Sunday, June 1, 2025

Freedom Drop by Brian Silverman Blog Tour Book Review

 FREEDOM DROP & CALYPSO BLUE by Brian Silverman Banner

Len Buonfiglio Caribbean Mystery Series

FREEDOM DROP & CALYPSO BLUE

by Brian Silverman

May 19 - June 27, 2025 Virtual Book Tour

FREEDOM DROP

 

A Len Buonfiglio/St. Pierre Caribbean Mystery

Len Buonfiglio is a former New York bar owner and family man. He has the perfect life until he yearns for more—for something he knows will destroy everything he had, but something he can’t resist. He makes his choice and that, along with a traumatic event, shatters his world. His life and what he had now broken, his only choice is to leave the city and his family. His flight takes him to the remote Caribbean island of St. Pierre where he opens a sports bar that he runs with his friend and partner, a young local islander named Tubby Levett.

In Freedom Drop, a genial tour guide, Rawle “Big Tree” Johns is a suspect in an American woman’s fall from a cliff and held in custody. John’s mother enlists Buonfiglio to help free her son and to prove that he had nothing to do with the woman’s death. Conflicted by the need to spend time with his sixteen-year-old daughter who he hasn’t seen in two years, Mr. Len as he’s known on the island, reluctantly agrees to help.

Buonfiglio’s search for the truth reveals that there are other, much more powerful forces involved in the woman’s death that threaten both his life and his family. In the course of his investigation, he confronts a high-ranking island politician, the local superintendent of police, the dead girl’s mother, and, ultimately, a shady yet powerful outsider investor. Was the girl’s death an accident or did Johns cause that accident? Or was she murdered? The lack of clarity—the mystery of what really happened to the girl—he realizes, reflects the enigma that is St. Pierre. It’s a riddle that, despite living on the island for several years, he still cannot solve.

My Review:

This is a pretty good debut effort. I liked the setting of a tropical island, the beaches, the turtles, the life styles of the locals. I like that Len's daughter came to the island so many of the beautiful beaches were visited.

With respect to the plot construction and character development, we are given many hints of a life changing event in New York that precipitated Len's divorce and ultimate move to a Caribbean island. For a while I wondered if I had missed an earlier novel and this was a sequel. But this is the first novel in the series. We do eventually, sort of, find out what that life changing event was but an earlier revelation of it would have helped me understand Len better and eliminated any confusion about a previous novel. I feel Len is a flawed hero and I would have liked to be able to understand him more.

The mystery aspect of the novel was good although I did not understand some of Len's actions and why he refused Tubby's help so often, especially near the end. That decision, of course, led to suspense. Again, knowing more of Len's previous life changing experience may have helped me appreciate his actions more.

I did like the novel overall and am interested in reading more of his adventures.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Book Details:

Genre: Mystery
Published by: April 7, 2025 by Down & Out Books

Read an excerpt from FREEDOM DROP:

CALYPSO BLUE

 

A Len Buonfiglio/St. Pierre Caribbean Mystery

In Calypso Blue, Brian Silverman crafts a gripping tale of mystery, revenge, and redemption set against the backdrop of New York and the Caribbean. The novel follows John Saint John, a man torn between his faith, past, and responsibilities as a father, as he grapples with a life-altering decision driven by a desire for justice. As his story unfolds in the shadow of a significant historical event, another narrative emerges—one centered on Leonard Buonfiglio, an American expatriate running a bar on the island of St. Pierre. When a legendary calypso singer, Lord Ram, dies under suspicious circumstances, Leonard is reluctantly pulled into an investigation at the behest of the island’s police superintendent.

Blending elements of crime, culture, and personal reckoning, Calypso Blue explores themes of loss, second chances, and the ghosts of the past that refuse to be forgotten. With vivid storytelling and rich atmospheric detail, Silverman transports readers into a world where music, memory, and mystery intertwine.

Book Details:

Genre: Mystery
Published by: June 30, 2025 by Down & Out Books

Read an excerpt from CALYPSO BLUE:

Praise for FREEDOM DROP:

"An impressive debut…Silverman capably captures the feel of his setting en route to a satisfying conclusion. A sequel is warranted."
~ Publishers Weekly

"Silverman had me at the Caribbean setting, and held me with his fully human characters—of both good and bad natures—and their situation."
~ SJ Rozan, Edgar-winning author of The Murder of Mr. Ma

"A mystery steeped in authentic Caribbean atmosphere. Silverman knows his territory, as does his hero, an ex-Marine-turned-sleuth who discovers that, even in paradise, things aren’t always what they seem."
~ Wallace Stroby, author of Heaven’s a Lie and Some Die Nameless

"A buddy book, a whodunit, and a family drama, Freedom Drop is mystery magic."
~ Reed Farrel Coleman, author of Sleepless City

"Brian Silverman’s Freedom Drop is an exciting and welcome new addition to the crime writing pantheon."
~ S.A. Cosby, author of Razorblade Tears and All the Sinners Bleed

 

Author Bio:

Brian Silverman

Brian Silverman’s writing career has spanned over 30 years. He has written about travel, food, and sports for publications including the New York Times, Saveur, Caribbean Travel and Life, Islands, the New Yorker, New York, and others. From 2004 through 2013, he was the author of the annual Frommer’s New York City guidebook series. He co-authored the acclaimed Twentieth Century Treasury of Sports with his father, Al Silverman.

