Kevin's Corner

Monday, August 10, 2026

Aubrey Nye Hamilton Reviews: Freight: A Novel by Ryan Lowell

Ryan Lowell worked in the trucking industry for more than 10 years and he turned to his knowledge of the work and the people for the context of his debut novel. Freight (Little, Brown, August 2026) is a dynamic piece of noir, set in an anonymous Maine long distance trucking company and told from the perspective of multiple employees. Lowell doesn’t believe in back story, the reader is plunged headlong into the life of Billy Trask, an amoral piece of work always on the make. He complains early that the lady who’d cut his hair for 16 years had selfishly died and left him to the mercies of someone he doesn’t like. Trask has decided moving illicit drugs by the box isn’t generating income fast enough and plans to steal a truck full of pills from a Canadian pharmaceutical company. He enlists the assistance of another truck driver named Jimmy, who simply follows Trask without questioning.

Curtis, the night shift dispatcher, is juggling his job responsibilities just barely well enough to keep his paycheck. Curtis wants to be a writer and tries to crank out a few pages at night when things are quiet but they rarely are. Phil is broke and bitter after a divorce and is driving to stay busy. Theo is having an affair and hopes his wife Lauren doesn’t find out. He takes Sarah along with him on his trip, against company policy, and he hopes the company doesn’t find out. Sarah is her own kind of crazy which is well concealed until she’s backed into a corner. People underestimate Sarah at their peril. Sarah does not tell anyone she will be away for a few days when she leaves with Theo, and her family and coworkers search for her frantically, believing she is in danger.

The quick changes of speakers and perspectives give the overall narrative a scattered feeling. They also offer fascinating insight into the logistics that move our consumables from factory to distributor. With a riveting theft that seems all too realistic, this original debut is a thought-provoking read.

· Publisher: ‎Little, Brown and Company

· Publication date: ‎August 11, 2026

· Language: ‎English

· Print length: ‎224 pages

· ISBN-10: ‎0316596515

· ISBN-13: ‎978-0316596510

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4hW0gyw

Aubrey Hamilton is a former librarian who works on Federal It projects by day and reads mysteries at night.

Sunday, August 09, 2026

Kathleen Kalb: They're Out There

Lesa's Book Critiques: Death on the Books by Victoria Gilbert

Review: Death at a Scottish Halloween: A Scottish Isle Mystery by Lucy Connelly

This comes out Tuesday....

As I noted long ago when I reviewed the first book of this series, An American in Scotland: A Scottish Isle Mystery by Lucy Connelly, I am not a cozy mystery kind of guy. I lean more towards police procedurals as well as grittier mystery and crime fiction. But, I enjoyed that first book quite a lot and have enjoyed every read since. That includes the latest book, fifth in the series, Death at a Scottish Halloween: A Scottish Isle Mystery.

Dr. Emilia McRoy left it all behind to move to Sea Isle, Scotland, and she could not be happier. As the book begins, she is working on her room in an extensive haunted house. Halloween, or as the locals refer to it, All Hallows Eve, is a big deal. Doctor McRoy missed it last year due to attending a wedding so her and her assistant, Abigail, are going all out to create the spookiest doctor’s office ever. Their room is one of several that people will walk through and experience scares a plenty.

It is a fun evening until, after nearly everyone has left, they discover a body in the room across the hall from their own. Not only is Duncan, a man they just met a few hours earlier, dead, a butcher knife is planted in his chest. The same butcher knife that Dr. Emilia McRoy had brought from home and was using as a prop in their horror scene. With all the people that came through and the loud commotion these past hours, neither the good doctor nor Abigail noticed who took it or when it went missing. But, it is definitely is now planted in the dead man’s chest. Probably right through his heart.

Despite the fact it was her knife that is the murder weapon, and their multi hour close proximity to the victim, they are never considered as suspects by Constable Ewan or the other locals. Instead, as part of their jobs, they handle this situation as they have before with other murders and get to work with the removal of the body, the autopsy, and the investigation of the crime.

So, if they did not do it, then who did?

That is the question that Constable Ewan and his team, along with the good doctor and Abigail must answer. A second murder soon happens and that ratchets up the pressure. At the same time, other things are going on and the good doctor is getting threats and more.

