News: New Crime Fiction Reviews and the Year-End Lists at RTE

As posted elsewhere earlier....

At RTE this week we have:

Our first issue of 2014, with

Fifteen new crime fiction reviews:
http://www.reviewingtheevidence.com

Barbara Levenson  in the 'Sixty seconds with . . .' interview hot seat:

http://www.reviewingtheevidence.com/interviews.html?id=173

and our year-end lists, including my favourites for the year and our reviewers favourite reviews

Reviews this week:

TITLE                    AUTHOR                REVIEWER

CHILLED TO THE BONE    Quentin Bates    Christine Zibas       
Sgt Gunnhilder of the Reykjavik force investigates the mysterious death of a shipping magnate found naked in a posh hotel.

AN OFFICER AND A SPY    Robert Harris        Yvonne Klein       
The infamous Dreyfus Affair, told from the perspective of a major player, Colonel Georges Picquart, who suffered the consequences of his inability to agree with his senior commanders in the French Army that Dreyfus was guilty

SAINTS OF THE SHADOW BIBLE    Ian Rankin    Meredith Frazier
Rebus is back on the force and part of an unlikely trio headed by Siobhan Clarke and including Malcolm Fox that investigates current crimes that reach back 30 years into Rebus's past.

THE DYING HOURS    Mark Billingham    Jim Napier   
London is experiencing a spate of suicides amongst the elderly, except Tom Thorne, recently demoted to the uniform division, isn't so sure they're suicides after all.  When CID refuses to look into the cases, he

TOOTH FOR A TOOTH    T. Frank Muir     Sharon Mensing   
DCI Andy Gilchrist attempts to solve the cold case of his brother’s death in a hit and run when his brother’s girlfriend’s body is found in another person’s grave 30 years after her disappearance

THE PURITY OF VENGEANCE (Audio)   Jussi Adler-Olsen, Karla Jay   
Cold case investigator Carl Mørck investigates the 1987 disappearance of a half-dozen Danes, most of whom had been known to neo-Fascist politician Curt Wad

PURGATORY    Ken Bruen    Yvonne Klein               
Jack Taylor goes after the mysterious C33  killer, a vigilante who targets the worst of Galway's wrong-doers and would like Jack to join him in the crusade.

RITUALS    Mary Anna Evans    Sharon Mensing       
In the process of organizing a private museum, Faye Longchamp finds herself caught in the middle of a battle between traditional spiritualists and land developers

THE EDGE OF NORMAL    Carla Norton    Lourdes Venard   
When a young kidnapped victim is found, Reeve LeClaire, a former victim, is asked to help her readjust. But Reeve soon finds herself looking for two other missing girls.

THREE CAN KEEP A SECRET    Archer Mayor   Cathy Downs   
Hurricane Irene leaves the highlands of Vermont as they are; the runoff scours the valleys in floodwaters and exposes (a) a coffin that has only rocks in it and (b) an old crime whose details reside in the mind of a state mental patient who escapes a mental institution during the flood.

THE LAST DEATH OF JACK HARBIN     Terry Shames    Diana Borse   
Retired police chief Sam Craddock is asked by the town officials to step in informally when Jack Harbin, a blind and one-legged Gulf War veteran, loses his father suddenly to an apparent heart attack and is soon afterwards brutally killed.

THE HOUSE ON THE CLIFF    Charlotte Williams    Yvonne Klein       
Jessica Mayhew, a psychotherapist, becomes involved in not altogether a professional way with a family of Welsh theatre personalities who have a dark secret.

POOR LITTLE DEAD GIRLS  Lizzie Friend    Ben Neal       
A new student at an elite boarding school vows to discover the dark past of her new school.

ONCE UPON A LIE    Maggie Barbieri    Diana Borse       
Maeve Conlon, bakery owner and single mother of two teenage daughters, fears that her Alzheimer's-addled father Jack will be arrested for the murder of her cousin. As Jack can't remember, so Maeve resolves things by taking matters into her own hands.

THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO I Denise Mina & Andrea Mutti  Ben Neal
Graphic novel treatment of the Stieg Larsson original.

We post more than 900 new reviews a year -- all of them are archived on the site -- as well as a new interview with a top author every issue.


Yvonne Klein
Editor: ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com
 

News: Lesa's Latest Contest

As posted elsewhere earlier.....

I'm celebrating 9 years of writing Lesa's Book Critiques by giving away mysteries. The giveaways end Monday evening, Jan. 13 at 6 PM CT. Details are available on the posts of this last week, at http://www.lesasbookcritiques.blogspot.com. Entries from the U.S. only, please.

I'm giving away - Poisoned Prose by Ellery Adams, Murder and Moonshine by Carol Miller, Rosemary and Crime by Gail Oust, Cut to the Bone by Jefferson Bass, Mykonos After Midnight by Jeffrey Siger, Through the Evil Days by Julia Spencer-Fleming and Murder She Barked by Krista Davis.

Lesa Holstine  

lesa.holstine@gmail.com

Bill Crider's Pop Culture Magazine: 25 Damned Dirty Lies About Publishing

Bill Crider's Pop Culture Magazine: 25 Damned Dirty Lies About Publishing: 25 Damned Dirty Lies About Publishing Link via SF Signal.

Writer Beware®: The Blog: Scribd's New Ebook Subscription Service: Partnering with Publishers, Profiting from Piracy

Writer Beware®: The Blog: Scribd's New Ebook Subscription Service: Partnering with Publishers, Profiting from Piracy

Sample Sunday: Excerpt "JAGUARMOCKY" from "A Whimsical is a Popsicle of The Mind"

Sunday Sample features Barry this week with an excerpt from his book A Whimsical is a Popsicle of The Mind (available only in a Kindle edition).

JAGUARMOCKY

by Barry Ergang

’Twas buick, and the slicky tires

Did squeal and wobble on the road.

All audi were the first-time buyers

Whom the salesmen outsnowed.

“Beware the Jaguarmock, you podge!

The clutch that grinds, the engine fartin’!

Abhor the Yugo bird, and dodge

The vroomiest Aston-Martin!”

He took his volvo wrench in hand:                  

Long time ferrari foe his fear—

Thus idled he ’neath the Hyundai tree,

And sat there out of gear.

And, as in lexus thought he sat,

The Jaguarmock, its horn a-bloogin’,

Chryslered up the porsche flat

And bellowed, “Fahrvergnugen!”

A twist! A twirl! And with a whirl

The volvo wrench went ponty-ack.

He bent and took hood ornament,

And studebakered back.

“Hast thou totaled, then, the Jaguarmock?

Come get a hug, my beemer boy!

O fordjous day! Cadlack coopay!”

He saabed with packard joy.

’Twas buick, and the slicky tires

Did squeal and wobble on the road.

All audi were the first-time buyers

Whom the salesmen outsnowed.

  

—Originally published in Maelstrom, Vol. III, Issue 2, 2000

 

Barry Ergang ©2014

A Whimsical is a Popsicle of the Mind is one of several titles available at Amazon

Social Media and Yahoo Groups

Last weekend I pulled the plug on a half dozen facebook groups I was in because it was the same authors posting the same things over and over again day after day along with spam from folks selling stuff. Seems to me that if those who run the groups don't care enough about their groups to check and remove spam  on a regular basis as well as to tell some folks that posting about their same novel ten times in one day is way too much that I did not need to waste my time being there.


Tonight I have left three different yahoo groups over nonsense in group and off group with various messages. Some folks are seriously humor challenged and others are amazingly judgmental about things they no nothing about while also having the unique ability to not have a clue about anything or anyone outside their own narrow focused world.


I have a real life and am not in the mood these days to tolerate such nonsense. Things are hard enough here--much of which I never say a word about--without dealing with such nonsense and crap. What you see here regarding our personal stuff is the very tip of the iceberg of what we deal with on a daily basis.

I'm A Voracious Reader : Saturday Shorts

I'm A Voracious Reader : Saturday Shorts: Saturday Shorts Saturday Shorts is a feature where I review 3-4 short stories that are 100 pages or less. Enjoy!     * Book source ~...

KRL THIS WEEK---Annie Knox, Ann Purser, Aaron Elkins, giveaways, short stories, Intelligence & more in KRL

 As posted earlier today.....

Up this morning in Kings River Life Magazine a review & giveaway of a fun new pet boutique mystery from Annie Knox, along with a fun interview with Annie http://kingsriverlife.com/01/11/paws-for-murder-a-pet-boutique-mystery-by-annie-knox/

Also up, a brand new mystery short story by J.R. Lindermuth http://kingsriverlife.com/01/11/sleeping-dogs-a-mystery-short-story/

We also have a review of the new scifi/crime show "Intelligence" http://kingsriverlife.com/01/11/intelligence-tv-review/

Also this week we have reviews & giveaways of Ann Purser's latest books, "Found Guilty at Five" & "Scandal at Six" http://kingsriverlife.com/01/11/found-guilty-at-five-scandal-at-six-by-ann-purser/

For those who enjoy the mystery/fantasy combo in books, we have a review & giveaway of "Darkwalker" by EL Tettensor http://kingsriverlife.com/01/11/darkwalker-by-el-tettensor/

Sharon Tucker talks about characters you love to read about who maybe aren't the nicest people in the world like Agatha Raisin, Nero Wolf and Dr. Tony Hill http://kingsriverlife.com/01/11/agatha-raisin-dr-tony-hill-nero-wolfe-eminently-readable-whether-you-like-them-or-not/

Lastly, this morning a review & giveaway of "Dying on the Vine" by Aaron Elkins http://kingsriverlife.com/01/11/dying-on-the-vine-by-aaron-elkins/

 As always, all of these and much more can be found by going to our home page and scrolling down http://KingsRiverLife.com

Happy reading,

Lorie Ham

--

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/

WELCOME TO HELL ~ by Glenn Walker: Adventures in Podcasting

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FREE Book Alert

As posted by Elizabeth Zelvin today.....

