My Book Reviews

Category: Crime Fiction

Midnight Black by R.J. Eastwood
Midnight Black by R.J. Eastwood

Release: April 14, 2021
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Indies United Publishing House, LLC
Source: RABT Book Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, Smashwords

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Billy Russell’s career as a narcotics officer abruptly ends when he executes the man who committed a heinous crime against him. Sentenced to 20 years hard labor in total isolation from the outside world, he’s suddenly, and without explanation, released on parole five years early.

Returning to society, he learns that an isolated nuclear attack spread primal fear of a nuclear holocaust, allowing autocratic billionaires to seize control of the world. But their faulty economic policies have caused rampant poverty, crime, disease, and drug addiction.

As a condition of his parole, Billy is assigned to government drug enforcement unit in Boston but soon makes a gruesome discovery of the unit’s true mission. Approached by a secret underground dissident group planning to overthrow the authoritarian world government, Billy joins them to end the demonic reign of tyranny, only to discover the shocking details of what is really taking place.

About the Author:

About Robert J. Emery (Pen Name R. J. Eastwood)
Member Directors Guild of America, American Association of Writers & Authors. The National Association of authors & Editors.

During his film and television career he has written, produced, and directed feature motion pictures and television documentaries and well as national television commercials and industrial films. He created and produced the award winning ninety one episode television series The Directors, the most extensive examination of film directors and the behind the scenes making of feature films. His award winning four part mini series, The Genocide Factor, played to rave reviews on PBS stations across the country, and his 2007 MSNBC documentary For God & Country: A Marine Sniper’s Story was honored with both the National Headliner Award and the Cine Special Jury Award.

Website, Facebook, Twitter, Blog , Goodreads, Pinterest , Instagram

Midnight Black Review:

“Midnight Black” is a disturbing yet very creative and gripping dystopian novel that had me engrossed.

I enjoyed the concept of the story. A man sentenced for seventeen years to another planet finds life on Earth completely different when he returns. Even though this is a science fiction, dystopian novel, some elements connect to us. Moments like when Billy witnesses officials attacking protestors with batons remind us of what we have seen in the news for the last few years. Some scenes shocked me, like the ones involving Rubio and Alvera.

Billy is gripping in the lead, and I liked how the author wrote him. From the beginning, Billy comes off as a no-nonsense guy eat how he reacts with his fellow inmates like Quasi and the annoying Donald P. Costigan. There were moments when I could connect when him, especially when he lands on Earth and finds how much it has changed. I also liked his interactions with Hank and Chris. I also enjoyed how the author wrote his chemistry with Jade and was not fond of Chernov and Gustav.

Moreover, the author also adds personal moments like when Billy contemplates how the human relationship matters in the end. The author also nicely throws in some humor in the dialogues to balance the seriousness of the tale. For instance, it was a nice touch with Billy reunites with someone from his past to work on the assignment. Even though the story is dark and graphic, I admired how the author inserts moments of hope and gratitude for us to appreciate the world we live in and make the most of it.

Overall, “Midnight Black” is an intriguing novel, and I recommend it to those who love a gripping Dystopian science fiction crime story.

Giveaway:

eBook Copy

Book Tour Schedule:

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Midnight Black by R.J. Eastwood Blog Tour hosted by RABT Book Tours.
- 30 August – RABT Book Tours – Kick Off
- 30 August – Our Town Book Reviews – Review
- 31 August – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – Spotlight
- 1 September – Rajiv’s reviews – Review
- 2 September – L iterary Gol d – Excerpt
- 3 September – The Indie Express – Review
- 3 September – Teatime and Book s – Spotlight
- 4 September – B for book review – Guest Post
- 6 September – The Avid Reader – Interview
- 7 September – P ick a good book – Interview
- 8 September – The sexy nerd revue – Spotlight
- 9 September – Nesie’s Place – Excerpt
- 10 September – RABT R eviews – Wrap Up
September 1, 2021
Destroy All Monsters: A Reckless Book by Ed Brubaker

Destroy All Monsters: A Reckless Book by Ed Brubaker

Release: October 19th 2021
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Image Comics
Source: Amazon
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N

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The next book in the red-hot Reckless series is here!

