The Cumberland Killers: A Kentucky Mystery (Kentucky Mysteries Book 2) Book Review

The Cumberland Killers: A Kentucky Mystery (Kentucky Mysteries Book 2) Book Review   

Title: The Cumberland Killers: A Kentucky Mystery (Kentucky Mysteries Book 2)
Author: James Aura
Publisher: Independent
Publisher Website Address: https://www.facebook.com/thecumberlandkillers/
ISBN-13: 978-1720173588
ASIN: B07H6Q2ZPM
Page Count: 258 pages

Reviewed by Carolyn Wilhelm

Kentucky must be a lovely place for a murder mystery! With the mountain tops not being widely accessible and long country roads, nefarious activity can be conducted. Lush Kentucky Blue-grass meadows and idyllic scenes do not appear to hide any secrets. However, a young newspaperman, Russell, begins quite an adventure sleuthing after his friend is murdered. We wonder why during most of the story. 

Winding country roads are less traveled, so those determined to conduct illegal business might be willing to use them. Fewer people, fewer watching eyes. Russell and his friend Tom bravely and knowingly find work with criminals felling trees. The work is difficult hard labor. They learn a few clues to help them try to solve the mystery. They also each have a love interest which keeps the story moving along. 

Honest and hard-working people live in the area, although many are now laid off. Russell shares his knowledge of what is going on high on the mountain tops with concerned neighbors, who happen to serve fine Sunday dinners. 

Roads that appear to go nowhere as mining changed from shafts beneath the earth to strip mining. Did you know fewer workers are required for strip mining? Such practices cause unemployment and harm the environment, adding to difficult economic times. At first, companies could just leave the land behind until laws were written for them to restore the areas. In this story, songbirds in some areas are not singing and water wells have become polluted. Hmmm, are we getting closer to finding the truth?

Mountain tops cannot always be seen from the ground, so could it be people were really blowing them up for an even easier mining method? The coal practically fell in the trucks with this method. and few people were aware. One thing leads to another. Clues begin to fall in place. A neighbor boy's drawing causes Russell to look for extra space in his rooming house, causing their capture and almost demise. 

The author kindly shared these images to provide visuals of the area. They may also be found on the book's Facebook page. The author may also be found on Twitter. 

About James Aura

James Aura writes historical, environmental and climate fiction.
He grew up in farming country north of Clifton Hill, Missouri; a town with a barbershop and a population of 212. Later, after college and the army, he covered public servants and Pharisees, civil rights marchers, and the Klan, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, corporate bigwigs, Amish house-movers, snake handlers and strip-miners from the Midwest to the Atlantic Coast. In other words, he was in the local news business. He hopes you enjoy the ride. James Aura lives in the woods near Raleigh, NC with his wife and a very opinionated cat.

Reviewer Carolyn Wilhelm

Wise Owl Factory LLC

More About #TheNewBookReview Blog 

 The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. Authors, readers, publishers, and reviewers may republish their favorite reviews of books they want to share with others. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read and love. Please see submission guidelines in a tab at the top of this blog's home page or go directly to the submission guidelines at http://bit.ly/ThePlacetoRecycleBookReviews or to the guideline tab at the top of the home page of this blog. Authors and publishers who do not yet have reviews or want more may use Lois W. Stern's "Authors Helping Authors" service for requesting reviews. Find her guidelines in a tab at the top of the home page, too. Carolyn Wilhelm is our IT expert, an award-winning author, a veteran educator and also contributes reviews and posts on other topics related to books. Reviews, interviews, and articles on this blog are indexed by genre, reviewers' names, and review sites so #TheNewBookReview may be used as a resource for most anyone in the publishing industry. As an example, writers will find this blog's search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. #TheFrugalbookPromoter, #CarolynHowardJohnson, #TheNewBookReview, #TheFrugalEditor, #SharingwithWriters, #reading #BookReviews #GreatBkReviews #BookMarketing

A New Mystery a la Sherlock Holmes

Title: Along Came A Fifer
Author: R. Michael Phillips
Published by Asylett Press, July 2009
ISBN 1-934337-62-5
Genre: Mystery

Reviewed by L. Boyer for Carlisle Sentinel, Oct 22, 2009

'Fifer' a mystery inspired by Holmes
Pennsylvania author R. Michael Phillips captures everything a mystery needs in his first novel.

