'TWAS THE BITE BEFORE CHRISTMAS Review

Series: Andy Carpenter #28

Publisher: Minotaur Books

Release Date: Oct. 10, 2023

Purchase Link: Amazon

Many thanks to Minotaur Books for an arc.

This review first published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine

In National Bestseller David Rosenfelt’s ‘Twas the Bite Before Christmas, all through the Carpenter house, five do,gs are stirring, and not even Andy can get out of working this latest case at his door.

Review:

'TWAS THE BITE BEFORE CHRISTMAS is the twenty-eighth book in the Andy Carpenter series, and I must say up front this book cover is adorable!  I mean, who could resist that face?  However, for those who may say "Bah Humbug" to Christmas themed books, spike your glass of eggnog and dive in as references to the holiday are mostly limited to this sweet doggie in the window type cover and a few snarky remarks from Andy about what he considers the highly overrated eggnog.  'TWAS THE BITE BEFORE CHRISTMAS is all about Andy and gang's efforts to work through a complex group of misfit red herrings with mafia and gang ties to solve a murder and save a client and friend from being convicted of something he swears he didn't do.  Andy believes him, but can he prove it? 

 The annual Christmas party at the Tara Foundation is in full swing complete with all the trimmings including the often-maligned eggnog when the police arrive.  The Tara Foundation, a dog rescue organization, is lawyer Andy Carpenter's passion and he's not happy to have to call his friend Derek outside at the request of the police.  Derek is slapped into handcuffs, read his rights and carted off to jail to stand trial for the murder of a gang member from Derek's past.  Andy is stunned to learn Derek has been in a witness protection program for years, having testified against members of his former gang.  Derek, aka Bobby swears he's turned his life around and asks Andy to represent him and take care of his two rescue dog adoptees until he returns home.  As always, Andy is reluctant to take on another case, but agrees to do some digging and see what turns up.  He willingly takes Derek's two dogs home bringing his in-house total to five.  It doesn't take Andy long to recruit his own gang, wife Laurie, ex-cop Corey and Marcus, to assist him in the quest for answers. Their only hope of clearing Derek's name is to discover the identity of the real killer.  Let the games begin!

 David Rosenfelt is challenged with the same issue facing many other authors of long running series, and that's to keep stories fresh, unique and entertaining for readers.  I'm happy to say he accomplished these goals in 'TWAS THE BITE BEFORE CHRISTMAS.  This story is beautifully written, fast paced and humorous in all the right places.  Rosenfelt presents an interesting, complex case that keeps Andy and his gang befuddled for some time as they pick through all the various clues to find the missing piece that will win the case for the good guys.  As always, characterizations are great with a fired-up, highly confident support cast that series readers will recognize.  While Andy remains the same reluctant lawyer, his signature courtroom antics with the philosophy that it's better to ask forgiveness than permission along with his tongue in cheek sense of humor carries the plot forward while entertaining both readers and courtroom participants.  The story is nicely rounded out with the individual attitudes and tomfoolery of the family dogs, especially the immensely lazy basset hound Sebastian.  While this is one of many Andy Carpenter series books, new readers will have no issue picking it up to read and enjoy as each book stands alone.

Synopsis:

Reluctant lawyer Andy Carpenter is at the Tara Foundation’s annual Christmas party. The dog rescue organization has always been his true calling, and this is one holiday tradition he can get behind because every dog that’s come through the rescue—and their families—are invited to celebrate.

This year’s party is no exception. But before the stockings can be hung by the chimney with care, homicide detectives ruin the evening. Derek Moore, one of the foundation’s best foster volunteers, is arrested for murder.

Andy discovers Derek—whose real name is Bobby—is in the witness protection program after giving evidence against his former gang. The police believe Bobby murdered a member. But Bobby swears to Andy he didn’t do this. He’s built a new life, a new business, has two new dogs after being a double foster-failure.

There isn’t much Andy likes about this case, but he likes Bobby. If he’s innocent, Andy wants to help. Before Andy can settle down for his long winter’s nap, he has a client’s name to clear, a murderer to catch, and two new dogs to look after: a golden and a Dalmatian. Andy’s golden retriever, Tara, will have to adjust to not being the only golden at the house while Andy gets to the bottom of this one…

THE LAST CLOSE CALL Book Tour - Review & Excerpt

Welcome to my stop on THE LAST CLOSE CALL Book Tour!  You can read my review, the synopsis and an excerpt below.

