A STUDY IN SCARLET

 

A STUDY IN SCARLET

Arthur Conan Doyle

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Review by Author Roy Murry

 

SCARLET is the first in the Sherlock Holmes series, where he meets Dr. Watson to become roommates in 1878. "No man burdens his mind with small matters unless he has some very good reason for doing so," Holmes answers Dr. Watson's question on deduction.

Their relationship develops between the two when a London detective arrives at the new residence, facing a quagmire of being unable to solve a crime. Watson and the detectives have cluttered minds as they watch Sherlock go about developing a resolve.

A man is found dead with no apparent wounds. When a second man, who had been in the company of the first man, is dead in another part of London, Sherlock has solved the crime and has put a trap in place because of a carriage imprint.

Every one of Sherlock's cohorts, including the reader, is oblivious to his deductions until the crime is solved and he enlightens the men with cluttered minds. How did Holmes do that? --- will be on everyone's mind.

Arthur Conan Doyle's SCARLET is a fast-paced adventure that will bring in a new reader of the adventures. Years ago, it did for me, and I've been a mystery-genre lover since.

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The BODY in the BOOKSTORE

The BODY in the

BOOKSTORE

ELLIE ALEXANDER

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Review by Author Roy Murry

 

All my followers know I am a mystery nut. This cozy mystery by Ms. Alexander is one of the better ones I have read for some time.

Annie, the main character, has a college degree in snooping but works selling books because of a past event. Out of her past, at a Mystery Festival in the small town of Redwood Grove, her classmates and professor show up.

All, other than the professor, who is a Town Detective, are suspects in the murder of a classmate hidden in the bookstore vault. Annie teams up with the professor and a friend to solve the crime.

Who done it? Well, that doesn't lead to who did. However, the reader will have a choice, which is the fun part of the novel, a la the book CLUE.

Supporting characters make this a series to read.

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Since the Day We Danced

SINCE THE DAY WE DANCED

KERK MURRAY

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Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Emma and Luke met because of unusual circumstances and immediately liked each other. Their family problems interfere with the relationship, and they keep it a secret.

When the secret is found out, separation begins. Everyone involved believes that Emma and Luke, including his son, will not get back together.

But does love help them find a way for reunion? The twists and turns bring this novel to an end that the romance lover will enjoy.

Each chapter is one of the main characters commenting on the situation at hand. This made the novel's prose move smoothly forward with their feelings known.

'DANCED' is a good novel.

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MANUFACTURING DELUSION

MANUFACTURING

DELUSION

BUCK SEXTON

 https://amzn.to/4uF3iLD

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

As you know, I'm an ex-Green Beret Operations and Intelligence Specialist (Vietnam Veteran) and a graduate of the JFK Warfare Center. I believe Mr. Sexton has described the world as it is today. Using historical data on how people react to psychological manipulation, he outlines the stepping stones to how people are swayed into a delusional mindset.

He describes how past civilizations, including current ones, often show instances where humans have bowed to a small group's ideology, resulting in nations or small groups being controlled, believing nonsense. Brainwashing and indoctrination are spread through propaganda on many levels, which the left uses constantly.

Buck Sexton's nonfiction is well written, so anyone with a cognitive mind will understand and enjoy his narrative. Those on the left of the Democratic Party in the USA, Muslim countries, and places like Iran and Cuba will condemn this book as fantasy.

Read MANUFACTURING DELUSIONS and decide for yourself.

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A HIGH PRICE TO PAY

A HIGH PRICE TO PAY

CYNTHIA HAMILTON

https://amzn.to/4diqKb9

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Madeline (Maddie), a P.I./Party planner, is caught up in an unconventional cluster of murder and thievery. As a party planner, she is hobnobbing with the Hollywood elite by overseeing a birthday party for the unhinged wife of a famous director.

Maddie Dawkins and her partner, Mike, try to unravel the crimes using clean police procedures, while dealing with a psychopath who is possessed by Madeline. It all comes to a head in a thrilling event that will leave the reader wanting more from the series.

This is the second book in the Madeline Dawkins Mystery Series; however, an avid mystery reader like me would have figured out a key point early on. Nevertheless, all readers of mysteries will be entertained to the end of this character-driven novel.

I liked the characters and the plot, and will return to read another in this eleven-book series.

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A Cat's Garden of Secrets

A CAT'S GARDEN OF SECRETS

JACQUELINE DIAMOND

https://amzn.to/3OMvkVa

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

"Cat's" is a quirky journey into another world adjacent to California, where the main character, nineteen-year-old Chess Vevoda, travels through fog to Loobly. This land has magick in every endeavor, where the cats talk to each other, and Chess learns this quickly.

Chess has been brought to Loobly by a self-controlling car to claim an inheritance due to her grandmother's death, but many contest it. There is a question as to how her powerful grandmother died.

With her close family and friends, Ms. Vevoda embarks on a turbulent journey to clarify the situation. Control of a library of historical importance is at the heart of the Loobly society and part of the inheritance.

The reader will enjoy the colorful circumstances of this story, which is more of a fantasy than a cozy mystery. When the epilogue begins, the mystery is solved, and the reader will be content purchasing another of Ms. Diamond's fun novels about cats.