VOYAGE OF STRANGERS, my novel about what really happened when Columbus discovered America, will be free for Kindle and Kindle app this weekend. It's the sequel to the Agatha-nominated story "The Green Cross," which first appeared in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine.  Liz

Elizabeth Zelvin, three-time Agatha & Derringer nominee
VOYAGE OF STRANGERS

DEATH WILL EXTEND YOUR VACATION

DEATH WILL HELP YOU LEAVE HIM

DEATH WILL GET YOU SOBER
www.elizabethzelvin.com

Liz Zelvin
OUTRAGEOUS OLDER WOMAN (CD or download)
www.lizzelvin.com

Review: A Killing at Cotton Hill: A Samuel Craddock Mystery by Terry Shames

Former Chief of Police Samuel Craddock knows he should have done far more when he hears that Dora Lee has been murdered in her home in Cotton Hill. She had called him the evening before to tell him that somebody was sitting out on the road by her farm watching her. Craddock was in bed for the night and with her grandson, Greg, out there at the farm Craddock figured she was just being nervous and everything would be fine.

“I told her the same thing I always used to tell her: ‘Dora Lee, if you’re still worried tomorrow morning, you call me and I’ll see what I can find out.’” (Page 8)

Now Dora Lee, who he has known her since they were little kids in school together many years ago, is dead thanks to being stabbed with a Bowie knife in her chest. According to Rodell Skinner, the current Chief of Police for Jarrett Creek, Texas, the grandson Greg did the crime as he wanted her money. While Rodell is sure it is an open and shut case, Craddock has met the kid before and about the worst he can say about him is he always seemed “…a little pleased with himself.” (Page 10) For Craddock, Greg does not seem to be the type to kill and has a reasonable explanation for his side of recent events. Greg is an artist and a talented one from what Craddock can tell as he knows more than a thing or two about art.

Good thing he also knows a thing of two about police work while living in his rural area located in the middle of the triangle formed by Austin, San Antonio, and Houston. Chief Rodell is not only convinced that Greg did it, he is legendary for his drinking as well as his incompetence. Relying on Rodell to figure his way out of this case means Greg is on his way to death row. Craddock isn’t about to let that happen as he figures he owes it to Dora Lee to find out what is really going on in this complex tale of murder, greed, and art.

A Killing at Cotton Hill: A Samuel Craddock Mystery by Terry Shames is a very good book.  First in a series, the book puts this reviewer in mind of the excellent Sheriff Rhodes series by Bill Crider. Small town Texas where people have known each other all their lives and still don’t know all the secrets until a murder comes along to shake things loose in more ways than one. Along with the secrets there are the occasional flashes of humor in the tale along with the numerous details of Texas and a way of life that make the book and its characters come alive for the reader. Complex with nuance and layering, A Killing at Cotton Hill: A Samuel Craddock Mystery is very good read and is strongly recommended.

A Killing at Cotton Hill: A Samuel Craddock Mystery

Terry Shames

http://www.terryshames.com

Seventh Street Books (imprint of Prometheus Books)

http://www.prometheusbooks.com

July 2013

ISBN# 978--61614-799-0

Paperback (also available as an e-book)

245 Pages

$15.95

Material received from the publisher for my use in an objective review.

Terry Shames is the latest featured author over at Jenny Milchman’s “Made It Moment” series. You can and should read the interesting piece here.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2014

Medical Stuff

Sandi reminded me as she headed off to bed early tonight a couple of hours ago that I had not done this in a few days. Pretty much everything is the same with her. The only news is the trainer came today to show us how to use her new INR monitoring machine. It works pretty much like the one does for her diabetes so training did not take long at all. Her first reading today on it was a 2.1 so that made the folks at the doctor office very happy.

The real benefit to this is it will allow her to monitor her cumidin level here at home without the hour trip each way down to Medical City Dallas Hospital. That is a huge help for her as well as me. It also allows for a quicker reaction for a medication adjustment as we can do it here at home as much as they want us to test each week. She goes in next Friday for bloodwork as well as an office vist and taht will allow us to double check the machine here as she will need to do a blood test here before we leave for the hospital.

As to me, I had a doctor appointment with a neurosurgeon a couple of days ago. He reviewed the MRI that was done of my lower back last month and discussed my issues. Long story very short--he believes there is nothing he can do to assist me. He will be referring me to two other doctors, possibly a third, as the hunt for help for me continues.

So, that is where we are at in this new year with our same old medical problems.

