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Recommend this book:
What Happens in Montana
Kim McCollum
2024 Finalist
335 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - General
Reviewed by Essien Asian for Readers' Favorite
Brooke, Tracy, Quin, and Krista have remained close friends since they first met at a Mommy and Me group. However, their busy schedules have not let them keep in touch adequately. When Brooke suggests they take a weekend off for a retreat at a serene resort in Montana, her friends jump at the idea. The last thing they expect at this unique resort is to become entangled in a murder mystery. Secrets will be revealed and bonds tested when they come together in Kim McCollum’s What Happens In Montana.
In Kim McCollum’s What Happens In Montana, four friends reunite and end up sharing deep-seated secrets that affect their relationships. The primary focus of the story is the personal affairs of each of the principal characters and how they devolve to the point where they are willing to open up to each other. The character development is impressive as McCollum uses their conversations to demonstrate the intricate dynamics between the four friends. This is evident in Brooke’s habit of bending the rules and how it contrasts with Quin’s preference for order. There is suspense aplenty in the novel with the subplot about Simone’s life and how she became famous at the resort. This connects nicely with the countdown tone the story develops as it approaches its conclusion. Kim McCollum’s ability to expertly blend drama and mystery in this novel displays an excellent level of storytelling talent. I look forward to reading more of her works.
Brooke, Tracy, Quin, and Krista have remained close friends since they first met at a Mommy and Me group. However, their busy schedules have not let them keep in touch adequately. When Brooke suggests they take a weekend off for a retreat at a serene resort in Montana, her friends jump at the idea. The last thing they expect at this unique resort is to become entangled in a murder mystery. Secrets will be revealed and bonds tested when they come together in Kim McCollum’s What Happens In Montana.
In Kim McCollum’s What Happens In Montana, four friends reunite and end up sharing deep-seated secrets that affect their relationships. The primary focus of the story is the personal affairs of each of the principal characters and how they devolve to the point where they are willing to open up to each other. The character development is impressive as McCollum uses their conversations to demonstrate the intricate dynamics between the four friends. This is evident in Brooke’s habit of bending the rules and how it contrasts with Quin’s preference for order. There is suspense aplenty in the novel with the subplot about Simone’s life and how she became famous at the resort. This connects nicely with the countdown tone the story develops as it approaches its conclusion. Kim McCollum’s ability to expertly blend drama and mystery in this novel displays an excellent level of storytelling talent. I look forward to reading more of her works.
Recommend this book:
Virtually Timeless
Casi McLean
2024 Honorable Mention
185 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - General
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
Virtually Timeless is a sleuth mystery thriller by Casi McLean. After finding themselves with an unexpected inheritance, twins Noah and Sydney Monaco are thrust into another mystifying situation when Noah rescues a young woman from being attacked by a stranger in Connecticut. When Syd realizes her brother is missing, she goes in search, only to stumble upon a hidden underground cellar where she finds an ancient Celtic amulet. Meanwhile, the woman Noah rescued struggles with her memories, having no idea who she is. Now, some very dangerous men are tailing the twins and the woman as they make their way to Atlanta. While Noah works on the mystery woman's recovery, Syd delves into her identity and the history behind the amulet. But a seemingly random illness strikes Syd that complicates things further.
Full of suspense, mystery, and intrigue, Virtually Timeless is a captivating thriller that hooks you in from the first page and refuses to let go until the end. Author Casi McLean weaves an intricate yarn full of unexpected twists and turns that will have you on the edge of your seat, wondering what's happening next. The sense of tension and suspense seeping through the pages hints at a larger mystery, keeping you glued all the way through. I found the characters distinct and well-developed. Everyone has their own expertise and seamlessly pulls off their respective roles in relation to the story. Noah and Syd are the kind of protagonists you love to root for. If you're itching for a well-written mystery novel to spend your evening with, Virtually Timeless is just the book for you.
Virtually Timeless is a sleuth mystery thriller by Casi McLean. After finding themselves with an unexpected inheritance, twins Noah and Sydney Monaco are thrust into another mystifying situation when Noah rescues a young woman from being attacked by a stranger in Connecticut. When Syd realizes her brother is missing, she goes in search, only to stumble upon a hidden underground cellar where she finds an ancient Celtic amulet. Meanwhile, the woman Noah rescued struggles with her memories, having no idea who she is. Now, some very dangerous men are tailing the twins and the woman as they make their way to Atlanta. While Noah works on the mystery woman's recovery, Syd delves into her identity and the history behind the amulet. But a seemingly random illness strikes Syd that complicates things further.
