#NetGalleyreader – Page 6 – Rosepoint Publishing

Late Checkout: A Mess Hopkins Novel by Alan Orloff #BookReview #amateursleuthmysteries

Book Blurb:

Motel proprietor Mess Hopkins is more interested in helping others than turning a profit, so he opens the doors of the Fairfax Manor Inn to those seeking refuge from a bad situation. But when his cousin Finn shows up in trouble, his world is rocked, because Mess had thought Finn was dead, having run away six years earlier.

Unfortunately, Finn was in the wrong place at the wrong time and saw the wrong thing—an incident with deadly consequences.

It’s up to Mess, his girlfriend/newspaper reporter Lia Katsaros, and buddy Vell Jackson to solve the crime before some bad men achieve their goal—killing the only eyewitness.
Mess’s frightened cousin Finn.

His Review:

Running a motel is not an easy task. Mess Hopkins expects to inherit one from his parents, but he has been left with the management task. Problem is, Mess is a very compassionate man and is a sucker for a sob story. The motel is barely staying afloat and continues to limp along.

Finn is his cousin who has been missing for years. He suddenly shows up after being a lost soul and his family is very irritated with him. Mess and Finn were best friends as youngsters and they are happy to be back together. Finn has declared that he is gay and also that he witnessed a murder. He is sure that the murderers are after him.

The manager that Mess hired to help run the motel is a character who really does all the work. He is continually admonishing Mess for his lack of attention to detail and also for letting rooms to vagabonds who are unable to pay.

Killers hunting for Finn and continual management issues keep this novel moving. Will mismanagement finally doom the motel? Will the killers catch up with Finn and eliminate the family problem? Will the rest of the family finally accept Finn for who he is and bring him back into the fold? Read this well-written novel and find out. 4.5 stars – CE Williams

Note: The CE read and reviewed Sanctuary Motel last year and greatly enjoyed it. This series is well-plotted and moves smoothly through the storyline. Mess is an emotive character, garners empathy, and is easy to become invested in.

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

Rosepoint Publishing: Four point Five Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Amateur Sleuth Mysteries, Crime Thrillers
Publisher: Level Best Books
ASIN: B0DGJY67Q2
Print Length: 310 pages
Publication Date: October 22, 2024
Source: Author and NetGalley

Title Link(s):

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

The Author: Before Alan stepped off the corporate merry-go-round, he had an eclectic (some might say disjointed) career. As an engineer, he worked on nuclear submarines, supervised assembly workers in factories, facilitated technology transfer from the Star Wars program, and learned to stack washing machines three high in a warehouse with a forklift. He even started his own recycling and waste reduction newsletter business. Now he writes fiction.

Alan Orloff’s debut mystery, DIAMONDS FOR THE DEAD (Midnight Ink), was a 2010 Agatha Award Finalist for Best First Novel. He’s written two books in the Last Laff mystery series, KILLER ROUTINE and DEADLY CAMPAIGN (also from Midnight Ink), and writing as his darker half Zak Allen, he’s published three books: THE TASTE, FIRST TIME KILLER, and RIDE-ALONG. His novel, RUNNING FROM THE PAST, was one of the initial Kindle Scout selections.

His novel, PRAY FOR THE INNOCENT, won the 2019 ITW Thriller Award for Best E-Book Original.

His novel, I KNOW WHERE YOU SLEEP, was a Shamus Award Finalist for Best First PI Novel.

HIs YA thriller, I PLAY ONE ON TV, won both the Agatha Award and Anthony Award for Best Children’s/YA Mystery.

His short fiction has appeared in numerous publications, including JEWISH NOIR, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, CHESAPEAKE CRIMES: STORM WARNING, Mystery Magazine, Black Cat Mystery Magazine, WINDWARD, SNOWBOUND, LANDFALL, SEASCAPE, and MASTHEAD (BEST NEW ENGLAND CRIME STORIES 2016 – 2020), THE NIGHT OF THE FLOOD, MYSTERY MOST GEOGRAPHICAL, GUNS + TACOS, and MICKEY FINN: 21st Century Noir, Volumes 1 and 3.

