Thursday, May 31, 2018

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Nevermore: Killing England, Woman in the Window, ...

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Nevermore: Killing England, Woman in the Window, ...: Reported by Kristin Nevermore reads widely, from archeology to mysteries to science fiction to wars, so one reader began this...

Review: The Disappeared: A Joe Pickett Novel by C. J. Box



Game Warden Joe Pickett has a new boss. Above her is a new boss as well as Wyoming has a newly elected Governor. Governor Colter Allen and Pickett recently got off on the wrong foot. Pickett isn’t thrilled that he has been summoned to meet the Governor’s plane on landing in Saddlestring.  Governor Allen is all too typical of many politicians these days in that he is all style and flash and of  little substance and character. There are questions regarding his actual net worth, business dealings, and other issues that Pickett does not care about as those questions at this point are more gossip than anything else. Governor Allen does share one aspect with the previous Governor a man that Pickett did not like that much, but did respect. He also expects Pickett to do the outside investigative work that Governor Rulon had him do. Unfortunately from his perspective as the new Governor recently learned, Pickett stays away from politics and political assignments and simply won’t do them. A concept totally unclear to the new Governor who is minutes away from landing in his state plane.

A January morning meant that Joe was able to meet with the Governor as things are slow this time of year in the Game Warden business. Once onboard with the Governor Pickett learns that he wants him to get to Saratoga and conduct an investigation. The assigned game warden, Steve Pollock, recently quit his job and has yet to be replaced. Pickett is to go there and make it appear to all that he is a temporary Game Warden substituting for Pollack while privately and quietly conducting an investigation regarding a high profile missing person.

The missing person is a media celebrity which is why Game Warden Joe Pickett knows next to nothing about the case. A resident of the UK and a very powerful CEO, Kate Shelford-Longden, went missing months ago. Back during the summer she had come to Wyoming to spend a week at the most expensive ranch in Wyoming, the Silver Creek Ranch near Saratoga. Between the time she left the ranch on her last day and the time she was supposed to board her flight in Denver, she vanished as did her car. Despite all the efforts by state and local law enforcement and other parties there has not been any sign of her at all. A British Ambassador recently reached out through the Governor’s wife to ask about the case and the Governor is increasingly frustrated by state law enforcement and the lack of action.

In addition to destroying state equipment in the course of his duties, and upsetting supervisors, Game Warden Joe Pickett has a reputation of getting things done and closing cases. The Governor wants answers and wants Picket to get them. He isn’t going to take no for an answer as it is clear that this time he simply can’t refuse the assignment.  Things are too precarious and stressful at home as it is and losing his job right now would be a full scale disaster.

Pickett is going to have to do what the Governor asks and the pressure is clearly on. Good thing that Pickett has an ace up his sleeve as his 23 year old daughter Sheridan just happens to work at the Silver Creek Ranch. With her help as well as Nate’s through a secondary storyline, Pickett might just find out what happened. He also may learn far more than he wants to about a host of subjects.

The Disappeared: A Joe Pickett Novel is a solidly good read. While not the best in this long running series, the book does provide a solidly good story. One that is a bit predictable at times for readers that are well familiar with this series and these characters. Family has always been a mainstay of the series and that is present here as expected and in very familiar ways to long term readers.  Author C. J. Box is not going to break new ground with these characters and thus hits the frequent themes of being a parent of girls moving into adulthood and all that entails as well as the familiar interfering mother in law among others.

A series that is best if read in order, this latest continues the theme of family- good or bad- that has been a long running hallmark of the series.  

For another take on the book with a few more details, read Kristin’s review at the Bookblog of the Bristol Library.







The Disappeared: A Joe Pickett Novel
C. J. Box
Random House Large Print
March 2018
ISBN# 978-0-5255-8937-2
Soft Cover Large Sized Paperback (Hardback, audio, and eBook formats also available)
560 Pages (542 of story)
$29.00


Material supplied by the good folks of the Dallas Library System.


Kevin R. Tipple ©2018

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Once and Future Myths

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Once and Future Myths: By Jeanne Mythology has become a hot topic.  There have been many books drawing from myth and legend over the years—books about ...

