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The Regression Strain

by

Kevin Hwang

 

It definitely had me reconsidering future travel plans.

 

The Regression Strain by Kevin Hwang is an exciting medical thriller set onboard a cruise ship, and it definitely had me reconsidering future travel plans. Young Dr. Peter Palma joins the crew of the Paradise, a floating palace with over 4,000 passengers and crew, bound for New York City from Copenhagen. But what should have been an easy change of scenery from his former medical practice in Houston, among the city’s neediest and most vulnerable, soon spirals out of control as a mysterious illness that induces unusual and often violent behavior in the infected takes hold of the ship. 

Peter Palma is a young medical doctor on his first cruise posting, a change he has selected to help ease his way back into medical practice after a personal tragedy. He proves himself to be easy-going, accepting, and competent, even though he suffers from mental health challenges, as he diffuses oddly aggressive encounters with passengers right from the start. His new gig is jeopardized when the chief medical officer appears to be in the throes of a breakdown, and a strange respiratory illness that precedes the onset of bizarre behavior is overtaking everyone on board. The unexpected appearance of his newly graduated younger sister, Nali, among the passengers only adds to his stress. 

The tense atmosphere on the ship builds quickly as one weird occurrence follows another. The action is non-stop, and you can feel the exhaustion of the medical staff, reminiscent of the real-life COVID pandemic. As the clinic, shipboard jail, and morgue begin to fill up and overflow, Palma faces off with passengers, crew, and his own infection as the embattled ship tries to get to a safe harbor. 

With its many shocking twists and turns, I recommend THE REGRESSION STRAIN to readers looking for a new and exciting medical thriller. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

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Under Vixens Mere

by

Kit Fielding

 

The gripping tale of the intertwining lives of the members of a unique floating community.

 

Under Vixens Mere is a compelling, mystery-tinged novel by Kit Fielding about the lives of the residents of a unique community of wide-beam boat and barge-dwellers moored in the marina of Vixens Mere near the village of Broome. Portrayed over several years, the story reveals the surprising origins of the close interconnectedness between the permanent residents and those who come and go with the seasons. Once I started, I couldn’t put this book down. 

The storylines feature the permanent, temporary, and seasonal inhabitant who lives on their barges or boats in Vixens Mere marina: a free-spirited but aging hippie couple and their late-life son, a drug dealer who inherited his barge and berth from his father, a severely wounded ward veteran and his full-time carer-wife, a laborer at a local pig farm, a new arrival looking to start over after the breakup of her long-standing relationship, and a handsome Scotsman who arrives looking much the same as he did when he last came to stay fifteen years earlier. Each resident brings an intriguing backstory, all of which is interwoven with the others to create a captivating whole in the present. Tragic secrets bind the quirky community together, and they continue to come together to offer support and share their burdens. 

Each character is endearing in their own unique way, and I would be hard-pressed to select a single favorite, as I was quickly and intimately drawn into all of their lives. Big Ed and Milly the Mystic anchor the community, and though well up in age, remain an earthy, lusty, and loving couple. However, they mask their relationship behind a screen of constant bickering and clever banter. Newbie Lorrie Smith is disillusioned after her breakup with her long-time partner, Petra, but is determined to start afresh after getting back in healthy physical shape, and I rooted for her personal transformation from the start. Drug dealer Jed Rawlins shows a softer nature when he takes in Anna, who’s on the run from a really bad situation. Karen Jones, full-time caregiver to her husband Harry, is at the breaking point and plays a pivotal role in many of the others’ stories. Not only is Harry’s condition rapidly deteriorating, but she’s carrying a load of guilt and regret, which is compounded by the arrival of a figure from the past. 

The plot unfolds from multiple perspectives and an unusual shift in point of view as the individual storylines are established and converge. While most of the narrative is expressed in the third person, Brodie Stewart’s story is delivered in the second person. He enters the tale blissfully unaware of the permanent impact his actions fifteen years earlier have had on the current situation in the floating community. Similarly, Harry Jones has no idea of the collateral consequences of his final actions, believing the results will only be positive. Every resident on the mere has long-held secrets, and even the water itself hides a few. 

I recommend UNDER VIXENS MERE to readers of contemporary fiction, mystery, and drama. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from Reedsy Discovery.

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Forewarned

by

Tracey S. Phillips

 

Suspenseful, twisty paranormal summer thriller!

 

Forewarned by Tracey S. Phillips is a suspense-laden thriller perfect for closing out summer reading and transitioning to fall’s spookier reads. It’s the summer of 1976, and 15-year-old Daphne Ann Post, her younger brother Brandon, and her recently divorced mother return to her grandmother’s lake house outside Carlson, Indiana, just like they do every year for vacation. However, young Daphne harbors a secret gift: she receives premonitions of danger and sees visions of tragedies about to happen, simply by touching someone. And this summer, the feelings are everywhere. 