The latest in the series is another good read. I recommend reading the series in order from the beginning as significant character development has happened over the course of the series and relationships have changed and evolved. Those who are fans of Halloween, or All Hallows Eve, will get far more out of this read than those of us who don’t care for any of it at all.

A very good read in a very good cozy mystery series, Death at a Scottish Halloween: A Scottish Isle Mystery by Lucy Connelly is well worth your time.

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4eFU5wu

Entire Series Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4uA7nj6

My digital ARC came from the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, through NetGalley, with no expectation of a positive review.

Saturday, August 08, 2026

Lesa's Book Critiques: Best Wishes from the Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki

Dru's Book Musings: New Releases ~ Week of August 9, 2026

KRL Update

Up on KRL this week the latest Mystery Coming Attractions from Victoria Fair https://kingsriverlife.com/08/08/mystery-current-coming-attractions-august-2026/

And a review and giveaway of "The Lies Between the Lines" by Sheila Lowe https://kingsriverlife.com/08/08/the-lies-between-the-lines-by-sheila-lowe/

And a review and giveaway of "A Delicious Deception" by Lucy Burdette, along with a yummy recipe for Snickerdoodles from Lucy https://kingsriverlife.com/08/08/a-delicious-deception-by-lucy-burdette/

We also have a review and giveaway of "Invitation to Murder" by Carol Floriani, along with an interesting interview with Carol https://kingsriverlife.com/08/08/invitation-to-murder-by-carol-floriani/

Up on KRL News and Reviews this week we have a review and ebook giveaway of "Murder by Meringue" by Greta Sinclair https://www.krlnews.com/2026/08/murder-by-meringue-by-greta-sinclair.html

And a review and ebook giveaway of "Sifting Through Secrets" by Catherine Bruns https://www.krlnews.com/2026/08/sifting-through-secrets-by-catherine.html

Happy reading,

Lorie

Beneath the Stains of Time: She Walks at Night (1948) by Seishi Yokomizo

Beneath the Stains of Time: She Walks at Night (1948) by Seishi Yokomizo: Back in May, Pushkin Vertigo released their eighth Kosuke Kindaichi novel, Yoru aruku ( She Walks at Night , 1948), written by the patriarc...

Scott's Take: Paladin’s Grace by T. Kingfisher (The Saint of Steel series)

Paladin’s Grace by T. Kingfisher is the first book in the series, The Saint of Steel. It is also set in the overarching “The World of the White Rat” universe that covers several different series.

Stephen, the main male character, is a Paladin that has fallen in to depression. What is a Paladin, you ask? A Paladin is usually a heroic figure that derives their powers from a god. They are the knights of a God. For want of a better way of putting it, they have a sort of psychic spiritual connection to a god that gives them powers, guidance, and support.

The Saint of Steel (a god) is considered dead since his prescence is no longer felt by his followers. Many of those psychically connected followers having lost that connection, became adrift, and could not handle the loss of the presence of the god. Some died in battle. Some went completely insane. Many of them killed themselves.

As the book opens three years later, Stephen and 6 others remain, and have united together to survive. Stephen stumbles into an assassination plot that involves a local perfume maker named Grace. Soon Stephen and others are attempting to uncover the truth of what is going on. Additionally, Stephen is also involved in the secondary storyline involving murders and decapitation.

This is a romance fantasy book that follows Kingfisher’s usual plot beats. So, you get a lot of character development, action, comedy, romance, and characters dealing with their past. As expected, the read is a fantasy featuring romance type characters in their mid-thirties or so in a medieval style world. Her books are a little repetitive and follow a sort of template that applies across multiple series.

It usually takes me to Chapter Five before I start liking the characters enough to stay with the read. Despite what you read on the synopsis on Goodreads and elsewhere, the idea of the god being dead is not a substantial part of the book. Some plot threads lead into the next book, Paladin’s Strength.

There are currently 4 books out in this series and 3 more planned. There are also several other series that tie into this series. So, there is a lot to read if you are interested in this type of book.

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3T0RIMw

I read this in digital format by way of the Libby/Overdrive App through the Dallas Public Library System.

