Reviewed by Justine Reyes for Readers' Favorite

Author James Anderson captures the tension and beauty of the Utah desert in his novel, Lullaby Road. Lullaby Road is the sequel to his first novel, The Never-Open Desert Diner, featuring series protagonist Ben Jones. In Anderson's sequel, readers follow another of Ben's adventures and misadventures as an ordinary truck driver going about his route on the long stretch of desolate road known as Highway 117. Of course, nothing is ever as ordinary as it seems.

The moment I read the first line in Lullaby Road, I was hooked. I know the novel isn't supposed to be scary and it isn't, but there is a small element of horror in Anderson's novel which comes from the way he slowly builds up suspense. "Real silence is more than the absence of sound: it is something you feel." Word after word, I found myself unable to put Anderson's novel down. His main character, Ben Jones, is somewhat of a jerk, but he is decent enough to be easily likable. I think that is what made him so real to me when I was reading; there is always something tangible and pleasant about cranky men who help kids with dogs.

The thing I most enjoyed about Lullaby Road was the deeply absorbing atmosphere. Anderson makes a place as barren and potentially dangerous as the desert seem so appealing, and that is something only true wordsmiths are able to do. I would recommend this novel to anyone looking to lose themselves in an unforgettable and immersive narrative.

Reviewed by Arya Fomonyuy for Readers' Favorite

Suspenseful, thrilling, and action-packed are apt words to describe The Coin by Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra, a mesmerizing story with great potential to have readers utterly captivated. It all starts with a coin, a mysterious, coveted coin, but what is the value of a coin that people are killed and the lives of many put in danger? Set against the lush backdrop of the French Riviera, this novel explores very powerful themes such as lust, love and betrayal, and many things in between. Gabriela Martinez couldn’t have known that the coin she’d found in the Riviera could set her up as a target. A man gone mad, a very clever killer has her almost in his grip, and will not relent. There is only one person who can protect her, the Intelligence Operative Richard Harrison, but does he have everything required to outwit a cunning killer and unforgiving terrorists?

The story has a brilliant opening; it begins with murder, and the reader is immediately introduced to one of the key characters in the story, the madman. Curiosity awakens and becomes a force that keeps the reader turning the pages. The setting is very beautiful and the idea of the “coin” is just brilliant and enigmatic, something of a mystery which adds to the pervading sense of danger that dominates the entire story. The characters are well crafted and explored in great depth, and the author does this without sacrificing her powerful plot points and her oh-so-beautiful prose. Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra’s work is one of the craftiest stories that will make readers fall in love with the exotic French Riviera. The Coin is hugely entertaining!

Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite

Designs on Ivy's Locket by Connie Chappell is a spellbinding story that explores an unusual investigation. When Kerry St. John hires historian Wrenn Grayson, he wants to uncover the whereabouts of a precious piece of jewelry that was stolen from his grandfather, Dexter St. John. The valuable locket is discovered in the possessions of a dead woman and her daughter, Lori Hammond, refuses to hand it over to the St. John family. The historian and investigator will have to follow clues left in the dead grandfather’s journal and dig into the family’s history to uncover truths about the precious locket. But there is a wonderful twist in the story which I won’t divulge as it would spoil the excitement.

Here is a story that combines investigation with a family saga to offer awesome entertainment for readers. I enjoyed the journal entries of Dexter St. John, which paint a wonderful picture of the setting. Wrenn Grayson is a character that readers will remember, a woman with great investigative skills. Connie Chappell has a superb gift for plot and character and it is interesting to see how the author develops both elements in the story, heaping up surprises for readers. One of the things that immediately caught my attention was the narrative voice; it is clear and utterly compelling. The prose leap off the pages with wonderful insights and lyricism. I was pulled in from the very beginning of the story and the humorous, dramatic way the protagonist meets her client. Designs on Ivy's Locket combines humor, intense action, and great storytelling skills to offer readers lovely entertainment. This is a fun and delightful story that will entice readers all the way to its satisfying conclusion.

Reviewed by Darryl Greer for Readers' Favorite

Mark Gilleo’s Terminal Secret is the second in what may well become a successful series involving the exploits of Dan Lord, a private investigator who is also an attorney. He’s based in Washington D.C. and in this story teams up with two detectives, Earl Wallace and Emily Fields of the Washington Metropolitan Police. Not far into the story, an attorney is murdered on her doorstep in a wealthy D.C. enclave. Nothing so unusual about that per se, but a visit to Dr Lewis, the Medical Examiner, changes all that. Meanwhile, Dan is hired by a congressman’s wife, Sherry Wellington, who fears for her safety. Dan’s brief is to find Sherry’s ex’s killer, but the woman is hiding something — secrets from her past — and, if Dan is going to help her, he needs to know what they are. As Dan embarks on his investigation, Wallace and Fields get on with theirs. Each step in both investigations reveals another puzzle, the intrigue deepening with each twist and turn. Even when Dan enlists the help of other police officers and an IT guru, unravelling the mystery proves challenging, even for our super sleuth. When he eventually connects the dots, he can hardly believe what he has unearthed.

