BookAwards.com
Award-Winning Books from Today's Best Authors
A Free Resource for Book Lovers, Authors, Agents, Publishers and Journalists
Recommend this book:
Game Piece
Alan Brenham
2019 Gold Medal
261 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Crime
Reviewed By Sherri Fulmer Moorer for Readers' Favorite
Police Detective Barry Marshall can't seem to catch a break. He's worked two major cases and become a victim of identity theft when another case falls into his lap. The problem is that this time it's personal. The perpetrator is targeting individuals who have crossed paths with Barry in unfortunate ways, and taunts Barry with a call after each murder. A series of dead ends and an increasing body count put the pressure on him to solve the case. But when the killer crosses another line by setting Barry up professionally and personally, it's obvious that Barry's done something to set this psychopath off. Game Piece by Alan Brenham is a fast-paced thriller that takes readers on an exciting journey of murder, revenge, and the power of love to drive people mad.
I enjoyed Game Piece. It is an exceptionally well-written and exciting mystery novel with excellent, believable characters, a thrilling adventure, and action on every page. There are no "slow" scenes, and the story moves along at a great pace to keep readers engaged and guessing not who the killer is, but rather how he will continue to evade Barry Marshall. Barry is also a believable and interesting character, with all of the charms, faults, and quirks that make a character so real that you'll believe they could be a real friend, neighbor, colleague or, more importantly, a detective you don't want to cross paths with! Alan Brenham has crafted a wonderful, exciting mystery that will keep readers engaged to the last page and beyond. An excellent novel!
Police Detective Barry Marshall can't seem to catch a break. He's worked two major cases and become a victim of identity theft when another case falls into his lap. The problem is that this time it's personal. The perpetrator is targeting individuals who have crossed paths with Barry in unfortunate ways, and taunts Barry with a call after each murder. A series of dead ends and an increasing body count put the pressure on him to solve the case. But when the killer crosses another line by setting Barry up professionally and personally, it's obvious that Barry's done something to set this psychopath off. Game Piece by Alan Brenham is a fast-paced thriller that takes readers on an exciting journey of murder, revenge, and the power of love to drive people mad.
I enjoyed Game Piece. It is an exceptionally well-written and exciting mystery novel with excellent, believable characters, a thrilling adventure, and action on every page. There are no "slow" scenes, and the story moves along at a great pace to keep readers engaged and guessing not who the killer is, but rather how he will continue to evade Barry Marshall. Barry is also a believable and interesting character, with all of the charms, faults, and quirks that make a character so real that you'll believe they could be a real friend, neighbor, colleague or, more importantly, a detective you don't want to cross paths with! Alan Brenham has crafted a wonderful, exciting mystery that will keep readers engaged to the last page and beyond. An excellent novel!
Recommend this book:
Shades of Justice
Detective Madison Knight Series Book 9
Carolyn Arnold
2019 Silver Medal
419 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Crime
Reviewed By Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite
Shades of Justice is the ninth book in the Detective Madison Knight series by Carolyn Arnold, a beautiful meld of crime thriller and detective work with a sophisticated, elaborately developed protagonist. When two murder victims are found naked in Steven Malone’s home, Detective Madison Knight knows she is in for a very complicated case. Malone is one of the biggest contributors to Stiles PD. One of the victims is his wife and the other one is a John Doe. There is a huge problem in the investigation because Madison’s sergeant wants to protect the reputation of the Malones and the relationship with Stiles PD. Madison Knight wants to catch a killer and this case is more complex than it seems.
Shades of Justice is a very complex crime novel, suspenseful and filled with surprising twists. The reader hardly knows what to expect as they follow the fearless detective on the hunt for justice and truth. The reader immediately understands, from the complex nature of the crime, that truth can have different layers and different shades. Following Madison as she carries out her investigation is interesting and a growing feeling of apprehension permeates the entire story. Carolyn Arnold uses suspense and the smoothness of the prose to seduce the reader and have their undivided attention as they sail through the gripping pages. The plot opens with a powerful premise and becomes embellished with surprising details. The unpredictability of the plot is one of the key drivers that move this story forward and make it a must-read. A very exciting read for fans of crime thrillers.
