Reviewed by Kayti Nika Raet for Readers' Favorite

In The Fireproof Girl, the first in a new series by Loretta Lost, Sophie Shields is a woman with a past. Growing up in foster care, she has had to change her identity several times due to unfortunate circumstances. The one constant in her life? Cole Hunter, who grew from foster brother, to protector, and perhaps something more. But all that changes when she finds out that he's been murdered. Determined to find answers and his killer, Sophie uses her computer hacking expertise to get to the bottom of the mystery, dragging up aspects of her past in the process.

A fast paced novel told from two points of view, The Fireproof Girl by Loretta Lost asks the question of how far we are willing to go for the people we care about. I really enjoyed reading The Fireproof Girl. There's a tension that Lost expertly maintains throughout, even as she hops between the past and the present day. Sophie is a strong but broken character, occasionally coming off as unemotional, but also very resilient. It's her connection to Cole that really warms up her character. He's not the typical bad boy of the genre. Smart and warm, he is nonetheless willing to do what it takes to protect those he loves. I enjoyed their dynamic and was rooting for Sophie to solve the mystery. The end felt a little abrupt and I wished it had gone on for a chapter or two, mostly because it raised some questions that definitely needed to be answered. Luckily, The Fireproof Girl is the first of a new series and there will be more adventures in book 2.
 

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Pages in the Wind is a psychological thriller novel written by Sally Saylor De Smet. Emily’s all-too-brief moment of calm as she drew the portrait of a young blond girl with waist-length hair was shattered by the impatient tones of the prison guard who was assigned to escort her up to the doctor’s office. Emily was still in shock over the fact that she was an inmate in the San Francisco County Jail on the charge that she had murdered her father. They said she had stabbed him repeatedly and that the two of them were found in the kitchen, but Emily couldn’t remember any of it. It had been two weeks now. Her brother hadn’t come to see her since she was imprisoned, and her mother had only called her once, speaking in impersonal and distant tones that chilled her. The fiance that she was told she had was somewhere in a boot camp training for his tour of duty in Vietnam. Added to that dismal reality was the constant reminder that she must neither cry nor show any signs of weakness. A nineteen-year-old innocent, she would be instant fodder for the more aggressive inmates if she displayed signs of weakness. Her mother had retained Dr. Daniel Lieberman to aid in her defense. He was a renowned forensic psychiatrist, and Emily thought his professional stature seemed at odds with the slight and rumpled figure she first beheld rummaging through papers in the drab, institutional green office where he would conduct their sessions. But he soon had her realizing that he was on her side, and his words, as he hypnotized her that first time, gave her a sorely-needed sense of tranquility and calm.

Who is Emily Quinn and how did she end up stabbing her much larger father to death? Sally Saylor De Smet’s psychological thriller novel, Pages in the Wind, follows the frightened and amnesiac young woman as she and her psychiatrist attempt to revive her life’s story through a sequence of hypnosis sessions. Emily’s tale takes place in the late fifties and sixties, which were a different time indeed when considering the parental right to discipline and exert total control over a child. That said, Emily’s early memories will leave the hardest hearts stunned and saddened as the young girl seeks again and again for love from her daddy and receives only physical abuse that becomes, at one point, a life-threatening assault.

Pages in the Wind is a riveting read; one I found quite impossible to step away from until I had read it through. Within its pages rests a first-rate psychological thriller and one of the most compelling coming of age stories I’ve read. De Smet’s writing style is haunting and delicious as her Emily narrates the marvelous episodes in her life as well as the most awful and nightmarish. Some passages shine so brightly; such as that describing Emily and Perry’s evening at his parents’ home. Others are sadly realistic in their starkness and brutality. Pages in the Wind is not just an impossibly good debut novel; it’s an outstanding work of literature and it’s most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Tracy A. Fischer for Readers' Favorite

Wow! Just, wow! That's exactly what I thought when I finished reading The Advocate's Felony, the sixth book in The Advocate series by author Teresa Burrell. This book is a real roller coaster of a read, and will keep you turning the pages obsessively from the very beginning all the way through until the very end. Continuing the story of attorney Sabre Brown, this time she receives a very surprising phone call in the dead of night from her brother, Ron, who has been in witness protection for seven years. His whereabouts have been discovered, and he's calling Sabre to warn her that both of them are in danger. Sabre is determined to help Ron, and with her friend and private investigator, JP, races against time to save both Ron and herself. Will she succeed? You'll need to read the book to find out.

I loved The Advocate's Felony. Loved. It. How's that for a review? Well, it's definitely how I felt about this great book. Author Teresa Burrell has done a fabulous job in creating characters that her readers will connect with, relate to and truly come to care about. If that isn't a hallmark of an excellent author, I'm not sure what is. Her writing style is crisp and authentic, and her scene setting skills are second to none. Any reader who loves an exciting murder mystery, action, adventure, or just an excellent work of fiction in general should absolutely read this book. I am so pleased to be able to highly recommend The Advocate's Felony, and I am very much looking forward to reading more from author Teresa Burrell as soon as I possibly can!

