REVIEW: The World's Worst Detective Ever series by Christy Barritt

Marji Laine here. 

You know, when I told Nancy Mehl what I was reviewing this week, her reaction was that she loved the series title. I have to confess, the series title was the reason I picked up the first book of this series. 

What a delight. With a title like THE WORST DETECTIVE EVER, I knew the main character couldn't take herself too seriously. And Joey Darling (yes, that's the characters name) delivers! Straight out of Hollywood as the star of the hit detective series, "Relentless," Joey struggles with people constantly believing that she's that main character, Raven Remington, the perfect (always right, always catching the bad guys) detective. 

But between the last filming of "Relentless" and chapter one of the first book, Joey has been almost killed, divorced by her husband, and left penniless after paying off all the man's debts. She moves across the country to where her dad was last seen, getting a job as a hair stylist from an old family friend, and attempting to put the meager pieces of her life back together. And, in hopes that somehow, she'll be able to find her now-missing father. 

She immediately gets off on the wrong foot with the police detective in town, Jackson Sullivan, and finds a friend in her next-door neighbor, surfer/realtor/masseuse Zane Oakley. 

I LOVE the names of these characters! Where did Christy Barritt come up with them???

I also love the way she weaves the stories together. Each book contains a stand-alone mystery, but there are over-arching stories that go for three and four books at a time. And of course, there is the romance and a plethora of characters from her past who come in and out of the stories. 

Then there is the fan group that keeps setting her up to "solve" mysteries as the actress who had played Raven Remington should be doing. The person or people behind her "biggest fans" are twisted and downright dangerous. And they also come in and out of the different books. 

Something else that I love about these is the character's sense of humor. She is often comparing something she witnesses to the plot of an old movie or television show. Or she compares the people she sees to high profile actors or characters. Hubby and I love listening to the books on road trips and often have to pause the playback to belly-laugh over a one-liner or the crazy situations in which she finds herself. 

But don't think these aren't serious mysteries with plenty of danger involved. I haven't been able to figure out all of them, but the clues are there. The mysteries are tight. The murders are real, and the villains are desperate. And despite Joey's excellent acting skills, she's not the detective that Raven Remington is. Let's just leave it at that! 

If you like a little serving of light-heartedness with your mystery, you're going to love these books! And there are thirteen of them to love! The first was released almost 10 years ago, but book thirteen was just released last year. Apparently, I'm not the only one who loves these books! 

Here's the list of the books (along with some side books) in order: 

READY TO FUMBLE, REIGN OF ERROR, SAFETY IN BLUNDERS (Book bundle 1)

JOIN THE FLUB, BLOOPER FREAK, FLAW ABIDING CITIZEN (Book bundle 2)

GAFFE OUT LOUD, JOKE AND DAGGER, WRECK THE HALLS, GLITCH AND FAMOUS (Book Bundle 3)

NOT ON MY BOTCH, ONE HIT BLUNDER, and THE FAUX MUST GO ON. 

In addition, there is RELENTLESS: A RAVEN REMINGTON NOVEL that is set up after BLOOPER FREAK. There is also a crossover books involving Joey, the police chief Cassidy Chambers from Barritt's Lantern Beach series, and Gabby St. Claire Thomas from the Squeaky Clean Series. This one, THE CRIME OF OUR LIVES, isn't really connected to any of the timelines from the actual series they cross, but it is suggested to come after NOT ON MY BOTCH before the last two and most recent Joey Darling books were released. 

Here's a little more about book 1, READY TO FUMBLE: 

I'm not really a private detective. I just play one on TV.

Joey Darling, better known to the world as Raven Remington, detective extraordinaire, is trying to separate herself from her invincible alter ego. She played the spunky character for five years on the hit TV show Relentless, which catapulted her to fame and into the role of Hollywood’s sweetheart.

When her marriage falls apart, her finances dwindle to nothing, and her father disappears, Joey finds herself on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, trying to piece her life back together away from the limelight. A woman finds Raven—er, Joey—and insists on hiring her fictional counterpart to find a missing boyfriend. When someone begins staging crime scenes to match an episode of Relentless, Joey has no choice but to get involved.

Joey’s bumbling sleuthing abilities have her butting heads with Detective Jackson Sullivan and kindling sparks with thrill-seeking neighbor Zane Oakley. Can Joey channel her inner Raven and unearth whodunit before she ends up totally done in? And where is her father anyway? Can she handle fame or is disappearing into obscurity the wiser option?

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Oftentimes, I am wary of reading mystery and suspense mysteries late into the night because they'll keep me up. That warning HOLDS TRUE for this series... but not for the reason you might think. This is no thriller, but not only will the unexpected humor keep you laughing, it might very well keep your household awake as well. 

Am I gushing? I'm probably gushing. But this series is stellar! Excellent mysteries. Excellent characters. Excellent engagement, dialogue, action, personalities. 

This series is pure excellence! 

Get your copy here! 

When was the last time you read a series that was truly excellent? One book? Maybe, But to keep up that high standard book after book is nothing short of amazing. I'd like to hear about your experiences! Comment below with an excellent book or series and don't forget to leave your email address. One of you just might win an e-copy of READY TO FUMBLE! 

I hope you LOVE it!

Book Review: JACK by Susan May Warren

Marji Laine here.

I know this series is from last year, but I've only just found it! I'm SO becoming a huge fan of the Minnesota Kingstons! 

Usually I have my book reviews planned in advance, but I couldn't decide on this one. Then I spotted the cover of JACK. (I am a sucker for a pair of sensitive eyes.) I've read Susan May Warren's books before. (There is a reason why she's an award-winner, a best-seller, and a highly-acclaimed writing coach!) Most of what I'd read before were romances, heartwarming and life-changing with huge obstacles to overcome, but not mystery or suspense novels. 

I was delighted to find that this one has both a mystery and suspense. In fact, she now has so many suspense novels. You can bet I'll be enjoying a LOT of these series! 