Full of suspense, mystery, and intrigue, Virtually Timeless is a captivating thriller that hooks you in from the first page and refuses to let go until the end. Author Casi McLean weaves an intricate yarn full of unexpected twists and turns that will have you on the edge of your seat, wondering what's happening next. The sense of tension and suspense seeping through the pages hints at a larger mystery, keeping you glued all the way through. I found the characters distinct and well-developed. Everyone has their own expertise and seamlessly pulls off their respective roles in relation to the story. Noah and Syd are the kind of protagonists you love to root for. If you're itching for a well-written mystery novel to spend your evening with, Virtually Timeless is just the book for you.
Recommend this book:
Death By Association
The Desert Pines Mystery Series Book One
Julie Titterington
2024 Bronze Medal
325 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - General
Reviewed by Sherri Fulmer Moorer for Readers' Favorite
Jane McLaren is happy to live a simple life in Desert Pines, Oregon. She lives with her grandfather and works as a barista, spending her days in direct contrast to the life she left behind in the big city. It’s too bad that life can’t remain simple, and the drama follows her in the form of the Homeowners Association. Most HOAs are small establishments with minor doses of conflict and quibbling over neighborhood issues. This one ends in murder. Just Jane’s luck, this is her first meeting and her first experience with an HOA. It makes her wonder if she ran from one drama to another. Soon, the drama in the small town draws out the story of her life, and she finds herself teetering on the edges of her old life and her new one in Death By Association: Desert Pines Mystery Series, Book One, a murder mystery by Julie Titterington.
Most mystery novels take place on either a large scale in a big city or on a small scale in a cozy locked room. Death by Association manages to mix the aspects of both settings to bring the drama down to the local level, giving it the space and depth of an expansive suspense novel while keeping it contained to a small setting. Julie Titterington did an excellent job of developing a believable cast of characters with complex lives and motivations in a small town, showing that there’s nothing small about life anywhere. Jane is a great protagonist as well, with great internal conflict between ability and desires that add to the mystery surrounding this location. This is an excellent read for mystery lovers, and I highly recommend it.
Jane McLaren is happy to live a simple life in Desert Pines, Oregon. She lives with her grandfather and works as a barista, spending her days in direct contrast to the life she left behind in the big city. It’s too bad that life can’t remain simple, and the drama follows her in the form of the Homeowners Association. Most HOAs are small establishments with minor doses of conflict and quibbling over neighborhood issues. This one ends in murder. Just Jane’s luck, this is her first meeting and her first experience with an HOA. It makes her wonder if she ran from one drama to another. Soon, the drama in the small town draws out the story of her life, and she finds herself teetering on the edges of her old life and her new one in Death By Association: Desert Pines Mystery Series, Book One, a murder mystery by Julie Titterington.
Most mystery novels take place on either a large scale in a big city or on a small scale in a cozy locked room. Death by Association manages to mix the aspects of both settings to bring the drama down to the local level, giving it the space and depth of an expansive suspense novel while keeping it contained to a small setting. Julie Titterington did an excellent job of developing a believable cast of characters with complex lives and motivations in a small town, showing that there’s nothing small about life anywhere. Jane is a great protagonist as well, with great internal conflict between ability and desires that add to the mystery surrounding this location. This is an excellent read for mystery lovers, and I highly recommend it.
Recommend this book:
 Sergeant Winston Windflower. Life in this charming quiet town is idyllic until Newfoundland is invaded by a potentially lethal new drug. Adding to the town’s woes...){kind=link}
Better Safe Than Sorry
Mike Martin
2024 Silver Medal
258 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - General
Reviewed by P. Rosenthal for Readers' Favorite
Grab your snow gear and head to picturesque Grand Bank, Newfoundland in Canada. In Better Safe Than Sorry, Mike Martin reintroduces recently retired Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Sergeant Winston Windflower. Life in this charming quiet town is idyllic until Newfoundland is invaded by a potentially lethal new drug. Adding to the town’s woes are a missing body and a dead woman, pushing Inspector Eddie Tizzard to his limits. Understanding that the sudden crime wave demands experienced hands, Superintendent Ron Quigley offers Windflower a temporary consultancy role. Windflower's retirement has left him feeling unfulfilled, but he knows his decision will affect his family. In a dream, Windflower’s grandfather recommends he make his decision "based on love and not fear.” Will Windflower return to active service?
