Category: Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller Page 44 of 153

Dead Mercy

by Noelle Holten
Series: DC Maggie Jamieson, #5

eARC, 416 pg.
One More Chapter, 2021

Read: October 4-5, 2021

What’s Dead Mercy About?

The closing chapter of Dead Secret set this up (as Holten is so good about doing): a business has gone up in fire and a body has been found inside—possibly the body of someone Maggie’s worked with in Probation. From the start, this case has its hooks in Maggie.

It’s soon decided that the body was the source of the fire—and before the victim had been set ablaze, he’d been restrained and had teeth pulled. The killer had wanted to punish him, not just kill him.

Soon another victim is discovered—and the team has to race to find a connection so they can prevent anyone else from suffering this fate.

When the link is finally discovered, it suggests potential new victims as well as several suspects. It also shines a bright light on a striking failure of the criminal justice system.

Bethany and Kat

Back when I talked about Book 3, Dead Perfect, I wrote that they were overworking PC Bethany Lambert, “Miscellaneous errands, thankless tasks, things requiring technological expertise, and more fall to her. I lost track of how many things Maggie threw her way to do—on top of her own assignments. I have multiple notes about how they’re working this woman to death.” They’ve yet to let up on her—however, it’s talked about both as the way she likes to work and as something other people are concerned about. This is efficiently done—the characters around her get to be observant and sympathetic, and they can continue to throw too much work at her so Holten doesn’t have to create 2-3 more characters to keep the stories moving at that pace.

Dead Perfect was also where DC Kat Everett was added to the team—she’s better integrated into the action over the last couple of books now and I really enjoy her. I’m ready to read a spin-off series focusing on her now, either in her same assignment or transferred somewhere. Her brashness would make for a fun protagonist (not that Maggie isn’t brash, but hers is a side-effect of her impetuousness).

A Refreshing Approach

With most police procedurals you get the maverick, lone-wolf detective—maybe with a couple of people they trust. Or (particularly with UK-based procedurals), you get a focus on a detective squad. With the Maggie Jamieson books, we get a good look at her squad, probation services, and other social services.

Not just as a drop-in for a convenient bit of information, either. But characters that matter, there’s interconnectedness between the groups and it’s good to see the flow of information (formally, informally, unauthorized) informing the investigations. I like seeing that approach, and I like to think it reflects reality far more than any lone-wolf thumbing their nose at regulations.

Although, the pathologist still seeming to hold a grudge over one of her staff being (justifiably) questioned a while back seems to be petty. Which, so it’s not all super-professional and mutually helpful.

Let’s Hope This Is Fiction

Not every author spends too much time on the motivation behind the killings, but an author that gives a believable motivation separates their work from the pack. This is another of those areas that Holten excels in.

Yes, this is a work of fiction. Yes, things are heightened. But when you read this, there’s going to be a voice in the back of your head saying, “I could see that happening.”

Not only that, there’s a pretty good chance that you’re going to be a little conflicted about the crimes. Odds are, you’re not going to be hoping that Maggie and her team fail, or that the killer (killers?) gets away with it. Buuuut…once you understand the motive pushing the killer(s), you may not feel that bad about what happens to the victims.

So, what did I think about Dead Mercy?

Holten’s got this down now—the characters and world are well established, as are the relationships in them. Despite the relatively brief chronology between books 1-5, there’s been some decent character growth on several points, too. So a new Maggie Jamieson thriller is a chance to spend some time catching up with new acquaintances while getting to go for a pretty intense ride as those acquaintances try to stop a brutal killer.

Okay, maybe that’s not the ideal way to catch up and check in on anyone, but it’s a pretty exciting read.

Crime Reads had that piece a couple of weeks ago discussing “all crime is cyber crime,” which was ringing in my ears as I read this. This very visceral series of murders is evidence to support that thesis—cyber-policing wasn’t enough to stop the series, either, but it played its part. Holten’s always been good at balancing the computer-work and the boots-on-the-ground policing but might have outdone herself here.

The accent does fall on the physical world, of course, given the nature of the crimes. If your stomach doesn’t church a little at the description of the murders (likely both as they’re happening and as the pathologist breaks them down), you’re made of pretty stern stuff. Thankfully, Holten’s narration doesn’t ever seem to relish in the disturbing details as too many do.

Basically, this is a top-notch thriller with a lot for the reader to chew on as they’re burning through the pages.

