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Recommend this book:
Corrupted Souls
A Joe Erickson Mystery
Lynn-Steven Johanson
2022 Honorable Mention
224 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - Murder
Reviewed by Soumya Sreehari for Readers' Favorite
Detective Joe Erickson of the Chicago Police Department returns from a leave of absence to integrate back into work life. On the first day of his return, a high-profile murder falls on his desk. What was the motive to kill the young graduate student who was universally liked by everyone? These questions take on their own meanings in Lynn-Steven Johanson’s Corrupted Souls. As Joe and his partner Sam follow lead after lead, they find connections far into the past. Everyone has a back story. Getting almost killed twice makes Joe confident that there’s more to the crime than meets the eye.
Lynn-Steven Johanson weaves a story of many threads in Corrupted Souls. This murder mystery is a page-turner in a surprisingly unhurried manner. For me, the most interesting aspect was how the investigation was a part of the detectives’ lives. It was revealing to know that investigations are not all about spectacular moments but are a series of routine follow-ups and leg work. The story was not only about solving the murder but was also about the lives of all the people connected to it. Pick it up for a relaxing weekend read.
Detective Joe Erickson of the Chicago Police Department returns from a leave of absence to integrate back into work life. On the first day of his return, a high-profile murder falls on his desk. What was the motive to kill the young graduate student who was universally liked by everyone? These questions take on their own meanings in Lynn-Steven Johanson’s Corrupted Souls. As Joe and his partner Sam follow lead after lead, they find connections far into the past. Everyone has a back story. Getting almost killed twice makes Joe confident that there’s more to the crime than meets the eye.
Lynn-Steven Johanson weaves a story of many threads in Corrupted Souls. This murder mystery is a page-turner in a surprisingly unhurried manner. For me, the most interesting aspect was how the investigation was a part of the detectives’ lives. It was revealing to know that investigations are not all about spectacular moments but are a series of routine follow-ups and leg work. The story was not only about solving the murder but was also about the lives of all the people connected to it. Pick it up for a relaxing weekend read.
Recommend this book:
Touch the Dead
E.S. Thornton
2022 Honorable Mention
238 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - Murder
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
Touch the Dead is a sleuth murder mystery novel by E.S. Thornton. Nineteen-year-old Eden Sinclair returns to her Aunt Billie's Fox Dunes Lodge in Florida, determined to solve the mystery of the disappearance of her beloved cousin, Jess. But things don't go according to plan as her childhood crush, Jess's ex-boyfriend Johnny, still evokes conflicting feelings inside of her. Additionally, on top of being physically assaulted by Aunt Billie's boyfriend, Cap, Eden also receives multiple creepy messages from an unknown stalker. Thrown into the mix is Jess's twin brother's veteran friend, McCabe Jones, who is hell-bent on helping Eden solve the mystery. However, bodies keep piling up, and Eden finds herself unable to trust anyone. As past secrets are revealed, Eden finds herself more lost than ever.
A swirling mix of suspense, mystery, and romance makes Touch the Dead a captivating sleuth story you're hooked on from start to finish. The plotting is intricate and completely unpredictable. Author E.S. Thornton keeps his cards close to the chest as you find yourself wondering what's going to happen next till the climax. The twists and turns are immensely satisfying after being revealed, as you never see them coming. Eden is a compelling protagonist who is easy to sympathize with. Her resolve to discover what happened with Jess, even facing overwhelming odds, makes you root for her until the very end. The narrative flows past without a single hitch. I thoroughly enjoyed Touch the Dead and highly recommend it to anyone itching for an intriguing sleuth murder mystery.
Touch the Dead is a sleuth murder mystery novel by E.S. Thornton. Nineteen-year-old Eden Sinclair returns to her Aunt Billie's Fox Dunes Lodge in Florida, determined to solve the mystery of the disappearance of her beloved cousin, Jess. But things don't go according to plan as her childhood crush, Jess's ex-boyfriend Johnny, still evokes conflicting feelings inside of her. Additionally, on top of being physically assaulted by Aunt Billie's boyfriend, Cap, Eden also receives multiple creepy messages from an unknown stalker. Thrown into the mix is Jess's twin brother's veteran friend, McCabe Jones, who is hell-bent on helping Eden solve the mystery. However, bodies keep piling up, and Eden finds herself unable to trust anyone. As past secrets are revealed, Eden finds herself more lost than ever.
