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Homecoming Heist
Four men. Four desperate situations. How far would you go to keep a roof over your head? This is the question posed in Tyson Collin’s crime thriller, Homecoming Heist. Centered around our downtrodden protagonists, each man is pushed to his end when the economic situation of their dwindling, rural town threatens his livelihood.
Bo, a down-on-his-luck real estate developer can feel the hounds at the bank breathing down his neck just as another deal falls through the cracks. Doug, an unemployed ex-con, is simply trying to look after his brother’s son after several stints left him unable to raise the orphaned child, now a young man who grew up in the foster system. Steve, Doug’s nephew, has no job prospects to replace the anger constantly coursing through him from losing both his parents at a young age. Phil, a recovering alcoholic turned AA sponsor, has also seen better days and could use a windfall after years of battling addiction.
Desperation forces them to band together when a series of unfortunate events pushes them to cook up the biggest money heist their small Missouri town has ever seen. The play is sure to solve all their financial problems, but will they be able to pull it off without getting caught, or killed?
Readers will immediately be sucked into this spellbinding heist novel. I really enjoyed the intriguing depth that each character develops throughout the story. This adds much more suspense once the action picked up because I was so invested in the characters. The story reminded me of the American neo-western crime drama Hell or Highwater; compelling because you care about the characters.
Readers follow the band of thieves throughout their scheming, which is all planned out during the distraction of their local high school’s homecoming celebrations. This is a suspenseful novel with a variety of twists that I never saw coming but thoroughly enjoyed. Things quickly go sideways, leaving every man’s freedom in jeopardy. When tragedy strikes, will our antiheroes be able to overcome it or will they have to pay the ultimate price? After getting a little more than halfway through Homecoming Heist I found it hard to put down.
Pages: 261 | ASIN: B0BF2SS5B8
Even a Pandemic Can’t Stop Love and Murder
Tormented by a problematic past, Alby O’Brian hides in Southern New Jersey avoiding terrorists that he encountered in Iraq. But the troubling memories remain and haunt him. Alby attempts to reclaim a low-key life working under the table as a repairman, staying out of sight as much as possible. Consequently, his past catches up to him. He is shaken, realizing that he might still be risking the lives of all those that mean the most to him.
Even a Pandemic Can’t Stop Love & Murder by A.E.S O’Neill shares the thrilling story of a man named Alby who is attempting to seek emancipation from a troubled past in Iraq, and instead, ends up mixed up with the mob. Alby gets blamed when the mob’s bank is robbed, and he must find the missing item before he becomes the next victim of the mob hitman. This is a suspenseful setup to the novel that I really enjoyed.
In all this, he unexpectedly meets Ginger, a dancer that instantly attracts and consumes all of Alby’s thoughts. He becomes more vigilant about the risks he would inadvertently subject her to. As Alby tries to navigate his own safety and those around him, he dwells on the consequences of his choices. I really liked the interesting dynamic between these characters.
A.E.S O’Neill has based this story on a real-life narrative as told by his father on the violence of a mob bank. He draws on real sentiments and reflects them in Alby as a man who is psychologically torn by his past. The juxtaposition of love and crime is an interesting take, which permeates emotion while sustaining an atmosphere of tension and suspense.
Even a Pandemic Can’t Stop Love & Murder composes a perfect balance between love and crime. Readers will be drawn into the world of the mob, the suspense, and thrills of being on the run, and the excitement of trying to survive. The first book in the trilogy will captivate readers and have them waiting on edge for book two.
Pages: 343 | ASIN : B09JVGF9KQ
The Brooch Heist
![The Brooch Heist: The modern crime story (The Brooch Heist Crime Thriller Series Book 1) by [Anna Varlese]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51rqBW3JuHL.jpg)
Life changes in an instant. Yesterday, Ekaterina was an heiress to one of the oldest noble families in Russia, famous for her alpine climbing. Now, she’s going by Bob, partnered with a group of criminals to steal some valuable artifacts before she herself is stolen. Ekaterina just wants to return a priceless artifact to her grandmother. Part of a collection that has long since been scattered across the world, a precious malachite is all the remains in the family’s possession. After it is stolen, with no way to have the police involved, Ekaterina vows to get it back into her grandmother’s possession… except it dos not turn out that way. Now, with an infuriating “fixer” named Daniel chasing at her heels and a dangerous crime boss making attempts on her life, Ekaterina finds that death-defying climbing is much easier than real life.
From the very first chapter of this crime thriller I knew I was in for a wild ride. As a fan of fast paced books, this heist story certainly did not disappoint. Author Anna Varlese has done an excellent job bringing her characters to life and setting them on relentless and perilous path that is always moving forward and is easily entertaining.
The Brooch Heist is an exciting and fast paced action novel and the ending has me wanting to read more of the mischief that Ekaterina gets into. While I enjoyed the story, I felt that the formatting of the book could have been improved, but otherwise it was not too distracting.
The engaging characters, intriguing plot, and complicated antagonists are all wonderfully set up. Anna Varlese certainly knows how to write a good story. The Brooch Heist is the beginning of what promises to be a suspenseful and entertaining crime series that will keep action-adventure fans hooked.
Pages: 317 | ASIN: B09HRF1FGD
A u 7 9: A Tracker Novel
![A u 7 9: A Tracker Novel by [Dickason, Anita]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/513BinUxx0L.jpg)
Stuart Dyson of the Laredo ATF is missing, and his girlfriend, Tracy, an officer with the Laredo police department, just may know more than she is willing to share with the men and women dedicated to finding Stuart. When the FBI Trackers are assigned Stuart’s case, Tracy cooperates while running her own investigation on the side. The Trackers are a specialized unit within in the FBI and have a stunning track record of successes. They are Stuart’s best hope, but they can barely do their job for keeping Tracy in check. When the entire investigation hinges on determining the significance of a note scrap reading “27.43 pounds”, the Trackers find themselves fighting against the clock to rescue not only Stuart but Tracy as well.
Anita Dickason’s A u 7 9 is a unique brand of thriller. The FBI Trackers embody all of the mind-blowing aspects of the FBI, and Nicki Allison stands out among the members of the team. Her dedication to each investigation knows no boundaries, including sleep. Dickason paints a vivid picture of Nicki as she manipulates her way through staggering amounts of data to pinpoint needed evidence. She is a character to be admired.
Eddie Owens, the young reporter receiving anonymous tips as to Stuart’s possible involvement in his own disappearance, plays a key role throughout the book. Not one of the characters readers might put a lot of stock in at the outset of the book, Eddie becomes more and more colorful as the chapters pass. Eddie easily stands as my favorite character from A u 7 9.
I appreciate the way Dickason stretches out each discovery and keeps readers guessing regarding the meaning of the “27.43 pounds.” As each character ponders the meaning and subsequent research is conducted by the Trackers, the reader becomes increasingly invested in finding out how something so seemingly insignificant could impact Stuart and the fight to find him before his time runs out.
I am not sure I can remember the last thriller I read that has such a satisfying way of slowly revealing the connection between the title and the book’s plot. I kept trying to guess the significance of A u 7 9 to the sequence of events and was pleasantly surprised at the ultimate reveal. Dickason pulls together the plot and title in a unique and refreshing way.
Dickason’s writing is engaging to say the least. Many times, books of this genre can be heavy on narrative. Dickason, however, provides the perfect blend of dialogue and narrative adding to the overall depth of her characters.
As far as crime thrillers go, Dickason has hit it out of the park. The team of Trackers who serve as her main characters do not disappoint, consistently provide suspense, drama, and humor. Any fan of crime dramas/mysteries will be drawn to both the writing style and the engaging plot of A u 7 9. Dickason’s own background in law enforcement plays heavily into her writing and makes for a book no fan of crime thrillers will be able to forget.
Pages: 315 | ASIN: B07CWG4DD5
The Voynich Gambit
Author Quintin Peterson returns from Guarding Shakespeare with his next enthralling piece of crime heist fiction, The Voynich Gambit. The cunning mind of Special Police Officer Lt. Norman Blalock is put to the test when a slew of D.C.’s most infamous artifact dealers set their sights on a mysterious treasure of immense value, the Voynich Manuscript. Blalock must outwit and outmaneuver enemies from all angles in this gripping noir tale of mystery, motive, and deceit. True to style, Peterson beautifully weaves the rich history of The Folger Shakespeare Library and the manuscript into the gritty drive of its ruthless pursuers. The Voynich Gambit is an epic tale of cat-and-mouse, arguably fit for a play by the Bard himself.
The novel is set in a bustling modern day D.C., a mecca of polished skyscrapers, historic landmarks, and endless traffic. Peterson’s vivid imagery is infused throughout the novel, generously describing the luxury of these looming buildings. At the Folger Shakespeare Library in downtown, Lieutenaunt Norman Blalock has been working as a security guard for over two decades, protecting its treasures from the likes of handsy museum-goers and would-be theives alike. His seasoned tenure makes him a trusted employee to the security staff, but it also makes him an invaluable asset to Rupert Whyte, an aristocratic con-artist who is scheming up a heist fit for the history books. Whyte reads from the pages like a regular King Pin – a ruthless blueblood brimming with determination for ill-gotten gains. When he requests that Blalock palm the Voynich Manuscript, an ancient archive of medical knowledge, Blalock must decide where his true loyalties lie – in riches or in righteousness. This is a conflict as old as time, weighing greed against integrity, and Norman is no exception to this struggle.
To complicate matters even more, the buxom beauty Kavitha Netram has arrived at Blalock’s door, suitcase in hand. Kavitha certainly has the looks to be a trophy wife, but Norman must trust his instinct that she’s here for much more than just a cuddle buddy. As their relationship begins to develop, author Peterson injects a modest amount of cheeky pop culture into the mix, noting some current brands along with a famous U2 song. These moments of reference feel quirky and endearing, and offer a refreshing change of tone from the steep historical passages. Don’t be surprised to find yourself absent-mindedly humming along to “With or Without You” as you read along.
As it becomes obvious to Norman that Rupert Whyte isn’t the only artifact dealer dipping his hands into the cookie jar, he must strive to stay two steps ahead of this dangerous game of fidelity and fortune. Peterson’s quick writing style will keep you engaged, even through the varying pace of lavish history and casual conversation. Peterson writes confidently, and it’s admittedly impressive how far his knowledge seems to spread. Art, history, crime, action, and romance – The Voynich Gambit honestly has it all. I would heartily recommend it to any fellow lovers of the noir style.
Pages: 152 | ASIN: B072BHSNKZ
LITERARY TITAN 