THE MAID

MIKE FARICY

The Maid by veteran mystery writer Mike Farsi picks up with Yucky Yates, the author's newly created private investigator. Unlike the author's Dev Haskell long-running series, the Yucky Yates series is more straightforward and resembles a procedural. In this day and age, technology plays a big part in everyday life, including the Maid. A plot to take over a successful computer gaming company called Madman Monsters is being hatched by the owners' prospective mother-in-law, her son, and others. Yucky and his team have been hired to determine precisely what is happening. And when they do, it is a morass of plots, counterplots, and good old-fashioned greed. Distrust abounds on all sides as Yucky continues his investigation, trying to comprehend why he has been hired. The plot moves along rapidly as the reader discovers more and more about Yucky and his partners. The reader is guided through enough clues until sufficient pieces are presented to complete the puzzle.

The Maid is an entertaining private investigation novel written by a veteran writer who knows how to entertain. I recommend picking up the Maid and the first in the series, although the Maid can be digested as a standalone. Faricy is an outstanding veteran writer with many entertaining, comedic, and enjoyable titles. Make yourself at home over a long weekend and dig in. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

THE LIST

STEVE BERRY

While I typically am not a Steve Berry fan, The List by author Barry hits a grand slam. The protagonist Brent Walker is coming home to work for a large paper mill company. As it happens, this company is the same outfit that his father worked for. And even then, Brent's dad didn't want Brent to be at the back and call of the company over the years the owners including Christopher Bozin made millions of dollars and became very wealthy making Wise real estate investments, however, as with all businesses, they found that taken care of retirees and employees with chronic medical conditions became exorbitant. The question was what to do, and they devised an innovative solution. The owners decided to eliminate employees who cost the company hundreds of thousands of dollars because of those mentioned above. They hired a a hitman to eliminate these overly expensive employees. When Bozin finds out that he is dying, he tries to figure out a way to prevent his death from profiting the company. The only person he knows and trusts is Brent Walker, and Brent has no idea what to do. The List is a grand departure from the usual Steve Berry. I recommend it for those looking for something different and appreciate innovation and creativity in a sometimes stale environment.

OUR SECRETS WERE SAFE

VIRGINIA TRENCH

Our Secrets Were Safe by Virginia Trench is a super dark and unpredictable read. A group of college friends did something together and vowed never to discuss it with anybody. This vow engenders paranoia, guilt, and tension, as most promises do. The characters are unlikable, but unfortunately, they may represent society as it is. The writer deals with the themes of power, loyalty, and immorality, which makes for a fascinating read. And as secrets tend to do, this secret is a doozy, and when it is uncovered, it reveals just how toxic friendships can be. Our Secrets Were Safe by Virginia Trench is a mystery centered on four friends and what they did or did not do to have them be in the situation that they are in. Please do yourself a favor and join them for a great ride full of tension, paranoia, and worry, but most of all fun.

INNER SPACE

JAKUB SZAMALEK & KASIA BERESFORD

Inner space comes down to one word. And that word is excellent. The reader is thrown into a tense, political, and psychological drama from the beginning. I liked that it blended science fiction with the reality of politics, which most sci-fi writers neglect to their detriment. The characters are well developed, although some might say they could have additional depth in relationships and motivation. Inner space is a great mystery set in an environment that, in and of itself, is mysterious. Bravo for this book and for those who choose to take a soaring journey into what the last frontier is.

NO BODY NO CRIME

TESS SHARPE

No Body No Crime by talented and versatile author Tess Sharpe has done it again with her multi point of view sapphic romantic thriller. The protagonists, Chloe and Mel, were together and in love six years ago when they were very young. Now, it is 6 years later, and Chloe has been in the wind, and Mel is a private investigator. When a client hires Mel to find Chloe, she reluctantly accepts the job, afraid to return to when they were together six years ago. No Body No Crime is like a puzzle with 1000 pieces. It takes time for the reader to put it all together, and when it is complete, everybody wins. Multiple timelines and points of view are effectively employed to supply details of their relationship and other events like a long-ago plane crash and even something as banal as Chloe's birthday. The novel keeps the reader involved as it moves to its conclusion. No Body No Crime proves that relationships, like mysteries, are challenging and that sometimes we all need clues to help us navigate both.

