Mrs. Shim is a Killer

Mrs. Shim is a Killer: A Novel by Kang Jiyoung

Reviewed by Ephantus Gold

“Mrs. Shim Is a Killer” by Kang Jiyoung follows Shim Eunok, a widow and mother of two whose husband took his life five years ago following a series of complications with his health. She is now unemployed, hopeless, and ashamed, and dreads going home to the sight of a mailbox overflowing with unpaid bills. We meet her at one of her lowest moments, overwhelmed by despair, where we are reminded that the family had to sell their butchery to pay off the damages of a pub her husband drove into, in what police ruled as suicide.  Purchase Here.

As fate would have it, Eunok stumbles upon a Help Wanted notice from a private detective agency.  She’s all too aware of the worn clothes on her back and the fact that her schooling ended early, and the worry creeps in that they’ll judge her before she even gets a word out. As she pauses outside the building, an older guard gives her a salute that feels strangely knowing. It’s a small, unsettling moment that hints at something bigger already moving around her—something she hasn’t begun to piece together.

The interview shifts from odd to chilling as the interviewer focuses on her experience with knives. And much to her shock, he offers her a job on the spot, leaving her feet frozen to the floor in disbelief. You almost want to scream at her to resist the offer, but that is just before a gold bar is placed on the table, promising quick wealth that could secure her children’s future, if she does the new “job” well.

From there, the novel expands outward, shifting perspectives to reveal the agency’s inner workings and the many lives entangled within it. You are drawn into a layered story that moves between various voices, among them, The Boss, a relentless secret agent, a watchful daughter, and clients whose pain is so deep that revenge feels like their only remaining answer. These voices do not unfold in a straight line, and by taking that form; readers are offered the thrill of assembling the puzzle pieces themselves. Through it all, Eunok remains at the center, not as a cold professional but as a reluctant woman learning to survive inside a world that demands detachment. In that light, as a reader, you might feel forced to root for her even when questioning the morality of her choices, especially when consequential figures from her personal life begin brushing dangerously close to her new reality.

This book will surprise you with how well it balances humor and horror. It moves steadily, allowing tension to build through shifting viewpoints and quiet revelations, as well as unsettling realizations that raise the underlying personal stakes into something that can’t be solved with skill alone. If you enjoy stories that blur the line between dark and playful, or where characters are underestimated only to quietly reinvent themselves in ways that surprise even them, then “Mrs. Shim Is a Killer” by Kang Jiyoung should be your next read!

 

 

 

 

First Loser

First Loser by Scott Walker Cunningham

Reviewed by Matthew McCarty

Life is full of choices. The choices we make often lead us down the wrong path, or one full of potholes and sadness. Choices are what help us make sure we make the right decisions. “First Loser“, the recent book by Scott Walker Cunningham, outlines the choices that open up in life and how those choices can influence the journey of life. The characters in “First Loser” illustrate just how important making the right choices can be, but also just how often the right choices are overlooked.  Purchase Here.

Connor Castaway is an all-state wrestler. He works hard to be the best wrestler in the state, but struggles with his personal life and the loss of his dad. He also struggles with the damage that wrestling is causing to his body and how he has to turn to narcotics to manage the pain that he experiences throughout his life. Connor is emblematic of a tortured soul who often wonders why his life has turned out as it has. He feels like he is responsible for not helping his dad recover from the illness that claimed him in the prime of life.

Connor experiences many ups and downs and difficulties as he navigates trying to succeed in wrestling. He manages to gain a new perspective when he sees his best friend struggling with how to win a match and fight off his own demons that will eventually consume him and leave Connor wandering about what might have been. Connor prevails through a world of hurt, anxiety, stress, and confusion to become a strong provider who learns how to conquer his doubt and fear. The lessons that Connor learns help him to become a father to his own children and a dedicated husband to his wife Isla. These lessons underscore the humanity that comes with life’s struggles.

“First Loser” is a work that could be useful in guiding young lives in decision-making. The lessons presented deal with behavior, choices, and dealing with pain and doubt. These lessons not only affect the lives of star athletes but also those of all human beings. While not a book for a general reading audience, “First Loser” can be impactful on the lives of teens and their family members. It could definitely help with some difficult conversations and could be a light for any young person struggling with what choices to make and how those choices can impact everything that happens in their lives.

 

 

 

Ms. Mial and Murder at the Grand Island Hotel

Ms. Mia and Murder at the Grand Island Hotel by Jennifer Branch

Reviewed by Nancy Eaton

The cover of Ms. Mia and Murder at the Grand Island Hotel caught my eye – enough to make me want to read the book, and I’m really glad I did. It has that classic cozy‑mystery feel, but it never drags or gets too predictable. The whole story has this easy flow to it, like you’re just tagging along with someone who’s naturally good at noticing things the rest of us would miss.  Purchase Here.

Ms. Mia herself is a great character. She’s sharp, but not in an over‑the‑top “super detective” way. She feels like a real person who happens to be curious enough (and stubborn enough) to poke around where others wouldn’t. I liked her right away.

The hotel setting is perfect for a mystery — a little glamorous, a little eerie, and full of people who all seem to be hiding something. The author does a nice job giving each character just enough personality that you start forming your own theories about who did what.

As for the mystery, I thought I had it figured out twice, and both times I was wrong. The clues are there, but they’re subtle, and the ending actually makes sense once everything clicks into place. It’s satisfying without feeling forced.

Overall, Ms. Mia and Murder at the Grand Island Hotel is a fun, quick read with a good balance of humor, suspense, and character moments. If you like cozy mysteries with a smart but relatable lead, this one is definitely worth picking up.

 

Without A Face

Without a Face by Lonnie Busch

Reviewed by Lorena Padureanu

Without a Face is a very well-written sci-fi thriller, blending thought-provoking concepts with realistic details to create a fully engaging read from start to finish. This book is more than meets the eye. Unwrapping the truth, layer by layer, the reader is pulled into a rollercoaster of shifting perceptions, emotions and suspense, avidly searching for explanations alongside the protagonists.  Purchase Here.

Set in 1967, the plot follows Kurt and Alice, a married couple in their 50s, whose monotonous life is violently disrupted when a strange man kidnaps them in the dead of night. But this is not the only unsettling aspect of this brazen intrusion. Although putting up a fight at first, they soon succumb to the shock of realizing that this man is clearly not human. After eventually escaping to the middle of nowhere, they venture into the wild, searching for help and a way back home. Little do they know, the life they desperately hope to return to has been irrevocably altered.

As they search for any sign of humanity or civilization, they face unfamiliar landscapes, growing desperation, fear, hunger, mounting unanswered questions, unusual and violent encounters, and the imminent threat of an alien-like presence closing in.

The book’s topical themes and the characters’ authentic reactions make the plot feel all the more vivid and tangible. Along the way, Kurt and Alice are put to the test, their principles and beliefs challenged against the limits of their human nature.

Their incredible journey is primarily seen through Kurt’s eyes. Concerned for injured Alice, he’s focused on getting them both to safety. Bearing the full responsibility of her wellbeing, he anxiously examines, ponders, and questions every decision and move he makes in the midst of the bizarre and hazardous circumstances they come upon.

At the basis of the heart-pounding situations, a soft love story unfolds. The middle-aged couple grows increasingly aware of their affection for one another. They communicate without words, complementing each other – Alice, a free spirit with a gentle, cheerful, and composed nature, and Kurt, a natural leader, with a rigid, practical, and fiery temperament. This ordeal serves to test and strengthen their bond and friendship against all challenges.

Beyond the building suspense and mystery, the novel is also a subtle healing journey. From the start, the couple is shown to be mourning the premature death of their son. Their grief resurfaces even more now when faced with these extreme and agonizing circumstances. Yet, the new reality they face will ultimately redefine their values and outlook on life.

The writing style is well-balanced, with moments of calm, reflection, and introspection perfectly interwoven with scenes of action and tension, allowing the plot to be fully experienced and absorbed. This is a fully immersive novel that is as emotionally compelling as it is captivating and thrilling.

 

 

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Don’t Answer the Phone by Miranda Rijks

Reviewed by Nancy Eaton

Just finished this book and I’m still kind of thinking about it.

It starts fast. Like, I wasn’t even settled in yet, and it already had that weird, uneasy vibe going.

My phone rang while I was reading, and I literally froze for a second, which seemed ridiculous but whatever.  The whole thing revolves around a woman getting these strange calls, and you’re basically stuck with her trying to figure out if she’s imagining stuff or if something’s actually happening.  Purchase Here.

It’s not dramatic, just that slow “hmm… something’s off” feeling that creeps up on you.  I kept changing my mind about what I thought was going on…like every few pages. The story stays tight; no random side characters or weird detours.

It’s mostly her, and whatever’s happening, and you’re just kind of in it with her.  Every time I thought I had it, something tiny shifted, and I was like… okay, maybe not.

The ending was fine – not huge nor wild. Just… yeah, that makes sense.  I closed the book and sat there for a minute doing nothing.  If you like the everyday kind of creepy “this could actually happen” stuff, Don’t Answer the Phone hits that, and yes, I looked at my phone weirdly afterward.  Not proud of it!

