Thrillers Rock Twitter

Review of Fatal Exchange by Russell Blake

2012-02-08T08:57:00.000-08:00

The Sexiest Main Character, EVER

A review by Landon Cocks

Some of you may have read my previous reviews of Russell Blake’s books and come to the conclusion that he and I are friends or relatives. The truth is, although I only met the guy a few months ago, I have a strange fascination with him and his writing.

I have two reasons for this fascination:

1) His sense of humor is uncommon and his jokes, diatribes and observations about life help me smile through the drool.

2) The man can write. Period. Like, demon powered.

If you haven’t read any of his stuff, do so, and do so now. Can’t decide which riproaringly crazily paced thriller to begin with? (Yes, another dangling preposition. Get used to it. That’s how we speak.)

Try this one: Fatal Exchange. Just when you think it’s about an international currency scam involving a small Asian country and the highest levels of the U.S. government, which it is, you get smacked in the face by the sexiest main character ever created, Tess Gideon. She’s a bicycle messenger on the streets of New York trying to “find herself” while working every muscle in her lean, taut and tattoo covered body in a race to deliver her daily intra-office correspondence on time. Not only is Tess beautiful, sensual and sultry she’s also quite intelligent and hides a soul that could change the world if it was released.

Don’t worry, there’s plenty of trademark Russell Blake action and suspense to go along with the breakneck pace of this novel as the story develops from a small apartment in Myanmar through a run down tenement building in New York City, finally erupting in the offices of the U.S. Treasury. Like all his books, Mr. Blake has chosen a plot that sounds too believable to NOT be true.

And there’s Tess. Dark hair, green eyes. And bad guys chasing her. Yes, please.

I give this book a five-out-of-five star rating. Great book.

Fatal Exchange can be found next to all of the Russell Blake titles on Amazon and his website, http://russellblake.com

If you'd like to learn more about the reviewer, please visit:

Website: jlandoncocks.com

Twitter: @JLandonCocks

Facebook: J Landon Cocks

Micro by Michael Crichton and Richard Preston

2012-01-22T17:56:00.000-08:00

I had eagerly anticipated the release of Micro since reading that the incomplete manuscript would be complete by Richard Preston, author of The Hot Zone. After an initial rebuff due to an excessive initial list price of $14.99, I patiently bided my time waiting for my turn through my local library. I am so glad that I was able to delay my immediate gratification and wait for a free copy.

I had read the first 20 pages with a free sample on my Nook, so I quickly reread the beginning and poured into the rest. The set up was engaging, with an excellent combination of technology, humanity and industrial intrigue. There were mysterious attacks by invisible assailants, a powerful new high-tech company recruiting elite grad students and several curious deaths and disappearances.

Unfortunately, one third of the way through the book, the plot took an unexpected and unbelievable twist. For most thrillers, the reader must suspend reality and buy into the premise proposed by the author. For some reason I just couldn't get past this sudden turn of events. Maybe I watched Grant Williams too often as the Incredible Shrinking Man or remembered my sleepless nights with early morning viewings of Dr. Cyclops. All I could think of while reading the second half was my alternate title, Honey, I shrunk the graduate students. Although Micro is filled with an enormous amount of scientific information concerning rainforest denizens, it felt like a journey through a universal studio set.

Micro is a well-written, engrossing thriller that surprised me with several of the twists that occurred. If you can truly buy into the premise, then this will be quite a ride, but I was left wondering what Micro could have been if it were left as an exploration of the uses and abuses of micro bots and nano bots on the national and international political stage.

Gideon’s Corpse by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

2012-01-16T10:18:00.000-08:00

Last January, Preston and Child took a huge gamble. After ten best-selling Pendergast novels, he duo introduced a new character, Gideon Crew. The first installment was not up to their high standards and seemed to be a set-up for future books. There was an investigation and plenty of action but over all the book had the feel of a back story. By the end, I was questioning their decision to create a new series. The good news is that they didn’t listen to me.

Gideon’s Corpse is a huge scale, action-packed thrill ride. From the opening, where a former co-worker of Gideon’s holds a family hostage in a New York apartment building to the nerve wracking conclusion, everything in this novel is grander. There are chases through canyons, an emergency landing of sabotaged plane, pyrotechnics and even a sword fight with chainsaws. Through it all, the novel is about an unwilling hero thrust into a situation not of his making. There are many parallels between Gideon and the protagonist of most Hitchcock films.

For those Pendergast fans, don’t fear for there is another Pendergast currently at the publisher and another being written presently. I had the pleasure of attending Preston and Child’s book-signing at Barnes and Noble in Princeton, NJ. They have a wonderful relationship, poking fun at each other while discussing the book, the writing process and fielding questions from the audience.

Some of the tidbits that they shared include:

- The new Pendergast book, Two Graves, will be released this December.

- The next Pendergast, I believe they said the title is Bane, will focus on Corrie Swanson.

- Michael Bay owns the rights for Gideon Crew and is planning a film.

- They write their books 2000 miles apart, using e-mail as a major source of communication.

- Their title for the new Pendergast book, Two Graves, was suggested by fans during a Facebook contest.

- Lincoln Child has a new solo book, Third Gate, coming out in May while Doug Preston is writing the introduction to a book on the Amanda Knox case.

If you get the chance to see them on their tour, take advantage. They are entertaining and informative. At the majority of the remaining stop, Doug will be there in person and Lincoln will be there via Skype. If you can’t see them, make sure to pick up Gideon’s Corpse. It is a great start to what will hopefully be a thrilling year.

My Top of 2011 - Better Late Than ...

2012-01-09T11:34:00.000-08:00

The end of 2011 brought many pleasant memories of books gone by and some technological issues, hence the untimely post. Looking back to 2011, there were many thrilling reads, some from this year and some from past years that I had overlooked. I will limit my selections to books released during 2011 and divide them into mainstream and indie.

There were many mainstream releases this year which I have not read yet, like Crichton’s Micro or Khoury’s The Devil’s Elixir. I will select three from mainstream releases and three from the Indie releases I have read.
Mainstream:

3. The Vault by Boyd Morrison – While it may be a tad inferior to The Ark, The Vault is a thrilling mixture of history, science, action and intrigue. Continuing the adventures of Tyler Locke and his former pro-wrestler/army ranger Grant Westfield, Morrison creates an intriguing tale involving a search for King Midas’ tomb and the ultimate secret of his golden touch.

2. The Jefferson Key by Steve Berry – Cotton Malone begins by stumbling on to a plot to assassinate the President and winds up battling pirates off the Eastern seaboard. Steve Berry mixes historical fact with current economic unrest to create an entertaining read. The book was enhanced by an e-short story released before the novel that gave essential background to one of the new characters. This is not the first time Berry has done this and several other authors have followed suit including David Baldacci and my next pick, James Rollins.

1. The Devil Colony by James Rollins – The new Sigma adventure is centered mostly in the US for a change and involves Native Americans, Mormons and secrets of the founding of America. While the action is intense and seemingly nonstop, the historical references kept me just as interested. This novel was preceded by an engrossing e-short story involving Seichan and the Paris underground.

Indie Top Three:
Great year for indie authors, as next year proves to be even better. Tough choice with many falling just short like New World Orders by Edward G. Talbot and Quick Kill by Patricia McCallum, but here are the top three:

3. The Ninth District by Doug Dorow – Dorow uses his knowledge of his home environment, Minneapolis, Minnesota, too create a tense robbery caper involving FBI Special Investigator Jack Miller. This is the beginning of what I believe will be many thrilling endeavors by Dorow.

2. Petroplague by Amy Rogers – This tense science-based thriller will enthrall the Crichton fans and surprise the Rollins fans with a mixture of scientific background blended seamlessly into a story involving a doctoral student and her relationship with her kid sister. The world hangs in the balance, but we wouldn’t care if we didn’t care about the characters.

3. 30 Pieces of Silver by Carolyn McCray – This is a break-through work that defines Ms. McCray as a force to be reckoned with in the field of historical/thrillers. This exploration into the religious realm, combined with the military and historical elements place her in the company of Rollins, Berry and Brown.

Special Note: This Tuesday 1/10 is the release of Preston/Child’s new installment in the Gideon Crew series entitled Gideon’s Corpse. I will be attending a rare book-signing by both Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child this Thursday in Princeton NJ. If you have any questions, comment on this blog and I will confront them face to face.

Zero Day on my Lucky Day

2011-12-18T15:03:00.000-08:00

Review of the new David Baldacci by @mrneil98

For those would have followed my recent posts, I was quite perturbed that Baldacci’s new release Zero Day, as well as the new Crichton, Micro, were listed at the “special” price of $14.99 for Nook and Kindle. Two weeks after their release the price dropped to the regular (but still too high) $12.99. I refused to purchase either book at either price, feeling manipulated by the publisher.

So last Saturday, while attending my local library’s semiannual book sale, I was surprised to see a copy of Zero Day resting on a shelf called “Lucky Day”. This section contains hot new releases that may be checked out for only seven days, cannot be renewed and have a $.25 a day late charge. I guess it was my lucky day, as I snatched the copy and made for the checkout counter. I had seven days to read the book for free.

It only took four. Zero Day is a quick read, well written and fast paced, full of interesting people and places that may seem familiar. Although John Puller is a new Baldacci central hero, he has many elements similar to his other characters Shaw (from Deliver Us From Evil) and Oliver Stone (From the Camel Club series). Still the comparison I found myself making most was with Jack Reacher from the Lee Child series.

Although elements were familiar, Baldacci is a very talented writer and is able to make even the familiar seem fresh and exciting. The story involves Puller, a Military criminal investigator, looking into the murder of a family in rural West Virginia. The locale, Drake, is perhaps the most interesting twist in the story and the part that reminded me the most of the travels and exploits of Jack Reacher. Puller hooks up with the town sheriff, a woman, and begins to realize that in small towns everyone is connected in some way.

While there are many twists in typical Baldacci fashion, I was drawn to the Puller’s relationship with his father, a military hero suffering from dementia, and his brother, serving life in prison for treason. The novel left the details of both of these relationship mostly untold, to be uncovered in later episodes of the series.

Is Zero Day worth the cost? For me it was, but it was my lucky day. If you are a Baldacci fan, you will not be disappointed. If you are new to him, this is not a bad place to start, with all new characters in a brand new series. If you want a trial, I would recommend Camel Club, the first in the Oliver Stone series to see if it is to your liking. For me, I am intrigued with Puller’s potential and look forward to the continuation of the series, especially to find out more about his father and brother.

Special Note: James Rollins will be annoucing the title of his next Sigma thriller at midnight PST on 12/20/11. The novel is tentatively scheduled for release June 26th, 2012. Stay tuned for updates.

Review of Quick Kill by @mrneil98

2011-12-11T15:00:00.000-08:00

And Interview with Author Patricia McCallum

Quick Kill is a fast paced mystery/thriller by Patricia McCallum, which introduces readers to an endearing new protagonist, Sydney Granger. Sydney is a female detective, small in stature but more than compensates with tenacity and courage. Sydney and her hunky partner, Mike Stanza, are involved in a string of murders, all occurring in a span of a few days. Initially there seems to be no connection between the victims aside from the gruesome manner in which they died. Through some fine detective work, Sydney and Mike race to the final exciting, and unexpected, conclusion.

For a debut novel, McCallum has created a thriller that warrants considerable attention. Her characters are likeable and believable while her storyline remains within the realm of reality, not an easy task when trying to create a new twist on the serial killer genre. McCallum, a member of the IBC, is off to a fantastic start and a promising future with Sydney Ganger leading the way, solving a wide assortment of cases.

Patricia agreed to answer some questions so we could get to know more about her:

1. Tell us a little about yourself. Quick Kill is set in Toronto. Are you from there?

Yes, I was born and raised in Toronto, then I left for 25 years to wander the earth. I have recently moved back from India and I'm attempting to 'settle down' once again! So far, so good. My next book might include some of the places I've lived in, so more of an international feel but keeping the main base in Toronto. Sydney loves Toronto.

2. While reading Quick Kill I was reminded of James Patterson works. Who are your influences when it comes to writing?

James Patterson, lol!! Thank-you, that is a awesome compliment for me! I also like Michael Connelly, Jonathan Kellerman and Tess Gerritsen.

3. Musically gifted children play an important part in your thriller. Has music been an influence in your life?
Actually no, that idea came out of thin air. Of course, like everyone, I enjoy music but I could never sing or play a musical instrument to save my life. Not even the recorder!

4. Sydney, the police detective/protagonist, uses yoga as a relaxation. Is this something you have tried?

I'm a yoga instructor. I practice Moksha hot yoga at the moment and teach chair yoga to enthusiastic little old ladies. :)

5. What is next for Patricia McCallum? Another thriller or a venture in another direction?

Sydney definitely has more adventures in the future but another thriller idea I've had for awhile is dying to burst out of me. We shall see...

Thanks Patricia and we look forward to your next venture. You can pick up a copy of Quick Kill here and find out more about Patricia on her blog.

Red Hot Thrillers by @mrneil98

2011-12-04T16:16:00.000-08:00

This post was inspired by two events from this week; the first was the announcement by Ray Bradbury to allow the release of Fahrenheit 451 as an e-book and the second was spending fifteen minutes every morning scraping frost off my windshield. I reflected back to this summer when I did a blog on “cold” thrillers after an especially hot week. I know it is early in what may prove to be a long, cold winter but I would like to select some thrillers to help keep out the cold. .

After eliminating dozens of “fire” titles due to the use of fire in relation to shooting a gun, I whittled the voluminous pile to my top five thrillers. While I tried to achieve the initial warming from the title, the setting of the novel was far more important to elevating the temperature of my psyche. The selection process was difficult and I had to omit classics like the aforementioned Fahrenheit 451, Richard Preston’s The Hot Zone and James Rollin’s Sandstorm. So here they are in David Letterman-esque countdown form:

5. Echo Burning by thrill master Lee Child. An earlier Jack Reacher (Number 5) set in the scorching desert with Reacher coming to the aid of a young mother who seems to be targeted by assassins. Not the best of the series but Child is an exceptional writer and he has created an iconic figure with Reacher.

4. Fever Dream by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. Although the title does not immediately warm your buns, the novel opens on safari in Africa with Pendergast reliving his wife’s death. The majority of the remainder of the novel is set in the bayous of Louisiana. The novel is the first of the Helen Trilogy, which was followed by Cold Vengeance this summer and will conclude with Two Graves in the summer of 2012. This is not my favorite Pendergast but it an exciting and interesting exploration into the psyche of this mysterious FBI Special Agent.

3. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. This is the second installment of the Hunger Games trilogy, continuing the tale of Katniss Everdeen by creating a special Games for the 75th anniversary against past champions. This book is even a little more violent than the first but the overall feel of the book is as a placeholder. The story is just a vehicle to more the plot along to the ultimate showdown in Mockingjay. If I did not have the third episode already on my Nook I would have been angry at the conclusion of Fire.

2. Ark of Fire by C. M. Palov. This impressive first novel by Palov is a thriller involving a race for the Ark of the Covenant pairing American photographer Edie Miller and British historian and former Special Agent Caedmon Aisquith. The action, pacing and historical information is reminiscent of James Rollins and Steve Berry and just as rewarding.

1. Sahara by Clive Cussler. This is my favorite Cussler adventure and featured Dirk Pitt. Any novel that begins with the South kidnapping Lincoln on an iron-clad ship has you hooked right in the beginning. You can tell that Cussler had as much fun writing the book as the reader has reading it. He even wrote himself into the book as a character. The discoveries made along the way fit into the flow of the action even as far-fetched as they may be.

There are so many hot thrillers to heat your chilly winter nights but I recommend losing yourself in one of these scorching titles. What are some of your favorites that I may have missed?

Cheap Thrills by @mrneil98

2011-11-27T17:15:00.000-08:00

For months I anxiously awaited the release of Zero Day by David Baldacci and Micro, Michael Crichton’s last thriller completed by Richard Preston, and I had resigned myself to shelling out the $12.99 I’d paid for previous new releases on my nook. I was shocked, to say the least, when I found that each e-book was listed at a “special price” of $14.99. There was nothing special about the price. Neither of the books rival the length of Stephen King’s 11/22/63 or any of George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones series, and in any case what cost is extra pages to an ebook? In fact, what added cost could have possibly made these more expensive than the latest Rollins, Berry or Pendergast book. Somehow this price seemed excessive, crossing a previously unrealized line. Couldn’t this $15 be spent more efficiently on a greater quantity (and equal quality) of thrills?

With the gauntlet cast down, my wife and I set out to two of our favorite thrift stores, armed with a note pad, pencil and $15 in cash. Each store charges $1 for hardcovers and $.70 for paperbacks. The rules are simple and I make them up as I go. I am looking for thrillers that I have not read but would be interested in adding to my To-Be-Read list, which already stretches into the next life.

There are 47 hardcover thrillers between the two stores, of which I had previously read only 9. There are 48 paperbacks that filled the bill, forty of them I had yet to read. Most of the authors were recognizable and the titles were best sellers. It’s very difficult but I manage to narrow my selection.

Hardcovers
The Silent Girl by Tess Gerritsen
Deja Dead by Kathy Reichs
Predator by Patricia Cornwell
Consent to Kill by Vince Flynn
Honor Among Thieves by Jeffery Archer
Saint by Ted Dekker
Raising Phoenix by Kyle Mills

Paperbacks
The Eight by Katherine Neville
Dead Watch by John Sandford
Darkest Fear by Harlan Coben
The Apprentice by Tess Gerritsen
Path of the Assassins by Brad Thor
The Keepers by Heather Graham
Dear Irene by Jan Burke
Play Dirty by Sandra Brown

Total for Hardcovers = $7, Paperbacks = $5.60; so I need two more paperback. I select two older thrillers by a couple of popular authors; Eaters of the Dead by Michael Crichton and Saving Faith by David Baldacci. Final total = $15. Now all I need is the time to read them.

Thrift stores are not the only option for “cheap” thrills. The 99CentNetwork has countless books priced $.99 - $2.99 by indie authors, many of whom are a part of the IBC. There is also the upcoming 99CentBookEvent by the WLC and IAN.

One final note: After the first two weeks of release at the “special price” of $14.99, Baldacci’s Zero Day is now selling for $12.99. What was special about the first pricing?

Asylum Lake by R. A. Evans

2011-11-20T06:36:00.000-08:00

Review by Michelle Scott

Note: The ThrillersRockT welcomes Michelle to the team. You can follow her on twitter , Facebook and/or her blog.

Asylum Lake (Parting the Veil) by R. A. Evans is a gripping, fast-paced thriller that left me with chills. Unfortunately, problematic flashbacks, spelling errors, and poor formatting undermined the tense plot and eerie setting.

In early 1970’s, a series of gruesome murders rocks the quiet, little town of Bedlam Falls, Michigan. But what’s even more disturbing than these terrible crimes is the fact that the perpetrator is a twelve-year-old son of a respected minister. The town, knowing that the culprit has been locked away, breathes a sigh of relief until thirty years later when the horrible acts are played out once more. Now, news reporter Brady Tanner stumbles across some disturbing family history that may help solve these mysteries and end the cycle of horror.

