Tuesday, January 07, 2025
SleuthSayers: Worried at Noon
SleuthSayers: Worried at Noon: On New Year's Day, my first short story of the year, "Slow Ride," published. What a great way to start a year. On that day, I ...
Monday, January 06, 2025
Bookblog of the Bristol Library: From Here to the Great Unknown: A Memoir by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough
Bookblog of the Bristol Library: From Here to the Great Unknown: A Memoir by Lisa M...: Reviewed by Kristin Lisa Marie Presley planned to write a memoir for several years before her death. She began recording the stories t...
Aubrey Nye Hamilton Reviews: The Big Empty by Robert Crais
I was inordinately
pleased to learn I had been approved to receive an advance copy of the new
Elvis Cole and Joe Pike thriller via NetGalley. Publicists for popular authors
like Robert Crais can pick and choose who will be allowed an early look and I did
not expect to be one of the selected. However, I lost no time in downloading a
copy in case someone decided to reverse the decision, and I tucked the PDF file
away for my Christmas reading treat.
I am happy to
report that The Big Empty (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2025) is every bit as
good as its 19 predecessors. Elvis Cole is at loose ends when Traci Beller’s
assistant calls. Traci is a trendy influencer on social media, known for her
cooking videos and her bubbly persona. She is on the brink of going mainstream
but she can’t forget her father, who disappeared 10 years previously when she
was 13, and it is disrupting her focus. The police decided at the time that
Beller abandoned his family. Traci simply cannot believe it. She hired a
private investigator to look for him five years ago without success and now she
wants Cole to look again.
Cole is
reluctant to take on what seems to be a futile task, though he agrees to review
the file from the last search. The reports are thorough if not downright
exhaustive. A quick check shows no sign of Beller or the van he was driving in
the intervening five years. Cole talks to a few of the witnesses in case an
additional detail or two surfaces and surface they do. Following the threads of
fragmented new information results in a group of thugs threatening Cole and he
calls in Joe Pike for back-up. The data leads to startling revelations which
force Cole to decide how much to tell and to whom and what to hold back, if
anything.
A surprising
story in many ways with a nuanced examination of the impact criminals have on
those who love them. And how sometimes we simply have no good options among the
choices facing us; the best we can do is pick what seems to be the least bad
and hope. A running secondary theme is just how hard poor people work to stay
alive with no clear way of improving their situations. The single mothers here
struggle desperately to provide for their children and feel themselves going
under anyway.
I wish I
could say that Traci’s greedy and opportunistic business manager is not
credible but unfortunately I’ve worked with people a lot like him. He’s all too
real. Cole and Pike remain two of the most likable, reliable, and conscientious
investigators around. And I was happy to see that Cat is still delivering purrs
and head bonks. Recommended.
To be released on 14 January 2025. Starred reviews from Booklist and Kirkus.
·
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons (January 14, 2025)
·
Language: English
·
Hardcover: 384 pages
·
ISBN-10: 0525535764
·
ISBN-13: 978-0525535768
Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4gADk4p
Aubrey Nye Hamilton ©2024
Aubrey Hamilton is a former librarian who works on Federal It
projects by day and reads mysteries at night.
Sunday, January 05, 2025
Little Big Crimes: Do You See the Light? by James D.F. Hannah
Little Big Crimes: Do You See the Light? by James D.F. Hannah: "Do You See the Light?" by James D.F. Hannah, in Lost and Loaded: A Gun's Tale, edited by Colin Conway, Original Ink Press,...
Beneath the Stains of Time: Entering the Ring: "The Man Who Boxed Forever" (2001) by Edward D. Hoch
Beneath the Stains of Time: Entering the Ring: "The Man Who Boxed Forever" (20...: Edward D. Hoch 's "The Man Who Boxed Forever" was written for Otto Penzler 's Murder on the Ropes (2001), an anthology of...
