Raging Waters by Dana Mentink Blog Tour Book Review

About the Book

Book: Raging Waters

Author: Dana Mentink

Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense

Release Date: March 3, 2026

As the dam crumbles and water sweeps across the terrain, their battle for justice and survival is just beginning.

When Mackenzie Bardine’s brother Aaron was murdered in a drug deal gone wrong, she started a true crime podcast dedicated to exposing “Bullseye,” the drug kingpin responsible. But her protective heart has never let go of the blame she places on herself and Aaron’s best friend, Gideon Landry. On the run to the wilds of Washington to chase a recent lead, she meets none other than Gideon himself.

While conducting a wilderness survival class in remote Washington, Gideon never expected to cross paths with Mackenzie, and he’s certainly not interested in helping her after he’s already declined to participate in her vigilante podcasting. He carries a mountain of guilt about Aaron’s fatal choices, but not for the reasons Mackenzie suspects.

As killers begin to circle Mackenzie like sharks, it’s clear to Gideon she’s in over her head, and in light of his troubled past with her brother, he can’t bring himself to ignore her perilous situation. Then a flood threatens the town, turning their investigation into a race to escape the raging waters and the wrath of a powerful kingpin who wants to sink them both.

A gripping, clean romantic suspense featuring enemies-to-lovers, second-chance romance, and high-stakes investigations set in small-town Washington, sweeping readers away on a turbulent wave of thrills and chills. Perfect for fans of forced proximity, wilderness survival, protective heroes, and justice-driven heroines.

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

Mentink writes action packed novels and this is another good one. Gideon and Mackenzie are pitted against nature in anticipated flooding and against villains in a nefarious drug king and his henchmen. There is also the potential of romance between them but the obstacles are big. They knew each other before but the death of Mackenzie's brother who was Gideon's good friend has put a wedge between them. Gideon has survival skills that are put to the test. Mackenzie is after the murderer of her brother and that leads to more danger. The drug king is so powerful in the small town Gideon and Mackenzie are not sure who they can trust.

This is a novel for readers who like people surviving nature and villains. The action is nearly continuous, including a surprising twist near the end.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

 

About the Author

Dana Mentink is a New York Times, USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author as well as a two-time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, and a Holt Medallion winner. She is the author of over fifty titles in the suspense and lighthearted romance genres. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Revell and Poisoned Pen Press.

 

More from Dana

I’m afraid of deep water. There. I’ve said it. I live in California, famous for beaches sand and surf. If that’s not enough, there are swimming pools aplenty. I should be enjoying the surfing, boating, kayaking, sailing culture, but I’d much rather sit on a deck somewhere and watch others partake. So what’s a gal like me doing writing an adventure that takes place as a dam rupture overwhelms a town? I love to write that type of wilderness story, where stakes are high and the help is scarce. Similar to the previous book, Fire Mountain, the characters will have to dig deep of their strength and faith to survive. And you and I can enjoy it from the safety of our decks! Are you ready? Grab your book and your cuppa and let’s go!

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, March 3

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 3

The Avid Reader, March 3

The Sacred Line, March 4

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 4

She Lives To Read, March 5

Texas Book-aholic, March 5

Leslie’s Library Escape, March 6

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 6

Lily’s Corner, March 7

Pause for Tales, March 7

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 7

Devoted To Hope, March 8

For Him and My Family, March 8

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 9

Melissa’s Bookshelf, March 9

EmpowerMoms, March 10

Blogging With Carol, March 10

Just Your Average reviews, March 10

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, March 11

Simple Harvest Reads, March 11 (Guest Review from Donna)

Lyssa Loves Books, March 12

Blossoms and Blessings, March 12

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, March 12

Cover Lover Book Review, March 13

Labor Not in Vain, March 13

Betti Mace, March 14

Bigreadersite, March 14

Life on Chickadee Lane, March 15

Lights in a Dark World, March 15

Holly’s Book Corner, March 15

Stories By Gina, March 16 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, March 16

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away the grand prize of a $100 Amazon Gift Card and a signed copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/OQ5p4/raging-waters-celebration-tour-giveaway

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review. The rest of the copy of this post was provided by Celebrate Lit.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

Last to Fall by Lynn Blackburn Blog Tour Book Review

 

LAST TO FALL

by Lynn H. Blackburn

March 2 - 13, 2026 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

GOSSAMER FALLS

 

She's caught in a deadly game. He's the only one who can help her win.

