Category: reviews

Blue Moon: A Love Story Between Darkness and Light by Aviv Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

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

A world divided by two kingdoms, one of light and one of darkness, finds themselves drawn together when a princess of light seeks a voice calling her name from the darkness, where a prince waits to see if she brings peace or war with her, in author Aviv’s “Blue Moon: A Love Story Between Darkness and Light”.

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The Synopsis

What is it she wants?

Does she come in peace?

Or is it war she seeks?

The Kingdom of Darkness and the Kingdom of Light lie side by side, separated by a wide river, the shadowy bank grim, the water cold, black, bitter, and seething with dangerous reptiles and creatures that crawl on their bellies in the slime.

The other bank is a haven of light and plenty. The air is as clear as crystal, the water clean and pleasing to the touch. Myriad rainbow fish dart through its waters, reflecting a thousand bright colors.

As her people celebrate, a blue-eyed princess looks into the darkness on the other side and feels an inexplicable attraction. She has always felt this powerful longing; a longing for the new and unknown, the different and the hidden. Many times, she has swum toward the dark kingdom, but has never set foot on its dark shore. This time, though, it will be different. This time someone has called her name.

From deep in the shadows, the prince watches the swimming princess who fills his every thought.

What is it she wants?

Does she come in peace?

Or is it war she seeks?

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The Review

This was a creative and powerful read. The author did an amazing job of world-building and capturing the tone of classic fairy tales. The visceral imagery that the author’s work brings to life in the story is powerful indeed, with the kingdoms of light and darkness each taking a life of their own and showcasing the engaging settings of these two kingdoms. 

The compelling story, rich character dynamics, and breathtaking themes all collide into one magical fairytale that is impossible to put down. The way author touches upon themes of “good and evil”, and the way we determine those parameters, as well as classic themes of star-crossed lovers that showcase the power of two people from different worlds coming together to create something unique and beautiful.

The Verdict

Heartfelt, magical, and entertaining, author Aviv’s “Blue Moon” is a must-read fable and fantasy read. The mythos and the heart that the author pours into this narrative, as well as the compelling character interactions between the Prince and the Princess, as well as their respective families. The love, the emotional growth between their two worlds, and the powerful imagery of this fairytale come to life wonderfully on the page. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Born in Israel during the seventies, Aviv is a long-time enthusiast of fairy tales, myths, and legends. “Blue Moon: A Love Story Between Darkness and Light” marks Aviv’s debut book.

The OTC Handbook by Aaron Hermann Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

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

Author Aaron Hermann’s “The OTC Handbook” shares with readers a glimpse at the ultimate handbook and reference guide to some of the most common questions patients have for their pharmacist.

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The Synopsis

As patients and consumers, we often have OTC questions for our doctors and pharmacists. But what if there was a way to get answers from a pharmacist at your own convenience? Enter Aaron Hermann. As a retail pharmacist, Hermann has fielded countless queries from customers over the years, and over time, he found that most patients were just looking for a quick reply to the same basic questions related to OTC medications and ailments. In The OTC Handbook, Hermann delivers a time-saving reference tool that offers answers to the most common questions he hears while at work, from cough and cold remedies to GI problems to skin conditions. It is a compendium of knowledge and insight, providing timely information to patients while freeing up time for busy pharmacy personnel. A first-of-its-kind guidebook, The OTC Handbook has the answers to all your over-the-counter healthcare questions.

The Review

We’ve all been there before. The quick trip to the local pharmacy, where either someone in our family or ourselves is feeling ill, and we need some quick medicinal relief. In those moments, we turn to our pharmacist. The author perfectly captures the knowledge and information that he garnered over the years, exploring the experiences he has had in the pharmacy field, as well as mimicking the social experiences with the patients who come to him with their questions. 

The way the author divides this book or guide up by symptoms was amazing, as it allowed the reader to quickly hone in on the problems they are facing. The fast pace of the questions being asked and the explanations for why these OTC medications work for the symptoms that are being described were really detailed and straightforward, allowing the reader to feel seen and heard. 

The Verdict

Informative, engaging, and thoughtful, author Aaron Hermann’s “The OTC Handbook” is a must-read nonfiction medical guide. The thing that makes this book stand out, as with any good medical guide, is the ability for a reader to go back to it time and time again, making it a great reference for anyone who wishes to understand why the OTC medications being prescribed work as well as they do. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Author Aaron Hermann was born in Alexandria, VA. He has been a retail pharmacist for over seven years, managing 2.5. He enjoys making life easier for his patients and pharmacy staff by paying attention to individual needs and providing quality care with empathy and kindness. As a retail pharmacist, Hermann has fielded countless customer queries over the years. Over time, he found that most patients were just looking for a quick reply to the same basic questions related to OTC medications and ailments.

