Lizard People: Death Valley Underground

Lizard People: Death Valley Underground by David A. Ek

Reviewed by Daniel Ryan Johnson

Lizard People: Death Valley Underground is a fascinating look into the lost souls that make up the populations of our most remote and harsh climates. In the novel, author David A. Ek takes us all the way down several rabbit holes as he explores the paranoia that consumes people in these parts of the world at a much higher rate than among the population as a whole. While the story revolves around Lizard People and their dealings with the government, it expands to contain a wide variety of eccentrics with wild ideas about the world in which we live.  Purchase Here.

The action gets going as a woman from Boston arrives in Death Valley and enlists the services of a reluctant loner running away from his past to help her find her missing uncle. During their investigation, the two slowly begin to develop a close bond as their search takes them to every corner of Death Valley and the surrounding region.

Ek does great character work, building a large cast of fascinating folk drawn to Death Valley and the (often unfulfilled) promises it holds. What begins as a simple missing person case evolves rapidly and draws in more and more elements from the mountains and valleys that make up the region. With every turn of the page, you are flipping over a new rock to find what creepy crawlers lie beneath.

As the book progresses, the reader begins to question which elements within the story are real and which are simply the mad ideas of these characters who have spent far too much time in the oppressive desert heat.

The story of Lizard People: Death Valley Underground never gets boring or feels as if it is dragging on, as the mysteries just continue to pile up throughout the book. With plenty of twists and turns, it will keep you guessing right until the very end. And even then, you will find yourself wondering if the person sitting across from you on the bus, or working in the cubicle next to yours, or lying beside you in bed, just might be one of the Lizard People.

The Manipulator

The Manipulator by Dan Buzzetta

Reviewed by Matthew W. McCarty

The world created by John Grisham in his seminal novel The Firm is taken to another level in The Manipulator, the most recent thriller by author Dan Buzzetta. Legal intrigue and sleight of hand have been as constant in American life as death and taxes. Many readers can recall an incident from their own lives or something that they read in the local newspaper that illustrates that idea perfectly. The Manipulator is an easy-to-read, swift ride through what can happen when legal wrangling becomes intertwined with other, more selfish interests. A single evening can transport the reader on an exciting and personal journey.  Purchase Here.

Thomas Berte, a rising lawyer at a prestigious law firm, is mysteriously promoted to chief deputy in the Department of Justice. The reader is privy to Tom’s thoughts, questions, and concerns about his promotion and what he is supposed to do when he arrives in Washington. Intertwined with Tom’s adventure is a man by the name of Cosimo Benedetto, the leader of the Syndicate, a leading purveyor of drugs and crime. The reader is eventually given the reason why Tom has been promoted and has led a charmed life, and why Cosimo has developed such a personal interest in Tom’s investigation into the Syndicate.

The Manipulator follows in the footsteps of excellent legal reading from Grisham, Scott Turow, and, to a lesser extent, Tom Clancy. Author Dan Buzzetta writes with a skill that draws the reader in and creates a need to turn the page in hopes of answering the question of why Tom has been promoted to the Department of Justice over other lawyers who have been in practice much longer. There is not much in the way of legalese that can creep into works of legal fiction. The reader can follow the narrative with ease and will actually enjoy finding out about why Tom has gotten where he is in life.

The Manipulator is one of the few works of fiction that this reviewer has read in the last several months. Apprehension was certainly in the air when this trip started. However, Buzzettas’ writing created a need to finish the book and find out what happened and why. The Manipulator is an excellent diversion from academic reading and professional monographs. It gave this reader a renewed interest in finding good fiction that can occupy a lazy evening by the fire or on the back porch and can take the reader into a world where the end of the book brings a definite conclusion and not questions that can never be answered as in the real world. This reviewer recommends The Manipulator without reservation and looks forward to Buzzettas’ next volume.

