Blog Archives
Blackstone’s Law
Blackstone’s Law follows Elijah Ramirez, a young defense lawyer in Buffalo who stumbles into the case of Antoine Blackstone, a man who has spent twelve years in prison for a murder he insists he never committed. The story jumps between Elijah’s legal battles, the corrupt legacy of Detective Ralph Silas, and the tension between Buffalo’s criminal justice system and the communities harmed by it. By the time the truth about the case cracks open, Elijah finds not only a path to freeing Antoine but also a way to find himself after years of chasing prestige instead of purpose.
Author DB Easton’s writing moves quickly and has this natural rhythm that makes even the heavier scenes easy to fall into. I found myself rooting for Elijah early on, mostly because he starts out kind of cocky and comfortable, then slowly realizes how deeply he has to dig to be the lawyer he always thought he was. The scenes with Antoine in the prison visiting room got to me. Antoine comes across smart, tired, hopeful, and angry, all at once. When he starts talking about his life before his arrest, I felt that familiar twist in my stomach that comes from hearing something unfair but completely believable. The author does a great job showing how a single crooked cop can tilt an entire system off balance and how a whole city learns to either look away or make noise.
The plot tightens in the last stretch, and I found myself flipping pages fast. The courtroom moments, the media swarming Elijah, the tension around the investigation, all of it pulls together in a way that feels cinematic without losing the human parts. Blackstone’s Law sits comfortably alongside legal thrillers like The Lincoln Lawyer and Presumed Innocent, but it feels more grounded in everyday struggle than either of those. Easton gives the courtroom tension you’d expect, yet the book carries the emotional weight and social awareness you see in novels like Just Mercy, only with a faster and more commercial pace. It also shares some of the gritty big-city texture of Richard Price’s work, though the tone is warmer and more personal. Overall, it blends the slick entertainment of popular legal fiction with the heartfelt bite of stories that deal with wrongful convictions and the communities shaped by them.
I’d recommend Blackstone’s Law to anyone who likes legal thrillers with a little heart, readers who enjoy stories about flawed people trying to do right, and anyone curious about how the justice system can bend when the wrong person gets power. It’s gripping, emotional, and surprisingly warm in all the right places.
Pages: 284 | ASIN : B0G4NT9PBB
An Unsuitable Job
An Unsuitable Job drops readers straight into Josie MacFarland’s world and wastes no time showing the grit behind the glamour. The story follows Josie as she returns to the Harvey Company to serve as their first woman detective. A dead salesman, a scandal brewing in the Castañeda Hotel, and a tangle of secrets push her into danger and discovery. The pages move fast. The scenes glow with the heat of New Mexico. The world of Harvey Girls, rail travelers, cowboys, and local families feels alive and loud. The book reads like a window into 1930. The mystery unfolds piece by piece as Josie digs through gossip, grudges, and old wounds.
The style hit a sweet spot. Simple. Direct. No fluff. I liked how the dialogue carried the weight of the story. It felt crisp and quick. The emotions ran close to the surface. Josie’s tall presence, sharp eyes, and constant tug between courage and doubt made her easy to root for. I found myself grinning when she pushed back against people who underestimated her. I felt a pinch of sympathy when old mistakes nipped at her heels. The author paints these moments with an ease that makes the scenes sink in deep. The setting did a lot of lifting, too. The dusty roads. The clatter of the dining room. The smell of rain on sage.
Some moments caught me off guard. The tension between Josie and the sheriff had this spark that made me sit up straighter. The small flickers of jealousy or nerves or pride made the characters feel relatable. I also liked the way the story let the gossip swirl. Secrets traveled in whispers. People watched over their shoulders. The book didn’t shout its themes. It let them simmer. Women are boxed in by rules. Power running quietly through a small town. What people hide to keep the peace. The mystery itself moved with a steady beat. No rush. No drag. Just enough clues to keep me leaning forward.
This was a satisfying read. The story wrapped up in a way that felt clean but still left room for more. I could picture Josie walking off in her trench coat, not done with danger yet. I would recommend An Unsuitable Job to readers who like cozy mysteries with a little grit. Anyone who enjoys historical settings. Anyone who likes strong women who push back when they are told to stay quiet. It is a book for people who want quick pacing paired with warm character work. I enjoyed it, and I think many others will too.
