Monday, October 31, 2022

In Reference To Murder: Media Murder for Monday 10/31/2022

 In Reference To Murder:  Media Murder for Monday 10/31/2022

Lesa's Book Critiques: THE CLOISTERS BY KATY HAYS

 Lesa's Book Critiques: THE CLOISTERS BY KATY HAYS

Markets and Jobs for 10/31/2022

 Markets and Jobs for 10/31/2022

Aubrey Nye Hamilton Reviews: Present Darkness by Malla Nunn

 

Malla Nunn is an Australian film maker and author of young adult books and adult crime fiction. She was born in Swaziland, now known as Eswatini. Her family emigrated to Australia to escape apartheid. Her four mysteries about Detective Sergeant Emanuel Cooper are set in the 1950s in South Africa, amid the cruelty and abuse of the race-based apartheid laws, which existed from 1948 into the 1990s. Her books have been shortlisted for the Edgar, the Barry, the Macavity, the Anthony, and the Ned Kelly awards.

The most recent one Present Darkness (Emily Bestler Books, 2014) finds Cooper in Johannestown a few days before Christmas. Everyone is wrapping up their assignments in anticipation of a long break. Instead all vacations are cancelled when a white schoolteacher and his wife are found murdered in their home and their traumatized daughter names two black students as the culprits. One of them is the son of Zulu Detective Constable Samuel Shabalala, Cooper’s closest friend and to whom Cooper is indebted for an earlier rescue. Once Shabalala’s son is under arrest, Lieutenant Walter Mason insists on closing the case with no real investigation. Cooper and Shabalala and Cooper’s friend Dr. Daniel Zweigman work around Mason and his corrupt cronies at significant danger to themselves to get to the truth of the killings.

A carefully considered and plotted police procedural. What elevates it from good to outstanding is the reconstruction of apartheid, an inhuman system of segregation in all areas of life based on skin color and race. The degree to which the state could legally and did interfere with the freedom of South African citizens is unimaginable. Readers from the United States will automatically compare apartheid to the laws of the Jim Crow South with good reason. The two were miserably similar, although I do not know of an instance in which the police in the U.S. South were authorized to enter homes at night to check on sleeping arrangements.

A very fine if depressing piece of historical crime fiction. This book leaves a few threads in Cooper’s life loose; hopefully another story is in development.

Starred review from Publishers Weekly.


 

·         Publisher:  Emily Bestler Books; Original edition (June 3, 2014)

·         Language:  English

·         Paperback:  352 pages

·         ISBN-10:  1451616961

·         ISBN-13:  978-1451616965 

 

Aubrey Nye Hamilton ©2022

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

Sunday, October 30, 2022

Because I Liked It

 


Lesa's Book Critiques: AND JUSTICE FOR MALL BY E.J. COPPERMAN

 Lesa's Book Critiques: AND JUSTICE FOR MALL BY E.J. COPPERMAN

Dru's Book Musings New Releases: Week of October 30, 2022

 Dru's Book Musings New Releases: Week of October 30, 2022 

Beneath the Stains of Time: The Case of the Treble Twist (1958) by Christopher Bush

Beneath the Stains of Time: The Case of the Treble Twist (1958) by Christopher...: Christopher Bush 's The Case of the Treble Twist (1958) is the 51st mystery novel in the Ludovic Travers series and the first title fro...

Saturday, October 29, 2022

KRL: Kings River Life Magazine for 10/29/2022

Up on KRL this morning a review and giveaway of another Halloween mystery, "The Plot and the Pendulum" by Jenn McKinlay https://kingsriverlife.com/10/29/the-plot-and-the-pendulum-by-jenn-mckinlay

And a review and ebook giveaway of "Duck for Cover & Other Tales" A Collection of short stories by Barbara Venkataraman https://kingsriverlife.com/10/29/duck-for-cover-other-tales-by-barbara-venkataraman/

 

We also have the latest mystery Coming Attractions from Sunny Frazier along with giveaways of books by Diane Kelly and Laurien Berenson https://kingsriverlife.com/10/29/november-coming-attractions-books-to-digest/

