Countdown (Mirrin Bank #1), by Johan Ottosen

Posted on by canadamatt

Eight stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Johan Ottosen, and BooksGoSocial Audio  for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Always eager to find a new author, particularly one with a Scandinavian background, I turned to the first novel in this trilogy by Johan Ottosen. The book is what I might call a translated popular fiction piece, depicting a number of adventurous settings and keeping the reader in the middle of the action. A former UN employee, a journalist, and a curious woman all fill the pages with their respective perspectives on a mystery that has both historic and modern-day aspects. A great launch of the series that has me eager to get an English copy of the next book in the series.

Denmark awaits the official celebration of the Queen’s Jubilee, sure to be as exciting as it is anticipated. However, something darker lurks in the shadows, which begins when a man commits suicide on a park bench a few years ago. Journalist Kurt Østergaard will stop at nothing to uncover the truth behind his stepfather’s apparent suicide, though he worries there is something more to the event. He’s soon made aware that a mystery that could turn Denmark and the world on its head is about to be unleashed. All this tied to the recent discovery of a calendar dating millennia in the past, which has an End of Days moment in the not too distant future.

Meanwhile, former UN weapons inspector, Søren Storm, is trying to come to terms with the upcoming birth of his child, an event he has long anticipated. However, his girlfriend, Birgitte, wants him out of her way as she prepares for the impending arrival. When news comes across Storm’s radar about a plot to attack the jubilee with a dirty bomb, he cannot sit idly by. He must act and ensure that all Danes are safe, as well as the many ignitaries who are on their way to Copenhagen.

When Storm and Østergaard join forces, they discover a chilling truth that will have to be stopped in short order. Nothing is certain and neither man can waste a moment. Pulling on their respective experiences, they will have to locate the culprits and neutralise things before they get out of hand. Unbeknownst to the public, the jubilee could be the extermination of massive numbers, with a larger plan that has been forecasted in this 5000 year old document. Ottosen delivers a stellar thriller that is sure to keep the reader hooked and wondering where things are headed in the second novel.

I enjoy the discovery of great authors, particularly those who present strong stories for all to enjoy. Johan Ottosen provides readers with a great launching pad with this novel, introducing them to history, thrills, and just the right amount of humour. The story works well with a strong narrative base, leaving the reader to bask in the various twists and excitement. This helps propel things forward and keeps the reader hooked as they learn more about the various characters. Numerous perspectives thrive through the various eyes of those who play key roles in the story. I am eager to see how each grow as the series progresses. Plot points prove useful and pave the way for a great story, complemented by short chapters to keep the momentum going. The surprises that await the reader fuel a superior reading experience and I am pleased to have discovered it. I await locating an English translation of the next novel, to continue the adventure.

Kudos, Mr. Ottosen, for a great start to the adventure!

The Prince: The Turbulent Reign of Justin Trudeau, by Stephen Maher

Posted on by canadamatt

Nine stars

As Canada prepares for some turbulent times south of the border, it would be remiss not to talk about some of the political fallout within our own borders as well. An election is sure to occur by October 2025 and I wanted to do a little Election Prep for Canada, as I have done for US presidential elections in years past. We have a prime minister who has resigned due to some really poor polling numbers and a salivating Leader of the Opposition wanting to topple the tower right away for his own benefit. This entire experience could be extra fun, as there are whispers from on high in Washington that the upcoming election could be the last  for Canada as a sovereign country before we become the 51st state. Let’s see where this reading journey takes us!

Stephen Maher delivers a wonderfully comprehensive biography of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Pulling no punches and tapping into his vast knowledge and well-linked journalism, Maher effectively argues that Trudeau used his popular name to woo Liberals who were seeking to reinvent themselves and the party, rather than choose a well-grounded political figure. Working swiftly to gain favour, Trudeau was big on charisma and tried to show himself as new age and willing to work with the masses. However, once in power, Trudeau relied on others to do the leading while he basked in the glory. Refusing to accept pushback on his work, his senior advisors had to shove to ensure the PM got the answers he wanted or fudge the truth to make others look poorly. A well-documented book that I could not stop reading and quite apt at explaining the recent disintegration of a man whose name should have been enough to crown him victor for long periods. Maher delivers and keeps the reader well informed along the way!

From the outset, Justin Trudeau relied on his father’s reputation to garner support and success with Canadians and more specifically, the Liberal Party of Canada. Pierre Elliott Trudeau, one of Canada’s most well-known and policy-driven prime ministers, made quite the impact on the country he led from the late 1960s until the mid-80s. Stephen Maher begins the piece looking at the Trudeau family and their stardom that followed them for a number of reasons. Using his father’s name and connection to Canada, a younger Justin sought to make waves by running as a Member of Parliament, with likely aspirations of following in his father’s footsteps.

Maher examines this rise to power and how Trudeau was able to grab the reins, pushing political long-timers out of the way in order to create a snazzy new approach to politics and the Liberal brand when Justin ran for and win the party’s leadership. With that firmly established, it was time to eke out a victory of some sort, trying to resurrect a bumbling party from the basement back to power. With keen insights and seeking to curry favour with others, Trudeau made great inroads, using a star team and well-placed events to show Canadians he was there for them.

After pulling off a shocking win in the 2015 election, Justin Trudeau became prime minister and an international symbol for change. He was lauded around the world as being fresh and ready to work, with a photogenic family and ideas that flowed with ease. Trudeaumania was back, though perhaps not in the same way it had been for his father. Still, Justin sought to tackle many of the issues Canadians had, hoping to make a difference and ensure they were heard. As Maher argues, the honeymoon was long and drawn-out, with many ready to accept this new approach, so long as it garnered results. It did, for a time, as Trudeau stood up to the likes of Trump, the Chinese, and even some of his own detractors, but the rose-coloured glasses soon tinted things in other ways that Trudeau and the Liberals would not like.


In the latter portion of the book, Maher begins to examine the hidden issues that did not always make it into the public domain until the mid had been tossed. There are a few key events discussed where Trudeau was seen as pushing off his leadership roles with caucus and cabinet colleagues to others. Trudeau, an admitted introvert, would not enjoy one-on-one meetings, preferring to meet in larger groups where he could dilute his role. Save for fiery speeches directing people or rallying them to a cause, Trudeau wanted senior officials in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) or bureaucrats to handle things. Those he did handle went sour quickly. He appeared to want to promote feminism and the indigenous population in Canada, but appears to have bullied his choice for Minister of Justice when she did not follow his directives, choosing to want the legal ramifications to play out. Other instances occurred when Trudeau and his first Minister of Finance differed on approaches, where speaking out against  the views of the PM proved to be the kiss of death. Tie that into some international foibles and a poorly executed plan for COVID-19, which helped solidify the ongoing issues Trudeau had leading the country and keeping his party together.


Maher rounds out the discussion with some poignant analysis on the electoral woes of the Conservative Party of Canada, who were to be the largest thorns in the side of Trudeau. They failed to consolidate when needed and could not drum up enough support across the country to ensure a Liberal demise. Too fragmented, the party could not jump on many of the Liberal gaffes. mostly headlined by Trudeau himself. Extended COVID mandates, a truckers convoy that led to the use of the Emergencies Act, and even some ball dropping when it came to recognising the role Canada played in indigenous treatment. Nothing could or would work to dethrone Trudeau or those closest to him. However, there was something brewing and the nine lives Trudeau had were coming to an end. Added issues and an ongoing fracturing of the Liberal core in caucus and cabinet left many wondering if it was time for a change. Trudeau had lost his lustre, both at home and amongst the international community. It was not clear if he could get it back.


It appeared that arrogance and an infallibility complex left the prime minister unwilling to see the truth until it was too late and the knives had come out within his party. We shall soon see how it all plays out, as Trudeau has left the building, with a new leader (and prime minister) set to be chosen by the party soon, and an election on the horizon for later in 2025.

Stephen Maher does a formidable job with this piece, which elucidates not only the rise to power of Justin Trudeau, but also his slow and convincing fall from grace. In this well-documented biography, Maher presents a comprehensive history of Trudeau during a tumultuous period of Canadian politics. Drawing intriguing parallels between Trudeau and his father, the book is aptly titled, as Justin is surely the prince to his father’s political monarchy, though the reign was shorter and filled with more trapdoors, or so it would seem. Great chapters lead the reader through the story, from a young man who was trying to break from his father’s shadow through to the Canadian prime minister who relied too much on Canadians accepting his rule as completely without error. Narcissistic and demanding the utmost fidelity, Maher argues that Trudeau dug his own grave, especially when the Conservative Party found a leader able to tame his antics. Using numerous interviews and strong sentiments relayed in honest sentiments, Maher makes his points with ease and keeps the reader in the middle of the action. I can only hope that the next chapter in Canadian politics is just as intense!

Kudos, Mr. Maher, for this stunning look at the man many hoped would breathe new life into Canadian politics.

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Intercessor, by John Robert Still

Posted on by canadamatt

Eight stars

After receiving a copy of this book from the publisher, I was eager to learn a little more about John Robert Still and his writing. This story, set in the heart of New Orleans, taps into much of the city’s flavour and history, with a shadow of Hurricane Katrina looming close at hand. A lawyer who is seeking a fresh start finds himself pulled into the middle of a set of events, imbued by both a supernatural and religious undertone. The struggle to understand and process what is happening is key to Jim Hampton’s peace of mind. A great story that taps into many intriguing ideas and keeps the reader guessing until the end.

Jim Hampton had hoped coming to New Orleans would be a great change for him. His law practice in North Carolina kept him highly stressed and this was supposed to solve all that. Instead, New Orleans is full of tension as a tropical storm is brewing and the people seem off. Jim gets a sense of this when he begins hearing about strange people appearing in back alleys and random whispers that fill the wind with each passing hour. While Jim does not want to get pulled into the middle of the eerie nature around him, he cannot help but wonder what’s going on and if something out of this world could be involved.

When the locals profess that all these goings-on could be tied to past victims from other storms–including Katrina, which permanently shaped the region–Jim refuses to buy into it. Supernatural happenings and superstition are things that Jim cannot fathom, at least until he meets Myriam. She rejuvinates Jim’s past beliefs and leaves him eager to learn a little more. Tied to a connection with the Catholic Church and past events that Myriam feels could explain everything, Jim tries to make sense of it all, while staying one step ahead of a band of brutes who have him in their sights. Soon thereafter, Jim Hampton comes to a realisation that could change his entire outlook. John Robert Still impresses with this story, a mix of everything that pulls the reader into the middle of the fray.

I love a good thriller and enjoy one that educates as much as entertains. John Robert Still does that effectively from the outset of this story. The narrative sets the tone, presenting a strong foundation and keeping the reader on edge as much is discovered. Working through the many themes of the story, the reader must juggle both past and present with a strong protagonist leading the way. The rest of the characters serve to keep the story moving in various directions and flavour all that takes place. Still does this effectively and builds some great backstories for the reader to enjoy. Key plot points provide pivots to push things along and keep the reader guessing throughout the novel. I enjoyed much of the Church history and ties to events or references,

Kudos, Mr. Still, for a great piece!

Covenant of the Iron Cross (Vatican Archeology Series #1), by Gary McAvoy

Posted on by canadamatt

Eight stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to Reedsy Discovery and Gary McAvoy for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Gary McAvoy returns with another novel with ties to the Vatican Archives, yet explores a new angle and fresh protagonist. He has made sure things are well-organised and clearly entertaining as the characters tackle various Vatican-based situations and historical anomalies, yet from the perspective of archeology and not only a biblical story lyered amongst relics and documents. Vatican archeologist Marcus Russo has been sent on a mission to discover a long-held mystery surrounding a Nazi-era hidden treasure buried deep in a Polish mountain. While he gathers a great group, what they discover soon leaves them baffled and scared in equal measure. What did the Nazis leave for someone to discover and how does the Vatican play into this situation? Russo will have to make sense of it before it becomes an international mess. McAvoy commences a new series with familiar characters and just as much impact for readers to enjoy!

