Seventeen Missions to Save the World

Seventeen Missions to Save the World by Leyth Sharaf

Reviewed by Timea Barabas

Your life can change in unimaginable ways in the blink of an eye, whether during a college basketball game or while picking up Seventeen Missions to Save the World by Leyth Sharaf. While the book mainly targets a younger audience, it is a refreshing read for all ages. The author’s vivid narration makes the story cinematically unfold before the reader’s eyes.  Purchase Here.

This young adult novel blends humor, satire, and touches of surrealism to explore a grand theme: saving the world. Rather than treating this ambitious goal as an impossible challenge, the author breaks it into seventeen smaller, achievable missions.

It all begins with a teenager who simply wants to win a basketball game for his team. But in the middle of the match, a shimmering portal opens, and a mysterious being known as the Reminder steps through, bringing a warning of impending doom.

The future is collapsing, and only the protagonist, Leyth, holds the key to saving it. By a twist of fate, his teammate Ellie is drawn into the mission as well. Together, they journey through a magical portal that transcends time and space, witnessing possible futures across the world as they strive to set things right.

Our two heroes embark on seventeen missions to save the world as we know it. Each mission unfolds in two parts. First, Leyth and Ellie are given a glimpse into a dystopian future that magnifies a pressing global issue, such as poverty, gender inequality, or rampant overconsumption. These scenarios are depicted in vivid detail, infused with sharp satire, humor, and wit. Then, they are transported back to the present day, where they must confront and resolve the problem before it spirals beyond control.

Seventeen Missions to Save the World by Leyth Sharaf is a light-hearted and thought-provoking exercise on enacting positive change in the world around us. It shows over and over again how even the smallest good deeds can reverberate into causing global change.

If two teenagers can save the world seventeen times, surely, collectively, we should manage to be able to as well. Leyth Sharaf serves as our Reminder of how we continue to neglect our responsibilities to care for and protect one another and our home.

A Case Against Jasper

The Case Against Jasper by Clifton Wilcox

Reviewed by Lily Andrews

“The Case Against Jasper” by Clifton Wilcox takes us right into the Wildwoods Farm, where rumors are running wild and trust hangs by a thread, in one of the most chilling tales of deception vs. truth you’ll ever encounter. There, “A scream, a slip…” becomes the spark that sends little Jasper on a desperate journey for answers that no one dares to speak aloud.  Purchase Here.

Jasper and Jenny are enjoying their favorite game when the latter suddenly hits the ground with a thud that no creature can ever forget. In a short while, accusations fill the air that Jasper deliberately shoved her. “He could never compete with Jenny, and he loathed that…” they say. Invited by the elder of the farm, enters Ink, a clever ferret detective with a quick wit and a keen eye for details, and Fiona, “The Whisper,” whose reputation for her uncanny ability to pick up on cues and to overhear whispers and quiet conversations precedes her. Eager not to let the whispers write the ending, the duo sets out to untangle the rumors. But little do they know that the truth is darker and far closer than anyone dares to imagine.

What follows is a walk down a detective’s journey. Ink and Fiona are not just following what everyone is saying; instead, they are looking into what one can easily overlook, including non-verbal cues of their suspects —the pause before a name, a shaky voice, the nervous flick of a tail. At the farm, looking the other way is the path of least resistance that may keep them safe and liked. Their choice here becomes the story’s moral heartbeat and Wilcox’s belief that justice is not found in consensus but in courage.

In “The Case Against Jasper,” one senses early into the read that the animal characters are not simply personalities but moral instruments, with each of them embodying a distinct attitude towards fear, truth, and justice. Each of them represents a recognizable human tendency, including innocence, idealism, moral laziness, and reason and empathy. By giving them these human traits, Wilcox frees the story from direct human context, allowing the reader to examine moral failure in its purest form. He has also given them distinct behavioral language, which enables the reader to learn who they are by how they sound and react, not just by what they say. Of worthy note is how he allows the characters to change throuh understanding, a quality that elevates the book, distinct from a mere fable, and far less cynical than popular ‘Animal Farm’ stories.

Wilcox has written with a measured, lyrical precision that feels timeless. His sentences unfold with the rhythm of oral storytelling that is clear enough for young readers, yet layered enough to engage adults looking for reflection and allegory. His tone is morally charged, inviting contemplation rather than shock even in moments of tension. Fans of reflective mysteries as well as those who enjoy gentle yet profound storytelling will resonate most with his style. Whether approached as a fable, a mystery, or a mirror held up to our own worlds, “The Case Against Jasper” will leave its audience with a lasting sense of the foundations upon which justice stands.