Never judge a book by its cover — an age-old saying that applies perfectly to R. Michael Phillips’ Along Came a Fifer. Upon first glance, one would see a painting of a young boy in military uniform with a small fife. It looks like this is going to be some historical book, probably laden with boring narrative about some Revolutionary War battle.

Au contraire, mon ami. The cover actually shows Manet’s “The Fifer,” a painting that plays a crucial role in the novel’s plot. In fact, “Along Came a Fifer” is an exciting mystery set in modern-day London and Paris. But the historical feel isn’t far off.

Written with the likes of the great Sherlock Holmes in mind, “Along Came a Fifer” oozes Victorian-era detective crime-solving. The East London Adventurers Club works for the Royal Family, solving the crown’s most delicate matters quickly and quietly.

The most recent addition to the club, Ernie Bisquets, is a former pick-pocket selected personally for the job by Patterson Coats, leader of ELAC. Coats believes Bisquets’ unique insight into London’s underground criminal culture will serve the ELAC well, but it’s up to Bisquet to decide if he wants a part in the group’s sometimes life-threatening hobby.

Along Came a Fifer is actually the first in a series about the East London Adventurers Club. In it, Bisquets and his gang must unravel the mystery of a botched art robbery, which leads to murder and more. The next book, due out in fall 2010, is titled, Rook, Rhyme and Sinker.

Phillips, a Pennsylvania resident, does a fine job with his first mystery novel. The characters are relatable and dynamic. The novel has everything a mystery needs — humor, deception, unrequited love and, well, a good old-fashioned mystery.

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Along Came a Fifer is available online on Amazon, B&N, Fictionwise or from your favorite bookshop.

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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

Bookstore Owner Reviews Cozy Mystery

Name of book: The Highbury Murders:  A Mystery Set in the Village of Jane Austen’s Emma

Author of book: Victoria Grossack
Author’s website: www.tapestryofbronze.com
Genre: Historical Fiction & Cozy Mystery
ISBN: 978-1482627459
Hardcopy purchase: http://www.booksnstuffnc.com/ItemDetail.aspx?product=9781482627459
Electronic purchase: http://www.amazon.com/Highbury-Murders-Mystery-Village-ebook/dp/B00BNB0HBC/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=1-1&qid=1368210989

 Reviewed by Susan Warren, owner of Books ‘n Stuff in Southport, NC

Review:

"A mystery set in the village of Jane Austen's Emma," about says it all! What a fun, charming murder mystery - sounds strange to call a murder mystery charming, but it is! This story is just like reading a sequel to Austen's Emma. Ms. Grossack captured the heart of Emma and her fellow villagers in Highbury. You feel like you're reading Austen. Descriptions of the villagers, the surroundings, even the beloved characters from the original Emma are back to help solve the mystery. Even the style of the mystery seems to be from the period -- i.e. Wilkie Collins. I really enjoyed this story. It even solves one of the mysteries in Emma -- how did Mr. Churchill's first wife die?? Relax, enjoy, and be entertained.

 

~ –Susan Warren, owner of Books ‘n Stuff in Southport, NC

 

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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

Carolyn Wilhelm Reviews Entire Charlene Tess Series of Mysteries

Reviewer Carolyn Wilhelm makes it easy on those who love mystery series by submitting all three in the Chance O'Brien Suspense Trilogy written by Charlene Tess and Judi Thompson under the penance of Tess Thompson.  Learn more at Tess's blog, http://simplestepstosentencesense.blogspot.com/. 