After being sent on a mission to uncover the Nazi Gold Train in Poland, Vatican Archeologist Marcus Russo gathers a group used to uncovering mysteries to accompany him. While locating the buried treasure is the easy part, there is something else that awaits everyone that could turn things upside down. Russo locates a codex at the site, one that points to a chilling discovery.

The codex hints at a dangerous plan to ensure chaos and send Nazi-type danger across the world, long after it lost all power in Europe. Operation Eisenkreuz seems tied to the Covenant of the Iron Cross, a means by which chaos will be sown at an alarming rate. Russo works with Father Michael Dominic and journalist Hana Sinclair to make sense of it and stop the Covenant from becoming the new reality. Racing across Europe to make sense of the new Covenant plan, Russo, Dominic, and Sinclair try their best to keep things moving in a positive direction, though nothing can be assured when evil powers remain at play. 

It is only when they return to the Vatican to report on their findings that a deeper knowledge of Operation Eisenkreuz comes to the surface, with details that include a long-fabled group and its thirst for power. Even within the walls of the Holy See, a group seeks to enforce its power and will stop at nothing to keep things moving at a fast past. Russo is but one victim of a larger issue here and his discretion cannot be guaranteed, forcing drastic action. A chilling story that paves the way for a strong series by Gary McAvoy.

I have long enjoyed the work of Gary McAvoy, beginning with his Vatican Archives series. That things springboard from there with this debut of the new collection has me eager to see where things might be headed. McAvoy is always tackling issues closely relating to the Catholic Church and expands his reach to things in the archeological world now as well. The narrative finds its speed and flows well, fuelled by great storytelling and well-developed ideas. The author is keen to educate the reader while also providing thrilling ideas to ponder along the way. Characters effectively flavour the narrative and serve as vessels to properly illustrate many of the events that transpire from chapter to chapter. New and familiar faces for McAvoy’s other series pepper the pages and create a sense of familiarity for those who have that back history. While I felt things dragged a bit or lacked a clear spark in the early recounting of the situations in Poland, the plot points are well placed and help keep the reader intrigued about what is going on. Everything appears to synchronise well in the larger narrative as the story gains momentum. There are also key learning moments that McAvoy uses to develop possible truths and deceptive use of fiction to keep the stories strong and wonderfully entertaining.

Kudos. Mr. McAvoy, for a great start to a new series that has me excited to continue.

The Social Safety Net: Canada in Decline Book One, by Nora Loreto

Posted on by canadamatt

Eight stars

As Canada prepares for some turbulent times south of the border, it would be remiss not to talk about some of the political fallout within our own borders as well. An election is sure to occur by October 2025 and I wanted to do a little Election Prep for Canada, as I have done for US presidential elections in years past. We have a prime minister who has resigned due to some really poor polling numbers and a salivating Leader of the Opposition wanting to topple the tower right away for his own benefit. This entire experience could be extra fun, as there are whispers from on high in Washington that the upcoming election could be the last  for Canada as a sovereign country before we become the 51st state. Let’s see where this reading journey takes us!

Nora Loteto launches into a great analysis of Canada’s social programming with this first of a series of books. She argues that Canada is in a precarious position, having taken time to create a social safety net, only to have it change drastically between neoliberals and neoconservatives. Both have their ideal views, neither of which focus solely on the core values of social programming and the Canadian citizen. Looking forward, what awaits Canadians seeking social assistance of all kinds and will groups receive balanced treatment or continue to struggle on a daily basis? This well researched piece got me thinking a great deal.

Loreto explores the emergence of social programs and the social safety net, going as far back as pre-Confederation, to show that helpful hands were always around, even without government involvement. There was a period in early parliamentary history where basic programs came to pass, but nothing as all-encompassing as many Canadians today would expect or recognize. 

Once programs came into existence, it was primarily through a provincial push and pressure to get things going. Healthcare was one major area, which the feds used to toss money at and leave to the provinces, as per the British North America Act, 1867. As Loreto elucidates, once the ball got rolling, the Feds began creating stronger and more all-encompassing programs, which helped those who needed it most, but also cost a great deal.

Enter neoliberalism, which sought to halt the significant spending that was costing the government large sums. Rather, programs to have Canadians help themselves emerged and left control in their hands to ensure maximum personal success. This saw some erosion of the core social safety net programs and left some who could not handle things on their own to struggle even more.

By the time the neoconservatives came to power, they saw the mess that had been left for them and saw that it was not only a matter of programs in the hands of Canadians, but rather the need to gut everything in order to climb out of debt. Rather than leave something for Canadians, neoconservatives removed all and left Canadians to steer their own ship. While this was fiscally responsible and kept the government from punishing its citizens with large-scale taxation or debt, it left the typical Canadian without programs needed to keep their households afloat. This has been the recent state of affairs, as unexpected happenings have left things in a dire state. Loreto posits that the future is bleak unless governments get back to helping.

Nora Loreto makes clear that Canada is definitely in decline, leaving an untenable status quo.

There is a need for major changes, though it appears anyone at the helm or looking to take over is too stuck on slashing rather than spending. Loreto used well-developed arguments and easy to understand chapters to make her point, which helped me a great deal as I sought to understand some of the more technical happenings. She is blunt and yet respectful, which makes for a great reading and understanding. I am eager to keep on kt journey and may be back for more, as Nora Loreto appears to have a second book in this series to share more information.

Kudos, Madam Loreto, for an ominous look at Canada into the 21st century.

Untouchable (Joe DeMarco #18), by Mike Lawson

Posted on by canadamatt

Eight stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Mike Lawson, and Grove Atlantic for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

After discovering the work of Mike Lawson years ago, I am always excited to read one of his political thrillers. The novels are filled with great storylines and puts Joe DeMarco into the middle of the action. After a suspected child trafficker is killed in his mansion, the case against him stops in its tracks. However, a note appears in the Natuonal Archives that suggests someone in the West Wing might have played a role in silencing the man before he could spill the beans. Enter Joe DeMarco, whose work as a fixer for the former Speaker of the House has many whispering, who is asked to investigate and potentially bring down the one man who cannot be touched. Lawson delivers another wonderful thriller for all to enjoy!

Brandon Cartwright had a great deal of money and knew how to use it. He was a party guy and found ways to ensure that his guests never left unhappy. Rumours abounded about what happened at those parties, which came to light when Cartwright was arrested for child trafficking, after a girl of fifteen went to the authorities to say that she had been used by Cartwright for sex at numerous of his soirées.

When news emerged that Brandon Cartwright was gunned down in his mansion, the case stopped dead in its tracks. The house was ransacked but many things of value were left lying around. Everyone presumed this was the end of it all, though a piece of writing that ended up in the possession of the National Archives points the finger to a connection between Cartwright and the sitting US president. This secretive intel lands in the lap of former Speaker of the House, John Mahoney, who quickly passes it off to his fixer, Joe DeMarco.

At question here is just how close were Cartwright and the president. Might there have been a plan hatched in the West Wing to silence Brandon Cartwright so that he did not spill anything on POTUS? This is the motivation DeMarco has, as he turns over every rock to follow the trail. What he discovers keeps him searching.

All the while, someone is less than impressed with DeMarco’s determination and seeks to quiet the man before he, too, can discover the connection. There may be a level of untouchability to the sitting US president, but DeMarco has always been driven by answers, not the narrow framework of the law. Mike Lawson delivers a great thriller that had me flipping pages just to get some answers of my own.

I have always enjoyed the writing of Mike Lawson, who knows how to mix politics and a thriller effectively. The story blossoms from the outset and has eerie parallels to something Epstein-esque with a peppering of Gaetz and perhaps the untouchable nature of the 45th US president. The story moves along with a great narrative that pulls no punches, though it increases in intensity as the momentum builds with each chapter. Strong characters, including Joe DeMarco, make for a great piece that is ever-evolving. Key plot points and parallels to actual events provide entertainment and intrigue for the attentive reader. I am eager to see where things are headed with this series and how Lawson will keep developing his DeMarco character.

Kudos, Mr. Lawson, for a great addition to the series!

One Minute More (Ari Greene #0.5), by Robert Rotenberg

Posted on by canadamatt

Nine stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Robert Rotenberg, and Simon & Schuster Canada for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Back for another novel in Robert Rotenberg’s great police procedural series, I could not get enough of this prequel. Ari Greene is a young officer in the Toronto Police Department with an important job, tracking down a potential assassin ahead of the 1988 G7 Summit. While he tries to follow a fluid lead, Greene soon ends up playing cat and mouse with a determined assassin who has a plan and a means to get things done. The pressure is high and there is no room for mistakes, though Greene and a handful of others will have to act fast as the world is watching, even if they do not know what is going on. A stellar addition to the series that shows Rotenberg is always thinking and developing this Canadian-based series. One that series fans ought not to miss and those new to Rotenberg’s work should pick up to begin finding their newest addiction!

It’s 1988 and things have just become a lot more interesting in Canada’s largest city! After receiving word that there may be an assassin headed to Toronto to kill the heads of government to the G7 countries, the Chief of Police dispatches his up-and-coming young officer. Ari Greene has made quite the impact on his chief and within the Toronto PD, which is why he is headed to a small community between the Quebec-Vermont border to assess the threat. 

When Greene arrives, he learns that the threat is real, as a US Customs official is dead and someone saw a mysterious woman flee the area. Now, trying to track her down will be Officer Greene’s greatest challenge, as there are only a handful of hours left before the leaders emerge in Toronto to begin their meetings.

As Greene makes some headway, he is always one step behind the alleged assassin, who has him in the crosshairs. With little time to waste, both Greene and the assassin make their moves, playing a game of cat and mouse, trying to ensure they do not end up failing their own missions.

The summit begins and the world is watching, unsure what is going on in the background. Greene knows that he is on borrowed time and must find the assassin, as the bodies pile up along the way. Any of the leaders could be a target, or they could all be on the list. Greene has little time to wonder, as the pressure mounts and there is no room for failure. Robert Rotenberg delivers a great story, told from a number of perspectives, all prepared to entertain the reader throughout the reading journey!

I have always enjoyed the writing of Robert Rotenberg, particularly his Ari Greene series. There is something special for me to read a police procedural series dedicated to Canadian perspectives, a rarity in my reading experience. Rotenberg does well to craft a solid story and keeps the reader engaged throughout the experience. The narrative delivers a fast-paced depiction of events leading up to the G7 Summit, told in small increments and packed full of detail. Rotenberg does a masterful job at building a strong foundation and injecting needed momentum throughout the story, using short chapters to keep the reader on edge. The use of minute time advancements also adds a layer of urgency to the story, which provides additional intrigue into the larger storytelling that Rotenberg offers. Many wonderful characters find roles in the story, fulfilling needed roles to keep things edgy and punchy when required. The flavours offered through these perspectives allow Rotenberg to plunge down many rabbit holes as needed. Plot points are plentiful and ever-evolving, another wonderful aspect of this piece. It kept me wanting to learn more in this well-paced novel. I am eager to see what’s next for Robert Rotenberg, as well as with this series.

Kudos, Mr. Rotenberg, for a stellar reading experience, sure to impress series fans to no end!

