THE OBSESSIONS OF HARVEY USHER

DAVID PUTNAM

The Obsessions of Harvey Usher by longtime novelist David Putnam may not be for everybody, but it certainly is for me, and it is for my readers. Harvey Usher is an 80-year-old man who wakes up one night with a woman who appears to be old-time movie star, Rita Hayworth. But Rita insists that her name is Dolores, and Dolores claims they have been married for two years. Naturally, Harvey is confused and calls the authorities; however, Dolores has identification proving that she is Dolores and has been married to Harvey. Finally, Harvey turns to a PI to help him prove what is happening here and see whether Harvey is being conned out of his money or just out of his mind. It gets interesting as people start to die for no apparent reason. When Harvey met his wife, Lois, there was some connection to organized crime, which only added seasoning to an intriguing and unpredictable mystery. David Putnam is a highly creative writer who creates novels with the best of them. It is with complete confidence that readers pick up The Obsessions of Harvey Usher by David Putnam and enjoy a twisty and unpredictable novel written by one of the genre's masters.

CULPABILITY

BRUCE HOLSINGER

Culpability by excellent novelist deals with complex concepts currently at play in society. In this instance, a family is out driving their AI vehicle when one of the family members disengages the AI to prevent an accident. Unfortunately, two people are killed, and an entire debate arises from the questions of artificial intelligence versus traditional driving and whether, indeed, artificial intelligence is beneficial. While Capability is not a typical mystery, it still contains the elements that make it an engaging book that should be read. Responsibility and culpability may be synonyms for each other, that is, for the reader to decide. In this book, we are privileged to listen in as one family member, the father, contemplates and cogitates over fault, responsibility, and the central question of AI and its inherent value to society. Culpability is a book anybody who has pondered the question of artificial intelligence, and its utility and/or its intrinsic values to individuals and society, should read.

Tricks of Fortune

LINA CHERN

Tricks of Fortune by Lena Chen is the second in her Katie True series, and this time, Katie gets into more trouble than we can imagine. All she wants is to be a tarot card reader, but as it happens, she wakes up to find a dead cop. This cop helped her previously when she was in a scary situation. Tricks Of Fortune is a mystery, eventually addressing who did it. It deals with family ties, buried secrets, and small-town grudges alive in any town. We see that Katie is unprepared for what she faces despite being highly charismatic and charming. While trying to solve a homicide, she’s dealing with her ugly past and questioning who in her life she can confide in. The book is entertaining and encourages the reader to examine their life. This is a fine sequel, and readers will look forward to an additional outing by the steadfast Katie True.

THEM BONES

DAVID HOUSEWRIGHT

Them Bones by prolific PI author David Housewright comes highly recommended. This is PI Rushmore McKenzie's 22nd outing, making this series one of the longest-lasting ones in the field. Seven years ago, McKenzie was stranded and eventually rescued by Angela Bjork, a doctoral student at the University of Minnesota. She joined an archaeological dig and found a dinosaur skull, and eventually, that skull was scheduled to be transferred back to the university for additional research. Unfortunately, the next day, after the camp had been attacked, the skull was missing. Angela contacts Rushmore McKenzie, P.I., and we watch him use his skills to find out who has the skull, why it was taken, and where it is. Suspects abound, and that's where the fun begins. The author writes a fantastic novel, and this one is no exception. Readers can follow along easily and enjoy learning about paleontology along the way. If the reader has not read any other books by the writer, no worries. Them Bones can undoubtedly be read as a standalone, and when the reader has more time, they can go back and investigate the writer's long backlist.

SMILE FOR THE CAMERAS

MIRANDA SMITH

Though not a conventional mystery, Smile For The Cameras by veteran and accomplished writer Miranda Smith is a horror book with overtones of the best thriller genre. The plot draws the reader in quickly and reminds the reader of many of the great horror movies in the past and present. The book uses the point of view of the past and the present while detailing the movie Smile for the Cameras, which is what the novel is about: the tension builds, and readers are compelled to flip the pages at full tilt. From beginning to end, Smile For The Cameras is an intriguing book that will keep readers wanting more from this accomplished writer.

