SIN CITY:A BILLY CUNNINGHAM NOVEL

JAMES SWAIN

To nobody's surprise, Sin City's hugely talented veteran writer, James Swain, has done it again. No other author writes about Las Vegas with the panache and the reality he brings to his newest novel. Instead of focusing on the glamour and glitter that we all know in love, Sin City focuses on the underbelly, the sex workers, the drug dealers, the hustlers, cops, and the thieves who make up a substantial portion of the Las Vegas population.

This time, Billy Cunningham, a recurring character in Swain's previous novels, appears in Reno. Before long, circumstances ensure that he meets and assists an FBI agent in arresting dangerous felons in a crime gone wrong. After a continued conversation with the FBI agent, Cunningham decides that the agent would be a perfect fit for his crew of casino cheats. What happens in the following 220 pages is perfectly played out. There is enough action, double-crosses, crooked cops, and legitimate dialogue to satisfy anybody's wishes for a superbly entertaining novel about Las Vegas and the casinos that seduce us to spend hard-earned money with a smile instead of a gun.

THE BOY IN THE PHOTO

NICOLE TROPE

The Boy in the Photo by prolific and imaginative author Nicole Trope is a story that never lets up. The plot, characters, and dialog grab the reader, and the only way to escape is to finish this beguiling and thrilling psycho-drama as soon as possible.

A mother does what mothers do: she takes her son to school. When the school day ends, she returns to pick him up, but he is not there. He has disappeared, seemingly out of thin air. She supposes that her unstable former husband has picked up their son. Many years pass, and the mother has remarried a police detective. One day, he calls his wife, telling her that her son has entered the police station. Six years have passed, and her son is twelve years old. But bitter, hateful, and full of loathing. What happened to the child is revealed slowly, as seen by the boy and his mother. The Boy in the Photo is a hard-hitting, novel of what can go wrong when parents put themselves ahead of their children.

CONDOM EDDIE

TAYLOR BARTON

Condom Eddie By talented writer Taylor Barton is unique. It shines because Barton has done what many writers attempt and fail. She has combined an exciting psychological thriller with an in-depth character study. Condom Eddie offers insight into the protagonist plotting mine as opportunities for peace and love escape. But like a true psychopath, our protagonist cares not at all about the damage that he inflicts on herself or the people who are in her orbit. Taylor Barton, the writer of this fascinating novel, pulls back the curtain on obsession and narcissism. During these times of ubiquitous social media, Condom Eddie is eye-opening and perhaps shows us a realistic picture of what the world has become.

THE HOUSE HUNT

C.M. EWAN

The House Hunt by C M. Ewan is remarkable because its premise is straightforward but manages to build tremendous tension and suspense. Sam and Lucy are a couple who have been remodeling the house that Sam's grandparents gave them. Sam is at work when their real estate agent calls and tells Lucy that a potential buyer, Donovan, is on his way to look at the house. Lucy suffers from anxiety, and she is distraught and nervous anticipating the buyer's arrival, and for good reason. What happens in this novel is scary, puzzling, and suspenseful. Why is Donovan there in the first place? Is he there to buy the house, or does he have other reasons yet to be revealed? The House Hunt is well worth the time it takes to read because of its suspense and unpredictability.

WE LOVE THE NIGHTLIFE

RACHEL KOLLER CROFT

We Love the Nightlife by Rachel Koller Croft is a fantastic accomplishment. The author transports us back to London at the height of the disco era, so think of John Travolta and other icons. The main character, Amber, is a dissatisfied American who decides to move to London and then get married. However, as often is the case, the marriage doesn't supply what she wants. She goes to a nightclub and meets a woman named Nicola; unbeknownst to Amber, Nicola is a vampire. Nicola very badly wants Amber also to become a vampire. Amber embraces the vampire lifestyle full steam ahead. Soon, Amber gets tired of being Nicola's pawn. The question is, how will Amber escape this deadly and suffocating friendship? There are many lessons to learn, and We Love the Nightlife explores friendships and what should and should not be. The novel is vivid and caters to mystery readers and anybody interested in friendship and what that entails.

