McCallin gets better with every Gregor Reinhardt book.
589911
I'm sure the author hates hearing this, but awfully close to Philip Kerr's Bernie Gunther series.

Still, McCallin's character development has improved over the series, and his earlier novels on the German occupation of Sarajevo and other parts of the Balkins covered a theater of war that gets attention.

Well done. Now to reread the Spy who Came in from the Cold.
3875459
This is the third book I've read by Fraser, and it's by far her best. The characters are more developed than in previous outings, and while the cast is as large as in her first "Perdition Games" book, she has grown more expert at juggling all the moving parts. As always, Fraser is masterful at creating ambivalent characters, so nuanced and real that you find yourself hating them on one page, forgiving them on the next, and then sympathizing with them in the following chapter. This is not an easy feat, nor is it a common skill.

"Red Rover" follows Sam McNamara as she investigates a suspicious death ruled a homicide, that may or may not involve a childhood friend of hers. The book moves at a slow burn (this is, I believe, the longest of the three books in the series), but the pace is one of inexorable dread rather than tedium. The tension mounts, the suspense ratchets, and I wasn't sure until the last few pages who the murderer was. Without giving any spoilers away, I'm relieved to say that a sequel may very well be in the works.

Thriller/non-supernatural suspense is not really my favorite genre, but I'll make an exception for this series. It's a minor point to make here, but I should add that the fact that the work is set in Canada and that Fraser herself is Canadian lends the work more verisimilitude. I don't read much modern suspense, and nary a book in the genre (outside this series) from the Great White North.  Highest recommendation.
3764814
Karen Marie Moning is quickly climbing my list of favorite authors! Her Highlander series is one of those rare series that continue to get better as they go along. With every new book in the series, I find myself sucked into the world and the characters. While all of them surround a Highland Warrior and time travel, none are that same as the last, and each Highlander is seductive in their own way. In this book, we encounter Drustan and Gwen, and travel from the modern world to the Highland past and back again. The castles and atmosphere are gorgeous as usual and I find myself constantly wishing I was in Scotland myself. This novel takes a new spin on an old story, this time Sleeping Beauty. Without giving away too much, Moning weaves a tale of suspense, comedy and of course romance. The reader falls in love with Drustan and I found myself finding his mild arrogance kind of endearing instead of annoying and I waited eagerly to see how his and Gwen's story will pan out. I even became overly intrigued with Drustan's brother, Dageus, and the foreshadowing Moning created toward his future story. In fact, Moning set up the transition from Drustan's story to Dagues' story in Dark Highlander so well, that I found myself running out to buy it! If I had to complain about anything it had to be the use of the phrase "cherry-picker". By this time in the book, I know our leading lady is a virgin and there is no need to pound the idea in so much, it became a little repetitive but easily enough overlooked and it's not like the storyline suffered over it. However I did find myself growling whenever I read the phrase or reference to it. In the end, I'd say try this book, try this series, it's great and unlike other series, it keeps getting better! You'll fall in love with the romantic Highlands and its warriors.
612714
His writing continuously gets better. From a lion's tale to undisputed to best in the world, his stories are hugely entertaining!
3457612
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher in return for an honest review by Netgalley. Ok, Legalese out of the way. It is a rare feat for an author to keep topping his previous works, but Steve McHugh is one of those rare writers. Five books in, and his writing is only getting better, always making me wanting to see what comes next. This book has replaced Prison of Hope as my favorite in the series. In this one Nate has to deal with and old enemy, and finally starts getting some answers about who is responsible for all his troubles the last few years. As always, the book takes place both in contemporary times and in a flashback sequence, this time in 1880's London, specifically in the Whitechapel area. Anyone familiar with history will know about a series of events that happened there in that time, and these are explained and included in this book. It is a truly wild way to include real history, and was done with a really deft touch. The reasons behind the events were shocking, to say the least. In this book, you find out how those events tie in to the current conspiracy, and you get your first look at Avalon, the Pocket dimension that runs the show behind the scenes. You visit familiar characters, and add some really interesting new characters, as well as a strength of Steve's, some really nasty villains. Characters are three dimensional, and you can really get into them, both good and bad. There never seems to be some deus ex machina that ties it all up into a nice easy package. Instead, there is a big explosive situation that really reflects how things would play in real life. The Villain in this book may be the best yet, as you hate him from the first, but he is never an over the top caricature, but a driven, evil, fully formed character. As always, there are more explanations of the magic systems, as well as new magic types, which seems to happen in all the books, and really adds to the story as well. Nate's story gets more fleshed out, and is all setting up for the big reveal of who he truly is. There is a good bit of Nate's back story in this book, with some startling revelations. All in all, a five star book, and I can't wait to listen to the audio version I just ordered, these books are just that good. Any fans of his previous books will be well served by getting a copy of this one.
2825388
This book is even better than the first. The character development is very strong, his knowledge of skip tracing is encyclopedic, and the dual plot lines work really well. This author is becoming one of my favorites. Just started the third book.
1068144
This series just keeps getting better.  Destiny and Kipling add a dimension to Fools Gold that I had not anticipated.  Often series of this type become redundant but once again Mallery finds a new angle to explore in relationships.
4336967
I was expecting great things from the third instalment of The Analyst, and I wasn't disappointed. Predictably, the book is even more polished and engaging than its predecessors, and the characters more (and less) human. I'm really looking forward to seeing what Brian does with the series next, or what project he'll be working on if anything else.
4487317
Usually I have several books going at once, but early into reading Deadly Codes I put the others aside to finish it. With this second novel in his Gallagher series, O'Donnell shows that he's sharpening his craft. Deadly Codes is tighter than his debut thriller, Fatal Gamble, and I suspect his third will be even better. The author hasn't hit his peak yet, and his novels are still plenty of fun.

