Review: The Last Storm

The Last Storm by Tim Lebbon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Last Storm, by author Tim Lebbon, is a beautifully brutal collision of horror, science fiction, fantasy and environmental awareness. The characters are rich and complex, the plot is unique, and the structure is engaging.

In the Last Storm, the reader is first introduced to Jesse—a man who, through genetics and a hand-made apparatus, is able to conjure rain. His power is a reflection of the world at large, so unlike his mother and grandmother (who were able to produce gentle showers in a kinder world), Jesse’s creations are fraught with scorpions and spiders that accompany a rain of water and blood. The world is succumbing to climate change, and the power of the rainmaker has become destructive and angry. Jess realizes he can no longer allow himself the luxury of practicing his craft, but his daughter, Ash, has inherited the ability. In a time that is increasingly dangerous, when earth is warming on a global scale, Ash’s belief that she can control the rain and save those in peril leads her into a storm that threatens to envelope her and the world at large.

Lebbon’s characters are well developed, with rich backstories that bring them to life. Jesse and Ash are believable even in the throes of something as far-fetched as making the heavens cry. Jesse’s almost hermit existence and the touch of madness that inhabits the mind of Ash, are revealed through the consistent integrity of their behaviors. Jesse reacts to life and those around him in ways that remain constant; Ash moves through life growing in her self-awareness. Neither ever offer any dialogue or actions that betray who Lebbon has groomed them to be. It is in this consistency that the reader loses a sense of needing to suspend disbelief and falls into the story with a conviction that yes, there ARE rainmakers. Of course there are. It’s a brilliant technique that garners and maintains reader investment.

As a reader of post-apocalyptic lit, Lebbon’s approach is a refreshing change. This isn’t an EMP taking out the grid, or a nuclear blast poisoning the earth. It’s a gorgeous, almost poetic retelling of a time in the future when death is a casual occurrence that strikes increasingly more often and with utter disregard for the sanctity of life. The devolution happens so slowly that it’s accepted as the new normal—a sobering look at a terrifying scenario resulting from global warming. The single distraction, for me, was the narrative that led to the construction of Ash’s rainmaking apparatus. It felt forced and was the only point in the book where a fourth wall came down and removed me from the action. On the other hand, the horror Lebbon unleashes through the conduit of Ash is absolutely numbing in its grotesque depiction. I actually had goosebumps and felt the need to look over my shoulder on more than one occasion.

Finally, the structure here is built in chapters that rotate between perspectives of various characters. When their stories finally intersect, the tension is positively palpable. It’s always a risk when an author attempts to build a number of storylines that eventually come together. Readers can find it difficult to follow and keep track of the changing narrative. Lebbon doesn’t suffer in his approach, as it is meticulously built in a way that makes the transitions seamless.

This is a definite must-read for those looking for something innovative, frightening and fantastical. Thanks to NetGalley and Titan Books for providing me with an ARC for review. Publication is slated for July 19, 2022.

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Review: Below

Below by Kev Harrison
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Below by author Kev Harrison is a delicious slice of horror that will have readers all over the world sleeping with the lights on.

The story is that of Nick Jones, a man whose life has been in many ways shaped by the grandfather he knew only through the stories told to him. Nicholas Jones was a twenty eight year old miner when he heroically spirited fellow workers to safety during a mine collapse. As his turn to exit the mine arrived, the entire shaft disintegrated, burying he and two other miners alive. Nick has heard the stories all of his life, stories that sparked his own interest in mining and led to his pursuit of a PhD in mining engineering. The mine where Nick’s grandfather perished was never reopened, and Nick is on a funded mission to reopen the entrance and retrieve his grandfather’s remains—remains that have been in the collapsed mine for over sixty years. Nick is accompanied on his journey by upwardly mobile influencer Jess and camera operator Sophia.  Together they descend into the darkness, where they discover that they are not alone.

Harrison’s strength is in creating a setting that is claustrophobic, dark and disturbing. The reader is immersed in this underground world, and it isn’t difficult to feel as if the walls are closing in. As the three explorers descend into the bowels of the mine, the tension builds in an edge-of-the-seat way that is physically experienced by the reader.

The weakness in this book, however, destabilizes reader engagement. The characters are two-dimensional—never fully explored or developed enough to warrant investment. I wanted to know more about Nick particularly, and of the specifics in the stories he had been told. I wanted his background so that I could feel some sort of emotion regarding his experiences in that mine. I also felt like the relationship between Jess and Sophia was forced as a way to make the story seem “woke” and on pointe with contemporary culture. It just wasn’t organic enough to be believable, a shortcoming that would be easily remedied by the inclusion of their back stories.

Overall, an atmospheric book that is a quick read—preferably with the lights on.

Thanks to NetGalley and Brigids Gate Press for providing me a free copy for review. Below is available now at major booksellers.

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Review: Movieland

Movieland by Lee Goldberg
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Movieland is one of those books that requires a solid block of time in which to read, as you will not want to put it down until the final page is turned. The characters are familiar, the plot is rife with suspense and the path to the conclusion is one of enough twists and turns to keep even the most veteran readers of the genre guessing.

