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Small-Town Scandals
Shadows in the Pleasure Gardens follows an apprentice banker who witnesses a robbery and finds himself in the middle of a small-town scandal and shady racetrack dealings. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I was inspired a few summers ago, when I was working as a law clerk on the weekdays and a horse racing official on the weekends. Law clerking was dreary, dull work, but I enjoyed the racetrack, even though all the old-timers there implied it had a shady background. I find small-town scandals interesting because it’s personal to all the characters, rather than being something you have quickly heard and forgotten.
I enjoyed your characters, especially Chester. What was your favorite character to write for and why?
I loved writing about Fisheye. It was fun for me to think of ridiculous ways a reactive horse might respond in different scenes.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
I most enjoyed writing the scene where the Sheriff and Chester go to Judge Mason’s house after arresting the robbers. Judge Mason and Sheriff Hoogkirk are distinctive characters with strong personalities, and I enjoyed imagining their argument about the law.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
My next book is The Little Pilot, and I hope it will be available in 2027. I’m also hopeful that my novel set during the American Revolution will be available this year or next.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Chester is an unambitious — or independent- minded — apprentice to Mr. Tate of Tate’s Banking and Loans when he witnesses a bank robbery and finds himself serving as Sheriff Hoogkirk’s justice-seeking assistant. His newfound role in law enforcement introduces him to gambling, carousing, and horse racing at the town’s pleasure gardens, and he is drawn to its excitement at the expense of his courtship and professional career. When an acquaintance from the racetrack is implicated in the robberies, Chester worries he must choose between truth and justice.
Shadows in the Pleasure Gardens weaves together timeless themes, including the personal search for purpose and fulfillment, pressure to conform to societal expectations, corruption of the powerful, and how horses help us escape it all, if only for a bit.
Shadows in the Pleasure Gardens: Regarding Robberies and Racehorses
Shadows in the Pleasure Gardens, by Elaine Mary Griffin, follows Chester Carter, a young apprentice banker whose quiet life is split open the moment two faux “Indians” rob Tate’s Bank and Loans. What begins as a simple theft spirals into a sprawling tangle of runaway horses, whispered scandals, shady racetrack dealings, and the slow unraveling of a small town’s pride. Chester records his part in the affair with a naive honesty that grows into something bigger than the robbery itself. The story shifts from a chase through fields and woods to a look at the fragile systems of trust and money that bind Fairmount together. Bit by bit, Chester becomes a witness not only to crime but to the way people hide their fears behind bluster, gossip, or a stiff cravat.
The writing has a playful rhythm, almost like the narrator is trying to impress me while telling me the truth. Sometimes the sentences wander, and I found myself smiling at how Chester must know he is rambling but keeps going anyway. I liked that. It made the town feel lived in and hot and dusty, and it made Chester feel real. The humor landed for me, too, especially in the early scenes at the bank where Mr. Tate blusters around while Chester tries not to sweat through his collar. I did feel the pacing slow in a few places, but the charm of the voice always pulled me back.
The ideas tucked inside the story surprised me most. On the surface, it is a tale about stolen notes and a clumsy hunt for culprits. Underneath, it pokes at bigger things. Pride. Fear. The way a community reacts when it feels threatened. I felt a quiet sadness in Chester as he tries to navigate expectations from Mr. Tate, from the Sheriff, from Alida, and even from the people he barely knows who talk big at the racetrack. The writing never lectures. Instead, it nudges, which made the moments of insight hit harder. I caught myself rooting for Chester as he stumbles toward adulthood without quite realizing that is what he is doing.
I recommend Shadows in the Pleasure Gardens to readers who enjoy character-driven historical fiction, coming-of-age stories wrapped in small mysteries, and tales told with voice and warmth. It is a gentle story with a sharp eye, and it will suit anyone who likes stories that take their time and offer humor, grit, and a little heart all at once.
