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Category Archives: Thriller
The Unholy by Graham
What better way to start a book than with a heinous murder committed in a legendary special effects studio in Hollywood? Throw in a famous ghost and give us a character that can talk to them, and you’ve got a good story on your hands.
The Unholy
Krewe of Hunters
By Heather Graham
Harlequin MIRA
June 2012
Alistair Archer has been accused of the murder of his girlfriend Jenny. His father Eddie is willing to do whatever it takes to save his son. He calls on Sean Cameron, a former employee at his studio, who now works for a special division of the FBI. The police seem to have an airtight case against Alistair, but Eddie needs a miracle, and he believes Sean can provide that for him. Sean has the special gift of being able to speak with the dead, and it’s going to take something special to get Alistair out of this mess. Eddie asks one of his best employees, Madison Darvil, to be Sean’s liaison throughout the investigation. Madison is also able to speak with the dead, and even lives with the ghost of the legendary Humphrey Bogart.
Madison and Sean develop a chemistry almost immediately, and The Unholy focuses on their endeavors to prove Alistair is not guilty of murdering Jenny. The villain, who calls himself Vengeance, appears periodically throughout the book to create havoc and throw Madison and Sean off the trail. Who will prevail?
The Unholy is without a doubt character driven. Madison’s energy and innocence is refreshing throughout the book, and I found myself anticipating a relationship between Madison and Sean. The well developed characters do come with a price. The villain does not inspire a feeling of contempt as most villains do. He almost seems to be more of an afterthought than a driving force in The Unholy. I found myself much more involved with the relationship of Madison and Sean than with finding out who the killer would turn out to be. Despite this, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I was definitely surprised to discover the identity of Vengeance. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery with a touch of the supernatural.
Kassi Kirschner loves to lose herself in a great book. She likes to spend her time with her family, her many dogs, and preparing for her baby on the way!
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
Crosscut by Harden
Nicholas Colt, star rock musician turned private investigator, is back to do basically the same exact thing he did in his previous adventure Pocket-47. If you like repetition, you’ll love this two. (Pun intended).
Crosscut
By Jude Harden
Thomas & Mercer
June 2012
Settled down and getting on with his life in Florida, Colt’s life is interrupted by an ex-girlfriend’s search for her missing brother in Tennessee. While he is being urged to leave the PI work, he decides to help out on one more case. It becomes the case of his life when he realizes that the fiends behind the missing brother are the same people who murdered his wife and daughter and friends in Pocket-47, the Harvest Angels – a cultic, neo-nazi, white supremacist, terrorist, brain washing, evil, take over the world… I could go on, but you could just pick all the bad guy descriptors from every book or movie ever made and put them all together and you have the Harvest Angels. Overkill? Yeah, like most of this book.
When his family is attacked in Florida Colt is all in. Then ensues as massive cycle of crazy situation, lots of blood, hurt and killing ending in wild, improbable escape that escalates as the book moves on. By the end you won’t believe what Colt gets into and out of.
And that’s exactly the problem. You won’t believe it because it’s completely unbelievable. I love a good fantasy and I’m willing to go with nearly any rules of a world that the author wants to impress on a book. But this book violates its own rules and moves from plausible-within-its-world to absolutely implausible. It’s like you get to the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark and Indiana Jones decides that not only is he going to open his eyes and look at the Ark of the Covenant but he is going to inhale all the spirits, ala Kirby, and spit them out in fireballs at the Nazis. That’s this book, plot-wise.
If you are looking for a messy, death-defying, way over the top novel and it doesn’t matter too much to you whether or not it makes any sense – kinda like a lot of action movies – then you’ll enjoy this book. It’s written well enough and the characters, especially Colt, can be fun.
For me, it just wasn’t a satisfying read.
Scott Asher is the Editor-in-Chief of BookGateway.com. His personal blog is AshertopiA – a land flowing with milk and honey… and a lot of sticky people where he turns real life into stupid cartoons, writes on Christianity, Zombies, and whatever else he wants and posts Bible studies from his classes at church.
