February 2024 MBR The Mystery/Suspense Shelf part 1 of 4

The Mystery/Suspense Shelf part 1 of 4

January 6: A Novel
Norman Brewer
Shilka Publishing
https://shilka.uk
9781804430545, $9.99, PB, 228pp

https://www.amazon.com/January-6-Novel-Norman-Brewer/dp/1804430544

Synopsis: January 6, 2020 was the day democracy was assaulted in an armed a=
ttempt to overthrow a freely and fairly elected American government. Protes=
ters and insurrectionists at the President Donald J. Trump's rally morphed =
into a mob that stormed the Capitol, right-wing extremists in their midst.

"January 6: A Novel" is a work of fiction based on an historical event witn=
essed on television in real time by millions of Americans. It takes place i=
n the politically sacred halls that author Norman Brewer had walked for dec=
ades as a reporter.

In this original novel based on real events, hostages are taken, the House =
Speaker among them. A horrific standoff gives extremist militias time to un=
leash deadly terrorism across the nation. Public officials are assassinated=
. Bombs ignited in malls.

National Guard units are beset by mutiny. Dams and electrical grids attacke=
d, innocent citizens killed. Insurrectionists commandeer radio stations, br=
oadcasting calls for revolution. Riots break out, extremists of the right a=
nd left in mortal combat. Cities are aflame.

The President, in election denial, weighs declaring martial law to quell th=
e violence -- and to justify refusing to leave office.

Can democracy survive?

Critique: Although a work of fiction, "January 6: A Novel" provides genuine=
 and vivid insider glimpses of what might come next in 2024 in real life. A=
ll kingdoms, empires, and nations throughout history have risen, flourished=
, and then fallen. American may not be an exception. Follow a disputed elec=
tion in 2020 and the possibility of an insurrectionist political candidate =
being once more defeated at the polls, the very real possibility of what is=
 described in "January 6: A Novel, makes it an unreservedly recommended add=
ition to community and college/university library collections -- and essent=
ial reading for those with interest, in politics, terrorism, freedom, and t=
he future of the United States of America.

Editorial Note: Norman Brewer is an award-winning reporter and editor who w=
orked for The Des Moines Register and Tribune and for Gannett News Service =
in Washington, D.C. As a reporter, he covered Congress, the White House and=
 federal agencies, and pursued investigative projects that earned recogniti=
on, including from the National Press Club. He was also Director of Employe=
e Communications at the U.S. Transportation Security Administration.

Brewer's experience has given him a powerful perspective regarding the Janu=
ary 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol, domestic terrorism and the politi=
cal landscape. Exposure to terrorism issues helped shape January 6: A Novel=
 as well as two earlier novels, "Blending In: A Tale of Homegrown Terrorism=
", and "Killer Politics: A Satirical Tale of Homegrown Terrorism".

Prelude to Murder
Erica Miner
Level Best Books
https://www.levelbestbooks.us
9781685124427, $16.95, PB, 266pp

https://www.amazon.com/Prelude-Murder-Julia-Kogan-Mystery/dp/1685124429

Synopsis: Young, prodigious Metropolitan Opera violinist Julia Kogan, havin=
g survived her entanglement in an investigation of her mentor's murder and =
a subsequent violent, life-threatening attack of a ruthless killer, is call=
ed upon for a key musical leadership position at the Santa Fe Opera.

But at the spectacular outdoor theatre in the shadows of the mysterious New=
 Mexican Sangre de Cristo Mountains, she witnesses yet other operatic murde=
rs, both on-stage and off. Dark and painful secrets emerge as, ignoring war=
nings from her colleagues and from Larry, her significant other, Julia plun=
ges into her own investigation of the killing.

Ghostly apparitions combine with some of the most bloody and violent operas=
 in the repertoire to make Julia question her own motives for searching for=
 the killer. But this time, the threat to her life originates from a source=
 she never would have imagined.

Critique: Impressively original and carefully crafted, "Prelude to Murder" =
is a fun read for 'whodunnit' murder mystery buffs from start to finish. As=
 a novelist, Erica Miner clearly draws from her career with the Metropolita=
n Opera and exhibits a genuine flair for the kind of narrative driven story=
telling style that will quickly engage the reader's total attention in a co=
mpelling story featuring the supernatural and amateur sleuthing. While espe=
cially and unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary Myst=
ery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists tha=
t "Prelude to Murder" is also readily available in a digital book format (K=
indle, $5.99).

Editorial Note: After 21 years as a violinist with the Metropolitan Opera, =
Erica Miner (www.ericaminer.com) turned to her lifelong love of writing as =
her creative outlet. Her debut novel, "Travels with My Lovers", won the Fic=
tion Prize in the Direct from the Author Book Awards, and her screenplays h=
ave won awards in the WinFemme, Santa Fe, and Writers Digest competitions. =
"Aria for Murder", published by Level Best Books (2022), the first in her J=
ulia Kogan Opera Mystery series, and was a finalist in the 2023 Eric Hoffer=
 Awards. As a writer-lecturer, Erica has given workshops for Sisters in Cri=
me; Los Angeles Creative Writing Conference; EPIC Group Writers; Write on t=
he Sound; Fields End Writer's Community; Savvy Authors; and numerous librar=
ies on the west coast.

Firefax
A. M. Vergara
Damocles' Blade Press
https://tunein.com/radio/Stream-Damocles-Blade-Press-a118066
9781962246026, $28.99, HC, 304pp

https://www.amazon.com/Firefax-Amelia-M-Vergara/dp/1962246035

Synopsis: The world's oldest family of high-profile assassins, the Firefaxe=
s, have been killing off dignitaries -- and being well-compensated to do so=
-for centuries.

The family is thrown into turmoil by their patriarch's death and the return=
 of their cunning, cruel prodigal, Murdoch. Murdoch is the only one left wh=
o knows where the secret island is that the Firefax wealth is kept.

But Murdoch's former protege, now turned nemesis, Istani, who is the leader=
 of a British intelligence network, and Murdoch's former colleagues from a =
Continental intelligence network are also looking for that wealth. These sp=
y networks are bent on tracking down the legendary treasure, whatever the c=
ost, but may have met their match in the wily, dysfunctional family of kill=
ers.

Critique: Original, deftly crafted, riveting, and a fun read from start to =
finish, "Firefax" will hold a special appeal to readers with an interest in=
 historical novels featuring groups clandestine assassins and spy group ope=
ratives locked in mortal combat. Author A. M. Vergara demonstrates a comple=
te mastery of the kind of narrative storytelling style that compels the rea=
der's rapt attention from first page to last. While especially and unreserv=
edly recommended for community library Action/Adventure Historical Thriller=
 collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists for fans of=
 alternative science fiction novels that "Firefax" is also available in a p=
aperback edition (9781962246026, $16.99) and in a digital book format (Kind=
le, $8.99).

Editorial Note: A.M. Vergara (https://amvergara.com) is a physician assista=
nt and paramedic. When not writing, reading, or working in the hospital or =
on the ambulance, she can be found outside, hiking, camping, riding her mul=
e, foraging for edible mushrooms, field-herping, or playing her banjo.

Death of a Punk
John P. Browner
Stark House Press
www.starkhousepress.com
9798886010695, $12.99, PB, 218pp

https://www.amazon.com/Death-Punk-John-P-Browner/dp/B0CKDSTSCP

Synopsis: Lenny Hornblower used to drive a cab. Now he finds people for a f=
ee -- $100 a day plus expenses. When Lisa Perlont calls and asks him to fin=
d her son Blinky, it seems like an easy job. Blinky hangs out at an East Vi=
llage punk club called AC-DC.

Lenny puts up with the noise and aggravation, but when someone knocks him o=
ut in the alley and steals his wallet, he starts to take it personally.

However, the search for Blinky turns up more than a young punk with a safet=
y pin in his nose -- Lenny also finds a group of equipment hijackers with a=
 large stash of cocaine. In fact, it looks like Blinky is running a scam of=
 his own, one that just might prove fatal.

Lenny wants to do right by his lovely client but is this any way to make a =
living?

Critique: Originally published in 1980, "Death of a Punk" by John P. Browne=
r was the first novel to come directly out of the NYC CBGBs Punk scene. Now=
 reissued the 'Black Cat' series from Stark House Press for the first time =
in more than 40 years this time-lost classic will have an immense appeal to=
 a new generation of fans with an interest in classic hard boiled private i=
nvestigator crime novels. While a great pick for community library Mystery/=
Suspense collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "D=
eath of a Punk" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle,=
 $5.99).

Editorial Note: John P. Browner lived in Greenwich Village during the 70's.=
 An habitue of the downtown clubs that spawned the Punk/New Wave music scen=
e, he wrote Death of a Punk in 1977 78. It was originally published by Pock=
et Books in 1980. Currently, he lives with his wife, the writer Lisa Yarger=
, and his daughter, Greta, in Munich, Germany, where he owns and operates T=
he Munich Readery, an English secondhand bookshop (http://readery.de).

EDITOR'S NOTE:

The Midwest Book Review is an organization of volunteers committed to promo=
ting literacy, library usage, and small press publishing. We accept no fund=
s from authors or publishers. Full permission is given to post any of these=
 reviews on thematically appropriate websites, newsgroups, listserves, inte=
rnet discussion groups, organizational newsletters, or to interested indivi=
duals. Please give the Midwest Book Review a credit line when doing so.

The Midwest Book Review publishes the monthly book review magazines "Califo=
rnia Bookwatch", "Internet Bookwatch", "Children's Bookwatch", "MBR Bookwat=
ch", "Reviewer's Bookwatch", and "Small Press Bookwatch". All are available=
 for free on the Midwest Book Review website at www (dot) midwestbookreview=
 (dot) com

Anyone wanting to submit books for review consideration can send them to:

James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129

To submit reviews of any fiction or non-fiction books, email them to Frugal=
muse (at) aol (dot) com (Be sure to include the book title, author, publish=
er, publisher address, publisher website/phone number, 13-digit ISBN number=
, and list price).

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