BOOK REVIEW: Midnight Alley by Miles Corwin

Midnight Alley:  An Ash Levine Novel

Author:  Miles Corwin
Paperback:  284 pages
Publisher:  Oceanview Publishing (April 16, 2012)
Language:  English

Ash Levine, the top detective in the LAPD's elite Felony Special Squad, is called out to solve the murder of two young black men found shot to death in a Venice alley.  The case is a high priority because one of the victims is the son of City Councilman Isaac Pinkne, a frequent critic of the LAPD.

Searching for the killer throws Levine into the world of Los Angeles's Russian Mafia, Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans, and Middle Eastern acrchaeologists.

Ash's history as a child of a Holocaust survivor gives him a unique perspective on murder, redemption and justice.  His background as a paratrooper in the Israel Defense Forces, and his relentless, single~minded focus on his investigations make him a thoroughly absorbing character.

As Ash closes in on the killer, the investigation becomes increasingly complex ~ and personal.  Ash soon discovers that he is not just an investigator, but a target.

As far as mysteries goes this wasn't a bad book to indulge.  I found the pace was a little slow and sometimes too much information was given in the descriptives, however, the characters were written with depth and understanding and balanced the overall book nicely.

I thought the plot was a fair one even though I found some of the tie~ins to be lacking in depth and merit.  It was intriguing to read about the ancient artifacts and the connections to everyone via the Mask of Ellasar.  The greed in which people would go to achieve their goals was given with insight and clarity.

I felt the antagonist to be a bit of an oaf and I felt he was a bit wooden and stale and I didn't find him overly believable as a sociopath.  I would've liked to have got inside of his head a bit more and perhaps his inner demons would've given him an added perspective that was needed.  I couldn't help but feeling that he was no threat to Ash.

I thought some of the dialogue was wooden and clichéd, especially when it was police banter, I felt it just didn't pull right with me and sometimes it was confusing as you lost direction on who was talking.  

I would give Midnight Alley a three out of five stars.  I found the ending to be predictable whence all the pieces were in play and I didn't find myself challenged.  I prefer to have more twists and turns in my mysteries however, many would find this an enjoyable read especially fans of the Ash Levine series.

Miles Corwin

**  Reviewed by me...as I see it~!!  **

5 Amazing Unsolved Mysteries

cc licensed flickr photo shared by VinothChandar

With the advances in technology and science, it's amazing that mysteries still remain unsolved today. Many speculations and theories have been voiced over the years, but some mysteries cannot be solved based on the information surrounding them. Although unsolved, these cases offer great topics of conversation, debate and research.

Jack the Ripper
The infamous Jack the Ripper murder case has plagued investigators for decades. In the late 1800's in London, an unknown serial killer murdered at least five prostitutes, but no suspect was ever arrested for the crimes. Thus, criminalists today still debate over the unknown killer known as Jack the Ripper.

In the 1960's, photographs of five known victims were discovered and experts identified these women as having succumbed to Jack the Rippers savagery. Later in the 1990's, the number one suspect of these heinous crimes was revealed. In the coming years, more information will be discovered as the research continues.

Bermuda Triangle
The mystery of the Bermuda Triangle remains an enigma and area of great controversy. The Triangle is the area in the Atlantic Ocean lying between the isle of Bermuda, Miami, FL and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Many ships and planes have disappeared in and around this vicinity for no apparent reason.

With no credible scientific expeditions led to investigate the Triangle, many theories surround the electrical and electromagnetic effects on the disappearances. Although no concrete conclusions have been made to support these theories, additional data is continuously gathered to explain the mysterious disappearances.

Assassination of John F. Kennedy
In November, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, TX while riding in his limousine through town. Later that day, police arrested, questioned and charged Lee Harvey Oswald for the assassination. He was killed two days later as he was being transferred to the state prison.

The investigation conclluded that Oswald was the only assassin firing three shots. Witnesses, video and photos later showed two suspicious men behind the fence with guns. The Warren Commission failed to mention these men and they were never investigated. Years later, 18 witnesses died causing officials to investigate the connection of these deaths and the assassination. Although the number of deaths raised concern, no conclusion was determined.

