suspense - No Apology Book Reviews

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 Lauren Willig (The English Wife)

October 10, 2018February 4, 2018

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The English Wife by Lauren Willig is full of intrigue and suspense. It is a refreshing change from all the recent Gone Girl look alikes, and instead is part mystery, part love story, and part family drama. This historical crime fiction novel involves murder, scandals, and secrets. The Gilded Age is highlighted between the years 1894 in England to 1899 in New York. Bayard, the son of a Knickerbocker prominent family returns after a …

Interview with Alafair Burke (The Wife)

October 10, 2018January 27, 2018

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Wife by Alafair Burke starts out the New Year with a thrilling read. It is more plot driven since many of the characters are not very likable. The story is intense and dark being told by a possible unreliable narrator. The storyline concentrates on Angela, who suffered extreme trauma in her teen years and now learns that her husband, Jason, may be a sexual predator. This novel is timely and will force people …

Interview with Lynette Eason (Oath of Honor)

October 10, 2018January 20, 2018

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Oath of Honor by Lynette Eason is the first in a new series. This thrilling story is a shout out to those in law enforcement who put their lives on the line each and every day to keep everyone safe. The action never ceases as the plot combines a mystery, criminal investigation, politics, gang wars, shootings, and bad cops. What makes this story stand out is that Eason also brings to life engaging and …

In Memory of Sue Grafton

October 10, 2018January 14, 2018

Article by Elise Cooper Sue Grafton the legendary mystery fiction writer died of cancer on December 28th. She is known for her alphabet series, using the strategy of alphabet titles for her novels. She based the idea on Edward Gorey’s gruesome alphabet picture book, The Gashlycrumb Tinies. Unfortunately she never finished the alphabet and as her daughter noted, in Grafton’s universe the alphabet ended with “Y.” Grafton once stated to me, “My character Kinsey Milhone is my alter ego. I …

Interview with Jayne Ann Krentz (Promise Not to Tell)

October 7, 2018January 2, 2018

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Promise Not To Tell by Jayne Ann Krentz is a breath-taking story. While the first in the series, When All the Girls Have Gone, was spell-binding, this book leaves the readers’ heart pounding as it is more of a thriller than a mystery. Krentz delivers an impactful series by focusing each novel on one of three brothers. Each book can be read as a stand-alone, but in not reading the first people will miss …

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 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. …