 

And our last Halloween short story of the season, this one by Chris Dreith https://kingsriverlife.com/10/29/halloween-short-story-phantom-whines/

 

Up this morning in honor of Halloween weekend we have another local ghost story from Sarah Peterson-Camacho https://kingsriverlife.com/10/29/lost-in-the-fog-the-hooded-phantom-of-ave-15/

 

Up during the week we posted another spooky short story by PM Raymond perfect for Halloween  reading https://kingsriverlife.com/10/26/halloween-short-story-gotcha/

 

And another Halloween short story, this one by mystery author Pamela Ebel https://kingsriverlife.com/10/26/halloween-short-story-good-fences-make-good-neighbors/

 

Up on KRL News and Reviews this week we have a review and ebook giveaway of "Before There Were Skeletons" by Judy Penz Sheluk https://www.krlnews.com/2022/10/before-there-were-skeletons-by-judy.html

 

And a review and ebook giveaway of "Killer in the Kitchen" by Judy L Murray https://www.krlnews.com/2022/10/killer-in-kitchen-by-judy-murray.html


Happy Halloween
Lorie

Lesa's Book Critiques: DEATH ON A WINTER STROLL BY FRANCINE MATHEWS

 Lesa's Book Critiques: DEATH ON A WINTER STROLL BY FRANCINE MATHEWS

Scott's Take: Strange Vol 1: I Belong to Death by Jed Mackay


Strange Vol 1: I Belong to Death by Jed Mackay picks up after The Death of Doctor Strange. Doctor Strange is dead and his wife, Clea, is heartbroken. She has agreed to become the Sorcerer Supreme and take his old job. She has to deal with new threats that have arisen since the forces of evil think its open season now that Doctor Strange is dead. She will be a different kind of Sorcerer Supreme. She is more violent than her late husband and does not have the ties to the hero community that her husband had. She was raised to be a warlord and New York’s magical villains are about to learn what that means.  She also has another goal in mind--- to bring Doctor Strange back from the land of the dead. Not that death is going to give up him without a fight.


Featuring great art and tons of action, this is a different kind of book. Clea is a rather different kind of character and it works well in this volume. I am looking forward to the second volume when they do release it. It is currently untitled and it is unknown when it will release.


 

My reading copy came by way of the OverDrive/Libby app through the Dallas Public Library System.

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2022

Friday, October 28, 2022

Lesa's Book Critiques: WINNERS AND A BOOK-RELATED MYSTERY GIVEAWAY

 Lesa's Book Critiques: WINNERS AND A BOOK-RELATED MYSTERY GIVEAWAY

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: She Kills Me: The True Stories of History’s Deadliest Women by Jennifer Wright

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: She Kills Me: The True Stories of History’s Deadli...:   Reviewed by Jeanne In case you haven’t gathered it from the title, this is relatively light hearted look at women who kill.   Note tha...

In Reference To Murder: Friday's "Forgotten" Books - Death Watch

 In Reference To Murder: Friday's "Forgotten" Books - Death Watch

Patti Abbott: FFB-ROSEANNA by Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo (From the blog of Elgin Bleecker)

 Patti Abbott: FFB-ROSEANNA by Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo  (From the blog of Elgin Bleecker)

Jerry's House of Everything: FORGOTTEN BOOK: THE QUEST OF THE SACRED SLIPPER

Jerry's House of Everything: FORGOTTEN BOOK: THE QUEST OF THE SACRED SLIPPER: The Quest of the Sacred Slipper by "Sax Rohmer" (Arthur Henry Sarsfield Ward) (first book publication 1914; first published in eig...

FFB Review: A Werewolf Named Wayne by Bill Crider


After reminding you last week of A Vampire Named Fred by Bill Crider, it seemed a good idea to tap the magnificently massive archive and remind you today of the sequel, A Werewolf Named Wayne.

 

Readers who have read A Vampire Named Fred are well aware that Hermie and Al helped Fred and his assistant, Carl, with a couple of issues. While Kermit felt it wasn’t easy being green, being a vampire in these times of extreme prejudice caused by bogus Hollywood movies isn’t easy. Not to mention the fact that cats don’t like vampires and will come by the hundreds to the home and yowl in the yard. Neighbors don’t like that sort of thing.

