mystery - No Apology Book Reviews

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 …

Say You’re Sorry by Karen Rose

November 7, 2019February 17, 2019

Title: Say You’re Sorry Author: Karen Rose Series: Sacramento #1 Good read but rather bland Click here to find an interview with the author regarding this book. I liked this book a lot, but it…lacked energy, I guess. Things moved along at a steady clip, never got slow to the point of putting me to sleep—but I didn’t want to stay up late to read more, either. There were only two scenes—in six hundred pages—that got my heart pumping: when …

Summoned to Thirteenth Grave by Darynda Jones (Spoilers)

November 4, 2019January 15, 2019

Title: Summoned to Thirteenth Grave Author: Darynda Jones Series: Charley Davidson #13 A hollow narrative with only humor and charismatic characters as its merits I would like to thank Darynda Jones, St. Martin’s Press/Macmillan, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I beg of you, don’t spoil any part of this series for yourself. Usually I don’t mind spoilers, but this is one series for which spoilers are simply criminal. If you …

Interview with Karna Small Bodman (Trust But Verify)

December 29, 2018

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Trust But Verify by Karna Small Bodman brings to life the inner workings of the White House in a financial thriller. Realistic political intrigue and suspense mirrors the current issues. The story is propelled by her past experiences as deputy press secretary and senior director/spokesperson for the National Security Council, in the Reagan Administration. The plot has Russian oligarchs with the help of the Russian mafia attempting to create havoc within the United States. …

Interview with Stephanie Blackmoore (Gown with the Wind)

December 20, 2018

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Gown With The Wind By Stephanie Blackmoore is a parody of the classic movie Gone With The Wind. It has the famous line of “As G-d is my witness,” characters that have similar personalities, and names to match. Readers will have fun with the comparisons and might even be interested in viewing the timeless masterpiece movie. As with the film, the book storyline has a murder, attempted murder, vandalism, and even arson. This is …