Twisted Confessions

Title: Twisted Confessions

Author: Charles Skoller

ISBN: 978-1-934454-17-6

Publisher: Bridgeway Books

Reviewed by: Marsha Sellers for Quality Book Reviews

This book is a true story about the deaths of three girls. These murders happened in 1963 & 1964 in New York City.

On July 19, 1963 Barbara Kralik was stabbed to death while sleeping in her bed. The murdered entered her home through a porch window, went directly to her room, stabbed her then fled through a side door. The murderer obviously knew her home well, and the fact that the front door was stuck as he did not attempt to enter or exit through it.

On February 29, 1964 Annie Mae Johnson was shot to death with a 22-caliber rifle. Her first autopsy stated she was stabbed to death, with no mention of the bullets found inside her.

On March 13, 1964 Kitty Genovese was stabbed to death in two separate attacks which occurred in the street in front of her apartment building. There were 38 of her neighbors who witnessed this vicious attack and did nothing, not even a call to the police!

This book was very interesting and informative. The author, Charlie Skoller was the prosecutor for the DA’s office, and you get a view of the charges and the evidence in each case. I caught myself trying to “find something that was missed”. Mr Schaller must prove who committed these murders, as he has 2 separate confessions to the Kralik murder. This was a fast read, would recommend to everyone who likes “who dunnits”. I give this book 4 stars.

The Dark Tide
by Andrew Gross
ISBN: 9780061143427
William Morrow
An Imprint of Harper Collins Publishers
Reviewed by Terry South, Quality Book Reviews

The Dark Tide is Andrew Gross’ second solo novel which is due to go on sale on 3/18/08.

Andrew Gross delivers an ingenious and intricately layered plot, while still creating convincing personal journeys for his characters. The Dark Tide delivers a tantalizing and intriguing story packed with shocking twists that will keep you guessing and begging for more. Gross is a master storyteller and demands attention.

The Dark Tide is a riveting, mind blowing story full of twist and turns. The author draws the reader in and I found myself trying to piece the puzzling story together through to the very end. A true page turner, I was unable to put this one down as it demands to be finished.

** Warning ** Do not continue reading as the following review contains spoilers.

The Dark Tide takes place in Greenwich, Conneticut among the wealthy. It begins with the Friedman family which consists of Charles, Karen and their two children Samantha and Alex. The Friedman’s lives are about to become explosive with the unfolding of the story. Literally there is an explosion at Grand Central Station where Charles Friedman is presumed dead, however, Karen holds out hope; thinking Charlie can come out of this like he does with everything else in life. Karen brings herself to finally watch the documentary one year after the explosion of Grand Central Station. What she finds is astounding, heart stopping and she finds herself watching the same frame over and over. Is her husband really alive? Did he survive, or is it her imagination playing tricks on her?

Karen finds herself searching for the truth and what she finds is $250 million worth of heartache; she is thrown into a whirlwind of international scams, losses of funds, lies, conspiracy and murder.

Karen’s life is turned upside down and she is drawn into the shock of her life, she seeks help from the Greenwich detective Ty Hauck. As the story futher unfolds I found myself hoping that Karen and Ty become involved in more than just the search for Charlie. Andrew Gross takes the characters across the Caribbean with beautiful detail, with the warmth of the sun, the beautiful waters, and the many islands through his vivid details.

The characters are finely tuned, compelling and memorable and you will find yourself caught up within the lives of the characters, I found myself in Karen’s shoes throughout the story. I could feel what she was feeling, Andrew Gross has developed such great characters that you feel as if you are in the shoes of the main character who I felt was the telling the story (Karen Friedman).

Karen through the help of Ty finds that her husband is indeed alive and feels cheated, and is consumed with the question of Why? Has the last eighteen years of her life with her husband Charles been a lie? What was he doing? Why did he lie, could he not trust her with the truth? Was there another woman? Why disappear and let her and and the children believe he was dead? She was determined to find him and find out for herself.

