The Maid by Nita Prose Review

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

A young woman working as a maid must unravel the web of lies she is caught in to discover the identity of a murderer in author Nita Prose’s “The Maid.”

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The Synopsis

In development as a major motion picture

Molly Gray is not like everyone else. She struggles with social skills and misreads the intentions of others. Her gran used to interpret the world for her, codifying it into simple rules that Molly could live by.

Since Gran died a few months ago, twenty-five-year-old Molly has been navigating life’s complexities all by herself. No matter—she throws herself with gusto into her work as a hotel maid. Her unique character, along with her obsessive love of cleaning and proper etiquette, make her an ideal fit for the job. She delights in donning her crisp uniform each morning, stocking her cart with miniature soaps and bottles, and returning guest rooms at the Regency Grand Hotel to a state of perfection.

But Molly’s orderly life is upended the day she enters the suite of the infamous and wealthy Charles Black, only to find it in a state of disarray and Mr. Black himself dead in his bed. Before she knows what’s happening, Molly’s unusual demeanor has the police targeting her as their lead suspect. She quickly finds herself caught in a web of deception, one she has no idea how to untangle. Fortunately for Molly, friends she never knew she had unite with her in a search for clues to what really happened to Mr. Black—but will they be able to find the real killer before it’s too late?

Clue-like, locked-room mystery and a heartwarming journey of the spirit, The Maid explores what it means to be the same as everyone else and yet entirely different—and reveals that all mysteries can be solved through connection to the human heart.

The Review

This was such a richly developed and compelling thriller. Molly is such a unique protagonist and the instant draw of this narrative. Her candid view and open way of speaking freely about what’s on her mind, as well as the struggles she faces with conversing and understanding others in social situations, make her relatable. The harrowing experiences she encounters throughout this narrative add a special twist to the classic murder mystery narrative. The way this cast of characters comes together is fantastic, and the way Molly can find her community and group of friends to come together and face this growing conspiracy of murder makes this a thrilling narrative.

The fast-paced and tense atmosphere of this novel’s story was perfectly laid out for readers, allowing them to search high and low for their list of suspects as the mystery unfolded. The emotional backstory that unfolds as readers learn more about Molly, Giselle, and so many others not only keeps the narrative fascinating and moving but also speaks to the nature of human connection and how people connect and communicate with one another as a whole.

The Verdict

Enthralling, memorable, and thrilling, author Nita Prose’s “The Maid” is a must-read murder mystery and crime thriller. The twists and turns in the narrative will speak to fans of Only Murders in the Building and Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club, adding humor and wit to the dialogue and directness of Molly and her friends, and the intrigue of the mystery behind Mr. Black’s death will have fans on the edge of their seats for much of this narrative. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Nita Prose is the author of the The Maid series, which has sold more than 2 million copies worldwide and was published in over forty countries. A #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestseller and a GOOD MORNING AMERICA Book Club Pick, THE MAID won the Ned Kelly Award for International Crime Fiction, the Fingerprint Award for Debut Novel of the Year, the Anthony Award for Best First Novel, and the Barry Award for Best First Mystery. THE MAID was also an Edgar Award finalist for Best Novel. Nita lives in Toronto, Canada, in a house that is moderately clean.

https://www.nitaprose.com/

Book Spotlight: A Chain of Pearls by Raemi A. Ray (Martha’s Vineyard Murders Series)

Synopsis (from Amazon):

The last thing she wants is to dig up the past…

When the body of a celebrated journalist is fished from the Edgartown Harbor, the official report rules his death accidental. But why was he alone on a senator’s yacht during a nor’easter? That’s only the first question London-based lawyer Kyra Gibson has when she arrives on the idyllic island of Martha’s Vineyard to settle her estranged father’s affairs.

She’s not looking for closure. She’s not seen him in decades since he left her with her aunt following her mother’s death. But as Kyra delves deeper into her father’s life, she learns he had many regrets and wasn’t as retired as she believed. The more Kyra discovers, the more questions she has. With the help of world-weary detective, Tarek Collins, they uncover a web of intrigue and corruption involving a powerful senator, a dubious energy company, and brutal murder.

As they chase down clues, Kyra and Tarek flirt with danger and race against time to solve the murders and uncover the dark secrets lurking beneath Martha’s Vineyard’s picturesque façade of old money wealth and privilege.

This is the first book in the Martha’s Vineyard Murders series. The second novel, The Wraith’s Return, will be available later this summer, followed by Widow’s Walk in the fall.

 A Chain of Pearls is a top indie mystery and crime pick from Barnes & Noble!

