"Bad Juliet", by Giles Blunt

Recently jilted by his fiancée, Paul Gascoyne takes a job as a tutor to the patients at the Trudeau Sanatorium in upstate New York. he finds himself drawn to Sarah Ballard, a beautiful but enigmatic young woman, traumatized by her past aboard the ill-fated Lusitania. To rouse her out of her gloom, Paul encourages her to write a memoir. “Bad Juliet” tells what happened……enjoy.

Set in a sanitarium among the awe-inspiring lakes and forests of upstate New York, this powerful and engrossing tale of a famous Broadway playwright, a struggling poet and a beautiful woman suffering from tuberculosis which both men love held me in its grip from the opening chapter.

The masterful prose of Giles Blunt, a writer at the top of his game, captures the world of an early twentieth century sanitorium beautifully. His tantalizing narrative is magic and reveals tragedy, lies, and passionate love among characters who are much more complicated than they seem at first glance. This compelling journey filled with twists that occurs when obsessive love sets itself inside one’s mind is well paced and well done.

A side note:

Mr. Blunt after learning the remarkable history of Saranac Lake and the pioneering sanitarium that put it on the world map a hundred years ago, took a new direction for his fiction and wanted to tell the most compelling story. Mr. Blunt you did it. Sarah Ballard, the “Bad Juliet” won my heart also.

I received this ARC from Dundurn Press via Netgalley for my thoughts: this is the way I see it

"The Deepest Fake", by Daniel Kalla

Tech CEO Liam Hirsch has just received a terminal diagnosis of ALS and to make things worst his wife is cheating on him and has been caught in flagrante delicto in bed with another man, photos as prove taken by Andrea DeWalt, a P.I. Liam had hired.

While Liam’s company is preparing to launch a new app “Séance AI” which allows users to create an avatar of a dead relative but as the deadline approaches, he notices discrepancies in the co.’s finances. Liam grows paranoid wondering could his troubles be generated by AI?.......and the fun begins. Enjoy.

I simple love this tale. It has so many twists and turns it is hard to figure what is really happening and who may be behind all Liam’s troubles. Are they fake or real or simply in Liam’s mind., is IA playing tricks and altering reality. What an emotional roller-coaster we are into. It was hard not to get invested with what was going on…troubles at works, trouble at home, trouble with his health …or not.

An excellent character-driven novel. Although it may start slow but once you get to know the protagonist you are right with him through all the anxiety and fear he faces. It kinds of rub on you. At one point I starting to question myself and getting paranoid also…naw, not really. I trust my gut.

In whole “The Deepest Fake” is a fast-paced page turner with many spins to derail you, one hard to guess the outcome and a pleasure to pass time with.

Well-said and well-done

Many thanks to Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for this ARC

"Sky's Shadow", by Ted Galdi

Tommy Dapino, book #1

Tommy is a firefighter goes on a vigilante mission after the death of his sister under mysterious circumstances. Tommy is tough and an essentially charismatic individual but he is an ex-felon right out of Attica now he needs to con his way around, get a copy of his sister’s case and set out to take the killer down….this story tells us the trail he took to achieve his goal….

You have to leave your believes behind to enjoy this unbelievable story if not you will think it totally ridiculous….The protagonist is somewhat a jerk who acts like nothing fizzes him, manipulates a young FBI Agent to help him. He hits obstacles one after the other but manages to come out alright….

All this said in a very choppy ways: short sentences and short chapters, the dialogue is even more ratatata adding intensity and excitement for us to keep flipping the pages for the outcome…will Tommy succeed or fail? Action galore.

I wasn’t sure at first if I liked this story where helping veterans get organs someone needed to die and where did Tommy’s sister fit in the equation, yes, we do have an answer…I will assure that when this fast and furious story exploded mid way I was totally hooked. This is one story you need to take one bite at a time to enjoy.

In whole: “Sky’s Shadow” is an enjoyable read

Thank you, Mr. Galdi for providing me with a copy of your book

"Hawke's Code" by Ty Patterson

Can be found under “Ax Storm” on some platform

Hawke and Stryker Thrillers book # 3

Reem al-Farhan, a former Saudi royal guard, has settled in New York and started a new life. She offers her security services to members of the royal family. She is tasked to keep an eye on Samira, a Saudi Princess.

