“Pretty Lies” is a debut dystopian novel by Jessica Scurlock set in a near- future United States, now called the Northern Unity, which, after a second civil war, has been drastically reordered into four semi-autonomous zones. The Enlightened Society, as the government is called, has brought about some positive changes, vast reductions in crime, for instance. The general message to … Read More
Review of This Never Happened by R. Tim Morris
“This Never Happened” is a psychological speculative fiction novel written by R. Tim Morris about a young misfit New Yorker named Cepik Small. In addition to more mundane life difficulties (a poor relationship with his father, an ex-love, a mundane job, few friends), Cepik has prosopagnosia (face blindness) and therefore must memorize someone’s appearance quirks (like the way they wear … Read More
Review of Thunder, AZ by Ari Loeb
“Thunder, AZ” is a debut apocalyptic horror novel by Ari Loeb based in the Western America and New York City. The book recently won gold for best horror novel per the Reader Views 2021-2022 annual contest. Mr. Loeb’s writing is tight and fast-paced, as is his action. The plot follows a young college student, Jimmy Johannsen, whose twin sister dies … Read More
Review of The Defect by Jeff Bailey
“The Defect” by Jeff Bailey is a nuclear energy thriller based somewhere in Southern California. The story unfolds through the point of view of a handful of powerplant workers—security staff, plant operators, managers—who, through their thoughts and interactions, allow us to understand from the bottom up how a nuclear power plant works, what the safeguards are, the good work that … Read More
Writer’s Digest Review of e-book version
Below is the complete Writer’s Digest review, including an opinion on the cover for 22 Dutch Road: “The cover is a great indication of the tone and content of the story, but I think it would draw in a wider audience if it was a little more polished. Something as small as changing the font of the title and making … Read More
A Review of Out of Captivity by Gonsalves, Stansell, and Howes with Gary Brozek (2009)
Out of Captivity: Surviving 1,967 Days in the Columbian Jungle by Mark Gonsalves, Keith Stansell, and Tom Howes with Gary Brozek (2009) ★★★★ Out of Captivity is a firsthand account from kidnapped American ex-military “contractors” who had the misfortune to crash in the southern hinterlands of Columbia on February 13, 2003. Their work as professional avian counter narcotic “spies” spotting … Read More
A review of Law of the Jungle by John Otis (2011)
A review of Law of the Jungle by John Otis (2011) ★★★★1/2 Law of the Jungle is a successful effort by John Otis, a longtime South American correspondent, to document the kidnapping of three American military “contractors” who had the misfortune to crash in the southern hinterlands of Columbia on February 13, 2003. Their work as professional avian counter narcotic … Read More
A review of The Wailing Wind by Tony Hillerman (2002)
Tony Hillerman is a prolific writer of westerns; I was given The Wailing Wind by a friend to test drive this famous author. The book is one of many in a series of modern westerns featuring a Navajo Tribal Police Sergeant Jim Chee and his retired boss Joe Leaphorn, as well as a young female Native American officer, Bernadette Manuelito. … Read More