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February 2024 MBR The Mystery/Suspense Shelf part 1 of 4
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Midwest Book Review
Feb 20, 2024, 6:27:07 PMFeb 20
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The Mystery/Suspense Shelf part 1 of 4
January 6: A Novel
Norman Brewer
Shilka Publishing
https://shilka.uk
9781804430545, $9.99, PB, 228pp
https://www.amazon.com/January-6-Novel-Norman-Brewer/dp/1804430544
Synopsis: January 6, 2020 was the day democracy was assaulted in an armed attempt to overthrow a freely and fairly elected American government. Protesters and insurrectionists at the President Donald J. Trump's rally morphed into a mob that stormed the Capitol, right-wing extremists in their midst.
"January 6: A Novel" is a work of fiction based on an historical event witnessed on television in real time by millions of Americans. It takes place in the politically sacred halls that author Norman Brewer had walked for decades as a reporter.
In this original novel based on real events, hostages are taken, the House Speaker among them. A horrific standoff gives extremist militias time to unleash deadly terrorism across the nation. Public officials are assassinated. Bombs ignited in malls.
National Guard units are beset by mutiny. Dams and electrical grids attacked, innocent citizens killed. Insurrectionists commandeer radio stations, broadcasting calls for revolution. Riots break out, extremists of the right and left in mortal combat. Cities are aflame.
The President, in election denial, weighs declaring martial law to quell the violence -- and to justify refusing to leave office.
Can democracy survive?
Critique: Although a work of fiction, "January 6: A Novel" provides genuine and vivid insider glimpses of what might come next in 2024 in real life. All kingdoms, empires, and nations throughout history have risen, flourished, and then fallen. American may not be an exception. Follow a disputed election in 2020 and the possibility of an insurrectionist political candidate being once more defeated at the polls, the very real possibility of what is described in "January 6: A Novel, makes it an unreservedly recommended addition to community and college/university library collections -- and essential reading for those with interest, in politics, terrorism, freedom, and the future of the United States of America.
Editorial Note: Norman Brewer is an award-winning reporter and editor who worked for The Des Moines Register and Tribune and for Gannett News Service in Washington, D.C. As a reporter, he covered Congress, the White House and federal agencies, and pursued investigative projects that earned recognition, including from the National Press Club. He was also Director of Employee Communications at the U.S. Transportation Security Administration.
Brewer's experience has given him a powerful perspective regarding the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol, domestic terrorism and the political landscape. Exposure to terrorism issues helped shape January 6: A Novel as well as two earlier novels, "Blending In: A Tale of Homegrown Terrorism", and "Killer Politics: A Satirical Tale of Homegrown Terrorism".
Prelude to Murder
Erica Miner
Level Best Books
https://www.levelbestbooks.us
9781685124427, $16.95, PB, 266pp
https://www.amazon.com/Prelude-Murder-Julia-Kogan-Mystery/dp/1685124429
Synopsis: Young, prodigious Metropolitan Opera violinist Julia Kogan, having survived her entanglement in an investigation of her mentor's murder and a subsequent violent, life-threatening attack of a ruthless killer, is called upon for a key musical leadership position at the Santa Fe Opera.
But at the spectacular outdoor theatre in the shadows of the mysterious New Mexican Sangre de Cristo Mountains, she witnesses yet other operatic murders, both on-stage and off. Dark and painful secrets emerge as, ignoring warnings from her colleagues and from Larry, her significant other, Julia plunges into her own investigation of the killing.
Ghostly apparitions combine with some of the most bloody and violent operas in the repertoire to make Julia question her own motives for searching for the killer. But this time, the threat to her life originates from a source she never would have imagined.
Critique: Impressively original and carefully crafted, "Prelude to Murder" is a fun read for 'whodunnit' murder mystery buffs from start to finish. As a novelist, Erica Miner clearly draws from her career with the Metropolitan Opera and exhibits a genuine flair for the kind of narrative driven storytelling style that will quickly engage the reader's total attention in a compelling story featuring the supernatural and amateur sleuthing. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Prelude to Murder" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99).
Editorial Note: After 21 years as a violinist with the Metropolitan Opera, Erica Miner (www.ericaminer.com) turned to her lifelong love of writing as her creative outlet. Her debut novel, "Travels with My Lovers", won the Fiction Prize in the Direct from the Author Book Awards, and her screenplays have won awards in the WinFemme, Santa Fe, and Writers Digest competitions. "Aria for Murder", published by Level Best Books (2022), the first in her Julia Kogan Opera Mystery series, and was a finalist in the 2023 Eric Hoffer Awards. As a writer-lecturer, Erica has given workshops for Sisters in Crime; Los Angeles Creative Writing Conference; EPIC Group Writers; Write on the Sound; Fields End Writer's Community; Savvy Authors; and numerous libraries on the west coast.
Firefax
A. M. Vergara
Damocles' Blade Press
https://tunein.com/radio/Stream-Damocles-Blade-Press-a118066
9781962246026, $28.99, HC, 304pp
https://www.amazon.com/Firefax-Amelia-M-Vergara/dp/1962246035
Synopsis: The world's oldest family of high-profile assassins, the Firefaxes, have been killing off dignitaries -- and being well-compensated to do so-for centuries.
The family is thrown into turmoil by their patriarch's death and the return of their cunning, cruel prodigal, Murdoch. Murdoch is the only one left who knows where the secret island is that the Firefax wealth is kept.
But Murdoch's former protege, now turned nemesis, Istani, who is the leader of a British intelligence network, and Murdoch's former colleagues from a Continental intelligence network are also looking for that wealth. These spy networks are bent on tracking down the legendary treasure, whatever the cost, but may have met their match in the wily, dysfunctional family of killers.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, riveting, and a fun read from start to finish, "Firefax" will hold a special appeal to readers with an interest in historical novels featuring groups clandestine assassins and spy group operatives locked in mortal combat. Author A. M. Vergara demonstrates a complete mastery of the kind of narrative storytelling style that compels the reader's rapt attention from first page to last. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Action/Adventure Historical Thriller collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists for fans of alternative science fiction novels that "Firefax" is also available in a paperback edition (9781962246026, $16.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99).
Editorial Note: A.M. Vergara (https://amvergara.com) is a physician assistant and paramedic. When not writing, reading, or working in the hospital or on the ambulance, she can be found outside, hiking, camping, riding her mule, foraging for edible mushrooms, field-herping, or playing her banjo.
Death of a Punk
John P. Browner
Stark House Press
www.starkhousepress.com
9798886010695, $12.99, PB, 218pp
https://www.amazon.com/Death-Punk-John-P-Browner/dp/B0CKDSTSCP
Synopsis: Lenny Hornblower used to drive a cab. Now he finds people for a fee -- $100 a day plus expenses. When Lisa Perlont calls and asks him to find her son Blinky, it seems like an easy job. Blinky hangs out at an East Village punk club called AC-DC.
Lenny puts up with the noise and aggravation, but when someone knocks him out in the alley and steals his wallet, he starts to take it personally.
However, the search for Blinky turns up more than a young punk with a safety pin in his nose -- Lenny also finds a group of equipment hijackers with a large stash of cocaine. In fact, it looks like Blinky is running a scam of his own, one that just might prove fatal.
Lenny wants to do right by his lovely client but is this any way to make a living?
Critique: Originally published in 1980, "Death of a Punk" by John P. Browner was the first novel to come directly out of the NYC CBGBs Punk scene. Now reissued the 'Black Cat' series from Stark House Press for the first time in more than 40 years this time-lost classic will have an immense appeal to a new generation of fans with an interest in classic hard boiled private investigator crime novels. While a great pick for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Death of a Punk" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99).
Editorial Note: John P. Browner lived in Greenwich Village during the 70's. An habitue of the downtown clubs that spawned the Punk/New Wave music scene, he wrote Death of a Punk in 1977 78. It was originally published by Pocket Books in 1980. Currently, he lives with his wife, the writer Lisa Yarger, and his daughter, Greta, in Munich, Germany, where he owns and operates The Munich Readery, an English secondhand bookshop (http://readery.de).
EDITOR'S NOTE:
The Midwest Book Review is an organization of volunteers committed to promoting literacy, library usage, and small press publishing. We accept no funds from authors or publishers. Full permission is given to post any of these reviews on thematically appropriate websites, newsgroups, listserves, internet discussion groups, organizational newsletters, or to interested individuals. Please give the Midwest Book Review a credit line when doing so.
The Midwest Book Review publishes the monthly book review magazines "California Bookwatch", "Internet Bookwatch", "Children's Bookwatch", "MBR Bookwatch", "Reviewer's Bookwatch", and "Small Press Bookwatch". All are available for free on the Midwest Book Review website at www (dot) midwestbookreview (dot) com
Anyone wanting to submit books for review consideration can send them to:
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
To submit reviews of any fiction or non-fiction books, email them to Frugalmuse (at) aol (dot) com (Be sure to include the book title, author, publisher, publisher address, publisher website/phone number, 13-digit ISBN number, and list price).
