#NetGalleyreviewer – Page 6 – Rosepoint Publishing

Dead Men Wag No Tails by Sarah Fox #BookReview #Witch&WizardMysteries

A Magical Menagerie Mystery Book 2

Book Blurb:

Romance, treasure and danger collide in the charming coastal town of Twilight Cove. Don’t miss the newest instalment in USA Today bestselling author Sarah Fox’s enchanting Magical Menagerie mystery series!

“For a small seaside town, Twilight Cove sure has plenty of excitement . . .”

Georgie Johansen’s return to the coastal haven of Twilight Cove has been a dream come true: she gets to work with Auntie O at the animal sanctuary, has adopted two very adorable dogs who have very special abilities and even has a blossoming romance with the gorgeous farmhand Callum.

It’s August and the town is buzzing with anticipation for the annual Dead Eye Days pirate festival. The excitement reaches a fever pitch when long-term resident Jasper, a pirate fanatic, declares he is in possession of a treasure map!

However, the hunt for treasure soon becomes a hunt for a murderer when Jasper is found dead, and Georgie is once again compelled to put on her sleuthing hat. With her extraordinary dogs Flossie and Fancy beside her, and Euclid, the mysterious great-horned owl, keeping a watchful eye on them, can she uncover the killer and protect Twilight Cove? Or will her curiosity put a bounty on her own head?

This delightful cozy mystery series with a magical twist is perfect for fans of Sofie Kelly, Amanda Flowers, Wendy Corsi Staub and Gretchen Rue!

His Review:

A legend of pirate treasure always stirs the quest for instant fortune in most of us. An old treasure map is found near Twilight Cove and the whole town seems to want to get in on the action. Suddenly, however, some of the towns folk seem to disappear without a trace. Is there a killer in the town who wants to keep the treasure?

Georgie has been a private sleuth all of her life. She tends to be a bit of a pain for local law enforcement. She has been told to leave the investigations and crime solving to the professionals. Trouble is, her inquisitive mind will not allow her to stand back and watch.

Jasper Hogan possesses an old treasure map but shoots his mouth off rather than quietly going about the task of finding the treasure. When he is killed, the map goes missing. As luck would have it, a copy of the map is still around and Georgie has seen it. Can she find out who killed Jasper and is looking for the treasure?

This story is a testament to the dangers of not letting the police investigate and solve crimes. As the story develops there are serious episodes of people suddenly going missing. Is Georgie putting herself in danger by not keeping out of the investigation and minding her own business? This book examines the motivation, risks and dangers of treasure hunting. Enjoy this tale! 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: Witch & Wizard Mysteries, Magical Realism, Amateur Sleuth Mysteries
Publisher: Severn House
ISBN:1448312310
ASIN: B0D9M9X28B
Print Length: 217 pages
Publication Date: January 7, 2025
Source: Publisher and NetGalley

Title Link(s):

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

The Author: Sarah Fox was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, where she developed a love for mysteries at a young age. When not writing novels or working as a legal writer, she is often reading her way through a stack of books or spending time outdoors with her English Springer Spaniel. http://www.authorsarahfox.com

Enjoy Your Sunday

Waking Up in Vegas by J E Rowney #BookReview #TuesdayBookBlog

in West Mountain United States Travel Books

Book Blurb:

Five best friends. One unforgettable bachelorette weekend. A Vegas adventure that will change their lives forever.

Jess has always been the responsible one, the planner. But for her bachelorette party in Las Vegas, she’s ready to let loose with her four best friends. VIP passes, exclusive clubs, and a weekend of carefree fun – what could possibly go wrong?

Everything, as it turns out.

When Jess wakes up in a bathtub full of ice with no memory of the night before, she knows something has gone terribly amiss. Her maid of honor and best friend Rachel is missing, and the other girls are scattered around their luxurious suite in various states of disarray. As they piece together the events of their lost night, they uncover a web of secrets that threatens to unravel their tight-knit group.

In the glittering, high-stakes world of Las Vegas, Jess and her friends must confront their deepest insecurities, question their trust in each other, and navigate the complex dynamics of female friendship. With each revelation, they’re forced to reevaluate not just their weekend, but their entire lives.

“Waking Up In Vegas” is an addictive psychological thriller that will resonate with anyone who’s ever tested the bonds of friendship. It’s about the choices we make, the secrets we keep, and the strength we find in each other when the chips are down.

Perfect for fans of “The Hangover” meets “Gone Girl,” this is one bachelorette party you won’t want to miss.