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Author bio:

Raemi A Ray’s travels to Martha’s Vineyard and around the world inspire her stories. She lives outside Boston. When not writing or traveling she earns her keep as the personal assistant to the resident house demons, Otto and DolphLundgren.

Website: https://raemiray.com/

Instagram: @miss_raemi

Dead Collectors by Jonathan Martinez Review

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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A Divisive Storm: A Dora Ellison Mystery Book 6 by David E. Feldman Review

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

A man shot in his car leads an investigator into a web of conspiracy involving a group of white supremacists and a shocking series of murders in author David E. Feldman’s “A Divisive Storm”, the sixth book in the Dora Ellison Mystery series.

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The Synopsis

This dark mystery thriller features a stunning twist that turns the tables on the story’s white supremacy angle.

Ray Drucker is shot in the face while sitting in his car in a drugstore parking lot, and his wife has hired Dora to find his killer. Dora quickly learns that his murder is connected to another, five years earlier. As the bodies pile up, Dora and Missy find that the killings are connected to a dark and violent web of white supremacists.

The victims were all members of a club with a barely hidden racist agenda.

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The Review

This was yet another truly compelling and captivating mystery thriller! The author has crafted a crime thriller that continuously keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, with twist after twist forcing the reader to question who the killer may be and whether or not the victims were truly victims at all. The tension was palpable as it built over the course of this mystery, from the personal tension in the protagonist’s lives to the tension that arose with each and every new piece of evidence that was found. 

To me, the author has done an exceptional job of crafting characters that feel fully realized, and of creating a balance of chilling and heartfelt atmospheres using multiple POVs. The emotional and haunting perspective that readers get from the killer’s mindset and the complicated feelings that Dora gets as she investigates more and more of this case made this story so inviting, and the way the author was able to incorporate more personal story points like Missy’s family and the problems they face was great to see included in this story as well.

The Verdict

Thrilling, haunting, and entertaining, author David E. Feldman’s “A Divisive Storm” is a must-read mystery thriller. The powerful themes of LGBTQ-driven storylines and character growth, as well as the emotionally complex nature of this killer and the truth of these victims’ lives, made this a driven suspense thriller that readers will be talking about long after the book is finished. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

David E. Feldman has written seven books of his own and has ghostwritten many others. He has made three films, won 2 film awards and won a playwriting contest. He has an MLS degree in Library & Information Science.

You can find his books on Amazon.com and elsewhere, under his name, David E. Feldman.

They include:

The Neighborhood. (A standalone novel, about 4 fictitious families living in Valley Stream in 1973, one of whom is the first Black family in the neighborhood which was the author’s at that time.)

The Dora Ellison Mystery Series:

Storm Warnings, A Dora Ellison Short Story Prequel

Not Today, Dora Ellison Mystery Book 1 (a finalist for the Killer Nashville Claymore Best Mystery Award, 2022)

A Gathering Storm, Dora Ellison Mystery Book 2

A Sickening Storm, Dora Ellison Mystery Book 3

A Biological Storm, Dora Ellison Mystery Book 4

A Special Storm, Dora Ellison Mystery Book 5 (due out Feb. 21, 2023)

Percival (A standalone novel about a musician who contracts polio at the age of two and transcends his handicap and various mistreatments by an often cruel society, and finds joy and love. Based on the life of the author’s father.)

Pilgrimage from Darkness Nuremberg to Jerusalem

Bad Blood, a Long Island Mystery

Born of War: Based on a Story of American Chinese Friendship

How to Be Happy in Your Marriage – A Roadmap

His author website:

https://www.davidefeldman.com/books.shtml

His ghostwriting website:

https://longislandnyghostwriter.com/

His film, Everyone Deserves a Decent Life (directed, produced) won the Alfred Fortunoff Humanitarian Film Award at the Long Island Film Expo, 2014. His film, Let Me Out! (Written, directed, produced) won Best Psychological Thriller at the 2009 New York International Film Festival. His play, Love Lives On, was a winner of the inaugural Artists In Partnership Inaugural Playwriting Contest, and was produced in Long Beach, NY in Sept.-Oct. of 2022.

He has also been the owner of eFace Media (eface.com) since 1989, where he writes marketing and branding copy.

A Special Storm (A Dora Ellison Mystery Book 5) by David E. Feldman Review

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

The shocking murder of a talented young singer and special needs boy forces sleuths Dora and Missy to investigate the crime and untangle a web of shocking conspiracies no one would see coming in author David E. Feldman’s “A Special Storm”, the fifth book in A Dora Ellison Mystery Book series.

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The Synopsis

A performance of a troupe of young people with special needs is backing one of their own, the beloved singer Julian Lockhart. As he is about to sing his penultimate note, he pauses … and a crack is heard, blood spurts from his neck, and he falls to the stage. Pandemonium and panic ensue. The boy’s father hires Geller investigations, and Dora Ellison and Missy Winters set out to find his killer.

Who would kill this beautiful and talented special young man with the voice of an angel? A local NIMBY activist? The father of another special young man whose object of affection is a special young woman who has eyes only for the young victim? Or could it be a parent who was not aiming at the young singer at all but at the school’s founder, Mason Montgomery, who reneged on his promise to fund the school in perpetuity? Or … could it be someone with another as yet unknown connection to the special young singer.

Secrets and danger abound!

Book 5 of the Dora Ellison Mystery Series is a murder mystery featuring a woman sleuth who is no ordinary private investigator. Dora’s brand of vigilante justice takes the reader on a suspense-filled journey that rivals those of Lee Child, John Sandford and Harlan Coben.

The Dora Ellison Mystery Series will appeal to readers who love books about LBTQ & mystery sleuths.

The Dora Ellison Mystery Series will also appeal to teen & young adult readers who enjoy thrillers & suspense novels, especially those surrounding law & crime.

Bookbaby.com helping independents – whether authors, publishers, musicians, filmmakers, or small businesses – bring their creative efforts to the marketplace.

The Review

This was a twisted and captivating murder mystery thriller The heavy atmosphere and rich character growth that the author introduces early on in the narrative were thoughtfully written. As someone new to this franchise, it was great to be able to get a sense of these characters even without prior knowledge of the series. The depth that these characters showed helped elevate the mystery greatly as it unfolded. It was also great to see the author truly represent the special needs community in a new way, both narratively speaking and as a theme overall.

To me, this story excelled due to its chilling plot and mystery elements. The way the author was able to make the reader feel like this crime was both heinous and shocking felt like something ripped out of the headlines, and the twists and turns that the protagonist goes on as she investigates showed just how personal the case became for her, taking the character in a whole new direction that speaks to her role as a new heroine in the mystery novel world.

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The Verdict

Memorable, thrilling, and entertaining, author David E. Feldman’s “A Special Storm” is a great murder mystery thriller and a great fifth entry in the A Dora Ellison Mystery Book series! The twists and turns this narrative takes and the choking revelation of the killer and their motives will have readers hanging onto the author’s every word. The constant peeling of layers around this mystery will keep readers guessing until the very end. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

David E. Feldman has written seven books of his own and has ghostwritten many others. He has made three films, won 2 film awards and won a playwriting contest. He has an MLS degree in Library & Information Science.

You can find his books on Amazon.com and elsewhere, under his name, David E. Feldman.

They include:

The Neighborhood. (A standalone novel, about 4 fictitious families living in Valley Stream in 1973, one of whom is the first Black family in the neighborhood which was the author’s at that time.)

The Dora Ellison Mystery Series:

Storm Warnings, A Dora Ellison Short Story Prequel

Not Today, Dora Ellison Mystery Book 1 (a finalist for the Killer Nashville Claymore Best Mystery Award, 2022)

A Gathering Storm, Dora Ellison Mystery Book 2

A Sickening Storm, Dora Ellison Mystery Book 3

A Biological Storm, Dora Ellison Mystery Book 4

A Special Storm, Dora Ellison Mystery Book 5 (due out Feb. 21, 2023)

Percival (A standalone novel about a musician who contracts polio at the age of two and transcends his handicap and various mistreatments by an often cruel society, and finds joy and love. Based on the life of the author’s father.)

Pilgrimage from Darkness Nuremberg to Jerusalem

Bad Blood, a Long Island Mystery

Born of War: Based on a Story of American Chinese Friendship

How to Be Happy in Your Marriage – A Roadmap

His author website:

https://www.davidefeldman.com/books.shtml

His ghostwriting website:

https://longislandnyghostwriter.com/

His film, Everyone Deserves a Decent Life (directed, produced) won the Alfred Fortunoff Humanitarian Film Award at the Long Island Film Expo, 2014. His film, Let Me Out! (Written, directed, produced) won Best Psychological Thriller at the 2009 New York International Film Festival. His play, Love Lives On, was a winner of the inaugural Artists In Partnership Inaugural Playwriting Contest, and was produced in Long Beach, NY in Sept.-Oct. of 2022.

He has also been the owner of eFace Media (eface.com) since 1989, where he writes marketing and branding copy.