Monty's Book Reviews

  Behind The Fourth Wall Michael Solomowitz 4 Stars Pages: 295 Genre: Psychological Thriller Published: 13 Jan 2022 Publisher: Black Rose Writing Publisher's Blurb New York playwright Noah Miller had it all–a supportive wife, a precocious daughter, a promising career. Then, suddenly, all is lost. Still mourning his family, Noah reluctantly agrees to oversee the summer production of his play on Cape Cod. There he befriends a woman who sympathizes with his grief. But her true objectives run deeper–into his very soul–and Noah becomes an unwitting victim of her deception. Immersed in his production, he begins an affair with one of his actors but the guilt from their relationship leads to tragic consequences. Then, on the anniversary of his wife's passing, Noah discovers the harrowing mystery behind her unexpected death and the part he played in it. Harboring this devastating secret, his show about to open without one of its lead actors, and a dubious figure harassing him,  Behind t

  The Vampire's Secret Emma Merrell 4 Stars Pages: 222 Genre: Young Adult, Supernatural, Vampire Published: 29 Aug 2014 Publisher's Blurb It’s anything but a normal day in Virginia Downey’s life when a mafia kingpin rescues her from a human trafficking ring and turns her into a vampire. Virginia is thrown into a world of wealth and danger that she never could have imagined, and given a new family she isn’t sure she ever wanted. Crime-boss Carlo and his mercurial progeny, Aiden, quickly become her only constants in a life gone haywire. Aiden takes a special interest in Virginia and they find themselves drawn to one another, in spite of Aiden’s vindictive ex-girlfriend, Colette, doing whatever she can to keep them apart. When Virginia discovers that one of her adopted family members has been lying to her from the beginning, she commits a violent crime that sends her fleeing across Europe in fear of retaliation. She is consumed by the desire to get revenge upon those who have wron

  Meet The Dog That Didn't Sh*t Gordon S Jackson 4 Stars Pages: 259 Genre: Non Fiction Published: 13 Jan 2022 Publisher: Black Rose Writing Publisher's Blurb This set of personal reflections on English words is based partly on the author's background as a South African who grew up immersed in British English. But his odd encounters with American English (one of which leads to the book's title) are only one aspect of this blog-like compilation. Entries range from odd words, like the term for using cheese to predict the future, to problems with using spell check; from famous last words to tongue twisters; and from blunders caused by typos to a baby's first words. This expansive collection is suffused with a quirky sense of humor and numerous personal reflections — on a pun heard in high school that resonates sixty years later and the author's stand on preserving the meaning of “notorious.” Several jokes (including one about onomatopoeia) add to brightening the rea

Dragons and Stuff Simon Carr 4 Stars Pages: 332 Genre: Fantasy, Humour Published: 27 May 2022 Publisher's Blurb In a place unknown. In a time nobody is sure of. Stuff happened, and there were Dragons. Epic dobadoobries unfold at an incredible pace around Prince Jasper and his man-servent, page, the guy who goes with him, Roulart. Can they stop the evil Queen from taking over Prince Jaspers's kingdom, and why should you care? Well, you should care! It will be a really rubbish story if you don't, put some effort in! Review Prince Jasper, yep you read that right, Jasper! I know, who’s called Jasper these days. Well this isn’t set in ‘these days’ it takes place a long time ago in a galaxy fa….sorry got my genres muddled for a minute. It’s a fantasy book, but you should’ve worked that out from the title to be fair. Anyway, Prince Jasper, remember him? You do, good. Sent away by his father to learn the infinite arts of magic and qualify as a wizard in order to protect his homelan

Shearwater Point Denise Beddows 4 Stars Pages: 277 Genre: Detective, Mystery, Thriller Published: 9 January 2022 Publisher: PublishNation Publisher's Blurb Boston lawyer Dom Caffrey arrives in Northern Ireland to seek his biological parents, but soon finds himself arrested on suspicion of murder. MI5 intelligence analyst Carole Murray also comes to the province to bury her murdered uncle. Events lead them to Shearwater Point, a stunning spot on the County Down coast. However, the breath-taking beauty of the location hides a dark history of cruelty, human exploitation and murder. Meanwhile, nearby, a sinister, ultra-right group is plotting a major terror attack. Review Dom Caffrey heads to Ulster to trace the parents who gave him up for adoption to America at birth. He certainly doesn’t expect to get arrested for murder, nor does he think he’d get embroiled in an historic case of human cruelty perpetrated by the nuns at the maternity home at Shearwater Point. An excellent plot, well

The Wantland Files Wantland Files Book 1 Lara Bernhardt 5 Stars Pages: 288 Genre: Ghost, Paranormal, Supernatural, Mystery Published: 19 November 2019 Publisher:  Admission Press Publisher's Blurb Psychic Kimberly Wantland investigates paranormal disturbances. Her television show,  The Wantland Files , catapulted her from private paranormal investigator to media sensation. She receives thousands of requests for help every day, but during her latest investigation at a young mother's house, Kimberly senses something different. And disturbing. Review For the series finale of her paranormal investigation TV show ‘The Wantland Files’ Kimberley has taken on the case of a family haunted by a spooky cat manifestation. To add some spice to the mix Kimberley’s producer has invited celebrated sceptic Sterling Wakefield to join the fun as a one-off co-presenter. News which Ms Wantland is not pleased to hear. What follows is a well written, character driven story that pitches Kimberley into

Singapore 52 Ash Carter Thriller Book 1 Murray Bailey 5 Stars Pages: 412 Genre: Crime, Thriller, Mystery Published: 1 Sept 2017 Publisher: Heritage Books Publisher's Blurb "Think Jack Reacher with a dash of James Bond, set in Singapore. Thrilling!" - Maggie Pagano, journalist, The Times "Simply gripping! Perfect for an on-screen thriller" Alex Morgan, journalist, Sky News "Intelligent and atmospheric" - Writers Workshop "Intriguing characters and a suspenseful storyline" - CCRMagazine Chinese New Year 1952 Ash Carter had to leave the Middle East in a hurry. But when he arrives in Singapore he finds himself in the middle of a much bigger problem. No one knows where, or when, or who but someone is planning an attack. Carter is told to make sure it doesn’t happen. With pressure from politicians and the army and with Chinese Secret Societies watching his every move, he has other plans. He is more interested in finding out who killed his friend. R