When Samira askes her to find out about a charity that helps women in conflict zone which she oversees. It seems a simple request…until Reem becomes the target of snipers. They thought scaring her would be enough to deter her…..They were wrong. They had ignored the existence of Hawke and Stryker her friends, New York`s toughest PIs…and the show starts…..enjoy

Take notice Ty Patterson`s thrillers are very addictive especially if you love never ending actions. You surely have it, lots of big bang, car races, going through hoops and bounds. Of course, the plot is fast and furious, not a moment respite from the beginning till the end. The narrative active but even with all the technicality simple to follow. But why stay in New York Mr. Patterson sends his characters to Milan where the adventure takes an exciting spin….

I was totally into this story; I couldn’t keep flipping the pages fast enough to see the outcome. Definitely one story hard to put down.

Well said and well-done Ty and thank you for the hours of entertainment.

"The Obsessions of Harvey Usher", by David Putnam

The story in a few words:

At eighty years old, Harvey Usher lives a quiet, reclusive life, still grieving the loss of his beloved wife, Sylvia. But when a stunning redhead named Rita shows up, claiming to be his wife of two years, Harvey's carefully constructed world begins to crumble. Then starts a cat and mouse game where long buried truths come to light. What true motives does Rita have? Harvey must decide who he can trust….

My thoughts:

I was very intrigued at first and enjoyed how tense and clever the plot was. But as it progressed it grew repetitive and dragged a lot. The dual timelines of past and present with change in the characters name simply added confusion. Around page 100 I was totally bored, this story had lost my interest and never regained it. Even with the sluggish pacing and the lack of clarity I managed to lumber along and eventually make it to the very last word. “ouf” I made it….

Do misdeeds from the past comes back to haunt you? Was Rita a Trojan horse place by Harvey’s enemies? Was Harvey suffering from dementia and fooled by a charming temptress? I leave it to you to find out.

A final note:

Some reviewers acknowledged that overall story was strong and kept them engaged. The mix of crime, personal history, and emotional depth had resonated well with them. Maybe you will feel the same?

I received this ARC from Level Best Books for my thoughts: this is the way I see it

"Tracking Evil", by Melinda Woodhall

A Bailey Flynn Mystery book # 7

When one of Melinda Woodhall’s stories comes out I surely wouldn’t want to miss out on the offer to read and review it. I am a huge fan and so far, Melinda hasn’t disappointed.

The story is a few words:

In this latest we at the luxurious Bellamy Island Resort taking part in a bachelorette party when a murder is committed. Agent Bailey Flynn suspects the same man who had strangled the bride to be decade earlier is at work again. During her investigation an unidentified set of remains is found close by, could this new find also be related? Bailey had to get to the bottom pronto before things get out of hands and teaming up with profiler Bridget Bishop is what was needed. They then set off to track down the serial killer before he strikes again.

My thoughts:

As always, the story is fast paced, action packed and filled with excitement. Another one of those stories hard to put down. Although we follow different stands the plot is easy to follow and will keep the interest till the final word. After many books I still find the characters to be enjoyable and how they interact with each other warm.

Although part a series this book stands well by its own so no worries if you pick up this one at this stage.

Another great story and an enjoyable read that is well-said and well-done.

I received this ARC for free with no obligations to write a review.

"A Bookseller in Madrid", by Mario Escobar

Late 1930’s Madrid

Mario Escobar knows how to pull us into moments in history and has a way to mesmerise us with his rich and active narrative. His favourite topics bring us to Spain usually when the world is upside down. His latest is factional but the story is woven against a background of real people, places and events.

“The Bookseller in Madrid” pulls us into the world of Barbara Spiel, a German woman who fled Nazi Germany after witnessing the chilling Nazi book burnings events. She ended up in Madrid smack in the middle of political chaos to open a bookshop, a haven for free thinkers. She soon gets caught up in the politics between Franco’s fascists, Stalinist, republicans, communists and others fighting to maintain or gain political control. She also married Juan, a mid-level government official in the Second Spanish Republic at the time.

Just as Germany seems to be leading Europe toward a Second World War, Spain appears to be headed toward a brutal Civil War.

This is her story…

This story grabbed me from the start although slow moving at first with lots of insights of political atmosphere at that time, all the information can be overwhelming but I urge you to be patient the time is worth it. The last half is a real page-turner. It provides the challenges those who flee their own countries to live in unfamiliar places had to face, it was even tougher when the environment is unsafe.

In his notes, the author state that he made every attempt to accurately portray the primary setting and the political reality of Madrid at the time, a Madrid controlled by the checas that terrorized a vast number of citizens. I think he achieved his goal…

Interesting and captivating at the same time. Excellent read: well said and well done.

I received this ARC from Harper Muse via Netgalley for my thoughts: this is the way I see it.