Happiness Is A Book: Friday’s Forgotten Book: Ghost of the Hardy Boys by Leslie McFarlane

 Happiness Is A Book: Friday’s Forgotten Book: Ghost of the Hardy Boys by Leslie McFarlane

Review: Wildwood: A Novel by Amy Pease

Wildwood: A Novel by Amy Pease is the second book in the series that began with the very good Northwoods. As the book begins, it is October in North Wisconsin and Eli North is in a far better place mentally. He’s quit drinking, is in therapy for PTSD and other issues, and is coping with everything better than he has been in  some time. He’s still working for his mom, the sheriff, who ordered him to take the day off. So, he started the day chopping wood. Not only is it therapeutic for him, it is being proactive as winter is coming.

 

His day off is soon out the window when his mom calls him in. With only three members of the Sherman County Sherrif’s Department, one of whom is the dispatcher, she did not really have a choice. Sheriff Marge North might have dealt with the missing woman case on her own.

 

But, she got into the home, and judging from the blood sprayed on the bedroom walls, probably Trinity Campanella is dead. If so, they are looking for a body and a killer. There are other troubling signs in the home as well.

 

So, she needs her son and fellow officer, Eli North, and other outside resources. She had not reached out to the FBI and yet they have shown up in form of FBI Agent Alyssa Mason. They dealt with her last summer and now she is suddenly back in Shaky Lake, Wisconsin, and has arrived, unannounced, at her crime scene. She has also brought an undercover DEA agent with her. For good reasons too in an increasingly complicated case and a mighty good read.

 

While this could be read first, if one so desired, I recommend reading the series in order to see how things are evolving for the characters involved. Both books are very good and strongly recommended.

 

As I was with the first book, I am indebted to a comment on Lesa Holstine’s What Are You Reading blog posts. I had no idea this was even out until I saw the news there and requested the book via my library. The read is also available by way of Kindle Unlimited (as is the first) so I read it that way in a larger font than the hardback library book.

 

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

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Series Link: https://amzn.to/4pEdG4l

 

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2026

Review: Waves of Burden: A Novel by Curtis Ippolito

Waves of Burden: A Novel by Curtis Ippolito is an intense crime fiction read. Published by Rock and a Hard Place Press, the read takes the usual crime fiction stereotype of the problematic family member that is always in a jam and shakes it up a bit. It’s also good to have friends you can call on for help.

 

Drew Jones works hard for the money in San Diego, California. He is a contractor with a baby on the way as the baby is due in less than three months. Drew needs every penny he can earn as Gaby and he live on the edge as it is and their baby is going to need things. As he finishes up a job one day, he gets a call from his former foster brother, Jake. He hasn’t seen him in months and his older brother is back in town.

 

They get together, eat, hang out, Jake crashes at their place, and things are seemingly okay. He has a tendency to bring trouble with him. It has been that way since Drew was left to clean up the mess when they were kids and he is still that way as he lives a nomadic lifestyle. But, this time seems a bit different, at first.

 

That was  a mirage. It soon slowly becomes clear that, Jake being Jake, has really screwed up things this time. Before long, cops want to talk. If that was not enough, some very dangerous people have started showing up and are making demands that must be met. Everything and everyone Drew holds dear is under threat of prison or worse. With next to no frame of reference for the mess they have been shoved into, Drew has to figure out a way to save them all.  

 

What follows is a complicated crime fiction read full of rich characters, plenty of action, and a world where almost nothing is clear. The author loves San Diego and that is clear as the area is its own character from start to finish. What isn’t clear is how Drew will save those he loves.

 

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

 

 

 

My PDF ARC came from the publisher shortly before publication day with no expectation of a review.

 

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2026

Jerry's House of Everything: FORGOTTEN BOOK: THE FURY AND THE TERROR

Jerry's House of Everything: FORGOTTEN BOOK: THE FURY AND THE TERROR: The Fury and the Terror   by John Farris, 2001 This is the first sequel to the author's bestselling horror novel The Fury , which was pu...

