Teresa Brock

The Palace Of Sinners And Saints By Ammar Merchant

This is a banger of a debut novel!  The Palace of Sinners and Saints sets the stage perfectly for more books with characters you can’t wait to follow.  The constant tension and immersive atmosphere drive the story forward with seamless, unrelenting momentum.  Honestly, I loved the fact that our author was born in Pakistan, has lived across the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe and our characters reflect his background and travels.  It’s a unique experience and perspective for readers and so authentic.  It would be like someone from the Middle East reading Jack Reacher.  I would LOVE for the author to hear me try to pronounce the names of these characters!

Irfan Mirza is a ruthless, freelance mercenary.  It is what he knows and what he was raised to do. He was kidnapped as a child and raised by a program to kill and from there, he finds his family.   Mirza’s character is revealed gradually, with subtle clues woven into the narrative as the story progresses.  He will become one of your favorite characters and you will want to know more!  When his Mahmud is taken in front of a hotel one night along with his fiancé Renata, Mirza knows where they are going, and these two are not safe there.  So, he assembles a rag tag bunch, each with different, but essential skills, to go and break them out. (you are going to love them all) Well, there are plenty of characters you love to hate too!  (My favorite is Atlas Boss.)

This book is a high-octane adventure from the first page, pulling readers into an immersive world where every fight scene crackles with cinematic energy. With a full-throttle pace and a gritty 'honor among mercenaries' vibe, it balances explosive action with sharp, revealing dialogue that offers a deeper look into Mirza and his crew. The story sets the stage perfectly for more books, with characters you can’t wait to follow.   If you're craving a story packed with courage, relentless action, and unforgettable characters you’ll want to follow long after the last page—this one’s for you.

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See How They Fall By Rachel Paris

Rachel Paris comes blazing onto the scene with this pulse pounding, whodunnit crime thriller.  Knowing that this is her debut novel is a guarantee that I will be coming back for more!

Told between alternating POV’s over the course of 10 days, the amount of action that takes place will leave you breathless.   First, we are introduced to Skye Turner who is married to David Turner.  She has married into a generationally wealthy family.  There are three brothers who have inherited their father’s business and fortune.   Next, we meet Detective Mei O’Conner.  (She was probably my favorite character.)  Part train wreck, part hard ass 100% real.

Beginning on Good Friday, the Turner family was having a get together at the family compound.  When you have a family of wealthy individuals, it’s hard to imagine the number of secrets and lies that are hidden behind closed doors.  While the three brothers, Duncan, Hugo and Jamie seem close, none of the spouses are close.  It is as if each household is isolated.   Things went wrong quickly in what seemed to be a food poisoning incident.  However, when one spouse is declared dead, and one child is on life support due to arsenic poisoning; the mighty Turner family begins to splinter.

Detective Mei O’Conner is called into the investigation, and immediately red flags are flying.  Because of the wealth and pull this family has, things must be kept quiet.  Everyone around this investigation wants it to close quickly.  Things need to be wrapped up neatly, but the evidence isn’t aligning.  The more questions Mei asks, the more suspicious the members of the Turner empire become. 

This is a claustrophobic, unpredictable, must-read psychological thriller with a banger of an ending.  Do not miss this!

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The Ghostwriter By Julie Clark

I could revamp the blurb and tell you what happens in the story, but I took away so much more than that.  When Olivia is asked to ghostwrite her estranged father, Vincent’s, final novel, she begins piecing his story together through a kaleidoscope of perspectives—neighbors, friends, teachers, parents, an old diary, forgotten Super 8 reels, and the vivid, often conflicting memories that both she and her father carry. As she immerses herself in the fragments of his life, a fuller picture begins to emerge—one that’s as much about understanding him as it is about rediscovering herself.

Olivia was born into the aftermath of a story already broken, the daughter of a man who took pain and unknown circumstances from his past and carried it with him. While he successfully wrote novel after novel, the only language of love that he was able to express was through treasure hunts and for her, it was a distraction, something to keep her busy.  She never understood the importance. Olivia grew up in the shadow of her father’s brilliance, mistaking neglect for her own unworthiness. To the world, he was a tortured genius; to her, just a father who never saw her. He had buried his siblings and, with them, pieces of himself.

Julie Clark does more than tell us an amazing and suspenseful story that is steeped in a 50-year-old unsolved murder—it’s a deeply emotional journey, rich in character development that lingers long after the final page. Every twist was earned, and every character felt achingly real. It's the kind of story that stays with you. The heart of this story lies in the profound healing that unfolds between Olivia and her father—an emotional journey that transcends the pages. It’s in the raw honesty they finally share, and the way Olivia can be honest with herself and become the woman she wanted to be.  The Ghostwriter is an unforgettable story that quietly shifts how you see people, grief, and the hidden battles they carry. It’s a powerful reminder that we rarely know the full story behind someone's silence. This book deserves to be recognized as one of the best of the year—because it truly is.

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Be Mine By Lizzy Barber

DON’T DRINK THE KOOL-AID!

Be Mine follows Beth, who relocates from London to San Francisco in search of a fresh start and a clean break from her past. But despite the change in scenery, her daily life remains monotonous—just a cycle of work deadlines and unfulfilled potential. She still hasn’t found her place or purpose—until she meets Marissa and is introduced to a mysterious program called Elixer.

At first, Elixer seems like exactly what Beth needs—a holistic wellness initiative focused on both mental and physical health. But as Beth becomes more involved, it becomes clear that there’s much more to Elixer than meets the eye.

This is a slow-burn, addictive psychological thriller that delivers jaw-dropping "holy shit, I did not see that coming" moments. A chilling cult thriller, Be Mine pulls you into a world of manipulation, control, and creeping dread. With twists and turns at every corner, it keeps you second-guessing everything—and just when you think you’ve figured it out, the story takes another shocking turn.

Told across dual timelines and locations, and interwoven with excerpts from the Elixer manifesto, this novel demands to be devoured at breakneck speed. If you're drawn to dark, twisty psychological thrillers with cult themes, unreliable narrators, and truly unpredictable endings, Be Mine needs to be your next read.

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Spontaneous Remission By Joel Shulkin

After reading Joel Shulkin’s Heroic Measures, I knew he had a talent for blending medical authenticity with pulse-pounding suspense—but Spontaneous Remission takes it to another level. This isn’t just a thriller; it’s a smart, morally complex exploration of what happens when science crosses into miracle territory. This just isn’t far enough off into the future to be called a sci-fi, medical thriller.  I personally think there is a lot more truth to this than the regular person will ever know.  Especially when we consider that technology and the push forward in medicine has given us more problems to deal with. 

The story follows a woman who’s been given what looks like a divine second chance—but as the layers peel back, it’s clear there’s something far more dangerous behind her recovery. The introduction of a prototype drug, Pan-C-8, capable of curing any disease, raises profound ethical questions. The ensuing race between those seeking to harness its power for good and others with more nefarious intentions adds a layer of urgency and moral complexity.  Shulkin, a physician himself, brings the kind of realism that makes every medical detail ring true. But what kept me turning the pages weren’t just the facts—it was the way he forces readers to wrestle with big questions: What would we do if we found a cure for everything? And at what cost?

With unforgettable characters, ethical dilemmas, and a biotech conspiracy that feels scarily plausible, Spontaneous Remission is a must-read for fans of intelligent thrillers with heart. Be ready to question what you know and what you think is possible.  Joel Shulkin proves once again that he’s not just writing thrillers—he’s pushing the genre forward.

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The Safari By Jaclyn Goldis

I have read both The Chateau and The Main Character, so when the opportunity arose to read her newest book The Safari, I knew I had to get my hands on it.  Jaclyn Goldis captures the beauty, majesty, and danger of the South African wilderness with breathtaking precision. From the rustle of dry grass to the pulse of looming threats, The Safari pulls you deep into its lush, beautiful and dangerous world.  The author includes details specific to the area that include their language, culture, values and traditions that authenticates this story pulling the reader deeply into this pulse pounding mystery. 

Rich people behaving badly, multiple POV’s, tangled family rifts that span decades, secrets layered like a game of chess, and a cast of unreliable characters you won’t know whether to trust or suspect are exactly what you get when reading The Safari.   Jacklyn is superb in her pacing and the ability to leave red herrings and/or subtle clues that you think may be inconsequential but  - hang on – when you get to the end it will all come together in a way that will have you furiously flipping pages to get to the truth of what lies among the family members.  If you’re craving a thriller that stands out with a jaw-dropping setting and nonstop suspense—this is the one you’ve been waiting for.

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Vatican Daughter By Jonie Marie Iraci

The book transported me instantly into the heart of Italy—its rich descriptions of the Vatican City, the papal gardens, and the surrounding landscapes were so vivid and immersive that I felt as if I were walking the cobbled streets myself, breathing in the scent of blooming gardens and hearing the distant toll of church bells. The author's attention to cultural and architectural detail made the setting come alive, surrounding me with the atmosphere of centuries-old tradition and beauty.

This is a story woven with history, religion, and long-buried secrets. What happens when you come face-to-face with an institution that claims infallibility—backed by powerful figures willing to bend every truth to preserve their façade and control? That’s exactly what Sophia encountered when her affair with Joseph Morris, soon to be named the next pontiff, resulted in an unexpected pregnancy. But in a world where appearances are everything, and the Vatican's image must remain unblemished, there’s no room for scandal—only agendas, silence, and sacrifice.

This story unfolds in layers, with key players harboring hidden agendas at every turn. As Sophia races to uncover the truth—and the whereabouts of her daughter, Neveah—she must first determine who she can trust. Friend and foe blur as those sworn to protect Neveah begin to realize she is far more than an ordinary child. Within her lies a powerful spirit, a force that could change everything—if properly guided. Rich in language, fast-paced, and full of unexpected twists, this book immerses you in its world and ends on a gripping cliffhanger that leaves as many questions as answers.

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King Of Ashes By S.A. Cosby

S.A. Cosby’s writing is layered with metaphor and reference, weaving deeper meanings beneath the surface.  Whether it is names of the Carruthers siblings, Roman, Dante and Neveah; their parents’ vocations, mom the nurse and the healer or dad, the undertaker - the fight between good and evil, write and wrong, heaven and hell is on every page.  No two readers will walk away with the same experience from reading this book. 

The contrast or dichotomy that Cosby uses to describe horrendous and scary situations in order to show how the characters make their situation, while dangerous, livable, is just one part of the magic that happens on the pages.  He has a gift for choosing exactly the right words to transform something as familiar as a season into something vivid and alive. Through language, everything becomes more than just a backdrop—this book breathes, it moves, it feels.  

This is a dark and gritty crime novel where consequences ripple out in raw, often devastating ways.  The consequences don’t come all at once—they echo, long after the act, reshaping multiple lives for generations in ways we cannot always see.  This isn’t just a story about violent crime and gang related activities. It’s about family—the lines we cross, the lies we tell, and the lengths we’ll go to when loyalty runs deeper than law.

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Blood Feud By Martin Rooney

Meet Lee Cain, born and raised in Del Rio, Texas. He and his older brother Chris grew up in a strict household built on rules, respect, and hard work. With their mother bartending at the local VFW, Lee practically came of age on a barstool—learning everything from how to take (or throw) a punch to how to charm a woman. Life lessons came hard and fast, and so did trouble. The Cain brothers were in and out of it for most of their lives—until one day, Chris bit off more than he could chew.

After Chris is murdered, Lee is diagnosed with cancer. But this is no ordinary man. Hardened by years of bad choices and brutal lessons, Lee’s convinced he’s invincible. Even if the Grim Reaper came knocking, Lee Cain would go down swinging. While searching for unconventional ways to fight his illness, he stumbles across a mysterious group called Artemis—an elite, powerful organization with deep roots and dangerous secrets. Unwittingly, Lee pokes the wrong hornet’s nest.

What follows is pure pulp action at its most savage. Skull-cracking violence and dirty fists! Lee Cain is a one-man wrecking crew with elite hand-to-hand skills and a blood-soaked sense of justice. If Jack Reacher had a meaner, more unhinged cousin who solved problems with broken bones and a sky-high body count, it would be Lee Cain.

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Streets Of Nashville by Michael Amos Cody

Our protagonist and all-around good guy, Ezra MacRae, is an up-and-coming songwriter, from a small town who is trying to make it in Nashville while cleaning pools on the side.  The story begins with a mix of good and bad news. On the bright side, the Ezra has just landed a contract as a Music Row staff writer. However, things take a dark turn when he becomes a witness to a horrific triple murder on Music Row late one night. The killer spots him but lets him go. What follows is an intense, high-stakes game of cat and mouse. The killer knows Ezra must eventually be dealt with, while Ezra is fully aware that he cannot afford to be left alive as a loose end.

