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Showing Tag: "drama" (Show all posts)

"Legacy of the Third Way" by Abdul Quayyum Khan Kundi

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, In : Book Reviews 

To be honest, this future-set book didn’t go at all in any of the directions I might have been anticipating.  I didn’t read the blurb, so was genuinely intrigued to find that, far from science fiction or another very trendy dystopian gloomfest, Legacy of the Third Way instead went on to offer a mildly interesting look into American politics, though, it has to be said, it doesn’t really delve too deeply into the subject.  The story is quite a simple one: a dying man writes his autobiogra...


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"Mamluks of Thunder Island" by Aly Brisha

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, In : Book Reviews 

This is a tremendously well-written and well-edited book, by an undoubted professional at the peak of his potential, though its narrative feels a touch obscure at times, perhaps abstract or even metaphorical in places.  Whether it is set in a utopian or dystopian far-future is perhaps a matter of opinion at times, depending on what your ideal society looks like; I would veer more toward the latter, as there are touches of The Handmaid’s Tale and The Island about this one, particularly in th...


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"The World We Deserve" by T.K. Kanwar

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Friday, January 12, 2024, In : Book Reviews 



Stories about an oppressive dictatorship in the very near future are bang on trend at the moment, but very few are as good as this soul-destroying cautionary tale by T.K. Kanwar.  In fact, the last time I read a book quite this good on the subject was, in fact, the last time I read and reviewed a book by Kanwar.  The World We Deserve is not so much a direct sequel to Identity Crisis as the afterword may lead you to believe, but it is definitely a series of sorts, in the same narrative vein, o...


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"Plausible Liars" by Lin Wilder

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Sunday, January 7, 2024, In : Book Reviews 



It seems bizarre to be saying this, but I am genuinely grateful to Lin, and others like her, for sticking her neck out and saying what needs to be said.  Even more bizarre is the suggestion that she is taking great risk in doing so, but here we are. 

Lin has never been one to shy away from controversial issues, and there are few more controversial at the moment than the indoctrination of children by some of the more extreme elements of the trans community, fully supported by those organizati...


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"Hardened Steel: A Warrior's Odyssey" by Victor Gregor

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, In : Book Reviews 

It has to be said, the word “epic” is one which is often bandied about far too liberally by publishers and authors, particularly in regard to historical drama, and even more so when they have a military or wartime premise.  But I’m not hurling superlatives when saying that Hardened Steel by Victor Gregor meets the criteria in the purest way.  Furthermore, it is not just epic; it is fantastic.  A real sprawling tale in the same vein as The Revenant, as its narrative almost weaves its way...


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"The Waiting Room" by Annika Galloway

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Monday, December 4, 2023, In : Book Reviews 

I can confidently claim, without any overstatement, that this is probably as good a collection of short stories as I have read yet.  Annika Galloway is a fantastic storyteller, a student of psychology and the human condition, and it shows in these four profound, melancholic tales of a group of people in a psychiatric waiting room of sorts, which you’ll be thinking about long after you finish reading them.  Each of the tales is affecting and utterly engaging, with some very clever craftiness...


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"Water Music" by Marcia Peck

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Thursday, November 16, 2023, In : Book Reviews 





It isn’t immediately clear just how much of this book is autobiographical, or even semi-biographical, if any at all, but I would suspect there is a fair amount of personal truth and life story of the author, or perhaps one of her immediate ancestors, in this heartfelt and emotionally charged tale.  I wouldn’t really call it a coming-of-age story, as the first-person narrator is a little young, at twelve, to be considered that, but it does bear all the hallmarks of these slice-of-life chil...


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"War Torn Book 2: The French Girl" by Jan Lloyd

Posted by Matthew Vidler on Thursday, November 9, 2023, In : Book Reviews 



Having read and enjoyed the first in the War Torn series by Jan Lloyd – an excellent book, I should add – I was looking forward to this, the second, and had high hopes.  It did feel, and forgive the cliché, a little like revisiting old acquaintances to see how they’re getting on.  This offering wasn’t quite up there with its predecessor, but matching it would have been no mean feat.  To be honest, this one didn’t have the same exciting, dramatic story arc; which is not surprising, ...


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"The Ruler's Soul" by C.R.

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Friday, October 13, 2023, In : Book Reviews 

Although long and very wordy, this book was actually a great deal more enjoyable to read than it might have been.  A very simple tale with a basic, linear premise: two ancient souls separated by different paths, but the forbidden love between them is eternal – even if one of them doesn’t yet know it.  Other than this, there isn’t really much more of a story arc – and, in fact, that’s a good thing.  The author rather prefers to concentrate on the emotions, expertly crafting the two p...


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"Children in the City of Czars" by Irmgarde Brown

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Monday, September 18, 2023, In : Book Reviews 

It isn’t often I throw superlatives around, but I think it is fair to describe this book as something of an epic – and it is very, very good.  Nor is it common for me to be crying out for a sequel, but having reached the end of this, I would love to see one, to see characters reunited.  I’ll try not to spoil anything; suffice to say that the premise concerns three young, orphaned siblings, although beyond a certain point the readers only get to follow two of them.  The end is left perfe...


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"A Perfect Finish" by Chris Lude

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Friday, September 8, 2023, In : Book Reviews 

I’m in two minds about this book by Christopher Lude.  Whilst on the one hand it is exceptionally well written and presented, and at times offers traces of poignancy, it also felt on the other to be something of a whimsical look at a particularly emotive subject, and one of huge controversy, particular in God-fearing countries like the States.  It took me a while to come to the conclusion that this book is entirely fictional, as its introduction does appear to suggest otherwise; I am theref...


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"Eyes of the Beholder" by Swinn Daniels

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, In : Book Reviews 

The romance genre covers a range of different styles and sub-genres, such as the sweeping, epic drama style, the steamy suspense thriller style, the pure erotica style and the Hollywood gloss fantasy style.  This is predominantly the latter, although it isn’t located in the superficial setting of Jackie Collins books.  The two primary protagonists are hugely talented and, of course, irresistibly gorgeous artists, at the top of their game, mixing with the very best of the set.  Naturally, ev...


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"In the Garden of Sorrows" by Karen Jewell

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, In : Book Reviews 



Slow-burning, cerebral drama isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I have to say that author Karen Jewell really lives up to her name with this sublimely atmospheric piece; it’s a gem.  Set in the southern states of depression-era America, it is appropriately melancholy, and so it should be, with its grim subject matter of a rural farming couple watching their marriage fall apart following the death of their son in the first world war.  Bleak and moody, you wouldn’t think there was a great...


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"The Benevolent World Banker" by M.K. Nielsen

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, In : Book Reviews 



M.K. Nielsen’s book can be described in many ways, and it is likely reviewers will all have their own choice of adjectives, but one thing which is unambiguous and not in doubt, across the board, is that it is a real work of excellent quality.  Even better, it is that rare thing: a gripping fiction book in which the reader genuinely doesn’t know what is going to happen next.  The story itself, to be honest, is a very simple one; the book is perhaps more literary or metaphorical than a form...


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"Attachment Patterns" by Stephen Metcalfe

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Monday, May 15, 2023, In : Book Reviews 


This is a book which is, and actually deserves to be, a great deal better than its delivery presents.  At its heart is profound social and psychological insight, both pre- and post-COVID in context, and it is underpinned by a genuine warmth and, most of all, touching, multi-layered poignancy.  Its problem is that it feels perhaps a little disjointed in nature and, even more than that, and worse, as if it hasn’t really been given 100% of the attention and polish that it absolutely deserves. ...


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"The Melancholy Strumpet Master" by Zeb Beck

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, In : Book Reviews 


A novel premise for a book, this one, and delivered with impeccable prose and timing.  A mature and very experienced anthropology student, still trying for his degree after several years of procrastination and failure, watches his life pass him by and crumble around him, as he spends more and more time with the street-workers who are the subject of his dissertation.  The real star of this book is not so much the story, which is not really its point, but the razor-sharp wit and rallying dialog...


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"Bully" by Sara Aurorae

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Thursday, April 13, 2023, In : Book Reviews 


Exceptionally well written literary fiction, with a very important, highly topical undertone, that of misogynistic, toxic masculinity.  I don’t know how much of Sara’s book is semi-biographical – the lead character of Bully is called Sarah – so I’ll tread very carefully with this review. 

This is by no means a light-hearted read – indeed, it is absolutely intense – but it is superbly gripping in a way I haven’t read for quite some time; the author has done a tremendous job.  ...


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"War Torn" by Jan Lloyd

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Friday, March 31, 2023, In : Book Reviews 


This is an excellent book, which throws one curve ball after another; I had no idea that it was going to go in the direction it did, and I defy you to predict it, too, even beyond halfway.  If I have one gripe it is that perhaps the ending is a little abrupt and something of shorn wick, but in other ways this perhaps suits the story arc, which is actually a little unsatisfying, but in a good way, because it is a true-to-life, realistic narrative.

Jan knows her subject matter very well, and t...


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"Project Neon" by Jonathan K. Crockett

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Friday, March 17, 2023, In : Book Reviews 



The real project to be admired here is Jonathan’s epic book – vast and hugely impressive, Project Neon is a fantastic achievement.  And, more to the point, it is a tremendously good book; the author should be immensely proud.  That said, I felt it wasn’t quite as polished as it absolutely should be, and warrants, which is a shame, and the reason for my decision to drop a star; it is fair to say that this is a book which should otherwise be worthy of full praise.  Whilst Jonathan is clea...


