Watson's Favorite Things

Watson's Favorites

Watson is visiting the blog today to share a roundup of some of his favorite things.  He's a pretty important guy around the MRM household, and he knows what he likes!  He keeps us company throughout the day, and he is never far away from either MRM or Mrs. MRM.  The jury is out on who is his favorite, but Mrs. MRM thinks he's pretty partial to his daddy.  When he's not keeping an eye on the neighborhood, his favorite spot is perched on the corner of the couch watching Mr. MRM while he works.    Here's a peek at what keeps this fella happy in his "own" words. 

Food & Treats


Food is life, man.  I love all things edible, and some things that aren't!  Those things that aren't have gotten me in trouble, though, so I try hard to stick to my food and my treats.  Can't blame a doodle for tasting once in a while, though!  My kibble of choice is Orijen Original.  Super tasty, and I waste no time inhaling it!  You never know when one of those kibble nuggets are going to run away, so full bowl to empty in 2 seconds is my goal.  Mom says it is good for me, but I'm here for the YUM, folks...and the yum factor is high!




Second only to my people and my kibble are my treats!  I'm a big fan of anything this dude Zuke makes.  He really knows what a "good boy" likes.  I can snag one of these babies out mid-air!  They keep me at the top of my game.  The only thing I don't like is when one of my people has bad aim and they end up under the fridge instead of IN MAH BELLY.





These guys will bring me to attention in an instant.  Just the rustling of the bag can wake me from a deep sleep.  My best Doberman friend, Dakota, and her dad turned me on to Elk Jerky.  Sometimes when I visit them on my daily walks, her dad sneaks one to me when nobody is looking.  He's another one of my favorites, but he didn't sign a photo release so I don't have a picture of him to share. :) I'm not exactly sure what an elk is, but it makes some mean jerky treats.





Another favorite treat of mine that will also keep me busy for a while is a bully stick.  Mom is not a fan of them because she says they stink. Whatever!  I think they smell delicious! I guess she loves me enough to put up with the odor because she knows I think they're THE BEST!  They really satisfy my need to chew and gnaw, and she says they're safer for me than those rawhide things I always beg to try at the pet store. Safe, schmafe.  I don't really care.  I just like to chew 'em to bits.


Out and About 

So when I'm out on the town, or just out for a walk, I need to look sharp.  Mom got me this awesome blanket coat by Zack and Zoey to keep me warm and dry, and the best part is it is reversible!  Two looks in one and perfect for rain OR snow.  It is especially nice after I've been groomed and my hair is a little less fluffy and cozy!  It comes in all kinds of colors with coordinating patterns.  I think Dakota's jealous that she doesn't have one. Maybe I'll give her one for her birthday.  She's an older woman, but I love me some cougars.




When I hear mom's keys rattle and I see her with her purse, I zoom to the door and wait to go with her.  When I do get to ride in the car, this Easy Rider harness keeps me safe and in my seat.  The seatbelt slips right through the loops, and my leash snaps right to the top whenever we get where we're going.  I'd much rather sit in mom's lap, but she's not too happy when I try.  I guess I got a little too big for that now that I'm almost two years old.  I could totally drive, though, if she'd just push the pedals for me.  I am convinced, but her? Not so much.  Oh well.  Maybe when I'm three?

When mom and dad need me to smell my best, I get a bath with this smelly stuff, Biosilk Moisturizing Shampoo for Dogs.  Well, I did until mom forgot it at the dog wash.  She should make a note to order more!  It leaves my coat so soft and silky, and she gives me extra kisses and snuggles because I smell so good.  She likes to use the conditioner, too, but I'm like...whatever...isn't there something stinky I can roll in???




