Ozzie falls right into another suspense, this one close to home...
358716
This series is equally as good as the others. Ozzie finds out he has a daughter and of course heads off to find her. Unfortunately her mother dies a horrific death so Ozzie is her only parent. And they have never met. Ozzie follows the clues given to lead him to her. Plenty of action and suspense. You'll really root for him as the fight for his daughter ensues. Well worth your time. Pick it up quick while it's a steal!
1134269
When private eye, Melissa Fione, logs onto cyberguru.com, her favorite chat site, she is in for a roller coaster ride of shock and suspense. A cyber friend, "rockerSam" claims he is about to murder a man, and logs off before she can find out why or who. When Bill Polsky turns up dead, Melissa knows Sam was not lying. Her investigation into the identity of "rockerSam" leads her to become acquainted with the Polsky family she finds many bizarre family secrets along the way. The Polsky's, a well known Cincinnati family, has many skeletons buried in their closet that they do not wish to have brought out.
The family has more problems than can be imagined: from Jessica, the religious fanatic and Sandy, her politician husband, to Nicole, the habitual liar and her sportscaster husband, Levine and finally their schizophrenic son, Pete. Living on a hill in homes built by the father, the brothers, Sandy and Levine, cannot imagine who wants their family dead, but as they begin being murdered one by one, they all become suspects in each others eyes. When the FBI is brought in, a suspect is arrested, and the murders mysteriously stop. This brings closure to the case, but the real murderer may still be lingering in the shadows.
First time novelist Kris Kumar has created a tale of murder, mayhem and lies. Harlem Sunset comes packed with terror and jumps from scene to scene at a fast pace to keep the reader glued to the pages. With the detail oriented author giving us all the facts in a clear concise manner, the novel is a wonderful addition to any reader's collection. Although the few chapters may leave the reader a bit confused due to the amount of knowledge of the family after the fourth chapter the book becomes so intense it will keep the reader tuned into the family with a vengeance.
The twists and turns in this novel make for a wonderful plot. A better novel could not have been written about the family that seems to have it all whilst burying their problems beneath their money. From a habitual liar, to a Hindu religious guru, to the rich and famous sports start, the Polsky family seems to have taken life by the horns and succeeded. When each person's fate is determined, and the truth comes to light it is an amazing turn about in the persona of the character. I highly recommend any reader of mystery take a turn at this novel and prepare for the ride of their life. Angie Dobson for All About Murder-Reviews
3982207
A major league baseball strike is underway and someone is murdering the leagues top players.  Randy Larkin, an insurance agent turned amateur sleuth and his two partners hear about the baseball murders and convince the Commission that the crime-solving trio should be given a chance to help the FBI solve the murders.

The story alternates between the first person narration of our protagonist and the third person perspective of the so-called Vindicator and the fanatic pulling his strings.  Randy and company must race to solve the mystery before more lives are lost as a bigger plan is at work to create chaos and fear.

Three Strikes and Youre Dead moves along quickly and is an entertaining read.  Randy is an appealing character.  This is an enjoyable book for anyone who enjoys mystery and suspense.
4272811
On December 20th, Olivia is shopping in a bookstore with her seeing eye dog when she is overwhelmed by fear and a vision of a back room with an emergency exit door that says Toyland on it. She and her dog rush down the street to the toy store to tell the security guard that the missing girl is being held by a man in a back room of the store. But no child has been reported missing, and the guard is more concerned with shoplifters than with a woman who needs to go home and sleep off her binge.
When Detectives Max Callahan and Sam O'Reilly finally do come to Olivia's home to question her, it's as a possible suspect, not a witness -- how would she have known about the missing child unless she was an accessory to the crime, possible acting as a diversion? Olivia explains that she herself was abducted (and blinded during her ordeal) sixteen years ago to the day, and now sometimes sees and feels things from the perspective of other kidnapping victims. The officers clearly don't believe her, but there isn't much to go on in the case.
Tina Wainscott's romantic suspense (more suspense than romance) is true-to-life, never cliched nor predictable. Olivia and her dog Stasia are a delight, and the excitement of NOW YOU SEE ME kept me turning pages for a one-sitting read.
1575734
I'm so glad to be back together again with Johnny Adcock. There's nothing like being inside the mind of a Major League Baseball player. This was such a suspenseful read, I almost couldn't bear it. Love the appearance of Tiff Tate - a strong female character who has made her career on players' looks on the field. TT Monday - you do it for me every time!
2425716
Johnny thought he had the perfect job  as Chief of Internal Security for the New England Highlanders basketball team, until he committed suicide.  His wife Roseanne couldn't believe that he would choose to end his life and pushed for an investigation.  Along with her brother Graham and friend Randy, they carried out their own probe.

The story is told from Randy's point of view.  He's been a friend of the family for many years since selling them their first insurance policy.  His job has given him many opportunities for investigation, but never as in depth as this case promises to go.  At first, I felt a little unsettled by Randy's story telling, but then I realised he was telling the story from the present rather than the past tense as I expected.  Once I had read a few chapters, that unsettled feeling went away.

