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The Korpes Agenda
The Korpes File Series - Book 2
J. I. Rogers
2020 Honorable Mention
444 Pages
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Fiction - Science Fiction
Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite
The Korpes Agenda by J. I. Rogers is the second book in the Korpes File Series. This is the story of Nash Korpes, a Master-Tech who barely got out of the Korlune Military Research and Development with his limbs and soul intact. When he got out of there, he joined Harlo-Fyre, hoping that things would be better and life easier for him. For once, he thought that his future would be safe and secure, but he could not have been more wrong. However, he is not as sure of himself as he used to be, nor does he have friends that he can rely on. To make matters worse, something dark and dangerous is lurking on the periphery. Nash has to do something and he has to do is fast. Can he do it? Or will he be too late?
Although I have not read the first novel in the series, I had no problems catching up with the storyline and becoming invested in the lives of the characters. Nash Korpes is such a conflicted character. He is flawed, determined and accepting of his nature; however, that does not stop him from trying hard to do better. I enjoyed the plot; it had action, adventure and a healthy dose of suspense that kept me reading on and on. I enjoyed the fast pace of the story and how Nash seemed to be directing everything. He was the focal point of the story and he really lived up to it. He is such a human character; he had flaws, he had his quirks and he knew where his strengths lay. The overall atmosphere and the suspense had me reading on and wanting more. Very, very entertaining!
The Korpes Agenda by J. I. Rogers is the second book in the Korpes File Series. This is the story of Nash Korpes, a Master-Tech who barely got out of the Korlune Military Research and Development with his limbs and soul intact. When he got out of there, he joined Harlo-Fyre, hoping that things would be better and life easier for him. For once, he thought that his future would be safe and secure, but he could not have been more wrong. However, he is not as sure of himself as he used to be, nor does he have friends that he can rely on. To make matters worse, something dark and dangerous is lurking on the periphery. Nash has to do something and he has to do is fast. Can he do it? Or will he be too late?
Although I have not read the first novel in the series, I had no problems catching up with the storyline and becoming invested in the lives of the characters. Nash Korpes is such a conflicted character. He is flawed, determined and accepting of his nature; however, that does not stop him from trying hard to do better. I enjoyed the plot; it had action, adventure and a healthy dose of suspense that kept me reading on and on. I enjoyed the fast pace of the story and how Nash seemed to be directing everything. He was the focal point of the story and he really lived up to it. He is such a human character; he had flaws, he had his quirks and he knew where his strengths lay. The overall atmosphere and the suspense had me reading on and wanting more. Very, very entertaining!
Recommend this book:
Sparkles of the Season
Susan Jean Ricci
2020 Gold Medal
89 Pages
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Fiction - Short Story/Novela
Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite
Sparkles of the Season by Susan Jean Ricci is a short seasonal story. Sonia is facing losing her husband to an early death. Lars plays in the NFL but his wife doesn’t share his passion for the game, left at home with their son while he’s off touring. When she serves him with divorce papers during a game when he gets injured, he starts a battle for the custody of their son, Jeff. After losing her husband, Sonia picks up her camera again and sets up her own business. Hired as Santa’s Helper, she photographs the children as they visit him in his grotto. And that’s when she meets Lars and Jeff. Falling hard for each other, Lars and Sonia find themselves being egged on by their own single parents. With Christmas and the New Year on the way, can the season work its magic? Or will real life get in the way?
Sparkles of the Season by Susan Jean Ricci is a short, sweet story. It’s not just a Christmas romance story; it’s a story about dealing with loss, about learning to grow and about second chances. There are two separate stories that intertwine perfectly, with well-developed characters that are realistic and likable. You will feel the pain, the joy and the love these characters feel as their stories play out in this heartwarming tale. You don’t need to wait for the holiday season to read this; it’s a charming read at any time of the year. It is well-written with a great plot and more than enough action to keep you reading. It deals with loss and grief very well in a story that will stay with you long after you have finished it.
