"Sisters Under the Rising Sun", by Heather Morris

Although fictional this moving tale is based on the life of women who were internees of Japanese camps based in Indonesia during WW11. Their stories was overlooked by history and had to be told. Ms. Morris shares with us three years and seven months of their stay as POW. Among the internees were Dutch nuns, Dutch and English civilians as well as Australian nurses. The story mainly centers on Nesta, Ena and Norah who fought side by side to help whoever they could.

The novel is divided into three parts and is narrated from the perspectives of Norah and Nesta as they take turn chapter to chapter. It is said in a tone that is rather flat and neutral, I felt absolutely no bond with the characters they seemed cold and withdrawn. Could it be that relating a story second or third hands may have lost its sparkles down the line. The people represented here deserved full recognition. Unfortunately I found it difficult to be invested; the pacing is too slow, too monotonous and lacks vitality. I stayed with this story not because I enjoyed it but I wanted to know more about its historic facts. Overall I admit to be disappointed with the novel but still I appreciate that Ms. Morris brought to light a story of women in war, their sisterhood, their bravery and friendship. Although I may be overly critical here but I must say “Sisters Under the Rising Sun” is a rather exceptional story worth reading.

My thanks to St-Martin’s Press and Netgalley for this ARC

"The Kramski Case" by James Ward

Tales of M17 book #1

When Kramski, a retired SVR files- operative, starts assassinating paparazzi in three countries, then M17 steps up and soon discovers a covert operation is behind the killings. Joining the UK is a US cop and a Russian agent to unravel the intrigue. As readers off we go on a journey through multiple twists and turns with lots of surprising developments.

Layers and layers of intrigues with each espionage department kept in the dark about the work of the others. It is a messy and muddled plot although clearly the author knew where he was going with his story. I am being picky saying this but the multiple characters to keep track of was a bit much. I like the interesting and entertaining banter as well as how people lies and spreads rumours letting you wonder what is going on and where is the truth. The plotting which centers on conspiracy is very complex and intricate it left me frustrated at times but I got over this in the long run. Perhaps it was the few English (UK) vernaculars I was not too familiar with nevertheless it made good British espionage literature. The pacing is slow and steady with well-orchestrated action scenes such as car chase and aerial dogfight just to name a few to make us hold on till the conclusion. In my books “The Kramski Case” is way too complicated and farfetched and most of all it lacks the WOW factor to make it a stellar read.

"Fatal Exchange", by Russell Blake

Fatal book #1

This is an oldie I finally picked up from a long very long list of books I downloaded years ago. “Fatal Exchange” was published in 2011; definitely this book was overdue for my attention.

There are two storylines in this thriller that despite how different they are they work together well. First we follow a case of counterfeiting American hundred bills linked to the country of Myanmar where someone decided to take their cut to the US and buy valuable antiques with it. When Myanmar finance minister realizes it and sends a pair of killers on the trail of the money to get it back. No need for me to tell you how gruesome these hired hands do to their victims....the story describe this vividly. The author does not mince words.

The second story involves Tess Gideon, a bike messenger in New York. When someone starts to murder female bike messengers in a very gruesome way and at the same time she becomes embroiled in the counterfeiting scheme now she also becomes a target. Then comes to the forefront, Ron Stanford, a detective in the NYPD, to save the day and bring to justice a murderer who kills more and more quickly.

We have a very large cast of characters all with their own point of view including the serial killer as well as the Asian ones. No worries following this story the tempo stays steady, the language is clear and the narration makes every word come alive. I particularly like the short scenes that quickly change from character to character it made everything move fast. Not a dull moment in this gritty edge of your seat thriller.

"The Hanged Man", by John W. Mefford

Jack Whitfield series book #3

When a popular mayor is murdered by a Mexican drug cartel and the impact goes way beyond America to thousand miles away in Africa. Jack and his squad of operatives set to hunt down those who kill their people for their own greed. As the clock ticks they soon learn the scale of what they face....tick tick tick.

Ok John you did it again, your latest thriller is full of electrifying suspense and grabs us from start to finish. Action, action galore not a moment reprieve it cares to give us. Wild car chase, gun fights, bunch of terrorists, suicide bombers ...you name the bad guys and they are in this story. The plot moves so fast in this twisted story that I couldn’t help but flipping the pages at raging speed to see is Jack and his merry men would save the day..of course they did. At the heart of this story are how drugs are distributed around the world and how far the cartels are willing to go to make a profit.

The story brings us to the beaches of Puerto Vallarta, to the creepy cemeteries of New Orleans, to the African countries of Mali and Cameron tracking down drug dealers and falling into the hands of Boko Haram terrorists...who survived? This thriller turns out to be a scintillating international intrigue driven by pulse-pounding action hard not to like. It is so visual it could be a script written for a movie. Well said, well done.

Thank you John for the hours I spend enjoying you story...till next time.

"The Defector", by Chris Hadfield

Apollo Murders book #2

This top gun thriller is rich with inside details and political intrigue taken from real events and people that made the news at the time.

It opens in Israel in October 1973 when a Soviet MiG fighter pilot crashes his mythical “Foxbat” MiG-25 on landing and pleads to defect to the USA. Kaz Zemeckis, a former test pilot, is assigned to accompany him to the military’s most secret site in the US, Area 51. What happens next is a thrill on its own....and nerve- shredding rush of aerial combat till the very end. Tom Cruise step aside....

From start to finish the plot moves at full throttle and is an adrenaline laced espionage page turner at its best. This Cold War era story is drawn from the author’s combat experience. As a fighter pilot, test pilot and astronaut Chris Hadfield has a lot to say and makes his story of the Soviet-era exciting to read. We are taken to the sky in aerial combat to hunt down a high-level defector and at the same time uncover Soviets secrets what a way to get readers attention. I like the characters, they are well-defined and many represent real-life people both in the USA and Soviet Union. The narrative brings a vast knowledge in science and technology including the development of fighter jets and missiles.

Dogfight described by one that was once a fighter pilot is exciting. We are immediately placed in the cockpit; you can feel the pressure and the thinness of the air and the rotation you are subject to at high speed. Strap yourself in and enjoy the wild ride I know I did. Well said and well-done.

My thanks to Penguin Random House Canada and Netgalley for this ARC

"A Lonesome Blood-Red Sun" by David Putnam

Dave Beckett book #2

With a tone of a cop on the beat this second book continues the day to day life of officer not like any others. He acts and thinks in ways no one can predict and by doing so gets himself in trouble with his superior Lieutenant Cordova whom he loves to call Lieutenant Cordoba to annoy him. Taken from his life experiences the author does marvel in creating scenes and doesn’t hold back. Through the eyes and voice of Beckett we are treated with the perspective of a patrol officer. The first person narrative works perfectly here.

This novel is split in two parts: one is set in 1984 when Beckett was a patrol officer and the second part in 1988 when he was promoted to bone detective. For those hating dual time this story is easy to follow.

The plot is slow moving and it takes a while before action sets in but when the upper crust takes revenge and assign Beckett on “bone cases” way out in the dessert it is the just punishment they take pleasure in giving him....but when the bone found turnout to be one of their own...Beckett goes to no end to find the killer. Then the action picks up and this mystery turns out to be an exiting ride till the end.

What a gritty police adventure this novel turned out to be. I enjoyed the writing style although it took awhile to get used to it but at the end my mind was tuned in and I enjoyed the unpredictable drama this “whodunit” mystery provided. Well-done.

My thanks to the publisher Level Best Books and Netgalley for this ARC

"Shadows at Dusk", by Elizabeth Goddard

Missing in Alaska book #2

Detective Trevor West’s sister went missing in Alaska a year ago and he is desperate to finding her. She left a few photographs as clue to her whereabouts and needs the help of an experience pilot to track her down. The best resource is Carrie James who knows the area like the palm of her hand. ....and the adventure begins.

I received this Arc from the publisher Revell via Netgalley for my thoughts and I am glad to share them with you. Ms. Goddard is one of the authors I like to follow. .She writes with a steady hand and knows how to spin an interesting tale filled with suspense and thrills. Along the way a bit of love attraction never hurts and she does that with aplomb and taste. The dynamic between the main characters is cute and well-done. I really like how Carrie and Trevor interact. The suspense doesn’t stay to one case, Carrie has her own agenda, she needs to find who may have killed her closest friend and bring the killer to justice. As the two close in on the answers...they face dangers and connections they could not have imagined. What a wild ride we are into flying the sky of Alaska while moments later we are deep into caves with crumbling walls and miners (bad guys) plotting to blow up the shafts and the whole mining camp. The action is so exciting...I couldn’t help but flip the pages furiously (Ok, a bit heavy). Ms. Goddard vivid and colourful words bring her stories to life and make them believable.

This enjoyable story is a blend of suspense, faith, adventure, danger and romance.

"One Last Kill", by Robert Dugoni

Tracy Crosswhite book # 10

When I see a Robert Dugoni novel I have to put my hands on it, he is on the top of my favourite authors list. Although this latest is part of a series the story stands well on its own although it is a good idea to have read the previous installments to understands the politics within the police department and the pressure driving Tracy. This latest is an excellent addition to the series.

In a few words:

Hunting for a serial killer three decades later is not an easy task Tracy is just the person that could pull this through, she is expected to put all her attention on this cold case and bring the victim’s family closure.... even if it means working with her nemesis Captain Johnny Nolasco. Nolasco dares her to close the case...Revisiting old evidences and new .ones they unearth corruption and cover-ups...The illusive killer makes his chilling comeback.

My thoughts:

The chemistry between the two characters is interesting. Obvious, they don’t like each other even less working together, totally annoyed with every moves the other does. Nevertheless when they uncover a web of high level corruption and cover-ups Tracy and Nolasco pool they efforts and refused to give up.

I was immediately drawn into the plot which at first was rather slow to take sail and get going but when Tracy and Nolasco explored the leads and closer to the truth the got, danger lurked at every corner, tension mount and the story sets off into a pulse pounding mystery.

“One Last Kill” is well plotted, the characters play excellent roles, the many twist and turns give an excellent spin to be enjoyed. It is said in the third person narrative and in a dual timeline between the present when case was reopened and the 1993-1996 investigation into the first murder. It was very captivating to follow the different approaches. Although I loved the story mostly, the ending was a big disappointment... Justice wasn’t served here...

If you enjoy police procedurals and crime mysteries featuring a strong lead female investigator you may want to give this one a go.

Thank you Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for this ARC