Better Safe Than Sorry features relatable protagonists in Tizzard and Windflower, both balancing family responsibilities with their professional lives, serving as a reminder that law enforcement personnel also have personal lives. The book seamlessly incorporates Windflower's Cree heritage and the use of a smudge kit, paying homage to Canada's natural diversity. A unique literature motif runs throughout the book, with characters often playfully responding with quotes from Shakespeare and Mark Twain, underscoring the themes of family, honor, and duty. The plot advances with well-placed clues. Author Mike Martin handles the topic of illicit drugs without the use of R-rated imagery making Better Safe Than Sorry a gripping read suitable for a wide audience. This novel is number six in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery Series and fans of cozy mysteries should not miss this series.
Grab your snow gear and head to picturesque Grand Bank, Newfoundland in Canada. In Better Safe Than Sorry, Mike Martin reintroduces recently retired Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Sergeant Winston Windflower. Life in this charming quiet town is idyllic until Newfoundland is invaded by a potentially lethal new drug. Adding to the town’s woes are a missing body and a dead woman, pushing Inspector Eddie Tizzard to his limits. Understanding that the sudden crime wave demands experienced hands, Superintendent Ron Quigley offers Windflower a temporary consultancy role. Windflower's retirement has left him feeling unfulfilled, but he knows his decision will affect his family. In a dream, Windflower’s grandfather recommends he make his decision "based on love and not fear.” Will Windflower return to active service?
Better Safe Than Sorry features relatable protagonists in Tizzard and Windflower, both balancing family responsibilities with their professional lives, serving as a reminder that law enforcement personnel also have personal lives. The book seamlessly incorporates Windflower's Cree heritage and the use of a smudge kit, paying homage to Canada's natural diversity. A unique literature motif runs throughout the book, with characters often playfully responding with quotes from Shakespeare and Mark Twain, underscoring the themes of family, honor, and duty. The plot advances with well-placed clues. Author Mike Martin handles the topic of illicit drugs without the use of R-rated imagery making Better Safe Than Sorry a gripping read suitable for a wide audience. This novel is number six in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery Series and fans of cozy mysteries should not miss this series.
Recommend this book:
The Desk from Hoboken
A Genealogy Mystery
ML Condike
2024 Gold Medal
430 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - General
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
The Desk from Hoboken is a work of fiction in the mystery, crime, and interpersonal drama subgenres. It is best suited to the general adult reading audience and was penned by author ML Condike. This enthralling and intricately woven mystery combines elements of genealogy, history, and suspense to achieve a unique atmosphere and puzzle to be solved. The story follows RaeJean Hunter, a forensic genealogist, as she embarks on what appears to be a straightforward case of identifying human remains from the 1800s. However, what begins as a seemingly routine project quickly spirals into a dangerous and complex investigation. The story is not only a compelling mystery but also a journey into the past, as RaeJean delves into the life of Mary Rogers, whose mysterious death inspired Edgar Allan Poe's work.
Author ML Condike has clearly done a lot of research and background work to achieve this exciting new novel that combines historical facts and genealogical techniques to create a rich and immersive narrative. As the plot unfolds, the tension and suspense build steadily for a great slow-burn feeling. Later, as the pace of the novel begins to quicken, the threats and dangers RaeJean faces will certainly keep you on the edge of your seat, and you can't help but become deeply invested in her quest for the truth. The characters are well-developed, and their motivations and actions are shrouded in mystery, adding to the intrigue as the more we get to know them, the more complex they become. It's a tale of hidden secrets, perseverance in the face of danger, and the enduring power of truth, which makes for a novel that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally engaging. Overall, if you enjoy mysteries that challenge your intellect and keep you guessing until the very end, then The Desk from Hoboken is a must-read.
