Murder Books

First let me say that I know this man. This book was hard to put down. His biography will shed the light on how getting involved with the wrong people, who seek earning quick money, is a lifestyle which will destroy others and will destroy yourself. This book is a good read for inner city kids who will be misguided by the pollution and thirst for quick money, drugs, cars, and loose lifestyle. If you ever have an opportunity to meet Robert I can assure you that he would agree-"What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and looses his soul." Now out of prison Robert had the vision to use his God given talets to be a business person; he has testifed to me that even after opening several succesful establishements he has had his ups and downs. Money cannot buy you happiness. Only by looking to God for direction will we truly find peace. "Trust in The Lord in all the ways, and lean not on to thy own understading. In all the ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct thy paths." Robert's life story is a worthwhile read.

It's not every day that you meet someone as blessed as Robert Vidal. When you read this book, you will, like me, consider yourself lucky to have taken the time to do so, lucky to have met Robert through the pages of his thrilling autobiography.

As you begin the book you are introduced to a young, likeable man growing up with not much more than the love of his family and the drive to be successful. However, as Robert soon learns, the drive to be successful does not always guarantee success. And when he finds himself down on his luck with a family to provide for, the opportunity of a lifetime presents itself. This is the turning point in his life. Although Robert knew that this newfound "opportunity" was not exactly the right path in the eyes of the law and, more importantly the Lord, it provides him with the wealth he had always dreamed of. As he proceeds along this sinister path he gets further and further away from his normal life and deeper into a life of crime, drugs, guns and death with no way to turn back.

Very well written in Robert's own words, which in my opinion is the most endearing quality, this book pulls you in from the beginning and doesn't let go. I found myself staying up late a few nights just because I wanted to see what was going to happen! I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who would like to read an inspirational real life story of a man who is truly blessed to be alive today.

Through the eyes of someone who has only known Robert, a kind and generous man, for six months, it is almost inconceivable that he was once a hardened criminal, a larger-than-life character who seemed infinitely lucky and mentally and physically unbreakable. However it was when he finally realized that life was actually much larger than him when all that changed. In his bio, Robert takes us on a journey that is no different from those of Tony Montana (Scarface), Nicky Santoro (Casino), and Henry Hill (Goodfellas). He draws you into the book with his coloquial language and honesty and keeps your eyes locked on the pages by recounting stories that exhilarate, move, and terrify you all at once. The recounting of his experience as the Drug Kingpin of Newark draws up many emotions in the reader because Robert's personal reality, for the few hours that you read this book, becomes your reality. And as you are entrhalled by his tales of violence and drugs, you are impassioned by his conversion. "Bloodcaine" is truly an inspiration to all types of people because, although on many different levels, we all can relate to Robert because we are all sinners. This book has a combination of genres - self-help, religion, action, drama, and crime, and subsequently will appeal to many readers.

As a young man, Robert took the easy road to what turned out to be a life of self indugence, lust, power, greed, money and eventual brutality.

His rehabilitation is a testament to his belief in God and his strength and will to get back on the right road, the hard road.

He's made his peace with God, family, friends and former enemies and his good virtues and love have been rewarded with a second chance.

This book is a must read for those that have been and could be tempted into a destructive lifestyle and the friends and loved ones of those who find themselves trapped in the same circumstances.

I've known Robert Vidal for a very long time, first as a friend of my father and then my friend. After I read his book, I learned new things about him that opened my eyes to a new world so many unfortunate people must live in. This world is a world full of drugs, crime, and killing. This book is one of the most powerful I have read and influences to stay away from a life of crime. This book is not only a well-told tale, but it also teaches you that in life some decisions we make can turn our lives in a totally different direction. Robert Vidal entertained me and taught that valuable lesson in his book. This book is definitely movie material! - JOHNSJR91

BODY COUNT relates the story of Robert Yates, Jr., a serial killer responsible for 18 murders in a time span of approximately 20 years.

The author, Burl Barer, provides great insight into life on the street as a prostitute, constantly living for the next john while just trying to survive. Barer does a tremendous job of reminding readers that "sex workers" are people too; that they have families who mourn and miss them when their lives, no matter how trecherous or disgusting to the averge joe, are prematurely ended.

Readers are also provided with an upclose view of how such cases can haunt the detectives who work to solve them, and the toll it can take on their sanity and physical health.

And lastly, Barer reminds his readers with his story just how "normal" a serial killer can be. Yates was a father and a husband, someone no one ever suspected. A creepy reminder that the nice guy next door could be a Ted Bundy when no one is looking.

This is an interesting and insightful book. If you enjoy stories about serial killers, this is definitely recommend for you.

Historically speaking, the northwestern part of the United States has seemed to breed its share of serial killers. This being said, it may seem challenging to stand out in a background with the Green River Killer and Ted Bundy. Yet the story of Robert Yates Jr. is compelling on a number of levels. And just as important, Burl Barer proves to be a talented writer in "Body Count" with good pacing, appropriate word choice, and lending a sense of dignity to the genre of true crime.

Robert Yates Jr. committed his first murder in 1975. However, the uncontrollable urge to kill did not take him over until the late 1990's. Despite having a daughter the was near the same age of some of his victims, Yates systematically murdered prostitutes in the area of Spokane, Washington. Unlike his somewhat random first murders of the 70's, the prostitute murders were typified by a bullet behind the ear and three plastic bags over the head to seemingly control bleeding.

There are many interesting aspects to this case which I am somewhat hesitant to advertise and spoil the enjoyment of this book for others. The miltary and security guard background of Yates seem to play to the idea that he not only sought control in his killings in addition to sexual gratification. While Yates seemed to defend his crimes to some degree by noting that he was molested as a child, not every molested child becomes a serial killer.

Burl Barer is a true crime writer that I believe belongs in the upper echelon of the genre. I never got the impression that he was exploiting the misfortune of others or just out to make a quick buck in this book. He tells the story with a solid writing style.

Burl Barer is, in my opinion, the #1 true crime writer in America. Each book takes a tragic case, elevates the victims' deaths to the level of sacrifice, and probes the inner working of the killer's mind and upbringing. I was mystified by the review that said there was no information about Yates' life and upbringing -- in truth, Barer delves deeply into Yates personal history. An added shocker is that author Burl Barer knew Yates' first victims, and also knew one of Yates' final victims. Both the killer and author lived in the same small town; their daughters attending the same school.
Unlike Mark Fuhrman's book about the same case, Barer's is accurate in detail. Yes, there is one unsolved murdrer after another...a repetitive "problem" with serial killers -- but Barer uses this very aspect of the case, and the dead ends of the investigation for many years, to heighten the sense of frustration and desperation that haunted the Homicide Task Force prior to their arrest of Robert Lee Yates. If you want to read true crime at its best, pick up any book by Burl Barer.

Body Count was a very interesting read. As an avid true crime fan, I don't remember hearing about the Yates case until now. Burl Barer perfectly balanced Yates' background with the investigation and victims' stories. Ann Rule is still my favorite true crime author, but Burl Barer is a close second.

The reason why I gave the book 4 stars instead of 5 was because of several typographical errors throughout the book and the name of one victim not being consistent throughout the book. As a proofreader, these errors stood out and bothered me. If readers ignore these things, you will enjoy reading this book.

I simply had to respond to the absurd review posted by someone saying that there was no background information in this book about the killer, his childhood, etc. NONSENSE. This book delves into Yate's childhood, upbringing, the tragedy of an ax murder in his family, his molestation by a nieghbor boy when he was younger, the disintegration of his first marriage and his peculiar sexual proclivities indicated early on. Yes, the book creates sympathy for the victims, and yes the investigative process was long and tortuous, but I would never term BODY COUNT "boring" unless you consider top notch journalistic investigation coupled with brilliant narrative skills, "boring."
The only "fault" i could find with BODY COUNT was that it tends to be episodic -- and that is because the killing spree and the investigation were exactly that.
Barer is beyond a doubt the finest investigative true crime author. The only one better was Jack Olsen, and he died. Anyone who likes true crime will find Barer's books of the highest quality -- and BODY COUNT is no exception. It doesn't have the narrative thrust of his MURDER IN THE FAMILY, but BODY COUNT is one hell of a wild, disturbing ride.

Susan Kelly has produced a very thoroughly researched and documented book on the subject of the Boston Strangler case of the early 60's.

The Preface tells of the circumstance that led to the author's interest in the case.

She describes the political and public pressure to solve these cases. The media distortion was a major problem.

The author frequently references books by Gerald Frank and F.Lee Bailey as well as numerous newspaper articles.

A few things brought up in this book make a very strong case that Albert DeSalvo wasn't the strangler. His confession in it's entirety would have exonerated him. There is evidence strongly suggesting that some of these cases weren't even related by M.O. or victim type.
DeSalvo was the "Green Man" guilty of sexual assault but the leap from that to the Strangler was tenuous at best.

Susan Kelly makes a strong argument that Albert Desalvo was looking for fame for himself and financial security for his family. He was offered a chance at both by one of his attorneys and he was no doubt coached by nore than a few people, one being the man that killed some of the "Bostan Strangler" victims. Another factor was that details were published in the newspapers regularly. A casual reader could pick up enough information to make a more compelling confession than DeSalvo did on some of the cases.

The author examines some of the prominent suspects known to be in the areas of the killings, as well as information on the victims, their actions and crime scene details.

"The Boston Stranglers" is an excellent book on the subject and characters involved. It is well written and I highly recommend it.

This book is obviously extremely well researched, and the narrative is easy to read, but only 100 pages into it I am finding it necessary to make my own lists, timelines, and charts to keep track of the players and events. She failed to provide any, even though she introduces multiple threads. She discusses at least three sets of victims (DeSalvo's, Nassar's, and the Boston Stranglers'); several players at several levels of police, judicial, and political jurisdictions; several attorneys, and several different political factors, including cross-jurisdictional squabbles and who gets what kind of publicity. Nevertheless, the reader is given no tie-backs to help keep all of those straight, including which names belong to which set of victims or law enforcement agency, even though 50 pages and multiple other players frequently separate references to specific individuals or significant factors.

