I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

 A woman works to uncover an old foe and stop human trafficking while heading two powerful organizations in author J.L. Hill’s “Killer with Ice Eyes”, the fourth book in the author’s Killer series.

The Synopsis

1997 – Maria is twenty-two years old. She is leading the Bright Skies Agency, an anti-terrorist/mercenary group, which combats human trafficking around the world. Barry Thomas, a government intelligence agent, working with Maria and her father MoJo objects to her tactics of letting herself be captured, then using the GPS within her to direct the BSA mercenaries to their target.

Maria is driven to finding Sgt. Warren whom neither her nor MoJo is convince died in the rocket attack on D.C. MoJo tells her and Barry the only way to be certain of death is to look a man in the eye and shoot him in the head. Maria takes control of the businesses which includes arms dealing, money laundering, kidnapping/rescues.

Nicky tells Maria he is stepping down as the Godfather and she is going to head both organizations. She has plans to rebuild the mob as a legitimate business after the Commission Trials had decimated the five families. At her request, Nicky puts out a contract hit on her as if she is performing a hostile takeover. She thinks it will bring Sgt. Warren out of hiding. It brings out more than they bargain for. Maria kidnaps Warren’s daughter to use her as bait, as he had kidnapped her, to force him to face her.

The Review

This was a compelling thriller that delved into organized crime in a unique way. The harsh, gritty settings and events of the story set the somber tone of the narrative, while the action and world-building build upon the events of previous entries in the series to give readers a more well-balanced experience. The dynamics between the characters felt real, and the author’s writing style made this feel like a gritty indie suspense thriller film in the reader’s mind.

The balance of character growth and suspense was astonishing, to say the least. The tension could be felt throughout the book, and Maria’s evolution as a protagonist gave readers an emotional hook to hold on to as the story progressed. The manipulations and tricks the heroes of this story use to lure their target out of hiding were well developed, and the exploration of the depths of organized crime itself and what they are capable of has always made this series such an honest and gripping series to get into.

The Verdict

Action-packed, driven, and compelling, author James L. Hill’s “Killer with Ice Eyes” is a must-read crime thriller. The shocking twists and turns this story takes, the detailed insight into criminal organizations, and the entertaining narrative will keep readers on the edge of their seats as Maria’s journey reaches all-time new heights. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

James L Hill is a native New Yorker, born and raised in Fort Apache, the South Bronx’s 41st precinct during the 60’s, a time when you needed a gang to go to the store. Raised on blues, soul, and rock & roll gave him the heart of a flower child, and educated by the turmoil of Vietnam, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Sexual Revolution produced a gladiator.James has a successful forty-year career as a software engineer designing, developing, and maintaining systems for the government and the private sector. He returned to his first love, as a prolific storyteller with a slant on the dark side of life. Killer With A Heart, Killer With Three Heads, and the latest release in the Killer Series, Killer With Black Blood, a finalist for the Silver Falchion Award, published July 2021, are adult urban crime fictions. The final novel in the series, Killer With Ice Eyes, is a finalist for the Killer Nashville’s Claymore Award of 2022. While Pegasus: A Journey To New Eden is a dystopian science fiction, and The Emerald Lady is the first book in the fantasy Gemstone Series.The next step on his journey led to the business of publishing. He started RockHill Publishing LLC not only to publish his own work, but to give others access to the literary world. His computer background and experience in word-processing gave him insight into what it takes to create good books.

https://www.jlhill-books.com/index.html