Review of WATCHING

WATCHING

                                     
The Making of Riley Paige - Book One

BLAKE PIERCE

Review by Roy Murry, Author

I have read many Book One's of a series, and I can say that Blake Pierce has produced a novel which is in my top five favorites in the genre - psychological thrillers inclusive of a mystery.  I just made that up, but you know what I mean.

Riley, a psych major at college, has a background as a child that led her to the study of psychology - wondering why things happen to good people.  This investigation turns in to an obsession when a friend is killed in her bedroom a few doors down from Riley's dorm room.

That event snowballs into an intuitive nightmare that directs her into finding the murderer, who is closer than one would think. With the help of two professors, Riley gets to the truth of the matter, she feels after reading one of their masterpieces on criminal psychology.

Somewhat directed by an FBI criminal profiler, Riley learns a lesson she will never forget after a near-deadly event. She hasn't become of age, but with a little help from the FBI, Riley Paige will grow strong in her actions through intuition.

Great Psychological Thriller: https://amzn.to/2TKbtnJ

Review of PRIME TARGET

PRIME TARGET

Disappear or Die

ELLIS VIDLER

Review by Roy Murry, Author

The WITSEC, better known as the Witness Protection Program was waiting for Madeleine to become a member after she saw her husband gunned down by a gangster. That event continued with another murderous one, targeting her.

Leaving the police and the FBI in search of her in New York City, she takes control of her life without government protection. The suspense begins - on the run from the mob and the government is nerve-racking which comes through in Ms. Vidler’s writing.

The reader feels Madeleine’s conflicts. She wants to live to put the SOB away for what he had done to her husband. However, how can she do this "on the run"?

All the events after she leaves NYC and finds her way looking for an apple farm can only be described as somewhat thrilling, melodramatic, and sensational. She acquires many new loves on this journey from her mental and physical prison to knowing who she is and what she wants.

With the help of new and old friends, her journey comes to an end to the reader’s satisfaction, but not in the way one would think - more suspense. Many twists and turns keep the reader’s attention.

It did mine

Review of Fruits of Eden

FRUITS OF EDEN

HERBALISM AND THE OCCULT

TARL WARWICK

Review by Roy Murry, Author

Warwick, better known as Styxhexenhammer666 of Youtube.com fame for his commentary on a wide variety of subjects, video voice comes through clear and accurate in his writing.  His detail explanations and extensive vocabulary are humorous at times while being historically understandable when he describes an herb and its origin.

Until reading this conglomeration of plants and there is a usage, I never looked around in the green section of the supermarket - I am a male product of the baby boom generation and eat what others cooked. Now, I will indulge in some of the herbs mention in Styx's index, Chapter X, which are fully explained by category in prior chapters.

This listing is comprehensive and enjoyable to read unlike a textbook on the subject: plants used to retain health; used for working curses; use in love and lust spells; and others. Funny: I didn't know eating radishes were good at enhancing male sex drive in some cultures. I would have consumed more in my youth. LOL

That example and other antidotal information about the green world around us, Styx educates the reader.  I, for one, will go back and read my notes taken while learning and laughing as I consumed the herbal essence of this work.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/2SMpMuS

Review of The Virtue of Nationalism

The Virtue of Nationalism

Yoram Hazony

Review by Author Roy Murry

The book I read before this was UNITING KINGDOMS by Oran Thaller which promotes a kind of Utopian Globalism. This book, as noted by the title, encourages Nation-States to stay individual countries opposing a kind of Kant's 'enlighten imperialism' - the European Union, an example.

Hazony: Nation-State - its internal cohesiveness, and its unique cultural inheritance - all of which must diligently be tended to if the nation is to grow strong, becoming a blessing to its own and a model and inspiration to others - neighbors. This situation cannot happen when another appointed controls the states as an empire controlling economics and the borders of those states, my interpretation of his original presentation. 

In THE VIRTUE OF NATIONALISM, Hazony makes an essential argument for Nation-States that Thaller does not in Uniting Kingdoms for Globalist controlling humanity. Attempting empires have been tried and failed - Last time it was Hitler.

Mr. Hazony's writing is to the point of using history, which many forget, to present his positions. I felt his book was a little boring at times and I had to reread some parts, but I believe he made his point -uniting Europe under one union is an error, considering what I have seen with the refugee problem put on the joined countries at the orders of the Central Imperial Government in Brussels.

I believe - The USA should not be the policemen for the EU government, NATO nor the United Nations and that Nation-States should be free to decide their future.

An essential read if you care about Humanity. 