My Review:

What could have been one of “those” women fiction novels, and certainly starts as if it will with the bachelorette weekend plans orchestrated by Rachel, this one veers in the thriller direction rather quickly. Jess, the bride for whom all the plans have been laid, wakes the morning following their inaugural night out in Vegas in a tub of ice water.

OOPS! I’m wondering if she’s also missing a kidney, but this isn’t that type of thriller. It doesn’t take long before Jess takes in the destruction of the hotel suite but does take a little longer to find three of the others, Rachel being among the missing. The common denominator between them all, found in various bazaar conditions, is that none of them have any memory of the night before. So what happened? And where is Rachel?

They are a tight-knit group of five, with the last addition of Olivia. Lisa is handcuffed to a Bellagio employee and the other two are in equally outrageous circumstances. After some deliberation, they begin to pool what little memories each have of the night before. Jess thought Rachel’s constant attention to her phone with Cynthia, the party coordinator, felt suspicious and they determined their first consideration had to be to find Rachel.

As the day wears on, each character is described, developed, and the reader engaged. They investigate each new clue, where they went, what they did, and where it could have led to Rachel’s disappearance.

In the meantime, Vegas is first depicted as the exciting spectacle it is with lights, sounds, and most especially the searing heat, varying little between night and day, and then the somewhat dark, sinister crush of humanity in the underbelly. Each nuance adds to the tension and lays on another level of psychological stress. Trust each other? Trust Jess’s fiance’s warning? What kind of hold does Cynthia have over Rachel? Trust no one, including the police?

I have to admit I tired of some redundant angst but was also thrown by several twists that headed off in a totally different direction than I’d imagined and discovered there was no way I could second guess this one. That and the final denoument in conclusion provided a satisfying ending. Certainly unusual and well paced after a leisurely start and kept interest but I’d have my reservations with the way lessons are bestowed.

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: West Mountain United States Travel Books, Travel, Heist Thrillers
ASIN: B0DG9NL9S9
Print Length: 280 pages
Publication Date: October 25, 2024
Source: Publisher and NetGalley

Title Link(s):

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK | Barnes & Noble

J E Rowney - author — J E Rowney – author

The Author: “Gaslight” is a gripping novel that tells the story of a young woman named Ella, who becomes convinced that she is being gaslit by her partner. As she struggles to uncover the truth, she is forced to confront the dark secrets that lie hidden in her own past.

Rowney’s writing style is known for being fast-paced and suspenseful, with a focus on building tension and keeping readers on the edge of their seats. She is skilled at creating complex, multidimensional characters and weaving together intricate plots that keep readers guessing until the very end.

In addition to her work as a writer, Rowney is also an advocate for mental health awareness and works to support mental health charities. This theme is often present in her books, which explore the impact of trauma and mental illness on the lives of her characters.

Overall, J.E. Rowney is a talented author who has gained a following for her gripping psychological thrillers. “Gaslight” is just one example of her ability to create unforgettable stories that leave readers on the edge of their seats.

Ms. Rowney says: “I always dreamed of being a writer, until I realised that I was. Then I started to write.”

You can find out more about JE Rowney on her website at jerowney.com, or follow @jerowneywriter on social media and @jerowney on TikTok

#TuesdayBookBlog

Summit’s Edge by Sara Driscoll #BookReview #cozyanimalmystery

An FBI K-9 Novel #9

Rosepoint Publishing: Five Stars

Book Blurb:

FBI handler Meg Jennings and her K-9 partner, Hawk, vie to rescue plane crash survivors from a Colorado mountain—and contend with a hijacker determined to escape justice.

As long as there’s hope of finding life, no mission is too dangerous for Meg Jennings and her colleagues in the FBI K-9 unit. But locating the wreckage of a hijacked private plane high in the Elk Mountains of Colorado is treacherous in a multitude of ways—some of them impossible for even a seasoned team to predict.

The plane, carrying the board of directors of Barron Pharmaceuticals, crashed on a rocky peak and was cleaved in two. Perilous weather means the rescuers have to ascend on foot, with their dogs unleashed in case of falls. It takes hours to locate the wreckage, but miraculously, Meg and Hawk find a number of passengers and crew still alive. The hijacker also survived, and has fled into the wilderness with the CEO’s son in pursuit.

As soon as day breaks, the K-9 teams set out to find both men, and the dogs quickly pick up a scent trail. Meg has used her connections with an investigative reporter to learn as much as she can about the hijacker, hoping to use it when they apprehend him. But first, they must contend with the mountain’s savage fury and an adversary who will destroy as many lives as possible rather than face justice . . .

