CE Williams

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book.

Rosepoint Publishing: Four Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Domestic thrillers, Psychological Fiction
Publisher: Pathways Publishing
ASIN: B0CGQ2QCMN
Print Length: 253 pages
Publication Date: September 23, 2023
Source: Publisher and NetGalley

Title Link(s):

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Author: Bonnie Traymore is the award-winning author of suspenseful, page-turner, domestic and psychological thrillers that hit close to home. Her books consistently hit the hot new release page on Amazon. Her thrillers have been described as entertaining page-turners. They aren’t overly graphic and sometimes include occasional touches of romance and humor, but all in service of a fast-paced thriller read. The plots touch on disturbing topics such as sexual assault, revenge, murder, psychological disorders, and the complexities of human behavior, so they aren’t exactly cozy either. She aims to entertain and engage readers, and maybe freak them out a bit, but not give them nightmares. FYI, she likes to include multiple points of view in her books. If you like that, her books might be for you.

Originally from the New York City area, she lives in Honolulu with her family but frequents Hudson Valley, New York City, and the Bay Area. She has been reading mystery and thriller novels her entire life, and she’s been writing short stories and non-fiction for decades. She is also an award-winning non-fiction writer, historian, and educator. She’s taught at top independent schools in Honolulu, Silicon Valley, and New York City, and she’s taught history courses at Columbia University and the University of Hawaii.

Mystery Writers of America, Active Member

International Thriller Writers, Active Member

Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris – #Audiobook Review – #TBT

Teachers’ pick

Book Blurb:

A picture is worth a thousand words, but sometimes the story behind the picture is worth a thousand more.

2 CHILDREN FOR SALE.

In 1931, near Philadelphia, ambitious reporter Ellis Reed photographs the gut-wrenching sign posted beside a pair of siblings on a farmhouse porch. With the help of newspaper secretary Lily Palmer, Ellis writes an article to accompany the photo. Capturing the hardships of American families during the Great Depression, the feature story generates national attention and Ellis’s career skyrockets.

But the piece also leads to consequences more devastating than he and Lily ever imagined – and it will risk everything they value to unravel the mystery and set things right.

Inspired by a newspaper photo that stunned readers throughout the country, Sold on a Monday is a powerful novel of ambition, redemption, love, and family.

My Review:

Okay, if you want to cry foul, I’ll understand. It’s not fair to come in third or fourth on the same theme and be discounted because it’s become so familiar. I get it.

And really, when the CE read The Ways We Hide last year, he loved the writing style and the storyline (historical fiction but not this premise).

The narrative begins with a sign that journalist Ellis Reed comes across in his search for a story. He takes a picture of two children on a porch with a for sale next to them. Then he doesn’t think too much more about it until Lillian Palmer working for the same newspaper sees the photo and it grabs her. She has a four-year-old herself, and single and struggling, can identify the heartbreak that must have ensued with the decision.

Lillian shows the picture to their editor who feels it could be built into a good topical story—it’s 1931 after all—and everyone can speak to the desperation the Great Depression has spawned. The problem is, the photo is destroyed. It’s the quest for getting another shot of the kids that starts the whole ball rolling with the discovery that the kids are gone. Sold?

I was listening to the audiobook. The plot was familiar and the pace was slowed somewhat by the relationship between Ellis and Lillian. While they pursued the whereabouts of the children, they made a few gut-wrenching discoveries, something all too true at the time. (Guess I could identify just a little here as my own mother was taken to an orphanage when my grandparents found themselves unable to care for two young girls. My mother’s experience was one that left her a bit embittered the rest of her life.)

I confess there were times when I felt more of an emotional connection than others regarding the children, but never really did fully engage with either the male or female MCs. As usual, I felt the romance in some part let down the main thrust of the story. Who were the kids? What happened to their mother? Where did the kids go? Not so young they didn’t remember their circumstances—how are they coping?

The author does paint a circumspect picture of life during those depression years. There were some interesting support characters and for the most part a good ebb and flow of tempo. The conclusion pulled most strings together and provided a happy resolution for the budding couple.

This novel was a book club choice for the quarter. I didn’t tie it to the review the CE wrote last year at first, although it was apparent from the blurb that it would mirror Lisa Wingate’s Before We Were Yours and Kristin Hannah’s The Four Winds both of which I loved.

I downloaded a copy of this audiobook from my local well-stocked library for the club read. These are my honest thoughts.