Guest Post: The Inspiration Behind "Murder on Vacation" Wasn't Murder After All by Gerald Elias

 

Please welcome author Gerald Elias to the blog today. As I recently noted in a “Thursday Treats” post, Mr. Elias’ latest book is his short story collection. Published by White City Press, Murder on Vacation: Stories from the Case Files of Maury Gross, NYPD (Ret.), is available at the publisher, Amazon, and other vendors in digital and print formats.

 

Where does an author get ideas for a story? From personal experience? Deep contemplation? From a passing comment or casual glimpse? From other authors? Totally from out of the blue?

 

How about by accident?

 

Eight years ago, my wife and I stayed at a modest motel on the beach in the cozy coastal town of Cambria, California, in order to attend our niece’s ritzy wedding in wine country. During our stay, which lasted only a long weekend, three curious things popped out to me. (Maybe they were curious only to me because murder mysteries run in my blood.)

 

The first was an elderly couple strolling along the beach’s boardwalk. What was curious about that? Not that they were elderly—Who isn’t these days?—but that the gentleman in question was dressed in what his wife—who I imagined determined his attire–– probably considered appropriate for a California vacation: a 1950s style pair of Bermuda shorts and a gaudy Hawaiian shirt. And ankle-length, black socks—Don’t forget those—to round out the eye-catching ensemble.

 

The second curiosity was a state-of-the-art Porsche sportscar in the motel’s parking lot, which might have cost more than the motel itself.

 

The third and final item was the colony of dozens of elephant seals lolling on the beach about 10 miles north of us. In your mind’s eye, do not mistake an elephant seal for a sea lion. They’re twice as big, up to 4,000 nasty pounds, with a protruding proboscis which gives them their name. They only spend about a month per year out of the water, and you can imagine what they do while on shore leave, like most seafarers: rest, fight, and screw. And when they fight, it’s not for play. It’s for keeps: to become king of the hill or, more appropriately, king of the beach. Why? To win the dear damsel of choice, of course. Why else?

 

As my wife and I observed elephant seal festivities safely ensconced on a bluff with a chain link fence high above the beach, I got an idea to package curiosities one and two together with number three and write a short mystery. What emerged after a few days of resharpened pencils and crumpled paper was a draft of a story I initially called “Elephant Seals,” starring retired NYPD Police Chief Maury Gross and his wife Bobbi (the couple on the boardwalk).

 

I wrote this story only to amuse my wife and myself, with no further thoughts about where it might end up. But I really liked my two protagonists, and so did my wife, so on our next vacation I gathered more curiosities for a story. And the next. And the next…

 

Fifteen Maury Gross stories later, I had spanned the wonders of our great nation from sea to shining sea and decided they were worthy candidates for a collection. There is a great saga to be told how I ultimately found the perfect publisher in White City Press, but that’s another story in its entirety.

 

Suffice it to say that Maury Gross is the nicest, most unassuming and thoughtful cop you’d ever want to meet, and Bobbi is not only his longtime soulmate but also his astute partner in crime solving. And they’re both sharp as a tack.

 

The title of the first story, “Elephant Seals,” was changed to “Murder on Vacation” and, appropriately, is the name of the whole collection. If you’re looking for entertaining summer reading, here’s my advice: get an ice-cold beverage, a comfortable chair or lounge, a shady spot, and Murder on Vacation. As Maury would say, “What’s not to like?”  

 

 

Amazon Associates Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4alkqNN

 

 

Gerald Elias ©2026

 

Silver Falchion finalist Gerald Elias can’t help writing about everything that interests him, from his Daniel Jacobus mystery series (and audiobooks) set in the dark corners of the classical music world, to his Western mystery, Roundtree Days. His short story collections, It’s a Crime! and Murder on Vacation (May, 2026, White City Press) cover everything from spies to sea elephants.