Sparkles of the Season by Susan Jean Ricci is a short seasonal story. Sonia is facing losing her husband to an early death. Lars plays in the NFL but his wife doesn’t share his passion for the game, left at home with their son while he’s off touring. When she serves him with divorce papers during a game when he gets injured, he starts a battle for the custody of their son, Jeff. After losing her husband, Sonia picks up her camera again and sets up her own business. Hired as Santa’s Helper, she photographs the children as they visit him in his grotto. And that’s when she meets Lars and Jeff. Falling hard for each other, Lars and Sonia find themselves being egged on by their own single parents. With Christmas and the New Year on the way, can the season work its magic? Or will real life get in the way?
Sparkles of the Season by Susan Jean Ricci is a short, sweet story. It’s not just a Christmas romance story; it’s a story about dealing with loss, about learning to grow and about second chances. There are two separate stories that intertwine perfectly, with well-developed characters that are realistic and likable. You will feel the pain, the joy and the love these characters feel as their stories play out in this heartwarming tale. You don’t need to wait for the holiday season to read this; it’s a charming read at any time of the year. It is well-written with a great plot and more than enough action to keep you reading. It deals with loss and grief very well in a story that will stay with you long after you have finished it.
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The Opium Lord's Daughter
Robert Wang
2020 Gold Medal
308 Pages
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Fiction - Social Issues
Reviewed by Lucinda E Clarke for Readers' Favorite
I have just finished reading The Opium Lord’s Daughter by Robert Wang, which tells the story of the family of Lord Lee Shao Lin, his daughter Su-Mei and his number one son Lee da Ping during the time of the Opium Wars between Britain and China. Many people may not know of the travesty of this unevenly fought war when the British navy attacked China to ensure uninterrupted trade in tea, porcelain, silks, and spices. Since China had no need to import anything from the west, the currency used to buy Chinese goods was Chinese silver which the British obtained by illegally importing opium into China. Everyone was involved, the Chinese merchants, the corrupt customs officials, the addicts who would do what it took to obtain more of the drug. But then the Emperor issued a decree to halt the trade and the troubles begin. At this time, Sue-Mei meets Travers Higgins from Yorkshire and falls in love – a cross-cultural affair unheard of and disapproved of in 1840. The stage is set for an explosive story in more ways than one.
The Opium Lord’s Daughter is one of the best books I have read this year. I read it in a day and a half and loved every bit of it. The characters leaped off the pages. I connected with Sue-Mei, the heroine, and the words flowed effortlessly. For the hours I was engrossed in this book, I was living in the 1800s in China, surrounded by the sights and smells, the customs and the laughter and sorrow of the young couple and their family. The historical information was woven seamlessly into the story and I suspect the author researched the facts thoroughly, backed up by the pictures in the back of the book featuring many of the real characters mentioned at the time. A fairly balanced argument from both sides which highlights the greed and avarice and arrogance of mankind which has not changed one iota in the last two hundred years. I highly recommend this fabulous book, and I shall file it away to read again in the future. I wish I could award it 6 stars.
I have just finished reading The Opium Lord’s Daughter by Robert Wang, which tells the story of the family of Lord Lee Shao Lin, his daughter Su-Mei and his number one son Lee da Ping during the time of the Opium Wars between Britain and China. Many people may not know of the travesty of this unevenly fought war when the British navy attacked China to ensure uninterrupted trade in tea, porcelain, silks, and spices. Since China had no need to import anything from the west, the currency used to buy Chinese goods was Chinese silver which the British obtained by illegally importing opium into China. Everyone was involved, the Chinese merchants, the corrupt customs officials, the addicts who would do what it took to obtain more of the drug. But then the Emperor issued a decree to halt the trade and the troubles begin. At this time, Sue-Mei meets Travers Higgins from Yorkshire and falls in love – a cross-cultural affair unheard of and disapproved of in 1840. The stage is set for an explosive story in more ways than one.
