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                          Cisco Bandits

                                          A suspenseful, well written action thriller

 

 

I enjoyed this novel. It’s a thriller alright, a tightly written action caper complete with martial arts stuff, gun-play and nighttime car chases. It’s also a well wrought “whodunit” that will keep you guessing to the end. I don’t like the term ”page turner”, but that is what it is.
The story opens with action; a dramatic, violent murder in progress, so immediately the reader is hooked. It’s a first case for investigator Gwynn Reznick. And her target is her boss, Ruben Dordi’s Investigation Group. But in a nice twist, Ruben also happens to be Gwynn’s boyfriend. How neat is that?.
Cisco Bandits is the second book in the Gwynn Reznick series, The Cost of Crude being the first. I haven’t read The Cost of Crude, but I’m about to correct that discrepancy. I do believe it’s better to read in sequence, but sometimes we miss that trick. And in this case it matters little as Cisco Bandits can be read in isolation on its own merits.
The author writes well and with authority and is well aware of the importance of entertaining her readers. She also reveals an intimate knowledge of her subject, the oil industry. The pace is lively and maintained throughout.
For me, as a man, having a female protagonist is refreshing. And Gwynn is a cool cat who performs her multi-task role as well as any man; truly, a girl for all seasons.
I highly recommend Cisco Bandits and look forward to more stories from Inge-Lise Goss.

 

Reviewed May25th2015

 

 

 

 

 

                The Strange Michael Folmer Affair

 

                                                                       A Fine Spell Binding Thriller

 

This is the best thriller I’ve read in some time. A well plotted and tautly written police procedural that is exceedingly gripping. Other reviewers have delineated the plot, so I will not repeat it other than to say it is completely original and unique. The writer, John Rigbey is ex London CID, knows his stuff and uses it well. His police experience alloyed with the instincts of a natural storyteller combine to build a terrific yarn that I for one found immensely enjoyable. My only beef being the gore and its repetition. I would have preferred to read it in paperback, but even so it was an immensely satisfying read and I look forward to the further adventures of Detective Chief Inspector Michael Gregory. I pay this novel my highest compliment; I’ll read it again. Recommended.

 

Reviewed September 5th 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                   Stranger at Sunset

                                                                                         Eden Baylee

 

                                                                A Gripping, Well Crafted Psychological Thriller

                                                             

  In an Agatha Christie-ish setting, a group of disparate vacationers gather for a week of sun, sea and relaxation at Sunset Villa, a beautiful resort, picking itself up after a mauling by Hurricane Sandy and the devastating damage stemming from a cruel and malicious review in a respected holiday magazine. Among the guests is the reviewer himself, invited back for a free week by the resort’s owners in the desperate hope of a retraction or a more positive review. Another guest is the novel’s protagonist, Dr. Kate Hampton, a psychiatrist with unusual cerebral gifts and a complex paternal problem. The drama that follows I’ll not disclose.
I was captured immediately by the novel’s dramatic first chapter, pulled in and eager to press on. Though the narrative is character driven, the novel is clearly plotted and well paced, each chapter ending with a neat enticement to the next. And I thoroughly enjoyed the dialogue, the guests banter and sharp repartee as personalities clashed, the actors coming off the page fully fleshed out with all their personality baggage. I especially liked and empathized with Kate.
The story closes well with no loose ends and with Kate striding confidently away. But you know she’ll be back. The novel is the first in a series as the writer warns us in the Epilogue; I look forward to that.

 

 

Reviewed August 13th 2014

 

 

 

 

 

          

 

                          Spring into Summer

                                     Eden Baylee

                                               A Cocktail of Fine Romance and Vivid Spicy Sex

 

  This is the third bEden Baylee's that I've read and for me the best. Comprised of four novellas it is pure delight. Her ablilty to weave love and romance, and often moving romance, with vivid, explicit, hard driving sex scenes that turn the reader on, is amazing: it's a skill, a talent, I suspect few have. My two favourites were: A Season For Everything, and The Lottery.

Miss Baylee is a gifted writer. She also has imagination. Her stories are original and well plotted, her characters come off the page fully developed and real: no stick figures here. I really fell for Sierra, the young Chinese/Canadian girl in The Lottery.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes this genre. They won't be disappointed.