I very much enjoyed this extremely well-researched, suspense-filled account of the saga of Albert De Salvo. The writing is marvellous - one forgets that this is non-fiction, as it runs as smoothly as a novel from evidence to evidence and crime to crime. It really reads like a superb piece of detective fiction. I am impressed by the research involved, and by the wealth of detail that never bogs down the reader, but rather keeps us turning pages. The "Update" is particularly interesting, as it combines a suspenseful journey with gruesome detail and real hillarity. This is a standout in the works of true crime.

I read a number of books about this subject, and this is one of the best written. Susan Kelly interjects humor and irony at just the right moments and for a true crime account, it reads more like a novel. I truly enjoyed this book.

I was blown away by the last chapter, which describes in detail....wait, I don't want to spoil it. Read it for yourself!

This book is very well-written and documents years of painstaking research.

Particularly fascinating to me was the section on how the film version got it entirely wrong. It makes me wonder how many other films embedded in our consciousness are wildly different from the true events that took place.

Equine insurance agent Connie Holt has a tough job on her hands when she's called out on what looks like the accidental death of a prize stallion. Before long, Connie is stumped by two more deaths, and the horrible suspicion that someone is murdering these animals for money.

Making her job more difficult is handsome veterinarian, Jase Tyree. Connie's emotions must be buried as she works side-by-side with her former love. Level-headed, detailed investigation takes her deeper and deeper into the intrigue of ruthless horse owners who play to win, and provides Connie with a heart-wrenching confrontation with the truth.

A hold-your-breath read from beginning to end.

Title and book cover fit the story; Ms. Fisher has developed the plot and structure well, drawn developed well-rounded, believable characters, and maintained the suspense throughout. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery, and especially anyone who loves horses.

Marilyn Fisher has contrived to produce a combination of effects on the reader. Initially, it serves to provide excellent detail and insight into the complexity of the horse breeding and racing aspects of the area surrounding Lynchburg, VA. The importance of veteranarians and trainers is clearly demonstrated. At the same time, an intriguing "whodunit" type plot is interwoven to capture the reader's interest. The unexpected ending serves to provide both an exciting climax and, also, a stepping stone to future inquiry into a possible sequel. To add to all this, the character developement serves to provide the fill-in interest, making the whole piece of cloth. Altogether, a well rounded work capturing the reader's interest to the end.

This is a real spellbinder. Combined with terrific research, Marilyn Fisher's knowledge and love of horses gives the reader an authentic insight into horse breeding and the insurance industry. The novel keeps the reader involved until the unexpected ending. Looking forward to a sequel. Gladys Funk

With a style reminiscent of Patricia Cornwell, Marilyn M Fisher introduces her characters-their dreams and disappointments, conflicts and resolutions-and stitches them into a skillfully woven tapestry. The clever story of THREE DEAD HORSES is straight out of today's headlines, exposing the dastardly practice of destroying valuable animals for their insurance value. Heroine, Connie Holt, an astute insurance investigator, uncovers truths that seem to implicate more than one of the colorful characters. As the plot unfolded, I found myself guessing until the final chapter. Fisher's knowledge of horses and her breath-taking, poetic description of Virginia countryside totally immerses the reader into the story and leaves them wanting more.

THIS UNUSUAL TALE IS AN EXPERTLY CRAFTED MYSTERY THRILLER FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO WELCOME A CLEVERLY DELIVERED PLOT, A SET OF FASCINATING CHARACTER STUDIES, REALISTIC AND COMPELLING DIALOG, HUMOR, SPOT-ON INSIGHT INTO THE HUMAN CONDITION, AND UNRELENTING TEASING SUSPENSE. TAKE THIS BOOK ON THE BEACH THIS SUMMER ALONG WITH PLENTY OF SUNSCREEN; YOU WON'T WANT TO PUT IT DOWN. Samuel J. Di Christina

I was sipmly taken... really... this book breaks the mold and steps on and over every boundry you might imagine. What a hoot! I laughed, I cried and I was hooked from the start. You MUST buy this book. I will never view a footnote in the same way again! This will make a great movie....

Take one flock of zombiefied chickens, with an uber-rooster at the head. Throw in one inept wannabe farmer living in a haunted house. Top it off with an order (no pun intended) of secret zombie chicken hunters, with a particularly talented mortal off on a solo crusade to end the plague of undead fowl once and for all. Mix well with a good dose of off-the-wall humor, some camp, and enough talented description to give you a movie in your head, and you have the makings of one very fun read.