Reviewed by Tracy Slowiak for Readers' Favorite

In an excellently written and thrilling murder mystery story by author Kaylin McFarren, Banished Threads: Volume 3 is a book that will keep readers obsessively turning the pages from the very start, hearts in their throats, and pulses racing! Follow the story of characters Rachel Lyons and Chase Cohen. They attend a soiree at her uncle's home in which a very valuable art collection goes missing. Rachel's aunt's granddaughter, Sloan Rafferty, is blamed, and Chase is determined to clear her name and at the same time win the favor of Rachel's uncle. What he finds might not exactly be what he is looking for, however, as Rachel's uncle is soon accused of an unsolved murder, and both of these cases might be more related than they appear. Will Chase finally get to the bottom of these crimes? You'll need to read the book to find out!

I so, so enjoyed Banished Threads. Author Kaylin McFarren has done a fantastic job in writing an exciting story with excellently drawn characters that her readers will be able to connect with, relate to and will care about. If that isn't a hallmark of a great author, I'm not sure what is. The mystery isn't one that's easily solved, even for a reader like me who frequently figures out the end quite early in the book, and there are plenty of creative twists and turns that will keep readers guessing. I highly recommend Banished Threads, and I certainly look forward to reading more from the very talented author, Kaylin McFarren, in the near future!

Reviewed by Alyssa Elmore for Readers' Favorite

An exhilarating adventure with a fascinating insight into the legal system, The Advocate's Ex Parte by Teresa Burrell is the thrilling fifth book in The Advocates series. Sabre Orin Brown is a smart, successful attorney specialising in defending juvenile delinquents. When Judge "Scary Larry" draws her into his chambers for an Ex Parte hearing, Sabre is concerned. Several of her cases are very touchy and she can't afford for them to be thrown out. Understanding that the judge has something important to say, she calls in a nearby deputy County Counsel, only for both of them to be thrown out of the chambers by the livid judge. The next day, Sabre is informed that "Scary Larry" has been murdered. Sabre is confused and afraid. Before throwing her out of his chambers, the murdered judge had indicated that the Ex Parte hearing concerned one of her clients. The last thing "Scary Larry" said was, "You are on your own!" Which of her clients had the judge been trying to warn her about? Possibly the alleged fourteen-year-old murderer, accused of beating two of his classmates to death with a baseball bat? Or maybe there is something far more sinister going on. Something that could endanger Sabre and everything important to her. When another one of Sabre's colleagues is nearly murdered, Sabre and JP must look more closely at her current cases. Maybe the judge's warning was more than him just being "Scary Larry."

Filled with murder, suspense, betrayal, and red herrings, The Advocate's Ex Parte by Teresa Burrell is a spellbinding suspense novel worthy of Agatha Christie. With a killer plot that will keep you guessing "whodunit" to the very end and characters that are endearing, this book is a must-read! Although it is the fifth book, the author wrote this book as a spectacular stand-alone. Fans of Sabre Orin Brown and JP Torn will not be disappointed. The story takes the reader deep into the conflicted and sometimes confusing lives of a children's attorney and a private investigator to the attorney, giving the reader a well-rounded view of a children's defender and advocate. If you like John Grisham and Dan Brown, then you do not want to miss this book!

Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

Serial K Returns by Brian Gallagher is a thriller that features a serial killer, an intense crime investigation, and the FBI working tirelessly to keep pace with a killer who works with a purpose. Craig Breedlove had once been a victim of abuse by a priest, and he has never gotten over it. This time, it is more than an urge. He’ll kill for revenge. He will kill for justice, and this time, he will raise the stakes. Readers are introduced to a thriller with very interesting characters, the kind they’ll read in the likes of James Patterson. Can FBI agents Lea Pucci and Ryan O'Callahan apprehend the killer and stop the dead bodies piling up?

Brian Gallagher has created a successful story that will have readers gripped, utterly seduced as they turn the pages, hoping for an ultimate confrontation between the investigators and the killer. The plot is wonderfully crafted, tantalizing, and loaded with instances that provoke curiosity and force the reader — literally — to keep on reading. The author seems to understand just perfectly how the FBI works. The characters are great and they all fitted perfectly into the fast-paced, dynamic plot. One of the things I enjoyed is the beauty of the language which features many powerful descriptions and great dialogue. Everything reads so naturally and it is hard not to believe that the story actually took place. Readers will also enjoy the psychological depth of the story, marveling at the author’s examination of the psychology of the killer. Serial K Returns is a captivating read, designed to keep readers glued to their seats until they turn the last page.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

The Advocate’s Betrayal: The Advocate Series, Book 2 is a legal thriller written by Teresa Burrell. When the phone rang at four in the morning, Sabre Brown didn’t expect good news, but she was still shattered when her friend, Betty, told her that her husband, John, had been stabbed. Betty and John were special for Sabre, more like an aunt and uncle than simply good friends. Her boyfriend, Luke, who was staying overnight at her apartment, was also friends with the couple and accompanied her to their trailer. Betty was alone there, in a semi-hysterical state and covered with blood, but Sabre was concerned to find that Betty had not yet called the police. The police arrived minutes after Sabre called 911, and Detective Gregory Nelson, who Sabre knew from her work as an attorney, was in charge of the case. He was also perplexed by Betty’s failure to call the police and asked her to accompany him to the police station. Sabre realized what an ordeal an official questioning would be for her grief-stricken friend, but, as an attorney, she understood the process that a criminal investigation would entail -- and she was determined to help Betty prove her innocence every step of the way.

