Category: Books-Fiction

The Hush by John Hart (Johnny Merrion #2)

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John Hart is one of my favorite authors. Here’s what others say about the writing of John Hart

“John Hart creates novels that are somehow raw, tender, brutal, and exquisite – all at the same time. Exceptional.” – CJ Box , #1 NYT Bestselling Author

“Hart’s writing soars off the page with a lyricism that probably only James Lee Burke can match.”      – Daily Mail, UK

About the Hush by John Hart

The Hush is the second book writtenby John Hart featuring Johnny Merrimon. The first was The Last Child. So while The Hush is technically a sequel it just doesn’t feel like a series. At least not like the other series books.

The Story

The Hush picks up Johnny  ten years after the actions in The Last Child….from JohnHart’s website…

It’s been ten years since the events that changed Johnny Merrimon’s life and rocked his hometown to the core. Since then, Johnny has fought to maintain his privacy, but books have been written of his exploits; he has fans, groupies. Living alone in the wilderness beyond town, Johnny’s only connection to normal life is his old friend, Jack. They’re not boys anymore, but the bonds remain. What they shared. What they lost.

But Jack sees danger in the wild places Johnny calls home; he senses darkness and hunger, an intractable intent. Johnny will discuss none of it, but there are the things he knows, the things he can do. A lesser friend might accept such abilities as a gift, but Jack has felt what moves in the s, and forgottenwamp: the cold of it, the unspeakable fear.

More than an exploration of friendship, persistence power, The Hush leaves all categories behind, and cements Hart’s status as a writer of unique power.

Final Thoughts

Overall the book is a little different from Hart’s previous books. Hush Arbor is a mysterious place and strange things happen to those who venture into this swampy area. So to get the full impact of the book the reader may need to be one who believes in the supernatural!

However, the end result is that The Hush is another terrific book by an ultra-talented new writer! One of my favorites.

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Goodreads: Redemption Road
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Breaking Wild – Diane Les Becquets. A Wild Ride!

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I picked Breaking Wild by Diane Les Becquets up on the day that I went to pick up another book that I had requested from the library. I started to read it and I literally could not put it down until I finished it!

The Story

The book tells the story of Amy Raye Latour who on the last day of a hunting trip sets out to get her elk. Unlike her two male friends who were hunting with her, Amy was hunting with a crossbow, When her shot hits the elk but doesn’t bring it down she stalks the wounded animal over the Colorado mountains in a snowstorm – what could go wrong!

She loses her way and is lost, among the search and rescuers is Pru Hathaway  a strong woman who like Amy had come west to escape past tragedies The story alternates between Amy’s fight for survival and Pru’s  fight to find out what really happened to Amy!  

What Other Authors Thought

The following two quotes provide great comments on this stirring novel……

“The sheer force of this book lies in the force of its two main characters. These are
complicated women [who are] defined…not by their histories, their loves, their mistakes, or their suffering, but by their actions. It makes for a powerful, visceral book about the incredible human capacity to transcend the limitations imposed by our own pasts and our own fears.”
— Tana French, New York Times Bestselling author of In The Woods

“Diane Les Becquets brings to life the story of two very different and captivating women, whose worlds collide through a series of unexpected and compelling circumstances. When one goes missing in the wilderness and the other sets out to find her, the pages practically turn themselves as the reader races through this harrowing and heart-wrenching tale, determined to discover how it all turns out.”
— John Searles, New York Times Bestselling author of Help For The Haunted and Strange But True

My Thoughts

Breaking Wild is another 4,5 star book! Both of the lead characters in this book are well-drawn and strong women and the way that Ms Les Becquets presents their story is wonderful, Each chapter provides a little more information about the life of Pru Hathaway and the fate and life of Any Raye and I tell you it’s tough to put the book down, because you just need to know the final outcome!

