Live Long And Prosper
Superman – Not A Great Grip On Lois
Checkmate: A Gripping Serial Killer Thriller
From Amazon:
The first thriller in the Blackstone and Prescott series by New York Times and USA Today best selling author, Linda S. Prather. Adam Blackstone is challenged to a unique game of chess by a deranged opponent. There won’t be a stalemate, resignation or draw—the only way to win the game is CHECKMATE.
Adam Blackstone’s obsession with serial killers ran deep in his veins. As a psychopath himself, he couldn’t resist the pull towards their twisted minds and brutal crimes.
When he joins forces with FBI agent Samantha Prescott, they return to Blackstone’s birthplace of Lexington, Kentucky to play a dangerous game. But as the stakes rise and the endgame draws near, Blackstone realizes that winning means succumbing to his own darkness and becoming just like the killers he studies.
My Review:
Sam or Samantha is full of sass yet very quick and totally competent as her outward appearance didn’t give off the same vibe. Late to meet her prospective partner, dressed as plain Jane but deadly with a Glock. Checkmate is written skillfully using the game of chess. Agent Blackstone needed a guard, and Sam was who he ended up with. The wit and expertise jumped off the page from the start. Now it’s the next reader who get to find out the rest of the story.
Taking Notes on Murder
From Amazon:
Mysterious notes are showing up in Fiona’s kindergarten classroom claiming a suicide from 2005 was actually a homicide. Detective Landry maintains the messages are too vague, possess no integrity, and do not warrant a review of the old case. Fiona’s not convinced. She’s determined to find the author of the enigmatic notes and uncover the truth about a man who had many secrets and countless enemies, including Fiona’s mother and former suspect—Nancy Quinn! Can Fiona crack this cold case and what will it take to get Detective Landry involved? Don’t miss taking notes on this murder!
My Review:
Murder plus one. Whoever heard of an old murder and a plus one? Well, me for one. There can be actually plus two or three. Who knows? That’s the key. One never knows what’s around the corner when your main couple are peeking into an old cold case and it stirs up problems for quite a few others in town. Never mind a precocious little sassy kindergarten pupil, garulous other, and plenty of kind folks as well. The icing? How about long dead Grandma Ev showing herself? That would be a kicker if it even happens. Grandma Ev’s spirit does let everyone know her thoughts as coffee cups and more float along in mid-air.
Beetlejuice????
Amazon Versus Wells Fargo
Hula-Hoop
Stone Age
Good Luck to Murder
From Amazon:
Dreams, wishes, fantasies, and.. murder?
Fiona’s good friend and fellow teacher, Lucky Maguire leads everyone to believe he has won a huge jackpot! Only Lucky turns out not to be so lucky–he winds up dead and his supposed winning lottery ticket missing!
Yikes!
Did Lucky really win the lottery and if so, where is the ticket hidden?
Who knew for sure if he truly was Pittsburgh’s newest millionaire?
Double yikes!
Join Fiona and the gang for this winning cozy mystery that’s sure to keep you betting on the suspects!
Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2024
I found this book to be as awesome as the last one I read. I’m not reading them in order, but the main characters are well known to me. McDonald weaves not only romance, but murder, suspense, drama and spiritual entities in each book. Such fun to read an earlier book with those components as well as laughs liberally dosed throughout.
Dark Betrayal
From Amazon
Britain, February 392 AD.
The Roman Empire is on the brink of civil war.
The Western Roman Emperor Valentinian has died in mysterious circumstance following a long running dispute with the commanding general of his army, Arbogastes, a Frank. It is feared that Arbogastes has a candidate he will install on the Western throne as his puppet.
The Eastern Emperor Theodosius fears that the Empire will once more be plunged into civil war. The war chest is depleted, and Theodosius needs the money to finance an army. Previously the Emperor spared the lives of the usurper Magnus Maximus’ wife Elen and their two children when he was overthrown. He now wants old friends Flavius and Siward to find Elen. She might know what happened to the Silver Host, a treasure believed to have been hidden by Magnus and his men that can fund the looming civil war.
The political situation is now on a knife edge…
Rich with historical detail and intrigue, Dark Betrayal is an action adventure and a must for anyone interested in the time when Rome’s rule was threatened by political intrigue and barbarian uprisings.
My Review:
5.0 out of 5 stars Historical dramaReviewed in the United States on February 5, 2024
This is the first book I’ve read from this author. This novel is full of the Roman Empire around 392 AD and a total departure from any other historical book I’ve read. That it is based on actual history as we know it at this time, makes the reading more realistic. Of course, the Roman Empire as previously written as well as the brink of war, secret treasures, ladies of ill repute, mystery, murder, betrayal, and much more. It was a rough time, and it was dicey, but love also prevailed. I never knew where this book was going next.
When Angels Fly 