Book Review: SEE ME, by Nicholas Sparks

 

SEE ME
Nicholas Sparks
Grand Central Publishing

496 Pages / October 2015
Thriller / Romance 

As a fan of Nicholas Sparks movies, I have recently started reading the books. I recently read Every Breath, and have just now finished See Me.

See Me was definitely more my speed. It is a taut thriller about revenge. Vengeance.

Maria used to work for the District Attorney's office. She landed the job when she graduated from law school. Prosecuting criminals was intense. Sometimes the work got to her. After one particular case went south, she decided it might be best to shift her specialty.

Colin spent some time in jail. He was arrested countless times for fights. Thankfully, he had a best friend who always had his back. Evan and Lily help Colin as best they can. For the last few years, Colin has kept out of trouble. He is enrolled in school with aspirations of becoming an elementary teacher. Keeping himself in line, Colin also fights for money. Mixed martial arts, MMA. He is also on five years probation. One wrong move and he knows he will be sent directly to prison.

Maria's sister, Serena, knows Colin and Maria might be perfect together. Playing matchmaker, she attempts to pull off the seemingly impossible. Just as things start to go good for everyone, Maria's past explodes on scene.

She has a stalker. Her life is clearly in danger. Colin is not one to sit by and do nothing. His involvement in trying to get to the bottom of the matter could get him in trouble, could land him in prison. Caring more about Maria than his own future, Colin is determined to find out who is bothering his girlfriend.

The problem is there are far too many potential suspects. Between the male lawyers at the law firm, and the old cases Maria worked on in her past, it could be any number of people after her, wanting to extol retribution for someone once done wrong.

Fast. Tense. And with great characters, See Me was a fantastic read. Gripping, and romantic, while also tender, and gritty! I highly recommend this book from readers who enjoy drama tales with romance and thrilling suspense!

Phillip Tomasso
Author of the legal thriller, ADVERSE IMPACT

Book Review: THE BLACK BOOK, by Ian Rankin

Ian Rankin
THE BLACK BOOK (Inspector Rebus #5)
Minotaur Books, 2000
352 Pages
Crime / Thriller

John Rebus finds himself working a five year old cold case. After his friend, and fellow officer is jumped, and left for dead, the Inspector realizes it may have been more than a simple, violent, back alley robbery.

Brian Holmes had a black book. It was filled with things he was working on during his own time. Rebus sees a possible connection between the vicious attack and a fire. When the Central Hotel burned, at first it seemed like maybe arson. That is until a body was discovered inside. Ashes. Unidentifiable. This was what Holmes was working on when he was beaten, when he was nearly killed.

Determined to get to the bottom of the case, Rebus begins re-knocking on doors --doors that until Holmes started sticking his nose into other people's business, had been left alone over the last five years. Those involved with Holmes' attack now will stop at nothing to get Rebus out of the way!

What I enjoy most about Ian Rankin, and his Rebus books, is that the characters seem . . . real. Authentic. They are as close to people as fictional characters can get. We, the reader, get to see into the lives, and jobs, and feelings of those Rankin created. If that isn't talent, proof of a talented writer, then I don't know what is.

I am thankful I was introduced to Ian Rankin, and the Rebus series. I do not want to read them all too quickly. I want to savor each one, because sooner (rather than later), I will get to a point where I've no more titles to read, and will be stuck waiting for the next release. I suppose it's a good thing. Unless you are like me and hate waiting.

Phillip Tomasso
Author of the Severed Empire Series,
and The Vaccination Trilogy

Book Review: STRIP JACK, by Ian Rankin

Ian Rankin
STRIP JACK (Inspector Rebus #4)
Orion Publishing Group, 1992
304 pages
Crime / Mystery

If I was going to name this novel, I'd call it something more appropriate like Red Herring, or Red Herring Central. Holy cow did he pack a million-and-one characters into a taut 304 page novel. I like to keep notes when I read a book, but this one kind of got out of hand. I count (give or take) thirty characters. Probably was more. My pen might have run out of ink. However. aside from thinking I might forget who someone was, the story was solid.

John Rebus has his hands full. Aside from looking into a stolen collection of rare books, he is involved in Operation Creeper. There is a bordello in town. On the good side of town --in a prominent area where well-off residents live. When the police are tipped off to the illegal operation, they have no choice but to shut her down!