THE OBSESSIONS OF HARVEY USHER

DAVID PUTNAM

The Obsessions of Harvey Usher by longtime novelist David Putnam may not be for everybody, but it certainly is for me, and it is for my readers. Harvey Usher is an 80-year-old man who wakes up one night with a woman who appears to be old-time movie star, Rita Hayworth. But Rita insists that her name is Dolores, and Dolores claims they have been married for two years. Naturally, Harvey is confused and calls the authorities; however, Dolores has identification proving that she is Dolores and has been married to Harvey. Finally, Harvey turns to a PI to help him prove what is happening here and see whether Harvey is being conned out of his money or just out of his mind. It gets interesting as people start to die for no apparent reason. When Harvey met his wife, Lois, there was some connection to organized crime, which only added seasoning to an intriguing and unpredictable mystery. David Putnam is a highly creative writer who creates novels with the best of them. It is with complete confidence that readers pick up The Obsessions of Harvey Usher by David Putnam and enjoy a twisty and unpredictable novel written by one of the genre's masters.

CULPABILITY

BRUCE HOLSINGER

Culpability by excellent novelist deals with complex concepts currently at play in society. In this instance, a family is out driving their AI vehicle when one of the family members disengages the AI to prevent an accident. Unfortunately, two people are killed, and an entire debate arises from the questions of artificial intelligence versus traditional driving and whether, indeed, artificial intelligence is beneficial. While Capability is not a typical mystery, it still contains the elements that make it an engaging book that should be read. Responsibility and culpability may be synonyms for each other, that is, for the reader to decide. In this book, we are privileged to listen in as one family member, the father, contemplates and cogitates over fault, responsibility, and the central question of AI and its inherent value to society. Culpability is a book anybody who has pondered the question of artificial intelligence, and its utility and/or its intrinsic values to individuals and society, should read.

Tricks of Fortune

LINA CHERN

Tricks of Fortune by Lena Chen is the second in her Katie True series, and this time, Katie gets into more trouble than we can imagine. All she wants is to be a tarot card reader, but as it happens, she wakes up to find a dead cop. This cop helped her previously when she was in a scary situation. Tricks Of Fortune is a mystery, eventually addressing who did it. It deals with family ties, buried secrets, and small-town grudges alive in any town. We see that Katie is unprepared for what she faces despite being highly charismatic and charming. While trying to solve a homicide, she’s dealing with her ugly past and questioning who in her life she can confide in. The book is entertaining and encourages the reader to examine their life. This is a fine sequel, and readers will look forward to an additional outing by the steadfast Katie True.

THEM BONES

DAVID HOUSEWRIGHT

Them Bones by prolific PI author David Housewright comes highly recommended. This is PI Rushmore McKenzie's 22nd outing, making this series one of the longest-lasting ones in the field. Seven years ago, McKenzie was stranded and eventually rescued by Angela Bjork, a doctoral student at the University of Minnesota. She joined an archaeological dig and found a dinosaur skull, and eventually, that skull was scheduled to be transferred back to the university for additional research. Unfortunately, the next day, after the camp had been attacked, the skull was missing. Angela contacts Rushmore McKenzie, P.I., and we watch him use his skills to find out who has the skull, why it was taken, and where it is. Suspects abound, and that's where the fun begins. The author writes a fantastic novel, and this one is no exception. Readers can follow along easily and enjoy learning about paleontology along the way. If the reader has not read any other books by the writer, no worries. Them Bones can undoubtedly be read as a standalone, and when the reader has more time, they can go back and investigate the writer's long backlist.

SMILE FOR THE CAMERAS

MIRANDA SMITH

Though not a conventional mystery, Smile For The Cameras by veteran and accomplished writer Miranda Smith is a horror book with overtones of the best thriller genre. The plot draws the reader in quickly and reminds the reader of many of the great horror movies in the past and present. The book uses the point of view of the past and the present while detailing the movie Smile for the Cameras, which is what the novel is about: the tension builds, and readers are compelled to flip the pages at full tilt. From beginning to end, Smile For The Cameras is an intriguing book that will keep readers wanting more from this accomplished writer.

