"The Last Conclave", by Glenn Cooper

A Gripping Vatican conspiracy

After the death of Pope John XXIV, the world braces for a new conclave but once the cardinals are sealed inside the Sistine Chapel, something inconceivable happens…..The Cardinals have vanished without a trace.

A vanished conclave, an empty Sistine Chapel and a secret buried for eight centuries.

What a thrilling read from the opening page till the very last, it was definitely a hard story to put aside. This mystery is of kidnapping and Catharism, a movement that thrived in Southern Europe in the 12th to the 14th centuries and was denounced as heretical leading to violent suppressions, Crusade and inquisitions by the Catholic Church. Mr. Cooper talks a lot about this in his book, quite interesting and informative.

The plot couldn’t be any faster and very suspenseful when CNN religious expert Carl Donovan on site to cover the conclave finds himself dragged into a global investigation and more so, when he uncovers the trail leading back to a centuries-old order…..one waiting in the shadows to strike…..As a result, the ancient secrets could and will shake the foundations of faith…The blend of the lost world of the Cathars with the present day crisis in the Catholic Church was seamless done and perfectly woven.

This story has taking me on a colourful journey to the most holy of place and has opened my eyes on part of history I had no knowledge of.

This religious thriller is worth every page…

Nicely said and nicely-done

I received a copy of this book via the publisher Book Whisperer for my thoughts: this is the way I see it.

"Dead Silence", by John W. Mefford

Alex & Ozzie: Dark Horizon #2

What happened to Ozzie’s family? His wife and kids went missing without a trace after a short vacation that turned out longer than was expected….In panic Ozzie travels south to a small town where they were last seen…..but no one there will answer his questions……from then on things turned for the worst…..

I loved the first half in this story. Bit by bit we follow the Ozzie’s efforts to find his family, the tension is palpable and I felt for Ozzie not being able to get answers, even the sheriff did everything to thwart his efforts. Something was not right and Ozzie needed to find out why.

Now as for the second half I admit it did not touch me in the same way as the first part did. It seemed to me that Mr. Mefford ran out of ideas and rehashed the same old thing till finally he gave his drama the drive needed to make “Dead Silence” worth our while. Although by that time my mind had wandered too much to have stayed focused and by then the end couldn't come fast enough.

Ozzie is a good character and plays well his role as a private investigator and has all the attributes to give us and exciting saga but his latest escapade felt off beat and did not provide all the excitement I previously experienced…but it’s me, judge for yourselves you may think differently.

Not bad but by far not my preferred book by Mr. Mefford.

Thank you John, till next time.

"A Dead Draw", by Robert Dugoni

I started this series 3 books back and like its predecessors this one also can be read as a standalone. If you are a fan of Robert Dugoni you will want to pick up this latest installment.

The murder of her sister Sarah 20 years ago has driven Tracy Crosswhite to become a detective in the cold cases department of Seattle Police Department; Tracy has been haunted ever since that day. When Erik Schmidt, the prime suspect in the murder case was released on a technicality, Tracy was certain that this cold-blooded psychopath was guilty and determined to prove it.

This story is overwhelming with dry details about guns and shooting competitions, but be assured it an integral part in this story. This latest is a little more technical with the legal stuff also.

As the story slowing build-up setting the scene for a game of cat and mouse to the ultimate showdown, we see Tracy going back to basics and remembering the past. How stress, trauma, PTSD and pressure could affect someone is very well center stage. Drawing from years of training, wits and strength Tracy will get her man…but I will leave you to discover how she goes about it….If you enjoy police procedurals, strong female leads, this book is for you.

Thank you, Thomas & Mercer for this ARC

"Bodies and Battlements", by Elizabeth Penney

Ravensea Castle book #1

After a thousand years of ownership, Ravensea Castle became a bed and breakfast with herbalist Nora Asquith there to welcome guests. But things turn unexpected, when Hilda Dibble, a local, is found dead in the garden the next morning. Nora’s business is not only at risk but she is also the prime suspect…..Enjoy.

This is one of those cozy mystery that mosey along from start to finish. Not complicated at all to follow, my brain wasn’t taxed trying to figure what was happening. The author is clear on her intent and expresses well where she is going and where she wants us to be. By giving little bites one at a time and unwrapping slowly each layer with just the right amount of suspense and voilà I was easily grabbed till I reached the end. Of course, along the way we have all sorts of red herrings and complications. I love the setting, an old castle with beautiful gardens and a ghost roaming the rooms doesn`t do any harm either, although far from being original…castle do have ghost, I am told 😊. Nicely depicted. We have a panoply of eccentric characters: parents, family and friends, a hunky policeman and a heroine/business owner to entertain us.

Good story that investigates a suspicious murder in a haunted British castle-tuned bed and breakfast.

