This is a compelling legal thriller with a professionally smart but flawed main character whose extreme gambling debts have made him vulnerable. This novel will keep the reader enthralled with its intriguing plot and strong writing. The character descriptions make them come alive, for example, “The man carried some serious presence; maybe in another lifetime he could have been a scene-stealing character actor whose name you never remember but with a face you never forget. His eyes were coal-black pools, giving the impression that nothing existed behind them, as if they were there just for show.”
The fast pace is appreciated by this reader, and in between all of the action is great character development and some of the best writing I have seen in a legal thriller. The consequences of a gambling addiction are made plain, as is the importance of facing up to your mistakes. The evils of human trafficking and organized crime are brought to the forefront.
The author, Dylan H. Jones, easily holds his own, and then some, with those who are at the top of the genre. In fact, now that I have read his work, I will have higher expectations for legal thrillers in the future.
I received a free copy of this novel from the publisher via Zooloo’s Book Tours. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
Dylan H. Jones is the author of the best-selling Detective Tudor Manx series, set on the idyllic Welsh island of Anglesey.
A native Welsh speaker, Dylan was born on the Isle of Anglesey and left at the age of eighteen to study at Leeds University. His love of storytelling and writing began at a young age when he slipped a copy of Graham Greene’s Brighton Rock from his father’s bookshelf.
Dylan’s debut novel, Anglesey Blue, was an immediate hit, taking the Amazon #1 spot in Welsh Crime on the first day of release. The novel was also long listed for the Guardian Newspaper’s prestigious readers’ choice award, Not the Booker Prize.
His following two novels, Doll Face and Shadow Soul, soon became firm favorites of crime fiction fans, and established DI Manx as a fresh, compelling protagonist in Welsh Noir. His standalone thriller, What Follows, set in Oakland CA, was published in 2021.
Dylan is also a creative director and ad agency copywriter, and now lives in Oakland, California with his wife, Laura, and daughter Isabella. Dylan loves great coffee and fine wines, and can often be found around the coffee shops of Oakland conversing with the locals and seeking inspiration in his next shot of espresso.
Miranda Quinn is back in the courtroom working as a legal aid attorney when she’s asked to represent Lennon, the daughter of a high school friend currently serving time in prison. Still struggling with guilt from the role she played in her friend’s downfall, Miranda agrees to help.
The former assistant DA has given up a lucrative career as a legal talk radio host to better serve her community. In her spare time, she volunteers as a counselor for at-risk teens. It’s challenging but rewarding, at least until the young women begin to mysteriously disappear. As Miranda struggles to find out who is responsible, it becomes clear that Lennon is in danger as well. As the police piece together Miranda’s clues, they realize they’re dealing with a much larger and farther-reaching organization than they had expected.
Miranda has faced her share of adversaries, both in and out of the courtroom. To expose the sex traffickers preying on the group of girls she has sworn to protect, she’ll need to keep her eyes and ears open. But to save the one young woman who needs her most, she’ll have to open her heart.
She’s in for the fight of her life.
BOOK REVIEW
Miranda meets Lennon, who is charged with stealing a package of frozen lobster, in a courtroom. They are connected by Lennon’s mother, Charlene, a childhood friend of Miranda’s who still blames her for her descent into drugs and subsequent prison sentence. Miranda’s big crime was kissing Charlene’s crush while in high school. Feeling unnecessary guilt and a responsibility for Lennon, Miranda represents her in court and finds out about a much bigger problem–Lennon’s friends are going missing.
This is an excellent continuation of the Miranda series. I enjoyed Miranda’s relationship with Lennon. Miranda reads as almost like an aunt to Lennon instead of “estranged friend of her mother.” Lennon is a smart young woman who has been through a lot, is living in the system, and is easy to root for. The difficult subject of sex trafficking is explored honestly, and while the reader is shown a culprit early on, there are many layers and levels to this thriller. The vulnerability of those in foster care is an important point in this story. The characters are all well-written, and I felt like Lennon walked straight into my heart. Readers should check out this touching and thrilling novel.