Cody’s depiction of Nashville in 1989 is incredibly immersive. The way he is able bring the city to life makes it feel like the reader is transported right into that time and place. The details, locations, songs and song writers along with the cultural backdrop all work together so seamlessly that it truly feels like being there and draws the reader into the world he has created.

With his experience as a Nashville songwriter and deep knowledge of country music, Michael Amos Cody brings The Streets of Nashville to life. One of the highlights for me was how Ezra MacRae, the main character, would come up with song lyrics throughout his day, with random events sparking memories of classic country songs. It felt like a true reflection of an artist's thought process and offered a fascinating glimpse into the creative world of songwriting. This is one of those books that stays with you long after you've finished reading. The story lingers in your mind, and the characters and moments will stick with you, making it impossible to forget.

Streets of Nashville is the kind of southern crime fiction that readers crave—gritty, gripping, and full of rich, atmospheric details. It captures the essence of the South while delivering a story that's both suspenseful and deeply engaging. For fans of the genre, this book hits all the right notes.

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Remote: The Six By Eric Rickstad

FBI Special Agent Lukas Stark is after the Tableau Serial Killer.  An unsub who is moving around the country killing families in a very specific and disturbing manner, but so far, there seems to be no connection between the victims. Starks’ investigation is not progressing as fast as the killer is racking up body totals, so the agency brings in a man, Gilles Garnier.  Gilles and Starks are polar opposites in the world of investigation.  Starks is by the book and Gilles – well – he has zero background, but all of the clearance and too many secrets.   As the story progresses, we get a connection between Gilles and the unsub and pieces of a puzzle that go too far up the chain of command and are too numerous to put into one novel. 

Remote viewing is the practice of using the mind to gain information about a person, object or event that cannot be seen.  During the Cold War, the CIA and US military took remote viewing seriously using a classified program called Stargate.  There are a lot of questions surrounding this program and the experiments that went on, who was involved, the results and outcomes.

Rickstad has brilliantly pulled a piece of obscure military history and brought it to life.  This book is not for the faint of heart. It is a nonstop, no punches pulled thrill ride with descriptions that are so graphic it is nothing short of cinematic. This gritty thriller had me hooked from the beginning and I stayed up all night, unable to put it down. It ranks among the very best in the psycho-criminal genre. To truly understand the mind of a sadistic killer is to delve into a dark, terrifying world that few would ever dare to enter.

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The Impossible Thing By Belinda Bauer

I'm always eager to pick up the latest Belinda Bauer novel. Her writing consistently stands out, elevating the crime thriller genre with its depth. She creates well-rounded, engaging characters while maintaining a fast-paced and compelling plot. While crimes do unfold, it isn't exactly a traditional crime story and of course it was great to see Patrick from Rubberneckers return.

Spanning from the 1920s to the present day, the novel paints a vivid picture of the dark and perilous world of egg collecting. It also brings to life the rugged beauty of the Yorkshire cliffs, where diverse seabird species have nested and soared through the winds for centuries.  Enter greed, obsession and a crime that started 100 years ago. 

The Impossible Thing is a captivating and thought-provoking journey that delves into how the smallest, seemingly trivial actions can lead to profound, life-changing outcomes. Though the premise may seem unconventional at first, Belinda Bauer’s masterful storytelling makes it resonate in the most unexpected ways. For readers seeking a distinctive narrative that weaves through time and generations, this book is an absolute must-read.

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Dark Rising By Andrews & Wilson

Ben, Jed, David, Rachel, Corbin, Sarah Beth, Paster Dee and others are back!  Book 3, Dark Fall,  leaves a little breathing room for the Shepherds with Victor being defeated.  However, there is no rest for the wicked.  During the Dark Rising, the Dark Ones are to select the new General on Earth to do the devil’s will.  Jed finds a new ally in CIA liaison Gayle James.  This group of men, women and children from all over the world and different backgrounds are brought together for this epic battle.

 

The Shepherds Series is about spiritual warfare; about good versus evil.  The hierarchy of The Shepherds loosely mirrors the military structure.  You know who is calling the shots when the rubber meets the road.  There is a lot of prayer, guidance, sacrifice and scripture on these pages.  It should make you think.  Everything that happens in this series happens behind the scenes.  Temptation is happening around us all day, every day even to the Shepherds.   

 

This battle is unlike anything they have encountered.  The Dark Force continually gets stronger.  The divide on the dark side is that women cannot be in charge. The Shepherds are facing a new battle, and they must come together and face the unexpected.  Manboo, an evil woman, brings a lot of magic, power and voodoo to the table causing a rift.  She moves the men who are in power within the Dark Ones organization with ease – like players on a chess board.  Wonderfully complicated layers of characters, growing story lines, themes of sacrifice and temptation fill each page perfectly.  Evil never stops.  It will always try to beat the light. You will want to join the Shepherds on this continuing journey to fight until the end.

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Heartwood By Amity Gaige

This book was absolutely incredible. It caught me by surprise with how deeply moving and beautifully written it was.  There are several characters in this book who are oddly and intricately connected to one another. Each one is flawed.  Each person has a story to tell, their story, and I encourage you to listen. This is more than a missing person mystery.  This is a story of love, growth, failure and strength. This is a very character driven story where mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, coworkers, siblings, friends and more all bear their heartwood – their innermost strengths and vulnerabilities to the reader. 

The author immerses the reader directly onto the Appalachian Trail in Maine, where it is known for its breathtaking natural beauty and challenging terrain. Valerie's journey winds through dense forests, over rocky peaks, and along pristine rivers and streams.  The Appalachian Trail is both a physical and mental test, allowing for introspection, solitude, friendship and an unparalleled connection to nature.    However, when Valerie, aka Sparrow goes missing with less than 200 miles to the end, a complex mystery unfolds filled with red herrings, twists and turns that you will not see coming.

The investigation centers on Beverly, a dedicated Maine State Game Warden who takes charge of the search for Valerie on the ground. Meanwhile, Lena, a seventy-six-year-old birdwatcher living in a Connecticut retirement community, unexpectedly steps into the role of an armchair detective. As the story alternates between these captivating perspectives, Valerie’s disappearance starts to seem more than just a coincidence.

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Gothictown By Emily Carpenter

A chilling atmosphere, a town’s haunting legacy, a resilient heroine, and a lingering sense of dread are perfectly intertwined in Emily Carpenter’s newest novel, Gothictown.   

Billie, her husband Peter and their daughter Mere, live in NYC and post pandemic financial strains have taken nearly everything from them.  One day, an advertisement comes her way about a town in Georgia – Juliana, Georgia, where there is a small-town initiative that is trying to bring in commerce and bring back small town living.  This catches their attention, and while things seem too good to be true at first, all the boxes are checked and they take off to Juliana to start over, get out of the city and find their happiness. 

From the moment Billie and her family officially move to Juliana they are immersed in a chilling atmosphere where every shadow hides a story, and every corner is steeped in a history that refuses to be forgotten, and haunting legacies linger. The sense of dread is palpable, as the boundaries between the living and the dead blur on the pages.

The suspense builds steadily throughout, as Carpenter drops subtle clues and revelations that make the reader question what’s real and what’s imagined. The historical backdrop of the town itself feels like a character, including the buildings, street names, and, at times, overly friendly residents creating a perfect stage for the unfolding mystery.

Gothictown is not just a ghost story; it’s a story about family, legacy, and the ways in which the past shapes the present. It’s a thrilling ride into a town where the whispers of the past speak volumes.  This is not a book you will soon forget and may possibly leave you a little unsettled even after you turn the final page.

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Flames Of Deception by Travis Davis

Russia, China, and India are gearing up for a massive military campaign, both naval and ground-based, aimed at taking control of critical oil transportation routes and destabilizing the global oil supply. With support from North Korea, China is also orchestrating an unprecedented cyberattack on the United States’ renewable energy infrastructure, targeting its "Green Energy" grid.  The balance between oil production, the shift between alternative energy sources and the power play game between the countries is a critical issue that stays (mostly) behind the scenes but is imperative to smooth operations in everything that we do.  In today’s world, the consequences of disrupting this balance could be catastrophic

One of the standout qualities of Flames of Deception by Travis Davis is the author's impressive ability to immerse the reader in various settings through the use of language and location-specific terms. Davis has a keen eye for detail and skillfully incorporates terminology that is specific to the places and cultures within his narrative, making each location feel distinct and authentic. Whether describing an oil field is Russia, Springfield Virginia, or inside of the converted cargo ship AM Blueberry Hill on the Black Sea, Davis’s use of local vernacular, regional references, and environmental nuances allows the reader to feel as though they are stepping into the heart of the scene.