A MURDER FOR MISS HORTENSE

MEL PENNANT

A Murder for Miss Hortense, by first-time novelist Mel Pennant, has everything that a first-time author should include in a debut novel. This reviewer usually does not care for “cozies “; however, in this instance, a murder for Miss Hortense overcomes that stereotype and becomes an engaging mystery/comedy that readers will thoroughly enjoy. There are many well-developed characters, and at times, the reader may need to refresh their memory on who is who in this mystery, which features several memorable Caribbean characters. Readers will thoroughly enjoy this book and look forward to the next installment in the series.

YUCKY YATES

MIKE FARICY

Prolific and veteran mystery writer Mike Faricy, author of numerous series, including the long-running Dev Haskell series, comes up with another winner. The new series is entitled Yucky Yates.

Yates is a former DEA agent who has started a private investigation business. Yates is joined by his partners and other support staff, who contribute to making the first book of the series entertaining and amusing. It revolves around an old-school friend of Yates who has gone missing after being married to a strip club owner for several years. As the book proceeds, we observe Yates and his team as they attempt to discover the details behind the disappearance. We gain insight into how Yucky operates and what his motivation is for solving the case. Yucky is more straightforward than Faricy's more well-known protagonist, Dev Haskell, but readers need not worry. Series readers can look forward to many more adventures with Yucky and his staff as they solve the cases that are brought to their attention daily.

Current followers of the author have much to look forward to, as the author will most assuredly develop this series and characters into a long-running adventure that will be anticipated with great eagerness.

Yucky Yates is a winner, and I highly recommend that veteran readers of the Dev Haskell and his other series pick up the Yucky Yates novel and prepare themselves for an entertaining PI novel.

The Expat Affair

KIMBERLY BELLE

The Expat Affair by Kimberly Belle takes the reader on a wild ride, starting in the United States and ending up in Amsterdam, the diamond capital of the world. As is the norm in this generation, Rayna is the protagonist who accepts an online date and meets Xander. After spending the evening with him, she wakes up to his dead body on the floor and many millions of diamonds in the wind. Rayna, not knowing what to do, meets Xander's boss, Willow, who happens to be the head of a large diamond company. The readers rapidly become involved in what the author has created. We see the story unfolding from each of their point of view, dealing with crazy family problems and the mystery of where these diamonds have gone. The readers will encounter bizarre characters, some of whom are straight-out crazy, while others are hardened criminals. As an additional bonus, any reader not familiar with Amsterdam will be treated to a fascinating glimpse at one of the most interesting cities in all of Europe.

KAUAI STORM

TORI ELDRIDGE

Kauai Storm by veteran writer Tori Eldridge is a fascinating mystery that encompasses the twists and turns that make it engaging and provide insights into the Hawaiian culture. These perceptions and cultural glimpses make Kauai Storm a great mystery and a valuable look at a history largely unknown to most people. The story centers around a park ranger, Makalani, returning to her native land to celebrate her grandmother's birthday. Unfortunately, upon her return, she finds her two cousins in the wind and nowhere to be seen. Makalani, a park ranger on the mainland, decides that no one is better suited to locate her cousins. As the mystery unfolds, we learn about the Hawaiian culture and how it can sometimes clash with the culture of those living on the mainland.

Tori Eldridge knows her stuff and spins a fascinating mystery that fans hope will become a long-running series.

DYING TO MEET YOU

SARINA BOWEN

Dying to Meet You by Sarina Bowen has everything a good psychological drama should have.

Dying to Meet You centers on Rowan, a single mother. She is a talented architect working in the Northeast United States. Her current project involves restoring a mansion owned by wealthy people. At first glance, Rowan is a polished and professional person. Unfortunately, like many people, she is dealing with a teenage daughter and the problems that come with it. Rowan's boyfriend dumped her via text; she's depressed, and she starts to plot how to find out why she was dumped and for whom. She begins to follow her ex-boyfriend and finds that he's been killed. Naturally, the police suspect her, as is usually the case in a murder like this, and to make matters worse, Rowan's ex-husband is out of prison and living in the same area as well. Readers will have to think long and hard about who killed the ex-boyfriend. Dying to Meet You is an entertaining thriller that keeps the page turning and the reader on the edge until the end.       

SOUTH OF NOWHERE

JEFFERY DEAVER

South of Nowhere, by Jeffrey Dever, is a fun read that makes the reader feel as if they are accompanying the main character.