For the most part, I found this book to be entirely absorbing. At times, Evans’s writing leaves the reader breathless. Some events, such as the graphic murder sequences, left images in my mind that will not soon be erased. Other scenes, such as a time in which a foursome of teenagers decided to go for a nighttime swim, were wonderfully tense.

But not every scene is so well rendered. Clunky back story mangles the opening chapters of the book, and further on, the flashbacks are so poorly handled that it can be confusing to know what happens when. Also, there are many formatting troubles including such things as oddly-indented paragraphs and strangely-placed chapter headings.

Asylum Lake is the first in a series of books by R.A. Evans. It is a good first attempt by this author, but I hope that some of the problems with flashbacks and formatting will be fixed in the next books.

Dance of the Winnebagos by Ann Charles

2011-11-12T18:41:00.000-08:00

Here at Thrillers Rock Twitter we love #thrillers. We read #thrillers. We watch #thrillers. Some of us write #thrillers. But this weekend we are honoring our men and women in uniform, past and present, who live #thrillers every day. Our brave soldiers protect and serve our nation, far too often at their personal risk. Their brave families wait at home far too often not knowing if their beloved is safe and sound or in the midst of armed conflict. We can never do enough to honor and thank these awesome men and women.

Nov. 11 - Nov. 14 the Indie Book Collective is sponsoring Blog Tour de Troops, in honor of our soldiers and veterans. If you visit any of the participating author sites on the tour and comment with an email address you will get a FREE copy of one of the authors books. You can also designate a FREE copy to be sent to a soldier or veteran. eBooks, Kindles, and other goodies are also being gathered to send to our troops, and many of the authors have contests and other prizes for their commenters.

Visit the Blog Tour de Troops website for more information, then join us in a #thrilling blog hop with over a dozen FREE eBooks and a chance to win a Kindle! Get FREE eBooks for yourself and send them to your loved ones who serve our nation so selflessly.

Dance of the Winnebagos by Ann Charles

Reviewed by Maxwell Cynn

Dance of the Winnebagos by Ann Charles is one of the most fun books I've read in a long time. The rich cast of characters, and their antics, had me flipping pages - at times embroiled in the deliciously romantic cozy mystery, at others to find out what hilarious stunt would happen next.

Claire is a thirty-something who still hasn't found herself. She's tagging along with her grandfather and his buddies to keep an eye on them. They have their Winnebagos parked in an RV resort where they have invited every retired floozy on the internet to meet them. It's like the AARP version of a party at the Playboy Mansion. But Claire soon finds herself involved in a mystery - and with the handsome Mac who makes her toes curl just walking in the room.

The story is filled with twists and turns on all fronts. The romances and personal intrigues had me guessing almost as much as the mystery. Everyone seems to have an agenda and no one is completely open. As the silver haired sex-pots prance around in the desert heat, dark secrets are unveiled and the danger builds for Claire and Mac even as the heat between them ignites. This one gets two thumbs up and a stand ovation for laughs, sighs, thrills, and a excellently crafted mystery.

Whatever your favorite type of mystery, this one has it all - from romance to thriller - you're gonna love Dance of the Winnebagos. I can't wait to read more from Ann Charles. She is also the author of the award-winning Deadwood mystery series - Nearly Departed in Deadwood and Optical Dellusion in Deadwood.

British Invasion - A Thrilling Fab Four by @mrneil98

2011-11-06T12:03:00.000-08:00

For those thriller fans going through withdrawal since the release of Rollins’ The Devil Colony and Berry’s The Jefferson Key early this summer, I offer an alternative from across the pond. I have been enjoying the novels of several British authors over the last five years whose style and subject matter is consistent with the works of Berry, Rollins and Dan Brown. They are my Fab Four.

First up is Andy McDermott, the most prolific of the quintet. His debut, The Hunt for Atlantis, introduced his two recurring characters, Dr. Nina Wilde and Eddie Chase. Dr. Wilde is an American archeologist who continues to seek and solve many of the world’s greatest mysteries. Eddie Chase was hired originally as a bodyguard but their relationship has changed dramatically (and romantically) over the seven novels. McDermott’s novels are an entertaining diversion, reminding me of Matthew Reilly’s works.

David Gibbins is a writer who uses his educational background, a PhD in Archeology from Cambridge, to create believable scenarios and add credible historical background to his thrillers. His debut, Altantis, introduced his recurring cast of characters lead by Jack Howard, a marine archeologist, who is now beginning his sixth adventure. Gibbins books contain an excellent balance between historical background and modern day espionage.

Will Adams is the author of four thriller’s featuring archeologist Daniel Knox. His debut was The Alexander Cipher, followed by the superior Exodus Quest. Adams’ mixes historical knowledge with his own creative possibilities to create plausible storylines involving many of the world’s mysteries including Alexander the Great, Moses, Minos and Eden. (Note: Beware the changes in title from the original British to the American release name, i.e. The Exodus Quest becomes The Moses Quest.)

Last of the Fab Four is Tom Knox, not to be confused with Adams’ character Dan Knox. Knox is the nom de plume of British journalist Sean Thomas, who differs from the other authors by not involving recurring characters. Each of his first three thrillers create unique central characters and thrust them into life altering, as well as life threatening, situations. His debut The Genesis Secret dealt with fascinating findings in the oldest known settlements of Gobekli Tepe. Knox’s second The Marks of Cain was even better and truly demonstrated the incredible research that he conducts for each of his novels. I have been following him on Twitter @Thomas Knox and he has been documenting his excursions for his fourth and fifth books.

To fill the void until the next Rollins (summer 2012) or Berry (next Cotton Malone not until 2013!), you might want to try one of these British thriller writers. They educate with historical information while they thrill creating likeable characters thrust into death defying situations.

NOTE: I was originally going to review David Baldacci’s new thriller Zero Day but could not bring myself to pay $14.99 for the e-book on my Nook. The price crossed the line in my opinion. There are far too many books priced at less than one third the cost providing nearly as much entertainment. I almost balked when The Jefferson Key was $12.99 but in the end I caved. Not this time, especially since it is not an Oliver Stone and the Camel Club adventure.

Crossing Over - An Idea Whose Time Has Come

2011-10-30T18:07:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween! I hope you all took my advice and purchased All Hallow’s Eve by @crafty for $.99 during the Bestseller For A Day. Remember to keep the lights on while you’re reading. This week I would like to use M. J. Rose’s In Session as an inspiration to other writers wishing to use their established characters as a medium for cross-promotion.

In Session is an e-short story utilizing Rose’s recurring character of sex therapist Dr. Morgan Snow in three vignettes featuring three macho thriller stars in unlikely, and often vulnerable situations. The first story, Extenuating Circumstances, uses Steve Berry’s Cotton Malone in an interesting exploration into Cotton’s past and possible reason for his unstable relationships. Ms. Rose is obviously a fan (and friend) of Berry’s and has believably journeyed into Malone psyche although I believe Cotton should have seen through the subterfuge.

The second story explores Lee Child’s Jack Reacher, a character many of the readers of this best selling series would love to know in further depth. Reacher saves Dr. Snow from a bombing in her building but not before baring quite a bit of himself.

The third story involves Barry Eisler’s John Rain. Although I am not familiar with this character, his actions seem natural and consistent with the style of action oriented male persona central to these books.

In Session is a very entertaining and enjoyable read for only $1.99 but the main reason for the blog is to encourage other authors to “crossover”. One of the last shows I used to watch regularly was Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which would regularly have episodes where it crossed over with Angel. Author can use this same concept, as M.J. Rose has, to use their fan base to expose readers to new authors and their characters and visa versa.

This has been done on a very small scale by Steve Berry, James Rollins, Brad Thor and Raymond Khoury. Berry has shouted out Thor’s Scott Harvath, Rollins gave Cotton Malone an anonymous nod in The Black Order, as did Khoury in The Templar Salvation. Berry has in turn mentioned Rollins’ Sigma Force but now it is time to take it to the next level!

Already there is discussion on twitter and face book of a Rollins/Berry collaborative e-short story involving one of each of their characters. This should just be the first step. The ITW (International Thrillers Writers) is a tight knit group and the potential for cross promotion cannot be denied. There are numerous Reacher Creatures who have not yet become Malone Clones. How about an ex-Seal Team Sixer joining Sigma for an adventure (Mr. Thor and Mr. Rollins?). Or may The Chess Team (Jeremy Robinson) joining forces with Tyler Locke (Boyd Morrison). Lets get this done!

All Hallow's Eve by Cristyn West reviewed by mrneil98

2011-10-23T13:06:00.000-07:00

In honor of the season, I am mixing my thrills with a lot of fright this week. Last year I read (and enjoyed) Ms. West’s Plain Jane and was even more impressed by her 30 Pieces of Silver written under her real name, Carolyn McCray. What better way to begin Halloween week than with a scary story taking place on that very evening! The timing could not be better since All Hallow’s Eve has been selected as the Bestseller For A Day on October 28th and will be available for $.99. http://bestsellerforaday.com/

All Hallow’s Eve centers on the brutal murder of a priest in his own parish and the realization that this is actually the fourth in a series of seemingly unrelated deaths, all committed by a serial killer. Ms. West has a wonderfully creative way to tie together the killings and a potentially controversial direction her thriller could explore. My only regret with All Hallow’s Eve is that it selected, instead, the more familiar, well-trodden path of the serial slasher/thrillers. While reading the final half of the book, I could see the movie version playing in my head, a combination of Wes Craven’s Scream films and Tobe Hooper’s superior, underrated Funhouse.

The book has parallel stories of police detectives investigating the murders and some teenage relations of the investigators preparing for a secret rave on Halloween. The party is on an isolated island and hosted by a demonic rock star. The strength of the story are the relationships, some strong, some tenuous. The fragility of their nature and their ultimate fortitude is what will appeal to many of the readers. Ms. West does a remarkable job satirizing Goth-Metal with Diana Dahmer, a thinly veiled mockup of Marilyn Manson. The media is also skewered during the festivities but not as literally as many of the teens. Warning: This novel is rather graphic in its violence, like the slasher flicks the book is paying homage to.

Cristyn West’s All Hallow’s Eve is wonderful Halloween entertainment and if you can wait until October 28th, and the Bestseller For A Day, it can be yours for only 99 cents. Wow!! That’s a lot of thrills for very little money. If you can’t wait, you can get the book now for only $2.99. Enjoy and have a Thrilling Halloween!

The Inner Circle by Brad Meltzer reviewed by mrneil98

2011-10-16T13:38:00.000-07:00

I finished The Inner Circle three days ago and my mind is still racing. The final third of the book has so many twists and turns I thought I was on a Disney ride, but the literary journey was far more enjoyable. I have been a fan of Meltzer since reading Book of Fate several years ago and found it quite to my liking. His next, Book of Lies was even better in my opinion so I’m am not certain why I had hesitated when The Inner Circle was released. Perhaps I was reluctant, fearing another political potboiler and not wishing to mix my thrillers with politics. I should have known better from Meltzer.

The Inner Circle is more about relationships (personal and family), teenage angst, fears and triumph than about politics. The protagonist is Beecher White, a 30 year old working at the National Archives in DC, who looks back at the past to avoid thinking about his uncertain future. His life is forever altered when his first crush, Clementine, unexpectedly reenters his life. Together they stumble upon the Culper Ring, a secret society formed by George Washington to assist the president with “delicate” matters. The ring has survived for over 200 years and is using the archives to pass secret messages to the current president.

Complications ensue and allegiances become blurred with Beecher not knowing who to believe or even trust. Meltzer is a master of secret and mysterious societies. He is the creator and host of The History Channel’s Decoded series, which had an episode in Season 1 on George Washington’s Inner Circle. His historical research aids lends creedence to the activities but what elevates The Inner Circle are the characters that make us care. Clementine is a walking dichotomy, tough and independent, yet vulnerable and in need of assistance. Beecher is honest and honorable, yet has to question his alliances and morals. Even the president is a multifaceted character, delicately balancing country and family.

The Inner Circle, recently released in paperback, is a wonderful way to while away the time as the days become shorter and the evenings become cooler. Hunker down with a thriller that keeps you guessing, but also caring, until the end.

Petroplague: A Review and Interview with author Amy Rogers

2011-10-09T14:11:00.000-07:00

One of the my favorite rewards of writing for ThrillersRockT is the opportunity to discover new authors. Amy Rogers is one of those pleasant surprises, and her debut novel, Petroplague, has earned a spot in the top five on my Best of Twenty-Eleven list. Amy uses her extensive science background and research connections to create an intense thriller (or SciThri borrowing from Forrest J. Ackerman) that balances technology with well defined, likeable and believable characters.

     The novel centers on Christina Gonzalez, a doctoral student, researching genetically modified oil-eating bacteria which break down unusable tar sands and produce usable natural gas. After sabotage by an environmental group, the bacteria are released into central LA and bring the city to its knees.
     The presentation of the scientific information never resembles a lecture but is an organic development of the plot similar to Crichton or Rollins works. The thriller is elevated above the norm by the wonderful characters that are battling the Petroplague. Christina is a multidimensional woman battling her conscience as well as her bacteria. Her sister, River, is a well-intentioned activist who is also conflicted with feelings of cause and guilt. The novel broaches ideas of family bonds and betrayals, while maintaining the urgency to contain the bacteria and find a solution.

     Amy has graciously agreed to answer some questions about herself, her book and her beliefs regarding our nations dependence on fossil fuels. For more information you can go to http://www.amyrogers.com/ or http://www.sciencethrillers.com/. (Preview the first chapter) To purchase Petroplague for half the price of a paperback visit amazon, or barnes and noble.

Tell us a little about yourself. Do you have a scientific background?

I’ve been passionate about science since elementary school; I competed in science fairs every year from 3rd grade on, and wanted to be a scientist for as long as I can remember. I went to Harvard and studied biochemistry as an undergraduate. But that wasn’t enough! I continued my education with the MD/PhD program at Washington University in St. Louis, specializing in immunology.

2. While reading Petroplague I was reminded of Michael Crichton's works. Who were your influences when it comes to writing?

You make my day, putting PETROPLAGUE and the Great One’s name in the same sentence.
Yes, obviously, Michael Crichton is my #1 inspiration. In our novels we both link a high level of scientific accuracy to a sense of how technical achievements can go horribly wrong, even with the best of intentions. While I strive to imitate Crichton’s mastery of suspense on every page, I have my own voice and style. Other writers whose work I try to learn from include Richard Preston (THE HOT ZONE and Crichton’s beyond-the-grave November release MICRO), his brother Douglas Preston (RELIC), James Rollins (Sigma force novels), Jeremy Robinson (Chess team thrillers), CJ Lyons (“thrillers with heart”), and debut novelist Paul McEuen (SPIRAL).

3. Petroplague contains quite a lot of scientificinformation, both chemical and biological. What kind of research did you conduct for this thriller?

Having taught microbiology at the university level, I have an awful lot of technical information in my head already. Most of the rest I get directly from the scientific literature. For PETROPLAGUE, I did have to venture outside my areas of expertise and consulted directly with people from the oil industry.

4. Christina is a doctoral student working on her dissertation in biofuels. When you write, are you putting any of your own characteristic into the protagonist or supporting players, like River, her sister?

Writers synthesize characters from our own personalities and the personalities of people we’ve met, which is not to say that a particular character is ever “based on” a particular real person. In general, I’d say I’m more like Christina than River. Like Christina, I’m a stickler for following the rules; but also like Christina, I’ve learned to recognize the times when breaking the rules is the right thing to do.

5. Petroplague sets up a devastating scenario for a fossil fuel reliant nation. Do you see any hope for America and its dependency on oil? What direction should we be heading?

The research I did on Peak Oil for this book left me in a state of suppressed panic for some time. The consequences of a decline in global oil production are frightening, yet it is inevitable that at some point the decline will come. The hotly debated question is when will the peak occur? And will we be ready for it by having switched to renewable energy sources? Of course no one knows.
The best hope is that we will gradually make the shift away from petroleum before it’s too late to avoid massive economic disruption. That shift may be prompted by a gradual increase in the price of crude oil over time, by mandatory restrictions on carbon emissions, by political events that affect our ability to import oil from foreign countries, or by technological advances that make alternative energy competitive with oil.
Let’s all hope technology is the solution (as it is the least painful), and that it emerges sooner rather than later.

6. You are a member of the ITW. Can you tell us what their function is?

International Thriller Writers is the world’s finest organization for authors, fans, and industry professionals with a stake in writing page-turning stories of suspense. Primarily, ITW supports authors with networking, publicity, and their “summer camp for writers”—ThrillerFest, held every July in New York City. ThrillerFest includes two days of superb instruction in the craft of writing, a chance for aspiring writers to pitch their work to literary agents in person, and the highest density of NYTimes bestselling authors you’ll find anywhere. MrNeil, you were there last summer so you know fans are welcome! [See Photo of me with James Rollins and Steve Berry's arm. I will be there in a greater capacity next July.]

7. What is next for Amy Rogers? Another science thriller or a venture in another direction?

The next (untitled) Amy Rogers science/medical thriller will be released in the fall of 2012. A physician/scientist couple withering in a loveless marriage must relive their greatest tragedy and confront their greatest fears when their gene therapy trial threatens many lives—including their own. Readers can count on plenty of cutting-edge biotechnology, ripped-from-the-headlines events, and fact-based medical science, including the most important medical problem men don’t want to talk about. In the meantime, I’ll continue working to make ScienceThrillers.com the premier destination for fans and authors of thrillers with scientific or medical themes.

http://amyrogers.com/
http://sciencethrillers.com/petroplague

Thanks Amy, and we are anxiously awaiting your next SciThri!!

The New Paper or Plastic? by @mrneil98

2011-10-02T16:41:00.000-07:00

In my life, I am asked one question more than any other, “Paper or plastic?” It always leads to a serious debate; is paper really more environmentally friendly? Will a plastic bag out live my grandchildren? Within the last decade, a new debate has emerged, “e-book or traditional book?” Some use the same environmental arguments, with both sides claiming to be “greener”. Traditional books last longer and are biodegradable, but e-readers can hold an entire library.

I consider myself a traditionalist, haunting the local libraries and reserving new thrillers months before their release date. Perusing garage sales and thrift stores, I’ve amassed my own library, which crowds my bedroom nightstand and ultimately fills boxes on my basement shelves. Sticking my nose in a musty paperback with pages dog-eared by multiple readers has always been my favorite past time. Then last November, I was cajoled by my family to take the leap. I am now hooked on my Nook. It is easy to use, convenient and allows me to purchase a book and begin reading within minutes.

Perhaps the greatest benefit of the e-reader phenomena has been the ability for independent writers to get their works distributed to potential readers. For the last century, publishers have decided whose work was worthy enough for the masses, but e-publishing has turned the system on its ear. With support networks like the Independent Book Collective (IBC) and the Independent Author Network (IAN), writers not only have a path to publishing their work but also assistance with finding a market.

Through these networks, I’ve discovered authors like Carolyn McCray (30 Pieces of Silver), Cristyn West (Plain Jane), Doug Dorow (The 9th District) and many others who are now a part of my electronic library. Another bonus is that these books were purchased for a fraction of the cost. Next week, I will be reviewing “Petroplague” and interviewing its author, Amy Rogers. Amy is a member of the International Thriller Writers and her blog can be found at http://www.sciencethrillers.com/.

