authentic reviews and insightful interviews for inquisitive readers
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Her Cold Heart by Pamela Fagan Hutchins is a tense atmospheric read where snow appears everywhere. The plot opens with Delaney and Leo on the ski slopes. As they are about to get on the ski lift a shot rings out and a young woman is shot and killed. Delaney and Leo know they must pursue whatever leads there are and jump on snowmobiles, hoping to catch the shooter. After they find out that …
Title: The King’s Ransom Author: Janet Evanovich Series: Recovery Agent/Gabriela Rose #2 Much thanks to Janet Evanovich, Atria Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Ironically, I’m surprised it’s only been four years since Gabriela’s first book came out—it feels like longer. I don’t know what happened behind the scenes, but man; it changed release date several times, co-authors came and went. But here it finally is! And it’s okay. Released at …
A roundup of several smaller reviews I wrote in Fall 2025. Beware of spoilers! Title: Dead Wrong Author: Kate Allenton Series: Cree Blue Psychic Eye Mystery #1 Not great. Very simplistic and superficial storytelling. Too short to include much detail or character development. The MC, Cree*, is more foolishly headstrong than spunky, and waaayyy overpowered: clairvoyant, psychometric, knows when people are lying, and she can see and communicate with ghosts? She must also be rich, because she’s entirely unbothered by the …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Julia Kelly’s new series introduces a new heroine, Evelyne Redfern. She is intelligent, logical, and resilient with a love of reading detective stories. Readers are plunged into WWII where Evelyne ends up as a spy. These novels have secrets and friendships. A Traitor in Whitehall introduces Evelyne by going into her backstory. She was known as the Parisian Orphan after her mother died, and her father was in name only. Now many years later, …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Miss Morton and the Missing Heir by Catherine Lloyd is a great read. The author makes the 1840s Regency/ Victorian era come alive within the compelling mystery and characters. Caroline was the daughter of an earl, but her father gambled away everything, leaving her and her sister at the mercy of relatives. A mother and her son Thomas, the Scuttons, show up and says to Caroline that the son is now claiming that he …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Dying Cry by Margaret Mizushima has action, intrigue and suspense. There is murder, a police investigation, family relationships/dynamics, and some information about veterinarians. The plot begins when the Walker family of Cole, Sophie, Angie, and now Mattie are out snowshoeing and hear a scream. Cole takes the girls back to the resort while Mattie and her K-9 Robo go to investigate. Robo finds a trail and Mattie can see a body at the base …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Girl Lost by Kate Angelo is a compelling and gripping story that has redemption, courage, and the power of facing the truth. This is one of those plots where readers will love the good guys and thoroughly hate the bad guys. There is action, arson, murder, kidnappings, and a missing person. The plot opens with Luna Rosati, a CIA counterintelligence officer who had a hard past. After becoming pregnant at sixteen she gave the …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Last Seen by J. T. Ellison is a standalone novel. Her protagonist, Halley James, is not having a good year. She is getting divorced, has lost her job at the forensics lab, and her dad needs emergency surgery after a fall. But the biggest blow is when she discovers her mother died, not in a car accident, but was murdered by her sister. Since she was six years old her dad had lied to …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Blood on the Wire by Candace Irving brings back Kate Holland and her loving furry partner, Ruger. She is a former US Navy Lieutenant who writes the Hidden Valor series, and the Deception Point Military Detective series. Fans of Ruger get a bonus because there is now merchandise available for purchase at https://store.candaceirving.com/collections/hidden-valor-merch-collection The plot of this book has Kate initially investigating the death of a VA psychologist who was brutally stabbed to death. …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Murder at Arleigh by Alyssa Maxwell highlights high society drama. This suspenseful plot brings back reporter-sleuth Emma Cross Andrews who must decide if the whispered threats and pranks are not so innocent. The book begins with Emma and Derrick Andrews attending the wedding of her cousin Reggie Vanderbilt and heiress Cathleen Neilson at the Bellevue Mansion, Arleigh. Their hosts are a popular couple, Harry and Elizabeth “Bessie” Lehr. But shortly after the wedding Emma …