id: A Novel by Kevin Spark

 id: A Novel by Kevin Spark

Dr. Shelly, a brilliant psychologist, forever haunted by her father and his murderous past, is driven by the need to find out why we do the things we do? Is the concept of free will just a concept and nothing more, a construct that blinds us to a less palatable truth, that who we are is predetermined and encoded at birth? Does anyone really choose to do the bad things we do or are we just doing what comes naturally?

Shelly constructs an experiment using a sensory deprivation tank and virtual reality, allowing the darkest part of ourselves, the id, to run free. Unencumbered by morality or remorse, Shelly finds the perfect subject in Adam. A borderline psychotic born into a world of neglect and crime. Delving into the deepest pits of his subconscious, Shelly surfaces with far more than she bargained for.

Detective Hopper, responsible for Adam’s capture, remains a broken man. After suffering a breakdown due to the escalation of his own violent behavior, he is placed under the care of Dr. Shelly. Encouraging him to go looking for his own redemption, Hopper becomes a pawn in her web of deception until the lines of reality are redrawn as Hopper and Adam come full circle to an explosive end.

Book Review:

If you are looking to get your hands on something new, thrilling, intellectual, and incredible, then you’ll want to pick up id: A Novel by debut author Kevin Spark. ASAP!

id: A Novel is a unique, brilliant, psychological thriller which questions and shines light on the depths of the human psyche, the concepts of free will, nature or nurture and what drives unacceptable, depraved and even murderous human behaviors.

From the very first chapter, I was completely caught up in Kevin Spark’s amazing descriptive writing style, intriguing characters and his deep thought processes and expressions. He aptly introduces readers to Shelly, a psychologist with a traumatizing past, and a very disturbed father. Shelly’s past has caused her to have an unending hunger for understanding the human id, and what drives some people to do the terrible things they do. She obsesses over her patients’ primal urges and is yet to fully admit that she has one of her own. As Shelly delves deeper into the minds of her patients, particularly Adam, a disturbed psycho, and Hopper, a former police detective, she uncovers some dark and disturbing truths about herself and the human id.

One of the standout features of id: A Novel is Kevin Spark’s masterful writing style, which flawlessly alternates between different character perspectives, drawing readers into the minds of each intriguing character with vivid interesting detail. Spark’s unique ideas and unexpected twists takes readers on a journey to the darkest recesses of the human mind, challenging their perceptions of reality and morality. The novel’s seamless blend of psychological thrills, eerie atmosphere and elements of horror creates an unforgettable reading experience that will haunt readers long after the last page is turned. It is one of those rare thought-provoking reads that caused me to ponder on the author’s thought processes and how he came up with so many astonishing thoughts and ideas and then brilliantly wrote them into the story. 

id: A Novel is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers who crave a new, fascinating and intelligent reading experience. Spark’s intricate exploration of the human psyche, combined with his skillful storytelling and innovative ideas, make this novel a true gem that will leave readers questioning the depths of human nature. id: A Novel is a must-read, stimulating and engrossing story and comes highly recommended. 

You don’t want to miss out on this electrifying and smart psychological thriller!
Buy id: A Novel by Kevin Spark today!

Boulevard Dreams by E Ryan Janz - 5 Star Book Review

Boulevard Dreams by E Ryan Janz

Synopsis:

Down and out private eye, Joe Nails, has a problem.
He endures a brief series of surrealistic dreams, in which his long-lost friend pleads for his help before turning a gun to his head and firing. Joe discovers the suicide did occur, a month before his dreams began, so he deepens his probe beneath the mystifying and smoky noir underbelly of 1958 San Francisco, and encounters rising walls of lies and heartbreak from amorous and anguished women alike, and stumbles across incomprehensible goons and vicious killers longing for further bliss, and where his long slow descent painfully binds him to a ruthless yet respectable kingpin bent on reigning over him.
Joe Nails has a problem all right, an entire shopping list of them, but as he speeds down an unrelenting road of murder and mystery with no off-ramps, he just may solve a few…providing the approaching.357 yearning for another victim allows it.

Review:

Boulevard Dreams by E Ryan Janz is an exceptional one-of-a-kind story filled with intrigue, mystery, mayhem, and suspense, in which readers will love and revel in.

