Editorial Reviews

Blending the thrills and danger of Hollywood’s Golden Age with the visceral vibes of Mardi Gras, Blood at the Bayou by CB Laurence is another well-penned page-turner in the Express Investigations series. When a frightening and theatric serial killer takes aim at the Chateau, the leading lady of this noir-leaning series gets caught up in a sinister family affair. Some of the dialogue is used as heavy-handed exposition, but the plot moves quickly, and the story offers plenty of twists and turns to keep pulp fiction fans on the edge of every page. Though loyal readers to the series will […]

A relatable and character-driven read, Viral Stories by Cameron Dusting takes a poignant look at our modern era of self-obsession, fleeting fame, and increasing disconnection. Setting this story in a hyper-contemporary setting of the Covid pandemic, this novella reflects the shaken foundations that so many have experienced in recent seasons. The language tends towards simplicity, and the descriptive choices are often familiar, but there is an appealing sincerity in the struggle of the core trio of protagonists. Musing on the vulnerabilities exposed by the global pandemic, while also celebrating the wild unpredictability of survival, Dusting delivers a raw and timely […]

Continuing the Legends of Karik series in epic style, Evan Oliver has crafted a masterful tale with Ylmi’s Saga, a femme-driven YA adventure with an unforgettable new hero at the helm. Cast out into the unforgiving wild by a dragon’s petty wrath, Ylmi’s childhood is one of hardship, resilience, and dreams of revenge. When Karik, the hardened hero from Book 1 of this series, arrives as an unlikely ally, Ymli has the chance to begin forging her own story as a legendary warrior and defender of her people. Penned with a clear love of the natural world, a reverence […]

An entrancing and cryptically told financial thriller, As Sure as Death and Taxes by Rush W. Sterling is far from your standard spy fiction. Grave mistakes from a decade ago haunt a financial director whose expertise and ability to survive is tested in the dangerous crucible of spy craft and brinksmanship. While some of the more dense financial and in-depth details may cause readers’ attention to drift, the bursts of action and streams of prose that are both matter-of-fact and creatively visceral will grip readers to the last page. Sterling balances authentic character development with timely subject matter and a […]

Blending domestic scenes with her signature supernatural style, Linda Watkins delivers another addictive read with The Blood of the Viper, the fifth installment of her Kate Pomeroy Mystery series, which never ceases to entertain. Kate faces an ancient evil that has been waiting centuries to mingle with human blood, but she also has a family to protect – a new life that has been nearly denied her one too many times. The tension of action-packed storytelling via fully-developed and nuanced characters makes it hard to stop reading, while the nerve-twisting scenes of gothic horror will thrill loyal fans of […]

A unique and unusual noir thriller by author CB Laurence, Murder at the Mansfield is the first moody installment of the Express Investigations series. When Hollywood’s sweetheart ends up behind bars for alleged murder, it will take a divorce attorney turned investigator with a big heart and a silver tongue to unravel the tangled case. An unlikely team of sleuths diving dangerously deep into the seedy underworld of power, lust, and money, this quick and gritty mystery is escapist fiction at its best. Sharp dialogue pulls readers into the past, while larger-than-life personalities torn from the big screen make this […]

A quick and breezy read for young travelers and nature lovers, Little Squiggle’s Lake Adventure by Laura Smetana and Stirling Hebda, with illustrations by Laura Smetana, is a charming tale of exploration and friendship. As Little Squiggle learns, doing something for the first time can be scary, and things don’t always go according to plan, but taking risks can also deliver exciting rewards. With vivid watercolor illustrations and easy-to-follow language, this is an ideal bedtime story for those just beginning their reading journeys. Though the plot does move quickly, and can sometimes feel abrupt, the lessons are clearly conveyed for […]

Peeling back the psychological curtain of trauma and its devastating impacts, Unknown Assailant by Joanne Doucette is a smart, well-researched, and wildly unpredictable thriller. A keen detective and a no-nonsense psychologist, Beau and Pepper make an electrifying investigative team at the core of this third installment of the Dr. Pepper Hunt Mystery series – their sleuthing savvy is only overshadowed by the undeniable tension that sparks and flashes between them. Pushing past procedural tropes of the genre and diving into thought-provoking narration, Doucette flexes both her storytelling and psychoanalytical skills. Though the narration does far more heavy lifting than the […]