The Dark Tide is explosive action, intriguing, compelling and suspenseful thriller packed with enticing twists and turns to keep you on the edge. The author has created a powerful thriller that tantalizes with a sense of suspense and a steady flow of action. Gross has done a fantastic job in creating a story that is thought provoking and wraps everthing up effortlessly.

If you are in the market for an explosive read that will leave you thinking and talking for days after reading THIS IS IT!

It has been a great pleasure to be able to read and provide a review and I look forward to all of Andrew Gross’ future publications.

The ARC contained some typographical errors which should not be within the pages of the final published copy.

Strong language was used throughout for those that maybe offended. But please do not allow this to deter you, THIS IS AN EXPLOSIVE READ!!!

Andrew Gross web pages:
http://www.AndrewGrossBooks.com

http://www.myspace.com/andrewgrossbooks

I wanted to thank Harper Collins for the ARC of “The Dark Tide” by Andrew Gross, it has been a great pleasure reading such an explosive read. I cannot convey how much I enjoyed reading this, I think Andrew Gross has out done himself with this one and has set such a high standard and I truly love his work.

I have already spread the word through family, friends and co-workers and they are ready to hit the stores on 3/18/08.

The cover is also an attention getter as everyone has asked is the jacket designed that way or did you tear the jacket, so a great idea of grabbing everyone’s attention.

Cut To The Bone
By Shane Gericke
http://www.shanegericke.com
Pinnacle Books
ISBN 978-0786018147, 384 pgs.
Reviewed by Terry South, Quality Book Reviews

Cut to the Bone is a non-stop thriller, one that the reader will not be able to put down.

Governor Covington has built his “Justice Center” in Naperville, a place where they execute death row prisoners in the electric chair. The world is watching Naperville prior to the upcoming execution of Corey Trent. Also, the Executioner is particularly paying attention, he is the man who starts by killing a receptionist at a spa where Emily and Martin Benedetti are members. The police department and Sheriff’s office put together a joint task force following the murder of a police officer. As suspicions begin to build about a serial killer, the Naperville forces are on the hunt for the killer before Friday which is the Governor’s target date for Cory Trent’s execution.

The serial killer known as “The Executioner” is a twisted psychopath, he attacks his victims and the his victims bear precision cuts by a man with no conscious that remains calm, collected and completely in control. If you are looking for a fast paced thriller with edge of your seat impact then look no further, this was a thrilling and engaging read. The author has done an excellent job and has done his research, once you start you will not be able to put this one down. An excellent read from the first page to the last.

Shane Gericke became a professional writer while in high school, since he has polished his writing as both an editor and reporter for newspapers and national magazines. He currently resides in Naperville, Illinois with his wife.

Visit the authors website at http://www.shanegericke.com

The Daemon in Our Dreams
John F. Rooney
Senneff House Publishers
PO Box 11601, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33339
ISBN: 9780975275672, $14.95
http://www.senneffhouse.com
Reviewed by Quality Book Reviews

The Daemon in Our Dreams is a suspenseful tale, the author has integrated a mix of characters and a strange mix of travel fiction and ghost stories.

The stories opening begins with the cold-blooded assassination of three people in a London pub by a Indian man, the novel outlines the prequel to this seemingly senseless triple killing. Three travelers, whom are strangers and are connected only by a shared Asian itinerary, and each have begun to have eerie, frightening dreams involving this Indian man. As it becomes apparent to each of these individuals that the others are also haunted by the same man, each begin to see the man from their dreams manifest in broad daylight. As they make their way from one port to another, this man, whom they have come to call “Ramesh,” is able to keep pace with them.. These three people, none of whom know each other, all meet on a cruise that ends up, in India. They discover that they’ve been haunted by the same visions, and they attempt to figure out what it all means. The tension escalates as they start seeing the actual dream man in all the different ports, and the appearances seem to be more threatening. What will become of the three travelers? Will the dreams come true or are they truly dreams, I think they are nightmares that I would not want to live in.

Pick up a copy to see how the above issues are resolved, and enter the nightmare yourself.