 

A former Boston Symphony musician, Elias is an internationally recognized violinist, conductor, and composer. He spends his free time enjoying the outdoors, travel, coffee, good food, and most of all, being a devoted grandpa. https://www.mysteriesandmusic.com/

Lesa's Book Critiques: The Final Target by Nora Roberts

 Lesa's Book Critiques: The Final Target by Nora Roberts

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

Happiness Is A Book: Friday’s Forgotten Book: Death and Taxes by David Dodge

 Happiness Is A Book: Friday’s Forgotten Book: Death and Taxes by David Dodge

Carstairs Considers....: Book Review: Haunted House Ghost by James J. Cudney (Braxton Campus Mysteries #5)

Carstairs Considers....: Book Review: Haunted House Ghost by James J. Cudne...: Stars : 2 out of 5 Pros : Good seasonal atmosphere and pacing Cons : Too much story leads to too much exposition at the end The Bottom Line ...

Carstairs Considers....: Book Review: Murder in the Graveyard by Various Authors (Destination Murders Short Story Collection #5)

Carstairs Considers....: Book Review: Murder in the Graveyard by Various Au...: Stars : 5 out of 5 Pros : Nine fun cozy mysteries Cons : None for me The Bottom Line : These nine short stories Find fun mayhem in graveyard...

Carstairs Considers....: Book Review: Murder Walks the Plank by Carolyn Hart (Death on Demand #15)

Carstairs Considers....: Book Review: Murder Walks the Plank by Carolyn Har...: Stars : 4 out of 5 Pros : Characters we enjoy and a solid mystery Cons : Once again, no one believes Annie The Bottom Line : A mystery cruis...

Carstairs Considers....: Book Review: Lady Darling Inquires After a Killer by Colleen Gleason (Lady Darling Mysteries #1)

Carstairs Considers....: Book Review: Lady Darling Inquires After a Killer ...: Stars : 3 out of 5 Pros : Lady Darling and a good mystery Cons : Over writing and Lady Darling’s backstory The Bottom Line : A new sleuth ap...

Carstairs Considers....: Book Review: Shady Hollow by Juneau Black (Shady Hollow #1)

Carstairs Considers....: Book Review: Shady Hollow by Juneau Black (Shady H...: Stars : 3 out of 5 Pros : Decent mystery and likable characters Cons : One element bothers me (and is a me thing) The Bottom Line : Creative...

Lesa's Book Critiques: Recap – The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

 Lesa's Book Critiques: Recap – The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

KRL Update 8/24/2025

Up on KRL this week a review and giveaway of "Something Whiskered" by Miranda James https://kingsriverlife.com/08/23/something-whiskered-by-miranda-james/

And a review of "Shot Through the Tart" by Victoria Kazarian, along with a giveaway of the first 2 books in the series, and an interesting interview with Victoria https://kingsriverlife.com/08/23/a-shot-through-the-tart-by-victoria-kazarian/

And a review and giveaway of "Just Another Dead Author" by Katarina Bivald https://kingsriverlife.com/08/23/just-another-dead-author-by-katarina-bivald/

We also have a review of season 4 of "The Madame Blanc Mysteries" on Acorn TV https://kingsriverlife.com/08/23/season-4-of-the-madame-blanc-mysteries-on-acorn/

For those who prefer to listen to Mysteryrat's Maze Podcast directly on KRL, you can find the player here for our latest episode which features the mystery short story "A Funny Name" written by Gregory Meece and read by local actor MW Hoffman https://kingsriverlife.com/08/23/new-mysteryrats-maze-podcast-featuring-a-funny-name/

Up during the week we posted another special midweek guest post, this one by thriller author Darden North about his latest novel "Rooftop" https://kingsriverlife.com/08/20/rooftop-by-darden-north/

Up on KRL News and Reviews this week we have a review and giveaway of "Lavender Lies Bleeding" by Leslie Budewitz https://www.krlnews.com/2025/08/lavender-lies-bleeding-by-leslie.html

And a review and giveaway of "Everlasting" a fantasy novel by Sara Fanfarillo https://www.krlnews.com/2025/08/everlasting-by-sara-fanfillo.html

Happy reading, listening, and watching

Lorie

SleuthSayers: The Pen of the Teller

SleuthSayers: The Pen of the Teller: Because I write reviews a publisher occasionally offers to send me a novel. I usually respond that I only review short stories, not novels, ...