It is 1958 in San Francisco’s smoky noir world, and private detective, Joe Nails is having reoccurring lucid dreams about his friend crying out to him for help, and then he puts a gun to his head and kills himself. Joe finally becomes concerned, and goes out to find his friend, but discovers that he has gone missing, and it has been a month since he has been seen. Joe begins to investigate and finds many shock-worthy things about his friend’s life, and some peculiar people that try to convince him of his friend’s supposed death. As Joe digs deeper in his investigation, the plot thickens. Soon, Joe finds himself deep in a world of deceit, murder, lust, suicide and suffering. Joe must face the truth of his friend’s horrific choices and actions, and in the end, the torment of his own.

E Ryan Janz has created a dramatic dark world of mystery, deception and death set in the nostalgic time of 1958, in a city that is known for its intrigue and worldliness. Boulevard Dreams is a fabulous read and one that readers won’t soon forget. Skillfully written, it has all the right elements of a smart crime and mystery novel. Then, goes beyond that and gives readers a chilling, thrilling and suspenseful ride with a fast paced, well developed and deep storyline and plot. The suspense is unsettling and very enticing. The characters are fully developed with quirky, curious and interesting personalities. Their clever, and sometimes humorous, dialogue is written in such a way that only an intelligent writer with a creative, original voice could think up. I connected with the characters and felt that author E Ryan Janz put his heart into them.

I couldn’t put Boulevard Dreams down, and turned the pages rapidly, fully engaged, to find out what would happen next and how Joe would solve this mystery without becoming a desperate man himself.   E Ryan Janz seems to have great detective skills himself, as it is clear in this story filled with twists and turns. The brilliant mystery plot had me guessing all the way through. My mind really became engulfed in this one, and I didn’t want it to end. I absolutely loved the setting and descriptive writing. Boulevard Dreams is an exciting page turner that readers won’t be able to put down until they have devoured the very last page. Boulevard Dreams is one of the best books in its genre that I have read in a long time. When I saw the cover, I had a feeling I would love the book – and I wholeheartedly did! Well done! Artisan Book Reviews highly recommends Boulevard Dreams by E Ryan Janz to all mystery and suspense lovers – and those who want to escape into the passion of the past, and a smoky noir world filled with intrigue, and crime in San Francisco!

Purchase Boulevard Dreams by E Ryan Janz today!

The Veil (The Redemption Series) by Torstein Beck

The Veil (The Redemption Series) by Torstein Beck

Synopsis:

We thought we’d be at the top of the food chain forever. We were wrong.

Aaro Emmerson knows what lies beyond the walls.

It’s why he vowed never to go out there again.

But his city is dying, and the chance at a better life is hanging in the balance.

He must journey a thousand kilometers into the wild unknown, into their territory, and retrieve a nuclear core that has the power to save one of the last refuges of man.

The plan is suicidal. But it’s better to die on your feet than on your knees.

For fourteen years, he’s been seeking a chance for redemption. And now he has one.

They’ve got protection, they’ve got guns, but what they don’t realize, is that just maybe the worst monster of all is already inside…

The Veil is the first book in the Redemption Series.

Praise for The Veil:
“Terrifying. Brutal. Powerful. This really is a new breed of Dystopia.”

“The Veil is a book that’s about as bloody as it is good.”

“Horrifically great….I’ve never read anything quite like this.”

 Review:

In Torstein Beck’s dystopian science-fiction novel, The Veil, a young man struggles to survive after losing everything to the creation of the vicious attempt of a science project. This is an amazing, chilling and suspense filled story that readers will love and revel in.

Set one hundred years from now, The Veil features leading scientist Florian Gertlinger who spearheads an ambitious project that goes horribly wrong. The Varas, which are powerful savage predators, become the result of the team’s vision. Meanwhile, after having their beautiful baby Lila, Emilie and Aaro Emmerson are more than happy and content. What Aaro would never have foreseen, however, is a break-in by a murderous monster that kills and devours his wife and child. Aaro is left with nothing to live for. Years pass and Oslo’s streets become even more dilapidated and its residents more desperate to survive. When Aaro is presented with an opportunity to change his life and save his people, he takes it even though he knows he is about to come face to face with death.

The novel focuses on the main characters Aaro and Gertlinger, showing the creation and the result of the project. Aaro struggles to survive through everything. During his mission to Murmansk, Russia to collect a nuclear reactor that could possibly save the people, he faces imminent danger at every turn. Several aspects of the novel make it stand out. First, it does not aim to create a grandiose end, rather, death in the story becomes a form of escape from an undefeatable predator. It also focuses on ethical and policy issues in science. Government and political systems do not play a central role in the plot. Descriptions are graphic and shocking, painting a vivid image of the monsters while the characters are few and each plays an important role throughout the story. The plot does not follow a chronological order but shifts from the future to current times which creates penetrating suspense in the novel.