A Clash of Kings (A Song of Ice and Fire #2), by George R. R. Martin

Posted on by canadamatt

Eight stars

I decided to begin 2025 with an epic reading challenge for myself. I would read the entire A Song of Ice and Fire series once again. I did so many years ago and thought, since I recently re-watched the entire television series, that I would try a re-read of the books as well. George R. R. Martin did a fabulous job and deserves my full attention. I have mixed my original review with some new thoughts, all in a hopes of providing a newer and more thorough assessment. I have evolved as a book reviewer since the first set of thoughts landed here, so let’s see where things take us now:

The world stops to watch a comet streak across the sky. Its blood red colour creates many an omen and leaves some to speculate about the importance and forecasting it brings. Many who see it have their own issues to face, from Dragonstone through to Winterfell, though it is the joined sense of chaos that binds many. The realm is still in a position of uncertainty and the Iron Throne remains the ultimate prize.

Six factions have laid claim to the Throne in the Seven Kingdoms. From the sitting king, a teenaged boy, who’s found intoxication with the power; to those who battle along the Wall of the North; from the middle grounds when a young man seeks to battle back to avenge the name of his father; to a young woman who has dragoon’s by her side and a history that fuels her to reclaim the honour of sitting on the Iron Throne. There are many moving pieces here and little time to waste.

Many of the characters develop their own storylines and leave the reader demanding more. An imp who has tried not to let his family’s hatred of him flavour how he handles himself on a daily basis. A young girl who has gone into hiding and plays the role of a boy to learn the craft of fighting, all in a plan to avenge her family, finds herself discovering mischief each day. A flowering young woman who is set to marry the young king but also has a great deal of animosity to her betrothed. Even a boy, crippled by a fall, who has a mission outside of gaining notoriety but cannot understand what is expected of him. Many battles will ensue and blood will flow freely as the game of trying to gain the Iron Throne is fuelled by a clash of various kings, all of whom feel they have the rightful claim to being the actual monarch for the realm of the Seven Kingdoms. George R. R. Martin spins many a story in this second massive novel in the series.

I found this book a harder read, though I was saved by the knowledge of the television show to fill many gaps. I could better picture what was going on and how Martin sought to delve into various storylines with ease, though I was still cruising along sometimes to get from A to B throughout this reading journey. The narrative is quite involved and while it flows with ease, its fragmented nature is somewhat hard for me to follow without a slip of paper to keep track of things throughout. The various characters serve as narrators and whose perspectives provide a more all-encompassing nature for the story’s development. I enjoyed all that I was able to learn, though it was too much for me at times. Still, I tried my best to digest every nuance and thankfully had the television show to prop me up. Great twists and turns throughout helped add depth and intrigue to the story, keeping all characters on their toes as they try to make their ways through the various storylines to get to their own mission endings. I am eager to see where things are headed and what the reader will soon experience as the six factions begin clashing in order to whittle themselves down to a final winner!

Kudos, Mr. Martin, for a hearty, ongoing journey!

The Eyes of Addicts (Watchtower #4), by Mikael Carlson

Posted on by canadamatt

Eight stars

Mikael Carlson delivers another strong story in this high-impact political thriller series. This one ties up loose ends from the last book and looks into the world of drug trafficking, as well as the scourge of fentanyl. Carlson examines the issues from all sides, leaving the reader with multiple perspectives on the situation. The Watchtower Group is still reeling from the last case and it is clear leadership wants to dismantle them, or at least replace members with those who are more willing to defer to those with power. Boston Hettinger is at the centre of it all, a weapon with his telepathic abilities, but also a detriment and loose end that might need to be snipped. Mikael Carlson wraps up the series with an impactful book that pulls no punches.

The novel tackles the bold and troubling scourge that is the fentanyl epidemic. The Watchtower Group was able to put away Tomasso Trillo and his duplicitous ways in a recent case, but there is a loose string in the form of John Prock. He has stepped up to keep running the shipping company and a fentanyl manufacturing operation that Trillo had perfected, thereby creating a massive problem. While fentanyl is finding its way onto the streets of US cities, it is the devastation New York that resonates most strongly for Watchtower at present.

One of their members, Boston Hollinger, is a weapon both for and against their success. His ability to tap into the memories of anyone around him permits Hollinger to focus his attention on finding Prock and shutting down the fentanyl operation. However, there are other cogs in the wheel that are ensuring success. Hollinger races to get answers and bring this evil man to justice for all he has done and keeps doing by placing drugs in the hands of the vulnerable.

NYPD Detective Dave Jarett finds himself connecting with Watchtower because of some highly personal experiences with fentanyl. While Detective Jarett cannot ensure results, he is an in needed to crack the case wide open and provides access that would not otherwise be available without much red tape.

There are whispers about Watchtower’s future, both due to the politics and effective use of their skills. Boston has an added target painted on his back, making him a potential threat to some and leaving his extermination as an option for those pulling the levers. The case might be wrapping up, but the danger is just percolating, creating a final mission that could be deadly. Carlson crafts a wonderful series finale to keep fans on their toes. 

Mikael Carlson impressed me with his political thriller writing, flavouring things with police procedural angles. The narrative proves tense, with a solid story that educates the reader throughout the journey. Carlson captures a sense of struggle that keeps the reader raising many questions. The characters provide a look into the world of drug trafficking and the ease with which the US border permits entrance of illegal substances. The chapters are short and to the point, propelling things forward as I sought to understand many of the nuances Carlson has to offer. Plot points emerge and build from the past novel, providing a great link as the series wanes and many answers emerge.

Kudos, Mr. Carlson, for a sensational wrap-up to this series.

The Eyes of Victims (Watchtower #3), by Mikael Carlson

Posted on by canadamatt

Eight stars

Mikael Carlson keeps me on edge with his political thriller series, so much so that I am pleased to begin my reading year with another in this intriguing collection. This one looks into the world of sexual assault and how complex a simple accusation can become. Carlson explores things from all sides, as well as what happens when high-powered individuals are involved in the process. The Watchtower Group is called in to assist, though the delicate nature of the assault makes it tough to assess and ensure the truth comes to light. Mikael Carlson presents another great story that furthers this series effectively.

The novel tackles the world of sexual assault, particularly a young law student who claims one of her fellow students, a playboy by his own right, drugged and raped her one night. She had a well-to-do father who insists on sending the man who assaulted his daughter to face maximum penalty. While the campus and state police begin their investigation, the nature of this case leaves them unable to handle it effectively. A call to the FBI has the Watchtower Group sent to New Jersey to help look into things. 

Amongst Watchtower is “Boston” Hollinger, an agent thought dead and with special abilities. He can see the emotional thoughts and memories of others while he is unconscious. This could prove highly effective as the investigation takes an odd turn and sends both sides to plead for someone to listen to them, all while covering up anything that could cause doubt. Boston can see through this and tries to steer his team towards the truth, which is harder than expected.

After media reports spin the story, the two students’ politically connected families begin to put pressure on those with authority, though Watchtower is less concerned with outside perception. Deaths in the investigation turn the case on its head and provides Boston with a choice and something that could change things for good. It is up to him to make the choice. Carlson delivers a stunning story here for all to enjoy.

Mikael Carlson impressed me with his political thriller writing in the past and I came back for more in this series whose focus is more police procedural than anything else. The narrative is tense at times, providing a strong story and educates the reader repeatedly. Carlson paints a picture and captures a sense of struggle that keeps the reader going and raises many questions. The characters provide a look into the world of politics and assault, with political pressure pushing the story along with building momentum. The chapters are short and to the point, providing me just what I need to devour the story with ease. Plot points develop easily and left me eager to delve deeper into this series, the final novel, which I will do soon.

Kudos, Mr. Carlson, for another strong novel that ticks all the boxes!

A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire #1), by George R.R. Martin

Posted on by canadamatt

Eight stars

I decided to begin 2025 with an epic reading challenge for myself. I would read the entire A Song of Ice and Fire series once again. I did so many years ago and thought, since I recently re-watched the entire television series, that I would try a re-read of the books as well. George R. R. Martin did a fabulous job and deserves my full attention. I have mixed my original review with some new thoughts, all in a hopes of providing a newer and more thorough assessment. I have evolved as a book reviewer since the first set of thoughts landed here, so let’s see where things take us now:

Three admissions before I begin:
1) I do not usually read fantasy genre
2) I listened to the audiobook and did not try to digest the book by putting eyes on words
3) I watched the HBO show’s season that correlates, allowing me to visualise a great deal more.

Now that we have that clear, I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in the series. While I do feel that there was much to ingest, perhaps that is because I am not used to this genre of book. Even in Chapter 1 we have much backstory that is not mentioned in detail, leaving me to carry it with me in my mind and only later will it make sense. Some said I ought to carry a pad and paper with me to keep track of all the characters. This is an excellent suggestion, though I would need a massive page to create even a basic family or character tree.

Long ago, events took place that would change things forever. From the flow of the seasons to the means by which the people in the Seven Kingdoms would live on a daily basis. Winter is inching forward and the people of Winterfell can feel it in their bones. There is a group who are eyeing and closing in on the Wall, a massive structure that protects the Seven Kingdoms from the monsters outside and in the wilderness. The Starks live in Winterfell and have for as long as many can remember. Lord Eddard Stark is the King’s representative and will do his best to keep the peace.

In the South, King Robert Baratheon finds that there are troubles as he rules loosely. His own Hand has been killed and enemies inch closer to taking control of his Iron Throne. Choosing Eddard as his new Hand, a long-time friend, might be Robert’s only way of ensuring that things remain calm across the Seven Kingdoms.

As many begin to wonder about how the King’s former Hand died, lords and ladies emerge across the story to lay out their own stories for the reader to enjoy. Deception and double-crossing occurs more often than some raise a pint in the local bawdy house. Eddard’s own children have new jobs as things are ever-evolving, all of whom show their mettle as the story progresses. 

All the while, in a far-off part of the realm, a young girl is married off to a brutal man who leads a cutthroat group, keen to shed blood. She is not sure what awaits her, though it is clear that this union is meant to bind her family with an army who will make their play for the Iron Throne, a seat they once held before Robert Baratheon was able to wrest its control away. Receiving dragon eggs as a gift from her husband and a babe in her womb, this young girl is eager to see what awaits her, though it is her brother who is drunk on power.

When horrible news comes from the heart of the Seven Kingdoms, things change drastically and the leadership foundation turns shaky. The battles are brewing and people seek to rush for the proper group who might gain power. This is a Game of Thrones, as the Seven Kingdoms are up for grabs and no clear heir exists, at least based on the various stories that have emerged. It is now up to the different groups to make their play, with Eddard Stark at the centre of the chaos, with a secret that could change everything! Martin delivers a stunning first novel and got my blood pumping to continue on!

Martin energises the book with a great story, though it is highly confusing and multi-pronged. There is something for everyone and storylines that entertain as well as create added chaos, perfect for someone who loves a good thrill. The narrative flows well, as long as the reader can remain on top of all that takes place, which is an effort all its own. There are many different characters who emerge and provide the reader with entertainment as they offer their own points of view. Martin used these different views to flavour the various chapters and advance the story effectively. The reader must be attentive, especially when listening, to the title of the chapter, so as not to miss whose perspective we are seeing things. Plot points are ever-present and keep the reader on their toes, laying the groundwork for additional surprises that await in future novels. I am ready to tackle it all, though I admit I lost myself a few times and will need to do even more to stay on top of this massive story!

Kudos, Mr. Martin, for a great start to the epic journey!

The Eyes of Innocents (Watchtower #2), by Mikael Carlson

Posted on by canadamatt

Eight stars

Mikael Carlson has impressed me with some well-crafted political thriller series in the past, so I gladly chose to continue the experience with a new collection to begin the year. This one looks into the world of child sex trafficking and the powerful business interests that accompany it. The city of Phoenix has been overrun and its mayor is trying to keep her head above water after some policing cuts. When the locals cannot handle things, the Watchtower Group makes their way to town, a special unit of the FBI. Amongst them is an agent many thought dead but whose abilities to tap into the troubling thoughts of those while he is unconscious. He may prove to be a magic weapon. Time is of the essence and a local businessman is hoping to up his production soon. Carlson delivers once more for a great read!

