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The Stanton Falls Mysteries – Undercurrents of Betrayal
In Undercurrents of Betrayal, the third and final novel of the Stanton Falls Mystery trilogy, Susan Reed-Flores delivers a fitting conclusion filled with intrigue, long-buried secrets, and the battle between good and evil. As the skilled law enforcement officers of Stanton Falls return, their mission is clear: uncover the sinister forces that have haunted the town’s history. The discovery of skeletal remains during the reconstruction of Stanton Falls Mansion sets off a chain of events that leads Chief Ross and his detectives on a gripping investigation. As the story unfolds, the team discovers that the remains belong to Evelyn Stanton, a woman who has been dead for nearly 50 years, with evidence pointing to murder. Detective Reed, despite being temporarily handicapped, uncovers a hidden basement in the mansion. This find links Evelyn’s murder to her love life and a powerful secret group known as the Guardian, whose influence over Stanton Falls runs deep. The town’s history, rife with murder, greed, and secrets, forms the backbone of this intense mystery.
It’s bittersweet to see the Stanton Falls trilogy come to an end, but Undercurrents of Betrayal does not disappoint. Reed-Flores expertly ties together the complex history of the town with the present-day investigation, revealing long-held truths that have shaped the town and its residents. The novel offers a deep dive into the mystery behind Stanton Falls, with historical events and the shadowy Guardian group creating an intriguing backdrop for the investigation. As always, Chief Ross, Detective Scalari, and Detective Reed are a compelling team. Their unwavering dedication to Stanton Falls’ safety, along with the support of their close-knit relationships, adds heart to the suspense. Reed-Flores creates characters who feel real, each with their strengths and vulnerabilities, making the reader invested not only in solving the mystery but also in the personal journeys of these officers.
The final installment emphasizes the importance of family and friendship, which grounds the high-stakes drama in emotional depth. While the plot is engaging and the characters well-drawn, I feel the tone can be somewhat inconsistent, occasionally shifting between formal and natural styles in a way that can be a little distracting. However, this doesn’t take away from the overall enjoyment of the book. The story’s intrigue, pacing, and character-driven narrative make it a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy.
I highly recommend Undercurrents of Betrayal to fans of mystery thrillers, particularly those who appreciate richly layered plots with strong character development. It’s a thrilling end to a series that has consistently delivered suspense, emotion, and gripping storytelling.
Pages: 168 | ASIN: B0DNGQ14C4
TYE
TYE by J. Denison Reed and Elliott J. Emerson presents a grim and intense narrative that delves deep into the troubled lives of Marcus and Darius. From the start, it is clear that the brothers have endured a lifetime of hardship. Their home was a battleground of family dysfunction, and the foster care system offered no respite. Scarred by years of trauma, Marcus and Darius are left bitter and resentful, with emotional wounds that run deep.
This book is strikingly dark, evoking a sense of tragedy reminiscent of Shakespearean drama. Like the works of the famed playwright, TYE weaves together elements of deep emotional pain and high-stakes intensity. The drama is palpable, building with each chapter as the characters’ destructive paths become more apparent. The story is also intensely character-driven. Marcus and Darius, the two central figures, are disturbing to read about, violent, cold, and utterly devoid of empathy. Their transformation into ruthless killers is unsettling, yet the narrative succeeds in making their darkness comprehensible. The emotional weight of their childhood, marked by neglect and abuse at the hands of a mentally ill father, leaves the reader with a complicated sense of empathy for them despite their actions. I found TYE to be haunting, disturbing, and deeply tragic. Its darkness is relentless, yet the authors manage to stir feelings of sympathy for Marcus and Darius, who never received the care and love they needed as children. The trauma they endured permeates the story, highlighting the cyclical nature of abuse and the devastating toll it takes on the human spirit.
While this fast-paced, gripping read is not for the faint of heart, the scenes are often graphic and disturbing, painting a bleak portrait of the brothers’ painful and dysfunctional lives. Despite its brevity, TYE leaves a lasting impact. I recommend it to readers who enjoy intense thrillers that explore the darker side of the human condition, but be warned: This story lingers long after the final page is turned.
Pages: 244 | ASIN : B0D5WP4VCW
Red Herrings
Torment – A Harper Jones Novel follows a detective haunted by the unsolved murder of his former partner who winds up investigating a gruesome crime leading him to suspect a serial killer is on the loose. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
One of my all-time favorite series is Criminal Minds, and I have always been fascinated by how/why an evil mind works the way it does…the motivations/experiences that contribute to a person’s character. Nature vs. Nurture?
I felt this novel’s supporting characters were intriguing and well-developed. Who was your favorite character to write for?
I would have to say I enjoyed writing for Medora. She was cast as both a victim and a vigilante/antagonist. Somewhere in her captivity, a switch flipped, and she became empowered and independent. Her methods of retribution and revenge were obviously not preferred, but they allowed her to achieve her goal of revenge.
What was the hardest part about writing a mystery story; where you constantly have to give just enough to keep the mystery alive until the big reveal?
