Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

The Obituary Writer: A Murder Novel by Patrick Oster is a murder mystery with an unusual hero and unsuspecting circumstances. The Year of the Dog was supposed to be a good one for Wallace McRae, a.k.a. Mack, but it isn't so far. He used to be an award-winning investigative journalist, but now he lives in a bad apartment, his wife is dying, and he hates his obituary writing job. Mack’s work doesn’t have the usual spark until his boss tells him that a famous chemist, Dieter von Gehlen, has died. Surprised, Mack finds out that the cause of death was suicide, whereas he knows von Gehlen would never take his own life. Spurred on by this knowledge and the thirst to get back to his roots, Mack gets the green light from his boss to investigate the death and find out what really happened. His boss will get a juicy story out of it and Mack will redeem himself. However, the more he dives deeper into von Gehlen’s death, the creepier it becomes. He has to overcome threats and danger to find the truth. But it is all child’s play for Mack, isn’t it?

If you are looking for an entertaining story with an intense plot and a murder mystery that you will not be able to predict, The Obituary Writer is perfect for you. Mack is a well-rounded character that fits his description exceptionally well. He is cynical yet smart, which is the perfect combination for a hero for this story. He is driven enough to investigate how von Gehlen died yet not out of his mind to go guns blazing into a situation he knew nothing about. Helen’s life and her progress worked as his catalyst to do better, but it was his need to be satisfied with his life that drew to him to make some decisions for himself. I enjoyed the mystery behind the death, how the author fed the readers clues and made them uncover the mystery along with Mack. Reading this book was a sensory and visual experience. To say I loved it would not be enough!

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

The Unsub by Owen Parr is Book 7 of the Joey Mancuso, Father O’Brian Crime Mysteries series. Joey Mancuso is in Miami Beach but not for a vacation. Miami Beach police have shown no interest in the death of Gene Wells, a hedge fund employee who was killed in a hit and run. Joey is interested though; the kid’s father is a friend of a friend and they want Joey to investigate. Together with Marcy, his FBI wife, Joey steps into a quagmire of financial corruption and conspiracy. They call in a favor from an old friend to go undercover and soon discover a trail that leads them right back to New York City. There, with Father O’Brian joining in, they find their suspects dropping like flies as the main villains take out anyone who might get in their way. Can the trio stay ahead of these villains or are they next in line?

The Unsub by Owen Parr is another great offering in this series. You can read it as a standalone but, to get the full picture, it's best to read it as part of the series. We meet lots of characters from previous stories and some new ones, all developed into real people and the Eastern European flavor that runs through this story is in keeping with some current affairs in the world right now. There is, as with the previous books, plenty of action, each page urging you to keep reading. Twists and turns take you from Miami Beach back to the seedy underworld of New York City, keeping you on the edge of your seat with a mixture of hard-hitting action and some humor thrown in for good measure. If you love crime stories, hard, gritty crime thrillers, then this is one author I highly recommend.

Reviewed by Sherri Fulmer Moorer for Readers' Favorite

Detective Nick Larson and his partner, Detective Victor Sacco, are overloaded. New York Police Department's Sixteenth Precinct in Manhattan is at minimal staff with the flu, and the cases keep pouring in. When Nick is called to an apparent suicide, his instincts immediately tell him that all is not as it appears. There are several small indicators that the victim, a recent divorcee, was actually murdered and staged to look like a suicide by hanging. When more cases hit the precinct, it becomes obvious that they have a serial killer on their hands during a flu outbreak. With few leads and common factors amongst the victims, Nick and Victor are in a race against time to keep the killer from striking again. Hanging Softly in the Night by Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra is a thrilling mystery that will keep you turning pages long past bedtime.

I loved this novel! It's the perfect mix of mystery, police procedural, crime drama, and intrigue that will keep any lover of mystery novels engaged and thrilled. The story keeps unfolding in amazing and interesting ways that keep you guessing - and from guessing who the killer is - until the very end. It's a captivating novel that reflects not only our current times well but is filled with great characters and the complexity you see in everyday life to create the perfect mystery novel. Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra has crafted a masterful story here that was hard to put down. Hanging Softly in the Night is a must-read for any lover of mystery and suspense novels.

Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite

The Fog Ladies (A San Francisco Cozy Murder Mystery) by Susan McCormick is a delightful story of residents living in a prime location apartment building in San Francisco. We are introduced to each tenant and learn of their quirky personality. Sarah is the exception to the senior citizens; she is a young intern as her hospital rents the apartment building and she gets to live there. Sarah is friendly, compassionate, helpful, and has a special connection with each one of the Fog Ladies. The Fog Ladies have been close friends for many years. They share their life stories, their ups and downs, joy and worries willingly amongst themselves. The thing they love best is being able to gossip about each other. When one by one they begin to die under strange circumstances, the Fog Ladies believe murder might be involved and are determined to prove it and find the killer. Each one of the ladies has a very different idea of the hows and whys and whether or not it is really murder or just old age that has taken away their friends.

