A Word With The Dead by Rhys Dylan

May 11, 2026 By Leave a Comment


A Word With The Dead by Rhys Dylan
Publisher: Wyrmwood Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Fern

A body in the hills. A missing man. An unreliable witness.

When a drone uncovers a dead cyclist in the West Wales countryside, DCI Evan Warlow is pulled into a case where the clues are scarce, the suspects slippery, and the motive buried deep beneath layers of power and deceit.

From a silent hospital ward to a shadowy woodland path, this is a mystery that exposes more than murder—it unravels a community.

Gripping, atmospheric, and disturbingly relevant.

DCI Warlow and his team are called in to what is a suspected hit and run cyclist death. From that single point the case soon spirals out of control, leading to some dark and murky places, Can they uncover what’s happening in the small, remote town?

I have found this to be a really enjoyable Welsh police procedural series and I thought this was a very good addition. The team is well linked and cohesive – I think readers will easily enjoy the various characters and what they each add to the problem solving aspects of the case. While there is plenty of history between the characters I do still feel the plot of this story stands very well by itself. I feel readers might get more emotional attachment and enjoyment for having read the series, but that isn’t necessary to enjoy and pick this book up by itself.

A few of the personal life plotlines do tend to arc over numerous books, and while I feel that gives longer-term readers a better depth to the story the mystery plot is very well contained just inside this story. I also really enjoyed the slightly darker, gritter aspect of these Welsh stories. While the pace is slower and more of a police procedural style of story (as opposed to an action-orientated plot) there are some quite heavy and deeper issues that are brough forward so this isn’t a fuzzy or warm kind of “feel good” plotline.

With excellent characters and a realistic plot I found this to be a thoroughly enjoyable story and a series I am really liking. Recommended.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Alteration by Claire Ibarra

May 5, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Alteration by Claire Ibarra
Publisher: Atmosphere Press
Genre: Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Margaret is an acclaimed fashion designer, devoted mother, keeper of order and elegance in a city that never slows. But one morning, she simply doesn’t get out of bed. She has the startling discovery that here, within her quilted sanctuary, life feels gentler, truer, and more alive.

What begins as a quiet rebellion becomes a daring experiment in stillness. From her antique four-poster bed, Margaret receives a parade of visitors – among them are her free-spirited best friend, fretful daughter, young neighbor, and even the echo of her late husband. As secrets and old wounds surface, she begins to confront painful truths.

With wit, wonder, and a sharp eye for the absurd, Alteration invites us to ask what happens when we stop merely performing and begin fully living — one unexpected revelation at a time.

Nothing can remain hidden forever.

Margaret was a multi-faceted character who evoked all kinds of conflicting emotions in me as I read about her. Sometimes her stubbornness irritated me while in other scenes I was gently surprised by how thoughtfully she approached the world around her. This was even more true when her definition of the world shrank to not only her apartment but eventually to her bedroom and nothing more.

I would have liked to see a stronger explanation for why the protagonist decided to spend all of her time in bed when this tale began. Honestly, I was expecting her to grapple with more conflict during her time there, so the list of what she was attempting to figure out never quite felt large enough to justify this choice for me. While they were no doubt important to her, I did find myself wishing that either more time had been spent exploring them or that she could have revealed a few additional things she was wrestling with that would help to explain her sudden withdrawal from the world. This was amplified by the fact that that this was set in late 2019 and early 2020, just before the Covid-19 pandemic spread widely enough that many cities began to shut down non-essential businesses and services temporarily.

The mystery was barely even a whisper in the beginning which made the gradual revelation of what it was and why it haunted Margaret so much even more appealing to me. I especially appreciated the later passages that showed what happened when she tried to discuss this topic with the authorities. It was definitely not a typical conversation, especially for this genre, and it illuminated not only the character flaws in the people participating in it but also some of the flaws of American culture when it comes to how justice is pursued and how people react to information that conflicts with their assumptions about how the world works. This is really all I can say on that topic without sharing spoilers, but it was thought provoking and one of the best scenes in this book in my opinion.

Alteration has piqued my curiosity about this author’s work, and I hope to read more of it soon.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Murder In The New Forest by Carol Cole

May 4, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Murder In The New Forest by Carol Cole
Publisher: The Book Folks
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Fern

A Scottish detective in England’s New Forest.

