Mystery & Crime Archives

February 9, 2021February 9, 2021

Silent Voices-Books On Tour (Review)-Crime Thriller-Available Now

I’ve been a pretty big fan of Lottie Parker for a few books now (you can read my reviews by searching “Lottie Parker” in the search bar on this blog).

This author creates some of the most intricate plots I have ever read, and there are always surprises and connections that are unexpected. This latest book (#9!) is no exception.

One thing I found particularly entertaining is how Lottie and Boyd’s personal life has progressed. To me, that is almost as interesting as the cases at hand.

Maybe it’s because I have a law enforcement connection, maybe because I just like the human interest, but I’m always invested in how an author addresses the personal lives of the characters.

I’m happy to say that Lottie and Boyd have indeed progressed, but not without more drama (of course). And once again, Lottie needs to think quick and solve an extremely convoluted case before she can find happiness with Boyd.

Or can she find it at all?

Like I’m going to give that part away.

You can read blurbs and recaps elsewhere. The author does the usual fine job of introducing characters at just the right moments so that everything seems natural and organic. There is no forced realization.

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That’s one of the things I like most about this series – I can count on it to be intriguing and page-turning, but rarely do I say “Oh, come on! That wouldn’t happen that way!”

Yeah, I get that way about crime novels.

I think it is also a testament to the author’s prowess that this is indeed book nine in the series, and there are no real signs of slowing down. In fact, I think each book gets more intricate (that word again).

I’d love to see this author’s mind maps or idea boards, I’ll bet they’re works of art.

I will say, however, at this point if you want the full impact of the book, you would be best to start at the beginning of the series and read them in order.

While this could be read as a stand-alone, due to Lottie and Boyd’s relationship, I would suggest reading the trajectory of it. You’ll get so much more out of the book. I promise.

Oh, and the title in relation to the crimes? Well done. I love that connection.

Author Bio:

Patricia is the million-copy bestselling author of the DI Lottie Parker series. She yearned to be a writer after reading Enid Blyton and Carolyn Keene and even wanted to be Nancy Drew when she grew up. She has now grown up (she thinks) but the closest she’s come to Nancy Drew is writing crime!

In 2009, after her husband died, she retired from her job and started writing seriously. Fascinated by people and their quirky characteristics, she always carries a notebook to scribble down observations.

Patricia also loves to paint in watercolour and lives in the Irish midlands with her children.

January 22, 2021January 22, 2021

Perfect Little Dolls-Books On Tour (Review)-Crime Thriller-Available Now

I thought that the introduction to Eleanor Raven, Cry for Mercy, pulled no punches that this was a different type of “heroine” for a different type of genre.

Yes, she investigates crimes, but she is also one of the most damaged main characters that I have read in recent memory. That was well-established in the first book and certainly continues into this one.

The author makes a point of everything being gritty, from the lead to the supporting players, from the crime to all of the clues and revelations that come from the investigation, there is no real let-up.

This is good (for the most part) because it kept my interest – this is hard to do these days. I wanted to keep reading to see what the author was going to come up with next.

Non-spoiler alert – I wasn’t disappointed in that regard. There always seemed to be another aspect that provoked an “oh wow!” from me.

I say “for the most part” because by the end of the book, I did feel kind of like I needed to take a shower. Following around in Eleanor’s footsteps can do that to a person.

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All of this is interesting because in some ways, there is not a lot of “by-the-book” action to the plot. I mean, it starts with a massive fire and a gruesome revelation, but a lot of the story focuses on the psychological aspects of the investigation (both of Eleanor and the suspects/other characters).

While this was an interesting tack to take, it did get to be heavy at times. Being inside the mind of damaged people can be draining.

And I say damaged not as a derogatory term, but to recognize that in some ways this is how they see themselves. I’m not going to go into details (there are other reviews that give away some pretty important plot points), but many of the characters have a certain sense of self-loathing that leads their actions.

That includes Eleanor.

I like this change in pace for a crime thriller, but people should be warned that this series is not for the faint-of-heart. You have to be willing to get down and dirty with Eleanor to truly appreciate what the author has written.

Author Bio:

Karen Long was born in Wolverhampton but has spent the last few years living in California. She worked as an English and Drama teacher for many years, before becoming a full-time writer.

She has written screenplays and articles, but primarily dedicates her time to writing crime fiction and observing wildlife. She loves to travel, which is a great source of inspiration; Toronto became the backdrop to the Eleanor Raven series of thrillers after Karen spent several months there.

A passionate conservationist and lover of the crow family in particular, she has rehabilitated and adopted ravens, crows, magpies and rooks, many of whom became integrated into family life, much to the distress of household members and soft furnishings. She now volunteers regularly at Los Angeles Oiled Bird Care Centre.

December 4, 2020December 4, 2020

Silent Ridge-Books On Tour (Review)-Mystery/Crime Thriller-Available Now

Sometimes it’s really difficult to review a series.

A lot can go wrong: plot points can be at odds with previous events, characters change personalities, timelines don’t match up…there’s a lot of work that goes into maintaining consistency.

That’s a fairly easy review.

However, if an author does a good job of continuing plotlines, has consistency of characters, and keeps the readers interest while remaining true to the world that has been created, that’s a success.

That’s harder to write. Why?

Because to me a review of that kind of book feels repetitive. Even though the criminal case at hand might be different, I don’t want to focus on that because we all know that I hate spoilers.

And I don’t regurgitate blurbs either.

So, where does that leave me with Silent Ridge?

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After the events of Snow Creek and Waters Edge, we have a pretty good feel for Detective Megan Carpenter and her erstwhile sidekick, Ronnie. Megan is as caustic and snippy as ever; consider it part of her charm. Ronnie still isn’t used to all of Megan’s quirks.

I will say, I really dig Megan’s inner thoughts. For example, a gunpoint confrontation with another character later in the book leads to Megan thinking about what she should have said to the person – contrasted with what she actually said.

I like that we get this insight to her very strange trains of thoughts.

Once again, the crimes at hand seem to target Megan. On the one hand, I get where this could be a great conspiracy, and Megan being good at her job could put the bullseye on her.

On the other hand, she could also just have the worst past and the worst luck that no matter how hard she tries to escape, the past just keeps following and haunting her.

I’m leaning toward the latter possibility.

The author now has a signature style of plotting the story, and it’s just as successful as the first two books. Again, no spoilers, but he does keep it fresh, even as it’s still about Megan.

That being said, if you haven’t read the first two books, I would definitely recommend starting at the beginning now, before the series gets too deep.

You’ll have a much better understanding of Megan which will add to your understanding of her motivations.

That will increase your enjoyment of this book immensely.

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Twitter: @Gregg_Olsen

Author Bio:

A #1 New York Times, Amazon Charts, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author, Olsen has written nine nonfiction books, seventeen novels, a novella, and contributed a short story to a collection edited by Lee Child.

The award-winning author has been a guest on dozens of national and local television shows, including educational programs for the History Channel, Learning Channel, and Discovery Channel.

The Deep Dark was named Idaho Book of the Year by the ILA and Starvation Heights was honored by Washington’s Secretary of State for the book’s contribution to Washington state history and culture.

Olsen, a Seattle native, lives in Olalla, Washington with his wife, twin daughters, three chickens, Milo (an obedience school dropout cocker) and Suri (a mini dachshund so spoiled she wears a sweater). Website: https://www.greggolsen.com/