Reviewed by Benjamin Ookami for Readers' Favorite

Some crimes cannot be solved by the police alone. Don Daglow's mystery novel, The Fog Seller: A San Francisco Mystery, takes the police, for the most part, out of the equation. The murder of an actress and a man who sought to save the homes of many seniors and people with low-income jobs is quite the puzzler. The number of suspects is in high contrast with the number of answers. Captain Kreitzer aims to solve this murder in quite an unusual way: by letting the suspects do all the work for him. One of his suspects is a man named Steve Ondelle, a man who only talks in the present tense and who is "not good with questions." Only time will tell if Captain Kreitzer's plan will work.

Steve has five journals that he allows a woman (as well as the reader) to read. Steve is a shy human being who gets freaked out when people ask him certain questions. The author's portrayal of him was very believable. I liked the fact that Steve had a roommate named Liam who was his direct opposite. What makes Liam even cooler is that he can make a vial of San Francisco fog look like a delicious ice cream cone. The characters in this novel are absolutely amazing. Steve's reasons for solving the double murder are to get his friend Luis's job back and prove his innocence. The real identity of the killer isn't too obvious, so it's quite interesting to find out what the end result will be.

Reviewed by Tracy A. Fischer for Readers' Favorite

In a wonderful and exciting new mystery from debut author Ranjini Iyer, The Colossus, readers will follow caterer Maxine (Max) Rosen as she stumbles upon a mysterious coded document of her father's, which seems to be a link to the Nazis, pharmaceuticals and medical research. Max has been haunted by her father's alcoholism and eventual suicide, and wonders if this coded message might be the key to figuring the enigmatic man out. But when she realizes that she and the rest of her family might still be at risk, and that much more is at stake than a simple interest in what her father's issues may have been, well, that's when the action really starts.

I loved this book. Loved it. I could probably end this review right there, but I don't think that would do justice to The Colossus or the fantastic new author Ranjini Iyer. Combining mystery with historical fiction, author Iyer does a fantastic job of bringing in both history from WWII and ancient India in a modern day tale of intrigue. She also creates characters that the reader will truly care about, exciting scenarios, and such vivid scenes that you will feel as if you are actually there. If those skills aren't the hallmark of a fantastic author, I'm not sure what is. The Colossus would be enjoyed by any reader who loves mysteries, historical fiction, or just a plain great book of fiction. I am pleased to recommend this book, and am so looking forward to seeing what author Ranjini Iyer has in store for her readers next.

Reviewed by Kristine Hall for Readers' Favorite

Young journalist Leah Rosen, working for the premier Texas magazine in Austin, has uncovered proof that legendary Fort Worth trial lawyer Cal Connors has used false evidence and testimony to win some of the biggest court cases in recent history. As Leah tries to leave no stone unturned before publishing her story, threats to her become increasingly dangerous as she gets too close to the truth. Meanwhile, in the town of Hagstrom, Texas, parents on their way to bury their veteran daughter come face to face with a group of extremist Christians protesting the woman's service in the military. Attorney Jace Forman is called in to file a lawsuit against the group, exploring the limits of the First Amendment. In both cases, private investigator Jackie McLaughlin is hired to hunt down people and information for both Rosen and Forman, for whom the stakes are getting increasingly higher. Hubert Crouch's The Word will keep readers immersed from start to finish in a world where justice always comes with a heavy price tag.

Be ready for a wild ride! In The Word, real life attorney Hubert Crouch provides masterfully connected, multiple story lines that could have been ripped straight from the headlines. Corruption, greed, and danger criss-cross with the pursuit of honesty and truth for a page-turning, action packed story. Though this is book two in the Jace Forman series, it absolutely stands alone, though I fully intend to read book one. Crouch is in his element as the courtroom drama unfolds, writing memorable and unique characters -- all with a Texas flair -- for readers to love or loathe. The writing is high caliber and the story is engaging and realistic, with memorable characters. Top notch.

Reviewed by Patricia Day for Readers' Favorite

The Torch is Passed: A Harding Family Story is written by Bill Powers. Having just graduated college, Andrea finds her world ripped apart when two family members are shot. Her father is one and, with his life hanging in the balance, she must take control of the family business until he recovers. Business partners, Carlton and Jefferson of Oakes Industries make a play to not only take over but own Harding Industries. They offer a staggering amount of money in an attempt to obtain control, but fail despite the amount offered. Why would they be prepared to pay so much for a company worth much less?

Andrea is fast-tracked to adulthood as the world she once knew vanishes. An attempt on her own life leads her to find trusted support in Beth and Riva. Both women are powerfully able to defend and protect not only Andrea, but also those she holds dear. Her determination to keep Harding Industries intact for future growth, takes her along violent pathways, meeting very disagreeable, volatile people.