 

Second Place: The Real Dreamwalker presents El Nino by Ashlyn Jacobs

THE REAL DREAMWALKER PRESENTS: El Niño by Ashlyn Jacobs

Reviewed by Daniel Ryan Johnson

Many people share common anxieties and fears about the future. However, when you start sharing actual nightmares, with all the exact same details, it may mean the Dreamwalker is near. THE REAL DREAMWALKER PRESENTS: El Niño is an anthology series displaying vignettes of horror in Tucson, Arizona. Author Ashlyn Jacobs pulls us in and under before the book even truly gets going as concrete hands take Deke and Corey down in the prologue while the Dreamwalker watches on.  Purchase Here.

While these tales of terror start by presenting us with stories that are seemingly only connected by a common location and villain, as we delve deeper into the book, we find more connecting threads that begin to suggest a larger, more complex picture. The intentions of the Dreamwalker become harder to determine, and the mysteries begin to match the fear scrawled across every page.

With few characters that appear in more than a single chapter, there isn’t much time for character development in THE REAL DREAMWALKER PRESENTS: El Niño. However, this doesn’t stop the characters who do appear in the book from being compelling in their short time on the page. We are still pulled into their world and left wanting to know more about what happens with them next. At least, that is, for those who survive.

If you love looking for new fuel for your nightmares, reading a chapter from THE REAL DREAMWALKER PRESENTS: El Niño before bed will do the trick. Each story in the book is able to stand up on its own, providing the creepy factor that fans of horror are looking for in an anthology like this one. At the same time, the pieces you get as part of the larger story will easily keep any mystery fans intrigued to keep flipping through the pages and learning more.

Ashlyn Jacobs does a wonderful job of building suspense and leaving the reader with that feeling of a tingling on the back of the neck as they put down the book and lie down in bed for the night. You can’t help but feel that you are being watched. That a figure with a black baseball cap, headphones, and wrapped in a gray blanket is outside your window, floating off the ground, watching you, reading your thoughts, and learning all about your deepest fears.

Second Place: The Regression Strain by Kevin Hwang

The Regression Strain by Kevin Hwang

Reviewed by Timea Barabas

The Regression Strain grips you from page one and doesn’t let go. Kevin Hwang delivers a fascinating medical thriller set aboard the luxury cruise ship Paradise. Dr. Peter Palma signs on as the ship’s physician, expecting smooth sailing. Instead, he finds himself facing a terrifying unknown that drives human behavior into dangerous regression.  Purchase Here.

Peter steps away from his quiet family practice to join the medical staff aboard a cruise ship, hoping the change of pace will lead to some much-needed self-discovery and escape. It feels good to be somewhere he’s needed, somewhere he can truly make a difference. But his fresh start hits rough waters quickly.

Dr. Elizabeth Hartley, the ship’s stern chief physician, greets him with cold hostility, and even Luisa, one of the nurses, keeps her distance. Only Nurse Mandy brings warmth to the clinic, her presence a welcome contrast in an otherwise frosty atmosphere.

In an attempt to distance himself from his family after a devastating loss, Peter sets out on this unexpected journey only to discover he’s not as alone as he thought. Unknowingly, he finds himself sharing the voyage with a loved one, offering a rare chance to mend a strained relationship before it’s too late.

As chaos erupts aboard the ship, a loved one’s presence adds another layer of complexity. Still, Peter is unexpectedly grateful, for in the heart of the medical storm, this unlikely ally helps him connect the dots and face what lies ahead.

What initially appear to be isolated incidents of extreme and reckless behavior soon form the outline of a pattern. It falls to Peter to connect the dots and decipher the medical mystery behind a rapidly escalating outbreak of aggression. New to the job and still struggling to establish his authority, Peter faces mounting challenges as the invisible threat begins to compromise the ship’s staff and crew including the captain.

In an environment clouded by uncertainty, he must make critical decisions to contain the crisis and minimize casualties. But as suspicion grows that he himself may be affected by the unknown agent, Peter finds himself racing against both time and his own unraveling sanity to protect the people of Paradise before they reach their final port, New York.

Kevin Hwang delivers a compelling medical thriller set aboard the Paradise cruise ship, where every turn brings a new twist. The Regression Strain is the perfect choice for readers seeking a compelling summer read or a captivating escape from the everyday.