I truly have become an e-book convert and at this summer’s Thrillerfest, I shamelessly asked my favorite writers to autograph my Nook, which surprisingly has become a fairly common request at these gatherings. As for my personal collection, some I will donate to my high school, others to the local library, but the hard covers and paperbacks signed by Rollins, Preston and Child, Morrell and Boyd Morrison, I will hang on to for a while.

In recent years, I skip both paper and plastic and bring my groceries home in a reusable cloth bag. I have also discovered a third way for getting my “thriller rocks on”, the audio book. I tend to listen to novels that I’ve previously enjoyed and I’m often surprised and entertained by the vocal talents’ interpretation of the action. So what’s the best way to experience a good read; paper, plastic or spoken word? You tell me! Leave a comment.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith. Reviewed by @mrneil98

2011-09-25T22:36:00.000-07:00

Growing up, I was a connoisseur of horror films, often gravitating toward the quirkily titled hoping to find a petunia in the onion patch. I endured dozens of clunkers like Jesse James meets Frankenstein’s Daughter, The Thing With Two Heads and Invasion of the Bee Girls for every gem like Blood Splattered Bride. These films rarely terrified but would entertain with a combination cleverness and, often, unintentional humor. Therefore while perusing the aisles of Barnes and Noble, I could not help but be attracted to a book titled Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter featuring an iconic black and white photo of Lincoln with red, bloody hand prints trying to conceal an axe behind his back. Could this be the book equivalent of those horror film favorites of my youth?

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter is Seth Grahame-Smith’s follow-up to his best selling debut Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Being neither a fan of Jane Austin nor literary zombies, I passed on Grahame-Smith’s first attempt. Still I have always had a soft spot in my heart for vampires, so I gave Abe a chance.

The story begins when a struggling writer is given journals by a mysterious patron and is asked to create a manuscript from them. The books are penned by Lincoln and describe his life-long mission to destroy vampires, after realizing his mother was a victim of the creatures. Under the tutelage of a vampire turncoat named Henry, Abe destroys a gaggle of blood-drinkers while becoming embroiled in politics. The nation is on the brink of a civil war which was brought about by the vampires themselves to keep slavery, a valuable source of nourishment. Along the way, Abe befriends Edgar Allen Poe, debates Stephen Douglas and fails to assassinate Jefferson Davis before the War.

Grahame-Smith has crafted a well written story that truly captures the voice of Lincoln and the nineteenth century speech. He has thoroughly researched his subject and weaves fact and fiction so well it becomes difficult to differentiate between the two. The introspective nature Lincoln’s journal conveys struggles with loss and depression even contemplations of suicide. This is a serious work and this is where I have my reservations about the book.

I was incorrect with my expectation of levity, but the title seems to indicate a level of non-seriousness. I did find myself, however, drawn into the story and wondering how Grahame-Smith would skew the various accomplishments of Lincoln life toward the supernatural. The read is engrossing if ultimately unfulfilling, due mostly to my ill-conceived prejudgment.

While researching this blog, I discovered that Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter is in production and will be a major release next summer, with blockbuster aspirations. If they stay true to the book, I know not to expect a campy horror film but, if they want fannies in the seats, I suggest balancing the fear factor with deliberate absurdity. The Lost Boys does this exquisitely and I suggest the filmmakers inject some farcical elements into the secondary characters while Lincoln stays true to Grahame-Smith’s original vision. I would love to add Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter to my list of all-time favorite horror films right behind Children Shouldn’t Play With Dead Things, I Bury The Living and Blood on Satan’s Claw.

Michael Crichton - My Thriller Father By @mrneil98

2011-09-18T18:17:00.000-07:00

In the spring of 1971, I was twelve and sitting with my friend Randy in a dark Suffern, NY movie theater. We were two boys who couldn’t sit still in school, yet neither of us had moved in over an hour. I felt the blood rush from my face and my mouth was agape at the action unfolding on the screen. As the rolling credits snapped me back to my senses, we excitedly discussed what we had seen, debating the merits of the film and the scientific implications of the extra-terrestrial virus code named The Andromeda Strain. For Randy it was a cool movie, for me it altered my choices in film and, more importantly, in books. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the Michael Crichton novel.

For me, Crichton is the father of the medical/techno-thriller. While I explored science fiction and mystery on page and screen, I found myself returning time and again to this genre often not knowing the influence of Crichton. My favorite film of 1973 was Westworld, where a “Disneyland” for grown-ups, populated by androids goes horribly wrong. Later, I would realize the movie was written and directed by Crichton. He also adapted and directed Robin Cook’s medical thriller Coma.

Crichton used his medical background, a M.D. from Harvard, as well as his undergraduate major in Physical Anthropology, to write with authenticity and create some of the most innovative thrillers of the last forty years. Whether using biotechnology to create dinosaurs in Jurassic Park (1990), nanotechnology in Prey (2002) or genetically modified organisms in Next (2006), Crichton has had his finger on the pulse of the next big push in science, as well as what could possibly go wrong, often through corporate greed or negligence. The take-away message from many of his novels seems to be proceed with caution.

Perhaps Crichton should have taken his own advice before State of Fear (2004), a thriller about global warming and eco-terrorism. His selective use of research in casting doubts concerning global warming caused an uproar in the scientific community. While the Appendix cautioned against politicizing science by drawing comparisons to the eugenics program of Nazi Germany and Lysenkoism or agrobiology of the Soviets, the novel led to serious, polarized debates, the exact thing Crichton warned against.

Michael Crichton died three years ago at the age of 66. Pirate Latitudes was completed at the time and was published a year later. Also found on his computer was Micro, a thriller that was a third of the way written. There were notes and a character list with descriptions. Richard Preston, a master of scientific thrillers including The Hot Zone, was selected to complete Crichton’s original vision. The novel will be released on November 22 and I hope it will be a fitting finale to a remarkable career.

A Tenuous Trek: From Book to Big Screen By @mrneil98

2011-09-11T19:43:00.000-07:00

Encouraged by my adult daughter, who tore through the Suzanne Collins trilogy in less than a week, I read The Hunger Games and found myself completely engrossed by the struggles of protagonist, Katniss Everdeen. I found the tale a fine balance between action and tension, triumph and heartbreak, all within 275 pages. Evidence of my true feeling for the book was the period of time between completion and purchase of the sequel, Catching Fire, -- about two minutes! However, my haste did not entirely stem from enthusiasm, but was expedited by that abhorred news my daughter broke, “They are turning it into a movie.”

Among the ultimate goals of many authors are a position on the prestigious New York Times Bestsellers List, and a financially rewarding movie deal. As a reader, I dread having one of my favorite novels turned into a film. Over the next few years I will apprehensively await a Sigma Force film based on James Rollins’ series, a Gideon Crew film based on a Preston/Child book and a TV series based on David Baldacci’s King/Maxwell series. My hopes will rise as the release date approaches only to be dashed, like so many times before. Let’s face it; Hollywood has a poor track record for converting print to film, with few exceptions.

Case in point, Relic by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. For those unfamiliar with the novel, it introduces Aloysius Pendergast in a classic murder mystery with monstrous overtones set in the Museum of Natural History in New York, a locale frequently used by Preston/Child. Hollywood’s first alteration was to change the title to The Relic, minor at first appearance but the original had multiple meanings where the film title is a singular object. Their next mistake was to relocate the film to the Natural History Museum of Chicago, a nice museum but it felt wrong when you consider the significance of the NYC’s Museum of Natural History in the conceptualization of the novel. (Preston formerly worked at MNH and had an after-hours excursion with Child that inspired the novel) Even so, the most grievous error by the filmmakers was the elimination of several characters including; Bill Smithback, a writer featured in half a dozen books and Pendergast himself!

There are numerous other examples of thrillers that did not translate well to the big screen. The DaVinci Code and Angels and Demons were completely unconvincing and held none of the novel’s suspense. Sahara was the second failed attempt at filming a Clive Cussler’s Dirk Pitt adventure, after the long forgotten Raise the Titanic. Kubrick’s The Shining made me angry and Pet Sematary made me walk out of the theater. Shutter Island, however, was closer to my vision of Dennis Lehane’s creepy manuscript, and was consequently more enjoyable. And perhaps this is where the problem lies; my vision.

When I am enjoying a book, I am watching a film in my mind. When the action on the big screen differs greatly from what I’ve imagined, I have a difficult time accepting another’s vision. Similarly, the casting can shine a negative light prescreening, as was the case of Tom Hanks playing Robert Langdon or Steve Zahn as Dirk Pitt’s sidekick, Al Giordino. Perhaps I am too harsh a critic and I know that it is hard to get everything right. The film Silence of the Lambs, however, gives me a tenuous hope for these upcoming releases.

As I watch the recently released teaser trailer for The Hunger Games, I can feel that little seed of hope growing, but I will try not to let my expectations get the better of me. Still, it would be nice to leave the theater saying, “Yeah, that’s how I saw it!”

Is This Labor Day or Christmas? by @mrneil98

2011-09-04T21:24:00.000-07:00

I look at my calendar and check my PDA just to be certain. No, this is the beginning of September not the end of December. This is not an aberration, it must be the Indie Book Blowout! I had recently seen the posts on Twitter but was reticent about inquiring until I realized I needed new reading material. I have difficulty reaching out to new authors and leaving my comfort zone.

Out of curiosity or desperation, I click on the link and peruse the titles offered. I select Pandora’s Grave by Stephen England and The Schliemann Legacy by D. A. Graystone. Hundreds of pages of thrills and entertainment for a total of $2.12. What the heck? I just paid $11 to be marginally entertained by Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark for less than two hours but these two book will engage me for about ten hours each!

There is no better way to end the summer than a visit to the Indie Book Blowout. As a potential author, I recognize the time and effort necessary to produce a novel. To make it available for $.99 is a way of telling the reader that their effort is more about the product than the profit. Although if you like this one for $.99.…….

First Foray: Choosing a Topic for Your Debut Thriller, by @mrneil98

2011-08-28T20:46:00.000-07:00

As is the case of many avid readers, I have a desire to write. Although my dabbling in gothic horror in the late seventies took a backseat to career and family took forefront, I continued to read, shifting genres from horror to mystery to history to thriller, with many of my favorites encompassing some combination thereof. Now with my career settled and my nest mostly emptied, I’ve been re-examining the possibility of writing, this time focusing on the thriller genre. Here-in lies my conundrum. What should be the topic of my first foray?

I have read novels by scores of thriller writers, following many from their first to their most current publication. Utilizing my mathematics background, I analyzed a number of first novel themes. Although the range was wide, I’ve determined that the topic should either be Atlantis or the Knights Templar (at least if you go by mode, since I‘m not sure how to average themes). As a writer, you wish to focus on an area of interest for the readers and these are two popular topics for writers trying to create a market.

Often it takes an author several books to become an “overnight sensation”, like Dan Brown or Steve Berry. Each had two or three previous books overlooked or rejected outright. It wasn’t until The DaVinci Code with underlying Templar themes, that Brown became a force and readers revisited his previous three works. Similarly, Steve Berry’s third novel, The Templar Legacy, was his breakthrough publication that allowed his previous works (The Third Secret, The Amber Room) to reach a market. There are many other authors that chose the Knights as their preliminary offering. Raymond Khoury hit the NY Times bestseller list with The Last Templar (and revisited with his fourth The Templar Salvation) and Paul Christopher has also created a series of Templar books.

Atlantis is another mystery that has intrigued readers, and consequently writers, over recent years. It seems that many writers searching for an initial foothold have explored the mystery of Atlantis. The lure has not only attracted initial publications like; David Gibbons (Atlantis), Andy McDermott (Hunt for Atlantis), and Thomas Greanias (Raising Atlantis), but established writers have explored the Atlantis phenomenon in novels like Atlantis Found by Clive Cussler and even James Rollins’ YA series with Jake Ransom.

As I reflect on these repeating themes, I attempt to derive a unique perspective but alas, so many writers and so few topics. So where do I go with my first endeavor? Atlantis or Knights Templar? Can I merge them somehow? Has that been done yet? At the very least I, like both the aspiring and successful writers who came before, will always have the Nazis to fall back on.

"Cold Vengeance" by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child, Post by @mrneil98

2011-08-21T16:58:00.000-07:00

I have eagerly awaited the release of the new Aloysius X.L. Pendergast installment, Cold Vengeance for a year. Let it be known at the outset, that Preston and Child have created a tense thriller to compliment the rest of the series. I will elaborate in a bit, but first, a diatribe that was initiated by George Lucas and The Empire Strikes Back.

The year was 1980 and I had just graduated college. I paid my $3 and sat with friends to watch this sequel to Star Wars. I was awed by the story and visual effects, which contained several huge surprises; Han Solo gets captured, Luke and Darth Vader duel and Luke loses a hand but gains a father. Then the credits started to roll. I remained firmly planted in my seat, not because of the sticky floor, but because I was waiting for the remainder of the movie.

“It’s the second part of a trilogy”, my friend said, as if this would alleviate my dissatisfaction. It did not. To this day I have not seen Return of the Jedi or the other three films, and will not, until I get a written apology from George Lucas and my three bucks back! This experience has made me suspicious toward the “middle child” of literary and cinematic trilogies.

The second tale of a predetermined trilogy must often struggle with an “identity crisis”. The elder book has set the stage and is lavished with praise while the youngest, last installment gets the attention with a satisfying conclusion but the middle story is often neglected and unfulfilled. While Cold Vengeance is the middle book of the Helen trilogy, Preston/Child had an earlier trio centering on Pendergast’s evil brother, Diogenes. That middle book, Dance of Death, was the best of a strong triad, so my hopes were elevated but unfortunately I came away thinking this book should be subtitled, The Pendergast Strikes Back .

Vengeance begins where Fever Dream ended with Pendergast investigating the death of his wife Helen. It opens with a bang in Scotland (literally), and eventually makes it back to New York where a large part of the action takes place. Returning are Vincent D’Agosta and now college student Corrie, from Still Life With Crows. The action is very intense and there are many scenes with authentic and sustained suspense. While revisiting the Vengeance for this blog, I appreciate it more the second time. Still, I did have that unsatisfied feeling at the conclusion, which I hadn’t felt with Dance of Death. Both novels leave you with cliffhanging endings but Dance seemed to be more of a complete work. I think part of the reason is that the conclusion, Book of the Dead, was already on the shelf. This time I must wait a year for the finale of the Helen Trilogy.

Cold Vengeance is a wonderful read as the summer winds down, provided you read Fever Dream first. Be warned that you will need to delay your immediate gratification since the conclusion, Return of the Pendergast is a year off.

"The Silent Girl" by Tess Gerritsen

2011-08-14T21:03:00.000-07:00

Another rock out loud thriller novel from a female author. I don't say this like it's some kind of shock or surprise when it happens, but rather because I continue to notice a rather sexist bent within our not-so-little community of thriller readers that slants towards male authors. So much so that many thriller authors of the female persuasion choose to use their initials rather than put out there that they are women.

Enough's enough already, guys. Let's get completely over this particular little quirk and just... move on. These women are creating thriller fiction that is fun, fast-paced, adrenaline-filled and un-put-downable. They also manage to infuse a level of perspective and flexibility into their story telling that male authors will occasionally let slide. And I'm a guy.

Okay. Done with my soap box rant. This novel's a winner. Sure, if you're not into paranormal stuff permeating your straight-up-thriller, you may be a little bugged, but keep reading. This one will grab you by your unmentionables and keep tugging while you breathlessly beg for more. Good stuff. Really good stuff. Oh, and if you're new to Tess Gerritsen, this is her 9th (yes, NINTH) Rizzoli and Isles novel. So, if you like, there's more where this puppy came from. Lots more. Plus a TV series and stuff. :)

And if you don't dig on the thrillers, the interesting bent this one has will serve to introduce you a bit more gently to this genre. It's cool. It's dark. It's intense. And it's just an absolute page-turner. So give it a shot and let me know what you think!

You can buy The Silent Girl here.

Oh Baby, It's Cold Inside (These Thrillers) Post by @mrneil98

2011-08-07T19:33:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know it’s summer and it’s supposed to be hot but these last two weeks have been extreme. Several days in triple digits, topping out at 106 in Newark, NJ last Friday. One of the greatest challenges was rotating the ice cube trays properly so there would always be some available. During this time I finished reading Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston, a non-fiction about a serial killer terrorizing the Tuscany section of Italy. Fascinating story and reflects on the current Amanda Knox case, particularly in the handling of the investigation but that is a blog for another day. Looking for a new novel I perused my bookcase and was immediately drawn to titles like The Ice Limit, Ice Hunt and Iceberg. I began reflecting on thrillers I have read with a frigid setting and a “chilling” title.

After eliminating dozens of “Ice” titles (whether Black, Blue, Crimson or with Fire) due to the use of ice as slang for diamonds, I whittled the voluminous pile to my top four with an honorable mention from the same author. While I tried to achieve the initial cooling off from the title, the setting of the novel is far more important to plummeting the temperature of our psyche. So here they are in David Letterman-esque countdown form:

4. Iceberg by thrill master Clive Cussler. An early Dirk Pitt (when I devoured them) where a Viking ship is found incased in, well, you can guess. Although a little dated technologically, Cussler is an excellent storyteller who influenced many of the current generation of writers. Every time I read a Rollins novel with Gray Pierce and Monk Kokkalis interacting, it reminds me of Dirk Pitt and Al Giordino. Honorable Mention: Artic Drift also by Cussler, co-written by his son Dirk. The later Dirk Pitt adventures also have his twin adult children that magically appeared around the fifteenth book of the series. This book centers around mysteries involving the Northwest Passage.

3. The Shining by Stephen King. Although the title does not immediately give you that arctic blast, the setting is a snow-bound Colorado hotel in the dead of winter. King masterfully uses the weather as a tool to further isolate Jack Torrance. The book is amazing but the movie is a huge disappointment (as with most film versions of novels). Where the written word leads to tension and suspense, the film caused unintended laughter. Honorable Mention: Misery by King. Again, the snow-bound setting, although this time back home in Maine. One of the few books that translated just as well to the screen thanks to an amazing performance by Kathy Bates.

2. Ice Hunt by James Rollins. This pre-Sigma chiller features the abandoned Soviet Ice Station Grendel, which may not be completely empty. The ice station is located on an island of ice. This novel introduces the character of seaman Joe Kowalski, now a member of Sigma and an excellent source of humor to relieve the tension of the moment. Rollins spun him off with a 2005 short story “Kowalski in Love” then he became “the muscle” for Sigma and now, as of The Devil Colony, a full member. Honorable Mention: Doomsday Key by Rollins. Although not entirely set in the frigid climate, a good portion takes place in Norway and in particular the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. Besides, I must include any book where the heroes are rescued from certain death by a rampaging herd of polar bears.