The Opium Lord’s Daughter is one of the best books I have read this year. I read it in a day and a half and loved every bit of it. The characters leaped off the pages. I connected with Sue-Mei, the heroine, and the words flowed effortlessly. For the hours I was engrossed in this book, I was living in the 1800s in China, surrounded by the sights and smells, the customs and the laughter and sorrow of the young couple and their family. The historical information was woven seamlessly into the story and I suspect the author researched the facts thoroughly, backed up by the pictures in the back of the book featuring many of the real characters mentioned at the time. A fairly balanced argument from both sides which highlights the greed and avarice and arrogance of mankind which has not changed one iota in the last two hundred years. I highly recommend this fabulous book, and I shall file it away to read again in the future. I wish I could award it 6 stars.
Recommend this book:
The Duplex
Can They Fool A Whole City?
Lucky Stevens
2020 Finalist
318 Pages
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Fiction - Social Issues
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
The Duplex is a work of interpersonal drama and LGBTQ+ fiction penned by author Lucky Stevens. Set in the recent past in the glamorous world of Los Angeles in the 1950s, we find our main protagonist Cliff leading a not so perfect life. Being gay is still an offense, and he and his partner Jerry are always only one step ahead of the law. So when they meet Barbara and Dot, the foursome devise a plan to appear normal to the outside world but live in freedom. What results is an even bigger predicament than any of them could have foreseen, with some valuable lessons about the cost of fitting in.
Author Lucky Stevens has created a diverse, modern and highly engaging drama that bears all the golden hallmarks of fifties nostalgia at the same time. I loved the atmospheric touches of the time and place, including descriptions of settings and the way of life back then. This made for an immersive reading experience, as though I was living with the characters and up close to their trials and tribulations. The themes teeter between serious and amusing really well, maintaining the realism of the emotional drama, but with some really funny goings-on as they try to keep everything secret. As the plot progresses and the characters deepen, the story turns into something really heartfelt and special. Overall, I would definitely recommend The Duplex to all readers who love a good romantic and interpersonal drama, and especially those looking for diverse tales set in the recent past.
The Duplex is a work of interpersonal drama and LGBTQ+ fiction penned by author Lucky Stevens. Set in the recent past in the glamorous world of Los Angeles in the 1950s, we find our main protagonist Cliff leading a not so perfect life. Being gay is still an offense, and he and his partner Jerry are always only one step ahead of the law. So when they meet Barbara and Dot, the foursome devise a plan to appear normal to the outside world but live in freedom. What results is an even bigger predicament than any of them could have foreseen, with some valuable lessons about the cost of fitting in.
Author Lucky Stevens has created a diverse, modern and highly engaging drama that bears all the golden hallmarks of fifties nostalgia at the same time. I loved the atmospheric touches of the time and place, including descriptions of settings and the way of life back then. This made for an immersive reading experience, as though I was living with the characters and up close to their trials and tribulations. The themes teeter between serious and amusing really well, maintaining the realism of the emotional drama, but with some really funny goings-on as they try to keep everything secret. As the plot progresses and the characters deepen, the story turns into something really heartfelt and special. Overall, I would definitely recommend The Duplex to all readers who love a good romantic and interpersonal drama, and especially those looking for diverse tales set in the recent past.
Recommend this book:
The River Nymph
Anne Lovett
2020 Silver Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Southern
Reviewed by Edith Wairimu for Readers' Favorite
In The River Nymph by Anne Lovett, Tenny runs away from home, hoping to leave behind all the pain from her childhood. Her brother had gone off to war, never to return home, and Tenny is determined to find him. Tenny wishes to make something out of her disheartening situation and go back for her sister. She arrives at Ashbyville, Georgia unsure of what course her life will take. Her first days are fraught with obstacles but Tenny knows she has no place to go back to. Meanwhile, Pete and Gussie, two cousins from Ashbyville, meet Tenny by chance. Pete is beguiled by the image taken by Gussie, the image of the girl at the river. Gussie longs for a different lifestyle from her mother’s. She intends to become a renowned photographer but is she too far ahead of her time?
