Saturday, April 04, 2026
SleuthSayers: The Old Genre Switcheroo
Bookblog of the Bristol Library: New Fiction in April!
Scott's Take: Halo: Edge of Dawn: A Master Chief Story by Kelly Gay
Halo: Edge of Dawn: A Master
Chief Story
by Kelly Gay continues after the events of Halo Infinite (the video game). This
is a transition story primarily used a vehicle for setting up things for the
future. This novel does not really have a focus like the plot synopsis implies.
The Master Chief is on a mission to
unite the leftover forces of the UNSC while trying to keep the Banished scattered.
There is a new leader of the Banished. Jega, who briefly appeared in the game,
is their new leader. He is a cyborg
alien elite. The synopsis acts like he does much but he does not really. Mostly
he just rants abouts revenge.
The Master Chief, after more than a
third of the novel, finally gets to the part mentioned in the synopsis about
rescuing a combat medic. The rest of the novel is spent with the Master Chief
and his team trying to unlock the memories of the combat medic that the
Harbinger implanted into his head.
This novel is told from multiple points
of view including the Weapon (the new AI introduced in the game), pilot
Fernado, Master Chief, and others. This is, at times, a heavy action book interspersed
with long periods of character reflection and introspection. Everything in the
book is a setup for reads or video games. The just abruptly ends with no real
conclusion or ending. It just stops leaving the reader hanging though not a
full cliffhanger in the traditional sense.
There is also a scene that is not rape,
but could be triggering to some readers. The AI, who identifies as female, is
kicked out of a network and expresses that she felt fear as well as the fact
she had been overpowered and violated. The Master Chief only considers it a
fight, but it is clear that the AI thinks of it quite differently.
This book could be easily skipped since
a lot of this is just setup for the future. A future that may be totally ignored
by other creators in the Halo Universe. Halo has a lot of continuity issues
with so many books, games, comics, etc., that things do not fit together well.
Despite the fact that the synopsis was a
bait and switch, I did enjoy the 37th novel in the Halo Universe for what it
actually was. Halo: Edge of Dawn: A Master Chief Story by Kelly
Gay easily could have been more.
Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4sodiqN
My paperback reading copy came from
Grauwyler Park through the Dallas Public Library System.
Scott A. Tipple ©2026
Friday, April 03, 2026
Mystery Fanfare: EASTER CRIME FICTION/ EASTER MYSTERIES
Beneath the Stains of Time: The Snake of Luvercy (1926/27) by Maurice Renard
Jerry's House of Everything: FORGOTTEN BOOK: APACHE LAW: SHOWDOWN
Review: Two Truths and a Lie: A Thriller by Mark Stevens
Two Truths and a Lie: A Thriller by Mark Stevens
is the second book in the series that began with No
Lie Lasts Forever.
Billed as a sequel, it is in some senses. In others, it is more a continuation
of the first book as those events are predominant through the entirety of this
book. Therefore, while I am trying to minimize spoilers, some are present in
this review. Suffice it to say, if you continue reading about this very good
book, don’t blame the reviewer.
As the book begins, the trial of Harry
Kugel is underway. Harry Kugel was the man known locally as the “PDQ” killer.
He had killed several times decades earlier and then went dark for many years. His
ego brought him down as recent murders had been reminiscent of his work. He did
not like the fact that somebody was taking credit now off of his legacy. He
wanted the imposter gone. So, he reached out to TV Reporter Flynn Martin who is
a bit of a legend, for good and bad reasons, in Denver. Ultimately, she survived,
and the man who put her and others through hell was identified and exposed by
her reporting. A little over a year later, he has finally been convicted for
what he has done and was sentenced to three consecutive life terms.
Seconds before he is taken off to jail and
then to prison from the courtroom, he turns to her and promises that nothing is
over.