His short fiction has appeared in numerous publications, including Mystery Tribune, Down and Out Magazine, and Mystery Weekly. His stories have been selected to appear in The Best American Mystery Stories in 2018 and 2019, and The Best American Mystery and Suspense Stories 2021. His other short fiction has appeared in publications such as Down and Out Magazine, Mystery Magazine, Dark Waters, and Vautrin. Freedom Drop is his first published novel. He lives in Harlem, New York, with his wife, Heather, and his sons, Louis and Russell.

Catch Up With Brian Silverman:

www.BrianSilvermanWrites.com
Goodreads
BookBub
X - @BSsilverman

 

Tour Participants:

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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.) 

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Saturday, May 31, 2025

Diamond in the Ruff by Cindy Goyette Blog Tour Book Review

 Diamond In The Ruff by Cindy Goyette Banner

DIAMOND IN THE RUFF

by Cindy Goyette

May 19 - June 13, 2025 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

DIAMOND IN THE RUFF by Cindy Goyette

WIGGLE BUTT MANOR MYSTERY SERIES

 

Charlie Calderbank always dreamed of being a cop, but a medical issue forces her out of the academy and to rethink her future. When Charlie’s Aunt Jo-Jo suffers injuries in a car accident, she offers to help at her aunt’s pet hotel, Wiggle Butt Manor, in the charming Pacific Northwest island town of Orca Cove.

With her Cocker Spaniel Noah at her side, she settles into life on the island and at the Manor. When the owner of Maya, the precocious mutt, is murdered, Jo-Jo becomes a suspect, forcing Charlie to find the real killer before they put her aunt away for good. While she rushes to hide clues that point to her aunt, she tries to wrangle Maya into control. But she, too, seems eager to solve the case and doesn’t follow the rules. Charlie’s quest leads her to uncover plenty of the small town’s secrets, and to fall for the hot local cop trying to find the killer. It also puts her on the radar of the murderer who will do anything to protect their secret, including making Charlie the next victim.

Praise for Diamond In The Ruff:

"Diamond in the Ruff brims with intrigue and heart. The engaging heroine, Charlie, will rivet you to her story as she navigates a deadly maze of old and new secrets to uncover a murderer, while Maya and Noah, the canine players, will capture your heart as you race to the novel's suspenseful ending."
~ Angela M. Sanders, bestselling author of the Witch Way Librarian mysteries

"A tightly-crafted cozy featuring a memorable cast of characters—and canines!"
~ Dawn Ius, Author of Anne & Henry, Overdrive and Lizzie

My Review:

I enjoyed this cozy mystery. Charlie is a good semi-amateur sleuth. She did attend a police academy for a bit but is basically an amateur investigator. She is forceful when it comes to protecting her aunt, a teen in need, and a feisty dog. I admired Charlie for overcoming her fears when it was necessary to do so to help others. The murder plot is good and is based on hidden secrets. With a few red herrings, I was not prepared for the villain.

My favorite part of the book was the setting, since I live on an island in the Salish Sea connected to the mainland by a bridge that is a bit scary. I like how the bridge played a role in some of the suspenseful scenes. I also liked the emphasis on dogs. Dog lovers will enjoy this book, especially if they have a canine that is loyal but a little independent.

I like the potential romance and hope that Charlie will see her way to be in more mystery adventures in the PNW. I'll be watching for them.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Book Details:

Genre: Cozy Mystery
Published by: Level Best Books
Publication Date: May 2025
Number of Pages: 320
Series: Wiggle Butt Manor Mystery Series, book 1
Book Links: Amazon | Goodreads

Read an excerpt:

“I’m suspicious of people who don’t like dogs, but I trust a dog when it doesn’t like a person”
Bill Murray

The massive bridge from mainland Washington to the village of Orca Cove lay before me like the highway to hell. Not that Orca Cove’s a bad place. Quite the contrary. It’s just that heights scared the bejesus out of me—and it was going to take every bit of courage I could muster to cross it.

The sky was hazy as the sun threatened to burn off oppressive dark gray clouds. Spikes at the top of the bridge disappeared into the fast-moving fog. The looming structure reminded me of green metal toothpicks, supporting a wobbly death trap in the sky. It took my breath away and not in a good way.

Come on, Charlie. Put on your big girl pants and suck it up.

I tried to concentrate on the quaint town on the other side and the refuge it would provide. But all I could think of as I navigated my rental car across the bridge was that the Pacific Northwest was long overdue for an earthquake. Wouldn’t it be my luck to be on this bridge when it happened? I imagined I would feel suspended in the air forever during the plunge, but death would come quickly as the ice-cold water below swallowed us whole.

