Book Review: "Buzz Kill" by Alison Gaylin

 Boston PI Sunny Randall is back to investigate the disappearance of a hard-partying energy drink mogul, in the latest thriller in Robert B. Parker’s bestselling series.

After a near-death experience, Sunny Randall is ready to lighten her load as a PI, that is until she is called upon by billionaire media magnate Bill Welch to investigate the disappearance of his son, Dylan, the cofounder of the Gonzo Energy Drink company. Lazy, unscrupulous and a notorious partier, Dylan isn’t exactly reliable. But Dylan’s mother, Lydia, insists this time is different. She knows him. He’s her son. And she believes he’s in serious danger.

Unable to turn down the Welches’ life-changing offer, Sunny takes on the case, starting off by befriending Dylan's smart young business partner, Sky, who seems like his polar opposite. Sky is bright, innovative, ambitious and empathetic -- yet surprisingly, she adores Dylan, and desperately wants Sunny to find him.

As Sunny traces the marks left behind by Dylan’s past, she must unearth all the skeletons in his closet. She discovers not only his bad behavior with women, but also his reckless moves within the business world, producing an energy drink that, despite its marketing, has proven dangerous and even deadly. Still, Sky insists he’s a good man. Who is Dylan, really? And why has he vanished? When bodies start to pile up, Sunny must find answers quick, before she—and those she cares about—get caught in the crossfire. - from Netgalley.com

This eARC was received from NEtgalley.com and I am providing an unbiased review.

This is the 12th book in the established Sunny Randall series started by Robert Parker. From the book description it is the typical PI story written in Parker's previous style by Gaylin, and reads fairly fast and factual. Having read the inter-related 'Spenser for Hire' and 'Jesse Stone' series, I also have come to really like this series, as I am a fan of Parker's writing and story-telling.

Overall this is a story about the regular length as the rest int he series, and has the MC solving a case whilst mentally struggling with the issues of loving her ex-husband, spending time with said ex, and past love interests, plus life choices in general. This is a good extension of the series, and could be read-alone, but as I always prefer to read from the start of a series just so some of the backstory will be more aware for the reader.

Book Review: "An Instruction in Shadow" by Benedict Jacka

 

The ultra-rich control magic—the same way they control everything else—but Stephen Oakwood may just beat them at their own game in this exhilarating contemporary fantasy from the author of the Alex Verus novels.

Stephen Oakwood has emerged victorious against the schemes of his aristocratic family. Now he finally has the opportunity to do what he’s been wanting to do for a long time: track down his father.  

But doing so won’t be easy. Stephen’s not so isolated any more, but the contacts he’s making in the magical world—everyone from the corporation he works for to the mother he’s just beginning to reconnect with—all have agendas of their own. And now a new group is emerging from the shadows, calling themselves the Winged. Their leader, the mysterious Byron, promises that he can show Stephen how to find his father...but he wants something in return.

Following that trail will throw Stephen into greater danger than he’s ever faced before. To survive, he’ll need to use all of his tricks and sigls, and pick up some new ones. Only then will he be able to prevail against his enemies...and find out who’s really pulling the strings. - from Netgalley.com

This eARC was provided by Netgalley.com and I am providing an unbiased review.

This is the second book in the this series by Jacka, and continues pretty much following the events int he first book. Stephen is still trying to find his father, and figure why his newly-found family is .. well, dysfunctional. While doing all of this he has to handle work, sigl-making, attacks/raids from other people, and groups coming out of the woodwork - all with their wants, needs and for some reason, him.

I felt this part of the series slowed down a bit, and helped explain a bit more of the magic system, than was explained before. It also shows the development of the MC as he has to "find himself" in order to decide how to react to all the chaos going on around him. I am not sure I liked how all these entities are all going after him, considering I did not ever catch what is special about the MC - except he has a rare skill of finding wells (sight?) and maybe of making his own sigls. So that gets a bit boring, but otherwise the story is a pretty good read.

Book Review: "The Fall of Waterstone" by Lilith Saintcrow

 

An elemental witch and her shieldmaiden navigate a dangerous world of forgotten myth and deep magic in the second volume of New York Times bestselling author Lilith Saintcrow’s sweeping Norse-inspired epic fantasy series.