Their investigation proceeds at a realistic pace, at times stalling for days and at others moving ahead in leaps and bounds.  This kept me guessing as to what would happen next and when it might happen.

I enjoyed the assortment of characters involved in the plot.  Detective Chuck McElroy never quite welcomed the three as he felt it was safest to leave the investigating to the police, but then again, he didn't run them out of town either.  It didn't matter that I knew little about professional basketball, it is a backdrop to several characters, one of whom plays an important part of the investigation.

This is definitely not a cosy mystery, it contains a fair number of gruesome deaths, though Mr. Draper has not gone into glorified details, rather he has confined the descriptions of the bodies to that needed for the storyline and not gone beyond to gratuitous gore.

Thanks to author Michael Draper for creating a good book with more than a few interesting plot twists.  Mike's latest book Three Strikes and You're Dead is now out in print.
3060743
On sick leave from the police force, and recovering from the breakdown of her second marriage, Detective Senior Sergeant Susan Prescott is house sitting her sister-in-law's country estate with Marli, one of her twin daughters. The other twin, Brittany, has gone to live in Sydney with her stepfather Harry.

Susan crosses paths with her ex-husband David Maguire, the twin's biological father, when he arrives in town to investigate not one, but two murders. The old lady who was murdered had a secret which she was about to tell Susan when she was killed.

An aristocratic family holds the key to finding the murderer, but they have closed ranks, so that their dark secrets will never see the light of day.

I don't want to spoil this story, but the suspense is built up so well, you will be on the edge of your chair most of the time. The final resolution is surprising but very plausible.

A great read if you like plenty of suspense.

Margaret Tanner
2597083
An awesome start to another great series by John Mefford.  An excellent thriller with a great storyline, lots of action, and interesting characters.  A hard to put down book that will have you ready for the next adventure with Ozzie.  Highly recommended book, series, and author.
2662371
This gets five stars because its set in Oz and I'm an Ozzie!
But I do love Jo Nesbo and his laconic style and fancy his alcoholic, agonised cop Harry loved his Australian sojourn.
There are well drawn characters here (including an educated insight into the plight of an aboriginal Australian) and a masterful unfolding of the expected Nesbo "bag o' tricks" as the plot changes tack more times than a skiff battling up wind.
Treat yourself!
478081
Ozzie Novak is having a bad day. It starts with him wondering why his newlywed wife has suddenly become very aloof. Then on the way to work, Ozzie gets in a street brawl. And then not long after getting to Novak & Novak Law Firm, federal agents show up with a sealed warrant and shut the firm down. But his dad collapsing from a heart attack while being arrested topped it all. Could the day get any worse? As a matter of fact, it does. Ozzie cant help but wonder, what has happened to his picture perfect life.

I enjoyed the character of Ozzie immediately. The more I read, the more I felt sorry for him. It seemed like he couldn't do anything right, no matter what. I am absolutely going to enjoy this new series, and knowing John Meffords writing, have no doubt that the rest will be as action packed as this one was.
1182454
If you long for freedom from all the things that hold your down, I suggest you get to know a young Texan lawyer named Covey Jencks, because he cherishes freedom and wide-open ranges.

Author Shelton L. Williams weaves this well written, fast-paced fiction with believable characters to take you back in Americas southern history, with enough suspense to keep you turning the page.

It was March 1979, when Alfreda (Freddie) Mae Johnson (a southern black women) died. It was her death that would eventually take young Covey Jencks from his beloved oil country of West Texas to the seat of political power in Washington D.C.

To understand Covey, we must start with his college days where Led Zeppelin filled the dorm halls, margaritas and weed played with the senses, and girls made Coveys first night at school the first day of the rest of my life. Coveys love for the month of September, (beginning of the school year) that made the launch of Jencks Law Firm perfect.

Depending on your age, you will relate to this time (1970s through 1990s) drenched in racial tensions, Vietnam war, college football pride, mobsters, gangs, bad cops, young love and for Covey, a nagging need to know what brought Freddie to such a violent end.
This is a great read and I am hoping that this is a prequel to the Covey Jencks series, as there are never enough sleuths to satisfy mystery, thriller suspense enthusiasts like myself.

I, Theodocia McLean, endorse Covey Jencks by Shelton L. Williams. This book is available in paperback and Kindle. I purchased this book in Kindle. This review was completed on February 24, 2017.

