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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Reviewed by Saifunnissa Hassam for Readers' Favorite

Mike Martin's light mystery novel All That Glitters: The Sgt. Windflower Mystery Series Book 13 is a well-crafted suspenseful crime story set in Newfoundland. Sergeant Winston Windflower's long career as an RCMP officer ends when the Grand Bank RCMP station is closed down. He is now a Community Safety Officer for Grand Bank, Fortune, Garnish, and Frenchman’s Cove. He and his wife Sheila own and run a B&B in Grand Bank. A guest, Robert Smart, from Burlington, Ontario, is found dead in his room at the B&B. Doc Vijay Sanjay, Windflower's long-time close friend and a former coroner, performs an autopsy for the RCMP and finds diamonds in Robert Smart's digestive system. Then Doc Sanjay disappears! Windflower and Corporal Eddie Tizzard, the interim RCMP inspector in Marystown, work together to solve the puzzling mystery. The case grows in complexity and danger when the RCMP in St. John's informs them that an extremely dangerous diamond smuggler may have kidnapped Doc Sanjay!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading All That Glitters, particularly for its outstanding characters. I liked how the crime storyline brings out Windflower's courage, compassion, and deep concern for the safety of the Grand Bank community, and his determination to protect the lives of fellow RCMP officers. I also liked how Windflower's everyday life is interwoven into the plot, as a loving husband, father, and trusted and valued friend. And also a great cook! I liked the drama of family life, of love and sadness, picnics and hikes, together with worry, fear, and concern for family safety. I think these details of family, friendships, and community, bring the other characters vividly to life and heighten the suspense as Windflower and his fellow officers intensify the search for the diamond smuggler. I loved the evocative descriptions and history of coastal communities, past and present, making for realistic settings in the story. With unexpected and dramatic twists and turns, All That Glitters by Mike Martin is a page-turner, a gripping mystery and crime story!

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

A Limited Run is a mystery drama novel by Karen McQuestion. Meri Wetzel, once the former lead actress of the hit TV show "A Little Slice of Haven," is taken aback when she receives an offer from billionaire Felix Worthington. This could net her 2 million dollars in exchange for reprising her role as Marion in a recreated version of the show set up at a warehouse in Montana. One by one, the five actors who played the members of the fictional Barlow family receive the same offer and reluctantly arrive in Montana. They must spend ten days in a 1940s town filled with paid actors without breaking character in front of hidden cameras. But as Meri and her costars slot into their roles, they realize that things are not as they seem.

Author Karen McQuestion weaves an intriguing slice-of-life drama that will keep readers glued to the pages until the end. A Limited Run is about navigating the challenges and struggles of everyday life and making amends for the mistakes of the past. The characters are immensely compelling, with convincing flaws and traits to their personalities who react to the unexpected events around their lives in a believable manner. The interactions between Meri (Marion) and her costars feel genuine, and the dialogue adds a lot of humor and heart to the narrative. McQuestion keeps the cards close to her chest and reveals the big mystery only in the last few pages. Overall, a thoroughly entertaining novel I will gladly recommend.

Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

Muddled Matrimonial Murder by Kim Davis is the sixth book in the Cupcake Catering Mystery series. Emory has been actively working as an unofficial wedding planner to ensure that her best friend Brad’s wedding goes off without a hitch. A no-show groom at the engagement party she can handle. A dead body is a little more complicated. When Emory and Brad discover the body of his stalker at the wedding venue, the evidence is arranged to make Brad and his future husband appear guilty of murder. The mystery revolves around Brad and Gabe’s wedding which immediately raises questions about Gabe not showing up at the party and establishing some tension between the two. She does not doubt that her friends are innocent but with the evidence stacked against them and secrets that give them a motive, her only choice is to once again play the role of a sleuth.

Kim Davis effectively utilizes the chaos of a wedding to create obstacles with a twist that include murder and a frame-up. The tension between the engaged couple adds some drama and friction to the plot which increases the mystery. The friendship between Emory and Brad is a highlight of the series and is her motivation to get involved in the investigation. She never wavers from being a loyal friend or from believing he’s innocent. Their dynamic is everything you look for in cozy mysteries - charm, loyalty, and humor. Every scene between them makes the tone a little lighter, whether it's investigating a murder or dealing with the mayhem that comes with planning a wedding. The setting is described as a tourist destination with sun, sea, and golden sands. This creates a backdrop for Emory’s investigations that feel as if she’s living in paradise.

Emory has an assortment of complicated relationships such as with her mother who tried to interfere in her friendship. Her ex-husband also makes an appearance in the story. Other connections such as with her boyfriend Brian and her sister Vannie help to round out the account while also providing a variety of prominent side characters. Davis uses these supporting role players to create a well-rounded world. Through them, you’re drawn into whatever mystery Emory has stumbled into. Cozy mystery lovers will want to check out this book. Charming, funny, and lighthearted, Muddled Matrimonial Murder serves as another clever installment in the series and delivers a compelling new mystery featuring your favorite characters.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Long Way Home is a work of fiction in the mystery and suspense subgenres and was penned by author Betta Ferrendelli. It is intended for the general adult reading audience and forms the sixth installment of the Samantha Church Mystery series. In a chilling and thrilling novel with sleuthing and raw emotion at its heart, our protagonist Samantha Church is still reeling from the death of a dear friend and co-worker. On her journey to healing, Sam goes in search of her friend’s younger sister, Jenny, but this decision leads Sam into an intricate web of underworld networks and shady dealings in both the past and the present day.

If you’re a fan of slow-burning mysteries that build and build until you suddenly can’t look away, then this is the book for you. Author Betta Ferrendelli delivers a carefully-plotted story that has a great amount of detail, sensational pacing, and suspense, but also manages to still feel natural as it flows along, never forcing the audience into conventions of the plot. This is aided enormously by the loving work put into the portrayal of protagonist Sam, her emotional state, her loves and losses, which are sure to touch the heart of any mystery/thriller reader seeking a capable-but-vulnerable heroine at the center of events. I also really enjoyed the mystery around Jenny and her development as a character, and the Texan setting was full of vivid characters and life. Overall, I would definitely recommend The Long Way Home for fans of the existing series and newcomers to this great author.

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

Yesterday Calling by Steven W. Horn is a Sam Dawson Mystery. At 16, Sam had the same interests as any lad of his age - girls, cars, and fishing. He fell in love with a married woman, a woman he should have steered clear of, but fatal attraction lured him in. Now 50, Sam is paying the consequences of his early choices. His job is under threat, as are he and his daughter. Hank Thompson is a dangerous man and death is too good for his victims. With the past rushing back to haunt Sam, he knows he must pay the price but is that price too steep? With a psychopath on the rampage, Sam and Sydney must be one step ahead to stay alive but can they? Is there anything Thompson won't do to get his revenge? And is everything really what it seems at first glance?

Yesterday Calling by Steven W. Horn is the fifth book in the Sam Dawson mystery series. I haven’t read the rest but I would recommend anyone who chooses this book to read the entire series in order. This is an edge-of-your-seat story, a thriller of epic proportions that combines a coming-of-age story and all the trials and tribulations of growing up, with a haunting tale of revenge and reparation; a story of one man who must pay the price for choices he made years before. The primary characters are incredibly believable and easy to relate to, with realistic flaws and lives. This is action all the way through, with an attention-grabbing plot and lots of twists and turns before we get to the real truth and the explosive ending. Highly recommended for anyone who loves a good thriller.