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Painted Death: A Kira Logan Mystery
Painted Death by J.C. Andrew is a murder mystery with twists and turns at every corner. Artist Kira is commissioned to travel to Alaska and paint a mural honoring the captains and crew lost at sea. While many in town support the project, not everybody is so thrilled. It is rumored that the most recent captain’s death, Jason, is surrounded by not-so respectable circumstances. When it is decided that the project will continue as intended, deaths start popping up under suspicious conditions. Are they all connected somehow, and will the killer be caught before taking their fourth victim? Only time will tell, and it’s looking like removing Jason from the mural may be the only way to stop it.
I love that Kira seems to connect with people everywhere she goes. She has a likable personality and seems to get along with practically everybody that she meets. With that being said, she is not a pushover and knows how to stand up for herself. She’s a strong character with many admirable qualities. Two of these relationships were with Angela and Owen. Angela seemed like a sweet woman with determination about her. Kira and Owen had a flirtatious relationship that was on the brink of turning into more.
This truly was a murder mystery in that no one person stood out as the killer. Several times, I was sure of who it was, and none of them turned out to be correct. It definitely kept me on the edge of my seat, wondering who would turn up dead and the person behind it. I enjoyed the storyline. I felt however that the style it was written in, almost like a movie manuscript, made it difficult to connect with the characters on a deeper level. This aside the plot was strong, it is well-paced, and the characters were believable.
Painted Death is a captivating cozy mystery with a strong female protagonist. This suspenseful novel is a great read with an exciting plot and unique twist that will keep readers guessing who the murderer is untill the end.
Pages: 230 | ASIN : B0792WZS8H
The Agape Journey
The Agape Journey by Eleanor Tremayne is one finely researched and executed work that can be read as a postmodern female bildungsroman. The narration by protagonist Imani creates a gripping story from the very beginning which remains till the last words.
From the very beginning readers are made aware that this is not a simple story of an American girl, rather this is going to be a roller coaster ride with a redheaded American journalist with an Arabic name. The amalgamation of Imani’s personal quest for identity along with the central mystery of the Agape carpet provides multiple layers to this engrossing and emotional historical fiction novel. This riveting thriller maintains an excellent balance between authentic representations and well-round characters with intriguing backstories.
The detailed description of places, from New York or Cairo, and the chronology with which the readers get to know about Imani’s past and introduction of every character is done with a finesse that ensures readers are invested in the character’s while taking them along on an exotic, beautiful and spiritual journey that is sprinkled with magical realism.
Each chapter begins with a beautiful quote whose significance can be traced in the chapters. Readers will root for Imani, and their heart will go out to all the brilliantly written characters in this suspenseful story, like her mother Sarah.
The Agape Journey by Eleanor Tremayne is an educational and thought-provoking experience. Tremayne seamlessly blends fact with the fiction in this spellbinding historical thriller. Readers who have never had an opportunity to visit South Africa will get to experience the rich culture through Tremayne’s extraordinary storytelling style. This book takes readers on an enthralling adventure to the brilliant wonders of the world, through thrilling mysteries, and on a spiritual journey that will have them thinking of this novel long after they have read the last page.
Pages: 371 | ASIN : B09KNRK94X
LITERARY TITAN 