Review of, Underbelly, by Karen Crawford

I’m typing this at dawn, when the sun is but a freshly cracked egg peaking above the tree line. Those golden rays are steadily reaching into the shadows hiding among the oaks, maples, and junipers, sweeping away the darkness and mystery of the night.  

Mystery is such a tantalizing facet of life, making it more terrifying and delicious at the same time. This brings me to my latest read. A mystery/thriller by Karen Crawford.

The Gist:

A popular Las Vegas hotel and casino is undergoing a billion-dollar renovation, and a killer is operating in the construction zone. The Square is open for guests, but they are unaware that a predator is lurking below the facade of luxury. One woman’s death will draw attention to the murders and spark an investigation. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department retired detective Taryn Winter, her former partner, Daniel Brady and FBI Special Agent Jenae Shannon are on the trail, risking everything to bring a killer to justice. But their opponent has become obsessed with one of them and is on the hunt. Will they find the killer first or be the next victims?

My Thoughts:

Karen Crawford’s experience working in the Criminal Justice System shines through in this gripping murder mystery. Though the twisty, well-orchestrated plot held me captive, it was the main protagonist that left a positive lasting impression.

Retired Detective Taryn Winter is pulled back into the seedy undercurrent of Las Vegas when her former partner, Detective Daniel Brady, finds himself up against a killer targeting the oppressed. Her strength, skills, and confidence have propelled her to success and enabled her to withstand the rigors of the job for many years. While these are admirable traits, what I applaud most is her refreshing vulnerability and reliance on others.

Taryn isn’t just another carbon copy, buck stops here, gunslinger. She doesn’t blaze through life and death crises with the unflappable demeanor that can cause eye spasms from constant rolling. Those characters have their place, but realism is so appealing. And neither is she a reclusive alcoholic basement dweller, whose diet consists of take-out and canned pasta.

Taryn wrestles with the trauma that comes with the territory, but draws resilience from the unwavering support of her husband and a got your back bond with Daniel.

Taryn’s compassion for the downtrodden has given her great allies on the streets. She’s considered a good cop, winning their trust.  

I recommend this book to those who enjoy a more human take on the world of law enforcement.

Meet Karen:

Karen worked as a probation officer and supervisor for 20 years. During her career, she spent countless hours with criminal offenders, delving into the details that make them tick and gaining insight about human behavior. Her passion and drive for helping people and promoting best practices in criminal justice earned her numerous awards during her tenure, including a Lifetime Achievement Award. Karen has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, with a Minor in Psychology, and a Master’s Degree in Justice Management. She has always championed those who serve, and those who are served, in the criminal justice system. Now, she lets her imagination run wild, writing about the other side of the law. Karen lives in Arizona with her husband, dog and cat. 

A Collection of Six Word Stories

“What happened to the remote batteries?”

The silent anticipation of another adventure!

Wacky Words Revealed!

Do you love getting weird looks from strangers in the grocery line? I’m talking eyebrows leaping to the hairline while their minds whirl to catch up in response to, “My! You’re so natty!” 

Me neither. But if you possess an affinity for obsolete, or antiquated jargon, read on.

Wait. If you haven’t already, and you want to test your word IQ, please click on this link: Wacky Word Quiz

Everyone else, you know what to do.

Accismus:

A) Pretending to be uninterested in something that you actually want

Apricate:

C) To bask in the sunshine

Cordwainer:

D) Someone who makes shoes

Taradiddle:

A) Someone or something full of nonsense or lies

Wacky Word Quiz

Last week I found, Marshmallow, our Leghorn hen, sitting in the middle of the chicken run being pecked by her less than empathetic roomies (injury to her foot). For an injured chicken, that can be a death sentence. It sounds cruel, but it’s a way for the rest to keep from getting ill.

Fortunately, we have an infirmary. Well, the original coup. It’s a tad smaller, but it’s the perfect retreat for Marshmallow to heal. I’m pleased to say that she’s healing nicely and harassment free. Onwards!

Today, I bring you an old favorite. If you’d like to join in, just write your guesses in the comments. All shall be revealed in the next post. Ta-Da!