A swirling mix of suspense, mystery, and romance makes Touch the Dead a captivating sleuth story you're hooked on from start to finish. The plotting is intricate and completely unpredictable. Author E.S. Thornton keeps his cards close to the chest as you find yourself wondering what's going to happen next till the climax. The twists and turns are immensely satisfying after being revealed, as you never see them coming. Eden is a compelling protagonist who is easy to sympathize with. Her resolve to discover what happened with Jess, even facing overwhelming odds, makes you root for her until the very end. The narrative flows past without a single hitch. I thoroughly enjoyed Touch the Dead and highly recommend it to anyone itching for an intriguing sleuth murder mystery.
Recommend this book:
Texas Dead
A Mackenzie Michaels Mystery
William Gensburger
2022 Bronze Medal
279 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - Murder
Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite
Texas Dead: A Mackenzie Michaels Mystery is a story that will keep you reading long into the night. The stars of the book are Detective Maxie and her partner Kobe. They are both very real, everyday people trying to do their job the best way they know how; to check carefully for all the clues. Curtis is the first person to be killed. We soon meet his cousin Devin, a newspaper journalist, who then becomes a vital person as a victim and a possible solver of the investigation. Devin, Maxie, and Kobe soon find themselves in danger around every corner as they get entangled in more than what they first believed was a local murder. The case also had all the signs of a gangland group wanting to move into Texas territory. Devin becoming a victim pushes Maxie even further into wanting to find answers to the crimes quickly.
Texas Dead has twists and turns that I will not spoil for you but I will only say it is a worthwhile read. I enjoyed reading Texas Dead. I found it to have suspense, mystery, humor, romance, charming and lovable characters, and a very real plot. I am hoping for many more Mackenzie Michaels Mysteries as I am anxiously looking forward to sharing in more of their adventures. William Gensburger has created a charming, sweet, and very likable detective along with her friends, bringing Corpus Christi, Texas alive. I highly recommend Texas Dead as your next reading experience.
Texas Dead: A Mackenzie Michaels Mystery is a story that will keep you reading long into the night. The stars of the book are Detective Maxie and her partner Kobe. They are both very real, everyday people trying to do their job the best way they know how; to check carefully for all the clues. Curtis is the first person to be killed. We soon meet his cousin Devin, a newspaper journalist, who then becomes a vital person as a victim and a possible solver of the investigation. Devin, Maxie, and Kobe soon find themselves in danger around every corner as they get entangled in more than what they first believed was a local murder. The case also had all the signs of a gangland group wanting to move into Texas territory. Devin becoming a victim pushes Maxie even further into wanting to find answers to the crimes quickly.
Texas Dead has twists and turns that I will not spoil for you but I will only say it is a worthwhile read. I enjoyed reading Texas Dead. I found it to have suspense, mystery, humor, romance, charming and lovable characters, and a very real plot. I am hoping for many more Mackenzie Michaels Mysteries as I am anxiously looking forward to sharing in more of their adventures. William Gensburger has created a charming, sweet, and very likable detective along with her friends, bringing Corpus Christi, Texas alive. I highly recommend Texas Dead as your next reading experience.
Recommend this book:
The Truth About Rachel
A Rachel Emery Novel, Book One (Rachel Emery Series 1)
Deanna Lynn Sletten
2022 Silver Medal
158 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - Murder
Reviewed by Ammaarah Seboa for Readers' Favorite
Has the urge ever struck you to Google yourself because your family hasn’t reached out to you over the last 35 years? Has that result shown your death 35 years ago at your older brother’s hand? After leaving town with her aunt and uncle at the age of 8, Rachel continued to move on from the life she knew and into a brighter world. Her return to town has stirred up trouble with the local sheriff, newspaper, and even the mayor. Join Rachel in Deanna Lynn Sletten’s The Truth About Rachel as she investigates the case of her supposed death that shook the little town of Casita, California.