Phoenix had a problem with human trafficking, even if its mayor does not want to admit it. Recent budget cuts has meant a downsizing in the police force and has left one of the powerful child sex traffickers to keep his business strong, pulling children from Mexico and serving local clientele. While this cannot go on, the locals are unable to stop it and call on the FBI to assist.

Enter the Watchtower Group, who have had great success with the helping, though they are still somewhat green when it comes to working as a unit. They arrive in Phoenix and assess the situation, bringing along one of their secret weapons, an agent everyone thought dead and who can tap into the panicked thoughts of those around him. “Boston” Hollinger is back, complete with emotional and physical scars to prove it! 

Alejandro Salcido appears to be a prominent businessman, with the ear of the mayor and money to keep the city in his pocket. His human trafficking ring has been quite financially beneficial and he will do whatever it takes to keep it going, including killing those who stand in his way.

As Boston and the Watchtower members inch forward, a drastic step is taken to stop the harming of innocent children. It could cost more than political fallout and Boston’s dream sending abilities could fall short on saving everyone this time around. A great follow-up novel by Mikael Carlson that had me curious from start to finish.  

Mikael Carlson impressed me with his political thriller writing in the past and I came back for more. The narrative is quite involved at time, it provides a strong story and entertains the reader while educating them effectively. Carlson paints a solid picture of events and captures a sense of tension that keeps the reader going. The characters provide a look into the world of politics and human trafficking, pushing  the story along with great momentum and intense depictions. The chapters are short and to the point, providing me just what I need. Plot points were well developed and left me eager to delve deeper, which I will do soon.

Kudos, Mr. Carlson, for a chilling follow-up novel in this series.

Cold as Hell (Haven’s Rock #3), by Kelley Armstrong

Posted on by canadamatt

Eight stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Kelley Armstrong, and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

After discovering the previous series connected to Haven’s Rock, I could not get enough of Kelley Armstrong’s writing. I followed the stories through to the development of this new series and have been just as enthralled with the writing. Haven’s Rock is a hidden and private community tucked into the Yukon Territory in Canada’s North. It has limited access, but all the problems of any community, including infighting and criminal activity. When Detective Casey Duncan and Sheriff Eric Dalton are called out to help with a woman who was drugged and almost attacked, they are on edge. Soon thereafter, another woman goes missing, with more drastic outcomes. A killer is on the loose and a winter storm is pushing in, sure to cover all evidence under a pile of snow. Now Casey and Eric must rush to find the killer and set things right. Armstrong delivers a gripping thriller that had me hooked until the final pages. 

Haven’s Rock has made a discrete name for itself as a place people can go to disappear from the mainstream, for reasons determined by the local council. Nestled in the backcountry of Canada’s Yukon Territory, Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton, run a tight ship, though many are quite respective of the community rules. When a knock comes on their door in the middle of the night, news that a local woman had been drugged and almost attacked in the woods leaves many to wonder what is going on. The drug in her system is not commonly found and only a single resident has a prescription. Could this be an assault that went sideways?

As Casey and Eric continue their investigation, a severe winter storm blows into the region, sure to create havoc for many. Soon thereafter, the naked body of another resident is found, likely tossed to face the elements. With no hope of bringing her back to life, Casey and Eric ensure she receives a thorough autopsy, which might shed some light on what happened. Beginning to question those who last saw the victim. Casey and Eric cobble together the truths they are meant to believe. 

All the while, Casey is working through the final trimester of her pregnancy and Eric is overly protective, worried about any exertion. Casey cannot accept bedrest, especially with a killer on the loose, and must piece things together to stop the killings while fingering the guilty party. Haven’s Rock was supposed to be a place away from this sort of violence, but no one can truly trust their neighbours, with their backstories a mystery to everyone. Armstrong adds another wonderful novel to this series that has had me on the edge of my seat from the outset.

I love a good thriller series and Kelley Armstrong has never failed to impress. Using the Canadian North as its setting adds increased mystery to the story and keeps the reader from feeling they have entered anything too repetitive. The narrative clips along in this story, tossing out many storylines for the reader to follow. The momentum is propelled with numerous happenings in a great setting, providing something that lurks in the background for something to derail. Great characters offer up a flavouring to keep the reader curious and provides added depth to Haven’s Rock and the community as a whole. Plot points not only expound on the various characters in town, but also offer surprises to keep the story clipping along and adds new wonders that are sure to be addressed in future stories. I cannot wait to see what Kelley Armstrong has to offer with this ever-evolving series.

Kudos, Madam Armstrong, for another winner in this series!

The Eyes of Others (Watchtower #1), by Mikael Carlson

Posted on by canadamatt

Eight stars

Mikael Carlson impressed me with a few of his well-crafted political thriller series, so I thought that I would continue the experience with another series to begin the year. This one looks into the world of the American Intelligence community and a leak that has cost the military many of those who are actively serving. Boston Hollinger was once one of those who had boots on the ground in Iraq, but a roadside bomb left him injured and back stateside. A recent accident has triggered the injury once more, with unique side effects. As politicians seek to find the leak within the intelligence community, some point to those who appear to have too much intel for their own good, Mikael Carlson provides another great story that keeps the reader turning pages.

Eugene “Boston” Hollinger has been able to tap into odd dreams since he was injured by a bomb that exploded while serving in Iraq. He does not have a place to escape, as these images are from other people’s perspectives. Working woth a therapist, Boston is helped to discover that he can tap into the active conversations of others, thereby turning him into an odd file storage space of many secrets. This could be helpful, but also highly troubling as he knows all and can implicate many.

While Boston tries to come to terms with his new power, the intelligence community is rocked by knowledge that there is a mole leaking information to the enemy—the Syrians, in this case—who have been able to strike and cause maximum damage. Everyone blames their domestic opponents, creating more chaos that anyone could have predicted. America is at its wit’s end and there is nothing that can be done. Or can they, with Boston possessing some intel that could change it all?

With his dream powers, Boston calls on some old friends and his current fiancée to help track down the mole, in hopes of helping the country before it becomes more frayed. Various intelligence sources seek to mute him and his project, as the truth could be more troubling than never knowing. Boston is soon deemed the scapegoat and must flee before he is jailed and put on trial for treason, or worse. Fuelled by the desire to find the mole, Boston and his colleagues work as a team in hopes of discovering answers before it is too late. Carlson presents a great political thriller with some eerie side stories on offer!

Mikael Carlson impressed me with his four-novel political thriller series I recently devoured. When I tripped on this other series, I knew I would have to give it a try. While the narrative is quite intense, it provides a great storytelling and entertains the curious reader. Carlson paints a vivid picture as few thrillers can with this piece and left me wanting to keep reading the remaining novels in the series. The characters provide an intriguing look into the world of intelligence and help push the story along with great momentum. The depictions are on point and left me wondering more about many of those who are part of the story. Plot points were well developed and left me eager to see where things are headed with the second novel, which I have awaiting me soon. 

Kudos, Mr. Carlson, for a wonderful start to a new collection.

The Psychopath Next Door, by Mark Edwards

Posted on by canadamatt

Eight stars

Ethan Dove and his family have wanted an escape from their crazy lives. They move into a new community with hopes of trying to hit the reset button. Ethan’s marriage to Emma is on the rocks and about to fall apart, which leaves him hoping that the new surroundings will aid with making changes. Also, his children, Dylan and Rose, deserve a fresh start that comes with this move.

Always excited when I have a Mark Edwards novel to read, I devoured this psychological thriller. Edwards creates a scintillating story that pulls the reader into the middle of the action and leaves them wondering what awaits. A woman befriends a teenage girl and helps her with some social issues. However, what begins as a helpful neighbour soon turns dark and the entire family is pulled into a web of lies and deception, with murder fuelling a complex set of circumstances. Edwards delivers a thriller that few authors can replicate effectively.

After a particularly troubling time at school, where Rose is being bullied, the neighbour, Fiona Smith, steps in to assist. Not only does Fiona help handle these boys, she also offers to spend significant time with Rose. This not only helps alleviate the issue of childminding, but provides their youngest with a role model with whom she can relate.
Fiona is highly intrigued by this, as she has a plan all her own.

Little do Ethan and Emma know, but Fiona has a long history of sinister behaviour. The unlikely neighbour has a plan to groom Rose, turning her into an accomplice for many dastardly crimes. Rose complies and shows that she might not be as innocent as others presume, making the Rose-Fiona connection all the more troubling for anyone around them. A stirring story that takes the idea of plot twists to the max and exemplifies ark Edwards as a master storyteller.

I know that when I sit down to enjoy a Mark Edwards thriller, there will be moments of highly disturbing reading. The story is always multi-layered and I am privy to wonderful narrative build, all of which helps develop a dark and troubling foundation for what is to come. Edwards uses great characters and is able to subtly connect his standalone thrillers with a theme that only the attentive reader will notice. There are moment of psychological chills that the reader who enjoys this genre will devour, while others will find themselves trapped in a piece that refuses to let go until all the horrors are synthesised. I cannot wait to find another Mark Edwards novel to enjoy just as much.

Kudos, Mr. Edwards, for keeping me on my toes throughout this read.

In Too Deep (Jack Reacher #29), by Lee Child and Andrew Child

Posted on by canadamatt

Eight stars

Lee Child works with his brother and collaborator, Andrew Child, to pen the latest Reacher novel. The nomadic finds himself in yet another unpredictable situation that has Reacher wondering about his luck. After waking up handcuffed to a hospital bed, Reacher must begin putting his memories together into a cohesive narrative, which opens up added questions and an investigation into some criminal activity. A great addition to the series, with Andrew Child complementing his brother’s long-running collection.

After waking up alone in a hospital room, Jack Reacher tries to piece things together. With a handcuff affixed to his wrist and connected to the bed, Reacher can only presume that he is in a little trouble. Slowly, as the fog lifts, he begins piecing it all together. 

After hitching a ride, Reacher began making small talk with the driver. It was soon thereafter that the driver was targeted, leaving him dead and Reacher injured. It can only be presumed that whomever it was that attacked the vehicle thought Reacher was involved. How little can this mysterious individual know by putting Jack Reacher into the crosshairs?

Shaking off the hospital situation, Reacher begins his journey to put things together and exacts some revenge for the attack. This sees him caught in a web of lies and a Russian with an agenda all his own. Reacher teams up with a local who has some connections of her own. All of this could help solve the mystery and yet create more collateral damage if things go south. The Child brothers do well spinning yet another great story in a series that never seems to lose its momentum. 

I have long enjoyed the work of Lee Child and his creation of Jack Reacher. The stories work well as a series, but can mostly be read on their own, as each location proves to be a new mystery. The narrative progresses well and at a swift speed. Things find their momentum with great storytelling and keen attention to plot points. The characters, usually one-offs aside from Reacher, help add some excitement to the piece and left me eager to see how they would all connect. Plot points prove to be at the centre of the story and provide the reader something to use as a guide to the larger storytelling experience. The nomadic ways of Jack Reacher prove to be key to the surprises at the core of this book. While Lee Child has moved into collaborating on his novels, they remain of high calibre and keep series fans pleased with the end result.

Kudos, Messrs. Child, for another great Reacher conundrum!

