Editorial Reviews

A chilling novella born from the backstory of a tabletop game character, The Evil in the Swamp by Elizabeth Decker-Benjamin is a quick plunge into adventure horror and fantasy folklore. A young Steam Visala named Stüm Dümplin, the child of a djinn, recounts his story of the manipulative vampires and shadowy fiends that attacked his hamlet. In a world of mythical terrors and magical dangers on every side, this is one young boy’s heroic tale of hard-won lessons and bittersweet survival. Told evocatively through Decker-Benjamin’s moody first-person narration, this vampire-infected world feels acutely ominous, as if potential danger lurks with […]

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 […]

Gritty urban storytelling set against the dramatic and authentically detailed backdrop of World War II, O’Shaughnessy Investigations Inc.: Bangtails, Grifters, and a Liar’s Kiss by A.G. Russo is a savvy work of historical detective fiction. Maeve and Vic are back for another round of high-stakes cases, but rubbing elbows with gangster muscle brings a whole new element of danger to their agency. From hunting down racehorses and outsmarting bookies to moonlighting on missions for the FBI, this second chapter of Russo’s O’Shaughnessy Investigations Inc. series has a wickedly sharp edge that calls back to the greats of the era, but […]

A rowdy work of comic fiction in the satirical spirit of Christoper Moore and Kurt Vonnegut, Ghost of the Alamo by D.R. Capp is a quick-witted descent into the madness of the housing market. Dilly Clapton is a slick salesman perpetually eager to snake a prospect from his bitter rivals, Empire Realty, and in the high-stakes battle for market control, playing dirty is the name of the game. From commode emergencies and eviction schemes to haunted mansions and sneaky sandbagging, nothing is sacred and no deal is certain in this whimsical slice of real estate satire, which hides a sharp […]

A work of bold political fiction that directly reflects today’s headlines, A New Democracy by Karu Sankaralingam is a thought-provoking prophecy about America’s future, and an ominous reminder that society’s interconnected crises are reaching a tipping point. In an era of climate collapse and the crumbling of democratic ideals, three patriotic leaders must navigate their freshly fractured nation and the aftermath of a stolen election. A story of secession and solidarity, with a sobering focus on climate change as our greatest existential threat, this contemporary thriller imagines a different and better world, including a radical guide to get there, for […]