1. The Ice Limit by Doug Preston and Lincoln Child. A billionaire is after a meteor that he believes is on an island between South America and Antarctica. An earlier novel that introduced the intriguing engineering genius Eli Glinn, who returned in several Pendergast books and now is the mission provider of the Gideon Crew series. Honorable Mention: Terminal Freeze by Lincoln Child. A solo venture about the discovery and thawing of new species of prehistoric cat, the book is simultaneously a thrilling creature feature and a satire of current television entertainment. It works wonderfully on both levels.

There are so many more cool books to chill with during the dog days of summer but I recommend losing yourself in the wintry terror of one of these featured titles.

"One Good Turn" by Kate Atkinson. Guest review from @ScullyLovePromo

2011-07-31T18:17:00.000-07:00

I don’t usually choose crime novels when selecting fictitious fare, although I have read my fair share of them in the past (John Grisham, Stuart Woods, Mario Puzo, John le Carré). However, One Good Turn by Edinburgh-based, bestselling author Kate Atkinson was a welcome change of pace and a literary mystery novel that unravels several crimes slowly and with great intrigue as well as humour. Atkinson’s characterizations are so detailed and the plot so complex that I really don’t know what to say about it that will do it any more justice than all the professional, critically acclaimed media reviews that have come before. It was an absolute delight to read and one helluva gripping page turner!

One Good Turn is set in contemporary Edinburgh during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival which for me, made for an interesting backdrop because I’m such an Arts lover and I’ve always wanted to attend the Festival. I was a little disappointed that there wasn’t as much detail about it as I’d hoped but it didn’t put me off the rest of the story and it does include a has-been stand-up comedian named Richard Mott to lend authenticity. Although the book reintroduces former police inspector turned man-of-leisure millionaire Jackson Brodie and his aloof actress girlfriend Julia (who I didn’t like one bit but has a play running at the Festival which is why Brodie’s in Edinburgh) from Atkinson’s previous novel, Case Histories, you don’t have to have read it to enjoy the suspenseful One Good Turn.

The plot revolves around the participants in and witnesses of a fender bender that’s immediately followed by a brutal road rage attack. This action sets the stage for a series of exciting and complicated events that are all interrelated but we don’t know exactly how until the end of the story, which concludes in a matter of four days, in one of those whopping A-HA moments!

The narration oscillates between the main characters which include an asexual, diffident but thriving crime novelist named Martin Canning (a.k.a. Alex Blake who writes about a 1940s English female detective named Nina Riley and is vaguely reminiscent of Jessica Fletcher in Murder, She Wrote) who witnesses the baseball bat beating by thug Terrence Smith of unsuspecting motorist Paul Bradley. Martin reacts by throwing his laptop at Smith which knocks him off of Bradley just in time for the police to step in and then Martin finds himself accompanying Bradley to the hospital and strangeness ensues.

The incident is also witnessed by Jackson Brodie (who additionally discovers a female floater in the bay which sets up an equally interesting subplot), Archie Monroe and Gloria Hatter, a middle-aged, wealthy woman with a penchant for following rules, who is ironically married to criminal construction tycoon Graham of Hatter Homes – Real Homes For Real People – and stands as the moral center of the story.

Meanwhile, Chief Inspector Louise Monroe is struggling with a 24/7 career that leaves little time for her to keep an eye on her 14-year-old son Archie, who goaded on by his buddy Hamish, may or may not be sinking into dark waters that are too deep for him to tread…or is that Brodie who is falling deeper and deeper into the mystifying peripheral events of the story?

One Good Turn embodies really great storytelling and even the secondary characters will keep the reader enthralled.

The novel also includes a conversation with the author at the back of the book, questions and topics for discussion if chosen by a book club, and the first chapter of Atkinson’s subsequent novel, When Will There Be Good News?, which gives One Good Turn’s Chief Inspector Louise Monroe and Jackson Brodie another mystery to solve.

Jackson Brodie also stars in her latest novel, Started Early, Took My Dog and according to Atkinson’s website he will soon be appearing in a six-part television series adapted from Case Histories, One Good Turn and When Will There Be Good News? for BBC One. Now, I’ll have to go back and read all of these books because I know they’ll make for some terrific television! But who will play Jackson Brodie?! (I think Colin Firth or Eric Bana might be a good choice!)

Hot "Fever Dream" Followed by "Cold Vengeance" Review/Preview from @mrneil98

2011-07-24T18:05:00.000-07:00

Through nine previous novels Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child have enrapt readers with the exploits of FBI Special Agent Aloysius X.L. Pendergast. The cases are always bizarre, with inklings of the supernatural, and Pendergast’s modus operandi is quite unorthodox. Although the majority of the novels are set in New York, Pendergast is from an old New Orleans family with a sordid history. Tall, lean with white/blonde hair and even whiter skin, Pendergast is always dressed in black woolen suits and is often mistaken for an undertaker. During each novel, more of Pendergast's past has been slowly revealed, especially in the trilogy of books dealing with his brother Diogenes. The readers knew Pendergast was married and his wife, Helen, has been killed by a lion on safari twelve years ago.

The prologue of Fever Dream recounts the events leading up to Helen’s demise. Back in present day New Orleans, Pendergast visits his homestead and discovers Helen’s gun had been loaded with blanks. Someone, for some reason, had set Helen up! It was murder. The quest for Helen’s killer(s) is made more difficult since a dozen years have passed and so have many of the potential witnesses. The journey takes Pendergast and his adopted partner Lt. D’Agosta from Africa, to Georgia, to Maine but mostly around Louisiana.

I attended a Fever Dream release book signing and Preston and Child spoke and answered questions. They referred to the book as the first of the Helen Trilogy. There are several deviations from past novels, the main ones are the setting (not in NY) and the lack of the mystical elements. It is still fascinating and I am amazed how the authors continue to tie seemingly random elements together in a believable coherent story. In this case, we have a murder in Africa, John James Audubon and his mysterious lost painting “The Black Frame”, stolen Carolina parakeets and a family of four that met a horrible end.

By the end, Pendergast has solved the case... almost. There is still at least one person at large and many unanswered questions concerning Helen. Which is good, because on August 2 Pendergast #11, Cold Vengeance, is being released. This one begins in Scotland with a bang. I read the first chapter which was released as a teaser in the paperback release of Gideon’s Sword. Even I was surprised by the suddenness of what occurred. The publisher promises this journey will lead Pendergast from Scotland to New York and back to the bayou of Louisiana. I, for one, cannot wait.

Should you read Fever Dream if you haven’t read the other Pendergast novels? Of course! You will want to go back and read them afterward but you be able to understand the nuances of the relationships without the previous books. You should read it before Cold Vengeance. If you are looking for other books after the eleven in this series, Preston/Child have several non-Pendergast books written collaboratively and individually. After the temperature hit 104 on Friday, I am ready to replace a Fever with something Cold.

"Fallen" by Karin Slaughter

2011-07-17T17:42:00.000-07:00

At a time when many of my favorite authors seem to be floundering, experimenting and just generally under-delivering, it's nice to have Karin Slaughter. After ten wonderful novels, I find it incredibly gratifying to say that her eleventh does nothing but improve on an already incredible world. For those of you who have been reading this blog for a while, you may remember that I reviewed Broken a while back. It was my pleasure to return to her intricate, damaged and beautiful characters.

For you thriller readers out there, this entire series should be required reading. If you're not reading Karin Slaughter right now, I have one word for you: Repent! Pick up one right now. It doesn't really matter which. They're all superlative. Starting at the beginning with Blindsighted, you'll want to finish them out. Starting with Fallen, you'll be sure to backtrack. So take your pick; just don't blame me when you're hooked.

Now, for you I-could-take-thrillers-or-leave-'em types out there, give this one a chance. Slaughter lives up to her name, sure, but she does it with class and flair. I said it with Broken and I'll say it again here. These are thrillers that manage to live up to the adrenaline-packed excitement expected by the genre, while still reading like literature. You're really getting the best of both worlds with this author, and I only expect it to continue. You can get Fallen here.

Oh, and for those purebred bibliophiles out there (or anyone that's just looking for a smoking deal on books by up-and-coming authors), you MUST check out the Indie Book Collective's Menage a Blog. It starts Monday, July 18th and goes through the 25th, with three different titles every day. Awesomeness overload. #dontsayIdidntwarnyou

Keep your Rock stars, I’ll take Write stars, Post from Thrillerfest Crasher @mrneil98

2011-07-10T15:59:00.000-07:00

As a much younger man, I would loiter outside Shea hours before a game hoping to catch a glimpse of Daryl Strawberry or Doc Gooden. While working in Manhattan in the mid-eighties, I ogled Penny Marshall directing Tom Hanks in Big, I gaped at Meatloaf walking with his wife and daughter outside FAO Schwartz, I got autographs from Whoopi Goldberg, Dom Deluise, Alice Cooper and many more while they exited The Howard Stern Show, broadcasting next door to my workplace on Madison Avenue. The same mixture of excitement and nerves was equaled, and perhaps surpassed, as my daughter Chelsea and I neared Thrillerfest on Saturday afternoon. We were not attendees - we were crashing the book signing event that follows the afternoon workshops. Chelsea and I are still debating which of us is Owen Wilson and which is Vince Vaughn.

This subterfuge was necessitated by the previous day’s wedding of my older daughter. There was a Thrillerfest related book event at Mysterious Bookstore in lower Manhattan on Friday evening while our wedding party was circling the Statue of Liberty on a tour boat. I was psyched to learn Rollins was signing at the Thrillerfest bookstore Saturday. Chelsea, a new Rollins convert, agreed to accompany me on the 90-minute trek from the Jersey Shore to The Grand Hyatt in NYC with the added support of her friend Becky.

Not knowing what to expect, we arrived early and cased the joint. The hotel is truly grand but we walked through like we knew where we were going (we didn’t). We followed signs to the Convention Level and found the makeshift bookstore. Outside was a cafeteria-style table with name cards that read like a who’s who of bestselling authors. As yet, the seats behind the names were empty. We perused the bookstore buying a few books from authors in attendance. I had donated most of my Preston/Child books to my school library and my David Morrells to my town library, so I was holding Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston and The Shimmer by David Morrell. A man squeezed by, bumping lightly into Becky and I glanced briefly at him then down at the book I was holding for confirmation. That was David Morrell! I elbowed my daughter pointing at the book then the man and she nodded. I was now officially a star struck 52 year old; the emotions were the same as my younger days, but the objects of devotion had changed.

As the authors trickled in I found Boyd Morrison (The Ark, The Vault) and got his autograph while talking about zombie marches and engineering. We then moved to the VIP table which now had faces that matched the names. Each author was more accommodating than the next. David Morrell signed his book and my nook while we talked about Asbury Park, the locale of his thriller Creepers. Doug Preston signed book and nook then asked for a demonstration of the nook. He was delighted to see Cold Vengeance, the new Prendergast book, out 8/2, on preorder.

The next two authors were the goal of my undertaking. James Rollins immediately pointed out my “Spread the Word” t-shirt to Steve Berry. The two were obviously friends having toured together, signing books and visiting troops in Iraq with Operation Thriller, and have developed a playful, jesting banter. At one point Rollins wanted his publicist to take a picture of him and me and Steve Berry lifted a copy of his book into the center of the frame. Steve Berry couldn’t help crowing to James Rollins that The Balkan Escape, his e-short story was my first nook purchase. After the autographs and handshakes, Chelsea, Becky and I left in a whirlwind daze, the whole experience lasting less than an hour.

The last two days have been amazing in very different and rewarding ways. You can have your rock stars and sports stars. When I want to feel like a giddy tween, I’ll attend a book signing by my favorite authors.

"The Vault" by Boyd Morrison, Post from @mrneil98

2011-07-03T23:25:00.000-07:00

Talk about your 4^th of July fireworks, Boyd Morrison’s The Vault is a non-stop action/thriller that blends technology, science, history and ancient puzzles with a race to head off impending disaster. Tyler Locke, our heroic ex-military engineer from Morrison’s debut The Ark, is back with his friend and partner, former professional wrestler turned Army Ranger turned engineer, Grant Westfield. Joining Locke and Grant is Stacy Benedict, the host of a television program on Ancient Mysteries and an expert in classic languages.

Locke’s father and Stacy’s sister have been kidnapped, forcing them to work together to solve a series of puzzles designed by Archimedes that lead to King Midas’ tomb and the true source of the legend. This trail takes them from Seattle to Italy, Germany and Greece and finally back to the US for nail-biting denouement. At first I was reticent about the introduction of Stacy as Dilara, the female protagonist of The Ark, was my favorite character. Stacy proved herself to be strong, independent and very capable in the face of the many challenges. Once again Morrison shows his ability to create powerful female characters that retain a balance of emotions and vulnerability.

The Vault is a perfect summer escape novel, filled with action and suspense but with enough history, science and technology to keep your mind sharp; Locke, Grant and Stacy not only racing to solve the mystery of The Midas Touch to free their kidnapped loved ones but also heading off a possible terrorist attack. Morrison has proven The Ark to be just the first leg of what I hope is a long journey and The Vault is an excellent follow-up.

Unfortunately you’ll have to wait a day or so to join the fun since The Vault is being released Tuesday July 5th. I was thrilled (literally) to receive an advance copy for my review; my very first guest post was a review of the The Ark.

Morrison is an inspiration for indie writers everywhere. Although an Industrial Engineering Ph. D. who had worked for NASA, Microsoft Xbox and RCA, he had aspirations of writing. Morrison submitted his three manuscripts to every publisher in New York and was rejected by all. In 2009, when Amazon began allowing authors to put their unpublished works on the Kindle store, Morrison took that avenue. Within months, The Ark was a leading seller and caught the attention of a publisher. He was given a multi-book deal. In addition to The Ark and The Vault, his early novel Rogue Wave was released in paperback (and e-book) and another early novel The Adamas Blueprint will be released later this year as The Catalyst.

Happy 4^th of July week! I suggest cooling off by spending some time in The Vault.

"Devil Colony" by @JamesRollins. Reviewed by @mrneil98

2011-06-26T16:38:00.000-07:00

The wait is over but was it worth waiting an extra year? Heck Yes!! I will try to review the book without giving away too much but first some background. I discovered James Rollins and the Sigma Force series at a library book sale in 2005 where I purchased Sandstorm, mostly due to the cool holographic cover. After reading it I was hooked; with ball lightning, killer scientists and hidden cities under the desert, how could I not be. As a reader of all seven novels, I think of the characters as family, the most thrilling family evah! We have shared loss of friends and body parts, struggles with family and relationships and become cognizant of the latest developments in science and technology usually mixed with historical fiction.

This is exactly what The Devil Colony offers. There are two missions that keep overlapping. In the first Painter Crowe, Kowalski and the geologist Chin are investigating the aftermath of a mysterious explosion in Utah. The fireworks were outside an ancient Native American cave containing mummified bodies and artifacts and the perpetrator may have been a young Native American activist Kai who is also Painter’s niece. The other story line has Gray, Seichan and Monk investigating the true story of the Guild. (Sorry Rachel fans but this is Seichan’s book.) At the end of the e-short story The Skeleton Key, Seichan receives papers embossed with The Great Seal of the United States containing clues to the Guild. She delivers them to Gray and their search is on!

In true Rollins fashion, The Devil Colony is filled with historical and religious information concerning Native American, Mormons, Israelites and our Founding Fathers. Several times I paused to “wiki” some of the topics like the Caucasoid mummy remains or Chief Canasatego, as well as nano-bots and neutrinos. I love when my novels peak my curiosity and my adrenalin, and Rollins consistently delivers. There are many locales visited by the two groups but this time the majority of the action takes place in the United States. Painter’s group journeys up and down the Rockies while Gray’s stays east of the Mississippi (Iceland is east).

While the action is fast and furious, what distinguishes Rollins from many others in this genre, is the balance of duty to country (or world) and duty to family. Gray’s struggles with his father’s Alzheimer’s seem to weigh on him more than being caught in a volcanic eruption. Painter must decide how to deal with his niece Kai while heading off impending disaster. Kat, eight months pregnant, is left in charge of Sigma and must send her husband out on a life threatening mission. Then there is the mutual attraction of Seichan and Gray. Her transformation over the last several novels from cold assassin to team member and even confidante has been subtle. Will they or won’t they? Of that, my lips are sealed.

After reading The Devil Colony this, I listened to Map of Bones audio book while doing yard work and I am amazed by the way Rollins has intricately incorporated recurring themes through all of his novels almost as though he had all seven mapped out. The m-state white gold from Map of Bones is eerily similar to substances in The Devil Colony. There is also a reference by Raul of the Dragon Court to secret societies during the founding of the United States. Each time I revisit one of the earlier books I pick up more of the threads that have been so deftly woven into The Devil Colony.

Do you need to read the previous books to enjoy The Devil Colony? No, but it will enhance your understanding and satisfaction. Just a note to the author, since when do books end with bombshells? Please don’t make us wait too long before the next Sigma adventure. You can purchase Devil Colony here.

A Non-review of Rollins' "Devil Colony"

2011-06-19T15:11:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I tried.

I tried to do something else this week. I don't have a review of Devil Colony, because it hasn't come out yet (unless you're reading this after the 21st). As of it's posting, there's still 2 days left until THE DAY.

So, rather than review another novel that is great, but not Rollins (sorry, other novel, I do love you, but...), I decided to just talk about how excited I am that Devil Colony is finally coming out. And in case you missed the implication--I AM REALLY EXCITED THAT DEVIL COLONY IS FINALLY COMING OUT!

I read (and reviewed) The Skeleton Key. I devoured the excerpt from Devil Colony that was included in the $.99 price tag. I loved them both. But at the end of the day, all they did was make things worse. I have been on figurative pins and needles since then.

And so, by all rights I should be talking about some other novel here. Instead, I'm raving about how awesome the excerpt was and how excited I am to read this stinkin' novel.

If there's any frustration on your side that I've done so, I apologize profusely. But, since it's my blog, while I will beg your forgiveness, I'm gonna go ahead and wax poetic about Rollins some more.

If you're a Rollins fan already, you've probably already pre-ordered the book. But on the off-chance that you're not, I really recommend that you do so, NOW. Seriously. Just the excerpt was enough to keep me up at night in anticipation.

So do yourself a favor and go get it here!

And, unless I miss my guess, I'm pretty sure that @mrneil98 will be reviewing Devil Colony for real next week. If not, you know that I absolutely will in the week after that.

Happy reading!

"The Jefferson Key" by Steve Berry, reviewed by @mrneil98

2011-06-12T17:49:00.000-07:00

Arrrrrr mateys. Hoist the sails and batten down the hatches, we’re settin’ sail. No need to check the URL. I promise that this isn’t a review of the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie. This is ThrillersRock and this week I am reviewing The Jefferson Key by Steve Berry. This pirate infused novel is well worth the price of admission unlike a certain movie. For those of you unfamiliar with Steve Berry, he is the best selling author of ten books, seven involving the adventures of Cotton Malone, a retired government agent from the Magellan-Billet who now operates an antique bookstore in Copenhagen. Of course retirement is never really what you expect.

In The Jefferson Key, Malone is mysteriously summoned by his former boss, Stephanie Nelle, to a hotel room for a meeting only to find a remote controlled automatic weapon aimed at the President’s caravan on the street below. And that’s just page 1. The plot involves present day descendants of pirates, who are continuing their family business (with some minor updates). These privateers were given a Letter of Marque by the Founding Fathers for their assistance in the Revolutionary War until Andrew Jackson tried to stop them and hid some important information. Malone and companion Cassiopeia Vitt must solve the puzzle and uncover the truth in order to save his former boss from the pirates.