During the raid, a prominent Parliament figure is snagged in the arrests. Gregor Jack was in one of the rooms, and with one of the prostitutes. Worse, someone tipped off the media. When Jack was led out of the whore house the journaists pounced. Rebus knew something smelled funny. The information about the raid was leaked to the press. Could Gregor Jack have been the target all along?

Rebus becomes even more involved in the politician's life when Elizabeth Jack --Gregor's wife-- turns up dead. And even though the similarities around her death closely match a recent murder, and the killer is confessing to both crimes Rebus isn't convinced.

With a host of likely suspects, but with seemingly no motive, Rebus begins to dig for answers, for the truth . . . Burying himself in the job, Rebus puts his personal life on hold. The dedication to the work could cost him more than he expected to lose.

While not my favorite Jack Rebus novel, STRIP JACK was still a quick read. I truly enjoy Ian Rankin's writing style. He fills each page with wonderful dialogue, and compelling narrative. The main cast of characters (Jack Rebus, Brian Holmes, Chris Kemp, etc.) are all there, and as always, we --the reader-- get more insight into them as they grow more and more into "people," as well.

Phillip Tomasso
Author of the Severed Empire Series,
and The Vaccination Trilogy

THE LOST ONES, by Ace Atkins

Ace Atkins
THE LOST ONES (Quinn Colson #2)
G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2012
368 Pages
Suspense / Thriller / Crime

Quinn Colson is back. The former Ranger is now sheriff of a small Mississippi town. He stepped up after the death of his uncle, and now wears the badge.

In THE LOST ONES, Sheriff Colson has his hands full. Family first. His sister Caddy is back in town. She's had it rough. Drugs. Exotic dancing. A single mother. Only thing is, she doesn't take care of her own kid. Their mother, Jean, does. At least, she didn't take care of her own kid. Being back, she swears she's turned her life around. She is not going to walk away, not going to leave her son again. Problem is, Colson don't believe a word of it.The kid deserves more, deserves better. If they don't get things straight, Colson's hand may be forced.

An abused baby is brought to the hospital. Near death, the broken bones, and cracked skull are life threatening. Colson and his loyal deputy, Lillie, are trying to get to the bottom of it all. What they have is a couple who adopt a bunch of Mexican kids. With over ten in their place, they learn abuse is the norm. They make a living selling off the kids they adopted. The rotten couple is on the run, and have the young kids with them. There are additional rumors about what happens to the children. Physical abuse isn't the only horror the kids suffer.

Additionally, ATF is in town. Someone is running guns. Lots of guns. A contact in town is pushing stolen military weapons to a Mexican gang to fuel a cartel war south of the border. The joint investigation uncovers clues that leave both the ATF and the sheriff's department playing cards close to the chest.

Everything comes to an explosive head when an ATF informant points the finger. Outmanned, and outgunned, Sheriff Colson, Lillie, and the other deputies have their work cut out for them!

Badass Ranger Quinn Colson is a cross between Jack Reacher and Walt Longmire. The mix is a perfect blend. The novel covers a lot of ground, giving plenty of background, and character development. The series is shaping up nicely! With THE RANGER, Ace Atkins piqued my curiosity. With THE LOST ONES, he sold me, I am a fan!

Phillip Tomasso
Author of the Severed Empire Series,
and The Vaccination Trilogy

Book Review: DEAD CERTAIN, by Adam Mitzner

Adam Mitzner
DEAD CERTAIN
Thomas & Mercer (June 2017)
348 pages
Thriller / Mystery / Suspense

** Review is based on an Advance Review Copy (ARC) / Details and specifics may change once book is actually published June 2017 **

I am up to date. Ahead of schedule, actually. I have now read all five novels by Adam Mitzner, and it has been an awesome adventure.

DEAD CERTAIN, much like THE GIRL FROM HOME, steps away from the legal thriller, and moves more into mystery / suspense. There is still a legal aspect, and the main character, Ella Broden, is an attorney --but those facts are secondary to the plot. (Although it was kind of cool seeing Ella's father --also an attorney-- representing a notorious criminal from an early Adam Mitzner tale. Mitzner likes to do that, I've noticed. Splash a bit of this and that from one book into the next. Kind of a treat --an Easter Egg-- for readers).