 

Blood on the Icehouse Wall

Blood on the Icehouse Wall by Jessica Meats

Reviewed by Diana Coyle

Siblings, Mandy and Ben, are living in a foster house owned by Mrs. Bellows in “Blood on the Icehouse Wall” by Jessica Meats. These two are close with each other and try to help each other with life’s ups and downs as they arise. The oddest thing is that neither of them could ever prepare themselves for something they found out about Ben. One particular evening, he is very unsettled and feels that he needs to go outside because he is being pulled by an invisible source. As he’s out in the woods going for a jog, Ben sends a text to Mandy to come outside because he found something he needs to show her. When Mandy meets up with him, he’s acting odd, but shows her these cryptic ruin markers on a building that everyone refers to as the Icehouse. Things quickly start unfolding, and both are thrown into a supernatural world of witches and werewolves as they stumble upon a dead body in the woods and someone leaning over that body. Did this person kill the man lying on the ground? What are the cryptic ruin messages that are painted, in what seems to be blood, on the Icehouse? What do they find out about Ben?  Purchase Here.

Although this was a very creative storyline, I was disappointed that it seems to move way too slow for my taste. Considering there were a lot of things happening in the scenes, the plot just moved too slowly to take it to the next scene. Unfortunately, this made engaging with the characters and the storyline a bit of a task for me.

Also, there were quite a few characters throughout this book, and many introductions happened at the very beginning. It took a bit of deciphering to see who was an ally and who was the enemy. When the story finally started to reveal a main development for Ben, something didn’t fit for me in the behaviors he was displaying. This also made me still feel disconnected to him even though I wanted to connect with him and Mandy.

I read that Jessica Meats loves writing about strong female characters, and there were two females, Mandy and Elizabeth, who were both independently strong throughout the story. So much so, I felt they were in constant competition over who would succeed in ruling over the other female character. There was constant high energy and tension whenever these two were in a scene together.

Although it says this is book one of one of The Writings on the Well, at the end of the story it mentions that a conclusion book will follow in this series.

Jessica Meats works in the IT industry. She is a UK-based author of Science Fiction and Fantasy books. Since 2009, she has produced a variety of novels for both adults and young adults.

Overall, “Blood on the Icehouse Wall” by Jessica Meats is a Contemporary Fantasy novel geared for teens and young adults. It is heavily wrapped around a supernatural theme with intriguing concepts of the cryptic ruins that both Ben and Mandy stumbled upon. Readers who enjoyed this story can eagerly look forward to another installment to conclude this series.

 

The Third Estate

The Third Estate: Secrets of the Manor by D.R. Berlin

Reviewed by Ephantus Gold

“The Third Estate: Secrets of the Manor” by D. R. Berlin is a gripping tale that parallels two story lines that at first seem worlds apart, but then chillingly begin to converge, creating a psychological thriller wrapped in the moral ambiguity of espionage and family secrets.  Purchase Here.

The story begins with Kai Lovac, a cold, meticulous, and hyper-professional assassin, who finds himself on a mission that doesn’t make sense to him. He feels paralyzed with dread and indecision as he recalls the events of the day – complications, delays, and awkward interactions that plagued his every move. The thoughts paralyze him with doubt, unraveling years of trained detachment. Still, duty prevails, pushing him to the execution even as he gets haunted by the suspicion that he may have just pulled the trigger on someone who may not have been a stranger at all.

Twelve years later, the story introduces Cadet Sophie Allard, who has invested the last four grueling years in intensive studying, muscle-aching physical training, and mental conditioning to earn her position as a fighter pilot. Things, however, take a new turn when she is made aware of an explosion at the lab at Grand Lake Manor, where her father, Professor Anderson, works. Many believe that he was the only one working at the time of the explosion and thus may have been the only casualty. Sophie hates it when people refer to him as her father- he never wanted to be a father to her and had instructed her always to call him “the Professor.” “I was a nuisance to him, nothing more…” These bitter words set the stage for a story charged with emotional tension and hidden family truths.

