Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

For the Minds and Wills of Men by Jeff Lanier is set in Cold War America and revolves around a WWII veteran and insurance agent named Will Oxley. Will specializes in art insurance and is drawn into a perplexing case when a privately owned Jackson Pollock painting lent to New York's Museum of Modern Art disappears. Famed as he is in the 21st century, the 1950s Pollock was an outsider to the mainstream public consciousness. His work is also physically oversized, making Will’s investigation stranger still. Will's relationship with the daughter of the painting's owner flourishes but the few clues he has point to Cold War politics and the woman he may be falling in love with.

Jeff Lanier constructs a wonderfully deep set of layers that intrigue and entertain in For the Minds and Wills of Men. I loved the complexity of Will’s character, whose memories of war still haunt him and whose PTSD, which was then unknown, drives his immersion into the art scene. More than just a clever play on words, the title acknowledges this and reminds readers that the space between what we want to do, can do, and must do is extremely hazy. Liz Bower and the family business feed into this brilliantly; her character quickly earns the distrust of readers who still hold hope. There is only so much crushing of the heart and soul that Will can take. So whichever way her fortune falls, we want it to turn out positively. From a literary standpoint For the Minds and Wills of Men is written beautifully, and I would give it a whole bucket of stars if I could. I very highly recommend this story.

Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

Set in 1939, Tomboy: A Jane Benjamin novel by Shelley Blanton-Stroud follows Janie, a female reporter from San Francisco, as she juggles personal conflict and professional ambitions. Tasked with facilitating the career of Pat Shea, her college roommate's son, she also seeks to establish herself as a respected columnist. Her journey turns out to be a full confrontation of her past, encounters of financial hardship and the receipt of unexpected support from a diversity of characters. Janie ventures through various locales, from places like San Francisco to Chicago, and the RMS Queen Mary to Wimbledon. Janie is constantly involved in situations teetering between high-stakes drama and self-reflection. The Great Depression serves as a backdrop and adds to the complications. Janie's experiences with her fellow passengers on RMS Queen Mary provide her with an opportunity to investigate a possible crime while learning about the intricacies of human relationships and her own capacity for moral courage.

I love a good story about a flawed but strong female who is willing to go against the tide, and in Janie's sense, this is literal, in order to grab what she wants and take what she has earned. History has many of these women we know of and many more we do not, and in the spirit of those whose stories can never be told it is books like Tomboy by Shelley Blanton-Stroud that fill in those gaps. In addition to the tenacity of Janie, there is another woman later who is a perfect but deeply tragic example of what happens when men have the right and capacity to manipulate women, and on the ship when Janie realizes the men in charge lack essential knowledge. The writing is clean and tight and allows a reader to easily follow Janie's search for personal success, professional acknowledgment, and getting to the bottom of a mystery that could land her that job in New York. Janie is likable in her persistence and really relatable in her push to climb the social ladder. The Depression is a spectacular era for this. It's hard enough as a woman in the 1930s to be viewed as a success in her own right. It's harder when most of the population is struggling to feed their children. Rivka and Elsie are better off, somewhat, but stand out in this. Overall, Tomboy is a wonderful novel and I am now a solid fan of the Jane Benjamin series. Very highly recommended.

Reviewed by Shrabastee Chakraborty for Readers' Favorite

The mighty castle of Moordym Downs, the seat of the Moordym family, lies beside an endless, misty moor. Locke’s mother would visit the castle once a year without fail. Although Locke had always refused to accompany her since he was five, this year, duty compels him to take her place. The trip, however, comes with unforeseen events, including hidden secrets and distressing truths. Yet, every time Locke contemplates leaving Moordym Downs, inexplicable circumstances hold him back. Who hates him enough to send a volley of arrows his way? Why is the moor reluctant to let him go? Can Locke ignore its persistent calls? Find out In Victoria Bastedo’s novel, Moordym Downs.

