I really enjoyed reading Fatal Harbor by Brendan DuBois; it was the second one I’ve read by this author about this protagonist.

The story flowed smoothly, with a plot that kept me hooked from start to finish, and I found the ending particularly satisfying. The main character is someone I really want to succeed and his powerful enemies to lose. I like that this author puts a lot of care into crafting how the story develops and then wraps up.

Lewis Cole, a columnist and retired Department of Defense analyst, finds himself on another mission to avenge his best friend, Detective Diane Woods, who was almost killed in a protest against nuclear power. Lewis followtracks down her assailant in a journey through Washington DC and a few New Hampshire towns. With a lot of material and moral support from Felix Tinios, a security consultant from Boston’s North End, Lewis faces armed enemies with their own agendas. I found it a gripping plot that tested Lewis’ sleuthing skills and his physical endurance, forcing him to ask just how far he is willing to go to seek justice for his badly injured friend. If you enjoy reading contemporary suspense stories that keep you on the edge of your seat, I highly recommend this book (and I’m certainly looking out for more by this author).

I found The Patient’s Secret by SA Falk an interesting and entertaining read.

The plot kept me engaged, moving along at a pace that kept me turning pages, and the twisty ending left me feeling satisfied. Dr Sharon Stevenson is a forensic psychiatrist engaged to assess whether an arrested suspect/the patient is mentally fit to stand trial. The patient presents a case of Dissociative Disorder with four distinct personalities, which had me scratching my head a bit as I tried to keep track of them. The whole Dissociative Disorder angle was the book’s central dilemma – is it real or just a ruse by the patient to dodge the death penalty? Meanwhile, the backdrop of serial murders, mostly of marginalized young women, adds another layer to the story, especially since Stevenson’s own daughter fits the victim profile. I wished there had been more exploration of this subplot, though. And the big question that kept nagging at me: If the patient’s so savvy as to juggle four personas, why’d they let themselves get caught? Even though Stevenson’s job isn’t to play detective, both she and I couldn’t help wonder if the patient (or any of his 4 personalities) was the real killer. And let me tell you, the best twist in the book comes right when you least expect it. If you enjoy reading suspense with a twist, this one’s definitely worth your time.

Sugar Sands by Deb Davies is set on Michigan’s sunset coast and is quite a page-turner.

When Arnie, a retired police officer, decides to skip out on knee surgery, his wife Laurel decides a relaxing trip to Lake Michigan’s Sunset Coast might do him good. Joining them are their teenage son, Sawyer, and their friends Claire and Charles. There’s an eerie bioluminescent phenomenon in the lake, giving everyone the creeps. Sawyer has a knack for joking about his family’s disasters whenever they hang out with friends, but this time, it’s no joke as trouble brews when his girlfriend takes a job as the live-in scribe for Maeve, an elderly and dying author who speaks with dead children’s ghosts. It all becomes a race against time to find Sawyer’s girlfriend. ‘Sugar Sands’ a gripping, twisting, convoluted suspense/thriller that will keep you interested and entertained from start to finish.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Children of the Sun by Harry Allen and although it is fiction, I wanted this story to be real.

Children of the Sun blends elements of bravery, friendship, and the pursuit of liberty in the face of adversity. It’s a story that captivates with its emotional depth while challenging readers to confront the harsh realities of life in North Korea, a society where freedom is an absolute luxury. Ra Eun Seo and her friends’ journey is a testament to the human spirit’s resilience and unwavering hope for a better future.

Ra Eun Seo and her friends, Min and Nari, find themselves in a gripping tale of courage and survival in a destitute North Korean town in this compelling novel. Their discovery of a forbidden radio broadcasting South Korean music and news opens doors to a world of possibilities but also leads them into a whirlwind of trouble. Seo, gifted with a beautiful voice, takes a daring step by performing at the Festival of the Sun, unaware of the severe consequences of possessing forbidden materials from the South.

Their imprisonment sparks a harrowing journey as they strive to break free from the clutches of the authorities. Locked away and facing an uncertain future in a labor camp, the trio must navigate through unimaginable challenges that test their resilience and determination to secure their freedom. Their journey is both gripping and confronting, offering readers a glimpse into the hardships and dangers faced by those who dare to defy the strict rules of their society.