The Gallagher novels are clearly meant to be read in order, as Deadly Codes makes so many references to Fatal Gamble. But it doesn't really matter, as both have well-developed characters, solid plot lines, and enough twists to satisfy thriller fans.
4973127
He writes too many books; one would think of him with suspicion. But I can't help myself -- the more of his books I read the more I love what this man can do , and do, it sees, so effortlessly. This is the second or third 44Scotland Street book I've read. I have gobbled up whole almost all of theAfrican stories and pecked at the ones about Jamie and his Almost wife. I didn't expect to like the44 Scotland Street series. Alas,I have falls. In love wth it' collection of very Scittish characters. I will go on to read them all. I day readers who read one will be satisfied with jus one. Hurray for a prolific writer who can keep his stories so prolific and so consistently good.
118878
I have been with this series since the beginning, and although I have some books I prefer to this new entry, I have no serious complaints.  The characters are well drawn and the plot is believable and not guess-able in all its details.  Gregor Demarkian fans will be glad to have this book too!
2031261
Mr. Lundy just keeps getting better with each new book. This newest addition is packed with tons of action, intrigue, and enough mystery to make you read it way too fast. I'm ready for the next one to see how the conspiracies all work out.
4958762
I love this author and have read every book. Because it starts in 77 before his fame, he was not that good honestly even his journal keeping.  Every year, the text improves and gets more interesting. Cannot skip forward or you losecontext.
355850
I've been a fan since the first book, and they keep getting better and better. Other authors I've read get into ruts and don't keep their books fresh and interesting. That is absolutely untrue in Thompson's case. Her characters have grown and changed through the years, but she handles those changes expertly and effortlessly keeps the reader's interest in what will happen next. The main characters and their friends and family feel like old friends, but new characters call forth strong feelings - both good and bad. One of my favorite things about this series is that I always learn something new. I found the descriptions of the "newsies" and the orphan trains particularly interesting, especially since the latter took the reader beyond New York City.  Berkeley is one of my favorite mystery publishing houses, and I appreciate their working with NetGalley to provide access to ARCs of their outstanding products.
565293
This book (series) moves along and does not allow time to get bored. I suspect Craig Halloran will get better with the more intensive story lines after this collection.
73122
McCallin really knows how to convey the feel of Sarajevo in wartime. His descriptions of the way mountains and river come together with a confused tangle of German, Ustase, and Partisan forces in the early spring of 1945 is riveting stuff. He is also particularly good in his plot and character development. His protagonist, a disillusioned and introspective German Army captain, struggles to make sense of what is going on and in dealing with the brutal repression on all sides as the German Army retreats before the final Russian advance.

It all makes for an exciting read in a situation true to the history of this time in the Balkans.
2080663
I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the author's work (both the Rogue series and his collection of stories about integrating beasts with humans), but this one is by far my favorite.  Monteith's writing has really matured, providing rich villians, tense action, occasional humor, all combined with cutting edge naval technology.

The last of the above really made this story for me.  The use of the rail gun, coupled with other recent naval technology, added a dimension to the story above the typical submarine yarn.  Also enjoyed the introduction of what is hopefully a recurring character in the Australian Cahill.

Good writing, fast action, great story.  As enjoyable as Dale Brown, Tom Clancy, and Jeff Edwards.  Looking forward to the next one!