"Shadow Of Doubt", by Nancy Cole Silverman

Carol Childs #1

Carol Childs's friend and neighbor Samantha Millhouse had recently lost her aunt Pepper when she accidentally drowned in her bathtub. Samantha inherited he aunt’s total estate including the highly regarded talent agency. When the death was rules a homicide Samantha became the prime suspect, Carol can’t believe that her friend had anything thing to do with Pepper’s death.

Pepper was the third employee to die, the first two were older and their death ruled natural cause…until the police decided to reopen the case and discover they were both poisoned……setting off an investigation that will uncover surprises…enjoy.

This was indeed an enjoyable read. I was pulled in immediately and stayed with the drama till the very end. The interplay between characters was engaging and the tempo kept the suspense at its max. Carol had recently changed career from radio advertising to radio news and is still on probation and very hungry for any scoop she can get and this one is a doozy. Can you imagine what hoops she had to go through…this story tells all, a bit scary at time although very creative in many ways. The plot contained plenty twists and conflict, all leading to nail biting scenes and of course a first-class solution. Surprise Ms. Silverman expertly hid the real killer in plain sight…..

The characters are an interesting bunch and are skillfully drawn, being the first book in the series there is room for them to grow. My preferred character is psychic to the Stars Misty, as creepy and as comic one can be.

I like this story it was fun and easy to read. Well constructed and uniquely penned.

Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

"Play Dead", by John W. Mefford

Alex & Ozzie

Dark Horizon Book# 6

Ozzie’s daughter has been it by a car and almost killed when Ozzie’s best friend came calling for help, his niece had disappeared without a trace and needed Ozzie expertise finding her, Ozzie had no choice but to look for her and bring her back home. With the help of Alex, his sister and most trusted business partner, they set out chasing a trail that led them far from home and soon fond themselves in a web of buried secrets, old grudges and enemies with long memories who would kill to protect their empire.

The clock keeps ticking…..

What an exciting story this one is with its relentless pacing throughout and multiple peaks and valleys to keep us on our toes all through it is hard not to say this is Mr. Mefford at his best. So much is going on, trouble always find a way to Alex and Ozzie and for them getting out of it is always a challenge that entertains us. What an intense story this one is I was glued to every word and crossing my fingers rooting for a good outcome but Mr. Mefford had a surprise…. A shocking ending.

What a mix: missing niece, drug cartels, human trafficking, a roller coaster ride and lots and lots of mayhem….and characters extraordinaire….

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

"The Girl on the Beach", by Carol Snow

The story in a few words:

A missing child tears a family apart

Sonia and Graham Starr have everything going for them, a glamorous couple, her an entrepreneur and he a handsome painter with a zest for life. They had everything till the day Roxie, their precious little girl, disappears into the Pacific Ocean one August afternoon…..Months later when Roxie’s nanny plagued by guilt returns to the Starr’s beach house the family drama turns into a roller coaster ride…

My thoughts in a few words:

This psychological thriller had my brain spinning in circle trying to keep up with it. It is definitely originally said switching back and forth at each chapter telling what happened” Before” and then “After” the incident slowly unraveling the Starr secrets and it went on and on this way till the very end. My head is still spinning….No doubts the presentation is original and it is well said although this format didn’t appeal to me and failed to hold my full attention. I thought abandoning it many times but no I stayed with it till the conclusion which I still have trouble figuring what happened. Too many characters, too many back and forth, too many what not and voilà I still wonder what I read.

Ok don’t take my words many have giving this story high praise so as always, I urge you to judge for yourself, you may love it or as I, not so much.

My thanks to Fauzia Burke, Founder of FSB Associates for this ARC in exchange for my thoughts: this is the way I see it.