The FFB List

The list for today's forgotten books can be found here. Lots of good reading--as always.

Via The Passive Voice--- Don’t Anyone Put Me in Charge

Very interesting article.....
Don’t Anyone Put Me in Charge

FFB Review: "Baby Grape and Huskey" by Thom Rodgers

Friday means Friday’s Forgotten Books hosted by Patti Abbott here. This week I thought I would do something slightly different than normal. Instead of the normal adult fare, I offer a young adult novel for your consideration. Baby Grape and Huskey by Thom Rodgers is a good book and well worth your time.

It is 1845 as this engaging young adult novel by Thom Rodgers opens with a scene too familiar to both children and adults. Bullying has always been a problem and for young Toby the morning conflict is with an older boy known to terrorize the other kids that work in the area shops. He isn't about to let the older boy steal his pocket knife--- the same pocket knife his father gave him. Using a bull whip for maximum effectiveness, Toby manages to get his pocket knife back as well as teach the older boy a lesson he will never forget.

At age 14, Toby has experienced a lot and is supporting the family by working as an apprentice to Abe in a local workshop. They are almost finished making a large whiskey still Toby's main job has been to get inside the still and hold the buck hammer against the rivets while Abe pounds them into place from the outside. It is noisy work but Toby is glad to have work in the workshop his father once worked in.

But, change is about to upheave Toby's young life yet again. Just days after his father died, Toby is wanted by the police for the well-deserved whipping he gave that boy, and is going to have to leave his Pittsburg home. The shop owner, Mr. Rodgers, is going to help Toby by sending him with a guy named Lew to deliver the still he has been working on to the new owner up in Sligo. Going north for a hundred miles and back will take weeks and hopeful by the time Toby gets back everything will be sorted out. Toby is not sure Lew is anybody he wants to be with based on what he remembers his father saying about the man, but with the cops and a judge looking for him, he does not have much of a choice.

What follows is a very enjoyable tale featuring Toby and the perils of his road trip to deliver the still and come back home. The perils are many, the friends few, and the young man is tested in ways he never saw coming. This is the tale of a young man who finds himself while discovering not only his inner resources but when to listen to others and follow their lead. Told from his viewpoint, the author skillfully shows the challenges he faces and the young man begins to head into a maturity one would not have thought possible at the beginning of this very good tale.

Well written, the tale features plenty of action and suspense along with the beginnings of a first romance. Toby is a character that many, especially young boys, will relate to and shows increasing maturity throughout the work. A grand adventure that is sure to please not only the intended audience but the adults in their lives this book would also work well in the classroom as it imparts history at the same time it entertains.

First in the series, this young adult novel is an adventure that is hard to put down. It is followed by Baby Grape And The River Folk.



 
Baby Grape and Huskey

Thom Rodgers

http://www.babygrapebooks.com/home.html

Mill City Press

http://www.millcitypress.net

ISBN #978-1-884687-88-4

250 pages

Review copy was a PDF provided by the author in exchange for my objective review.

Kevin R. Tipple © 2011, 2014

A Man And His Cat

and there was no dog, no truck, and no sappy music with voice over....

Karl and Kayla

Underwear Can Kill

Though it might have been the fault of the "Atomic Wedgie".......

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Simon Sez: SHELF LIFE: A Friend In Need

A very worthy cause.....
Simon Sez: SHELF LIFE: A Friend In Need: This is a SHELF LIFE entry with a difference, so I hope you'll indulge me. Karen Laubenstein is someone I’ve known for a number...

Review: "Beat To A Pulp: Hardboiled Three" Edited by David Cranmer & Else Wright

“’Just the luck of the draw, “Caleb would say, “sometimes you pull aces and sometimes two’s, and one times you pull an ace when what you really need is that two to make a straight.’” (Page 85, “The Blow Jobs” by Josh Stallings)

That attitude towards life very well sums up the situation for all the characters in Beat to a Pulp:  Hardboiled 3.  The characters in these nine pieces are folks that almost always have losing hands. Sometimes they know it from the get go and other times they figure it out at just about the same second their light goes out. The nine works here pull no punches and one would not expect anything different in this series from publisher Beat To A Pulp. If you want sweetness and light and happy endings you should be reading elsewhere. Reality sucks and this is it.

“One Ashore In Singapore” by Andrew Nettle stars the book off with a man named “Chance” who is to be the courier for a very important package. He is supposed to bring it back to a restaurant named the “Jade Dragon” located in the small city of Yass which in turned is located a little north of Canberra, Australia’s capital city. The package isn’t ready yet according to Mr. Tan and it will be ready when it is. In the meantime Chance must wait for developments.

Doe is also a courier and sometimes more in “Doe In Headlights” by Patti Abbott. Doe has been sent out to an isolated cabin by her boss Feck. She does whatever he says and gets paid for it. At least there is variety in the work instead of just being a waitress in a bunch of crummy places. Now she is out in the woods 150 miles northwest of Detroit and waiting for the call and instructions. She is really good at waiting.