The Desk from Hoboken is a work of fiction in the mystery, crime, and interpersonal drama subgenres. It is best suited to the general adult reading audience and was penned by author ML Condike. This enthralling and intricately woven mystery combines elements of genealogy, history, and suspense to achieve a unique atmosphere and puzzle to be solved. The story follows RaeJean Hunter, a forensic genealogist, as she embarks on what appears to be a straightforward case of identifying human remains from the 1800s. However, what begins as a seemingly routine project quickly spirals into a dangerous and complex investigation. The story is not only a compelling mystery but also a journey into the past, as RaeJean delves into the life of Mary Rogers, whose mysterious death inspired Edgar Allan Poe's work.
Author ML Condike has clearly done a lot of research and background work to achieve this exciting new novel that combines historical facts and genealogical techniques to create a rich and immersive narrative. As the plot unfolds, the tension and suspense build steadily for a great slow-burn feeling. Later, as the pace of the novel begins to quicken, the threats and dangers RaeJean faces will certainly keep you on the edge of your seat, and you can't help but become deeply invested in her quest for the truth. The characters are well-developed, and their motivations and actions are shrouded in mystery, adding to the intrigue as the more we get to know them, the more complex they become. It's a tale of hidden secrets, perseverance in the face of danger, and the enduring power of truth, which makes for a novel that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally engaging. Overall, if you enjoy mysteries that challenge your intellect and keep you guessing until the very end, then The Desk from Hoboken is a must-read.
Recommend this book:
TA LĘ
Book 1: Knowledge
Yessoh G.D.
2023 Finalist
326 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - General
Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite
TA LĘ: Book 1: Knowledge by Yessoh G.D. introduces Kobenan who, at a very young age, lands an important job in the enigmatic West African government of Côte d'Esperance. He works for the S-cell, a shadowy unit of the government that deals with mystical occurrences and sorcery. Investigating a high-profile murder case with agent Biafle, Kobenan finds himself thrust into the whirlwind of a world he never knew existed, a mystical world co-existing with the physical. With the political stakes raised and the path getting more complex with every step they take, he must come to grips quickly with the mystical world unfolding before him. Can he solve this murder before it is too late?
TA LĘ: Book 1: Knowledge introduces an Africa that readers will find fascinating, and while this is a fictional work, it is very relevant with a stunningly imagined setting in typical traditional Africa with secret societies, strange and mystical practices, rituals, and involvement in sorcery. The author presents a young protagonist who occupies an enviable position in the secret S-cell; he is intelligent and brave, but with limited knowledge of the world he inhabits. When thrown into a murder case, he has to do more than analyze files. He must grow quickly and learn to accept the startling truths that stare him in the face. Yessoh G.D.’s tale is twisty, written in a unique and captivating voice. The world-building is impeccably accomplished, a world that is steeped in mystery and the author does an impeccable job of exploring the thin line between the rational and the troublingly mystical, deftly illustrating the duality in African existentialism while developing strong plot points and characters that are solid and elaborately written.
TA LĘ: Book 1: Knowledge by Yessoh G.D. introduces Kobenan who, at a very young age, lands an important job in the enigmatic West African government of Côte d'Esperance. He works for the S-cell, a shadowy unit of the government that deals with mystical occurrences and sorcery. Investigating a high-profile murder case with agent Biafle, Kobenan finds himself thrust into the whirlwind of a world he never knew existed, a mystical world co-existing with the physical. With the political stakes raised and the path getting more complex with every step they take, he must come to grips quickly with the mystical world unfolding before him. Can he solve this murder before it is too late?
TA LĘ: Book 1: Knowledge introduces an Africa that readers will find fascinating, and while this is a fictional work, it is very relevant with a stunningly imagined setting in typical traditional Africa with secret societies, strange and mystical practices, rituals, and involvement in sorcery. The author presents a young protagonist who occupies an enviable position in the secret S-cell; he is intelligent and brave, but with limited knowledge of the world he inhabits. When thrown into a murder case, he has to do more than analyze files. He must grow quickly and learn to accept the startling truths that stare him in the face. Yessoh G.D.’s tale is twisty, written in a unique and captivating voice. The world-building is impeccably accomplished, a world that is steeped in mystery and the author does an impeccable job of exploring the thin line between the rational and the troublingly mystical, deftly illustrating the duality in African existentialism while developing strong plot points and characters that are solid and elaborately written.