In The OTC Handbook, Hermann delivers a time-saving reference tool that offers answers to the most common questions he hears while at work, from cough and cold remedies to GI problems to skin conditions. It is a compendium of knowledge and insight, providing timely information to patients while freeing up time for busy pharmacy personnel.

A first-of-its-kind guidebook, The OTC Handbook has the answers to all your over-the-counter healthcare questions. No other book on the market offers quick, simple answers to patients without being bogged down by medical jargon. Patients no longer need to make stressful trips to the local pharmacy. They can now go in confidently, knowing what drugs they purchase at the beginning of their trip and saving lots of money by avoiding unnecessary medications. This handbook covers a variety of common ailments, including cough, cold, allergies, pain, fever, topical ailments, eyes, ears, stomach and other GI issues, and much more. An easy-to-use index in the back of the book allows patients to quickly find the exact page with their questions.

He lives in Blue Springs, MO, with his wife and four children.

https://authoraaronhermann.com/

Sons of Empire: A World of Arras Novel by Chandler McGrew Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

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

Two young men destined for greatness must set aside their aspirations to discover the haunting path of modern warfare in author Chandler McGrew’s “Sons of Empire: A World of Arras Novel. 

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The Synopsis

A gripping new historical fantasy series from the bestselling author of supernatural thrillers originally published by Bantam/Dell like Cold Heart and Night Terror.

The World of Arras has come a long way since the nearly forgotten time of the Altmages. Empires rise fueled by greed and the increasing power of the Technomagedoms of Kardith Bath in Verileon and the Gost Fabrika in Tautonia. And two young men, one destined for the Magehood and the other for political power, must set aside their dreams to learn the ways of modern war. One of them will end up dead, but for the good of Empire he cannot be allowed to stay that way.

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The Review

The author did a fantastic job of capturing the in-depth mythos and history of this fictional world in which the narrative takes place. The way the author is able to infuse powerful imagery into their writing allows the reader to feel instantly transported to this world as if the grim, dark alleyways of the capital city were surrounding the reader at any given moment. 

The atmosphere and character development really drove this story forward, as did the genre mashup the author was able to create here. The tension builds as the two protagonists find their lives changing in ways they could have never imagined and the visceral nature of the world they inhabit makes this world feel alive and powerful. The way the author built on themes and storytelling related to sci-fi, fantasy, and history in one narrative and still wrote strong characters that felt real and jumped off the page was great to see come to life. 

The Verdict

Thrilling, mesmerizing, and entertaining, author Chandler McGrew’s “Sons of Empire” is a fantastic history meets sci-fi and fantasy novel and the perfect start to the World of Arras series. The twists and turns in the narrative and the ideal marriage of these genres allowed the history and cultures the author established in this world to come to life beautifully. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Although he is the author of four critically acclaimed supernatural/suspense thrillers from Bantam and numerous KDP titles including epic fantasy, Chandler McGrew, lives in quiet seclusion in the mountains of Maine. He writes ten to twelve hours a day, fueled by liberal doses of coffee and Pepsi, with only an occasional dollop of single malt scotch to take the edge off.

Born in Texas he lived for almost a decade in Alaska where his first novel, Cold Heart, is set. I Love a Mystery called the book a ‘tense and satisfying read.’ While the Contra Costa Times said it was ‘The best opening 10 pages I’ve read this year…reads like a good martini tastes: icy cold, with flecks of terror where the ice chips should be.’

Not a bad start for a man who didn’t begin to write professionally until he was in his forties.

Chandler followed Cold Heart with Night Terror, a psychological thriller about a woman who has lost her only son and believes she may be losing her mind as well. Like all his novels the book is peopled by characters who might be your next door neighbor. Or they might be escapees from a boobie hatch. The Denver Post said the novel ‘…plays on the primal fears that cause most adults to lose sleep.’

That’s an adequate description of all of Chandler’s work.

The Darkening, his third book, is a dark, apocalyptic thriller in which two very different individuals must not only find each other but themselves as well before discovering the path that will lead them to salvation. Publisher’s Weekly, the industry standard, said of the book that it was an “addictive…one part Rapture drama, one part Lovecraftian horror story, one part blood-soaked chase… a thrilling one-sit read.”

Which brings us to In Shadows, McGrew’s latest which the Chicago Tribune called “…a born-to-be-a-TV-series story.”