Pages: 280 | ASIN : B0FQYRCBNH
The Long Game
The Long Game is a dark and twisty crime thriller that follows Detective Inspector Michael Dack as he hunts for the people behind a series of disappearances and murders of young girls in London. The story widens fast. What begins as a grim investigation becomes a deep dive into trafficking, corruption, and the awful truth that some monsters hide behind polished shoes and important titles. The book moves through police politics, secret operations, and terrible betrayals, all while pushing Dack into situations that test every part of him.
The writing is punchy and quick, and it doesn’t waste time easing into a scene. It throws you in, cold water to the face. Sometimes the dialogue hit hard and felt real. Other times, it came across a bit theatrical, like people knew they were standing under a spotlight. Still, the energy made it fun. I loved the way tension simmered through even the quieter chapters. I could almost feel the weight on Dack’s shoulders. I caught myself clenching my jaw more than once.
I’ll be honest, though. The book made me uneasy at points. Not because of the writing, but because of the subject matter. It pushes you into rooms you don’t want to imagine. It shows people who feel frighteningly believable in their cruelty. I admired that the story didn’t shy away from horror or emotion. The pacing kept me reading faster than I expected. The emotional gut punches landed, especially whenever the victims came into focus.
The Long Game hits with the same gritty punch as thrillers like The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Reacher series, but it dives even deeper into the shadows where power, corruption, and human cruelty collide. I’d recommend The Long Game to readers who enjoy crime fiction with grit, speed, and a healthy dose of anger at the world. If you like stories where the hero crawls through darkness to drag the truth into the light, this one will keep you turning pages.
Pages 304 | ASIN : B0DYYZ3NY1
Exploring Fear
Fear Struck follows a crime writer who, while writing his latest murder mystery, has his door broken down by police and is arrested for a murder that looks like one of the scenes in his book. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
As a writer, I often feel like a conduit for someone else’s ideas, with words flowing so quickly that I sometimes wonder where they are coming from. This experience sparked a question for me: what if a writer suddenly became the instrument for someone else’s story in a very real and dangerous way? This personal connection to the story became the seed for Fear-Struck and its psychological thriller setup.
The truth is, many of my novels begin with a simple “what if.” Whispering Lessons is a good example. I asked myself, what if someone had secretly followed Jesse James and his gang, watched them bury their stolen treasure, and then dug it up after they rode away? Could that be why so many of those legendary treasures have never been found? Those two words, “what if,” open the door to endless possibilities, and they are often the starting point for my strongest storylines.
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
There are so many layers to the human condition that writers need to pay attention to, because those layers are what make fiction feel real. In Fear-Struck, I delved deep into the debilitating impact fear can have on a person. It doesn’t just consume the main character. The suspect gets overwhelmed by it, too. Even the people in the prison around him react out of fear.
Fear is universal. It shapes decisions, drives behavior, and sometimes clouds judgment. Our minds are incredibly powerful, and our thoughts can either protect us or harm us. In this story, fear becomes almost a character in its own right, influencing everyone in its path. That kind of emotional truth, rooted in what people really experience, is what makes fiction resonate.
When you first sat down to write this story, did you know where you were going, or did the twists come as you were writing?
For Fear-Struck, I actually did know the storyline before I began writing. That is unusual for me, as I am not usually a plotter, but in this case, I could clearly see the characters and the journey ahead of them. I knew the ending, and I knew how I wanted to move from the moment of the arrest all the way to the final reveal.
What mattered most to me was exploring fear, not just telling a crime story. I wanted to look at how fear shapes people from the inside out. The reviews have been incredible, and many readers mention how closely they connect with the characters and their reactions. I think that connection exists because fear is something we all face in one way or another. It is a profound human experience, and that truth comes through in the story.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I am currently writing Book Two in the series. It starts as Kutter is still dealing with the emotional aftermath of what happened in Book One, where he was arrested for a murder that resembled a scene in his own book. These lingering effects push him into a situation unlike anything he has ever faced before. This new challenge forces him to grow in unexpected ways.