To say that the novel was engaging would be an understatement; it gripped me from the very first sentence. The storyline had a unique allure, further enhanced by the authentic portrayal of a bygone period. Victoria Bastedo did an excellent job of putting me in Locke’s shoes. I could relate to his frustrations, doubts, and recurring dilemmas. The depiction of the Moordym family dynamics was equally engaging. Bastedo deftly illustrated the subtly different nuances in Locke's chemistry with each Moordym. The ancient legend of the moor calling to the Moordyms conveyed a constant feeling of foreboding. The secrets of the moor, concealed under an impenetrable blanket of fog, added a mystical ambiance. Boasting an unknown yet deadly enemy, an anonymous threat, and a slight dash of romance, Moordym Downs is one of the best novels I have ever read.

Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

A Most Efficient Murder: A 1920s Country House Mystery by Anthony Slayton is the first book in the Mr. Quayle Mysteries. Lord Unsworth hosts a party that quickly becomes a mystery perfect gathering with red herrings, misleads, and scandalous secrets. Not to mention the body found in the garden. Lord Unsworth's castle grounds become the setting for a murder investigation which puts the Earl and his family in the spotlight with their secrets threatening to be exposed underneath the police's series of questions. The Unsworth reputation is on the brink of ruin, thanks to the scandal, but Lord Unsworth's secretary Mr. Quayle takes it upon himself to investigate and clear the family's name.

The mystery is written in a style that takes you back to 1929 with strong details, layered exposition, a charming sleuth, and societal drama. The story is reminiscent of the tone of classic mysteries which deliver suspects, clues, and questions around each corner. Mr. Quayle is a phenomenal character, serving the role as a regular Poirot with the secretary becoming a detective, thanks to the whims of his employer. He's described as a ready-in-waiting sleuth that finds inspiration from famous detectives like Sherlock Holmes and Arsene Lupin. The story shifts between Mr. Quayle's sleuthing and the investigative work of Constable Wells and Inspector Wintle who are digging into the affairs of this family, which threatens to expose them. Anthony Slayton excels at the small details that bring the mystery to life and characters that add charm against the 1920s backdrop. The historical details and mannerisms are spot-on, creating a step back into the past that is delightful. A Most Efficient Murder is clever, enjoyable, charming, and a must-read for all historical mystery lovers.

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Northern Shadows (Northern Wolf Series Book 5) by Daniel Greene is a continuation of a series that revolves around the character of Captain Wolf of the Union Army during the American Civil War. At this point in the tale, the Union looks set to win the war, with the surrender of the great Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Captain Wolf and his men are, however, tasked with a vital and dangerous job; to protect President Lincoln from a possible assassination attempt. When Wolf discovers that his nemesis and arch-enemy Marshall Payne may well be in Washington and involved in the assassination plot, he is ready and raring to kill the man he has sworn revenge upon. From the battlefields of the Civil War to the streets of the U.S. capital, Wolf and his men must combat intrigue, double-dealing, and rebels of the highly secretive organization known as the Knights of the Golden Circle who are pledged to uphold the values of the South, the secession, and the right to own slaves. It will be a battle royale to try to protect the President from these men of deep conviction and callous disregard for life.

Northern Shadows was a fascinating read, especially as the focus was on Lincoln’s assassination, which was obviously a pivotal time in U.S. history. Not having read the earlier books in the Northern Wolf series, my first question is always does the author give sufficient background to the characters and the story to enable a reader to pick up this series at book five and enjoy it for its own story? The answer on this occasion is a resounding yes. Author Daniel Greene cleverly fills in the back story to the events and characters outlined in this iteration as the story progresses. The reader quickly comes to understand the reasons for the intense hatred of Marshall Payne and indeed Wolf’s solemn vow to kill the man. Wolf and his men are simple men from the U.S. heartland and it was a pleasure to read their introduction into the corridors of power and what passed for high society in the mid-1800s. The author does a superb job of developing and enriching the characters who form part of Wolf’s band and was certainly not afraid of endowing the main character with flaws of his own that just served to make him more human and less of a superhero. The action is constant, exciting, and full of drama. The author’s easy-going writing style makes this book a wonderfully relaxing read that any history aficionado can relate to and savor. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and can highly recommend it.