You pretty much nailed the most difficult part, which is giving enough to tease the reader without giving away the ending. My biggest difficulty was that I wanted to offer enough “red herrings” to keep the reader guessing, while at the same time not making the storyline too convoluted to where the reader gets frustrated or confused. I tried to walk this line by having a lot of dialogue, and have the characters “think out loud.”
Where does the next book in the series take the characters?
Pawns is about half-written. It revolves around a series of political murders in Wolf Hollow, as well as delving into Harper’s past, with an old foe from his military days coming back to haunt him, endangering those that he cares about. At the same time, Harper and Angie’s romantic rebirth will be tested as the tension in the seaside town begins to ratchet up.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
On an early fall morning, the sleepy oceanside town of Wolf Hollow awakens to a gruesome crime. Alison Newton, an innocent young woman who was senselessly murdered six months ago, has been dug up and brutally violated.
Veteran Detective Harper Jones, the lead investigator in her murder, is called upon to track down the offender, and he quickly realizes that this isn’t some random act. Instead, he discovers that a ruthless serial killer has descended upon Wolf Hollow with his own cruel motives.
Harper and his new partner, Medora Dunning, must track him down quickly before he strikes again, all the while slowly learning that not everything and everyone in this unsuspecting paradise is what they seem.
Love, Loyalty, and Revenge
JimiJix Special Brew follows a man shattered by the tragic loss of his wife and daughter who deteriorates in a dark world of crime and revenge. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
No single event or case was the inspiration for the setup in JimiJix Special Brew, although Killian Doyle, and the marketing mascot, were obviously inspired by my time in advertising.
Do you think there’s a single moment in everyone’s life, maybe not as traumatic, that is life-changing?
Yes, I believe that change is often prompted by an event in someone’s life. It could be a career event, a relationship event, a family event, or some other event, but I believe that an event often prompts a person to change.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The big theme was change. The book is primarily about how a relatively ordinary person has to change and use all their skills (their special brew) in order to obtain justice. Whether, and by how much, a person can change, has always been of interest to me.
Other themes explored in JimiJix Special Brew are love, loyalty, and revenge.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I originally wrote and self-published JimiJix in 2015, I rewrote JimiJix as JimiJix Special Brew in 2024. JimiJix was one of a series of three books that featured Killian Doyle – the others being ShamrockSnake (2019) and TummiTurtle (2021). I am now rewriting ShamrockSnake, in which Killian Doyle sets out to discover why his business partner died in a murder-suicide. The revised version of ShamrockSnake will be published in 2025, with the revised version of TummiTurtle planned for 2026.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Facebook | X (Twitter) | YouTube | Amazon
JimiJix Special Brew is a crime-thriller about the murder of a well-known marketing character for a fast-food chain.
Torment – A Harper Jones Novel
In the quiet town of Wolf Hollow, Alison Newton’s grave is desecrated in the dead of night. Detective Harper Jones, still haunted by the unsolved murder of his former partner, Anders, is called upon to investigate. The scene is eerily familiar, dragging Harper back to the brutal events surrounding Alison’s original murder, where Anders had lost his life. As Harper digs deeper, old memories resurface, and he begins to suspect a chilling connection between these violent crimes, separated by time. Could a serial killer be lurking in the shadows of this seemingly peaceful town?
Jeffrey Butler’s Torment skillfully combines the intensity of a crime thriller with the allure of a psychological mystery. The novel’s cat-and-mouse chases are interwoven with a foreboding atmosphere, drawing readers into a world where danger and suspense simmer beneath the surface. From the very first page, the plot grips the audience, opening at a harrowing crime scene and unrelentingly pulling them into a web of intrigue. Butler’s vivid analogies and sharp descriptive prose reflect the twisted mind of the criminal, amplifying the tension. The narrative deftly alternates between Detective Jones and the perpetrator, offering a dual perspective that adds complexity and depth to the story as it unfolds. The gradual layering of clues and perspectives keeps readers enthralled, as each new piece of the puzzle pushes the plot toward its chilling climax. Butler’s ability to maintain suspense while deepening the mystery ensures that Torment is both captivating and satisfying, especially for those who love piecing together crime thrillers.
For fans of gripping crime fiction, Torment delivers on every front. It offers not only the thrill of solving a case but also the emotional depth of a detective grappling with personal loss. Jeffrey Butler has crafted a must-read that keeps readers guessing until the very end. If you’re ready to walk in Harper Jones’ shoes and confront the dark truths of Wolf Hollow, this book will not disappoint.
Pages: 342 | ASIN : B0D6L529TB
Harmony’s Betrayal
Harmony’s Betrayal by Gavin Noble Mills takes place in a dystopian future where citizens are evaluated by their CiVal score, a measure of their societal worth. The story follows Detective Freya Blackwood, who finds herself embroiled in a minor case of fraud, only for it to spiral into something far more dangerous. Freya begins the story investigating a seemingly trivial infraction, but her life takes a chaotic turn when she is accused of murder, a crime she does not remember committing. What follows is her desperate attempt to uncover the truth, escape capture, and figure out how she became embroiled in such a dark conspiracy, all while contending with her deteriorating mental state and a relentless artificial intelligence system overseeing it all.
