Title – Right to Kill
Author – John Barlow
Genre – Crime Thriller/Murder Mystery
Word Count - 80,000
Rating – 5 stars out of 5
No. 42 - 2022
Posted 10/1/2022
My Impressions: Slow but steady, lots of self-introspection, masterful manipulation of the reader
Main Characters:
Detective Joe Romano – middle age, past his peak, a loner
Detective Rita Scannon – tough, competent, brave but not foolish
Craig Shaw & Jason Beverage – dope dealing scumbags
Joe Romano is a detective sergeant in Leeds, England, with an ex-career, ex-wife and a son away at university. His career stumbled after a stint in France with Interpol and his wife divorcing him for a Frenchman. He spends most of his day on self-introspection while.slogging through mundane assignments chasing missing persons and minor cases no one cares about. Then one of his missing persons is found in his mother’s burned car after he was brutally murdered in a most unusual way. That case thrusts Joe into the role of lead detective.
While interrogating Craig Shaw’s mother for a clue as to why her only son was killed, he feels she is holding information back. He draws close to her as he searches his heart for how he would feel if his only son, Sam, died. Long periods of internal reflection ensue as he and Rita conduct an investigation quickly expanded by the death of another young man, this time a nineteen-year-old low life drug dealer, rapist, thief.
Several prime suspects emerge, and Joe follows up with one of several women he meets and is attracted to.
When the murderer finally confesses and is apprehend, the plot takes another turn and is off and running again.
The editing & sentence structure are professional grade.
Character development is thorough and almost overdone with Joe
Details and research paint a vivid picture of English countryside and people
The plot is detailed and has a surprise in-store, so pay attention.
The writing style is typically slow but heavily detailed English writing. I liked it.
The story has a lot of English terms and slang I didn't know: like busker and mangle.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – John Barlow
Genre – Crime Thriller/Murder Mystery
Word Count - 80,000
Rating – 5 stars out of 5
No. 42 - 2022
Posted 10/1/2022
My Impressions: Slow but steady, lots of self-introspection, masterful manipulation of the reader
Main Characters:
Detective Joe Romano – middle age, past his peak, a loner
Detective Rita Scannon – tough, competent, brave but not foolish
Craig Shaw & Jason Beverage – dope dealing scumbags
Joe Romano is a detective sergeant in Leeds, England, with an ex-career, ex-wife and a son away at university. His career stumbled after a stint in France with Interpol and his wife divorcing him for a Frenchman. He spends most of his day on self-introspection while.slogging through mundane assignments chasing missing persons and minor cases no one cares about. Then one of his missing persons is found in his mother’s burned car after he was brutally murdered in a most unusual way. That case thrusts Joe into the role of lead detective.
While interrogating Craig Shaw’s mother for a clue as to why her only son was killed, he feels she is holding information back. He draws close to her as he searches his heart for how he would feel if his only son, Sam, died. Long periods of internal reflection ensue as he and Rita conduct an investigation quickly expanded by the death of another young man, this time a nineteen-year-old low life drug dealer, rapist, thief.
Several prime suspects emerge, and Joe follows up with one of several women he meets and is attracted to.
When the murderer finally confesses and is apprehend, the plot takes another turn and is off and running again.
The editing & sentence structure are professional grade.
Character development is thorough and almost overdone with Joe
Details and research paint a vivid picture of English countryside and people
The plot is detailed and has a surprise in-store, so pay attention.
The writing style is typically slow but heavily detailed English writing. I liked it.
The story has a lot of English terms and slang I didn't know: like busker and mangle.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Title – Team Avenging Angel
Author – Charles S. Isaacs
Genre – Crime Thriller
Word Count - 101,000
Rating – 5 stars out of 5
No. 41 - 2022
Posted 9/23/2022
My Impressions: Violent vigilante justice dispensed mainly by women.
Main Characters:
Cassandra ‘Cassie’ Monroe – Twenty-five Y.O.
Mike Borelli – Private Eye- ex-cop. 35
Dante Washington – Cassie’s mentor, physical instructor.
Amy Dawson and Rita – Team members
Jennifer Scott – Team Member
Jerry O’Bannon - Detective
Pete Fanelli – Detective
Tom Whitman – Psychopathic killer
Many more support characters and antagonist.
1976 Brooklyn, New York.
Cassie was born in the south and was raped by three Ku Klux Klansmen when she was twelve. Her father moved her to New York City where she excelled in learning martial arts. After going south for a short spell for vigilante justice she began to ambush muggers, rapist, and killers preying on women. She met and fell in love with P.I. Mike Borelli, a tough ex-cop. Mike is curious why two detectives, O’Bannon and Fanelli keep trying to pin the murder of a serial killer on him.
The story follows the Avenging Angel team, four women and two men, through one tough scrape after another as they dispense their version of justice. The story is violent and mostly about individuals attacking single women jogging in parks.
While practicing for a tough role she is about to engage in Cassie learns inner fears and values deep within herself. When she is captured by seven killer thugs and is being tortured for information, the rest of the team and reinforcements arrive to save her.
I enjoyed this story and recommend it for readers who like rough, violent characters who are really heroes with a heart. There is infrequent cursing and talk of sex but nothing graphic.
The editing & sentence structure are mostly good.
Character development is detailed and consistent.
Details & research are adequate where needed.
The plot is involved and complex as the Team goes after criminals
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – Charles S. Isaacs
Genre – Crime Thriller
Word Count - 101,000
Rating – 5 stars out of 5
No. 41 - 2022
Posted 9/23/2022
My Impressions: Violent vigilante justice dispensed mainly by women.
Main Characters:
Cassandra ‘Cassie’ Monroe – Twenty-five Y.O.
Mike Borelli – Private Eye- ex-cop. 35
Dante Washington – Cassie’s mentor, physical instructor.
Amy Dawson and Rita – Team members
Jennifer Scott – Team Member
Jerry O’Bannon - Detective
Pete Fanelli – Detective
Tom Whitman – Psychopathic killer
Many more support characters and antagonist.
1976 Brooklyn, New York.
Cassie was born in the south and was raped by three Ku Klux Klansmen when she was twelve. Her father moved her to New York City where she excelled in learning martial arts. After going south for a short spell for vigilante justice she began to ambush muggers, rapist, and killers preying on women. She met and fell in love with P.I. Mike Borelli, a tough ex-cop. Mike is curious why two detectives, O’Bannon and Fanelli keep trying to pin the murder of a serial killer on him.
The story follows the Avenging Angel team, four women and two men, through one tough scrape after another as they dispense their version of justice. The story is violent and mostly about individuals attacking single women jogging in parks.