This is a fast-paced story of greed, murder, and ambition.Thrown into the mix are characters from the Russian mob, whose cold, calculated methods to annihilate anyone crossing their path leave you breathless, and you have a book that will grab you from the very first page. It is a tale of corporate greed and misguided trust and broken trust. I enjoyed this book very much. There’s a lot of detail, but the characters are strong and you quickly determine whose side you are on. Well written.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

The Advocate: The Advocate Series, Book One is a legal thriller written by Teresa Burrell. Sabre Brown is an attorney who specializes in Family Law in San Diego. She and her close friend, Bob, have worked a number of cases before the Juvenile Division of the San Diego Superior Court. The latest case they’ve encountered concerns a domestic violence matter involving Gaylord Murdock, an aristocratic Southern man, and Peggy Smith, his heavily pregnant girlfriend. While she had, at first, claimed that Murdock had hit her, she later changed her story to conform with the one he was telling the authorities -- that she had fallen and hit her head. The custody of the two children living with the couple was at issue. Alexis, a ten-year-old, was the genetic daughter of Murdock and his wife, Elizabeth, who had disappeared some years before. The two-year-old boy, Jamie, was Peggy’s son. Sabre is representing those two minors, and she’s determined to find out a lot more about them before she’ll be prepared to release them into either parent’s custody.

Teresa Burrell’s legal thriller is a suspenseful and well-written story based around a plot that grabs the reader and doesn’t let go. Burrell’s characters are so finely drawn and realistic that you can’t help but get involved with their situations. Watching Sabre as she juggles her legal practice with her growing concern for the well-being of Alexis and Jamie, and her ongoing work with Carla, the girlfriend of her brother Rob who has become unstable since his disappearance, is a treat. While many novels, movies and television shows focus on law firms and larger practices, The Advocate gives the reader a good feel for the long hours, challenges and rewards that solo practice can bring. Burrell’s story unwinds smoothly, and I enjoyed every minute I spent reading this authentic and very entertaining mystery/thriller. The Advocate is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by JJ Phillips for Readers' Favorite

The Cardinal's Sin by Robert Lane is a thrilling mystery about hit men and known killers. Jake Travis is given an assignment to kill an assassin, known to dress as a cardinal, who targets Special Ops' family members. While on vacation with his girlfriend, Kathleen, Jake completes his mission. But when he returns home to Florida, he discovers he's made a mistake and killed the wrong man. Instead of the assassin, Jake killed a popular cardinal. He confesses to Kathleen, who distances herself from Jake when she learns what he really does for a living. Jake can't spend too much time worrying about what this means for his relationship with Kathleen because he has a job to finish -- killing the real assassin before he strikes again. Jake also contemplates what happened between him and the cardinal he did kill, and why he didn't put up more of a struggle if he wasn't the true assassin.

The Cardinal's Sin is a fun thriller and espionage type story that fans of this genre will really enjoy. Robert Lane has good writing skills. His descriptive passages were very accurate and read authentically. The story's location was well described. You could feel the author is comfortable with the Florida setting. Robert Lane was also well researched on religious doctrine and the dirty secrets behind the life of a criminal. The storyline was unique and I thought quite engaging. I didn't want to put the book down!

Reviewed by Marta Tandori for Readers' Favorite

The Advocate’s Dilemma is the fourth entertaining installment of The Advocate series by Teresa Burrell. Burrell’s main protagonist, Sabre Brown, is a dedicated child advocate attorney whose beat revolves around the San Diego Superior Court, Juvenile Division. At thirty-one, she’s both mother hen and fierce defender of her young abused and neglected wards, speaking for and defending them against their worst enemies that are sadly, in most cases, their own parents. Sabre’s hectic work life is suddenly thrown off kilter when she walks into her office and finds a man’s murdered body sprawled across her desk. She calls her best friend and fellow attorney, Bob, who identifies the body as that of George Foreman, his client in the juvenile dependency case where Sabre represents Foreman’s neglected children, Riley and Marcus. With Bob one of the few people with a set of keys to her office, he’s suddenly the prime suspect in the police’s subsequent investigation. A shaken Sabre immediately puts her other good friend, JP, an investigator who rounds out their closely-knit triumvirate, on the case but the three quickly discover that things aren’t exactly as they seem.

By all accounts, the deceased and his wife, Dana, were addicts who had used their children to extort money from her parents for cash. Both boys are currently living with Dana’s parents, the wealthy Frank and Celia Davis. However, it soon becomes apparent when JP interviews Frank and Celia Davis that their take on the events as they occurred aren’t the same. Things get even more complicated when one of the boys, Marcus, is taken to the psych ward after attacking his grandmother one morning while muttering, “I know.” Sabre suspects that the young boy knows far more about his father’s death than he’s telling and with her friend, Bob, as the unlikely suspect in the father’s murder, they both need her help. The only problem is, how can Sabre help both of them without betraying her young charge?

