There’s no doubt that the jury’s decision in the Derek Chauvin trial is historic. But let’s revisit how long it has taken: the Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964 and was followed by cops beating up marchers in 1965 at Selma, with little or no legal action taken against the cops; and Rodney King was beaten by LA cops in 1991, with getting off free. Finally, after about sixty years of police violence against Black men and boys, a cop is convicted. Is this the start of significant change, a change leading to police realizing that there’s a bias against non-white Americans, specifically blacks? I hope so.

All my life this has been going on. At first I was distracted by another war in Vietnam, but violent police tactics motivated by racist, antiquated policing protocols and academy training has been plaguing the US for years. Ever since Vietnam, I’ve been afraid of police and sheriff’s deputies dressed in riot gear, but I could always imagine the fear a Black man must face. It always seemed to me that baby steps were taken to improve the situation, often followed by big steps back.

To paraphrase Will Smith, there’s always been racism and racist violence in America. The difference now is that sometimes a video record will show us how trivial offenses can often escalate to murder, more so for Blacks and other minorities than for whites. That has been going on since before the Civil War and continues even with that Civil Rights Act. It’s as if we’re still fighting the Civil War. Frankly, it’s tearing the US apart at the seams and has helped divide this country into the new North and South, i.e. blue states vs. red states. Of course, that current division is more about fascist mentalities (the Good Ole Piranhas) versus reasonable people (we liberals and progressives who are the GOP’s enemy).

But fascists in America, as all fascists do, look for scapegoats to blame all their failures on. They’ve added Blacks and minorities to their hate list. “It’s us versus them,” they say, and tell the big lies blaming them and anyone defending them. This is what Hitler and his Nazi party did in 1930s Germany, and it’s no different here.

It’s sad that Mr. Floyd was murdered in the north, because fascist racists aren’t as prevalent there, as elections have shown. Never doubt it: Derek Chauvin was the fascist racist in this case! I don’t know why it didn’t come out in the trial, but Floyd and Chauvin were nightclub bouncers. Perhaps he had a personal hatred for Floyd, but his arrogant expression of fascist power easily seen in the video record tells most of the story: for whatever reason, Chauvin became a fascist racist and a murderer. Most people in Minnesota aren’t like that. That happens more in the south.

But it can happen anywhere twisted minds can wield power. They said the trial wasn’t about who Chauvin was but what he did. Okay, but it was certainly about who he was in the sense that it was about who he became, a fascist racist willing to do violence from a position of authority. He ended up as a non-human monster.

As long as such monsters become police, I’m afraid there will be no significant change. Police training and protocols must be modified so that fascist monsters cannot hide in the ranks of officers who want to be part of the community and help the citizens they serve.

***

Comments are always welcome.

Origins: The Denisovan Trilogy, Book One, by A. B. Carolan. Kayla Jones has dreams she can’t understand. Her future seems determined as the brilliant STEM student who looks forward to a research career, but her past gets in the way. As if the chaos afflicting the world and leading to her adopted father’s death wasn’t enough, killers begin to pursue her. With some friends who come to her aid, she’s on her way to discover a conspiracy that can be traced to prehistoric battles waged by hominins bent on conquest of a primitive Earth. Available at Smashwords and all its affiliated retailers (iBooks, B&N, Kobo, etc.) and library and lending services (Scribd, Overdrive, Gardners, etc.).

Around the world and to the stars! In libris libertas!

Did you watch Prince Philip’s funeral procession and ceremony last Saturday? I didn’t. I was never into a lot of pomp and circumstance for any reason. First, in my first three years of high school, I had to play trombone in Elgar’s march of that name far too many times, sometimes in 100 degree heat. (At my own graduation, I wore Bermudas and sandals under that damn toga!) Second, I’d seen too many little girls want to be princesses (that song in Frozen was super-annoying, but not quite as much as the Titanic song, both of them repeated over and over again ad nauseum!). Third, how that old British empire ruled by their royals exploited their colonies, turning their citizens into second-class subjects, was unconscionable and unforgivable (the American and Irish colonies are a bit close to home, of course), and many current problems around the planet can be traced to that. I hasten to write that’s all more British government, a so-called democratic monarchy.