Despite her terrible gift, Daphne is a typical teenager of the time, experiencing all the emotions of seeing her parents’ marriage collapse and her family change. In her case, the dissolution comes on the heels of her mother’s actions and choices, and Daphne is feeling rage and impotence at being unable to preserve her family as it was. 

Making her situation doubly difficult is her lack of a social safety net. Her former best friend, Ruth, turned on her during the previous school year when Daphne had revealed a premonition that Ruth was about to have an accident and get hurt. When Ruth ignored her warning and was injured, she blamed Daphne for the accident even happening, sharing a much-embellished story to their classmates who, in turn, shunned Daphne for the rest of the year. 

The sad and bitter teenager continually vents her anger and frustrations at her mother, and she’s lonely and ripe for trouble, especially when the summer kids move in next door to her grandmother’s Victorian cottage. It was hard watching her engage in forbidden activities, but her experiences ultimately led to growth in her character. 

The story unfolds from three points of view: Daphne’s, Lara, the girl next door, and Mark Walters, a young man returning home to Carlson after a number of years away. But while the summer lakeside setting is idyllic for lazing around and basking in doing nothing, the author slowly ratchets up the tension, starting with small things like the dark, spooky cedar closet that holds childhood nightmares for Daphne, or the individuals who give off creepy vibes or the off-hand comments from family members that make you pause and wonder what’s going on there. 

As storylines intersect, the tension continues to build, and I often wanted to reach out and stop a character from taking their next move as I worried how this was all going to work out. The 1970s time frame was a nice touch, and I enjoyed the mention of random objects typical of the period, such as Dr. Scholl’s sandals or the yellow, long-corded telephone that could reach into the next room. 

I recommend FOREWARNED to readers of young adult domestic and paranormal thrillers and suspense.

 

For this and other reviews, visit Boys' Mom Reads!

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Reap the Wind

by

Joel Burcat

 

Riveting road trip during a massive and unexpected hurricane-force storm.

 

Reap the Wind is the new climate-fiction road trip thriller by veteran author Joel Burcat, and from its edge-of-your-seat opening to the final pages, the suspense never lets up. This book made me stay up half the night just to find out what was going to happen, and it was worth it! 

Although the road trip from Houston involves three people, the story focuses on the young couple, Josh Goldberg and Keisha Jones, who are expecting a baby sometime in the next six weeks. They love each other and are fun and sweet together; their anxiety is palpable when apart. Both have reservations about their futures, and their tense situations have them thinking and rethinking their actions. Josh is an environmental attorney who feels like a sell-out working for his large corporate clients, who are the antithesis of all he believes. While he fights through the massive storm, he also struggles with his ethical dilemma. Along for the ride is a senior associate coworker, Geoff Roberts, and Josh’s selfish and manipulative boss, Diane Scanlon, a villain who is easy to despise. Keisha, confined to the hospital in Florence, has time on her hands for reflection as well, and that includes thinking about Dr. Anthony Sudor, her ex-boyfriend who just happens to be the attending OB/GYN at St. Elizabeth’s. 

Coincidentally, the initial stage of Josh’s drive from Houston was certainly déjà vu for me. I drive to Houston along parts of his route a couple of times a year, and one leg of the trip is ALWAYS through a major storm, without fail. (It has become a joke with my family.) While the storms are not in the same league as this fictional one (except for that one time outrunning an actual hurricane), the trip becomes exponentially longer and more difficult with the smaller highways, winding terrain, and tall, encroaching treelines, all contributing to the experience. Throw in an unfamiliar vehicle (my husband’s pickup rather than my daily driver), and I could absolutely relate. And, yes, there are some odd little towns along the way should you have to make a stop. 

I was definitely on the edge of my seat and actively guessing the whole time as to how the story would work out. I was not disappointed. This is the first book by this author I’ve read, and I will check out his Mike Jacobs series as soon as I have the chance. 

I recommend REAP THE WIND to readers who enjoy exciting climate-related thrillers, stories featuring attorney protagonists, and tense road trip tales. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Lone Star Book Blog Tours.

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Cold Girls

by

Maxine Rae

 

A strong debut novel about friendship, loss, survival, and moving forward.

 

Cold Girls is the debut novel by Maxine Rae about the growth of a deep friendship between two young women and the aftermath when one is killed in an accident in which the other survives. Told in two converging timelines, before the accident and after, readers learn how the two became friends and the devastation the survivor endured later. 

