One Last Lie by Paul Doiron

One Last Lie by Paul Doiron

Rating: 5 Deep woods stars

Summary: Doiron returns with another great Mike Bowditch mystery that has Mike chasing his mentor and best friend Charlie, after Charlie mysteriously wanders off from his wife and home. Many other threads are also tied into this fine 11th book in a great series.

Comments: Doiron writes about his home state so well that I have moved my to visit list to the top. Maine is a beautiful state. Another great book here.

https://www.amazon.com/One-Last-Lie-Bowditch-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B0818PZ925

City of Margins by William Boyle

City of Margins by William Boyle

Rating: 5 Highly rated stars. if you read one book this year, make it City of Margins.

Summary: A rich cast of characters set in the early 80ish Brooklyn NY blend together in a small neighborhood in South Brooklyn. Told from several voices the world they live in is often violent, deprivation, and poverty. Several tragedies take place in a book like no other.

Comments: One of I am sure to be recognized as a “best book of 2020” A absolute must read. A stunning book that will grip you hard. On a personal note, I have been sitting on Gravesend his debut for several years. What a mistake.

https://www.amazon.com/City-Margins-Novel-William-Boyle-ebook/dp/B07VMV1DSG

Dead West by Matt Goldman

Dead West by Matt Goldman

Rating: 5 Hollyweird stars.

Summary: PI Nils Shapiro in the 4th book in a fine series is asked to go to LA to check on the grandson of the very wealthy grandparents living on the highly prestigious Summit Ave in St.Paul. Nils takes his work all the way to a almost deadly conclusion.

Comments: This reviewer is sad to say he originally misjudged a great Minnesota author and will be reading the prior three books in this series. You should too.

https://www.amazon.com/Dead-West-Nils-Shapiro-Book-ebook/dp/B07WYSF921

The Holdout by Graham Moore

Rating: 4 court room drama stars

Summary: Two separate murders, two separate court room dramas, a lone protagonist looking for justice. All wrapped into on very different court room drama thriller.

Comments: A little predictable finish, but much different then the typical legal drama. Well done.

A Private Cathedral by James Lee Burke

A Private Cathedral by James Lee Burke

Rating: 5 mystic stars

Summary: Dave and Clete find themselves involved between two feuding families that have a long history of violence and relationships.

Comments: It’s James Lee Burke, enough said. Read it. Burke does something’s I haven’t read him do before and I was seriously concerned we might lose a main character.

https://smile.amazon.com/Private-Cathedral-Dave-Robicheaux-Novel-ebook/dp/B08286GQ5P

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

Rating: 4.5 very dark stars

Summary: The fallout of a teenage student from a private boarding school in Maine destroys a young girl for years after being raped by her English teacher at age 15. Chronicles her life from past to the present. An absolute destruction of the after effects of human psychological abuse.

 Comments: A devastating novel. Difficult to grasp and read. Not for the faint. Russell however does create a character that will have you flip the pages. Not a typical reading experience but one you can learn from.

https://smile.amazon.com/Dark-Vanessa-Kate-Elizabeth-Russell-ebook/dp/B07R8V69FN

The Evil Men Do by John McMahon

The Evil Men Do y John McMahon

Rating: 5 fracking stars

Summary: Mason Falls police detective PT Marsh and amazing shot and partner Remy are called to the house of a very rich man not heard from for a few days. The case goes in many directions that leads to Marsh’s discovery of who killed his wife and child from his debut novel The Good Detective.

Comments: Lucky readers are now immersed into a fine fine new crime writer and series. Great stuff.

https://smile.amazon.com/Evil-P-T-Marsh-Novel-Book-ebook/dp/B07SZQP2C5

That Left Turn at Albuquerque by Scott Phillips

That Left Turn at Albuquerque 

Rating: 5 scheming stars

Summary: A whacked out attorney looks to increase his wealth by a number of mid level crimes that go terribly wrong and lead to high level crimes.

Comments: Phillips continues to be at the top of his skill. One of the best crime writers, writing today. Sadly we don’t get enough. More please. Highly recommended.

 https://smile.amazon.com/That-Left-Turn-at-Albuquerque-ebook/dp/B07SQMRF1W

Presumed Innocent by Scott Turow

Presumed Innocent by Scott Turow

Rating: 4.5 legal courtroom drama stars

Summary: An accomplished PA is accused of murdering a coworker by his political rivals. A dramatic investigation and and even more suspense filled court room drama lead to a riveting conclusion.

Comments: My first Scott Turow book was written when I was a wee laddy not in-tuned with such great legal writing. Now older and less wise I am enjoying these fine books.

https://smile.amazon.com/Presumed-Innocent-Novel-Kindle-County-ebook/dp/B003R7LCQE

Broken by John Rector

Broken by John Rector

4.5 creepy stars

Summary: A dying resort California small town. A abusive husband and a psychopath apartment caretaker make up this crime novel. A young very creepy man who overseas a abusive couple becomes very obsessed with the wife and tries to save her from the abuse. Things go sideways fast.

Comments: A all to short but creepy crime novel.  

https://smile.amazon.com/Broken-John-Rector-ebook/dp/B082HS6QBQ