Mystery / Thriller
Plot: The plot consists of the daily, weekly, and seasonal happenings of several Indigenous tribes, their battles, their loves, their children, and their movement. Many harrowing, lengthy battles ensue; many Native Americans lose their lives, and tribes slowly disappear.
Prose/Style: The prose is sometimes poetic, full of attention to minute detail. Though some of the dialogue appears to be too modern, overall readers will really gain a sense of the characters through the dialogue and descriptions here.
Originality: Though sagas of Native American individuals and cultures exist, this book feels like a fresh addition to the historical genre.
Character Development/Execution: Night Mountain is clearly portrayed as a kind, hard-working and heroic husband, son, father and neighbor. The women are less detailed, as their lives are not nearly as action-packed as the braves'.
Plot: A Trail of Pearls is a lively and unexpected blend of fantasy, romance, and contemporary women's fiction with an appealing mythological element. Despite these qualities, the central romance feels somewhat rushed and predictable.
Prose/Style: The prose here is clear, witty, and engaging.
Originality: From a friendship with a heavy-drinking mermaid to magic cameo jewelry and a Capri setting, George offers much to keep readers turning the pages.
Character Development/Execution: These characters are highly exceptional, amusing, and eccentric. Readers may struggle to find greater relatability in their traits, but the author does a fine job of creating a hyperbolic cast whose troubles and travails play out against a divine setting.
Hanging Softly in the Night: A Detective Nick Larson Novel
by Maria Elena Alonso-SierraRating: 7.25
Plot: Alonso-Sierra's high-speed plot is dramatic and well-balanced. Despite an abrupt ending, the storyline introduces believable complications and plausible intrigue.
Prose/Style: Alonso-Sierra's prose is both poetic and succinct. The articulate third-person perspective employs genuine criminal lingo without sacrificing its lyrical style.
Originality: Hanging Softly in the Night applies conventional murder mystery themes, but goes above and beyond by adding in psychiatric subplots.
Character Development/Execution: The characters in Hanging Softly in the Night are relatable and intriguing, particularly Nick Larson's troubled past juxtaposed with his present-day crime-fighting. Readers will be left ruminating on the attention-grabbing dynamics between Laura Howard and her malicious twin sister.
Blurb: A fast-moving murder mystery that will leave readers fixated on the psychiatric undertones driving the main characters.
Plot: Blake’s novel is at once a tightly plotted mystery and a tale unafraid to wander into the realm of family tales and character studies. Though it builds on genres some readers would initially think are opposed, this novel is expertly balanced and will intrigue readers of multiple tropes.
Prose/Style: Protagonist Delia Carter’s curiosity and warm personality, along with her overcoming the trauma of her husband’s heart attack as well as her prior brush with a serial killer from the first novel in the series enhance the realism of the first person narrative.
Originality: Suspense abounds in The Thief Catcher, which immediately pulls the reader into the dual worlds of an island resort where things—and people—seem to mysteriously disappear, and the myriad of issues faced by a family reuniting after difficult circumstances.
Character Development/Execution: The curious nature of protagonist Delia Carter is balanced by her trying, and not trying, to come to terms with everything that happened in the first book within the series. A small but memorable supporting cast of fellow vacationers and resort staff flesh out the limited setting.
Plot: Taking place in the future, this plot has a dystopian flair even though some may consider it to be today’s current state of affairs. Fans of political literature will find this novel empowering and enjoy the twists and turns. Fisher deals with numerous issues pertaining to women and manages to juggle them all.
Prose/Style: Using a powerful tone, the writing is strong and never waivers from its intent and intended audience. Fisher writes with passion for the subject and has no fear of broaching difficult themes.
Originality: Taking place in the future with the Coronavirus having just passed, the author has created a plot that could take place in a variety of time periods. The feminist approach will be a draw to this book for readers as well.
Character Development/Execution: Strong personalities come together in this novel, with one particular character starting out as meek and unsure, only to press on and go on a true heroine’s journey. The strong personalities don’t let up which helps keep the fire burning throughout the plot.
Plot: Nunchuck City takes place in fictional Turbo City, a vivid backdrop for a lively and eccentric thriller sure to appeal to younger readers, especially those who enjoy martial arts, weapons, humor, and comic violence. The story and its characters are less prominent than the thematic and stylistic elements here.
Prose/Style: The prose is playfully over-the-top, wonderfully absurd and crude. The style is an ideal match for the madcap energy of the circumstances and the book's breakneck pacing.
Originality: Tropes are abundant, but Asman puts a fresh spin on the familiar through his highly visual and cinematic worldbuilding.
Character Development/Execution: Nick and his friends--and enemies--are suitably extreme and hyperbolic in their actions. The world of martial arts, ninjas, pits, and cheese fondue is fun, surprising, and sure to find an eager readership.
K-666: BRUTUS — The Mongolian Virus: War through biological weapons
by Alessandro BoccalettiRating: 7.25
Plot: This sophisticated and timely thriller concerns a global pandemic, similar to COVID, involving America, Russia (Mongolia), and China, in particular. The author explores political tensions, international crisis, and the frightening topic of biological weaponry, in this case, used to position China as the first world power.
Prose/Style: The prose is smooth and consistent. Definitions and footnotes are helpfully used to clarify medically or politically complex concepts or ideas.
Originality: This novel is original in concept, though books concerning the topic of global pandemics are increasingly familiar within the COVID era.
Character Development/Execution: The work, on a whole, is more action than character driven, and individuals may be made to feel more organic or relatable. Nevertheless, the novel's masterminds, powerbrokers, and tycoons in a conference room and in the lab, effectively serve and carry the plot-based story.
Plot: Whitlock has spun an intricate, high-energy, twisty plot that will keep the reader guessing until the very end.
Prose/Style: The dialogue has a tendency to feel a bit stilted and somewhat unnatural; occasionally the descriptions of action sequences can prove disorienting for the reader. However, Whitlock capably sets the scene, builds tension, and establishes a powerful sense of atmosphere throughout the novel.
Originality: This book is reminiscent of various novels concerning characters who live on the fringes of society. Whitlock does an effective job of adding his own personal touch to the genre.
Character Development/Execution: The protagonist and his internal conflict regarding his experiences in the novel are crafted very well and in a clear manner. Some of the female characters can feel less believable, but this may be due to them being perceived from the perspective of a flawed and somewhat self-absorbed individual.
Plot: In the gripping fourth installment of the Kate Pomeroy series, Watkins does a fine job of pulling off a multi-tiered plot while not losing readers. Following the shooting of her close friend, Jeremy, Kate finds herself at the mercy and hands of law enforcement, in a foreign country no less, as she realizes she too is still in danger, and questions who she can trust.
Prose: Watkins uses many perspectives to her advantage and never bores readers. Although there is often a quick shift between characters, it never gets confusing or overwhelming.
Originality: Watkins puts a fresh spin on thriller tropes in a way that keeps readers guessing until the very end.
Character/Execution: Whether readers have read the first books in the series, the titular heroine emerges as capable, complex, and endearing.
Blurb: This is a thrilling read for fans of mystery and suspense.
Plot: A young Black girl named Esther King goes missing in the town of Split Tree, Arkansas and it's up to Chief Big Ray Elmore to uncover the truth. Haunted by his past, Big Ray is determined to find answers as he struggles with racism, unsavory characters, and his own demons in this Southern-fried whodunit.
Prose/Style: Holland's prose leaves no doubt as to where and when the story is taking place, yet somehow manages to not be heavy-handed or hard to read. Instead, he cleverly inserts the reader into Big Ray's world seamlessly, creating a story that is both clearly told and enjoyable to read.
Originality: Holland's take on a mystery/thriller is far from unique; however, he manages to weave a well-told period piece that reflects the tensions of a small Southern town. The reader is Big Ray's constant companion as he struggles to unravel the mystery of Esther Alice's murder, culminating in a revelatory confession at the end.
Character Development/Execution: The characters are well-written, especially Big Ray, whose struggles to be a good man and husband make him both flawed and relatable. Overall, Holland adeptly creates a community whose cast of characters, while sometimes stereotypical, still capture the reader's imagination and add merit to the story's atmosphere and overall plot.
Plot: A taut plot with a cast of intriguing characters makes for a daring adventure.
Prose: The author’s prose, oftentimes flowery and dwelling on minute details, somewhat dulls the tension of a neo-noir thriller. However, the dialogue is delightfully punchy.
Originality: This is an inventive whodunit that underscores a distinct message about depression and loneliness.