JACK the first epic book of the Minnesota Kingstons, so I expected to have a lot of introductions. I didn't expect to get the feeling like many things had already happened. The author has done an amazing job of building in-depth back stories, and some of them have even been previously published in another series. I did a little investigating and the Alaska Air One Rescue books are a prelude to this series. I know there are at least a few characters that are shared between them. 

Something unique: (at least to me) this book started with a male perspective. The hero and heroine (Jack and Harper) share the point of view, but it was so interesting seeing the layout, the initial information, from a his-perspective instead of a hers. And I also loved getting into his head. Being the oldest in his family, he made a problem that brought conflict in before the first page of this book. Going back home to a Minnesota winter, for his sister's wedding was an issue before he ever got there. Conflict and tension was on every page even before the suspense started. 

Something refreshing: (at least to me) these characters had a realness about them. Especially their mistake and their guffaws. Not telling a lie, I was belly laughing during the dance practice! Seriously, Jack? That's the best you could come up with?? Oh, you have to read what he said! 

Something heartwarming: (at least to me) I love the family dynamic in this story. Susan May Warren didn't just fill out the characters of Jack and Harper. Each family member has a distinct personality. Each has an opinion of Jack, particularly when it comes to the dispute that he brought to the family before the book started. Some are still ticked. Some are slightly resentful. Some are completely over it. And some, like Jack's dad, have special moments. (Yes, there were tears that I had to wipe away!)

When the ignition to the suspense did happen, the elements were all there. Characters with something to hide. People with a past. Plenty of motives all around, and a missing bridesmaid who typically has her own way of doing things. Was she really "missing" or just on a lark? It was hard to say, until Jack and Harper started trying to track her and found more danger than answers. 

And the subtlety of the romance of these two is palpable. They are magnets that teeter back and forth between attracting and repelling. Definite chemistry there. 

This isn't a thriller by any means, but there is the impending danger, the ticking clock as it were, that is in all suspense books. And I LOVED it! Jack and Harper will stay with me. I'm so ready to pick up the next book in this series and hunker down for another brilliant story. And yes, I will review it.

This book's subtitle is: The grumpy tracker. The girl he never forgot. A missing bridesmaid and a second chance he doesn't deserve. Here's a little more about the book: 

Her secret blew apart his life—and now she needs his help? If only he could say no…

Ten years should be long enough for Jack to forget the girl-next-door, his kid sister’s bestie and the woman—no, girl—who derailed his life. Now, he sort of likes his loner world as a missing person’s tracker. Well, mostly. But of course, when he returns home for his sister’s wedding, there she is…
Nope, not forgotten at all.

Of course Jack the Grump has shown up for his sister’s wedding, and by the way he looks at Harper, um, clearly her sins aren’t forgiven. So what—she’s sooo over her best-friend’s brooding, dark oldest brother. Really.

Then a bridesmaid goes missing.

And sure, Harper is a journalist who knows how to sniff out truth, but the clock is ticking and there’s only one person who can help…Perfect. No problem. She’s not going to fall for her childhood crush again. Promise.

Yes, Jack can admit that Harper’s not the girl he used to call Pigtails anymore. She’s all grown up…but he’s not going to get burned again. Still, what’s a guy going to do?

So, find her missing friend, get the bride down the aisle and ditch town before they find themselves in over their heads…or worse.

Dead.

Jack is a best friend’s brother, childhood crush, grumpy-to sunshine, sweet but sizzly romantic suspense about second chances and finding the family you always wanted…

Get your copy HERE!

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I was ready to pick up Conrad, book 2 of this series, but I think I'm going to go back in time and do the Alaska Air One Rescue series. I think that starts things from the beginning. And if they are anything like JACK, I'll be happily reading for the next several months. :)

In a recent book you've read, or maybe one you're reading now, what was something unique, something you didn't expect, that happened? Share in the comments and you just might win an e-copy of COUNTER POINT, book 1 from my Heath's Point Suspense series. 

But I do hope you'll pick up a copy of JACK, and I hope you LOVE it! 

BOOK REVIEW: DARK DESIGN by Suspense Sister Nancy Mehl

Marji Laine here. 

What a way to start a suspense! It requires the reader to put on the skin of a crazed serial killer and read his twisted thoughts. This story starts out creepy-squared! 

This is an intensive psychological thriller with layers of developments. The characters are, as with the first book in this series, very real with their own needs for growth, weaknesses, and areas of expertise. They wrestle with their own shattering issues, with glimpses of hope that they can overcome their difficult pasts. 

Technically, this is an “Erin Delaney” mystery, but her friend Kaely Quinn-Hunter, shoulders some of the story’s perspective. Kaely’s husband Noah and Erin’s friend Adrian fill out the main character cast. Each has a strong personality, needs, goals, and obstacles, making the perspectives unique and deep.

And the mystery is disastrously twisted, affecting characters in two different locals at the same time. How does a shooting in a tiny town in the Smokey Mountains connect with a missing woman in a suburb of Washington DC? See if you can figure that one out before the experts do! 

And while you’re at it, take a peek on into the life of a best-selling author. Nancy Mehl paints an extraordinary story with DARK DESIGN. Here’s a little more about the book: 

As she began to lose consciousness, she realized that she'd just made a very serious mistake. 

She tried to call out for help, but she couldn't see anyone on the shore.

There was no one to save her.

When Erin Delaney learns that a serial killer has mimicked the murder portrayed in her bestselling novel, she joins her friend Kaely Quinn-Hunter, a former FBI profiler, in Virginia. Their reunion, only a few months after fending off an eerie killer in the woods of Tennessee, is bittersweet, as Kaely has been tasked by the FBI to recruit Erin's help to identify a suspect. The FBI's team is stumped by the murderer who re-creates killings from the books of multiple authors, with only ominous notes left behind. As Erin is drawn further into the web of fear and chaos, Kaely begins to fear for Erin's safety.

On top of tracking down a murderer, Erin must shoulder the weight of a haunted past and claims that she stole the plot of her novel from one of her sources. As she struggles on multiple fronts, the enemy looms closer than ever--and Erin's life hangs in the balance.

"Readers will be riveted by this non-stop, twisty thriller."--Elizabeth Goddard on Shattered Sanctuary

Bestselling author Nancy Mehl threads a plot of police investigations and shadowy evidence with heart-drumming suspense in this clean, high-stakes read that will thrill fans of Lynette Eason and Elizabeth Goddard.

Get your copy HERE! 

What’s at the top of your To-Be-Read pile right now? I have a the short mystery BOUND BY TROUBLE and the following books of that series by Christy Barritt. I’d love to know what you’re reading next! And one of you who share might win a copy of GRIME BEAT, the first of my top-selling series. Don’t forget to leave your email address! 

REVIEW: Perilous Tides by Elizabeth Goddard

Hi, Marji Laine here. I have been reading books by Elizabeth Goddard for almost a decade, and she never fails to totally wow me! The same can be said about PERILOUS TIDES. 

Ferry leaving Seattle for Bremerton

Her newest story begins in a place of my worst nightmares. Not the northwest—Washington is lovely—but being locked in a car that is sinking in the Puget Sound! I had to deal with serious horror as I read through the first chapter of PERILOUS TIDES. Talk about suspense! Wow! And oh, so good!

Beth is a master at the details and allows the reader to live through the story as well and better than some of the greatest suspense writers of our time. The research she does is amazing! For this book, it’s forensic science. I almost feel like I could be a forensic scientist after living in the skin of one for this ten-hour suspense-filled vacay. (Well, if I could draw worth beans! Lol!)

About the research, Mrs. Goddard says, “I based Jo and her mother off a real mother and daughter forensic art team who possessed a unique gift for portraying criminal depictions with extraordinary accuracy, so most of what I used to created Jo and write about her skills I gathered from this specific research.” So cool!

Jo is a wonderful character, rich and deep with layers of experience. “Jo’s experiences, her battles as well as the secrets and answers she discovers along the way, give her a strong sense of who she is and what her real purpose is as someone who will fight for justice against all odds, no matter the cost.” I really like her character, especially how smart she is. 

And I like the romantic confusion between her and her ex-boyfriend, Cole Mercer. That tension is palpable between them. I have to say, second-chance romance is one of my favorite tropes. Mrs. Goddard says, “I love second-chance romances, especially in romantic suspense. If the hero and heroine already have feelings for each other—good or bad—that gives the romance plot of the suspense novel a running start.”

The romance does start at an unexpected sprint, but the suspense races right alongside it. I don't want to give too much away, but history becomes vivid—events that I lived through and remember so clearly. I love how each detail has purpose! 

I also love that a couple of characters from the first book of the series play an important role in this one. I always like the revisits from past main characters. And I hope there is a future main character in this book. There’s a detective in this story that lays his life on the line to help Cole and Jo even though he doesn’t know them very well. I’m hoping we get to see him again. He deserves his happy ending too.

This is a strong suspense! One of my favorite so far this year, right up there with Patricia Bradley, Nancy Mehl, and Lisa Phillips. Here’s a little more about it:

High-Stakes Romantic Suspense from USA Today bestselling author Elizabeth Goddard

Three years after her mother's suspicious death, forensic artist Jo Cattrel is in hiding, working at a storm-watching lodge along the Washington coast. When her father sends her a disturbing and cryptic message, Jo leaves the safety of the lodge to find him. But during the ferry crossing, Jo witnesses a murder--and becomes a target.

More surprising to Jo than being in danger is the identity of the person who steps in to protect her--none other than her ex, former Green Beret Cole Mercer. Now a private investigator, Cole has been looking into her mother's death. If he can just uncover the truth, maybe Jo can end her self-imposed captivity and the two of them can pick up the pieces and build a future together.

As Cole and Jo search for answers, the past rushes in like a dangerous tide before the truth can be revealed.

--

I can't wait for book three of the Hidden Bay series! DEADLY CURRENTS is due to release next February, but you can get your own copy of PERILOUS TIDES HERE! Leave a comment and you could win a $10.00 Amazon gift card!

I hope you LOVE PERILOUS TIDES! 

REVIEW: FIRE MOUNTAIN by Dana Mentink

Hi, Marji Laine here. 

I have been a fan of Dana Mentink since I first met her through Suspense Sisters almost a decade ago. Some of her books are on my all-time favorites list. So I was so excited to review Fire Mountain.

I was a sophomore in high school in 1980, the year that Mt. St. Helens erupted. The before version of the mountain was considered the Mt. Fuji of the US because of it's perfectly shaped top and almost perfect symmetry to its shape. I vividly recall the months of warnings over Mount St. Helens, the weeks of evacuation, and the days when we held our breaths until the lady finally blew her top. I remember looking at before and after images, seeing what was left of towns, lakes, forests, and the profile of the mountain itself. A third of its top had disappeared, leaving a gaping crater and 230 square miles of destruction.

Reading this story was like walking the ridges of Mount St. Helens in its final days. I can honestly say, I felt like I was experiencing the same apprehension and panic right along with Kit and Cullen.

Settings are my thing. In fact, I wrote a Suspense Sisters post about settings just last Friday, HERE. So this story falls right into line with one of my sweet spots. The mountain, the ridges, the roads, even the gullies and blackberry bushes, become so visible, so real. All by itself, this wavering Mount Ember gives a percussion to the suspense with periodic tremors, fissures, and other issues from underground activity.

This is the framework where Dana Mentink places her long-hauling female truck driver, Kit Garrido. And then adds a couple of people who seem to be evil incarnate bent on finding her in order to destroy someone or something.

