Galveston by Nic Pizzolatto
Nic Pizzolatto wrote and produced True Detective for HBO. Since I’m a huge fan of the series I couldn’t be more excited to read Galveston his first novel. From the moment I started Galveston I found myself in awe of Mr. Pizzolatto’s writing style. Brilliant dialogue, with short visuals and an inner voice that locks you into every moment. Gritty noir crime fiction with a somber humanism that made the characters jump off the pages. Roy Cady has spots on his lungs and has nothing to live for until he accidentally saves a young woman. Roy and Rocky make a run for it and we get to go along as they struggle to survive in a brutal unforgiving world. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and can see glimmers of the essence of True Detective throughout. There’s a dark side of human life that we all know, but rarely see. This novel captures desperation and fear with haunting realism. Bars, strip clubs, motels, trailer parks and laundromats are some of the destinations we discover as the story progresses. I wanted more, but unfortunately I ran out of pages. Galveston is a spectacular crime story that crushes your heart and leaves you rattled. Wow!

​Intercession by Louis Romano
I recently had the pleasure of meeting Author Louis Romano in person. It’s not often that I go to meet someone I’ve chatted with on Facebook, but when I heard Louis Romano was having a book signing nearby at a New Jersey Barnes and Noble I knew it was time for a road trip. Meeting Louis Romano was like finding a brother I didn’t know I had. Warm and charming he instantly won me over and folded me into his inner circle of family, friends and even his Publisher. I thought to myself, “I have to see what his writing is like.” Wow! I was in for a real treat.

I started with ‘Intercession’. I didn’t know anything about the Catholic religion, the Church or Priests, but I found Mr. Romano's meticulous research and attention to detail immediately educated me to a darker side of organized religion which grabbed hold and didn’t let go. Well-crafted with snappy dialogue complete and authentic NYC accents, I ate it up like candy.

This dark and brooding roman noir journey captured and exposed predators that fly under the radar and put children at risk within our own communities. New York detectives are hot on the trail of a brazen serial killer who’s set on drawing public attention to protected pedophiles within the business conglomerate of organized religion. I've never read a novel where I felt so conflicted, but in the end I found myself rooting for the villain as much as the police.

No spoilers from me, but this is must read Crime Fiction on the same par as a Michael Connelly Bosch novel. Brilliantly developed characters and a plot that played out as an international battle of good vs evil. Detective Vic Gonnella and serial killer John Deegan were awesome counterparts, hero vs anti-hero they both fight for the lead role as the protagonist and in the end prove to be two sides of the same coin. I was so excited by the climatic conclusion of this novel that I ran out and bought another Louis Romano gem ‘Besa’ which is currently being made into an Indie film. ‘Intercession’ was everything I’d hoped it would be and more, you'll love it, I did.

Louis Romano also works with a Non-Profit charity call ‘Road to Recovery’ that assists survivors of sexual abuse. If you know someone who is suffering contact Road to Recovery at: roberthoatson@gmail.com

​Quarry by Max Allan Collins
 A noir book lover Twitter buddy of mine Kelli Hathaway @kellihatha1 recently posted a recommendation of ‘The First Quarry’ by Max Allan Collins, published by Hard Case Crime and will soon be released as a Cinemax series. The cover grabbed me, so naturally I had to find out more about this author. Max Allan Collins @MaxAllanCollins also wrote the bestseller ‘Road to Perdition’ for more info go to maxallancollins.com, but I started with his first novel in this series, ‘Quarry’. The cover art was painted by the amazing artist Robert McGinnis mcginnispaintings.com. It begins with a bad ass Quarry following a Priest through an Airport. An assignment he received from a guy he calls ‘The Broker’. By the end of the first chapter I was hooked and ate up every chapter like candy all the way to the last page. Similar in some ways to Richard Stark’s Parker series (A.K.A. Donald E. Westlake, donaldwestlake.com). Max Allan Collins credits Westlake as his role model when he first started writing. This hard-boiled assassin takes us into a dark world where people pay to have their associates, friends and family killed. Even though Quarry is an older guy he still manages to get laid along the way by some beautiful woman… not without its own complications. ‘Quarry’ was a rock solid crime fiction novel that I devoured in a couple of days. I’m looking forward to the next in the series… Max Allan Collins wrote a ton of them. Check them all out at hardcasecrime.com.

​The Ghosts of Belfast by Stuart Neville (The Belfast Novels Book 1)
This gripping Irish crime fiction novel has skyrocketed as one of my top 5 favorite books of all time. It’ll leave you shocked, speechless and wanting more. Years ago Gerry Fegan was the muscle for the IRA, but is now a delusional drunkard that lurks in local pubs. He’s been seen talking to himself and drinking until he blacks out. What people don’t know is that twelve ghosts haunt him from murders he took part in for the IRA. These spirits torment him into avenging their deaths. Gerry must also fight to protect a woman he befriends and her small daughter when the IRA targets them. Gerry Fegan turns into one of the best anti-heroes I’ve read about in years. At its core The Ghosts of Belfast is a raw crime fiction novel. Stuart Neville’s debut novel is extremely well crafted with an incredible weave of paranormal activity. Do these evil men deserve to be hunted and murdered for their transgression against innocents? You betcha. I would’ve given The Ghosts of Belfast ten stars, but five was the maximum.

