March 27, 2018

“House of Spies” by Daniel Silva – Destroyer of the West

House of Spies by Daniel Silva (Book cover)
Daniel Silva has introduced us seventeen books ago to Gabriel Allon, legendary spy (now chief of Israeli Intelligence) and art restorer on the sly.

His adventures have taken him around the entire world as he stopped one terrorist threat after another, and in his latest outing titled "House of Spies" , he sets on the trail of a very dangerous man who left London's West End in ruins more or less.

In order to get to him, Allon makes an uneasy alliance with an enormously wealthy drug dealer who conducts business with the wanted man.

March 13, 2018

"Mississippi Blood" by Greg Iles – Beneath the Veil of the Deep South

Mississippi Blood by Greg Iles (Book cover)

Into Cruel Territory with Greg Iles


The United States might officially be a single entity, but one could make the argument the divisions between its various subcultures are so pronounced the country is in fact composed from a few smaller countries roughly-slapped together.

The difference in the people's mentalities and customs are quite noticeable from coast to coast and border to border, and I believe it's fair to say the Deep South is certainly one of more interesting microcosms on this continent.

March 7, 2018

“The Gift” by Louise Jensen – The Balance of Life and Death

The Gift by Louise Jensen (Book cover)
Louise Jensen has a special knack for crafting unusual thrillers and mysteries with unique story elements we'd be hard-pressed to find elsewhere.

In her novel The Gift she presents us once again with a bizarre scenario, as we are introduced to a young woman, Jenna, who just got a second lease on life after receiving a donor heart from a young girl.

“Points of Impact” by Marko Kloos – The Critical Turning Point

Points of Impact by Marko Kloos (Book cover)
Marko Kloos has chronicled humanity's epic saga in its fight against the alien invaders known as the Lankies in his Frontlines series, and in the newest addition, Points of Impact , it looks like the tables might finally begin to turn.

As Earth's armed forces have stopped the alien advance, they are also preparing to launch into play advanced new ships and weapons that would, for the first time ever, put them on equal footing with the invaders. Of course, the course of war waits for no man, and these formidable foes also have a few tricks left up their sleeve.

"Two Nights" by Kathy Reichs – A Life Buried Deep

Two Nights by Kathy Reichs (Book cover)
Kathy Reichs takes us back under into a cruel and morbid world in Two Nights, where happy lives and endings never come without a tremendous price. We are introduced to a woman named Sunday Night, carrying around enough physical and psychological baggage around to fill an entire warehouse.

Having successfully built a life of self-sufficiency and isolation, she needs no one, and nobody needs her. That is until the day a girl disappears in the aftermath of a tragic bomb explosion, and the girl's family need Sunnie's help to find her.

“Dark Network” by James McCrone – An Election of Spies and Traitors

Dark Network by James McCrone (Book Cover)
James McCrone certainly isn't finished with Imogen Trager or her penchant for saving the country, thrusting her right into the deep end of the pool in the second book of her trilogy, Dark Network.

In the aftermath of what happened in the previous book, the FBI is still reeling but slowly coming back into shape, believing the election to be safe and sound.

However, what they thought would be a simple clean-up process reveals that the enemy's plan has only begun, and the real threats are yet to come... whether from outside, or within the FBI itself.

“Awakening Macbeth” by Carmen Amato – Staking a Soul

Awakening Macbeth by Carmen Amato (Book cover)
Carmen Amato has published a large number of novels taking place in Central America, a place she is well-acquainted with from her time spent living there.

However, for one of her latest novels, Awakening Macbeth, she decided to stray far from her comfort zone and go all the way to Scotland, telling us the story of professor Brodie Macbeth from the University of Virginia.

“Phenomena” by Annie Jacobsen – The Top Secret U.S. Telepathy Program

Phenomena by Annie Jacobsen (Book cover)
Annie Jacobsen is an author who has taken it upon herself to bring the truth to light no matter how uncomfortable it may be, with her area of speciality seemingly revolving around government affairs.

In one of her latest books, Phenomena, she decides to delve deep into the four decades during which the U.S. government intently poured their resources into extra-sensory perception research, attempting to develop and unlock the secrets of telepathy and psychokinesis.