Sarah Jane by James Sallis

Sarah Jane by James Salis

Rating: 4 stars

Summary: Sarah Jane leads a obscure life after dealing with PTSD in Iraq. She is hired as a deputy sheriff and quickly given the job as the sheriff after the real sheriff goes missing.

Comments: Salis packs a lot of moving parts into a compact crime noir like only he can. Wonderful reading.

https://www.amazon.com/Sarah-Jane-James-Sallis-ebook/dp/B07N5HX56T

Fear Inculum by Tool

Fear Inculum by Tool

Rating: Stared Review, 5 stars 

Summary: 8 songs and almost 90 minutes of classic Tool. Unlike any music played today. Simply fine stuff. 

Comments: It’s been decades since I’ve  been this taken with a new album release. Sit back, work out, wander the lawn. Listen. 

Fear Inoculum by TOOL

https://music.apple.com/us/album/fear-inoculum/1475686696

Thirteen by Steve Cavenaugh

Thirteen by Steve Cavanaugh

Rating: 3 stars

Summary: Lawyer Eddie Flynn teams with a new law firm to defend a movie star from a murder charge. Serial killer Kane has other plans.

Comments: I struggled connecting with the characters and plotting. If you enjoy court room dialogue it’s pretty good.

https://smile.amazon.com/Thirteen-Serial-Killer-Trial-Jury-ebook/dp/B07MYX1572

The Warehouse by Rob Hart

The Warehouse by Rob Hart

Rating: 5 stars, highly recommended

Summary: In the not to distant future, maybe sooner then thought, giant tech has taken over jobs and modern life. A scary look into our possible soon to be future.

Comments: There has been some great novels this year. Rob Hart’s The Warehouse tops them. Must read page turner. Hard to label dystopian when it all seems very possible.

https://smile.amazon.com/Warehouse-Novel-Rob-Hart-ebook/dp/B07KNV1Z5B

This Side of Midnight by J Todd Scott

This Side of Night by J Todd Scott

Rating: 5 stars

Summary: Sheriff Chris Cherry is up for re-election in Big Bend Texas. Events from South of the border creep into his jurisdiction Cherry must confront powerful drug cartels.

Comments: As always J Todd Scott brings first hand knowledge to his work. If you are a fan of the Don Winslow border trilogy then J Todd Scott compliments well. Keep comparisons separate though because Scott is his own tour de force in modern crime writing. Great stuff, pick up all three of his Sheriff Cherry novels.

https://www.amazon.com/This-Side-Night-Todd-Scott-ebook/dp/B07JL4B8WN

The Wolf Wants In by Laura McHugh

The Wolf Wants In by Laura McHugh

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Sadie and Henley lead the narrative of a small town Missouri family crime. Deep family roots and secrets lead to a explosive rural noir filled with suspense that keeps the pages turning.

Comments: Laura McHugh previous book The Weight of Blood ha moved up to the soon to be read list. Great stuff!

https://smile.amazon.com/Wolf-Wants-Novel-Laura-McHugh/dp/0399590285

The Nickel Boys by Colton Whitehead

The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead 

Rating: Starred review. Must read!

Summary: A fictional account of a boys reformatory school in Florida where boys with minor crimes are sent for reform. What happens inside this facility is made for TV horror but is all to real. What happens to a young man with college aspirations and mistakenly gets into a stolen car for a easy ride to classes will justly make you beyond angry.

Comments: If you are looking for a east read this isn’t the book for you, though the pages fly. It might be fiction but sadly it’s all to real. Must read.   

A Dangerous Man by Robert Crais

A Dangerous Man by Robert Crais

Rating: 3 stars

Summary: Joe Pike witnesses a young lady kidnapped from a bank he just visited. Pike and Elvis are quickly on the case. 

Comments: Pike and Elvis make a good team and the pages will fly by. 

 

End of the Ocean by Matthew McBride

End of the Ocean by Matthew McBride

Rating 5 stars, highly recommended.

Summary: Sage is recently divorced, and searching for a break from life in Bali. He meets a Aussie on his plain trip and makes a friend. Sage quickly becomes comfortable with the Bali people and way of life. After falling in love with a Bali girl he must make a decision that will extend his money and time in Bali. 

 Comments: McBride is an outstanding writer who should be read. This novel is unlike his others and equally outstanding. It’s a crime story mixed in with a travel guide and a little romance mixed in.

Plain Heathen Mischief by Martin Clark

Plain Heathen Mischief by Martin Clark 

Rating: 5 stars, highly recommended.

Synopsis: Preacher Joel did some bad things that ruined his life, his marriage and his career. Joel does some praying and matters get worse because Joel makes compounding bad decisions. 

Comments: Martin Clark is a must read. He creates great characters. Don’t read them to fast, Clark is slow in production but high in quality.