Bachelor Pad 

Until I can convince mom and dad to let me sleep in their bed, this is my bachelor pad, a Life Stages Folding Metal Dog Crate.  Sometimes I hang out there when the couch is full of wiggly little people and I am trying to sleep.  It is my den, dude.  Once in a while, I have surprised mom and dad by slipping out the side door at night.  My brothers and sister hook me up by leaving the latch open so I can sneak out.  When dad comes downstairs to get me in the morning, I'm all "SURPRISE!!" I haven't figured out why he's not thrilled to see me waiting at the door.  One day they'll learn to check both doors when they put me to bed at night.  Until then, open door = party time!


Santa brought me this super duper self-warming crate pad to keep me extra toasty on those cold, "three dog nights."  Not sure where those other two dogs are sleeping, but as for me, I'm cozy and comfy.  I guess that jolly chubster knows what's up when it comes to keeping warm in the winter.  Mom and dad like it because it is easy to throw in the wash when things get a little aromatic in my room.




So that's all for now, folks.  Keep an eye out for more of my favorite things as my tastes mature.  A smart dog has to stay on top of the trends, am I right?  I totally forgot to tell you about my favorite toys. They deserve a whole post of their own!  Serious fun to be had for all your furry friends.  Trust me.  I know these things.

Lots of love, butt wiggles, and tail wags,

Watson

"Tastes Like Murder" by Catherine Bruns - Excerpt and Giveaway!!

I've been looking forward to this one for the last month!  MRM is pleased to bring you an excerpt from Catherine Bruns' debut cozy, Tastes Like Murder, from the Cookies and Chance series.  I had a chance to read it ahead of release, and I think you'll love it. The icing on the cake, or, in this case, the cookie, is that Catherine is offering a free, signed copy of Tastes Like Murder to one of our lucky readers (US delivery only).  Don't forget to check out the details and enter the giveaway below.  Happy Reading!  ~Mrs. MRM

Update:   Congratulations to Kathleen Costa, winner of the signed copy of Tastes Like Murder! 

Excerpt of Tastes Like Murder

by Catherine Bruns

With divorce papers in hand and her cheating, former spouse in Florida, Sally Muccio has returned to her hometown in the Buffalo, New York region to start a novelty cookie shop with her best friend. All patrons receive a free, homemade fortune cookie with every purchase, accompanied by messages that are strangely foreboding. But there’s no warning when Sal’s ex-husband’s mistress turns up on her front porch one evening...dead.

“I wonder if she’ll get a huge crowd at her funeral,” my father mused aloud as he stared at his painting. He was probably wondering if his service would be larger.

“Dad,” Gianna said. “Her mother is the town socialite. They have more money than God. Amanda owned the only spa around here. Even if people didn’t like her, they’ll still go to the wake, at least for her mother’s sake.”

He waved her off and studied the paper again. “When I go, I want my obituary to take up an entire page. You’ll write it, Gianna. You’ve always been good with words.”

“Dear Lord,” my grandmother muttered under her breath. “All you think about is death! It is like living with the Grim Reaper.”

Dad shot his mother-in-law a look of exasperation. “You should be thinking about it too, old lady. You’ve got at least ten years on me. You’re liable to go anytime.”

“Sei pazzo.” Grandma Rosa shook her head.

“You’re the one who’s crazy.” My father frowned at her. “I bet you don’t even have a burial plot yet.”

I groaned. “Enough, please? Can we stop talking about funerals for one night?”

“Poor sweetie.” My mother wrapped her arms around me as I stared, eyes pleading for help, at my grandmother.

“Stop smothering her, Maria.” Grandma Rosa walked into the kitchen. “Sally is not a baby anymore, for crying out loud. She is a grown woman.”

My father snorted as he reached for his wineglass. “A divorced woman. I knew you never should have married that bum. Now his tramp is dead. They’re ruining your life.”

I put my weary head in my hands.

“You didn’t finish telling us what happened.” Gianna refilled her glass.

I blew out a breath. “There isn’t much more to tell. Brian made a call to the station and another policeman showed up. They searched the shop and waited while Josie and I locked the door, and then they left.”

