Author: Steven

A Beautiful Way to Die by Eleni Kyriacos is a pacy, razor-sharp thriller that peels back the glamorous façade of 1950s Hollywood and Ealing Studios to reveal a world just as corrupt, but on a smaller, more insidious scale.

Kyriacos contrasts the excess and power plays of Hollywood with the quieter yet equally treacherous workings of the British film industry. The characters are richly drawn, with relationships that shift and unravel in fascinating ways. Ginny Watkins and Stella Hope are compelling leads, caught in a tangled web of ambition, betrayal, and survival. The narrative weaves their stories together, with moments of brilliant misdirection that build toward surprising twists and a satisfying conclusion.

This novel is a must-read for fans of classic Hollywood noir, historical thrillers, and stories that explore the darker side of fame. With its intoxicating atmosphere and sharp storytelling, A Beautiful Way to Die is as seductive as the world it portrays—glittering on the surface but filled with danger just beneath.

“Carnival of Lies” is a gripping historical thriller that cements D. V. Bishop as a master of Renaissance intrigue. Cesare Aldo is a brilliant protagonist—his secret life in 16th-century Florence adds layers of depth and tension to an already thrilling narrative. In this installment, Aldo is thrust into the shadowy world of Venetian politics, where deception is an art form and danger lurks behind every mask.

The stakes couldn’t be higher as Aldo races to recover a stolen journal filled with secrets that could topple the Medici dynasty. The novel is rich with political maneuvering, deadly conspiracies, and atmospheric detail that transports the reader straight to the bustling streets and candlelit palazzos of Renaissance Venice.

One of the book’s standout elements is Contessa Coltella, the Venetian spy mistress who makes for a formidable and fascinating adversary and ally. The interplay between her and Aldo crackles with tension, making every encounter a delight to read. Bishop’s deep understanding of the period shines through, blending historical accuracy with page-turning suspense.

Superb, immersive, and utterly unputdownable—I’ll be going back to read the earlier books in the series. If you love historical thrillers with depth, intelligence, and razor-sharp intrigue, Carnival of Lies is a must-read.

I almost put Murder Mindfully down after the first couple of chapters, but I’m glad I didn’t. Karsten Dusse weaves a clever and unconventional plot that blends self-improvement with crime in a way that’s both darkly comedic and oddly satisfying.

Björn, the lead character, starts off as incredibly frustrating—his rigid, almost passive approach to life makes him difficult to root for at first. But as he embraces mindfulness (in the most unconventional way possible), he becomes surprisingly engaging. His journey from overworked lawyer to… well, mindful murderer, is absurd yet strangely logical within the book’s world.

The plot unfolds in a fairly predictable manner, but that doesn’t take away from the enjoyment. The way mindfulness principles are twisted into justifications for cold-blooded efficiency is both unsettling and amusing. The humor is sharp, at times edgy, and adds to the book’s unique tone.

Overall, Murder Mindfully is an entertaining, offbeat read that offers an amusingly twisted take on both personal growth and crime fiction. If you enjoy dark humor and don’t mind a protagonist whose moral compass is… flexible, this book is worth the read.

Reading Farewell, Amethystene feels like catching up with an old friend after years apart—familiar yet full of surprises. Walter Mosley once again delivers a richly layered mystery, steeped in history, moral complexity, and the unshakable presence of Easy Rawlins himself. Now 50, Easy is a man who has survived against all odds, building a life of stability and success. But when Amethystene Stoller reappears, pulling him into an investigation that stirs up ghosts from his past, that hard-won balance is thrown into question.

I enjoyed the interplay between characters, particularly the ever-compelling Fearless Jones, whose presence adds both tension and camaraderie. Mosley’s signature prose remains as evocative as ever, immersing the reader in the shifting landscape of 1970s Los Angeles, where social change simmers beneath the surface of every encounter. The way Mosley intertwines racial politics, personal history, and crime noir is masterful, making every conversation and revelation feel weighty and significant.

The plot itself is intricate, and while the journey is mesmerizing, the resolution left me with lingering questions. At times, I wasn’t sure I fully understood all the twists and turns, but that didn’t take away from the impact of the story. Like many of the best noir tales, it’s less about the neatness of the ending and more about the atmosphere, the moral reckoning, and the evolution of its characters.

Farewell, Amethystene is another strong entry in the Easy Rawlins series, proving that even after all these years, Easy remains one of crime fiction’s most compelling figures. A must-read for longtime fans and newcomers alike.

David McCloskey’s The Seventh Floor is an electrifying, cerebral, and utterly gripping spy thriller that cements his place as a modern heir to John le Carré. This is espionage fiction at its finest – tense, labyrinthine, and brimming with razor-sharp authenticity.

At the heart of the novel is Artemis Procter, a maverick intelligence officer cast out by the CIA, only to find herself pulled back into a deadly game of deception and betrayal. When a Russian defector is assassinated in Singapore and her former colleague Sam Joseph vanishes, Procter becomes the agency’s scapegoat. But when Sam resurfaces with a stunning revelation—a high-level mole is burrowed deep within the CIA—Procter must navigate a treacherous landscape of old allies and bitter foes to uncover the truth before it’s too late.

