Blog Archives
Drowning in Deception
In the wake of the unanticipated demise of journalist Sondra “Sonny” Girard, Sam Flanagan, a private investigator, is engaged in unraveling the mystifying conditions surrounding her death. The case comes to him from Senator Victor Girard, Sonny’s former husband, who harbors suspicions of foul play. While Detective Flanagan initially anticipates a straightforward case, an unexpected dismissal by Senator Girard leaves him grappling with dwindling resources yet an abundance of leads to explore. As he ventures deeper into the investigation, a labyrinth of conflicting testimonies, enigmatic clues, and a myriad of suspects awaits him, all potentially hinting at a grander narrative against the backdrop of World War II.
Drowning in Deception, penned by Judith White, is a compelling detective noir novella chronicling the investigative journey of Sam Flanagan, an ex-cop from Detroit who has transitioned into a private investigator. Set amidst the global tumult of World War II, Flanagan must rely on his keen intellect and intuition to delve into a death initially presumed accidental but soon unveils its deceptive layers. Thrown into the milieu of journalists and high-brow politicians, Sam discerns that Sonny’s demise is far from a simple drowning, and uncovering the motive becomes pivotal to cracking the case.
The narrative unfolds at a brisk pace, driven by succinct and punchy sentences that complement the high-octane plot. White masterfully orchestrates the narrative such that readers become active participants in the unfolding mystery, formulating theories and conjectures as new characters and details are introduced.
White triumphs in crafting a credible period mystery rife with unexpected twists and red herrings that will undoubtedly captivate mystery aficionados. I recommend Drowning in Deception to readers who enjoy intriguing murder mystery stories.
Pages: 253 | ASIN : B073FM2KC6
Rock Step Triple Homicide
In Rock Step Triple Homicide, author Doug Dorsey delivers a captivating and intriguing read that merges two distinct genres. Detective Evann Myrick, the protagonist, has retired from law enforcement after solving The West Coast Swing murders. At the urging of his friend and love interest Victoria, Evann embarks on a dance cruise to take a break from his routine. However, what was supposed to be a leisurely and enjoyable trip turns into a perilous game of murder and deception.
Dorsey expertly weaves a complex plot that is fraught with suspense, surprises, and unexpected twists that will leave you guessing until the very end. The story immediately grips you with its intense and ominous opening scene, making it difficult to put the book down. The author’s innovative approach to incorporating dancing into a murder mystery adds an element of fun and originality to the genre. The book’s immersive descriptions of the various dance styles and techniques create a vivid picture of the cruise’s atmosphere, giving dance enthusiasts an extra layer of enjoyment. Dorsey’s attention to detail in creating well-rounded and unique characters makes it challenging to identify the real killer until the book’s final pages. In particular, Victoria’s character adds levity to the narrative and encourages Evann to explore new experiences outside his comfort zone.
In conclusion, Rock Step Triple Homicide is a refreshing and enjoyable read that blends murder mystery and dance genres seamlessly. Doug Dorsey’s writing style keeps you engaged and entertained throughout, making it an ideal choice for readers seeking a gripping and captivating story that will keep them on the edge of their seats. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an exciting and engrossing read.
Pages: 271 | ASIN : B0BYP45YQS
The Ghost on the Beach
The Ghost on the Beach: Who Killed Eleanor Marlowe? by Scarlett Dunn is a compelling mystery novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The gripping story follows Private Investigator Steele Harper as he moves to his new home on the beach in the midst of investigating a case of a missing girl who was abducted from a busy shopping mall a year prior. However, Steele’s plans are derailed when he discovers a mysterious woman walking the beach every night and becomes embroiled in a murder investigation involving a ghost.
Dunn’s character development is exceptional, particularly with Steele Harper, who is a multifaceted character with an obsessive nature that is typical of both ex-cops and private investigators. While this trait may be perceived as unfavorable, it adds depth to his character and makes him relatable to readers. Additionally, Dunn effectively uses the first-person perspective to give readers insight into Eleanor’s perspective and her status as a ghost, which enhances the overall mystery of the story. Steele’s investigation leads him to two seemingly unrelated cases that eventually prove to be intertwined. Hearts play a significant role in both cases, and Dunn cleverly weaves them together to keep readers guessing until the very end. While the story is complex, Dunn’s writing is clear and concise, making it easy for readers to follow the plot.
Overall, The Ghost on the Beach: Who Killed Eleanor Marlowe? is an outstanding paranormal mystery novel. Scarlett Dunn’s superb character development, well-crafted plot, and skillful intertwining of two mysteries while maintaining a sense of humor and a romantic subplot make for a riveting and engaging read that will leave readers satisfied.