Fact is, I love the British people. Binge-reading British-style mysteries in la grande dame Agatha Christie’s tradition has made the Covid-19 pandemic more tolerable for me too. Some PBS shows from Britain also offer great entertainment for me—I’m a fan of “Shakespeare and Hathaway” (but not of “Downton Abbey”). I read all of the James Bond books from Ian Fleming long before that movie franchise began. (The earlier movies were better because they followed the books more closely. It’s gone off track.) British actors are among my favorites. I just don’t understand the Brits’ obsession and infatuation with their royals…and even less Americans’. And the royals’ “work” is to move around the kingdom to add sparkle to public events? C’mon!

While the British royals might seem closer to Americans (Lord knows why, because we booted mad King George’s army out in the American Revolution), my problem is with royals in general, and for much the same reasons—they represent an anachronistic age that’s entirely irrelevant if not detrimental in the 21^st century, a lot of pomp and circumstance signifying nothing…or worse. I suppose Philip was a decent guy most of the time, and I mourn his passing in that sense, but only in that sense. He wasn’t a Bernie Madoff, after all, nor an Idi Amin. He looked like a guy I could sit down with at a pub and enjoy a pint. Of course, he never would invite me, out of propriety. I’m too low class and half-Irish besides.

As a result of my anti-royal bias, I don’t have many in my books! Prince Harry has a cameo in The Golden Years of Virginia Morgan and several royals (not Brits) appear in Aristocrats and Assassins (#4 in the “Detectives Chen and Castilblanco” series). A prince is a main character in Rogue Planet, a story that takes place in the far future. #4 in the “Esther Brookstone Art Detective” series, Palettes, Patriots, and Prats, will have a duke in a supporting role. That’s about it. And most of these stories portray royals as good persons trapped in a bad lifestyle they’d rather not have to live.

You see, I also feel sorry for royals. They can’t be scientists, engineers, bankers, politicians, and so forth now even if they wanted to live normal lives. They are mere ornaments on the Christmas tree of nostalgia. Some of them might achieve greatness doing other things, but they’re basically stuck in their royal lives with all the pomp and circumstance. They’ll never feel hungry or be without safe lodging. In general, they’ll only theoretically know the struggles of ordinary folks at best. Many can never know true love either, although Harry might be an exception, and old Elizabeth seemed rather fond of her old consort.

But I feel even sorrier for those people who would like to live the life of a royal. They’re much better off being what they are because of the reasons already enumerated.

***

Comments are always welcome!

The “Esther Brookstone Art Detective” series. In a way, these three novels (soon to be four) are a nostalgic bow to my years as a young reader. The novels also pay homage to la grande dame of mystery, Agatha Christie, and her two famous sleuths, Miss Marple (Esther’s role) and Hercule Poirot (Esther’s paramour Bastiann van Coevorden’s role). I often wondered those many years ago why Christie never allowed her two sleuths to solve a crime together. Of course, Esther and Bastiann are very much twenty-first century characters, so I have added a lot of thrills and suspense to the mystery. Available wherever quality ebooks are sold. Print versions can be ordered for you by your favorite bookstore, or they can be found on Amazon.

Around the world and to the stars! In libris libertas!

[Note from Steve: This series overlaps a bit the timeline of the “Detectives Chen & Castilblanco” series, a branch on a tree if you will. It was motivated by my desire to pay homage to la grande dame Agatha Christie and her two famous sleuths, Miss Marple (Esther’s role) and Hercule Poirot (Esther’s paramour Bastiann van Coevorden’s) now together. Of course, Esther and Bastiann are very much twenty-first century sleuths, so there are thrills and suspense as well as mystery. By the way, some of the following reviews never appeared on Amazon! And, fair warning: Some reviews contain spoilers (why do reviewers do that?).]