His flash fiction story, “Happy Birthday,” was nominated for a 2018 Derringer Award, and his story, “Dying in Dokesville,” won a 2019 Derringer Award.

His story, “Rent Due,” won the 2021 ITW Thriller Award for Best Short Story, and “Rule Number One” (SNOWBOUND, Level Best Books) was selected for the 2018 edition of THE BEST AMERICAN MYSTERY STORIES anthology, edited by Louise Penny.

He loves arugula and cake, but not together. Never together.

Alan can be followed/stalked on Facebook (www.facebook.com/alanorloff) and Twitter (@alanorloff). For more info, visit http://www.alanorloff.com.

Have a great week!

Going Dark by George K Mehok #BookReview #technothrillers

Rosepoint Publishing: Five Stars

Book Blurb:

In the aftermath of 9/11, remnants of Bin Laden’s Al-Qaeda network quietly infiltrated the U.S. heartland, lying dormant for over two decades. On Thanksgiving Day, they strike—triggering a sinister cyber-terrorist plot poised to plunge America into unparalleled digital darkness. But it’s only the beginning.

Paul Knox, a seasoned NSA cybersecurity expert and former Air Force communications officer, is thrust into a clandestine conflict spanning generations. As Knox delves into a complex web of cyber intrigue, he must confront both the mission’s high stakes and personal demons, including the unwitting involvement of his daughter, Emma, a brilliant MIT computer scientist who holds the key to the next-generation internet.

The narrative intertwines with the origin story of the Liberty Unit’s first member, John “Jack” Jouett. In 1791, Jouett embarks on a perilous mission to deliver a critical message from Thomas Jefferson to General Henry Knox, altering the Revolutionary War’s trajectory.

As the lines between past and present blur, Knox races against time to save his daughter and unravel mysteries that could reshape history. Going dark won’t be a problem for a man who’s spent his life tracking the “worst of the worst” on the dark web. But in this game, every move could be his last.

His Review:

The Revolutionary War is cleverly juxtaposed against the current world stage. The culprits are a brother of General George Washington and Hassan from Damascus who sees the United States and its citizens as the enemy of the Islamic world and worthy of the most painful of deaths. Struggles are very personal during any war, be it the Revolutionary War in America or the struggle of the Islamic Revolution against the Western infidels.

Hate is a basic element of any conflict. Hassan sees the Americans who are the root of his country’s struggles and should die for their interference in his country’s business. He even kills his younger brother sending him to his reward in heaven to illuminate the injustice of the struggles.

General George Washington is the leader of the American Revolution and is leading the Revolutionaries in battle against the British Dragoons at various locations. He is the target of an extensive effort by the British to eliminate the struggle by a group of revolutionaries who object to the lack of representation in Parliament despite being heavily taxed and levied. King George III will entertain no delegation from “The Colonies”.

The plots are interesting and well developed. The action is fast paced and keeps the readers’ attention with suspense and questions. This is a fun historical read and a very well written dual plotted novel. 5 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.

Book Details:

Genre: Technothrillers, Terrorism Thrillers, Historical Thrillers
Publisher: Atmosphere Press
ASIN: B0DG72F3KY
Print Length: 398 pages
Publication Date: November 12, 2024
Source: Publisher and NetGalley

Title Link(s):

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK | Barnes & Noble

The Author: George K. Mehok is an author, technologist, and entrepreneur with a distinguished career in designing software and leading high-performing teams in the financial services, telecommunications, and aerospace industries. His insights have been featured in prestigious tech journals and notable publications like the Wall Street Journal, CIO Review, and InformationWeek, covering wireless communications, cybersecurity, and data analytics. George’s expertise has earned him accolades, including Crain’s Business Magazine CIO of the Year award, and his work has been recognized in InformationWeek’s Annual Elite 100 ranking of the most innovative technology users in the United States. An avid storyteller, George weaves his real-world knowledge into gripping narratives, crafting thrilling plots that captivate readers. GOING DARK, the first in Mehok’s Liberty Unit series, combines his extensive technology background with historical intrigue, presenting a captivating blend of modern-day suspense and revolutionary-era secrets. When not reading or writing, George enjoys fly fishing and competitive US Masters swimming.