“Oh man, this book pushed every crime fiction button for me… Bliss.”
– Patton Oswalt

Bestselling crime noir masters Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips bring us a new original graphic novel starring troublemaker-for-hire Ethan Reckless.

It’s 1988 and Ethan is in charge of his strangest case yet: finding the secrets of a Los Angeles real estate mogul. How hard could that be, right? Only what starts as a deep dive into the life of a stranger will soon take a deadly turn, and find Ethan risking everything that still matters to him.

Another smash hit from the award-winning creators of RECKLESS, PULP, MY HEROES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN JUNKIES, CRIMINAL, — and a must-have for all Brubaker and Phillips fans!

About the Author:

Ed Brubaker (born November 17, 1966) is an Eisner Award-winning American cartoonist and writer. His birth was at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland.

Brubaker is one of the best comic book writers with such titles as Batman, Daredevil, Captain America, Iron Fist, Catwoman, Gotham Central and Uncanny X-Men. In more recent years, he has focused solely on creator-owned titles for Image Comics, such as Fatale, Criminal, Velvet . Marvel’s movies featuring his co-creation, The Winter Soldier, became international blockbusters.

Ed lives in Los Angeles with his wife and their crazy dog, where he works in comics, film, and television. Besides, he was a writer and Supervising Producer for the first season of HBO’s WESTWORLD, and is the co-creator and co-writer of TOO OLD TO DIE YOUNG with Nicolas Winding Refn.

Website | Amazon | Goodreads

Destroy All Monsters: A Reckless Book Review:

“Destroy All Monsters” is the first book I read of the series, but it was terrific, and I could not put it down.

I have not read the Reckless series’s previous two books, but I had no trouble following this. The highlight of the story is in the two leads. The relationship that Ethan and Anna’s share is lovely. Their relationship is one that I found hard to categorize because it was not romantic or paternal. It was a blend between the two, but the author wrote it nicely. Ethan feels protective over Anna and wants only the best for her, even when she dates someone as annoying as Dmitri.

Moreover, I enjoyed how the creators paced the story. I could not put the graphic novel down in the second half, especially when the duo track Runyan and try to bring him down. Some of the scenes were intense, and I wondered how they would get through the situation. There are some surprising twists and turns that I did not expect that added to the intensity of the storyline.

Moreover, the illustrations are excellent and give a vintage feel as you read the story. The character’s expressions are raw and gripping and make you feel like watching a classic retro action movie.

The only aspect I was not keen on was the side story with the Case of the Dirty Diapers. While I understand the reasoning behind the story, I felt it was unnecessary and staggered from the plot. Instead, it would have been nice if we had a background history between Ethan and Anna individually.

Overall, I enjoyed reading “Destroy All Monsters,” and I cannot wait for the continuation to see what happens to Anna.

August 31, 2021
The New Friend by Alex Kane

The New Friend by Alex Kane

Release: 25th August 2021
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Hera Books
Source: Zooloo Book Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon UK, Amazon US

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Arabella MacQueen had a tough start to life. She grew up with an alcoholic mum, . And she was under the care at the age of 8. Also, she got into trouble as a teen. Now she’s in her late twenties and has turned her life around.

Until the night of madness that sees her imprisoned for 10 months.

Little does she know that prison would be the turning point of her life. Roxanne Barr quickly takes her under her wing. And the two women forge a friendship that lasts beyond the prison walls. Now Arabella is running her own hair salon and excited to see how her life of freedom looks, building a future with boyfriend Eddie and a friendship with Roxanne and her boyfriend, Jake.

But Arabella doesn’t know the truth about Roxanne. Her reputation as the head of Glasgow gangland and not afraid to turn to violence to keep her status. Besides, she doesn’t know that her new best friend has hidden secrets. And that she has plans for Arabella that might lead her into some very dangerous places. In this dirty game, eventually, Arabella is going to have to learn you can’t always trust those closest to you.

