​​​Genre: Political Thriller

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I have carefully avoided political thrillers taking place in Washington this year, but I decided to listen to a recommendation and give this one a chance. I never read a Marc Rainer novel before, and Death Votes Last: a Jeff Trask Crime Drama is the fifth in this series, so I was hesitant. I needn’t have been, because the book stood well on its own.

In an uncomfortable twist of fate, the senate in Rainer’s book is split 50/50, and that isn’t good enough for some politicians who want to ensure a win for every point on there agenda. The plan seemed easy enough...drug one of the senators right before he gets in his car, slip a bottle of pills in his pocket, and wait for him to get pulled over for erratic driving. This would take him out of the running in the next election, and a candidate more sympathetic to their cause could take his place.

When the senator loses control of his car and ends up dead, the equation changes and suddenly federal prosecutor Jeff Trask is looking at a possible murder. Suddenly there is more than one murder to solve, and complicating everything is the fact that the trial must take place in the political hotbed that is Washington, D.C.

Author Rainer does a good job involving his readers in the goings on during a trial, and I enjoyed seeing things through the prosecutor's eyes. Some of the happenings were too close to “ripped from the headlines” happenings for me to be entirely comfortable, but I recommend this book highly to anyone with an interest in political thrillers.

- Beverly 


Publisher - Gatekeeper Press
Date of Publication - ​​​November 10, 2017

​​Genre: Mystery

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In order to train for her new (and high paying) job, Isobel Avery had to memorize the taste and smell of all relevant poisonous and psychoactive substances so she could detect them in food and beverages. Izzy is a poison taster for the rich and famous.  The job is a dangerous one, but the money is good, and paying off her ex-husband’s debts isn’t easy.

Her first client, Connor, did not prove to be easy, and the fact that her cover was to play his girlfriend was not a pleasant thought. During their first meeting he told her to deal with his stylist and get a makeover so she will fit the role. His attractiveness was a plus, but his condescending manner cancelled out any hope she had of a pleasant experience. Interestingly enough, her first case turns out to be not so much a case as ...well, I am not going to give away any more of the story except to say that you can expect a loan shark, a murder attempt, a little romance and a few good laughs.

Author Fields did a good job making Izzy easy to root for, and I found this light read entertaining for the most part. The heroine is a fairly good puzzle solver, and even though she gets into some rather insane jams, she shows her intelligence every now and again as we follow her antics.

Eat, Pray, Die will definitely take you through a long airplane ride or a day at the beach.

- Beverly


Publisher - JFP Press
Date of Publication - ​​July 3, 2016

​​Genre: Thriller

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David Bell’s book, Somebody I Used To Know, pulled me in on page one. While the premise is implausible, there was something about the story line that kept me going. The writing is somewhat simplistic, but that didn’t detract from the plot. I did start losing patience with it about three quarters of the way through though and found the ending disappointingly predictable.

It begins with Nick Hansen noticing a young woman who resembles his college girlfriend, Marissa Minor, while he shops at his local grocery store. Marissa died in a fire twenty years before and this young woman with her face and mannerisms takes him by surprise. She rushes off when he approaches her, and is found dead in her hotel room the following morning with Nick’s name and phone number on a scrap of paper in her pocket.

When Nick becomes a person of interest in this young woman’s (Emily) murder, he enlists the help of several friends as he begins an investigation to clear himself and find out why Emily was looking for him, and why she ran away. While Nick is an engaging protagonist, his obsession with the long gone Marissa seems odd, and his on again, off again relationship with Heather (a college friend of his and Marissa’s) seems too contrived. 

Bell brings in an aging dog and an adorable stepson to add to Nick’s appeal, and the reader can’t help but liking him as he blunders into one predicament after another. While the book has its flaws, I did enjoy it and recommend it as a fun vacation read.

- Beverly​

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Publisher - Berkley
Date of Publication - ​​​July 7, 2015

​Genre: Legal Thriller

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Most legal thrillers are written from the prospective of the attorney, and it is refreshing to read J. D. Trafford’s novel through the eyes of the judge. Good Intentions introduces us to Judge Jim Thompson just as his world seems to be coming apart. He has been following in the footsteps of his mentor, Judge Meyer, and is working with children and their families, trying to fairly determine if foster care is the correct solution for the children who come before him. A recent decision that turns tragic jeopardizes his job at the same time that he finds Meyer’s murdered body.

I must say, I have read a great deal of legal thrillers and find it odd that so many lawyers  (and now a judge) spend most of their time trying to solve crime rather than defend or adjudicate. In Good Intention, Judge Thompson is determined to find out who killed his mentor. While digging through Meyer’s belongings, he comes across several pictures that seem out of place and a bank account earmarked for Thompson that contains millions of dollars. Trying to save Judge Meyer’s reputation while in the midst of trying to salvage his own gets complicated, and Thompson is no longer sure who he can trust.

Trafford is a compelling writer, and his stories always keep the reader interested. He is a lawyer by trade, and I feel he does a stronger job representing lawyers as displayed in his last book, Little Boy Lost. In that novel, attorney Justin Glass felt three dimensional throughout, where as in this latest novel there are times when Judge Thompson falls a little flat. The story is a good one though, and he does a good job showing the various sides of foster children cases.

This is a good choice for Trafford fans as well as legal thriller thriller enthusiasts looking for a slightly different point of view.

- Beverly


​Publisher - Thomas & Mercer
Date of Publication - ​​​June 19, 2018

​Genre: Legal Thriller

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John Dobbyn’s passion for his topics always draw me in, and this book is no exception. The illicit trade of exotic and endangered species of wild animals has always bothered me, and Dobbyn makes it clear that it is a hot button topic for him as well. Hopefully, these facts embroiled in fiction will alert his readers to this despicable practice and lead toward changes in the near future.

The relationship between defense attorneys Michael Knight and Lex Devlin is one that I have enjoyed through this series. Devlin has proven himself a strong mentor for the younger Knight who is a better attorney because of their relationship. Things become personal in Fatal Odds for Knight when Roberto, a jockey and a relative of his, dies in a fixed horse race. As if that isn’t bad enough, Roberto’s brother, Victor, is being accused of murder, and Knight is determined to defend him.

Suddenly, the lawyer is in way over his head, dealing with Puerto Rican crime gangs and threats against his life. He follows Victor to Puerto Rico and the story really picks up pace there. The reader is taken into the rainforest and is given a lesson on animal smuggling that will definitely make one think. When an author can teach me new facts along with entertaining me, I consider his/her book a success.

There are quite a few secondary characters in this book, and I had to focus as I turned each page or I would have lost my way. I don’t want to say too much and give away the plot, but I will say that with help from his friends Knight comes up with quite a scheme to outwit the mafia, gang members, and anyone else who gets in his way. Dobbyn is foremost a storyteller, and this is one story that you won’t want to miss.

- Beverly

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​Publisher - Oceanview Publishing
Date of Publication - ​August 2,2016

​Genre: Mystery

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The allure of small town life always captured me, but from the beginning days of television’s Jessica Fletcher, something mysterious always seems to be brewing there. There's Something About Marty by Wendy Delaney keeps the mystery of small town life alive, even as Prosecutor’s Assistant Charmaine “Char” Digby does her best to solve this one. When wealthy businessman Marty McCutcheon dies at his own birthday celebration, there is no lack of suspects, and Char believes that this was far from a natural death.

His widow has already buried two husbands, his children’s greed is evident, and of course the jilted ex-girlfriend was not a fan. The County Prosecutor is not anxious to take on this case, and we get to see Char in action as she determinedly searches for the killer. My biggest issue with the book was the number of characters that I had to keep track of, but that might have just been my mood at the time.

Her personal life adds a bit of fun to the tale, and her secret relationship with gorgeous Detective Steve Sixkiller is a great distraction from murder and mayhem.  Of course there are as many complications in her love life as there are in her hunt for the murderer, but Char doesn’t give up in either case, and There's Something About Marty did a good job in holding my interest.

- Beverly


Publisher - Sugarbaker Press
Date of Publication - ​​January 28, 2016

​Genre: Legal Thriller 

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Some authors are captivating and some are comfortable, but Adam Mitzner is the perfect blend of both. Every one of his books have me sitting on the edge of my seat as his protagonists go through hoop after hoop before bringing us to a satisfying ending. Somehow he also manages to make sure that the reader is totally invested in his characters as we become more and more involved in their lives. Never Goodbye is a sequel, of sorts, to his last book, Dead Certain. I read, loved and reviewed Dead Certain here last May and was thrilled to find protagonist Ella Broden back in Never Goodbye.

Never Goodbye finds Ella trying to get over events that occurred in Dead Certain after giving up her job as a prosecutor and concentrating more on her dream of being a singer. When another personal tragedy befalls her (it was difficult to imagine so much violent death surrounding one person) she is forced into working with her boyfriend Gabriel (the gorgeous police detective from the previous book) into making sure the guilty party pays.

Mitzner added a second protagonist to this book, Deputy Chief of the Special Victims’ Bureau, Dana Goodwin. Dana, who took over Ella’s previous job, is driven in her career at the expense of her family life and gives us a chance to delve into the life of a new character while experiencing the comfort of revisiting a familiar one.

As always Mitzner’s storyline is both complicated and captivating, inviting his readers to solve a murder while involving us in the lives and loves of these two dynamic women. His ability to build characters gets stronger in each of his novels and leaves the reader wanting to spend a little more time with them when the last page is reached.

Although this book can certainly stand on its own, I recommend grabbing a copy of Dead Certain and reading it first. Events in that book will explain Ella more clearly, and give you insight into some of her current relationships.

- Beverly

Publisher - Thomas & Mercer
Date of Publication - ​April 24, 2018

​Genre: Legal Mystery

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Rosenfelt’s plots are generally comfortably basic as far as legal thrillers go, but his talent with characterization has me anxiously awaiting each addition to his Andy Carpenter series. Although I have never met the author personally, I have to believe that he sees himself in Andy. Outwardly pushy and inwardly humble, Andy uses his sarcastic wit to get him out of (and generally in to) some very difficult situations.