The story is presented from the viewpoint of the shy and introverted Rory Quinn-Morelli. Rory is the new girl at her preppy high school and feels completely out of place, not fitting in, while sticking out like a sore thumb. That is, until Liv happens. I liked how the author chose to let the friendship slowly evolve, taking time for the girls' common interests to come to light and then having those instances of recognition between the two that they were, indeed, kindred spirits. Everyone should have a person with whom they can be completely themselves and share interests, opinions, hopes, desires, and even their deepest, darkest secrets in safety and confidentiality. The loss of Liv shatters Rory, not only with grief over her death but with guilt over surviving. 

Besides extreme sorrow and survivor's guilt, the book includes common teen activities and issues such as sex, drug use, drinking, college preparation, occasional strong language, and the changing relationship between teens and their parents. These topics and their inclusion in the story may make this young adult novel more suitable for the more mature readers in this age group. However, the developing friendship is amazing and wonderfully written, as are the heartbreaking scenes that follow the accident. I couldn't put this book down. 

I recommend COLD GIRLS to the more mature readers of contemporary young adult fiction. 

For this and other reviews, visit Boys' Mom Reads!

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Crime Writer

by

Vinnie Hansen

 

A twisty plot with an atmospheric feel, I felt as though I was being watched.

 

Crime Writer is a thrilling new novel by author Vinnie Hansen, and the more I read, the more I could sense the emotions of the main character, and I almost felt as though I was being watched. When a patrol officer is gunned down while making a routine traffic stop, the ride-along in his car, a local mystery writer, becomes the only witness and a loose end for the killer. 

Author Zoey Kozinski has hit an inspirational snag in her latest novel. She is on a ride-along with the local police to help get her creative juices flowing again and develop her fictional main character, a cop she’s tentatively named Stan. In her notes, Stan sees his partner shot down before he, too, is hit. Those notes, left in the car when her escort, Officer Stan Austin, was murdered, naturally caught the attention of investigators. Suddenly, she’s under the scrutiny of the police while being hunted by the murderer. 

Set in a small coastal California town, Zoey quickly begins to feel like a sitting duck, especially in her off-the-beaten-path tiny home, perched on the edge of a friend’s possibly-illegal marijuana fields. The story gets dark and down to business immediately, with the murder of the officer occurring early in the story. The action unfolds from multiple points of view, keeping the suspense building and the tension high. Zoey slowly succumbs to the stress, which is exacerbated by the arrival of her mother, and you could feel the pressure radiating off the page. As the police question her role in the shooting, there is also the presence of Jimmy Patak to consider. Was he just a Good Samaritan who stopped at the scene that night, or something much more sinister? A difficult aspect of the story was the reaction of Officer Austin’s widow, who claimed that Zoey’s presence in the car as a ride-along had presented a distraction that led to her husband’s death. It falls to Zoey herself to investigate and clear her name, while still trying to stay out of the sight of the real killer. 

I recommend CRIME WRITER to readers of thrillers, suspense, and mysteries. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

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Birds, Puppies, and Murder

Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery, #4

by

Joyce Proell and Brenda Whiteside

 

Once again, murder comes to town.

 

Birds, Puppies, and Murder is the fourth book in coauthors Joyce Proell’s and Brenda Whiteside’s fun and highly addictive cozy Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery series, and despite an alteration to the sisters’ birthday plans at the local historic inn, murder still finds its way to Wyatt, Arizona. When Emma and their visiting Aunt Lydia discover one of the clients at Namaste, Nicole’s new yoga studio, murdered and hidden behind a public park restroom, the sisters quickly jump into action to ensure there is justice for their friend. 

The sisters, Emma Banefield and Nicole Earp, are their delightful selves, and there are a few recurring characters to catch up with. Told from the dual points of view of Emma and Nic, the clever story unfolds without laying waste to the previous books, so new readers will be able to slip right into the series without spoiling the earlier adventures. The plot moves swiftly, without downtime slowing things up, and there are plenty of possible suspects to consider for the young woman’s killer. The sisters’ Aunt Lydia, in town for a visit, is a fun addition to the mix, and I enjoyed her spunky personality and seemingly effortless ability to produce the perfect quote from literature or theater to fit the conclusion of her scenes. 

I recommend BIRDS, PUPPIES, AND MURDER to readers of cozy mysteries, especially fans of the previous books in the series. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.

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Irresistible Calling

by

Sean Mitchell

 

Warm and engaging, Sean Mitchell shares his fascinating life during interesting times.

 

Sean Mitchell’s new memoir, IRRESISTIBLE CALLING, is a warm and engaging look into the author’s life and times, as well as a nostalgic journey through the early 1960s up to the present. This author’s immersive storytelling brings to life his experiences as a young adult growing up during some of this country’s more interesting times and his successful and circuitous career as a journalist. 