I did wonder why a guy who was both a lawyer and a private investigator, neither profession particularly enamoured by cops, had no difficulty in getting information and even co-operation from so many law enforcers. But I guess there are exceptions. That aside, Terminal Secret is chock full of intrigue from beginning to end. The story is coherent, the characters captivating and engaging, the dialogue script-like and realistic. As the tale nears its denouement, each page turn causes a sharp intake of breath. Just when you think you’ve worked out what’s going on, along comes another twist. Author Mark Gilleo’s imagination and creativity shine through this riveting read. Terminal Secret is both thriller, murder mystery and suspense rolled up into one delightful package.

Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

Death by Design by Abigail Keam is the ninth book in the Josiah Reynolds Mysteries series. As Josiah Reynolds continues to recover, she expects an easy trip in New York City, until she hears her name called out on the street. Enter Bunny Witt, who shares a tale of how her apartments in New York and London have been broken into, but nothing has been stolen. She begs Josiah to find the one responsible. Despite not being particularly fond of Bunny, Josiah agrees to help her. As Josiah's best friend, Matt, returns home after recovering from being shot, she's pulled into a mystery revolving around precious gems and murder.

With an assortment of eccentric and sophisticated characters, Death by Design is a witty, humorous, and charming mystery. Being the ninth in the series, the characters are deeply rooted and developed, their relationships complex, and their chemistry is evident in how easily the banter flows. Abigail Keam writes an array of personality types that are larger than life and emotionally well-rounded, with delightful quirks and full of heart. Josiah is a wonderful and spunky heroine, the kind of character you wish was real. Keam often breaks the fourth wall, but the prose doesn't flounder, instead Josiah's asides serve humorous purposes. Josiah often reminded me of a hard-boiled detective type, with her cynical nature, quick wit, and stubbornness. Death by Design is the kind of mystery that pairs well with a glass of iced tea, one that's hard to put down until the end. A must-read!

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Darkroom is a novel of suspense written by Mary Maddox. Kelly instantly felt a twinge of concern when she arrived home and heard Day giggling and smelled the smoky haze generated by the hash pipe her friend and roommate was smoking. Day was a gifted photographer, but her bipolar condition was not stable enough for her to risk getting high. Kelly's concern merged with irritation as she heard the rhythmic creaking of bed springs coming from her guest bedroom that had become Day's since she moved in. Odette was in there, and with a man, and she, Kelly realized, had brought the hashish for Day. Odette had been married off to Stuart, a much older man with pedophilic tendencies, when she was 15 years old to satisfy a debt her father owed to the wealthy man. She would be given a divorce and a settlement once she reached her mid-twenties and was no longer attractive to her husband. But Odette wanted fun now, and she was falling in love with Marcus, a college student. Odette knew that Stuart had assigned Yount, a sadist, as her bodyguard, but she was impatient and, with the confidence of youth, felt she could best both her husband and Yount. When Kelly returned from a trip a week later, Day was gone. Her car was still in the street, and Kelly's own Jeep was garaged and scrupulously clean, but she had disappeared. When Gee, Day's current fling and a big name at the museum where Kelly worked, asked for Kelly's help in finding Day, she had no idea how bad things had actually become.

Mary Maddox's suspense novel, Darkroom, is dark, compelling, and crackling with energy. Kelly is a strong, independent character, who is resourceful and marvelous fun to follow as she tries to resolve her friend's disappearance. Gregory Tyson, otherwise known as Gee, is an unforgettable character, conflicted and torn, and strung out on his own cocaine product. Gee is, in many ways, an antihero, and his story has the makings of a great psychological study. Maddox injects a hint of romance into her plot with the rugged police officer, Cash Peterson, who makes Kelly crazy but is appealing all the same. Darkroom is set in the lush countryside surrounding Boulder, and the author steeps her novel in gorgeous nature descriptions and the biting chill of a crisp mountain winter. Her characters are complex and believable, and she keeps her readers on edge and in a state of suspense throughout the story. I thoroughly enjoyed Darkroom and will be watching for other works by this author. Darkroom is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Behind the Door: A Sizzling, Psychological Suspense - Hidden Motives Book 1 by A. Gavazzoni is a complicated story, but in a really good and intriguing way. I was unable to put this book down, mainly because I didn’t want to put it down, it was so good. The story follows Simone; she is a psychiatrist by profession and a compassionate person by nature. She is the perfect person for the job. Her clientele are men and women who have issues with sex (think kinky sex, but more) and she enjoys her work.

Her life takes a serious and more profound turn when a defense attorney named Carl offers her a job. She needs to help him prove that his client, Mark, is innocent. Mark is accused of killing a woman named Lara and Carl needs Simone’s help to prove that Mark is innocent. Carl provided her with a diary in which Mark wrote every single detail about his affair with Lara. Now it is Simone’s job to prove if he is the killer or not. To make matters worse, there is a killer on the loose who is murdering women. Can Mark be that person? Or is he innocent? Stuck in a moral and professional loop, it is up to Simone to find the truth through words written by Mark in his diary!