Detective Inspector Callum MacLean should be unpacking boxes in his new home. But when a man is run over and killed outside Godshill Village Hall, his week’s leave is cut short.

The victim, Brendan Stafford, was a retired lecturer from Birmingham. No one knows why he was attending a local village meeting in the middle of the New Forest on a freezing January night.

The post-mortem reveals Stafford was already dead before the car wheels struck him.

Everyone in the village seems to be hiding something — from the butcher to the forest keeper. Callum and his team must dig into old quarrels and quiet vendettas — and uncover secrets as tangled as the forest brambles.

DI Callum MacLean has newly arrived in rural Hampshire from the bustling city center of Glasgow and he immediately is drawn to the stark contrasts. Called onto his first murder investigation before he’d even official clocked on to his first day, Callum hits the ground running. Learning about his surroundings, his new team, the office politics as well as the locals, can Callum sort everything out in time?

I bought this new to me author and series on a whim and am very happy with the discovery. I feel this book stands very well on it’s own, and while it is absolutely a British Police Procedural with the slower mystery pace of the genre I still thought there were plenty of twists and red herrings to keep even more active readers engrossed.

I thought the author did a good job balancing between all the new information – a whole cast of new secondary characters, as well as the main protagonist and new scenery – but keeping the plot and mystery moving forward at a decent pace. There were no info-dump sections which I was grateful for and while there was a lot of explanations needed I didn’t find myself bored or skimming ahead.

I also enjoyed the fact that I managed to guess a few parts of the plot, but was delightfully surprised by a few twists and secrets that I hadn’t seen coming. This made me feel like there was a good amount of conflict and mystery but nothing so high level it’s impossible to figure it out until the main characters lead you there.

A lovely first book that I greatly enjoyed – I had already ordered the next in the series before finishing this one. I expect this to be a series I shall enjoy further in the future. Recommended.

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Murder Never Misses by Faith Martin

May 1, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Murder Never Misses by Faith Martin
Publisher: Joffe Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Three missing young women. One evil stalker. But Hillary doesn’t think it all adds up.

Hillary is recovering from the vicious attack by her stalker. It appears that he is also behind the disappearance and murder of three women. Her bosses want these unsolved cases closed, but Hillary has a theory that will shock everyone.

However, as the truth comes to light, Hillary and the team are faced with a dire emergency — can they prevent an imminent murder?

Hillary Greene has returned to Thames Valley Police HQ, acting as a cold-case consultant for the Crime Review Team, looking into murders which the police have never been able to solve.

She wasn’t sure she wanted to go back. But solving crimes is irresistible for Hillary Greene. And it doesn’t hurt that her new boss is devastatingly handsome.

Hillary Greene and her team are searching for three missing young women and the connection these ladies have to her stalker. With the cases closing in, can Hillary keep on top of everything?

While this book definitely had it’s own trilogy of linked cold cases, I feel it should be noted these directly relate to the previous book (Murder of a lover) and Hillary’s stalker. The cases and resolution of Hillary’s circumstances are all well contained in this book, I do feel it’s likely readers might find a deeper emotional connection and understanding of the stakes if they’ve read the previous book in this series.

I thought the pace of the cold cases – and especially the way they unfurled – was really well written and interesting. This plot wasn’t there just for padding or show, I really enjoyed how it wasn’t quite as you might expect and while I admit I had correctly guessed some of it, parts still took me delightfully by surprise. I think this should definitely keep most readers on their toes and I found it thoroughly enjoyable.

With solid plotting and a strong cast of well written secondary characters I feel this has been a great series and I am eager for the next installment and to see where it leads Hillary next. Recommended.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

One Less Snake by Rhys Dylan

April 23, 2026 By Leave a Comment


One Less Snake by Rhys Dylan
Publisher: Wyrmwood Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Even sleepy, picturesque coastal towns have their secrets.

Welcome to Solva, where a burned-out car, a corpse, and a hauntingly precise execution greets a morning walker.

DCI Evan Warlow faces a case steeped in fear and the worst of modern crimes.

As clues lead him down twisting trails, Warlow must confront not only the killer’s identity but also the lingering echoes of a community’s darkest sins and the intersection of power, revenge, and justice.

