Tag: mystery

Posted on

#BookReview: Ticket To Ride by Kay Bratt

Suspense Filled Tale Filled With Pervasive Social Commentary Ends Explosively. This is one of those tales that is going to keep you on the edge of your seat with sheer suspense for almost the entirely of the tale… before ending in one of the more explosive endings I’ve ever seen in any book, particularly in any of Bratt’s books. But with this entire series, you really need to start at the beginning (Hart’s Ridge) and work your way to this one, as Bratt has truly mastered over the last few books in particular telling a singular complete tale per book yet having that singular tale both spring from the prior tale and explicitly set up the next.

There are a few different social commentaries in the book, including one in the final pages, but the dominant issue throughout the book is the dangers of online gaming – which have shifted over the past couple of years in particular in ways many likely aren’t aware of. While a child is still statistically more likely to be assaulted by a family member or others in close proximity to the child in the real world than by someone who found them inside a game, kidnapping via similar methods as Bratt shows in this very tale are actually heavily on the rise… yet still statistically near zero. (No more than 500 known cases of any non-family kidnapping by any method in 2024 according to FBI statistics across literally millions of gamers online at any given moment.) Indeed, while many forms of childhood death and trauma are actually plateauing or even declining, the threat posed by scenarios similar to what Bratt builds into this text are exactly what the FBI says is actually on the rise in recent years.

Apart from the specific discussion of how that particular element works within the story (extremely well, in case I haven’t made that crystal clear yet) and within the real world (more cautionary, yet absolutely illuminative and using information which will possibly/ likely be new to at least some readers), Bratt in this tale truly does one of the best jobs she has ever done in regards to keeping the reader on the edge of their seat reading with bated breath to see what exactly is going to happen next and whether everyone will come out as unharmed as possible.

And then that ending. Dayum. Without going into spoiler territory, let’s just say that for me personally, given my own history and favorite bits of pop culture… yeah, that ending was *phenomenal* in so very many ways and levels, and I truly can’t wait for July to get here so we can see where this series is going next!

Very much recommended.

This review of Ticket To Ride by Kay Bratt was originally written on March 14, 2026.

Posted on

#BookReview: Strangers In The Villa by Robyn Harding

Twisty Destination Thriller. This is one of those destination thrillers where you think you know what is happening… and then suddenly you realize how wrong you were. Yet also one where virtually no one is overly “likeable”, so if you’re a reader where you have to have *someone* that is truly pure of heart or perfectly aligns with your every belief or however else you define “likeable”… know going in that this isn’t that kind of tale. And that you should read it anyway.

The setting in coastal Spain is used quite well both for creating tension in our primary couple and in setting up some truly stunning set pieces for our drama and different elements of our thriller. And it is absolutely *perfect* in setting in motion one particular literary technique, but naming the technique becomes a bit of a spoiler for the instant it is set in motion – so I won’t name it here. Just know that its use is one of the finer parts of this particular tale, showing true craftsmanship on the part of Harding (and, perhaps, her editors). And even with this technique, when you think you know where it is ultimately heading… no, no you do not. Because Harding is going to twist everything ten ways to Sunday in a manner that is perfectly logical for these characters…. once everything is revealed. But the revelations continue until almost literally the last word of the tale…

There *is* a touch of jalapeno ish spice, and there *are* some LGBT… let’s say “explorations”… here – just so those readers who care about the presence of these things (either direction, no judgement from me either way) are aware. Enough to piss off readers more ardent in their views either direction, for differing reasons, but also light enough that more moderate/ truly tolerant readers shouldn’t really have any real issues with.

Overall this is a fun and average-ish length tale of its type. One that won’t necessarily win any converts to the genre (though possible), but one which existing fans of the genre will absolutely enjoy. And which could in fact bring new readers to the author herself.

Very much recommended.

This review of Strangers In The Villa by Robyn Harding was originally written on March 9, 2026.

Posted on

#BookReview: Adrift by Will Dean

What If Carrie Never Developed Superpowers? Seriously, that’s the kind of vibe I got from this book, particularly with the way Carrie is set up with such an abusive and controlling parent and is mocked so heavily at school, both of which are features here.

No, this isn’t “Will Dean” the way I’ve read him these more recent books (Last Passenger, The Chamber), wherein there was some truly isolated setting and some huge twist… and you know what, it actually works in his favor in this case, because he is still able to craft an isolated type of story in an atypical setting and still uses the setting quite well to propel his story, so it still fits with the overall style I expect from him… just in a very unconventional and unexpected manner.

Now, for those who can’t handle stories with heavy amounts of (primarily non-physical) abuse, manipulation, and bullying… yeah, this story isn’t going to be for you. You do you, and if/ when you think you can handle a story of this type, this one will still he here, still as excellently written as it is already.