While practicing for a tough role she is about to engage in Cassie learns inner fears and values deep within herself. When she is captured by seven killer thugs and is being tortured for information, the rest of the team and reinforcements arrive to save her.
I enjoyed this story and recommend it for readers who like rough, violent characters who are really heroes with a heart. There is infrequent cursing and talk of sex but nothing graphic.
The editing & sentence structure are mostly good.
Character development is detailed and consistent.
Details & research are adequate where needed.
The plot is involved and complex as the Team goes after criminals
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Title – The Murderer's Wife
Author – Daralyse Lyons
Genre – Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
184 Amazon Pages
Rating 5 stars out of 5
Posted 9/16/2022/2018
No 40-2022
My Impressions: Gruesome, love story, unexpected twist at the end.
Main Characters:
Laura Cutty – The Murder's Wife.
Thomas Cutty – The murderer.
Detective Condoleezza Barge – homicide detective.
Thomas and Laura Cutty are an outstandingly attractive couple; she a petite' beautiful blonde and he a tall, muscular and ruggedly handsome male animal. They are lovers in the purest sense of the word.
Laura Cutty knows her husband is a serial murderer and supports him in the acts. Not because she approves of his murdering ways, but because she loves him and accept he is doing good things even if society would not agree. She has an untenable relationship with her two living parents; she should ask Thomas to deal with them but doesn't.
Thomas Cutty is a man driven to kill. but he is selective in choosing his victims. They must be abusive to their wives or children to draw his attention. Simply cheating on a wife is not enough reason for them to die. He lived in and abusive household and saw his mother beaten daily until he took action.
Of course, after many years of murdering and a string of twenty plus vigilante killings it has to come to a head.
Enter Detective Barge and her partner. There is no evidence pointing to the serial killer, but during her investigation she meets Thomas. She is infatuated with him and makes excuses to be near him.
The ending is imaginative and was a total surprise.
The overall editing of The Murderer's Wife is exceptional.
Character development is detailed and paints a clear picture of individual's strengths and weaknesses.
The details in the story are adequate.
The plot is witty and original.
The writing style is crisp and displays the characters emotions well.
There are mildly detailed sexual situations, but they're not graphic.
I enjoyed The Murder's Wife and highly recommend it.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – Daralyse Lyons
Genre – Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
184 Amazon Pages
Rating 5 stars out of 5
Posted 9/16/2022/2018
No 40-2022
My Impressions: Gruesome, love story, unexpected twist at the end.
Main Characters:
Laura Cutty – The Murder's Wife.
Thomas Cutty – The murderer.
Detective Condoleezza Barge – homicide detective.
Thomas and Laura Cutty are an outstandingly attractive couple; she a petite' beautiful blonde and he a tall, muscular and ruggedly handsome male animal. They are lovers in the purest sense of the word.
Laura Cutty knows her husband is a serial murderer and supports him in the acts. Not because she approves of his murdering ways, but because she loves him and accept he is doing good things even if society would not agree. She has an untenable relationship with her two living parents; she should ask Thomas to deal with them but doesn't.
Thomas Cutty is a man driven to kill. but he is selective in choosing his victims. They must be abusive to their wives or children to draw his attention. Simply cheating on a wife is not enough reason for them to die. He lived in and abusive household and saw his mother beaten daily until he took action.
Of course, after many years of murdering and a string of twenty plus vigilante killings it has to come to a head.
Enter Detective Barge and her partner. There is no evidence pointing to the serial killer, but during her investigation she meets Thomas. She is infatuated with him and makes excuses to be near him.
The ending is imaginative and was a total surprise.
The overall editing of The Murderer's Wife is exceptional.
Character development is detailed and paints a clear picture of individual's strengths and weaknesses.
The details in the story are adequate.
The plot is witty and original.
The writing style is crisp and displays the characters emotions well.
There are mildly detailed sexual situations, but they're not graphic.
I enjoyed The Murder's Wife and highly recommend it.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Title – Deadly Odds 5.0
Author – Allen Wyler
Genre – Techno Thriller
Word Count - 78,000
Rating – 4 stars out of 5
No. 34 –2022
Posted 9/9/2022
My Impressions: Arnold, a nerdy geek who speaks baby talk to his dog and girlfriend, well written.
Main Characters:
Arnold Gold – IT geek
Palmer Davidson – Defense Lawyer
Rachel Weinstein – Arnold’s girlfriend
Carlos Lopez – Victim
Ramesh Singh – Accomplished hacker, antagonist
Chance – Arnold’s dog
Arnold and Rachel have issues because he has IT offices in Honolulu, Hawaii, and Seattle, Washington. She doesn’t want him to be away from Hawaii overnight. He’s a wimp and she is a whiner. He speaks ‘baby talk’ to his dog and his girlfriend. I felt they should divorce before considering marriage.
Arnold signs onto a job to uncover evidence to prove Palmer Davidson’s client, Carlos Lopez, is innocent of crimes he is accused of.
Quickly, Arnold draws the ire of the hacker framing Carlos, and he and his business are targeted in what becomes a war of high-level computer geeks.
When hacker Ramesh Singh breaks into Arnold’s home, Chance attacks and bites him on the arm providing evidence that Ramesh is behind framing Carlos for the crimes he didn’t commit.
If readers are versed on computer equipment and hacking, they should love this story.
The editing and sentence structure are good except for missing and misspelled words and comma issues scattered throughout.
Character Development is good for all main characters.
Details and research are full of technical computer terms
The plot is unusual and unfolds at a slow pace as Arnold figures out who the antagonist is.
There is occasional hardcore cursing but no graphic sex.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – Allen Wyler
Genre – Techno Thriller
Word Count - 78,000
Rating – 4 stars out of 5
No. 34 –2022
Posted 9/9/2022
My Impressions: Arnold, a nerdy geek who speaks baby talk to his dog and girlfriend, well written.
Main Characters:
Arnold Gold – IT geek
Palmer Davidson – Defense Lawyer
Rachel Weinstein – Arnold’s girlfriend
Carlos Lopez – Victim
Ramesh Singh – Accomplished hacker, antagonist
Chance – Arnold’s dog
Arnold and Rachel have issues because he has IT offices in Honolulu, Hawaii, and Seattle, Washington. She doesn’t want him to be away from Hawaii overnight. He’s a wimp and she is a whiner. He speaks ‘baby talk’ to his dog and his girlfriend. I felt they should divorce before considering marriage.
Arnold signs onto a job to uncover evidence to prove Palmer Davidson’s client, Carlos Lopez, is innocent of crimes he is accused of.
Quickly, Arnold draws the ire of the hacker framing Carlos, and he and his business are targeted in what becomes a war of high-level computer geeks.