Several months later, long after she and
her son, Wyatt, moved to a more secure home high in a Denver tower, and just
when she finally feels like things are going back to a quasi-normal, the terror
of being stalked and a target begins again. It has been a long day in the field
with camera operator and good friend, Tamica Porter, as she sits and goes
through paperwork her teen son brought home from school. Amidst the normal
stuff is a sealed envelope that scares her at the sight of it. She’s moved and
taken drastic measures for privacy. All that seems to have been for naught as
she opens the envelope and finds a single white sheet of paper.
That single white sheet of paper is full
of cryptic sentences very reminiscent what PDQ used to send her. But, he is in
prison, so he can’t be terrorizing her again this way. Or could he? Does the
prison even look at anything he mails out? Or did he have an unknown accomplice?
Or is it one of his cult members drawn to act by the extensive media coverage
of the trial and her role in his capture? Or is it some whack job looking to
impress PDQ? These questions and others terrorize her as it is clear that
somebody got close enough to her son to send a message.
A message that scares her in every fiber
of her being, while at the same time, intrigues and pulls her into another very
high-profile story. A story that could easily get her and others killed. Which
could also be said about some of the other stories she is soon working on,
including the disappearance of a local family of four.
Two Truths and a Lie: A Thriller by Mark Stevens
again takes readers to Denver, the world of journalism, and the debate over
which stories and which victims get media coverage. Published by Thomas &
Mercer, this read is another good one in the series and a bit more intense than
No Lie Lasts Forever. This read builds on that book extensively
and keeps the momentum going as it very clearly sets up a third book in the
series.
Both books are strongly recommended as
is reading them in order. Not only are the stories in the reads strong, but one
is also given plenty to think about regarding actual journalism, the media, and
what goes on these days.
Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3NSRghi
By the way, The Poisoned Pen Bookstore
has a recent interview with author Mark
Stevens where he discusses the book. The program is on YouTube here.
My digital ARC reading copy came by way of the publisher, Thomas & Mercer, through NetGalley, with no expectation of a positive review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2026
Thursday, April 02, 2026
Thursday Treats: 4/2/2026
The latest reading opportunities…
SMFS list member Abe Margel announced
that his short story, Maddy on the Beach, was published online at Chewers by Masticadores.
You can read the story for free here.
SMFS list member Jeff Esterholm announced that his latest crime fiction short story, No Quarter, was published online at Literary Garage. You can read it for free here.
SMFS list member Margaret S. Hamilton’s
short story, A Pinch of Death, was published online at Kings River Life
Magazine. This Easter mystery tale can be read for free here.
Punk Noir has published, Find What You
Love and Let It Kill You #4 — a PUNK NOIR Magazine series. This series of short
stories are all free to read online at their website as are the
preceding three installments. The market call for the planned May series was
also announced here.
Author BJ Bourg has another
read out in his long running Clint Wolf Mystery Series. Published
by Death Shadow Press, LLC, But Not For
Cruelty: A Clint Wolf Novel came out last month. This 36th
book in the series is available in eBook format at Amazon.
Also now out is The Uganda
Protocol by Jeffrey James Higgins. Published by Severn River
Publishing
in a variety of formats, this is the fourth book in the Nathan Burke Thrillers series. Available at Amazon.
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SMFS members Michael Bracken (Death of
an April Fool) and Josh Pacheter (Turkish Muscle) have short stories in the
latest issue of Black Cat Weekly. You can pick up Black Cat Weekly
#239 here.
Finally, April 7th sees the release of the short story collection, Hot Shots: Celebrating Thirty Years of the Short Mystery Fiction Society. Editor Josh Pachter has culled through all of the Derringer winning stories over the decades to select one for each year to highlight. Published by Level Best Books - Level Short, the book is currently available to preorder in eBook format at Amazon. Editor Pachter has promised the membership that there the paperback version will be available, but the date is unknown at the time I post this column.
Until next time….