Bronwyn Pierce has poured everything into The Haven, her family's exclusive mountain resort in Gossamer Falls. But when financial discrepancies surface and the numbers suggest something far darker than simple mismanagement, she's forced to call on the one person with the skills to help her: Mo Quinn, a former Army intelligence officer, her first love, and the last person she ever wanted to trust again.

Mo has spent years avoiding the woman he once loved and the secrets that tore them apart. But when Bronwyn calls, he can't walk away--especially when it's clear someone wants her gone for good. As they dig deeper into the treacherous motives behind a blackmail scheme, their proximity reignites long-buried feelings neither of them are ready to face. And when the evidence points to an unexpected culprit, Mo faces an impossible choice: trust the proof in front of him or trust his heart.

With danger closing in and no one else to turn to, Bronwyn must break years of silence with Mo to uncover who's trying to destroy The Haven. They'll have to risk everything--including their hearts--to expose the truth before it's too late.

The finale to Blackburn's Gossamer Falls series is an exhilarating romantic suspense novel packed with tension. This gripping read will hook fans of the family rivalry, bodyguard, small town, second chance romance, and forced proximity tropes.

My Review:

Blackburn, as is her style, has given readers a novel concentrating more on relationships than mystery or suspense. The strained relationship between Mo and Bronwyn has roots in the past but we are given flashbacks to understand how it all came to be. I was soon invested in wanting their relationship to heal as I read of the tender experiences they had starting in kindergarten.

But there is suspense too as someone wants Bronwyn out of the picture. Part of the issue comes from tension in the relationships within Bronwyn's family. It becomes dangerous near the end as Mo comes close to finding out who the nefarious people are. I was glad for friends of Bronwyn and Mo. Their support and help was wonderful, making the novel is a fitting end to the series.

This is the third book in the series. It can be read relatively well on its own but to fully appreciate the depth of the many friend relationships, the earlier books should be read first.

You can read my reviews of the earlier books:  Never Fall Again and Break My Fall.

Book Details:

Genre: Christian Fiction, Romantic Suspense, Romance
Published by: Revell
Publication Date: March 3, 2026
Number of Pages: 368
ISBN: 9780800745387 (ISBN10: 0800745388)
Series: Gossamer Falls, Book #3 | Learn more on Amazon, Goodreads, & Baker Book House
Book Links: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Christianbook | Goodreads | BookBub | Baker Book House

Read an excerpt:

 

 

Author Bio:

Lynn H. Blackburn is the award-winning author of Never Fall Again, as well as the Dive Team Investigations and Defend and Protect series. She loves writing swoon-worthy Southern suspense because her childhood fantasy was to become a spy, but her grown-up reality is that she's a huge chicken and would have been caught on her first mission. She prefers to live vicariously through her characters by putting them into terrifying situations while she sits at home in her pajamas. She lives in Simpsonville, South Carolina, with her true love, Brian, and their three children.

Catch Up With Lynn Blackburn:

LynnHBlackburn.com
Subscribe to Lynn's Newsletter
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads - @lynnhugginsblackburn
BookBub - @LynnHBlackburn
Instagram - @LynnHBlackburn
X - @LynnHBlackburn
Facebook - @LynnHBlackburn
Pinterest - @LynnHBlackburn

 

Tour Participants:

Click through the other tour stops for can’t-miss reviews, insider interviews, exclusive guest posts, and more chances to win!

Click here to view the Tour Schedule

 

 

Don't Be the Last to Fall for This Giveaway!

This giveaway is hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Lynn H. Blackburn and Revell. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

LAST TO FALL by Lynn H. Blackburn

Can't see the giveaway? Click Here!

Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Tours

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

From Genesis to Junia by Preston Sprinkle

About the Book:

What does the Bible really say about women serving in positions of leadership in the church? It’s one of the church’s most debated and divisive topics. Many Christians read Scripture in light of preconceived conclusions, rather than engaging in a patient and thorough study of what the Bible actually says.

