Blue Wolf Reviews

Category: Thriller

  • A Season for Justice

    A Season for Justice

    A Season For Justice is the third book in the Justice Belstrang Mystery series from John Pilkington and once again is a captivating read, as Robert Belstrang takes on an assignment for a friend which sees him in a world he is unfamiliar with, facing a situation he feels ill equipped to manage.

    When the Great Comet appears in the sky on about the 6 September 1618, the good folk saw the Comet as a portent of trouble, disruption and an ill omen. Once it left the skies, peace would be once again restored but until then, disruption and mayhem would be present. And trouble it did seem to bring.

    Belstrang is told that King James would like to have his beloved Estate of Thirldon for his latest Mistress which brings on great distress, but when a letter from his old friend Sir George Mountford, stating his younger brother John is dead, killed in terrible circumstances and could Belstrang please visit him at this Manor in Upton, he is faced with a dilemma.

    Agreeing to find out what is going on, as his curiosity has been piqued, he sets off for Tewkesbury, now in the guise of William Pride, businessman, a man whom, as the days progress becomes absolutely convinced that John’s death was not accidental: that there is definitely something occurring that is highly suspicious and could almost be classed as treason.

    After a man is murdered and he is hit on the head and knocked out he realises he has no idea what he has become involved in. Once again, he sets out to make sure justice is done in no small way. This time though, as he is getting closer to discovering what treachery is occurring, he has underestimated his opponents, as they have planned his death very carefully and are brazen about what they are about to carry out.

    As the sad and tragic tales unfolds, it leads back to Belstrang’s adversary Standish, a man he has little time for, along with a host of other influential men, which places him in a moral dilemma which only he can solve.

    As this is the third and final book in this series, we bid goodbye to a man who once again will be Justice Robert Belstrang, in a finale which draws many loose ends to a close and sees the future for Belstrang looming rather wonderfully.

    The Justice Belstrang Mystery series is highly recommended as a well-presented and researched historic fiction with characters who come alive on the page.

  • Bad Neighbours

    Bad Neighbours

    There are many aspects of a novel which need to be covered to meet the standards of a “Murder mystery genre.” Joanna Jenkins has done this elegantly in Bad Neighbours, and the result is an immensely interesting and complex story. However, the reader never gets lost in the plot. Chapters are narrated by the main characters, so there is never confusion, and multiple factors are discussed to clarify back stories of the people who live in the apartment.

    Bad Neighbours is set in Sydney and the descriptions of that city and harbour are a good backdrop to this tale. Ruth is the main character. She has been given an opportunity (by a work colleague) to purchase an apartment near Potts point, a wealthy location. Being a litigation lawyer, she has a curiosity about her new residence, and the people who own the other apartments.

    She gradually meets these people, and they have their own stories to tell. In the lightwell in the basement of the building lives Ben. His father owned an apartment but sold it. Ben is waiting for the money since his father died and has been let in by one of the residents. His swag stays there and he sits in the garden for a while during the day. Most people avoid him and many want him gone from the building.

    We learn about Ruth’s work and her friends. She is investigating a bank’s attempt to give misleading information for a housing development. One of the culprits is living in Ruth’s apartment building, which causes concern over conflict of interest.

    Then one day, while Ben is lying in his swag, a woman comes by who helped his father sell his apartment. The following day, Ben is found dead. Forensics show he was poisoned, and a bottle is found in Ruth’s garage which matches the poison.

    The building of tension which is reflected in Ruth’s workplace, her home and neighbours begin to mount up. As she starts to investigate, with the help of two friends, a huge deception is uncovered. This is a truly clever read!

  • Codename: 61

    Codename: 61

    Alex Shaw has delivered another riveting read with his new, at this time, stand alone, Codename:61 with two unlikely heroes in Jack Tate and Adrian Snow. Thrown together during the War they became friends as well as operatives, moving on once Germany signed the Armistice.

    It is now 1961, the War is long over but to some, it never ended. Railwayman Jack Tate is now working in Kenya and Adrian Snow, still with the secretive ‘6’ meet up again, as a third member of their once active Unit has been gunned down on a quiet, sleepy, steamy street of Nairobi.

    Julian Jones-Smyth managed to pass over his leather attaché-case to Snow seconds before his death. When Snow sees the contents, he is at once returned to a tragic and horrific time when a traitor within the close Special Operations Executive destroyed a team of Agents in Sangatte, France, in 1942.

    Snow seeks out Tate to help him deal with what he perceives as a threat, also to right a terrible wrong. They find themselves under attack at Chemelil, a small out of the way railway station in Kenya, Tate’s two engineers held hostage.

    This volent and once again unprovoked attack, cause the pair to rethink what it is they are prepared to do and decide that this time the traitor in their ranks, so very long ago, will be held to account; one way or the other.

    Up against some powerful men, they find they must return to the days of subterfuge, resurrect long forgotten skills and ruthlessness to meet the enemy on his home ground, but they both discover the past has not finished with them either, as they return to Sangatte to pick up what should have been a cold, cold trail, but find it is not!

    Using a dual timeline very effectively, Shaw builds a powerful plot that see two aging operatives returning to a skill base honed as operatives and agents during the Second World War, both haunted by times past, both out to make amends long overdue.

    Highly recommended for lovers of a good read and fans of political spy fiction.

  • Nautilus

    Nautilus

    The second explosive book in The Nautilus Series from Nick Croydon Nautilus, has it all, as captures every nuance of the human psyche in a futurist, or maybe not so futuristic, look at the politics of the world which can be controlled by a complex and sophisticated machine that has the capability to change history.

    Created by Alan Turing during World War II, Nautilus has been carefully hidden a in a vault, accessible only to his daughter Annabel, who has been given the custodianship of the machine on the death of her father.

    Married to Edward, and now a Cabinet Minister, she is aware of the capabilities of the machine and the damage that can be caused should it fall into the wrong hands. Only she can access the vault, through a series of complex protocols established by her father.

    But there are factors in the political and monetary world that are aware of the machine and its capabilities and will do any at all to access what they consider great wealth, great power and world dominance.

    During a routine check on Nautilus, Annabel has discovered a series of code which translated delivers some very disturbing intelligence. She makes the decision to alert “C” the head of MI6, and by doing so sets in train a series of events which not only make her doubt those closest to her, but could if allowed to continue, change the world forever.

    Fast moving and full of intrigue wrapped around the world in which we live, should a machine with the capabilities of Nautilus, which can be used for good or evil, fall into the wrong hands, the results would be catastrophic.

    Not only are there ruthless global entities who will stop at nothing to get the machine, but closer to home and in the most devasting manner, there is someone who do anything at all to save himself and gain untold wealth.

    Poised on the edge of futuristic fiction, Nautilus is entrenched in the time old tale of greed, lies and treachery, common addictions to the past, the present and maybe even the future as an intriguing, carefully crafted and researched world comes into being through the skill of Nick Croydon.

    Nautilus; an absolute must read thriller based on fact, fiction and a world of maybe tomorrow.

  • A Hunt for Justice

    A Hunt for Justice

    In 1617 to be tried as a witch was not unusual. The King was actively seeking out any witches and making sure they died. To be accused of murder and then being a witch, using the evil powers commanded by said witch to cause the death, was a guaranteed death sentence.

    When Suzanna Corbett, daughter of a neighbour of Justice Belstrang is found drowned in a small pool known locally as the Witching Pool, not far from her home, he finds he is irresistibly drawn into a situation which will once again, see him pit his wits, and his life, to seek out truth and justice.

    Her father is a powerful landowner in the District who immediately says she has been bewitched by healer Agnes Mason. He calls her a witch, and it takes very little to convince members of his community that Agnes Mason is indeed a witch!

    Her family come to Justice Belstrang, recovering from his Year of Astonishment the previous year, now once again enjoying country life and reluctant to become involved in any more mysterious events.

    He finds the story of Suzanna Corbett’s death somewhat interesting and when he talks with is old friend Doctor Boyd, he is told the inquest was a ‘comedy’ barely lasting two hours, which increases his curiosity about what really happened to Suzanna Corbett and why.

    Attending the girl’s funeral with Hester, his wife, they are astonished at what occurs. This makes Belstrang, now more curious than ever, commit to finding out the truth of the matter which leads him on a strange, often dangerous and winding pathway through superstition, fear and tragedy.

    A second death occurs, once again a drowning at the Witching Pool; with every turn he and Boyd take in trying to discover the truth behind what is obviously a fabrication of lies and deceit, places them both in danger.

    A Hunt for Justice is the second book in the Justice Belstrang Mystery series and certainly does not disappoint with a well-researched historic timeline, strong characters and excellent plot

    John Pilkington captures the ambience of the 1600’s well; a time when superstition was a terrifying component of everyday life, mob violence was easy to generate, and mistruth very easily became truth.

    Another gripping and informative read from John Pilkington and his protagonist Justice Belstrang, a man out to right wrong, help a neighbour if possible and seek justice for all.

    *This title was previously published as The Witching Pool

  • The Mayan Betrayal

    The Mayan Betrayal

    Mexico and the Mayan civilization are the focus for book two in the Ethan Frost Archaeological Thriller series from Lex Faulkner, The Mayan Betrayal.

    It is 1031BC and the seasonal rains have not fallen over the land for some time, bringing great worry to the people of Chichen Itza. The sinkholes are now at dangerously low levels, the crops are failing and the people are losing faith in Balam Ajaw, their reigning King. The High Priests have been commanded to prepare a sacrifice for the Gods to appease them.

    A special sacrificial Dagger, Tijax Xibalba,  is used for these occasions and it is this dagger that has caused Ethan Frost and his team of specialists to take up a commission to not only try and recover the dagger, but also to discover what has happened to a team of Archaeologists lead by Benjamin Hawthorn’s daughter, a man who is a friend of Victor Stanhope the CEO of Frost Industries.

    It is not long after the team arrive in the small town of Piste, Mexico they begin to realise something is not quiet right, and as they set out on their trek, they realise that there is far more to what is going on than they were told. Their guide Raul seems to be very casual about the fact his cousin Pablo Fuentes is missing, along with the rest of the Archaeological team; he seems more like a tour guide than a local tracker.

    As it turns out they were not wrong, nothing is right about what is unfolding and it also appears that Ethan Frost seems to be the target; someone wants him dead! But who and why makes a cliffhanger of a story in every aspect.

    Lex Faulkener has once again created an engrossing adventure mystery based on the Mayan civilization, their incredibly detailed records, brilliance at timekeeping, celestial navigation, culture and history, as to solve more than one murder, first they have to understand the intricacies of the Mayans and their civilization.

    Filled with amazing ‘gadgets’, a cliffhanger of a plot and the mysteries of an ancient civilization The Mayan Betrayal is a must read for all fans of well researched and constructed thrillers.

  • The Last Summer at Feather River

    The Last Summer at Feather River

    Secrets, tragedy and reality come together in this equestrian based thriller The Last Summer at Feather River from Karen Nelson as she explores coming of age, adolescence and devastation through the life of Brooke as she returns to a place she once loved, Feather River Ranch.

    Its ten years since Brooke left Feather River Ranch after a night of complete devastation. She was her beloved grandfather Charlie’s only grandchild and had spent her time between City and country for as long as she could remember.

    She looked forward to the summer holiday program which bought teens to the Ranch to work, ride the horses, enjoy country life and experience a different lifestyle, as well as inject much needed cash into Charlie’s business, that of breeding horses for the turf racing world.

    This summer, the summer of her 13th year, it bought Tommy; young, eager, challenging and edgy. He was a magnet for the girls, attractive, enticing and out to prove himself.

    Tragedy strikes which had long reaching effects, effects that Brooke is coping with, convinced even ten years later her actions were the catalyst for what followed: the ranch closing its holiday programme, Brooke refusing to return and Charlie facing hardship as he managed the ranch on his own

    Asked to return to look after Charlie while his broken leg mends, she reluctantly agrees, which makes her begin to understand that perhaps her memories of that last night may not be correct, that there is far more which has been hidden from her for a very long time. Secrets, lies and deception begin to surface that need to be viewed in the clear light of time.

    The Last Summer at Feather River is a slow burn spread over ten years, revolving around the life at Feather River Ranch, the emotional toll of tragedy and what could be considered as redemption, as Brooke slowly faces her demons and begins to work with Charlie once again to save the Ranch from ruin.

  • Dear Father

    Dear Father

    The Spark of an Uprising

    Set in a remote area of Tasmania, Dear Father from Jillian Brannock combines cult, history and the need to belong into a spine-chilling debut novel which disturbingly could very well be true.

    Daniel’s life collapsed into a sad and sorry tale when his father left, and his mother moved on in her life. He was sixteen and she considered he could fend for himself on the streets.

    Discovered and groomed by an elegant woman, he eventually moves to rural Tasmania, a place that is remote, unusual and like nothing he has ever seen before. There he is restricted to the interior of the house, told to abide by the rules ask questions.

    As time passes Daniel realises that the men who visit the House are part of a cult, one that is kept secret and one that is training to be a small army, one that he is very curious about and fears.

    As a sickly weakling, he is not permitted to train with the other ‘recruits’ but he is aware he is being groomed for other things, but what he is not too sure about, other than it can be nothing good.

    Murder is committed, the ‘Political Party’ that is forming is beginning to appear more like a private army, and Danielis becoming more concerned over his safety than e has been since he was living life on the streets.

    Although he may be a sickly young man, he makes the decision to save himself, as he realises no one else will. The results of this decision and the money that has been put in a jar for him, but never given, sets him free in the most unexpected manner.

    Jillian Brannock has captured the changing nature of the world today as she creates a political scenario that attracts people who feel disenfranchised, unseen, unheard, who believe power, and brutality are the way forward drawing on the faded relicts of bygone era to underpin their plans and obsessions.

  • Hunting Ground

    Hunting Ground

    Once you move past the very graphic violence in the first chapter of Hunting Ground from Andrew Warren accepting that this is the norm, there is an excellent story of a white supremist cult obsession, power and tragedy to be discovered.

    Thomas Caine is recovering from a Mission that saw him decide that he had been lucky probably for the last time and he needed to reassess his future, particularly where it involved Rebecca Freeling, a woman who somehow saw the best in him.

    But his freshly created plans are put to the ultimate test when a protest march turns violent, and at the same time a terrorist attack occurs on the G. H.  Fallon Building in Baltimore; the building where his beloved Rebecca works.

    This is followed by a series of tragic circumstances, the death of his friend Tom’s son Sean, a person he had vowed to protect, and the discovery that his long-time mentor and friend Frank Balwin was dead.

    Tom is deeply challenged by the events that have occurred. When he makes the decision to risk everything for an answer he finds he is once again having to dig deep, far deeper than ever before as he is facing something so destructive it could see America facing a civil war.

    Working clandestinely alongside AJ Zavala, an FBI Special Agent who becomes accidently involve, having unexpectedly inherited the property of Frank Baldwin, along with a series of cryptic letters, they realise that whatever is occurring in the San Bernadino Mountains it nothing but bad with tentacles that reach into the highest levels of Government.

    Has he risked all for a lost cause or can they seek out the ruthless killers and see them bought to justice.  Will Rebecca forgive him this time or not is also on his mind as he and AJ face incredible odds against well trained men, in a battle that could see them both dead.

    Fast paced, vivid in description and a cliff hanger right to the end, Andrew Warren leaves the future of Thomas Caine hanging by a thread as he makes the toughest decision of his very challenging career.

  • The Shark 

    The Shark 

    True Crime readers will no doubt remember the Claremont Killings of 1996-7, which resulted in a 24-year investigation; the longest and most expensive investigation in Australian history and the ultimate conviction of the murder in 2020. Award winning author Emma Styles, latest crime thriller “The Shark” was inspired by this event.

    In the Cottesloe area of Perth, Western Australia a serial killer is targeting young swimmers, who go missing, only to be found horribly mutilated some time later. When Rachel’s close friend, Piper goes missing, she not only suffers from survivor’s guilt but also from a desire to do something to solve the mystery of her friend’s disappearance.

    Carmen, having found the first body appears to have a mysterious connection with the murderer. Both are impatient and angry about the lack of progress by the police to solve this case. On the anniversary of Piper’s disappearance and wanting answers to their questions, these vulnerable young women, having met briefly in a psychiatric unit, reluctantly form an uncomfortable alliance and take matters into their own hands.  Convinced that Neil Lock, known as ‘The Shark’ is the perpetrator of these horrific crimes, they kidnap him; but is he really the serial killer?

    Many readers will find this ‘serial killer’ fiction intriguing despite the unreliability of the unlikeable narrators Rachel and Carmen. The complex storyline is at times a little disjointed and disturbingly graphic.  Although not and easy read, it picks up in the last third of the book with its twists and turns; it is an interesting fictional take on a similar event.