Anne Lovett’s The River Nymph follows Tenny’s story as she runs away and arrives in Ashbyville and her life after that. Her tenacity is inspiring as she fights every impediment on her path to following her dreams. The supporting characters anchor the story as their roles build the themes of the book. The work is also a heartfelt recollection of the drawbacks women in the early 1900s endured, yet they chose to hold on to their dreams and pave the way for others behind them. It also touches on social and political issues prevalent in that era, including racism. The plot is made compelling by the twists that each character encounters and lives through. The River Nymph by Anne Lovett is inspiring, making it a great book for readers who enjoy thought-provoking novels.
In The River Nymph by Anne Lovett, Tenny runs away from home, hoping to leave behind all the pain from her childhood. Her brother had gone off to war, never to return home, and Tenny is determined to find him. Tenny wishes to make something out of her disheartening situation and go back for her sister. She arrives at Ashbyville, Georgia unsure of what course her life will take. Her first days are fraught with obstacles but Tenny knows she has no place to go back to. Meanwhile, Pete and Gussie, two cousins from Ashbyville, meet Tenny by chance. Pete is beguiled by the image taken by Gussie, the image of the girl at the river. Gussie longs for a different lifestyle from her mother’s. She intends to become a renowned photographer but is she too far ahead of her time?
Anne Lovett’s The River Nymph follows Tenny’s story as she runs away and arrives in Ashbyville and her life after that. Her tenacity is inspiring as she fights every impediment on her path to following her dreams. The supporting characters anchor the story as their roles build the themes of the book. The work is also a heartfelt recollection of the drawbacks women in the early 1900s endured, yet they chose to hold on to their dreams and pave the way for others behind them. It also touches on social and political issues prevalent in that era, including racism. The plot is made compelling by the twists that each character encounters and lives through. The River Nymph by Anne Lovett is inspiring, making it a great book for readers who enjoy thought-provoking novels.
Recommend this book:
Tales from The Beach House
James Aylott
2020 Honorable Mention
287 Pages
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Fiction - Southern
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Tales From The Beach House is a work of dramatic fiction in the personal drama genre and was penned by author James Aylott. Written for adults due to the inclusion of some explicit language and scenes of a sexual nature, this work focuses on the titular Beach House, a motel in South Florida in the modern-day, and its many residents. Each of the obscure and quirky people who now reside in the motel takes on a chapter of the tale, developing a series of short stories that also culminate in a social and cultural viewpoint of contemporary South Florida in general. What results is a fascinating journey of character study and an eventual coming together of people to face the threat of losing their home.
Author James Aylott accomplishes a great deal with this excellent work of drama, including a full range of human experiences and emotions through his bizarre and lively cast of characters. Although the residents of the motel seem larger than life, initially characterized by entertaining descriptions and dialogue, we explore their humanity as their stories and motivations unfold. What results is a really insightful exploration of what makes people tick, and the similarities that we all share despite our exterior differences and life choices. The stylistic choices in the narrative feel like a reporter digging into the scene, which gives the novel a truly unique voice too. Overall, Tales From The Beach House is a recommended read for fans of the likes of short story masters like Raymond Carver. A high-quality novel.
Tales From The Beach House is a work of dramatic fiction in the personal drama genre and was penned by author James Aylott. Written for adults due to the inclusion of some explicit language and scenes of a sexual nature, this work focuses on the titular Beach House, a motel in South Florida in the modern-day, and its many residents. Each of the obscure and quirky people who now reside in the motel takes on a chapter of the tale, developing a series of short stories that also culminate in a social and cultural viewpoint of contemporary South Florida in general. What results is a fascinating journey of character study and an eventual coming together of people to face the threat of losing their home.
