Tag: mystery

Jake Scott Mystery Receives Great New Review

From The Online Book Club

Review of The Guardians of Truth

Post by Hubre De Klerk » 22 Feb 2023, 03:40

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of “The Guardians of Truth” by Barry Finlay.]

Book Cover

5 out of 5 stars

A secret organization, a missing person, a body, a police investigation, and a retired reporter—if these words don’t get you excited, I don’t know what will. This book is full of suspense, action, and a bit of romance. When Cassie tells her daughter that she must stop someone from hurting other people and then doesn’t return home, a missing person’s file is immediately opened for her. Jake is a retired reporter and a “family friend” of Cassie’s daughter through his relationship with her friend’s mom, Dani. Jake knows that the police are busy with their investigation, but he also knows that they are short-staffed. He decides to dust off his retired gloves and conduct his own investigation in order to assist. He had no idea how far he’d get himself involved or what danger awaited him.

This was such a fun book to read, and it was full of descriptions and easy-to-follow protocols. I enjoyed being part of the investigations and seeing how they unearthed new evidence. I couldn’t help but put myself in Haley’s teenage shoes and imagine the worry she had to go through when her mom didn’t come home. It was also easy to grasp Dani’s frustration when the clues to help them figure out what happened were so few and it felt like the case was at a standstill. Jake was my favorite character by far, with his empathy for others, his being a true friend, and his tenacity to help. He made me think of a bull terrier that just won’t let go after he has locked his jaw.

I enjoyed everything about this book. This book has been excellently edited, as I only found two minor errors throughout the whole book. There was nothing I disliked or would have changed. The book was fast-paced and didn’t have any slow-moving parts. I had my ideas about who the culprit was, but I was still surprised at the end of the book. I was entertained and hooked from the start of the book until the end.

I would rate The Guardians of Truth by Barry Finlay a perfect 5 out of 5 stars. There is absolutely no reason to give this book anything but a perfect score. This book also showed me how important the people in your life are and the importance of being there for each other. I know I have felt shallow when someone is going through a traumatic and emotional time, and the only words I had to offer were that it will get better and that I am here for you. This book showed me both sides, and that the person receiving those words may appreciate them a lot more than you can even imagine. Families and friends are important, and they are what keep you sane when things get tough.

I would recommend this book to people who enjoy crime, action, and mystery books. This is a fun afternoon read that immerses you completely. You feel like you are part of the investigation, and you feel all of the emotions running rampant in this book. I really enjoyed it and would love to read more of this author’s books.

Win a digital copy of Searching For Truth

Mystery, Thriller & Horror Audiobooks sweepstakes

Attention Audiobook Lovers – You can win a bundle of audiobooks that will keep you listening for hours and hours PLUS a brand new e-reader! That’s 27 mystery, thriller and horror audiobooks, and the e-reader – a $350 value. I would enter myself but I don’t think I’m eligible since the first book in The Marcie Kane Thriller Collection, The Vanishing Wife, is one of the featured books. The contest runs through Father’s Day from June 14 – 23 but click on the image now to enter so you don’t forget.

New Book Coming!

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted much and, while it is not an excuse, the reason is that I have been working on a new mystery featuring a brand new character named Jake Scott.

I have been wrestling with ideas about the best way to introduce Jake to my amazing readers. He’s not your ordinary hero. In fact, in his mind he’s not a hero at all. He’s a bored and lonely former reporter, having lost his wife to an aneurysm, his job to technology and his daughter to a boyfriend in another city.

There are many steps to go through before the book is published, so it will be a few months before you will be able to read it. But, as part of the process, Advance Reader Copies (ARCs) have been sent to a handful of readers for early feedback. The first comments arrived yesterday from Cathy S. who blogs under Cath N’ Kindle Book Reviews.

Cathy has captured the essence of Jake Scott perfectly, so there is no better way to introduce him to you than through her words. Take it away, Cathy.

Searching for Truth by Barry Finlay

“Having enjoyed my first encounter with this author (The Burden of Darkness), it was with great enthusiasm that I dived into this book, and what a joy. I was promised a new protagonist (Jake Scott), and he couldn’t be more different than The Burden of Darkness’s Marcia Kane.

Jake Scott is feeling his way around recent widowerhood and retirement. The highlight of his week: Saturday morning coffee with a motley crew:  three men and Constable Danielle Perez. As a former investigative journalist, Jake is just the chap to help Danielle look into a double murder from three years previously. The pandemic has delayed so many things, not least the legal process, and it’s taken a long time for the main suspect to be convicted. But Danielle isn’t convinced the right man is in prison. With just a grumpy cat for company and little motivation in his newfound, reluctant singledom, Jake takes up the offer to help. 

I really enjoyed this. Jake makes a refreshingly different hero. He’s not young and handsomely six-packed. He’s a bit of a Luddite, a technophobe, but there’s a steadfastness and sincerity about him. And quietly smart. It’s rather lovely witnessing his emergence from his cocoon of grief and loneliness after the tragic loss of his beloved wife. The attractive Dani and her stereotypically monosyllabic, grumpy teenager are quite the tonic. But little do the three of them know what serious danger will befall them by wanting to put right a wrong. 

Extremely well composed and observed, this is really edge-of-your-seat, hold-your-breath writing and compelling right to the very end. I consider myself quite a good guesser of whodunnits, but Mr F had me well stumped. 

Jake (and Dani) have a sequel in them, I know it. I certainly hope it.”

A Milestone

It was gratifying today to receive the 150th review on Amazon for The Vanishing Wife and even more so that it was five stars. These days, any good news is great news.

This is what the reviewer wrote:

“This book was an amazing mystery. Marcie and Mason did a great job of digging up clues to solve the mystery of where and why Sami disappeared. There are so many twists, turns and surprises that it keeps the pages turning. The great characters help make the story interesting and entertaining. Mason an unassuming man made an amazing hero. The story keeps the reader in suspense to the very end. Thankfully all ends well with a happy ending.”

I’m very grateful to everyone who leaves a review for one of my books. If you like something you’ve read, take a couple of minutes to tell the author and other readers what you thought. Just a few short sentences is all that’s needed.