ZAMBEZI

ZAMBEZI

TONY PARKS

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

This novel is my second book by Mr. Parks that I have read. DELTA was the first, which I found more thrilling and less distracting.

ZAMBEZI had its moments, but sexual encounters slowed down the suspenseful events. However, the reader is drawn into the main story of Jed, a Green Beret, on his quest to find the body of his daughter, Miranda.

Mr. Parks shares his African background and recounts how man-eating lions could have devoured Jed's daughter. The twists and turns of this story keep the readers on the edge of their seats.

Just for those well-written events and the description of the African experience, it is worth the purchase.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/4f3D5z8

Claws of Justice

CLAWS OF JUSTICE

EMMIE LYN

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

The title 'Claws of Justice' is a misnomer. 'The Bonsai Killer' might be more appropriate.

Harry is killed over a Bonsai Tree worth $180,000 - 300,000. He did not like cats or dogs, nor did his killer. However, the backstory is more about cats and Jasper the dog, rather than sleuthing.

Sunny Shaw is the main character, with Hitch, her ex-lover, as her co-detective. But the person who shines is Tilly, a whack-a-doodle, making this story worthwhile.

The plot moves quickly and is a well-written story; you will know the killer before the sleuths do. If you are a cat lover and like a whack-a-doodle, it's a read for you.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3U39Lil

THE PLACE

THE PLACE

E.B. SULLIVAN

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

This drama's backdrop is the 1800s California Gold Rush, where men either struck it rich or were driven into poverty. One man who had a farm and no abilities whatsoever other than drinking sold his daughter, age thirteen, to a Madam.

Lula, her nickname, became a prostitute, learned her trade, and many more lessons in life. She did not follow the crowd; instead, she educated herself and formed close relationships with the men with whom she was intimate.

One young man she fell in love with. However, she did not let him know because she was ashamed of her low social status and upbringing. He came from a wealthy background and left to pursue a career as a doctor in Boston, Massachusetts.

Their written communications brought life to their relationship. However, their status brought destruction to their desires.

And that breakup destroys it, until...

Purchase this extremely well-written drama: https://amzn.to/3Tpm748.

 

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.

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

Safe in His Arms

SAFE IN HIS ARMS

Love Unexpected Book 1

MELANIE D. SNITKER

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Anna is on the run from a man in Utah, living in her van with Epic, her Great Pyrenees dog. She walks into a restaurant in Quintin, Texas.

Thinking that she was safe from a man who tormented her, Liam, she needed stability; she walked into a mall restaurant in search of work. The owner, Josh, hires her.

Jose finds out she is living in a van. Little by little, Anna opens up about her dilemma, and a Christian romance begins to develop between the two, marked by a new camaraderie with Jose's family and friends.

When Liam, the hunter, arrives in Texas, the fellowship comes together to save the day. The suspenseful ending of Anna's story is worth the read.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/45Pp19V

Mixing up Murder

MIXING UP MURDER:

A Cozy Dog Mystery

EMMIE LYN

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Pip, the dog of the murdered Ray, is one of the main characters, which I found a little redundant. Dani, the sleuth, and Lilly, Ray's wife, find him dead in their restaurant's kitchen.

However, the complete story and secondary characters are well-developed for the first book in a series. Rose is a linchpin, keeping the other characters in line, and Dani has two possible romances going - a farmer and a detective.

Many people are in the potential killer's pool, but Dani's intuitive knowledge saves the day, leading to an ending that will surprise the detective and the reader.

Good Cozy Read: https://amzn.to/45g9cbS

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