Extraterrestrial Noir

Extraterrestrial Noir by Rich Leder

Reviewed by Daniel Ryan Johnson

The world is full of stories of deadly alien invasions, and there are also many notable examples of fish out of water extraterrestrial visits to our little planet. However, in Extraterrestrial Noir, author Rich Leder decides to see how well these elements play together. Attracted to Earth by an SOS sent out into the night sky from the flashlight of a suburban housewife, a quirky shapeshifting alien makes a visit to Earth to lend a hand. While this may sound like the setup for an offbeat sitcom like Alf, things quickly take a dark turn as this alien has a penchant for noir.  Purchase Here.

Once again, Leder shows off his bleak sense of humor as this twisted take on first contact rapidly devolves into a deadly trip through the hidden criminal underworld that lies beneath an idyllic suburban paradise.

The plotting of Extraterrestrial Noir is superb, keeping the reader engaged and excited to find out what crazy turn the story will take next. The story has a wide range of characters, and each chapter gives us a glimpse into the brain of the person in focus, with our enigmatic alien always being viewed from the outside without getting to peek into their unfathomably complex mind.

While the novel is fairly long, the action-packed pacing and witty wording of the writer keep propelling you over the pages, and you find yourself breezing through the story at a breakneck pace, unable to find a pausing point to put down the book and take a break.

The character development is wonderful, as, aside from the visitor to our planet and our kid genius tasked with protecting her family, most of the other characters are not what they first appear. While they may seem to be fairly normal everyday folks from the suburbs at first glance, once their onion is peeled back, their dark secrets hiding underneath are revealed.

Don’t go into Extraterrestrial Noir expecting the characters to act with reason. The novel is full of the “don’t go in there” kind of moments you see in horror films, where the actions of the characters are clearly going to lead them to their doom. However, that is part of the fun of this story, as Leder is constantly using the narrative to highlight the stupidity of mankind with his typically twistedly comedic charm.

 

Safe Haven

Safe Haven by Peter Hargraves

Margaret was afraid of her murderous husband. She never knew that her fate would lie with the genetically modified cougars and their human agents that occupied the land to the far north. A chance encounter with an enigmatic man gives her the confidence to take matters into her own hands and she embarks on a perilous journey she never imagined she’d take.  Purchase Here.

“SAFE HAVEN is a snappy steampunk thriller …  its greatest strength is a deeply human premise … Margaret’s story is gripping because it’s simply relatable … the narrative itself is often full of joy … The emotional arc here—recognizing beauty in the world, and building up the courage to pursue one’s freedom—is both the spine of the narrative and also the great joy of reading this book.”          –Indiereader  4.2 stars

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Deadly Vision

Deadly Vision by T.D. Severin

Reviewed by Daniel Ryan Johnson

Medical technology is constantly evolving, and the next big discovery that has the potential to save countless lives is always right around the corner. In Deadly Vision, author T.D. Severin explores the many competing interests in the advancement of medicine with lives on the line, and not just those of the patients.  Purchase Here.

Taylor Abrahms is a young doctor with a lot to prove. Inspired to get into medicine by the death of his mother at a young age, Abrahms and his partners have developed a virtual reality program that lets him enter into a simulation of a patient’s heart where he can locate and obliterate artery-blocking plaque by controlling micro-robotic lasers injected into the bloodstream.

If testing for this new procedure is successful, it has the potential to replace far more dangerous operations with a much safer alternative. However, Abrahms faces opposition to his medical breakthrough on many fronts. Some other medical professionals have concerns about who will be able to afford this procedure and who will be denied, while others are simply concerned that they will be out of a job. Meanwhile, a presidential race with a focus on cutting healthcare costs views the procedure as an expense that the system can’t afford.

Severin does a fantastic job of creating tension as the stakes continue to escalate with every chapter. The story has quite a few twists and turns, and an interesting cast of characters that helps propel the narrative forward. Despite the length, Deadly Vision is a quick read with short chapters that jump between different characters, keeping you turning the page to find out what happens next.