It does appear that this is going to be the last Maggie Jamieson book–at least for a while. I’m hoping it’s just a break, and we get back to Maggie and the rest of the Major and Organised Crime Department soon. If not? These five books are a great set and I (again) strongly recommend them to you.

Disclaimer: I received this eARC from HarperCollins UK via NetGalley in exchange for this post — thanks to both for this.

4 Stars

Tear It Down by Nick Petrie: Things Get Rough for Peter in the Home of the Blues

By HCNewton

On October 15, 2021

In Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller, Nicholas/Nick Petrie, Peter Ash

Tear It Down

by Nick Petrie
Series: Peter Ash, #4

Hardcover, 368 pg.
G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2019

Read: October 9-11, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

Outside, the air was thick and threatening rain. Spring in Tennessee. Peter strode across the wide concrete apron toward the road.

Go to Memphis, June had said. Eat some barbecue, listen to music, have some fun.

So far there had been no barbecue and no music.

Was it wrong that he might be having fun?

What’s Tear It Down About?

Peter’s been recuperating and rehabbing from his injuries from Light It Up at June’s—he’s about as recovered as he can be and is spending his time doing some upkeep and repairs on some of the buildings. But being in one place for so long is getting to him. He doesn’t see it, but June does.

June has a friend, Nadine, in Memphis. She’s a photographer who’s done a few tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, embedded with various groups. She’s back home in Memphis and has recently purchased a house at auction. Since then, she’s been harassed and could use some help. So June sends Peter off to lend a hand.

The morning before he arrives at Nadine’s, someone had driven a dump truck through the front of her house and then ran off. The truck is still there, which is what’s keeping some of the walls from falling. Clearly, he’s got his work cut out for him.

The work gets complicated the next day when Peter’s carjacked. No, really. A teenager with a pistol sticks Peter up, stealing his truck (with all his tools, food, and weapons) in the back. Peter likely could’ve stopped him, but chooses to let the kid get away with it for some pretty good reasons.

So now, he has to try to stop further attacks on Nadine, help her rebuild the house that she’s determined not to leave, and get his truck back. Oh, and immediately following the carjacking, Peter offended the drug lord who runs most of the crime in that part of Memphis—but you’ll want to read all that for yourself.

A Man Called Lewis

Lewis decides that Peter needs help (with a little input from June) and shows up just when things are getting hairy.

If I’ve noticed it before, I don’t remember—but Lewis here is essentially Robert B. Parker’s Hawk. There’s one conversation between Lewis and Peter that could’ve been lifted straight from a Hawk and Spenser conversation by Parker/Atkins, too.

It works, too, don’t get me wrong. I am kicking myself a little for not having seen it before, but I don’t think it was as strong—maybe that’s because of the themes/circumstances in this book that it stands out so much.

So, what did I think about Tear It Down?

There’s a significant racial component to the events and circumstances of this book. This added a little depth to the novel, it’s about more than people trying to get money and power, as is usual for these books. Sure, there’s money and power at the root of a lot of what’s going on here—but there’s a degree of hate that wasn’t around either.

There are also two characters who are just trying to survive in a world that seems hostile—and increasingly so—to them. They just need a break, a chance to do something, but it’s taken from them at every turn. The question for them is what they do in these circumstances—and what the results of their choices will be for those around them.

There is a significant toll on those who just happen to be near Peter and Lewis when things get ugly between them and those who are harassing Nadine. Peter notices this and it bothers him—it’s one thing in war for there to be collateral damage, but there was no reason for anyone injured (or worse) here to be in danger. It will be interesting to see if this experience has an impact on how he deals with things in the future.

This one had it all—great action, a compelling story, some good social commentary, and some time with characters I’m really growing attached to. Nick Petrie and Peter Ash continue to be a winning combination.

4 1/2 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

Catch-Up Quick Takes: The Treadstone Exile, Warping Minds & Other Misdemeanors, In a Sunburned Country, Pray for Silence

By HCNewton

On October 14, 2021

In Audiobook, Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller, Non-Fiction, Urban Fantasy

The point of these quick takes posts is to catch up on my “To Write About” stack—emphasizing pithiness, not thoroughness. Here are some recent-ish audiobooks.