McCloskey, a former CIA analyst, wields his insider knowledge with precision, crafting a narrative that feels chillingly real. The novel’s breakneck pacing, deftly executed twists, and masterfully drawn characters keep the tension at a fever pitch, leading to an unforgettable climax packed with jaw-dropping revelations.

Artemis Procter, a rebel with a cause, is a spectacular protagonist—tough, cunning, and haunted by the service that both shaped and discarded her. She’s a character for the ages, standing alongside the greats of the genre.

McCloskey has outdone himself with this one. The Seventh Floor is a tour de force—intelligent, pulse-pounding, and utterly unmissable. If you’re a fan of spy fiction, this is your next obsession.

Ajay Chowdhury delivers another gripping, atmospheric thriller with The Shadow. Detective Kamil Rahman’s latest case takes him back to Mumbai, where a string of gruesome murders—starting with a British engineer found pierced by eighteen arrows—pulls him into a tangled web of revenge, superstition, and corruption.

The book brings Mumbai to life in vivid detail, from its bustling streets to the stark realities of the slums, immersing the reader in both its beauty and its brutality. Kamil and his sharp-witted partner Anjoli make for an engaging duo, and their dynamic adds both depth and moments of levity to the dark and twisted mystery at hand. The interplay between the supernatural elements—an ominous family curse—and the stark reality of cold-blooded murder keeps the tension high and the pages turning.

Chowdhury masterfully balances action, suspense, and character development, leading to a satisfyingly neat finish that ties up the mystery while leaving the reader eager for more.

Mick Herron delivers again—The Secret Hours is a masterclass in spy fiction, weaving tension, intrigue, and razor-sharp wit into a gripping thriller. Set on the fringes of the Slow Horses universe, this novel peels back layers of backstory while standing strong as a brilliant espionage tale in its own right.

From the first page, Herron’s signature style is on full display: darkly comic, endlessly twisty, and packed with characters who are as flawed as they are fascinating. The story follows the long-running Monochrome inquiry, a frustrating investigation into the intelligence services that suddenly finds itself with an unexpected breakthrough—the elusive OTIS file. What follows is a thrilling chase through buried secrets, past betrayals, and a present that refuses to let the past rest.

The writing crackles with tension, the plot unfolds with masterful precision, and just when you think you know where it’s going, Herron pulls the rug out from under you. If you love intelligent, unpredictable spy thrillers, The Secret Hours is an absolute must-read.

Greg Iles is usually a fantastic writer, but Sleep No More is an absolute mess. What starts as a promising thriller quickly devolves into a bizarre, supernatural possession story that feels completely out of place. The premise had potential, but instead of a gripping psychological mystery, we get a plot that stretches believability past the breaking point.

The characters are frustrating, the pacing drags, and the supernatural elements feel forced rather than compelling. I kept reading, hoping it would redeem itself, but it never did. If you enjoy Iles’ usual blend of suspense and deep character work, skip this one—it’s nothing but over-the-top nonsense.

A Gripping, Atmospheric Mystery with a Few Loose Ends

Megan Chance’s Glamorous Notions is an engrossing historical mystery that transports readers to the shadowy world of 1950s Hollywood—a place where reinvention is essential, secrets are currency, and paranoia lurks beneath the industry’s glittering surface. The novel blends noir-style suspense with an exploration of identity, betrayal, and the suffocating effects of political and social censorship.

The story follows Lena Taylor, a talented costume designer at Lux Pictures, who has spent years carefully constructing a new identity. But beneath her glamorous façade lies a past she’s desperate to keep hidden. Once known as Elsie Gruner, a gifted young designer from Ohio, she was drawn into the intoxicating world of jazz clubs and secret dealings in post-war Rome. When a deadly intrigue spiraled out of control, she fled to Los Angeles, assuming a new life. But now, with an impending engagement and growing public attention, Lena finds herself trapped between the ghosts of her past and the precarious reality she’s built.

Chance does a great job of weaving historical detail into the novel, making the setting feel vivid and immersive. The tension builds steadily, as the reader, like Lena, is never quite sure who can be trusted. The backdrop of McCarthy-era fear and Hollywood’s voluntary censorship adds a chilling layer to the story, making it feel all the more relevant today when self-censorship and social pressures continue to shape public discourse.

While the novel delivers a compelling mystery and a satisfying slow-burn suspense, the ending feels slightly rushed and leaves a few key threads unresolved.

Recommended for fans of historical mysteries and Hollywood noir.

Sherry Rankin’s The Killing Plains is an engaging mystery that keeps you guessing. Set in the small town of Crescent Bluff, where everyone knows each other—and everyone has something to hide—the story weaves together past and present crimes in a way that feels both intricate and believable.

Detective Colly Newland is a strong, relatable protagonist, navigating not only a complex case but also personal ties that make her investigation even more challenging. The pacing is steady, with just enough misdirection to keep things interesting without feeling forced. The final reveal is unexpected but well-earned, with clues placed subtly throughout.

Rankin’s writing draws you into the setting and characters without over-explaining, letting the suspense build naturally. A solid debut novel, and I’ll definitely be looking forward to what she writes next.