Book One: 

When an Angel Whispers (A Chance O'Brien Mystery Book 1)

• ISBN-10: 1985725029
• ISBN-13: 978-1985725027
• 346 pages
• Available on Amazon
• 
  
• This is a compelling read I couldn't put down. There is a serial killer on the loose, and that is one scary thread throughout the book. Then the sparks are flying towards the end with a few situations, and only one ends badly. I so like a book with a satisfying ending and this has one (although I thought it would from the author's previous books). Chance's grandmother although dying in the hospital reveals information to a few of the characters that help them through the mystery. Chance (the hero) is a great guy and loves his family and is respected by coworkers. In the beginning it looks as though he may remain single and he does for many years, and of course I worried about that when the perfect girl left for another city. Although I figured out early on who the bad guy was, I couldn't see how it would be revealed or how there could possibly be an ending I would like---the twists and turns of the stories within the story were surprising, which I like in a book. I couldn't imagine all that happened and I liked that it was partly predictable and yet was amazing because I couldn't see how it would all resolve. When I thought I had it figured out there were unexpected events that kept me on the edge of my seat. Great read!
  
  Oh, and with the flooding in Houston and seeing the bayous on TV recently, it was all the more vivid! 

Book Two:

Student Body (Chance O'Brien Mystery Series) (Volume 2)

• ISBN-10: 1985724839
• ISBN-13: 978-1985724839

348 pages

Purchase on Amazon 

I like it that Chance O'Brian and his wife are back! I like to read a mystery series.
From page one the gripping beginning of the mystery draws the reader in and you won't want to put this book down. I like the Chance O'Brian mysteries as they have familiar characters in new situations so the reader feels like an insider to the details of the case. I like the restaurant and bakery scenes, too, mmmmmmm. Until the surprising end of the book, the twists and turns are clever and appreciated as they keep the reader engaged. The family loss(es) will tug at your heartstrings. The school microphone announcement of a homicide will also cause you to recall recent news events and worries, and as a teacher I can imagine the reaction of students and people in the school. Keeps you guessing! 

Book Three: 

The Devil Makes the Rules: A Chance O'Brien Mystery (Chance O'Brien Mystery Series Book 3)

• ISBN-10: 1985277441
• ISBN-13: 978-1985277441

236 pages

Purchase on Amazon

This is book 3 in the Chance O'Brien mystery series and the plots and characters are getting more and more interesting and complex. I recommend reading books 1 and 2 before 3 as the story is a continuation of life events, personalities, and the interwoven story threads. I thought I had the ending figured out only to be surprised a few times toward the end. I read this in one sitting and stayed up late to finish the story as I just had to read it through to completion.

We learn more about the reasons the characters behave the way they do and also understand why events evolve as they do. There are points in the story where characters have conversations and reveal their motivations and reasons for their behavior. Every time the scene changed I wasn't quite ready. I think these books should be made into movies! Very interesting. I do not know how the authors figured all this out and wrote it so well. 

MORE ABOUT THE REVIEWER 

Carolyn Wilhelm Curriculum Writer and Blogger, Wise Owl Factory cwilhelm@thewiseowlfactory.com The Wise Owl Factory | Reminiscing Writers

MORE ABOUT THIS BLOG AND GETTING REVIEWS

 The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. Of particular interest to readers of this blog is her most recent How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically (http://bit.ly/GreatBkReviews ) that covers 325 jam-packed pages covering everithing from Amazon vine to writing reviews for profit and promotion. Reviewers will have a special interest in the chapter on how to make reviewing pay, either as way to market their own books or as a career path--ethically!

