Review - The Kaiser's Web

 In New York Times bestseller Steve Berry’s latest Cotton Malone adventure, a secret dossier from a World War II-era Soviet spy comes to light containing information that, if proven true, would not only rewrite history — it could impact Germany's upcoming national elections and forever alter the political landscape of Europe.

It has been a while since I reviewed a Cotton Malone thriller and this one grabbed my attention. My prior reviews in the series are: 

#5 The Paris Vendetta (click here).

#7 The Jefferson Key (click here).

#8 The King's Deception (click here). 

Author: Steve Berry

Copyright: February 2021 (Minotaur) 421 pgs

Series: 16th in Cotton Malone Thriller series

Sensuality: mild, gun-play

Mystery Sub-genre: political thriller, suspense thriller

Main Characters: Cotton Malone, former Dept. of Justice (Magellan Billet) 

Setting: Contemporary- International (Germany, Chile, S. Africa, Switzerland)

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review

Book blurb: "Two candidates are vying to become Chancellor of Germany. One is a patriot having served for the past sixteen years, the other a usurper, stoking the flames of nationalistic hate. Both harbor secrets, but only one knows the truth about the other. They are on a collision course, all turning on the events of one fateful day — April 30, 1945 — and what happened deep beneath Berlin in the Fürherbunker. Did Adolph Hitler and Eva Braun die there? Did Martin Bormann, Hitler’s close confidant, manage to escape? And, even more important, where did billions in Nazi wealth disappear to in the waning days of World War II? The answers to these questions will determine who becomes the next Chancellor of Germany.

From the mysterious Chilean lake district, to the dangerous mesas of South Africa, and finally into the secret vaults of Switzerland, former-Justice Department agent Cotton Malone discovers the truth about the fates of Hitler, Braun, and Bormann. Revelations that could not only transform Europe, but finally expose a mystery known as the Kaiser’s web."

 Cotton Malone is working as part of team and learning to be a couple with Cassiopeia.  I liked seeing this side of Cotton. Cassiopeia Vitt is always a great, dynamic character and for a while they cover different aspects of the story separately.  This was interesting to see her character more closely.  Former President Danny Daniels makes several appearances in the story, mainly to help facilitate special transportation or make it easier for Cotton to do what he needs via his contacts.  Chancellor Marie Eisenhuth is the politician Former President Daniels referred to Cotton for help.  Information has fallen into her hands about her opponent, information that would tie him to 1940s Germany in a very disturbing way. Rather than leak the information, she wants somebody trustworthy to investigate the validity of the information. There is a subplot of her failing marriage and how her hubby is more aligned to her opponent.  Her opponent, Theodor Pohl, is the spider in the middle of a tangled web to destroy the Chancellor.  Can Cotton and Cassiopeia cut through the elaborate scheme and get to the truth in time?

In the course of the investigation, Cotton and Cassiopeia travel light and far. The Chilean lake district, the harsh mesas of South Africa, secret bank vaults in Switzerland, and a German castle.  Mr. Berry is quite good at evoking the setting no matter where the story takes the reader.  This is special in a thriller to have such attention to the place for atmosphere and context. Wonderfully done.

The plot revolves around a volatile election with historical echoes and significance.  I found this timely with the resurgence of neo-Nazis and anti-Semitism around the world.  I felt this was handled well in the storyline. There is a tangled web to wade through and at times I wasn't sure if Cotton and Cass were getting to the truth amid all the subterfuge.  The pacing had just a few instances of slowing for a little too long, but it picked up again.

 The reader knows who the villain is and you approach the climax with that knowledge, but there is still a twist that makes your jaw drop. The final confrontation is exciting and tense, which is my favorite.  Excellent job there. 

A great addition to the Cotton Malone adventures series. As usual, Mr. Berry takes a historical event (Hitler's death in the furher bunker) and finds tidbits to weave a credible thriller from.  For clarification, this has Hitler definitely die from suicide, but looks for closely at Martin Bormann.  Well done and the twist at the end was superb.