In DEAD CERTAIN, Ella's kid sister, Charlotte has some big news. She's sold her first novel. It's a murder mystery. She hasn't yet completed the book. Regardless, one of the largest publishers offered up a contract. With the first half done, and a copy given to Ella to read ASAP, Charlotte is anxious to celebrate, and tell their father the cool news!

Ella is a lawyer by day, and a lounge singer by night. She takes on a complete different persona. A new new name, a different look. After the death of her mother, Ella pursued a career as an attorney to make her father proud. She set aside her dream of becoming a professional singer. She realized it was time to grow up back then --and only now does she allow herself the chance to sing one night a week. It is also why when Charlotte shares her good news, Ella can't help but feel a little bit of jealousy.

Everything changes when two days later no one has heard from Charlotte. Charlotte is unreachable. Police initially think Charlotte's boyfriend may be the only suspect. However, after Ella reads the first half of her sister's manuscript, and although she knows the work is fiction, she can't help but wonder if Charlotte might have been leading a double-life as well.

In the manuscript, the main character has a boyfriend, and two other lovers. The boyfriend who is the artist, a student with little experience, and a banker, who is married. Working with the police, Ella tries to fit together parts of her sister's life with with pieces she never knew existed.

The question is simple. What else was Charlotte hiding? And on a more basic level, is Charlotte still alive?

As I have come to expect, Adam Mitzner weaves together a plot that just keeps you reading, and your mind churning with thoughts, and ideas, and guesses, all the while hoping for the best, but fearing the worst! Tension is high, and the suspense just builds and builds in DEAD CERTAIN. Well worth the read, folks. Well worth it!

Phillip Tomasso
Author of the Severed Empire Series
and The Vaccination Trilogy

Book Review: THE GIRL FROM HOME, by Adam Mitzner

Adam Mitzner
THE GIRL FROM HOME
Gallery Books, 2016
321 pages
Thriller / Crime / Legal

In Adam Mitzner's latest novel, THE GIRL FROM HOME, the author detours a bit from his past three straight-forward legal thrillers, and puts out a head-on suspense novel. There is a legal aspect, and some courtroom drama, though. For the most part, however, it is not a novel where attorneys are the central characters. Just putting this out there as a simple disclaimer. However, as a suspense novel, it works. And it works well.

Jonathan Caine is a big shot. He makes millions on Wall Street. His hectic lifestyle comes with many rewards. A hefty bank account, a beautiful wife (fifteen years younger than he), and the potential to purchase some prime waterfront real estate in the Hamptons. East Hamptons.

Everything is going well, that is, until it is not.

When an investor wants their money back, it starts an almost Jenga effect. Best way I can think to describe it, Jonathan now has to rob Peter to pay Paul. In the Wall Street world this is illegal. He pushes and pulls without backing with the hope everything will balance out in roughly two years --before most investors realize what game Jonathan has been playing.

Jonathan's father is sick. Dementia. He took a bad fall, and is in the hospital. It is likely he will never be discharged. Having family issues since he was young, Jonathan isn't sure how he feels about it. When his firm fires him, pending federal securities charges, and his marriage becomes quickly unstable, Jonathan heads home to New Jersey to spend time with his father.

During a twenty-five year class reunion, Jonathan reunites with Jackie, an old classmate. They were from different cliques. Jonathan the nerd. Jackie the Prom Queen who --in typical cliche fashion-- married Rick, the high school football star. Jackie's in an abusive relationship. No way out. Rick has made it abundantly clear that if she tries leaving him he will kill her. She has more to think about than herself. Their two kids are equally at risk should she try anything stupid, like divorce.

When Rick is murdered, both Jackie and Jonathan are the prime suspects. They both know the truth. But will they keep the secret from the prosecutors, or turn on each other to get a deal from the District Attorney?

THE GIRL FROM HOME is both filled with suspense, and humanity. It is a novel about people. Mitzner fills the book with emotions. He's done it before. Here, however, he pours it on. The result is powerful. Caring about the characters kept me turning pages, and re-reading paragraphs to better grasp everything ... felt. There isn't much room for reprieve, as so much is always happening, and the tension constantly building.