Recommend this book:
 recounts, Andrea had gone to school, as usual, only to disappear without any contact. Nikki found it strange tha...){kind=link}
Missing in Miami
A Nikki Garcia Mystery
Kathryn Lane
2023 Finalist
334 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - General
Reviewed by Keith Mbuya for Readers' Favorite
With the words “I need you for a case here in Miami...a teenage girl has vanished” from her boss, private investigator Nikki Garcia sets out to solve the case. As Delfina Morales, the mother of Andrea Rodriguez (the missing teenager) recounts, Andrea had gone to school, as usual, only to disappear without any contact. Nikki found it strange that Andrea’s parents had not filed a missing person’s report with the police, despite Andrea having been missing for more than four days. Nikki learns about the family’s Cuban origin, Andrea’s delicate medical condition, and her father Yoani’s business. Questions arise as to Andrea’s real health situation, the type of business Yoani owns, and the role that the couple’s ethnic origin may have played. During her investigations, Nikki stumbles on a dead body at the premises of Yoani’s business partner Dr. Urbano Barriga, whose wife had also been reported missing, deepening the mystery. Nikki enlists the help of her husband and is determined to get to the bottom of it all. Find out more in Kathryn Lane’s Missing in Miami.
Kathryn Lane’s Missing in Miami is a great story. Enthusiasts of crime mystery and detective stories will love this book, with its intriguing and engrossing plot that unfolds at a moderately fast pace. Kathryn had me hooked on the story. Her style of writing features long and complex sentences, loaded with sophisticated, succinct, insightful images, yet the storyline is readily apparent. I loved her vivid depictions and could picture the scenes. Her awesome characters are incredibly well developed and I enjoyed how Kathryn boldly accentuated their individual traits. Kathryn embodies strong emotion in her words and it was easy for me to bond with the characters. There is suspense, tension, thrills, and amazing adventures. I savored reading the rich and witty conversations in the book. I loved everything about Missing in Miami.
With the words “I need you for a case here in Miami...a teenage girl has vanished” from her boss, private investigator Nikki Garcia sets out to solve the case. As Delfina Morales, the mother of Andrea Rodriguez (the missing teenager) recounts, Andrea had gone to school, as usual, only to disappear without any contact. Nikki found it strange that Andrea’s parents had not filed a missing person’s report with the police, despite Andrea having been missing for more than four days. Nikki learns about the family’s Cuban origin, Andrea’s delicate medical condition, and her father Yoani’s business. Questions arise as to Andrea’s real health situation, the type of business Yoani owns, and the role that the couple’s ethnic origin may have played. During her investigations, Nikki stumbles on a dead body at the premises of Yoani’s business partner Dr. Urbano Barriga, whose wife had also been reported missing, deepening the mystery. Nikki enlists the help of her husband and is determined to get to the bottom of it all. Find out more in Kathryn Lane’s Missing in Miami.
Kathryn Lane’s Missing in Miami is a great story. Enthusiasts of crime mystery and detective stories will love this book, with its intriguing and engrossing plot that unfolds at a moderately fast pace. Kathryn had me hooked on the story. Her style of writing features long and complex sentences, loaded with sophisticated, succinct, insightful images, yet the storyline is readily apparent. I loved her vivid depictions and could picture the scenes. Her awesome characters are incredibly well developed and I enjoyed how Kathryn boldly accentuated their individual traits. Kathryn embodies strong emotion in her words and it was easy for me to bond with the characters. There is suspense, tension, thrills, and amazing adventures. I savored reading the rich and witty conversations in the book. I loved everything about Missing in Miami.
Recommend this book:
When She Comes Knocking
Dan McDowell
2023 Honorable Mention
220 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - General
Reviewed by Tanja Jurkovic for Readers' Favorite
In When She Comes Knocking by Dan McDowell, Ben moves into a beautiful new house with his wife Hannah and his son Davey, trying to leave their tragic past behind and build a new and better future for themselves. Upon moving in, they are greeted in their new neighborhood by their first-door neighbor Jean Jackson, who, although being nice initially, comes off as a bit strange, and tries to infiltrate Ben's and Hannah's lives, which eventually drives a wedge between the happy couple. Ben, completely engulfed in protecting his family and his marriage, must stay sane enough to stop Jean in her attempts to destroy his family and his life, and to get out of this nightmare.