DCI Warlow and his team are called in to investigate when a body is found in a burned out car at the bottom of a quarry. Suspecting the body is that of a local politician Warlow and his team soon discover there are any number of murky possibilities. Can they unravel the truth?

I have been greatly enjoying this Welsh police procedural mystery series and found this book to be a solid addition to the ongoing storylines. While the main murder mystery was the primary focus of the book I was really interested that various sub plots around the police team had a good amount of time too. Gina’s visiting brother and some of Jess’ Italian relatives and a bit more of her back story. While this book can absolutely be read as a stand alone I admit I do think readers who have read at least a few of the previous installments – and therefore have a strong emotional attachment to the team – might find this books hits a bit deeper and the enjoyment might be a little more than someone just picking this up fresh. I also really appreciated that we had a good update and a few scenes with Catrin as well. I’m looking forward to her return soon.

Readers looking for a well plotted, primarily police procedural style of mystery should find this really works for them. I admit I enjoy the fact this is based in Wales. I do find this gives a slightly different atmosphere – a little grittier or harder sometimes – than the usual British mystery storylines. I enjoyed the pacing and the conflict – I also am wondering if down the line there might be a bit more trouble from a new character – a female reporter who struck me very much as not a finished plotline in this book.

With a solid cast of strong secondary characters and an enjoyable mystery I can easily recommend both this book and the series as a whole. Highly enjoyable.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

The Asia Code – A Million-Dollar Handshake – How to Build Relationships that Win in Asia by Gadi Sznajder

April 22, 2026 By Leave a Comment


The Asia Code-A Million-Dollar Handshake-How to Build Relationships that Win in Asia by Gadi Sznajder
Publisher: Vanguard Executive Publishing
Genre: Non-Fiction, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Forget AI. The Most Powerful Business Tool in Asia is Still a Handshake.

As technology accelerates and markets become more automated, the ability to build authentic human connections has become the most valuable and rarest skill in business. Nowhere is this truer than in Asia, where deals are made between people, not companies. A deep personal connection, grounded in cultural understanding, is what separates a transactional relationship from a transformative, multi-million-dollar partnership.

The Asia Code is the essential playbook for any professional looking to scale up their game in the world’s most dynamic markets. This is not a theoretical guide; it is a practical, hands-on toolkit for mastering the human element of business in Asia. It provides the cultural intelligence you need to decipher the unwritten rules that govern success across the three critical markets that will define the future of the global economy:

Japan
South Korea
China

Inside, you will learn to:

Decode the Asian Mindset: Go beyond surface-level etiquette to understand the cultural logic that drives decisions in each country.
Master the Art of Connection: Build the trust and rapport that are the foundation of all successful ventures in Asia.
Navigate the Deep Waters: Turn cultural complexity from a barrier into your greatest strategic asset.
Close with Confidence: Learn the unwritten rules of negotiation, communication, and marketing that truly win deals.

In a world that thinks AI will replace us, The Asia Code is a powerful reminder that in Asia, the human factor is, and always will be, the key to outstanding success. This is the one book every professional serious about succeeding in Asia must have in their toolbox.

Sometimes unwritten rules are the most powerful ones of them all.

The most meaningful sections of this book, in my opinion, were the ones that described some of the weaknesses of western business culture and how building professional cross-cultural relationships through body language and understanding the subtext of written or spoken communication can help to correct these deficiencies. This is not at all something limited to the west either, and I appreciated the passages that were dedicated to exploring what westerners can teach people from these parts of Asia as well. Diversity builds strength and resilience in everyone.

There was a little too much repetition in this book for me to give it a full five-star rating. This was something I especially noticed in the case studies that discussed businessmen who understood the etiquette around topics like sharing business cards but did not internalize the importance of building genuine relationships with those one hopes to broker a deal with. While the points that were made were quite important, I did find myself wishing that other examples had been chosen to illustrate the author’s advice instead.

Building meaningful and genuine relationships isn’t a fast process, but it is an important one. I was not aware of this cultural difference between the west and certain parts of Asia, and I enjoyed learning more about how South Korea, China, and Japan approach business deals through the slow and methodical testing of a potential business partners character, ethics, and background instead of viewing those interactions as a transactional relationship.