“I know,” I said, glancing down at my buff Cocker Spaniel, Noah, fast asleep on the seat beside me. “Stop being so dramatic.” But as I white-knuckled our way across the bridge, Noah was oblivious. He continued to sleep off the meds I’d given him to make the flight from New Jersey more tolerable. His snore reminded me of what an overweight lumberjack might sound like after a few too many beers. Hard to believe such a rattling noise came out of a twenty-two-pound fur ball, so adorable people often mistook him for Lady from Lady and the Tramp. A thorn in my side, but I was prone to overreacting when it came to my boy.

Four miles seemed a long time to contemplate one’s death. Cars behind me honked as I drove just under the speed limit, my eyes intent on the few feet of road in front of me. I tried to stifle the hysteria that rose in my chest and choked me.

Deep breaths, Charlie.

I did my best to ignore the impatient drivers behind us. Fate threw in a pack of serious bicyclists, making the bridge even more narrow. I focused on the toned calves pumping the petals on the bike of the woman in front of me, while wishing there was another way onto the island. But my unemployed status and dwindling bank account didn’t allow for luxuries like a private boat or seaplane.

Exiting the bridge, I let out a long breath. “That was stressful,” I said to Noah.

More snoring. Well, it was terrifying for me.

The sleepy town always made me feel like I’d entered a time warp and had surfaced in the 1950s. Quaint buildings, with brightly painted mismatched architecture for each mom-and-pop shop, boutique, and restaurant lined the streets. Because orcas frequented the area and drew many tourists, everything had a nautical theme, and murals of killer whales and other sea life decorated the buildings. Despite its appeal, the town remained a best-kept secret, and even during the height of the season, crowds were few and far between.

Couples walked hand-in-hand down sidewalks, others pushed strollers, and many had a canine friend on a leash. I knew from previous visits that many of the residents were retired, and there was a high population of artists on the island.

Back on solid ground and with this storybook town before me, calm released like water from a dam, washing my trepidation out to sea.

Not wanting to visit my aunt empty handed, I stopped at the town bakery and bought two giant molasses cookies, my aunt’s favorite.

As I started up the hill to Aunt Jo-Jo’s house, I felt excited at the prospect of seeing her again. She was not only my favorite relative, but she’d also been my savior growing up when my mom went off the deep end—which was more often than I’d like to admit. I spent snippets of my childhood on this island and some of my best memories were of my time here. But I’d been remiss, having not visited her since my uncle passed away about five years ago. Life had gotten in the way. First, there was college and then the life-changing decision I’d made to leave my tedious corporate job for the police academy. Like most people my age, I was perpetually broke, and travel wasn’t in the cards.

But my aunt seemed to understand, and we kept in touch through email and weekly phone calls. She was still my sounding board when dealing with my mom’s antics. Those calls kept us close, but there was nothing like face-to-face time.

Aunt Jo-Jo’s Craftsman house perched on the hillside like a proud bird overlooking its kingdom. From it, she had a fantastic view of the water and the, gulp, bridge. The house was painted royal blue with white shutters. Colorful gardens surrounded the property, and a small dog park flanked the west side of the house. A banner reading Future Home of Orca Cove’s First Agility Course stretched across the fence. A handful of dogs frolicked on lush grass while owners sat on benches in animated conversation.

A more modern structure sat behind the home, painted the same shade of blue. A hotel for dogs–Wiggle Butt Manor.

Ten individual rooms were decorated with children’s furniture, on which the four-legged guests slept. Each room had a theme. There was a One Hundred, and One Dalmatians suite, a Lassie room, and one had French Bulldogs and a Paris theme.

I parked in the gravel driveway behind a mud-splattered Jeep Cherokee with an I love Golden Retrievers bumper sticker peeking out from beneath the dirt.

Rousing Noah with a quick belly rub, I got out of the car and stretched. The chill of the late September air reminded me that fall was around the corner. “Come on, Boo.” I slapped my thigh.

Noah’s flowing ears swayed as he jumped to the ground. He followed me like a shadow as I walked up to the pet hotel and rapped on the door. When no one answered, I opened it and stuck my head inside. “Hello?”

Barking erupted from the back room when we entered. The lobby held a desk and two overstuffed chairs, along with a giant bucketful of dog toys. A collage of photos taken of guests over the years hung on the wall. Noah gave me a look that said: what the heck, I thought I was the only one.

“You’ve led a sheltered life,” I said. “You’re not one of a kind.”

Noah was not a “dog person,” and he couldn’t care less about the canines eager to greet him. He glanced toward the barking dogs, yawned, and then leaped onto a chair and curled into a compact ball. I opened the door that led to the pet rooms and made my way down the hall. A wall of guest suites was to my left. Dogs of all sizes and colors stuck their noses out of low, barred windows to greet me. I bent down and said hello to each of them. I didn’t want to be rude.

The door at the end of the hall opened as Martha stepped inside. “Oh, dear!” She patted her chest as if she needed to restart her heart. “Charlie! You scared me half to death.”

Martha had worked with Aunt Jo-Jo for as long as I could remember. They argued constantly, but they’d take a bullet for each other. Martha’s curly gray hair looked like a startled ferret on her head, and her glasses were askew. She wore faded overalls and lime green Crocs.

“Sorry to scare you,” I said. “We just got here. Is everything all right?”

“One of the dogs is AWOL,” Martha said. “That teenager we hired must have failed to latch the kennel, and when I opened the hotel door, the slippery rascal bolted.”

I grabbed a leash off the hook. “What’s the breed?”

Martha scratched her head. “Basic brown dog. Size of a lab, soul of a scoundrel. Answers to Maya, if she’d ever bother.”

“I’m on it,” I said.

Heading back to my car, I called for Noah to join me. Not buying into the urgency, he lumbered off the chair and followed. Back in the rental car, we set off down the street, driving up and down the hilly roads that made up the neighborhood. Charming houses had well-manicured lawns, and vibrant flowers were abundant.

I watched the road while quickly scanning the bushes for a hiding dog. I wished I would have asked how long Maya had been missing. A dog like that could make it to the main road in minutes. I prayed a car wouldn’t hit the runaway.

I soon spotted a tan blur leap over a six-foot fence three streets down, disappearing into a backyard. Slamming on the brakes, my arm automatically jerked out to stop Noah from flying off the seat. I told him to stay, grabbed the leash, and jumped out of the car. I was five-foot-ten, and for once, I didn’t curse my height.

Standing on my toes, I could easily see over the fence and into the yard. The dog chased a flock of chickens while a middle-aged woman dressed in a low-cut top and shorts that might have fit her twenty years ago yelled at Maya to stop. Yielding a broom, she chased the dog in circles with little effect.

“I’m here to help,” I yelled over the fence. “Maya, come here!”

If the dog could flip me off, she would have. The look she gave me had the same result. Maya was on a tear.

“Do something,” the woman said, near tears.

I put my foot onto a nearby wheelbarrow, pulled myself up on my forearms, and swung my leg over the fence like they’d taught me in the police academy. Dropping into a crouch on the other side, I straightened and stepped between Maya and a chicken seconds before what would become the last moment of the feathered creature’s life.

“Come here.” I leaned down to the dog’s level and motioned her forward.

But Maya had other ideas. She charged at me, knocking me on my backside before pushing off me like a diving board, ready for round two.

I struggled for breath as I reached up, and almost caught her mid-flight, but she dodged me, leaving me laying on the ground flat on my back.

I got to my knees, then staggered to my feet. “Okay,” I said, out of breath. “You win, you slippery devil.”

I swear she laughed at me.

Out of ideas, I looked at the woman still wielding the broom like a baseball bat, and the chicken, who ruffled her feathers as if she was trying to pull herself together. They didn’t look impressed by my ungraceful moves.

Apparently satisfied that she’d proven her point, Maya walked slowly over to me and ducked her head, allowing me access to her collar. Getting a firm hold of it, I gave Maya a nod. She’d earned my respect. Pushing my hair out of my face, I turned to the woman. “Sorry about that. We’ll get out of your way.”

Neither the woman nor the chicken looked particularly grateful.

Dragging the dog, who continued to lunge at the flock behind us, we made our way back to the car, where Noah still snored undisturbed. Yin and Yang, I thought as I shoved Maya into the backseat.

“Wait,” the woman called, running toward me.

Keys in hand, I paused by the door.

“You dropped this.” She handed me my phone, covered in mud and what I guessed was chicken poop.

I carefully took it, holding it by the corners, trying not to gag. “Awe, thanks.”

“And thanks to you, too, Maya,” I said under my breath.

I got into the car and looked in the rear-view mirror, about to back out of the space, when I spied Maya biting down on one of the cookies I’d planned to bring to my aunt. A twinkle sparkled in her eyes, and she held my gaze as she swallowed.

So, this was how it was going to be?

***

Excerpt from Diamond In The Ruff by Cindy Goyette. Copyright 2025 by Cindy Goyette. Reproduced with permission from Cindy Goyette. All rights reserved.

 

Author Bio:

Cindy Goyette

Armed with a handgun and a word processor, Immigration Officer Cindy Goyette spent her nights creating fictional friends to help pass the lonely hours between border crossers. A portable black-and-white TV cancelled the unexplained noises coming from the ancient jail cells in the creepy basement. The resulting book will stay in the closet where it belongs, but the seed was planted and she’s been writing ever since.

Cindy spent the ensuing years as a probation officer, dealing with hardened criminals with hard-luck stories that sometimes kept her up at night. Every day was an adventure. She survived by seeing humor in situations where she could find it. She joked about writing a book and then she did just that.

The Probation Case Files Mystery series books, OBEY ALL LAWS and EARLY TERMINATION incorporates the wild and crazy life of a probation officer with issues currently in the news. Cindy’s history with flirtatious felons who thought they were charmers and addicts who denied the drugs in their pockets, claiming they’re wearing their friend’s pants have given her ample material for the books she now writes. Released JANUARY 2024 and January 2025

Cindy has a habit of adopting dogs who get into as much mischief as her probationers. A vet told her, Maya – a basic brown miscreant mixed breed – was lucky Cindy had taken her home because no one else would have put up with her antics. So why not give Maya her own series? Thus, Diamond in the Ruff: A Wiggle Butt Manor Mystery was born. Released May 6, 2025

Born in New Jersey, Cindy lived in Phoenix for twenty years. She now makes her home in Washington state with her husband and two cocker spaniels.

Catch Up With Cindy Goyette:

www.CCGoyette.com
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads
BookBub - @ccgoyettewriter
Instagram - @cindy.goyette
Threads - @cindy.goyette
X - @cindy_ccgoyette
Facebook - Cindy Goyette, Author

 

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I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review. The rest of the copy of this post was provided by Partners in Crime Book Tours.

(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.) 

Posted by at No comments:

Friday, May 30, 2025

Such a Good Mom by Julia Spiro Book Review

About the Book:

With a healthy newborn baby, a devoted husband, a successful career, and a busy life on Martha’s Vineyard, Brynn Nelson should be the happiest she’s ever been. But Brynn is struggling. Her husband, Ross, grows more distant by the day, and the challenges and exhaustion of postpartum make Brynn feel like she’s slowly losing pieces of herself to motherhood. Pieces that she might never get back.

But it’s summer on the Vineyard, a beacon for wealthy visitors, and a place so beautiful that it seems immune to tragedy and crime. Except for locals, like Brynn, who know all too well that tragedy can strike at any point. And this time, it hits close to home when a friend of the family is found washed ashore. Dead. And Brynn’s already hectic life is turned upside down when Ross is arrested for the crime.

Left reeling with more questions than answers, Brynn’s only path forward is to find out who really killed Cecelia Buckley, even if it means it was her husband. She’s not sure who she’s able to trust anymore. And with the dizzying, endless cycle of sleepless nights, diapers, and bottles, Brynn’s not even sure she can trust herself. She’s not sure of anything anymore, but she won’t stop until she finds the truth.

My Review:

Since the main character is suffering from postpartum depression, there is lots of character rumination. An action scene that moves the plot forward is often followed by a long section of character thought. I felt the novel moved along slowly. There was more depression thinking than I like and I struggled to continue reading. The actual mystery was not as prominent as the exploration of the depression.

This is a book for readers who like more character thought than action. I like more action so this book was not so much for me.

My rating: 3/5 stars.

 

About the Author:

Julia Spiro lives year-round on Martha’s Vineyard with her partner, their son, and their two rescue dogs. She previously worked in the film industry for nearly a decade, before deciding to leave Hollywood to pursue her dream of writing books. Such a Good Mom is her third book. Photo credit: Chandler Cook

Minotaur Books, 304 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. Mine is 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.)

Posted by at No comments:

Thursday, May 29, 2025

Muzzle the Black Dog by Mike Cobb Blog Tour Book Review

 

MUZZLE THE BLACK DOG

by Mike Cobb

May 12 - June 6, 2025 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

Muzzle the Black Dog by Mike Cobb

After a mysterious stranger appears at his isolated cabin door, Jack’s life is forever changed. The stranger’s cryptic message sets off a chain of events that lead Jack on a harrowing journey to uncover the true meaning of his own existence.

As a series of unexplained fires threaten to consume everything he holds dear, Jack is forced to confront his deepest fears and question everything he thought he knew about himself.

Set in the aftermath of the Centennial Olympic Park bombing, Jack’s search for the truth takes him to the edge of sanity and puts him on a collision course with a dark and powerful force that has been lurking in the shadows.

Join Jack on a gripping and thought-provoking quest for answers in this thrilling and suspenseful tale of self-discovery and redemption.

Praise for MUZZLE THE BLACK DOG:

"Muzzle the Black Dog takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions and family secrets. The slow reveal is creepy many times but you still want to read page after page. I loved the combination of thriller, drama, history and mystery."
~ Erik S. Meyers, author of The Sally Witherspoon Mystery Series

"A mystery whose plot will transfix you and whose finish will stun you, Muzzle the Black Dog is simply superb. A stranger enters narrator Jack Pate's life and proceeds to upend it through his bizarrely intimate knowledge of Jack's past. In determining the identity of the visitor, Jack solves a deeper mystery within himself, but doing so provokes demons in his soul, demons he'd been holding at since childhood. Author Mike Cobb provides that rare combination of masterly prose, passion, and insight, in an atmosphere dark and chilling as a Georgia winter."
~ Charles Philipp Martin, author of the Inspector Lok novels Rented Grave and Neon Panic

"The pages just fly by in this quick-moving, compelling and stunningly unique psychological thriller about a man searching for answers to a deadly crime who uncovers long-buried secrets about himself and his own troubled past. Muzzle the Black Dog takes the reader on a wonderfully wild roller coaster of a ride filled with plenty of twists, thrills and tension. Mike Cobb has written a terrific book – read it!"
~ R.G. Belsky, author of the Clare Carlson mystery series

"Mike Cobb's Muzzle The Black Dog, is a fast-paced, unputdownable thriller that will leave you guessing until the very end."
~ Westley Smith, author of Some Kind of Truth and In The Pale Light

