“Time flies” and “So many books, so little time” are two clichés that banged up against my reading life when I was offered the opportunity to read and review Linda Castillo’s first Kate Burkholder novel, Sworn to Silence. In 2009, when Sworn to Silence came… Read More ›
Criminal Element
Review: District VIII by Adam Lebor
District VIII is the first in a new mystery series by Adam Lebor featuring Detective Balthazar Kovacs, a man caught between his Gypsy heritage and his crime family on the one hand, and his law enforcement career and American ex-wife… Read More ›
1 Agatha + 2 Edgars = 3 Good Mystery Reads
Last week Criminal Element unveiled its new look. Its had a significant digital facelift. During the transition, the site was on hold and not publishing new content. Meanwhile, reviewers were still busily reviewing. As a result, there is a lot… Read More ›
Review: Fans of noir suspense will not want to miss TANGERINE by Christine Mangan
If you like crime fiction with a slow burn that lingers long after you’ve finished it, run, don’t walk to your nearest bookstore or library and check out Tangerine this Tuesday. Christine Mangan’s first novel is one of those books that… Read More ›
Review (that almost wasn’t): The Echo Killing by Christi Daugherty
I recently consolidated all the calendars and app support I’ve been using into one calendar. After much reflection, internal debate, and input from others (wife, therapist, friends), I decided to let go of my Franklin Covey binder, the online calendars… Read More ›
The wait is finally over: Force of Nature by Jane Harper (#AWW2018)
The wait is finally over for those who’ve been anxiously awaiting Jane Harper’s follow up to her international bestseller, The Dry. Force of Nature hit American bookstores last Tuesday, so if you’re looking for a good mystery to get lost… Read More ›
A Page Turner that Makes You Feel Like You’re Investigating a Mystery: The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin
Happy publication day to Chloe Benjamin! I first heard about The Immortalists way back in February 2017 from Michael Kindness who is a rep for Random House and cohost of the now retired book podcast, Books on the Nightstand. Michael had… Read More ›
Hunter Killer by David Poyer
Ahoy Mateys! There’s a new Dan Lenson / Modern Navy novel out this week and I reviewed it for Criminal Element. This is the 17th entry in the Dan Lenson / Modern Navy series. Hunter Killer is a cutting edge… Read More ›
My Debut on Criminal Element
I’m thrilled to announce my debut as a reviewer for Criminal Element! I’ve been a fan of the site for years, and so it’s truly an honor to now be part of the team. Stasi Child by David Young is the… Read More ›
An Unmarked Grave by Charles Todd
In 2012 I won all four books of Charles Todd’s Bess Crawford Mystery Series from Criminal Element. I wasn’t able to dive right into them and normally I’m a stickler about reading things in chronological order, but one thing I’m… Read More ›