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Essence of True Detective

7/11/2020

 
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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!

Haunting Revenge

5/28/2019

 
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​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.

Mesmerizing and Sinister

8/18/2015

 
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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.

A Terrorizing Race Against Time!

3/23/2015

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The Customer is Always... by Stuart Keane
This novella rocketed into my weekend, grabbing hold and didn’t let go until I ran out of pages. I was so stunned by the intense breakneck speed at which this suspense thriller unfolded that I read it in one sitting. Mr. Keane skillfully immerses the reader into a crazy emotional race against time to save a life. What seemed like a regular day for this customer service representative takes a bizarre deadly turn. An irate customer calls and threatens murderous retribution after having his insurance policy canceled. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep pages turning until the explosive conclusion. I highly recommend Stuart Keane and this thrilling fast read.
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Rock Solid Spy Fun!

2/23/2015

 
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American Assassin by Vince Flynn
A few months ago I was at my local Drug Store waiting for a prescription, when I randomly started picking up paperback novels from the display rack. I decided to read the first sentence of each novel to see who had the best opening line and cared the most about grabbing readers and not letting go. To my surprise, I read twelve top bestselling mass market paperbacks before I hit lucky thirteen, 'The Last Man by Vince Flynn'. Wow talk about a great first sentence. I looked him up and started with his first in the series, 'American Assassin', It is an amazing novel Mr. Flynn introduces the reader to the beginning story of the New York Times Bestselling series about Mitch Rapp and it blew me away. This is a total standout and although critics complained about typos ruining it for them, I enjoyed this rock solid spy action adventure. I read it in a few days and couldn't put it down. No spoilers from me... I didn't know anything about it, but it has all of my favorite elements for a fast gritty story line. Get it now and find out why Vince Flynn has sold millions of books.

Spy, Sci-Fi and Thriller too… Awesome Page-Turner! 

2/9/2015

 
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Connect: The Call by Michelle Medhat
Michelle Medhat takes on and pulls off a Herculean feat by seamlessly merging Espionage, Science Fiction and Thriller genres. I had no idea at the beginning that this husband and wife team that started out having a normal morning would end up fighting terrorists. Very unlikeable and nasty terrorist have a new weapon in Nano Technology and their victims will never see it coming. Mysterious, gruesome with an exciting mix of events makes for a wild ride well worth the trip. Don't miss this well crafted and fantastic debut novel in The Connected series. I already have book two 'The Shift' on my reading list.

On The Edge Of Your Seat Spy Thriller

12/8/2014

 
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An Involuntary Spy by Kenneth Eade
When a genetic modified food biologist turns whistleblower and escapes with top secret reports to Russia you get an awesome spy adventure. An Involuntary Spy is a fast paced thriller that is well written, well researched and held me cover to cover. Seth Rogan’s life on the run in Russia takes a shocking turn when he discovers a food safety cover up. Spy training, falling in love with a beautiful young teacher and trying to stay alive was a blast. Plenty of twisted and turns kept the plot steaming along with lots of political tension and an action packed ending that absolutely rocked. I’m looking forward to the next Kenneth Eade novel.

Crime Fiction Book of the Year!

11/24/2014

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In the Morning I'll Be Gone: A Detective Sean Duffy Novel by Adrian Mckinty
I'm not a fan of detective novels, but when Adrian McKinty creates a good cop that's pissed off and backed into a corner, I'm coming along for the ride. This novel was everything I had hoped it would be, gritty, action-packed and full of nasty surprises.
No spoilers from me. A good cop, fed up with a gangster attitude. He’s willing and able to give bottom feeders their own medicine. The plot rockets along at a frantic pace, I just couldn’t get enough. The trilogy was simply brilliant with a gripping ending that left me stunned.  
What a gift, thank you Mr. McKinty.

Irish crime fiction at its best!
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Dangerously Intriguing Nail Biter

11/20/2014

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Cold Shadows by Jeff Critser
On the edge of your seat international nail biter. I couldn't wait to get back to where I left off the night before. Cold Shadows pulls the reader in deeper and deeper as the plot unfolds with murder, government agencies and secret underworld nooks and crannies. Well-crafted, excellent writing with detailed research that made the story incredibly real. I highly recommend Mr. Critser for anyone who’s looking for a Jack Ryan replacement. Can't wait for his next novel. Super stuff! 
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Electrifying Crime Thriller!

11/18/2014

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In the Electric Mist with Confederate Dead  by James Lee Burke
His bad guys are nasty, his action scenes brutally tense and his novels are gripping page turners. Mr Burke has such an amazing way with words. His can make you vividly see a rainstorm coming in from a distance, or Mockingbirds playing in a tree and even feel the cold barrel of a gun against your neck. James Lee Burke is the Grandmaster of American Crime Fiction and he proves it again with another Dave Robicheaux winner, 6th in the series. To top it off this time he has some paranormal help. I loved it. His natural dialogue style and no nonsense action makes this one of my favorite crime fiction series. Pick one up and find out why.
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    AmazonUK
    Amazon

    131 Reviews, 53 are Five Star ★★★★★. 73% of reviews are 4 and 5 Star. Review Average 4.0  
     A modern & gritty suspense novel thrusts war veteran into the brutal New York crime underworld. Bill Conlin survived the risks and rigors of serving in Afghanistan, can he find his way out of New York City’s dark crime underworld with his life and dignity intact?
    CLICK HERE to buy 
    Bourbon & Blood
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    About Me:
    Garrard Hayes is a lifelong New York resident whose ancestors made their living on the streets of Manhattan and Brooklyn. His love of action and crime fiction, together with a knack for good, gritty story telling, sparked him to write Bourbon & Blood. He lives in New York with his wife, two children, and three dogs.

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