HEADS WILL ROLL

JOSH WINNING

Heads Will Roll by veteran horror writer Josh Winning reflects the author's surname. Winning has accomplished what few can in his field, successfully combining two genres, mystery and horror.

Camp Castaway is for adults who have come undone. It offers peace, solitude, and, most of all, an opportunity to self-reflect. Willow is a famous television star who ends up at Camp Castaway after making inappropriate and destructive social media posts. At first, all is well. Then, she recognizes campers from her former world, and that is when circumstances change. People go missing, and nobody has answers. The story unfolds, and this ordinary camp becomes a scene of mystery and horror. Heads Will Roll is an outstanding example of what a talented writer can achieve when successfully combining two popular styles of commercial fiction.

THE LOST COAST

JONATHAN & JESSE KELLERMAN

What could be better than merging two excellent, talented writers, in this case, father and son, long-time veteran John Kellerman and his son Jesse? The answer is not much. The Lost Coast is another terrific entry in this outstanding series and a superb stand-alone.

Insurance investigator Clay Edison is hired to look into suspicious dealings in a town, Swann's Flats. The initial assignment leads to a missing persons investigation for a young man, Nick, who may or may not have problems. Clay faces multiple barriers, including impassable terrain and poorly built roads and trails within the isolation of Swann's Flats. Clay reunites with a past associate, and they hope to find Nick, even after he wraps up his initial assignment at Swann's Flatts. The Lost Coast is an exciting thriller written by two of the best in the business. Start and finish it within two days; that is how good it is.

THE BEST LIES

DAVID ELLIS

In his newest effort, The Best Lies,  David Ellis masters deception, plot twists, and reader incredulity. The Best Lies is reminiscent of the old card game of watching the ball and guessing under what cup it lands. 

Attorney Balanoff is arrested for the homicide of an infamous gangster with ties to multi-country espionage. The FBI offers Balanoff a deal if he goes undercover and infiltrates the criminal organization, hoping to implicate its leader. The story twists and turns as we meet Balonoff's former girlfriend/cop, now in private security. Told using multiple timelines, the author grabs the reader by the throat and never lets go until the final page.

PALM BEACH SCAVENGERS

TOM TURNER

Tom Turner's Palm Beach Scavengers et al. reads like a well-crafted movie from when audiences could depend on an entertaining and exciting three-hour escape from reality. From page one, the plot and its characters grab you by the throat, and there is no escaping what is another all-consuming and wonderfully plotted police procedural staring Turner's superb cast of characters. Once again, Detectives Crawford and Ott are tracking a suspect wanted for killing a famous and philandering big-time sports agent. Assisted by the detective's usual cast of colorful and amusing supporting players, Ott and Crawford narrow the list of suspects, but not without violence, lies, and general shenanigans. Palm Beach Scavengers is another jewel in the Palm Beach series. It is perfect as a Stand-Alone, but readers will be in for a treat if they start at the beginning of the Palm Beach series with Palm Beach Nasty.

THE HATERS

ROBYN HARDING

The Haters, by Robyn Harding, tells a stunning tale of ambition, internet abuse, and its potential for damage and ruination. And that is just the beginning of this terrifically engaging novel by skilled and prolific writer Harding.

A high school counselor wants to write the "Great American Novel." She does and receives vitriolic and loathsome reviews. That is part of the game, but the hate extends to her family. The counselor/writer looks for the people behind the malicious reviews and defamatory comments as her reputation nose dives.

The Haters is a super examination of social media and how it can be used to destroy a person or institution. The who-done-it aspect is engaging and will leave the reader wanting more—another winner by a sure-handed writer.

