Thriller | Lost in a Good Book

Unsavory Delicacies by Russell Brooks

17 Mar 2015 Leave a comment

by Amy in 5 Stars, Book Bingo, General, Short Stories, Thriller Tags: book bingo, ebook, five stars, russell brooks, short story, thriller

Published: 11th November 2013
Publisher: Self Published
Pages: 28
Format: ebook
Genre: Short story/Thriller
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – 5 Stars

For fans of Barry Eisler and Robert Ludlum. A three-course story collection with a side-order of revenge.

Crème Brûlée
Rogue operative, Monique Beauvais, cons a software genius into selling her a coveted technology that would allow its user to control CIA drones while they’re in flight. And she will go as far as killing him in public in order to have it.

To the Last Bite
A renowned food critic–whose scathing reviews have closed down restaurants–gets a savoury surprise.

Shashlyk and Morezhenoe
CIA operative, Ridley Fox, leads a team against one of Russia’s most powerful crime families. He discovers secrets, but not one that he was expecting to find.

Three stories with three consequences. All containing three Unsavory Delicacies.

***Caution*** Readers are strongly advised NOT to eat while reading To The Last Bite.

Note: I was provided a copy of this book for review

Brooks’ short stories, much like his novels, manage to encapsulate the thriller genre incredibly well, even with vastly fewer pages. Just like his novels Brooks upholds the tension and the gripping feeling but this time with less action and more cunning.

The theme of the collection is food, though Brooks takes very different approaches for each and as the title suggest they are quite on the unsavoury side. This does not mean though they are necessarily grotesque in description or in content. And yet while there is a warning for one of the stories, there is no denying Brooks is masterful when it comes to grabbing the reader’s attention from early on and holding on till the last page, dragging it around whereever it needed to be in the process.

Once again Brooks demonstrates creative and clever writing and he uses the short story design and the element of the unexpected to his advantage. The building anticipation in the stories is evident and not knowing where it could end up adds to the enjoyment because anything is possible. As a result, each story is brought to life with uniqueness and the perfect amount of pacing, revelation, and intrigue that a short story and a thriller needs.

With only three short stories, Unsavoury Delicacies is a quick read but it is one that once started you will not want to stop. Brooks’ cleverness is clear and his stories are filled with characters and conclusions that leave you wide eyed and mouth agape. This three course collection of stories are somewhat shocking yet fascinating, and with revelations that fit ideally into the thriller genre. I think it is safe to say that they are enough to suitably satisfy your appetite for the suspense but they also leave you wanting more.

You can purchase Unsavoury Delicacies via the following

Amazon
Amazon Aus
Amazon UK
iBooks

The Demeter Code by Russell Brooks

12 Mar 2015 Leave a comment

by Amy in 4 Stars, Book Bingo, General, Thriller Tags: book bingo, ebook, four stars, russell brooks, spy, thriller

Published: 4th July 2014
Publisher: Self Published
Pages: 422
Format: ebook
Genre: Spy/Thriller
★ ★ ★ ★ – 4 Stars

CRACK THE CODE AND YOU’LL SAVE LIVES…BUT KNOWING IT EXISTS COULD GET YOU KILLED.

When two American embassies in northearn Africa are bombed, CIA operatives, Ridley Fox and Nita Parris, are assigned to track down the perpetrators. However, when their top asset is killed in a failed op, the agents suspect that there may be a new threat. Their search for the truth puts them on a collision course with a powerful multinational—which will go to extreme lengths to bury its criminal activities. However, the agents soon learn that someone with a personal vendetta against that company not only knows their secrets, but will expose them in a way that could result in the largest single-day attack against America.

Note: I was provded a copy of this book for review

The first thing to say about this story is that it is filled with the unexpected and nothing is as it seems. The writing is extremely clever and captivating, and Brooks fills it with numerous surprises. For a story that seems exaggerated and action packed it actually remains quite realistic both in dialogue and events. The characters are also realistic and Brooks demonstrates great knowledge and understanding of government agencies and their practices.

