"River of Lies", by James L'Étoile

Detective Emily Hunter Mystery book #2

In this second police procedural thriller, duo Detective Emily Hunter and her partner Detective Javier Medina are given a politically charged assignment: homeless encampments are being torched by men in black. But when a dead body found turned out to be the ex-major and at the scene of another arson another the body discovered not to be a homeless victim. What was happening? Things took a deferent spin….. Who wants to eliminate the homeless population, kill doing so and set fire to cover the crime scenes……Who stands to gain from burning the homeless out of their shelters….. By navigating intricate web of deceit one strand at a time this suspenseful story will explain every step the details taken to uncover the truth. Enjoy.

“River of Lies” is the perfect blend of political intrigue and personal drama.

Emily and Javier are a great pair. They have all the attributes needed to be good at their job: a perfect blend of smarts, empathy and care. Not only did Emily had to struggle to balance the high-stake investigation but taking care of her Alzheimer’s stricken mother at the same time. Javier was with her at every turn.

The author writes with deep knowledge of both the human nature and police procedures and by weaving all the elements of a true crime into a twisty drama he has giving us a real page- turning experience.

This story is not only intriguing but highly relevant in today’s world.

Note:

While this second installment can easily be read as a standalone, I would suggest reading the books in sequence to have a better knowledge of the characters and how they have developed.

What more can I say. I simply loved the way it is told and how the story kept my full attention. Well said, well-done.

A copy of this book was given by the publisher Oceanview Publishing for my thoughts: this is the way I see it

"His Fatal Vow", by Melinda Woodhall

Frankie Dawson P.I. book #3

Did I tell in the past that I am a huge fan of this author well I haven’t changed my mind; Ms. Woodhall is true to herself and once more has penned a very captivating story that held my attention from start to finish. I am please to share my thoughts with you.

What to expect in a few words:

P.I Frankie Dawson makes a horrifying discovery when he discovered the body of a popular teacher brutally murdered in the woods near the local school. After an initial investigation Frankie joins forces with the FBI and the local police to find the truth and brings the case to a resolution before the killer strikes again.

My thoughts:

This story was gripping from start to finish and following Frankie in his quest to flush the killer was very exciting. Even more was trying to guess who he was, I tried and failed. I like how this investigation moves along giving us snippets of what’s to come to keep us on our toes and riveted to the drama till the very last moments. This fast paced, filled with twists and turns mystery provides tension galore from cover to cover.

But is this a book a taxing read? Far from it. It is smoothly written and everything is neatly wrapped up by the end.

“His Fatal Vow” is a good addition to this series. It can also be read as a standalone so no worries if you start here.

Happy reading

I received an advance copy, and I am leaving this review voluntary

"Bali" by Ty Patterson

Cutter Grogan Thriller book # 9

Cutter Grogan does it again saving the day and helping those in trouble wherever he is, this time vacationing in Bali where he thinks a restful stay on a beach resort will revitalize him…no so. When Maya, his server goes missing and the next found dead, he could not stay idle…then he became a target with both those behind her murder as well as the law.

At the heart of this book is illegal gambling and the consortiums running the show. Where Grogan goes trouble will follow and soon, he will be deep into shady activities and will give us more hair-raising moments that no one else could. One way or the other he will find the truth and bring justice. But he will not do it alone his thrusted backup crew is there to give him support.

This thriller is filled with exciting action, sometime over the top but that expected from a good story. Mr. Patterson always delivers and action-packed thriller hard to put down. The Cutter Grogan series is my favourite not only is it active it also has a great story easy to follow. Is well written to keep us in tune with the drama and all the excitement it brings. Of course, no secret here our super hero will save the day and will entertain us once more next time…..till thriller 10 …enjoy “Bali”

Thank, you Mr. Patterson you did it again.

"Face of Greed", by James L'Étoile

The story in a few words:

Set in Sacrament, California the inspiration behind this series is drawn from experiences from murder cases.

It opens with a bang:

Homicide detectives Emily Hunter and Javier Medica are called to the scene where Roger Townsend, a business tycoon was murdered and his wife Lori, brutally attacked. After an initial statement both detectives felt that Lori was hiding something. They followed leads but soon discovered that the case was politically connected and were quickly shut down. The detectives refused to do so and discovered that the case also had ties to gang and crooked members of the legal community……

We follow Emily and Javier navigate and find the truth…..

My thoughts:

This story is my introduction to James L’Étoile and I glad I was given the opportunity to get to know his style. I love police procedural and this story was a very exiting one. The author knows how to set facts in a blunt way with no fuzz and without unnecessary words to muddle the drama. This mystery moves at a breakneck speed and is one hard to put down…

I love how the author paints Sacramento, a city bursting with good cops and crooked cops, bad men and seductresses. This story is first class suspense thriller and the dialogue buzzes with authenticity. Mr. L’Étoile long career as criminal justice lends veracity to this page-turner.

