Category: Books-Fiction

Storm Watch – C.J. Box

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Storm Watch by C J Box

Originally Posted April 2023 Updated April 2026

So far I have finished two books this month. The first Blind Justice was my first visit to the world of Detective Sargent Aector McAvoy from David Mark. While the second Storm Watch was my 22nd visit to the world of C.J.Box‘s Joe Pickett.

I first met Joe Pickett and his family in 2003, when I read Savage Run the second book in the series. I soon read the Open Season book one in the series and I’ve only missed one book in the series! You can check out more ere

Storm Watch – The Story

Storm Watch begins with Joe performing his typical Game Warden duties. Joe receives a call regarding an elk cow that has been hit by a car and Joe responses and track the elk far into the mountains. After finding the elk Joe finds a mysterious building, when he explores it further he finds it is filled with a ton of computers. Oh, there is also a dead body stuck halfway in a window! Soon Joe is called by the Governor and told not to investigate the murder.

Meanwhile, Joe’s friend Nate Romanowski is approached by an ex-black ops operator  to join an anti-government group that’s planning some big action.

So can Joe and Nate stay out of trouble? Are the murder and Nate’s request the join the Sovereign Nation group connected?

My Thoughts

I loved this well crafted well paced book. I have enjoyed Barclay’s books for a while now and have read all four of the Zack Walker books and Too Close to Home also highly recommended) another standalone.

In No Time for Goodbye the characters are believable and story line keeps moving and the suspense building toward the surprising conclusion!

In this book, I really enjoyed the character of Terry Archer, who narrates  the story. His character was a little like Zack Walker, someone, who at times is in a little over their head!

Bottom Line

I was somewhat disappointed with Shadows Reel (book 22) in the series. I just didn’t think it was one of Box’s best. However, I do think he redeemed himself with this one! The only thing that didn’t happen was Joe’s truck finished  the book unscathed!Anyway the book was great and rates at least a 4.5 if not a 5! Go find it and enjoy!

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C J Box author of Storm Watch

About C J Box

Charles James Box Jr. is an American author of more than thirty novels. Box is the author of the Joe Pickett series, as well as several standalone novels, and a collection of short stories.

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If you like the family and character connections in this series…

You might also enjoy:

William Kent Kreuger
Michael Robotham
Michael Robotham
Peter May
  • William Kent Krueger — the Cork O’Connor series blends crime with family, history, and a strong sense of place
  • Michael Robotham — especially the Joe O’Loughlin books, where personal lives are always part of the story
  • Peter May — the Lewis Trilogy, where past, family, and landscape are tightly woven together

Down Range (Garrett Kohl #1) – Taylor Moore The Great Start of a Reading Friendship

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Down Range Taylor Moore

In September of 2021 I found Down Range, the first book in the Garrett Kohl series, at my local library. It looked interesting, and then I read this quote on the back of the book.

“Having lived it Taylor Moore hits very bit of the cost of counterterrorism in Down Range but this story is much more. It’s a riveting thriller with a family in crisis at the core. It’s my kind of book.” – Brad Taylor

Well, even though I’ve never read any of Brad Taylor’s books (several are sitting on my TBR shelves), I figured I’d take a chance.

Boy, was he right. This turned into one of those series where I just kept coming back.

About Down Range

Down Range is a thriller that blends action, crime, and Western elements. It introduced me to DEA agent Garrett Kohl. Kohl is returning to his Northwest Texas home after serving in Afghanistan. He finds it overrun by criminals, and Garrett uses his elite military and intelligence skills to protect his family and community.

What Makes the Garret Kohl Series Stand Out

hile the action is great throughout the book, what makes this series special is the heart that the characters bring to the story—especially Garrett and Asadi, a young Afghan boy Garrett brings back with him after his family is killed.

The rest of Garrett’s family—his father and siblings—are also strong characters and add depth to the story.

Through my reading I often get to visit places I’ll never see, and Taylor Moore does a great job of transporting me to Northwest Texas. The descriptions of the ranch and surrounding area make you understand why Garrett loves his home.

This ended up being one of those series I read over a stretch of time without ever getting around to writing about it—something I’m trying to fix now.

I’ve since read several books in the Garrett Kohl series, and it all started here with Down Range.