Solveig and her shieldmaid have finally reached the fabled Elder sanctuary of Waterstone—a city of healing, restful beauty hidden from the Enemy’s gaze. Yet whispers race through the palace halls, and those they have come to tentatively trust have hidden intentions. For not only is the city a refuge for an elementalist, her protector, and a mortal prince, it also holds a great weapon, one that only Solveig’s kind may wield.
 
Yet Sol’s faith in her own magic is perilously fractured. She can rely only her wits and skills of negotiation to be heard, or she will become a pawn in a dark game played by Elder and Enemy alike. The lord of the Black Land is mighty; treachery slithers amid Waterstone’s many wonders, and time is growing short.
 
Before the darkness finds a way in, Sol must decide who to trust, where to turn for aid, and if she will take up a power she cannot hope to control. Even the right choice may doom not just the home she has left behind, but the entire world… - from Netgalley.com

This eARC was received from Netgalley.com and I providing an unbiased review.

This is the second book in the 'Black Lands Bane' series by Saintcrow an continues the adventure of Solveig, as she is led on seemingly blindly. This part of the story brings the group to Waterstone, a city of the Elders, a fae-like race. Whilst here, there is treachery within the Elder ranks and the Black Lands creatures invade the hidden city, forcing all to flee or die. This sends our MC out once again to head for yet another 'hidden, Elder city' but now she is carrying within a piece of Waterstone of great value.

It was wonderful to pick up on this story again! Saintcrow has done a wonderful job morphing Norse mythology into a fantasy tale of adventure. I would like to see many more books in this series, but feel it will probably wrap up in the next (and last) installment. Probably best to have read the first novel, so all the backstory is known, but otherwise is easily read and moves along at a good pace.

Book Review: "The Hermit Next Door" by Kevin Hearne

 

Kevin Hearne, author of the acclaimed Iron Druid Chronicles, returns with an otherworldly new novella!

Newly widowed and trying to cope with her grief, Winnie Mae Chisholm moves from Tennessee with her teenage son, Pax, to Oregon, hoping the change will let them both heal and move on. She’s warned when buying their new home that the next door neighbor, Mr. Fisher, is a famous recluse and no one has seen him in years, but that’s fine with her—she’s looking for quiet.

She’s not going to get it, however, because when Pax meets the neighbor, he discovers that the reason Mr. Fisher hides from the world is that he isn’t actually from this world. He’s been stranded for decades and he’s trying to get home, and he could really use some help. 

Abruptly part of the best-kept secret on the planet, Winnie Mae and Pax have to protect Mr. Fisher from a nosy neighbor who would ruin his work and doom him to die among aliens, but they also have to ask themselves: How far would they go to escape their grief? Would another world be far enough? - from Netgalley.com 

This eARC was provided through Netgalley.com and I am giving an unbiased review.

Oddly enough, I found this little tale quite interesting. It is easy to read, and if you have an active imagination (I'm sure most of us readers do) you'll read through this tale fairly quickly. Not sure if this is going to turn into a possible series, or if it is just a stand-alone little story, but overall was enjoyable.

Book Review: "Sentinel" by Mark Greaney

 

 An African coup may force Josh Duffy to choose between his mission and his family in this intense thriller from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Gray Man series.

Josh Duffy and his wife Nikki are both working for the State Department's Diplomatic Security Service providing protection for diplomats in the field. They've been sent to Ghana with a team of US embassy personnel who are there to highlight American commitment to the construction of a new dam. 

Since Ghana is a stable democracy, the Duffy children have come along for a short vacation. But stability proves to be fleeting when a Chinese plan to embarrass the US means the destruction of the dam. Now Josh and his protectees are on the run caught between a Chinese hit squad and a rebel army. - from Netgalley.com 

This eARC was received through Netgalley.com and I am providing an unbiased review.

This is the second book in the 'Armored' series and continues a time after the events of the first book. It could be read as a stand-alone, but for better background on the characters, probably best read in order. 

The book was fairly action-filled, with many explosions, gunshots, and definitely technical information on so many weapons, places and events in Africa, that it was easy to get a bit lost. There are many things happening back-to-back that it really makes it a bit unbelievable a person(s) could actually survive mostly unhurt through most of the action. But that is what a good action thriller does....