Horrifying yet thrilling, The Veil, is concisely written. It is driven by the incidents of each scene rather than a culmination of events at the end. Fast paced, excellent characters and a plot to die for, Torstein Beck has written a surprising and believable story that will have readers on the edge of their seats, filled with various intense emotions from start to finish. Highly recommended by Chick Lit Café. – Reviewed by Edith Emunah for Chick Lit Café.

Don’t miss this amazing 5 star dystopian science-fiction novel!
Purchase The Veil by Torstein Beck today!

Murder, She Wrote: Manuscript for Murder by Jon Land

Murder, She Wrote: Manuscript for Murder by Jon Land

Synopsis:

Jessica Fletcher investigates a mysterious manuscript with deadly consequences in the latest entry in this USA Today bestselling series…

Jessica Fletcher has had plenty to worry about over her storied career, both as a bestselling novelist and amateur sleuth. But she never had any reason to worry about her longtime publisher, Lane Barfield, who also happens to be a trusted friend. When mounting evidence of financial malfeasance leads to an FBI investigation of Lane, Jessica can’t believe what she’s reading.

So when Barfield turns up dead, Jessica takes on the task of proving Barfield’s innocence–she can’t fathom someone she’s known and trusted for so long cheating her. Sure enough, Jessica’s lone wolf investigation turns up several oddities and inconsistencies in Barfield’s murder. Jessica knows something is being covered up, but what exactly? The trail she takes to answer that question reveals something far more nefarious afoot, involving shadowy characters from the heights of power in Washington. At the heart of Jessica’s investigation lies a manuscript Barfield had intended to bring out after all other publishers had turned it down. The problem is that manuscript has disappeared, all traces of its submission and very existence having been wiped off the books.

With her own life now in jeopardy, Jessica refuses to back off and sets her sights on learning the contents of that manuscript and what about it may have led to several murders. Every step she takes brings her closer to the truth of what lies in the pages, as well as the person who penned them.

Review:

In Jon Land’s second installment in the famed Murder She Wrote series, Jessica Fletcher is about to solve, yet, another murder. The story starts with Jessica being told by fellow writer Thomas Rudd that their mutual editor friend and publisher, Lane Barfield, may be stealing money from their accounts.

The next day, Barfield asks for Jessica’s opinion on a manuscript entitled, The Affair. Barfield states that it will be the next big political thriller. It is a confidential manuscript that Barfield is hoping will save his company from bankruptcy. Jessica is supposed to have the only copy, but Rudd has stolen a copy that was on a flash drive after he challenged Barfield about the thieving. Soon, both of the men turn up dead, from what appears to be suicides. Jessica is left to sort out the conundrum of whether the volatile manuscript could be the reason for their deaths.

Jon Land does it again with his new volume in the Jessica Fletchermystery writer series. In Manuscript for Murder, Jessica is given a modern and more up to date persona as she gets more into technology and goes from Cabot Cove, Maine to New York City and, later, to Washington DC. The President is in danger and Jessica is at her very best as she manages the twists and turns that solving this mystery takes her on.

Fans will love Manuscript for Murder, as it is a compelling and engaging whodunit. If you love cozy mysteries, this will be right up your alley. Readers will be guessing at every turn of the page. This book is unputdownable and will keep all mystery fans up late at night turning the pages quickly to find out what happens next. Filled with action, excitement and intrigue, Jessica, once again, stumbles upon another mystery to be solved. In her capable hands, this murder mystery is puzzling, up to date, irresistible and complete. With plenty of well thought out clues, Jon Land gives readers a run for their money and a challenge for their minds.

Manuscript for Murder hits the ground running and gives readers an entertaining and enjoyable good time. I am a diehard Murder She Wrotefan and Manuscript for Murder has to be at the very top of my list for best sellers. I was drawn in and immersed from the very first chapter right to the eye opening and satisfying finale. Jon Land has been given the privilege and challenge of writing the Murder She Wrote series and he is doing a highly remarkable job. He is an excellent bestselling author and they couldn’t have chosen anyone more worthy of the assignment to carry on this popular magnificent mystery series.

Jessica Fletcher is better than ever. Chick Lit Cafe highly recommends Manuscript for Murder by Jon Land to all mystery and Jessica Fletcher fans and beyond.
Reviewed by Jewel Hart for Chick Lit Cafe

Purchase Murder, She Wrote: Manuscript for Murder by Best Selling Author Jon Land @Amazon Here