 

Reviewed June 11, 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                 Everyone Burns

                                               John Dolan

 

 

                                                                    A Fine Well Written Novel: An Excellent Read

 

 

I read Everyone Burns while lying on my back in a Chiang Mai hospital bed (nothing serious I must state) and it did wonders in repelling the boredom of a ten day layup.
   Told in the first person by the protagonist and private investigator, David Braddock, the story is set in the exotic Thai island of Samui; a place one does not normally associate with a grisly serial killer, burned bodies, fear, loathing and police corruption. Bangkok, yes, naturally; Kho Samui, hardly. So it makes a refreshing change.
   Braddock, a Brit who somehow washed up on Samui’s shores, is dragooned by the Chief of Police to help in the hunt for the killer. Braddock is flawed, as protagonists should be. He’s a jaded philosopher, has great wit, self doubt, a wry sense of humor and is a storyteller to boot. A great guy in other words.
   The narrative flow is mined with sub-plots and red herrings and twists which I found delightful. One such twist is Braddock’s risky affair with the Police Chief’s wife; a lovely touch. I also liked the denouement; very satisfying to a guy with a vengeful bent, like me. I recommend it highly.
   John Dolan is a “one off”; an excellent writer with a singular style that’s his alone. I now look forward to reading the sequel: Hungry Ghosts.

 

 

Reviewed April 20, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                               Lair of the Fox

                                    Dan Pollock               

                           A Superb, Well Written, Adventure Thriller

 This is an excellent novel, intriguing, fast paced with well wrought characters. The author's knowledge of and description of the region is superb. It's a most enjoyable work. If you like adventure thrillers you’ll love this one. Well written, it’s also something of a travelogue taking us from Istanbul to the Islands of Greece. The descriptive passages of the exotic locales are terrific. The plot, which is complex, opens up in Istanbul where Kurdish terrorists led by the elusive Little Fox, seize an old sailing ship on which a feature film is being made. The ensuing pursuit moves on then to the Greek Islands and the climax in an underwater grotto. The cast is a delightful assortment of heroes and villains, especially the central character the lovely Amanda Morgan; a film actress with a social conscience. It’s a fabulous trip and the second novel of Dan Pollock’s that I’ve read. I’ll be reading more. Highly recommended.

 

 

 

Reviewed December 22, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                      

 

                                                                                     Orinoco

 

                                                  Orinoco. A big two hearted novel: a truly gripping read

 

  I've never been to South America. Yet, through the medium of good books I have often journeyed there. Gabriel García Márquez has taken me on mystical trips to his native Columbia. Isabel Ellende introduced me to the magic of her Chile. And with Graham Greene I went to a fascinating Panama and drank Scotch whisky with General Torrijos. And now with Dan Pollock as my guide I got to visit Venezuela, and experience good, rousing adventure. Such is the beauty of books.
I love novels like this. Written in a well paced, driving, narrative style it pulls the reader along in its cadence as the plot unfolds. The basic plot is simple: a mountain south of the Orinoco River loaded with high grade iron ore waits ready to be mined. Proteus, a big US mining corporation has greased the necessary palms, got the permissions and is ready to start extraction, when the discovery of ancient artefacts by a team of academics led by an idealistic archaeologist bring a halt to their operations.
The protagonist, Sam Wallender, retiring CEO of Proteus and combative loose cannon, sets out alone to solve the problem by flying his twin prop Cessna down to Venezuela and going up into the mountains on horseback to meet the archaeologist, ignoring company protocol and pitting himself against his fellow directors and his own handpicked successor, D.W. Lee who relishes the chance of a boardroom battle to seize the Proteus helm and put his old mentor out to grass.
The ensuing conflict brings on a host of fascinating characters, heroes and villains: sub plots develop, agendas clash. Treachery rears its head and the archaeologist is betrayed and arrested, his worksite closed: an old revolutionary sees the opportunity to come out of retirement and plots terrorist mayhem. And then high charged romance enters the frame in the form of DW's lovely Eurasian daughter, Jacqueline, who arrives and takes sides with the archaeologists against her father and Proteus: and strike a blow for her own independence by making a documentary film of the events. With that I'll say no more, other than the dénouement is climatic and satisfying and the ending has a really nice twist. It's a superb well wrought yarn with an original story and believable people.
In its vibrant descriptive passages the writer reveals a familiarity with the country and its people that comes from close contact or solid research: perhaps both. His vivid description of Sam's flight over Angel Falls is alone worth the price of admission.
Orinoco is a fine book by any measure and I pay it my highest compliment: I'll read it again.

