Amateur Sleuths – Baskerville Book Reviews

Review: The Hunted

Each millennium brings a new Neteru, a vampire huntress whose mission is to vanquish evil from the world. This millennium’s savior has come in the form of Damali Richards, a hip-hop diva with the heart of a warrior and an attitude to match. But a war in Hell has cost Damali both her powers and her past love, Carlos Rivera. Still, Damali can’t let her grief stand in her way. Several gruesome deaths, starting with an American research team, have come to Damali’s attention in Brazil. The nature of the deaths leads Damali to believe that the killer is anything but human…

Unknown to Damali, the life of Master Vampire Carlos Rivera was saved by a most unlikely group: a band of monks also dedicated to fighting the Dark Realm. In exchange, they want Carlos to help stop the inhuman murders plaguing Brazil-and they will use Damali as bait if they have to. Reunited, Damali and Carlos give in to the erotic passion they have fought for so long. Together, they are a powerful force. But Damali has made a terrifying enemy who won’t rest until the beautiful Neteru is dead…

Review: The Shroud Key

Chase Baker is a true Renaissance Man. He’s also a man who knows how to find trouble. A part-time resident of Florence, Italy, his resume reads like a modern day Da Vinci or Casanova. Writer, private investigator, tour guide, historian, treasure hunter, adventurer, and even archaeological sandhog, Chase is also a prolific lover. Unfortunately for him, his dangerous liaisons all too often make him the target of a jealous husband.

Now, at the direct request of the Florence police, he finds himself on the trail of an archaeologist by the name of Dr. Andre Manion who’s gone missing from his teaching post at the American University. But having worked for the archaeologist several years ago as a sandhog on a secret but failed dig just outside the Great Pyramids in the Giza Plateau, Chase smells a renewed opportunity to uncover what just might be the most prized archaeological treasure in the world: The mortal remains of Jesus. But how will Chase Baker go about solving the mystery of finding both the archaeologist and the Jesus Remains?

With the help of Manion’s beautiful ex-wife, Chase will manage to secure an up-close and personal examination of the Shroud of Turin, not only to view the famous image of the crucified Christ, but to unlock the relic’s greatest secret, which is none other than a map, or a key, detailing the precise location of Jesus’s body.

Review: The Wonderful World of Scary Ass Shit 2

Your parents are lying bags of dicks. Everything in the woods: wolves, bears, and squirrels, aren’t just trying to eat you. It would be nice if they were, but there are other sphincter tightening horrors living in the woods that just want to be inside you: your body, that is.

The Aurora Wasteland exists, let’s get that out of the way right now. What matters more is that it’s larger and more prominent than anyone could have known. Spread across counties, countries, and notches…or whatever you want to call them. It’s everywhere, even in the most invasive places your grandmother would never tell you about. The strange and weird is like sand in your underpants.

Something is causing hikers to vanish on Mount Tekarra, which just so happens to be situated in the heart of the Brightness Falls National Park, maybe you’ve heard of it? It’s ok if you haven’t, it’s not really a come visit and expect to leave still living type of place.

Logan, Gabe, Monahan, and Jeff, having survived the cornfield maze creature, aren’t really talking about what happened to them. Mostly because they simply don’t understand it all. Since the merge, things have only gotten more confusing and weird. None of them are living the lives they remember, except they are…make sense? Because it really doesn’t to them.

Memories of their two lives continue to blend as each of them struggles to figure out who they are, what they are, and who they are…wait, did I say that already? Doesn’t matter, because the Aurora Wasteland isn’t giving them time to take things slow. Monahan’s co-worker Simone just so happens to be one of those missing hikers. You know, the ones from a few paragraphs up? With her newfound connection and lady boner for the Aurora Wasteland, Monahan sets out to find her co-worker while dragging her reluctant, apparent friends behind her.

As the book tethered makes its way through the group, a second book by the so-called discoverer of The Aurora Wasteland emerges. One that has been around for years, and has molded the lives of the team more than they know.

It’s ok to be confused and scared, but I should warn you that if you’re listening to this, then it’s already too late. The Aurora Wasteland has you. It knows you. There is no escape. Trust me, it’s better you just figure out what’s going on, for your own sake and sanity.

Magic Betrayed

They say it took 100 magical beings to defeat the first Arcanist. Great care was taken to ensure the secret to his malevolent power died with him. Now the brutal reign of the Arcanist has become little more than a scary bedtime story. And yet, the descendants of his loyal followers are sworn to find a way to bestow his dark magic upon another. If they succeed, they’ll unleash a new terror upon an unsuspecting world.

Now, magics are vanishing without a trace. It’s up to Jen Maddox, a young witch working for the Magical Enforcement and Secrecy Agency, to find out why. Jen soon learns that those responsible for the disappearances will do whatever it takes to stop her investigation…including using an ancient, forbidden magic. With each clue uncovered the mystery grows, pointing towards one unthinkable scenario – an Arcanist is once again rising.

