Author Meeting Place introduces reviews done in this genre to let you see different author's books and the comments made about them from Mind Fog Reviews. Please peruse this genre to see what might interest you in a novel to read. You may then find the author's book description on their own page which will give you even more insight into their book(s).
“The Bite of the Serpent” by Sandra Crum Akers is a fun read.I went in thinking the Mound itself would be the mystery, so the murder totally threw me for a loop. Paranormal intrigue and a killer on the loose make for a fast paced novel. There were a few places where the story started to lag in the middle, but not for long. By the time we reach the end we are reeling with anticipation. This book kept me guessing and kept me interested. There were twists and turns I never saw coming and just when I thought I’d figured out who dunnit, BAM! Totally surprised.
I had a hard time with some of the POV, particularly with the first person thoughts in an otherwise 3rd person story, and I had some unanswered questions about the Serpent Mound itself that I don’t feel got resolved. From the title I expected it to be more of a paranormal novel. I also would have liked to get to know Anne better, I never really felt like I understood her motivations. Overall, I would recommend this book to my friends and I look forward to reading the next one if the story continues, as it feels like it should. Did I smell a budding forbidden romance there at the end?
Happy reading!
4 Bookmarks
Sherry Ficklin
Mind Fog Reviews
In Tim Baker’s Living the Dream, Kurt thinks that a woman named Vicky is the cause of his entire problem so he hatches this plot to kidnap her and have her husband, Jimmy, pay the ransom. Except after he gets to Florida he finds his intended victim is away and that her husband wouldn’t pay the ransom as he wants to divorce her. Jimmy’s mistress, Leslie, wants a piece of Kurt’s action. Kurt never knew a simple kidnapping would be so much work.
This reviewer liked the ending of the book however the beginning and the middle were a little dry for me.I loved the scenes with Kurt and Leslie where she would tell Kurt he didn’t know what he was doing. Over all it was a good book to read.
***3.5 Stars
Carol Langstroth, Manager
Mind Fog Reviews
Crystal Clear Cindy Bauer
"Crystal Clear" by Cindy Bauer is a masterpiece of suspense that had me holding my breath to the end. The intricate storyline filled me with anxious anticipation as I moved from page to page as one moves through the rooms of a creepy old house.
**** 4 Stars Author/ Reviewer Marilyn Thompson Mind Fog Reviews
In Susan Whitfield’s “Hell Swamp” I found a wonderful array of action and drama.I suspected a couple of her characters as the suspect in this novel which I believe is a great format for a murder/mystery.The drama within this novel carries you through to the end with excitement.Wondering what is going to happen next will keep you reading it and you will have a hard time putting it down.I highly recommend “Hell Swamp” to those seeking a great dramatic murder/mystery novel.
4 Bookmarks
Anastasia Cassella-Young
Mind Fog Reviews
In Kathleen Heady’s The Gate House, Nora Blake had moved into her aunt’s gatehouse so that her father could get good medical care while fighting cancer. Soon after they moved in there are a set of burglaries and a murder and her and her father are quickly the suspects in the case. Can she trust Police Liaison Alex Collier to solve the case and clear her and her father or is he building a case against her?
While this book is extremely well written and tells the great story I found that the plot could have moved more quickly in the beginning and then slow down in the ending. The climax of the story could have been more in-depth. I would, however, recommend it to people that like mysteries.
***3.5 stars
Carol Langstroth, Manager
Mind Fog Reviews
Identity Crisis by Debbi Mack is a strong well written story. The characters have depth and are easy to get attached to. The story is on a level with some of the best written crime/mystery novels of the past.The writing flows easily and is consistent. I truly enjoyed reading this book and hope that Ms. Mack will continue to write stories based on this genre. She has a real talent for making the reader believe.
Stars 5 stars *****
Author/Reviewer Marilyn Thompson
Mind Fog Reviews
Dispel the Mist Marilyn Meredith
I found Marilyn Meredith's "Dispel the Mist" to be a wonderfully engaging story filled with suspense and intrigue. The plot was rich with characters and a storyline that pulled at the detective in me. Just when I thought I had the solution, a new suspect would spring forth and throw me off balance. I especially loved the inclusion of Native American folklore which added even more mystery to the story. This story was like being on a roller coaster that only went uphill. It filled me with the same breath-holding anticipation of what was to come when I finally reached the top. This is a very good 5 star book and I will be recommending it to all of my friends and family.
