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And Come Day's End
A Michael MacKaybees Mystery
Gabriel F W Koch
2020 Bronze Medal
266 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - General
Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite
And Come Day's End: A Michael MacKaybees Mystery by Gabriel F. W. Koch is a murder mystery that will keep you up at night if you don’t finish it in one sitting. Our hero is Michael MacKaybee, a private investigator who was looking for a runaway teen when something far more dangerous grabbed his attention. When his best friend Lenny is shot dead, he somehow becomes the prime suspect in the case. But it isn’t just Michael who is suspected of the murder. His father, whom he hasn’t seen in a long time, is also one of the suspects. But that is the least of his worries. The people who killed his friend are after him. They want to silence him for some reason. However, as the body count starts to rise, Michael knows he has to do something to stay alive and find out why his friend was murdered so coldly. But will he get the chance to find out what happened before the people who want him dead catch up?
And Come Day's End opens with action and ends with action. The storyline is complex and has layer upon layer of plot that will keep you entertained and hooked. I wanted to know where Michael’s father Marlowe had been all these years and why he never met his son for so long. I wanted to know why Lenny was killed, why the people responsible for his death wanted Michael dead, and how he will keep one step ahead of them and the law. The chemistry between the father-son duo was perfect for the story. They lacked synergy at the beginning, but the two put their differences aside to bring justice and clear their names. The mystery is so thick that I could almost taste it. There is action on almost every page; you see Marlowe and Michael rebuild their relationship at their own pace and they share their disagreements with the reader. Gabriel F. W. Koch did a great job of building the plot, making sure the characters were leading the story, and the reader was in the moment with them until the end. I loved this book!
And Come Day's End: A Michael MacKaybees Mystery by Gabriel F. W. Koch is a murder mystery that will keep you up at night if you don’t finish it in one sitting. Our hero is Michael MacKaybee, a private investigator who was looking for a runaway teen when something far more dangerous grabbed his attention. When his best friend Lenny is shot dead, he somehow becomes the prime suspect in the case. But it isn’t just Michael who is suspected of the murder. His father, whom he hasn’t seen in a long time, is also one of the suspects. But that is the least of his worries. The people who killed his friend are after him. They want to silence him for some reason. However, as the body count starts to rise, Michael knows he has to do something to stay alive and find out why his friend was murdered so coldly. But will he get the chance to find out what happened before the people who want him dead catch up?
And Come Day's End opens with action and ends with action. The storyline is complex and has layer upon layer of plot that will keep you entertained and hooked. I wanted to know where Michael’s father Marlowe had been all these years and why he never met his son for so long. I wanted to know why Lenny was killed, why the people responsible for his death wanted Michael dead, and how he will keep one step ahead of them and the law. The chemistry between the father-son duo was perfect for the story. They lacked synergy at the beginning, but the two put their differences aside to bring justice and clear their names. The mystery is so thick that I could almost taste it. There is action on almost every page; you see Marlowe and Michael rebuild their relationship at their own pace and they share their disagreements with the reader. Gabriel F. W. Koch did a great job of building the plot, making sure the characters were leading the story, and the reader was in the moment with them until the end. I loved this book!
Recommend this book:
 this deftly-paced mystery thriller checks every box included in the mythical Writer�...){kind=link}
The Rabbit Skinners
John Eidswick
2020 Silver Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Mystery - General
Reviewed by Joel R. Dennstedt for Readers' Favorite
The Rabbit Skinners by John Eidswick is fully comparable and sometimes superior to any Jack Reacher or Lucas Davenport novel on the market. Such comparison is meant to convey just how good this book is. Besides the meticulously satisfying plot (more on that later,) this deftly-paced mystery thriller checks every box included in the mythical Writer’s Guide to Writing. Namely, dialogue is pitched so finely tuned that one actually hears the characters speaking; these characters themselves are so well sketched, one thinks he must have met them somewhere before; and the myriad tiny details necessary to establish place are so lavishly but unobtrusively sprinkled throughout that one feels (and hears, and smells) himself to be fully there in person. And all of this precision writing skill is devoted to telling a marvelously plotted story about a 9-year-old missing girl.