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About Diane Les Becquets

Diane Les Becquets is the author of the national bestselling novel BREAKING WILD, published by Berkley/Penguin Random House, which was the winner of the Colorado Book Award in general fiction and the New Hampshire Outstanding Fiction Award. The novel was also shortlisted for the Reading the West Book Award in fiction and was an Indie Next Pick. For more information, visit lesbecquets.com

If You Enjoyed The Last Ranger Here’s Where My Reading Went (and Where It’s Going)…

  • Nora Kelly (Preston & Child) — archaeological thrillers I’m planning to dive into, a natural next step after the dig storyline here
  • Breaking Wild — Diane Les Becquets — a gripping wilderness survival story that I couldn’t put down (see my original post)
  • Alice Henderson — Alex Carter series — where I’m heading next with environmental thrillers
Preston & Child
The Last Ranger - Peter Heller
Peter Heller
The Vanishing Kind Alice Henderson
Alice Henderson

Discover The Lewis Man: A Gripping Tale in Lewis Trilogy

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The Lewis Man Peter May

Introduction

The Lewis Man is the second book in Peter May’s remarkable Lewis Trilogy. As The Guardian described it:

“As good as its predecessor…not only a good mystery, but also a moving and evocative portrayal of a place where the weather is matched only by the church’s harsh patronage….”

Set in the remote and windswept Isle of Lewis, this story blends murder mystery with an intimate portrait of the people who endure life in a harsh and beautiful land.

Setting the Scene

From the book’s prologue:

“On this storm-lashed island three hours off the northwest coast of Scotland, what little soil exists gives the people their food and their heat. It also takes their dead. And very occasionally, as today, gives one up.”

During the annual peat harvest, the bog gives up the body of a nineteen-year-old male. The corpse is astonishingly well-preserved—a classic bog body. Such remains are often thousands of years old, but this one has a clue that places it firmly in the modern era: an Elvis tattoo on the forearm.

The Mystery Unfolds

The boy’s internal organs are intact, allowing for DNA testing. When the DNA is matched against samples from island men (taken during the events of The Blackhouse), the results shock the community—it’s connected to Tormod MacDonald, father of Marsaili, the childhood sweetheart of series protagonist Fin MacLeod.

Fin, recently retired from the Edinburgh police, has returned to Lewis to restore his family croft—and perhaps some relationships. But Tormod is suffering from dementia, drifting between past and present, and he may hold the key to solving the mystery of the bog boy.

Tormod’s Hidden Story

Through the haze of Tormod’s mind, a decades-old tale emerges—one of two brothers unknown to Marsaili and other locals. As the narrative shifts between Fin’s investigation and Tormod’s fragmented memories, long-buried secrets are unearthed, changing everything the characters thought they knew.

Why It Stuck With Me

When my wife sent me the Facebook challenge to list 10 books that have stayed with me, The Blackhouse should have been there. Now, The Lewis Man belongs on that list as well.

It’s a tightly woven mystery that keeps the truth hidden until the final pages, but it’s also a beautiful, if sometimes bleak, portrayal of life for the MacDonalds, MacLeods, Murrays, and others who call the Isle of Lewis home.

About the Author

Peter May, a Scotsman now living in France, is also known for his China Thrillers featuring Beijing detective Li Yan and American forensic pathologist Margaret Campbell—also well worth reading.

I haven’t yet started The Enzo Files, featuring Scottish forensic scientist Enzo MacLeod, but after finishing the Lewis Trilogy, I may have to.

Awards and Recognition

Winner:

  • Prix des Lecteurs of Le Télégramme newspaper in France (10,000 Euro prize)
  • Prix des Lecteurs 2012 at Les Ancres Noires Festival, Le Havre, France
  • 2012 Prix International at the Polar & Co Festival, Cognac, France

Shortlisted for:

  • UK Crime Writers’ Association Dagger in the Library Award (2012)
  • Scottish Crime Book of the Year (2012)
  • Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year (2013)

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never read a Peter May novel, start with The Blackhouse. I’m willing to bet you’ll move quickly on to The Lewis Man.