Rating: Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list

1) Short talk with Steve Berry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJlS1iEFu3s

2) Poisoned Pen Virtual Book Launch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laLihlm5HSQ

3) Steve and his wife discuss the book

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmV-hVkmm8k

Mystery & Crime Fiction Blog Carnival - September 2015

I hope everyone's Labor Day holiday (U.S.) was fun.  I took my road trip earlier to avoid the traffic.  News reports say that gas prices were lowest in a decade so many people did road trips this year.  I did Grand Canyon and Monument Valley (with Painted Desert stop on the way) since I had never been before.  How about you?

It is the first Monday of the month and time for another highly anticipated Blog Carnival.  Click on the title or author's name to go to that link.

Police Procedural / PI Book Review / Legal

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed The 3rd Woman by Jonathan Freedland


Carstairs Considers reviewed Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

Books That Hook reviewed X by Sue Grafton

Booking Mama reviewed LAST WORDS by Michael Koryta


Amateur Sleuth / Cozy book Review

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed Chef Maurice and a Spot of Truffle by J.A. Lang

Girl Lost in a Book reviewed Vamps, Villains and Vaudeville by Ellen Mansoor Collier

Carstairs Considers reviewed Fudging the Books by Daryl Wood Gerber

Escape with Dollycas reviewed Give 'Em Pumpkin to Talk About by Joyce and Jim Lavene

Carstairs Considers reviewed Killer Jam by Karen MacInerney

Melissa's Mochas, Mysteries and More‏ reviewed Better Homes and Corpses by Kathleen Bridge

Carstairs Considers reviewed Crushed Velvet by Diane Vallere

Girl Lost in a Book reviewed A Deceptive Homecoming by Anna Loan-Wilsey

Shelley's Book Case reviewed Murder on the Rocks by Allyson K. Abbott

Carstairs Considers reviewed Death by Tiara by Laura Levine

Shelley's Book Case reviewed By Book or By Crook by Eva Gates


Thriller/Suspense /Intrigue Fiction Book Review

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed The Lost Treasure of the Templars by James Becker

Booking Mama reviewed THE LIFE WE BURY by Allen Eskens

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed The Kill Order by Robin Burcell

Booking Mama reviewed  DEVIL'S HARBOR by Alex Gilly

Booking Mama reviewed  SECRETS OF STATE by Matthew Palmer


Author Interview
 
Lisa's Book Blog featured guest post by Lynn Cahoon

Paul Semel interviewed Howard Kaplan





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Review - The Kill Order

When the praise on the cover is from Lee Child ("A Very Talented Author") and James Rollins ("...is pushing to new heights of storytelling"), I knew I had to read it.  I didn't begin with the first book in the series, just grabbed the one starring at me in the book aisle of the grocery store.  Find out how this new-to-me author ranks.

Author: Robin Burcell

Copyright: December 2013 (Harper) 416 pgs
 
Series: 5th in Sidney Fitzpatrick Thriller series

Sensuality: Some medium violence, some mild reference to sexual attraction, occasional swearing

Mystery Sub-genre: Thriller, Intrigue

Main Characters: FBI Special Agent Sydney Fitzpatrick and forensic artist

Setting: Modern day, San Francisco, Italy, Washington DC

Obtained Through: Personal purchase

I had not read the prior books in the series, and although there are references to the book just prior to this one, I had no trouble following this story and where it picks up.  Agent Sydney Fitzpatrick had recovered a "code" called the Devil's Code that her father had helped steal twenty years prior in the previous book.  She was supposed to have turned over everything she recovered to a covert U.S. agency called ATLAS. Even though she has begun dating ATLAS's Agent Griffin, she makes a copy of the code on an FBI copier.  

