Review: Thomas Haftmann, Private Eye

Synopsis:

Ex-cop Thomas Haftmann, formerly of Cleveland Homicide, works as a private investigator in the resort town of Jefferson-on-the-Lake. You will follow his cases in these 15 short neo-noirs. Among them are “The Kneeling Woman,” “No Escape, No Turning Back,” “The Riding Boy,” “The Slave Master’s Dungeon,” “Archangel’s Daughter,” “A Woman With Tea-Colored Eyes,” and “The Dog Returneth to His Vomit.” These have been collected from a variety of outstanding publications and blog sites, ranging from Powder Burn Flash through A Twist of Noir to Sex and Murder Magazine. Be warned: Thomas Haftmann’s dark world of murder and madness is not for the reader of cozy mysteries. 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Thomas Haftmann, Private Eye by Robb White is a great collection of detective stories. Each one featuring the famous, Thomas Haftmann. He is a private investigator that goes on a variety of cases. Every case is different and entertained me from the start to end. Love detectives and murder mysteries, than this is highly recommend to be added as a to-be-read book. Great pieces of fiction. Thrilling characters and intriguing plot lines. Robb White’s writing is enjoyable to follow. 

Review: When All The Girls Have Gone

 

Synopsis:

When Charlotte Sawyer is unable to contact her stepsister, Jocelyn, to tell her that one of her closest friends was found dead, she discovers that Jocelyn has vanished.

Beautiful, brilliant—and reckless—Jocelyn has gone off the grid before, but never like this. In a desperate effort to find her, Charlotte joins forces with Max Cutler, a struggling PI who recently moved to Seattle after his previous career as a criminal profiler went down in flames—literally. Burned out, divorced and almost broke, Max needs the job.

After surviving a near-fatal attack, Charlotte and Max turn to Jocelyn’s closest friends, women in a Seattle-based online investment club, for answers. But what they find is chilling…

When her uneasy alliance with Max turns into a full-blown affair, Charlotte has no choice but to trust him with her life. For the shadows of Jocelyn’s past are threatening to consume her—and anyone else who gets in their way…

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

When All the Girls Have Gone by Jayne Ann Krentz is a cozy romantic mystery with a lot of humor. I have read a few of Jayne Ann Krentz’s novels, but this latest one hooked me. The characters were fascinating to watch in action. Their easy-going nature and troubles were interesting. They fit in together like a jigsaw puzzle. Both main characters had lived lives that changed them. Apparently, it seemed to change them both in a positive way. One escaped a fire and was adopted the other was dumped before her wedding and left with bills to pay off…both have issues. Real life issues.It was easy to connect with them on many levels. The way life pulls the rug from under their feet kind of theme also rings true in real life. I love how realistic everything played out inside this book. The PI investigator’s timing and knack for gut instincts in finding out stuff were incredible. Yet he seems to put doubt, in his gut, when it comes to a more personal reason. This causes him to wonder and it eats him alive. Anyone placed in this man’s shoes would have questions as well as doubts. Then, there’s the leading female character who believed in him. This sort of gave him a piece over his internal conflicts. Plus, the instant chemistry between the two satisfying. Two sisters are involved in a dangerous situation. One left thinking she was protecting her sister and friends. Turned out that she was wrong. Instead, she and her sister will be reunited under dire circumstances and it will be up to the PI investigator to get them both before it’s too late…When All the Girls Have Gone is an intriguing, suspenseful, yet wonderful journey. One that readers won’t resist. I loved reading it. Every page had some kind of action that intrigued me. Kept me turning those pages. When I reached the ending, I was very glad I read this book. Overall, Jayne Ann Krentz’s novel is a must read for all. I highly recommend it.

 

Review: Dead Down East

 

Synopsis:

Dead Down East, a fictional murder mystery, is both detective noir and smart screwball comedy rolled into one. Jesse Thorpe, a young private investigator operating out of Augusta, Maine, receives a mysterious phone call from a former client, Cynthia Dumais. She begs to be rescued from an island south of Brunswick, within a mile of where William Lavoilette, the governor of Maine, was assassinated the night before. She insists that her life is in danger, but is unwilling to provide any further information. Reluctantly, he goes to fetch her.

Fresh, witty and loaded with eccentric characters, this first novel in the series is both clever and stylish. It’s an old-school private eye tale with inventive twists and local color. If you enjoy a well-crafted and zesty narrative, lively banter, or take pleasure in the company of Mainers, you’ll love Dead Down East.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Dead Down East by Carl Schmidt is a mystery readers everywhere won’t be able to get enough of…especially of the man character, Jesse Thorpe. I am hoping there’s going to be more books out soon. Otherwise, I will go bat crazy trying to come up with new adventures this new detective will engage. Absolutely, the most charming, hilarious, and intriguing detective noir that I have read. This is a new series, I would recommend to all.

Carl Schmidt’s writing is that of a seasoned writers. Words that make me want to dig further and solve the case as well as find out more about Jesse Thorpe. Dead Down East holds murder, humor, and a mystery unlike any other. The danger is real. Plus, there’s some steamy scenes. The characters will blow away readers’ minds. Jesse Thorpe goes on a mission to rescue a woman who is in danger. She happens to be in the same area that someone else was recently assassinated. Jesse Thorpe goes about finding the murdering weapon, theft, has the DNA of an accomplice for the murder. If the accomplice can be found and interrogated the murder might just be within reach…but it all depends on if, when, and how. Every page is filled with action of some kind. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel.

 

Review: Hard Case

 

Synopsis:

In 1956 New York City, a year after Alice White’s first investigation, she becomes entangled in her Bronx neighbor’s troubles. A United States customs inspector at the Port of New York, he has fallen into the grasp of the vicious dockworkers’ boss.
As Alice attempts to free him, the power struggle created by the post-World War II wave of Italian immigration into the predominantly Irish run West Side imperils both. Can Alice save him? If she fails both may die.

My Rating: 5 stars

My Review:

Marc Hirsch has done it again. His second novel, Hard Case, once again features Alice White. Alice White is a tough as nails protagonist, that will capture readers’ attention quickly. Her work ethic and attitude make this story enjoyable as well as the characters she helps out and meets along the way. A modern woman who goes all out investigating different cases. Alice wins respect from others easily. Then there’s Jim, her lover. I love how he repsects Alice for being who she is and respects what she does and still loves her. As for the investigation, readers will have to snatch a copy for details. Just know that the interesting characters and perfect plot makes for one spectacular read. Marc Hirsch definitely knows how to lure his readers in and leaves them wondering what new adventure Alice will take on next. The mystery and suspense is enough to keep readers turning the pages. Overall, I highly recommend reading Hard Case to readers everywhere.