Rating: ★★★★¾ (4.75/5)
Year Read: 2014
Book Number: 24 for the year

Links

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Close Your Eyes – Michael Robotham

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Unraveling Michael Robotham’s Close Your Eyes Mystery

(Joseph O’Loughlin #8)

Michael Robotham - Close Your Eyes

Close Your Eyes Begins….

From Goodreads….

When a former student bungles a murder investigation, clinical psychologist Joseph O’Loughlin steps in to face a ruthless killer.

A mother and her teenage daughter are found murdered in a remote farmhouse, one defiled by multiple stab wounds and the other posed like Sleeping Beauty waiting for her Prince. Joe O’Loughlin is drawn into the investigation when a former student, trading on Joe’s reputation by calling himself the “Mindhunter,” jeopardizes the police inquiry by leaking details to the media and stirring up public anger.

With no shortage of suspects and tempers beginning to fray, Joe discovers a link between these murders and a series of brutal attacks where the men and women are choked unconscious and the letter “A” is carved into their foreheads. Read More

Joe Faces Family Problems

Along with the above there is a secondary storyline the book. Joe is asked by his estranged wife to move back into their cottage with his family which includes his wife and their two daughters. Joe is thrilled at the prospect of reuniting with his wife and daughters only problem is that his wife has cancer. And once again Joe is faced with the problem of balancing his work and his family!!

Bottom Line:

Close Your Eyes is another excellent book from Michael Robotham. This series is one of my favorites and like many of them it keeps getting better which is very hard to do because Robotham set the bar really high with his early books!!

I will even forgive him for joining the ranks of William Kent Krueger and Karin Slaughter

Ratings: Goodreads **** (4.15)  *RGrandad **** 1/2 (4.5)

Links

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About Michael Robotham

Michael Robotham is an Australian crime fiction writer who has twice won the CWA Gold Dagger award for best novel and twice been shortlisted for the Edgar Award for best novel. His eldest child is Alexandra Hope Robotham, professionally known as Alex Hope, an Australian producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. Wikipedia

Born: 1960 (age 64 years), Casino, Australia

Notable awards: The CWA Gold Dagger, 2015, 2020

Notable works: Life or Death

 

Alex Kava – Hidden Creed – Ryder Creed #6

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Hidden Creed - Alex Kava Ryder Creed #6

Hidden Creed – Ryder Creed #6 – Alex Kava

I’m not a dog person — we’ve always had cats.
But Alex Kava through her Ryder Creed series has convinced me just how many incredible things dogs can do that cats can’t (or simply won’t). Hidden Creed was book #41 for me this year, and it might just be the best yet in the series.

My History with Alex Kava

I’ve been reading Alex Kava since 2005, when I first picked up A Perfect Evil, the debut Maggie O’Dell novel.
The only Maggie O’Dell book I haven’t read is Stranded (#11) — and yes, I’ve checked it out from the library more than once, even started it, but always got sidetracked by another book. That’s worth noting because Stranded is the story where Ryder Creed and Maggie first meet — and that case is mentioned here in Hidden Creed.

Why the Ryder Creed Series Stands Out

For me, the heart of this series is the characters — both human and canine.
Ryder Creed and Maggie O’Dell are two of my favorite fictional characters, and Kava has surrounded them with a strong supporting cast:

  • Brodie – Ryder’s sister
  • Hannah – his business partner
  • Jason – an ex-soldier and valued employee
  • And, of course, the dogs — my personal favorite being Grace, the fearless Jack Russell Terrier.

As Tracie Hotchner of the Radio Pet Lady Network™ put it:

“It’s impossible not to care about and root for the human and canine heroes in Kava’s series.”
I couldn’t agree more.

The Story

During a K-9 training session in Florida’s Blackwater River State Forest, Ryder and Brodie follow Grace’s lead straight to a shallow grave. Soon, more bodies are discovered — and it becomes clear this is the isolated dumping ground of a serial killer.

Meanwhile, Maggie O’Dell is in Pensacola investigating a storage locker purchased at auction. Inside? An array of body parts and containers — possibly the twisted cache of a killer.

Kava weaves four distinct storylines together, creating a tense, fast-moving thriller where the suspense doesn’t let up until the very last page.

The Bottom Line

If you love page-turning thrillers with memorable characters, Hidden Creed is a must-read. While it works as a standalone, I recommend starting with Desperate Creed (#5) to get the most out of the relationships and backstory — especially between Ryder and Brodie.

And if you want to fully understand Maggie O’Dell, go back and read some of her solo cases. She’s had some fantastic adventures of her own!

Author’sWebsite |
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Alex Kava is the New York Times, USA Today and Amazon bestselling author of twenty-three novels that include the critically acclaimed series featuring K9 handler Ryder Creed and the international bestselling series with FBI profiler Maggie O’Dell.

She’s been awarded two Nebraska Book Awards, a Florida Book Award and the Mari Sandoz Award.

Published in thirty-five countries, her novels have sold seven+ million copies and have appeared on bestseller lists in the UK, Australia, Germany, Poland, Italy and Japan. Full Bio

 

Charlie Donlea Shines in His Debut Summit Lake

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Summit Lake is Charlie Donlea’s debut novel and a smashingly great debut it is!

From Goodreads…..

Set in a small, picturesque North Carolina town, Charlie Donlea’s suspenseful debut novel tells the haunting story of a murdered law school student, the reporter assigned to her story—and the intimate connection that comes when the living walk in the footsteps of the dead.

“No suspects. No persons of interest. Just a girl who was alive one day and dead the next.” Read More

The Story

The murder victim is Becca Eckersley a first year law student and the daughter of a powerful attorney who is about to become a judge. After Becca is murdered investigator Kelsey Castle is sent by her employer Events magazine to Summit Lake to find out what happened.

Once she arrives Kelsey discovers that the murder appears to be more complex than the theory that the Feds are promoting that it was a random robbery gone bad. The story is told from dual perspectives—Becca’s in the months before her death and Kelsey’s in the present—the book is a fast-paced thriller filled with twists and intrigue. 

The story also explores the connection between the living and the dead as Kelsey walks in Becca’s footsteps, uncovering dark secrets that may help solve the crime and confront her own past. 

Bottom Line:

Summit Lake was a very good read. It took me a while to get into the story and I must admit that I found some aspects of the story somewhat implausible. Particularly the willingness of the county police chief to give police files to Kelsey.

But the overall story more than made up for those minor dislikes

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    Into The Wild With – The Vanishing Kind by Alice Henderson (Alex Carter #4)

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    The Vanishing Kind Alice Henderson

    Wildlife biologist Alex Carter returns in The Vanishing Kind by Alice Henderson a tense, immersive novel of suspense  set in a vast wildlife preserve in New Mexico— and the his may be her most dangerous assignment yet!

    Originally Posted June 2025 Revsed and Updated April 2026

    📖 What’s It About?

    Searching for the Elusive Jaguar  in the Wild of New Mexico with Alex Carter…..

    In her fourth outing, Alex Carter accepts an assignment to determine whether any reclusive jaguars roam the preserve. Once a species that was prevalent throughout the US the species is now endangered.  Alex hopes that her study can find at least one of these great cats!

    Alice is not alone in this vast preserve and the lands surrounding it.  First there is a dangerous group of anti-immigrant vigilantes are  terrorizing the nearby town and the archeological dig. The dig is excavating the grave site area of a sixteenth century Spanish conquistador near where Alex has setup her camp. When the vigilantes discover the purpose of Alex she becomes a target of their wrath! The groups fear is that if Alex finds a jaguar it will impend the completion of the border wall.

