October 2023 MBR The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

Overdue or Die
Allison Brook
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781639104833, $31.99, HC, 304pp

https://www.amazon.com/Overdue-Die-Haunted-Library-Mystery/dp/1639104836

Synopsis: Carrie Singleton has more than her fair share on her plate: her job at the Clover Ridge Library, preparing for her wedding to Dylan Avery, and hoping that the local art gallery doesn't steal away one of her part-time employees. Her fiance Dylan accompanies her to the beautiful home of Victor Zalinka (art collector and successful businessman) to select paintings for an art show at the library. While Carrie muses that Victor's home would be the perfect wedding venue, Dylan spots a forgery among the paintings in Victor's collection.

Then Martha Mallory is found murdered in her art gallery. With the assistance of Evelyn, the library ghost; the resident cat, Smoky Joe; and the office manager of Dylan's private investigation company, Carrie comes up with a suspect list long enough to rival the size of an encyclopedia. During her investigation, Carrie stumbles across a terrible truth: Martha's murder was part of something far bigger and more dangerous than she could have ever imagined. And it all leads back to the art gallery.

How far will Carrie go to find the killer and uncover the truth? If the killer finds her first - will Carrie finally be taken out of circulation?

Critique: The seventh and newest addition to novelist Allison Brooks' 'A Haunted Library' cozy mystery series, "Overdue or Die" is yet another carefully crafted and fun read with all the elements her fans have come to expect -- an intrepid amateur female sleuth finding herself compelled to solve a puzzling murder mystery with many a false lead and unexpected plot twist. A 'must read' pick for the growing legions of cozy mystery enthusiasts in general, and Allison Books fans in particular, "Overdue or Die" is readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $18.99) and a welcome, unreservedly recommended addition to community library Mystery/Suspense collections.

Editorial Note: Allison Brook (https://cozy-mystery.com/allison-brook.html) is a former Spanish teacher who now writes cozy mysteries, and romantic suspense novels.

Lord James Harrington And The Michaelmas Fair Mystery
Lynn Florkiewicz
Isis Large Print
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781399125765, $41.00, PB, Large Print, 342pp

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lord-james-harrington-and-the-michaelmas-fair-mystery-lyn n-florkiewicz/114011216 9

Synopsis: It's a busy time of year for Lord James Harrington and his wife Beth. Their good friends Bert and Gladys are getting married; James has a school reunion to attend; and he and Beth have entered the London-to-Brighton veteran car run.

Before all that, there is the Michaelmas Fair in the village to enjoy. But matters take a sinister turn when the body of the founder of the Jolly Madrigals singing group is discovered after the fair. James' friend DCI George Lane is in charge of the investigation, but as further murders occur, he grows increasingly baffled. James and George are convinced that a single killer is responsible for these deaths. But what could possibly connect the victims?

With dogged determination, James delves into his own past for clues -- and is shocked at what he learns!

Critique: A perfectly crafted and classic 'whodunnit' historical murder mystery, this large print paperback edition of "Lord James Harrington And The Michaelmas Fair Mystery" by Lynn Florkiewicz is a fun read for mystery buffs from first page to last -- and has the highest recommendation possible for personal reading lists and community library Mystery/Suspense collections.

Editorial Note: Author Lynn Florkiewicz has created an informative website dedicated to her Lord James Harrington novels at www.lordjamesharrington.com

Murder in Siena
T. A. Williams
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781804832486, $41.00, PB, Large Print, 304pp

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/murder-in-siena-t-a-williams/1143427411

Synopsis: It's a lazy weekend in the country as Dan Armstrong and the new love of his life, Anna, are heading to a hotel deep in the gorgeous Tuscan countryside for a long weekend, looking forward to some time away from the stresses of their day jobs. With the beautiful and historic city of Siena just around the corner, it promises to be relaxing and enjoyable. What could possibly go wrong?

A mutilated body! But when a mutilated body is discovered in the hotel grounds Dan is called in to help with the investigation. But who or what could have been responsible for such a vicious attack? Was it the work of wild animals, or is there a brutal murderer at large? A killer who cried wolf? Dan knows he is dealing with a clever killer -- whether two or four legged! And as he sets out to solve the case he begins to worry about his own loyal canine companion. Could Oscar be in more danger than any of the other hotel guests or is a murderer trying to cover their tracks? It's another case for Dan and Oscar to solve!

Critique: Another carefully crafted, impressively written, cozy mystery fun delight for fans of this increasingly popular genre, with the publication of "Murder in Siena", novelist T. A. Williams continues the adventures of Dan Armstrong, a British police officer now retired and residing the loveliest (and apparently murderous) Italian countryside who keeps finding himself helping the local Italian police with still another puzzling murder mystery. This large print trade paperback edition of "Murder in Siena" from Boldwood Books is especially commended to personal and community library Mystery/Suspense collections.

Editorial Note: T. A. Williams (www.boldwoodbooks.com/contributor/t-a-williams)is the author of more than twenty bestselling romances for HQ and Canelo and has now turned his hand to writing cosy crime novels set in his beloved Italy. The series introduces us to retired DCI Armstrong and his labrador canine companion Oscar. The other titles in this series include Murder in Tuscany, Murder in Chianti, Murder in Florence, and Murder at the Matterhorn.

Mayhem in the Mountains
Kelly Oliver
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781804831779, $41.00, PB, Large Print, 420pp

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1143493644

Synopsis: 1918 Italy. When a deadly blizzard traps Fiona Figg and Kitty Lane in the Dolomite Mountains, it's all downhill from here. Their hotel is snowed-in, and no one can get in or out. Then a man is found dead in his locked hotel room -' and that means the killer is still on the premises. But with no murder weapon and too many suspects, their investigation is treading on thin ice. The colder it gets outside, the hotter it gets inside as Fiona squares off with both her beloved Archie and her nemesis Fredricks. With her love-life on a slippery-slope, Fiona risks everything in one bold move!

Critique: Another riveting read that is part of novelist Kelly Oliver's outstanding Fiona Figg & Kitty Lane Mystery Series, "Mayhem in the Mountains" has everything a 'whodunnit' mystery fan could want -- carefully crafted characters embedded in an inherently fascinating and original story replete with unexpected plot twists and turns, leading to a dramatic and memorable conclusion. This large print trade paperback edition from Boldwood Books is an especially recommended pick for personal reading lists and community library Mystery/Suspense collections.

Editorial Note: Kelly Oliver (KellyOliverBooks.com) is a Distinguished Professor Emerita of Philosophy at Vanderbilt University and the award-winning author of three mystery series: the seven-book suspense Jessica James Mysteries; the three-book middle grade Pet Detective Mysteries; and the five-book historical cozy Fiona Figg Mysteries. Kelly is also the current Vice President of Sisters in Crime.

Foul Play at Seal Bay
Judy Leigh
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781837514564, $41.00, PB, Large Print, 418pp

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/foul-play-at-seal-bay-judy-leigh/1143466259

Synopsis: It was meant to be the start of quiet season in the sleepy Cornish village of Seal Bay, but not for sexagenarian librarian and wild swimming enthusiast Morwenna Mutton. Because when a local businessman is found on the beach with a bread knife in his back, bungling police officer DI Rick Tremayne is soon out of his depth. Morwenna knows it's going to be down to her to crack the case. The list of people the victim upset is long, the evidence is slight, and an arrest illusive. Morwenna has plenty to occupy her time what with ghostly goings-on at the library and skulduggery at her granddaughter's school, but she could never resist a challenge. And even the most ruthless of murderers should quake at the sight of this amateur sleuth getting on her bike to track them down.

Critique: Everything that a cozy mystery fan could want is to be found in novelist Judy Leigh's "Foul Play at Sea Bay". Shades of Miss Marple! An elderly and respectable lady must play sleuth if a the culprit is to be found in this entertainingly crafted 'whodunnit' murder mystery. A part of author Judy Leigh's 'A Morwenna Mutton Mystery' series, this large print trade paperback edition of "Foul Play at Seal Bay" from Boldwood Books will prove to be an immediate and enduringly popular pick for personal and community library Mystery/Suspense collections.

Editorial Note: Judy Leigh (https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/judy-leigh) has had a 20 year career as an Advanced Skills instructor of Theater Studies. She left that to complete an MA in Professional Writing at Falmouth University. As a professional writer she has been published in magazines including the Feminist Wire, The Purple Breakfast Review, and You is for University.

A Marriage To Murder For
E. V. Hunter
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781804835869, $41.00, PB, Large Print, 384pp

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-marriage-to-murder-for-ev-hunter/1143611722

Synopsis: Social media influencer Crystabel Hughes is determined that her high society wedding to Giles Preston Smythe will be the talk of the town. No matter the cost or the upset, nothing will stop this wedding. Except maybe a cheating groom!

But for Alexi Ellis and the rest of the staff at Hopgood Hall, Crystabel's demands are becoming increasingly extreme. And when Alexi spots the groom getting up close and personal with one of the bridesmaids, she fears trouble is only a bouquet toss away. A killer bride caught red-handed?

And Alexi's fears are confirmed when the groom is found dead on the night before the wedding, stabbed through the heart -- the person holding the dagger is his beloved bride-to be Crystabel. Hopgood Hall doesn't need any more bad press, but the race is on to find the killer and close the case before Crystabel live streams her dilemma.

Can Alexi, Jack and Cosmo find out why Giles was killed? And, more importantly, can they stop the killer before they strike again?

Critique: A riveting great read from first page to last, "A Marriage to Murder For" is novelist E. V. Hunter's third book in her "Hopgood Hall Murder Mystery' series and another winner of a pick for the dedicated historical mystery/crime fiction fan. This large print trade paperback edition of "A Marriage to Murder For" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections and a 'must' for the growing legions of E. V. Hunter fans.