Review: Abandoned in Death: In Death Series by J.D. Robb
The deceased
woman was found on the park bench at a playground one morning in 2061 just
before the summer heat really started. On her clothed and posed body was a sign
written in crayon stating “Bad Mommy.” Lauren Elder will never see her 27th
birthday. She will never again tend bar at Arnold’s. She has been missing since
the night of May 28th when she didn’t make it home.
She was clearly
held hostage as evidenced by the marks on her left wrist and ankle. The killer definitely
washed her, dressed her, and applied makeup, perfume, and nail polish, and did
other things, sometime before she was placed on the bench. The same public
bench that will be where Bella, Mavis, and Leonardo will be, as well as baby
number 2, once they all move into the new house.
While Lieutenant
Eve Dallas of the NYPSD takes every case seriously, having this happen, where
Bella will soon play, makes it kind of personal. That same feeling extends to
Peabody and the rest of her team. They don’t need extra motivation to solve the
case. But, they have it this way as well as even more when they realize the deceased
woman is not the only one he has taken.
The hunt is on
for a killer who was abandoned long ago, has severe mommy issues, and is taking
it out on various women in the here and now of nearly summer 2061. There are
more missing women to find and, one hopes, save. He isn’t going to stop unless
they stop him in Abandoned in Death by J.D. Robb.
This book has numerous pov sections from the view of victims as well as the killer. I struggled to finish the book as I thought it was incredibly depressing. While some of the tales in this long running series had had depressing elements before, this one seemed to be incredibly depressing in all aspects.
As far as the
ongoing storylines that are in the series to this point, I did not see anything
that was important or significant.
I rarely
recommend folks just flat out skip a book in a series. I do here. That may say
far more about me, my childhood, and other things than the actual book itself,
but that is how I feel after slogging through the read.
Amazon Associate
Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3A60nE1
My Large Print
reading copy came from the Pleasant Grove Branch of the Dallas Public Library
System.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2025
Saturday, January 04, 2025
A Writer's Life....Caroline Clemmons: Gentry On Sale by Caroline Clemmons
A Writer's Life....Caroline Clemmons: Gentry On Sale by Caroline Clemmons: Gentry and the Mail Order Bride: Texas Hill Country Mail Order Brides 1 by Caroline Clemmons Amazon Buy Link Happy New Year! Gentry is th...
Bitter Tea and Mystery: Six Degrees of Separation: From Orbital to Station Eternity
Bitter Tea and Mystery: Six Degrees of Separation: From Orbital to Station...: The Six Degrees of Separation meme is hosted by Kate at booksaremyfavoriteandbest . The idea behind the meme is to start with a book and us...
KRL Update 1/4/2025
Up on KRL this week a review and giveaway of "A Basket Case" by Lesley A. Diehl https://kingsriverlife.com/01/04/a-basket-case-by-lesley-a-diehl/
And a review and giveaway of "Burn This Night" by Alex Kenna https://kingsriverlife.com/01/04/burn-this-night-by-alex-kenna/
And a review and ebook giveaway of "Fatal Foul Play" by David S Pederson https://kingsriverlife.com/01/04/fatal-foul-play-by-david-s-pederson/
We also have a mystery short story by Guy Belleranti https://kingsriverlife.com/01/04/mystery-short-story-clear-evidence/
We are trying something new in 2025--the Mystery Coming Attractions is going up the beginning of the month instead of the end and here they are, the January Mystery Coming Attractions from Victoria Fair. Victoria is also suggesting a reading challenge https://kingsriverlife.com/01/04/mystery-coming-attractions-january-2025/
Up on KRL News and Reviews this week we have a review and ebook giveaway of "The 13th Letter" an anthology from Les Mesdames & Messieurs of Mayhem https://www.krlnews.com/2025/01/the-13th-letter-by-les-mesdames.html
Happy New Year
Lorie
SleuthSayers: Report Card for 2024
SleuthSayers: Report Card for 2024: Whoa, another year gone. As usual, there were ups and downs, in life and in writing. Overall, I had a good time. In what has become my cu...
