North of Here by Laurel Saville (3.5 stars)

About North of Here

Hardcover 
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing (March 1, 2016) 

Many may dream of a simpler life in the north woods, far away from the complications of the modern world. But in her absorbing and uncompromising second novel, North of Here (Lake Union; March 1, 2016), Laurel Saville reveals the dark side of such a life for four young people living in the Adirondack Mountains. This story of misguided decisions, a dangerous back-to-nature cult, and the universal search for meaning and love intertwines these troubled lives into a riveting blend of penetrating love story and persuasive page-turner. Saville, author of the #1 Kindle bestseller Henry and Rachel, once again taps her astute narrative powers in a tale of tragedy, survival, and love. 

At the heart of the drama are four unforgettable, strikingly-drawn characters:

Miranda: A young “heiress” who discovers that the mountain property she has inherited is encumbered by her father’s debts and misdealing.

Dix: A self-assured “mountain man” who is really an educated, financially secure son of two accomplished professionals.

Darius: A preppy trust fund refugee who turns his own quest for meaning into a dangerous back-to-nature cult bent on healing lost souls

Sally: A brassy, street-smart social worker who, despite being perpetually unlucky in love, ultimately has the foresight to see the perils of loving Darius.

As this masterful novel unfolds, these four will become inextricably entwined in troubles that far exceed simple crimes of the heart. .

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Review

The story starts with Miranda and her deteriorating family life. Tragedy after tragedy strikes her family, leaving her in a fragile state. She struggles to find her value. All of this adds up to a very vulnerable young woman being taken advantage of by a very disturbed man. 

If you've ever wondered how a cult gains any footing, this story will show you just how easy it is to prey on those who are suffering and afraid. It's an intimate look into insecurity and a desperate need to find something, anything, to hold onto.

Because of the theme, the story is often difficult to read. As the reader, you want to shake some sense into some people and pull others into a healing embrace. By the end, I felt raw and exposed, desperately in need of something happy.

I commend the author on tackling such a difficult subject and creating an emotion-filled story. Unfortunately, I struggled through some of the characters and situations. I also felt the changing point of views disrupted the story, especially since I had one character I cared about more than the others (Miranda).

As far as rating this book, I went back and forth. Part of me appreciated the raw intensity of it, but another part felt disconnected, possibly because of the pain involved in the story. Since I received an uncorrected proof, I will hope some of the awkward phrasing, pronoun confusion, and flow was fixed in the final edit. 

If you appreciate a gut-wrenching and emotional journey, North of Here will give you plenty to ponder.

Rating: 3.5 stars

About Laurel Saville

Laurel Saville is the award-winning author of the memoir Unraveling Anne, the novel Henry and Rachel, and the four-part short story “How Much Living Can You Buy,” as well as numerous essays, short stories, and articles. 

She has an MFA in Creative Writing and Literature from the Writing Seminars at Bennington College. Once again, Laurel Saville applies her “poetic, lyrical voice” (Booklist) to a story that captures the complications of the lives we live—or wish to live. 

Connect with Laurel

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Thanks to TLC for my review copy.

Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not requested or guaranteed; the opinions expressed are my own. 

Please visit other stops on the North of Here blog tour page.

Emancipation by Jo Michaels (5 stars)

About Emancipation

Tobias Butler has been sitting on death row since being sentenced for a gruesome murder in 2007. Bored out of his mind, he decided to apply to the online pen pal program in 2012. It's a pleasant distraction—nothing more, nothing less—for three years, until he's contacted by a beautiful, smart young lawyer named Jess. She's convinced he's innocent and wants to see him freed. As they organize their attack on the judicial system, he wonders how she plans to get his conviction overturned—because he's guilty, and he knows it. Jess is desperate to release him—and he's desperate to feel his hands squeeze the life out of her once she does.

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Review

Tobias Butler has no remorse for the murders he's committed. Nor does he have any trouble sleeping at night. But, he's intrigued by the lawyer who swears she can get him freed and is convinced he's innocent. 

Thus begins a game of cat and mouse, where Tobias plays along to gain the one thing he had given up on... life outside a cell.

