Book Review: After The Evil by Cary Allen Stone

After The Evil 

Jake Roberts Series - Book 1

by Cary Allen Stone

Hardcover: 284 pages
Publisher: AuthorHouse (March 7, 2007)

Paperback: 338 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; Revised edition (February 3, 2014)

Kindle Edition
File Size: 759 KB
Print Length: 339 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.


Note: I received a review copy of this book free from the author, Cary Allen Stone. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.

Ratings: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

My thoughts:

Lori Powers kills prominent and abusive men to overcome the pain of losing her daughter to a suicide she caused. As she works as a flight attendant, it is so easy for her to murder her target and disappear without a trace. 

When Lori has killed about four men, the police started to worry. The crime scene is always clean and no one could get a clue where to begin the investigation. So they sent Jake Roberts, the best detective in town to solve the complicated murders, and it became even more complicated once  the detective met and fell in love with the killer.

After the Evil is a very good suspense book. Although the killer was revealed too soon, the story is still exciting. The mysteries of murders kept my eyes glued to the pages of the book. I admit, it was a bit of a struggle for me to read on as I find the story dark for moms like me. After experiencing trauma during my two pregnancies, I now couldn't handle children's death or suicide. But I finished reading this so it was an accomplishment for me.

If you are looking for a great suspense/mystery story, you might want to pick up this book. I assure you, your money is well spent on this one!

About the book:

Detective Jake Roberts and FBI profiler Mika Scott are in hot pursuit of the “Who’s Your Daddy” serial killer that preys on dominating and controlling men. During the investigation, Jake falls in love with flight attendant Lori Powers. Lori can’t silence the voices and her daughter Emily cries out from the grave. Pandemonium breaks out when Jake realizes Lori is the killer.

About the author:

Cary Allen Stone is a brilliant writer of psychological thrillers and murder mysteries. He writes with a keen eye for detail-the graphic violence is chillingly realistic. He delivers a taut, darkly introspective, cunning and well-executed plot by leaning towards the fallible side of his characters. He understands the criminal mind avoiding the stereotypes that dominate crime thrillers. There is a good balance of chemistry and conflict, good and evil that fans will find enthralling. His characters become embedded in our psyches and the pace of his unraveling of his thriller is a ride not easily forgotten. Cary Allen Stone is an important name to watch. This is one superb crime writer!--Grady Harp Top 100 ReviewerVine Voice 2014

In addition, he had a non-speaking character role in an AAA Club advertisement and has done voice-over radio commercials. He is currently working on his next Jake Roberts novel. He is a member of the Phoenix Writer's Club, the Arizona Authors Association and The Desert Sleuths, Author Social Media Support Group, International Thriller Writers.

Book Review: Darker Side Endings by Kelvin Kettle

Darker Side Endings 


Author: Kelvin Kettle
File Size: 249 KB
Print Length: 104 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Kelvin Kettle; First editon edition (July 9, 2013)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Amazon Link

Note: I received a review copy of this book free from the author, Kelvin Kettle. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.

Ratings: ★ ★ ★ ★

My thoughts:

The book is a compilation of eight short stories. Loved them especially SPIKES and DATE MISTAKE. It would be better if the author turn those two into full length novel. Husband read' them and thought all had weird/dark endings and then I reminded him of the title and then he was like 'OH!'. LOL. 

If you are into short stories with dark-ish endings... pick up this book! 

Read other positive reviews here.

About the book:

DON'T BE AFRAID. YOUR JOURNEY TO THE DARK SIDE AWAITS (Warning: Adult content. Not intended for young readers)...8 short horror/suspense stories, each with a dark theme. Readers who take themselves on this terrifying journey will be hooked from the first story to the very last.

The stories:  SPIKES--Inspector John Quint is assigned to a brutal murder case in Boston, Massachusetts. The suspect is a beautiful dangerous woman who dresses in black leather. Will Quint be able to capture her before she strikes again?./ SHANGLIN FOREST--A forest ruled by grizzlies, where Shanglin is King. Where many years ago, blood was shed. And where four crazy hunters will soon shed blood in the forest once again./ THE BLACK EGG--Where did it come from? Is it from another world? When the black egg hatches, terror is unleashed./DATE MISTAKE--When Jake goes out on a blind date with his friends sister, it turns out to be the deadliest mistake of his life./ AMANDA IN RED--She is only visible to Robert. Every time he sees her, she gives him a frightening warning. Who is she? And why is she wearing a blood stained white dress?/ THE STUDENT--Carl Stone was accused of murder in the past, and now he is going to be taught a deadly lesson./PRETTY LADY--James must answer the invitation from the pretty lady in white, or lose her forever./ THE DEVILS ALTAR--Five friends who love to party. Five friends who think that the devils altar will be the ultimate partying destination. Five friends who are in for a terrifying night from hell.

About the author:

Hello! I live in Mapleville, Rhode Island with my wife and cat. Mapleville is a quiet little town.

I have been writing short stories for many years and I love to entertain my readers. I always try to think of stories to write that will capture the interest of my readers right away and not want to put it down.

I tend to have a dark side when it comes to story telling. It is just as much fun for me to write a story as it is for my readers to read it. I never know what dark and twisted turns I am going to take.

If you like a variety, then I think you will enjoy my collection. Won't you join me?

Book Review: Snow Day by Dan Maurer

Snow Day

Kindle Edition
Author: Dan Maurer
File Size: 684 KB
Print Length: 100 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Black Rapids Press (April 1, 2013)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Amazon Link

Note: I received a review copy (audible) of this book free from the author, Dan Maurer. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.

Ratings: ★ ★    

My thoughts:

Considering Snow Day is a novella, it should be a quick read. However, I found the book dragging. My copy is in an audiobook format and this is the fourth book I've listened through Audible and didn't like. I honestly can't tell if it was the story or just because I thought the narrator's voice was bad (too old to be a 10-year-old boy). I am truly sorry I have to 'DNF' the book. 

To read what others have to say (positive reviews) about this book click here (Goodreads) and here (Amazon).

About the book:

It happens each winter, and has for over 35 years. Every time the snow starts to fall late in the evening before a school day, the dreams begin again for Billy Stone. They are always the same – there’s a dark tunnel, and there’s blood, lots of blood, and someone is screaming.

In this chilling childhood tale, Billy, recounts the events of one unforgettable day in 1975. On that day, he and his friends played carefree in the snow, until an adventure gone awry left him far from home, staring death in the face, and running from a killer bent on keeping a horrible secret.

Set in a time before Amber Alerts, when horror stories were told around camp fires instead of on the nightly news, Snow Day is a blend of nostalgia and nightmare that makes us question if the good old days were really as good as we remember.

From a new voice in dark fiction comes a thriller about an idyllic childhood turned horrifying; a cautionary tale about how losing sight of the difference between feeling safe and being safe can lead to deadly consequences.

About the author:

Dan Maurer is an independent author, theater producer, director, and digital marketer. He is also a proud member of International Thriller Writers, Inc. and the Horror Writers Association. Throughout his career in publishing and marketing, he has been involved in the publication of bestselling titles such as John Grisham's The Firm, Richard Price's Clockers, and Jim Lovell and Jeffrey Kluger's Lost Moon, which became the film Apollo 13. As a digital marker, he has supported popular publishing brands including Curious George, Peterson Field Guides, and The Polar Express. He has also developed marketing strategies for many corporations, including Citizen, Dun & Bradstreet, RCN and Bristol-Myers Squibb. Dan is a member of an acclaimed New Jersey-based theater company and has won awards for his producing, directing and sound design. He lives with his wife and their daughter in Robbinsville, New Jersey.