American Spy Mysterious Book Report No. 377 by John Dwaine McKenna Near the end of the Cold War in the mid-1980s, the African continent was busy rediscovering itself. Having thrown off the restraints of colonialism, countries large and small were struggling to determine what form of self-governance best suited them . . . a struggle that promoted much bloodshed. Civil wars, coups and military takeovers were common, as was
Interview With The Author: Patrick “Paddy” Hirsch by John Dwaine McKenna Our author interviewee this week is Patrick Hirsch, known to his fans, friends and the world, as Paddy. He’s a warrior, a newsman, and a TV commentator, a financial analyst, and historian—a Renaissance man if one ever lived! Thanks for joining us today and offering your insights, expertise and commentary to our audience. We’re all eager
Interview With The Author: Joe Ide by John Dwaine McKenna Hello, to all of you out there in the MBR Nation, and welcome to our author interview with Joe Ide, one of the hottest new authors on the literary scene today, whose newest work is reviewed in MBR number 360. And thanks Joe for taking time to speak to our audience today and sharing your thoughts with us. I’ve
Interview With The Author: Dana Ridenour by John Dwaine McKenna The MBR is honored to speak today with author, and retired FBI agent, Dana Ridenour, who spent the majority of her 20 year law enforcement career as an undercover operative. It is some of the most dangerous work in the world . . . and a testament to her dedication, courage and bravery. Here then, is Ms. Ridenour, and
The Warehouse Mysterious Book Report No. 392 by John Dwaine McKenna Seldom, if ever, does a genre novel manage to hit as many topics at once as The Warehouse, (Crown, $27.00, 355 pages, ISBN 978-1-848-2379-3) by Rob Hart. The story is altogether plausible, frighteningly real, and a possible roadmap to where the world is heading if we don’t do something to corral the corporate monsters that are gobbling every
A Book of Bones Mysterious Book Report No. 400 by John Dwaine McKenna All readers of fiction, and especially crime fiction, are ultimately interested in the eternal battle between the forces of good versus the forces of evil. It’s the tension between those two opposing sides that creates drama, and drama is what we all crave, because we’re curious . . . and because we’re rooting for one side
Old Anger Mysterious Book Report No. 430 by John Dwaine McKenna Although this novel was released in late 2020, it’s still as timely as tonight’s news. That’s because it’s about racism and how it’s felt from both black and white perspectives. Old Anger, (Brash Books, PB, $18.99, 277 pages, ISBN 978-1-7343480-7-1) by Phillip Thompson, takes place in present day rural Mississippi and features a white, small town sheriff named
Bones of the Earth Mysterious Book Report No. 383 by John Dwaine McKenna Inspector Shan Tao Yun was a senior detective on the Beijing Police Department until, “I investigated the wrong people and they sent me to prison in Lhadrung,” (Western Tibet the notorious work camp number 404), “because the death rate is so high there. But the governor had a problem. I helped him, unofficially, and to show
John Dwaine McKenna’s 2019 Best Books of the Year It’s time for our annual Best Books of the Year . . . the MBR’s Christmas gift for all good readers and crime fiction enthusiasts everywhere. It was a year full of outstanding novels and exciting new authors, as well as some tried and true old friends. Here then, in no particular order, is our Best Books of the Year
Tear It Down Mysterious Book Report No. 399 by John Dwaine McKenna Author Nick Petrie has come up with a serial character most of us would like, and like to hang around, if he were real. His name is Peter Ash. He minds his own business, doesn’t fuss about getting his hair cut real often, works as a carpenter and handyman and drives a ’68 Chevy pickup truck that