The Treadstone Exile

by Joshua Hood, Ron Butler (Narrator)
Series: Treadstone, #2
Unabridged Audiobook, 9 hrs., 1 min.
Penguin Audio, 2021
Read: September 2-3, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

(the official blurb)
I thought the first novel in the series was a heckuva thrill ride, but a little thin on character and believability. Still, the follow-up sounded fun.

Wow, was I wrong. The characters were just as thin (maybe thinner), I didn’t ever get invested in—or even mildly curious about—the plot. The action scenes were great, though.

Still, I think I’m done with the series.
2 Stars

Warping Minds & Other Misdemeanors

by Annette Marie, Rob Jacobson, Iggy Toma (Narrator)
Series: Guild Codex: Warped, #1
Unabridged Audiobook, 6 hrs., 34 min.
Tantor Audio, 2020
Read: August 26, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

(the official blurb)
This book (and series, I guess) kicks off in the aftermath of Three Mages and a Margarita—and I love the idea of multiple series that are interwoven yet independent. It’s going to get difficult to track at some point, I bet, but that’s on me.

When the officials sweep in to clean up after 3 Mages one of the mages arrested is a low-powered psychic, Kit Morris. Really, the MPD is more interested in who Kit can lead them to than him—and they’re playing hardball with him to get to his higher-powered pals.

What ensues is Kit trying to play the Agent who’s trying to get him to flip and looking for a chance to escape (and neither working too well). A strange alliance forms between them.

I had a lot of fun with this one, maybe more than I did with its predecessor. Iggy Toma sold me on the characters, too, I really enjoyed the narration. I’m looking forward to spending more time in this world.
3 Stars

In a Sunburned Country

by Bill Bryson
Unabridged Audiobook, 11 hrs., 54 min.
Random House, 2000
Read: August 24-25, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

(the official blurb)
I remember reading Bryson’s The Mother Tongue back in the ’90s and have often thought about trying him again—but anytime the thought occurred to me, I couldn’t find one of his books available. So when I saw this as available from the library I jumped on it. Not the best move.

This is a travelogue of a trip or two that Bryson took around Australia. It’s fairly amusing, mildly interesting, and not a complete waste of time. That’s about all I can say for it—the few pages/minutes he spends on Cricket were laugh-out-loud funny. The rest of the book barely maintained my interest.

Your results may vary, but this just didn’t do it for me.
2 Stars

Pray for Silence

by Linda Castillo, Kathleen McInerney (Narrator)
Series: Kate Burkholder, #2
Unabridged Audiobook, 11 hrs., 27 min.
Macmillan Audio, 2010
Read: August 16-17, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

(the official blurb)
At the rate these books are going, by the time this book reaches book 14 (expected next year), I don’t see how anyone is going to be left alive in Painters Mill. A small town like this just can’t take a lot of mass murders, can it?

But for now, Book 2 still has a nice, bustling community full of people. In fact, an Amish family moved to town about a year ago. But when we meet them, they’re the victims of murder. Chief Kate Burkholder comes across one of the most disturbing crime scenes I’ve seen in fiction—and that’s saying something. But as Kate digs into the family’s past trying to find a motive for the butchery, it seems that the gruesome murders weren’t the worse expression of evil in the novel.

Gripping story, solid narration by Kathleen McInerney, but I could use a little more growth in Kate. Still, I’m going to be back for more pretty soon.
3 Stars

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase from any of them, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

It’s a Wonderful Woof by Spencer Quinn: Chet’s on the Search for a Missing PI

By HCNewton

On October 14, 2021

In Chet and Bernie, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller, Spencer Quinn

It’s a Wonderful Woof

by Spencer Quinn
Series: Chet and Bernie, #12

eARC, 272 pg.
Forge Books, 2021

Read: September 13-14, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

What’s It’s a Wonderful Woof About?

Someone comes to the Little Detective Agency to hire them, but it’s just not the kind of case that calls for Bernie’s strengths, but he knows just the right guy for the job, Victor Klovsky. The two had recently run into each other on different cases, and Bernie’s been reminded that Victor isn’t cut out for the more, shall we say, physically demanding cases—but he’s great at the stuff you can do behind a desk, which is what this case calls for.

Also, I think Bernie feels sorry for the guy and thinks he can do him a favor by sending work his way to make up for the way things went during that recent encounter.

You know what they say about roads and best intentions, though. It’s not long before Victor has gone missing—a very concerned mother (who has less confidence in his abilities than Bernie does) hires Chet and Bernie to find him. It turns out that not only Victor is missing, but his client is, too.