When hacker Ramesh Singh breaks into Arnold’s home, Chance attacks and bites him on the arm providing evidence that Ramesh is behind framing Carlos for the crimes he didn’t commit.
If readers are versed on computer equipment and hacking, they should love this story.
The editing and sentence structure are good except for missing and misspelled words and comma issues scattered throughout.
Character Development is good for all main characters.
Details and research are full of technical computer terms
The plot is unusual and unfolds at a slow pace as Arnold figures out who the antagonist is.
There is occasional hardcore cursing but no graphic sex.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Title – In Search of Valor
Author – Gary Corbin
Genre – Mystery/Amateur Sleuth
Word Count - 33,000
Rating – 4 stars out of 5
No. 33 - 2022
Posted 9/1/2022
My Impressions: suspenseful, well written, fresh plot
Main Characters:
Valory Dawes – College criminal studies student 18 Y.O.
Rhonda LeMieux – Valory’s college friend, unmarried mother, Jamaican
Jada – 18 month old kidnapped infant.
Tanisha Jordan – Detective, 35 Y.O.
Marty Rizzo – Jada’s father.
Issac Lewis – Antagonist.
Valory Dawes aims to become a police officer after college. She and Rhonda team up for a class project and meet one morning to discuss it. Rhonda is late picking Jada up from childcare where she learns her mother has already picked the baby up; but there’s a problem. Rhonda’s mother died a year ago. Detective Jordan enters and takes the lead in the disappearance. In fits of anger and terror, Rhonda lashes out at everyone; she suspects Jada’s father of staging the abduction but has no proof.
Finally, under harsh questioning, she remembers another man she dated only once several months ago. The story picks up speed then and Valory agrees to become bait to draw the kidnapper into the open after she caught him stalking her. That goes awry and she is captured by the psychopath.
In Search of Valor is an intense, interesting read, and I recommend it.
The editing and sentence structure are good.
Character Development is good for the main characters.
Details and research are adequate.
The plot has a fresh twist with a kidnapping for child trafficking.
Tanisha must have gotten a ‘sad’ one hour paint job because her rust colored Dodge suddenly turned Blue.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – Gary Corbin
Genre – Mystery/Amateur Sleuth
Word Count - 33,000
Rating – 4 stars out of 5
No. 33 - 2022
Posted 9/1/2022
My Impressions: suspenseful, well written, fresh plot
Main Characters:
Valory Dawes – College criminal studies student 18 Y.O.
Rhonda LeMieux – Valory’s college friend, unmarried mother, Jamaican
Jada – 18 month old kidnapped infant.
Tanisha Jordan – Detective, 35 Y.O.
Marty Rizzo – Jada’s father.
Issac Lewis – Antagonist.
Valory Dawes aims to become a police officer after college. She and Rhonda team up for a class project and meet one morning to discuss it. Rhonda is late picking Jada up from childcare where she learns her mother has already picked the baby up; but there’s a problem. Rhonda’s mother died a year ago. Detective Jordan enters and takes the lead in the disappearance. In fits of anger and terror, Rhonda lashes out at everyone; she suspects Jada’s father of staging the abduction but has no proof.
Finally, under harsh questioning, she remembers another man she dated only once several months ago. The story picks up speed then and Valory agrees to become bait to draw the kidnapper into the open after she caught him stalking her. That goes awry and she is captured by the psychopath.
In Search of Valor is an intense, interesting read, and I recommend it.
The editing and sentence structure are good.
Character Development is good for the main characters.
Details and research are adequate.
The plot has a fresh twist with a kidnapping for child trafficking.
Tanisha must have gotten a ‘sad’ one hour paint job because her rust colored Dodge suddenly turned Blue.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Title – The Alicanto
Author – Amadeo Alcacer
Genre – Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
Word Count – 60,300
Rating 5 stars out of 5
Posted 8/27/2022
No. 37 - 2022
My Impressions: Dark, gritty, violent, two major plot surprises.
Main Characters:
Detective Diego Alandia – Chilean detective loaned to Argentina to chase the Alicanto.
The Alicanto – a psychopathic serial killer who murders and mutilates beautiful young women.
Vera Nalcotinez - Newspaper reporter in Buenos Aries, Argentina
Captain Marquez Pedro - Head of the Alicanto investigation in Buenos Aries.
Detective Ivo Matich – Diego's partner and best friend.
Colonel Daniel Anuncio – Diego's superior officer and eventual father-in-law.
The story moves between Santiago, Chile and Buenos Aries, Argentina.
The tone of the story is dark and gritty.
As a young army recruit, Diego Alandia served in the Chilean army during the reign of General Augusto Pionochet. He had the job of interrogating suspected enemies of the regime using torture if necessary. Having reservations over the treatment of some victims, he balked at killing a man and was eventually kicked out of the army. His future father-in-law, Lieutenant Daniel Anuncio secured Diego a job as a policeman in Santiago. He was good at the job and rose to the position of detective. But his dark past made him an emotional wreck.
After working on the case of two prostitutes who were murdered and mutilated, he was requested by the Argentinean police to assist with the serial killing of young women that were similar to those he and Ivo worked.
Diego is a crooked cop who steals money, drinks excessively and cheats on his wife with prostitutes.
The Alicanto is a Chilean psychopath with deep, dark secrets instilled about the same time Diego was in the army.
His early life was a horror story that no twelve-year-old child should have been forced to endure.
Editing of this story is nearly perfect and sentence structure is good considering the main character is Chilean and speaks broken English.
Development of the main characters is thorough. A clear picture is painted of each main player
Details are broad brushed with few specifics. But they are enough to carry the story.
Research of the Chilean regime during the span of the story is evident.
The plot is dark, gritty, twisted and full of surprises.
The writing style is a bit wordy due to the translation to English and relies on the emotional aspect of the characters which is presented in great detail.
The story contains cursing, talk of torture, and hints of sexual intercourse. None of these are graphic.
Diego Alandia's portion of the Alicanto is presented as a person who's first language is Spanish speaking in non-native English. The Alicanto's portion is much easier to follow.
I was swept up in The Alicanto and highly recommend it. But be assured it is not your typical crime story; it provides insight into two different characters with surprising similarities.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – Amadeo Alcacer
Genre – Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
Word Count – 60,300
Rating 5 stars out of 5
Posted 8/27/2022
No. 37 - 2022
My Impressions: Dark, gritty, violent, two major plot surprises.
Main Characters:
Detective Diego Alandia – Chilean detective loaned to Argentina to chase the Alicanto.
The Alicanto – a psychopathic serial killer who murders and mutilates beautiful young women.