Scott's Take: Batman-Santa Claus: Silent Knight Returns by Jeff Parker (Author) and Lukas Ketner (Illustrator)
Batman-Santa Claus: Silent Knight
Returns
by Jeff Parker (Author) and Lukas Ketner (Illustrator) is the sequel to the
first Batman- Santa Claus team up book, Batman – Santa Claus: SilentKnight by Jeff Parker, Illustrator Michele Bandini. I read all five
issues on DC Infinite and they have not collected it in trade form yet. This means
I did not have access to the variant covers. such as the sexy Santa variant,
which is supposed to be scratch and sniff. I am glad I do not. Sexy and Santa
is not something I want connected in my mind.
In this Christmas tale, the Justice
League attempts to stop a magical knight who is sucking the life out of random
people. The league is quickly defeated and banished by the knight. Mera,
Batman, Superman, and others are forced into a pocket dimension away from the
world. Robin (Damian) barely escapes and goes to Zatanna for help. Soon Santa
joins them. Along the way other heroes join up to rescue their friends such as
Mary Marvel and Mrs. Claus.
This action-packed Christmas tale with
some minor horror elements is a fun fast read with Fairey and Arthurian
mythology. Mrs. Claus as a warrior was not something I expected to read. The
art is good and several minor heroes get the spotlight who usually don’t get to
appear as much. The main covers are really cool and fun. One such cover has Santa
making wood figures of the heroes who join as reinforcements midway through the
tale.
The Flash (Wally) joins in the fun with
his horrible new costume. I know this is a nitpick, but his costume is so bad.
Its jarring. I really don’t know how someone got that thing approved. You know it’s
bad when its being mocked all the time online.
The ending sets up potential further
adventures for Santa and the League. One hopes they keep this series going as there
is setup for more.
As noted in the review, at this time,
only the five single issues that make up the read are available at the DC
Unlimited app. Scroll down to COMIC
SERIES.
Scott A. Tipple ©2025
Friday, January 03, 2025
Bookblog of the Bristol Library: New Books in January!
Bookblog of the Bristol Library: New Books in January!: Fiction Balogh, Mary Remember When: Clarissa’s Story (Ravenswood) Brennan, Allison See How They Hide Burke, Alafair The Note...
FFB Review: The Good Detective by John McMahon
I have long been a
fan of the books by John McMahon. I don’t know why more folks are not read and
supporting his stuff. Having just finished his new one, Head Cases,
coming out at the end of the month, I thought I would remind you of The Good
Detective. This came out a few years back and was the first book of a
series (The
Evil Men Do and A
Good Kill.) This a great series and one that is well worth your time.
Set in Mason Falls, Georgia, The
Good Detective by John McMahon is a complicated novel of family
history, legacy, southern tradition, and in one major way, redemption. In this
intense police procedural, deals are made with the devils you know to get not
just what you want, but what you need.
Detective P. I. Marsh desperately needs
to have his wife and son back with him. Thanks to a recent tragic accident late
one night, that will never happen again on this mortal plane. Now he needs
booze to push down the pain and to stop from thinking about his loss and the
fact he continues to live without them.
That heavy drinking means he does not often
remember what he did the previous evening. As the book jacket telegraphs to
everyone---“How Do You Solve A Crime If You Killed The Prime Suspect?”--- this
is precisely Detective Marsh’s problem. He does not know if he killed the
abusive boyfriend of the stripper known to all by her stage name of “Crimson.” He
was there, the guy is very much dead, and he can’t remember what happened after
he showed up and sent her on her way before explaining reality to the abusive
boyfriend. It is possible, but he does not think he is so far gone that he
actually did it. He just does not know and has no one he can confide in and no
evidence one way or the other.
With that issue on him, he has his own
murder case to solve. There just might be a link back to the other murder case
which might be a way of proving his innocence. He has to work hard and fast to
solve his own case with his colleagues actively working the other murder case.
Their hard work may soon result in a situation where he is named as the one and
only suspect.