Book Details:

Genre: Historical Mysteries, Family Life Fiction, Literary Fiction
Publisher: Recorded Books
ISBN-10: ‎ 1492663999
ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1492663997
ASIN: B07GL3G1DX
Listening Length: 9 hrs 48 mins
Narrator: Brian Hutchison
Publication Date: August 28, 2018
Source: Local Library (Audiobook Selections)
Title Link: Sold on a Monday [Amazon]

Rosepoint Publishing: Four point Five Stars

The Author: KRISTINA MCMORRIS is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of two novellas and six historical novels, including the million-copy bestseller SOLD ON A MONDAY. The recipient of more than twenty national literary awards, she previously hosted weekly TV shows for Warner Bros. and an ABC affiliate, beginning at age nine with an Emmy Award-winning program, and owned a wedding-and-event-planning company until she had far surpassed her limit of “Y.M.C.A.” and chicken dances. Kristina lives near Portland, Oregon, where she somehow manages to be fully deficient of a green thumb and not own a single umbrella. For more, visit KristinaMcMorris.com.

Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris

Rescuing Crockett: A Western Historical Fiction Epic by David Pyke – #BookReview – #WesternFictionClassics

A Silas Grant Novel Book 1

Book Blurb:

What if Davy Crockett survived the Alamo?

Silas Grant prepares for a future with the girl of his dreams. The resourceful sixteen-year-old is learning the blacksmith trade from his father and frontier skills from Texas Revolution veterans. But when a portrait of David Crockett triggers hope that the folk hero didn’t die two years earlier, Silas joins a quest for the truth.

Exploring a world healing from the war, Silas and his fellow Texians investigate the accounts of Alamo survivors and pursue a witness to the battle’s final moments. Their odyssey turns lethal as layers of the last stand’s legend peel away to expose a shocking secret.

Will the revelation stun a nation or ignite a fatal showdown?

Rescuing Crockettis the gripping first book of the Silas Grant western historical fiction series. If you like rousing adventure, immersive storytelling, and commitment to authenticity, you’ll love David Z. Pyke’s captivating tale of redemption that Kirkus Reviewshails as “A thrilling historical drama, as engrossing as it is edifying.”

His Review:

Mexico had just won its independence in 1821 from Spain after 300-plus years of colonialism. Texas declared its independence from Mexico in 1836. The battle of the Alamo is one of the premier moments in Texas history and, according to historical records, there were no survivors. My recollection from history in high school noted the bodies stacked in the central area of the mission like cords of wood twelve bodies high.

General Santa Ana was President of Mexico and the head of the army during the attack on the Alamo. Santa Ana was a cruel general who accepted no prisoners and considered the Texas fighters traitors to the country. His orders were to leave no person alive after they conquered the fighters at the Alamo. Identifying all of the bodies was not foremost on his mind. (Mexican soldiers numbered 1500 to the Texan defenders of 200.)

David Pyke paints a very illuminating picture of the battle and the subsequent aftermath in San Antonio. A rumor that David Crockett may have survived the battle was the premise of this tale. At the time, the French had embargoed the Mexican ports and were not allowing any Mexican ships safe passage. The rumor was fueled by a drawing made by a gifted artist of someone near Vera Cruz who looked surprisingly like Crockett. Could he still be alive and be held captive by Santa Ana at one of his residences?

This book paints a very colorful and graphic analysis of life in the 1830s in the then Republic of Texas as well as Mexico. Because Crockett had been a U.S. Representative from the state of Tennessee, his history was very important to the population at that time. He became disillusioned with his political struggles in Tennessee and moved to Texas to join that new republic. He fought with the Texas dissidents at the Alamo and was either captured or killed outright. This alternative possible outcome is very fun to read. Enjoy! 4 stars – CE Williams

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book. These opinions are my own.

Rosepoint Publishing: Four stars

Book Details:

Genre: Western Fiction Classics, Historical Thrillers, US Historical Fiction
Publisher: Leonard Street Publishing
ISBN: ‎ 1959440020
ASIN: B0C1824MVZ
Print Length: 380 pages
Publication Date: March 31, 2023
Source: Publisher and NetGalley

Title Link(s):

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

The Author: David Z. Pyke has always been a writer. His relationship with words began in elementary school, where he read Beowulf and Dracula by the time he was 10 years old. He wrote his first stories for newspapers when he was 15 and has written professionally for 47 years.

His passion stems from his heritage: Pyke is a native Texan related to one of the Alamo defenders. His great-great-great-great-great-granduncle, Isaac Millsaps, was one of the Immortal 32, the reinforcements from Gonzales who answered William Barret Travis’s call for help, rode to San Antonio, and died in the Alamo on March 6, 1836.

In 1991, a mutual friend introduced David to Suzanne, an English literature teacher from Missouri. Their first date was on a Friday the 13th. She later confessed that before that first date, she read some of his stories to make sure he could write. Apparently, he received a passing grade. They were engaged five months later, married four months after that, and in 2022 celebrated their 30th anniversary.