Moon of the Turning Leaves (Moon #2), by Waubgeshig Rice

Posted on by canadamatt

Nine stars

Waubgeshig Rice delivers another strong post-apocalyptic story in the second novel of this series, which sheds light on rural Indigenous populations in Canada. The treatment of indigenous communities by the Canadian Government remains a hot-button issue in the various media outlets across the country and Rice provides a raw commentary with an dystopian twist. After significant time dealing with everlasting darkness, Evan Whitesky has agreed to lead a scouting party into the the unknown to find a new place for their community to live. The Northern Ontario indigenous community has been in darkness since an unexplained blip disconnected them with the outside world. Darkness is only one concern that surrounds the group, but they are not ready to give up just yet, fuelled by the need to survive and overcome yet another obstacle.

It has been a dozen years since an infrastructural power failure has put the continent on pause. The people of the Anishinaabe have been trying their best to live off the land in Northern Ontario, hoping that tomorrow will bring news and an end to the darkness. While it has been tough, it has allowed many to tap into their roots and live off the land like their ancestors. Having survived for so long, many have tried to make the most of it, though there are questions about what lies beyond their confines and if other places might have overcome the hurdle of no cell service and little communication with the outside world.

At the heart of the community is Evan Whitesky, a well-connected member of the Anishinaabe who has earned the respect of many. He puts his name forward to lead a mission towards the city to determine if the community ought to move southward, back to their ancestral lands. This could mean tapping into the mainstream population and make sure they are not lost and forgotten forever. It will be dangerous and the darkness breeds questions that no one can answer, but Evan wants to ensure a future for his people, while knowing he could risk losing his young family forever.

Leading a group of five, including his own daughter, Nangohns, Evan begins the trek southwards. They locate the reserve where the Anishinaabe once were settled by the government, as well as communities that triggered many horror stories from their past, though Evan will not stop until there is something worthwhile. While Evan hopes to find a place to settle, he must understand that not everyone out here seeks peace. Violence is also fuelling the hunt for a settlement and some will gladly shed the blood of others to ensure their success in the eternal darkness. Rice delivers a dark and relentless story that adds to his popular series debut and kept me turning pages well into the night. I cannot wait to see if there is another novel to add further depth to an already strong story

While I knew little of Waubgeshig Rice before I started the first book in this series, I could not put it down once again. Rice develops another powerful novel that explores indigenous independence, the core values of tradition and community to overcome any obstacle, and the darkness of the north’s isolation, somewhat forced upon the indigenous population. Rice presents a solid narrative foundation to drive the novel towards some interesting situations, keeping the momentum going at every turn. Characters tell their various perspectives flawlessly, adding flavouring to both the Anishinabe community and the ‘mainstream south’. I once again enjoyed this glimpse into a world I usually see through media reports and government commentary. Plot points develop with ease and show struggling aspects of rural life in isolated communities, as well as the desire to better one’s self. Rice provides a stellar view into community living and the adversity of change to better the community

Kudos, Mr. Rice, for another wonderful journey.

Against Orders, by Nancy S. Thompson

Posted on by canadamatt

Seven stars

Nancy S. Thompson storms onto the scene with this thriller that has great underlying conspiracy themes to keep the reader curious. After miserable endings to his Marine and Secret Service careers, Captain Kynan Esprit is looking for yet another new start. He’s hired as part of the private security detail for a lavish businessman making a play for the White House. Assigned to Whit Lasette’s daughter, Reina, Esprit must keep her from facing any danger. However, this does not go as planned, leaving him to flee the country with Reina. It is only then that they learn to truth about Whit Lasette and what he has in store for the America he hopes to run. A gripping conspiracy thriller that has elements of greatness embedded in a story that spreads itself a little too thin.

After a military career in the Marines left Captain Kynan Esprit dismissed in disgrace, he was sure that a change to serve his country as part of the Secret Service would be just what he needed. Helping protect the daughter of the sitting vice-president was going so well, until an attempt on her safely left one man dead and Agent Esprit dismissed once again. Now, he is without a job and desperate to re-invent himself. Enter Whit Lasette, a weapons manufacturer who wants to make a play for the White House, using his many connections. Lasette needs security as he tries to earn the Republican nomination, especially for his college-age daughter, Reina. Esprit is recommended and soon has the job, with one role; keep Reina safe.

After a harrowing attack in Seattle sees Reina almost kidnapped and killed, Esprit cannot risk losing another job or messing things up. He flees with Reina to the Lasette compound in the Mediterranean, where he hopes they can lay low and sty off the grid until Whit Lasette secures the presidency and protection is restored to normal. However, things go off the beaten path when they discover some correspondence that shows ulterior motives of Whit Lasette, as well as some of the friends he has made along the way. Esprit cannot sit on this, but also does not know who he can trust.

Rushing into deeper seclusion, away from the Lasette eye, Esprit tries to protect Reina as best he can, hoping that what he saw was but an aberration and something that will never come to pass. However, some who discover what he knows want nothing more than to ensure there are no leaks and pave the way to the White House without any chance of an October Surprise. Captain Kynan Esprit, Reina Lasette, and others could be impediments and must be removed as swiftly as possible. A chilling story that puts Nancy S. Thompson on the map and opens the door to what might be a strong series, given some tweaks.

I enjoy thrillers most of all when reading for pleasure, especially if there is a political angle to them. Nancy S. Thompson presents a viable option for me and I was pleased to have stumbled upon her writing. The narrative clips along, providing the reader with a great foundation for understanding the setting and the political intrigue that is set to transpire. The introduction of the story’s protagonist, Kynan Esprit, keeps the reader on the edge of their seat as they try to decipher how he will fit into the larger story. Many characters who fill the pages of the book are just as intriguing, though they are not as well-developed as I would have liked. The premise of the piece is fuelled by many plot twists throughout, leaving the reader to wonder what they are reading. However, I was left feeling as though things were cobbled together with many of the plot lines and can only wonder if they might have been meant for a few novels, though Thompson did not have enough fodder to extend them sufficiently and create a series with the ideas she had at the start of her project. While the writing is strong and the story moves along, there seemed to be too much going on or not enough development on any one theme. That said, I hope that with the ending of this novel, there is a follow-up—perhaps more defined—to offer added answers for the curious reader.

Kudos, Madam Thompson, for a great start. I hope some organisation can help subsequent novels work with ease! 

Behind a Closed Door, by J.D. Barker

Posted on by canadamatt

Eight stars

J.D. Barker has never failed to impress me with his novels, both independent and collaborative. He pushes the limits and keeps the reader wondering, which was exactly what I hoped when I began this book. Barker explores the world of relationships and how an attempt at ‘spicing things up’ can have dire consequences. Two people, one app, and a plethora of adventurous options. But what happens when things go too far? Barker delves into this throughout this gripping thriller!

Every relationship could use a little spark, at least that’s what Abby and Brendan Hollander think. When they receive a card for a couple’s therapist, they attend in hopes of learning what to do. They are told to use a new app, Sugar and Spice, in hopes of adding the needed oomph to the relationship. It is here where things surely get a little more intense, and not in ways they could have expected.

The app requires them to go all in, agreeing to a number of rules and expectations without question. What begins a little spiciness soon tips towards the darkest that either of them have ever seen. Abby and Brendan soon feel as though their lives are subsumed by the app, which knows things about them they could never have guessed. This is not the relationship boost they thought they were getting, but rather end up in a guilt-filled situation and there is no backing out, as the app cannot be removed and begins sending blackmailing comments.

Wondering how far things could go, the app begins to ask them to commit crimes, including murder, all to save the other person. Abby and Brendan must get to the root of who is pulling the strong and how this could be stopped before they are placed in a situation that could land them in prison. Is a stronger relationship foundation worth homicide? Abby and Brendon will have to discover how far they will go to save one another and when it is time to end it all. Barker delivers a stellar piece that leaves little time for catching a breath.

J.D. Barker is a stunning thriller writer who has never failed to impress me. His ideas are varied and the intensity of his books provide a tense situation for any reader. The narrative moves at a clipped pace and there is nothing like taking this journey. Strong characters and a powerful collection of settings leave the reader trying to stay caught up before things change before their eyes. The plot points are both impactful and never ending, adding to the chaotic pace of the story. Barker’s flavouring is seen throughout and I cannot wait to see what’s to come.

Kudos, Mr. Barker, for a story like few I have read lately

Bringing Columbia Home: The Untold Story of a Lost Space Shuttle and Her Crew, Michael D. Leinbach and Jonathan H. Ward

Posted on by canadamatt

Eight stars

Always eager to learn a little more while reading, I was drawn to this book by Michael D. Leinbach and Jonathan H. Ward. It explores the 2003 Columbia disaster, when the space shuttle had issues reentering the Earth’s atmosphere. All those on board were sure to die and the shuttle disintegrated when it rushed towards the Earth. Leinbach had first-hand knowledge of the issues and writes frankly about many of the issues that arose, complemented by Ward’s abilities to weave a tale. This is a story like few others I have read, exploring the scientific aspects with grace and respect, educating the layperson, as well as the detailed narrative about the investigation. The curious reader will learn a great deal and develop their own theories as they learn new things on every page. A stunning read that left me needing to know more. 

Mike Leinbach had been working with NASA as one of its senior launch directors on the day Columbia knew there would be issues. As the world watched, the space shuttle that was thought to be a new era in exploration began its reentry into the Earth’s atmosphere and would knowingly disintegrate, killing all those onboard and scattering debris over vast areas around East Texas. What happened and how could it have been detected beforehand? That is the crux of the book’s first portion, seeking to provide details and understanding about things that were baffling to many involved in the shuttle’s monitoring. As Leichach and Ward explore, there could have been many nuanced faults that left the shuttle vulnerable at many times, though nothing tipped off NASA scientists at any point leading up to the re-entry period. 

Knowing that all those on board would perish and the shuttle would surely spew its debris all over the place, the mission was to gather as much as possible to determine the truths from the evidence at hand. The middle portion of the book seeks to explore this race for answers and the location of various bits of debris. Part of that would be the bodies of those astronauts, while others sought to find evidence that could tell the story about what happened and how NASA could learn from the mistakes. The authors explore many of the sacrifices made by those who were tasked with trying to find anything to fill the void left by the catastrophe the world saw.

The various government agencies needed to create this cohesive unit proved highly interconnected, showing that they could rise above the squabbles from their daily interactions. The authors address this throughout the book, helping the reader to see every aspect of the investigation and how many people were impacted by the Columbia disaster. The latter portion of the book tries to weave together a narrative that explains the impact and how NASA sought to look forward to see what changes could be made to ensure success going forward. Politicians, scientists, and local space aficionados sought to make sense of what happened and how it could be used to help shape a strong and straightforward future for NASA and the space program. Many remembered the Challenger disaster in 1986 and how it crippled the public’s view of space, though Columbia was to be used as a detour seventeen years later, not a block to future successes. The authors deliver a great message and detailed analysis about the space program and how many used this blip to fuel ongoing successes for those who wanted to keep getting into space and making a difference. Nothing could be used as a salve to forget Columbia, but it could be a springboard to new advenues of success and determination.

While I know little about space travel and the science behind space launches, I did take an interest in learning more about the project depicted in this book. Michael D. Leinbach and Jonathan H. Ward deliver a stunning look into this space disaster, as well as how the country came together to help find answers and support NASA through yet another disaster. Each chapter proved full of detail and provided the curious reader with key tenets to help them navigate throughout this situation, as well as how people from all over sough to use their joint determination to find answers and forge new pathways to determination in the face of disaster. The authors depict things in a realistic and emotional manner, without getting too dramatic. Each page has countless points of learning and helps scratch the itch for the curious reader. I could not have expected to find so much I did not know or understand, though Leichbach and Ward deliver a stunning account that left me needing to know more. I will have to do some of my own research, when time permits, but this was a great primer to get me ready to delve deeper.

Kudos, Messrs. Leinbach and Ward, for this stunning account of a space disaster and its immediate fallout.