Pages: 261 | ISBN : 978-1685136123
Where The Pecan Trees Grow
Where The Pecan Trees Grow, by Thomas Gates, follows Miguel, a Mexican father who leaves his drought-stricken home in Michoacán to cross the border and search for work in the United States. His journey is dangerous and exhausting, filled with tense nights in the desert, smugglers who mix threat with necessity, and close calls with patrols. Eventually, he finds work on a pecan farm in California, where the quiet rhythm of trees and soil gives him a fragile sense of hope. The story moves between struggle and calm, fear and stubborn faith. It is about survival, family, and the long, slow work of building a life from almost nothing. It is also about promise, the kind that sits heavily on the heart.
I found myself swept up in the raw honesty of the story. The writing feels simple in the best way. It opens a clear window into Miguel’s thoughts and fears. I kept pausing when the story talked about soil or trees. Something in those passages felt grounding. I could feel the heat from the fields, smell the dust, and hear the quiet talk between workers. The tense scenes, like the border chase and the near discovery in the truck, hit hard. They left me holding my breath and maybe gripping the page a little too tight. The gentle moments hit just as hard. The letters Miguel writes but cannot send, his quiet walks through the rows at night, and the way he treats the orchard like something alive and listening. These parts warmed me more than I expected.
There were moments when the book made me ache a little. The prejudice he meets in town feels eerily familiar. Still, the story never falls into hopelessness. It keeps lifting itself up, often because of the farm, the trees, and the quiet steadiness of Big Jim. I liked how the book painted Jim as tough but fair. No speeches. No miracles. Just a man who sees effort and decides it is worth backing. The pacing surprised me at times. Some chapters rush with danger while others slow into a gentle hum. I liked that. Life isn’t even. It jumps and stumbles, and the story captures that feeling well.
By the end, I felt proud of Miguel in this strange way, like I had watched him build himself again layer by layer. I would recommend Where The Pecan Trees Grow to readers who enjoy character-driven stories, especially ones rooted in real emotional stakes. Anyone who likes tales about migration, perseverance, and the quiet strength of ordinary people will find something meaningful here. It is a great choice for book clubs, too. There is a lot to talk about, and even more to feel.
Pages: 163 | ASIN : B0G5M3CDRX
Suspense on Every Page
Choice of Evils centers around a former district attorney now working to defend a millionaire accused of killing his best friend on a rock-climbing excursion. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
Colorado really does have a “Choice of Evils” statute in its criminal code. It’s the actual name of the statutory defense. The phrase is in the jury instruction, too. It provided the inspiration for my legal thriller.
The “choice of evils” defense applies when the tragedy the defendant prevented by his act would have been worse than the crime he committed. A textbook example is a runaway train heading for a trestle. Five people, unable to escape, are on the trestle. They are going to die. The defendant flips a switch and causes the train to take a different trestle, where only one person is killed. One died, rather than five. It was a choice of evils, and if the facts are proven, it is a defense to the homicide of the one person.
Most states give the defense the boring name “justification. You’ve gotta admire the creativity of the Colorado legislature.
In most jurisdictions, it cannot apply to murder; in Colorado, it can.
The title of the statute gave me the idea for the book. The title came first, then I needed a plot! But how can “choice of evils” apply to murder? What could be worse than murder? I sought out examples in the Model Penal Code. Sure enough, one provided my overall story. Two men are rock climbing. The survivor claims they slipped, and he had to cut the rope to save himself; otherwise, two would have died, rather than one.
Throw in a couple of complications: (1) the man who fell to his death was having an affair with the wife of the man who cut the rope, and (2) they were business partners with a key man life insurance policy that paid two million dollars to the survivor should one die.
The prosecutor filed the charge. Wyatt Blake, former prosecutor, now criminal defense lawyer, defends it as his first murder case from the dark side, pitted against the current district attorney, who had beaten Wyatt in the election.
So, with Choice of Evils, the title came first.