Lee Goldberg has once again breathed life into Detective Eve Ronin, an LASD detective who was catapulted to popularity when video emerged of her single handedly taking down a well known arrogant and abusive actor who had built his reputation through a series of movies in which he played the “invincible Deathfist”. Ronin’s story continues here in Movieland, this time battling the thin blue line she once courageously exposed for widespread corruption, whilst also attempting to solve murders that may be the work of a serial shooter. Her jaded and bristly partner Duncan is back as well, winding down to retirement and giving Eve parting advice and support as they tackle what is to be their final case together.

Goldberg is the master of character development, and Movieland provides a sparkling showcase of this particular strength. In spite of this being the fourth of the Eve Ronin series, Goldberg lifts each character off the page and stands them in front of you, even if you are meeting them for the first time. The necessary background is seamlessly integrated into the storyline, so followers will appreciate seeing familiar faces, while newcomers will also be instantly engaged and invested. If you’ve read other serial novels, you know this is a difficult tightrope walk, but Goldberg makes it look as easy as a walk in the proverbial park.

The plot itself does become a bit convoluted as it unwinds, and at times it was distracting to see Goldberg straying with minutiae that adds to the flavor but not the storyline. Cameos by Eve’s mother and father seemed forced, as did the inclusion of several other bit players. In the long run, however, it was more a minor irritation than a dealbreaker. Goldberg’s ability to grab you by the collar truly makes the pages seem to turn themselves.

I hope this won’t the last we see of Ronin, as the trajectory for her growth has been forged—loose threads that demand further attention and will leave the reader longing to find out what’s next. Four bright stars for an author who is quickly becoming a favorite.

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Review: Fatal Rounds

Fatal Rounds by Carrie Rubin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Carrie Rubin’s Fatal Rounds was a delicious novel, rife with suspense and intrigue that, for me, found its feet just a little too late in the game.

Protagonist Liza Larkin is entering her residency in pathology at the Titus McCall Medical Center. She’s smart, driven and experiences the world through the lens of her self-described “schizoid personality disorder”. She relies on lifelong lessons from both her psychiatrist and her parents regarding appropriate social behaviors to guide her daily interactions, though Liza still misses important cues and is often perceived as “odd” and quirky. Additionally, she has had to learn to control her angry and sometimes violent outbursts, and long standing relationships for Liza are few and far between. Her mother resides in a private mental health facility, her father is deceased and her musician brother survives in a cloud of depression. When Liza’s mother experiences a particularly alarming “episode”, Liza discovers a shadowy man who appears in the background of a number of family photographs—photos that seem to have triggered her mother’s angst and most recent decline. Liza’s mission to discern the man’s identity is quickly realized, at which time she commits to discovering why he, Dr. Sam Donovan, is seemingly stalking her family. In the process, she finds far more than she bargained for, placing her career, her family and her own life in jeopardy.

Liking Liza as a character is a difficult ask. Her strengths and “humanity” are revealed so slowly that, for the first half of the book, there seems to be no context to who she is. Rubin opens by placing Liza in a setting that would have been far more powerful had the reader been given an opportunity to invest in her and understand her actions and reactions. It took too much of a concerted effort, and an inordinate number of pages, to unwind her motivations and situate them in terms of her own mental health challenges. Additionally, while her close relationship with her father appears to eclipse his death, neither his life, their connection, nor his passing are explored to the extent necessary to make Liza’s behaviors believable. Finally, the reader is, throughout, expected to buy into Liza’s constantly recalibrating moral compass—something I was never quite comfortable simply attributing to her personality disorder. The echoes of psychopathy in Liza reverberated far too loudly for her to be sympathetic.

Character challenges aside, the pages turned quickly, and I found myself invested in the outcome—which, for me, makes this a worthwhile read.

Thanks to Net Galley and Indigo Dot Press for providing me with an ARC for review. Fatal Rounds is slated for publication September 20, 2022.

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Review: The Deluge

The Deluge by Stephen Markley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When I sat down to pen this review, I found myself somewhat stymied. Did I enjoy the book? Honestly, not so much. I am a post-apocalyptic fan and have stepped into some fairly treacherous trenches as far as the genre is concerned. At first blush, I assumed that this would be another in an extensive line of end-of-the-world fluff. Consider me schooled. This was a terrifying long haul journey through years of ignored climate change and devastating consequences, as author Stephen Markley pushes his foot on the gas and belts through intersecting narratives that, at their heart, document the earth’s demise. Did I mention it was terrifying? Dust bowl conditions, widespread global flooding and never before seen high temperatures take their toll on life as we know it and infect the very fabric of what it is to be human.

As for the quality of Markley’s writing, well that depends upon the criteria to which you hold the piece accountable. At just under 1,000 pages, it takes determination and patience to wade through the dense text in search of that pullable thread. It’s definitely there, but to find it requires wading though page after page of extraneous “stuff”. The snapshot narratives, interspersed with news stories, press releases and shared memos, are all arranged in a chronological(ish) format that deviates at will and the bemusement of the speaker-of-the-moment. It feels at times that the reader is stuck tumbling in the wheel that must never stop spinning in Markley’s head, as both the left and right are eviscerated and exposed for their over-sold dog and pony shows that amount to absolutely nothing in terms of meaningful change. The research behind these pages must be measurable only in mountains.

