A miscellany of thoughts about dogs, cats, writing, life in the Ozarks, & occasional book reviews
Joel Turner's debut novel, Wildwood Exit, takes you to the Jersey Shore of the 1980s and a cast of characters entangled in relationships mired in the past and pessimistic about the future. Narrating the story is John McGinty (“Ginty”) who finds himself thrust into the dubious role of amateur detective after an old friend, Lou Scolletta, …
Continue reading Jersey Shore Noir
As a reader, one of the things I most enjoy is the “hook” that captures my imagination and pulls me into a book. In the case of Ruth Knafo Setton's Zigzag Girl, I was hooked by contrasting landscapes, compelling characters, and the lure of magic. The novel is a magical performance in itself, weaving a …
Continue reading Illusion & Murder
Looking for a multi-dimensional mystery with plenty of action and a high-tech twist? You'll find it—and much more—in Dying With A Secret, the fourth book in the Dead Detective Casefiles written by award-winning author Tj O’Connor. Some categorize this book—and the series—as a paranormal mystery or PI mystery, while others might shelve it among crime …
Continue reading The Dead Detective Returns
If you've ever watched a character in a TV show reconstruct a skull and produce a near-instant match of a victim's face before the credits roll at the end, you might be forgiven for thinking facial reconstruction is a quick, reliable way to identify missing persons and solve crimes. The reality, however, is quite different. …
Continue reading Forensics & Fiction
This year, I've explored new-to-me authors writing in a multitude of genres and styles. Many of these discoveries came to me as a reviewer for Partners in Crime Tours--a "one-stop for all things mystery, crime, thriller or cozy!" One of these discoveries is the work of award-winning indie author Gledé Browne Kabongo, who writes psychological …
Continue reading A Tangled Web