His case is bad as a young African
American male was found burned to death in a farmer’s field. That was bad, but
the fact that, at some point, a noose was around his neck makes things so
much worse. Beyond that link, there are other links to southern history in this
small part of Georgia. It soon becomes clear that these killings happen in
pairs and another child is missing.
A fast paced and intense police
procedural, The Good Detective takes several classic tropes and throws them
into a blender before tossing in a bunch of other stuff. What comes out is an
intense read that has hints of Shakespeare and Greek tragedies, more than a
dash of dark humor, and a trace of redemption that is not one hundred percent
pure, among other elements. Race and history play major roles in the read as
does grief and trying to go on after you have lost everything that truly
mattered.
For more on the book, head over to Lesa
Holstine’s blog where she has an interview with the author. You can read that interview
here. This is one of
those deals where the fictional character interviews the author. A short
interview that also does not spoil the book unlike many such interviews out
there on the internet and in print.
Amazon Associates Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3W5SSoO
My reading copy came by way of the
Forest Green Branch of the Dallas Public Library System.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2020, 2025
Thursday, January 02, 2025
Jerry's House of Everything: 21st PRECINCT: THE NOLEN BROTHERS (JULY 7, 1953)
Jerry's House of Everything: 21st PRECINCT: THE NOLEN BROTHERS (JULY 7, 1953): 21st Precinct started out as summer replacement program for My Friend Irma on CBS Radio. It lasted until July 26, 1956. Produced with t...
Barry Ergang: Books I read in 2024
Those who have been around these parts awhile know that Barry used to review a lot of books here. While he is not doing that—his choice and absolutely not mine--- he is still reading. He sent the below list of his reading last year. Also, check out the reads he wrote and published here.
72 titles altogether. If you're curious as to how I felt
about some of them, have a look at my Bookbub page (https://www.bookbub.com/profile/barry-ergang?list=reviews&review_step=search)
and click on the cover of a title to access my rating and reaction. Bookbub
only allows users to post "reviews" about books available in digital
formats from sellers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and others. If a title
you're curious about isn't shown, it's because the book is not available
digitally--e.g., Peter Gunn, which was a paperback original
published in 1960.
Acevedo, Elizabeth—The Poet X
Albert, Kevin—Chat GPT for Authors (very short
ebook)
Anderson, Laurie Halse--Speak
Ballinger, Bill S.—Portrait in Smoke
Blake, Nicholas—The Widow’s Cruise
Block, Lawrence—The Burglar Who Counted the Spoons
Block, Lawrence—When the Sacred Ginmill Closes
Boswell, Len—A Grave Misunderstanding
Carr, John Dickson—Scandal at High Chimneys
Chbosky, Stephen—The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Cheney, Liz—Oath and Honor
Coben, Harlan—Found (Mickey Bolitar #3)
Coben, Harlan—Seconds Away (Mickey Bolitar #2)
Coben, Harlan—Shelter (Mickey Bolitar #1)
Collier, Brad—California Living: A Raymond Chandler
Tribute Novel
Deaver, Jeffery--Twisted
De Palma, Brian & Susan Lehman—Are Snakes Necessary?
Dewey, Thomas B.—Hue and Cry
Dick, Philip K.—I Hope I Shall Arrive Soon
Dzemianowicz, Stefan R., Robert Weinberg, Martin H.
