noir

Book Review: Half Made Up (The Misjudgements of Andy MacKay Book 1) by James Dunlop

Categories Action, Conspiracy, noir, Surreal Fiction, Suspense, ThrillerLeave a Comment on Book Review: Half Made Up (The Misjudgements of Andy MacKay Book 1) by James Dunlop

Book Details:

Author: James Dunlop 
Release Date: February 23, 2025
Series: The Misjudgements of Andy MacKay (Book 1)
Genre: Action, Thriller, Suspense, Conspiracy
Format: E-book 
Pages: 312 pages
Publisher: EXPURGATED PRESS
Blurb:
How far would you go for a friend? Andrew MacKay, the sort who’d sooner bet his last penny on a losing horse than lift a finger for anything resembling responsibility, is about to find out. An incurable gambler, chain-smoker, and binge drinker, Andy’s only real talent lies in outliving his own poor choices. But when his mate is shot dead and robbed of a classified secret, Andy finds himself bound to retrieve it, purely out of loyalty and an alarming lack of common sense.

Andy learns the stolen secret is a new nerve agent deadly enough to make any terrorist giddy with joy. Wanting nothing more than to ignore the whole thing, he finds himself drawn into a web of corporate espionage, government corruption, and terrorists with excellent taste in chemical warfare. He’ll have to rely on his wits to stay one step ahead of MI-5, who want him behind bars, if he hopes to recover the secret, and stop the zealots from killing thousands.

Time is running out. Andy’s got only one chance to make things right. Can he do it?

“This white-knuckle page-turner will seize you from the first page … a must-read for lovers of gripping, fast-paced conspiracy and espionage thrillers. The edge-of-the-seat suspense, compelling cliffhangers, and jaw-dropping plot twists hooked me.” 

Keith Mbuya for Readers’ Favorite

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Half Made Up by James Dunlopcis a gripping and entertaining read that cleverly blends elements of military thriller, dark humor, and crime fiction. Andrew MacKay, our flawed yet captivating protagonist, brings readers along on a turbulent journey through the gritty streets of London and dangerous memories of battlefield chaos.

Author Dunlop’s writing is sharp and witty, his dialogue crackling with authenticity, and his vivid action scenes skillfully written, pulling you right into the heart-pounding chaos. But what truly stood out for me in Half Made Up is its character work—MacKay is wonderfully human, his imperfections is painted with both humor and vulnerability. Author Dunlop captures the strain and absurdity of modern life’s pressures through a lens that is both comedic and strikingly real, never losing sight of the emotional core that drives the narrative.

However, the plot occasionally feels slightly uneven, with certain transitions coming off as abrupt, which can momentarily disrupt the story’s otherwise excellent flow. Still, these moments are minor compared to the overall enjoyment and depth of the book.

Half Made Up is highly recommended for readers who appreciate character-driven stories combined with high-stakes action and a touch of dark comedy.

You can also read this review at:

Goodreads

Click here

Amazon

Click here

Book Review: Two Tales: Jamali Kamali and ZundelState by Karen Chase

Categories Literary Fiction, noir, Surreal Fiction1 Comment on Book Review: Two Tales: Jamali Kamali and ZundelState by Karen Chase

Book Details:

Author: Karen Chase
Release Date: May 1, 2025
Series:
Genre: Literary Fiction
Format: E-book 
Pages: 194 pages
Publisher: Guernica Editions
Blurb:
These two stories explore love and beauty in the context of fear and threats. Jamali Kamali is a book-length poem about two men who lived in 16th century India. Little about them is known but they are buried together in a small tomb in Delhi. For hundreds of years, the story that these men were lovers has been passed down through the generations. Jamali Kamali is a fictional account of their love, longing, separation, and death.  ZundelState, a novella in verse, takes place a thousand years in the future in a repressive land where history is banned, and dreaming has vanished. Joe, a lover of history, is rebellious and secretive. Marianna is a model worker for the State where she works in the HistoryShit Apparatchik Division. They fall in love against all odds. These two tales of outsiders, one from the distant past and the other from the far-off future, echo and reflect upon each other in surprising ways.

Review

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Karen Chase’s Two Tales: Jamali Kamali and ZundelState is a mesmerizing literary experience that beautifully intertwines past and future, poetry and prose, historical imagination and speculative vision. Chase presents readers with two distinct narratives, each uniquely powerful in its exploration of love, identity, and time.

