Mystery / Thriller
Plot/Idea: The author has crafted an engaging, if violence-laden, story that introduces readers to the underbelly of Tokyo. There's plenty of action, suspense, and even some romance as Fisher's saga unfolds, keeping readers on their toes.
Prose: The author is a strong writer, able to tell the story at a perfect pace that keeps the reader invested. Garver succeeds in defining the characters through their actions, rather than through extensive backstory or exposition--particularly Fisher, who at first presents as a hot-headed brute, but evolves to become highly sympathetic.
Originality: This book is fresh and unique, offering a vivid setting and distinctive characters.
Character Development/Execution: The author does a fine job with characterization, particularly for Fisher, but also for lesser players who enhance the story.
Plot/Idea: Jimmy needs to raise money to keep his dad's business afloat. His solution? To embark on a quest to learn about his grandfather's relationship with Elvis--a quest that proves highly entertaining and wholly unexpected. While the work falls somewhat short of its ambitions, it's still a fun and gratifying read.
Prose: The prose is clear, clean, and has forward momentum.
Originality: This storyline is highly original; Elvis fans will find much to appreciate.
Character Development/Execution: The most fascinating characters are the Elvis impersonators, especially George. The reader will easily be able to envision the cast of endearing and eccentric individuals.
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Plot/Idea: Snake in the Grass is an alluring and timely mystery with a well-established sense of place. McKenna smartly exposes the deeply sinister ideologies lurking below the surface of many communities.
Prose: The prose is clear, effective, and propulsive.
Originality: The author offers an original setup that is heightened by its setting in a gated community in the South. McKenna has a unique storytelling style that integrates well-explored and weighty issues, such as the insidious nature of white supremacy, while also providing subtle humor, satire, and engaging characters.
Character Development/Execution: The characters come across quite clearly, especially the primary cop on the case, Will Kelley, and Mr. Charles Norton, a Bellevue resident who helps him understand the murder case and the neighborhood. Although the conclusion is somewhat vague, Snake in the Grass is a striking and entertaining mystery that will leave readers wanting more.
Devil's Ledger: A Female Sleuth Financial Thriller with International Espionage (A Louise Moscow Novel Book 3)
by Lorraine EvanoffRating: 8.00
Plot/Idea: The third Louise Moscow novel is a fast-paced, globe-spanning narrative focused on an international banking scandal. A highlight of the novel is the author's attention to historical detail, landscapes, and architecture.
Prose: The prose is evocative and smooth, with ample detail sprinkled throughout.
Originality: Devil's Ledger is an international mystery with numerous original elements and high personal stakes for the protagonist.
Character Development/Execution: Louise is finely developed as a character, although one never fully discovers the secrets of her heart. Side characters are written with attention and care, adding layers of intrigue and verisimilitude to the story. Perhaps some attention could be revisited to Big Steve's vocabulary and dialect.
Plot: Set in a future Chicago, Battle in the Avenue unfolds in the aftermath of the "Fuel Wars," following the crash of the fossil fuel industry. McCutchen shows a strong knack for storytelling, subtly developing the parameters of the future world for readers while maintaining a character-driven narrative.
Prose: McCutchen is a fine writer. The prose is immersive, propulsive, and offers a graceful blend of exposition, dialogue, and description.
Originality: This work stands apart for its satisfying combination of tight plotting and the focus on family relationships.
Character/Execution: While it may take a beat to warm to the characters, as their identities, roles in the narrative, and relationships with one another take shape, readers will appreciate how their individual sacrifices become central to the broader storyline.
Plot/Idea: This novel is built on a solid premise: an innocent man discovers that he has been set up to look like a suspect in his colleague's murder. Trafford skillfully builds tension and uncertainty as the protagonist pieces together the events of the night in question and attempts to clear his name.
Prose: The prose is clear, concise, and filled with immersive details.
Originality: While the premise is somewhat familiar, Trafford effectively develops the St. Louis setting, and a unique set of circumstances behind a white-collar crime.