Where do you find the inspiration for your characters’ traits and dialogue?
I was a prosecutor for over 30 years, so Wyatt Blake has a lot of me in him. His voice is pretty easy for me to use, as is the humor. When writing dialogue, I often cut and shorten it during the editing process.
Ryker Brando, the autistic criminal defendant, was fun to create. I have a cousin who is autistic. Several of his mannerisms were fodder for this character. I pored over books on the topic of how autism can apply to criminal defendants and used that material.
I read a couple of books about how a person can make money by setting up an Only Fans account when creating my fictional Intimate Fans account used by Chloe Brando. I, ahem, subscribed to one Only Fans account as part of the research. It was educational and informative! Alas, I no longer need it so I unsubscribed.
The courtroom scenes are informed by the 178 jury trials (111 homicide cases) I have tried in real life as a prosecutor and criminal defense lawyer.
What is the most challenging part of writing a thriller?
The most challenging parts of writing a thriller are the same things a novelist faces when writing any book: you need to put suspense on every page, to keep the reader interested and turning pages. Furthermore, you need to make the reader care about your main character, so he or she is invested in the outcome. Care must be taken not to make your protagonist too perfect, or your villain too purely evil.
Can we get a glimpse inside the next book in this trilogy? Where will it take readers?
Make My Day picks up the week after Choice of Evils ends. Wyatt Blake gets his second murder case, this time featuring another Colorado defense–the “make my day law.” Under this statute, you can shoot a person who breaks into your home without waiting for them to attack you. Wyatt’s client is a former state senator, who has shot a man he claims he mistook for a burglar. The man happened to be a movie star who date-raped his daughter. Meanwhile, Wyatt’s love life has become complicated. Harper Easton’s former fiance is back in the picture, and another potential love interest is throwing herself at Wyatt. As always, ethical issues abound!
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Facebook | Amazon
Choice of Evils
Choice of Evils, by Morley Swingle, is a sharp, twist-filled legal thriller that follows Wyatt Blake, a former district attorney turned defense lawyer, defending a millionaire accused of murdering his best friend during a rock-climbing trip. Set in the snow-draped peaks of Colorado, the story weaves courtroom drama, moral gray areas, and emotional backstories into a compelling tale of justice, loss, and the fine line between right and wrong.
What really pulled me in wasn’t just the whodunit mystery; it was Wyatt himself. He’s a flawed, smart, funny, sad guy who’s trying to stitch his life back together after losing his wife in a freak skiing accident. His inner thoughts are dry and biting, like when he watches a potential client chew his nails and thinks he hasn’t “encountered scissors in months.” That kind of dark humor is sprinkled throughout the book and made me both laugh and wince. I felt his grief when he hides the photo of his daughter before meeting the accused murderer, Ryker Brando. Swingle writes pain without melodrama.
Ryker Brando is a chilling character; detached, calculating, and unnervingly composed. He openly admits to cutting the rope that led to his best friend’s death, yet displays no visible remorse or emotional turmoil. Instead, he presents his actions with stark, matter-of-fact reasoning. This emotional flatness makes him difficult to read, let alone sympathize with, yet it’s precisely this ambiguity that gives his character such power. Swingle resists the urge to paint Ryker as a clear-cut villain; instead, he challenges the reader to grapple with the unsettling logic behind Ryker’s choice. “Two people die, or just one,” Ryker says, and you’re left genuinely unsure of what you might have done in his place. The novel’s treatment of the “choice of evils” defense is not only compelling but also intellectually provocative, presenting legal nuance in a way that’s accessible without ever oversimplifying.
The courtroom scenes are particularly well-executed. Unlike many legal thrillers that get bogged down in tedious procedural detail, Swingle’s narrative moves with precision and energy. His legal expertise is evident, but what stands out even more is his ability to translate that knowledge into sharp, engaging drama. The pacing is brisk, the dialogue crisp, and the legal sparring, especially between Wyatt Blake and his successor, Chad Coburn, is both intense and layered. Coburn, a former NFL linebacker turned district attorney, brings an aggressive, politically charged edge to the proceedings, making their confrontations not just legal battles, but deeply personal and ideological clashes.