1915 in West Virginia is the setting with Jace Russell, Danville Fuller, and John Torrio gathered together  to restore a little order their regarding local beer sales. They are not the only ones involved in “Gunpoint” by Fred Blosser where scores and a business dispute will be settled one way or another.

Senior Editor Emily Eldridge at Bridal Beauty Magazine has a problem. Based on the threats she is getting in “Fair Warning” by Hilary Davidson somebody thinks she is dating her husband.  She swears she isn’t, but has her boyfriend Jason told her everything?  And if he isn’t the issue, what does she do?

According to his drunkard father, Matt, had no follow through on anything. There might be some truth to that, but in “The Follow-Through” by Chris F. Holm Matt might just be ready to do that while settling the past as well.

The size XXL granny panties have a lot of meaning in the story titled “Granny Panties” by Sophie Littlefield. That meaning can be transferred to others in this very short two page tale.

Keith Rawson comes next with “There You Are” featuring a guy doing what he has to do to survive. At least Arizona has a lot of desert to bury bodies in.  But, the soil is hard to dig through thanks to the rocks, clay, and tangled roots.

Life was rough from the get go for twins Caleb and Seth in “The Blow Jobs” by Josh Stallings.  As they grew older the scams and the stakes got bigger until everything is now on the line because the latest deal went way too far.

Last up is a play titled “The Speed Date” by Kieran Shea. Secrets are important in Washington, DC whether they be on a national security level or a personal relationship level. Those who observe Peter and Claire at the Mexican restaurant would have no idea how important this speed date truly is for both of them.

Three pages of short author bios which include other titles they are involved with bring the book to a close.

As one would expect from this series as well as this publisher, these are not tales designed to make you think happy thoughts about others. No, these tales are often about the unfairness of the life you were born into or the despair you created for yourself on this mortal coil through a series of bad choices. The results are nine good pieces that contain mystery, lots of violence and action, and the occasional obscenity as the works describe a hard reality.

Beat To A Pulp: Hardboiled Three

Edited by David Cranmer & Else Wright

Beat To A Pulp

http://www.beattoapulp.com

November 2013

ISBN 978-0-9912039-0-1

Paperback (also available in e-book)

114 Pages

$7.99

Material supplied by publisher and editor David Cranmer for my objective review.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2014

Bill Crider's Pop Culture Magazine: Latest Getting Away with Murder Now Online

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Review: "Julius Katz Mysteries" by Dave Zeltserman

In the award winning novelette “Julius Katz” the latest client for Boston’s most famous and eccentric detective Julius Katz is the 53 year old Norman Brewer.  Accompanied by her slightly younger sister, Helen Arden, she wishes to discuss a family matter. A family matter she refused to tell Archie, Julius’ artificial intelligence sidekick, about over the phone thus preventing any real planning by Julius prior to their meeting.

The issue involves their 83 year old mother, Emma, who is suffering from the beginnings of Alzheimer’s. While provisions were made for various things by their father six years ago before he died from cancer, their brother Lawrence has taken over all of the legal aspects of their mother’s situation. Julius does not like family disputes and wants no part of this situation.  However, like many a detective before him, he does need the money and Norma Brewer is willing to pay. He takes the case with some stipulations including meeting their mother so that he and Archie can assess her condition. While very reluctant at first, soon Julius is hard at work in a case that quickly takes a dark and sinister turn.

Also included in this book is the award winning story “Archie’s Been Framed.” As this one opens Julius has plenty of cash in the bank. That means he is not going to be inclined to take a new case for several months. What Archie sees as being lazy, Julius sees as enjoying the finer things of life. Work is not the priority for Julius, but for Archie work helps him refine his neural network.

With his current love interest Lily Rosten out of town visiting her parents in upstate New York.  Julius is in a bit of a funk. A funk that a case would help lift. There is no sign of that until Archie discovers that Denise Penny, a 27 year old woman Archie has been in contact with, has been murdered. Unfortunately, Archie quickly becomes a suspect in her murder. Though he can easily be cleared if the true nature of his existence were revealed, it can’t be disclosed. Julius does not have a choice – he has to investigate and clear Archie.

Both award winning stories are good ones and feature interesting characters and cases. Humor, subtle and overt, is occasionally present in sharp contrast to the darker side of human nature.  The dark side of human nature keeps many a detective and his sidekick employed and such is the case here in the very enjoyable Julius Katz Mysteries by Dave Zeltserman.