“Will they close the place for a while and call in a forensics team?” Gianna, lawyer-in-training, asked.

I ate a small bite of braciole. “I don’t think so. They can’t be sure of the cause of death until the autopsy results come in, so they don’t know if it was an accident or—” I stopped myself, unable to say the word.

Gianna looked at me in surprise. “They actually think she might have been murdered?”

“Of course she was murdered,” my father bellowed. “The girl was evil!”

Grandma Rosa reappeared, setting a cup of espresso in front of me.

“If I have coffee now, I’ll be up all night.”

She handed me the cream and sugar from the nearby buffet table and shook her snow-white head. “Sally, my love, who are you kidding? There is no way you will sleep tonight, coffee or no coffee.”

I hated to admit it, but she was right. Sighing, I took a sip of the strong drink and almost choked, then cocked one eye at my grandmother. “What did you put in here?”

She shrugged. “Maybe a little Sambuca. It is good for you.”

My mother reached inside her cosmetic bag and pulled out a compact. She started removing her false eyelashes at the table. “Sal, the police don’t think you have anything to do with it, right? I mean, do they know what she did to you?”

I finished chewing another bite before answering. “I told Brian about our, shall we say, differences. He said they can’t speculate on anything until the autopsy comes back.”

“Who is this Brian?” Grandma Rosa raised one eyebrow and sat down across from me.

Gianna winked. “He’s the new cop on the force. I see him at Frank’s place all the time. He’s very nice. Cute too.”

“What are you talking about?” Heat rose through my face.

“Maybe we should invite him over for dinner.” My mother held the mirror out in front of her while she primped her long hair. It was dark like mine, but not as curly.

I looked at her in disbelief. “Mom, you don’t invite cops to dinner.”

“Why not? They have to eat too, you know.”

A small gurgle escaped from my mouth before I could stop it.

My mother stood, yawned, and stretched. “I need to get some sleep. I’m showing houses tomorrow morning.” She enjoyed dressing up and wearing her gold-plated name badge as she viewed homes with prospective clients. My parents didn’t need the extra money. Their house was paid off, and my father received a generous pension from the railroad, which was a good thing because in the six months since my mother started her real estate career, she’d made exactly zero in sales.

Mom ran around the table, kissing each one of us on the cheek and ending with my father. “Don’t be too long.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “You know how I hate to sleep alone.”

He chuckled and swatted her behind. “I’ll be up in a minute, hot stuff.”

“Jeez Louise.” Gianna raised her eyebrows in disgust. “Do we really need to see this?”

Praise for Tastes Like Murder

"The delightful whodunit kept me guessing until the end, and the tasty treats had my mouthwatering from start to finish! A fantastic culinary mystery in the vein of Joanne Fluke and Diane Mott Davidson!"
—Gemma Halliday, New York Times & USA Today bestselling mystery author


"Catherine Bruns has found a winning recipe for an exciting mystery mixed with a dash of humor and a heap of danger. Add in a little romance for spice, and you get one sweet reading treat." 

—Mary Marks, Best selling author of the Quilting Mystery series



About the Author

Catherine lives in Upstate New York with a male dominated household that consists of her very patient husband, three sons, two cats and dogs. She has wanted to be a writer since the age of eight when she wrote her own version of Cinderella. Fortunately, Disney never sued. Catherine holds a B.A. and dual major in English and Performing Arts and is a former press release writer and newspaper reporter. In addition to the Cookies & Chance Mysteries, her Realtor for Hire Mystery series debuts in November with Gemma Halliday Publishing.



Connect with Catherine:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Website and Blog

Win a Signed, Print Edition of Tastes Like Murder

Please comment below to enter the giveaway!  Share this post on social media or follow Catherine on Facebook and/or Twitter for a additional entries.  Don't forget to comment and let us know you did so.  Please Note:  If you are commenting anonymously, please leave your full Facebook name or email address so that we may contact you if you are the winner.  Winners will be chosen via random number generator at noon EST on Tuesday, September 15.  Congratulations to Kathleen Costa, winner of the signed copy of Tastes Like Murder! 