In this next installment, Kutter, the main character from Fear-Struck, finds himself sitting across from an unapologetic and prideful serial killer. His personal revulsion toward this man directly clashes with his responsibility to uncover the names of the victims. That internal battle is something many of us understand, because we all face moments where our emotions collide with what we know we must do.
I am thrilled to share that I am aiming to have the next book ready for readers in early 2026. I cannot wait to continue Kutter’s journey and share the next chapter with you all.
Author Interview: GoodReads | BlueSky | Facebook | Pinterest | Website
Detective Tweed believes Kutter’s pages hold the truth. Kutter swears he’s innocent. Yet with each revelation, a darker reality emerges—one bound to him by blood.
Relentless and chilling, Fear Struck will keep you guessing until the final, shocking twist.
Polar Deception
Polar Deception is a tense eco-thriller set in a future shaped by environmental collapse, geopolitical fractures, and the discovery of powerful red crystals hidden beneath the Antarctic ice. The story weaves together the ruthless ambitions of Dr. Carlos Perez, the quiet moral struggle of Dr. Omar Hasson, the grief-stricken journey of Diana Harris, and the covert operations of CIA agents racing to keep the crystals from falling into the wrong hands. What begins as a scientific mystery quickly turns into a globe-spanning battle over technology, survival, and the fragile state of a warming world.
This book never quite let me catch my breath. The writing hit me with sharp images and simple but striking language, and I found myself leaning in, eager for the next twist. I liked how the tension inside the Antarctic station simmered from the first pages. Perez’s obsession unsettled me, and the cold brutality of his choices made my stomach tighten. Then the narrative shifted to Diana, and the tone softened. Her grief carried real weight. I felt that heaviness in her cramped apartment, in the unopened boxes, in the way she talked to her dog like he was holding her together. That contrast between danger and vulnerability gave the whole story a pulse that grabbed me.
There were moments when the ideas themselves hit harder than the plot. The book dives into rare earth scarcity, global power struggles, broken technology, and the desperation that follows. I found myself thinking about how easily science can become a bargaining chip when the world gets shaky. Some scenes made me angry as characters manipulated research for profit or control. Other scenes made me hopeful when people showed loyalty and courage despite everything falling apart around them. I liked how the author slipped in social commentary without making it feel preachy. It felt real. Messy. Relatable.
The story delivered high stakes, a fast pace, and characters who stayed in my head. I’d recommend Polar Deception to readers who enjoy eco-thrillers, survival stories, and science-driven mysteries. It felt like a blend of the high-stakes environmental urgency of The Day After Tomorrow and the globe-spanning intrigue of The Da Vinci Code while carrying the character-driven emotional weight you’d find in The Martian.
Pages: 506 | ASIN : B0FRB6XPYV
The Moaning Lisa
The Moaning Lisa follows Paco and Molly LeSoto, an older married pair of sleuths who land in the middle of a disturbing mystery inside the Gilded Gates assisted living community. A missing resident. Strange moans in the night. A stone turret that hides something far worse than dust and spiders. The story builds piece by piece as Paco and Molly tug at each loose thread until the whole place starts to unravel around them. It is a classic cozy mystery with a darker edge, tied together by the couple’s warmth, humor, and stubborn grit.
I felt surprisingly swept up in the tone of the book. The writing moves with an easy rhythm that let me sink into the world without thinking too hard about it. Sometimes the dialogue cracked me up with its little quirks, especially Molly’s playful mangling of words. Other times, the tension tightened just enough to make me pause. The setting also hit me in a way I did not expect. There is something both comforting and spooky about an assisted living home that tries very hard to look polished while hiding secrets in back stairwells. I found myself rooting for Paco and Molly, not just because they are skilled, but because they feel so relatable, creaky knees and all.
There were moments when the plot leaned into familiar mystery beats, and I caught myself predicting turns before they landed. Still, I did not mind much. The charm of the story is not in shocking twists. It is in how the characters bounce off one another and how their age actually shapes the plot, rather than sitting in the background. I liked that. It made the danger feel different. Slower. Closer. The book also has a gentle emotional core. It touches on loneliness, trust, and the strange little worlds older adults create around themselves. That part stuck with me more than I expected.