There are so many things I love about this book. Some of which I can share, some I can't. It's truly an experience I'd love readers to have without any spoilers. 

What I can say...

Tobias is a well-crafted, disturbing character. No, you'll never think he's innocent, nor will you get a bunch of excuses about his behavior. I found this so refreshing. He's an unapologetic psychopath. But you can't help but get swept up in his story, to wonder if he'll get away with murder yet again.

And Jess... well, let me just say that everyone will see what they want to see until the story unfolds to show you the truth. Intriguing characters are crucial in my opinion to an excellent, 5-star read. Whether you like these characters or not remains to be seen, but you will no doubt be intrigued and perplexed by their actions. And, if you are like me, extremely curious as to where their actions will lead.

Oh, and you will NOT see what's coming. At least not until the author means for you to. And even then, you'll be in denial at first, your mouth agape as you try to process what's happening. 

If you crave an intense thriller with jaw-dropping moments, you'll love Emancipation. It's a wild, dark ride with shockingly brilliant moments. 

Rating: 5 stars

About the Author

Jo Michaels is...

Hi, I'm Jo. Let's forget all the "Jo Michaels is blah, blah, blah" stuff and just go with it. I'm a voracious reader (often reading more than one book at a time), a writer, a book reviewer, a mom, a wife, and one of the EICs at INDIE Books Gone Wild. I have an almost photographic memory and tend to make people cringe at the number of details I can recall about them and/or their book(s). My imagination follows me around like a conjoined twin and causes me to space out pretty often or laugh out loud randomly in completely inappropriate situations.

I have a degree in graphic design, and my journey to the end was one few students who begin that program ever complete. However, this was one case where my memory and OCD tendencies helped me. Graduation was one of the most amazing days of my life. But, my most amazing day was when my now husband proposed. Every little girl dreams of being Cinderella someday, and he pulled off the proposal of fantasies.

At the risk of sounding cliche, I'm going to let it out there and say how much I absolutely adore the man I'm married to. Along with my children, he's my whole world.

I've lived in Louisiana, Tennessee, and Georgia, but I've had my feet in almost every state. Traveling is something I adore, and have plans to someday see the Mongolia I've written about in Yassa.

One of my favorite things is hearing from fans! You can find me on social media most any day of the week. Connect! I'd love to hear from you.

You can find out more about Jo on Twitter, her website, her blog, andFacebook. Also, find out more about her indie author services at Indie Books Gone Wild.

Note: I was privileged to edit this book through Indie Books Gone Wild. A positive review was not requested or guaranteed; the opinions expressed are my own.

The Mystery House by Eva Pohler Cover Reveal

The Mystery House

by Eva Pohler

Release Date: December 14th, 2015

The Mystery Book Collection

Ellen and her two best friends share a mid-life crisis by hatching a plan to flip a Greek revival in the nearby historic district. Although Ellen isn't one to believe in ghosts, she comes face to face with something in the attic she cannot explain. Her ghost-enthusiast friends convince her that they must help the spirit find closure, and as they dig deeper into the past, they uncover a shocking history that someone in the neighborhood doesn't want exposed.

The Mystery Book Collection

A series of stand-alone psychological thrillers.

Want a FREE copy of The Mystery Box?

Get it here.

Meet the author:

Eva Pohler

Eva Pohler teaches writing and literature at a university in San Antonio, where she lives with her husband Eva Author Pic 1and three kids. She’s the author of several novels for teens based on Greek mythology, including her bestselling six-book Gatekeeper’s Saga and three-book Vampires of Athens Series. She’s also the author of spine-chilling psychological suspense, including her Mystery Book Collection and The Purgatorium Series. The first is for mature audiences and consists of two books that are already out–The Mystery Box and The Mystery Tomb–and two others soon to be released–The Mystery House and The Mystery Daughter. Her other suspense series, The Purgatorium, is a trilogy for both the young and mature reader. Her books have been described as “thrilling” and “addictive.” A Kirkus reviewer said of The Gatekeeper’s Sons that it was “sure to thrill Hunger Games fans.”