When She Comes Knocking by Dan McDowell is an excellent and exciting psychological thriller that will make readers jump in their seats while reading. With every page, McDowell slowly but effectively builds up the story of Ben Decker, a family man with secrets and scars from the past, a salesman with questionable morale working in the pharmacy industry, a movie fan, and an overall everyday man. McDowell describes the characters and the situations wherein they find themselves in a very realistic, vivid, and relatable way, which creates an air of excitement and unknown dangers lurking in the background right until the very end of the novel. The twists and turns toward the end will make your head spin and will make you doubt everything you've read as you're reaching the finale of this great story.
In When She Comes Knocking by Dan McDowell, Ben moves into a beautiful new house with his wife Hannah and his son Davey, trying to leave their tragic past behind and build a new and better future for themselves. Upon moving in, they are greeted in their new neighborhood by their first-door neighbor Jean Jackson, who, although being nice initially, comes off as a bit strange, and tries to infiltrate Ben's and Hannah's lives, which eventually drives a wedge between the happy couple. Ben, completely engulfed in protecting his family and his marriage, must stay sane enough to stop Jean in her attempts to destroy his family and his life, and to get out of this nightmare.
When She Comes Knocking by Dan McDowell is an excellent and exciting psychological thriller that will make readers jump in their seats while reading. With every page, McDowell slowly but effectively builds up the story of Ben Decker, a family man with secrets and scars from the past, a salesman with questionable morale working in the pharmacy industry, a movie fan, and an overall everyday man. McDowell describes the characters and the situations wherein they find themselves in a very realistic, vivid, and relatable way, which creates an air of excitement and unknown dangers lurking in the background right until the very end of the novel. The twists and turns toward the end will make your head spin and will make you doubt everything you've read as you're reaching the finale of this great story.
Recommend this book:
The Prancestor Project
Christine Morse
2023 Honorable Mention
546 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - General
Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite
The Prancestor Project by Christine Morse is a work of contemporary speculative fiction with a strongly tied counterfactual history component as it delves into the discovery of a possible ancient indigenous hominid-type advanced civilization, one which ruled the planet before any meaningful knowledge of the earth's timeline existed. The revelation is made by anthropologist Professor David Denlon, so soft-pedalled and unassuming a man that a Little House on the Prairie slight is about the worst name he can initially level against anyone. Funding soon follows from a benefactor whose true identity is hazy and comes at a massive cost, as David is chased across the globe by the wealthy and power-hungry Patrick Veeder, a wolf in sheep's clothing who will stop at nothing to gain control of the secrets the planet holds on its pre-ancient history.
As I devoured The Prancestor Project by Christine Morse in record time for a book this hefty in size, I couldn't decide if it was more Dan Brown or Michael Crichton, or if at any moment Indiana Jones might leap out from the shadows holding a crystal skull. I came to the conclusion that Morse encompasses the best of all three, with ancient code in a Jurassic Park-style mineral, a dogged chase by a man with the motivation and resources of the Catholic church, and a crystal that holds the key to answer absolutely everything—sans the guy with a whip. Morse gives David a fantastic personal arc that encompasses the women in his life, including his mother who, at the height of intensity, does the most motherly thing ever by turning off the TV because they were saying “terrible things about my Davey.” For a plot with all the chops to have launched a series, it is the characters in the book that make it entertaining. The writing is clean and tight, the pacing is perfect, and everything clicks neatly into place without turning tropey. There are a couple of twists and a moment at the beginning on a train involving a white crystal that comes full circle that is patiently and perfectly executed, making for an excellent book sure to tickle the fancy of speculative sci-fi lovers.
