Reviewed by Philip Zozzaro

An arresting mystery about a murder in small-town Greece and the detective whose life is at stake

Chief Inspector Yiannis Patronas has received a call about the discovery of a dead girl in Souda. The victim was found with her throat slit. Unfortunately, Souda is not unfamiliar with violence, as it has become a focal point for aggression against migrants.

Yiannis notices the stark beauty of the victim, along with the ghastly violence committed against her. Yiannis is a veteran police investigator, but the assaults against the refugees are starting to wear on him, especially as elements of the radical right (i.e., The Golden Dawn) begin to attract more followers.

Patronas is a man who can command a crime scene, yet initially has doubts about his abilities. His team is a motley crew of police officers composed of the washed-up, tactless, and over-the-hill. The young girl was Syrian, and her name is Raina.

While her murder was in Greece, the motive for her murder might reside in her home country of Syria. The intricacies of the investigation begin to collide with Patronas’s personal life as his wife Lydia believes the job is putting a strain on their marriage. In addition, Patronas has decided to take in a young migrant boy into his house and is considering adoption. If this weren’t enough, his ex-wife is sick and is making demands on his time.

Patronas has spent nearly his entire life in Greece, but the Greece of his youth has faded into a quaint memory. The intolerance shown toward the migrants is disquieting; the rise of hate groups is alarming. The violent murder of Raina is soon followed by another vicious murder, and Patronas is hard-pressed to find a definitive suspect. The search for the killer(s) will prove to be the test of Patronas’s life.

Yiannis Patronas is a fascinating main character, and he is the heart of this story. A sagacious but weary veteran, he is full of compassion for the victim and the plight of the migrants. The author infuses his character with an unflappable resolve that is able to withstand the criticism and doubts of superiors, along with the occasional assault from a killer or two.

Patronas’s job matters to him, but he also doesn’t want to lose those closest to him because of it. Despite pondering retirement, he counsels a fellow officer on why they should remain on the job and keep fighting the good fight. Patronas’s indomitable will makes for one of the salient and positive impacts of the narrative.

The Nameless Dead is a riveting whodunit rich in compelling characters. A great detective novel hinges on a case with resonance, along with a lead character with gravitas—and author Leta Serafim has done just that. This modern detective novel comes with great emotional depth and humanity.

Thank you for reading Philip Zozzaro’s book review of The Nameless Dead by Leta Serafim! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

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Reviewed by Peggy Kurkowski

The diabolical machinations of a twisted mind target a family with shocking repercussions in this fast-paced thriller.

An “innocent” office affair drags one man’s family down a torturous road of deceit, manipulation, and white-collar crime in Gypsy McKnight’s thrilling novella Torment.

The Wingarts are an average American family. Doug is the breadwinner, working late and on weekends to get a promotion. Stacy, meanwhile, is hoping to see more of him as she deals with the demands of four children, including young twins. But Doug has his eye on his assistant, Kelley, whose pouting lips and self-assured sexuality threaten to derail his already checkered fidelity to his wife.

When a fiery explosion destroys the company office from which they barely escape alive, Kelley has the wherewithal to set up temporary office space at a local hotel. Their affair rises from the ashes of the company’s destroyed building, in conjunction with Kelley’s admission to Doug that the ten million dollars from the insurance settlement is now in a private account offshore and untraceable. Doug’s sense of right and wrong is lost in Kelley’s green eyes. His “skin tingled at the thought of Kelley’s touch. Everything about her was perfect, the way her eyes burned straight through to his soul.”

But there are hints at home that Stacy’s addiction issues are returning, which the elder children, Adrian and Charlotte, wrestle with in their own ways: Adrian loses himself in a new relationship with a French exchange student, and Charlotte channels her passion for ballet into an obsession.

Doug takes Kelley’s advice to help Stacy by hiring a nanny, who wins over the twins at the expense of their mother. Another suggestion from his paramour convinces Doug to install home security cameras to observe Margaret, the nanny, with the twins. As Stacy begins to suspect Doug, her mental health takes a nosedive…and the security cameras capture something horrifying.

In spare prose, the novella chronicles the Wingart clan’s decline and fall in the aftermath of Doug’s selfish decisions. Stacy is convinced the nanny is not who she claims to be and begins her own search for answers before succumbing to the siren song of opiates and marijuana.