For this novel, Steve Berry has kept the action in the United States (and Canada). This allows for a fascinating exploration into pirates and their utilization in the first 100+ years of America’s history. Berry is a master at weaving historical information into his storyline without losing momentum or becoming didactic. He takes great detail in describing many locations from the Jefferson Hotel to Monticello as well as the Jefferson code and cipher wheel.

I have read all ten of Berry’s books (the Cotton Malone series in order) and this one makes the top three. The element I most enjoyed from The Jefferson Key was the introduction of Jonathan Wyatt, a colleague of Malone who botched an assignment and was ousted from the force. He has vowed vengeance on Cotton and is not only a formidable opponent but also an interesting character. For those who want an introduction to Jonathan Wyatt, Berry released an e-book short story The Devil’s Gold as a precursor to Jefferson Key (and it’s only $.99), similar to his friend James Rollins’ The Skeleton Key (see last week’s post).

What is a summer without pirates? Is there any better reading material for bringing to the beach? As a “Malone Clone“, I strongly recommend The Jefferson Key and I would gladly walk the plank for a preview of the next installment Cotton Malone series.

"The Skeleton Key" by @JamesRollins

2011-06-05T11:48:00.000-07:00

No, it's not Devil Colony. That comes out on the 21st (not that I'm counting down the minutes, dagnabit). And no, it's not available in any other version than as an e-book.

Don't let that scare you. First off, if you're one of the unfortunates that think you need a Kindle or Nook to read e-books, let me reassure you. If you have a computer (or even a smartphone) with internet access (which I would assume, since you're reading this), you can get apps that will allow you to read e-books in pretty much ANY format.

If you're like me and you just prefer the feel of a book in your hands, I'm going to tell you what I had to tell myself--get over it. I still buy my favorite authors in hardback. I buy books in used bookstores. I frequent libraries. I don't think that will ever change. But I'm also opening myself up to new experiences and new authors (especially indie or self-published ones) that come only through e-books.

And this one is worth checking out. It's only $.99, it's a short but great read filled with action (Rollins-style, so it has that veritas ring to it). Plus it's got a lengthy excerpt from Devil Colony at the end. Totally worth the buck I spent and then some.

So, if you're a thriller reader, you really have no excuse. If you're not, this is a great place to start. No long term commitment to a lengthy novel here. Plus, you get to experiment with a new format that is doing for publishing what mp3 players did for music.

You can get The Skeleton Key here. You can thank me below. :)

The 6th Man vs. Jake Ransom & the Howling Shinx by @mrneil98

2011-05-22T18:15:00.000-07:00

In the two weeks since my last post, I have read The 6^th Man by David Baldacci and Jake Ransom and the Howling Sphinx, by James Rollins, often bouncing back and forth between the two. They are both excellent additions from New York Times bestselling authors but going between the two made me a little punch-drunk which gave me an idea….

(Enter the Ring Announcer)

In the Rollins corner, wearing the “Tae Kwon Do gi” and a red belt is Jake Ransom. Fresh from his last bout with the Skull King, which ended in a draw. Jake has been working hard in hopes for a rematch. His last bout transported him through time and space to the mysterious land of Pangea, inhabited by “lost tribes” from every age and corner of the world. Jake and his sister Kady were following the trail of their missing parents but found only their timepiece, which aids in opening another portal. They are reunited with Pindor, Marika and Back’uuk from their first adventure in Pangea, this time transported to a desert world where they a captured by Nerfertiti and battle dinosaurs and other exotic creatures. Following clues left by their mother, they help uncover the mystery of the Howling Sphinx.

And in the Baldacci corner, making the journey from Virginia to Machias, Maine are the tag team of Sean King and Michelle Maxwell. Former Secret Service agents, now private detectives, this is their fourth bout together and heretofore their best. Called by their former mentor, King and Maxwell head to desolate Maine to help with the trial of accused serial killer Edgar Roy. When his mentor is murdered, King and Maxwell become the only hope for uncovering the truth surrounding Roy. In true Baldacci fashion, this book and every character in it are not what they appear. There are cover-ups, National Security conflicts, and mysterious characters that keep you guessing right to the final chapter. (Announcer leaves the ring).

With Jake Ransom, James Rollins has created a character that captures the awkwardness of tweendom with the cunning intellect to wriggle out of every dangerous situation. The alternate worlds that exist in Pangea are the perfect setting for an “anything can happen and usually does“ feel. As varied as the supporting cast is, each has a distinct personality that is appealing and endearing to the reader. The only character I would personally have tweaked is Kady. Her boy-crazed, cheerleader persona comes off as too cliché at times, although she is handy with the sword.

With King and Maxwell, David Baldacci has walked that fine line between partners and lovers and navigates the tensions created by loving their work equally. As a reader, you believe in their emotions and their actions. I even found myself caring about Edgar Roy and his relationship with his sister. Although their back story may be a bit worn, Baldacci is able to surprise even his most loyal readers with an unexpected twist.

Who wins the match between Jake Ransom and The 6^th Man? You do, if you get the opportunity to read these fine books. Don’t be dissuaded from the Young Adult title of Rollins book, just enjoy the adventure. One word of caution, read one at a time or you’ll end up in a rope-a-dope.

"Wrecker" by Dave Conifer, Guest Review from @egtalbot

2011-05-15T19:03:00.000-07:00

Guest review from Edward G. Talbot (@egtalbot).

Let's get one thing very clear from the beginning. The title character, Wrecker? You don't want him anywhere near you. Oh at first he comes off as the strong silent type, a little more sensitive than average. But he's damaged goods in more ways than one.

Wrecker isn't an action thriller, it's a psychological one. More Harlan Coban than James Rollins. A fairly normal middle class family thinks they've got a great thing going when they find a handyman to work on the cheap. The family has its own difficulties, and getting the painting done without incident might as well be a gift from above. Soon, they wish they had made a different choice.

It's hard to go into more details without giving it away. Wrecker has a reason for everything he does, and we discover that Steve, the husband in the family, may have a secret of his own. The book builds towards the expected climax, but still has a couple of serious twists near the end, twists that you just knew had to be coming but couldn't figure out before they happened.

The best thing about the book IMO is how the writing just flows. The phrase "page turner" could have been coined for this one. It's a thriller, but it has some strong elements of a drama as well. Think of the movie Fatal Attraction, and you'll have a good sense of it. If you like thrillers, you'll like it. If you like dramas, it's a great book for testing the waters.

It's no coincidence that Wrecker has been tearing up the Amazon ebook charts most of the year. It is currently available in both paper and ebook formats, and at 99 cents, the ebook is a steal. You will not be disappointed.

Edward G. Talbot is the pen name for two authors. Ed Parrot lives in Massachusetts and has long been fascinated with turning ideas into written words. Jason Derrig lives in Maine and likes to tell stories, especially about conspiracies. The two authors have collaborated to create a brand of thriller that keeps the stakes high while not taking itself too seriously. They have released one conspiracy thriller novel, New World Orders, as well as a terrorism thriller half-novel "Alive From New York." Their second novel, 2012: The Fifth World, will be out in June 2011. Later in 2011, Talbot is teaming up with Jeremy Robinson, author of numerous thrillers including the Jack Sigler series featuring the Chess Team. The collaboration is on a novella set in the world of the Chess Team, focusing on the Chess Team character Rook. For all the latest on Edward G. Talbot, check out their web site: edwardgtalbot.com

Mainstream vs. Indie Authors by @mrneil98

2011-05-08T17:41:00.000-07:00

A quick intro before I start my first official blog. My name is Rob Neil and I am a father, husband, math teacher. I am also a musician who has played publicly in bands and solo, a wanna-be writer and, most importantly for this blog, a reader. I will be contributing twice a month to Thrillers Rock (2^nd and 4^th Sundays) and adding some tweets about books I’m reading during the week. Most of the posts will be reviews but some will be observations of 40+ years of reading, first sci-fi (Vonnegut, Heinlein) then horror (Saul, King) then mystery (Hillerman) and finally thrillers (Rollins, Berry, et. al.)

In noting the changes to the publishing world over the last six years, I cannot help but see the parallel to the music industry of the 90’s. With drastic advances in the availability of recording equipment and ability to burn CD’s any band could create, record and produce their own songs. There was no longer as great a need for a “label” to get your music to fans; you simply record your songs using a program like garage band, burn a CD and distribute it at your gig.

Today, the e-book explosion has turned the publishing world upside down and has allowed many struggling writers the opportunity to get their work to a potential audience. It is no longer necessary to submit your manuscript and receive numerous rejection letters (I won’t say countless because you always keep count). With self-publishing programs available and support from social network groups like IBC, this method is cost effective and allows the writer to “sell” their work for a fraction of what a publisher would charge (we are talking anywhere from $3.99 to FREE). For less than the cost of a drink at Starbucks you can receive hours of thrilling entertainment.

My first e-book was Cristyn West’s Plain Jane which I purchased for $1.49 after a discount. This is an exhilarating serial killer/detective story better than two of the last three Alex Cross books by Patterson. I was hooked (or should I say nooked since I now own one). This was followed by Pentecost by Johanna Penn, non-thriller A Walk in the Snark by Rachel Thompson and 30 Pieces of Silver by Carolyn McCray, a religious thriller on par with Rollins, Berry and Brown.

Has the torch of thriller writing been passed to a new generation of indie writers? I don’t believe so. Berry has Jefferson Key being released May 17^th, Rollins has The Devil Colony out June 21 and Dan Brown will have a new book out sometime this decade. I think of these great authors as a box of matches passing out sparks of inspiration to ignite the flame of desire to write and entertain (hokey but true). When I played Cat Stevens covers in a coffee house I wasn’t trying to replace him, just entertaining those around me with a different spin on a classic song. These authors should be honored, they inspire us to read, they inspire us to write.

In the future there will be far more book reviews and less ramblings. If you have any title suggestions, let me know. I will “write back at you” in two weeks but in the meantime, I’ll tweet ya later.

"Book of Souls" by Glenn Cooper

2011-05-01T18:23:00.000-07:00

A little bit of mysticism. A lot of history. A ton of twist and turns. Enough tension to strangle an elephant. Yeah. This was a good read.

Cooper plows in to his sophomore novel with a basic premise: second novels don't have to suck. And wow, did he find a receptive audience in me. His first novel, Secret of the Seventh Son or Library of the Dead was a humdinger. He lives up to that novel's potential with the sequel, Book of Souls.

For those of you who love Rollins (and come on... how could you not?) or Berry or Brown, this novel should fit comfortably... but excitingly... into that groove. You get the puzzles, you get the reinterpretation of history and historical figures (Shakespeare and Nostradamus, anyone?). You get the flight and fight to save the world. Good stuff.

If you're still on the fence about the thriller genre, this is the kind of novel that could change your mind. Getting started with a thriller that incorporates history and puzzles in addition to the adrenaline-packed punches that are the mainstay of the genre can really ease you into the fun and adventure that can be found here. So, I guess what I'm saying is... give this one a shot!

Book of Souls can be found right here.

"Cold Wind" by C.J. Box (@cjboxauthor)

2011-04-24T18:09:00.000-07:00

I'll admit to being a little rock-and-roll, but somewhere deep in my heart is a country boy yearning to get out. C.J. Box went a long way towards making that happen with this novel. This is the eleventh in the Joe Pickett series, and it made me want to run out and grab all the rest immediately.

This is another of those thriller writers that, if you haven't experienced him yet, he's definitely worth picking up. You get a great, action-filled read, full of good guys, bad guys and the not-so-intelligent in-betweeners. You get a real feel for Wyoming and it's unique topography and politics. You also get an awesome back-list where you don't have to wait for the next freakin' novel to come out.

For you non-thriller lovers, this one has appeal beyond the adrenaline-pumping norm. It's nice to have an honest-to-goodness honest and good guy running the show. Joe Pickett is a guy you want to have on your team. Plus, the fascination of peeking into the politics of what really kind of still is the Wild West with a small veneer of polish on it is truly compelling. There's plenty here to keep you engaged.

So, if you already read C.J. Box, you know what I'm talking about. If you don't, it's totally time, dontcha think? :) You can get Cold Wind here.

Cage Match, Baby! @craftycmc vs. @amberscottbooks

2011-04-17T15:24:00.000-07:00

Okay, folks, I've got a good one for you this week. Wait. Did I say "one"? I meant "two". Because this week, it's a match-up between the intense crime thriller Plain Jane and the sexy paranormal romance Fierce Dawn. Now, knowing this crowd, you may already have your decision made, but take your time, check them both out, and then give your vote to the worthiest candidate. Or play both ends against the middle and vote for both of them--you'll get more free stuff that way. :)

Because these two indie darlings are part of what the Indie Book Collective is calling the Blog Tour de Force Cage Match Edition. Go check out what they're doing and what all you can win (Kindle, anyone??). Then... Let's get ready to book rrrruuuuummmmblllleeeee!

This is the first book that Carolyn McCray released, written under the name Cristyn West. If you've been following this author, you already know that she's spearheaded some of the most innovative marketing campaigns for indie books ever. You should also know that when it comes to storytelling, she pretty much kicks butt and takes names.

This novel is dark, gritty, compelling and just a little twisted. Great combination for a crime thriller. You've got good guys here that almost look like the bad guys. And there's twist after twist that will knock your literary socks right off of ya. I'll be the first to admit that the crime thriller genre can sometimes feel a bit one-note, but this novel's a freaking symphony. You can purchase Plain Jane here. You can vote for Carolyn McCray by commenting on her blog.

Now, don't let the fact that Fierce Dawn is a paranormal romance keep you from checking this sucker out. Scott has proven to me over and over that she's a genre-defying wunderkind. If you like paranormal romance, you'll love it. If you don't really like that genre, you'll still probably love it. Scott manages to find unique and compelling ways to take her storyline along, and while there's definite sex appeal, this is far from a bodice-ripper.

The characters are fascinating, the magic is engaging and the novel seriously zips along. You'll be flipping digital pages until late in the night, cursing the clock for moving too fast. You can get your copy of Fierce Dawn here. You can vote for it by commenting on Amber Scott's blog.

For anyone that's an e-book-a-phobe, let me tell you that you don't have to own an expensive Kindle or Nook to read 'em. You can download an application for your computer or many smartphones that will allow you to read both of these gems.

Now, having presented both options to you, I respectfully retire from the fray. I respect both of these authors way too much to weigh in too heavily on one side or another. I will tell you this--I'm looking forward to watching the fight. Ding, ding!

"Atlantis" by Robert Doherty @Area51_Book (aka Bob Mayer)

2011-04-10T16:49:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's science fiction. Yes, it's also a military-type thriller. Yes, it's terribly edited. Yes, it's a lot of fun. Yes, it's dirt cheap.

And yes, it's totally worth the read, even with all the typo gaffes.

This is NY Times Bestselling author Bob Mayer writing as Robert Doherty, with a series of what appear to be self-published novels. He, like many others, is realizing that the whole self-publishing thing allows him to keep a lot of control over his work. The only thing lacking here is a good line editor. Seriously, dude.

But beyond that, this is one heck of a ride. Will it appeal to non-thriller or science fiction readers? Possibly not. But at a mere $.99 for the Kindle version (and if you don't have a Kindle, don't let that scare you--there's an app for that, even for PC users), you can afford to experiment outside of your comfort zone. So, put down the copy of Sense and Sensibility for a second and give this one a try.

Now, if you happen to love thrillers and/or science fiction, like myself, you simply HAVE to get this sucker. There's more than one, they're rip-snorting fun, and as I said before... they're CHEAP!!! Total thriller trifecta of goodness here. So, what're you waiting for? If you can get past the typos, there's pure gold here. Get mining.

"The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest" by Stieg Larsson

2011-04-03T17:41:00.000-07:00

I had to do it. I had to review at least one of the Millennium trilogy novels, right? I will admit that it's strange and sad to review an author who has passed on, and therefore will not ever be able to provide us with another thrill after this. But the thought of not reviewing what some are calling the thriller genre's Lord of the Rings would be... well... criminal.

I'm not going to belabor the point for you thriller lovers. This is just one of those that you have to read. Is it possible you won't like it? Sure. It's translated from another language, and some of the cultural differences may not work for you. Sort of like the spaghetti westerns. You either love 'em or you don't, but if you're a lover of westerns, they're sort of required watching. Same deal here.

But those very differences are exactly what might intrigue you if you don't typically go for the thriller genre. The prose flows differently than most typical thrillers. The action is definitely tense and there is build upon build upon build, but there's something different here. Also, the amazing heroine is the new standard for a female thriller lead. There's plenty of meat here to sink your teeth into.

So, regardless of whether you're a thriller lover or not, this is one of those that you just have to pick up. So... go do it! You can get The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest here.

"The Informationist: A Thriller" by Taylor Stevens (@Taylor_Stevens)

2011-03-27T17:50:00.000-07:00

The past few reviews I've done have been of well-established writers with long series under their belts. It's always nice to come across a new-to-you author that has a significant back-list. However, there is no greater thrill (if you'll pardon the rather obvious pun) than finding a brand new talent. And wow, is Stevens a talent.

If you like your thrillers filled with thrills (let's see how many times I can use a variation of the word "thriller" in one posting), this one will be more than enough to... thrill you. The pacing is tight and fast, the action is enough to make your temples throb in time with your heartbeat and once you start the sucker, there's very little chance you'll get your nose out for anything less than a four-alarm fire. As far as I'm concerned that's the thriller triumvirate.

For everyone else, you need to read this for an amazing new writing talent. What really struck me, especially in a first novel, was the depth of characterization and complexity of the prose. The richness with which she depicts Africa... the place, the culture, the feel of it... almost defies description. This is another one of those rare thrillers that elevates the genre. If there was ever a thriller for to check out, this is the one.

This is a new author to take a risk on. And it's not much of a risk. Just read the other reviews. You can check them out (plus buy a copy) by going here.

"Storm Prey" by John Sandford

2011-03-20T16:12:00.000-07:00

Once more, the joy of reviewing a book that's not only excellent, but WELL into its series. This is the 20th in the Lucas Davenport Mysteries, and if this novel's any indication, there won't be an end any time soon. I know lots of readers and reviewers take umbrage with those authors who churn out novel after novel in a series, but honestly, I LOVE it (as long as they continue to be good). I love revisiting familiar characters, seeing newly developing situations and developments between them, fresh characters popping in to shake things up. To me it's like revisiting an old friend.

I can't say that's the case here, as this is the first of the Davenport books I've read, but this one makes me want to go and start from the very beginning, and in a series with 20 books, that's as high a recommendation as I know how to give.

For you thrill a minute reader-types (you know who you are), this novel will definitely do it for you. There's no shortage of action and tight plotting here. You will be swept along for the ride, only realizing later that this is better than average stuff. It's the kind of stuff that sticks with you after you close the book and put it away.

