"Never Go Back", by john W Mefford

Jack Whitfield series book #1

What a change in style Mr. Mefford gave us with his debut espionage thriller. With its relentless pacing and unexpected twists this action packed drama has definitely aroused my curiosity and interest from the opening page till I flipped the last one. In “Never Go Back” we are taking into the gritty world of industrial espionage and human trafficking.

It has been some time since Mr. Mefford added a book to his collection it was a long pause for us his long-time fans but the wait was well worth it. He has come back better than ever and has giving us one of those exciting hard to put down story. Yes a new character in Jack Whitfield, a man force to rescue a girl half a world away after his idyllic life was shattered and his daughter kidnapped. Jack is off to Macau, China on his mission to find Cai Chen. Now in a foreign theater Jack faces very bad actors even worse, the group he represents operates without any morals. Turned into a spy, Jack new persona talks with a British accent and knows the basic of mission tactics. Following him on his mission we have many twists and turns, betrayals, attempts on his life and more than one rough situation.

For those who like action, lot of suspense a great plot and a bunch of great characters you will be a contented with this one. Mr. Mefford outdid himself in style and flair....

Thank you Mr. Mefford and welcome back.

"Where the Sky Begins", by Rhys Bowen

Set during WW11 this story if of Josie Banks, a character who may represent the lives of women during this terrible time when bombs fell on London, their husband were called for service , their home turned to ash and their livelihood destroyed, they had nothing left and no place to go. This novel is about danger, triumph and second chance.

Josie was evacuated to the English countryside where she ended up at the estate of the aristocratic Miss Harcourt. She made a life for herself and we follow her ups and downs.

In this story we have a view of the hardship during the war years. Shortage of everything even the bare necessities all controlled with ration books. Nearby the tiny town called Sutton St Giles where Josie was billeted a RAF base was operational where young men isolated and homesick sought companionship, a chat and a cup of tea. Miss Harcourt was encouraged to open her estate and Josie put to good use the fine china by opening a tea shop. They had a lot of visitors and the ins and outs made for a very interesting read.

This heartfelt wartime story is a quick and easy read said in simple language with a lot of details. We have quite a few players that visited the estate but all are unique in their own ways so easy to remember them, no confusion. Josie is the star and everything revolves around her. Along the ways we have a mystery a spy among them...who is it? The drama is unveiled in the last chapters...surprise and of course love is in the air.....

Nice soft war time story.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC

"Crossfire", by Lynette Eason

“Extreme Measures” book #2

This is an intense story of revenge and redemption written by a master of suspense. It tells how special agent Julianna Jameson, a top-notch negotiator, path crossed with former sniper Clay Fox when she was called in to negotiate a courtroom hostage situation involving Clay’s sister Reese, who was one of the hostage. One situation led to another and love is in the air...

This story is a winner very hard to put down. From the opening pages I stayed glued to the mystery. Well-thought out action that never ceased coming. When a copycat situation emerged a week later I loved how Julianna and Clay were sent on a cat and mouse chase while the perpetrator escaped after killing several hostages. It didn’t take long for Julianna to suspect those behind may be led by someone from her past. This story has great character development and excitement. I couldn’t wait to see what would come next.

This is expertly plotted to keep the suspense moving at a relentless pace and the high octane momentum is with us till the breath stealing conclusion. The narrative as always is clean and sends a message that we are not alone “God” whoever he may be is with us. Of course sweet romance is effortlessly weaved into this suspense novel.

I received this ARC from the Publisher Revell via the First Reviewer Program for my thoughts: this is the way I see it.

"The One That Got Away", by Joe Clifford

This is the story of Alex Salerno who survived being abducted by a serial killer twelve years ago. Now she is living in New York working odd jobs. One day, she received a phone call to discuss the disappearance of Kira Shanks, the girl who vanished after her to never be seen again. If Alex could found out what happened to Kira maybe she could make peace with herself....Is there a link between Alex and Kira.....this seething story of small-town will reveal a string of macabre leads...

Alex is one unpleasant character: hostile dealing with people and no one would cooperate with her pseud-investigation. She has a hard time getting what she wants but manages nevertheless to get results. The story is mainly told from her point of view with occasional chapters from Bennie’s, the young man suspected of killing Kira now in a mental hospital. Bennie is smarter than people think but still the light is dim...His role is very touching and heartbreaking and is told with compassion.

I mildly enjoyed this story. The language is a bit rough at times and some passages are hardly believable. Would a police officer risked his job by taking advantage of a minor? Well in this drama we have one scumbag....

As the plot slowly unwinds and layer after layer are revealed, many suspenseful moments awaits us especially when Alex persists in sticking her nose in dangerous place. Ultimately some of the mysteries and secrets are resolved although by the end I was left wondering what kind of life Alex would be facing.....

In short words:

“The One That Got Away” is a dark, psychological thriller with some surprising twists and turns leading to the finale. Good story but it failed to sweep me away.

