Mystery / Thriller
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Plot: This story has a little bit of everything: adventure, history, romance, and humor. The plot moves quickly, showcases intriguing characters, and shares enough history to give it depth.
Prose/Style: The language used in this story is clear and easy to understand. The story flows smoothly, even with the switches between narrators.
Originality: The story itself is original, but the tropes here are reminiscent of and feel inspired by The Da Vinci Code.
Character Development/Execution: The main characters develop throughout the story by bonding through their adventures. The protagonist demonstrates personal growth that manifests through his increased courage and independence.
Plot: The plot here is solid and intriguing, but the author attempts to weave in too many storylines and the focus becomes unclear. From the wide cast of characters to Phineas's home life, bee tending, and gardening, there are too many narratives to keep straight.
Prose/Style: The author is a strong writer and is able to convey medical diagnoses and terminology not only in a simplified manner, but also in a way to keep the reader interested.
Originality: The author puts forth an entertaining and original storyline with distinct characters and situations.
Character Development/Execution: The author does an exceptional job with his protagonist, offering insight into Phineas's thoughts from the first sentence. Peripheral characters are also well-developed.
Plot: Attiani's Sonny's Vendetta offers a winning storyline that pairs a longstanding family feud with a dynamic setting and rich descriptions of Italian cuisine.
Prose/Style: The prose is clear, engaging, and often laced with humor.
Originality: Attiani novel is full of surprises both heartwarming and thrilling. The author introduces a memorable Italian-American family, while delivering a mystery that will keep readers guessing.
Character Development/Execution: The characters come alive off the page and contribute fully to the storyline. John Valmonti may be the primary character, but South Philly and the restaurant at the heart of the story, prove almost as important throughout this often-funny family/thriller novel.
Plot: Huffstutter’s novel moves fast and furious and is meticulously plotted. Just when the reader thinks that the detectives have it figured out, Huffstutter throws a curveball into the action and ends the book with a surprise that will leave the reader wanting more.
Prose/Style: Skillfully crafted prose engages the reader, while organic dialogue allows the characters to come alive.
Originality: A surprise ending and a crime that is financially motivated will leave readers enthusiastically waiting for another installment.
Character Development/Execution: Huffstutter balances numerous characters as the novel's mysteries are revealed and pieced together. The characters are true to their roles and grow throughout the story and in tandem with one another. The rookies are idealistic and overly eager, while the experienced ones prove to be more hardened. Readers will cheer for the team of sleuths in this appealing novel.
Plot: Musgrave takes a deep dive into 1887 in this extensively researched novel. Taking the issues of the time—race and politics—he has created a probable piece of fiction based on the time period. Historically accurate, the author has written an intriguing mystery that unfolds at an even pace. The strategy the author uses to introduce each of the suspects lures the reader into the mystery. Because these issues still exist today, this multilayered plot feels modern and helps the reader understand how these issues endure.
Prose/Style: Descriptive vocabulary and meticulously chosen words are true to the time period and lend the characters depth and a distinct image. Describing clothing as “britches” or “frocks” helps pull the reader into the time period and understand the class system of the era.
Originality: The author has creatively finessed the perfect blend of history and fiction putting the characters in a situation that truly could have taken place. Focusing on a small time period and changing setting by chapter keeps the reader engaged.
Character Development/Execution: The characters feel relatable and modern yet fit the time period. The common character throughout the series is clever despite her track record for defending her suspects. The variable types of characters are well-developed and grow throughout the story. The reader is not sure who to trust throughout the story, thus making the narrative more engaging.
Plot: Starting out focusing on the kidnapping, the story evolves into related subplots much like a TV crime show. There is a little focus lost on the main crime; however, Scuefield manages to reel all subplots in while hooking the reader to stay tuned until the end. Despite the subplots, the story remains concise and compelling.
Prose/Style: Easy to follow with a dash of humor among the characters, the camaraderie among the heroes of the story is evident. Each chapter ends strategically pulling the reader further into the story and urging the reader to continue on.
Originality: Ending on a cliffhanger, the author has set the reader up to read the next book in the series even though each can stand alone. The author has created a clever premise that could be used as a television series. Scuefield has found ways to develop and create interesting characters throughout the book.