Overall, the book was enjoyable, and I find myself wondering where Greaney will go next with this character.

Book Review: "After Oz" by Gordon McAlpine

 

This gripping and emotionally riveting tale is a dark and timely retelling of The Wizard of Oz where one little girl is forced to face head on the prejudices of the Midwest in the late 19th century.

Kansas, 1896. After a tornado destroys the Gale family farm, 11-year-old Dorothy goes missing. As the days pass by, the Gales are increasingly terrified the worst has happened. But when the girl turns up unharmed four days later, the townsfolk breathe in a sigh of relief. That is, until Dorothy herself relates her account of the events that took place after her disappearance. 

In vivid detail, Dorothy describes a fantastical land and its magical inhabitants, from the scarecrow, the tin man, and the cowardly lion to the wizard and the witch. Her recollections are not only regarded as delusional, but also as pagan and diabolical in nature, especially when the body of a local spinster is found. Making connections between the evil witch Dorothy claims to have defeated and the ill-tempered old crone, authorities find what they believe to be incriminating evidence, sentencing Dorothy to the Topeka Insane Asylum.  

When 28-year-old psychologist Dr. Evelyn Grace Wilford arrives at the asylum to interview Dorothy, she begins to wonder if Dorothy truly committed the crime or if something unfathomable has really occurred. 

In a small town full of insidious secrets, will Evelyn be able to save Dorothy from her terrible circumstances? Or is something menacing lurking just out of sight? - from Netgalley.com

I received this eARC from Netgalley.com and am providing an unbiased review.

There were several things about this book that caught my eye and piqued my interest with a desire to read it. The title and synopsis reminded me of a "movie" I had seen a trailer about, that seemed sort of along the same idea, and I wanted to read a version of the possibilities that took place after the famous book and movie of "The Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum. 

In short, the story starts pretty much near the end of what we know of the original story, but with a little more realistic twist. We find Dorothy survived the tornado, with the unrealistic story of 'Oz'. Then the suspected murder of the local spinster is placed on Dorothy, due to her tale of melting a witch. Dorothy is placed in a  mental asylum, where our MC, a female psychologist, meets her, and the story goes on to the details our MC faces over the course of a few short days in trying to prove Dorothy's innocence.

This was a very interesting read, as so many details of the time period were placed that provided a good background. The year being 1896, in Kansas, which I believe is part of the 'Bible Belt', so very strong religious views and following. A small town that has it's secrets. The misnomer that female doctors of any type were basically taboo. Throw in some of the plot twists, and it turned into a very good reading.

I had not read any previous works by McAlpine, but I see there are a few. I have looked at a couple and they seem to be of a similar type to this novel, and the twisted reality of what could be. I hope to be able to read them as well. Would definitely recommend this novel for those that enjoy historical fiction, mysteries, and plot twist with a possible alternate reality.

Book Review: "The Chronicles of Earth" by C L Jarvis

 

Edinburgh, 1785. A kidnapped geologist. A bombshell new theory.

George Stephens is weeks away from receiving his medical degree, but he doubts he'll make it as a physician in a crowded, competitive marketplace. Instead, he hopes Professor Joseph Black's friend, James Hutton, might get him a job in his chemical manufacturing works.

But before he has a chance to suggest this, Hutton is kidnapped. The eccentric geologist was about to deliver his bombshell treatise on the true age of the Earth, threatening to upend conventional beliefs about the universe and man's place in it.

Getting Hutton back pits George, Black and friends against a fanatical opponent who will stop at nothing until Hutton's dangerous theories are buried. If George wants to survive long enough to graduate, he'll need every ounce of his courage and skill. - from Booksirens.com 

This eARC was provided by Booksirens.com and I am providing an unbiased review.

This is the third novel in the Edinburgh Doctrines series, and hopefully not the last. Again the story revolves around a couple of professors and a student of theirs that is learning Phologiston (an early word for what many of us would call magic). This particular adventure includes a fellow professor that is kidnapped, a geologist. Jarvis has again created a story placed in an earlier version of Scotland, complete with what I would consider appropriate dress, speech, and lifestyles. Looking forward to what I believe was hinted at, a fourth book in this series.