John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

A sci-fi thriller that examines if humanity would stand a chance against a hostile alien force, Xenome by Vivek Pravat is a terrifying and fast-paced ride. An intrepid biologist finds herself in the heart of a rogue experiment gone wrong, and as secrets from her own past come to light, she must uncover the key to humanity’s survival. Though some of the character development is familiar action fodder, the exposition is richly detailed for science fiction fans, and just the right amount of frightening for a post-pandemic audience willing to suspend their disbelief for an extraordinary premise. With long bursts […]

A gripping pastoral thriller that could easily be a movie or series, The Icehouse by J.J. Richards is a richly developed tale of a murderous specter reappearing from the past. An aging and charmingly out-of-touch detective is pushed to the edge of ethics and emotions when a dormant menace embarks on a deadly spree in the English countryside. The dense writing is deeply nuanced, packed with allusion and detail, summoning a vivid world to life, despite the ominous, slow-burning pace. There are occasional anachronistic or odd words that feel out of place in a UK setting, but overall, the novel […]

Pulled into the crossfire of another deadly conflict from the past, Stephen Grant must switch collars from wedding officiant to efficient warrior to save his friends in For Better, For Worse by Ray Keating. Fueled by a furious desire for revenge, a merciless arms dealer targets the nuptial weekend of two CDM team members, but with a guest list of hardened heroes on hand, it won’t be an easy party to crash. The story hits all the notes of previous installments in the Pastor Stephen Grant series, with a typically ferocious pace, high-tension storytelling, and a spray of breathless action […]