Andy's friends and associates have all been fleshed out throughout the series and continue to make me laugh through the murder and mayhem that each novel presents. His brave and patient wife, Laurie, his pessimistic partner Hike, and Marcus, the huge and basically non-verbal muscle of the group, band together to aid and protect Andy as he tries to save the world. Even Edna, his “office manager,” adds a bit of humor to Andy’s days when he decides to take on a new client.

In Rescued: An Andy Carpenter Mystery, defense attorney Andy is called to the scene of a murder on a truck that is housing over seventy dogs on their way to shelters in various states. Since his affinity for dogs is well known (his conversations with his own golden retriever, Tara, are some of the best one way exchanges in his series) it isn’t a stretch that he becomes involved. The dogs are transported to a shelter that he co-owns with his former client and pal, Willie, and he goes home to find Laurie speaking with his soon to become newest client.

Dave Kramer is in trouble, and he is also Laurie’s ex-fiancé. This tall, good looking ex-marine admits to shooting the driver of the truck Andy just viewed. He claims it was self defense, and Andy isn’t sure he is buying it. Preferring to be retired, and feeling immediate jealousy when he looks at Kramer, his first instinct is to turn down the case, but Laurie’s expression tells him otherwise.

As always, Rosenfelt’s book is filled with excitement, surprises and humor, as we follow Andy and his crew through one adventure after another in this fun-to-read “who done it.”  

-Beverly
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Publisher - MacMillan
Date of Publication - ​July 17, 2018

​Genre: Thriller

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The author of The Back Door Man published this book almost seven years ago, and I believe current events make it even more frightening today. Hackers have gotten into almost every area of our life today, so much so in fact that the storyline made me slightly nauseous. We are so very dependent on computers today, from managing our finances to ordering our food, clothing and pharmaceuticals on line, that it is difficult to imagine losing all access and still managing our lives.

James Kolinsky works in information security, and suddenly his world begins to fall apart. Millions of people lose connectivity, and a very smart group of criminals plans on diverting money while making James into their fall guy. They're expecting to become “sixty billion dollar men.” Their plan involves murder, suicide and theft, and it is up to mild mannered James to save the day.

This is definitely an exciting premise with good follow through. It starts with a short prologue and quickly introduces chapter one. We get a good idea of James' personality as we watch him sneak into his company to retrieve some money he left there and is suddenly faced with danger in the form of a gun. The story generally keeps a good pace, slowing down only when it gets a bit too computer technical in parts. Since I am not overly computer knowledgeable, I can’t vouch for the author's descriptions, but I did find myself skipping a paragraph here and there.

The bad guys are truly bad, and our hero gets into some tricky situations. The reader must definitely suspend reality as he/she tries to believe James can accomplish all that he accomplishes, but I never have too much of a problem doing that when the book intrigues me. I do believe his research in several minor areas seemed a bit weak, but it never really hampered the storyline, so I went with it.

All in all The Back Door Man is a fun read that might make you just a wee bit nervous as to how safe your money really is and how important the Internet has become in your life.

- Beverly
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Publisher - Dave Buschi (Amazon Digital Services LLD)
Date of Publication - ​September 28, 201

Genre: Legal Thriller 

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Author Robert Bailey lives in Huntsville Alabama and is obviously quite familiar with life in the Deep South. His descriptions of Tuscaloosa and its environs were so vivid that I feel as though I had actually been on a city tour. Even the restaurants and food came alive as I got deeper into this “who done it” legal thriller.

This is the third book in Bailey’s series featuring Tom McMurtrie and Rick Drake. Since Bailey’s character development is as strong as his scenic descriptions, by this time I was as familiar with McMurtrie’s aches and pains as I am with my own. While there are definitely references throughout the book of the previous two plot-lines, The Last Trial can easily stand on its own.

Jack Willistone, recently released from prison, is found dead on the banks of the Black Warrior River. When every bit of evidence points to Wilma Newton, a local woman whose life was ruined because of Willistone, district attorney Powell Conrad loses no time in bringing her in for questioning. He tries to contact his mentor, McMurtrie for advise, only to find McMurtrie has decided to represent Wilma in what seems like an open and shut case.

Taking on the case was not an easy call for McMurtrie, but he thinks he owes her something because of a previous case, and he also believes she is innocent. Since his partner, Drake, is tied up with personal business, he turns to his friend Bocephus Haynes for help. Bo is an attorney who has been temporarily suspended (another story from a previous novel) and agrees to act as McMurtrie’s investigator. Bailey does a good job high-lighting the troubles facing a black man in the Deep South in his descriptions of Bo’s experiences in this book as well as the previous two books.

As the story progresses McMurtrie finds other possible suspects as he interviews a monster he helped to incarcerate as well as witnesses who suddenly disappear. I was lucky to happen upon Bailey’s first book several years ago, and he quickly became one of my go to authors. This book certainly keeps him on that list.

- Beverly

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Publisher - Thomas & Mercer
Date of Publication - May 6, 2018