In the Spotlight: Henery Press

This week's "In the Spotlight" post is one I've been looking forward to since we started the series.  I am very happy to share with you one of my "go-to" small presses:  Henery Press, which specializes in cozy mysteries with, as they say on their website, "a splash of chick lit."

Henery Press has a stellar lineup of authors, including some award winners and USA Today Bestsellers. You will certainly recognize some of the names and titles as those we mention frequently on the Must Read and Mrs. Must Read Mysteries Facebook pages.

Susan M. Boyer's Lowcountry cozy series is a stand-out for me.  Ms. Boyer has earned several awards, including the Agatha award for Best First Novel for her debut novel, Lowcountry Boil.  As you've heard from me before, I am a HUGE fan of Lowcountry Boil, as it hits two sweet spots for me:  excellent cozy mysteries and the South.   I'm a Florida girl transplanted to the northeast,  and I love to find titles that take me home for a bit.  The Lowcountry mysteries feature PI Liz Talbot, a sassy, smart, and relatable leading character.  Boyer doubles down on the appeal with a tense, well-crafted mystery and a smidgen of paranormal flare.  The second, and equally pleasing, book in the series is Lowcountry Bombshell.  Boyer's third book, Lowcountry Boneyard, is due out in April and is available now for pre-order.  There is no doubt that it will deliver the same strong performance as her first two cozies.

As enjoyable as I found the Lowcountry series, it is not the only shining star in the "Hen House."  Henery Press consistently delivers high quality, fun reading from all of its authors, including:

• Larissa Reinhart, the Daphne Award-nominated author of the Cherry Tucker mysteries, set in the South and featuring the humorous exploits of an artist-turned-detective
• Lyndee Walker, the Agatha Award-nominated author of the Headlines in High Heels series featuring crime reporter Nichelle Clarke
• Gretchen Archer,  USA Today Bestselling author of the Davis Way Crime Caper series, also set in the South and featuring security specialist Davis Way
• Cindy Brown is a new author from Henery, and her very well-reviewed first book, Macdeath, debuted January 20th.  Macdeath features Ivy Brown, a theater actor-turned-investigator!
• Annette Dashofy, author of the Zoe Chambers Paramedic/Coroner cozies (set in small-town Pennsylvania), is to be congratulated on her recent nomination for the Best First Novel Agatha Award for Circle of Influence
• Alice Loweecey, author of the very well-reviewed nun-turned-PI Giulia Driscoll series
• Kendel Lynn, Agatha-award nominated author of the island-living, PI-in-training Elliott Lisbon series
• Bourne Morris, author of the edgy, psychological thriller The Red Queen's Run.  Although this is a bit of a departure from Henery's typical cozy, it is well-reviewed and has earned its place of honor in the press' collection.
• Gigi Pandian, author of the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt mystery series, which was recently nominated for a Lefty Award for Best West Coast mystery
• Diane Vallere, author of the Mad for Mod interior decorating cozy mystery series
• Nancy Cole Silverman, author of Shadow of Doubt, featuring talk radio reporter Carol Childs.
• Susan O'Brien's Nicki Valentine mystery, Finding Sky, also recently nominated for the Agatha Award for Best First Novel

Do you have a favorite from Henery Press?  Please comment below and tell us about it!

Pam Stack Guest Blog: So, What About Those Book Reviews?

SO, WHAT ABOUT THOSE BOOK REVIEWS?

Lately there have been a lot of comments made about the quality and quantity of book reviews on sites like Amazon.  There is a general discussion among writers and professional reviewers about authors who may be writing reviews for their own work under a pseudonym.  If this is true, it’s a shame because it diminishes the words of a true book lover who reviews books as a profession and the words of every day readers.  I’ve been wondering then, why do we care so much about reviews and who really benefits from them?  Do we need professional reviewers, or should writers only insist that their customers post book reviews?  Which are more necessary?  Which are more, dare I say it, legitimate? 

