Double Indemnity - A Review

 

Double Indemnity

by

Robert Whitlow

A Review

Every reader has their favorite authors. Robert Whitlow is one of mine. Whitlow has written another legal thriller. 

Connor Grantham, pastor of the Rock Community Church, was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation now suspected he had killed a member of the church. Connor, his lawyer, Liz, and his friends would need to locate the evidence to demonstrate his innocence and locate the guilty party. The process would also require Connor to undergo a spiritual transformation. God was using church members, nature, and His Own presence to accomplish that change in Connor’s heart - a change that would ultimately change Rock Community Church as well. 

 During the course of the book, we see God working in Connor’s relationships - both with God and with the people in Connor’s life. The result is a 5-star book worth taking the time to read and learn from. ______________ This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

Death Knells and Wedding Bells - A Review

 Death Knells and

Wedding Bells

by

Eva Gates

A Review

The author has again added an enjoyable book to her Lighthouse Cozy Mysteries series. Lucy McNeil (née Richardson) had been married at a well-planned ceremony followed by a great reception. As one might expect in an Eva Gates mystery, the reception ended with a murder. The victim was not very nice, but even he did not deserve to die.

With plenty of suspects, it would take the Nags Head Police Department with the help of amature sleuth Lucy McNeil days of hard work to find the responsible person. The library located on the Outer Banks along the North Carolina sea shore offered it clues along with a memorable setting for a wedding and/or vacation. 

This reader’s attention was held in place - with multiple late nights trying to piece together the clues and find the right suspect. I have no problem giving the book 5-stars; I am sure others will as well. 

______________

This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are mine alone.  

Montana Colld Case Conspiracy - A Review

 

Montana Cold

Case Conspiracy

by

Sharon Dunn

A Review

The book was a disappointing read. It felt as if the story continually repeated itself:

1. Try to kidnap protagonist

2. Break window (usually a car window)

3. Get away safely

4. Do it again

It left this reader wanting a plot that would allow one to follow the investigation and finally arriving at a satisfactory conclusion. Alas, it was not to be.

The book may be satisfying to some, but this reviewer can only give the book 2-½ stars.

______________

This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are mine alone.  

Counter Attack

by

Patricia Bradley

A Review

Phame wanted revenge. Alex Stone wanted to live. Alex would soon become the newly appointed Chief Deputy Sheriff of Russell County, TN. Nathan Landry was the Police Chief of Pearl Springs, the county seat of Russell County. Together they would track down Phame and identify the drug dealers that had recently arrived in town - if they could survive each other.

As in the past, Patricia Bradley has written an enjoyable, exciting, and suspenseful tale that captivated this reader, The book moves between Chattanooga, TN, and Pearl Springs. Both sound like, except for the murders, a wonderful vacation destination. Counter Attack serves as the first book of a new series being written by the author.

The book easily earns the 5+ stars given it by this reader.  This reader will look forward to the next book in the series.

______________

This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are mine alone.  

A Wealth of Deception: A Review

A Wealth of
Deception

 

Trish Esden

A Review

Southeastern Vermont is the home of a number of antique shops. It is also the site of a 10-year-old unsolved murder. Edie Brown, the manager of an antique store, finds herself in the middle of that murder as she seeks to discover the provenance of a collage created by an outsider - a relatively new artist arising outside the traditional art scene. 

Scandle Mountain Fine Arts and Antiques had been started a number of years earlier by Edie’s mother. Now her mother sat in prison charged and convicted of copying and selling forged works of art.  Scandle Mountain Fine Arts and Antiques’ reputation was quickly falling as was its financial stability. If Evie and her friends could prove the provenance of the collage, much of that reputation and financial problems might be corrected.  But could they do it before the Russian mob would kill Evie and friends.

The second book in a series focused on Evie and her store - this reader could not put the book down. LGBTQ+ friendly and full of lovely descriptions of the Vermont countryside, the book will make one want to take a summer or fall trip to the area. The characters seemed real, the art scene was of interest, and there was enough suspense and mystery to hold the attention of many. I give the book five-stars.   

______________

This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are mine alone.  

Broker of Lies - A Review

Broker of Lies

by

Steven James

Steven James and Tyndale offer a well-written and interesting tale focusing on domestic terrorism - a story where it becomes, at times, difficult to discern who are the good guys and who are not. Though the story takes place in the present day, it has it roots in the fire that took Travis Brock’s wife’s life two years ago. No one knew the whole story, at least no one that was talking. Yet the pieces were starting to come together; but it would take time for the story to unfold.

The book started slow - this reader, at first, felt like he was reading something written by a high school student. However, by the end of the book, the story could not be put down. Including espionage, betrayal, and a bit (a very small bit) of romance, the book will appeal to a great many readers. I particularly liked Army Ranger Gunnar Bane - who is attempting to write the world’s next great romance novel. His character offers a strange mix of traits that fit well with the book.

Because the story started slow, I was ready to give the book 3-stars. By the time this reader finished the book, it became clear that it had earned the well-deserved rating given the finished story. The book had become a 5-star book that makes this reader look forward to the next volume in the series.

A Christmas Candy Killing - A Review

A Christmas Candy Killing

by

Chrstina Romeril

A Review

The author has written a fine coy mystery centered around a combination mystery bookshop/candy store. Alex and her twin sister, Hanna, ran the store located in the small Rocky Mountain village of Harriston, Montana. Alex, visiting an elderly friend, finds her dead - stabbed to death. The sheriff accusses another friend of the crime, bui A;ex is not so sure. She and a collection of friends and neighbors will spend the days before Christmas searching for the real killer while not being killed themselves.

It was fun getting to know the members of the Harriston community - both their strengths and their faults. The author drops enough clues for the reader to track the guilty party, without giving the culprit away till the book reaches its climax. When combined with the cany recipes, the book is well done.

Hopefully this becomes the first book in a new series - after all, “This is the first time there’s been a murder in Harriston in over a hundred years. What are chance of another … in our lifetimes.”  I give this cozy mystery four-stars.

______________

This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are mine alone.