I would recommend The Moaning Lisa to readers who enjoy light mysteries with heart. It is especially good for fans of amateur sleuth stories, cozy mysteries with an eerie twist, or tales featuring older protagonists who still have fire in them. If you want something that feels warm but still gives you a few chills, this book will hit the spot.
Pages: 234 | ASIN : B0FJ4WVHYQ
BLOOD OF YARUMAYA
Blood of Yarumaya by Kevin D. Miller follows Isabella Delgado. She’s a wealthy botany student from Malibu who travels to the Amazon rainforest for an internship. Her mentor is Dr. Dominic Quinn. He’s a brilliant but secretive scientist who appears much younger than he is. They discover a complex biological secret to anti-aging that involves rare tree resin and special bees. A corrupt politician named Julio Ortega wants this secret for his own gain. He hires mercenaries to attack the indigenous Kawirén tribe to get it. Izzy must use her newfound survival skills to save Quinn and protect the forest from destruction.
I found the character arc of Isabella surprisingly engaging. She starts the story as a somewhat entitled gymnast. She quickly transforms into a capable survivor. Her growth felt earned rather than just given to her. The romance between her and Quinn is sweet. It also carries a unique tension due to his actual age versus his appearance. I felt genuine anxiety during the raid on the village. Miller does a wonderful job of making you care about the Kawirén people. You desperately want them to survive the encroaching threats of the modern world.
The book tackles heavy themes like deforestation and corporate greed head-on. I appreciated this direct approach because it did not feel overly preachy. The science behind the longevity serum was fascinating to me. I loved the twist with the “rapid aging” weapon used against Ortega near the end. It was a satisfying bit of poetic justice.
I enjoyed this thrilling adventure. It carries a real emotional punch that stuck with me. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy fast-paced eco-thrillers. Fans of adventure stories with a strong romantic subplot will also like it. It is a perfect read for anyone who has ever dreamed of escaping civilization to find something deeper in the wild.
Pages: 310 | ASIN : B0FTMC4WGN
Fear Struck
Fear Struck was intense and emotionally powerful, and also kind of creepy. It starts with Orson Kutter, a crime writer whose imagination bleeds a little too close to real life. One minute he’s hammering away on his keyboard, writing about murder and mystery, and the next, the cops are breaking down his door and slapping cuffs on him for killings that look suspiciously like scenes from his books. It’s one of those stories where reality and fiction twist around each other until you’re not sure which one’s real anymore. The whole setup feels like watching someone slowly wake up inside their own nightmare. It’s dark, smart, and honestly a little creepy in that “am I next?” kind of way.
I’ll be honest, this book made me anxious in the best way. I love a good murder mystery, and Fear Struck doesn’t just give you one, it gives you layers of them. I kept trying to guess if Kutter was guilty, if he was being framed, or if he was losing his mind. The writing pulls you into his paranoia so deeply that you start feeling trapped with him. The scenes in the jail, the smell of sweat and fear, the endless echoes, I could almost hear it. The story moves fast, but not in a shallow way. Every chapter left me thinking, “Okay, just one more,” until it was 2 a.m. and I was questioning my life choices. What really hooked me, though, was how Oliver plays with the line between author and character, fiction and truth. It’s almost meta, but not in a pretentious way.
The writing is really sharp. I like how Oliver doesn’t waste time with fancy words or filler. It’s cinematic, full of tension, and just messy enough to feel real. There were moments where I felt sick for Kutter, moments where I didn’t trust him at all, and moments where I wanted to scream at everyone around him for being blind. That’s good storytelling. Some parts slowed a little, sure, and a few twists I saw coming, but the emotion stayed raw. There’s this heavy mix of guilt, fear, and desperation that makes the book feel alive.
If you like stories that make your heart race and your brain spin, this one’s for you. Fear Struck is perfect for murder mystery junkies who like their thrillers dark, psychological, and just a little too close to home. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys Gone Girl or Misery but wants something with its own strange heartbeat.
Pages: 392 | ASIN : B0FRRK8HGX
LITERARY TITAN 