A Quick Update

I don’t have a book review ready and it may be a few days before I finish the next book I’m reading for review. But I want to give you a quick update on a couple things going on.

First, today marks the official launch day for Debbi Mack’s new book, Least Wanted. This is the follow-up to her breakout first novel, Identity Crisis. If you enjoy hardboiled crime novels, make sure you check this one out because the heroine in this series will have you coming back for more. And with both of these books priced at $0.99 for a limited time, they’re a steal! For more info on each of these books, check out my review of Least Wanted and my review of Identity Crisis.

Second, Scott Nicholson’s new novella, Crime Beat, is now live at Amazon and is also available for the Nook and at Smashwords. I had the pleasure of proofing this one and it’s a blast to read. Witty and entertaining throughout, it had me staying up late into the night to finish it. Do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this treat.

I’m not sure if I’ll have a new review up before the weekend; if not, it’ll be sometime next week before one will be up. There’s a nasty rumor going around that it’s my birthday next Monday and my wife has something planned for the weekend that she won’t tell me about. All I know is that we’ll be travelling, so that means I won’t have much time for writing reviews. In the meantime, take care and snag a copy of these great books while they’re cheap!

LEAST WANTED by Debbi Mack

Least Wanted by Debbi Mack is the follow-up to her debut novel, Identity Crisis. In Identity Crisis, we were introduced to lawyer Sam McRae. Spunky and sharp, McRae is a character who is “real”; she makes decisions that a real person would when placed in situations in which the answers are not always black and white. In this follow-up, McRae is back at it and we are given the opportunity to learn more about this refreshing, original character.

In Least Wanted, Sam McRae is approached by a single mother seeking representation for her daughter, Tina, who was involved in a purse snatching that turned into an assault on an elderly woman. Tina is a good girl who hasn’t been in much trouble before. At the same time, McRae is working on the case of a man accused of embezzlement. Both cases seem fairly straightforward, but soon things take a turn for the worse and McRae finds herself in the middle of embezzlement, cover-up, sex tapes and murder. Is she in over her head this time? She has previously tangled with the Mob, but these two cases push her to her limit, as she once again faces dire circumstances.

I really enjoyed reading Least Wanted. The writing is solid throughout and the story is interesting. While Identity Crisis is my favorite of the two McRae books so far, Least Wanted is a very good book that gives us a deeper look at who McRae is and some insight into her past. As with her first book, author Debbi Mack explores pertinent—and difficult—issues. I applaud her for that and hope she continues to do so in her future fiction. As I stated in my review of Identity Crisis, if you’re a fan of J.A. Konrath’s Jack Daniels series, this one is for you.

4 out of 5 stars.

IDENTITY CRISIS by Debbi Mack

I love it when I discover a new author by happenstance. Debbi Mack is one of these happy discoveries. I came across her name following Scott Nicholson’s blog tour. I read a little about her and her books and decided to check out her first novel, Identity Crisis, on my Kindle.

Sam McRae is a Maryland defense lawyer. When unexpected visitors from the FBI and local police department pay her a visit in regards to one of her clients, the groundwork is laid for a thrilling story of action, intrigue, suspense, and mystery. Turns out McRae’s client is MIA—and finding her will be an adventure in and of itself. Finding the truth is much more difficult than McRae expected and as she uncovers the facts, the truth seems less and less clear. Is her client guilty? Has she been set up?

Identity Crisis is a refreshing and enjoyable read, with the spotlight on a relevant topic in this age when information is so easily accessible. Mack’s writing is crisp and she keeps the story flowing well. I never felt bogged down or like I just needed to get through any part of this book. She mixes in just the right amount of action and intrigue to keep the reader interested and guessing. It was also great to have a lead character who is a “real” human—one with flaws, who sometimes does questionable things to discover the truth she is seeking. And while this story’s main character is a lawyer, the reader will not be overwhelmed with legalese.

I gladly recommend this book to folks who enjoy mystery/action types of books. If you like J.A. Konrath’s Jack Daniels series, this is a perfect book for you. The sequel, Least Wanted, is due out in January.

5 out of 5 stars.