Mystery / Thriller
Plot/Idea: Death Mask immediately drops readers into a fast-paced, twisty plot with loads of action. As Zoe's past comes back to haunt her—and her family—the stakes escalate, and, despite some moments where the story feels contrived, the novel takes off with a bang and keeps that momentum until its staggering conclusion.
Prose: The prose is simple and straightforward, but the jumps between first and third person narration feel choppy at times. Zoe's viewpoint is riveting, though the choice to italicize the entirety of her perspective interferes with the flow.
Originality: The plot's AI component is interesting, elevating the book above much of the action and twists that feel derivative of similar secret identity dramas.
Character/Execution: As Death Mask relies heavily on action, there is little opportunity for character development, despite the fact that Zoe's first-person narration is extensive. The story's events occur without much feedback on the characters' inner reactions and emotions, but Zoe is a tough, worthy hero.
Blurb: A secret agent, death threats, and intense action all combine to make this a riveting thrill ride.
Cartel Hunter: A Crime Action Thriller (A Jason Mulder Thriller Book 1)
by Robert GolubaRating: 6.75
Plot/Idea: In Goluba's enjoyable thriller, the first in a planned series, Airforce pararescueman Jason Mulder tracks the individuals responsible for his brother's death and mother's injuries sustained while visiting an Arizona pine forest.
Prose: While Goluba's prose is clear, efficient, and propulsive. Dialogue and exposition unfold organically, while action-filled sequences are well rendered.
Originality: While Cartel Hunter integrates familiar thriller tropes, Goluba has a knack for creating vivid scenes, developing tension, and making the circumstances personal for the lead protagonist.
Character/Execution: Jason Mulder has the goods to develop into a formidable hero. In this first installment of a planned series, however, he remains a touch inscrutable for readers. Nevertheless, readers will admire his commitment to solving his brother's murder and will tune in to his next outing
Plot/Idea: This story follows Dave, teetering on the edge of career burnout, as he helps guide a national park camping trip for seven adults with developmental disabilities. The plot lacks development, though the character-driven moments are engaging.
Prose: The power of nature is evoked throughout the narrative, first through the eyes of Dave—who recognizes its restorative abilities—and later through the eyes of the seven campers, who discover firsthand the beauty and intensity of the outdoors. There are a handful of language choices that may be off-putting to some readers.
Originality: The narrative offers a unique perspective of adults with disabilities and hits on several distinctive topics.
Character/Execution: The author spends time spotlighting each of the seven campers’ personalities, and they steal the show—more so than the primary lead, Dave. Their charisma shines through the struggles and victories of the trip, and, contrary to Dave’s initial opinion, they are the true mentors of this story. However, some of the descriptions of their characteristics lean heavily on stereotypes.
Plot/Idea: This small-town crime thriller presents an interesting premise with a sardonic tone, discomforting encounters, and a fresh twist. Though the pacing can be somewhat sluggish, readers will be invested in the sinister circumstances and the world-weary protagonist.
Prose: The prose is strong, with a fine balance struck between exposition, dialogue, and the protagonist's introspection. Dialogue is energetic and snappy. Moments of uncomfortable humor may jolt some potential readers out of the story.
Originality: Although stories of outsiders encountering danger or potential salvation in an eccentric small town are familiar, Berney brings a unique sensibility to the story, filling the setting and circumstances with visceral unease.
Character/Execution: Jimmy, a decent man who finds himself thrust into unfamiliar circumstances, is a largely relatable character. The environs of Eden, Missouri are decidedly unsavory and peopled with a cast of deeply flawed individuals. While the primary characters are well-established, some slip into small-town stereotypes, while several female characters may strike readers as oversexualized.
Plot/Idea: Millman's The Empty Kayak offers an intriguing setup: a thunderstorm over the Hudson River capsizes a couple--and only one makes it back to shore. But is there more to the accident than meets the eye? Millman raises the stakes of the mystery through Detective Ebony Jones's own connection to the victim.