Character Development/Execution: The main characters know each other well in the story and the reader learns plenty about each character through dialogue and interactions. Scuefield has created situations that allow individual characters to grow throughout the series. Some characters that are the main focus of the crime are not explored enough, which causes the novel to lose its focal point.
Plot: This is the fourth book in a series, and as such, there's a lot of history that comes before the present installment that the reader needs to be caught up on, particularly if they haven't read the prior works. Clearly with this in mind, the author puts out a lot of information and names numerous characters all in one fell swoop. Otherwise, this work has an engaging story line with likable characters and a steady flow of action.
Prose/Style: The author is a strong writer with great command of language. The story comes alive thanks to a good balance of action, description, and lively dialogue,
Originality: This is a creative and original work with memorable characters and a distinctive plotline.
Character Development/Execution: This author does an effective job with characterization, particularly with Dell and Bryan, but also with secondary players such as Carly.
Plot: Condon has crafted an excellent thriller in Spider’s Web. The story is fast-paced and a delight for readers to keep up with. Even though this is the third in the series, it is easy to follow the plot and it can be read as a standalone work.
Prose/Style: The writing is a little choppy, but the story is so engaging that the uneven sentences do not detract from the story.
Originality: This story feels very original in both concept and execution. It combines military spy work with a deeper emotional storyline about anxiety, PTSD, and the loss of a loved one.
Character Development/Execution: The protagonist, Maggie, survives many horrible events that shape her development, and readers visibly see her growth despite these traumas. The reader experiences Maggie’s deep sense of loss after the death of her husband and then witnesses her eventual healing and ability to open up to a new love.
Plot: Mistaken Identity is an intriguing chase story that will grip the readers' attention from the start. The well-placed dramatic moments in the story keep the tension and mystery high.
Prose/Style: Sherer has skillfully blended thriller and mystery to create a compelling narrative. This is a pacey read that is high in drama and suspense.
Originality: An important portion of the story takes place in a moving train. It's intriguing to witness the story unfold in a confined space. Even though this is a classic case of mistaken identity, it is a well-written one.
Character Development/Execution: Jenny, who is at the center of the story, is a complex, strong character; there are intriguing layers to her that are revealed as the story progresses. The side characters come from various walks of life and each has something to contribute to the story.
Plot: This captivating portrait of an unravelling woman is gripping and well-paced, with layers of tantalizing mysteries for readers to attempt to untangle. It also manages to balance historical fiction and mystery well, and everything culminates into a satisfying conclusion.
Prose/Style: The voice of the titular Mrs. Saville is strong, believable, and she is the magnetic force holding the novel together. The epistolary writing style is evocative and captivating, with well-crafted character and story moments.
Originality: What makes this historical fiction novel unique is its subplot that speculates about the creation of Frankenstein and what life would have been like for the Shelleys. Its epistolary form also makes the novel stand out, as it allows for the mysteries to build really well.
Character Development/Execution: The titular character is well-defined and complex, and she is the star of the novel. While some of the minor characters tend to become a little one-dimensional, most are fleshed out and intriguing.
Blurb: A tantalizing tale of historical fiction that will keep readers up all night as they, and Mrs. Saville, try to unweave a web of intrigue and duplicity.
Plot: Starting off slowly, Marohn fills the reader in on what happened during the main character’s previous venture. The reader then becomes steeped in a new adventure that takes the reader to a variety of places and a dangerous race to outsmart bad intentions. Marohn keeps the storyline tight with guidance for the reader and keeps the intensity high.
Prose/Style: This narrative is well-written, with close attention to detail and setting allowing the reader to keep up with the chase. The author keeps the reader on point with necessary details but does not embellish too much. The interactions between the characters help lend the reader insight into personality and relationships.
Originality: The author successfully allows a reader that is new to the series to understand where the main character has been and where he is going next. This approach is clever and smart, as it creates interest in the series.
Character Development/Execution: Conservative but adventurous, the main character is clever and genuine. Because the reader has a glimpse into his personal life, he is relatable. Interactions between the characters keep the plot moving forward. Being that the reader gets to see into the personal life of the main character, it is easy to want the main character to succeed not only in love but also in the chase for the bad guys.
