The God of the Woods

The God of the Woods

Liz Moore

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Alice, a mother of three, has two of her children disappear into the tree and lake-filled area years apart. Many people chime in or investigate the plot; however, they have little to do with it.

Bear, an eight-year-old, goes missing in 1961, and a man is found guilty of murder with no body found. In 1975, his sister Barbara was missing, and the same man was at large.

Sounds like a great plot, but it falls flat on the conclusion. Only when Judyta, a police investigator, in 1975, does the plot thicken and the cases get resolved.

Ms. Moore's writing is grammatically pure and embellished where needed, but it is boringly overwritten. She goes into side shows that are not needed in a mystery with many characters.

If you like long, flowery novels, purchase: https://amzn.to/48jTso4

Confronting Evil

CONFRONTING EVIL: Assessing

The Worst of the Worst

 BILL O'REILLY & JOSE HAMMER

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

"What a piece of work is a man." William Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet. The authors have assembled a collection of notorious individuals, ranging from Genghis Khan to Mao to Hitler to Vladimir Putin, who are pieces of work.

This book is a detailed story prose that will give the inquisitive reader an understanding of evil that is not in any history book I have ever read. Before the college student goes around spouting who is a king, they should consume this chronicle.

I will not go into detail about everyone described in 'Confronting Evil,' but I will say that the humans who followed these men did not have the same level of communication we have today. Present-day humans who follow the concepts of those men are either inhuman or stupid.

O'Rielly and Hammer have put together a book that should be part of all colleges' history curriculum. It's an awakening that young people need to be educated in.

Well written and easy reading.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/4qLBKCr

The Advocate

THE ADVOCATE

TERESA BURRELL

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Sabre Brown is a lawyer who handles cases for the Juvenile Division in California, also known as Kiddie Court. One of her clients is a ten-year-old named Alexis Murdock, the granddaughter of a wealthy family in Atlanta, Georgia.

The distance between Georgia and California, the backgrounds of the father and others, and the unusual circumstances surrounding Alexis' upbringing present obstacles for Sabre in protecting her client. These situations lead to thrilling events that cannot be understood by Sabre, her friend Bob, and an Atlanta detective.

When Sabre and Alexis' rollercoaster ride comes to an end, the reader will have mixed emotions that will stick in their minds. The protection of innocents is the central theme.

Ms. Burrell demonstrates clarity and thoughtful precision in her writing. Whether the legal protocol is correct, I'll let you legal beagles decide.

Fine read. Purchase: https://amzn.to/4nHGiqQ

HEXES & HUSH MONEY

HEXES & HUSH MONEY

A Cat Café Witch Mystery

HAZEL CARAWAY

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Hex is the familiar cat of Ivy Rowan, owner of Catnip Café in a small New England town. Ivys and Hex’s lives are put in a tailspin when a man Ivy fights with over a town development is found dead in the alley behind the café the same day.

Gold coins and witchery are the centerpiece of this quirky story of investigating the murder. Even the Sheriff appeals for Ivy to move the plot along.

When all is said and done, a surprise criminal appears at the conclusion. Then the author does something I have never seen in a cozy mystery – an interesting lead-in to Book 2 of the series as a chapter.

This novel is quick and engaging, making it a good read due to its flamboyant characters, including a witch named Rowan Gran and multiple cats.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/4hrKFEX

HOW TO TEST NEGATIVE FOR STUPID

 

 

HOW TO TEST NEGATIVE FOR STUPID:

And Why Washington Never Will

 JOHN KENNEDY, USA Senator

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness…” Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities.

Mr. Kennedy’s dissertation on his journey to and in the United States’ Capital is written in easy-to-read prose with a dab of his classic Louisiana humor.

His explanation of how Washington works and the foolishness of some who control the system has led to the worst of times. Hopefully, common-sense policies will lead to the best of times.

Senator Kennedy’s honest opinions drive home what every American can understand and should be worried about. He contends that an age of wisdom can help keep the USA afloat for another 250 years.

This non-fiction is a personal attempt to involve citizens in their country’s destiny. It’s a well-written journey, and a must-read for those with an inquisitive mind.

Purchase:  https://amzn.to/3WdO28y

SLAY BELLS RING

SLAY BELLS RING

The Wedding Bell Mystery Novel

NANCY RUBARDS THOMPSON

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Jenna is a wedding planner, and her mother, Maddie, is a mystery writer. They turn into amateur sleuths. Peculiarly, Jenna is planning the wedding of her ex-lover and an out-of-towner.

Circumstances put Jenna in the position of being the last person to see he ex-lover before he is hit on the head to his death. From that moment on, the reader knows Jenna could not have done the deed; however, the chief insinuates she did it.

Maddie, who has a thing for the chief, is upset that he thinks Jenna could kill, and goes on an investigation that skirts the law. The reader of this so-so cozy mystery, after a few interviews, should have solved this crime.

Ms. Thompson's characters are plausible and usable for the next book in this series. Not one of the best Cozy Mysteries I've enjoyed, but passable for a quick read.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/4o5IAAy

First Deadly Sin

The First Deadly Sin

Lawrence Sanders

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Captain Edward X. Delaney (Police) vs Daniel Blank (Nut Cake). Both men are consumed by what they are attempting to accomplish.