The Prancestor Project by Christine Morse is a work of contemporary speculative fiction with a strongly tied counterfactual history component as it delves into the discovery of a possible ancient indigenous hominid-type advanced civilization, one which ruled the planet before any meaningful knowledge of the earth's timeline existed. The revelation is made by anthropologist Professor David Denlon, so soft-pedalled and unassuming a man that a Little House on the Prairie slight is about the worst name he can initially level against anyone. Funding soon follows from a benefactor whose true identity is hazy and comes at a massive cost, as David is chased across the globe by the wealthy and power-hungry Patrick Veeder, a wolf in sheep's clothing who will stop at nothing to gain control of the secrets the planet holds on its pre-ancient history.
As I devoured The Prancestor Project by Christine Morse in record time for a book this hefty in size, I couldn't decide if it was more Dan Brown or Michael Crichton, or if at any moment Indiana Jones might leap out from the shadows holding a crystal skull. I came to the conclusion that Morse encompasses the best of all three, with ancient code in a Jurassic Park-style mineral, a dogged chase by a man with the motivation and resources of the Catholic church, and a crystal that holds the key to answer absolutely everything—sans the guy with a whip. Morse gives David a fantastic personal arc that encompasses the women in his life, including his mother who, at the height of intensity, does the most motherly thing ever by turning off the TV because they were saying “terrible things about my Davey.” For a plot with all the chops to have launched a series, it is the characters in the book that make it entertaining. The writing is clean and tight, the pacing is perfect, and everything clicks neatly into place without turning tropey. There are a couple of twists and a moment at the beginning on a train involving a white crystal that comes full circle that is patiently and perfectly executed, making for an excellent book sure to tickle the fancy of speculative sci-fi lovers.
Recommend this book:
High Wire
Kam Majd
2023 Bronze Medal
304 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - General
Reviewed by Olga Markova for Readers' Favorite
High Wire by Kam Majd takes us on a bumpy Jet East flight 394 to Kennedy International Airport, piloted by striking, independent, stubborn, and fiery-tempered 34-year-old Captain Kate Gallagher. Struggling to land the jumbo jet with more than two hundred people on board through the turbulence of one of the worst snowstorms in a decade, Kate had to abort the first landing due to a sudden flight control malfunction and eventually crash-landed. The investigators of the National Transportation Safety Board found no evidence of the system failure in the flight data recorder. Surprised and feeling responsible for the crash-landing, Kate started investigating the cause of the crash on her own. Meantime five more planes' systems were infected with the virus and destined to crash. What was going on?
High Wire by Kam Majd has everything I could wish for in a brilliant action thriller – a mind-blowing multi-thread intrigue, an awesome protagonist, and fast-paced action generously enriched with psychological depth. As a child, I dreamed of becoming a pilot, and as an adult, I love flying as a passenger and investigating mysteries, so for me, this was doubly enjoyable. I only wish I had read High Wire on a bumpy flight for the ultimate nerve-tickling experience. The breathtaking suspense reminded me of the iconic Airport by Arthur Hailey, with the added drama of a twenty-first-century techno-thriller. I highly recommend this book to a wide audience of adult fans of crime fiction, mystery, action thrillers, and adventure.
High Wire by Kam Majd takes us on a bumpy Jet East flight 394 to Kennedy International Airport, piloted by striking, independent, stubborn, and fiery-tempered 34-year-old Captain Kate Gallagher. Struggling to land the jumbo jet with more than two hundred people on board through the turbulence of one of the worst snowstorms in a decade, Kate had to abort the first landing due to a sudden flight control malfunction and eventually crash-landed. The investigators of the National Transportation Safety Board found no evidence of the system failure in the flight data recorder. Surprised and feeling responsible for the crash-landing, Kate started investigating the cause of the crash on her own. Meantime five more planes' systems were infected with the virus and destined to crash. What was going on?
High Wire by Kam Majd has everything I could wish for in a brilliant action thriller – a mind-blowing multi-thread intrigue, an awesome protagonist, and fast-paced action generously enriched with psychological depth. As a child, I dreamed of becoming a pilot, and as an adult, I love flying as a passenger and investigating mysteries, so for me, this was doubly enjoyable. I only wish I had read High Wire on a bumpy flight for the ultimate nerve-tickling experience. The breathtaking suspense reminded me of the iconic Airport by Arthur Hailey, with the added drama of a twenty-first-century techno-thriller. I highly recommend this book to a wide audience of adult fans of crime fiction, mystery, action thrillers, and adventure.
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