 

 

Reviewed August 22, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                    Seeking Sexy Sadie

 

                                                                                           Eden Baylee                    

 

                                                                                      Short Sweet and Sexy

 

 The first thing that turned me on was the cover; that tartan mini and shapely bare ass just blew me away and put me in the mood. But, like Sadie, I was in for a little surprise. Expecting "straight" erotica, I got a dash of S&M, not heavy though: light and delightful. And just right for a beginner like me - and Sadie. Ms. Sadie visits one of those clubs where "certain people" meet to do "certain things" with each other. A fantasy place for kinky types. She knows what she wants and has arranged and paid for it. Sitting at the club bar she awaits her "fellah" but he doesn't show. Another dude chats her up with surprising results and Ms. Sadie finds herself saying "Yes,master," as she is firmly introduced to her submissive nature and gets more than she expected. The tale is a delightfully written romp.
Ms. Baylee writes well. Her characters, Sadie and her "Master" are are well crafted and believable; I fancied Sadie myself. A highly recommended read.

 

Reviewed March 4, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                              The Austrian and the Asian

 

                                                                                       Eden Baylee

 

 

                                                                                           Sweet Erotica

 

 I read Eden Baylee's The Austrian and the Asian on my laptop in the hills of Chiang Mai, Thailand, while sitting on a veranda facing south and a declining sun. On a table beside me, a carafe of cold Chilean white wine and a bowl of home-made French bread. Some good classical music would have come in handy and sealed the ambience, but that was lacking. Not having dived into the genre in some time, I was in the mood for some serious erotica. And I wasn't disappointed; I enjoyed it immensely.
It's a novella, short and sweet and as much romantic as it is erotic. It's well plotted and written, with keenly developed characters and realistic dialogue. Ms. Baylee writes well. I find her writing style has an attractive cadence that flows smoothly and is easy to read. I finished it within two hours.
The story of an encounter and consequent love affair between a Canadian/Chinese girl, Elena, and Stefan, an Austrian architect, which takes us from Thailand's Pukhet beaches to the ski slopes of Austria, on to Canada and back to Austria, is well told with a vibrant gusto and some poignancy. The love (erotic) scenes come in, as they should, on cue with urgency and a definite rush; the first bedroom encounter seriously turned me on. I wanted to be in Stefan's place. The writer handles these scenes playfully, going from gentle and tender on to powerful and demanding, with a deft control. This convinces me of a bias I have: women write far better erotica than men, any day.
Male writers in this genre, tend to write for male titillation; they feel they know what men want. Many, using female pen names, and a sexy photo take it further. Much of the stuff they write must turn women off, and a lot of it is hilarious even coming from otherwise talented writers. Here then is a genuine female writer of erotica who can excite both sexes in the best possible way.
I highly recommend this little book. If February 4, 2013erotica is your thing, this will do the trick. Better to be read with a lover, before a fire on a Sunday afternoon.

 

Reviewed  February 4, 2013

 

 

 

                                                      

                               Trauma Junkie

                                 Tom Hobbs

                            A Very Good Story Well Written

 Reading a story about EMT teams at work is not my normal reading fare. But I got into this one and I'm glad I did. The writer must have either worked in EMT or done a hell of a lot of research: I believe the former. The narrative captures the hard, tense, pressure filled nature of such work in tough, gritty inner city locals. It also reveals the humanity of the men and women who work in this very demanding job. As they move from one emergency to the next, their private lives, their conflicts, loves and breakups are revealed to us, and often in a humorous way. There is lots of humor in the story as well as sadness and heartbreak. I also learned a lot about EMT I didn't know before. A well plotted, nicely paced novel. And it gets my highest recommendation which is: I will, in time, read it again.

 

Reviewed January 22, 2013
 

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