I received this ARC from St. Martin’s Press via Netgalley for my thoughts: this is the way I see it

"You Are Dead", by Peter James

Roy Grace book # 11

Once I started reading this mystery, I had a hard time to stop. I treasure Roy Grace series although I am way behind into it but I will bit by bit catch up one day. In the meantime, I am savouring every moment.

Roy Grace is the type of investigator you would want should a loved one be a victim. He is driven, methodical and is no fool. The author tells us a lot in the space given within the binding of this complex story and in no ways do we feel rushed.

It begins with audacious abduction of a young woman named Logan Somerville from her parking garage and the discovery of a decaying corpse of a woman at a construction site. Is someone targeting young women? Bizarrely the bodies have been branded with the words “U R Dead”…..and then goes Grace trying to finds links between the murders before the killer strikes again.

This story is said in short chapters leaving details to a minimum, it only reveals what is necessary at a given time. It flows seamlessly and holds attention till the very end. Mr. James manages to add enough surprises and drama that by the end you will be rooting for the police….but did they get their man… as this story unfolded, the suspense held me captive till I reached the conclusion.

Not surprising, Sandy, Roy’s first wife as a small part an I expect she will resurface at another time…

In a few words:

Filled with twists and turns, “Your Are Dead” is a solidly-written story that no doubt will keep you on your toes until the very end.

"The Edge of Guilt", by David Miraldi

A Legal thriller

Inspired by true events this gripping legal drama is captivating to no ends. It tells the story of a father devastated by the tragic death of his daughter, convinced that her psychiatrist is to blame. He seeks an attorney and enters Paul Schofield, a struggling attorney, taking the case….

What a well-crafted story told with a measured prose and efficient pacing while it delves into the human psyche. The more Paul digs, the more he uncovers buried secrets and ethical dilemmas that shake him to his core. The author’s words reflect the inner turmoil he faces with aplomb. Nicely said and done. The courtroom scenes are filled with tension ….a fine line between greed and justice becomes rather vague…all along the proceedings I stood on the fence undecided if I was on the father side or not, whether I wanted Paul to win or loose the case.

I was hooked from the start; the storyline is captivating and plays with your emotions to keep you engaged till you reach the final verdict. What a wonderful blend of courtroom suspense and ethical ambiguity. The author excelled in bringing to life a case where the areas of justice, morality and grief are conflicting.

Well-done, well-said.

Thank you Book Whisperer for providing this ARC for my thoughts: this is the way I see it.

"The Silo", by Greg Heist

What an outstanding debut novel by a retired Police Captain, Greg Heist. In this gripping psychological thriller, the author has brought first hand knowledge by blending authentic police procedural with a family mystery.

Set in rural Midwest, we follow Detective Frank Braun interrogates Jacob Weaver, a young man facing life in prison. The case is not that simple, as the interrogation goes on, family traumas and truths rise to the surface to finally end in a confrontation at the long-abandoned silo at the Weaver family farm.

I simply loved this short story of around 170 pages. It is one of the best police procedurals I read this year.

It is mainly said in dialogue, exchange between Frank and Jacob as the Detective pursuits his questioning. The language is clear and shows the characters internal struggles. Jacob is a scare young man and Frank shows empathy towards him and wants to help him reveals his dark family secrets at his own pace. The author paints vivid picture of the going-on, every word is active and well placed. The characters are easy to love not really any bad guys just people put in awkward position trying to get a grip on the situation. It has a shocking ending but what an ending it was.

This thriller is well-said and well-done. I hope to be privilege once again.

My thanks to Lisa from Swell Media for providing me with a copy of this book

"The Last Secret Agent", by Pippa Latour, Jude Dobson

This book is the extraordinary untold story of a heroine who parachuted into occupied France in 1944, spied for Britain, defied the Nazis and never told a soul till the day her sons surfing the internet found out about their mother's exceptional achievements and asked her to write her story.

Pipa Latour was one of the last female special operations agents in France to get out alive after its liberation in WW11

Pipa was only 23 years when she was trained by the British and sent to France posing as a 14-year-old selling soap to help her grandparents survive. Her cover story enabled her to travel freely on her bicycle selling soap to German soldiers and sending information back to England via code.

This book tells how her life was: rough, foraging for food and sleeping in the woods….and being in constant danger. What an astonishing life of bravery, if she been discovered, she would have been shot instantly.

She made it out and ended up in New Zealand and before she died last year at age 102, she told her story to Jude Dobson, the co-author.

Being told in the first-person narrative makes the reading personal. The tempo is very active and visual. It is easy to stay tune and in step with Pipa. What a brave young woman she was. Following her was quite a trip and a scary one many times over.

Pipa’s memoir is well-said, interesting and captivating.

Bravo for bringing this extraordinary person to life and giving us her amazing story.

My thanks to St. Martin’s Press for this ARC which I received via Netgalley