The concept is fascinating and highly possible in real life which adds to the excitement. The fast-paced story is not rushed but it still manages to capture the intensity of the situations and the urgency in the unfolding events. The way Brooks writes makes the scenes play in your mind like a movie; the writing is clear and explained well but not overly so either.

The use of multiple perspectives allows a great chance at understanding and capturing the wider story, while still withholding key details. Every point of view is also a great chance to get an insight into characters minds and personality, villain or hero alike. Brooks manages to express who the characters are through their actions and their thoughts, and it offers a great chance to understand who they are without it needing to be directly addressed.

These multiple points of view along with the retelling of overlapping events work exceptionally well and they are all brought together and cleverly connected in a way you didn’t know they were connected. Brooks makes use of these numerous viewpoints to cover all the angles which adds to the completeness of scenes and events, and it also adds a lot more to the story than just characters recapping everything to one another and not being able to experience it alongside with them.

Brooks’ characters are all different from one another and due to the nature of the narrative everyone comes under suspicion at some point. Key characters Fox and Parris are likable and their friendship and banter is enjoyable. They interact believably as colleagues and it is easy to engage with them and understand who they are. They are each talented in their own right and Brooks explores their range of capabilities nicely and gives them the respect they deserve based on their strengths and abilities.

There is no doubt that Brooks has written a gripping story that brings together a wonderful narrative that explores real life possibilities coupled with an execution that is both mysterious and thrilling, and one that ends up going in directions you never even imagined.

You can purchase The Demeter Code via the following

Autographed Paperback

Acts of Violence by Ross Harrison

10 Mar 2015 Leave a comment

by Amy in 4 Stars, General, Thriller Tags: ebook, four stars, noir, noir thriller, ross harrison, thriller

Published: 20th January 2014
Publisher: Self Published
Pages: 190
Format: ebook
Genre: Noir Thriller
★ ★ ★ ★ – 4 Stars

My name’s Jack Mason. I made a mistake. Took home the wrong girl. Now she’s dead. Cut up. And they’re telling me I did it.

It’s the same cop that tried to take me down ten years ago. Now he’s coming at me hard. And he’s not the only one. Cole Webster, the city’s crime lord, thinks I stole from him. Broke me out of custody just to ask me about it. Then I killed his son. Now he really wants me.

Add to this equation a government agent, and I’m a real popular guy right now. Pretty much everyone I meet wants me dead, lawfully or otherwise. There’s nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide. I’ve got till morning to uncover Webster’s trafficking operation and take the heat off me. And all I’ve got to go on is a pissed off homeless girl with a thirst for revenge.

Guess it could be worse. Can’t quite figure how.

Note: I was provided a copy of this book for review

Acts of Violence is a thrilling story that grabs your attention from the early pages and doesn’t release its grip until the final page. Told from the voice of Jack Mason it explores the run down world of Harem and the efforts of Jack to clear his name of a suspected crime, all the while running from those who wish to harm him.

With Jack as a clearly unreliable narrator it is hard to trust what he says. He is smart, cocky, and extremely sarcastic but there is certainly more to him than he originally lets on and it is evident he has secrets of his own. Despite all this though somehow he remains an alluring character and through his determination to clear his name it’s hard not to find sympathy for Jack and see his point of view and Harrison actually makes you hope for his success.

Every character is perceived as having secrets and a suspicious nature, something which living in Harem is likely to do. They are rough around the edges, all trying to make a living or survive in the world and not get caught up with crime bosses and corruption. With no certainty who to trust and the only real opinion we can work from is Jack’s, it makes the narrative even more intriguing than it already is.

While being a noir thriller for the most part, there are science fiction elements. The setting of the novel apparently takes place in the universe of Harrison’s NEXUS series, but there is no real explanation offered within the story of this nor does there need to be. Instead, there are little hints and clues seamlessly placed throughout that explain Harem’s situation and its place in the universe as well as the types of technologies they have there. These small references are more than enough, certainly since the narrative focus is on Jack and his situation rather than the world itself, and it is easy enough to fill in the gaps and piece together the snippets provided.