From Genesis to Junia offers something rare: an honest journey through Scripture that begins with questions rather than answers. With theological rigor and a pastor’s heart, Preston Sprinkle opens the Bible with fresh eyes and invites us along as he examines key passages from Genesis to Revelation―weighing historical context, interacting with a variety of scholarly perspectives, and holding familiar views up to Scripture. This informative and spiritually profound book provides:

• A respectful challenge to both complementarian and egalitarian assumptions
• Insightful analysis of texts such as 1 Corinthians 11, Romans 16, and 1 Timothy 2
• A model for navigating controversial topics in the church

This open-hearted approach to a complex issue offers a healthy example for dialoguing about tough theological questions. Readers will walk away not with superficial answers but with biblical confidence, deeper understanding, and a gracious posture for engaging with others.

My Review:

Sprinkle took years to do an in depth and comprehensive study on what the Bible says about women and their place in the church. He lays out his extensive studies on the major passages, starting at Genesis. He goes into detail on critical passages, looking at the original languages and what other scholars have written. I like his exploration of what a leader is like and how one acts according to Jesus. I like his complete examination of Phoebe and what it means if she was, in fact, the carrier of Paul's letter, something most scholars agree on.

Some of his work may get a little scholarly but he tells readers at the end how he pared down this work to make it as accessible as possible to the general Christian reader. I think he has done an amazing job. I highly recommend this book. And no, I am not going to tell you his conclusion because I want you read the book and find out for yourself.

My rating: 5/5 stars.

About the Author:

Preston Sprinkle (PhD) is a biblical scholar, international speaker, podcaster, and New York Times–bestselling author who’s written over a dozen books including Exiles, Does the Bible Support Same-Sex Marriage? and From Genesis to Junia: An Honest Search for What the Bible Really Says About Women in Leadership. Preston currently serves as the president of the Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender. He’s also the president of Theology in the Raw ministries, which includes the popular Theology in the Raw podcast and the annual Exiles in Babylon conference.

David C Cook, 304 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

The Power of the Reframe by J J Bundy Blog Tour Book Review

 

About the Book

Book: The Power of the Reframe

Author: J.J. Bundy

Genre: Christian Living / Self-Help / Faith-Based Healing

Release Date: September 15, 2025

When life hits hard, you have two choices: stay stuck in the pain or learn how to reframe it. The Power of the Reframe is a healing guide for women who are ready to release the weight of the past, renew their minds, and step into a new future with God at the center. Blending biblical truth, real-life wisdom, and practical exercises, this book helps you: Recognize the patterns holding you back. Reframe your story through God’s Word and affirmations. Rebuild a new perspective rooted in faith, ownership, and hope. This is not about ignoring your pain—it’s about transforming it into purpose. With journal prompts, heart-check exercises, and encouragement for every step of the healing journey, The Power of the Reframe shows you how to take your broken pieces and build something whole.

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

Bundy helps us know how to change our perspective. We can choose to see differently. “You can't rewrite history. But you can rewire how you carry it.” (19) She helps us see the role of Scripture. We are encouraged to check the condition of our heart. She also writes about releasing guilt, renewing our mind, choosing joy, and experiencing grief.

This book is not a fix. It is a foundation for the work we need to do and includes much wisdom. Bundy gives lots of bullet point like information, trusting we will then do the work suggested. An accompanying workbook and healing journal provide the questions and space to do that work.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

 

About the Author

J.J. Bundy (Jasmine Shegog) is the founder of The Reframe Collective, LLC, a healing-centered brand that equips women and children to break cycles, renew their minds, and build generational wholeness. A mother, writer, and former teacher, Jasmine draws on her own journey through grief, emotional healing, and faith to create resources that make complex emotional and spiritual truths simple and life-changing. Through books, workbooks, and retreats, she helps others reframe their pain into purpose. She also writes children’s books under the pen name J.J. Shegog.

 

More from J.J.

The Power of the Reframe because I know what it feels like to be stuck in the weight of your past, unsure how to move forward. For years, I wrestled with grief, emotional pain, and cycles I couldn’t seem to break. But through God’s Word and the practice of reframing, I discovered that the same moments that once felt like breaking points could actually become turning points.