Like both Reacher and Davenport, James Strait, lead character and FBI agent-on-hold, is a BIG man in John Eidswick’s The Rabbit Skinners. Unlike his uber-healthy predecessors in this popular genre, however, Strait suffers from debilitating bouts of Ménière's disease, as well as some lingering guilt from a previous raid gone wrong. In one of life’s mysterious synchronicities, Strait’s search for the missing child resonates much too strongly with the case of another child he could not save. This time, he does not mean to fail. A twisting but logical plot line moves Strait among an intriguing cast of people, places, and potentially fatal situations, making this book a truly exciting and highly enjoyable read.
The Rabbit Skinners by John Eidswick is fully comparable and sometimes superior to any Jack Reacher or Lucas Davenport novel on the market. Such comparison is meant to convey just how good this book is. Besides the meticulously satisfying plot (more on that later,) this deftly-paced mystery thriller checks every box included in the mythical Writer’s Guide to Writing. Namely, dialogue is pitched so finely tuned that one actually hears the characters speaking; these characters themselves are so well sketched, one thinks he must have met them somewhere before; and the myriad tiny details necessary to establish place are so lavishly but unobtrusively sprinkled throughout that one feels (and hears, and smells) himself to be fully there in person. And all of this precision writing skill is devoted to telling a marvelously plotted story about a 9-year-old missing girl.
Like both Reacher and Davenport, James Strait, lead character and FBI agent-on-hold, is a BIG man in John Eidswick’s The Rabbit Skinners. Unlike his uber-healthy predecessors in this popular genre, however, Strait suffers from debilitating bouts of Ménière's disease, as well as some lingering guilt from a previous raid gone wrong. In one of life’s mysterious synchronicities, Strait’s search for the missing child resonates much too strongly with the case of another child he could not save. This time, he does not mean to fail. A twisting but logical plot line moves Strait among an intriguing cast of people, places, and potentially fatal situations, making this book a truly exciting and highly enjoyable read.
Recommend this book:
Pinot Noir: An International Banking Spy Thriller
A Louise Moscow Novel Book 2
Lorraine Evanoff
2020 Gold Medal
312 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - General
Reviewed by Astrid Iustulin for Readers' Favorite
Lorraine Evanoff’s Pinot Noir is one of the best thrillers I have read in recent times. It is the second installment of a series centered on the character of Louise Moscow, but despite some references to the previous volume, it works as a stand-alone book. Louise is still in witness protection when banker Ekram Almasi and his nurse are murdered. Even though investigators seem to have found the ideal culprit, the case is not as open-and-shut as it might seem. After leaving her “paradise,” Louise starts an investigation that will take her to Monte Carlo, Paris, and Burgundy. The amazing scenario, however, cannot hide a complicated and awful truth.
Evanoff is a fine writer, and she knows how to put every detail of her story in place. Pinot Noir is a remarkably well-developed novel, and its structure reveals the author’s excellent writing skills. Although it is not a short book, you will read it in one sitting. Evanoff’s style is engaging, and the way she reveals the conspiracy makes the story more and more complicated until the incredible end. The characters are vibrant, close to real persons, and the descriptions of the places Louise visits offer a wonderful setting to the story. Moreover, even the parts that are not about the investigation are delightful to read because of their liveliness. It is difficult to find a book that every reader will like, but Pinot Noir seems one of those that have achieved this result. Not surprisingly, I recommend it to every reader who loves spy stories.
Lorraine Evanoff’s Pinot Noir is one of the best thrillers I have read in recent times. It is the second installment of a series centered on the character of Louise Moscow, but despite some references to the previous volume, it works as a stand-alone book. Louise is still in witness protection when banker Ekram Almasi and his nurse are murdered. Even though investigators seem to have found the ideal culprit, the case is not as open-and-shut as it might seem. After leaving her “paradise,” Louise starts an investigation that will take her to Monte Carlo, Paris, and Burgundy. The amazing scenario, however, cannot hide a complicated and awful truth.
