Reviewed by Patrick W. Emmett for Readers' Favorite

In Strange Fire by Joel Burcat, Teressa Bruno-Campbell is a bored housewife living in rural Pennsylvania with a husband who is frequently away from home. They allowed Yukon Oil and Gas to drill on their property for which they receive a royalty. Yukon began drilling and fracking the substrata of limestone and shale about a mile and a half from their home. During the drilling, the company contracted to have a fresh-water containment pond built to push water into the well for the fracking process. During construction, weather and pressure from Yukon’s management forced the site manager to release the blow-back water from the well into the containment pond, which it was not designed to do. Teressa accused Yukon of poisoning their well water due to the fracking. The lawyers line up. Yukon has 26-year-old Darius Moore. The Department of Environmental Protection, which issued the drilling permits, has a classmate in the form of Mike Jacobs. They have no love for one another. A local Environment Advocacy group is handling Teressa’s complaint.

The pond contractor goes missing, and Mike Jacobs begins an exciting investigation that takes him on several twists. I liked Strange Fire because it’s a thriller about lawyers and I found the author's depth of knowledge about structural geology fascinating. I also found the book compelling as I have a degree in geology and I love reading books about lawyers. The murder kept you reading to find out what happened to Cordova. The wrap-up was good. It's a shame the Chief was sacrificed and Vlad disappeared but that's the way mysteries work. The author's time spent crafting this novel was well spent. The book has its share of bad guys and they keep you on your toes to the conclusion. Joel Burcat has crafted a must-read book. I recommend you put this on your summer beach reading list.

Reviewed by Tom Gauthier for Readers' Favorite

Tusker is a stimulating journey through exotic places with equally exotic characters leading the way. Protagonist Sam Jardine carries the mantle of an amalgam of Cotton Malone, James Bond, and Scot Harvath to new and intriguing levels as he confronts antagonists who define the term "depths of depravity". From boardrooms of England to the wilderness of Southwest Africa, and from the search for a rare earth mineral to the rescue of a rare breed of elephants, Sam Jardine takes us on a perilous and captivating journey that tweaks your every emotion.

The anthropomorphizing of the Makolo elephants is a masterstroke, believable and integral to the enveloping subplot. The characters are as deep and complex as any you'll find. The complex love interest, Freja, a guide through emotional conflict, and the near-magical antics of the puckish African, Tennis Wina, keep Sam on a quest that even he didn't know existed at first, but soon reaches hypersonic speed. Equally complex is the evil Schenck, in juxtaposition to Freja, Sam, and the tribes. All this is under the hovering veil of the saga of the now ancient Hélène Sondheim who ultimately holds the answers Sam seeks. But you must wait until the end … as a good book always requires.

Christopher Hepworth deserves all the accolades he's received for his writing if Tusker is an example. The brilliant storytelling that can weave such widely varied time periods, geography, cultures, and characters into a coherent and deliciously entertaining tale is the epitome of the novelist's skills. While bombs, bullets, and bombastic behavior abound, they are quietly overshadowed by the tenderness, tenacity, and talent of the emotionally engaging cast of characters. Good writers draw on life experiences to underwrite authenticity in plots, and Hepworth is no exception. Growing up in Zambia is reflected in the sights, smells, swirling dust, and animal roars of Africa that encompass the readers of Tusker. For non-stop action, engaging characters, complex relationships, Chinese Communist plotters, a neo-Nazi evil cult, and ruthless elephant hunters bent on killing the soul of the Makolo tribe, Tusker offers unsurpassed brilliant writing from Christopher Hepworth. My thanks to Christopher for this brilliant experience, and my highest praise for his story of Tusker.

Reviewed by Leonard Smuts for Readers' Favorite

The topic of canned hunting and the trade in endangered species remains discreetly hidden from the public gaze. Astonishingly, it is not illegal in many states of the USA or even internationally, but generates huge revenues for those less inclined toward acknowledging animal rights. Kerry K Cox brings these malpractices to the fore in a hard-hitting and uncompromising manner. Through the eyes of Special Agent Nick Tanner, Canned Hunt explores the shadowy world of so-called outfitters who arrange for rare and exotic wildlife species to be hunted in circumstances where the target is deliberately captive and defenseless. Nick Tanner is tasked with uncovering those involved, but the story really begins with the shooting of a fellow agent in the course of her duties. This leads Nick to the backwoods, where he finds a web of conspiracy involving the local sheriff and the members of a fundamentalist church who believe that they have a God-given right to exploit nature. The church uses the proceeds they derive to further a right-wing supremacist agenda. As Nick and his colleagues close the net, they are exposed to increasing levels of personal danger, which culminates in a tense and dramatic standoff.

Although Canned Hunt is written as a novel, it highlights real-life issues and moral dilemmas. Law enforcement against canned hunting is often under-resourced and not always adequately supported by either political will or by local crime prevention agencies. Indeed, many citizens still assert their right to hunt, the only difference being the circumstances they regard as ethically acceptable. Kerry K Cox has researched this topic in depth and weaves an intricate tale of undercover operations, deceit, and personal risk in tracking down the culprits. He does this through a variety of interesting and exciting characters, whose adventures enrich the book. A personal favorite was Ray, a blind bobcat who Nick has legally adopted and later becomes an important part of the plot. I also welcomed the reference to the trade in rare butterflies, which do not enjoy the high profile of the larger predators but are equally endangered. A new and sinister development in the industry is remote, online hunting made possible by new technologies. The intriguing and original plot unfolds at a brisk pace, holding the reader’s attention to the end. The book is a fascinating journey into a little-known and secret world, where profits are protected at any cost and even humans can become fair game.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Fossilarchy is a work of fiction in the thriller, action, and environmental subgenres. It is intended for the general adult reading audience and was penned by author Tom Clark. This action-packed and politically-charged thriller novel sees two rebellious forces come together to tackle the planet’s climate emergency by any means necessary, no matter how drastic. As fossil fuels become the central target for destruction, an old legend is revived, and the scene is laid for battle in Australia as a key target for taking down the titular Fossilarchy, a lynchpin that will begin the collapse of everything that threatens our future world.

As a huge fan of the upswell in modern climate fiction, it was exciting to see the action-thriller genre taking up the mantle in this excellent work by author Tom Clark. One of the features that I especially enjoyed was the sense of urgency in the plot and surrounding context, and the build-up of frustration as characters are both wronged by the sinister fossil fuel industry and ignored despite their very legitimate concerns. Daring to walk an extreme line that could become a frightening reality if we don’t change our ways soon, the action scenes were cinematically penned against the stark backdrop of the coal industry. The political elements were intelligently considered, and then a selection of well-developed, tough, and determined characters carry us confidently through the narrative. Overall, I would highly recommend The Fossilarchy for thriller fans seeking something original and bang up to date to get their teeth into.

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Anarchy and Other Lies by Jesse McKinnell is a dystopian thriller set in a not-too-distant future where resources are scarce, pitting countries against each other on the brink of all-out nuclear warfare. Jake Anderson's life turns upside down when he finds himself unceremoniously fired from his job as a silverware designer, leading him to roam the streets amongst the homeless. After witnessing a bridge being blown up, Jake follows the person responsible for the act, Sam, narrowly avoiding a second bomb blast when she rescues him. Devoid of purpose and enamored with Sam, Jake joins the revolutionary group despite the wishes of Sam's accomplice, Cap. However, Jake soon realizes that Sam might be too extreme for him as he finds himself way in over his head.

Anarchy and Other Lies is a cautionary tale about a man embroiled in a situation of his own making that mirrors some real-world issues. With a fast-paced plot filled with twists and turns, author Jesse McKinnell's dystopian thriller puts its hooks in you from the first page and refuses to let go until the end. McKinnell's worldbuilding is impressive, using some real-world parallels to craft a believable dystopia. The characters have colorful personalities containing considerable depth, emerging with each page turned as the layers are peeled off slowly. Through Sam, McKinnell masterfully captures the psyche of the charismatic rebel with delusions of grandeur. Jake is her brainwashed admirer who quickly realizes what he got himself into. If you're a fan of dystopian thrillers, definitely check this one out.

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

The Path of the Tapir by Michael Jarvis is an environmental thriller. Peyton Paddington and Chloe Summers decide to travel to Costa Rica for fun, two college girls trying to find themselves while living it up. Death wasn’t in their plans but a fire at a palm oil company property ends in tragedy for the girls. The company hires Phillip Millege, a private investigator, to get to the truth and find a missing person, Ellis Hayden. He was the last person to see the girls before the fire and, with the help of several locals, Millege starts his investigation. However, the tables are turned when a mysterious mercenary turns the hunt on them with potentially terrifying consequences for everyone. Can Millege get to the bottom of the murders and will they find Hayden?

The Path of the Tapir by Michael Jarvis is more than just a thriller. It’s a story of environmental destruction and the consequences it has on human and animal life. It’s got everything you would expect – plenty of action, suspense, and mystery – along with a dash of terror thrown in for good measure. The characters are developed as real people that you can relate to and get to know well throughout the story, and the plot is unique, fast-paced, and with environmental aspects that are handled very well. There’s a lesson in this for all of us – if we don’t start looking after our planet, it will no longer have the ability to provide for us and will turn on us in ways we can’t imagine. A thought-provoking tale of suspense. Anyone who loves a good edge-of-your-seat thriller will love this.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Hero Gene is a work of fiction in the science fiction and climate fiction sub-genres and was penned by author Steven J. Doyle. Written for young adult audiences, this is a teen adventure story packed with plenty of drama, and it’s set in the near future of 2032 when the planet’s climate and extreme weather have gotten even more out of control. Our protagonist Sam suffers from a mysterious condition called solar narcolepsy that stops him from feeling like he’s a regular teen, and his life is about to take an even stranger turn when his climate scientist father vanishes on the other side of the world.

Author Steven J. Doyle has crafted a highly engaging young adult adventure with plenty of relatable teenage emotions and attitudes, plus a whole lot of high-stakes excitement. I was so pleased to see the climate fiction genre branching further out into the teen fiction world, offering a covert political angle on the dangers for future youth if we don’t take care of our planet. Sam has a lot of the typical insecurities of teens which will make him very relatable to the reading audience, and his character arc is well planned for him to learn and grow into his own uniqueness as the adventure continues. I also felt that the use of imagined future tech and the dialogue were great near-future touches to the atmosphere. Overall, I would certainly recommend The Hero Gene as a thrilling read with a great message for YA fans and adults alike.

Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

Kesterson by Craig Wilson is an environmental suspense novel based on the real-life selenium poisoning that occurred at the former Kesterson National Wildlife Refuge. Wilson begins with an immediate rush of intrigue as two men make their way toward a target, aiming to kill. The murder-for-hire is foiled when their target evades them, running to safety and soon after relaying a story he says is over a decade in the making. From there, the book shifts to a narrative that reads like it is present tense but is, in fact, Phil retracing events that extend back to the 1950s. The establishment of Kesterson involves deep corporate pockets and, initially, congress. By the time thousands of acres of Kesterson wetlands are so toxic that the wildlife is either decimated or the next generation is deformed, it becomes very clear that the stakes are too high, the corruption is too deep, and the greed is so intense that forcing change will be as deadly as the water.

Craig Wilson's Kesterson is a fact-heavy novel and Wilson delivers the wildlife version of Erin Brockovich as he weaves between then and now. The writing style is simple for suspense but the backstory is rich and because of this, and the amount of information we're deftly provided with by characters instead of the usual narrative dumps, the simplicity of prose is a welcome reprieve. The disparity between the rich and not-so-rich is on full display as the former are able to navigate rather comfortably at the expense of the latter. It's equally infuriating and heartbreaking to read. A shocking twist involving carbon-monoxide poisoning hammers home the extent of foul play in Wilson's iteration. I loved Phil and Amy who feel like the type of people I'd want to be friends with. This is a really good read and I'm so happy to have stumbled across it.