Thanks to Hermie and Al’s friendship and efforts, things are far better for Fred and Carl these days. So much so they are moving to Vegas and that means the house has been sold again. Al and Hermie are really going to miss Fred and Carl. But, people as well as the creatures of the night move on when circumstances change. Fred has made it clear to the new owner how helpful the boys were and that is a good thing. The new owner is Wayne and he is a werewolf. Good thing the boys are in 7th grade now as he needs their help with a far more complicated problem than Fred ever had.

While not as humorous as the previous book, this is another very good read that will appeal to both adults and kids alike. Wayne’s issues are far different than Fred and his concerns are far different. With characters and expectations firmly established in the preceding book, A Werewolf Named Wayne focuses primarily on his unique situation and the help he needs. The result is a very good fun read that keeps the adventure going.


 

Material was picked up during a recent author promotion for my use in an objective review.

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2014, 2022

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

Lesa's Book Critiques: BLACK HOLLYWOOD BY CARELL AUGUSTUS

 Lesa's Book Critiques: BLACK HOLLYWOOD BY CARELL AUGUSTUS

Beneath the Stains of Time: Invisible Green (1977) by John Sladek

Beneath the Stains of Time: Invisible Green (1977) by John Sladek: In my previous blog-post, I returned to an old favorite of mine, John Sladek's Black Aura (1974), which, barring one or two small blemi...

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Nevermore: We Carry Their Bones, The Woman in the Library, Miss Jane Pittman, No Better Friend

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Nevermore: We Carry Their Bones, The Woman in the...:   Reported by Garry   We Carry Their Bones: The Search for Justice at the Dozier School for Boys by Erin Kimmerle is the unflinching in...

George Kelly: WEDNESDAY’S SHORT STORIES #96: M IS FOR MAGIC By Neil Gaiman

 George Kelly: WEDNESDAY’S SHORT STORIES #96: M IS FOR MAGIC By Neil Gaiman

Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity: 73 Calls for Submissions in November 2022 - Paying Markets

Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity: 73 Calls for Submissions in November 2022 - Paying...: This November there are more than six dozen calls for submissions. All of these are paying markets, and none charge submission fees. As alwa...

Bitter Tea and Mystery: Short Story Wednesday: The Ghost of Opalina by Peggy Bacon

Bitter Tea and Mystery: Short Story Wednesday: The Ghost of Opalina by Peg...: This was another book I read for the R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril event . The Ghost of Opalina is a children's fantasy, made up of a serie...

Jerry's House of Everything: SHORT STORY WEDNESDAY: THE HAMMER HORROR FILM OMNIBUS

Jerry's House of Everything: SHORT STORY WEDNESDAY: THE HAMMER HORROR FILM OMN...:   The Hammer Horror Film Omnibus  by John Burke  (London:  Pan Book, 1966) With Halloween less than a week away, it's time to turn some ...

Patti Abbott: Short Story Wednesday: "Hollywood Lanes" Megan Abbott in QUEENS NOIR

 Patti Abbott: Short Story Wednesday: "Hollywood Lanes" Megan Abbott in QUEENS NOIR

Short Story Wednesday Review: The Alabaster-Skinned Mule: A Noah Milano Novelett by Jochem Vandersteen

 

From the massively magnificent archive…


The young lady in security specialist Noah Milano’s office is very thin with blonde hair. In her early twenties and very pretty, Noah considers the fact that she could be an acrobat. The alabaster skinned beauty’s name is Wendy Schultz and she has a big problem that is far more down to earth.

Recently while in Mexico her car broke down. After it was fixed, which took some time, she headed back to the border to go home. Right before she got to the border she had a flat tire. She stopped and checked the tire and discovered to her horror that it was full of cocaine. In a panic she called a male friend who came down to help her. The two of them discovered cocaine everywhere in the car and in all of the tires. Her and her friend destroyed all of the drugs by flushing them down the toilet at a nearby truck stop.

