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Naked Came the Detective
Being a professional escort is not easy; it is not all glamor and high-end clients. For one Washington D.C. woman, her life as a sex worker is filled with clients from the upper echelon of D.C. When one of her regular dates is murdered in an apparent mugging, she questions if things are as cut and dry as the news stories say. Using her connections and skills as a trusted confidant, she digs into this mystery to discover the truth behind his death and, in the process, discovers more than she bargained for.
Author Glendall C. Jackson III has created a captivating mystery in his novel Naked Came the Detective. This story is told in the form of a memoir, with side notes included from Chris, the reporter, to add information or clarify terms from the sex industry. Being from Washington, D.C., I felt right at home with the book’s descriptions and locations. The main character is honest, direct, intelligent, savvy, and determined not to just sit on the sidelines when discovering critical information. She is a strong female protagonist who takes matters into her own hands and does what must be done even when others tell her to play it safe.
Despite the book being short, just over 100 pages, the author has included plenty of red herrings and shocking twists to keep readers engaged and looking for the next clue along with our amateur sleuth. I can see her character taking on additional mysteries in future books. Her inquisitive nature is contagious, and descriptions of her dates add humor that many women will be able to relate to.
Naked Came the Detective is author Glendall C. Jackson III’s first fiction story, and it does not disappoint. Jackson’s attention to detail and well-written plot make this cozy mystery a must-read for those looking for a suspense-filled story with a memorable and fascinating protagonist.
Pages: 102 | ASIN : B0C6YQGTZM
The Final Steps
In The Final Steps, Mark M. Bello crafts a riveting legal thriller that stands out in the vast expanse of the mystery genre. The plot pivots around Judge Rosaline Maxwell, who finds herself embroiled in a tantalizing murder mystery when her friend and college president, Tyler Guthrie, becomes a prime suspect in Professor Kevin Johnstone’s murder.
The story unfurls when Rosaline receives an urgent call from Tyler, imploring her to use her legal insight to establish his innocence. Her previous role as a defense attorney and her growing fascination with the American justice system position her as an ideal character to dissect the intricate narrative that ensues. The plot thickens as she grapples with enigmatic clues, constant death threats, and the ever-evolving identities of potential culprits.
Mark M. Bello’s The Final Steps is far more than a standard ‘whodunnit’ mystery. It’s an engaging exploration of friendship, justice, and the legal system. The deep-rooted bond between Rosaline and Tyler lends an emotional depth to the narrative that transcends the traditional confines of the mystery genre.
Bello’s commendable portrayal of Rosaline as a seasoned legal professional provides an invaluable inside look into the complexities of the legal world. His narrative is a tapestry of compelling storylines intertwined with an adept use of literary devices that serves to hold the reader’s attention throughout.
In this book, Bello adopts a precise and strategic writing style, which manifests in the focused development of characters and surroundings. This deliberate constraint of elements lends a streamlined, fast-paced nature to the narrative, rendering it comprehensive and captivating.
The constant shuffling of potential suspects propels the plot’s momentum, creating an intense aura of suspense. Complementing this is the exhaustive exploration of the legal system, which makes this work intriguing, highly informative, and unique in its approach.
However, despite the book’s brevity, one can’t help but feel that the plot harbors untapped potential. A more expansive narrative could have added an additional layer of depth, and Bello could have further embellished the intriguing facets of the story. Despite this minor criticism, this mystery remains a memorable addition to any mystery enthusiast’s collection.
The Final Steps blends legal thriller and cozy mystery genres together to give readers an action-filled story full of twists and turns. Readers will be drawn into the mystery and feel they know the characters as they sort out the clues. This is a captivating mystery novel to pick up for an afternoon read.
Pages: 247 | ASIN : B0BXM9XGSR
Faythe of North Hinkapee: The Saga of a Young Woman’s Quest for Justice and Love in Colonial America
Women have faced countless challenges and obstacles throughout history, with their rights and freedoms being significantly limited. In colonial America, societal norms dictated that women were to be viewed as property and that their future was limited to marriage and children. In his book Faythe of North Hinkapee: The Saga of a Young Woman’s Quest for Justice and Love in Colonial America, James T. Hogg introduces us to a diverse cast of characters living in the town of North Hinkapee. Among the characters are Faythe and her younger sister Chloe, whose lives are forever changed after Chloe falls victim to a brutal assault by two influential town members. The book sheds light on how the incident impacts not only Chloe but also her family and those around her, providing a stark reminder of how class and gender played a significant role in colonial America.