My Review:

I really don’t remember if I discovered this series with book one or came in somewhere and decided I needed to read the rest, but I have read all in the series and never get tired of the relationship between Meg and Hawk and the other handlers and their K-9s as well.

Each could be read as a standalone and each is unique in location and mission, sometimes including support characters within the K9 community or that of her fiancé Todd Wells. He is a firefighter/emt and is experienced in rescue.

In this episode, she is joined by fellow K9 handler Brian with his dog Lacey. They are sent to the Colorado mountains to search and hopefully recover survivors of a downed corporate aircraft carrying members of Barron Pharmaceuticals. It had been hijacked and it is unknown whether or not any survived, including the hijacker.

The first problem of course is the altitude, being known as the thirteen or fourteeners, those mountains exceeding 14,000 feet. (Hubby and I climbed Mt Fuji while in Japan and at almost 12,390 feet, as tall as I’d want to go. I can tell you, it’s cold up there. We hiked it by moonlight, all night, reaching the summit at daybreak.)

“A wise man climbs Mt Fuji once, only a fool climbs it twice.” (Japanese proverb)

Besides the inclusion of those beautiful service animals, the author always includes lots of info about the locations and specific missions. This one includes mountain climbing, of course, as well as weapons, high altitude illness, and preparedness.

The episode hooks you immediately with the hijacking of the plane and continues with a fast-pace through their climb, search, perilous conditions, definitions of the skill and associated equipment. Also, strategies and care of the animals in extreme conditions.

First, it’s a nail-biter finding the crash site which then extends into the search for the hijacker and the son of the CEO who’s followed the hijacker into treacherous upper wilderness. The suspense ramps up in intensity as the team begins feeling the pace, altitude, cold, and desperate conditions.

Hard put to name my favorite book of the series, not sure I could, but this one would definitely be in an upper position and heartily 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.

Book Details:

Genre: Cozy Animal Mystery, Cozy Animal Mysteries, Police Procedurals
Publisher: Kensington Books
ASIN: B0CWB7VWSS
Print Length: 302 pages
Publication Date: November 26, 2024
Source: Publisher and NetGalley

Title Link(s):

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

The Author: Sara Driscoll is the pen name of Jen J. Danna, coauthor of the Abbott and Lowell Forensic Mysteries and author of the FBI K-9s and the NYPD Negotiators. After over thirty years in infectious diseases research, Jen hung up her lab coat to concentrate on her real love—writing “exceptional” thrillers (Publishers Weekly). She is a member of the Crime Writers of Canada and lives with her husband and four rescued cats outside of Toronto, Ontario. You can follow the latest news on her books, including the FBI K-9s, at http://www.saradriscollauthor.com.

Have a good week!

Rosepoint Reviews – October Recap – Welcome Holiday Season (or not)

Rosepoint Reviews-October Recap

October kicks off the end of the year for us, beginning with our daughter’s birthday in the middle of October and then Halloween of course, although we no longer celebrate the latter as much as we did when the kids were young, I still decorate. Seems like it then begins a mad dash to the end of the year and this year a presidential election here in the colonies—so glad to see the end of that!!

As much time spent in the spring setting up the yard, the gardens, and all things outdoors, it takes as much to clean it back up. Perhaps more so this year with tackling the veggie bed and cleaning up roots and dirt clods turned to cement. It was a disappointing year for a garden, veggie or flower.

Trying to recognize a full year with Punkin the Pom, I read several doggie genre books, adventure or service animals. A Pomeranian is meant to be a companion animal, of course, but she has no clue that’s her job. I am still finishing up a doggy theme book I’d hoped to include in October, the latest from Sara Driscoll, and ran out of time and will post that review in early November. As mentioned before…Punkin is still learning to be a dog. I guess eventually we’ll have to begin teaching her some commands. In the meantime, it’s sufficient to be working on housetraining. (Yeah, still.)

I continue to get books from NetGalley as well as author and publisher requests, and my local library, both ebooks and audiobooks. The review count for the month was fourteen, but I included both W Bruce Cameron’s novels in one post. As always, links on titles are to our reviews that include purchase or source information.