Greenberg, eds.—Hard-Boiled Detectives
Estleman, Loren D.—Downriver
Garber, Joseph R.—Vertical Run (2nd reading)
Gardner, Erle Stanley—The Adventures of Paul Pry
Gaspard, John—The Ambitious Card
George, Kaye--Choke
Goldberg, Lee—Mr. Monk Gets Even
Goodis, David—The Wounded and the Slain
Gratz, Alan—Ban This Book
Haddish, Tiffany—The Last Black Unicorn
Hale, Bruce—The Hamster of the Baskervilles
Hallinan, Timothy—Crashed
Hay, A.D.—The Locked Room
Healy, Jeremiah—Foursome
Hess, Joan—Mortal Remains in Maggody
Hess, Joan—O Little Town of Maggody
Hiaasen, Carl—Squeeze Me
Hiney, Tom—Raymond Chandler: A Biography
Hogan, Robert J.—The Secret 6 #1: The Red Shadow
Jackson, Colby—Shooter’s Cross {Rancho
Diablo Book 1}
Johnson, Craig—The Cold Dish
Kane, Henry—Peter Gunn
Kistler, Bonnie—The Cage
Levine, Paul—Solomon vs. Lord
Lowry, Lois—The Giver
Macdonald, Ross—The Chill (2nd reading)
McBain, Ed—Fiddlers
McKinnon, Hannah Mary—The Revenge List
McNulty, Brandon—Entry Wounds: A Supernatural Thriller
Marks, Jeffrey—How to Write a Murder Mystery: Seven
Steps to Success
Mead, Tom—Death and the Conjuror
Milchman, Jenny—The Usual Silence
Millar, Margaret—Ask For Me Tomorrow
Morris, Mary—The Jazz Palace
Muller, Marcia & Bill Pronzini—The Spook Lights
Affair
Nolan, Tom—Ross Macdonald: A Biography
Oppedisano, Tony with Mary Jane Ross—Sinatra and Me In
the Wee Small Hours
Palumbo, Dennis—City Wars
Penny, Louise—Still Life
Pilkey, Dav—The Adventures of Captain Underpants
Queen, Ellery—The Four of Hearts
Rice, Craig—Murder, Mystery, and Malone (Jeffrey
A. Marks, Editor)
Ronson, Jon—The Psychopath Test
Setoodeh, Ramin—Apprentice in Wonderland
Spicer, Bart—Blues For The Prince
Swartwood, Robert, ed.—Hint Fiction: An Anthology of
Stories 25 Words or Fewer
Thomas, Robert J. et al—Wanted: A Western
Story Collection
Thompson, Jim—Bad Boy
Vachss, Andrew—Shella
Wirt, Tony—Pike Island
Woolrich, Cornell—Vampire’s Honeymoon
Wright, Steven—Harold
Wrobel, Stephanie—The Hitchcock Hotel
Wednesday, January 01, 2025
SleuthSayers: Being Resolute
SleuthSayers: Being Resolute: Happy New Year! Since I have the honor of welcoming in the glorious new annum I thought I might provide some Resolutions for Writers. N...
Beneath the Stains of Time: The Labyrinth House Murders (1988) by Yukito Ayatsuji
Beneath the Stains of Time: The Labyrinth House Murders (1988) by Yukito Ayatsuji: Last year was great for fans of the Japanese honkaku and shin honkaku mysteries with new translations of Akimitsu Takagi's Noumen sats...
SleuthSayers: 2024 Year in Review: Editing
SleuthSayers: 2024 Year in Review: Editing: In my previous SleuthSayers post, I wrote about how little I’ve been able to accomplish this year because I’ve been unable to establish a ro...
Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity: 2025 New Year's Writing Resolution (for writers): Recycle Your Work
Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity: 2025 New Year's Writing Resolution (for writers): ...: Every year, I make a New Year's Resolution just for writing. I don't bother with personal resolutions, because I never keep them. (I...
Bitter Tea and Mystery: Short Story Wednesday: The Wood at Midwinter by Susanna Clarke
Bitter Tea and Mystery: Short Story Wednesday: The Wood at Midwinter by Su...: I bought this small hardback book consisting of one short story because it was pretty, very appealing, and with lovely illustrations. And ap...
Jerry's House of Everything: SHORT STORY WEDNESAY: SELECTION
Jerry's House of Everything: SHORT STORY WEDNESAY: SELECTION: "Selection" by J. T. McIntosh (from The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction , January 1955) From the editor Anthony Boucher...
Patricia Abbott: Short Story Wednesday: SIGNAL, John Lanchester HAPPY NEW YEAR
Patricia Abbott: Short Story Wednesday: SIGNAL, John Lanchester HAPPY NEW YEAR