There’s nothing about this case that suggests a cushy desk job anymore—a strong sense of violence surrounds the disappearances—and other elements of the case as it develops. Can Chet and Bernie sniff out what happened to them, and what the relationship is between these disappearances, Mary and Joseph fleeing to Egypt, Caravaggio, and an old Spanish mission?

Relationship Issues

This is news to no one that has read one book in this series, but Bernie’s not good at relationships. Expressing himself to a woman he cares about is not a skill he possesses (I’m sure Chet would differ with me here, but I stand by it).

His current relationship is still pretty new—and seems to be going pretty well. But that’s all stuff that happened since Tender is the Bite. It doesn’t take him too long to mess things up with Weatherly. Both his reaction to this throughout the novel and the way it started felt different than the way he’d put his foot into it with Suzi (but not completely). The relationships between Bernie and the two women are notably different—which is a relief, too often in situations like this it feels like a duplicate of a previous romance.

A Very Bernie Christmas?

It would be very easy to forget that this is a Christmas/Holiday Themed novel—I did more than once, and I was expressly looking to see how Quinn dealt with it.

However, when the holidays do come up? It’s great. There’s a Hannukah scene that I just loved, and…well there are a couple of great other scenes about the holidays, but my no-spoiler policy stops me from getting into those.

Language Choice

This isn’t a big deal—I don’t want to make a proverbial mountain out of anything. But it struck me that Bernie’s language is a bit stronger than usual. I don’t want to take the time and do word counts or anything—I’m lazy and I’m not going to buy e-copies just to document this point. This book is still PG-13, but it jumped out at me and struck me as different—and I’m curious about it.

So, what did I think about It’s a Wonderful Woof?

I had a blast with this—there was a time 5 or 6 books ago, that my interest in the series waned a bit—I still enjoyed the books, but they didn’t grab me the way the initial novels did. That’s gone, and I have to wonder what was wrong with me—Quinn and Chet are as fresh and entertaining now as they were in Dog Gone It.

There’s heart, there’s excitement, there’s humor, there’s the devotion that only a dog can have for their human, and you even can even learn a little bit about art history. Throw in a little holiday magic and you’ve got yourself another winner in this series.

Go read this—which readers of this series probably don’t need me to say. But if you haven’t read any before, this functions well enough as a jumping-on point, just be prepared to make some time for the previous 11 novels. You’re going to want to read them all.

Disclaimer: I received this eARC from Macmillan-Tor/Forge via NetGalley in exchange for this post—thanks to both for this.

4 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

PUB DAY REPOST: Fan Fiction by Brent Spiner: The Previously Untold Story of Lt. Cmdr. Data’s Stalker

By HCNewton

On October 12, 2021

In Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller

Fan Fiction
A Mem-Noir: Inspired
by True Events

by Brent Spiner

eARC, 256 pg.
St. Martin’s Press, 2021

Read: September 29-30, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

What’s Fan Fiction About?

During the filming of Season 4 of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Brent Spiner starts receiving threatening (and disturbing) packages and letters delivered to his trailer. They’re purportedly from “Lal” (Data’s daughter from episode 3.16 “The Offspring”).

Those aren’t the only interesting letters he’s receiving, there are also a series of letters from someone claiming to speak to Spiner on the phone at night while her husband is out of town on business. These conversations are apparently quite graphic and sexual in nature, while the letters that are in response to them are very benign, and maybe a little tragic.

Spiner gets help from the LAPD, the FBI, a personal bodyguard, and fictionalized versions of his ST:TNG costars as the threats increase in intensity. This assistance bounces from comical to incredibly effective, while Spiner’s worry and stress (and increasing lack of sleep) start to spiral out of control and his grasp on sanity starts to slip.

Fan Connection

When it comes to his stalker, the late-night phone call recipient, a law enforcement officer/would-be-TV-writer, a pizza delivery man—and a few others, the relationship between fan and performer is clearly unhealthy.

But throughout there is a thread of meaningful connections being made through Spiner’s performance to the audience. There were a couple of really sweet moments we see because of this—in the midst of the satiric madness, they really ground the work and help you remember that Spiner was more than someone suffering from a sleep-deprived paranoia.

I’m Likely to be The Only One Bothered By This, But…

We spend a lot of time with ST:TNG and have references to other parts of Spiner’s career before that, but not one single nod to Bob Wheeler?