Rembrandt’s Angel (Esther Brookstone #1)

“Rembrandt’s Angel is a complex thriller with several plots intertwined throughout the story. It is recommended for serious mystery fans who are looking for not only a challenging read, but also one that allows readers to become an armchair adventurist and detective, along with Brookstone and van Coevorden, spanning many different parts of the globe.”—Lynette Latzko, Feathered Quill Book Reviews

“A deftly crafted and consistently riveting read from beginning to end, Rembrandt’s Angel showcases author Steven Moore’s genuine flair for originality and his impressive mastery of the Mystery/Suspense genre. While unreservedly recommended for community library collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs that Rembrandt’s Angel is also available in digital book format.”–Midwest Book Review

“If you lean toward mysteries that entertain as well as intrigue, this title is for you. In what I think is author Steven Moore’s first major move away from sci fi [not true], he successfully couples history’s fascination with the still-missing masterful artworks that disappeared under the Third Reich with a pair of intercontinental sleuths who are more than a match for the cast of neo-Nazis they choose to tangle with. I say choose because sixty-something Esther Brookstone of Scotland Yard and her somewhat younger partner and paramour Bastiann van Coevorden (Interpol) are clearly in command as they pursue a missing Rembrandt canvas across borders, from London to Stuttgart and Oslo to Peru.
As the story unfolds, the pair maintain a delightful banter centered as much around their sex life as their pursuit of artworks and the crooks who would trade them for enough cash to finance a new and even more nefarious Nazi regime. Read it to find out which side triumphs and how they do it. Then join me in hoping there are more stories ahead starring this clever pair.”—Amazon Customer

“There are so many elements that set this book apart from the typical Dan Brownesque mystery/thriller. First of all, it is set in the near future, 2020s. At first I thought it was a typo and then realized it was deliberate. There are vague references to certain political and economic reforms in Europe, but the overall ambiance is not post-apocalyptic. The most unique feature about this novel is the female protagonist, Esther.

If you are tired of female leads who look like sexy French art students or Playboy bunnies, Esther Brookstone is delightfully refreshing, as she defies cliches. A sixty-something going on thirty-five; a three-time widow (rather suspicious), and still open to new romantic adventures; and childless, feminine yet able to hold her ground in a male-dominated profession, she is like a female version of James Bond. I am so grateful that Esther does not have a chip on her shoulder and doesn’t engage in long tirades about how hard it is to be an older female. Thank you, author, for sparing me the feminist rant.

Esther has a Peter-Pannish quality to her. Now, what makes this novel challenging is the location- hopping. Just wanted to throw it out there. The author does his readers a service by listing all the characters in the introduction. But if you are reading a Kindle version, it will be hard to keep going back and checking who is who. So I recommend reading this book when you are able to focus on it, not when you have three other novels in progress.”—Kindle Customer

“Rembrandt’s Angel follows the adventures of two investigators as they try to recover a painting stolen by Hitler. The trail leads to encounters with neo-Nazis, South American drug dealers, and ISIS. These exploits may not be realistic, but the trip is enjoyable, spiced with humorous dialogue and entanglements.
I recommend this book, it was one of the best efforts from the author.”—Debra Miller, in her Amazon review

Son of Thunder (Esther Brookstone #2)

“Son of Thunder is the second novel in the ‘Esther Brookstone Art Detective’ series by Steven M. Moore. Esther has now officially left Scotland Yard, and she is ready to pursue things that she always wanted to do but never had the time. Now that she has time, she is going to search for St. John the Divine’s tomb by using the directions Sandro Botticelli left centuries ago. There is nothing that will stop her from finding it, not even an imminent danger that her Interpol Agent boyfriend is trying to protect her from. Even though Bastiann has his own troubles to focus on, keeping Esther safe is his first priority. What are these two going to do? Can Esther find the tomb in time? Can Bastiann keep her safe while she is miles away?

This is an exceptionally well-crafted and well-researched novel. Even though I haven’t read the previous novel in the series, I had no trouble becoming invested in the story and getting involved in the protagonists’ lives. I enjoyed the connection between Esther and Bastiann and how they seemed to balance each other out. While Esther is a firecracker, Bastiann is the calm soul that brings her back to earth while helping her fly. I also enjoyed how Esther seemed to bring a lot to the story. From her quirky personality to her great sense of humor, she made things work while having a grand time. The development of the story was great, the plot was incredibly rich, and the characters were super-entertaining. It is a great story and I cannot wait for more.” —Rabia Tanveer, in her Readers’ Favorite review

“Practiced mystery author Steven M. Moore creates three tales in one, from different historical plateaus, blending elements of a modern thriller with myth and fact from two earlier centuries in his newest offering, Son of Thunder.