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Taylor Moore

About Taylor Moore

TAYLOR MOORE is the author of Down Range, which was nominated for the Barry Award for Best First Novel, named a Strand Magazine best mystery of the year, and selected for the Texas Library Association’s … Google Books

I

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Parting Shot Linwood Barclay Returns to Promise Falls – Yeah!

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Parting Shot - Linwood Barclay

Parting Shot may be billed as the fourth book connected to the Promise Falls trilogy, but it also serves as a thrilling standalone that fans of Linwood Barclay—and newcomers—will enjoy.

The Story

This book weaves two storylines through the streets of Promise Falls, both tied together by the steady hands of two familiar characters: Detective Barry Duckworth and Private Investigator Cal Weaver.

Detective Duckworth is on the case of a young man who wakes up in an alley—bruised, battered, and with a disturbing tattoo etched into his back. The mystery: who did this to him, and what message were they trying to send?

Meanwhile, Cal Weaver is hired to protect a teenage boy whose past mistakes have made him a national pariah. After a drunken joyride ended in a young woman’s death, the teen escaped conviction by arguing that a lifetime of coddling left him unable to understand right from wrong. The press nicknamed him “The Big Baby,” and now, he’s a target—especially for those lurking on the vigilante justice site Just Desserts.

You know these two plotlines will collide—but as always, Barclay keeps you guessing until the very end.

Bottom Line: Parting Shot is Worth the Ride

Parting Shot is a strong addition to the Promise Falls universe, and it shines thanks to Barclay’s signature blend of suspense, character depth, and plot twists. While it can be read on its own, you’ll get a richer experience if you start at the beginning of the trilogy—and even better, go back to where it all began:

Duckworth features throughout the entire Promise Falls trilogy, and by the time you reach Parting Shot, these characters feel like old friends.

So grab a copy of Parting Shot, settle in, and let Linwood Barclay pull you into the darkness—and the heart—of Promise Falls

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About Linwood Barclay

Linwood Barclay is a New York Times bestselling author and a master of the “suburban thriller.” Born in the United States but raised in Canada, he spent three decades as a journalist and popular columnist for the Toronto Star before turning to fiction full-time.

He is best known for his ability to take ordinary, relatable people and throw them into terrifying, high-stakes situations. Since his breakout hit No Time for Goodbye in 2007, he has published over twenty novels, including the acclaimed Promise Falls trilogy. He currently lives in Toronto with his wife, Neetha.

Originally Published Feb 2018 Revised and Updated Feb 2026

The Twenty Three – Book #3 – The Promise Falls Trilogy – Linwood Barclay

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The Twenty Three - Linwood Barclay

Linwood Barclay  – The Promise Falls Trilogy

One of m favorite author over the last several years has been Linwood Barclay. His books are always very interesting and they are very character driven. Most times the story revolves around one main character who is thrust into an extraordinary situation.

While Barclay’s book are considered stand alone thrillers Barclay has brought back characters for a second go-around. No Safe House was the second installment in the story of Terry Archer and his family. No Safe House picks up the story of the Archer family seven years after the events recounted inNo Time for Goodbye

Broken Promise - Linwood Barclay

Promise Falls Trilogy – Broken Promise – Book #1

Barclay’s most recent project has been a trilogy featuring the happenings in Promise Falls, NY.

The trilogy began with the novel Broken Promise. InBroken Promise David Harwood and his son Ethan return to their hometown of Promise Falls.David and Ethan were two of the central characters in Barclay’s page-turner   Never Look Away. Soon after David’s return he finds himself in the midst of a family scandal. His cousin Marla, had recently had a miscarriage but now she is taking care of a new infant.

Marla says that an angel brought the baby to her. The next day the baby’s mother is found dead and her blood is discovered on Marla’s door! Guess who the main suspect in the murder case is!

Anyway  as David is trying to figure out, how Marla ended up with the baby,and if Marla is innocent or guilty, other things are happening in Promise Falls. Twenty Three dead squirrels are found strung up in the park, Two mannequins are found in car 23 of the ferris wheel at the town,s closed amusement park. While a co-ed a the local college is attacked by a young man wearing a hooded sweatshirt with you guessed it the number 23 on it!! What’s going on??