Told from various points of view, the author has written a comprehensive and compelling narrative of the tragedy at play. Hogg’s masterful handling of multiple perspectives allows the reader to gain insight into the perspectives of Faythe, the men who hurt her sister and their family, the pastor in town, and the natives who inhabited the area originally. The different viewpoints all work together cohesively, with Hogg delivering this almost effortlessly. Although Hogg’s writing is generally engaging, one area that could improve is the dialogue, which sometimes can distract the reader from the story. At times I felt the language sounded too modern and did not fit with the colonial period. Nonetheless, despite this drawback, this story remains a captivating and thought-provoking read.
Faythe of North Hinkapee: The Saga of a Young Woman’s Quest for Justice and Love in Colonial is a gripping woman’s historical fiction novel. Hogg does a remarkable job of handling multiple POVs and tackling complex topics gracefully. Anyone interested in colonial America, gender roles, or compelling historical fiction will thoroughly enjoy this novel.
Pages: 1,409 | ASIN : B0CWDRLS6C
The First Harm
Steven Piskula’s The First Harm is a gripping, action-packed thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Tanna’s discovery of a cadaver in the lab sets off a chain of events that leads her down a dangerous path. When her roommate, Krystal, dies in what appears to be a murder disguised as an accident, Tanna begins to suspect that something sinister is afoot. Her investigation soon uncovers a shady body parts trading scheme between the university and a mortuary and the nefarious activities of Modern Genetics, a research laboratory creating deadly viruses.
Tanna becomes a target of the malevolent plotters, and with nowhere else to turn, she teams up with Jason, a former drug addict, to hunt down the bad guys. Despite being outmatched and outgunned, their unwavering commitment to justice and the safety of others is truly admirable. Along the way, they encounter a colorful cast of characters, including Solomon, who stands up for the truth at a significant personal cost.
The First Harm boasts a well-crafted plot filled with unending twists and turns, and the characterization is top-notch. The chemistry between Tanna and Jason is palpable, and their courage in the face of danger is inspiring. Piskula’s writing style keeps the story moving rapidly, sprinkling in just the right amount of humor and romance to make it a delightful read. The plot moves quickly, but that is because the scenes are intense and violent.
The First Harm is a well-written and engrossing medical thriller that will satisfy fans of mystery mixed with science fiction and conspiracy. The storyline is engaging, the characters are well-developed, and the suspense is mind-blowing. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a thrilling read that will keep them on the edge of their seat.
Pages: 328 | ASIN : B0BCXCF88X
The Bishop’s Palace
Janet K. Shawgo’s The Bishop’s Palace is a captivating work of paranormal fiction that explores how a local mystery brings an entire town together. Set around a corrupt Bishop who sold his soul for the sake of greed, this gripping story revolves around the Bishop’s Palace and the treasure that lies within. The youth of the town, as well as several from neighboring towns, went in search of this treasure but never returned. The protagonist, Morlanna Miller, is a journalist trying to make a name for herself in the male-dominated world of journalism. Despite facing severe opposition from her boss and colleagues, she investigates the Bishop’s Palace and becomes trapped by the cursed Bishop. As the townspeople become aware of the situation, a sense of discontent grows, but will it be enough to save Morlanna?
Shawgo’s writing style is both strong and inspiring. Morlanna is a fearless character who fills the book with empowering energy. While the protagonist’s initial hostility can be overwhelming, her actions become understandable as the story progresses. The characters are well-developed, with the townspeople and the town itself beautifully reflecting the society of the time and engaging readers.
I appreciated the book’s representation of strong female characters. The book’s primary focus remains on the women of the town and Morlanna, and even the Bishop’s Curse represents the relevance of females. The story is incredibly empowering for female readers, showcasing Morlanna’s sass and courage while avoiding overshadowing her achievements with the male gaze. The Bishop’s Palace presents multiple motifs throughout the story. The city represents the oppression of women, while the country’s life portrays freedom of choice and influential women in society.
The Bishop’s Palace is highly recommended for readers looking for a fresh perspective on female characters in a suspense and thriller novel. While the plot may be clichéd in terms of a superhero bringing society together to destroy evil, the freedom and strength that Morlanna experiences in this story are incredibly fulfilling.
Pages: 148 | ASIN : B0B352THVW
The Butterfly’s Cocoon
Thornton Park, set on a vast estate shrouded in mystery and hidden secrets, provides an ideal backdrop for a conference on immortality. Intended to highlight cultural similarities and differences in beliefs, the conference takes an unexpected turn even before it begins. Alexandra and her family soon find themselves entangled in a paranormal quest to uncover the secrets of eternal life. To add complications to the quest, people are being murdered. As the family’s detective, Alexandra is determined to unravel the mystery and apprehend the culprit. While uncovering clues, she finds herself discovering dark tales and myths that could place her unborn child and herself at risk. Are they unfounded, or are Alexandra and her baby in danger?