The stories open as painter Sandro Botticelli presents to his patron Lorenzo de Medici his latest creation – untitled – depicting the New Testament’s Zebedee and his two sons, James and John, the latter definitely resembling the artist. When Lorenzo spurns the unusual painting, Bishop Leo steps in and makes Botticelli an offer he can’t refuse. Once he has possession of Botticelli’s creation, Leo hides it away in an armoire along with some cryptic notes regarding the true burial site of John, whom Jesus named a “son of thunder.”

Next we find John, in the first century; he’s fleeing the violence of the Romans against Christians by traveling furtively through Europe, calling on Mary the mother of Jesus, who is on her death bed, and Mary, known as the Magdalene, who, like John, is boldly attempting to preserve relics of their Master’s life and teaching.

Skipping to the twenty-first century we meet Esther Brookstone, a retired operative from Scotland Yard’s Art and Antiques Division, and her male companion, Bastiann van Coevorden, an Interpol agent. The two have just spent some quality time together in her newly renovated castle and both are, secretly, considering the possibility of marriage. Through her contacts in the art world, Esther authenticates the Botticelli painting once hidden away by Bishop Leo, and discovers his arcane notes concerning the grave of St. John. These will lead her, Bastiann, and a varied cast of characters – with a wide, sometimes nefarious mix of motives and methods – on an international chase to a faraway place where [the] sacred bones are buried.

Moore has written about Esther and Bastiann previously; the interest about and between the two is deepened in this latest exploration of their vibrant partnership. Though Esther seems at times the more assertive of the two and quite capable of taking care of herself, she needs someone like Bastiann — a plodder, an observer, and a good man to have on one’s side when the chips are down. Moore offers an abundance of stirring intrigue related to the current political climate, against a background of historical speculation. Terrorism and its foes play a role, and a weirdly motivated descendant of one of the ancients joins in the fray. Moore has included an afterword he calls “Notes, Disclaimers and Acknowledgements” that sheds light on the lure for him of this multilayered, twisting tale.

Quill says: Moore’s deft interweaving of history, religion, fable and fact makes for a fascinating read, highly recommended for readers who favor a thriller that makes them think beyond the page.”—Barbara Bamberger Scott, in her Feathered Quill review

“Great book…the first few pages kept me reading. This is an awesome book with a well developed storyline and great characters. Action packed and so compelling. I highly recommend this book.”—Dr. Patricia Eroh, in her Amazon review.

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No, it’s neither Mayor Bill de Blasio, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, nor Gov. Gavin Newsom. It’s Joe Manchin, a US senator from Pennsylvania who’s so alone on the far-right edge of the Democratic Party that he might as well be in that Good Ole Piranhas’ fascist gang. And, because of the fifty-fifty split in the Senate, he can become a virtual autocrat because of the leverage that allows him to blackmail the Biden administration. Such is the current situation in the US these days—one person torpedoing all future progress in Covid relief; police, economic, and immigration reforms; and gun control—to name some important changes that must be made to preserve our democracy.

Manchin forced adjustments in the Covid relief bill that made Biden’s package worse than what Trump and his sleazy mafia offered to the American people. Imagine! He’s practicing the same chicanery with the infrastructure bill. And forget gun control—the bankrupt NRA loves Mr. Manchin! This GOP wolf dressed in Democratic sheep’s clothing is doing tremendous damage to the Dem’s plans to revitalize and make a better America, one man with far too much power in what is looking more and more like a failing US democracy. He has also sold his soul to the reelection devil, because, in deep purple Pennsylvania, he has to create there some kind of appeal to those marching morons in the Good Ole Piranhas’ crazy base. I suppose satanic Trump loves Manchin because that loser but still a devilish con man revels in stiffing common people struggling to make an honest living and feed their families, whatever their party. The latter are people Trump considers to be suckers ripe for the fleecing.

Yes, Manchin might as well be in loser Trump’s camp like butt-kissers Mitch McConnell (in the sense of leading the charge against the Biden administrtion); shifty, sleazy Lindsey Graham; double-speaking Kevin McCarthy, soon-to-be-in-prison Matt Gaetz; and other infamous Republican fascists. Manchin is helping them destroy American democracy and go against the will of the people.

The fundamental problem here is that Manchin has no moral backbone. He’ll never receive a Profiles in Courage award either. His actions are determined by his obsessive interest is re-election. He’s adding to the problems the US is facing right now: The country is divided between the marching morons, mostly old racist white boys afraid that their privileged status is threatened, without considering their own economic interests (who the hell will pay for their social security benefits if there are no immigrant workers to replace them?); and the rest of us, no matter what the color, who want to see a functional country where progress is made.