But for the rest of us, while dark, this really was a rather compelling tale, just one a bit off beat. There really aren’t any real “thriller” elements here through the majority of the text… and that may actually be one of the most insidious aspects of this story. Instead, this is a far more all-encompassing cold, steady drum beat of so many seemingly simpler, more prima facie innocent *enough* abuses that its spectacle is in its very banality. Yes, dad in particular is a bit of a weirdo, but at the end of the day he’s also just a “normal”, if particular, dad (of a certain era, at minimum).

If you want a Michael Bay style story with explosions in every other paragraph… this aint that. But if the idea of an entire book more akin to the first bits of the Carrie story is something you find intriguing… you’re going to love this book.

Very much recommended.

This review of Adrift by Will Dean was originally written on January 27, 2026.

Posted on

#BookReview: It’s Not Her by Mary Kubica

Solid Mary Kubica Thriller. That’s really all long time fans of Kubica need to know – she’s written yet another thriller that will have you breathlessly up way too late in the evening because “just one more chapter” keeps being repeated. One where the twists are coming almost literally until the very last word of the text.

For those new to Kubica, while I can’t honestly say I’ve read *everything* she’s written, I’ve read several – enough to know her current style at minimum, and like I said above, this is *exactly* her current style. So if you’re into books like what I described earlier, congratulations, you’ve found a new author you’re very much likely to enjoy quite a bit from, including this book.

Beyond the standard though, Kubica actually works several interesting tweaks into the story here that help it standout *somewhat* without necessarily being something you’re still going to remember a few hundred books down the road (whenever that may be for you). Enough to keep even voracious readers interested and guessing, even when you think you’ve seen every possible variation of every possible twist. Yes, you may have seen this one before too… but I can almost guarantee you that you haven’t seen it done *quite* like this.

Overall a very fun book and a great one when you need a distraction from the so-called “real” world for any reason at all.

Very much recommended.

This review of It’s Not Her by Mary Kubica was originally written on January 26, 2026.

Posted on

#BookReview: Without A Clue by Melissa Ferguson

More Mystery Than Romance, Still Technically Works As Both. This is one of those types of mysteries where the author tries to tap in to Agatha Christie or perhaps even the board game Clue… and hits that kind of tone relatively well, while still also playing into her cruise setting particularly well at the same time. For me, I think the absolute funniest scene was actually the introduction, but there was a decent amount of comedy throughout the book, and it very well could be one of those where another reader would find more humor in a different scene.

The romance here satisfies all known RWA/ RNA rules and is about as spicy as a warm glass of milk or so, but also feels a fair amount more told than shown – we’re *told* these characters really like each other and are falling for each other much more than we *see* it happening. It also absolutely felt, to this reader at least, like the romance element was here mostly because that is what Ferguson has made her name writing, but what she *really* wanted to write here was a cozy mystery set on a cruise ship, so she made it work reasonably well enough for both sides so that maybe she could appease existing fans and perhaps reach a few more new ones. And again, it absolutely works so far as it goes… it just isn’t one of those epic romances you’re going to remember decades from now either. (And to be fair, *few* tales are ever of that level, and for the most part romcoms are never *meant* to be that level.)

Still, as a fun, breezy, cozy mystery/ romance mashup kind of tale, this book really does work remarkably well. You’re going to be entertained for a few hours and you’re going to be able to invest so much of your attention here that you’ll be able to ignore the so-called “real” world for a while, and that, ultimately, is a sign of a solid book doing its job well.

Very much recommended.

This review of Without A Clue by Melissa Ferguson was originally written on January 18, 2026.

Posted on

#BlogTour: She Took My Baby by Steena Holmes

For this blog tour, we’re looking at a twisty mind bending thriller that will be tough for some readers. For this blog tour, we’re looking at She Took My Baby by Steena Holmes.

First, the review I posted to the book sites (BookHype.com / Goodreads.com / TheStoryGraph.com) and YouTube:

Twisty Mind Bender Will Put You In The Minds Of Its Main Characters. This is one of those books that works best when you don’t try to fight it. Take yourself out of the story and just flow with what is presented here and what you get is one hell of a trippy mind bender where not everything is as it seems… and yet some things may be *exactly* as they seem.

Now, for the child free and particularly the childless… well, the title of the damn book has the word “Baby” in it. Yes, this is focused on post-partum issues and, well, babies and motherhood. So just to make it explicitly clear: this book may not be the best thing for you, for any number of reasons. And to be even more clear: I myself am childfree and proud of this. Thus, I readily admit that this book is not one I would normally pick up myself if I did not already know and trust the author from previous books (and, admittedly, working with her in her (along with a few colleagues) Readers Coffeehouse group on Facebook).