Being set in a strange world with unknown and different laws and practices automatically adds an element of suspense because it means anything is possible and anything could happen. With Harem’s corruption and decay there is always a chance at surprises and Harrison keeps the intrigue and intensity high through the entire story with untold secrets and half-truths.

After Jack is given his ultimatum there is less than 24 hours for him to find evidence to clear his name which only heightens the narrative and while it brings a wonderful sense of urgency, it also makes you realise how long a night can be. Harrison does not rush anything but he still manages to pack a lot of action into those hours. There is a lot of violence but at the same time it is not dwelled upon. The body count is high but Harrison avoids the graphic descriptions and those that are described are done to a minimum and with a purpose.

One thing I loved with this novel was the descriptions. Harrison has a fantastic skill in describing scenes and actions with a few choice words that capture a moment perfectly, everything from pulling out a chair to the sound of a thunderstorm. The descriptions of Harem itself are also quite vivid and illustrate the city remarkably well. Even when the surroundings are bleak and it does nothing but rain a clear image is formed that brings you right into the story alongside Jack. Harrison also manages to bring to life the decadence of Harem almost without stating it obviously, weaving bits of information naturally throughout.

The gripping and intense style of storytelling means there is always more to everything than it first appears. This is a novel that keeps it secrets close and is not afraid to keep offering up surprises until the very end. The science fiction elements take a backseat to this fascinating thriller and yet it makes it all that more interesting because of them. Harrison has created a novel that is fascinating and adventurous and certainly never short of suspense or the unexpected.

You can purchase Acts of Violence via the following

A Game of Greed and Deception by John Mathews

09 Mar 2015 Leave a comment

by Amy in 4 Stars, Book Bingo, General, Thriller Tags: book bingo, ebook, four stars, john mathews, thriller

Published: 13th October 2014
Publisher: Self Published
Pages: 186
Format: ebook
Genre: Thriller
★ ★ ★ ★ – 4 Stars

She is young and beautiful, and recently married to a very wealthy middle-aged man who considers her to be the ultimate woman for him and holds her out as a model for his beloved 10-year-old daughter. They travel to a mountain hideaway to celebrate their first year together as a family when things begin to unravel. Her husband goes missing after a treacherous car accident, and the wife and daughter seem trapped and isolated and stalked from both inside and outside the cabin.

What ensues is the story of a woman driven by her soulless greed and self-entitlement, and a man who is wronged and apparently out to get revenge. This deadly game of cat and mouse will keep you on the edge of your seat. The macabre scenes include deadly traps and medieval torture devices, hidden doors, secret rooms, and an underground labyrinth of torture chambers. Add in the legend of a hoard of pure gold bars, and it becomes clear that someone has a much bigger plan in mind and will let nothing get in their way. But who? This is the story of a plot so devious that it is set up to fool the State police investigation. But can it fool you? Keep guessing until the final scene as to what is really going on and let your intuition guide you.

Note: I was provided a copy of this book for review

From what appears to be an obvious beginning, this story soon unfurls into something quite unexpected. While on the surface it seems clear what is happening it soon becomes evident that there is a lot more to this story than meets the eye.

The narrative is complicated and certainly shocking and a tad sadistic at times, but there is no doubt it is also quite captivating and filled with intrigue. The writing is clever and well thought out, and each character is presented well. Mathews’ use of his characters only adds to the thrill of the story and their role in the unfolding events brings about some of the more shocking and unexpected moments.

There are shocks and twists in almost every aspect of the story, not just from the actions of characters and events around them, but about the characters themselves as the intensity and stress of their environment reveal more of their true nature. Amidst the drama there are many guilty and innocent alike, each caught in the web of personal gain and pure cruelty, something which makes the chaos more unsettling as it means anything could happen.

The way Mathews presented this cat and mouse story was wonderful, especially coupled with characters who are clearly unbalanced and slightly psychopathic almost to their own admission. The ensuing conflict and consequences are depicted with style, Mathews never wavering from his characters nature, making their actions believable and justifiable, even if only to themselves.