Many times I’ve thought the only solution is another civil war. That could be bloody, as we saw with the Capitol insurrection led by sleazebag Trump. (And, like the one in the nineteenth century, old Joe’s Pennsylvania would at the center of the conflict! How many died in Gettysburg?) Hopefully, it will be a more peaceful parting of the ways where East and West Coast and northern-tier states, the so-called “blue states,” remain the progressive bastion of the free world, and the others sink into abject poverty, especially as local talent flees the mess they’re bent on creating.

Admittedly, a break-up, peaceful or not, can be messy, just like a marriage gone sour. But let’s face it: the South won’t stop fighting the Civil War or give up its traditional Jim-Crow ways of hatred, bigotry, and racism. Why should the rest of us tolerate that crap? That includes Manchin too, and most of Pennsylvania outside Philly and Pittsburgh that are representative of that state’s “east and west coasts.” Maybe we can clean the Trumpers out of the state out and kick Manchin and other jerks out, sending them to radical and fascist, red America where they belong.

In any case, I consider dishonorable Sen. Joe Manchin public enemy number one for our democracy. He represents everything I see wrong with America right now, and I’m fed up with him.

***

Comments are always welcome.

The “Esther Brookstone Art Detective” series. In a way, these three novels (soon to be four) are a nostalgic bow to my years as a young reader. The novels also pay homage to la grande dame of mystery, Agatha Christie, and her two famous sleuths, Miss Marple (Esther’s role) and Hercule Poirot (Esther’s paramour Bastiann van Coevorden’s role). I often wondered those many years ago why Christie never allowed her two sleuths to solve a crime together. Of course, Esther and Bastiann are very much twenty-first century characters, so I have added a lot of thrills and suspense to the mystery. Available wherever quality ebooks are sold. Print versions can be ordered for you by your favorite bookstore, or they can be found on Amazon.

Around the world and to the stars! In libris libertas!

…past, present, and future. I’m always tweaking things, so I thought it might be appropriate to discuss some recent changes that you, the reader, might find important.

Generally speaking, my “Home” web page is the least permanent, if only because I announce events and books to be published or were recently published there. For example, I recently announced updates to my list of free PDF downloads, which include the new Sleuthing, British-Style, Volume Two (two novellas)—Volume One is available everywhere quality ebooks are sold…for only $0.99—and, to continue, an update to my little course “Writing Fiction,” and a press kit for general use. I also announced the imminent publication of A. B. Carolan’s new ebook Origins, Book One of the Densisovan Trilogy. Other than such newsy items, the random visitor might not notice many changes between visits.

Policy changes are announced too, and they’re spread across the website’s pages. For example, I announced that after March 1, 2021, I’ll no longer offer new books on Amazon. I won’t dwell on my reasons—if you read these blog articles regularly, you’ll know some of them. Ebooks will only be sold via Smashwords or Draft2Digital and their affiliates. (For example, my Irish colleague A. B. Carolan’s new ebook will only be offered on Smashwords and its affiliated retailers and lending and library services. Never fear, Kindle users! .mobi formatted ebooks are available on Smashwords and many of those affiliates.) I won’t be publishing anymore print books after that date either. These are big policy changes!

I’ve also stopped posting a newsletter in this blog. My only newsletter from now on is written exclusively for email subscribers. The major enticement to subscribe is found in select ebook sales I offer on Smashwords—only to subscribers! This is done via a Smashwords promo code, so subscribers can share this information with family and friends. Because all my ebooks are reasonably priced, that’s no biggie, but it’s something. (Note that my small-press-published ebooks available on Smashwords and its affiliates, Rembrandt’s Angel, Son of Thunder, and The Last Humans might be on sale at the publisher’s website, but they won’t be on Smashwords, simply because I have no control over that!)

