Friday, November 14, 2025

"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

Saturday, November 8, 2025

"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

Wednesday, November 5, 2025

"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.