The Shroud of Turin
The Shroud of Turin is a linen cloth bearing an image of a crucified man some believe is Jesus of Nazareth. The mystery remains whether the image is indeed the cloth used to wrapped Jesus's crucified body or a forgery. After thousands of hours of research, it has become the most researched artifact in history and scientists have not been able to reach a conclusion. Confusion over the cloth and that of His existence is what encompasses the Shroud of Turin.

The Disappearance of Dan Cooper
In 1971, Dan Cooper hijacked a Boeing 727 in Seattle. After revealing a suitcase containing a bomb, Cooper demanded $200,000 and four parachutes. When his demands were met and with only the pilot and flight attendant on board, the plane took off destined for Mexico City. However not long after taking off, the rear door near the tail of the plane opened and Cooper jumped.

His body was never found, but years later some evidence was discovered. Money and a parachute were found and determined to be from the Dan Cooper hijacking. To this day, the crime hasn't been solved and his death unconfirmed.

These are only a few of the world's unsolved mysteries. As technology advances and research continues, information will be discovered to bring investigators one step closer to a solution.

Erica Lambert is a criminal defense attorney and guest contributor at SuperScholar.org, a site with rankings of the best online criminal justice schools.

BOOK REVIEW: The MacGuffin by Michael Craft

The MacGuffin is a literary fiction mystery.

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Questover Press (July 17, 2011)
• Language: English

Cooper Brant is an architect, for his father-in-laws energy company, and he finds himself surrounded in mystery.  His father was murdered fifteen years ago for his work in creating a machine that will generate power without the use of fossil fuels.  Cooper was the first person upon the scene and finds himself still a suspect in his father's murder.

Arcie Madeara is the cop hot on his trail, she has reason to believe that Cooper knows more about his fathers death than he lets on and begins to hound Coop, however, as the two draw closer there is more than mystery in the air as the two come to find companionship in one another's company.

Bix Emery is the head of Emery Energy, a no-nonsense cowboy who oozes power and everyone does his bidding.  Bix comes across as a fatherly figure, helping Cooper gain his footing in the company and grooming him to become the President one day.

I would give The MacGuffin a 3.5 stars out of five.  While I enjoyed the read, I was greatly disappointed with the ending wrap-up.  I felt it fell flat and left the reader with an emotionless outcome to a decent mystery build.  I found the dialogue forced in some instances and some of it lacked interest. 

I wasn't overly impressed with Detective Arcie Madera and thought her honing skills of deduction were seriously lacking and have no idea what her overall beauty has to do with this mystery.  It took me about a quarter way through the book before I started to feel the characters and their plight.  It was then that the characters became likeable as each of their personalities began to be separate from one another.

If you like mysteries, then you will enjoy this one, I just like a lot less predictability in my mysteries and this one didn't even leave me guessing.  As the story unfolds the reader is left with a fairly decent murder mystery as you follow each of the characters to their final destinations.

SYNOPSIS:
A cold-case murder fifteen years ago halted promising developments in the quest for clean energy when the rumored prototype of a groundbreaking water engine was stolen or destroyed. Now the race is on to repower America, and Cooper Brant, still grieving that long-ago murder of his father, suddenly finds his family visited by a second violent death, raising the stakes to unearth lost secrets. When Coop discovers how the two crimes are linked, a grim message becomes clear. He’s next.

  **  Reviewed by me...as I see it~!!  **

BOOK REVIEW: Death On A High Floor by Charles Rosenberg

Death On A High Floor:  A Legal Thriller is a Legal Mystery Thriller.

Simon Rafer, senior partner in the law firm, Marbury Marfan, has been murdered.  Simon was a "cleaner" and he didn't care who he cut from his team, if you weren't pulling your wait,  you were fired.  Simon didn't hold any bars when it came to success and believed he had game.

Robert Tarza, another senior partner and co-worker of Simon's, was the first upon the scene and has become a suspect.  Robert doesn't believe he has anything to worry about as he doesn't have a motive so he feels safe in his assumptions that Simon deserved what happened to him.

Jenna James is Robert's friend and colleague and she is quick to point out the reasons why Robert may have a motive and it all surrounds an ancient coin that Simon accused Robert of forging and trying to sell.  In an email, Simon threatens to expose Robert for the fraud he is.  Robert is beginning to see that some things he may have done do not look favourably for him.