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HEALED BY LOVE

HEALED BY LOVE

MELISSA FOSTER

https://amzn.to/4r1TGaS

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Ms. Forster's excellent writing is a romance addict's delight. She takes two people, Jewel and Nate, and puts them in a position of mental conflict even though they had feelings for each other since childhood.

There is a rollercoaster ride of emotions with family and friends, who take the place of a psychiatrist. Everywhere Nate and Jewel go, they are reminded of their personal blockage in taking the leap of love.

When it happens, romance readers will be content and most likely buy the second book in this 'Love in Bloom' series. HEALED BY LOVE hits all the pleasures of a Book 1 in a series: multiple family characters, open doors to other romances, and the harbor setting.

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THE QUEST OF COSMIC JUSTICE

THE QUEST FOR COMIC JUSTICE

THOMAS SOWELL

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Review by Author Roy Murry

I have read several of Mr. Sowell's endeavors interpreting the world around us. QUEST, even though it was written in 2002, explains many of the conflicts the USA is facing today without mentioning any global event.

The author explains how Comic differs from Social and Actual Justice in decision-making by intellectuals and governments. These conflicts drive our societies forward, whether for good or bad.

Thomas Sowell delves into many areas with ease; the wording flows without getting into intellectual mumbo jumbo. The reader will understand his explanations without stretching the mind.

A book for the Inquisitive Mind.

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A BODY ON THE DOORSTEP

A BODY ON THE DOORSTEP

London Ladies Murder Club Book 1

MARTY WINGATE

https://amzn.to/4rQmFiI

Review by Author Roy Murry

Miss Mabel Canning, a Renaissance woman of the 1920s, has moved from her small town to London. She has taken up residence and has employment at a service agency, Useful Women.

Her first mundane job for the agency is to help at the wake of a wealthy man. She opens the front door, and a non-guest is lying dead with a letter for the widow.

What happens next is Miss Canning going from one job to another while snooping. Mable and the other main characters are woven into an intriguing mystery that culminates in a sensitive conclusion.

Wingate's writing is crisp, well-developed, and flows quickly. The characters fill the bill as a Book 1 lead-in to an enjoyable historical series.

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FACE-OFF

FACE-OFF

A Vampire Vigilante

Justice Novel

ELIZABETH MONTANO

https://amzn.to/45RpcAx

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Vampires, faes, witches, warlocks, and demons from the underworld. Who could ask for more? No one who enjoys this genre.

I read this for my fans and was surprised to find that I enjoyed the main character, Sahara, and the storyline, unlike in other vampire novels I have read. She is a no-frills, gorgeous, kick-ass Vampire P.I, who has a human side.

There is the beginning of a love story with a male client who takes orders from Sahara like a recruit because he wants her to find the killer of his twin brother. The client has hidden talents; he and Sahara's witch friend provide helpful assistance in the search.

A serial killer is loose from the underworld. Sahara and her entourage have a plan that sends the story into a whirlwind, leading to a conclusion any reader of the Vampire Genre will love.

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The Irish Cottage

THE IRISH COTTAGE

Finding Elizabeth

JULIET GAUVIN

https://amzn.to/4q9rgv8

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Elizabeth, a persuasive, successful litigator's surrogate mother, dies, and Beth, as she is known, goes to Ireland to contemplate her future. She takes seven letters from that mother to read on her journey.

She meets Connor, and, with the reading of those letters and fate, their involvement rises at each level, following an instructive template of life. Each person has their psychological baggage to overcome in a love affair.

Connor's friends are amazed by his change; he has enjoyed Beth's transformation since the first day they met. Both adults mend together, physically and emotionally, to the point of saying, 'I love you.'

The ending of this journey is uplifting, leaving the reader wanting more.

Book one is an excellent hook into book two. You'll love it.

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LIKE BOTTLED FIRE

LIKE BOTTLED FIRE

DOMINIC PIPER

https://amzn.to/46jep29

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

I enjoyed reading several of Mr. Piper's novels, and his writing kept me on the edge of my seat. This read is my first short story.

After he purchases a deadly item, the man goes to eat, flirts with his waitress, and asks her out to dinner. They go out: The food, the company, the kissing, and the guessing game culminate before dessert.

Wow, I was completely surprised by what happened next. When the end came. The outcome hoodwinked me.

The story is thrilling from his breakfast to the delicious dessert ending, with conversations that leave you wondering what will come next in their encounter.

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The Body in the Closet

THE BODY IN THE CLOSET

JINTY JAMES

https://amzn.to/4jWrRyF

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

This Pru and Pip Investigator mystery is a no-brainer. Not many characters, but they are interesting enough to carry a series.

However, the terrier is used too much for an approval act with his "Ruff." If you like dogs in a novel, you'll enjoy Teddy's antics.

 The plot is not complicated, and the investigators don't do much sleuthing. Crook is found dead in a vacant house closet, where Pru and Pip are working on their current projects.

 There are a few characters, so the reader can easily solve the mystery. "Closet" is too cozy to be called a true mystery, but it is a fun and quick read.

 Purchase: https://amzn.to/4jWrRyF