Editorial Note: E. V. Hunter (https://wendysoliman.com/about) is the pen name of author Wendy Soliman who has written some of the best crime fiction being produced today.

Murder on the Farm
Kate Wells
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781785134173, $41.00, PB, Large Print, 490pp

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/murder-on-the-farm-kate-wells/1143599221

Synopsis: Lambing season always brings the unexpected. But no one anticipated murder!

Jude Gray never thought she'd find herself widowed and running a working farm full-time, but here she is, living in the small Malvern village her husband spent most of his life in. After a particularly gruelling lambing season, she is looking forward to some time off, but there's no rest for the wicked, especially when she finds the body of one of Adam's oldest friends on her farm.

Jude refuses to believe the official line, that Sarah's death was a suicide, and starts an investigation of her own. But as the body count rises, danger creeps ever closer to Malvern Farm. A killer is on the prowl. And all that stands in their way is one woman -- and her dog.

Critique: "Murder on the Farm" is another carefully crafted cozy mystery showcasing novelist Kte Wells' complete and impressive mastery of the 'whodunnit' genre with its nonprofessional, driven to it by circumstance, female sleuth trying to solve a murder mystery in dangerous circumstances. Replete with more unexpected twists and turns than an Oklahoma tornado, and launching her new 'A Malvern Farm Mystery' series, this large print trade paperback edition of "Murder on the Farm" is especially recommended for both personal reading lists and community library Mystery/Suspense collections.

Editorial Note: There is a substantial listing of the published works of Kate Wells online at https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/742356.Kate_Wells

Murder in the Bookshop
Anita Davison
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781785133091, $41.00, PB, Large Print, 384pp

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/murder-in-the-bookshop-anita-davison/1143539359

Synopsis: 1915, London, and someone's been read their last rites.

Working in the dusty bookshop that her Aunt Violet mysteriously inherited, Hannah Merrill is accustomed to finding twists in every tale. But discovering in the middle of the bookshop her beloved best friend Lily-Anne with a paperknife through her heart is not a plotline she saw coming.

The case is anything but textbook. With the discovery of a coded German message, and Hannah's instinct that Lily-Anne's husband is keeping secrets, she determines to get to the bottom of it. She can't do it alone though. To crack this case, Hannah will need the enlist the help of her outrageous, opinionated, only-occasionally-objectionable Aunt Violet.

They think they're making progress until one of their chief suspects is found dead. And Hannah realises that she is herself now in the murderer's sights. Will the final chapter be the ending of a killer -- or just a killer ending?

Critique: A 'Miss Merrill and Aunt Violet Mystery" by novelist Anita Davison, "Murder in the Bookshop" is especially commended to the attention of all dedicated cozy mystery readers as a deftly crafted and fun read from first page to last. This large print paperback edition from Boldwood Books is a deftly crafted and highly recommended addition to both personal reading lists and community library Mystery/Suspense collections.

Editorial Note: Anita Davison's first published novels were set in the 17th Century, about The Woufe Family of Loxsbeare in Exeter during the Monmouth Rebellion and the Glorious Revolution. Royalist Rebel, based on Elizabeth Murray, later the Duchess of Lauderdale during her youth in the English Civil War. Her current works are the Flora Maguire Mysteries, a series of Edwardian Cosy Mysteries published by Aria Fiction. The first book is Flora's Secret set on an Atlantic Steamship in 1900, followed by Betrayal at Cleeve Abbey, A Knightsbridge Scandal, The Forgotten Children and The Bloomsbury Affair which was released in November 2018.

Malibu Burning
Lee Goldberg
Thomas & Mercer
https://amazonpublishing.amazon.com/thomas-mercer.html
9781662500671, $28.99, HC, 304pp

https://www.amazon.com/Malibu-Burning-Lee-Goldberg/dp/166250067X

Synopsis: Hell comes to Southern California every October. It rides in on searing Santa Ana winds that blast at near hurricane force, igniting voracious wildfires. Master thief Danny Cole longs for the flames. A tsunami of fire is exactly what he needs to pull off a daring crime and avenge a fallen friend.

As the most devastating firestorms in Los Angeles' history scorch the hills of Malibu, relentless arson investigator Walter Sharpe and his wild card of a new partner, Andrew Walker, a former US marshal, suspect that someone set the massive blazes intentionally, a terrifying means to an unknown end.

While the flames rage out of control, Danny pursues his brilliant scheme, unaware that Sharpe and Walker are closing in. But when they all collide in a canyon of fire, everything changes, pitting them against an unexpected enemy within an inescapable inferno.

Critique: Given a timely sense of authenticity with respect to the fires currently plaguing Southern California, "Malibu Burning" by Lee Goldberg will have a special appeal to fans of police procedure mystery thrillers. Original and compelling from first page to last, "Malibu Burning is highly recommended, especially for community library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Malibu Burning" is also available in a paperback edition (9781662500688, $16.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).

Editorial Note: Lee Goldberg (https://en.wikipedia.org wiki Lee_Goldberg) is an American author, screenwriter, publisher and producer known for his bestselling novels and TV crime series. He is the author of the .357 Vigilante, True Fiction and The Man with the Iron-On Badge series, as well as the .357 Vigilante TV series. He also wrote and produced Diagnosis Murder, A Nero Wolfe Mystery, Monk and other shows.

Death in the Reeds
John Gibson
Stark House Press
www.starkhousepress.com
9781951473853, $15.95, PB, 302pp

https://www.amazon.com/Death-Reeds-John-Gibson/dp/195147385X

Synopsis: At the start of the Iraq War, a priceless antiquity is stolen from the Iraq Museum. The three thousand year old Death in the Reeds which once decorated an ancient throne. There are only two in the world, and billionaire collectors will pay hundreds of millions of dollars to secure it. The thief escapes Iraq with his prize, but is murdered before he can sell it. And now the missing antiquity becomes the object of a frantic chase.

In San Francisco, sexy TV star Cass Popadop (a close friend to Mickey Judge, recently hired by one of the local stations after being fired from New York) finds out about the stolen art and tries to score a multi-million dollar commission. She tempts the brother of the dead thief to fly to the Mideast, track it down and bring it back to San Francisco.

All the while, hired killer Pete Grand is stalking the object himself, dispatching anyone who gets in his way with a quick toss from a fatal height.

And in the midst of all this grasping, greedy collection of crooked politicians, media moguls and rich eccentrics, Mickey Judge finds himself becoming the ultimate bait in a chase for the billion dollar prize.

Critique: A deftly crafted an inherent engaging 'Mickey Judge Mystery' by novelist John Gibson is a simply riveting read from start to finish. Memorable characters, original storyline, and more unexpected twists and turns than a Texas tornado, "Death in the Reeds" is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated crime fiction fans that "Death in the Reeds" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99).

Editorial Note: John Gibson (http://starkhousepress.com/gibson.php) was a television news reporter, a network news correspondent, a cable news anchor and a radio talk show host for over four decades. He lives in Texas. OJ's Knife was his first novel, also published by Stark House. He previously published non fiction titles The War On Christmas, Hating America, and How the Left Swiftboated America.

Murder and Mamon
Mia P. Manasala
Berkley Books
c/o Penguin/Random House
https://www.penguin.com/berkley-overview
9780593549162, $17.00, PB, 288pp

https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Mamon-Rosies-Kitchen-Mystery/dp/0593549163

Synopsis: Lila Macapagal's godmothers April, Mae, and June (aka the Calendar Crew) are celebrating the opening of their latest joint business venture, a new laundromat, to much fanfare (and controversy).

However, what should've been a joyous occasion quickly turns into a tragedy when they discover the building has been vandalized -- and the body of Ninang April's niece, recently arrived from the Philippines, next to a chilling message painted on the floor. The question is, was the message aimed at the victim or Lila's gossipy godmothers, who have not-so-squeaky-clean reputations?

With Ninang April falling apart from grief and little progress from the Shady Palms Police Department in this slippery case, it's up to Lila and her network to find justice for the young woman.

The Calendar Crew have stuck their noses into everybody's business for years, but now the tables are turned as Lila must pry into the Calendar Crew's lives to figure out who has a vendetta against the (extremely opinionated yet loving) aunties and stop them before they strike again.

Critique: A 'Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery', "Murder and Mamon" by novelist and book coach Mia P. Manansala is a deftly crafted amateur lady sleuth cozy mystery novel that is an original and fun read from first page to last. Memorable characters and more plot twists that a Kansas tornado, "Murder and Mamon" is a truly riveting read and will prove to be a welcome and popular addition to community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs that "Murder and Mamon" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).

Editorial Note: Mia P. Manansala (https://www.miapmanansala.com) is a talented writer from Chicago who loves books, baking, and badass women. She uses humor (and murder) to explore aspects of the Filipino diaspora, queerness, and her millennial love for pop culture.

Harlem After Midnight
Louise Hare
Berkley Books
c/o Penguin/Random House
https://www.penguin.com/berkley-overview
9780593439289, $28.00, HC, 352pp

https://www.amazon.com/Harlem-After-Midnight-Canary-Mystery/dp/0593439287

Synopsis: Harlem, 1936: Lena Aldridge is a woman who grew up in a cramped corner of London, hearing stories of the bright lights of Broadway. She always imagined that when she finally went to New York City, she'd be there with her father. But now he's dead, and she's newly arrived and alone, chasing a dream that has quickly dried up.

When Will Goodman (the handsome musician she met on the crossing from England) offers for her to stay with his friends in Harlem, she agrees. She has nowhere else to go, and this will give her a chance to get to know Will better and see if she can find any trace of the family she might have remaining.

Will's friends welcome her with open arms, but just as Lena discovers the stories her father once told her were missing giant pieces of information, she also starts to realize the man she's falling too fast and too hard for has secrets of his own. And they might just place a target on her back.

Especially when she is drawn to the brightest stage in town.

Critique: A finely fashion, deftly crafted novel by an author with a genuine flair for the kind of original and narrative driven storytelling that keeps the reader's total attention from first page to last, "Harlem After Midnight" by novelist Louis Hare is especially and unreservedly recommended pick for community library contemporary African/American mystery and suspense thriller fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Harlem After Dark" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).

Editorial Note: Louise Hare (https://louisehare.com) is the London-based author of Miss Aldridge Regrets. Her debut novel, This Lovely City, was published in the UK to wide acclaim, and was a Between the Covers Book Club Pick on BBC Two. She has an MA in creative writing from the University of London.

The Messenger
Megan Davis
Pegasus Crime
c/o Pegasus Books
www.pegasusbooks.com
9781639364473, $27.95, HC, 448pp

https://www.amazon.com/Messenger-Novel-Megan-Davis/dp/1639364471

Synopsis: After moving back to Paris to live with his French dad, Alex Giraud is struggling to fit in among the kids of the rich elite at his exclusive school and he feels stifled by the expectations of his overbearing father. Eddy Giraud used to be one of the most fearless journalists in Paris, but his professional and personal disappointments have made him a cynical, opportunistic man who has little patience for his son's lack of ambition.

Desperate to escape the increasingly suffocating atmosphere at home, Alex seeks freedom in the French metropolis where his new-found friend Sami teaches him the rules of the street. But everything has a price -- and one night of rebellion changes their lives forever. A simple plan for a robbery takes a sinister turn when Alex's father is found dead.

Despite protesting their innocence, Alex and Sami are imprisoned for murder. Seven years later, Alex is released from prison with a single purpose: discover who really killed his father.

As he searches for answers, Alex is tormented by his sense of guilt for his father (and for Sami) and, as he begins to uncover the truth about his father's killer, other shocking revelations with far-reaching consequences come to light. Will Alex be able to survive his own personal demons and, after all this time, bring the murderer to justice?

Critique: An elegant, original, deftly crafted, and inherently fascinating, memorable read from cover to cover, "The Messenger" by novelist Megan Davis will be of special interest to fans of murder mysteries and suspense thrillers. While a very highly recommended pick for community library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of all dedicated mystery buffs that "The Messenger" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $17.99).

Editorial Note: Megan Davis (https://megandavis.co.uk) has worked in the film industry and her credits include Atonement, In Bruges, Pride and Prejudice, and the Bourne films. Megan is also a lawyer at Spotlight on Corruption. Her debut The Messenger, won the Bridport Prize for a first unpublished novel, judged by Kamila Shamsie, as well as the Lucy Cavendish Prize. She currently resides in London.

Code Crisis
Joseph Purpura, MD
Greenleaf Book Group Press
www.greenleafbookgroup.com
9798886450132, $27.95, HC, 360pp

https://www.amazon.com/Code-Crisis-Joe-Purpura/dp/B0BDXZZ5M6

Synopsis: Dr. Vince DeLuca would normally take a Tito's straight up with two olives after a ruptured ectopic pregnancy nearly flatlined a patient. Maybe follow it up with a one-night stand to chase away memories of the trauma that has kept his emotional life stagnant for so long.

But when he overhears one of his recovering patients (married to the CEO of a defense contractor) mumbling about "stingers", "revenge", and her affair with a mysterious man named Salaam, Vince's PTSD alights. Sure, it could just be the ramblings of a woman on too much morphine, or she could be talking about the missing anti aircraft weapons he read about and a highly sought-after terrorist.

Vince decides to leave it to the FBI, not suspecting that they would send him Carolyn, a drop-dead gorgeous, slightly insane CIA agent who needs his help. Vince is soon thrown into the fray and finds himself both utterly in love and using everything he ever learned in his medical career (including how to clamp a subclavian artery with a zip tie) to help home in on the terrorists' plot, but not before they discover him and come looking for blood.

Critique: It is clear that as an author, Joe Purpura effectively draws upon his professional career experiences as a doctor to provide "Code Crisis", his action/adventure mystery suspense thriller of a novel, with an air of authenticity. Showcasing his genuine flair for originality and the kind of narrative driven storytelling style that holds his reader's rapt attention from start to finish, "Code Crisis" will prove a welcome and enduringly popular pick for community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists of Medical Thriller and Terrorism themed fans that the "Code Crisis" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Editorial Note: Joseph Purpura, MD, is an obstetrician-gynecologist, patient safety expert, and award-winning faculty member at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine. He lives in Santa Barbara, CA. This is his first novel.

Opulence and Ashes
Kate Belli
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781639105304, $31.99, HC, 336pp

https://www.amazon.com/Opulence-Ashes-Gilded-Gotham-Mystery/dp/1639105301

Synopsis: It's Spring, 1890, and the long New York winter is over, the buds are blossoming, and romance is in the air. But not all's right in Gilded-Age Manhattan. Genevieve, a society journalist, and her fiance, Daniel, are working with photographer Dagmar Hansen on an investigation into the House of Refuge, a children's workhouse, inspired by Daniel's near incarceration when he was young. Genevieve is also working on her own piece for the Globe about the Sunflower Mission House, which burned down in a suspicious fire.

When a blaze consumes Dagmar's studio (and Genevieve barely escapes with her life in another) Daniel urges her to stop her investigation. But Genevieve is determined to finish the story, and her leads take her deep into the heart of the Bowery. When Genevieve suddenly goes missing, Daniel searches the city in a desperate effort to find her. When their new Fifth Avenue home is also set ablaze, Daniel fears the worst.

Someone has their sights on Genevieve -- and if she can't escape, she could be the next to go up in flames!

Critique: An historical murder mystery set in the Gilded Age of late 19th Century New York City and involving an amateur female sleuth and a ruthless, unknown killer, "Opulence and Ashes" by novelist Kate Belli is an expertly crafted and thoroughly fun read that will hold a special interest for cozy mystery fans and fans of historical crime fiction. While highly recommended for both personal reading lists and community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted "Opulence and Ashes" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $19.99).

Editorial Note: Kate Belli (https://katebelli.com) writes historical mysteries and contemporary thrillers. Fascinated by history from an early age, she earned a PhD in American art and has variously worked as an antiques appraiser, a museum curator and a college professor. Kate has lived all over, from Florence, Italy, to Brooklyn, New York, to the Deep South, to a cottage next to Monet's gardens in Northern France. Today she lives and works in Central Pennsylvania with her husband and son.

The Socialite's Guide to Death and Dating
S. K. Golden
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781639104857, $29.99, HC, 336pp

https://www.amazon.com/Socialites-Guide-Dating-Pinnacle-Mystery/dp/1639104852

Synopsis: New York, 1958. Even though Evelyn Murphy has made progress conquering her agoraphobia by leaving the Pinnacle hotel, she still feels most comfortable in her father's hotel. With Malcolm Cooper, her new boyfriend and fellow employee at the hotel, Evelyn feels prepared for whatever happens next. In this case, it's throwing a big fundraiser with the who's who of New York City.

The night is a success, and Evelyn finally takes up Malcolm's offer to finally visit his apartment in Yonkers. As the party ends, they sneak away to the garage to get Evelyn's car. But Evelyn's always been good at finding things, and she discovers the dead body of a guest, Judge Baker, in a car -- with a needle in his arm.

Detective Hodgson and his new partner, Detective McJimsey, arrive on the scene, but before they can begin to question Evelyn, they are startled by another mysterious discovery: there's a woman in the trunk of the car, and she screams as soon as she sees Evelyn's face. Tangled up in the police investigation, Evelyn's got another problem, too -- her father insists she break off her relationship with Mac. The next day, her father is found attacked just like the judge, only this time the detectives find a dead woman nearby.

With Mac accused of the attacks and in police custody, Evelyn will have to find the killer on her own before she's checked out of the hotel -- this time, for good!

Critique: With all the elements of a terrific cozy mystery beginning with an amateur female sleuth trying to solve the mystery and discover the culprit behind a deadly series of murders, "The Socialite's Guide To Death & Dating" once again showcases author S. K. Golden's impressively original and narrative driven storytelling style and her complete mastery of the cozy mystery genre. While also available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $18.99), "The Socialite's Guide To Death & Dating" will prove to be a particularly welcome and enduringly popular pick for community library Mystery/Suspense collections.

Editorial Note: Sarah K Golden (www.skgoldenwrites.com) is also the author of the cozy mystery "The Socialite's Guide to Murder".

Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas
Vicki Delany
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781639104635, $30.99, HC, 288pp

https://www.amazon.com/Yourself-Deadly-Christmas-Year-Round-Mystery/dp/1639104631

Synopsis: It's the beginning of December in Rudolph, New York, America's Christmas Town, and business is brisk at Mrs. Claus's Treasures, a gift and decor shop owned by Merry Wilkinson. The local amateur dramatic society is intensely preparing a special musical production of A Christmas Carol. But it is not a happy set, as rivalries between cast and crew threaten the production.

Tensions come to a head when a member of the group is found dead shortly after a shopping excursion to Mrs. Claus's Treasures. Was someone looking to cut out the competition? Everyone in the cast and crew is a potential suspect, including Aline, Merry's mother, and Merry's shop assistant Jackie O'Reilly, who was desperate for a starring role.

It could be curtains for Christmas (and for Merry!) unless the killer can be ferreted out of the wings.

Critique: Dedicated fans of the cozy mystery genre will not want to miss author Vicki Delany's latest (and arguably best yet) novel, "Have Yourself A Deadly Little Christmas" featuring an amateur lady sleuth urgently needing to solve a 'whodunnit' murder mystery with clues and plot twists aplenty. A stellar and fun read from cover to cover, and also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.99) is an especially recommended pick for community library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections.

Editorial Note: Vicki Delany (http://vickidelany.com) is the author of more than thirty novels/novellas in several of mystery's subgenres. Born in Manitoba and raised in Ontario, she is the former president of the Crime Writers of Canada, a member of Capital Crime Writers, and a member of Sisters in Crime.

A Nutcracker Nightmare
Christina Romeril
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781639104918, $$31.99, HC, 320pp

https://www.amazon.com/Nutcracker-Nightmare-Killer-Chocolate-Mystery/dp/1639104917

Synopsis: Twin sisters, Hanna and Alex, are the owners of the Murder and Mayhem book and chocolate shop who are busy preparing for the Harriston High School's reunion weekend.

Neighbors will connect with old friends and perhaps try to avoid old foes. But one person no one can avoid is Kyle, the former star quarterback, who is busy using his entire playbook to try and score with Hanna, even threatening her if she doesn't play nice. At the reunion, Alex glimpses more drama than nostalgia as insults are flung around like a football at a Friday night game. The party is put on hold when Alex finds the dead body of none other than Kyle himself, bludgeoned to death by a nutcracker that the sisters admired earlier in the night.

Hanna quickly becomes the prime suspect -- someone saw her slap Kyle in the face at the reunion dance. She'll need her sister, their sleuthing canine, Watson, and their old friends and colleagues to help break this case wide open. While looking through old yearbooks and taking a stroll down memory lane, Alex uncovers a few secrets about Kyle, now, it seems like everyone had a motive to kill him.

But when the suspects start becoming the victims, Alex and Hanna know that they can't melt under the pressure -- they must find the killer before they become just another yearbook memory.

Critique: A fun and deftly crafted read for delighted cozy mystery fans, "A Nutcracker Nightmare" by author Christina Romeril showcases her impressive skills and mastery of the genre. Cozy mystery buffs will enjoy the many unexpected plot twists and turns as our intrepid amateur female sleuths are once again caught up in a riveting 'whodunnit' murder mystery the must solve before the killer can strike again. While a riveting and highly popular pick for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it must be noted for personal reading lists that "A Nutcracker Nightmare" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $18.99).

Editorial Note: Christina Romeril (https://christinaromeril.com) is a dedicated and talented cozy-mystery writer. She grew up in Kitchener, Ontario, and has been devouring stacks of books since third grade when the Trixie Belden series sparked her love of the genre. She has lived on both coasts of Canada as a member of the Canadian military and later as a military spouse.

Murder at Midnight
Katharine Schellman
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781639104321, $29.99, HC, 320pp

https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Midnight-LILLY-ADLER-MYSTERY/dp/1639104321

Synopsis: Regency widow Lily Adler is looking forward to a quiet Christmastide away from the schemes and secrets she witnessed daily in London. Not only will she be visiting the family of her late husband; she will be reunited with Captain Jack Hartley, her friend and confidante, finally returned after a long voyage at sea.

But secrets aren't only found in London. Jack's younger sister, Amelia, is the center of neighborhood scandal and gossip. She refuses to tell anyone what really happened, even when an unexpected snowstorm strands the neighborhood families together after a Christmas ball. Stuck until the snow stops, the Adlers, Hartleys, and their neighbors settle in for the night, only to be awakened in the morning by the scream of a maid who has just discovered a dead body.

The victim was the well-to-do son of a local gentleman -- the same man whose name has become so scandalously linked to Amelia's.

With the snow still falling and no way to come or go, it's clear that someone in the house was responsible for the young man's death. When suspicion instantly falls on Jack's sister, he and Lily must unmask the true culprit before Amelia is convicted of a crime she didn't commit.

Critique: Cozy mystery writing at its very best, "Murder at Midnight" by Katharine Schellman is an original 'whodunnit' novel with all the elements of a fun read -- an amateur female sleuth and many an unexpected plot twist and turn. Certain to be a cozy mystery fan favorite, "Murder at Midnight" is absolutely recommended for personal and community library Historical Mystery collections. It should be noted for dedicated cozy mystery fans that "Murder at Midnight" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).

Editorial Note: Katharine Schellman (https://www.katharineschellman.com) is a former actor, one-time political consultant, and currently the author of the Lily Adler Mysteries. A graduate of the College of William & Mary, Katharine currently lives and writes in the mountains of Virginia in the company of her family and the many houseplants she keeps accidentally murdering.

Seams Deadly
Maggie Bailey
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781639104697, $29.99, HC, 272pp

https://www.amazon.com/Seams-Deadly-Measure-Sewing-Mystery/dp/1639104690

Synopsis: Editorial Note: Lydia Barnes is excited for a fresh start when she moves to the quaint mountain town of Peridot, Georgia. Her friend, Fran, offers her a job at the Measure Twice fabric store and even sets her up on a date with the handsome Brandon Ivey, who also happens to be Lydia's new next-door neighbor. Finally, things are looking up. But after a disaster first date that ends with a fist bump instead of a kiss, Lydia doesn't think her night can get any worse. She's soon proven wrong when she later stumbles upon Brandon's dead body.

Considered the prime suspect by the police, Lydia calls on her friends to help her hunt for the truth and prove her innocence. But when another body is soon found inside the Measure Twice store, Lydia knows that the killer must be close by, and that this town has more than its fair share of secrets. Who would want to frame the newest addition to Peridot for these terrible murders -- and why?

Lydia may discover that while sewing might have a pattern, killing rarely does. Will she be able to stitch together the clues and clear her own name before the killer strikes again?

Critique: With a special appeal to readers with an interes in craft/hobby themed cozy mysteries featuring amateur female sleuths and impressively reader engaging and unexpected plot twists and turns, "Seams Deadly" introduces a new 'Measure Twice Sewing Mystery' cozy mystery series by Maggie Bailey. While also available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Dreamscape Media, 9781666645101, $22.99, CD), "Seams Deadly" is a highly recommended pick for community library Mystery/Suspense collections.

Editorial Note: Maggie Bailey (https://crookedlanebooks.com/maggie-bailey) an enthusiastic seamstress and maker, is a graduate of Stanford, Oxford, Brown, and Sewanee Universities, Maggie Bailey has previously published two volumes of poetry. She lives in Atlanta with her husband, two young children, her dogs, and a growing fabric stash she can't help but add to on a regular basis.

Death by a Thousand Sips
Gretchen Rue
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781639104536, $30.99, HC, 336pp

https://www.amazon.com/Death-Thousand-Sips-Witches-Mystery/dp/1639104534

Synopsis: Ever since she moved to Raven Creek, Washington, Phoebe Winchester knew she would have to grow accustomed to having a lot on her plate. She's beginning to make the Victorian manor she inherited from her dear and adventurous Aunt Eudora feel more like home, successfully running the bookstore and tea shop, The Earl's Study, and learning to harness her recently discovered magical powers. But when she discovers a dead body at an estate sale -- even Phoebe wonders if this is simply too much.

Rumors of Phoebe's involvement force her to take action; she needs to find the killer and clear her own name, once again. She enlists Rich Lofting, the handsome private detective and her childhood friend, in her investigation, all while she sorts out her unresolved feelings for him. Is there something more sinister lurking in the shadows of this small tight-knit town? And does Phoebe really want to find out?

With a dash of magic, a pinch of sleuthing skills, and a spoonful of friendly assistance, Phoebe needs to uncover the killer to keep Raven Creek safe once again. But if she doesn't -- will she find herself in even more hot water?

Critique: Original, deftly crafted, and a fun read from first page to last, "Death by a Thousand Sips" is a cozy mystery reader's delight from cover to cover. While also available for the personal reading lists of all dedicated cozy mystery fans in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.99), "Death by a Thousand Sips" by impressively talented novelist Gretchen Rue is especially and unreservedly recommended pick for community library Mystery/Suspense collections.

Editorial Note: Gretchen Rue (https://www.sierradean.com/gretchenrue) lives in the Canadian prairies, which affords her ample time to read during the six months of winter. She plays cat mom to four mostly indifferent fur children, and plant mom to roughly 100 very demanding flora. When she isn't sipping tea and working on her next novel, she enjoys swimming, hiking, and watching baseball.

In the Wick of Time
Valona Jones
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781639105076, $31.99, HC, 288pp

https://www.amazon.com/Wick-Time-Magic-Candle-Mystery/dp/1639105077

Synopsis: December in Savannah, Georgia, is a sight to behold. With all the festivities (including the traditional riverfront luminary display during the boat parade) twin sisters Tabby and Sage Winslow are busier than ever setting up for the big celebration. But that isn't the only thing on the sisters' minds. Both Sage and her fellow employee Mary Nicole are vying for the sought-after assistant manager job at the plant nursery. But when Loren Lee, their boss, is found dead, and Sage becomes the police's favorite suspect, both Winslow girls know that they'll need more than a flicker of magic and their sisterhood to solve the murder and clear Sage's name.

Soon, Tabby realizes that this is just one of the many problems they have. If being a suspect for murder wasn't enough, there are more magical problems that they have to fix: Sage's boyfriend is having a paranormal experience of his own he can't control, there's an energy vampire searching for his supposedly lost cousin, her cat suddenly dislikes her, and oh -- every time Tabby hiccups, she turns completely invisible. The suspect list grows with each day and it seems everyone has a reason or a connection to Loren Lee.

Tabby and Sage are burning the candle at both ends -- but will it be enough to keep their friends safe and find this killer? Or will they be burned by their efforts?

Critique: A delicious combination of magic and the cozy mystery, "In The Wick of Time" is the latest title in author Valona Jones' unique 'Magic Candle Shop' mysteries series and a fun read from cover to cover. While certain to be an instantly and enduringly popular pick for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "In The Wick of Time" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $19.99).

Editorial Note: Valona Jones (https://www.valonajones.com) worked as a scientist for many years, and then she accidentally became a freelance reporter for a weekly paper, all while the stories in her head demanded to be written.

Murder by the Seashore
Samara Yew
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781639104932, $31.99, HC, 256pp

https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Seashore-California-Bookshop-Mystery/dp/1639104933

Synopsis: Southern California is where dreams come true -- or so thought Scarlett Gardner.

When she moved there and opened the Palm Trees and Page Turners bookshop, she thought her boyfriend and business partner would be part of the story. When he leaves her for a better job, Scarlett finds herself struggling to keep her new business afloat. That's not the only thing she has to worry about -- she discovers something underneath the pier by her bookshop that she didn't outline for her life's story: the dead body of a book-buying customer.

After Scarlett gives a statement to the police, she thinks her life can go back to business as usual. But when a lawyer, representing someone named Lorelai Knight, tells Scarlett that she now stands to inherit a small fortune, she's left with more questions than answers. Before she can make sense of any of it, the police bring her in for questioning; the body she found was Lorelai Knight. And the evidence they have against Scarlett doesn't look good.

Business is booming as Scarlett returns to Palm Trees and Page Turners, but for all the wrong reasons -- curious tourists don't want books, they want a glimpse of the Bookshop Killer.

Who could really be behind all of this? And why frame Scarlett? To clear her name, she's going to have get creative - and hope she can remain one page ahead of the killer.

Critique: Cozy mystery writing at its very best, "Murder by the Seashore" showcases author Samara Yew's considerable flair for originality and the kind of narrative driven storytelling style that fits the genre perfectly. "Murder by the Seashore" is part of her 'California Bookshop Mystery' series from Crooked Lane Books and a fun read from cover to cover. While available for all dedicated cozy mystery fans in a digital book format (Kindle, $17.99), "Murder by the Seashore" is a stellar and unreservedly recommended pick for community library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections.

Editorial Note: Samara Yew (https://samarayew.com/?page_id=19) is a cozy mystery author who writes about adorable bookshops and dead bodies. She is also a member of Sisters in Crime and International Thriller Writers.

Caught on the Book
Laura Gail Black
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781639104819, $31.99, HC, 272pp

https://www.amazon.com/Caught-Book-Antique-Bookshop-Mystery/dp/163910481X

Synopsis: The annual fishing tournament and festival in Hokes Folly, North Carolina, is the high-water mark event of the year. Antiquarian bookseller Jenna Quinn, owner of the Twice Upon a Time bookstore, is ready to catch some new customers with her fishing-themed book display at the festival. That is, until a local author is found dead in his booth.

All fingers point to Frank Sutter, a former detective with the police department. His soon-to-be ex-wife had been dating the victim, and Frank had been seen having an argument with him earlier that day. When Keith Logan, Jenna's boyfriend and detective with the local police, asks Jenna for help to solve the case, she's shocked. Frank was Keith's former partner and someone who had been determined to pin more than one murder on Jenna. Frank doesn't want Jenna's help any more than Jenna wants to help him, but the two will have to put aside their animosity for each other if they want to reel in the killer.

This bookselling sleuth knows she will have to cast a wide net in order to catch the killer, even if means dangerously luring them in. Will her novel idea help her catch the killer, or is she bound for a more deadly ending?

Critique: Herself a dedicated bibliophile, as an author Laura Gail Black has a complete mastery of the cozy mystery genre which, combined with a genuine flair for originality, offers her readers yet another deftly crafted and fun with the publication of "Caught on the Book", the latest addition to her 'An Antique Bookshop Mystery' series. Available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $19.99), "Caught on the Book" will prove an enduringly welcome and appreciated pick for community library Cozy Mystery collections.

Editorial Note: Laura Gail Black (https://lauragailblack.com) writes cozy mysteries from her home on 10 acres, with a view of the Sauratown Mountains in northern North Carolina, where she lives with her husband and four rescue dogs. She began collecting antique books when she worked in a used and antique bookstore in college. Today, Laura's bookshelves contain many antique books, some of which are close to 200 years old.

Stalking Around the Christmas Tree
Jacqueline Frost
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781639104512, $31.99, HC, 288pp

https://www.amazon.com/Stalking-Around-Christmas-Tree-Mystery/dp/1639104518

Synopsis: For inn keeper Holly White, Christmas time in Mistletoe, Maine, is the ultimate holiday gift. Business at the Reindeer Games Inn is booming, her wedding to Sheriff Evan Gray is nearly here, and the annual parade is about to begin. The town is lucky to have another gift this year with the state's ballet company staying for several performances of The Nutcracker. But disaster strikes when Tiffany, the lead ballerina, shows up dead on a float during the parade, the Rat King's mask nearby. Holly will have to spruce up her sleuthing skills if she wants to catch the killer before Christmas -- and her wedding day.

Immediately, Holly discovers that Tiffany had more than a few secrets. She finds out that the star of the show had a super fan that no one knows anything about. And the show's understudy slips some other intriguing information Holly's way: not only was Tiffany secretly seeing someone romantically, but there seems to be more than one rat in this company. When Holly discovers a secret passage leading to Tiffany's dressing room, with footprints leading out; she wonders if this is evidence of a secret lover -- or a stalking killer.

With an impending snowstorm and the ballet company on the way out of town, Holly must act quickly if she wants to find the person responsible for this terrible murder. Will she be able to save Christmas -- or will her investigation turn cold like the weather?

Critique: A genuine treat for cozy mystery fans at any time of the year, "Stalking Around the Christmas Tree" is the newest addition to author Jacqueline Frost's 'A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery' series from Crooked Lane Books and an impressively well crafted and entertaining 'whodunnit' murder mystery from beginning to end. While available for cozy mystery fans in a digital book format (Kindle, $18.99), "Stalking Around the Christmas Tree" is very highly recommended, especially and particularly for community library Mystery/Suspense collections.

Editorial Note: Jacqueline Frost (https://cozy-mystery.com/jacqueline-frost.html) is a mystery loving pet enthusiast who hopes to make her readers smile. Jacqueline is a member of the International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime.

The Christmas Guest: A Novella
Peter Swanson
William Morrow & Company
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
www.harpercollins.com
Blackstone Audiobooks
https://www.blackstonelibrary.com
9780063297456, $19.99, HC, 112pp

https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Guest-Novella-Peter-Swanson/dp/0063297450

Synopsis: Ashley Smith, an American art student in London for her junior year, was planning on spending Christmas alone, but a last-minute invitation from fellow student Emma Chapman brings her to Starvewood Hall, country residence of the Chapman family. The Cotswold manor house, festooned in pine boughs and crammed with guests for Christmas week, is a dream come true for Ashley. She is mesmerized by the cozy, firelit house, the large family, and the charming village of Clevemoor, but also by Adam Chapman, Emma's aloof and handsome brother.

But Adam is being investigated by the local police over the recent brutal slaying of a girl from the village, and there is a mysterious stranger who haunts the woodland path between Starvewood Hall and the local pub. Ashley begins to wonder what kind of story she is actually inhabiting. Is she in a grand romance? A gothic tale? Or has she wandered into something far more sinister and terrifying than she'd ever imagined?

Over thirty years later the events of that horrific week are revisited, along with a diary from that time. What began in a small English village in 1989 reaches its ghostly conclusion in modern-day New York, many Christmas seasons later.

Critique: Carefully crafted and featuring an eloquent blending of psychological and suspense in a Christmas backgrounded crime thriller of a read from start to finish, "The Christmas Guest" by novella author Peter Swanson is certain to be an enduringly popular pick for community library Mystery/Suspense and Literary Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Christmas Guest" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Audio, 9798212698603, $27.99, CD).

Editorial Note: Peter Swanson (https://www.peter-swanson.com) is the author of nine novels, including The Kind Worth Killing, winner of the New England Society Book Award, and finalist for the CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger, and Her Every Fear, an NPR book of the year. His books have been translated into 30 languages, and his stories, poetry, and features have appeared in Asimov's Science Fiction, The Atlantic Monthly, Measure, The Guardian, The Strand Magazine, and Yankee Magazine.

Dead on Target
M. C. Beaton, author
R. W. Green, author
Minotaur Books
c/o St. Martin's Publishing Group
www.minotaurbooks.com
9781250898647, $27.00, HC, 256pp

https://www.amazon.com/Dead-Target-Agatha-Mystery-Mysteries/dp/1250898641

Synopsis: A visit to the local village fete for a spot of fun and relaxation turns into a nightmare for Agatha Raisin when she discovers the body of the local landowner in the woods -- with an arrow in his chest and trousers round his ankles.

Agatha Raisin's old adversary, Detective Chief Inspector Wilkes, declares the death a tragic accident, believing the victim has been hit by a stray arrow from an archery demonstration. Agatha is convinced of foul play, however, and is shocked when Wilkes eventually agrees...with her as his prime murder suspect.

Determined to clear her name and find the real killer, Agatha launches her own investigation, quickly becoming involved with a family at war, an unscrupulous gangster -- and a killer who is determined to make her the next victim!

Critique: A fun read from cover to cover, "Dead on Target" by the late cozy mystery novelist M. C. Beaton (and posthumously co-authored by R. W. Green) features an iconic amateur lady sleuth, numerous plot twists and turns, in this inherently engaging 'whodunnit' murder mystery that plays fair with the readers from start to finish. While especially and unreservedly recommended pick for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the legions of M. C. Beaton fans that "Dead on Target" is also readily available in a

Editorial Note #1: M. C. Beaton (1936-2019), aka "Queen of Crime" was the author of the Agatha Raisin mystery novels (which were also the basis for the hit show on Acorn TV and public television), as well as the Hamish Macbeth series, as well as the Edwardian Murder Mysteries featuring Lady Rose Summer. Born in Scotland, she started her career writing historical romances under several pseudonyms and her maiden name, Marion Chesney. In 2006, M.C. was the British guest of honor at Bouchercon.

Editorial Note #2: R.W. Green (https://crimereads.com/expect-the-unexpected) is a long-time friend of M. C. Beaton, and has written numerous works of fiction and non-fiction.

Let It Crow! Let It Crow! Let It Crow!
Donna Andrews
Minotaur Books
c/o St. Martin's Publishing Group
www.minotaurbooks.com
9781250893963, $27.00, HC, 304pp

https://www.amazon.com/Let-Crow-Meg-Langslow-Mysteries/dp/1250893968

Synopsis: Meg has been roped into participating in a weapon-smithing competition, a Forged in Fire wannabe organized by a blacksmith friend. Meg originally turned down an invitation to participate, but the night before the filming starts, someone attacks Faulk, her blacksmithing mentor, breaking his arm and eliminating him from the contest before it begins.

Meg agrees to step in as his replacement to keep the project from failing. She's not thrilled that the filming will take place during December - Christmas is already a crazy time for her. Since the competition is taking place on Ragnarshjem, the picturesque estate that her friend Ragnar, the retired heavy metal drummer, is turning into a Goth castle, Meg won't have to spend Christmas alone and gets to bring Michael and her twin sons with her.

So Meg joins the cast, to the dismay of several old-school blacksmiths who think women have no place in the profession anyway. And if the show's producers were hoping for drama, they're in luck. The blacksmithing world is a small one, and some of the contestants arrived already laden with grudges and feuds.

It's a high-stakes, cutthroat competition between people who wield large hammers and make swords and have forges full of fire at their disposal. What could possibly go wrong?

Critique: As a cozy mystery novelist, Donna Andrews is as prolific as she is talented and original. "Let It Crow! Let It Crow! Let It Crow!" is the thirty-fourth title in her 'Meg Langslow Mysteries' series and a riveting great read for her legions of fans. While also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.99), and an unreservedly recommended pick for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, "Let It Crow! Let It Crow! Let It Crow!" has humor, suspense, and one of the most adventuress of amateur female sleuths in Meg Langslow who once again finds herself compelled to discover 'whodunnit' this time!

Editorial Note: Donna Andrews (http://www.donnaandrews.com) has won the Agatha, Anthony, and Barry Awards, an RT Book Reviews Award for best first novel, and four Lefty and two Toby Bromberg Awards for funniest mystery. She is a member of the Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and Novelists, Inc. Andrews lives in Reston, Virginia. She has written over 30 books in the Meg Langslow mystery series.

The Secret Hours
Mick Herron
Soho Crime
c/o Soho Press
www.sohopress.com
9781641295215, $27.95, HC, 384pp

https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Hours-Mick-Herron/dp/164129521X

Synopsis: Two years ago, a hostile Prime Minister launched the Monochrome inquiry, investigating "historical over-reaching" by the British Secret Service. Monochrome's mission was to ferret out any hint of misconduct by any MI5 officer -- and allowed Griselda Fleet and Malcolm Kyle, the two civil servants seconded to the project, unfettered access to any and all confidential information in the Service archives in order to do so.

But MI5's formidable First Desk did not become Britain's top spy by accident, and she has successfully thwarted the inquiry at every turn. Now the administration that created Monochrome has been ousted, the investigation is a total bust -- and Griselda and Malcolm are stuck watching as their career prospects are washed away by the pounding London rain.

Until the eve of Monochrome's shuttering, when an MI5 case file appears without explanation. It is the buried history of a classified operation in 1994 Berlin -- an operation that ended in tragedy and scandal, whose cover-up has rewritten thirty years of Service history.

Critique: "The Secret Hours" by Mick Herron is a deftly crafted novel that is at once unsettling, compelling, and laced throughout with humor. A fun read from start to finish, "The Secret Hours" has that inherent feel of authenticity that is essential for a successful secret history spy thriller. While available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99), "The Secret Hours" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library espionage themed historical and political thriller fiction collections.

Editorial Note: Mick Herron (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mick_Herron) is a British novelist and short story writer who was born in Newcastle and studied English at Oxford. He is the author of the Slough House espionage series, four Oxford mysteries, and three standalone novels. His work has won the CWA Gold Dagger for Best Crime Novel, the Steel Dagger for Best Thriller, the Theakston's Novel of the Year Award, the Palle Rosenkrantz Prize, the Ellery Queen Readers Award and the USC Libraries Scripter Award, and been nominated for the Macavity, Barry and Shamus Awards.

The Last Island
James Hunt
Independently Published
9798807666499, $15.99, PB, 308pp

https://www.amazon.com/Last-Island-EMP-Survivor/dp/B09YM378C5

Synopsis: Former United States Department of Defense contractor Charlie Owens resigned from his position with the government to live a life off-grid. After building a cabin on a small island in the Pacific Northwest, the detonation of an EMP sets into motion a series of events that will test Charlie and his family in ways he never imagined.

Critique: Of special interest to fans of dystopian future novels and deftly crafted suspense thrillers, "The Last Island" by author James Hunt is a riveting read from first page to last. Deftly crafted characters, an original and stellar plot, a thoroughly reader engaging, narrative driven storytelling style, "The Last Island" will prove a welcome pick for community library Contemporary General Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Last Island" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $1.99).

Editorial Note: James Hunt's passion for writing began at an early age. While his journal of yesteryear may never be the work of great fiction, he's been working hard every day since then to bring pages to life. James has well over a decade of writing under his belt, but his professional career in literature didn't take off until 2014. His previous novels include "Broken Lines" and "The Last Flag".

James currently lives in Orlando, FL and when he's not pounding away at the keyboard you can find him at the theater or somewhere outside enjoying the beautiful Florida weather.

Shadow Dance
Martin Ott
Regal House Publishing
https://regalhousepublishing.com
9781646033799, $18.95, PB, 206pp

https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Dance-Martin-Ott/dp/1646033795

Synopsis: West is a man looking to flee the past, barely old enough to drink and looking to rediscover himself after several tours in Afghanistan as a POW prison guard. After going AWOL, West looks to reunite with Solomon, his childhood best friend, who exists in the dark underworld of a Los Angeles gentleman's club, Club Paradise.

West soon finds himself caught in the web of an Iranian family and its patriarch, Big Z Pourali, a former wrestler with a dark side and side businesses that put his dancers, employees, and family in peril. West stays in LA to look after Solomon but soon falls for the club owner's daughter Nikki.

West must come to terms with the raw underside of a Los Angeles crime family and his own past, all the while hoping to maintain his sanity in the process.

Critique: Deftly crafted, original, memorable, and a terrific read from start to finish, "Shadow Dance" by Martin Ott will have a very special appeal to readers with an interest in military and crime suspense thriller fiction. With more plot twists and an Oklahoma tornado, a roster of interesting characters, and from an author with a genuine flair for the kind of narrative driven storytelling style that is both engaging and entertaining, "Shadow Dance" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Shadow Dance" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Editorial Note: Martin Ott (http://www.martinottwriter.com) is the author of ten books of poetry and fiction. His first two poetry collections won the De Novo and Sandeen Prizes. His work has appeared in more than 300 magazines and 20 anthologies. A former US Army interrogator and longtime LA resident, Ott works as a communications professional and develops for TV and film in between his other writing projects.

Cape Cod Radio Mystery Theater
https://ccrmt.com/shows

Synopsis: Steven Thomas Oney is the author of the Parker Robinson Mysteries -- a trilogy of three deftly crafted novels of mystery and suspense and a well meaning if somewhat dysfunctional college student with a great many problems of his own. Each of the three titles comprising this outstanding premier series is produced in a digital book format (Kindle).

https://www.amazon.com/Stalking-Bulls-Robinson-Mystery-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B0BQ8K5FCF

"Stalking Bulls" (9780974566870, $2.99, Kindle) Parker Robinson has a guardian aunt who thinks he's a responsible college student but doesn't know he's on probation for skipping a half-semester's worth of classes to go surfing Hawaii. He also has a Polynesian girlfriend whose face could launch a thousand outrigger canoes. He has a dog that listens only to him. He drives an antique 'bullet' Thunderbird that belonged to a late uncle and another uncle, who is the Boston Police Commissioner, who offers him a summer's internship provided he not involve himself in police business.

Parker agrees. But this is before the Isabella Stewart Gardner Art Museum suffers its second major break-in-and-art-heist and Parker realizes he must involve himself to save his uncle's job. However, doing so leads to unintended consequences: such as his girlfriend being kidnapped. To free her, he has to come face to face with a modern-day Minotaur (must confront it and wrestle it) even though it means pitting the monster's brute strength against Parker's youth.

https://www.amazon.com/Stalking-Lions-Robinson-Mystery-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B0BQ8MNW2X

"Stalking Lions" (9780974566887, $3.99, Kindle) You have to feel for Parker Robinson. Yes, he is now safely back at college, but he's still on probation. What's more, he has a floor counselor who hates his guts and wishes him dead, and the dean of the school wishes he could expel him and blames Parker for the bad publicity generated when he appeared, semi-nude, on morning network TV, as the likely suspect in a campus coed's strangulation murder case, even though all the poor boy had done was try to go to the poor girl's aid.