It started out a little questionably. While Knapp is a talented author and does a good job of describing what's going on, the intentionally campy writing got to be a bit much to slog through, especially after the umpteenth time there was a description of a zombie chicken moving in such a way that a random body part fell off. Camp doesn't really translate over to writing nearly as well as film, as far as I'm concerned, though Knapp made a really good effort of it. Additionally, the backstory took a while to build up to an interesting point, though for good reason-the story behind the story is actually somewhat complex, and made what could have been a relatively simple zombie chicken novel into a more solid read.

I urge prospective readers who find the beginning to be a bit tough to get into to hang in there; it all makes more sense the more deeply you get into the story. The second half of the book grabbed me much more firmly, and it was hard to put it down after that point. The writing, though still campy, had more going on plot-wise, so I was less distracted and more enthralled. While I think the ending (which I won't spoil for you) came out of left field to an extent, it was satisfying, and left me with a good feeling about the entire adventure through zombie chicken land.

Overall, while it has a few flaws and could use a bit of tightening up in the first half, "Cluck" is definitely an amusing read. It's particularly commendable as a self-published work, and is among the best self-pub works I've ever read, nonfiction or fiction. And, as I said, Knapp is very good with descriptions, and I had a clear mental picture of what was happening the entire time, even if it didn't make sense at first. Pick this one up if you have a long plane flight, need something to read on the morning commute, or simply want something entertaining to read over a weekend. It has good re-read potential, too, so you'll definitely get your money's worth.

They're chickens. They're zombies. What - you need more? Okay, there's more - an all-powerful rooster, a car that reads Ian Fleming, a possessed house, a prophecy-fulfilling chicken exorcist, and witty footnotes (yes, footnotes).

This was truly one of the most original books I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Full of intriguing characters and a wonderful story, 'Cluck: Murder Most Fowl' by Eric D. Knapp is an expertly written horror-comedy that will leave you begging for a sequel.

Eric D. Knapp's "Cluck: Murder Most Fowl" is one of the best books we've reviewed so far on Odyssey Reviews. This tongue-in-cheek (or beak) work of brilliance will surely make you laugh. The writing is on par with the likes of Terry Pratchett. The story is brilliant, the writing unbelievably good; and a nearly 100% spotless manuscript peppered with delightful egg-shaped illustrations by Ian Miller. The sheer professional sheen of the book itself, down to the artwork on the cover - is the standard all independent/self-published authors should strive for.

You will find yourself in a bizarre world of zombie chickens, Poultry Exorcists, hicks, an ancient secret organization of frauds, and a car with a bit of an attitude. There is a restless house, and something else, another force thrown into the mix just to keep it interesting.

Armand/Arnold, who is the first true "Exorciste de Volaille" in generations, discovers, after years of ridding the world of pesky undead fowl, that he's possibly met his match. A convergence of mystical forces brings together a massive rooster who's been to Hell and back, his flock of subordinate ghoulish chicken zombies; a mysterious, vengeful force; a fidgety house and a less-than-intelligent hick by the name of Bobby--and Arnold has just stepped into the filthy thick of it.

Rotten eggs, tomatoes and stumbling, rotting chickens... this bizarre world is waiting for you to discover it. I think it should be an obligation for all independent authors to add this book to their library as an example of a professional, self-published product.

This book has effortlessly earned its five medallions (stars)

I figured I could use the "best zombie chicken book ever written" quote, which would be entirely accurate, but instead I will lead this review with a warning. I DARE you...no, I double dog dare you...to look at a batch of chicken nuggets or a KFC drumstick the same again after reading this story. If this book does not put you off on eating chicken...ah, forget it. I am still a chicken eater and will probably always will be, even after reading this. In fact, I have a hankering for a spicey chicken sandwich right about now.

I did ponder during this story whether the author has a fondness or hatred for poultry based on the tone and tenor of this original recipe (yes, I went there) of a novel. It is hard to tell, because he makes it abundantly clear that there are three things you need to know about chickens from the outset: They are dirty, they are loud, and they are stupid. But that does not necessarily make them evil or in any way bad. Tasty maybe, but not destined to be diabolical.

In this epic tale of supernatural bantams, supernatural houses, and supernatural beings that dwell inside Chicken Exorcists (the ghosts of chicken exorcists past?), we are given the chance to see the world from both the chicken eye view (very low to the ground, where flying tomatoes and rotten eggs are downright irresistable) and the humans who challenge them.

While this story was perhaps a bit long in the beak from the standpoint of overall length, the author gives us a tremendously detailed farce that reminds me somewhat of something that Terry Pratchett might produce, footnotes and all. The sly, somewhat serious but not taking itself serious tone is pitch perfect for a story of this magnitude. For a independently produced work the editing and flow of this story is outstanding, with both likeable and dispicable characters including annoying, arrogant Frenchmen, which is something every story should have.

Overall, a terrifically amusing and entertaining tale of a man, his chickens, a rooster on steroids, the house they live in, and the exorcist who would somehow dare to save them all.