The first narrative, Jamali Kamali, is a vivid and lyrical epic poem inspired by a visit to the tomb of the Sufi court poet Jamali and his enigmatic lover Kamali, located near Delhi. Through captivating and emotionally charged verses, Chase resurrects the love story between these two figures from 16th-century Mughal India, enveloping readers in a sensual exploration of forbidden passion and tender intimacy. Her poetry beautifully balances delicate imagery—of moonlit rendezvous, exotic fragrances, and the haunting cries of distant wildlife—with profound emotional depth. The powerful dynamic between Jamali and Kamali transcends historical limitations, speaking eloquently of longing and societal constraint.

In contrast, ZundelState, set in the speculative year 3090, employs poetic prose to craft a novella that imagines a world where individual identity clashes with oppressive societal constructs. Chase deftly explores the profound tension between public life dictated by authority and the fiercely guarded privacy of personal spaces. Marianna, a young artist, and Joe, a seeker of historical truths, represent a timeless struggle against conformity and control. Their stories intertwine mysteriously, driven by their shared ancestry and an enigmatic, almost mystical connection. The narrative is imbued with philosophical reflections on the fluidity of time, the significance of art, and the potent resilience of human consciousness.

Together, these two narratives complement each other brilliantly across centuries, creating an immersive experience that defies traditional categorization. Chase excels at blurring the line between reality and imagination, fact and fiction, ultimately compelling readers to question the nature of historical truth itself.

A highly recommended read for those who savor poetic beauty, historical intrigue, and thought-provoking speculative fiction, Two Tales: Jamali Kamali and ZundelState is a literary gem that elegantly captures the infinite complexities of love and identity across time.

You can also read this review at:

Goodreads

Click here

Amazon

Click here

Book Review: Danny Quantum and the Nuclear Detonator by Ron Sarig

Categories Action, Espionage, noir, Science-Fiction, Speculative-Fiction, Surreal Fiction, Suspense, ThrillerLeave a Comment on Book Review: Danny Quantum and the Nuclear Detonator by Ron Sarig

Book Details:

Author: Ron Sarig
Release Date: March 14, 2025
Series:
Genre: Science-Fiction, Action, Suspense, Thriller, Speculative Fiction
Format: E-book 
Pages: 100 pages
Publisher: –
Blurb:
Danny Quantum isn’t your average young man. Ever since childhood, strange things have happened to him—moments of being in two places at once, knowledge that seems to appear in his mind like whispers from the universe. What was once an unexplainable gift soon becomes a national secret.
Recruited by Israel’s most elite intelligence agency, Danny is given the codename Schrödinger and trained to harness his extraordinary quantum ability. His mission: to infiltrate the world’s most dangerous regimes, extract their secrets, and stop a nuclear catastrophe before it’s too late.

When a top-secret nuclear detonator vanishes from a high-security vault deep in enemy territory, all signs point to an impending global crisis. With intelligence agencies failing to crack the case and time running out, only Danny’s unparalleled skillset offers a solution. Thrust into a web of espionage, cyber warfare, and political intrigue, he must outmaneuver the world’s deadliest operatives while uncovering the truth hidden in the shadows.
From high-stakes covert missions to scientific breakthroughs that defy logic, Danny Quantum and the Nuclear Detonator is a heart-pounding thriller that fuses cutting-edge physics with electrifying spy action.
For fans of Tom Clancy and The Bourne Identity, this gripping novel will keep you turning pages late into the night. The only question that remains: Can Danny stop the unthinkable before reality collapses around him?

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Danny Quantum and the Nuclear Detonator by Ron Sarig is an engaging blend of espionage thriller and imaginative science fiction, offering a unique exploration of quantum mechanics wrapped in a high-stakes narrative. At the heart of this gripping story is Danny Quantum, an intriguing protagonist gifted with extraordinary quantum abilities that allow him to exist simultaneously in multiple realities (a concept brilliantly explored and woven into the storyline.)

Author Sarig beautifully blends educational insights into complex theories such as Schrödinger’s cat, quantum entanglement, and relativity, seamlessly integrated within a plot that moves swiftly between clandestine operations, geopolitical tensions, and personal discovery. The meticulous detail and thoughtful explanations help ground the story’s speculative elements, making sophisticated scientific ideas accessible and engaging.

The narrative’s pacing is generally fast, bolstered by action-packed sequences and suspenseful espionage elements, although certain segments were a bit densely packed with scientific exposition. Nonetheless, the depth of character development, especially Danny’s evolution from an uncertain young man to a confident operative, is compelling and relatable, enhancing the emotional stakes of the story.

I highly recommend Danny Quantum and the Nuclear Detonator to those who enjoy speculative thrillers. Its creative premise, engaging storytelling, and intellectual depth make it an enjoyable and thought-provoking read.