Author: Laura Griffin

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: Oct. 24, 2023

Order Link: Amazon

Special thanks to Berkley Publ. for an arc and book tour invite.

Review published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine

A talented genetic analyst and a detective who's haunted by an elusive cold case team up in the new standalone romantic suspense from New York Times bestselling author Laura Griffin.

Review:

Laura Griffin highlights the fascinating subject of forensic genealogy, and the way police use it to help identify potential criminal suspects in THE LAST CLOSE CALL.  Through her signature descriptive prose, she quickly draws readers into a fast-paced, edgy story that oozes danger from beginning to end, making it extremely hard to put down.  My recommendation is to carve out enough alone time to experience this one straight through and avoid all spoilers.

 Rowan Healy is an extraordinarily successful, much sought after forensic genealogist who gave up a thriving career working with investigators tracing the family tree of violent offenders.  The blistering pace of a heavy workload left her suffering from burnout at an early age.  Now, she finds fulfillment in a thriving private practice assisting families seeking to reunite with missing family members as well as helping adoptees find their biological parents.  The last thing she wants is to get pulled back into the darkness and violence of police work.  Austin Detective Jack Burner is at a dead-end on a brutal rape and assault case that is eerily similar to a cold case that haunts him as he failed to solve it several years ago.  The suspect in that case became known as the serial West Campus Rapist and if Jack's suspicions are correct, he's back and escalating to murder.  At the end of his rope and desperate for any leads, Jack turns to Rowan for help hoping she can find some kind of lead through genealogy based on DNA evidence they have.  After repeatedly refusing his requests, something Jack says touches Rowan, and she reluctantly joins the search for a killer.  Rowan's unique research provides clues to a potential suspect's identity including the possible area of his lair, but they'll need the villain's DNA to seal the case.  Can they apprehend him in time to save the next potential victim?  Meantime, Rowan and Jack are fighting a mutual attraction neither wants to pursue for their own secret reasons.  They may be fighting a losing battle on both fronts.

 THE LAST CLOSE CALL is an intriguing, atmospheric thriller highlighting the promising potential for success with genealogy in policework.  Many readers will identify with the subject matter in a personal manner having sent their own DNA off for potential matches.  Griffin does an excellent job of utilizing the topic, weaving it into the plot line via believable characters maneuvering a fast-paced, twisted plot line.  In a race against time, these characters are charged with identifying and capturing a potential suspect before he strikes again setting a dire tone from beginning to end.  The author tempers the threat of danger with the promise of a romance between Rowan and Jack with sizzling chemistry erupting between them.  Readers will have no problem falling for them while cheering the relationship on.  In addition to several red herrings, Griffin ups the ante by slowly revealing perilous secrets Rowan prefers to keep to herself.  Are they putting her life in danger?

 Laura Griffin has penned a gripping, super intriguing romantic suspense thriller in THE LAST CLOSE CALL - one that's sure to appeal to fans of genealogy and crime fiction.  Her expertise in creating fully fleshed characters deserving of readers' empathy is evident.  Highly recommended to fans of suspense thrillers and police procedurals.

 Synopsis:

Forensic genealogist Rowan Healy has made a name for herself by helping investigators trace the family trees of violent criminals who have eluded justice for years. But the pressure of police cases left her burned out, and she's shifted her focus to helping adoptees find their biological parents.

Austin detective Jack Bruner has spent his career successfully tracking down vicious criminals--with the notable exception of the West Campus Rapist, a meticulous offender in Texas who has never been identified. When the latest two victims come to light, Jack sees his target is escalating his violent behavior--and only with Rowan's help does he stand a chance of cracking this case.

Moved by Jack's dedication and the brutal details of the attacks he lays out, Rowan agrees to help. When her ground-breaking DNA research sheds new light on the criminal's background and helps them zero in on a search radius, Rowan and Jack must race against the clock to find a ruthless killer who's growing bolder the longer he evades the law.

THE LAST CLOSE CALL by Laura Griffin

Berkley | On Sale October 24, 2023

Excerpt

A chime emanated from Rowan's purse. She pulled out her phone and read a text from the Austin lawyer whose client Rowan had been working for all week. 