The Asia Code – A Million-Dollar Handshake – How to Build Relationships that Win in Asia was filled with detailed and thoughtful advice.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Kiss Me at Sunset by Laura M. Baird

April 17, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Kiss Me at Sunset by Laura M. Baird
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Michelle Bosak is finding her way again at age fifty after being widowed. She’s always had an adventurous side, but entering a wet t-shirt contest among twenty-somethings? It was meant to be harmless fun. She never factored in the instant attraction to the sexy mountain of a man acting as bouncer. And then to discover he’s a talented musician who makes her heart yearn again? Yeah, the night just got a lot more interesting.

Xander Phillips enjoys playing music with his band, helping his sister at her bar, and living life freely on his terms at age fifty-two. But one look at the hot little woman on stage has him all out-of-sorts. He can’t resist staring at her gorgeous body, touching her flawless skin, and finding a way to learn all there is to know about her.

When they go from get-to-know-you conversation to a night together that’s hotter than the Florida sun, will these seemingly opposites—who discover they have much in common—make room in their lives for more?

Everyone deserves to live happily ever after.

The chemistry between Michelle and Xander was sizzling. Given how quickly their romance heated up, the early scenes that explored the spark between them was essential in order to explain why they were both interested in moving fast with each other. Ms. Baird couldn’t have done a better job at setting up their mutual interest in the first scene and then allowing her characters to escalate their interactions from there.

I did find myself wishing that a bit more time had been spent exploring why these two protagonists would make a good longterm match. Yes, they were great in bed together and shared some common interests, including the conscious decision to remain childless by choice which is something I’d love to see more of in the romance genre, but it would have been nice to see an extra scene or two that discussed what they hoped to be doing five years in the future as well to see how compatible those dreams were. Had this been included, I would have happily gone for a full five-star rating.

This book was filled with funny, playful banter that made me chuckle. I especially enjoyed seeing how their friend groups merged together and what everyone thought of each other as there were some humorous moments included there, too. Everyone in their social circle was in a stage of life where they had the time and money to enjoy late evenings out which made their adventures even more amusing.

What a heartwarming read Kiss Me at Sunset was.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

Murder Of A Lover by Faith Martin

April 15, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Murder Of A Lover by Faith Martin
Publisher: Joffe Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Fern

Ten years ago, Rowan Thompson was found stabbed to death with a pair of scissors in his student house. It turns out that Rowan was quite a lover, with many disgruntled partners left in his wake.

But did any of them have a strong enough motive to murder him?

Meanwhile. Hillary’s stalker is getting more aggressive with his messages and flowers. And it looks like he may be much, much worse than she thought.

Has Hillary finally bitten off more than she can chew?

Hillary Greene has returned to Thames Valley Police HQ, acting as a cold-case consultant for the Crime Review Team, looking into murders which the police have never been able to solve.

She wasn’t sure she wanted to go back. But solving crimes is irresistible for Hillary Greene. And it doesn’t hurt that her new boss is devastatingly handsome.

This is a crime mystery full of well-observed characters, which will have you gripped from start to the absolutely thrilling conclusion.

Hillary Greene has settled into being a civilian officer quite well. With the successful closing of her first cold case she’s eager to begin her second. But with her personal and professional lives crossing over can she keep her streak going?

I’ve been thoroughly enjoying this series and am quite happy with the slightly new trajectory the author has taken these books. Hillary and her case solving skills remain top notch, but she’s having to learn to trust her team more than ever. I’m curious as to where the blossoming new romance might lead, and I find the sub-plot of the stalker is also coming along very well.

With some longer running story arcs as well as an interesting and well contained cold case mystery I thought this was a very well written book and an excellent addition to the series. Recommended.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

The Snob by Megan Slayer

April 14, 2026 By Leave a Comment


The Snob by Megan Slayer
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Dacre will risk everything to keep Carley safe, but he expects a high price — her heart.

Carley Mathers isn’t just the “party girl” daughter of a congressman. She’s more. But these days, in a world of fake friends, she’s determined to keep only true ones close. Because she puts them at arm’s length, her classmates at college refer to her as “The Snob.” But she comes from wealth and means — she shouldn’t be able to mix with her bodyguard, right?