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
January 6: A Novel
Norman Brewer
Shilka Publishing
https://shilka.uk
9781804430545, $9.99, PB, 228pp
https://www.amazon.com/January-6-Novel-Norman-Brewer/dp/1804430544
Synopsis: January 6, 2020 was the day democracy was assaulted in an armed attempt to overthrow a freely and fairly elected American government. Protesters and insurrectionists at the President Donald J. Trump's rally morphed into a mob that stormed the Capitol, right-wing extremists in their midst.
"January 6: A Novel" is a work of fiction based on an historical event witnessed on television in real time by millions of Americans. It takes place in the politically sacred halls that author Norman Brewer had walked for decades as a reporter.
In this original novel based on real events, hostages are taken, the House Speaker among them. A horrific standoff gives extremist militias time to unleash deadly terrorism across the nation. Public officials are assassinated. Bombs ignited in malls.
National Guard units are beset by mutiny. Dams and electrical grids attacked, innocent citizens killed. Insurrectionists commandeer radio stations, broadcasting calls for revolution. Riots break out, extremists of the right and left in mortal combat. Cities are aflame.
The President, in election denial, weighs declaring martial law to quell the violence -- and to justify refusing to leave office.
Can democracy survive?
Critique: Although a work of fiction, "January 6: A Novel" provides genuine and vivid insider glimpses of what might come next in 2024 in real life. All kingdoms, empires, and nations throughout history have risen, flourished, and then fallen. American may not be an exception. Follow a disputed election in 2020 and the possibility of an insurrectionist political candidate being once more defeated at the polls, the very real possibility of what is described in "January 6: A Novel, makes it an unreservedly recommended addition to community and college/university library collections -- and essential reading for those with interest, in politics, terrorism, freedom, and the future of the United States of America.
Editorial Note: Norman Brewer is an award-winning reporter and editor who worked for The Des Moines Register and Tribune and for Gannett News Service in Washington, D.C. As a reporter, he covered Congress, the White House and federal agencies, and pursued investigative projects that earned recognition, including from the National Press Club. He was also Director of Employee Communications at the U.S. Transportation Security Administration.
Brewer's experience has given him a powerful perspective regarding the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol, domestic terrorism and the political landscape. Exposure to terrorism issues helped shape January 6: A Novel as well as two earlier novels, "Blending In: A Tale of Homegrown Terrorism", and "Killer Politics: A Satirical Tale of Homegrown Terrorism".
Prelude to Murder
Erica Miner
Level Best Books
https://www.levelbestbooks.us
9781685124427, $16.95, PB, 266pp
https://www.amazon.com/Prelude-Murder-Julia-Kogan-Mystery/dp/1685124429
Synopsis: Young, prodigious Metropolitan Opera violinist Julia Kogan, having survived her entanglement in an investigation of her mentor's murder and a subsequent violent, life-threatening attack of a ruthless killer, is called upon for a key musical leadership position at the Santa Fe Opera.
But at the spectacular outdoor theatre in the shadows of the mysterious New Mexican Sangre de Cristo Mountains, she witnesses yet other operatic murders, both on-stage and off. Dark and painful secrets emerge as, ignoring warnings from her colleagues and from Larry, her significant other, Julia plunges into her own investigation of the killing.
Ghostly apparitions combine with some of the most bloody and violent operas in the repertoire to make Julia question her own motives for searching for the killer. But this time, the threat to her life originates from a source she never would have imagined.
Critique: Impressively original and carefully crafted, "Prelude to Murder" is a fun read for 'whodunnit' murder mystery buffs from start to finish. As a novelist, Erica Miner clearly draws from her career with the Metropolitan Opera and exhibits a genuine flair for the kind of narrative driven storytelling style that will quickly engage the reader's total attention in a compelling story featuring the supernatural and amateur sleuthing. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Prelude to Murder" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99).
Editorial Note: After 21 years as a violinist with the Metropolitan Opera, Erica Miner (www.ericaminer.com) turned to her lifelong love of writing as her creative outlet. Her debut novel, "Travels with My Lovers", won the Fiction Prize in the Direct from the Author Book Awards, and her screenplays have won awards in the WinFemme, Santa Fe, and Writers Digest competitions. "Aria for Murder", published by Level Best Books (2022), the first in her Julia Kogan Opera Mystery series, and was a finalist in the 2023 Eric Hoffer Awards. As a writer-lecturer, Erica has given workshops for Sisters in Crime; Los Angeles Creative Writing Conference; EPIC Group Writers; Write on the Sound; Fields End Writer's Community; Savvy Authors; and numerous libraries on the west coast.