A MURDER FOR MISS HORTENSE

MEL PENNANT

A Murder for Miss Hortense, by first-time novelist Mel Pennant, has everything that a first-time author should include in a debut novel. This reviewer usually does not care for “cozies “; however, in this instance, a murder for Miss Hortense overcomes that stereotype and becomes an engaging mystery/comedy that readers will thoroughly enjoy. There are many well-developed characters, and at times, the reader may need to refresh their memory on who is who in this mystery, which features several memorable Caribbean characters. Readers will thoroughly enjoy this book and look forward to the next installment in the series.

YUCKY YATES

MIKE FARICY

Prolific and veteran mystery writer Mike Faricy, author of numerous series, including the long-running Dev Haskell series, comes up with another winner. The new series is entitled Yucky Yates.

Yates is a former DEA agent who has started a private investigation business. Yates is joined by his partners and other support staff, who contribute to making the first book of the series entertaining and amusing. It revolves around an old-school friend of Yates who has gone missing after being married to a strip club owner for several years. As the book proceeds, we observe Yates and his team as they attempt to discover the details behind the disappearance. We gain insight into how Yucky operates and what his motivation is for solving the case. Yucky is more straightforward than Faricy's more well-known protagonist, Dev Haskell, but readers need not worry. Series readers can look forward to many more adventures with Yucky and his staff as they solve the cases that are brought to their attention daily.

Current followers of the author have much to look forward to, as the author will most assuredly develop this series and characters into a long-running adventure that will be anticipated with great eagerness.

Yucky Yates is a winner, and I highly recommend that veteran readers of the Dev Haskell and his other series pick up the Yucky Yates novel and prepare themselves for an entertaining PI novel.

The Expat Affair

KIMBERLY BELLE

The Expat Affair by Kimberly Belle takes the reader on a wild ride, starting in the United States and ending up in Amsterdam, the diamond capital of the world. As is the norm in this generation, Rayna is the protagonist who accepts an online date and meets Xander. After spending the evening with him, she wakes up to his dead body on the floor and many millions of diamonds in the wind. Rayna, not knowing what to do, meets Xander's boss, Willow, who happens to be the head of a large diamond company. The readers rapidly become involved in what the author has created. We see the story unfolding from each of their point of view, dealing with crazy family problems and the mystery of where these diamonds have gone. The readers will encounter bizarre characters, some of whom are straight-out crazy, while others are hardened criminals. As an additional bonus, any reader not familiar with Amsterdam will be treated to a fascinating glimpse at one of the most interesting cities in all of Europe.

KAUAI STORM

TORI ELDRIDGE

Kauai Storm by veteran writer Tori Eldridge is a fascinating mystery that encompasses the twists and turns that make it engaging and provide insights into the Hawaiian culture. These perceptions and cultural glimpses make Kauai Storm a great mystery and a valuable look at a history largely unknown to most people. The story centers around a park ranger, Makalani, returning to her native land to celebrate her grandmother's birthday. Unfortunately, upon her return, she finds her two cousins in the wind and nowhere to be seen. Makalani, a park ranger on the mainland, decides that no one is better suited to locate her cousins. As the mystery unfolds, we learn about the Hawaiian culture and how it can sometimes clash with the culture of those living on the mainland.

Tori Eldridge knows her stuff and spins a fascinating mystery that fans hope will become a long-running series.

DYING TO MEET YOU

SARINA BOWEN

Dying to Meet You by Sarina Bowen has everything a good psychological drama should have.

Dying to Meet You centers on Rowan, a single mother. She is a talented architect working in the Northeast United States. Her current project involves restoring a mansion owned by wealthy people. At first glance, Rowan is a polished and professional person. Unfortunately, like many people, she is dealing with a teenage daughter and the problems that come with it. Rowan's boyfriend dumped her via text; she's depressed, and she starts to plot how to find out why she was dumped and for whom. She begins to follow her ex-boyfriend and finds that he's been killed. Naturally, the police suspect her, as is usually the case in a murder like this, and to make matters worse, Rowan's ex-husband is out of prison and living in the same area as well. Readers will have to think long and hard about who killed the ex-boyfriend. Dying to Meet You is an entertaining thriller that keeps the page turning and the reader on the edge until the end.       

