The Lemon Man by Keith Bruton

I always feel conflicted when the protagonist is a bad guy and I like him anyway.   Patrick grew up hard and became the object of nightmares for some people, and the source of redemption for others.  The story is set in a very colorful Dublin, Ireland.  The plot is one of chrysalis, you will be surprised by what pops out.

Bruton describes some sides of Dublin that I didn’t see when I visited that city.  Patrick’s relationship with Olivia is touching and certainly seems redeeming.   The day-to-day of someone in his kind of work is daunting.  Each and every day necessitates a moral dilemma. 

Simone’s transfer of allegiance was a bit perplexing as it seemed unrealistic.

Overall this book has complexity in abundance and a solid plot. 

I enjoyed it and I recommend it. 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Hidden Pieces by Mary Keliikoa

A Misty Pines Mystery with Sheriff Jax.  Jax is still grieving over the loss of his daughter.  His unwillingness to deal with his grief has successfully pushed his wife away.   Wallowing in self-pity, Jax is yanked out of his self-imposed misery by a missing young girl.  He attempts to rally his self-esteem and become the cop he once was.  

 Keliikoa writes a compelling story.  Her characters are believable and raw.  Jax’s grieving is understandable as is his unwillingness to deal with it. Sadly it is still a male characteristic to wallow in, and bottle up unwelcome emotions.   Keliikoa shows that clearly.

 The compassion of those around Jax is a welcome counterpoint to the fear and anger surrounding a circumstance that Jax is not certain he can cope with.

 I struggle to avoid providing any spoilers as I really love the book and want you to enjoy it as well.

 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Perfect Shot by Steve Urszenyi

A medic turned sniper, Alex excelled at both.   When she left Afghanistan she ended up in the FBI and then on loan to Interpol.  After a brush with a group of terrorists, she met Caleb.  Caleb never clearly defined his affiliation.   Caleb wanted Alex in an anti-terrorist group he was setting up.  Alex wanted nothing to do with him.   The two of them ended up in time sensitive hunt for state-sponsored terrorists.

I can’t wait for the inevitable sequel.   Urszenyi crafted a winning protagonist in Alex.   Caleb could have had more depth but no doubt that will be provided in the next book.   There is more than sufficient intrigue, action, and deceit, along with a byzantine plot.

I enjoyed the book and recommend it.This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Odyssey's End by Matt Coyle Available Now

Brain disease worsening, Rick Cahill risks everything—even his life—to provide for his fractured family's future

San Diego private investigator Rick Cahill's past comes back to haunt him when he's at his most vulnerable. His wife, Leah, has fled with their daughter, Krista, to her parents' home in Santa Barbara. She fears Rick's violent outbursts brought on by his potentially fatal brain disorder, CTE—and she doesn't trust that he'll ever be able to tame his manic desire to bring his own brand of justice to an unjust world.

Rick desperately wants to reunite his family and help provide for Krista's future—one he fears he won't be alive to see. A jumpstart toward that future appears in the form of Peter Stone, Rick's longtime enemy. Stone offers Rick $50,000 to find a woman he claims can save his life with a kidney transplant. Rick can't pass up the chance to buttress Krista's future.

When what seems like a simple missing person case spirals out of control into cryptocurrency machinations, dead bodies, and an outgunned faceoff, Rick is forced to battle evil from his past. Can he stay alive long enough to see his family one last time?

Perfect for fans of Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch and Lee Child's Jack Reacher

Meet Matt Coyle Matt Coyle is the best-selling author of the Rick Cahill PI Crime Series. He was named the 2021 San Diego Writer’s Festival Mystery Writer of the Year, and his novels have won the Anthony Award, the Shamus Award, the Lefty Award, the San Diego Book Award, among others. He has also received nominations for numerous Anthony, Macavity, Shamus, and Lefty Awards. Odyssey's End is the 10th book in this award-winning series. Learn more at MattCoyleBooks.com

 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

The Zone by Stu Jones

The Zone by Stu Jones

 

Dystopian or Cy
berPunk, your choice I guess.  A future time when Atlanta and Vegas are the only known bastions of a seedy civilization left.  The author shows traditional bread and circus society. Chance is a cop trying to keep control in a dysfunctional city.  He and his wife Hanna have a special needs child that can’t be helped by technology and medicine available to them.   This leads to a life-changing decision by Chance.

 

There are Mad-Max-type street gangs, a ghetto, mysterious overlords, and a greedy villain.   Add to the mix a cyber activist and semi-heroes for an action-packed, violence laden entertaining story.

 

I enjoyed the book and look forward to the sequel.

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned