Mutt Cafe

Wrong Side of Hell The DeathSpeaker Codex, Book 1 by Sonya Bateman General Fiction (Adult), Sci Fi & Fantasy Pub Date 23 Jan 2016 Review Urban Fantasy is a bit like fast food. While it isn’t haute cuisine, it is fast, and if well done can be quite tasty. Sonya Bateman isn’t the next Neil Gaiman, but she is a good storyteller, able to put a slightly different twist on the human vs other scenario. One nice difference is that she uses a male lead. Gideon has an amiable nature

RE*PRO*DUCT Volume 1 by Austin Wilson Diamond Book Distributors Magnetic Press Comics & Graphic Novels Pub Date: 12 January 2016 Review I was intrigued by the description of RE*PRO*DUCT. Unfortunately the graphic novel itself was unappealing. First, I didn't care for the distorted illustrations. Along with the gratuitous cursing, it made the story feel unpleasant and disjointed. I expected a far more eloquent tale. Instead, RE*PRO*DUCT was more a jumble sale of ideas and

Ameerah: Paranormal Thriller by Rebekkah Ford Ford's Publishing Mystery & Thrillers, History Pub Date: January 27, 2016 Review Ameerah challenged the norms of her time, dancing, drinking and smoking in speakeasies along with flappers and gangsters. She made love to her best friend Betty, and looked forward to a vibrant and creative life. Instead, she dies soon after being placed in an insane asylum by her parents. The torment she suffered at the hands of the staff t

No Evil by Maynard Sims Joffe Books Mystery & Thrillers Pub Date: January 18, 2016 Review I’ve been consistently impressed by the British Police Procedurals released by Joffe Books. No Evil is no different. It is an excellent procedural set in the late 50’s in a small English town. The novel is the first of a series featuring DCI Jack Callum, a detective who is not only smart and focused on his job, he is also a man who cares a great deal about his family. Being a

Dead Lost: A DI Calladine & DS Bayliss Thriller by Helen H Durrant Joffe Books Mystery & Thrillers Pub Date: January 29, 2016 Review I’ve read several books by Helen H Durrant and have enjoyed them all a great deal. British police procedurals are one of my favorite mystery types, and she knows how to create plots that are not only chilling, but also remind the reader of important but troubling issues. Dead Lost focuses on the plight of the homeless and on human tra

The Haunting of Melmerby Manor by David Robinson Crooked Cat Publishing Horror, Mystery & Thrillers Pub Date: January 16, 2016 Review The Haunting of Melmerby Manor is a novel that defies categorization. There is a strong humor element to the book, very uniquely British and sometimes a bit rude, which won't appeal to everyone. Robinson has a remarkable way with words and is quite clever in his phrasing. It adds life to his characters who are themselves rather unusual. You hav

Burt Holmes, PI by A.M. Roelke Mystery & Thrillers, Scifi & Fantasy Pub Date: January 23, 2016 Review Part noir part sci fi adventure, Burt Holmes PI is a thrilling novel by newcomer A.M. Roelke. Burt Holmes was a cop, but something happened and now he is a PI with gaps in his memory and all too many regrets. What he does have is a sense of right and wrong and a desire to protect. It leads him into taking a case for an ancestral captain – a young girl who fears for the welfar

Now You See Me By Jean Bedford Endeavour Press Mystery & Thrillers January 15, 2016 Review Now You See Me is a gripping psychological thriller which keeps the reader guessing until the final page. While disturbing, the novel is skillfully written and the characters are richly detailed. This isn't your run of the mill murder mystery. Instead, it is a tale of interconnected lives, all affected by a sociopathic killer. It is a story of secrets and deception, and the dreadful

Gifted Thief By Helen Harper Harperfire Sci Fi & Fantasy Pub Date: January 29, 2016 Review Gifted Thief is a nice urban fantasy, if not ground shattering. The plot is pretty straightforward, an orphan runaway is adopted by a family of thieves. As an adult, she is blackmailed into returning, because as the last of her line she is needed for an important task. On its own, the novel is a bit plain. But, it looks like this book is more of a prologue or teaser, a means o

A Scone To Die For: Oxford Tearoom Mysteries #1 by H.Y. Hanna Wisheart Press Humor, Mystery & Thrillers Pub Date: January 22, 2016 Review I always love discovering talented new authors. H.Y. Hanna definitely fits the bill. A Scone to Die For is a delightfully clever British cozy mystery set against the fascinating backdrop of Oxford. Gemma Rose has made her dream of owning a teashop a reality. The business is slowly growing a reputation amongst locals and tourist