The supporting characters are also given room to shine. Nikki, Wyatt’s resourceful and sharp-tongued secretary, adds both levity and depth, underscoring Swingle’s talent for creating memorable, multidimensional personalities. By the final chapters, I found myself fully invested, not just in the outcome of the case, but in the broader questions the book raises. The narrative explores themes of guilt, justice, and moral ambiguity with both intelligence and emotional resonance. Whether or not Ryker is truly guilty almost becomes secondary to the exploration of what guilt really means. Swingle delivers this with wit, emotional insight, and a firm grasp of human complexity.
Choice of Evils will appeal to readers who appreciate legal thrillers that delve into moral ambiguity and psychological depth. With its layered characters, ethically charged dilemmas, and compelling courtroom drama, the novel offers both intellectual engagement and emotional impact. For those who enjoy thoughtful, well-paced narratives grounded in legal realism, this is a standout choice.
Pages: 731 | ASIN : B0F6M1YJHL
Jake Fox: Ties That Blind
Michael Stockham’s Ties That Blind is a gripping blend of suspense, drama, and raw human emotion. The story weaves through the lives of Jake Fox, a lawyer haunted by the loss of his daughter, and Rose Tucker, a teenage girl thrust into a whirlwind of tragedy and danger after her father’s murder. Set in the tight-knit, secret-laden town of Haven, Texas, the novel is a journey through grief, redemption, and the pursuit of justice. It’s a layered narrative, unflinchingly raw yet deeply human.
Stockham does not shy away from heart-wrenching tragedy. The first chapter vividly describes Jake discovering his daughter Lucy’s suicide. It’s haunting, visceral, and almost too real. The palpable grief that drives Jake’s character gives the story its beating heart. Yet, there’s a thread of hope, too. Jake’s visions of Lucy anchor him, a tender, otherworldly reminder that even in despair, there’s something to hold onto. Stockham’s portrayal of trauma feels authentic, unafraid to explore the quiet moments of despair, like Jake’s late-night struggle with a gun and his ultimate decision to keep going. These moments linger long after reading. Rose Tucker, however, steals the spotlight with her resilience. Her storyline of fleeing into the night, grappling with her father’s brutal murder, and navigating her newfound orphaned existence is both heart-wrenching and electrifying. The well-crafted tension in scenes like Rose’s escape to the storm shelter had my pulse racing. You feel her fear, uncertainty, and growing determination to uncover the truth. Her relationship with Margie, a steadfast maternal figure, adds warmth to the story’s darker themes. Margie’s down-home wisdom and kindness give Rose a sanctuary in a world turned upside down. Stockham masterfully builds a world where secrets lurk behind every picket fence and corruption festers in shadows.
Ties That Blind is a story of hope amid darkness, courage amid fear, and the ties, both broken and unbreakable, that define us. Stockham’s prose is evocative and approachable, making the characters’ struggles feel intensely personal. I’d recommend this book to fans of suspenseful thrillers with strong emotional undertones. It’s perfect for readers who appreciate layered mysteries and heartfelt stories of redemption. Whether you’re in it for the twists, the legal drama, or the poignant character arcs, this book delivers.
Pages: 398 | ASIN : B0CQQFZVJJ
Unlawful Games
Unlawful Games, by Adam Klein, is a gripping legal thriller that plunges readers into a world of high-stakes tension and moral ambiguity. From the outset, Klein crafts an action-packed murder mystery, leaving readers glued to the pages as they try to unravel the dark secrets and deadly traps that surround Salvatore Amici, a promising defense attorney in New York City. Salvatore, fresh from a courtroom victory, is basking in the praise of his family and friends when his life takes a chilling turn: a former client, newly acquitted, becomes the prime suspect in a brutal double homicide. But why was he targeted? And what danger lies ahead?