    Alex also encounters a local farm couple, a couple helping the immigrants, the eccentric funder of the archeological dig and at least one person out to kill any jaguar she may find!

    🧠 My Thoughts About The Vanishing Kind by Alice Henderson

    Once again Henderson constructs a novel that provides both suspense and action, coupled with educating the reader about endangered species. In her previous assignments Alex has study wolverines, polar bears and caribou, and I learned more about those species then I ever knew! In addition,  I learned a lot about how a wildlife biologist sets out to study these endangered species. (Who knew jaguars are attracted to Obsession perfume).

    I believe The Vanishing Kind  contains a larger and more diverse cast of characters then any of Alex’s previous assignments. But it still provides the feeling that it’s Alex against the world!

    As always Henderson creates a strong sense of place in The Vanishing Kind. The presence of the archeoligical dig not only adds to the cast f characters but the importance of the jaguar in the culture of the American southwest and the Spanish presence  in the area.

    If you enjoy thrillers with a strong sense of place and a capable, independent protagonist, this series is for you. While this novel can be read independently from the series, since the series is only four books old go back to the fist book A Solitude of Wolverines to get the complete backstory of Alex Carter.

    So if you like novels that provide both excitement and education check out The Vanishing Kind. As for me, I can’t wait for Alex’s next assignment! Hmm, maybe my next read will be The Medici Return by Steve Berry his Cotton Malone stories also educate and entertain!

    A Final Wrap – The Vanishing Kind by Alice Henderson

    I will say that throughout the book, while I was enjoying it I wasn’t that impressed. I didn’t find it  all that suspenseful. That ended a little over halfway through the  book,  when the rich funder of the dig asked the members of the dig and Alex for dinner and cut off the digs funding! After that all help broke out and the novel shot along to its conclusion. And I wasn’t expecting Alex’s savior to appear!

     

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    If You Enjoyed The Vanishing Kind, Here’s Where My Reading Went (and Where It’s Going)…

    • Nora Kelly (Preston & Child) — archaeological thrillers I’m planning to dive into, a natural next step after the dig storyline here
    • Breaking Wild — Diane Les Becquets — a gripping wilderness survival story that I couldn’t put down (see my original post)
    • Peter Heller — The Last Ranger / The River — atmospheric wilderness novels blending nature, danger, and reflection (see my posts)
    Preston & Child
    Diane Les Bequets
    Peter Heller

    Three-Inch Teeth – C.J.Box (Joe Pickett #24) A Great Addition to the Series!

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    Three- Inch Teeth  is the 24th book in the Joe Pickett series from C.J.Box, It is also the 23rd book I have read in the series. The only book in the series I haven’t read is Cold Wind. (Note to self read Cold Wind this year!). As a long-time fan of the series, while Three- Inch Teeth is one of his best books, it is for me one of the most disturbing. 

    About Three-Inch Teeth

    The story begins when a rouge grizzly bear attacks and kills a fly fisherman in Joe Pickett’s territory. Everyone is surprised by the grizzly;s presence because they aren’t supposed to be in the area. The other surprise is the victim could have been Joe’s future son-in-law! 

    Meanwhile, former rodeo star and Saddlestring resident Dallas Cates is released from prison. Joe helped put Cates in prison  Joe was involved in the deaths of several members of Cates’ family. These deaths happened after Cates had attacked Joe’s adopted daughter April and left her for dead. (See books Endangered and Vicious Circle). Anyway, Dallas is out for revenge and his hit list includes: the judge, the county prosecutor, Joe and his wife Marybeth and Nate and Live Romanoski.

    Enlisting in some allies to help him extract his revenge, Dallas devises a way to use the bear attacks as a cover for his murderous plan.One of his allies is Alex Soledad, who appears in Storm Watch.

    The Bottom Line (Spoiler Alert)

    Three-Inch Teeth is a little grisly (no pun intended). However, I think it’s one of Box’s best books. The characters, as always, are well-developed and the action and suspense is great throughout the book. It was disturbing for me because of the deaths of some of the characters in this book and past books.