Prose: Millman's narrative is evenly paced and gracefully rendered, with suspense sustained throughout. The author's knowledge of the criminal justice system is clear and provides a welcome level of verisimilitude to the storytelling.
Originality: The Empty Kayak utilizes familiar mystery elements to strong effect. Millman keeps readers guessing with potential leads, red herrings, and dead ends. While the motive ultimately revealed falls somewhat flat, the buildup is satisfying.
Character/Execution: Millman skillfully develops the characters and leaves readers uncertain of who to trust.
Plot/Idea: Book three of the Cadence Mystery series is a murder mystery that admirably delves deeply into racist ideologies. The author capably weaves together storylines, but, due to the sheer number of plot elements, the flow of the narrative is somewhat choppy.
Prose: The prose is clear and propulsive, with well executed descriptions. Exposition and dialogue can sometimes come across as stiff and heavy-handed.
Originality: Stony Place engagingly integrates well loved tropes, found family being the most clear, while meaningfully addressing violence and hateful ideologies.
Character/Execution: Hagan has a knack for character development, and ties the characters well into the broader storytelling. While the large cast of characters is charming and diverse, it's difficult to keep track of so many people in one story. The sheer number of characters, in addition to the many elements in the plot, detract from a clean and concise execution. Nevertheless, Hagan crafts an intriguing and multilayered mystery.
Plot/Idea: Will Chisholm is a private investigator with a rough past and a weakness for sex with beautiful women. When he becomes embroiled in a mystery surrounding the death of a stripper he previously encountered, he must unravel the circumstances to clear his name. SEL is a well-developed, unapologetically seedy detective story with a hardened lead character and twists readers won't see coming.
Prose: Howard's prose strikes a bleak, somber tone, which mirrors the circumstances and environs of the novel. The narrative blends police procedural elements with details from the detective's troubled history as he attempts to clear his name and determine who set him up. Explicit details of Chisholm's sexual encounters can sometimes come across as overplayed, but are in keeping with the novel's framework.
Originality: A hardened former cop grappling with demons is familiar territory. Howard writes capably, though, ultimately offering a dark and compelling mystery.
Character/Execution: Will Chisholm isn't an especially easy character to root for. For his many off-putting qualities, however, his candor is refreshing. A large cast of unsavory characters fill out the often ugly NYC underbelly, but many are more defined by their outward personas than any true humanity.
Plot/Idea: Duncan offers a deeply intriguing story that blends storylines into a single narrative. One thread focuses on the Driscoll family as they struggle to move forward following a tragic accident. The other, highly disturbing thread centers on a sexual sadist who targets children.
Prose: McCort writes vividly and delivers dynamic storytelling. While the two primary narrative threads are effective independently, it becomes jumbled in its execution.
Originality: The combination of alternating viewpoints from the Driscoll family to Santa moves the story along in a unique manner; the addition of the stuffed gorilla is particularly original.
Character/Execution: While the narrative focused on the sinister character of Samuel Clause is unique, readers may ultimately feel more invested in the saga of the Driscoll family. Throughout the book, many of the characters experience a good deal of growth. Readers will be especially invested in Mark Driscoll's character as he works to support his wife while also grieving a relationship that once was.
Plot/Idea: Weist's novel (the third of a series) opens with the novel's chief protagonist, a retired master gunnery sergeant Travis Tolbane, who is serving as a mall security manager, being attacked by "Vietnamese." What follows is a somewhat outrageous story that takes on a bit more than it can chew. Readers will likely benefit from having read the previous novels.
Prose: Though The Jade Cross features some alluring procedural elements, the prose has a tendency to become garbled and dialogue can come across as more heavy-handed than organic.
Originality: With its lively blend of action, mystery, and adventure, The Jade Cross is undoubtedly unique.
Character/Execution: Travis is a formidable hero with a storied past. While somewhat abrasive and not always fully sympathetic, he capably drives the storytelling. Other characters can get lost in the sometimes dizzying plot.
Disqualified because world count is less than 50,000.