The Second Sleep, by Robert Harris

Posted on by canadamatt

Seven stars

Robert Harris returns with another of his novels based on historical events. This piece is set against a backdrop less impactful than many of his other novels, though it is still rich in sentiment and backstory. However, unlike many of Harris’ other novels, I could not find myself connecting with the larger storyline, therefore did not enjoy the reading experience as much as I would have liked. Harris is still a strong and well-established writer in his own regard and my views should not alter the opinions of others.

In 1468, a priest who served a small English parish has passed away, leaving the community in despair. Christopher Fairfax is called upon to serve as the new priest, commencing with the funeral services for his predecessor. While on his journey there, Fairfax notices a number of artefacts strewn around the countryside, each speaking to a time long forgotten. Fairfax cannot help but wonder if these glimpses into the past might have led to his predecessor’s death.

Amongst the items strewn around the countryside are a collection of bones, which gets Fairfax wondering and determined to discover answers. He uses his time over the next week to delve deeper to piece it all together, though there will be many obstacles along the way. Robert Harris delivers an intriguing tale that is sure to impress many readers, though it fell short for me in many ways.

While I usually find myself quite impressed with the work of Robert Harris, I could not get into this story. Historical fiction usually has no problem piquing my interest, but this story fell short. The narrative meanders too much for my liking, taking me down rabbit holes I could not enjoy with ease, while trying to tell a story that appeared to have no pinnacle. The characters are less than impactful for me, leaving me to wish I could have found something intriguing about them. Harris does well to depict them on the page, but they did not leave that two-dimensional delivery, forcing me to limp my way through the story. Plot twists are plentiful but they did little to breathe life into this piece for me. I suspect that it was me and the timing of this piece on my reading journey, as I have never had an issue with Robert Harris in the past. I trust others will point the way for the curious reader.

Kudos, Mr. Harris, for a valiant effort, that was just not for me.

The Inmate, by Sebastian Fitzek

Posted on by canadamatt

Eight stars

Sebastian Fitzek returns with another psychological thriller sure to keep the reader up well into the night. When an admitted child killer, Guido Tramnitz, is caught by Berlin Police, he is sent to a psychiatric prison. While two children’s murders can be explained, there is one that remains a mystery. Max Berkhoff went missing a year ago and his father, Till, wants answers, sure that Guido has them. Going undercover in the psychiatric facility, Till tries to coax out some answers about Max, only to discover that the identity he is using has secrets of their own. These things could get Till killed before the truth about Max comes to light. It is a race against time and no one is more dedicated than Till to eke out some answers, if only to put his son’s disappearance to rest. Fitzek delivers a chilling story that kept me up well into the night, seeking answers for all the troubling storylines.

Guido Tramnitz has made headlines after confessing to the murder of two children. Berlin Police have substantiated this when Tramnitz shows them the decomposing remains, feeling no remorse. Tramnitz is also suspected of the disappearance of a six-year-old, Max Berkhoff, but there has been no body over the last year. This does not sit well with Max’s father, Till, sure that there is a story that needs telling.

After Tramnitz is sent to a high-security psychiatric prison, he remains silent and the investigation dries up. Till needs answers and will not rest until the truth about Max comes to light. There has to be a way to convince Tramnitz to share what he knows, if only to put Max’s memory to rest once and for all.

It is only when one of the investigators makes a shocking suggestion that Till is able to see potential movement. There is a chance to smuggle Till into the prison as a fake patient, in hopes he will be able to liaise with Guido Tramnitz and her answers about Max. It is risky but could be the only way to make progress. While it seems simple enough, the backstory Till is provided has gaps he could not have predicted. Speaking to Tramnitz blinds Till to the alter-ego he has been forced to portray. While trying to learn about Max, Till has put himself in much danger, which could lead to significant trouble for all involved. Sebastian Fitzek delivers a stunning story that is as dark as it is intense.

I have quite enjoyed my discovery of Sebastian Fitzek and all the novels he brings to the table. His ideas are usually fresh and out of the box, while also proving disturbing and truly mind-altering. The narrative of this story worked well, teasing things as they come to pass, while also leading the reader towards the darkness. Psychological turns leave the reader demanding more, yet also warning them of the pitfalls that await delving deeper. The characters depict the varied emotional strains of missing children and murderous psychopaths with ease, yet there are hidden mysteries within each person that leaves the reader unsure who they can trust and for how long. Twists emerge as the story advances, showcasing Fitzek’s abilities and sheds added darkness into an already intense thriller. I could not have asked for more and am pleased I came upon this book. I can only hope Sebastian Fitzek has more to come with just as much angst.

Kudos, Herr Fitzek, for a disturbing reading experience!

The Medici Return (Cotton Malone #19), by Steve Berry

Posted on by canadamatt

Eight stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Steve Berry, Hachette Audio, and Grand Central Publishing for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Never one to shy away from controversy, Steve Berry is back with his latest Cotton Malone thriller. Delving deeply into the world of the Medicis and the power they held amongst the Vatican decision-makers, Berry pulls his protagonist into the middle of a mystery centuries in the making. With the power of the Vatican and the subtlety of the Medici mystery fuelling this piece, the reader can never be sure where things are headed or what Malone might uncover, should he live long enough to share. Berry delivers once more and leaves readers in awe of all they learn.

When it comes to mysteries, Cotton Malone is never one to turn the other way. However, he vow that he is not one to seek out danger. After being thrust into the middle of a new and historical mystery by the Magellan Billet, Cotton finds himself chasing after the 16th century Pledge of Christ, a promise made by Pope Julius II that locks in a debt owed by the Vatican to the powerful Medici Family, whose bloodline stopped at some point in the 18th century. The origins of the debt are murky, but Cotton is never one to turn away from a little digging.

Malone discovers not only that the Medicis were once a powerful and highly influential family, especially in the papal world, but also that their lineage may not have entirely ended as abruptly as many once presumed. An up and coming Italian political figure could hold the truth to the Medici past and plans to use it to score significant victory in the upcoming election. Could the truths he possesses prove essential to understanding the Medici past, as well as using the long-held debt to tip the scales in his favour?

All the while, there are added mysteries about the future papal selection. These could also be tied to the Pledge and the hunt for a Medici heir. Cotton will have to put all the pieces together before he can make a pronouncement, but that will require that he stay alive long enough to do so. Some have an agenda all their own, which does not include revealing the Pledge, or the truth about the Medici family. Berry sends readers into yet another tailspin with this well-crafted piece and finds new ways to astonish series fans.

I have long been a fan of Steve Berry and his numerous stories that pull history into the mix. With a great deal of action, there is never a lack of adventure for the reader to enjoy. Berry develops a strong narrative that lays out the foundation of the story and builds from there. Adding depth and great characters, Berry keeps the reader hooked, while delving into the far corners of history and many forgotten aspects that provide a springboard for success. The plot points are both steeped in history and modern in nature, which provides many a surprise for the attentive reader. This series has not lost any of its momentum, which is sure to keep going for as long as Cotton Malone is eager, or can stay alive.

Kudos, Mr. Berry, for another winning piece in this well-crafted series.

Pay Back the Devil (DS Katie Macguire #12), by Graham Masterton

Posted on by canadamatt

Eight stars

Always happy to grab for a Graham Masterton novel, I was pleased to get back into the Katie Macguire series. Masterton delivers a winner with this intense novel, whose story leaves little time for the reader to gather their breath. Katie Macguire has been on suspension and awaits news of her reinstatement. She is as shocked as many in Ireland when a number of bombings explode across the country, with potential ties to an old skirmish between the IRA and a local, pro-British group. While Katie fights to get back to work, she must also deal with some issues in her personal life and a secondary case about a website promising fulfillment of desires like no other. Graham Masterton does well with this piece and reminds the series fan why Katie Macguire is one protagonist worth their time.

While Katie Macguire has been eager to get back to work, she must go through the motions of the suspension handed to her by her superiors. The Garda play by the rules, though DS Macguire can only wonder why they are investing so much time on her. When an explosion rocks a house in Cork, the community is on edge, unsure what’s gone on. Two people are dead and there appears to be some talk of a gas leak, though something does not sit right with DS Macguire, who voices her concerns to anyone who will listen.

When another bomb explodes in town, DS Macguire draws parallels between the victims at the Dripsey Dozen, a group who were tied to a bombing back in 1972. Might there be someone who is targeting those family members tied to the Dozen? DS Macguire makes her case to the Garda in hopes of being reinstated. She feels that the detective in charge of things is missing key clues and cannot be left out of the investigation. She’s able to bend the ear of at least a few and is soon back on the case. 

While the remaining families are sent into saf houses, the bombings do not stop, leaving DS Macguire to suspect that there is a leak in the Garda, sending information to the bomber and trying to keep the Dripsey Dozen on edge. All the while, DS Macguire has been trying to forge a lasting relationship with her long-time beau, but a lapse in judgment leaves her with nothing to call her own and added angst. If this were not enough, DS Macguire has to handle someone who is running a lustful website and promising the delivery of any dream the individual desires. 

As the truth about the Dripsey Dozen comes to light, DS  Katie Macguire will have to push the limits in order to piece the case together and capture a bomber. Cork remains on edge and there are few who could handle this case better than DS Macguire, whose passion for the job is as intense as her love for those she holds dear. Masterton presents an intense thriller that reminds me why I enjoy this series and left me wanting more.

While I binge-read much of this series a while back, I was pleased to return for yet another great thriller. Graham Masterton presents a strong Irish thriller that kept my heart pumping and made me eager to delve deeper into the series. The narrative led the way with a strong story and kept me wondering from chapter to chapter. The story gains momentum and provides an exciting adventure the further things progress. Great characters add a wonderful thriller and Irish flavour, providing the reader with a sense of being in Cork during the height of a police investigation. Plot points provide a well-established criminal investigation and leaves the reader sensing a number of surprise revelations to add depth and intrigue to the story. I am eager to see Graham Masterton resume his work on this series, as it is quite well-established and well worth a deeper dive. 

Kudos, Mr. Masterton, for offering up a strong thriller series with a noticeable Irish angle.

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life, by Mark Manson

Posted on by canadamatt

Eight stars

Mark Manson pens this jolting piece of self-help, seeking to explore the core values of making a difference and choosing which choices are worth the effort. While the title is only the introduction to the larger (and saltier) need to face hard truths, Manson does not stand down at any point. Peeling past some of the humourous stories embedded within the book, the reader can take away a great deal and find ways to make needed changes towards a happier, yet realistic, life. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and its less than innocent sentiments offered to ensure impactful delivery. Manson does well to shake things up.

There has been a long-held sentiment that life can only be positive by having a good outlook. Mark Manson finds this a shortcoming like no other, choosing to feel it is a “fucking cop-out” and leaves the individual stuck in a cycle they cannot break. Manson’s wildly popular blog speaks not of only finding positivity, but to embrace the negative and seek to find pathways to decide which issues require your attention (your fucks) and which are not worth a second thought.

The first part of the book seeks to help the reader find the ‘fucks worth having’ and putting the others out to sea. This is the hardest part of the process, trying to determine what is worth it and what can be ignored and simply accepted as part of the meandering pathway called life.

The latter portion of the book seeks to wrest control of those fucks and make a plan to ensure new differences. As Manson discusses in this section, the fear of pain and failure are two major obstacles to finding success. Steering away from failure does not change the person, but rather creates a falsehood that is never overcome. Failure helps to push the individual towards success by showing when things did not work and forcing someone to address this and tackle things differently again next time. That experience happening again allows new perspectives, which may fail, but surely inches things along the way towards progress. Soon, failure is expected and needed to show the shortcomings, always helping to build towards success.