Amidst the unfolding enigma, romance blossoms as Edith falls for the enigmatic James. Author Ellen Read masterfully crafts an engaging narrative that effortlessly blends critical plot points with an immersive scene setting. Readers are transported to Thornton Park, as if joining Alexandra and the conference speakers in their pursuit of eternal life’s elusive secret. The novel boasts a diverse cast of characters, each with a unique story to share. While keeping track of each conference attendee’s origins may prove challenging, their individual theories and backgrounds enrich the overall narrative. Readers will be drawn into each character’s backstory and get to know them, seeing how they fit into the story’s overall plot. Ellen’s skillful storytelling breathes life into the world of the Thornton Mysteries, leaving readers eagerly anticipating future installments.
The Butterfly’s Cocoon is a captivating read that combines mystery, romance, and a touch of the paranormal. The author’s deft handling of the plot and setting creates an immersive experience that transports readers back in time. With its intriguing cast of characters and thought-provoking themes, this novel is a must-read for fans of the Thornton Mysteries series.
Pages: 322 | ASIN : B0BV3CNBNC
The Orchid Tattoo
The Orchid Tattoo is an exceptional work of fiction that cleverly intertwines two critical issues; human trafficking and mental health. After finding out her sister is missing, a social worker unexpectedly finds herself uncovering a brutal human trafficking network. Meanwhile, the book follows the lives of two girls trapped inside the trafficking ring, with two different yet equally devastating roles. Each story overlaps over time as more secrets and links are discovered. The book shifts between the stories of each character, aided by Carla Damron’s smooth and realistic writing style, to deal with a topic that is usually shied away from, despite being an extremely important issue in today’s society.
Without a doubt, The Orchid Tattoo is the best book I’ve read in a long time. Carla Damron personifies the victims involved in human trafficking. The reader realizes that behind each statistic on the news are real individuals with unique personalities and backgrounds, all with enormous bravery. The Orchid Tattoo is a gripping book that will break your heart and fill you with anger. Although it is a heavy topic, and some parts may be hard to read, it also opens the reader’s eyes and inspires change. It is fast-paced, with thrilling action and unpredictable twists. I love how the book’s main character is a social worker who also struggles with her own mental health difficulties. This bridges the gap between those giving and receiving help and makes the character much more relatable. It is unsurprising to find out that the book was written by a social worker, as it reflects a deep knowledge and understanding of the subject.
The Orchid Tattoo is an emotionally charged crime mystery filled with suspense and thrilling twists. It is a story that will stay in your mind for a long time after reading and will force you to question why we aren’t discussing the atrocities of human trafficking more often.
Pages: 401 | ASIN : B0B7BB616Y
Coyote: Pursuit and Terror Across the Border
Coyote: Pursuit and Terror Across the Border is the fourth book in Ana Manwaring’s thrilling crime series. It follows the events in book three, where JadeAnne is attempting to bring Lily, a young, trafficked girl to safety. Senator Aguirre is dead and her nemesis, Anabel, is trying to re-kidnap her and Lily to complete the sale to Los Zetas, forcing JadeAnne and Lily to flee to the U.S. border. When they find no help from the U.S. government, JadeAnne calls on the help of her new friends Rosi and Dafne along with her boyfriend, Dylan and her father, Quint. But every move they make puts her and those around her in danger.
The author has sent her characters on a heart-pounding mission in the fourth installment in her series. The ensemble cast and suspenseful story remind me of the consistently entertaining Fast and Furious series. Because this story picks up right where book three ended it was not hard to follow along, so longtime fans will enjoy the blazing speed of this story. For newcomers to the series, I would recommend reading the series in order since the author drops us into the fray without a preamble.
JadeAnne felt very fleshed out as everything is coming from her perspective. While I enjoyed the deep dive into her character I didn’t get to know the other characters as well. Ana Manwaring has a strong narrative voice in her novel which helps guide the reader through some high-octane scenes. I always enjoy Manwaring’s novels because of the detailed scenes. I could clearly imagine it all and there were some fantastically cinematic scenes to read through. There is palpable tension throughout the story which always had me wondering what was going to happen next. Manwaring does an excellent job of keeping the reader on their toes as action strikes at any moment in the story.
The author successfully brings together action and adventure in this explosive thriller set against the unique backdrop of Mexico in Coyote: Pursuit and Terror Across the Border.
Pages: 368 | ASIN: B0BJGZRTGP
LITERARY TITAN 