Chuck Palahniuk 'close to broke' as agent's accountant faces fraud charges

Chuck Palahniuk 'close to broke' as agent's accountant faces fraud charges

Only days left to win books from KRL

Only days left to win a copy of "Wedding Cake Crumble" by Jenn McKinlay,
and while there check out a fun wedding related guest post by Jenn, and a
fun cupcake recipe
http://kingsriverlife.com/05/26/wedding-cake-crumble-by-jenn-mckinlay/

And to win a copy of "A Magical Match" by Juliet Blackwell and while there
check out a Behind the Book interview with Juliet
http://kingsriverlife.com/05/26/a-magical-match-by-juliet-blackwell/

Also to win a copy of "On the Hook" by Betty Hechtman
http://kingsriverlife.com/05/26/on-the-hook-by-betty-hechtman/

And to win a copies of -"Antiques Wanted": A Trash ‘n’ Treasures Mystery by
Barbara Allan, "The Uninvited Corpse": A Food Blogger Mystery by Debra
Sennefelder, and "The Bengal Identity": A Cat Groomer Mystery by Eileen
Watkins
http://kingsriverlife.com/05/26/kensington-mystery-catch-up-for-your-summer-reading/


Over on KRL News & Reviews, only days left to win a copy of "Lethal
Literature" by Kym Roberts, along with an extra special giveaway from Kym
http://www.krlnews.com/2018/05/lethal-literature-by-kym-roberts.html

And to win a copy of "Bitch Out of Hell" by Diana Deverell
http://www.krlnews.com/2018/05/bitch-out-of-hell-by-diana-deverell.html

Happy reading,
Lorie

Bitter Tea and Mystery: 20 Books of Summer 2018

Bitter Tea and Mystery: 20 Books of Summer 2018: A few days ago I was wondering if the 20 Books of Summer challenge would return in 2018. Then I saw Jean's list at Howling Frog Books ,...

SleuthSayers: Are the Sensitivity Police Coming to Get You?

SleuthSayers: Are the Sensitivity Police Coming to Get You?: by Paul D. Marks , Jonathan Brown , Elaine Ash Contents: —Context and White Heat – Paul —Dude? Why so Sensitive? – Jonathan Brown —Th...

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: The Disappeared by C.J. Box

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: The Disappeared by C.J. Box: Reviewed by Kristin Joe Pickett is a Wyoming game warden, that is when he isn’t being fired, re-hired, or re-assigned by whichev...

Wanted: Dead (Bodie Kendrick—Bounty Hunter Book 5) by Wayne D. Dundee


About a half hour ago, Mr. Avery was released from Iron Gate Territorial Prison in the Arizona Territory.  A transport wagon driven by Rudy Haemmler is being used to transport the just released convict to the nearest town of Fordsburg. Mr. Avery has no idea why the four men on horseback on the narrow trail ahead of them want him so badly they have blocked and stopped the transport. While the heavily armed men claim to have been sent by friends of Mr. Avery to escort him for his safety back home to Tonto City their appearance and behavior indicate otherwise.

Things probably would have violently escalated right then and there if not for the timely intercession of Bounty Hunter Bodice Kendrick. Seven years for a manslaughter conviction there are many folks that want Mr. Avery dead as soon as possible. In a twist from his normal paying work as a bounty hunter, Bodie Kendrick has been hired to keep Mr. Avery alive and get him to another town in the area where he has some friends waiting for him.

Easier said than done. Blue Tom Iverson and his men are not going to let that happen easily. And they may not be the only folks in the harsh desert country looking to get Avery and anyone with him one way or another.

Wanted: Dead is the latest in a rich and highly entertaining western series that began with Hard Trail to Socorro. Wayne D. Dundee has created a complex western series where each tales has elements of a mystery at work that also serves to push the tale forward. This read, like the others, features complex characters doing what they must to survive while at the same time plenty of action keeps things moving at a rapid rate. Wanted: Dead, like the rest of the series that is best when read in order, is a mighty good read and strongly recommended.






Wanted: Dead (Bodie Kendrick—Bounty Hunter Book 5)
Wayne D. Dundee
Bil-Em-Ri Media
August 2017
ASIN: B074V231T9
E-Book
199 Pages
$2.99



A word file was supplied by the author several months ago with absolutely no expectation of a review.



Kevin R. Tipple ©2018



Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Lesa's Book Critiques: Broken Places by Tracy Clark

Lesa's Book Critiques: Broken Places by Tracy Clark

Unlawful Acts: Switchblade Issue 5 edited by Scotch Rutherford

Unlawful Acts: Switchblade Issue 5 edited by Scotch Rutherford

Mystery Fanfare: Janet Dawson's Jeri Howard Anthology Free May 29-3...

Mystery Fanfare: Janet Dawson's Jeri Howard Anthology Free May 29-3...: Janet Dawson announced the publication of an e-anthology featuring the fi rst nine books in the Jeri Howard serie s . The ebook will be ...

Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity: 39 No-Fee Calls for Submissions in June 2018 - Pay...

Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity: 39 No-Fee Calls for Submissions in June 2018 - Pay...: Pixhere There are more than three dozen calls for submissions in June. As usual, anything you can think of is wanted - flash fiction, sp...

Review: Li’l Tom and the Pussyfoot Detective Bureau: The Case of the New Year Dragon by Angela Crider Neary

Li’l Tom and the Pussyfoot Detective Bureau: The Case of the New Year Dragon is the second book in this fun mystery series. It follows The Case of the Parrots Desaparecidos that came out in 2015. While the new book is a sequel, one does not really need to have read the first book in the series as those references are few.

It is late January and the Chinese New Year and the start of the Year of The Dragon is almost upon the world. That includes the animals, domestic and otherwise, in San Francisco. That also includes a certain ancient cat living in Chinatown. He has the ability to summon a creature from the zoo to assist him as he has great plans for the future. Plans that require servants to answer his call and serve their master. It begins with this one from the zoo, but there will be more if things go to plan.

Meanwhile, Li’l Tom and his assistant, Lola, continue their work in the Pussyfoot Detective Bureau located in the basement of the Malloch building on Telegraph Hill in San Francisco. Lola, a stunningly attractive Calico cat, handles reception as well as the initial intake process on all clients. They have taken on a new employee, Lenny, who recently has fallen on hard times and is turning his life around with their help. He does paperwork, cleans the offices, makes the snack runs as Tender Vittles just don’t magically appear on their own, or whatever needs doing. Business is good, but Li’l Tom still has time to start the day by reading the printed newspaper.

There is troubling news in the morning paper. In recent days, there has been a rash of animal deaths mainly among the pet companions to humans in the area. It could be bad luck or it could be foul play through nobody has come in to talk about the cases. Not much of the deceased is left except collars after an attack. There have been also some art thefts of small statues and jewels from various small and upscale galleries in the area around Union Square. As in the animal deaths, according to Lil Tom’s source, the police have no evidence or suspects.

The discussion between Lola and Li’l Tom of the two situations is interrupted by the arrival of a potential new client. Oreo is her name and she happens to be the resident cat at an art gallery near to Union Square. Normally, as it is people problem she would stay out of it, but since the people authorities have no clues and she was there when the gallery was robbed, she is upset and wants something done. She was asleep when one of the windows shattered and rained glass shards down on her.


She hid as whatever it was ransacked a nearby collection of small African tribal at statuettes. She stayed hidden until things had gone quiet and she thought it was all over. Oreo then raised her had to look out of her hiding place and came face to face with something that had a foul breath and evil red eyes. It opened its jaws to bite her before the sirens signaling the coming of the police scared whatever it was off. It was a terrifying experience and she is still scared.


After a bit of back and forth with the he with the prospective client as Li’l Tom attempts to get a better sense of what she saw and what happened, he is very intrigued and takes the case. A case that will ultimately put himself and Lola in considerable danger from fellow feline and foe alike.

The latest in the series, Li’l Tom and the Pussyfoot Detective Bureau: The Case of the New Year Dragon is another fun mystery romp through the animal world. Numerous characters from the first book make another appearance as does the milk bar and other hangouts from the first book. Then there are the new characters all working their own agendas. Plenty of mystery adventure is present told from the perspective of various animal characters. Also present is the occasional nod to human landmarks and stories as well as a laugh or two. Li’l Tom and the Pussyfoot Detective Bureau: The Case of the New Year Dragon is flat out fun, entertaining, and very much worth your time.


Li’l Tom and the Pussyfoot Detective Bureau: The Case of the New Year Dragon
Angela Crider Neary
Tornado Alley Publications (imprint of Prairie Rose Publications)
March 2018
ISBN # 978-1986039765
Print (eBook available)
222 Pages
$11.99



PDF review copy was supplied by the author in exchange for my objective review.



Kevin R. Tipple ©2018

Monday, May 28, 2018

Lesa's Book Critiques: A Shocking Assassination by Cora Harrison

Lesa's Book Critiques: A Shocking Assassination by Cora Harrison

Mystery Fanfare: BARBECUE MYSTERIES

Mystery Fanfare: BARBECUE MYSTERIES: Hope you're having a good Memorial Day Weekend.  Did you know that 53% of Americans will be barbecuing this weekend ? Will you? I ...

Unlawful Acts: Incident Report No. 43

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In Reference To Murder: Media Murder for Monday for 5/28/18

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TEXAS BOOK LOVER: Monday Roundup: TEXAS LITERARY CALENDAR May 28-Jun...