The Truth About Rachel is the first book in Deanna Lynn Sletten’s Rachel Emery Series, and while it primarily focuses on murder-mystery and sleuth themes, there is some romance thrown in. This story is a beautiful blend of fiction and reality. Sletten explains police jargon and procedures throughout the book so that readers unfamiliar with the terminology aren’t lost. As a lover of cold cases and injustice, I enjoyed this book and the unexpected plot twist! Sletten’s writing immerses the reader in the story and events flow naturally into one other. She bypassed the dramatics that most writers adopt and instead focused on clear and concise storytelling. I was eager for any new information that was forthcoming about Rachel’s case. I even raced against the fictional investigators to solve it. Rachel’s development throughout the book is amazing, and I am excited to read the next installment.
Has the urge ever struck you to Google yourself because your family hasn’t reached out to you over the last 35 years? Has that result shown your death 35 years ago at your older brother’s hand? After leaving town with her aunt and uncle at the age of 8, Rachel continued to move on from the life she knew and into a brighter world. Her return to town has stirred up trouble with the local sheriff, newspaper, and even the mayor. Join Rachel in Deanna Lynn Sletten’s The Truth About Rachel as she investigates the case of her supposed death that shook the little town of Casita, California.
The Truth About Rachel is the first book in Deanna Lynn Sletten’s Rachel Emery Series, and while it primarily focuses on murder-mystery and sleuth themes, there is some romance thrown in. This story is a beautiful blend of fiction and reality. Sletten explains police jargon and procedures throughout the book so that readers unfamiliar with the terminology aren’t lost. As a lover of cold cases and injustice, I enjoyed this book and the unexpected plot twist! Sletten’s writing immerses the reader in the story and events flow naturally into one other. She bypassed the dramatics that most writers adopt and instead focused on clear and concise storytelling. I was eager for any new information that was forthcoming about Rachel’s case. I even raced against the fictional investigators to solve it. Rachel’s development throughout the book is amazing, and I am excited to read the next installment.
Recommend this book:
 by R Lawson Gamble is a murder mystery based on an intriguing ancient legend. To FBI agent Zack Tolliver, the accidental death of a man in the Matilija Wilderness seems like a straightforward case of archaeological looting. But things take a turn when Zac...){kind=link}
The Curse Of Matilija
Zack Tolliver, FBI Book 9
R Lawson Gamble
2022 Gold Medal
228 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - Murder
Reviewed by Edith Wairimu for Readers' Favorite
Rich with detail and captivating characters, The Curse of Matilija (Zack Tolliver, FBI Book 9) by R Lawson Gamble is a murder mystery based on an intriguing ancient legend. To FBI agent Zack Tolliver, the accidental death of a man in the Matilija Wilderness seems like a straightforward case of archaeological looting. But things take a turn when Zack comes into contact with a deadly bacteria and the pot containing the infectious disease mysteriously disappears. Worse still, a ruthless assassin is on Zack’s trail, determined to tie loose ends from the past. Together with his Native American friend, Eagle Feather, Zack goes after the pot to stop a catastrophic pandemic while looking for the assassin. At every turn in their investigation, more dead bodies show up leading back to the ancient curse of Chief Matilija.
The Curse of Matilija is a consistently fascinating novel packed with gripping discoveries at every stage of the plot. I liked the book’s fast tempo and how the tension in the plot was maintained until its riveting final scene. I also liked the friendship between Zack and Eagle Feather and how the Chumash culture and other Native American cultures are explored in the book. R Lawson Gamble’s The Curse of Matilija is a page-turner that any fan of murder mysteries will not want to miss. It extends ancient events and current incidents and blends reality with mysticism. It is appealing for its depth, unique characters, and plot which is continuously enthralling.
Rich with detail and captivating characters, The Curse of Matilija (Zack Tolliver, FBI Book 9) by R Lawson Gamble is a murder mystery based on an intriguing ancient legend. To FBI agent Zack Tolliver, the accidental death of a man in the Matilija Wilderness seems like a straightforward case of archaeological looting. But things take a turn when Zack comes into contact with a deadly bacteria and the pot containing the infectious disease mysteriously disappears. Worse still, a ruthless assassin is on Zack’s trail, determined to tie loose ends from the past. Together with his Native American friend, Eagle Feather, Zack goes after the pot to stop a catastrophic pandemic while looking for the assassin. At every turn in their investigation, more dead bodies show up leading back to the ancient curse of Chief Matilija.
