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Recommend this book:
The Second Korean War
Ted Halstead
2019 Finalist
540 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - General
Reviewed By Ray Simmons for Readers' Favorite
I don’t know who Ted Halstead is, but I know one thing about him for sure. While writing The Second Korean War, he did his homework. I spent four years in the demilitarized zone in the 1980s. I've walked in a couple of tunnels big enough to roll an army through, a platoon at a time. Ted got it right. The only things he failed to mention are a couple of things that I’m pretty sure are classified top secret. It wouldn't be cool to talk about that stuff. I go out of my way to find books on Korea and the Korean War. I am usually disappointed by authors who don’t know anything about the real situation, or they just don’t know how to write about it in a style that appeals to me. In Ted Halstead, I have found someone who knows a lot and knows how to write about it in a very appealing style.
As I think about why I liked The Second Korean War so much, a few things come to mind. The setting is important, and I appreciated an author who took the time to get it right. Then there is the writing itself. As I read the passages which featured submarine warfare or the political ramifications of war on the Korean peninsula, I felt it was very realistic. As realistic as the discussions and observations with other American soldiers and South Korean nationals I had when I was in that arena. Then there are the characters. Their actions and emotions rang true to me, which is why I consider The Second Korean War to be one of the best books I have ever read on the subject.
I don’t know who Ted Halstead is, but I know one thing about him for sure. While writing The Second Korean War, he did his homework. I spent four years in the demilitarized zone in the 1980s. I've walked in a couple of tunnels big enough to roll an army through, a platoon at a time. Ted got it right. The only things he failed to mention are a couple of things that I’m pretty sure are classified top secret. It wouldn't be cool to talk about that stuff. I go out of my way to find books on Korea and the Korean War. I am usually disappointed by authors who don’t know anything about the real situation, or they just don’t know how to write about it in a style that appeals to me. In Ted Halstead, I have found someone who knows a lot and knows how to write about it in a very appealing style.
As I think about why I liked The Second Korean War so much, a few things come to mind. The setting is important, and I appreciated an author who took the time to get it right. Then there is the writing itself. As I read the passages which featured submarine warfare or the political ramifications of war on the Korean peninsula, I felt it was very realistic. As realistic as the discussions and observations with other American soldiers and South Korean nationals I had when I was in that arena. Then there are the characters. Their actions and emotions rang true to me, which is why I consider The Second Korean War to be one of the best books I have ever read on the subject.
Recommend this book:
A Scribe Dies In Brooklyn
Marvin J. Wolf
2019 Honorable Mention
430 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - General
Reviewed By Astrid Iustulin for Readers' Favorite
Marvin J. Wolf’s A Scribe Dies in Brooklyn is one of the finest mystery books I have read in recent times. With a wonderful blend of suspense, action, and humor, it has all the ingredients of the best-written stories. I have been waiting to find a book like this for a long time. Its plot revolves around the search for the missing third part of the Aleppo Codex, the oldest complete Hebrew Bible in the world. The President of Israel gives the job of finding it to Rabbi Ben during a secret meeting. Rabbi Ben’s research leads him to Brooklyn, where the old man who had allegedly taken the Codex out of Syria lived. Anyway, the old man died and the Codex disappeared again. Rabbi Ben will try to find it with the help of the deceased’s charming grandniece, Miryam.
We need more books like A Scribe Dies in Brooklyn. Its aura of mystery captivates the reader’s attention from the first page, and it keeps them reading the book until the end. Unexpected turns of events have one glued to the page, constantly waiting for what will happen next. Wolf creates the right atmosphere for this kind of story without neglecting wit and intelligence. I really enjoyed his essential but meaningful descriptions and his lively, often funny dialogues. The characters are remarkable for the humanity of their deeds and thoughts. It is easy to sympathize with them. A Scribe Dies in Brooklyn is the perfect book for anyone who enjoys excellent writing.