That’s the role that made me a fan of Spiner—probably would’ve found another 1/2 Star or so if there’d been a quality joke about him.

So, what did I think about Fan Fiction?

I don’t remember the last time I had this much fun reading a book—it was just a blast. I laughed and/or chuckled frequently, cringed a couple of times (in a good way), and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.

That starts with the characters: Spiner’s antics and reactions to his situation were great. The comically-exaggerated versions of the ST:TNG cast were fantastic—I wouldn’t mind reading a series of Spiner’s adventures just to see those again. The Bodyguard and FBI officer rounded out the cast of characters in an entertaining way that also provided the lethal abilities required to keep Spiner alive in the face of the threat.

The stalker’s actions in other settings would be hair-raising and chilling—but given the comic tone, they become ridiculous. And you can’t wait to see what extreme “Lal” will go to next.

Spiner’s humanity (depicted as very flawed) shines through in the midst of the madness. When that’s combined with the heartwarming fan connections, they make this surprisingly sweet as much as it is comically dark. All in all, a real winner.

Fans of Star Trek or Hollywood satires need to get their hands on it.

Disclaimer: I received this eARC from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley in exchange for this post—thanks to both for this.

4 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

Best in Snow by David Rosenfelt: Tara Digs Up Trouble for Andy

By HCNewton

On October 12, 2021

In Andy Carpenter, David Rosenfelt, Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller

Best in Snow

by David Rosenfelt
Series: Andy Carpenter, #24

eARC, 320 pg.
Minotaur Books, 2021

Read: September 10, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

What’s Best in Snow About?

After a snowstorm dumps a healthy amount of snow on the ground, Andy takes his dogs for a walk. Tara, his beloved golden retriever goes digging in that snow and uncovers a body. Not just any body, it turns out, but the mayor.

The evidence points to a reporter that used to work for Andy’s friend, Vince, at his paper. Despite this scandal that he kicked off last year centering on the mayor, Vince believes him and supports him the best he can. One way Vince supports the reporter is that he gets Andy to defend him.

Also, instead of Andy taking in the suspect’s dog for the duration of the trial, Vince does it this time. Vince is not a dog person—he’s not much of a people person, either, so readers can imagine how his housing the dog will go.

Comfort Food

I’m pretty sure I’ve said this (or something like it) before—it’s hard to track in a 24 book series just what I’ve said. But these Andy Carpenter books literary comfort food. You know what you’re going to get, you know you like it, and it just makes you feel good.

For example, you know when it gets to the part about jury deliberation, Andy’s going to say and do a few things. And it’s just as enjoyable to see him say that in this book as it was 20+ books ago.

That said? Rosenfelt managed to surprise me a couple of times and did some stuff in the courtroom that I haven’t seen from him before.

Holiday Content

In the last few years that Rosenfelt has been doing these Christmas-y themed books, I’ve always been mildly surprised at how low little “Holiday Content” there is in the book. This one seemed to be the lightest on Christmas/New Year’s material.

Yeah, the weather and dates help ground the action and show how fast things are moving in terms of the trial. But there’s not much more to it than that. Basically, this is just an excuse to get another Andy Carpenter book this year. And I’m fine with that.

So, what did I think about Best in Snow?

I really enjoyed this—the case was a good puzzle. The courtroom antics and strategies were up to Rosenfelt’s usual standards (maybe a little better than some). The little bit of action that crept in (mostly involving Marcus) was great, too.

The members of Andy’s team were as entertaining as usual and, of course, so were the dogs (including Vince’s new charge).

If you’re a long-time reader of the series, you know what you’re going to get here—with a couple of surprises. If you haven’t tried this series yet, you really should—this is as good a place as any. But once you start, you’ll have a hard time stopping. That’s not a warning, that’s an assurance.

Disclaimer: I received this eARC from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley in exchange for this post—thanks to both for this.

4 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

Suburban Dicks by Fabian Nicieza: Murder Where the Suburbs Meet Utopia

By HCNewton

On October 11, 2021

In Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller

I spent a month on this so it ended up fairly coherent. If I’d posted this sooner, it’d liable to be inarticulate blather. I wanted this post to be better than it is, but I think the point gets through.