Happy Autumn

Echo by Tracy Clark #BookReview #TuesdayBookBlog

Detective Harriet Foster Book 3

Book Blurb:

From the award-winning author of Hide and Fall comes the third book in the Detective Harriet Foster thriller series, a taut tale of renegade justice with a heart-stopping finale.

Hardwicke House, home to Belverton College’s exclusive Minotaur Society, is no stranger to tragedy. And when a body turns up in the field next to the mansion, the scene looks chillingly familiar.

Chicago PD sends hard-nosed Detective Harriet “Harri” Foster to investigate. The victim is Brice Collier, a wealthy Belverton student, whose billionaire father, Sebastian, owns Hardwicke and ranks as a major school benefactor. Sebastian also has ties to the mansion’s notorious past, when thirty years ago, hazing led to a student’s death in the very same field.

Could the deaths be connected? With no suspects or leads, Harri and her partner, Detective Vera Li, will have to dig deep to find answers. No charges were ever filed in the first case, and this time, Harri’s determined the killer must pay. But still grieving her former partner’s death, Harri must also contend with a shadowy figure called the voice—and their dangerous game of cat and mouse could threaten everything.

My Review:

Of course, I chose this book because it was located in Chicago. Now that I live in “Chicagoland” I’m interested in local food, color, history, and atmospheric description. This one highlights Belverton College where the body of Brice Collier was found in a field near Hardwicke House and the exclusive Minotaur Society reigns supreme.

Coincidentally, or maybe not so, it “echoed” somewhat an unsolved death from thirty years before. Detective Harriet “Harri” Foster and her partner Detective Vera Li land the case. Harri is a strong protagonist, but I really appreciated Vera’s wise backup support. I loved the way they bounced off each other, Harri tending to explode into action while Vera quietly waited for her to chill. Vera can handle things thoughtfully—she has a family and errs on the side of caution.

The author builds the suspense slowly, dropping bits and pieces, supplying twists and turns for misdirection. It works. Interwoven with the main storyline is an unresolved plot line from a previous series installment and Harri is still hot on the trail of any thread she can pull looking to vindicate her former partner. Essentially kept in the background, it doesn’t over-power the current storyline.

This is the third in the trilogy and apparently the end of the series. It could be read as a standalone, however. I previously read Book 3 of the author’s Chicago Mystery series, What You Don’t See, and greatly enjoyed it. This is an author who writes strong but not infallible women within law enforcement. If you enjoy crime fiction, PI investigators, or women sleuths, you may very well enjoy her soft palate style of writing.

I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the author and publisher through @NetGalley that in no way influenced this review. These are my honest thoughts.

Rosepoint Rating: Four Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Domestic Thrillers, Police Procedurals, Crime Thrillers
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
ISBN: 1662517327
ASIN: B0CM7YTCWD
Print Length: 361 pages
Publication Date: December 3, 2024
Source: Publisher and NetGalley

Title Link(s):

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK | Barnes & Noble

The Author: Tracy Clark, a native Chicagoan, is the author of the Cass Raines Chicago Mystery series, featuring ex-cop turned PaI Cassandra Raines. Her debut, BROKEN PLACES, made Library Journal’s list of the Best Crime Fiction of 2018 and CrimeReads named Cass Raines Best New PI of 2018. The novel was nominated for a Lefty Award for Best Debut Novel, an Anthony Award for Best Debut Novel and a Shamus Award for Best First PI Novel. Her second Raines novel, BORROWED TIME, was a finalist for the 2020 Lefty Award for Best Mystery Novel and won the 2020 G.P. Putnam’s Sons Sue Grafton Memorial Award. Book three in the Raines series, WHAT YOU DON’T SEE, was also short-listed for the 2021 Left Award for Best Mystery novel. Book four, RUNNER, releases June 29, 2021. Tracy, a proud member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America, is a lifelong South-Sider and roots for every Chicago team with equal enthusiasm. She is currently busy writing her next book.