Kevin R. Tipple ©2026
Wednesday, April 01, 2026
Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity: 75 Calls for Submissions in April 2026 - Paying markets
SleuthSayers: Bright Bay Babbles
The Short Mystery Fiction Society Blog: SMFS Official Announcement: 2026 Derringer Award Finalists
Mystery Fanfare: APRIL FOOL'S DAY CRIME FICTION
Short Story Wednesday Review: Dirty Old Town And Other Stories by Nigel Bird
From the archive….
Featuring nine
stories by Edinburgh resident Nigel Bird, this short story collection features
tales told by adults and juveniles dealing with dark days and even darker
thoughts. The characters often are not happy go lucky folks. These are people
trying to survive in a world stacked against them. As such, sometimes the
language is a bit coarse, but life is not all tea and crumpets for these folks.
This short book opens with “Drinking Wine.” She has kids at home and needs a break. If the babysitter hadn’t arrived wearing a tight mini skirt, fishnets and a top that barely covered anything, maybe she wouldn’t have gotten the idea and then went to the bar called “The Dog and Dude.” But, she did in her own sexy outfit and now a fellow drinker is making her feel all tingly with thoughts of Roger far from her mind. The night is young, the possibilities are endless, and things are going to go sideways.
The life of a janitor in a school is never an easy one. Especially when some sort of stomach bug is going around in “Taking a Line for a Walk.” Duke Earl has to quit painting the fence and go clean up the latest mess. He’s seen a lot of things over the years and knows his time on this earth is running out---one way or another.
In “Dirty Old Town” a man named “Chalky Fish” awakes from a beating realizing that not only does he massively hurt, but he lost a tooth and the sight out of one eye. He also managed to lose a button off his favorite jacket. At least the first punch had been good one because it knocked him out. The bad thing is the next day is going to be worse on so many levels.
The young boy is
a long way from home in London every time he goes to visit his Gran on the
island of Skye. This trip is different because not only did they have more
stuff, but dad didn’t make the trip this time with him, his brother Davey and
mom. Along with telling readers what life is like for this eight-year-old,
author Nigel Bird weaves in just below the surface a bit of dangerous
undercurrent in “Sea Minor.” Something is at work on this island where modern
conveniences like television and computer aren’t possible.
Sometimes somebody gets the idea that it is their job to clean the city or village streets of what they think is human trash. The three women picked up by Brandon and his friends might have different ideas about that in “Sisterhood.”
Like in “Dirty Old Town,” sport serves as a backdrop to “One hundred And Ten Per Cent.” Vincent Love is trying to confine his running to the track. He doesn’t want to go back to prison and run in the yard ever again. Getting a good start whether or the track or running from the flashing lights of the cops is everything. No matter how fast he runs, he can’t run from the past.
Craig does not want to go down the chimney, but dad insists he has to in “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight).” After all, dad intends to make sure the boy honors his promise to mom about getting her a pearl necklace. Too bad the boy thought they would actually buy one.
“Three Little Birds” tells readers what they instinctively know. Some kids have that look in their eye of evil. Danny had it and proved on occasion growing up. These days he is in adult, back in the area, and something needs to be done.
The pimp game has done okay for Brad in “Silver Street.” He may only be 17, but he has plans. Big plans. They include a certain young lady because they are destined to be together.
This collection of previously published fiction in a variety of markets shares a common theme of loss and lament. Sometimes the situation is due to decisions and actions that the primary character did in the past, and the character is struggling to turn things around despite the obstacles. Sometimes it happens because not everything or everyone is as the primary character believed.
Sacrifice and
desperate scrambling to survive are present in all of these good stories. Dirty
Old Town And Other Stories features dark works that take readers down
the back ways, into seedy pubs, and places you may never have known about in
merry old England. Tales of noir that pull you in quickly before spitting you
back out like the loser you truly are at the very core of your being. These are
not tales that make you feel good as many are truly at the end of their rope.
No, these are tales that drag the ugly out into the light and make you look at
it and identify with it on every level.
Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3O413ky
Other books by the author: https://amzn.to/4bYoB2d
Author supplied a word document for this book for purposes of an objective review.
Kevin R. Tipple
© 2011, 2022, 2026