Vanishing Trail by Stephen Kosa

Vanishing Trail: The Taking of Jonathan Bishop by Stephen Kosa
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is one of my fastest ever reads, not because it was short, but because it gripped me from start to finish. Extremely well written and none of that very frustrating padding used by some authors. This author does not dwell on items not central to the storyline, everything is connected. Stephen Kosa has included everything you need for a thrilling read, believable characters, sound plot and twists and turns to the end.

Jake is an attorney in a the small town of Maple Creek who has suffered the tragedy of losing his wife and having to raise their son without her. Jonathan as the title suggests is abducted just as a another death hits the family. Will Jake get Jonathan back and can he get back some normality into his life? The answers are all there and you won't want to stop reading until the end. Highly recommended.

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The Land of Dreams by Vidar Sundstol

The Land of Dreams by Vidar Sundstol
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The attraction of this book was it genre and its award collection, for me this was very misleading. The story got off to a good start with the central crime described early on, however from then it turned into a history lesson on Minnesota and Lake Superior Indians. This lesson was broken with self analysis of the main character forest policeman Lance Hansen. I think the author has missed an opportunity to engage and entertain the reader, the plot is sound but is not developed, staying on a very narrow course and the book is bulked with the history and self appraisal. On a positive note the translator has used easy to read language, just a pity it was not more exciting. This book can stay low on your reading list.

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Cold Tuscan Stone by David Wagner

Cold Tuscan Stone: A Rick Montoya Italian Mystery by David Wagner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Steady but not thrilling, this adventure into the criminal art world takes in Tuscany, one of my favourite places in Italy. Translator Rick Montoya works undercover to lure out the criminals stealing precious artefacts of Tuscan history. Working with the local police chief it starts to get nasty. Who is the mastermind behind the stealing and how will it end? Good questions and you are kept guessing until the end. Worth reading but not high priority.

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Painted Ladies by P. R. Ellis

Painted Ladies : A Jasmine Frame Story by P. R. Ellis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The story line is more than just your regular ex-cop working with the police to solve a gruesome murder case. The author PR Ellis takes you into the life of a transgender trying to establish her new identity as first and foremost a women and then an investigator. As first in the series you get some of Jasmine Frame's history but it is necessary to set the scene and establish the relationships with her ex colleagues. We are also educated as to the clear differences between transgender and transvestism and the trials they endure to gain acceptance. The book could well have been written for a TV series ( no pun intended ) as it has that feel, nether the less it is an exciting and gripping thriller especially for a debut.

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The Never List by Koethi Zan

The Never List by Koethi Zan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A topical story with all the recent news bulletins about young abducted girls held captive. The terror and despair is very apparent in this captive turned detective story, you live through Sarah's, Tracy's and Christine's collective ordeals with Jack Derber. At times, I warn you may wince at their experiences. Jack is behind bars but eligible for parole and Sarah feels she cannot rely on the FBI to stop this happening. Overcoming all her fears she leads her cellar mates in finding the truth about her friend Jennifer. An excellent book and thoroughly recommended.

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Going Home by A American

Going Home by A. American
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

An "event" leaves Morgan a keen survivalist stranded miles from home. The story describes the adventure, danger and the gear he uses during his journey home. I have rated the book with 3 stars normally it would be a 4 star book but the overuse of acronyms and branding has killed off that star. Morgan joins forces with some others also seeking to go home, building friendships and together confronting all the hurdles placed along their route. Very little background is given as to how the event happened and the causes, I suspect this maybe reserved for the second book "Surviving Home". Overall it is a good story however you are distracted by the specialist indulgence.

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Waiting for the Storm to Pass by Bill Johnstone

Waiting for the Storm to Pass by Bill Johnstone
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A very easy and enjoyable read. Mike McCabe a journalist returning to Washington, resurrects his interest in an old story and gets more than he bargained for. As the body count starts to rise, we are introduced to the other main character, the investigating detective Lieutenant Kovarik. They conduct two separate investigations which eventually converge to provide the full picture. This is not a book full of twist and turns, nor is it gripping but it does deliver a well constructed and interesting story. Recommended.

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