Evanoff is a fine writer, and she knows how to put every detail of her story in place. Pinot Noir is a remarkably well-developed novel, and its structure reveals the author’s excellent writing skills. Although it is not a short book, you will read it in one sitting. Evanoff’s style is engaging, and the way she reveals the conspiracy makes the story more and more complicated until the incredible end. The characters are vibrant, close to real persons, and the descriptions of the places Louise visits offer a wonderful setting to the story. Moreover, even the parts that are not about the investigation are delightful to read because of their liveliness. It is difficult to find a book that every reader will like, but Pinot Noir seems one of those that have achieved this result. Not surprisingly, I recommend it to every reader who loves spy stories.
Recommend this book:
The Sleeping Lady
Bonnie C. Monte
2019 Finalist
246 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - General
Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite
The Sleeping Lady by Bonnie C. Monte is a thrilling mystery story. Rae Sullivan runs a home décor shop with her friend and business partner Thalia, right next to The Sleeping Lady, or Mt. Tamalpais. Thalia is being blackmailed because of an affair in France and, insisting on facing up to the blackmailer, is found murdered in Golden Gate Park. The police think it was a mugging gone wrong and won’t listen to Rae so she decides to do their job for them. Heading to France, Rae and Luc, Thalia’s half-brother, go on the trail of a blackmailer and killer who is coming after Rae, all the while fighting off the spark of attraction between them. Can Rae solve the murder and will she remember that she has a husband she adores?
The Sleeping Lady by Bonnie C. Monte is a great amateur detective story, a nice light read to while away a few hours. It isn’t complicated and you probably will guess who did it before you officially find out, but that doesn’t make it any less of a good story. It’s all go and there are a few red herrings thrown in for good measure, just to try to throw you off the scent. The characters are believable, very likable and solid, well developed throughout the story. The Sleeping Lady is a page-turner; when you get to the end of one chapter you’ll just want to keep on reading to see where the story takes you next. Good story, well-paced and fun to read.
The Sleeping Lady by Bonnie C. Monte is a thrilling mystery story. Rae Sullivan runs a home décor shop with her friend and business partner Thalia, right next to The Sleeping Lady, or Mt. Tamalpais. Thalia is being blackmailed because of an affair in France and, insisting on facing up to the blackmailer, is found murdered in Golden Gate Park. The police think it was a mugging gone wrong and won’t listen to Rae so she decides to do their job for them. Heading to France, Rae and Luc, Thalia’s half-brother, go on the trail of a blackmailer and killer who is coming after Rae, all the while fighting off the spark of attraction between them. Can Rae solve the murder and will she remember that she has a husband she adores?
The Sleeping Lady by Bonnie C. Monte is a great amateur detective story, a nice light read to while away a few hours. It isn’t complicated and you probably will guess who did it before you officially find out, but that doesn’t make it any less of a good story. It’s all go and there are a few red herrings thrown in for good measure, just to try to throw you off the scent. The characters are believable, very likable and solid, well developed throughout the story. The Sleeping Lady is a page-turner; when you get to the end of one chapter you’ll just want to keep on reading to see where the story takes you next. Good story, well-paced and fun to read.
Recommend this book:
Brooklyn Bitters
Sally Saylor De Smet
2019 Honorable Mention
330 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - General
Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite
Brooklyn Bitters by Sally Saylor De Smet follows Kate Hathaway, a sophisticated character as she faces some of the most challenging moments and situations in her life, a gorgeous treat for fans of stories filled with drama and strong female characters. Kate graduates with honors from Emory University and looks forward to an exciting career in publishing. When her brother-in-law dies in an accident, Kate lives with the guilt, blaming herself for his death, because she is the one who invited him to give her a ride. While her younger sister, Stacey, has moved on, this incident haunts Kate, because Glen Lloyd Hastings was also her best friend. Kate spends time helping her ailing mother and on a business trip to New York, she meets an attractive man who wins her heart, but is she ready to step out of her loneliness and what happens when he disappears?
This is a beautifully written story and one of the elements I enjoyed is the way the author explores the themes of love, family relationships, guilt, and loneliness. The family dynamics come out neatly in the narrative and I enjoyed the way the author handles the relationship between Kate and her pampered, domineering sister and their relationship to their ailing mother. The tension grows between the sisters and I was keen to see if Kate could live up to her role as an older sister to Stacey. The romance part of the novel is intelligently handled and nothing is rushed. Brooklyn Bitters is well-paced and deftly plotted with some twists and turns, and characters that are real and relatable.
Brooklyn Bitters by Sally Saylor De Smet follows Kate Hathaway, a sophisticated character as she faces some of the most challenging moments and situations in her life, a gorgeous treat for fans of stories filled with drama and strong female characters. Kate graduates with honors from Emory University and looks forward to an exciting career in publishing. When her brother-in-law dies in an accident, Kate lives with the guilt, blaming herself for his death, because she is the one who invited him to give her a ride. While her younger sister, Stacey, has moved on, this incident haunts Kate, because Glen Lloyd Hastings was also her best friend. Kate spends time helping her ailing mother and on a business trip to New York, she meets an attractive man who wins her heart, but is she ready to step out of her loneliness and what happens when he disappears?
This is a beautifully written story and one of the elements I enjoyed is the way the author explores the themes of love, family relationships, guilt, and loneliness. The family dynamics come out neatly in the narrative and I enjoyed the way the author handles the relationship between Kate and her pampered, domineering sister and their relationship to their ailing mother. The tension grows between the sisters and I was keen to see if Kate could live up to her role as an older sister to Stacey. The romance part of the novel is intelligently handled and nothing is rushed. Brooklyn Bitters is well-paced and deftly plotted with some twists and turns, and characters that are real and relatable.
Recommend this book:
The Broadcast
A Mystery Thriller
Liam Fialkov
2019 Bronze Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Mystery - General
Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite
The Broadcast by Liam Fialkov is a suspenseful mystery that follows multiple points of view of characters as they witness a newly televised broadcast that is as confounding as it is captivating. Somehow, a network is able to obtain footage of past events that, until the time of broadcast, had been unsolved crimes. The timelines vary, as does the content, but what appears to be satellite feed—despite much of the footage being from a time when no such thing could have possibly existed—has a mixed effect on the general population, both good and bad as crimes are unquestionably solved...but at what cost? Meanwhile, a middle-aged couple with their own tragic pasts finds themselves affected by the broadcast in ways nobody could have predicted or ever imagined.
Liam Fialkov has developed a really unique and tantalizing narrative with The Broadcast. This is an exceptional piece of fiction. I found the premise to be wholly original, which is like a breath of fresh air at a time when many new releases come from the same stagnant plotlines. The story, at least initially, dances between past and present as Fialkov weaves together a backstory. It then plows forward at full speed, unrelenting as new broadcasts are released and the mystery begins to entwine the characters and the reader. It's uncommon for me to read a book and not have any inkling where the next page might take me, but The Broadcast was able to thread the suspense until the very end. I loved this book and would recommend it to all who enjoy excellent speculative, transcendental fiction in the same spirit as Philip K. Dick and Ray Bradbury.
The Broadcast by Liam Fialkov is a suspenseful mystery that follows multiple points of view of characters as they witness a newly televised broadcast that is as confounding as it is captivating. Somehow, a network is able to obtain footage of past events that, until the time of broadcast, had been unsolved crimes. The timelines vary, as does the content, but what appears to be satellite feed—despite much of the footage being from a time when no such thing could have possibly existed—has a mixed effect on the general population, both good and bad as crimes are unquestionably solved...but at what cost? Meanwhile, a middle-aged couple with their own tragic pasts finds themselves affected by the broadcast in ways nobody could have predicted or ever imagined.
Liam Fialkov has developed a really unique and tantalizing narrative with The Broadcast. This is an exceptional piece of fiction. I found the premise to be wholly original, which is like a breath of fresh air at a time when many new releases come from the same stagnant plotlines. The story, at least initially, dances between past and present as Fialkov weaves together a backstory. It then plows forward at full speed, unrelenting as new broadcasts are released and the mystery begins to entwine the characters and the reader. It's uncommon for me to read a book and not have any inkling where the next page might take me, but The Broadcast was able to thread the suspense until the very end. I loved this book and would recommend it to all who enjoy excellent speculative, transcendental fiction in the same spirit as Philip K. Dick and Ray Bradbury.
