Koncocoo

Best Vigilante Justice

The Girl Who Lived: A Thrilling Suspense Novel
As the anniversary of the murders approaches, Faith Winters is released from the psychiatric hospital and yanked back to the last spot on earth she wants to be—her hometown where the slayings took place. Wracked by the lingering echoes of survivor’s guilt, Faith spirals into a black hole of alcoholism and wanton self-destruction. Finding no solace at the bottom of a bottle, Faith decides to track down her sister’s killer—and then discovers that she’s the one being hunted. From the mind of Wall Street Journal bestselling author Christopher Greyson comes a story with twists and turns that take the reader to the edge of madness. exhilarating ending with a few surprises... Sharp characters enmeshed in a mystery that, particularly in its final lap, is a gleefully dizzy ride.” – Kirkus Reviews.
Reviews
"I am a huge fan of the Jack Stratton Series, by Christopher Greyson, so I was excited to receive The Girl Who Lived. The Girl Who Lived is a bit darker, it deals with survivors guilt and addictions that manifest themselves after a horrendous crime and the aftermath. I think anyone reading this book that can relate to her anxiety, despair, and emptiness will appreciate her struggle."
"This book is enjoyable and an interesting read."
"I thoroughly enjoyed this book."
"Entertaining for the most part, just short of a 5 star rating."
"Excellent read, page turner, who to believe, great characters."
"I have really enjoyed all of his books and this one kept me on the edge of my seat and guessing."
"I have not yet read it but my daughter said it's good."
"Well written kept me guessing to the end!"
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Dead Lawyer on Aisle 11 (Michael Gresham Legal Thrillers Book 7)
SOMEONE IS KILLING OFF LAWYERS IN THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. Michael Gresham is assigned to prosecuting the case against the at-large killer. When Michael's team has tried everything else to find the killer, they turn to twelve-year old Annie Gresham to create a criminal profile. Annie, the savant daughter of Michael Gresham, gathers together all the known evidence and begins mining the data. Annie creates a shocking profile of the killer, leaving the FBI agents skeptical of Michael Gresham. From there he traveled east, to Washington, DC, to help the children of a law school classmate claim the legacy left them by their murdered father. This book, Dead Lawyer on Aisle 11 , is about that service in the USAO and his difficulties and successes in finding and prosecuting the person responsible for the death of two lawyers in the USAO. During that time I tried first degree murder cases, a whole slew of other criminal cases of almost every conceivable crime, and I defended tax crimes as well.
Reviews
"It’s john Ellsworth."
"Good read , will read more of his books."
"Interesting story keeps you interested."
"It was different Keeps you guessing till the very end."
"In this book, Dead Lawyer on Aisle 11, Michael again shows that he is both intuitive and impetuous (with a mind easily muddled by a pretty face and enticing figure) but he is loyal to those he loves, Annie being one of those, and she adds an excellent bookend to Michael, explaining those loose ends and technicalities that he is incapable of explaining with his mere mortal mind. Secondly, after Michael's brother moved in with him to recuperate from his latest psychological breakdown, they never explained where he went and why he wouldn't have known that Michael had been not only convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death but already incarcerated when Michael called him."
"John Ellsworth created the characters, Nick Boudreaux and Harry Burrows by adding personalities of ruthless people we have known or have heard of. This is another fantastic story written by John Ellsworth that I enjoyed reading so very much & I hope you do, too !"
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Justice Burning (Darren Street Book 2)
Tormented by nightmares and violent mood swings, Street is seeking treatment for PTSD when a new trauma shakes his world: his mother is killed in an explosion, but the police believe Street was the intended target. Pratt resides in northeast Tennessee with his wife, two dogs, and a parrot.
Reviews
"Following up on the return of Darren Street to normal life this page turner keeps you riveted."
"Couldn't put the book down."
"Thus is one of the best books I have ever read."
"A little too much violence for me but I still will read more of his books as they are definitely intriguing, though I'm not sure plausible."
"This book was a surprise from beginning to end."
"Love books by Scott Pratt and learn about justice and how they handle the crime places."
"Scott Pratt gives a whole new meaning to the word "Revenge!""
"The story leads you through the things that happened to the lead character and how he too care of the people responsible."
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Best Hard-Boiled Mysteries