This book is my heart on paper—a guide for anyone ready to renew their mind, take ownership of their healing, and step into God’s purpose with freedom. It’s filled with encouragement, biblical truth, and practical exercises that will help you not just survive what you’ve walked through, but actually be transformed by it.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 28

Simple Harvest Reads, March 1 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, March 2 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 2

Guild Master, March 3 (Author Interview)

Fiction Book Lover, March 4 (Author Interview)

It’s Mama Safe, March 5

Books Less Travelled, March 6 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, March 7

History, Hope & Happily Ever After, March 8 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 9

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, March 10 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 11

Vicky Sluiter, March 12 (Author Interview)

For the Love of Literature, March 13 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, March 13

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, J.J. is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a signed copy of the book and its companion workbook!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/wNgC2/the-power-of-the-reframe-celebration-tour-giveaway

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review. The rest of the copy of this post was provided by Celebrate Lit.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

Worse Than a Lie by Ben Crump

About the Book:

It’s the night of November 4, 2008. America’s first Black president has just been elected. And fifty-three-year-old Hollis Montrose—a Black ex–police officer from the suburbs of Chicago—has become the latest victim of a brutal attack. As the result of a traffic stop gone wrong, Hollis is shot ten times in cold blood, by four white men who could have been his colleagues back in his police days.

Beau Lee Cooper was born serious, as if on an urgent mission with little time to waste. Raised in the tumultuous world of 1970s Texas, he always dreamed of becoming a lawyer and fighting for what’s right, ever since he was a little boy reading To Kill a Mockingbird. And now, ten years into running his own law firm with his best friend and partner in crime, Nelson “Nellie” Rivers, and his suave right-hand-man, Brent “Cape” Capers, he feels he’s finally making a difference. When Beau Lee learns about Hollis’s situation, he’s determined to help.

Miraculously, Hollis survives the encounter, but the Chicago police department has already spun the narrative in its favor, and Hollis is given a wrongful prison sentence with an unreasonable bail. What really happened that night the car was pulled over? Was it random or was Hollis targeted? Beau Lee knows he’s treading in dangerous waters, and finding evidence of the truth will be his biggest challenge yet, but with troubling powers at play, one innocent man’s life hangs in the balance.

My Review:

Crump uses fiction to help readers like me experience a world I know nothing about. While this is a good legal thriller, it also shows the injustice some experience. It was eye opening for this reader. I trust Crump's novel is a fair representation of something I know nothing about. It is emotion packed and well written but may have trigger situations for some readers.

My rating: 4/5 stars. 

About the Author:

Attorney Ben Crump is listed amongst the Most Influential People of 2021 by TIME100, Ebony Magazine’s Power 100 Most Influential African Americans, The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Lawyers, and the 2014 NNPA Newsmaker of the Year, and is referred to as Black America’s Attorney General. Through a steadfast dedication to justice and service, renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Crump has established himself as one of the nation’s foremost lawyers and advocates for social justice. His legal acumen has ensured that those marginalized in American society are protected by their nation’s contract with its constituency. He is the founder and principal owner of Ben Crump Law. Photo © Jamarcus Crump

Bantam, 368 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

Eyes to Deceit by Gabriel Valjan Blog Tour Book Review

 

EYES TO DECEIT

by Gabriel Valjan

February 23 - March 20, 2026 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

THE COMPANY FILES: 4

 

Espionage is easy. Living with it isn’t.

The Company named it Operation Ajax. MI6 labeled it Boot. History would call it a coup.

Walker calls it the beginning of the end.

1953. The Company is orchestrating the overthrow of Iran’s elected leader—an operation cloaked in propaganda and alliances. In Rome, Walker is stationed with Leslie, former M16 and now Company agent, and tasked to coordinate efforts between the US and UK. But when resources on the ground become a liability, Walker is forced to make a difficult decision—one that threatens to unravel what’s left of his conscience.

As the coup’s first attempt crumbles and Washington grows desperate, old loyalties shift. Allen Dulles wants results. Kim Roosevelt wants glory. Darbyshire feels left out. And Walker begins to suspect he’s not there to help win the Cold War, but to prove he can stomach it.

From Missouri to Rome to the Catskills to Tehran, EYES TO DECEIT explores postwar American idealism—and the spies who find themselves too loyal, too late, to walk away clean.

For readers of le Carré, Furst, Kanon, and Vidich this is espionage at its most personal—and most perilous.

