"The Scorned", by David Putnam

Bruno Johnson book #10

This is my second book I read in this series although I picked this one out of sync in no way did I feel lost not knowing what had happened in the previous books. Mr. Putnam gives us just enough background to situate us without overwhelming us with too many details...so go for it if you wish; this book has a very good story.

In “The Scorned” Bruno lives in Costa Rico with his pregnant wife and 10 recued children from abusing home. When Mary’s obstetrician sees her through a very difficult birth and asked for a favour to accompany his daughter Layla, a college student back to L.A. and deal with Johnny, a vicious gang leader who exploits women and children. In addition to this request, his father asked to bring his mother along back to the States....He couldn’t’ refuse their requests but once on the American turf things turned ugly....

This story deals with a lot and is very exciting. Bruno is a fugitive, a wanted criminal in the U.S. But he has connections and close ties with Drago and his temperamental Rottweiler Waldo. I love how the author depicts the interaction with the animal it made me giggle more than once. We mainly have a lot of action with bodies falling and so many twists and turns to derail everything, nothing is what it seems. The drama starts slow at first but it didn’t take long before things get rolling fast. Poor Bruno, everyone wants money in exchange for something particularly Layla and his mother. A lot goes on in the book. The plot is witty at times, intense at others and often unpredictable. All the characters are great but I loved Waldo the most.

This is another highly entertaining and fabulous novel. The hours I spend reading it was well worth the time.

I received this ARC from Oceanview Publishing via Netgalley for my thoughts

"Now or Never", by John W. Mefford

Book#3, in the Jack Whitfield Thrillers series

Jack third mission has the same simple objective: blackmail a hi-tech influencer. Things are not that easy, when out of nowhere, a rival terrorist organization blows up the entire mission and on top an old adversary has Jack in sights. What should Jack do? While the clock is ticking...with no room for error he decides to go on the offensive and while doing so he gives us one of those dazzling ride full of intense action.

With breakneck speed Jack bring us deep into espionage and international intrigue. The pacing is relentless; the author doesn’t leave him breathing time. He is in one predicament after another. While his every movement is controlled Jack tries to outwit and outsmart the two clandestine groups hell-bent on upending the world order.

The story is well-written as usual and in his typical style we have a narrative that is very visual and descriptive. Being immersed in non-stop action and crazy insane act of evil from opening page till the conclusion is not only intense but can be also bewitching. With its many twists and turns at full throttle no way I was distracted. Every word kept me captive wanting to see if Jack will live another to go on his 4th mission...Till next time.

Mr. Mefford you have penned another winner I enjoyed very much. Thank you.

"His Soul to Keep", by Melinda Woodhall

Frankie Dawson Mystery Book #1

Melinda in her new series has given center stage to Frankie Dawson, a beloved P.I. character we have seen multiple times helping solving cases in other series.

This fast-paced and twisted story brings Frankie back home to Memphis to see his dying friend, only to find himself entangled in the investigation of the gruesome double murder of his friend and wife. Things begin to unravel when it is suspected the murders may be linked to a trail of human bones discovered along the banks of Wolf River. It didn’t take long for Frankie to realize a serial killer is roaming the streets and he needs to found out who is this sadistic murderer and put an end to his activities. Easier said than done but Frankie doesn’t fail to give us a thrilling ride from start to finish.

No doubt Melinda Woodhall writes exciting and very captivating stories. The style is simple and easy to follow. The story is vividly written to capture our attention and hold us captive till we reach the conclusion. I was happy Frankie has now a leading role I always loved how he acted in the other series and now he is the star...and a loveable one at that. Ok, I am a huge fan.

Another winner that gives us a story with all the necessary elements to keep us engrossed and captive...

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

"This Was a Man", by Jeffrey Archer

The Clifton Chronicles book# 7

This final volume brings to a close a series spanning more than 60 years. Since the 7 books cover the period from the 1920’s until the early 1990’s, they have to be read in sequence. The series is an excellent family saga covering the lives of the Cliftons and the Barringtons.

In the last hoorah, Harry Clifton sets out to write his most important work as a writer while his wife Emma completes her years as Chairman of Bristol Royal Infirmary to accept a job in Margaret Thatcher’s cabinet. Sebastian Clifton becomes chairman of Farthings Kaufman Bank, Samantha’s daughter Jessica is expelled from school and Lady Virginia has creditors after her but soon sees an opportunity to clear her debts when the Duchess of Hertford dies. This last volume tells us how all this went about and plus.

Told in the third person narrative “This Was a Man” brought the series to a good conclusion by putting the finishing touch to some elements that ran through the books. World and British events are integrated with the family’s story and it doesn’t take long for the author to create his first jaw-dropping moments: should Giles Barrington leave politics and recue the woman he loves? Should Karin tell him the truth before her past dealings comes to light creating a worst-case scenario? What will Lady Virginia do? Then there’s Harry and Emma saga and the many others that crosses the pages. Mr. Archer knows how to up the ante in the family drama with betrayal, deep secrets, treachery and conniving challenges.

