REVIEW OF THE OUTSIDER: Emily Organ

LOVED This Book So Much!

An inquest. The tragic death of a young woman who fell off a balcony during a New Year’s Eve party. A coroner concluding it was an accident due to too much alcohol. A quirky individual who won’t let it rest because, as he puts it, “Someone must have seen something.”

This is the premise of the fantastically entertaining THE OUTSIDER. It’s a classic English mystery that paints a quiet, complex picture of what happens when evil invades the perfect home, the perfect couple, and the perfect life. But was it that? It’s what Richard Cohen means to find out. He’s the quirky individual mentioned earlier, and for him, the case is personal. The gardener knew Lisa Ward, was in love with Lisa Ward— but was he also obsessed? It’s what Lisa’s husband Daniel thinks, and it’s the reason he’s so dismissive of Richard’s very unwelcomed and very intrusive inquiry into his wife’s untimely death. While Daniel and his friends all want to put the heartbreak behind them, Richard’s sleuthing only stirs things up.

There are so many things to love about this book. There’s the strength of the plot, the intelligence of developing memorable characters, and the construction of phrases, but in literature it all comes down to the story. Emily Organ gets that and excels in writing a brilliant one. If you’ve ever watched a flower open using time-lapsed photography, you’ll get an idea of what to expect. The cast reveals themselves slowly, without you realizing the unveiling. Before you know it, they’re fleshed out, and we’re connected so strongly in a very human way. But what’s that shadow to the side? The one stretching across the lawn and just out of reach? It’s the solution—the one we’re committed to finding out. If only that camera pulled back a little further so we could see the secrets … the lies. And so we wait to find out, enjoying being kept in suspense and taking measured steps.

I love all the characters Ms. Organ has created. Daniel Ward is the perfect dichotomy of a self-made millionaire who for all his accomplishments yearns to connect to something real. Then there’s Yasmin Clark, a young college graduate. She’s intent on becoming a journalist, but stuck working as an assistant to a fairly impossible woman who sucks the ambition out of her and leaves her dry. The attraction works. After all, Daniel is the epitome of what she wants to be, and Yasmin? Yasmin is genuine. Tangible. Not someone who’s impressed by what Daniel can buy. She’s only interested in what he is, but that’s the crux of the problem. Is he the man he portrays? The one devastated and left heartbroken and alone by his wife’s demise? Or is he a methodical killer? One that carefully plotted out and executed a cunning murder?

I can’t recommend this book highly enough and am thrilled I ran across it. I’d downloaded a ton of stories and had skimmed the opening chapters of quite a few before clicking on THE OUTSIDER. I’d forgotten what the description said, and had never heard of Emily Organ before, but I thought, why not? I’m so glad I took the chance because I discovered a new favorite author. I have to add tht I was thoroughly dumbfounded by the lack of reviews for Ms. Organ’s work. I looked her up on Amazon when I was just about finished. I figured she had to be a New York Times bestselling author, but nope. I found her author page devoid of even one review. It just goes to show you that there are great undiscovered authors out there, and it’s our job as readers and lovers of books, to find them!

It’s my absolute pleasure to give this work five stars. Ms. Emily Organ, I shall be reading you again so get busy! I’m expecting great things from you and the chance to say, “I told you so!” to those not willing to listen.

In closing: Buy the book! Now!  

Savage Summer: Ruth Bainbridge

This Mystery-Thriller Has It All!

Savage Summer by Ruth Bainbridge is one of the best debut novels I’ve ever read, it combines wit, humor, intricate plotting, suspense, and a cast full of likeable characters that you won’t soon forget.   

Curt Savage is our wounded hero. With his fiancée murdered, he’s struggling to get his life back together—all so he can track down the as yet unknown psycho that killed the love of his life. It’s at the start of this journey that Fate lends a hand. It’s in the form of new buddy Michelle “Mike” O’Brien. She’s one of the most engaging and complex characters I’ve had the pleasure to meet. And she appears at just the right time because it’s not long before Curt accepts his first case. Enlisted by his feisty neighbor Marge Danvers to solve the mystery of who poisoned her adorable dog Mooch, Mike is right there to help, as is Wolfie, an old friend from Curt’s police force days. Curt, Mike, Marge and Wolfie comprise the formidable and exceeding entertaining team that serve as the heart and soul of this novel. Game on!  

What happens next is a juggling act that had me holding my breath. It’s Fifty Shades of Ominous as the simple case of doggie felony quickly turns into something much more sinister. Out of the blue, an anonymous caller dubbed “Dr. Shadows” feeds Curt clues, but while the unknown tipster professes to know something about Ruth’s murder, can someone disguising his voice with a synthesizer be trusted? It’s what Curt is determined to find out, and when he dives down that rabbit hole, replete with tunnels leading to the other side of the moon, we go right along with him. Before he knows it, Curt is pulled into the maelstrom of a conspiracy that reaches into the depths of depravity.

The dialogue is wonderfully written as are the action scenes. There wasn’t a false note in the book that kept me on the edge of my seat. And I agree that Savage Summer is reminiscent of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. It really is a woven tapestry. I commend the author for her attention to detail and cleverness at inventing a story I totally and completely lost myself in. And the twists? They don’t stop coming until the very last page. Loved the stay at The Abyssinian, but that’s all I’m going to say although I really want to say more! Like a little something about the car ride … phone call … WHA’?!!! Talk about the rug being pulled out from under me! The cliffhanger that I never saw coming had me hungering for more!