This blog is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

                  

Jersey Girl Reviews Goose Pimple Junction

Title: Murder & Mayhem In Goose Pimple Junction

Author: Amy Metz

Author's Web site link: http://amymetz.com/
Genre: Southern Mystery (cozy)
ISBN-13: 978-0985138875
Publisher: Iconic Publishing

Available on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0985138874

 

Reviewed by Kathleen Anderson Originally for Jersey Girl Book Reviews

When Tess Tremaine, recently divorced and looking to start over in a new town, settles into Goose Pimple Junction, she has no idea what she's in for! Meeting the townsfolk, learning "southern speak" and "goosepimpleisms," working in a bookstore, and an attraction to local celebrity Jackson Wright is enough to keep her busy ... or is it?

A 1935 bank robbery leads to the 1937 unsolved murder of witness John Hobbs. Seventy-five years later, Tess is living in John's old house, and while renovating the house, she finds an old key and decides to look into the unsolved murder mystery case. But someone doesn't want the past to be stirred up ... with Tess and Jack investigating ... murder, mayhem and a little bit of southern romance is sure to follow!

Murder & Mayhem in Goose Pimple Junction is an entertaining whodunit story with a southern twist! The author weaves an intriguing southern cozy murder mystery tale told in the third person narrative that immediately draws the reader in with its quirky humor and fast-paced action that has enough twists and turns that will leave your head spinning! Rich in detail and vivid descriptions, the story takes place in Goose Pimple Junction, Tennessee, a picturesque southern town with a lot of heart and charm. The description of the town and surrounding area was wonderful, there's nothing better than down home country charm and living. I loved how the author weaved the two time periods, the 1930s murder mystery and the present day, into a suspenseful and riveting story. This laugh-out-loud mystery story will keep you in stitches as you turn the pages following along with the townsfolks' southern charm, quirky "goosepimpleisms," and the drama and mayhem that follows Tess and Jack on their quest to solve the old murder case.

The author has created a cast of characters that are quirky and lovable, their southern charm, crazy antics and hysterical dialogue will keep you in stitches. The reader is transported to lovely southern town of Goose Pimple Junction, Tennessee, where the friendly townsfolk welcome you with open arms and sweet tea! I really enjoyed all of the characters, but my favorites were Tess, Jack, Lou and Pickle. I loved how the author balanced the murder mystery with romance, while the drama and suspense kept me guessing, it was Tess and Jack's lighthearted romance that kept me smiling.

Murder & Mayhem in Goose Pimple Junction is a riveting southern cozy murder mystery that will engage you to join in the investigation of the decades old murder mystery, while providing you with a dose of good ol' southern charm and humor. So pull up a rocking chair and set down for a spell with some sweet tea while the townsfolk of Goose Pimple Junction tell y'all their story!

 

 

----- The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :

Metropolita Opera Violinist Writes Aria for Murder

BOOK TITLE: ARIA FOR MURDER 

AUTHOR OF BOOK: ERICA MINER

GENRE: MYSTERY/THRILLER

ISBN: 1685121985

SERIES: JULIA KOGAN OPERA MYSTERIES

PAGE COUNT: 254

AMAZON or FAVE LINK to BUY BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/Aria-Murder-Julia-Kogan-Mystery/dp/1685121985/

THE REVIEW ITSELF: By Midwest Book Review

FULL REVIEW

Excitement mounts as the moment arrives for brilliant young violinist Julia Kogan's debut in the orchestra of the world-renowned Metropolitan Opera. But the high-stakes milieu of this musical mecca is rocked to its core when, during an on-stage murder scene, Julia's mentor, a famous conductor, is assassinated on the podium.

Thrust into the investigation when her closest colleague in the orchestra is named chief suspect, Julia teams up with opera-loving NYPD detective Larry Somers to solve the murder. In the process, they are shocked to discover the venerable opera house is rife with a web of secrets, intrigue, and lethal rivalries. But all bets are off when Julia suddenly finds herself the real killer's prime target!