The suspense in Unlawful Games doesn’t ease up. Klein masterfully weaves in plot twists, from anonymous threats at Salvatore’s doorstep to harrowing encounters with law enforcement, that keep readers on edge. Just as you think you’ve pieced together the mystery, a shocking new revelation emerges, pulling you deeper into the story’s intricate web. Klein’s skillful pacing and efficient prose make this complexity manageable within the novel’s concise length, under 300 pages, yet the impact lingers long after. While the plot is fast-paced and intense, Klein’s characterizations, particularly Salvatore’s, provide a thought-provoking look at the attorney’s internal struggles. Salvatore’s professional facade cracks under the weight of guilt and self-doubt as he questions his own ethics and the consequences of his work.
I do believe that the supporting characters could benefit from deeper detail. While Salvatore’s wife and children appear throughout as anchors in his tumultuous life, they serve more as background elements than as fully realized characters. Klein’s writing style, formal and precise, seems to draw from his familiarity with legal settings, adding authenticity to Salvatore’s voice. By the end of the novel, some mysteries remain unanswered, leaving an open door for a sequel. Klein sets the stage for further character development and exploration into Salvatore’s troubled conscience and professional battles, a prospect that would appeal to readers captivated by this suspenseful first book.
Unlawful Games is a suspenseful and tightly crafted thriller, filled with shocking twists and high emotional stakes, solidifying Klein as a writer of intense, character-driven mysteries. It’s a compelling read that leaves readers questioning what justice truly means.
Pages: 314 | ASIN : B0BL3DLMXW
A Talent and Skill to Build On
The Red Deuce follows twin sisters working in different government agencies who accidentally wind up uncovering an international conspiracy, putting their lives at risk. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
When I was serving as the general counsel of a public company, I was visited by a CIA agent who requested that our company employ agents used by the intelligence service in the former USSR. More recently, the counterintelligence chief of the NY office of the FBI was charged and convicted for passing intelligence secrets to China. These were the two incidents leading to my book, Red Deuce.
Twins are known to have a special bond, making them an intriguing choice for your main characters. What was your inspiration for the characters and their relationship?
I come from a family with twins, though they preceded me by a couple generations. I felt that the interplay between twins would make for a rich personal context for protagonists.
Has writing and publishing a book changed the way you see yourself?
Yes, I see myself now as a creative person, a talent and skill that I now have a chance to build on and improve.
I find a problem in well-written stories in that I always want there to be another book to keep the story going. Is there a second book planned for the sisters?
Absolutely! Books two and three are done but in different stages of editing. I have plans for books four and five, with possibly more to come.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
One fiery redhead in the family can be a caution. When the redhead comes in a pair it means double trouble for anyone who bets against them.
Mandy Doucette is a by-the-book corporate lawyer whose work includes vetting acquisitions. Her twin sister, Reggie, is an FBI pathologist. Both are happy in their respective comfort zones.
But things are about to change. First, Mandy senses something is wrong with a proposed acquisition. She spots a mystery behind why a major corporation made a whistleblower’s complaint disappear—along with the whistleblower.
Soon Mandy’s up to her eyeballs in trouble. She’s risking her life to stop moles from stealing American defense technology and trying to figure out who is trying to frame, then kill her. At the same time, Reggie is investigating corpses dug up in cornfields and forests. Could they be the key to what Mandy is investigating? Suddenly, Reggie’s life is also at risk.
As the sisters dig deeper and come out of their comfort zones, one thing is for certain—you don’t want to get these redheads mad. If they can stay out of the assassin’s crosshairs, they might just bring down your international conspiracy.
Ladies and gentlemen, place your bets. The twists and turns are about to begin.
LITERARY TITAN 