Marvin J. Wolf’s A Scribe Dies in Brooklyn is one of the finest mystery books I have read in recent times. With a wonderful blend of suspense, action, and humor, it has all the ingredients of the best-written stories. I have been waiting to find a book like this for a long time. Its plot revolves around the search for the missing third part of the Aleppo Codex, the oldest complete Hebrew Bible in the world. The President of Israel gives the job of finding it to Rabbi Ben during a secret meeting. Rabbi Ben’s research leads him to Brooklyn, where the old man who had allegedly taken the Codex out of Syria lived. Anyway, the old man died and the Codex disappeared again. Rabbi Ben will try to find it with the help of the deceased’s charming grandniece, Miryam.
We need more books like A Scribe Dies in Brooklyn. Its aura of mystery captivates the reader’s attention from the first page, and it keeps them reading the book until the end. Unexpected turns of events have one glued to the page, constantly waiting for what will happen next. Wolf creates the right atmosphere for this kind of story without neglecting wit and intelligence. I really enjoyed his essential but meaningful descriptions and his lively, often funny dialogues. The characters are remarkable for the humanity of their deeds and thoughts. It is easy to sympathize with them. A Scribe Dies in Brooklyn is the perfect book for anyone who enjoys excellent writing.
Recommend this book:
Fishermen's Court
Andrew Wolfendon
2019 Bronze Medal
357 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - General
Reviewed By Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite
Fishermen's Court by Andrew Wolfendon is a thriller about how one mistake can change a whole life. Finn Carroll just about survives on his meager income. A failed artist and a failed human, at least in his eyes, the last thing Finn expected when he returned home was to be attacked and made to commit suicide. He survives but a fake suicide note reveals information that leaves him cold – information he thought only he knew about an event that took place eighteen years before. This starts Finn off on a journey back to Musqasset Island, once his home and now the home of Miles, his best friend. He needs to discover who is after him and why has it taken them so long? The island is shut down as a raging storm breaks, trapping Finn on the island with his would-be killers and his past. With his shaky mental state, an alcoholic sister and people he thought were his friends, Finn’s life is about to take a turn that he never dreamed of – but can he survive it? And will he ever be the same again?
Wow! Andrew Wolfendon is now one of my new favorite authors. Fishermen’s Court is his debut novel and it is fantastic. A thriller of epic proportions, this is one of the most suspenseful books I ever had the pleasure to read. And believe me when I say this, it really was a pleasure to read. The action kicks off on the first page in an exquisitely written story and the suspense continues to build all the way through. The twists and turns lead you on an amazing journey through the present and the past in a wonderful jigsaw; the pieces are there but it doesn’t fall into place until the very end. There are plenty of suspects and more than one story here that meld together at the very end. The characters are excellent; their stories come out through the book as you learn who they are, what makes them tick and what really happened all those years ago. With plenty of action and a great pace, this book will keep you guessing right to the very end and, like me, you won't want to put it down. Fabulous story, I really hope to read more like this from Andrew Wolfendon in the near future.
Fishermen's Court by Andrew Wolfendon is a thriller about how one mistake can change a whole life. Finn Carroll just about survives on his meager income. A failed artist and a failed human, at least in his eyes, the last thing Finn expected when he returned home was to be attacked and made to commit suicide. He survives but a fake suicide note reveals information that leaves him cold – information he thought only he knew about an event that took place eighteen years before. This starts Finn off on a journey back to Musqasset Island, once his home and now the home of Miles, his best friend. He needs to discover who is after him and why has it taken them so long? The island is shut down as a raging storm breaks, trapping Finn on the island with his would-be killers and his past. With his shaky mental state, an alcoholic sister and people he thought were his friends, Finn’s life is about to take a turn that he never dreamed of – but can he survive it? And will he ever be the same again?
Wow! Andrew Wolfendon is now one of my new favorite authors. Fishermen’s Court is his debut novel and it is fantastic. A thriller of epic proportions, this is one of the most suspenseful books I ever had the pleasure to read. And believe me when I say this, it really was a pleasure to read. The action kicks off on the first page in an exquisitely written story and the suspense continues to build all the way through. The twists and turns lead you on an amazing journey through the present and the past in a wonderful jigsaw; the pieces are there but it doesn’t fall into place until the very end. There are plenty of suspects and more than one story here that meld together at the very end. The characters are excellent; their stories come out through the book as you learn who they are, what makes them tick and what really happened all those years ago. With plenty of action and a great pace, this book will keep you guessing right to the very end and, like me, you won't want to put it down. Fabulous story, I really hope to read more like this from Andrew Wolfendon in the near future.