Critique: A cosy mystery at its very best, "Aria for Murder" is the first of novelist Erica Miner's 'A Julia Kogan Opera Mystery' trilogy from Level Best Books. A fun read from cover to cover, "Aria for Murder" deftly combines the elements of a traditional 'whodunnit' detective mystery with a memorable crafted amateur female sleuth. The stuff of which Hallmark TV mystery movies are made, "Aria for Murder" is an ideal and unreservedly recommended addition to community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Aria for Murder" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99).

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

 Formerly a Metropolitan Opera Orchestra violinist for 21 years, Erica Miner now enjoys a multi-faceted career as an award-winning author, lecturer, screenwriter, and arts journalist. Erica's passion for Bringing Murder and Music together is embodied in her 3-part Opera Mystery novel series published by Level Best Books: "Aria for Murder" (which draws on Erica's own real-life experiences working at the New York Metropolitan Opera); “Prelude to Murder” and “Overture to Murder.”

Erica’s debut novel, “Travels with my Lovers,” won the Fiction Award in the Direct from the Book Awards. She recently received the Readers House Magazine Editor's Choice Award of Literary Excellence.  Erica  has given workshops for Sisters in Crime; Los Angles Creative Writing Conference; EPIC Group Writers; Write on the Sound; Fields End Writer's Community; Savvy Authors; and numerous libraries on the west coast.

NITTY GRITTY BUT IMPORTANT PUBLISHING STUFF

X Permission to publish this review. 

Author’s Website: https://www.ericaminer.com. 

Lois W. Stern is an Associate & Review Coordinator for TheNewBookReview. She is also the creator of Tales2Inspire®, an Authors Helping Authors project/contest to help aspiring writers on their paths to discovery. And best of all, it’s Free. Lois has now published twelve Tales2Inspire® treasured Tales2Inspire Jewel Collection anthologies and six Tales2Inspire 2-in-1 Diamond Collection anthologies. Lois is a multi award winning author whose work has been featured in the New York Times, Newsday, Long Island Press, Barnard Magazine, on Local Access TV and in live presentations in varied venues. As TheNewBookReview review coordinator, Lois serves as an outreach to help other authors brand themselves as authors of talent. 

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Five Star Review for Overture to Murder, Another Mystery Thriller by Erica Miner

BOOK TITLE: OVERTURE TO MURDER      

AUTHOR OF BOOK: ERICA MINER

GENRE: MYSTERY/THRILLER

ISBN: 1685127819

SERIES: JULIA KOGAN OPERA MYSTERY SERIES

PAGE COUNT: 300

PUBLISHER: LEVEL BEST BOOKS

AMAZON or FAVE LINK to BUY BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/Overture-Murder-Julia-Kogan-Mystery/dp/1685127819/

REVIEWER’S NAME AND PERMISSION TO REPRINT: 

JESSICA FAHEY, THE SAN FRANCISCO BOOK REVIEW

Heidi K. Rojek, Owner

THE REVIEW ITSELF:

By Jessica Fahey, The San Francisco Book Review

FULL REVIEW HERE

(https://sanfranciscobookreview.com/product/overture-to-murder/)

Erica Miner’s Overture to Murder is an absorbing and intelligent addition to the Julia Kogan Opera Mystery series, combining the rarefied world of grand opera with the satisfying architecture of a classic whodunit. As a longtime lover of mysteries, I found this novel very rewarding.

Set against the formidable backdrop of Wagner’s Ring cycle at the San Francisco Opera, the novel opens with an atmosphere of tension and grandeur that immediately establishes both scale and stakes. The prologue, reaching back to 1922, lends the story a sense of legacy and continuity, while the present-day chapters immerse us in the complicated machinery of mounting Das Rheingold. Miner’s familiarity with the operatic world is evident from the first pages; the rehearsal dynamics, the politics between stage director and management, and the physical layout of the opera house feel authentic and meticulously observed.

