Steven Ramirez

I picked up a copy of Fight Like a Girl by Aiki Flinthart after reading a recommendation from another author. And wow—just wow. So, besides writing books, this woman is skilled in martial arts and knife throwing. Knife. Throwing. I mean, who does tha

I picked up a copy of Fight Like a Girl by Aiki Flinthart after reading a recommendation from another author. And wow—just wow. So, besides writing books, this woman is skilled in martial arts and knife throwing. Knife. Throwing. I mean, who does that? Well, Aiki Flinthart, apparently.

The author’s style is informed and laced with humor. I found the book to be well researched and diverse in its approach to writing female characters in life-threatening situations. Chapters include insights from the perspectives of biology, psychology, emotion—and grammar.

The author provides concrete examples of how to write—and not write—females engaging in combat with males, who are typically larger and stronger. As a bonus, she dissects poorly written scenes where the description of the fight is illogical. And she provides solutions.

I love this book and plan to refer to it often. And I recommend it to any author writing action thrillers that feature strong female characters. Oh, and at some point, I might even look into knife throwing. It sounds like fun.

Put the words “quantum” and “thriller” together, and in the right hands, you’re bound to get action, science, and danger in a tale that will make your head spin. That’s what Interference is. Author Brad Parks weaves in just enough physics and biology

Put the words “quantum” and “thriller” together, and in the right hands, you’re bound to get action, science, and danger in a tale that will make your head spin. That’s what Interference is. Author Brad Parks weaves in just enough physics and biology to make the story believable. And to keep you guessing, he tosses in a fascinating gaggle of characters who may or may not be all they appear to be.

Thrillers are fun. What kept me going, though, was the abiding love between Brigid and her husband, Matt. Simply put, they adore each other.

Everyone, it seems, wants in on Matt’s research at Dartmouth—including the government and a sketchy billionaire. Then, he goes missing. Interestingly, Brigid is losing her hearing. But that doesn’t stop her in her pursuit to find her husband. The woman is relentless.

Surprises abound in this story of how we push our limits of understanding to create something new while attracting those who would take it away. If you’re in the mood for a fun ride, check out Interference.

There’s an unbreakable connection between mothers and their children, a special bond that compels them to protect their offspring at all costs. And when someone threatens the child, Mother provides a powerful response. For Lizzie Riley, the solution

There’s an unbreakable connection between mothers and their children, a special bond that compels them to protect their offspring at all costs. And when someone threatens the child, Mother provides a powerful response. For Lizzie Riley, the solution is to move her son, Tom, away from London to a sleepy suburb where the two of them can start over.

As in all good psychological thrillers, running away from something—in this case, an abusive husband—introduces an even worse situation. The private school Tom attends is oppressive, and the headmaster oddly secretive. And with each new, disturbing revelation, Lizzie begins to unravel. It seems the bad luck she’s experienced has followed her.

Others try to help. Kate, the social worker assigned to Tom, is young and hopeful. She and her supervisor have seen it all before. Violent husband. Injured wife. Terrified child. But, somehow, the case isn’t textbook. And that’s what drives the reader mad, asking—pleading, really—why? For all that is good and holy, WHY?

For those who enjoy the twists and turns of a disturbing tale told by an unhinged narrator, Don’t Tell Teacher is for you. For those with children, hug them. And thank you stars, it’s only a story.

If you’re looking for classic gothic horror that doesn’t shy away from the macabre, you can’t do better than Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. For me, the best ghost stories are those that place the unwitting protagonist in a situation she has

If you’re looking for classic gothic horror that doesn’t shy away from the macabre, you can’t do better than Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. For me, the best ghost stories are those that place the unwitting protagonist in a situation she has no desire to be a part of. In this case, the unlucky girl is Noemí Taboada. She is rich and spoiled, and her chief concern seems to be which party she will attend next. Like the best heroes, though, Noemí is layered. She’s whip-smart, headstrong, and caring. And a little calculating. Her cousin is in trouble somewhere in the countryside, and Noemí’s father wants her to investigate. She agrees, but not before obtaining a quid pro quo. And so, with enough dresses and shoes to weather a trip abroad, she embarks on a lonely journey to High Place.

Sometimes, stories of horror and madness escalate too quickly, subjecting the reader to a dizzying intensity that’s difficult to sustain without resulting in boredom. That’s not the case with this novel. What I loved best about the book is the author’s carefully crafted ascent that, like the town situated below High Place, takes its time. But there’s a dark side to this kind of storytelling; Noemí is on an inexorable path that must deliver her to her final destination. The question, of course, is whether she and her ailing cousin will survive the journey.

When you read Mexican Gothic, fix yourself a nice cup of hot chocolate. Wrap yourself in your favorite blanket and prepare to experience a deliciously original tale—a deathless dream of family gloom.