Character Development/Execution: Gray is a well-crafted, complex man, whose trauma and distress in the aftermath of his attack is convincingly depicted. Readers will welcome the unexpected developments and the level of psychological intrigue the author explores.
Plot/Idea: In the first of the Nick Tanner series, Cox delivers an impactful ecologically-minded mystery that centers on the discovery of deceased bears being harvested for their organs and paws in the California Redwoods.
Prose: The prose is smooth and engrossing, with tension and suspense sustained throughout. Cox also injects the narrative with refreshing wit.
Originality: This novel's focus on the dark world of animal trafficking and the individuals who fight for the protection of vulnerable species, is highly unique. The setting of the California Redwoods is vivid and immersive.
Character Development/Execution: Both Kathleen and Nick come across strongly as tough-minded, dedicated, and charismatic.
Plot/Idea: In this addition to the PI Clifford Dee series, the plot is fast-paced and engrossing, adding unexpected developments that will keep readers on their toes as the story progresses.
Prose: This dialogue-heavy narrative packs in plenty of repartee between characters. Though the text is not overly descriptive, the prose is enjoyable and never feels contrived.
Originality: This story occasionally struggles with formulaic writing, but the author expertly balances plot threads--from government conspiracies to rap stars--and maintains tension throughout.
Character Development/Execution: Reed's skills in characterization are on full display in this book, and readers will quickly familiarize themselves with the main players, who are all equally rich.
Plot/Idea: Frost’s plot is suspense-filled, with just the right amount of action to balance out the novel’s mystery elements. Genre fans will appreciate Frost’s subtle clues for solving the central crime, and the story skillfully adds in dead-ends that heighten the stakes for the main players.
Prose: Frost utilizes dialogue authentic to the story’s setting, although at times it becomes heavy-handed. The writing style sets a steady pace and allows the mystery to unfold naturally, bringing it to a satisfying conclusion without being overly direct.
Originality: The combination of slow-burn romance with whodunit thriller is a winning one for this novel, and the setting adds more distinction for discerning readers.
Character Development/Execution: Callan and Aileen are capable protagonists who play off each other’s strengths and add a layer of excitement to the mystery premise. Readers will find themselves swept up in their intriguing dynamics and eager for the couple’s return.
Plot: The concept behind the novel is an interesting one that makes for an engaging, quick read; however, the plot stalls toward the end with the protracted boat incident, and there are elements of the plot's "mystery" (especially surrounding Margaret's charade as a fellow patient) that are not fully explicated in a satisfying manner.
Prose: The author writes in an easy-to-read, natural prose style. Even though this book is an installment in a series, the writing is strong enough that it can be read, comprehended, and enjoyed without prior knowledge of the series.
Originality: The blend of subtle fantasy and detective novel plots makes for an interesting read, though there are points at which it feels like the two plotlines are in competition with each other (especially toward the end of the novel).
Character/Execution: Character development is one of the highlights of the novel, especially in terms of the relationships formed throughout the work. Euphemia's relationships (with her daughters, husband, Jane, etc) feel very relatable, which in turn makes the characters feel very real to the reader. Jane's shift over the course of the novel is particularly satisfying.
Blurb: Another page-turning installment in the Euphemia Sage Chronicles. When personal tragedy strikes Euphemia's circle of friends, it is up to the everyday superwoman to save a dear friend
Plot/Idea: Bhattacharjee offers a creative and meditative plot focused on making sense of internal struggles and navigating the decision-making that impacts life events. More reflective than suspenseful, the pace often slows and may feel heavy to some readers.
Prose: The prose is beautifully metaphoric at times, evoking arresting images juxtaposed with lyrical writing. However, readers may find the novel's intent challenging to discern, and there are instances when dialogue and style become overly formal.
Originality: Crossroads of Life is a unique take on what makes a relationship persevere, and the author's emphasis on introversion adds to the story's originality.