Suburban Dicks

by Fabian Nicieza

Hardcover, 386 pg.
G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2021

Read: September 8-9, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

Satkunananthan Sasmal would have been the first to admit he’d had worse nights working the midnight shift at his uncle’s Valero station. For example…there was the old lady who fell asleep while driving and plowed into the first island. Satkunananthan barely hit the kill switch on pump three before diving out of the car’s path. The woman rolled down her window and asked him to fill her tank. Regular. Cash.

Then there was that time he had been robbed at gunpoint.

And the other time he had been robbed at knifepoint.

And the other time he had been robbed at spatula-point.

In his defense, it had been one of those long-handled metal barbecue spatulas.

And there was last night, when Satkunananthan Sasmal was murdered.

What’s Suburban Dicks About?

It’s about the murder of poor Satkunananthan Sasmal, to put it succinctly. The very outclassed police department of the small New Jersey city he’s from isn’t up to investigating it properly, and they take a lazy and facile answer for the crime.

This is where a couple of unlikely amateur sleuths come in. The first is Kenneth Lee, when he was a little younger, he rocketed to fame thanks to his reporting. When he was a little older, he was famously disgraced thanks to bad reporting.. Now he’s struggling to make ends meet and working for the small-timiest paper you can imagine.

The other unlikely sleuth is a mother of 4 (with one on the way) who was headed for a career as an FBI profiler hunting killers. She arrives (accidentally) on the crime scene before the police get a chance to secure the scene and notices about it than the professionals. Being there, seeing the Satkunananthan’s body, and drawing some important conclusions hooks Andrea Stern. She teams up with Lee to do the work the police are clearly not going to.

Between the two of them and some even unlikelier help that Andrea recruits, the two find themselves going down unexpected avenues of investigation, discovering secrets that few can believe, and bringing a variety of injustices to light.

Andrea Stern

In what seemed like painfully slow motion, a woman slid out through the open door as if the minivan was oozing an egg yolk. Her legs popped out first, short and stubby, then she slid her body down and out of the seat. As much bowling ball as human, she wiggled her feet until they touched the ground.

She was short, five foot threeish, with an unkempt hive of thick, curly dark hair. Her brown eyes were huge, and—Michelle had no other word for it—feral. She waddled as much as walked. She was more pregnant than any woman Michelle had ever seen in her life, and quite possibly more pregnant than any woman had ever been in the history of human civilization. If Michelle had to guess, she would have estimated the woman was about to give birth to a college sophomore.

If Andrea Stern isn’t my favorite new character this year, she’s going to be in the top 3. She made the choice to abandon her dreams of working for the FBI, of following her gifts and interests in order to be a mom. She didn’t realize how often she’d be a mother, but that’s beside the point.

Sure, she’s been wondering what might have been practically every day since then (actually, she’s pretty sure what might have been). So when she has the opportunity to investigate a murder—she grabs it and won’t let go. No matter what problems it causes her family.

She is smart, she’s funny, she’s tenacious, she gives a new meaning to resourceful, and she deserves a husband that treats her better.

She’s not perfect—it’s hard not to question a lot of her parenting choices. But I think she’d seem better were she not “more pregnant than any woman” in history and trying to recapture the years lost.

Kenneth Lee

She stared at him for several seconds, then said, “You’re not doing it ‘cause you’re a good person.”

“No, I absolutely am not,” he freely admitted. “But good will come of it. I promise you that.”

Nicieza had every opportunity to rehabilitate Lee, to make him sympathetic—even to tell a redemption story of sorts. But no, he leaves Lee pretty much where we found him—as someone who tasted the limelight and would do just about anything to get back to it.

This doesn’t mean he’s bad at his job, though. He was a solid partner in the investigation, just with less-than-honorable motives.

So, what did I think about Suburban Dicks?

I was having so much fun reading this that I was on page 200 before I noticed that I hadn’t taken a single note. So I forced myself to write down a couple of things so I could write this post. And then by page 220, I stopped taking notes again until I was finished. I was probably grinning throughout. Nicieza delivered something smack-dab in the middle of the sweet-spot for my taste.

This felt like the third or fourth book in the Andrea Stern series—starting when she was in High School (or maybe before) and then taking a break after college and picking up here. Like Veronica Mars, making this the Hulu series—just a little more successful. Andrea and her world—her family, too—felt well-established, a character that Nicieza had spent years perfecting.

That’s not all that was perfect—the book was a perfect balance of comedy, social commentary, and murder mystery. I’m not sure which aspect I appreciated most, either. Consider it a three-way tie, I guess.