A reader herself, Eva writes in multiple genres, but all of her stories blur the line between reality and fantasy, truth and delusion, and draw from Eva’s personal philosophy that a reader must be lured and abducted into complete captivity in order to enjoy the reading experience.

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The Hypnotist by Gordon Snider (3.5 stars)

About The Hypnotist 

Paperback: 324 pages
Publisher: Helm Publishing (August 3, 2009)

In 1906, San Francisco has reached the peak of its golden age. Fortunes have created a society that attracts European opera singers and cordon bleu chefs. It is a world defined by elegant balls, oysters, and champagne. But there are darker sides to the city as well. The Mission district south of Market Street houses tenements where shanties huddle together and rats plague the streets. And nearby sits Chinatown, an endless warren of dark alleys that offers gambling, prostitution, and opium, all controlled by vicious gangs, called tongs.

Into these disparate worlds steps Marta Baldwin, a young woman who has shunned her own social background to help the poor. She is confronted by a hypnotist, a man who hypnotizes young women from the tenements and delivers them to the tongs in Chinatown to work in their brothels. Marta escapes his hypnotic trance, but when her assistant, Missy, disappears, Marta realizes she has been taken by the evil man who confronted her. She seeks the help of Byron Wagner, one of San Francisco’s most prominent citizens. Marta finds herself drawn to Byron but knows his high social standing prevents any possibility of a relationship between them. This is confirmed when Marta discovers Byron having an intimate conversation with Lillie Collins, the daughter of one of the city’s most elite families. Marta is flushed with jealousy. However, Lillie defies social customs, and her rebellious nature fits naturally with Marta’s. Despite her envy, the two women become close friends. Marta is caught up in a whirlwind of opulent balls, opium dens and brothels, and police raids in Chinatown. She cannot deny her feelings for Byron, but she must save Missy and protect her new friends from harm. For lurking in the background is the hypnotist. He has become obsessed with Marta and will use all his guile to ensnare her. When he threatens those she loves, Marta is determined to stop him, even at her own peril. Will her boldness entrap her? If so, how can she hope to escape the man’s hypnotic embrace? Then the earth trembles, and Marta’s world will never be the same.

Purchase Links 

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Review

Most people would  Marta Baldwin is a spoiled rich girl, but they only knew part of the story. Not only is her brother running their family business, and livelihood, into the ground, but she devotes her time to helping those less fortunate.

Her world is shaken by an encounter with a hypnotist, who uses his ability to kidnap young women (it felt like modern day human trafficking). He becomes obsessed with her, because she seems impervious to his abilities. A game of cat and mouse ensues. Will she make it okay? Will anyone in the area be safe?

One of the reasons I picked this book to review was the San Francisco setting. I've lived in the Bay area for the last two years, and I find the area fascinating. In that way, this book succeeded... the reader is transported to San Francisco in the early 1900s. I love it when setting becomes a character, and that was very much true here.

Still, for me to love a book, there has to be an intriguing and memorable main character (bonus points for multiple characters who fit the bill). Again, the book scores points here. Marta Baldwin bucks the rules society has for her, shows determination and strength, and faces problems head on. I love these qualities in a heroine. Plus, the book is full of other interesting secondary characters.

Then there's the aspect of a captivating storyline with unique elements. Again, the novel scores. I love the paranormal twist of a hypnotist with subtle abilities, something that could explain some of history's lesser understood crimes. 

Why 3.5 stars? 

I'm sure after reading the praise above, you're wondering why not a higher rating. It comes down to editing and missed opportunity. As an editor myself, I have a keen eye. For an incredible story, I can look past some mistakes. Lord knows nobody is perfect. But there were too many (pronoun issues galore) and some odd sentence structure that I stumbled over (which is always a negative because it pulls the reader out of the story). And I thought the book could have been so much better without the romance and with more paranormal/drama elements. It could have been deliciously dark.

Finally, alternating point of views can be amazing, but too often they are confusing. I liked seeing into the hypnotist's mind (actually would have liked more of it), but changing tenses on top of point of view changes proved a bit cumbersome to me.