McGrew has the uncanny knack for touching readers and frightening the bejeesus out of them at the same time. And now he delves deeper and deeper into the fantastic world of Verileon.

https://www.chandlermcgrew.com/

The Northern Route by Walter Robinson Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

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

In the midst of a large corporate conglomerate pushing galactic expansion, an aging detective and a private security forces agent find themselves in a rush for survival in the midst of a massive conspiracy in author Walter Robinson’s “The Northern Route”. 

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The Synopsis

In the distant star cluster Messier 4, the vast and stagnant civilization of the Apeilous sits on the verge of its next great expansion. Several massive corporations have merged to start the Endeavor, the most far-reaching economic and humanitarian effort in history.

Vesta Amore leads a small team of private security specializing in the protection of whistleblowers and corporate defectors. She has no interest in the Endeavor until she is swept off her feet by the suave leader of the Fortuna Corp, an equal partner in the Endeavor. Balancing her altruism with the realities of power, Vesta joins the Fortuna as they work to establish a supply route along the contested northern border.

Cal Sunn is a career detective looking forward to retirement. When the Maressellya Corp backs out of joining the Endeavor, they hear rumors of a defector in their ranks and put Cal on the case. What starts as a simple assignment becomes a fight for survival as he works to untangle a shadowy conspiracy that threatens the Apeilous. With the Fortuna’s backing, he and his crew rush to uncover the plot.

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The Review

This was a powerful and engaging read. The author did an incredible job of crafting a diverse cast of characters that drove the reader to find themselves amongst them all, and the attention to detail the author paid to the writing, especially the imagery and character development, allowed the reader to really picture the vast universe the author had brought to life on the page. 

To me, the heart of this narrative rested in the author’s world-building, which allowed the universe to thrive and feel vibrant and alive to the reader. The author not only honed in on the worlds that populated this fictional universe, but also the different cultures, class systems, and social aspects of these characters’ lives, as well as the way the story touched upon our own world’s love of corporations and the power they wield over us all, made this a compelling sci-fi read.

The Verdict

Harrowing, intriguing, and entertaining, author Walter Robinson’s “The Northern Route” is a must-read sci-fi adventure. The world-building, the mystery and intrigue the conspiracy brings to life, and the way the author was able to weave in genres like corporate espionage and thrillers into the narrative really made an impact on the reader, and fans of shows and series like The Expanse will really fall in love with this compelling novel. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today! 

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Walter Robinson is a speculative fiction author based in Western PA. A classically trained engineer with experience in product development and advanced materials manufacturing, he has a passion for telling the human stories that are fundamental to the built world. When he isn’t writing or drawing, Walter spends his time designing and fabricating.

https://www.svf-state.com/

Exits by Stephen Pollock Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

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

Author and poet Stephen Pollock take readers on a journey to discover the root of mortality in the book “Exits”.

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The Synopsis

Stephen C. Pollock’s debut collection, Exits, nods to the literary traditions of years past while simultaneously speaking to the present moment. Multilayered and musical, the poems in Pollock’s “Exits” (Windtree Press, June 29, 2023) have drawn comparisons to the work of Eavan Boland and Seamus Heaney. With bold imagery, attention to form, and a consistent throughline rooted in the theme of mortality, his collection responds to contemporary anxieties surrounding death and the universal search for meaning in life’s transience.

The Review

This was a compelling and moving read. The poetry was brilliant, each poem evoking a sense of powerful and gripping imagery that explores our connection to nature and our role in keeping it safe, while also delving into the idea of our own mortality and how the issues facing our world, such as war and disease, are impacting both nature and man’s mortality greatly.

The imagery and atmosphere the poems were able to achieve were greatly enhanced due to the author’s ability to infuse nature and the natural world as a whole into each poem, capturing the raw emotion and philosophical discussion that these themes bring out in us all. The passion and heart with which the author wrote these poems will speak to readers who not only enjoy poetry but poems that bring out the almost lyrical and relatable words we say and feel every day and yet rarely are able to put into practice. 

The Verdict

Heartfelt, captivating, and engaging, author Stephen Pollock’s “Exits” is a must-read book of poetry. The succinct yet thoughtful approach to each poem and the moving words that brought this collection to life really will hit the reader in the heart, and the range of topics, from the passing of a loved one to toothpaste, will speak to both the mundane and valuable moments in life we take for granted, and yet need to remember. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Stephen C. Pollock is a recipient of the Rolfe Humphries Poetry Prize and a former associate professor at Duke University. His poems have appeared in a wide variety of literary journals, including “Blue Unicorn,” “The Road Not Taken,” “Live Canon Anthology,” “Pinesong,” “Coffin Bell,” and “Buddhist Poetry Review.” “Exits” is his first book.