Sean is a contemporary who grew up in nearby Dallas, Texas, and he writes about many relatable memories (to me) of that place and time. Readers familiar with the area will recognize and enjoy reminiscing about many iconic locations, institutions, events, names, and faces. I enjoyed the fascinating tidbits of history, but especially his insider's views on things that were part of my own memories. 

Though coming from an unusually progressive family (for this area), Sean’s college experiences at Brown in Providence, Rhode Island, opened his life up to different viewpoints that would impact and prepare him for his future career as an insightful and fair journalist writing about the cultural landscape of the country, including literature, music, theater, and, eventually, filmmaking. His experiences as a newspaperman and, later, as he turned his efforts to scriptwriting were fascinating. Throughout his story, I loved how he always remained close to his parents and actively encouraged and supported their artistic endeavors. 

Mitchell’s life story is told with charm and infectious enthusiasm, and I recommend IRRESISTIBLE CALLING to readers of memoirs and biographies. 

For this and other book reviews, visit Boys' Mom Reads!

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Psychic in Suburbia

The Magical Midlife Misadventures of a Medium Mom

by

K.C. Freeman

 

An excellent story with equal parts paranormal and cozy mystery elements.

 

Psychic in Suburbia is a new paranormal cozy mystery by K.C. Freeman and is fresh, unique, and frighteningly fun. When the ghosts at her friend Krissy’s house suddenly go out of control, it is up to Abby, a closet psychic who has kept her gift a secret from her husband all these years, to step in and intercede. While the ghosts have peacefully coexisted with Krissy’s family for years, with the exception of an occasional prank or two, their upswing in more haunting activity is a deliberate attempt to get the family out of the house and out of harm’s way. Some really nasty beings, “the Others,” have discovered how to breach the barrier between their world and ours, and these demons are intent on death and destruction. Up until now, Abby has studiously avoided acknowledging the ghosts in Krissy’s house and having her secret revealed, and the ghosts don’t like being ignored. 

Abby is a fun and relatable stay-at-home mom in her forties. She’s just trying to live her life with her supportive husband and raise good kids, and has consciously avoided using her ability, except on rare occasions when she encounters a spirit that needs assistance to cross over to the other side. She views her psychic ability as something to be hidden, a curse rather than a gift, having been threatened with being sent to a mental hospital as a child if she so much as talked about it or her spectral friends and family. Her tax attorney husband is a confirmed skeptic, and she has never shared this part of herself or her tragic childhood experiences with him. 

The setting is a nice, upscale Georgia suburb, full of southern-bred soccer moms who adhere to the cultural norms, and Abby is satisfied with the status quo. The story unfolds from her point of view, and she has an easy, engaging manner; her narrative is full of humor. The literal party gets started immediately at her friend Krissy’s annual Halloween blowout. I liked that the resident ghosts felt an attachment to Krissy’s family and wanted to protect them from “the Others.” Abby’s confrontations with the demonic spirits are more serious in nature and gave me the willies every single time. The story is gripping, with surprises throughout, that had me wanting to read the entire novel cover to cover in one sitting. 

I highly recommend PSYCHIC IN SUBURBIA to readers of paranormal cozy mysteries. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.

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Crime Quiz: Cruising for Clues

by

T.J. Stanley

 

Fun, cozy mystery set on a crime writing themed cruise.

 

Crime Quiz: Cruising for Clues by T.J. Stanley is a fun who-dun-it set on a five-day mystery-writing-themed voyage from Sydney to Hobart and back. Inspired by an actual occurrence, the deaths of five passengers onboard a cruise ship overnight, the story features the events before and after the discovery of the fictional deceased during a major at sea. 

The story focuses on a small party of passengers, who, with the exception of one mother-son couple, are complete strangers to one another at the start of their voyage. But as the cruise’s crime writers conference gets underway, their participation in the offered activities brings them together with unexpected results. By the time of the storm, the ill-fated five are all connected to this one group. 

While told mainly from the viewpoint of the newly-unemployed cleric and aspiring author, Reverend Thomas Martin, other characters also get their moments in the spotlight. Interesting secondary storylines develop, and readers get to know the characters who will soon become possible suspects in a bold shipboard crime. The author packs a lot of story in this lively novella-length mystery. I enjoyed the book’s unique and unexpected resolution, as well as the mentions of mysteries and their authors that arose during the passengers’ excursion to literary-connected locations in Hobart. 

I recommend CRIME QUIZ to readers of cozy mysteries, especially those who enjoy stories set on cruise ships or in Australia or Tasmania. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.