Shades of Justice is the ninth book in the Detective Madison Knight series by Carolyn Arnold, a beautiful meld of crime thriller and detective work with a sophisticated, elaborately developed protagonist. When two murder victims are found naked in Steven Malone’s home, Detective Madison Knight knows she is in for a very complicated case. Malone is one of the biggest contributors to Stiles PD. One of the victims is his wife and the other one is a John Doe. There is a huge problem in the investigation because Madison’s sergeant wants to protect the reputation of the Malones and the relationship with Stiles PD. Madison Knight wants to catch a killer and this case is more complex than it seems.
Shades of Justice is a very complex crime novel, suspenseful and filled with surprising twists. The reader hardly knows what to expect as they follow the fearless detective on the hunt for justice and truth. The reader immediately understands, from the complex nature of the crime, that truth can have different layers and different shades. Following Madison as she carries out her investigation is interesting and a growing feeling of apprehension permeates the entire story. Carolyn Arnold uses suspense and the smoothness of the prose to seduce the reader and have their undivided attention as they sail through the gripping pages. The plot opens with a powerful premise and becomes embellished with surprising details. The unpredictability of the plot is one of the key drivers that move this story forward and make it a must-read. A very exciting read for fans of crime thrillers.
Recommend this book:
Little Girls Sleeping
An absolutely gripping crime thriller (Detective Katie Scott Book 1)
Jennifer Chase
2019 Bronze Medal
316 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Crime
Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Little Girls Sleeping is a compelling and spine-chilling work of crime fiction penned by author Jennifer Chase. Forming the introductory story in the Detective Katie Scott series, we find ourselves in Pine Valley, California on the brink of one of the creepiest cases ever discovered. Eight-year-old Chelsea Compton has gone missing, and following her trail leads Katie to an unmarked cemetery with colorful teddy bears on every grave. The shocking truth and the history of missing children aren’t lost on Katie, who lost someone herself many years ago in the same area. Past and present collide as Katie tries desperately to stop anyone else from facing the graveyard in the future.
Shocking, chilling and highly readable, fans of creepy crime, serial killer fiction, and gritty mystery are sure to be compelled to finish this novel from cover to cover. It reminded me of the likes of Karin Slaughter and Martina Cole for its strong female heroine and no-holds-barred look at the crime scenes in epic and sometimes stomach-churning detail. The discoveries made to trace and catch the killer are well paced and genuinely surprising, whilst readers can also make a strong emotional connection to the tough but sensitive Katie Scott as we learn about the darkness and loss in her past. Author Jennifer Chase makes excellent use of California as an atmospheric backdrop to the crimes, painting chilling pictures with her words. Overall, Little Girls Sleeping is a highly recommended read for fans of crime fiction who want to be excited and afraid at the same time.
Little Girls Sleeping is a compelling and spine-chilling work of crime fiction penned by author Jennifer Chase. Forming the introductory story in the Detective Katie Scott series, we find ourselves in Pine Valley, California on the brink of one of the creepiest cases ever discovered. Eight-year-old Chelsea Compton has gone missing, and following her trail leads Katie to an unmarked cemetery with colorful teddy bears on every grave. The shocking truth and the history of missing children aren’t lost on Katie, who lost someone herself many years ago in the same area. Past and present collide as Katie tries desperately to stop anyone else from facing the graveyard in the future.
Shocking, chilling and highly readable, fans of creepy crime, serial killer fiction, and gritty mystery are sure to be compelled to finish this novel from cover to cover. It reminded me of the likes of Karin Slaughter and Martina Cole for its strong female heroine and no-holds-barred look at the crime scenes in epic and sometimes stomach-churning detail. The discoveries made to trace and catch the killer are well paced and genuinely surprising, whilst readers can also make a strong emotional connection to the tough but sensitive Katie Scott as we learn about the darkness and loss in her past. Author Jennifer Chase makes excellent use of California as an atmospheric backdrop to the crimes, painting chilling pictures with her words. Overall, Little Girls Sleeping is a highly recommended read for fans of crime fiction who want to be excited and afraid at the same time.