In addition to downloading this book from Kindle Unlimited, I also purchased the audiobook, which was narrated very well by Penny Coffeen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gail Ward Olmsted was a marketing executive and a college professor before she began writing fiction on a full-time basis. A trip to Sedona, AZ inspired her first novel Jeep Tour. Three more novels followed before Landscape of a Marriage, a biographical novel featuring landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, a distant cousin of her husband’s, and his wife Mary. Miranda Fights is the third book in the Miranda Quinn Legal Twist series. Olmsted enjoys writing about quirky, wonderful women in search of a second chance at a happy ever after. When not writing, she loves being on the water, especially in a kayak. She is well known for her blonde brownies, and coffee is her love language. For more, visit her on Facebook and Instagram
PURCHASE LINK
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The Golden Age of Hollywood, 1938. Vivian Steele moved to California to start a new life. She opened a fashion boutique in Beverly Hills, befriended Carole Lombard, the actress, and married a successful banker. But when her husband is murdered, Vivian discovers she isn’t the only one hiding a few secrets.
An anonymous phone call lures Vivian to a plush hotel room where she stumbles upon the dead body of a beautiful young actress – her husband’s mistress. To add fuel to the fire, she’s not alone.
Preston Stone, her adversary and Hollywood’s notorious playboy, is standing beside her. Suspiciously, they part ways only to find themselves alone again at a movie premiere two days later, and the message becomes brutally clear. They’re both the next targets of a cold-blooded killer.
Together, Vivian and Preston are thrown into a deadly race to find a missing collection of valuable coins and stop a vicious killer before they become the next murder victims. But first, they need to stop pointing their fingers at each other.
BOOK REVIEW
A PERILOUS PREMIERE is the first book in the STONE AND STEELE Mystery Series, and I can’t wait for more. Vivian Steele is a fashion designer whose husband has just been murdered. Preston Stone is a wealthy playboy who is not Vivian’s favorite person. They are thrown together when Vivian begins investigating her husband’s murder and the killer lets them both know that they are next.
This is a captivating mystery with an amazing cast of characters. I easily connected with both Vivian and Preston. The surprise supporting character, Carole Lombard, a good friend of Vivian’s, brings light, laughter, and loyalty to the story. There are two dogs in the series–Bella, a Boston Terrier, and Boris, a St. Bernard. They are an enjoyable addition to the cast. I felt instantly transported to 1930s Hollywood, and the book was well researched.
The mystery has plenty of twists and turns. It is also made plain that both Vivan and Preston have secrets of their own that have not yet been revealed. I look forward to finding them out in subsequent books. Movie stars, fashion, murders, and glamour combine to create an entertaining mystery. Highly recommend!
I received a free copy of this book. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own
Q&A With Gail Meath
Hi Gail! Thanks so much for answering my questions today, and for all your past interviews. It’s always so great to talk to you. Let’s start with the first question about your new book, A Perilous Premiere, the first in the Stone & Steele series.
Bonnie: In this 1930s mystery series, you included an absolutely wonderful supporting character—Carole Lombard. What inspired you to make Carole a part of this series?
Gail: My mother and I used to love watching old movies together. There were so many wonderful actors in Hollywood during the 1930s-40s, but for me, Carole Lombard always stood out above the rest. Like the parts she played in her movies, she was beautiful, witty, brave, and talented in real life. Her marriage to Clark Gable was truly a fairytale romance that ended in tragedy in 1942 when she died in a plane crash after attending a war bond rally. I have so much admiration for her that I decided to include her as a character in the book as a tribute to her.
Bonnie: You do such a wonderful job of describing 1930s Hollywood. Could you tell us about your research for this series?