Then there is the gorgeous identical twin who thinks Parker may, in fact, be her sister's killer, until Parker convinces her otherwise and then agrees to help her find the real killer, even if it means pretending to be a model, going to a sleazy modeling studio downtown, searching the tunnels under the Morningside campus, tracking down an absent-minded professor, attending rah-rah football games with sis-boom-bah alumni - - one of whom has very deep pockets and his eye on Parker. However, it is Parker's bloodhound instincts that lead him from 'the frying pan' into the 'fire', or in this case from 'the rowing tank' into the 'drowning vat'.

https://www.amazon.com/Stalking-Chickens-Robinson-Mystery-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B0BQZ8QCXL

"Stalking Chickens" (9780974566894, $4.99, Kindle) Concern is mounting for Parker Robinson. Parker's Aunt Ruth, worried that New York City is too dangerous a place for Parker to complete his community service, has taken it upon herself to have him transferred to the wilds of western Minnesota, where she imagines it will be safer, it being the idyllic land of Laura Ingalls Wilder and Little House on the Prairie.

Now Parker's job is to try to acquire virgin tallgrass prairies to help save the threatened Greater Prairie Chicken. But nobody informs either him or his aunt, that the Agassiz Beachline - once the Gateway to the Wild West - is as wild as ever. Peopled as it is by arsonists and hermits, smugglers and swindlers, and by crazed cowboys with psychotic tendencies that can turn violent at the drop of a Stetson.

His path leads him to burning trestle bridges, exploding grain elevators, into mystery caves and to uncomfortable meetings with a Dancing Potato tycoon, an Annie-Oakley-style sharpshooter and the seedy owner of a local strip club. Along the way, he encounters rattlesnakes, menacing gravel trucks, an out-of-control prairie wildfire, as well as a life-threatening winter storm.
The main question we are left with is: if this region is so much safer than New York City, then why has Parker received three separate attempts on his life?

Critique: Unique, original, engaging, and fun, and although each title in this simply outstanding series is a stand alone read in its own right, it is best if read in the order of "Stalking Bulls", "Stalking Lions", and "Stalking Chickens". The Parker Robinson Mystery trilogy clearly showcases author Steven Thomas Oney's genuine flair for developing inherently memorable characters and the kind of narrative driven storytelling style that will specially appeal to mystery/suspense fans. These are the kind of mystery novels that will linger in the mind and memory of the reader long after each of them is finished and set back upon the shelf.

Editorial Note: There is an extensive listing of novels by Steven thomas Oney online at https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/56152.Steven_Thomas_Oney

A Divisive Storm
David E. Feldman
Independently Published
B0BF1FKNVV, $3.99 ebook

https://www.amazon.com/Divisive-Storm-Gripping-Mystery-Thriller-ebook/dp/B0BF1FKNVV/

Fans of LGBTQ+ backgrounds and mysteries as well as prior readers of David E. Feldman's previous five Dora Ellison stories will find A Divisive Storm both a powerful series addition and a stand-alone attention-grabber for newcomers.

Dora Ellison and sidekick Missy Winters, of Geller Investigations, have a new case involving a seemingly random murder in a parking lot. As Dora and Missy investigate, they spark not only another killing, but evidence that these murders are linked to an unsolved crime that took place five years earlier. The one link between the victims is actually a situation that involves Dora and Missy in a racist club's deadly operations, bringing up questions of moral and immoral behaviors, justice and vigilante efforts, and Dora and Missy's own efforts to identify and stop the murderers.

David E. Feldman does more than craft another whodunit. He introduces elements of social inspection, presenting the scenario and killer with an exceptional powerful prologue that draws the reader instantly into a killer's mind: "And there he was. I knew where he'd be. I knew of several places he would be and times he would be at those places. I had all the information. All I had to do was wait for the right opportunity. An empty parking lot or a busy street. Either might do, if they were right. I'd know. I had lived for this."

Terror is a big reason for the killer's particular modus operandi. That, and justice. The satisfaction that comes from killing also enters the bigger picture to paint a personal vendetta with the red-hot colors of not just senseless crime, but a cold purpose that saturates the story with blood and contrasting belief systems from the start.

Feldman's ability to juxtapose the killer's ideals and motives with the equally determined force of those who hold a different interpretation of justice provides just the right balance of gritty moral inspection and intrigue to keep murder mystery readers on edge and guessing. All the characters are strong, not just the investigators. This lends an aura of believability to the plot that not only engages the mind, but challenges the hearts of readers who expected a casual murder scenario, only to find themselves rethinking their own ideals of law and justice.

The human aspects of these engagements emerge from a variety of characters and scenarios, with dialogue reinforcing the stands and choices people take and make in order to survive. If one thing can be said about A Divisive Storm, it's "expect the unexpected." There is nothing singular about its plot, nothing predictable about the outcomes, and little set in stone along the way. Feldman's ability to craft a hard-boiled noir atmosphere in Dora's world, supercharged with further elements of personal and social inspection, creates a story highly recommended not just for libraries and readers seeking compelling mysteries, but book clubs looking for genre reads that provoke discussions and debates about larger moral and social issues.

32 Minutes
Andrew Diamond
Stolen Time Press
9781734139273, $12.99

https://www.amazon.com/32-Minutes-Freddy-Ferguson-Book-ebook/dp/B0C6GZ9P5S

32 Minutes is the third book in the Freddy Ferguson mystery series, and follows Freddy's inquiry into the disappearance of corporate executive Karl Larsson. From its opening lines, Freddy's first-person inquiry adopts the savvy of an investigator able to take first impressions and run with them:

"My first impression of Leighton Graham? The man didn't like anyone but himself, and he may even have been on the fence about that. Which made him perfect for his job." Freddy's particularly astute ability to sum up the nature of a man with a few succinct insights is confirmed by the resulting dialogue which only cements his inherent dislike of the man who has hired him to find his company's executive officer: "Do you know where he was last seen?" I asked. "And when?"

"Why don't you ask his wife?" Graham was abrupt and unpleasant.

"Do you want to find this guy?" I asked. "Because you're not being very helpful."

"What do you mean, do I want to find him? He's my CTO.

I'm trying to run a damn company here. I got his wife crying in my ear and his whole tech team worried and distracted.

They're not getting anything done. How much do you think that costs me each day? Find the guy, okay?" Find the guy. Should be relatively simple. That's Freddy's area of expertise, after all. But Freddy begins to sense he's at a disadvantage as the case unfolds, because conflicting business and personal special interests dovetail to create a special case in which everyone has part of the answer and yet nobody seems to know the bigger picture. As in his previous Freddy mysteries, Andrew Diamond has crafted a flawed but likeable character whose talents often seem work against him as much as in his favor. Freddy brings a streetwise savvy into his inquiries that lends him a special mantle of knowledge others may not have: "It's hard to know when an addict is lying. Some of the ones I've known lie for no reason at all." But even this personal overlay of expertise proves lacking as Freddy is drawn into a story that holds no beginning and possibly no clear-cut ending, either. Diamond excels in placing Freddy in the center of not just a mystery, but the lives of addicts and survivors who will do anything for and with him in order to satisfy their needs. Freddy's dilemmas evolve on personal and professional levels readers may not see coming. The story adopts many unpredictable twists and turns that continually test Freddy's astute analytical ability as well as his drive to survive and solve his latest case.

Newcomers need no prior familiarity with Freddy's persona and past in order to find 32 Minutes thoroughly compelling, while prior fans will relish the opportunity to follow Freddy through another dilemma that tests his own determination to do his best against all odds. Libraries looking to add to their Freddy mystery collections, as well as new readers interested in an investigation that profiles the investigator as much as his subject, will find 32 Minutes hard-hitting, involving, and personality-driven. Its review of how circumstances and individuals try to force Freddy's hand is thoroughly absorbing and completely unpredictable.

Mainely Wicked
Matt Cost
Encircle Publications
https://encirclepub.com
9781645994602, $26.99 Hardcover/$16.99 Paper/$4.99 ebook

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C4D86219

Mainely Wicked adds to the Mainely series of mysteries set in Maine featuring Goff Langdon. Here, he faces a series of missing person cases that seem tied to supernatural influences in the Church of Satan. Langdon never thought he would be treading on such mercurially dangerous paths in his detective efforts, but this case holds wide-ranging challenges and influences. He enters into a world of human sacrifices, diabolical intentions, and not just one but a circle of missing people who have fallen prey to deadly wicked intentions. The story opens with Liam, who is set to be not just sacrificed, but turned into human stew, before it moves into a chapter where Langdon reflects an interesting touch of real world Maine culture and literature through his endeavors.

As his latest mystery confronts those with "...an insatiable appetite for human flesh," unexpected levity sparks throughout the story in a way that will be especially appreciated by anyone with more than a casual familiarity with Maine's wry sense of humor: "They have an insatiable appetite for human flesh." "Holy fucking donut," Bart said. "You're saying that some sick fucker is planning on eating Annie Brown on the night of the Blood Supermoon?"