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
The Dog Stars by Heller
“When will I be home? I don’t know. In the mountains, in the rainy night, the Autumn lake is flooded. Someday we will be back together again. We will sit in the candlelight by the West window. And I will tell you how I remembered you tonight on the stormy mountain.” – When Will I Be Home? By Li Shang-Yin (813?-858)
The Dog Stars
By Peter Heller
Read by Mark Deakins
Knopf | Random House Audio
August 2012
Tomorrow, 99.7% of the world will die from a super-flu. Nine years later, we find pilot, and narrator, Hig, his dog Jasper, and his partner Bangley making the most of the new world at a small airport turned fortress fighting off marauders and would-be invaders living in a world where his morals no longer seem compatible. At least if he wants to live. Which is in doubt.
Hig survived the death of everything he knew and everyone he loved including the haunting death of his pregnant wife. Alone as he considers himself, Bangley is a dangerous psychotic who he can’t trust, he thinks, with only his dog Jasper he flies an old Cesna around the perimeter of the airport and makes supply runs to a group on Mennonites affected by the blood flu.
A couple years ago he heard a transmission on the radio from Grand Junction. It was garbled and he lost most of what was said, but he heard it. Could there be people out there? Society? Restlessness and the fact that he is far away from his peace-loving element drive him to consider the unthinkable: leaving the airfield. And so he goes. And nothing will be the same. Again.
Heller’s debut novel will haunt you as it did me. It is at once lyrical, poetic, revolting and wistful. The author’s affinity for nature is evident by the detailed and loving way that he describes it. The author tells the story through the perspective of Hig and uses language to build back-story in ways that are nearly always lacking in a post-apocalyptic story. There is a difference between an action packed, post-apocalyptic popcorn novel and literature. This is literature. Just so happens the world has gone to rot. Consider this quote as an example of how the author uses Hig’s musings to build a world far superior to most of his contemporaries: “Slide by slide. Picture by picture. He was aggregating memory like a wall against extinction. And the little boxes of slides were his bricks.” That was about a family member completely incidental to the story.
Every part of the story is filled with these off the cuff comments building something truly beautiful. An amazing debut novel. One that I highly recommend.
A note about the audio version: Deakins doesn’t just read the book, but produces a story. His deliberately slow, punctuated reading fits perfectly with the author’s text and forces the reader to pause and enjoy the lyric, the vista, the beauty. At first frustration built; I wanted to go faster. But then I realized that the author was right. This story takes time and you can’t force your way through it. You have to take the time to take in the view.
Scott Asher is the Editor-in-Chief of BookGateway.com. His personal blog is AshertopiA – a land flowing with milk and honey… and a lot of sticky people where he turns real life into stupid cartoons, writes on Christianity, Zombies, and whatever else he wants and posts Bible studies from his classes at church.
This audio book was provided by the publisher, ChristianAudio.com, as a review copy.
Flame of Resistence by Groot
It’s occupied France, the year of 1944 when Tom Jaeger, a downed American pilot finds himself being taken into the custody of French resistance conspirators. Upon recovering from his wounds, he finds he is to aid the resistance, known as the Flame, in a plan to retrieve details about the various guarded bridges.
Flame of Resistance
By Tracy Groot
Tyndale House
May 2012
Posing as a German officer, he is sent to meet Brigitte Durand. Brigitte, also resistance, runs a Germans-only brothel. Certainly when Tom signed up for this war he could never have known his job would include spending time with a prostitute.
But as their relationship heats up, so does the trail leading to Flame itself. With spies everywhere, suddenly they find their situation has been compromised. And the Millice, the French equivalent to the German Gestapo, will stop at nothing until they uncover all those involved.
Racing to cover their tracks, they can only stand back helpless as those they love are being captured. Can they put a stop to what they have started before everyone has to pay a price? Suddenly a very unlikely group of friends begins to grasp not only at saving their lives, but hopes also for the promise of love.
I really liked this book! Always a fan of historical fiction, I especially enjoyed this one as I love anything old French. The author has a very easy reading style that weaves an exciting story mingled with ever interesting war history. I loved all the characters and all the details she included. I will definitely be acquiring more of this author’s books!
