Book Review: Yardley County (PEOPLE MAKING DANGER) by Adam Fike

Book Details:

Author: Adam Fike
Release Date: 20 March 2025
Series: PEOPLE MAKING DANGER
Genre: Noir, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Psychological
Format: E-book 
Pages: 76 pages
Publisher:
Blurb:
NOIR MYSTERY – A dead escaped convict finds himself, and his redemption, at the hometown robbery where a gunshot began his criminal career.
PEOPLE MAKING DANGER is a collection of quick, fun, three-act, feature-length stories, full of suspense, surprises and dark humor.
Reading. Why not do it for fun sometimes?
More at AdamFike.com/books
All Rights Reserved

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Yardley County by Adam Fike is a slow-burning, deeply atmospheric story that captures the loneliness of rural life and the small, almost imperceptible shifts that change everything. It’s the kind of book that takes its time, inviting you to settle into the rhythms of its world before showing you the fractures beneath its surface.

Set in a fictional southern county, the novel threads together the lives of characters bound by place and silence. Fike has a poet’s ear for dialogue, sparse but loaded, and a painter’s eye for setting. You can almost feel the humidity of late summer, the creak of porch boards, and the oppressive stillness of a town that’s seen too much yet talks too little. What unfolds is part mystery, part psychological portrait, and part elegy: a meditation on guilt, grief, and the tendency to bury what we can’t face.

What I found remarkable is how Fike resists melodrama. His writing is restrained but emotionally sharp; every revelation feels earned. The characters linger long after the final page because they feel real. There’s empathy even in their worst choices, and Fike uses that empathy to build tension in the best of ways. The moral questions the novel raises, about justice, memory, and forgiveness, unfold slowly, like the unspooling of a long-held confession.

Yardley County is a haunting, beautifully crafted work of literary suspense. It’s a story that’s less about what happens and more about how it feels to live with what’s happened. Perfect for readers of Kent Haruf, Celeste Ng, or Where the Crawdads Sing, it’s an unforgettable exploration of a tender heart under pressure.


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Book Review: The Coffee Shop Masquerade by T.A. Morton

Book Details:

Author: T.A. Morton
Release Date: 23 April 2025
Series:
Genre: Philosophycal, Reflective, Asian Literature
Format: E-book 
Pages: 202 pages
Publisher:
Blurb:
A mysterious mask abandoned in a Hong Kong coffee shop eavesdrops on the lives of those who enter, asking, who are we beneath our masks?
The Coffee Shop Masquerade is a captivating exploration of transient lives seeking meaning amid everyday encounters, much like the alluring cup of coffee that unites and intrigues us all.
As the enigmatic forces inspired by the Tao Te Ching loom over them, choices must be made, secrets revealed, and unexpected bonds forged—all under the watchful gaze of a mysterious mask.

Review

Rating: 5 out of 5.

The Coffee Shop Masquerade T.A. Morton feels simple on the surface but ripples with depth the longer you sit with it. Part fable, part philosophical reflection, it is an elegantly written exploration of identity, connection, and the spaces we inhabit between truth and illusion. It begins with something as ordinary as a mask left behind in a Hong Kong café, but what follows is anything but ordinary. Through that mask’s silent observation, Morton unravels a series of intertwined lives, each one searching for meaning in the chaos of modern existence.

What makes this novel so engaging is its sense of calm observation. Much like the Taoist philosophy that threads through the story, The Coffee Shop Masquerade doesn’t rush toward answers; instead, it invites you to sit still and listen. There’s something profound about the way author Morton captures loneliness and belonging, weaving them together with the aroma of coffee and the pulse of a city constantly in motion.

The prose itself feels meditative; lyrical but never indulgent. Every chapter brings a new encounter, a new glimpse into people who, in another story, might have remained background characters. Here, they each step briefly into the light, revealing the masks they wear and the truths they fear. The mysterious presence of the mask becomes both narrator and mirror, reflecting back to the reader their own unspoken longing to be seen for who they truly are.

The Coffee Shop Marquerade is a thoughtful, graceful, and profound literary reflection on identity and interconnectedness. It’s perfect for readers who love reflective fiction like The Little Paris Bookshop or Klara and the Sun, and for anyone drawn to stories that brew philosophy and emotion into something soothing yet stirring.


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Book Review: The Quiet Ones (PEOPLE MAKING DANGER #1) by Adam Fike

Book Details:

Author: Adam Fike
Release Date:
19 March, 2021
Series: PEOPLE MAKING DANGER
Genre: Literary Horror, Psychological Horror, Crime-Thriller, Noir, Horror
Format: E-book 
Pages: 66 pages
Publisher:
Blurb:
SUBURBAN THRILLER. When a young girl goes missing, families fall apart and neighbors grow together with the help of their friendly local serial killer.
PEOPLE MAKING DANGER is a collection of quick, fun, three-act, feature-length stories, full of suspense, surprises and dark humor. All told in the present tense. Like reading a movie.

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Adam Fike’s The Quiet Ones is a sinister slice of small-town noir with a macabre twist: neighbors who “grow together” under the shadow of a serial killer. Set in the sleepy but unsettling town of Clearfield Falls, the story layers the ordinary things like funerals, lawn services, and office gossip with the grotesque, where bodies double as fertilizer and everyday people reveal darker impulses. The writing blends dark humor with chilling violence, making the mundane (like mowing lawns or family dinners) feel like it’s always one step away from horror.

What stands out most is the interplay between banality and menace. Characters like Ruth, who hides behind oversized glasses, and Junior, the deceptively gentle gardener, embody the theme that danger doesn’t always roar, sometimes it whispers. Fike’s pacing is cinematic, cutting between suburban kitchens, cemetery burials, and sinister sheds with a rhythm that keeps readers uneasy yet hooked. While the sheer length of descriptive passages and overlapping storylines could overwhelm some readers, the atmosphere is thick, immersive, and undeniably memorable.

Overall, The Quiet Ones succeeds as a dark, satirical portrait of community and complicity. It’s a story that asks unsettling questions about what people are willing to ignore to maintain comfort, and whether monsters are truly outsiders or simply the neighbors we never look at too closely.


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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.


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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.


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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.


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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.


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ARC Review: Ravens In The Rain: A Noir Love Story by by Christie Santo and Jeff Santo

Book Details:

Author: Christie Santo &  Jeff Santo
Release Date: 22nd September 2021
Genre: Romance
Series:
Format: E-book 
Pages: 248 pages
Publisher: BookBaby
Blurb:
Ravens In The Rain centers around Pru and Carney, she’s a woman with a past, and he’s a man with no future. Down on luck and down on love, they meet over a game of chance at an off-strip Vegas casino, and Carney wonders if Pru’s sparkle is what he needs to lift him from his darkness. He doesn’t even mind that she swiped a hundred-dollar bill from an old cowboy. It excites him. 
While Pru, disillusioned by her sparkle, is now accustomed to the cynical disposition of vagabond life. She’s not looking for a one-night stand; she’s looking for survival and sizing Carney up as a comfortable solution, for the moment. When she finds out who he really is, she’ll ante up for the game of her life. 
This romantic noir is a turbulent flight; like dating in the 21st century, it’s dangerous and daring.

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Ravens In The Rain by Christie Santo & Jeff Santo is an intriguing and entertaining noir love story.

Being a mystery and crime fiction fan, I’ve read some noir crime mysteries but a noir romance novel was a first for me and I’m glad that I read It because I enjoyed it more than the normal romance novels. Ravens In The Rain is a well-written novel with a great concept that is executed really well. I enjoyed the imagery invoked by the author’s writing style that bordered on magic realism while staying true to the noir story elements.

It was an experience in itself. I enjoyed the characterisation as they are richly developed and had really good background stories. Overall it is a great story and I’d definitely recommend it to all readers, romance readers and others alike.


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