SENTINEL

MARK GREANEY

Writer Mark Greaney again shows why he is the leader in the Action and Thriller category. Sentinel is the second entry in the Armored series. Josh Duffy works for a security apparatus within the U.S. State Department. His wife is training for a similar career, and when she completes school, they are sent to Ghana, a relatively stable African country. Things are not what they seem as a Chinese spy has a mission to ferment revolution and form a new pro-China government. The action never ends, and the reader is transported to parts unknown. Duffy exemplifies the thriller protagonist, and the secondary characters add depth and intrigue to a fantastic thriller. Readers will beg for another entry into this exciting and action-packed series.

Don't Let the Devil Ride

ACE ATKINS

Don't Let the Devil Ride by expert and prolific writer Ace Atkins is an unpredictable and serpentine thriller that keeps the reader guessing. The client, Addison, has a husband who cannot be found. Her last hope is Porter Hayes and old-time Private Detective, the only person who believes foul play is involved. The story unfolds as readers are introduced to many characters, including a wealthy religious huckster, a weapons salesman, and a Russian gangster. Are they connected to the missing husband, and if so, how and why? Don't Let the Devil Ride is another beautiful novel by the author, who has already proved that he is one of the best in the mystery/thriller genre.

DEATH IN THE AIR

RAM MURALI

Death In The Air by Rom Morali is as exotic as its name. Ro Krishna receives great news after uncovering his boss's heinous behavior. After signing a nondisclosure agreement, he leaves his job with a hefty compensation package. Ro now has money but no job and no idea what he wants to do.

Ro decides to visit India, his place of birth. When there, he meets a woman named Amrita, and they have an instant connection. Unfortunately, soon after that, she dies, and it appears that more people are on the menu to be killed.

Death in the Air is a masterfully crafted mystery, which is all the more impressive because the writer is a novice. The reader keeps guessing and suspecting everyone until the final pages, when the perpetrator is revealed. The book is a rollercoaster of unpredictability, with honest and relatable characters. It's a story that leaves you craving for more, and I, for one, am eagerly awaiting its sequel at my local bookstore.

RED STAR FALLING

STEVE BERRY & GRANT BLACKWOOD

Steve Berry and Grant Blackwood continue to thrill new and veteran thriller readers with the release of Red Star Falling. The action is fast and dizzying as Luke Daniels is called on the carpet about an unsuccessful mission in which Luke's friend was captured and presumed dead at the hands of Russian operatives. Luke is dismayed and determined to confirm his friend's death. He sets out to find his friend buried deep in a maximum-security gulag somewhere in Russia. The book brims with action, danger, and spy craft, leaving readers wanting more of Luke and his adventures. Readers familiar with the Cotton Malone series will find references from those books, but Red Star Falling is great as a stand-alone.

The Last Hope: A Maggie Hope Mystery

SUSAN ELIA MACNEAL

The Last Hope by accomplished writer Susan Elia MacNeal concludes the enchanting and engaging Maggie Hope mystery series. Readers will remember that Maggie began her fictitious career as Churchill's assistant and then proved that she had the potential to accomplish more significant goals. Past accomplishments are mentioned that bring coherence to the outstanding narrative. Still, The Last Hope may undoubtedly be read as a Stand-Alone that offers thrills and sophistication to an already well-established story.

Maggie's initial murder assignment is to eliminate Werner Heisenberg, a Nazi scientist working on an atomic bomb project. This assignment requires Maggie to evaluate the progress of the project and visit the infamous French designer and Nazi sympathizer Coco Chanel. The mystery is surrounded by spycraft, danger, and historical references, which add to the veritas of the story. Readers will be glued to the pages as Maggie risks her life for the good of England and her allies. 

Susan Elia MacNeal is a fine writer, and fans will hope to see more of her soon.

ONLINE AFFAIR

MIKE FARICY

Accomplished and prolific mystery writer Mike Faricy keeps on keeping on. Online Affair is the 37th entry in his constantly engaging and comical Dev Haskell P.I. series, and like all of its predecessors, the book hits the spot. Faricy incorporates Internet crime, romance, and criminal misdoings, which keep the reader involved and help them guess who is doing what and to whom. The familiar cast of long-familiar characters makes their appearances known, from Morton, the loveable golden retriever and pork rind connoisseur, to plodding and predictable office-mate and lawyer Louie.