This story begins with riveting intensity: Cold and ice-pick pain bored into Kit Garrido’s temples. Her limbs were leaden, her body a deadweight in the driver’s seat of her big rig. Grit coated her tongue and teeth. She tasted blood. Try as she might, she couldn’t reach out to unbuckle her seat belt. Panic bubbled up inside her.

See what I mean? Fire Mountain had my shoulders tensing before I finished the first paragraph. And Mentink is a master of pacing, giving the reader just enough time to breathe before the next unexpected happens. And between the baddies and the mountain, there are plenty of options for those unexpecteds!

If you’re familiar with my suspense ranking post from a couple of months back (You can see it HERE), you’ll understand when I set this as a 9 or 10 on the intensity spectrum. This ranking is purely a scale for how intense the suspense is. I don’t rank how well I like books. If I’m reviewing it at all, it has high merit!

And this one certainly fits that category. Every word—every sentence—seemed to have impressive intentionality - I might even call it precision - that blows my mind. The setting, as I mentioned, is a masterpiece. The characters have broken histories with building understanding of their redemption throughout the story. Memorable indeed. And the plot stays at an amped up level throughout the entire book. Kudos to Dana Mentink for yet another thrilling success!

Here's a little more about the book:

Fire rains from above as they fight to discover the truth and stay alive.

In the shadow of a threatening volcano, long-haul trucker Kit Garrido wakes up in her crashed big rig, unable to recall what happened or why she's suddenly in possession of someone's baby. Fiercely independent, she has to admit that perhaps this time she could use a little help.

As the threat of eruption grows, former cop Cullen Landry refuses to leave his cabin in the evacuation area, which is why he's the only one left who can help Kit escape the crumpled cab of her truck. He doesn't want to get tangled up in the mystery of the beautiful woman with an abandoned infant, but when he sees the bullet hole in the windshield and the bloody handprint on the interior, he realizes that he's in this thing, like it or not.

When two armed men with ill intent approach, the race is on to stay alive, discover the truth, and find the baby's missing mother--all while a deadly mountain rains fire from above.

This nail-biting clean romantic suspense will appeal to readers of Lynn H. Blackburn, Nancy Mehl, and Susan May Warren. Packed with thrilling twists and themes of natural disasters, an amnesia trope, and an abandoned baby.

Our own Suspense Sister, Mary Alford, says about this book: "A flawless suspense with characters that will have readers turning pages. I couldn't put it down."

I echo that – listening to the entire thing over the course of two thrilling days, only putting it down when I absolutely had to! Read this one. Suspense fans will LOVE it!

You can find it on Amazon and Audible HERE! 

BOOK REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

Marji Laine here! Happy Spring! 

I began reading some of Christy Barritt's Lantern Beach books several years ago. Those are books that I can seriously just drink in. So when I happened upon a brand new one, released on April 17, I was beside myself with excitement! 

And CHAIN REACTION, book 1 of the Lantern Beach Blackout: Detonation series, does not disappoint. The story explodes, literally, out of a quiet little town on one of the coastal island along North Carolina. The place is well-detailed and alive with vibrant characters and real-ish events and places. I feel like I should stop in at The Crazy Chefette someday and try one of her grilled cheese and peach sandwiches. The combination wells up curiosity and disgust within me, with the curiosity winning out. 

The two main characters, Raven and Jake, are surrounded, sometimes physically, with "stars" from other books like the leaders of the Blackout security team and the Lantern Beach police, including Chief Cassidy Chambers, the character who started the first Lantern Beach series. While the presence of the other well-loved characters is special, Raven and Jake and their connected past take center stage. 

Both have brokenness and insecurities hiding within them. The insecurities come out slowly and the characters have to battle against them: Raven with her issues of abandonment, and Jake with his fear of failing. Both are such natural issues to deal with that it's easy to relate to these characters. The fact that they have an unfortunate past between them only makes this chance meeting that much more delicious. 

As with many of the Lantern Beach books, the main characters make the book. That's harder to say with CHAIN REACTION, though. Raven and Jake are perfect together with just the right chemistry and concern over the past to make their interactions engaging, but the story is captivating all by itself. Each new setting, each environment and event, could be a backdrop for another explosion. Having bombs as the modus operandi amplifies the danger and heightens the tension. 

And speaking of tension, I actually have a rating scale for that. I'll be talking about that scale (a bell-curve) next month, but I'll go ahead and tell you that this story settles right into my happy place of a #3 with a medium-high (sparkling) intensity. You'll see what I mean next month (May 16).

As with most of the book groups from the Lantern Beach world, there is a bit of an over-arching mystery. The story itself stands alone well enough, but it leaves lots of questions that will be answered in a future book. And this is the very first time that I've read the first book of one of Christy Barritt's series before the last book of the series has been published. Let alone before the second book has been published! I eagerly await the next episode! 

Here's a little about CHAIN REACTION. 

When an explosion rocks Lantern Beach, authorities scramble into action. Was the WWII relic that washed ashore merely bad luck—or something far more sinister?

Dr. Raven Newton, a forensic archaeologist, is called to investigate the bomb that killed one person. With her specialized knowledge of military artifacts, she’s the perfect person for the job—until she discovers who else is on the case.

Former Navy SEAL Jake Laudner never forgot his whirlwind romance with Raven. Once assigned as her protector during a high-risk overseas mission, Jake broke his cardinal rule: Never get emotionally involved. Now working for elite security firm Blackout, Jake is stunned to find himself face-to-face with the woman who still haunts his dreams.

As the investigation intensifies, so does the tension between Raven and Jake. Raven insists their previous relationship was nothing but adrenaline and proximity. Jake knows differently—and he’s determined to prove it.

With a killer targeting Raven and time running out, she needs protection whether she wants it or not. And Jake won’t fail her twice, even if it costs him everything.

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Get your copy HERE!  

Who are your favorite authors who write in series? (I have at least 4 that I can think of off the top of my head!) Let me know your favorites and you might win your own e-copy of CHAIN REACTION! 

NEW RELEASE BOOK REVIEW - and a giveaway!