The Curse of Matilija is a consistently fascinating novel packed with gripping discoveries at every stage of the plot. I liked the book’s fast tempo and how the tension in the plot was maintained until its riveting final scene. I also liked the friendship between Zack and Eagle Feather and how the Chumash culture and other Native American cultures are explored in the book. R Lawson Gamble’s The Curse of Matilija is a page-turner that any fan of murder mysteries will not want to miss. It extends ancient events and current incidents and blends reality with mysticism. It is appealing for its depth, unique characters, and plot which is continuously enthralling.
Recommend this book:
 by Susan McCormick is a delightful story of residents living in a prime location apartment building in San Francisco. We are introduced to each tenant and learn of their quirky personality. Sarah is the exception to the senior citizens; she is a young intern as her hospital rents the apartment bu...){kind=link}
The Fog Ladies
A San Francisco Cozy Murder Mystery
Susan McCormick
2021 Finalist
332 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - Murder
Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite
The Fog Ladies (A San Francisco Cozy Murder Mystery) by Susan McCormick is a delightful story of residents living in a prime location apartment building in San Francisco. We are introduced to each tenant and learn of their quirky personality. Sarah is the exception to the senior citizens; she is a young intern as her hospital rents the apartment building and she gets to live there. Sarah is friendly, compassionate, helpful, and has a special connection with each one of the Fog Ladies. The Fog Ladies have been close friends for many years. They share their life stories, their ups and downs, joy and worries willingly amongst themselves. The thing they love best is being able to gossip about each other. When one by one they begin to die under strange circumstances, the Fog Ladies believe murder might be involved and are determined to prove it and find the killer. Each one of the ladies has a very different idea of the hows and whys and whether or not it is really murder or just old age that has taken away their friends.
I really enjoyed reading The Fog Ladies as it is filled with laughter, fun, twists, and turns. The ladies all try hard to be detectives and they kept me well entertained. Sarah kept the women in line even as she struggled with her own problems and the ladies all watched over her like grandmas. Susan McCormick created the perfect combination of real people in a fictional situation. The Fog Ladies is a mystery, a story of friendship, and a thoroughly entertaining book that I strongly urge you to read; you will not be disappointed.
The Fog Ladies (A San Francisco Cozy Murder Mystery) by Susan McCormick is a delightful story of residents living in a prime location apartment building in San Francisco. We are introduced to each tenant and learn of their quirky personality. Sarah is the exception to the senior citizens; she is a young intern as her hospital rents the apartment building and she gets to live there. Sarah is friendly, compassionate, helpful, and has a special connection with each one of the Fog Ladies. The Fog Ladies have been close friends for many years. They share their life stories, their ups and downs, joy and worries willingly amongst themselves. The thing they love best is being able to gossip about each other. When one by one they begin to die under strange circumstances, the Fog Ladies believe murder might be involved and are determined to prove it and find the killer. Each one of the ladies has a very different idea of the hows and whys and whether or not it is really murder or just old age that has taken away their friends.
I really enjoyed reading The Fog Ladies as it is filled with laughter, fun, twists, and turns. The ladies all try hard to be detectives and they kept me well entertained. Sarah kept the women in line even as she struggled with her own problems and the ladies all watched over her like grandmas. Susan McCormick created the perfect combination of real people in a fictional situation. The Fog Ladies is a mystery, a story of friendship, and a thoroughly entertaining book that I strongly urge you to read; you will not be disappointed.
Recommend this book:
Hanging Softly in the Night
A Detective Nick Larson Novel
Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra
2021 Honorable Mention
436 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - Murder
Reviewed by Sherri Fulmer Moorer for Readers' Favorite
Detective Nick Larson and his partner, Detective Victor Sacco, are overloaded. New York Police Department's Sixteenth Precinct in Manhattan is at minimal staff with the flu, and the cases keep pouring in. When Nick is called to an apparent suicide, his instincts immediately tell him that all is not as it appears. There are several small indicators that the victim, a recent divorcee, was actually murdered and staged to look like a suicide by hanging. When more cases hit the precinct, it becomes obvious that they have a serial killer on their hands during a flu outbreak. With few leads and common factors amongst the victims, Nick and Victor are in a race against time to keep the killer from striking again. Hanging Softly in the Night by Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra is a thrilling mystery that will keep you turning pages long past bedtime.
