The Best New True Crime Stories by Mitzi Szereto is reviewed by Gary Roen from Midwest Book Review.
Deep Strike
Rick Campbell
St Martin’s Press
www.stmartins.com
9781250164773, $27.99 HC / $14.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Deep-Strike-Rick-Campbell/dp/125016477X
Campbell is one of the best in the field of techno thrillers but “Deep Strike” is his best effort so far. Beginning with an explosive beginning with an attack at the UN headquarters by a domestic terrorist who gets away. This begins an all-out search for him by U.S. Intelligence throughout the world. He later masterminds a crazy plan that includes a Russian submarine commander to attack the United States. Unlike other authors in the field Campbell has readers understanding the Russian’s motivation that many of us can relate to if in similar circumstances. “Deep Strike” is a pulse pounding suspenseful read guaranteed to please any fan of the genre.
The Family Lawyer
James Patterson
Grand Central Publishing
c/o Hachette Books
https://www.hachettebooks.com
9781538751589, $9.99 pbk / $9.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Family-Lawyer-James-Patterson/dp/1538751585
“The Family Lawyer” is just one of three stories in this collection of shorter works by Patterson and three other authors. The lead “The Family Lawyer” has Attorney Mathew Hovanes conducting his most difficult case. The defense of his own daughter who has been charged with bullying another girl to commit suicide. All the states circumstantial evidence points directly to his daughter. “The Good Sister” and “The Night Sniper” are the two other tales for readers to enjoy.
The Shadow On My Heart
Stefan Rybak
Nico 11 Publishing
www.nico11publishing.com
9781945907739, $19.99, pbk/ $11.99 Kindle
https://amzn.to/3rEmMhB
Stefan Rybak a workaholic, had everything going for him in his life, until he suffered a major health issue. Told by a doctor he was in a grave situation with odds against him to survive a surgery, he prepares for the worst. Digging deep into his soul he dredges up his mothers’ teachings as well as religious principals he learned through the years. With a deep commitment to faith and the words of his mother whose life was very negative he also surrounds himself with family to face the odds of his mortality. “The Shadow On My Heart” is a deeply touching personal memoir that gives us all hope during the severest of situations we may have to endure.
The Best New True Crime Stories Small Towns
Mitzi Szereto
Mango Publishing
www.mangopublishinggroup.com
9781642502800, $18.95 pbk / $9.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Best-New-True-Crime-Stories/dp/1642502804
So often we see so many murder cases here, we forget there are other places in the world with just as many happening every day. “The Best New True Crime Stories Small Towns compiled by Mitzi Szereto is written by some of the best crime reporters transcribing today. Many of the crimes are from Australia, Europe and Asia that are just as interesting as anything in the US. This particular volume deals with small towns throughout the world. Part of the appeal is small towns have been perceived to be immune from the situations because everyone knows everyone or they are too small. As the author addresses in the introduction, these things can be found anywhere on the planet where you have human beings. “The Best New True Crime Stories Small Towns” appeals to anyone who loves true crime tales.
The Chiron Effect Healing Our Core Wounds through Astrology, Empathy, and Self-Forgiveness
Lisa Tahir, LCSW
Bear & Company
c/o Inner Traditions
https://www.innertraditions.com
9781591433958, $16.00 pbk / $9.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Chiron-Effect-Healing-Astrology-Self-Forgiveness/dp/1591433959
Chiron in astrology means “wounded healer” Author Tahir uses Chiron in “The Chiron Effect Healing Our Wounds through Astrology, Empathy and Self- Forgiveness” to help people with a number of negative aspects of their lives. She also utilizes principals of psychology and Eric Fromm as well as other modern-day techniques to achieve a perfect balanced life. So often books of this type have only concentrated on the Astrological aspect that appeal to a much slimer audience. By combing known aspects of treatments as well as telling personal stories “The Chiron Effect” is a valuable resource that appeals to a much larger group of people in need of help in this Covid time.
In My Next Life I’ll Get It Right
Rosemary Mild
Magic Island Literary Works
www.magicile.com
9780990547280, $14.95 pbk / $5.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Next-Life-Ill-Get-Right/dp/0990547280
Known for writing funny mysteries with her husband, Rosemary Mild sets her sights on everything you can think of to comment on in “In My Next Life I’ll Get It Right” Some aspects she sets her sights on are life with her husband, being a grandma, aspects of her religion, life as a senior are just a few of the humorous pieces. Her witty observations will have readers laughing out loud at her views on things we all face every day. “In My Next Life I’ll Get It Right” is a perfect gift for any occasion.
The Antidote
Susan McCormick
https://susanmccormickbooks.com
Wild Rose Press
9781509235667, $16/99 pbk / $4.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08ZMQ2XDK
“The Antidote” is a very different work from McCormick who usually writes wonderful mysteries of a group of senior citizen women who get involved in the circumstances of a murder case. Alex Revelstoke has no idea why he has the ability to see disease but does the best he can to use it in the finest way possible. As he learns more of his talent, he realizes it can be perceived as a gift or a curse. As more is revealed to him he finds he is the last of a long line of people to be able to use the skills he has and that something menacing is trying to confront him that will be a battle of survival that he must win. “The Antidote” is filled with wonderful full fleshed out characters and a pace that make it a page ripping suspenseful tale of good and evil
Gary Roen
Senior Reviewer
The Best New True Crime Stories
Small Towns
Small towns aren’t always what they seem. We’ve been told nothing bad happens in small towns. You can leave your doors unlocked, and your windows wide open. We picture peaceful hamlets with a strong sense of community, and everyone knows each other. But what if this wholesome idyllic image doesn’t always square with reality? Small towns might look and feel safe, but statistics show this isn’t really true.
Tiny town, big crime. Whether in Truman Capote’s detailed murder of the Clutter family or Ted Bundy’s small-town charm, criminals have always roamed rural America and towns worldwide. Featuring murder stories, criminal case studies, and more,The Best New True Crime Stories: Small Townscontains all-new accounts from writers of true crime, crime journalism, and crime fiction. And these entries are not based on a true story―they are true stories. Edited by acclaimed author and anthologist Mitzi Szereto, the stories in this volume span the globe. Discover how unsolved murders, kidnapping, shooting sprees, violent robbery, and other bad things can and do happen in small towns all over the world.