This story takes a sharp twist with the entrance of a figure, not a stranger, but a ghost from the deepest corners of Sophie’s past. It brings with it memories of a scar-faced man who murdered her adoptive mother, secrets of organizations operating in the shadows of government, a life’s work so dangerous that they had to hide it, and of a threat that never truly left the family. At this point, Sophie finds herself thrust into a battle for survival and forced to use every ounce of her elite military training not in the skies, but in the very place she once called home.

This story deftly confronts the nature of truth and deception through its well-hewn characters whose flaws and decisions blur the line between loyalty and betrayal. Each holds a mirror of what truth really is, according to them, as well as how it can be weaponized or twisted into motive, shield, or trap. The novel employs a dual timeline structure, which builds momentum through contrast and cliffhangers that mimic the rhythm of a cinematic thriller. It also uses a cause-and-effect design as well as short declarative sentences that heighten tension and mirror the characters’ sense of control.

I appreciated how Berlin’s writing style adapts to capture the emotion of the moment. The short, sharp dialogue makes the scene feel urgent and real, while the quick, active words show the protagonist’s determination. You can really feel the tension between following orders and following her own conscience. Berlin’s short, clipped sentences, such as “Still behind schedule. Not acceptable,” and “No more delays. Still behind schedule. Not acceptable,” make the moments feel fast and intense. Her writing style matches the well-drawn antagonist’s strict and focused mindset, while the quick rhythm of her words makes you feel his pressure and drive, pulling you right into his world.

“The Third Estate: Secrets of the Manor” by D. R. Berlin is the right pick if you love stories that combine the technical detail of a military techno-thriller with the shadowy conspiracies of a political espionage novel and family drama. If you are fascinated by the question of “Who truly holds the power,” you will not want to miss it. It is a gripping and clever read that masterfully blends compelling elements, hooking the reader from start to finish without feeling forced or formulaic.

The Moaning Lisa

The Moaning Lisa: A Paco and Molly Mystery by Rosemary and Larry Mild

Reviewed by Lilly Andrews

“The Moaning Lisa: A Paco and Molly Mystery” by Rosemary and Larry Mild is a sweeping mystery that begins in 1998, and follows two love-birds, Paco, a retired Baltimore police detective and the former head of the Black Rain Corners police force who is now eighty-seven, and Molly, eighty-two, who must use their wits to unravel a sinister plot while tolerating the aches and pains of advanced age.  Purchase Here.

The opening scene places Paco outside a supermarket where he is writhing in pain from his third heart attack. This unexpected event sends him directly to the surgery where doctors get his heart’s rhythm back in control. Their love is visible even at this dark moment, and their affectionate banter becomes a lifeline and a defibrillator that constantly shocks their spirits back to joy. Six months later, the duo comes to a crucial decision – to sell their house due to the cumbersome stairs now turned into an insurmountable mountain, and the difficulty in taking care of their charming cottage. Moving to an assisted living facility is the last thing they would want, but with age catching up, little is left to procrastination.

Their first stop is at Gilded Gates, where, as soon as the tour of the premises is over, a gaunt-looking, stooped man with hollow eyes and a sharp chin approaches them in the corridor, warning them that the place is evil. This is quickly followed by a dream that haunts Molly, the whisper of the same man twisting into a chorus of moans that seem to echo from the very walls of their new suite. It doesn’t take long for Paco to realize that the place holds a labyrinth of chilling secrets during his pursuit of a sleepwalker through the facility’s darkened underbelly. He is shocked to discover a hidden network of passages as he attempts to locate the source of a chilling, unearthly moan, which he believes the night walker may have been following. The tension mounts with every creak and shadow, culminating not in an answer but in a terrifying question that eclipses all others: in choosing this place, did they secure a peaceful retirement, or did they willingly lock the door on their own grave?

This is a humorous mystery since it is a chilling exploration of covered secrets. The humor between Molly and Paco is one of the story’s defining charms. Molly unintentionally mixes up words, creating hilarious and often strangely insightful new ones that Paco has to correct or decipher what they mean. She says things like Paco’s “serially hurting” and has had “hearty attacks”, calls his defibrillator his “defibber” or “refriberator”, calls a “real estate agent” a “real mistake person,” says lookers can be “disbelieving,” and refers to residents as “inmates.”  Their humor isn’t just comic relief but a vital part of their characterization that ably highlights their deep affection, their resilience in the face of aging, and the quirky partnership that makes them such effective and endearing sleuths.