Recommend this book:
The Network
The Dream Traveler, Book Two
Ernesto H Lee
2019 Honorable Mention
256 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Crime
Reviewed By Amy Raines for Readers' Favorite
In The Network: The Dream Traveler Book Two by Ernesto H Lee, Detective Constable Sean McMillan is arrested for the murder of his prime suspect in a case from the past. He has at his disposal a very odd gift that allows him to travel through time within his dreams, but this gift can only assist him so far without the trust and support of his fellow officers and colleagues. With the evidence stacked against him getting worse all the time and the knowledge that his own partner is involved somehow, the likelihood of being exonerated of the charges is all but nonexistent. While awaiting his trial, Detective Constable Sean McMillan finds himself in over his head with a prison thug’s deadly and time sensitive deadline looming nearer. Can McMillan find the information and evidence of the mobster group that calls themselves ‘The Network’ before either they or the prison thugs that want his blood can destroy all his hopes of finding the truth, along with his life?
The Network has a very exciting plot that takes the reader on a page-turning ride through time as Sean McMillan attempts to clear his name from the murder rap he faces. Every single character has their own surprising and unique past that distinguishes The Network from any other story I have ever read. I love how Ernesto H Lee made me think I knew who the mastermind was, then shocked me with the truth with a very precise and interesting explanation that took the story to a deeper level of excitement. The Network is action packed from beginning to end as the author keeps the reader asking ‘what’s coming next?’ I would recommend this book to anyone that loves action, adventure and misadventure all rolled into one. I would not be surprised to see a movie trailer for The Network in the future and I, for one, would love to see it. I loved this book and I can’t wait to see what other amazing stories Ernesto H Lee has in store for readers to get caught up in.
In The Network: The Dream Traveler Book Two by Ernesto H Lee, Detective Constable Sean McMillan is arrested for the murder of his prime suspect in a case from the past. He has at his disposal a very odd gift that allows him to travel through time within his dreams, but this gift can only assist him so far without the trust and support of his fellow officers and colleagues. With the evidence stacked against him getting worse all the time and the knowledge that his own partner is involved somehow, the likelihood of being exonerated of the charges is all but nonexistent. While awaiting his trial, Detective Constable Sean McMillan finds himself in over his head with a prison thug’s deadly and time sensitive deadline looming nearer. Can McMillan find the information and evidence of the mobster group that calls themselves ‘The Network’ before either they or the prison thugs that want his blood can destroy all his hopes of finding the truth, along with his life?
The Network has a very exciting plot that takes the reader on a page-turning ride through time as Sean McMillan attempts to clear his name from the murder rap he faces. Every single character has their own surprising and unique past that distinguishes The Network from any other story I have ever read. I love how Ernesto H Lee made me think I knew who the mastermind was, then shocked me with the truth with a very precise and interesting explanation that took the story to a deeper level of excitement. The Network is action packed from beginning to end as the author keeps the reader asking ‘what’s coming next?’ I would recommend this book to anyone that loves action, adventure and misadventure all rolled into one. I would not be surprised to see a movie trailer for The Network in the future and I, for one, would love to see it. I loved this book and I can’t wait to see what other amazing stories Ernesto H Lee has in store for readers to get caught up in.
Recommend this book:
The Unrepentant
E. A. Aymar
2019 Honorable Mention
330 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Crime
Reviewed By Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite
The Unrepentant by E. A. Aymar is set in the Virginia, Maryland, D.C. triangle and follows eighteen-year-old Charlotte Reyes, a girl who runs away from an abusive home only to find herself tricked and kidnapped by a gang of criminals. When she escapes again, she realizes that the bad guys trail her like dogs and there is a dirty cop who is paid to bring her back. Wherever she goes, there is no guarantee of staying off their radar, so she does the one thing no one expects her to do: fight back!
This is an engrossing story with a strong female protagonist, one that fans of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo will love. It opens in the midst of action and immediately introduces a powerful premise. A captured girl has help in getting free. The language is beautiful and I loved how the author combines the descriptions of the actions and the thoughts of the characters with elements of the setting to give readers a full picture of scenes. This is the introduction to the character that helps the protagonist: “Mace Peterson expected to see silhouettes of trees, a surprised deer or two, the smudge of a shadowed moon, maybe even a startled snake slithering away at midnight in the woods of Baltimore County.”
