KN Magazine: Reviews
Give Place to Wrath by Steven Harms / Review by Sheila Sobel
GIVE PLACE TO WRATH
By Steve C. Harms
KCM Publishing
$12.99
ISBN 978-1939961723
Publication Date: October 28, 2017
BOOK OF THE DAY
Killer Nashville 2018 Silver Falchion Nominee
After sinking the putt of a lifetime, Mary Hale is dead. The explosion that killed her left little evidence. The assassin that killed her left behind one obscure clue. Detective Roger Viceroy and his Midwest Region Special Crimes Unit team have virtually nothing to help them solve her murder. Tension builds as the assassin strikes again and again. The killings appear to be random because each murder is different, but Viceroy soon discovers that every crime scene contains a similar, solitary clue. The killer is clever and highly motivated. He thwarts and teases Viceroy and the Special Crimes Unit with each new victim. As Viceroy and his team piece together the puzzle, they uncover the thread that binds the crimes—Curwood, Wisconsin, a sleepy little town with a dark, hidden past. Viceroy, believing that Governor Kay Spurgeon is the next target, is up against a ticking clock. Give Place to Wrath will leave the reader wanting a quick release of a second book in the series.
After three decades as a professional sports business executive across the NBA, NFL, and MLB, Steven C. Harms has knocked it out of the park with his debut novel, Give Place to Wrath by combining sports with a police procedural. He resides in Oxford, Michigan, a rural suburb of Detroit. For more information about Steven C. Harms: http://stevencharms.com/
After thirty-three years and seventy films (including Harry Potter, The Matrix trilogy and Batman, The Dark Knight), Sheila stepped away from the film business to complete her Young Adult novel. Her debut novel Color Blindwon the 2017 Killer Nashville Reader's Choice Award for Best Fiction YA and was a Finalist for the 2017 Silver Falchion Award for Best Fiction YA. Sheila was also nominated for the 2016 Allegra Johnson Prize in Novel Writing through UCLA Extension Writers’ Program.
Sheila is a member of International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and Women in Film. She lives in Beverly Hills with her husband, two dogs and a cat. www.sheilasobel.com
Unto the Third Generation by Larry & Rosemary Mild / Reviewed by Sharon Marchisello
UNTO THE THIRD GENERATION
By Rosemary and Larry Mild
Magic Island Literary Works
$11.95
ISBN 978-0990547228
Publication Date: November 1, 2017
BOOK OF THE DAY
Killer Nashville 2018 Silver Falchion Nominee
Unto the Third Generation, a Novella of the Future, by Rosemary and Larry Mild (Magic Island Literary Works) is a Silver Falchion nominee in the Best Fantasy/Sci-Fi category. It prompts the reader to wonder, "What if…"
The story begins in the prime number year 2039. A group of scientists and other dignitaries are celebrating the end of world hunger thanks to the development of Synthomanna, a synthetic food that has just been approved for worldwide distribution.
But another problem arises that year: the outbreak of Infirenza, a deadly flu-like disease so-named because it first appeared in Florence (Firenze), Italy. There's no known cure or vaccine, and the medical community is not even sure how it is spread.
There are many P.O.V. characters, sometimes within the same scene. Two of the main protagonists are Fanny Mapleton, a waitress from St. Louis, and Leo Tall-Chief, a high-rise construction worker from Columbus, Ohio. Both contract Infirenza and are on the brink of death when they are accepted into an experimental cryogenic program. They meet briefly during recruitment, find each other attractive, and then end up hibernating side-by-side for 24 years.
A lot changes in the world while Fanny and Leo sleep, but the reader sees little of it. Funding priorities for cryogenic research have shifted, and the subjects are all but forgotten. A rogue doctor and nurse team decides to resuscitate them. But when the cryonauts awaken, they are asked to take on a new role that might help save mankind.
As well as this foray into science fiction, Rosemary and Larry Mild co-author cozy mysteries, adventure/thrillers, short stories, articles, and essays. They belong to Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and Hawaii Fiction Writers.
Sharon Marchisello (sharonmarchisello.com) is the author of Going Home, (Sunbury Press, 2014) a murder mystery inspired by her mother's battle with Alzheimer's. She earned a Masters in Professional Writing from the University of Southern California and is a member of the Atlanta Chapter of Sisters in Crime. She lives in Peachtree City, GA, with her husband and cat, does volunteer work for the Fayette Humane Society, and writes a blog about personal finance, Countdown to Financial Fitness https://sharonmarchisello.blogspot.com/.
Insidious Intent by Val McDermid / Reviewed by Sharon Marchisello
INSIDIOUS INTENT
By Val McDermid
Atlantic Monthly Press
$14.79
ISBN 978-0802127167
Publication Date: December 5, 2017
BOOK OF THE DAY
Killer Nashville 2018 Silver Falchion Nominee
Insidious Intent, the tenth installment of international bestselling author Val McDermid's Tony Hill and Carol Jordan series, has been nominated for a Silver Falchion award.
Dr. Tony Hill is an astute psychological profiler and former police detective Carol Jordan has recently been tapped to head the elite Regional Major Incident Team. Their first case involves a forensically savvy serial killer with no previous criminal record and no connection to any of his unrelated victims. All were single women who met a dashing stranger at a wedding, engaged in a whirlwind courtship, and then were found burned to a crisp in their own cars, stranded in remote locations.
AsInsidious Intent was my first introduction to this series, I felt a bit like a newcomer at a family reunion. All the characters had rich back stories and complex relationships which were alluded to in passing. I'm still wondering what happened to Carol's brother and his wife; I only know they met a tragic end, most likely simultaneously, and Carol is still haunted by their deaths.
Nevertheless, my unfamiliarity with the characters' history did not prevent me from becoming thoroughly engaged in this well-crafted British police procedural. The author rotates point-of-view among the characters who play essential roles on the task force, like cogs in a well-oiled machine. An interesting sub-plot features Detective Sergeant Paula McIntyre and her partner Elinor, wards of an orphaned teenager, Torin, who becomes a target of cyber-bullying.