#TuesdayBookBlog

In Too Deep: A Reacher Novel by Lee child and Andrew Child #BookReview #suspenseaction fiction

Jack Reacher Book 29

in Suspense Action Fiction

Book Blurb:

The gripping new Jack Reacher thriller from the #1 New York Times bestselling authors Lee Child and Andrew Child

Reacher had no idea where he was. No idea how he had gotten there. But someone must have brought him. And shackled him. And whoever had done those things was going to rue the day. That was for damn sure.

Jack Reacher wakes up alone, in the dark, handcuffed to a makeshift bed. His right arm has suffered some major damage. His few possessions are gone. He has no memory of getting there.

The last thing Reacher can recall is the car he hitched a ride in getting run off the road. The driver was killed.

His captors assume Reacher was the driver’s accomplice and patch up his wounds as they plan to make him talk.

A plan that will backfire spectacularly . . .

His Review:

Being in a car accident after hitch hiking and then suffering from amnesia does not make for a good witness. Jack Reacher cannot remember the accident nor anything else that happened before the accident. Being trussed up like a wild animal does not jog his memory. He remains silent because he cannot remember anything from the incident.

The central theme of this novel is a very large payday for whomever can disrupt a criminal activity and eliminate some very bad individuals. The plot is further complicated by the fact that the criminals include a couple of law enforcement individuals who are looking for a rich, early retirement.

As the plot thickens, distrust expands between the various divisions of law enforcement and the perps. Jack Reacher’s loyalty and voracity are questioned! The prize continues to grow and the death count continues to rise. Who among the various law enforcement agencies can be trusted? C E Williams Reading this book was a delight and a very complex affair. Enjoy! 4.5 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 point Five Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Suspense Action Fiction, War & Military Action Fiction, Action Thriller Fiction
Publisher: Delacorte Press
ASIN: B0CR2Z9KKD
Print Length: pages
Publication Date: October 22, 2024
Source: Publisher and NetGalley

Title Link(s):

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

The Author: Lee Child is one of the world’s leading thriller writers. He was born in Coventry, raised in Birmingham, and now lives in New York. It is said one of his novels featuring his hero Jack Reacher is sold somewhere in the world every nine seconds. His books consistently achieve the number-one slot on bestseller lists around the world and have sold over one hundred million copies. Two blockbusting Jack Reacher movies have been made so far. He is the recipient of many awards, most recently Author of the Year at the 2019 British Book Awards. He was appointed CBE in the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Happy Autumn Sunday!

Color Me Dead by Teresa Trent #BookReview #TuesdayBookBlog

Book Blurb:

Artist Gabby Wolfe has the ability to see not only the beauty of the living but the despair of the dead. When she returns to her childhood home in Henry Park Colorado, she is forced to bring along her younger brother Mitch. He is on a “break” from college where he was majoring in wine, women, and song. If that isn’t enough they also have Mitch’s rambunctious beagle Luigi along who prefers to spend his days wallowing in junk food. When Gabby draws the death of a young woman before it happens, she knows she must tell someone and risk a new job and her professional credibility. Will she reveal her secret in time to save the woman in the water or will it be too late?

My Review:

As an artist, Gabby Wolfe has an eye for detail most people miss. But Gabby takes that gift one step beyond—the ability to see the dead. It’s a gift she’d rather not have and not one she is quick to share. When she “receives” a picture, she succumbs to a trance-like state and lets the vision and her body sketch the picture of the revelation.

She has been experiencing one of these visions lately and now that she’s returned to her childhood home along with brother Mitch, the visions have progressed. Mitch is fleeing college where he’s majored in women and minored in beer kegs.

