"Lessons in Evil", by Melinda Woodhall

A Bridget Bishop FBI Mystery book #1

This is a riveting start to a new series Ms. Woodhall has penned for us. In her first book she introduces a charismatic group of players especially a strong lead character in Bridget Bishop. The plot line is exciting filled with suspense and tension. “Lessons in Evil” is a fast-paced story that only can keep the reader glued from the opening page till the last page is reached. We have so many twists and turns to keep us guessing and intrigued. What is not to love from this stellar read? Well-done, well-said, well-executed and well played out.

“Lesson in Evil” brings Bridget back to her dark beginning as a FBI profiler in a case involving a serial killer who eventually was convicted and executed. Bridget was his psychologist at the prison and required her to be a witness in his execution. When a copycat surfaced, the FBI set their eyes on Bridget’s experiences. While grappling with her past Bridget sets off on a mission to stop the evil man plans before he sends another victim to the grave. And the drama begins....

Of course, the story is by far more intense than the above summary and covers much more. IMO spoilers do not make great reviews.

I received a free copy of this book and I leave a voluntary review, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

"Dry Heat", by Len Joy

First, I wish to thank Anna Sacca from FSB Associates for offering me the chance to read and review this crime novel. As always, I am happy to do so, here are my thoughts.

The story chronicles how an Arizona teenager’s life changed for ever after an innocent night of fun turned solemn. On his 18th birthday Joey Blade celebrated with his new girlfriend Wendy and TJ Grimes, a pot dealer, at a bonfire party, when it exploded sending embers into the crowd, the trio took off, speeding away by car. When a gun goes off in a police shootout and TJ did a disappearing act, Joey left behind is tossed in jail accused of shooting police officers. What was supposed to be a promising career was then dashed. Then the story revolved around Joey dealing with court proceedings, rekindling things with Mallory, his old girlfriend.

The second half of the book depicts Joey as an adult with unfinished business. All along the narrative Joey emerges as a character to root for. His freedom did not come easy he needed help from Chico Torres, a drug lord he met in jail. Was that a good choice?....

What a melodrama we read. It shows how in the blink of an eye someone’s life can change. This gritty story full of danger, betrayal, love and loss escalates after a leisurely opening into a fast-paced action. I couldn’t help but to turn pages nonstop, this dynamic story is so exciting. Mr. Joy seamlessly weaves complex relationship and relevant issues such as teenage pregnancy and young adult drama into a full tilt plot populated with unforgettable characters.

“Dry heat “, is a compelling drama I definitely recommend.

"Dead Heat", by John W. Mefford

Booker, # 6

The story in a few words:

Booker T. Adams, PI, is asked by the chief of Dallas Police Department for assistance in flushing out a new breed of killer that has hit Dallas: the victims are one of their own. Booker shifts into overdrive to end this sinister game.

My thoughts in a few words:

Even with all his good intentions, Booker is always dragged into seedy situations and following him is a real roller-coaster ride. Once again, Mr. Mefford combines a terrific story line with action out of movie scenes. The action is fast-paced and seems to never end. In “Dead Heat” we meet different people: Bolt. A lovable teenager, Henry, works for the DA’s office and of course Alisa, Booker’s crime-fighting partner. We also have a police chief whose motives are questionable, a dangerous mobster and an old friend not so friendly at all. You would think that “Dead Heat” had all the elements needed to make a gripping read. Some would say yes...Then why did I have trouble keeping my mind on this story and staying focused: simply too many uninteresting side bars that distracted me: such as parties and games even superfluous events that added little to the story. Good read, but not the author’s best work.

I read a lot of books from this author and I generally think there are great although the Booker series is not my favourite I still think all 6 books are well worth reading.

"The Darkest Place", by Phillip Margolin

Robin Lockwood book #5

A Legal Thriller

I haven’t read the previous novels so I was apprehensive plunging into the unknown with this latest. No need to worry, the stories we follow meshed beautifully and little background needed to follow what happened in the past to move forward and enjoy these captivating legal battles.

In this latest: we are deep into two cases

Robin Lockwood a well-respected defense attorney in Portland, Oregon, goes home to Elk Grove, a farming community in the Midwest recuperating after she suffered a personal tragedy and needed a well-deserved rest.

The first case:

But rest was not to be, soon after her arrival, an old friend and local lawyer asked for her help defending Marjorie Loman accused of kidnapping a baby for whom she was a surrogate and assaulting the adoptive parents. But this was not her only problem.