It wouldn’t hurt my feelings if Lee wasn’t around in any sequel (oh, please let there by a sequel!), but I’d certainly hope to see just about everyone else—mostly characters I haven’t talked about because I want to keep this thing under 15,000 words. But the supporting characters are a great mix of cultures, economic class, and personalities—the kind you want to read about again and again.

I’m not sure what else to say—from the great opening (quoted at the beginning of this post) to a perfect last line, this is going to be one of my favorites of the year and I’m willing to bet you’ll agree if you give it a chance.

5 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

Fan Fiction by Brent Spiner: The Previously Untold Story of Lt. Cmdr. Data’s Stalker

By HCNewton

On October 4, 2021

In Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller

Fan Fiction
A Mem-Noir: Inspired
by True Events

by Brent Spiner

eARC, 256 pg.
St. Martin’s Press, 2021

Read: September 29-30, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

What’s Fan Fiction About?

Fan Connection

I’m Likely to be The Only One Bothered By This, But…

We spend a lot of time with ST:TNG and have references to other parts of Spiner’s career before that, but not one single nod to Bob Wheeler?

That’s the role that made me a fan of Spiner—probably would’ve found another 1/2 Star or so if there’d been a quality joke about him.

So, what did I think about Fan Fiction?

The stalker’s actions in other settings would be hair-raising and chilling—but given the comic tone, they become ridiculous. And you can’t wait to see what extreme “Lal” will go to next.

Fans of Star Trek or Hollywood satires need to get their hands on it.

Disclaimer: I received this eARC from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley in exchange for this post—thanks to both for this.

4 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

The Vinyl Detective: The Run-Out Groove by Andrew Cartmel: A Bit of a Sophomore Slump, but Still Charmingly Fun

By HCNewton

On September 30, 2021

In Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller

The Run-Out Groove

by Andrew Cartmel
Series: The Vinyl Detective, #2

Paperback, 398 pg.
Titan Books, 2017

Read: August 28-30, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

N. B.: The Narrator of this series (so far, anyway) is unnamed. I find it tiresome to keep saying “The Narrator” or “our protagonist” (as I did with the last book.). So, I’m just going to call him “VD” from now until Cartmel gives him a name—as unfortunate as those initials may be.

What’s The Run-Out Groove About?

In the late 60s, there was a band of some repute (not all stellar) with a lead vocalist, Valerian, with an otherworldly voice. A lot of self-destructive tendencies, too, but what a voice. As too many things in that era went, Valerian’s lifestyle spiral out of control and she killed herself following the disappearance/kidnapping of her infant child.

In the present time, VD and his girlfriend, Nevada, are approached by a bickering duo. She’s working on a book about Valerian and he’s Valerian’s estranged brother. Given VD”s success with the hunt for the record (as seen in the previous novel), they’ve come to him. But it’s not just music they want VD to find—but the child.

Urban Legend has it that there’s a clue hidden on a 45 released shortly before her death—but only a few were sold and are out there in the world. It’s nearly impossible to find. Well, nearly impossible for people who aren’t VD or his friends. So that’s the jumping-off point—look into the people who remember Valerian, who were in her inner circle, while trying to track down a copy of one of the handful of 45s.

From there things go as you’d predict for a mystery novel—there are threats, some violence, some drugs (although some were ingested willingly), and the uncovering of many secrets.

An Inherently Likeable Series

The appeal to this series comes down to the characters—primarily VD. With him you’ve got a full-on geek, sitting around and indulging his passion and writing about it while drinking expensive gourmet coffee and spending time with his girlfriend and cats. It’s hard to see that as anything but a fantasy for most readers—replace jazz records with books and cats with the superior pet, and that’s my ideal life. Getting paid ridiculous sums to look into something related to—and somewhat involving—your hobby is just icing on the cake.

Because of this, I think there’s an inherently likable quality to this protagonist. He’s living a life that most of us want and seems to be unspoiled by it. Your choices are either to be envious or want to be his friend—and since he seems like such a nice guy, it’s easy to pick “friend” and hang out with him to hear his stories.

A Particular Weakness

“…I’ve got a copy of Graves’s book somewhere. No wait, damn it, I lent it to Clean Head. It was a Penguin edition. That’s why I haven’t got it back. You have to watch that girl. She’s very nice and all that but she will steal your Penguin paperbacks. She has a particular weakness for the Penguin Modern Classics series. It’s a character defect.”