"Intriguing doesn’t begin to describe the appeal of this book’s premise: a mysterious stranger on the doorstep of recluse Jack Pate, offering friendship and help. Despite Jack’s surprise (he has no need of aid) and suspicion of the disheveled man—who looks more like a vagrant than any friend he would choose—Jack is fascinated. Who is this man, and how did he find Jack’s secluded cabin? And why does he seem to know things about Jack’s uneasy past?
Just as suddenly as the stranger appears, he vanishes, leading Jack on an odyssey, beginning as a physical search but quickly morphing into self-preservation as reports of heinous local crimes trickle in. Arson and murders begin to stain the remote countryside, and the suspects are few and far-between.
Sneaky clues, well-drawn characters, and swift plotting propel the story forward as the author deftly explores the many ways the past affects the present—and how it might endanger the future. I highly recommend this one."
~ Jennifer Sadera, author of I Know She Was There

"A slow burn of a story revealing the power of deeply held secrets. Secrets so earthshaking that Jack Pate questions everything he believed when a mysterious stranger knows everything about him. Moody and atmospheric."
~ James L’Etoile, award-winning author of River of Lies and the Detective Nathan Parker series

My Review:

This is an interesting short read. We experience flashbacks and get a sense of Jack's history. As the story progresses and we find out more about Jack, questions arise as to whether he is a reliable narrator. There were many red herrings and many times I was sure I knew what was going on. Cobb is good at twists and I was surprised at the end, however.

The novel is a quick read. It would be good entertainment of an evening.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Book Details:

Genre: Crime, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction
Published by: Waterside Productions
Publication Date: April 15, 2025
Number of Pages: 184
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads

Read an excerpt:

 

 

Author Bio:

Muzzle the Black Dog by Mike Cobb

Mike’s body of literary work includes both fiction and nonfiction, short-form and long-form, as well as articles and blogs.

He is the author of three published novels, Dead Beckoning, The Devil You Knew, its sequel You Will Know Me by My Deeds, and Muzzle the Black Dog, a novella. He is also working on Kathleen, a fictionalized account of a cold case murder from 1970.

While he is comfortable playing across a broad range of topics, much of his focus is on true crime, crime fiction, and historical fiction. Rigorous research is foundational to his writing. He gets that honestly, having spent much of his professional career as a scientist.

A native of Atlanta, Mike splits his time between Midtown Atlanta and Blue Ridge, Georgia.

Catch Up With Mike Cobb:

MikeCobbWriter.com
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads
BookBub - @cobbmg1
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I received a complimentary digital copy 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.)

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Wednesday, May 28, 2025

By the Time You Read This by Brianna Labuskes Book Review

About the Book:


FBI forensic linguist Raisa Susanto thinks she’s through with the past now that her psychopathic serial killer sister, Isabel, is locked away forever. Then Raisa receives a letter from Isabel. It’s just a single message: By the time you read this, I’ll be dead.

Soon after, Isabel is discovered dead in her cell, forcing Raisa back into her depraved orbit—one that includes a band of true-crime worshippers obsessed with Isabel, her killing spree, and those who survived it.

When a new victim is killed in the same manner that made Isabel notorious, Raisa and FBI forensic psychologist Callum Kilkenny aren’t just tasked with finding out who killed Isabel and why. They’re hunting for a protégé following in Isabel’s footsteps. Raisa must uncover the truth—whether or not she’s ready for it—before someone else dies.


My Review:

I have enjoyed this series with the main character, Raisa, a linguist for the FBI. It is interesting to read about how she uses the ways people use words as the method of investigation. This novel is a continuation of Raisa's relationship with her sisters, one of whom is a serial murderer.

I was not as engaged with the plot of this novel as I was in the previous ones. Delaney's actions were puzzling to me, perhaps because it has been some time since reading about her in the previous novel. The other puzzling and somewhat confusing aspect of this novel was the two timelines. The narrative switches from, say day four for Delaney to day one for Raisa. We sometimes read of the same event from different perspectives. In the end it made sense and allowed us to see deception but I do wish there had been a less confusing way to present the events. Do pay attention to the chapter headings indicating which day is being covered.

I am ready for Raisa to be finished with her sisters and go on to a case unrelated to them. I do like this series, however, and will be watching for the next one.

My rating: 4/5 stars.


You can read my reviews of the earlier books in the series: The Lies You Wrote and The Truth You Told.

About the Author:


Brianna Labuskes is the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post and Amazon Charts best-selling author of psychological thrillers and historical fiction. Her books have been translated into several languages worldwide. She grew up in Pennsylvania, lived in Washington D.C. for many years and now calls Asheville, N.C. home. She enjoys traveling, hiking and spending time with her pup. For more: visit her at briannalabuskes.com.

Thomas and Mercer, 320 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.)

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Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Warsafe by Lauren Smyth Blog Tour Book Review


About the Book

Book: Warsafe

Author: Lauren Smyth

Genre: YA Science Fiction

Release date: May 6, 2025

\Play. Win. Survive.

There’s one building on her island that Halley has never visited: the Mercenary House. Perched atop a mountain, surrounded by unnaturally evergreen foliage, the House is rumored to be a breeding ground for criminals. Mercenaries are liars, cheats, spies . . . and maybe, depending on who you ask, killers.