Very well said and done

.I enjoyed passing time reading this mystery, I was so deeply immersed I actually didn’t see the time pass.

I received a copy of this book from Oceanview Publishing for my thoughts: thank you so much.

"Hold Strong", by Robert Dugoni

Pacific Theater during WW11

Based on true events, real figures and fictional characters the authors brought to life events that happened after the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor. It tells the stories of ordinary people placed in extraordinary situations. How they showed bravery, courage and sacrifice.

The story:

Sam Carlson and Sarah Haber are the main players.

After the attack Sam was enlisted and sent to the Philippines where he soon became one of many prisoners brutalized in the POW camps. Even with the harsh conditions Sam managed to survive the Bataan Death March. As the war progressed, along with 1800 starved and weakened prisoners Sam was herded into the cargo hold of the Arisan Maru freighter shipped to who knows where and left to their demise. On October 24,1944, the ship was torpedoes by an American submarine and sank, onboard was 1781 POW …Sam survived.

While in the States Sarah was recruited to Washington where her maths skills were highly sought in code breaking.

My thoughts:

The story shows the barbaric treatment of POWs in details. The style and words are so dramatic and visual I thought I was at a movie theater full blown picture and sounds:

“AH-OOG-Ah” “Dive, dive” my preferred chapters were when the submarine was put into action. So well done.

Of course, the sinking of the Arisan Maru and those prisoners pinned in, trying not to drown and escape. Bullets cutting them down and the swords slashing them was chilling. Those who escaped jumped in the sea only to die later on…..Chilling is not the word.

With lots of courage and determination Sam managed to reach China and the Americans and eventually returned home.

Wonderfully writing and vividly detailed this novel inspired by true events is exceptionally well researched and well though out.

A big kudo to the authors for their excellent work and to Lake Union Publishing for the privilege of receiving an ARC.

" Shallow Depths", Milan Skrecek

Tides of Temptation series

“Shallow Depths” is the first in a six-book series

Inspired by real events that happened during the time Milan Skrecek was working as a shopping guide on cruise ships sailing from Miami to the Caribbean. The story dives into a world of hidden agendas and dark secrets, where temptation runs deep.

Christina Delgado Is a veteran shopping guide who navigates the seductive Caribbean cruise circuit but she is weighed down by debts and doesn’t hesitate to take risky decisions to get out of her predicament. Beneath the surface of her glamorous job, Christina runs an exclusive escort service for cruise guests.

Her journey is one of high- stakes survival and pulls us readers into the seductive and treacherous world of high-sea intrigue. It’s the perfect blend of mystery, tension and adventure.

I was pleasantly surprised how fast I was immersed into this seedy underbelly of the industries tied to cruise tourism and of Christina’s internal battle and her relentless pursuit of debt freedom. Set against the backdrop of luxury and tropical beauty the story unfolds into a gripping exploration where paradise is just a façade.

I couldn’t say it better: taken from the synopsis

“Anyone who enjoys deliciously beautiful Caribbean Island vistas blended with generous portions of flawed characters, garnished with a merciless diamond store mogul alongside a perilously unhinged Cuban pimp, will find this series utterly enthralling.”

Quite something deferent than my usual genre. I loved stepping out of my comfort zone and navigate with Christina a world which I will never be part of.

“Shallow Depths” a very captivating read I enjoyed immensely; I am so looking forward to book #2

I received a copy of this book from the Early Reviewers Program for my thoughts: this is the way I see it.

" The Sower of Black Field", by Katherine Kock

Inspired by the true story of an American in Nazi Germany

The story in a few words:

The Sower of Black Field by Katherine Koch is a historical fiction novel set during the final days of Nazi Germany. The story follows Fr. Viktor Koch, an American priest of German heritage, who is deeply conflicted as he tries to guide his parishioners through the horrors of the Third Reich.

My thoughts:

I found this story hard to get into, the accurate depiction of Nazi Germany was heart-stopping from the beginning till I flipped the last page not a moment where I didn’t have chills running down my spine. The author captured the tyrannical Nazi regime expertly as well as the struggles and fear of the ordinary Germans, while the tenacity of Fr. Koch to help his parishioners never wavered. The novel is populated with a host of historical figures mixing in with the fictional ones. We have a lot of German words and names making dialogue and narrative a bit difficult at time to comprehend but in whole we get the drift and able to carry on.

What was driving Fr. Koch to stay in the Third Reich? Was he following a higher plan?

While his parishioners grow restless under the Nazi rule Fr. Victor relied upon his ingenuity to keep them safe and out of prison. With the help of a Nazi charity worker, he managed to do so. Fr. Koch was an exceptional in all manners.

To summarize:

“The Sower of Black Field” is a gripping novel that explore human resilience, faith and braveness.

I received a copy of this book from the Book Whisperer for my thoughts” this is the way I see it.