Recommend this book:
The Moving Blade
Michael Pronko
2019 Silver Medal
339 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - General
Reviewed By K.J. Simmill for Readers' Favorite
Jamie hadn't seen her father, Bernard Mattson, for years. They had drifted apart, but things had been about to change. They had planned to reunite, but then his murder put a stop to the plan. But murder is not the only thing she finds in his wake. A robbery on the day of his funeral suggests there may be more to the murder of the renowned diplomat than meets the eye. Jamie is eager to discover the truth about what befell her father. On the case is Detective Hiroshi Shimizu, along with his motley crew of ex-Sumo wrestlers, rugby players, and private investigators. With nothing but a wiped computer, stolen statues, and erotic prints, it seems an impossible task. But the body count is rising and answers are demanded. Can they uncover the truth before more people fall to the blade?
Culturally rich and seductively compelling, The Moving Blade is a must-read for lovers of murder mystery novels and crime fiction fans. Great attention to detail in both setting, lifestyle, and characters has been applied to create an atmospheric, tense, and engaging read which is further enhanced by Michael Pronko's skilled narrative. Plots, protests, questions, and secrets fill the pages and drive the reader forward through the engaging and well constructed plot. The characters are rich, deep, and vibrant, each with their own very distinctive rules, personality, relationships, and objectives. I can honestly say I enjoyed every minute I spent reading this, and it gets something I save only for those special books I really connect with: my heartfelt recommendation! Whether you're looking for a suspenseful and engaging read, or just something to pass the time, you should give The Moving Blade a try.
Jamie hadn't seen her father, Bernard Mattson, for years. They had drifted apart, but things had been about to change. They had planned to reunite, but then his murder put a stop to the plan. But murder is not the only thing she finds in his wake. A robbery on the day of his funeral suggests there may be more to the murder of the renowned diplomat than meets the eye. Jamie is eager to discover the truth about what befell her father. On the case is Detective Hiroshi Shimizu, along with his motley crew of ex-Sumo wrestlers, rugby players, and private investigators. With nothing but a wiped computer, stolen statues, and erotic prints, it seems an impossible task. But the body count is rising and answers are demanded. Can they uncover the truth before more people fall to the blade?
Culturally rich and seductively compelling, The Moving Blade is a must-read for lovers of murder mystery novels and crime fiction fans. Great attention to detail in both setting, lifestyle, and characters has been applied to create an atmospheric, tense, and engaging read which is further enhanced by Michael Pronko's skilled narrative. Plots, protests, questions, and secrets fill the pages and drive the reader forward through the engaging and well constructed plot. The characters are rich, deep, and vibrant, each with their own very distinctive rules, personality, relationships, and objectives. I can honestly say I enjoyed every minute I spent reading this, and it gets something I save only for those special books I really connect with: my heartfelt recommendation! Whether you're looking for a suspenseful and engaging read, or just something to pass the time, you should give The Moving Blade a try.
Recommend this book:
The Deep Blue Crush
Mac Crow Thriller # 3
Clint Hollingsworth
2019 Gold Medal
218 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - General
Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
The Deep Blue Crush is a work of thriller fiction penned by author Clint Hollingsworth and is the third book in the series of Mac Crow Thrillers. In this action-packed new adventure, Mac and his bounty hunter associates are back to hunt down a charlatan who has been taking retirement savings from vulnerable senior citizens. The adventure turns tropical as the chase goes on, taking Mac to the beautiful but deadly shores of the Hawaiian islands to track down the culprits. From forest fires to deep sea diving, this is one vacation that Mac and his crew will wish they hadn’t taken.
I really enjoyed this zany, over the top action romp in the same way you’d enjoy movies of that nature. The crew surrounding Mac and Rosa are hilarious, a little like their own version of the A-Team, and each with their own abilities that help (or sometimes hinder) the investigation. Author Clint Hollingsworth really knows how to write zippy dialogue that makes the exposition scenes entertaining, and lightens the mood of the read even during tense sections where the thriller elements kick in. This is a mostly clean read that readers from around fifteen and up can happily enjoy. The plot is well constructed but not too complex, allowing for plenty of action, fighting and wild stunts from page to page. I also thought the survival aspect that crept in as the story progressed added another layer of interest, making The Deep Blue Crush a great read for action fiction fans everywhere.
