"Samarkand", by Ty Patterson

Cutter Grogan book #10

If you want never ending over the top action this book is for you, never a dull moment and a pretty good story to top it all. Cutter is super human, a Delta Force agent turned P.I always ready to help someone whether he is on vacation or not. In book #10, Cutter is on a trip of a life time exploring “The Silk Road “ when he receives a call from his friend FBI Gina Difiore asking him to find her niece Emily who has gone missing exploring “The Silk Road”. No hesitation, Cutter will fight fire and water and will open hell to their enemies….He has no limits….and the action commence…..and what action we find ourselves into.

I was just in the right mind set to tackle this story and I loved it, this is one of the best in this series. Cutter looking for Emily faces the Cartel, human traffickers, War Lords, killers, crooked cups and corrupt officials but Cutter has all the resources needed to success, even Meg and Beth from home has local contacts to provide all what he needed.

This pacing is super fast and well thought of to keep us flipping pages, well I did zip through this thriller in a couple of settings, unfortunately life got in way and I hated so much to put it aside, I was so invested in it from the time I opened the first page till I reached the excellent ending. Along the way the story brings us to places not all have or will visit…I took my atlas out to follow the trail…learn something new even in thrillers…

Well-said and well executed.

Thank you, Ty, for the hours of enjoyment

"The Midnight Knock", by John Fram

The summary in a few words:

Eight weary travelers converge at a lonely roadside motel nestled at the foot of a massive mountain. Ethan, Hunter, Tabatha, Kyla, Fernanda, Penelope, Ryan and Jack Allen have a story to tell and somehow, they are all connected to the enigmatic Sarah Power, another motel guest. When Sarah is found dead some hours later….something keeps lurking in the darkness … what could it be and what to do about it….nothing is quite as it seems…the guests will soon find out.

My views:

“Twilight Zone” reinvented and the law of nature bent in a provocative way. Supernatural horror is not my cup of tea. I really don’t know why I accepted to give this book a go.

This is one strange story I had trouble keeping up with it. Told from each guest point of view in alternate chapters. The story is also divided into section recounting from a different angle the guests experience past and present. This circle repeats too many times for my pleasure, it was very frustrating. The plot is way too complex.

Definitely this is a nightmare, a razor-sharp thriller that is creepy, somewhat clever and too cinematic for my taste…very atmospheric with vivid scenes, a motel that breathe and landscapes that loom with menace. The story is unique no doubt about it.

“The Midnight Knock” definitely pushes the boundaries of mystery storytelling.

This is one story that will please some and not so much others.

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

"The Hawk is Dead", by Peter James

Roy Grace #21

Peter James in this latest mystery takes us deep into Buckingham Palace where Roy Grace never thought his latest murder investigation would take him.

The story in a few words:

Queen Camilla aboard the Royal Train is headed to a charity event when disaster strikes and the train derails. Minutes later an aide is shot dead by a sniper… everyone jumped to the assumption her Majesty was the intended target but debonair Inspector Grace was not on the wave link and finds himself alone with his suspicions…….is he right?.....

My thoughts:

The book can be read on its own but you will appreciate the characters more if you have read the others. Although I have read many books in this series, not all were read in sequence and I never felt lost.

In his investigation Grace takes us on a tour of the Palace and describes its opulence décor and history behind some paintings and “objet d’art” While meeting the monarchy and the various roles of the staff James gives us all the fluff that goes which such an encounter. Really it was a bit much. IMO, this took over the crime and who was behind. Having said this, it still a fun read once the investigation took wings and getting to the arrests and finding out the whodunit is and the why. Definitely a lot more procedural in this one.

I do question: would an attempt on the Queen’s life be handle by the local police or handed over to a squad expert in terrorism?

In a few words:

The plot is well paced and engaging, the characters are well drawn and the setting is vividly described. A good story I enjoyed passing time with.

My thanks to Pan Macmillian and Netgalley for this ARC.