At the Warsafe headquarters in Seattle, Roscoe is beta testing the company’s new video game. It’s her job to track down glitches—but something is different about this one. Lurking behind the lines of malfunctioning code is a secret that threatens to drag her deeper into the game, forcing her to put her life on the line if she ever wants to come home.

Worlds collide as Roscoe teams up with Halley to uncover the island’s secret and expose Warsafe’s designs. But some mysteries are better left unsolved. As traitor after so-called traitor is revealed to be on their side, they begin to wonder: Could Warsafe’s mission be critical enough to justify its cruelty?

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

Smyth has crafted a science fiction novel that blurs the boundary between gaming and reality. It is one thing to annihilate a character in a game but anther if that act really represented the death of an actual human being. Another thought provoking aspect of the game is that it might be used instead of deadly war. Would the death of a few be worth preventing the death of thousands?

This is a thought provoking novel exploring the idea of gaming. It also touches on the idea of war at a distance. Nations now use drones and robots to attack while the operators stay safe in a remote building. The game being developed in this novel would be the same kind of thing. Is there moral responsibility for the developers or the players?

There is a subtle underlying aspect of Christianity until near the end when it comes more to the forefront. It is not overbearing, however, so people of other faiths or no faith could well enjoy this novel. It would be of particular interest to gamers.

Smyth's writing style is good. Character development is good considering many of the characters lack a history. The many themes explored and the discussion questions at the end would make this a good choice for a youth book group.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

 

About the Author

Lauren Smyth is an economics and journalism student at Hillsdale College. Since signing her first publishing contract at age 13, she has written three young adult action/adventure novels, coded two story-based video games, and started a blog enjoyed by readers and writers around the world. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her flying right seat in a Piper PA-30 aircraft, recording episodes of her Grammar Minute writing podcast, or heading upriver on her paddleboard.

 

More from Lauren

The Mercenary House, where much of Warsafe takes place, quite literally appeared to me in a dream.

By age 12, I’d already watched way too many action-adventure movies. (Did anyone else grow up on Tom Clancy—The Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games?) Most nights, I was hyped on fictional adrenaline, and I was able to lucid dream. So I got to star in highly imaginative and unrealistic versions of my favorite spy stories when I fell asleep.

That night, I found myself trapped in the basement of an eight-story house. Guards patrolled the rooms outside, and somehow I knew I had to sneak past them to reach the top floor. I also knew I was dreaming and in no real danger, which made me brave. So I crawled through air ducts, hid in shadowy corners, and darted behind turned backs. And I escaped.

The dream was so logical compared to others I’d had that it stuck in my mind. Why was I trying to get to the roof? Why did I agree to play this “game?” What was the secret behind that dilapidated, shadowy building where I’d been imprisoned?

A few years later, I started coding video games. My first full-length game featured more than 100,000 lines of code and is probably part of the reason why I’m so near-sighted. I loved the results, but not the process. More than coding, I realized I loved storytelling—weaving together sentences and images and movements that became a world on the reader’s screen.

I hadn’t forgotten my dream, but I didn’t have the Python know-how to turn it into a game. And I’d gotten sick of naming variables. (Somewhere in the source code for that first game, there’s an if-then statement oh-so-creatively named “againagainagainagainagainagainagain.” See also the classic: “help.”) What if, instead of crawling back to my code editing software, I wrote a book?

And what if that book wasn’t just about a fictional video game, but was also an exploration of morality, economics, and politics in a parallel world?

I believe that good books don’t answer questions; they make you ask new ones. They draw you into a situation you’ve never experienced and force you to take sides, rooting for or against characters, judging or supporting their choices. If you could stop a catastrophe by sacrificing a few people, would you do it? If you were offered control over someone’s life, would you take it?

That’s the central dilemma of Warsafe. What you choose, who you agree with is up to you. Like a real video game, Warsafe lets you confront the same choices as the characters and work your way out of the puzzle—if you can do it without compromising your morality.

Remember Warsafe’s motto: Safety requires the many to sacrifice the one.

Disagree?

Enter the Warsafe universe and prove it.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 27

Artistic Nobody, May 28 (Author Interview)

CeCe Reads and Sings, May 28

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 29

The Lofty Pages, May 30

Guild Master, May 31 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, June 1

Texas Book-aholic, June 2

Fiction Book Lover, June 3 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 4

Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 5

Simple Harvest Reads, June 6 (Guest Review from Mindy)

For the Love of Literature, June 7 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, June 8

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 9 (Spotlight)

Inklings and Notions, June 9

Giveaway



To celebrate her tour, Lauren is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon card and a signed, hardcover copy of the book!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54229


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.)

Posted by at 4 comments:

Monday, May 26, 2025

Evil Alice and the Borzoi by D K Coutant Book Review

About the Book:


Paradise is shaken when the body of a young woman is dragged onto a university research vessel during a class outing in Hilo Bay. Cleo Cooper is shaken when she finds her favorite student is on the hook for the murder. Danger lurks on land and sea as Cleo and her friends are enticed to search for the true killer. In between paddling, swimming, and arguing with her boyfriend, Cleo discovers all is not what it seems on the Big Island of Hawaii. But will she figure out the truth before she becomes the next victim?