That copier is scrapped as old and an enterprising man snatches up a block of older copiers to refurbish and sell.  Said enterprising man finds the code on the copier's hard-drive and makes the mistake of using his computer to research the code.  This repairman thought he was smart and had his friend Piper with an eidetic memory read the numbers so they will never be lost.  Except he is murdered and Agent Griffin barely gets Piper out alive.  The rest of the book is a race to keep Piper alive, since she also saw the man who is hunting the code ruthlessly, a man who is a corrupt government official.  The code grants the user tremendous world-wide power and he will kill anybody to get it.  He issues his own kill order on Piper.  Can the code really bring nation's to their knees?  If this code is in the wrong hands, can it start World War III?

Sydney a great character, dealing with the truth about her thief father who and not sure about dating Griffin.  Zachary Griffin, ATLAS agent, is walking a fine line with Sydney and he fears he will loose her before they have begun when she discovers his original orders in the prior book were to kill her. He risks his career for her and the reader suspects he isn't honest with himself about his feelings. Piper is the orphaned twenty year old who is quite literally swept up in events.  She makes some serious mistakes, but ultimately she is surprised to find people trying to save her.  Tex, a fellow ATLAS agent to Griffin who understands people more than you might ever guess.  ATLAS Agents Lisette and Marc are great additions.  Lisette befriends Piper and is the breakout memorable character.  I hope she is featured more in future books. 

The setting of Italy was the best, its Italy after all. But the setting takes a back seat to all the running and hunting.  The plot is solid and the concept of such a computer code doing what this purports isn't much of a stretch really.  The pace was a good balance between action and quieter scenes that let the reader catch their breath. It kept me turning pages to find out what would happen next.  The climax was tense with lots of action and the wrap-up gave a sense of justice--I even let out a whoop. 

I like the action and story-line.  Piper was a nice mix of scared but determined.  I would have liked more scenes from Sydney's viewpoint since she is the main character.  I consider any book a success when I am ready to pick another in the series...and I definitely am in this case.

Rating: Excellent - Loved it, it had a good grip on me! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list 

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Review - The Lost Treasure of the Templars

I was excited about a thriller book from a bestselling author that incorporated the intriguing lost Templar treasure.  With praise like: “James Bond meets Alex Cross…check out James Becker.” (Fresh Fiction) I thought this would be a great summer read.  Well, not exactly.  Find out my take below.

Author: James Becker

Copyright: July 2015 (Signet) 528 pgs

Series: Standalone Thriller

Sensuality: some graphic violence, occasional swearing

Mystery Sub-genre: Thriller

Main Characters: antiquarian bookseller Robin Jessop, Tech geek David Mallory

Setting: Modern day, Dartmouth Devon - England and Greece

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review

Robin Jessop gets a medieval book, but quickly finds out it is a cleaver book safe. Opening the book safe is tricky, one false move and you are severely injured.  She manages to open it without injury and finds and ancient scroll titled Ipse Dixit and is clearly in some ancient cypher.  She then does two things that create the rest of the story:  she contacts a book buyer of medieval cipher texts, and does an internet search on Ipse Dixit.  

The man she contacts for help in deciphering the text shows up only hours before hit men who are backed by a ruthless shadowy religious organization who monitors websites, blogs, and internet searches for that phrase.  The result is Robin and David are thrown together, running for their lives.  They attempt to decode the scroll, which appears to reference a lost treasure of a Templar outpost hidden by one of the last Grand Masters...and prior treasurer, of the Outremer chapter of the Templars before it was defeated in battle.

Robin Jessop maybe an antique book seller, but she grew up racing cars and learning martial arts, which is a little over-the-top and convenient.  David Mallory is a computer guru who can spoof their internet connection so they can't be traced online as they research, and just happens to be an expert on all things Templar.  Marco Toscanelli, probably a sociopath, heads the sadistic assassins chasing Robin and David.  I appreciated the author doesn't through gratuitous sex into the mix, which is rarely apropos when running for your life.  I have to comment that character development, even for a thriller, is very sparse in this novel.  I can't give you any emotional or psychological profile because there aren't any hints of either.  What I have mentioned here is about all you'll get.

The setting runs the gamit from the English countryside, to Beirut, then Sidon in Lebanon, and finally Cyprus Greece which lends and international flavor and interest to the story.  The plot had tremendous potential because it is truly suspected that potentially billions of Templar coins, jewels, gold/silver ingots, and other artifacts have been hidden for centuries since the overthrow of the order didn't find near the money and assets they possessed.  