Recommend this book:
The Last Van Gogh
Will Ottinger
2019 Bronze Medal
285 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - General
Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite
Adam is a struggling art dealer in Chicago. His most recent show promises to bring him some luck and fame, but the artist, Vasily Sorokin, is murdered outside the gallery. To make matters worse, Vasily’s uncle is part of the Russian mob. Adam’s brother, Wes, shows up with some letters and an unlikely story that their father had smuggled an unknown Van Gogh painting, a rather large one, out of France at the beginning of the Second World War. A hidden and undocumented painting. Adam hesitates to believe it. Their father, after all, was a drunk and a con man. But, with people all around Adam being killed and the Russian mob boss interested in financing a search, Adam begins an adventure that reads like a James Bond exclusive. In the end, though, he wonders if this painting, or any work of art for that matter, is worth so many deaths.
Will Ottinger’s thriller mystery novel, The Last Van Gogh, takes the reader on an exciting adventure that spans two continents and two centuries. Written primarily in the first person, from Adam’s point of view, the author also incorporates multiple points of view in the third person, including the famed artist himself. The action-packed plot develops with rising tension and sporadic looks into Van Gogh’s troubled life from the artist’s perspective. The painting captures the attention of multiple evil powers and the plot thickens. The author uses powerful descriptive passages to set the scene and develop the characters with efficiency. Not only are the notations on Van Gogh credible and well researched, but the author has created a very plausible situation that will make the reader wonder what other missing masterpieces are hidden around the world. A fascinating read.
Adam is a struggling art dealer in Chicago. His most recent show promises to bring him some luck and fame, but the artist, Vasily Sorokin, is murdered outside the gallery. To make matters worse, Vasily’s uncle is part of the Russian mob. Adam’s brother, Wes, shows up with some letters and an unlikely story that their father had smuggled an unknown Van Gogh painting, a rather large one, out of France at the beginning of the Second World War. A hidden and undocumented painting. Adam hesitates to believe it. Their father, after all, was a drunk and a con man. But, with people all around Adam being killed and the Russian mob boss interested in financing a search, Adam begins an adventure that reads like a James Bond exclusive. In the end, though, he wonders if this painting, or any work of art for that matter, is worth so many deaths.
Will Ottinger’s thriller mystery novel, The Last Van Gogh, takes the reader on an exciting adventure that spans two continents and two centuries. Written primarily in the first person, from Adam’s point of view, the author also incorporates multiple points of view in the third person, including the famed artist himself. The action-packed plot develops with rising tension and sporadic looks into Van Gogh’s troubled life from the artist’s perspective. The painting captures the attention of multiple evil powers and the plot thickens. The author uses powerful descriptive passages to set the scene and develop the characters with efficiency. Not only are the notations on Van Gogh credible and well researched, but the author has created a very plausible situation that will make the reader wonder what other missing masterpieces are hidden around the world. A fascinating read.
Recommend this book:
Butterfly Hill
Brendan le Grange
2019 Silver Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Mystery - General
Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
Butterfly Hill by Brendan le Grange is a novel that falls proudly into the adventure, suspense, and thriller genres, in a follow-up to le Grange's debut work of fiction, Drachen. Butterfly Hill reads beautifully as a work of fiction, set in bustling Hong Kong and its largest outlying island, Lantau. Told from multiple points of view, the narrative shifts primarily between an Indiana Jones-esque Hiko Shimuzu, a mentally unstable soldier named Teapot Lee, and two agents hot on Hiko's tracks, Matthys and Elaine. When the hunt for Hiko, “a Europol-wanted art thief and an HKPF-wanted bank robber,” begins to dredge up more than just jade crescents, it becomes clear that a deep-rooted and twisted conspiracy is in play...and the protection of such an ancient and covert secret must be conserved at any price.
Butterfly Hill is an extraordinary, fast-paced story that keeps the heart rate pumping and the fingers flicking through pages at a harrowing speed. Brendan le Grange has crafted his thriller with all of the right ingredients for a perfect brew with just the right bite. Hiko is an anti-hero with many, many layers, humanized by some pretty shameless flaws—imperfections that lend to a perfect character arc, a bit of redemption, and a heck of a lot of energy. What I loved most about this story is that, while I knew who I was rooting for, I wasn't terribly disappointed when Elaine was given some right of way also. She is exactly the type of strong, fierce, intelligent dynamo we need to see, regardless of motive. Overall, this novel delivers everything one hopes for in an action-suspense tale, and I'm excited to see where le Grange takes us next.