TEXAS BOOK LOVER: Monday Roundup: TEXAS LITERARY CALENDAR May 28-Jun...: Bookish goings-on in Texas for the week of May 28-June 3, 2018:  Special Events: Elena Gallego Rare Books Pop-up Shop , San Antonio, May 1...

Western Fictioneers: 2018 WESTERN FICTIONEERS CONVENTION IS OKC BOUND!

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Memorial Day 2018

Each year on Memorial Day we honor the fallen. We honor those who fell in defense of this country whether it be in peacetime or at war. We honor those who never made it back home alive. As you go about your life today, please take a moment to think about those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their nation as well as their loved ones who miss them so much.

Sunday, May 27, 2018

Getting Out Of The House

Grief is a strange thing. The last few days have been really bad as it was just after Memorial Day last year when Sandi was admitted and two days later we learned that the chemo was screwed up. The wheels really started coming off after that. The days leading up to Memorial Day and the day itself were her last few days when things were shaky, but we had hope. We could still have full conversations at that point and she was aware of much of the world around her. A few days later it was all going to hell.

That ended December 1st at 8: 45 AM and my utter hell began. That was 28 weeks ago Friday. It often still feels like it just happened. I miss her so much that even thinking about her for a second gets me to tears. The pain of her being gone, the grief, is so strong and so deep, the idea of getting out of bed, let alone going anywhere seems insurmountable and overwhelming. Going to the store and the library, let alone taking Scott to UTD, things that absolutely have to be done, is not only very hard due to my disabilities and very painful, but the sheer act of going anywhere is exhausting. A major part of that is the disabilities and the permanent chronic pain, but the grief is also a huge part of it.

So much so I turn down a lot of opportunities offered by friends to get out of the house and go somewhere. It all seems more work than worth it. Graham Powell and Earl Staggs pushed hard for weeks to get me to go down to Michael Bracken's place and I finally relented and went.

This week it was Johhny Wesner pushing again to  go down to The Wild Detectives on the far side of Dallas. He has been suggesting for months now we go down and that he would come pick me up to make that happen. I finally gave in today and went willingly after not being able to get out of bed most of yesterday I was so upset about Sandi.

Johnny Wesner (left), Scott Tipple (right back), and Kevin Tipple

Why I could do it today, I don't know. Maybe, somewhere, she gave me a little push as she would not want me sitting at home crying over her and hiding from the world.  I wish she was here to talk to. I talk to her urn every night as it sits on my bureau as I go through the motions of trying to live without the woman I loved so much and failed to protect when it really counted. I'd give anything to be with her for another minute.

Private Eye Writers of America: 2018 Shamus Award Nominees

Private Eye Writers of America: 2018 Shamus Award Nominees

Liz Milliron: A fireside chat with James Ziskin

Liz Milliron: A fireside chat with James Ziskin

Saturday, May 26, 2018

KRL Update for 5/26/18

Up in KRL this morning a review & giveaway of "Wedding Cake Crumble" by Jenn
McKinlay, along with a fun wedding related guest post by Jenn, and a fun
cupcake recipe
http://kingsriverlife.com/05/26/wedding-cake-crumble-by-jenn-mckinlay/



Also up a review and giveaway of "A Magical Match" by Juliet Blackwell
along with a Behind the Book interview with Juliet
http://kingsriverlife.com/05/26/a-magical-match-by-juliet-blackwell/



And a review and giveaway of "On the Hook" by Betty Hechtman
http://kingsriverlife.com/05/26/on-the-hook-by-betty-hechtman/



We also have the latest mystery Coming Attractions by Sunny Frazier
http://kingsriverlife.com/05/26/coming-attractions-the-bridal-edition/



And reviews & giveaways of some more mysteries by Kensington authors for
your summer reading-"Antiques Wanted": A Trash ‘n’ Treasures Mystery by
Barbara Allan, "The Uninvited Corpse": A Food Blogger Mystery by Debra
Sennefelder, and "The Bengal Identity": A Cat Groomer Mystery by Eileen
Watkins
http://kingsriverlife.com/05/26/kensington-mystery-catch-up-for-your-summer-reading/



Up on KRL News & Reviews we have a review and ebook giveaway of "Lethal
Literature" by Kym Roberts, along with an extra special giveaway from Kym
http://www.krlnews.com/2018/05/lethal-literature-by-kym-roberts.html



And also on KRL News & Reviews a review and giveaway of "Bitch Out of Hell"
by Diana Deverell
http://www.krlnews.com/2018/05/bitch-out-of-hell-by-diana-deverell.html

Happy reading,
Lorie
-- KRL is now selling advertising & we have special discounts for mystery authors & bookstores! Ask me about it! Mystery section in Kings River Life http://KingsRiverLife.com Check out my own blog at http://mysteryratscloset.blogspot.com/

Lesa's Latest Contest: David Rosenfelt Giveaway

This week, I'm giving away books in two of David Rosenfelt's series -
Collared and Fade to Black. Details on my blog at
https://www.lesasbookcritiques.blogspot.com. Entries from the U.S. only,
please.

Lesa Holstine

Jerry's House of Everything: FORGOTTEN BOOK: TRIGGER LAW

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Friday, May 25, 2018

The Seattle Times: All the best new crime fiction for summer 2018

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Gravetapping: KILLING TOWN by Mickey Spillane & Max Allan Collin...

Gravetapping: KILLING TOWN by Mickey Spillane & Max Allan Collin...: Killing Town is the tenth Mike Hammer novel started by Mickey Spillane and completed by Max Allan Collins. In Collins’ Introduction, “M...

Deep South Magazine: 2018 Summer Reading List

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Writers Who Kill: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline: A Review by Warre...

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Author Jim Nesbitt Reviews Cashed Out by Michael H. Rubin

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The Rap Sheet: Revue of Reviewers for 5/24/18

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Mystery Fanfare: ARTHUR ELLIS AWARD WINNERS: Crime Writers of Canad...

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A Writer's Life....Caroline Clemmons: NEW RELEASE! -- TEXAS STORM

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FFB Review: A Little Darling, Dead by Jonathan Escott writing as Jack S. Scott

It was bound to happen sooner or later. This final Friday in May and the start of Memorial Day weekend means the heat is starting to settle in across North Texas. It is only going to get worse for months on end from here. Today also means it is time for Friday’s Forgotten Books hosted by Patti Abbott. We have another treat in store as Aubrey Hamilton has offered us her second FFB review after her first of Coffin Corner by Dell Shannon. After you read her review today, go read her other FFB review from last April, and then go make sure you read all the recommendations over at Patti’s blog. Have a great weekend…stay cool and stay safe!



A Little Darling, Dead by Jonathan Escott writing as Jack S. Scott (St. Martins Press, 1986) was one of two mysteries featuring Detective Chief Inspector Peter Parsons, somewhere in central England.  Escott released about 15 police procedurals between 1976 and 1986.
A teenaged girl is found drowned. Still in her school uniform she was clearly on her way home, even if the route was not her usual way to get there. Detective Chief Inspector Peter Parsons looks into the situation, which leans toward a finding of accidental death until a routine search of her room in her respectable home turns up expensive jewelry she could not possibly have afforded. Her friends seem to be withholding information but Parsons and his sidekick Sergeant Wimbush cannot prise their secrets from them.
While mulling all of this over and trying to decide if the case should be closed as the accident it appears to have been, the school is burglarized over a weekend and comprehensively swept clean of anything of value. The school caretaker was known to the police and he was the first person to be asked to help the police with their inquiries. He in turn seeks the support of the local parole officer as well as the alderman who helped him get the caretaker position to begin with. Their subsequent actions make Parsons wonder just what they are up to and when the caretaker is found dead, he has another suspicious death to investigate.
A robust British police procedural by an author not all that well known. The resolution rather galloped toward the end after a somewhat meandering investigation, although perhaps that’s the way events sometime transpire in real life. I was sorry to see there are only two books featuring Chief Inspector Parsons, who is a smart and likeable character. I intend to look up other books by Scott however.

·         Hardcover: 215 pages
·         Publisher: St Martins Press; 1st edition (February 1, 1986)
·         Language: English
·         ISBN-10: 0312488459
·         ISBN-13: 978-0312488451




Aubrey Hamilton ©2018

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

Thursday, May 24, 2018

New Issue of Crime Review

We feature new 20 reviews in each issue of Crime Review (
www.crimereview.co.uk), together with a top industry interview. This time
it’s Christopher Wakling in the Countdown hot seat:

We’re on Twitter at:
Crime Review: @CrimeReviewUK
Linda Wilson: @CrimeReviewer
Sharon Wheeler: @lartonmedia

This week’s reviews are:

DEAD IF YOU DON’T by Peter James, reviewed by Sharon Wheeler
A missing teenager sets Detective Superintendent Roy Grace and his team of
Brighton cops in a race against the clock.

A BRUSH WITH DEATH by Quintin Jardine, reviewed by Linda Wilson
Bob Skinner is asked by the Security Service to look into the death of a
multi-millionaire boxer.