The Deep Blue Crush is a work of thriller fiction penned by author Clint Hollingsworth and is the third book in the series of Mac Crow Thrillers. In this action-packed new adventure, Mac and his bounty hunter associates are back to hunt down a charlatan who has been taking retirement savings from vulnerable senior citizens. The adventure turns tropical as the chase goes on, taking Mac to the beautiful but deadly shores of the Hawaiian islands to track down the culprits. From forest fires to deep sea diving, this is one vacation that Mac and his crew will wish they hadn’t taken.
I really enjoyed this zany, over the top action romp in the same way you’d enjoy movies of that nature. The crew surrounding Mac and Rosa are hilarious, a little like their own version of the A-Team, and each with their own abilities that help (or sometimes hinder) the investigation. Author Clint Hollingsworth really knows how to write zippy dialogue that makes the exposition scenes entertaining, and lightens the mood of the read even during tense sections where the thriller elements kick in. This is a mostly clean read that readers from around fifteen and up can happily enjoy. The plot is well constructed but not too complex, allowing for plenty of action, fighting and wild stunts from page to page. I also thought the survival aspect that crept in as the story progressed added another layer of interest, making The Deep Blue Crush a great read for action fiction fans everywhere.
Recommend this book:
A Line Intersected
David Grant Urban
2018 Finalist
422 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - General
Reviewed By Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite
A Line Intersected by David Grant Urban is a tale of distressing fortunes. Michael Collwood is a reputable architect in San Diego, a man loved by the people until his wife is murdered by means of a drug overdose. He becomes a person of interest in the case, and with that comes a swift and downward spiral in his life. With the support from friends gone, his career destroyed, and no home, he turns to the one thing to which despair leads men — alcohol. Time has gone by and there is no update on the case and, tired of living without his self-respect, Michael sets out for the wilderness where he intends to end his life. But a surprise awaits him, a fortune that will put two million dollars into his hands ... and a hundred kilos of cocaine. Now he has a purpose — to uncover the face behind his wife’s murder. He just doesn’t know what awaits him, and it would be best for readers to find out themselves.
This novel is successful on multiple levels. I was pulled in by the author’s storytelling skills. The story begins at a slow pace, with descriptions of a homeless old man, his love for literature, and his wisdom, and gracefully transitions to a memorable day that the protagonist shares with his beautiful wife. It’s a brilliant prelude to a crisis point! The author introduces the crisis in the second chapter of the story, and from then the reader is pulled into a whirlwind of action and intensely emotional scenes, until the conflict escalates to involve the DEA and the Tijuana drug cartel. David Grant Urban writes with grace and his prose offers the precision that readers long for when they read crime and investigation novels. The protagonist is a deeply wounded man and his quest for revenge comes across just so naturally to readers. I found A Line Intersected to be a satisfactory read and won’t hesitate in giving it a 5-star rating.
A Line Intersected by David Grant Urban is a tale of distressing fortunes. Michael Collwood is a reputable architect in San Diego, a man loved by the people until his wife is murdered by means of a drug overdose. He becomes a person of interest in the case, and with that comes a swift and downward spiral in his life. With the support from friends gone, his career destroyed, and no home, he turns to the one thing to which despair leads men — alcohol. Time has gone by and there is no update on the case and, tired of living without his self-respect, Michael sets out for the wilderness where he intends to end his life. But a surprise awaits him, a fortune that will put two million dollars into his hands ... and a hundred kilos of cocaine. Now he has a purpose — to uncover the face behind his wife’s murder. He just doesn’t know what awaits him, and it would be best for readers to find out themselves.
