Dead Wake - A Forgotten Coast Florida Suspense Novel - Book 5

by Dawn Lee McKenna
reviewed from Kindle

 This book got my attention from the start, and no wonder. A flood from the most recent hurricane most certainly can make a lot of changes to buildings and landscapes. On the other hand, what turns out to be a completely unexpected find turns the town's citizens upside-down. Welcome to Apalachicola! Now I am very sorry I haven't discovered this series before. Unusual problems exist in the relationships of the citizens in their everyday lives but the shocking find while renovating a building halts almost everything but the investigation. Surprising twists and turns, mistaken answers to questions, I really enjoyed the sometimes shocking and sometimes humorous relationships, hidden secrets and the surprises that go along with it.

Assignment: Athens (A SpyCo Novella Book 1)

by Craig A. Hart
review from ebook

This novella and first in the series was quite interesting in characters, being short it didn't quite tell the whole story. I did enjoy it, though and would happily read another SpyCo book. Two different factions, SpyCo and Scorpion, appear to have a third unknown faction in their search for the central snatch back of a very important briefcase. Or is it really that special? Spies, heroes, partners, and other criminals all after the same briefcase, what do they have in common? Thrills, chills, murderers, terrorists, humor and hidden perils, I really enjoyed this book, Craig A. Hart really knows how to deliver.

Oath of Honor (Blue Justice series book 1)

Oath of Honor (Blue Justice series book 1)
by Lynette Eason
published by Revellbooks.com

 A very interesting story if you can find your way through the two main characters' families. A bit confusing with two families who have known each other for so long working in law-enforcement and medical services. The book divides itself over Thursday to Tuesday with chapters in each day. There is lots of action, and a lot of characters in the plot as would be expected in fighting crime. Loss, old and new, plays a large role within these law-enforcement and homicide workers.

The book begins with a bang, crime, death, recovery and secrets. As a reader I feel for these people who suffer loss whose family members are sworn to protect, and those with members killed in war. Those who do escape work with precision and stealth to solve crimes while the suspense, twists and turns speed up. A partner who Izzy has known for a lifetime, headstrong and with the faulty confidence of youth is killed in a stakeout. Who killed her partner and what can she do about it? Why did her partner ask her to hide his phone as he was dying? Why was her brother acting so strangely? Who killed who? Why is Derek, the twin brother of Izzy, so secretive?

This book is realistic, fast-paced, provides a genuine fascination to the reader. Lynette Eason is an author who understands what a reader wants and needs in a book, a superb author. Definitely one to add to my list of favourites.

Murder in Palm Beach: The Homicide That Never Died

by Bob Brink

Accused of murder he did not commit...
An interesting story of miscarriage of justice wrapped around courts, the judicial system and the incarceration system. This story revolves around Mitt Hecher, a family man accused and imprisoned for a murder he did not commit and how he eventually turns his sentence around through the help of many people who believe in him, especially his wife, son and mother. Among new activities he instigates with the help of the officials within the prison such as karate lessons. As a Canadian, I wasn't sure if some offered activities would actually be an acceptable exercise in the system. However, the action and response to such a request obviously made a difference to the inmates and their attitudes, not to mention its value in preparing long-term residents for their upcoming freedom. Will the loss of his very ill wife deter Hecher from trying to redeem himself and also from fighting for the truth to come out? Will he ever know who the real killer was? I found I really enjoyed reading this book regardless of the anger it generated with falsehoods and blocked hearings which should have been heard and acted upon. But truth sometimes really does come out and provide the reader with a feeling of good over evil.

The Antiterrorist (Jake Corby 0.5) by Al Macy

written by Al Macy
short story

I found this short story a bit unusual, considering it begins with action fully engaged with an already captured Jake, an FBI agent with beatings and bondage attacks perpetuated on him, a man who reacts with a taunting comedic attitude. Who are these brutal terrorists? Where is his backup? Once rescued, Jake belittles his abilities, even with his serious injuries. Personally I found his demeanor to be much like the old '40s movie detectives I so enjoyed in the past, especially Sam Spade.

What he really is trying to do is take down terrorists, who happen to be attacking the satellites surrounding the earth, including Soyus and the Space Station. Of course with so many now circling above us, the fact that they are disappearing one by one does make it necessary to actively react to this type of attack to save the lives of those on the station. How he is going to do this with all his injuries is moot, he's going to do it anyway. The race is on to locate the beam that is destroying the satellites, it's known that it is originating from earth, but where? Will he be in time?

A fun look at governing agencies and quirky adventure, I enjoyed the book, even the 0.5 title.

An Invitation to Murder (Lady Katherine Regency Mysteries Book 1)

written by Leighann Dobbs and Harmony Williams
review from e-book

What a different time and life in Regency England. What an interesting story within the time of Regency! What a surprise that the main character is the daughter of an Earl and her heart's desire is to become a detective! I enjoyed reading this unique story with so much historical accuracy of the life and times. No wonder Lady Katherine wishes to escape the norm and become a detective like her father.

It is a time of invisibility of females as persons, a time of seeking "approved" marriages for young maidens and of course that means seeking a high society and rich suitor to marry them. Mothers pushing their daughters to marry well, often calling on matchmakers to arrange a perfect match, as in seeking title and wealth, never mind compatibility.

I loved the blossoming of Annie, as well as the compatibility of this particular pairing. Annie is the downtrodden believed by everyone to be the one no one would want for a wife yet she alone will marry well. I also found it hilarious how the system worked in those days! Matchmakers, mothers, daughters, Lords, Earls, Dukes, everybody wants to be part of the aristocracy, I would say mostly mothers for their daughters with no thought to what these men might really be like. Even more, they seem to switch around. Who is with who? Who would rather be with someone else? Love certainly doesn't seem to be a part of the picture. But what is the picture? Murder seems to play a pretty big part in all this. Why? Can Katherine find the murderer before anyone else is attacked? Or will she be the next victim. Lots of red herrings in this search for a murderer. For that matter, it's pretty "fishy" trying to find out who is where with maidens all changing partners.

Will Lady Katherine get her wish?

Spies and Spells by Tonya Kappes

written by Tonya Kappes
reviewed by e-book

This book was fun to read, especially when our pre-witch is getting frustrated and wants to become whatever is her future when Witchy Hour comes. In the meantime, she has her "familiar" which of course is a black cat...NOT! Maggie must be the first witch-to-be with a non-animal familiar named Vinnie and he not only gets her where she's going but makes sure she is safe, because Vinnie is a car. And not wanting to give spoilers, I won't say more about this familiar other than to say with him along, this book really picks up speed and laughter, my laughter. I loved the book, completely entertaining. Not quite your usual cozy witch, impatient, often bored waiting for her own particular magic to kick in. When it does, she will be very surprised at what her future is meant to be.