Gold in the Coffins by Dominic Certo

Gold in the Coffins by Dominic Certo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I always know when I have enjoyed a book when I go out of my way to make extra time available to read. This book was a prime example soaking up all my spare time on two rest days delaying household chores. Donnie DeAngelo a Vietnam veteran who makes good with a successful restaurant and coffee business. Seduced by easy funding for expansion he is signed up with a large Wall Street investment firm to go public. Sounds great, however problems start to arise and his business is in jeopardy as well as support for his fellow vets and dependants. How can a group of ex marines fight the power of the city, to restore their pride, honour and finances. This is story of greed over honour that keeps you riveted to the end. It also reminds me of the old adage " if it looks to good to be true, then it is"

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Wither by Amy Miles

Wither by Amy Miles
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have been a fan of recent zombie TV series like The Walking Dead and Z Nation so it was great to find a new twist on the zombie theme. Amy Miles has conjured up a devastating virus which is converting people who just wither away and end up as moaners. The moaners are not your regular zombie as they are not vicious or flesh eaters but none the less is it very difficult to survive this apocalyptic disaster as you don't know who is infected and who has a bad cold. Combined with the drastic measures survivors are taking in order to stay alive makes for a very exciting read. Avery the lead character and her groups struggle to survive is the straight forward plot but this however does not diminish the excitement. The author is about to release a second book called Resurrect, looks to also be a winner for zombie fans.

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The Burning Gates by Parker Bilal

The Burning Gates by Parker Bilal
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Not the normal setting for a PI story, this uniqueness adds a lot of atmosphere and character to what is a straight forward plot. Set in Cairo, Egypt, Makana is hired to track down an Iraqi who is believed to have stolen art treasures for sale. As you can imagine with all the wars and infighting that goes on in the Middle East it is easy to get dragged into a much more dangerous investigation, but this guarranteed when Americans get involved. Although it is the fourth book in the series it is standalone and the author cleverly avoids any long history lessons by concentrating on the current storyline. The book is written in a very easy to read style with good pace and action throughout. My favourite character is Sinbad Makana's driver, very few words but the picture of the large friendly Egyptian is very clear. Excellent book that I would recommend to most.

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Nations Divided by Steve P Vincent

Nations Divided by Steve P. Vincent
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It is a long time since I awarded five stars to a book, but this one has thoroughly deserved it by looking at the Israeli / Palestinian conflict from a different angle, it is one I think is ignored too often. Jack Emery an advisor to the U.S. President has been central to efforts by U.S. to develop a peace agreement in the area. Just as the agreement is reached, a terrorist organisation threatens to derail it before the countdown to peace reaches zero. Jack is tasked to resolve all the issues before the world descends into nuclear meltdown as well as tending to his own love issues. This a great book full of fast paced thrilling action which makes it a compelling read. Steve P Vincent has done an excellent job on this third outing for Jack Emery and I will be backtracking and picking up the first two.

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The Kill Box by Nichole Christoff

The Kill Box by Nichole Christoff
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Relationships can lead you into many strange situations and PI Jamie Sinclair is no exception. A crazed ex serviceman breaks into her house demanding her boyfriend Adam goes with him to their boyhood hometown and help Eric their mutual friend. It must come with being a PI that after a long silence by Adam she has to go and investigate. She did not reckon on being dragged into years of deceit, murder and organised crime. This an excellent novel which moves along at fairly swift pace and holds your interest the whole way through, not giving away too many clues except where necessary. My only small criticism is some of the science setting is to elaborate and not required as the strength of the story would hold up on its own. Recommended

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Powerless by Tim Washburn

Powerless by Tim Washburn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

We all look to the sun as a heat source and very desirable when on holiday, but what if it spewed an enormous amount of electromagnetic energy that it destroyed our electrical infrastructure. What would that be like? Today we cannot live without our gadgets, phones and TV this book gives a very realistic insight into that scenario. The story has a few threads following the lives of different people affected by the power out including the President of the USA and the main character Zeke Marshall a Afghanistan veteran who sets out to rescue his sister and family. This is a great book full of action and some thrills but most of all it gives you that view of how the world could be. Unlike some disaster type novels where nothing is concluded Tim Washburn nicely wraps up all the loose ends. Recommended

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Close Quarters by Adrian Magson

Close Quarters: A spy thriller set in Washington DC and Ukraine by Adrian Magson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Marc Portman code name Watchman is a freelance covert operative hired by the CIA to escort a state official out the Ukraine which has just become one of the hottest spots for an U.S. Official. From the start he believes he is being sold out or at least his mission is being undermined but by whom. Can he trust his minders at Langley or does the problem lie elsewhere? This is a classic spy thriller where there any many interests in play at any one time and the spy is always left out in the cold. It is not a complex book but is very entertaining for the spy thriller enthusiast. The writing is clear and concise, which I personally like. You are never left hanging for too long and answers are available for most of the plot, but it still feeds your imagination as to what it must be like in these impossible situations.

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