You can also read this review at:

Goodreads

Click here

Amazon

Click here

Book Review: Shadow of the Eternal Watcher by Josh Mendoza

Categories Action, noir, Science-Fiction, Surreal Fiction2 Comments on Book Review: Shadow of the Eternal Watcher by Josh Mendoza

Book Details:

Author: Josh Mendoza
Release Date: January 28, 2025
Series:
Genre: Science-Fiction, Action
Format: E-book 
Pages: 317 pages
Publisher: Inkshares
Blurb:
“Recommended for space opera fans with a taste for irony.” —Library Journal
Duster Raines has demons. Some visit him in his dreams, reminding him of the choices he made in combat to survive. Others visit him while he’s awake, demanding he pay penance for those sins. But lately, he’s started seeing an alternate version of reality where he leads a life of importance full of wealth and power. Visions so vivid, they seem more real than the life he lives as a PI, scrounging the gutters of Los Angeles for an easy buck. It’s enough to drive anyone insane.
Pulled into a missing persons case he never wanted, Raines finds himself framed and hunted by the government. But as he searches for answers to clear his name, he discovers a truth he never could have imagined. He possesses the ability to bend spacetime to accomplish incredible feats. With these powers, maybe he’s got a shot at the life he deserves.
There’s only one problem standing in his way, the other Duster Raines.

Review

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Shadow of the Eternal Watcher by Josh Mendoza is a wildly imaginative, gritty sci-fi noir that dares to juggle timelines, multiverses, and political conspiracies with cinematic flair. Author Mendoza crafts a rich, dystopian world where corporate empires and ancient powers collide, and he anchors it with the magnetic voice of Duster Raines—a hard-drinking, haunted ex-cop turned reluctant investigator.

The prose is punchy, immersive, and tinged with melancholy, perfectly capturing the psychological fragmentation of a man caught between worlds, both literally and existentially. There’s a pulpy, Philip K. Dick-meets-Blade Runner vibe throughout, and it works—largely due to the author’s commitment to mood, atmosphere, and the undercurrent of cosmic dread.

While some moments veer into slightly over-the-top territory and the plot asks for your patience with its layered complexity, the payoff is emotionally worth it and thematically compelling. As an editor, I admire the book’s structural boldness and how it dances between gritty realism and speculative metaphysics without losing narrative control.

If you’re looking for a sci-fi read that’s as psychologically charged as it is action-packed, this one’s a good pick.

You can also read this review at:

Goodreads

Click here

Amazon

Click here

Book Review: The Rebirth: A Dark Noir Thriller by V.P. Evans

Categories noir, ThrillerLeave a Comment on Book Review: The Rebirth: A Dark Noir Thriller by V.P. Evans

Book Details:

Author: V.P. Evans
Release Date: August 26, 2024
Series:
Genre: Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic Fiction
Format: E-book 
Pages: 354 pages
Publisher: –
Blurb:
It all started with a murder . . . now there’s no turning back . . .
For the past decade, police homicide consultant Mark Gilliam has been wasting his life with corpses, drugs, and alcohol. Things weren’t always like this. Ten years ago, he was a soldier, a husband, a . . . father. But it’s what he deserves. He couldn’t protect his son from the monsters that took him away.
For the past decade, Jason Roneros has been living a reclusive life, forced to spend the rest of his days in isolation. Things weren’t always like this. Ten years ago, he was a well-respected author, a fighter, a . . . dreamer. But it’s what he deserves. He trusted these monsters.

For the past decade, Mark and Jason haven’t seen each other.
But everything is about to change . . .
A murder brings them together one night, trapping them in the streets of Chicago in search of redemption down a cryptic path that could unlock the darkest scandal in history. As the path unrolls secrets buried in great works of art and philosophical writings, the shadiest aspects of the human soul come to the surface. Soon, the two men realize that those hunting them, closing in with each passing minute, are equally dangerous as the ghosts of the past . . .

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

The Rebirth by V.P. Evans is a rollercoaster of suspense, emotion, and gripping twists that kept me hooked from start to finish. With its blend of mystery, flawed characters, and a touch of philosophy, this dark noir thriller is extremely engaging.

Evans does a fantastic job weaving suspense with deeper themes. The philosophical and artistic references add another layer to the story, making it more than just a typical whodunit. Chicago’s gritty streets come alive in detail, pulling the reader into the heart of the action.

While the pacing occasionally slows during some introspective moments, these sections also offer a refreshing depth that sets the book apart from others in the genre. It’s a thoughtful, layered read that kept me guessing right until the end.

If you love thrillers with complex characters, intriguing mysteries, and a dose of philosophical depth, The Rebirth is a must-read.

You can also read this review at:

Goodreads

Click here

Amazon

Click here

Book Review: The Billionaire’s Conspiracy (Janusz Soltani #3) by M.J. Javani

Categories Espionage, noir, Suspense, ThrillerLeave a Comment on Book Review: The Billionaire’s Conspiracy (Janusz Soltani #3) by M.J. Javani

Book Details:

Author: M.J. Javani
Release Date: 28th March 2022
Series: Janusz Soltani (Book #3)
Genre: Espionage, Action Thriller, Suspense, Mystery
Format: E-book 
Pages: 307 pages
Publisher: –
Blurb:
TO PROTECT EVERYTHING HE LOVES, HE MUST DEFEND TRUTH
The time is the present. A group of anarchists is planning to attack the White House. They are supported by a rapacious billionaire with a secret agenda. Across the Potomac River, someone is systematically killing members of a private intelligence company. Known as Unit 81, this group is not subject to the debilitating political correctness that shackles the federal bureaucracy.

A trusted liaison points the finger at the Russians. But all is not as it seems. When the Unit’s top operative, Janusz Soltani, discovers the truth about their enemies, his wife is mysteriously kidnapped. Time is running out to rescue her from a horrible end.
Fans of Robert Ludlum, Vince Flynn, and Brad Thor will enjoy this action-packed series.

“Author MJ Javani has created a compelling conspiracy thriller that becomes more engrossing with each chapter.”

BestThrillers.com

Review

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Murder, mystery, mayhem… this book has it all!

The Billionaire’s Conspiracy by M.J. Javani is the third instalment in the Janusz Soltani series. It is an action-packed thriller that leaves the reader at the edge of their seat for most of the book and throws them completely off-guard right towards the end, reeling them back with a twist in the gut – well, at least that’s how I really felt!

This book is a complete package for espionage thriller lovers and occasional readers of the genre, such as myself, as it has so much to offer right from an elaborate conspiracy to well-built characters walking a tight rope full of tension and suspense. The thrill seeker in me relished the action sequences and the out of the box twists that the author had in store around every bend throughout the novel.

I enjoyed reading this book thoroughly and would recommend it to all thriller, mystery and espionage fiction readers. And also to those readers who are looking for a new series and/or a new author to explore.

You can also read this review on:

Goodreads

Goodreads

Amazon

Amazon

Book Review: Hip Set by Michael Fertik

Categories Michael Fertik, Mystery, noir, Suspense, ThrillerLeave a Comment on Book Review: Hip Set by Michael Fertik

Book Details:

Author: Michael Fertik
Release Date: 19th September 2019
Series:
Genre: Noir Thriller, Mystery, Suspense
Format: E-book 
Pages: 200 pages
Publisher: Skiddaw Books
Blurb:
Oscar Orleans is a Congolese refugee in Israel. He’s also the only Hebrew-speaking liaison to the African refugee community living in Tel Aviv’s worst slums. When his old friend Inspector Kobi Sambinsky of the Asylum Unit calls him early on Shabbat morning, he knows something is wrong. A young South Sudanese immigrant has been found murdered in the city’s most iconic waterfront building and no-one can quite place his origins.

The only clue is his unusual name, Kinga, which he shared with another refugee from eight years earlier, and a controversial political figure in South Sudan’s most dangerous warring faction. Kobi and Oscar must venture into the heart of Tel Aviv’s Sudanese underground, Israel’s hyper-violent Russian mafia, and a mystery that has been dormant for years near the shores of the Dead Sea.

Review

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Hip Set by Michael Fertik, the New York Times best-selling author, is a smashing new noir thriller that would take you on a rollercoaster ride of suspense and fast-paced action through the rich settings of Tel Aviv and would leave you wanting more.

I loved this book because the writing flowed so well and had such an amazing literary quality that it did not feel like the author’s first noir thriller but more like a nuanced piece of work by an expert. The characterisation was rich, relatable and realistic – the three Rs that made this book a complete package for me.

Other things that I appreciated in this book are the vivid settings of Tel Aviv that transported me right in the middle of a place I’ve never been to (and would most definitely like to visit someday, especially after having read this book), the African refugee situation that the author has explored in this book and thus provided a very different side of Israel to the readers and, last but not least, the amazing concept of the book (which was totally mind-blowing!)

I would strongly recommend this book to all thriller and mystery readers and to those readers who like reading about different cultures, places and settings. This book delivers on so many fronts that I am sure it will have something or the other to offer to all its readers.

You can also read this review on:

Goodreads

Goodreads

Amazon

Amazon