What’s most remarkable about this story is its themes, which include reclaiming power and purpose in an age often defined by loss, the enduring power of love and partnership, and turning perceived weaknesses into strengths. This beautifully elevates it from a simple mystery to one with resonance and depth. It excels in ending its chapters with unsettling revelations through characters that are well-carved with definition, depth, and a strong sense of authenticity.

While many mysteries often depict protagonists who are at their physical peak, “The Moaning Lisa: A Paco and Molly Mystery” by Rosemary and Larry Mild reveals a unique choice that unexpectedly pays off brilliantly. It is intensely suspenseful and entertaining, making you look at your granny and grandpa in a whole new light, wondering whether beneath those cozy sweaters lies the heart of a detective.

Paper Cut

Paper Cut by Rachel Taff

Reviewed by Ephantus Gold

“Paper Cut” by Rachel Taff starts quietly, maybe too quietly, like the calm before something breaks. You can feel the weight underneath it —a type of grief that won’t speak but stays there, waiting. The story doesn’t open with action but with a strong sense that someone’s truth is about to break through the surface. The main character, Lucy Golden, is not an easy character to figure out, and that is what intrigued me. She is a memoirist who wrote the popular memoir “Rattlesnake”, a book that not only made her famous but also extremely hated. She is held responsible for killing a person she loved, and whether or not it’s true, the rumor clings to her like a shadow. She’s thirty-five and has lived too many lives already. Her mother, who’s an artist and a photographer, can hardly bear to look at her, and when they talk, it’s not across space or machines – it’s eye to eye, hard and icy, like two people standing on the threshold of something they can’t cross through.  Purchase Here.

There’s Isaac Coleman, the documentary filmmaker who once solved the Buckhead Butcher case. He wishes to make his next documentary about Lucy and her life. He talks of bringing her back into the spotlight- more books purchased, more press, a re-release of “Rattlesnake”. He promises fresh evidence which will throw the case wide open. That word, “new,” sounded dangerous to me, like a trick wrapped as a gift. Lucy is intelligent enough not to take anyone in the media at their word, but she nevertheless goes along with Isaac’s request.

The story moves back and forth between her present and her past, through fragments of “Rattlesnake” and memories that feel too sharp to be fiction. We meet her father, Max, a man who built a place in the desert called the Oasis, where people go to “find themselves.” At first, it sounds like a retreat, but soon it feels like something else entirely- something dark and controlling, like a dream that turns into a cage. The book slowly reveals what goes on there: drowned voices, missing bodies, strange “purity” regulations. The more we know, the worse it seems that the truth has been buried under decades of dishonesty.

The prose is calm but cuts deep. Rachel Taff doesn’t decorate her sentences; instead, she pares them down until they sting. There’s a rhythm to her writing, sometimes quiet, sometimes jagged, that matches Lucy’s own state of mind. The dialogue is gritty, sometimes broken, as though people are trying to convey what they really mean but never quite manage to do so. The characters breathe and bruise in real time.  Lucy’s voice carries both strength and fragility, and even the side characters, like Isaac and Max, seem to be hiding entire novels behind their eyes. The word choice is simple, but there is tangible weight, depth, and tension between the sentences. You don’t read swiftly through this novel; instead, you feel your way through it. It isn’t flash writing; it’s real, and it hurts in the best possible way. Themes of manipulation, courage, and the strange ways that individuals survive the atrocities that would have killed them are meticulously built, and every chapter has you questioning what is real, who is lying, and whether redemption can occur after so much damage.

When I’d read “Paper Cut“, I felt undone and restless, as though I could still hear voices echoing in the desert. I adored how Rachel Taff writes with a quiet flame; she doesn’t push emotion but instead lets it simmer until it stings. This book is for readers who enjoy their stories complex, emotional, and uncomfortably human, as well as those who are not afraid to walk through the darker areas of memory to arrive at the truth. It’s not a story that ends cleanly, and maybe that’s what makes it so haunting.

 

The Bronson Escapades

The Bronson Escapades by Alison Bellringer

Reviewed by Timea Barabas

Alison Bellringer offers young readers a delightful escape with The Bronson Escapades. Lighthearted and enchanting, the book invites us into the tender world of childhood wonder and innocence. Each page feels like a breath of fresh air, making this a truly family-friendly read.  Purchase Here.