Colter Shaw is a reward hunter and tracker, and usually that’s as far as it goes. In South of Nowhere, the fifth in the intriguing Shaw series, Colter is called in to help after a levee breaks in a town in California. Four people die, and Shaw is called in to find out what happened to the family and where the vehicle containing the corpses is. After some time, Shaw believes that the entire town is at risk because the levee may collapse almost immediately. Upon further inspection, he finds an anomalous substance near the destroyed levee. He wonders if the collapse was an accident or a deliberate criminal act. Many balls are in the air as the reader deals with this exciting and entertaining adventure. Readers should keep their eyes peeled for more of Colter Shaw, and if they have not yet, they should read the first four books in the series, although South of Nowhere can undoubtedly be read as a standalone.

THE MURDER SHOW

MATT GOLDMAN

The Murder Show by veteran and versatile writer Matt Goldman is another outstanding work by the author. Goldman entices the reader by utilizing the ever-popular reality show trope, which has made so many people so much money. The show's writer is ready to go into the fourth season; however, there is a writer's strike, and the network has passed on the fourth season. Ethan Harris is the writer of the show, and with nothing else better to do, returns to his birthplace in Minnesota, where he connects with a local law enforcement officer. Together, they reopen a hit-and-run that killed their friend many summers ago. The cop believes this investigation might prove fruitful, and Ethan hopes it will provide him with new material for his show. But all things that should be clear become more murky, and the two of them find that they are digging up information that should not be discovered.

The Murder Show by Matt Goldman is a procedural and a mystery. Goldman is an outstanding writer whose books never fail to entertain. I recommend this book without hesitation. If the reader is unfamiliar with Goldman's other work, they should go to the library or the local bookstore and pick up all of Goldman's books. There will be no disappointment, just great entertainment.

THE BOOMERANG

ROBERT BAILEY

Robert Bailey, well known for his legal procedures, has hit it out of the park with his newest thriller, The Boomerang. The Boomerang grabs you and never lets you go. That phrase can be overused; in this instance, it is spot on. The plot and the premise are equally and outrageously interesting, and the characters are extraordinarily fleshed out. The book is outstanding in every way. I recommend it to anyone wanting to read an unforgettable, unpredictable, and good old-fashioned thriller.

The Undoing of Alejandro Velasco

DIEGO BONETA

The Undoing of Alejandro Velasco, by first-time author Diego Boneta, is a delightful surprise. What interested me most was the intense character development of each player in this novel. The reader understands why the rich are different. This opens a plethora of problems instigated by the family patriarch, a well-to-do Mexican American businessperson. Distrust, unpredictability, and subtle twists pervade the entire novel, making the reader hesitant to put down the book. This is a novel that takes a few pages to capture the interest of the reader. Still, I highly recommend it as a character study and mystery, especially considering today’s instantaneous and hubris-filled materialistic lifestyle that spreads like cancer.

WHAT ARE THE ODDS

DAVID LIST

What Are The Odds by accomplished and talented screenwriter David List reads like a great book should. It is a sure thing. The Odds is an imagery-driven and cinematic novel; you only need popcorn. The book centers on three people: a disgraced and retired NYPD detective, a burned-out IRS criminal investigator, and a tax cheat who's gotten away with millions of dollars. The book takes several twists and turns, ranging from terrorism to Russian oligarchs using the oil business to cause murder and political upheaval. The story is a wild ride that pulls the reader into a story the reader hopes will never end. What are the Odds has everything a significant thriller/mystery needs: unforgettable characters, violence, love interests, and money. What could go wrong? Pick up this book and cross your fingers that Mr. List sends us another novel, A.S.A.P.

TRIKE TRAFFIC

MIKE FARICY

Trike Traffic by prolific, talented mystery writer Mike Faricy delivers an entertaining, fun-filled mystery. His characters remain the same, supplying the reader with wisdom, humor, and, most of all, amusing dialogue.

