Running Blind

Running Blind by Paul Heatley
12/7/25; 303 pages
Inkubator Books
Tom Rollins #19

Running Blind by Paul Heatley is a very highly recommended action-packed thriller and the 19th book in the Tom Rollins series. Tom Rollins, PhD and former black ops specialist, is known for using his training and lethal skills in the pursuit of justice. This can be read as a standalone novel.

Tom is working as a bartender in Reno when he is approached by a woman who happens to be with the CIA. Jess Chen has been told about Tom's skill and needs to recruit him to assist her on a mission. An undercover agent, Hao, is helping Li, a Chinese defector reach the USA. She has a USB drive containing the identities of deep-cover moles embedded throughout American intelligence. Jess needs Tom's help to meet Hao and Li and assist in safely getting the woman and the USB drive to Langley. Once Tom agrees to help her, the mission quickly becomes more complicated when both the Chinese government and a ruthless Triad network try to eliminate them both. 

This is another well-written, intense addition to the series where the good guy eliminates all the antagonists in the pursuit of justice. Tom has a lethal skill set and he needs it as they are constantly being tracked and attacked. The plot becomes more complicated when it becomes clear that there is a mole operating within the CIA so they aren't safe anywhere. Set disbelief aside and follow the fierce non-stop action. This is my favorite book in the series to date. I'm anxiously awaiting Tom's next mission.

Running Blind is an excellent choice for readers who like nonstop action featuring a take-no-prisoners black op specialist. Thanks to Inkubator Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Their Deadly Truth

Their Deadly Truth by Carla Kovach
12/17/25; 322 pages
Bookouture
Detective Gina Harte #18 

Their Deadly Truth by Carla Kovach is a highly recommended procedural and the 18th novel in the Detective Gina Harte series. Enough background information is provided that it can be enjoyed as a standalone novel for the investigation.

When a body is found in the trunk of a parked car, Detective Gina Harte and her team are called in to investigate. The body is identified as Kain Pickering and the car belonged to his deceased mother. At her house, where Kain was living, a blue teddy bear is found. Kain's sister Lindy Pickering is notified. She admits to police that her brother had a lot of issues but has no idea who would kill him. When another murder happens with a blue teddy bear at the scene, it becomes clear that someone is targeting specific victims. Then DCI Briggs is suddenly pulled off the case and a new DCI is brought in for the lead. 

The writing is very good and the pace moves quickly in this intricate case that may involve events from the past but also seems to be targeting a friend group of women too. A teddy bear left at the scene or homes is one of the clear clues that mark the victims. All the clues are logically followed and there is a lot going on as several suspect emerge in the investigation continues. This is a unpredictable procedural, so just go with the clues uncovered and follow the action as the team investigates. 

There continues to be more character development for Gina in this outing. For readers new to the series, some events in Gina's past are mentioned in the narrative which are helpful to introduce her and her history. The hidden personal relationship between Gina and DCI Chris Briggs is still on the rocks.

As an aside, one clue is a blue hoodie and the team searches a house for it. This actually had me laughing at the absurdity of it as a clue because any search of my home would unearth all manner, styles, and hues of blue hoodies along with hoodies of many other colors, sizes, and variations. 

Their Deadly Truth is a good choice for readers who enjoy procedurals and especially for those following the Gina Harte series. Thanks to Bookouture for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Girl from Nowhere

The Girl from Nowhere by Michele Dominguez Greene
12/9/25; 242 pages
Storm Publishing
Special Agent Emily Ray #3 

The Girl from Nowhere by Michele Dominguez Greene is a recommended investigative mystery and the third book in the series featuring FBI Special Agent Emily Ray. Although this can be read as a standalone, readers would benefit from reading the books in order.

Special Agent Emily Ray is assigned to verify the identity of Kaveri Miller Browne, who went missing as a very young child and has been found eighteen years later by a former LAPD detective turned PI, Rawley Jaynes.  Kaveri is the heiress to the Doucette-Browne family fortune so this is big news featured on a TV show. On the same show Rawley also claimed to find missing girl Danica Hansen, which shocks Emily because she is the real Danica Hansen. She's been living under a pseudonym to protect her identity. It is claimed that DNA proved their identity but Emily knows this can't be true. She and agent Andy Ryan are on the case.

This is a short book and the plot moves quickly. It is clear from the start that some shenanigans are underway by Rawley Jaynes and Kaveri's grandmother, Mackenzie Miller Browne. Emily's job is to uncover proof of this, but there is also more going than initially apparent. It also places Emily in an awkward position, does she reveal her true identity or keep it hidden. This dilemma does require a huge amount of disbelief to be suspended as I would imagine an FBI agent would be thoroughly vetted and and pseudonym would be outed. 

There is also another plot point involving Emily's failing marriage. This was a whole lot less compelling than the main investigation and I could have done without it. However, I haven't read the other books in the series and that most certainly could influence my disinterest in Emily's personal drama. For those following the series there is character development in this outing. 

The Girl from Nowhere is recommended for those who enjoy investigative mysteries and are following the series. Thanks to Storm Publishing for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Quiet Mother

The Quiet Mother by Arnaldur Indridason
12/9/25; 352 pages
St. Martin's Press
A Detective Konrad Novel #3 

The Quiet Mother by Arnaldur Indridason is a recommended Icelandic crime procedural. Originally published in 2019 this English edition translated by Philip Roughan will be available on 12/9/25. This is the third novel in the Detective Konrad series. There are two case followed in this novel, as well as events from 1960's.

Retired detective Konrad returns to Reykjavik to assist in the investigate of the murder of Valborg, a seventy year old woman in her apartment, which had also been burglarized. Days earlier, she had been in contact with Konrad, trying to hire him to find the child she gave up 47 years ago. He declined, but now feels duty bound to follow up on her murder. At the same time Konrad and his friend, Eygló, are looking for clues in the murder of their fathers back in 1963. Their fathers worked together as spiritual con artists. At the same time, Eygló believes that her psychic abilities are real. Together, Konrad and Eygló look for old clues.

The narrative jumps between the two different cases while also switching to some events from the past without warning. It also moves at an extremely slow pace. The primary case is Valborg's murder. The cases are both interesting but the slow pace causes the story to drag on and it begins to feel overly long. Adding to this is the sometimes repetitious text in the story. The two cases do connect at one point. Valborg's case does reach a conclusion while the murder of his father does not. The novel might resonate more with those who have read the first two books in the series. 

The Quiet Mother is recommended for those who enjoy Nordic Noir and crime fiction and don't mind a slower paced novel. Thanks to St. Martin's Press for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Burning State

Burning State by Rob Sinclair
12/8/25; 384 pages
Boldwood Books
James Ryker #14

Burning State by Rob Sinclair is recommended - for the right reader. James Ryker, former intelligence agent, is sent to Atlanta, Georgia, to find a missing governor's daughter. When bombs begin going off in buildings, Ryker ends up pursuing an old adversary, ex-special ops agent Caleb Marshall. Marshal was presumed dead, but now he is out for vengeance.

This features nonstop action and an abundance of violence. The conspiracy is huge so the stakes are equally high as Marshall is trying to destroy the USA. I haven't read the other books in this series, but after reading Burning State I felt I should have listened to myself after the last Sinclair novel and avoided reading another one. It's too violent and over-the-top. Additionally, Sinclair has made up some "radical right-wing factions" as the enemy in this outing. At this point, I can't even try to set the needed amount of disbelief aside in the current climate to accept this plot point as it is totally unbelievable. 2.5 for me, rounded up.

Thanks to Boldwood for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

 

Secrets You Can't Keep

Secrets You Can't Keep by Debra Webb
12/9/25; 319 pages
Thomas & Mercer
Vera Boyett , #3

Secrets You Can't Keep by Debra Webb is a highly recommended procedural and the third book in the series featuring Vera Boyett, following Deeper Than the Dead and Closer Than You Know. It can be enjoyed as a standalone novel.