Gail: Have I mentioned that I love research? Honestly, by choosing the most popular era in Hollywood history, the research has been fairly easy, although it wasn’t all glamor and glitz back then. Too often, I found myself researching a specific topic for the book, then an article would lead me to another off-topic article, then another, etc. I’ve learned more than I wanted to! (David Niven wrote about a lot of the Hollywood scandals in his memoir.)
Bonnie: Your first cozy mystery series, The Jax Diamond Mysteries, included an animal as a supporting character—Ace the German Shepherd. As you have told us in past interviews, Ace was based on your real-life dog, Gretchen. In the Stone and Steele Mysteries, you introduce Bella the Boston Terrier and Boris, the Saint Bernard. Are Bella and Boris based on any animals in real life?
Gail: Yes, they are! I love all types of dogs, and Ace was the perfect partner for Jax Diamond. I wanted to include two canine companions in this series and decided they needed to be opposites. The choice was easy. Bella is based on our little Boston Terrier, Addie, who is nearly as smart as Ace. And big, old Boris is based on Addie’s good friend, Leif, who lives next door and weighs 220 lbs.!
Bonnie: The main characters, Vivian Steele and Preston Stone, end up solving a mystery together. But the reader is shown that there is a lot in both of their backgrounds that neither are telling. It ends as a cliffhanger of sorts, as Vivian is about to reveal her past to Carole. Are we going to learn a lot more about both Vivian and Preston in Book 2?
Gail: Both Vivian and Preston have some very special investigative talents stemming from their complex pasts, and yes, they will be revealing more about themselves in the next book, although probably not everything. What fun would it be to learn everything about each character right off the bat?
Bonnie: Speaking of Book 2, can you tell us the title and a short synopsis:
Gail: The title is, A Bloody Banquet: Now You See a Murderr, Now You Don’t. When dead bodies start to disappear, Vivian and Preston uncover a sinister killer who has mastered the art of illusion and set his sights on two Oscar-winning stars. It should be a lot of fun!
Bonnie: Before we go, can you tell the reader what else you are working on right now?
Gail: Oh, boy, I considered ending the Jax Diamond series with Book 7, their marriage, but some of the readers requested at least one more book. So, I’m working on Wildcard, Book 8, which is due to release in April. It takes place in Niagara Falls, and it looks like Jax’s good friend, Orin Marino, is a serial killer. Bonnie’s note: Noooo, not Orin!
Bonnie: Thanks again Gail for sharing with us today!
Gail: Thank you so much, Bonnie! This is the first time your questions didn’t stump me!! Bonnie’s Note: Uh, oh I’m going to have to up my question game!
This is an exciting, heart-pounding thriller with an intriguing premise. Nina is in a not-so-great relationship, which also comes with a rude and ungrateful “stepdaughter.” Then the son she gave up years ago shows up on her doorstep. Is he the key to a new life?
The story is full of twists and turns. The present tense is used, and that’s not my favorite, but it works here. The author uses a plot twist that’s been famously used before, but they give appropriate credit to that work within the story, which I appreciated. The secrets, lies, intrigue, and action are woven well together. Readers should hold onto their hats, the edges of their seats, and possibly their hearts. Overall, this is a compelling psychological thriller that fans of that genre will enjoy.
I received a free copy of this book via Zooloo’s book tours. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Iain Maitland is the author of three previous psych thrillers for Inkubator Books: The Soulmate, The Perfect Husband and The Girl Downstairs.
Iain is also the author of two memoirs, Dear Michael, Love Dad, a book of letters written to his eldest son who experienced depression and anorexia, and (co-authored with Michael) Out Of The Madhouse.
He has also written a semi-autobiographical novel, The Old Man, His Dog & Their Longest Journey.
He is an Ambassador for Stem4, the teenage mental health charity. He talks regularly about mental health issues in schools and colleges and workplaces.
I write what I love to read – big-issue thrillers that are super well-researched inside a complex plot full of twists and turns.
The result of the above is The Race Is On series or TRIO. The best sequence to read it in is as follows:
– MAD, a 120-page prequel novella that you can download from my website
– LEAP, Book 1, kicks off the TRIO series
– Green Ray, Book 2, is set five years after the end of LEAP
– ATOM, INC, Book 3, which picks up immediately from the end of Green Ray
I live in Leeds, UK with the love of my life and our two daughters. It rains a lot in Leeds but that works out well for me – loads of time for research and of course writing!
Adam Livesey is a downhill skier, and a good one, but his life is about to take an unexpected turn. When he witnesses the death of his friend, a Russian ski jumper, Anatoly Vasiliev, a few whispered, nonsensical words put Adam in danger.
This is an exciting thriller set in the world of competitive skiing. I knew very little about this sport, but I learned a few things, and it was so interesting to follow the life of a competitive skier. I particularly enjoyed the way that skiing was combined with the Russian mafia and politics to create a compelling thriller. There’s even a bit of an enemies-to-lovers romance that fans of that genre will enjoy. This novel has many clever twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat, and at times when you think the story is over–it’s not. Skiers and fans of thrillers will love this one.
I received a free copy of this book via Zooloo’s Book Tours. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR (In His Own Words)
I studied History of Art, and lectured at the Central School of Art and Design in London. However, marketing was my main occupation; and in this role I have worked for a number of German, American and British companies.
Latterly, I joined the family trade development company, working principally with government departments of foreign countries. To relieve the tedium of long-haul flights and the four walls of rooms in impersonal hotels, I turned to writing.
Over time, I amassed a number of manuscripts, which were stored in the metaphorical bottom drawer. The number grew until, in exasperation, my wife declared I should either attempt to get them published, or she would.
In fact, she did submit the first novel; and, to date, ten have been published.
In the new crime thriller from #1 New York Times-bestselling J.D. Robb, a small and easily concealed weapon wreaks havoc, and the killer is just a face in the crowd.
Jenna’s parents had finally given in, and there she was, at a New York club with her best friends, watching the legendary band Avenue A, carrying her demo in hopes of slipping it to the guitarist, Jake Kincade. Then, from the stage, Jake catches her eye, and smiles. It’s the best night of her life. It’s the last night of her life.
Minutes later, Jake’s in the alley getting some fresh air, and the girl from the dance floor comes stumbling out, sick and confused and deathly pale. He tries to help, but it’s no use. He doesn’t know that someone in the crowd has jabbed her with a needle—and when his girlfriend Nadine arrives, she knows the only thing left to do for the girl is call her friend, Lieutenant Eve Dallas.
After everyone on the scene is interviewed, lab results show a toxic mix of substances in the victim’s body—and for an extra touch of viciousness, the needle was teeming with infectious agents. Dallas searches for a pattern: Had any boys been harassing Jenna? Was she engaging in risky behavior or caught up in something shady? But there are no obvious clues why this levelheaded sixteen-year-old, passionate about her music, would be targeted.
And that worries Dallas. Because if Jenna wasn’t targeted, if she was just the random, unlucky victim of a madman consumed by hatred, there are likely more deaths to come.
BOOK REVIEW
This book was compelling from beginning to end. The author, as always, does a great job of detailing the crime and the investigation. The futuristic setting only adds to the appeal. The perpetrator is slowly revealed, but their horrible crimes splash across the page immediately from the beginning of the book. As Eve Dallas begins to peel away the layers of this crime, the reader will be transfixed, both by the complexity of the investigation and the potential for more crimes that would surely be coming.
This book is hard to put down.The characters just flame to life, and the personalities of the victims, their friends, and the perpetrator are so well described.
I listened to the audiobook as well, and the narrator Susan Ericksen portrayed teenagers in such an authentic way. She was also able to expertly convey drama, horror, grief, sadness, and love in such a powerful way.
Eve Dallas’s personal life is subtly layered throughout the book, but never takes over from the crime and investigation.
This thriller is horrifying, enthralling, and captivating throughout. J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts) has done it again. She has created another quality book that keeps us all mesmerized.
I received a free copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? What do you think you’ll read next?
CURRENT READ
This is the latest Eve Dallas. I’m only about halfway through, but it is COMPELLING. Teenagers are being murdered at clubs, and Eve is on the trail of the killer, who is injecting teens with a lethal substance while they dance, and then slipping away.
JUST FINISHED READING
I did a lot of reading while I was off for Christmas.
CHRISTMAS PIE is another Christmas Story by Jodi Taylor, who always releases a short story on Christmas Day. This is my favorite one ever! For the last several years I’ve enjoyed the Christmas tradition of reading Jodi’s latest story, and I thank her for that. My review is here.
THE WOMAN IN ME by Britney Spears should scare the crap out of you, especially if you don’t have trustworthy people in your life. My review is here.
CHARLIE HUSTLE by Keith O’Brien shares all the dark secrets about Pete Rose, who I still think should be in the Hall of Fame. This isn’t published until April, so my review will come later.
WHAT AM I READING NEXT?
Publisher’s Description:
As 1754 is drawing to a close, tensions between the French and the British on Canada’s Acadian shore are reaching a fever pitch. Seamstress Sylvie Galant and her family–French-speaking Acadians wishing to remain neutral–are caught in the middle, their land positioned between two forts flying rival flags. Amid preparations for the celebration of Noël, the talk is of unrest, coming war, and William Blackburn, the British Army Ranger raising havoc across North America’s borderlands.
As summer takes hold in 1755 and British ships appear on the horizon, Sylvie encounters Blackburn, who warns her of the coming invasion. Rather than participate in the forced removal of the Acadians from their land, he resigns his commission. But that cannot save Sylvie or her kin. Relocated on a ramshackle ship to Virginia, Sylvie struggles to pick up the pieces of her life. When her path crosses once more with William’s, they must work through the complex tangle of their shared, shattered past to navigate the present and forge an enduring future.
I will start this soon. I’m doing a blog tour for this book with Austenprose PR later this month.
Inspired by the true events of the most notorious evictions in Irish history…
1861, Donegal, Ireland
Ten years ago Declan Conaghan’s father died in the Great Famine, and since then, Declan has kept his promise to keep his family out of the workhouse. But all that is threatened with the arrival of new landlord, John Adair. Adair is quick to cause trouble and fear among his tenants. When he turns them off his land, Declan has no option but to break his promise…
Declan is in despair until he receives a letter from America offering him the chance of a new life and salvation for his family. But it would mean signing up to the US Army and fighting for Lincoln. Despite knowing nothing of war, or US politics, Declan leaves behind all he knows.
Set against the wild landscapes of Ireland and the turbulent times of the American Civil War, this sweeping narrative takes us on an epic journey to understand the strength and endurance of the human spirit.
This is the only book on my Netgalley shelf that is late, but I also picked up the audiobook and I’ll be listening to it soon.
UPDATE
Christmas was wonderful. I’m back to work, but luckily I can listen to audiobooks while I drive, and that helps me keep up with my reading. Looking forward to New Year’s and the Rose Bowl. ROLL TIDE!!!
When rare book dealer Ruby Vaughn is sent to Penryth Hall to deliver some books, she knows she is visiting her past and a place to which she never wanted to return. What she didn’t expect was a friend in trouble and a string of mysterious deaths linked to an ancient Cornish curse. She also didn’t expect to be the focus of interest surrounding one of those deaths.
This book has a great premise, and the look at old Cornish beliefs and customs is very interesting. I learned about the “pellar,” a wizard of sorts who is a local healer and breaker of spells. I love the magical realism aspect, and this book is a treasure trove of Cornish folklore. The mystery is intriguing with lots of clever twists. I definitely felt transported to Cornwall at that time.
However, overall it is way too cryptic and confusing at times. Ruby keeps her cards so close to the vest, even with the reader, that I didn’t really feel I knew her well enough at all.
I also listened to the audiobook. The audiobook narrator does a great job of capturing the time period and Cornish beliefs in her portrayal of the characters, and she absolutely lifts this book up with her performance.
With 3 stars for the book and 4 stars for the audiobook, my rating is 3.5 stars, rounded up to four on sites with no half-star option
I received a free copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
Things are busy at Spice Isle Bakery. It’s the annual Caribbean American Heritage Festival and the bakery is participating as a vendor. Owner Lyndsay Murray is looking forward to the festival, the customers, and the music. But then tragedy strikes when Camille, a well-known singer of a reggae band, dies suspiciously. It is soon confirmed that she’s been murdered. Despite getting ready for the festival, Lyndsay is also looking into the murder because her cousin Manny was dating Camille and could be a suspect.
This is a fun cozy starring the Murray family and their very outspoken customers. It is great fun to watch as every aspect of the case is discussed in detail at the bakery counter, whether Lyndsay wants to talk about it or not. The book is also filled with delicious descriptions of wonderfully spicy baked goods and a tempting recipe at the end. The mystery is interesting, even if it is not too hard to figure out. The special treats in this series are the family, their wonderful community of customers, and the way they interact with each other.
I also listened to the audiobook. The narrator, Janina Edwards, did a great job, and the specific accents are portrayed authentically. Edwards manages to convey the strong sense of community very well.
I received a free copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press and Dreamscape Media via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
As we welcome the Rowe family to our beautiful clifftop hotel, a shadow passes over my husband’s face. In that moment I see it: my husband is hiding a terrible secret. Has he put us all in danger?
Mark and I pride ourselves on giving visitors to our hotel, high on the rugged Maine cliffs with views of the ocean, a vacation they won’t forget. But the Rowes are strangely over-familiar when they arrive with their teenage daughter. The wife puts a hand on Mark’s forearm and her husband meets my eyes with a knowing look as I hold my little son tight. They gush that they loved their previous stay here… But I’m certain I’ve never seen them before.
Mark reassures me that the Rowes are just being friendly. We have so many visitors, maybe we forgot meeting them. When I am locked in the master bedroom for over an hour, he later soothes my panic and says it was just an accident. But I know one of the Rowes was out in the hallway listening to me cry for help. I hear one of them whispering a lullaby to my baby on his monitor. I cannot trust these people.
But as the relentless icy rain gives way to the biggest blizzard of the season and we become cut off, I realize my son and I are trapped. Mark knows more about the Rowes than he’s letting on. I’ll do anything to protect my gorgeous baby boy. But how far will I have to go, to keep him safe?
The Hotel is a totally twisty locked-room thriller that you won’t be able to put down. Fans of Shalini Boland, Freida McFadden and Jeneva Rose will be glued to the pages!
BOOK REVIEW
This is a captivating thriller with so many surprises that you’ll be completely absorbed until the very last page. To say that some of the characters are not who they seem would be an understatement, and the author keeps us guessing throughout the book. The spine-tingling suspense with a tiny touch of “creepy” almost borrows a bit from the horror genre, but this is a thriller to the core. The setting in a B&B in Maine in the middle of a blizzard adds perfectly to that “trapped in” feeling. There are multiple points of view, and they work to give the story added dimension. When those perspectives are woven together, shocking secrets are slowly revealed.
Thriller fans will love this unpredictable, tension-filled novel.
I received a free copy of this book from Bookouture via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Emily Shiner always dreamed of becoming an author. After spending years devouring stacks of thrillers, she decided to try her hand at writing them herself. Now she gets to live out her dream of writing novels and sharing her stories with people around the world. She lives in the Appalachian Mountains and loves hiking with her husband, daughter, and their two dogs.
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