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.

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!

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.

Reviewed by Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite

A serial killer is strangling women with his designer neckties, and the police are not in agreement about his identity in the exciting murder mystery, Ties That Bind (Detective Madison Knight Series Book 1) by Carolyn Arnold. One hot summer morning, Detective Madison Knight is called to investigate a murder. At the scene, Madison notices a picture out of sync with the rest of the photos in the house. However, her partner Terry is unimpressed. Instead of following the clue, they arrest a man who has been stalking the victim. Although the stalker's actions on the night of the murder are suspicious, Madison is not convinced he is guilty. When another woman is murdered in the same manner, a witness sees a man driving away from the scene. His description matches a person in the out-of-place photograph from the first victim's bedroom. Now Madison has the difficult task of persuading her partner Terry and her sergeant that they have the wrong man. Is Madison correct in her suspicions? Or is it someone else entirely?

Ties That Bind (Detective Madison Knight Series Book 1) by Carolyn Arnold is a fascinating crime novel that gives the reader an inside look into the life of a tough cop. The story is well-written, and the plot flows smoothly. The flawless story arc builds to an unexpected and satisfying conclusion. The characters are well-developed and relatable, forming a stimulating storyline. At first, I didn't appreciate Madison's abrasive attitude, but then I recognized that her aggression drives the story forward, and she grew on me. This book is written for a more mature audience as it contains explicit language and some references to violence. I recommend this novel to readers that enjoy accurate police procedurals and thrilling mysteries.

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

The Obituary Writer: A Murder Novel by Patrick Oster is a murder mystery with an unusual hero and unsuspecting circumstances. The Year of the Dog was supposed to be a good one for Wallace McRae, a.k.a. Mack, but it isn't so far. He used to be an award-winning investigative journalist, but now he lives in a bad apartment, his wife is dying, and he hates his obituary writing job. Mack’s work doesn’t have the usual spark until his boss tells him that a famous chemist, Dieter von Gehlen, has died. Surprised, Mack finds out that the cause of death was suicide, whereas he knows von Gehlen would never take his own life. Spurred on by this knowledge and the thirst to get back to his roots, Mack gets the green light from his boss to investigate the death and find out what really happened. His boss will get a juicy story out of it and Mack will redeem himself. However, the more he dives deeper into von Gehlen’s death, the creepier it becomes. He has to overcome threats and danger to find the truth. But it is all child’s play for Mack, isn’t it?

If you are looking for an entertaining story with an intense plot and a murder mystery that you will not be able to predict, The Obituary Writer is perfect for you. Mack is a well-rounded character that fits his description exceptionally well. He is cynical yet smart, which is the perfect combination for a hero for this story. He is driven enough to investigate how von Gehlen died yet not out of his mind to go guns blazing into a situation he knew nothing about. Helen’s life and her progress worked as his catalyst to do better, but it was his need to be satisfied with his life that drew to him to make some decisions for himself. I enjoyed the mystery behind the death, how the author fed the readers clues and made them uncover the mystery along with Mack. Reading this book was a sensory and visual experience. To say I loved it would not be enough!

Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

Winter Takes All by ML Erdahl is the first book in the Seattle Wilderness Mystery series. Crystal has started her life over with a new job and a change of location when she becomes a wilderness guide after bluffing her way into the job. Working alongside a handsome guide, the two lead a corporate retreat on a hike, only for the company’s owner to wind up dead. Crystal is drawn into the center of a murder mystery which puts her life in danger and threatens to cost her the new life she’s built.

This story is about new beginnings as Crystal embarks on a new adventure, taking her from a boring job to somewhere with more excitement. Crystal is a spunky character searching for more in her life and doesn’t expect this new job to give her exactly what she’s been looking for. She gets more than she wished for when her new job gets uprooted by a murder and she suddenly finds herself becoming a sleuth. The mystery is intriguing and leads you in circles with a surprising and satisfying conclusion.

The mystery is centered on Crystal’s self-discovery as she’s taking on a new challenge for herself and learns something new as a guide, which helps her find her place even amidst the murder investigation. She’s swept off her feet by a potential new romance that adds a sweet and light tone to the mystery as she gets a magical date and gains a trusted ally. This relationship gives her someone to sleuth with, which adds another layer to the mystery while also adding humor and heart. Winter Takes All is a delightful mystery that has heart, humor, and new beginnings that all mystery lovers will adore.

Reviewed by Jose Cornelio for Readers' Favorite

Tokyo Traffic by Michael Pronko is a fantastic meld of thriller and sleuth with exceptional characters and a strong plot. The story introduces readers to a compelling young female protagonist, Sukanya, a Thai girl running away from her captors. She has some stolen money and a computer that her captors desperately want to recover. To survive and stay ahead of her captors in the maze that is Tokyo, she has to stay alert and smart. Can Chiho, her new-found friend, help her reinvent herself and beat her pursuers? Meanwhile, Detective Hiroshi Shimizu investigates murders in a porn studio. He discovers a dark web involved in human trafficking and other internet scams but what is the connection with a young Thai girl?

