Reviews
Under the Same Stars – The BOLO Books Review
It has been said that sometimes the right story comes along at the right time, fulfilling a need for readers looking for answers. Under the Same Stars by Libba Bray is the perfect example. With the world in crisis and fascism once again on the rise, Under the Same...
The Betrayal of Thomas True – The BOLO Books Review
History is the method by which we learn—so that we don’t make the same mistakes, so that we don’t feel so alone, and so that we recognize our accomplishments. In many ways, historical fiction serves the same purpose—educating while entertaining. For the queer...
The Bones Beneath My Skin – The BOLO Books Review
To the delight of his massive legion of fans, TJ Klune returns with a new supernatural standalone that shows us all that while our differences are what make us each unique, our ability to recognize our similarities is what ultimately makes us stronger. The Bones...
Head Cases – The BOLO Books Review
Critically acclaimed author John McMahon launches a new procedural series with the addictive Head Cases. Perfect for fans of crime fiction that is both meticulously plotted and populated by offbeat characters, Head Cases is a series debut that readers will be talking...
Death of the Author – The BOLO Books Review
NOTE: This is NOT a mystery novel. This is a science fiction work, which I just happen to think is such an important work, I'm writing a "review" for it. History—and not just pop culture history—will look back on Nnedi Okorafor’s Death of the Author as a decisive and...
The Lost House – The BOLO Books Review
Icelandic crime fiction has been all the rage for a number of years now. Novels by residents of the island nation continue to receive critical acclaim from around the world, so it’s only natural that non-Iceland writers are beginning to utilize the location as well....
Beautiful Ugly – The BOLO Books Review
As she has released each of her six psychological suspense novels, Alice Feeney has steadily made the climb as a consistent favorite with fans of that subgenre. Now with the release of her seventh book—Beautiful Ugly—she seems poised to gather even more readers to her...
Tell Me What You Did – The BOLO Books Review
Sometimes an author comes up with a genius idea that grabs the reader by the throat in the early chapters and refuses to let go until the final pages are turned. Tell Me What You Did by Carter Wilson is just such a novel. Crime fiction fans will be unable to resist...
The Note – The BOLO Books Review
Publishing, like most businesses, beats to a rhythm all its own. There is a cyclical nature which is comforting in many ways. During the early months of the year, readers can count on the appearance of some books their publishers have genuine faith in—titles that will...
What the Wife Knew – The BOLO Books Review
What the Wife Knew is the fifth stand-alone domestic thriller from the twisted mind (and pen) of Darby Kane. Like all of Darby Kane’s work, this rollercoaster of a novel starts by laying all the groundwork before the first hairpin turn sends the reader on an exciting...
Top Reads of 2024 According to BOLO Books
As usual, I have taken this task of selecting my Top Reads List very seriously and really struggled to make sure the list commemorates my favorite books of the year. Simply put, sometimes this means splitting hairs and having to leave off books that I truly loved but...
More Mini Reviews 2024
The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco by Michelle Chouinard The heroine of this novel, Capri Sanzio, is instantly likable and endearing to readers diving into this new book that successfully straddles the line between opposing tones. The topic of serial...
The Big Grey Man of Ben Macdhui – The BOLO Books Review
The best in Middle Grade and Young Adult literature not only speaks to the intended audience of young readers, but also manages to spark nostalgia in readers of all ages. Take for example, the Agatha-Award-winning Sasquatch Hunters series from K. B. Jackson—filled...
Voyage of the Damned – The BOLO Books Review
Magic occurs when a talented author strikes upon the perfect material. When this happens with a debut novel, passionate fans are created. Such is the case with Frances White’s Voyage of the Damned. This fantasy/mystery hybrid is a guaranteed cross-over success for...
Five Mini Reviews – Fall 2024
From the Booking Desk: Occasionally, I get so behind on telling you all what I am reading that I don't have time to post full-length reviews of each. But I do still want to make you aware of the many gems I have discovered in my consumption this Fall. So, here you...
Midsummer Mysteries – The BOLO Books Review
Midsummer Mysteries (edited by Martin Edwards) is a short story anthology produced by members of the Crime Writers’ Association. Despite that organizations aim toward celebrating British crime writing, their anthologies often include authors based in other...
Burn This Night – The BOLO Books Review
On paper, Burn This Night would seem like an impossibly complex tale more inclined to confuse than to entertain, so the fact that Alex Kenna successfully makes it work while also managing to maximize the emotional payoff is testament to her skills as a writer. Readers...
Granite Harbor – The BOLO Books Review
Granite Harbor is the latest novel from Peter Nichols, a critically-acclaimed writer of non-fiction and other works. This is a crime fiction work that straddles the line between genre and literary in a successful way. Granite Harbor is a quiet community located in...
The Grey Wolf – The BOLO Books Review
It has been nearly two years since readers were last able to visit Armand Gamache and the residents of Three Pines via a new book from Louise Penny. That alone makes the publication of The Grey Wolf a significant literary highlight of 2024, but considering that this...
Geneva – The BOLO Books Review
Celebrity-written works have long been criticized by those looking for reasons to place shame and blame on the publishing community. As recently as last week there was condemnation of works that some view as straying outside of the artist’s primary lane, but frankly...