Charlotte’s new ballet instructor pushes her beyond the limits of a twelve-year-old, triggering anxiety and suppressed memories from when her mother was in her first throes of addiction, prior to rehab. Adrian, an eighteen-year-old high schooler, guards a precious secret about his relationship with Elodie, the French exchange student, from his troubled parents.

The story is a taut and tightly paced thriller that examines the impact of adultery and addiction in sharp, realistic dialogue. The “mystery” of the family’s torment is easy to glean, but the extent of it is a creative and twisty surprise. The narrative drops the reader immediately into a family fully sprung from Zeus’s head, i.e., their past is unknown except for what McKnight reveals. Stacy’s experiences with drugs and rehab are a painful memory, as is Doug’s first act of adultery, but these engaging and provocative plot elements are given short shrift. The story has enough fuel to go from a novella to a novel, if only we were given deeper backstories and character development.

Torment is a quick, twisty read that dials up the mayhem and relishes the ride over the destination.

Thank you for reading Peggy Kurkowski’s book review of Torment by Gypsy McKnight! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

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Reviewed by Tomi Alo

A compelling story of espionage across Europe

We Are Made covers the political tension, uncertainties and courage of pre-war London in the late 1930s, all while drawing readers into a suspenseful story of spies and secret missions.

Set in North London, 1938, the story begins with William Hand grieving the loss of his beloved teacher and mentor; he was killed by fascists while fighting for the Republicans in Spain. To William, Cedric was not only a coach, but the steady figure who encouraged him to pursue the classics at university and guided him toward a different kind of future than the one he seemed preconditioned to have. Yet, with his father’s illness and the growing tension sweeping across Europe, William is forced to abandon his academic ambitions and take a job at Lea Albion Metal Tubing Company Limited.

During one of his shifts at the Aircraft Shed, while sorting out shipments, William suspects foul play with the production of certain tubes and believes Cable, the foreman whose presence is as horrible as it is domineering, is behind the sabotage. This little observation soon leads William on a path filled with hidden meetings and dangerous missions.

Author John Ludlam brilliantly creates the tension and the political divide of the late 1930s in We Are Made. He depicts the complex reality of the period not just in the newspaper headlines, but also in the small, simple conversations that happen at the dinner table, in pubs, gatherings or in arguments among old friends. With the Great War still fresh in the memories of those who survived it, the city moved under the constant shadow of fear and uncertainty, especially with the rise of Hitler propaganda in Germany and Mosley’s fascist rallies in Britain. It was hard to feel safe and trust in anyone as friends and family could hold very different beliefs.

We see William in the midst of this divide, especially with his father and Steven, a former school friend and current boss, due to their support of the British Union and fascist views. Through these interactions, Ludlam explores how easily one’s ideology can slip as well as the power other people have on how we view the world around us.

Ludlam introduces his readers to a nice set of well-developed and relatable personalities, most especially with the two protagonists, William and Elizabeth. William’s growth and evolution from the first chapter of the novel to the last is bittersweet. He goes through a lot of hard situations where he is forced to flee. But through these risky missions, William stands strong and brave. He is not hard to like or sympathize with and that is what I loved about his character most.

We Are Made is an intriguing exploration of pre-war London. Historical fiction fans will love this mix of espionage, crime, love, and a little action.

Thank you for reading Tomi Alo’s book review of We Are Made by John Ludlam! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

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Reviewed by Joelene Pynnonen

Action meets sci-fi in this high-stakes time-warping romantic thriller.

When Blake Everhart takes on a mission to infiltrate and bring down a particularly dangerous organized crime syndicate, she knows that it will be perilous. Even with her ability to warp time, rewinding mistakes and dealing herself a do-over, this mission may break her. Once undercover, she will be alone in a den of the most dangerous criminals she’s met. But every move she makes will put her one step closer to finding her brother’s killer.

Inside the organization, Blake realizes just how out of her depth she is. Her ability, powerful as it is, cannot outmatch every contingency. And, as she sees how the organization works, it becomes clear that her power may not be the only one on the playing field.

Then Naomi Preston, the woman she loves more than life, is dragged into her cat-and-mouse game, and suddenly Blake’s playing for real. For the first time Blake experiences the other side of the coin. In joining the people she should be fighting, even undercover, she begins to question how far she will go to achieve her ends.

Echoes in Snowfall is the third book in the True Time series. While it’s possible to read this as a stand-alone, starting at the beginning would serve readers better. There are enough reminders to let return readers know where the story and characters stand, but the set-up leaves some out for newcomers. The novel combines thriller, romance, and action with a hint of sci-fi to build a fast-paced, thrill-packed experience.

Reading Echoes in Snowfall has nearly the same intense feeling as watching an action flick. Fast-paced action with a lot of moving pieces. There are a lot of power players here, and watching their dynamic play out on the page is fascinating. Between Blake’s employers, the organization that she’s going up against, and the enemies of the organization, there’s enough intrigue for a lifetime. Add to that Blake’s thirst for revenge warring against the need to keep Naomi safe, and the stakes just keep climbing.

While the physical stakes and energy of Echoes in Snowfall are sky-high, it’s lacking in the emotional stakes department. There is a surfeit of action and reaction, but not very much in the way of contemplation. In times of danger, Blake makes the decisions to protect both herself and Naomi, but there’s never a true sense of her feelings on the matter. The actions the characters take often stand in for the emotion, and for a novel that centers around love and revenge, it feels unbalanced.

Echoes in Snowfall holds the recipe of a good sci-fi thriller: a seemingly impossible mission, shadowy threats, increasingly dire stakes. The time-warping aspect is refreshingly new as well. This is a quick, fun read that has enough of the genre norms to delight thriller readers with a good dose of originality to make its own mark.

Thank you for reading Joelene Pynnonen’s book review of Echoes In Snowfall by Tess Manchester! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

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Reviewed by Victoria Lilly

A tense rollercoaster of a thriller that explores cult dynamics & personal autonomy against an apocalyptic backdrop

The Artificial Conspiracy opens in medias res as Mirai McGarry, a 24-year-old artist from Florida recently diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, ventures into the Nevada desert where a doomsday cult has garnered a following numbering in tens of thousands.

Mirai enters the cult compound in search of her best friend, Julie, who abruptly left her Florida home to join The Preserve, lured by its charismatic leader Alexander’s promise of spiritual rebirth and ascension to a different world. But Mirai’s attempt to rescue Julie fails quickly, and she is expelled from the compound along with David, a member of the cult disillusioned with its promise of rebirth and escape from “hell” of everyday life.

Mirai’s and David’s burgeoning friendship is interrupted when an apocalyptic message is broadcast—first on the big screens of New Year’s celebrations in Times Square, then in a frantic rambling of a dementia-stricken radio station host. The latter warns of a millenarian secret society, Ad Ordinem.

Mirai thinks little of either event at first, preoccupied with the loss of her best friend to the cult, and agonizing over her medical diagnosis, but her life is inexorably pulled toward the threats of apocalypse when she is contacted by an anonymous member of an organization claiming to be fighting Ad Ordinem and The Preserve. Encouraged and aided by David, Mirai throws herself into a whirlwind of conspiracy, assault, and reckoning with her emotional and spiritual baggage.

This evocative thriller is about the search for truth, belonging, and beauty in an age of moral uncertainty and false prophets. Framed around the ominous appearance of Brubaker’s Comet and a cryptic doomsday conspiracy, the novel examines how fear, grief, and yearning for meaning can drive people toward the illusion of safety—even at the cost of their freedom.

The unfolding suspense plot provides an engaging structural anchor; onto this skeleton author Muehlbauer adds the true meat of the story, the exploration of existential uncertainty, religious doubt, and childhood trauma. While cult dynamics are examined, more attention is devoted to the reasons why people wind up joining cults in the first place, exemplified by such supporting characters as Mirai’s best friend Julie and newfound partner David.

Interpersonal relationships are the novel’s strongest feature. Where it stumbles is the delivery of new information and enunciation of characters’ particular worldviews. This exposition is sometimes clunky, which interferes with the otherwise fluid and quick pacing, and makes otherwise compelling characters sound flat and lecturer-like.

This is, however, a minor complaint, as the writing overall does its job and brings characters to life with great skill. One of the most enjoyable dynamics is the McGarry family in the first act, with banter between Mirai and her adopted father and sister particularly notable, especially in the light of later events and revelations. This well-executed thriller plot—which has a protagonist chasing puzzle pieces all around the United States—should more than satisfy lovers of the suspense genres. The novel also does an excellent job of incorporating and critiquing AI technology and chatbots.

The Artificial Conspiracy is a compelling and emotionally rich narrative about resisting authoritarian seduction and choosing truth over comfort. Mirai’s journey is ultimately one of reclaiming voice and agency in a world increasingly primed for manipulation. A bold, timely, and haunting work, this book challenges readers to confront what they believe in and asks them to consider whether comfort is ever worth the price of freedom.

Thank you for reading Victoria Lilly’s book review of The Artificial Conspiracy by Jesse Muehlbauer! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

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Reviewed by Josie Prado

A tense and atmospheric legal thriller featuring murder and fraud

Navigating a courtroom and attempting to complete the herculean task of convincing 12 strangers of your client’s innocence is difficult. Attorney Jamie Carson has faced this challenge numerous times and achieved great success, thanks in large part to the support of his firm, Ely, Snow, & Carson.

On one fateful day, however, he’s tasked with representing Herbert “Herbie” Jones, a stockbroker charged with felony firearm possession. Herbie’s story is outrageous: he claims he was involved in a bar fight, passed out, and woke up in jail facing a gun charge. He swears that he has never owned a gun and has no idea why the weapon was found in his car.

Carson is committed to doing what he does best—finding the right moment to turn the jury to his side with eloquence and style. This is complicated, however, by the discovery that the gun can be traced to a murder that occurred two weeks prior. The state prosecution is determined to make sure Herbie is brought to justice for the crime, even if the evidence is nebulous.

Although Ely, Snow, & Carson has never represented a client charged with a capital crime before, Carson believes his client is a scapegoat who is being set up by his company, Atoll Investments. Carson’s team begins their research and searches for a truth that is shrouded in corruption, manipulation, and greed.

Cross Examination excels with the natural-sounding, rapid-fire dialogue we’ve come to know, love, and expect from our legal thrillers. Carson’s questions feel realistic and not overly dramatic for the sake of entertainment—even if they are still entertaining. As readers, we feel like members of the jury, gasping collectively as Carson skillfully makes his point.

This book also does a great job of capturing the little-known aspects of a lawyer’s work and the challenges they face. Sure, there are mentions of the material benefits of practicing law, but the book really hits home on the toll of such a demanding work schedule.

Emphasizing the importance of meticulous research in building a case, this is a multi-faceted story that requires thinking from multiple angles. Luckily, Caroll explains legal jargon simply and well; this book is both a faithful study and a genuine admiration for the practice of law.

Sometimes, there can be a bit too much exposition regarding the characters, their personalities, and even some of their discoveries. Without it, we don’t always piece together key insights alongside Carson and instead simply find out what he learns. Still, there are so many fun and interesting plot twists to discover in Cross Examination. Legal thriller aficionados have met their match with this ligitation-loving, twisty novel.

Thank you for reading Josie Prado’s book review of Cross Examination by James E. Carroll! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

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Reviewed by Addison Ciuchta

As a vicious electoral campaign heats up, a groundbreaking doctor finds himself in the center of the feud in this gripping political thriller.

In the near future, health care in the US has reached a crisis point. The funds required to keep it going are on the brink of bankrupting the nation.

In this quagmire of uncertainty, Dr Taylor Abrahms makes a breakthrough that may revolutionize medicine. His Virtual Heart Project aims to erase much of the danger involved in heart surgeries by using less intrusive tiny robotics to perform procedures. In this financial landscape, though, a project like this creates a political tempest.

Senator Randolph McIntyre has his sights set on the White House. His platform? Keeping the cost of health care from crippling the nation. When he realizes that his already disappointing son-in-law is spearheading a radical new treatment, all of his life goals are jeopardized. Stopping Taylor is the only way to ensure that he reaches the presidency, and he is prepared to go to any lengths.

As Taylor tries to navigate the political maelstrom and the technical drawbacks of the Virtual Heart Project, he finds himself and his peers in increasing danger. Before long, he will be fighting for his career, family, and his very life.

Deadly Vision is a tech-savvy political thriller that explores the backstabbing corruption of electoral campaigns, the weight of childhood trauma, and the cost of following dreams that aim too high.

There are a lot of appealing elements to Deadly Vision. The political machinations going on in the background of Taylor’s life, his carefully buried past that surfaces bit by bit, and the relationships he has with those closest to him. The most fascinating aspect has got to be the Virtual Heart Project. A lot of media portrays virtual reality, but it’s usually shown as entertainment. Here, virtual reality is imagined through the lens of something vital and lifesaving. The project that Taylor and his team work on aims to repair heart damage using high-tech VR and minuscule lasers. The scope and thought of this storyline are fantastic.

Deadly Vision balances its themes with finesse. Taylor’s difficult past creates stark shadows against the brightness of his future. There’s a lovely mix of the personal, with Taylor and his team working through their dreams in real time, and the bigger picture, with all of the political drama. Throughout, a sense of high stakes is created on both a private and public sense. While Taylor, his wife, and his team are the people whose lives are immediately affected by the events of the novel, readers are well aware that stakes go well beyond them.

There are times when Deadly Vision loses focus though too. It starts out in the political thriller realm with a dose of medical drama. We have a brilliant doctor who finds himself unknowingly at the center of a political melee, and around him a cut-throat presidential election is gaining steam. In the shadows, an assassin waits for the perfect time to strike. There’s a simmering tension roiling on the sidelines, ready to break into violence. However, when the plot moves, it twists into something like psychological horror before moving again into action-adventure. I love a good genre mash-up, but the transitions here are abrupt and left me feeling off-kilter. Still, all of the pieces end up coming together for a thrilling finale.

Deadly Vision is a unique and fast-paced read where political intrigue combines with compelling family drama, techno-thriller vibes, and a smattering of medical fiction. This is an unparalleled reading experience.

Thank you for reading Addison Ciuchta’s book review of Deadly Vision by T.D. Severin! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

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Reviewed by Erin Britton

Is the law really the best weapon for tackling the deadly consequences of a border crisis and a global pandemic?

A fast-paced, frequently troubling, and often shocking legal thriller, Luis Figueredo’s When Canaries Die manages to achieve the difficult balance between a realistic portrayal of the justice system and those who work in it and the kind of rip-roaring, action-packed extralegal shenanigans featured in the works of John Grisham. As such, and by drawing inspiration from some of the most significant events to have faced the United States and the world in general in recent years, it presents an all-too-plausible exploration of the devastating fallout when systems and societal norms break down.

The pandemic begins in a Kayapo village in Brazil. As a US Army medic watches on helplessly, a young patient convulses on her bed in the makeshift clinic. “Her tiny arms and legs riddled with lesions oozing pus spasmed, and her head lurched as another seizure swept over her body. Blood mingled with pink froth sprayed out of her mouth each time the virus planted its death kiss and her lungs struggled to expel the buildup of fluid that was overwhelming them.” The girl will soon be dead, joining the three-quarters of the village population who have already succumbed to the illness.

The new virus “is just as contagious as COVID-19, but far more deadly. The mortality rate is about ninety percent.” With that in mind, acting on direct instructions from the president, the order is given for the small US army medical team to evacuate the village. The only way to contain the virus is to incinerate the village and everyone left alive in it. “In a few hours, all the men, women, and children, those infected by the virus and the uninfected, were going to die. No one would survive. There was no plausible way that [the medic] could ever come to terms with   her government’s decision.”

Meanwhile, hotshot trial attorney Pierce Evangalista—“His touch was deft and tactical, almost ninja-like, leaving no evidence that he was responsible for pulling the strings behind the scenes.”—and his friend/mentor Moses Black are meeting with US Congresswoman Ana Rodriguez to discuss mounting a legal challenge to the government’s controversial migration policy, which is “making it impossible for migrants to be granted asylum. […] The camps are an outgrowth of the President’s Remain in Mexico policy, which has caused the encampments to swell to 15,000 migrants.”

To force a change in policy, they’ll have to convince a court that the government’s immigration practices violate both US law and international human rights law. A herculean task from the outset, Evangalista and Black’s work is made even more difficult by the rapid spread of a previously unknown illness. “There were now seventeen cases in Miami, Florida. Eleven were passengers on the same flight that originated in San Paulo, Brazil.” And as the outbreak becomes a pandemic and global blood supplies dwindle to a dangerously low level, a new opportunity for criminal exploitation emerges.

Of course, those who are already in precarious situations are those most in danger—both from the virus and from those looking to profit from it. “Criminal groups preyed on underprivileged and vulnerable men and women in developing countries as a major source of trafficked blood. The U.S.-Mexico border towns of Tijuana, Juarez, and Matamoros became among the world’s deadliest.” The only hope for the refugees still stuck in the camps is for the US District Court to resume operations and for Evangalista to succeed with his motion to reopen the border between Mexico and the US.

In plotting When Canaries Die, Luis Figueredo has taken inspiration from two major events/catastrophes of recent years that already had cinematic aspects and then ramped the danger and intrigue levels up even further: the COVID-19 pandemic and the Mexico–US border crisis. This “ripped from the headlines” approach ensures the realism of the story despite its extraordinary elements and also gives it a dramatic sense of immediacy and jeopardy. Thus, while certain parts of the story do stray into the realm of science fiction, most of it seems scarily plausible.

In terms of the COVID-19 parallels, the Kayapo virus is equally unexpected but far more deadly. By referencing the real-life pandemic, Figueredo highlights the likelihood that governments will not have learned lessons and ensured better preparedness for future novel viruses. This allows him to work a particular strand of government conspiracy into the story, in addition to similar conspiracies to those seen during the actual pandemic: “Conspiracy theorists and white supremacist groups were proliferating stories over the Internet that the virus was created artificially and spread on purpose as a bioweapon.”

There are also obvious parallels between the real and fictional border situations, too. Here, Figueredo tracks the course of actual policy and plots it forward to one particularly disturbing outcome: the total closure of the Mexico–US border, leaving thousands of people either stranded in the refugee camps or forced to return to their home countries to apply for asylum, thereby facing a high likelihood of violence and even death. This is a very emotional and impactful aspect of the story, and Figueredo doesn’t shy away from the deplorable conditions in the camps: “The unholy mix of thousands of unwashed bodies, rotted food, and human waste assaulted Mo’s senses like tear gas. Mo tried not to swallow.”

Moreover, aside from the conspiracies and corruption, there’s also a hefty dose of more regular criminal enterprises for Evangelista and his colleagues to deal with. While they’re trying to find a way to open the border and allow refugees safe entry to the US, the established criminal gangs have found a new revenue stream: murdering refugees to harvest their blood for sale on the black (medical) market. The greed seems to know no bounds, and it makes for some hair-raising and gory events. Plus, Figueredo provides a “Mr. Big” in the shape of millionaire tech entrepreneur Ben Bowman, who serves as a particular focal point for disgust.

Luckily, he is counterbalanced by the humanity and self-sacrifice of Evangelista and supporting characters such as Maggie Malone, who show that there are still heroes to be found in the dark days of the Kayapo virus pandemic. That’s not to suggest that they’re above cutting certain corners in pursuit of the correct outcome though.

In fact, Evangalista is a great legal mind and a gifted strategist, but he’s also a man of action, which is just as well given the obstacles that he has to overcome in When Canaries Die. “There was no such thing as an unsolvable problem or too heavy a lift. Pierce’s entire professional life had been centered on solving problems; and taking on and winning unpopular cases other lawyers shied away from.” This makes for some explosive and action-filled set pieces, which lend the story a cracking pace despite the timeline of the pandemic and the lengthy legal wrangling. 

In combining real events with realistic (if deeply disturbing) possibilities, Figueredo crafts a legal thriller that provides an accurate portrayal of the often slow-moving and frustrating legal process and offers some startling speculative events that ensure the excitement and pace of the story don’t waver. When Canaries Die exposes both the lowest kinds of crimes and the highest levels of corruption, and it does so through a suspenseful story filled with relatable and equally hateable characters.

Thank you for reading Erin Britton’s book review of When Canaries Die by Luis Figueredo! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

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Reviewed by Erin Britton

Is a vigilante killer always simply a murderer?

While the seasoned residents of Greenville, Connecticut are unfazed when the mountain town’s power grid fails late one winter’s night, plunging the community into darkness, at least one person is positively thankful for it: “It was the perfect time and place to dump a body.”

Unfortunately for those accustomed to Greenville’s rural idyll, the corpse’s ignominious disposal in the Torrington River is only the start of another whole heap of trouble that’s about to land on the town. 