​​The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler (Philip Marlowe Series)
Being a lover of everything Noir I decided to go back to its roots. I picked ‘The Big Sleep’ by Raymond Chandler which was originally published in 1939. It is the first full novel in the Philip Marlowe series and I had no idea what I was in for. I expected to be bored by outdated language and over-dramatic cheesy dialogue, but I was completely surprised and immediately pull into a dark crime ride. I was so wrong… it was school time for me folks and Raymond Chandler was my Noir Professor. Yeah, there’s some outdated terms like: Police with their nickel cigars, pretty dames and no dough… which made me laugh out loud on occasion, but it only helped to lock in the gritty world of Detective Philip Marlowe. There was a handful of shady characters like: The client, a handicapped Ex-General with two out of control beautiful daughters who both wanted to seduce Marlowe, a blackmailer and assorted hoods and police that helped to stir things up. The amazing plot unfolds with twists, turns and murder from the start to finish. ‘The Big Sleep’ by Raymond Chandler definitely passed my test of time with Five Stars. I absolutely loved it. Check it out.

The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien
A war novel focused on people and not battles? Being an action junkie I wasn’t sure I would like this book. Well, I did and it’s now in my top ten of all time. Take a look at the 1,800+ reviews on Amazon if you need convincing. I did and I have to say this emotional journey took me all the way through a gut wrenchingly new understanding of Vietnam and what veterans went through. I was sucked in from the first few pages until the end. The author describes the things they carried, not only in their backpacks, but also in their hearts and minds. This novel is incredibly well written, with characters so real that I was immediately committed to nothing else. I tried to tell my wife what it was that made this book so special and we both got choked up. Touching, horrifying and sometime ridiculous with a grounding confession at the end by the author. Don’t miss this one. When Memorial Day came this year I couldn’t help, but share and recommend this labor of love. You must read this five star novel.

Patient Zero by Jonathan Maberry
If you’re a fan of The Walking Dead and longing for some new action get ready for a blast. When a sharp tongued Baltimore Detective named Joe Ledger is inducted by the FBI into a terrorist squad on his day off it definitely perked my interest. After snatching him up on his day off and throwing him into a black SUV it gets even better. A government official gives Joe the run down that a group of terrorists have a new chemical weapon that tips the scale to their advantage and they’re looking for a guy like Joe to help. From the first page I was drawn in and sent rocketing at breakneck speed into an action-packed world of horror and violence. Joe Ledger’s attitude and skills made him a fantastic hero against nasty terrorists that use a secret weapon that will blow you away. This is the first novel is the series and a total stand out as a unique concept that combined my favorite genres Scifi, horror and espionage. Strap on your seat belt and get ready for a shocking roller-coaster ride around the world. I highly recommend this novel. The fight and action scenes were outrageously fun.

Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch on Amazon Video
I absolutely loved this first season. Gritty, slickly produced and absorbing with hard hitting dialogue and a plot that unravels as we follow Harry's investigation. Harry's struggles with his rough upbringing and past memories of child abuse only deepened the character development. I'm now a big Harry Bosch fan and started reading Michael Connelly's series to get more. Titus Welliver gave an outstanding performance that was totally convincing and hooked me. I highly recommend this series for crime fiction fans.

A Born Victim by R.P. Rochford
Women are being found mysteriously tortured and killed. Will Detective Lucy Taylor be able to stop the violent crime spree against women? I gotta find out. This novel caught me by surprise and was an unexpected gem that you’ll only find when giving independent authors a chance. Incredibly well crafted with deep character development and a dark and intense plot that didn’t disappoint. I was so sucked in by the first chapter that I couldn’t put it down. I started reading ‘A Born Victim’ while on a three-mile walk with my family. They of course left me behind because I wasn’t keeping up. The first scene where ‘Gill Brogan’ has a disturbing discussion with her abusive boss ‘Jacob Spencer’ was mesmerizing. Is he trustworthy? Was something sinister going on? It felt that way and I had to find out. This is a remarkable detective novel with plenty of nasty moments and a plot that take you all the way down to the riveting end. I thoroughly enjoy the brutal courtroom drama and the breathtaking conclusion. Michael Connelly fans will love this detective novel. I did.

BioPrint by R.C Carter & J.P. Carter
The O’Rourke Detective Agency is on the trail of a murderer. The investigation leads to 3D printing and biotechnology that is being used for engineering human organs. The only problem is that a dangerous ex-employee has stolen plans and is eliminating everyone who knows. This well crafted novel takes readers on a whirlwind ride after a brutal killer and a group of detectives that are chasing him down. Plenty of twists and turns will keep the pages turning and you’ll be guessing until the very end. I immediately felt at home with old friends, with awesome character development and fast reading banter. I thoroughly enjoyed BioPrint and highly recommend it. I can’t wait to read Book 2 in the O’Rourke Agency series.