Available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3p1Asbm

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/125651368-exits

My Second Life by Simon Yeats Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

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

A father must fight to see his son after he is taken to another country in author Simon Yeats’s “My Second Life”.

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The Synopsis

We all have two lives. We only get to experience living in the second after we realize we only have just one.

I have my first real scare in life when I get attacked by a kangaroo when I am seven. My first brush with the cliff-face edge of death comes when I am 12. My dad drives the family down the dangerous Skipper’s Canyon dirt road in New Zealand in a rented minivan.

Including the occasion I am almost involved in two different flight crashes, in the same night, there have been at least a half dozen more occasions when I have been within a moment’s inattention of being killed.

However, none of those frightening incidents compare to what I experienced after my son was abducted.

This memoir is the story of how I used the traumatic experiences of my life to give me strength to forge on during a 13-year fight to be a father to my son.

What did it take for me to get to my second life?

It took me to truly understand what fear is.

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The Review

This was a heartbreaking and emotional read. The book itself is incredibly powerful and well written, as it balances the author’s life journey perfectly, showcasing his own upbringing and experiences with life with his battle to save his son and the years of legal actions he has had to wage. The tension and crippling heartache that the author is able to capture in his writing really convey the urgency and overwhelming nature of the life the author has led to this point.

The heart of the narrative was the relationship between a father and his son. As the author relayed the bond he held with his own father, the emotional importance of his own desire to have that relationship with his own son really balanced out the detailed look into the justice system in other countries around the world, and the horrifying realities of fighting for custody and child support in a system rigged in one direction. 

The Verdict

Heartbreaking, informative, and engaging, author Simon Yeats’s “My Second Life” is a must-read nonfiction book on parenting and the struggles of a father desperate to see his son. The twists and turns in this author’s journey, as well as the shocking moments that will haunt the reader’s minds, made this a compelling narrative you won’t be able to put down. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Simon Yeats started writing as a way to manage his grief and pain. He may be an ordinary writer but his grief and pain are extraordinary.

To contact the author please email mysecondlifeyeats@gmail.com

Eternity’s Well (Eternal Chronicles Book 1) by Zachary Hagen Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

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

A group of people who have experienced great loss joins forces to stop an ancient evil lurking in the shadows in author Zachary Hagen’s “Eternity’s Well”, the first in the Eternal Chronicles series.

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The Synopsis

When you lose family, friends, and country, how far is too far?

Elior watched as his twin brother, the only real family he had left run into a building as it disappeared.

Nyx, a cursed merman, watched as his father and best friend were killed in front of him.

Opal’s father died leaving her with a legacy to live up to and a throne to protect.

When they join forces with a wise professor to find the Well of Eternity, can they find answers to their problems? Can the ancient evil lurking in the shadows of society be stopped before it’s too late, or will blood be spilled killing their hope and dooming Lux Terra forever?

Eternity’s Well will hook you from the very beginning and take you on a spellbinding, breathtaking journey through a new world where anything is possible.

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The Review

This was such an imaginative and visceral read. The author did an incredible job of capturing the magic and wonder of this new fantasy world while balancing this with emotion and realism that brings these characters’ struggles a healthy dose of emotional reality. The world-building and atmosphere felt epic in this book, giving the reader a look into the mythos and dynamics of this world and the cultures of these characters in a way that feels relatable yet magical all at once.

The character development and tension that the book builds to in this novel were the highlights of this incredible novel. The infusion of the world’s mythos into these character arcs made the world feel vibrant and alive, and the emotional toll that the losses that bond these characters together take will resonate with many readers. Amongst the chilling villains and ancient evils that the group must battle and navigate through, it is the theme of loss that plays the most prevalent, and the imagery in this writing helps to bring this theme to life in a thrilling way.

The Verdict

Memorable, gripping, and entertaining, author Zachary Hagen’s “Eternity’s Well” is a must-read novel, and a great start to the author’s Eternal Chronicles series! The twists and turns in the novel and the cliffhanger that keeps the reader invested in the series’ future made this a compelling and heartfelt narrative that kept me engaged and interested in seeing how this series develops. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Zachary Hagen is a fantasy author and editor. He lives his wife, Claudia, and their dog, Flynn. When he isn’t busy writing his next book or teaching, you can often find him walking around his neighbor hood or up hiking in Hanging Rock Park with his wife and their friends.

From a young age he was enthralled with the world of story. From the stories his parents read to him from his blue bedtime story books (if you know, you know) to the first two series that he read, The Chronicles of Narnia and A Series of Unfortunate Events, Zachary’s tastes continued to develop throughout his years of reading.