And right there is the recommendation that you I-could-take-'em-or-leave-'em thriller types need. The characters are sharply and skillfully depicted, the dialogue's like silk and the action's BELIEVABLE (I know, right?). This is the series that could change your mind about the whole genre!

So, give it a try. Take it for a test ride. What's the worst that could happen? You already don't like thrillers, right? And the best-case scenario? You've found another author to love, with many, many novels in front of you before you exit the series.

As for you thriller lovers... you know what to do. If Sandford's new to you, Storm Prey's an excellent foray into his world. You can grab a copy here.

"Treachery in Death" by J.D. Robb

2011-03-13T16:47:00.000-07:00

Once you've told as many stories as J.D. Robb has, you probably know your way around a tale pretty well. This is like the 32nd or 33rd novel in the series, which is still going amazingly strong (if this particular installment is any indication). That's a LOT of novels! And to have the same characters (the In Death series centers around Eve Dallas, a Lieutenant for the NYPD, set in the near future) throughout but still be this tight is nothing short of phenomenal.

This entry is not, truly speaking, a mystery, as we know whodunnit right from the start, but the tension and thrills mount as the team tries to put together an airtight case. Lt. Eve Dallas is a compelling character to build a series around (clearly... 30-some-odd-novels!) and leads a team of equally interesting personalities. The plotting is airtight, the prose zips along, the dialogue is believable and specific. In short, this novel has everything a thriller reader could ask for.

For the rest of you out there, this reasons for reading this novel center around the fact that Robb has put together such a long-running and successful run of books. She knows what she's doing. It's the adrenaline fueled world of thrillers with the feminine touch, which I've truly come to appreciate. A strong and integrity-filled heroine at the helm matching wits against another female cop at the other end of the spectrum is enjoyable. Another aspect of this novel that might appeal is the "sting" that's set up within the boundaries of what might otherwise seem like a typical police procedural. It's fun and ultimately very satisfying to make your way through this one.

So, if you're a thriller reader that likes the procedurals, this one is a must-have. If you're new to the genre, or even a little leery or jaded, give it a try. If you enjoy it, there's another 30 or so out there for you to read! You can get Treachery in Death here.

Also, for any of you authors out there (or readers who like to keep up with publishing trends), you have to go check out Carolyn McCray's (@craftycmc and @writingnodrama) article on how to sell your books on Amazon.com. It was just published on Digital Book World's site, right here. Congratulations, Carolyn! Amazing article!

"Excavation" by James Rollins (@jamesrollins)

2011-03-06T17:13:00.000-08:00

Yes, indeedy! It's time to go back in time a bit. The release of Excavation in hardback was too much of an excuse for me not to! We're going back to almost the beginning of Rollins' career as a thriller writer. Excavation was his sophomore novel, but there was no slump here. If anything, Rollins cleaned up his style and his prose from his first, Subterranean. The plot's intricate, with tons of intrigue and excitement, plus the too-strange-to-be-fiction stuff that we've come to love so much from Rollins' later work.

If you're a thriller reader and you aren't reading Rollins, honestly, there's no excuse. His work, in my humble opinion, rivals or even surpasses many of the greats out there (Cussler, Brown, Thor). His impeccable research, his tight plots, his sharp dialogue...they were excellent to start with (as you can see in this earlier gem), but have only continued to improve with his succeeding novels. This one's got it all: history, Incan legends, secret societies, plus thrills galore. If you haven't read it, now's the perfect time!

For those of you not too keen on thrillers, Rollins manages to infuse a certain sensitivity into his writing. Yes, lots of things go "boom", but there is real character development and Rollins has a tendency to write strong women to go head-to-head with the more testosterone-driven in the bunch. He likes to turn things on their ear, taking them away from the thriller stereotypes we've all seen ad nauseum, ad infinitum.

So, if you're already familiar with Excavation, hopefully this trip down memory lane will make you want to pick it up again. If you aren't (or even if you are), you can pick up the newly released hardback version here.

"30 Pieces of Silver" by Carolyn McCray (@craftycmc), guest entry by @YourNeedToRead

2011-02-27T17:13:00.000-08:00

Today's guest blog comes to us from @YourNeedToRead. If you haven't checked them out yet, you seriously need to. They are all about feeding our addiction to books, and seriously, who out of you doesn't want to be a part of that action?

Hold onto your hats, my fellow readers. You're about to be in for one heck of a storm. I haven't been this engaged in a novel since I don't know when. If you're not familiar with Carolyn McCray, she's been ghost writing for many years, and is now taking the indie publishing world by storm with both her gut-wrenchingly good novels and her innovative marketing tactics. She's the co-founder of ZTS Promotions (www.ztspromotions.com), and the founder of the Indie Book Collective (www.indiebookcollective.com) and Bestseller for a Day (www.bestsellerforaday.com). She will be a panelist at SXSW (South by Southwest) talking about online marketing and independent writing. Basically, she's all around awesome.

And today (Monday, Feb. 28th) her novel, 30 Pieces of Silver, will be the Bestseller for a Day. What does this mean to you, the reader? Well, it means you'll get the e-novel for $.99 if you purchase it right now (whether or not you have a Kindle or a Nook, you can still read it). It also means you can enter to win a Kindle by going here. It ALSO means you're eligible for a full refund after purchasing Plain Jane, McCray's first thriller. IT ALSO MEANS you get to be involved in trying to drive an indie author up the Amazon.com bestselling lists. That enough also's for ya? And I'm telling you, if there was ever an author that deserved it, it's Carolyn McCray.

But let's talk about the book itself. First things first. If you're Christian, which I am, this novel may be uncomfortable for you. It was for me. This novel makes The Da Vinci Code look like a trip to Bible Camp. It is unabashedly and unashamedly controversial.

That said, I have never read another thriller that had a more engaging plot, with more detailed characters that I fully cared about. I was swept up in the action immediately and never had a moment of feeling pulled out of it.

I felt taken care of by the author, if that makes sense. I didn't ever have the sense that the novel was going to let me down, which can sometimes be a concern with indie books. McCray handles the different time periods with aplomb, switching back and forth from modern times and the Biblical period without fits or starts.

Truth be told, I liked this novel a lot more than I wanted to. Considering the religious controversy, I was ambivalent to the point of not being sure I wanted to read it at all. But from the first page, I kind of didn't have a choice as to whether or not I was going to see it through. And it is definitely worth the read.

So, pick up an amazing novel for $.99 that people will be talking about (trust me on this one). Enter to win amazing prizes. Help indie authors everywhere.

You'll come back and thank me for it. :) You can pick up 30 Pieces of Silver here.

"Live to Tell" by @LisaGardnerBks

2011-02-20T17:46:00.000-08:00

Ah, thriller readers! Another set of kick-butt thriller writer's books to plunge into. If you haven't experienced Lisa Gardner yet, it is way past time, my friends. Way, way, WAY past time. I'm reviewing a book here that's been out for a while (paperback came out in December), and is the fourth in the Detective D.D. Warren novels. I figure it's a good time to introduce you to the series, since the fifth in the series, Love You More, is due out March 8th. Isn't it so much fun to find a series that's already got lots of books out, so you don't have to wait anxiously for the writer to work through their troublesome block just so you can get your next fix?

This one is not for the weak-stomached. Not so much for graphic descriptions of violence, but for the gut-wrenching situations involving disturbed kids. That's always a difficult one for me. But Gardner handles it with panache, not backing away from it at all, but finding the humanity that allows us to make it through. There's twists, red herrings, thrills and chills along the way, enough to keep you churning through pages when what you really want to do IS GET A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP FOR ONCE!! Fair warning, guys. Plan on this book taking over your life for a bit.

For you couldn't-give-a-rat's-behind-about-thillers types, I submit Live to Tell as a good way to get involved. D.D. Warren's a wonderful female protagonist who avoids going into too much detail about her personal life, mostly because she sort of doesn't have one. She is the job, as they say. The harrowing details of good parents dealing with psychologically disturbed children takes the storyline to another level as well. There is plenty here to give some meat to the admitted andrenaline rushes that this novel dishes out.

Want to take the dive? You can find Live to Tell here.

"Foreign Influence" by @BradThor

2011-02-13T17:50:00.000-08:00

If you like thrillers, you almost certainly know the name Brad Thor. He's an icon. He does what thriller writers all try to do, but he does it effortlessly, seamlessly, dare I say gracefully? Yes. I dare. I do indeed dare.

If you somehow haven't discovered Brad Thor yet, congratulations! You just hit the thriller jackpot. Not only is this stuff the pinnacle of the genre, there's TONS of it. Foreign Influence is the ninth in the Scot Harvarth series. You can read this one without any difficulty, but you can then go back and enjoy EIGHT more of these suckers. Eight.

And Foreign Influence will scare the pants off of you. His depiction of terrorism and its aftermath is chilling. I personally would say that this is the darkest of Thor's novels, but I don't mean that as a criticism. At all. This one will have you turning pages into the night, but will leave you pondering well after you've reluctantly closed the cover.

For those non-thriller types, here's the deal. Yes, Brad Thor's thrillers are almost what you would call a stereotypical thriller, but hold on a second. These are some of the best of what the genre has to offer. Sure, you may have had bad experiences with some of the lesser imitators out there, but they were mimicking the masters. And one of the greatest of the masters? Yep, that would be Brad Thor. So give him a chance. Chances are, if you don't like him, you just won't ever really like thrillers.

Foreign Influence is available here.

"Secrets to the Grave" by @TamiHoag

2011-02-06T17:57:00.000-08:00

One of the things that we, as crime thriller readers, have gotten used to is technology. The DNA evidence, the facial recognition programs, the surveillance videos where the reflective surfaces can be digitally enhance to come up with a composite of the killer's face, thus foiling the schemes of the clever, but not quite clever enough, villain.

Tami Hoag takes us back in time (all the way back to the mid-80's... ouch, am I really that old?) to take away all of those advantages. Our heroes have to figure out the case using old fashioned detective work, taking advantage of the (then) new-ish idea of behavioral profiling to narrow down the list of suspects. There are so many things that modern readers have gotten used to that we've practically forgotten what it's like to be unreachable because we aren't close to a stationary telephone. Hoag gives us multiple powerful reminders without having to resort to deus ex machina to shut down the cell towers. The few cell phones in existence at that point were as big as a city block and essentially inaccessible to the vast majority of the population, cops included.

Just this time twist alone makes this one a not-so-typical entry in the modern crime thriller pantheon, so those of you out there who are sick of CSI and Bones-type stuff (I can't imagine it, personally, but hey...) will find this refreshing. The small-town vibe without the southern hick thing is a nice touch as well. There's plenty to interest you thriller-phobes and newbies.

For the rest of you, hooked as you are on DNA evidence, I'm telling you, give this one a try. Hoag starts us off with a bang (or a slash, if you prefer) and doesn't let us off the hook til the end. There have been comments comparing Hoag's work to others', saying there's not lots new here. Okay. To be honest, there really is very little new under the sun, and Hoag does what she does very, very well.

And yes, this is a follow-up to a previous novel, so if you like it, you don't have to wait for another. So? Go check it out here!

"The Rembrandt Affair" by Daniel Silva (@danielsilvabook)

2011-01-30T17:59:00.000-08:00

Once again, I get to talk to you about an amazing thriller writer that already has a ton of books out there for you to read. Yes, many of you thriller readers already know Daniel Silva, but for those of you who don't? Booyah! New author, new series, new kick-butt hero to follow!

For those of you for whom thrillers just don't cause your literary engine to turn over, here's something to entice you. A central character who is a spy (wait for it), assassin (not yet), and art-restorer (there it is!). How amazingly intriguing is that? Yes, he's a real man. Yes, he can kill you with his bare hands in twenty-five different ways. Yes, he can bring back to full vibrancy that lovely painting by Monet. A touch of class runs through this protagonist, elevating the entire series. There's a thoughtful, art-loving side to Silva's work that is so beautifully typified in his choice of lead character.

Now, if thrillers don't just turn your crank but spin it right round, baby, then Silva's a serious where-the-crap-have-you-been writer. This novel's got it all. Twists. Turns. Tight scrapes and tighter muscles. There's more than enough here for even the jones-ing-est of adrenaline junkies. What's great is that Silva puts those thrills in the context of a truly tight and compelling storyline again and again and again. This novels the latest in a series that's got like six or seven books already, all superb.

So rather than waste time with more jibber-jabber, why not just go and order the sucker now! Right here. Oh, and have fun. It's quite the ride...

"Broken" by Karin Slaughter

2011-01-23T18:37:00.000-08:00

Ah, the joy of finding a new and amazing thriller writer! What makes it even better is when it's someone like Karin Slaughter, who has a bunch of books already out (and in the same series, no less!) so that I don't have to wait a year for the next freakin' book.

When I picked up Broken, I was excited. It had been highly recommended, I was looking for a new thriller writer to read and I generally dig the female perspective on the thriller genre. I wasn't prepared for how much I was going to care about the small southern community of Grant County, Atlanta. I grew up in the south, and have a lot of relatives that live in the kind of backwater place she describes with vivid accuracy. I felt like I was actually there, in both the wonderful nostalgia and the oh-my-goodness-get-me-out-of-here small town mentality. The characters are real: messy, heart-wrenching and utterly believable. This book felt more like something out of the "literature" section than some of the hard-boiled pulp I've gotten used to over the years. And I mean that in a good way.

For those thriller readers who are now wrinkling up their noses after my unfortunate use of the word literature...despair not! I too, am a fan of all things tense and adrenaline-riddled. This book has plenty of it. Slaughter manages to elevate the genre (and let's face it... the genre can always use the extra height) without sacrificing what we thriller-lovers live for--heart pounding, blood pumping action. There's no sacrifice here. No "I'm bettering myself" sense of just having to get through the next chapter (Pilgrim's Progress, anyone?). You'll be flipping pages furiously before you consciously realize you've opened the cover. Oh, and when you get to the end and are sad to leave the County? Just remember there's more books in the series. You can find Broken here.

Also, we're moving into week 2 of the amazing Blog Tour de Force! Today's stop is Keta Diablo's Where the Rain Is Made, so go check it out here.

"The Dark Road" by Marissa Farrar (@MarissaFarrar)

2011-01-19T18:53:00.000-08:00

If you haven't been watching, there's this thing running around Twitter right now called the Blog Tour de Force, and it's taking the Twitterverse by storm. Marissa Farrar's novel The Dark Road is stop number 4 out of 12. You can check out her blog here (and enter to win her gift-basket). You can purchase the novel here.

First couple of things about this novel. One, it's a lightning fast read. It's a hundred and fifty-two pages that simply fly past. Two, it only costs $5. That's not much of a risk--you can barely get lunch for five dollars.

That said, there's enough mystery, mayhem, twists and turns to keep you thriller fans happy, while those of you who don't typically feel the need for speed will love the detailed descriptions of exotic locales. There is definitely sense of verisimilitude as you read Farrar's words that evoke sight, sound and smell with seeming ease. The dark story of the dark road has the power to keep you up at night with your heart in your throat.

So, if all that isn't enough to get you to click through, I'll sweeten the pot. You could win a KINDLE!! That's right. You can enter to win a Kindle filled with all 12 of the authors' books from the Blog Tour de Force. Want to see all the other authors involved? Go to the Blog Tour de Force's website, here.

Blog Tour de Force, Baby!

2011-01-16T18:24:00.000-08:00

I know, right? No awesome review of an awesome thriller. What's up with that?

Fear not, fellow readers. I have something even better for today. It's called the Blog Tour de Force, and it is SWEET! I'm directing you to the first of 12, check it, TWELVE blogs talking about 12 books by twelve authors. And, I'll be posting a review of one of them during the week, The Dark Road by Marissa Farrar. So check back on the 20th for that one. Today's novel is HeartsBlood by Carolyn McCray, and WOW it's good. Go check out Carolyn's blog here.

Here's the deal about this little shindig. It's like no other blog tour you've seen before. I'll be honest, I find most of them a real snore. But here, you're going from book to book, entering yourself for twelve separate gift-baskets along the way, with the chance to win a Kindle loaded with all twelve of the books. How freakin' cool is that?

Oh, and if you sign up for the Blog Tour de Force's newletter, you will automatically get five entries for that ol' e-reader I mentioned before (KINDLE, KINDLE, KINDLE... sorry, got excited). So, as you can see, this ain't your grandmother's blog tour.

I guess what I'm saying is that you want to be a part of this sucker. So go right now to the first on the list, HeartsBlood. Leave a comment and get a FREE e-book (plus you can enter to win an awesome gift basket)! Then watch Blog Tour de Force's website to follow the tour day by day. You are NOT going to want to miss this!

"Heartsick" by Chelsea Cain (@ChelseaCain)

2011-01-09T17:47:00.000-08:00

Yeah, I'm going into the past for this one, but I felt like it was worth the flashback. First thing to say...if you're squeamish, this may be a tough read for you. With that said, read it anyway. Seriously.

"Why on earth would I do that?" you ask? Because this one's worth it.

You hardcore crime thriller fans should eat this one up. This is one of those no-brainers. Yes, the similarities between this book and Harris' Silence of the Lambs (actually, it's closer to Red Dragon) have been discussed ad nauseum. No, this is not just a gender-reversing rehash. This is a grab-you-by-the-seat-of-your-britches thrill ride. I'm not saying that it's some perfect creation. There are three story-lines that can get a bit cumbersome at moments, but wow is this book worth the time to read it. Especially since it represents Cain's first foray into this genre.

The rest of you are already blanching at the thought of a drop or two of blood, aren't you? Well, I won't lie, there's more than that. But Cain creates such amazingly compelling characters with such stunningly complex interactions that after a few chapters, you may still be squirming from the torture sequences, but you won't be able to put the sucker down. You're caught up in their lives, and they'll stay with you after the novel ends. Plus, the setting is so vividly described that it feels like another presence constantly in the background, creating the world where these things should never happen but do.

So, yes, a whole-hearted recommendation for Heartsick. Plus, it's a series, so I'm sure we'll take a jaunt into Sweetheart and Evil at Heart before the release of The Night Season in March. Get Heartsick here. Just leave the lights on while you're reading it.

"Altar of Eden" by James Rollins (@JamesRollins)

2011-01-02T18:13:00.000-08:00

Okay, thriller readers! If you somehow missed the hardback edition of Altar of Eden, the paperback is now out (as of Dec. 28th). No excuses!

This novel has everything you seasoned thriller readers are looking for--science, suspense, twists and turns, and of course, adrenaline-pumping action. Rollins has taken a break from the Sigma series to go back to his stand-alone-novel roots and give us this nail-biter. I zipped through this sucker in what felt like a minute and a half. Unfortunately, it was actually a couple of days, and my life felt the effects of my lack of presence in it. Fair warning. Pick up this book at your own risk!

For those hey-I-can-take-it-or-leave-it thriller types, here are the hooks that'll grab ya. First, this is the first novel that Rollins (a veterinarian) has written about veterinarians. It's filled with all kinds of first-hand knowledge of what makes vets tick. Second, the protagonist Lorna is also a woman, a slight departure from many of Rollins more testosterone-fueled efforts. She's a fully developed, perfectly realized specimen of a character that will make you care while you're flying through the pages. And finally, the romantic tension that exists between Lorna and Jack keeps things as steamy as the Delta they're skimming through.