Detective Spritz believes Robert killed Simon and will do whatever it takes to uncover the truth.  He doesn't trust Robert and finds his stories aloof and off-handed, like he has something to hide.  All Detective Spritz needs are the pieces to put everyone in their places the night Simon was murdered.

As the group work to find out who killed Simon; Robert can feel the noose tightening around his neck.  Jenna and he rush to play detectives themselves, but will they be in time or will Robert face trial for a crime he may not have done?

I thought for a debut novel this was fantastic, I had to keep reminding myself that the author is a green and not a seasoned veteran of the trade.  I thought the primary and secondary characters all worked well with the plot and brought life to the story.

I enjoyed Robert and his pragmatic attention to his life.  I thought Jenna and he made a great friendship even though I found Jenna to be a bit on the abrupt side.  I thought their sleuthing was often comical and the antics of the two brought a nice pace to the story.

I often got frustrated with Detective Spritz, sometimes his apparent refusal to believe the truth made you want to scream.  I thought he was a great antagonist to the story.

The court rooms scenes were believable and worthy of reading.  The plot twists and turns are wonderful and the final outcome of the story and the culprits is a wee bit of a shocker, though the reader does begin to draw the conclusion well before the final scene, it is a nice twist.

I would give Death On A High Floor a three and a half out of five stars.  I thought the court room scenes read great, however, sometimes the dialogue wasn't just and felt forced.  The build up to the end was great, but I felt the ending somewhat fizzled.  The outcome wasn't described as good as I had hoped and I felt it was over before it had begun.  However, for a debut novel it was great and author Charles Rosenberg is definitely going to be a around for a while.

SYNOPSIS:
When the much-despised Marbury Marfan senior partner Simon Rafer turns up dead, with an ornate dagger buried between his shoulder blades, it comes as a surprise to no one. Simon was an abusive boss and had recently been on the warpath, clearing the "dead wood" from the legal firm he treated as his personal fiefdom. Nearly a thousand attorneys and associates, scattered across four continents, had good reason to want Rafer dead, but homicide Detective Spritz has his eye trained on Marbury Marfan partner Robert Tarza, in particular. Tarza and his friend and colleague---and maybe a bit more---Jenna are soon forced to play detective themselves, in a race to find the real killer or killers before Spritz finishes assembling a collection of evidence that will make a very credible case against Tarza.

 

 ** Disclosure: I did not accept any compensation from the sponsors other than review copies, my views are my own, reviewed by me..as I see it~!! **

What Hidden Treasures are in your Attic?

It is often said that one man's junk is another man's treasure. It's also common sense that when a household item is considered junk it is often filed away in a cardboard box in the corner of your attic. There is will sit for generations as it gathers dust ... and value! The attic is the perfect place to go treasure hunting. It is often climate controlled and is always nearby. So what could you find lurking above your head? Here's a peek at three common discoveries. 

1. Antiques 
Antiques, namely antique silver, is one of the most often located items found during an in home treasure hunt. The reason behind this is simple. When grandma and grandpa decided to "Keep up with the Jones'" and purchase new furniture or flatware, they moved the old family classics upstairs. They probably realized these older possessions still had value in them and didn't think it wise to throw them out based solely on a new purchase. When you discover these antiques you have landed a big fish, so to speak. You've just unlocked a piece of your family's history. It's now up to you if this treasure has a greater sentimental value or is worth more financially. Selling antique silver could bring in a chunk of unexpected income, but it could also become a treasured family heirloom. That choice is all yours.

2. Priceless Memories
These treasures are often not worth much to anyone but you. Often when you search the attic you will find boxes of childhood memories that mom knew you'd want to see again someday. You can expect to trip across finger paintings from kindergarten that will warm your heart, letters written to home from college that will wet your eyes with tears, and photos from school plays that will bring a chuckle to your belly.

3. Dust
The most commonly found treasure in your attic is probably one you don't want to find at all. Most likely you'll just find piles of worthless stuff that is coated in dust and perhaps playing hotel to some bugs and mice you didn't know were house crashing!

The best way to make your way through the attic adventure is to not be misguided by popular TV shows where everyone seems to find something hiding in a corner that is worth a million bucks. Head upstairs to have fun, not pay the rent, and every item you find will be a treasure.

Rooting about in your attic can unearth all sorts of things, whether its antiques, silver, photos, memories or simply dust and dirt, you're bound to find something interesting up there!

BOOK REVIEW: Poisoned Love by Caitlin Rother

Poisoned Love is a True Crime Mystery.

Kristin Rossum was the All-American girl, coming from a wealthy family who coddled her every need, popular in school, pretty, charming, to name just a few of the characteristics associated with her early years.  She was a go-getter, an over-achiever in all aspects of her life, from her academics to ballet, Kristin had to excel in everything she did or she would feel like a failure.

On the day that Kristin tears the muscle ligaments in her leg, her dreams of being a Prima Ballerina are shattered and she finds relief in drugs and alcohol.  Her grades begin to suffer, her friend base changes, she fights with everyone and her parents are worried.  Everyone is at their wits end as to what to do with Kristin when, she disappears around Christmas time. 

She had been placed on academic probation for her poor grades and she decides to head to Mexico where drugs, especially her drug of choice, Meth, was easily obtained.  As she was walking across the border on that fateful day, she runs into her future husband and from there, their destinies twine to its morbid and fatal conclusion.

Greg DeVillers is the oldest of three sons of divorced parents.  His father is neglectful in his parental duties and he and Greg have an estranged relationship.  Greg's mother is always sick and it has fallen on Greg to be the patriarch in the family, learning responsibility and control.  He isn't very successful with the women, being shy and reserved and until he meets Kristin, his long term girlfriends had been few.  Greg's brothers think there is something odd about Kristin and encourage Greg to end their relationship, however, Greg has other plans and asks Kristin to marry him.  Greg believes his love will save Kristin from her recurring drug habits.

At first their romance is beguiling as the two lovers become entranced with each other.  And for several years it appears they are the perfect couple, but then Kristin begins to show signs of using again and it becomes a game of cat and mouse as she tries to hide her addictions and her affairs from those she loves.

Kristin works at a toxicology lab for the County Coroner's office where she works on determining the cause of death via hard to locate substances found within the body.  At some point she has an affair with her boss, Michael Robertson and the two of them become infatuated with each other.

Greg hadn't been feeling well of late and when he fails to show up for work one day, which is against his character, his co-workers feel like something is wrong.  When they learn the horrible truth each of them shares their tales of Kristin and Greg and the mixed messages that Kristin was always sending out to others.  At first it is decided that Greg took his own life after learning of his wife's transgressions but there are some people who just don't buy that verdict and what they uncover not only shocked them but brought the truth to light.

Dealing with the investigation and the court case that follows we watch as Kristin and Greg's life unfold and the final outcome of Kristin Rossum, All-American girl.

I thought this was an interesting book.  I thought it began well, giving the reader much information to process so that you can get to know the people involved with the story.  The back story lives of each of them is shared and delivered in a linear form without emotion, allowing the reader to draw their own conclusions.

I became flabbergasted over the paths in life, here we have Kristin, born with silver spoon in her mouth and it wasn't enough for her.  Her narcissistic and over achievements were her folly and while one can make excuses about her drug usage, there truly isn't any explanation or reason behind any murder.

When I read the reasons why she did what she did, I was again, dumbfounded, there appeared to be a certain lack thereof as to a motive.  I got from the story that she did it because she could and I didn't feel any remorse on her part as I read the descriptive passages.

I would give Poisoned Love a three and a half stars out of five.  I thought the book started out excellent but then, about half way through I found it to be a bit repetitive and redundant.  I thought the addition of the pictures helped give the story balance as the reader could put faces to all the people mentioned throughout.  I did enjoy the writing style of the author, Caitlin Rother, and for this being her debut novel I feel she does have a excellent start in this genre. 

