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How Everything Turns Away
Ezra James used to be a big deal: Harvard graduate, FBI agent, beautiful wife. After being accused of fabricating evidence in a serial killer trial, he finds himself suspended, on the verge of a divorce, and working security at a posh Catholic school in Chicago. Then something out-of-the-ordinary happens: a young student-teacher is attacked during a Christmas pageant and left for dead in the snow with a noose around her neck and an electrical burn. Plus, she's pregnant. Ezra, along with up-and-coming police detective, Lucia Vargas, and school chaplain, Fr. Remy Mbombo, must work fast before the culprit returns to finish the job.
- GenresContemporaryMystery
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 18, 2021
13 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Steven J. Kolbe
2 books42 followersSteven studied at NOCCA and LSU in Louisiana before earning his undergraduate and graduate degrees in English from Kansas State University. He started his writing career as a lowly student worker for the prestigious literary journal The Southern Review. If you received a formal rejection letter in the mid-2000s, he probably sealed the envelope. His Ezra James mystery series is available from The Wild Rose Press and Harlequin Books.
He lives in Southwest Kansas with his wife and four children.
He lives in Southwest Kansas with his wife and four children.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 28, 2021
HOW EVERYTHING TURNS AWAY
By Steven Miller
I like strong first lines in books. I savor them and learn from them and even try to emulate some great ones in my own writing—not that I succeed. The opening sentence from this novel is a pretty good one.
“The only noteworthy thing to happen during Ezra James’ short tenure as head of security at Saint Joseph and Mary School happened when he wasn’t paying attention.”
Of course, readers know what was going to happen, a body was going to drop—after all it’s a mystery—but not the clever way Miller writes it. He has a body drop, literally, as from the bell tower. He does a nice job setting up this almost murder mystery from the first chapter and I read on, wanting to sort out what exactly happened. Once or twice, I found myself a bit confused, but that was shortly remedied.
As one who attended a Catholic high school not unlike the one portrayed in these pages—though in truth my was all-male—this author has captured the culture of such a private institution quite well. The intrigue, the snobbery, the elite privilege, they are all in evidence. I also enjoyed his two protagonists, Ezra James, the disgraced FBI agent, now security guard, trying to find a way back and Detective Lucia Vargas, the young cop and new detective who’s anxious to prove she’s got what it takes. Both are believable and have enough complexity to keep readers interested. Miller draws his characters so readers care about what happens to them and that’s a real plus.
Also, the author leads readers through a pretty good whodunit with multiple suspects and motives along with the requisite red herrings. His setting—the cold of winter complete with snow right before Christmas—even adds a layer of mystery and frigid emotions to the whole affair. If you’re looking for a good mystery to curl up with—whether it’s hot and humid outise or freezing with inches of snow on the ground—you won’t go wrong with HOW EVERYTHING TURNS AWAY.
By Steven Miller
I like strong first lines in books. I savor them and learn from them and even try to emulate some great ones in my own writing—not that I succeed. The opening sentence from this novel is a pretty good one.
“The only noteworthy thing to happen during Ezra James’ short tenure as head of security at Saint Joseph and Mary School happened when he wasn’t paying attention.”
Of course, readers know what was going to happen, a body was going to drop—after all it’s a mystery—but not the clever way Miller writes it. He has a body drop, literally, as from the bell tower. He does a nice job setting up this almost murder mystery from the first chapter and I read on, wanting to sort out what exactly happened. Once or twice, I found myself a bit confused, but that was shortly remedied.
As one who attended a Catholic high school not unlike the one portrayed in these pages—though in truth my was all-male—this author has captured the culture of such a private institution quite well. The intrigue, the snobbery, the elite privilege, they are all in evidence. I also enjoyed his two protagonists, Ezra James, the disgraced FBI agent, now security guard, trying to find a way back and Detective Lucia Vargas, the young cop and new detective who’s anxious to prove she’s got what it takes. Both are believable and have enough complexity to keep readers interested. Miller draws his characters so readers care about what happens to them and that’s a real plus.
Also, the author leads readers through a pretty good whodunit with multiple suspects and motives along with the requisite red herrings. His setting—the cold of winter complete with snow right before Christmas—even adds a layer of mystery and frigid emotions to the whole affair. If you’re looking for a good mystery to curl up with—whether it’s hot and humid outise or freezing with inches of snow on the ground—you won’t go wrong with HOW EVERYTHING TURNS AWAY.
August 11, 2021
I would like to thank the author for an advance copy of How Everything Turns Away in return for an honest review.
FBI agent Ezra James has been put on probation after a big serial killer case went wrong and the stress got to him. He is serving his probation as the security manager at a private catholic school in Evanston, Chicago. This is not what he joined the FBI for, but that changes when he finds a young student teacher almost dead in the snow after a fall, or was it a push? He and the school priest, Father Remy Mbombo, find themselves helping newly minted detective, Lucía Vargas in her investigation.
I enjoyed How Everything Turns Away as it has an interesting plot and a well concealed perpetrator. It is told from Ezra and Lucia’s points of view entirely, so this allows the reader to get involved in the investigation and guess alongside the detectives.
This is not a scientific novel as there is little in the way of forensics so it relies on the old fashioned method of shoe leather and deductive reasoning and a little intuition to grease the wheels. At heart it is not a complicated story - who tried to kill the teacher - but the swirl of rumour, conflicting stories and secrets gives the team plenty to think about and investigate.
There is much for the reader to mull over and process, but the investigation gets a little lost in all the descriptive detail. Who cares what every character is wearing and there is a bit too much emphasis on the female characters’ physical attractiveness. A bit of judicious pruning would sharpen the narrative and let the reader see more clearly.
I like Ezra and Lucia. They are strong characters who work well together and this brings a warmth to the narrative that makes it easy to read. With this being the first novel to feature them they are still a work in progress. I would be happy to see how they develop.
How Everything Turns Away is a solid read.
FBI agent Ezra James has been put on probation after a big serial killer case went wrong and the stress got to him. He is serving his probation as the security manager at a private catholic school in Evanston, Chicago. This is not what he joined the FBI for, but that changes when he finds a young student teacher almost dead in the snow after a fall, or was it a push? He and the school priest, Father Remy Mbombo, find themselves helping newly minted detective, Lucía Vargas in her investigation.
I enjoyed How Everything Turns Away as it has an interesting plot and a well concealed perpetrator. It is told from Ezra and Lucia’s points of view entirely, so this allows the reader to get involved in the investigation and guess alongside the detectives.
This is not a scientific novel as there is little in the way of forensics so it relies on the old fashioned method of shoe leather and deductive reasoning and a little intuition to grease the wheels. At heart it is not a complicated story - who tried to kill the teacher - but the swirl of rumour, conflicting stories and secrets gives the team plenty to think about and investigate.
There is much for the reader to mull over and process, but the investigation gets a little lost in all the descriptive detail. Who cares what every character is wearing and there is a bit too much emphasis on the female characters’ physical attractiveness. A bit of judicious pruning would sharpen the narrative and let the reader see more clearly.
I like Ezra and Lucia. They are strong characters who work well together and this brings a warmth to the narrative that makes it easy to read. With this being the first novel to feature them they are still a work in progress. I would be happy to see how they develop.
How Everything Turns Away is a solid read.
July 13, 2024
Nicely written, extra points for a debut novel.
February 23, 2022
Suspended by his employer and dumped by his gorgeous wife after being accused of fabricating evidence at a murder trial, disgraced FBI agent Ezra James hits rock bottom and takes a job as a security guard at a posh private school. When a beautiful student teacher is attacked and left for dead, Ezra sees the crime as a chance to redeem himself and perhaps salvage his career if he can solve the case.
Steven J. Kolbe wrote a fast-paced whodunit. He does a masterful job of weaving the lives of flawed, but believable characters with a plot chock-full of private school angst and a mystery with a boatful of suspects to keep the reader guessing. Kolbe’s excellent character development is a major plus in keeping readers invested in the story. This is a thinking person’s mystery with enough red herrings and twists and turns to throw the reader off, and a backstory that ties it all together. I highly recommend How Everything Turns Away to any reader who likes their crime-solving skills challenged.
Steven J. Kolbe wrote a fast-paced whodunit. He does a masterful job of weaving the lives of flawed, but believable characters with a plot chock-full of private school angst and a mystery with a boatful of suspects to keep the reader guessing. Kolbe’s excellent character development is a major plus in keeping readers invested in the story. This is a thinking person’s mystery with enough red herrings and twists and turns to throw the reader off, and a backstory that ties it all together. I highly recommend How Everything Turns Away to any reader who likes their crime-solving skills challenged.
September 6, 2022
I picked this title up on NetGalley and what a treat. This was a page turner that kept me engaged. I’ve recently fallen for heroes like Ezra James who are imperfect and struggling before stumbling upon cases they never intended to become swept up in.
August 18, 2021
Ezra James used to be a big deal: Harvard grad, FBI agent and a beautiful wife. After allegations of fabricating evidence on a serial murder case, he finds himself suspended, on the verge of divorce, and working security at a posh Catholic school in suburban Chicago.
When a student teacher is attacked, then left for dead during a school event, Ezra, along with an up-and- coming female police detective and school chaplain, Fr. Remy Mbombo, must work fast before the culprit returns to finish the job.
How Everything Turns Away, an Ezra James Mystery, written by Steven J. Kolbe and recently released by the Wild Rose Press.
Our Review: For an intriguing insider’s view of a posh private school, where everyone—including the enigmatic school chaplain with as many secrets as the confessional booth—has an agenda. Combine this with a wounded hero who refuses to let life’s vagaries keep him down, and the reader has him/herself with a honey of a fast-paced mystery.
How Everything Turns Away is a story for that reader who appreciates dry humor, busybody PTA members, and smart-mouthed teenagers. Clearly this author is well acquainted with the ins and outs of an educational system as well as the rigors of foreign missionary work. Well done!!
On a scale of 1-5, How Everything Turns Away deserves a 7.
Kat Henry Doran, Two Wild Women Reviews
When a student teacher is attacked, then left for dead during a school event, Ezra, along with an up-and- coming female police detective and school chaplain, Fr. Remy Mbombo, must work fast before the culprit returns to finish the job.
How Everything Turns Away, an Ezra James Mystery, written by Steven J. Kolbe and recently released by the Wild Rose Press.
Our Review: For an intriguing insider’s view of a posh private school, where everyone—including the enigmatic school chaplain with as many secrets as the confessional booth—has an agenda. Combine this with a wounded hero who refuses to let life’s vagaries keep him down, and the reader has him/herself with a honey of a fast-paced mystery.
How Everything Turns Away is a story for that reader who appreciates dry humor, busybody PTA members, and smart-mouthed teenagers. Clearly this author is well acquainted with the ins and outs of an educational system as well as the rigors of foreign missionary work. Well done!!
On a scale of 1-5, How Everything Turns Away deserves a 7.
Kat Henry Doran, Two Wild Women Reviews
July 1, 2022
Ezra James, former star FBI agent who made a life changing mistake and was accused of egregious behavior, is performing a major penance as the security director for a posh coed Catholic high school. When a student teacher's barely alive body is found crumpled in the snow beneath the campus bell tower it gives him an opportunity for redemption. He wants to help the local police determine if the attempt was murder or suicide. James has to sort out a bucket of red herrings both in clues and suspects. He hopes if he helps the attractive, newly minted Detective Lucia Vargas find the answers He may be able to return to the FBI and get off his mental health meds. The supporting cast of characters from the chess playing priest with a questionable past to the heart throb French teacher with a secret to his opiates mother to Vargas' curmudgeon of a partner to delusional teacher and hot moms keep Ezra James hopping. This detailed mysteries is jam packed with bodies, motives, hope for redemption, secrets old and new, false identities, ex-spouses, kidnapping, and missed meds. Whatever adventure Ezra James takes up next--I want to go along--and I hope his friends from this book do too. Great read. Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
August 27, 2021
I enjoyed every tense, riveting page between the covers of How Everything Turns Away. A clever attempt at murder at an upper-crust private Chicago high school leaves a beautiful, pregnant student teacher fighting for her life. What happens next is a tale loaded with school rumors, fear, jealousy, and one-upmanship. Guaranteed to keep you guessing until the end.
Ezra James, disgraced, humiliated, and flawed FBI agent, struggles to get through each day with dignity and integrity intact. In a fast-paced race to catch the culprit before he can finish the job, Ezra works alone and with Lucia Vargas, a young Latina detective who has her own secrets to hide. In the background, kind, mysterious Father Remy Mbombo, the one to whom a troubled soul might turn, sees more than most.
Steven, you’ve drawn your victims, suspects, and cops with love, grace, and a touch of humor. You’ve created an intriguing mystery, and it’s wonderfully written. I hope you’re working on a sequel. I want to be whisked away again to be with these very human, realistic characters.
June 2, 2022
Mysteries are part of my DNA. I started devouring the genre as a kid, which led to my own efforts writing them. Recently I had the opportunity to read Steven Kolbe’s “How Everything Turns Away”. This one was firing on all cylinders.
Attempted murder, troublesome students, gossipy teachers and high society parents all play a role in the story. Considering that it’s set at a Catholic school perfectly adds to the tension. This is a perfect recipe for misbehavior.
Kolbe’s characters, especially Ezra James and Lucia Vargas, are well drawn and realistic. Each has their own strengths, weaknesses and vulnerabilities. Yet together, they make a solid investigative team. Ezra’s background in the FBI could make most cops uncomfortable, but Lucia recognizes his abilities and begins to trust him.
There is plenty of banter between the two. Ezra’s friend at the school is Father Remy Mbombo, serves as a confidant, sounding board and chess wizard. The pair don’t even need the actual chessboard to engage in a virtual game, sharing moves to diffuse the tension of any given moment.
This book has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. A very enjoyable read. I’m hoping this isn’t the last we’ve seen of James and Vargas.
Attempted murder, troublesome students, gossipy teachers and high society parents all play a role in the story. Considering that it’s set at a Catholic school perfectly adds to the tension. This is a perfect recipe for misbehavior.
Kolbe’s characters, especially Ezra James and Lucia Vargas, are well drawn and realistic. Each has their own strengths, weaknesses and vulnerabilities. Yet together, they make a solid investigative team. Ezra’s background in the FBI could make most cops uncomfortable, but Lucia recognizes his abilities and begins to trust him.
There is plenty of banter between the two. Ezra’s friend at the school is Father Remy Mbombo, serves as a confidant, sounding board and chess wizard. The pair don’t even need the actual chessboard to engage in a virtual game, sharing moves to diffuse the tension of any given moment.
This book has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. A very enjoyable read. I’m hoping this isn’t the last we’ve seen of James and Vargas.
August 27, 2021
I love a mystery that challenges my intellect and makes me dig into memories, searching for snippets from past scholars, novels read, and experiences lived. How Everything Turns Away did all that, plus it is an easy read coupled with a puzzling mystery. I found the story a compelling whodunit, as the hunt to identify the evil-doer unfolded. But I also found myself turning pages to discover why Kolbe's protagonist, Ezra James, FBI Agent, was now working security for a private school. James' relationships with Detective Lucia Vargas, and school chaplain, Fr. Remy Mbombo are intriguing and left me wanting more time with these characters. Entertaining and well-paced, if this is the first book in The Ezra James Series, I hope Kolbe keeps his promise and quickly produces the second.
