Blog Archives
The Lost Boy
Callum “Cal” Nowak fled the confines of foster care and his small-town upbringing in the Catskill Mountains when he turned eighteen. In New York City, he joined the police force, determined to escape the shadows of his traumatic past and carve out a new life. Fourteen years later, after being placed on administrative leave, Cal reluctantly returns to his hometown, where every street and memory resurrects the pain of his mother’s murder. When the husband of his ex-girlfriend dies in his arms, Cal finds himself thrust into a gripping investigation. Convinced of her innocence, he’s determined to uncover the truth and expose the real killer before she’s wrongfully imprisoned.
How do we confront the weight of our past while forging a path forward? The Lost Boy: A Small Town Murder Mystery Gay Cop Romance by S. F. Williams explores this question poignantly. This enthralling series opener pulls readers in from the first page, weaving a narrative that balances the unraveling of Cal’s childhood trauma with the suspense of a high-stakes murder mystery. It’s a compelling, emotional, and unforgettable read.
What truly stands out is the nuanced portrayal of Cal. Through his perspective, readers are invited to reflect on their own struggles and resilience. Williams writes with a compassion that makes Cal not a perfect hero, but an authentic, flawed, and deeply human character. His journey is raw, relatable, and profoundly moving.
I do feel the storyline occasionally feels a little weighted with unnecessary details. Within the narrative, there seems to be a blending of genres which I believe can sometimes detract from the central storyline. Even so, these moments do not overshadow the book’s many strengths.
The Lost Boy‘s approach to representation is significant. The story offers a refreshing perspective, a gay protagonist whose challenges stem more from his personal history than his sexuality. This kind of storytelling is vital and refreshing, delivering both inclusivity and depth without resorting to clichés.
In the end, The Lost Boy, by S. F. Williams, is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant tale that combines mystery, introspection, and heart. It’s a story that stays with you and one that leaves readers eager for the next installment in the series. A truly remarkable debut.
Pages: 285 | ASIN : B0DK41MW5J
With Full Intent
Jon Gaskins’ With Full Intent unfolds like a slow-burning bonfire in the heart of 1930s Virginia. Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression, the novel begins with a chilling discovery of multiple murders on a plantation. The narrative hooks you immediately, transporting you to a time when law enforcement relied as much on intuition as emerging forensic science. The story explores the hunt for justice in a community torn by secrets and the lingering shadows of systemic inequality.
Gaskins doesn’t just describe the rolling fields or dusty roads; he places you there, with the smells of manure and tobacco leaves filling the air. The descriptions are sharp and raw, setting a stark contrast to the brutality of the crime at the heart of the story. The pacing, particularly in the first few chapters, builds tension effectively, even if some scenes linger longer than necessary. The characters are a standout feature, particularly Deputy Kendricks, who serves as a lens into the complexities of the investigation. His mix of naivety and determination brings authenticity, especially as he navigates not only the crime but also the entrenched prejudices of his environment. Floyd Williams, the black farmhand who discovers the bodies, is another compelling character. His role highlights the intersection of race and justice, especially poignant when he’s thrust into suspicion simply because of proximity to the victims. These dynamics made me empathize with Floyd, even as I winced at the systemic injustices he faced. Thematically, the book succeeds in exploring the fragility of trust and the consequences of greed. The depiction of the Cannon brothers’ wealth as both a shield and a target is particularly sharp. Scenes involving the safe—both as a physical object and a symbol of secrets—stood out as both metaphorical and plot-driving. The novel’s treatment of burgeoning forensic science is another highlight. Kendricks’ visit to the Bureau of Investigation’s lab was a fascinating window into early criminology, showcasing both the potential and the limitations of technology at the time.
With Full Intent is a gripping historical thriller that thrives on its evocative setting and layered characters. It’s ideal for readers who enjoy crime dramas with a strong sense of history and don’t mind a bit of narrative indulgence. It is a story that lingers, reminding us of the human cost of justice and the ever-present scars of history. If you’re a fan of historical fiction with moral complexity and atmospheric depth, this one’s for you.