Reviewed by Ray Hosler for Readers' Favorite

The Center of Gravity by Patricia Brandon has an intriguing title, one that makes you think. After reading this historical novel you’ll find yourself dissecting aspects of the book’s storyline and “what ifs.” This is a sweeping novel that takes the reader from the days leading up to World War 2 to post-war South Carolina, where the children of the main characters grow up and find their own adventures. To avoid spoilers, I’ll leave it at that. The first half of the book had me from the get-go as I learned about the lives of two families swept up in the events leading to the Second World War. One family was French, but with a German name as they lived in a region known as Alsace-Lorraine on the border with France and Germany. A Jewish family is befriended by the von Bauchelle family in 1933 just as Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party come to power. Josef and Rainer become close friends as they struggle to maintain their “center of gravity” or normalcy in these tumultuous years. These two characters, and Sonne Becker, are well developed by the author. I became invested in their situation and found myself hoping for the best, even though I knew that the odds of a happy ending were slim.

I appreciated the level of historical accuracy in The Center of Gravity. The author devoted considerable time and attention to getting her facts right. It makes the novel all the more engaging as her characters play their roles during historical events. The scenes involving Adolf Hitler and Wolf’s Lair (located in Poland), where the dictator conducted military operations surrounded by his generals, offered compelling reading. The relationship between Sonne and Conrad, an SS officer who gives her aid and comfort, is heartbreaking. Their chemistry in a difficult situation creates an interesting dynamic between a man and a woman and what is expected when one helps another. Their relationship alone makes The Center of Gravity a must-read for anyone interested in the subject or the savoir-faire of human relationships. Additionally, the writing is pleasing to read. Here’s an example: “Sonne saw the pools of sorrow that crested in her mother’s eyes, bittersweet reflections of the timeless passage of the matriarch role from one to another.”

This is a novel that bends the rules of novel writing but maintains its center of gravity despite an unconventional approach. Typically we expect to have the main character be with us throughout the novel. She or he deals with challenging situations. Patricia Brandon’s main characters come and go. However, the author does a good job of tying up loose ends and creating a cohesive story despite the dramatic transition in time and space halfway through the novel. While that thread keeps the novel whole, you might find yourself wishing that some characters didn’t exit the stage. Enjoy them while you can!

Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

Murder at the Mansfield is a work of mystery fiction by CB Laurence. Enter the Mansfield Supper Club world of the 1940s and be serenaded by two stunning singers, Rose and Ruby. The mesmerizing glitz is all a facade behind which lurks greed, narcissism, and ultimately, murder… and a very bloody one at that. All the circumstantial evidence points to Rose. Beau and the team at Express Investigations have their work cut out for them in proving her innocence, a task increasingly compromised for Beau as a result of his blooming romance with Ruby and made even more difficult by a cocky D.A. When the team finally figures out the how, why and who actually killed Rose’s husband, Rico, everyone - especially readers - are in for a surprise. What a clever plot!

Where has CB Laurence been hiding all these years? If Murder at the Mansfield is any indication, she has penned a winning collection and her writing is a most welcome addition to the historical mystery fiction genre. Reading this novel is like watching one of those old movies where your absorption with the whodunnit details is only enhanced by the magic of music and romance. And then there’s the super colorful collection of characters, for example, Trix, who steals the show with her attitude and humor. Murder at the Mansfield is an easy, very quick read that keeps you enthralled and guessing throughout. If the subsequent four novels in this series are anything like this one, CB Laurence is going to garner a whole lot of fans, and deservedly so!

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

The Death Mask Murders by Gabriel Farago is the seventh book in the Jack Rogan Mysteries series. Jack Rogan is planning a holiday but it doesn’t take long before he is dragged right into another mystery. Maurice Landru is a convicted killer, currently serving time in Paris. He wants help proving he is innocent and Rogan jumps at the chance. Teaming up with criminal profiler Francesca Bartolli, socialite Mademoiselle Darrieux, and a retired French police officer called Claude Dupre, Rogan finds himself in the middle of a dangerous game of high-stakes cyber gambling. As the danger rises, he has to face an evil genius who kills without a second thought and wants victory, no matter what the cost. Rogan's journey to the truth is one of violence, death, and a cursed Incan burial mask that must be retrieved at all costs. Can he get to it in time or will everything he believes in be destroyed forever?

The Death Mask Murders by Gabriel Farago is part of a series - I haven’t read any of the others but I don't feel I missed out on anything in this book. However, like any series, the books are best read in order to get the full picture, especially where the main protagonist is concerned. This story is a real action-packed thriller with plenty of twists and turns to keep you reading. The past and the present collide in a gloriously written, entertaining mystery story, with well-researched historical content entwining seamlessly with the present-day. The characters are wonderfully developed, real people with their own stories to tell and incredibly likable. This is a fast-paced story that will grip you from the first to the last page, one of the best-written murder mystery thrillers I have ever read. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants a great story to lose themselves in.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Dark Secrets of the Bayou is a work of fiction in the murder mystery genre. It is aimed at all ages and was penned by author Kim Carter. The novel follows the homecoming of attorney Tink Mabry as she visits Kane, Louisiana with a co-worker to deal with the dilapidated homestead she’s just inherited from the family she barely knows. No sooner has she arrived, however, than she ends up as the prime suspect of multiple murder investigations. As Tink explores her new surroundings she begins to realize that the family secrets that plague her inheritance may hold the key to exonerating her, though some things are best left in the past.

Author Kim Carter has crafted a sinister and spine-tingling work of dark mystery fiction which is an ideal read for a cold winter’s night. This story really combined so many elements and genres that I adore, from the historical references to the 19th century and the creepy, dark expanses of the Louisiana bayous, through to chilling, horror, and family drama elements. The complex plot interweaves all of these factors seamlessly, delivering a smoothly-told narrative with sharp, exciting deviations in the mystery plot. It certainly kept me guessing until the end, and the close narration of Tink and her emotional journey really got me rooting for her (and fearing for her) as the story developed. Overall, I would highly recommend Dark Secrets of the Bayou for those who enjoy a dark mystery with lots of horror elements and a spellbinding atmosphere. This was a worthy introduction to an author worth reading again and again.

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

Murder in the Crypt by Irina Shapiro is Book 1 of the Redmond and Haze Mysteries. Parish Constable Daniel Haze has his first solo murder case to solve when a body is found inside a medieval knight’s tomb. Just before the murder, a stranger appeared in the town, and, naturally, he is the first suspect. A former army captain and a surgeon, American Jason Redmond soon proves helpful to Haze and, innocent of the crime, is prepared to put his own life on the line to help solve the murder. Time is running out though; Haze and Redmond have no clues, no motive, and no suspects. Can they solve this before one of them falls victim to the murderer?

Murder in the Crypt: Redmond and Haze Mysteries Book 1 by Irina Shapiro is set in the UK around the time the US Civil War ended. It is something a bit different from your standard murder mystery; instead of knowing all the details upfront, the clues are drip-fed to us throughout the story, each one taking us a step closer to the truth. And yes, there are some red herrings and plenty of twists and turns and they all keep you on your toes. The characters are wonderful, so well-developed that you feel you know them personally. They each have their own personalities and you can easily relate to them. With plenty of action, this book will keep you guessing all the way through. I really enjoyed this story and am looking forward to the next one in the series.