NEAR DEATH - REVIEW

 

Near Death

By Richard Wall 

ISBN:191246122

A 2020 release from

Burning Chair Ltd

 

A carefully crafted thriller of a crime novel. While the credibility of the novel requires substantial suspension of disbelief, the end result is eminently satisfying. A NYPD detective becomes embroiled in a devilish manipulation of the minds of authorities with the horrific repetition of the murder of a family in New York.

The killer confesses and is put to death in the Sing Sing electric char. The prison priest, a central character in the novel, is noticeably disturbed by his encounter with the convicted murderer. When the crimes are repeated, the pastor, has already left his position and his religious order and retreated to a small mountain village in South Carolina. Will the plea of a despicable murderer result in the return of the pastor to New York? What are the psychological implications of an apparently unbreakable link between pastor and the deceased killer?

These are some of the fascinating questions author Richard Wall addresses in this moving, emotional and very well plotted crime novel that moves between urban New York and rural South Carolina. The contrasting physical settings are effectively used by the author. The rising tension rises steadily as former pastor John Henry Beauregard, with help from a small cadre of friends and supporters, struggles to create and enact a winning position against a crafty, immoral Satanic killer. In the end, readers will decide for themselves the acceptability of the results. But in the meantime, readers will experience a well-designed and enthralling crime novel.

 

Review--TIGER CLAW

 

TIGER CLAW

by Michael Allan Mallory

 ISBN: 978-1-959620-56-3

Publisher: BOOKLOCKER.

Trenton, Georgia

Copyright 2024

 

When one opens a mystery by author Michael Allan Mallory, a novel featuring Henry Lau, experienced urban detective, readers can anticipate certain verities. Lau is a careful, experienced detective who understands and applies logic and careful analysis of circumstances and circumstances to help solve serious crimes. In this case, murders.

There are other attractive elements. Lau is an older detective with wide ranging experience on which he can draw. He has a niece, Detective Janet Lau, who trails and assists him, on constant alert for what she can learn through observation and careful completion of assignments. But she is an assertive and well-trained woman, not afraid to put forth her own evaluations and opinions as the case progresses. The professional and personal relationship between the two detectives informs and warmly populates the pages of this excellent story.

Yet another and somewhat unusual element of the Mallory stories, and “Tiger Claw,” in particular, is the Asian element. Both detectives have strong physical and philosophical backgrounds, a body of knowledge well and interestingly applied by the author to solving crimes.

Henry Lau has an enviable record for solving the cases he’s assigned by his department. The author carefully and craftily mixes progress toward a solution to the murders with relevant forensics and the life-approach of Asian philosophies. “Tiger Claw” is an engaging, thoughtful and enjoyable story, worth any reader’s attention.

REVIEW--WHERE NO ONE WILL SEE

 

Where No One Will See

By Felicia Watson    
ISBN 9781955065788 
2023 paperback release

Lucia Scapetti is a struggling private investigator in Philadelphia. But she’s a lot more than that. For one thing, she’s an imposing, dark-haired figure, about six feet tall in flats and presents a tanned and robust 200+ pounds. She probably makes an even more impressive presence when leashed to her dog, Rocco, one of the smaller breeds.

Lucia has other less obvious attributes, besides a sharp inquiring mind and a strong penchant for doing the right thing. Lucia Scapetti has connections, connections to one of the large Italo-American families that populate parts of the Eastern American continent. She’s close to some of them, but not all. Her dad is due to be released after ten years in prison and some of her other relatives have rather sketchy bios.

This interesting tale begins as Lucia is cleaning up some evidence for clients of cheating spouses, a part of the business that upsets her. She notices people on the street who appear to be following her. Is it just because her dad will be released soon? We are treated to nice and useful descriptions of ordinary and questionable street scenes in the city, along with the weather, all handled in such a way that enhances and influences the narrative.

Character introduction is nicely handled as are early motivating crimes. We learn there are long-missing funds and jewels, internal family strife, murder and near misses. Meanwhile, because this is a real family, Lucia is stressed in ways an outside PI might avoid or never encounter.

Fast-paced, the novel concludes with major surprises, rising tension and action, fueled in part by corruption, personal emotion, and several truly interesting characters. The city itself is a major character.

Here is a fine enjoyable story, well-plotted and well told.