As I was making my way through the multiple threads I came across some mind blowing twists and turns that have taken me by surprise and made this tale riveting enough to be a page-turner. But unfortunately all came to an abrupt halt when one of beloved character receives bad news no one wants to hear.

Mr. Archer concludes “The Cliffing Chronicles” in his signature style and grandeur and has giving us an enticing story that is quite captivating and a spellbinding tale not bad at all.

"The Apollo Murders", by Chris Hadfield

Fellow fans of Chris Hadfield will love this complex novel that merges many genres from sci-fi to mystery, thriller and historical fiction.

In short words:

The story follows the crew and support staff, beginning from their preparations to go to the moon through to the return of the crew to earth. The thriller aspects are the race during the cold war era and a murder or two.

This is the story of Apollo 18 (in reality, the Apollo program ended with Apollo17)

My thoughts:

During the first part, the narrative gives us enough information to appreciate the complexities of space travel. The language is easy to follow although it is heavy in technical details. I would suspect those versed in the subject would enjoy this story far better than I did. Not saying I hated it I simply found this a bit of a challenge. But, when the story shifted and dived into the mystery things took an about turn and became exciting and worth pursuing with it. You can vividly see in the author visual writing the astronauts experiences when looking at earth from space or peering at the moon. “Apollo Murders” gives us a blend of real-life individuals with fictional ones in a tale deep in sundry details of the early 1970’s space technology. ...on both sides.

This space tale may be fictional but for most part the author’s own experiences as an astronaut and his vast knowledge shines with period accurate detail. The necessary boost to make this story worth reading came from some unexpected twists and turns we have in space and at splash down. Funny moments...

Unfortunately, the experience left me flat and I am left somewhat disappointed. While writing my thoughts I am still on the fence not sure if I like or dislike “Apollo Murders”. So it is up to you now.

"Landscape of Shadows", by Kevin Doherty

Dinon, France 1941 under the German occupation

Max Duval, the mayor and owner of Hotel Picardie, encourages his citizens to accept the presence of the Germans. His most important resident is Major Egon Wolff, German commandant. All went well till the day a resistance team kills two German troopers. One of the assassins is Sophie Carriere who took refuge in the Hotel. Max keeps her safe even if it doesn’t approve of what she has done.

Soon, Sophie accuses him of being a collaborator and instrumental behind the attacks but unknown to her Max is far from being a collaborator. He has his own methods of resistance....and this hot head has come in the way.....What is going on at Hotel Picardie right under the nose of a high rank Nazi.....the story tells us.

I love reading about resistance, it could take many forms: sabotage, publication and distribution of leaflets. This story brings forward the operation of secret escape lines that enable stranded Allied airmen and others to escape from Nazi-occupied territory. These people put their lives in danger for not only France but for all of us.

“In “Landscape of Shadow” we see a mayor having to make peace with the Major so his residents might survive the war. We also see how conflicted these people are with the resistance. When the question comes up to handle Sophie to the German rather than to let the Nazi kill dozen of citizens in retribution the tension is more than palpable. What a dilemma these people had to face very touching and really painful. The author’s words convey the terror and uncertainty each day brought...

Even if I had read more than my share of WW11 stories, Mr. Doherty’s version is far from being boring and gives different view and has its own twists. This is a fast moving story one that kept my attention from the opening page. The energy in this plot has also teased my fingers to flip rapidly pages to see the outcome. I felt transported to a time of anxiety and fear a place I hope never to experience....

Well-done and said

This ARC was provided by Oceanview Publishing via Netgalley for my thoughts.

"Tracks to Freedom", by Michael Reit

Auschwitz/ Birkenau

This gut-wrenching and gripping WW11 historical novel is the sequel to “Beyond the Tracks” follows Agnes Markx, a nurse assigned to Block 10 where she became an unwilling accomplice to the Nazi doctor’s medical experiments. The horrors there aren’t exaggerated...We also see what electrician Joel Kozak faced in the gargantuan camp while Samson Tarski, a stoker in the crematoria witnessed more death each hour. These three strangers needed to survive the horrors in order to tell the world about it....

Based on actual events and people, this novel recreates in a vivid language the lives of prisoners incarcerated at one of the most dangerous place to be held during the 1940’s. Mr. Reit acknowledges he took some liberties to bring his story to our ears.

I have read multiple stories during this terrible time Auschwitz is one of the most notorious camp and through recent years people have voiced their experiences. I never get tired of listening or reading what they went through. Their story is one of bravery and highlights the battle to retain one’s humanity. The author did excellent recreation of the terror, the suffering, the hunger, the fear the prisoners faced each day...To situate us better we have quite a bit of backstory in the lives of these three characters till ½ through they met...and their join effort to survive crisscrossed.

There are a few more people that crossed the pages especially when the underground camp resistance reached out and shared a bold plan to rise and destroy the crematoria.....as a reader I wanted so much for all involved to come out in one piece....not to be as we well know...

“Tracks to Freedom” is well-written: lively and interesting.

Well-said, well-done.

I received this ARC from the author via Netgalley/The Book Whisperer for my thoughts.