If you’ve ever had a midnight craving where you’re not quite sure what you want, this is it! This is especially true if you love mystery-thrillers, spine-tingling suspense and a whole lot more. So give into the temptation. Read Savage Summer. The Curt Savage Mysteries are addictive, but I’m not going to fight this particular urge. It’s too much fun. It’s why I’ve already downloaded Savage Fall, the second in the series. I so can’t wait to find out what happens next! A big squee and five stars! 

PURCHASE LINKS: 

       

               

 

    

REVIEW OF BROKEN: Matthew Storm

Blasted Through This One!

I read the first few pages of about twenty books before settling on Broken by Matthew Storm, but the opening chapter grabbed me and never let up. I ended up blasting through the suspense-thriller. In fact, I became so obsessed with finishing it, that I found myself thinking about it during the day when involved in other pursuits. 

Nevada James heads the cast of characters. I’ll admit that I didn’t take to her right away, but I consider myself correct in not forming an immediate attachment. The skilled author was more than correct in letting the rapport build in this way. She’s revealed in bits and pieces, sort of like a strip tease. What we find out intrigues us enough to spark a need to know more! Nevada is like a prickly pear. The only difference is that her inside is as hostile and unwelcoming as the outside. The former police detective is quite the difficult person to get to know. What with her alcoholism and acting out. Add in a smart mouth, someone always willing to pick a fight, and a too quick trigger finger, and you have a rough idea of why people have pretty much given up on her. And why not since she’s given up on herself? In fact, the only saving grace here is why she’s given up on herself. Discovering this makes all the difference in the world.

Broken begins with a knock on the door—literally. Lucky for Nevada she answers it and finds that, after sleeping and drinking her way through the past year, someone wants to hire her for a job … someone with a fancy lawyer that has two first names … someone willing to pay her big bucks just to hear him talk. Money? Yeah, that’ll get anyone’s attention and so she goes to sit, listen, and collect. Nice.

It turns out that the client is mafia boss Alan Davies. You’d think people in his position could handle anything, but not the disappearance of his wife and child. The situation calls for an ace detective, something Nevada used to be. But she isn’t at all sure that Davies doesn’t have a hand in that vanishing act, or that he’s even telling the truth. She’s about to take the money and run when Davies mentions her old boss Dan Evans and that Evans recommended her for this assignment. It’s enough to get her to reverse her stance and sign on.

That’s about as much as I’m going to say about the plot because twists abound and the surprises are half the fun of reading this thriller. The dialogue is very well handled. Crackling with authenticity and laced with humor, the storyline speeds along. If any fledging authors want to learn about pacing, I suggest they read this book to see how it’s done!

All-in-all, a great read and one I thoroughly enjoyed! There were one or two tiny mistakes (I always find something!), but the story is extremely well-edited and written so grammar Nazis take heart. The only false note for me came at the end … not the very end … but the end before the real end. I figured Nevada would see that one coming, but she didn’t and I chose to overlook it since it led to a very satisfying conclusion. I mean overwhelming satisfying.

Five stars to Matthew Storm for Broken. In fact, I was so impressed by his writing that I’m going to check out a couple more of his novels. I figure if he can write this well, that I’d be foolish not to hitch another ride! Can’t wait to see what else his agile mind has been up to!   

RATING: 5.0 

REVIEW OF CREATURES OF APPETITE: Todd Travis

Whoa! Prepare to be Surprised!

Picked up CREATURES OF APPETITE by Todd Travis during a recent book promo. It was a little darker than what I’d been reading lately—all about a serial killer that preys on young kids. It’s a genre bender. While listed as a mystery-thriller, it could just as easily been categorized under horror. Think Dean Koontz.

For me, the beginning chapters were a love/hate relationship. I thought some of the writing was good and other parts repetitive and difficult to follow. Quick transitions and redundant dialogue made the opening a slow go, but I did like the characters and where the story was headed. I figured if something works, I’d give it a pass and kept reading.  

About four or five chapters in, Mr. Travis hits his stride. I loved the protagonist Jacob Thorne. He’s a prickly s.o.b. with a personality better suited for a job in the DMV, but there he is, a profiler with the illustrious FBI. Well, was a profiler. In fact, he’s brought out of an enforced retirement to try to stop a serial killer dubbed The Iceman. Unfortunately for him, he’s saddled with Special Agent Emma Kane, a former cop who’s recovering from a traumatic event. Does Thorne relish a partner with shaky hands? Who would, but most of us would be more tactful in expressing dissatisfaction. Let me put it this way, Thorne does not hold back.

Given that this is Todd Travis’ first book, I kept thinking that I can’t wait to watch him develop. I was impressed by the writing and wished the very few mistakes were cleaned up. I mean, why not? This is stellar work and deserves stellar handling. The plot was intriguing, the characters richly embraced, and the twists? They had my head spinning. I especially loved the one at the end. No spoilers here! Suffice to say that Kane finally learns why Thorne plays chess in that unique way. She keeps hammering him with that question throughout and the answer had me laughing out loud.   

If you can handle grisly crimes, a scumbag killer, a profiler who clearly never read Norman Vincent Peale’s How to Win Friends and Influence People, a rookie agent that better get her act together fast, and assorted police officials who would rather be right than catch a killer, then this one’s for you. I highly recommend CREATURES OF APPETITE and enjoyed the walk on the evil side. It’s creepy, full of memorable scenes and action, and entertaining to boot. Mr. Travis, I’m keeping my eye on you! Can’t wait to read what you come up with next!

Final rating: Five Stars