Title – When The Reaper Comes
Author – John DeBoer
Genre – Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
295 Amazon Pages
No. 27 - 2020
Rating 4 stars out of 5
Posted 7/11/2020
My impressions: Frightening, religious fanatics, well written & edited, strong characters, vigilante justice.
Main Characters:
Cliff Evans – decapitated by American Radical Muslim terrorist who is then sent back to the USA.
Adam Taylor – age 38 ex-Navy Seal, working for Global Security Guardian.
Mario Martinez – age 37, Adam’s friend and partner.
Peter Crandall - NSA analyst.
Amira Bahar – Lebanese, NSA analyst.
Angela Martin – Participant in terrorist plot until she had second thoughts.
Yusuf Khouri – American born Radical Muslim terrorist.
Brian Callahan – Rock Musician who publicly offended the Islamic religion and is targeted by ISIS terrorist.
The story begins in Erbil Iraq as Adam and Mario provide security for CNN reporter Maxwell Rice. There are enlightening scenes of the security detail before Adam and Mario return to the US on vacation. While at home Adam and a friend pick up two women in a bar. He is attracted to Angela and wants to date her again. She confesses to him that she is involved in a terrorist plot to take place in his hometown of Spring Lake, New Jersey and regrets agreeing to participate.
From there the plot picks up speed and has more twist and turns than a winding mountain road. The good guys and the bad guys keep revising their plans to react to the opposition. The terrorist spot Adam and learn his identity. With that information, they target his parents’ home to punish him for trying to abort their plans.
As expected, there is a united effort between the local police and sheriff’s departments, the state police, FBI and U.S. Marshalls. And still the terrorists elude them until the very end. Adam then ensured the terrorist leader wouldn’t escape punishment.
I enjoyed this fast-paced story and recommend it. My negative impression is that the ending seemed a little weak concerning Amira’s actions and her future.
The editing and sentence structure are excellent. Character development is thorough and compelling.
The plot is standard good guys vs. the evil terrorist but is presented well.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – John DeBoer
Genre – Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
295 Amazon Pages
No. 27 - 2020
Rating 4 stars out of 5
Posted 7/11/2020
My impressions: Frightening, religious fanatics, well written & edited, strong characters, vigilante justice.
Main Characters:
Cliff Evans – decapitated by American Radical Muslim terrorist who is then sent back to the USA.
Adam Taylor – age 38 ex-Navy Seal, working for Global Security Guardian.
Mario Martinez – age 37, Adam’s friend and partner.
Peter Crandall - NSA analyst.
Amira Bahar – Lebanese, NSA analyst.
Angela Martin – Participant in terrorist plot until she had second thoughts.
Yusuf Khouri – American born Radical Muslim terrorist.
Brian Callahan – Rock Musician who publicly offended the Islamic religion and is targeted by ISIS terrorist.
The story begins in Erbil Iraq as Adam and Mario provide security for CNN reporter Maxwell Rice. There are enlightening scenes of the security detail before Adam and Mario return to the US on vacation. While at home Adam and a friend pick up two women in a bar. He is attracted to Angela and wants to date her again. She confesses to him that she is involved in a terrorist plot to take place in his hometown of Spring Lake, New Jersey and regrets agreeing to participate.
From there the plot picks up speed and has more twist and turns than a winding mountain road. The good guys and the bad guys keep revising their plans to react to the opposition. The terrorist spot Adam and learn his identity. With that information, they target his parents’ home to punish him for trying to abort their plans.
As expected, there is a united effort between the local police and sheriff’s departments, the state police, FBI and U.S. Marshalls. And still the terrorists elude them until the very end. Adam then ensured the terrorist leader wouldn’t escape punishment.
I enjoyed this fast-paced story and recommend it. My negative impression is that the ending seemed a little weak concerning Amira’s actions and her future.
The editing and sentence structure are excellent. Character development is thorough and compelling.
The plot is standard good guys vs. the evil terrorist but is presented well.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Title – The Student
Author – Frank Weisener
Genre – Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
288 Amazon Pages
No. 24 - 2020
Rating 4 stars out of 5
Posted 7/3/2020
My impressions: double dealing, sick antagonist, good guy/ bad guy mental case, weird,
The main characters:
Sabine Sander, the missing student from Germany.
Benjamin Walker, age 23 also from Germany with a weird past.
Professor Robert Martin, at Florida International University.
Sandra Restrepo, victim.
Jerome Water, Miami detective.
Eric Poole, Miami detective.
Franco Tamargo, private investigator, ex-detective.
The cast of characters in The Student is large but interesting. Surprises and conflict are abundant. The plot involves the discovery of several female bodies floating in the bay near Miami, Florida. Both were students at FIU. And then German student Sabine Sander goes missing.
There are many flashbacks to cover the complex backstories that explain the history of several characters.
Ex-detective and now private investigator Franco Tamargo is hired by the brother of Sabine Sander to locate her and expose her abductor. Franco’s character is likable and the primary one I felt an attachment to. Later that feeling transferred to Detective Jerome Water.
The story flips back and forth between characters and backstory and is easy to follow if the reader pays attention.
The ending was a surprise and hinted that Sabine might still be in danger from a nutcase.
The courtroom scene near the end didn’t seem realistic. DNA from semen would have swayed the ending.
The editing is good word wise, but many sentences need restructuring.
Character development is good as it is aided by the backstory insertions.
The writing style is wordy, stiff, repetitious and needs more conjunctions. I grew tired of seeing I am repeatedly when I’m would have been more natural.
The word SOME was overused to the point of being boring: some of this, some of that made the sentences ambiguous instead of tight and specific.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – Frank Weisener
Genre – Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
288 Amazon Pages
No. 24 - 2020
Rating 4 stars out of 5
Posted 7/3/2020
My impressions: double dealing, sick antagonist, good guy/ bad guy mental case, weird,
The main characters:
Sabine Sander, the missing student from Germany.
Benjamin Walker, age 23 also from Germany with a weird past.
Professor Robert Martin, at Florida International University.
Sandra Restrepo, victim.
Jerome Water, Miami detective.
Eric Poole, Miami detective.
Franco Tamargo, private investigator, ex-detective.
The cast of characters in The Student is large but interesting. Surprises and conflict are abundant. The plot involves the discovery of several female bodies floating in the bay near Miami, Florida. Both were students at FIU. And then German student Sabine Sander goes missing.
There are many flashbacks to cover the complex backstories that explain the history of several characters.
Ex-detective and now private investigator Franco Tamargo is hired by the brother of Sabine Sander to locate her and expose her abductor. Franco’s character is likable and the primary one I felt an attachment to. Later that feeling transferred to Detective Jerome Water.
The story flips back and forth between characters and backstory and is easy to follow if the reader pays attention.
The ending was a surprise and hinted that Sabine might still be in danger from a nutcase.
The courtroom scene near the end didn’t seem realistic. DNA from semen would have swayed the ending.
The editing is good word wise, but many sentences need restructuring.
Character development is good as it is aided by the backstory insertions.
The writing style is wordy, stiff, repetitious and needs more conjunctions. I grew tired of seeing I am repeatedly when I’m would have been more natural.
The word SOME was overused to the point of being boring: some of this, some of that made the sentences ambiguous instead of tight and specific.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Title – The World Without Flags
Author – Ben Lyle Bedard
Genre – Horror – Post Apocalypse
Word Count 125,000
Rating 5 Stars out of 5
No. 23 - 2020
Posted 6-27-2020
My Impressions: Gross descriptions of worm infestations, coming of age story, betrayal.
Main Characters:
Kestrel – Seventeen-year-old girl
Eric – Kestrel’s mentor, age 28
Pest – A young man from the Homestead where a small group of survivors live.
The World Without Flags is so gross I want to give it a three star rating, but the story deserves five stars. The entire world has been decimated by a disease called the WORM. Microscopic worms enter humans through the water, then grow and eat them from the inside out. As the worms grow they are visible in their victims eyes, ears, nose and mouth. In the later stages the victims bleed from their eyes. (I warned you it was gross.) Some victims die while others ‘crack’ and enter a violent zombie like state where they scratch or bite humans and pass the disease on.
A group of about forty humans live at the Homestead in central Maine. The Worm has been inactive for a decade but suddenly is again being transmitted and wiping out entire postapocalyptic settlements.