Butterfly Hill by Brendan le Grange is a novel that falls proudly into the adventure, suspense, and thriller genres, in a follow-up to le Grange's debut work of fiction, Drachen. Butterfly Hill reads beautifully as a work of fiction, set in bustling Hong Kong and its largest outlying island, Lantau. Told from multiple points of view, the narrative shifts primarily between an Indiana Jones-esque Hiko Shimuzu, a mentally unstable soldier named Teapot Lee, and two agents hot on Hiko's tracks, Matthys and Elaine. When the hunt for Hiko, “a Europol-wanted art thief and an HKPF-wanted bank robber,” begins to dredge up more than just jade crescents, it becomes clear that a deep-rooted and twisted conspiracy is in play...and the protection of such an ancient and covert secret must be conserved at any price.
Butterfly Hill is an extraordinary, fast-paced story that keeps the heart rate pumping and the fingers flicking through pages at a harrowing speed. Brendan le Grange has crafted his thriller with all of the right ingredients for a perfect brew with just the right bite. Hiko is an anti-hero with many, many layers, humanized by some pretty shameless flaws—imperfections that lend to a perfect character arc, a bit of redemption, and a heck of a lot of energy. What I loved most about this story is that, while I knew who I was rooting for, I wasn't terribly disappointed when Elaine was given some right of way also. She is exactly the type of strong, fierce, intelligent dynamo we need to see, regardless of motive. Overall, this novel delivers everything one hopes for in an action-suspense tale, and I'm excited to see where le Grange takes us next.
Recommend this book:
Don't Dare to Dream
Dan Friedman
2019 Gold Medal
392 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - General
Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite
David is at an all-time low after a failed startup that had been a lifetime dream and, with relationships going bad, he is on the edge of committing suicide when a life coach moves in next door. Rick offers to help David reclaim his life. There is only one thing he asks for in return, that David mentors him in developing a new app. A fair deal indeed, only David starts falling for Angela, Rick's young and beautiful wife. Things get complicated when the money given to them by an investor (and it is millions) disappears. David needs to find the money, but there are dangerous people out there who will kill for it. And David is clueless about who they might be.
A brilliantly plotted and enthralling thriller, Don't Dare to Dream by Dan Friedman is a huge literary achievement for a debut novel, with sophisticated characters, a strong premise, and fascinating twists. Dan Friedman doesn't just keep the reader riveted to the pages as they follow this emotionally-charged story but keeps them guessing as well from page to page. David catches the attention of the reader immediately, a man who is broken when the reader encounters him and who seems driven by a fate that is very unfortunate. Don't Dare to Dream is the story of a man struggling to succeed in a vicious and dangerous world, an emotionally rich story imbued with psychological depth. A great read told in a smooth, irresistible voice. It kept me awake through the night.
David is at an all-time low after a failed startup that had been a lifetime dream and, with relationships going bad, he is on the edge of committing suicide when a life coach moves in next door. Rick offers to help David reclaim his life. There is only one thing he asks for in return, that David mentors him in developing a new app. A fair deal indeed, only David starts falling for Angela, Rick's young and beautiful wife. Things get complicated when the money given to them by an investor (and it is millions) disappears. David needs to find the money, but there are dangerous people out there who will kill for it. And David is clueless about who they might be.
A brilliantly plotted and enthralling thriller, Don't Dare to Dream by Dan Friedman is a huge literary achievement for a debut novel, with sophisticated characters, a strong premise, and fascinating twists. Dan Friedman doesn't just keep the reader riveted to the pages as they follow this emotionally-charged story but keeps them guessing as well from page to page. David catches the attention of the reader immediately, a man who is broken when the reader encounters him and who seems driven by a fate that is very unfortunate. Don't Dare to Dream is the story of a man struggling to succeed in a vicious and dangerous world, an emotionally rich story imbued with psychological depth. A great read told in a smooth, irresistible voice. It kept me awake through the night.
Recommend this book:
The Coin
Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra
2018 Bronze Medal
308 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - General
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!
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!
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