Heather Ring says that books are her plane ticket into another world, “I’d feel lost with out them. Reading is a part of me. However I am also an avid lover of the outdoors and pouring into my creative outlets. But I think my biggest passion, is spending time with my family and friends.”
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
True Believers by Andersen
Karen Hollander is writing a book. A book about the thing she did in the late 1960s an episode she has kept secret for forty years. Today she is a celebrated attorney and once had her name placed in nomination for the Supreme Court. She worked for President Clinton who they called “Fat Boy”. Karen has done some pretty bad things in her past. With the imminent publication of her memoir – now is the time to let the world in on her shocking secret. She is finally sharing her past life with her national-security-cowboy boyfriend. Her Occupy activist granddaughter accidentally reads a few pages and insists on reading each chapter as it is written. Will she be surprised at the things her grandmother did or will she take it in stride as she is somewhat of a rebel herself?
True Believers: A Novel
By Kurt Andersen
Random House
July 2012
Karen accompanies her granddaughter to Miami to protest “The special G-20 summit”. Things get a little hairy in Miami. Karen’s daughter can’t believe her 60-something year old mother would do such a thing. After all, she is a celebrated attorney and really shouldn’t encourage her granddaughter to protest anything. Karen can’t wrap her mind around the fact that she has never been indicted or served time in jail. Who has been looking out for her all this time, especially her violent protests against the war? Some agency should have a long list of what she did. She would ask Stewart to help her.
This is an interesting read, but not very believable. There is some foul language, which contributes nothing to the book.
I didn’t particularly like the book. The book is fiction, but just a little too much fiction for my taste.
Mary Asher, the Golden Reviewer, is an 80 year old avid reader reviews the newest in Christian fiction and non-fiction with a sprinkle of the secular on top..
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
Cellar Doors by La Coax
It’s small town Willow, where everybody knows everybody… Or so they think. But suddenly when strange deaths begin to occur, the towns people find they have to question everything and everyone they have ever known.
Cellar Doors
Lance La Coax
Morehouse Media Group
April 2012
When the investigation dots just aren’t lining up, they are forced to open their eyes to a realm they would never have believed or wished to be real. People they never thought could be involved in something so atrocious are ending up on their suspect list, all while the victim list is growing.
Shocking secrets about certain townspeople become unearthed while those making the discoveries are forced to hide or run for their lives. Will they be able to get to the bottom of the mystery before its too late? How many lives will be taken before they can stop the unseen predator that was sent to steal, kill and destroy?!
I read this book in one sitting. I think it was very well written, especially being this authors first book. His writing style made it very easy to glide through the pages, as did the short chapters. I was excited to learn upon finishing the book that there is to be a sequel. He did a great job setting up the reader’s anticipation for this next installment. Intertwining the very real spiritual realm with an empowering message, this book is a must read!
Heather Ring says that books are her plane ticket into another world, “I’d feel lost with out them. Reading is a part of me. However I am also an avid lover of the outdoors and pouring into my creative outlets. But I think my biggest passion, is spending time with my family and friends.”
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
Restless in the Grave by Stabenow
In Restless in the Grave our heroine Kate and her aptly named companion, Mutt, who is in fact a mixed canine, venture out to Alaska at the request of a local law enforcement agent.
Restless in the Grave
Kate Shugak #19
by Dana Stabenow
Minotaur Books / Macmillan Audio
February 2012
She goes undercover as a waitress at a local bar and uses this facade to pick the brains of the locals. She is also quick to pick a lock or two, as she doesn’t always follow the lines of the law. She bends a rule here and there in order to track down how a wealthy businessman named Grant was killed, when his plane crashed as a result of direct tampering. The sabotage goes very in depth as the story grows to its conclusion.
A problem with this novel is that it took a while to get going; Kate didn’t even really come in until the second CD (in the audio book, about 60 pages into the book). To enjoy the start, you have to really be into back story and plot development via relentless details to stay involved throughout this book.
That said, black mail, sabotage, murder, breaking and entering and much, much more riddle this story for a compelling and thought -provoking read once it gets up to speed. The author goes into great detail with her story, giving the reader no choice but to feel they are there with Kate, the undercover detective. As the reader, you find yourself drawing conclusions with Kate, as her unorthodox investigating style leads her down a twisted trail of Alaskan deception.
For readers who enjoy a story that leaves no stone unturned and a protagonist that you feel the adventure with, Restless in the Grave is a solid read.
Kyle Stack, an avid reader of all genres from textbooks to comic books and everything in between, divides his time among work, studies, violin, and a new book for new perspective whenever possible.
This audiobook was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
Blood Covenant by Harris
A most compelling suspense story about the horrible tragedy the people of the Republic of Dhambizao (deep in the heart of Africa) face during the revolution between the Africa government forces and the renegade Ghost Soldiers. The story is fictional, but so true to real like the African people are living today.
Blood Covenant
by Lisa Harris
Zondervan
February 2011
Dr. Paige Ryan is a young doctor from Nashville, Tennessee working with Volunteers of Hope International deep in the heart of Africa. Her tour of duty is almost over and she can’t wait to return home to hot baths, good food and a loving family. This, however, is not to be – or at least for a little while longer. Fighting erupts between the African government forces and the Ghost Soldiers and things turn ugly. These are the same soldiers the government had recruited to kidnap men. women and children to work in their diamond mines. However, when the soldiers (rebels) demand amnesty for their involvement in the slave trade the government denies any involvement in the incident and the situation explodes. The Ghost Soldiers are burning entire villages. raping the women and killing the men. The survivors, , if there are any, are forced to leave their homes and seek shelter elsewhere. Dr. Ryan is sent to lead a team to set up a refuse transit site. Nick Gilbert, a bush pilot for Compassion Air, joins the team to help fly supplies in and out of the area. The camp has a cholera outbreak that has reached epidemic proportion.
The rebels attack a group of American mountain climber. Natalie’s (a prominent actress) father is killed and she is desperate to leave the mountain with his body. The young husband is taking his injured wife down the mountain with or without a guide. Natalie begs to go with him and hires a guide to take them down to the base camp so she can take her father home to Los Angeles. The young wife is injured which slows them down considerably. They finally arrive at the refuse camp run by Dr. Ryan. The camp is overcrowded, there is a lack of medical supplies, food, and even latrines. People are dying and there is nothing Dr. Ryan can do to prevent their death. Dr. Ryan discovers that one of the trekkers is carrying an infectious disease. If she doesn’t discover what the disease is, how to treat it, and get vaccines, many more people are going to die. The Ghost Soldiers have overrun the camp taking all communication devices, food and medical supplies – even destroying the satellite phone towers – there is no way to contact to the outside world. To make matters worse, both Dr. Ryan, Natalie and several others are kidnapped by the rebels. She is really fearful for their lives as one of the men has already been killed.
One must read this amazing book to learn if Dr. Ryan and her team survive. Does Natalie get back to Los Angeles? Does Natalie’s experience in Africa change her from a spoiled, pampered actress to a caring, helpful person? Does Dr. Ryan go home to Nashville or stay in Africa?
Highly recommended. Lisa Harris is an excellent writer of Christian Suspense Fiction. This is a book you will find hard to put down – one that will keep you turning pages quickly to find out what will happen next. This is a keeper for your personal library.
Mary Asher, the Golden Reviewer, is an 80 year old avid reader reviews the newest in Christian fiction and non-fiction with a sprinkle of the secular on top..
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
Beckon by Pawlik
Having left college behind for the summer, and convincing his best friend to come along, Jack Kendrick sets out on a journey, a search for information about his father’s mysterious disappearance years ago.
Beckon
Come. And live forever
by Tom Pawlik
Tyndale House Publishers
March 2012
Following his anthropologist father’s trail, they find themselves in small town, Beckon Wyoming.
With the help of a couple locals, they discover the caves his father was likely to be exploring when he was last seen. Ignoring the dangers rumored about the caves, they precede into the darkness, unprepared for what they are about to find. But meeting with the unknown species and fright of the underground is nothing compared to the secrets the city is sitting on.