Kestrel lives with Eric at the Homestead but without intimate contact. They’re simply friends; he is her mentor. Then Eric is infected, and the plot turns to Kestrel trying to keep him alive while everyone else wants to kill him to prevent him from spreading the disease. Almost every page then centers on Eric’s condition and descriptions of worms poking out of every opening and blood flowing from his eyes.
The plot throws Kestrel and Eric into constant conflict and danger from unexpected sources. Then she learned a person considered a friend had betrayed every survivor for personal gain.
War is approaching this batch of survivors as two factions vie to recreate a central governing body. People will be forced to chose sides or be attacked and killed.
I compare the level of constant debilitating despair in The World Without Flags to We the Living by Ayn Rand.
The story is about 90% to 95% narrative in first person told from Kestrel’s point of view.
The editing and sentence structure are good with minor errors.
Character Development is good for the main characters and some support characters.
Details of this imaginary world are complete and clear.
The plot is a fresh but gory take on the zombie apocalypse.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – Ben Lyle Bedard
Genre – Horror – Post Apocalypse
Word Count 125,000
Rating 5 Stars out of 5
No. 23 - 2020
Posted 6-27-2020
My Impressions: Gross descriptions of worm infestations, coming of age story, betrayal.
Main Characters:
Kestrel – Seventeen-year-old girl
Eric – Kestrel’s mentor, age 28
Pest – A young man from the Homestead where a small group of survivors live.
The World Without Flags is so gross I want to give it a three star rating, but the story deserves five stars. The entire world has been decimated by a disease called the WORM. Microscopic worms enter humans through the water, then grow and eat them from the inside out. As the worms grow they are visible in their victims eyes, ears, nose and mouth. In the later stages the victims bleed from their eyes. (I warned you it was gross.) Some victims die while others ‘crack’ and enter a violent zombie like state where they scratch or bite humans and pass the disease on.
A group of about forty humans live at the Homestead in central Maine. The Worm has been inactive for a decade but suddenly is again being transmitted and wiping out entire postapocalyptic settlements.
Kestrel lives with Eric at the Homestead but without intimate contact. They’re simply friends; he is her mentor. Then Eric is infected, and the plot turns to Kestrel trying to keep him alive while everyone else wants to kill him to prevent him from spreading the disease. Almost every page then centers on Eric’s condition and descriptions of worms poking out of every opening and blood flowing from his eyes.
The plot throws Kestrel and Eric into constant conflict and danger from unexpected sources. Then she learned a person considered a friend had betrayed every survivor for personal gain.
War is approaching this batch of survivors as two factions vie to recreate a central governing body. People will be forced to chose sides or be attacked and killed.
I compare the level of constant debilitating despair in The World Without Flags to We the Living by Ayn Rand.
The story is about 90% to 95% narrative in first person told from Kestrel’s point of view.
The editing and sentence structure are good with minor errors.
Character Development is good for the main characters and some support characters.
Details of this imaginary world are complete and clear.
The plot is a fresh but gory take on the zombie apocalypse.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Title – The Roads Chosen
Author – Ben Carlyle
Genre – Crime Thriller
Word Count 118,000
Rating 4 stars out of 5
No. 22 - 2020
Posted 6/19/2020
Main Characters:
Sam Mitchell – British citizen and world traveler
Rebecca Liscombe – Sam’s lover.
Boris Voikcvich – Friend of Sam’s and a smuggler of material goods and damaged people.
A large part of The Roads Chosen follows Samir Mozhar (Sam Mitchell) as he walked and hitchds rides across The Republic of Kazakhstan while traveling the ancient Silk Road, a network of trade routes stretching from China to Southern Europe. Sam ran away from his lover and wandered for six years before taking a job with an oil services company. While there he uncovered a network of financial transactions involving money laundering that lea to a well organized, murderous worldwide mafia like organization. The heads of the criminal group are ex-KGB members from Russia who are proficient in the use of harsh interrogation methods and murder.
When Sam’s meddling is discovered, he avoids the police but is injured. Sam contacts a friend in Russia, Boris Voikcvich. Boris and his entire family are smugglers of stolen materials and damaged citizens. Many survivors of Russian mafia have been brutalized, raped, or tortured. Boris’s family is part of a large, well organized underground railroad giving sanctuary and hope to the mentally and physically broken flotsam left by the criminals.
The criminals want Sam and his picture is posted countrywide on TV and in newspapers. This, of course, puts Boris and his family along with their co-conspirators in danger as Sam is hidden and nursed back to good health.
I found the ending confusing with several logical questions unanswered. I can only assume another Sam Mitchell adventure will follow.
The editing doesn’t live up to the potential of the storytelling and writing. Commas are sprinkled haphazardly throughout, and other commas are missing where needed. The reader is left with choppy prose. Plus, there are other issues throughout.
Sentence structures in many cases need to be reorganized for clarity.
Character development is adequate for the main characters.
Details are overly abundant in some instances and seriously inadequate in others. In some scenes things “just seem to happen” off stage.
Research of Russia and surrounding countries is apparent.
The plot is complex and extremely involved with a huge cast of characters.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – Ben Carlyle
Genre – Crime Thriller
Word Count 118,000
Rating 4 stars out of 5
No. 22 - 2020
Posted 6/19/2020
Main Characters:
Sam Mitchell – British citizen and world traveler
Rebecca Liscombe – Sam’s lover.
Boris Voikcvich – Friend of Sam’s and a smuggler of material goods and damaged people.
A large part of The Roads Chosen follows Samir Mozhar (Sam Mitchell) as he walked and hitchds rides across The Republic of Kazakhstan while traveling the ancient Silk Road, a network of trade routes stretching from China to Southern Europe. Sam ran away from his lover and wandered for six years before taking a job with an oil services company. While there he uncovered a network of financial transactions involving money laundering that lea to a well organized, murderous worldwide mafia like organization. The heads of the criminal group are ex-KGB members from Russia who are proficient in the use of harsh interrogation methods and murder.
When Sam’s meddling is discovered, he avoids the police but is injured. Sam contacts a friend in Russia, Boris Voikcvich. Boris and his entire family are smugglers of stolen materials and damaged citizens. Many survivors of Russian mafia have been brutalized, raped, or tortured. Boris’s family is part of a large, well organized underground railroad giving sanctuary and hope to the mentally and physically broken flotsam left by the criminals.
The criminals want Sam and his picture is posted countrywide on TV and in newspapers. This, of course, puts Boris and his family along with their co-conspirators in danger as Sam is hidden and nursed back to good health.
I found the ending confusing with several logical questions unanswered. I can only assume another Sam Mitchell adventure will follow.
The editing doesn’t live up to the potential of the storytelling and writing. Commas are sprinkled haphazardly throughout, and other commas are missing where needed. The reader is left with choppy prose. Plus, there are other issues throughout.
Sentence structures in many cases need to be reorganized for clarity.
Character development is adequate for the main characters.
Details are overly abundant in some instances and seriously inadequate in others. In some scenes things “just seem to happen” off stage.
Research of Russia and surrounding countries is apparent.
The plot is complex and extremely involved with a huge cast of characters.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Title – The Burden of Darkness
Author – Barry Finlay
Genre – Suspense/Thriller
Word Count 76,000
Rating 4 stars out of 5
No. 21 - 2020
Posted 6/12/2020
My Impressions: Deals with PTSD, good whacko antagonist, use of evidence trail to killer, killer drones.
Main Characters:
Nathan Harris – 46 year old FBI Consultant
Marcie Kane – Nathan’s wife
Owen Strand – Disgruntled serial killer
FBI agent Nathan Harris suffers from PTSD. He was away from his wife when an assassin placed a bomb at a dinner to murder her, The President of the United States and many others. Marcie saved most of the attendees while Nathan was locked out of the room and couldn’t get back in. His emotional issues of failure are one story line while a serial killer is the other. Personally I grew weary of Nathan’s issue and wanted to focus on the serial killer where the action was. The title reveals the author's primary plot.
Owen Strand was a high school classmate of Marcie Kane. He had a crush on her and was routinely rejected as he attempted to be her friend and boyfriend; that was rejection number one. Rejection number two was when his business partner pushed him out of the company they founded and then sued him. He took a job as an electrical engineer with another company where he was recently fired for stealing parts from the company. Rejection number three. Finally after having severe headaches for some time, Owen was diagnosed with a malignant tumor on his brain and given one year to live. Owen, being the total loser he is, and having nothing to lose, decided to get even with everyone who, in his mind, had screwed him over his entire life.
Editing is good but not professionally perfect.
Sentence structures are passable, but several need to be reorganized for clarity.
Character Development is good for the main characters
Details are acceptable but not overdone.
Research is lacking in the explosion of horizontal propane tanks.
The plot has a fresh twist in the manner Owen choses to attack his targets.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – Barry Finlay
Genre – Suspense/Thriller
Word Count 76,000
Rating 4 stars out of 5
No. 21 - 2020
Posted 6/12/2020
My Impressions: Deals with PTSD, good whacko antagonist, use of evidence trail to killer, killer drones.
Main Characters:
Nathan Harris – 46 year old FBI Consultant
Marcie Kane – Nathan’s wife
Owen Strand – Disgruntled serial killer
FBI agent Nathan Harris suffers from PTSD. He was away from his wife when an assassin placed a bomb at a dinner to murder her, The President of the United States and many others. Marcie saved most of the attendees while Nathan was locked out of the room and couldn’t get back in. His emotional issues of failure are one story line while a serial killer is the other. Personally I grew weary of Nathan’s issue and wanted to focus on the serial killer where the action was. The title reveals the author's primary plot.
Owen Strand was a high school classmate of Marcie Kane. He had a crush on her and was routinely rejected as he attempted to be her friend and boyfriend; that was rejection number one. Rejection number two was when his business partner pushed him out of the company they founded and then sued him. He took a job as an electrical engineer with another company where he was recently fired for stealing parts from the company. Rejection number three. Finally after having severe headaches for some time, Owen was diagnosed with a malignant tumor on his brain and given one year to live. Owen, being the total loser he is, and having nothing to lose, decided to get even with everyone who, in his mind, had screwed him over his entire life.
Editing is good but not professionally perfect.
Sentence structures are passable, but several need to be reorganized for clarity.
Character Development is good for the main characters
Details are acceptable but not overdone.
Research is lacking in the explosion of horizontal propane tanks.
The plot has a fresh twist in the manner Owen choses to attack his targets.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
a Title – The Blonde Heiress
Author – Robert Schobernd
Genre – Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Vigilante
Word Count 50,300
No. 20 - 2020
Rating 5 stars out of 5
Posted 6/5/2020
Main Characters:
Carter A. Johnson, ex-cop who is hired as a vigilante.
Harrison J. Withers, the mysterious man who contacts Carter to join a vigilante group.
Mayna Mortinson, ex-video porn star, a widow until she married her defense attorney.
Edward J. Smalley, defense attorney, Mayna’s current husband
The novella length story opens with Carter A. Johnson awaiting a jury’s decision to send him to prison or find him innocent. Of course, he is innocent and leaves the court to submit his resignation from the Los Angeles Police Department.
While on a train headed out of town, he is contacted by Harrison J. Withers who hints at a job offer to be presented when they meet. Before meeting Harrison Carter plots to get even with the five police officers who framed him. And get even he does.
His first case with the vigilante group is to investigate the murders of two people and the court decision to free the wife accused of the murders. He quickly gets a gut feeling that things aren’t as they appear. When Mayna, the blonde heiress, dies mysteriously he knows he is on the trail of a sadistic murderer. But knowing who the killer is and having evidence to present to a prosecutor are two different things. In the end, Carter gets his man and resorts to vigilante justice to prevent the killer from leaving the country.
I enjoyed the plot and the story and recommend it to those readers who are not put off by vigilante justice or descriptions of violent murders.
The editing, sentence structure, and character development are good.
There are enough details to carry the plot and paint a clear picture of the characters and surroundings.
Research of Las Vegas and the surrounding area is apparent.
The plot is fast paced and interesting.
The writing style is crisp and fast moving.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – Robert Schobernd
Genre – Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Vigilante
Word Count 50,300
No. 20 - 2020
Rating 5 stars out of 5
Posted 6/5/2020
Main Characters:
Carter A. Johnson, ex-cop who is hired as a vigilante.
Harrison J. Withers, the mysterious man who contacts Carter to join a vigilante group.
Mayna Mortinson, ex-video porn star, a widow until she married her defense attorney.
Edward J. Smalley, defense attorney, Mayna’s current husband
The novella length story opens with Carter A. Johnson awaiting a jury’s decision to send him to prison or find him innocent. Of course, he is innocent and leaves the court to submit his resignation from the Los Angeles Police Department.
While on a train headed out of town, he is contacted by Harrison J. Withers who hints at a job offer to be presented when they meet. Before meeting Harrison Carter plots to get even with the five police officers who framed him. And get even he does.
His first case with the vigilante group is to investigate the murders of two people and the court decision to free the wife accused of the murders. He quickly gets a gut feeling that things aren’t as they appear. When Mayna, the blonde heiress, dies mysteriously he knows he is on the trail of a sadistic murderer. But knowing who the killer is and having evidence to present to a prosecutor are two different things. In the end, Carter gets his man and resorts to vigilante justice to prevent the killer from leaving the country.
I enjoyed the plot and the story and recommend it to those readers who are not put off by vigilante justice or descriptions of violent murders.
The editing, sentence structure, and character development are good.
There are enough details to carry the plot and paint a clear picture of the characters and surroundings.
Research of Las Vegas and the surrounding area is apparent.
The plot is fast paced and interesting.
The writing style is crisp and fast moving.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Title – The Road to War
Author – Steven Burgauer
Genre – Military
350 Amazon Pages
No. 19 - 2020
Rating 5 stars out of 5
Posted 5/28/2020
The main character is Wm. Frodsham.
The Road to War is told as narrative, by Bill. It starts when he is seventeen. The US has just been attacked at Pearl Harbor by the Japanese. From there we follow him through the first half of the book as he enlists in the Army and travels through boot camp then various Army bases recounting his experiences. The tale is loaded with new, changing characters and records many incidents Bill is involved in.
Eventually his unit is assigned to England to prepare for the invasion of France at Normandy.
Details of the battle while landing on Omaha Beach show the horror, personal fear, and frustration of war. And it doesn’t get much better for the next year.
The author stressed at the beginning of the story that he received a large amount of information written from memory by Wm. Frodsham fifty years after the war ended. Several errors were discovered concerning issues that could be fact checked against those recounted by Mr. Frodsham.
While reading, I felt some of the happenings recorded might have been embellished to favor Mr. Frodsham, but in no way do I mean to lessen the overall achievements and experiences Mr. Frodsham lived through. It is clear he was a man of high intelligence and motivation who survived unimaginable trials one could be subjected to.
The editing and sentence structure are good.
Thorough research is apparent, and details are abundant.
I recommend this story for readers who want to experience what a young man lived through in World War II.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – Steven Burgauer
Genre – Military
350 Amazon Pages
No. 19 - 2020
Rating 5 stars out of 5
Posted 5/28/2020
The main character is Wm. Frodsham.
The Road to War is told as narrative, by Bill. It starts when he is seventeen. The US has just been attacked at Pearl Harbor by the Japanese. From there we follow him through the first half of the book as he enlists in the Army and travels through boot camp then various Army bases recounting his experiences. The tale is loaded with new, changing characters and records many incidents Bill is involved in.
Eventually his unit is assigned to England to prepare for the invasion of France at Normandy.
Details of the battle while landing on Omaha Beach show the horror, personal fear, and frustration of war. And it doesn’t get much better for the next year.
The author stressed at the beginning of the story that he received a large amount of information written from memory by Wm. Frodsham fifty years after the war ended. Several errors were discovered concerning issues that could be fact checked against those recounted by Mr. Frodsham.
While reading, I felt some of the happenings recorded might have been embellished to favor Mr. Frodsham, but in no way do I mean to lessen the overall achievements and experiences Mr. Frodsham lived through. It is clear he was a man of high intelligence and motivation who survived unimaginable trials one could be subjected to.
The editing and sentence structure are good.
Thorough research is apparent, and details are abundant.
I recommend this story for readers who want to experience what a young man lived through in World War II.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Title – Serenity
Author – Craig Hart
Genre – Thriller
162 Amazon Pages
No. 18 - 2020
Rating 5 stars out of 5
Posted 5/22/2020
My impression: I liked it, I liked it, I liked it.
