Blog Archives
Tracking Ariana
Tracking Ariana opens with a quiet spring afternoon that turns into a nightmare. Ariana Wilkinson, a young Afghan immigrant and mother of two, is detained after an Eid celebration, swept up with other families by ICE despite carrying full legal documentation. Her husband Joe, a newly retired Air Force colonel returning from deployment, arrives home to find his wife and children missing, sparking a desperate search. Meanwhile, attorney Seth Bodner and private investigator Dan Burnett begin uncovering the political machinery and secrecy behind the detentions. The story moves quickly, shifting between Ariana’s terror, Joe’s rising panic, and the investigative puzzle unfolding around them.
I felt pulled in by the writing’s straightforward, almost unvarnished style. The chapters move fast, and the scenes stack tension one on top of the next. The emotional beats land without feeling forced. Ariana’s fear hit me hardest. Her instinctive scanning for danger. Her remorse at wearing a hijab. Her panic as ICE officers question her. These moments felt raw and personal, and they gave me a knot in my stomach. Joe’s chapters brought a different kind of emotional punch. His transition from joyful anticipation to helpless dread felt honest, especially when he struggles to calm his children or walks into an empty house that should have held a reunion.
I also liked how the story brings in bigger themes without sounding preachy. There’s anger simmering under the surface. There’s confusion, too, and the sense that the characters are caught in a machine much larger than themselves. Watching Seth and Dan pull together scraps of information while the government stonewalls them made me feel both frustrated and invested. The narrative balances personal drama with political suspense in a way that feels accessible. I found myself rooting for everyone to just catch a break. The pacing keeps rising, and even the quieter scenes carry tension because the stakes never let up.
By the end of what I read, I felt fully locked into the characters’ emotional worlds, and that’s what made the story work for me. If you enjoy thrillers rooted in family, justice, and real-world tension, this book is a strong pick. It’s especially good for readers who like fast pacing, clear writing, and stories that weave personal stakes with political complications.
Pages: 272 | ASIN: B0FYZNJ81B
Breath Play
Breath Play is a mystery-thriller that follows Dan Burnett, a retired NYPD detective turned private investigator, as he uncovers the chilling pattern of murdered young nurses whose bodies wash ashore along Long Island Sound. While juggling a budding romance with his girlfriend Mia and supporting his daughter Hannah in her new career, Dan finds himself unable to resist the pull of a developing serial killer case. As each victim’s backstory is revealed, and the investigation tightens around eerie patterns and disturbing truths, the book builds a slow, suspenseful momentum filled with quiet tension and emotional depth.
I enjoyed the way the book mixes the peaceful rhythm of Dan’s post-retirement life with the unsettling presence of violent crime. The writing is smooth and conversational. Like listening to someone recount an incredible story. The dialogue is natural, the pacing is just right, and the scenes between Dan and Mia are some of the most intimate I’ve read, not just physically, but emotionally. The sensual moments don’t feel forced; they feel like part of a very real, very lived-in relationship. That kind of emotional realism adds a weight to the story that goes beyond solving murders.
What I appreciated was how the story took its time, weaving in layers of Dan’s life beyond the central investigation. The car theft subplot, in particular, added depth and a welcome change of pace, giving us a fuller picture of Dan’s world and the kind of cases he handles. It might not have been directly tied to the serial killer thread, but that contrast made the darker moments hit even harder. The life of a PI isn’t just one mystery at a time, and Terhaar captures that beautifully. The suspense crept in slowly, building until I realized I was completely hooked. And those Elsa Nordstrom reports are absolute gut-punches. They brought the victims to life in a way that was deeply moving.
This book isn’t just for crime fiction fans, it’s for readers who love characters with heart, quiet moments that carry weight, and thrillers that don’t rely on explosions to keep your attention. If you’re someone who enjoys character-driven mysteries with a slow burn and a touch of romance, Breath Play will stick with you. It’s warm, dark, tender, and smart. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a mystery that feels personal.
Pages: 229 | ASIN : B0FH7MLZGK
AGAINST THE BLUE WALL: A Dan Burnett Thriller
Larry Terhaar’s Against The Blue Wall is a gripping and unapologetically raw novel that tackles systemic racism and police brutality with a hard-hitting narrative. The story revolves around the brutal beating of Jerome Jordan, a young Black man, at the hands of two police officers during a routine traffic stop. As the case unfolds, former NYPD detective-turned-private investigator Dan Burnett takes on the task of uncovering the truth. What he finds shakes him to the core, forcing him to confront his own past and the “Blue Wall of Silence” that has protected corrupt officers for decades. With compelling characters and a storyline that mirrors real-world injustices, Terhaar delivers a thriller that is as infuriating as it is necessary.
The author’s writing is sharp and relentless, never shying away from the horror of police violence. The opening chapter throws the reader into a stomach-churning scene of unchecked brutality, setting the tone for the rest of the novel. Officer Sean O’Riley is depicted as a man drunk on power, embodying the worst aspects of law enforcement’s unchecked authority. His actions are sickening, his thoughts even more so. There’s no ambiguity and Terhaar wants you to hate him. The sheer visceral impact of these early pages makes it impossible to look away, much like watching a tragic news story unfold on live television.
Dan Burnett, on the other hand, is a deeply conflicted character. He carries the weight of his thirty years on the force, and while he has always prided himself on doing the right thing, he now faces a test that challenges his loyalty. His internal struggle feels real and heavy, a tug-of-war between his past and his conscience. His interactions with Mia, his new love interest, offer a softer, more introspective side to his character, making him more than just another hard-nosed detective. The novel does a fantastic job balancing the personal and professional stakes, making his journey both heartbreaking and inspiring.
Terhaar structures the story like a crime drama unfolding in real time, and the inclusion of news reports, press conferences, and legal maneuvers keeps the tension high. The media frenzy surrounding Jerome’s case feels eerily familiar, echoing real-world incidents that have sparked nationwide protests. Seth Bodner, the attorney representing Jerome’s family, is a standout character, he is sharp, passionate, and unwavering in his pursuit of justice. His press conference scene is particularly powerful, a moment that encapsulates the fury and desperation of those fighting against systemic corruption.
Against The Blue Wall is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the realities of police violence and the difficulty of seeking justice within a flawed system. It’s perfect for fans of social justice thrillers, true crime enthusiasts, and readers who aren’t afraid to confront uncomfortable truths. If you’re looking for a book that will challenge you, anger you, and make you think, this one is it.
Pages: 247 | ASIN : B0DNKL6388
LITERARY TITAN 