Fortunately, she’s been hired by a local author to illustrate his children’s book. About the same time, she meets a girl in a wheelchair who also has the same ability.

Balancing the ability to draw the woman in a lake, hand reaching for help, Gabby is tasked by her mother to keep Mitch out of trouble (Sheesh! He’s a dropout for a reason.) Reluctant to divulge her limited knowledge to law enforcement, she draws support from Gigi, wheelchair-bound, but forms a symbiotic relationship with Gabby in the search for the killer after the woman is found, now a victim. Mitch becomes a person of interest.

Yes, of course, it’s a cozy mystery, so you’ll be suspending some disbelief, but the novel enjoys a moderate pace after a slightly slow start. I enjoyed Gabby to an extent, but didn’t thoroughly invest in her character. Psychic flashes interest me, although drawing in a trance is pushing it. Gigi is talented in her own way.

Sense of humor manifests in the struggle Gabby has with her cigarettes—thinking she is hiding her secret smoking, hiding the package, changing clothes or eating a mint. Sorry, that won’t cover it up and surely a twenty-something would know that.

Twists and turns, little bits with the beagle are fun. The narrative adds smoke screens to make it more difficult to guess the perp—but I had my suspicions.

Been quite some time since I’ve read a book by this author, last one, Oh Holy Fright. This one is apparently the first in a new series that will appeal to those who love cozy mysteries along with a specific paranormal ability.

I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the author and publisher through @NetGalley that in no way influenced this review. These are my honest thoughts.

Rosepoint Rating: Four Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Psychic Mysteries, Psychic Romance, Mystery Romance
Publisher: Harbor Lane Books, LLC
ASIN: B0D779R7VV
Print Length: 237 pages
Publication Date: September 24, 2024
Source: Publisher and NetGalley

Title Link(s):

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

The Author: You can find Teresa online at https://teresatrent.com and https://teresatrent.blog. Teresa Trent writes the Swinging Sixties Mystery Series as well as the Piney Woods and the Pecan Bayou Mystery Series. Teresa writes mysteries, romance and short stories and in lives in South Texas.

Happy Autumn

Running on Empty by Karin Fitz Sanford #BookReview #TuesdayBookBlog

The Napa Valley of California draws thousands of luxury travelers annually sparking a multi-billion dollar impact in California.

A Wine County Cold Case

Book Blurb:

An unsolved murder. A Ponzi scheme. And a heist that has ex-FBI agent Anne McCormack racing throughout the wine country.

It’s been sixteen years since socialite Dinah Pardini’s body was found dumped in the backroads of Northern California’s wine country. But is her murder linked to the diabolical Ponzi scheme that now engulfs Santa Rosa, nearly bankrupting many Anne knows and loves? The ex-FBI agent-turned-estate liquidator certainly believes so and starts putting the clues together—which drives her into dangerous territory, both of the heart and body.

Anne will have to keep her wits about her if she plans on outracing thieves and on solving Dinah’s murder without becoming a victim herself, for dark forces are working against her at every turn and she’s running out of people to trust. Trust only in yourself, her uncle, a retired cop, once said. But to do that, Anne will have to forgive herself for a disastrous on-the-job judgment call that still haunts her, even as she hopes to bring criminals to justice and come out of this fever-paced adventure alive.

My Review:

Few areas of California more iconic than the Wine County of California. Beautiful rolling hills, fields of grapes and mustard, hot springs nearby. So it was easy to be drawn into this book, the cover, and the location.

Anne McCormack, an ex-FBI agent, runs an estate-sales business, along with her uncle Jack, retired law enforcement. The two have an extensive knowledge of police procedures and often assist the police with cold cases. They are doing that when they are led into this particular case, a question of murder, interesting connection.

Unfortunately, the recent victim had initialed a Ponzi scheme which bilked many friends, family, and anyone connected out of millions of dollars. He wasn’t exactly loved and there was no shortage of people who thought he got what he deserved.