THE GIRL FROM HOME is tragic, heartfelt, and almost depressing. There is some hope, some light at the end of the tunnel, though --and for me, it was just enough so that when I finished the book I felt . . . closure.

Phillip Tomasso
Author of the Severed Empire Series,
and The Vaccination Trilogy

Book Review: HIDE & SEEK, by Ian Rankin

Ian Rankin
HIDE & SEEK (John Rebus #2)
Otto Penzler Books, 1994
210 pages
Crime / Police / Detective

I feel guilty it has taken me over two decades to discover the talented Ian Rankin. Guilty. The second book in the legendary John Rebus series, HIDE & SEEK, is a fast, thrilling read. Rebus, recently promoted to Inspector Detective (or DI) is back!

In HIDE & SEEK, DI Rebus catches a call accidentally. A junkie's body has been discovered in an expired residential area now filled with squatters. The body is positioned on the floor Crucifix-style, minus the spikes through hands and feet. By each hand is a candle that has burned down to nothing, and painted on the wall an encircled, inverted star.

Thinking the boy, Ronnie McGrath, may have been some kind of sacrifice, Rebus begins the investigation. The questions asked turn up a flurry of seemingly useless leads, information Rebus has little idea what to do with. The deceased was a struggling artist, a photographer. His girlfriend, another vagrant, Tracy, thinks someone was after Ronnie. Ronnie's last words to her were to hide, they're after him!

Quite possibly there is more than meets the eye in this mystery. Could the photographs lead to identity of the killer, or those involved with the boy's murder?

Big time politics, lost loves, and karma come full circle in Rankin's thriller, HIDE & SEEK. We get more into the mind, and the character of Rebus. In a way he reminds me of Idris Elba in Luther. I guess the good thing about taking twenty years to discover Ian Rankin, as that he has written plenty of books to keep me busy for, well, a few months. Two thumbs up on the John Rebus series!

Phillip Tomasso
Author of the Severed Empire Series,
and The Vaccination Trilogy

Book Review: DARKTOWN, by Thomas Mullen

Thomas Mullen
DARKTOWN
37 Ink, 2016
371 pages
Crime / Police Procedural

Picked up a copy of DARKTOWN on a whim. Reviews looked good. Synopsis sounded good. Figured I'd give it a shot. Man. This book was outstanding. I want to put this at the front of the review. Not the end. I don't want people to miss out on an amazing read.

DARKTOWN takes place Atlanta, Georgia, pre-civil rights, Jim Crow Laws in effect. The Democrats are still bitter, and vengeful over slaves being freed. However, some progress has been made. A recent change had been made, and eight (8) black men were graduated onto the Atlanta Police Force. The new officers

wear badges, carry guns . . . but their reach is very limited.

The black officers are not allowed in the Atlanta precinct. Instead they rent a basement room at the YMCA. The new officers are not allowed to drive patrol cars. They have to walk their beat. They are not allowed to arrest white people. The new officers are only allowed to patrol black neighborhoods, otherwise known as Darktown. The APD have a running bet. Who will kill one of the new officers first. To say tension between the ranks is impossibly high, is an understatement.

When Officer Lucious Boggs and his partner, Officer Tommy Smith, witness a car do a U-turn, and strike a light pole while patrolling on the night shift, they approach the vehicle. They then witness the drive punch a female passenger.

When the female escapes the car and runs off into the night, the officers pursue the driver. Problem is, the driver is white, and the passenger is black female. The male is intoxicated. They can smell the alcohol on his breath. Unfortunately, there is little they can do other than issue a citation for hitting the pole, and the driver knows it. Forced to call in white officers to take over the scene, both Boggs and Smith feel small, and unimportant.

White Officers Dunlow, and Rakestraw respond. Dunlow, who is a violent, and mean racist, is irate that the force let black people in as officers. Dunlow's goal is nothing shy of constant harassment, whether it be directed at the black officers, or those in Darktown in general.

When the body of a black female is discovered, some days later, it becomes immediately evident that no one is taking the murder serious. Determined not to let discrimination rule, Boggs and Smith risk their careers and begin probing for clues, and answers.

Their search for the truth takes them down a dangerous road. When everyone is against them, the two officers stand alone knowing full well that an entire black community, maybe even all black people everywhere, are watching them, depending on them to make a difference. In doing so, however, they put more than jobs on the line. Their very freedom, their very lives, are at stake!

