Tag: thriller

Book Review: Ares Road by James L. Weaver

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ares-road-2Thrilling follow-up to the terrific Poor Boy Road

About the Book

Description (courtesy of Goodreads): With his days as a mob enforcer behind him, Jake Caldwell’s trying to go straight. But it seems his past won’t let him go. His first job working as a private investigator turns up a teenage girl screaming down a dead man’s cell phone, and Logan, his mentor and the only man with answers, beaten into a coma. Now Jake’s taking it personally. The only clues Jake has to unravel the mystery are a Russian with a stolen, silver briefcase and three names: Snell, Parley and Ares. Teaming up with his best friend Bear, the Sheriff of his home town, and an attractive FBI agent, Jake quickly discovers they’re not the only ones looking for the briefcase and its deadly contents. It’s no longer about seeking revenge.

Book Facts

  • Format: ebook
  • Publisher: Lakewater Press
  • No. of pages: 230
  • Publication date: 2nd March 2017
  • Genre: Thriller, Crime, Action

My Review (5 out of 5)

Six months on from the exciting conclusion to Poor Boy Road, Jake Caldwell is trying to start a new career as a private investigator, mentored by ex-cop Logan. Having rekindled his relationship with old flame, Maggie, Jake’s soon up to his neck in trouble though. Thankfully, he can count on the support of his old buddy Bear, Sheriff of Benton County. Jake’s moved on in his life, has a positive future in prospect so now he’s got much more to protect – and he’ll fight for it, make no mistake.

Ares Road is as fast-paced and action-packed as Poor Boy Road (read my review here). It’s a thrilling mix of seedy clubs, hired heavies, retribution, mobsters, treachery, shoot-outs, corruption, fist-fights, conspiracy, fast-food and too much coffee.  I especially loved that we get to eavesdrop again on the wise-cracking but heartfelt relationship between Jake and Bear. For the perfect accompaniment to the book, click here for James L. Weaver’s Ares Road playlist.

I love this series as much as Bear loves bacon. Hurry up, James, and write the next one.

I received a review copy courtesy of publishers, Lakewater Press, in return for an honest review.

To buy a copy of Ares Road from Amazon.co.uk, click here (link is provided for convenience, not as part of any affiliate programme)

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In three words: Action-packed, compelling, intrigue

Try something similar…Brilliance by Marcus Sakey

jamesAbout the Author

James L. Weaver is the Kansas City author of the Jake Caldwell series featuring IAN Thriller of the Year finalist Poor Boy Road and recently released Ares Road from Lakewater Press. He makes his home in Olathe, Kansas with his wife of 19 years and two children. His previous publishing credits include a six part story called “The Nuts” and his 5-star rated debut novel Jack & Diane. Author note: a handful of the raters are actually not related to him.

Author Links

https://twitter.com/jlweaverbooks
http://www.jameslweaver.net/
https://www.facebook.com/James-L-Weaver-1561520517509056/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/49636.James_L_Weaver

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Blog Tour: Gone Without A Trace by Mary Torjussen

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Gone Without A Trace Blog Tour Banner

I’m delighted to be hosting today’s stop on the blog tour for Gone Without A Trace by Mary Torjussen and to bring you my review of this chilling, twisty thriller.

GoneAbout the Book

No one ever disappears completely…

You leave for work one morning. Another day in your normal life. Until you come home to discover that your boyfriend has gone. His belongings have disappeared. He hasn’t been at work for weeks. It’s as if he never existed. But that’s not possible, is it?

And there is worse still to come. Because just as you are searching for him, someone is also watching you.

Book Facts

  • Format: Paperback
  • No. of pages: 352
  • Publisher: Headline
  • Publication date: 23rd March 2017
  • Genre: Thriller

My Review (4 out of 5)

Hannah arrives back from a conference to find that her boyfriend, Matt, has left their shared home taking all his possessions with him.   That’s all his possessions plus every trace of their life together.  It’s as if he’d never been there, as if their relationship had never happened. Distraught, Hannah sets out to find out where Matt has gone and why he left. But the more she discovers, the more questions it poses, the more she is driven to search for answers. Her single-minded search for him will have unforeseen consequences for her, her friends and family.   It’s impossible to say much more without giving away the plot except to say that the narrative pace definitely picks up in the final third of the book so plan your available reading time carefully!

This book is like a mystery tour where all you know is you’re in a car going somewhere but you’ve no idea what that destination is, you’ve just got to trust the driver to get you there. And Mary Torjussen is one hell of a driver. There’ll be unexpected bumps in the road, dead-ends, stop signs and abrupt hand brake turns. You’ll think you know where you’re going and then – wham – you’re taking a sudden, unexpected detour. So all I can say is: fasten your seat belt (tightly), sit back (if you can) and enjoy the ride!

I received an advance reader copy courtesy of the publishers, Headline, in return for an honest review.

To buy a copy of Gone Without A Trace from Amazon.co.uk, click here

In three words: Compelling, suspenseful, unsettling

Try something similar…Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Mary Torjussen About the Author

Mary Torjussen has an MA in Creative Writing from Liverpool John Moores University. She worked for several years as a teacher and lives outside of Liverpool, where Gone Without a Trace is set.

Author links:

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