Character Development/Execution: Bhattacharjee's narrative approach empowers the novel's characterization, and the story's introspective commentary is a powerful thread weaving the different elements together.
Plot/Idea: This thoughtfully-composed thriller mystery novel is set around ancient prophecy and the Vatican.
Prose: The prose is straightforward, and sometimes even thrilling as it propels the action scenes.
Originality: While the genre here is somewhat niche in nature, McAvoy and Moore are seasoned and skilled storytellers, offering a fine blend of action, adventure, and history.
Character Development/Execution: The numerous characters could be described in greater depth. The two female detectives, Rebecca Lancaster and Sabrini Felici, come most alive on the page and exist outside of their careers and professional aspirations, as the audience gets to know them as individuals.
Plot/Idea: This novel explores the circumstances surrounding an individual being convicted for a crime he did not commit. The book explores the nuances of the criminal justice system, and examines the questions of who holds influence within a community.
Prose: The prose is clear, straightforward, and easy to read.
Originality: Dry Heat is a moving coming-of-age piece about a man who spent years in jail while innocent.
Character Development/Execution: The reader gets to know protagonist Joey quite well and will empathize strongly with his circumstances. Other characters, while somewhat less complex and vivid, are depicted clearly.
IMPLOSION: The search is on for six million dollars hidden in a Las Vegas hotel destined for destruction!
by Carolyn V. HamiltonRating: 7.75
Plot/Idea: Hamilton’s novel is a tense, meticulously plotted story that will easily hook readers. The storyline is seamless, despite a plethora of characters who work in the hotel, all of whom have unique motives to find the previously stolen and currently missing six million dollars.
Prose: The prose is carefully wrought, and the dialogue proves snappy and memorable.
Originality: Traditional heist story beats, combined with well-crafted suspense elements, create an interesting spin on the genre.
Character Development/Execution: Despite the numerous cast members in IMPLOSION, all are memorable, interesting, and incredibly varied characters.
Blurb: This suspenseful tale of a hotel slated for imminent destruction will keep readers on the edge of their seats as the mad dash for six million dollars in stolen cash begins.
Plot/Idea: Fenwicke delivers a solid plot, with easy-to-follow exposition that will immediately draw readers in. The story maintains ample excitement near the conclusion – and will leave audiences ready for another installment.
Prose: There are a few instances when Fenwicke’s prose does not quite keep pace with the plot, but overall she uses economical and accessible writing that supports the story’s forward movement. The author’s tone and composition advance the more tense scenes particularly well.
Originality: Switched Up consists of a distinctive storyline that is bolstered with creative characters, lending it an air of novelty that will set it apart.
Character Development/Execution: Fenwicke’s characters are equal parts relatable and intriguing, offering readers familiar experiences alongside their peculiarities. Given this is the second in a series, the author skillfully incorporates character backgrounds to give new and already acquainted followers a comprehensive understanding of her main players.
Blurb: An exciting montage of villains, superheroines, and good-versus-evil that will leave readers asking for more.
Plot: Book three in the Euphemia series, Empty Nest, keeps the reader interested as they read about a lonely corner of New Zealand. Perhaps what Rosy Fenwicke does best is write about an often overlooked and underestimated group - middle-aged women.
Prose: Fenwicke's prose is easy to follow, and paints a clear image of the bucolic, quiet countryside. She has an aptitude for writing about beautiful, yet morose, areas, and everything within the novel feels a touch sinister. Occasionally jumpy storytelling would benefit from additional smoothing over.
Originality: Empty Nest stands apart through its focus on an oft-ignored demographic and a unique, vividly portrayed location.
Character/Execution: Euphemia, as the main character, is the most sympathetic character in the book. While some interactions throughout the novel can feel somewhat stilted, Fenwicke represents the complicated inner world of the characters well, diving into their insecurities, desires, wants, and needs. Eschewing standard matriarchs in maternal roles, Fenwicke features women with a wide range of personalities, emotions, and egos.