Friday, August 07, 2026

Lesa's Book Critiques: The Witch’s Orchard by Archer Sullivan

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Puck by Samantha Allen

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Puck by Samantha Allen: Reviewed by Kristin Puck is a queer non - binary thirty-year-old who has made great strides in their career as the producer of “Homewreck...

Patricia Abbott: Friday's Forgotten Books, THE DEAD LINE, Philip McCutchan

In Reference to Murder: Friday's "Forgotten" Books: The Spoilt Kill

In Reference to Murder: Friday's "Forgotten" Books: The Spoilt Kill: Mary Theresa Coolican Kelly (1927-2017) was born in London but ended up a Scotland gal. She received an M.A. degree from University of Edinb...

Happiness Is A Book: Friday’s Forgotten Book: Murder of a Nymph by Margot Neville

Jerry's House of Everything: FORGOTTEN BOOK: DEAD AND GONE

Jerry's House of Everything: FORGOTTEN BOOK: DEAD AND GONE: Dead and Gone by Andrew Vachss (2000) In addition to being a child protection consultant and an attorney exclusively representing children...

In Reference to Murder: Mystery Melange

In Reference to Murder: Mystery Melange: This Saturday, August 8, award-winning short crime fiction writers Barb Goffman, Josh Pachter, and Michael Bracken will lead the free online...

ButtonDown.Com: Billy Bat vol 1 by Naoki Urasawa

Review: Dark Harbor: A Detective Justice Novel by Bruce Robert Coffin

Dark Harbor: A Detective Justice Novel by Bruce Robert Coffin is the latest read in an excellent police procedural series that began with Crimson Thaw. As always, it is best to read in order though one could start here if you really wanted to do so.

Granville Warren III is wealthy and one of those guys who has to make sure everyone knows he has the best of everything. He has the best house, the best car, the best boat, and certainly the best wife. The former Lily Marshall is his third wife and is far younger and very beautiful. After a day of sailing, they have returned to their mansion in Maine and are planning on going out to dinner.

That plan died, along with Granville Warren III, within minutes of their arrival home thanks to the intruders in the mansion. He died, as did one of the intruders, and that is the latest case for Maine State Police Detective Brock Justice and his partner, Detective Chole Wright, and the rest of their team.

According to the wife who was found by local responding police officers wearing a bloody bathrobe and holding a gun, she shot and killed the intruder after he had shot her husband. The Warren’s were very wealthy and the local power brokers in the community. Everyone knew them and often had jobs because of them or some other very strong connection. That includes the local police chief who was very tight with them as the couple routinely donated funds and equipment to the local small department.

That local dynamic makes the investigation more difficult. One of several difficulties that will rear their ugly heads in Dark Harbor: A Detective Justice Novel.

This is a great police procedural series. Led by the main character, Brock Justice, and numerous returning secondary characters, the read is complicated and a real page turning pleasure to read. Every book gives a little more on the background of Justice and others and this one is no exception.

Highly recommended, as is the entire series. This read and the others are available on Kindle Unlimited.

Amazon Associate Purchase Link:

https://link.amazon/B00vzLBER

Amazon Associate Series Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4bfNpTR

My digital ARC came directly from the publisher, Severn River Publishing, with no expectation of a positive review.

Thursday, August 06, 2026

Update: Doing the Unwelcome Eye Thing Again--Part Two

With all the crap going on here (Scott is still home and no pay as he was all July, AC issues that repeatedly made me sick from the Texas heat, huge bills, and other stuff), I forgot to update as to my eye. See previous post here if you don't know what is going on.

In the weeks since my last post and eye doc visit, a decent sized floater has also developed in my left eye and is causing issues. More about that in a minute.

So, last Thursday I went to the eye doc where they ran me through more tests. I then saw a different doc on staff who compared the images of last Thursday with the previous visit and was pleased to see no changes. She said a retinal tear could easily still happen, but now that I had made it so long after the first indication of a problem, the chances had gone down significantly.

And I learned that the PVD in the left eye did not mean the end of floaters. As the gel in a eye "settles" as one gets older, floaters can and will still happen. Blah.

In both cases, we are pretty much in a wafting game to see how long it takes for the eye and brain to see better. It took six months before when it happened in the left and she though that it could easily be that long again for the right to improve. It could be longer as there are blood clots and other trash drifting around in there and not just the giant floater.