Got your email. Omg TY!! 

The words were followed by three halo emojis, and Rowan felt a swell of pride. 

Anytime, she texted back. So glad I could help. 

This attorney had sent her three referrals over the past six months, and now there would likely be more on the way. Rowan's anemic bank account was finally getting a boost. It couldn't come soon enough. Her December credit card bill had just come in, and she hadn't even wanted to look at it. 

"Rowan Healy?" She jerked her head up as a man stepped over. Tall, broad-shouldered, dark hair. He wore a black leather jacket with droplets of rain clinging to it. Rowan darted a glance at Lila. Her friend didn't look up, but she lifted an eyebrow in a way that told Rowan she'd sent this guy over here. "Who's asking?" Rowan responded, even though she had a sneaking suspicion she knew, based on his deep voice. Not to mention the super-direct look in his brown eyes. 

"Jack Bruner, Austin PD." He smiled slightly. "Mind if I sit?" 

She sighed and nodded at the empty seat across from her. He slid into the booth and rested his elbows on the table. He looked her over, and she managed not to squirm. 

"You're a hard woman to reach." Ha. He had no idea how true that was. 

"How'd you know to find me here?" she asked.

"Ric Santos told me you hang out here." 

She couldn't hide her surprise at the mention of Ric. She hadn't known they were friends. But she probably should have guessed. Law enforcement was a tight-knit group. 

She gave him what she hoped was a confident smile. "Look, Detective, I appreciate you coming all the way out here, but I'm afraid you've wasted your time." 

"Just listen." Two words. A command, but not. When combined with that slight smile, it was more like a statement. Something she was going to do, even if she didn't realize it yet. 

Rowan felt a surge of annoyance. But again, she gave him a nod. 

Sasha appeared at the table and rested her cocktail tray on her hip. "Can I get you something to drink?" she asked the detective. 

"A Coke, please." She nodded. 

"Rowan?" "I'm good, thanks." She walked off, her cascade of blond hair swinging behind her. Rowan settled her attention on the detective. 

"I'm with APD's violent crimes unit, as I mentioned on the phone," he said. With every call, he'd politely identified himself and given a callback number. Rowan had called the number once and-equally politely-left a message with her response. But he'd stubbornly ignored it. "I'm working on a case," he said, "and I could use your help." 

Rowan nodded. "Like I told you before-" 

He held up his hand and gave her a sharp look. Listen. "It's a serial offender," he continued. "Eight sexual assaults." His dark brows furrowed. "This guy's careful. We've only recovered one DNA profile, the second attack in the series." 

"If you've only got one profile, how do you know it's the same guy?" 

"Because-" 

Sasha was back already with a flirty smile. She placed the detective's soft drink in front of him, and he nodded his thanks. 

"Because we know," he said after she left. 

Rowan looked the man over. He had an athletic build, but not the steroid-infused look she was used to seeing with young cops. Then again, he wasn't that young. The touch of gray at his temples told her he was maybe ten years older than she was, probably late thirties. Or maybe it was the wise look in his eyes that told her that. She sipped her drink and waited for more. 

"A while ago we had the sample analyzed by a genetic genealogist," he said. "Spent a lot of money and time on that. They ran into some kind of wall, and the results were inconclusive, they said." 

"What's 'a while'?" 

"Come again?" 

"How long ago did you have it analyzed?" 

He hesitated a beat. "Four years." 

Rowan's breath caught. In terms of DNA technology, four years was like four decades. A lot had changed in that time-new techniques, new tools, new profiles in the databases. But she tried to keep her face impassive as she folded her hands in front of her. 

"I appreciate your effort to track me down," she said. It told her a lot about what kind of detective he was-precisely the kind that had prompted her to shift careers. "But unfortunately, I don't do police work anymore. You could say I'm retired." 

"That's not what Ric told me."

She gritted her teeth. Damn it, she'd known doing him a favor would come back to bite her. 

"Ric said you're selective, not retired." He paused, watching her. "He told me you gave him an assist recently and that your help was invaluable." 

"I know what you're doing," Rowan said. She was immune to flattery, even from smooth-talking detectives who liked to play head games. "And I can appreciate the pressure you guys must be under with a serial case. But I'm not in that line of work anymore." 