The author also skillfully integrates true and factual moments in history into the fictional narrative. By weaving real historical events and figures into the storyline, Davis adds a layer of authenticity and depth that grounds the action in reality. These factual elements not only enrich the plot but allows the reader to think about the ‘what’ if possibilities.  The glossary at the end also, gives the reader a ton of information on the real places and departments that deal with things of this nature. 

Readers are taken on a global journey, moving between various locations as the story unfolds. At times, the narrative focuses on plans devised against the United States, while other moments delve into the strategies the U.S. is employing to counter these global threats. The pacing is relentless, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The dialogue is sharp and engaging, and the characters are deeply flawed yet real, with strong development that adds layers to their personalities. The action is nonstop, making for an exciting ride, while the story's premise touches on issues that could have a significant impact on our world.

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Nowhere By Allison Gunn

This is a tale of an unrelenting and hungry darkness.  A story of death and tragedy and sorrow.  A place where screams cannot be heard, where fear must be fed and sins go to die.  This is the story of Nowhere – if you dare to open the door and let it in. 

Allison Gunn, is a debut queer woman author in horror/thriller genre market heavily dominated by male authors.  I chose Nowhere as my most anticipated book for 2025.  Not only did it live it to the hype, this book has exceeded all expectations!

Meet the Keenan’s – Rachel, Finn, Charlie, Aiden and Lucy.   Finn was a writer, but more than that, he was/is an alcoholic.  After one too many drinks, he was driving Aiden and Lucy home, and after swerving to miss something he lost Aiden to the river.  Their family was forever changed.  They moved to a small town in Virginia called Dalmouth where she hung up the city detective life to be the chief of police.  Dalmouth has its secrets too, but most of all, they do not like outsiders.  The citizens tend to lean on the religious side of things and they will make sure to point out all of your faults.

Dalmouth, like other small towns in Appalachia is ridden with crime and drugs.  However, something seems a little different this time.  A man, nailed to a tree with his eyes gouged and weird symbols are everywhere.  Unfortunately, the witness that found the body is a well-known meth dealer and all of his ramblings and warnings are dismissed. 

As you turn the pages, you continually dig deeper and find out just how broken the Kennan family is. The story of how Rachel and Finn come together and why they stay together is a story in and of itself.  The reasons behind Rachel’s defensiveness and the walls around her heart truly resonated among the pages.  You will hate them both for most of the book.  After you are done hating them, remember that every person has a backstory that you probably know nothing about.  Actually, you will probably hate nearly everyone in the book (not Jeremy) and that is part of what makes it great.  The neighbors are judgy and hateful, the teachers are know-it-alls, and the religious community is way over the top.  Rachel can be a raging B word and you will want to sucker punch Finn. 

Bottom line – lean all the way into this horror thriller that will stick with you for days.  Allison Gunn is an author to follow and watch for what is next.  The Appalachian Mountains are full of secrets!  One more thing – sleep with the lights on!

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Chapter 2 Books
Murder By The Book
Once Upon A Crime
The Book Dragon
The Poisoned Pen

Where The Bones Lie By Nick Kolakowski

When I started my reading journey, I could not have told you what a noir thriller is. Today – I will pick this over just about anything and I am loving the authors that are putting them out. I was lucky enough to read Where the Bones Lie by Nick Kolakowski and I enjoyed every single page. Everything that a reader could want in a crime thriller has been covered by Kolakowski. 

Dash Fuller is a hard boiled, cynical, recovering alcoholic, who is chased by demons and is trying to heal from his past by being a PI (or a comedian) in the Hollywood area where drugs, secrets and murder abound. Dash is flawed and so relatable. He thinks he has ‘outlaw speed’ when it comes to acquiring a target, but really doesn’t want to add a body to his ledger. Madeline Ironwood, daughter of missing thief, murderer and all-around Hollywood bad guy, Ken Ironwood, hires Dash to help her find her father’s killer when his remains are found in a barrel in the middle of a drying lake in Northern California. Madeline is sassy and unpredictable. She is hard headed and strong. So, when they pair up for a road trip to see what they can uncover, they get way more than they bargained for

Corruption, disillusionment, and morally ambiguous characters follow Dash and Madeline as they uncover secrets and lies at every turn. Go ahead and mark your calendars.  This is a can't miss, non stop crime thriller! 