Far From True - Linwood Barclay

Far From True Book #2

Book two of the trilogyFar From True brought more questions and tragedy to Promise Falls.Things take off on the wrong foot.At the last show at the Promise Falls Drive-in, an explosion causes the giant screen to come crashing down on the customers. Cal Weaver is a resident of Promise Fall, first introduced to readers in Barclay’s A Tap on the Window.  In Far From True, Cal is hired by the daughter of two of the victims to find out what happened!

Another storyline twisting its way through Far From True concerns David Harwood again. This time David battles with the in-laws of his girlfriend Samantha Worthington. Samantha’s husband is in prison and his parents are trying to take her son away from her. Their first attempt was legal the second physical!

The events surrounding the number 23 continue to occur around Promise Falls. The question arises was the collapse of the drive-in a terrorist attack or is it associated with the 23 events? More 23 events do occur that involve a bus!!

The Twenty Three - Linwood Barclay

The Twenty Three – Book #3  – (Book 46 of 2016)

 

The Twenty Three is the third book in the trilogy and its a good one! On the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, May 23rd the town of Promise Falls wakes up to a full blown catastrophe. Hundreds of people are heading to the hospital with flu-like symptoms. Dozens are dying.. It quickly appears that the cause may be the water supply. But who would benefit from the poisoning of the town?

Two other stories flow though The Twenty Three. The first revolves around the murders that have occurred in Promise Falls. The murders started with Olivia Fisher. The next  victim  was Rosemary Gaynor. In The Twenty Three  the victim is a Thackery College co-ed. All three of the women  were killed by a stab wound across their stomach.The fatal wound in all of the cases was shaped like a smile. Since the second murder, Detective Barry Duckworth has insisted that there is a connection between the murders. Certainly now the murders appear to be connected. But, are these murders also associated with the twenty-three occurrences?

The second story involves  David Harwood and Samantha. Samantha and her son are missing and Samantha’s husband has escaped from prison. David is frantic to find them and make sure they are okay!

Bottom Line :

I give The Twenty Three 4 to 5 stars

Too many people died in The Twenty Three to make this a pleasant visit to Promise Falls.

But the story was interesting and exciting. I enjoy the residents of Promise Falls. From the ex-mayor Randy Findley, who sees every event as a campaign opportunity to Detective Barry Duckworth , who never met a donut he didn’t like!

These books form a trilogy! Reading them in order is the best way to enjoy them!

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Linwood Barclay

About Linwood Barclay

Linwood Barclay is a New York Times bestselling author and a master of the “suburban thriller.” Born in the United States but raised in Canada, he spent three decades as a journalist and popular columnist for the Toronto Star before turning to fiction full-time.

He is best known for his ability to take ordinary, relatable people and throw them into terrifying, high-stakes situations. Since his breakout hit No Time for Goodbye in 2007, he has published over twenty novels, including the acclaimed Promise Falls trilogy. He currently lives in Toronto with his wife, Neetha.

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Stranger in the Room (Keye Street Series #2) – Amanda Kyle Williams

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Stranger in the Room - Amanda Kyle Williams

Ok so I did not really enjoy the first half of Amanda Kyle Williams The Stranger that You Seek, but the second half of the book was really good, and propelled me on to the second book in the Keye Street series Stranger in the Room.

For me, there was no weak first half in this book, it grabbed me from the start and did not let go until the last page!

Stranger in the Room the Mystery is Set

Miki Ashton, Keye Street’s cousin returns home after a night on the town, puts the key in the front door of her house, before she can open the door, she hears footsteps in the supposedly empty house!!

When she makes her way to the window in the front of the house, and peers in, she sees a slightly overweight man standing in the shadows, as he stands there he forms a gun with his fingers and he pretends to shoot Miki!!  So begins this great twisting mystery!! Who was this stranger in the room?? Why was he there?? Is he the source of the mysterious calls, and noises that plague Miki??

A Second Layer is Added

Meanwhile. Keye’s boyfriend Detective Aaron Rauser is investigating the murder of a young baseball player on the cusp of good things! Soon the mystery man and the boy are entwined in an ever-growing murder investigation and Keye is once again drawn into the hunt for a murderer. Can she and Rauser put the pieces of the puzzle together before more lives are lost?  Soon Miki  and Keye become the focus of  the murderer’s wrath!! Why??

