4 stars for Shadows by A.W. Lambert

MR Review
Rating:
Reviewer: SkyWalker
Review:

SAS Sergeant Craig Mitchell's life changes in an instant with one single punch to the face of a bully in the local pub. To help himself out of a very tight spot, he is persuaded to join a most covert of group operating on behalf of the UK government. He is soon to learn that his new career is to eliminate by whatever means necessary those who pose violent threats to the country. The group’s members work entirely on their own, each just a shadow. Mitchell’s first mission is to rescue an abducted government minister and deal with the perpetrators. But there is a not so small problem, if any attempt be made to rescue the minister a bomb would be detonated in a highly populated area of the UK.

Shadows is splendidly written with just the right dose of intrigue, conspiracy, and death. The author weaves a strong tale and shows that a story can be very well done without the use of excessive violence, strong language or gore. I found the characters to be believable and the dialog to be spot on. I really enjoyed this book.

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3 and a half stars for Secrets and Lies by K.J. Dahlen

MR Review
Rating:
Reviewer: SkyWalker
Review:

Secrets and Lies starts off with a bang, and escalates from there. Former FBI agent, now small town sheriff, Alex Reed has a problem, one that hasn’t been seen around town for a long time. Jack Bracken just wanted to take his son hunting. Unfortunately, they stumble upon something they weren’t supposed to see. Jack tries to protect his family from what he knows is coming but can’t, resulting in his entire family being horribly murdered, dad, mom and all three children. Alex needs help so he calls an old friend, FBI agent Hayden Wilding. Hayden quickly arrives along with his partner FBI agent-profiler Grace Serym. And, the stage is set.

Alex needs to solve this murder quickly, ease the sense of panic rapidly growing in the community. Not helping is his and Hayden’s feelings that somehow Alex’s two older brothers are somehow involved. Soon the investigation finds links that lead to a drug and gun running cartel in Mexico. Unfortunately for Alex, the links are his brothers. Now is it up to Alex and Hayden unravel a mystery and stop the killers by putting an end to the cartel before the cartel gets their own retribution?

A good story with a well crafted plot makes this book a first-rate read. I thoroughly enjoyed the way the author quickly brought the reader into the story. By taking an often used theme but adding a few twists and turns, the author created a realistic and well written mystery. However, to heighten the tension, the action sequences could have been expanded upon a little. In a few spots the plot slowed somewhat allowing the suspense to slightly decline. This did not detract from the quality of the story. Overall, a solidly developed mystery. Well done.

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