Overall, however, The Hypnotist is an intriguing story that would appeal to fans of historical fiction (with a particular interest in San Francisco and the time period) and mysteries.

Rating: 3.5 stars

About Gordon Snider

Gordon Snider has written three non-fiction books, including his latest, I’m Travelling as Fast as I Can, which takes a humorous journey to far-away-places around the world. When he moved to California’s Central Coast in 1999, he began writing fiction. The Origamist is his fifth novel and a sequel to his third, The Hypnotist, a very popular historical thriller that is set in San Francisco in 1906. The other novels include: Sigourney’s Quest, an adventure story about a woman’s harrowing journey across Tibet; The Separatist, a mystery/suspense novel set in modern San Francisco; and Venice Lost, an adventure/fantasy about a man who becomes lost in time in Venice, Italy.

Gordon has lived in California nearly his entire life. Home has ranged from Los Angeles to San Francisco, with stops in Santa Barbara and Pismo Beach. Currently, he and his wife, Fe, enjoy walking the beaches and observing the migrating whales from their home in Pismo Beach. It is, he says, the perfect setting for creative writing.

Find out more about Gordon and his books on his website.

Thanks to TLC for my review copy.

Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not requested or guaranteed; the opinions expressed are my own. 

Please visit other stops on The Hypnotist blog tour page.

Ruthless by John Rector (4 stars)

About Ruthless

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer (June 1, 2015)
Paperback: 280 pages

Nick White is the only person who can save Abigail Pierce. After uncovering a plot to have her killed, he attempts to warn her but instead puts himself squarely in the crosshairs. They know who he is, they know where he lives, they know how to get at his family.

Drawn into the conspiracy surrounding Abigail, Nick soon discovers the danger is bigger than he ever believed. Now he must uncover the truth to save her and himself. 

Gripping and intense, this novel is a twisted thrill ride from bestselling author John Rector. 

  

Purchase Links  

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Review 

Sitting in a bar one night, Nick White's life forever changes when a woman gives him an envelope. Inside is a lot of money and a mark. The problem: it wasn't meant for Nick. He knows he should just walk away, but he can't seem to. Nothing will ever be the same.

Starting this book is like getting on a roller coaster. Tension builds right away and there are several twists and turns and intense drops. Often, there's barely enough time to catch your breath before the next plot twist. Nick is a great character, and I believed he wanted to help this stranger. Something compelled him to get involved. Even with very little back story, I bought into his compulsion to figure out the mystery behind this targeted woman. That being said, I kept wishing I did know more about Nick so I could better understand his motivation. 

Then, with about one-third of the book left, things began to falter a bit. Although the twists were still intriguing, they were getting a bit strange. By the end, I was left scratching my head. Not only was it abrupt, it came out of left field. The last thirty pages kept this from being a 5-star read, in my humble opinion.

Still, if you love a compelling story that keeps you guessing right until the very end, pick up a copy of Ruthless. It's a quick and fascinating read.

Rating: 4 stars

About John Rector 

JOHN RECTOR is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of THE GROVE, THE COLD KISS, ALREADY GONE and OUT OF THE BLACK. His short fiction has appeared in numerous magazines and won several awards including the International Thriller Award for his novella LOST THINGS, many of his other stories can be found in his collection THE WALLS AROUND US. 

He lives in Omaha, Nebraska.

Thanks to TLC for my review copy.

Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not requested or guaranteed; the opinions expressed are my own. 

Please visit other stops on the Ruthless blog tour page.

Threshold by GM Ford (4 stars)

About Threshold

Paperback: 254 pages
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer (April 21, 2015)

Acclaimed for his best-selling books featuring P.I. Leo Waterman, Ford introduces readers to a new, yet equally unorthodox hero in THRESHOLD: embattled Detective Sergeant Mickey Dolan. 

Still smarting from the very public breakup of his marriage and facing conduct complaints for use of excessive force, Dolan is at the end of his rope – and possibly at the end of his career – when he catches a case that just might turn things around: the disappearance of the wife and daughters of a powerful city councilman. Assisted by a remarkable young woman who may know the terrible truth about the missing family, Dolan soon finds he must choose between helping his career and protecting innocent lives. 