"The Middle Kingdom", by Aviv Geva

My thoughts on this one will be short and sweet:

This is a weird story of a fictional “Red Banaba Monkey Kingdom” ruled by King Brin. It is told with whimsical rhymes and metaphors retelling of the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. (which I never realized this while reading this story)

I found this style very hard to appreciate. Although it starts playful and lyrical but is rather dark. Definitively this is a daring, poetic view of a political tragedy seen through jungle mythology. Although the language is inventive and emotional charged, it did little to move me.

Written entirely in rhymed verse and biblical cadence is not a genre I enjoy. Definitely not for me but you may love this story some say it is a work of genius

"Killer Tracks", by Mary Keliikoa

Misty Pines Mystery #3

Sheriff Jax Turner is going off-grid and wants to reconnect with his wife. Once at the camp they were distracted by signs of a break-in at their rented cottage followed by a string of unsetting events and worst an approaching wildfire puts them in a danger zone…. What happens next…. the fun begins and we are into an exciting story.

Meanwhile in town, Jax's team is dedicated to serve and protect. But when body is found in an apartment fire and the investigation leads them to a person who is suspected to be at the same location as Jax more fun awaits us and we are plunged into a very exciting drama…

This fast-paced mystery never stopped popping events for the protagonists to face has held my attention throughout. The tension is well paced and kept mounting a notch each time Jax or a team member faced a complication. Effectively the story creates a sense of danger with high stakes elements such as break-ins and wild fire. The multiple twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat. It is a good story with all the expected elements one can wish for.

The dual narrative threads enhance the suspense and eventually connect. Well-done.

As for the characters development, excellently penned giving them realistic flaws and strengths. I particularly like the complexity of the relationship between Jax and his wife Abby and the dynamics of Jax’s team.

In whole “ Killer Track” has an engaging storyline that fans of the genre will appreciate.

My thanks to Level best Books and Netgalley for this ARC

"The Executioner Box". by Matt Hilton

This is one dark story one step into full-on horror definitely far from the mystery tales Matt Hilton used to give us…hum do I like this switch into the Twilight Zone…. not really.

In a few words:

Ben Taylor loves to get bargains when shopping at the stalls of curio dealers to resell trinkets at Taylor and King Curiosities, the shop he runs with his wife Helen. He is drawn to a box that contains a gold and bejeweled amulet that seems worthless but actually is a price jewel, although more intriguing is the box itself which is etched with indecipherable markings that turned out to be more significant in impact….

My thoughts:

This story that delves into chaos and strange occurrences is engaging and well paced enough to have kept my attention for most parts but ¾ into I lost interest with the clichéd dialogue, the flat characters and the chilling narrative, the touch of the macabre did no longer appeal to me.

It is an OK story but I join those who say it’s nothing to write home about. It dragged too much and rehashed things too many times…sorry this is not my favourite story but it may be yours….

My thanks to the publisher Severn House as well as Netgalley for this ARC

"Deadly Mercy", by Melinda Woodhall

A Bailey Flynn FBI Mystery book # 8

The story in a few words:

A deadly hit and run accident lead to the discovery of a local woman’s body who had shortly gone missing along with the grisly death of two other bodies fond in a pond close by. Sending Special Agent Bailey Flynn on the cases. Bailey is good at her job and didn’t take time before she discovered the shocking truth behind the twisted mind of the killer. She had to stop him before another life is taken…..a drama is on….enjoy.

My thoughts:

I enjoy this story so suspenseful it was hard to put down, I actually zipped through it in no time, that engaging. The story is dark, fast-paced and juggles many threads which tied together smartly by the end although leaves open the door for a sequel…

With sharp dialogue and in vivid details we navigate along with Bailey procedural details that eventually bring an end to the saga. This is a good page-turner that brings forward a strong female lead and ensures that you will not be only engaged but entertained to the very end. The author’s style is simple and clean and can be enjoyed by all: no censure needed.

I am a huge fan of this author all her books have been solid read.

I received a copy of this book for free with no obligations to write a review.