Julia Kogan, the protagonist, is a particularly appealing heroine. Now serving as interim concertmaster after a suspicious hit-and-run injures her predecessor, Julia must navigate not only the technical demands of Wagner’s monumental score but also the fragile egos and rivalries that inevitably simmer behind the curtain. Julia’s relationship with her partner Larry and their precocious daughter Rebecca adds warmth and dimension to the narrative. The scenes of Julia teaching Rebecca violin, complete with the child’s imaginative interpretations of the strings, provide a tender counterpoint to the darker events unfolding at the opera house.

One of the most compelling aspects of the novel is Miner’s portrayal of backstage tensions. The abrasive stage director Yves Chauvet is drawn with sharp precision: ambitious, temperamental, and dismissive of others’ expertise. His public berating of Julia during rehearsal is both shocking and believable, and it sets the emotional groundwork for the tragedy that follows. When a fire alarm disrupts opening night and Chauvet is discovered dead in his dressing room, the transition from artistic drama to criminal investigation feels organic rather than contrived.

I especially enjoyed the way Miner layers professional hierarchies into the mystery. The general director, the orchestra manager, the house head, and the union dynamics; each plays a role in shaping both motive and opportunity. For readers like myself who relish procedural detail, these elements enrich the story rather than slow it down. The author’s background as a violinist shines through in the descriptions of rehearsal pressures, bow strokes, and the unique responsibility borne by a concertmaster. Those passages lend the book a gravitas that elevates it beyond a standard cozy.

In all, Overture to Murder is a polished and engaging mystery that will delight opera aficionados and general readers alike. It offers intellectual intrigue, vivid characterization, and a richly textured setting that lingers long after the final page.

Blurb:

"Divas and deadly secrets share center stage in Erica Miner's Overture to Murder, a classic mystery tale set at the San Francisco Opera House. Underpinning the plot of this delightfully twisty novel is a full-scale Wagnerian opera production that provides an apt metaphor for the action and a chilling backdrop for murder. The stakes could not be higher for violinist Julia Kogan, whose pursuit of a killer is rendered with all the immediacy of a live performance. Precise details, inside information about the glamorous world of classical music, and a cast of finely drawn characters propel the action from the opening curtain to the final bows. The suspenseful and surprising finish to this tale of mystery, music, and mayhem is a page-turner. Highly recommend." - Lori Robbins, author of the Master Class and On Pointe Mysteries

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Former Metropolitan Opera violinist turned author ERICA MINER now has a multi-faceted career as an award-winning author, screenwriter, journalist and lecturer. Winner of the Fiction Prize in the Direct from the Author Book Awards for her debut novel, Travels With My Lovers, Erica has received kudos for her Julia Kogan Opera Mystery series published by Level Best Books, based on her experiences at the Met: ARIA FOR MURDER (2022); PRELUDE TO MURDER (2023); and OVERTURE TO MURDER (2024).

Erica writes music criticism for websites such as US Bachtrack; Classical Voice of North America; Broadway World and LA Opus. Her lectures and seminars on writing and opera have won praise at numerous arts and academic organizations including: the Seattle Symphony, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of San Diego and University of Washington; and Wagner Societies across the US and in Australia. Erica’s  writings also can be found in publications such as Leitmotive, the magazine of the Wagner Society of Northern California; Italian American Magazine; San Diego Jewish Journal; Del Mar Lifestyle; Opera+ St. Petersburg Music & Art Magazine; Vision Magazine; WORD San Diego; and Istanbul Our City.

MORE ABOUT #THENEWBOOKREVIEW BLOG The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. Authors, readers, publishers, and reviewers may republish their favorite reviews of books they want to share with others. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read and love. Please see submission guidelines in Lois W. Stern’s silver circle icon in the right column of this blog, in a tab at the top of this blog's home page or go directly to the submission guidelines at https://bit.ly/ThePlacetoRecycleBookReviews Authors and publishers will want to access use Lois W. Stern's #AuthorsHelpingAuthors services. All are free and listed in her silver-circle icons in the right column. WARNING some cell phones cut off the right column of the blog, so try it using your desktop!) Carolyn Wilhelm is our IT expert, an award-winning author and veteran educator, she also contributes reviews and posts on other topics related to books. Reviews, interviews, and articles on this blog are indexed by genre, reviewers' names, and review sites so #TheNewBookReview may be used as a resource for most anyone in the publishing industry. As an example, writers will find this blog's search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. #TheFrugalbookPromoter, #CarolynHowardJohnson, #TheNewBookReview, #TheFrugalEditor, #SharingwithWriters, #reading #BookReviews #GreatBkReviews #BookMarketing HowToDoItFrugally https://bit.ly/ThePlacetoRecycleBookReviews.

Girl with Dragon Tattoo Reviewed by UK Reviewer

Title: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Author: Stieg Larsson
Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Crime

Reviewed by Owen O'Hagan, United Kingdom

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

If I’d stopped reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo twenty pages in, when I originally wanted to, I would never have experienced the compelling, clever and engrossing story that followed. It may get off to a slow start, but this book will keep you on edge until it’s all you can think about and you have no choice but read on.

Dragon Tattoo’s central mystery was beyond exciting. Ageing business-man, Henrik Vanger, employs journalist Mikael Blomkvist to solve the mystery of his great-niece, Harriet’s, disappearance and the truth slowly starts to reveal itself. I wanted to know what happened to Harriet, as much as the characters did themselves. At first, the amount of suspects in her case may seem overwhelming, but this particular part of the plot remains intriguing rather than complicated. The writer, Stieg Larsson, who tragically passed away shortly before the books were published, cleverly introduces characters and will leave you suspicious of each of them at some point.

Here lies a major strength of the book; its two protagonists. Blomkvist is a strong main character, who I gradually grew to understand and like. He has his flaws and is most definitely not the most likable character ever written, but his investigation into the disappearance of Harriet connects you to him. I even felt invested in his bazaar, accepted relationship with a married woman. I felt like I was on the case with Blomkvist and therefore grew to know him. It was small moments, like his relationship with a stray cat, that gave him some much needed depth, and made him three-dimensional

The second and perhaps the most unique character I’ve ever encountered, is Lisbeth Salander - the girl with the dragon tattoo. She’s a deep character, who is cold and calculated, but there’s something incredibly likable about her persona. She’s fiery, and doesn’t let anyone walk over her. It’s almost endearing. Salander’s sub-plot has likely attracted more attention than the main storyline itself. She loses her beloved guardian, only for him to be replaced by a disturbing and horrific monster of a man. This is where Larsson takes the story to a much darker place. It’s distressing and in your face, but that’s what’s so strong about the novel; it makes no excuses. Its conclusion is one of the most satisfying I’ve read, as well as one of the most shocking.

While Salander’s sub-plot is impressive, the same cannot be said for the story surrounding the political and financial scandal Blomkvist faces, thanks to his adversary, Wennerstrom. This very storyline is what put me off the book after merely reading the first chapter. The pages are full of information dumps, mostly about finance and business, and will likely go over the heads of many readers, leaving them bewildered and put off. I was relieved when the Harriet mystery was introduced, as the scandal was only mentioned occasionally, becoming background noise. Unfortunately, the mystery surrounding the Vanger family, that is full of compelling twists and shockers, concludes far before the end of the book. Instead, the focus returns to the scandal, and my interest levels dropped by a huge extent. This to me was a vital flaw in the novel – the main bulk of the book was enticing and gripping, but the beginning and the end fell flat. This was a disappointment in a book that had potential to be outstanding.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is at its core, an incredible thriller. The main mystery will steal your attention until its shocking conclusion. The characters will have you investing in their motivations and relationships. It’s just a shame that it doesn’t do enough to pull you into the story, and runs out of steam at its end. Please read this book, once you get past the first few chapters and delve into the mystery, you won’t want to put it down.

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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :