Showing posts with label mystery. Show all posts

Thursday, August 14, 2025

Discover the Enigmatic Allure: The Gothic Charm of "The Unraveling of Julia" by Lisa Scottoline

Disclosure: This post also contains Amazon affiliate links [*]. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

From a young age, I’ve been captivated by the old Gothic romance paperbacks, where a woman in a flowing dress or nightgown is fleeing from a foreboding mansion or castle in the background. These Gothic romances enjoyed their heyday in the 1960s and 1970s but faded into obscurity by the 1980s. Now this brings me to my latest read, The Unraveling of Julia. While it’s not exactly a classic Gothic romance, it does carry some elements of that genre. This novel, written by bestselling author Lisa Scottoline, marks my first reading encounter with her work. I can already hear someone saying, “You’ve never heard of Lisa Scottoline?” To clarify, I’ve indeed seen her books in stores but didn’t feel drawn to the covers, titles, or blurbs—until now.

The Unraveling of Julia is a psychological thriller infused with Gothic vibes, though it’s not a traditional romance. However, there are two love stories woven into the plot—kind of. The cover art invokes that nostalgic Gothic romance feeling, minus the image of a gown-clad woman running from a creepy estate. That title, The Unraveling of Julia, gives off those eerie '70s horror vibes. Honestly, I was hooked even before reading the blurb. Grab your copy now on Amazon ^[*] or your favorite indie bookstore.

Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Read full post: Experience Suspense with 'Knife in the Back'—The Latest from Karen Rose's New Orleans Series

Experience Suspense with 'Knife in the Back'—The Latest from Karen Rose's New Orleans Series

B.J. Burgess books , crime fiction

KNIFE IN THE BACK

New Orleans, #4

by Karen Rose

Berkley, 2025

★★★★✰

Officer Naomi Cranston was framed for stealing cocaine from the evidence locker and coerced—through threats to her young son—into not fighting the charges. After five years in prison, she has tried to put the ordeal behind her, but the crooks who framed her have returned, this time demanding she move drugs along with her flower shop’s deliveries. They threaten her son once again, but this time she’s not capitulating quietly. She hires Broussard Investigations to protect her and her son, to prove her innocence, and to put the real bad guys away.

As a former cop, Burke Broussard is well aware of the corruption in the New Orleans police department. He had always believed Naomi Cranston to be guilty and isn’t inclined to take her case. Until he sits down to listen to her side of things. Until he sees her tortured innocence written all over her beautiful face…

A relationship born amid an investigation is a fragile thing. Will it survive the danger and the threats? Will it survive the truth?

Dear Readers,

Crime fiction—I often refer to as detective procedurals—has been a staple for ages. Lately, it feels like there’s a growing presence of these titles on the "bestseller" shelves at bookstores. One name that frequently catches my eye is Karen Rose, whose works I've occasionally picked up. Today marks the release of her latest novel, Knife in the Back, the fourth installment in her New Orleans series published by Berkley.

This series revolves around individuals in dire situations who seek out the help of Broussard Investigations. In Knife in the Back, we see more of Burke Broussard, the owner of the agency, who takes on a prominent role for the first time. The story follows Naomi Cranston, a former police officer wrongfully convicted of stealing cocaine from an evidence locker. After spending five years in prison, Naomi is released, only to discover that those who framed her are now targeting her son. This predicament leads her to enlist the help of Broussard Investigations.

Karen Rose's writing is fluid and engaging, and I found myself immersed in the story within just a few pages, largely due to her exceptional storytelling prowess. The characters, each with their quirks and flaws, are richly developed, and the secondary characters also shine. What starts as a straightforward plot quickly unfolds into a web of unpredictable twists and suspenseful turns.

My only concern lies in the book’s length, which exceeds 500 pages. For my taste, that’s a bit on the lengthy side, especially for a crime thriller or romantic suspense. While the pacing is smooth and kept me turning the pages, I feel that the story could benefit from trimming about fifty pages or so for a tighter narrative. But that's just my perspective.

Overall, Knife in the Back is a well-crafted, suspense-laden read filled with drama and action. It's the strongest entry in the New Orleans series.

⁓B.J. Burgess

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Monday, August 4, 2025

Read full post: 'The Black Highway' Review: Simon Toyne's Riveting London Mystery

'The Black Highway' Review: Simon Toyne's Riveting London Mystery

B.J. Burgess books , mystery

THE BLACK HIGHIGHWAY

Laughton Rees, #3

by Simon Toyne

Wiliam Morrow, 2025

★★★½✰

Forensic specialist Laughton Rees is not ashamed of her checkered past—after all, her youthful indiscretions led to the birth of her daughter Gracie, the person she loves most in the world—but when Gracie’s father unexpectedly turns up in their lives again, Laughton is automatically wary.

Shelby Facer is a dangerous man, formerly imprisoned for his involvement in an international drug trafficking ring, and no matter what Laughton once felt for him, she doesn’t want him anywhere near Gracie. But when Shelby claims that he has information about an especially difficult murder case she is working, she can’t turn him down.

A body with no head or hands has recently turned up in the river Thames, and the police are at a loss until Shelby identifies the man. The victim was part of a highly secretive smuggling ring Shelby was involved with during his and Laughton’s youth—which Laughton’s father, former commissioner for the Metropolitan police, was investigating before he died.

Laughton throws herself into her father’s old files to try to trace the connections between past and present, but as she and DCI Tannahill Khan circle closer to the truth, the case becomes dangerously personal. When another body turns up, mutilated just like the first, the victim is no stranger to Laughton. She’ll have to face the darkest parts of her past to find the man behind the murders—before he takes away everything she loves.

A few weeks ago, I received an unexpected copy of The Black Highway in the mail from the publisher. When I say "unexpected," I truly mean it—I hadn’t requested the book and had no idea a copy was on its way to me. Normally, I don't tend to review unsolicited books, but something about The Black Highway caught my eye, prompting me to give it a try.

It's the third installment in the Laughton Rees series by Simon Toyne, an author I had never heard of before this. I can already hear the comments: "You’ve never read Simon Toyne?" But honestly, this was my first introduction to his work.

So, what’s the book about? It’s a police procedural thriller with a somewhat familiar plot featuring a female protagonist who follows in her parents' footsteps to join law enforcement. Laughton Rees, the main character in The Black Highway, is a forensic specialist whose late father was a commissioner with the Metropolitan Police.

The novel's title references the River Thames, where a headless body, missing its hands, is discovered floating near Tower Bridge in London. This victim is linked to another character, Shelby Facer, a former drug trafficker who has served time in prison and ends up crossing paths with Laughton once more—and that's not a spoiler since the book's blurb mentions his connection to Laughton’s daughter, Gracie. For those, like me, jumping into the series for the first time, I found this detail unnecessary in the blurb.

As for the plot, it's pretty much what you’d expect; if you’ve read one book in this genre, you’ve seen them all. I felt that The Black Highway didn't offer anything particularly new—just the same general story dressed up with different character names and settings. However, compared to other authors, such as James Patterson, Simon Toyne shines with his distinctive writing style and narrative structure. He manages to avoid the clichés and predictability that often plague thrillers. That said, I wasn't a fan of the short chapters—70+ chapters felt excessive and became a bit annoying.

Initially, I found it to be a flawed yet intriguing read. The early chapters were engaging and truly page-turning, but somewhere along the way, the pacing faltered, and I began to lose interest in the predictably clichéd plot. Had it not been for Toyne’s vivid descriptions, I might have set the book aside. However, I persevered, and I'm glad I did because the pacing picked up significantly in the second half.

In conclusion, despite my criticisms, The Black Highway turned out to be a solid thriller. While it has its flaws, it's enjoyable enough that I would recommend it to others.

⁓B.J. Burgess

Monday, June 2, 2025

Read full post: Anne Hillerman's 'Shadow of the Solstice': A Struggle for Consistency in the 'Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito' Series

Anne Hillerman's 'Shadow of the Solstice': A Struggle for Consistency in the 'Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito' Series

B.J. Burgess Anne Hillerman , books

SHADOW OF THE SOLSTICE

A Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito Novel, Book 10

by Anne Hillerman

Harper, 2025

★★✰✰✰

The Navajo Nation police are on high alert when a U.S. Cabinet Secretary schedules an unprecedented trip to the little Navajo town of Shiprock, New Mexico. The visit coincides with a plan to resume uranium mining along the Navajo Nation border. Tensions around the official’s arrival escalate when the body of a stranger is found in an area restricted for the disposal of radioactive uranium waste. Is it coincidence that a cult with a propensity for violence arrives at a private camp group outside Shiprock the same week to celebrate the summer solstice? When the outsiders’ erratic behavior makes their Navajo hosts uneasy, Officer Bernadette Manuelito is assigned to monitor the situation. She finds a young boy at grave risk, abused women, and other shocking discoveries that plunge her and Lt. Jim Chee into a volatile and deadly situation.

Meanwhile, Darleen Manuelito, Bernie’s high spirited younger sister, learns one of her home health clients is gone–and the woman’s daughter doesn’t seem to care. Darleen’s curiosity and sense of duty combine to lead her to discover that the client’s grandson is also missing and that the two have become ensnared in a wickedly complex scheme exploiting indigenous people. Darleen’s information meshes with a case Chee has begun to solve that deals with the evil underside of human nature.

Dear Readers,

After not receiving a review copy of Shadow of the Solstice by Anne Hillerman, the daughter of the late Tony Hillerman, I struggled to find a copy at local bookstores when it was released. Eventually, I procured the book from my local library and read it relatively fast.

The Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito series is a continuation of Tony Hillerman's Leaphorn and Chee novels, now written by his daughter. With ten books published in the new series to date, it’s clear that Anne Hillerman has a deep affection for her father’s characters and the fictional universe he created. Although her writing style differs from his, I consider her works a legitimate extension of his literary contributions.

Shadow of the Solstice primarily focuses on Lieutenant Jim Chee and his wife, Officer Bernadette 'Bernie' Manuelito, with retired detective Joe Leaphorn making only a brief cameo at the end of the story. The main plot revolves around a fraud scheme targeting the Navajo population, particularly individuals struggling with addiction—a storyline that resonates with contemporary issues. While the plot is effective overall, several dramatic chapters hinder the pacing.

Additionally, there is a subplot about an environmental organization's efforts against uranium mining on the reservation. My speed-reading abilities were put to the test during this narrative thread, as I did not maintain a strong interest in it. This subplot felt like a rehash of similar plots I have encountered in other books, making it somewhat tedious.

There is also a side plot concerning Bernie’s aging mother, who has recently moved in with the couple. While the narration was competent, this storyline seemed to serve as filler material, contributing to uneven pacing throughout the book.

Shadow of the Solstice presented a considerable reading challenge for various reasons. I finished it quickly, but the narrative proved convoluted, with pacing inconsistencies, storyline issues, and complications with the timeline. The final act was especially perplexing, as the characters practically appeared to occupy two distinct locations simultaneously. In the end, I found it disappointing and don't recommend it, not even to loyal Hillerman readers.

⁓B.J. Burgess

Thursday, May 1, 2025

Read full post: Exploring the Complexities of DROP: When Hitchcockian Influence Meets a Flawed Script

Exploring the Complexities of DROP: When Hitchcockian Influence Meets a Flawed Script

B.J. Burgess giveaway , Hitchcockian

From the minds behind classics like A Quiet Place, Blumhouse and Platinum Dunes bring you DROP, an electrifying thriller that will make you think twice about your dating choices. Dubbed a “tightly plotted thrill ride” by IGN, this nail-biting film is now available exclusively on digital platforms for rent or purchase, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. And if you’re a fan of physical media, mark your calendars for June 10, 2025, when DROP hits 4K UHD and Blu-ray! Don't miss out on exclusive bonus content featuring insights from the filmmakers and cast that dive deep into the film's production, available at select retailers like Apple TV, Fandango at Home (formerly Vudu), Comcast Xfinity, Cox, Microsoft Movies & TV, and Movies Anywhere.

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Read full post: Exploring Robin Cook's 'Bellevue': A Medical Thriller with a Supernatural Twist

Exploring Robin Cook's 'Bellevue': A Medical Thriller with a Supernatural Twist

B.J. Burgess books , horror

Twenty-three-year-old Michael “Mitt” Fuller starts his surgical residency with great anticipation at the nearly three-hundred-year-old, iconic Bellevue Hospital, following in the footsteps of four previous, celebrated Fuller generations. The pressure is on for this newly minted doctor, and to his advantage he’s always had a secret sixth sense, a sensitivity to the nonphysical. But quickly, one patient after another assigned to his care begin to die from mysterious causes. As he tries to juggle these inexplicable deaths with the demands of being a first-year resident, things rapidly spiral out of control.

Visions begin to plague Mitt—visions of a little girl in a bloodstained dress, bloodcurdling screams in the distance, and worse. As bodies mount and Mitt’s stress level rises, he finds himself drawn to the monumental, abandoned Bellevue Psychopathic Hospital building, which to his astonishment has somehow defied the wrecking ball and still stands a few doors north of the modern Bellevue Hospital high-rise. Forcing an unauthorized entry into this storied but foreboding structure, Mitt discovers he’s more closely tied to the sins of the past than he ever thought possible.

Friday, April 18, 2025

Read full post: [Review] —BATTLE MOUNTAIN by C.J. Box ╌★★★★★

[Review] —BATTLE MOUNTAIN by C.J. Box ╌★★★★★

B.J. Burgess books , crime

BATTLE MOUNTAIN

A Joe Pickett Novel

by C.J. Box

Putnam, 2025

The campaign of destruction that Axel Soledad and Dallas Cates wreaked on Nate Romanowski and Joe Pickett left both men in tatters, especially Nate, who lost almost everything. Wondering if the civilized life left him vulnerable to attack, Nate dropped off the grid with his falcons in tow to prepare for vengeance.

When Joe gets a call from the governor asking for help finding his son-in-law, who has gone missing in the Sierra Madre mountain range, he enlists the help of a local, a rookie game warden named Susan Kany.

As Nate and fellow falconer Geronimo Jones circle closer to their prey, Joe and Susan follow the nearly cold trail to Warm Springs. Little do Nate and Joe know that their separate journeys are about to converge . . . at Battle Mountain.

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Read full post: [Review] — NOT THE KILLING KIND by Maria Kelson (★★★½✰)

[Review] — NOT THE KILLING KIND by Maria Kelson (★★★½✰)

B.J. Burgess books , mystery

Crime thrillers are everywhere, often with similar titles and cover designs that make it hard for readers to choose a specific one. What caught my eye about NOT THE KILLING KIND by Maria Kelson was not just the title but the cover art—it reminded me of the famous show "Twin Peaks.” However, the book itself is different from "Twin Peaks,"—nothing in common at all—and that’s not a bad thing.

Saturday, February 1, 2025

Read full post: [Review] — BECOMING THE BOOGEYMAN by Richard Chizmar (★★★½✰)

[Review] — BECOMING THE BOOGEYMAN by Richard Chizmar (★★★½✰)

B.J. Burgess books , horror

I’m back! Well, sort of—I am attempting to reignite my habit of writing reviews for this blog. Admittedly, I've been a bit of a recluse lately, but everything is all right—at least as good as it can be under the circumstances. For those who remember, last year I reviewed Richard Chizmar's gripping fictional true-crime thriller, Chasing the Boogeyman. I found it thoroughly engaging and ended up giving it a five-out-of-five-star rating. Since then, I dove into its sequel, BECOMING THE BOOGEYMAN, and I'd like to share my thoughts on it.

Monday, December 2, 2024

Read full post: [Review] — Leaphorn, Chee, & Manuelito Return in Anne Hillerman's LOST BIRDS

[Review] — Leaphorn, Chee, & Manuelito Return in Anne Hillerman's LOST BIRDS

B.J. Burgess books , mystery

I am a latecomer to the world of Tony Hillerman's Leaphorn & Chee series, now known as the Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito series. My journey into this captivating universe began after I watched the first season of AMC's Dark Winds in 2022. Strangely enough, I stumbled upon several of Hillerman's novels at local thrift stores around the same time the show premiered. I can't help but wonder if I had encountered his books in the past but simply overlooked them. Given my strong memory, I find it hard to believe I wouldn’t have recalled seeing those distinctive covers.

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Read full post: [Review] — James Patterson's LIES HE TOLD ME is an Intriguing, Mindless Fluff

[Review] — James Patterson's LIES HE TOLD ME is an Intriguing, Mindless Fluff

B.J. Burgess books , mystery

James Patterson novels are plentiful—trust me, my visits to thrift stores have confirmed this. You can easily find at least one new title every month, and for dedicated fans, it is often a challenge to keep up with the latest releases. His most recent thriller, LIES HE TOLD ME, was co-authored with David Ellis and published by Little, Brown and Company.

Thursday, September 5, 2024

Read full post: [Review] — "THREE-INCH TEETH" is a Grizzly Read

[Review] — "THREE-INCH TEETH" is a Grizzly Read

B.J. Burgess books , crime

Have you ever been so upset that a television series got canceled that you delayed reading the newest book, which inspired the show, out of spite? Well, that's what happened to me with Joe Pickett. Paramount Plus canceled the streaming series in late 2023 after two seasons. (Side note: the first season aired on Spectrum.) It was a well-made modern-day Western series similar to Yellowstone and should have done better in ratings if marketed correctly.

Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Read full post: [Review]—'Shattered' by James Patterson & James O. Born

[Review]—'Shattered' by James Patterson & James O. Born

B.J. Burgess books , fiction

It's hard to believe that James Patterson's enthralling "Michael Bennett" series has expanded to 14 books. The last 15 years have flown by, and it only seems like yesterday that I started reading Step on a Crack. Here I am, nearly 41 years old, reviewing the series' most recent volume, Shattered, co-written by James O. Born (his fifth in the series).

Wednesday, July 20, 2022

Read full post: [Review] - 'Shadows Reel' by C.J. Box

[Review] - 'Shadows Reel' by C.J. Box

B.J. Burgess books , C.J. Box

I've seen C.J. Box's novels numerous times in bookstores' bestseller section but was never interested in reading one of his stories until I started watching the Joe Pickett series on Paramount +. The television series debuted exclusively for Spectrum cable services last December. "Exclusively" is used loosely since Paramount + is streaming the show. Paramount Television produces Joe Pickett, so it's a no-brainer why the series is on there. After watching a few episodes, I had the urge to read a Joe Pickett novel, or specifically the first book, Open Season. My first instinct was to check my local library, and there wasn't one single C.J. Box title. There are currently 22 Joe Pickett novels and a short story collection, 5 (soon to be 6) Hoyt/Dewell mysteries, and three standalone novels, all written by C.J. Box, and my library doesn't carry any of them.

Monday, June 13, 2022

Read full post: [Review] - A Relative Murder by Jude Deveraux

[Review] - A Relative Murder by Jude Deveraux

B.J. Burgess books , fiction

It might seem strange that I'm reviewing a Jude Deveraux novel, but I grew up with the author's books. My mother was a fan of Deveraux's historical romances and kept the books on a homemade wooden bookcase in the living room of my childhood home. After running out of new books to read - I grabbed A Knight in Shining Armor off the shelf and read it. I believe I was a nine-year-old at the time. Yeah, I was probably a bit too young to be reading romances, but that was my introduction to Jude Deveraux.

Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Read full post: [Review] - Counterfeit Love by Crystal Caudill

[Review] - Counterfeit Love by Crystal Caudill

B.J. Burgess books , fiction

About the Book

Can this undercover agent save the woman he loves—or is her heart as counterfeit as the money he’s been sent to track down?

After all that Grandfather has sacrificed to raise her, Theresa Plane owes it to him to save the family name--and that means clearing their debt with creditors before she marries Edward Greystone. But when one of the creditors’ threats leads her to stumble across a midnight meeting, she discovers that the money he owes isn’t all Grandfather was hiding. And the secrets he kept have now trapped Theresa in a life-threatening fight for her home--and the truth.

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Read full post: [Review] - The Debutante's Code by Erica Vetsch

[Review] - The Debutante's Code by Erica Vetsch

B.J. Burgess books , fiction

Available on Kindle and Paperback.

About the Book

Jane Austen meets Sherlock Holmes in this new Regency mystery series.

Newly returning from finishing school, Lady Juliette Thorndike is ready to debut in London society. Due to her years away, she hasn't spent much time with her parents and sees them only as the flighty, dilettante couple the other nobles love. But when they disappear, she discovers she never really knew them at all. They've been living double lives as government spies--and they're only the latest in a long history of espionage that is the family's legacy.

Saturday, September 4, 2021

Read full post: [Review] - Dangerous Illusions by Irene Hannon

[Review] - Dangerous Illusions by Irene Hannon

B.J. Burgess books , crime

Once upon a time, Christian romance mysteries were unique reads for me. Well, that's until the subgenre became crowded with too many new authors, and the stories became too generic for my liking. I tuned out sometime in 2017, around the time Revell published Dangerous Illusions by Irene Hannon. Revell sent me a review copy, and it's been sitting on a desk collecting dust along with a few other books. At long last, I picked it up, cracked it open, and read it.

Monday, October 12, 2020

Read full post: Review - On St. Nick's Trail by M.K. Scott

Review - On St. Nick's Trail by M.K. Scott

B.J. Burgess books , Christmas

* Goodreads * Amazon *

Old Saint Nick is missing, sparking shenanigans in the town of Santa Claus.

Private Eye Nala Bonne and her trusty crime-fighting rescue dog Max spend their days surfing social media for telltale signs of disability fraud and philandering husbands, but when a lucrative opportunity to investigate something entirely different, Nala readily agrees to take the case. The task: find a missing Santa impersonator.

Monday, October 5, 2020

Read full post: Review - The Ancestor by Lee Matthew Goldberg

Review - The Ancestor by Lee Matthew Goldberg

B.J. Burgess books , fiction

Amazon * Down and Out Books

About the Book

A man wakes up in present-day Alaskan wilderness with no idea who he is, nothing on him save an empty journal with the date 1898 and a mirror. He sees another man hunting nearby, astounded that they look exactly alike. After following this other man home, he witnesses a wife and child that brings forth a rush of memories of his own wife and child, except he’s certain they do not exist in modern times—but from his life in the late 1800s. After recalling his name is Wyatt, he worms his way into his doppelganger Travis Barlow’s life. Memories become unearthed the more time he spends, making him believe that he’d been frozen after coming to Alaska during the Gold Rush and that Travis is his great-great grandson. Wyatt is certain gold still exists in the area and finding it with Travis will ingratiate himself to the family, especially with Travis’s wife Callie, once Wyatt falls in love. This turns into a dangerous obsession affecting the Barlows and everyone in their small town, since Wyatt can’t be tamed until he also discovers the meaning of why he was able to be preserved on ice for over a century.

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