Accismus:

A) Pretending to be uninterested in something that you actually want

B) The serrated blade on an ice axe used for mountain climbing

C) A truce intended to end property disputes between neighboring farmers

D) A gentle rise in elevation at the base of a foothill

Apricate:

A) The act of spritzing a low dose of perfume, or cologne, on the back of one’s neck

B) To deviate from your usual routine

C) To bask in the sunshine

D) Rebranding your persona to conform with public sentiment

Cordwainer:

A) A footman tasked with removing muck from carriage wheels, body, and chassis

B) A cap that secures the metal comb of a modern loom

C) The netting which held the strips of hair (weft) in place on eighteenth century wigs

D) Someone who makes shoes

Taradiddle:

A) Someone or something full of nonsense or lies.

B) Fritter away your time

C) Casting tea leaves to the wind to determine an outcome, or course of action (antiquated saying)

D) Fictitious unit of measurement

Review of Protective Instinct, by Joy York

Here we are with February coming to a close in the next week, and the weather’s been bouncing up and down like our dog’s floppy ears during a run. Today we’ve returned to the deep freezer, and that comes as no surprise because this is usually the coldest time of the year.

Yesterday afternoon, my daughter and I volunteered for the, Coldest Night of the Year, fundraiser in support of the homeless. It always does well. We live in a very generous community. 

Right now, I just wanted to share a quick review of my most recent read. But first, let’s get a gist of what this one’s about.

When self-absorbed, international bestselling author Sebastian Bartoli refuses to write the biography of the infamous, mob-connected Maximillian Fontana, the consequences turn deadly.
Sebastian (Bash) Bartoli is an international bestselling crime novelist. Maximillian (Max) Fontana, who is reputed to have ties to organized white-collar crime, has insisted Bash write his biography. Concerned for his safety, Bash’s friend/agent devises an elaborate plan for him to disappear to a secluded location on Guntersville Lake in Alabama. Being accustomed to having his comfortable life managed, Bash is irritated by the inconvenience of having to deal with his own affairs, not to mention the danger it might pose if he is discovered.

Morgan Skylar is a good-natured and unfiltered, southern kindergarten teacher. She is much more comfortable eating potato chips with Cheez Whiz and Louisiana Hot Sauce than champagne and caviar. After the death of her overly protective grandfather (Pops) who raised her in rural Georgia, she takes time off to grieve, ending up in a cottage next door to Bash. When mechanical issues arise, she seeks help from the renter in the main house. Bash is annoyed that his secluded hideout is apparently not so secret. Begrudgingly, he offers her assistance. This is where Morgan and Bash’s worlds collide. When suited, armed men show up at the lake house, Morgan’s trained survival skills take over, and she secures their escape by boat as bullets fly.

Morgan offers to provide a temporary sanctuary to Bash in her Pops’ remote Appalachian cabin. Upon arrival, she discovers a letter from Pops revealing his dangerous past that may now be coming for her. As the unwitting targets of dangerous men, Bash and Morgan fight to stay a step ahead of their pursuers, while seeking answers. Bonds are tested. Trusts are broken. Alliances formed. Agendas hidden.

Just My Thoughts:

Morgan Skylar is the benchmark for unassuming characters. A mild mannered kindergarten teacher who uses the phrase, “Turkey feathers!”, to sum up her feelings for dire situations. But she’s got a secret life. A childhood that any doomsday prepper would be proud of. 

Mix in a pampered best selling author, Bash, who believes a crime boss is out to get him, add a visit from a pair of goons, and watch the wheels spin. Though the story borders on the fantastical at times, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The moments of cheeky banter between Morgan and Bash added spice and filled out their profiles.    

Amidst the action, two constant themes emerge: people are often not what they seem, and sometimes you just have to trust. The writing style is naturally tweaked for the action genre, with one or two-word sentences sprinkled throughout; but not overdone. The protagonists are highly dynamic, seasoned by trials and reliance on each other. 

I recommend this one to those who enjoy an American thriller with a spritz of James Bond.   

Meet Joy:

Joy York grew up in Alabama but has spent much of her adult life in the Midwest, currently living with her husband in Indiana with their two golden doodles, Jake and Bailey. Inspired by a family legacy of oral storytelling, she began creating stories and adventures for her son when he was growing up. With encouragement from family and friends, she began to write them down. Her first book, The Bloody Shoe Affair: A daring and thrilling adventure with the jailer’s daughter, a YA mystery, was published in 2015. Genuine Deceit, an adult suspense novel, is her second book. For more information, visit joyyork.com.