Blog Archives
Haunting Pasts
In Haunting Pasts, Trevor Wiltzen crafts an engaging tale of mystery, courage, and resilience. The protagonist, Mabel Davison, is a multifaceted character with roles as diverse as motherhood, entrepreneurship, and amateur detective work. Her acute intellect, indomitable resolve, and astute intuition characterize her. Unpopular among the townsfolk due to an inadvertent bust of a local drug ring, Mabel nonetheless perseveres in her pursuit of justice. Unfazed by the societal backlash, she relentlessly delves into a troubling situation of disappearances afflicting young women in her town.
The storyline propels forward on the strength of a primary lead, a gang member Mabel had previously helped incarcerate. As Mabel uncovers a trail littered with deception and tantalizing hints of the truth, she finds herself on a chilling collision course with a serial killer.
Haunting Pasts offers a riveting experience, masterfully challenging the reader’s perception of time, trust, and reality. Wiltzen’s prose exudes magnetism, effortlessly drawing readers into an immersive narrative environment. His adept manipulation of time, seamlessly entwining past and present, breathes life into the characters, making their tribulations tangible and their residual trauma palpable.
The plot’s architecture is meticulous and true to the essence of detective fiction. Wiltzen has the ability to create an intricate jigsaw puzzle, each piece slotting into place as the narrative unfolds. As a result, observing the broader picture materialize is a uniquely satisfying experience, despite some periods of slower pacing as the narrative meticulously lays down plot details. These lulls are swiftly eclipsed by the mounting suspense and intrigue that ratchet up as the plot advances.
The exploration of the central theme of ‘haunting pasts’ offers a compelling, if straightforward, examination of psychological trauma and its aftermath. Wiltzen’s approach is accessible, potentially inviting a broader audience to engage with these complex themes. For connoisseurs of the psychological thriller genre, the familiarity of certain plot elements may offer a comforting echo of classic narratives, providing a sense of nostalgia and grounding in well-trodden thematic terrain.
Haunting Pasts comes highly recommended for those looking to dip their toes into the genre or enthusiasts of 80s investigative dramas. Trevor Wiltzen’s novel is a thrilling and immersive journey into the heart of a small town riddled with dark secrets.
Pages: 318 | ASIN : B0BVJZ5S7S
A Lesson in Woo-Woo and Murder
In A Lesson in Woo-Woo and Murder, author David Unger introduces us to David, an unconventional therapist who accompanies his clients on offbeat adventures. Invited by Eve and Sheridan to attend The Whole Life Expo—a diverse gathering of vendors specializing in the new age, natural health, metaphysical, and even extraterrestrial subjects. While not David’s usual interests, he finds himself being drawn into this world and starting to believe. Soon, however, he finds himself embroiled in a mysterious death that may not be an accident.
Unger’s writing style is both witty and direct, immediately drawing the reader into the world of the quirky protagonist, David. By telling the story from David’s perspective, the reader gains an intimate understanding of his thoughts and outlook on events. Unger masterfully sets up the murder mystery at the New Age convention and builds tension throughout the narrative, keeping readers on their toes with unexpected twists. Unger adds some romance in with a psychic foretelling that romance is in his future, though David is skeptical at best when receiving this news.
The novel’s exploration of New Age topics adds a refreshing and engaging dimension to the story, which many readers may find relatable and intriguing. In addition, the diverse cast of characters, such as aura-reading Eve and fortune-telling Madame Vadama, further contribute to the story’s mystique. Initially skeptical of their abilities, David begins to question the reality of their supernatural talents, and readers are drawn deeper into the story’s enigmatic atmosphere.
A Lesson in Woo-Woo and Murder is a distinctive and entertaining amateur sleuths mystery. This engaging novel is highly recommended for those seeking a satisfying and open-minded literary experience.
Pages: 254 | ASIN : B0BSRKGD37
Sparky of Bunker Hill and the Cold Kid Case
Sparky of Bunker Hill and the Cold Kid Case is a captivating tale that transports readers to 1932 Los Angeles. This engrossing story follows the journey of an 11-year-old girl named Sparky, a street-smart and resolute young girl who unwittingly becomes the prime suspect in the murder of a young blonde girl she found dead on a bench. The story begins on her birthday when she had saved up a box of sweets to celebrate her special day. However, her birthday takes a drastic turn when she finds herself accused of a crime she did not commit.
Author Rosalind Barden’s writing had me hooked from the first page, and Sparky’s character immediately drew me in. The author has done an excellent job of painting a vivid picture of the buildings and characters, making them easy to visualize. Tootsie’s character adds an interesting layer to the story, and her home is described in such detail that it feels like a character itself. The food Sparky is offered at Tootsie’s house is also beautifully described, making the reader’s mouth water. Sparky’s character is tough and independent, but the author has also demonstrated that she has a kind heart that she tries to keep hidden. This makes her a lovable character, and the reader cannot help but root for her as she tries to solve the case and live her life without fear. The mystery in this story is expertly crafted, pulling the reader in and keeping them gripped until the very end. The suspense is palpable, making it difficult to put the book down. I found myself constantly wanting to know what would happen next and how the story would unfold.
Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well-written, suspenseful mystery. Sparky of Bunker Hill and the Cold Kid Case is a page-turner that will leave readers eager for more.
Pages: 218 | ASIN : B07H49P46T
Ruby Roy and The Murder in the Falls
Ruby Roy and the Murder in the Falls follows Dr. Ruby Roy through her first real-life murder mystery. Ruby is a twenty-nine-year-old college professor at Baron University. She’s absent-minded, has an overactive imagination, and is a lover of mystery. As a junior professor, she wants to make sure she doesn’t rock the boat so she can make tenure, but when she finds her Chair dead, she fears for her life.
Author Rima Ray has given readers a female sleuth that they are sure to fall in love with. She’s sharp, quirky, absent-minded, and has an imagination that gets away from her. Ruby is the type of protagonist you root for and believe in, even when she is afraid of nearly everything. All of this makes her feel a little less heroic but she is so much more authentic and relatable because of it. She is someone you can imagine exists in real life, rather than someone who is larger than life. She doesn’t want to rock the boat so it takes her a while to start investigating the mystery, but whether delving into the mystery or living her life she is a character that is oh so charming and fun to follow.
The story moves quickly, as the author knows how to balance exposition and action, giving readers the right amount information in the beginning of the novel to keep us engaged and get to know Ruby before we begin our descent into the depths of this intriguing cozy-mystery.
I enjoyed how well developed the characters in the story were, especially the organic way they are introduced. Reading about Ruby’s character was so fascinating to me as she is so different from the usual protagonists we find in murder mystery stories. I love her quirkiness! I felt like I was a friend of Ruby’s alongside her on this scary but fascinating experience.
Rima Ray has created a memorable character that readers will love to follow as they descend into the depths of this puzzling mystery. I highly recommend this book to readers looking for a light and refreshing book that will make you smile while reading it.
Pages: 244 | ASIN: B09YCPX979
LITERARY TITAN 