‘Twas the Bite Before Christmas by David Rosenfelt- #AudiobookReview – #AnimalCozyMysteries

An Andy Carpenter Novel Book 28

in Animal Cozy Mysteries

Rosepoint Publishing: Five Stars

Book Blurb:

Reluctant lawyer Andy Carpenter is at the Tara Foundation’s annual Christmas party. The dog rescue organization has always been his true calling, and this is one holiday tradition he can get behind because every dog that’s come through the rescue—and their families—are invited to celebrate.

This year’s party is no exception. But before the stockings can be hung by the chimney with care, homicide detectives ruin the evening. Derek Moore, one of the foundation’s best foster volunteers, is arrested for murder.

Andy discovers Derek—whose real name is Bobby—is in the witness protection program after giving evidence against his former gang. The police believe Bobby murdered a member. But Bobby swears to Andy he didn’t do this. He’s built a new life, a new business, has two new dogs after being a double foster-failure.

There isn’t much Andy likes about this case, but he likes Bobby. If he’s innocent, Andy wants to help. Before Andy can settle down for his long winter’s nap, he has a client’s name to clear, a murderer to catch, and two new dogs to look after: a golden and a Dalmatian. Andy’s golden retriever, Tara, will have to adjust to not being the only golden at the house while Andy gets to the bottom of this one…

My Review:

Once a year the Tara Foundation throws a Christmas party for the people and their adopted rescue dogs. Andy Carpenter is NOT a fan of eggnog and is relieved when Pete Stanton, homicide detective (and an old buddy of his), calls him outside. The problem is that he warns him one of his party guests is about to be arrested. Surely they can’t be talking about Derek, a foster failure for having decided to keep the two dogs he was fostering.

Andy, though supposedly retired and avoiding working as an attorney, ends up believing Derek’s (Bobby’s) story, and agrees to represent him. Andy’s cases are never simple and neither is this one. The investigation will become complex and uncover some ugly issues from mobsters and drugs to murder.

Andy has an unusual crew that includes his wife Laurie (an ex-cop) and her K-9 team, as well as Marcus, and a guy he calls on for quiet IT work. (Laurie loves Christmas and starts the season by Halloween (which Andy tries to avoid as much as possible—especially the music), so this novel won’t be including a lot of Christmas detail.)

And then there are the dogs, Tara, for whom the rescue foundation is named, Andy’s pug Hunter, and Sebastian, who does little besides warm a bed. While Tara may have featured more prominently in previous installments, not so much in this one. Still, I love the stories of the doggos that this time includes Bobby’s two foster failures, Sasha and Jake. I always remember with a chuckle the times I went to the breeder’s house when we were waiting for Frosty to be released, and the hubby would answer the door to a cacophony of barking and dogs scrambling to see who was there. He would merely sigh—“We have dogs.”

As always, I enjoy the courtroom scenes with Andy doing his best to alienate everyone including the judge with his legal wrangling of appropriate precedent. While he worries about how strong he’s made his case, he always keeps his eye on proving a plausible alternative to his own client.

Along the way is the signature Andy Carpenter sense of humor, the wise-cracking, snarky observation of events, and his interpretation delivered beautifully as only Grover Gardner can do. He has sold this character many times over and the author’s love of dogs shines through every time. You gotta love them.

I downloaded a copy of this audiobook from NetGalley and the publisher. These are my honest thoughts. This series is an easy go-to. My only problem is that they are too short.

Book Details:

Genre: Animal Cozy Mysteries, Animal Fiction, Traditional Detective Mysteries
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
ASIN: B0BV8X894N
Listening Length: 6 hrs 33 mins
Narrator: Grover Gardner
Publication Date: October 10, 2023
Source: Local Library (Audiobook Selections)
Title Link: ‘Twas the Bite Before Christmas [Amazon]
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The Author: David Rosenfelt, a native of Paterson, New Jersey, is a graduate of NYU. He was the former marketing president for Tri-Star Pictures before becoming a writer of novels and screenplays. “Open And Shut” was his first novel; “First Degree,” his second novel, was named a best book of 2003 by Publishers Weekly. He currently lives in Southern California with his wife and 35 dogs.

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The Narrator:

Grover Gardner’s narration career spans twenty-five years and over 550 audiobook titles. AudioFile Magazine has called him one of the “Best Voices of the Century” and features him in their annual “Golden Voices” update. Publishers Weekly named him Audiobook Narrator of the Year for 2005. His recordings have garnered 18 “Golden Earphones” awards from AudioFile and an Audie Award from the Audio Publishers’ Association.
http://grovergardner.blogspot.com/