Lesa's Book Critiques: Kevin’s Corner Annex – No Lie Lasts Forever by Mark Stevens

 Lesa's Book Critiques: Kevin’s Corner Annex – No Lie Lasts Forever by Mark Stevens

The Rap Sheet: Chilling Parallels to McCarthyism By Peter Handel

 The Rap Sheet: Chilling Parallels to McCarthyism By Peter Handel

Review: No Lie Lasts Forever: A Thriller by Mark Stevens

  

Mark Steven’s last book, The Fireballer, was a very good book. It was very good, even though he did not have my team, the Texas Rangers, present in the read that much and even had the wrong team winning the World Series. That book touched on many things, not just baseball, and like his Allison Coil Mystery series, was a mighty good read. So, when Mark Sevens let me know he had a new book coming out and offered me a reading copy, even though with my worsening health and everything else here I had no idea if I would ever get to read it, I eventually accepted the offer.

No Lie Lasts Forever: A Thriller takes readers to Denver in a complicated tale of mystery, murder, treachery, and a lot more. Reporter Flynn Martin, a television icon, is our heroine. Her dad was a legendary newspaper reporter in Denver and the proverbial apple fell right at the base of that tree. It is supposed to be her day off as the book opens.

 

But, her boss has reached out as a gunman is holding hostages and wants a television reporter to be a go between for him and the police. Flynn was not his choice, but she is available, and he will accept her as the go between, if she agrees. Even though these days she is more known for her projects on climate change and think pieces, she has a long history on the police beat and has many contacts.

 

Grudgingly, with lives at stake, she gets involved only to have things go horribly wrong through no fault of her own. In the violent and deadly aftermath, she takes a lot of heat internally and publicly from the police and average folks who have an opinion, shaped by the storm of media coverage at rival networks and elsewhere, of what she did that fateful day. Suspended and flooded with grief, she would like to be left alone to cope with what has happened.

 

Instead, a long dormant serial killer decides he is going to involve her in his quest to set the record straight. He wants credit for the three successful, as he sees it, kills he got away with many years ago and how he has behaved since. He does not want anyone placing a murder he did not commit on him. PDQ was a legend in Denver and some believe he is back killing again. He isn’t and wants his legend intact and not desecrated by an imposter. He is very mad about somebody doing a very poor job of copying him and wants Flynn to prove it wasn’t him. She is supposed to do that without involving anyone else whether it be coworkers, family, or the police.

 

While the initial goal of preserving his legacy might have been achievable, his ego drives him, as it does Flynn, and numerous other people in this read. Mistakes and assumptions are made and things quite rapidly escalate for everyone. A violent collision was and is inviable with its own rippling aftermath.

 

No Lie Lasts Forever: A Thriller by Mark Stevens is one heck of a read. Multifaceted and moving forward at a rapid pace, Flynn finds herself deeper and deeper into a nightmare. It also reinforces my long held personal belief that leaving the house is often a very bad idea in many more ways than one. 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/44zuNMa

 

 

My print ARC was provided by the author with no expectation of a review. As it happens, the read was selected for the Amazon First Reads this month. That means, until the end of the month, the digital version of the read is free for Amazon Prime members, and $1.99 for other readers. Published by Thomas & Mercer, the book comes out on June 1^st.

 

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2025

Lesa's Book Critiques: The Quiet LIbrarian by Allen Eskens

 Lesa's Book Critiques: The Quiet LIbrarian by Allen Eskens