Don't Ask, Don't Follow by Mary Keliikoa Now Out!

This is a very complex and intriguing mystery. Beth’s favorite and only sister has disappeared.   Distraught, Beth, the boring, studious, industrious, and non-descript sister, sets out to solve the mystery of Lindsay’s disappearance and a murder.

Intertwined with a hunt that leads to a hunky but intellectual motorcycle dude, a stern police detective, a judge, a father with political ambitions, a drug-addled mother, a loving maid, and a violent and mysterious adoption agency is Beth’s search for herself and the search for her missing sister.

 

I always enjoy Keliikoa’s books but this one was a new level of captivating.  Twisty and compelling, I recommend this book.  

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 Debt Collector by Steven Russo

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  A strong female protagonist rocks my boat.   Russo crafted a believable character for those of us lucky enough to have strong women in our world.  Gabby proves that dynamite comes in small packages.  

In a way, Russo is making a commentary on the continued underestimation of women to do everything men can do.  Gabby is proven positive that you don’t have to be a muscle-bound ape to be tough.

The plot was entertaining and I highly recommend this book.  

BTW I do have several five-foot-nothing women in my life, some of whom have black belts as well as years of kickboxing experience.  

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 Righteous Arrows by Brian J. Morra

This book reinforces the futility of war.  The Russian perspective provides a different view of Afghanistan than what is in our popular press.  This takes place in the 80’s when Gorbachev was fueling hope that the Russian hardliners were a thing of the past.  There was speculation that the CIA was providing Stinger missiles to the Afghans opposing the Russian presence in their country as punishment for the Russians supplying weapons to the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese. 

The human part of the equation was Air Force Captain Kevin Cattani and Russian General Levchenko’s interaction.  They were the principles in The Able Archers a previous Morra book.   The author shows the person and the relationships of these two soldiers. 

There is very little fighting but a lot of thought-provoking incidents in the book. 

I highly 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

Shades of Mercy by Bruce Borgos

Porter Beck, the sheriff, is having eye issues.  His sight is dramatically diminished at night and getting worse.   An old friend has an issue at his ranch which draws Porter and his sister Brinley into conflict with a hacker and unnamed government agencies. 

Borgos does a great job portraying a dedicated man hanging on to his job despite major impairment. I enjoyed his characters and the quirks.   The plot wasn’t Byzantine but is certainly was intricate. 

I highly recommend the book and a twist at the end teases you with the possibility of more to come. 

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

Spy Ring by Sarah Beth Durst

A mystery for children.  This book targets elementary-age children.  It incorporates history along with fiction to enlighten, and entertain kids.  The mystery is the role that Anna “Nancy” Smith Strong played in the Revolutionary War Culper Spy Ring.

Two kids going into grade six are best buds but Joon’s family plans to move away from Setauker.   Rachel is devastated.  She comes up with the idea of a treasure hunt to keep her and Joon busy so they don’t obsess about Joon’s move. 

The treasure hunt changes when Rachel and Joon discover that the importance of Nancy’s role was overlooked by history.   Connections to the Strong family play a part as well as an heirloom ring in the search for the truth about Nancy and how important her work was to the revolution.

The author shows how women and their roles were demeaned at the time of the revolution and in some ways continue to be demeaned. The kids become caught up in discovering the truth and that revelation is more important than lost treasure. 

Joon and Rachel feel that adults discount what kids are interested in and capable of doing.   They discover that not all adults see kids’ abilities as insignificant.

The story is age appropriate for grade school children and I recommend it.

 is 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