The Last Girl (The Dominion Trilogy Book 1)
Medical science and governments around the world scramble in an effort to solve the problem, but twenty-five years later there is no cure, and an entire generation grows up with a population of fewer than a thousand women. She's been held in the prison her entire life, along with a few other girls who disappear after the coming-of-age ceremony. Zoey and her new friends must break into the compound and rescue the other female prisoners.
Reviews
"Zoey is probably one of the strongest female characters I have found in any book I've ever read."
"(trying not to spoil too much). Hart seizes on the fears of a populace dealing with population control issues and shows us what can happen when control is removed from our hands."
"It is written in present tense, a fad I keep hoping will die, because it is so difficult to write well and, more often than not, just grates on the nerves. As a result she ends up as a rather non-entity and frankly, being a woman myself, I found her a pretty insultingly insipid female protagonist. Thus the few remaining female infants are gathered up and raised in puritanical prison conditions with severe punishments if they ask questions. Instead of investing time on actually developing the main character in thoughts, actions, and feelings that would let the reader get to know her and like her in and of herself, he just added a scene with mean girls picking on an outcast and let the main character show some pitiful token defense so that the reader knows that our heroine is the "good girl." Note to male authors: women can and very often do form very strong, healthy, and supportive relationships with one another and elevating your female protagonist by juxtaposing her next to catty, mean girls is taking the cheap way out."
"Have you ever read a book and been like, what made me read that? I think I have to tell you a little bit about the book to let you know why I am so disappointed in it."
"The treatment of the girls just seemed like an excuse for the author to imagine torturing women. I ended up skipping lots of pages just hoping that this story would finally make sense, but it never did."
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Best Conspiracy Thrillers

The Atlantis Gene: A Thriller (The Origin Mystery, Book 1)
The Atlantis Gene is the first book in The Origin Mystery , the global bestselling trilogy that is now in development to be a major motion picture. From the Hardcover Edition Off the coast of Antarctica, a research vessel discovers a mysterious structure buried deep inside an iceberg. THE ATLANTIS GENE is a thought-provoking technothriller about global genetic experiments, ancient conspiracies, and the mysteries of human evolution. This fast-paced adventure is the first book in The Origin Mystery Series (now in development at CBS Films to be a major motion picture). A thriller certainly, but one that combines so many factual historical references that the reader is left wondering where facts end and fiction begins.
Reviews
"It's a Science Fiction thriller that combines elements of the lost city of Atlantis, human evolution, Nazis, conspiracy, alien technology, and end of the world scenarios. The very basic premise (without spoiling anything) is that the human race was on the brink of extinction at one point in the past and somehow, for some unexplained reason, humans made a giant leap forward in the evolutionary ladder that allowed them to not only survive, but to take control of planet Earth. Shortly thereafter, agent David Vale shows up on the scene and he and Kate are sucked into a worldwide race against time to save not only themselves and the children, but quite possibly the whole world. As a matter of fact, I was a bit disappointed at how similar certain aspects of the plot were to Jeremy Robinson's "Second World" and James Rollins' "Black Order". After spending much of the first half of the book at a jog, Riddle flips the switch towards the end and the pacing becomes very quick, and the action and story become intense."
"Anyone who enjoys SiFi will love this book."
"Science Fiction can be difficult to read, for me, but Mr."
"The reason for not giving a 5 rating is that there are some occasional instances where editing failed to catch the misuse of a word or a grammatical slip. Book 3: The Atlantis World ties the subplots and main plot together, and finally gives us the across-the-universe (and perhaps beyond) scope of the the power/greed motivations which have influenced the good, the bad and the conflicted throughout the series. A.G. Riddle displays the altruistic nature imbued in some of his characters by sharing fact/fiction noes from the trilogy, and tips for writers on his website."
"Although the beginning started out as an action-adventure novel with a bit of science extrapolation thrown in, by the end it was a free-wheeling, time-shifting hard-science fiction (sort of) thriller."
"By the time I had read half of the novel, there were so many unfinished ideas that I was exhausted."
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Best Heist Crime