Author James Aylott accomplishes a great deal with this excellent work of drama, including a full range of human experiences and emotions through his bizarre and lively cast of characters. Although the residents of the motel seem larger than life, initially characterized by entertaining descriptions and dialogue, we explore their humanity as their stories and motivations unfold. What results is a really insightful exploration of what makes people tick, and the similarities that we all share despite our exterior differences and life choices. The stylistic choices in the narrative feel like a reporter digging into the scene, which gives the novel a truly unique voice too. Overall, Tales From The Beach House is a recommended read for fans of the likes of short story masters like Raymond Carver. A high-quality novel.
Recommend this book:
The Truth That Lies Between
W. D. McComb
2020 Finalist
366 Pages
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Fiction - Southern
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
The Truth That Lies Between is a work of murder mystery and small-town crime fiction and was penned by author W. D. McComb. The action starts with a group of best friends, a trio of carefree young lads who have little to do with their time but race around farms on three-wheelers and generally have fun. But Case, Jack, and Jet are about to become prime suspects when they discover the remains of a murdered drifter. As their lives are all turned upside down by the effects of this killing, the boys realize that they must solve the case and clear their names before they lose everything that they hold dear.
Author W. D. McComb writes with beautiful imagery, and it makes this compelling murder mystery feel like a modern-day Steinbeck novel. The farmlands and the big skies come to life with compelling scene setting, and this is bolstered by authentic dialogue which characterizes Case and his friends well. Once the audience is hooked in and ready to relate to and fall in love with this idyllic premise, the shock of the murder and its domino effect on events is all the more visceral and exciting for the plot. The events are well planned out and well revealed to give us plenty of time to think and predict alongside our would-be investigators, and when the conclusion does come, it will never be what you expected, but it’s satisfying nonetheless. Overall, The Truth That Lies Between is an excellent work of fiction that comes highly recommended.
The Truth That Lies Between is a work of murder mystery and small-town crime fiction and was penned by author W. D. McComb. The action starts with a group of best friends, a trio of carefree young lads who have little to do with their time but race around farms on three-wheelers and generally have fun. But Case, Jack, and Jet are about to become prime suspects when they discover the remains of a murdered drifter. As their lives are all turned upside down by the effects of this killing, the boys realize that they must solve the case and clear their names before they lose everything that they hold dear.
Author W. D. McComb writes with beautiful imagery, and it makes this compelling murder mystery feel like a modern-day Steinbeck novel. The farmlands and the big skies come to life with compelling scene setting, and this is bolstered by authentic dialogue which characterizes Case and his friends well. Once the audience is hooked in and ready to relate to and fall in love with this idyllic premise, the shock of the murder and its domino effect on events is all the more visceral and exciting for the plot. The events are well planned out and well revealed to give us plenty of time to think and predict alongside our would-be investigators, and when the conclusion does come, it will never be what you expected, but it’s satisfying nonetheless. Overall, The Truth That Lies Between is an excellent work of fiction that comes highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
The Rome of Fall
Chad Alan Gibbs
2020 Gold Medal
280 Pages
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Fiction - Sports
Reviewed by Lisa McCombs for Readers' Favorite
It all starts at Rome High School, the heart of the football-obsessed community where Marcus Brinks learns the childish ways of successful adults, dodges the steroid-driven first string gladiators and falls in love for the first and only time. In 1994, all that mattered to the students, faculty, and community members of Rome was the next big win. With fixed grades and over-inflated egos, football players rule the halls of Rome High School, the streets of Rome, and the hearts of all the females who grace those halls and accompanying streets where Marcus Brinks bides his time until he can escape the archaic attitudes of small-town living. Twenty years later, a washed-up one-time rock star, Marcus returns to be with his dying mother to find nothing has changed other than his overwhelming attraction to Becca Walsh, who this time around meets him in the middle and beyond. Just when Marcus believes that something good can come from the ridiculousness of the values in Rome, familiar threats of days gone by remind Marcus that nothing in Rome changes, even when Rome falls.
In The Rome Of Fall, Chad Alan Gibbs shares a superlative wit and mastery of the English language with such observances as “the girl who’d, since I met her half a lifetime ago, owned considerable real estate in my mind.” Starting with the thought-provokingly appropriate play-on-words title, The Rome of Fall is a delightful, heartbreaking cause and effect storyline that makes this novel a must-read. Chad Alan Gibbs is a master storyteller not to be ignored. Loved this novel! Chad Alan Gibbs is my latest favorite author.
It all starts at Rome High School, the heart of the football-obsessed community where Marcus Brinks learns the childish ways of successful adults, dodges the steroid-driven first string gladiators and falls in love for the first and only time. In 1994, all that mattered to the students, faculty, and community members of Rome was the next big win. With fixed grades and over-inflated egos, football players rule the halls of Rome High School, the streets of Rome, and the hearts of all the females who grace those halls and accompanying streets where Marcus Brinks bides his time until he can escape the archaic attitudes of small-town living. Twenty years later, a washed-up one-time rock star, Marcus returns to be with his dying mother to find nothing has changed other than his overwhelming attraction to Becca Walsh, who this time around meets him in the middle and beyond. Just when Marcus believes that something good can come from the ridiculousness of the values in Rome, familiar threats of days gone by remind Marcus that nothing in Rome changes, even when Rome falls.
In The Rome Of Fall, Chad Alan Gibbs shares a superlative wit and mastery of the English language with such observances as “the girl who’d, since I met her half a lifetime ago, owned considerable real estate in my mind.” Starting with the thought-provokingly appropriate play-on-words title, The Rome of Fall is a delightful, heartbreaking cause and effect storyline that makes this novel a must-read. Chad Alan Gibbs is a master storyteller not to be ignored. Loved this novel! Chad Alan Gibbs is my latest favorite author.
Recommend this book:
The Conman
A Baseball Odyssey
Mike Murphey
2020 Silver Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Sports
Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite
The Conman: A Baseball Odyssey by Mike Murphey with Keith Comstock is an interesting way of telling a true story in a fictional manner and throws light on the lives of professional baseball players and the challenges they undergo to make it to the top leagues. This is the story of Conor Nash who was no stranger when it came to failures; he had been released from professional baseball contracts, major league teams, and minor league affiliates. Conor put his womanizing days behind him once he got married to Kate and he avoided drugs because baseball was his drug. What happens to an addict when he cannot get high again? Would it be easy for him to deal with it and get over it?
The Conman is based on the life of Keith Comstock who played baseball professionally for sixteen years. The memoir chronicles his journey, the challenges he faced, the ups and downs, his personal life, and most importantly his passion for baseball. Conor Nash and his adventures will take readers on an entertaining trip, and his sheer strength, determination, courage, and perseverance will fill readers with admiration. Keith Comstock's on and off-field encounters and moments have been woven into the story of Conor Nash. The memoir is all about hope, perseverance, and love, and will encourage readers to stay motivated while playing a sport.
The Conman also reveals the life of a sportsman, the challenges, hardships, the injuries, and sacrifices he endures to make his dream of playing for major leagues come true. This book is a treat for all baseball lovers and will make them aware of the long journey these players have to take to reach their goal. Mike Murphey's writing style is simple, neat, and elegant, and the detailed narration takes readers into the world of baseball, and the ugly side that exists under all the glamour.
The Conman: A Baseball Odyssey by Mike Murphey with Keith Comstock is an interesting way of telling a true story in a fictional manner and throws light on the lives of professional baseball players and the challenges they undergo to make it to the top leagues. This is the story of Conor Nash who was no stranger when it came to failures; he had been released from professional baseball contracts, major league teams, and minor league affiliates. Conor put his womanizing days behind him once he got married to Kate and he avoided drugs because baseball was his drug. What happens to an addict when he cannot get high again? Would it be easy for him to deal with it and get over it?
The Conman is based on the life of Keith Comstock who played baseball professionally for sixteen years. The memoir chronicles his journey, the challenges he faced, the ups and downs, his personal life, and most importantly his passion for baseball. Conor Nash and his adventures will take readers on an entertaining trip, and his sheer strength, determination, courage, and perseverance will fill readers with admiration. Keith Comstock's on and off-field encounters and moments have been woven into the story of Conor Nash. The memoir is all about hope, perseverance, and love, and will encourage readers to stay motivated while playing a sport.
The Conman also reveals the life of a sportsman, the challenges, hardships, the injuries, and sacrifices he endures to make his dream of playing for major leagues come true. This book is a treat for all baseball lovers and will make them aware of the long journey these players have to take to reach their goal. Mike Murphey's writing style is simple, neat, and elegant, and the detailed narration takes readers into the world of baseball, and the ugly side that exists under all the glamour.
Recommend this book:
The Tao of the Viper
A Kate Pomeroy Mystery
Linda Watkins
2020 Gold Medal
436 Pages
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Fiction - Supernatural
Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
The Tao of the Viper: A Kate Pomeroy Mystery by Linda Watkins is the second installment in the series, preceded by the award-winning first book, Storm Island. This book returns readers to Storm Island where Dr. Kate Pomeroy is attempting to get past the trauma from book one, with the loving Jeremy Bradshaw still by her side. Her manor house is now a medical practice that she launches as director and General Practitioner and all seems well...except for the nightmares. Meanwhile, a stranger, “The Old Man” Ian Morrison, returns to the island with his grandson Terry, fantasizing over revenge and an idea on how to get it. Vengeance is geared straight toward Kate, but the brunt of his initial despotic evilness is directed toward Terry's wife Mary, and the depths of his psychosis knows no bounds.
The Tao of the Viper is a fantastic and dark paranormal mystery, with Linda Watkins delivering enough suspense and chills to knock it into the thriller genre as well. Kate is a great protagonist, balancing general affability with dark and intrusive fallibility, and making her as complex as her extraordinary family history. There are violent fantasies that the antagonist describes in detail, as his point of view features alongside Kate's. The back and forth make for a terrifying combination, especially when The Old Man will stop at absolutely nothing to get what he's come for. This is an engrossing series for readers who enjoy mysteries with a supernatural twist, and those who are inevitably drawn in won't have to wait long for book three, Abducted.
The Tao of the Viper: A Kate Pomeroy Mystery by Linda Watkins is the second installment in the series, preceded by the award-winning first book, Storm Island. This book returns readers to Storm Island where Dr. Kate Pomeroy is attempting to get past the trauma from book one, with the loving Jeremy Bradshaw still by her side. Her manor house is now a medical practice that she launches as director and General Practitioner and all seems well...except for the nightmares. Meanwhile, a stranger, “The Old Man” Ian Morrison, returns to the island with his grandson Terry, fantasizing over revenge and an idea on how to get it. Vengeance is geared straight toward Kate, but the brunt of his initial despotic evilness is directed toward Terry's wife Mary, and the depths of his psychosis knows no bounds.
The Tao of the Viper is a fantastic and dark paranormal mystery, with Linda Watkins delivering enough suspense and chills to knock it into the thriller genre as well. Kate is a great protagonist, balancing general affability with dark and intrusive fallibility, and making her as complex as her extraordinary family history. There are violent fantasies that the antagonist describes in detail, as his point of view features alongside Kate's. The back and forth make for a terrifying combination, especially when The Old Man will stop at absolutely nothing to get what he's come for. This is an engrossing series for readers who enjoy mysteries with a supernatural twist, and those who are inevitably drawn in won't have to wait long for book three, Abducted.
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