Lost in a Good Book

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

Weekly Wrap Up

08 Mar 2015 Leave a comment

by Amy in Weekly Wrap Up Tags: weekly wrap up

This week on the blog

Giveaway Winners

Keepers of the Dawn (The Dawn Cycle #1)

★ ★ ★ – 3 Stars

Dark Southern Sun

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – 5 Stars

Dark Southern Sun by Shaun J McLaughlin

06 Mar 2015 Leave a comment

by Amy in 5 Stars, Book Bingo, General Tags: aboriginal, australia, book bingo, ebook, five stars, gold rush, historical fiction, shaun j mclaughlin

Published: 1st December 2014
Publisher: Raiders and Rebels Press
Pages: 284
Format: ebook
Genre: Historical Fiction
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – 5 Stars

Dark Southern Sun is a story about love, friendship, and honour in the goldfields of old Australia.

In this sequel to Counter Currents, Ryan washes up on the southern shore of Australia near death in 1845. Rescued by two Wathaurung native children and nursed to health by their parents, his life and theirs are entwined through good and sorrow for the next ten years. Set against the historical backdrop of Australia’s formative years, Ryan witnesses the displacement of the Aboriginal people, and he faces the chaos of the world’s largest alluvial gold rush and the bloodshed of Australia’s only armed uprising.

Throughout, two very different women—one white, one black—tug at his heart as he struggles from penury to prosperity. As he rises in social esteem as an astute businessman and cunning street fighter, Ryan creates two bitter enemies—one white, one black. In time, they set aside their vast racial and emotional hatreds and combine forces. Can Ryan survive their vicious attempt to destroy him and save the good life he has built?

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

Across ten years and coinciding with the gold rush, McLaughlin’s story is a beautiful and tragic story about life in Australia and the expansion of one culture and the decline of another. This is not the sole focus of course, at the heart there is a fantastic tale about the power of friendship and the life and successes of a former convict.

While this is a sequel to McLaughlin’s other work Counter Currents, it can also be read as a standalone. Counter Currents tells the story of how Ryan came to be sent to Australia and Van Diemen’s Land but these reasons and his story are adequately covered in this novel to make it understandable.

There are a few varying points of view but Ryan’s is the main viewpoint we are given. Ryan is an admirable character and someone who is proud and honest, and who stands up for what he believes in. His past makes him streetwise and clever but he is also fair and honourable.

It is not just Ryan who is shown to have honourable strengths and weaknesses, each one of McLaughlin’s characters is depicted as their own person; they are complicated, unique, and not just a background figure to Ryan’s life. Having such detailed characters draws you into their lives easily and adds emotion and affection to each of their actions. By staying alongside many of these characters for the ten year period you are able to see them grow and develop, understanding who they are people and what they represent. Such an approach is brilliant on McLaughlin’s part because it makes every event and action that happens hold a lot more meaning and deeper importance than it may not have if the characters were not as understood as much as they are.

The downside of the strong attachments that develop is that you become quite invested in each and every character. With the rejoicing of successes and the mourning of losses there are a lot of unexpected and multiple emotions to experience. Within this story that looks relatively innocent on the surface, lies a deeper and darker one lurking in the background. Given the context and era such a story was expected, but the way McLaughlin uses words and emotions as well as his characters to bring this story to life is marvellous.

One of my favourite discoveries about this story was just how many historical elements had been included and McLaughlin’s attention to detail and creativity for bringing together so many stories, lives, and events is astounding. The Eureka Stockade, Aboriginal culture, and life in 1800s Australia are brought to life, intertwining with Ryan’s story and there are also historical people dotted throughout adding an additional element of reality and history.

With McLaughlin’s writing there is never a moment where he begins to preach or demonise, and yet by capturing the society and conflicts so wonderfully within a brilliant story, it cannot help but highlight the issues of the era. He shows a lot of respect for both cultures and with impressive skill cleverly and effortlessly weaves many aspects of the turmoil of the time into the narrative such as bushrangers, settlement expansion, abuse and cruelty to Aborigines, as well as the legal and social laws of the time.

Knowing this story is based deeply on history and real events it can be quite a depressing and melancholic read. McLaughlin’s story captures beautifully and tragically the takeover of the Aborigine’s land and culture and seeing the opinions expressed by characters towards them is painful. But at the same time it is strangely fascinating and captivating to see it play out before you, knowing this is so close to what happened and how the arrival of white culture eradicated and erased much of the indigenous culture.

McLaughlin is a great storyteller and someone who manages to encapsulate the lives of people in a way that breaks your heart and fills you with admiration, sometimes even at the same time. Dark Southern Sun brings a moment of Australia’s past to life in its glory and its failings and offers up a stunning tale filled with strong friendships and unbreakable bonds making it a story that will stay with you for a long time.

You can purchase Dark Southern Sun via the following

Ebook

Paperback