mystery - No Apology Book Reviews

Interview with Mary Burton (Burn You Twice)

October 2, 2020

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Burn You Twice by Mary Burton is suspenseful with a heated plot. Fire is front and center in this book whose main antagonist is an arsonist. An added feature of the plot is how Burton gives glimpses and insight into the deranged mind of an arsonist. This psychological thriller intermingles a slight romance with family, fire, mistakes, and second chances. Readers quickly learn that ten years ago, college student Joan Mason and her best …

Interview with Iris Johansen (Chaos)

September 24, 2020

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Chaos by Iris Johansen is a stand-alone book. Known for her action, drama, and compelling characters Johansen has done it again. This novel introduces CIA agent Alisa Flynn and a mercenary type Gabe Korgan who have a love-hate relationship. The book opens with schoolgirls in Africa kidnapped and horses stolen by Jorge Masenak. Among those taken is Alisa’s “adopted little sister,” Sasha. Fearing for her and the others lives Alisa decides to write her …

Interview with Amanda Flower (Dead-End Detective)

September 18, 2020

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Dead-End Detective by Amanda Flower is another winner. She combines an eccentric senior citizen with a tree climbing cat, a private investigator, and an Army veteran that make for a fun-loving yet captivating mystery. The story begins by introducing Darby Piper and her older friend and mentor, Samantha Porter, partners in the Two Girls Detective Agency in Herrington, N.Y. After Samantha tells Darby she is considering selling the agency and accepting an offer to …

Interview with Laura Griffin (Hidden)

September 10, 2020

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Hidden by Laura Griffin is the first in a new series. The story is intense, suspenseful, with some romance. The plot begins with a woman murdered on a hiking trail. At first, investigators think it is a mugging gone wrong. But there are some clues, which stand out, that have crime reporter, Bailey Rhoads, suspecting there is more to the story. Why would the body be stabbed numerous times, moved, and then dumped in …

Interview with V. M. Burns (Paw and Order)

September 4, 2020

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Paw and Order by V. M. Burns is a fun cozy mystery. She has found her rhythm with engaging characters and enthralling plots. The humans and four-legged animals only enhance the story. The story has Lilly Echosby convincing an eccentric poodle-loving billionaire Archibald Lowry to sponsor a fundraiser for the Eastern Tennessee Poodle Rescue. Unfortunately, he is murdered at the event, leaving his puppy poodle an orphan. Lilly’s best friend Scarlett “Dixie” Jefferson, a …

Interview with B. J. Daniels (Heart of Gold and Ambush Before Sunrise)

July 30, 2020

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Ambush Before Sunrise, the third book in the Montana Legacy series, and Heart of Gold, the third book of the Montana Justice series by B. J. Daniels are more suspense than romance. Both these books have the Daniels imprint, readers are taken on a thrilling roller coaster ride. Heart of Gold has the same theme as the other two books in the series. Judge WT Landusky ran a boot camp for troubled teens to …

Interview with Michael Connelly (Fair Warning)

June 19, 2020

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Fair Warning by Michael Connelly brings back two of his best characters, journalist Jack McEvoy, and former FBI Agent Rachel Walling. Connelly, the master of mysteries, seems to have a ten-year-interval between series books. This hero and heroine were first introduced in one of the best suspense novels ever written, The Poet. Ten years later they came back in The Scarecrow, and now they are partners again in this book. The book begins with …

Elise’s Review – The Persuasion by Iris Johansen

June 12, 2020

Book Review by Elise Cooper Persuasion by Iris Johansen finalizes the story between Jane MacGuire and Seth Caleb. As with all her stories, Johansen writes emotionally charged and complex characters with a fast-paced plot. Infused into this thriller is the romance between the hero and heroine. This story starts out with Jane’s brother, Michael, visiting her in Wales. Both are the children of Eve and Joe Duncan. Having a psychic ability, Michael senses that Jane is in danger and asks …

Interview with Catherine McKenzie (You Can’t Catch Me)

June 12, 2020

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper You Can’t Catch Me by Catherine McKenzie is a psychological thriller where deception is the name of the game. The central theme of the story is identity theft with a side story involving cults. Although readers might think these two do not connect, McKenzie does a wonderful job tying them together. The story opens with Jessica Williams in an airport bar waiting for her flight. She meets a stranger with the same name and …

Interview with Amanda Flower (Marshmallow Malice)

June 5, 2020

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Marshmallow Malice by Amanda Flower is another winner. As with all books in this series there are wonderful characters, a charming small-town setting, and a sense of community/family. Her mixture of murder and humor allows for a very fun read. This novel ties up loose ends with the marriage of Juliet Brody and Reverend Brook as well as the backstory on the Reverend. Everyone in the town is excited about attending the wedding, even …