Teresa Burrell’s legal thriller, The Advocate’s Betrayal, is the second book in her The Advocate Series; however, new readers will find that the author has included enough background to enable them to enjoy reading this story on its own. I was fascinated by the progression the story took and particularly enjoyed seeing how Sabre, her private investigator and the police work to determine who murdered John Smith. The story also continues the focus on Sabre Brown’s work as an advocate for children and caregivers in the Juvenile Court System and explores the concept of freedom of speech in a compelling manner. This is a well-written and absorbing story I found quite difficult to put down until I had turned the last page. Burrell’s characters are sharply defined and authentic, and her plot is well-constructed and compelling. The Advocate’s Betrayal is highly recommended.

Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite

Cisco Bandits (A Gwynn Reznick Novel) by Inge-Lise Goss centers on newly trained operative Gwynn Reznick, who goes undercover for her first assignment; investigating one of the highly private companies who call on Ruben Dordi’s Investigation Group. Posing as an accountant for the Prudell Energy Company, Gwynn starts to question the objectives of her task. But she soon learns that the company is hiding something when a death of an employee is swiftly covered up as an accident, with another previous death occurring under suspicious circumstances.

Despite being a second book in the series, to my delight Cisco Bandits can be read as a standalone thriller. The strength of the novel lies in the way Goss brings the story to life, by pitting her protagonist against the odds. Gwynn finds herself as the next unfortunate employee or likely murder victim, when she is approached by Prudell’s CFO about missing files and accounts that are not adding up. She needs to complete and, most importantly, survive her assignment.

Goss’ prose is excellent. I can certainly imagine, feel, and smell the vibe of the town and the office environment. The pace is fast and flawless, and the suspense is more than enough to keep readers on edge from start to finish. I loved the action scenes and enjoyed some of the humorous moments as well. Gwynn is brave and quick witted yet has relatable flaws, making it easy for readers to root for her. This is definitely a meaty novel for thriller and PI fiction fans to savor.

Reviewed by Vernita Naylor for Readers' Favorite

What does Sheriff Clay Holbrook, unaccounted for bank deposits, eleven unsolved deaths in Macon, Pennsylvania, the Deerbusters, and the installment of the new Sheriff Chris DeAngelo all have in common? They are the main elements of a great crime, mystery, and thriller novel, A Season to Kill by Michael Mucci. During Sheriff Holbrook’s leadership, the town of Macon had eleven unsolved deaths that were ruled as merely disappearances. Suddenly, Sheriff Holbrook passed away and he is replaced by Chris DeAngelo. DeAngelo had been the deputy under the leadership of Sheriff Holbrook for over 20 years. Now with the latest death of Roger Sharpe, it is Sheriff DeAngelo’s job to uncover the murder. As DeAngelo begins moving forward in solving the crime, several other elements begin to unfold, including that of the unsolved deaths of over eleven years ago.

I loved reading A Season to Kill by Michael Mucci because it is well-written, easy to read, and had a lot of essential mysterious components that kept me in suspense through and through. A Season to Kill puts me in the mind of the movies Along Came A Spider and Kiss the Girls in James Patterson’s Alex Cross Series. I once again visualized Morgan Freeman going through the challenges of trying to not only solve the death of Sharpe but that of Rose, Reisling, and Santapaula that are amongst the eleven unsolved murders. At the end of each day, I relaxed by reading this great mystery before turning in for the night. I just couldn’t put it down. Before this becomes a best-seller and turns into a movie, you want to get a chance to read A Season to Kill by Michael Mucci for yourself.

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

Murder in County Tyrone (The Irish Mysteries Book 1) by Padraig O’Hannon is a murder mystery. Fourteen years ago, a murder sent shock waves through County Tyrone, but it was never solved. It has never been forgotten though, and now the repercussions are beginning to spread, right to the shores of the United States. American attorney John Costa is questioned by the police about the one person he would never suspect. But is the Irish woman that he admires so much innocent or is there something lurking deep in her past? Can he prove her innocence or is he her next victim?

Murder in County Tyrone (The Irish Mysteries Book 1) by Padraig O’Hannon is a gripping read from start to finish. This isn’t just a great murder mystery story, it’s also a history lesson, packed with interesting information that shows the author clearly knows what he is talking about in terms of the Irish troubles. That gave the story a realistic aspect that made it even more of an interesting read – I have to say I learned a lot! The plot was full of twists and turns when you least expect it, and it kept me well and truly on my toes. This is not a straightforward murder mystery – you won’t get ten pages in, know who did it, and be bored with the rest of the story - that much I can guarantee - and the ending will surprise you. The fact that it is written in the first person also lends an air of realism to the story. If you are looking for a real suspense story, this is it; this is the one that will get its hooks into you. Great story, and I will definitely be looking for more by Mr. O’Hannon.