The Main Characters
Shelby Alexander is a sixty year old ex-boxer and then a 'fixer' who worked for clients of dubious legality.
Carly, his thirty year old girl friend
Leslie, Shelby's nosey, intruding, manipulative, loving daughter.
Mack, Shelby's retired cop and friend
The Ellis clan: Harper, Shepherd and Gannon, the local sexist, onery, violent murderous drug dealers.
Shelby is enjoying his retirement in upper Michigan. He's drinking a little too much beer and coffee and getting a little pudgy but having sex regularly. All to his only daughter's consternation. Wait till Leslie learns she and Carly are the same age. Then one dark night, Shelby finds a local woman lying in the snow outside his barn. He takes her inside and tries to warm her but she dies. He later learns she'd not been lost in the dark but had been attacked.
From there Shelby is drawn into a web of violence, backstabbing and ambushes by unknown killers. Luckily for him, Shelby's past makes him no stranger to violence and death.
The plot is involved and intense but leaves room for humor.
The editing, sentence structure and character development is first class
This story has some of everything I like in a crime story, mild cursing, non-detailed or graphic sex and intelligently written violence.
The action and fight scenes are well detailed and choreographed.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – Craig Hart
Genre – Thriller
162 Amazon Pages
No. 18 - 2020
Rating 5 stars out of 5
Posted 5/22/2020
My impression: I liked it, I liked it, I liked it.
The Main Characters
Shelby Alexander is a sixty year old ex-boxer and then a 'fixer' who worked for clients of dubious legality.
Carly, his thirty year old girl friend
Leslie, Shelby's nosey, intruding, manipulative, loving daughter.
Mack, Shelby's retired cop and friend
The Ellis clan: Harper, Shepherd and Gannon, the local sexist, onery, violent murderous drug dealers.
Shelby is enjoying his retirement in upper Michigan. He's drinking a little too much beer and coffee and getting a little pudgy but having sex regularly. All to his only daughter's consternation. Wait till Leslie learns she and Carly are the same age. Then one dark night, Shelby finds a local woman lying in the snow outside his barn. He takes her inside and tries to warm her but she dies. He later learns she'd not been lost in the dark but had been attacked.
From there Shelby is drawn into a web of violence, backstabbing and ambushes by unknown killers. Luckily for him, Shelby's past makes him no stranger to violence and death.
The plot is involved and intense but leaves room for humor.
The editing, sentence structure and character development is first class
This story has some of everything I like in a crime story, mild cursing, non-detailed or graphic sex and intelligently written violence.
The action and fight scenes are well detailed and choreographed.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Title – Blood Sacrament
Author – T.K. Laverents
Genre – Mystery, Suspense, Crime Thriller
366 Amazon Page, 83,000 words
No. 11 - 2020
Rating 4 stars out of 5
Posted 5/15/2020
Lt. Patrick McConnell : Homicide Detective in California
Diego 'Dizzy' Zambrano : homeless man and Patrick's friend who is running from himself.
The Blondi Man : Peter Sewell a schizophrenic Catholic priest who becomes a psychotic killer
LT. McConnell not only has a case involving Catholic Priest having their throats cut, he has a crooked police Captain on his back who wants him fired from the department.
The crooked Captain wants the priest murders cleared from the roster and demands that a homeless man named Dizzy be charged with the murders whether he's guilty or not. Lt. McConnell objects and resist making the arrest and is suspended for his lack of action.
At first the killings appear to be random, but then a pattern emerges and the sick individual behind the murders is identified through good police work.
But knowing the identity of the killer doesn't prevent other homicides from occurring.
And then McConnell learns there are other dangers besides the ones he's planned for.
The editing left many words missing where they were needed to complete the sentence.
Character development is good with the main and supporting characters.
Details were adequate but not overdone.
The plot is complex with many surprises
Note! All Corvettes are two door sports cars, they don't have rear doors.
I enjoyed this story and recommend it to readers of crime genres.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – T.K. Laverents
Genre – Mystery, Suspense, Crime Thriller
366 Amazon Page, 83,000 words
No. 11 - 2020
Rating 4 stars out of 5
Posted 5/15/2020
Lt. Patrick McConnell : Homicide Detective in California
Diego 'Dizzy' Zambrano : homeless man and Patrick's friend who is running from himself.
The Blondi Man : Peter Sewell a schizophrenic Catholic priest who becomes a psychotic killer
LT. McConnell not only has a case involving Catholic Priest having their throats cut, he has a crooked police Captain on his back who wants him fired from the department.
The crooked Captain wants the priest murders cleared from the roster and demands that a homeless man named Dizzy be charged with the murders whether he's guilty or not. Lt. McConnell objects and resist making the arrest and is suspended for his lack of action.
At first the killings appear to be random, but then a pattern emerges and the sick individual behind the murders is identified through good police work.
But knowing the identity of the killer doesn't prevent other homicides from occurring.
And then McConnell learns there are other dangers besides the ones he's planned for.
The editing left many words missing where they were needed to complete the sentence.
Character development is good with the main and supporting characters.
Details were adequate but not overdone.
The plot is complex with many surprises
Note! All Corvettes are two door sports cars, they don't have rear doors.
I enjoyed this story and recommend it to readers of crime genres.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Title – Shelter From The Devil
Author – John Richardson
Genre – Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
105 Amazon Pages
Rating 5 stars out of 5
No. 16 - 2020
Posted 5/9/2020
My impressions: dark, brooding, satanic, revenge, murder, vigilante, brutal, evil.
In Russia, Christian Droz was about to propose to his longtime girlfriend Anna when she died in an accidental gas explosion at her apartment. After much suffering over his loss of the woman he loved, rumors that she was murdered are heard.
At Anna's funeral Christian is aghast of a fearful gravedigger at the graveyard. Later the gravedigger takes Christian under his care and assumes the lead in guiding Christian in his quest for revenge. Together they attack, interrogate, and murder criminals who lead them to the man who ultimately caused Anna's death.
The plot is well conceived and intense. The story is well written, and the main characters are vastly different: one is the ex-KGB soldier labeled the Devil of Kandahar, the other a naive, peaceful young man in love with Anna. But soon, under the Devil's guidance, the young man lives for revenge and becomes a murderer.
The story is dark and haunting, and the settings are dismal. The picture it paints is one of darkness and suffering in a land of despair and hopelessness.
The story is barely novella length, I'm guessing approximately 30,000 to 35,000 words.
The editing and sentence structure are good. The writing is dark and foreboding.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – John Richardson
Genre – Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
105 Amazon Pages
Rating 5 stars out of 5
No. 16 - 2020
Posted 5/9/2020
My impressions: dark, brooding, satanic, revenge, murder, vigilante, brutal, evil.
In Russia, Christian Droz was about to propose to his longtime girlfriend Anna when she died in an accidental gas explosion at her apartment. After much suffering over his loss of the woman he loved, rumors that she was murdered are heard.
At Anna's funeral Christian is aghast of a fearful gravedigger at the graveyard. Later the gravedigger takes Christian under his care and assumes the lead in guiding Christian in his quest for revenge. Together they attack, interrogate, and murder criminals who lead them to the man who ultimately caused Anna's death.
The plot is well conceived and intense. The story is well written, and the main characters are vastly different: one is the ex-KGB soldier labeled the Devil of Kandahar, the other a naive, peaceful young man in love with Anna. But soon, under the Devil's guidance, the young man lives for revenge and becomes a murderer.
The story is dark and haunting, and the settings are dismal. The picture it paints is one of darkness and suffering in a land of despair and hopelessness.
The story is barely novella length, I'm guessing approximately 30,000 to 35,000 words.
The editing and sentence structure are good. The writing is dark and foreboding.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Title – First Kill: An Eli Quinn Mystery
Author – Robert Roy Britt
Genre – Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
134 Amazon Pages
No. 15 - 2020
Rating 4 stars out of 5
Posted 5/1/2020
Eli Quinn, detective
Solo, German Sheppard, Eli's protector
Samantha Marcos, reporter, Eli's girlfriend
When a popular real estate agent disappears, his daughter hires Eli to investigate.
Quickly Eli learns that in his small city sex parties are taking place where partners are swapped. The missing agent and his wife are involved. Is this related to his disappearance?
Soon after intervening at one of the small sex gatherings, Eli is attacked, and the action begins.
The fight scenes are intense, and the 'good' characters are easy to like.
The editing and sentence structure are good.
Character development is good enough for a novella length story.
Details are okay, mostly carried over from the previous story, Drone.
The simple plot is okay and kept me interested.
The writing style is laid back but crisp.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – Robert Roy Britt
Genre – Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
134 Amazon Pages
No. 15 - 2020
Rating 4 stars out of 5
Posted 5/1/2020
Eli Quinn, detective
Solo, German Sheppard, Eli's protector
Samantha Marcos, reporter, Eli's girlfriend
When a popular real estate agent disappears, his daughter hires Eli to investigate.
Quickly Eli learns that in his small city sex parties are taking place where partners are swapped. The missing agent and his wife are involved. Is this related to his disappearance?
Soon after intervening at one of the small sex gatherings, Eli is attacked, and the action begins.
The fight scenes are intense, and the 'good' characters are easy to like.
The editing and sentence structure are good.
Character development is good enough for a novella length story.
Details are okay, mostly carried over from the previous story, Drone.
The simple plot is okay and kept me interested.
The writing style is laid back but crisp.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Title – Eagle Fangs
Author – Ross Grayson
Genre – Military
Word Count 60,000
Rating 5 stars out of 5
No.14 - 2020
Posted 4/24/2020
My Impressions: Excellent though improbable war story.
Main Characters:
Lt. Col. Ed Morgan – F-15E pilot. Squadron Commander of 76th Fighter Squadron, Air Force Reserve
Scott Morgan – Intelligence analyst w/ Office of Advanced Analytics.
Ari – Mossad agent.
Plus, many more support characters.
Eagle Fangs is a tall tale of bureaucracy bypassed by Air Force Reserve personnel acting on their own to follow a leader they highly respect. Ed Morgan’s brother has evidence of a plot by radicals to unleash nuclear bombs on four major cities, but everyone up the incompetent chain of command above him ignores his findings. He is contacted by Ari, a Mossad agent, who collaborates his suspicion when he sees evidence of a nuclear weapon being transferred in Istanbul, Turkey. Coincidentally a British intelligence analyst is having the same issue with his superiors about seeing the same things Scott has uncovered.
Scott mentions his dilemma to his brother Ed who is the commander of a Reserve F-15E Squadron. From there the story evolves into—.
Can’t tell you more because that would give away the ending. But if you like military/war stories get this one. It’s one hell of a story of patriotism and guts.
The editing and sentence structure are professional grade with only infrequent, minor errors.
Character development is thorough and paints a clear picture of the individuals.
Details indicate thorough knowledge and research of the military and its equipment.
The plot is unique and interesting.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – Ross Grayson
Genre – Military
Word Count 60,000
Rating 5 stars out of 5
No.14 - 2020
Posted 4/24/2020
My Impressions: Excellent though improbable war story.
Main Characters:
Lt. Col. Ed Morgan – F-15E pilot. Squadron Commander of 76th Fighter Squadron, Air Force Reserve
Scott Morgan – Intelligence analyst w/ Office of Advanced Analytics.
Ari – Mossad agent.
Plus, many more support characters.
Eagle Fangs is a tall tale of bureaucracy bypassed by Air Force Reserve personnel acting on their own to follow a leader they highly respect. Ed Morgan’s brother has evidence of a plot by radicals to unleash nuclear bombs on four major cities, but everyone up the incompetent chain of command above him ignores his findings. He is contacted by Ari, a Mossad agent, who collaborates his suspicion when he sees evidence of a nuclear weapon being transferred in Istanbul, Turkey. Coincidentally a British intelligence analyst is having the same issue with his superiors about seeing the same things Scott has uncovered.
Scott mentions his dilemma to his brother Ed who is the commander of a Reserve F-15E Squadron. From there the story evolves into—.
Can’t tell you more because that would give away the ending. But if you like military/war stories get this one. It’s one hell of a story of patriotism and guts.
The editing and sentence structure are professional grade with only infrequent, minor errors.
Character development is thorough and paints a clear picture of the individuals.
Details indicate thorough knowledge and research of the military and its equipment.
The plot is unique and interesting.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Title – Yellow Hair
Author – Andrew Joyce
Genre – Historical Fiction, Western
498 Amazon Pages
Rating 5 stars out of 5
No. 13 - 2020
Posted 4-17-2020
My impressions: naive settlers, scumbag white officials, noble Indians, murder, torture, genocide.
The story begins in 1850 with a wagon train of settlers leaving Westport, Missouri, on the Oregon Trail. The settlers are from various locations east of Missouri. The main focus is on the Ariesen family, particularly twenty year old blond haired Jacob. The early portion of the story was the only part I took issue with. Eight families traveled in one of four columns. The background of each of those eight families was told in more detail than I felt was necessary given the fates that awaited them. You be the judge.
The primary plot begins when Jacob comes down with cholera and against all odds survives. Due to circumstances I'll forestall, he is alone on the prairie. From there the story of Yellow Hair evolves.
In Jacob's weakened and delirious condition, he is found by a party of Dakota Indians. A female warrior named Fighting Woman assumes responsibility for him and takes Jacob to her tribe. He recovers and is accepted and adopts the ways of the Mdewakanton band of the Santee Sioux of the Dakota nation. When danger befalls the tribe, he becomes a fierce warrior.
Over the next forty years, Yellow Hair and the Indian nations reel under the lies and mistreatment of the Federal Government and its agents. Promises are broken and details of treaties are changed after agreements are made and signed by both sides. As settlers pour into the North Central area of the United States, land given to the Indian tribes by treaty agreements is stolen by the government, and the Indians are confined to smaller and smaller areas. Finally, the Natives rebel and attack the hated Army Blue Coats. Many of the settlers and Indians are friends until battles break out and atrocities occur on both sides.
If you have any knowledge of the Indian Wars between 1850 and 1890 you can guess the final outcome.
The plot appears to be based on actual history and I highly recommend it.
The editing and sentence structure are good.
The plot, character development, details and research are excellent.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – Andrew Joyce
Genre – Historical Fiction, Western
498 Amazon Pages
Rating 5 stars out of 5
No. 13 - 2020
Posted 4-17-2020
My impressions: naive settlers, scumbag white officials, noble Indians, murder, torture, genocide.
The story begins in 1850 with a wagon train of settlers leaving Westport, Missouri, on the Oregon Trail. The settlers are from various locations east of Missouri. The main focus is on the Ariesen family, particularly twenty year old blond haired Jacob. The early portion of the story was the only part I took issue with. Eight families traveled in one of four columns. The background of each of those eight families was told in more detail than I felt was necessary given the fates that awaited them. You be the judge.
The primary plot begins when Jacob comes down with cholera and against all odds survives. Due to circumstances I'll forestall, he is alone on the prairie. From there the story of Yellow Hair evolves.
In Jacob's weakened and delirious condition, he is found by a party of Dakota Indians. A female warrior named Fighting Woman assumes responsibility for him and takes Jacob to her tribe. He recovers and is accepted and adopts the ways of the Mdewakanton band of the Santee Sioux of the Dakota nation. When danger befalls the tribe, he becomes a fierce warrior.
Over the next forty years, Yellow Hair and the Indian nations reel under the lies and mistreatment of the Federal Government and its agents. Promises are broken and details of treaties are changed after agreements are made and signed by both sides. As settlers pour into the North Central area of the United States, land given to the Indian tribes by treaty agreements is stolen by the government, and the Indians are confined to smaller and smaller areas. Finally, the Natives rebel and attack the hated Army Blue Coats. Many of the settlers and Indians are friends until battles break out and atrocities occur on both sides.
If you have any knowledge of the Indian Wars between 1850 and 1890 you can guess the final outcome.
The plot appears to be based on actual history and I highly recommend it.
The editing and sentence structure are good.
The plot, character development, details and research are excellent.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Title – Night Shadow’s Son
Author – Ross Grayson
Genre – Historical Fiction & Adventure
Word Count 122,300
Rating 4 Stars out of 5
No. 12 - 2020
Posted
My Impressions: an excellent adventure story although I approached the main character’s exceptional abilities with tongue in cheek.
Main Characters:
Syeira - a Romani Gypsy, who has a daughter fathered by a British Naval officer.