A suspenseful police thriller about a not-so-good cop given the opportunity to do the right – and most difficult – thing, THRESHOLD is a new chapter for G.M. Ford that is sure to satisfy fans of his Waterman and Frank Corso stories and new readers alike.

Purchase Links 

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Review

Detective Sergeant Mickey Dolan is already on thin ice when he find himself at the center of a case that will only make his life tougher. A powerful city councilman's family is missing, and he wants them found. Unfortunately, they don't want to be found.

In addition, there's Grace, a woman with a special gift, who's also tied to the investigation. She has her own burdens to bear.

I'll admit... in the beginning, I needed a notebook to keep up with all the elements of this story. At first, Mickey's story seemed completely separate from Grace's story. Her character, and her gift, are what drew me in. Thankfully, about one-third of the way through, the rest of the storyline picked up and started to come together. By the end, I understood and appreciated the arc.

Since this story was presented as a mystery and suspense thriller, I was confused by the real story... an emotional saga about doing what's right when faced with moral issues. Yet, that's the very thing that made me like the story. If you are looking for an intriguing who-done-it, look elsewhere. However, if you appreciate a thought-provoking story about when to stand up for what you believe in, then you'll enjoy Threshold.

Note: If my review seems vague, it's meant to be. Since the author chose to leave out many elements of the story from the blurb, it seemed only right to not divulge those storylines in my review.

Rating: 4 stars

About G. M. Ford 

G.M. Ford broke onto the mystery scene with Who in Hell is Wanda Fuca?, a gin-soaked tome featuring Seattle private investigator Leo Waterman. The six-book Leo Waterman series was nominated for several awards, including the Shamus, the Anthony, and the Lefty. In 2001, Ford launched a new series featuring disgraced reporter Frank Corso and his goth assistant, Meg Dougherty. In 2011, after a twelve-year hiatus, he decided to write a new Leo Waterman novel, Thicker Than Water, which Thomas & Mercer promptly bought. His eighth Leo Waterman book, Chump Change, followed in 2014. Ford lives and works in Seattle, and is married to the beautiful and talented mystery author Skye Kathleen Moody.

Thanks to TLC for my review copy.

Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not requested or guaranteed; the opinions expressed are my own. 

Please visit other stops on the Threshold blog tour page.

Cost of Life by Joshua Corin (4.5 stars)

About Cost of Life

On Sale: March 17, 2015
Pages: 274
Published by : Alibi

For readers of Preston & Child, James Rollins, and Brad Thor comes a gripping new thriller from Joshua Corin, in which an audacious hijacking is just the beginning of a twisted international nightmare.

Happy Independence Day. You’re all going to die. 

Life can’t be better for veteran pilot Larry Walder. He has a great job, a terrific kid, a gorgeous wife—and no inkling that tonight will be the end of the world as he knows it. In the early hours before the Fourth of July, three men break into Larry’s home. And as the day lurches on to its terrifying course, a life is taken, and Flight 816 from Atlanta to Cozumel, Mexico, vanishes off the radar.

In the air, Larry must find a way to save his family, his crew, and his passengers. On the ground, disgraced FBI agent Xanadu Marx goes rogue, making it her mission to track down the missing flight before the hijackers reach their diabolical endgame. With the casualties racking up and the world’s busiest airport under lockdown, a message arrives: This is no ordinary hijacking, no typical hostage crisis. This ransom is a totally different beast—the first hint of a conspiracy that might bring America to its knees.

Advance praise for Cost of Life
 
“In Cost of Life, Joshua Corin turns a humdrum airline flight into a ride on an F-15 with a smoking engine—fast, terrifying, and oh so fun. I loved the writing. Corin’s whip-smart dialogue crashed me straight into a world of fascinating characters and complicated allegiances. I couldn’t stop reading until the wheels touched down on that final tarmac.”—Rebecca Cantrell, New York Times bestselling author of The World Beneath

“Fraught with danger and surprises, Cost of Life is a tale chock-full of action, adventure, and intrigue. Treachery comes from all directions, so consider yourself warned.”—Steve Berry, New York Timesbestselling author of The Lincoln Myth

“In Cost of Life, Joshua Corin brings us Xanadu Marx, a tough but vulnerable ex–FBI agent who literally pulls no punches. Corin’s sure-footed handling of plot, character, and voice is the kind of writing that inspires authors like me to up their game.”—Robert Gregory Browne, author of Whisper in the Dark

 

Purchase Links

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Review

Life can change in an instant, especially when a madman's involved. Pilot Larry Walder goes to bed a happy man and wakes up a desperate husband and father. To save his family, he must play a madman's game--in the air, no less. 

Then, the FBI--and a struggling agent named Xana--get involved. They have very little information to go on. Many lives hang in the balance. 

After a quick setup, this story takes off and never lets up. It's an edge-of-your-seat thriller with high emotional stakes. There are lives lost and many desperate moments. Every time I thought I might know where things were heading, the story took a turn. Nobody was safe, and it was terrifying. 

Usually these type of books only stimulate our senses, but I found myself emotionally invested in several characters. First and foremost was Xana. There's nothing simple or easily defined about her. She's messed up and doesn't play by the rules. But she's strong, quick, and determined. There was also a flight attendant who captured my heart even though she was only in a small portion of the story.

I was also intrigued by the underlying questions in the conflict. After all, what is the cost of life? 

If you love a book packed with action but also appreciate caring about the characters, grab a copy of Cost of Life. It's a quick, exciting, and gut-wrenching read.

Rating: 4.5 stars

About Joshua Corin 

Joshua Corin is the author of Nuclear Winter Wonderland, While Galileo Preys, andBefore Cain Strikes. He holds an M.A. in English and an M.A. in theater from Binghamton University, and currently teaches college in Atlanta, Georgia.

Thanks to TLC for my review copy.

Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not requested or guaranteed; the opinions expressed are my own. 

Please visit other stops on the Cost of Life blog tour page.

In Flames by Richard Hilary Weber (3.5 stars)

About In Flames

Pages: 188
Published by : Alibi

In Richard H. Weber’s passionate new thriller, a smoldering mystery ignites on a tropical island as lust, murder, and politics collide.

San Iñigo is a jewel of the Caribbean, a playground paradise for the foreign elite, a hell for unfortunate locals. For recent Princeton grad Dan Shedrick, San Iñigo promises the fulfillment of too many desires.

Dan hires on at a powerful American firm as a junior architect, but still finds time for tennis, booze, a reckless affair with the sexy wife of a resort owner—even a bit of reconnaissance for the U.S. cultural attaché. But soon he discovers that nothing on San Iñigo is without consequence. When a much-loved local radio personality is found on a beach with his head blown off, Dan’s lover becomes a suspect. And not long after his foray into espionage, he’s dragged away on a brutal journey into the heart of darkness.

Buffeted by aggression, depraved ritual, and personal betrayal, Dan discovers fierce truths about San Iñigo . . . and himself. In the island’s forbidding mountain jungle, his life goes up in flames—a deadly inferno that will forever change him, if he survives at all.

Purchase Links

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Review

While in paradise, the beautiful San Inigo, Dan Shedrick finds temptation and opportunity. Unfortunately, he also stumbles upon a murder which exposes some shady dealings. Drawn in by a seductive woman, he soon finds himself captive deep in the forest. Will he be the next victim?

Most of us think of the beauty of the Caribbean as a getaway. For Dan, the toxic beauty of the island, and a sexy woman, become his downfall. Corruption is around every corner, and he seems pulled in by all of it. Murder is only the tip of the iceberg. 

What I thought would be an interesting murder mystery, turned into a commentary on political strife and corruption. Ultimately, Dan wasn't just facing an intense police department threatening to name him a suspect or collaborator; he ended up caught in a much more dangerous political storm. Most of it comes at the hand of a manipulative woman. Still, there's redemption.

