RETRIBUTIVE JUSTICE

RETRIBUTIVE JUSTICE

DENNIS CARSTENS

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

The Retributive novel is my sixth Justice book that I have read since 2022. Carstens uses some of the same complicated and compelling main characters: Maddy, the beautiful detective married to Marc; Marc and Connie, the lawyers; and Tony, the detective.

In this book, Tony kills an attacker, and Marc defends him. Meanwhile, Connie and Marc are working on another case, while Maddy works to save the day.

The main story is about Aiyana, whose family and friends abused her when she was younger, and a group of kids manipulated by an adult. The adult Shama Tate convinces Aiyana and the middle schoolers how to use retribution to liberate their souls.

This suspenseful, multi-story collection culminates in an ending that the reader will enjoy. During the reading, the twists and turns will keep those readers turning the pages.

I will read another of his novels for the thrill of it. See other reviews below: search Dennis Carstens.

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Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything

A SHORT HISTORY OF NEARLY EVERYTHING

BILL BRYSON

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

We live in a society exquisitely dependent on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology...CARL SAGAN.

Mr. Bryson, in this dissertation, educates us on the evolution of science and technology on Earth. In five hundred-plus pages, he will bore you and excite you with his historical and detailed explanations of how the Earth developed.

The read is well put together, but I found it too long to read continuously. As an avid reader, I read NEARLY EVERYTHING, one or two chapters at a time, to get the full impact of the Earth's and Everything's journey.

Readers with an inquisitive mind will enjoy Bill Bryson's commentaries and the results of how humans arrived in the 21st Century.

Excellent Read: https://amzn.to/4kWcQwi

SOULED OUT

SOULED OUT

ELL CYNE SERIES

 

BLANKLEY CHORPENNING

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

'Young Adult' novels interest me because they allow me to see what the new generation reads. Are vampires a thing? I guess so.

Ell is a reader of human souls for Vampires, which is the first step before the vamp sucks blood. Her capability is questioned, and the higher-ups want verification, starting with her relationship with her twin sister's soul.

The story offers a new twist in the genre and is well-crafted, featuring a Vampire protector for Ell. She is being pursued by nefarious elements who want her soul discredited.

The events leading to the gripping ending are unusual but somewhat tricky to follow. However, the readers' attention is kept glued to the page.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/4katYh5

 

Flair for Chardonnay

A FLAIR for CHARDONNAY

A Sadie Kramer Flair Mystery

DEBORAH GARNER

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Sadie is not the person one would think of as a sleuth. She is a flamboyant woman, a chocolate addict, and the owner of a dress shop.

Her shop, FLAIR, is next door to a chocolate boutique, whose owner is also part of a family winery. Sadie visits the winery for a weekend getaway when a murder occurs.

Sadie's relationship with the owner of the chocolate boutique gets her involved. After making several trips to the winery and meeting all the family members and police involved with the murder, she solves the case using logic that none of the people saw or investigated—an outsider is the criminal.

That outsider is in plain sight but not considered.

Easy reading to follow.

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CHASING JUSTICE

CHASING JUSTICE

Piper Anderson Series Book One

DANIELLE STEWART

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

This novel is a suspenseful thriller with a background in multiple relationships. Piper sees a crime in progress, which causes her PTSD to move her into action against a criminal.

In her quest, she meets endearing people and a cop who falls in love with her. These people produce new emotions in Piper, which leads to the unraveling of a web of murder, pedophilia, and other crimes.

JUSTICE is entertaining, but the characters' backgrounds are too deep, and the ending leaves the reader hanging. The novel is too long for my taste.

Ms. Stewart leaves the reader with too many questions to contemplate at the dramatic conclusion. Therefore, she brings you into Book Two of the series.

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

Fish Out of Water

FISH OUT OF WATER

An Ozark Lake Mystery #1

MARC JEDEL

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Serendipity is a good word to use for this light mystery. Elizabeth returns to her birthplace with her husband Jonas, the fish out of water, in tow.

A man that Elizabeth fights with when returning to town is murdered. The newbie Sheriff arrests her for the crime.

She and Jonas go a-snooping. Jonas, who has never been in an Arkansas small town, goes about his business, and clues laughing fall on his plate.

This novel is not much of a mystery, but the off-the-wall characters and town community events contribute to a good read. You'll have to read book two to see who dies next.

 

Purchase: https://amzn.to/42rCtgP

A Very Terrible Text

A VERY TERRIBLE TEXT

ELANA JOHNSON

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Is texting now a part of contemporary romance comedy? Hillary and Liam text each other, Ms. Johnson's linchpin for romance.

Hillary sends the wrong text to him, and a romance begins. She lives in a Big House with four other women, and Liam is their hunky next-door neighbor.

Hillary is caught up in her career. After the text, she feels obligated to date Liam; from that moment on, love blooms—until Hillary's career takes off.

You'll have to read this well-written Hallmark Ish novel to see which wins: Hillary's career or her love of Liam. The reader will be surprised at the end of this cute novel.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3G5d4Sj