SOUTH OF NOWHERE

JEFFERY DEAVER

South of Nowhere, by Jeffrey Dever, is a fun read that makes the reader feel as if they are accompanying the main character.

Colter Shaw is a reward hunter and tracker, and usually that’s as far as it goes. In South of Nowhere, the fifth in the intriguing Shaw series, Colter is called in to help after a levee breaks in a town in California. Four people die, and Shaw is called in to find out what happened to the family and where the vehicle containing the corpses is. After some time, Shaw believes that the entire town is at risk because the levee may collapse almost immediately. Upon further inspection, he finds an anomalous substance near the destroyed levee. He wonders if the collapse was an accident or a deliberate criminal act. Many balls are in the air as the reader deals with this exciting and entertaining adventure. Readers should keep their eyes peeled for more of Colter Shaw, and if they have not yet, they should read the first four books in the series, although South of Nowhere can undoubtedly be read as a standalone.

THE MURDER SHOW

MATT GOLDMAN

The Murder Show by veteran and versatile writer Matt Goldman is another outstanding work by the author. Goldman entices the reader by utilizing the ever-popular reality show trope, which has made so many people so much money. The show's writer is ready to go into the fourth season; however, there is a writer's strike, and the network has passed on the fourth season. Ethan Harris is the writer of the show, and with nothing else better to do, returns to his birthplace in Minnesota, where he connects with a local law enforcement officer. Together, they reopen a hit-and-run that killed their friend many summers ago. The cop believes this investigation might prove fruitful, and Ethan hopes it will provide him with new material for his show. But all things that should be clear become more murky, and the two of them find that they are digging up information that should not be discovered.

The Murder Show by Matt Goldman is a procedural and a mystery. Goldman is an outstanding writer whose books never fail to entertain. I recommend this book without hesitation. If the reader is unfamiliar with Goldman's other work, they should go to the library or the local bookstore and pick up all of Goldman's books. There will be no disappointment, just great entertainment.

THE BOOMERANG

ROBERT BAILEY

Robert Bailey, well known for his legal procedures, has hit it out of the park with his newest thriller, The Boomerang. The Boomerang grabs you and never lets you go. That phrase can be overused; in this instance, it is spot on. The plot and the premise are equally and outrageously interesting, and the characters are extraordinarily fleshed out. The book is outstanding in every way. I recommend it to anyone wanting to read an unforgettable, unpredictable, and good old-fashioned thriller.

The Undoing of Alejandro Velasco

DIEGO BONETA

The Undoing of Alejandro Velasco, by first-time author Diego Boneta, is a delightful surprise. What interested me most was the intense character development of each player in this novel. The reader understands why the rich are different. This opens a plethora of problems instigated by the family patriarch, a well-to-do Mexican American businessperson. Distrust, unpredictability, and subtle twists pervade the entire novel, making the reader hesitant to put down the book. This is a novel that takes a few pages to capture the interest of the reader. Still, I highly recommend it as a character study and mystery, especially considering today’s instantaneous and hubris-filled materialistic lifestyle that spreads like cancer.

WHAT ARE THE ODDS

DAVID LIST

What Are The Odds by accomplished and talented screenwriter David List reads like a great book should. It is a sure thing. The Odds is an imagery-driven and cinematic novel; you only need popcorn. The book centers on three people: a disgraced and retired NYPD detective, a burned-out IRS criminal investigator, and a tax cheat who's gotten away with millions of dollars. The book takes several twists and turns, ranging from terrorism to Russian oligarchs using the oil business to cause murder and political upheaval. The story is a wild ride that pulls the reader into a story the reader hopes will never end. What are the Odds has everything a significant thriller/mystery needs: unforgettable characters, violence, love interests, and money. What could go wrong? Pick up this book and cross your fingers that Mr. List sends us another novel, A.S.A.P.