Being a voracious reader myself, easily breezing through over 300 books a year, it wasn’t until I began to interact and speak to authors that I recognized that I could write a pretty decent review if I put my mind to it.  So, that’s what I did.  Once I became the host for Authors on the Air, an internet radio talk show, I wrote reviews more seriously, as I wanted authors to know that I had actually read their books and understood their style and POV.  Since my early days of posting my reviews as simply a “consumer”, I have established rules for myself as a more “professional” reviewer.  I will not write a review that won’t garner less than 3 stars; I will always be honest as my credibility is as stake; and I will never review a book because an author simply asks me to.  I ran into an ethical dilemma there and have blogged previously about it.

On my Facebook page for Authors on the Air as well as my personal page I recommend books to my friends and that got me thinking about reviews.  My friend followed my advice to read a Brett Battles book and she loved it.  I suggested that she write exactly that same statement on Amazon, where she purchased the book and thought that her comments might be more appreciated by the author than those of a professional reviewer.  Interestingly enough, Brett posted that he agreed.

So, what do you want, authors?  I know you like those long wordy reviews we love to spout out and yes, they do help, I think, to perhaps guide sales of your books, however marginally.  But does that diminish the impact of the everyday reader who takes the time to write “hey, I’ve never done this before but…I loved your book?” Which would you rather see?

And readers, which review would you reply most upon?  The review that’s rather long and and wordy or would you prefer to see what the “average Jane” has to say about an author’s work?  And, do reviews really matter?

# # #

Pam Stack is the host and producer for Authors on the Air, live radio interviews, at www.blogtalkradio.com/authorsontheair and a motivational public speaker.  She can be reached at authorsontheair@gmail.com.

Mrs. MRM reviews Terri Austin's "Diners, Dives, and Dead Ends"

I just finished another fun cozy mystery read from Henery Press: Terri Austin's Diners, Dives, and Dead Ends, the first book in her series with waitress/sleuth Rose Stickland. Rose marches to the beat of her own drum, much to the chagrin of her very traditional family. Her unwavering loyalty to her friends lands her in a web of crime that is more far-reaching than she realizes and leaves her searching for answers and her best friend. Austin does a nice job of developing Rose as a character, and a good portion of her supporting cast is equally interesting- I even found myself rooting for the "bad guy" a few times. I'm looking forward to picking up the next in the series, Last Diner Standing.

Mrs. MRM reviews Susan Boyer's "Lowcountry Boil"

I just finished reading Susan Boyer's Lowcountry Boil, and I am experiencing a severe case of PBW - Post Book Withdrawal! I haven't had as much time for reading as I would like recently, but this book made me want to steal every minute possible to read. I was a bit hesitant at first as I am not usually a big fan of paranormal story lines, but the depth of characterization made every character (even the ghost) strong and relatable. Plus, if you've ever visited or lived in the Charleston area, you know it is almost impossible to experience the city and its barrier islands without feeling the ghosts of the past looking over your shoulder. Every time I found a minute to read, I found myself slipping into the warm sea air of Stella Maris, and I instantly felt like an island insider. In this fantastic debut, Boyer does a lovely job of maintaining tension while developing sympathetic, identifiable characters. Any small town southerner would be hard-pressed not to see someone they "know" in this book. She kept me guessing right up until the end, but in hindsight all the clues were there. It was smart, funny, and overall a very enjoyable read. I am impatiently waiting her next book and another Liz Talbot adventure!

MRM Reviews: A Dozen Favorite Mystery/Crime Books

Today on the blog we have short reviews of a dozen books that we have recently read and highly recommend.