Eventually they got back across the border without any problems. Since they were now back in the United States they thought everything was over. Instead, some very scary guys have showed up at her apartment looking for their drugs. When she didn’t have them they trashed the place, put a gun to her head, and threatened her while they groped her. Wendy is clearly terrified and Noah is sure he can help.

After arranging protection for Wendy, Noah goes to work by contacting the garage where she had the work done. He wants to scare the guys off of Wendy and end the problem before it gets any worse. Maybe he should have body guarded the beautiful woman and sent the other guy to talk to the garage guys.

Another good read in the Noah Milano series of books, this mystery has plenty of action and quite a few twists and turns. Published in 2011 making it one of the earlier reads in the series, The Alabaster Skinned Mule: A Noah Milano Novelette is a good one.


 

Material was picked up to read and review via funds in my Amazon Associate account. 


Kevin R. Tipple ©2015, 2022

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

Little Big Crimes Review: The Relentless Flow of the Amazon by Jonathan Stone

Little Big Crimes: The Relentless Flow of the Amazon, by Jonathan Stone: "The Relentless Flow of the Amazon," by Jonathan Stone, in Mystery Writers of America Presents: Crime Hits Home,  edited by S.J. ...

Lesa's Book Critiques: NO STRANGERS HERE BY CARLENE O’CONNOR

 Lesa's Book Critiques: NO STRANGERS HERE BY CARLENE O’CONNOR

Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity: 42 Writing Contests in November 2022 - No entry fees

Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity: 42 Writing Contests in November 2022 - No entry fees: This November there are more than three dozen free writing contests for short fiction, novels, poetry, CNF, nonfiction, and plays. Prizes ra...

Monday, October 24, 2022

Euro Crime: Published 18-25 October 2022

 Euro Crime: Published 18-25 October 2022

Lesa's Book Critiques: THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF AN ORDINARY MAN: A MEMOIR BY PAUL NEWMAN

Lesa's Book Critiques: THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF AN ORDINARY MAN: A MEMOIR BY PAUL NEWMAN

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Unmask Alice: LSD, Satanic Panic, and the Imposter Behind the World’s Most Notorious Diaries by Rick Emerson

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Unmask Alice: LSD, Satanic Panic, and the Imposter...:   Reviewed by Christy Most people of a certain age have probably heard of (and read) Go Ask Alice – an anonymous (but allegedly real!)...

Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity: 13 Notable Writing Conferences and Workshops in November 2022

Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity: 13 Notable Writing Conferences and Workshops in No...: This November there are more than a dozen writing conferences. Many conferences and workshops will be held online, but some will be held in ...

In Reference To Murder: Media Murder for Monday for 10/24/2022

 In Reference To Murder: Media Murder for Monday for 10/24/2022

Markets and Jobs for Writers for 10/24/2022

 Markets and Jobs for Writers for 10/24/2022

Aubrey Nye Hamilton Reviews: Fifth Son by Barbara Fradkin


Barbara Fradkin is an award-winning crime fiction author based in Ottawa. Originally a child psychologist, she now writes full time. She is juggling three series: the newest is about Amanda Doucette, a traumatized international aid worker who has returned to Canada to rebuild her life. The others are the Cedric O’Toole books, in which an organic farmer becomes an unexpected detective, and the Ottawa Inspector Michael Green series, police procedurals with strong psychological themes. The most recent one, The Devil to Pay, was published in 2021.

Her work has been nominated repeatedly for awards and both Fifth Son and Honour Among Men in the Inspector Green series were named Arthur Ellis Best Novel for their respective years.

Fifth Son (Napoleon and Co., 2004) is the fourth title about Green. The body of a man is found at the base of an abandoned church in the small town of Ashford Landing, an apparent suicide. The biggest mystery appeared to be the dead man’s name. After exhaustive interviews, Green learned he was perhaps one of the Pettigrews, a family of five brothers who all looked alike. The father was in a long-term care facility, the mother dead. The only son still living in the area was the youngest who hadn’t seen any of his brothers in years. One brother died young, another was in a mental institution, the third living on the streets, and the fourth in the United States somewhere. Follow-up yielded the information that the brother who had been institutionalized was released and that he had missed his most recent follow-up appointments. So Green began to search for three of the brothers, assuming the dead man was one of them. In the back of his mind he kept reviewing the scene where the body was found because he felt something was off.