Plot: Smart and compelling, this second installment in Zell’s series is too good to pass up. Told in multiple perspectives and time periods, the author manages to close all of the gaps.
Prose/Style: Clear and concise, the words flow together well. The author uses bold headings to cue the reader that the time and place has changed, which helps the reader tune in.
Originality: An obscure complication involving one of the characters makes this an intriguing story. Most readers will find the premise behind the complication to be well-executed.
Character Development/Execution: Strong, complex characters keep all of the facets of the story moving forward. The main character’s fast-paced actions and decisions keep the reader on their toes.
Plot: Former detective Mike Lunsmann is an alcoholic on the brink; as his life crashes around him, he is confronted by a mystery in the Harlow Boonies that causes him to question his own reality. Double Vision features an engaging plot that touches on the supernatural, the nature of evil, and the often tenuous relationships of fathers and sons.
Prose/Style: Bird's prose is clever, well-written, and elegiac at times as his characters often ponder their own broken lives and inner demons. It is only near the end of the story that the supernatural comes fully into view, awakening the reader to the clever duality throughout the story.
Originality: While stories about broken-down alcoholic cops are a dime a dozen, what makes this story stand apart is its well-developed and likable, albeit flawed, characters. Fathers and sons, "scars that never heal," and the insidiousness of the past cleverly combine to form an enjoyable tale where a man hell-bent on revenge lives in a house on the threshold of worlds.
Character Development/Execution: Bird paints a vivid picture of all his characters, from the main characters like Dougie, Mike, and Saul Jessup, to the one's on the periphery like Ryan Mills and Natalie Hollister. The characters are definitely the backbone of the story; their flaws and introspections make them both realistic and sympathetic, while also making this story a joy to read.
Plot: Jason Figgis is a musician/private investigator who is enlisted to participate in the 50th Anniversary Tour of his parents' former 'folky pop group' Figgis Green. Little does he know that in between rehearsals and practice, he will be roped into to solving an over 40 year mystery of a teenager's disappearance--the ultimate test of his sleuthing skills--that will put his life in danger and lead him on a dangerous search for the truth. Kent offers a fantastic setup and delivers a highly engaging and memorable novel.
Prose: Kent's prose is descriptive, engaging, and keeps the reader intrigued.
Originality: PI stories are a dime a dozen--however, what sets this one apart is the unexpected side story of Jason and The Figs getting ready to tour--definitely the B story, though still well told and intrinsic to the rest of the narrative.
Character/Execution: Jason is a well-written, relatable, and fun character whose foray into sleuthing leads him down a dark path. His family's musical history--paired with the circumstances of a fan's disappearance--makes for a truly memorable mystery.
Plot: The premise of this work is intriguing and mysterious, which is only strengthened by the first-person perspective. While the supernatural elements here work well, there are other implausible moments that might benefit from revising.
Prose/Style: The author starts off the work with a strong opening full of mystery and intrigue, and the writing is clear and strong throughout. There is a tendency to provide insignificant description at times, which the author should be on the alert to revise.
Originality: This is an original work with a solid storyline that, with some editing, has the makings of a successful book.
Character Development/Execution: The author has employed effective characterization and astutely employs a first-person narrative to gain insight into Max's actions and rationale.
Plot: Dropping the reader immediately into the mystery and action, this first book in a new crime series barely slows down. Twists, turns, and distractions keep the reader entertained until the end, which wraps up in a tidy close. At times the plot is heavy-handed with its depictions of military and police procedure, but the familiarity that the author has with military investigation keeps the reader moving forward.
Prose/Style: The dialogue between the characters feels spot-on for military action. The reader can hear the gruff voice of the commanders. The uncertainty of the character assigned to the murder case is also effective and helps the reader understand his uneasy personality. The author has perfectly depicted these two characters as an unlikely partnership.
Originality: A mystery involving the military is a fresh approach, particularly in how the story opens. Unexpected twists and turns throughout the mystery drive the plot forward.
Character Development/Execution: Putting two unlikely characters together pays off as the contrast between them helps develop strong, well-rounded characters – one which changes tremendously over the course of the novel. The characters feel real and belong in the setting that the author has created. The experience of one of the characters contrasts well with the inexperience of the other.