I loved this novel! It's the perfect mix of mystery, police procedural, crime drama, and intrigue that will keep any lover of mystery novels engaged and thrilled. The story keeps unfolding in amazing and interesting ways that keep you guessing - and from guessing who the killer is - until the very end. It's a captivating novel that reflects not only our current times well but is filled with great characters and the complexity you see in everyday life to create the perfect mystery novel. Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra has crafted a masterful story here that was hard to put down. Hanging Softly in the Night is a must-read for any lover of mystery and suspense novels.
Detective Nick Larson and his partner, Detective Victor Sacco, are overloaded. New York Police Department's Sixteenth Precinct in Manhattan is at minimal staff with the flu, and the cases keep pouring in. When Nick is called to an apparent suicide, his instincts immediately tell him that all is not as it appears. There are several small indicators that the victim, a recent divorcee, was actually murdered and staged to look like a suicide by hanging. When more cases hit the precinct, it becomes obvious that they have a serial killer on their hands during a flu outbreak. With few leads and common factors amongst the victims, Nick and Victor are in a race against time to keep the killer from striking again. Hanging Softly in the Night by Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra is a thrilling mystery that will keep you turning pages long past bedtime.
I loved this novel! It's the perfect mix of mystery, police procedural, crime drama, and intrigue that will keep any lover of mystery novels engaged and thrilled. The story keeps unfolding in amazing and interesting ways that keep you guessing - and from guessing who the killer is - until the very end. It's a captivating novel that reflects not only our current times well but is filled with great characters and the complexity you see in everyday life to create the perfect mystery novel. Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra has crafted a masterful story here that was hard to put down. Hanging Softly in the Night is a must-read for any lover of mystery and suspense novels.
Recommend this book:
Spring Upon A Crime
A Seattle Wilderness Mystery Volume 2
ML Erdahl
2021 Bronze Medal
294 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - Murder
Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite
Spring Upon a Crime by ML Erdahl is the second book in the Seattle Wilderness Mystery series. Crystal may have gotten the job by bluffing, but her time as a guide turned out to be rather good for her soul. She's tasked with taking college students into the Olympic Rain Forest with Roxie as host. However, the hike isn't a simple awe-inspiring trip like she planned as they find Roxie standing over the landowner's body holding a knife. Looking immediately guilty, Roxie is soon questioned for murder. To prove her friend innocent, Crystal dives into the old-growth forest where she comes up against a variety of suspects such as developers, eco-protesters, and loggers, all of whom have their own agenda for the forest land. Rifling through a list of suspects could lead Crystal to a killer or could lead a killer straight to her.
In Spring Upon a Crime, Crystal has found her place with friends and a boyfriend. Her relationship with Conner continues to grow, even progressing to the topic of her introducing him to her family. The setting is a lovely foray into the forest world with Crystal as your guide, a role ML Erdahl uses to incorporate tidbits about national parks and old-growth forests. Erdahl weaves humor throughout the story by using a lighthearted tone and dialogue that stems from Crystal's bubbly personality. The series kicked off on a humorous start with her bluffing her way into getting the job as a guide and the fun continues in this second installment. The lighthearted touches throughout keep the tone easy and will even make you smile such as the inclusion of her cat dubbed Elf, aka Evil Little Feline. The mystery pulls Crystal into it through how it ties to her friend's past and ultimately leads Crystal to catch a killer. Erdahl knows how to tell an entertaining tale through the use of charming characters, a lovely setting, and an engaging plot. Spring Upon a Crime is an ideal read for mystery lovers who enjoy lighthearted stories with humorous tones, zany sleuth leads, and cozy murders.
Spring Upon a Crime by ML Erdahl is the second book in the Seattle Wilderness Mystery series. Crystal may have gotten the job by bluffing, but her time as a guide turned out to be rather good for her soul. She's tasked with taking college students into the Olympic Rain Forest with Roxie as host. However, the hike isn't a simple awe-inspiring trip like she planned as they find Roxie standing over the landowner's body holding a knife. Looking immediately guilty, Roxie is soon questioned for murder. To prove her friend innocent, Crystal dives into the old-growth forest where she comes up against a variety of suspects such as developers, eco-protesters, and loggers, all of whom have their own agenda for the forest land. Rifling through a list of suspects could lead Crystal to a killer or could lead a killer straight to her.