November 1, 2021
Perhaps this book’s most enjoyable aspects are two of the more important cruxes of a mystery: a solid who-dun-it and a flawed yet relatable protagonist. The first is finely executed. There are just enough hints and baits to lure the reader this way and that as we are introduced to the characters of Ezra James’ world. Did I have it figured out myself before our author let it spill? Almost on the ‘who,’ nowhere on the ‘how.’ The second crux is an approachable, relatable, but most importantly, flawed protagonist. Ezra James is a refreshingly dynamic character. The last few decades of male-centric protagonists in the mystery genre have hosted the typical moral deviation at the bottom of a bottle and in bed with a woman. But Ezra James’ shape is not so much a moral deviation and, in fact, it is inappropriate to call it a flaw. In, How Everything Turns Away, Steven J. Koble presents us with a detective who is desperately struggling with mental health issues, therapy, and a strong desire to get off his medication. The flaw here is not a flaw but rather a profoundly humane and genuinely relatable inner struggle. Ezra’s life has even more depth and nuance, but I’ll let you find that out for yourself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2022
I’m giving this book 5 stars because I couldn’t put it down! I enjoyed it. I’d say the style of the book was…if Liane Moriarty was a male author with a little less polish in the writing. I wanted to get to know the characters more. The book was very plot driven - but it was a mystery so it worked. I finished the book feeling like I still didn’t really know Ezra or Lucia very well. But the plot was satisfying, and so was the ending. The ending was just crazy enough to be fun without being too much. There were a couple places that descriptions got repetitive and I wish the editing had been a little tighter. I’ve already recommended the book to friends!
October 3, 2021
I love mysteries, thrillers, and classic gum shoe detective novels. If you enjoy these as well, this book is for you!
Ezra James, a currently suspended FBI agent, spends his days dealing with rich parents and spoiled students at St Joseph and Mary Catholic School. It should be a fairly boring gig. Until an attempted murder happens on campus. James finds himself in the middle of the investigation assisting a newly appointed detective who has a justifiably hard time completely trusting the suspended agent.
It's all set to the backdrop of a winter in Chicago. It's got murder, it's got twists, it's got snow! This page-turner is the ideal murder mystery for mystery fans. Great job Steven Kolbe on a fantastic debut novel. I cannot wait to read more Ezra James mysteries!
Ezra James, a currently suspended FBI agent, spends his days dealing with rich parents and spoiled students at St Joseph and Mary Catholic School. It should be a fairly boring gig. Until an attempted murder happens on campus. James finds himself in the middle of the investigation assisting a newly appointed detective who has a justifiably hard time completely trusting the suspended agent.
It's all set to the backdrop of a winter in Chicago. It's got murder, it's got twists, it's got snow! This page-turner is the ideal murder mystery for mystery fans. Great job Steven Kolbe on a fantastic debut novel. I cannot wait to read more Ezra James mysteries!
December 24, 2021
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Blog: https://nanasbookreviews.wordpress.co...
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
How Everything Turns Away by Steven J. Kolbe is a mystery. It's the first book from the Ezra James Series.
This is a very good book. The plot is simple, quite easy to follow, and very engaging. It has something that I have never seen before, it began by telling us that something big was going to happen. And it did it in a very clever way. The mystery is a slow burn with so many twists that threw me off several times. The author's writing style is incredible, the "murder" scene was well described like the CSI series I used to watch. I am not familiar with Catholic schools since we don't have them here but it gave strong vibes of those private schools that you know that it'll mess with the case. I think that this situation with the rich kids, the poor immigrants, and the opinionated rich parents added something extra to the story. The characters were a good match. Ezra was my favorite, he was closed off to himself with his issues but he was so good in his job. I liked Lucia as well, she was a spitfire with good instincts and funny. They worked so well together, like Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. There are two scenes that I liked, the moment Ezra found the girl and
when he became a hero.
If you love mysteries then I highly recommend you to buy this one. I fell in love with this one and can't wait to see what happens next in Ezra's life. I will rate it with 5 bright Christmas stars.
Blog: https://nanasbookreviews.wordpress.co...
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
How Everything Turns Away by Steven J. Kolbe is a mystery. It's the first book from the Ezra James Series.
This is a very good book. The plot is simple, quite easy to follow, and very engaging. It has something that I have never seen before, it began by telling us that something big was going to happen. And it did it in a very clever way. The mystery is a slow burn with so many twists that threw me off several times. The author's writing style is incredible, the "murder" scene was well described like the CSI series I used to watch. I am not familiar with Catholic schools since we don't have them here but it gave strong vibes of those private schools that you know that it'll mess with the case. I think that this situation with the rich kids, the poor immigrants, and the opinionated rich parents added something extra to the story. The characters were a good match. Ezra was my favorite, he was closed off to himself with his issues but he was so good in his job. I liked Lucia as well, she was a spitfire with good instincts and funny. They worked so well together, like Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. There are two scenes that I liked, the moment Ezra found the girl and
when he became a hero.
If you love mysteries then I highly recommend you to buy this one. I fell in love with this one and can't wait to see what happens next in Ezra's life. I will rate it with 5 bright Christmas stars.
June 17, 2022
I found Steven J. Kolbe’s How Everything Turns Away is a police procedural, but not the same old-same old kind. Ezra James, temporarily suspended FBI agent working as head of security in a Catholic school, is believable and very human. Lucia Vargas, the detective working on an attempted murder during the school’s Christmas program, is delightfully quirky. The crime is baffling and suspects abound. If this is a series (and I very much hope it is), I’m praying Fr. Remy is an ongoing character.
I received an ARC for my unbiased review.
I received an ARC for my unbiased review.
September 1, 2021
This is an interesting mystery. Okay, I know “interesting” is usually a death knell, but in this case, it actually is interesting. The characters are realistic and believable. And there are enough red herrings to keep you guessing (though I was pretty sure I knew whodunnit and was right). Ezra is an FBI agent on the outs with the bureau and stuck providing security at a posh private school with all the snobbery that goes with the elite. His partner in solving the crime is Detective Lucia Vargas – who has her own issues. Neither of them completely trusts the other one – which leads to misunderstandings. The author refers to “Catcher in the Rye” a lot along with other classics. Even the title comes from a line in a poem about Icarus by W.H. Auden (Musee de Beaux Arts, 1940). And I especially loved the mental chess game (as well as the physical one) Fr. Remy and Ezra play. The one thing that really hit home for me was Ezra’s struggle with manic/depressive episodes. This was well-done by the author as many times the person does decide they don’t need meds since they feel so much better, but then… well done. I thought the funniest bit was the irony of Ezra’s mother telling him he doesn’t need to put that poison in his body… while she lights up a cigarette.
Although this is a complete book, there were enough loose strings left dangling that I believe it could be part of a series. We never discover exactly where Remy is from. Does Ezra go back to the FBI? Or does he stay with the school? Or something else? I know I’ll be looking for more by this author.
Recommendation: This is not a sweet cozy mystery, but one that will challenge your insights into who the perp is and how they get caught. It’s a good story with a satisfying ending but with some strings dangling as noted so be aware of that. Still, overall, a good read.
Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Although this is a complete book, there were enough loose strings left dangling that I believe it could be part of a series. We never discover exactly where Remy is from. Does Ezra go back to the FBI? Or does he stay with the school? Or something else? I know I’ll be looking for more by this author.
Recommendation: This is not a sweet cozy mystery, but one that will challenge your insights into who the perp is and how they get caught. It’s a good story with a satisfying ending but with some strings dangling as noted so be aware of that. Still, overall, a good read.
Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
January 22, 2023
I’m not usually a big reader of mysteries, but I really took to this book. It’s suspenseful without being unrealistic, and I think the suburban setting makes both the characters and storyline very relatable. Ver much looking forward to reading the next book!
July 17, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed writing this book. I hope you enjoy reading it!
April 17, 2022
A great ending for this author, and an interesting former federal agent with many flaws. The author does a great job in characterizations and settings. I look forward to another Ezra James novel.
August 18, 2021
A great read! A definite page turner that will keep you guessing until the very end. Good character development and visual imagery.
July 22, 2021
Just finished fellow Wild Rose Press author Steven Kolbe's debut novel. It's a fast-paced mystery packed with richly developed characters. Ezra James, an F.B.I. agent on a probationary assignment as a security guard at a posh Roman Catholic high school is the mentee of Fr. Remy Mbombo. Their discussions are as complex and compelling as their friendship. When a serious accident occurs on the school campus, Ezra teams up with the local police department to pursue the matter. Detective Lucia Vargas works the case and also works her way into the protagonist’s complicated psyche.
This is a rollicking novel you won’t want to put down. The surprising conclusion is hang-onto-your-seat suspenseful. On a deeper level, human frailties bring the characters into larger-than-life dimensions. The protagonist can easily support a series. I can’t wait for the next one!
This is a rollicking novel you won’t want to put down. The surprising conclusion is hang-onto-your-seat suspenseful. On a deeper level, human frailties bring the characters into larger-than-life dimensions. The protagonist can easily support a series. I can’t wait for the next one!
July 21, 2022
what a fun story, religion, children's escapades, murder, mystery and cool characters. Kolbe knows what he's doing, great structure, great characters and plot rushes to a terrific conclusion. well done
January 22, 2023
4.9 stars cause at times it feels stereotypical, but what do I know lol
Idk how to right review i just copied the bullet points I wrote in my journal while reading and put them into sentences. Don’t bully me
This is the first time I have read a book with a small audience, and I really enjoyed it ( I’ll write the fan fic). This book was so intense from page 1 to the end and I was so invested in the story and characters I feel like I have known them forever. I have never really read a mystery novel so this makes me want to read more and it has major criminal minds vibes (which I love). So much happens in this book in such a small time period it’s crazy and always has you guessing.
No one talk to me got to go read the sequel!
Idk how to right review i just copied the bullet points I wrote in my journal while reading and put them into sentences. Don’t bully me
This is the first time I have read a book with a small audience, and I really enjoyed it ( I’ll write the fan fic). This book was so intense from page 1 to the end and I was so invested in the story and characters I feel like I have known them forever. I have never really read a mystery novel so this makes me want to read more and it has major criminal minds vibes (which I love). So much happens in this book in such a small time period it’s crazy and always has you guessing.
No one talk to me got to go read the sequel!
June 27, 2022
Book 1 of the Ezra James series
This author’s debut novel was a fun, fast, and intriguing read. From the title, it’s clear it’s the first of many books we can look forward to reading featuring the flawed but noble Ezra James. Demoted (for now) from FBI Special Agent to head of security at an exclusive high school because of some past mistakes, he works with newly minted detective Lucia Vargas to solve who attacked a student-teacher. The more closely they investigate together, the more entangled their personal lives become. The sparks rise, as does the body count in this intriguing thrill-ride of a mystery.
Written with a full cast of characters, from heels to heroes, the author deals with the element of mental illness authentically and honestly, giving readers a rare perspective from inside the head of someone who appears “normal” but has to embrace his brain chemistry is off.
Can’t wait to see what’s in store next for Ezra!
This author’s debut novel was a fun, fast, and intriguing read. From the title, it’s clear it’s the first of many books we can look forward to reading featuring the flawed but noble Ezra James. Demoted (for now) from FBI Special Agent to head of security at an exclusive high school because of some past mistakes, he works with newly minted detective Lucia Vargas to solve who attacked a student-teacher. The more closely they investigate together, the more entangled their personal lives become. The sparks rise, as does the body count in this intriguing thrill-ride of a mystery.
Written with a full cast of characters, from heels to heroes, the author deals with the element of mental illness authentically and honestly, giving readers a rare perspective from inside the head of someone who appears “normal” but has to embrace his brain chemistry is off.
Can’t wait to see what’s in store next for Ezra!
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An Ezra James Mystery
March 19, 2023
Sometimes, life happens... I should have read this book in 2021 when I received it, but one thing and another it got lost in the reading maelstrom. Two nights ago, I decided to clear my iPad of old, obsolete material and a delete at a time I got to the file of How Everything Turns Away... I remembered I had not read it, and decided there and then to start... the rest is history!
It is an excellent thriller/whodunnit which I heartily recommend if you want a well thought-out, humane and entertaining read. Ezra (and Lucia!) lead a most enjoyable set of characters - an FBI agent on probation (Ezra) working at a posh Catholic school, a recently promoted Latina Detective (Lucia), the school's priest, the entitled students, the teachers... The storyline itself (the attempted murder of a student-teacher) I found really interesting as well as the backstories. The resolution of the mystery had the required amount of action, to me the least necessary element but I can see why many people would want that. I solved some of the conundrums but there were enough surprises to keep me guessing. I heartily recommend this first outing of Ezra James and look forward to seeking his second case - it has probably been published already!!!
It is an excellent thriller/whodunnit which I heartily recommend if you want a well thought-out, humane and entertaining read. Ezra (and Lucia!) lead a most enjoyable set of characters - an FBI agent on probation (Ezra) working at a posh Catholic school, a recently promoted Latina Detective (Lucia), the school's priest, the entitled students, the teachers... The storyline itself (the attempted murder of a student-teacher) I found really interesting as well as the backstories. The resolution of the mystery had the required amount of action, to me the least necessary element but I can see why many people would want that. I solved some of the conundrums but there were enough surprises to keep me guessing. I heartily recommend this first outing of Ezra James and look forward to seeking his second case - it has probably been published already!!!
January 7, 2023
My kind of mystery! Clever characters, enjoyable setting and a twisty good plot. I ordered the next book before finishing this one. Excited to meet these characters again, but only one more in the series available so get writing Mr. Kolbe! :)
August 18, 2022
Ezra James is a former FBI agent, busted down to probation after a psychotic episode where he threatened his partner with his service weapon and vilified in the press for allegedly fabricating evidence to frame a man for a series of random murders.
His new job is head of security at the private school, St Joseph and Mary Catholic High School in Chicago. Then, the night of the school Christmas Pageant, the young and beautiful student art teacher is found almost dead in the snow below the school's bell tower. Was it attempted suicide? Or was it murder? At the fateful time all the electrics tripped and so no-one can tell if she jumped or she was pushed.
Lucia Vargas has just made police detective and this is her first case, her older partner Gorecki is a bit of a dinosaur so she is the one doing all the legwork on this case. When some of Ezra's throw-away comments about the student teacher Brooklyn Hannigan's body and the small blister on the back of her neck are repeated by the medical examiner she begins to take him seriously as a fellow professional. Then the school administrator informs her that the parents will not allow the police to question their children, the school would face multiple lawsuits, but the school byelaws do allow them to be questioned by the head of security - step up Ezra - and Lucia can 'observe'.
Soon there are multiple suspects. Who did Brooklyn have lunch with on the day she died? Who was her mysterious lover, was he married, or one of the students? Was he the father of her unborn baby? What caused the blister on her neck?
This was a fun read and it kept me guessing to the end. Ezra was a bit too superman for my liking, reminded me of the knight in one of the Monty Python sketches who has all his arms and legs cut off and still wants to fight people, and there was a lot of backstory which wasn't needed, although I assume it is the overarching thread of the series - who really was the Coast-to-Coast killer.
Anyway, I would definitely read the second book.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
His new job is head of security at the private school, St Joseph and Mary Catholic High School in Chicago. Then, the night of the school Christmas Pageant, the young and beautiful student art teacher is found almost dead in the snow below the school's bell tower. Was it attempted suicide? Or was it murder? At the fateful time all the electrics tripped and so no-one can tell if she jumped or she was pushed.
Lucia Vargas has just made police detective and this is her first case, her older partner Gorecki is a bit of a dinosaur so she is the one doing all the legwork on this case. When some of Ezra's throw-away comments about the student teacher Brooklyn Hannigan's body and the small blister on the back of her neck are repeated by the medical examiner she begins to take him seriously as a fellow professional. Then the school administrator informs her that the parents will not allow the police to question their children, the school would face multiple lawsuits, but the school byelaws do allow them to be questioned by the head of security - step up Ezra - and Lucia can 'observe'.
Soon there are multiple suspects. Who did Brooklyn have lunch with on the day she died? Who was her mysterious lover, was he married, or one of the students? Was he the father of her unborn baby? What caused the blister on her neck?
This was a fun read and it kept me guessing to the end. Ezra was a bit too superman for my liking, reminded me of the knight in one of the Monty Python sketches who has all his arms and legs cut off and still wants to fight people, and there was a lot of backstory which wasn't needed, although I assume it is the overarching thread of the series - who really was the Coast-to-Coast killer.
Anyway, I would definitely read the second book.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
July 15, 2024
A fairly decent read and written well. Was fairly predictable for me, but that happens often. I would recommend this book but wouldn't read it again.
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