Review of The Surgeon's Blade

The Surgeon's Blade:

A Diana Rivers Mystery Thriller

(The Diana Rivers Mysteries Book 3)

FAITH MORTIMER

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

As many of my followers know, I love a good mystery, and The Surgeon’s Blade falls into that category. Ms. Mortimer’s writing style has me going back to her library of written novels for enjoyment.

In this Diana Rivers mystery, Diana is the relative of one of the main characters, Robert. He becomes infatuated with Libby, a nurse, after rescuing her from a yachting accident on Nigel’s sailboat, as an air ambulance medic.   

Before and after getting to know each other, nurses are disappearing and murdered in Southampton and London, United Kingdom. The nurses, sisters, all have something in common that is the key to unraveling the mystery of the police’s predicament in not solving the crime spree.

Libby’s on again, off again fiancé Nigel is a doctor who works at each of the cities and has a home in London where his ex-wife has reappeared to compete for Nigel’s affection. Libby’s relationship with Nigel never seemed to be real for her since the accident, and she is about to call off the engagement.

This thriller takes off after the lead-up Ms. Mortimer has woven with few clues left for the reader, but they are there. Diana consulting with Robert brings us to an ending that will keep you on the edge of your reading seat.

The storyline pace keeps you engaged throughout leading to a thrilling ending.

Purchased at http://amzn.to/1VRQZaF

Review of No Hope in New Hope

No Hope In New Hope

By Peggy A. Edelheit

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

Samantha Jamison just seems to be in the right place when something out of the ordinary happens a la TV 80 -90’s “Murder She Wrote.” Sam, as the TV character Jessica Fletcher (Actor Angela Lansbury,) lives in a world of mystery. Both are well-constructed characters, who use logic to get to the answer.

Ms. Edelheit’s Sam has her crew who helps her with the clues in a non-murder mystery, which has a twist to it that art lovers will like. Oh, there is a death of an involved person, but it’s hard to connect it to the core problem – what is going on in a small town’s art community.

Strange things are happening in an art gallery Sam’s lover is contemplating buying. They are also housesitting while his owner friends are in Europe on vacation. Mysterious items are confusing to Sam, her boyfriend, and her crew.

No one can understand what is going on. Ms. Edelheit gives us the clues one by one and the reader must watch for them since they're hiding in happenstance. These circumstances I enjoy about her writing.

Example: Who could go in and of the art gallery at will? Only someone with a key could. But who has the key and the alarm code?

This is my second novel in the Samantha Jamison Mystery Series. It's #7 in the series. It stands alone, and its storyline will keep you interested to the end.

Buy at Amazon: http://amzn.to/1NvyJfm

Review of Better Living

BETTER LIVING

Through Criticism

A. O. SCOTT

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

“Who but a lunatic or an idiot would critique a rose or a mountain or a sunset, or for that matter an earthquake or a thunderstorm?” is a line from Mr. Scott’s inviting titled dissertation. I hope he got his doctor’s degree.

I am the lunatic that is reviewing a book about criticism written by a prominent critic. What a way to start a Sunday morning with coffee.

Kidding aside, I have been reviewing books since college and have as recent as three years ago been writing them for my blog to help promote my novels. If I weren't an avid reader with an eclectic background and a college education, I might be confused in Mr. Scott’s historical interpretation of criticism.

From the allegories of Titian or Rubens to Kant in the 1790s to Keats and then to the present century’s anointed, Scott gives the reader an education – information for the inquisitive mind. If you are in this user category or a college student studying World, English, or American Literature, this may be what you need to expand your mind.

His study into the psychological reasons humans criticize one another whether it be for poetry, writing, movies, theater or whatever, was an enjoyable read. I wasn’t surprised at the immense connecting content, after reading the Index and Acknowledgement sections while reading the core explanations.

As they say, “It takes a village to bring up a child,” I say about this book, “It took an army of critics, professors, and writers to put BETTER LIVING Through Criticism into print.” Mr. A.O. Scott spent his time wisely to get this thesis into print, but I don’t feel it was written for the general public, where I usually don’t fit.

A.O. Scott's discourse leads to what I already knew – The right way to make a criticism, in other words, is not to do it. It's another line from his book. But we are all consumers, and all consumers criticise, as I just did, the lunatic I am for starting this read.

Good read for the inquisitive mind: http://amzn.to/1RSJrk0

Review of The Bad Lady

 The Bad Lady

John Meany

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

Children are the most vulnerable of any species. A mother protects and nurtures their precious ones, so they can grow up to be sane and healthy adults.

In John Meany’s The Bad Lady, a child ten years old is left on his own and in a situation that no child should be. He has conflicting feelings from unwanted physical contact to a so-called friend of his mother, who is living in a dual personality world.

The child's contacts mushroom into ongoing events where the child’s innocents are changed forever. After a ride in a Good Humor van, the child is in conflict and informs his mother. Her ‘Bad Lady’ side comes out, and the community they live in is changed into a war zone – Bad Lady against the Good Humor Lady.

The story goes into overdrive and leads to a fatal end. The child’s character narrates the beginning, middle, and the aftermath of a controversial topic –the problem of pedophilia.

Mr. Meany’s writing meets much of the criteria a well put together the story that will keep the reader interested. The only fault I could find, if it’s a fault at all, is that when the child’s character tells the story, he comes across as a well-informed adult.

Other than that, I found this psychological thriller, a read time well spent.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1RCQRuX

Review of The Green Room

The Green Room

Written by Faith Mortimer

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

A well-known axiom is “Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.” In Ms. Mortimer’s The Green Room, her protagonist Ella doesn’t know that her enemy is closer than one might believe.

Ella is living in an area where a serial killer is roaming. As a nurse in a local hospital, she tends to the sick and the physical pain that humans create. Her leisure time is with family, friends, and her boyfriend, who happens to be a police officer in search of the killer.

Ella’s knowledge of the events surrounding the rapes and her imagination leads to some interesting results. Her detective work uncovers information where two men are under investigation by her boyfriend.

The killer-rapist is close at hand; she knows. Convinced that the man who she just slept with and lived in the same building is the killer, she runs to the police officer. Then the truth comes out.

Faith Mortimer keeps the reader on edge throughout this thriller. Her character’s, especially Ella, are down to earth people caught up at the moment which leads the reader to believe the character’s conclusions.

When reading the prose, you feel the same as Ms. Mortimer’s characters. But when the ending arrives, and all revealed the astute reader could only say one thing, “Wow, I missed that.”

Purchased at Amazon: http://amzn.to/1peCY98

Review of I thought she'd be prettier

I thought she’d be Prettier

           Diana Lee

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

The United Nations rates the United States with the third highest divorce rate of 4.34% per 1,000 marriages. Of the richest countries on the planet, 53% of our marriages end up in divorce court. Other words, more than half of marriages in the USA end up divorced.

That said; we can put Diana Lee’s book/journal in perspective. The aspiration for that “Happy ever after” marriage is the fabric of most societies. Her protagonist is attempting to reach in her second marriage to a younger never-been-married man.

Ms. Lee’s main character Anna writes a journal explaining her one-sided interpretation of the events that transpired between her and her second husband. In the honeymoon stage of their bliss, they have two boys, and sex continues to be fantastic. I won’t delve into that; I wasn’t there.

Anna tells us of Sammy and his faults but never lets the reader understand hers. It might give the reader some insight into why he did some stupid things – funny at times and hurtful others  So be it. No self-analysis was included.

The writer of this journal goes on to tell us how she came across finding out her husband’s infidelity with maybe two women. She becomes a self-made detective to the end, while still living in the fantasy world of what I call the “Soulmate syndrome.” Wasn’t her first husband her soul mate at one time?