Manson addresses pain in a similar light. With no pain, there is no way to ensure a change. The attentive reader will know that pain is not always what we like to feel, but without it, we cannot progress towards success. A baby who falls while learning to walk cannot stop trying or they will never walk. A person who goes to the gym to get in shape will never achieve that goal without some muscle pain along the way. Emotional pain must be faced head-on to ensure that it is a worthwhile project. Manson delivers this in a clear and concise manner, helping the reader to see the needs in order to find something successful.

Manson also addresses something he calls ‘VCR questions’. He labels these as questions that are inherently answered by simply doing them, even if it causes rejection, pain, and uncertainty. Standing around and wondering does little to solve things, making the answer a mystery when it could easily be found. Manson argues that tearing off the bandage will help pave the way to success by revealing truths and necessities, allowing the reader to start the process through rejection, pain, and frustration. Many are too worried about what others will feel or do that they get tied up in the fucks others have, rather than trying to make themselves stronger through revelations. Herein lies the core of the book… do it and see where things can be tweaked.

While I am neither a self-help guru nor someone who is fixated on trying to live a clear life, I was intrigued by this book and all that Mark Manson had to say. He uses simple points to make a clear argument that life can only be changed by addressing those issues worth time, but also challenging what can and should be changed. Manson delivers this through humour and raw sentiment, something that many would not expect to find potential solutions. Manson does all this in digestible chapters that provide a clear pathway to understanding and, with any luck, success.

This book resonates with me, as I have found a number of great challenges cross my path of late. I have had to explore many fucks I have given when I should not have, and need to better choose the fucks I toss out. I feel that I can take away some great things from this book and try to use those tools in the future. Mark Manson does well the hit the nail on the head, while also making sure it is clear that incremental change is the best way to start the process. We shall see if I can apply some of these techniques and better shape my choices in the future. That is the only way to see where I ought to give a fuck and which issues are best left in the shit pile to fertilize someone else’s garden of self-worth.

Kudos, Mr. Manson, for this great book that kept me thinking.

A Killing on the Hill, by Robert Dugoni

Posted on by canadamatt

Eight stars

There is nothing like a great Robert Dugoni novel. While I usually dabble in his legal thrillers, I quite enjoy the one-off novels he writes, which explore many great themes. This book is set in Seattle just after the Great Depression’s arrival. In 1933, nothing is quite as it seems and young beat reporter William “Shoe” Schumacher is trying to make ends meet and support his parents back in Missouri. He receives a tip about a murder at a secret club and reports on it, landing on the front page. As the case grows and goes to trial, Shoe continues to impress with his great reporting, highlighting the truths behind what happened that night. Dugoni delivers another winner set in a bygone era, sure to entertain the curious reader.

Seattle may not have been the largest city in the country, but it was a place William ‘Shoe’ Schumacher ended up when his parents forced him out of his family home. Trying to make ends meet as a beat reporter, Shoe learns the trade while sowing some resentments amongst the more established journalists in town. It’s 1933 and the country is in the grip of the Depression and Prohibition, leaving many to turn to the shadier parts of the city to find their vices. That’s when Shoe gets a tip about a shooting at the Pom Pom Club. Rumour has it that there could be an underworld connection and Shoe does not want to mess this up.

Shoe soon finds himself relaying information on the murder of Frankie Ray, a former boxer. It appears as though the killer is none other than bar owner and suspected mobster, George Miller. What begins as a simple skirmish soon appears to have turned deadly and the police are wasting no time with pressing charges.These charges lead to a sensational trial that could put a man with known ties to the underworld behind bars for a long time. The Trial of the Century, as some would have it known, and Shoe is not about to lessen the importance of this pass him along.


As Shoe tries to pen his bylines, he finds himself making quite a name for himself throughout the trial, given the inside scoop and many advantages those of his age could only dream of obtaining. As the murder trial progresses, Shoe’s notoriety mounts, as does his desire to find something to ground him. He meets a young woman who is, at first, quite reluctant to settle for him, but their connection cannot be denied. Things progress quickly, but Shoe must also learn lessons of the trade that force him to make risky choices, many of which could jeopardise his future and standing in the journalism community. With pressures on all sides, Shoe will have a choice to make, though it is unsure which he values more. Dugoni at his best in this piece that showcases many wonderful aspects of Seattle in the middle of the Depression.

I have always enjoyed the creative nature of a Robert Dugoni novel. Full of information, tidbits of scene and setting, as well as wonderfully crafted characters to keep the story moving. Dugoni takes the reader back in time to the Seattle of another era, providing a great backstory that is sure to put things into perspective. A solid narrative base helps keep the reader on point and provides a stellar means of guiding things throughout the reading experience. Well-placed characters with their own quirks will always be able to leave the reader wondering just a little bit about what backstories did not make it to the page. Plot points not only surprise the reader, but leave them entertained and guessing what is to come. I can only hope that Dugoni will keep up these standalone pieces, as well as the established series I have come to enjoy so much!

Kudos, Mr. Dugoni, for a glimpse into Seattle’s past and the start of a stunning career for your protagonist.

Pipeline to Power: The 40-Year Plan to Capture the Supreme Court, by Vicky Ward

Posted on by canadamatt

Eight stars

In this gripping short book, Vicky Ward explores the conservative push that has helped form the Federalist Society, a group that has been used by Republicans presidents to fill judicial vacancies over the last four decades. Ward seeks to better understand the roots of the Federalist Society and how it has helped shape the US Supreme Court, an impact that will likely last for decades. Impactful, yet brief, Ward delivers a gripping collection of arguments that readers should understand as America enters its Second Dystopia. 

In her book, Vicky Ward sets out to explore the powerful conservative foundation of the political and judicial branches of the United States. Her focus on the Federalist Society helps to explain the push and how they subtly found key candidates who would shape the future of the US Supreme Court for decades. Ward explores the originis of the group, oddly coming from the progressive Yale University Law School, and how it helped connect conservative thinkers with those who sought to exact change from within.

Ward explores how the struggle for conservative viewpoint at Yale helped develop a small group that could ensure significant change. The Federalist Society helped shape many within the conservative base and sought to ensure that like-minded judges found their way onto federal benches and helped clear that pathway for potential Supreme Court nominations. Ward takes many of the interviews she made and tries to ensure the narrative is clear. The Federalist Society helped shape many key legal precedents with their nominees, but also sought to block many of the liberal nominees as best they could. Using money and power, the Federalist Society sought to exact change in their own subtle way.

Ward sought to show how the Society was able to shape legal views and proved essential in moving forward. Disregarding the Federalist Society could only lead to disaster, which is why Republican presidents made sure to follow lists provided to them. How a group that remains in the shadows is able to shape American legal decisions baffles many, though Ward makes it clear that it was done with patience and determination. With the return of Trump as president in 2025, the Federalist Society is surely drooling once again, able to manipulate a man who is as clueless as many of his predecessors about the impact of the Federalist Society on American society. There is no doubt that America is in for a significantly bumpy ride over the next number of years. Ward delivers a jaw-dropping look without bemoaning the point for too long.

While there is surely a significantly impactful foundation to this book, Vicky Ward delivers an eye-opening experience for the attentive reader. While America is undergoing a foundational change, both politically and judicially, there is more to the story than simply elections and Supreme Court nominations. Ward seeks to explore these throughout this short book, highlighting great views in chapters (called episodes) that hash out many of the views and provides the reader with a clear pathway to understanding. Backed up with great interviews and strong arguments, Ward made sure to provide intel for the reader to better understand what has happened and projects what is sure to come during the Second Dystopia, which one can hope will end on January 20, 2029. Only time will tell!

Kudos, Madam Ward, for this great book that taught me so much!

The Pack, by David Fisher

Posted on by canadamatt

Six stars

David Fisher delivers a novel of some interest, definitely checking the boxes for a 1970s horror story, though not as impactful as the first of his novels I read. Fisher pens this book, likely at a time when he was trying to make a name in the genre, dealing with a pack of dogs who went from loving pets in the summer to savage beasts when abandoned on an island during the winter months. The story has a a sense of horror and darkness, though definitely not one I would have enjoyed as much without knowing this backstory. 

Every summer, families would come to the island to enjoy vacations and soak up the summer heat. They brought their picnics, their sand toys and even their dogs. Summers with a pet seem almost perfect… at least for a time.

Once the summer ended and residents headed back to their lives in the city, some chose to leave the animals behind. They let them run off into the woods to explore, speeding away before the canine was aware of what’s happening. After the emotional realisation, these dogs had to learn survival. One part was locating the local pack, deep in the woods; a ramshackle group that have been abandoned and left to survive when the temperatures drop.

This summer, things changed. Led by a bloodthirsty leader, this pack of dogs is ready to get their revenge on those who abandoned them or any human they can find. Armed with as much anger as one can expect and a determination to hunt down anyone who might cross their path, this pack is ready to make a stand and leave no one in their wake. Fisher provides the reader with a story about the clash between the human and canine worlds, years before Cujo became a thing. 

I love a good thriller or horror story, though I admit that I like depth and intrigue over plain blood and guts. While David Fisher made an impact on me with a more recent novel, I wanted to read some of his earlier work to see how it compared. I had to remember the context before being too bold with my comments. A decent narrative provides the foundation for the story, though it lacked depth and intensity, choosing the cornier clash and attack formula. Fisher provides the reader with all the elements he promises, but this falls short from the calibre I had come to expect from the first novel I read. Straightforward characters, man and dog alike, pepper the story and provide bridges between the setting and action of the story’s plot. Basic plot points provide some surprises, but also the expected ‘scary’ moments that the 1970s reader likely lapped up with glee. Not a stellar read, but I can suspend my expectations, as this was my choice to sample Fisher’s earlier work.

Kudos, Mr. Fisher, for this howl of a read!

The Executive Order, by David Fisher

Posted on by canadamatt

Nine stars


David Fisher delivers a strong story in this quasi-dystopian novel. America seeks to reinvent itself politically after two successive administrations that have left the country in tatters. While things are about to change monumentally, journalist Rollie Stone is not quite sure things are as pleasant as many would have hoped. Watching drastic changes to his country, Stone watches as the new administration takes law and order into their own hands. Learning the truth about a secret related to a recent terrorist attack, Stone needs to get it out, while staying alive long enough to find someone who can enact change. A gripping story that had me hooked from start to finish. David Fisher delivers and then some!

After the country has tired of the Trump and Biden Administrstions, America looks for a refreshing change. The presidential election of 2024 sees the overwhelming support for Independent senator, Ian Wrightman, who vows to help fix the country that was destroyed by extreme partisanship. His fresh ideas and new direction are just what the country needs to return from the brink of disaster.

All this is refreshing news to Rollie Stone, a longtime White House digital journalist, who has seen division become the new normal. A wounded soldier who is now confined to a high-tech wheelchair, Stone continues to challenge the political hierarchy. America is put to the test when a series of terrorist attacks across the county seek to ruin the new political honeymoon. The Wrightman Administration responds with a number of executive orders to protect the country from the inherent threats and shore up support to track down the terror cells. These orders might provide protection, but the constitutional freedoms of every citizen are dismantled, something Rollie Stone cannot help but notice as he tries to pen new stories to inform his readers.

After Stone receives concrete evidence that the terrorist attacks have a domestic source, he seeks to spread the news to those who can ensure it is broadcast. While the country is even more divided and freedoms have been curtailed, Stone cannot stand idly by and hope the truth will set America free. All the while, dissenters and journalists are being gathered up in a new war on criticism of the police core, one President Wrightman takes extremely seriously. Rushing to get the intel he has to safe sources, Rollie Stone might be one of the country’s most sought-after political dissenters. Only fast thinking and the help of those who support him will ensure Stone stays alive. A stunning dystopian thriller that shows how on point David Fisher is with the recent political changes and acceptance of blanket mis- and disinformation. 