Only the Rain
When family man and war veteran Russell loses his job as a quarry worker, his life suddenly seems more like a waking nightmare than a chance to finally live the American dream. Randall Silvis is the internationally acclaimed author of more than a dozen novels, one story collection, and one book of narrative nonfiction.
Reviews
"Had I not downloaded it before going to work, I absolutely would have read it in one breathless, barely blinking, madly swiping sitting. It's an interesting literary technique that allows him to merge past and present seamlessly, mixing in antecdotes that the friend knows and filling in Russell's back history as well. It rings true, allowing for a more casual, honest tone with a single narrator not wasting space on excessive descriptions of places or people, giving an immediacy and intimacy to the book."
"INTRO: Only The Rain is a powerfully written suspenseful drama that I found compelling, even though I did not love the character. To give a feel for the editing, and the style and flow of this work, I am posting a brief excerpt below. The music has stopped and there’s this three-way conversation going on between that crazy dog and the pattering rain and my heart thumping like the wings of a flushed grouse. I say to her, “If I put you down, can you walk inside?”. Her grip around my neck tightens and she pushes herself up tighter against me. “Doan’ pu’ mee down.”. This whole description I’m giving you is probably coming off a lot funnier than it actually was. Either that pit bull was going to rip its chain loose and come flying at me, or some burly boyfriend was going to appear with a shotgun in his hands, or somebody who knew Cindy was going to drive by and think, isn’t that Russell there with that naked girl in his arms? So I’m standing in the living room now, bare plank floors and a ratty old couch and matching chair and a coffee table covered with water rings and cigarette burns and empty beer bottles."
"This is an engaging tale of a man struggling with the results of choices he's made and how he works to make things right."
"Man steals money to support his family, and for about a hundred pages the internal monologue focuses on his guilt. Finally, the action ramps up and two thugs come sniffing around and this army trained personnel can't deal with them? This disrupts the immersion and is really bizarre that seems to encounter no real purpose other than reminding the audience he's writing an email (that he deletes?)."
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Best Organized Crime

The Mafia And His Angel: Part 1 (Tainted Hearts)
I was put here to wipe out every last member of the damn Abandonato mafia, to pay them back for my mother’s death. When I find a strange girl hiding, beaten, under my bed, I don’t let her live out of compassion.
Reviews
"The brokenness of the characters force the readers into the role of cheer leader became so much pain must lead to great love and joy."
"I'm stingy and rarely buy even the 99c books but I one clicked book two right after finishing this story."
"Part one: as I accidentally found this story and bought it on my kindle I gave it a try."
"Pretty interesting start but a bit repetitive and predictable towards the end."
"The story line is decent and flows really well, my opinion is that this series probably could’ve been written in two books instead of 3."
"My first book from this author and I loved it, loved the characters and their story line."
"I did not know what to expect but I had to get book two What Ayala went through and she's still here, I see her as a fighter and she doesn't even know it."
"A page turner, love, obsession , violence. Expect the unexpected. An emotional roller-coaster. Will read I again, I might have missed something."
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Best Noir Crime

Broken Bones: A gripping serial killer thriller (Detective Kim Stone Crime Thriller Series Book 7)
As three more sex workers in the Black Country are murdered in quick succession, each death more violent than the last, Kim and her team realise that the initial killing was no one-off frenzied attack, but a twisted serial killer preying on the vulnerable. At the same time, the search begins for the desperate woman who left her newborn baby at the station – but what at first looks like a tragic abandonment soon takes an even more sinister turn. When another young woman goes missing, the two investigations bring the team into a terrifying, hidden world, and a showdown puts Kim’s life at risk as secrets from her own past come to light. ‘With an opening that will have you gripped from start to finish, I devoured it in a matter of hours - I simply couldn't put it down…I was literally on the edge of my seat with anticipation wanting to know what was going to happen next.’ Chelle’s Book Reviews. ‘Angela Marsons is one of the most immensely talented writers out there ; she has an exceptional skill in creating a cast of characters and a spider web of plots that will keep you glued to the book until it is finished.
Reviews
"It isn't always a comfortable subject, but it exists."
"I'm currently reading my way through Angela Marson' Kim Stone series."
"The "usual sidekicks"" are involved in this case too and I enjoy their contributions to the outcome."
"Ms. Marsons characters so real with genuine feeling, emotional quirks and goodness mixed with hard core dedication to their boss and the job."
"I highly suggest this book, the whole series honestly!!!"
"Even down to the medical examiner Keats who, although has small appearances in the stories his banter with Kim is so amusing."
"DI Stone is a tenacious leader who seeks justice and yet is compassionate with her team."
"I simply had no interest in the second stoy line running through the book about the Romanian people and wound up skipping over those pages to follow the story of the murdered prostitutes."
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Best Serial Killers