It might only be February, but DARKTOWN is quite possibly going to win my Favorite Book of 2017. Going to be hard pressed to find another novel as engaging, as enraging, or as engrossing! Mullen has a way of laying out the setting so that the reader feels propelled back in time. His characters are vividly drawn, and the story is compelling with plenty of unexpected twists and a satisfying, if disheartening ending. This book, when I finished it, just made me sit back and say, "Wow."

Phillip Tomasso
Author of the Severed Empire Series,
and The Vaccination Trilogy

Book Review: THE KNIFE SLIPPED, by Erle Stanley Gardner

Erle Stanley Gardner
THE KNIFE SLIPPED
Hard Case Crime, 2016 (1939)
216 pages
Crime / Noir

THE KNIFE SLIPPED is classic, timeless, private eye, noir. Remember guys like Spillane's Mike Hammer, and Chandler's Marlowe? Yeah. Gardner was before them. Erle Stanley Gardner wrote under many pen names. He was also the creator of the Perry Mason novels, and short stories. THE KNIFE SLIPPED was supposed to be the 2nd book in the Cool & Lam Mystery series. but because of Bertha Cool's sassy, vulgar, smoking behavior, the publishers nixed the idea. Interesting, right? Very!

Hard Case Crime is the first ever to publish THE KNIFE SLIPPED. That alone is exciting. What is more exciting is how wonderful the book is!

Most private detective agencies won't touch two kinds of cases. Divorce matters, and anything political. Most agencies, but not B. Cool Investigations. Donald Lam is kind of new on the job. Making ends meet isn't always a guarantee with B. Cool, so when Bertha Cool gives him a divorce case, he's up for the challenge.

Mother, Mrs. Atterby, and daughter, Mrs, Cunner, need a detective. They are certain Eben Cunner is stepping out on his wife. They want proof. Something they can take to the lawyers. Divorce will be inevitable. After laying down the agency rules, the agreement is made and Donald Lam is on the job.

Following Eben is simple enough. The complication comes alone when it appears Eben is leading a secret life. Only, it might be worse than Atterby and his wife first suspected.

Submerged in bribes, and politics that involve the police force, the fire departments, and people with clout, Donald Lam finds himself in a bit over his head. When a body is discovered, Donald realizes he has become the fall guy. If he can't figure out who the killer is doing time in prison is what he faces.

Chasing down red herrings, and never sure who can be trusted, Donald does his best to maneuver between the traps in the case, his boss, and a new love interest. There isn't much time. The police are closing in. He needs to focus and find answers. Fast!

I will be hunting down Gardner books. And A.A. Fair books (which the rest of the Cool & Lam Mystery titles are penned under). The guys is smooth. The characters well crafted. The plot was tight, plausible. And like I said earlier, timeless (except for the use of payphones, that is). A fantastic book I loved reading, and a treasure Hard Case Crime uncovered!

Phillip Tomasso
Author of the Severed Empire Series,
and The Vaccination Trilogy  

Book Review: THE VIKING FUNERAL, by Stephen J. Cannell

Stephen J. Cannell
THE VIKING FUNERAL
St. Martin's Press, 2002
351 pages
Crime / Police Procedural 

THE VIKING FUNERAL is the second book in the Shane Scully Series, and while it is the first book I have ever read by Cannell, it will not be the last.

The story is pretty straight-forward. We have LAPD Officer Shane Scully. A single father. He is in dating Alexa, also an officer with LAPD. And the relationship is pretty serious. The idea is to get married. Turn the three of them into a family.

Life is never that simple.

Not long ago Shane's partner, Jody Dean, committed suicide. It has not been easy for Shane to come to terms with the demise. Suicide was the last thing Jody would have ever done. Despite all of the proof, the photographs, the medical examiner reports, Shane cannot accept the obvious--that his friend is gone.

Compounding his denial, Shane is certain he saw his friend driving a car on the freeway. More than that, he knows Jody saw him. Bringing this up to the authorities can cause him the loss of his badge, the death of his career.