The writing was charming and comfortable to read, but a little wishy-washy. It’s wishful thinking that women are to believe that Mr. Right exists – he doesn’t. You gotta make do with what you got and be happy he comes home to you each night.

Purchase at Amazon: http://amzn.to/1noOca3

Review of Feast Day of Fools

FEAST DAY OF FOOLS

    James Lee Burke

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

There is so much going on in this thriller that a list of characters should be provided. It took me awhile to figure who the main characters were because each is brought into the scheme using hyper descriptions.

Mr. Burke’s novel is character driven, placing them into an unusual story where everyone seems to be criminals except the Sheriff Hackberry Holland, his deputies, a Chinese lady and a few others. Interestingly the criminals with their extremely complicated nasty foolish background, clash throughout the novel upsetting an American town.

Basically, this multilevel story with the backdrop of the Mexican border is a simple good against the evil narrative. The spectrum of good to evil and all its shade between is brought out using the characters personalities.

When the characters collide in a fight to show their superiority, again, Mr. Burke leaves the reader thinking – wow, that doesn’t seem right. His detailed style exposes leaves one wondering – are there people like his characters: so complicated. The answer is yes, we are all complicated beings.

Mr. Burke’s has written a well thought out novel, but I believe that his over description of each character slows down the beat of his prose. Less sometimes is better, leaving the reader to imagine a little.

However, the novel is worth the read. His more in characterization keeps the reader wondering what that character will do, and they don’t do what the reader may think while reading the beforehand narrative.

Purchase:  http://amzn.to/1TfhINN

Review of THE PRETTIEST ONE

THE PRETTIEST ONE

A Thriller by

JAMES HANKINS

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

Mr. Hankins writing keeps the reader engaged by opening intriguing doors. The first one is the front door of the lead character’s home. When opened, Caitlin/Katie is completely disoriented going through it.

Her husband, who is on the other side of that door, opens it, and her past comes into some focus. Where has she been all this time? What has she been doing? Did she kill someone?

Those questions and her real identity come out after the two of them proceed to literally and figuratively open many doors.  When the other doors open, you are lead on an interesting so journey of murder, theft, pedophilia events and criminality that unravel this thrilling ride through the protagonist’s life.

Locked in her mind is the answers.  They are so deep-seated because of her physiological state; she doesn’t know them. The doors must be opened to free her from her past.

Mr. Hankins’ writing keeps the reader on the edge while explaining how each character's story. Those individuals are colorfully put together.

Hankins’ main character has another side to her that appears when her brain clicks into a situation behind some of the doors. Her husband is confused, and her boyfriend is amazed, apprehensive about his part, and feels cheated.

The three reached the end of the complicated journey, walking through environments they thought they would never go through. It’s an adventure you’ll enjoy if you like THRILLERS.

Buy at Amazon:  http://amzn.to/1Tnwlhw

Review of Unexpected Gifts

Unexpected Gifts

Castle Mountain Lodge, Book 1

Elena Aitken

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

You have been hurt by a relationship that went south. This is what happened to the two main characters. Each is getting away from the proximity of their situation, ending up in a predicament that they try to make the best of.

They converse, comingle to the point of complete intimacy, and reach a level of personal comfort they have not experienced in a long time. Their friendliness and possible love commitment are put to the test when their individual history is confronted head-on by an unexpected interference of the past.

The winter wonderland environment surrounds the mating process, and each is enjoying the results. Love is in the air, and both adults are still questioning the symptoms of their relationship.

The novel comes to a peak with the results of this romantic comedy close to dissolution.  The couple, Andi, and Colin will end up with memories. Only by reading this well-developed story will the reader be filled with their romantic fix for the day. I read it in one sitting.

The novel is put together to gently push the reader onto the next chapter/ episode in the couple’s life. It’s a series, so one must be content for now with the somewhat unexpected conclusion, and will want to see where the couple goes from Castle Mountain Lodge.