I found that Corpse Pose was a fun summer read. I truly enjoyed the characters and the plot/mystery. Not being all that familiar with Yoga, I wasn't sure if I would be able to keep up with the book. I found that I didn't need to know anything about Yoga to enjoy it. The red herrings were plenty and the characters were believable. A.J. acted in a way that I felt any normal person might in her circumstances. I loved the character of Elysia and hope to see more of her in future books.

I would recommend this book. I had a lot of fun reading it and am now inspired to sign up for a Yoga class myself. Can't wait to read the next entry.

Corpse Pose is a great story - young woman, successful in work but whose marriage has strangely ended finds herself inheriting her aunt's yoga studio after her aunt is murdered. She also finds herself to be a suspect in the murder and some close work with the police involved just complicates her life. As does her mother who drops by to help out. Funny, entertaining and captivating, all of the characters are likable, even the ex-husband who pops by for a visit. Excellent read - hope Ms. Killian puts out many, many more books!

A fun read. Good likeable characters. Clever mystery too. I am looking forward to another book. Hopefully soon!

I really enjoyed this book. I adored the characters, and found the setting a little different and fun. I figured out who the culprit was, kind of early on, but that didn't take away the fun, or even once in a while, something would happen that would make me think I was wrong, so that was fun too!!
I look forward to more books in this series, the way the author left the ending, I have to guess there are many more stories to tell about all the wonderful characters we were introduced to.

I came into this expecting something like India Ink's Bath & Body mysteries - fuzzy, New Age spirituality surrounding strong female leads investigating brutal murders while starting each day with an intricately described workout routine including yoga and Pilates. And I like that. But instead, I found a really great book with winning characters, wit, and very little actual yoga. The main character eats pre-packaged junk food and bacon! Very few poses are actually described, and of the 276 pages of story, fewer than twenty have a character really doing a pose. But the book still managed to grab me by giving me a lead I could believe in who inherits herself a world of trouble and tries to get through with the help of a charmingly self-centered mother, a gay ex-husband, and a hunky-but-distant local cop. I really look forward to the next book in the series - maybe there will be more yoga, but I don't think there needs to be if this is the kind of book we're already getting.

Rigorous research of police archives regarding murder cases ocurred in Paris in the 19 th. century. Every case is written in a narrative style that captures the reader form the beginning to the end. This is the best book I have ever read as a journalist and crime investigator. Black and white photographs compiled in this volume are unique.

Raw real life photography, if you have a weak stomache then this
book is not for you. If you think crime is bad today this book will shock you, black and white images of death from the late 1800's to the very early 1900's. This book, though, is a must-have for the true crime buff. Whether it be for the photos, or the stories of how the people were found and how they passed. I can usually look at shocking photos, but this book made me feel like the other photos were nothing, compared to these. If you want a real conversation piece AND a piece of history buy this book. The positions of some of the people are disturbing.

If you're not interested in crime, homocide, early criminological studies, or Paris or have a delicate constitution, don't read this book. However, if these things fascinate you, pay as much as the seller asks because this is a good one. The photos were discovered in Paris by Eugenia Parry, a photography scholar. The photos she found were old Bertillon photos of crime scenes in Paris. Ms Parry then matched the photos to newspaper reports. Some are grotesque, all make you catch your breath: this is what we do to oneanother. Twelve years later came WWI, the trenches, artillery, machine guns and gas. The acts described in this book were not so efficiently conducted. This is a book you won't easily forget.

I truly agree with some of the previous reviews,but let me give you an opinion on someone who knows crime photography well.this book is so well organized as far as text, bescause of the fact that it gives you complete stories behind the photos,plus early crime photos that are magnificent as well as tastefull,(believe me,I've seen some that are much worse,but still very intense photos),makes this book one of the best and most tastefully done works on crime photography I have ever owned!It's not a gore book relying primarily on shock value for it's saleability.Although the only thing it does'nt include is photo type reference,although they are all dated.Take it from a collector of early crime photography,this book is truly a gem!

This is a very disturbing book, with some extremely gruesome photographs of real-life violent crime scenes and murder victims from Paris around a hundred years ago. The author gives us the fascinatingly tragic and horrible stories behind the photographs, showing us that fact is sometimes stranger and more disturbing than fiction. From the murder of a courtesan to a limbless torso found in a suitcase floating in the river, to an infant neglected to death by his own parents, to an old bag lady found strangled in the bed of her run-down shack, to a waiter who killed a fellow waiter, to a dead body incinerated to hide its existence,--these were all well-publicized sensationalistic crimes which filled the public with titillation, fear and dread. This unique book is simply a must-read for anyone interested in criminology and the "true crime" genre.

David Rehak
author of "A Young Girl's Crimes"

I MET AND BOUGHT CHESTER CAMPBELLS SECRET OF THE SCROLL AND LOVED IT, SO I IMMEDIATELY BOUGHT A COPY DEADLY ILLUSIONS. BEING BORN IN NASHVILLE AND RETIRED FROM THE AIR FORCE, I REALLY ENJOYED THE MYSTERY THAT SEEM TO COME ALIVE. CHESTER HAS A WONDERFUL STYLE THAT LETS YOU STEP INTO THE PAGE. I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYONE WHO LOVES A MYSTERY! KEEP IT UP CHESTER!!!!

Chester D. Campbell, former journalist, writer, speechwriter, ad copywriter, public relations executive, and now mystery writer, is someone with an obvious zest for life. He served in both World War II and Korea, and now enjoys life with his wife, children, and many grandchildren.

In this latest Greg McKenzie mystery, the newly formed McKenzie Investigations, run by Greg and his wife, Jill, is off to an auspicious beginning after solving their first case. Greg has run a bit amok with the local police, but still has contacts in the Nashville Police Department. But when a high profile personality is gunned down in a local hotel just when Greg and Jill are dining a new client, they have no idea that their next case will be integrally connected. In the meantime, they take on a case for a questionable character named Molly Saint who is a shirttail relative of Jill's. Molly's husband, Damon, is not quite who he seems, and Molly has a nagging feeling that she may be at risk:

"'As I told you on the phone, Damon's wife Molly hired us to look into him. He had made some threats that were quite worrisome. But before we could get very far with our investigation, she left a message on our answering machine to call her back as soon as possible. She was really excited about something. But when we tried to call, we found they had moved.'"

Chester D. Campbell has his own unique style of writing that is both dashing and touching. His obvious affection for his wife shines through just as he outlines a nefarious plot based on his own military experience. Greg McKenzie is a senior investigator who relies on his experience to compensate for the brawn he might have engaged in the past. His wife, Jill, is an accomplished pilot, cook, and is the perfect partner for her husband. Campbell juxtaposes her correction of Greg's "blue language" and her obvious spirituality with her determination when the going gets rough and she has to use some of the private investigator skills that most people would shrink from. All in all, DEADLY ILLUSIONS is another winner in the Chester D. Campbell literary cabinet. Campbell obviously has many stories to share, and he continues to write fabulous mysteries.

Shelley Glodowski
Senior Reviewer

Greg and Jill McKenzie have opened an investigations firm and are working cases together. In walks Molly Saint. She wants them to look into her husband's past. The McKenzie's, especially Greg, are initially skeptical about taking this case. Molly has been married to Damon Saint for five years. But, Jill has a feeling that something isn't right and convinces Greg to do some preliminary investigations. If they don't find anything alarming, they will stop.

They are already working for Leisure Foods Group investigating missing funds from a King Cole specialty restaurant. Jill goes undercover as hostess in the restaurant. Greg gets friends to eat there so that they can determine if the money they pay to the restaurant is actually accounted for in the deposit the next day.

The day they met with Mr. Logan from Leisure Foods Group in the Opryworld Hotel, Dr. Elliott Bernstein, chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, was gunned down at the hotel. Since Greg used to be an investigator for the DA's office, he knows some officers. But since he left that job after some comments he made about Detective Mark Tremaine ended up in the newspaper, he doesn't get along with many of the officers. The one officer that is still his friend is Detective Phil Adamson.

Once Molly disappears, the McKenzie's begin to delve deeply into Damon's background. They never lose sight of their other cases, but this one has become priority.

The Greg McKenzie series is fast becoming one of my all-time favorite series. Mr. Campbell has a great way of telling a story while weaving the various cases that Greg and Jill are working on. I find his characters to be very believable. I like that they don't just center on one case. That's not how it is in real life.

I like the Nashville setting. And the fact that Jill is a pilot and owns a Cessna allows them to travel to gain additional information and not lose much time.

The only complaint I'd have is that they turn off their cell phone too much, especially during important cases. But, since they are older, this is still believable

I can't wait to read the next Greg McKenzie mystery. I highly recommend this book and the whole series.

Chester Campbell has created a unique blend of sleuthing with the Greg McKenzie series. In this installment, McKenzie, retired from the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and former investigator for the Nashville DA's office, has opened an investigative firm with his wife Jill. While investigating the disappearance of funds from a popular restaurant chain, they agree to take on a case for Molly Saint, who asks for a background check on her husband Damon. When Molly mysteriously disappears, Greg and Jill try to track her whereabouts, which leads to entanglement with contract killers tied to the murder of the Chairman of the Federal Reserve.

The McKenzie duo is a fresh addition to the mystery genre. An older couple, Greg and Jill complement each other personally and professionally and make for good reading. Campbell writes in an engaging style, delivering a mystery that twists and turns throughout the book. A compelling read.

In DEADLY ILLUSIONS, Greg and Jill McKenzie have opened McKenzie Investigations, not without trepidation. Can they make this a successful business without pursing domestic disputes and photo-jumping hot pant spouses? Their first case doesn't look promising. Molly Saint, a hottie despite her name, wants our dynamic duo to do a background investigation on her husband,a dark, secretive guy she married without much forethought or background info. She fears Damon may be violent, and she doesn't know what he does or where his money comes from. Damon told her he was a former Special Forces operative, and he claims to do occasional favors for his military buddies. But beyond that, Molly says the guy is a question mark, with a personality becoming more aggressive, violent even. She fears he may kill her.