SYNOPSIS:
On November 6, 2000, paramedics answered a call to find Kristin Rossum, 24, sobbing. Her husband, Greg de Villers, wasn't breathing and she claimed he had overdosed on drugs after learning she was leaving him. But family and friends who knew of Greg's distaste for drugs weren't buying Kristin's story - particularly the idea that he would take his own life. The daughter of a well-to-do California family, Rossum was a brainy blonde beauty whose talent for toxicology had won her a post at the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office. But her sweet smile masked a dark side. She'd developed a taste for methamphetamine in high school, and six months after her marriage to Greg, she'd begun seeking secret trysts with other men. At the time of her husband's death, Rossum was engaged in an illicit affair with her married boss. Investigators found that the Medical Examiner's Office was missing supplies of meth and fentanyl, the narcotic that had killed her husband. With each clue discovered, another piece of Rossum's "good girl" facade fell away. What the world would eventually see was the true face of a murderer - and the hand of justice...

 ** Disclosure: I did not accept any compensation from the sponsors other than review copies, my views are my own, reviewed by me..as I see it~!! **

The Accidental Activist by Alon Shalev

The Accidental Activist is a Literary Legal/Political Fiction based on the McDonald's libel case of the 1990's.

Matthew is a computer programmer working on a program deal with an Oil conglomerate that could make or break his career.  His friends and colleagues are a tight knit group and the five of them always have each others backs.

On the night that Matthew and Paul attend a party, Matthew doesn't realize how much his life is about to change.  A woman approaches Matt and asks him to whisk her away from the boredom and from that day forward, their fates are intertwined.

Suzy is an activist who uses her education, tenacity and her willpower to bring light to degrading situations around the world.  Her newest pet project is saving the people in the Amazon jungle from an oil company who wishes to drill there.  The tribesfolk have stated they will all jump to their deaths if this is allowed.

As the two draw closer together, Suzy is arrested for handing out flyers that make the oil company look bad and she is charged with libel.  Matthew rallies his friends and colleagues together to fight back at the injustice of the British legal system and the big business that wishes to control the situation.  The group of friends create a web site to bring awareness to the plight and from there the site goes viral as more people are being informed.

For years Suzy, Matthew and their friends and family fight the charges in court, bringing in eye witnesses, scientists, experts and more to prove that some things are just worth fighting for.

I loved that this book was based on a true story, it always give the book an extra added appeal.  I thought that the characters were likeable and interesting to read.  I liked the dry humour that Matthew displays and the mysterious of Suzy as the story progresses was a nice touch.

I enjoyed reading about the British legal system and how it works, as well, the details shared in the courtroom were surprisingly easy to understand and follow.  The author writes with a layman's feel and you are drawn into the intrigue of courtroom drama.

I would give The Accidental Activist a four out of five stars.  While I enjoyed the read, I thought the book could have been expanded, giving us some more depth to the characters and their back stories.  I sometimes felt rushed in their introductions to the story and would have liked to have savoured their nuances.  However, this is a wonderful read and it has a feel good ending that I am sure most will appreciate.

The Accidental Activist

SYNOPSIS: 
David meets Goliath in the law courts of England in the 1990's. The advent of the Internet is leveling the playing field as a multinational corporation tries to silence two young political activists in a riveting court case that captivates the political and business world's attention. The company will try anything (sex, espionage, bribery and coercion) to stop or win this case. In fighting the corporation, a self-absorbed computer programmer discovers romance and a way to change the world one mega-pixel at a time.

Want to win a copy for yourself??  Then please enter...

The Baker's Wife by Erin Healy

The Baker's Wife is a Literary Christian Mystery Fiction.

Audrey Bofinger is a pastor's wife and she loves to bake bread for those who are in need of some humanity.  She loves her husband, Geoff and her son, Ed and being a pastor's wife is the best job in the world.  Everything appears serene when Ed is caught up in a scandal and Jack Mansfield, detective and Church elder, demands Pastor Geoff's resignation.  However, not to be deterred by lies, Audrey and her family open up a bakery in town.

Diane Hall has just been released from prison for killing her sister and decides to head home to make amends with her past.  When she finds a cell phone on the side of the road, she has no idea what the future holds.  Diane has the misfortune to arrive in town on the very day that Audrey has run over Jack's wife, Juliet.

Audrey is shaken but determined to uncover the truth and with only blood, a wrecked scooter and no body, it is not going to be an easy mystery to solve.  Audrey has empathic abilities that she believes are entrusted to her from God and she feels connected to Juliet though the two women are virtually strangers to each other.