Unwilling to leave it alone, Shane begins to dig for answers. What he discovers is a possible rogue undercover operation. The group is known as the Vikings. Perhaps the initial intent was righteous, but currently the band of cops is out of control. Infiltrating the Vikings is the only way Shane will get the answers he seeks. But in doing so he risks losing everything he holds dear!

Mexican bankers, laundering money, and murder fill the pages in this thrilling cop novel. Stephen J. Cannell knows how to pace a mystery. He should. He has penned dozens of Best Sellers, and written some fantastic television series, and movies. I know one thing is certain, Amazon is going to love me as I begin ordering the other books in this series!

Phillip Tomasso,
author of the Severed Empire Series,
and The Vaccination Trilogy

Book Review: LIVE BY NIGHT, by Dennis Lehane

Dennis Lehane
LIVE BY NIGHT
William Morrow, 2012
402 pages
Crime / Fiction

I first discovered Dennis Lehane when I stumbled upon a paperback copy of Mystic River. I knew then I loved this writer. And although I then read several more titles, for some odd reason I drifted away from his books. No blame placed on the author whatsoever!

LIVE BY NIGHT has kind of a Departed, or Scarface feel to it. It was layered with an array of characters, three different settings, and constantly twisting plots! The story takes place during prohibition. And even those of us who are considered history-challenged know what happened when booze was outlawed?!? Speakeasies, moonshine, and gangsters sprang up everywhere!

Despite being the son of a Boston police captain, Joe Coughlin, has become an outlaw. He starts out small-time with the Bartolos brothers, Dion and Paolo. Given bad information they decide to hold-up a card game. Little did they know it was Albert White's game. Albert White was bad news. One of the big bad names in Boston. Once Coughlin realizes the error, he also realizes it is too late to stop what is already in motion.

When things get hot in town, and Coughlin knows it is best to back-off some, he commits to once last heist. A bank job. Only problem is, people are onto the game. Cops are tipped off. Nothing goes as planned. Coughlin does time in prison. Attempts are made on his life. He has a chance to turn things around, and takes it, placing himself in the hands of Albert White's enemy, Maso Pescatore.

Tasked with running the operation in Florida, Coughlin begins a new life, improving on his old way of life. He turns the swampy mass of Tampa into a thriving rum-running business for Pescatore. His rise to the top creates a host of enemies. There is no sleep for the man on top when there is always someone scheming to knock you down, or take you out.

Prohibition won't last forever, and as the end of a dry-reign is in sight, Coughlin clearly sees the writing on the wall. What is going to happen to his empire, to his family, to him?

At the movies not long ago, they showed a trailer for an upcoming Ben Affleck film, LIVE BY NIGHT. I knew that was a more recent Lehane novel, and immediately picked myself up a copy. I had to read it. My interest in Lehane has been restored. I devoured the novel in a few nights. it was absolutely absorbing. (Be advised, LIVE BY NIGHT is actually Book 2 in Lehane's Coughlin series).

Phillip Tomasso
Author of the Severed Empire Series, 
and The Vaccination Trilogy

Book Review: THE NIGHTMARE PLACE, by Steve Mosby

Steve Mosby
THE NIGHTMARE PLACE
Pegasus Books, 2014
328 pages
Detective / Thriller

THE NIGHTMARE PLACE was my first ever Steve Mosby book. And right off the bat, the one thing that threw me off balance in this crime novel, this thriller, was that the police detectives do not carry guns. Or own them. Maybe it is because I am American, or have seen too many movies, and cop shows, whatever the reason I was stunned a bit by this. I even googled it, and with the exception of Northern Ireland, in the United Kingdom, only specially trained firearms officers carry a gun. It was at the beginning of the book when the main character, Detective Inspector Zoe Dolan had hidden hammers, and knives throughout her home. And not one handgun. Hmmm What do ya know? Learned something new.

Anywho . . . THE NIGHTMARE PLACE was the kind of thriller I knocked off in a sitting. A serial rapist is on the loose. He has a distinct calling card. He manages to get into houses without a trace, and after his brutal attacks, he tends to flee through a, now, wide open first floor window.

Police have five victims, and no leads. Things are looking bleak. The rapist has a type. The women are mid-twenties. Uniquely beautiful. And live alone.