Britannia –, Syeira’s daughter, member of the French Resistance in WWII,. then a Romani fortune teller.
Lan also known as Cantu – Circus roustabout, gaffer and then man of mystery.
When Britannia is a young girl, she and Syeira leave England and traverse Europe in search of a Romani circus. There are many adventures along the way over several years. Syeira home schools Britannia and has her reading university materials at a young age. During WWII Britannia works with the French Resistance as a spy against the Germans. One night she arrives at a French bomb shelter after an allied bombing attack. She has an infant she found in the bombing ruble. She names the boy Lan and raises him after the war ends. She becomes a famous fortune teller and he grows to manhood as a circus roustabout, then a gaffer in charge of the circus labor. There is nothing the young man won’t attempt. To everyone’s amazement he does every new skillset well. He fills in and does an act with a large tiger, he exercises with the strongman and is unbelievably strong. He even fills in on the circus aerialist act when one of the team is injured.
Eventually Lan goes to London to live with an eccentric professor who played important roles during WWII against the Germans. From there Lan goes undercover to avert a nuclear war between two countries that would involve the entire world.
The level of editing is far from perfect but not terrible, and sentence structure is good.
Character development is in depth for the main characters.
Details are adequate but not overdone, and research of historical documentation is evident.
The plot is fresh and intriguing.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – Ross Grayson
Genre – Historical Fiction & Adventure
Word Count 122,300
Rating 4 Stars out of 5
No. 12 - 2020
Posted
My Impressions: an excellent adventure story although I approached the main character’s exceptional abilities with tongue in cheek.
Main Characters:
Syeira - a Romani Gypsy, who has a daughter fathered by a British Naval officer.
Britannia –, Syeira’s daughter, member of the French Resistance in WWII,. then a Romani fortune teller.
Lan also known as Cantu – Circus roustabout, gaffer and then man of mystery.
When Britannia is a young girl, she and Syeira leave England and traverse Europe in search of a Romani circus. There are many adventures along the way over several years. Syeira home schools Britannia and has her reading university materials at a young age. During WWII Britannia works with the French Resistance as a spy against the Germans. One night she arrives at a French bomb shelter after an allied bombing attack. She has an infant she found in the bombing ruble. She names the boy Lan and raises him after the war ends. She becomes a famous fortune teller and he grows to manhood as a circus roustabout, then a gaffer in charge of the circus labor. There is nothing the young man won’t attempt. To everyone’s amazement he does every new skillset well. He fills in and does an act with a large tiger, he exercises with the strongman and is unbelievably strong. He even fills in on the circus aerialist act when one of the team is injured.
Eventually Lan goes to London to live with an eccentric professor who played important roles during WWII against the Germans. From there Lan goes undercover to avert a nuclear war between two countries that would involve the entire world.
The level of editing is far from perfect but not terrible, and sentence structure is good.
Character development is in depth for the main characters.
Details are adequate but not overdone, and research of historical documentation is evident.
The plot is fresh and intriguing.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Title – Code Name Scarlet
Author – Richard Lowry
Genre – Military, Action/ Adventure
336 Amazon Pages
No. 11- 2020
Rating 4 stars out of 5
Posted 4/3/2020
There are many characters in Code Name Scarlet. Military units from the Army, Air Force, Marines and Navy are in locations from the US to Afghanistan and Pakistan. Add in CIA personnel, government employees, politicians and foreign officials and the cast is humongous. Some of the character's names are similar and makes it difficult to keep track of groups, ranks, and locations.
The plot begins with the attack on the World Trade Center in September 2001 and ends October 2007. A plan is hatched to find and eliminate Al Qaeda leaders Osama bin Laden, Ayman Al Zawahiri, and if possible, Mohammed Omar.
The story is very detailed and full of action and foreign intrigue. As the story progresses the reader is drawn to the characters as individual details develop. Personalities and romances evolve giving the characters warmth and feelings. When a favorite character dies it's as if a real friend had passed on.
Halfway through the plot changes. Add in two nuclear weapons given to radical terrorist to involve the US in a world war after a major US port is destroyed. The story becomes intense as the intelligence officers gather information to learn the locations of the bombs and the ultimate targets. With that information the field operations forces take over and confront the terrorist.
The editing and sentence structure are good with few errors.
Main characters are well developed to the point of becoming the reader's friends.
Details are well described, and research is apparent as the story unfolds and builds.
The plot is complex and transitions through many scene and location changes.
A few plot details stretched the limits of plausibility but were easy to pass over and accept.
This war story was thoroughly enjoyable, and I look forward to more works by this author.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – Richard Lowry
Genre – Military, Action/ Adventure
336 Amazon Pages
No. 11- 2020
Rating 4 stars out of 5
Posted 4/3/2020
There are many characters in Code Name Scarlet. Military units from the Army, Air Force, Marines and Navy are in locations from the US to Afghanistan and Pakistan. Add in CIA personnel, government employees, politicians and foreign officials and the cast is humongous. Some of the character's names are similar and makes it difficult to keep track of groups, ranks, and locations.
The plot begins with the attack on the World Trade Center in September 2001 and ends October 2007. A plan is hatched to find and eliminate Al Qaeda leaders Osama bin Laden, Ayman Al Zawahiri, and if possible, Mohammed Omar.
The story is very detailed and full of action and foreign intrigue. As the story progresses the reader is drawn to the characters as individual details develop. Personalities and romances evolve giving the characters warmth and feelings. When a favorite character dies it's as if a real friend had passed on.
Halfway through the plot changes. Add in two nuclear weapons given to radical terrorist to involve the US in a world war after a major US port is destroyed. The story becomes intense as the intelligence officers gather information to learn the locations of the bombs and the ultimate targets. With that information the field operations forces take over and confront the terrorist.
The editing and sentence structure are good with few errors.
Main characters are well developed to the point of becoming the reader's friends.
Details are well described, and research is apparent as the story unfolds and builds.
The plot is complex and transitions through many scene and location changes.
A few plot details stretched the limits of plausibility but were easy to pass over and accept.
This war story was thoroughly enjoyable, and I look forward to more works by this author.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Title – Surrogate
Author – Regis Sheehan
Genre – Thriller
298 Amazon Pages
No. 10 - 2020
Rating 4 stars out of 5
Posted 3/27/2020
'Bear' – Paul Michael Medved – Special Forces warrior – undercover cop.
Bear is the main character in this story which also fits well in the Action/Adventure genre. There is a large cast of supporting characters, but none approach main character status.
In the military, Bear advanced to the bad assed group known as SOG, Studies and Observations Group of the Military Assistance Command - Vietnam. The covert military unit ran clandestine operations in Laos and North Vietnam. Their kill rate was high, and their casualty rate was just as high.
After the military, Bear was engrained in undercover narcotics work in Pittsburg until he accepted an assignment with the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency in Florida. DEA agent Lara McMillan headed a team intent on bringing ultra violent Haitian drug lord Herve Villafranca to justice. But to do that he needed to be enticed to step foot on American soil.
Bear wound up in Haiti and met Villafranca's sister, Ileana a key player in Villafranca's take down.
The action was intense as Bear infiltrated the drug lord's empire where his undercover role could be exposed at any time.
Editing encompassed several missing, extra, misspelled and wrong words but isn't terrible.
I enjoyed this story and recommend it.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – Regis Sheehan
Genre – Thriller
298 Amazon Pages
No. 10 - 2020
Rating 4 stars out of 5
Posted 3/27/2020
'Bear' – Paul Michael Medved – Special Forces warrior – undercover cop.
Bear is the main character in this story which also fits well in the Action/Adventure genre. There is a large cast of supporting characters, but none approach main character status.
In the military, Bear advanced to the bad assed group known as SOG, Studies and Observations Group of the Military Assistance Command - Vietnam. The covert military unit ran clandestine operations in Laos and North Vietnam. Their kill rate was high, and their casualty rate was just as high.
After the military, Bear was engrained in undercover narcotics work in Pittsburg until he accepted an assignment with the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency in Florida. DEA agent Lara McMillan headed a team intent on bringing ultra violent Haitian drug lord Herve Villafranca to justice. But to do that he needed to be enticed to step foot on American soil.
Bear wound up in Haiti and met Villafranca's sister, Ileana a key player in Villafranca's take down.
The action was intense as Bear infiltrated the drug lord's empire where his undercover role could be exposed at any time.
Editing encompassed several missing, extra, misspelled and wrong words but isn't terrible.
I enjoyed this story and recommend it.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Title – Faithless Elector
Author – James McCrone
Genre – Suspense, Thriller, Political
191 Amazon Pages
No. 09 - 2020
Rating 5 stars out of 5
Posted 3/20/2020
Main Characters
Duncan Calder, age 47, is a professor of Political Science. He teaches American Politics at the Univ. of Washington at Seattle.
Imogen Trager age 35, is a FBI agent and a past student of Prof. Calder.
Matthew Yamashita is a grad student under Calder.
Jerry Ingram is a friend of Matthew's and a reporter for the Washington Post.
Matthew Yamashita has a project to track how individual members of the Electoral College vote. When seven of those delegates die in accidents in a two month period, he suspects a conspiracy is in play to shift the election results for the next President of the USA. He contacts his friend Jerry Ingram to look into his allegations. The next day Jerry dies in a car wreck.
Then Matthew is 'accidentally' run over while on his bicycle.
Duncan is then drawn into the thriller when Matthew's keys and his laptop computer are both unexpectedly missing from the accident site as are other articles from Matthew's room.
Soon Duncan experiences break ins at his home and office and suspects he is under surveillance by someone.
Out of desperation, he contacts the only person he knows at the FBI, Imogen Trager.
Then the plot becomes even more intense as the action escalates non-stop with the bad guys chasing Duncan and Imogen at every turn.
The editing, sentence structure and character development are good.
There was one issue with continuity: when Duncan went to visit the character Novaczeck he signed the log book at the guard station at the entrance. Yet no one knew who the unknown visitor was for quite some time.
I enjoyed this story, and the plot involving the little understood political angle was fresh and unusual.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – James McCrone
Genre – Suspense, Thriller, Political
191 Amazon Pages
No. 09 - 2020
Rating 5 stars out of 5
Posted 3/20/2020
Main Characters
Duncan Calder, age 47, is a professor of Political Science. He teaches American Politics at the Univ. of Washington at Seattle.
Imogen Trager age 35, is a FBI agent and a past student of Prof. Calder.
Matthew Yamashita is a grad student under Calder.
Jerry Ingram is a friend of Matthew's and a reporter for the Washington Post.
Matthew Yamashita has a project to track how individual members of the Electoral College vote. When seven of those delegates die in accidents in a two month period, he suspects a conspiracy is in play to shift the election results for the next President of the USA. He contacts his friend Jerry Ingram to look into his allegations. The next day Jerry dies in a car wreck.
Then Matthew is 'accidentally' run over while on his bicycle.
Duncan is then drawn into the thriller when Matthew's keys and his laptop computer are both unexpectedly missing from the accident site as are other articles from Matthew's room.
Soon Duncan experiences break ins at his home and office and suspects he is under surveillance by someone.
Out of desperation, he contacts the only person he knows at the FBI, Imogen Trager.
Then the plot becomes even more intense as the action escalates non-stop with the bad guys chasing Duncan and Imogen at every turn.
The editing, sentence structure and character development are good.
There was one issue with continuity: when Duncan went to visit the character Novaczeck he signed the log book at the guard station at the entrance. Yet no one knew who the unknown visitor was for quite some time.
I enjoyed this story, and the plot involving the little understood political angle was fresh and unusual.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Title – Armor #1 The Battle of North Africa
Author – Craig DiLouie
Genre – Military
Word Count 41,000
Rating 4 stars out of 5
No. – 08- 2020
Posted 3/14/2020
My Impressions: All the bloody horrors of war are on display here.
Main Characters:
Sgt. John Austin – tank commander
PFC Anthony Russo – tank driver
PFC Amos Swanson – main gun loader
PFC Eugene Clay – assistant driver and .30 caliber bow gunner
Corporal Charles Wade - gunner
Tank 34 affectionately known as ‘Boomer’ is an M-4 Sherman tank in company ‘B’ of the third platoon of the 1st armored Division, 6th armored Regiment, 1st Battalion. The story is set in Africa in WWII. where the tanks go up against Rommel’s tank forces. German troops have larger tanks and more powerful armament.
The story is a fictional account of a green bunch of men struggling to work together for the good of the team. All of them, except Sgt. Austin, question what the hell made them volunteer to be there. Weather conditions are grim, senior officers are incompetent and the German enemy is capable and shrewd. Amid constant bickering and deep resentment of each other, the group gradually develops into a capable fighting force. An element of coming of age is in the story as the crew learns to appreciate the strengths of other members and to minimize the impact of the verbal jabs they each make.
The editing and sentence structure are fair at best. Commas are the biggest bugaboo, but there are other issues too.
Character development is excellent. I came to know and care for all the main characters.
Details are superb and research is evident.
The plot is based on historical events with fictional characters woven into the story.
If you’re a fan of military action, you’ll likely enjoy the story. If you abhor any mention of war and killing skip it.
The editing issues drag it down to a weak four star rating. It is carried entirely by the story telling and writing.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – Craig DiLouie
Genre – Military
Word Count 41,000
Rating 4 stars out of 5
No. – 08- 2020
Posted 3/14/2020
My Impressions: All the bloody horrors of war are on display here.
Main Characters:
Sgt. John Austin – tank commander
PFC Anthony Russo – tank driver
PFC Amos Swanson – main gun loader
PFC Eugene Clay – assistant driver and .30 caliber bow gunner
Corporal Charles Wade - gunner
Tank 34 affectionately known as ‘Boomer’ is an M-4 Sherman tank in company ‘B’ of the third platoon of the 1st armored Division, 6th armored Regiment, 1st Battalion. The story is set in Africa in WWII. where the tanks go up against Rommel’s tank forces. German troops have larger tanks and more powerful armament.
The story is a fictional account of a green bunch of men struggling to work together for the good of the team. All of them, except Sgt. Austin, question what the hell made them volunteer to be there. Weather conditions are grim, senior officers are incompetent and the German enemy is capable and shrewd. Amid constant bickering and deep resentment of each other, the group gradually develops into a capable fighting force. An element of coming of age is in the story as the crew learns to appreciate the strengths of other members and to minimize the impact of the verbal jabs they each make.
The editing and sentence structure are fair at best. Commas are the biggest bugaboo, but there are other issues too.
Character development is excellent. I came to know and care for all the main characters.
Details are superb and research is evident.
The plot is based on historical events with fictional characters woven into the story.
If you’re a fan of military action, you’ll likely enjoy the story. If you abhor any mention of war and killing skip it.
The editing issues drag it down to a weak four star rating. It is carried entirely by the story telling and writing.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Title – Forbidden Rescue
Author – Edward T. Milligan
Genre – Detective Thriller
Word Count 58,500
Rating 5 stars out of 5
No. 07-2020
Posted 3/6/2020
My Impressions: Action filled, unrequited love, inept authorities.
Main Characters:
Blake Cutter – Federal agent with the State Bureau of Investigation in Georgia.
Alex McBain- Blake’s best friend and fellow agent.
Penelope Lane – Lead suspect in the murders of two people. Blake is in love with her.
The previous book Past the Line ended with Penelope Lane falling from a seven story building.
Forbidden Rescue opens with Penelope in the hospital ICU receiving emergency surgeries for the injuries she sustained. Before she can be released, the hospital is attacked, and she is taken prisoner by Blake’s nemesis mobster Bennie DeSalvo
Blake pressures his supervisors to let him lead a hostage rescue mission to save the woman he loves. Eventually he is turned down and takes matters into his own hands. He persuades a group of agents and police officers to assist him in an unauthorized raid on a warehouse complex where Penelope is held captive. The raid goes badly but Penelope is freed.
After her release from the hospital and then a trial for murder, Penelope is remanded to a psychiatric hospital for twenty years.
Blake is still drawn to her and assumes personal responsibility for her safety. She believes the mob is still after her and Blake is torn to decide whether she is paranoid or if there is a real threat.
Blake goes off the deep end is suspended after taking steps to free her from confinement.
From there the story become even more intense.
The editing, sentence structure, and character development are well done.
The plot is intense and continues the story from the initial book.