The victims are wealthy, with much to lose and few people willing to help. Dev takes the case and utilizes his wit, charm, and police contacts to bring down the ring of internet burglars and robbers. Readers must read on to find out who is doing what and how. Reading Online Affair is a great way to spend the weekend and provides superior entertainment for the novice mystery reader through the most sophisticated.

Nonna Maria and the Case of the Lost Treasure:

LORENZO CARCATERRA

Accomplished and imaginative mystery author Lorenzo Carcaterra's Nonna Maria and the Case of the Lost Treasure serves multiple purposes for dedicated mystery readers or lovers of exotic locals. The featured character, Nonna Maria, is a widowed grandmother who knows everyone and everything about the lush Italian island of Ischia.

The head of the Carabinieri hears that gangsters are en route to kill him as revenge for jailing their peers. Meanwhile, Nonna's friend asks Nonna to track down a supposed treasure, according to a map given to the friend's granddaughter. Despite solid warnings from Nonna's friends and family and the head of the Caribineri, Nonna persists as the plot develops, and readers are drawn into another captivating Nonna Maria adventure.

A LONESOME PLACE FOR DYING

NOLAN CHASE

A Lonesome Place For Dying by Nolan Chase is the real deal. What reader can

resist experiencing a blue-eyed coyote? And a heart in butcher paper left on a back porch. And that is just the beginning of A Lonesome Place For Dying by Nolan Chase, a first-time novelist who has already out-paced most of his peers in the police procedural genre.

Ethan Brand is the newly appointed police chief of Blaine, Washington, a small town near the Canadian border. His first case is a homicide and missing person case involving drugs, money, and fraud committed by a multi-generational crime family.

The writer uses bright-line imagery of the police chief and his deputies. We also gain an understanding of the crooks and their motives. A cat-and-mouse game soon develops, and the reader is compelled to live inside this well-told, exciting, and realistically drawn story. I hope that Nolan Chase has a long and illustrious career.

WHILE WE WERE BURNING

SARA KOFFI

While We Were Burning, by first-time writer Sara Koffi delivers everything that even the most discriminating reader could dream of. Wife Elizabeth is wracked with self-hate and loathes her husband. And to no avail; her affair is equally disastrous and deadening. Elizabeth's situation deteriorates when she discovers the corpse of her friend Patricia. David, Elizabeth's concerned husband, hires an assistant for his wife, partly to help improve his wife's increasingly deteriorating mental state, as Elizabeth is convinced that Patricia was murdered. Unfortunately, the new assistant has her agenda: hunting for the neighbor who called the police, which resulted in her son's death.

While We Were Burning is unpredictable and engaging. It keeps the reader's attention while examining important societal issues, such as racism, mental health, and the need for revenge. Readers will want more from Sara Koffi, a promising and hopefully prolific mystery writer.

A BETTER WORLD

SARAH LANGAN

A Better World by Sarah Langan is a compelling dystopic novel that conveys a foreseeable and desirous new world of social order where everything is perfect if you are, too. Linda, Russell Farmer-Bowen, and their two children have moved to Plymouth Valley, an idyllic company town where everything is exemplary. The environment is pristine, the schools are outstanding, and, best of all, everything is free. The trick is gaining admittance to Plymouth Valley and adapting to its quirks, which, when accomplished, make Plymouth Valley like Nirvana. Everybody gets what they want and more, defying consequences for ethically questionable actions to achieve their goals. Children and adults are lured into a spooky, irresistible community that looks like a perfect world. But the ramifications of citizenship in Plymouth Valley are as terrifying as they are alluring. Sarah Langan's A Better World perfectly destroys the idiom that"the grass is always greener on the other side."