AND YET… again, this book for what it actually is really is so good that *even for the childfree/ childless*… you should maybe at least consider it. I totally get if someone – maybe even a new mother herself, not just someone in the CF crowd – just finds the topic in general too difficult for their current situation. Take care of yourself and do what you need to do. Always. But when you’re in a space that maybe you can handle a book like this… Holmes really does do a great job here. It is one of those that will have you reading deep into the night and have your pulse pounding almost until literally the last word.

But if you want to build some trust in Holmes before you come to this book, I get it. I very much recommend literally every other book I’ve read from her, and I’ve read most of them at this point. So go into her back catalog, build that level of trust in her skills as a storyteller, then come here. You won’t be disappointed.

Very much recommended.

After the jump, the “publisher details” – book info, description, author bio, social links, and buy links.
Continue reading “#BlogTour: She Took My Baby by Steena Holmes”

Posted on

#BookReview: Dirty Deeds 4 by Armand Rosamilia

Yet Another Evolution Of Series Leads To Potential Soft Reboot. Rosamilia has proven with this series that not only can he pack a lot of fun action into a few pages (again barely topping the 200 page mark here), but that he can continually twist his characters in interesting directions that make you want to see where he will take them next. This particular tale is a great example of exactly this.

And yet again, because it *is* a very fast reading barely 200 page book, it works quite well for those looking for easy, fast reads for any reason at all. Whether it be those who maybe haven’t read a book since high school and you’re looking to get into reading again with some “easy wins” to get you going… or it is December 31 and you need a handful of books to get you to whatever reading goal you have for the year. Not that I would know anything about that last one. 😉

Very much recommended.

This review of Dirty Deeds 4 by Armand Rosamilia was originally written on December 31, 2025.

Posted on

#BookReview: Dirty Deeds 3 by Armand Rosamilia

Another Solid Evolution Of Series. Every book in this series is a fun, quick read, with this one being the longest to date – and still clocks in at barely 220 pages. Here, again, Rosamilia takes the final scenes of the previous book and expands them into a full fledged story full of action and intrigue.

As with the other books in this series, because they are so fun and fast, they work quite well for those looking for short reads for any reason – be it first getting back into reading and wanting some quick, easy “wins”… or those looking to hit a certain number of books for the year on December 31. 😉

Very much recommended.

This review of Dirty Deeds 3 by Armand Rosamilia was originally written on December 31, 2025.

Posted on

#BookReview: Dirty Deeds 2 by Armand Rosamilia

Fun Quick Quirky Read Pays Off First Book. Some of the criticisms of book 1 were that it ended in what could be argued was a massive cliffhanger, and this book picks up in the immediate aftermath and pays that ending off in glorious fashion. Here, in this short (barely 200 page) novel, we get a Florida/ Gulf Coast kind of version of a Sherlock v Moriarty fight, and for what this book actually is, it is truly a glorious version of such a fight.

Yet again, these books are perfect for those looking for short and fast reads, no matter the occassion – and maybe if you’re trying to get back into reading after not having read much, if anything, for several years these could be one really fun way to come back and build some confidence without too much commitment. They’re also great when you need to read four books on December 31 to hit whatever goal you may have for the year as well. 😉

Very much recommended.

This review of Dirty Deeds 2 by Armand Rosamilia was originally written on December 31, 2025.

Posted on

#BookReview: Dirty Deeds by Armand Rosamilia

Wild Opening Line Sets Up One Hell Of A Tale. This book has a lot going for it – at barely 200 pages, it is by default a fairly short read. With its pacing, it feels even shorter – even though so much is happening. With its ending… eh, I thought it worked well as a series starter, but I could also see that those claiming it a cliffhanger may have a point. *Maybe.*

But come on. That opening line. That general premise. The fact that our main character’s “day job” is so far out of normal experience as to be *less* familiar than being an actual working astronaut. The Atlanta base, and being a long time Braves fan from even the 80s where they absolutely *sucked*, but Dale Murphy proved conclusively why he *should* be in the Hall of Fame. (Come *on*, Baseball Writers of America! Why do you continue the travesty of not allowing Murphy his rightful place in Cooperstown?!?!?)

But yeah, this is one of those absolutely wild “what the fuck” kind of tales that you pretty much just have to grab a tight hold of the rope and hold on as best you can. That this is an entire series of 200 ish page books is *great* for those that find they like this one and are looking for a series of similar short books… for whatever reason. Maybe you’re new to reading and just want something fun, something that you can continue for a while. Maybe you’re trying to hit a certain number of books read by midnight on December 31 and you’re writing this review at 8a with another 3 books in this series to read to get you to 180 books on the year. (Not that I would know anything about this. 😉 ) Regardless, this is absolutely a fun book that opens up a wild world that seems like it will be one hell of a ride.

Very much recommended.

This review of Dirty Deeds by Armand Rosamilia was originally written on December 31, 2025.