Of course, I was looking for fun stuff about the wine country (would have appreciated more), but was interested in the main characters, who I found engaging including the dog, a golden retriever named Trailer.

The Ponzi tale is complex, the bad guys corrupt, the good guys (and gals) sincere but not infallible. Anne is well developed and I enjoyed reading about her skills in the estate sales business. Twists and turns lead to ever-widening clues and the ending zinger was fun.

Ordinary people doing their job the best they can while going about their lives. Believable characters, well-plotted and paced. I’ll be interested in another wine country installment.

I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the author and publisher through @NetGalley that in no way influenced this review. These are my honest thoughts.

Rosepoint Rating: Four Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Heist Crime, Financial Thrillers
Publisher: Level Best Books
ASIN: B0CYFRW77J
Print Length: 328 pages
Publication Date: May 7, 2024
Source: Publisher and NetGalley

Title Link(s):

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

The Author: Karin Fitz Sanford, a former advertising copywriter, was born in New York but grew up in Northern California’s Wine Country, the setting for her WINE COUNTRY COLD CASE series. Having run her own award-winning ad agency for over twenty-five years, she now devotes herself full time to writing. She lives in Northern California with her husband.

#TuesdayBookBlog

Death Stake by Andrew Mayne #BookReview #financialthrillers

Trasker Book 2

Rosepoint Publishing: Five Stars

Book Blurb:

The trail of missing coders leads a spy into an international underworld of treachery, double agents, and digital espionage in a propulsive thriller by a Wall Street Journal bestselling author.

Retired intelligence operative Brad Trasker heads security at a remote aerospace facility when there’s a major breach. A photo of their top-secret AI-designed hydrogen engine has surfaced online. Trasker’s investigation into who did it soon leads to a start-up in Bangkok, where its three software developers have disappeared, along with nearly a million dollars in investment money.

Following their tracks, Trasker hits a dead end. The start-up’s HQ is a padlocked crime scene. No one—not the cagey locals, the mobbed-up gangs, or the Royal Thai Police—is keen on answering Trasker’s questions. But their message is clear: get out of Bangkok or die.

Hunted by assassins, Trasker is drawn into the same complex high-tech underworld of cryptocurrency, digital espionage, and betrayal that swallowed up the runaway coders. As the line between ally and enemy blurs, and the stakes become life and death, Trasker must navigate the dangerous intersection of modern intelligence and old-school spy games to survive.

His Review:

This book reads like a primer for espionage. With the advent of crypto-currencies, the world has been besieged by crooks who are very computer savvy. Getting into the system and emptying crypto accounts is resulting in billions of dollars in crypto-currency suddenly vanishing. The crimes are being perpetrated against some of the world’s foremost crime syndicates and they are not amused.

A group of young American students have mastered the system of infiltrating these crypto accounts and emptying them. However, any computer hacker knows that using a computer always leaves a trail. Three of four young men are found brutally murdered in an apartment in Thailand and a fourth computer whiz is on the run and hiding. Trasker must find him before the owners of the accounts do.

I found this story extremely informative and educational. The monetary and crypto world has become so sophisticated that Harvard graduates have difficulty figuring out what is going wrong. The FBI, CIA, MI6 and other governmental agencies are searching for these criminal masterminds, but finding them brutally slaughtered is a waste of governmental resources.