But, sadly the pacing dragged with too much history - usually given in lonnnnnnnng dialog sections (info-dump disease).  If it wasn't the long historical dialog speeches, it was long paragraphs imparting detailed descriptions of techniques for decoding the scroll, or even minute details on a car chase.  Only a few sections actually had heart-racing scenes, and those were too little and spread too far apart to keep any action going.  Honestly...I struggled to finish each chapter.

**Spoiler Alert**
So the pacing dragged except in a few scenes, but I still wanted to find out what happened, how it all turned out, do they find the treasure etc.  There is an interesting confrontation in a network of caves with the assasins...good, not great (because there is no good reason given why these cold-blooded sadistic killers wait to eliminate Robin and David). But, and this is the real kicker...there isn't any definitive resolution about the treasure by the end of the book. 
**End Alert**

If this were supposed to be a series, then it would be a great lead-in to a follow up book for the next leg of the adventure.  But, that doesn't appear to be the case, since the teaser included of another book at the end is a completely different storyline with new characters. That was a disappointing ending, really!   

I try to allow for people's tastes being different from my own, and I love thrillers - particularly historically based ones, but I have to call this one as I see it.  This novel is problematic with the pacing issues (The 500 pages could have easily been trimmed down to 300 pages and the story would have benefited from the weight loss), and lack of character development of any kind, then to have the final slap of leaving major questions unanswered at the end was too much for me. 

Rating: Okay – A few good points, but with significant flaws. Suggest you get via Library/swap/borrow if you want.


Here is a great piece that goes into the true lost treasure, and provides a good Templar overview.

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Mystery & Crime Fiction Blog Carnival - July 2015

It is the first Monday of the month and time for another highly anticipated Blog Carnival.   Click on the title or author's name to go to that link.

Police Procedural / PI Book Review / Legal

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed Snake Skin by C.J. Lyons

Carstairs Considers reviewed A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton

Tea Time with Marce reviewed The Silence that Speaks by Andrea Kane

Carstairs Considers reviewed Lullaby Town by Robert Crais


Amateur Sleuth / Cozy book Review

Carstairs Considers reviewed Death of a Chocolate Cheater by Penny Pike

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed Wickedly Dangerous by Deborah Blake

Dru's Book Musings reviewed The Longest Yard Sale by Sherry Harris

Carstairs Considers reviewed Truffled to Death by Kathy Aarons

Melissa's Mochas, Mysteries and Meows reviewed Collared for Murder by Annie Knox

Girl Lost In A Book‏ reviewed Dying for a Cupcake by Denise Swanson

Carstairs Considers reviewed Farmed and Dangerous by Edith Maxwell

Melissa's Mochas, Mysteries and More reviewed The Diva Steals a Chocolate Kiss by Krista Davis

Carstairs Considers reviewed  Snow White Red-Handed by Maia Chance

Dru's Book Musings reviewed A Batter of Life and Death by Ellie Alexander


Thriller/Suspense /Intrigue Fiction Book Review

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed The Royal Assassin by Kate Parker

Girl Lost In A Book reviewed The Anatomist's Wife by Anna Lee Huber

Booking Mama reviewed Second Life by S.J. Watson

Books That Hook reviewed The Wrong Man by Kate White

Girl Lost In A Book‏ reviewed Mortal Arts by Anna Lee Huber

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"THANK YOU"

to all the wonderful bloggers who contributed to the carnival.  Keep them coming and let's keep this carnival going. 

 

Let's make next month's Carnival even better. For more information on the specifics of the Carnival and how to submit your posts go here. 

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Review - Snake Skin

This book received high praise from Steve Berry, Jeffery Deavers, Kathy Reichs, and Lee Childs. But it was RT Book Reviews claiming: Combine Dirty Harry with a loving wife and mother and you might end up with Lucy Guardino" that convinced me to read the first in this series.  See what you think.

 Author: C.J. Lyons

Copyright: May 2015 (Edgy Reads) 448 pgs

Series: 1st in Lucy Guardino FBI Thriller series

Sensuality: Adult subjects, some violence, and swearing

Mystery Sub-genre: Police Procedural/Thriller

Main Characters: Supervisory Special Agent Lucy Guardino, lead for Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement squad

Setting: Modern day, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

Obtained Through: Personal purchase

Ashley is a very unhappy teen with parents that can't be bothered to notice her much,  who cuts herself. She manages to develop a friendship with Bobby in a computer game world.  Bobby and Ashley are supposed to runaway together, but a predator drugs her, abducts her, and proceeds to break her mentally to fashion his own version of a perfect "wife".  Lucy is assigned the case and just feels that Ashley isn't dead like everybody thinks.  Nor does she think Ashley just ran away like others suggest.  But this is a bad time for Lucy, her own daughter has a mysterious illness and she is torn between the time-limited search for Ashley and her own daughter.  Lucy has her hands full coordinating several agencies in the search, but is hampered even further by another team member who is having a torrid affair with a reporter who wants to get even with Lucy.  

Lucy is a very tough workaholic parent juggling a daughter and husband with the job. She isn't very emotionally available, so she has plenty of baggage.  Nick is her loving, stable, and long-suffering husband.  Megan, Her daughter was a somewhat whiny pre-adolescent. But she does show a loving side towards her mother occasionally which I appreciated.  Special Agent Zach Taylor is the Forensic Computer Tech guy on her team.  He is still green and enthusiastic and I can see his character getting a dose of reality in another book.  Don Burroughs is the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Major Crime's Squad who is a lecherous scummy guy with the unethical and vindictive journalist.

Pittsburgh doesn't stick out in the story much, but the barn where Ashley is held is creepy, really.  That was the best setting in the novel, utilized effectively.  Lucy comes off a bit too Jason Bourne-like when she survives a 5 inch metal shard in the back and has it removed and stitched with only local anesticia and goes right back to work. It's unbelievable whether guy or girl. That stretched the believability beyond normal bounds.  Otherwise, the concept wasn't too far of a reach with the large numbers of predators online now.  I do have to mention I was put off by how Lucy seemed to determine who the villain was in some flash of inspiration, when the reader simply didn't have enough clues to determine it.  That was a little too convenient and never fully explained.  The climax was tense and nail-biting suspenseful which was good and all the major story-lines are brought to a conclusion satisfactorily.

Overall this book accomplishes what a thriller's prime goal is, to take the reader on a thrill ride with barely time to catch your breath.


Rating: Excellent - Loved it, it had a good grip on me! Because of the language and sensitive topic, you may wish to read a sample first.


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Mystery & Crime Fiction Blog Carnival - June 2015

It is the first Monday of the month and time for another highly anticipated Blog Carnival.  Now on to this month's blog carnival.  Click on the title or author's name to go to that link.

Police Procedural / PI Book Review / Legal

Booking Mama‏ reviewed The Forgotten Girls by Sara Blaedel

Carstairs Considers reviewed 14th Deadly Sin by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

Booking Mama‏ reviewed Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight


Amateur Sleuth / Cozy book Review

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed Caught Dead Handed by Carol J. Perry

Carstairs Considers reviewed Musseled Out by Barbara Ross
 
FUOnlyKnew reviewed Bubba Done It by Maggie Toussaint and shares "Bubba Done it, but which Bubba?"

Girl Lost in a Book reviewed Anything But Civil by Anna Loan-Wilsey

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed Filet of Murder by Linda Reilly

Carstairs Considers reviewed One Foot in the Grape by Carlene O'Neil

Girl Lost In A Book‏ reviewed Murder on Amsterdam Avenue by Victoria Thompson

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed Toured to Death by Hy Conrad

Carstairs Considers reviewed The Final Reveille by Amanda Flower

Girl Lost in a Book reviewed From the Charred Remains by Susanna Calkins


Thriller/Suspense /Intrigue Fiction Book Review

Booking Mama‏ reviewed Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll

 
 Author Interview

Mysteries and My Musings had Guest Post by Linda Reilly

Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers interviewed thriller author Marilynn Larew

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"THANK YOU"

to all the wonderful bloggers who contributed to the carnival.  Keep them coming and let's keep this carnival going. 

 

Let's make next month's Carnival even better. For more information on the specifics of the Carnival and how to submit your posts go here.  


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Mystery & Crime Fiction Blog Carnival - May 2015

It is the first Monday of the month and time for another highly anticipated Blog Carnival. Let's get to this month's blog carnival.  Click on the title or author's name to go to that link.

Police Procedural / PI Book Review / Legal

Carstairs Considers reviewed Grand Canyon by Sandy Dengler


Girl Lost in a Book reviewed A Woman Unknown by Frances Brody


Booking Mama reviewed Seven for a Secret by Lyndsay Faye


Amateur Sleuth / Cozy book Review

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed Grave on Grand Avenue by Naomi Hirahara


Carstairs Considers reviewed The Icing on the Corpse by Liz Mugavero


Debbie's Book Bag reviewed Killer in the Kitchen (Murder She Wrote #43) by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain


Carstairs Considers reviewed The Icing on the Corpse by Liz Mugavero


Girl Lost in a Book reviewed For Whom the Bluebell Tolls by Beverly Allen


Carstairs Considers reviewed The Readaholics and the Falcon Fiasco by Laura DiSilverio


Debbie's Book Bag reviewed Dark Chocolate Demise (Cupcake Bakery Mystery - Book 7) by Jenn McKinlay


Girl Lost in a Book reviewed A Fright to the Death by Dawn Eastman


Carstairs Considers reviewed A Sticky Situation by Jessie Crockett



Thriller/Suspense /Intrigue Fiction Book Review

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed The Escape by David Baldacci


Booking Mama reviewed A Scourge of Vipers by Bruce DeSilva


Mysteries and My Musings reviewed The Archangel Project by C.S. Graham


Books n' Cooks reviewed Carved in Bone by Jefferson Bass


Booking Mama Reviewed Now and In the Hour of Our Death by Patrick Taylor

Review - The Archangel Project

James Rollins called Graham’s debut thriller, The Archangel Project, “As current as today’s headlines and as disturbing as your darkest nightmare….Riveting, provocative, and enthralling.” But what really had me buy this book was I found out C.S. Harris had written a few thriller books, so I was all over it.

C.S. Graham is the pseudonym of writing team Steven Harris and Candice Proctor. Steven Harris spent twenty-one years as an Army Intelligence officer. He also spent ten years in Washington, D.C., working at the national intelligence level. Candice Proctor is the author of more than a dozen previous novels, including the critically acclaimed Sebastian St. Cyr mystery series published under the name C.S. Harris.

See what you think.



Author: C.S. Graham

Copyright: September 2008 (Harper) 384 pgs

Series: 1st in Jax and Tobie Thriller series

Sensuality: Some action-thriller violence and occasion swearing

Mystery Sub-genre: Thriller

Main Characters: CIA agent Jax Alexander and
remote viewer October (Tobie) Guinness

Setting: Modern day, New Orleans-post Katrina and D.C.

Obtained Through: Personal purchase

Tulane professor Henry Youngblood seeks funding for his remote viewing research project with test subjects from the wrong person. When he has October (Tobie) Guinness do an example of her remote viewing abilities, she sees documents that have just put the professor and herself in mortal danger.  Professor Youngblood is burned in a fire and Tobie is running for her life.  The CIA Director assigns Jax Alexander to investigate the professor's death, intending the assignment to be a punishment.  Jax looks past the local police's assumption that Tobie killed the professor because she was discharged from the military due to PTSD.  Rather, he realizes she is the key to what happened to the professor, but finding her while murderers are on her trail is a challenge.  When they partner and recall the information from her remote viewing session, it takes them on a whirlwind race to stop a devastating large scale domestic terrorist attack.

October (Tobie) Guinness is former military suffering from PTSD who got introduced to the remote viewing program and finds she is a natural.  She is smart, stronger than she thinks, and distrustful.  Agent Jax Alexander comes from money, so he isn't impressed by titles or concerned about his career.  This makes him look at his job differently and that shows in this investigation. Tobie has some friends who try to help her out. Two in particular stand out, Gunner who is a conspiracy guy and Colonel McClintock.  Character development grew as the story progressed but took a backseat to the fast tempo of a thriller.  If I could have asked for anything, it would have been just a bit more character development, but this is a common challenge in thrillers.

The setting is a battered and recovering New Orleans which evoked the aftermath of Katrina well.  One scene occurs in a deserted part of town and gives the sense of a suburban ghost town.  That left an impression.

The plot was interesting and Tobie barely eluding the relentless mercenaries sent after her kept the pace going.  The climax definitely had some good tense moments, but it was resolved a touch too quickly.  The wrap up lays the foundation for more books (which there have been two more with Tobie and Jax).

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. I liked the concept, the overall plot, the remote viewing aspects, and the characters mentioned. I have already purchased the next in the series, The Solomon Effect.

Rating:  Near Perfect - Couldn't Put it down. Buy two copies, one for you and one for a friend. 

Mystery & Crime Fiction Blog Carnival - April 2015

It is the first Monday of the month and time for another highly anticipated Blog Carnival.  Now on to this month's blog carnival.  Click on the title or author's name to go to that link.

Police Procedural / PI Book Review / Legal

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed Game of Mirrors by Andrea Camilleri


Kay's Reading Life reviewed To Dwell in Darkness by Deborah Crombie


Carstairs Considers reviewed The Gods of Guilt by Michael Connelly


Girl Lost in a Book reviewed The Edge of Dreams by Rhys Bowen


Booking Mama reviewed A Dangerous Place by Jacqueline Winspear




Amateur Sleuth / Cozy book Review
Mysteries and My Musings reviewed A Wee Murder in My Shop by Fran Stewart


Carstairs Considers reviewed Wouldn't It Be Deadly by D. E. Ireland


Girl Lost in a Book reviewed The Counterfeit Heiress by Tasha Alexander


Debbie's Book Bag reviewed Steeped in Evil by Lara Childs

Carstairs Considers reviewed At the Drop of a Hat by Jenn McKinlay


Mysteries and My Musings reviewed Horse of a Different Killer by Laura Morrigan


Girl Lost in a Book reviewed The Witch Hunter's Tale by Sam Thomas


Carstairs Considers reviewed Death is Like a Box of Chocolates by Kathy Aarons


Debbie's Book Bag reviewed Murder Ties the Knot by Christy Fifield




Girl Lost in a Book reviewed Murder, She Barked by Krista Davis


Carstairs Considers reviewed Puzzled Indemnity by Parnell Hall


Debbie's Book Bag reviewed Assault and Pepper by Leslie Budewitz


Girl Lost in a Book reviewed The Ghost and Mrs. Mewer by Krista Davis



Thriller/Suspense /Intrigue Fiction Book Review

Booking Mama reviewed Crazy Love You by Lisa Unger


Booking Mama reviewed Woman With a Gun by Phillip Margolin


Booking Mama reviewed Monday's Lie by Jamie Mason





Author Interview

Mysteries and My Musings featured a guest post by Fran Stewart


Mysteries and My Musings featured a guest post by Laura Morrigan

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"THANK YOU"

to all the wonderful bloggers who contributed to the carnival.  Keep them coming and let's keep this carnival going. 

 

Let's make next month's Carnival even better. For more information on the specifics of the Carnival and how to submit your posts go here. 

Please help the newsletter for the blog carnival to get more subscribers. If a blog reviews mystery/suspense/thrillers (even occasionally) then I would like to feature those reviews. I send the newsletter out once a month announcing the deadline for submitting to this blog carnival. Multiple entries from a blog are welcome.


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