Elina Gutierrez and George Wilcox, are also drawn to this small town. Both for reasons completely separate from each other and from Jack. Yet somehow, when their paths cross, they discover they all have something in common- they are all in danger. Upon trying to discover the truth they are faced with two options, get free, or stay and lose your life. Will they be able to outwit their predator before it’s too late?
This book was very different from what I normally read, but the author drew me in right away. Never did I feel bored while reading this. I will say though, it is weird. Which I think the author intends. But I was impressed that ‘his’ version of weird didn’t have to be twisted or dark. He still exposed the light and brought hope. Even with the vivid imagination I own that usually keeps me from reading material like this; I’d definitely read more of his books and enjoy them.
Heather Ring says that books are her plane ticket into another world, “I’d feel lost with out them. Reading is a part of me. However I am also an avid lover of the outdoors and pouring into my creative outlets. But I think my biggest passion, is spending time with my family and friends.”
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
Expats by Pavone
A sophisticated thriller that is intriguing, full of suspense, and keep your turning pages far into the night. Expats is horrifying, hilarious and very wise. A story that rockets from one corner of the globe to another. A delight to read.
Expats
by Chris Pavone
Crown
March 2012
Kate and Dexter Moore are married with two children and a dog. Normal hard working people – he a financial wizard and she has a low paying analytical job with the government. But not so normal – they both have a secret that would devastate the other if they knew,
Luxembourg: They are moving to Luxembourg – where ever that is. Dexter has obtained an outlandish job with a bank there. They will be rich – have everything they ever dreamed of. There are a number of Expats living in Luxembourg. It is a country all its own – a grand duchy. Kate quickly makes friends with the other mothers and enjoys coffee after dropping the kids off at school.
A new couple has moved into the community.- Julia and Bill Macleans. They soon become fast friends with the Moores. But something is not quite right. The Macleans seems to just pop up where ever the Moores happened to be. Kate becomes suspicious of both Dexter and the Macleans. Who are they and what do they want? Suddenly the Macleans depart for the States. What happened – should she be relieved or really start to worry?
Kate doesn’t want to investigate Dexter but she doesn’t really have a choice. He is acting very strange and gone most of the time. What she finds will change her life forever.
A most enjoyable book. The ending will both delight and surprise you. One of the best suspense novels I have read in a long time.
Highly recommended.
Mary Asher, the Golden Reviewer, is an 80 year old avid reader reviews the newest in Christian fiction and non-fiction with a sprinkle of the secular on top..
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
Flight of Shadows by Brouwer
Somewhere in the near-future the world had completely changed. It now consists of walled cities (like in Roman days), soovie parks (people living in hollowed out cars), death doctors and fear bombs. Poverty is everywhere – the people have been divided into groups – the Industrials, the Individuals, the Refuges and the lowest class the Illegals. Thus begins the story of Caitlyn Brown.
Flight of Shadows
by Sigmund Brouwer
Waterbrook
May 2010
Caitlyn is a test tube baby. Her father Jordan Brown is a scientist specializing in creating a new generation of babies. All of his experiments failed with the exception of Caitlyn. Her father and the woman he loved had agreed to drown Caitlyn when she was born. The woman died in childbirth and Howard just couldn’t destroy the baby. Caitlyn has a terrible hunch in the middle of her back. She is defective. Jordan wants out of the program as he sees what the experiments are doing. He takes Caitlyn and goes into hiding in the Appalachia ruled by a group of Preachers. Jordan has left Caitlyn on her own and with help she has escaped and is now working in the city. She tries to be indivisible and keeps her deformity hidden. Mason Lee is a bounty hunter working for the government in Appalachia. His job is to catch anyone trying to escape. However, his main assignment is to catch Caitlyn and return her to the lab. There is something in her DNA that can heal the sick.
With the twisted Lee in pursuit she teams up with Razor – a street-smart illusionist. She doesn’t really trust him, but he is all she has. Her only hope is to reach friends who have eluded the government. NI Agents Pierce, Holly and Jeremy are actively pursuing Razor and Caitlyn. They have planted a tracking device in Billy and Theo – Caitlyn’s friends. Cainlyn had been told by her father that she should contact a Doctor Hugh Swain – he had worked with her father – and he would perform surgery to make her normal. She is not sure she wants to have it done. She and her friends Billy and Theo have plans to meet and escape to Arizona where they would be safe.