Detective Inspectors Zoe Dolan and Chris Sands notice a growing trend. Each victim has been beaten after the rape. Only thing is, the beatings are progressively worse each time. How long before the rapist takes things to far and actually murders one of his victims?

Unfortunately, the officers don't have to wait too long before that question is answered.

When Jane started a volunteer position with a telephone helpline, she understood the rules. All calls were confidential. If they weren't, no one would ever call. The confidentiality made people feel safe about reaching out for help. The organization, Mayday, has helped many people over the years because of this rule. However, Jane realizes keeping calls confidential might go against her every fiber when the serial rapist starts calling Mayday and confessing his crimes to her. Torn, she isn't sure if she should honor the rules of her position, or take the information she has and share it with the police.

THE NIGHTMARE PLACE is a fast, and gripping thriller. I enjoyed Mosby's writing style, and character development. Spliced into the action-packed narrative, we learn so much about Zoe, her youth, and her fears, that she became more of a person, and less of a fictional character. Mosby managed to give this personification to most of the central characters, as well. I was engaged from the opening page, until I set the book down hours later. I do look forward to more by Steve Mosby . . . now where is my Amazon card? Ah--there it is! Excuse me. I've orders to make.

Phillip Tomasso
Author of The Severed Empire Series, and
The Vaccination Trilogy

Book Review: METALTOWN, by Kristen Simmons

Kristen Simmons
METALTOWN
Tor Books
YA / Dystopian

METALTOWN is one of the best books I have read this year. Reading this novel filled me with an intense mix of emotions. Despair, and dread were like a constant black cloud above me page after page. The slight glimmers of hope were dim, and dreary at best. The three main characters I immediately loved, and cared about. Their plight was real, and hopeless, and they just had to win the fight by the end . . .

But I am getting ahead of myself. There are a handful of union-inspired movies that I will watch any time they are on television. There is the classic, On the Waterfront (Marlon Brando), Sally Field in Norma Rae, and the intense F.I.S.T. with Sylvester Stallone. Great films. Kristen Simmons' METALTOWN is like a combination of the three. Do not get me wrong, METALTOWN is completely original, but there is that . . . flavor to it that was, for me, reminiscent of these epic movies.

Metaltown is a factory town. Small Parts employees nothing but kids and teenagers. Long hours, little pay--if the kids are paid at all--and horrendous working conditions. Safety is not an issue. Churning out product to keep the other factories in town going is all that matters. And the Hamptons own it all. The weapons built supply army of the Northern Federation in their fight against the Advocates (Eastern Federation Radicals). The work performed is important, if the war is ever to be won.

More than best friends, Ty has taken on Colin as his protector. Even though Colin is older, and she is smaller. No one messes with Colin. Safety has been called, and by street rules anyone that starts trouble with Colin, also is starting trouble with Ty. They're a team. They work side-by-side at Small Parts, and barely manage to make ends meet.

With what little pay Colin earns, he contributes to the support of his family. Having a job is everything. Without Small Parts the entire family would be homeless, perhaps dead in months.Ty, an orphan, struggles at just surviving day in and day out. Sleeping mostly at a shelter when beds are available, her safety is in constant jeopardy.

Lena Hampton is wealthy, lives on the opposite side of town, and wants nothing more than to be part of the family business. She knows she can be more resourceful than her often intoxicated and ineffective brother Otto. Her father will never give her the chance, despite her best efforts. Decidedly, she takes a tour of Metaltown, of Small Parts. Inadvertently, she fires one of the shop's employees that sets into motion an industrial revolution that is more bloody, and brutal, and deadly than anyone could have ever anticipated!

Simmons builds a world so vividly that readers will smell the unwashed clothing, and body odor of the factory workers. The frigid cold outside the factory, and the blistering heat within the windowless structure gave me hot and cold flashes. With just a splash of Oliver Twist (should have mentioned it earlier), I was beside the rebels, and a part of their revolt from the onset, and cheering by the end. And crying. It isn't often a book makes me emotional enough to cry. METALTOWN was that kind of story. Simmons has crafted those kinds of characters.

I might have finished reading the book moments ago, but I strongly suspect I will be thinking about them for a long time.

