Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: crime

  • 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.

  • The French Vendetta

    The French Vendetta

    A sudden change of plans to a long overdue honeymoon with Sally and baby Leia sees Charles Holbrook taking up the offer of a friend’s farmhouse in Gascony, which seems idyllic, but rather than having a relaxing holiday, they are plunged into a tragedy which has roots stemming back to World War 2.

    The latest enthralling book in the Charles Holbourne Legal Thriller series, The French Vendetta is based on an event that occurred in the region when a group of Resistance Fighters were betrayed by one of their own with horrific results.

    Villagers in many ways have not moved on since the final days of the War even though 25 years later life is vastly different, but there are still old scores to be settled and justice for the dead seen to be delivered.

    Charles innocently walks into this underlying tension between two closely located Villages and finds he must defend a woman who is innocent of being considered as a collaborator, in a Country whose Law he does not know, in a language he does not speak. If she is found guilty, she will be executed.

    The more he investigates the charges and the history of the area, he realises the person who was the collaborator is alive and doing very well and has been for some considerable time.

    How Michael Simon navigates his way through the legal and historic jungle of deeply embedded hatred, lies, misinformation and motive, sees a riveting story unfolding as it peals back the layers of hatred that span decades to reveal a truth kept well-hidden. Once the truth is revealed, an area once cruelly divided can finally heal and be reunited.

    The French Vendetta is highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a well-researched historic novel.

  • The Sea Sisters

    The Sea Sisters

    The Sea Sisters is a complicated read set in the charming town of Morranez in Britanny where twenty-five years ago a small child disappeared during the Morvarc’h Festival, an annual event that drew people from all walks of life to the coastal town.

    Nicole Stevenson, a young woman in failing health believes she is the missing child based on documents and pictures found after her father death. She has come to Morranez to see if she can discover if this is true and enlists the Toussaint Agency, an agency who specialize in missing persons, to help her in her search.

    Mila Shepherd, Carter Jackson and Ceci, Mila’s stepmother, make up the team of Toussaint’s, and once they make the decision to take on the case, they realize it is going to be far more challenging that just trying to discover what really did happen twenty-five years ago.

    As they dig into the past Mila begins to wonder if the drowning death of her sister Sophie, the murder of Charlie her husband, the abduction of Evie Albert and the closed community, Holywell, presided over by Augustine Golliard are all connected.

    Can a decades old mystery be solved to help Nicole find some sort of peace in her life and will the results of whatever is uncovered help Mila come to terms with the death of her beloved sister.

    Emotional, confusing, and complex the plot line has similarities to the case of Madelaine McCann in 2007, in Portugal, which still remains unsolved, and from this perspective is an interesting read, if a somewhat slow burn at times.

  • How to Kill a Crime Writer

    How to Kill a Crime Writer

    The tile of the book How to Kill A Crime Writer begs to be read as how indeed do you kill a crime writer, a writer with a big following and a writer known for her complex and yet manageable plots with a fantastic feme fatale as the PI who never, ever gives in or up.

    How to Kill A Crime Writer from Sarah Lotz is a deeply immersive look at how the human psyche can change the game so very easily without ever leaving the darkness of the gaming world, a world Niamh Morrissey inhabits as it is the place she can safely hide from the world: essentially disappear.

    But she is about to be dragged ruthlessly from the small world she as created as the death of her beloved, if somewhat irritating mother Ann Morrissey, simply does not make any sense, and even in her misery she can understand that.

    Leah Rebecca Overton is the PI star of the books written by her mother, believed by Niamh to be the cerebral creation daughter of her mother, as her real daughter is an abject failure at most things in life.

    Wallowing in a pity of her own making she is jolted into the everyday world by the appearance of none other than Leah Rebecca Overton; a vision in her home, a reality that simply can’t be but seems to be, and Leah wants answers.

    Through a series of tortuous twists and turn, Niamh and Leah learn to ‘co-habitat’ and trade insults with aplomb. No matter how hard they try to work out why Ann is dead from a fall from ladder, they can’t put all the pieces the puzzle together without venturing outside Niamh’s comfort zone.

    Serious blunders, too much alcohol, a trip to a Writers Festival, getting to know the very unusual neighbours and learning to live with a ‘ghost’, see Niamh finally beginning to interact with life once again in almost but not quiet Leah Rebecca Overton style!

    Quirky, funny, with a seriously devious and complex plot, Sarah Lotz has created a flawed heroine of the modern generation whom readers of all ages will be able to relate to with ease.

    How to Kill A Crime Writer is highly recommended

  • The Case of the Christie Curse

    The Case of the Christie Curse

    The quirky detective series The Detection Club,  created by Kelly Oliver returns with The Case of the Christie Curse which sees recognised Crime Writers Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers  in  Southern Mesopotamia accompanied by the Eliza Baker the Theo Sharp, caught up in a deadly situation which is populated with people who seem to be trustworthy but are doing their utmost to prove that maybe they are not.

    When Agatha sends out a call for help at the Dig she is currently involved with naturally Dorothy, Eliza and Theo leap into the challenge with barely a thought as to where they are going and what could have troubled Agatha so much that she needs their help and support.

    Arriving at the Dig on a blistering hot day they soon begin to understand why Agatha was so concerned, as something feels decidedly off colour. Putting it down to nothing to worry about, Dorothy succumbs to illness, Agatha is involved with her new book, editing another manuscript and the new young man in her life, Max Mallowan, the photographer of the expedition party, leaving Eliza and Theo to observe and note anything a bit different or unusual happening in the area.

    When the body of Julian Larch is found, the rumours commence in earnest about the Dig being cursed, and friction between the rest of the party climbs to a new high, Eliza and Theo begin to take Agatha’s call for help seriously.

    The unexpected arrival of Thomas Griffith and his grandson, with trunks and trunks of luggage add an element of confusion to the Camp, as he is a complete nuisance, quotes endlessly and is generally exceptionally irritating.

    When Eliza and Theo are deliberately targeted it become apparent that there is something very serious occurring at the Dig site, but what that could be is a mystery that needs to be solved before anyone else is killed.

    Carefully plotted and wrapped in the dangerous world of antiquities theft, The Case of the Christie Curse moves along the sands of Mesopotamia with a steady rhythm as an age old mystery comes to life and a long-wanted thief is caught in his own web.

    A great read and one all readers of cozy Detective stories will absolutely enjoy.

  • Murder at the Duomo

    Murder at the Duomo

    Dan Armstrong is surrounded by family, and Oscar of course, as they enjoy their evening meal, cooked by Dan as he shows off his recently learned culinary skills. His daughter Trisha is there with her fiancé Shaun as they are planning their soon to be wedding. Trisha would like to have it in the hills of beautiful Tuscany and Anna is helping her with venues.

    Dan and Oscar find their peace shattered in Murder in the Duomo, when a call comes from Virgilio, or rather Comisario Virgilio Pisano of the Florence murder squad, to help with what seems to have been a murder at the Duomo, or the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. The victim is a high-profile British businessman considered as the richest man in the world.

    The pressure is on to get a quick arrest before it becomes an international issue, as the murdered man, Mr Tristan Angel is also a major arms dealer, with powerful friends and allies as well as enemies.

    As they dig or try to dig deeper into the affairs of Tristan Angel they are blocked at every turn as the people who accompanied Angel to Fiesole, are telling a version of the truth which seems to be plausible but leaves much to be explained.

    Who had reason to kill, to carefully plan what now seems to be an execution is unclear, as it seems the murderer is not about to stop at one and anyone of the people still at the Villa may have had reason to kill; they all appear to have cast iron alibies.

    In this fast moving, Tuscany style Murder, Dan and Oscar find they are, as are the Police, left confused and intrigued as every lead ends in a dead end. It is only a quirk of fate that may shine a  very small light on a person who appears to be blameless. Are they the killer or are they hiding someone else in plain sight?

    Murder at the Duomo is once again an excellent cosy murder from TA Williams, featuring a tightly woven, complex plot which leads the armchair detective to false conclusions time and time again.  A great and most enjoyable murder once again!!

    An Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Mystery Book 14.

  • The Maskeys

    The Maskeys

    Australian author Stuart Everly-Wilson’s classifies his second published book ‘The Maskeys’ as a ‘crimance’; with an evolving romance in the background, readers have many crimes both large and small to solve. Although this small-town noir centres around two main dysfunctional families, the Reynolds and the Maskeys, Rodney the weedy runt, who lives in a tent and known as ‘the weazel’ is the main protagonist.

    In the fictional Australian town Naples on far north coast of New South Wales, an incredible feud which had been festering and simmering away for many years between the two main families, suddenly came to a head. When her house was set alight, Gayle Reynolds felt certain that one of the Maskeys was the arsonist, who was responsible for the fire.

    Not only was patriarch George Maskey the major drug dealer of the town, but he had also heavily involved her missing son Duncan in his operation. Meanwhile Rodney’s business shrewdness and quick thinking has kept the ailing George’s undertaking viable.  

    Gayle is determined to have revenge. Full of spiteful vengeance, and hatred for the Maskeys, and quite out of character, she commits a most unlikely crime, which sets in train the series of events, which she had least expected.

    Although readers may initially find the large cast of mainly despicable and morally corrupt characters daunting, the author’s use of their backstories develops them into believable three-dimensional people who at times also undertake acts of kindness and humanity. While engrossed in the narrative, readers will empathize with the characters and at the same time come to understand why the characters do what they do.

    An enjoyable holiday read.

  • Smugglers Cove

    Smugglers Cove

    A new series is unfolding from the much loved author Fern Michaels she introduces the little town of Smuggler’s Cove, quietly located on the bank of the Navesink River, just a ferry trip from the hustle and bustle of New Jersey.

    Smugglers Cove has a fascinating history as it was the known haunt of pirates. It was also considered as a safe haven for the Dutch traders in the 1600’s before notoriety set in with pirates who operated in the area deliberately causing shipwrecks.

    The most notorious of all was Captain William Kidd, whom legend has it, buried much of his stolen treasure somewhere along the shore; treasure hunters have been searching for it ever since!

    When Madison Tylor and her brother Lincoln inherit a dilapidated marina from their Uncle they are in turns excited and horrified, but soon come to the conclusion that perhaps this is a gift which, while unexpected could be something they need to understand, in order to be able to give back to a community who rely heavily on the income derived from a place much beloved by their uncle.

    Both Madison and Lincoln have had to rebuild their lives from a very young age, becoming successful in their chosen fields. Even though Madison has to come out from behind the wall she has established, Lincoln and Olivia, his wife and long-time friend of Madison find this legacy a breath of fresh air.

    As always in their lives when things are looking almost too good to be true, an old map of the area on display in the refurbished marina is stolen, which looks like the work of a notorious treasure hunting gang operating in the area.

    Where this will lead them, they have no idea, but they are determined that they will not back away for the challenge. Perhaps it is exactly what they need.

    Fern Michael spends considerable time in forming her characters in Smugglers Cove, as she details them individually before bringing all the strands together to build a captivating story based on wealth, theft, destruction, rebirth and change which is also full of the very essence that creates a good story; survival and intrigue.

    The Twin Light Series is set to become a great read when you want a little light relaxation set in the intriguing area of Smuggler’s Cove.

  • Scam at Old River

    Scam at Old River

    Based on a true story Scam at Old River is a fast paced, well-constructed mystery thriller from Mike Mackay and is also the first book in a series built around Jack Rhodes a computer forensic expert who is not afraid to get into the thick of a case when it is required.

    A night in a bar celebrating a successful conclusion to his last case, a woman in his bed and a loud hammering on his door in the morning makes Jack think he is in the middle of a of as marital dispute.

     When the woman hands him some papers, apologizes for dragging him into her mess and vanishes, he discovers there is far more, dangerously far more to a stranger knocking on his door asking for the woman who had been in his bed.

    Set in San Francisco, Jack discovers the woman Debbie, was an accountant for a team of real estate scammers connected to the criminal underworld of LA.

    He decides to try to find Debbie and to do so he taps into his resources within the Police Department. Going undercover, he poses as a salesman for the Company. When he gets a call from a man who wants to buy a large plot of land, he discovers that not everything is as it seems and through him, he meets Stella, a woman with money, charisma, and information.

    The trail leads to Chinatown, a place which is full of danger and the closer Jack gets to finding the people behind the scam, the more danger he and Stella seem to attract. Who wants to stop them and why?

    Scam at Old River has wide appeal for anyone who enjoys a solid story line filled with action, a delicate overlay of possible romance and an enticing conclusion which leaves the door open for the next book featuring Jack Rhodes.

  • Dead Reckoning

    Dead Reckoning

    Simon Peake is a man haunted by his past; there is nothing good in it at all, as far as he can tell and once again, he is broke, living on his wits, trying to keep out of trouble. He is waiting for someone at O’Hare’s bar – an Irish bar, possibly the last truly Irish bar in Manhattan, owned by the Irish, who may have some work for him.

    The person he is waiting for, Sean appears to be a no show but when a well-dressed woman comes up to him, obviously a regular, they have an enlightened conversation about life and dying. They leave the bar together.

    And so begins another fast-paced Crime thriller from Rob Sinclair through the streets of Manhattan as Peake finds he has become embroiled with the local Mafia, the powerful Rafferty family, a pawn in the conflict that is threatening to tear the family apart and a man falling in love with Katie; a woman torn by her tragedy of a past.

    Dead Reckoning peals back the ruthless layers of a family that have become a law unto themselves, that think nothing of killing, intimidation and treachery to get that they want, power and money. Their reach is long, their influence wide, their enforcing brutal.

    But Peake has his own death wish, cares little about his life or safety but does care for Katie and his neighbour Jelena; a woman who entertains men, many of whom treat her badly.

    Then there is Chan, his and Jelena’s landlord who also is not a man to mess with, also a man Peake dislikes for a variety of reasons, none of which he can put a finger on, he simply does not trust nor like the man and his bully boy.

    When the Middle Eastern element gets involved in the nefarious undertakings of the Rafferty family, Peakes previous life comes rampaging back, his skill and knowledge gained in his clandestine Military career, followed by a stint in goal, become necessary to try and save Katie and Jelena from certain death. Can he pull off an act of retribution or will it be the final hurrah for Simon Peake?

    All the elements of very good Crime thriller have been carefully constructed to deliver an antihero Simon Peake in Dead Reckoning, book one in the Simon Peake Thriller series,