Julius Katz Mysteries

Dave Zeltserman

http://www.hardluckstories.com

Top Suspense Group

http://topsuspense.blogspot.com/

January 2011

ASIN: B004KAA9LQ

E-Book

88 Pages

$3.50

A PDF by the author was supplied quite some time ago for my use in an objective review.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2014

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Review: "Trails of the Wild: Seven Tales of the Old West"

Trails of the Wild: Seven Tales of the Old West” book opens up with “Rattler” by James Reasoner. Texas Ranger Cobb and bank robber Franklin Harmon have had a gun battle going for the past hour. The large boulders were the only cover from the shots from Harmon and Cobb knew there was a big risk of a snake being in the rocks when he took cover in them. But, with his horse dead and no other cover around in the surrounding Texas landscape he didn’t have much of a choice.  Cobb isn’t about to let a big fat diamondback rattler lying across his legs from stopping him from what needs to be done.

“The True Story of Boy Kaleen” by Patti Abbott comes next. The California Gold Rush is on and his Ma worked as an entertainer in one of the hundreds of saloons that serve the area miners and more. Eventually Ma got pregnant and delivered Tom and Kaleen. Their quest to know who their father was began.

He had been told not to stop in Cougar Springs. Once there he had been helpfully advised to leave town as fast as possible. Having rode more than 50 miles across Colorado he isn’t about to keep riding as the fading mining town does have a saloon. That will help him rid himself of his thirst, but not the ghost named Davy who haunts him in “Too Many Crocketts” by Evan Lewis.

Howey Simpson rides for the Hashknife Outfit. At least the work is steady in “Line Rider” by Chuck Tyrell. It is winter and he is stuck working out of a shack on the line midway to Chintz, but the solitude and the routine don’t bother him at all. Then, one night, a beautiful Navajo woman by the name of Doli showed up and everything changed.

Jackson was late getting back and something very bad has happened in “A Decent Man” by Kieran Shea. His sister Sarah named the guilty man as “Azariah Thorpe” and says that afterwards he bragged he was going south to Kansas City. Thorpe is a dead man once Jackson gets to him.

Having a reputation as a bad man can keep folks out of your way. In “Day Of Reckoning” by Matthew Pizzolato a man by the name of Wesley Quaid has that reputation. A reputation hard earned and he has the skills to back it up when need be. His skills are about to be needed as Horace and his family are being harassed on the street just outside the bar.

The majority of the book is the novella “The Empty Badge” by Wayne D. Dundee.  U. S. Marshall Cash Laramie has been tracking the Driscoll Gang and is moving in on them despite the stormy night. They are holed up in a shallow cave and he means to get them all--- dead or alive.  At least that was the plan before all heck broke loose.

The seven stories of Trails of the Wild: Seven Tales of the Old West are all good ones.  Featuring a group of prolific and talented authors, the book has plenty of solidly good old fashioned western action and adventure and is very good from start to finish. The book most definitely is a good one and well worth your time.

 
Trails of the Wild: Seven Tales of the Old West

Edited by David Cranmer

Beat To A Pulp

http://www.beattoapulp.com

November 2013

ASIN: B00GI5M4SM

E-Book

143 Pages

$2.99

Material provided by editor and publisher David Cranmer for my use in an objective review.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2014

Amazoning....

In addition to the donation widget on the left side, I am an Amazon Associate. What this means is if you click on one of the book links on this blog to buy a particular book or to shop on Amazon and you buy something, I get a few pennies on the sale. It does not affect the price you pay at Amazon or have any impact on you financially at all.

What it does do is generate a small referral fee that is paid into my Amazon Associate account a few pennies at a time. Those pennies add up each quarter. When enough pennies add up to ten dollars, usually once or twice a year, I can cash out with an Amazon giftcard. I use these funds to buy the occasional e-book which ultimately gets reviewed here as well as some household and medical supplies for Sandi not covered by food stamps or donations.

So, if you are going to shop at Amazon anyway, please consider going through me to do your shopping. Every little bit helps and I do appreciate it very much.


Big time thank you to those who went through me to do their Amazon shopping during the recent holidays. Much, much appreciated.

Kevin

New Reviews To Consider

Edward A. Grainger (the pen name of David Cranmer) is now going to be doing western reviews over at the Crimminal Element. The first one is " Tom Selleck: More Than Magnum, an Underappreciated Western Icon" and you can and should read it here.

Life of a Writing Publisher

 Always interesting stuff...

Life of a Writing Publisher

Via The Passive Voice-- Seven Author Solutions Titles Recognized by Kirkus Reviews as Best of Indie Books of 2013

 As far as I know I am still banned by Author Solutions regarding their books for not being a "positive reviewer" so....I guess you could consider me a little biased about them. Still, if you needed any further proof as to what a joke Kirkus has become these days.....

Seven Author Solutions Titles Recognized by Kirkus Reviews as Best of Indie Books of 2013

Imagine If It Had Been Chocolate Cake....

there might have been the use of rocket launchers.

"Brother arrested in fight over peanut butter and jelly sandwiches"

Sample Sunday--- Carpathian Shadows Volume 2

Before there was Mind Slices there was Carpathian Shadows Volume 2. The anthology, published several years ago by BooksforaBuck.com, contains a number of stories, including mine.

The gist of the setting is that deep in the heart of the Carpathian Mountains, in Transylvania, lies a castle. This castle was once home to a nobleman who, it is claimed, warred with the church, bound his servants with a curse of silence, and ruled his lands with a grip of iron. Fortunately for modern-day visitors, Lord John Erdely has been dead for centuries and his castle now a haven for tourists. Or so, at least, is the claim.

Each visitor to a local hotel receives a fancy invitation--they're invited on a free tour and paranormal investigation. When a freak storm hits, forcing the visitors to overnight in Lord Erdely's castle, the tourists learn that Erdely's power is not limited merely to ancient fairy tales.

My story, "By The Light Of The Moon", explains what happens to those who learn too much of the Carpathian castle's secrets. If you are intrigued by the sample below ordering is easy. Available in print and e-book forms at the publisher, Amazon, and elsewhere, while supplies last you can order an autographed print copy of Carpathian Shadows Volume 2 direct from me for the low price of ten dollars. That includes the media rate postage.

---

“By The Light Of The Moon”

"Is he here?"

"Yes, Commander."

"How is he?"

What he was asking was whether or not the suspect had made it alive into his station. He should have but sometimes accidents happened in the field. The young officer stepped a little ways into the room. New to his job, he was working hard to impress, which is why the Commander had chosen him. Things had to be contained, and he knew he could keep the man, more like a boy at twenty, in line.

"Typical American." The young officer couldn't keep the scorn out of his voice, "Very emotional. Fits of screaming and crying when we placed the cuffs on him. He's sitting quietly in Interrogation 4 now."

"Good. That will be all."

The young man saluted, swiveled in his black spit-polished boots, and strode confidently out of the office. The Commander sat back and smiled to himself while he listened to the pleasurable sound of the boots striking the floor fade away down the long hall. To be young again and so sure of righteousness, of purpose. Not that it really mattered, as fate ordained everything.  His die was cast long ago, as was my own, he thought, and the idea depressed him as it had the last few months.

He stood and stretched, feeling his spine pop before he walked down the same hall. Unlike the young man before him who had turned right so that he could pass the front desk and go back out on patrol, the Commander turned left and, with a few steps, began to feel like the walls were closing in on him. The truth was, they were as he journeyed deeper into the old section of the garrison. This part had been built into the mountain long ago, and the Commander secretly suspected that there had to be a tunnel from here up to the castle far above. He suspected it but had never tried to find out because he knew that in such matters, a lack of knowledge was safer than knowing the truth….

Big Daddy's Place: Desperate Endurance - Kasey Riley

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Apple’s ‘Extremely Angry’ Top Execs Will ‘Never Get Over’ Losing Their Price-Fixing Case

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KRL-- Short story by Edith Maxwell and more in KRL

As posted elsewhere this morning.....

Up this morning in Kings River Life Magazine a review & giveaway of 2 new Monk books by Hy Conrad http://kingsriverlife.com/01/04/mr-monk-helps-himself-mr-monk-gets-on-board-by-hy-conrad/

Also up a mystery short story by Edith Maxwell http://kingsriverlife.com/01/04/just-desserts-for-johnny-mystery-short-story

Also reviews & giveaways of another fun group of Penguin mysteries "And Then You Dye" by Monica Ferris, "Buttoned Up": A Button Box Mystery by Kylie Logan, "Quilt Trip": A Southern Quilting Mystery By Elizabeth Craig, and "The Sayers Swindle": A Book Collector Mystery By Victoria Abbott http://kingsriverlife.com/01/04/penguin-mysteries-to-start-2014/

We also have a review of the new sci-fi mystery TV show "Almost Human" http://kingsriverlife.com/01/04/almost-human-tv-review/

Over on KRL Lite a review & giveaway of PJ Nunn's mystery novel "Angel Killer" http://kingsriverlife.blogspot.com/2014/01/angel-killer-by-pj-nunn.html

For those who enjoy books with a supernatural twist a review & giveaway of Richard Kadrey's YA novel Dead Set http://kingsriverlife.com/01/04/dead-set-by-richard-kadrey/

 

As always, you can find all of these and more by going to our home page and scrolling down http://KingsRiverLife.com

Happy reading,
Lorie Ham

--

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/

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FFB Review: "Bones of the Rain: A Blue-Eyed Indian Mystery" by Russ Hall

Friday means Friday's Forgotten books hosted by the one and only Patti Abbott. Patti is taking the day off so Todd Mason will have the links here. Make sure to check out the list as there are always lots of good books suggested each week no matter who is collecting the links.