There is some minor cursing.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – Edward T. Milligan
Genre – Detective Thriller
Word Count 58,500
Rating 5 stars out of 5
No. 07-2020
Posted 3/6/2020
My Impressions: Action filled, unrequited love, inept authorities.
Main Characters:
Blake Cutter – Federal agent with the State Bureau of Investigation in Georgia.
Alex McBain- Blake’s best friend and fellow agent.
Penelope Lane – Lead suspect in the murders of two people. Blake is in love with her.
The previous book Past the Line ended with Penelope Lane falling from a seven story building.
Forbidden Rescue opens with Penelope in the hospital ICU receiving emergency surgeries for the injuries she sustained. Before she can be released, the hospital is attacked, and she is taken prisoner by Blake’s nemesis mobster Bennie DeSalvo
Blake pressures his supervisors to let him lead a hostage rescue mission to save the woman he loves. Eventually he is turned down and takes matters into his own hands. He persuades a group of agents and police officers to assist him in an unauthorized raid on a warehouse complex where Penelope is held captive. The raid goes badly but Penelope is freed.
After her release from the hospital and then a trial for murder, Penelope is remanded to a psychiatric hospital for twenty years.
Blake is still drawn to her and assumes personal responsibility for her safety. She believes the mob is still after her and Blake is torn to decide whether she is paranoid or if there is a real threat.
Blake goes off the deep end is suspended after taking steps to free her from confinement.
From there the story become even more intense.
The editing, sentence structure, and character development are well done.
The plot is intense and continues the story from the initial book.
There is some minor cursing.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Title –The Deadly Puzzle
Author – D.B. Silvis
Genre – MST
287 Amazon Pages, 85,879 words
No. 06 - 2020
Rating 4 stars out of 5
Posted 2/28/2020
There is occasional cursing and sexual situations plus extreme violence. If you are adverse to those don't read it. If you choose to read it, don't give it a low review rating for the reasons cautioned here. You were clearly warned.
My impressions: gory, lots of violence, blood and pain, diverse characters.
Main Characters:
Jake Wayde, ex marine, tough P.I.
Donald 'Tiny' Barnes, charter boat captain, Jake's friend.
Betti Dennis, Jake's girlfriend.
Lt. Kelly, peanut addicted Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Policeman.
Dr. Frederick Rhineman, brilliant research chemist, racist, puzzle player.
Puzzle of Death has a large, interesting cast of support characters; there is a U.S. Senator an ambassador, FBI agents, Detroit mobsters, multiple torturers/killers, and Iranian secret agents.
After his death, Dr. Frederick Rhineman sets in motion a complex plot involving his twelve most hated people. They are pitted against each other to collect a prize of ten million dollars and a newly developed chemical formula that many nations would pay extreme amounts of money for. Each of the people the Doctor has a grudge against receives a letter containing a puzzle piece. The person who collects Rhineman's twelve hand cut puzzle pieces with written clues attached is the winner. Or are they?
The plot is complex and has more turns than a coiled rattlesnake. Some of the characters are found to not be what they initially seem.
If you like to read about mean, murderous women there is a goodly dose of those.
I enjoyed the story and recommend it to readers who can stand the stench of violent death.
The lack of professional editing hurts the book's rating. There are missing, extra and misspelled words.
Quotation marks are missing in several instances plus several occurrences of mixed past and present tense.
The plot is excellent, and sentence structure and character development are okay.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – D.B. Silvis
Genre – MST
287 Amazon Pages, 85,879 words
No. 06 - 2020
Rating 4 stars out of 5
Posted 2/28/2020
There is occasional cursing and sexual situations plus extreme violence. If you are adverse to those don't read it. If you choose to read it, don't give it a low review rating for the reasons cautioned here. You were clearly warned.
My impressions: gory, lots of violence, blood and pain, diverse characters.
Main Characters:
Jake Wayde, ex marine, tough P.I.
Donald 'Tiny' Barnes, charter boat captain, Jake's friend.
Betti Dennis, Jake's girlfriend.
Lt. Kelly, peanut addicted Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Policeman.
Dr. Frederick Rhineman, brilliant research chemist, racist, puzzle player.
Puzzle of Death has a large, interesting cast of support characters; there is a U.S. Senator an ambassador, FBI agents, Detroit mobsters, multiple torturers/killers, and Iranian secret agents.
After his death, Dr. Frederick Rhineman sets in motion a complex plot involving his twelve most hated people. They are pitted against each other to collect a prize of ten million dollars and a newly developed chemical formula that many nations would pay extreme amounts of money for. Each of the people the Doctor has a grudge against receives a letter containing a puzzle piece. The person who collects Rhineman's twelve hand cut puzzle pieces with written clues attached is the winner. Or are they?
The plot is complex and has more turns than a coiled rattlesnake. Some of the characters are found to not be what they initially seem.
If you like to read about mean, murderous women there is a goodly dose of those.
I enjoyed the story and recommend it to readers who can stand the stench of violent death.
The lack of professional editing hurts the book's rating. There are missing, extra and misspelled words.
Quotation marks are missing in several instances plus several occurrences of mixed past and present tense.
The plot is excellent, and sentence structure and character development are okay.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Title: Tattoo
Author: JG Alva
Genre: Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Crime
320 Pages @ Amazon
No. 05 - 2020
Rating: four stars out of five
Posted 2/22/2020
Tattoo contains some cursing plus torture scenes, necrophilia, and grisly, gory acts of murder.
My impressions: borders on horror, intense, frightening, gruesome, imaginative, well written.
Sutton Mills is the main character, a mysterious enigma who has a knack for locating missing people.
Dr. Robin Sails is a psychotherapist whose sister is abducted, presumably by the Head Hunter.
A serial killer nicknamed The Head Hunter is leaving decapitated, tortured bodies of young women around Bristol, England. Clues from the killer are provided in the form of tattoos inked on the arms of the corpses.
Sutton agrees to search for Dr. Sails abducted sister. Of course, she insists on tagging along and gets in his way at every turn.
As Sutton runs down leads, he is followed then attacked. Then some of the people he contacted and interviewed suddenly disappear. Working with policeman Sean Bocksham gives Sutton access to information he otherwise wouldn't be privy to. The overriding question of the story is whether Sutton will find Robin's sister before she loses her head.
Editing is fair to good; the author consistently uses passed in place of past, a minor easily fixed error if he'd check a dictionary.
Character development is thorough and above average. Details are abundant and the plot, while gruesome and horrifying, is excellent and well thought-out.
Several questions that arise are left unanswered. Near the end Sean questioned why he wasn't alerted of a need for police intervention. Robin had supposedly been calling him frequently, but no explanation was given for the discrepancy.
For readers who aren't turned off by the abundant violence and perversion, I recommend Tattoo for an intense, scary read.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author: JG Alva
Genre: Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Crime
320 Pages @ Amazon
No. 05 - 2020
Rating: four stars out of five
Posted 2/22/2020
Tattoo contains some cursing plus torture scenes, necrophilia, and grisly, gory acts of murder.
My impressions: borders on horror, intense, frightening, gruesome, imaginative, well written.
Sutton Mills is the main character, a mysterious enigma who has a knack for locating missing people.
Dr. Robin Sails is a psychotherapist whose sister is abducted, presumably by the Head Hunter.
A serial killer nicknamed The Head Hunter is leaving decapitated, tortured bodies of young women around Bristol, England. Clues from the killer are provided in the form of tattoos inked on the arms of the corpses.
Sutton agrees to search for Dr. Sails abducted sister. Of course, she insists on tagging along and gets in his way at every turn.
As Sutton runs down leads, he is followed then attacked. Then some of the people he contacted and interviewed suddenly disappear. Working with policeman Sean Bocksham gives Sutton access to information he otherwise wouldn't be privy to. The overriding question of the story is whether Sutton will find Robin's sister before she loses her head.
Editing is fair to good; the author consistently uses passed in place of past, a minor easily fixed error if he'd check a dictionary.
Character development is thorough and above average. Details are abundant and the plot, while gruesome and horrifying, is excellent and well thought-out.
Several questions that arise are left unanswered. Near the end Sean questioned why he wasn't alerted of a need for police intervention. Robin had supposedly been calling him frequently, but no explanation was given for the discrepancy.
For readers who aren't turned off by the abundant violence and perversion, I recommend Tattoo for an intense, scary read.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