The story is sprinkled with grim humor, and at times there is a pervading sense of the noir that allows an understanding of human nature, the depth of the conflict, and the development of characters. The Unrepentant is an entertaining tale of a young girl who chooses to fight crime and gain her freedom. The twists are powerful enough to be mind-blowing.
The Unrepentant by E. A. Aymar is set in the Virginia, Maryland, D.C. triangle and follows eighteen-year-old Charlotte Reyes, a girl who runs away from an abusive home only to find herself tricked and kidnapped by a gang of criminals. When she escapes again, she realizes that the bad guys trail her like dogs and there is a dirty cop who is paid to bring her back. Wherever she goes, there is no guarantee of staying off their radar, so she does the one thing no one expects her to do: fight back!
This is an engrossing story with a strong female protagonist, one that fans of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo will love. It opens in the midst of action and immediately introduces a powerful premise. A captured girl has help in getting free. The language is beautiful and I loved how the author combines the descriptions of the actions and the thoughts of the characters with elements of the setting to give readers a full picture of scenes. This is the introduction to the character that helps the protagonist: “Mace Peterson expected to see silhouettes of trees, a surprised deer or two, the smudge of a shadowed moon, maybe even a startled snake slithering away at midnight in the woods of Baltimore County.”
The story is sprinkled with grim humor, and at times there is a pervading sense of the noir that allows an understanding of human nature, the depth of the conflict, and the development of characters. The Unrepentant is an entertaining tale of a young girl who chooses to fight crime and gain her freedom. The twists are powerful enough to be mind-blowing.
Recommend this book:
Alex Dotson
Secrets of a Small Town
Alexis Bloomer
2019 Honorable Mention
273 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Crime
Reviewed By Peggy Jo Wipf for Readers' Favorite
In Alex Dotson: Secrets of a Small Town, author Alexis Bloomer weaves a compelling mystery around kidnappings occurring in the small town of South Bend, Texas. Alex Dotson has returned to her hometown -- after putting a stalker in jail and writing an article that won several awards -- to hide from the guilt that her writing has unseen consequences. When a high school teenager, Samantha, goes missing, the authorities do little to find her. The town’s optimistic view that she will just show up one day frustrates Alex. As more girls disappear, Alex’s persistence in questioning everyone has drawn unwanted attention towards her. Could the new police officer be the predator she fears? Is he trying to get close to Alex to hide the secrets about his past?
Alex Dotson is one of those novels you put down and think, “Wow, that was awesome!” Alexis Bloomer uses her gift of writing to make an impact with her stories. The author reveals how one person can make a difference in the lives of others. Alex Dotson was a journalist, but her articles were personal and it was her goal to show the truth to her audience. As this suspense thriller progresses, the intensity of the events develops into a bewildering web of crime. Though Alex comes across as a strong, independent woman, her insecurities show as she fears her ability to find the girls before the predator hunts her down. Her aggressive attitude is great as a journalist to hunt down a story, but people dislike her questioning ways. When I finished this novel, I felt that the author reveals herself through the characters; she has the beauty and compassion of Samantha and the skills and strength of Alex. I enjoyed this novel immensely and would highly recommend it to every reader.
In Alex Dotson: Secrets of a Small Town, author Alexis Bloomer weaves a compelling mystery around kidnappings occurring in the small town of South Bend, Texas. Alex Dotson has returned to her hometown -- after putting a stalker in jail and writing an article that won several awards -- to hide from the guilt that her writing has unseen consequences. When a high school teenager, Samantha, goes missing, the authorities do little to find her. The town’s optimistic view that she will just show up one day frustrates Alex. As more girls disappear, Alex’s persistence in questioning everyone has drawn unwanted attention towards her. Could the new police officer be the predator she fears? Is he trying to get close to Alex to hide the secrets about his past?