Jack Mansfield believes that Audrey and her family know more about Julie's murder than they are letting on and although he has been removed from the case, he comes up with a scenario and nothing can deter him from its outcome.  When his sanity finally cracks, Jack takes everyone hostage in the bakery and demands that Audrey and Diane return his wife within six hours or every hostage will die. 

With time racing against them, Audrey must trust in her instincts, Diane's tie in with the past and Miralee, Juliet's errant daughter, who could care less the outcome of her parent's dilemmas. 

I thought this was an excellent read with well-rounded characters and a believable plot.  I enjoyed reading the suspense and mystery of Juliet and her death.  I liked how Audrey and her family kept their heads level and worked towards a solution that everyone would find satisfactory.

I thought each of the main characters had a wonderful back story and their characters were interesting and entertaining.  I loved how everything tied in together, bring a balance to the plot.

I thought Jack's heretical craziness was written with clarity and he brought an edge of fear to the story and left the reader shaking their heads as they read how he twisted the scriptures to make his own plight justified in his own head.  I loved how Ed and Geoff handled his character and brought the story to its finality. 

I wished to have had a bit more back story from Leslie and Coach, if I had to find fault it would be with these two characters.  There wasn't enough reason for them to be there other than to add filler and allow for Jack to reign his torment upon.  A better tie in of the two would have made this story fantastic.  I understood why they were there, just found their reasons lacking.

I would give this four and a half stars out of five, while it is almost perfect in nature, there are a few issues that I had problems with, such as Leslie and Coach's involvement and I found the story to be predictable.  However, this is an excellent story that I am sure you will enjoy, it is filled with warmth, heart, fear and the determination to do what is correct in the eyes of our Lord.

SYNOPSIS:
Then a scandalous lie cost her husband a pastoral career. Now the two work side-by-side running a bakery, serving coffee, and baking fresh bread. But the hurt still pulls at Audrey.

Driving early one morning to the bakery, Audrey's car strikes something-or someone-at a fog-shrouded intersection. She finds a motor scooter belonging to a local teacher. Blood is everywhere, but there's no trace of a body.

Both the scooter and the blood belong to detective Jack Mansfield's wife, and he's certain that Audrey is behind Julie's disappearance.

 

 ** Disclosure: I did not accept any compensation from the sponsors other than review copies, my views are my own, reviewed by me..as I see it~!! **

The Samaritan by Stephen Besecker

The Samaritan is a Mystery Adventure Thriller.

Kevin "Hatch" Easter is a Seneca native who works for the CIA.  He has grown up with stereotypes and racism his whole life.  He knows what it feels like to be an outsider.  When he meets and marries Karen, his life has new meaning and he begins to live life again.

On the day that Karen is to meet her sister, Patricia, at Rudy's Tavern to celebrate her sisters happy news, the two are killed in a mob hit when Capo Johnny Cercone and his cousin go to collect a debt.  Kevin is devastated and he returns to the Cattaraugus Indian Reserve to mourn his losses.

When members of mob Boss Tony D's begin to show up dead; Deputy Director of Intelligence, Jack Slattery, puts his best assassin on the job.  Someone is killing these people in a highly trained manner and Jack believes there are very few who meet that calibre and have a reason to do so.

Gray Taylor is having mixed reservations about this assignment.  He geniunely likes Kevin and wishes to do him no harm if he happens to have gone rogue.  Kevin is always one step ahead of Gray however and the two form a mutual bond of respect and friendship.  To make matters worse for Gray, his wife Terry, believes Kevin to be a great person and is against Gray's involvement in the situation.

As each person has their own agenda, the truth must prevail.  Someone is guilty of killing Karen and Patricia and everyone is going to pay.

I thought this was a great read.  I loved the character development and the plot has enough believability to make the plot acceptable to the reader.  I liked how there wasn't too much excess information that could have tied the book down, I am glad the author was able to write in such a way as to leave us with our own imaginations.

I thought Gray was a great character.  I loved reading about his stress and turmoil over his assignment and how he had to grapple with his own hidden ghosts.  I also enjoyed his relationship with his wife and thought the two of them made a great addition to the story.

I would have liked to have had a bit more back story with Karen and Patricia.  I couldn't quite feel for the Samaritan as he leveled his playing field.  Without knowing more about either of these ladies, it was hard to relate to the ordeal and often I wanted the killer to be captured, for I felt he over stepped his boundaries.  I'm thinking with a bit more interaction with the ladies, I would have felt more for his plight than I did.

