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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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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
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Rhett C. Bruno: The Roach
A Dark Vigilante Thriller Let’s make that former vigilante, as Reese Roberts has been in a wheelchair for 5-years. His life and spirit are on a downward drop. For years he was know as The Roach, a bane to the criminal underworld and significant or petty criminals at large in Iron City. A bullet from Read more
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Arthur Herbert: The Cuts That Cure
Alex Brantley is a highly skilled surgeon in the wrong profession. So what does he do? Well the choice is limited as his license is revoked and he is pilloried by the media. So change professions and become a high school science teacher and track coach is the answer. In small town Three Rivers, Texas, Read more
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John Greco: Dark Secrets
Let’s start off the Autumn season of short stories with this selection by John Greco. Inside, what is now his fourth book, are stories of murder, enticement and betrayal. The Bombay Hook Incident was a bit of fun and I loved when the character Dee said: “Call me girl one more time, and I’ll shoot Read more
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Trace Conger: Five Will Die
In a departure from some of his earlier books, Trace Conger offers up the tale of Sheriff Tim Burke whose town is at the mercy of a serial killer. Burke moved to Lincoln, Ohio, when an anxiety disorder forced him to leave the Cleveland Police Department. Now confronted with the certainty that a previously trashed, Read more
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Joe R. Lansdale: Moon Lake
In 1968, Daniel Russel was only 13-years old when his father drove them off a bridge in a murder-suicide attempt. Luckily, Ronnie Candles and her father were nearby and he was rescued and taken into their home. At night though Russel is haunted by visits from his father in his dreams. Ten years later when Read more
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LaVonne Griffin-Valade: Dead Point
Maggie Blackthorne is a Sergeant in the Oregon State Police. She’s back in her home town in the eastern Oregon high desert after 20-years. The same faces, and the drunks and pushers, poverty and feuds are all in place. Finding the twin Nodine brothers shot dead along with their dog is a shocking site. Blackthorne Read more