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"Starlite" by Jonathan Latt

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Friday, February 24, 2023, In : Book Reviews 


This is a book which is full of surprises, and doesn’t ultimately really go in the direction I thought it might.  For the most part, it’s actually pretty fun, and overall I enjoyed it quite a bit more than I thought I would.  In other ways, though, it perhaps irritated a touch, though I would say not really enough to put me off reading the now obviously inevitable sequel.  Sorry, I don’t want to spoil, but this point does bring me quite clearly to what was by far my biggest bug-bear wit...


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"Forsaking Church" by David Alexander Shaw

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Monday, December 19, 2022, In : Book Reviews 



In recent years it seems there has been the creation of an entire new fiction and non-fiction genre: the Trump genre.  The guy’s name must appear in this book a hundred times or more!  I’ve no love loss for that man, you can be sure, but from the point of view of a literary reviewer, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit it becomes a touch tiresome.  That little gripe aside, this is a tremendously good book.  Profoundly cerebral, although fiction, it is a heartfelt, highly intelligent study ...


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"The Queen's Player" by Anthony R. Wildman

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Monday, December 12, 2022, In : Book Reviews 


The real star of this literary fiction eye-opener is Anthony Wildman’s writing; smart and well-accomplished, his prose is exquisite at times.  Clearly the author has pushed out all the stops and worked his mental muscle to the limit, learning and composing in the sixteenth-century vernacular of Shakespeare himself.  This is in itself surely a nigh on impossible task, but Anthony undoubtedly gives it his best shot – and to hugely impressive effect.  Long and wordy, this is a true showcase ...


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"Annunciation" by Ciara Houghton Ruane

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Thursday, December 1, 2022, In : Book Reviews 


This book is better when you think back on it in hindsight, and I have to say that even during writing this review I have improved my rating of it slightly, as I think over the quality of its workmanship and its writer.  I like the premise, of an unassuming, modern-day teenage girl chosen to be the mother of the second coming of God’s son.  It is a book which doesn’t delve too deeply into either the goodness or the darkness of the bible – though there is a fair bit more of the latter th...


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"Covenant Spring" by Christopher Watson

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, In : Book Reviews 


One is left with very mixed feelings after reading this epic journey of a book.  The best way I can describe it would be melodrama turned literary fiction by design, rather than default – or is it the other way round?  I’m not sure.  But the simple fact is, to put it into very basic terms, it is very long and very descriptive, in the same way that most classic literary fiction is; indeed, Watson seems the sort of author who won’t use ten words when he can use a hundred.  That in itself ...


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"The Pulse" by Owen Garratt

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Sunday, November 6, 2022, In : Book Reviews 

This is a really good book, but I have to be honest and say it was another which left me feeling a little hard done by.  I hate to spoil books, but occasionally I feel an ounce of civic duty is required to warn readers in advance; this is one of those books.  So, be advised: after nearly 400 pages you will find that this is the open-ended first instalment in an ongoing series, which promises to be a long and sprawling saga.

Owen is a very good author, with wonderful language, vivid descripti...


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"Destiny of Determination: Faith and Family" by Cathy Burnham Martin

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Thursday, September 29, 2022, In : Book Reviews 

I wasn’t fortunate enough to read the first of Cathy’s semi-biographical “Destiny” trilogy, but with no idea to support my belief, I can’t help thinking that I really got lucky with Book Two – it is wonderful, just a lovely book, on so many levels.  Telling the story of four generations of Cathy’s (“Cassie’s”) family following their emigration from Armenia to the United States at the dawn of the twentieth century, with a part fictionalized slant, there is a fair amount of ...


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"Pirate Penance" by E.Z. Prine

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Monday, September 26, 2022, In : Book Reviews 

I commented, in my previous reviews of books in this series, on my assumption that the Pirate books were a trilogy, because the author sent me three.  In fact, Prine appears to be creating something of a whole universe regarding the series.  There is so much ground left, clearly, and indeed in the back matter of Pirate Penance it is revealed there is much more to come from this bickering, bed-hopping band of 80s rock stars.  In fact, a whole third of this particular instalment is actually a s...


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"Alone Against the Sea" by Lance V. Packer

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Sunday, September 25, 2022, In : Book Reviews 


Before I begin, I should disclose that I assisted Lance in the production of this book.  However, rest assured that this has no bearing whatsoever on my review.  I have been fortunate enough now to read a couple from this author, and I can say with all sincerity that he is a cut above the rest.  His quality is from the top drawer, and whilst his books might not be the most eventful or action packed, they are as poignant, as profound and as thought-provoking as you are ever likely to read.  Al...


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"Have You Eaten Rice Today?" by Apple Gidley

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Thursday, September 22, 2022, In : Book Reviews 


Perhaps the best thing about being a book reviewer is that you are fortunate to learn so much, and that is particularly so when reading books set in a specific period of history, and certainly true of this poignant and touching emotional fiction.  Set in a perhaps under-represented time and place in recent events, that of the post-war coalition fight against the brutal communist wannabe regime in Malaya, this lovely book, by the wonderfully named author Apple Gidley, definitely falls into the...


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"Pirate Booty" by E.Z. Prine

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Friday, September 16, 2022, In : Book Reviews 


It’s fair to say that my review of this book’s predecessor was not overly glowing, and unfortunately when reviewing Pirate Booty I am inclined to be even less so, for which I am genuinely sorry; I like this author, and we have engaged in a fair amount of correspondence of late (I have been sent the three books in the trilogy for my unbiased review).  Not that Prine’s writing is in any way not good – far from it, the books have a wonderful style and voice, which for an ensemble cast wi...


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"Pirate the Rock Band" by E.Z. Prine

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Thursday, September 8, 2022, In : Book Reviews 


Insightful and good fun, this is first in a trilogy (I assume) that I have been given by the author to carry out my unbiased and impartial review.  It’s a good start, and I look forward to reading the next books in the series, but be warned, without wishing to spoil this book in any way, it is not a self-contained, standalone title; you are required to keep reading.  Telling the story, behind the scenes, of a superstar British rock band as they tour the U.S. in the 80s, whose record company...


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"Chasing the Reaper" by Sarah McKnight

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, In : Book Reviews 


I really enjoyed The Reaper’s Quota, so when this one appeared in my bookshelf I was very keen to get stuck into it.  And Sarah McKnight has delivered another great book.  Entertaining, thought provoking and creative, this direct sequel takes a slightly different tone to the first, opting for a more down to earth drama narrative, and perhaps shedding a little of the crackling wit of the first.  I won’t say anything to spoil this or the book it follows, but suffice to say that it does end ...


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"Bully Boy" by Tom Wade

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, In : Book Reviews 


So, this book is technically flawed, ultimately unsatisfying and doesn’t really go in any direction near where you are hoping it will go – and you know what?  I loved every minute of it!  Tom’s book is great.  With its tangible air of menace permeating throughout, simmering below the surface from very early on, it is safe to say that you spend much of it in nailbiting suspense, just wondering where bullied Henry is taking all of this.  And the author knows this.  Furthermore, he fosters...


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"Zoe Hearty and the Space Invaders" by T.E. Norris

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Saturday, June 4, 2022, In : Book Reviews 



A darkly entertaining sci-fi fantasy horror, of which I should say I found the title a little misleading in a way.  Not that it is inaccurate in any way, but rather that the humorous and even tongue in cheek tone of it suggests some sort of dark comic satire, which it isn’t at all; Zoe Hearty and the Space Invaders – or Zoe Hearty and the Alien Scum, depending on which version you read – is pure thriller, from start to finish, containing disturbing themes of domestic abuse, rape and mur...


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"The Ascension of Annie" by Siobhan Chisholm

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Friday, May 27, 2022, In : Book Reviews 



Nice easy reading, Siobhan’s emotional fantasy doesn’t really break any boundaries, but you can tell the author has put all of her heart and soul into it, which comes through on every page.  The premise is a compact and concise one, about a grieving young woman who discovers a fantastical realm of the afterlife.  Apart from this and the sad backstory, it doesn’t delve too deeply into a storyline, other than Annie planning to set out on a journey of spiritual discovery as a response.  Th...


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"The Savoy and Other Stories" by Stephen Murphy

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Monday, April 25, 2022,

I love short stories, especially when they’re well written, and this intriguing anthology is just that.  From what is clearly an interesting and creative mind, Stephen Murphy delivers a dozen and a half or so of what can only be really described as vignettes, and for the most part slice of life, even if some of those fictional lives are a good deal more interesting than others.  The tales are not action packed or exciting, but rather more anecdotal or perhaps suggestive.  They are more abou...


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"Holding Fast" by Susan Cole

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Wednesday, February 2, 2022, In : Book Reviews 

I always say that people write either for creative expression, to provide information or for purely self-therapy reasons; I believe this book falls very firmly in the latter of those three categories, despite its travel memoir element.  It is surprisingly candid on the part of the author, sharing rather more than her family’s travel experiences the emotional ups and downs, the profound love and ultimately loss, not to mention regrets – and I get the distinct impression, without wishing to...


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"Travels With Maurice" by Gary Orleck

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Friday, January 28, 2022, In : Book Reviews 


At times beautifully endearing, this book is a real treat, surprisingly poignant enough to catch you off guard at times.  Gary states from the outset that every word of it is true, though I have to say that the more I read, the more I wondered just how much creative licence has been applied to its factual framework.  But then, to tell the truth, when all is said and done, I think I believed pretty much all of it.  That the far-fetched political drama of it increases sharply as it goes on does...