Dacre Jennings has been given the job of protecting Carley while she’s off at college. The same classmates who make light of her silence also make fun of him, too. He doesn’t care that they think she lives with the old man. He’d rather she lived with him than alone. He sees the real woman, and he’s been in love with her for as long as he’s worked for the family.

With threats on her life, Dacre refuses to let Carley be used or abused. He’ll put his life on the line for her, as long as he knows he’s got her heart as well.

With social media and fake friends nowadays, Carley is determined to only keep her true friends close. When her classmates call her “The Snob” she mostly shrugs it off. Dacre is her bodyguard, keeping Carley safe while she’s off at college. He couldn’t care less that those same classmates make fun of him – finding humor in Carley living with an old man – but he’s the one who sees Carley for who she truly is, and loves her deeply. Can Carley and Dacre find their way together?

While the trope of bodyguard falls in love with his client is not new, this is a refreshing, modern and interesting story. Carley’s father is a super rich businessman and influencer who begins to orbit the president’s social and government circle. When Carley finds herself being used as her father’s pawn she and Dacre decide to rock the boat and help Carley assert her independence. This was fresh enough it not only kept me interested but felt like a different take on a well worn plotline.

At first it was hard to connect with the blossoming romance between Carley and Dacre – mainly because they were shifting and changing their roles and relationship to each other. It’s not a bad thing that took some time, and the author definitely wrote this aspect well. I was definitely pleased that Carley and Dacre’s relationship was firmly established before the secondary plot of a stalker/killer really moved into action.

Normally I really enjoy a book that has a solid plot along with a good spicy relationship, but in a way it seemed like this book changed mid way through. It was somewhat jarring for the plotline to shift from “my father is trying to use me and set me up” and into “I have a killer stalker”. Perhaps the story would have felt stronger and more stable had it just been one plotline or the other and not a shift from one to the next.

Despite this, I really did enjoy this story – particularly the slow burn and steamy chemistry between Carley and Dacre. Readers who enjoy a seriously spicy, bodyguard style of story should absolutely find this one hits the right spot. I did enjoy the thorough plotting and will happily read more by this author. Enjoyable.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

The Clinic by Jay Andrade-Hunt

April 13, 2026 By Leave a Comment


The Clinic by Jay Andrade-Hunt
Grimhold Vol. 1
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

After the Collapse, the world wasn’t rebuilt. It was scavenged.
Grimhold is a vertical city of rust, failing magic, and borrowed time. In its lowest districts, survival is negotiated through scraps, favours, and quiet threats.

Henry runs a back-alley clinic there. He treats anyone who makes it through the door, no questions asked. In a city carved up by gangs and syndicates, the Clinic survives by staying neutral.

That neutrality is beginning to crack. As tensions rise and the systems holding Grimhold together strain under pressure, the Clinic becomes a fault line where power, loyalty, and obligation collide.

A slow-burn, character-driven post-apocalyptic fantasy about endurance, moral compromise, and the quiet work of keeping people alive when stability is already gone.

Cooperation is underrated.

The world building in this novel was utterly fantastic and quite possibly the best example of how to do this I’ve read so far this year. Grimhold was a gritty, dangerous place where one wrong move could mean the difference between life and death. It was also a community filled with people working themselves to the bone on shoestring budgets to help others, often accomplishing things no one believed was possible along the way. These juxtapositions of kindness and unrelenting workloads not only helped to explain the sometimes rough demeanors of certain characters but also expressed the many different faces of this city.

There were times when I struggled with the slow pacing, especially in the beginning when more attention was paid to describing how Grimhold worked than the people who lived there or the conflicts they dealt with. Some patience is required for those chapters while everything is getting set up, but the payoff in the end was more than worth the wait. While I can’t go into much detail about how everything ended up fitting together later on for spoiler reasons, what I can say is that getting to know this world so well meant that later scenes became incredibly meaningful as the pacing picked up.

Some of the most memorable scenes in my opinion were the ones that explored the many ways someone can express platonic love for another person without the use of words. This may not sound like a theme one would necessarily expect in an urban fantasy novel, but it was woven into the plot seamlessly from beginning to end and added yet another layer of emotion and meaning to both the story as well as to the main characters’ lives. I adored these moments and hope there will more of them to come in the sequels.

Grimhold Vol. 1 – The Clinic was overflowing with both adventure and heartfelt emotions.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , ,
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