Greg wants to decline, thinks this may be a hot pants ride, but Jill sets him straight: They need to pay the rent.

And so it begins. Routinely...until Molly disappears. No trace. Just a message that she finally got a look at Damon's basement workshop, and she's terrified. The McKenzies fear the worst. They search the house. Swept clean. But the basement looks like a meth lab. Was Damon a meth'er? Need the cops now. But then the house is torched, all trace evidence gone. Nothing left but a slip of paper with some phone numbers.

Who is this guy, Damon Saint? And why doesn't he have any bank accounts? Is Molly alive? Why did Damon flee a thriving business in Indiana without notice? Where does he get his money? Is he really Damon Saint, or just someone posing as him? Greg and Jill probe deeper and somebody gets offended. Threats, their office is trashed, their home vandalized.

Meanwhile, as if nothing else is going on, the Fed Reserve Chairman is murdered, almost in front of the McKenzies. A black man was seen running away. The feds and locals suspect the wrong man, but the McKenzie's find a witness who can clear him. The witness is murdered.

Greg and Jill find the dilapidated farmhouse where Damon was raised. There's a shovel, some signs of recent occupation. Is Molly buried here?

Not gonna say much more, because I don't want to give anything away. Suffice to say, this is the best of the series, a real humdinger. Chester has developed Greg and Jill into intriguing characters with smarts, wit, grace and charm. But don't take these folks lightly: They're serious investigators and carry serious weapons -- they're not afraid to use them

Some of my favorite authors are Canadian. Cheryl Tardif is a new addition to the ranks of Margaret Atwood, Tanya Huff, and a host of others.

Arson is probably the deadliest five letter word and definitely a curse to any firefighter or criminalist. Solving arson cases and especially preventing recidivism in an arsonist takes special training. A future Canadian FBI has developed a crack team of investigators to help solve these types of crimes. The three are led by Matthew Divine, hence the name of the book. Divine makes no appearances and seems more like the mysterious "Charlie" of the Angels' boss.

Jasi (Jasmine) McLellan, is a Pyro psychic who can breathe smoke from either the conflagration or cremains of a crime and join minds with the arsonist. Natassia, a recent Russian emigre, is a Victim Empath, who literally talks to dead people and 'empties' their psychic aura when she reads them. Ben rounds out the team (and provides a love interest for Natassia) as a profiler and empath. For this book, they are joined by arson investigator, Brandon Walsh, who initially doesn't believe in any of their gifts and serves as an interesting antagonist.

The team's facing a serial arsonist. The crime that comes to their attention is the incineration of Dr. Norman Washburn at his lakeside cabin. The physician is trussed up in IV tubing, soaked with gasoline, and set ablaze. What gets them called in is that the physician is the 'illegitimate father' of a notable politician from that area.

"He needed killin'" is a common phrase in the South and unfortunately, there's not much sympathy for the victim in this case. Nor for one of the prior victims, foster mother Charlotte Foreman, who died in a similar manner, unfortunately, Samantha, one of Charlotte's foster kids, was witness and the arsonist killed her as well.

It's clear that the arsonist is working from a 'dead list' and will strike again so it's imperative the team tracks him down quickly. The issue is--can Jasi work with Brandon when the sparks literally are flying between them? And can they untangle the Gordian knot of clues in before perhaps another innocent victim goes out in a blaze?

It's difficult to write a credible multiple point of view novel, because each character has to have his or her own 'voice'. Ms. Tardif manages to do that with the four primary characters. In addition, Jasi slips into the arsonist's mind and Natassia gives voice to the victims.

The alternate world Ms. Tardif has created is also interesting combined with a very Canadian feel. It still blows my mind that a criminal investigator would be taking a taxi anywhere, I'm so used to the US agents with their G-rides.

My only gripes are more than average copy-editing problems and Jasi missing some critical questions on one cab driver interrogation. I realize she did it to keep the suspense going, but that was at the cost of the character and unworthy of her talents. A veteran agent, like Jasi, would have asked more questions and eliminated the subject right there.

My next stop is to purchase Ms. Tardif's second book, "Divine Justice". Merry Christmas to me!

Things get really hot in this paranormal thriller when a serial arsonist murders three people, one of whom is the father of a politician on the rise. Set in British Columbia at a time in the near future, the case is assigned to a very special team of investigators with psychic abilities.

Leading the team is agent Jasmine McLellan, a Pyro-Psychic who can visit the remains of an arsonist's target and reconstruct the crime through the mind of the perpetrator. The other two members are Ben, a Psychometric Empath who can check you out by just touching your bare skin, and Natassia, a Victim Empath, who can reverse the saying that dead men tell no tales. The three form a very closely knit group, so that when they are ordered to temporarily expand the group by one, things get really tense, especially when the newest member is tall, rugged and handsome, but most of all, a skeptic.