This is a surprisingly complex story. What appears to be a simple investigation of an unattended death effortlessly segues into the study of the disintegration of a close family. Motivations for actions taken long ago are thoroughly explored as is their impact on the present day. The sadness of the family narrative is alleviated with amusing scenes about Green’s frustrating home renovation, something any homeowner can understand, and his attempts to establish a relationship with his teenage daughter.

The mechanics are well executed. The plot has no extraneous elements, although that’s not always clear; all of the story threads unfold in separate directions until near the end when they coalesce. Even the minor characters, such as the chatty retired priest, are sketched thoroughly. Excellent misdirection from the beginning when a case is made for one possible culprit after another until the very end when the true one is revealed.

A thoughtful, nuanced piece of crime fiction with unusual depth.


  

·         Publisher: Napoleon and Co; 1st Edition (September 1, 2004)

·         Language: English

·         Paperback: 304 pages

·         ISBN-10: 1894917138

·         ISBN-13: 978-1894917131 

 

Aubrey Nye Hamilton ©2022

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

Sunday, October 23, 2022

Dru's Book Musings New Releases: Week of October 23, 2022

 Dru's Book Musings New Releases: Week of October 23, 2022

Lesa's Book Critiques: VANISHING HOUR BY LAURA GRIFFIN

 Lesa's Book Critiques: VANISHING HOUR BY LAURA GRIFFIN

Don't Need A Diagram: Eli Cranor, “Don’t Know Tough”

 Don't Need A Diagram: Eli Cranor, “Don’t Know Tough”

Beneath the Stains of Time: Black Aura (1974) by John Sladek

Beneath the Stains of Time: Black Aura (1974) by John Sladek: John Sladek was an American science-fiction writer who lived in London, England, from the mid-1960s to 1986 where he sold his first short s...

Saturday, October 22, 2022

Lesa's Book Critiques: SWANN’S WAR BY MICHAEL OREN

 Lesa's Book Critiques: SWANN’S WAR BY MICHAEL OREN

KRL: Kings River Life Magazine Update for 10/22/2022

Up on KRL this morning a review of "The Ghost and the Stolen Tears" by Cleo Coyle along with a guest post from Cleo about why they brought this series back, and an extra special giveaway! https://kingsriverlife.com/10/22/the-ghost-and-the-stolen-tears-by-cleo-coyle/ 

And a review and giveaway of "Six Feet Deep Dish" by Mindy Quigley along with an interesting interview with Mindy https://kingsriverlife.com/10/22/six-feet-deep-dish-by-mindy-quigley/

 

We also have a review and ebook giveaway of "Crime Wave 2: Women of a Certain Age" anthology put out by the Canada West Chapter of Sisters in Crime https://kingsriverlife.com/10/22/crime-wave-2/

 

And the latest Queer Mystery Coming Attractions from Matt Lubbers-Moore https://kingsriverlife.com/10/22/queer-mystery-coming-attractions-more-november/

 

For those who prefer to listen to Mysteryrat's Maze Podcast directly on KRL here we have the player for our latest episode featuring the mystery short story "The Artists of Chartres Street" by Ellen Byron read by local actor Amelia Ryan. This story is perfect for your Halloween listening! There is also a special giveaway! https://kingsriverlife.com/10/22/mysteryrats-maze-podcast-featuring-the-artists-of-chartres-street/

 

We also have another Halloween short story, this one by John R Clark https://kingsriverlife.com/10/22/halloween-short-story-when-a-prank-goes-bad/

 

And up during the week we posted another spooky mystery short story for your Halloween reading, this one by James Patrick Focarile https://kingsriverlife.com/10/19/halloween-short-story-forever-yours/

 