I love a good political thriller, especially when social commentary can be found within its fictional pages. David Fisher does well with this piece, weaving truths and conjecture into a stellar novel that has the opportunity to impact the attentive reader. A strong narrative weaves a well-suppored foundation that keeps the reader guessing how long things might go on and what the characters might accept. Ideas gain momentum as the story gets darker and more troubling, adding a tension that helps prove the themes of this novel. Characters are well-placed and keep the reader wondering, while also choosing their favourites and those they could easily vilify. The plot develops as Fisher pushes things along, providing surprises and gasp-worthy moments to keep the story on edge. I could not ask for more and can only image how close to reality this could be, with the recent election of a politician who has lulled many into a sense of blind acceptance of anything coming from the White House. 

Kudos, Mr. Fisher, for this shocking wake-up call and jarring sense of reality.

Black Woods, Blue Sky, by Eowyn Ivey

Posted on by canadamatt

Eight stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Eowyn Ivey, and Random House Publishing Group for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Having discovered the work of Eowyn Ivey a few years ago, I was eager to see a new publication of hers to read. In this story, a loose, modern interpretation of Beauty and the Beast, the reader learns about Birdie and her zest for life, fuelled by a carefree nature. Birdie and her daughter, Emaleen, meet Arthur, a man who comes with a history and who is not loved by anyone else around town. There’s something about him that Birdie cannot ignore, though it is possibly against her better judgment and the warning signs others have put out there to protect her. Ivey delivers a great story that keeps the reader hooked!

Birdie has found a way to keep everything going well, at least as best she can. As a single mother in a small Alaskan community, there will be blips along the way, but her daughter, Emaleen is always fed, enjoys the adventure of the wilderness, and no one’s gone up in flames…yet!

When Birdie meets Arthur, she realises he is her polar opposite. He’s quiet, keeps to himself, and has a number of life wounds that come with stories for everyone to enjoy. When Emaleen goes missing one day, it’s Arthur who finds the little girl and brings her back to a panicked Birdie. He finds himself loving the distance he puts between himself and others around town.

This is just the sort of man Birdie has longed to find. His isolated cabin in the woods is a place she and Emaleen can enjoy while leaving the chaos of town in the rear view mirror. Arthur teaches about the wilderness and seems keen to allow Birdie into his life, albeit with a few unspoken rules. While many warn Birdie about Arthur and his ways, she brings Emaleen to the cabin to live and hopes for the best.

While things seem to be going well, Birdie is always eager to see what the next day will bring. Emaleen appears to love Arthur as well, showing him affection only a child could conjure up for such a man. As the days go on, Birdie’s dream of this great life takes a turn and she cannot tell how to interpret it all. Birdie has a choice to make and a daughter to protect. Is Arthur the great man she thought or has she been ignoring the warning signs others have put out there? Eowyn Ivey spins this great story and keeps the reader thinking until the final page turn.

I have read a few books by Eowyn Ivey and never been disappointed. She had a way with words and keeps the reader in the middle of the action, no matter the events unfolding. The narrative has a unique flavour to it, partially from Ivey’s storytelling, but also the use of the Alaskan setting and its isolation. The story moves along well and keeps the reader in the middle of the action. Adding great characters, many of whom are developed with a keen eye towards how they will fit into the larger story, helps create an additional depth to things for all to enjoy. Plot points emerge from all sides of the story, mixing the traditional tale on which this novel is based with some modern interpretations. Eowyn Ivey creates a well-paced novel that is sure to impress many and could garner new fans for her work, especially amongst those who like something well off the beaten path. 

Kudos, Madam Ivey, for a well-paced Alaskan story that ticks all the boxes.

To Die For (The 6:20 Man #3), by David Baldacci

Posted on by canadamatt

Eight stars

David Baldacci returns with another great story with Travis Devine in the driver’s seat. While Devine has been trying to stay one step ahead of someone or something trying to scrub him out, he is called to help protect a young girl whose parents have recently been killed. While Devine has a tough start to help protect his new assignment, he soon learns that there is more to the story than he was first provided. A great thriller that proves Baldacci’s abilities once again!  

Travis Devine has much experience trying to make sense of being a target for reasons he cannot yet understand. As a former Army Ranger, Devine has faced many a troubling situation and been the target of people from all walks of life. When he is sent to Seattle, he’s tasked with complementing the local FBI agents to protect twelve-year-old Betsy Odam, whose parents apparently died of a drug overdose. About to be handed over to her rich uncle, a man the Feds have changed with RICO indictments, Betsy is ready for some stability, even though.Devine can see the danger of the situation.

While Devine would prefer to stay off the radar with those who keep hunting him, he is committed to helping Betsy and getting to the truth of the matter. Learning that the death of Betsy’s parents is not as it seems, he wonders if someone is creating a massive cover-up and for reasons yet to be determined. Tracing it all back to a small town outside Seattle, Devine learns that there is something more powerful than even Betsy’s uncle at play here. His changes and the pressure to keep Betsy from her uncle could soon be the key to helping Devine reveal the truth. 

Struggling to put the pieces together and protect Betsy Odam, Travis Devine will have to choose his supports wisely and watch out for enemies at every turn, all while trying to unravel what appears to be a stunning conspiracy with a pinnacle higher than anyone could have presumed from the outset. A well-developed thriller by David Baldacci, advancing this series effectively.

While I have long been a fan of David Baldacci’s work, I know that his writing can be quite varied. He has many great ideas that are developed over a period of time, providing a solid narrative for the determined reader. With a strong foundation, Baldacci develops a great story that keeps the reader on edge and leaves many hints throughout. Characters flavour the story effectively and provide great twists, greasing the wheels for stunning plot points. Baldacci injects great surprises to keep the reader guessing as they turn pages well into the night. I cannot wait to see where Baldacci takes things from here, either with Travis Devine or many of his other protagonists.

Kudos, Mr. Baldacci, for another great story that had me eager to read for long periods.

It Can’t Happen Here, by Sinclair Lewis

Posted on by canadamatt

Eight stars

On a recent binge of dystopian novels, I pulled out this old classic by Sinclair Lewis. The book was one of the earliest 20th century novels that sought to imply political ideological views could seep into the American psyche and change the foundation of the country’s views, well before Orwell’s 1984 or Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale. While Lewis’ focus is on fascist views finding hold during the Great Depression, it is still poignant and quite sobering. A mix of dystopia and alternative history, Lewis compels the reader to think carefully and wonder what could have been, had America been swept up in national socialist sentiments that imbued other countries between the two World Wars.

After the Great War, the world was in a precarious position. The powers of democracy were at a crossroads, proving just how fragile they tended to be. With the Great Depression, the world was brought to its knees, no country free from its impact. It was this weakness that made the idea of national socialism—fascism—a means to strengthening the core. Lewis speaks about an America who sought to pul itself up by the bootstraps and find a political way to strengthen itself, alongside some of their European counterparts.

With the election of a new president in 1932, the democratically elected leader takes on the role of ‘necessary dictator’ to put the country back on track, Removal of rights and constitutional guarantees have to be suspended in order to protect the populace, leaving bureaucrats and those who surround the president to speak of the necessity to provide a forward movement, all in the hopes of putting the country in a good direction. There are those who speak out against this, but they are either vilified for their sentiments or jailed as political prisoners. What will become of them can only be guessed, as the focus is moving forward and trying to break those who would question the path coming from the West Wing.

While the book was written almost a century ago, its tenets speak volumes about the modern American society and some of the excuses made for allowing the upcoming Administration to take actions outside of their constitutional abilities. It will be a few years to see just how far things will go, but surely Lewis’ views from this book will serve as a baseline that must be assessed. That said, the presidential character in this book is much smarter and more sly than the current president-elect, leaving many to wonder how far he will go while trying to be subtle (if he is able to do so). A chilling story that resonates clearly in a time when rights and basic expectations are diluted by xenophobia and fascistic sentiment that will only destroy democratic foundations and alienate America from the world in ways that may not be easily fixed. Sinclair Lewis delivers something well worth the patient reader’s time and effort.

While I do not live under a rock, I choose to believe that America will wake up from their nightmare and put the new Administration in its place, limiting powers through the legislative branch and having their outlandish orders limited by the judicial one. However, I can also see many have gulped the Kool-Aid, ready to turn a blind eye to xenophobic and racist views, worried that their country has become too ‘unAmerican’. While they will explain it away as a choice for the economy or promises to ensure Americans are working, the ignorance of not seeing the rest of the issues is troubling indeed. Lewis delivers a stunning narrative in an easy to comprehend novel. The themes emerge in a relatively straightforward manner and provide the reader with a pathway to how bad things could easily get before there is a change to ‘reset’. Great characters and stunning perspectives emerge, as respect is shelved for blind nationalistic sentiment; a ‘slapping lipstick on a pig’ moment. The plot of this dystopian novel proves sobering and leaves the reader to wonder if it could ever happen. 

Now, ninety years on, things are coming to fruition, thereby creating a reality out of this nightmarish piece of fiction. Lewis does well to show how poorly things could go, given the chance. Democracy is fragile and its players should never be given too much slack. However, no one chose to heed this warning and now we are about to see how bad things could be. I can only hope I am able to hold my breath long enough, so as not to end up the northern neighbour to the new fascist state, though one armed with nuclear weapons. Four years cannot past fast enough, though if things continue down the current path, the constitutional limitations will likely be suspended and explained away as a necessity for America’s stability. 

Kudos, Mr. Lewis, for these prognostications that are eerily coming to pass now.

1984, by George Orwell

Posted on by canadamatt

Eight stars


George Orwell’s classic novel seeks to address not only the literal but wonderfully subtle political and societal themes of the future, particularly one where no one can escape the eye of the State. Orwell provides wonderful social commentary and leaves the astute reader to wonder if the next four years in the United States were forecast with this novel. In a well-paced novel that was penned decades before the current political mess, Orwell captivates the attentive reader. A delightful, yet sinister, novel that had me intrigued until the final page turn.

In a world where freedom of the masses has become a battle the State is willing to suppress, Big Brother oversees all. The State can see everything its people does and there is nothing that is beyond their grasp. Speaking out will only land you in jail, as will thinking about things too far from the State-sponsored norm. The year is 1984 and the world has been transformed in ways that no one could imagine.

Orwell delivers a chilling story that professes the evils of free thought and how the State can use it against the individual, thereby putting them into lanes and keeping the masses satiated with rules and limitations. To speak out against the State will yield nothing but issues, sometimes drastic, but time will allow everything to be controlled and the masses to fall into line. As there is no chance of pulling the wool over the eyes of the State, no one is safe using free speech, which is as alarming as it is realistic.

I do not live under a rock, so I had heard the premise of this book over the last number of years. However, it’s only now that I have taken the time to read it. Perhaps an apt choice in the post-election period where Americans are preparing to enter what was once called dystopia (the ‘new reality), I wanted to see how Orwell’s views could be compared with modern times. While the parallels are there, I do not feel Trump or his inner circle are smart enough to try implementing much of it, as it is too nuanced and not xenophobic enough. However, Orwell’s clear narrative makes the story flow well and keeps things on edge for the determined reader. Wonderful political and social themes pepper the novel and provide some ominous aspects that cannot be ignored. I loved the character development and strong plot points, all of which provide an eerie look into what could be. Freedoms are being removed and yet the actions, wrapped in protecting the State and its people, are slowly seeping into the norm. Perhaps I will return to the book post-Trump (if he has not had all copies of the book destroyed) to see if my views have changed. Let’s see how the next four years (or eternity, if he gets his wish) go before prognosticating too much!

Kudos, Mr. Orwell, for oeopning my eyes to much of what has been going on and how quickly things can move from protection to dictation.