Purchase:  https://amzn.to/39jTqNn

Review of Uniting Kingdoms

UNITING KINGDOMS

ORAN THALLER

Review by Roy Murry, Author

Uniting the Kingdoms around Israel or the entire world on a philosophical basis, mano-a-mano is a gigantic undertaking. Oran is on his journey of self-reflection, using a divinity named Arthur as his conduit to what is or is not the proper way to live.

The Kingdoms are the difference we have in the physical world. During Oran's wandering with Arthur, he reaches into the spiritual side of humanity, and how coming together on many different levels, the world will be a better place.

Overcoming common fear of another's religious prodigious or way of living is a beginning, I believe, the author is trying to say. When we do, all avenues of joining together as one world (Globalism) under G-d humanity will follow.

The story is followable but sometimes strange; there are many platitudes delved into, and moral conclusions he examines. The read is enjoyable.

A journey worth taking with an open mind.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/2IhxRAZ

Review of the Pink Panther, the novel

The PINK PANTHER

Max Allan Collins' novelization of the screenplay by Len Blum and Steve Martin

Review by Roy Murry

You most likely saw the movie but reading the print version is a hoot and a half. The screen characters come alive in your mind again reading Mr. Collins' novel.

ENTER INSPECTOR CLOUSEAU is a chapter that I read twice because it was so funny. The humor continued to the end even though two people are murdered in the mystery plot.

Clouseau, played by Steve Martin in the movie, comes alive in print to another level. I love words, and the way they were used in Panther made for an enjoyable afternoon.

The plot is simple - murder is committed; the Chief Inspector picks an idiot (Clouseau) to solve a crime he intends to clear up himself; and each proceeds - the Chief with many detectives and Clouseau with a hand-picked informer by his boss.

There is no clarity in the way Clouseau unravels the crimes, and the Chief thinks he has the murders solved. To see how newly made Inspector Clouseau detects is mind-boggling and un-Sherlockian, but he has the answers in the end.

I can't say this enough, a book you must read for the humor.  Oh yes, there is a mystery, but it is fun reading the events that lead to the conclusion.

Purchase:  https://amzn.to/2LwRcPG

Review of One O'Clock Hustle

One O'Clock HUSTLE

JOANNE PENCE

Review by Roy Murry, Author

Not what I expected of a Mystery, and I have read many; the genre I love. 

A Criminal and the Inspector are too close for comfort. Inspector Mayfield has a murder to solve and relies on Richard, a businessman with dubious credentials for guidance.

This novel is a setup for a cheesy romance story albeit there are some clues to decipher and the two (More him than her) proceed to solve the murder of one of Richard's pickups. Rebecca Mayfield is a pushover and puts herself in legal limbo by listening to Richard's story.

Their investigative conversations in her apartment (His hideout) and his two-man gang get to the route of the matter, while Rebecca's partner and lieutenant are not involved. Some suspense and a few conflicts are thrilling but, not a series I will follow.

However, Pence's characters are entertaining if you're looking for a continuing romance to read a la Crime. I was Hustled a bit for 99 cents.

A disappointing mystery read from a USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTOR. 

Purchase: https://amzn.to/2zX4foQ

Review of Storm Sail

STORM SAIL

A Connie Barrera Thriller

CLR DOUGHERTY

Review by Roy Murry, Author

The Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea are the backgrounds of Captain Connie's thriller. She and her soon to be hubby Paul, pick up shipwrecked castaways on their way to the Caribbean islands.

The new guests, Gina and Dalton, are not what they seem. A psychological war to maintain control or takeover of the ship begins after one guest breaks into a box.

From there on, this thriller intensifies each day at sea, matching wits of the crew with some absurdities of their guests. The drama builds up to a surprising confrontation when Gina and Dalton find out the boat is near St. Thomas, keeping the reader on edge the whole voyage.

Dougherty's writing is always worth the "Dime" - enjoyable and all page-turners. This read was my second of the series.

Purchase:  https://amzn.to/2LiMtRt

Review of DRAIN THE SWAMP

DRAIN the SWAMP

How Washington Corruption

is Worse Than You Think

Congressman KEN BUCK

with Bill Blankschaen

Review by Roy Murry, Author

After reading this book twice, I will continue to post my mantra ‘TERM LIMITS’ on Social Media until the end. BUCK, a Congressman, agrees with that policy which will never be proposed by the Congress.

Those limits and a Balance Budget must come from the PEOPLE via States’ vote at a Constitutional Convention for Amendments. But I feel, and I think this congressman agrees, unfortunately, will not happen because of the 'Making Congress a life profession' in Washington. 

BUCK has upset his cohorts in Congress with his PEOPLE FIRST attitude which comes across in his writing of various contra acts by the members. He gives the reader short explanations as to the character crisis of members in general, corporate welfare through lobbies, the government in a zombie state, and other oddities of the USA stagnant government.

