Author: vicfoster80

Candace Nix sits in a chair and answers the questions put to her. She is a powderkeg of emotions as her actions are scrutinized by higher-ups in law enforcement. A distracted mind led to grave consequences and the weight of the world lay on Nix’s shoulders in “Voluntary Action”. Meagan Lucas’ first story sets the tone for a compilation of frequently poignant short stories contained in Here in the Dark. Nix’s descent into tortuous limbo segues to the dreary life of Janelle in “Picking the Carcass”. Janelle is the mother of two and straddles the line between poor and destitute. Her fortunes begin to change when she finds gold in a dead raccoon. However, her needs require a continuous stream of hidden treasure and gold doesn’t just randomly appear more than once, right?  The reader will be transported to the lonely but unorthodox world of young Tillie in “Buttons”, a story that will leave the audience slightly unsettled. Two of the stand-out offerings in this sterling work are “You Know What They Say About Karma” and “Kittens”, where I struggle for the right words to qualify in describing something so heartrending. 

Lucas (Songbirds and Stray Dogs, 2019) weaves a collection of sixteen stories that are impactful, regardless of length. Each entry is unique in their direction and theme, more than a few are gut-wrenching in their denouement. Lucas doesn’t lean on gore to sell the horror of humanity, just motive and actions. This collection of yarns will have the reader riveted from start to finish and anticipating more work from this fine author.

In the town of Presley, Arkansas, the townsfolk are gearing up for the yearly hunt for the
“Golden Egg”. This search consumes the minds of many before the arrival of Easter. The hunt is
sponsored by the local radio station, the clues lead to various locations around town and the
grand prize could be enough money to make life comfortable for a few years. Since the dawn of
the contest, a shadow has loomed over the spectacle of this scavenger hunt. A fair number of
people involved or connected to the search have turned up dead. A few of the citizens have
urged the contest to be shut down in sympathy to the families of the departed. The contest
sponsors insist that the deaths are unrelated and the popularity of the hunt is too great for
rumors or “urban legend” to end it.

In 2022, the “Hunt” for the Golden Egg has recommenced after a year hiatus due to
COVID-19. Nell Holcomb is one of Presley’s citizens who longs for the hunt to be scuttled. Her
brother, Garrett, is considered to be one of the first victims of the alleged killer known as “The
Hunter.” As the 2022 game begins, co-workers and friends are concerned about Nell’s state of
mind. Nell’s mindset is scattered at best, as she has been taking care of her nephew (and
Garrett’s son) Elijah since he was little. Recently, she has begun a relationship with an unknown
party that could cause commotion if it came to light. As this relationship progresses, Nell
becomes more secretive.

Ada is Nell’s best friend and surrogate Aunt to Elijah. Ada is an avid hunter for the
Golden Egg. She has to tamp down her enthusiasm for the hunt in order to respect Nell’s
feelings, but she looks for clues during her downtime and often with Elijah. As the days tick
down to Easter and the Golden Egg seems closer, a paranoid feeling grips Ada with every noise
she hears while hunting in a desolate area. Nell’s mental state threatens to come undone with a
chance encounter. The town of Presley has never witnessed a hunt quite like this year’s.

The Hunt makes its intent known in its opening pages. Author Kelly J. Ford
(Cottonmouths) hints of the mayhem soon to come as the hunt for small fortune dominates the
thoughts of the small-town denizen, even if the pursuit puts them in harm’s way. Nell Holcomb
has never gotten over her brother’s death, she wears her survivor’s guilt on her sleeves. When
things are normal, she throws herself into her work at the plastics factory. If things have gone
sideways, she seeks comfort in self-destructive tendencies. Two of the people she cares about
deeply are Ada and Elijah. Ada is Nell’s closest friend but as close as they are, there remains a
gulf of something left unsaid between them. The Hunt is an intoxicating mystery/thriller novel
that doesn’t rely on over-the-top blood to scare the reader as much as a steady dose of
cerebral moments that tease you until a most satisfying conclusion.