Alex Dotson is one of those novels you put down and think, “Wow, that was awesome!” Alexis Bloomer uses her gift of writing to make an impact with her stories. The author reveals how one person can make a difference in the lives of others. Alex Dotson was a journalist, but her articles were personal and it was her goal to show the truth to her audience. As this suspense thriller progresses, the intensity of the events develops into a bewildering web of crime. Though Alex comes across as a strong, independent woman, her insecurities show as she fears her ability to find the girls before the predator hunts her down. Her aggressive attitude is great as a journalist to hunt down a story, but people dislike her questioning ways. When I finished this novel, I felt that the author reveals herself through the characters; she has the beauty and compassion of Samantha and the skills and strength of Alex. I enjoyed this novel immensely and would highly recommend it to every reader.
Recommend this book:
The Banker Who Died
Matthew A. Carter
2019 Finalist
452 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Crime
Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
The Banker Who Died is a work of thriller fiction for adults, penned by author Matthew A. Carter. Graphic, dynamic and filled with the high life and high crime, this stylish tale features bank employee Stanley McKnight as he is upgraded to a prestigious position at Laville & Cie. This exclusive Swiss bank has exclusive clients, and Stanley takes over the Russian clients after a previous employee dies in a car accident. But all is not as it seems, and Stanley finds himself in way over his head dealing with people who have become so rich that they think the law doesn’t really apply to them anymore.
An unusual premise for a thriller novel, the world of Swiss banking, shady finances and dirty dealings makes for an interesting realm in which to set a tale of an everyman who gets in too deep. Stanley is a relatable character with plenty of naïve charm, whose hidden capabilities come through the more you read his tale of being thrown into the deep end. Suspicions around the bank and its clients come to light with some really well-paced plot timing by author Matthew A. Carter, and in true thriller style, the book does keep you wondering right up to the last few pages. I found the various villains and clients at the bank entertaining to encounter, and one of them genuinely terrifying by the novel’s close. Overall, thriller fiction fans are sure to sink their teeth into The Banker Who Died.
The Banker Who Died is a work of thriller fiction for adults, penned by author Matthew A. Carter. Graphic, dynamic and filled with the high life and high crime, this stylish tale features bank employee Stanley McKnight as he is upgraded to a prestigious position at Laville & Cie. This exclusive Swiss bank has exclusive clients, and Stanley takes over the Russian clients after a previous employee dies in a car accident. But all is not as it seems, and Stanley finds himself in way over his head dealing with people who have become so rich that they think the law doesn’t really apply to them anymore.
An unusual premise for a thriller novel, the world of Swiss banking, shady finances and dirty dealings makes for an interesting realm in which to set a tale of an everyman who gets in too deep. Stanley is a relatable character with plenty of naïve charm, whose hidden capabilities come through the more you read his tale of being thrown into the deep end. Suspicions around the bank and its clients come to light with some really well-paced plot timing by author Matthew A. Carter, and in true thriller style, the book does keep you wondering right up to the last few pages. I found the various villains and clients at the bank entertaining to encounter, and one of them genuinely terrifying by the novel’s close. Overall, thriller fiction fans are sure to sink their teeth into The Banker Who Died.
Recommend this book:
The Advocate's Homicides
The Advocate Series Book 8
Teresa Burrell
2018 Gold Medal
329 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Crime
Reviewed By Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite
It’s a real treat to find a legal mystery fiction that you can get into quickly and enjoy the unfolding plot without getting lost in a copious amount of lawyer jargon as happens to too many legal thrillers. Teresa Burrell, author of The Advocate’s Homicide, is a lawyer, but her focus isn’t on impressing readers with her knowledge: it’s on telling an absorbing story based on a too common and very sad social issue: paedophilia. Burrell wants her readers to understand the devastating long term effects of sexual abuse, in this case on young boys. Can it lead them to abuse others? Can it even make them murder their abusers? And how does working with abused adolescents like those in The Advocate’s Homicides affect the therapists and the children’s lawyers. And could an abused child be convicted of murder even when the evidence doesn’t really add up?
Readers will get thoroughly caught up in the plight of a drug addict’s son whom lawyer Sabre O. Brown refuses to believe has murdered and partially buried his abuser. Like Sabre, we don’t believe he’s guilty. Then, when more bodies show up and their murders are similar to this one, Sabre and her associates decide there’s a lot more to these homicides than abused children taking revenge. Readers will be kept guessing who the real perp is almost to the end as the team exhausts itself investigating every possible suspect and scenario. The strength of Teresa Burrell’s writing lies in her marvellous use of dialogue to keep the story moving. When it comes to descriptions and facts, she keeps it short and on a need to know basis only. This makes reading The Advocate’s Homicide so enjoyable and so quick, but never with a lack of believable characters who chatter amicably, tease each other and joke around, like real people do. The Advocate’s Homicide is a wonderful blend of good and bad and will most likely have readers unfamiliar with Teresa Burrell looking at the other books in this series. I certainly intend to check them out.
It’s a real treat to find a legal mystery fiction that you can get into quickly and enjoy the unfolding plot without getting lost in a copious amount of lawyer jargon as happens to too many legal thrillers. Teresa Burrell, author of The Advocate’s Homicide, is a lawyer, but her focus isn’t on impressing readers with her knowledge: it’s on telling an absorbing story based on a too common and very sad social issue: paedophilia. Burrell wants her readers to understand the devastating long term effects of sexual abuse, in this case on young boys. Can it lead them to abuse others? Can it even make them murder their abusers? And how does working with abused adolescents like those in The Advocate’s Homicides affect the therapists and the children’s lawyers. And could an abused child be convicted of murder even when the evidence doesn’t really add up?
Readers will get thoroughly caught up in the plight of a drug addict’s son whom lawyer Sabre O. Brown refuses to believe has murdered and partially buried his abuser. Like Sabre, we don’t believe he’s guilty. Then, when more bodies show up and their murders are similar to this one, Sabre and her associates decide there’s a lot more to these homicides than abused children taking revenge. Readers will be kept guessing who the real perp is almost to the end as the team exhausts itself investigating every possible suspect and scenario. The strength of Teresa Burrell’s writing lies in her marvellous use of dialogue to keep the story moving. When it comes to descriptions and facts, she keeps it short and on a need to know basis only. This makes reading The Advocate’s Homicide so enjoyable and so quick, but never with a lack of believable characters who chatter amicably, tease each other and joke around, like real people do. The Advocate’s Homicide is a wonderful blend of good and bad and will most likely have readers unfamiliar with Teresa Burrell looking at the other books in this series. I certainly intend to check them out.
Recommend this book:
The Brambles
Leah Erickson
2018 Silver Medal
410 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Crime
Reviewed By Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite
Seventeen-year-old Elizabeth Gray was an enigma to everyone that knew her. When she was found dead, hanging from a tree, it shocked everyone. The case becomes more mysterious when the police find out that she had no birth records. Mack Mackenzie, Lillian Harris, and Vanessa Davis are Elizabeth’s childhood playmates, who didn’t keep in touch with each other as they have their own circles of friends. Yet, they were the ones closest to Elizabeth before, and she is reaching out to them once more from beyond the grave, asking for help. United once again, the teens investigate and find The Brambles, a derelict mansion owned by the hermit Mitch Cooper. The place has the answer they’re looking for, but they are putting themselves at risk, especially when the place is run by a defrocked priest named John Leary.
The Brambles by Leah Erickson is a potent combination of mystery, crime, and the paranormal with a well thought out plot. As the story moves forward, Elizabeth’s past is revealed bit by bit, providing answers but also leading to different kinds of questions. It heightens one’s curiosity and the story is highly intriguing. The complex characters filled their roles perfectly with their facades, flaws, and secrets. I gravitated more towards the young protagonists. Mack, Lillian, and Vanessa－including the dead Elizabeth－have more maturity that they don’t show to other people. At the same time, they are still unsure about themselves, about life, and struggle with their own personal and family issues. Investigating Elizabeth’s death almost wrecks them but shapes them as individuals as well. Erickson’s writing style has a subtle mythical flair that makes the narrative extremely engaging. Fast-paced and deftly written, The Brambles is a riveting read.
