Dead Air by Scott Overton

Scott Overton, a former radio morning person, brings us Dead Air. The story tells of radio morning host, Lee Garrett finds a death threat on his radio console on morning. At first, he thinks it’s a joke. The message refers to the Skins, a local neo-Nazi group, but is the answer that simple. After a few near fatal accidents, Lee realizes that someone is really trying to kill him. He needs to find out why and by whom before it’s too late.

Spine-tingling and suspenseful, Scott shows us the life of a radio host while offering up one exciting mystery that leaves you unable to breathe until the last page.

Trunk Music by Michael Connelly Bosch #5

As per normal, Connelly gives us another superb detective story with a ton of twists and multiple suspects. Bosch is investigating the death of a pornographer that has all the signs of a mob hit. This leads him on a wild ride involving the FBI, Internal Affairs, an old flame, and a pack of gangsters. “Follow the facts” is how Harry has always solved crimes and this one is no different.

Note: I read this after seeing the television story and was surprised and amused at the similarities as well as the differences. Well played.

 

Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass

 Donald Maass is both an author and literary agent who has years of experience in finding what works and what doesn’t in the books that sell. In a clear, concise manner, Maass takes the reader through the different parts of a novel that can elevate your story. Dealing with plot, characters, premise, and other key areas of your story, he gives concrete explanation and example of how any author can elevate their writing.

I will definitely be trying some of the strategies in my own stories mentioned in this thought provoking, examination of great writing. Recommended for beginners or seasoned authors.

Plotting and Writing Suspense Fiction by Patricia Highsmith

 Recommended by thriller author Rick Mofina during a Crime Writers of Canada presentation, I jumped at the chance to better my own craft as thriller writer and found a bunch of excellent suggestions by this award-winning author. From developing, plotting and revisions, the author speaks of her own experiences in the publishing world and her work with multiple editors and publishers. This is real world experience which makes it so rewarding.

Much thanks to @RickMofina, and @crimewriterscan for the presentation and the recommendation.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

 Alicia, a prominent painter is found with the body of her husband, the gun still smoking. In her defense, she says nothing. The courts believe she has lost her mind and she is sentenced to a forensic unit to live forever in silence.

Enter, Theo Faber. A criminal psychotherapist who feels he can help Alicia find her voice. Confident and young, he hides his own demons well. The two will begin a journey to find out what happened that fateful night.

The story began slower than I liked, but the writing was memorizing. It pulls the reader deeper and deeper into both Theo’s and Alicia’s story. The climax comes from so far left field, that it is mind numbing. A tremendous story. I had heard that the novel was one of the best in its genre and I was happy to find that the rumors were right.

Nina by Michael C. Kelly

 This must be the first story to come out of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. When a Russian soldier is captured, his jailer contacts his mother and tells her that the only way they will release her son is if she makes her way to the Ukraine and picks him up. Having lost her husband to the fighting in Syria, Nina drops everything and begins a desperate trip through war-torn Ukraine to save her son.

The story is a testament to the love of a mother for her child, while also emphasizing that neither side in the conflict wanted anything to do with the fighting. They are all being forced into the insanity of war by a fanatical dictator bent on world domination. The story is exciting, harrowing, and humorous at times as it shows how similar the two fighting peoples are to each other. There can be no winners in this conflict.

This is a story to be cherished.

The Madness of Crowds by Louise Penny

 After reading and enjoying Penny’s collaboration with Hillary Clinton, I was anxious to try out her solo stories. The writing is flawless and the attention to detail is brilliant.

Chief Inspector Armand Gamache is given an assignment to oversee a lecture concerning controversial scientist that offers a severe solution to the troubles Canada faced during the pandemic. Against all his warnings the lecture is held and an attempt on the scientist’s life happens. But there is much more going on behind the scenes than is first revealed.

This is a real who-done-it and we are unsure who the real killer is until the last few pages. There are many twists and turns in this police procedural and those who love suspense will adore Gamache and his team as they pick through the evidence.