Besides the frustration of hunting a murderer who knows how to cover his tracks, the team faces pressure from above to deliver results and skepticism from other branches of law enforcement who resent them. And a pesky reporter starts digging up unsavory details from Carol's past which could derail her career, taking the fledgling task force down along with her. When they catch a break and figure out the identity of the alleged culprit, he lawyers up and taunts them with their lack of concrete evidence, which further convinces the brass to shut down their investigation and dismantle the team. Desperation drives Tony and Carol to use unorthodox methods, with an end result readers will not see coming.
Multiple award-winning author Val McDermid has been turning out murder mysteries for over thirty years. In addition to her popular Tony Hill/Carol Jordan series, she has published series featuring sleuths Karen Pirie, Lindsay Gordon, and Kate Branigan, as well as several short story collections and nonfiction books.
Sharon Marchisello (sharonmarchisello.com) is the author of Going Home, (Sunbury Press, 2014) a murder mystery inspired by her mother's battle with Alzheimer's disease. She earned a Masters in Professional Writing from the University of Southern California and is a member of the Atlanta chapter of Sisters in Crime. She lives in Peachtree City, GA, with her husband and cat, does volunteer work for the Fayette Humane Society, and writes a blog about personal finance, Countdown to Financial Fitness https://sharonmarchisello.blogspot.com/
The Ostermann House by J.R. Klein / Review by Sharon Marchisello
THE OSTERMANN HOUSE
By J.R. Klein
CreateSpace
$13.95
ISBN 978-1544815053
Publication Date: June 19, 2017
BOOK OF THE DAY
Killer Nashville 2018 Silver Falchion Nominee
J.R. Klein's paranormal psychological thriller, The Ostermann House, has been nominated for a Silver Falchion award. Read it and step into The Twilight Zone.
The protagonist is university professor Michael Felton. He and his wife Audrey, also a professor at a university in Houston, seek refuge from the rat race of the city and buy an old farmhouse in the eccentric community of Krivac, Texas. The price was a steal and they soon find out why.
There's a shroud of mystique surrounding the former owner, Herman Ostermann, who was feared and loathed by the townspeople. Michael and Audrey, as the new owners of the Ostermann House, are distrusted by association.
Weird things start happening. Items disappear or are moved. Cryptic messages appear on Michael's computer. Mysterious nonograms are found on the property.
People visit and chat, and then the next day denies the interaction. Many of the people who show up have been reported dead… long dead.
Michael and Audrey alternate from being spooked, to shrugging it off, to being curious, to not caring, to be totally creeped out. Just when they make up their minds to cut their losses and leave Krivac, they find they might not be able to.
J.R. Klein has a Ph.D. in Immunology from John Hopkins University and has published over 150 articles in academic journals and mainstream magazines. His first novel, Frankie Jones, was published in 2016. He currently lives in Houston, Texas, with his wife.
Sharon Marchisello (sharonmarchisello.com) is the author of Going Home, (Sunbury Press, 2014) a murder mystery inspired by her mother's battle with Alzheimer's disease. She earned a Masters in Professional Writing from the University of Southern California and is a member of the Atlanta chapter of Sisters in Crime. She lives in Peachtree City, GA, with her husband and cat, does volunteer work for the Fayette Humane Society, and writes a blog about personal finance, Countdown to Financial Fitness https://sharonmarchisello.blogspot.com/
Lesson Plan for Murder by Lori Robbins / Review by Joy Gorence
Lesson Plan For Murder
By Lori Robbins
Barking Rain Press
$14.99
ISBN 978-1941295540
Publication Date: November 21, 2017
BOOK OF THE DAY
Killer Nashville 2018 Silver Falchion Nominee
Readers of crime fiction will uncover the machinations of a high school English department as Liz Hopewell, the new Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition teacher, becomes Liz Hopewell, “lady detective.” Liz knows full-well no AP teacher relinquishes his or her role unless death intervenes, so when the AP Lit teacher suddenly dies, Liz knows something is amiss. With skill and craft, Ms. Robbins never leaves an opportunity to guide the reader through a mastery of allusions interlaced with the reality of high school faculty drama to create a lively, delightful, and fast-paced mystery novel.
After Liz enters Marcia’s AP classroom and notices Marcia’s “shiny red-soled shoes on the floor…[which] really were beautiful shoes,” she sees the body of the “acerbic” Marcia Deaver “behind the desk.” Gordon, the principal of Valerian Hills High School, bestows the coveted role of AP instructor to Liz, who understands that Marcia Deaver, whom Liz doesn’t really know, would never commit suicide despite the preliminary report of her cause of death. When the “Hot Detective” comes to investigate, Liz explains that “Marcia’s entire life was ruled by the written word. She wouldn’t have killed herself without leaving a suicide note.” Although at first, the detective doesn’t take her observations seriously, it soon becomes apparent that she is more attuned to the workings of an AP teacher than he realizes.
Ms. Robbins uses the titles of her chapters to provide further insight into each chapter. Chapter one entitled “Things Fall Apart” not only appeals to the readers of Achebe’s novel, but its title also provides clues to the disturbance of the balance of the norm. With an eye to detail, the title for chapter two, “Heart of Darkness,” is also aptly placed. It helps reflect the conflict among the characters and also hints at the depth of what Liz is about to uncover.
To discover ‘whodunnit,’ the reader follows the crumbs that Robbins provides without any distraction of unnecessary detail. With each new clue, the reader continually guesses how the story will end. The final chapter, “Annals of the Former World,” reaches a satisfying conclusion through structure and substance.
Brooklyn-born Lori Robbins began dancing at age 16 and launched her professional career three years later. After ten very lean years as a dancer, she attended Hunter College, graduating summa cum laude with a major in British Literature and a minor in Classics. She is now an English teacher in New Jersey. The mother of six, Robbins has vast experience with the homicidal tendencies that everyday life inspires. Lesson Plan for Murder, Robbins’s first book was published by Barking Rain Press. Two more books are in the works: the second Lesson Plan mystery, and a new series, which takes place in the world of professional ballet. Find her at lorirobbins.com
Murder Among the Tombstones by Kim Carter / Review by Tim Suddeth
Murder Among the Tombstones
By Kim Carter
Raven South Publishing
$14.99
ISBN 978-1947140035
Publication Date: August 29, 2017
BOOK OF THE DAY
Killer Nashville 2018 Silver Falchion Nominee
Kim Carter has given us the second in her Clara and Iris Mystery series, Murder Among the Tombstones. Part cozy, part police procedural, Clara Samples and Iris Hadley are septuagenarians who decide to begin their second careers, by opening a private investigation agency in one of the rougher areas of Atlanta. Sounds like a perfect fit, except Iris doesn’t like to drive in traffic or at night, and Clara doesn’t have a lot of confidence. And did I mention a little thing called technology?
They surprise everyone, including themselves by solving their first couple of cases. Along the way, they meet Quita, a young lady from the neighborhood who soon takes over their office and introduces them to a smartphone. When victims of a possible serial killer begin turning up at some of the city’s historic cemeteries, one of their sisters turns to them for help. The ladies realize things have gotten serious. The police officers, who were on the case, were gun down outside their precinct.
If you have a parent who comes to you to help with their phone, or you are from a generation that remembers phone booths, this book will leave you both laughing and on the edge of your seat. Clara and Iris have a way of finding themselves in trouble, yet making a way out. They prove that teamwork goes a long way. Even the police, begrudgingly, begin to give them respect. Ms. Carter surrounds them with very colorful characters. She lives in Atlanta and gives us a very realistic picture of the city and its citizens.
I look forward to reading more of the series and watching the faceoff between two very different generations. A fun series but with an opportunity to hold a mirror up to ourselves.
Tim Suddeth attended the 2017 Killer Nashville Internation Writers’ Conferences as the Jimmy Loftin Memorial Scholarship winner. He has started a series of a young law school graduate starting her career in Charleston, SC. He lives in Greenville, SC with his wife, Vickie, and his 20-year-old autistic son, Madison. He can be reached at timingreenville@gmail.com and is a regular contributor at The Write Conversation and www.timingreenville.com.
Cat Got Your Secrets by Julie Chase / Review by Joy Gorence
BOOK OF THE DAY
Killer Nashville 2018 Silver Falchion Nominee
CAT GOT YOUR SECRETS
By Julie Chase
Crooked Lane Books | $26.99
978-1683312833
September 12, 2017
Julie Chase writes about suspense, murder, and self-discovery in her third novel, Cat Got Your Secrets. The narrator, Lacy Crocker, “thirty and single,” has recently opened the Furry Godmother, “a pet boutique and organic treat bakery in the heart of New Orleans’s Garden District.” Having left home twelve years earlier to find herself, Lacy discovers that although she left New Orleans, her family roots and ancestral heritage define her and provide the comfort and support she seeks. However, once she is home, she finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation, the third since her return. With a flair for invoking life into her characters, Ms. Chase commands each page with finesse and suspense. From the opening chapter, the characters take on a life that draws the reader into the midst of the action and tension that builds throughout the story.
Penelope, Lacy’s cat, provides the indirect anchor for the story. Although there must be more to her cat than meets the eye, Violet Conti-Crocker, Lacy’s southern and wealthy mother contributes to the list of colorful characters that compose Lacy’s support system. When the body of Wallace Becker, her father’s close friend is discovered, and Dr. Crocker is accused of his murder, the motivation behind Lacy’s unending quest to find the murderer has her cross paths with Detective Jack Oliver and Chase Hawthorne, a member of the “Garden District Royalty,” attorney, and her best friend’s brother-in-law.
The author’s deft manipulation of the story-line is enhanced by the addition of the sexual tension and uncertainty of Lacy’s emotional feelings for both Jack and Chase. Part of her self-discovery involves her understanding of her relationship with these men. In addition, the underlying tension in the story is enhanced through juxtaposition. It subtly forces Lacy and the reader to consider that people and events are not always as they appear. For instance, Ms. Chase writes that her “Dad’s friend was dead” and in the next paragraph, she shows the life surrounding the city as Lacy “careened onto Magazine Street, the heart of the Garden District…Robust baskets of red, white, and pink flowers hung from lampposts along the six-mile stretch of charming shops and delicious food, anchored by matching ‘Fall in Love with the Garden District’ flags and golden silhouettes of Cupid and his bow.”
With a flair for detail, Ms. Chase provides an entertaining read the keeps one riveted. The questions that one may have about some of the other characters, such as Kinley and Mrs. Becker, may be revealed in her next novel. But as any good writer, Ms. Chase brings the reader back again to the beginning of the story with her discovery of the truth.
Joy Gorence is new to Killer Nashville. She is an author, world-traveler, English professor, and avid reader. Originally from Long Island, NY she now lives in South Florida with her husband, Bill and their two pampered kitties.
Bury the Past by James L’Etoile / Review by Sheila Sobel
BURY THE PAST
By James L’Etoile
Crooked Lane Books
$26.99
ISBN 978-1683314424
Publication Date: December 12, 2017
BOOK OF THE DAY
Killer Nashville 2018 Silver Falchion Nominee
James L’Etoile wrote, “The past isn’t done with us yet.” Truer words were never written. In Bury the Past, his follow-up novel to At What Cost, the first Detective Penley Mystery, James L'Etoile has written another heart-pounding suspense novel filled with dramatic twists and turns. Detective John Penley's son is recovering from a much-needed kidney transplant, his daughter has been suspended from school and his marriage is crumbling. When his wife leaves home for an unexpected break from the family, John is left to parent on his own, with no good answers to his children’s questions.
Detective Paula Newberry is not fairing much better as her integrity is called into question and the evidence against her for multiple crimes begins to mount. As a former Internal Affairs detective, Paula had ample opportunity to build a long list of enemies. Her prime suspect for this personal attack is in prison. His alibi is ironclad. Who on the outside is helping him? And, why? As the body count rises, local politicians want somebody’s head. They don’t care whose. With stakes as high as these, the partners have each other's backs, working together to find a stash of missing street drugs, put a group of corrupt cops out of action and resolve dilemmas on the home-front.
Fans will be more than ready for the third installment in A Detective Penley Mystery series after reading Bury the Past.
James L’Etoile has a Masters’ Degree in Criminal Justice and twenty-nine years of experience working within the prison system: Associate Warden, Director of Parole, Chief of Institutions and Hostage Negotiator. He resides in Cameron Park, CA with his wife, Ann-Marie, their Corgi, Emma, and a part-time cat named Case. For more information: https://jamesletoile.com.
After thirty-three years and seventy films (including Harry Potter, The Matrix trilogy and Batman, The Dark Knight), Sheila stepped away from the film business to complete her Young Adult novel. Her debut novel, Color Blind, won the 2017 Killer Nashville Reader's Choice Award for Best Fiction YA and was a Finalist for the 2017 Silver Falchion Award for Best Fiction YA. Sheila was also nominated for the 2016 Allegra Johnson Prize in Novel Writing through UCLA Extension Writers’ Program.
Sheila is a member of International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and Women in Film. She lives in Beverly Hills with her husband, two dogs, and a cat. www.sheilasobel.com
Hunting Hour by Margaret Mizushima/ Review by Sheila Sobel
HUNTING HOUR
A Timber Creek K-9 Mystery
By Margaret Mizushima
Crooked Lane Books
$25.99
978-1683312772
August 8, 2017
BOOK OF THE DAY
Killer Nashville 2018 Silver Falchion Nominee
Timber Creek, Colorado sounds like an idyllic place to live, but Officer Mattie Cobb and her K-9 dog, Robo, know better. When called in to help locate a missing junior high student, Mattie and Robo are on the hunt. The hunt comes to a tragic end when the young girl is found dead not far from the high school. When the secret life of the murdered girl is exposed, the list of suspects grows, including the girl’s father and several teen-aged boys. When a second girl goes missing the job becomes much harder and more personal. The missing girl is Sophie, the youngest daughter of Timber Creek’s vet and Mattie’s love-interest, Cole Walker.
Mattie is forced to quell her own life struggles to focus on finding Sophie. She widens her suspect pool to include a rancher who has gone off his meds, a group of campers who are registered sex-offenders and a kind, but odd feed-store clerk. Mattie’s and Robo’s skills are put to the test again as the clock ticks down and the trail goes cold.
In Hunting Hour, book three in the A Timber Creek K-9 Mystery series, Margaret Mizushima leads the reader on an edge-of-your-seat chase through the darkness of an otherwise tranquil town in Colorado. If you are new to the A Timber Creek K-9 Mystery series, you have books one and two, KillingTrail and Stalking Ground, to look forward to while waiting for the release of book four, Burning Ridge, on September 11, 2018.
After thirty-three years and seventy films (including Harry Potter, The Matrix trilogy and Batman, The Dark Knight), Sheila stepped away from the film business to complete her Young Adult novel. Her debut novel, Color Blind, won the 2017 Killer Nashville Reader's Choice Award for Best Fiction YA and was a Finalist for the 2017 Silver Falchion Award for Best Fiction YA. Sheila was also nominated for the 2016 Allegra Johnson Prize in Novel Writing through UCLA Extension Writers’ Program.
Sheila is a member of International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and Women in Film. She lives in Beverly Hills with her husband, two dogs, and a cat. www.sheilasobel.com
The Love that Dare Not Speak Its Name by Fiza Pathan / Review by Brittany Menken
THE LOVE THAT DARE NOT SPEAK ITS NAME
Short Stories
By Fiza Pathan
Fiza Pathan Publishing
$28.00
978-978-8193290644
November 30, 2017
BOOK OF THE DAY
Killer Nashville 2018 Silver Falchion Nominee
A progression on what the word love means to each individual has become gradually universal. With well-versed authors contributing to the LGBT community such as Fiza Pathan, all love gets the recognition it deserves. In A Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name, the reader gets to take part in an emotional 21 short story collection that not only sheds light on the struggles of the gay and transgender but the people that oppose them.
Pathan grabs the reader by the heartstrings from the first page to the last beginning her collection in a time warp. Set in the 1950’s, a young Indian man struggles to write his father a letter confessing he’s gay and the torment of being in love. Quick to abide by the laws of Indian culture, his father marries him off to a complete stranger while his lover witnesses the charade. In this short story alone, the connection between the brother, his youngest sister and lover show how easily Pathan is able to create a strong bond between characters in just a few pages.
A young boy trapped in his own body is just another example of Pathan’s understanding for the human condition. A mother and her two children are visited by an old educator from her time in Catholic School who served as principal and nun. Upon arrival, she learns the beautiful little girl was a boy by birth and shames the family. Years after the children expanded their own families, a meek knock echoes through the hallways of their childhood home and the forlorn nun enters once again. Dementia ridden, the nun is shown kindness she never expressed to the family and gains a quick acceptance into the home. Here Pathan creates characters as empathetic as they are scorned by testament of reassuring eyes and kind words for the elderly nun.
A family of seven struggling to head out to the car in time for a dinner party seemed average enough until a mysterious suitcase is found full of lingerie. After shots are fired in attempt to catch the culprit out of the five children, the father admits the suitcase is his. After a brief but heated argument, the mother storms out and begins to pack her bags without any explanation. The children, quick to defend their father, are shunned entirely as she proclaims she’s done with all of them and leaves. The quick acceptance that their father finds joy in dressing like a woman shows Pathan’s understanding of the younger generation and how all love is slowly becoming the social norm in today’s society as a whole.
In A love That Dare Not Speak Its Name, Pathan expertly writes of suppression and love on such a deep level the reader may feel they are learning about her own life. The intimacy of language pulls the reader in page by page, diving in to 21 emotionally rich stories bringing to life social hardships the LGBT community face every day. From hopelessly single 58-year-old drag queens to a culture that believes arranged marriages are more vital than how you feel, it’s easy to see Pathan genuinely understands pain and acceptance. Besides the range of emotions created for her characters, Pathan also succeeds to speak through her characters in a breezy conversational tone that would make it easy for anyone to read and enjoy. With her shift from different time eras and cultures, A Love That Dare Not Speak its Name is not only for people struggling with their sexuality but people old and young that can easily connect to each and every story.
*With nine published books, it’s no surprise Fiza Pathan has achievements ranging in other genres. Other works include S.0.S Animals and Other Stories, Classics: Why We Should Encourage Children to Read, and Treasury of Bizarre Christmas Stories. Awards include the Gold Award 2016, Readers' Favorite International Book Awards, Mom's Choice Awards Kindle version 2014,Pinnacle
Britany Menken is a lover of the arts with a Creative Writing degree from Tusculum College. A firm advocate of reading and writing, Britany spends her days working on her own novels as well as helping others do the same. Born in Maryville TN, she also enjoys morning trips to the mountains for writing sessions and spending more time with her cat than humans.
F.O.X by Kelly Oliver / Review by Sharon Marchisello
BOOK OF THE DAY
Killer Nashville 2018 Silver Falchion Nominee
Silver-Falchion-nominated F.O.X. is the third mystery in Kelly Oliver's series featuring cowgirl philosopher Jessica James, a Ph.D. student at Northwestern University transplanted from rural Montana to downtown Chicago. This novel deals with behind-the-scenes ethics surrounding IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) and animal research.
When the story opens, Jessica wakes up naked behind a dumpster in the dead of winter. Her last memory was the inside of the local student pub, where she was drinking with a hot young intern. The assumption was that she'd been drugged and sexually assaulted, but actually, her experience turns out to be something even more sinister.
Besides the mystery of what really happened to Jessica and dozens of other college students in the area during the same time period, there is also a murder. However, the death gets little attention and the crime is solved almost by chance, because the police initially rule it an accident.
Jessica, the protagonist, is more a victim than an amateur sleuth. Colorful, strong secondary characters—Lolita, Jack, Vanya, Sam (a.k.a. "Beagle Girl") and even Olga to some degree—enhance the plot and their unconventional problem-solving keeps the narrative entertaining.
Besides her mystery series, Kelly Oliver has written 15 non-fiction books and over 100 articles, and her work has been translated into seven languages. She is currently a Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Vanderbilt University. She lives in Nashville with her husband and fur children.
Sharon Marchisello (sharonmarchisello.com) is the author of Going Home, (Sunbury Press, 2014) a murder mystery inspired by her mother's battle with Alzheimer's. She earned a Masters in Professional Writing from the University of Southern California and is a member of the Atlanta Chapter of Sisters in Crime. She lives in Peachtree City, GA, with her husband and cat, does volunteer work for the Fayette Humane Society, and writes a blog about personal finance, Countdown to Financial Fitness https://sharonmarchisello.blogspot.com/.
The Girl Who Lived by Christopher Greyson / Review by Sharon Marchisello
THE GIRL WHO LIVED
By Christopher Greyson
Greyson Media Associates
$28.00
978-1683993025
Nov. 4, 2017
BOOK OF THE DAY
Killer Nashville 2018 Silver Falchion Nominee
Wall Street Journal bestselling author Christopher Greyson has created a thriller on par with The Girl on the Train, only with more suspects, more danger, and more agony for the young heroine. The Girl Who Lived takes the reader inside the head of a girl who narrowly escaped a massacre, complete with survivor's guilt, second-guessing, and fantasies of suicide.
Ten years earlier, Faith Winters and her sister Kim were on their way to their family's cabin to celebrate Faith's thirteenth birthday with their father; Faith's best friend, Anna; and Anna's mother. On their way from the parking area, Faith noticed a creepy-looking, rat-faced man watching them. Kim entered the cabin first and emerged seconds later, bleeding from a fatal stab wound, and screamed for Faith to run.
The police concluded that Faith's father and Anna's mother were having an affair. Something went terribly wrong—perhaps she was about to break up with him—which caused him to snap and kill her, with their daughters as collateral damage, and then shoot himself in the back of the head. Faith doesn't want to believe it, but her memory of the event is hazy. Except for a clear image of the man from the parking lot whom she has nicknamed Rat Face, and whose existence the police are unable to confirm.
Since the murders of her sister, father, and friends, Faith's life has been purgatory. She has suffered bullying, fought addiction, tangled with the law, and been in and out of mental institutions. Her mother, a therapist, dealt with her own grief by writing a memoir, ironically titled The Girl Who Lived, which exposes Faith's struggles. The therapy exercise became a bestseller, so Faith can't go anywhere now without being recognized, pitied, and feared.
When the story opens, Faith is being released from her latest confinement, trying to ease back into society under the watchful eyes of her mother, probation officer, and sponsors of several 12-step programs. Despite admonitions from everyone, she is determined to track down Rat Face and find her sister's killer. Just when she thinks she has an ally, a cloud of suspicion is cast over that character, and she pulls back. Items disappear or are moved, causing Faith to doubt her sanity. Bad things keep happening, and Faith looks guiltier and guiltier. She doesn't know whom to trust…not even herself.
The author beautifully captures the raw emotions and chilling terror of the troubled heroine. This page-turner will keep you guessing until the end, because, as a reader, you won't know who can be trusted, either. And then you will be shocked.
Christopher Greyson (ChristopherGreyson.com) is the author of the bestselling Detective Jack Stratton mystery/thriller series. He lives in Massachusetts with his wife, Katherine, who is also an author, and their two children.
Sharon Marchisello (sharonmarchisello.com) is the author of Going Home, (Sunbury Press, 2014) a murder mystery inspired by her mother's battle with Alzheimer's. She earned a Masters in Professional Writing from the University of Southern California and is a member of the Atlanta Chapter of Sisters in Crime. She lives in Peachtree City, GA, with her husband and cat, does volunteer work for the Fayette Humane Society, and writes a blog about personal finance, Countdown to Financial Fitness https://sharonmarchisello.blogspot.com/.
River City Dead by Nancy G. West / Review by Sharon Marchisello
BOOK OF THE DAY
Killer Nashville 2018 Silver Falchion Nominee
River City Dead (Henery Press 2017) is the fourth installment of Nancy G. West's Aggie Mundeen mystery series, and it has been nominated for a Silver Falchion award.
I haven't read the first three books in the series, but not to worry, the reader is quickly brought up to speed. Aggie Mundeen, the protagonist, is an advice columnist exploring a budding romance with San Antonio Police Detective Sam Vanderhoven. Aggie's amateur sleuthing and insertion into Sam's cases often lands her in danger and strains their relationship.
When the story opens, Aggie and Sam are meeting at the Casa Prima Hotel on San Antonio's Riverwalk for a romantic Fiesta week getaway. Except there's a dead woman in the suite they're supposed to have. And Aggie knows her.
Pleasure is put on hold, and Sam is called to duty. Because Aggie is friends with the aunt of the victim, Monica Peters, she is tasked with breaking the devastating news. And investigating Monica's past in the hope of finding a motive.
The point-of-view alternates between Aggie (first person) and Sam (third person) as they each encounter suspects and discover clues. They share their findings and strategies… mostly.
I've visited San Antonio a few times, but I gained a greater appreciation for the destination from the descriptions and historical facts the author wove into the story. The setting truly becomes another character and plays an essential role in the comedic climax.
Besides her award-winning Aggie Mundeen series, Nancy G. West has written poetry, book reviews, articles, and another novel, Nine Days to Evil, in which Aggie is a minor character. She grew up in Texas and currently resides in San Antonio.
Sharon Marchisello (sharonmarchisello.com) is the author of Going Home, (Sunbury Press, 2014) a murder mystery inspired by her mother's battle with Alzheimer's. She earned a Masters in Professional Writing from the University of Southern California and is a member of the Atlanta Chapter of Sisters in Crime. She lives in Peachtree City, GA, with her husband and cat, does volunteer work for the Fayette Humane Society, and writes a blog about personal finance, Countdown to Financial Fitness https://sharonmarchisello.blogspot.com/.
The Cutting Edge by Jeffery Deaver / Review by Gary Frazier
THE CUTTING EDGE
By Jeffery Deaver
Grand Central Publishing
$28.00
978-1455536429
April 10, 2018
BOOK OF THE DAY
Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs are back for another head-scratching puzzle in Jeffery Deaver’s newest novel, The Cutting Edge. This one – the fourteenth in the series to feature the intrepid, quadriplegic detective – begins with a shocking triple murder during an apparent holdup in New York City’s diamond district–where diamonds are cut from raw stones into tiny, expensive baubles. When a witness walks in on the murders in progress and is almost killed before he can get away, the novel becomes a game a cat and mouse as both the murderer and the cops race to find the witness first.
After a hearty bowl of soup (apparently, detective work can’t be done on an empty stomach), Rhyme dispatches Sachs to the scene of the crime where the bodies and initial evidence await her perusal. As Sachs follows the clues, Rhyme, assisted by a team of officers, examines video evidence that can help track the potential witness, who, naturally, doesn’t want to be found by anyone. The victims, a highly respected diamantaire and the young couple that had come to him for their engagement ring, seemed to have been tortured before they were killed leading Sachs to believe this was more than a robbery gone wrong. The culprit, meanwhile, begins taking the lives of other young lovers buying engagement rings and searching for the only witness that could possibly identify him.
Sachs’s investigation takes her to a nearby geothermal construction site where she survives an earthquake, which in turn causes gas line leaks and explosions in the city. Around the same time, Rhyme is approached by the legal defense team representing an alleged cartel leader, El Halcon, who claims he was set up by cops and want Rhyme to help prove their case. As is typical of a Deaver novel, there are connections within connections here. In this case, Rhyme manages to link the three plots together into a complex master plot.
Deaver’s prose is straightforward and the action comes fast and furious. Tight chapters keep readers from getting bored. And there is more to the story than just solving the crime. Of course, Rhyme, Sachs, and all of the regular characters are wonderful, but even the characters specific to this novel are so well developed and have such interesting lives that are completely unforgettable. The reader will also benefit from a master class full of information about the diamond industry as well as an inside look at the lives of diamond cutters; how family, tradition, and religion drive them. The Cutting Edge is a great installment in the Lincoln Rhyme's series. It is an exciting thriller with plenty of good guys, bad guys, and nail-biting moments that will keep you reading late into the night. It is also a novel that touches on many of the social, political, environmental, and ethical issues that surround the diamond industry. You may find that the pretty, sparkling, bauble that you wear cost far more than you think.
Note: Jeffery Deaver will offer a master class on Plotting the Novel at the 2018 Killer Nashville Writer’s Conference.
Wicked Deeds by Heather Graham / Review by Tim Suddeth
BOOK OF THE DAY
Murders, ghosts, a lot of romance, and Poe, as in Edgar Allan, what more could a mystery reader ask for? Heather Graham hits the sweet spot with her latest, and the twenty-third installment in her Krewe of Hunters series, Wicked Deeds, (MIRA Books). She has written over two hundred novels including suspense, historical romance, occult, and vampire fiction.
An elite group of FBI agents, the Krewe of Hunters is called in when a case includes the paranormal. With a setting like Baltimore and a restaurant with an Edgar Allen Poe theme, it’s a quick call.
Historian Vickie Preston and FBI Agent Griffin Pryce look forward to starting their lives together. Vickie is looking forward to becoming a member of the Krewe when she completes FBI training. They make a quick stop in Baltimore for a weekend getaway. But their rest is cut short when the body of a noted author is found in the basement of the restaurant.
The reader gets more than they bargained for as the couple becomes involved in not one but two cases, the current murders in the restaurant and the murder of Poe, himself.
The author does a great job of introducing us to Baltimore as it is now and taking us to its streets in the mid-1800’s.
An easy reader with likable characters and a gothic feel, it will have you staying up late turning the pages to see who-dun-it.
Tim Suddeth attended the 2017 Killer Nashville Internation Writers’ Conferences as the Jimmy Loftin Memorial Scholarship winner. He has started a series of a young law school graduate starting her career in Charleston, SC. He lives in Greenville, SC with his wife, Vickie, and his 20-year-old autistic son, Madison. He can be reached at timingreenville@gmail.com and is a regular contributor at The Write Conversation and www.timingreenville.com.
Coyote Zone by Kathryn Lane / Review by Sharon Marchisello
COYOTE ZONE
By Kathryn Lane
Pen-L Publishing
$16.95
978-1683131083
September 27, 2017
BOOK OF THE DAY
Killer Nashville 2018 Silver Falchion Nominee
Kathryn Lane, winner of two 2017 Silver Falchion awards, has delivered another engaging thriller. Coyote Zone (Pen-L Publishing, 2017) is a follow-up to her debut novel, Waking Up in Medellin, which was named Best Book of the Year for 2017 and Best Adult Suspense Fiction.
Spunky Mexican-American heroine Nikki Garcia is back, as well as several other characters from Lane's debut novel. When the story opens, Nikki is vacationing in the Yucatan with her fiancé Eduardo, but their lovefest is interrupted by a call from her new boss, Floyd, to investigate a kidnapping in San Miguel de Allende. Nikki is uniquely qualified to handle the job because she is a woman, speaks Spanish fluently, and is already in the country.
Bibiana Lombardi, the 10-year-old daughter of Italian immigrant restaurant owner Sofia Lombardi, disappears in a crowded market when her mother turns her head for a moment. No one can provide any information except for a maligned bag lady, Juana la Marihuana, who claims to have seen the child nabbed by a coyote, i.e., human trafficker.
Sofia assumes her estranged husband, Paolo, and his domineering mother, Chiara, have taken the child, and she refuses to listen to the crazy street woman, but Nikki and Eduardo are determined to follow all leads. Nikki ends up going undercover and walking right into the coyote's den, putting her own life in jeopardy to save Bibiana and other children from a terrible fate.
Not only is this a page-turning thriller with twist after heart-wrenching twist, but it brings awareness to the very real issue of human trafficking. Lane's research is apparent and the reader feels a strong sense of place.
In addition to the two novels in the Nikki Garcia Thriller Series, Kathryn Lane has published a collection of short stories, Backyard Volcano. Originally from Mexico, she has a background in accounting and international finance, which allowed her to travel extensively. She and her husband reside in The Woodlands, Texas, where she serves on the Montgomery County Literary Arts Council. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers.
Sharon Marchisello (sharonmarchisello.com) is the author of Going Home, (Sunbury Press, 2014) a murder mystery inspired by her mother's battle with Alzheimer's. She earned a Masters in Professional Writing from the University of Southern California and is a member of the Atlanta Chapter of Sisters in Crime. She lives in Peachtree City, GA, with her husband and cat, does volunteer work for the Fayette Humane Society, and writes a blog about personal finance, Countdown to Financial Fitness https://sharonmarchisello.blogspot.com/.
Oath of Honor by Lynette Eason / Review by Tim Suddeth
BOOK OF THE DAY
If you are looking for a story that combines romantic suspense and police procedural, Lynette Eason’s Oath of Honor may be just what you’re looking for. Eason won the 2017 Readers’ Choice Award for Best Fiction Adult Suspense for Always Watching from her Elite Guardians series.
Oath of Honor is the first in her Blue Justice series. Think Castle (if he had been a cop) meets Blue Bloods.
Police officer Isabelle St. John is from a large police family headed by her mother who is the chief of police. But Izzy learns that, sometimes, family can get in the way. Like when your partner is shot to death while staking out a criminal location while off-duty. Or when you don’t know if your family are all on the right side. But when attempts are made on her life, where else can she turn to?
Her dead partner’s brother, homicide detective Ryan Marshall, knows he should stay out of the investigation, but it’s his brother. And, Izzy had always been part of his family. If she’s in danger, he wants to be there to help.
Eason takes the reader on a wild ride with lots of twists and surprises. She has created two real and likable characters. The big question is, will they still be alive at the end?
Tim Suddeth attended the 2017 Killer Nashville Internation Writers’ Conferences as the Jimmy Loftin Memorial Scholarship winner. He has started a series of a young law school graduate starting her career in Charleston, SC. He lives in Greenville, SC with his wife, Vickie, and his 20-year-old autistic son, Madison. He can be reached at timingreenville@gmail.com and is a regular contributor at The Write Conversation and www.timingreenville.com.
The Girl in the Ice by Robert Bryndza / Review by Holly Chaille
THE GIRL IN THE ICE
By Robert Bryndza
Grand Central Publishing
$12.99
978-1538713426
April 24, 2018
BOOK OF THE DAY
A cold night, fog in the air, and moonlight casting unreliable shadows. She’s upset to the point of wandering so far no one will hear her cry for help. This is the kind of prologue with layers of description that create an atmosphere so tense I was instantly transported to the setting of the crime. Even knowing something terrible was gaining on her, I couldn’t look away. And I didn’t until the last page of this sprint-paced story, which lands perfectly at an ending that satisfies the whodunit faithful.
A British crime mystery that hit several bestseller lists, Robert Bryndza’s The Girl in the Ice introduces a strong female protagonist in Detective Erika Foster. A woman with very recent demons still haunting her, Erika expects to be on desk duty for the foreseeable future. But an old friend, feeling she needs to get back in the game, calls her into a high profile murder investigation of a young socialite whose influential parents seem hell-bent on preventing Foster from solving the case.
Navigating her new team—not all of whom are thrilled to bring her on—adds tension to an already stressed out Foster, whose disdain for authority and fragile psyche take a few chapters to figure out. As protagonists go, she’s well-written and believable, giving the reader more than enough personality to connect with.
With the body count rising Detective Foster challenges those around her to dig deeper to find the common denominator. But the closer she gets the more pressure she gets from her higher-ups to reroute her investigation away from the socialite’s famous family. Foster is abruptly removed from the case and, as strong women are wont to do, seizes the opportunity to go even harder toward her goal. She’s a brilliant, fearless strategist with no apologies for her direct approach, and this is why the series has sold millions of copies.
The dialogue is the strongest aspect of the story, giving the minor characters dimension and depth. Bryndza threads the kind of nuance throughout the dialogue that makes everyone seem like a viable suspect. Fans of Elizabeth George and Ruth Rendell will appreciate the uncompromising style and British elegance of his writing and character building.
Though this was Bryndza’s first in the Erika Foster series he’s just released number six so fans are advised to select a good bottle of red and hunker down with a stack of these page-turning thrillers and get to know Detective Erika Foster.
Holly Chaille is a member of Sisters in Crime and the daughter of a librarian. Growing up in the stacks cultivated her lifelong love of suspense and thrillers, and she's currently querying her first mystery and developing her blog at HollyAChaille.com.
A Matter of Chance by Julie Maloney / Review by Sheila Sobel
BOOK OF THE DAY
When it comes to your children, everything has the potential to become your worst nightmare. Like most parents, Maddy Stewart kept those fears locked away until the day Vinni, her eight-year-old daughter, went missing. In her debut novel, A Matter of Chance, Julie Maloney deftly weaves loss, love, terror, and hope together in a story that will keep the reader turning pages.
From the Jersey Shore to Manhattan to Germany, Maddy searches not only for her daughter but for herself. The adjustment from wife and mother to single mom was difficult. But now, as the mother of a missing child, Maddy’s world has capsized. She doesn’t know where her daughter is. She no longer knows who she is, or how she fits into this world. Her faith in humanity is shaken. Everyone Maddy ever trusted failed her, her mother, her ex-husband Steve, her childhood friend Kay. Added to the growing list is the kindly German couple, Hilda and Rudy, who, as chance would have it, lived down the beach from her summer rental. There was no reason for Maddy to suspect that Hilda and Rudy had ulterior motives when they showed interest in her daughter.
As the years pass without news of Vinni, Maddy’s new normal begins to take shape. She finds an ally in Detective John D’Orfini. She takes comfort in a return to her artistic roots through her mentor Evelyn. She rebuilds her once-broken friendship with Kay.
Julie Maloney’s debut is an adult coming of age novel beautifully wrapped in a mystery. A Matter of Chance is a reminder of how fragile our existence is, how life can change instantly from a sunny day at the beach to the depths of despair. It is also the reminder that, like Maddy, we all have untapped inner strength and hope that can carry us through the mysteries of life.
Sheila Sobel’s debut novel Color Blind was the winner of the 2017 Killer Nashville Reader’s Choice Award for Best Tween/YA Fiction and Finalist for the 2017 Silver Falchion Award for Best YA Fiction. She was also nominated for the 2016 Allegra Johnson Prize in Novel Writing through the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program.
As a Senior Auditor for Warner Bros., Sheila oversaw production costs for films including “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” the “Matrix” trilogy, “The Dark Knight” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” After working on 70+ Independent and Studio movies, Sheila stepped away from the film business to complete her first YA novel.
Sheila is a member of International Thriller Writers (ITW), Sisters in Crime (SinC), Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), Children’s Book Writers-LA (CBW-LA) and Women in Film (WIF). She lives in Southern California with her husband, two rescue dogs and one rescue cat.
Forever Young by Henry Hack / Review by Sheila Sobel
BOOK OF THE DAY
Killer Nashville 2018 Silver Falchion Nominee
Together again in book four of the A Danny Boyland Novel series, Detective Danny Boyland and his partner, Virgil “Spider” Webb catch, then solve a murder in record time. When the shooter confesses and pleads guilty, the chief is content to close the case. Add another one to the department’s best closers’ record. Danny and Spider recognize that almost always, murder is messy, and this one is just a little too neat. When FBI Agent Mike Havlek informs the duo that the victim was in witness protection, the fourth protected witness to be murdered, their instincts are validated.
On loan to the FBI, Danny and Spider team up with Agent Havlek and the chase begins before a fifth witness becomes the next victim. Who is leaking the witness list and why? Conspiracy theories and a search for the Fountain of Youth lead the trio, along with the U.S. Marshalls and a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, pregnant wife of Mike Havlek, from the depths of humanity to the highest offices in the nation. The Fountain of Youth, science fiction or fact? Worth killing for? Definitely. Billions could be made. The rich could control everyone’s lives forever. Power and greed propel this fast-paced police procedural to a satisfying conclusion.
Author Henry Hack’s twenty-two years in the Nassau County, NY Police Department serve him well, as Forever Young possesses an authenticity that keeps the reader turning the pages and hungry for the release of the next book in the A Danny Boyland Novel series.
Danny Boy (2009), the first novel in the series featuring NYMPD Detective Daniel Boyland, was followed by Cases Closed (2012), Mommy, Mommy (2013), and now, Forever Young (2017).
Sheila Sobel’s debut novel Color Blind was the winner of the 2017 Killer Nashville Reader’s Choice Award for Best Tween/YA Fiction and Finalist for the 2017 Silver Falchion Award for Best YA Fiction. She was also nominated for the 2016 Allegra Johnson Prize in Novel Writing through the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program.
As a Senior Auditor for Warner Bros., Sheila oversaw production costs for films including “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” the “Matrix” trilogy, “The Dark Knight” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” After working on 70+ Independent and Studio movies, Sheila stepped away from the film business to complete her first YA novel.
Sheila is a member of International Thriller Writers (ITW), Sisters in Crime (SinC), Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), Children’s Book Writers-LA (CBW-LA) and Women in Film (WIF). She lives in Southern California with her husband, two rescue dogs and one rescue cat.
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