Vera Nalcotinez - Newspaper reporter in Buenos Aries, Argentina
Captain Marquez Pedro - Head of the Alicanto investigation in Buenos Aries.
Detective Ivo Matich – Diego's partner and best friend.
Colonel Daniel Anuncio – Diego's superior officer and eventual father-in-law.
The story moves between Santiago, Chile and Buenos Aries, Argentina.
The tone of the story is dark and gritty.
As a young army recruit, Diego Alandia served in the Chilean army during the reign of General Augusto Pionochet. He had the job of interrogating suspected enemies of the regime using torture if necessary. Having reservations over the treatment of some victims, he balked at killing a man and was eventually kicked out of the army. His future father-in-law, Lieutenant Daniel Anuncio secured Diego a job as a policeman in Santiago. He was good at the job and rose to the position of detective. But his dark past made him an emotional wreck.
After working on the case of two prostitutes who were murdered and mutilated, he was requested by the Argentinean police to assist with the serial killing of young women that were similar to those he and Ivo worked.
Diego is a crooked cop who steals money, drinks excessively and cheats on his wife with prostitutes.
The Alicanto is a Chilean psychopath with deep, dark secrets instilled about the same time Diego was in the army.
His early life was a horror story that no twelve-year-old child should have been forced to endure.
Editing of this story is nearly perfect and sentence structure is good considering the main character is Chilean and speaks broken English.
Development of the main characters is thorough. A clear picture is painted of each main player
Details are broad brushed with few specifics. But they are enough to carry the story.
Research of the Chilean regime during the span of the story is evident.
The plot is dark, gritty, twisted and full of surprises.
The writing style is a bit wordy due to the translation to English and relies on the emotional aspect of the characters which is presented in great detail.
The story contains cursing, talk of torture, and hints of sexual intercourse. None of these are graphic.
Diego Alandia's portion of the Alicanto is presented as a person who's first language is Spanish speaking in non-native English. The Alicanto's portion is much easier to follow.
I was swept up in The Alicanto and highly recommend it. But be assured it is not your typical crime story; it provides insight into two different characters with surprising similarities.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Title – The Telltale Tattoo
Author – John L. DeBoer
Genre – Thriller
272 Amazon Pages
Rating 5 stars out of 5
Posted 8/19/2022
No. 36 - 2022
My Impressions: murder, coverup, infidelity,
Main Characters:
Clay Archer – ex-soldier, detective.
Renee Taggart – Vince Taggart's wife and Clay's girlfriend.
Vince Taggart – ex-soldier, murderer, hedge fund manager running a Ponzi scheme.
Michael Gregory – ex-soldier, Vince's friend.
Nguyen Chinh – Vietnamese child who witnessed his mother's murder.
A murder witnessed by a six-year-old Vietnamese boy becomes his mission in life to find the American soldier who killed his mother. He remembers vividly a unique tattoo on the soldier's arm. The story moves easily between Vietnam, Malaysia, Washington D.C., Pennsylvania, Florida, and Bimini.
Clay Archer is hired by Renee Taggart to gather evidence for her to divorce her wealthy husband, Vince Taggart. Gradually Clay is drawn into a much more serious case when he delves into Vince's war record and then meets Nguyen Chinh.
The main groups involved are the FBI, Mafia thugs and assassins, and Clay Archer.
There is abundant romance with sexual situations but no graphicly detailed hump and pump actions.
The story is a careful and skillful crafting of intrigue and conflict. The character descriptions are detailed and weave a clear picture of each one.
The editing is exemplary. I only found one wrong word used.
The plot is complex with many traps set and escapes made.
The writing style is fast paced and involves characters from good and honest to thieving and murderous.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Telltale Tattoo and highly recommend it.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – John L. DeBoer
Genre – Thriller
272 Amazon Pages
Rating 5 stars out of 5
Posted 8/19/2022
No. 36 - 2022
My Impressions: murder, coverup, infidelity,
Main Characters:
Clay Archer – ex-soldier, detective.
Renee Taggart – Vince Taggart's wife and Clay's girlfriend.
Vince Taggart – ex-soldier, murderer, hedge fund manager running a Ponzi scheme.
Michael Gregory – ex-soldier, Vince's friend.
Nguyen Chinh – Vietnamese child who witnessed his mother's murder.
A murder witnessed by a six-year-old Vietnamese boy becomes his mission in life to find the American soldier who killed his mother. He remembers vividly a unique tattoo on the soldier's arm. The story moves easily between Vietnam, Malaysia, Washington D.C., Pennsylvania, Florida, and Bimini.
Clay Archer is hired by Renee Taggart to gather evidence for her to divorce her wealthy husband, Vince Taggart. Gradually Clay is drawn into a much more serious case when he delves into Vince's war record and then meets Nguyen Chinh.
The main groups involved are the FBI, Mafia thugs and assassins, and Clay Archer.
There is abundant romance with sexual situations but no graphicly detailed hump and pump actions.
The story is a careful and skillful crafting of intrigue and conflict. The character descriptions are detailed and weave a clear picture of each one.
The editing is exemplary. I only found one wrong word used.
The plot is complex with many traps set and escapes made.
The writing style is fast paced and involves characters from good and honest to thieving and murderous.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Telltale Tattoo and highly recommend it.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Title – Up and up
Author – Erik Sturm
Genre – Gritty Crime
Words 57,220
Rating 4 stars out of 5
Posted 8/12/2022
No. 35 - 2022
My Impressions: Grim, harsh, vulgar.
Main Characters:
Rake/Chris – Transforms from nerdy teenager to investment banker.
Helene – Love interest of Rake and Cezek
Cezek – Sociopathic character who rises to be a wealthy property mogul.
Stacie – One of the groups teenaged friends.
Seth – One of the groups teenaged friends.
The story is set in Plumstead and London, England. In addition to the Gritty Crime genre selected by the author, I will add Coming of Age. The teenaged characters hang out together and share or hide their inner secrets and fears. Living close together seems to be the catalyst for their staying together, because they are a diverse group who constantly bickers and derides each other. Rake is the most normal of the group and Cezek is a total oddball with a deadly temper. Helene is an emotional wreck who chases after a man who is emotionally unstable and can't commit to her. Those three are the main characters throughout the story.
After the group separates to moves on to adult jobs, they drift apart and only meet sporadically on whims. When the financial crisis of 2008 hits, the group is impacted in unexpected ways that lead to the story's explosive conclusion.
The editing and sentence structure are exceptionally well done with minor exceptions.
Character Development is good for the three main characters and acceptable for others depending on the importance of their role.
Details are satisfactory.
The plot is unusual but interesting
There are several continuity issues but they are minor.