Protector

 

Protector
By Laurel Dewey
ISBN: 978-1884820-85-4
June 2007,  $19.95
Reviewed by Quality Book Reviews

Laurel Dewey has penned an outstanding debut novel, Protector, which is an exciting crime thriller that has a mix with the paranormal. Detective Jane Perry is a disturbed individual, she is struggling with demons from her past.  Recently a family was mysteriously murdered while under her protection and her partner Chris. The incident left Jane with a damaged hand and a jumble of nightmare images that combine the burning death of the little girl with events connected to a different child, someone she has never met. Jane tends to take her job too seriously, and it hits her hard when the family  dies in front of her eyes. Jane begins having serious doubts about her sanity, doubts that are furthered by her suspension from the department due to booze and refusal to accept help.

Jane is slowly spiraling out of control when she is saved by nine-year-old Emily Lawrence. The child is put under Jane’s protective care after both her parents were found brutally murdered in their home. Believed to have witnessed her parents’ murders, Emily is in danger when the killer makes another attempt on her life. What follows is an excellent tale of suspense that intensifies as the bond between Jane and Emily grows stronger and the killer takes more desperate measures.

Protector takes both traditional crime drama and metaphysical to become an intensifying debut novel.  Dewey’s characters are well defined and believable as well as realistic personalities of the characters in which you can identify.  Protector is a crime thriller that is both powerful and emotional with the basis of growing into adulthood from a past of being an abused child.

Laurel Dewey was born and raised in Los Angeles, California.  She currently resides in Colorado with her husband.  Dewey has also penned two non-fiction books as well as a western novella that was nominated for a Silver Spur Award.

 Want to know more then please check out the dramatic book trailer at http://www.laureldewey.com

Ricochet
by pm Terrell
ISBN: 0978563204
Reviewed by Terry South for Bookpleasures

Ricochet is a compelling all engrossing story that includes murder, terrorism, illegal immigration and espionage all rolled into a powerful engaging story line.  If you are looking for a fast paced story that will have you hooked and glued to each page then look no further, Ricochet will have you turning page after page from the beginning to the end.  The story begins as Shelia and her friend Margaret go shopping at the mall before Shelia starts her academy training for the FBI.  While Shelia and her best friend are at the mall they stop to grab a bite to eat, while standing in line Shelia becomes suspicious of a someone who is acting strangely and then there is an explosion and Shelia is knocked out.  When she awakes she finds herself buried and is short of breath due to the fire from the explosion, as for Margaret she is not as lucky, she is in a coma.

Later a reporter comes to Shelia and she informs her that she will never forget that face, a terrorist amongst us, and a face that she will soon wish she had not seen.  Her talking with the reporter has now put Shelia in more danger and it could mean life or death.  Shelia joins forces with her instructor Steve Moran to piece together the events and to solve the case, but what she finds leads to more questions and unanswered questions, and the trail that may uncover that her parents deaths were no accident.

Where will all this lead Shelia?  Will she find herself involved in another attack?  Will she find the truth behind her parents deaths?  You will have to pick up a copy of Ricochet to find out the answers and you will be glad you did, this is a great story that is highly recommended.  Fans of suspense, mystery and action will be raving about this book.  I look forward to reading more from this highly talented author who is a great storyteller.

The Screaming Room
by Thomas O’Callaghan
Reviewed by Terry South for Quality Book Reviews

Dave Driscoll is the commander of the New York Police Departments homicide division, he buried his daughter six years ago after she was killed by a drunk driver, his wife had been at home in a coma, now he has buried his wife. Getting back to his life after trying to put the ghosts from his past aside there is a serial killer lose that is killing tourists in New York City, there are very bizarre killings as the victims are scalped and then posed at tourist sites, including a Ferris wheel, Brooklyn Bridge, and the zoo. And to add to all the twist and turns, the serial killer is not one person but a set of twins, identical twins that are of different genders, they are brother and sister.

If you are looking for a fast paced thriller with edge of your seat impact then look no further, this was a thrilling and engaging read. The author has done an excellent job and has done his research, once you start you will not be able to put this thriller down.  An excellent thrilling and engaging read from the first page to the last.  A must read and an astounding 5 stars!

Ghostwalk
by Rebeccca Scott
Reviewed by Terry South for Quality Book Reviews

Ghostwalk is Rebecca Scott’s debut novel which combines both fact and fiction.  Ghostwalk is set in present day and the 17th century Cambridge, that mixes a beautiful love story as well as a historical investigation.

The story begins as Elizabeth Vogelsang is found floating in the river just below her garden with a prisim in her hand.  Elizabeth was a Cambridge University historian, she was working on a manuscript involving Isaac Newton and the 17th century alchemists.  Elizabeth’s son recruits Lydia to move into Elizabeth’s place and into finishing his mothers book.  You will be amazed at the events that follow and at the discoveries Lydia makes along the way.

If you are looking for a thriller with romance, mystery, murder, and the supernatural this one will surely fill your desires.  I found this one to be beautifully written and it is apparent that the author has done her research.  I found that with Ghostwalk you must read with comprehension as it may leave you reading back through again to assure nothing was missed the first time.

Feels Like Family
by Sherryl Woods
MIRA Books
ISBN: 0-7783-2436-2
Reviewed by Terry South for Cata Romance

Helen Decatur has always set goals for her life and has achieved those goals; she made her way through law school, opened her own practice and is a highly respected matrimonial attorney in South Carolina. Now at the age of 42 she feels she has let life pass her by, now she wants a family and a child of her own. Helen has set back and watched her two best friends living with their husbands and their children and she desires the same life, but having seen so many devastating divorces she has held off till now.

Helen’s friend Dana Sue owns a restaurant and Erik is the pastry chef, Erik has a pain filled past and has avoided romance. There is a chemistry between Helen and Erik even amongst their arguments you can feel their romantic attraction. Will Helen and Erik unite? Or will Erik’s painful past prevent him from discovering a romantic spark with Helen? Will Helen have the family she so desires?

Feels Like Family is the third in the trilogy of The Sweet Magnolias. You will find some wonderful and interesting characters, love, romance, suspense and sexual tensions making this one difficult to put down. The plot is intriguing and fast paced, and this one is a fascinating and highly enjoyable read all while looking at some very realistic issues which face women in their late 30’s and early 40’s everyday.

I highly recommend picking up the trilogy of The Sweet Magnolias, I have not had the pleasure of reading the other two in this trilogy but found this one to be highly enjoyable and I will be picking up the first two in this trilogy.

5 stars

IM
by Rick R Reed
Quest
ISBN: 1932300791
http://www.rickrreed.com

Reviewed by Terry South for Quality Book Reviews

IM is a psychological thriller about an online community where a predator has been and continues the hunt for his next victim. Gay men looking for partners via the world wide web are now being hunted by this predator and he has a way of seducing his prey that no man can refuse. What does IM stand for exactly? Is it instant messaging or instant murder? Maybe it means inevitable murder once you have been seduced by this madman.

Ed Comparetto is a gay Chicago police officer and is called in to investigate the first discovered murder. Timothy Bright is the victim’s friend and the one who reported the murder and Ed takes his statement only to later receive a call from his boss, and when this happens especially in the early morning hours and his day off can only spell trouble. Ed is fired for falsifying statements, seems as if Timothy Bright has been dead for two years and could not have been the one listed on Ed’s report as having given a statement. Now Ed must prove his innocence in order to get his job back, but will he be able to solve this before it is all too late? Now that Ed is off the case and off the job is the predator free to continue his lust of murdering gay men?

IM is one intense and super wild thrilling ride so hold on tight, I guarantee you will be on the edge of your seat. IM is superbly written with an intense plot line, great characters and is detailed and moves forward with astonishing speed taking you places you wish only existed in the movies. Reed delivers a novel that is engaging and thrilling while dealing with dark issues that reveals his true talent and a story that will stay with you long after reading the last page. While there were some typos in the book this should not deter you, this is a super entertaining and thrilling read and well worth overlooking a few typos.

A definite and astounding 5 stars! I must caution that the story is vivid in detail and gore and is not for the faint hearted.

See QBR’s Interview with Rick R. Reed:  Author Interview of Rick R. Reed