I really enjoyed reading The Fog Ladies as it is filled with laughter, fun, twists, and turns. The ladies all try hard to be detectives and they kept me well entertained. Sarah kept the women in line even as she struggled with her own problems and the ladies all watched over her like grandmas. Susan McCormick created the perfect combination of real people in a fictional situation. The Fog Ladies is a mystery, a story of friendship, and a thoroughly entertaining book that I strongly urge you to read; you will not be disappointed.

Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite

The Concrete Vineyard is a story with many qualities. It is an intriguing murder mystery with many twists and turns. It is a tale of bad government and the how-tos of urban planning. There are many characters and many suspects, along with a questionable storyteller. We join the story on the 150th birthday of the nation in Niagara-on-the-Lake, the First Capital of Upper Canada. Since Upper Canada (now the province of OntarioAs the town gathers, Edward Mitchell, the richest man in town, is murdered. Detective Bryan Dee is assigned to the case but has no clues to go on. Kris Gage is in town, helping his parents pack up the home they have just sold. Kris and Bryan are schoolboy friends and have kept in touch over the years. Kris is a well-respected urban planner and may be of valuable assistance in understanding that the land and home of Edward Mitchell were the reason for his death. Several others soon disappear and may be connected to Mitchell's murder. We get introduced to the prominent townsfolk who may or may not be involved in the case. Kris is the narrator throughout the book. Bryan has found a clue that makes him believe his friend must also be considered as a suspect. The ending is one that is impossible to ever imagine.

The Concrete Vineyard is a long and detailed book but has a fascinating plot. The in-depth descriptions of behind the scene government and planning that takes place, the mystery with so many suspects, and the deflection players will positively keep you reading. I enjoyed the knowledge that Kris shared as to how a community is planned and all the facts that go into making it a success. Bryan at times seemed at a loss as to how to solve the case, but he was so likable it was impossible not to root for him to find the answers he needed. There were many who seemed to be the logical choice for these crimes and others that seemed a very remote possibility and it had me guessing and accusing so many before the murderer was revealed. This is Cam Lang’s first novel but I believe he has a great path ahead of him and will have many more successful books in the future. The Concrete Vineyard is informative and is one that will keep you guessing. It is certainly worth reading.

Reviewed by Sherri Fulmer Moorer for Readers' Favorite

Sister Veronica Angelica never expected to find a dead body in the Catholic Hostel next to her convent. What was more shocking was that she wasn't allowed to call the police and was even asked to try to cover up the murder via a "private internal investigation." Alarmed at the response, Sister Veronica does some sleuthing of her own. She discovers that the young man who was murdered was planning to reveal a secret to her that day; a secret that he ultimately died for. Desperate, confused, and conflicted, she turns to a reporter who recently visited the convent to interview the sisters for an article that she was planning. When the reporter reveals that she was investigating the secret that the young man was about to reveal, Sister Veronica finds herself in the middle of a mystery woven by scandal, lies, and crime in the Catholic church. Can she stay alive long enough to unravel this mystery? The Convent by Sarah Sheridan is a thrilling mystery that will keep you reading long past your bedtime.

I enjoyed this novel because it's a compelling, gripping mystery. Sister Veronica is a character that you'll like from page one because she's so real, witty, and intelligent. This nun doesn't live with any misplaced notions of perfection in the convent's church but still finds herself shocked by the level of corruption in the world she lives in. I love how she's wise enough to seek help from a reporter who likes and respects her enough to join her on this adventure despite living a very different lifestyle. Sarah Sheridan's The Convent is an excellent mystery that will keep you intrigued and entertained with fast-paced action, mystery, compelling characters, and even a bit of romance. A highly recommended read.

Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite

As the third book in Leonard Krishtalka’s Przewalski Mystery Series, The Camel Driver is a surprisingly engaging mystery novel with an elaborate historical background, and it is clearly written not just to entertain but to offer something truly original. The center of mystery and intrigue takes place at the Carnegie Museum where an award-winning diorama called Arab Courier Attacked by Lions is vandalized. The vandal responsible cut open the taxidermied camel and took something from its belly. Detective John Mazeroski deduces that somebody sewed a child up in the camel’s belly. Having once worked as a paleontologist for the museum, Detective Harry Przewalski is called in to help investigate. Liza Kole, a paleontologist who once had a romantic relationship with Harry, supplies him with the necessary information about the diorama’s history and the gifted taxidermist who created it, Jules Verreaux. Other than a stolen mummified child that was once stuffed inside the camel, more questions pop up as the museum’s physical anthropologist, Anna Storck, commits suicide two days after the vandalism. As Przewalski tries to add it all up, it leads to a motive that has something to do with fame and recognition.

The genius of The Camel Driver not only lies in its triumph of evocative prose, but that it also gives a strong look at the past and introduces you to the life and work of Jules Verreaux, and why he became infamous for the work to which he had dedicated his life. Another extraordinary personality in this novel is Christine Dumoulin, who brilliantly uses a patsy to advance her own interests. Leonard Krishtalka’s writing proves to be powerful and poetic, especially when he delves into the consciousness of his characters. Przewalski has his own past, but he keeps himself in check and does not let it get in the way of his sleuthing. It is one of the best qualities of this series and the way he solves the mysteries thrown at him. The Camel Driver has the power to tantalize and create rare cases you don’t read in the news every day. This is an intelligent must-read that brings back the chutzpah to the noir.

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Leah Brown knew from an early age that she was different somehow; special. When she tried to help a fellow runner at school, who appeared to be suffering, she realized the instant she touched her that there was something seriously wrong with her and that the girl’s heart was in trouble. Nobody was going to listen to a child, though, and when the young girl died that evening, Leah was branded some sort of freak by the other kids. In The Healer by Lisa Fougere, we watch as Leah grows older and begins to understand the power that lies within her. Strange dreams and the connection with another “healer” begin to open her eyes to the amazing abilities she has been gifted all the way down from ancient antiquity. Leah has an excellent support system but what she doesn’t fully grasp, at this early stage, is the effect these abilities will have on her young life, her relationships, and her entire future in general. She wants desperately to help people and to use her strange abilities for the greater good but there are plenty of people willing and able to throw obstacles in her way, as well as make her and her loved ones lives a living hell as they begin to understand the power of what they have unleashed. Through it all, Leah holds on tight to her dream of simply being a healer and helping people in this broken world.

The Healer is undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable and fascinating books I have read this year. Author Lisa Fougere has created some unforgettable characters in this story. Leah is a strong young woman who readily identifies with everyone who has been branded as different or strange and realizes, along with the university professor, that our correctional institutes may well be full of people with special abilities who have not understood or harnessed them in the same way that Leah was able to do. I loved the flowing style of the author’s writing that just carried the reader along in a wonderful and exciting adventure. Her creative use of flashbacks to ancient Egypt and the gods and goddesses of antiquity to explain the source of these powers was inspired and gave the story completeness. The relationships developed throughout the story were the key to Leah’s survival in a sometimes harsh and judgmental world. Whilst reading, I couldn’t help but have flashes of the X-Men stories, especially with Leah’s desire to find others who possessed these abilities and to be able to bring them together and help them understand and share what it was they were going through. I absolutely loved this story and will certainly be looking for more from this talented author in the future. I can highly recommend this read.

Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite

With nine awards and named Fiction Book of the Year by Authors Circle, The Destroyer of Worlds: An Answer to Every Question by Steven Seril rightfully deserves to be called the Book of the Century. Rich in both substance and chaos, the main plot revolves around the war between two reptile species, the cosmic dragons and the alien dinosaurs. Both species want to rule the cosmos, and this is where a plethora of gods from the colorful myths of different cultures take sides on who should rightfully rule. It is a time of hostility and unrest, and as the gods take sides, you will be drawn into a multi-layered story that takes you to the world of benign and destructive divines as well as epic battles that will determine the fate of the cosmos.

There are too many gods and other celestials for me to keep tabs on, and I’m so glad to have read The Destroyer of Worlds as it renewed my ties to these mythical heroes that I first came to know when I was a child. Steven Seril tells his story with great mastery and command. For its intended audience, it is definitely great reading entertainment. I enjoyed reading it myself because the stuff that Seril has written is the kind that covers a huge chunk of my reading tastes. There is plenty of dramatic conflict in this story, and Azure is one of the characters that is sure to linger in your mind. It is easy to acknowledge the creativity and imagination that went into writing this book. It will not only appeal to lovers of speculative fiction. The Destroyer of Worlds has the energy, intelligence, and absurdity that can draw any reader’s attention.

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

The Vagabond King: A Coming of Age Story by James Campion Conway is far removed from your typical coming of age novel. Sixteen-year-old Chris is faced with a crisis of confidence – confidence in who he is and what he wants from life. When his beloved mother dies of cancer, Chris is faced with a pushy father, who he now understands is not even his “real” father at all. Faced with a senior year at high school and college in his future, Chris cannot face the path that is mapped out for him. He cruises through his classes, dreaming of something better. Finally, after another tumultuous argument with his father, Chris decides it is time to leave and seek something different – it is time to find himself. The only person he can think to go to on that cold winter’s evening was his waitress friend, Magda, a woman old enough to be his mother, but with all the beauty and latent allure that only a mature woman can have over an impressionable, young, testosterone-driven teenage boy. What he finds at Magda’s is hope and a new way of thinking.

This book definitely ranks near the top of coming of age novels I have read. Author James Campion Conway has a wonderful command of language and draws us into Chris’ tortured and questioning mind. Easy to read and incredibly easy to identify with, the story draws readers along on Chris’s voyage of self-discovery, both cheering and jeering the young man at times for his ignorance and his preconceptions. The character of Magda’s Hungarian father was beautifully drawn and his home-spun philosophy and pragmatic approach to life is a refreshing change in this era of entitlement. The Vagabond King: A Coming of Age Story asks the questions that all of us asked at one time or another; what is the meaning of life? Who or what controls our fates and destinies? What is the right direction for me to take? A smooth and seamless read that just flowed by. I especially appreciated the poetry of the character Atman O’Dey, another young man tortured by uncertainty over identity and fitting in. This is a powerful story, beautifully told and well worth the highest rating I can give it.