The Girl Who Lived: A Thrilling Suspense Novel
As the anniversary of the murders approaches, Faith Winters is released from the psychiatric hospital and yanked back to the last spot on earth she wants to be—her hometown where the slayings took place. Wracked by the lingering echoes of survivor’s guilt, Faith spirals into a black hole of alcoholism and wanton self-destruction. Finding no solace at the bottom of a bottle, Faith decides to track down her sister’s killer—and then discovers that she’s the one being hunted. From the mind of Wall Street Journal bestselling author Christopher Greyson comes a story with twists and turns that take the reader to the edge of madness. exhilarating ending with a few surprises... Sharp characters enmeshed in a mystery that, particularly in its final lap, is a gleefully dizzy ride.” – Kirkus Reviews.
Reviews
"I am a huge fan of the Jack Stratton Series, by Christopher Greyson, so I was excited to receive The Girl Who Lived. The Girl Who Lived is a bit darker, it deals with survivors guilt and addictions that manifest themselves after a horrendous crime and the aftermath. I think anyone reading this book that can relate to her anxiety, despair, and emptiness will appreciate her struggle."
"This was quite a thriller but she seemed so stupid when she knew someone was after her - get drunk??"
"Liked this book very much."
"Wow what a read."
"If you enjoy psychological thrillers and reading at a fast pace, not wanting to stop, The Girl Who Lived is the book for you."
"I liked the twists and turns."
"Not one of my favorites."
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Best Kidnapping Crime Fiction

The Butterfly Garden (The Collector Trilogy Book 1)
As her story twists and turns, slowly shedding light on life in the Butterfly Garden, Maya reveals old grudges, new saviors, and horrific tales of a man who’d go to any length to hold beauty captive. Dot Hutchison is the author of A Wounded Name , a young adult novel based on Shakespeare’s Hamlet , and the adult thriller The Butterfly Garden .
Reviews
"This review does not contain spoilers, however, I do discuss points included in Amazon's summary description; if you consider those spoilers, avoid this review. -o-. 'The Butterfly Garden' is told in alternating first and third-person-limited perspectives: the main character relates her story to FBI agents following her rescue from the Garden. When used by experienced writers (Rothfuss' 'Name of the Wind' is a good example), a nested story can be very effective. It was hard to believe in the setting, both that it could exist (how do you find contractors to build this sort of thing?). The third person portions tended to exposition, which made those times in the story feel like they moved more slowly. The 'twist' at the ending was unnecessary, without adequate foreshadowing to make it satisfying for the reader."
"The first problem is the setting; It's hard to picture the "butterflies" ( The kidnapped girls) being kept in some kind of enormous greenhouse (big enough to hold a pond for swimming, a waterfall, a cliff, a glorious garden, a kitchen, rooms, hallways, essentially and entire compound) inside an even bigger greenhouse on the killer's private house grounds. Such a colossal structure wouldn't slip by prying eyes for the nearly 30 years that the Gardener has been abducting girls. You're led to believe that the survivor, Maya, may or may not be on the right side but then she starts singing like a canary right after that and the mystery is lost. Maya was protecting her former roommate who was the one butterfly who had escaped 10 years prior, pregnant with the Gardener's child. That's all.The author seemed to be more concerned with reminding the reader every few pages that a butterfly was being raped or beaten by the Gardener and his son instead of moving the story forward at an even pace. The fact that the only time Maya shows any emotion is when she's developing affections for the Gardener's other son, Desmond (who discovers the truth and doesn't go to the police until 6 months later) is infuriating."
"I reread the end 3 times to make sure I was reading it correctly because it made so little sense."
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Best Murder

An Innocent Client (Joe Dillard Series Book 1)
His drug-addicted sister has just been released from prison and his mother is succumbing to Alzheimer's, but Dillard's commitment to the case never wavers despite the personal troubles and professional demands that threaten to destroy him. "Pratt's richly developed characters are vivid and believable, especially the strong Southern women who fight their male-dominated culture from behind a facade of vulnerability in this brilliantly executed debut."
Reviews
"Other writers will use long descriptions of what the landscaping is like as someone enters a driveway to a house, or a long paragraph describing what a woman is wearing and the scent of her perfume and the necklace she is wearing. And that is exactly what Scott Pratt avoids and makes his books such a delight to read. Each of his books in this series has a great plot that makes them a such page turner."
"Joe Dillard is a criminal defence attorney, that is he defends murderers, thieves, drug dealers, prostitutes and rapists among others. Having now saved a considerable amount of money, he wants to quit the legal profession permanently but before that he wishes to defend at least one innocent client. On checking the whereabouts of the preacher, Landers finds that the victim, although a man of God, had visited a strip club the night before. The club's wealthy owner, Erlene, being a close friend of Angel and knowing Joe Dillard to be one of the best attorneys around, pays him a hefty sum and hires him to defend her employee."
"I am a trial lawyer myself, so I enjoyed this one."
"Scott Pratt's "An Innocent Client" is a typical Scott Pratt book! His hero Joe Dillard is tough as nails, but you just want to smother him in a big hug."
"A fabulous story about a criminal defense lawyer who is tired of dealing with guilty clients and decides it is time to find a different way to make a living."
"I am not sure how I happened upon this book initially, but I'm glad I did."
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