In Spring Upon a Crime, Crystal has found her place with friends and a boyfriend. Her relationship with Conner continues to grow, even progressing to the topic of her introducing him to her family. The setting is a lovely foray into the forest world with Crystal as your guide, a role ML Erdahl uses to incorporate tidbits about national parks and old-growth forests. Erdahl weaves humor throughout the story by using a lighthearted tone and dialogue that stems from Crystal's bubbly personality. The series kicked off on a humorous start with her bluffing her way into getting the job as a guide and the fun continues in this second installment. The lighthearted touches throughout keep the tone easy and will even make you smile such as the inclusion of her cat dubbed Elf, aka Evil Little Feline. The mystery pulls Crystal into it through how it ties to her friend's past and ultimately leads Crystal to catch a killer. Erdahl knows how to tell an entertaining tale through the use of charming characters, a lovely setting, and an engaging plot. Spring Upon a Crime is an ideal read for mystery lovers who enjoy lighthearted stories with humorous tones, zany sleuth leads, and cozy murders.
Recommend this book:
 is a murder mystery. The principal character is FBI Agent Zack Tolliver, Special Cases Branch. Zack has an impressive record of solving challenging crimes that seem impossible and irrational. Eagle Feather, a Navajo and renowned tracker and guide, is Zack's friend and mentor and extrao...){kind=link}
Lost Oasis
Zack Tolliver, FBI Book 8
R Lawson Gamble
2021 Silver Medal
383 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - Murder
Reviewed by Saifunnissa Hassam for Readers' Favorite
R. Lawson Gamble's novel Lost Oasis (Zack Tolliver, FBI Book 8) is a murder mystery. The principal character is FBI Agent Zack Tolliver, Special Cases Branch. Zack has an impressive record of solving challenging crimes that seem impossible and irrational. Eagle Feather, a Navajo and renowned tracker and guide, is Zack's friend and mentor and extraordinary co-investigator. In the story, Dr. Carl Scheidecker, the world's foremost expert on renewable hydroelectricity generation, is a consultant for EverSun Energy Company in the desert flats near Joshua Tree National Park. Dr. Scheidecker disappears, utterly and mysteriously, on a hike in the desert. Zack is called in to investigate the scientist's apparent disappearance near a remote Chemehuevi sacred pillar of rock, the site of an ancient oasis. As Zack and Eagle Feather investigate, there are repeated attempts to kill them both. Why? Who would kill to silence all efforts to solve the mystery?
I thoroughly enjoyed reading R. Lawson Gamble's Lost Oasis for its remarkable principal characters, Zack Tolliver and Eagle Feather, and equally for the fascinating evocative narrative of Chemehuevi legends, beliefs, and traditions interwoven into the mystery. Zack and Eagle Feather are a formidable team of investigators. Zack has the unusual ability to grasp intuitively the significance of legends and myths. Eagle Feather's extraordinary ability to view matters from both modern and more ancient perspectives is vital to their investigation and to their very survival. I liked the involvement of two Chemehuevi tribe members in the story: Dr. Silvia Mike, dentist and shaman, and Lucas Leivas, a Chemehuevi investigator. Their characters are vital to understanding the seemingly unrelated pieces of the mystery. As the story progressed, I was riveted by the twists and turns. The vivid desert descriptions make the tension even more palpable, and the suspense never ends. The ending is out of this world! A great murder mystery, elusive and exciting!
R. Lawson Gamble's novel Lost Oasis (Zack Tolliver, FBI Book 8) is a murder mystery. The principal character is FBI Agent Zack Tolliver, Special Cases Branch. Zack has an impressive record of solving challenging crimes that seem impossible and irrational. Eagle Feather, a Navajo and renowned tracker and guide, is Zack's friend and mentor and extraordinary co-investigator. In the story, Dr. Carl Scheidecker, the world's foremost expert on renewable hydroelectricity generation, is a consultant for EverSun Energy Company in the desert flats near Joshua Tree National Park. Dr. Scheidecker disappears, utterly and mysteriously, on a hike in the desert. Zack is called in to investigate the scientist's apparent disappearance near a remote Chemehuevi sacred pillar of rock, the site of an ancient oasis. As Zack and Eagle Feather investigate, there are repeated attempts to kill them both. Why? Who would kill to silence all efforts to solve the mystery?
I thoroughly enjoyed reading R. Lawson Gamble's Lost Oasis for its remarkable principal characters, Zack Tolliver and Eagle Feather, and equally for the fascinating evocative narrative of Chemehuevi legends, beliefs, and traditions interwoven into the mystery. Zack and Eagle Feather are a formidable team of investigators. Zack has the unusual ability to grasp intuitively the significance of legends and myths. Eagle Feather's extraordinary ability to view matters from both modern and more ancient perspectives is vital to their investigation and to their very survival. I liked the involvement of two Chemehuevi tribe members in the story: Dr. Silvia Mike, dentist and shaman, and Lucas Leivas, a Chemehuevi investigator. Their characters are vital to understanding the seemingly unrelated pieces of the mystery. As the story progressed, I was riveted by the twists and turns. The vivid desert descriptions make the tension even more palpable, and the suspense never ends. The ending is out of this world! A great murder mystery, elusive and exciting!
Recommend this book:
The Unsub
Joey Mancuso, Father O'Brian Crime Mysteries Book 7
Owen Parr
2021 Gold Medal
507 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - Murder
Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite
The Unsub by Owen Parr is Book 7 of the Joey Mancuso, Father O’Brian Crime Mysteries series. Joey Mancuso is in Miami Beach but not for a vacation. Miami Beach police have shown no interest in the death of Gene Wells, a hedge fund employee who was killed in a hit and run. Joey is interested though; the kid’s father is a friend of a friend and they want Joey to investigate. Together with Marcy, his FBI wife, Joey steps into a quagmire of financial corruption and conspiracy. They call in a favor from an old friend to go undercover and soon discover a trail that leads them right back to New York City. There, with Father O’Brian joining in, they find their suspects dropping like flies as the main villains take out anyone who might get in their way. Can the trio stay ahead of these villains or are they next in line?
The Unsub by Owen Parr is another great offering in this series. You can read it as a standalone but, to get the full picture, it's best to read it as part of the series. We meet lots of characters from previous stories and some new ones, all developed into real people and the Eastern European flavor that runs through this story is in keeping with some current affairs in the world right now. There is, as with the previous books, plenty of action, each page urging you to keep reading. Twists and turns take you from Miami Beach back to the seedy underworld of New York City, keeping you on the edge of your seat with a mixture of hard-hitting action and some humor thrown in for good measure. If you love crime stories, hard, gritty crime thrillers, then this is one author I highly recommend.
The Unsub by Owen Parr is Book 7 of the Joey Mancuso, Father O’Brian Crime Mysteries series. Joey Mancuso is in Miami Beach but not for a vacation. Miami Beach police have shown no interest in the death of Gene Wells, a hedge fund employee who was killed in a hit and run. Joey is interested though; the kid’s father is a friend of a friend and they want Joey to investigate. Together with Marcy, his FBI wife, Joey steps into a quagmire of financial corruption and conspiracy. They call in a favor from an old friend to go undercover and soon discover a trail that leads them right back to New York City. There, with Father O’Brian joining in, they find their suspects dropping like flies as the main villains take out anyone who might get in their way. Can the trio stay ahead of these villains or are they next in line?
The Unsub by Owen Parr is another great offering in this series. You can read it as a standalone but, to get the full picture, it's best to read it as part of the series. We meet lots of characters from previous stories and some new ones, all developed into real people and the Eastern European flavor that runs through this story is in keeping with some current affairs in the world right now. There is, as with the previous books, plenty of action, each page urging you to keep reading. Twists and turns take you from Miami Beach back to the seedy underworld of New York City, keeping you on the edge of your seat with a mixture of hard-hitting action and some humor thrown in for good measure. If you love crime stories, hard, gritty crime thrillers, then this is one author I highly recommend.
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