No two ways about it – The Advocate’s Dilemma deals with some tough subject matter. Abused and neglected children are not easy pills to swallow for any reader. Burrell knows this and treats the subject matter with both compassion and sensitivity. Her prose is light, the dialogue crisp and there’s a thread of humor throughout the story, which makes it an entertaining read rather than one that’s bogged down by its depressing subject matter. However, what really sells the story is the wonderful relationship between Sabre and her protagonist co-stars, Bob and JP. The sense of camaraderie, trust and friendship between these three characters highlights a well-executed plot. Burrell’s first-hand knowledge of the intricacies of the juvenile court system, thanks to her years as an attorney representing abused minors and juvenile delinquents, gives The Advocate’s Dilemma that extra stamp of authenticity, making it all the more engaging. A terrific read from start to finish.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

The Advocate’s Betrayal: The Advocate Series, Book 2 is a legal thriller written by Teresa Burrell. When the phone rang at four in the morning, Sabre Brown didn’t expect good news, but she was still shattered when her friend, Betty, told her that her husband, John, had been stabbed. Betty and John were special for Sabre, more like an aunt and uncle than simply good friends. Her boyfriend, Luke, who was staying overnight at her apartment, was also friends with the couple and accompanied her to their trailer. Betty was alone there, in a semi-hysterical state and covered with blood, but Sabre was concerned to find that Betty had not yet called the police. The police arrived minutes after Sabre called 911, and Detective Gregory Nelson, who Sabre knew from her work as an attorney, was in charge of the case. He was also perplexed by Betty’s failure to call the police and asked her to accompany him to the police station. Sabre realized what an ordeal an official questioning would be for her grief-stricken friend, but, as an attorney, she understood the process that a criminal investigation would entail -- and she was determined to help Betty prove her innocence every step of the way.

Teresa Burrell’s legal thriller, The Advocate’s Betrayal, is the second book in her The Advocate Series; however, new readers will find that the author has included enough background to enable them to enjoy reading this story on its own. I was fascinated by the progression the story took and particularly enjoyed seeing how Sabre, her private investigator and the police work to determine who murdered John Smith. The story also continues the focus on Sabre Brown’s work as an advocate for children and caregivers in the Juvenile Court System and explores the concept of freedom of speech in a compelling manner. This is a well-written and absorbing story I found quite difficult to put down until I had turned the last page. Burrell’s characters are sharply defined and authentic, and her plot is well-constructed and compelling. The Advocate’s Betrayal is highly recommended.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Body of the Crime: A Chip Palmer Forensic Mystery is a police procedural murder mystery written by Jennifer Chase. Detective Sergeant Hugh Murphy was the officer in charge of the investigation of the body of the young woman discovered by two hikers in a desolate stretch of forest. The bizarre arrangement, and savage treatment, of the corpse was eerily reminiscent of the work of the serial killer who several years ago had frustrated Murphy's efforts to apprehend him before he went underground. To make matters even worse, the crime scene was about to be contaminated by a gusty and soaking rainstorm. Unable to wait for the CSU, he directed a police officer to take photos of the corpse, and several of them trundled it into one of the police cruisers for transporting to the morgue. Murphy's day got even more frustrating when he learned that the District Attorney was getting involved in the case. DA Inspector Kate Rawlins would be working with him, and, Murphy suspected, Chip Palmer, the DA's profiler of choice, would be on the team as well.

Jennifer Chase's police procedural murder mystery, Body of the Crime: A Chip Palmer Forensic Mystery, is an enthralling and fast-paced read. I particularly enjoy police procedural mysteries and was pleasantly surprised by this book. Chip Palmer is an outstanding character whose eccentricity works wonderfully with his encyclopedic interest in soil samples and a profiler's innate gifts. Chase's plot is tightly constructed and gives the puzzle-loving instincts of mystery fans plenty of fodder in the form of red herrings and possible suspects to work with. Kate Rawlins, the newly transplanted District Attorney's Inspector, is a grand foil for the otherworldly Chip, and their partnership is engaging and a treat to follow. Body of the Crime is an outstanding mystery novel that was a delight to read from beginning to end. I'm hoping to see more of Chip Palmer and will be watching for future mysteries featuring him. Body of the Crime is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

The Big Lead (A Stella Reynolds Mystery Book 1) by Libby Kirsch is a newsworthy story of intrigue. Stella Reynolds arrives in Montana late at night, ready to start a new job at a tiny news station. Starting work in Bozeman as a new TV reporter is not quite how she envisioned her life, but it’s the only news station where she can get work for now. Mayhem ensues as Stella gets to grip with ancient equipment that weighs a ton and works when it wants to. Nothing ever happens in Bozeman – until Stella stumbles across a murder. Together with her co-workers and the girlfriend of the accused, she works to uncover the truth and ends up uncovering a world of corruption. She doesn’t know whom she can trust, who might be involved, and what it will cost her to uncover the truth.

The Big Lead (A Stella Reynolds Mystery Book 1) by Libby Kirsch was hilarious from start to finish, with some definite laugh out loud moments. I can see that Ms. Kirsch has drawn on her years of experience to write this story and she has come up with a masterful plot with some very likeable characters. The story followed a natural path with a lot of twists and turns in it and came to a natural conclusion; it was written in a way that drew me in from the very first page and kept me reading right to the end. And when it ended, it left me wanting to read the next book in the series. Very enjoyable, very funny and full of insight, and a nice twist to it as well.