Phillip Tomasso
Author of the Severed Empire Series, and
The Vaccination Trilogy 

Book Review: KILLING MAINE, by Mike Bond

Mike Bond

KILLINGMAINE

Mandevilla Press

Suspense / Thriller

There was a time when all I read were books by James Patterson, and Lee Child. I can’t remember this last suspense novel I read. Well. Until now. Mike Bond’s KILLINGMAINE definitely brought me back into the genre. Full force.

Sam ‘Pono’ Hawkins is a Special Forces vet, living in Hawaii. After having spent time in prison, he does his best to keep his nose clean. However, when he gets a message from an old flame, and is informed her husband has been arrested for murder, and she needs his help, Pono is torn.

Things are never simple. Originally from Maine, he decides he’ll head back and see what he can do about helping. He’s not thrilled about it, though. His old flame ended up marrying a guy from his Special Forces unit. And the guy, Bucky, testified against him in court, getting him sentenced to twenty years in prison for war crimes committed.

Politics have taken over Maine. Big money is being thrown around. The installation of ineffective, and costly wind turbines are going up across the state. Deep pockets are ensuring votes, and land value is quickly decreasing. Animals are absent, and birds are dying. The turbines are big, loud, and bright. Residents are losing their minds.

When Ronnie Dalt, Vice President of lobbying for Maine Environmental Resources is murdered, and the rap pinned on Bucky, Pono has his work cut out for him. His appearance in Maine does not go unnoticed. His digging for answers has triggered alarms. The only way to keep political secrets secret is by getting rid of Pono any way possible.

The quest for truth has Pono not only fighting for his own life, but for the lives of those closest to him. As the net around Pono drops he is down to one last chance at turning the tables. But will it be too little, too late!

Mike Bond is a storyteller. Crisp, clean writing accompanies swift, edgy prose. The dialogue is authentic, and the characters expertly drawn. Everything about this book – from the opening until the ending – is high octane thriller. I am now a Mike Bond fan, and am anxious for more Sam ‘Pono’ Hawkins!

Phillip Tomasso,

Author of the Severed Empire Series, and

The Vaccination Trilogy

Book Review: A THOUSAND NAKED STRANGERS, by Kevin Hazzard

Kevin Hazzard
A THOUSAND NAKED STRANGERS: A Paramedic's Wild Ride to the Edge and Back
Scribner
Non-fiction

Two things. Aside from writing books, and book reviews, I do have a day job. I work full time as a Fire / EMS Dispatcher for 911 in my county. The second thing is, I rarely, rarely read non-fiction titles. When a friend at work was reading Kevin Hazzard's book, and the title caught my eye, I had to ask if I could pretty-please read it next. I am so glad he let me borrow the book! I only hope I can do this kind of book justice reviewing it.

Kevin Hazzard tells the story, his story, of first becoming an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), and how he made a living riding on an ambulance. The book covers --at,I am certain, a very broad, a very general level-- his nearly ten year career as a first responder.

The tales unfold in a chronological order, starting the classes, the instructor, and other students around him during his months spent earning his EMT certificate. And then landing his first job.

Hazzard goes through a host of partners, and readers we get a glimpse into first responder life. (Part of my found this book reminiscent of Bringing Out the Dead, the movie with Nicholas Cage. Only, unlike Cage's film --which I found dark, depressing, and hopeless, Hazzard sprinkles his narrative with humor, drive, and possibilities).

Covering call after call, readers run the gambit from patients with toothaches to corpses that have burst from decomposition. He talks about catching runs where responder safety goes from safe, to having one of the most dangerous nights of his career; from having patients die in the back of the rig, to bringing some back from the dead.

A THOUSAND NAKED STRANGERS also talks about working crazy hours, holidays, and weekends. It makes a point of calling attention to missed birthdays, and family events, and the strain such a career applies to relationships. Hazzard explains how his side of conversations are vastly different from friends and family not working in the field. Interaction just becomes different between him and other people.

Hazzard's love for the job, his dedication, his drive, and his determination take him on a hell of a ride. There are high points, and low; close calls, and pending lawsuits. We get to meet his wise wife, and a host of partners he shared his life with. Hazzard's writing his poetic, and captivating. The chapters are poignant and taut, and before you know it, you've read the nearly 300 page novel and are shaking. You want more. I want more.

Phillip Tomasso,
Author of the Severed Empire Series, and
The Vaccination Trilogy