Most of my tinkering goes toward making the web pages more readable. After fifteen-plus years, the website is a classic, so, like a classic car, I have to tune it up occasionally. You might have already noticed that I shortened my book blurbs and eliminated reviews on the “Books & Short Stories” web page, for example. Already published books are still linked to their corresponding Amazon book pages where reviews can be found, along with (sometimes different) blurbs and the “peek inside” feature (most retail sites also have the latter—for example, Smashwords, B&N, etc.). New ebooks will be linked to book pages on Smashwords or Draft2Digital. Most of the old reviews plus new ones will now appear in the “My Reviews” archive, including those not on Amazon!

You’ll still find free fiction in the “Steve’s Shorts,” “ABC Shorts,” and (new!) “Friday Fiction” archives of my blog, and the (now updated) list of free PDF downloads will still be found on the “Free Stuff & Contests” web page—look for new material I’ll put there from time to time, as I’ve just done).

I have several cover images I need to add to the “Books & Short Stories” web page. Of course, the title-links will still take you to some retailer’s page for the book that displays the cover in all its glory.

If you get the idea that all this tweaking is a never-ending process, you’re right! It’s probably why many authors’ websites are basically gravesites neglected by the authors or their publicists.

Onward!

***

Comments are always welcome.

“Detectives Chen & Castilblanco” series. These seven novels start in Manhattan, and some end up going national or international. All are “evergreen” in the sense that they’re as current and entertaining as the day I finished their manuscripts. Ideal for binge-reading, or just jump in anywhere—they all are stand-alone tales filled with mystery, suspense, and thrills. Available wherever quality ebooks are sold.

Around the world and to the stars! In libris libertas!

[Note from Steve: These two NYPD cops work to solve homicide cases. The novels in this series can be divided between those set in the NYC area, mostly Manhattan, and those spilling over to US and foreign venues. This list includes reviews for the latter novels. I’m guessing there might be other reviews out there, on book-blogging sites, for example, so consider this a sample.

BTW, several reviewers complain about my mixing of first-person with third-person point of view (POV) in this series. Those reviewers need to read more, especially classics! Lots of authors employ this mix; I first saw it done as a wee chap when I read Agatha Christie’s The ABC Murders. I find it effective. I only use omniscient (or God’s-eye) POV in narrative back story, especially sci-fi; it’s often misused and characteristic of lazy writers, and you won’t find it in most of my novels!]

Angels Need Not Apply (C&C #2)

“There’s more action in this book than its predecessor (both in gun fights and in the bedroom), but nothing that’s excessively graphic. It’s hard to talk about the plot without giving away any spoilers. Suffice it to say that it’s very suspenseful, with enough twists to keep you guessing but not so many that it seems unfeasible….” – Serenity Carson, in her Amazon review

“I enjoyed this thriller featuring Detectives Chen and Castilblanco, who are put on a murder investigation which ends up tied into a larger scale terrorism investigation. It had a lot going on but brought the various storylines into a satisfying conclusion. Interesting characters abound in this tale, and that makes it even more fun to read. This was a sequel of sorts to The Midas Bomb, but stands very easily on its own. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys intrigue and action in their thrillers.”—S. D. Beallis, in his Amazon review

“This is the second Castilblanco and Chen book, and it was excellent! Riveting characters, exciting plot development and worldwide underworld intrigue. This book is just plain awesome!”—Dave, in his Amazon review

Aristocrats and Assassins (C&C #4)

“You know all those traditional things in plots, like the beginning, the turn, the rise of the conflict, the middle, the raising of the stakes, the twist, the final battle, the climax, and the catharsis? Well, this story has them all. And it is all woven very expertly together. There are also a few surprises along the way. Characters die when you don’t expect. Characters escape from situations where you don’t expect. Characters that you thought weren’t important turn out to have pivotal roles. In short, there’s plenty of little twists and turns along the way…

As a textbook example of a self-contained story that is part of a series, we wish this author would start giving lectures on how to accomplish this feat. Clearly this is a maturing writer who has got all of the basics down pat, and this story is like a little cocoon of awesomeness ready to hatch into an epic dragon. The best part about it is that you don’t ‘need’ to read the next installment because the story’s unfinished; instead, you want to read the next installment because this completed story leaves the audience satisfied, fulfilled, and looking forward to the next big adventure. And, because it’s the fourth in the series, interested readers can pick up the other three books and enjoy them in the meantime.”–GoodBadBizarre, in an Amazon review