This novel is successful on multiple levels. I was pulled in by the author’s storytelling skills. The story begins at a slow pace, with descriptions of a homeless old man, his love for literature, and his wisdom, and gracefully transitions to a memorable day that the protagonist shares with his beautiful wife. It’s a brilliant prelude to a crisis point! The author introduces the crisis in the second chapter of the story, and from then the reader is pulled into a whirlwind of action and intensely emotional scenes, until the conflict escalates to involve the DEA and the Tijuana drug cartel. David Grant Urban writes with grace and his prose offers the precision that readers long for when they read crime and investigation novels. The protagonist is a deeply wounded man and his quest for revenge comes across just so naturally to readers. I found A Line Intersected to be a satisfactory read and won’t hesitate in giving it a 5-star rating.
Recommend this book:
The History Major
A Novella
Michael Phillip Cash
2018 Finalist
130 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - General
Reviewed By K.J. Simmill for Readers' Favorite
The History Major is a paranormal novella written by Michael Phillip Cash. Amanda Greene awoke awash with confusion; she remembered drinking too much, but not what had happened, nor why she hurt so much. Things seemed to have changed overnight. Trees that were thick with leaves yesterday had succumbed to autumn in the space of a single evening, almost as if a mirror to her own heartache. She and her boyfriend, Patrick, had fought, and now he was out of her life forever; already she felt lost without him. But this was not all that had changed - her timetable was no longer the one she remembered, her classes had altered and she found herself scheduled for History, something she had wished to avoid, and it seemed that no one was willing to correct the mistake. It is said people get trapped in history, and as the doors close and she is forced to go to her seat, these words take on a whole new meaning.
I thought Michael Phillip Cash's way of integrating history with the story was brilliant. We meet Joan of Arc, portrayed in a fashion that is wonderful to read. Though I'll admit to not being much of a history reader, I found this portrayal fitted the style of an urban fantasy perfectly and brilliantly reflected exactly what they were attempting to achieve. Lucrezia Borgia and other characters all appear to lend a helping hand in ways you'd never imagine. I was completely enthralled by this story, wondering exactly what had happened, what the dark force stalking Amanda was, and how she came to find herself in this strange situation. I enjoyed this book so much I was actually disappointed when it finished, although it finished at the perfect point. This is certainly a gripping read, with some unique ideas and philosophical applications. For a fascinating, intriguing read, look nor further than The History Major.
The History Major is a paranormal novella written by Michael Phillip Cash. Amanda Greene awoke awash with confusion; she remembered drinking too much, but not what had happened, nor why she hurt so much. Things seemed to have changed overnight. Trees that were thick with leaves yesterday had succumbed to autumn in the space of a single evening, almost as if a mirror to her own heartache. She and her boyfriend, Patrick, had fought, and now he was out of her life forever; already she felt lost without him. But this was not all that had changed - her timetable was no longer the one she remembered, her classes had altered and she found herself scheduled for History, something she had wished to avoid, and it seemed that no one was willing to correct the mistake. It is said people get trapped in history, and as the doors close and she is forced to go to her seat, these words take on a whole new meaning.
I thought Michael Phillip Cash's way of integrating history with the story was brilliant. We meet Joan of Arc, portrayed in a fashion that is wonderful to read. Though I'll admit to not being much of a history reader, I found this portrayal fitted the style of an urban fantasy perfectly and brilliantly reflected exactly what they were attempting to achieve. Lucrezia Borgia and other characters all appear to lend a helping hand in ways you'd never imagine. I was completely enthralled by this story, wondering exactly what had happened, what the dark force stalking Amanda was, and how she came to find herself in this strange situation. I enjoyed this book so much I was actually disappointed when it finished, although it finished at the perfect point. This is certainly a gripping read, with some unique ideas and philosophical applications. For a fascinating, intriguing read, look nor further than The History Major.
Recommend this book:
An American Cage
A Prison-break Psychological Thriller
Ted Galdi
2018 Honorable Mention
330 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - General
Reviewed By Arya Fomonyuy for Readers' Favorite
An American Cage: A Prison-break Psychological Thriller by Ted Galdi is a spellbinding, action-packed, and emotionally intense novel that follows three prisoners after they break out from a Texas maximum-security prison. Now out of prison, Danny Marsh, a twenty-something-year-old man, convicted for a crime he never intended to commit, must work together with two others to get to Mexico. But he soon realizes that it isn’t just his freedom he will be fighting for; he will have to fight to stay alive because there is an enemy among his closest friends, one who is just as ready to see him sink beneath the mire. Can he navigate the dangerous relationships and the harsh physical landscapes and get to freedom? But what does freedom really mean? Follow the protagonist embroiled with himself in a psychological battle that propels him to question everything about his values as he deals with treacherous people, and as he experiences new encounters.
