Think Twice by Harlan Coben
There’s nothing better than meeting up with an old friend, which is why the return of Myron Bolitar is so welcome in Harlan Coben’s latest stunner of a tale “Think Twice” (Grand Central).
A whole bunch of years ago, Myron attended the funeral of a former rival turned client and friend named Greg Downing. So he’s understandably shocked with FBI agents show up at his door with the news Downing is not only still alive, he’s been implicated in a double homicide investigation. Not surprisingly, the roots of those murders go all the way back to Downing’s apparent death. Good thing Myron’s trusty right-hand man Win is on board to help sort through a maelstrom orchestrated by very dangerous people who have no idea who they’re now up against.
It’s been a few years since we last saw Coben’s stalwart heroes, and absence indeed makes the heart grow fonder. The series has aged very well and his latest ranks right near the top of the best of his Bolitar books, as well as his titles in general. Don’t think twice—put this modern-day masterpiece of mystery at the top of your summer reading list.
Disturbing the Dead by Kelley Armstrong
Kelley Armstrong was already an established #1 bestselling author, before she started her “A Rip in Time” series. But those books have taken her to new heights and the reasons why are all on clear display in “Disturbing the Dead” (Minotaur).
The brilliance of Armstrong’s latest efforts is they place the mind of modern-day homicide detective Mallory Atkinson, inside the body of Catriona Mitchell who’s a native of Victorian England working, appropriately enough, as assistant to an undertaker. Mallory has all the skills she needs but none of the forensics tools she’s accustomed to using to help her solve crimes, in this case a series of appropriately macabre murders for what is essentially a terrific gothic noir true to the nineteenth century period in which its set.
“Disturbing the Dead” is pure fun, unique in its approach and striking in its execution (no pun intended!). Paranormal tales aren’t for everyone, but if you enjoy them, know that “Disturbing the Dead” is sure to disturb your sleep for several nights of great reading.
Westport by James Comey
Former FBI director James Comey has reinvented himself as a mystery-thriller writer and the transition, based on his second book “Westport” (Mysterious Press), has been a spectacular success.
Nora Carleton, like Comey a veteran of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, has moved on to greener ($) pastures by becoming in-house counsel at a massive hedge fund. Seemingly a great career move until a coworker gets murdered and Nora finds herself the chief suspect. Fortunately, she has friends to call upon from the past in investigators Benny Dugan and Carmen Garcia who, not surprisingly, turn up a web of subterfuge at the root of the murder that includes corporate malfeasance and espionage at the highest level.
Comey’s terrific plotting aside, his social commentary covering the move from Manhattan to a toney Connecticut suburb is spot on, evoking comparisons with Nelson DeMille’s classic “The Gold Coast” with just the right amount of Tom Wolfe splashed in for good measure. This is mystery-thriller writing of the highest order, a tour de force from an author who knows of what he speaks.
If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay
Alex Finlay continues to stake his claim to the hallowed grounds of Lisa Gardner, Harlan Coben, and Lisa Scottoline in the magnificent “If Something Happens to Me” (Minotaur).
First off, you know something bad is indeed going to happen to whomever “me” turns out to be, because that’s the whole basis of Finlay’s psychological thrillers. This time out, the action focuses on Ryan Richardson, forever haunted by watching his wife Ali kidnapped in an apparent carjacking. Five years later, there’s still no trace of her . . . until a strange phone call brings the nightmare home anew, confronting Ryan with terrible truths even as it confronts us with terrific twists and turns.
The great thing about any Finlay book, especially “If Something Happens to Me,” is that you literally have no idea what happen next. The suspense is palpable, as reflected by the pace and, in this case, supplemented by some great European settings. Psychological thriller writing doesn’t get any better than this.
Matterhorn by Christopher Reich
I have no idea how I missed Christopher Reich’s last few books but, fortunately, “Matterhorn” (Thomas & Mercer) arrived on my desk not too long ago, reminding me what I’ve been missing—in this case, a terrific, old-school spy story we don’t see often enough anymore.
Former CIA agent Mac Dekker is long retired from the CIA, living happily as a family man at long last in Europe. That is until the son who followed his path into the spy game is killed on a mission. That puts Dekker back in his former mindset, which means not taking any prisoners in his path toward seeking out the culprits responsible. Not surprisingly, in the process he comes across a terrorist plot aimed at the heart of America, the same thing uncovered by his son that cost him his life.
“Matterhorn” features the perfect blend of old school writers like John le Carre and Robert Ludlum with the post-modern take on espionage mastered by the likes of Brad Thor and Brad Taylor. Reich is just as good a storyteller as any of those and “Matterhorn” is a spy thriller extraordinaire.
Out for Blood by Ryan Steck
Ryan Steck does a whole lot of things in his latest sterling Matthew Redd thriller “Out for Blood” (Tynedale House), all of them well.
The FBI is transporting a prisoner-turned-informant with vital information about a plot threatening the world order to a safe location when the plane comes under attack over Montana’s Big Sky Country. That happens to be where former force recon marine Matthew Redd now calls home with his family. But he was also the operative who captured the aforementioned prisoner in the first place and now finds himself targeted by forces that can’t allow the prisoner to tell the government what he knows. That’s a lot of moving parts, but Steck is more than up to the task of managing the multiple storylines which converge, appropriately enough, in a maelstrom of violence in an otherwise bucolic setting
“Out for Blood” is equal parts action thriller, nature thriller and psychological thriller, as Redd channels his inner Rambo in turning the landscape against his pursuers. Action thrillers don’t get any better than this.
Bless your Heart by Lindy Ryan
Lindy Ryan’s stunningly unique voice is on display of every page of the aptly-titled “Bless Your Heart” (Minotaur), featuring a unique take on the horror meme that would make the master himself, Stephen King, proud.
Appropriately enough, the four generations of Evans women who run their family’s southeast Texas funeral home are woefully unprepared for their hometown to be roiled by a series of murders that turn out to have a vampire connection. And not just any vampires either; these are the Strigoi who reside at the top of the supernatural food chain. It falls on the Evans women to stop the evil in its tracks before the spread threatens all of humanity.
At heart, “Bless Your Heart” is a classic horror tale that reads like a hybrid mix of Clive Barker and Robert R. McCammon with strong echoes of Guillermo del Toro’s terrific “The Strain” series that became a hit TV show. A bloody, blistering, bracing and bold foray into a world thankfully confined to fiction.
Venetian Bind by Lawrence E. Rothstein
There’s a lot going in “Venetian Bind” (Wild Rose Press), but debut author Lawrence Rothstein proves himself adept at keeping all the balls he’s juggling firmly in the air.
The title suggested something a bit lighter, even comic, but “Venetian Blind” turns out to be high-concept, high-stakes thriller that draws its title from its Venice, Italy setting. That’s where a mismatched pair of investigators, Marko Korb and his associate Kelan Su join forces to investigate a war criminal’s murder that has links to a looming terrorist attack on the waterborne city.
Rothstein has fashioned an able effort in this solid debut that seamlessly incorporates a police procedural into the thriller form. It’s a slow burn that catches fire in the end, making this a worthy read in a great setting seldom exploited outside of Thomas Mann.
