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Calypso Blue: A Len Buonfiglio/Caribbean Mystery
Calypso Blue is a murder mystery set on the lush and vividly imagined Caribbean island of St. Pierre. The story follows Len Buonfiglio, a former New York bartender turned island bar owner, who is reluctantly drawn into a local web of secrets, violence, and intrigue after the suspicious death of Lord Ram, a beloved calypso legend. As the island buzzes with rumors and buried histories start to surface, Len navigates local culture, his own past, and a cast of unforgettable characters to piece together the truth. All the while, the book pulses with the rhythm of soca, rum punch, and the heady, sometimes seedy charm of island life.
The writing is slick, confident, and casually poetic in spots, with Silverman painting scenes that feel both intimate and expansive. What stood out to me most was the deep emotional undercurrent. Len isn’t your average amateur sleuth. He’s haunted, tired, and trying hard not to admit how much he cares. I found myself rooting for him even when he seemed too worn out to root for himself. And the dialogue is sharp, funny, and soaked in local flavor. It felt real, not forced. The island, with all its beauty and bite, practically becomes a character in itself.
I didn’t always feel the plot moved as swiftly as I wanted, especially when the book leans into Len’s reflections or side conversations. But even then, there’s a richness to the detours, whether it’s a discussion about calypso lyrics or a strange bottle of vermouth left on a doorstep, the atmosphere always pulls you back in. It’s a story that trusts its characters and its setting to carry the weight, and mostly, they do.
Calypso Blue is an intriguing whodunit. It’s a meditation on regret, redemption, and the thin line between paradise and ruin. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys mysteries with heart, vivid settings, and characters that stay with you after the last page. Perfect for fans of Caribbean noir, or anyone who wants to feel the heat of an island mystery without leaving their chair. It’s not a beach read, it’s a beach experience.
Pages: 277 | ASIN : B0F2S5TPW8
THE CALL OF ABADDON
The Call of Abaddon is a dark and deeply imaginative sci-fi thriller that follows Jason, a gifted young scavenger in a crumbling, post-apocalyptic Earth. Haunted by mysterious psychic voices, he and his ragtag team, his snarky brother David, the cool-headed warrior Sam, a charming robot named Talos, and others, venture into the deadly undercity ruins of New Toronto. Along the way, they uncover tech relics, battle infected machines, and confront a terrifying force known as Abaddon, which seems tied to Jason’s dark past and immense psychic power. With a powerful blend of dystopian survival, supernatural mystery, and fast-paced action, the novel builds toward a cosmic-scale threat that only Jason might be able to stop.
I loved how lived-in the world feels. Colin Searle vividly describes a decaying megacity. The dialogue is snappy and real, especially between Jason and David, who constantly needle each other like real siblings. And Sam is just a total badass. Their banter and quirks give the story heart, even when the stakes get terrifying. The tech and world-building are deep without being exhausting, and the tension ramps up fast. I could almost smell the ozone when Talos powered up his weapons or feel the chill when Abaddon whispered from the shadows. It’s that good. I’ll admit, the action scenes get a bit chaotic at times, but I’d take that over sterile precision any day.
What hit hardest, though, were the emotional beats. Jason isn’t just battling aliens or viruses. He’s fighting his own fractured mind. The scenes where Abaddon claws into his thoughts gave me goosebumps. And that growing fear that maybe you’re not in control anymore? That freaked me out. Searle really nails the horror of losing your grip on yourself. At the same time, the bond between the characters, their loyalty, their scars, their bad jokes, kept pulling me back from the edge. It’s a rough, painful, sometimes funny ride that asks big questions without preaching. What makes a person human? What’s worth saving in a world that’s already lost so much?
I’d recommend The Call of Abaddon to anyone who loves gritty sci-fi with a human soul. If you liked Mass Effect, The Expanse, or even the psychological messiness of Evangelion, this one will grab you by the collar. It’s dark, intense, and full of heart. Fans of high-stakes salvage runs, haunted psyches, and sentient evil lurking in the walls? This is your next obsession.
Pages: 414 | ASIN : B0F8PBT974
LITERARY TITAN 