Review: Head Cases by John McMahon

Head Cases (PAR Unit, Book #1)

by John McMahon

Release Date: February 28, 2025

2025 Minotaur Books

Ebook ARC; 352 Pages

ISBN: 978-1250348296

ASIN: B0D1PK6HYP

Audiobook: B0DDZB1NPR

Genre: Fiction / Murder / Suspense

Source: Review copy from publisher

 

3.75 / 5 Stars

 

Summary

FBI Agent Gardner Camden is an analytical genius with an affinity for puzzles. He also has a blind spot on the human side of investigations, a blindness that sometimes even includes people in his own life, like his beloved seven-year-old daughter Camila. Gardner and his squad of brilliant yet quirky agents make up the Patterns and Recognition (PAR) unit, the FBI’s hidden edge, brought in for cases that no one else can solve.

When DNA links a murder victim to a serial killer long presumed dead, the team springs into action. A second victim establishes a pattern, and the murderer begins leaving a trail of clues and riddles especially for Gardner. And while the PAR team is usually relegated to working cold cases from behind a desk, the investigation puts them on the road and into the public eye, following in the footsteps of a killer.

My Thoughts

Head Cases is the first book in a new series, and it certainly began with an interesting scenario. I found the intricacy of the case intriguing and as a result, was glued to the pages and was quite fascinated by the team's investigation. Because this is the first book in a new series, there is a certain amount of time taken to introduce the characters and develop their unique personalities, something I appreciated. But while the case was definitely interesting, it did fall back and make use of some tropes I was hoping would be avoided. 

 

I really enjoyed the main character quite a bit. Gardner Camden is on the spectrum and I appreciated the author's research into this character's development; he was such a fascinating person to follow. Quite brilliant, but struggling with personal relationships, it was fascinating to see how his mind grasped concepts with which the rest of his team struggled, but completely missed nuances relating to social relationships.  The rest of the characters complemented each other very well and I really enjoyed learning about their unique quirks and talents. While this book focused more on Camden's relationships, I am guessing future books will reveal more about the other characters and I can't wait as the glimpses we got were fascinating. All of them are there for something they did in the past and the author gave us just enough to tantalize. 

 

The plot certainly began and ended with quite a bang, but the middle did slow down quite a bit.  I didn't mind too much as I really enjoy investigations and love learning about the political machinations of organizations the author wants to include in their books.  The themes of family, loyalty, secrets, and betrayal all found their place within the story line.  I also didn't mind that the focus was more on Gardner Camden than on the others as I feel the author will expand on the characters in future books.  However, I did wish the overall conclusion was a bit different than what it was as it was predictable and a bit tropey. I also didn't feel like the author took it as far 'into the dark side' as the subject merited.  It felt like the author was afraid to go too dark and the brevity sometimes felt off as a result.

 

Verdict

Head Cases was an intriguing first entry into a new series and I enjoyed the character development quite a bit. And while the plot was interesting and definitely had its high moments, especially the first thirty percent and the last twenty percent, overall I did find it somewhat predictable when the final outcome was revealed. I was really hoping it would have gone in a different direction. However, I did enjoy it and I will be looking out the second book when it is released.

 

Review: Danger Close by Cameron Curtis

Danger Close (Breed Thriller, #1)

by Cameron Curtis

Release Date: February 7, 2021 (Part of boxed set released February 23, 2025)

2025 Inkubator Books

Ebook Edition; 294 Pages 

ASBN: 979-8703664940

ASIN: B0DWFWZQFB

Audiobook: B09NCB5YBG

Genre: Fiction / Thriller

Source: Review copy from publisher 

 

4 / 5 Stars

 

Summary

Ex-Delta Force sniper Breed has spent most of his life at war and now he’s trying to make some time for peace. But when a veteran from his old unit is murdered in El Paso, Breed feels duty-bound to bring the killer to justice. A feeling that only grows stronger when his friend’s widow and son are also murdered.

As he uses all his specialist skills to uncover the truth, Breed finds himself working with some unlikely allies - a devious CIA operative, and a determined Latina reporter. Together, they uncover a conspiracy to launch a massive attack on US soil.

The terrorists are confident – they have powerful friends in the Mexican cartels and US law enforcement. But they have reckoned without one thing—Breed. 

 

My Thoughts

Danger Close is the first book in the Breed Thriller books and they really hit the ground running.  I thoroughly enjoy this book and liked the fact the story was a nice blend of action and plot whereby the action didn't really override the plot.  Sometimes the story can be so full of twists and turns and action that character development as well as plot development is left by the curbside, but I didn't feel this in this book.

 

Set in Texas and Juarez, the descriptions of the places made me feel like I was right there. With Juarez ripped apart by the drug cartels and Texas dealing with the fallout, it was the perfect setting for a crime dealing with sex traffiking as well as guns and drugs traffiking.  The action scenes are quite good and while this is not quite the death culling that I have read in some books, the casualties were still high. However, my heart nearly broke when Breed learns the personal story of one of the sex traffikers who escaped her situation and the horrible treatment she received. I mean, we are talking about children being kidnapped and forced into this situation.  While not as graphic as some I have read, sometimes leaving it to the imagination can be worse as my imagination can think up all sorts of horrible things without having the descriptions. The sense of danger hanging over Breeds' head the entire time was so visceral, I kept waiting for the metaphorical axe to fall every chapter.  I have to also say, the plot of this book actually made me cold considering how realistic it is in today's world. 

 

Breed is a great main character and I enjoyed learning about him throughout the book.  While the story is quite heavy on the action side, it does allow time for some character development and gives you some sense of Breeds's character.  While they are only glimpses, it has made me curious to learn more about him and what drove him to the Special Forces as well as what drives him now. I love the camaraderie that exists between Breed and his fellow ex-soldiers, and I understood the anger in him when one of them was shot down in cold blood.  I felt like the relationships were real.

 

Verdict

Danger Close was a really good first book in the Breed Thriller series. There are some trigger warnings to this book as it does contain discussions around sex traffiking, sexual abuse (towards minors as well), drugs, gun traffiking, and general violence and upheaval. It also contains themes about family, loyalty, friendship, secrets, trust, and betrayal.  Quite a bit to pack into a shorter book, but it works quite well. There were some twists and turns that I did not expect which is why I read the whole thing in one night as I couldn't put it down. Looking forward to the next book. 

 

 

Review: Lowfield by Mark Sampson

Lowfield

by Mark Sampson

Release Date: April 15, 2025

2025 Now or Never Publishing Company

Softcover ARC; 347 Pages

ISBN: 978-1989689813

ASIN: 1989689817

Genre: Fiction / Horror

Source: Review copy from publisher

 

3.5 / 5 Stars

 

Summary

Riley Fuller, a police officer sidelined by the devastating loss of three colleagues in a tragic shooting, seeks solace in rural Prince Edward Island as he lays claim to his family's ancestral property—an ancient, dilapidated house known locally as Applegarth. Eager for a fresh start and relief from his traumatic past, Riley's hopes are soon dashed as he uncovers the dark secrets hidden within the very walls of the Victorian-era mansion. Soon, he realizes that Applegarth is merely a harbinger of something far more sinister—a malevolent force lurking within the nearby abandoned village of Lowfield, its ominous presence intricately entwined with the rich history of PEI itself.

 

 

 

My Thoughts

Lowfield is a slow-burn horror that I found intriguing due to its mix of cosmic horror with the history and geography of Prince Edward Island, a beautiful province in Canada.  It also delves into toxic masculinity and the consequences of that abuse of power during a time when social media was non-existent, but people wanted a voice to express their concerns as to what was happening, especially women. During a time when abortion was still banned on the island, and the politics surrounded the building of the bridge to the mainland, this was an interesting mix of politics, history, and survival.

 

The book focuses on Riley, a disgraced RCMP officer from Moncton, who discovers he has inherited an old home and property on PEI. The character is not especially likable, but I was drawn to him because of this factor, and also due to the fact he was an unreliable narrator. Riley continuously has thoughts about younger women, and while this may be off-putting, it is connected to the house and the story and is supposed to make you uncomfortable.  I did like how the author showed Riley's confusion and disgust as he was going through his visions and his dreams as it did make him, while not exactly relatable, but more real.  I did feel that the character development on a whole however, was inconsistent, and the secondary characters were very much one-dimensional. I don't know if this was done on purpose to try to throw off the reader, but I would have been a lot more invested in the characters if I had actually been able to develop more of a link with them and knew them a bit better. I don't have to like them, but I do have to empathize with them.

 

The plot itself is very much a slow-burn one for two-thirds of the book, something that didn't bother me too much.  I don't necessarily need my horror books to have these crazy twists and turns, but there was definitely enough to keep me interested and engaged despite the slower development. A lot happened during the last third of the book and I did need time to digest the information when I was finished. I will be hones though, I did have a suspicious as to what part of the ending would be and I was right.  

 

The themes of toxic masculinity and sexual abuse do dominate the narrative. Multiple generations of abuse is discussed and the effects this has on the current generation, something I thought was well done in this book. It doesn't give solutions, just highlights the issues and the consequences, but makes you think of the impact on families. Is it uncomfortable? Absolutely, but it should be. 

 

Verdict

Lowfield definitely had interesting moments and I enjoyed it overall. I loved the setting and thought the descriptions were beautifully done. However, there were things that were inconsistent plot-wise, and I really wished some of the characters had been developed a bit more to make the story that much richer. I definitely like this author's writing style and look forward to reading more of his work. And while I try not to give away spoilers in my reviews, I would definitely check the trigger warnings for this book, especially for sexual themes. 

 

Review: A Web of Obsidian by Lydia M. Hawke

A Web of Obsidian (The Obsidian Sisterhood, #1)

by Lydia M. Hawke

Release Date: February 25, 2025

2025 Michem Publishing

Ebook ARC; 231 Pages

ISBN: 978-1989457276

ASIN: B0D2SGJQZJ

Audiobook: B0DV679DV2

Genre: Fiction / Urban Paranormal

Source: Review copy from publisher

 

4.5 / 5 Stars

 

Summary

At 69 years old and with two martial arts black belts to her name, Sister Monica Barrett has never been one to back down from a fight. But the one that just landed on the ragged front lawn of the women’s shelter she runs may be more than she’s equipped to handle.

This attacker has powers—he moves with uncanny speed, strikes with brutal accuracy, and isn’t after the woman at all. Instead, he wants what she has: a flat, black stone with a spider’s web embedded in it.

The instant Monica touches the stone, her world is turned upside down. 

 

My Thoughts

A Web of Obsidian is the first book in a new series by this author and I loved it from the get-go. It was action-packed, funny, and touching, all at the same time. And while I love fast-moving books, I did think the story moved along too quickly and didn't give enough time to really develop the characters. 

 

Sister Monica Barrett is the MC in this book and as an older woman, I could completely relate to what she is going through.  Fairly active myself, I love that she is strong, but also vulnerable in ways that only people who have reached a certain age can fully understand.  That being said however, her courage and internal strength are still strong and I loved how she defended and protected those under her.  She was fierce, but also vulnerable at the same time because she needed to protect those she loved and would do anything for them.  I also liked the fact that she didn't do stupid stuff like some of the characters do in some of the books I have recently read, and this has nothing to do with age, but with common sense. Even in the midst of rage and in the midst of serious stuff, Monica still kept her wits about her.

 

What drew me to this book was the setting, Ontario.  Being from the area, I was very familiar with Toronto and Kingston and could easily picture the settings in my head. The scene regarding Highway 401 was particularly vivid in my head having driven that highway multiple times so I knew how desperate she had to have been to even attempt that crossing. The plot did move along rather quickly, perhaps too quickly as it didn't give the reader a chance to breathe, nor did it give the author time to really develop any of the characters except for Monica. I know there are going to be more books in the series, but I do get invested in the secondary characters as much as the MC and I feel it is important to put effort into developing them as well.  There is also a LOT going on in this book, some of which is obscure and hidden. That's okay as I love secrets and look forward to finding out more about the sisterhood and what is actually happening in future books.  And Monica's fight scenes were a lot of fun and I was right there rooting for her every punch and kick.  

Verdict

A Web of Obsidian was a lot of fun and I was thrilled at the age of the MC as I hate to admit I am closer to her age than the twenty year olds I usually read about.  I love a kick-ass heroine, but one who is also vulnerable and cares deeply for others.  The plot moved along rather quickly, and although there are still a lot of secrets to discover, there was definitely closure in the first book so you were not left feeling disappointed.  I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.  And if you get a chance, pick up this author's The Crone Wars series, you won't be disappointed.

 

Review: A Killer's Code by Isabella Maldonado

A Killer's Code (Daniela Vega, #3)

by Isabella Maldonado

Release Date: January 21, 2025

2025 Thomas & Mercer

Ebook ARC; 344 Pages

ISBN: 978-1662515842

ASIN: B0CYHLLXP5

Audiobook: B0DGB1X7PS

Genre: Fiction / Mystery / Suspense

Source: Review copy from publisher

 

4 / 5 Stars

 

Summary

A dead man’s riddles—and secrets—thrust an FBI codebreaker into a deadly cross-country race for justice.

 

During a recent undercover sting gone bad, hit man Gustavo Toro died in the arms of FBI Special Agent Daniela “Dani” Vega. But Toro had secrets he refused to take to the grave.

In the event of his death, Toro left behind a video that promises to expose a mysterious mastermind who has been operating with impunity for decades. But there’s a catch. Dani’s team must follow Toro’s cryptic clues on a cross-country hunt for justice, and piecing together his past is more twisted than Dani could have imagined.

 

My Thoughts

A Killer's Code was a fast-paced thriller, and at its heart, had a trope that I absolutely love, riddles and codes. It may be a throwback to my childhood, but I love it when a killer/killers send police/Jason Bourne/whoever on a hunt through clues they left behind or set up to perplex those doing the hunt.  This one had a nice mix of clues and situations that kept me turning the pages.

 

The continuing character development of Dani and Steve was quite enjoyable and I'm glad the author focused more on developing the MC's instead of focusing so much on the plot.  Dani is as badass as ever, but she definitely showed signs of vulnerability, something I really enjoyed as it showed a softer side to her character, especially when it came to her younger brother and the storyline that is beginning to develop with regards to him.  I also enjoyed the way the author is developing the relationship between Steve and Dani. I am curious to see what it will take to break down the walls both of them have built up through their experiences in the military. 

 

The plot itself moved rather quickly, and you just have a minute to catch your breath before something else happens. Because I read the previous entries in the series, I am familiar with the pacing of these novels, but it does make it difficult to put them down.  Dani and her team are following clues that pretty much lead them around the country, but at the same time, are trying to beat someone else who is also searching for the same thing.  There were some twists and turns that caught me off guard or came out of nowhere and it's one of the reasons I enjoy this series so much.  Plus, they are believable twists and turns, not just thrown in because an author thinks they don't have enough red herrings.  

 

Verdict

A Killer's Code was fast-paced and there was a solid mix between character and plot development, something that was a bit lacking in previous installments. The various story lines wove together quite nicely, and I liked the fact that everything comes together in the end, even if the end isn't quite what you would expect.  If I had any complains, it was about the clues. Even though I found them clever and interesting, there was still a part of me that was skeptical at how easily the team discovered them and deciphered them. However, the team dynamics and banter is one of the reasons why I keep coming back to these books, and I had a hard time putting this book down. Looking forward to the next one. 

 

Review: Rebellious Grace by Jeri Westerson

Rebellious Grace (A King's Fool Mystery, #3)

by Jeri Westerson

Release Date: January 7, 2025

2025 Severn House

Ebook ARC; 224 Pages

ISBN: 978-1448314751

ASIN: B0D9M93LWY

Genre: Fiction / Historical / Mystery

Source: Review copy from publisher

 

3. 75 / 5 Stars

 

Summary

1536, London. The gruesome murder of a servant in the king's palace, his throat savagely cut, has brought fear to the court of Henry VIII. When the man's body is then dug up from the churchyard and disembowelled two weeks later, Will Somers, the king's jester, is horrified. What terrible mischief is now afoot under the king's roof?

With Henry VIII distracted by The Pilgrimage of Grace, the religious revolt led by Robert Aske in protest at the king turning his back on the Catholic faith, Will becomes reluctant inquisitor once again. As he attempts to unmask a murderous knave, Will uncovers a chilling link between one of Queen Jane Seymour's precious jewels, the rebellion and the dead man. Is a shocking act of treachery behind a grotesque killing?

 

My Thoughts 

Rebellious Grace is the third entry in A King's Fool Mystery series, a mystery series that revolves around the little-known life of the king's fool, Will Somers.  I enjoy how the author fleshes out the character to fit into King Henry VIII's world, and as someone who had entry into the king's personal chambers, gives the reader insight into how the world worked during this tumultuous time period. 

 

Will himself is an interesting character and I enjoy the precariousness of his position as he balances keeping the court entertained with the seriousness of some of his jests, jests thrown to enlighten people as to what is actually happening and to give warnings. The relationship between Will and another member of the court ramps up, and Will struggles between being faithful to his wife and his longings and desires.  I liked the high emphasis on the relationship between Will and his wife, and the difficulties they have trying to navigate court life as well as their personal relationship. Because I am so familiar with the time period, I had no problem distinguishing between real historical figures and imagined ones, and I like how the author incorporates what is known about their lives into the story. It does make for fascinating reading and I was impressed with the historical detail and amount of research that is included in such a short book.

 

The plot itself focused on the Pilgrimage of Grace, led by Robert Aske, an event that took place over Christmas 1536, in the aftermath of Anne Boleyn's execution. With the intention of reconciling the Catholic Church, the members are convinced they are acting in both the king's and God's interests, but King Henry struggles with what to do as to question the Church is to question him.  And while the events of the Pilgrimage played more of a background role, it did have a profound effect on the mystery and who was involved in the actual murder Will was investigating.  Because this was set during the Christmas season, this allowed the author to portray the characters within many festive moments and includes a lot of great descriptions of what court life was like during this time period.  Will's task to solve the murder was made especially difficult as there were so many additional people at court. But he was one of the few people who could enter pretty much any room in the palace, and investigate quietly, putting himself at risk.

 

Verdict

Rebellious Grace had a believable mystery at its core, reflecting the trauma the execution of Anne Boleyn had on the court as well as the Pilgrimage of Grace. Because of these events, members of the court were trying to figure out the new shift in power and new alliances so I really enjoyed the underlying tension that lay beneath the entire book.  The character of Will Somers gives the reader a perspective that is quite fascinating; one as an observer who attends all the events, but will never be allowed to participate, and the other, as an outsider who sees all and knows quite a bit. And although the mystery never plays the central role in the story, it does rear its ugly head through Will's investigations as well as through his relationships with others in the court. 

 

Review: One by One by Lauren Street

One by One (The Bishop Smoky Mountain Thrillers, #10)

by Lauren Street

Release Date: January 7, 2025

2025 Sterling & Stone

Ebook ARC; 315 Pages

ISBN: 978-1629554266

ASIN: B0DNTZV4Y5

Genre: Fiction / Mystery

Source: Review copy from publisher

 

3 / 5 Stars

 

Summary

Rileigh Bishop and Mitch have faced their share of dangers, but nothing could prepare them for the horrors lurking in Shagbark Manor. Sixteen-year-old Hillary Scofield warned of blood-soaked visions, floating violins, and a body surrounded in a puddle of blood. Then she disappeared without a trace.

Determined to find the girl, Rileigh digs into the manor’s grim history, uncovering the chilling tale of Crawford Tillman – a man who returned home nearly a century ago to find his family murdered by an axe-wielding killer. Now, a new killer appears to be imitating the murders, starting with Hillary.

 

My Thoughts

One by One is the next book in the Bishop Smoky Mountain Thrillers and I have to admire how the author can keep writing taught mysteries book after book.  While this one has the appearance of a paranormal aspect, the actual truth is far different and I appreciate how perspective can play a huge role in witness accounts and how difficult it is for a police detective to separate fact from fiction.

The plot wove around the disappearance of a sixteen-year-old girl, but the reader did get to meet her in the first quarter of the book and learn some of her fears. I found this approach more in style of horror novels although this was definitely not a horror novel in the slightest. I did find that approach to be helpful once Mitch and Rileigh started digging into her disappearance as you already knew some of the backstory, but not enough to give anything away.  The manor is actually run by the great-granddaughter of the man who originally built the home, but who was at the center of grisly family murder that has pretty much remained unsolved all these years.  The plot moved along rather quickly and involved multiple POV, but they were clear and easy to follow.  I did have a problem with sentence structure, punctuation and grammar to the point where it actually jolted me out of the story a couple of times. As a proofreader, I tend to let certain mistakes slide, but when actual names of characters are wrong multiple times, it gets harder not to get annoyed.  And I did take a look at a published copy compared to my ARC to see if the mistakes were fixed and they were not.  I only mention this when it is definitely an issue.

 

The author does assume that you have prior knowledge of the relationship between Rileigh and Mitch when reading this book, but I don't think that is actually a big problem.  Personally, I felt like the character development was not a priority in this book and while that may be fine for the main characters whom we have met multiple times, it didn't help with the secondary characters we met for the first time in this book. To be honest, most just kind of faded to the background as the story went on, and while I liked the ending, I did feel like it was incomplete as it focused more on foreshadowing for the next book and what was going to happen to Rileigh rather than concluding the present book.  

 

Verdict

One by One had some great moments, and I definitely enjoyed the overall story even though I did find some of it predictable.  I liked how the author wove the paranormal aspect into the story, but it wasn't what people would expect.  I did think the plot overshadowed character development in this book which affected the ending and left some questions for the reader.  Overall, a decent entry in the series. 

 

Review: The Twilight Queen by Jeri Westerson

The Twilight Queen (King's Fool Mystery, Book #2)

by Jeri Westerson

Release Date: January 2, 2024

2024 Severn House

Hardcover Edition; 224 Pages

ISBN: 978-1448310906

ASIN: B0CBBXMTNK

Audiobook: B0D1D1RFKN

Genre: Fiction / Historical / Tudor / Mystery

Source: Review copy from publisher

 

3 / 5 Stars

 

Summary

Greenwich, Palace of Placentia, April 1536. Queen Anne is in peril. In the mid of night, court jester Will Somers is summoned to an urgent assignation when she discovers a body in her chamber. The queen wants Will to find out who the man is and how he ended up there. 

Anne has many enemies at court, and to make matters worse, Henry VIII is lining up his next conquest and suspects her of treason. Has the formidable Oliver Cromwell been whispering vile lies in the king's ears, and could Anne be the target of a Catholic conspiracy? As further attacks plague the court, Will is determined to uncover the truth behind the plotting and devilry, but he will need to keep hold of all his wits to do so!

 

My Thoughts

The Twilight Queen is the second book in the King's Fool Mystery series, and I really enjoy this series as it features a prominent person at court about whom we actually know little so the author can take liberties within the historical context. I thought the mystery was clever, but did feel like the ending was rushed; I would have liked to have read more about the fallout that happened afterwards.

 

I really enjoyed Will Somers as a main character as he is complex with many layers, but is absolutely loyal to King and throne. Manoeuvring the complexities of King Henry's court would have been very difficult during this period and I appreciated reading about the relationships of the various characters, most of whom are people who actually lived during this time period. Will himself struggles with his sexuality and while I have seen comments that suggest his wife would not have condoned this during this time period, if you have a history background you know the opposite is actually true as a wife would not have said much about her husband's proclivities considering women didn't have too many rights. The exploration of Henry's The Buggery Act of 1933 was just another facet of this novel and how men needed to be very careful when dealing with the king and his advisors. The struggles Will and his wife faced were raw and honest and I really enjoyed the scenes in which they were together.  

The plot moved along rather quickly, but the mystery was often shuffled to the background when something else occurred. That was fine, but suddenly Will would start doing his investigation again and I did find the shift somewhat jarring as I had to remind myself I was reading a mystery novel and not simply a historical fiction one.  There were a lot of great ideas in this novel, and I have always enjoyed this author's writing style, but I did think they were somewhat rushed.  

Verdict

The Twilight Queen was an entertaining, interesting book focusing on King Henry's fool as a main character.  Will Somers is very much unconventional, in an unconventional relationship, and has an unconventional relationship with the king, something which allowed the author to give a different perspective to what is happening at court.  I definitely appreciated the research that went into this, but did feel the overall mystery was a bit flat.