Pages: 394 | ASIN : B0BR8NF89H
Guidance to Death
Frank Adams, a distinguished accident investigative consultant, is suddenly thrust into a perilous situation when Mrs. Rawlson enlists his services to probe her husband’s suspicious death in a plane crash. With a solid background as a former employee of the National Transportation Safety Board, Adams had been accustomed to leading a relatively tranquil life, dealing with cases that were free of illegal or hazardous activities. However, his peaceful existence is upended, his life is imperiled when his house and office come under constant surveillance and unknown assailants attempt to take his life. To unearth the truth about the murder of Charles Rawlson, CEO of Amertex Electronics, Adams must outmaneuver his attackers and navigate the labyrinth of a complex conspiracy.
Guidance to Death is a finely crafted detective story replete with suspense and intrigue that keeps readers engrossed from beginning to end. Despite knowing the identity of the murderer from the outset, the brisk pace of the narrative maintains readers on the edge of their seats and second-guessing how the story will ultimately unfold. In addition, the story’s world-building is enriched by intricate details such as the layout of Mr. Rawlson’s mansion, Helen’s pride in the home security system, the enigmatic yet trustworthy bond between Frank and ‘the major,’ and the witty description of Corey as a bear sitting in a miniature sports car, infusing the dangers with an added air of realism.
Guidance to Death by Daniel V. Meier Jr. is a riveting detective novel that has readers in suspense throughout this thrilling story. While Saunders and his extremist cohorts appear to conform to a convenient archetype of villainy, lacking sufficient depth to explain their motivations, the story is captivating and refreshingly original. This fascinating novel is a highly entertaining read and comes strongly recommended to all.
Pages: 280 | ISBN : 8886330022
Demented
Cindy Smith is a young woman living in Washington, D.C., making a life of her own. Her present seems perfectly happy until her past hunts her down. Cindy has frequent suspicious encounters with Adan Jackson at her workplace. Adan Jackson is one of the three men who gang-raped her sixteen years before and got away with a misdemeanor assault charge. Cindy engages a private investigator, Nickey Arnold, to deal with her tormentor. But, as Nickey investigates further, a harrowing set of events lead all three men to make their way back into Cindy’s life, and she has to reopen chapters she never wished to read.
Demented by Joe Clark is a crime thriller novel that begins like a mystery and ends like an action movie. As stated by the author, it is genuinely a “story of crime, punishment and getting away with it.” Though being a crime drama, the author successfully maintains the characters’ compassionate nature. The story revolves around events that would help bring the plot forward and dwells in the great depths of its real-life characters.
The writing style is simple yet gripping. The story progresses with multiple episodic scenes, which could be translated well into a screenplay. The plot may feel like a train where we keep adding carriages to reach the end. Though this might be interesting for readers who love the suspense as a genre, it might be mind-boggling for others. The numerous characters and their names could be hard to keep in line with the story. However, the multifold narrative, strong roles, and quick pacing story wouldn’t let readers put down the book. The author effectively covers a realistic description of how law and justice play out in society.
Demented is a mystery thriller that will leave readers wondering if it is right to believe everything is either black or white or if it has been a grey area all along. It is a reviving tale of right or wrong and everything in between.
Pages: 412 | ASIN : B0872HRL57
Hope and Belief
I’ve Been Waiting follows a narcotics detective who, at the request of a beautiful woman, investigates an unsolved mystery and encounters paranormal activities. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Well, this is a good question. I guess I was going through some difficult times personally. With the loss of family members, Grand Parents, Aunts, Uncles, and Parents passing away, I guess you begin to question our very existence. You begin to wonder, is there something out there beyond this life, or is this it? So, with each passing of a loved one, a deep sadness begins to fill your heart. I feel that this was the place I was in at the time, and then I started having this reoccurring dream. It was the same dream, over and over, becoming more vivid each time. So, I started telling people about the dream.
The dream was about this guy walking down the street in an older part of Boston. The street was dark with high buildings on each side. It was a dark night with a slight fog that had rolled in. I had a feeling that the guy was aimlessly walking down the street, heading toward his favorite bar. As he got closer to the bar, he noticed this very attractive woman standing on the street corner under the lights. For whatever the reason, he was drawn toward the girl, and as he approached, he asked her if she was lost or needed help. She looked back at the guy and said, No…I’m waiting for you.
So, that was the dream. What exactly it meant, I didn’t know, but I finally decided to write it down. Writing it down made me realize that this guy, who became John O’Roark in the book, was lost. He had lost everything, his family, his self-worth, his career, and everything he ever believed in. However, I knew that this woman, who mysteriously came into his life at just the right time, would help him find his way back.
John is an interesting and unique character. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Once I wrote down the dream, I had to go back and determine just what happened to this individual. So, I asked myself what tragedy could occur in a person’s life to make him feel the way he feels and put him in this situation of feeling totally lost. The most important thing in this world is your family, and if anything were to happen to them, you would be devastated. In knowing that, then you ask yourself, how would you respond and what would you do if something happened to your family like what happened to John’s family in the book? So, this is the direction I went within the book.