Dave Zeltserman recently released a new short story collection One Angry Julius Katz and Other Stories.  Zeltserman has become one of my favorite mystery/suspense authors for his ability to span the genre, producing high quality classic/cozy mysteries, dark noir crime chillers, horror novels, fast paced thrillers, and sometimes mixing them all together in his own unique stew. He is like a Donald Westlake or Lawrence Block for this generation (though unlike those authors, to the best of my knowledge, he is not writing erotica under pen names on the side).  I snapped the collection up on release day and read it on my commute to work (not driving but on the train!).  The big news with this collection is the new Julius Katz story "One Angry Julius and Eleven Befuddled Jurors", first published a couple of months ago in EQMM. This is another fun entry in this classic mystery series, and once again it is the interplay between Julius and his AI assistant Archie that steals the show. All six stories are very strong, but I particularly liked "When Death Shines Bright", in which Zeltserman does a great job of getting inside the head of a man who is living on the run and on the edge.

Zeltserman has also recently launched his "The Hunted" series by releasing a pair of novellas, The Hunted and The Dame.  Set in the near future and featuring government trained assassin Dan Willis, the novellas recall the Parker novels that Donald Westlake wrote as Richard Stark (especially the earliest ones) for their stripped down prose, tough protagonist fighting a powerful organization against long odds, and seamless plotting. While the books might be classified as hard boiled escapist reads, the social problems of today (terrorism, unemployment) form the backdrop of the novellas and give them a little more weight.  Although the novellas are self contained, I like that there is a common thread running through them that promises great things for future releases in the series.

Another pair of novellas well worth reading are Trent Zelazny's Fractal Despondency and the sequel A Crack in Melancholy Time.  I found both darkly beautiful and haunting, with almost a dreamlike quality to them.  Zelazny's noir is not built on tough guys and violence, but is more of a psychological exploration of a man on the edge, one struggling with the damage done by his own bad choices.  The feelings explored by the novellas are so real that it is easy to assume that the material is largely autobiographical.  Ultimately though, it does not matter if it is or not.  Zelazny's ability to make this world resonate with the reader is a major accomplishment.

 

I came late to the party for Bruce DeSilva's Edgar winning debut mystery novel "Rogue Island", only getting around to reading it in the last month.  I should not have waited so long.  The first book in the Liam Mulligan series (the second, "Cliff Walk", was recently released and this time I was sure to buy it on release day), "Rogue Island" is a gritty and funny tale of corruption with an assured sense of place, peppered with sharp dialogue and inhabited by fully realized characters.

I am even later to the party for Jess Lourey's 2006 release May Day, the first book in her Murder by Month series. While this book is ostensibly in the small town cozy amateur sleuth tradition, unlike many cozy heroines who (as my grandma might say) would not say shit if they had a mouth full of it, assistant librarian/part-time reporter Mira James has a ribald sense of humor, a smart mouth, and a healthy libido.  I found it a very entertaining read that was wacky and fun, but also grounded in a fully realized and very real character.

 Marika Christian's Phone Kitten, with it's phone sex operator and amateur sleuth Emily, is actually much more comfortably a cozy than "May Day", despite the subject matter.  The book is quirky and very funny without resorting to outlandishness as a substitute for humor.  Emily is a heroine who is easy to relate to and root for, one who grows in confidence as she tackles her insecurities.  This could easily turn into a wonderful series, and I hope that Christian is hard at work on the next book.

I recently had the pleasure of reading James Reasoner's Dust Devils back to back with Roger Smith's crime novel of the same name.  While both are terrific reads that would usually be labeled hardboiled or noir, they are quite different in the ways they achieve their ends.

Reasoner's novel is the more streamlined of the two, a deftly plotted Texas country tale with a series of narrative surprises (including the final twist) that had this reader feeling like he was being taken for a ride in a sleek, fast car.  The first 10% of the book fools the reader into thinking they might have stumbled into a sappy romance novel (or perhaps a bad Garth Brooks song) before a critical revelation followed by a spurt of violence completely changes the tone of the novel.  The book has the feel of a 50s Gold Medal paperback original (that is a big compliment), and is cut from the same cloth as Tractor Girl.

