Reviews

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...

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....

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...

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...

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 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...

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...

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 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...

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...

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 (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...

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 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...

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...

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...

With The Vampire of Kings Street, Asha Greyling sets herself up for the challenging task of bringing something new to the canon of existing tales about the undead. She mostly succeeds—certainly setting herself up for a complexly evolving series—while also paying...

After the massive and unexpected success of Hidden Pictures, Jason Rekulak returns with a novel that is completely different, while still displaying vast innovation and complex characterization all wrapped up in a compelling plot—making for one the most unforgettable...

Some books seem to get all the marketing attention based on what publishers believe will be the biggest titles of the season. However, these are human decisions, and sometimes excellent books aren’t afforded the marketing push they deserve. This is actually great news...

In her new historical mystery anthology, All God’s Sparrows and Other Stories, Leslie Budewitz entertains as she educates. This collection is comprised of three previously available short stories and one newly written novella, all of which feature Mary Fields—an...