My Reaction to The

My Reactions to Stranger in The Room

I imagine that one of the reasons that I liked this book more than its predecessor, is that now I know the players. All the characters from Book 1 are back including of course Keye and Rauser, along with Keye’s adoptive parents, her work partner, stoner computer geek Neil, Tyrone the bail bondsman who Keye does work for, as well as, Larry Quinn the attorney who supplies Keye’s PI firm work.

In this installment Quinn asks Keye to  investigate into the actions of a North Georgia Crematorium. This subplot was better than the investigation of a missing cow in the last book!

But I think that’s only half of the reason I enjoyed the book more.  The other half is the story itself. In this book, I thought that Keyes profiling of the perp was more in-depth, and it really brought to life the how and why of the killer’s actions, but profiling alone does not capture a criminal, so the work of Rauser and hs team played a big role in the discovery of the identity of the killer.

Final Thoughts

Bottomline: This book was a real page turner for me. A good police procedural that coupled Keye’s keen profiling skills with Rauser’s dogged police work, kinda like Bones and Booth without the bones or the FBI!  Along the way there was also Keye’s addiction battle, juxtaposed against Miki’s love for both alcohol and drugs, and Keye’s mom’s  attempt to be the next “Paula Dean” which made the book enjoyable on more than one level! So I am now a fan and I am ready to move on to Don’t Tak to Strangers book 3  in the series!! Now watch when I checked out both Book 1 and 2 book 3 was on the shelf what do you want to bet that tomorrow, when I take back this book, book 3 will be gone!!

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Amanda Kyle Williams
 

About Amanda Kyle Williams

Amanda (1957–2018) was a master of the “unconventional sleuth.” A former freelance courier and process server, she brought real-world grit to her Atlanta-based Keye Street series. Her work was shortlisted for the Townsend Prize and the Shamus Award, and translated into nine languages.

(Book 32 of 2014 — Post Recreated & Updated Feb 2026)

The White Crow – (Philomena McCarthy #2) – Michael Robothom

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THe White Crow - Philomena McCarthy #2)- Michael Robotham

The White Crow (Philomena McCarthy #2) – Michael Robotham

I have been a big fan of the books of Michael Robotham since I read my first Joe O’Loughlin novel Suspect way back in 2008. There are 9 books in that series and I’ve read all but one, The Wreckage . While the book is considered book #5 in the series the main protagonist in the book is Vincent Ruiz an ex-cop who Joe interacts with on several levels. I liked the character of Vincent Ruiz so I really should read the book!

However, let’s get back to The White Crow. The White Crow is the second book to feature PC Philomena McCarthy. The first book was When You Are Mine released back in 2022 and it was terrific.

The Story

Philomena McCarthy is London police officer. She is also the daughter of Edward McCarthy and a niece to Edward McCarthy and his brothers. The problem? Edward and his brothers are known London criminals. And while Edward has never been convicted of any crimes, his brothers have and spent time in prison.

In this book, while Philomena is responding to a home invasion, she spots a five year old little girl in the rain wearing bloody pajamas. The little girl turns out to be the daughter of the woman who was murdered in the home invasion.

Meanwhile, nearby a top of the line jewelry store is being robbed, and the owner is strapped to a chair holding a bomb that’s ready to go off!

Soon Edward McCarthy and his brother are considered to be a prime suspects in the jewelry store robbery even though he is now a developer and not a crime boss. And Philomena is also placed under suspicion. Did she help her father? Soon the suspended Philomena is struggling between two worlds and who does she believe the police or her father and his brothers??

What Michael Robotham Says About The White Crow

In the acknowledgements of the book Michael Robotham writes the following…..

When I created the character of Philomena McCarthy in When You Were Mine, I thought I was writing a standalone., but I fell in love with Phil, and in particular with her father and uncles. who were old-school East End Gangsters. Geezers if you will, who made me laugh.

Some novels come more easily than others and this was a joy to write because I love these characters and how they react with a world that is changing so quickly.

My Thoughts

Last year when I started to redesign and update this site I discovered that When You Are Mine was not a standalone novel. That Michael had written The White Crow, which is the second book in the Philomena McCarthy series. I must confess I didn’t remember much about When You Are Mine but when I started The White Crow the memories of Edward McCarthy and his brothers started flowing back and good memories they were! Kind of makes me want to go back and read When You Are Mine again!