I would give The Samaritan four out of five stars.  While I thought it was a great read, I found it predictable and I easily guessed the outcome of the story.  I was hoping to be wrong but the clues are displayed quite apparently and it ended as I had predicted as I was reading.  Although, it is well written and the outcome is definitely worth delving into.

I also enjoyed reading about Tony D, his character was a perfect addition to the story.  You wanted to hate and love him at the same time.  I felt more for his character than I did for any other and somehow I think it shouldn't have been that way.  I found him to be an honourable and courageous man who kept his associates under control and just wanted to enjoy life without too much stress.  I loved how even though he was the Kingpin, he seemed more concerned about his wife's welfare than his own.

If you love mystery thrillers than you are definitely going to enjoy this one.  The expletives are mild to moderate and the scene graphics are temperate to moderate in nature.

Stephen Besecker ~ Beyond The Cover & Off The Page

SYNOPSIS:
As a kid, Kevin ''Hatch'' Easter never had it easy, growing up half Seneca Indian in a mostly white society. Following the tragic death of his parents when he was only nine, Hatch found himself living on the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation with his shaman grandfather.

But as an adult, he's found a job he believes in--tracker for the Central Intelligence Agency--and a wife, Karen, he cherishes.

That life is shattered on a hot August night in New York City when a mob collection gone wrong leaves three people dead, Karen Easter among them.

Just a few days later, police find the gunman dead, the murder weapon on him, and the criminal case is all but closed.

Except someone doesn't buy it.

Someone thinks the guilty parties are still out there.

And that someone wants revenge.

 

** Disclosure: I did not accept any compensation from the sponsors other than review copies, my views are my own, reviewed by me..as I see it~!! **

Anaszi Intrigue by Linda Weaver Clarke

Anasazi Intrigue:  The Adventures of John and Julia Evans is a romantic suspense mystery.

Julia Evans is a reporter who comes across some dead fish after a terrible flood has ripped through her county.  Bagging them up she takes them to family friend, Matthew, who concludes that the fish had died from arsenic poisoning.

Julia must convince her boss that she is the right person to cover this story and not her smug co-worker, Ted.  As Julia works to uncover more leads in order to continue following the story, Julia's husband, John, has uncovered a mystery of his own.

It seems someone is stealing priceless artifacts from ancient Anasazi burial kivas and selling them on the black market to the highest bidder.  John is afraid that if Julia hears about this, he'll have more to worry about then a couple of dead fish.

As the two of the work to uncover the mysteries set before them, they run into dangerous men who wish them to drop the story or suffer the consequences.  Julia is a stubborn women and will stop at nothing to uncover the truth, even at the cost of her own life.

This was an easy read that have a decent flow and narrative.  The plot is a great one and I enjoyed hearing about the history of the Anasazi and the artifacts that were mentioned.  I enjoyed the bad guys and thought they were well written, Devollyn, the main antagonist, was very enjoyable to read and brought depth to the book.

I wish there had been more history pertaining to the Anasazi, I am an ancient history buff and was truly looking forward to learning more as well, I believe, it would have given the plot more clarity.  I believe that if I didn't know what I do about that particular race of people, I might not have known what the author was explaining.  I would've liked to have seen more of the dream that Julia was racked with, it wasn't mentioned often enough to grasp the meaning behind the revelation at the end of the story and the event is left with a flat feeling for me.

I would give this a three out of five stars.  I thought John was a great character and was written in an enjoyable way but for some reason, Julia wasn't endearing to me.  She came across as whiny and spoiled more often than the courageous, go-for-all woman that she was sometimes portrayed as.  Also, there was a couple of places in the beginning chapters that had Julia listed as Julia Roberts and it confused me, I think it was mentioned two or three times and at first, I thought it may have her byline name at the newspaper but it was never mentioned again and I'm still not sure.

All in all, if you like a good mystery with a little bit of history thrown in the mix, then you will be sure to enjoy Anasazi Intrigue.

Linda Weaver Clarke - Author

** Disclosure: I did not accept any compensation from the sponsors other than review copies, my views are my own, reviewed by me..as I see it~!! **