Free on Amazon 2/7/2016:   http://amzn.to/1QlHIjI

      

Review of The Delphi Chronicle

THE DELPHI CHRONICLE

THE MANUSCRIPT

Russell Blake

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

There are conspiracies and people’s paranoia which leads them to think a conspiracy has accrued. In Mr. Blake’s DELPHI CHRONICLE, one is to believe that a manuscript has the answer to the government’s control of the global criminal activity.

No names are named, and the reality of the disclosure of the full documents of that movement is in question. However, essential elements are eliminating all who have come in contact with the Chronicle.

Mr. Blake’s protagonist is out of town, so to speak, avoiding confronting the situation head-on. He is trying to preserve his position, thereby getting to the root of the dilemma before him.

In the excerpt of THE MANUSCRIPT, you can understand why Mr. Blake is a best-selling author. Include in this book, are extracted from other novels: King of Swords and Geronimo Beach.

I can say that Mr. Blake’s writing is a thrilling motion. However, this "Come on" is good but left me hanging and if cared to find out the end, I would need to buy another book. It's a good promo gimmick. I recommend you purchase the novel which I believe might if I can remember to put it on my read list.

Amazon:  http://amzn.to/20PChBb

     

Review of Advocate's Dilemma

The Advocate’s Dilemma

Written by Teresa Burrell

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

Attorney Sabre, who protects the rights of children, is put in an awkward position at the beginning of this dramatic novel. With the help of her personal detective JP, she tries to get to the root of this stressful predicament she and her clients are the centers.

Finger pointing and alternate suspects don’t lead to the culprit of the situation that is dividing family members including the two boys Sabre have vowed and legally needs to protect. It is embroiled in human abuse where parents use their children for personal gain.

This intriguing story will peak your interest into how people manipulate others to get what they want: love, drugs, sex, or comfort. Ms. Burrell puts it together into plausible events that may positively shock the reader.

Dilemma is book four in a series, but the story stands alone.

Purchase at Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Q1TSUE

Review of Justified

JUSTIFIED

By Carolyn Arnold

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

TV programs Castle and Law and Order SUV both have strong women as detectives, who solve murder crimes. In JUSTIFIED, Ms. Arnold detective Madison Knight is as tough as they come.

As the lead partner, she takes control of a murder scene with Terry, her male subordinate, whose character complements Knight’s decisive, intuitive personality.  Their combined intelligence comes into play, trying to solve the death of a manipulative woman, who has literally screwed the men and the businesses they owned.

The duo's personal lives are interwoven into their daily investigative chores. At times those encounters are humanly funny. Knight is a one hundred percent work-alcoholic –to get the job done before pleasure person, and Terry has a family, needing time to be with them; and he tries to bring out Madison’s soft side.

The crime has multiple suspects which complicate things time-wise. They seem to be moving in the right direction various times as to whodunit but are left hanging. With the combined initiative, Knight and Terry get the lead that helps them reach their goal.

How they do it, is good police work, which author Arnold does an excellent job of writing. I have read many whodunit novels and have watched endless movies/TV detective stories.

Therefore, as somewhat of a self-professed expert, I will state: Ms. Carolyn Arnold’s novel JUSTIFIED is one of the better examples of detective novels I have read in my fifty plus years of reading.

Purchase at Amazon: http://amzn.to/1NE3Zay

Review of Crooked Moon

CROOKED MOON

A novel by Lisette Brodey

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

Relationships are hard to keep on an even keel. But to put one back together after a twenty-three-year interruption is an almost impossible task. This is the premise of Ms. Brodey’s story where two childhood intimate friends become women and are brought together because of a grim situation.

The interchange between the two has a soul-searching effect on each. One has moved on to a life of economic comfortability, where the other is stagnating in time at the place they became of age and separated.

The reasons for their separation are confronted. Many of the questions are answered and brought to an amicable plateau, but some conflicts are infused into their new relationship, which challenges it.

Through intelligent conversations and using down to earth characters, Ms. Brodey’s novel keeps the reader interested in the outcome of this sometimes funny but sad situation her two main characters are put in by their parent’s historical miss-conceptions.

This is a book for those who can handle the strengths and weakness in the human condition, of which the author is well versed. She brings it across in her well worth reading prose.

Get at Amazon: http://amzn.to/1K2KGg9

Review of The Bride Wore Dead

The Bride Wore Dead

A Josie Tucker Mystery

Written by EM Kaplan

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

There are people in the world who are observant. Josie Tucker, Ms. Kaplan's protagonist, is one of them. A food and restaurant columnist, she is asked to go to an Arizona spa, looking for answers to a puzzling situation arising from a wedding she was a bridesmaid in.

An unlikely person to go searching for trouble, Josie goes on the trip for a health reason planned by her doctor and because of a surprising and inquisitive conversation with the groom’s wealthy mother. She confronts a very uncomfortable situation in Arizona.

Accumulating clues confirming the bride’s mishap, Josie’s sleuthing comes to an end with consequences she didn’t see coming. Her handling of that situation brings her journey to a conclusion.

Ms. Kaplan’s story is intriguingly plausible with twists and turns that the reader will enjoy. Her style is cute and articulate, flowing in and out of scenes quickly. It’s an enjoyable read.

Purchase at Amazon: http://amzn.to/1n3rQLk

      

Review of Sticks and Stones and Broken Bones

STICKS  and

STONES and

BROKEN

BONES

What a Charmed Life I Lead

Written by Linda Lee King

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

‘What a life,’ Ms. King has had, can only be defined as chaotic. In stating that she is not an educated writer, this author proceeds to tell the reader of her confused existence.

From early remembering, the story is told, not shown, through an interesting dynamic – explaining her dysfunctions’ as a child through the age of fifty-four. Those mishaps were fueled by family DNA, as she informs us in the last chapters is confusing in itself.

Historically, this life adventure is a rollercoaster ride from the ’60s through 2009, where she receives an awakening, “It’s not where you start out, Linda, but where you end.” It wasn’t the PTSD, which she was affected with; it was how that psychological the defect was not treated that led her to her confused states.

Now partially treated, Ms. King’s paranormal self tells us how most of the world is in a traumatic state. I give her that. But her decision processing was not totally controlled by others – she had a free will that she did not use effectively throughout her life.

The story was told from a homegrown educational coherent point of view. Well-structured with some uneducated grammatical and punctuation errors, the prose keeps the reader engaged.

If this is “The Book,” that she states she was writing all her life, I believe Ms. King’s endeavor is complete. What next?

Purchase at Amazon: https://amzn.to/34PxbvF

  

Review of Run, Run, Runaway Bride

Run, Run, Runaway Bride

By Jacqueline Diamond

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

In this new year of 2016, we think of new beginnings by making our resolutions. Ms. Diamond’s protagonist Samantha is about to begin a new life with her betrothed, but starts running after the wedding ceremony ends in an unpredictable way.

Sam finds herself on the run from her short love affair and the betrothed is the one chasing. She lands in a hotel development city where she looks for refuse, but finds more than she wanted – stability.

Again, Sam is planning on running from the situation she has fallen into, but she has found feelings within herself she never felt before. As one who has no family, she is now running from those feelings by joining a cruise line as her promising future.

On this journey, Samantha finds contentment in friendships, the people of the community and a particular man, who stimulates her in more ways than one. These sensibilities become conflicting with her adventuring DNA attitude.

In coming to her resolve, the experience is overwhelming. Throughout the read of this romantic comedy, you laugh, cry, and cheer on the events to their end. Sam’s adventure ends is a surprisingly unconventional one, which you will reveal in, if you love the Romantic genre.

Buy at Amazon:  http://amzn.to/1JO7AlU