The story is a bit slow paced at first as the group's relationships are established and individual quirks, weaknesses and dark sides are developed. I enjoyed the story and recommend it to readers not turned off by excessive use of the’ ‘F word and sexual situations.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – Erik Sturm
Genre – Gritty Crime
Words 57,220
Rating 4 stars out of 5
Posted 8/12/2022
No. 35 - 2022
My Impressions: Grim, harsh, vulgar.
Main Characters:
Rake/Chris – Transforms from nerdy teenager to investment banker.
Helene – Love interest of Rake and Cezek
Cezek – Sociopathic character who rises to be a wealthy property mogul.
Stacie – One of the groups teenaged friends.
Seth – One of the groups teenaged friends.
The story is set in Plumstead and London, England. In addition to the Gritty Crime genre selected by the author, I will add Coming of Age. The teenaged characters hang out together and share or hide their inner secrets and fears. Living close together seems to be the catalyst for their staying together, because they are a diverse group who constantly bickers and derides each other. Rake is the most normal of the group and Cezek is a total oddball with a deadly temper. Helene is an emotional wreck who chases after a man who is emotionally unstable and can't commit to her. Those three are the main characters throughout the story.
After the group separates to moves on to adult jobs, they drift apart and only meet sporadically on whims. When the financial crisis of 2008 hits, the group is impacted in unexpected ways that lead to the story's explosive conclusion.
The editing and sentence structure are exceptionally well done with minor exceptions.
Character Development is good for the three main characters and acceptable for others depending on the importance of their role.
Details are satisfactory.
The plot is unusual but interesting
There are several continuity issues but they are minor.
The story is a bit slow paced at first as the group's relationships are established and individual quirks, weaknesses and dark sides are developed. I enjoyed the story and recommend it to readers not turned off by excessive use of the’ ‘F word and sexual situations.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Title – Regardless of the Consequences
Author – Larry D. Lauritzen
Genre – Mystery Thriller
Word Count - 92,000
Rating – Four stars out of five
No. 32 - 2022
Posted 8/5/2022
My Impressions: Insightful tale of Native American living between to societies.
Main Characters:
Lance Tallbear – Native American sheriff’s deputy
Gray Eagle- Apache shaman, grandfather
Tommy Hawk – Young Apache half breed trying to adjust to the White world
Tom Kane – Corrupt CIA agent
Brad Henley – Washed up drunken FBI agent
General Harmon – Corrupt but patriotic string puller.
Sheriff Lance (like a native spear?) Tallbear is pulled into two murders that occurred seventy years ago. The mystery takes him from Arizona to California and involves thievery in Germany’s World War II Nazi government. When Tommy Hawk (tomahawk?) finds an old, crashed DE Havilland DH91 Albatross airplane, circa 1930s, on Arizona’s Superstition Mountain, Tallbear tackles a case seventy years old. After Tommy is caught with jewelry he took from the plane, Tallbear wonders what other secrets the boy might be concealing from him. When the FBI, CIA, and an old, retired army general get involved he has his hands full. Soon people involved in the case start being murdered as Tallbear searches for evidence
CIA agent Thomas Kane requests a drunken burnout FBI agent to assist him to investigate the case he claims is linked to national security. He and Henley served together in the CIA during Desert Storm. Henley transferred to the FBI after that. Tallbear can’t work with the inept and drunk FBI agent Henley, so he uses his shaman skills to dry him out in a Native American ritual.
The story is fast paced, and I recommend it.
The editing and sentence structure need lots of work.
Character development is detailed.
Details and research are full and descriptive
The plot is unique as Tallbear endeavors to trap a killer but is focused on the wrong one.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – Larry D. Lauritzen
Genre – Mystery Thriller
Word Count - 92,000
Rating – Four stars out of five
No. 32 - 2022
Posted 8/5/2022
My Impressions: Insightful tale of Native American living between to societies.
Main Characters:
Lance Tallbear – Native American sheriff’s deputy
Gray Eagle- Apache shaman, grandfather
Tommy Hawk – Young Apache half breed trying to adjust to the White world
Tom Kane – Corrupt CIA agent
Brad Henley – Washed up drunken FBI agent
General Harmon – Corrupt but patriotic string puller.
Sheriff Lance (like a native spear?) Tallbear is pulled into two murders that occurred seventy years ago. The mystery takes him from Arizona to California and involves thievery in Germany’s World War II Nazi government. When Tommy Hawk (tomahawk?) finds an old, crashed DE Havilland DH91 Albatross airplane, circa 1930s, on Arizona’s Superstition Mountain, Tallbear tackles a case seventy years old. After Tommy is caught with jewelry he took from the plane, Tallbear wonders what other secrets the boy might be concealing from him. When the FBI, CIA, and an old, retired army general get involved he has his hands full. Soon people involved in the case start being murdered as Tallbear searches for evidence
CIA agent Thomas Kane requests a drunken burnout FBI agent to assist him to investigate the case he claims is linked to national security. He and Henley served together in the CIA during Desert Storm. Henley transferred to the FBI after that. Tallbear can’t work with the inept and drunk FBI agent Henley, so he uses his shaman skills to dry him out in a Native American ritual.
The story is fast paced, and I recommend it.
The editing and sentence structure need lots of work.
Character development is detailed.
Details and research are full and descriptive
The plot is unique as Tallbear endeavors to trap a killer but is focused on the wrong one.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Title – Yellow Jacket
Author – Fred Wescura
Genre – Political mystery
Word Count – 61,900
Rating – Four stars out of five
No. 31 - 2022
Posted 7/29/2022
My Impressions: Interesting story of murder by a redneck sociopath, but a political hit piece on conservatives.
Main Characters:
Ernest Milanova – High school student
Gus Milanova – Ernest’s grandfather
Dick Weslowski – Florida detective.
Katie Johnson - Detective
Nate Hudson – Detective.
Mac Nagle – Detective.
Heath Hemley – Low life white supremist idiot.
Several storylines at the opening evolve into the main plot. All involve illegal use of firearms. In the main plot a redneck sociopath foolishly acts out the rants of several of his buddies in a radical right organization. In attacking a young rapper, the group feels targeted them for ridicule, the shooter involves several people before he sprays bullets into a car with four passengers. His target is hit as well as the target’s girlfriend. The eighteen-year-old driver is fatally shot. The fourth person was just entering the car, heard the initial shots, and dove to the ground and escaped harm. When the shooting stopped, he looked at the speeding car turning a corner and saw the shooter and a strange looking gun as it was pulled back.
In a bizarre turn of events, the shooter, Heath, and the witness, Ernest, run into each other nine hundred miles away. Heath is an idiot and captures Ernest because he is trespassing and confines him in a cellar. Heath doesn’t fully recognize Ernest as the witness. Then he decides to hold the boy and extract a ransom for his return.
When Ernest is missing, Gus enlist Forest Rangers to search for him. Eventually a shoot out develops with the Rangers, FBI agents, State Police, and Sheriff’s deputies confronting the radical white supremist group.
The story is intense and fast paced.
The writer is a far-left antigun proponent who advocates confiscation of all firearms. He expresses his own personal low opinion of all conservatives with sweeping generalities that are false.
Editing is good, some sentence structures need reorganizing.
Character development is adequate for the main characters.
Details and research are one sided to praise liberal views and condemn conservatives.
The plot delves into crime issues prevalent in today's major cities.
The writing style is simplistic and stiff. Conjunctions are needed to reflect the natural way most people speak.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – Fred Wescura
Genre – Political mystery
Word Count – 61,900
Rating – Four stars out of five
No. 31 - 2022
Posted 7/29/2022
My Impressions: Interesting story of murder by a redneck sociopath, but a political hit piece on conservatives.
Main Characters:
Ernest Milanova – High school student
Gus Milanova – Ernest’s grandfather
Dick Weslowski – Florida detective.
Katie Johnson - Detective
Nate Hudson – Detective.
Mac Nagle – Detective.
Heath Hemley – Low life white supremist idiot.
Several storylines at the opening evolve into the main plot. All involve illegal use of firearms. In the main plot a redneck sociopath foolishly acts out the rants of several of his buddies in a radical right organization. In attacking a young rapper, the group feels targeted them for ridicule, the shooter involves several people before he sprays bullets into a car with four passengers. His target is hit as well as the target’s girlfriend. The eighteen-year-old driver is fatally shot. The fourth person was just entering the car, heard the initial shots, and dove to the ground and escaped harm. When the shooting stopped, he looked at the speeding car turning a corner and saw the shooter and a strange looking gun as it was pulled back.
In a bizarre turn of events, the shooter, Heath, and the witness, Ernest, run into each other nine hundred miles away. Heath is an idiot and captures Ernest because he is trespassing and confines him in a cellar. Heath doesn’t fully recognize Ernest as the witness. Then he decides to hold the boy and extract a ransom for his return.
When Ernest is missing, Gus enlist Forest Rangers to search for him. Eventually a shoot out develops with the Rangers, FBI agents, State Police, and Sheriff’s deputies confronting the radical white supremist group.
The story is intense and fast paced.
The writer is a far-left antigun proponent who advocates confiscation of all firearms. He expresses his own personal low opinion of all conservatives with sweeping generalities that are false.
Editing is good, some sentence structures need reorganizing.
Character development is adequate for the main characters.
Details and research are one sided to praise liberal views and condemn conservatives.
The plot delves into crime issues prevalent in today's major cities.
The writing style is simplistic and stiff. Conjunctions are needed to reflect the natural way most people speak.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Title – Shout the Battle Cry of Freedom
Author – K. M. Breakey
Genre – Political Fiction
Word Count - 100,000
Rating – Five stars out of five
No. 30 - 2022
Posted 7/22/2022
My Impressions: Good story reflecting todays social upheaval.
Main Characters:
Tom Baker – Senator/President
Sophia Gabor/Baker – Reporter, Toms wife
Ivar Polsen – Radical socialist out to destroy and change the USA to socialism.
Geroy Jenkins – Black activist
Noah Hughes – Billionaire tech genius.
John Smith – John Smith, rebellion general
The story is a reflection of what is happening daily in our world society. It’s bigger than just the deplorable conditions of Joe Biden’s ruining of America.
Tom Baker is a football hero turned US Senator. After one term he is unseated in the same scam election of 2020. He drops his girlfriend because she is a phony. Then he meets beautiful, intelligent Sophia Gabor. Tom is an outspoken conservative and draws the ire of the political and media left. He finds friends in fellow conservatives Noah Hughes and John Smith. Smith has infiltrated the radical socialist left and they believe the hardcore conservative ex-military men he has corralled in camps are there for the left authorities to arrest when they’re ready. Hughes is a tech genius billionaire. The characters reflect the current time truthfully and shine a light on the leftist lies being told.
In the meantime, Geroy Jenkins is stirring the Black radicals to violence while radical socialist Ivar Polsen pulls his strings and enjoys raping fourteen-year-old-virgins.
Eventually conservatives win out and the socialist are killed or sent packing.
Editing and sentence structure are good with minor exceptions.
Character development is in depth for main characters
Details and research are adequate.
The plot is derived directly from today’s headlines of social unrest and potential socialism run amuck.
There is cursing and ‘Nigga’ is used extensively in Black ghetto talk.
I recommend this read for conservatives and open-minded people. Staunch liberals will hate it.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – K. M. Breakey
Genre – Political Fiction
Word Count - 100,000
Rating – Five stars out of five
No. 30 - 2022
Posted 7/22/2022
My Impressions: Good story reflecting todays social upheaval.
Main Characters:
Tom Baker – Senator/President
Sophia Gabor/Baker – Reporter, Toms wife
Ivar Polsen – Radical socialist out to destroy and change the USA to socialism.
Geroy Jenkins – Black activist
Noah Hughes – Billionaire tech genius.
John Smith – John Smith, rebellion general
The story is a reflection of what is happening daily in our world society. It’s bigger than just the deplorable conditions of Joe Biden’s ruining of America.
Tom Baker is a football hero turned US Senator. After one term he is unseated in the same scam election of 2020. He drops his girlfriend because she is a phony. Then he meets beautiful, intelligent Sophia Gabor. Tom is an outspoken conservative and draws the ire of the political and media left. He finds friends in fellow conservatives Noah Hughes and John Smith. Smith has infiltrated the radical socialist left and they believe the hardcore conservative ex-military men he has corralled in camps are there for the left authorities to arrest when they’re ready. Hughes is a tech genius billionaire. The characters reflect the current time truthfully and shine a light on the leftist lies being told.
In the meantime, Geroy Jenkins is stirring the Black radicals to violence while radical socialist Ivar Polsen pulls his strings and enjoys raping fourteen-year-old-virgins.
Eventually conservatives win out and the socialist are killed or sent packing.
Editing and sentence structure are good with minor exceptions.
Character development is in depth for main characters
Details and research are adequate.
The plot is derived directly from today’s headlines of social unrest and potential socialism run amuck.
There is cursing and ‘Nigga’ is used extensively in Black ghetto talk.
I recommend this read for conservatives and open-minded people. Staunch liberals will hate it.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Title – The Maori Detective
Author – D.A. Crossman
Genre – Crime, Mystery, Thriller
236 Amazon Pages
Rating 4 stars out of 5
Posted 7/18/2022
No. 29 - 2022
My Impressions: exciting, international intrigue, betrayal, spies, too much cultural background.
Main Characters:
Carlos Wallace - Maori P.I. ex-police Detective.
Miri – another Maori
There are many other supporting characters too numerous to list.
Ex-cop, private detective Carlos Wallace becomes involved in several cases when he takes over the investigative office of a mysterious detective who has voluntarily disappeared.
A missing person case becomes the main focus as Israeli Mossad, British S.I.S. /M-16 and French DGSE all are involved in an intense coverup involving spies and hostages.
Several minor cases serve as filler while the spy case develops and key players are introduced.
Multiple characters evolve as having more knowledge of the espionage case than was originally indicated.
The Maori Detective is a good story and worth the read. I had several personal issues with the plot that you may welcome reading.
The editing is good with minor punctuation issues.
Sentence structure is odd due to the formatting, multiple characters on the same line, which is difficult to read and know who is referenced or speaking.
Character development is good considering the large number of characters.
Details are abundant about the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake damage.
In my opinion the plot is hampered by Carlos' personal family background issues. It detracted from the main spy story. The constant injection of Maori language left me lost because many words and phrases were not in the dictionary. There are hints of the Maori's immigration from Polynesia by canoe centuries earlier but nothing definite. Older Maori characters believe in ancient mythology, superstition, and curses. To me this amounted to fantasy, and I was anxious to get through it.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – D.A. Crossman
Genre – Crime, Mystery, Thriller
236 Amazon Pages
Rating 4 stars out of 5
Posted 7/18/2022
No. 29 - 2022
My Impressions: exciting, international intrigue, betrayal, spies, too much cultural background.
Main Characters:
Carlos Wallace - Maori P.I. ex-police Detective.
Miri – another Maori
There are many other supporting characters too numerous to list.
Ex-cop, private detective Carlos Wallace becomes involved in several cases when he takes over the investigative office of a mysterious detective who has voluntarily disappeared.
A missing person case becomes the main focus as Israeli Mossad, British S.I.S. /M-16 and French DGSE all are involved in an intense coverup involving spies and hostages.
Several minor cases serve as filler while the spy case develops and key players are introduced.
Multiple characters evolve as having more knowledge of the espionage case than was originally indicated.
The Maori Detective is a good story and worth the read. I had several personal issues with the plot that you may welcome reading.
The editing is good with minor punctuation issues.
Sentence structure is odd due to the formatting, multiple characters on the same line, which is difficult to read and know who is referenced or speaking.
Character development is good considering the large number of characters.
Details are abundant about the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake damage.
In my opinion the plot is hampered by Carlos' personal family background issues. It detracted from the main spy story. The constant injection of Maori language left me lost because many words and phrases were not in the dictionary. There are hints of the Maori's immigration from Polynesia by canoe centuries earlier but nothing definite. Older Maori characters believe in ancient mythology, superstition, and curses. To me this amounted to fantasy, and I was anxious to get through it.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Title – Death in the Devil's Range
Author – Michael L. Patton
Genre – Mystery, Thriller
214 Amazon Pages
Rating 4 stars out of 5
Posted 7/15/2022
No. 28 - 2022
My Impressions: Good plot, inept antagonist, Barney Fife like Sheriff's deputy, greed, spy cameras.
So. California, east of San Jose.
Main Characters:
Dan Williams – Machine shop owner & ranch hand
Wally Williams – Dan's uncle.
Albert Stevens – Bad guy or good guy?
Paulo – antagonist.
Syd the wonder dog – Dan's dog
Many more supporting characters
Retired physicist Dr. Willis is found dead in his home workshop. Shortly afterward, Dan is arrested for murder because his hammer is found at the crime scene with blood on it.
Up front we learn that Dr. Willis has been searching German records to locate lost submarines in South American waters. Near the end of WWII the Nazi's shipped uranium to Japan by submarines and gold bullion was carried on the return trips to Argentina. The bad guys followed the doctor's progress and sent an inept agent to take the information from him. Throughout the book there are many plot twists as the characters are fully developed.
The editing is better than usual, but not perfect.
Some of the sentence structures are clumsy.
Character development is good, especially for the main characters.
Details are adequate.
The plot is good but reads more like a cozy mystery than a thriller.
The writing style is wordy
There is some cursing but it's not excessive.
I recommend Death in the Devil's Range as a light read.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – Michael L. Patton
Genre – Mystery, Thriller
214 Amazon Pages
Rating 4 stars out of 5
Posted 7/15/2022
No. 28 - 2022
My Impressions: Good plot, inept antagonist, Barney Fife like Sheriff's deputy, greed, spy cameras.
So. California, east of San Jose.
Main Characters:
Dan Williams – Machine shop owner & ranch hand
Wally Williams – Dan's uncle.
Albert Stevens – Bad guy or good guy?
Paulo – antagonist.
Syd the wonder dog – Dan's dog
Many more supporting characters
Retired physicist Dr. Willis is found dead in his home workshop. Shortly afterward, Dan is arrested for murder because his hammer is found at the crime scene with blood on it.
Up front we learn that Dr. Willis has been searching German records to locate lost submarines in South American waters. Near the end of WWII the Nazi's shipped uranium to Japan by submarines and gold bullion was carried on the return trips to Argentina. The bad guys followed the doctor's progress and sent an inept agent to take the information from him. Throughout the book there are many plot twists as the characters are fully developed.
The editing is better than usual, but not perfect.
Some of the sentence structures are clumsy.
Character development is good, especially for the main characters.
Details are adequate.
The plot is good but reads more like a cozy mystery than a thriller.
The writing style is wordy
There is some cursing but it's not excessive.
I recommend Death in the Devil's Range as a light read.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Title – Sleeper
Author – T.J. Hawkins
Genre – Thriller
Word Count - 82,800
Rating – Four stars out of five
No. 27 - 2022
Posted 7/8/2022
My Impressions: Action packed terrorist plot with an action hero and a psychopath terrorist.
Main Characters:
Tom Rivers – British sleeper secret agent.
Luna Rivers – Tom’s unsuspecting wife with her own secrets.
Lan MacGregor – Deputy Director M15
Sally Carson – Police Superintendent
Mohammed Baqri – Crazy, psychopathic terrorist.
Brigid Doyle – 20-year-old radical.
Adalah – Baqri’s terrorist group
Tom Rivers is in his forties and is an architect in England who doesn’t know he’s a secret agent with M15. When a national emergency rises to its zenith, he is ‘awakened’ to save the nation. His wife, Luna, and two daughters know nothing of Tom’s past rigorous training that made him a formidable fighting force.
