I recently reviewed a series of very short books, held together by a common setting and main character, but each a complete story in its own right. This book is exactly the opposite. It is one of a series of long stories, each an integral part of the group, none complete in itself. Each […]
“Sleep, Savannah, Sleep” by Alistair Cross
Long ago I discovered that most novels finish exactly the way they start. If a book seems like a certain type of story in the first three chapters, then it will probably end that way. Most novels. Once in a while, we find a book that starts out in one direction but somewhere in the […]
“Dream Walk,” Fitzpatrick/Firecloud Mysteries Book 4 by Melissa Bowersock
As far as readers are concerned, it is unfortunate that “Dream Walk” will be the last of the highly enjoyable Lacy Fitzpatrick and Sam Firecloud Mystery Series. From a critical point of view, it is probably the best move. The overarching romantic plotline of the series has come to its inevitable conclusion. Since that provided […]
“The Final Exam,” The Society Agent Series by Shaun J. McLaughlin.
This is a review of “Final Exam,” the first in a new series of very brief novels (under 50 pages) of light Science Fiction adventure. Thus it is also a review of the whole series, or at least the first four books, which I found easy to read in the time I usually allot for […]
“Schism” by Clabe Polk
“Schism” is a crime/action novel, first in the Detective Mike Eiser Series, which seems to be to be directed at the older Young Adult market. While violence and coarse language play their parts, neither reaches the level of obscenity current in harder-edged adult crime novels. Perhaps this comes from the setting, Poplar Bluffs, which is […]
“Practical Tips for Easy Air Travel” by Ani Right
This is a great introductory book for air travellers. It covers almost everything you need to know at a basic level. Because of the writer’s stated intention of making travel easier, especially for those less experienced, it is perhaps a bit optimistic, shying away from the complexities and downright idiocy of events that can occur […]
“Cry Wolf” by Greta Stone
This book is a bit of a grab bag of different styles and genres, loosely following the old tale of Peter and the Wolf. The opening is from a lighthearted children’s fantasy, with a group of orphans living in a giant shoe preparing to do battle with stereotypical redneck invaders. (Most of these characters are […]
“My Shorts” by Arthur Doweyko
Presented with a title like this and a cover image of a man in a spacesuit holding a clothesline with underwear on it, you might expect a certain amount of humour in the book. In the case of this collection, don’t expect it to be of the underwear-on-the-line variety. Any humour Mr. Doweyko blesses us […]
“The Brothers Three” by Layton Green
It’s great to finally find a writer who can use the online fantasy game format and make a proper story of it. To be fair, the main reason it works so well is that “Brothers” is mainly a novel, with the games element restricted mostly to the action sequences. This tale follows the usual pattern […]
“Star Walk” by Melissa Bowersock
If you’re looking for a happily-ever-after, feel-good ghost story with a fun puzzle or two entwined, this book is for you. Sort of a metaphysical Cozy Mystery. Once again Lacey the private detective teams up with Sam, the native medium, to help a homeowner with a ghost problem. This time the home is a mansion […]