Roger Smith's novel is more modern and ambitious, and I could easily see a graduate student doing a thesis comparing and contrasting the way the 4 main male characters approach violence.  The story is told in alternating points of view between the main characters, and there is a certain inevitability to it as their arcs race toward a collision.  The narrative has a visceral quality to it, and Smith makes the South African setting come alive.  This is one that stayed with me long after I finished reading it.

$200 and a Cadillac was my first taste of the work of Fingers Murphy, and I expect I will be back for many more helpings.  The material is darkly humorous, and Murphy populates the novel with a bunch of quirky and interesting characters that feel like they could have stepped out of an early Elmore Leonard novel.

Finally, Joe Lansdale's Edge of Dark Water may just be the best thing he has ever written (and that is saying something).  It is very much of a piece with his Edgar winning The Bottoms in that it combines a historical coming-of-age drama with a crime novel in an East Texas setting .  Lansdale is a terrific storyteller, and the voice of the narrator, 16 year old Sue Ellen, is pitch perfect -- a combination of homespun wisdom, wry observation, and lyrical description.  The book is often scary and dark, but it is life affirming at its core.

MRM Reviews: Pam Stack on Mike Faricy's "Russian Roulette"

Devlin Haskell, is not your well dressed, well heeled, fancy-pants private investigator. He has no office and no office phone. He doesn't have a buffed bodyguard and side-kick like Spenser. What this P.I. does have is street smarts, a rogue's wandering eye for the ladies, a little too much to drink and a very intriguing case. Dev, as he's known to his friends, finds himself interested and not always in the professional way, when he is approached by a sexy redheaded tootsie hoping to find her sister. And she's got what Dev assumes is a French accent, making her all the more mouth-watering to him. Mike Faricy's Russian Roulette is a fun, smart and sexy romp to figure out who the tootsie is and why she wants to find her "sister" who isn't her sister. Dev finds himself involved in a human trafficking ring by the Russian mob, who are none to thrilled to have him poking his nose where it doesn't belong. Along the way, our intrepid hero finds himself on the receiving end of some nasty fights where he generally isn't the winner, meets up with an anal-retentive FBI agent out to make a name for himself, and an ICE agent who seems to want to do the right thing by Dev and the victims in his case.

Faricy has put together a well written, taut, fun ride through Dev Haskell's case, complete with a few twists and turns. It's like riding on a roller coaster - you're enjoying yourself, screaming at what you know is sure to happen but scared of what's up ahead. This was one thrilling ride and a highly recommended good time for all.

MRM Reviews: Pam Stack on Raymond Benson's "The Black Stiletto"

As a kid, I loved to read comic strips and comic books. I loved the Superheroes portrayed in those pages. But once I read The Black Stiletto all thoughts of those childhood comics were stripped away. Imagine meeting a woman in the late 1950s whose sense of justice for a wrong done to her as a young teenager compels her to work hard, train and fight injustice in her world. The "Stiletto" does just that. Raymond Benson has created a character whose feminism and feminist traits were not all that common in those "good ole days". But heroine Judy learns at a young age that to right wrongs, she must take it upon herself to become the equalizer. She trains in boxing, martial arts and reads. I love this character! Judy's adventures are documented through her diaries left to her only child, a son, who is stunned to read about his famous, or rather, infamous, mother. The story flips from Judy's diaries to present day as her life unfolds before the son. There is a point where the action crosses between the past and present day that will keep you glued to the story.

Benson has woven a true superhero without the superpowers, but nonetheless leaves his readers begging for more. I'm certain that we will see a "Black Stiletto 2" soon enough because I for one, cannot get enough of her. You won't either.