The Johnstown Flood by David McCullough (audiobook)
Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty (audiobook)
Echo by Tracy Clark
What Have You Done by Shari Lapena (audiobook)
Going Dark by George K Mehok (CE review)
Death by Jelly Beans by Susan Black
A Dog’s Courage and A Dog’s Promise by W Bruce Cameron (audiobook)
Late Checkout by Alan Orloff (CE review)
An Insignificant Case by Phillip Margolin
Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe (audiobook)
The More the Terrier by David Rosenfelt (audiobook)
Local Gone Missing by Fiona Barton (audiobook)
Death Comes in Threes by Michael Jecks (CE Review)

Favorite Book of the Month

The CE gave Going Dark by George K Mehok five stars but we both listened to The Johnstown Flood audiobook in our travels to and from Arkansas in September and loved it. The research, details, and characters so well-fleshed the reader cares what happens to them in the flood. I’m going with:

Favorite for October – The Johnstown Flood by David McCullough

My Reading Challenges page…Reading Challenges page—pretty much status quo. My Goodreads Challenge is at 110 towards a goal of 130 at 85%.

Thank you new subscribers—welcome! I always appreciate those of you who continue to monitor, read, and comment on my posts. Hope this recap finds you well and looking forward to the holidays!

Have a great weekend!

Death Comes in Threes by Michael Jecks #BookReview #RenaissanceHistoricalFiction

A Bloody Mary Tudor Mystery Book

Book Blurb:

Princess Elizabeth’s unlikely assassin finds himself on the hook for two murders in this light-hearted Tudor mystery series!

August, 1558. As London is bustling with growing trade from foreign lands, and Queen Mary’s health is once again a hot topic, Jack Blackjack has much to keep him busy. And that’s before his new tenant – a Dutch merchant – disappears under a cloud of suspicion, quickly presumed murdered, and Jack’s latest female companion’s body is found mere streets from her dwelling place.

People around Jack keep inconveniently getting murdered, and he seems to be the most likely culprit! With both the authorities and the unsavoury echelons of London on his tail, nowhere is safe for Jack to hide. He must go about proving his innocence – and uncovering the mirky truth – while ensuring he doesn’t find himself dancing the Tyburn jig!

The question is – can he rely on friends in high – and very low – places to get him out of this ever-increasing mess?

For readers who like their historical mysteries with a dash of farce and frolicking fun!

His Review:

Britain in the late 1500’s was not a pleasant place to live. Serfdom was just coming to an end and wages were pitifully low. Anyone with property was a target to all of the oppressed population. One needed bodyguards to go to the pubs or houses of ill repute and were always a target of the poor. Jack Blackjack was one of those targets.

Jack maintained a number of houses and had many enemies. He was a dandy who enjoyed the favors of many of the young ladies in the village. He was known and often chased by those who hated him. He had worked with both Lady Elisabeth and Queen Mary and had received a Royal pardon for his crimes. This did not sit well with his enemies.

This tome reveals a time in history when individual life was not worth much. Being well armed with swords and knives as well as cudgels was essential. Jack continues to live by the craftiness of his upbringing and his attention to detail. Living in this part of the past would not be a welcoming environment. Enjoy Jack’s escapades. 4.5 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.

Rosepoint Publishing: Four point Five Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Renaissance Historical Fiction, Historical Mysteries
Publisher: Severn House
ISBN:1448313805
ASIN: B0D9M8KVDG
Print Length: 258 pages
Publication Date: January 7, 2025
Source: Publisher and NetGalley

Title Link(s):

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

The Author: Who is this guy Jecks?

Michael was a moderate student and early on, being a callow youth, decided on a career as an actuary. This decision was based solely on the fact that he heard it was the highest paid profession. Well, he had a father who was one, and a brother, too, but the money certainly helped.

Not realizing that a standard definition of an actuary is “someone who finds accountancy too exciting”, he achieved the relevant grades at A level and wandered off to City University, London. There, he excelled – as bar chairman – but not at actuarial studies. Firmly convinced that his course was incomprehensible (Life & Other Contingencies? Advanced Statistics? Programming in Pascal?) and other parts were designed by knaves, cretins and the criminally insane (Economics), he left the course after failing every exam for two years.

With the glittering example of a second, unqualified, brother who earned very good money, had a bonus scheme, free car, free petrol, expense account and free holiday each year, Michael decided to follow this brother into computer sales.

Moving to safer shores with software sales, Michael joined IBM’s largest software supplier, Bluebird. They went bust a year later (owing him a lot).

Out of Computing, Into Writing

In three months, Michael worked seven days a week, fourteen hours a day. In that time he wrote a modern day thriller, a management book on how to get work when made redundant (he had experience of that) and a historical crime novel that was to become The Last Templar.

Since 1995 and the launch of The Last Templar, Michael has been a persistent and prolific author. City of Fiends was the 31st story in the series that follows the lives of Sir Baldwin de Furnshill, a renegade Templar, and his friend Bailiff Simon Puttock through the miserable period of famine, war and disease that was the first half of the fourteenth century.

