"Baldwin’s debut crime thriller links drugs, murder, and government corruption in a North Carolina-set story...The author ably twists the words of scripture (“Trust in Father”) to creepy effect. However, new characters are introduced at a dizzying rate and some may find the setup—drugs ‘n thugs and a funeral home front—derivative of The Wire."
A delightful book for those who enjoy having their perspectives stretched, who take delight in the weird and idiosyncratic, and who love watching a master author do breathtaking juggling acts with the English language.
Like the roiling waves that attract Dana, the narrator of Kathleen Doler’s suspense novel, the story washes over readers and leaves them caught in the currents, excited and breathless.
"Larkin’s linear writing style, interesting premise, and satisfying conclusion will appeal to detail-oriented readers intrigued by a worst-case scenario threatening the nation. With buckled roads, collapsed buildings, injured people, and no way to reach others, this is an eye-opening cautionary tale."
"Lemoncella Cocktail is unnecessarily long and could use an astute editor to trim it significantly, eliminate many of the characters, and remove mundane details, such as descriptions of meals."
"...the plot holes distract from an engaging story that might otherwise appeal to fans of thrillers and courtroom dramas."
"... with unsympathetic characters, stilted dialogue and an often-baffling plot, Amelia Forever is unlikely to appeal to a wide audience."
" The author’s fictionalized account predominantly serves less as a heady thriller than a vehicle for offering ideas for change. As a result, the audience for this book most likely will be those fed up with the current state of politics seeking a guidepost toward taking action, rather than those looking for a nail-biting suspense story."
"The appeal of the novel is that many of the characters are not who they appear to be. The book is peopled by informants, crooked cops and undercover cops, and by the end, part of the thrill is parsing out who is who. In clipped, noir-ish prose, Rill adds unexpected twists that deliver beyond the familiar cops-and-crooks scenario."
"In this engrossing, action-packed legal thriller set in the modern day, the teen daughter of young Texas lawyer Mickey Grant goes missing...This work of crime fiction is fine story-telling. Satisfying and entertaining, it is certain to be a crowd-pleaser among fans of the genre."
"West Texas Crude has a great deal going for it, and may entertain readers despite its flaws. A bit of polishing and a more fully developed solution to the mystery, however, would put it in the league of James Magnuson’s wryly powerful works of Southwest noir."
"The Assassins’ Game has the bones of a good thriller, but isn’t yet polished enough to shine. With some recalibrating and editing, however, it could be a solid addition to the thriller genre."
"This utterly compelling historical novel revolves around several characters whose lives have been irrevocably changed and, for the most part, damaged, by the WWII Japanese invasion of Singapore. This book will be enjoyed by a wide readership, particularly those who appreciate a fast-paced, realistic tale of war, survival and redemption."
"In this action-packed young adult novel, 15-year-old Will Conlan finds his own morality under fire. The book—the second in the series—is engaging overall, and Will is a likeable hero. Given its fast-paced plot, the book would be particularly well-suited for teens who like the action of video games brought to the printed page."
"Blind Thrust makes good use of Marquis’ background as a professional geologist, particularly in NEIC workers’ discussions of the quake and Joe’s investigation of a mysterious leak on Quantrill Ventures property...For suspense fans who enjoy science mixed with their thrills, Blind Thrust offers page-turning pleasures."
"The Slush Pile Brigade capitalizes on the fear every author feels when sliding that precious manuscript into an envelope and sending it off to publishers...Read it not for the rewards of carefully crafted intrigue, but for the enjoyable romp that it is."
"A gritty, true-crime approach to a fantastical tale about ancient monsters and supernatural peril. The gory and stark feel of the book may be a bit much for casual readers, but horror and crime fans will find a promising work packed with genuinely creepy moments in these pages."
"Leeching the Sirens is intelligently written and intense. Debauchery is as much a part of the artist’s drive as is his desire to perfect on canvas the beauty and form of the female figure. To that end, the author presents well-defined character portrayals and doesn’t rely on gratuitousness for the story’s suspense."
"A suspenseful cat-and-mouse story that details what happens when a corpse washes up on a Northern California beach and local police struggle to keep up with the unfolding revelations of a secret NSA operation. The story’s characters are distinctive, and the dialogue is sharp. Missing punctuation could be caught with a careful copyedit."