Blank’s deviation from his norm kills and loves his victims at the same time because of his love affair with a disturbed woman. Delaney is caught up in administrative bull that leads him to search for Blank outside the regular police channels.

The author uses too much detail in describing each man’s journey – Blank, a psychopath, enjoying his kills, and the Delaney, using everyone to reach his end of bringing Blank to justice.

This turmoil is well-written, but overly psychologically developed. I would have liked a shorter version without all the ‘mumbo jumbo’.

If you like reading a lot of boring police details or a man’s reasons for killing, this book is for you. If not, read a cozy mystery.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/4gPAXvA

The Girl Behind the Gate

THE GIRL BEHIND THE GATE

BRENDA DAVIES

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

The times (1930 – 1950s) that Nora is put in a mental institution for a “Defect,” which is explained in this novel, is one of the UK’s historical defects. Her journey in that HOSPITAL is long, exasperating, and cruel.

Nora goes into a cocoon, without psychological aid, for many years, because of the crude, authoritarian management system of the institution. Modern psychiatry arrived forty years later, in the form of Dr. Humphrey, a compassionate woman who also struggled with her own personal issues.

Nora and Humprey’s interviews and communications change each woman’s understanding of who they are positively, making for an inspirational read. The novel is a lengthy and complex read, making it time-consuming.

Tears and laughter will guide you through to the end.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/4mGrN63

FIELD RULES

FIELD RULES

Romance in the Ruins, Book 1

CARLA LUNA

Review by Author Roy Murry

Olivia wants to earn her PhD in archaeology and is invited to a survey school dig to instruct undergrads. She had a sex experience on a prior dig where she fell for Rick.

Several years after that experience, unknown to her, Rick is at the school in Greece, and memories return to both – not good ones. However, the spark is still there; now they are teachers, not students.

Conflicts arise from personal, school procedures, and ethical issues, which put both in a position of losing credibility in their chosen fields. Olivia and Rick’s resolve leads to a Hallmark ending.

This archaeological background romance is the first in a series and is well-written with characters who pull the reader in. Next stop is Turkey.

If you like Mediterranean adventures, you will enjoy this novel series.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/46eAjUV

Murder Mystery Book Club

MURDER MYSTERY

BOOK CLUB

DANIELLE COLLINS

Review by Author Roy Murry

Eva owns a Bed & Breakfast in Key West, Florida, where everyone knows your name. Her guests are from off-island.

A storm breaks out on the key, and a strange event happens to Eva between the main house and her cottage. The next morning, a Detective is knocking on her door.  

There has been a murder on her property, he says. The games begin, ending with a setup to catch the murderer.

The events that follow the killing are fun to watch when Eva’s book club gets involved with the investigation. Old members and a new one move Eva’s investigation into conflict with the Detectives.

The writing is crisp, the characters are fun, and the dialogue directs Eva’s actions. This novel is a well-crafted cozy mystery, serving as a lead-in to a series.

Excellent read: https://amzn.to/3Vc7d21

STAGE 3

STAGE 3

KEN STARK

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

There is an axiom in writing novels that is ‘Show, don’t tell.’ By using sensory details, character behavior, and subtext to convey meaning naturally, Mr. Stark draws the reader into a world immersed in zombies.

Immersed is saying it lightly. From beginning to end, the main character, Mason, kills more zombies than exist while protecting an intelligent, blind ten-year-old Mackenzie on a journey to find her aunt Sara.

With limited conversations, Mr. Stark pulls off a compelling novel that keeps the reader engaged with horrific events. I am not a zombie novel enthusiast, but I enjoyed most of this long, drawn-out story.

I recommend the STAGE 3 series for people who like zombies. For those who don’t, read a romance novel.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/481zzna

 

 

 

I Love You First

I LOVED YOU FIRST

CATE BEAUMAN

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

I have enjoyed reading many Romance Novels in my life. This is not one of them.

There is an underlying conflict between Cam and his lover, Fiona.  However, the reader, from the prose and the sex scenes, is oblivious because the author has you believing life is great in Vermont.

I read only 173 pages of this somewhat boring 245-page novel, not a Hallmark one. The killer is too many sex scenes that could have been left out of the story of two people and a five-year-old boy, going on fifteen – Fiona’s new love.

Lastly, this novel has some excellent qualities: the writing flows well, the characters are well-developed, and the story is sweet – perhaps too sweet. It’s too unreal.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3UOs77l

Books, Bubble Tea, and Bodies

BOOKS, BUBBLE TEA, and BODIES

LISA PEVEY

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Yes, this is a cozy mystery, a long one. This story is about three friends: Callie, Maya, and Josh. The murder is accidental to the reader.

An elderly friend of Callie dies. The police call it accidental, and while Callie is snooping around, another accident is fatal.

Callies is on the right track, and she pulls her friends along for the investigative ride. Between episodes, they drink bubble tea while feeding Smokie, the dog, treats.

The characters are cute, the story is plausible, but there is too much fluff - description of events. Take it out, and you have a great cozy mystery.

 Purchase: https://amzn.to/4lCHNFv