Losing a child is one of the most difficult situations a person can endure. The joy of the pending arrival of a new addition to a family is suddenly dashed by the inexplicable ending of the baby’s life, either through miscarriage or stillbirth. The loss of a baby can be difficult for a couple but is often devastating to the mother. A mother’s special connection to their baby evolves on a daily basis and the baby’s development and nourishment hinges on the mother’s body. The loss of the baby during the nine-month period or shortly thereafter leaves an impact on a woman that is indelible. The five stages of grief are experienced on a loop, often by Mother and Father. “What If” scenarios are pondered, despite there being no fault in the tragic outcome. You’re Not Alone offers a compendium of stories from various women and men who have suffered the loss of a baby at some point in their lives. 

You’re Not Alone is not easy reading, as each offering comes with a foregone tragic conclusion. However, the silver lining comes with each individual’s sharing of grief, an emotional catharsis that attempts to reach out to someone who suffers a similar fate. The book provides memories from both men and women recalling this poignant moment in their lives and how they coped. Not every story ends with a loss, as some had successful pregnancies shortly thereafter or further down the road. The loss of one’s child can’t be truly forgotten, no matter how brief their appearance is in your world. Once you learn of your baby’s existence, that moment is bookmarked in your mind. The second that jubilation is ripped away is equally impactful. Michelle Fulton has admirably compiled and contributed to a collaborative effort that will reach out to those in need of healing. An inspiring book.

Jane was imbued with a deep spirituality. She possessed a close relationship with her mother, who believed in UFO’s and communing with nature. Her father was the exact opposite and held close to the beliefs of Christian Science. By the time Jane was 8 years old, her mom was gone and her family was shattered. The loving presence she had always known was replaced with the constant specter of stern if not abusive adults. The separation from her mother stung Jane to her core. Her stepmother was cold and unforgiving, while her father seemed aloof. Jane found freedom in maintaining distance from home. As Jane got older, she believed she was subjected to trauma-based mind control. Her essence and spirituality were meant to be beaten down by her oppressors, but she never wavered. 

Jane would go on to have children with a man named John. A seemingly healthy relationship would deteriorate as John began to withdraw from Jane. Jane watched in horror as John’s new significant other tried to break Jane’s daughters’ will and exercise a Svengali-like grasp on John. Any reservations expressed by Jane would be met by gaslighting from John. During this whole new trauma, Jane would experience a spiritual awakening that would clue her into the sinister forces which looked to extinguish her light.

The Land of Broken Crystals and the Girl Who Knew Too Much brings the reader on a marathon of pure hell that the author experienced during her lifetime. Hatch’s memoir possesses aspects of a never-ending tragedy, but the silver lining is her resolve. Hatch’s determination to not give up, despite often insurmountable odds illustrates the depth of the human spirit. This is a memoir of emotional catharsis and soul searching. Hatch’s story has the ability to reach many who may have suffered or are suffering similar ordeals.

Stanley Sharter aka “Little Stayne” is a product of New Orleans and an aspiring rapper. He is bereft of a father figure, either due to abandonment or senseless violence. He is taken in by Bryan “Turdman” Williamson who nurtures Stanley’s talent. Williamson is a ruthless gangbanger turned hip-hop impressario. Turdman helps Stanley gain entrance into the entertainment business as well as introducing him to the debauchery that accompanies instant fame and wealth. 

As Little Stayne becomes an overnight sensation, his music spreads far and wide. His lyrics about women, drugs, and thug life provide inspiration to a quartet of high school kids living in Newport, Rhode Island. Colby, Rick, Chet & Dusty are a tight-knit crew engaged in a nihilistic life of excess drug use and uninhibited sex. Chet’s life revolves around selling just enough drugs to cover the amount he’s putting in himself. Dusty lives to be second string to Chet, even to his own humiliation. Rick is a star athlete who is starting to distance himself from Chet & Dusty’s burnout lifestyle. Colby thoughtfully ponders the words & music of Little Stayne and others and tends to be more cerebral. As the hip-hop world begins to become more unhinged, the friendship of the Newport crew devolves as well.

As feuds between Little Stayne and rivals heat up, FBI Agents Denning and Stantler follow the ramping up of tensions with fingers on their triggers. Denning mentor to the younger Stantler, quite possibly to Stantler’s detriment as Denning is a full-blown alcoholic and borderline psychopath. If Denning can’t arrest the gangster rappers, he is more than willing to have an “OK Corral” style shoot-out. 
The Sharter: A Millenial Journey Out of Hip-Hop Hypnosis shoots from the hip straight from the author’s introduction. Rap music has devolved from its underground roots, where thought-provoking words emanated from uber poets to the often profane and violent world of hip-hop music. Lyrics about the unforgiving world of the streets, poverty, and drug violence gave way to misogyny, cynicism, and gangster life. Author Al Dawg writes a book that brings humor, horror, and absurdism to a music genre that has entranced more than a generation. The appeal of this book will not solely be to rap/hip-hop fans, but to music fans in general.

1995-A daring heist committed by professional thief Neil McCauley and his gang of desperadoes has been interrupted by dogged Detective Vincent Hanna and his colleagues in the LAPD. A shoot-out ensues on the city streets leaving two of McCauley’s crew dead and one critically wounded. The LAPD lost a Detective and a couple officers in the fusillade. After a harrowing pursuit, Hanna catches up with McCauley and shoots him. However, McCauley’s cohort and friend Chris Shiherlis has managed to evade capture and is headed for the safer climes south of the border. “Heat 2” continues the electric story of McCauley, Hanna, and Shiherlis with a rewind to the McCauley crew’s previous exploits in 1988 and a leap forward to events after the deadly bullet exchange.

In 1988, Chicago Detective Vincent Hanna is a wired but brilliant cop tracking a deadly home invasion crew. The violence committed by these men against their targets is gratuitous and puts Hanna on edge. Hanna is an avenging angel for the victims, his obsession with bringing down the lowlifes in the crew consumes him. Meanwhile, Neil McCauley’s mind is concentrated on the next big score. McCauley is methodical in his planning, loose ends can undo the best of carefully laid plans. McCauley has no desire to get pinched, imprisonment being feared more than death. The score being cultivated is large, but also hazardous. A wrinkle soon develops that threatens Neil, his crew, and the woman he cherishes.

In the aftermath of the deadly confrontation, Hanna has risen to new heights in the LAPD. The events with McCauley and his crew linger in his mind. Shiherlis works as a bodyguard for a powerful clan in Paraguay. He yearns to reunite with his family but knows that he is a wanted man in the states. Despite the passage of time, the strangeness of fate brings the possibility of Hanna and Shiherlis surfacing in each other’s orbits. What will happen….You’ll just have to read for yourself.

Revisiting a past work must present challenges, even for the best of auteurs. Michael Mann threw caution to the wind and along with brilliant co-author Meg Gardiner(“UNSUB”) revisited the acclaimed and well-regarded story that was “Heat” and provided a transfixing prequel and electrifying follow-up. The cat-and-mouse pursuit that typified the relationship between Hanna and McCauley may not yet be present, but Hanna’s compulsive need to be on the prowl is along with McCauley’s desire for the perfect score. My only regret was knowing the book would have to end. “Heat 2” is exemplary Crime Fiction. Pure joy from start to finish.

Well, another year has come and gone and a lot of books have been consumed…Many good, a few outstanding and a couple of nail biters(as in how much of my nail could I chew down until a certain book had mercifully concluded)….2023 looks more than promising with releases by Don Winslow, Dennis Lehane, James Ellroy(for starters)…So without further preamble, here is my list of noteworthy books read this year:

1. You’ve Got Red on You: How Shaun of Dead was Brought to Life-Clark Collis-I received this awesome book from My (even more Awesome)Wife as a Christmas gift in 2021, and knew it wouldn’t be long before I dove headlong into reading it. Author Collis relates the uniting of Director Edgar Wright and Actor/Comedian Simon Pegg in creating a Horror Comedy for the ages. Odds are this will be a book that I will come back to read again.
2. Jimmy the King: Murder, Vice, and the Reign of a Dirty Cop-Gus Garcia Roberts-A shocking murder in 1979 and a car break-in in 2012 share a common thread-James Burke, witness for the prosecution in the murder of John Pius, later Suffolk County Police Chief. His rise to the top is clouded as his illicit activities would bring about corruption charges that ended his once-storied career. Author Gus Garcia Roberts has written a classic in true crime literature.
3. The Island-Adrian McKinty-An idyllic vacation to Australia turns sideways when Heather, her husband Tom, and her stepchildren run afoul of some locals after a tragic accident. The vacationers find themselves hunted and will need to keep their wits about them as they attempt to traverse the perils of the deadly Outback. Adrian McKinty(“The Chain”) continues to prove himself as a cunning plotter of the Mystery/Thriller.
4. Gangland-Chuck Hogan-Nicky Passero aka Nicky Pins is a trusted soldier in the Chicago Outfit. This trust allows others to let their guard down, right before he puts a bullet in their head. In late 1978, the robbery of a jewelry store caught the attention of the upper echelons of the Mob. The boss has ordered the loot to be returned, however, one culprit decides to counter this edict with an action that promises deadly consequences. Hogan(“Prince of Thieves”) returns to the Crime Fiction fold without missing a step.
5. Watergate-Garrett Graff-Fifty years after a “third-rate” break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters led to the exposure of other sub rosa activities of the Nixon Presidency and Nixon’s resignation in 174, author Garrett Graff(“Raven Rock”) writes a sprawling history of the events that preceded and succeeded the bumbled entry into the Watergate on June 17, 1972. This wonderful entry is further proof that there is more to be learned about Watergate.
6. Woke up this Morning: The Definitive Oral History of the Sopranos-Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa-An A-Z history of the creation and legacy of the beloved Mob Drama, “The Sopranos”. Based on the podcast hosted by Imperioli and Schirripa, the book brings many of the iconic characters and memorable storylines back for further examination and remembrance. Couldn’t put this down for more than a minute.
7. Desert Star-Michael Connelly-A year is not the same without a visit from Michael Connelly and quintessential Detective Harry Bosch. Bosch can never leave work behind for long as Detective Renee Ballard contacts Bosch with an offer to work a long dormant cold case. Bosch has to do things Ballard’s way and complications are soon to arise as only gray exists in the cold case(s) they are looking into. Connelly is a treasure in the Mystery genre who never fails to delight with his work.
8. I’d Like to Play Alone, Please-Tom Segura-Tom Segura brings part of his hilarious stand-up routine along with (often more hilarious)personal stories in this self-deprecating memoir. Whether it be stories from his youth or the current day, Segura will leave many with their faces strained from the laughter.
9. I’m Glad My Mom Died-Jennette McCurdy-The life of a child star can be rough, but oftentimes it is traumatic. Jennette McCurdy’s poignant memoir highlights how beyond the laughs of the studio audience, the illuminated scenes, and the scripted show, there are monsters in show business. McCurdy faces her monsters and demons and her work is a revelation.
10. The Devil Takes You Home-Gabino Iglesias-Mario takes a job to alleviate the financial hole his family is mired in due to his young daughter’s leukemia. The job involves carrying out a murder. Mario capably carries out the hit, but the money arrives too late to save his daughter. A downward spiral ensnares Mario, as he performs more hits to make money and take his mind off his broken family. A new offer soon arrives promising life-changing money, but the circumstances behind it are muddled, the target is deadly and the way there is enigmatic. A Mystery/Horror book that blew my mind.
11. Other Notables: Scorpion’s Dance: The President, the Spymaster and Watergate-Jefferson Morley, Everybody Thought We Were Crazy-Mark Rozzo, Aurora-David Koepp, Run Time-Catherine Ryan Howard, The Investigator-John Sandford, The Neighborhood-Matthew Betley, Fly By Night: The Secret Story of Steven Spielberg, Warner Bros. and the Twilight Zone Deaths-Steve Chain, The Appetite Factory-Jon Gingerich, The Paradox Hotel-Rob Hart, Sonny: The Last of the Old Time Mafia Bosses-S.J. Peddie, The Spy Who Knew Too Much-Howard Blum

Jack Tamerlaine has drawn the ire of malevolent spirits. His harp playing aided his people and kin during a time of trouble. Now Bane, the God of the Northern Wind, wants him brought to heel by any and all measures. A pestilence upon the crops of the citizens of Cadence begins to spread. Torin, the new Laird, must deal with this new threat. After the events of “A River Enchanted”, Adaira is back with her birth parents in the land of the Breccans. The adjustment hasn’t come easy to Adaira, as the ways of the Breccans alarm her. Her separation from Jack only magnifies her homesickness.

As Jack, Adaira and Torin cope with their situations, the pestilence that afflicts the crops has begun to affect people. Torin’s wife, Sidra, is a healer of immense skill and greater compassion. However, this new ailment concerns her greatly and she has been affected by it too. The blight threatens the entire island of Cadence if not stopped. The combination of Bane’s wrath and the escape of a wildcard political prisoner will place everyone at risk.

“A Fire Endless” thrives as an impressive sequel to “A River Enchanted”. Author Rebecca Ross continues to shine with her compelling narrative about the magical island of Cadence and the array of colorful inhabitants who live there. Each chapter may begin with a different protagonist, but Ross crafts each scene with vivid imagery, and the reader’s interest will only increase as the story moves on. A joy to read, cover to cover.

Jack Tamerlaine has been summoned home to the island of Cadence. He begrudgingly acquiesces to the request as he hasn’t been home in many years. His time on the mainland has left an indelible imprint on his soul. The voyage back has left him with trepidation as his family has been engaged in a long-running feud with the rival Breccan clan. A previous attempt at peace only ended in infamy and death. The only one more apprehensive than Jack on the voyage is the boat captain ferrying him across. The presence of spirits alarms mainlanders.

Jack survives the perilous boat journey but is even more eager to find out what he’s been asked home to do and get back. Young girls have been going missing in the side of Cadence where the Tamerlaines reside. Adaira, an old friend/nemesis of Jack, sent the missive that brought home the prodigal son. Jack possesses a skill that is urgently needed: He can play the harp that summons sage spirits from the sea. The spirits can provide answers to the desperate queries of the families of the missing children. Jack is reluctant to get too involved, but reconsiders upon his arrival home and meeting a sister he never knew about. The thoughts of returning to the mainland are poised to become a distant memory as Jack will need to stay and fight for his family and homeland.

“A River Enchanted” by Rebecca Ross is a positively intriguing whirlwind of fantasy and science fiction. Jack Tamerlaine is a reluctant hero with a chip on his shoulder but proves himself admirably when he shrugs off the past and faces the present head-on. The relationship between Adaira and Jack, especially their rocky past provides for compelling interest as the book progresses. Ross (“The Queen’s Rising) adeptly writes every chapter with a quiet build-up to a rewarding payoff. I did not want to put this novel down for a single second.

Do our dreams speak to us? Are they a reflection of our subconscious or something deeper? In Paul Fitzgerald’s case, dreams are portals into the depths of family history and dormant secrets. His dreams and those of his wife and daughter speak volumes. Their somnolent journeys raise questions needing answers. Paul and wife Elizabeth delve deep in their research to decode esoteric meanings. In “The Valediction: Resurrection”, the reader will be the passenger on a tour of the past going back to the Middle Ages. 

In their previous and intriguing installment, “Valediction: Three Nights of Desmond”, Paul and Elizabeth reported on the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and how all was not what it seemed during that period. Hints of what was to come in the current installment were teased, particularly the lineage between Paul and JFK’s family. The research into Paul’s forebears yields clues to a powerful empire that was conspired against and overthrown. The surviving bloodlines are targeted, even the possibility of the assassination of John F. Kennedy in November 1963. While combing over his own past, Paul is called back into write about Afghanistan. The seemingly disparate subjects share commonality with sinister forces who pop up throughout history manipulating others to the achievement of their own ends. How does “Team B” of the CIA Soviet threat analysis connect to the Arthurian legends? Do we march towards fate through random events or has a course been marked going back centuries?

“The Valediction: Resurrection” is a one of a kind book that will stick with the reader long after the book has been placed back on the bookshelf. The past is never easy to reconcile, and in Paul Fitzgerald’s case, he went back centuries in an attempt to do so. I was not only intrigued with the author’s quest for knowledge and truth, but also every stop along the way. Fitzgerald and Gould produce a book that possesses the qualities of a blockbuster movie while appealing to the history lover, conspiracy researcher, genealogist, etc..