After much anticipation, I’m finally ready to share my thoughts on the mystery thriller Empty Boxes, penned by Robin Action and brought to life by Blank Slate Press, an indie publisher based right here in Missouri. I owe the publisher a heartfelt apology for my delay in reading and reviewing this book. While I can’t pinpoint the exact date I received it—sometime last year, I believe—I can’t ignore that it was indeed a long wait. I showcased the book in a Friday 56 post last October, and you might be wondering what took so long. Well, it’s been a tumultuous time for me; my mother had several ER visits and underwent surgery last November, which understandably pulled my focus away from blogging. In my suitcase of distractions, I even packed this book, but it ended up left behind while I opted for movies on my Fire Tablet instead. Eventually, I stumbled upon it again just last week, much to my relief.
Empty Boxes [*] is the second installment in the Rita Locke series, and fortunately for me, it can stand alone, as I hadn’t yet dipped into the first book. The narrative follows Pittsburgh crime reporter Rita Locke as she investigates the murder of a funeral director, only to discover a chilling truth—he had been burying empty coffins. As she digs deeper into his secrets, she unravels a sinister plot spanning international borders, leading her from the familiar streets of western Pennsylvania to an offshore Caribbean medical school. Here, she finds herself ensnared in a web of deceit that threatens her very life.
Admittedly, my reading preferences have evolved recently, leaving me uncertain whether Empty Boxes would suit my tastes. Although I do enjoy a solid mystery, my heart has recently gravitated toward the classics. However, the pages of this book surprised me; it turned out to be a hypnotic and well-crafted read. It may not be flawless—certainly not a five-star rating in my eyes—but it still delivered a gratifying reading experience.
The novel opens hauntingly within the grim confines of a funeral home: a chilling setting for a murder scene, to say the least. Rita Locke isn’t a cop or private detective; she’s a tenacious crime reporter who willingly risks her personal safety for a story. When a hot tip rouses her from sleep, she throws on her clothes in a rush and dashes to the crime scene. What I found most intriguing is that Rita is not just a one-dimensional character; she’s complex, and my appreciation for her grew with each chapter.
The prose is engaging, with lively dialogue and vivid descriptions that kept me engrossed, constantly eager to turn the page and discover what lay ahead. In summary, I thoroughly enjoyed Empty Boxes [*], a brisk mystery that keeps you riveted until the very end. I recommend it to anyone in search of a tightly woven mystery that doesn’t let go. ╌★★★★✰
〜B.J. Burgess
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“The plot thickens… especially when you comment.” 〜B.J. Burgess