Dale Ward's Blog

“The Spy Who Hated Me” review

OK I have to admit a certain grandiose affinity for the James Flynn books. This is because I have been a lifelong (long life?) fan of all things 007, especially the original Ian Fleming novels. Apparently Haris Orkin has been as well, because the detail to whom Flynn becomes, what he says, how he acts, and what he likes (shaken and not stirred, of course), delves deep into the Bond nuances. These inside “winks” are delicious, and if some of these are missed (I’m sure I missed a few), it does not detract from the fun of the twisty-turning plot, and the way that Flynn’s delusion does not hinder but helps his cause. This one has to do with CIA agent Caitlyn Valentine’s (the spy who hates him…) disappearance in London. James Flynn is sure she’s in danger and off he goes to the “mother land.” “The Spy Who Hated Me” is a tasty spoof and thriller rolled into one. Give it a shot!

“Captives” review

“Captives” is captivating. Yes, I actually said that, but it’s true. 

A young boy vanishes from his front yard and the hunt is on. With seemingly no clues to his whereabouts or what transpired, the search goes on for days… months… years… It turns cold and is put on the police’s back burner. But the boy’s older sister, racked with guilt over his disappearance, hires the detective firm of Marcotte and Collins to dig deepr and with fresh eyes. Dredging up fifteen-year-old memories is painful, but perhaps something was missed? “Captives” is a well-written page-turner in the vein of John Grisham and Robert Dugoni. Wow. What a great read. If you like fast-moving thrillers, this one is for you. Put a copy on the top of your to-read list today. This is Book 2 in the Marcotte and Collins series – and I sometimes hesitate to read a Book 2 before Book 1 – but don’t let that stop you. It is great as a stand-alone. Maybe you’ll be like me and want to dive immediately into the first book. (Or get both!) Great stuff!

“Red Screen” review

To be “red-screened” is to die in the meta-verse Land of Might and Magic – a virtual reality game that may have more in common with the real world than the players would like. The killings have crossed over, and Parker Reid, the FBI’s top profiler, is brought in to hunt for this cruel and elusive murderer. Gamer Shea Britton is on the hunt in the virtual world for the same killer. This quick-moving book takes you back and forth between the real and unreal as we follow both hunters racing on a collision course toward each other as they chase the Gray Warrior. What a genre-bending novel this is, with elements of fantasy, thriller, horror, mystery, and even romance. It’s a top-notch, well-written tale with Burke at the top of his craft in this one. Hang on in the early-goings where it can be difficult to keep all the players straightened out – with many of the characters living in two worlds with two different names. It’s all part of the fun of keeping reality and fantasy separated. But is that really how it is meant to be? Is the Gray Warrior real or a figment of some programmer’s madness? “Red Screen” by Daniel Burke should be the best thriller you read this year with fun twists and turns to keep you guessing and turning the pages. Enter the Land of Might and Magic – you will not be disappointed.

“Dog Island Gold” review

Will Harper is at it again in “Dog Island Gold.” Since this is the ninth in the Will Harper collection that I have read, I obviously enjoy the series, the characters, and their escapades. This one is solid enough, although not as well-crafted as some of the others. As a frequent visitor to Tarpon Springs, I enjoyed the two stops here that the book makes – although they have got to try Hellas Restaurant next stop. A great place for local Greek cuisine. One of my greatest takeaways from the book was the connection to the website “Florida Back Roads Travel Off the Beaten Track.” I’ll be visiting many of these places soon. A good quick read, and interesting Dog Island history. It makes for a good backdrop. Take a look.

“Paradise Gone” review

A Trophy Collection to Die For…

This is a good one in the Will Harper Mystery series. You get not only one villain (and a delicious one at that) but two, as Bonnie’s rebellious teenager Serena shows up on the WanderLust stalked by her derelict boyfriend, who is not only bad news, but is too old. Florida poaching is the assignment for Will Harper this time around, as he and his crew come up against Hunter, a killer of anything and everything. His trophy collection is to die for. Give it a read.

Recent review of “Killing the Butterfly”

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60732916?rto=friend_update_daily_us&ref_=pe_41735960_810737310_bp

“Clucked” by Troy Holland

When I first got on the boat in Troy Hollan’s “Clucked,” I sailed away into a mash-up of Ernest Hemingway, The Lord of the Rings and Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road” (“On the Waters”?????). We take off with Matt and his trusty dog Jack as they set sail from Corpus Christi, TX on their way across the Gulf of Mexico toward Key West and beyond. The sharp writing, the narrative, and the quirky adventures and characters are a deep dive into great literature. From Key West, the boat (and book) head north to Charleston where the plot thickens around the sinister Colonel Clyde Clawson, a chicken nugget tycoon (and megalomaniac). Hop on deck for a great cruise with “Clucked” by Troy Hollan.

“A Deadly Game” review

Yep, this one is hard to put down. “A Deadly Game” takes off from page one and never lets up – with twists and turns throughout to keep you wondering just what is going to happen next.
A college student goes missing during some fraternity fun and it turns the town upside down, as well as the idyllic family life and marriage for Nicole and her loving college professor husband. And when their son becomes a person of interest – after all, he is a friend and fraternity brother to the missing student – their upside-down world is shaken even more. Well, all fairy tales must end, right?
This thriller is no fairy tale, but a nonstop roller coaster ride with no slowing down in sight. Grab a ride on “A Deadly Game” by Gayle Brown. You won’t be disappointed.

“Leigh Howard and the Ghost of Simmons-Pierce Manor” review

Holy smokes there’s a lot going on here. “Leigh Howard and the Ghosts of Simmons-Pierce Manor” is an action-packed ride through several months following Miss Howard as she moves in with her aunt and uncle and cousin following the killing of her mom and pop. Of course, she takes the murder hard, as evidenced by the scars she wears, but perhaps the move to her relatives stately old mansion in Maryland will be the ticket to a new life – a new beginning. You’ll love following along on the twists and turns of her encounters with drug dealers, organized crime members, and let’s not forget the ghosts of Simmons-Pierce. They make themselves known quite early and play a big part in what happens. A fun book for all ages!

“Safe and Sound” review

“Safe and Sound” by Laura McHugh pulls you right in from the first pages and never lets go.

It’s the six year anniversary after Grace has vanished, and her two cousins are determined to learn the truth behind what happened. Amelia and Kylee were found unharmed in their upstairs bedroom the night Grace, who was babysitting them, vanished, leaving nothing behind but blood spilled throughout the kitchen. Amelia and Kylee vow to find Grace, dead or alive.

I found myself drawn into their world – a not entirely happy existence, but one filled with determination and perseverance. The story moves back and forth between the first-person-present told by Amelia, and the third-person-past story of Grace, and this dual story interweaving works splendidly. And there are enough suspects and twists to keep it interesting.

I’ve been a fan of Laura McHugh since I first stumbled upon “The Weight of Blood,” one of the best thrillers of recent years, and this one is a pretty good match. If you like thrillers, grab a copy of “Safe and Sound.” You won’t be disappointed.