Reviews
Things We Do in the Dark – The BOLO Books Review
The innate ability to know how a story needs to be told is a skill that is typically honed over years, but in the case of Jennifer Hillier, this key storytelling tool seems to be part of her DNA. From the start, with the deliciously unsettling Creep (and the follow up...
Dark Objects – The BOLO Books Review
Simon Toyne burst onto the literary landscape with his unique Sanctus trilogy – a DaVinci Code style narrative with deeper characterization and superlative narrative skills. Toyne followed this with a minor pivot when he released his Solomon Creed duology (The...
Outside – The BOLO Books Review
After translating all of Agatha Christie’s novels into Icelandic for publication in his home country, Ragnar Jónasson launched his own crime fiction career with two highly-regarded series – the Dark Iceland books, which I dubbed as “cozy noir,” for their unique...
In the Dark We Forget – The BOLO Books Review
Sandra SG Wong’s first foray into crime fiction was with her alternate-history, semi-paranormal trilogy featuring private investigator Lola Starke. Now she is making a pivot and her new book, In the Dark We Forget, is an unusual blend of mystery, domestic suspense,...
Ordinary Monsters – The BOLO Books Review
J. M. Miro’s Ordinary Monsters is a debut Fantasy novel from an established author working under a pseudonym. With time Ordinary Monsters will be reflected back upon as the start of an incredible epic fantasy. Dickensian in scope (with the Victorian details of...
Two Recent Novels – The BOLO Books Reviews
From the Booking Desk: Losing my mother this past March really threw my reading schedule for a loop, so I am trying to catch up on some reviews that are overdue. While these reviews are not as long as some I post here on BOLO Books, these novels are no less worthy of...
Dirt Town – The BOLO Books Review (Australian/UK Edition)
Genre fiction is too often criticized for producing generic, cookie-cutter works that fail to stretch the boundaries of what can be accomplished via the written word. But if one has any doubt about the vitality of modern crime fiction, a simple look at recent and...
Child Zero – The BOLO Books Review
It has been over five years since Chris Holm’s last novel, but clearly with the release of Child Zero readers will see that he hasn’t just been resting on his laurels. Child Zero represents an evolution in Chris Holm’s journey as an author and readers will almost...
A Killing Rain
A Killing Rain is the second novel in Faye Snowden’s series featuring Raven Burns. The first book, A Killing Fire, left quite a few dangling plot threads, so readers who prefer to follow a series from the beginning will want to start there, but for those that can...
Sinkhole – The BOLO Books Review
Novels from University Presses have an uphill battle in the general marketplace, largely due to the lack of marketing money thrown in their direction, however quality does tend to rise to the surface as fans recently saw when Erin Flanagan’s Deer Season – a...
The Murder Rule – The BOLO Books Review
Readers can take an international journey with crime novelist Dervla McTiernan. The author is based in Australia and after three novels in her critically-acclaimed Cormac Reilly series – which takes place in Ireland – she now turns her pen to a standalone suspense...
Devil’s Chew Toy – The BOLO Books Review
Rob Osler’s debut mystery novel, Devil’s Chew Toy, is a rollicking romp through the tropes of the cozy sub-genre fronted by a gay main character – Hayden McCall – and his clique of diverse sidekicks. Readers will be having so much fun following this gang’s escapades...
The Secrets We Share – The BOLO Books Review
After three excellent books in his Hester Thursby series, Edwin Hill is now releasing a tangentially connected standalone novel called The Secrets We Share, which further elevates his storytelling prowess – entrancing readers and leaving them anxious for more. Natalie...
Nine Lives – The BOLO Books Review
Peter Swanson is one of those writers who can grab a reader’s attention simply with the briefest of plot descriptions. For example: a killer is recreating murders from classic crime novels (Eight Perfect Murders). Or a woman swaps homes with a distant cousin who might...
Secret Identity – The BOLO Books Review
Alex Segura’s career path in crime fiction – while enviable – is the result of hard-work and determination bolstered by a truly exuberant personality and genuine respect for those he has met along the journey. When his new novel, Secret Identity, hits the shelves next...
Like A Sister – The BOLO Books Review
Some people are just born storytellers, able to craft narratives that feature fascinating characters in compelling plots with an ease that seems magical. Add Kellye Garrett to that list. After two nearly perfect light-hearted cozy mysteries, Garrett turns her pen to...
The Undiscovered Deaths of Grace McGill – The BOLO Books Review
The Undiscovered Deaths of Grace McGill by C. S. Robertson is the type of book that once read is not easily forgotten. The impact lingers for a multitude of reasons, but they all boil down to the fact that Robertson is a gifted talent who uses all the tricks in the...
Run, Rose, Run – The BOLO Books Review
James Patterson is a legend of the crime fiction genre. Whether readers enjoy his books or not, there is no denying that his philanthropic contributions to independent bookstores across the country has helped many of them weather difficult times. His output of work is...
Cold – The BOLO Books Review
As readers, occasionally we want one of those narratives that can be consumed in just one or two sittings, providing a fully-rounded experience with minimal time investment. But those books should never be confused with being simple or light. Take for example, Cold by...
Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead – The BOLO Books Review
Finlay Donovan is Killing It, the delightful series debut by Elle Cosimano was recently nominated for the Best Humorous Mystery Novel of 2021 as part of Left Coast Crime’s Lefty Awards. Next week, the sequel – Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead – will be released and fans...