Tom’s foe is a brilliant but crazy, psychopath named Mohammed Baqri who heads a small terrorist group known as Adalah. They plan to create a new type of bomb that will render the entire British nation incapable of functioning. One of Mohammed’s key terrorist, Brigid, is a vicious young woman whose fiancé is killed during an attack; she vows revenge and sets forth a plan to kill Tom.
The plot involves a worldwide group of rich, powerful people who control the economies and governments across the globe and support terrorist to achieve their goals. Powerful people within the governments of all nations are members of the dark organization and subvert efforts to stop the planned attacks. After England is brought to its knees, America is next to be attacked.
The editing is fair with better sentence structure. The story suffers from missing words and silly errors; one is a woman speaking when being harshly strangled with a garrote and her airway is pinched shut.
Character Development is good for all characters depending on their importance.
Details and research are adequate to good.
The plot is involved, fast paced, and has many surprises, especially near the end.
This story is highly recommended in spite of its varied minor faults.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – T.J. Hawkins
Genre – Thriller
Word Count - 82,800
Rating – Four stars out of five
No. 27 - 2022
Posted 7/8/2022
My Impressions: Action packed terrorist plot with an action hero and a psychopath terrorist.
Main Characters:
Tom Rivers – British sleeper secret agent.
Luna Rivers – Tom’s unsuspecting wife with her own secrets.
Lan MacGregor – Deputy Director M15
Sally Carson – Police Superintendent
Mohammed Baqri – Crazy, psychopathic terrorist.
Brigid Doyle – 20-year-old radical.
Adalah – Baqri’s terrorist group
Tom Rivers is in his forties and is an architect in England who doesn’t know he’s a secret agent with M15. When a national emergency rises to its zenith, he is ‘awakened’ to save the nation. His wife, Luna, and two daughters know nothing of Tom’s past rigorous training that made him a formidable fighting force.
Tom’s foe is a brilliant but crazy, psychopath named Mohammed Baqri who heads a small terrorist group known as Adalah. They plan to create a new type of bomb that will render the entire British nation incapable of functioning. One of Mohammed’s key terrorist, Brigid, is a vicious young woman whose fiancé is killed during an attack; she vows revenge and sets forth a plan to kill Tom.
The plot involves a worldwide group of rich, powerful people who control the economies and governments across the globe and support terrorist to achieve their goals. Powerful people within the governments of all nations are members of the dark organization and subvert efforts to stop the planned attacks. After England is brought to its knees, America is next to be attacked.
The editing is fair with better sentence structure. The story suffers from missing words and silly errors; one is a woman speaking when being harshly strangled with a garrote and her airway is pinched shut.
Character Development is good for all characters depending on their importance.
Details and research are adequate to good.
The plot is involved, fast paced, and has many surprises, especially near the end.
This story is highly recommended in spite of its varied minor faults.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Title – Easy Street
Author – J. Gregory Smith
Genre – Thriller
Word Count - 71,000
Rating – Five stars out of five
No. 26 - 2022
Posted 7/1/2022
My Impressions: Good crime, action yarn involving Irish and Albanian thugs.
Main Characters:
Kyle – Mr. fix it.
Sandy – Kyle’s girlfriend.
Rollie – Friend, ex-Marine sniper.
VP- Hacker extraordinaire.
Tom – Friend and man of many talents.
Charlie and William O’Brien – Irish thugs.
Cullen – Hit man working for the O’Briens
Milosh – Albanian thug invading the Irish territory.
Clark LeSuer – Scumbag lawyer.
Kyle inherited a dubious business from a close war buddy when he was killed. He’s a good guy who uses some of the illicit money he receives to ‘help’ local people and receives undying affection and favors in return. That’s how this Robin Hood type character and his band of merry accomplices meet the crooked lawyer Clark LeSuer who has been fleecing customers out of their lawsuit settlements.
But that quickly fades out of sight as Kyle and his group are pulled into a gang war when an Albanian mob attacks the Irish mob Kyle’s group has some dealings with. The Albanians kill most of the Irish soldiers and capture Charlie O’Brien; they use Charlie to convince brother William to surrender the Irishmen’s territory by occasionally sending one of Charlie’s fingers in a box.
Kyle’s group doesn’t like being involved in helping the drug dealing Irish thugs, but the thought of having to submit to the vicious and violent Albanians bothers them even more.
Violent action comes fast and often as the specter of war comes ever closer to the good guys as time runs out and they become more and more involved.
I recommend the story for readers who can accept the blood and guts details of murder. There is some minor use of the ‘F’ bomb.
The editing and sentence structure are good except for the occasional missing word.
Character development is adequate for all primary characters.
Details are adequate to carry the story.
The plot is a continuation of the previous book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – J. Gregory Smith
Genre – Thriller
Word Count - 71,000
Rating – Five stars out of five
No. 26 - 2022
Posted 7/1/2022
My Impressions: Good crime, action yarn involving Irish and Albanian thugs.
Main Characters:
Kyle – Mr. fix it.
Sandy – Kyle’s girlfriend.
Rollie – Friend, ex-Marine sniper.
VP- Hacker extraordinaire.
Tom – Friend and man of many talents.
Charlie and William O’Brien – Irish thugs.
Cullen – Hit man working for the O’Briens
Milosh – Albanian thug invading the Irish territory.
Clark LeSuer – Scumbag lawyer.
Kyle inherited a dubious business from a close war buddy when he was killed. He’s a good guy who uses some of the illicit money he receives to ‘help’ local people and receives undying affection and favors in return. That’s how this Robin Hood type character and his band of merry accomplices meet the crooked lawyer Clark LeSuer who has been fleecing customers out of their lawsuit settlements.
But that quickly fades out of sight as Kyle and his group are pulled into a gang war when an Albanian mob attacks the Irish mob Kyle’s group has some dealings with. The Albanians kill most of the Irish soldiers and capture Charlie O’Brien; they use Charlie to convince brother William to surrender the Irishmen’s territory by occasionally sending one of Charlie’s fingers in a box.
Kyle’s group doesn’t like being involved in helping the drug dealing Irish thugs, but the thought of having to submit to the vicious and violent Albanians bothers them even more.
Violent action comes fast and often as the specter of war comes ever closer to the good guys as time runs out and they become more and more involved.
I recommend the story for readers who can accept the blood and guts details of murder. There is some minor use of the ‘F’ bomb.
The editing and sentence structure are good except for the occasional missing word.
Character development is adequate for all primary characters.
Details are adequate to carry the story.
The plot is a continuation of the previous book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