So, I guess what I'm saying is, this novel pretty much rocks out loud. Get it now, right here, if you haven't read it already. If you have, buy the paperback for a friend. They will thank you. Profusely.

"Hell's Corner" by David Baldacci (@DavidBaldacci)

2010-12-19T16:02:00.000-08:00

There are certain authors that when their names come up, thriller lovers sit up and take notice. Baldacci has definitely become one of those names. Hell's Corner delivers on all the unstated promises of suspense, intrigue and... of course... thrills that have been a hallmark of Baldacci's writing from the get-go.

For the thriller readers, this is one of those no-brainers. Of course you should read it. Oliver Stone and his Camel Club are wonderful characters to revisit and this novel takes them to some new and interesting places. It's a real rip-snorter of a book that will zip you along to its conclusion. The premise is a stretch, and there are some characterizations that seem decidedly un-Baldacci-ish, but he remains a masterful story-spinner. You may not fall in love with this novel as much as some of his others, but you'll see that it earns the money you put down for it.

The rest of you out there (you know who you are), may not find this a good place to enter into the Baldacci ocean if you haven't already tested those waters already. Work your way up to this novel by reading other Camel Club novels first. The genesis of the series is called, appropriately enough, The Camel Club. In my estimation, though, Stone Cold is the best of the bunch. They're fun, they're well-plotted and the characters aren't all dark-haired and chisel-featured supermen. The Camel Club is made up of the aging and the infirm, with a lot of interesting little quirks that keep them lively and engaging.

So, if you're a thriller lover, this one needs to be on your to-read list if you haven't gobbled it up already. If you're not, ease yourself into the series by reading Stone Cold first. Hell's Corner is available here.

"The Emperor's Tomb" by Steve Berry, reviewed by @mrneil98

2010-12-12T18:22:00.000-08:00

We brought back @mrneil98 to review this novel for us, because he's a huge Berry fan and because he's just stinkin' awesome!

If you’re looking for the perfect holiday gift do I have the book for you. For me it was a belated birthday with the release of one of my favorite author’s new novel, The Emperor’s Tomb. It had been over a year since his last, The Paris Vendetta but my appetite had been partially appeased in September with the release of Balkan Escape, a short story e-book that acted as a prequel to Emperor’s Tomb introducing a key character, Lev Sokolov, and establishing a debt owed by Cassiopeia Vitt.

Berry has again delivered a classic Cotton Malone action thriller with exotic settings and loaded with historic facts. This time though, he takes a risk by making Malone and his gang secondary players to the main crux of the story, a power struggle for leadership of China. I was surprised early in the novel when so much of the focus dealt with ministers Karl Tang, a ruthless traditionalist and the more liberal Ni Yong and a third party, the mysterious Pau Wen. Tang and Yong were leading contenders for Primer of China once the aging present ruler stepped down. Pau Wen seems to be working for and against both but his motives are never fully revealed.

There are more twists in the Emperor‘s Tomb than a pound of rotini. Aside from the triangular power struggle for control of China, there is a triangular struggle for Lev Sokolov and his knowledge of “infinite oil” between the Americans, the Russians and the Chinese. The usual cast has reassembled with Malone and Vitt being directed by Stephanie Nell but Viktor Tomas has been reintroduced to confuse things. Tomas was from the last book, and was working against Malone then switched sides. Here he is working every side but is also developing into a rival for Cassiopeia’s attention.

Although the majority of the novel takes place in China, the reader is first treated to tours of Copenhagen and Antwerp, described in detail that can only come from first hand experience. After a brief stop in Vietnam, the remainder of the book spans the vast and varied Chinese landscape focusing a great deal on the history and politics of this mysterious nation. The center piece is the tomb of the first emperor Qin Shi buried with his army of thousands of terra cotta warriors, chariots and horses. I was surprised after reading the notes and a few interviews that Steve Berry had never been to China but he does own a life-sized replica of a terra cotta soldier.

As always Berry fills his novels with meticulously researched details about Chinese history and culture and I couldn’t wait to finish the book just to read the author’s notes sorting out the fact from the fiction. I also enjoyed the map of Asia on the first pages with key cities highlighted and found myself referring back to it time and time again during the book. Reading The Emperor’s Tomb was like visiting friends. The characters have become such a part of my reading world it was just catching up on their latest exploits.

May I wish you all a Berry Merry Christmas and encourage you all to join Malone’s Clones.

"Port Mortuary" by Patricia Cornwell (@1pcornwell)

2010-12-05T18:06:00.000-08:00

I love getting to review thriller novels by strong women that have strong women as the protagonist of their books. So, I guess you could say that I'm a happy camper right about now.

If you're a thriller reader already, I probably don't need to introduce Ms. Cornwell to you. If I do, then all I have to say to you is...WHAT??? You need to be reading this stuff! Seriously. This book has got all the bells and whistles, which is sometimes code for a lot of research but not a lot of oomph between the front and back flaps. That, fortunately, is not the case here. Cornwell knocks it out of the park, once more. Loads of cool new toys, fascinating murders, suspense and intrigue make this another strong entry in the Scarpetta series. Is it any surprise that Angelina Jolie has signed on to play the inimitable Kay Scarpetta herself? Yowza!

Now, if you're one of those convince-me-that-I-should-read-this-thriller types, wipe that look of skepticism from off your lovely face. This novel sees a return to the first-person narrative style that was a hallmark of the earlier Scarpetta novels. This puts us into her mind, and it's a fascinatingly flawed one. Strong, opinionated, and possibly a bit paranoid, Kay Scarpetta is worthy of the dynasty she's spawned. Plus, there's all sorts of interpersonal dynamics happening with Benton that will keep your interest piqued if grisly murders don't do it for you.

So...what are you waiting for? Go check the sucker out! You can find it here. You'll see that the reviews are pretty overwhelmingly positive. Most of the negatives have nothing to do with the book and everything to do with the price of the Kindle version. Hmmmm. There may be a reason her publisher feels they can charge that much. #justsayin'

"The Confession" by John Grisham

2010-11-28T17:54:00.000-08:00

Okay, so Grisham was one of the authors that first got me reading thrillers. That doesn't necessarily mean that all his novels are going to be the same level of thrilling.

Thriller readers, fear not. There is still plenty of tense story driving in this one. It will pick you up and take you along for the ride. I'm just not sure that it's going to whisk you away in a whirlwind the way that some of his first novels did. Still plenty of driving action, plenty of brisk pacing, plenty of heart-pounding moments. If you're an adrenaline junkie, this will be more than enough of a fix.

However, if you're not, you'll find this to be a pleasant departure (depending on your politics) from the legal thriller genre. There's a lot of social commentary in this one. Perhaps too much, for some. I like my moralizing well masked and this wasn't particularly. It's been compared to Upton Sinclair, who frankly is not one of my favs, but I gotta say...I've read his stuff and found it compelling. Same story here. If you don't agree with Grisham's premise, you may get a little hot under the collar, but it will definitely give you food for thought. If you do, you'll find plenty of reasons to rave about it.

Ultimately, The Confession deserves a read, and not just because we "owe" it to Grisham because of his past triumphs. It stands on its own and would find a voice even without Grisham's name attached. Get it and enjoy it, whether you're a die-hard thriller reader or not!

Cristyn West (@cristynwest) and "Plain Jane: Brunettes Beware"

2010-11-21T18:05:00.000-08:00

This is a guest blog from Ben Hopkin (@actingnodrama), brought back for a second time, because...well...he's awesome!

You'll notice I put the writer first in the title. There's a reason for that. Before I talk about how awesome Plain Jane: Brunettes Beware is (and wow, it is), I have to talk about the enigma that is Cristyn West. I thought I'd do it now, because it's her birthday this week. Happy Birthday/Thanksgiving Cristyn/Carolyn/Craftycmc!

Cristyn West is the pen name for the incomparable Carolyn McCray, an amazing veterinarian-turned-writer-turned-screenwriter-turned-producer/director. In short, she's done it all. I had the unique opportunity to meeting her kinda backwards.

I encountered her first wearing her screenwriting hat. I was a part of workshopping a number of her screenplays, which I found to be incredibly well-crafted and compelling. When she produced and directed her first short film, I jumped (okay, leaped) on board as her lead. From there, I was able to start reading her novels, and finally had the chance to see her at work with animals.

You would think with all she has going on, one of those areas would suffer. Not even a little bit. Her writing is amazing, her filmmaking brilliant and her work with animals absolutely endearing (which, when you read some of her darker works, is a very good thing to have in the balance).

Okay, enough about the person, what about the book? Well, Plain Jane kept me up at night. I mean that in two ways. I was kept up at first because I couldn't put the #$%#$!* book down! Then I was kept up thinking about it (okay, and because I was a little bit scared, but don't tell anyone), mulling it over, walking through all the twists and realizing how seamless it all was.

Plain Jane is a thrill ride, plain and simple. It's got compelling, three-dimensional characters that I cared about, a plot that felt as driving as a jackhammer and dialogue sharp enough that I found myself wanting to steal for my own uses. It's alternately chilling and steamy (great recipe for a case of the literary sniffles, by the way...where the only cure is another Cristyn West book which better be coming soon, dammit!), with such great sexual tension between Kent and Nicole that at times I felt like I shouldn't be watching/reading.

As an actor, here's the kicker for me. If I not only can see it as a film, but want to have a leading role in it, it's a home run. This was a grand slam. I would be willing to be an extra in this sucker! And then pay premium theatre prices (with popcorn and drink) to go see it.

And if all this isn't enough for you, the e-book costs $2.99 on Smashwords. Three bucks! Are you kidding me? A good hamburger costs more than that. So, I guess what I'm saying is, get it now. Read it. You won't be sorry. And if somehow you are, come and talk to me on Twitter--@actingnodrama. We'll have a fun little conversation about it. :)

Ben Hopkin started his career in entertainment at the age of 10, where he performed alongside his father in the opera Gianni Schicchi. Since then he has gone on to perform in theatre, television and film, often working with Tony and Emmy award-winning actors and directors. Ben is a graduate of the renowned Old Globe Theatre MFA program and was Director of the Acting for Film Undergraduate and MFA programs at the New York Film Academy at Universal Studios for five years. As a director and producer, Ben has won awards for his work in television and his films have screened at festivals around the country. Currently Ben is co-founder of Off Our Meds MultiMedia, which has a full slate of commercial, television and film projects. He also teaches online acting and dialect classes and workshops (go here to find out more and/or sign up) and you can find him on Twitter. He's also got a radio show that you can find here.

"The Shadow of the Wind" by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (@Zafonescrituras)

2010-11-14T18:19:00.000-08:00

Not your typical thriller, granted. But, hey, we're not your typical reviewer.

Holy cow, this novel will grip you and take you on a ride. It's the kind of Gothic thriller that seeps into your bones, invades your dreams and haunts your every waking moment. I don't know how she did it, but Lucia Graves, the English translator, somehow manages to make it feel like you're reading the original version in Spanish. I lived in Spain for a couple of years, and this novel took me back with so many subtle little details.

Zafon bleeds magic into every page. Even though there's really nothing that's not possible in the real and rational world, this almost feels like a paranormal thriller. I love thrillers that grab me by the throat and pummel me. This one wrapped me up in gauzy, silken strands and then whipped me around like a rag doll. And yet, at the end, in spite of (or maybe because of) all the many tense and horror-filled moments, I felt gently deposited...safe, but shaken...back in my own bed. Where I promptly revisited the world Zafon created in my dreams.

That's kind of what the novel feels like. A beautiful, haunting and very realistic dream.

You see that I'm waxing poetic in an uncharacteristic way. So, let me put it to you this way. If you love thrillers, this will be an awesome departure from the norm for which you will want to kiss me square on the mouth. If you're not a big fan of thrillers, this is one of those that you can brag about at your book club while STILL ENJOYING THE NOVEL!!

That's right! All the literary clout you could hope for...stunning prose, razor-sharp characters (wait until you meet Fermin...he'll keep you in stitches), and a plot that will whack you upside the head with all the weight of a century old cathedral. But at the same time, it's a page-turner. It kept me up at night, trying to read just a few more pages before my eyelids sagged.

I'm telling you, read the stinkin' book! You will be very happy that you did.

"Law of Attaction" by Allison Leotta (@AllisonLeotta)

2010-11-07T18:23:00.000-08:00

This is not your typical thriller. While it does have some truly gripping sequences that are quite suspenseful, it's the overall feel of the novel that's building tension. You know that something's up. You know it's coming. You're just not sure exactly what.

This is Allison Leotta's debut novel, and at moments it shows. The novel became immensely more compelling about halfway through. But I gotta say, it was worth getting there. Once it took off, I had a tough time putting it down. You thriller lovers are perhaps not going to find as much adrenaline here as you're used to, but you will find some nice twists and turns and a building sense of "what's coming next" that'll keep you engaged.

Those that can take or leave the thriller genre will find quite a bit more here. There are well-drawn and charismatic characters, including a convincingly green but well-meaning and good-hearted heroine. Some very steamy sex...steamy enough to get me to loosen my collar (and make some other not-to-be-named romance authors step up their game). Finally, a secondary family plot line that will tug at your heartstrings.

In short, Allison Leotta is an up-and-coming author to watch very closely. I'm glad I read Law of Attraction and look forward to her next!

Interview with M.J. Rose (The Reincarnationist)

2010-11-01T00:04:00.000-07:00

So, Thrillers Rock Twitter decided we really wanted to talk to M.J. Rose (author of The Reincarnationist series) and she graciously (or foolishly, depending on your outlook) agreed. She had some fascinating things to say, and also told us that she's willing to give away a copy of The Hypnotist (3rd in The Reincarnationist series) to one of our lucky readers. #score!

Thrillers Rock Twitter: Okay, tell us honestly...do you REALLY write every single day? REALLY?? :)

M.J. Rose: Nope. And I never said I did.

There are stages for me in writing a book.

First stage – research. Up to 3 months. I don’t write pages at all – but I make a scrapbook for my characters and take notes and have fun getting them and their lives in my head.

Second stage – first draft. 6 months. I try to write 6 days a week at least 3 hours a day. I just make a mess and keep going. I usually mange three weeks like that and then flake off for 4 or 5 days in a row and have to force myself back.

Third stage – 3 months. Right before I give it to my agent – and I’m really fixing every single sentence and reorganizing and obsesSING. And I do write 6 or 7 days a week for at least 4 hours sometimes 6 or 7. And then I have to force myself to take time off because I really am crazed with the book and so frustrated that I can’t get it right.

What are your favorite excuses...ahem...reasons for not writing?

Any excuse will do in stage 2.

Now, we've all heard the "what got you into writing" question. I want to know, what nearly kept you out of writing? Just about every writer has it...that moment where you could go either way. What was yours?

Oh I gave up. For three years. I’d had it with my agent not being able to sell my first two novels despite all the rave rejections. I’d had it with the rave rejections. I just didn’t want to hate walking into bookstores anymore. So I quit and didn’t even look back for those three years. It was really very freeing in once sense. Scary in another.

Again, we know the "what's your favorite character" thing. Do you have a least favorite? Or, even better, one that you love to hate? Both?

If I don’t like a character I don’t read past the first 10 pages of the book. I’m not very patient. Too many great books to read to bother with the others.

We'd love hearing about what your inspirations are, but I think even more telling is where you choose to write. Does it change, or do you have a writing cave?

I had to reach myself to write anywhere. A bunch of family medical issues forced me to learn to write in waiting rooms. My cave is inside the laptop.

Be totally straight with us...when you were deciding upon a genre, did future sales enter into the equation, or was it fully a passion of yours from the start?

I didn’t decide on a genre. I wrote what I wanted to read. And what came out was a mishmash of genres. Still does. I don’t fit any genre well. And that’s why I still have a day job. I often wish I could write to the market but seem incapable.

As far as the thrills you deliver in your novels, are you drawing at all from real life, or do you use up all the adrenaline in your stories and then cuddle up with a nice mug of hot cocoa afterward?

I’ve actually had some terrifying experiences and emotionally draw on them… held up at gunpoint… walked into a double shooting… caught in an explosion… but my life is thankfully dull 99.9% of the time.

Was there ever a novel you were writing where afterward you just thought, "Wow. That was unexpected."?

Yes, all the time. Thank God. I don’t think I’d keep writing if I didn’t have those moments.

Okay, this one's for the budding authors out there. If there were one thing that you wished you had known (or that someone had told you) "back then", what would it be?

I was so stubborn I wouldn’t have listened. HOPEFULLY THEY WON'T EITHER. YOU'VE GOT TO MAKE YOUR OWN MISTAKES. (But in my case it would have been not to leave my first publisher after that second book and follow my editor to a new house.)

Finally, if there's something you could tell your readers that you know will never come up in another interview, NOW is the time! Carte blanche!

Yes, I want to live in a Frank Lloyd Wright house and was left back in 7^th grade.

-------------

We at Thriller Rock want to thank Ms. Rose again, both for writing some majorly kick-butt novels and also for letting us ask her off-beat questions! For those that would like to participate in the give-away, please follow our blog and comment below (make SURE to leave either your email address or your Twitter handle so that we can get in touch with you). The winner will be announced on Sunday Nov. 7th at 7 pm Pacific Standard Time!

"Trapped" by Jack Kilborn (@jakonrath)

2010-10-24T18:49:00.000-07:00

I saved the scariest (and the goriest--fair warning, everyone) for last. I figured in the week leading up to Halloween, we've got to go for the gusto, right?

And holy cow, Jack Kilborn (J.A. Konrath) does. If you like going camping, I'm going to tell you this right now: do not read this book if you want to be able to sleep out in the wilderness ever again.

So, for you thriller readers, I would say that this goes beyond thrills, beyond horror and into a new category all it's own. Let's call it screaming night terrors. Okay, I need something punchier, but you get the idea. This novel is one of the few that I wanted to finish reading quickly in order to NO LONGER LIVE IN FEAR. Finishing it is a little bit like the relief after having a dislocated shoulder snapped back in place.

Don't get me wrong. It is a thrill ride and a half. Just don't expect to be coddled at any point.

Now, for the rest of you who are probably thinking, "Okay, there is no chance whatsoever that I will read this book," let me tell you a trio of things. One, it's Halloween. If you're ever going to take a chance on horror, now is the time to do it. Two, the gore here is very well done. Sort of a gosh-I'm-embarrassed-I-liked-that-so-much kind of thing. Like Pulp Fiction. And third and lastly, this novel is $2.99 on Smashwords. Yes, you read that right. Three bucks. So take the plunge. Even if you don't like the water, you're not out much.

Now please excuse me while I go burn all my camping gear.

"iDrakula" by Bekka Black (@bekka_black)

2010-10-17T18:38:00.000-07:00

That's right! More horror! (Hey, it's that time of year, what can I say?)

This week, we've got an fascinating take on an oldie but goody. With iDrakula, Becca Black has pulled Bram Stoker's Dracula kicking and screaming into the 21st century. Instead of letters back and forth, it's emails, text messages and websites sizzling across the pages.

And it works. Totally. At 160 pages, this YA chiller will be a quick read for you or your teenager (or tweenager, or whatever), but it's such a great new spin on an old tale that it's completely worth it. If you're a big fan of classic horror, you'll chuckle at the wonderfully innovative updating while still feeling the chill creeping down your spine at the horror of what you know is happening. And, come on, you know you dig getting back to the vampire nitty-gritty, right? Much as the thought of vegetarian vamps may be comforting...it's just not that time of year.

And if you're not such a fan of horror, this is such a clever modernization that it's worth reading just for the new spin Black puts on it. The format is engaging, and before you know it, you're halfway through the book. There is an essential disconnect in our use of modern technology, and you can feel it increase the stakes (and yes, that pun was intended) as the horror mounts. And again, if there's ever a time to branch into the rich (and creepy) world of horror, it's this time of year. iDrakula will be as gentle and fun a way to do that as you can find.

So, pick up a copy. In fact, do yourself one better. It's a novel that uses modern methods of communication to tell a story. So, use a modern method of downloading! If you haven't tried out e-books yet, now's the perfect time. iDrakula's available on Kindle through amazon.com and other e-book platforms through barnesandnoble.com. Download the sucker (and that pun was intended, too)!

One final item, thriller fans! I have 3 copies of iDrakula to give away! If you would like to be entered, leave a comment (you MUST include either your Twitter handle or your email so I can get in touch with you). The winners will be picked on Friday at 7pm Pacific Standard Time.

"Heart Shaped Box" by Joe Hill

2010-10-10T18:13:00.000-07:00

It's October. Time to get creepy.

First off, for you thriller fans, if you have anything that you want to get done over the course of the next few days, do not, I repeat DO NOT pick up this book. Your life will be sucked down the creepy, compelling and just plain-ol'-awesome black hole of a book that Joe Hill has put together. His writing's lean and mean and drags you on a ride that'll have you turning on the lights during the daytime. Word.

Here's the thing: Hill goes there. And once he goes there, he doesn't retreat. He's out on that ledge looking for a toehold to take you to the next insanely dangerous (but totally thrilling) place. And the whole time, his story's so completely grounded that it doesn't feel like a story. You're there. You're seeing it. And what you're seeing will scare the beejeebers out of you. Oh yeah, and the gore. Did I mention the gore? #notmeantforaweakstomach

Now I know for you non-thriller types that telling you to take an even bigger leap to horror is asking a lot. I get it. But listen...Hill's writing something that goes beyond horror here. His prose approaches poetry at times, without feeling all self-conscious. Know what I mean? The guy can craft a story and get your heart racing, but there's also a real sense of kindness underneath the horror. The main character's going through this whole transformation that leaves us feeling like change is not only possible, but actually a good idea.

Oh, and one more thing to think about. It's coming up on Halloween. If now isn't the time to experiment with some horror, when is?

So, go out and buy a couple of nightlights, clear your schedule and pick up this book. You may curse my name while skipping your daily hygienic routine in order to keep reading, but once done, you'll come back and thank me again and again.

"Postmortem" by Patricia Cornwell

2010-10-03T19:27:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I know. We normally go for books that are at least somewhat new-ish. Not the first of a series of novels whose 18th installment is due out in November (the Kay Scarpetta Mysteries). But, hey, it's us. We're nothing if not unpredictable. So, for you Patricia Cornwell fans out there that are like, "Dude, we KNOW already!"--Chill! Just take this review as an aperitif for "Port Mortuary" which is due out at the end of next month.

For you thriller fans that haven't read this yet, I have only one thing to say to you. What the freak!!?? Seriously, you have to read this one, like, yesterday. A smart and twisted serial killer, plenty of chills and thrills, and an unerring sense of this-really-happened writing makes this a novel that I was truly bummed to have end. There's a reason that this one spawned a 20 year series of novels that have won between them pretty much every award to ever be given to crime thrillers.

As for the rest of you "ho-hum, another thriller" types, here's what you have to look forward to. This is a novel that will have you turning pages. "Yeah, yeah...like every other thriller people try to foist on me, " you say? Yes, but while turning those pages, the honesty of the writing will have you believing it really happened. Seriously, I was doing some research for another novel and tried to look up the case from "Postmortem".

Plus, this is an awesome example of a woman writing in a typically men's genre, who has the chutzpah to use her own (obviously feminine) name, with a kick-butt female protagonist. And she is KICK-BUTT! And no demure and false self-modesty from this one. She knows she's awesome!

So, for you that love and follow this series, take this chance to go back and re-read the one that got you hooked before the next installment comes out. As for everyone else--what are you waiting for? :)

The Strain by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan

2010-09-25T18:27:00.000-07:00

Dude, I know. I get it. You're tired of vampires.

But hold on a sec. These vampires aren't sexy. They don't sparkle. They don't engage in the teenage angst-filled equivalent of "No, you hang up the phone first. No you."

These vampires scare. These vampires spread. These vampires destroy. A lot.

I know that horror and thrillers are not the same, but in this novel, Del Toro and Hogan manage to bring horror firmly into the thriller genre (I know, I know...don't get your underwear in a bunch). By taking the whole vampire thing into the realm of a virus (not completely new ground, but done with real panache), it creates a real-world feel to what could otherwise be just another bunch of blood suckers.

There's loads of action, tons of destruction, and plenty of saving-the-world stuff here, and I was definitely thrilled, both in the adrenaline pumping way and in the "finally, another good book" way.

Now for all you "I could take thrillers or leave them" folks, don't let either the horror or the blowing-things-up stuff scare you off. This novel has got the kind of appeal that Outbreak did. There's a present and growing threat that feels real. The menace smacks you in the face without the cheese factor that you might expect out of either the horror or (okay, occasionally...I admit it) thriller genres. You're also getting some wonderful cultural stuff from the modern day Van Helsing, Abraham Setrakian, a Holocaust survivor.

So, do yourself a favor and get that glittery image of star-crossed vampiric lovers out of your skull. Seriously, there's no better way to do it than by reading this book!

The Hypnotist by M.J. Rose

2010-09-19T18:09:00.000-07:00

Okay, all you thriller lovers out there. Most reviewers of this genre are overly fond of using words like "taut" and "tense", so I won't use them (as much as I'd love to). This is the third in the Reincarnationist series, and after reading it, I'm going right to the bookstore to snatch up the other two. Holy cow!

It reads pretty well as a stand-alone, although I'm sure I'll get more information from reading the first two. The honest truth is, this book has got all the nail-biting, stomach twisting, I-just-have-to-read-one-more-page addictiveness that any lover of thrillers is going to want and then some. There needs to be a category that's one step beyond page-turner. Then this one gets put above that. Seriously.

But what rocks about this novel is that it's got so much more than elevates it above the thriller genre...and that's from someone that loves thrillers. It's got some history, some romance, some steamy sex, some tidbits of the paranormal. And yet, with all that, it doesn't feel like some sort of hodgepodge homemade arts and crafts project. It's a totally absorbing blanket of a book that wraps you up, smacks you around a bit and then lets you go...kind of.

And, of course, I've gotta give props to any woman that decides to write in what's typically a man's genre. I've gotta give bigger props to one like Rose that knocks it out of the freakin' ballpark.

Just a little side-note for any of you readers out there that like to write as well (I know you're out there). Take a second to go to the Indie Book Collective's website. There's all kinds of amazing information on what you can do to get your novel out there. Oh, and follow them on Twitter, too: @IndieBookIBC.

"Marks of Cain" by Tom Knox, reviewed by @mrneil98

2010-09-12T18:45:00.000-07:00

The Marks of Cain by Tom Knox
reviewed by @mrneil98

A dying request made by a destitute old man to his grandson consists of a map of the Basque Mountains in France, the name of a contact and two millions dollars if the request is carried out. This begins the adventure of lawyer David Martinez that will take him on a journey from Arizona to France and finally Africa unraveling a mystery entailing a lost tribe of pre-Caucasian people, Nazi experimentation and religious persecution ultimately revealing the secrets behind is parents death. Wow!

Then there is the parallel story of recovering alcoholic British journalist Simon Quinn investigating three grisly murders of elderly wealthy people who all were originally from the Basque region and all the victims seem to have some minor mutations. Double Wow!!

I’ve read a dozen books this summer and several have stood out but none have been as intelligent and thought provoking while delivering in the thrills department as well. While reading the last two thirds of the book I was constantly referring to an atlas or encyclopedia, following the travels of David and Simon and researching their discoveries along the way. I love books that stimulate the mind as well as increasing the heart rate with death defying chases and escapes.

Tom Knox (a former British journalist turned thriller writer) has used his investigative reporter skills to meticulously research the Cagot people and obviously has traveled extensively through the Pyrenees and Basque country. The descriptions of the villages and especially the churches, could only be from first person accounts. Mr. Knox is able to deliver the information without slowing down the action and is able also able to flesh out some interesting minor characters and develop a perplexing, complicated female companion for David. All of this adds up to a first rate thriller with something for everyone (over the age of seventeen). Fair warning, there are somewhat graphic description of the murders and more S-E-X than I normally find in these types of thrillers (not that it is overt or distracting).

After you read the novel you must visit his website which includes a ton of additional information and photo taken during his journeys. I had previously read his first novel The Genesis Secret and enjoyed it but Marks of Cain is more consistent and a superior story. I am looking forward to his third book The Severed Men, due out in England in March and the US later next year. If you need one more thrill (and who doesn’t) to extend the summer I strongly recommend Tom Knox’s The Marks of Cain.

"One for the Money" by Janet Evanovich

2010-08-29T18:02:00.000-07:00

"There are some men who enter a woman's life and screw it up forever. Joseph Morelli did this to me -- not forever, but periodically." Right from this opening line, you kinda can't help but feel for the tough, flawed and utterly charming Jersey girl, Stephanie Plum. This quirky mystery, set against a backdrop of the connected and not-so-connected, introduces us to a character that was compelling enough to demand a series of novels...not to mention a film deal with Katherine Heigl playing the lead.

There's more character work and slightly less action that most thriller readers look for, but the humor added to the suspense of the mystery involved should keep all but the most hardcore thriller readers entertained. Plus, let's face it, we all need to branch out from time to time, right? This heroine is gutsy enough to impress the women and sexy enough to keep the men intrigued. And while the characters practically reek of Jersey flair (replete with dialects), they don't keep the action from moving along.

For those not-so-much-with-the-thrillers readers out there, the heroine alone is enough to keep you going here. Then there's the cast of just-off-the-sterotype toughs and Italian mothers and guys those mothers keep trying to set their daughters up with, which provides plenty of opportunities for off-beat humor that will make you laugh out loud. Add to that a sexy ex-flame who may or may not be guilty but is certainly bad, and you've got a novel that'll keep you up to the wee hours of the morning.

This is a novel that definitely deserves a read, and since the film's due out next July, you've got plenty of time to build up your anticipation.

"Deep Six" by Mark Powell

2010-08-22T18:15:00.000-07:00

Pirates! We love pirates, right? Whether they look like Johnny Depp or Orlando Bloom, they've got rugged charm and great accents.

We are not talking about those kind of pirates here. In Deep Six, Mark Powell has crafted a tale that takes us into the brutal world of modern-day Somalian pirates and the over-privileged, ennui-filled civilians that are recruited to kill them.

This is Powell's second Mark McCabe novel, the first being Quantum Breach. McCabe is ex-SAS, an ex-banker, heavy on the charm and masculinity with a penchant for getting himself into some extremely adrenaline-pumping situations.

The writing is straightforward, open and honest, although at times it feels as if Powell doesn't completely trust his reader enough and resorts to over explanation. The only other observation is that Powell will occasionally switch perspectives mid-chapter which can be jarring. However, the characters are engaging, which, when added to the gripping action, can make for a compelling read.

If you were a fan of Quantum Breach, you will find Deep Six an improvement on a promising series, instead of the occasional dreaded sophomore slump. We revisit some old characters we love (and love to hate) and the back-story is further fleshed out. McCabe is definitely a character worth revolving a story around.

If Powell is new to you, you should give this author a try. The fact that he's drawing from his own military (and financial) background lends a truthfulness to his story lines that's exciting. The novel is filled with deeply flawed human beings that Powell wisely refrains from psychoanalyzing. The Somalian pirates and their hierarchy is fascinating and topical, giving this novel a very up-to-date feel.

Take some time to check this promising new-ish writing talent out!

Review of "The Ark" by Boyd Morrison

2010-08-09T08:53:00.000-07:00

The Ark by Boyd Morrison

reviewed by @mrneil98

   With blurbs of praise from Douglas Preston, Steve Berry, James Rollins and Chris Kuzneski, how could I not be drawn to The Ark, by Boyd Morrison. If that weren’t enough the plot involves a female archeologist teaming with an ex-military engineer in order to search for Noah’s Ark in order to save the world from a mysterious virus that could potentially kill billions. Wow!! That is a lot to take on for a debut novel but Boyd is up to the task.

   The plot concerns archeologist Dilara, whose father disappeared three years ago while pursuing his obsession of finding Noah’s Ark. After telling her a mysterious message, her father’s friend is poisoned in a mall food court. This leads to multiple attempts on her life and into the protection and (as if you couldn’t guess) arms of former combat engineer Tyler Locke. Together they try to construct the picture from assorted puzzle pieces following a path from the pacific northwest to the southwest and back, eventually winding up in the Middle East where the all good stories involving Noah’s Ark tend to culminate. The antagonist is a billionaire religious fanatic which has become the staple bad guy in recent novels. Although that road has been traveled before, Boyd is able to keep the story fresh with new storylines and interpretations of the religious themes.

   Using his real world background and experience (PhD in Engineering, work at Lockheed Martin and Microsoft), Boyd creates realistic but still thrilling scenarios for getting his protagonists into and out of precarious situations. The presentation of the virus and its devastating potential is as convincing as Rollins’ Judas Strain. Familial relationships throughout the book are convincing and varied as are the characters themselves.

   As the summer begins to wind down, it is well worth the price of admission for an action packed voyage on Boyd Morrison’s Ark.

"The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins & "Mind Walker" by Roy McConnell

2010-08-01T09:04:00.001-07:00

For The Hunger Games, we've asked Ben Hopkin (@actingnodrama) to guest review. Ben is an actor, a producer and also a writer, so is bringing a slightly different perspective to things. 'Cause you know, at @ThrillersRockT, we like to shake things up a bit!

The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins, is up for review this week. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. What the bleepedy-bleep-bleep is a Young Adult novel doing getting reviewed on Thrillers Rock Twitter? Well, here’s the thing. It's a YA novel, but really there's nothing stereotypically YA about it.

And while it isn't classified as a traditional thriller, it is well... thrilling. And I mean, shouldn't that be the basis for deciding if a book is truly a thriller? And trust me this is an absolutely, positively adrenaline-pumping, page-turning, hair-raising piece of work.

What The Hunger Games also has is a superbly crafted plot, razors-edge-sharp characters and plenty of emotional resonance.

But what elevates this novel is the clarity of its characters. Every character I encountered, even briefly, in this book was given three dimensions. There are characters in this book that I miss right now because I'm not currently reading it. I'm not going to spend much more time talking about the story or the people within it, but I will just throw out one name for you. Cinna, the stylist. When you read The Hunger Games (as you really MUST), keep him in mind.

As an actor, my litmus test for characters is whether or not I would want to play them (yes, even the female characters... What can I say? Actors are weird), and I can honestly say that it would be an honor to play any of them. Especially Cinna. In case it's in development. And those casting are reading this blog. #justsayin

Okay, disregarding that little self-promoting sidestep... It's the combination of the tight-as-a-drum plot and the crystalline-clear-as-snow-melt characters gives Hunger Games an honesty and emotional through-line that I've rarely felt in another author. When a writer can evoke an epic quality and at the same time ground the sweeping action in believable and lovable characters, magic happens.

Oh, there's one more thing, just in case all of the preceding rambling wasn't enough to convince you. The Hunger Games is the first in a trilogy. Catching Fire is the second, and Mockingjay, the final installment, is due out on August 24th. If you're at all like me, you'll get to the end of this novel and be intensely grateful for that fact.

Finally, I want to thank @ThrillersRockT for the chance to guest review this week. Not only because I get to review alongside some awesome writers, but because the novel I'm reviewing was good enough to keep me up until 3 am to finish it. I also believe there may have been a skipped meal or two in there as well, and for anyone that knows me, that's a big stinkin' deal.

"Mind Walker"
by @rjmc100

Just as we asked why guys would want to read "Hunger Games" we ask why should chicks want to read "Mind Walker?" Because let's face it, most guys are going to automatically dig this book.

So for my other female readers why should you give this first time novelist a chance? Well, besides the fact we have a great female lead, I would have to say for the roller coaster action and a great female lead.

As always we don't give spoilers here but oh how I would want to. Somehow Roy has managed to create a taut, page-turning thriller with just a twist that is sure to surprise.

Also, I find that we girls also really enjoy a story with rich settings and exotic locations. Mind Walker takes us on ride across continents that you won't want to end!

So give this indie author a chance to rock your world!

How about you friend him on GoodReads

And check out his book on Amazon

Until Next Week!

Don't forget that Plain Jane is also out. A Patterson-style thriller that harkens back to the "Kiss the Girl" days with a slash of Harris' macabre.
You should read 50 pages for free here.
And if you decide to buy the entire book, here is a 50% off coupon: RH88E

Thanks so much!

An "Inside Out" review of Barry Eisler & "Madness & Murder" by Jenny Hilborne

2010-07-25T17:46:00.000-07:00

Inside Out
@BarryEisler

Reviewed by @CristynWest

Alright, I am just going to come out and say it...

Inside Out Kicks A**

Ok, maybe I said it with asterisks, but still, you get my point.

If you like any type of political thrillers, you are going to LOVE Inside Out.

So let's talk to the non-political thriller readers, especially my gal pals.

This book feels REAL. Eisler has seeped this puppy in research with enough twists and turns to make it quite the roller coaster ride. Inside Out pushes every conceivable controversial button there could be in a political thriller set in current times.

And Eisler's sex? Well, let's just say he could give some romance writers a run for their money.

Is there violence? Yes, but it is so integrated into the plot, it feels necessary to the story line. Besides, if you get a bit queasy, that's what skimming is for, right?

But I truly can't imagine anyone wanting to pass by a single word of Inside Out.

So if you still want to call yourself a thriller fan, you better get Eisler's latest under your belt!

Next up:
Murder & Mayhem
by @JFHilborne

First off, I have to give props to another woman writer that choose to use her full, female name. It takes guts to say, "Hey, I am a chick and write thrillers."

So the pluses just keep adding up on this book. It's about catching a serial killer. Ok, I am definitely going to give it a try.

Next it is set in San Francisco. One of my favorite cities of all time. That means I am going to give it at least 100 pages.

But Madness and Murder didn't need the leg up. First from the first chapter you are intrigued by the grisly murder of a child and sucked in to keep reading until you find out who done it!

A great first novel from a brave new chick writer with 2 more on the way!

So, guys, give us girls a break and read a thriller that doesn't have just initials as the author!

You can buy Madness & Murder here.

And don't forget @cristynwest's novel, Plain Jane is available at smashwords.
Read 50 pages for free and if you decide to buy, use this 50% off coupon! RH88E

Until next week!