The second case:

Marjorie had also an arrest warrant in connection with the murder of her husband in Oregon. Robin decided to represent her if Marjorie was found not guilty on her first charge.

In the two stories we go back in time and read what lead to Marjorie’s troubles.

My thoughts:

There is constantly building suspense as the two separate cases resolved and of course the denouement is a complete surprise. The plots are intricate, written with some clever twists. When an error was committed by the nurse when Marjorie gave birth resulting in a psychosis and post-partum problems associated with surrogacy, Robin used amazing tactics to highlight the problems in court. Not only the court proceedings are vividly said through expert voices what comes out from their testimonies are quite informative and eye-opening.

The author knows his way around a courtroom his skills make legal trials fascinating. This is definitely a page-turner very hard to put down. Mr. Margolin does an excellent job developing his characters. The novel is well-written and absolutely spellbinding

I had the opportunity to read and review this book from St-Martin Press via Netgalley for my thoughts: this is the way I see it.

"The Children's Dream', by Roberta Kagan

Book # 1 in the Auschwitz Twins series

A strong feeling that something is about to happen “premonition” is the theme Ms. Kagan’s has penned in this latest. More fitting in my opinion would be “forbidden loves” since 90% of this story hovers around the unfaithfulness of the people involved. Having said this, whether I am right or wrong, the decision is up to you.

In a few words:

“The Children’s Dream” is a heart-breaking and gripping work of fiction that could possibly have happened.

Poland in the late 1030’s, the action set in an ultra-religious Jewish neighborhood.

Sleepless and restless nights both Naomi and her daughter Perle believe dreams are glimpses into the future they both have nightmares about smokestacks, creepy doctors and strange flags invading their little village. Is this a premonition of what is to come.....

Meanwhile Naomi is unhappy with her arranged marriage to Hershel and life is a living hell with him. When an old acquaintance happens to show up and steal her heart away, soon a scandalous secret love affair begins. Maybe she was not the only one having a secret to hide...

My thoughts:

Does arrange marriage succeed more than finding the love of your life: definitely not in this story. Most of the book covers the secret rendezvous between Naomi and Eli, the love of her life. Contrary to her husband Eli is considerate, charming and attentive while Hershel is strict and rule his house with an iron fist. No wonder eyes roamed...and other things too..... Naomi trysts with Eli go on for years till the day it all comes apart.... what a surprise when Hershel reveals secrets of his own... I did not see this coming, but I am not surprised.

The pacing is slow and steady and every word is written with compassion: sorrow, despair, love and torment come out strong. Naomi sister Mariam, her three daughters: Shoshana, Perle and Bluma play interesting roles so does the many characters that populated this sad novel.

The book ends when the Nazi pushes in and all Jews are rounded up including the Hershel’s family. Of course this ending opens the door for a sequel I await impatiently.

Thank you Book Whisperer and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book: this is the way I see it.

"After the Romanovs", by Helen Rappaport

Russian Exiles in Paris from the Belle Époque through revolution and war

Taken from drawings, diaries and with help of researchers in the UK and France the author delivers a portrait of Russian aristocrats, artists and intellectuals who sought freedom and refuge in Paris in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

This is not an easy read. The author details the scandalous affairs, sumptuous parties, the extravagant shopping trips and gifts given to high class prostitutes. She also describes how Russian artists entranced their Parisian audiences and overwhelmed cafes causing the local authorities to be concern that revolution might come to France. After Stalin came to power in 1917, thousands of people were killed by the Bolshevists or sought refuge in other countries. Paris was for the aristocrats the city of dreams. Without money and no passports they needed to work, Russian noblewomen found work in the haute couture houses while Russian men found jobs as taxi drivers or worked in the auto industries. Although some ended in Berlin it is estimated that over 50,000 people made Paris their home.

This book was hard to get into I had to drop it many times and recoup in order to keep going. They author throws names of people I barely knew about and a period long forgotten. But interesting was how the exiled managed to earn their living and come to terms with their reduced circumstances. The book focuses on several individuals and their story are sad. Not easy to be chased from your country and see your life the ways you always lived it ending.

Although I didn’t know much about the subject matter apart from the obvious Romanovs, Rasputin, Stalin and a few others like Coco Chanel now I can say I have a little bit more knowledge. If I can only remember all those Russian names...

“After the Romanovs” is meticulously researched and written with tremendous details. It places emphasis on the period following the Russian revolution and the White Russians who fled to Paris.

On a side not: Russian aristocrats lived a life of opulence built on oppression of many...not surprising the uprising....

Thank you, St-Martin Press and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair review.