The storyline and intrigue pulled me in early on, and the characters were complex and memorable. However, somewhere in the middle, I felt lost thanks to the switch from who-done-it to political thriller. By the end, I reconnected. I just wish the transition would have been smoother.

That being said, the author created an intense thrill ride with palpable moments. I can honestly say there wasn't a moment where I was bored or disinterested, just slightly confused. Overall, a captivating read.

Rating: 3.5 stars

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About the Author

Richard Hilary Weber, a native of Brooklyn and a Columbia University graduate, has taught at the universities of Stockholm and Copenhagen, and has been a scriptwriter for French and Swedish filmmakers. He lives in Provence, France.

Thanks to TLC for my review copy.

Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not requested or guaranteed; the opinions expressed are my own.

Please visit other stops on the In Flames blog tour page.

13 Hollywood Apes by Gil Reavill (4 stars)

About 13 Hollywood Apes

Pages: 310
Published by : Alibi

In a savvy, stylish thriller debut perfect for anyone who loves the crime novels of Michael Connelly or Nevada Barr, Gil Reavill unravels a chilling tale of murder and mayhem among humans and their closest evolutionary relatives—a primate family that may just be too close for comfort.

As a wildfire rages outside the Odalon Animal Sanctuary in the rugged Santa Monica foothills, the retired Hollywood movie chimpanzees housed there are shot and left for dead. When Malibu detective Layla Remington reaches the grisly scene the next morning, she’s deeply disturbed—and even more confused. The victims are not human, so the attack cannot be classified as homicide. Yet someone clearly wanted these animals dead, and executed them with ruthless efficiency. Miraculously, there is one survivor: a juvenile male named Angle.

But as Layla reaches the veterinarian’s office where Angle is recovering, a man with rock-star good looks and a laid-back Southern California attitude swoops in and removes him. And just like that, an unusual case turns truly bizarre. Soon reports surface of ferocious attacks against Odalon employees . . . with Angle as the prime suspect. As a wave of senseless violence reaches its apex, Layla chases a mystery man and his chimp—but everything comes back to that terrible night at the sanctuary.
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Purchase Links

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Review

Who doesn't love a good mystery/thriller? 13 Hollywood Apes takes the classic format for this genre and rethinks it with chimpanzees as the victims and suspects. 

This isn't a cuddly animal story; it is gritty and heartbreaking. Animals all too often are abused or used by sadistic humans to carry out crimes, yet our society has very few protections in place for the true victim--the animal. If an animal kills someone, we euthanize it. It's procedure. 

Layla Remington must work through the evidence and help redefine how society views the treatment of animals. She quickly finds herself connecting with Angle, the lone ape survivor of a brutal scene where several chimpanzees are murdered.

Even Layla jumps to some conclusions at first. As she becomes closer to Angle and uncovers details about the crime, she fights an uphill battle. Most everyone around her seems determined to take the easy way out on this case; after all, in their minds, it's just a bunch of animals.

At first, Layla seems like one-dimensional, overly strong and brash. Through her involvement with Angle and her father, we begin to see depth. My biggest disappointment was the lack of romance for her--not because it's required in a gritty suspense thriller, but because it's hinted at and never really materializes. Sometimes, Layla seemed completely alone, and I wished for a partner (other than her father, although his character was awesome) who shed more light on her and connected with her struggles.

Overall, I recommend 13 Hollywood Apes to readers who love this genre and are looking for a new twist on it. Although there's plenty of intrigue and suspense, what makes this book memorable are the questions it raises and the emotions it taps.

Rating: 4 stars

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About Gil Reavill

Gil Reavill is a journalist, screenwriter, and playwright. Widely featured in magazines, Reavill is the author of Mafia Summit: J. Edgar Hoover, the Kennedy Brothers, and the Meeting That Unmasked the Mob, as well as Aftermath, Inc.: Cleaning Up After CSI Goes Home and the screenplay that became the 2006 film Dirty, starring Cuba Gooding, Jr. He lives in New York with his wife, Jean Zimmerman, and their daughter.

Thanks to TLC for my review copy.

Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not requested or guaranteed; the opinions expressed are my own.

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