Throughout the story, we follow the Bronson family; especially their five children, three girls and two boys, ranging in age from 9 to 17. The delightful group of five is surrounded by a group of strong supporting characters, which includes the parents, Cook (who is as you may have guessed it, the family’s cook), Sarah (a friend of the children with a high-pitched voice), George (the gentle giant), and Mr. Hugglepuff (the new school principal).

Alison Bellringer welcomes readers into the magical realm of childhood, where wonder is found in simplicity. Everyday moments (like a trip to the store or the search for a lost ring) unfold into grand adventures. What makes the journey especially engaging is seeing how each of the Bronson children responds in their own unique way when faced with the same situation.

The book can also be enjoyed as a collection of interconnected short stories told in chronological order, each following the same characters. This structure makes it highly accessible, with every chapter offering a self-contained adventure while deepening our connection to the familiar cast. A gentle overarching thread ties the stories together, giving the book a natural sense of flow.

With every exciting chapter, these characters grow more vivid and familiar, until by the final page, it feels as though the reader has gained five new, fun-loving friends. As the story draws to a close, there’s a bittersweet tug at the heart, like saying farewell to dear companions. Yet it may not be goodbye at all, but rather a hopeful “see you next time.”

In October 2024, The Bronson Escapades was honored with the Mom’s Choice Awards® Silver Seal of Excellence. And it is an excellent read indeed. Although written primarily for young readers ages 8 to 12, the stories hold a charm that can captivate readers of all ages.

 

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.

First Place:

Crown City: Book 3 of A Japantown Mystery by Naomi Hirahara

Reviewed by Ephantus Gold

In her new historical mystery novel, “Crown City: Book 3 of A Japantown Mystery,” Naomi Hirahara deftly expresses that feeling of being an outsider looking in. The novel seeks to answer the “who-am-I-here” dilemma through Ryunosuke “Ryui” Wada who we meet first not as a detective, but as a dreamer, who is eighteen years old and stumbling off a ship with a suitcase of dreams and a heart full of grief. Without parents, he wrestles with the implications of being an orphan in an often vicious world where his sanity and survival are threatened.  Purchase Here.

Japan no longer has a place for young Ryui due to his young age and inexperience which would have allowed him the opportunity to run his father’s business. But he has developed an unassailable confidence, not weighed down by centuries of tradition thanks to his father’s trade connections with both Americans and Britons. He gazes out over the sea and travels to “Crown City,” Pasadena, California to reinvent himself hoping to one day return home as “the golden boy.” Initially, Pasadena appears to embody the ideals of wealth and progressive ideals and, for a moment, you want to believe that everything would go well for Ryui in his new occupation as an art dealer apprentice. Yet this trust is neatly dispelled by the author, who immediately establishes an unsettling quality that presents the warm welcome as fragile and, somehow, fast-fading.

The story begins with a one-two punch as Ryui is assaulted and then a painting by Toshio Aoki, one of the best-known Japanese artists in Pasadena, is taken from his studio. Instead of going to the police, Aoki enlists Ryui and Jack to conduct an under-the-table investigation. This decision exposes considerable discord in the community beyond the unsaid insistence to perpetuate the “perfect image” whilst dealing with private, and sometimes oppressive, matters.

Initially intrigued by the prospect of becoming a detective, Ryui emerges as a well-crafted protagonist. His decisions provide a crash course on the brutal realities of his new home just before all of the intricately woven fabric of his dream is almost pulled apart. The stolen painting is the first thread he pulls even as the question of whether he can beat the odds quickly become something that grows in ways that are both exhilarating and incredibly unsettling.

Hirahara has a very straightforward style, while maintaining the same cadence. She is impressive in how one minute she hits you with an unforgettable image or moment and the next one has you in the streets of Pasadena. You vividly find yourself beholding in your imagination Ryui and his unwavering optimism and tenderness, Jack and the mounds of quiet mystery, and even the flashes back to Yokohama, all trade and noise.

 

All of this convinces me that the book will engage two main readerships: readers who like drawing attention to significant matters of identity and belonging in an immigrant story, and those who want a well-written historical mystery with a moving backstory. The terrifying hypothesis that Ryui’s future is in fact the biggest mystery he must crack is what Hirahara leaves her readers with. What’s so powerful about “Crown City: Book 3 of A Japantown Mystery,” is that it’s not merely recreating the crime, but creating a culture where none existed. This book can be read as a standalone and that’s part of its strength.

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.