***** 5 Stars
Author/ Reviewer Marilyn Thompson
Mind Fog Reviews
Gumbo Justice Holli Castillo
In Holli Castillo’s Gumbo Justice a tough lady Assistant District Attorney, Ryan Murphy, has a mouth and an attitude that ticks off judges, other attorneys and even her adoptive father. She even teed off a killer that is unbeknownst to her.The killer has been killing felons that have not been able to be sentenced due to the lack of evidence.These are killers that Ryan has been involved in their cases.The killer would attempt to present them to Ryan as gifts by doing such things as dressing them up with bow ties and the like.The killer informs her that they are gifts by secreted phone calls to her answering machine and also by leaving notes for her asking her if she liked the killer’s gifts.
This story is set in pre–Katrina New Orleans.This story offers the reader the deep flavor of Louisiana.
I found this book to be engaging and the characters very real. Ryan goes through a traumatic experience and leans on the one person who is there for her…Detective Shep Chapetti.She learns to lean on him and trust him throughout this story. Shep brings out Ryan’s human side which this reader enjoyed. In fact it left me wanting to see more of their relationship.
For those that love a good murder/mystery with the proverbial “surprise ending” this book is for you.This reviewer was definitely floored by the ending and thinks that you, as a reader, will also enjoy the twists of fate involved.
This story could have easily been a **** 4 Star review had I not felt that the setting and the details did not provide enough of a mental picture for the reader.
*** 3 Stars
Carol Langstroth, Manager
Mind Fog Reviews
Murder, Secrets and Injustice in a Small Town Anastasia Cassella-Young
Anastasia Cassella-Young weaves an intriguing tale with Murder, Secrets and Injustice in a Small Town.
This tale carries the reader through a maze of deceit and lies, keeping you guessing what is around the next turn.
The characters in this story are believable and engaging. I felt that these were people that I knew, people whose lives I was involved in.
Reading this made me feel as though I were fly on the wall. Ana began to feel like a close personal friend, and I began to feel like her confidant. I felt true indignation at the injustice that was done to both the victim and to the accused. As a reader of true crime novels and stories I have to say that this one felt so much like reality it was scary. The crime, the corruption, the cover up all screamed out to me for truth and revelation.
After a bad marriage Ana leaves Florida and returns to her home town in Maine with her teen aged son Bill. Ana hopes to start a new life there for her and her son, but soon the ghosts of the town's past are resurrected when Ana meets and falls in love with Sherman. Ana believes that she has finally found happiness with Sherman and that she will at last be able to offer her son a stable life. Reality sets in however when Sherman reveals a dark secret to her about an unsolved murder that occurred years before. Suddenly Ana's life is thrown into a terror more frightening than any nightmare could ever be. As she struggles to keep her sanity and deal with the secret she has promised to keep, she soon feels that it is a battle she will lose.
Review done by author/reviewer Marilyn Thompson
Sins of the Border Leslie Kohler
In “Sins of the Border” by Leslie Kohler Lila Morrison is a former crime reporter who is trying to find out who killed artist Deanne Buffinton. The police think one of Lila’s friends killed Deanne but Lila is set to prove a Detective Garcia wrong.
This book was slow to get off the ground however by the middle of the book it grabs hold of you and won’t let you go until you read the last page. I do recommend this book to those that love murder/suspense.
**** 4 Stars
Carol Langstroth
Mind Fog Reviews
The Smell of Gas Erin O'Riordan
The Smell of Gas by Erin O’Riordan is about how the lives of ten people that are intertwined. Leander and Fred (short for Frida) are roommates who do heroin.Fred’s girlfriend, Brigid, is a high school girl who likes to party as well as get good grades in school. She is determined not to be a junkie and says she only uses on the weekend.She has sex with Rev. Prescott at the Prescott’s Wedding Anniversary celebration. Another character, Darius, is a police officer and he and his wife, Renata, are trying to have a child.
Renata’s sister, Monica, and her husband are expecting their first child.Darius’ ex–partner, Tim Kawguchi, was a police officer that had gotten shot in the line of duty. He is now a yoga instructor. He meets and falls for Diana Bell who just happens to be Brigid’s sister. Overall the stories make a decent read. It is this reviewer’s opinion that it just seems to jump around a bit and it does not flow correctly. However, the characters are very engaging and the plots are extremely good in and of themselves. This is a good read if you can follow the various individual plots and follow them all together.The woven integrity of this story is at stake with the confusion I endured while trying to follow the mini plots. *** 3 Stars Carol Langstroth, Manager Mind Fog Reviews
This site owned by Anastasia Cassella-Young. All copyright laws applicable. Site conception March 12, 2009.