Tough guys and gals in dark and sinister worlds, with bleak atmospheres and outlooks. Contains some of crime fictions strongest voices.

Cherry-Legacy Report No. 34

By |2023-05-12T15:45:21+00:00May 15th, 2023|Hard-boiled/Noir, Mysterious Book Report|

Just in case you’re wondering, we’ll be re-running some of our best and most popular book reviews every other week from now on.  They will be described as our Legacy Mysterious Book Reports.  Send us a quick request if you have a favorite that you’d like to see again and we’ll do our best to re-publish it. Legacy Mysterious Book Report No. 34 Published January 20, 2020 Cherry Mysterious

Where it Hurts-Legacy Report 18

By |2023-01-11T21:16:00+00:00January 16th, 2023|Crime Fiction, Hard-boiled/Noir, Mysterious Book Report|

Just in case you’re wondering, we’ll be re-running some of our best and most popular book reviews every other week from now on.  They will be described as our Legacy Mysterious Book Reports.  Send us a quick request if you have a favorite that you’d like to see again and we’ll do our best to re-publish it.   Legacy Mysterious Book Report No. 18 Where It Hurts Published December

The Yards-Legacy Report No. 7

By |2022-09-22T19:30:13+00:00September 26th, 2022|Crime Fiction, Hard-boiled/Noir, Mysterious Book Report|

Just in case you’re wondering, we’ll be re-running some of our best and most popular book reviews every other week from now on.  They will be described as our Legacy Mysterious Book Reports.  Send us a quick request if you have a favorite that you’d like to see again and we’ll do our best to re-publish it.   Legacy Mysterious Book Report No. 7 Published January 17, 2022 The

The Old Man

By |2022-06-13T02:29:14+00:00June 13th, 2022|Crime Fiction, Hard-boiled/Noir, Mysterious Book Report|

Just in case you’re not one of the many viewers of the trailer, the FX television network is kicking off a new series on June 16, 2022, starring Jeff Bridges in the title role, of the following Thomas Perry novel which we reviewed in April of 2017.  We thought you might enjoy a quick review.   The Old Man Mysterious Book Report No. 284 by John Dwaine McKenna The

Don’t Know Tough

By |2022-05-05T20:37:10+00:00May 9th, 2022|Hard-boiled/Noir, Mysterious Book Report|

Don’t Know Tough Mysterious Book Report No. 489 by John Dwaine McKenna Don’t Know Tough, (Soho Crime, $24.95, 336 pages, ISBN 978-1-64129-345-7), by Eli Cranor,  is the apex of Southern Noir.  Placed in Denton, Arkansas, it’s hard-boiled, gut-wrenching, poignant, gritty, emotional, brutal, savage, raw, and stunningly authentic.  It’s a novel  you’ll never forget, and it’s hard to believe that it’s Mr. Cranor’s debut.  He speaks with authority and his

The Yards

By |2022-04-25T19:35:03+00:00January 17th, 2022|Hard-boiled/Noir, Mysterious Book Report|

The Yards Mysterious Book Report No. 473 by John Dwaine McKenna Told from three alternating points of view, The Yards, (Mysterious Press, $25.95, 308 pages, ISBN 978-1-61316-235-4), by A.F. Carter, is hard-boiled crime fiction at it’s best.  It takes place in the imaginary mid-western city of Baxter, where the last of four meat-packing plants is on the skids and failing.  It’s closure will leave the already troubled area where

Razorblade Tears

By |2021-08-26T19:59:34+00:00August 30th, 2021|Crime Fiction, Hard-boiled/Noir, Mysterious Book Report|

Razorblade Tears Mysterious Book Report No. 462 by John Dwaine McKenna There are legions of fiction writers in the world today, who toil diligently at their chosen craft and produce innumerable works that are exciting, memorable and entertaining.  They satisfy our need to educate ourselves and explore unfamiliar societies while experiencing another person’s world through their eyes—all from the comfort of our favorite reading nook.  But only a few—a

The Heathens

By |2021-08-19T19:33:59+00:00August 23rd, 2021|Hard-boiled/Noir, Mysterious Book Report|

The Heathens Mysterious Book Report No. 461 by John Dwaine McKenna The Heathens, (Putnam, $27.00, 400 pages, ISBN 978-0-593-32839-2) by Edgar finalist and NY Times  bestselling author  Ace Atkins, is  the eleventh  in his Quinn Colson series . . . and it’s easily the best one yet. Colson is an ex-army Ranger who’s come home to Mississippi, where he’s now the Tibbehah County Sheriff, elected on a vow to

City of Fallen Angels

By |2021-06-03T18:50:30+00:00June 7th, 2021|Hard-boiled/Noir, Mysterious Book Report|

City of Fallen Angels Mysterious Book Report No. 452 by John Dwaine McKenna City of Fallen Angels, (Legend Press, PB, $15.95, 222 pages, ISBN 978-1-78955-981-1), by Paul Buchanan, is a debut novel that announces in a loud and clear voice, the arrival of a first-rate new author, writing in a classic noir tradition. The novel opens in Los Angeles.  It’s August of 1962 and the city is sweltering in

Remember My Face

By |2020-11-24T21:13:32+00:00November 24th, 2020|Hard-boiled/Noir, Mysterious Book Report, Thriller|

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

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