John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

Gritty urban storytelling set against the dramatic and authentically detailed backdrop of World War II, O’Shaughnessy Investigations Inc.: Bangtails, Grifters, and a Liar’s Kiss by A.G. Russo is a savvy work of historical detective fiction. Maeve and Vic are back for another round of high-stakes cases, but rubbing elbows with gangster muscle brings a whole new element of danger to their agency. From hunting down racehorses and outsmarting bookies to moonlighting on missions for the FBI, this second chapter of Russo’s O’Shaughnessy Investigations Inc. series has a wickedly sharp edge that calls back to the greats of the era, but […]

A rowdy work of comic fiction in the satirical spirit of Christoper Moore and Kurt Vonnegut, Ghost of the Alamo by D.R. Capp is a quick-witted descent into the madness of the housing market. Dilly Clapton is a slick salesman perpetually eager to snake a prospect from his bitter rivals, Empire Realty, and in the high-stakes battle for market control, playing dirty is the name of the game. From commode emergencies and eviction schemes to haunted mansions and sneaky sandbagging, nothing is sacred and no deal is certain in this whimsical slice of real estate satire, which hides a sharp […]

A work of bold political fiction that directly reflects today’s headlines, A New Democracy by Karu Sankaralingam is a thought-provoking prophecy about America’s future, and an ominous reminder that society’s interconnected crises are reaching a tipping point. In an era of climate collapse and the crumbling of democratic ideals, three patriotic leaders must navigate their freshly fractured nation and the aftermath of a stolen election. A story of secession and solidarity, with a sobering focus on climate change as our greatest existential threat, this contemporary thriller imagines a different and better world, including a radical guide to get there, for […]

Compassionate, conversational, and potentially life-saving in its simplicity, Why Alcoholics Relapse: The Guardienne Concept by J Guenther, MS is an innovative investigation into one of the world’s most common addictions. Centering on the concept of the “Guardienne” – an intuitive part of our mind that works to reduce harm to ourselves and those around us – this eye-opening read is a mix of theoretical, anatomical, psychological, and experiential insight regarding the cycle of addiction. While the author’s bold proposals may raise some skeptical eyebrows, the book covers vital topics of consciousness, behavior, and recovery that are not widely discussed, from […]

A constable relentlessly struggling to prove her mettle in a man’s world faces off against a dream-wielding psychiatrist in Stranger in the Mind by J.R. Berrywood & S.L. Aspen, a riveting and esoteric work of historical crime fiction. When a mysterious wave of comatose victims strikes 1920s Liverpool, Detective Constable Amelia Dei goes on the hunt for justice, but when a gift of compassion transforms into a fatal curse, she becomes pulled into a surreal nightmare of a case that could end her career or her life. A compelling mixture of historical fiction, mystery, and paranormal thriller, this mind-bending read […]