John Staughton, Senior Reviewer | Self-Publishing Review

Hindsight by W.D. County

A timeline-twisting thrill with a sinister splash of the occult, Hindsight by W.D. County is a supernatural mystery driven by an enigmatic pair of investigators.

Nathan Ember may occasionally feel cursed by his ability to see one day into the past, but it makes him a great PI and the begrudging asset to a suspicious police force. Galena Torres is a psychic who can communicate with restless spirits, and while she is convinced that Nathan is actually a ghost, they cautiously join forces to unravel the truth behind a heinous crime. As they search for an embezzling reverend, hunt a […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2025-07-11T20:19:06+02:00July 11th, 2025|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Paranormal Book Reviews, Thriller Book Reviews|

Review: The Phoenix by Eric Van Allen

A tangled tale of second chances, risky deals, and the curious kindness of strangers, The Phoenix by Eric Van Allen is a fiendishly clever YA novel that crackles with Gothic energy.

A protective young guardian and provider for her siblings, Callie skeptically accepts an offer from an eccentric neighbor that seems nearly too good to be true. Working and living in a macabre funeral home will mean hanging out on death’s doorstep, but it beats getting harassed by predatory neighbors or having social services split up their already fractured family.

In this new home of corpses, forbidden doors, and secrets […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2025-08-11T12:05:33+02:00July 9th, 2025|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: YA Fantasy Book Reviews, Young Adult Book Reviews|

Camping Canine by Alice Kanaka

Two best friends and their clue-sniffing sidekick are caught in the wilderness and an enticing mystery in Camping Canine: Cozy Mysteries With a Dash of Dachshund by Alice Kanaka. At a tucked-away Texas campground, Lizzy and Holly are taking time away from recent trauma and prying eyes, but a lurking presence is dying to make his big break, threatening to derail their undercover escape. Finding themselves at the heart of another investigation, this charming trio of sleuths winds their way towards the truth in a narrative whirl of humor, suspense, and the antics of one incorrigible dog. The Mavis and […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2025-07-09T14:36:26+02:00July 9th, 2025|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Invariant by A.G. Sullivan

A psychological drama with an ominous edge, Invariant by A.G. Sullivan is a cleverly penned plunge into the possibilities of foresight and fate.

Six years after being summoned to a stranger’s deathbed to receive a mysterious message, David Bishop and his partner Hannah find themselves on a bizarre scavenger hunt that threatens to redirect their lives at every turn. Creepy coincidences and scattered clues are forming a prophetic pattern, which leads the pair on a sinister trail of breadcrumbs towards an unknown but predetermined future. When tragedy strikes, the enigmatic mission turns into a life-altering obsession, even though finding the […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2025-07-02T15:02:01+02:00July 2nd, 2025|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Science Fiction Book Reviews|

Review: The Blue Roses by Kent Yorkson

A profound tale of friendship, romance, and the beautiful collisions of human existence, The Blue Roses by Kent Yorkson is a quietly provocative work of literary fiction.

Set against the timeless backdrop of New York City’s dramatic glamor, the story centers on Mark, a gifted painter, and a seemingly perfect couple, Hans and Yukari – a prominent diplomat and a prodigious musician, respectively. As their friendship grows and their lives entangle, the powerful nature of their bond becomes a meditation on intimacy, partnership, and emotional liberation. Exploring the perennially fascinating subject of alternative relationships, Yorkson’s novel takes an honest and […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2025-08-08T17:04:55+02:00July 2nd, 2025|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: LGBTQI+ Book Reviews, Literary Fiction Book Reviews|

Review: The Celestial Gate Murders by Thomas Chung

A multilayered mystery exploring everything from techno-fascist evil to faith-based charlatans, The Celestial Gate Murders by Thomas Chung is a dramatic international thriller.

When 20-year-old Eunyoung mysteriously vanishes, leaving behind only a note explaining her desire to “experience a new world,” it sends her parish and chorus of friends into a quiet panic. However, she isn’t the only parishioner to go missing – a catechumen and a new friend of hers named Kim Yongbin has also gone off-grid, and some have speculated that their sudden disappearance could be linked to the The Celestial Gate – a secretive cult known for […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2025-08-04T10:47:19+02:00July 1st, 2025|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: International Thriller Book Reviews|

Ready for Reality by Angela Troppa, LCSW

Outlining a comprehensive foundation for a healthy and self-sufficient life, Ready for Reality: Teaching Kids the Skills They Need to Thrive in the Real World by Angela Troppa, LCSW is an innovative guide for adults as they prepare children for the future.

Following a straightforward structure of seven broad units of knowledge (Household, Safety, Social Skills, etc.), with each divided into related topics, the content can be quickly navigated based on the child’s age, as well as the skills they need to sharpen. From step-by-step explanations of domestic tasks around the home and crucial safety lessons to proper mealtime etiquette […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2025-07-01T17:52:23+02:00June 30th, 2025|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Parenting Book Reviews|

A Year With Charlie Fine by Christopher Mahon

Following the everyday wanders and wonders of an insightful and endearing public high school teacher, A Year With Charlie Fine by Christopher Mahon is a standout collection of observational wisdom and colloquial humor from the double-edged paradise of Los Angeles.

Whether musing on the foundations of friendship in our modern marketplace of life, the unifying power of music, the surprising nature of spiritual journeys, or the artistic soul of America, the tone is earnest and curious, making Charlie a charming focal point. “The Way The River Runs,” in which Charlie is transported to the artistic wilderness of an actual painting, […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2025-06-30T19:19:39+02:00June 27th, 2025|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Short Stories Book Reviews|