The White Crow is a well written books with a great twisty storyline and a powerful ending! The characters are what’s special. I don’t think there’s a weak character in the book. And while Edward and his brothers are terrific characters and their nemesis may be even better!

My final thought is it may be best to read When You Are Mine first to get a proper introduction to the McCarthy clan. As for me I’m eagerly awaiting book #3 in this series and a book 5 in the Cyrus Haven Series. I’m also hoping to find When You Are Mine at a Goodwill!

Near the end of the book, Edward McCarthy’s nemesis explains what a white crow is — and it fits Phil perfectly.
Do you know?
Well… go find out.

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Michael Robotham

About Michael Robotham

Michael Robotham is an Australian crime fiction writer who has twice won the CWA Gold Dagger award for best novel and twice been shortlisted for the Edgar Award for best novel. His eldest child is Alexandra Hope Robotham, professionally known as Alex Hope, an Australian producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. Wikipedia

Born: 1960 (age 65 years), Casino, Australia

Children: Alex Hope

Nationality: Australian

Notable awards: The CWA Gold Dagger, 2015, 2020

Notable works: Life or Death

 

Savages (#31) Bill Pronzini – Returning to The Nameless Detective Series Hoorah!

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Svages A Nameless Detective Novel - Bill Pronzini

Through the years, I have read many of the books in Bill Pronzini’s Nameless Detective series. I read my first Nameless Detective novel in 1990. In fact in that year I read four of the books in the series.

From 1990 until 2001 I read the series from book Deadfall #15 to # 26 Crazybone and only missed one book Hardcase #15. While I was moving on the other authors, Pronzini was making major changes to the Nameless series.

Bill Pronzini transforms the Nameless Detective series

At the end of Crazybone Nameless and his wife Kerry are planning to adopt a child. Pronzini wanted to move the characters in a different direction. However, he returned to the series with major changes.

The series continued with an ensemble cast. Nameless becoming older, grayer and wiser. He moves away from being a solitary investigator to hiring both a savvy female assistant Tamara as a partner of their new agency. Additionally, they hire an ex-cop Jake Runyon to held cases..

From Crazybone on each of the books features at least two storyline featuring Nameless and another member of the ensemble.

Savages is the third book I have read in the series since these changes have been made. It is book #31 in the series. I read book #29 Nightcrawlers in 2006. Twelve year later I read book #30 Mourners. Now in 2025 I have just read Savages book #31 in the series.

Savages – The Story

Savages follows the same ensemble cast direction of the books post Crazybone. Both Nameless and Jake Runyon are working separate cases.

Nameless Detective is talked investigating the accidental death of the sister ofa former client, a sharp-tongued woman named Celeste Ogden. Celeste is convinced her sister Nancy Mathias’ death was a homicide not an accident.

Celeste has never liked her sister’s husband Brandon Mathias. She had previously hired Nameless to perform a background check on him before her sister marriage. Nameles found no evidence of wrongdoing.

Now, with Nancy dead in what officials call an accident, Celeste is convinced of murder and insists Nameless is honor-bound to prove it. As he delves into Nancy’s life, he becomes more inclined to believe it was a murder, despite ethical dilemmas and a lack of clear evidence. 

Concurrently, his agency partner, Jake Runyon, takes on a case to serve a subpoena, which escalates into a complex investigation involving serial arson and murder. The novel weaves these two cases together, keeping the entire San Francisco detective agency on edge. 

My Thoughts

Reading Savages was a nice return t the world of Bill Pronzini’s Nameless Detective. Typical of all Bill Pronzini books the characters are all well-drawn and the storylines are both compelling. Of the teo storylines I found the Jake Runyon story the better of the two.

Jake was just delivering a subpoena to a witness in a San Francisco court case. When he is thrust into the middle of a homicide AND arson case. Where nothing seems to add up. The prime suspect was friends with the victum and he seems to be liked by all! There’s a few twists and turns in the investiation enough to keep the pages turning. The ending somewhat surprising was satisfying

. While Nameless’s case was less satisfying for some but a surprise ending.