Half fast-paced action adventure, half thoughtful look at the world we live in, Deadly Vision reviews the complex ethical, financial, and political considerations that impact the medical community and the advancement of medicine through the lens of a taught thriller. The focus of the novel remains clear throughout, despite taking the reader down many different paths. A highly recommended read for any fan of a good thriller with plenty of added bonuses for those with interests in medicine, technology, and political intrigue.

 

The Captive

The Captive by Kit Burgoyne

Reviewed by Ephantus Gold

“They thought they were the captors. They were wrong.” This single line captures everything that makes “The Captive” by Kit Burgoyne, a wild, intelligent and deeply unsettling ride through power, rebellion and the terrifying idea that the real dangers are never the ones we expect. In the first pages, a kidnapping unfolds with heart-pounding precision on a posh London street. It quickly becomes clear that the pregnant twenty-three-year-old, Adeline Woolsaw, daughter of an ultra-wealthy family, snatched by a group of activists—is not the helpless victim anyone anticipated. She’s composed, calculating, and somehow… strangely eager to be taken. As the group hides out in an abandoned school and tries to hold their operation together, weird and catastrophic events tear the outside world apart: a sudden hailstorm that feels almost apocalyptic, bizarre chemical rain, and a chilling sense that something bigger and more unnatural is happening just beyond reach.  Purchase Here.

These escalating events aren’t just background noise, rather, they press in on the characters, shaping every decision they make, which is an element that makes this novel truly shine. The characters feel strikingly real, especially Luke—the nervous first-timer who’s clearly in way over his head, wrestling with guilt, fear, and a creeping sense of disillusionment; Cam, the hardened leader, who clings stubbornly to the plan even as the world around them starts to twist out of shape; and Rosa, fierce and sharp-edged, who can’t quite hide the cracks in her confidence. But it’s Adeline who quietly steals the show. You can almost feel her eyes on them—watching, calculating, maybe even pulling the strings—in a rare, slow-burning psychological battle that keeps tightening its grip.

What makes the book so powerful is that Burgoyne doesn’t just ask “Will they get caught?”—he asks deeper, more disturbing questions: What happens when the victim doesn’t want to be saved? What if the people fighting for a better world are just as lost as the ones they oppose? And when everything crumbles, who do we become?

Burgoyne’s writing is razor-sharp and intelligent. He captures both the sweaty, claustrophobic fear inside the van during the abduction and the wider, surreal horror of a London seemingly breaking apart. Every chapter ends on a note that demands the reader to turn the page, hungry for answers that only get more complicated the deeper they go. From the very first page, this novel is fast, dark and tense. Readers will appreciate how it weaves in social commentary without feeling preachy. Thoughtout, it keeps the prose tight, vivid, and often darkly funny. The pacing is relentless but never rushed, and there’s a poetic touch to some of the more surreal moments—especially during the violent, dreamlike hailstorm scene. The dialogue feels authentic, as if one is eavesdropping, and even the supporting characters leap off the page, flaws and eccentricities intact.

Ultimately, Kit Burgoyne’s “The Captive” is not simply another clever, tense thriller; it plunges headlong into fanaticism, power, and that uneasy place where you begin to question if the good men and the evil guys are actually all that different. It’s tense, it’s thought-provoking, and once it gets its hooks in you, it doesn’t let go. If you like thrillers that aren’t afraid to get messy—or lean into the strange—you’ll be thinking about this one long after you turn the last page.

Toxic Minds

Toxic Minds (Dr. Mark Lin Medical Thrillers Book 2) by Anthony Lee

Reviewed by Timea Barabas

Toxic Minds is an intoxicating medical thriller by Anthony Lee and the second installment in the compelling saga of Dr. Mark Lin, following the success of Doctor Lucifer. Although part of a series, each novel stands strong on its own, delivering a thrilling experience. And the story doesn’t stop here… book three is already in the works.  Purchase Here.

 This action-packed thriller follows Dr. Mark Lin as he’s drawn into the dark heart of a blooming health cult with a dangerous political agenda: to erase institutionalized medicine. Mark’s crime-busting endeavors are triggered by a single, chilling phone call from a former patient waiting for her OB/GYN appointment. As Mark listens, he becomes an unwitting witness to a chain of chaotic events that culminate in a suicide bombing at the clinic.

 The tragedy casts a dark shadow over Mark from which he is unable to escape. Shortly after, he starts treating an increasing number of patients with unusual conditions. They all have one thing in common, a deep distrust of medicine and doctors. However, when one of these patients unexpectedly gives him a clue about what connects them all, Mark begins to piece together a sinister puzzle.

 Mark uncovers the existence of an enigmatic health guru at the helm of a secret cult that might be behind the bombing. Determined to get answers, he adopts an alter ego and successfully infiltrates their ranks. What he discovers is an organization that grows fast in the shadows.

 Members are required to take part in a series of secretive health rituals built entirely on trust. Some are as extreme as injecting unknown substances into their bodies under the lure of achieving undisclosed health benefits. Driven by sheer will and unwavering determination, Mark rises swiftly through the ranks, getting closer to the center of the cult (purity).

 Anthony Lee skillfully mirrors Mark’s descent towards the cult’s idea of “purity” with his personal journey towards purification by truth. Also, the four main parts of the book are titled after the main stages of the health cult’s hidden agenda.

 Toxic Minds delivers on multiple levels: an exhilarating, fast-paced thriller on the surface, with deeper layers of political commentary woven seamlessly beneath. It entertains without compromise, offering substance without slowing the pace. Anthony Lee creates an engaging and relevant piece of fiction that feels eerily familiar and real.

Dying to Meet You

Dying to Meet You: A Twisty Psychological Thriller About a Single Mom, a Murdered Ex, and Secrets Too Close to Home by Sarina Bowen

Reviewed by Ephantus Gold

Sarina Bowen’s “Dying to Meet You: A Twisty Psychological Thriller About a Single Mom, a Murdered Ex, and Secrets Too Close to Home” is a compelling, fast-paced mystery with a refreshingly likable protagonist who is forced to juggle between a heartbreak, a high-stakes career, and the terrifying prospect of being a key murder suspect.  Purchase Here.

Rowan Gallagher, an architect and single mother to a sixteen-year-old, is barely holding it together after a sudden breakup with investigative journalist Tim Kovak. They had dated for several weeks, but now all she has to show for it are tears and pain. One evening, her FriendFinder app shows him heading where they shared their first romantic kiss. In addition to being in Rowan’s neighborhood, the area is where she has a two-year contract to restore a historic mansion that belongs to a powerful family. In an attempt to find out what Tim is up to, she pretends to walk her dog, which leads her to make a horrific discovery.

Later, detectives learn that Tim’s iCloud storage contains sensitive images that could only have been obtained from Rowan’s phone. Shockingly, some of them relate to the powerful family’s birth records. Things take a new turn when an investigative journalist approaches her and suggests that Tim may have been following a big story. Her request for Rowan’s assistance in looking into the family may prove to be Rowan’s saving grace and clear her of the hawk-eyed cops’ suspicions. A familiar figure from Rowan’s past, however, comes knocking, driving her into a frenzy over what he may be up to. The truth of his return is, however, far more startling than she thinks.

This story, which features chapters written from the perspectives of several characters, reveals unexpected revelations, layers of deceit, and devastating truths. It effectively conveys a multifaceted motive that takes a back seat until later when it is unveiled in the most dramatic display of creativity. The characters—from the obstinate Natalie to the unpredictable Beatrice—manage to keep the story thread moving with each new page through detailed conversation and clues that allude to a journey into the unknown.

How does one make peace with an ex-convict who previously abandoned her? This is a question that this work invites the reader to explore. Along with the terrible consequences of treachery, drug abuse, kidnapping, and dishonesty, they are also invited to experience a harmonious fusion of love, forgiveness, and devotion. The already high stakes are raised by police participation, and the reader’s innermost questions will be piqued by their suspenseful, well-planned moves.

Sarina Bowen’s “Dying to Meet You: A Twisty Psychological Thriller About a Single Mom, a Murdered Ex, and Secrets Too Close to Home” has twists that are smart and unexpected. The author excels at peeling back the layers of her characters while delving into the bigger question of how well we know others. With a strong female lead, this is a book that will have you turning the pages well into the night.