    While I think Three-Inch Teeth could be read as a standalone, it would be that much better if the books I mentioned earlier were read first!

    The ending of Three-Inch Teeth was upsetting. It set the stage for future books in the series. And I can’t wait! So, Check it Out!

    C J Box

    About C.J. Box

     

    Village in the Dark – Iris Yamashita (Cara Kennedy Book#2)

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    Village in the Dark by Iris Yamashita is book number 2 in her Cara Kennedy series. It is a mystery thriller set in Alaska. Book 1 in the series is City Under One Roof. Cara Kennedy is an Anchorage Police Department Detective. She is on administrative leave after her husband and son disappear while on vacation in Point Mettier. Point Mettier is an isolated town where its residents all live in one high-rise.

    In book one Cara finds some of the answers to her husband and son’s disappearance and they weren’t pleasant. (I’m not spoiling things by telling you what she discovered). Anyway at the end of the book she makes another discovery that leads her back to Point Mettier to see if she can find the final answers!

    Village in the Dark is full of great characters.The story is told through the eyes of three women. First is obviously the main character Cara Kennedy. Second is the owner of a hotel within the Point Mettier high-rise Ellie and finally Mia, an Indigenous woman who left the village she grew up in to enter the White man’s world. The plot of the novel interweaves the lives of all three women. It’s really hard to say more without revealing too much!

    Bottom Line

    The bottom line is Village in the Dark is a really terrific read.  It;s filled with great quirky characters and a few twists here and there that kept me guessing, I really would recommend that you should read City Under One Roof before reading Village in the Dark. So check them both out!

     

     

    Links for the Further Exploration of the Books of Iris Yamashita

    Author’s Website

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    Scott Carson – Lost Man’s Lane. His Best yet? Yes!

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    Lost Man's Lane - Scott Carson

    I have been a fan of author Michael Koryta ever since way back in 2003? And after two terrific books I am now a fan of his alter-ego Scott Carson. And I think Scott Carson’s latest release  Lost Man’s Lane just may be Scott’s best novel. As such it also makes it Michael’s best! 

     

    The Story

    The story grabbed me from the beginning, when Marshall Miller was pulled over by a policeman on the first time he took the car out after getting his license. The police man was very surly and while Marshall was receiving his ticket he noticed in his rear view mirror a young girl is sitting in the backseat of the police car looking terrified and crying. She was wearing a t-shirt of a restaurant that had closed years ago! 

    Soon posters are put up concerning a missing girl from a neighboring town, Marshall recognizes the girl, She was the one in the back of the police car. When Marshall goes to the police to report what he saw he discovers that there are no police officers with the name he’s reporting. As a result, Marshall sets out on a quest to discover what was happening. He is soon in contact with a private investigator who is investigating the case. The PI hires Marshall as an assistant for the summer. 

    The story takes many twists and turns as the investigation unravels. And the story because not only a horror/mystery story but also a coming of age story, with an ending that upturns Marshall’s life!

    Bottom Line

    The bottom line is go find and read Lost Man’s Lane, you won’t be sorry! It’s a terrific book on so many different levels. I think it would  make a great book club read. If anyone else has read it I would love to know what you thought about it. 

    While your at it you can also check out Scott’s two other books The Chill and Where They Wait. All three books are high recommended!

    As for me I have to wait until next April to read my next Scott Cason book Departure 37

    Scott Carson

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    About Scott Carson

    Scott Carson is the pen name for a New York Times bestselling author and screenwriter Michael Koryta. He lives in New England.

    Michael Koryta is a New York Times-bestselling author whose work has been translated into more than 20 languages and has won or been nominated for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, Edgar® Award, Shamus Award, Barry Award, Quill Award, International Thriller Writers Award, and the Golden Dagger. They’ve been selected as “best books of the year” by numerous publications. Michael Kortya for More