Marji Laine here. 

I was recently doubly gifted. First, I was able to meet a favorite author and a dear online friend, Nancy Mehl. (Had fabulous Mexican food as well, but that's beside the point!) I so enjoyed chatting and laughing with her! Then I was honored to receive a signed copy of her not-yet-released suspense, SHATTERED SANCTUARY. 

Well, lemme tell you: it is available now, and oh so good. Creepy Good! And the little shiver down my spine began with the opening poem. You need to read that poem! You can see it through Amazon's "Read Sample" option that shows under the book cover on the BUY PAGE HERE.

Her two main characters, Erin (ex-cop turned author) and Kaely (former FBI), have worked online together on Erin's blockbuster best-seller and decide to take a needed break and meet in person in a quiet, peaceful little town of Sanctuary in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Seems placid enough, but the two of them together make a dynamite team when a murder is discovered. Especially when the police begin to suspect a serial killer. 

This story is a psychological suspense with one perspective an expert on crime scenes and gifted with amazing skills at observation. The other perspective is a profiler with unique instincts and processes. I just ate up the discussions these gals had! 

And there is quite a twisted mystery here. Even though the readers are given all of the information as it comes to the main characters, it's hard to wade through, especially with multiple suspects on the table. With the help of the unique skills of Kaely and Erin, the resolution reveals itself in baby-step increments. But this is a true suspense. I felt like I held my breath throughout the whole thing, anticipating another death any minute. It felt like it teetered on next page turn. 

This is definitely a five-star Christian suspense with a strong redemptive message and peril in every chapter. I could so see this as a movie, thinking along the lines of some of the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries mixed with episodes of Criminal Minds. 

Here's a little about the book and you can click the cover for a direct buy link at Amazon.

Was this the last thing she'd ever see? Would she be able to make things right before it was too late?
"God . . ." was all she got out before he lunged toward her.

Grappling with the aftermath of a tragic incident that altered her life, ex-police officer and bestselling mystery author Erin Delaney finds solace in the tranquility of a cabin nestled deep in the Smoky Mountains. But her restful stay is shattered when cries pierce the night, hinting at a lurking presence haunting the woods. When local police chief Adrian Nightengale seeks her help with a carefully arranged murder scene, she is thrust back into the world of crime solving. As they delve into the investigation, Erin's intuition reveals chilling truths about the killer's motives and strategically perfected methods.

Joined by the enigmatic Kaely Quinn-Hunter, a former FBI behavioral analyst, Erin not only embarks on a quest to stop the merciless serial killer, but also confronts the revived ghosts of her past. In a race against time, Erin must defeat her own demons while outmaneuvering a cunning killer or risk becoming the next victim in this deadly game of cat and mouse.

Shattered Sanctuary is a clean, Christian, thrilling suspense novel set in the Smoky Mountains, full of police investigations, haunted woods, eerie threats, and ominous evidence. For fans of high-stakes suspense, Lynette Eason, and Elizabeth Goddard.

In the past two weeks, I've also read 2 of the Security Hounds Investigations by Dana Mentink and 3 of the Lantern Beach Guardian books by Christy Barritt. I've reviewed them on my blog at MarjiLaine.com, but I mention them because I'm wondering about you. What is the most recent mystery or suspense that you've read? Share the title/author with me in the comments (ALONG WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS) for a chance to win a paperback copy of Nancy's new book (no, not my autographed copy 😉). And this is only for US residents. 

REVIEW and GIVEAWAY!

Marji Laine here! I just had the most wonderful day, enjoying a brand new book! 

Elizabeth Goddard’s new release, STORM  WARNING, is a masterfully written suspense full of expansive twists and unexpected curves. To use the water theme that runs throughout the story, think about a flash flood that diverts suddenly against debris. Then the sheer force of the water shoves through all barriers.

That was the plot of this story. It didn’t just trickle in. It started in the prologue with a violence that grabbed me. Then it gripped again in chapter one. (Seriously, I kept having to remind myself to breath during that scene!) And after several hours, when the intensity grew even more, I could sense that the end was near, a huge apex was growing. But I was wrong – I was only in chapter 10 of 40-something. The author kept the tension amped up and growing throughout the entire story. Every high point was perfectly calculated and lasted just long enough before giving the characters a breath and allowing me to take one as well.

Speaking of the characters, plainly, there is target on the back of Remi Grant, the manager of an isolated lodge on the coast of Washington. While storm watching is the main pastime at this retreat, the storm that’s brewing outside the windows of the lodge doesn’t hold a candle to the internal storm within Remi that is poised to overwhelm her.

Her forgotten past is the problem for her. And it has someone trying to kill her. Her goal, as it should be, is to remember what her mind has blocked in order to identify the who and why of the attacks against her. But she’s not even scratching the surface on the issue.

Her new acquaintance, the “lumberjack,” just happens to arrive on the scene in the nick of time to save her life. Could he have something to do with mounting attacks against her?

Her “lumberjack,” Hawk Beckett, has issues of his own that need resolution. His friend suggested this place, as its very isolation could give him a chance to find what he’s searching for. And in truth, the stormy waves crashing against the rocks below him and the wind threatening to knock him over vie against the torrent of deep regret and shame that roils through him over and over again. But when he finds a girl about to fall to her death, instinct and training kick in. Besides, there’s something about this girl. Something more than the fact that someone had tried to kill her.

These two characters are great together. They alternate between trust and suspicion, secrets and openness, confidence and vulnerability. They are presented with such an authenticity; as real as people I actually know. Having finished the book, I want to know more about them and the others at the lodge!

And speaking of the lodge, that is just one of the intriguing settings from this book. I am convinced that Elizabeth Goddard has visited the Washington cliffs during storm season. Her descriptions are so intense and have such depth that I bet she has also climbed a hanging ladder, taken a pre-storm helicopter ride, and maybe even visited a “SquatchCon” event. (That setting was a particular favorite of mine! LOL!)

I can’t recommend this book enough! If you are a fan of the tingling that tightens your shoulders during a good suspense, you’re going to LOVE this book! There’s even a tricky little mystery here (well a tricky big one) that can take you one direction before shooting you the other way. I LOVE a good mystery, and this one is just right!

STORM WARNING is available in e-book, paperback, a library hardback, and an audiobook. I enjoyed it as I crocheted my coming grandbaby’s blanket on audiobook. (My favorite way to enjoy a book.)

Get your copy HERE! I hope you LOVE it!

And speaking of loving great suspense. What book would you recommend right now? Or maybe you have one on your bedside table just waiting for you? Share the title and author in the comments and why you’re excited about it. You just might win a free e-copy of another favorite of mine from Elizabeth Goddard, BURIED. It was the first one of hers that I read and had me hooked on her books ever after!

BOOK REVIEW: Hidden Dangers by Jennifer Pierce

 

Marji Laine here. 

After reading about the accomplishments and accolades of Jennifer Pierce, I’m a little embarrassed to tell you that she is a new-to-me author. But then, after reading her latest release, HIDDEN DANGER, I can certainly see why she’s received so many accolades!

This book seemed to have a slower start from most suspense that I read, but it lured me into a false sense of relaxation. Boy, did it ever! Every time Maggie and Cody thought they knew what to expect next, the rug was pulled out from under them.

Not that they were always wrong. It was just the process of chipping away at the evidence (or in this case, the lack thereof), while attempting to hide from a stalker who seemed to know and see everything.

Most of the time, mysteries illicit questions like, who would do that, why is she targeted, or how was the attack planned. For me, I always ask, Why now? What has happened or is about to happen that elicited such a violent response? In some stories, the answer is obvious and doesn’t give much help in solving the mystery. In this one, the question just kept coming up in my mind.

And when I did get to the end, I was in trouble! I was listening to the audiobook in my car, while driving. And it didn’t matter that I anticipated what was coming, I struggled to keep my foot light on the gas pedal during the intensity of the final attack. And there were so many police cruisers on the freeway. I'd look down and find I was going way too fast again every few seconds. 

I guess that describes my reaction to this suspense pretty well. LOL! Thankfully, my realization of my speeding usually came before I saw the next cruiser! Whew! 

So to say, “I loved it,” is an understatement. Jennifer Pierce has become a new favorite. I can’t wait to read more of her books!

Here’s a little about HIDDEN DANGER:

All Maggie Jones wants to do is sell her late father’s property and get out of Whitehaven, Texas, as fast as possible - before she runs into the one man she’s spent the past six years avoiding. Someone has other plans for her, though. Sinister plans. And when a seemingly harmless act of vandalism turns into a series of menacing threats, she has no choice but to turn to last person on earth she wants to see for help.

Sheriff Cody Smith never expected to see Maggie again, especially after he’d broken her heart all those years ago. Maybe this is the second chance he’s always wanted. But when he realizes Maggie’s in grave danger, he intends to keep her safe at all costs. With lines from an old nursery rhyme as their only clue, he needs to find out who’s behind this deadly game before the rhyme ends and Maggie’s time runs out. Can he protect her, catch the bad guy, and make amends for past wrongs? Or will old wounds get in the way?

Get your copy of HIDDEN DANGER here!

I hope you LOVE it!

Book Review: TAKE MY HAND by suspense sister Kristen Hogrefe Parnell

I had the best time earlier this week, listening to Kristen Hogrefe Parnell’s TAKE MY HAND on my Audible app. Squee! This is exactly the type of suspense book that I LOVE to read, the perfect recipe!

·       Drama at the beginning ignites some unknown situation.
·       Relational drama with plenty of humor and great chemistry between the two main characters is braided through the entire book.
·       An undercurrent of suspense, carried through hints, a mysterious point-of-view character, and spoken intentions grows from chapter 1.
·       The foreboding heightens in the middle, amidst everyday type of activity - as shadowy characters appear on the scene.
·       And then the roof falls in! The suspense just gets tenser from there until the end.
·       I won’t give anything away, but the ending offered just the right amount of satisfaction!

And the characters, Kaley and Reef, and also sweet Liam, have stayed with me for several days. Usually, the characters are my favorites from books, but this plot was so good – the timing was so perfect – it took me back to when my love of suspense began in the idyllic days of high school with my cache of Phyllis A. Whitney books.

Yes, Kristen Hogrefe Parnell is that good! There are only a handful of authors that I compare with Whitney!

Here’s the book’s official description and the cover is a buy link, but make sure you read all the way to the end!

Trauma therapist Kaley Colbert needs a vacation from her job, and a ski trip with her church singles’ group seems like the perfect way to unplug. But while in the mountains, she learns that her last client was murdered hours after their meeting, and she wonders if the notes she’s receiving from a possible stalker hold a more sinister warning.

On the trip, ex-boyfriend and entrepreneur Reef Mitchell wants to give their relationship another chance, but Kaley questions if his past and priorities could ever mesh with her life. When her client’s underworld connections catch up with her, she has no choice but trust Reef to help her stay alive, solve her client’s mystery, and bring the killers to justice.

(Available in paperback, e-book, and audiobook at Amazon.com.)

And the best part about this book, now that I’ve finished reading it… There are LOTS of characters in this crowd begging for stories of their own! I sure hope Kristen shares them! I can’t wait to read them. And I’m going to start with HOLD YOUR BREATH, book 2 in her Crossroads Suspense series. Stay tuned for my review of that one coming soon! 

So you now know that Phyllis A. Whitney introduced me to suspense back in the day. What author introduced you to suspense? Let me know your thoughts and you might just win an e-copy of this book. Share in the comments section and don't forget to leave your email address!

Review: COLD VENGEANCE by Suspense Sister Nancy Mehl!

I had such a delight the last few days. I was able to sit and crochet on a new blanket, watch (silent) Olympic games (volleyball, beach volleyball, and water polo), and listen to a fiendishly intense suspense by Nancy Mehl on Audible. 

Close to perfect this side of Heaven! :)

COLD VENGEANCE is the third and final book in the Ryland & St. Clair series, and boy was it worth the wait!

Elements of the first book came back to haunt in this story as the partner of the Salt River Strangler, seemed to continue to send threats to River Ryland. But there was so much more to this story.

I have seldom had the pleasure of such “Sherlock-esque” deductions. I felt like I was in the room where it all happened, right alongside River and her partner, Tony St. Clair. That was so much fun! And the secondary characters opened up huge emotional swings.

First, there was the client with a missing fiancé. Hope was a thin strand for this situation after so long, and it wobbled back and forth with despair throughout the story. This guy had all the makings of a tragic character, so the entire strand of the story had me emotionally knotted.

Then, there were River’s mom, dealing with Alzheimer's and floating in and out of lucidity, and her precious care-giver. Having lost my mom a couple of years ago to complications with Alzheimer’s, this strand of the story was all too real. And made even more complicated with appearances from River’s dad and brother.

Finally, there was the building tension between River and Tony. You’ve already felt it if you’ve read the other two books of this series, but it becomes palpable from the beginning of this one!

As a completion of this series, it is most satisfying! And though I did read and review book 1, COLD PURSUIT, I haven’t yet read book 2 of the series, COLD THREAT. It’s always ideal to read a series in order, of course, but don’t be afraid to read book 3, COLD VENGEANCE, out of order. It makes for a GREAT stand-alone story!

Here’s the description of this book. The cover gives you a direct link to the Amazon page for it, or you can click HERE to get your copy!

When a renowned crime podcaster vanishes without a trace, former FBI behavioral analysts turned private investigators River Ryland and Tony St. Clair are called upon to track her down. As they wade through the evidence she left behind, they unearth a startling connection--she may have discovered the existence of an unknown killer, and he will stop at nothing to carry out a deadly plan.

As the pair delves deeper, they soon find themselves the targets of a relentless enemy determined to silence them. With their lives--and hearts--on the line, can they confront the evil that threatens them before it consumes them both?

So what is the suspense or mystery that you are most wanting to read right now?

BOOK REVIEW: FATAL WITNESS by Suspense Sister Patricia Bradley

Marji Laine here. 

Since reading Counter Attack a few months ago, the first book in the Pearl River series, I have been so excited, anticipating book 2 of the series. I was not disappointed.

Fatal Witness starts off like a rocket. I was gripped from the first sentence from the perspective of a frightened child. The twists and turns in this story carried me along like a roller coaster. And I love how Patricia Bradley teases with false security from time to time.

She has a rhythm to her writing that gives just enough tension before allowing for a breath. I found myself heaving great sighs at the end of each suspenseful scene.

The characters of Danielle Bennet and Mark Lassiter are strong protagonists, especially against a large cast of possible enemies. And yes, I think I had almost everyone on my suspect list at one time or other. And no, I didn’t see the ending coming! Well done, Patricia Bradley!

However, I have to mention some charming secondary characters who practically stole the show. Gem, the German Shepherd police dog who belongs to Mark is delightfully playful when she’s not “working.” And Lizi, Dani’s Puli, is intriguing. I had to stop and find pictures of a Puli to fully see this dog in my mind’s eye. They really do resemble a group of four mops with a moppish head. I have no idea how they see through all of those dreadlocks, but they are darling! Patricia Bradley has a talent for details that makes her stories come to life in a unique way!

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention one other character – so detailed in her description that I feel I know her. Mae Richmond is a septuagenarian potter who insists on living alone in her mountain home above Pearl Springs. She’s firey and direct, but full of compassion and devotion for her friends and family. What a spark to add to this story! I LOVED her.

In fact, I loved everything about this story. Except when I got to the end and there was no more to read! I’m anxiously awaiting book 3 from Pearl Springs!

Here’s a little more about Fatal Witness:

As a child, artist and potter Dani Bennett witnessed the brutal murder of her parents. With no memory of the incident or her true identity, she was forced to take on a new name and a new life, hidden away in Montana for the past 25 years.

Mae Richmond has spent the same stretch of time searching for her granddaughter, who went missing the night her daughter and son-in-law were murdered. Convinced the woman she saw in a pottery magazine feature is the woman she's been searching for, she enlists the help of K-9 officer Mark Lassiter of Pearl Springs, Tennessee, who tracks Dani down.

Skeptical but curious, Dani sets out on a journey to uncover the secrets of her past and reclaim her true identity. But someone close to her is determined to keep the truth of what happened all those years ago hidden.

Fatal Witness is available in e-book as well as paperback and also as an Audible audiobook. I highly recommend the audiobook! Tantor Audio always does an outstanding job on their books and narrator, Ann Richardson, is downright brilliant with her renderings of the characters!

You can find Fatal Witness at all major bookstores, but here is the Amazon link.

Review: COUNTER ATTACK

Breathless! 

That's what I am after finishing the newest suspense by Patricia Bradley. I know in this photo, she looks like a sweet lady, but this new story of hers tells of a devious mind hiding behind that smile! She is a master of twists and keeps the tension at the perfect balance of breath-holding gasps and sighs of relief. 

This story opens as Detective Alex Stone works undercover to trap a serial killer. When the set up turns into an unexpected tragedy, she moves back home to the small town where she grew up. Not only does she need to heal, but her grandfather, the county sheriff, needs her help while he recuperates from an unexpected health scare. 

Strangely enough, the serial killer seems to move with her. Or is it a copy cat? This plot is sheer poetry. I'm not going to say I was completely surprised, but there were some elements of the ending that I did not see coming - to my sheer delight! 