It’s late February 2020. COVID-19 is about to arrive, but The Redeemer is on a mission, one that not even a global pandemic can interrupt. The goal is to rid the world of all the sex offenders who have avoided punishment or been released from incarceration too soon, and it’s an enjoyable goal at that. “Ridding the planet of another sex offender who’d escaped justice, freed on some bullshit technicality argued by unethical lawyers, was a sight to be witnessed. Savored, even.” The chance to torture these perverts is particularly appealing, as is the ability to film it all for the authorities.

For Officer Valorie Dawes of Clayton PD’s Women’s Anti-Violence Emergency (WAVE) squad, the Redeemer’s mission and the subsequent identification of the body in the river as Jason Larkin (“Teen predator, got picked up soliciting high school girls with drugs and alcohol.”), the suspect in a WAVE case who walked on a technicality, means an unwelcome one-hour drive to Greenville to assist local detectives. Still, at least it provides a distraction from worrying about her recently strained relationship with Sergeant Gil Kryzinski.

Whatever she was expecting to learn from her fellow officers about Larkin’s death, it’s nothing compared to actually having to watch it via a video on the mobile phone the Redeemer thoughtfully inserted into the corpse. “The gloved hand reappeared, this time with a straight razor, which the gloved hand used to shave the victim’s pubic area. More squirming on Val’s part. Then the hand appeared again with a surgeon’s scalpel.” It’s extremely gory and disturbing stuff, and Dawes is quickly convinced that there’s a deranged murderer on the loose.

Her colleagues don’t share her concerns, however, not even when another pedophile the WAVE squad has been investigating disappears. There’s just not much interest in protecting perverts, not even from a potential serial killer. “Half the detectives in the department would rather give this killer an award.” Then what already seems like an impossible case becomes even worse when an old enemy in the force helps frame Dawes for assaulting another officer and she is suspended from duty. 

Dawes knows there’s more to the Redeemer than meets the eye, but she’s going to have to look into the case on her own. And that’s not the only matter requiring her attention. When police IT expert Shelby Clearwater, a close friend of Dawes, disappears under mysterious circumstances, she fears the worst and determines to launch another solo investigation to find the truth and, hopefully, her friend.

The Injustice of Valor, the sixth installment in Gary Corbin’s series starring Officer Valorie Dawes, marks another explosive episode in her checkered law enforcement career. Having proved herself adept at tackling both criminals and terrorists during the course of previous cases, she’s more than equipped to track down a serial killer. Given the Redeemer’s modus operandi, there’s plenty of brutal and bloody violence involved in Dawes’ dogged pursuit. It’s sometimes distressing, but never gratuitous. 

In addition to the physical violence, there’s considerable sexual violence and references to sexual assault too. Dawes is herself the victim of an assault, and then she is falsely accused of assaulting a fellow officer. There’s some seriously murky business afoot besides the serial murders, and very few of the police officers other than Dawes emerge looking good. In fact, it’s amazing any crimes are solved in Clayton, given how the police verge between serious reticence to act and overt fabrication of evidence, and that’s without considering the dubious hiring and promotion practices.

There seems to be significant corruption—to say nothing of incompetence—in the force. In particular, those who have read Under the Banner of Valor will realize just how unwelcome the reappearance of Detective Ed “Tackle Box” Simpson is, both for Dawes and for justice in general. And there are other faces from the past who also seem intent on causing as much trouble as possible. They might not rival the Redeemer when it comes to evil and brutality, but they’re still awful.

Even the good cops are pretty dubious, actually. The Injustice of Valor features episodes of homophobia and transphobia involving both the “good” and the “bad” guys. There’s also a serious suggestion of institutional sexism/misogyny in how the complaint against Dawes is handled and how other cops react to it. It’s definitely no cozy crime novel. Rather, it is a gritty and realistic thriller that doesn’t shy away from showing the harsh realities of law and order.

And if Dawes’s professional life sounds bad, her personal life isn’t much better. She’s still in a relationship with Gil, but things seem to be a bit rocky. The pair of them don’t quite seem to be connecting anymore, and the situation certainly isn’t helped by the reappearance of Gil’s former fiancée. Will Gil be there for Dawes when she needs him? Things aren’t any more straightforward with her family either, as Dawes is still struggling to deal with her father’s illness and the presence of her much younger brother.

Further adding to the realism and timeliness of the story, Corbin sets it during the first few weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, a time of great uncertainty, fear, and confusion. All these emotions are reflected in the words and actions of the characters, from the surprise over businesses closing to the controversy over mask wearing. The pandemic forming the backdrop to the serial murders means that there are two major issues interfering with the normalcy of life, adding considerable depth to the story.

The Injustice of Valor is a fast-paced, sometimes shocking thriller that exposes the darker corners of the human psyche. Valorie Dawes is an exemplary police officer—even if she is also her own worst enemy at times—but she once again finds herself going it almost alone as she hunts for the Redeemer. There’s a real sense of peril as the story progresses and an increasing number of characters facing deadly danger. While faith in Dawes’a abilities never wanes, it sometimes seems doubtful that she will overcome all the obstacles stacked against her in the hunt for the truth.

Thank you for reading Erin Britton’s book review of The Injustice of Valor by Gary Corbin! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

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Reviewed by Tomi Alo

A gripping mystery-thriller that lays bare the fractures, fear, and fury ignited by the COVID-19 pandemic

Extreme Malice takes readers into the heart of today’s culture war. Set against the backdrop of a divided society and the COVID pandemic, the novel follows Amy Wilson, a local school board member whose commitment to her community turns into a fight for survival. 

Four years ago, when Amy ran for Mesa County’s school board, she expected her days to be filled with making budget cuts and reviewing the curriculum, not performing a political tightrope walk for people who view mandatory masks and necessary safety precautions as a hinge on their freedom rights. The once-simple routine turns to a battleground that gives way to threats, protests, and vandalism with her as the main target.

As these anonymous threats and harassment escalate to physical danger, Amy’s retired detective uncle, Jack, springs into action to uncover a shadowy network working against her and aggravating the chaos in Mesa Vista. In the meantime, however, Amy must decide whether her principles and commitment to the safety of the public are worth putting her family in harm’s way.

In Extreme Malice, author JT Tierney explores heavy topics such as racism, political issues, and extremism. It shows the emotional impact that the COVID pandemic had on communities like Mesa County and depicts how much of an influence the government policies have on people’s lives. 

In thought-provoking fashion, Tierney draws a stark contrast between past and present responses to public health crises, particularly when it comes to vaccines. About sixty years ago, vaccines were widely accepted as a scientific breakthrough, a symbol of progress that saved countless lives. But during the Covid pandemic, that trust fractured. Uncertainty, misinformation, and political agendas fueled skepticism, which turned what should have been a relief into a divisive issue.

Through Amy, we experience how dangerous these divisive conflicts can become and  consider the toll they have on those caught in the crossfire. The novel strikes a perfect balance of fast-paced action and character tension. As the threats against Amy escalate, each new incident heightens the fear, anxiety, and urgency for her and her family. Tierney’s writing is direct yet immersive. He manages to keep readers engaged without unnecessary fluff. The story is impactful thought multiple points of view, with each perspective adding more insight and depth rather than distraction.

A book of many strong characters, it’s Tom Franklin, Amy’s father, who stole my heart the most. Like his daughter, his tenacity and resilience are inspiring. As a polio survivor, Tom’s story serves as an eye-opener and offers readers a firsthand look at the lasting effects of the polio virus. Through his character, we are not just told about polio; we experience how it shapes a person long after the initial fight is over. His vivid recounting of the disease’s brutal impact on his body and mind, together with his sessions at the post-polio group, gives us an understanding of the silent struggles that many who have had the virus still endure today. Despite everything he has been through, he never loses his warmth and optimism. His quiet strength, wisdom, and unwavering support for Amy make him an endearing character you’re going to remember. 

The most unsettling and intriguing thing about Extreme Malice isn’t the violence or conspiracy theories. It’s how frighteningly plausible it all feels. The way fear spreads, the ease with which misinformation takes hold, and the extreme actions people justify in the name of “protecting” their beliefs isn’t too far from our present-day reality. 

Tierney doesn’t just deliver a thriller in Extreme Malice. He holds up a mirror to society, forcing readers to confront uncomfortable truths and see how quickly reason can be drowned out by fear and anger. Anyone who enjoys political dynamics, mystery thrillers, and suspense should have this on their to-be-read list.

Thank you for reading Tomi Alo’s book review of Extreme Malice by Tomi Alo! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

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