Little Joe Chickapig

Little Joe Chickapig by Brian Calhoun (Author, Illustrator) and Pat Bradley (Illustrator)

Reviewed by Nancy Eaton

Little Joe Chickapig is a charming children’s book that offers a fresh and fun story for young readers. It follows Little Joe, a lively chickapig, as he goes on an exciting adventure full of teamwork, problem-solving, and friendship.  Purchase Here.

The story features bright, colorful illustrations that bring the playful characters and setting to life. These pictures match the story well and keep kids interested on every page.

A key strength of Little Joe Chickapig is its mix of humor and warmth. The story entertains while gently teaching important lessons about working together, being determined, and showing kindness in a way kids can easily understand.

The language is clear and lively, perfect for early readers or for parents to read aloud. The story moves at a good pace that keeps kids interested without being too fast or slow.

Overall, Little Joe Chickapig is a happy and inspiring book that promotes good values and sparks imagination. It’s a wonderful addition to any child’s library and a great pick for storytime, bringing smiles and thoughtful talks.

This book is recommended for children 3-5 years old.

Don't Trust Cats

Don’t Trust Cats: Life Lessons from Chip the Dog by Dev Petty and Mike Boldt

Reviewed by Nancy Eaton

Don’t Trust Cats is one of those picture books that turns out to be a pleasant surprise.   On the surface, it’s silly, bright, and full of lively cat energy. Along  with humor, there’s a surprisingly relatable message about trust, impulse, and how small choices can lead to big problems.  Purchase Here.

The story follows a well-meaning main character who learns the hard way that cats aren’t always thttps://amznhttps://amzn.to/3O9OMemto/4bC20bxe cooperative, rule-following companions we hope for. Anyone who’s lived with a cat will recognize the truth here: the blank stares, sudden bursts of naughtiness, and how they seem to know exactly what you don’t want them to do.

What makes the book work is its message.   It doesn’t talk down to kids or try too hard to be funny. The humor comes naturally—from the illustrations, the timing, and the narrator’s growing frustration as the cats do exactly what cats do. It’s the kind of book that gets even funnier when read aloud, especially if you play up the dramatic parts.

The illustrations are a big part of what makes this book a delight. They’re expressive but not overly done, seizing the perfect mix of innocence and chaos which defines cat behavior. Kids will laugh at the visual jokes, and adults will laugh because they’ve been there.

Beneath the comedy, there’s a gentle lesson regarding responsibility and thinking ahead, but it never feels preachy. It’s more like the author giving a knowing wink and saying, “We’ve all been there.”

Bottom line: Don’t Trust Cats is playful, quick, and really fun to read. It’s a great choice for bedtime, classroom story time, or any kid who loves animals—especially those furry little troublemakers who run the house.

 

Connecting Goals to Impacts and Outcomes

Connecting Goals to Impacts and Outcomes: Harnessing Structured Conversations for Customer-Driven Value Delivery by Claude Hanhart and Rachel Collins

Reviewed by Douglas R. Cobb

Anyone who runs a local or national business or is an executive in a product-driven industry will learn a lot of great techniques to ensure the success of their products after reading Connecting Goals to Impacts and Outcomes: Harnessing Structured Conversations for Customer-Driven Value Delivery by authors Claude Hanhart and Rachel Collins. These types of people appear to be the main target audience for this book, so the audience might seem relatively niche. Nevertheless, this book is one that its target audience will likely want to check out, and, as the title implies, it is crucial that a company’s goals be connected to the impacts and outcomes desired.  Purchase Here.

The target audience also has knowledge of Agile planning sessions. What are those? Well, I didn’t know what they were until I read the book, but the authors mention that, though Agile sessions can be important, they “still struggle to create real customer and business value” for a company.

That quote comes from the Preface of Connecting Goals to Impacts and Outcomes. Also, they called the development of their ideas “an ambitious product effort.” They write that they were leading a project and “Despite everyone’s best intentions and genuine commitment,” a problem arose. The problem was, they continue, that they “realized the core issue wasn’t technical or strategic—it was conversational,” and that they “had no reliable way to ensure that when we talked about goals, requirements, or success, we were all talking about the same thing.”

So, the authors developed a fairly detailed way for everyone to get on the same page, and for everyone to have the same definitions for whatever sorts of “goals, requirements, or success.” Oh, yeah–and, of course, it’s also important that a company’s customers develop a long-term relationship with a company by having a favorable impression of it. As the authors write, certain broad goals, when it comes to customers, are often agreed upon, like a business should do what it can to “improve customer experience” or “increase engagement.”

But, businesses also need to have their customers interact with features about themselves and their products, and they need to impress their stockholders. The authors of Connecting Goals to Impacts and Outcomes do a much better job of explaining what their book is all about than I can, as I’ve barely touched the surface of the topics included, so here is what they write about the book:

This book shows product leaders, Agile coaches, and delivery teams how to use clear language and visual thinking to align strategy, product decisions, and day‑to‑day work around measurable outcomes.

In this book, you’ll learn how to:

  • Write clear, outcome‑focused goals using VERB + NOUN syntax that eliminate ambiguity
  • Connect customer needs to business impact using Empathy Mapping, Customer Journey Mapping, and Impact Mapping
  • Align product roadmaps and delivery plans with OKRs that drive accountability and learning
  • Validate assumptions early using Hypothesis‑Driven Development and Example Mapping
  • Facilitate cross‑functional Agile conversations where disagreements become productive
  • Turn vague requirements into clear, executable user stories that teams interpret the same way

Drawing on experience across startups, financial services, and large‑scale Agile transformations, Structured Conversations bridges the gap between product strategy and value delivery with techniques that work in real‑world environments.

This is all a process that can go on for several months, or, presumably, longer. But that seems to be all a part of the process of continuous improvement, something all companies strive for.

The way some companies utilize their Agile teams doesn’t always result in success. As the authors note, the various Agile teams involved can all be working hard, but the end result can be less than what had been hoped for. In such a scenario, when a project fails, despite the best efforts of everyone on the Agile teams, the authors write, “The gap isn’t execution. It’s how goals, assumptions, and decisions are discussed.”

I am but a simple book reviewer and an author of Westerns and a few other books, so I cannot at all make any claims about whatever is covered in Connecting Goals to Impacts and Outcomes, but I can write a few of my humble opinions about it. I’d say that success can be measured in many different ways. I’m not at all 100% certain, what definition of success is when it comes to potentially the projects of multiple companies with budgets of millions of dollars.

The techniques and strategies mentioned in this involved but entertaining read have made me realize that shared definitions for whatever is important to the individual companies can be crucial for the eventual degree of success experienced when it comes down to projects, goals, and companies. I don’t operate or own any company, but a lot of what the two authors of Connecting Goals to Impacts and Outcomes say makes sense. If this looks like something that you would like to check out, I am sure you will learn many tips and techniques to both “improve customer experience” and “increase engagement.” Check it out today!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The legend of the Iron Warrior Vol 3

Vendetta: Legend of The Iron Warrior Vol. 3 by T.V. Holiday

Reviewed by Lily Andrews

T.V. Holiday’s “Vendetta: Legend of the Iron Warrior Vol. 3” is a gripping story that, as you start, lets you sense an impending conflict, far larger than any imaginable hero-villain battle. The opening pages reveal a world where the ancient rivalry between heaven and hell continues to shape humanity’s destiny. Readers are invited to a city called Carnage Coast, a place that carries the weight of being the final battleground in a cosmic wager, a feat that had once seemed unfathomable several years earlier. It is referred to as “Home to the worst of the worst” and “The last stand for God’s light… a place whose darkened essence tests the will of the almighty’s chosen champions with soul-wrenching trials of faith.” In this installment, the spiritual pressure becomes even more personal, as the protagonist is forced back into the conflict after a two-year self-imposed exile.  Purchase Here.

Within this landscape emerges Travis Holiday, a man powered by faith, and one chosen to bear the mantle of the Iron Warrior. You get the sense early in the read that he is destined to embody divine resistance as the final defender standing between mankind and annihilation. He is presented as a man who already lives with the full awareness of what he has been called to be. The novel presents his calling as something tested in deeply human ways, first in the painful opening stretch where he races towards the mountains and towards a son he still cannot reach, and then in the moment he turns away from that longing and willingly takes up the mantle of the Iron Warrior once more. That alone gives his awareness of purpose a lived and costly dimension, which the novel deepens even further when his return is met with unease from his own allies, and when the question shifts from whether he can still fight to whether he is still worthy of carrying what he knows he has been called to do.

The reader is drawn into a series of intense confrontations that involve a dangerous set of villains whose motives range from chaos to calculated manipulation. One of the early crises arises when the city defenders are forced to respond not only to open violence but also to layers of manipulation unfolding simultaneously, with the Simpleton bringing his unnerving brand of chaos, Hypnotion weaponizing the minds of ordinary people, and Diversion turning illusion itself into a tactical advantage. Yet what gives this novel its sharpest edge is the presence of a sadistic woman whom Travis once saved and who has since turned that act of mercy into a long-nurtured vendetta against him. Rather than confronting him, she manipulates events from the shadows, placing the lives of citizens connected to Travis under threat, and forcing him into a cruel game that tests not just his strength but also his resolve. The resulting scenes are not only cinematic, memorable, and adrenalizing, but also gripping as readers slowly realize that the enemy’s design is always unfolding several steps beyond what is immediately visible.

Beyond the spectacle of superhuman battles and dramatic rescues, the novel quietly explores themes that linger longer after the action scenes have passed. You find deep meditation on faith and responsibility beneath the explosions and confrontations, the burden of leadership, and the unsettling possibility that the line between light and darkness might actually not be as clearly defined as legends suggest. The story repeatedly suggests that the struggle between light and darkness is not confined to battlefields, but also unfolds in moments of doubt, strained loyalties, and the quiet question of whether one is still worthy of the role one has been chosen to carry. Its characters are definitely larger than life, but what’s most remarkable about them is how easily each leaves their mark on the reader’s memory, through conviction, tension, and the way they respond to Travis’s presence. The pacing deserves notice as well. It opens with urgency, and then carries that energy into large confrontations without losing its emotional undercurrent.

One of the greatest strengths of this book is Holiday’s choice of topic. It gives the work a distinct identity while making its conflicts feel heavier than ordinary good-versus-evil clashes. The setting, a place filled with atmosphere and symbolic force, contributes to that effect as well.  The storyline is the kind you feel approaching even as you read, and the type that continually leaves you wondering what might still be waiting in the shadows. If you are a reader who is drawn to stories where the past refuses to stay silent, where old choices and buried histories trouble the present, then T.V. Holiday’s “Vendetta: Legend of the Iron Warrior Vol. 3” should be in line for your next read.

 

 

 

 

The Brighter the Light, the Darker the Shadow

The Brighter the Light, The Darker the Shadow by Verlin Darrow

Reviewed by Rahul Gaur

Long before this book, Carl Jung famously said, “The brighter the light, the darker the shadow.” This means that we all have a light side and a shadow. When something becomes more intense or prominent, its opposite also becomes more pronounced. This book is about what happens when both are exposed.  Purchase Here.

The Brighter the Light, the Darker the Shadow by Verlin Darrow takes place in the Santa Cruz mountains, where spiritual leader Kade Tobin leads a small spiritual community called the Brethren of Congruence. They want peace and to live in harmony with life. But everything changes when Kade’s dog finds a dead woman near his home. Soon, this peaceful retreat becomes the site of multiple murders.

As the story progresses, different characters are introduced whose lives intertwine. Each character comes with their own set of complexities and acts from their backstories. Trauma shapes behavior. Ambition shapes judgment. Fear shapes accusations. The good thing is the book doesn’t label anyone good (bright) or bad (dark). It just showcases human beings’ reality. The community is full of regular people with problems. This is evident in characters like Jim, Martha, Susan, and Wayne. Then there is Detective Bill Cullen, who shows some interest in Kade’s philosophy. Other cops, like Jeff McCall and Michael Quinn, treat the community like a cult. The DA, Marion Burke, has personal reasons to go hard on Kade. Her daughter, Susan, lives in the community. Every character plays an important role in the story progression.

The Brighter the Light, the Darker the Shadow explores the clash of identity and power. Kade believes people suffer when they fight reality instead of accepting it. When the police arrest him for murder, his belief faces a real test. Some officers push hard during questioning. They try to scare Kade. The prosecution uses weak witnesses. This tussle is shown beautifully, and some descriptions are outstanding. One example is the moment Cullen receives the preliminary forensic report: it identifies the victim as a fit, fair-skinned Caucasian woman in her early twenties, shot at close range with a large caliber handgun sometime between 2 and 4 AM. Another is Cullen’s sharp, methodical way of cornering liars during his interview rounds.

The second half happens in court. The court system does not look fair. The judge is biased. Kade is stuck in jail, but he makes friends with a gang leader for protection. However, the pace drops during court scenes and jail reflections. But this seems intentional. It wants us to think about how belief systems work under pressure.

The author’s main argument is clear. The more someone shines, the more they attract doubt and attack. Light creates shadow. Life is not a straight line or just yes or no. There is a greyish area with lots of ups and downs. Kade is not perfect, and his spiritual authority makes him a target. He also lives in the U.S. without legal status and hides that truth. That is part of his shadow. The legal system sees facts and records. Kade sees meaning and lessons. These two views clash throughout the novel.

This is a solid story. It has suspense, court drama, and real thoughts about life and justice. The clever tricks and character ties make it fun to read. If you like mysteries with deeper meaning, pick this one up.