About the Author:

Alex Kane is a psychological thriller writer who lives in Glasgow. She is a huge fan of the genre, with her favourite authors in the genre being Lisa Hall, BA Paris and Sarah Stovell.

If she is not writing, she will be playing with her cat, reading, or drinking tea and/or gin (sometimes all of the above).

You can connect with Alex on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

The New Friend Review:

Oh my goodness! “The New Friend” is a twisted thriller with revenge, blackmail, and murder, and was much better than my expectations.

Firstly, I must say I loved the large cast of characters. We have many characters, like Jez, Jake, Eddie, Roxanne, Billy, Cole, and Arabella. The author toggles the chapters between these characters, and it was so much fun to see how their characters interconnected. There is never a dull moment in the tale as the author takes us on an exciting tale of drug lords and money launderers.

Ah, Arabella! Where do I start with her? My heart went out to her throughout the story, from the moment she gets bullied, gets thrown in prison to the mess she finds herself in later. Yet, despite all that, she is good-natured and only wants to lead an everyday life. I despised Roxanne so much in this story. The author writes the characters so passionately that I felt strongly towards most of them.

Moreover, the author adds quite a lot of thrilling moments to the story. Some of my favorite highlights of the tale were when Arabella finds herself in the center of murder or when Jez realizes that someone has outsmarted him. I also liked some of the supporting characters like Jake and how the author handled his inner turmoils. This book honestly presents a grim image of how opportunistic people are and makes you think twice about trusting someone into your life.

Also, the author ends the story slightly, and I would love to read a continuation with these characters, particularly between Arabella and Roxanne. Overall, “The New Friend” is a gripping, fast-paced thriller filled with action and excitement.

Book Tour Schedule

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on The New Friend by Alex Kane Blog Tour hosted by Zooloo Book Tours.

August 29, 2021
A Numbers Game by RJ Dark

A Numbers Game by RJ Dark

Release: June 4th 2021
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Wavesback
Source: Zooloo Book Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon UK, Amazon US

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One dead man and a missing lottery ticket.

Two family members who need that money to get away from the rundown Blades Edge estate.

Three local gangsters who want that money for themselves.

Meet Malachite Jones – the foremost (and only) psychic medium on the gritty Blades Edge estate. All he wants are two things: a name that isn’t ‘Malachite’, and a quiet life. And maybe some real psychic powers, but he’s making a living without them.

Janine Stanbeck wants to find her dead husband Larry’s winning ticket and escape Blades Edge with her son. And she thinks Mal can help her.

But Larry’s dad is the crime lord of the estate. And he wants that ticket for himself. And worse for Mal, he’s not the only criminal with his eyes on it. Add in two coppers desperate to nick Mal’s best, only, and admittedly quite dangerous, friend, Jackie Singh Kattar, and Blades Edge is getting pretty crowded.

Malachite Jones might not really be able to talk to the dead, but if he and his friend Jackie Singh Kattar can’t find that money and a solution that pleases everyone they’re likely to be in need of a psychic medium themselves.

The first Mal Jones and Jackie Singh Kattar adventure: a chaotic rollercoaster ride through a Yorkshire landscape full of double crossing friends, dogged police, psychotic gangster and voices from the other side

About the Author:

RJ Dark grew up on the edges of Leeds and the edges of society.

Spending his youth as an underground musician and occasional club promoter, he then moved on to stints as an advertising copywriter, trainer, playwright, music reviewer, amateur historian, TV cameraman, anarchist, contrarian, engineer and fraud investigator. After a long battle with chronic illness, RJ finally settled on a career in writing. He lives in a crumbling ancient mansion somewhere in Yorkshire and surrounds himself by books, music, animals and his family.

RJ is the author of the Mal & Jackie crime series – Wavesback is the publisher of his debut novel A Numbers Game , and more will follow.