The story was fast paced, intense, and very well written. The characters were very strong; even the characters that appeared in just a few scenes were very well-thought out. The narrative is fragmented and the reader is taken into Mark's world via his diary. This not only adds another layer to the novel, but makes it even more interesting. What I really liked about this novel is the fact that it was complicated without being too difficult. It tackles a theme and topic that not many people know about or are comfortable reading, but A. Gavazzoni handled it with grace and with sheer force of artistry! It was intense and simply too entertaining to put down!

Reviewed by Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite

The suspense is nonstop in the exciting new thriller, Guilt Game by L.J. Sellers. After losing her sister to a cult, Rox MacFarlane is no longer content working as a Federal Agent. It isn't always possible to extricate cult victims legally within the guidelines and rules the agencies employ. With an impressive background as a former CIA agent and police officer, Rox quits her job to start her own investigation firm. Partnering with her step-father, a former police officer, Rox becomes an undercover operative to extract victims of cults for their concerned families. Her newest clients haven't heard from their daughter, Emma, for two months and are concerned that she may be dead. Emma was recruited by an ex-army soldier who handpicks his all-female members for his charity, Sister Love. As Emma is eighteen, they can't force her to return home. When they turn Emma's photo over to Rox, she realizes that Emma has the features and traits of the victims of a murderer stalking a Portland Interstate. As Rox investigates, she begins finding similarities in the two cases. Are the cult leader and the serial killer connected? Can Rox uncover the secrets behind Sister Love Charity before it is too late for Emma?

Guilt Game by L.J. Sellers is a riveting thriller with an exciting plot dealing with the alarming issue of cults. It is a compelling story about the heartbreaking difficulties families suffer when one of their members has been seduced into a radical faction and indoctrinated. The characters are remarkably fleshed out, and it is easy to empathize with them. The story culminates in a surprising twist at the conclusion. I would recommend this book to everyone who loves a brilliant, suspenseful thriller.

Reviewed by Jane Finch for Readers' Favorite

Haunting Me (Haunting Me Series Book 1) by Nikki LeClair tells the story of Phoebe Mercer, a law assistant yearning to be a fully-fledged lawyer, not only for self-gratification but to impress and appease her overbearing soon-to-be mother-in-law. She is unwittingly dominated by her boyfriend, Riley, railroaded into an engagement, and journeying down a path she has no control over. That is, until she is run over by a hot dog cart and suffers a concussion, with the result that she appears to be able to see and hear ghosts. Well, one in particular, who is determined that Phoebe will use her legal knowledge and abilities to help solve the mystery of her murder. The ghost’s murder, that is.

This story has a great start, transporting the reader into Phoebe’s world that is spiraling ever forward and Phoebe, it seems, is completely not in control of her life. An annoying ghost is quite a comical addition and, whilst at first is a bit of a surprise in what seemed a fairly normal life, turns the story into something completely different and really rather appealing. The characters are great: a manipulative and controlling boyfriend; a potential mother-in-law from hell; a ghost with her own agenda; and a protagonist who is pulled from one to another as she endeavors to please them all. After the initial shock of the ghost, the story settled into a somewhat comical yet strangely serious book which was completely enjoyable and entertaining. Being Book 1 in the Haunting Me series, this promises to be a series worth following.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Impala is a mystery novel written by Andrew Diamond. Back in San Francisco, Russ, Cred and Charlie were friends and nighttime co-conspirators and at the top of their game. They were hackers by night, digging into code and worming their way into all sorts of corporate networks and other crazy places. Then Charlie, otherwise known as Hatter, went a step too far and trouble came down on them, hard. The FBI must have realized that Russ was not really to blame; he had an obsessive nature that made it impossible for him to ignore clues or fail to solve a mystery, and Charlie, as Cred would say, was one for getting others to do things against their better judgment. Russ, in an effort to put that all behind him, moved from San Francisco to Richmond, Virginia, and found a place in a software development startup. He was living a quiet and orderly life and had a girlfriend who was the antithesis of his past. But something was bound to give, deep inside he realized that ... though he had no idea that it would be a message from Charlie from, it appeared, beyond the grave.

Andrew Diamond's high tech mystery novel, Impala, is fast-paced and suspenseful. Russ is an engaging character who is thrust, once again, into a chaotic web spun by his erstwhile friend, The Mad Hatter. Suddenly, he's being attacked by a Mario-Brothers lookalike with a penchant for violence and a pair of Russian mobsters. They all want the key and are determined to wrest it from him or kill all his friends trying. I enjoyed watching as the hapless Russ wrestles with clues and hints from his past as he tries to stay alive. Impala is filled with action and adventure, and the plot is clever and darkly humorous. I particularly enjoyed reading about the hackers' exploits and following Russ as he puzzles through the mystery of the key. Russ and Cali are grand characters, as is the legendary and reckless Mad Hatter. Impala is highly recommended.