Valeri Edwin, personal assistant to wealthy business man Thomas Wilton, arrived at his estate before an important phone call and neither Wilton nor his second wife Alicia were there. As Valeri searched, she found them   murdered along with two other people at a cabin on the property. When Sheriff Gray “Bent” Benton arrived it is discovered that Alicia is still barely alive. Bent calls in crime analyst Vera Boyett to examine the crime scene for clues he and his team may have missed. 

At the same time a horrible accident has happened at Vera's pregnant sister Luna's house where she was finishing preparing the nursery with her mother-in-law. Luna left for more paint and when she returned her mother-in-law was dead at the foot of the stairs. She immediately called Vera, who then contacted Bent. It looks like Luna is the perpetrator, but knowing the two, that seems highly unlikly, so Vera needs to uncover what really happened.

This well-written procedural presents two interesting cases to investigate and solve. The Wilton triple murder case provides a complicated tangled case to solve. Webb does give readers a chapter early on letting them know the characters that clearly are involved, but then provides all manner of other clues and red herrings pointing to others being responsible. While waiting for Alicia to come out of a coma and hopefully provide the clue they need, the largest hurdle to overcome is figuring out all the lies and subterfuge along the way which are slowing down Bent and Vera from solving the Wilton case. 

Luna's case is more nuanced. From all initial appearances, Luna may be guilty. Her mother-in-law was a real shrew, and her sister is on the warpath to charge Luna. Vera knows Luna, as well as all the others involved, and understands that something else is going on and she needs to find the clues and facts to prove this. There is no clue or chapter suggesting what happened on this case, leaving readers in total suspense.

The character development and the relationship between the characters provides strong reasons to read this book and series. Vera and Bent's professional and personal relationship is strong and continues to develop. Vera's relationship with her sisters, Eve and Luna also continues to grow. 

Secrets You Can't Keep is a great choice for those who enjoy procedurals. Thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

A Grave Deception

A Grave Deception by Connie Berry
12/9/25; 336 pages
Crooked Lane Books
Kate Hamilton Mystery #6 

A Grave Deception by Connie Berry is a very highly recommended cozy murder mystery and the sixth book in the series featuring Kate Hamilton. Kate and her husband, Detective Inspector Tom Mallory, have settled into married life in Long Barston, UK.

When members of an archeology team lead by Dr. Simon Sinclair, including Dr. Niall Nevin, DR. Celia Whybrew, and PhD students Mark Lambe and Tamzin Oliver, discover a miraculously preserved body of a 14th century woman, dubbed Egemere woman, while excavating by a church in the ruins of a nearby plague village. Antiques expert Kate Hamilton and her business partner, Ivor Tweedy, are called in to appraise the grave goods being stored at Ravenswyck Court, the estate near the dig owned by wealthy businessman Alex Belcourt. The items include a valuable pearl which Kate has a visceral reaction when she sees it, feeling violence and fear attached to the pearl. 

It is discovered that Egemere woman was pregnant when buried and Belcourt wants Kate to try and find out the identity of the woman. He had his wife, Carrie, disappear a decade earlier and is presumed dead. He is mourning her even while he is still a suspect in her death. Tensions rise when the body of Sinclair is found at the dig site with fake pearls in his mouth and stomach. Kate uses 700-year-old documents found through clues left by a deceased historian who was researching the area. At the same time she is keeping her ears open to assist Tom in the case too. Things become even more tense when a third body is found.

This is a very well-written interesting mystery that keeps you guessing right to the end while remaining very compelling while reading. There are several suspects along the way, including almost everyone on the dig team, but although I had my favorite suspects, I did not guess whodunit until it was revealed. There is also plenty of basic information about 14th century artifacts found and/or sold.  Adding to the atmosphere are the many pubs Kate and Tom or others visit/eat at while conducting the investigation. There is an interesting tie-in to a group of protestors and the historian, which all helped Kate. Kate and the rest of the recurring characters are all likable and believable. 

A Grave Deception is a perfect choice for those who enjoy cozy mysteries with a historical bent, and everyone following the series. Thanks to Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.