Is that not the coolest supporting character quirk that you’ve ever seen?

Minor Spoiler Alert!…and it’s even exploited for the plot at one point!

So, what did I think about The Run-Out Groove?

I like VD, Nevada and the rest of the gang, the mystery was clever, and the reveal at the end was incredibly satisfying.

But…The Run-Out Groove just never grabbed me the way that Written in Dead Wax did. I don’t know if it’s a problem with me, a defect in the book, or what. (glancing at some other readers’ responses suggests that it’s not just me). I enjoyed the novels and was charmed by it and the characters—and I do plan on giving our Nameless Friend at least one more try. But it was a lesser experience.

Lesser, but not a bad one. I enjoyed the whole thing from cover to cover, I chuckled occasionally and appreciated the challenge of staying a step ahead of VD and Nevada (at least until the final pages) when it comes to sussing out the mystery. It’s a fun read and I do recommend it—but grab the first book in the series to really see the appeal.

And I just dare you to try to get through this novel without heading out to shop for some vinyl—whether or not you own a record player (although it’s more fun if you do).

3 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes: Second Verse, Pretty Much Same as the First (and that’s okay)

By HCNewton

On September 29, 2021

In Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller, YA/MG/Children's Books

The Hawthorne Legacy

by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Series: The Inheritance Games, #2

Hardcover, 352 pg.
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2021

Read: September 27-28, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

What’s The Hawthorne Legacy About?

Almost all the puzzles in The Inheritance Games were resolved by the end, just in time for it to introduce a new one in the closing paragraphs. Which is where we pick this up—and it casts a little doubt on some of what we thought was resolved before.

Essentially the core of this book focuses on Avery. Why was she chosen to be Tobias Hawthorne’s heir? What is her connection to the family?

Avery and the brothers (with some assistance from her sister, best friend, and her staff) plunge into this mystery and end up unearthing—and shedding a lot of new light on—Hawthorne family secrets and history.

Also, someone is pretty determined to kill Avery. Somewhere along the way, that should be dealt with, too, right?

Beyond that, it’s pretty near-impossible to talk about the book’s plot without giving everything past page 3 away.

Max

Avery’s best friend, Max, was one of the brightest points in the previous novel—despite her minimal appearance, and I’d hoped that we’d get to see her more in this book.

My wish was granted and we got plenty of Max. It’s the one improvement to The Inheritance Games. She’s just a lot of fun. Thanks to her particular brand of minced oaths and personality—and being one of the few people who don’t assume that their position, money, and privilege will get them what they want in the book—she shines brightly against the rest of the characters.

Also, whatever is going on between her and one of the Hawthorne brothers? I’m digging it. No matter what the next section may indicate.

Young Love

In The Inheritance Games there was a romantic subplot or two right underneath the surface—well, one or two involving Avery, anyway, plus some others. They’re not under the surface anymore. And I frankly couldn’t care less about them.

The novel doesn’t need them, the characters aren’t made more interesting because of them, and the almost-triangle nature of it seems overly stereotypical.

But I know that I’m the statistical outlier for the reader of this book, it wasn’t written for me and my typical tastes. So…take this griping with a giant rock of salt.

So, what did I think about The Hawthorne Legacy?

Bottom Line: If you enjoyed The Inheritance Games, you’re going to like this—it’s more of the same. The two could’ve been one really long book. But thinking of it as “one really long book,” it sounds dull, and it’s anything but that. I guess it’s better to think of it as Season 2 of the series, adding layers or dimensions to the ideas from The Inheritance Games and carrying the storylines forward. It might have been easier to just repost what I said about it with a minor tweak or two than to write something new.

I’m not sure I appreciated it as much as the first book—and a couple of times I sort of rolled my eyes at it, but…there’s something about Barnes’ storytelling that gets under your skin and keeps you turning the pages as fast as you can, you just need to find out what twist is coming next and what will be revealed as a result of it. Compelling feels like a slight understatement.

I think my lack of enthusiasm comes from the way that Barnes showed off all the same tricks in the previous book that she does in this one, so the “discovery” factor isn’t there. So the problem* I have with the book is that I was wowed so much already. She lived up to expectations rather than surpassing them is a really lousy complaint.

* Other than the YA Romance/kind-of-triangle. But that’s just me being a guy way outside the target audience and my inherent immunity to that.

3.5 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.