The latest in the series featuring the “Blue-Eyed Indian” finds private investigator Travis at a folk festival deep in the Texas Hill country on one very stormy night.  Heavy rain along with thunder and lightning are pounding on the concert goers as well as Travis who would rather be back at home at his very small place in Austin. Instead, he is slogging through the thick mud in the rain looking for the tent occupied by his musician friends Johnny Gringo and Jimmy Bravuro. They have dragged him out on a horrible night for a case and have yet to share the details. But, once he arrives, Travis discovers there is also a murder investigation going on.

The last thing a private investigator wants to do is show up at a fresh murder scene. That is exactly what Travis has done and that has put him in the sights of Deputy Alvin Turnball. Before the night is over, the racist deputy has gone rogue, Travis has been beaten like a dog and is in the hospital, and things have become very personal. All that and he still does not know what Johnny Gringo and Jimmy Bravuro wanted to pay him to investigate. He soon will though the threat posed by the out of control deputy and his friends will dominate his life for good reason.

Filled with interesting characters, plenty of mystery, as well as lots of action and a bit of romance, Bones of the Rain is another good one from Texas author Russ Hall. Whether or not he finally gets the girl this time remains a question throughout the novel while broader themes concerning the music industry, racism, the role of militias, etc. are addressed along with wry humor about Texas and Texans. Much like the world in general, nobody is perfect and some folks are much better able to hide their flaws than others. That leads into the always present theme of moral ambiguity and that all debts get paid at one point or another.

Bones of the Rain: A Blue-Eyed Indian Mystery

Russ Hall

http://www.russhall.com/

Five Star Publishing (Gale, Cengage Learning)

http://www.gale.cengage.com/fivestar/

June 2010

ISBN# 978-1-59414-809-5

Hardback

277 Pages

$25.95

Material supplied by the good folks of the Plano, Texas Public Library System.

Kevin R. Tipple © 2011, 2014

EARTH'S BOOK NOOK: BTSE MAG-January 2014

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Back Home

We are back home and everything is pretty much the same. We do it all again in two weeks on that Friday. For now Sandi remains "medically fragile--relatively stable" and that is as good as it gets these days.

Review: "The Knitted Slipper Book: Slippers and House Shoes for the Entire Family" by Katie Startzman

The Knitted Slipper Book: Slippers and House Shoes for the Entire Family is primarily organized as two parts--materials and the projects. Designed with projects for every member of the family and beyond the book represents the author’s lifestyle and how she views the world. As explained in the several page introduction, author Katie Startzman prefers to live life as simply as possible and to be as self-sufficient as possible. By following her directions and making your own footwear you can create something more special than store bought and maintain a low impact lifestyle.

“Part One: Materials and Basic Techniques” is exactly as stated in the section title--- the basics on what you need and how to do things. The author takes you through, by way of text and photographs, how to choose a style, yarn, felting, sizing, shaping, and more. While the pictures as well as the typeface tend to be small, the information is extensive and detailed for the newcomer as well as the experienced crafter.

“Part Two: Projects” begins on page 27 and leads off with “Fireside Booties.” This particular project creates slippers that cover the feet and ankles. Along with detailed instructions and a template for the slippers there are several pictures detailing construction and the finished project. This same format is followed throughout the additional 29 projects found in the book.

From “Sleepy Friends Slippers” (pages 36-39) to “Renaissance Boots” (pages 44-47) to her version of Beaded Moccasins titled “Beaded Moccs” (pages 80-85) and more there is something for anyone in this book. Colors and styles vary as does the level of difficulty, but all the projects will result in colorful and unique footwear.

A “Special Techniques” section as well as page for “Abbreviations” and a “Resources” page further supplement the book and provide information that can help you. A two page pictorial layout sorted by type of slipper and an acknowledgement page bring the book to a close.

If you are looking for something different than the normal and ideas that you can personalize for the recipient The Knitted Slipper Book: Slippers and House Shoes for the Entire Family  by Katie Startzman might be just the book for you. Colorful and informative, the 160 page plus book provides plenty of ideas as well as detailed instructions so that you know how to go about creating some treasured footwear for your family.

The Knitted Slipper Book: Slippers and House Shoes for the Entire Family

Katie Startzman

http://duofiberworks.com/

Stewart, Tabori & Chang (imprint of Abrams)

http://www.abramsbooks.com

October 2013

ISBN# 978-1-61769-058-7

Paperback

160 Pages

$24.95

Material supplied by the good folks of the Plano, Texas Public Library System.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2013

Doctor Day Tomorrow

It is a new year, but for us nothing has changed. Tomorrow is another morning and maybe more down at the hospital for Sandi to have blood work and a doctor visit. Everything as far as we can tell is the same so hopefully no surprises tomorrow.

Bill Crider's Pop Culture Magazine: Woo-Hoo!

 Read one on this list and it was super good.....
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Happy New Year

Happy New Year from all of us......

 may it be a wonderful one for you and yours.


                                                                               Kevin, Sandi, Karl and Scott