MURDER AT THE GRAND RAJ PALACE by Vaseem Khan, reviewed by Chris Roberts
Retired police inspector Ashwin Chopra takes on the case of a man found
dead in the Grand Raj Palace hotel, while his wife Poppy is kept busy
seeking a reluctant bride.

ZEN AND THE ART OF MURDER by Oliver Bottini, reviewed by John Cleal
An injured Japanese monk appears in a small Black Forest village. Tracking
the man leads Chief Inspector Louise Boni to an international child sex and
smuggling ring.

THE WOMAN BEFORE ME by Ruth Dugdall, reviewed by Kati Barr-Taylor
Ruth Wilks lives inside a prison inside a prison for the manslaughter of a
baby she loved like her own. Cate holds the key to open one door, but only
Rose has the key for the other.

EARTH STORM by Mons Kallentoft, reviewed by Ewa Sherman
Detective Malin Fors investigates cases of two opposing voices – the murder
of a right-wing extremist and a missing left-wing teenage activist.

FRIENDS AND TRAITORS by John Lawton, reviewed by Arnold Taylor
Frederick Troy, a member of the Metropolitan Police, forms an unlikely
friendship with Guy Burgess, even though he is aware that he is probably a
spy. Burgess's reappearance after his defection to the Soviet Union, puts
Troy in danger.

THE ORPHANS by Annemarie Neary, reviewed by Kati Barr-Taylor
Two small children on a beach in North Goa wait for their parents to
return. That was 25 year ago. They are still waiting.

CERTAIN SIGNS THAT YOU ARE DEAD by Torkil Damhaug, reviewed by Ewa Sherman
A badly injured patient vanishes at Akershus University Hospital. The
Iranian porter Arash is blamed as he later finds the body in the basement.
But as the retired pathologist Jenny Plåterud gets involved, things get
messier and more complicated.

THE DEVIL’S CLAW by Lara Dearman, reviewed by Chris Roberts
A young journalist returns home to Guernsey, and when a drowned woman is
found on the beach finds links to other such deaths stretching back over 50
years.

MISS KOPP’S MIDNIGHT CONFESSION by Amy Stewart, reviewed by John Cleal
Constance Kopp, New Jersey’s only female deputy sheriff, faces new
challenges as America prepares to enter the first world war.

THE COST OF LIVING by Rachel Ward, reviewed by Linda Wilson
When a colleague is attacked on her way home, Bea, who works in the same
supermarket, takes an interest in the case.

BLIND DEFENCE by John Fairfax, reviewed by Chris Roberts
Barrister William Benson defends a man accused of the murder of his partner
and finds the case extends beyond simple domestic strife to organised
criminal activity.

SWEETFREAK by Sophie McKenzie, reviewed by Linda Wilson
Carey’s best friend is receiving nasty messages from someone calling
themselves SweetFreak. When Carey is accused of being the perpetrator,
she’s determined to prove her innocence, but the evidence is against her.

WE WERE THE SALT OF THE SEA by Roxanne Bouchard, reviewed by Chris Roberts
Detective Sergeant Joaquin Morales, relocating from Montreal to a seaside
village, is assigned the death of a local woman who sailed home after years
away.

A LESSON IN VIOLENCE By Jordan Harper, reviewed by John Cleal
An 11-year-old girl is unexpectedly reunited with her father, but this is
only the beginning for them.

POTTER’S BOY by Tony Mitton, reviewed by Linda Wilson
The son of the village potter wants to grow up to become a fighter, not a
potter. This is Ryo’s story.

A STRANGER IN THE HOUSE by Shari Lapena, reviewed by John Barnbrook
Karen drives her car into a lamppost, late at night, in a seedy part of
town, but she cannot remember why she was there. The police are suspicious,
her husband disbelieving, and her best friend is behaving oddly.

STAR OF THE NORTH by DB John, reviewed by John Cleal
A young black Korean-American woman disappears without trace from a South
Korean island. Her twin sister refuses to believe she may be dead and is
herself later recruited by the CIA to find the truth and go undercover into
the world’s most secretive state.

DANGEROUS TO KNOW by Anne Buist, reviewed by Kate Balfour
Natalie, a bipolar clinical psychiatrist who moves to the country for a
quiet life, finds it anything but. She starts to counsel her new boss,
Frank, whose family’s history is very far from normal. Natalie must try to
stop herself from being drawn into their dangerous web.

