mystery - No Apology Book Reviews

Interview with Charles Todd (A Casualty of War)

October 10, 2018December 21, 2017

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper A Casualty of War by Charles Todd is a winner. This Bess Crawford mystery has the war coming to a close. The story explores the impact World War I had on all who witnessed it: officers, soldiers, doctors, and battlefield nurses. Fans of Bess will not be disappointed as she is still as independent, steadfast, intelligent, and resilient as ever. Per usual she seeks justice and works within societal norms where readers are able …

Interview with Carey Baldwin (Countdown)

October 10, 2018December 20, 2017

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Countdown by Carey Baldwin is a story ripped from the headlines. Juggling two professions, psychologist and pediatrician, has helped her with formulating different storylines. This novel is a departure from her last one, and is much more of a fun read. The plot begins with what appears to be someone drowning on the beach of Tahiti. Forensic psychiatrist Caitlyn Cassidy and FBI Agent Atticus Spenser are enjoying some R and R while preparing for …

Review – The Christmas Room, The Ghost of Christmas Past, Last Christmas in Paris, Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe

October 10, 2018December 10, 2017

Book Reviews by Elise Cooper With the holiday season here, readers can find novels that blend a good mystery within the Christmas atmosphere. A word of warning, these are not “sugar and spice and everything nice” holiday books. Yet, they are very realistic, believable, and leave readers with a good feeling at the end, a feeling of faith and redemption. The Christmas Room by Catherine Anderson is one of these special stories. Two holiday generational romances touch on grief, healing …

Interview with James Rollins (The Demon Crown)

October 10, 2018December 10, 2017

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Demon Crown by James Rollins, a Sigma Force novel, blends action, adventure, science and history. Per usual, he takes a unique idea based on some truth and builds a narrative around it. Readers, in typical, Rollins style, learn something, while being entertained at the same time. In this latest novel, the characters see creatures flying through the air wondering if it is a bird, a plane, and then realize they are gigantic wasps. …

Interview with Rhys Bowen (The Ghost of Christmas Past)

October 10, 2018November 28, 2017

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Ghost of Christmas Past by Rhys Bowen is not all fuzzy and happy. There is a sinister atmosphere of sorrow that is also a part of this story. As Christmas is approaching the characters must overcome their own set of heartaches that revolve around losing a child. But thankfully, the spirit of Christmas rings through and the ending is one that will put a smile on reader’s faces. Because of a disaster in …

Interview with T. R. Ragan (Her Last Day)

October 10, 2018November 19, 2017

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Her Last Day is the first novel of a new series by T.R. Ragan. She is known for writing riveting thrillers whose antagonist always seems to be a gruesome serial killer. The three sub-plots throughout the story are brilliantly weaved together. The plot has Sacramento California private investigator Jessie Cole drawn to detective work after her sister Sophie disappeared ten years ago. Reporter Ben Morrison who wants to write a series of articles on …

Hardcore Twenty-Four by Janet Evanovich

November 5, 2019November 16, 2017

Title: Hardcore Twenty-Four Author: Janet Evanovich Series: Plum #24 Boring, sick of Evanovich formula, disgusted with Stephanie One of your friends makes an unexpectedly hilarious joke at just the right moment, and everyone laughs until they’re leaking bodily fluids. Then the moment passes and everyone gets over it, but the friend liked the attention and keeps trying to tell the joke over and over again or reference it or try to tell similar jokes to the point of seeming desperate …

Interview with Iris Johansen (Mind Game)

October 10, 2018October 29, 2017

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Mind Game by Iris Johansen has fast paced action involving “Super Heroes.” The plot has Jane MacGuire plagued by dreams of a girl, Lisa, in trouble, having been kidnapped and beaten. She ends up discovering Lisa is related to Seth Caleb, someone Jane is attracted to and frightened by. Working with Caleb, they free Lisa and find that the kidnappers are trying to leverage Seth into doing their dirty work of killing someone without …

Interview with Kerry Greenwood, Deb Cox, and Fiona Eagger (Phryne Fisher)

October 10, 2018September 24, 2017

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper If you do not already know of her, meet Phryne Fisher, the 1920’s detective that took Australia by storm. She came on the scene in 2006, the fabulous character of author Kerry Greenwood. Made into a TV series by Deb Cox and Fiona Eagger in 2012 it aired for three seasons and can now be seen on Netflix. Those who enjoy the show and books might get more of Phryne since the creators are …

The Trouble with Twelfth Grave by Darynda Jones

November 12, 2019September 23, 2017

Title: The Trouble with Twelfth Grave Author: Darynda Jones Series: Charley Davidson #12 supernatural Stephanie Plum at first, now so much more I would like to thank Darynda Jones, St. Martin’s Press/Macmillan, and NetGalley for enticing me to check out this series by offering a free copy of First Grave on the Right and allowing me to read an ARC of The Trouble with Twelfth Grave in exchange for an honest review. Here’s a spoiler alert, though I imagine most …