As everyday Maine life blends with impossible scenarios of the wicked undercurrents affecting the state, readers receive both a mystery and an unexpected foray into satanic circles which are always affected by the special community focus that drives many Maine environments and, surprisingly, also holds the power to limit Langdon's abilities. As Langdon and his wife Chabal move ever deeper into probing the community's underbelly, their effort to solve a mystery turn into a struggle to survive the truth of what they discover. Once again, Matt Cost has created a rich interplay between Maine atmosphere, mystery, and special interests that evolve to affect Langdon and Chabal's seemingly familiar world. Nobody is immune to the possibility of becoming human stew as the story progresses.

Libraries and readers interested in mysteries built on the platform of a firm sense of place and local flavor, replete with action and surprises that evolve as the investigators find their trail leads into personal threats and bloodletting, will find the vivid interactions between perps, detectives, and Maine culture to be compelling. Its unexpected developments and conclusions makes Mainely Wicked a fine addition to the series as well as a powerful stand-alone read that will prove especially inviting to anyone familiar with Maine culture, who will find delightful its presence and evolution in the peoples and conundrums of this story.

In$ured to the Hilt
Charlotte Stuart
https://www.charlottestuart.com
Level Best Books
https://www.levelbestbooks.us
9781685123406, $5.99 Kindle and $16.95 paperback

https://www.amazon.com/ured-Hilt-John-Smith-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0C15G8469

John Smith is a lowly insurance claims trainee in In$ured to the Hilt, whose working life is not his own. Called on the carpet by the vice president of the company, he feels the need for a two-gulp shot before bracing himself for the storm that will inevitably follow from this meeting. He'll need more booze than this for what's coming, because a perfect storm emerges from his meeting with Martin van Droop which both fulfills his long-time passion to become a P.I. and tests his resolve over his chosen profession of claims adjustor as a poor (but profitable) second choice. Charlotte Stuart injects humor into Smith's wry observations of his situation and those around him. This is one of the hallmarks of a mystery that both titillates the imagination and leaves readers chuckling. As it turns out, Smith has more affection for intrigue than physical dead bodies: "Yes, it might have worked. If she hadn't been dead. Damn. People were dying right and left, and they seemed determined to involve me in their messy departures. Why couldn't they leave me alone to deal with crumpled fenders and sore necks? If I wanted to look at dead bodies, I'd have become a mortician."

As new discoveries, family affairs, work challenges, and personal clauses come to life, Stuart creates a vivid story of insurance, risk, and assessment. These challenge Smith beyond his capabilities or desires, forcing him to tackle not one, but a series of circumstances that feel unlikely and downright impossible. Obsessions with safety, reputation, and alcohol permeate a story that produces a foggy set of affairs in which Smith is continually tested and forced to face various kinds of obstacles to the truth. His ongoing confrontations with the caustic Emma and his ability to constantly elude both unemployment and death make for a delightful mystery that romps through whimsy and serious encounters with the added value of fun.

Unable to make progress on either a settlement or an investigation, Smith faces professional and personal tragedy unless he can muster up better excuses and resolve. Stuart's ability to present a likeable character in a flawed insurance investigator who can't even meet his own company's expectations of resolve creates a mystery as packed with psychological tension and attraction as it is intrigue. Readers seeking a story embedded with the seriousness of a failing insurance investigator who inadvertently becomes the suspect in not one, but two murder investigations will find plenty of intrigue and twists in the tale that keep its outcome satisfyingly unpredictable. Libraries seeking mysteries that excel with multiple layers of possibility will find In$ured to the Hilt a portrait in uncertainty, redemption, and flawed perceptions, whether it is about self, insurance matters, or individuals who always feel they are owed something in life... even when it comes to light that their perceptions are underinsured.

Otobong's Gift
A. Wilson Steele
Mouse Hole Farm Press
9798218224646 $2.99 Kindle

Signed hardcover:
https://www.advancedequinestudies.com/mhf-press

Kindle ebook:
https://www.amazon.com/Otobongs-Gift-Matters-Eastwood-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B0CH8ZRSZQ

Audiobook: Tantor Media

Otobong's Gift, the third book in the Griegg/Eastwood series, combines history with mystery, building an atmosphere of intrigue through family connections and a puzzle that leads from Mississippi roots back to Africa. When Alana perceives miscarriages of justice in both her family's past and present time, the Griegg team of investigators move in to set things right. With the passion and determination that has carried readers through the first two books, Alana and Sigmund embrace the methods of genealogical research, and investigative clues to reveal unexpected family secrets on both sides of the Atlantic.

A. Wilson Steele's astute development of intrigue within the broader story of family visionaries and the impact of past choices upon present-day decisions and conundrums makes for a riveting plot. Alana grows into her abilities to not only embrace them, but consider them growth opportunities for better understanding her expanded role and influences in life. The stormy encounter between Sigmund and Alana that was introduced in The Trap and expanded into an uneasy camaraderie in Zen develops further in Otobong's Gift, a progression which will make this story especially attractive to prior readers of Alana's adventures. Perhaps the most deeply moving of all is the progressive evolutionary process that builds on prior foundations of relationships to continue to expand into new directions. Steele recaps and builds upon these precedents with an astute eye to drama and discovery. The result combines elements of history, mystery, thriller, and psychological evolution as each character confronts their own past, present, and possible futures, both together and apart.

Libraries and readers will relish the depth and complexity of a story that embraces African and American encounters and culture, moving from the 1800s to modern times in a manner that brings spirited revelations to audiences who might think they know where the mystery is heading. They won't... and that is just one of the delights of this heady story, highly recommended for cozy mystery readers looking for stories that enter uncommon international settings in a search for character understanding, resolution, and acceptance.

Vessels of Wrath
Thomas D. Holland
Independently Published
9798392970841, $14.99

https://www.amazon.com/Vessels-Wrath-Big-Elmore-Novel/dp/B0C51RRY52

Vessels of Wrath is the third installment in a series of novels centering on the investigative efforts of Ray ("Big Ray") Elmore, who has become the chief of police of the small Arkansas community Split Tree. His encounters arrive in the form of a rough-hewn oral history, which lends the feeling of local lingo authenticity to a riveting story that embraces not just his perspective, but characters who reflect their community's prejudices, secrets, and personalities. Thomas D. Holland writes with a focus on authenticity in representing these homespun folk and their experiences. The dialogue may seem daunting, at first, but is in keeping not just with the atmosphere and setting of the story, but the progressive discoveries of characters who find themselves mired in conundrums that ordinary individuals don't face. From events that led to the gentleman losing his head in the opening salvo of the story to Chapter 1's first-person reminiscences from the perspective of Big Ray, who has returned home to Split Tree after a brief stint in the Navy, and who has no intention of ever leaving again, Holland evolves an intriguing community-based story. Its mystery and interpersonal relationships form the crux of a rawly revealing tale where events unfold in such a manner that "Which one you believe depends on your sense of optimism."

An observation that applies to conflicting signs also evolves to represent disparate viewpoints and circumstances that test Big Ray and various community members. These range from the Trimbles, whose family heritage and impact involves lessons on "how to be a monster," to strange missing cars that may hold clues to perps and processes simmering under the community's veneer of odd, homespun connections. As Big Ray explores these coincidences and conundrums, his unexpected foray into Locust County events holds the feel of history and the powerful development of fiction. There is no Split Tree, Arkansas, except for these pages. Holland's ability to evolve scenarios and entire town political and social developments against the backdrop of a murder mystery that attract, then pulls in readers to a quagmire of relationship issues, makes for a story far more detailed and compelling than the usual genre read. Except for its fictional overlay, the story reads like the history of a real place and people whose interests don't just dovetail, but clash.

All these elements translate to fine tension and powerful characters whose lives and concerns feel larger than life, making Vessels of Wrath highly recommended for newcomers and prior Big Ray fans alike. Libraries and collections seeking compelling mysteries that embrace small-town lives and characters will find Vessels of Wrath just the ticket for thought-provoking reading. It comes packed with unexpected developments and undercurrents of possibility that will keep readers engaged and thinking to its unexpected conclusion.

Beasts of the Field
Alex Webb Wilson
Kelp Books, LLC
www.kelpjournal.com/books
9798986946252, $22.00

Beasts of the Field is powerful novel packed with images and photographic references. It opens with a grisly murder and a terrible package of evidence sent to a father, moving into the image-driven world of photographer Robert Ellis, who is in Central America, documenting life. It's not enough that, at age twenty-eight, he was the youngest photographer on his company's masthead.

Robert feels like something is missing from his endeavors: "He had looked at his G5 hard drive, his color-calibrated monitor, his Canon lenses and Hasselblad, and admitted that he might be searching for some concept of success forever, and never find it..." The truths he discovers by challenging himself go further and deeper than anything he's attempted before, sending him on missions around the world that capture matters of the heart and also land him in the heart of danger.

Alex Webb Wilson crafts a powerful story that casts a deep lens of inspection on Robert's attempts to document how much has changed in America since 9/11, and in the world he attempts to capture on film. From self-portraits to sons and strangers caught up in struggle and violence, Robert's profession and perspective moves readers to consider the transition points of life experience that often prove elusive in the moment, but later come back, captured as if on film, to haunt and change the world.

From Central American cartels and murder to connections back in the U.S., Wilson moves the story into uncharted territory as Robert and those he loves become caught up in social and political struggles they never saw coming, from earthquake aftermaths to murders and kidnappings. The rich inspection of reporters on assignment who move between very different worlds, toeing the line of discovery and danger, receives steady and thoroughly engrossing attention in a novel which reflects on the politics, work, and decisions of individuals under fire and in combat in many different ways.

Libraries and readers seeking vivid stories about individuals who find their lives challenged and changed, from documenting life to navigating and reporting the outcomes of its violent struggles, will find Beasts of the Field a powerful study. It should also reach into book club audiences interested in gripping stories of transition, danger, and survival.

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James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review