Seventeen-year-old Elizabeth Gray was an enigma to everyone that knew her. When she was found dead, hanging from a tree, it shocked everyone. The case becomes more mysterious when the police find out that she had no birth records. Mack Mackenzie, Lillian Harris, and Vanessa Davis are Elizabeth’s childhood playmates, who didn’t keep in touch with each other as they have their own circles of friends. Yet, they were the ones closest to Elizabeth before, and she is reaching out to them once more from beyond the grave, asking for help. United once again, the teens investigate and find The Brambles, a derelict mansion owned by the hermit Mitch Cooper. The place has the answer they’re looking for, but they are putting themselves at risk, especially when the place is run by a defrocked priest named John Leary.
The Brambles by Leah Erickson is a potent combination of mystery, crime, and the paranormal with a well thought out plot. As the story moves forward, Elizabeth’s past is revealed bit by bit, providing answers but also leading to different kinds of questions. It heightens one’s curiosity and the story is highly intriguing. The complex characters filled their roles perfectly with their facades, flaws, and secrets. I gravitated more towards the young protagonists. Mack, Lillian, and Vanessa－including the dead Elizabeth－have more maturity that they don’t show to other people. At the same time, they are still unsure about themselves, about life, and struggle with their own personal and family issues. Investigating Elizabeth’s death almost wrecks them but shapes them as individuals as well. Erickson’s writing style has a subtle mythical flair that makes the narrative extremely engaging. Fast-paced and deftly written, The Brambles is a riveting read.
Recommend this book:
Mason's Missing
A Tuper Mystery Book 1
Teresa Burrell
2018 Bronze Medal
307 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Crime
Reviewed By K.J. Simmill for Readers' Favorite
In Mason's Missing by Teresa Burrell, five-year-old Mason was last seen running towards a man the teacher assumed to be his father, and getting into a dark blue Toyota RAV4. Days pass and there is no sign of Mason or a ransom demand. Word of mouth reaches Mason’s desperate mother, giving her cause to approach Tuper. He is thought to be the best, and she would do anything to enlist his services. But the stubborn and honourable Tuper is not in this line of work for the money; he has his own code, and he lives by it. Agreeing to take the case, despite his suspicions that everything is not as it seems, he stumbles across someone who can help him advance his investigation quicker. This new duo starts the hunt for Mason, uncovering strange circumstances and buried secrets as they progress. Mason is missing, but all is not as it first seems. Can they uncover the truth and find the boy before the unthinkable happens?
I found Teresa Burrell’s writing style to be really easy going, so much so that I read the entire book in a single sitting. I was right there alongside Tuper and Lana as they tracked down leads and began to build the foundations of their new friendship. Red herrings, murder, mystery, mistakes, secrets, and peril; it doesn’t get any better than this to make a good recipe for a mystery story, and Mason's Missing (A Tuper Mystery Book 1) has them all. You’ll share the frustrations and victories of the characters as they delve deeper into the mystery and unravel the surprising truth about what actually happened. A really strong first book in a series, with just enough information about the lead characters so that they remain an intriguing mystery you want to learn more about.
In Mason's Missing by Teresa Burrell, five-year-old Mason was last seen running towards a man the teacher assumed to be his father, and getting into a dark blue Toyota RAV4. Days pass and there is no sign of Mason or a ransom demand. Word of mouth reaches Mason’s desperate mother, giving her cause to approach Tuper. He is thought to be the best, and she would do anything to enlist his services. But the stubborn and honourable Tuper is not in this line of work for the money; he has his own code, and he lives by it. Agreeing to take the case, despite his suspicions that everything is not as it seems, he stumbles across someone who can help him advance his investigation quicker. This new duo starts the hunt for Mason, uncovering strange circumstances and buried secrets as they progress. Mason is missing, but all is not as it first seems. Can they uncover the truth and find the boy before the unthinkable happens?
I found Teresa Burrell’s writing style to be really easy going, so much so that I read the entire book in a single sitting. I was right there alongside Tuper and Lana as they tracked down leads and began to build the foundations of their new friendship. Red herrings, murder, mystery, mistakes, secrets, and peril; it doesn’t get any better than this to make a good recipe for a mystery story, and Mason's Missing (A Tuper Mystery Book 1) has them all. You’ll share the frustrations and victories of the characters as they delve deeper into the mystery and unravel the surprising truth about what actually happened. A really strong first book in a series, with just enough information about the lead characters so that they remain an intriguing mystery you want to learn more about.
Contact Author -