Best wishes

Sharon
www.crimereview.co.uk

Do Some Damage: 47 Things They Don't Teach in Author School

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Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity: 40 Writing Contests in June 2018 - No entry fees

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Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Nevermore: Dead Wake, Human Comedy,Ishi, Wodehous...

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Nevermore: Dead Wake, Human Comedy,Ishi, Wodehous...: Reported by Ambrea Nevermore kicked off their meeting with  Dead Wake:  The Last Crossing of the Lusitania  by Erik Larson.  On...

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Jerry's House of Everything: FORGOTTEN BOOK: NOT THIS AUGUST

Jerry's House of Everything: FORGOTTEN BOOK: NOT THIS AUGUST: Not This August  by C. M. Kornbluth (1955, 1981) Once upon a time there was a group of alienated young people who formed a loose group of...

The Rap Sheet: The Mighty Dozen

The Rap Sheet: The Mighty Dozen

Only days left to win books and more from KRL

Only days left to win a copy of the latest China Bayles mystery, "Queen
Anne's Lace", by Susan Wittig Albert, and while there check out an
interesting guest post by Susan
http://kingsriverlife.com/05/19/queen-annes-lace-by-susan-wittig-albert/

And to win a copy of "Sixth Cabin" by Kathi Daley
http://kingsriverlife.com/05/19/sixth-cabin-by-kathi-daley/

Also to win a copy of "Apple Strudel Alibi" by H.Y. Hanna
http://kingsriverlife.com/05/19/apple-strudel-alibi-by-h-y-hanna/

And to win a copy of "Follow Me" by Angela Clarke along with an interesting
interview with Angela
http://kingsriverlife.com/05/19/follow-me-by-angela-clarke/

Over on KRL News & Reviews, only days left to win a copy of "Newport Ave."
by Ken Kuhlken
http://www.krlnews.com/2018/05/newport-ave-by-ken-kuhlken.html

Happy reading,
Lorie

Beneath the Stains of Time: The Misadventures of Ellery Queen (2018) edited by...

Beneath the Stains of Time: The Misadventures of Ellery Queen (2018) edited by...: Recently, Wildside Press published a long overdue anthology, The Misadventures of Ellery Queen (2018), edited by Josh Pachter and Dale C...

Bitter Tea and Mystery: Downfall: Margot Kinberg

Bitter Tea and Mystery: Downfall: Margot Kinberg: This is the fourth book in Margot Kinberg's Joel Williams series. Joel is a former policeman who has left that job to teach criminal j...

Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity: 60 Great Writing Conferences in June 2018

Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity: 60 Great Writing Conferences in June 2018: Pixabay June is bustin' out all over for writers. There are no fewer than 60 writing conferences this month, stretching from coast t...

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Unlawful Acts: Incident Report No. 42

Unlawful Acts: Incident Report No. 42

In Reference To Murder: Media Murder for Monday 5/21/18

In Reference To Murder: Media Murder for Monday 5/21/18

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: How to Be Interesting (In 10 Simple Steps) by Jess...

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: How to Be Interesting (In 10 Simple Steps) by Jess...: Reviewed by Jeanne One reason I like BPL Book Bingo (new round starting soon!)  is that it encourages me to read books I woul...

SleuthSayers: Sticking It Out

SleuthSayers: Sticking It Out: Guest starring  Brendan DuBois … Jan Grape invited a guest whom we are honored to have with us today. Brendan DuBois is the award-winning...

Review: Texas Two-Step by Michael Pool


Cooper Daniels has come up with a sure fire plan. Take the marijuana he and his buddy, Davis, has grown and processed, stuff it in some furniture, load that furniture and a bunch of other assorted junk into one of those container units, and ship it down to Texas. Let somebody else do the high risk deed of driving the pot across state lines. Legalized pot in Colorado is killing their ability to sell his illegal weed. The market is collapsing around their ears and being the brains of the duo, it is up to Cooper to get them out of their latest problem. A problem made massively worse thanks to a taskforce in Chicago that busted the guy he was going to sell his latest thirty pounds of high quality weed.

Things are changing and Cooper and Daniels are struggling to keep up. The old network is going under thanks to the wave of marijuana legalization sweeping the country. Cooper and Davis aren’t getting the bucks they are used to which is killing their life style. A life style built on concerts, parties, and getting blasted while staying at the best places and having the time of their lives. It has been grand, but they are getting older and things are changing in many ways.

In one last desperate attempt to get a big pay day, Cooper reaches out to an old contact down in Teller County, Texas. Elroy “Sancho” Watts is thrilled to hear from Cooper and is willing to work a deal. Neither Cooper or Davis wants to go back home to their old Texas stomping grounds, but the plan is to get in, do the deal, and get out of Texas as fast as possible and for good reason.