Ted Galdi’s book is a sharp psychological thriller with great elements of mainstream detective action, a story with an unusual plot and a timeline of forty-eight hours within which an enormous amount of action takes place. It is pulsating, to say the least, and readers will enjoy watching the protagonist make difficult choices and narrow escapes. A lot of realism is injected into the story and the characters are so humanely flawed that readers will find it hard not to relate to them. This book combines the craft of great storytelling with plot twists and gritty realism to offer up characters that readers will think about even after the book is finished. An American Cage: A Prison-break Psychological Thriller is a great read, a real page-turner.
An American Cage: A Prison-break Psychological Thriller by Ted Galdi is a spellbinding, action-packed, and emotionally intense novel that follows three prisoners after they break out from a Texas maximum-security prison. Now out of prison, Danny Marsh, a twenty-something-year-old man, convicted for a crime he never intended to commit, must work together with two others to get to Mexico. But he soon realizes that it isn’t just his freedom he will be fighting for; he will have to fight to stay alive because there is an enemy among his closest friends, one who is just as ready to see him sink beneath the mire. Can he navigate the dangerous relationships and the harsh physical landscapes and get to freedom? But what does freedom really mean? Follow the protagonist embroiled with himself in a psychological battle that propels him to question everything about his values as he deals with treacherous people, and as he experiences new encounters.
Ted Galdi’s book is a sharp psychological thriller with great elements of mainstream detective action, a story with an unusual plot and a timeline of forty-eight hours within which an enormous amount of action takes place. It is pulsating, to say the least, and readers will enjoy watching the protagonist make difficult choices and narrow escapes. A lot of realism is injected into the story and the characters are so humanely flawed that readers will find it hard not to relate to them. This book combines the craft of great storytelling with plot twists and gritty realism to offer up characters that readers will think about even after the book is finished. An American Cage: A Prison-break Psychological Thriller is a great read, a real page-turner.
Recommend this book:
 by Dina Santorelli, the governor’s daughter is kidnapped and Jamie, a newly divorced, struggling writer, finds herself smack dab in the middle of the crime. Forced into the role of the little girl’s caretaker by her captors, Jamie is forced to find a way to protect the child and save herself from near...){kind=link}
Baby Grand
Baby Grand Trilogy Book 1
Dina Santorelli
2018 Honorable Mention
359 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - General
Reviewed By Stacie Haas for Readers' Favorite
In Baby Grand (Baby Grand Trilogy Book One) by Dina Santorelli, the governor’s daughter is kidnapped and Jamie, a newly divorced, struggling writer, finds herself smack dab in the middle of the crime. Forced into the role of the little girl’s caretaker by her captors, Jamie is forced to find a way to protect the child and save herself from near certain death. The kidnapped Baby Grand brings four very different family units together in unique and surprising emotional relationships: Jamie’s ex-husband and brother; the distraught nanny and her nephews; New York’s First Family; and the notorious crime family who set the action in motion. Will Jamie’s brother find her in time and will the Governor and First Lady figure out what’s going on before it’s too late?
Baby Grand by Dina Santorelli starts right in the middle of the action—the kidnapping of the governor’s daughter—and proceeds at a frantic pace to a dramatic and surprising conclusion that left me wanting more. Given that Baby Grand is the first in a trilogy, that’s a very good thing! I loved the character of Jamie—her journey through this book is irresistible and engrossing as she finds herself in harrowing circumstances. It’s a tale of survival and unexpected emotional connections. Baby Grand has a fantastic cast of secondary characters too, each with their own arc and journey, and all against the backdrop of crime, love, sex, and embedded familial complications. Highly recommended for lovers of crime fiction, family drama, and fast-paced fiction!