You can connect with RJ on Twitter

Twitter | Goodreads

A Numbers Game Review:

“A Numbers Game” is a gripping crime fiction novel that starts with searching for a missing lottery ticket but turns out to be much more!

The central aspect that stood out for me in the story was the bond between Jackie and Mal. The author wrote the dynamic between the two so nicely, and you feel they have protective nature over each other. I also enjoyed the scenes where Jackie physically trains Mal by showing her how to throw a punch, dislocate an arm, perform a chokehold, and whatnot. What’s also nice is how the author added a touch of humor to Mal’s dialogues. I liked how the author told the story from Mal’s perspective, where you feel like you have a connection with the character. Even minor characters like Beryl made me chuckle with her behavior.

While the mystery/crime element of the story was secondary for me, I did enjoy many moments that the author included. One of the shocking moments was when someone places a black bag over Mal’s head and kidnaps her. The author consists of quite a few twists and turns as Mal investigates Lawrence’s death. Other moments also excited me, like when they check out the lockers or find out about the Russian gangsters. Also, some exciting side arcs, like Benny Callaghan, Trolley Mick, and Kev, added well to the storyline. The author also ends the story in a bitter-sweet manner that makes you curious about how the next book in the “Mal and Jackie” series would continue.

Overall, “A Numbers Game” turned out to be an entertaining crime fiction novel, and I am excited to see how it continues.

Book Tour Schedule

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on A Numbers Game by RJ Dark Blog Tour hosted by Zooloo Book Tours.

August 28, 2021
City of Angels by Kenneth Bromberg

City of Angels by Kenneth Bromberg

Release: November 10, 2020
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Flame Tree Press
Source: Amazon
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Flame Tree Press

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The year is 1924.
Sam Lacy is a tough homicide detective. He follows his own code of conduct within the racist and corrupt Los Angeles Police Department. Sam’s beautiful ex girlfriend has been murdered and a ruthless person is assaulting young Chinese women. Are the crimes connected and can Sam stop the killers before powerful forces stop him? Sometimes, a good detective can’t let the law get in his way.

Sam navigates L.A.’s corrupt criminal with help from an unlikely trio. Sam’s partner, Lonnie, is a handsome detective whose carefree attitude conceals a troubled past outside of the law. Sam’s friend, Edward Bixby, is a brilliant man whose crucial forensic work is performed off the books since the LAPD would never hire a Black man for a murder investigation. And Susan, Sam’s sister and moral compass is a war widow and mother who pursues leads of her own. The story takes place in the movie capital of the world, a city that attracts wide eyed innocents and cold hearted killers; a City of Angels.

FLAME TREE PRESS is the new fiction imprint of Flame Tree Publishing. Launched in 2018 the list brings together brilliant new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices.

About the Author:

Kenneth Bromberg grew up in the beach cities of Southern California with a passion for tennis, American history, and literature. He attended the University of California, Los Angeles, after which he worked for several years as a bartender. He eventually returned to UCLA to pursue an MBA and become a certified public accountant.

After retiring from accounting, Kenneth fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a novelist. His first work, American Dreams, is based upon stories told by his grandmother who immigrated to New York from a small Jewish village near Kiev in the first years of the 20th century.

He lives in Santa Monica, California, with his wife of forty years.

Facebook | Goodreads

City of Angels Review:

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Firstly, I must say I admired the author’s writing style. The story takes place in 1924 in Los Angeles, and the details the author provides of the setting made me felt like I was reliving the era. The author maintains the momentum as Sam and the team investigate the Sokolski case and Dorothy Holcomb’s murder. Some of the scenes that stood out for me were the trial of Pennington or how they conducted the forensics and investigation.

The author also provides a grim picture where you see corruption from all the social ladders. Any historical books I read of L.A. during this time mainly revolved around the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. However, the author depicts L.A. as a place filled with crime, politics, corruption, and very little organization in the story, which was interesting.