Mills crafts a complex, futuristic society with chilling attention to detail. The CiVal system, where citizens are graded on their value to society, adds a layer of tension and intrigue to every action Freya takes. For instance, when Freya’s CiVal score plummets after being accused of murder, it becomes clear how deeply embedded this system is in controlling people’s lives. I found this exploration of societal surveillance both fascinating and disturbing. It raised questions about autonomy, morality, and how much power an artificial intelligence should wield. Freya is a compelling protagonist. Her hardened, no-nonsense demeanor sometimes felt a little distant, but it worked well for her character, especially as someone navigating a dystopian world. However, I did wish for more vulnerability from her earlier on. The tension builds steadily throughout the story, with Freya’s paranoia and sense of being hunted palpable. The unpredictability of whether she can trust her own mind adds an extra layer of suspense that kept me turning pages. The story starts with a relatively slow build-up before everything escalates quickly. While the stakes are high, and the urgency is clear, I sometimes felt like there wasn’t enough time to absorb what was happening.
Harmony’s Betrayal is an intense and thought-provoking read that blends dystopian themes with an intriguing mystery. If you’re a fan of stories exploring the darker side of surveillance, artificial intelligence, and moral ambiguity, this book is worth your time. The mix of psychological thriller and sci-fi makes it a gripping read, especially for those who enjoy complex world-building and flawed but resilient protagonists.
Pages: 168 | ISBN : 1068865903
JimiJix Special Brew
JimiJix Special Brew is a gripping crime thriller that follows the unraveling life of Killian Doyle, a man shattered by the tragic loss of his wife and daughter. As he struggles to navigate his grief, Killian’s once-thriving career in advertising begins to crumble. His relationships deteriorate, culminating in a shocking act of violence that sets off a chain of events plunging him into a dark world of crime and revenge. The novel’s fast-paced narrative is infused with tension and unexpected twists, making it a compelling read from start to finish.
What struck me first about this book was how deeply it explores the psyche of a man broken by tragedy. Killian’s transformation from a vibrant, passionate professional to a hollow shell of his former self is palpable. Doherty does an excellent job of portraying the subtle and not-so-subtle changes in Killian’s character. The shift in Killian’s personality is a powerful commentary on how loss can fundamentally change a person, sometimes in ways that even they don’t recognize. The writing style is straightforward and punchy, which suits the gritty tone of the story. There are moments where the dialogue feels a bit too on-the-nose, almost like the characters are spelling out their thoughts for the reader. While this can be jarring, it doesn’t detract too much from the overall experience. The interactions between Killian and his mentor, Ted, are particularly vivid. Ted’s brutal honesty about the advertising industry paints a stark picture of the world Killian inhabits. This no-holds-barred attitude contrasts sharply with Killian’s growing sense of disillusionment, adding layers to his internal conflict. Doherty clearly has a deep understanding of the industry’s inner workings, and he uses this knowledge to create a backdrop that feels both authentic and suffocating. The cutthroat nature of the business is reflected in the novel’s tense atmosphere, where every decision feels like it could be the one that brings everything crashing down.
JimiJix Special Brew is a dark, intense thriller that delves deep into the human condition. It’s a story about grief, revenge, and the lengths to which people will go when pushed to their limits. While the writing can be a bit heavy-handed at times, the story’s emotional depth and the relentless pacing more than make up for it. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys crime thrillers with complex characters and a psychological edge. It’s particularly suited for readers who appreciate stories that explore the darker sides of both human nature and professional life.
Pages: 286 | ASIN : B0D3FNXMR5
Murder With Malice
Murder With Malice by Deirdre Oliver is a gripping, action-packed thriller that masterfully blends suspense with character development. The story follows Georgie West, a former superintendent and almost-commander, as she embarks on a mission to solve a murder and reclaim the professional glory stolen by her arrogant ex-boyfriend. What seems like a straightforward task quickly spirals into a complex and dangerous investigation. As Georgie assembles her team and begins tracking the killer, she finds herself facing unexpected challenges: a new police team that resents her, a cunning murderer who is always one step ahead, and a series of gruesome murders that span years, suggesting a deeply personal connection to her past.
The brilliance of Murder With Malice lies not only in its suspenseful plot but also in its exploration of Georgie’s character. As she confronts the possibility that the killer may be someone from her own history, we see the layers of her tough, stoic exterior begin to peel away, revealing the insecurities and vulnerabilities beneath. This transformation makes Georgie a relatable and compelling protagonist, as readers witness her evolution from a fallen-from-grace cop to someone who learns to embrace her emotions and trust others. One of the novel’s strengths is the dynamic relationship Georgie develops with her new team, despite the initial resistance she faces. The story showcases significant growth and character development, both for Georgie and her colleagues, adding depth to the narrative. However, it’s worth noting that the book includes descriptions of violence and discussions of off-page rape and child abuse, which can be distressing to read. The ending is bittersweet, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.
For fans of thrilling murder mysteries where detectives relentlessly pursue justice and serial killers leave tantalizing clues, Murder With Malice is an exceptional read. Deirdre Oliver delivers a compelling and emotionally resonant story that will keep you hooked until the very last page.
Pages: 270
LITERARY TITAN 