He leaned forward, and she eased back slightly. "Let me be straight, Rowan." His eyes bored into hers. "I need your help right now. Not next month or next year. Not whenever you get bored with what you're doing and decide to come out of retirement. I don't care if I sound desperate. I'm on a ticking clock here." 

Her stomach tightened at his words. And his prediction that she would backtrack on her career change irked her. But he held her gaze across the table, and she felt that inexorable pull that had turned her life upside down too many times to count.

Excerpted from The Last Close Call by Laura Griffin Copyright © 2023 by Laura Griffin. Excerpted by permission of Berkley. All rights reserved.

WHALEFALL Review

Author: Daniel Kraus

Publisher: MTV Books

Release Date: Aug. 8, 2023

Purchase Link: Amazon

This review first published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine

The Martian meets 127 Hours in this scientifically accurate thriller about a scuba diver who’s been swallowed by an eighty-foot, sixty-ton sperm whale and has only one hour to escape before his oxygen runs out.

Review:

WHALEFALL is a complex, immersive, gut-wrenching story about the power of relentless perseverance and the will to survive.  As a horror story, it's really good but what elevates it to great is the emotional tale of a seventeen-year-old boy struggling to survive the aftermath of a severely, dysfunctional father/son relationship that culminated with the suicide death of his overbearing father, leaving him drowning in overwhelming grief and guilt.  Thus, there are two fascinating stories of survival intertwined within the pages of WHALEFALL.  Both stories are hypnotic, vivid and bewitching with lessons to be learned from each.

 Jay Gardiner returns to dive in the deadly waters off Monastery Beach in a doomed attempt to recover the skeletal remains of his father from the sea that claimed him.  If he can bring his father home, his mother and sister will forgive him - more importantly, Jay can finally forgive himself and come to terms with a lifetime of regrets and missed opportunities with his father.  As Jay dives and descends to the ocean floor with only one hour of oxygen, he's consumed by memories of former dives with his father and quickly gets lost in the dark labyrinths of his mind. Before he realizes it, he's swimming over a mile-deep abyss the depths of which no man has ever gone.  Before Jay can swim back to safer waters, he becomes entangled in the tenacles of a giant squid being pursued by a sixty-ton sperm whale the size of a warehouse ascending from the depths of the unknown.  When the whale swallows the squid, Jay is sucked into its mouth and swallowed, landing in the first of four stomachs.  With nothing but his wits, the contents of the whale's stomach and his father's voice in his head, Jay’s battle for survival begins.  One Hour.  The clock’s ticking.

 To say I was surprised by how much I enjoyed WHALEFALL is a gross understatement.  I'm not a huge fan of "horror", but there was something about this story that spoke to me.  From early on, it's clear this is so much more than just a story of a boy surviving being swallowed by a whale.  While that plot line is intriguing, it's the emotional journey of Jay clawing his way from the dark, desolate depths of depression, despair and grief that drew me in and held me captive.  Kraus's writing is hypnotic and oddly soothing, like the gentle waves of the ocean cradling you in the depths of its beauty and serenity, luring you in like a siren's song while blinding you to the danger lurking.  Like Jay, I became mesmerized by the amazing visual canvas of the underwater world expertly painted by this talented author, enhanced by the power of his lyrical prose as he delivers a tale of hope in the face of indescribable grief and horror.  Through short past/present chapters, the author delivers a masterpiece while utilizing Jay's inner dialogue with his father to capture the essence of his broken heart and dreams.  As his oxygen decreases and hallucinations set in muddling his thoughts and memories, Jay's driven onward by his father's voice in his mind - Sleepers, Arise!  

 Daniel Kraus's rendering of this tale of survival is brilliant, simply consuming readers alive just as the whale swallowed Jay alive.  Throughout the story, the dual battles for survival rage as a boy at the lowest point in his life both physically and mentally perseveres.  WHALEFALL is an emotionally laden, scientifically accurate study of the ocean and its creatures as well as the devastating, lifelong destruction of relationships caused by a dysfunctional family.  Highly recommended to fans of suspense, horror and beautifully rendered tales of redemption.

 Synopsis:

Jay Gardiner has given himself a fool’s errand—to find the remains of his deceased father in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Monastery Beach. He knows it’s a long shot, but Jay feels it’s the only way for him to lift the weight of guilt he has carried since his dad’s death by suicide the previous year.