The series is the first to tell the tale of that time.

Michael is a regular speaker about the Knights Templar, the end of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, about writing and publishing, and about finding work. He is also keen to help those who are now going through the latest recession. He endured enough hardship, and lost all his savings, during the last recession, and understands what it means to risk losing everything.

An enthusiastic photographer and watercolourist, Michael can often be seen walking across Dartmoor where he lives, gaining inspiration into the lives of our ancestors for his stories. When relaxing he can usually be found clad in white in a pub near you before dancing mad stick Morris.

Of course, if you want to contact him or link on social media, you can find him at writerlywitterings.com, he’s on YouTube as writerlywitterer, on LinkedIn, he is at Facebook.com/Michael.Jecks.author, at Flickr.com/photos/Michael_Jecks, on Instagram, Pinterest and everywhere else too! He appreciates hearing from readers, so do please contact him.

[Note: My apologies to the author but parts of this bio were truncated. Please see the author page for his complete story.]

Happy Thursday!

An Insignificant Case: A Thriller by Phillip Margolin #BookReview #TuesdayBookBlog

Book Blurb:

A new standalone legal thriller from the international bestselling author of GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN.

Charlie Webb is a third rate lawyer who graduated from a third rate law-school and, because he couldn’t get hired by any of the major law firms, has opened his own law firm, where he gets by handling cases for dubious associates from his youth and some court appointed cases. Described as “a leaky boat floating down the stream of life,” Charlie has led unremarkable life, personally and professionally. Until he’s appointed to be the attorney for a decidedly crackpot artist who calls himself Guido Sabatini (born Lawrence Weiss). Sabatini has been arrested – again – for breaking into a restaurant and stealing back a painting he sold them because he was insulted by where it was displayed. But as Lawrence Weiss, he’s also an accomplished card shark and burglar and while he was there, he stole a thumb drive from the owner’s safe.

Not knowing what else Sabatani has stolen, Webb negotiates the return of the painting and “other items’ for the owner dropping charges against Sabatini. But the contents of the flash drive threatens very powerful figures who are determined to retrieve it, the restaurant owner (Gretchen Hall) and her driver (Yuri Makarov) are being investigated for the sex trafficking of minors, and there are others who have a violent grudge against Sabatini. When a minor theft case becomes a double homicide, and even more, Charlie Webb, an insignificant lawyer assigned to an insignificant case, is faced with the most important, and deadliest, case of his life. Going back to his long-time bestselling roots, Phillip Margolin returns with a brilliant standalone legal thriller in the tradition of John Grisham.

My Review:

I have read and enjoyed a number of Margolin’s books but usually in the Robin Lockwood series. This one, as a standalone, creates what could be the start of another great series.

The reader is introduced to Charlie Webb, definitely not caliber class attorney material who barely scraped by from a third-rate school to become a third-rate lawyer. No problem, he opens his own office and, again, barely scrapes by with what business he can glean, most often lately from a motorcycle gang often finding its members in a hassle with law enforcement.

Gees, I loved him already!

So when he gets a file for Guido Sabatini, local artist and nut case, he takes it on thinking it’s a simple B and E. Well, then, of course, there is the small matter of his also lifting something from the safe he got into while on a mission to steal back his painting that found him insulted by its placement. He felt it should have been hung where the public would have full view—not in someone’s back office. Oops.

It’s not the painting so much as the little device he stole and that sets up a whole different breed of case and one not in Charlie’s bailiwick. He is badly in over his head, knows it, tries to refuse the case. Guido insists it must be he. I guess you have to start somewhere, but Charlie has to find some help—quick.

As you might suspect, it’s a fast read, engaging with unusual characters, and entertaining. Yes, there are some twists and it’s possible that a reader who enjoys not only a legal thriller, but mysteries, crime fiction, and courtroom dramas would enjoy this one. If you like Grisham, you’d surely like this as well.

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 point Five Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Legal Thrillers, Murder Thrillers, Murder
Publisher: Minotaur Books
ISBN-10: ‎1250885825
ISBN-13: ‎978-125088582
ASIN: B0CQHMJKWN
Print Length: 304 pages
Publication Date: November 5, 2024
Source: Publisher and NetGalley

Title Link(s):

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

The Author: PHILLIP MARGOLIN has written over twenty novels, most of them New York Times bestsellers, including Gone But Not Forgotten, Lost Lake, and Violent Crimes. In addition to being a novelist, he was a long time criminal defense attorney with decades of trial experience, including a large number of capital cases. Margolin lives in Portland, Oregon.

#TuesdayBookBlog

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.