One must read this amazing scientific thriller to follow Caitlyn’s inability to stay indivisible. Does she get caught by the government, who are the hybrids? Who betrays Pierce and why? How will Caitlyn choose between the two men she loves – will it be Billy or Razor – the fast and dangerous one? This book will keep you turning pages; Flight of Shadows is as haunting as it is intense. It paints a frightening picture of a near-future where boundaries are tested and broken.
Highly recommended. Sigmund Brouwer is the author of Broken Angel, as well as a number of other novels. You might want to check them out.
Mary Asher, the Golden Reviewer, is an 80 year old avid reader reviews the newest in Christian fiction and non-fiction with a sprinkle of the secular on top..
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
Plugged by Eoin Colfer
When I was a Middle School literature teacher I petitioned my Principal to change up the normal reading schedule, ditching Red Badge of Courage and bringing in a new series I found at the Scholastic warehouse: Artemis Fowl. My kids and I were in love from page one so I’ve been a fan of Eoin Colfer for years. This book is not Artemis Fowl. This book is piss, vinegar and vulgarity wrapped in laugh out loud funny.
Plugged
By Eoin Colfer
Read by John Keating
Overlook Hardcover & AudioGO
September 2011
Daniel McEvoy is a doorman at a zero star nightclub, Slotz, in New Jersey. Born in Ireland raised in the Army fighting in Lebanon, he is one tough bouncer. When his wanna-be girl Connie is found in the ally behind the club shot dead between the eyes, Daniel gets busy looking for the killer. Coincidentally, (or not,) Daniel earlier in the day had to kill a local mobster’s heavy at his doctor’s office on the way to getting more hair implants. Yes, “Plugged” refers to Daniel’s hair implants. It’s that kind of book.
Daniel struggles to find Connie’s killer, avoid the local mobster’s ire, and save the lives of those around him who couldn’t care less for him. His Doctor, Zeb, starts haunting Daniel’s thoughts in seemingly unhelpful ways. A detective tries to kill her partner and ends up shot herself. A local criminal lawyer needs his “product” picked up from local steroid dealers. All Daniel needs to do is find a way to live, save the lives of all those who can’t help themselves, find Zeb (alive, if possible,) and avoid jail. No big deal.
While you may read the quote on the cover – If you loved Artemis Fowl…It’s time to grow up! – you may be tempted not to take it seriously. You should. Because this book is way, way different!
Sure, Colfer’s humor and sarcasm is a huge part of this book, but what was unexpected was the vulgar language and topics. This isn’t noir so much as Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels on crack and required to curse at least twice a sentence. Consider how Daniel is introduced: he and his fellow bouncer are spending time determining if females they can see have implants, then Daniel is taken to an altercation that happens between previously mentioned criminal lawyer who has just licked the bottom of one of the hostesses at Slotz. It only get’s more raunchy from there.
There aren’t any graphic descriptions of sexuality or murder, as the goal of this book seems to be raunchy comedy instead of shock violence. F-bombs and more drop like frogs from the sky at an Egyptian apocalypse – ominous and unwelcome. And funny this book is! Very funny! I can’t remember the last time I laughed out loud so often. Unfortunately, I also can’t remember the last time I cringed so often reading a book either.
Colfer’s first “adult” book seems to be compensating for his “teen” and “children’s” novels and what he doesn’t realize is that he doesn’t need to. His children’s books are genius and he doesn’t have to prove anything. If Colfer intends to write books like this one going forward, then I’ll remember his previous books fondly and avoid his future work.
A note about the audio book: John Keating did a great job with accents and voice acting. It is so rare to get a good Irish accent, but this one was right on. Characters are well developed vocally. The audio book was actually more entertaining than reading the text!
Scott Asher is the Editor-in-Chief of BookGateway.com. His personal blog is AshertopiA – a land flowing with milk and honey… and a lot of sticky people where he cartoons and writes on Christianity, Zombies, and anything else he wants to.