The dive begins well enough, but the sudden appearance of a giant squid puts Jay in very real jeopardy, made infinitely worse by the arrival of a sperm whale looking to feed. Suddenly, Jay is caught in the squid’s tentacles and drawn into the whale’s mouth where he is pulled into the first of its four stomachs. He quickly realizes he has only one hour before his oxygen tanks run out—one hour to defeat his demons and escape the belly of a whale.

Suspenseful and cinematic, Whalefall is a thriller about a young man who has given up on life…only to find a reason to live in the most dangerous and unlikely of places.

SECOND DUKE'S THE CHARM Review

Author Kate Bateman

Series: Her Majesty's Rebels #1

Publisher: St. Martins Press

Release Date: Dec. 26, 2023

Order Link:  Amazon

Special thanks to St. Martins Press for an arc.

Meet Her Majesty’s Rebels: three brilliant women who run King & Co., London’s most exclusive investigative agency...

Review:

SECOND DUKE'S THE CHARM is the first book in a new series, Her Majesty's Rebels, by author Kate Bateman.  Her Majesty's Rebels refers to three smart women who are not only close friends, but the secret owners and investigators of King & Co., one of London's most exclusive investigative agencies.  It's unheard of for women to indulge in such brash behavior given the times, but Tess Townsend and her friends are good at what they do, and they enjoy the independence it affords them.  After having been forced into marriage by her father to a much older man who died on their wedding night, Tess is now the Dowager Duchess of Wansford . . . and remains a secret virgin.  Being a widow gives Tess the freedom to do as she pleases, and she's vowed she'll never marry or give up her independence to anyone again.

Justin Thornton is a self-made rich shipping magnate who's not happy to learn he's inherited the Wansford dukedom, but he'll do his duty to become the overseer of the estate and find a suitable woman to marry.  He's certain the present duchess is too old to continue running things so imagine his surprise when he meets the beautiful and deliciously wicked Tess.  Soon, the answer is obvious - a marriage of convenience that solves an issue for both.  The deed is done.  Now all they have to do is figure out how to control the fiery hot chemistry sparking between them.  Justin doesn't believe in love and trusts no one.  Tess wants to keep her independence and refuses to submit to any man.   What will they do?

SECOND DUKE'S THE CHARM is simply irresistible.  Kate Bateman has such a talent in gifting readers heroes and heroines that you can't help but love and pull for.  The chemistry between opposites always sizzles even as they fight the attraction.  The story line is intriguing with a mystery to solve, and the setting is perfect.  This one moves at a brisk pace as one disaster after another threatens to derail this couple.  I'm looking forward to each of the other women's stories.  Highly recommended to fans of historical romance and marriages of convenience tropes.

Synopsis:

The wedding-night death of her much older husband left Tess Townsend the Dowager Duchess of Wansford—and still a virgin. Now she and her two best friends investigate London’s most scandalous crimes, and while Tess longs to experience physical pleasure for herself, she can’t risk losing her treasured independence...

Cynical shipping magnate Justin Thornton never expected to inherit a dukedom, but he’ll do his duty. When the ravishing woman he kissed at a party turns out to be the Dowager Duchess, Justin sees an obvious solution: a marriage of convenience that will suit them both.

But the passion that sparks between them is anything but convenient. As Tess works on a new case at the request of Queen Charlotte, her increasingly suspicious behavior makes Justin question her motives—and her past. The infuriating woman clearly can’t be trusted, but Justin doesn’t believe in love, so there’s absolutely no danger of him falling for his own wife...is there?

FINLAY DONOVAN ROLLS THE DICE Review

Author: Elle Cosimano

Series: Finlay Donovan #4

Publisher: Minotaur Books

Release Date: March 5, 2024

Preorder Link: Amazon

Many thanks to the publisher for an arc.

Review published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine

Review:

Finlay Donovan and crew are back in the most outrageously funny, sexy, fast paced story yet in FINLAY DONOVAN ROLLS THE DICE.   Author Elle Cosimano doesn’t miss a beat or trick in giving fans of the series all they’ve been clamoring for and then some in book four of the Finlay Donovan series.  Get ready to repeatedly laugh out loud while holding your breath in anticipation of the next fine mess these two hard luck ladies will inadvertently land in.  It’s never a matter of “if” but rather “when” another dead body will surface as Finlay and Vero entertain readers in another adventure of a lifetime.  They’re in Atlantic City, baby!  Let the good times and dice roll!

 Under the guise of a girl’s weekend away, Finlay and Vero plan to slip away in a desperate search for Vero’s guy Javi who’s been kidnapped by a loan shark willing to exchange him for the money Vero owes him.  Simple, right?  Not with these two self-appointed sleuths!  Before they can skip town, an entourage including Finlay’s mother and kids plus her annoying ex Steven pile into their rental to join their getaway.  It’s only a matter of hours after their arrival at a rundown hotel until Finlay and Vero break into the loan shark’s room and discover him and an accomplice dead.  They do what any responsible citizen would do . . . put the bodies on ice in the bathtub and start covering their tracks, of course!  Complicating an already stressful situation, they return to their seedy hotel to discover that Finlay’s crush hunky cop Nick and dirty partner Charlie plus Finlay’s sister and her cop lady friend have checked into rooms across the hall under the ruse of protecting Finlay and family from Russian mobster Feliks Zhirov.  In a matter of hours, a bad situation hits rock bottom with conflicting personalities, desires and motives clashing and more dead bodies surfacing.  The story that unfolds is a hysterical runaway train of impossible situations careening off the tracks as the twists and turns keep coming page after page.  Plan on reading straight through as there’s no more chance of you pausing reading than there is a prayer of stopping the train wreck happening on page.

 From start to finish, FINLAY DONOVAN ROLLS THE DICE is pure reading entertainment with fast-paced action, over the top suspense and slapstick style comedy reminiscent of the age-old antics of Lucy and Ethel fame.  If that’s not enough, it’s also sensuously sexy and steamy as affairs between Finlay and Nick heat up much to the delight of fans, but the despair of Steven who’s delusional in clinging to hope of a reconciliation with Finlay.  Cosimano excels at rendering visual scenes that draw readers into the story while charging them with figuring out how in the world these two seemingly doomed characters will worm their way out of another catastrophe resulting from being in the wrong place at the wrong time. 

Highly entertaining, hilarious and heartwarming, FINLAY DONOVAN ROLLS THE DICE pushes all the right buttons for fans of the series.  While each book stands alone, I recommend beginning with book 1 and enjoy each subsequent title in turn.  You won’t regret getting to know these characters firsthand as the overall story arc unfolds from book to book.  This reader’s already looking forward to the next addition to the series and the convoluted adventures this duo will undoubtedly find themselves in.  Highly recommended to fans of the series and readers who enjoy a hardy laugh along with their suspense.

Synopsis:

Finlay Donovan and her nanny/partner-in-crime Vero are in sore need of a girls’ weekend away. They plan a trip to Atlantic City, but odds are―seeing as it’s actually a cover story to negotiate a deal with a dangerous loan shark, save Vero’s childhood crush Javi, and hunt down a stolen car―it won’t be all fun and games. When Finlay’s ex-husband Steven and her mother insist on tagging along too, Finlay and Vero suddenly have a few too many meddlesome passengers along for the ride.

Within hours of arriving in their seedy casino hotel, it becomes clear their rescue mission is going to be a bust. Javi’s kidnapper, Marco, refuses to negotiate, demanding payment in full in exchange for Javi’s life. But that’s not all―he insists on knowing the whereabouts of his missing nephew, Ike, who mysteriously disappeared. Unable to confess what really happened to Ike, Finlay and Vero are forced to come up with a new plan: sleuth out the location of Javi and the Aston Martin, then steal them both back.

But when they sneak into the loan shark’s suite to search for clues, they find more than they bargained for―Marco's already dead. They don’t have a clue who murdered him, only that they themselves have a very convincing motive. Then four members of the police department unexpectedly show up in town, also looking for Ike―and after Finlay's night with hot cop Nick at the police academy, he’s a little too eager to keep her close to his side.

If Finlay can juggle a jealous ex-husband, two precocious kids, her mother’s marital issues, a decomposing loan shark, and find Vero’s missing boyfriend, she might get out of Atlantic City in one piece. But will she fold under the pressure and come clean about the things she’s done, or be forced to double down?