The trail blows hot and cold as it leads them across British Columbia, as do the emotions, but the thing is, how many more people does the arsonist intend to kill, and how are the victims connected to each other?

The author combines murder, arson, adultery, blackmail, abuse and much more in this fast-paced book that you'll just have to read in one sitting. The only problem with it is that there is a book two mentioned, and I don't yet have a copy in my hands.


Amanda Richards, August 28, 2007

Jasmine McLellan and her team of psychically-gifted CFBI agents race against the clock to discover the identity of a serial arsonist/murderer. The reader is swept along through plot twists, profiling, even politics as 'Jasi', herself, enters the mind of the killer.
Highly emotional, yet intriguing, "Divine Intervention" is the first of the 'Divine Series' by Ms Tardif, who has already made a name for herself with "Whale Song" and "The River".
"Divine Intervention" is set in southern British Columbia, Canada in the not-too-distant future, and is as well-written and moving as her previous novels. And for excitement and thrills, it surely doesn't disappoint! Divine Intervention

A serial arsonist is on the loose, and they may strike again. Jasi's team of psychically gifted individuals is set on the case. Another member, albeit sceptical, is later added to the case, even though this adds unwanted friction within the group dynamics. The team uses their gifts to gain valuable clues, leading them down a twisty path across British Columbia to the most likely suspect; but the clues do not always point in the right direction. The arsonist will strike again. Will Jasi and her team discover who the culprit is in time? Or will they be too late?

Tardif writes a unique crime thriller set in British Columbia. Her use of psychically gifted characters adds to the uniqueness of the story, as well as adding extra layers. Through the use of the characters' gift, the reader can see the twisted minds of the criminal as well as the victims, who are just as twisted, if not more so, than the criminal. Jasi's team is a very tight-knit group, who have worked on several cases together. The new member to the team adds some tension and conflict between the members. This added friction contributes another dimension to the story. Tardif leads the readers on an exciting adventure as the characters gain clues, struggling against time to solve the case before the arsonist strikes again.

Cheryl Tardif was born in Vancouver, B.C., and has lived at different locations across Canada and Bermuda. She has also published the novels Whale Song and The River. There are more books in the works and waiting to be published, including the much anticipate second book in the Divine series, Divine Justice.

A crime novel at its best, with a Canadian twist, this book is a really thrilling page-turner, and is highly recommended by: Margaret Orford, Allbooks Reviews.

If you are a mystery fan then Divine Intervention will definately appeal to you. But this story is more than your average murder mystery. It is a futuristic mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat right until the very end wondering just who did it.

Like a fly getting trapped in a spiders web this story will keep you entangled right until the very end.

Whale song was great, but Cheryl Tardifs stories just keep on getting better. I cannot wait until her next one.

Ian Lyon Poet, Artist and soon to be Author.

A disturbing work that showcases the skills and emotional depth of this up and coming (or is he already here?) author.

"Dog 'Em" will have its reader turning pages in anticipation of finding out if Mick Hart can solve another baffling crime. This story combines love, suspense and intrigue. Lawrence Christopher has created another metaphor to the phrase "Dog 'Em." This is a fast paced story that will keep your interest with its crisp dialogue and dynamic plot. Anyone looking for an excellent short mystery to read should definitely purchase this book!

I couldn't put this book down! Lawrence Christopher weaves a spellbinding mystery, leaving any reader's mouth gapping. Just when the reader thinks he/she has got it all figured out...BAM! And the reader must start chasing his/her tail all over again.
It ain't over 'til it's over.

A very satisfying read, love, mystery, relationnship issues; all in a fast paced slice of life book, I look forward to more Mick Hart mysteries

Looking for a quick paced mystery to get your mind running as you try to figure out whodunit? Well, Dog 'Em: A Mick Hart Mystery, fits the bill and goes the extra distance to take you into the world of Mick Hart, private investigator! It also throws in a measure of drama and romance to give it an extra twist and provide wider audience appeal.

Mick Hart can't win for losing. When he goes against the rules and bends the rules for a single mom to help her find the father of her child, he loses his job. We then take on a journey through one of Mick's cases in which he's hired to find Amanda Monroe, reported missing by her grandmother, and using his first tactic of checking the city morgues, he comes up empty handed...well, almost empty handed. Instead of finding her, he finds two corpses with similar injuries and then finds Amanda in the hospital in a coma with the same injuries. The plot thickens when he finds out that all the women know each other and are members of the Sisters of Empowering and Learning Book Club.

Their last read was How to Train the Dog in Your Black Men so perhaps that has someone feeling a bit threatened, challenged, and ridiculed by women across the country. Many women are picking it up and trying to put its principles to practice at the risk of becoming the next victim. And the serial killer is on a rampage trying to redeem himself. He's [upset] and tired of being the one dogged.

Christopher has brilliantly penned a novel that is poignant and revealing, just as it is suspenseful and intriguing. I read this book in under two hours and my only disappointment was that it was over. I look forward to the next installment in the Mick Hart series and would highly recommend this book.

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers