Tag Archives: mystery suspense

Unknown's avatar

The Curse of the House on Cypress Lane: Black Water- Book 1

by

While I found aspects of this story enjoyable, it didn’t fully captivate me from the outset. Prior to delving into this full-length novel, I had explored its shorter introductory version and was intrigued enough by the premise to give the complete story a chance, hopeful that it would provide a richer experience. To some extent, I was right; the novel did offer more detailed insights than the initial book, allowing a deeper exploration of the narrative. The plot itself was decent and relatively easy to follow, especially after navigating through some of the filler content that occasionally interrupted the flow.

One of my main critiques lies with the character development. I found the characters frustratingly underdeveloped, feeling more like sketches than fully fleshed-out individuals. They often appeared two-dimensional, primarily defined by their societal roles—husband, wife, etc.—rather than possessing distinct personalities or motivations that would make them feel more relatable. The Sheriff exemplified this issue; he fit snugly into the stereotype of a small-town lawman, embodying the wary protector who distrusts the wealthy outsider and is suspicious of newcomers in general. This characterization struck me as somewhat odd, given that he had lived in the community for many years and should have had a clearer understanding of its history and dynamics.

The language and dialogue used throughout the book effectively complement the characters, providing insights into their personalities in various contexts. However, even with this stylistic strength, it didn’t completely compensate for my desire for more depth in the character arc.

Set in the eerie swamps of Louisiana, the narrative centers around a creature that haunts the cursed house where dark memories linger—a place that the small town of Ocoee has largely chosen to forget. The terrifying truth is that history often has a way of repeating itself, which poses a significant threat to those unaware of the dangers looming just beneath the surface.

In conclusion, I would recommend giving this book a read. While it has its shortcomings, the intriguing premise may resonate with you, allowing you to form your own opinion about the work.

My rating: 💫💫💫

Unknown's avatar

The Unwanted

by

I have read the previous books in this series and always enjoyed them. While I liked this one it did not hold the same impact that the others did. I don’t think it was because it was shorter but just that the characters did not seem as engaging as at other times. The story was also a little thinner but important to tell. This was more about the two agents than it was about the case that they were supposed to be working. There was a lot of soul-searching and inner dialogue about the past and how it had affected them and not enough about the crime.

Destin Mortin and Caleb Durand had been partners in an FBI unit that was separate but equal to the one run by Taylor Jones. Caleb’s specialty is that he can filter and help a psychic to better handle their gift by making things clearer for them and taking some of the pain and anxiety. Destin’s gift is one that comes with a high price, she excels at tracking rapists but not just any rapists, she tracks the most violent.

When Caleb starts to lose himself in Destin and cannot tell where she ends and he begins he decides to leave. Destin is left heartbroken but blames him for not caring and does not look at herself as part of the problem. When he is brought into a case 5 years later she is not happy to see him because she believes she has moved on. Life can be unfair but sometimes fate gives you a second chance.

This was a nice enough story but I would have been just as happy to have more of the case and a bit less of the emotional stuff. Would still recommend it, just not enthusiastically.

My rating: 💫💫💫

Unknown's avatar

The Protected

by

I always enjoy the exploits of the psychics attached to the FBI unit because they are not simply suits. These agents have backgrounds and stories that are in some instances heartbreaking but that only makes them more interesting to read about. The characters whether good guys or bad guys are going to be nothing short f great because you are going to get someone who is either going to make you like them or creep you out and make you dislike them, both very good things while reading.

Agent Vaughnne MacMeans would do anything to avoid going back to Orlando after the last assignment in that city. Her new assignment, keeping an eye on a psychic kid who may or may not be in danger forces her right back to the city where her sister was murdered. As an added bonus she finds herself attracted to the kids’ guardians in a big way.

Gus does not understand Alex’s gift but he knows that some people would kill to have it. And he is prepared to do whatever it takes to keep the boy safe from anything. His first inclination is to run when the beautiful woman moves into the house across the street from his, but figures getting to know her first might not hurt. When danger does show Vaughnne may be the only person standing between them and death.

Things start a little slowly but pick up swiftly and things start happening that keep you wondering. There are a number of people who come into play some known and some new. The tension builds perfectly and keeps you waiting for the next event. There is also a romance that develops which you want to see grow and hopefully work. I would definitely recommend this!

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Unknown's avatar

Death Ain’t But A Word

by

death ain't but a wordDeath Ain’t But A Word: A Supernatural Hot Mess
by Zander Marks

 

I had heard a lot of good things about this book before I got it and I will say that they were all justified. Now, it starts off a little slowly as it establishes who and what the characters are in relation to each other. And though we meet quite a few different characters they are not all fully fleshed out with a background and such though they still have a vital purpose in the story. The ebb and flow of the story was good and made understanding what was going on and why very easy to follow. Though some might not be able to always follow the conversations, the use of slang is limited and mostly explained when it is used. The idea behind this was just so delicious to me and I guess I could not help but like it, it spoke to me very loudly.

Wilkin Jones is a crackhead but he is so much more than just that and he wishes that he were not. It has been twenty-three years since his best friend disappeared and was presumed dead, but he has kept in touch off and on with him over the years. When the killer comes back and wants to clean up after himself, Wilkin finds that he is in the middle of something that could cause him to step over into the veil for good. He has fought who he really is for years but now he may not be able to do that any longer if he wants to survive.

The thought of a crackhead being the main focus was intriguing to me and it proved to be very entertaining. I found myself smiling a lot while reading this as well as getting a bit weepy at times. Wilkin is a likable guy who I can see myself knowing in real life. Some of these characters remind me of people from my old neighborhood and they were mostly good folks who just fell. I would recommend this to everyone! A different kind of ghost story that brings things into the light.

 

 

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“Don’t you DARE try that goo-goo-eyed force-be-with-you Obi-Wan Kenobi bullshit with me. I know what time it is. Ain’t about me. I’m a crackhead gonna die behind a Dumpster, nobody miss me when I do. Fuck that. This about him. He don’t deserve this. After all he been through, he do not deserve this. So cut the crap right now. Right now! And don’t piss on my leg and tell me it be raining, ’cause you coulda stopped it. You let it happen. You knew all along, and you were wrong for that. So fuck you and don’t hand me no light saber and play some bitch-ass Yoda. I AIN’T HAVING IT!”

 

 

 

 

Graph

 

Unknown's avatar

Dead Beat

by

Dead Beat (The Dresden Files #7)

This one is a little more fun than some of the other books though you get laughs with them all in one way or another. The wit and sarcasm really flow. As has been the case James Marsters does a fantastic job of bringing our hero and his friends to life. The story continues to evolve along with the characters.

The war with the Red Court Vampires continues to rage and take casualties. Necromancers have come to town looking for The Word of Kemmler, a book, that will elevate them to the role of a god. Halloween is going to be less than stellar once again for the people of Chicago if Harry cannot stop the latest threat.

We get a lot more of Waldo Butters in this one as he is kind of featured. I had some laugh out loud moments because Harry has some of the wildest lines. James Marsters as usual brings it home in a big way as he continues to bring life to Harry and his merry band of friends and enemies.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
“In the action business, when you don’t want to say you ran like a mouse, you call it ‘taking cover.’ It’s more heroic.”
― Jim Butcher, Dead Beat
Unknown's avatar

Storm Front

by

13543646

Storm Front (The Dresden Files #1)

by Jim Butcher , James Marsters (Narrator)
I remember the first time I read this book and it sucked me in pretty quickly because it was different from anything else I ever read before. This time was the same even though I knew what to expect this time around. The idea of a real life wizard living and working as a private eye is very cool. The way he is introduced is good because it is not a far fetched story but something that is more or less plausible. The language is perfect and conveys the the feelings, thoughts, and lives of the characters perfectly. The characters take on a life even in this first book where you can see who they are and what they will be later as they evolve.

Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden is a wizard, but not an old hermit type, but a wizard who lives in the world and has to survive there. He has a P.I. license and also consults for the police department on cases that do not have an obvious cause and seems to have a supernatural component. When he is called in on a case that involves a man and woman having their hearts explode in their chests by means that are not apparent he steps into something that is more than it seems on the surface. As the only known practicing wizard in Chicago Harry falls under suspicion not only with the White Council but by his friend Karrin Murphy who does not understand why he is holding back information from her.

Harry has only two days to find the real killer and stop him from taking even more lives. But when he is targeted can he find the killer before his own time is up. And can he possibly have a life outside of magic and death.

I love Harry now and forever because he is a wizard with a heart and sense of fair play like no other. This introduces you to his world and the people and places that he interacts with the most. This series can be fun but it will always have a dark edge because true magic and magical beings have a tendency to do what they want and it will not always be nice. Go for it!

“I’d made the vampire cry. Great. I felt like a real superhero. Harry Dresden, breaker of monsters’ hearts.”
― Jim Butcher, Storm Front                Jim Butcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Unknown's avatar

Petty Pewter Gods

by

10058981

Petty Pewter Gods: A Garrett (Garrett Files #8)

I have liked Garrett from the first adventure I took with him but this one did not seem very exciting or interesting. The story was alright I guess since it did at least have an awake Dead Man for once, he has been asleep for awhile. The new characters introduced did not seem very lively or appealing but kind of dull and lackluster. This was one that I had a hard time getting into and even when I did I just kept going because I like Garrett and his bits of sarcasm enough to overlook a weak plot line.

Garrett finds himself in the middle of a contest between two groups of gods in Tunefaire. The refugees from the Cantard have brought their own pantheon of gods to the Street of Dreams and now one of the existing pantheons is going to have to move out. Lucky Garrett, he gets to figure who is going to get the last location at the bottom of the street. He gets snatched by the Godoroth first and even though he does not commit he gets waylaid by the Shayir, the other pantheon and told he cannot leave until he helps them. What can he do but escape and go into hiding. He has never been very big on gods in the past and now he can see that they are not anything more than a bunch of thugs who just want to be worshiped.

This was not the best so far and I have a ways to go but if you want the continuity you have to read it. Just know that there are some truly slow spots. But it is still Garrett even if he is not handling a good mystery this time.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Unknown's avatar

Me and My Ghoulfriends

by

11459628Me and My Ghoulfriends (Larue Donavan #1)

Continue reading →

Unknown's avatar

The Ghost Files

by

18296529

The Ghost Files (The Ghost Files #1)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I did not really know what to expect from this when I got started but was very pleasantly surprised with where it went. The story is very nicely executed with the characters becoming more pronounced with each chapter. The language is perfect for the ages of the characters and makes you pay closer attention to them. This is not really so much scary as it is disturbing, but it does not make it any less effective. This is touted as being horror but I see more of a mystery with a paranormal theme involved. It is also more young adult than adult, though maybe that changes a bit in later books.

Mattie Hathaway has been in the foster care system for a good portion of her life, she entered it at the age of five and now at the age of sixteen she is a veteran of the system who knows how to survive. There is one thing Mattie has kept to herself all those years, and that is the fact that she can see ghosts. While in her latest and best foster home she encounters the ghost of a little girl who she ignores as has become her custom. The only thing that goads her into communicating with the ghosts she sees is when she sees her foster sister as a ghost after having just left her alive at home.

While in the hospital after a mishap Mattie meets Officer Dan who will become very important to her and what she finds out about what is happening. A serial killer has been operating in the town and preying on children who in most cases will either not be missed or assumed as a run-away. Mattie brings attention to herself and the killer takes notice. The children who have been killed have gathered around her and she does not know if they mean her harm or are simply drawn to her. Whatever else may happen Mattie may have to survive more than just a bad few days.

Once I got into it I really did enjoy the story. Mattie was a bit much to take because of her teen angst and self reliant posturing throughout the book, with reminding us she does not cry or does not need anyone constantly. Her back story was heart breaking but could have been deeper still. The end was a bit of a shocker and made me more than eager to read the next book in this series. If you can get around the bravado and whining of our 16 year old heroine you will enjoy this. Ghosts, serial killers, revenge, what more can you ask for.

Unknown's avatar

Dresden Files: Downtown

by

26843031

Jim Butcher’s The Dresden Files: Down Town Collection (The Dresden Files Graphic Novels #5)

by Jim Butcher (Goodreads Author), Mark Powers, Carlos Gómez (Illustrator)
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I totally have a thing for Harry Dresden and I am happy to read about him in any medium I can find him. This is a really nice new story that gives you a chance to become better acquainted with Molly Carpenter and what she is doing with Dresden as his apprentice. We also get to see the character of Marcone who does not appear a lot though he is mentioned quite often in any number of novels.

Something is killing innocent people and the police, Karrin Murphy, calls in Dresden because it is obvious that whatever it is its not human. While Harry has never seen anything like it before he is ready to stop it no matter what it takes.

This does not have a lot of plot, it is simple and straight forward, which is perfect for a graphic novel. Good story told in minimal space with decent characters, no need for major development, some fun facts.