And another special midweek guest post, this one by mystery Author Sarah E. Burr about her new book "Too Much to Candle" and spending quality time with her main characters https://kingsriverlife.com/10/19/story-crafting-on-a-whim/

 

Up on KRL News and Reviews this week we have a review and giveaway of another mystery set at Halloween, "Kill Them With Canvas" by Bailee Abbott https://www.krlnews.com/2022/10/kill-them-with-canvas-by-bailee-abbott.html  

 

And a review and ebook giveaway of "Memories are Murder" by Leslie Langtry https://www.krlnews.com/2022/10/memories-are-murder-by-leslie-langtry.html

Happy Halloween!
Lorie

Jerry's House of Everything: IT'S A TOSS-UP -- "WOMEN OUTLAWS" ? OR "CODY OF THE PONY EXPRESS" ? (SEPTEMBER 1950)

Jerry's House of Everything: IT'S A TOSS-UP -- "WOMEN OUTLAWS" ? OR "CODY OF TH...:  Here's a pretty jumbled mess.  I'm not sure what Fox Features Syndicate was thinking.  The cover is for a one-shot, Women Outlaws ;...

Bitter Tea and Mystery: Sense and Sensibility: Jane Austen

Bitter Tea and Mystery: Sense and Sensibility: Jane Austen: As Sense and Sensibility begins, Mr. Dashwood of Norland Park has passed away. He and his wife, Mrs. Dashwood, and three daughters, Elinor,...

Scott’s Take: Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures #1


From the massive archive…


Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures #1 was written by Mathew K. Manning and has art by Jon Sommariva. This graphic novel features Batman from the animated television series in the 1990s teaming up with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from the 2012 animated television series. They unite with Bat Girl and Robin to face off against Shredder, Joker, Poison Ivy, Scarecrow and others.

Along with the battles, this funny graphic novel features various hijinks that happen while the heroes interact with each other and deal with how different their worlds are. If you are a fan of either group of characters you should find this most enjoyable. I found it worth reading just to watch Batman eat pizza, which I found funny. The heroes learn to respect each other and interact in the six issues collected in this graphic novel. The “serious” Batman character having to play off the more fun-loving turtles makes any interaction between the heroes groups entertaining. Especially funny was Batgirl’s reaction to Splinter (a talking Ninja Rat) and Ice Cream Kitty (a living kitty made out of ice cream) were especially goofy and entertaining. I enjoyed it.

If you find this collection enjoyable, you should also like Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Volume 1, Volume 2, and the upcoming Volume 3, which all feature different versions of the characters crossing over. Those stories focus on versions of the characters from the DC Rebirth and the current TMNT comic.  Those stories are more mature and also added more characters such as Bane, Alfred, Damian, and others. Having Alfred deal with the Turtles and Batman at the same time made for some interesting interactions.

 

 

Material was obtained from the Lochwood Branch of the Dallas Public Library System. The Dallas System has a far more extensive collection of graphic novels than what I was able to access in the Plano Library System.

 

Scott Tipple ©2019, 2022

Friday, October 21, 2022

Writer Beware: Solicitation Alert: The BookWalker

 Writer Beware: Solicitation Alert: The BookWalker

Lesa's Book Critiques: WINNERS AND A BRITISH MYSTERY GIVEAWAY

 Lesa's Book Critiques: WINNERS AND A BRITISH MYSTERY GIVEAWAY

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Road Out of Winter by Alison Stine

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Road Out of Winter by Alison Stine:   Reviewed by Kristin After a long cold winter, what if spring never came? As March, April, May, and even June rolled around, what if th...

Jerry's House of Everything: FORGOTTEN BOOK: DWELLERS IN THE MIRAGE

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In Reference To Murder: Friday's "Forgotten" Books: A Private Inquiry

 In Reference To Murder: Friday's "Forgotten" Books: A Private Inquiry

Patti Abbott: FFB

 Patti Abbott: FFB

FFB Review: A Vampire Named Fred by Bill Crider

 
A seasonally appropriate reminder of a great book from the massively magnificent archive…

 

The very run down house next door had been on the market for about 15 years when it finally sold. Al, who is 12, loved exploring the old place, but his mom worried about rotted out floors, broken stairs, snakes in the basement, and the bugs and dirt. While his parents would not buy the old place like he wanted them to, at least his Mom never forbade him from going over there.  He had loved going over there and poking around as long as he could remember and often his buddy Hermie went over there with him.

