Reviews by Barry E. (Margate City, NJ)

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Beast of the North Woods
Beast of the North Woods: Monster Hunter Mysteries #3
by Annelise Ryan
Special (12/6/2024)
Usually, I avoid books described as fantasy or horror. This book turned out to be a mystery whose main warning was be careful what you wish for or don't mess with DNA. A murder occurs in an apocryphal town in Wisconsin whose total economic success depends on the story of a …more
The Mystery Writer
The Mystery Writer: A Novel
by Sulari Gentill
Love books about about books (1/2/2024)
Its almost 13 years since I read my first mystery about subjects involving books. From then on mysteries became my thing. In my heart those about books, libraries, writers, publishers, and authors always intrigued me the most. This book did not disappoint me either.
A …more
The Montevideo Brief
The Montevideo Brief: A Thomas Grey Novel
by J. H. Gelernter
Enjoyed, but (4/6/2023)
Reading this was a fabulous experience, but the book itself's story was only fair. At first, I could not figure out where this plot was going with the intense description of a Beethoven performance and an interlude with an original game of tennis. But there I was in the …more
Sisters of the Lost Nation
Sisters of the Lost Nation
by Nick Medina
Very Hard to follow (11/22/2022)
Definitely a moving story, but it will take some perseverance to get thru this. I felt it was difficult to follow the story from day to day, too much going back then forward, could not always figure out what time zone I was in. In my opinion this book needs some heavy …more
Never
Never: A Novel
by Ken Follett
Unbelievable (7/21/2022)
As I titled this book review it just is is unbelievable. Follett, whose works I previously adored, did a horrible job. He makes everyone look like a fool. This type of book wasn't needed.
Dirt Creek
Dirt Creek: A Novel
by Hayley Scrivenor
Amazing (3/11/2022)
It's been a long time since a book made me feel like I was on a roller-coaster being bored, then excited to keep going. Disguised as a very good mystery, the author was able to discuss so many current themes of life in a coherent way that I felt mesmerized and jealous at …more
Palace of the Drowned
Palace of the Drowned
by Christine Mangan
The Life of an artist (2/25/2021)
Attracted to a description of this book as a "literary thriller" and taking place in the great city of Venice, I enthusiastically delved into the lives of the three main protagonists: Frankie - the author, Jackie her best friend, and Gillian the aspiring author and much …more
The Last Tiara
The Last Tiara
by M.J. Rose
Just a pleasure (1/13/2021)
Having never read any of MJ Rose's works I went in not knowing what to suspect. What I found was a historical mystery well written, heart wrenching full of witticism, romance, and informative. Rose's command of how a women thinks when used was superb and her definitions of …more
The Sun Down Motel
The Sun Down Motel
by Simone St. James
Well Done (11/15/2019)
Not truly being a fan of the paranormal theme, I found this book was able to combine an exciting mystery with just enough ghosts not overwhelm the plot. The paranormal enhanced the quality of an excellent mystery, not making the outcome unrealistic.
Having never read …more
The Lost Man
The Lost Man
by Jane Harper
Five star book (12/16/2018)
This was very different from Harper's first book which I realized received rave reviews despite my less than enthusiastic review. This book on the other hand was terrific, although I feel labeling it a mystery is not right. This in a true sense is a novel about a …more
The Next
The Next
by Stephanie Gangi
Thought provoking but can you deal with it (7/21/2016)
This novel was reviewed by some very high powered authors to great acclaim predicting that the author would be an "instant new favorite". With those expectations I anxiously read this book.

The story evoked a great deal of feelings about a great number of issues for me. …more
Lady Cop Makes Trouble
Lady Cop Makes Trouble: Girl Waits with Gun #2
by Amy Stewart
Just no interest (5/26/2016)
This book was more like a cozy mystery for young adults. Being an enjoyer of the mystery genre, I found this book not to be my cup of tea. There really was minimal suspense, and the characters were not very deep. Dealing with the turn of century topic of a woman aspiring to …more
The Last Confession of Thomas Hawkins
The Last Confession of Thomas Hawkins
by Antonia Hodgson
The inevitable twists and turns (1/2/2016)
Was Mr. Hawkins naïve, foolish, a true rake like the book says or was it just a great mystery. This book was thoroughly enjoyable as the plot was concise, funny, and thrilling. Taking place in the early 18th century the author gave us a taste of the time and what war was …more
Hunters in the Dark
Hunters in the Dark
by Lawrence Osborne
Though provoking (11/21/2015)
A combination mystery and tale of finding oneself in the lands of Cambodia and Laos, where ghosts and demons are an integral part of their everyday lives. A British citizen, who is a teacher who usually vacations over his off time finds himself wondering where should he be …more
Trust No One
Trust No One: A Thriller
by Paul Cleave
The Perfect Murder? (6/17/2015)
Who else should be able to plan a murder and get away with it but the mystery writer? Give that writer Alzheimer's disease and how could he ever be convicted. This is the recurring theme in this book and it does add an interesting twist to the genre. Jerry Grey, our …more
The Well
The Well
by Catherine Chanter
Confusing (2/28/2015)
Reading some of the provided reviews, I expected a gripping, fast moving psychological thriller. What I found was a disjointed, hard to follow story that absolutely had no credence. I found the author was trying to write for a course in her MFA rather than a story. Her …more
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    by Susan Meissner
    From the USA Today bestselling author of Only the Beautiful. 1956, Malibu, California: Something is not right on Paradise Circle.
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