Firefax
A. M. Vergara
Damocles' Blade Press
https://tunein.com/radio/Stream-Damocles-Blade-Press-a118066
9781962246026, $28.99, HC, 304pp
https://www.amazon.com/Firefax-Amelia-M-Vergara/dp/1962246035
Synopsis: The world's oldest family of high-profile assassins, the Firefaxes, have been killing off dignitaries -- and being well-compensated to do so-for centuries.
The family is thrown into turmoil by their patriarch's death and the return of their cunning, cruel prodigal, Murdoch. Murdoch is the only one left who knows where the secret island is that the Firefax wealth is kept.
But Murdoch's former protege, now turned nemesis, Istani, who is the leader of a British intelligence network, and Murdoch's former colleagues from a Continental intelligence network are also looking for that wealth. These spy networks are bent on tracking down the legendary treasure, whatever the cost, but may have met their match in the wily, dysfunctional family of killers.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, riveting, and a fun read from start to finish, "Firefax" will hold a special appeal to readers with an interest in historical novels featuring groups clandestine assassins and spy group operatives locked in mortal combat. Author A. M. Vergara demonstrates a complete mastery of the kind of narrative storytelling style that compels the reader's rapt attention from first page to last. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Action/Adventure Historical Thriller collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists for fans of alternative science fiction novels that "Firefax" is also available in a paperback edition (9781962246026, $16.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99).
Editorial Note: A.M. Vergara (https://amvergara.com) is a physician assistant and paramedic. When not writing, reading, or working in the hospital or on the ambulance, she can be found outside, hiking, camping, riding her mule, foraging for edible mushrooms, field-herping, or playing her banjo.
Death of a Punk
John P. Browner
Stark House Press
www.starkhousepress.com
9798886010695, $12.99, PB, 218pp
https://www.amazon.com/Death-Punk-John-P-Browner/dp/B0CKDSTSCP
Synopsis: Lenny Hornblower used to drive a cab. Now he finds people for a fee -- $100 a day plus expenses. When Lisa Perlont calls and asks him to find her son Blinky, it seems like an easy job. Blinky hangs out at an East Village punk club called AC-DC.
Lenny puts up with the noise and aggravation, but when someone knocks him out in the alley and steals his wallet, he starts to take it personally.
However, the search for Blinky turns up more than a young punk with a safety pin in his nose -- Lenny also finds a group of equipment hijackers with a large stash of cocaine. In fact, it looks like Blinky is running a scam of his own, one that just might prove fatal.
Lenny wants to do right by his lovely client but is this any way to make a living?
Critique: Originally published in 1980, "Death of a Punk" by John P. Browner was the first novel to come directly out of the NYC CBGBs Punk scene. Now reissued the 'Black Cat' series from Stark House Press for the first time in more than 40 years this time-lost classic will have an immense appeal to a new generation of fans with an interest in classic hard boiled private investigator crime novels. While a great pick for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Death of a Punk" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99).
Editorial Note: John P. Browner lived in Greenwich Village during the 70's. An habitue of the downtown clubs that spawned the Punk/New Wave music scene, he wrote Death of a Punk in 1977 78. It was originally published by Pocket Books in 1980. Currently, he lives with his wife, the writer Lisa Yarger, and his daughter, Greta, in Munich, Germany, where he owns and operates The Munich Readery, an English secondhand bookshop (http://readery.de).
EDITOR'S NOTE:
The Midwest Book Review is an organization of volunteers committed to promoting literacy, library usage, and small press publishing. We accept no funds from authors or publishers. Full permission is given to post any of these reviews on thematically appropriate websites, newsgroups, listserves, internet discussion groups, organizational newsletters, or to interested individuals. Please give the Midwest Book Review a credit line when doing so.
The Midwest Book Review publishes the monthly book review magazines "California Bookwatch", "Internet Bookwatch", "Children's Bookwatch", "MBR Bookwatch", "Reviewer's Bookwatch", and "Small Press Bookwatch". All are available for free on the Midwest Book Review website at www (dot) midwestbookreview (dot) com
Anyone wanting to submit books for review consideration can send them to:
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
To submit reviews of any fiction or non-fiction books, email them to Frugalmuse (at) aol (dot) com (Be sure to include the book title, author, publisher, publisher address, publisher website/phone number, 13-digit ISBN number, and list price).
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
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