Another exciting aspect of the story is the way the author narrates it. The story progresses through the perspectives of various characters, and, in the process, you get to know their history and dynamics as well. We see the story shift between Sam, Susan, Edward, and Liam. The author wrote Sam brilliantly, where you see him face his internal struggles to do the right thing. I enjoyed the family dynamics between them all. While I liked Sam and Susan’s family dynamics, I especially found Liam’s point of view to be the most intriguing. I also enjoyed the relationship between Sam and Edward.

However, I sometimes felt that too many characters on canvas appeared for just a brief moment, and it somewhat stagged from the plot. While I enjoyed how details the story was, the author could have trimmed some elements.

Apart from that, I enjoyed reading “City of Angels” and found it an exciting Historical crime fiction novel.

August 17, 2021
Looks that Deceive by Braxton DeGarmo
Looks that Deceive (MedAir #1) by Braxton DeGarmo

Release:June 30, 2015
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Christen Haus Publishing
Source: RABT Book Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon , iBooks ,B&N ,Kobo ,Google Play

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The press calls “him” the L.A. Rapist, a misnomer in all ways for this serial assailant whose attacks on legal assistants leaves them in a vegetative state. Now, the deaths of two prominent medical malpractice attorneys have put authorities in an uproar and detective Lynch Cully is under extreme pressure to find the perpetrators. Or should that be singular? Has the L.A. Rapist upped “his” game?

Amy Gibbs, RN is a newly recruited med-evac flight nurse who left the E.D. and its stress behind, along with memories of a certain detective who “dumped” her. On one fateful call, she hears the deathbed confession of a man who police are seeking as a person of interest, perhaps the killer’s accomplice. Within hours, the lives of Amy Gibbs and detective Lynch Cully again intertwine in a story that unravels a web of identity theft, electronic eavesdropping, and stalking amid a confusion of identities.

About the Author:

Braxton DeGarmo spent over 30 years in Emergency and Family Medicine, both in and out of the military, before retiring to focus on writing in 2014. Many of the incidents in his books are based on real occurrences, people, and experiences in his own life, such as learning to escape a water crash in a helicopter. Human trafficking, medical kidnapping, government corruption, and other social injustices have become the premises used for his stories. And the technologies described in his books are all current . . . and possible.

Website | Linked In | MeWe | BookBuzz

Looks that Deceive Review:

This book was a high adrenaline rush. I liked the exciting way in which the author told the story. It was interesting to see how Lynch and his team sought to capture the LA rapist and connected it with other storylines. There were quite a few twists and turns, which made the book exciting. Something new happens in each chapter that made me invested in the story. Additionally, the author includes many details to the plot, and while reading the books, I felt I learned more technical terms like the various types of planes.

Lynch is great in the role as he handles challenging situations. I liked the moments when he accessed the system’s bios and restarted the clock or the scenes with Ester Jacobs. I also enjoyed how the author depicted Lynch’s conflicted scenes with Janick and his romance with Amy. Similarly, Amy is superb in the lead as she finds herself trying to handle her new role at work. I particularly enjoyed how the author portrayed her emotions significantly when she cannot save someone’s life, which is out of her hands. The villain is also ingenious and creepy in the way he attacks the victims, and some of the scenes gave me shivers.

Probably my only minor criticism of the tale is how long it became. At times, I felt the author detailed it too much, which lagged the pace. It would have been nice if the author could shorten some of the scenes.

Apart from that, this book was very entertaining! Overall, “Looks that Deceive” was an exciting start to the series, and I look forward to seeing how it continues.

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on theLooks that Deceive (MedAir #1) by Braxton DeGarmo Blog Tour hosted by RABT Book Tours.

Book Blitz – August 12th
August 12, 2021
Killers! by Thomas A. Burns Jr
Killers! (Natalie McMasters Mysteries #6)by Thomas A. Burns Jr

Release: August 9th 2021
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Tekrighter, LLC
Source: RABT Book Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle

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Her dead father once asked, “What did you do to make God sad, Nattie?”

Natalie McMasters is a twentysomething college student who just wants to get on with her life, and she’s got to wonder. Her dear friend lies dead and the crazed killer responsible now has Nattie on his short list. Her only choice? Cancel him before he cancels her!

Nattie assembles an unlikely squad to find the killer: her wife Lupe, her husband Danny, an aging FBI agent and an even more ancient Tai Chi master. Jointly and separately, they embark on a totally lit road trip across the Old South, meeting danger and death at every turn. Unexpected help is provided by a voice from the grave. But her adversary has a badass squad too, and friends and loved ones fall along the way.

Naked and afraid in a primeval swamp, Nattie must confront her greatest enemy one last time. How will she ever get the W?

About the Author:

s a kid, Tom started reading mysteries with the Hardy Boys, Ken Holt and Rick Brant, and graduated to the classic stories by authors such as A. Conan Doyle, John Dickson Carr, Erle Stanley Gardner and Rex Stout to name a few. Tom has written fiction as a hobby all of his life, starting in marble-backed copybooks in grade school. Also, he built a career as a writer, doing technical writing, science writing and editing for nearly thirty years in industry and government. Moreover, now that he’s truly on his own as a freelance science writer and editor, he’s excited to publish his own mystery series as well. Follow Tom on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/3MDetectiveA…, on Twitter @3Mdetective or email him at tom@3mdetectiveagency.com to get all the news about Nattie and 3M, as well as Tom’s other writing projects..

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Killers! Review:

I have not read any of the previous books in “The Natalie McMasters Mysteries”) but I had no trouble following the plot of the 6th book in the series. Natalie is great in the lead as she tries to find out who killed Rebecca. She is determined and dedicated to her role and would not stop at anything to solve the mystery. I also enjoyed her relationship with Danny and Lupe and felt that Nattie and Danny made a good team.

The author also narrates the tale creatively by toggling between multiple subplots. There is something new happening in each chapter, like Natalie finding the key, or what happens to Ye-ye, or when they search for Danny, to name a few. Moreover, it was interesting to see the flashbacks through Rebecca’s diary entries to see what happened when she spent time with Barrett. The diary entries also connect with the present storyline and provide shocking twists on what happened. Also, the story has some steamy and gory scenes, which makes you feel like there is a bit of everything to expect while reading the story.

However, I do wish that I had read this series in order. From reading the story, it is clear that the characters go way back before this book. While I enjoyed the plot as a standalone, I would have enjoyed the characters and the situations better had I read the series in order.

Apart from that, Killers was a gripping crime fiction mystery that I thought was well-executed. It excited me to pick up the first book in the series to see how it all started.

Giveaway:

$5 Amazon Gift Card + eBook Copy

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Killers! (Natalie McMasters Mysteries #6)by Thomas A. Burns Jr Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

Book Tour Schedule
- 10 August – RABT Book Tours – Kick Off
- 11 August – Rajivs reviews – Review
- 12 August – Lilyana Shadowlyn – Spotlight
- 13 August – Literary gold – Excerpt
- 14 August – Teatime and books – Spotlight
- 16 August – So Many Books – Spotlight
- 17 August – Saph’s books – Spotlight
- 18 August – Jazzy book reviews – Interview
- 19 August – Nanas book reviews – Spotlight
- 20 August – Momma and Her Stories – Excerpt
- 21 August – Momma says to read or not to read – Spotlight
- 23 August – My Reading Addiction – Interview
- 24 August – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – Spotlight
August 12, 2021
The Pepper Tree by Dave Freedland
The Pepper Tree by Dave Freedland

Release: February 20th 2019
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Aakenbaaken & Kent
Source: RABT Book Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N

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A Southern California landmark primarily known only to law enforcement earned a reputation for crime scenes of the most unspeakably vicious homicides. Infamous serial killers had chosen this location to discard and display their victims as trophies of their horrific deeds. Lieutenant Scott Hunter must lead a team of detectives to identify and capture a suspect who’s targeting young women, and has chosen this landmark to showcase his victims.