<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Covey-Jencks/dp/B079F1SMZT/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Covey Jencks</a>
3500066
Steve Summers was killed in a car accident while heading home one dark night.  Now 50 years later his grandson is determined to find out the truth.  As Billy uncovers more evidence it is looking more like a not-so-accident.  Billy knows there is more to this than anyone wants to believe and as he gets closer he has a near death experience himself.  The events that unfold as Billy discovers truths lead to a chain of murders in this town of Rymont, South Carolina.  Lander writes a very suspenseful story that I thoroughly enjoyed reading.
3613311
Another winner as far as I am concerned for Brian Ullmann. Why this guy is not getting more reviews is beyond me. This is the second Jonathan Dougherty (Retriever) novel and this one is even better than the first. Wouldn't mind a third if the Author decided to further the adventures of this character. It's kinda like the National Treasures movies which were like the Dan Brown novels. I liked it and I will continue to follow the Author.
2881617
Gregg Hurwitz's "You're Next" is a standard "torment the good guy for some unknown reason" novel of suspense.  Mike Wingate's memory of his childhood starts at the age of four when his dad, John, abandoned him under mysterious circumstances.  The traumatized boy had only vague memories of his origins, and he was not able to provide any useful information to the authorities who questioned him.  Consequently, he was sent to foster care, where he befriended a miscreant named Shepherd White, who would remain his buddy on and off throughout the years.

Fortunately for Mike, he meets and marries a beautiful and caring woman, Annabel; the couple is devoted to their precocious only child, eight-year-old Kat.  As the product of a dysfunctional childhood, Mike could have become a ne'er-do-well.  However, he straightens himself out and it takes thirteen long years "to work his way from hired hand to carpenter to foreman to contractor."  Now, he is deeply in debt thanks to his latest project, Green Valley, California, a community of "ecological houses" of which he is extremely proud.  Much to Mike's chagrin, he learns some disturbing news about the construction site that knocks him for a loop.

Mike's troubles are just beginning.  A trio of sadistic killers is determined to destroy him and his family; the police appear to be in on the conspiracy and Mike has nowhere to turn. He asks Hank Danville, a tough-talking and highly competent private investigator, to gather crucial information.  In addition, with the help of his pal, the ever-resourceful Shep, our hero learns to think and act like a criminal.  He gets involved in high-speed car-chases and violent confrontations, but still has no idea why he is being targeted for death.

The reason, when it is finally revealed, is outlandish, and the weak conclusion does not bolster this formulaic novel that is too long and requires a monumental suspension of disbelief.  Mike is a sympathetic and courageous hero who has a touching relationship with his wife and child, and some of his hair-raising escapades provide much-needed thrills.  Still, "You're Next" resembles too many other similar tales in which an ordinary Joe morphs into "the Fugitive."
2203581
What do you look for in a read? A feeling of stepping into the past? Romance? Action? Realism? "The Ball Player" by Clay Snellgrove has all of that and more. If you're a baseball fan, you'll love this novel but this is also for anyone looking for a good story. This is a story in the true spirit of contemporary southern fiction.

I think we can all relate to the relationship of the friends in this novel. Most people had that best friend with whom we competed and who we supported as much as we could but with whom we fell out of touch. Maybe the worst happened and we face the guilt of being the one to make it - the main character in this novel faces that guilt in more than one way. The feeling conveyed from the main character is a poignant and real and carries through as we follow him throughout the life he faces and the mistakes he makes.

I think some readers will find certain aspects of the character unrealistic or perhaps glossed over but I think anyone really sitting down and devoting the attention to the flow of language on the page will find that those little unrealisms don't matter. We're being told the story by the main character and if we were telling our own story wouldn't we embellish slightly? Those moments in and of themselves are very minor. This character is willing to admit who he is and lay himself open for the world to see in a way that is raw and, I think, wins us over.

I loved this novel. Like other readers, I found it really difficult to put down. I look forward to reading future works by this author.
4178809
Just imagine living in a basement for the entire ten years of your life.  Your parents, your Grandmother, your sister and your brother are also with you.  Things begin to change after your sister has a baby and not in a good way.  This is a captivating read in that there is a lot of suspense built around that basement scenario.  For me, I kept wondering about The Cricket Man...is he real or imagined? That was the 'who' part and then the 'why' appears - why has this family been in a basement for 10 years? Suspense abounds and mysteries surface....

Be forewarned, however, that there is emotional and physical abuse as well as an incident of incest.  As one may conclude, this family is more than dysfunctional.  The author does delve into the history of each of the main characters so the reader is able to grasp the reason for those problems.

The ten year old protagonist has several deep loves within his heart.  His cactus, his 'chick'  and his fireflies are at the top.  One may only imagine the joy the light from the fireflies gives the little boy in the darkness of this enclosed space.

All in all, a solid read which held my attention from the beginning to the end.  I also felt that the translation was done well.

Highly recommended.

Please note that this is my Kindle First selection for March.
1846793
I'm a big fan of this series and loved Ozzie's story. Always the laid back, funny guy he didn't believe any woman would ever stay so he decided short term hookups were the way to go. Until Samantha. Bright, tenacious, stubborn, she's a reporter looking to break a big story. Despite having to hide what he really does Ozzie falls hard for Samantha. He doesn't think it can be forever, but through danger and with the help of his BKI family we have another happy ending.