So, Al wasn’t exactly thrilled when the house suddenly sold. Hermie was convinced nothing good for them would happen with the new owners. Hermie was sure the new owners had to be a 100 or something to want to live in that old place and he was sure they would not have grandkids or anything. They probably even hate kids, according to Hermie. Neither one of the boys counted on A Vampire Named Fred who needs their help and friendship.

Originally published in print on 1990 and released in electronic format in 2011, this book aimed at the middle school aged crowd is a very fun read. Not only does it play a bit with the vampire legend which Hollywood movies got very wrong according to Fred, the book also mixes in cultural references that will appeal to the adult reader. For example, Elvis (or somebody doing one heck of an impersonation) works down at the local Tastee Daree Freezee where they sell soft ice cream, burgers, and more. He still sings a bit and dances in his blue suede shoes while filling orders. While small things like that may fly by the kids, adults will get a chuckle or two over that and quite a number of other items in this fun story that reminds all readers that being a little different is okay.

A Vampire Named Fred is a fun read for all ages by legendary author Bill Crider. It has a sequel titled A Werewolf Named Wayne.



Material was picked up during a recent author promotion for my use in an objective review. 


Kevin R. Tipple ©2014, 2022

Thursday, October 20, 2022

Happiness Is A Book: FRIDAY’S FORGOTTEN BOOK: FIVE-RING CIRCUS BY JON CLEARY

 Happiness Is A Book: FRIDAY’S FORGOTTEN BOOK: FIVE-RING CIRCUS BY JON CLEARY

The Rap Sheet: Revue of Reviewers for 10/19/2022

 The Rap Sheet: Revue of Reviewers for 10/19/2022

Murder Books: INTERVIEW WITH CAMERON TROST, OF BLACK BEACON BOOKS

 Murder Books: INTERVIEW WITH CAMERON TROST, OF BLACK BEACON BOOKS

In Reference To Murder: Mystery Melange for 10/20/2022

 In Reference To Murder: Mystery Melange for 10/20/2022

Lesa's Book Critiques: WHAT ARE YOU READING?

 Lesa's Book Critiques: WHAT ARE YOU READING?

Wednesday, October 19, 2022

Lesa's Book Critiques: VOICE OF FEAR BY HEATHER GRAHAM

 Lesa's Book Critiques: VOICE OF FEAR BY HEATHER GRAHAM

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Nevermore: Witches Abroad, Agent Josephine, Love Songs of W.E.B. DuBois, Family Upstairs

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Nevermore: Witches Abroad, Agent Josephine, Love ...:   Reported by Garry   Witches Abroad by Terry Pratchett is part of the Discworld series but  can be read as a standalone. Our reader ab...

Euro Crime: Published 10-17 October 2022

 Euro Crime: Published 10-17 October 2022

Beneath the Stains of Time: The Corpse That Never Was (1963) by Brett Halliday

Beneath the Stains of Time: The Corpse That Never Was (1963) by Brett Halliday: Davis Dresser was an American crime writer and creator of the well-known, Miami-based private eye, Mike Shayne, who enjoyed " a long, s...

George Kelly: WEDNESDAY’S SHORT STORIES #95: SUCH STUFF AS SCREAMS ARE MADE OF By Robert Bloch

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Jerry's House of Everything: SHORT STORY WEDNESDAY: BY THE GUNS FORGOT

Jerry's House of Everything: SHORT STORY WEDNESDAY: BY THE GUNS FORGOT:  "By the Guns Forgot" by "Murray Leinster"  (Will F. Jenkins) (from Fifteen Western Tales , December 1947; reprinted in ...

Patti Abbott: Short Story Wednesday: "Tiny, Meaningless Things" Marissa Silver, THE NEW YORKER

 Patti Abbott: Short Story Wednesday: "Tiny, Meaningless Things" Marissa Silver, THE NEW YORKER

Short Story Wednesday Review: Redemption: A Noah Milano Novelette by Jochem Vandersteen


Howard Pratt would not stand out if you saw him on the street as he is just an average 36 year old guy. An average guy with hair a little too long and a scar at the corner of his mouth. An average guy who twenty some odd years ago killed another 16 year old boy after he tortured him. Pratt went to an adult facility, did his time, and since then has had a clean record.

Noah Milano, son of the most notorious crime boss in Los Angeles, is willing to consider being Pratt’s bodyguard while he is in town. That sort of thing is what Noah does these days as a security specialist. Pratt is supposed to meet with Brady’s parents in the office of psychologist Denny Sturgis. The meeting is supposed to help both sides heal at least somewhat, but Pratt knows many would like to see him dead including Brady’s parents, Martha and Frank Resnick. Milano agrees to be there as his bodyguard in in Redemption: A Noah Milano Novelette.

Also part of this e-book is an excerpt from Triage: A Thriller (Shell Series) as well as synopses for several other Noah Milano series books.

A good compact story, the novelette is very focused on the case with little of Milano’s personal life. While the results of the initial set up are predictable, the rest of the read is not as it blends action, detective work, and twists in a page turning story. Action and detective work at a fast pace was also present in The Death Business: A Noah Milano Novella though in that book readers do get a little more of the background of security specialist Noah Milano. Like that book this read is another good one for fans of hardboiled pulp style stories.

 


Material purchased to read and review by way of funds in my Amazon Associate account.

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2015, 2022

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Aubrey Nye Hamilton Reviews: The Left-Handed Twin: A Jane Whitefield Novel by Thomas Perry


Thomas Perry feels no compulsion to rattle off one book after another featuring his series characters. His award-winning books about hitman Michael Schaeffer span nearly 40 years, yet there are only four titles. So too with his books about Jane Whitefield, a Seneca Native American in upstate New York who helps people in trouble create new lives and disappear from the old ones. After publishing five books about Whitefield in five years, starting in 1995, fans had to wait 10 more years to read about her again. The most recent adventure was released six years after the previous one, a long hiatus for readers anxious to know who Whitefield is assisting next and how she is doing it.

Whitefield has acquired a husband since her first outing and he understandably objects to her occasional disappearances as she sets someone up in a new life. She has all but given it up when Sara Doughton from Los Angeles finds her. Sara’s boyfriend killed a man in front of her and she turned states’ evidence to avoid charges. The boyfriend walked out of the courtroom a free man and looking for Sara. Her attorney sent her to Whitefield.

Sara is not as easy to locate as her boyfriend expected and he asks a member of the Russian mafia for help. The gang leader recognized Whitefield’s modus operandi, as some of his prospective victims had disappeared over the years with her help. He is eager to find Whitefield to force her to reveal their new identities and current addresses. When Whitefield realizes the Russians are after her and not Sara, she leaves Sara safely situated and takes her pursuers into the wilds of Maine along the most dangerous part of the Appalachian Trail in a hair-raising chase.

This book has many facets. The Native American traditions and lore that guide Whitefield’s thinking and actions are an integral part of the story; fans of Tony Hillerman’s books will be interested. In addition, the book can be read for sheer suspense, of which there is an abundance. It can be used as a guide to survival in the outdoors. And it can be viewed as a practical handbook on how to disappear.

Whitefield melds Native American mysticism with cold pragmatism. Her no-nonsense approach forces Sara into facing her situation clearly and taking steps to deal with it. Her resourcefulness appears to be bottomless. She is always one step ahead, even when the situation seems hopeless.

While this is the ninth Whitefield title, it offers enough backstory that a reader new to the series will not miss anything important. I liked this one so much that I will look for earlier books. Highly recommended.

Starred review from Booklist.



·         Publisher: Mysterious Press (November 16, 2021)

·         Language: English

·         Hardcover: 321 pages

·         ISBN-10: 1613162596

·         ISBN-13: 978-1613162590

 

Aubrey Nye Hamilton ©2022

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