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.

Reviewed by Scott Cahan for Readers' Favorite

Out of Tupelo by Mark Gilleo is a well-crafted crime drama about murder, grief, and the consequences of revenge. The story follows Edward, a grieving husband whose happy life is shattered by his wife’s sudden disappearance. At first, Edward puts his trust in the local law enforcement officials as they begin the investigation into what happened to his wife. Before long, he notices discrepancies in their findings and his trust in them begins to fade. Soon he begins his own investigations and finds himself caught in a web of secrets and lies. As Edward takes matters into his own hands, he makes a few mistakes of his own. His intentions are always pure, however. He wants to bring justice for what happened to his wife, but his path to find that justice takes him on many dark turns.

I found Out of Tupelo to be completely engaging and emotionally satisfying. The tension starts early on with his wife’s disappearance and never lets up until the final pages. The plot builds from a simple act of crime to a multi-tiered puzzle that involves many interesting characters and events. Mark Gilleo has a streamlined style of writing that kept me glued to the pages of his book. His characters are relatable and felt very real. His story is thoroughly researched and planned to the tee. When the final explanation came about of how all of the moving pieces of the plot fitted together, I was blown away. The mystery contained within this crime drama is masterfully constructed and very satisfying. I highly recommend Out of Tupelo. It’s thought-provoking, suspenseful, honest, and an all-round great read.

Reviewed by Natalie Soine for Readers' Favorite

Black Irish Blues by Andrew Cotto tells the exciting story of Caesar Stiles – a young American with a kind heart and pleasant temperament - who returns to the town where he was raised to buy and renovate a run-down tavern. Having left home at the age of 13 due to family trauma, returning brings mixed feelings and emotions, as well as unveiling the shameful secrets of the local residents. His older brother chose to lead a life of crime and Caesar is left to deal with the repercussions thereof when his brother is sent to prison. Caesar finds himself in the middle of a spider’s web filled with crime, violence, and evidence that keeps this spell-binding story full of twists and turns. Using his wits, knowledge, and experience, Caesar manages to fulfill both his public mission and his personal agenda, despite being thrown into a variety of unexpected scenarios and circumstances that are beyond his control. An amiable crime boss enlists the help of his crew to assist Caesar in achieving his objectives.

Black Irish Blues is expertly written with many lively characters that we can all relate to, an exciting story, and the compelling plot is well thought out. This novel is a quick, easy read filled with intrigue and anticipation, all keeping the reader interested from beginning to end. I enjoyed this unusual and spell-binding story, the constant guessing as to what will happen next, and how Caesar manages to survive all that comes his way. The interwoven twists, turns, and intrigue make for a thrilling novel filled with action and surprises. There are no negative aspects to this story and I rate the novel a well-earned five out of five.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Danger at Sandpiper Bay is a work of fiction in the cozy mystery subgenre. It is best suited to the general adult reading audience and was penned by author team Traci Hall and Patrice Wilton. In this second novel of the Riley Harper mystery series, we find our relocated police officer learning to deal with the snowstorms and power cuts of Maine, a far cry from her previous life indeed. But when Riley and her partner Matthew find a dead body in the snow the next morning, everything changes. Why did the deceased ever come back to a town where everyone hated him, and who hated him enough that he wound up dead?

Cozy mystery fans are certain to adore the Riley Harper mystery series as author team Traci Hall and Patrice Wilton have got every detail mastered to deliver an unstoppably good story. One of the features I especially enjoyed about this novel was the small island setting, which really raises the stakes when there’s no support for Riley and Matthew and they’re on their own sorting through the dangerous facts of the case. With a killer on the loose and so much controversy, I thought that the unfolding of secrets and specific plot hooks were well timed and cleverly played so that nothing ever became too obvious before the big reveal. Overall, I would not hesitate to recommend Danger at Sandpiper Bay for cozy mystery fans seeking warm, engaging characters, a thrilling and unusual crime setting, and a well-crafted storyline that will keep you on the edge of your seat from cover to cover.

Reviewed by Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite

The suicide of a young woman and the death of a top executive have the police scrambling to find the connection that leads to murder in the sensational sleuth mystery, Tokyo Zangyo (Detective Hiroshi Series: Book 4) by author Michael Pronko. Homicide Detective Hiroshi arrives at the headquarters of Senden Infinity, where the body of Onizuka, one of their executives, is splattered all over their sidewalk. Hiroshi and his co-investigators must determine whether or not Onizuka committed suicide. Soon a connection between Onizuka's demise and the suicide of Mayu, his former employee, is established. Mayu's friends, family, and co-workers blame Onizuka's harassment and overtime as the cause for Mayu taking her life. The deeper Hiroshi investigates Onizuka's personal life, the more complicated the case becomes. Was his death an act of revenge? Or was it guilt?

Immersed in Japanese culture, Tokyo Zangyo (Detective Hiroshi Series: Book 4) by Michael Pronko is a riveting murder mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Brilliantly portraying the city, its people, and its culture, Mr. Pronko has skillfully captured the essence of Tokyo. Splendidly depicted, the metropolis, the characters, and the cultural lifestyles and traditions came to life. The story is impeccably written, with a stunning and deeply involved plot, an incredible setting, and extraordinary characters. With all of its twists and turns, the story gradually builds momentum until it finally culminates into an astonishing conclusion. Even though Tokyo Zangyo is the fourth book in a series, it is a fantastic stand-alone read too, and I highly recommend it to everyone who relishes sleuth mysteries with enigmatic detectives.

Reviewed by Jose Cornelio for Readers' Favorite

Veritas: A Neil Baggio Suspense by Charles D'Amico is an engrossing crime thriller that follows a protagonist’s hunt for a serial killer. Neil Baggio is convinced he has found tranquility after his eventful days with the Bureau, but he is called back to investigate his former boss, Franklin Cappelano, also known as “Veritas,” a man with a sick and twisted mind, a serial killer who keeps on increasing body counts and taunting Neil who was once his student. It seems like he is out to teach Neil his last lesson and he plans to do so in the goriest of ways. This time around, Neil is determined to bring “Veritas” down once and for all and he plans to match wits with him and to use unorthodox means. But can he succeed with a killer who is always a step ahead of the Bureau?

This is a well-crafted thriller that will delight fans of James Patterson. Neil Baggio is an experienced agent of the Bureau called back to help investigate his former boss. A curious case, indeed. The killer’s plan is elaborate and his intelligence is behind the twists and stunning surprises that are registered in the plot. The first-person narrative voice is arresting and pulls the reader into the worldview of the protagonist. The writing is impeccably good and I enjoyed the dialogues and how the author uses these dialogues to spice up the plot and enrich the characters. Veritas: A Neil Baggio Suspense has a lot of potential to not only entertain readers but to become a blockbuster movie, thanks to the strong plot points, the rich characters, and the well-developed conflict.