This story is a work of fiction, but the Orange County location is real. So notorious, in fact, that those officers working the graveyard shift need only radio their activity at a site bearing two words, and they are immediately dispatched a back-up officer to the “pepper tree”.

As a young patrol officer, Hunter had been introduced to the terror at the tree on an evening when he turned his police cruiser down that dusty road separating asparagus fields, and discovered a corpse hanging from a low-hanging limb. But now as the leader of the Robbery, Homicide team, he received that most dreaded call interrupting the stillness of the night, a body dump.

About the Author:

Dave Freedland is a 34 year decorated law enforcement professional having served with the Irvine (California) Police Department. Following a competitive athletic career culminating with the award of UCLA’s Most Valuable Gymnast, he graduated 1st in his Sheriff’s academy class.

As a SWAT team leader and commander for over 25 years, he supervised operations for numerous strikes and hostage incidents, and was the recipient of several awards including Police Officer of the Year. He retired at the rank of Deputy Chief, and currently holds a 6th degree black belt in Japanese karate.

His first novel, Lincoln 9, was Oak Tree Press bestselling book on Amazon in 2015. His second novel, The Pepper Tree, received a 2018 manuscript award from the Public Safety Writers’ Association..

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

The Pepper Tree Review:

“The Pepper Tree” is a high adrenaline crime fiction novel that follows a crew of detectives tracking down a serial killer, and it was intriguing!

I have to commend the author for writing the story so dynamically. The way he wrote the story made me feel like watching live-action news filled with action and thrills. Moreover, as the author is a law enforcement professional, he shows how he puts his experiences towards the story. There is never a dull moment in the story as Lieutenant Scott Hunter and his team investigates the case. Some of the scenes that made the story memorable were when Amy Van der Linden appears and when they find out about Lena Holmquist.

Also, I enjoyed Hunter in the lead. What’s nice about the story is how the author also spends time with the character’s issues. I thought Blackburn and Hunter made a fine due as they try to track the killer. Similarly, it was interesting to see Hunter’s controversial relationship with Ashley, especially when he gets tagged with Valerie Mason. I also liked some of the secondary characters like Vannover and Jim Janowitz. The author also ends the story with an exciting climax, which shocked me with an unexpected reveal.

Probably my only minor criticism in the story is the large canvas. At times, I felt there were too many cases and characters, and it wasn’t easy to keep track of what was happening.

Apart from that, I thought this was a gripping crime fiction novel. Overall, if you love high-speed chases, intriguing investigations with solid protagonists, you would enjoy “The Pepper Tree.”

Book Blitz – July 29th

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on The Pepper Tree by Dave Freedland Blog Tour hosted by RABT Book Tours.
July 29, 2021
Anguished by George Encizo

Anguished by George Encizo

Release: June 30th 2021
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Gatekeeper Press
Source: RABT Book Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, Kobo

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Murder and mayhem close to home for Sheriff JD Pickens. Someone viciously attacked his father from behind, and shot his best friend, Leroy Jones, in the back and left for dead. Several other attacks forced Pickens to seek outside help, not only for solving the crimes but for his peace of mind. Never before had Pickens and his deputies had to deal with so many harsh realities of life.

About the Author:

George Encizo is the author of several award-winning novels. He published his first novel, Blocker’s Bluff, in 2013. Since then he has published seven more. A retired banker and an accomplished watercolorist, Encizo took to writing because of arthritic fingers and could no longer hold and control a brush. In need of a creative outlet, he turned to writing and has been writing over a decade.

Also, his second novel, The Farber Legacy, won a gold medal in the 2015 with Florida Authors and Publishers President’s Book Awards. Since then, his other novels have also won awards.

His latest novel, Anguished is the fourth in a series of JD Pickens Mysteries. He is currently working on more in the series.

When not writing, he is either in the gym or working in the garden with his wife. He gets inspiration from everyday life and ideas come to him from out of nowhere. He and his wife live in Florida.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Anguished Review:

This book is the fourth one in the JD Pickens mystery. However this is the first one for me. One can read it as a standalone which was very nice.

The highlight of the story was JD Pickens. I liked how the author focused on Picken’s family life in the tale more than the crime element. I enjoyed the various emotions he goes through when he finds out what happened to Russell, along with his family. The scenes he shares with Dr. Smathers and Marge are some of the highlights of the tale. Similarly, the story gets interesting when there is an attack on Pickens’s friend Leroy . As such, Leroy and Pickens share a nice friendship . Also I was curious to see how everything was connected.

In terms of the crime aspect, the story was pretty good. As there are many assaults taking place in the tale, you never really know who is behind. There are multiple suspects, which makes the story intriguing. I liked how Amy and Billy investigate the case and study the suspects. Another exciting part that I liked was Pickens’s conflicting views with Burgess. The scenes where they both argue about how to handle the case were entertaining. However, the case in itself was predictable. It would have been nice if the author had a few more twists and turns. Moreover, the reasons provided in the end for the attacks were not as interesting as I had hoped.

Overall, “Anguished” is an intriguing crime fiction mystery novel to pick up, especially if you are a fan of the series.

Blog Tour 24th July

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Anguished by George Encizo Blog Tour hosted by RABT Book Tours

July 23, 2021
Key West Dead by Mark Nolan

Key West Dead by Mark Nolan

Release: March 31st 2021
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Independently published
Source: RABT Book Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle

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A mysterious bomb-maker is detonating explosives throughout the Florida Keys . And he demands $30 million dollars in ransom from the county government.

Jake Wolfe is in Key West for a wedding and he volunteers to search marinas with his adopted IED-sniffing war dog, Cody. Together, they follow the twisted trail of an elusive killer whose merciless attacks have stunned the Keys. And it has put fear into the boating community, local residents, and visiting tourists.

With the islands under attack and everyone a suspect, the chase is on in a wild race against time. And now the clock is ticking toward a final heart-stopping confrontation that will bring Jake face-to-face with death.

Will Jake and Cody be able to hunt down the criminal and stop his bombing spree before he detonates “the big one?” Read Key West Dead to find out what happens next.

About the Author:

Mark grew up in California and has lived in the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii. Also, he enjoys being close to the ocean and has enjoyed boating, fishing, scuba diving. And loves exploring in Florida, Mexico, California, Hawaii, etc. His first novel, Dead Lawyers Don’t Lie was a Top 20 Bestseller in the Amazon Kindle Store and a Kindle Unlimited All-Star.

Be sure to sign up for his reader newsletter to receive an email when a new book is ready, and to hear about specials and extras.

Also, follow Mark’s Amazon author page by clicking the gold “follow” button under his photo. Amazon will let you know when he publishes a new book.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreacrids

Key West Dead Review:

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Although this is the first book I am reading from the series, I had no trouble following it. This book is the sixth one in the “Jake Wolfe” series, and if all the previous books are exciting, I would love to read it from the beginning. The book is perfect for picking up if you are in the mood for a procedural crime drama. In this book, Jake has to fight a sinister person called Orion, who targets one of Jake’s friends and blows their ship up on their wedding day. The author adds in many moments of action and adventure to keep the story entertaining. One of my favorite moments was when Orion kidnaps Button and holds her hostage. Another exciting moment was the van chase scene. I was wondering how Jake would act in the situation.

Moreover, I also appreciate the author for balancing the action with the drama, as we see Jake and Sarah getting closer. I liked the intimate moments that the two shared. Jake also has some heartwarming moments as he tries to motivate Denny. Similarly, Sarah also spends time with her friends like Alicia.

However, my favorite part of the story was Cody and his relationship with Jake. It is always entertaining reading a novel where an animal is also a central character, particularly in crime fiction. It was interesting to see how Cody helps Jake in his investigations, and I thought the was the highlight of the story.

Overall, “Key West Dead” is a lovely addition to the series and makes me want to read it from the beginning.

Book Blitz July 22nd

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Key West Dead by Mark Nolan Blog Tour hosted by RABT Book Tours.

July 22, 2021