While Savages average rating was 3.68 It was a strong 4.o for me. Now I do believe you can read this book as a standalone. I do think think should read the four books that come before it to get to know the characters. As for me, I think I need to go back and read it Bleeders and Spook!


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Bill Pronzini Page

About Bill Pronzini

and Nameless Detective

Bill Pronzini (born April 13, 1943) is an American writer of detective fiction. He is also an active anthologist, having compiled more than 100 collections, most of which focus on mystery, western, and science fiction short stories.[1] Pronzini is known as the creator of the San Francisco-based Nameless Detective, who starred in over 40 books from the early 1970s into the 2000s. Wikipedia

 

Breaking Wild – Diane Les Becquets. A Wild Ride!

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I picked Breaking Wild by Diane Les Becquets up on the day that I went to pick up another book that I had requested from the library. I started to read it and I literally could not put it down until I finished it!

The Story

The book tells the story of Amy Raye Latour who on the last day of a hunting trip sets out to get her elk. Unlike her two male friends who were hunting with her, Amy was hunting with a crossbow, When her shot hits the elk but doesn’t bring it down she stalks the wounded animal over the Colorado mountains in a snowstorm – what could go wrong!

She loses her way and is lost, among the search and rescuers is Pru Hathaway  a strong woman who like Amy had come west to escape past tragedies The story alternates between Amy’s fight for survival and Pru’s  fight to find out what really happened to Amy!  

What Other Authors Thought

The following two quotes provide great comments on this stirring novel……

“The sheer force of this book lies in the force of its two main characters. These are
complicated women [who are] defined…not by their histories, their loves, their mistakes, or their suffering, but by their actions. It makes for a powerful, visceral book about the incredible human capacity to transcend the limitations imposed by our own pasts and our own fears.”
— Tana French, New York Times Bestselling author of In The Woods

“Diane Les Becquets brings to life the story of two very different and captivating women, whose worlds collide through a series of unexpected and compelling circumstances. When one goes missing in the wilderness and the other sets out to find her, the pages practically turn themselves as the reader races through this harrowing and heart-wrenching tale, determined to discover how it all turns out.”
— John Searles, New York Times Bestselling author of Help For The Haunted and Strange But True

My Thoughts

Breaking Wild is another 4,5 star book! Both of the lead characters in this book are well-drawn and strong women and the way that Ms Les Becquets presents their story is wonderful, Each chapter provides a little more information about the life of Pru Hathaway and the fate and life of Any Raye and I tell you it’s tough to put the book down, because you just need to know the final outcome!

\

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About Diane Les Becquets

Diane Les Becquets is the author of the national bestselling novel BREAKING WILD, published by Berkley/Penguin Random House, which was the winner of the Colorado Book Award in general fiction and the New Hampshire Outstanding Fiction Award. The novel was also shortlisted for the Reading the West Book Award in fiction and was an Indie Next Pick. For more information, visit lesbecquets.com

If You Enjoyed The Last Ranger Here’s Where My Reading Went (and Where It’s Going)…

  • Nora Kelly (Preston & Child) — archaeological thrillers I’m planning to dive into, a natural next step after the dig storyline here
  • Breaking Wild — Diane Les Becquets — a gripping wilderness survival story that I couldn’t put down (see my original post)
  • Alice Henderson — Alex Carter series — where I’m heading next with environmental thrillers
Preston & Child
The Last Ranger - Peter Heller
Peter Heller
The Vanishing Kind Alice Henderson
Alice Henderson

Close Your Eyes – Michael Robotham

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Unraveling Michael Robotham’s Close Your Eyes Mystery

(Joseph O’Loughlin #8)

Michael Robotham - Close Your Eyes

Close Your Eyes Begins….

From Goodreads….

When a former student bungles a murder investigation, clinical psychologist Joseph O’Loughlin steps in to face a ruthless killer.

A mother and her teenage daughter are found murdered in a remote farmhouse, one defiled by multiple stab wounds and the other posed like Sleeping Beauty waiting for her Prince. Joe O’Loughlin is drawn into the investigation when a former student, trading on Joe’s reputation by calling himself the “Mindhunter,” jeopardizes the police inquiry by leaking details to the media and stirring up public anger.