The author introduces an almost unwieldy cast of characters to deliver his warning—characters who cross paths then veer in distinctly different directions, though to eliminate even one would tear at the integrity of the story being told. Perhaps, as mentioned previously, making more judicious use of the minutiae would have made the text more approachable to the masses who need to read it. Often I’ve complained of other books that an author chooses either breadth or depth, one often at the peril of the other. Here, Markley makes no such concessions, insisting on tiny details, caught beneath a widely cast net, to the final page.

With all of that said, clearly exposing my prejudice for easy beach reads, this is a book that is of great import and a must read eye-opener for everyone—regardless of the tenacity one may have to muster to do so. Above all, Markley consistently drives home the urgency of our attention and, most importantly, our ACTION, before it’s too late to address and reverse the incomprehensible damage we are inflicting upon our world.

I believe in the not so distant future, we will look back at this cautionary tale and hail Markley a prophet, though of our successes or failures lies at the crux of the action he is able to mobilize.

Thanks to Simon and Shuster and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC for review. Publication is set for January 10, 2023. The sooner the better.

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Review: The Secret Witness

The Secret Witness by Victor Methos
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



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When I spotted this as an option for an Amazon First Read selection, I was almost giddy.  Methos is, after all, a literary genius whom I both admire and, possibly, just a little, worship.  I dove in without a moment of hesitation.  I must admit, however, now that the shiny newness of a “latest release” has faded, what remains is the sense that this just not reflect the Methos-level work he has penned in the past.  The shine is definitely dulled.

The story is that of a retired hermit-like prosecutor, Solomon Shepard, who is approached by the local sheriff, Billie Gray, when “the one who got away” appears to resurface.  A serial killer known only as the Reaper has been on a prolonged hiatus, but a recent string of murders is so similar to those of the Reaper himself, many are convinced that the original killer is back in the game. Solomon is lured back into the realm of the Reaper with the hope of finally identifying the murderer and putting the case to rest.  

So is the story engaging?  Well….yes, it is.  The characters are a tad shallow, but they are believable and consistent.  The plot is one that offers a surprise ending that I never saw coming, and it was a quick page-turner.  Why, then, only three stars?  Because this book lacked the spark that has made me such a Methos fan.  There were no examples of clever wordsmithing.  There was no snarky dialogue, no characters who engaged me to the point of sadness at turning the final page.  In short, there was no shadow or imprint of Methos on a single page.  

If you’re looking for a well done, fairly straight forward story, with a twist right at the tail end, you may very well enjoy this.  If, however, you are a Methos fan looking to pad your love affair with his work, I’d skip this one and wait for Methos to rise again to the greatness of which he is fully capable.

Review: Fear Thy Neighbor

Fear Thy Neighbor by Fern Michaels
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book was, in short, a hot mess. It was a slow, almost nonexistent burn, during which the dialogue and character development were both positively abhorrent.

The story is that of Alison (Ali)—a product of the foster care system, abused and neglected by those who were responsible for her safety and well being. At 17, Ali graduates high school and, after a harrowing experience at home, goes on the run. The story is of Ali visiting a new-to-her village in Florida and purchasing her first home. In spite of being drugged and dragged, finding human bones in her yard, and having horrendous experiences with the nefarious characters who inhabit the space, Ali moves ahead with buying a beach house there. She knows something is not quite right (ya think?), and as the story unfolds, the community’s secrets are revealed.

Whilst reading, I kept waiting for some big reveal or some significant event to occur—something that would anchor this novel. Instead, what I got was a series of unrelated crises and events that portrayed Ali as, at once, a bad ass and a woman who just could not make good decisions. The result was a muddled protagonist about whom I could not possibly have cared any less.

While the lack of a central plot was disconcerting, it was the uncomfortable and stilted dialogue that sealed the two star deal. When Ali is chased while inadvertently trespassing on a private beach, she, weapon in reach, tells her pursuer she will “blow (his) frigging head off”. When the man backs off and tells her he never meant to scare her, Ali responds with “Then what the hell are your intentions?” His INTENTIONS? Really? She’s just been chased down and she asks his intentions? It was just so out of character. Was she the brusque and base woman who threatened to blow his head off or the more refined lady asking a man of his “intentions”? When she goes into a “dollar store”, she asks to purchase a “cellular phone”. So formal for a street rat who has had to live by the seat of her pants! The inconsistencies were prevalent through out and extended beyond the dialogue. At one stage, she was convinced she had food poisoning, then pages later professed that she never believed her illness was food poisoning. She talked about having to, in the past, eat from garbage cans, but then we find she has well over $100,000 she has managed to “save” over a period of only 12 years, all the while moving from place to place. She even has her own investment broker, was weapon trained by an ex-military captain and knows enough to check the behind-the-scenes plumbing when she looks to purchase a home. Must have been a busy 12 years.

Overall, an incredible disappointment from an accomplished author. Two stars—and that’s being generous.

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