crime thriller – The Spine View

The Drop by John Anthony Miller

Set in Havana, Cuba just prior to Castro, this suspense/thriller The Drop, by John Anthony Miller, is a wild ride full of surprises. Written with great prose and meticulous attention to detail in both setting and characters, makes it a real winner.

A very interesting and diverse set of characters in The Drop. First there is, Jimmy Foster who is the uber wealthy Wall Street guy. He is married to, Darlene, who is gorgeous and a gold digger. He loves Havana, and he and Darlene come often to enjoy the sun, pool, music and sometimes the casinos in the city. They have everything going for them and should be the perfect couple. Yet some people are never satisfied, and the grass is always seems greener on the other side. So when Jimmy is kidnapped, she is not overly distraught.

There is another beautiful woman involved in this story, Ariana. She and her family where once wealthy until it was all taken away by Batista. Now she is out for revenge. However, revenge costs money, lots of money. Steal from the mob… no problem. Kidnaping, well maybe not so good.
Especially, when a wife has everything to gain from a missing husband and everything to lose if he is found.

Lastly there is the private detective, Harry, that has a mysterious air about him. Is he in Havana on behalf of a jealous husband or is there something else going on? He is definitely in the all the right places at the right times and seems better prepared than the police to find Jimmy.

So many little twists and subtle hints of what is to come as the story progresses. However, as I have mentioned in the past, I hate spoilers. Instead, I am leaving with this vague overview and hope that I have given you enough to peak your interest.

I loved the setting of this book; because, I am starting to feel worn out on historical books set either during WWI or WWII and this book felt like a breath of fresh air. Also, I am highly appreciative that the author took great care in the scene descriptions. It enhanced the story and allowed me to place myself in the characters’ shoes.

The characters were well done and there was a lot of subtly in their actions. I didn’t always understand their actions and that made the book more interesting. However, it all comes together neatly in the end and I got why the characters did what they did.

I can’t fail to mention just how good the plot was. There was a twist at the end that I never saw coming. Even after several days to noodle on the ending, I am still left shaking my head. It was alluded to; however, I never put two and two together, which is unusual for me. Well done!

This book had everything going for it and Miller has become one of my favorite authors. If you are looking for a historical fiction story in an unusual setting and a twisty plot, then this the book for you. I highly recommend you read it.

I received a free copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Drug Lord’s Daughter by Tom Towslee

The Drug Lord’s Daughter has everything I could ask for in a murder mystery. The author, Tom Towslee, weaves a tale of murder and intrigue, set in an idyllic vacation spot within a Mexican beach front town, and a reporter that just can’t leave well enough alone. All of this made for a book I could not put down.

John Standard, Senor Juan as the locals call him, is an expat from Oregon, living the easy life with his girlfriend Emma in a small Mexican seaside town. He has traded his former life as a freelance reporter, and the cold, wet winters in the Pacific Northwest, for this quiet existence. His days consist of fishing, reading and maybe a night in town with Emma.

Then one day the quiet of this town is shattered when Lulu, a friend of Emma’s, is murdered in her home. Emma asks John to see what he can find out from the police about the murder. John and the local police captain, Alejandro Vega, are not on the best of terms. After speaking to him, John gets the sense that he knows more than he is letting on. His investigative reporter instincts kick in and he becomes obsessed with finding out the truth even though his and Emma’s life maybe in jeopardy.

The quality of the story took me by surprise. Sometimes I find that action/thriller type books sacrifice character development in favor of action and then more action. Therefore, I love to read a story that gives me both a great character with a well thought-out and fast paced plot. The story takes off from the first page and there was never a dull moment in this riveting story. Despite being fast paced, the plot never felt rushed and the clues were perfectly placed to keep the reader engaged.

I loved the character of John Standard. He was down to earth and a bit gritty. I understood him and sympathized with him. There was some outstanding character development here and even though this was the third book in a series, the author gave enough background information that it worked well as a stand-alone.

If you a fan of murder mysteries that are served with a side of action, this is the book for you. Don’t miss out on this electrifying story! Totally looking forward to reading more from this author.

I received a free copy from the published in exchange for my honest opinion.

Bluff by Jane Stanton Hitchcock

Bluff, by Jane Stanton Hitchcock, gives new meaning to the idea that revenge is a dish best served cold. Maud, the main character, not only serves it up cold but in a big heaping portion! Full of intrigue, wonderful characters and a nasty plot of revenge to pay back the bad guys, this book is absorbing from page one all the way through to the end.

Maud is a 50ish divorcee who is primed and ready for a fight. She has always suspected that Burt Skylar, an accountant to the rich and famous in NYC, swindled her mother out of over 100 million dollars. She has spoken against him for years and has earned the nickname “Mad Maud”. However, she has never been able to prove anything.

Finally all the right cards are in her hand and she sees her chance for revenge. She enters The Four Seasons, one of the swankiest restaurants in the city, and pulls the trigger and shoots Sun Sutherland, a wealthy and prominent businessman, who is dining with Skylar. Did she miss or is there more to this story than meets the eye?

Love, love, loved the character of Maud. She has a brilliant mind and is downright devious. I also loved how she played people like she played poker. Most everyone is totally taken in by the frumpy middle-aged woman act that she carried off better than a Broadway actress. I would hate to get on her bad side and can only pity those she plays poker against. The supporting characters also hit the mark with me. They helped round out the revenge plot nicely.

The plot has more twists than the Mississippi River and it was fast paced. I really appreciate the balance the author was able to achieve between pace and character development. I find that in this type of book one or the other is lacking. Brilliantly done!

I highly recommend this book to readers of mystery and thrillers. In addition, if you love strong female characters you will enjoy Maud and her story.

I received a free copy from the published in exchange for my honest review.

Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

As suggested from the title, Stalking Jack the Ripper, is a YA horror/murder mystery book (very) loosely based on the real murders of young women in London during the 1880s. The author, Kerri Maniscalco, has presented the reader with a young protagonist who will capture your heart with her courage, defiance and tenacity as she works to solve the murders.

Audrey Rose Wadsworth is an educated young woman and daughter of a Lord. Ladies of her standing are expected to be prime and proper. Yet, she finds the society demands upon her restricting and she rebels against them. Even though her father has expressly forbidden it, she has been learning forensic science through her Uncle who is an expert in the field. So naturally she is thrilled to help her Uncle examine the first victim of Jack he Ripper.

Then when her Uncle of all people is arrested for the murders, she vows to find out the truth. For Audrey Rose this is the being of a very dangerous path. One that could lead even to her death.

I appreciated the fast pace of the book and it had plenty of twists to keep you guessing. The prose was also good and I liked the attention to detail given to the scenes. Pace will only take the reader so far and this book had a good mix of both.

I liked the characters in this book, especially Audrey Rose. In truth, I felt her character was a little bit of a stretch for the times but it worked so well in the story I can’t really find fault. Sometimes a little creative license is necessary for a good story. After all it is fiction meant to entertain. At the end the author does give you the facts of what happened in London during this time and shows how those facts were used to create the story.

This book has been on my TBR list for almost a year. I wish I had read it sooner because if was entertaining and just what I needed as a distraction amid this virus lockdown. The book definitely has a Holmes and Watson vibe to it, albeit a younger male/female version. I highly recommend for those readers that like this type of book. Being a historical book with a light touch of romance I think there will be a wider audience that will enjoy it and recommend you give it a read.

I received a free copy from the publisher, at BookExpo 2019, in exchange for my honest review.

The Wolf and the Watchman by Niklas Natt och Dag

I read some really good reviews about The Wolf and the Watchman by Niklas Natt och Dag and was super excited to read it. It should have been a home run for me. Alas, I just could not connect with the main character. The plot dragged and at page 107 I called it quits. My first “DNF” for 2019.

Reflecting back, it boils down to the two items I mentioned above. The plot just did not grab me which is so unusual for a crime thriller. Normally, by page 10, I can’t read fast enough. In addition, I never had a connection to the main character which in a thriller is not a death sentence; yet, put together with the plot problems…. Let’s just say this one is just not for me.

Somewhere I read someone’s thoughts that has really hit home for me. To paraphrase, “This book is not a mainstream reader type of book and will in time become more of a cult reader work.” I totally agree with this assessment. Therefore, you will just have to read for yourself to decide if you are in my camp or not. Either way, I hope you enjoy.

I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Below is the publisher’s blurb about the book:

“ In this breathtakingly bold, intricately constructed novel set in 18th century Stockholm, a dying man searches among the city’s teeming streets, dark corners, and intriguing inhabitants to unmask a ruthless murderer—perfect for fans of Perfume and The Alienist.”

The Blameless Dead by Gary Haynes

The Blameless Dead, by Gary Haynes, gives new meaning to the phrase “revenge is a dish better served cold.” Revenge is the only motive for the serial killer in this fast paced historical thriller. Yet, the story is so much more. I found it to be an intense and harrowing ride through the darker side of humanity.

The book starts with what appears to be a robbery gone wrong but turns into so much more. When one of the suspects leads an attorney, Gabriel Hall who is representing him, to make connections to his missing niece, Sangmu, the darker side of this story starts to unfold. It is not long before Gabriel connects the dots between this crime and a string of missing girls. Once he has put two and two together he races to find the killer in hopes that he will also find Sungmu.

This book brings to the forefront the true horrors of war by not only addressing the horrors themselves and what humans are capable of doing to others but also the fallout of their actions. I do believe that in this instance the killer is insane, as in the case of Ted Bundy, he was able to hide it for years. In fact, I can see a lot of parallels to Ted Bundy and wonder if the author took some inspiration from his story.

The plot is fast paced and the story line exciting and believable. The author did a good job in researching the underlying facts though I know the story is entirely fictional. I have not read much about the aftermath of WWII especially as it relates to Russia; therefore, I found that part fascinating. The plot was well done and is complex in places. This is one that you will have to pay attention or you will miss an important element.

The only negative is I never really got to know the characters in a way that allowed me to connect with them. This happens sometimes in plot driven stories and is the main reason I rated it four stars instead of five.

I actually found the story difficult to read because of the subject matter. I feel this book is geared more towards a male audience. Therefore, I am recommending it to those readers who like dark, intense thrillers. I think that historical thrillers readers who don’t mind graphic violence and enjoy a fast paced historical thriller will also enjoy this one.

I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton is an ingenious murder mystery with shocking twists that cannot be foreseen. It reminds me of the movie Groundhog Day except here the MC is trying to solve a murder before it is committed so he will be released from the loop.

The story opens on the resetting of the loop after innumerous rounds without the murder being solved. When we are first introduced to Aiden, he does not even know his own name. He wakes up in a wooded area near a castle and he has no idea how he got there. He manages to make his way to the castle and learns that he has just 8 days and 8 different hosts to solve a murder that will be committed. No one will know it is a murder because it is disguised as a suicide. Once he has solved the murder he is to meet the Plague Doctor, an elusive person who appears to be in charge of the loop, at the lake with the answer. When the correct answer is given he will be released.

The Plague Doctor informs Aiden that others are trying to solve the murder and only one of them will be released. He further advises Aiden to use all his hosts wisely and that each host has been carefully chosen for him. What he does not know is that nothing is as it appears and someone wants all of his hosts dead. He will have to trust someone in order to solve the murder and free himself from the loop.

I am in awe of the author’s talent for making such a complex and tangled plot. I honestly do not know how he kept all of the details straight. It made for one of the best murder mysteries I have read in a long time. In my opinion, Mr. Turton is right up there with Agatha Christy.

The plot is paced quickly but I want to warn you not to rush through. There are too many little details that could easily be overlooked that become important as the story unfolds. In addition, I thought it brilliant how the author did not give the reader a lot to go on about the MC, Aiden Bishop. This deliberate lack of character development allowed Aiden to change as the plot required and Aiden needed to change and you will see why when you read the story.

If you love mysteries and complex plots this is the book for you. I highly recommend it to everyone. It is a suburb work of fiction and will have you in knots trying to fit the puzzle pieces together.

I won my copy of the novel in a Book Riot giveaway and this in no way impacts my review.

Out of Season by Antonio Manzini

Title: Out of Season
Author: Antonio Manzini
Pub. Date: 2-Oct-2018
Ratings: 4 Stars — Title: Out of Season
Author: Antonio Manzini
Pub. Date: 2-Oct-2018
My Rating: 4 Stars

Out of Season is the third book in the Rocco Schiavone mystery series by Antonio Manzini (originally published in Italian). The book reads well as a standalone. I am grateful for this since I have not read the first two books in the series. It is a fast paced and entertaining mystery/thriller set in a small town in the Italian Alps.

The story follows Deputy Chief Rocco as he tries to solve the mystery of a missing girl by the name of Chairia Berguet. She is the daughter of a local business man who owes a lot of money to the wrong people. The story opens when the kidnapper is killed in a freak car accident.

At first the reader does not know the accident and the disappearance of Chairia are connected. Then as the investigation moves along, the reader realizes that the only person who knows where she is being held is dead. When Rocco makes the connection he is desperate to find her. He will do anything to location her including bending and breaking the rules.

My favorite thing about this book is the MC, Deputy Chief Rocco. He is driven and relentless when on a case; yet, as a human being he fails miserable. He is moody, difficult, rude and arrogant and yet it worked with the story and I loved his character despite all the flaws. The author really did an outstanding job with him. I found the plot to a bit slow in the beginning but it was not enough to deter me form pushing forward. Then as the story unfolds, and the pace picks up, you are rushing to the end to see if he can find Chaira.

Even though this book is a mystery/thriller it is not heavy handed. In fact, it contained a lot of humor. Rocco is very good at handing out insults and one liners that will have you chuckling. So instead of a dark, heart pounding thriller, that are a dime a dozen these days, you get a weirdly funny thriller/mystery and I found it very refreshing.

If you are looking for a mystery/thriller that is on the lighter side, this is the one for you, make sure to put it on your TBR list! I thoroughly enjoyed and I look forward to reading more in this series. I am keeping my fingers crossed that more will be published in English.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

November Road by Lou Berney

Title: November Road
Author: Lou Berney
Pub Date: 9-Oct-2018
Rating: 4 Stars

November Road by Lou Berney is a crime thriller centered around the assassination of JFK. Americans have long been fascinated by this mystery, myself included, and there seems to be more theories that you can shake a stick at.

In this fictional version of the assassination, a crime boss in New Orleans, Carlos Marcello, is the master mind behind the fatal shooting. He has personal reasons for wanting Kennedy dead. It is the crime of the century and it has been meticulously planned even down to getting rid of EVERYONE who has ties to the crime no matter how trivial.

Frank Guirdy has been a loyal employee to Carlos for most of his life. He has worked his way up in the crime organization and is now one of the top lieutenants. He is very valuable to Carlos…. until he is not. A little errand in Dallas to drop off a car for the boss two weeks prior to the assassination has made him expendable. Very expendable!

It does not take Carlos long to put two and two together. Since everyone, regardless of rank, who has a connection to the crime is being eliminated. He fears he is next and he runs. However, he finds that he is too memorable as a traveler alone and Carlos has a long arm. Therefore, it is fortuitous that he happens to run into Charlotte, a young mother with two young daughters, who is escaping her unpleasant life in Oklahoma. They become the perfect cover. Carlos’s agent will not be looking for a couple with two kids. But Paul Barone is not just any agent and he is very good at what he does. Now not only is Frank’s life in danger but also the lives of the innocents he has attached himself to.

What a great story. I loved the author’s take on the murder of JFK. The plot worked so well and it was paced to keep the reader interested without feeling rushed. And the ending, not what I expected but it was a perfect fit.

Still my favorite part was the main character Frank. I did not like him much at first, but as I got deeper into the story I started to connect with him. I can even say I felt sorry for him. This left me conflicted because you are not supposed to like a person like Frank. He has done horrible things and he is using Charlotte for his own personal gain. Yet, you want him to win because the only other option is Carlos to win and you do not want that either. Wisely, the author has Frank grow as a person; therefore, making him more likable.

The only thing I was not crazy about is when Frank’s meets up with his contact in Las Vegas. All the stuff that went on between them just did not seem to fit at well with the rest of the story. I know that it was a means to reach a desired conclusion but it felt clunky. In the end, it is such a minor thing I felt it did not impact my overall feelings about the book.

In short this was a well-executed, entertaining historical fiction. I recommend it to not only readers who love that genre but also to those that like thrillers and crime fiction.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.

School for Physics by K. C. Archer

Title: School for Physics
Author: K. C. Archer
Pub. Date: 3-Apr-2018
Rating: 5 Stars

School for Physics by K. C. Archer is an explosive new urban fantasy series with a good dash of crime thriller on the side. It reads like a Harry Potter story for adults. I was on the edge of my seat almost the entire time and second guessing myself right to the very end.

Theodora Cannon, aka Teddy, lives in Las Vegas above the garage of her adopted parents’ house. After a series of very bad decisions she currently owes over a quarter of a million to a Russian loan shark. You are probably wondering how someone ends up in such a situation at so young an age. Simple, you like to gamble. Teddy has even gone so far as to “borrow” money from her parents’ retirement account. Continue reading “School for Physics by K. C. Archer”