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J.B. Stevens: A Therapeutic Death
Violent Short Stories I had to sit on the review for this book to be released. Here it is at last – COVID-19 has created problems for both writers and publishers. So here we have tales of desperation, fear, and longing and desire. All of them wrapped up in stories that seem to have impossible Read more
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Curtis Ippolito: Burying the Newspaper Man
The place is San Diego, California, and the cop on the beach beat is Marcus Kemp. He’s got quite the record for finding stolen cars and he’s just located another one. Upon opening the trunk, Kemp finds more than he could have imagined. It’s not the man’s body that alarms him so much. It’s the Read more
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A Dark and Broken Heart: R.J. Ellroy
The other day found me rereading A Dark and Broken Heart (2012). That’s actually surprising as I have little time for such indulgence. This overview is from Ellroy’s website: It should have all been so easy for Vincent Madigan. Take four hundred grand from the thieves who stole it in the first place and who Read more
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David Whitton: Seven Down
Seven of them: Reservations, Engineering, Catering, Courtesy, Security, Management, and Systems. Seven sleeper agents at a chic hotel. They know nothing about each other. They know only about the phone call that will set them on their assigned task. Written as an interrogation of each agent in turn, we see that what starts off as Read more
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Joshua Melville: American Time Bomb
Attica, Sam Melville, and a Son’s Search for Answers You know I like to shake things around, so here is another non-fiction crime book/memoir for your consideration. Written by Joshua Melville, American Time Bomb relates the history of his father Sam Melville, and the people and groups (like the Weathermen) he associated with. It also Read more
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Terrence McCauley: The Wandering Man
Charlie Doherty is an NYPD sergeant. To be more accurate, he has the shield, but he’s still the bagman for Chief Carmichael. No, even that’s not quite right. He’s the be all, do all for Carmichael. By trying to define who Doherty is, begins to show you how complex he is. And why this book, Read more
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Will Carver: Psychopaths Anonymous
Maeve is a raging alcoholic. Mind you she doesn’t see herself that way. She goes to AA meetings to manipulate and exploit the members there. Inside she ridicules their fears, struggles and triumphs, while presenting a sympathetic demeanor. In Maeve’s mind they are all losers and the whole 12-Step process is one big load of Read more
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Simon Maltman: The Mark
Vicky Stark does music covers at birthdays, anniversaries and the like. She also takes photos of household alarm systems so her ex-boyfriend Mike can burgle their homes and split the profits with her. She’s going on vacation, leaving rainy Belfast for the Canary Island of Lanzarote. Warm breezes and poolside relaxation are what she needs Read more
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Sam Wiebe: Hell and Gone
PI Dave Wakeland is minding his own business when chaos breaks outside his office window. Masked, gun wielding raiders are coming out of a building across the street. It’s a heist of some type and they don’t hesitate to shoot the pedestrians on the sidewalk as they move to their van. Wakeland takes the fire Read more
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Kevin G. Chapman: Perilous Gambit
Senator Harlan Bushfield III is assassinated on his way home after a fundraising event. South Dakota FBI agents Derek Dumm and Chelsea Anne Shields are assigned to the case. A risqué photo on the Senator’s phone has them contacting the NYPD for assistance to locate the people in the photo. One of those individuals has Read more
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Michael J Clark: The Truth You’re Told
Freshly fired from her job Sam Hutchins heads to the family cabin in Manitoba, Canada. Sam is joined by her daughter Meg, and begins to reconnect with lake friends from prior years. She’s supposed to be writing a book, but time and reacquaintances are moving her along with little on the page. It’s digging into Read more
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Jason Beech: Keep the Motor Running
Not a Love Triangle – Something Else Jason Beech presents us with three people: Karl Lankester, married with two children, a wife who’s just hanging on, and her badgering mother. Tempest Stanley, Karl’s neighbour. Sultry, sharp and embarrassed that she’s sunk so low to put up living with an abusive boyfriend. Czech Downes, Tempest’s boyfriend, Read more
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Melissa Yi: White Lightning
There’s unusual things happening at the Rum Runner Inn. And no surprise, Dr. Hope Sze and her boyfriend Tucker are in the middle of it, there for a rare weekend away with friends. From the outset things are strange, her friend is spooked about a ghost, and Tucker – he has his own reasons for Read more
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Nick Kolakowski: Love & Bullets
The Rockaway Mob is pissed. Bill has made off with their money. He’s tired of the con artist life and sees the money as a score to relieve the tedium of his existence. It could even be a mid-life crisis he’s going thru. The head of the Rockaway mob is The Dean, a fussy, pompous, Read more
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Nigel Bird: Ain’t That a Kick in the Head
Totally stealing the review from my UK blogging buddy Colman over at Criminal Col’s Library: Ain’t That a Kick in the Head