The influences for his first series, The Eternal Chronicles, include Christopher Paolini, J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, and others.

https://zacharyhagenwrites.com/

Comanche Trace (Westward Sagas Book 4) by David Bowles Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

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

A man on a mission of revenge finds himself caught in the middle of a brewing war between the Indian Nation, the Mexican government, and the Republic of Texas in author David Bowles’s “Comanche Trace”, the fourth book in the Westward Sagas series. 

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The Synopsis

Texas Ranger, Will Smith moved with his family to Texas during the early days of the Republic. Family strife is caused by the Comanche Indians who kill Will’s brother James and abduct his nine-year-old nephew Fayette. Will pursues the Indians alone in hopes of rescuing the boy. Will ends up caught up in the rifts between the Republic of Texas, The Mexican government, and the Indian nation. His quest for revenge is waylaid when a Mexican beauty captures his heart. However, Will presses on and makes a frantic and dangerous journey back to Texas to warn President Mirabeau Lamar that the Mexican consider his Santa Fe Trade Expedition and armed invasion of Mexican Territory. It is a warning Lamar does not heed.

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The Review

As a fan of historical fiction, I was drawn into this series and I haven’t looked back since. The vivid detail that goes into the author’s work and the imagery that the author’s writing evokes in the reader’s mind really brings the era to life perfectly, as the setting becomes just as important a character as the rest of this amazing cast of characters. The gritty, Western style that the author brings to life and the tension that mounts as the story progresses really kept me engaged in this narrative.

Yet as with all of the author’s previous works, it was the emotional and gripping character development that really made this story shine. The way the author was able to shift perspectives between each chapter to see how life from all fronts of this looming battle came to unfold, and the understanding that comes with experience and truly getting to know someone, made this a compelling read, especially with the vengeance angle that begins this story and the emotional weight of that loss. 

The Verdict

Memorable, compelling, and entertaining, author David Bowles’s “Comanche Trace” is a must-read Historical Fiction Western! The twists and turns in the growing narrative and the evolution of the characters as a mission of vengeance turns into a mission of peace and more made this a gripping story filled with tension, suspense, and emotional character development. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

David A. Bowles is a fifth generation Austinite. Both parents from early Travis County pioneers. His great grandmother Elnora Van Cleve, is recorded as the first birth in Austin, Texas during the days of the Republic. The author and his dog Becka travel in a class A motor-coach they call home, telling and writing the stories of the Westward Sagas. David grew up listening to stories of his ancestors told by his elders. Their stories so fascinated him that he became a professional story-teller, spinning tales through the Westward Sagas as well as the spoken word. He is a member of the National Story Telling Network and the Tejas Storyteller Association. David entertains groups frequently about his adventures on the open road and the books he has written. All four books in the Westward Sagas series have won awards. He is presently writing the sequel to Comanche Trace which won 1st Place at the North Texas Book Festival.

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Dead Collectors by Jonathan Martinez Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

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

The death of a wealthy man leads a detective into the heart of a conspiracy in author Jonathan Martinez’s “Dead Collectors”.

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The Synopsis

In the chilling novel, “Dead Collectors,” a seemingly ordinary day takes a horrifying turn when the protagonist stumbles upon the lifeless body of his boss in the greenhouse, the man’s latest fixation. As he gazes at the sky, his leg collides with an unexpected obstruction. The gruesome sight that greets him is the corpse of Sir Powell, his face a ghastly blue, one eye wide open in terror, the other a hollow void. A mysterious, fly-attracting white object rests ominously on the deceased’s face. Overcome with shock and fear, he lets out a scream, fumbling for his phone to call for help. This gripping tale promises to keep readers on the edge of their seats, as they delve into the mystery of Sir Powell’s untimely demise.

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The Review

This was a quick yet powerful mystery read. The author did a wonderful job of capturing the suspense and drama of old noir-style murder mysteries, and the haunting imagery of the story was vivid in its delivery. The tension builds quickly as the layers of the mystery unfold and the perpetrators of the crime grow bolder and bolder. 

The character development and the mystery were the highlights of this narrative. The way the author is able to infuse great chemistry between the protagonist and the daughter of the victim was quite engaging, and the changing POVs allowed the reader to see the full perspective of every aspect of this murder mystery. The evolution of this mystery and the conspirator’s identities all allowed the noir genre to feel vibrant and alive on the page.

The Verdict

Thought-provoking, mesmerizing, and engaging, author Jonathon Martinez’s “Dead Collectors” is a must-read mystery and suspense thriller. The twists and turns in the narrative, the shocking losses, and the captivating revelations as the conspiracy is blown wide open will keep readers hanging onto the author’s every word. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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