Magic Betrayed is Book One in the Urban Fantasy series, Rise of the Arcanist, featuring witches, vampires, werewolves, and more. It is a new adult spin-off of USA Today best-selling author Elizabeth Kirke’s award-winning More than Magic series. If you like your magic mixed with a little mystery and sweet romance, dive into your copy today.

Review: Henrietta & Eleanor: A Retelling of Jekyll and Hyde

First published to critical acclaim in 1886, Robert Louis Stevenson’s mesmerising thriller is a terrifying study of the duality of man’s nature, and it is the book which established Stevenson’s reputation as a writer.

In this Audible Original drama Stevenson’s story is transported to modern-day London, and instead we meet Henrietta Jekyll and Eleanor Hyde.

Dr Jekyll, a charming doctor, explores the possibility of dividing the dark and light side of her personality, but in doing this she creates a monster, Eleanor Hyde. For many years she manages to live under the radar, keeping her dark secret unknown to those around her. However, gradually her evil side gains strength until Dr Jekyll is overwhelmed by Eleanor Hyde, to disastrous consequences. An exploration of human duality and forces of good and evil, this modern retelling is compelling and eerie and retains the disturbing nature of the original text.

Starring Holliday Grainger (Cinderella, My Cousin Rachel, Strike) and Carla Mendonça (My Parents Are Aliens, So Awkward).

Also starring Tim Bentinck, Bill Fellows, Hugh Fraser, Holliday Grainger, Clive Mantle, Carla Mendonca, Katarina Olsson, Miranda Raison and Hugh Ross.

Review: Offered in Oklahoma City

A robber is dead, and a young woman stands accused.

Not only a witness, Nick is a victim, and he’ll need help to keep his assignment on track. His girlfriend Sandra answers the call, but a personal interest draws her into the investigation when the thief’s death turns out to be an overdose.

A Satanic Preist faces off with a televangelist, and both may even be suspects.

Was this an accident? Where did the drugs come from? How did the victim get them? The questions point to one answer, but there is something missing. The key lies in Nick’s memory and a single photo.

But will anyone believe him?

He has a concussion. He’s behind on his assignment. And even Sandra thinks this time, he may be wrong. Will he convince them of what he knows to be true? Or has his hunch finally led him down the wrong path?

Review: South by Southwest

Nick has traveled the southwest!

From Salt Lake to Phoenix, from Phoenix to Santa Fe, Nick’s journey continues! He’s been poisoned, knocked out, and stung by a wasp.

At every turn, he’s solved a difficult case.

But when he reaches Oklahoma City, everything changes. He’s not only a witness, but Nick also is a victim, and the solution will threaten everything he knows and may change his life forever.

Listen to books 11-15 in the Capital City Murders series, all in one volume.

You won’t want to miss this section of Nick’s epic journey to photograph every state capitol building, one week at a time.

Review: Axed in Austin

Nick O’Flannigan needs a break.

The Austin music scene is just the ticket, and throwing in a little recreation seems like a good idea. But a local musician has been killed, and a new friend of Nick’s wants his help. However, the police have warned him off the case, and he really doesn’t want to be involved.

One step back

But something is wrong. There’s a critical clue, a footprint at the scene, and only Nick seems to suspect it means something more. Will his insight save the day, or will he find himself once again in deep trouble?

From a deep mystery, some great music, and the gritty atmosphere of Austin, Texas, you won’t want to miss this travel murder mystery, the next in the Capital City Murders series.

Review: Stung in Santa Fe

Nick gets Stung in Santa Fe.

While on his year long assignment to photograph every state capitol building for Travel USA magazine, Nick O’Flannigan gest stung by a wasp. But he isn’t the only one. A strange death, ruled an accident, happened at a lab researching a vaccine for bee and wasp stings. Nick feels like there is something wrong. It doesn’t feel like an accident.

He doesn’t want to get involved.

When a small detail in a photo stands out, he just can’t shake the feeling that there is a killer on the loose, and he needs to be brought to justice. But will the evidence be enough to convince anyone that he’s right? Or will Nick once again find himself in the middle of a mystery he has no business being involved in?

If you love the Lord Peter Wimsey series, you’ll love Capital City Murders!

Review: Poisoned in Phoenix

The heat is on!

There’s been a mysterious drowning in Phoenix, but nothing terribly unusual. Teens, a pool party with drugs, and alcohol. But Nick meets the aunt of the victim and is unwittingly drawn into the investigation. Because this is more than an accident. It’s murder.

A sunburn becomes so much more.

A private investigator, a trip of his own, and an odd list of suspects draws Nick deeper into an investigation he is trying to avoid. But what he discovers will force him to take action, one way or the other. Will Nick get in the way of law enforcement, or will his eye for detail once again help solve the case? Find out in this compelling travel mystery today!