Who are the good guys and bad guys? The water gets very murky in this novel. The players are often not what they seem. Staying in a country like Thailand is not easy because their law enforcement agencies are sometimes as corrupt as the criminals. I learned a great deal as I read this book. Crime is not always by the criminals and law enforcement is often jaded and corrupt. Staying alive and trying to solve the crimes can be very difficult. I enjoyed this book and the can of worms it opens. 5 stars – CE Williams

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

Book Details:

Genre: Financial Thrillers, Espionage Thrillers, Political Thrillers
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
ASIN: B0CKJ9CN3P
Print Length: 311 pages
Publication Date: October 29, 2024
Source: Publisher and NetGalley

Title Link(s):

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK | Barnes & Noble

The Author: Andrew Mayne is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author whose books include The Naturalist, a Thriller Award finalist and Black Fall an Edgar Award finalist Black Fall. He’s the star of the Discovery Channel’s Shark Week special Andrew Mayne: Ghost Diver, where he swam alongside great white sharks using an underwater invisibility suit he designed and also was the star of A&E’s Don’t Trust Andrew Mayne. He currently serves as the Science Communicator for OpenAI, the creators of ChatGPT and GPT-4.

@AndrewMayne
AndrewMayne.com

Have a good one

Saving the Guilty by Liz Milliron #BookReview #TuesdayBookBlog

A Laurel Highlands Mystery Book 7

Book Blurb:

When defense attorney Sally Castle agrees to do a favor for an old friend she thinks the case will be simple: present the appeal for a murder conviction and the work is already done. But the more Sally looks into the facts of the case, the more problems she sees. Did sloppy police procedure result in the conviction of an innocent man?

State Trooper Jim Duncan is also working what seems like a straight-forward homicide: the execution-style murder of a man with suspected drug ties. But before the scene is released he learns the victim was living with a deep-cover fake identity. Why?

Jim and Sally pursue their separate investigations and lines begin to cross, leading them to wonder how separate the cases are. As they uncover murder, drugs, infidelity, and federal-level fraud, one thing becomes clear. Someone wants Sally’s client in jail. And they will go to any length, including murder, to keep him there.

My Review:

I enjoyed this character-driven plot where Sally Castle, an exceptional defense attorney and her boyfriend State Trooper Jim Duncan work together so beautifully, cooperatively, and supportively. She has a retired racer greyhound named Pixel. They work well as main characters while Sally’s law partner Tanelsa and Cavendish, Jim’s partner in the state police round out two strong support characters.

Sally agrees to take on a case for a friend in the hospital despite the bad timing which turns out to be a great deal more complex than viewed on first blush. When a second body is found that appears to be tied to the first, it’s Duncan and Cavendish who become involved in the case up to their eyeballs.

“I hope their definition of shortly isn’t the same as my doctor’s office.” (SOOO true!)

Matters become very convoluted very quickly as the author adds clues and twists that keep the reader turning pages. Dialogue is right on, authentic between intelligent and appealing characters. Easy to become invested between the good guys contrasting sharply against the bad guys. Ohhh, the tension.

An entertaining read from start to finish. The plot is well paced and complex but it was the characters I found most appealing. If you enjoy mystery, tension, legal fiction, and great characters, then this one will keep your interest. Recommended.

I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the author and publisher through @NetGalley that in no way influenced this review. These are my honest thoughts.

Rosepoint Rating: Four Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Mystery Series, Police Procedurals
Publisher: Level Best Books
ASIN: B0D9ZRF8JM
Print Length: 345 pages
Publication Date: August 6, 2024
Source: Publisher and NetGalley

Title Link(s):

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

The Author: Compassion, loyalty…and crime.

Liz Milliron is the author of the Laurel Highlands mystery series, featuring a Pennsylvania State Trooper and a Fayette County public defender in the scenic Laurel Highlands of southwest Pennsylvania, and The Homefront Mysteries, set in Buffalo in the early 1940s and following Betty Ahern, a Rosie the Riveter with dreams of being Sam Spade. Liz’s short fiction includes stories in Lucky Charms: 12 Crime Tales and The Killer Wore Cranberry: A Fifth Course of Chaos, as well as stories in Mystery Most Historical, Fish Out of Water, and the Anthony-winning Blood on the Bayou. She is a past president of the Pittsburgh Chapter of Sisters in Crime, as well as a member of International Thriller Writers and Pennwriters. Liz splits her time between Pittsburgh and the Laurel Highlands, where she lives with her husband and a very spoiled retired-racer greyhound.