DRAIN THE SWAMP is published in 2017 as President takes office, and BUCK makes his recommendations. It is interesting how little the American people are fooled by the ones they voted to send to represent them. 

The writing is clear and understandable giving the reader a shock of reality. I recommend the book for anyone who is interested in helping to DRAIN THE SWAMP.

Here is the interview that helped me to decide to buy this book. Interview of Congressman Ken Buck by Sharyl Attkisson on Full Measure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIiozu2g12I

Purchase:  https://amzn.to/2QEKVqa

Review of Lady of Conquest

Lady of Conquest

TAMARA LEIGH

Review by Roy Murry, Author

 "Keep Your Friends Close, But Your Enemies Closer," is a saying that is appropriate to describe the Lady of Conquest's main character, a Norman knight who was part of the invasion of 1068 Saxon's England. Knight Maxen keeps Lady Rhiannyn, a Saxon, close until he can find out who killed his brother. He died in her arms, and she doesn't know who threw the knife that did the deed.

The crux of the story is how close they get after many conflicts and disputes they and their countrymen have. Maxen and Rhiannyn learn that their people, as well as themselves, have common ground that can be built on.

Rhiannyn's beauty and her ability to sway Maxen’s strong-minded ebullient positions to do the right thing on many levels bring the two together over a period. Killings stopped, and a bright future is over the horizon happens when they bond to change the King's mind.

This medieval romance is not a normal one with its culture conflicts. I believe that the proper English language and decorum are used but not overwhelmingly.

Lady of Conquest is an enjoyable love story to read.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/2AI0dAp

Review of Murder of the Maestro

Murder of the Maestro

Georgie Saw Cozy Mystery #6

Anna Celeste Burke

Review by Roy Murry, Author

If murder can be fun to read about, Ms. Burke does a great job making it so. Her characters are interesting and engaging, especially Georgie’s husband who detects and the cats who at one point find a clue.

The clues of The Maestro's murder lead everywhere, one could conceive but not directly to the killer.  Only one conversation does that, and if you do not read many whodunits, you will miss the reaction of that character – the accidental killer of the maestro.

Another crime is in play which confuses the reader following the murder of a witness. Ms. Burke hides this well, and one may feel the killer is the same person, which may or may not be true.

Don't fret, Georgie will summarize after all is said and done at dinner on the veranda with hubby and friend. You will be amazed at Georgie's deductive thinking.

Murder is a fun read, so don’t peek.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/2BvjO8z

Review of The Intuitionist

The Intuitionist: A Novel

Colson Whitehead

Reviewed by Roy Murry, Author

The Intuitionist is the story of bias and racism in the world and a profession one would not think of - city elevator inspection. A woman of color becomes the first woman of color to get a badge as a City Inspector when new elevators were going up and down all over the city.

Lila Mae is an Intuitionist, which has a 10 percent higher accuracy in evaluating elevators as opposed to an Empiricist. Intuitionists are a negative group according to the guild, who don't believe you can communicate with an elevator.

One of Lila Mae's client's mechanism does a dead drop which leads to a significant professional upheaval. She turns into a sleuth to find the cause of the accident, hiding from the public and her cohorts.

In her investigation is a tale of corruption, deceit, bias, white male domination of a profession, and union battles. Where her story ends, is a surprise, the reader will applaud.

Articulate prose with racial allegories. Metaphors that will delight the reader, and images relating to a mundane subject as an elevator that is disturbing but understandable.

Intuitionist is an excellent read for the thinking mind.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/2Kx3Mxz

Review of CAT'S CRADLE

CAT'S CRADLE

KURT VONNEGUT

Reviewed by Roy Murry, Author

If you want to think and like satire, as I sometimes do, this read is for you. Not the thriller, mystery, or romantic type of novel one usually read.

The chapters are short chunks of defecation on humanity and where it is going - religion is all lies according to his invented religion Bokononism which is a lie too.  You will laugh but cry inside. Science sold and manipulated by man will destroy humanity – end of the world.

Global Climate Change was not invented science yet in 1963 when Cat’s Cradle was published. If Vonnegut were around today, I would think he would be a "denier," based on his opinions within.

Vonnegut's John is writing a book about one of the men who invented the atomic bomb. In his investigation and interviews with the man's children and others on an island, he confronts questions of why humanity goes on complicating itself. 

When reading this novel, you should have some knowledge of the Cold War to understand Vonnegut's strong points of view which come through clearly in his dancing around the subjects of why we are who we are. At the time, nuclear war with the USSR was near. (North Korea and Iran today?)

This novel is a must-read for people who are intellectuals and those who think they are. Which are you?

Purchase: https://amzn.to/2qH7H22