Reviewed by Jennifer Ibiam for Readers' Favorite

M2 Agent Tim Stryker and his wife, Angie, lost their little son to brain cancer, making them drift apart. The couple and their daughter took a trip to Italy for a holiday, a private reconciliation, and a friend’s wedding. However, after another fight, Tim left on a duty call, and people kidnapped his family. Tim left no stone unturned in finding his wife and daughter. He began an investigation that landed him back in the year 30 BC, uncovering the secret of Cleopatra and a powerful cult. The search for this secret took his team to the United States, Italy, Egypt, Greece, and India. He was in a race against time. Will he find the secret and his family, especially with a mole among them? Find out in Cleopatra’s Vendetta by Avanti Centrae.

Cleopatra’s Vendetta by Avanti Centrae is an amazing tale of power, resilience, action, wit, survival, and guts. It was a thorough blend of fact and fiction that made my heart beat faster. The novel showed that the past controls the present, and no one can bury history. Avanti told a captivating story with a parade of worthy and strong heroines. Cleopatra, Angie, Zola, Sam, St. James, and Ace deserved a standing ovation! They were whip-smart, fast thinkers, calculating, and stealthy. Wow! So much for subjugating women when they can change the game even on their knees. Rey, Tim, and even Antonio also impressed me. I loved the fantastic plot, unique story, perfect development, and fluid writing style. This book was a masterpiece.

Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

In Inca Poison by Kevin Chilvers, former Royal Marine Tom Hunter undertakes a dangerous mission to rescue his abducted grandson, Romero, from a cartel in Rio de Janeiro. With the help of workers from a children's mission, the cartel's horrific operation of trafficking children is discovered. In the Amazon rainforest, Romero befriends scientist Vincent Smythe and both witness the atrocities being carried out against children in the prison camp run by a sadist named Dominic. Vincent manages to send crucial information to England that reveals the cartel's plans to use a deadly Inca poison against the Royal Navy. Tom is aided by multiple people, including the daughter of Admiral Samantha Kingsley, and later Chief Mariano of the Tree Dweller tribe, in the search for Romero and to find the antidote for the ancient poison as the fate of thousands hangs in the balance.

Inca Poison begins as a rescue mission and ends up evolving into so much more in Kevin Chilvers' action-packed novel. There is something of an Indiana Jones feel to the storyline and it was kind of hard not to read Tom's dialogue in any voice except Harrison Ford's and, to be perfectly honest, I loved that! The prose is exceptional and not only gives readers a true sense of the ambiance and tension of a moment. My favorite part is the myth of the Lost City and its tie-in to the poison and the motivator for every single criminal enterprise on the planet: wealth. Chilvers even takes readers back to the 16th century to revisit the poison and what led to its dormant state for centuries. Cartel boss Javier is a deliciously terrible antagonist and in order for a book to be successful we have to hate the man with a passion, something that Chilvers accomplishes easily. The twist at the end is unexpected and gratifying, and overall Inca Poison is a book very much worth the read.

Reviewed by Keith Mbuya for Readers' Favorite

Lt. Jack “Rattler” Owen’s transition from flying an E-2C Hawkeye to a F/A-18C Hornet was a dream come true. It had always been his ambition to be a fighter pilot. Bound for deployment on the USS Stennis (an aircraft carrier), Rattler had his future planned for when he had completed his stint. He would get a promotion and spend more time with his girlfriend Sandy. Or so he thought. However, Rattler’s life took a sharp turn after he narrowly survived death while on a mission in Afghanistan. He later learned that he had been a primary target for an organization called Princeps Novus − a powerful group of men waging war on the world and stirring chaos within the US military for profit. Jack had unknowingly thwarted their plans earlier on in his career and they had been after his blood ever since. Now in the hands of the “good guys” and his name a mere memory to the rest of the world, with Sandy now a victim of his past, and nothing left to lose, Rattler will stop at nothing to eliminate the Princeps Novus. Find out how it all develops in T. R. Matson’s Vengeance Flight.

If you love slow-burn military thriller novels with a touch of conspiracy and action, T. R. Matson’s Vengeance Flight will have you hooked, flipping through page after page. Featuring an array of operatives, pilots, and moles, Matson laces the plot with a compelling taste of romance, love, greed, power, money, secrets, vengeance, and sacrifice. Matson’s attention to detail introduced me to the daily life of a Navy pilot. The vivid descriptions had me feeling as if I was right there next to the role-players watching the scenes unfold. One moment I was watching Rattler and Sandy attend a squadron party or eavesdropping on Rattler and Maestro’s nostalgic conversations in their bunker. The next thing I knew I was aboard a Hornet fighter staring in horror as one of Rattler’s squadron mate’s engines malfunctioned in the air and he quickly lost altitude. The use of introspection and the profound emotional depth in the storyline allowed me to connect with the protagonists. Rattler is a savvy, shrewd, daring, big-hearted character with a strong moral compass you can’t help but love.

Reviewed by Amy Raines for Readers' Favorite

In The God Protocol: Dragon by D. L. Wilburn Jr., John works for DHS and knows that a more extreme Cold War is coming. He is pleased to know that the new satellites will deliver 5G across the world as well as Global Shock. Dr. Berzing reports the potential collision course of several space objects headed toward the edge of the galaxy to NASA. The United States and China are supposedly working together to make first contact, but some believe that both countries are keeping secrets that could cause serious problems later. George runs an internet show where he gives the news headlines an angle of conspiracy that keeps his followers entertained and thinking about what might really be going on behind the scenes. As theories prove to be much more than simple conspiracies, George realizes that his show could cost him more than he anticipated, maybe even his life.

The slowly revealed truth about conspiracy theories and the way the characters backed up each idea with believable context rounded out the well-thought-out plot. This story is unique and has an air of mystery that kept me reading until I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I have no doubt that future readers won’t be able to put it down either. I liked that this story is not extremely fast-paced but delivers key events and points without feeling overdone or rushed. I recommend The God Protocol: Dragon by D. L. Wilburn Jr. to anyone who enjoys a suspenseful story that twists the things we thought we knew into something new and exciting. I hope to read more from this talented writer.

Reviewed by Olga Markova for Readers' Favorite

Secrets of the Rabbi’s Mafia by Irv Segal is a fascinating mystery on a dazzling mission to delight the most discerning fans of crime fiction and international legal thrillers. The story unfolds in 1995 in Chicago’s Cook County. Jack Cooper is a graduate of Rabbinical College who spent his younger life in the secluded Ultra-Orthodox Jewish community. Recently divorced, Jack braves the turn-point exit from the Ultra-Orthodox lifestyle and ventures out to his first Jewish singles event where he meets Mindy Stein. She is a mother of three, married to Ultra-Orthodox Sender Stein whom she is seeking to divorce. Mindy and Jake take to each other but Mindy’s pending divorce stands in their way. Before long, Jack finds himself investigating the murder of Mindy’s husband.

While reading Secrets of the Rabbi’s Mafia I felt as if I was watching a 4DX film, navigating the uncharted waters of Talmudic law and Ultra-Orthodox Jewish traditions amidst the citrusy scent of esrog and cozy cholent permeating the scenes of atmospheric celebrations of Shabbos and Bar Mitzvah. I was fascinated by the superb atmosphere and exquisite complexity of the plot as it evolves in this easy-to-read and fast-moving story, unforgettable for its all-around brilliance. Irv Segal eruditely enhances the suspense and mystery with witty insights into the Talmudic laws, leading to unexpected revelations. I am delighted to have discovered Segal’s book, and I look forward to reading his next mystery.

Reviewed by Marta Tandori for Readers' Favorite

The Dark Trail is the smoldering sixth book in J.C. Fields’ Sean Kruger FBI thriller series and this latest offering certainly doesn’t disappoint. When Deputy Director of the FBI, Alan Seltzer, is brutally executed during an early morning bike ride, FBI profiler and his good friend, Sean Kruger, is tasked with hunting down his killer. The Director of the FBI suspects that Sean’s former friend had been looking into similarities between a number of FBI investigations around the country and that it may have gotten him killed. Assisted by his friend, JR, a member of the FBI Cyber Crimes Division, and associates Sandy Knoll, a retired Special Forces Major, and Jimmie Gibbs, a former Navy Seal, it isn’t long before Sean and his team set their sights on Alan’s killer – only to have him disappear right under their noses. When they finally track down their suspect some months later, Sean and his team quickly discover that Alan’s murder was just another in a series of recent killings targeting powerful individuals from various ethnic groups. With Sean’s fifty-seventh birthday and his mandatory retirement from the FBI looming in front of them, the team is in a race against time to find Alan’s killer and get to the bottom of what could potentially be a much bigger threat to national security.

The Dark Trail has all the requisites for a solid FBI thriller. There’s plenty of action, sinister characters, and the threat of Russian hackers and the dark web to keep things interesting. The theme of honoring the fellow fallen is prevalent throughout the story. Fields uses parallel narrative shifts to effectively build momentum and suspense but what makes the story so engaging is Fields’ protagonist. Kruger’s longstanding and illustrious career with the FBI has made him a legend within the Bureau, but in addition to being well-respected, he’s somewhat of an anomaly in that he’s also a nice guy who doesn’t like taking credit for his many accomplishments. Complementing Kruger is a cast of colorful characters who add their own special skill sets to the plot, ratcheting up the interest quotient. As expected, there’s not a whole lot of sentiment in this type of thriller, but there’s just enough to show that none of the characters is above a certain degree of vulnerability and humility which makes them all the more relatable. The Dark Trail checks all the right boxes. It's sure to leave lovers of the genre satisfied and is highly recommended.

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Public Opinion is a gripping crime thriller by Nathan Pettijohn. Herb is a social media specialist who provides exclusive services to his clients, such as manipulating narratives, blackmail, and online character assassination. His publicist friend Elmer introduces him to Titus - a narcissistic movie star who is making his directorial debut in New Orleans based on the Marquis de Sade's novel, Justine. Herb quickly realizes that his new client may be even more depraved and morally flexible than he is. Witnessing Titus take advantage of his young movie stars doesn't deter Herb from working for him. Instead, Herb loses his last remaining shred of morality and soon crosses the point of no return to make the movie a resounding success. In doing so, he pushes his beloved girlfriend and his newborn baby away.

Public Opinion is a fascinating tale of the rise and fall of a man willing to push himself beyond his limits to satiate his never-ending greed. Nathan Pettijohn weaves an absorbing crime yarn that offers a striking critique of social media and how unbelievably easy it has become to manipulate public opinion through its abuse. The scary aspect of Pettijohn's narrative is that there are actual people in the real world performing similar services for their clients as the main protagonist of the story does. The characters are layered and complex, with discernible flaws that make them all the more compelling. If you love to read stories featuring intriguing antagonists, I can't recommend this book enough.

Reviewed by Frank Stephen for Readers' Favorite

Canaryville by Charlie Newton is a tale about a city about to destroy itself. Two dead bodies at the railroad track, an explosion at the Bayside Inn, and a white Catholic priest hanged at the clocktower. Chicago is on the verge of a race war, and Canaryville is at the center of it all. A few days before a federal takeover, the Chicago Police department will have to stop the lynching and bombing from bringing the city down to ashes. Homicide lieutenant Denny Banahan is the frontman for the job. He needs to prove that the killings are white-on-white and have nothing to do with a reenactment of the "Red Summer" of 1919. As he tries to make his case, he discovers even more that puts his life, the lives of those close to him, and the existence of his beloved city on the verge of collapse.

Canaryville by Charlie Newton is a fast-paced, fascinating, and realistic story about racism and law enforcement abuse of power in Chicago. Police brutality and corruption, racial slurs, political rhetorics, protests, riots, mob activities, and gangbanging are perfectly portrayed with a sprinkling of terrorism, international politics, and psychopathic killings. It has all the ingredients for an action-packed crime thriller that will keep readers glued to each page until the story is over. Just like the discoveries in this story, the characters are far from what they appear to be. Readers get to see that people with racist behavior can still go out of their way and risk their lives for a person of another race. It also concisely explains the political and historic nature of the racial tension in Chicago.

It may be hard to keep up with the names and how they connect with characters in the story, and international readers may have a hard time with the slang and names of landmarks that are familiar to Chicago residents. But they have an incentive to overcome these roadblocks with the promise of an intriguing narrative unfolding on each page.

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Eagle Ascending is a nail-biting thriller written by Dan Whitfield. Detective Joseph Krueger's attempts to bring down a drug peddler in the streets of New York are halted midway through when a powerful blast erupts in a nearby Jewish museum, leading to the deaths of 96 people. Upon reviewing security camera footage, Krueger is devastated to discover that the person carrying out the attack is none other than his grandfather, General Wolfgang Andreas Krueger of the Third Reich, who supposedly died seventy years ago. Determined to discover the truth, Krueger embarks on a dangerous journey across multiple continents alongside history professors Tessa Brandt and Barnaby Grimm. What he discovers may change the course of history as he delves deep into a larger conspiracy involving neo-Nazi organizations who seek the True Cross to bring about Aryan dominance.

With a fast-paced and intricate plot, author Dan Whitfield weaves an absorbing thriller that incorporates real-life events and historical artifacts to keep you hooked throughout the pages. If you enjoy Dan Brown's novels, you're going to love Eagle Ascending. The author wastes little time in getting things moving and throws the reader directly into the midst of ever-escalating events. The characters are well-realized, each with distinct voices that make their personalities pop out of the pages. Joe Krueger was my personal favorite of the bunch, and I thoroughly enjoyed his relationship dynamics with his colleague and friends. The climax leaves a few plot threads open-ended, meaning there is room for sequels in the future. I look forward to them as I had a blast with Eagle Ascending. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite

Imagine a thriller with a metahuman character at its core. It begins when a mysterious helicopter crash sends journalist Diana Willis into a web of intrigue and mayhem. After the crash, she awakens from a coma only to be troubled by some disturbing dreams about an episode from her past involving human experimentation. As she struggles to overcome her trauma, someone guides her to reawaken the dormant powers that lie within her. And as her power grows, she begins to make a connection with her past--knowledge that the government doesn’t want her to discover. Through telepathic transference, Diana is given the task of sending an important message, and she must get it to the right channels before it’s too late in Star Revelations by Steven Paul Terry.

I can give you five to six novels or films that run in the same vein as Star Revelations. One familiar theme here is the government chasing after a superpowered human being. But you really have to read this book to see how the author makes the whole storyline feel fresh. From the moment that Diana awakens from the accident, Steven Paul Terry makes you enter a world with limitless thrills. He has created Diana as a fascinating representation of mutated humanity. Her climactic mission and personal struggle make you realize that Terry's narrative tells a deeper story, one that is not just exciting, but tragic. Star Revelations is a fun and exciting work. Its fast and tight plot will keep you engaged and make you wait for the next installment with eagerness.