The Man In Milan Mysterious Book Report No. 422 by John Dwaine McKenna An execution-style murder of an Italian air force officer and diplomat on Sutton Place —in one of New York City’s most expensive mid-Manhattan neighborhoods—begins author Vito Rancanelli’s electrifying new thriller entitled, The Man in Milan, (Polis Books, $26.99, 336 pages, ISBN 978-1-951709-11-1). As NYPD Detective Paul Rossi and his partner, Detective Hamilton P. Turner investigate however,
Remember My Face Thanksgiving Day 2020 Extra by John Dwaine McKenna Our usual custom here at the Mysterious Book Report is to take some time off on turkey day, spending it with family and friends . . . eating, talking, watching football on TV . . . and giving thanks for the many freedoms and the bounty we all enjoy . . . and often take for granted. But
Fortune Favors The Dead Mysterious Book Report No. 427 by John Dwaine McKenna Fortune Favors The Dead, (Doubleday, $26.95, 336 pages, ISBN 978-0-3855-4655-3), is the first novel from author Stephen Spotswood. It takes place in New York City in 1945, and features a pair of female private eyes in the style and manner of Rex Stout, with Lillian Pentecost, “the most famous woman detective in the city and possible
Kill Chain Mysterious Book Report No. 426 by John Dwaine McKenna A “Kill Chain” is the military description for combat in three phases: One, determining what’s happening, Two, deciding what to do about it, and Three, taking action. It’s also a term that’s now used by electronic security experts to describe, intercept and prevent intrusion and theft from computer systems of information, money, or both. Simply put—the kill chain
The Red Horse Mysterious Book Report No. 425 by John Dwaine McKenna If you’re a fan of WWII historical fiction, as the MBR is, and lament the passing of the late Philip Kerr, as the MBR does, we’d like to bring your attention to the long-running, meticulously well-researched and award-winning Billy Boyle series by author James R. Benn. In his newest and just released 17th adventure, The Red Horse,
Interview With The Author: Kevin Hearne by John Dwaine McKenna Today we’re talking with a best-selling author and the most imaginative fantasy writer in this part of the known universe. His name is Kevin Hearne and we’re very happy to hear his thoughts and ideas. Mr. Hearne, thanks for taking time to speak with us today. Here’s our first question: When do you write? I write mostly in
Ink & Sigil Mysterious Book Report No. 424 by John Dwaine McKenna Our Halloween treat for 2020—the year a real Captain Trips came to town and tried to kill us all—is a dazzling urban fantasy and series launch by NY Times bestselling author Kevin Hearne, entitled: Ink & Sigil, (Del Rey, $28.00, 336 pages, ISBN 978-1-9848-2125-6), in which a beleaguered, ordinary mortal man from Glasgow, Scotland named Aloysis, “Al,”
Dear Child Mysterious Book Report No. 423 by John Dwaine McKenna A woman—who’s been kidnapped and held in a boarded-up hovel deep in some remote woods, while being forced to act as a wife to a strange and brutal man and a mother to his two small children—manages to overcome her captor and escape . . . “But the end of her ordeal is only the beginning of her
About Agatha . . . An MBR Extra by John Dwaine McKenna The year 2020 will mark the 100th anniversary of the first novel of the most widely-read author in all the world. Her name is Agatha Christie. Her first detective novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, debuted on Nov 6, 1920. In honor of this iconic and beloved author, the MBR is highlighting some facts about her
The Cold Millions Mysterious Book Report No. 421 by John Dwaine McKenna Spokane, Washington, just after the turn of the 20th century is the setting for Edgar Award-winning author Jess Walter’s stunningly well-timed new novel entitled The Cold Millions (Harper, $28.99, 352 pages, ISBN 978-0-06-286808-4), which tells the story of the International Workers of the World, or IWW—also known as the Wobblies—beginning their fight for free speech . .