In Baby Grand (Baby Grand Trilogy Book One) by Dina Santorelli, the governor’s daughter is kidnapped and Jamie, a newly divorced, struggling writer, finds herself smack dab in the middle of the crime. Forced into the role of the little girl’s caretaker by her captors, Jamie is forced to find a way to protect the child and save herself from near certain death. The kidnapped Baby Grand brings four very different family units together in unique and surprising emotional relationships: Jamie’s ex-husband and brother; the distraught nanny and her nephews; New York’s First Family; and the notorious crime family who set the action in motion. Will Jamie’s brother find her in time and will the Governor and First Lady figure out what’s going on before it’s too late?
Baby Grand by Dina Santorelli starts right in the middle of the action—the kidnapping of the governor’s daughter—and proceeds at a frantic pace to a dramatic and surprising conclusion that left me wanting more. Given that Baby Grand is the first in a trilogy, that’s a very good thing! I loved the character of Jamie—her journey through this book is irresistible and engrossing as she finds herself in harrowing circumstances. It’s a tale of survival and unexpected emotional connections. Baby Grand has a fantastic cast of secondary characters too, each with their own arc and journey, and all against the backdrop of crime, love, sex, and embedded familial complications. Highly recommended for lovers of crime fiction, family drama, and fast-paced fiction!
Recommend this book:
Cachibache
Book two of the Director series
Zach Fortier
2018 Bronze Medal
192 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - General
Reviewed By Arya Fomonyuy for Readers' Favorite
Cachibache is the second book in the Director series by Zach Fortier, a quick, suspenseful story that is as entertaining as it is intense, a story with a setting that excites readers as much as the exhilarating plot. After admitting that Camp Baroota has been a failed project, the Director gets back to work, masterminding the creation of Camp Cachibache, strategically located and hidden. But before things get exciting for the camp, a dangerous enemy resurfaces from the Director’s past, the psychotic known as the Wild Card, who is poised for revenge and will stop at nothing to see to it that the Director is completely destroyed. Will Nick Hudson and his accomplice from Camp Baroota, Nõnkos Zia, get their revenge on the Director or could things work out differently? It is interesting to follow these compelling characters as they engage in a powerful conflict, taking readers on a rollercoaster, pulsating ride that will get them emotionally involved and utterly intrigued.
The story starts with Nick, bored and irritated, waiting at the bus stop, and the reader quickly gets an idea of the kind of character he is: sick and unstable. He is a person with zero tolerance for tardiness and the reader already knows that it will be easy to get this character to reveal “his surly personality.” The plot is fast, unpredictable, and readers will be thrilled by the surprises that come as exquisite treats for them. The writing is great, and the balance between dialogue and descriptive prose is measured and masterfully accomplished. Cachibache is a breezy read, the kind of book readers complete in few hours, but one of those rare thrillers whose characters stay in the reader’s mind long after the book is shelved. Zach Fortier may be a master of the genre for he has created a thriller that readers will find hard to put down.
Cachibache is the second book in the Director series by Zach Fortier, a quick, suspenseful story that is as entertaining as it is intense, a story with a setting that excites readers as much as the exhilarating plot. After admitting that Camp Baroota has been a failed project, the Director gets back to work, masterminding the creation of Camp Cachibache, strategically located and hidden. But before things get exciting for the camp, a dangerous enemy resurfaces from the Director’s past, the psychotic known as the Wild Card, who is poised for revenge and will stop at nothing to see to it that the Director is completely destroyed. Will Nick Hudson and his accomplice from Camp Baroota, Nõnkos Zia, get their revenge on the Director or could things work out differently? It is interesting to follow these compelling characters as they engage in a powerful conflict, taking readers on a rollercoaster, pulsating ride that will get them emotionally involved and utterly intrigued.
The story starts with Nick, bored and irritated, waiting at the bus stop, and the reader quickly gets an idea of the kind of character he is: sick and unstable. He is a person with zero tolerance for tardiness and the reader already knows that it will be easy to get this character to reveal “his surly personality.” The plot is fast, unpredictable, and readers will be thrilled by the surprises that come as exquisite treats for them. The writing is great, and the balance between dialogue and descriptive prose is measured and masterfully accomplished. Cachibache is a breezy read, the kind of book readers complete in few hours, but one of those rare thrillers whose characters stay in the reader’s mind long after the book is shelved. Zach Fortier may be a master of the genre for he has created a thriller that readers will find hard to put down.
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