With no shortage of suspects and tempers beginning to fray, Joe discovers a link between these murders and a series of brutal attacks where the men and women are choked unconscious and the letter “A” is carved into their foreheads. Read More

Joe Faces Family Problems

Along with the above there is a secondary storyline the book. Joe is asked by his estranged wife to move back into their cottage with his family which includes his wife and their two daughters. Joe is thrilled at the prospect of reuniting with his wife and daughters only problem is that his wife has cancer. And once again Joe is faced with the problem of balancing his work and his family!!

Bottom Line:

Close Your Eyes is another excellent book from Michael Robotham. This series is one of my favorites and like many of them it keeps getting better which is very hard to do because Robotham set the bar really high with his early books!!

I will even forgive him for joining the ranks of William Kent Krueger and Karin Slaughter

Ratings: Goodreads **** (4.15)  *RGrandad **** 1/2 (4.5)

Links

Michael Robotham Website
Amazon
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Goodreads;

About Michael Robotham

Michael Robotham is an Australian crime fiction writer who has twice won the CWA Gold Dagger award for best novel and twice been shortlisted for the Edgar Award for best novel. His eldest child is Alexandra Hope Robotham, professionally known as Alex Hope, an Australian producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. Wikipedia

Born: 1960 (age 64 years), Casino, Australia

Notable awards: The CWA Gold Dagger, 2015, 2020

Notable works: Life or Death

 

Alex Kava – Hidden Creed – Ryder Creed #6

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Hidden Creed - Alex Kava Ryder Creed #6

Hidden Creed – Ryder Creed #6 – Alex Kava

I’m not a dog person — we’ve always had cats.
But Alex Kava through her Ryder Creed series has convinced me just how many incredible things dogs can do that cats can’t (or simply won’t). Hidden Creed was book #41 for me this year, and it might just be the best yet in the series.

My History with Alex Kava

I’ve been reading Alex Kava since 2005, when I first picked up A Perfect Evil, the debut Maggie O’Dell novel.
The only Maggie O’Dell book I haven’t read is Stranded (#11) — and yes, I’ve checked it out from the library more than once, even started it, but always got sidetracked by another book. That’s worth noting because Stranded is the story where Ryder Creed and Maggie first meet — and that case is mentioned here in Hidden Creed.

Why the Ryder Creed Series Stands Out

For me, the heart of this series is the characters — both human and canine.
Ryder Creed and Maggie O’Dell are two of my favorite fictional characters, and Kava has surrounded them with a strong supporting cast:

  • Brodie – Ryder’s sister
  • Hannah – his business partner
  • Jason – an ex-soldier and valued employee
  • And, of course, the dogs — my personal favorite being Grace, the fearless Jack Russell Terrier.

As Tracie Hotchner of the Radio Pet Lady Network™ put it:

“It’s impossible not to care about and root for the human and canine heroes in Kava’s series.”
I couldn’t agree more.

The Story

During a K-9 training session in Florida’s Blackwater River State Forest, Ryder and Brodie follow Grace’s lead straight to a shallow grave. Soon, more bodies are discovered — and it becomes clear this is the isolated dumping ground of a serial killer.

Meanwhile, Maggie O’Dell is in Pensacola investigating a storage locker purchased at auction. Inside? An array of body parts and containers — possibly the twisted cache of a killer.

Kava weaves four distinct storylines together, creating a tense, fast-moving thriller where the suspense doesn’t let up until the very last page.

The Bottom Line

If you love page-turning thrillers with memorable characters, Hidden Creed is a must-read. While it works as a standalone, I recommend starting with Desperate Creed (#5) to get the most out of the relationships and backstory — especially between Ryder and Brodie.

And if you want to fully understand Maggie O’Dell, go back and read some of her solo cases. She’s had some fantastic adventures of her own!

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Alex Kava is the New York Times, USA Today and Amazon bestselling author of twenty-three novels that include the critically acclaimed series featuring K9 handler Ryder Creed and the international bestselling series with FBI profiler Maggie O’Dell.

She’s been awarded two Nebraska Book Awards, a Florida Book Award and the Mari Sandoz Award.

Published in thirty-five countries, her novels have sold seven+ million copies and have appeared on bestseller lists in the UK, Australia, Germany, Poland, Italy and Japan. Full Bio