Follow Teresa on Twitter or Instagram or contact her via the site.

Purchase Where The Bones Lie
(Note: most indie bookstores can fulfill an order as quickly as larger retailers. Please consider contacting them for your next purchase.)

Barrington Books
Chapter 2 Books
Murder By The Book
Once Upon A Crime
The Book Dragon
The Poisoned Pen

The Buffalo Hunter By Stephen Graham Jones

There are a few things that I think everyone should know before they read anything by SGJ.  First, you need to pay attention to every single detail.  Everything is on the page for a reason, and it will come back around.  Second, try not to read too many reviews or spoilers and let the story happen to you.  It will always be worth it.  Finally, you need to expect a lot of gore and death, but hey, you are reading horror so suck it up.  The characters are so meticulously written that you will be invested in each and everyone of them.  Promise. 

We have three narrators and three timelines.  Etsy (short for Betsy), a struggling associate professor. In 2012 a construction worker in Montana stumbled upon a hidden journal belonging to an unknown relative. The University reaches out to her as the next of kin, leading her to uncover the journal of her great-great-grandfather, a Lutheran pastor in Miles City from 1912.  Beaucarne, the minister, has kept meticulous entries from his past including the confessions of Good Stab, a Pikuni who was involved in the 1870 Marias Massacre.  The journal entries from the confession take a little getting used to because of the names of the animals, and places and objects that are described are from the Native American language as transcribed by Beaucarne.  Once you get used to it, it just simply makes things so vivid that you can’t unsee what you read.

The author seamlessly intertwines real people, with real events that happened in the settling of the west with an unsettling fictional narrative, morally grey characters and the perfect amount of vampire lore.  The subject matter is undeniably dark and at times hard to stomach. Yet, it's both captivating and skillfully written, offering a sobering glimpse into a truly horrific chapter of American history. If you're a fan of horror and historical fiction and can stomach the violence and death that pervade the narrative, this book is definitely worth reading.

Follow Teresa on Twitter or Instagram or contact her via the site.

Purchase The Buffalo Hunter
(Note: most indie bookstores can fulfill an order as quickly as larger retailers. Please consider contacting them for your next purchase.)

Barrington Books
Chapter 2 Books
Murder By The Book
Once Upon A Crime
The Book Dragon
The Poisoned Pen

The Extraterrestrial Zoo By Samantha van Leer

It’s official.  I have found myself utterly and completely immersed and mesmerized by Samantha van Leer’s writing. 

 

Welcome to a world where extraterrestrials are landing on Earth.  Two per year, each in their own egg with a white card containing one word written on it.  No one knows why or how or where they come from, but the Extraterrestrial Living Being’s (ELB’s) have needs, powers and skills that could be harnessed for good or bad.    

 

After her mother's passing and her father's departure, 13-year-old Ava Ardent has become the sole caretaker of 32 Extraterrestrial Living Beings (ELBs) housed in the Alien Zoo in Maine. Her already difficult life takes an unexpected turn when her uncle Pete, a veteran of the war in Iraq, hires 14-year-old Harley as an intern just as a powerful hurricane approaches them. During the storm, many of the ELBs escape, and with Uncle Pete joining the police to manage the crisis, Ava and Harley are left to care for the one remaining ELB while also pursuing an escaped creature in the nearby woods. As they navigate this high-pressure situation, Ava and Harley develop a deep connection, sharing personal stories and becoming each other's first true friend.

 

There are so many wonderful things to unpack on these pages.  First of all, each ELB that was introduced was nothing short of vivid and so full of imagination that the world van Leer has created comes to life for the reader.  This heartwarming and thrilling science-fiction adventure will be loved by middle-school readers while they navigate through a world where trust and friendship, responsibility and family are discussed in a way that they can relate to and understand. 

Follow Teresa on Twitter or Instagram or contact her via the site.

Purchase The Extraterrestrial Zoo
(Note: most indie bookstores can fulfill an order as quickly as larger retailers. Please consider contacting them for your next purchase.)

Barrington Books
Chapter 2 Books
Murder By The Book
Once Upon A Crime
The Book Dragon
The Poisoned Pen

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