What was strange was when I started creating the different characters in the story. For instance, Dex, the stutterer came out of thin air, but he’s a big part of the story. Once I had the characters in place, the story just took off. It was as if I was just along for the ride, typing away as I saw the scenes play out.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I would say that the overall theme of this book is about hope. It’s about an individual who is in complete despair, lost, and alone in his grief with no sense of purpose due to his circumstances. Yet, on an unexpected meeting with a mysterious woman, his life begins to turn around as he embarks on an incredible journey that allows him to overcome his hardships and find a new purpose in life. It’s about the hope and the belief that he will be together again with his family someday and that, for now, he has much more to do in this world as he realizes that his new purpose is to help others.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I have several books in mind and have written the outlines for each. Obviously, this book has an ending that leads to another journey for John’s character. So, I’m in the process of outlining his next adventure.
Two other books that I am working on are: “Frantic Panic” and “The Family Secret”
These books have no release date and are in the early stages of development.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Webpage
John, a dedicated family man with two kids and a beautiful wife, blames himself for the senseless assault on his family. After which, John’s only intent in life was hunting down those responsible for the attack and seeking revenge. In doing so, he becomes lost and alone as he begins to question and doubt all that he believes to be true.
Until he meets a young and mysterious woman named Angelica, who begins telling him a compelling story about her friend who has been missing for years. Reluctant to take on a missing person’s case, he simply can’t resist being pulled into her captivating plea for help. With the aid of his old partner, Dex, the three set out for the mountains of Colorado to uncover the truth about the missing girl, only to discover that Angelica isn’t who or what she seems to be.
Kick Ball Slay
Evann Myrick is an aging, widowed detective with a special gift for solving crimes. When he begins to investigate a string of murders that has been plaguing the world of West Coast swing dancing, he finds himself thrown into a hostile environment full of treachery, deceit, and murder. Myrick finds himself locked in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with a vicious killer that is closer than he thinks. As the body count rises and his investigation deepens, the killer’s attention turns to Myrick. With no witnesses, a long list of suspects and a world totally unknown to him, he must rely on all his skills as a detective to stop this murderer–before they stop him.
Kick Ball Slay, by Doug Dorsey, is a riveting murder mystery, set in the competitive world of West Coast swing Dancing. The story focuses on Evann Myrick, a brilliant detective that is tasked with solving these murders. Dorsey does a wonderful job of keeping readers in suspense and making it hard for us to guess the identity of the killer.
I enjoyed following Evann throughout the investigation as readers will be trying to put the pieces together with him. I am a fan of Dorsey’s style of writing. His language is descriptive and engaging. The author’s characters are well-developed and diverse, adding to the world of swing dancing. Dorsey has also done a great job of making all of the characters in the book seem like suspects, making it hard for the reader to pinpoint one person.
Kick Ball Slay is a fascinating whodunit crime thriller with a unique setting and a compelling cast of characters. With a compelling mystery at its core readers will be wrapped up in solving this spellbinding case.
Pages: 329 | ASIN: B09W921HLJ
Camp David Conspiracy
The war on drugs in America is raging. Everyone, from low-income communities to the high-end politicians, lawyers, and doctors, enjoys the hard-hitting high that comes from cocaine, heroin, and other recreational drugs. Unfortunately, federal government organizations like the DEA and FBI are at a loss on how to stop this profitable and overly active industry. It is not until President Osbourne’s best friend loses his son to a mugging gone wrong by a drug addict looking for cash to pay for his next hit that he takes the war on drugs seriously. Too seriously. Casualties on both sides of this war reveal corruption and conspiracies from every angle. Author Antim Straus writes a fictional piece based on the history of the War on Drugs in Camp David Conspiracy.
The author has a solid understanding of politics and the war on drugs, and it is clear the author has done his research. Character development is one of the highlights of this novel. The story follows several characters from the White House, the Cartel, reporter Wines, drug dealers, and many more. I really enjoyed this approach because I was able to see from each character’s perspective how drugs personally affected their lives. The author’s ability to create a wide cast of characters is one to be applauded, as each character was very different and believable.
The author seamlessly changes perspectives between characters within each chapter; I always knew who was talking and whose thoughts readers were listening in on. In addition, the author explains in detail concepts like buyers, sellers, dropping packages, runners, etc., which allows the reader to understand the criminal side of drug dealing. I felt like I was watching a crime show, and I found it hard to put this book down. I also liked how pieces of the news articles were inserted into the book, fully immersing the reader in the drama.
I feel this book is more of a crime thriller than a political thriller, and I only mention this as it may deter other readers from picking up this enticing book. Camp David Conspiracy is a raw, gritty, and intense read that takes the reader into a deep dive into the drug operation and the war on drugs. This is the first book in Antim Straus’s Geoffrey Wines Series. I look forward to reading the second book in the series Disorder.
Camp David Conspiracy is a riveting political thriller novel that will have readers on edge with each suspenseful chapter. This crime fiction book is filled with intimate details of how drug rings are conducted and the conspiracy of those in high political places.
Pages: 335 | ASIN : B07KDW9L9Z
LITERARY TITAN 