Traffic begins as our hero, Dev Haskell, private eye, rescues a three-year-old on a tricycle attempting to cross a major intersection. Like the good citizen he is, Haskell rescues the child and returns the child to her mother. Enter the ever-lurking local mob, boss Tubby Gustafson. To operate his business, Haskell is at the beck and call of Gustafson, who has a long reach. The job is determining who operates an after-hours club without Gustafson's permission. This sounds straightforward, but the reader sees Haskell turning up more dirt under more rocks than anticipated. Haskell's partner, Louis, his officemate and lawyer, is present throughout the book, as well as Haskell's loyal dog, Morton, and his cat, Princess. The readers are introduced to a new character, who is also a private eye, who assists Dev in bringing the book to a favorable conclusion.

Faricy is an old hand who supplies the reader with entertaining, laugh-out-loud, and old-fashioned fun. A reader cannot do any better than read all his books. Faricy is one of my favorite writers who always delivers the goods.

THE BATTLE OF PALM BEACH

TOM TURNER

Veteran and prolific writer Tom Turner has done it again. The newest entry in his long-running and successful series, The Battle Of Palm Beach, features detectives Charlie Crawford, Mort Ott, and other familiar characters, making it a pleasure to read. Turner sets his scenes with abundant imagery that makes the reader believe they are on the streets, solving the crime along with Mort and Charlie.

Somebody has callously murdered a famous rock star on the streets of Palm Beach. The outlook does not appear rosy, with no clues, witnesses, or forensics. Charlie narrows their suspect after the usual footwork, knocking on doors, and observing surveillance videos.

In wealthy conclaves like Palm Beach or the Hamptons, entitled citizens like their country clubs. In this case, the Poinciana is a country club that caters to the Uber wealthy, meaning exclusivity. When three or four “outsiders” from the entertainment and manufacturing business get together to buy the club and turn it into a housing development for the wealthy, controversy ensues.

The Battle of Palm Beach takes place on two intriguing fronts: Crawford and Ott doing their jobs and the shenanigans of the “new money“ who want to reshape the Poinciana in their image.

Reading Turner’s novels is like watching movies and having a large popcorn. You never want the film or the popcorn to end. The reader will wish that Turner could write as fast as the reader consumes Turner’s outstanding and entertaining procedurals.

Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man)

JESSE SUTANTO

Prolific and talented novelist Jesse Sutanto has done it again with her next installment in the Vera Wong series. As the book opens, Vera's son is dating a police officer, and of course, Vera hopes that a wedding is on the horizon. Unfortunately, like all action addicts, Vera is bored and starts looking for trouble. As it happens, a young woman presents herself to Vera, discussing finding a missing person. As the novel progresses, Vera surrounds herself with suspects who may or may not know where the missing person is.

The writer's strength is embellishing and establishing interesting and realistic characters. The book will appeal to fans of cozies, and some components will engender thoughts about the nature of people and what they are capable of.

While the second installment of this series can be read as a standalone, I recommend checking out the first, Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers.

WHEN SHE WAS GONE

SARA FOSTER

Veteran thriller rider Sarah Foster continues to capture the hearts and minds of her readers, this time with her new book, When She Was Gone. The beauty of this book is that it only takes 10 or 15 pages before the reader is completely hooked on the characters and the premise.

Rose has a daughter who has gone missing in Australia. And to make matters worse, she's the nanny of wealthy Australians whose children have also disappeared while under Rose's supervision. The high-ranking police suspect Rose of abandoning her child but also want her expertise to help find the other children, as she was a former London cop. Of course, the detective assigned to the case intends to work the case his way, which means that he does not appreciate or desire help from Rose.

When She Was Gone is a terrific combination of procedural and psychological drama that captures the best elements. Readers will find themselves drawn to Fosters' backlist, and I recommend that they read this book first and then the rest of her enticing novels.

THE OTHER PEOPLE

C.B. EVERETT

The Other People by writer C. B. Everett is a new look at an old trope. That is the locked room mystery. What makes this unique is that the writer adds a great dollop of horror, which makes the novel a hybrid mystery/horror story. As the book progresses, the reader is treated to a description of all ten guests who have somehow arrived in an old, creepy home; they have no idea how they arrived. Only that they have to find a missing person who is going to be murdered; each guest meets their death in a grizzly way, and the reader becomes more involved as the story progresses. C. B. Everett has written an engaging and clever book that keeps the reader involved to the very end. This thriller/horror story will give the reader something to remember for weeks to come.