Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

High Flying is a work of intriguing drama and time travel fiction penned by author Kaylin McFarren. In a story written for adults due to its explicit language and depictions of violence, we find ourselves following the trials of Skylar Haines, who can’t seem to subdue the deep-rooted anxiety from her dark past. When she learns to be a stunt pilot, the danger and adrenaline take her out of herself and her worries, until a terrifying storm changes everything. With the help of a mysterious voice, Skylar weathers the storm, but finds herself in a time just before she was born, one week before her father was murdered. What follows is a gripping tale of choices, emotions and personal strife.

Mixing science fiction concepts with both mystery and suspense, Kaylin McFarren is an author whose work will span many different genres to entertain different reader types. Skylar’s tale of personal woe and the desire to reinvent herself rings true with genuine emotional depth, which is given plenty of space to be explored when she visits her own pre-birth past. Here, the danger level spikes too, developing into a psychological mystery surrounding her father’s death and what it means to trust and be loyal to people. The writing is solid and well paced for a suspenseful feel, whilst the plot has a fair few twists to keep the pages turning. Overall though, High Flying is most likely to entertain those seeking a deeply personal drama and a strong but damaged heroine whom you can root for to the bitter end.

Reviewed by Lesley Jones for Readers' Favorite

In Payback by Steve Bassett, in 1946, the right arm of a third victim is found in the Newark city dump. Lieutenant Nick Cisco and his partner Kevin McClosky discover all three victims were connected to an American-German Bund, with sympathies for the Nazi regime and Hitler. As they struggle to solve the murders, elsewhere in Newark they become entangled in a dark web of corruption, violence, and greed. A priest races to save an abused 6-year-old from the clutches of an abusive couple set on adopting her. The emotional and physical scars the child bears seem a worthy reason to save the child from her fate. An abusive husband, with connections to the Mob, faces the ultimate payback from his battered wife, Grace. As she plans her revenge, Grace will stop at nothing to make her husband pay, while at the same time enjoying her affair with a married cop. There is also racial hostility growing on the streets of Newark when a respected war veteran seeks revenge on a local racist. As the two experienced cops try to solve the murders before a fourth victim is found, will the streets of Newark find peace and harmony or are the divisions and hate buried too deep?

Payback by Steve Bassett is definitely not a book for bedtime reading. From the first chapter, the bar of tension and suspense was set very high and I was definitely not disappointed as the story progressed; it just got better and better for me. Each subplot is strong and interesting and these have been effortlessly entwined together. Every character is interesting, memorable, realistic and with a detailed backstory. I thought the way the backstories were subtly included in the dialogue and narrative told us so much about the characters and gave their actions believability. Although the book is written in a pulp fiction style and skips from one timeframe and story to another, and introduces new characters continually, there was no confusion with the plot. The themes of racism, religion, violence and child abuse were written extremely well and authentically. This is a stand-alone novel written by a remarkably talented author.

Reviewed by Karen Hesson for Readers' Favorite

A Simple Lie by Mary Bush is a fantastic thriller that kept me guessing and turning the pages until the very end. The main character, Valentina Knight, gets a job as a death scene investigator after she can no longer practice dentistry due to an “accident” with a former patient. The position comes with many challenges, and her qualifications are often called into question by herself and others. Val struggles to learn the ropes of her new job while also finding herself caught in the middle of a puzzling and dangerous case.

It’s been a long time since I’ve read a murder mystery/thriller, but I’ve always enjoyed them. A Simple Lie did not disappoint! It jumped right into the action on the first page and continued moving at a fast pace to pull me through the story. I found myself following all of the twists and turns with fascination and wanting to know what happened next. The characters were well written, and each one was introduced at just the right time in the story. The descriptions were vivid — keep that in mind if you don’t have the stomach for crime scene depictions. I found that all of the details and descriptions helped to make the story more real. Mary Bush managed to tie up the clues and loose ends nicely and create an ending that was both surprising and satisfying. A Simple Lie was a captivating and thrilling read, and I look forward to more from Mary Bush.

Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

A funny thing happened when I picked up Toxic Blonde by David Stever to check it out. I began reading the opening chapter and couldn’t put the book down! That was a problem for me, as I was in the middle of reading two other books. Suddenly those two books had to wait. I became totally immersed in Johnny Delarosa’s latest assignment: to give his client proof that her scientist husband was having an affair with a sexy, beautiful blonde, Keira Kane. If Delarosa’s client was right, that cheating husband stood to lose his wife, his estate, his career and his very promising future.

As the team struggles to obtain the needed compromising photos, strange events take place: Delarosa’s client and her closest friend are kidnapped from a safe house. Bodies fall. A previously unseen side of the client’s loving uncle emerges. And when Delarosa and company spot Keira bashing her male helpers in the parking lot of a sleazy motel, red flags are waving everywhere about Keira’s identity and her real motives for getting it on with the scientist. Suddenly, the FBI gets involved too and Delarosa’s investigation becomes infinitely more complicated. By the time it’s all over, and Delarosa nearly loses his life, readers will find themselves breathless and closing this thriller with the satisfaction that comes from a great read.

In a tradition and style reminiscent of Sam Spade, Delarosa narrates his story in first person and the pace never stops. From his office in a restaurant/bar that he co-owns with another retired cop, Mike, between downing shots of bourbon, Delarosa sets his team to work on surveillance. But that Toxic Blonde, Keira, is elusive in more ways than one. David Stever has a real gift for clever plotting, colourful character creation, easy-flowing and realistic dialogue, and injections of comic relief while still keeping readers in a constant state of tension. I loved it. My type of book! Easy reading; memorable characters; fast movement. Highly recommended? You bet! And if I have any regrets about reading Toxic Blonde, it’s that I now just have to go find a copy of Stever’s first book, Auburn Ride. But I better finish those other two books first!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.