Review of Rancour

RANCOUR

PETE BRASSETT

Review by Author Roy Murry

The statement 'A gripping murder mystery' is a true one. This story set on the west coast of Scotland was more than intriguing. It keeps the reader wanting more.

The characters Detective Inspector (Retired) James Munro and his prodigy DI Charlie West, a female in charge of solving two murders, combine in their way to get to the facts. He uses methods outside the box, and she follows the system using her guts.

The way the Scottish do things and the banter of the police group, according to Brassett's writing, shows a strong bonding among officers. The predominantly written dialogue is fun to read, like calling a woman, dearly, a "hen.'

The murder investigations seem to be going in the right direction. Then Munro pops in, and West sees them in a new light with a few little nudges from her ex-boss.

A book eight in this series, the plot, the characters, and the style read as a complete individual novel without using background information to update the reader. Therefore, I enjoyed the conversations, people, and a mystery with no clutter.

Brassett nicked it or in the USA language - he nailed it.

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Review of CHILD OF WATER

CHILD OF WATER

Book One of Heirs of Anarchy

G. Lawrence

Review by Author Roy Murry

'It is the continuation of the story that matters, not poor shades left behind,' is thought of Matilda, Lady of the English. The daughter of Henry I, the woman who wages war against men for a throne.

G. Lawrence writes this memoir of the English aged regent in the first person, telling her life's journey in a man's world. The words and thoughts of Matilda do not ring well against male domination in eleven hundred ten.

At age eight, she is married to the Holy Roman Emperor, where her education into regal life begins. Taught in their ways, she excels and learns how to use the power of the throne.

On the way to adulthood, Matilda spouts words of wisdom in colorful and intelligent ways. G. Lawrence writes those words that sing truths that apply today but did not then.

The turmoil’s the Empress lives with she overcomes in the Empire, but there comes a time when she must return to England. Life as a woman begins again until she is heir to the English throne. Or does it?

Matilda's words are musical and will stay with the reader throughout this enjoyable journey of the Lady's life. G. Lawrence has done an excellent job in combining History, Philosophy, and Renaissance of 12th-century norms into a pleasant novel. 

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Review of The Dead Game

THE DEAD GAME

SUSANNE LEIST

Review by Author Roy Murry

A whirlwind starts this paranormal cum vampire novel.  A house consumes a family of four, and the reader is left hanging in the thrilling prologue.

Linda moves into the town five years later and sets up shop meeting with what she believes are like-kind individuals, her friends. Among them is a man Todd who is a leader and not what he seems to be.

The group goes to a party at the consuming house, which has a secret history, and all hell breaks out - THE DEAD GAME begins. Who's who - vampire or not becomes the theme when the game starts.

The twist and turns of the novel are fast and thrilling. The list of players is many and range from local non-combatants to international villains - The Dead.

The writing is crisp. The characters are many—however, there is the main underlying attraction between Linda and Todd will lead the reader to the sequel.

I recommend getting both in The Dead Game story and read to the end.

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Review of The Carter Street Hangman

The Carter Street Hangman

A Charlotte and Thomas Pitt Novel

ANNE PERRY

Review by Author Roy Murry

A serial killer is garotting young women on Carter street in 1881. When a maid in Charlotte's house dies the same way, Inspector Thomas Pitt comes into her life.

The vicar (pastor) of the local church, whom Charlotte dislikes, comes to the house to preach about sin. The ones sinning, he intimates the women and, of course, the killer.

Man's sin is different from women in those days. Proper women should not be out after dark -very improper in those days.

These and other sins were discussions of the families, vicar, and wife, but mostly between Charlotte and Pitt. Thomas Pitt interviews everyone on Carter Street, looking for the man garotting the women.

The person is difficult to find by the police, five killings in all until Charlotte and Pitt have a conversation that leads to a shocking ending. The sin hits home at the place one would not believe.

It was a good read. However, the hangman writer left me hanging.

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Review of Two Worlds

TWO WORLDS

TINA H. WHITE

Review by Roy Murry, Author

SIN, a religious context, is an act of transgression against divine law. What is embedded in your subconscious mind as sin is most important?

In Angie's mind, she has sinned and has not absolved herself. She has not appropriately confessed and is living with her guilt - her story brings you into her dark place.

It is a well-defined story that many of us humans have been. Ms. White has the reader lost in that world until the truth comes out in a surprising ending.

An enjoyable quick read that keeps the reader reading on without a break as I.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/395ZQzC

Review of Hypnotic Redemption

HYPNOTIC REDEMPTION

J B DARROCH

Review by Author Roy Murry

The subject of multiple murders is pounding her head with her hands, screaming, "Get Out, Get Out." The police book her for the deaths of four people, and Laura, her name, is arraigned in court.

The problem is the police have no evidence - her fingerprints are not on the weapon in the murders. And, she says in hysterical ways, "I did not kill them."

Is she crazy, or does she know who killed them and will not say? The secret lies within her mind and body, which can only be revealed by a hypnotic examination. 

What happens after that is a paranormal adventure which will keep your eyes pegged to the page - an entity is in control. This page-turner is a read I will not forget. It is haunting.

The story will keep you awake for a few hours but worth the time: an enjoyable suspenseful, fast read for those who believe or do not in the supernatural.

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Review of LIFESPAN

LIFESPAN, Why We Age - and

Why We Don't Have To

David A. Sinclair, Ph.D.,

with Matthew D. LaPlante

Review by Author Roy Murry

This book is for the inquisitive minded person who cares about their mortality.  I take one day at a time.

However, after reading the intro, I decided to read on. I found myself in the middle of a Sinclair dissertation.

Muddling, through the molecular details he explains, I started to understand his longevity research. It took time reading the first one hundred pages, but it was worth slow read.

After that, the narrative moved along smoothly, learning how to live longer and healthier, understanding the aging process. DNA, gene, genetic material, cell division, chromosome, the tumor are not things that ordinary people, like me, think about in our daily endeavors.

Needed for this reading is some knowledge of biology. Mr. Sinclair's writing confines himself to his subject; it very difficult to put the book down when he explains his theorems, assumptions, opinions, many of which I can’t entirely agree.

However, the reading was enjoyable and eye wakening that I recommend.

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