The Silencer Book #1 by Mike Ryan

Having escaped execution by his own CIA hit squad, Mike Recker is recruited by an ex-NSA agent who wants to help those that the government ignores. Together, they find those people who are unknowingly in danger of death, rape, or other crimes and help them with survive the danger.

This is the first book in the series, and the author doubles down the right and wrong of taking the law in your own hands. But when the government ignores the little guy, it is comforting that someone is looking out to settle the score. Action, suspense, and a sense of justice make this story shine.

 

Bombshell by Stuart Woods

 Set in Hollywood, Retired CIA agent turned Movie producer, Teddy Fay, has a mobster looking to gun him down. At the same time, jealousy rears its head between two starlets who are vying for the Academy Award for Best Actress. He must move carefully if he hopes to avoid a bullet or a vixen’s bite.

Although there are many moving parts in this story with a lot of suspense and action, I was unable to warm up to the hero. The only thing this hero was missing was a red cape. He could do no wrong. No matter the odds, he finds the enemy and puts them down with little sweat. The story felt like an old black and white mystery movie, but in modern times. 

I had heard and seen this author in the past but had never had the opportunity to read him. I’m not sure I’ll be visiting him again.

Dark Touch (Book #1 The Glass Star Trilogy) by Elle Lewis

Sloan left home for Seattle to escape a bad scene. She struggles through a horrible job so she can get home and purge herself through her artwork. She encounters a stranger on the way home and when he touches her, her entire life changes and she becomes involved in an ancient struggle. Teamed up with James, who has seen the murder of others at the touch of these strange, dark beings, they must discover what they are involved in before the dark one's return for her.

Extremely, fast-paced story of good vs. evil, with a twist. You will have to discover the twist yourself, as I do not wish to spoil. There is enough suspense and action for all lovers of the genre. Great debut.

I would have scored higher, but I do not appreciate cliff hanger endings.

 

Fair Warning by Michael Connelly

 I’ve been meaning to pick up one of Connelly’s books for a while. He’s a new author for me, although I know he’s been around for a while. Glad I did.

The protagonist, Jack McEvoy, is a journalist from Connelly’s previous novels. When a woman he had a one night relationship a year before turns up dead with a broken neck, he becomes a person of interest. As he looks into the woman’s past, it leads him to discover a list of other women who had been killed in a similar manner. This begins a long desperate search for a serial killer who is one step ahead of Connelly and his team.

The story is very suspenseful, with a numerous twists and turns that leads to a heart-pounding climax. Mr. Connelly has a new fan.

The Cabin by Landon Beach

  

This is the third Great Lake story.

This story deals with internationals espionage and a plot against America. A tired cop and a teacher who has a hidden life are brought together by a mutual friend who is playing matchmaker. It the 4th of July weekend, in a cabin, on the south shore of Lake Ontario. Around them are forces of diabolic evil trying to change the world-order.

This story is a fast-paced book with a ton of moving parts. Of the three Beach stories this is the most intricate. The secrets that the author hints at drives the story deeper and faster to the explosive conclusion. This story has it all.

The Wreck by Landon Beach

 This is Landon Beach’s debut novel that deals with greed, betrayal and a treasure trove of gold. Vacationing at a family estate on the shores of Lake Ontario, Nate and Brooke Martin, find a 300-year-old gold coin that starts a treasure hunt that surpasses all other treasures in the Great Lakes. Teaming up with a gruff retired Coast Guard officer, Hutch, Nate searches the surrounding waters for clues to the mystery of the coin.

But there are others who are aware of the search and they plan on claiming the treasure for themselves and they are willing to kill for it. Thus, starts an exciting race for a massive payout. The suspense and unknown dangers keep the pages turning at a fast rate. Perfect for fans of Peter Benchley’s The Deep, or Clive Cussler series.

Vermillion Drift (Cork O'Connell #10) by William Kent Krueger

When Cork finds the remains of victims of a 50-year-old serial killer with the body of a recently gone missing of a sister of the mining tycoon, the past is brought to the present. As the facts expose themselves, Cork must question his belief in his own father’s character.

Once again, Krueger take us on a wildly twisted path of murder, victims and monsters. I can’t get enough of this writer’s work. If you want beautiful writing, nail-biting suspense and all the twists any reader could ask for, check it out.

 

Blood Hollow by William Kent Krueger

 A local girls disappears after a New Year Eve party, the entire town searches the winter woods. When her body if found in the spring, a native boy who she used to date is accused, but Cork O’Conner doesn’t buy it. Determined to get to the truth of it, Cork does his own investigating.

As good as his other books, this one was exceptional. I thought I had it figured out early on in the story, but Krueger is a master storyteller and offers many twists and turns that you doubt yourself many times while reading. Can’t wait for the next book in the series.

The Sail by Landon Beach

 Dying of prostate cancer, Robin Norris plans a sailing trip around Lake Superior with his son, Tristian, in an attempt to pass on his wisdom and patch up their relationship. When their anchor runs afoul of the north coast, it pulls them into a deadly fight for survival with a vicious crime lord.

This is an exciting story, but also a heartbreaking tale of a father and his son and the fragility of life. High suspense fills this book, and danger lies both above and beneath the waves. This is one of three Lake Superior stories, and I’ll be watching for the other two.