Pages: 229 | ASIN : B0CZV272RY
Spiritual and Reverential
In Black Yéʼii (The Evil One), a young man and his family find themselves the target of a deadly revenge plot tied to a Navajo deity. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I wrote a book, Caught in a Web, that was published in 2018. At the end of the book, there was the secret- a made-up version of what took place in the house where 4 members of MS-13 were killed. The secret was the idea of three cops who, out of protection fabricated the story. As long as the secret was never mentioned or spoken of, everyone should have been safe. It was this final chapter in Web that was the springboard for Black Yéʼii. I felt it created a wonderful opportunity for me to develop another story, one with three converging storylines that mesh and join at the ending.
Did you plan the tone and direction of the novel before writing, or did it come out organically as you were writing?
It came organically. I’m a pantser, not a planner. I might have an idea of what I want to write when I sit down at the computer, but there are times when characters have a mind of their own and I follow their lead. The Navajo are spiritual and reverential towards the earth, and in particular, dreams, visions, and symbols. I knew about Yéʼii from my research. There are many, much like the Catholics have many saints. But the Navajo will never mention by name, or speak of Black Yéʼii because they feel if they do, they are inviting it into their lives. Black Yéʼii literally translates most closely to The Evil One, the subtitle of my book, and it is this evil that permeates MS-13 and other antagonists in the book that I draw on. In a scene from the book, George and Brian, two protagonists who are themselves spiritual, compare Black Yéʼii to Satan, and the evil he brings into the world.
I found the incorporation of Navajo mythology a compelling addition to this psychological thriller. What kind of research was required to put this book together?
Thank you! I appreciate your question. I worked with Navajo on words, Navajo phrases. I try in all my books to be as exact as I can be. Readers are quick to spot falsehoods. I worked with a wonderful woman, Brenda Hat from the Navajo Nation, and with the Navajo Nation Museum, along with various websites on the Navajo. I am a recipient of a podcast featuring a Navajo elder and his son as he explains Navajo culture. My interest in and love of the Navajo actually began when I started reading Tony Hillerman, who I believe was the first to incorporate Navajo beliefs and mysticism into his stories.
What is the next book you are working on, and when can fans expect to see it released?
My next book is tentatively titled Dead of Night, and because I’m still writing it, there is no release date as of yet. My publisher, Black Rose Writing, has been a wonderful home for my writing, and once I finish it, I will submit it to them, and they will determine the publication date. Dead of Night is another thriller-crime-mystery, and it takes place both in Milwaukee and in Waukesha, both in Wisconsin.
Author Links: GoodReads | Bluesky | Facebook | Website | Substack | Amazon
Can Detectives Graff, O’Connor, and Eiselmann find the killers and put a stop to the killing before anyone else dies?
Black Yéʼii (The Evil One)
Black Yéʼii is a gripping psychological thriller that plunges readers into the duality of love and evil in a small Wisconsin town. The story weaves between past trauma and present terror as Angel Benevides, his mother, and his friends made up of adopted brothers become the targets of a deadly revenge plot tied to the enigmatic and fearsome Navajo deity, Black Yéʼii. The book begins with a chilling home invasion and murder, setting the tone for a narrative filled with complex characters, moral dilemmas, and shocking twists. Lewis masterfully interlaces Navajo spiritual elements with the gritty realism of crime, creating a world where loyalty, courage, and survival are tested at every turn.
Joseph Lewis writes with an unflinching eye for detail. The opening chapter hooked me immediately, its brutal depiction of the home invasion was both horrifying and mesmerizing. His vivid descriptions made Carmen Benevides’s fear palpable, and the attackers’ malice leaped off the page. Lewis’s knack for pacing is remarkable. Each scene flows naturally into the next, leaving no room for filler. The dialogue is sharp and often tinged with an authenticity that adds layers to each character, particularly the enigmatic George Tokay.
The incorporation of Navajo mythology into a modern crime thriller is both unique and compelling. The concept of Black Yéʼii as a metaphor for the darkness within human nature is thought-provoking. I particularly enjoyed the moments where George reflects on his cultural heritage, it brings a poignant depth to the narrative. I felt that the supernatural elements were sometimes underutilized. While they added intrigue, I wished the story explored more of Black Yéʼii’s mystical presence rather than keeping it primarily symbolic. The balance of cultural richness and crime drama is a fresh take that sets this book apart. Angel’s tragic arc is heart-wrenching, and his vulnerability contrasts sharply with the cruelty of his attackers. George Tokay, as a central figure, is fascinating. His connection to both the spiritual and physical battles in the story gives him a unique edge.
The camaraderie among the brothers is a highlight, especially their moments of quiet reflection at the lake. These softer scenes provide a necessary counterpoint to the violence and elevate the story from a simple thriller to something more emotionally resonant.
Black Yéʼii is an intense and thought-provoking read that merges psychological tension with cultural depth. While its graphic content won’t be for everyone, those who appreciate dark, character-driven thrillers will find it hard to put down. I’d recommend it to readers looking for a story that lingers in the mind long after the last page.
Pages: 425 | ASIN : B0DH8P5TNV
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.
Complex Story About Murder
Hell’s Heart follows a small-town sheriff whose dying father asks him to look into a cold case to prove a man innocent and find the real killer. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I live in Florida so I feel at home writing about it. I wanted a fictitious small- town police department so I didn’t get entangled with department hierarchy. The west coast north of Tampa seemed a good out-of-the-way place. The idea started as a short story, two classmates in abusive families conspire to kill their abusers, but figure out how to get away with it. The story expanded into a more complex story about murder, illicit drugs, and a deadly assassin who uses snakes to murder her victims.
What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
Jake Long was the easiest. He’s a troubled guy on a lot of fronts, he committed a crime in the past, his crumbling marriage, and his dying father. I enjoyed writing the banter between Jake and Maxine, his rookie cop. And, of course, the bad guys are always fun, especially a beautiful, deadly woman. Poor Nell was fun also.
I felt that there were a lot of great twists and turns throughout the novel. Did you plan this before writing the novel, or did the twists develop organically writing?
I knew the twist at the end but was stumped as to how I’d pull it off logically. I do some outlining, but very loosely. I have to know the direction the story is heading and then I fill in details as I go along. Sometimes the story takes a turn I think is good, so I go with it.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I have four other books on Amazon. All have won top prizes in The Florida Writers Association’s Royal Palm Awards. Two, Hell’s Heart, and Downhill Fast won book of the year. I have one I haven’t put on Amazon yet. The title is Dirty Hazel and the Cat Woman. And I’m in the middle of one I’m having a blast with titled, Sundown Highway. Stay tuned.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
In Oakley, Florida, in 2005. Frank Jackson and Diane Ferguson are killed with a pipe wrench. The problem? Frank and Diane have no connection. Guy Fowler was convicted but claims to have been drunk at home when the murders occurred. Fingerprints on the wrench say otherwise. Retired police officer Bart Long, now riddled with cancer, believes Fowler is innocent. As a last request, he asks his son, small-town cop Jake Long to find the real killer. Jake wants no part of the cold case that nearly cost his father his marriage. But when Nell Stoner reports her boyfriend missing, Jake is drawn back in time. Neck-deep in the double homicide, Jake contends with an unfaithful wife, illicit drugs, killer twins, and a psychotic woman who uses snakes to murder her enemies.
The Psychology That Unconsciously Drives Us
The Mountain Mystic follows a detective investigating the disappearance of an old family friend who gains information from a psychic on where the body is hidden. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
A lot of this series is inspired by stories my family has told me about what it was like growing up in a coal town. This particular book was inspired by two of those stories. One involves my Aunt Rita, who had a prescient dream as a child about a neighbor being murdered. The other involved my Aunt Connie, who visited a psychic in her youth that accurately predicted she would be a young widow. Those stories had been bouncing around inside my head forever. Then one day, I was reading an article about a cold case investigation where the police were so desperate for clues they engaged the services of a psychic and everything came together after that.