Character/Execution: The author's characters are entertaining and finely developed, particularly through their interactions and dialogue.
Blurb: This neo-noir mystery follows criminal Stef and bartender Beatrice as they work together in a case of mistaken identity. Who is the man they threw into the deep waters of the Po River? And why is a lonely tourist always hanging around?
Plot: The story of police sergeant Jack Furey—grappling with past war memories and struggling to make sense of a new war, trying to maintain order in a small town overwhelmed with soldiers, and attempting to piece together separate unspeakable crimes—is deeply compelling. In some respects, however, the narrative might be strengthened had it not been haunted by the specter of the 100-year-old Jack Furey.
Prose/Style: The prose is smooth and well-written, and the story is mostly clear and concise—the language leaves no doubt as to the time period or the Australian Outback location. However, there is a clinical feel to the writing that often causes the story to lack emotion and depth, and it is only during Jack's brief moments of introspection that the reader feels less detached from events.
Originality: Swap Australia for the Old West, the invading American soldiers for outlaws, and Jack Furey for a grizzled sheriff "with a past" who has seen everything, and the story could easily transform into a cookie-cutter Western. Though entertaining enough, the story's originality largely stems from the time period, location, and the hint of murder mystery that surrounds it.
Character Development/Execution: Jack is the storyteller, and this is how we see the rest of the characters—through the lens of his impatience, prejudices, and experiences—resulting in a bare-bones rendering of everyone outside himself. It is in the rare moments of Jack's introspections that we catch a glimpse that there is more behind the man than loud law and order bluster and authority.
Plot: After it becomes clear that the book is told from the perspective of cats, the reader gains an understanding of how cats might view living among humans through conversation and observation. As the mystery unravels, the novel begins to move at a breakneck speed but never falters.
Prose/Style: Rich in dialogue, the conversations among the cats helps the reader understand the conflicts in the story. Readers who can make the leap that the cats are in charge and telling the story will likely enjoy this novel.
Originality: While being told from the perspective of cats is an original idea, at times this feels like a book for a younger reader, though it is most certainly not.
Character Development/Execution: Even though the characters are police-like cats, the reader gains a full understanding of who is in charge.
Plot: When Pacific Air Flight 385 is hijacked, it is up to the people on board to come together--including Cora, a widowed mother of two, and Kyle, a Seattle homicide detective. While the motives for the hijacking are initially unclear as the authorities scramble to find answers, it's ultimately up to Cora, and her (limited) experience as a pilot, to try and land the plane and save them all.
Prose/Style: There is nothing fancy about Cole's prose--and that is a great thing, as it keeps the story moving quickly. This is a fast, action-packed read with not a lot of frills and prose that keeps the reader engaged.
Originality: A hijacked plane is a familiar plot device, but what the plot lacks in originality it makes up for by being a solid story that is fast-paced and easy to read.
Character Development/Execution: Cole develops the characters just enough to connect readers to their plight and add depth to the story. The attraction between Cora and Kyle is an expected development, but does not detract from the story--instead, it helps to amp up the suspense and stakes.
Plot: This is an engaging story about a man who has been full of rage, until he meets a younger version of himself who helps him come to peace with his past. The plot requires the reader to suspend disbelief quite often, though the message is well-intentioned.
Prose/Style: The prose is straightforward and accessible. This story is told in a dual timeline where readers learn the background for what is happening in the present.
Originality: The story of a man encountering a version of himself that causes him to change his behaviors goes back to Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. However, this story is told with an additional layer of intrigue and suspense.
Character Development/Execution: The story is executed well, except for moments when David/young Ricky becomes overtly moralizing and sentimental.
Plot: Carlyle’s political plot is intricate and stealthy. His novel is quickly paced, and the storyline overflows with plausible but exhilarating twists.
Prose/Style: Carlyle’s expertly fashioned prose bolsters his political thriller. The writing drives the plot’s breakneck speed with procedural rhetoric and well-turned phrasing.
Originality: The Eel and the Angel hits all the marks of a political thriller, although well-seasoned readers may predict the ending as it speeds to a close.
Character Development/Execution: Carlyle’s characters fit smoothly into the thriller genre but are lacking in profoundness. Thad Walker is the ultimate hard-edged military hero, while most of the other characters play equally supportive, but not memorable, roles.