What made this story enjoyable is that you really did not know how it was going to end. After starting out so simple and transparent, it is not long before it is clear nothing is as it seems and anything is possible. One of Mathews’ strengths is toying with the reader and giving them the unexpected. There are twists and surprises and there are multiple mysteries to keep you guessing. The fast paced action means there is never a lull in the drama, and even the seemingly still moments adds to the tension and intrigue.

Mathews pushes past what you expect to happen and brings this thriller into a whole other level of madness. It is a twisted game of cat and mouse certainly, but Mathews brings another element altogether making it compelling and something you do not want to put down until the very last page.

You can purchase A Game of Greed and Deception via the following

Amazon

Amazon AU

Mad Dog Justice by Mark Rubinstein

06 Feb 2015 Leave a comment

by Amy in 4 Stars, Mystery, Thriller Tags: ebook, four stars, mark rubinstein, mystery, thriller

Published: 1st September 2014
Publisher: Thunder Lake Press
Pages: 328
Format: ebook
Genre: Thriller/Mystery
★ ★ ★ ★ – 4 Stars

Roddy Dolan, a surgeon, and Danny Burns, an accountant, are being hunted as prey. Someone is after them with lethal intentions but they don’t know who or why. Whoever it is, and for whatever reason, they and their families are in the crosshairs of killers. Everything they know is unravelling. They must hide, send their families away, abandon their homes, and leave their lives behind.

The second book in the Mad Dog series, Mad Dog Justice is a harrowing tale of friendship, morality, betrayal, and dire consequences.

Note: I was provided a copy of this book for review

This is the second book in the series but Rubinstein writes it in such a way that you don’t need to have read the first in order to understand what is happening or who these guys are. Through conversations, flashbacks, thoughts, and memories the events in the first book are explained fairly well so that nothing is left unanswered or confusing for the reader. If you haven’t read the first book (like I hadn’t), then a great air of mystery is present having not known the past and you seek to find out something that the main characters already know about, but this does not take anything away from the book it simply adds curiosity on our part and a desire to find out.

Roddy as a character is curious, he is rough around the edges at times, and comes off as a little bit needy. Whilst on the run he laments often about his wife, every woman he meets reminds him of her in some arbitrary way, and it gets a bit much at times. Donny, on the other hand, tries to suppress his moral dilemma and the fear of being hunted by persons unknown and prays a lot in order to justify to himself their past actions.

The way Rubinstein has constructed the narrative is clever and with realism. Hiding from questioning police, running away from friends and family, while also trying to track down potential killers is a lot harder that it seems, especially in the modern world and Rubinstein explores that.

For a surgeon and an accountant they are quite skilled at being on the run and in hiding. They may not be professionals but there is certainly some skill. Roddy tells us numerous times he has had ranger training so he understands how to hide and leave no trace. Roddy is the main narrator so we find out more about his past and youth than Donny’s. At times Roddy seemed a bit arrogant and a bit too proud of his youth and his reputation. It was easy to see past Roddy and present Roddy as different people, Mad Dog versus the skilled surgeon, but as the story progresses it is clear there is still part of Roddy who remains Mad Dog.

With Roddy and Donny unsure exactly why it is they are being targeted, it adds a great element to the story. As readers we do not know, and as characters they have theories but are not certain, leading to assumptions being made and stress and panic over past behaviour. Even when their theories are eventually revealed, there is still a great suspense just in the fact that they are uncertain and it shows that the explanation and the story itself may not be as simple as it first looked.

I enjoyed how Rubinstein chose to end this story, after the events in the book and the actions of Roddy and Donny it was unexpected but not displeasing and it suited the story wonderfully. The story is clever and real but is also filled with danger and mystique that makes real life a little bit more interesting and certainly not as simple as it appears.

You can purchase Mad Dog Justice via the following

Amazon (Paperback)

Amazon (Kindle)