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think makes for great fiction?
Past is not only prologue, it’s often the B plot of a good story. Our personal histories determine much of the psychology that unconsciously drives us. So I like stories where, to resolve the surface-level A-plot, the character needs to work out some aspect of their psyche, a toxic trait or mental block, that allows them to achieve the results they’ve been seeking. It’s like the external and internal plots are two disparate lines on a graph that finally converge at the climax of the story.
How did the mystery develop for this story? Did you plan it before writing or did it develop organically?
I consider myself a hybrid plotter/pantser. Before I begin writing a book, I usually know how the story will begin and end, as well as what the major plot twist will be in the middle. Everything else I make up as I go along. Writing it that way gives me the feeling of discovering the story, rather than dictating it. Also, it allows me to come up with tons of ideas throughout the process that I never would have thought of if I’d committed to a detailed plot outline from the outset.
Can you tell us more about what’s in store for Marybeth Cain and the direction of the next book?
There will be one more book in this series to wrap up the lingering tensions in Mary Beth’s life, as the larger unsolved mysteries in her past. One thing that makes Mary Beth different from most police protagonists is that she was raised by criminals and thinks like they do. That can be an asset when solving crimes, but it also means she really toes the line between enforcing the law versus her own vigilante sense of justice. That recklessness has caused her a lot of problems that so far she’s been able to sidestep, but in the third book, she’ll need to fully come to terms with it. Also, after driving her family’s criminal operation out of West Virginia, she finds that she may have created a bigger problem than she solved. At the same time, her old nemesis, attorney Alexander Pomfried, takes advantage of his new position as district attorney to come after her. For that reason, the third book is written more in the style of a legal thriller than a police procedural.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Website | Amazon
But the case that haunts Mary Beth most is one that went cold before she was even on the force: the long-ago disappearance of a family friend, named Maria Ruiz. So when a country psychic’s vision leads to the discovery of Maria’s body, Mary Beth isn’t willing to chalk it up as genuine clairvoyance and goes all in on an investigation that cuts close to home.
The Mountain Mystic
In Russell W. Johnson’s gripping murder mystery, The Mountain Mystic, Sheriff Marybeth Cain, the county’s inaugural female sheriff and successor to her late husband, grapples with the unresolved disappearance of family friend Maria Ruiz—a case that predates her tenure. The saga deepens when, against better judgment, she consults a psychic, leading to revelations that challenge her to veer off the traditional investigative path and risk her career for the sake of truth.
As the second installment in the Mountaineers Mystery series, this novel captivates with its intense narrative and complex protagonist. Marybeth is portrayed as both fearless and flawed, a combination that adds layers to her character and keeps readers engaged. Her dynamic with her deputy injects a lighter tone into the otherwise somber storyline, balancing the gravity of their investigations with moments of camaraderie. Johnson’s talent shines through in his ability to develop tangible characters and craft a tight plot peppered with unexpected twists.
The Mountain Mystic moves at a brisk pace, interweaving suspenseful detective work with profound character studies. This blend of action and introspection ensures that the narrative is as thrilling as it is thought-provoking. With its sophisticated plot twists, richly drawn characters, and vivid setting, this book will appeal to enthusiasts of the mystery genre looking for a story that both entertains and challenges.
The Mountain Mystic delivers a compelling mix of suspense and depth, making it a standout addition to the Mountaineers Mystery series. Johnson’s adept storytelling not only entertains but also invites readers to ponder the complexities of justice and truth. This novel is a must-read for those who appreciate a mystery that offers both intellectual engagement and heart-pounding moments.
Pages: 297 | ASIN : B0D1YW857L
LITERARY TITAN 