If there are no paragraph separations in this article, please double-click on the title to create a more readable version.
“Barracuda Bay” by Carmen Amato
Emilia Cruz is the first woman to reach Police Detective status in tourist destination, Acapulco, Mexico. Despite her many successfully solved, high-profile cases, very few people want her in the department. In “Barracuda Bay,” Mexican politics is front and center with the upcoming mayoral race and the increased need for security.
Cruz must cope with the prejudice and ongoing corruption at every level of the force while dealing with a murder possibly connected to the race, thwarted wedding plans, and stunning betrayals on the job. That corruption leads to her becoming a fugitive without ID, cellphone, or money in a foreign country. Momentum builds throughout this tense page-turner. Wow!
“A Killer Carol” by Laura Bradford
Bradford’s beautifully written Amish mystery series stars Claire Weatherly, an Englisher, and Jakob Fisher, a former member of the Amish community. Claire chose to come to Heavenly, Pennsylvania to live with her aunt, rebuild her life, and open a store filled with Amish crafts. Jakob is a police detective in the town, who chose police work over life with the Amish.
In “A Killer Carol,” two of Claire’s Amish friends are suspected of a double murder and Jakob seems to have the evidence to prove it. With several surprising ‘wow’ moments, and Bradford’s wonderful characters to share the storyline, “Killer Carol” is a gift, no matter what time of year you read it.
“Dead Man Running” by Steve Hamilton
This is the ninth book in the top-notch Alex McKnight series. A serial killer has been arrested, but will talk to no one except retired police officer, Alex McKnight. Except that McKnight knows nothing about the man and has no idea why the killer thinks there is a connection between them.
The story is told through McKnight’s point-of-view as well as the serial killer’s twisted mind. There are graphic discussions about the killer’s crimes, so if you’re looking for a light read, this is not for you. Chilling to the core, Hamilton has delivered another masterfully plotted novel in “Dead Man Running.”
“Say Nothing” by Brad Parks
“Say Nothing” is a departure from the average kidnapping tome, with its jaw-dropping twists and turns, deceptions and lies timed so perfectly that Parks dares you to put the book down before finding out what happens on the next page. Spouses and relatives turn on each other in tragic ways, while colleagues are left in the dark about a judge’s erratic behavior on the bench. Can he save his children? Will he be able to continue to say nothing? “Say Nothing” is a barnburner of a book.
I will quote that “Wow!” That’s exactly how a thriller author wants readers to feel when they put down the book. Thank you for the great review.
Hi Carmen,
I honestly read through the night. Soooo good!!! Yup..’wow’ covers it. 🙂