I was warned again, repeatedly, by multiple people of things to watch for in the eyes, and to avoid bending over to pick things up off the floor, falls, etc.

In the meantime, it remains annoying as hell. Reading and watching television remain problematic and frustrating. I cope with life by escaping, be it by book or TV, and having to fight to see words on the page, or a face on screen, is so annoying.

I know things could be even worse, but I am so frustrated with my life these days ....

Lesa's Book Critiques: What Are You Reading?

The Short Mystery Fiction Society Blog: More Sizzling Summer Reads from the Short Mystery Fiction Society!

The Short Mystery Fiction Society Blog: More Sizzling Summer Reads from the Short Mystery ...: It's time for another roundup of recent publications from the outstanding writers of the Short Mystery Fiction Society. Human stories fr...

Bitter Tea and Mystery: A Graveyard for Lunatics: Ray Bradbury

Bitter Tea and Mystery: A Graveyard for Lunatics: Ray Bradbury: Summary from Goodreads ... Halloween Night, 1954. A young, film-obsessed scriptwriter has just been hired at one of the great studios. An ...

Thursday Treats: 8/06/2026

Some reading opportunities of interest this week...

My flash fiction piece, Consequences, went up at Guilty Crime Story Magazine Flash earlier this week. It can read it for free here.

Black Cat Weekly #257 is out and includes cover short story by SMFS list member Anne Swardson (Lost in Paris) and others. You can pick up the latest issue here.

I have long been a fan of Larry D. Sweazy. He has announced on Facebook that the Literary Garage will publishing his short story, A Knock at the Door, on August 13^th. So, next week. And go get his books. Great reads.

Speaking of being a fan, I also have long been a fan of the works by Russ Hall. Especially the Al Quinn novels. His latest in that series, Gold in Them Texas Hills, was reviewed here last week by yours truly. He has a new two book series just out featuring Brett Crutherstone and private investigator Ketch. You can pick up this small-town Texas suspense series on Amazon.

This month marks another resurrected book from author Beau Johnson. Shotgun Honey has now released, All of Them to Burn: Stories. Part of the Bishop Rider series, the read is available at the publisher and Amazon.

SMFS list member Michael Bracken also announced on Facebook that the anthology, Sleuths Just Wanna Have Fun: Private Eyes in the Material World, will once again be in print. The new publisher is Crimson Gate Books and the read is up at Amazon for preorder. Pub date is August 10th. Also in the read are SMFS list members, John M. Floyd (Redwood Creek), Debra H. Goldstein (Who Shot J.R.?), Kathleen Marple Kalb (Diana and the Princess), and SMFS President Joseph S. Walker (The Right Size of Favor).

Edited by SMFS list members, Editors Gigi Pandian and Tom Mead, All the Crime in the World: Locked Room Mysteries and Impossible Puzzles, has been released. According to the synopsis, the anthology will feature 14 short stories by “Victor Bonini, James Scott Byrnside, Shelly Dickson Carr, S.A. Cosby, Anne van Doorn, Martin Edwards, Sulari Gentill, Paul Halter, Christopher Huang, Vaseem Khan, Josh Pachter, Masaya Yamaguchi, Ovidia Yu, and a brand-new collaboration from the editors.” Available from the publisher, Crippen and Landru, and Amazon, the read was reviewed here earlier this week by Aubrey Nye Hamilton.

As Gigi Pandian posted to the SMFS list recently and I quote: “We've got several SMFS members in the anthology. Josh mentioned his story, "The Allegory of the Five Senses," which is terrific. Tom Mead and I wrote "The Problem of the Poison Garden" as a nod to our favorite author, John Dickson Carr. I had no idea co-writing could be such fun!”

Finally, as you may have already seen on Facebook, after more than two decades of being bandied about on the SMFS list, something very cool comes this way. This October will see the first issue of SMFS Mystery Magazine. Not only did I suggest the title to Publisher John Connelly of Murderous Ink Press (Crimeucopia series), but I also have a couple of pieces in this first issue. The plan is for 3 issues a year that will have short stories, essays, and interviews, with all the material involving the world of crime fiction and mysteries. It should be very cool. More details on where and how to buy are coming, and it should be available at Bouchercon.

Until next time….

Kevin's Corner

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