I loved the details in this story, from the different chess moves and the threats that they can represent to the police procedure and even the typical commands for a K-9. It all felt so real and genuine. I hesitate to share more as I would give too much away, but there are a few moments when I'm right alongside Alex, thinking I can't take another moment of this. You'll see what I mean when you get to that part! 

The characters had deep and genuine personalities that were so natural. Especially Gram. She made such an impact on me. Don't get me wrong, she wasn't the quiet, unassuming grandmama type. She was a little on the pushy side, even, but her wisdom and the love she obviously had for Alex were priceless. She wasn't the only "voice of reason" in the story, but she nailed the spiritual aspects. 

As with the Natchez trace series, the beautiful setting near Chattanooga, Tennessee fills the story with a rugged color and sets the tone for this fast-paced psychological thriller. Patricia Bradley has quickly become a favorite of mine, and this story is a sheer delight. 

Just be sure to leave a nightlight glowing! 

Here's a little more about COUNTER ATTACK: 

A brand new heart-stopping series from a USA Today bestselling author.

No sooner has Alexis Stone been sworn in as the interim sheriff for Russell County, Tennessee, when a serial killer dubbed the Queen's Gambit Killer strikes again--this time in her hometown. Pearl Springs is just supposed to be a temporary stop along the way to Alex's real dream: becoming the first female police chief of Chattanooga. But the killer's calling card--a white pawn and a note with a chess move printed on it--cannot be ignored.

Pearl Springs chief of police Nathan Landry can't believe that his high school sweetheart Alexis (he refuses to call her Alex) is back in town, and he can't help wanting to protect the woman he never stopped loving. But as the danger mounts and the killer closes in, can Nathan come through on the promises he makes to himself to bring a killer to justice before it's too late.

You can order your own copy of COUNTER ATTACK here or get it on Audible like I did. LOVED the narrator! 

What book have you read where you felt exactly what the main character was feeling - panic, exuberance, victory, despair? Share the title and your thoughts in the comments. And don't forget to sign up for our $100 Starbucks giveaway! HERE's the link! 

BOOK REVIEW: Never Let Go by Elizabeth Goddard

Never Let Go didn't let go! 

Elizabeth Goddard takes the torn and frayed strand of family, the bare remains of trust, and the dedicated perseverance of one woman to weave together an intense suspense. The plot is as deep as the Montana wilderness that acts as the setting. And as active. While an bird's eye view might show little in the way of motion or drama in that place, amidst the trees a completely different story is taking place. 

The story is riveting; I finished it in 3 evenings. The antagonistic element completely eluded me, but the details all connected up. I hadn't made the connections because I didn't look closely enough at what was going on underneath the treetops. 

The romance was also engaging. Willow and Austin made excellent use-to-bees. Very believable and with a chemistry that was palpable. 

Make sure you have a little free time set aside for this one. You won't want to put it down once you get started! 

Here's a little about the book, and click the cover for a direct buylink:

As a forensic genealogist, Willow Anderson is following in her late grandfather's footsteps in her quest for answers about a baby abducted from the hospital more than twenty years ago. The case may be cold, but things are about to heat up when someone makes an attempt on her life to keep her from discovering the truth.

Ex-FBI agent--and Willow's ex-flame--Austin McKade readily offers his help to protect the woman he never should have let get away. Together they'll follow where the clues lead them, even if it means Austin must face the past he's spent much of his life trying to forget. And even if it puts Willow's tender heart at risk.

In this fast-paced and emotional page-turner, USA Today bestselling author Elizabeth Goddard keeps the stakes high, the romantic tension sparking, and the outcome uncertain until the very end.

With only a few hours available each night to read, I think I got through this fifty-something-chapter read in only six hours. Well, a little over. Such is the case with such intense suspense. 

What's the fastest you've finished a full novel? Share your thoughts about it in the comment section and you might just win one of my books. 

REVIEW: Christy Barritt - How Did I Miss These?

Digging Through the Backlists

I have been delighted to begin the Squeaky Clean Mysteries by Christy Barritt. 

These mysteries feature a crime scene cleaner as the amateur detective and this character is so much fun. Straight-talking and a little coarse, Gabby St. Claire is a character to truly love. She's authentic and genuine, if a little rough around the edge. She has a genuine desire to do the best she can in all she does, so it's easy to like her. 

The first story, HAZARDOUS DUTY, jumps into the action immediately. Gabby is busy cleaning up from what is assumed to be a robbery gone wrong leaving the homeowner with a bullet in his leg and the man's wife dead. While Gabby might imagine some duplicity going on, she doesn't have to spend much time in the crime scene to be certain that something deceptive is going on. 

The action barely gives time to breath through this first book. Add to that the budding of a romantic triangle, some quirky neighbors that add to Gabby's trouble, and her cleaning assistant who is blamed for the crimes that occur, and Gabby's in over her head. 

This is a fun story, and the characters have all sorts of potential. I enjoyed Book 2 as well (SUSPICIOUS MINDS) and I'm now well on my way through Book 3, ORGANIZED GRIME. 

If you, like me, missed this series when it was new, don't miss it now! 

Here's a little more about HAZARDOUS DUTY. 

Buying a gun to kill your wife: $3,000
Hiring Trauma Care to clean afterward: $1,500
Having that same cleaner uncover evidence that frames you: Priceless

On her way to completing a degree in forensic science, Gabby St. Claire drops out of school and starts her own crime scene cleaning business. When a routine cleaning job uncovers a murder weapon the police overlooked, she realizes that the wrong person is in jail. But the owner of the weapon is a powerful foe . . . and willing to do anything to keep Gabby quiet.

With the help of her new neighbor, Riley Thomas, a man whose life and faith fascinate her, Gabby plays the detective to make sure the right person is put behind bars. Can Riley help her before another murder occurs?

***

I'm giving away a copy of my award-winner, BREAKING POINT, to someone who comments, sharing the title of the oldest book on your current reading list. Mine is the one I'm reading by Christy Barritt -  Book 3, ORGANIZED GRIME. What's the oldest one on your list.