One of the many things they don’t know is that things have changed in a major way in Texas as well. One of those changes is the involvement of a man known to one and all as Bobby Burnell. Known to folks as “Bobby Burnout” for good reason the man is a human disaster zone. Involved in the deal, he as well as Sancho and several other folks are under the watchful eyes of local and state law enforcement. All of this and more means trouble, often at the point of a gun, for all involved.

Published by Down & Out Books, Michael Pool’s latest crime fiction feast, Texas Two-Step is a high octane ride. Shifting through various characters it becomes clear as the read powers towards a deadly confrontation that nearly everyone involved has dirty hands. Some are just a little worse than others.

As he did in other reads, author Michael Pool quickly pulls the reader in to a crime fiction tale populated by complex characters doing their best in their own ways to get through that brings far more trouble than one would expect on the surface when the decision happens.  Texas Two-Step is an intense read that works on every level. Highly recommended.  



Texas Two-Step
Michael Pool
Down & Out Books
2018
ISBN# 978-1-946502-56-8
Paperback (also available in eBook format)
280 Pages
$16.95



Paperback review copy provided by Wiley Saichek of Saichek Publicity for my use to read and review.


Kevin R. Tipple ©2018


Monday, May 21, 2018

Grandparent Time

Today was a treat as my son, Karl, his wife, Amy, and their two sons, Jacob and Justin, came down the long distance from their home in far northern Collin County. This also was my first chance to see Justin, the latest Tipple, who will be five weeks old as of this Thursday. He slept most of the several hours he was here. I did not get a chance to hold him yet as Mom kept a firm grip on him.

Amy and Justin

I did get to hold Jacob a little bit until he got tired of being on Grandpa's lap. He is a high energy boy and likes to move around a lot. But, I did manage to sneak in a few minutes.


Most of the time it was his Dad chasing him and hanging on to him outside the house.



As well as inside the house.


It was a blast. I am also one very tired Grandpa.

Monday Markets and Jobs for Writers for 5/21/18

Monday Markets and Jobs for Writers for 5/21/18

TEXAS BOOK LOVER: Monday Roundup: TEXAS LITERARY CALENDAR May 21-27,...

TEXAS BOOK LOVER: Monday Roundup: TEXAS LITERARY CALENDAR May 21-27,...: Bookish goings-on in Texas for the week of May 21-27, 2018:  Special Events: New Ideas 2: A Festival of New Plays , Dallas, May 18-26 El...

Aubrey Hamilton Reviews: Double Wide by Leo W. Banks

Double Wide by Leo W. Banks (Brash Books, 2017) is an entertaining mash-up of unrelated elements (societal dropouts, baseball, gold mines, and economic botany) that add novelty to the usual smuggling along the border of Arizona in this compactly plotted debut. Prospero (Whip) Stark was an up-and-coming pitcher with a professional player contract and a killer fastball when his career crashed beyond salvaging. He retreated to the exquisitely beautiful desert outside Tucson, living more or less off the grid in a trailer and renting a few other trailers to those like him with no particular liking for society. Content with life, Whip comes home after a grocery run to find a shoebox on his front porch and is dismayed to find the severed hand of his friend and catcher from his professional baseball days in it. A short time later he finds the dead body of a stranger within a couple of miles of his trailer community.
Uneasy about the crime wave in his area, he knows he has to figure out what happened to his friend, which brings Whip back to the baseball field where he had his greatest successes. There he meets Roxanne Santa Cruz, a hard-drinking reporter ever on the hunt for a good story and she thinks Whip has one. Their investigation encounters a parade of eccentric characters including a retired professor of botany who has gone on the run with a stripper, the professor’s reclusive mentor who greets visitors with a shotgun and attack dogs, a sleazy sports agent, a naïve teenager with a wild pitch that he thinks is his ticket to fame and fortune, and a machete-toting drug smuggler.
Banks describes Arizona with the enthusiasm and detail of a travel guide. His characters are credible, if unusual. This convoluted and fast-moving story won the 2018 Spur Award for Best First Novel and the 2018 Spur Award for Best Contemporary Western. It was also True West Magazine's Best Western Crime Novel of the Year. I am looking for a sequel featuring at least some of the people introduced here.






·         File Size: 1763 KB
·         Print Length: 352 pages
·         Publisher: Brash Books; 1st edition (November 1, 2017)
·         Publication Date: November 1, 2017
·         ASIN: B074K1MD1H




Aubrey Hamilton ©2018

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