"The Murder Book", by Mark Billingham

Tom Thorne Book # 18

This is my second book by this author although “The Murder Book” is part of a series I do believe you could read this as a standalone even with the references to what has gone before.

The Synopsis in a few words:

After investigating a series of grisly murders committed by a young woman who almost seems proud to be caught, Thorne peels back the layers of a secret far darker than he could have ever realised. Now it’s his reputation and loved ones on the line, and he is about to find out how far he will go to save them.

My thoughts in a few words:

Some characters highlights:

Thorne the main protagonist is centre stage. He is a complex character with a great deal of history a one with a short temper. His sidekick DI Nicola Tanner also has a short temper and a past that keeps haunting her. We also have secondary players; one great one is Phil Hendrick, a man with a wicket sense of humour for a pathologist in charge of examining the murder victims. And we have Thorne’s girlfriend, forensic psychiatrist Dry Melita Perera who has certain clients with history of violence...Of course we have secondary characters to help move things along. They all play excellent parts.

The plot:

It is the classic edge of your seat thriller with some twists and turns to keep us going through the pages. The suspense drags along and we seem to turn in circle too often for my taste but again this keeps us in apprehension for the next move... which comes quickly enough. Yes, no fear Mark Billingham leaves us with an ending I did not see coming.

Although it is a good story it left me cold. I was glued to every word at time and in other times I couldn’t wait to move on. Most reviewers have giving this story high praise I may be the exception with my feelings I am definitely less than enthusiastic than most...

The style:

Expertly written with good police procedural and a tad of humour here and there....

Thank you Netgalley and Grove Atlantic for the opportunity to read this book

"Lilac Girls", by Martha Hall Kelly

Lilac Girls book #1

1939-1957

Inspired by the life of a real WW11 heroine, this story brings a glimpse into one of history’s most frightening memories by vividly re-creating the world of Ravensbrück.

“Lilac Girls” follows three women, Caroline Ferriday an American, who did the impossible on behalf of the survivors, Herta Oberheuser, a Nazi surgeon who performed gruesome operations at Ravenbrück and Kasia a fictional character loosely based on the lives of actual Rabbits. Rabbits where female prisoners who underwent horrific surgical experiments at Ravensbrück concentration camp.

The characters’ gripping voices are heard in alternate chapters as the timeline advances. The first person narrative makes their experiences too real. It is fascinating to read how they coped with the deferent situations they had to face.

What could they possible have in common; I asked myself this question but Ms. Kelly does a masterful job weaving all the strands together in the end.

Caroline, a wealthy socialite with a French connection was a generous benefactor. Her ceaseless efforts to send supplies to French orphans never wavered even during hard times. She was also instrumental in bringing the Rabbits to America. Packed with details we are taken into upper-crust parties and old money. Manhattan at mid-century comes alive.

Kasia was living in Lublin when Germany crushed Poland. As volunteer courier for the underground Kasia risked her life for the better good till the day she got caught by the SS and sent to Ravensbrück. In detail the life at the camp is told....

And then there was Herta, a specialist in dermatology, who answered an advertisement for a surgeon, the post is at Ravensbrück concentration camp. She was the only woman doctor and needed to follow orders whether she liked it or not. She befriended many people and we all know the obviously it all ended badly...what a sadistic person she was.....her actions gruesome for the inmates.

The last section of the book deals with the Rabbits and the retribution delivered to the doctors who performed the experiments and how the characters coped-with the aftermath of war.....The book is filled with many details and deep understanding of the occupation and the unfair post-war situation created by the allies.

Poland traded one monster for another.....

This is one of many heartwarming stories

"A Call for Brighter Days", by Nupur Chowdhury

Book #2, in the Aerial Chronicles

Genre: Fantasy series

The story picks up a year or so after the defeat of Taureen and her followers have scattered. Some are now helping the feather mafia hunt down their own kind. As the bodies pile up, the line between ally and enemy gets further blurred and the choice made will shape the lives of everyone.

This story brought me way beyond my comfort zone. Fantasy is one of my least favourite subjects. So in all honesty I must tell I did not enjoy this story as I should have. I struggled all through trying to keep focus and staying with the story so I can picture the scenes and understand what was going on. My brain couldn’t, it just wandered all the time till I had enough and I wanted to give up more than once.

What I took out of this story, it reads a little like a turf battle with war between different factions with body covered in feathers flying and setting havoc all over. You would say it is not fair to review a book I struggled to finish...maybe. But once started I need to write my thoughts and share my opinion.

The good and the bad:

The ways the author created a cool world of fantasy where Aeriels and humans try to coexist and how she painted action galore to please those with fertile imagination for that sort of thing is more than well-done. There is a lot of vivid dialogue between characters who love to share their feelings and problems with us. This may be overly done for my taste but nicely done just the same. This story packs many characters to keep focus and interest on it is challenging not to mix them up and follow them in their quests.

If you like a fantasy with Aeriels coming from another realm in the sky with beautiful wings waging on earth a century old war, this book is for you. For myself this story left me cold. Definitely fantasies are not for me...