mystery - No Apology Book Reviews

Interview with Karen White (Dreams of Falling)

October 10, 2018June 8, 2018

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Dreams of Falling by Karen White once again proves why readers have fallen in love with her books. Blending together friendships, betrayal, loyalty, and forgiveness over three generations makes for a gripping plot. At the heart of the mystery are the secrets each character is hiding. This is a story about three generations of women and is told from the perspective of Ceecee, Ivy, and Larkin. The main story goes from the present day …

Interview with Patricia Bradley (Justice Betrayed)

October 10, 2018June 2, 2018

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Justice Betrayed by Patricia Bradley is the third book in the Memphis Cold Case series. Any series set in Memphis must eventually delve into its famous resident, Elvis Presley. Bradley combines a riveting mystery with some fun facts about the Elvis Week that includes a tribute contest. Homicide detective Rachel Sloan must endure interviewing an Elvis impersonator, Vic Vegas, who wants her to look into the death of his friend, another impersonator that happened …

Interview with Iris Johansen (Shattered Mirror)

October 10, 2018May 5, 2018

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Shattered Mirror by Iris Johansen is a paranormal thriller with a tease of romance. What makes this book stand out is that the good guys/gals are actually good and the bad guys are pure evil, without any grey area. Eve Duncan, a forensic sculptor, has the job of reconstructing skulls for recognition. At her Georgia home, left in Joe, her husband’s car, is a package with a skull burnt beyond recognition. Also, inside are …

Interview with Christina Dodd (Dead Girl Running)

October 10, 2018April 29, 2018

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Dead Girl Running by Christina Dodd is a sprint read, a fast-paced page-turner. Those who liked her Virtue Falls novels will love this first book of a new series. It does not have the paranormal element or much romance, but the mystery is action-packed. The novella is an introduction to the book, explaining Kellen’s time in Afghanistan, how she sustained the injury for a medical discharge, and how she recovered. In addition, the novella …

Interview with Tina Whittle (Necessary Ends)

October 10, 2018April 22, 2018

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Necessary Ends by Tina Whittle highlights Tai Randolph and Trey Seaver, detective partners and partners in life. Whittle’s writing style pulls readers into the story from page one. This novel combines an action-packed plot with great banter dialogue and a psychological aspect. Trey Seaver is haunted by the one that got away, a murder of a Hollywood producer’s wife in Atlanta during a filming. Now, about four years later it appears someone wants the …

Interview with Jamey Bradbury (The Wild Inside)

October 10, 2018March 31, 2018

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Wild Inside by Jamey Bradbury is part paranormal, part thriller, and part horror. This debut novel is very character driven, specifically with the protagonist Tracy Petrikoff, where readers wonder if everything that happens to her is driven by her imagination, some delusions, or was indeed reality. People meet Tracy, a natural born hunter and trapper who loves the Alaskan wilderness, where she spends her days in the remote forest by her house. She …

Interview with Christopher Rice (Bone Music)

October 10, 2018March 25, 2018

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Bone Music’s story by Christopher Rice is not a classical melody, but more like hard rock. The scenes are riveting and realistic enough that there is an element of believability, alternating between a thriller and the fringes of science fiction. This consuming read has the heroine trying to overcome her tragic past by rebuilding her life and overcoming her trust issues. The intensity begins from page one when a husband and wife team of …

Interview with Alison Gaylin (If I Die Tonight)

October 10, 2018March 17, 2018

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper If I Die Tonight by Alison Gaylin brings psychological suspense stories to a whole new level. The focus of the plot emphasizes the relationship between parents and children and how social media plays a role. The I-GEN generation characters that keep secrets and isolate themselves, allows readers to realize it is sometimes impossible for parents to really know their children. The plot begins with Wade, a teenager’s, suicide note, then flashes back five days …

Interview with Rhys Bowen (The Tuscan Child)

October 7, 2018March 4, 2018

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Tuscan Child by Rhys Bowen is one of those rare books that will stick with people long after they finish it. The story is based in two time periods, 1944 and 1973, where the former is an historical account of World War II and the latter embodies a mystery. The novel begins at the end of 1944 when British airman Hugo Langley must parachute out of his crashing plane into German occupied Tuscany …

Interview with Karen Rose (Edge of Darkness)

October 10, 2018February 12, 2018

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Edge of Darkness by Karen Rose is the fourth book of the famous suspenseful Cincinnati series. As with most of her books she explores relevant issues centered around friends and colleagues. This one is no different since the current issues of abuse and addiction become the main theme of the novel. Meredith Fallon counsels sexually abused women like Mallory Martin to help them reintegrate into the world. But not everyone sees it as honorable …