mystery - No Apology Book Reviews

Interview with Laurien Berenson (Bite Club)

July 5, 2019

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Bite Club by Laurien Berenson takes the bite out of crime with this fun cozy mystery. With a thrilling crime to solve, a likable amateur sleuth, poodles, a bulldog puppy, and interesting insider information about the world of dog shows, readers will enjoy her latest novel. The main character, Melanie Travis, is a dog-lover who welcomes a few friends to participate in a book club she names the “Bite Club.” But her opinionated, bossy …

Interview with Amanda Flower (Toxic Toffee)

June 28, 2019

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Toxic Toffee by Amanda Flower is a delightful cozy mystery that will put a smile on readers’ faces while they try to solve the who done it mystery. As with all the books in the series, murder seems to find Bailey and she enjoys her role as an amateur sleuth along with her “hot” boyfriend Deputy Sherriff Aiden Brody. She divides her time between New York, where she films a cable TV show, and …

Interview with Hilary Davidson (One Small Sacrifice)

June 22, 2019

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper One Small Sacrifice by Hilary Davidson is a procedural mystery that will keep readers guessing until the very last chapter. Each thread of the detailed plot unveils one surprising revelation after another. With the compelling characters this story contrasts how good people can go astray with horrible people that have no conscience. The early chapters set the pace for the rest of the book with war photographer Alex Traynor apparently getting away with murdering …

Interview with Wendy Walker (The Night Before)

June 10, 2019

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Night Before by Wendy Walker is a first-class psychological thriller with a lot of twists. Interestingly the premise begins with on-line dating that creates a tension-filled, suspenseful mystery. The plot delves into childhood memories, family relationships, secrets, lies, and betrayals. The story alternates between three time periods. The day of Laura Lochner’s blind-date, the day after, which has her sister, Rosie Ferro, searching for her, and a few months earlier with Laura in …

Interview with Alfred Gough and Miles Millar (Double Exposure)

June 2, 2019

Double Exposure by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, the creators of the TV series, “Smallville,” brings to life a unique storyline. Set in the 1960s to make the story believable, they explore the question, what if Hitler did not die in the bunker, and is still alive? The plot begins with a KGB Russian agent, turned CIA asset, smuggling a film canister over the Berlin Wall. Because the East Germans shot the agent as well as the canister the CIA …

Interview with Amanda Quick (Tightrope)

May 24, 2019

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Tightrope is a fabulous mystery, typical of what readers have come to expect from Amanda Quick also known as Jayne Krentz. This action based plot has secrets, betrayals, Hollywood actors, circus characters, spies, gangsters, and a sweet romance, although the focus is more on the suspense than the romance. The plot has Amalie Vaughn putting the past behind her, especially the recent attack from the Death Catcher, a serial killer who targeted trapeze artists. …

Interview with Natalie Walters (Living Lies)

May 11, 2019

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Living Lies by Natalie Walters brings to life the characters with an emotionally charged story. With thrilling suspense, threads of romance, and important messages about removing the stigma of mental health and depression this book seems to have it all, including an action-packed crime mystery. The crime revolves around murder, drugs, art, and dealing with mental health issues. Lane Walton, widower at the age of twenty-eight, journeys back to her hometown in hopes of …

Interview with Liz Freeland (Murder in Midtown)

May 5, 2019

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Murder in Midtown by Liz Freeland brings to life New York in the early 1900s. Besides a good mystery, readers will be enlightened about the different social issues during that era. The plot begins with a fire breaking out at a publicity house. It is the one Louise Faulk works at while waiting to see if she has passed the exam to become a NYPD police officer. As the investigation of the charred ruins …

Interview with Linda Fairstein (Blood Oath)

April 20, 2019

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Blood Oath by Linda Fairstein has Assistant DA Alexandra Cooper returning to work after taking a hiatus to recover from double personal traumas. She has no time to ease back into a routine because she is presented with a very formidable case. As the chief of the Special Victims Bureau Alexandra (Alex) oversees and prosecutes sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, and related murder cases. After returning to work she is presented with a …

Interview with V. M. Burns (The Puppy Who Knew Too Much)

March 29, 2019

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Puppy Who Knew Too Much by V. M. Burns is a dog lover’s delight. The three dogs in the story will make readers laugh and sympathize with the main character Lilly Echosby. Beyond the dog antics the story has a good mystery with many twists and thrills. It appears that Lilly is a murder magnet. The first book in this series has her in the middle of a divorce, when her husband is …