My Review:

Coutant has provided readers with a luscious setting in Hawaii. Her descriptions of the locale, events, celebrations, customs and people were great. She captured the local dialect well. That was a major strength of the novel. The mystery itself, while present, takes a back seat to Cleo's life. There is much more about her personal life than there is solving the mystery. We are taken into her relationship with Ben, her love for her dog, and her teaching. This is definitely a novel for readers who like a deep dive into the life of the amateur sleuth. The murder mystery does get solved in the end with a dose of suspense too. We are left with more of Cleo's life to experience. I am interested in Cleo's character so I have already scheduled reading the sequel.

My rating: 4/5 stars.


About the Author:


DK Coutant graduated from Davidson College with a Psychology degree and initially applied her behavioral training to animals at Sea World, working with dolphins and whales. After a couple of years, she realized that scrubbing fish buckets might get old, and went back to Graduate school to earn a Ph.D. in Psychology, specializing in Cross-Cultural Issues. She began her academic career in Maine. A few years later, she made the jump to Hawaii and worked at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, rising to Department Chair of the Psychology Department. After many happy years in Hawaii,  her love for travel led her to make the move out of academics. She accepted positions as a professional geopolitical forecaster with GJ Inc. and Rand Forecasting Initiative. She splits her time between Olympia, WA, Santa Fe, NM, and France, with her husband and an Old English Sheepdog, Beasley. Evil Alice and Borzoi was released by the Wild Rose Press in 2023.

Wild Rose Press, 350 pages.

I received a complimentary digital copy 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.)

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Sunday, May 25, 2025

The Herbalist by Carole Brown Blog Tour Book Review


About the Book

Book: The Herbalist

Author: Carole Brown

Genre: Romantic Mystery

Release date: Spring, 2025

It’s a long, lonely walk down this West Virginia road, especially when you’ve just been accused of murder.

Can Lana Taylor prove she isn’t guilty? Can she realize that she does have a few friends who’ll stick by her regardless of the accusations? Can she forget the past and learn to trust again?

And will Athan Meadows be able to not only find the answers Lana needs, but also win her trust and love?

Click here to get your copy!

My Review 

This is a cozy mystery that is easy to read. Brown's writing style is not complicated and the plot is clear and easy to follow. There are good characters, from darling children to helpful adults. There is a murder and a combination of amateur sleuth and law enforcement in identifying the villain. There is also a budding romance.

I do like to learn something new when I read a novel but unfortunately, there was not really very much information about herbs and their characteristics. This novel is one for readers who like an easy to read romantic mystery set is a rural West Virginia town.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

 

About the Author

Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. An author of twenty-one fiction books and two short stories in an anthology, she loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. An award-winning, best seller author, she has a degree in Religious Education and an Associate in Computer, along with other course degrees. She has a special love for animals—especially dogs, cats, elephants and horses (which is sometimes found in her books)—a love for flowers and plants, traveling and her husband who is her best go-to person for grounding her in her writing.

She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons and great granddaughter, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandchildren?

More from Carole

When I started this series (The Appleton, WV Romantic Mysteries) I didn’t realize that I would, someday in the future, be writing Book Eight. Truly, this series is one of my readers’ favorites with many of them asking when the next book is coming out.

When I plotted The Herbalist, I knew the basic outline of how the story would go, but I didn’t realize all the technical details I would need to research, even though most of it, in the book, isn’t indepth.

Car items:  fuel pumps, oil leakages, failing brakes.

Dementia:  mental stability, actions, progression, and more.

Police procedures: The various actions from a police crew when there’s a murder, the people who examine bodies, the leniency that can or can not be used in a murder case.

and other items I studied. It was both fascinating and tedious, but necessary.

But I love research, so most times I enjoy it, especially when it comes to my books.

I wanted to create an interesting and catching story that was as real as I could make it. Though the major plot scene was planned, at times, I would be stuck, wondering what should happen next. And lying in bed at night is sometimes my best time to think of the a scene and how to write it. I love it when this happens, because it’s the perfect idea for my book. So I jump from my bed to scribble down the thought at my desk.

In The Herbalist, a young mother with five-year-old twins, is accused of murder, but it’s a long, lonely walk down this West Virginia road, especially when you trust few people. Can Lana Taylor prove she isn’t guilty? Can she realize that she does have a few friends who’ll stick by her regardless of the accusations? And can she forget the past and learn to trust again?

And will Athan Meadows be able to not only find the answers Lana needs, but also win her trust and love?

Find the answers in: THE HERBALIST.

Blog Stops

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 24

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 25

Roads to Everywhere, May 25

Texas Book-aholic, May 26

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 27

The Sacred Line, May 28

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 29

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 30

For Him and My Family, May 31

Stories By Gina, June 1 (Author Interview)

Older & Smarter?, June 1

Vicky Sluiter, June 2

Book Butterfly in Dreamland , June 3

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, June 4

Mary Hake, June 4

Holly’s Book Corner, June 5

Pause for Tales, June 6

Giveaway



To celebrate her tour, Carole is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and copy of the book in winner’s choice of paperback or eBook!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54228

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.)

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