Praise for EYES TO DECEIT:

"A remarkable, fly-on-the-wall story of Cold War realpolitik, Gabriel Valjan’s EYES TO DECEIT careens from Rockefeller Center to a Catskill resort to Rome and Tehran, giving readers a front-row seat to the plotting of the 1953 CIA and MI6 overthrow of the Iranian government. With noteworthy cameos from the famous, the powerful, and the ruthless, EYES TO DECEIT is intelligent, high-stakes intrigue at its best."
~ James W. Ziskin, Author of the Anthony, Barry, and Macavity award-winning Ellie Stone mysteries

"The burdens of history and secrecy weigh heavily, gracing this excellent historical espionage novel with a gritty, nuanced, and ominous sensibility where betrayal is always possible. Even that of your own soul."
~ James R. Benn, author of the Billy Boyle WWII mystery series

My Review:

 Valjan takes readers to the post WW II time of national instability for Iran and the efforts of US diplomats and agents to manipulate the future of that country. Many of the characters in this novel are historical figures and we learn some about their character and personal lives. We are aware of the decisions needed to be made and the moral struggles some experienced.

Valjan is concise in his writing style. Dialogue and action move right along and there were times I would have liked a little more background information, filling in the details to understand what was going on. Readers who like literary works will enjoy this one.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

You can read my review of a previous book in this series, The Naming Game.

Book Details:

Genre: Literary Noir, Historical Fiction, Classic Spy Fiction
Published by: Level Best Books
Publication Date: November 4, 2025
Number of Pages: 212 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9798898200510, Paperback
Series: The Company Files, Book 4
Book Links: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads

The Company Files

The Good Man Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub

The Naming Game Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub

The Devil's Music Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub

Read an excerpt:

Tania moved fast, her shoes clicked sharply on the floor. She fished a five-dollar bill from her clutch and approached a housekeeper in the hallway.

“A roll of toilet paper, and in a discreet bag, please.”

The woman hesitated, but Tania’s eyes were steady, unblinking. She slid the bill into the woman’s shoulder strap with practiced ease.

“Take it,” Tania said softly. “In case someone accuses you of theft.”

The woman nodded.

Ruth led the way. Tania followed, her mind already ahead, calculating the next move. In the bathroom, she locked the door and leaned against the wall. She heard Judith’s groans.

“It’s me, Judy.”

“Tania?” Her voice was barely a whisper.

The air was thick with sweat and nausea, sharp like unchanged hospital linens. Tania handed Ruth the roll of paper and a small perfume atomizer.

“Tell her it’s from London. She’ll like it.”

Ruth nodded and slipped into the stall.

Tania stepped back into the hallway, then stopped. A girl sick and humiliated in a stall behind her. She caught her reflection in a wall sconce—lipstick fine, hair in place, eyes clear.

Decide now.

This wasn’t strategy. She wasn’t gaining leverage. And still, her feet moved.

When she returned, Judith was pale, shaken, but upright. Tania offered her the drink.

“Peppermint helps nausea,” she said.

Judith studied her. “I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing.”

“There’s no game,” Tania said. “You have to believe me.”

Judith hesitated. “You and your uncle seem awfully interested in my father.”

Tania unwrapped a mint. “It’s a secret,” she said. “Just not the kind you think.”

She leaned in. “The government wants something your father owns or controls. Sheldon’s the go-between.”

Judith stared at her. “That sounds shady.”

“It might be.”

Judith exhaled. “They spiked my drink. Esther and those girls. Laxatives.”

Tania nodded. “Brutal.”

Silence settled between them.

Tania met her eyes.

“Want revenge?”

Judith smiled.

And didn’t say no.

***

Excerpt from Eyes to Deceit: The Company Files by Gabriel Valjan. Copyright 2025 by Gabriel Valjan. Reproduced with permission from Gabriel Valjan. All rights reserved.

 

 

Author Bio:

Gabriel Valjan is the author of The Company Files, and the Shane Cleary Mysteries with Level Best Books. He has been nominated for the Agatha, Anthony, Derringer, and Silver Falchion awards. He received the 2021 Macavity Award for Best Short Story, and the Shamus Award for Best PI in 2023. Gabriel is a member of the Historical Novel Society, ITW, MWA, and Sisters in Crime. He lives in Boston and answers to a tuxedo cat named Munchkin.

Catch Up With Gabriel Valjan:

GabrielValjan.com
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads
BookBub - @gvaljan
Instagram - @gabrielvaljan
BlueSky - @gvaljan.bsky.social

 

Tour Participants:

Click through the other tour stops for can’t-miss reviews, insider interviews, and exclusive guest posts, and more!

Click here to view the Tour Schedule

 

Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Tours

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

The Final Problem by Arturo Pérez-Reverte

About the Book:

June, 1960. Rough weather at sea leaves a group of strangers stranded on the idyllic Greek island of Utakos, all guests of the only local hotel. Nothing could prepare them for what happens next: Edith Mander, a quiet British tourist, is found dead inside a beach cabana. What appears at first glance to be a clear suicide reveals possible signs of foul play to Ormond Basil, an out-of-work but still well-known actor who in his glory days portrayed the most celebrated detective of all time. Accustomed to seeing him display Sherlock Holmes’ amazing powers of deduction on the big screen, the other guests believe that the actor is the best equipped to uncover the truth.

But when a second body is discovered, there is not a doubt in Basil’s mind: a murderer walks among them. What’s more, the killer is staging each crime as a performance, leaving complex clues that bear an eerie resemblance to those found in the pages of Conan Doyle stories. This is a criminal who knows every trick in the book and is playing a deadly literary game. As the storm rages, Basil must become the genius detective he has only pretended to be.

This clever, whip-smart, locked-room mystery from internationally bestselling author Arturo Pérez-Reverte is a love letter to golden-age detective novels. The Final Problem delights in exploring the tension between an investigator and his suspects, as well as a writer and his reader, delivering a revelatory twist that will shock even the sharpest of mystery fans. 

My Review:

I grew up reading Agatha Christie and I liked the similar style of plot and writing for this book. A locked room mystery is always fun and there are two to solve here. And then there is another murder. Place all of the people, suspects, victims and investigator on the same isolated island and you have a kind of double salute to Agatha Christie. The idea of a Holmes actor being tasked with solving the mysteries is fun. We get to see how much he has learned from studying for and then playing the part. Those who are familiar with the books and movies featuring Holmes will appreciate all the references to them here. Unfortunately, the denouement revealed many facts readers had no way of knowing, precluding solving the mystery.

Being a translation, I felt it read very well. I don't know if that shows the skill of the author or the translator. This is an enjoyable mystery for readers who like ones set in an interesting literary historical time.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Author:

Arturo Pérez-Reverte was born in Cartagena, Spain, in 1951. He was a war correspondent for twenty-one years and covered eighteen armed conflicts for newspapers and television. With more than twenty-seven million books sold worldwide, translated into forty languages, many of his works have been made into films and television. Today, he devotes his life to literature and to sailing. He is a member of the Royal Spanish Academy.

Mulholland Books, 320 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

The Book of Love by Richard Beck

About the Book:

The Bible is a story of divine love, full of mercy, justice, and grace.

In The Book of Love, acclaimed author and psychologist Richard Beck offers a bold and compassionate reimagining of how we read the Bible. Drawing from personal experience, theological insight, and psychological depth, Beck challenges the fear-based, legalistic interpretations that have long dominated many Christian traditions. Instead, he invites us to approach Scripture through the lens of love--God's love for humanity and our call to love one another.

The book journeys from Beck's own faith journey to a sweeping exploration of the Hebrew Scriptures, the Gospels, and the writings of the early church. Along the way, Beck addresses pressing questions about biblical violence, human dignity, suffering, and salvation. He weaves together stories of historical figures like Dorothy Day and Maximilian Kolbe with theological reflections on figures such as Augustine and George MacDonald, all while grounding his insights in the radical teachings of Jesus.

The Bible is not a rulebook or a weapon, but a story of divine love that calls us to mercy, justice, and grace. The Book of Love is both a critique of harmful religious interpretations and a hopeful vision for a more loving, inclusive, and transformative faith.

My Review:

How Christians know God's character is from the Bible. Beck suggests we allow the Bible to unsettle and challenge us rather than confirm what we already believe. He wants us to see the Bible as a book of love. We need to have a secure attachment with God, believing he loves us no matter what. To read the Bible well, “We have no theological or doctrinal right to set limits on the loving-kindness of God.” (loc 1081/3345) We are to follow Jesus' example, “Choose mercy over sacrifice.” (loc 1639/3345) We choose love over the letter of the law. We see Revelation as psychological encouragement for early Christians rather than a blueprint for end times.

Beck is honest about the “unloving” parts of the Bible. While he by no means answers all of my questions, he has certainly given me lots of food for thought. This would be an interesting book to discuss in a reading group or Bible class. 

This book releases May 19, 2026.  My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Author:

Richard Beck (PhD) is an award-winning author, speaker, and blogger. Richard is Professor of Psychology and the Senior Fellow of the Saunders Center of Joy and Flourishing at Abilene Christian University.

Broadleaf Books, 270 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)