Jackson Coppley's Blog, page 4

Science Fiction Series Sale

I'm joining a group of fellow authors in a sale of science fiction titles you're sure to enjoy, including my own The Air Riders.

David Baldacci's Long Shadows

David Baldacci starts his novel “Long Shadows” with a tragic event witnessed by Amos Decker, a consultant for the FBI. The event is painful for Decker since it involves a former partner, and he hears it over the phone and is helpless to do anything about it.

However, that event is not the central story of the novel. The central story is a murder of a judge and her bodyguard in South Florida. The FBI assigns Decker to the case. His boss matches Decker up with a new partner for the case, Special Agent Frederica “Freddie” White. Neither one of them is happy to be teamed up with the other, making for a personal conflict and adding interest for the reader.

Decker is a large man, a former football player for Cleveland. A traumatic head injury in a game cut his career short but gives him perfect recall. It’s a handy thing for an investigator to have. He also sees blinding electric blue when around a dead person. That’s not so handy. He sees several dead people.

However, Decker’s “superpower,” as he calls his perfect memory, while handy, is not essential to the plot. And what a plot it is. The killing of a judge who tried terrible criminals may seem like an unfortunate risk of the job. But nothing is what it seems. Decker and White peel back layer after layer of the case, keeping the reader waiting for another shoe to drop. Decker continues to come up with plausible theories that explain everything except for one or two items that make no sense at all. For example, why was the bodyguard’s throat stuffed with obsolete Slovak currency?

Baldacci’s “Long Shadows” is entertaining from beginning to end.

Recommended.

Mysteries Resolved, Deals Sealed

Kindle Unlimited Subscriber? (Or considering being one?)

Here are titles you can read for free on KU (including my The Code Hunters)

Even if you're not a KU subscriber, the prices are hard to beat!

Leaving Lisa

I am pleased to announce a new version of my novel Leaving Lisa. Preorder now.

A Captivating Blend of Adventure and Science Fiction

In the wake of a tragic loss, Jason's world crumbles around him. But from the ashes of grief emerges a remarkable journey fueled by technology and the resilience of the human spirit.

Haunted by the memory of his beloved wife Lisa, Jason discovers a lifeline in an Artificial Intelligence device she crafted before her untimely demise. Through this remarkable creation, Lisa's voice echoes across the digital divide, guiding Jason on an odyssey that spans continents and defies conventional boundaries.

From the lush rainforests of Costa Rica to the bustling streets of Vietnam, and the ancient wonders of Italy, Jason embarks on a quest to honor Lisa's memory by scattering her ashes in far-flung locales. Along the way, the AI device evolves, blurring the lines between machine and human, as Lisa's essence seems to grow more tangible with each passing conversation.

Yet, amidst the adventure and technological marvels, a chance encounter in the heart of Rome disrupts Jason's carefully constructed path. Irina, a spirited American divorcée, ignites a spark within him, challenging his steadfast dedication to the past.

As Jason grapples with the allure of new love and the shadows of old wounds, he must confront the ultimate question: Is he prepared to embrace a future beyond the confines of grief and embark on a new chapter of his life?

In this gripping tale of love, loss, and redemption, Jason's journey transcends the boundaries of time and space, weaving together the threads of human connection and the promise of tomorrow in a captivating blend of adventure and science fiction.

Available April 1, 2024

The Recovery Agent by Janet Evanovich

"The Recovery Agent" by Janet Evanovich follows the story of Gabriela Rose, a recovery agent hired to retrieve lost treasures, stolen heirlooms, or missing assets. It’s a novel that may require the reader’s suspension of disbelieve. Then again, suspension of disbelief makes an Indiana Jones movie more enjoyable. This novel is more like Indy.

The book opens with Gabriela, deep in the rain forests of South America, finding a precious amulet, only to have it snagged by a cougar. It sets the tone of the book.

Gabriela then embarks on a mission to find the Ring of Solomon and the lost treasure of Lima in the jungles of Peru. However, her ex-husband, Rafer, holds the map that could lead them to the treasure, leading to a reluctant partnership between the two. As they navigate through the Ecuadorian rainforest and face challenges like drug lords and dangerous situations, they must work together to outsmart their enemies and secure the fabled ring.

Relax, sit back, and enjoy.

The Secret - Lee & Andrew Child

Few readers would recognize the writing team of brothers James and Andrew Grant. However, they would immediately recognize the pen name of Lee Child, author of Jack Reacher novels. His brother Andrew has adopted the moniker of Child when he began collaborating with Lee on the 25th book in the Jack Reacher series. “The Secret” is their fifth novel together.

 

“The Secret” is not only the fifth collaboration between the brothers, but it is designed to be the last before brother Andrew takes over the series on his own.

 

“The Secret” is a prequel set when Jack Reacher was still in the army. The reader may enjoy stories set in the near past to see if the author gets technical things right. With “The Secret,” the fax machine plays a role. No texting. No cell phones. The Childs get things right.

 

The novel intertwines two distinct plotlines. One follows a duo of sisters methodically executing men listed in connection to a secretive project, their sinister inquiries about the elusive "ninth name" serving as a repeated refrain. Meanwhile, Reacher finds himself embroiled in a separate investigation as part of a specialized task force, initially seemingly disconnected but ultimately converging with the sisters' deadly agenda.

 

As Reacher navigates twists and turns, his pursuit of the sisters unveils not only a string of preventable deaths but also exposes a clandestine cover-up surrounding the enigmatic project. The revelation of the elusive ninth name holds a startling revelation, challenging readers' expectations and culminating in a truly shocking climax.

 

What the ninth name is comes out, eventually. But who included the ninth name on the list that may surprise the reader. That’s the real shocker.

Mysterious Men & Women

Kindle Unlimited Subscriber? (Or considering being one?)

Here are titles you can read for free on KU (including my The Code Hunters)

Even if you're not a KU subscriber, the prices are hard to beat!

Mystery / Thriller Giveaway

I'm participating in a limited-time giveaway of exciting titles from my fellow authors.

22 Seconds by James Patterson

When you first lay eyes on the cover of "22 Seconds" and notice another author credited beneath James Patterson, one wonders about each contributor's role in shaping the narrative. The cover boldly emblazons James Patterson's name in large font, with Maxine Paetro mentioned below it.

 

I’ll get into the story in a minute, but first, more about the authors.

 

Patterson and Paetro’s backstory reveals a longstanding acquaintance dating back to their days in the advertising world of 1970s New York City. Paetro's tenure as a recruiter and creative manager at various agencies overlapped with Patterson's stint at J. Walter Thompson. Their professional paths intertwined further in 2005 when they embarked on a prolific collaboration, marked by over a dozen joint ventures, including "4th of July" within the Women's Murder Club series.

 

Regardless of the precise division of labor in "22 Seconds," the novel is an entertaining police procedural. The title itself alludes to a pivotal shootout midway through the narrative. The book begins (and ends) with Cindy Thomas, a crime reporter working on a biography of a serial killer, Evan Burke. Cindy then disappears from the story, only to become involved in a case of a murdered little girl.

 

Central to the plot is Lindsay Boxer, a sergeant in the San Francisco Police Department, and her husband Joe, who serves as an FBI consultant. Their lives unfold against a backdrop of heightened tension fueled by fervent Second Amendment supporters protesting stringent gun laws in San Francisco. Toss in a killer targeting cops leaving the victim’s mouths stapled shut and notes reading “You Talk, You Die.”

 

The narrative introduces a diverse array of characters, some of whom seem connected to the unfolding crimes, while others remain enigmatic. Included are seemingly unrelated cases detracting from the coherence of the main storyline, leaving the reader questioning their significance.

 

While the prose is the quality one would expect, excessive detail occasionally bogs down the pacing, with mundane actions described in unnecessary granularity. Despite this, "22 Seconds" strikes a balance at 384 pages, culminating in a gripping finale. It’s a respectable addition to the police procedural genre.

Happy Mardi Gras!

What is the difference between Mardi Gras and Carnival?

The main difference between Mardi Gras and Carnival is that Carnival is a season, while Mardi Gras refers to Fat Tuesday, the culmination of the Carnival season. Carnival is a period of feasting and fun that begins on January 6, also known as The Feast of Epiphany, and ends at midnight on Fat Tuesday, which is the day before Ash Wednesday. It is a time to eat, drink, and be merry before the fasting and sacrifice of Lent. On the other hand, Mardi Gras specifically refers to Fat Tuesday, the final day of the Carnival season. While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they refer to different aspects of the pre-Lenten celebrations. The traditions and celebrations associated with Carnival and Mardi Gras can vary by region, with different countries and cities having their own unique customs and events

Click on the following photo to see the video I shot of Rio Carnival 2023