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"50 States" by Richard R. Becker

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Friday, January 21, 2022, In : Book Reviews 


Although Richard is a superb writer, with an eloquent tongue and a tremendous turn of phrase, and these gems are each a standalone high-brow work of art, I don’t recommend that you read “50 States” as I did, from cover to cover.  Like the pleasant burn of a liquor, these are to be savoured and enjoyed from time to time, as the mood takes you – and that mood really needs to be a pensive and reflective one, perhaps at times even melancholy.  Although all cerebral in nature, there is pre...


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"Bravery Doesn't Come From a Copper Coin" by Teddy Hitaffer

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Monday, November 15, 2021, In : Book Reviews 

Totally fun and entertaining, 15-year-old Teddy is a real talent, not just for writing stories, but for spotting a good, creative premise, from something which would probably never occur to most authors.  Clearly written for the dog he adores, Bravery Doesn’t Come From a Copper Coin tells the tale of an anxious labrador who tries to overcome his day-to-day fears with the help of his best friend, a cuddly toy, and inspired by a centuries old penny.  Suddenly one day finding himself caught up...


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"Being Netta Wilde" by Hazel Ward

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Sunday, November 7, 2021, In : Book Reviews 


Even though not at all my cup of tea, this was an utterly engaging book which I read in a few gripped sessions.  There is no denying the quality of Hazel Ward; her writing is articulate, vivid and raw, drawing the reader into the characters’ lives like the script of a soap (a good one, not Eastenders).  All of this, despite the fact that I actually found Netta Wilde to be a particularly irritating personality, like the friend you try to put off meeting, because you pretty much know what the...


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"Certified" by Roger Wilson-Crane

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Tuesday, October 26, 2021, In : Book Reviews 

This is not so much a book of three short stories, as some of the reviews might suggest, but rather three parts of the same story of one man’s life, each taking one of the themes of its three major events: birth, marriage and death.  It does get you wondering while reading just how much is fictional and how much biographical or autobiographical.  You hope it is not too much of the latter, to be honest, because in all honesty, generally the unnamed protagonist does not come across a particul...


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"Art Farm" by Marc Dickerson

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Saturday, September 4, 2021, In : Book Reviews 

A very smart and funny book, I really enjoyed this one.  Don’t take the metaphor too seriously; in fact, I would say forget about the bizarre story altogether and just enjoy Dickerson’s clever writing and laugh out loud, dry wit.  This is more a book about the author than the characters (if there is any differentiation), and I suspect there is a lot of Marc’s self in all of the ensemble he has presented in Art Farm.  It is fantastical biographical, I am sure, but first and foremost it i...


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"Fill the Gaps" by Andrew Johnston

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Tuesday, August 24, 2021, In : Book Reviews 

Bittersweet and poignant, this bleak tragi-comic drama is all the better for its ambiguity.  It is an intelligent book which credits its audience with comparable intelligence, and allows them to fill the detail gaps (which may be the reason for the title); although Isaac is a pretty unpleasant character, he is also a very complex and somewhat sad one – worse still, we can all relate to him in some way.

Johnston is a wonderful writer, deep and suggestive, and he has done a tremendous job of...


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"Shadows Unveiled" by Amanda Berthault

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, In : Book Reviews 

Amanda Berthault is a good writing professional, and it shows.  Combining a simple, no-frills storyline with a complex and profound narrative, this is high quality fiction, written as a craft, and a masterclass in character development.  Haunted former rock star Shadow is increasingly layered as his story unfolds, and remains a credible and likeable protagonist, despite the incredible chain of events which have brought his life to the point it is now at.  Perhaps I would have liked to see mor...


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"Humankind" by Michael Whitehead

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Friday, August 6, 2021, In : Book Reviews 


A great story, which intertwines the darkest parts of human history with a very current theme, Humankind is a really good read, combining styles and narratives, and about as topical as it gets.  As a hereditary English landowner embarks upon a career in politics, his ambitions are put under serious threat by a political activist group, seeking reparations for slavery atrocities going back to the 19th century – and this guy’s colonial ancestors have committed their share.  As if this wasn...


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"Just My Luck" by Lelia Coles and Rosilyn Seay

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Sunday, July 18, 2021, In : Book Reviews 


If I’m honest, the first half of this book was tremendous, and I had really high hopes for where it was going, already starting to prepare an outstanding review in my mind.  In the sometimes disturbing story of a young girl, the daughter of a teenage rape victim, who is abandoned as a child and left to fend for herself, Tina shows immense character and resilience in her determination to overcome all adversity and support herself without the involvement of child social services.   She lives ...


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"Dr. Glass" by Louise Worthington

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Friday, May 7, 2021, In : Book Reviews 



One of this author’s greatest strengths is the simplicity of her premises, and this is another of those – if at times a little bizarre.  But again, as always with Louise, scratch deep enough beneath the tenderly itching surface and you will reveal a multitude of complex layers.  It might be superficially about a psychotherapist kidnapped by her deranged patient, but the nature of her profession should tell you that there is much, much more to both of these key players and their backstorie...


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"Willow Weeps" by Louise Worthington

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Sunday, May 2, 2021, In : Book Reviews 


Right from the off, when you start reading Willow Weeps, you are advised to find yourself somewhere cosy, dark and atmospheric, without interruptions, and immerse yourself in earnest into the author’s world.  If you do, you’ll be rewarded with a psychological treat – a work of quality and intense poignancy.  If you don’t, to be honest, you may find yourself on something of the back foot and playing catch-up.  This is a book best read entirely on the author’s wavelength.

In truth, t...


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"Caught Between Worlds" by Lance Packer

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Thursday, March 11, 2021, In : Book Reviews 

Hugely accomplished work, by an author I’m coming to know as eloquent, intellectual and highly knowledgeable.  Caught Between Worlds is an insightful and informative coming-of-age drama, which is bittersweet, understated and melancholy, to the point of feeling a touch bleak at times.  Yet even though there is a feeling of mental (and perhaps even tangibly physical) coldness when reading it, ultimately there is also warmth – the kind which only comes from thoughts of “home”.

A real cu...


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"William Ottoway's Utopia and Other Stories" by Christopher Griffith

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Saturday, January 30, 2021, In : Book Reviews 

I must be brutally honest here and say that I was torn by how I was going to rate this book; I decided to go with 3 stars, and truthfully this was the generous option.  I’ve don’t mean offence; it is not that I don’t rate Christopher Griffith – quite the opposite, in fact; he is clearly a tremendously gifted author, and it was for precisely this reason that I felt unable to sing the book’s praises.  In short, it could have been very, very good.  Paradoxically, then, this was also th...


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"A Compendium of Unusual Tales" by Ramsey Harrison

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Saturday, December 5, 2020, In : Book Reviews 

I really enjoy short stories – the darker the better – and whilst they don’t particularly fall into the horror category, these atmospheric tales are pretty dark, and also pretty good.  Harrison is a very clever writer, and the imaginative compendium ranges from outright sci-fi, through simple slice-of-life drama, to the supernatural.  It is hard to pick a favourite; I like them all, to be honest, though I will admit that slick mystery “Joanne” is right up my street.  With “Karma E...


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"Ralley Point: Place of Refuge" by Daniel Bishop

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Thursday, October 8, 2020, In : Book Reviews 


A moving, at times heartbreaking account of the events in the life of a couple who, unable to conceive following a miscarriage, decide to become foster carers.  Their journey is shrewdly narrated from the first-person viewpoints of both, as well as the husband’s eleven-year-old daughter.

Well written and candid, this is clearly a book created with a great deal of procedural knowledge from the author; although fictional, it certainly appears to have its basis in factual events, and the fami...


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"Death Unexpected" by Galen Barbour

Posted by Margaret Walker on Sunday, September 13, 2020, In : Book Reviews 


Fans of medical dramas will line up to buy this book and, if they don’t, they should.  The author writes with authority and I suggest must be a doctor, but the information is not difficult for the layman to understand.  Alongside the medicine is the excellent characterization and the novelist’s savoury intimation that something sinister has indeed infiltrated the life of the young woman lying motionless in a hospital bed.

Patricia Harding is 28 and works for a legal firm. Benjie is her g...


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" All the Bay's Clams and All the Bay's Men" by John Bauer

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Sunday, September 13, 2020, In : Book Reviews 


I’m becoming a big fan of John Bauer’s writing, and this acerbic coming-of-age drama is another good one from him.  He is a sharp author, with a great professional style and a wry sense of humour.  The interaction between the characters is entertaining and nostalgia-inducing; you remember talking that way with your buddies at their age (boys, that is; girls I can’t really speak for).  More than that, though, Bauer has a knack of creating lead characters with multiple layers of humanity,...


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"Woods: I" by J. Rodin

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Sunday, September 6, 2020, In : Book Reviews 

Hmm…  I was really enjoying this atmospheric and gripping short story, increasingly eager to discover its poor protagonist’s backstory and fate – perhaps this was the reason I was left feeling so short-changed at the end.  Whilst it may not be to everyone’s tastes, I have to say that I rather liked Rodin’s present tense, reciprocal internal dialogue-style; the melancholy and morose oppressiveness are chilling yet warming at the same time.  And, although the overall premise is no rea...


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"Vanish by Dawn" by J.D. Wells

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Saturday, August 22, 2020, In : Book Reviews 


Sharp and clever, the more you read this witty social commentary, the deeper and more numerous its insightful layers develop; by the end, you find yourself nodding in approval at the way it went.

As a man seeks psychiatric help to unravel the profoundly interesting psychotic episodes he is experiencing, he begins to become increasingly aware of the myriad mental health issues affecting each and every person around him – some mildly reactive; some severely symptomatic.  Gradually, his own e...


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"The Resurrection of Boraichee" by William Natale

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Monday, August 17, 2020, In : Book Reviews 

Offbeat and clever, there is something soap-like about this fly-on-the-wall tragi-comic drama as, in what appears to be an effort to teach him loyalty and devotion, a womanizing English Lit professor is reincarnated as the world’s most articulate dog.  Through the dog’s perceptive eyes and sharp narration, we watch unfold the tale of the American anti-dream; an otherwise good-hearted and decent family blighted by hard drug addiction and mental illness.  A generally well-written book, with...


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"Hinterland" by Lorna Brown

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Sunday, August 9, 2020, In : Book Reviews 



Slow burning and hugely atmospheric, Lorna’s work always simmers below the surface, with an intensity which grows and engulfs the reader; this thought-provoking composition is no different.  With a palpable feeling of menace growing gradually throughout, there is also an element of mysterious ambiguity, in this tale of a man with a history of violence struggling to raise his wayward daughter, whilst protecting her from the dark truth about her mentally ill mother.  Be warned, it is as bleak...


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"The Lightning Horse" by N.L. Holmes

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Tuesday, July 21, 2020, In : Book Reviews 


N.L. Holmes is an outstanding writer of pedigree and quality.  Her historical fiction is authentic and well-researched, as she paints landscapes and locations onto the page like an artist, putting the reader right there in the story, and able to experience her portrayal of history with all five senses.  She is also a master at crafting layered, well-developed characters, who are simultaneously endearing and human, as well as being awe-inspiring and powerful.  Her action scenes – whilst very...


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"Thryke: The Man That Nobody Knew" by Simon Gary

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, In : Book Reviews 

Another tremendous book from Simon Gary, and in this prequel to the wonderful Gone to the Dogs he has really honed his craft in character development; Thryke is a masterclass.  Not reaching out for some of the hilarity or bawdy laughs of its predecessor, this instalment is a much more subtle, poignant comedy, with greater focus on the genuinely moving emotive elements of …Dogs: sadness, happiness, romance and a life of rural innocence.

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t a great fan of Cornelius ...


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"Bird in a Snare" by N.L. Holmes

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Wednesday, June 10, 2020, In : Book Reviews 


In 13th century Egypt, a king’s envoy and loving family man is sent to investigate the assassination of a hapiru leader, discovering a deadly and treacherous plot.  So begins a fine book which combines the splendour and vivid opulence of ancient Egypt with the more conventional cosy mystery genre.  Indeed, in the afterword Holmes (an appropriate name, perhaps) reveals plans for additions to the series, and this is reinforced by the book’s tagline “A Lord Hani Mystery”.  Perhaps in som...


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"As Maryam's Tree Stood Witness" by Ali Kasem

Posted by Margaret Walker on Wednesday, June 10, 2020, In : Book Reviews 


This book had it all for me: love, romance, exotic culture, tragedy, mystery, and relationships. I finished it in a day and highly recommend it.

Salem is a member of a Yemeni family cursed by generational honour killings. That this blood revenge between clans commenced before he was born and has taken the life of an innocent sister does not make things any safer for him, and he is forced in 1966 to find refuge and make a new home for himself in Birmingham in the UK. Here he falls in love wit...


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"Call Numbers" by Syntell Smith

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Sunday, May 3, 2020, In : Book Reviews 

Not at all what I was expecting, Call Numbers is a surprisingly gritty, and I have to say a particularly angry book, with all of its somewhat disagreeable characters displaying a level of aggression and antagonism which occasionally took me aback, and seemed strangely out of context with the book’s supposedly tranquil, library workplace setting.  That is not to say it is not a good book – it is, and very well written by an undoubtedly good author – I’m just not sure what the intended ...


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"Hotel Inspire" by Douglas Warren

Posted by Margaret Walker on Thursday, April 23, 2020, In : Book Reviews 


Henry Harris is about to be awakened.  He has passed his entire twenty-nine years in his parents’ comfortable apartment in Manhattan, devoid of relationships, other than with books.  But his passion for creating poetry proves his salvation, when he bravely decides to leave his front door for the first time in his life, to attend a summer writers’ retreat at the Hôtel Inspiré, a guesthouse in the south of France, in a mountain village devoid of infrastructure.

As a special education tea...


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"A Heart on the River" by John Bauer

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Sunday, April 19, 2020, In : Book Reviews 


This author knows his stuff, and this is a high-quality work – hugely entertaining and instantly engaging.  I was hooked right from the off, and this didn’t fade; in fact, the more I read, the more eager I was to find out where this unusual tale was heading.

Alternating two parallel timelines, it accompanies a grieving, middle-aged U.S. State worker, back for Xmas from working in Afghanistan, who finds himself immediately hospitalized for a DVT the moment he lands in the U.S.  As he recu...


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"The Final Weekend: A Stoned Tale" by Neal Cassidy

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Tuesday, April 14, 2020, In : Book Reviews 


This is one of those books which isn’t really about anything (though, the ending is genuinely staggering).  Set over the course of a weekend, it tells, from a multi-person viewpoint, of the everyday lives of a group of young twenty-somethings – and a few peripheral others – who appear to live for nothing but smoking weed, drinking shots and getting laid.  Despite its excellent writing, it didn’t really appeal to me; in fact, in the main, I think this book is probably more suited to an...


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"The Latecomers" by Rich Marcello

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Sunday, March 15, 2020, In : Book Reviews 



I won’t lie, this slow, moody and incredibly melancholy book was a little bit of a struggle for me.  Don’t get me wrong, it is very well written and Marcello is undoubtedly extremely good quality; I am in no doubt that if you are a fan of this type of book, genre and writing style, you will love it.  The good reviews are well-merited, but I think this is more for me a matter of personal taste.  It is incredibly slow and poignant, which I don’t have a problem with, of course, but in such...


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"Butterfly Lake" by Robert J. Saniscalchi

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Monday, March 9, 2020, In : Book Reviews 


I have been fortunate enough to read all of Robert’s books in the “Rob and Tex” series, helping him work on one or two of them, and this is certainly one of the better ones.  Without the gung-ho action of Freedom’s Light, or the profound wartime trauma of Bullets and Bandages, Butterfly Lake is perhaps a more understated and subtle piece of work, and this certainly suits it.  Set in the beauty and tranquillity of the Pennsylvania mountains, which Rob clearly loves, there is more an ai...


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"Lady Father" by Rev. Susan Bowman

Posted by Margaret Walker on Thursday, March 5, 2020, In : Book Reviews 


Jesus said: ‘Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.’

My first thought when I read this story about the woman caught in adultery was: Where is the man?  It is true, as the Reverend Susan Bowman discovered, that if you are one: a man, and two: not ordained, then you can get away with a great deal.  If you are a woman priest, then you are toast.

I come from Sydney, Australia, the home of the ‘S’ word: women’s ‘submission’ to men in the Anglican (aka Episcopal) Church.  ...


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"Golgotha" by Guy Portman

Posted by Margaret Walker on Thursday, January 23, 2020, In : Book Reviews 


Golgotha is the third book in Guy Portman's Necropolis trilogy. It is as dark and sociopathic, as only the British know how to be, and will be welcomed by fans of Necropolis and Sepultura.

Dyson Devereux works in London in the funeral industry.  However, whilst awaiting trial in the San Vittore Prison, Milan, he has been a prey of the possessive Alegra, femme fatale on steroids, with whom he had spent only a couple of nights prior to his incarceration.

Upon Dyson’s release, Alegra is dete...


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"Beautiful Things" by Eloise Kelly

Posted by Margaret Walker on Sunday, January 19, 2020, In : Book Reviews 

Thank you for sending me this lovely book. Quite honestly, I don’t know why it hasn’t been snapped up by a mainstream publisher. I have just finished ‘Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine’ (2 million copies sold), but I enjoyed ‘Beautiful Things’ more. It’s warmer, more human and believable. It contains valuable insights into mental health issues. In my opinion it would reach more people. The differences between the two are probably that Eleanor Oliphant gets you in immediately, ...


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"Bottomless Cups" by Joel Bresler

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Monday, January 6, 2020, In : Book Reviews 


Sharp, dry humour penetrates every word and line of this subtle, cosy comedy.  Not big on storyline or drama, this is rather witty monologue and dialogue, telling the life story of a group of elderly men and women who have been friends since childhood and – for two of them in particular – share their experiences and musings of life over countless cups of coffee, in some of the Big Apple’s finest coffee shops and delis.  The comic banter bounces back and forth without respite, while Ray ...


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"Four Calling Burds" by Vincent Meis

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Thursday, November 21, 2019, In : Book Reviews 

Great fun and hugely entertaining, this light-hearted, humorous LGBTQ family drama is a very easy read.  As four siblings gather following the death of their mother, each gradually reveals a little more about the trials and tribulations of their own personal lives.  Not otherwise given much of an opportunity previously to bond, they are brought together more profoundly when two of them are kidnapped whilst on holiday in Mexico, whilst the other two work together to raise the ransom money.

Wh...


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"His Most Italian City" by Margaret Walker

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Sunday, November 17, 2019, In : Book Reviews 


This book is not just entertaining, interesting, well-written and professionally crafted, it is also educational and enlightening, with regards to a period of European history which is perhaps often overlooked.  Set in 1928, in the aftermath of the first world war, Istria has fallen under the ownership of a now Fascist-run Italy, the land wielded and occupied with ruthless complicity by Mussolini.  The formerly Croatian citizens now find themselves being naturalized by Italy’s ethnic cleans...


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"Freedom, Sex and a Meat Cleaver" by Sherman Miles

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Wednesday, November 13, 2019, In : Book Reviews 

Engrossing, entertaining and utterly easy to read, I had no problem at all getting lost in these exciting, fun tales.  Chronicling the adventures of a young American soldier, discharged following the end of the Vietnam war, who decides to return to South East Asia, to live and travel, these short stories are based loosely on the real life exploits of the author, as well as stories he has heard and people he met.  This collection of anecdotes forms the whole, overall story of his months in, pr...


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"Black Volta" by Pete K.J.

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Monday, November 4, 2019, In : Book Reviews 


This superbly written fiction tells the interwoven tales of two people who travel to Ghana from different parts of North and South America, for very different reasons – one a Ghanaian emigrant, the other with a very intriguing reason to return to a country he once lived in.  As the tale develops, both start to reveal gripping and promising backstories, and as the possibilities begin to take shape, a degree of tension grows beneath the surface; I found myself utterly gripped.  That said, the...


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"Were We Awake" by L.M. Brown

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Thursday, October 31, 2019, In : Book Reviews 


A wonderful collection of understated, yet profoundly compelling slice-of-life stories, by an author I am very fond of.  Lorna’s writing is lovely to read, creatively crafted in alluring prose.  Be warned though, it can be a little bleak – reminiscent of a grey, rainy day, and there is little respite from a permeating feeling of sadness and melancholy.  But, this is not necessarily a bad thing; it is ultimately warm comfort – reading her work brings to mind a feeling of home; hot tomato...


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"Almost Persuaded" by Nigel C. Ferguson

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Wednesday, October 9, 2019, In : Book Reviews 

I found this to be a somewhat surprising book, in that it taught me a lot about New Zealand and, in particular, its devastating drug-culture.  This eye-opening indictment was perhaps a little saddening, in the respect that it hits home reading that nowhere is safe from the scourge of class-A drugs – specifically in the case of this book, meth-addiction.  Incredibly well-sourced and researched, the fiction is perhaps by the bye, as Almost Persuaded focuses primarily on the country’s cultur...


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"East of Lincoln" by Harlin Hailey

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Saturday, September 21, 2019, In : Book Reviews 

This bleakly unsettling, yet triumphantly entertaining L.A.-dream-turned-sour tale, laced with sharp, very black – and sometimes side-splitting – comedy, is a real welcome interjection to the noir genre.  Addressing a subject which is vastly overlooked in our society: the scrapheap of middle-age – an age which takes everything from you, one piece at a time, it is very coarse and sour, and very, very good.

Set in the early-current decade – the post-recession Obama years – East of Li...


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"Sour Blood" by Elizabeth Hamilton-Smyth

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Friday, September 13, 2019, In : Book Reviews 


A fun crime thriller, this tale of embezzlement, extortion and murder is formulaic and, overall, pretty entertaining, if not entirely novel.  The author knows her financial markets, and there is a real air of British reality about it, though its usual suspects line-up of gamblers, loan sharks and hit men perhaps feels a little out of place in the otherwise everyday setting.  Elizabeth portrays the capital as a den of brewing trouble, L.A. style - the rougher areas of Brixton and Manchester’...


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"Count It All Joy" by Mitchell Allen

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Friday, August 23, 2019, In : Book Reviews 


Such a wonderful book – thought-provoking, poignant and utterly compelling, Mitchell’s opus re-enters the life of asocial, intelligent Luke, in five-year instalments.  Whilst initially showing signs of a presence on the disorder spectrum, as the book proceeds through his life, you find yourself starting to wonder if Luke is really all that unusual, or is it modern life, in all its mundane absurdity, which is the problem?  Without a specific storyline, we join Luke at the age of six, and w...


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"Rocky Mountain Noir" by Peter Learn

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Monday, July 15, 2019, In : Book Reviews 


A very dialogue driven and bizarre comedy, with that instantly recognizable quirky, dry Canadian humour, a lot of which is so deadpan it may go over the heads of some Stateside.  “Rocky Mountain Noir” pays heart on sleeve homage to the detective pulp of Mickey Spillane, but does so with its tongue so deep in its cheek it borders on spoof.

Fast-paced and talky, this book is a fusion of pulp, action and outright slapstick, laced with a few moments so laugh out loud funny they had me cracki...


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"THE SINISTER URGE" BY FRANCES NEWTON

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Monday, June 17, 2019, In : Book Reviews 



Review published at author's request.
I’ll be honest, I was curious to read this book, in part because of some of the harshly critical reviews it has received. And, in truth, it is perhaps not as bad as some of them suggest, if you can get past its biggest flaw, which, for me, was the flippant, tongue-in-cheek way in which the author depicts the somewhat repugnant subject of consensual incest. Don’t get me wrong: I didn’t find the subject matter particularly disturbing in any way, more s...


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"LOOPER" BY MICHAEL CONLON

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Monday, June 10, 2019, In : Book Reviews 



“Looper” is not quite what I was expecting, but rather a pretty laid-back, inoffensive affair, telling the tale of a teenager who spend his 1980 summer break caddying on a pro golf course.  Although the tagline suggests this is a “coming of age” tale, I think perhaps the main character Ford is a couple of years too young to be described as that.  There are none of the usual puerile high-jinks which often accompany such a genre, and to be honest that is refreshing; Ford and his friends...


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"GHOST DOG" BY TIM WHITE

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Sunday, May 12, 2019, In : Book Reviews 



“Ghost Dog” is a pretty entertaining, gripping crime adventure story, with a short enough word count to fit in over an evening or two.  Tim White is a pleasant and engaging author to read, though, although - for the most part - well-written in good, articulate English, his language may be a touch simplistic in nature for some; if you are expecting a dark and downbeat crime drama, you will not get that with “Ghost Dog”.  Instead, it is a quickly paced and very dialogue-driven small-tow...


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"FAITHFUL SERVANTS" BY MARC CURTIS LITTLE

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Tuesday, May 7, 2019, In : Book Reviews 


Interlaced with a significant proportion of fact, “Faithful Servants” is a superbly written, enlightening and objective fictional account of one teenage boy’s resolution to integrate the ethnically divided population of New Jersey in the 1960s, against the backdrop of an explosive racial equality movement, which was described by some as “rioting” and others as “rebellion”.  In spite of many who want nothing more than to prolong the historical segregation of black and white commu...


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"TREADING THE UNEVEN ROAD" by Lorna Brown

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Tuesday, March 12, 2019, In : Book Reviews 


Lorna is a lovely author, with a calm, easy tone, which makes you feel relaxed and deeply involved at the same time.  Her prose is delightful and you can almost hear the soft lull of her voice in it.  Her short tales, about little more than slices in the lives of ordinary, working class folk in a variety of Irish locales, are bleak, sombre and thick with melancholy, yet warm and comforting simultaneously.  Told from the different viewpoints of a various range of characters, there is yet somet...

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"SPARROWHAWK ON THE HORIZON" BY A. SCHOLTE

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Tuesday, June 19, 2018, In : Book Reviews 



The moment you begin reading “Sparrowhawk on the Horizon”, you know immediately it is an undeniable work of quality.  Scholte is an articulate, educated and highly professional author, who evidently spent ten years researching and creating this book; her diligence shows. 

Her informative semi-factual account of the birth of the Americas Cup is a homage to the time – a period of innovative ship-building, in the years following the Industrial Revolution – and provides a deep insight i...


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"AQUILA: CAN SILVANUS ESCAPE THAT GOD?" BY VINCE ROCKSTON

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Friday, June 1, 2018, In : Book Reviews 



I’ll be honest, “Aquila…” is far from the action adventure I was expecting, and I would strongly advise that to fully enjoy this book, the reader needs to understand what it is about.  In this respect, I would say that the blurb is a touch misleading - there is no action element, and in some ways a huge aspect of historical non-fiction.  I won’t say I was disappointed, because as soon as it become clear what Rockston’s tale is (about midway), I developed a whole new respect for it...


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"FISH FARM" By Walt Sautter

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Wednesday, March 21, 2018, In : Book Reviews 



This is a great little novella, gripping and entertaining, which I managed to read in one short evening.  “Fish Farm” is a wonderful cautionary thriller, written in an otherwise entertaining voice, with some really good setpieces – a well-told vigilante tale (and who doesn’t love one of those?) in the mould of “Death Wish” and “Harry Brown”.  The characters are interesting, with intriguing back-stories, and the story is simple yet enticing, with a great ending which I didn’t...


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"MALTHUS REVISITED: THE CUP OF WRATH" By Lin Wilder

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Monday, February 19, 2018, In : Book Reviews 



The latest instalment in the Lindsey McCall series immediately feels as though you are still reading the same book.  Lin Wilder spends a good deal of time recapping “The Fragrance Shed By A Violet” and “A Price For Genius”, creating what can perhaps more accurately be considered a saga than a series.  Although the main plotlines do stand alone, as in this book, they seem of secondary importance to Lin than the subplots involving her favourite character ensemble, all of which find a ro...


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"MONOLAND: THE SHIMMERING MIST" by E.A. Minin

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Monday, January 22, 2018, In : Book Reviews 



I was delighted when Jevgenijs sent me this sequel to “Monoland: Into the Gray Horizon” – the second in the series – and have been anticipating its arrival for some time.  The first was one of the best, most imaginative books I have reviewed to date, and, in many ways, “The Shimmering Mist” is better.  It picks up at the very moment its predecessor ended, with Owen and Dizz facing imminent punishment by the justice system of their grey-scale afterlife Purgatory. 

More so than the...


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"HAPPINESS IS JUST A PILL AWAY" by David Grad

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Wednesday, December 20, 2017, In : Book Reviews 




This hugely impressive book is a very cynical, bittersweet and, at times, funny attack on the drudgery of the 9-5 day-to-day, compounding the constant disappointment of underachievement, in a society based on fallacy, superficiality and promise. A book which is easy to relate to in its hopelessness, and the motivation (or lack thereof) of its unnamed protagonist (/antagonist?).

There are laughs – including some real belly ones - but “Happiness Is Just A Pill Away” is not comedy,...


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"THE RAT TUNNELS OF ISFAHAN" By Alejandro de Gutierre

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Saturday, November 11, 2017, In : Book Reviews 





Within just a few sentences of starting to read it became clear to me that this is a work of quality from a good, professional author.  The language, grammar and formatting are all close to perfect and, from the very first line, Alejandro draws the reader into a vivid and well-crafted tale.  The opening chapter is intriguing, horrifying and gripping, and I have to be honest: I read the whole thing from cover to cover in a very short space of time.  We are quickly personally enveloped in the p...

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"The Fragrance Shed By A Violet: Murder In The Medical Center" by Lin Wilder

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Thursday, September 14, 2017, In : Book Reviews 

When you read Lin Wilder, you pretty much know what you are going to get: writing of the highest quality, from an incredibly learned professional author, and “The Fragrance Shed By A Violet…” falls firmly into this category.  I’ve recently read this and its sequel “Do you Solemnly Swear?  A Nation of Law: The Dark Side”, albeit in the wrong order, and have, on both occasions, been awestruck by the depth of Wilder’s knowledge.

Though, if I am to be ruthlessly honest, I have to a...


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"SUPERI: REBORN" by Clint Thurmon and Christina Williams

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Tuesday, August 22, 2017, In : Book Reviews 



The first impression of “Superi: Reborn” is that it is incredibly well-written, by a very skilled author (or two, in this case).  Even before the book has opened, the attention to detail is made clear, as is the passion the authors have for the world they have created, by the detailed map and character index provided – elements which are often hallmarks of the fantasy genre.

There is an immediate air of oppression in this book, and it is clear straight away that the world of Superi is on...


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"CORROSIVE" by J. Kariuki

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Sunday, July 23, 2017, In : Book Reviews 



This novella grabbed my attention, not because of the cover (which, if I’m honest, could really do with a complete reboot), but because of the blurb – the author sells the story very well with his synopsizing of it, and it intrigued me.

I have to say I was well impressed – the story grabbed me instantly, from the outset a mixture of mystery and repulsion; I couldn’t wait to get from one scene to the next, if only just to find out more.  The book is incredibly well written and edite...


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"Monoland: Into The Gray Horizon" by E.A. Minin

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Friday, May 19, 2017, In : Book Reviews 



I was drawn to “Monoland: Into The Gray Horizon” by the cover and the premise: that of a young man trapped in a “land of grey”, immediately following the moment of his death.

“Monoland” is another name for Purgatory – it is neither Heaven or Hell, but a biblical world in between, which runs parallel to our own dimension, here on Earth.  The book deals with some interesting concepts: the feelings of love and loss, the realization that eternity is forever, and a being has to ca...


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"DEVIL IN THE COUNTRYSIDE" by Cory Barclay

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Friday, May 19, 2017, In : Book Reviews 




“Devil in the Countryside” is strange, in the respect that it deserves a huge amount of respect, while slightly disappointing in terms of its content.  By the blurb and the cover style, I was expecting a more conventional werewolf horror story; in fact, this was neither a werewolf tale as such, or part of the horror genre.  More accurate a description would be a Reformation-era whodunnit/political intrigue thriller, in the vein of “From Hell”, “The Name of the Rose”, or perhaps ...


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"THE DAY I MADE GOOD" By Michael Irwin

Posted by Matt McAvoy on Monday, March 6, 2017, In : Book Reviews 




I’ve read alot from this author, and have come to the conclusion that he is a master of metaphors – the satisfying kind, which make one give a little smile and an understanding nod.  With a penchant for first person narration, he draws the reader immediately into the world of his characters, unsavoury, yet as normal as you or I – a world in which life can change in an instant.  Another trademark of Michael Irwin, apparent in this bite-sized cautionary tale of villains, blags and remorse...


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Hierophantasy by Kyle James
****
Fantasy

A Curse in Kyoto
****½
Mystery

Faith by Nick Nielsen
***½
Thriller

Baron Munchausen by Ross Stein
***½
Fantasy

Legacy of the Third Way by Abdul Quayyum Khan Kundi
****
Political

Final Video Game by Craig Speakes
***½
Adventure

Mamluks of Thunder Island by Aly Brisha
****
Sci-Fi

Pedro's Pickles and the American Dream by David Ek
****
Drama

Plausible Liars by Lin Wilder
****
Drama

The World We Deserve by T.K. Kanwar
*****
Drama

Second Hand Rose by D.E. Fox
***
Horror

Hardened Steel by Victor Gregor
****½
War Drama

Why Not, Coach? by Gregory Ryan
****
Reference

Necessary Death by Preston Fassel and Chris Grosso
*****
Psychology

The Waiting Room by Annika Galloway
*****
Short Stories

The Land of Now and Then by Irene Edwarda
*****
Children's

Rider's Blood Moonlit Black by Myka Silber
****½
Fantasy

Owning Anxiety by Tracy Lynn James
***
Self-Help

Water Music by Marcia Peck
***
Drama

War Torn Book 2 by Jan Lloyd
****
Drama

Seeker of the Secret by Roshini Sharma Bhambi
***
Y.A. / Sci-fi

The Crossroad of War and War by Bokang Murdock Montjane
****
Drama

The Ruler's Soul by C.R.
****
Romance

Make the Dark Night Shine by Alan Lessik
*****
Wartime LGBT

Starzel by Mark Bertrand
***
Sci-Fi

The Confessions of Pope Joan by Gary McAvoy
****
Suspense

Children in the City of Czars by Irmgarde Brown
*****
Drama

Saint Richard Parker by Merlin Franco
***½
Drama

How to Fix the Smile of a Crocodile by Rebecca Kurien
****
Children's

A Perfect Finish by Chris Lude
***½
Drama

Unfurling the Sails by Sarah Branson
****
Young Adult

Sexy Erotic Lingerie by B.C. Howard
****
Thriller

The Power of Wholeness by Verlaine Crawford
***
Self-Help

Eyes of the Beholder by Swinn Daniels
***
Romance

Chaos in the Cosmos by Irene Edwards
****
Children's

A Spooky Wish by Irene Edwards
****
Children's

A Chance to Change by Derek and Amy Weichel
****
Faith

Mac: The Wind Beneath My Wings by Sherry Hobbs
*****
Memoir

Autosarcophagy by Helen Cova
****
Short Stories

Naked Came the Detective by Glendall C. Jackson III
***
Crime Mystery

Caught in the Crossfire by Lance B. Wilkins
*****
Historical Fiction

In the Garden of Shadows by Karen Jewell
****½
Drama

The Benevolent World Banker by M.K. Nielsen
*****
Drama

10 Indelibles by Philip A. Brown
***
Non-Fiction

The Galileo Gambit by Gary McAvoy
***
Thriller

Blood Fortune by Brock Rivers
****
Sci-Fi / Action

Attachment Patterns by Stephen Metcalfe
****
Comedy-Drama

No Man's Mercy... No God's Forgiveness by John Hayden
***
Thriller

The Ponce Factor by J.D. Crawford
****
Sci-Fi

1000 Fun Facts For Immature Adults by Bryan Spektor
*****
Trivia

Bully by Sara Aurorae
****
Drama

The Melancholy Strumpet Master by Zeb Beck
****
Comedy

War Torn by Jan Lloyd
*****
Thriller

Read This Book After 5 Years by Blanche La Mar
***
Self-Help

Hurt No More by Rebecca E. Chandler
****
Self-Help

Project Neon by Jonathan K. Crockett
****
Sci-Fi

Starlite by Jonathan Latt
***
Sci-Fi

Kafka in Tangier by Mohammed Said Hijouij
***
Literary Fiction

I Am Fun Size by Anjali Bhimani
***
Motivational

It Won't Hurt None by Rebecca E. Chandler
*****
Memoir

The Jerusalem Scrolls by Gary McAvoy
****
Thriller

The Nine Lives of Felix the Tomcat by by M.P. Frank
***
Comedy

Embracing God by Chris Tham
***
Faith

Welcome to Opine by Matthew Marullo
****
Satire

Dark Days by Bobby Tsui
***
Sci-fi

Women: An Operator Guide For Young Men by Will Goodrich
*****
Comedy

Forsaking Church by David Alexander Shaw
****½
Drama

The Talking Forest by Kay Broome
****
Spiritualism

The Keeper Part 1 by Craig Speakes
***½
Children's

The Queen's Player by Anthony R. Wildman
****
Historical Fiction

Covenant Spring by Christopher Watson
***
Drama

Annunciation by Ciara Houghton Ruane
***½
Drama

The Pulse by Owen Garratt
****
Drama

The Black Widow by Louise Worthington
*****
Poetry

Samhain Secrets by Demar, Schaffer, Demont, Dean
****
Short Stories

Redcap, Whitecap, Goblin, Thief by Vaughn R. Demont
***
Fantasy

Destiny of Determination by Cathy Burnham Martin
*****
Semi-Biographical

Contrarian by Lucas Sterling
***½
Action

Alone Against the Sea by Lance V. Packer
*****
Drama

Pirate Penance by E.Z. Prine
***½
Comedy

Pirate Booty by E.Z. Prine
***
Drama

Have You Eaten Rice Today? by Apple Gidley
****
Romantic Drama

The Manifesting Book by Kathleen Montgomery
****
Self-Help

Pirate the Rock Band by E.Z. Prine
***½
Comedy-Drama

Salt and Light by Jonathan Geoffrey Dean
****½
Drama

Dissovery of the Five Senses by K.N. Smith
***
Young Adult

Chasing the Reaper by Sarah McKnight
****
Fantasy

The Avignon Affair by Gary McAvoy
****
Suspense

The Reaper's Quota by Sarah McKnight
****
Dark Humour

Parenting and Teaching With Love and Logic by Christine M. Pearce
****
Parenting

Bully Boy by Tom Wade
****
Drama

Immunity for Murder by David M. Beers
****
True Crime

Zoe Hearty and the Space Invaders by T.E. Norris
****
Sci-Fi

Mindbender by Avinash Naduvath
***
Sci-Fi

True Crime Stories You Won't Believe by Romeo Vitelli
*****
True Crime

The Ascension of Annie by Siobhan Chisholm
***
Fantasy

Black, White and Gray All Over by Frederick Douglass Reynolds
****
Memoir

An Independent Woman in Yugoslavia by Iris Novak
****
Memoir

Where There's Smoke There's Liars by Aleksander Eaton
****
Satire

The Savoy and Other Stories by Stephen Murphy
***½
Short Stories

The Case of the Absent Answers by R.L. Fink
****
Children's

All Roads by R. Mark Vinson
****
LGBTQ Memoir

The Petrus Prophecy by Gary McAvoy
*****
Mystery

Going Outside by Robert Levin
****
Short Stories

Grow 10x With C.R.O. by Anthony La Rocca
*****
Marketing

Faces We Love: Shanghai by Derek Muhs and Marisa Tarin
****
Photography

The Forty Knots Burn by Lynn Hesse
***
Crime Fiction

You Only Live Thrice by Karl Perry
****½
Memoir

Identity Crisis by T.K. Kanwar
*****
Political

Keeping It Under Wraps: Parenthood
*****
Non-Fiction Shorts

Fancy Shop by Valeri Stanoevich
****
Short Stories

Holding Fast by Susan Cole
*****
Memoir

50 States by Richard R. Becker
****
Short Stories

Travels With Maurice by Gary Orleck
*****
Memoir

Pooch Problems by Christopher Poston
*****
Educational

Compilers by Ayan Pratap
***
Horror

Naturally Supporting Cancer Treatment by Jenny Graves
****½
Therapy

The Serpent's Star by Sarah Ickes
***
Western

Bravery Doesn't Come From a Copper Coin
****
Comedy / Drama

The Opus Dictum
****
Thriller

The Resurrection of Boraichee by William Natale
***
Comedy / Drama

The Firebase by Glyn Haynie
*****
Vietnam War

The Ambush by Glyn Haynie
****
Vietnam War

Being Netta Wilde by Hazel Ward
****
Drama

Certified by Roger Wilson-Crane
****
Drama

The Ville by Glyn Haynie
****
Vietnam War

Musings, Woolgathering and Ghosts by C.K. Sobey
***
Poetry

The Tunnel
****½
Vietnam War

Fill the Gaps by Andrew Johnston
****
Comedy / Drama

Art Farm by Marc Dickerson
****
Comedy

Tales From an Odd Mind by Nom de Plume
****
Short Stories

Scroonathan by Ram T. Daryanani
****½
Festive

Humankind by Michael Whitehead
****
Drama

Shadows Unveiled by Amanda Berthault
*****
Drama

Just My Luck by Lelia Coles and Rosilyn Seays
****
Drama

The Vivaldi Cipher by Gary McAvoy
****
Mystery

The Soprano, The Monster and The Dragonslayer by Vashti Stopher Klein
***
Poetry / Art

Bouncing Back From Difficult Times from Mary Ann V. Mercer
***
Self-Help

Topically Challenged by Christopher Fielden
****
Flash Fiction

Cold Star by Dick Woodgate
****
Spy Thriller

Passion, Purpose and Profits by The Prosperity Sisters
*****
Motivational

How to Marry a Ukrainian Supermodel by John and Angela Klose
****
Reference

Roller Rink Starlight by William Hart
****
Coming-of-age

Consequences by David Grantham
****
War Memoir

Bold Soldier for Jesus by Peggy Thorns
****
Faith

Chromaspace: Conscript by Megan Alnico
***
Sci-Fi

Not Literary by Auriane de Rudder
****
Short Stories

Drinking and Knowing Things by Michael Amon
*****
Reference

FaeRhysian by Song Joo
****
Fantasy

A Basket Full of Hands by Ram T Daryanani
*****
Thriller

Find Love Overseas by John Klose
***
Dating Guide

The Friends of Allan Renner by Dave J. Andrae
****
Comedy

Rosie Shadow by Louise Worthington
****½
Horror

Dr. Glass by Louise Worthington
****½
Psychological Drama

User Story Confusion by Chris Lewis
***
Professional Development

Willow Weeps by Louise Worthington
****
Supernatural Thriller

Sunshine Blues by Bob Calverley
****
Crime Thriller

The Utopia Project by Billy Dering
****
YA / Sci-Fi

The Magdalene Veil by Gary McAvoy
****
Mystery Thriller

Earthbound by Fynn Perry
***
Paranormal Thriller

The Cluttered Mind by Deborah J. McKenna
***
Self Help

Caught Between Worlds by Lance Packer
****
Drama

Stranger in a Homeland by Kyle McCormick
*****
Travel Memoir

Diet For Great Sex by Christine H. Lozier
*****
Health / Nutrition

How to Start and Grown an eCommerce Business by Charles Camisasca
*****
Business

William Ottoway's Utopia by Christopher Griffith
***
Short Stories

The Dyslexia Code by Karl de Leeuw
****
Reference

Tiny Planet Filled With Liars by Stephen M.A.
***
Sci-fi / Comedy

The Lifer and the Lawyer by George Critchlow
*****
Non-Fiction

The Ordinary Leader by Geoff Lew
****
Historical

Vidas by Edward Stanton
****
Travel Memoir

The Connection by Dana Claire
***
Young Adult

The Savvy Ally by Jeannie Gainsburg
****
LGBTQ+

Death Honk ny JP Mac
****
Short Stories

The Bodies That Move by Bunye Ngene
*****
Drama

Bellybutton by Daniel Felix
***
Memoir

The Future is Autonomous by Phillip Wilcox
****
Technology

A Compendium of Unusual Tales by Ramsey Harrison
****
Short Stories

Krampusnacht by James Drummond
****½
Horror

Beat Your Weight, Beat Your Fat by Ian Breaker
****
Nutrition

The Art of Accepting Yourself by Marlow Pierce
*****
Motivational

The Second Poison by Pieter Wilhelm
****
Crime Thriller

The Little Book of Greatness by Ari Gunzburg
*****
Motivational

Moscow Honey by T.M. Parris
****
Spy Thriller

Gobbledy by Lis Anna-Langston
****
Children's

The Magdalene Reliquary by Gary McAvoy
****
Thriller

The Empress and the Arctic Tern by Angie Chasser
***
Fantasy

Pelham on Parole by Carl Plummer
***
Comedy

My Life For Her by Robert J. Saniscalchi
****
Action Thriller

Sinai Unhinged by Joanna Evans
****
Science Fiction

Ralley Point by Daniel Bishop
****
Family Drama

Twelve Spies of Moses by Bruce Hampson
*****
Historical Fiction

Burn Me Out by Brandon Barrows
****½
Crime Thriller

Control: The Foundation of Life by Lance Packer
****
Reference

Misery of a Halfling by Serge Sanin
***
Comedy

The Iron Lady by Daniel Fellows
****
Thriller

Death Unexpected by Galen Barbour
****
Medical Thriller

All the Bay's Clams and All the Bay's Men by John Bauer
****
Drama

The Interesting Detective by David Alexander Brown
***
Mystery

Woods by J. Rodin
***
Mystery

Money Bags by Michael G. Browne
***
Comedy-Thriller

Strange Karma by Willow Healy
***½
Thriller

Hinterland by Lorna Brown
****
Drama

Justice Without Mercy by R.L. Burgess
***½
Sci-fi

Restless by Jedidiah Appiah
*****
Faith / Motivation

Ultra Betrayal by Glenn Dyer
****
Espionage

IHVJ: The Love Code by Foster Grant
*****
Thriller

Revenge is Coming by Glyn Haynie
*****
Action Thriller

Why is Everything Closed? by Lauren Patterson
****
Children's

The Lightning Horse by N.L. Holmes
****
Historical Fiction

Nobody Would Listen by R.A. Merrill
*****
Autobiography

The Liminal Lands by Robyn Sheldon
****
Spiritual Memoir

Thryke by Simon Gary
*****
Comedy

Reborn by T.M. Parris
****
Spy Thriller

Lucifer's Star by C.T. Phipps and Michael Suttkus
***½
Sci-fi

A Prince Who Destroyed My Life by Asia Jamil
*****
Non-Fiction

Straight Outta Fangton by C.T. Phipps
***
Action/Comedy

Killer Instincts by Anna Lee Rose
***
Romance/Thriller

The Surgeon's Obol by Arthur Williams
****
Comedy/Medical

The Perfection of Fish by J.S. Morrison
***
Comedy/Offbeat

Bird in a Snare by N.L. Holmes
****
Historical Fiction

as Maryam's Tree Stood Witness by Ali Kasem
*****
Family Drama

A Sparrow Alone by Mim Eichmann
****
Historical Fiction

Suicide Squeeze by Steve Hagood
****
Action

Dr. Insomniac by Samatha Polisetti
****
Memoir

The Magdalene Deception by Gary McAvoy
****½
Mystery

Lying Beneath by Kevin Moran
***
Mystery Thriller

A Nation Interrupted by Kevin McDonald
*****
Thriller

The Best Week that Never Happened by Dallas Woodburn
****
Romance

The Dead Don't Sleep by Steven Max Russo
***½
Action

Think Laugh Cry by William Baga
****
Short Stories

The Shepherd God by Matt Taylor
*****
Historical Fiction

On the Wrong Side of God by Harry Boyd
****½
Non-fiction

Servant Leader's Manifesto by Omar L. Harris
*****
Business

Photography for Well-Being 1 by Lee Aspland
****
Photography

The Corral Ring by Thomas Richards
*****
Historical Fantasy

Call Numbers by Syntell Smith
***
Drama

No Pianos, Pets or Foreigners by Joe Palermo
***
Memoir

Raven by Sue Loh
****
Mystery

Not Pregnant by Karina Savaryna
*****
Memoir

The Power of Targeted Choices by Luis Pisoni and Aurora Mazzoldi
****
Self-Help

Hotel Inspire by Douglas Warren
***
Drama

Return to the Madness by Glyn Haynie
*****
War / Action

The Final Weekend by Neal Cassidy
***
Comedy

Ivy is a Weed by Robert M. Roseth
****
Crime Thriller

Resilience During the Pandemic by Nick Arnett
*****
Motivational

Will and Mysteria by Christa Reynolds
****
Self-Help/Spiritual

The Power of Music and the ADHD Brain by Luz Galindo
****
Psychology

The Latecomers by Rich Marcello
***
Drama

Monsters Inside by Ric Rae
***
Sci-fi / Horror

Butterfly Lake by Robert J. Saniscalchi
****
Action

Our Teenage Years by T.J. Wray
****
Memoir

The Soloist by Donald Gates
****
Espionage

Lady Father by Rev. Susan Bowman
****
Memoir

Catamaran Crossing by Douglas Carl Fricke
*****
Memoir

Black Shade of White Justice by Cattleya
****
Fantasy/Romance

The Strawberry Road by Ritch Gaiti
****
Spiritual

Red Hail by Jamie Killen
****
Sci-fi/Mystery

Bullets and Bandages by Robert J. Saniscalchi
*****
War Fiction

Who's There? by Dimas Rio
*****
Short Stories

Beautiful Things by Eloise Kelly
****
Drama

Golgotha by Guy Portman
****
Dark Comedy

I Learned it From You by Kevin Douglas Wright
*****
Documentary

Boulder County by Marc Krulewitch
*****
Crime Drama

Stronger than Blood by Allan Mason
***½
Sci-fi

Bottomless Cups by Joel Bresler
***
Comedy

Non Obvious Megatrends by Rohit Bhargava
****
Non-Fiction

From Doctor to Guinea Pig by Angelique D.
*****
Biography

Freedom's Light by Robert J. Saniscalchi
****
Action Thriller

Bucket Showers and Baby Goats by Christine Brown
****
Travel Memoir

Four Calling Burds by Vincent Meis
****
LGBTQ / Drama

Promises to the Fallen by Glyn Haynie
*****
War Fiction

An Unwanted and Unwilling Hero by E. Gourm
****
Historical Fantasy

The Girl in the Scarlet Chair by Janice TRemayne
****
Paranormal / YA

Freedom Sex and a Meat Cleaver by Sherman Miles
*****
Travel Memoir

Freedom Sex and a Meat Cleaver by Sherman Miles
****
Historical Fiction

The Intelligence Factor by Mike Logsdon
***
Sci Fi / Action

The Apple by Devashish Sardana
****
Action / Adventure

Destiny's War by Pyram King
****
Historical Fiction

Black Volta by PEte K.J.
****
Drama

Payback by Steve Bassett
***
Noir Fiction

Were We Awake by L.M. Brown
****
Short Stories

Almost Persuaded by Nigel C. Ferguson
****
Crime Thriller

Do We Have A Center by Walter Frank
*****
Politics

World Football Domination
****
Sci-Fi

Sour Blood
***
Crime Thriller

Beware of the Thought Bubbles
*****
Children's

Beyond The Prison Of Beliefs
****
Science/Religion

Rocky Mountain Noir
***
Comedy

Rocky Mountain Noir
***
Science Fiction

Foster Care To Millionaire
****
Memoir

Flow Like A River
*****
Thriller

Secrets To Being Amazing
****
Self-Help

13 Dark Tales: Collection Two
****
Short Stories

The Wooden Man
*****
Children's

Count It All Joy
*****
Drama

Myth Agent
****
Fantasy

Voice of the Sword
***
Fantasy

No Quarter: Dominium
***
Adventure

A Trinity of Wicked Tales
****
Horror


****
Short Stories

The Day I Made Good
****
Crime Drama

Complete Poetry of Norman AJ Berisford
*****
Poetry

Chuck the Rooster Loses His Voice
*****
Children's

Living Blind Without the Internet
****
Documentary

Devil in the Countryside
****
Historical Thriller

Monoland: Into the Gray Horizon
****
Fantasy

Corrosive
****
Horror

Woodiss is Willing
***
Comedy

The Fear
***
Horror

Superi: Reborn
*****
Fantasy

Murder in the Medical Center
***
Drama

The Eye of Nefertiti
****
Children's

Not Exactly Shakespeare
****
Comedy

Finding the Narrow Path
****
Biography

The Wyndham Werewolf
****
Short Stories

Only Human
***
Supernatural

What is Justice
**
Documentary

The Rat Tunnels of Isfahan
****
Historical Fantasy

I Once Was Lost But Now I'm Found
*****
Documentary

Never Too Late To Die
***½
Thriller

Understanding the Patterns of Your Life
***
Non-Fiction

Happiness is Just a Pill Away
*****
Comedy-Drama

The Lucky Winner
***
Crime Thriller

Endohuman
***
Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Tummy Rumble Quake
****
Children's

Monoland: The Shimmering Mist
****
Fantasy

Goodbye Butterfiles
*****
Psychology

Treading the Uneven Road
****
Short Stories

The Cuckoo Colloquium
****
Comedy

When I Turned Nineteen
*****
War Memoir

Fortuna and the Scapegrace
****
Comedy

Gnosis
***
Young Adult

Buy or Die
***
Satire

Faithful Servants
****
Drama

Ghost Dog
***
Crime Adventure

Looper
****
Drama

The Sinister Urge
**
Drama

Read to Succeed
*****
Self Improvement

Gone to the Dogs
*****
Comedy-Drama

Die Back
****
Fantasy

Finding My Platoon Brothers
*****
War Memoir

Delivering Virtue
****
Comedy

The Room Above
***
Fantasy

Written By Blood: Conviction
****
Action

The Day My Kisses Tasted Like Disorder
****
Poetry

I Have Demons
****
Short Stories

Victoria's Voice
****
Real Life

The Revolutionary Youth
*****
Drama

The Dog Thief
*****
Short Stories

Appointment With Fear
*****
Children's

Mermaids Are Real
***
Fantasy

Legends of Persia
***
Historical Fiction

My Groans Pour Out Like Water
*****
Poetry

47 Hours
*****
Political Thriller

The Road to Alexander
***
Historical Fiction

Father Divine's Bikes
****
Drama

Winning With Data
*****
Business

Aquila
****
Historical Fiction

Lions, Leopards and Storms, oh my!
***
Children's

Sparrowhawk on the Horizon
***
Historical Fiction

The Warehouse Tour
***
Short Stories

Feast of Sapphires
****
Poetry

The Night Alphabet
*****
Short Stories

Just Another Girl's Story
***
Autobiography

No-one Listens
***
Poetry

The Irregular Inquests of Professor Peppercorn by Brennan McMahon
****
Poetry

Malthus Revisited
***
Suspense/Thriller

My Weight Loss Journey
****
Self-Help

Change of Chaos
****
YA / Fantasy

Fish Farm
****
Thriller

Songs to New York
****
Short Stories

I Claudia
*****
Historical Fiction

Vanish by Dawn by J.D. Wells
****
Comedy / Drama

The Friar's Lantern
*****
Role Play

Crazy About Kurt
****
Comedy

Dark Cure
****
Action

Translucent Boy
***
Sci-Fi Fantasy

Dart by Dale Renton
****
Sci-fi Fantasy

Monoland: Beyond the Monochrome
*****
Fantasy

Choose a Reality by Emmanuel Morfoboss
***
Self-Help

Wacky on the Junk by Kathy Varner
****
Memoir

The Eden Complex by Elise Leise
***½
Sci-Fi / Fantasy

Tomthunkit's Theory of the Universe
***
Political / Non-fiction

Nobody Gets Out of Catering Alive by Joe Montaperto
****
Comedy / Memoir

Turning on the Christmas Lights by Nellie Woods
****
Short Stories

The Body in the Hole by Jonathan B. Zeitlin
****
Crime / Mystery

A Heart on the River by John Bauer
****
Comedy / Drama

Let Yourself Be by CJ Lacsican
****
Memoir / Self-Help

Island Boy by Mark Bulahao
****
Drama

Bully Boy by Tom Wade
****
Drama

Immunity for Murder by David M. Beers
****
True Crime

Tags

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