John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

A smart and saucy cold-weather mystery from Alice Kanaka, Winter Wonderach is the entertaining opening installment of the new Mavis and Hornwhistle Cosy Mysteries series. A famous author trying to escape her pressurized life lands in rural South Dakota, but it isn’t long before she’s caught up in the dramatic dynamics of small-town life. However, when a corpse turns up in Lizzy’s new house, and her knife is used as the murder weapon, the renowned writer will have to clear her name by solving the case herself, with the help of her new dog Mavis. Charming and lighthearted, but also […]

A gripping personal drama viewed through a cutting-edge political lens, Out Like a Lion by Tracy L. Thompson is a powerful novel for our troubled times. A deeply disillusioned historian falling through the cracks of the American system, and disgusted by the toxicity of contemporary politics, Jules Campbell is driven to the most extreme lengths a citizen can take in this jaw-dropping tale of existential justice. Laced with the horrific truths about political misconduct torn from current headlines, this novel is a stark warning about the direction of the United States, and a vital reminder that power must remain with […]

The second chapter of Nick Snape’s shadowy saga, A City of Ashes continues the epic clash of science, scripture, and the dark-fantasy monsters of a shattered realm. The Seven Houses are still reeling from revelations of divine deception for the past millennia, but remain desperate to retain control of their people, as the Fleshmaster and his spirit-sucking legions advance ever closer. Laoch, bent but unbroken beneath the weight of the god’s weapons, must find a way to empower a new draconian ally for an inevitable showdown with the world-ending Constructors. Bursting with immersive sci-fi detail and imaginative fantasy twists, this […]

A festive and creative story for the holidays, Santa and the Mariachis by D.R. Capp is a whimsical caper of crystal balls, out-of-place elves, and the unifying power of music. Up in the Far North, Santa’s “Music Meister” is feeling the pressure to deliver a thrilling new program for the big Christmas concert. Down in San Antonio, the Annual Mariachi Festival has attracted talent from all over the world, including Chuy, Paco, and the rest of Los Mariachis del Norte. Their creative debut of a Mexican Christmas Carol intrigues the big-bellied boss of the North Pole, leading the band […]