There is so much to enjoy in this novel and I loved how the author brings the world of human trafficking in Tokyo and internet crime to life. The author uses the subplots to build the suspense, shifting the narrative from a grueling investigation to a girl in flight. Michael Pronko opens the novel strongly with the protagonist in a vulnerable situation, making calculated steps. From the start, I gathered she’d been in a terrible situation because of the mention of her racing heart resulting from whatever had been injected into her. Tension opens the story and increases in crescendo through each chapter. The worldbuilding is impeccable and I enjoyed the complex environment the protagonist navigates. Tokyo Traffic is filled with mystery and realism and I found myself rooting for the protagonist. It is fast-paced and emotionally rich.

Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite

Sprinkles of Suspicion centers around Emory who loves to make cupcakes and eventually wants to open her own bakery. Until she can afford to do that, she helps out her sister’s catering business by supplying the cupcakes and cakes. Emory thinks she is a happily married woman until she realizes her husband has been unfaithful with her best friend, Tori. When Tori is found murdered, Emory becomes the number one suspect. The police are sure she is the killer and since they are not going to look for any other suspects, Emory takes it upon herself to find out who really killed Tori. Her whole life seems to be going in a bad direction as she investigates. There are strange encounters that she does not remember plus there are break-ins, and friends being different than she thought...

Sprinkles of Suspicion (Cupcake Catering Mystery Series Book 1) is about a murder, a cupcake caterer, a best friend, and a husband all rolled into one enjoyable reading experience. I found Sprinkles of Suspicion a light and quick read that I really enjoyed. You will have to read this book yourself to put all of the pieces together. Author Kim Davis created characters that are real and likable, at least most of them. Emory makes a great heroine and it was impossible not to hope for her innocence to be proven. If you love cozy mysteries, murder stories, and a great plot, then Sprinkles of Suspicion is a must-read.

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

The Advocate's Justice (The Advocate Series) by Teresa Burrell is a murder mystery. Sabre Brown is an attorney with a job on her hands – to save Conner from a life behind bars. Fifteen-year-old Conner is accused of murdering Bullet, his grandma’s abusive boyfriend. The evidence is there; the boy did it. Things aren’t quite as straightforward as that, however. JP Torn, investigator and Sabre’s boyfriend, is Conner’s uncle and JP is about to come face to face with a brother he hasn’t seen in years. Sabre and JP settle into the investigation and the list of suspects grows as lies and sordid secrets come to the surface. JP's family has created a complex web that JP and Sabre must untangle to get to the truth.

The Advocate’s Justice (The Advocate Series) by Teresa Burrell is a great book. I haven’t read any of the Advocate Series until this one but I’ll be reading them now! The story has plenty of twists in it, as well as dead ends, red herrings and lots of action. It is a story that starts as it means to go on, right in the thick of the action and it doesn’t let up until the last page. The characters are developed well, considering how far through the series this is, and I feel that it could be read as a standalone story. The suspense builds and I thought I had it sussed early on – turned out I was wrong. Every character – from Conner, to his sister Morgan, from Muriel to Roxy, and a whole other cast in between – played their parts to make this a really good story, ideal for anyone who likes murder mysteries and legal stories; it’s made me want to get the rest of the series and read them all.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

The Murder of Paolo Mancuso: A Joey Mancuso, Father O'Brian Crime Mystery, Book 5 is a hard-boiled sleuth mystery novel written by Owen Parr. While this is the fifth book in Parr’s series, the author gives enough background information within the story for it to be enjoyed as a standalone novel. When Tony (The Hammer) Falcone called Joey to his deathbed at Rikers Correctional Center, he gave Joey a name, Wetherley Stevens, and he told him to look in Barcelona. Joey had been waiting twenty years for a clue, any clue that could help him understand why there had been a hit placed on his father. Joey had been sixteen years old then, and thought of himself as part of the family. He had been there in that bar in Little Italy, with his dad and Tony the Hammer, when the man walked in and shot Tony and Joey’s dad. Tony survived, but Joey’s dad didn’t. Joey couldn’t understand why the family didn’t seek vengeance, nor did the police seem to do much to apprehend the killer, and the case quickly was consigned to the cold case files. Now, Tony’s deathbed confession finally gave Joey something to work with, and he was determined to find the answers which had so long evaded him.

The Murder of Paolo Mancuso is a tense and gripping tale about vengeance and a son’s need to understand the facts behind his father’s murder. This is the first Joey Mancuso, Father O'Brian book that I’ve read, but it definitely won’t be the last. Parr quickly familiarized me with the main characters in his series, and I loved being in sunny Barcelona along with Joey as he investigates the Wetherley Stevens' clue. Parr’s Joey Mancuso speaks in the first person, a device that made me feel as if I were privy to his every thought and plan, and it was quite effective in keeping up the suspense. Parr’s characters are everything I could hope for in a detective/private eye series. Father Dom works quite well as Joey’s older brother and business partner, and Agnes, their office manager and “hacker extraordinaire,” is a perfect complement to the two brothers. The plot keeps the reader thinking, puzzling facts out along with Joey and being not quite sure what is going to happen throughout, and it is a positive delight for the armchair sleuth who likes their mysteries anything but cozy. And yes, I had a grand time reading this book. The Murder of Paolo Mancuso: A Joey Mancuso, Father O'Brian Crime Mystery, Book 5 is most highly recommended.