“This is perhaps the best of the Chen and Castilblanco books, and finds Castilblanco (who tells his story in first person) taking a vacation to Europe with his TV news reporter wife, while Chen goes off to China to follow a dirty money trail. Castilblanco finds himself in the middle of a kidnapping, and soon it is clear that someone is kidnapping royals in Europe And as it turns out, Castilblanco has had experience with this particular terrorist/kidnapper before. And also, as it turns out, the money trail that Chen is following leads to the same person.
I hit a spot in this book where I couldn’t put it down. I wanted to know what the terrorists wanted; I wanted to know how the good guys were going to save the day. Well written and well plotted, I enjoyed it completely. Looking forward to the next adventures of Chen and Castilblanco.”—S.D. Beallis, in his Amazon review

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Nowadays I barely scan the “Review.” I haven’t purchased a book reviewed or featured in ads there in ages. (I’ve received some hardbounds as gifts which I often give away to schools when I finish—these are mostly non-fiction doorstops, lengthy tomes weighing ten times my Kindle.) When I finish scanning (max five minutes), I usually say to myself, “What a waste of time!” and wonder if there are other uses for this Sunday insert. I’ve come up with a few over the years: If you have a bird, paper the bottom of its cage with it. If you buy fresh fish, wrap it with it. If you need to start a fire (real wood or charcoal), it’s ideal because it burns well. I’m sure I’ve imagined other uses, but memory fails…because that insert is so immemorable and irrelevant to my reading life.

Harsh? You might object, or you might have other recommended uses and reasons for them. Mine are:

Only traditionally published books appear there. Except for some dying PODs who continue to swindle their authors by buying ads (after getting a second mortgage to pay for their spots, they might say, “Look at me! My book appeared in the NY Times ‘Book Review’!”), books and authors featured there are generally from the big NYC publishing conglomerates (the Big Five, soon to be Four) because the Times is a big NYC publisher itself and therefore biased to hell. Small presses and self-publishers are snubbed, which is sad, because I find the most interesting and entertaining books come from them, not the Big Five traditional publishers. (I can’t say I’ve read any traditionally published fiction lately except that coming from small presses!) This bias converts many readers into lemmings who follow the snooty crowd over the cliff and look down their noses at small-press and self-published books, doing just what the Big Five and their sycophant, the Times, wants them to do. It also negatively influences the Times‘s hiring and business practices for its reviewers, of course.

Reviews and interviews are little more than ads for the books or for their authors’ branding, both invariably those from the Big Five. Frankly, I don’t care about authors who sell their souls to these conglomerates for low royalties; they’ve drunk their Kool-Aid, so they must suffer the consequences (i.e. exploitation). Only the formulaic old mares and stallions in the Big Five’s stables get any help; new authors suffer and are tossed aside at the first book that doesn’t sell well.

Above all, the reviews are worthless to me because they don’t provide me enough information to make intelligent decisions about my book purchases. There’s usually no cover image (probably because those for most traditionally published books look like something done on PowerPoint); no “peek inside” (don’t think Amazon, because nearly every online retailer offers a cover image and “peek inside”), and libraries and bookstores at least allow you to browse—that could be done with a few excerpts, but I’ll admit it’s hard to do in a newspaper and subtracts from the reviewer’s bloviating space; and they don’t tell you whether a paper or ebook version is available.

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Sci-fi often extrapolates current science or “invents” new science we might see in the future. A.B. Carolan’s new book Origins (see last week’s preview) does both, but it’s mostly based on ongoing scientific discovery about human beings’ past. Denisovan and Hobbit hominids have had more press lately than Cro-Magnons and Neandertals because they’re new discoveries. They flourished thousands of years ago, and bits of their DNA are found in modern humans’ DNA (modern humans are mainly Cro-Magnon descendants). A.B. summarizes the current situation in his end notes:

“When I began thinking about a plot with genetics as a theme, Anna Utkin [an early short story of mine] turned me towards human prehistory. The final inspiration occurred when I found the portrait of a young Denisovan girl. (The interested reader can google ‘What did Denisovans look like?’ to see answers to that question—I focused on the BBC version.) It might seem weird, but I immediately thought, ‘Here’s a young girl who doesn’t look like any girl I know.’ That led to other thoughts along the lines that we often react negatively to people who don’t look or act like us and don’t seem to fit into our personal ‘tribe.’ Could I write a story that takes such a girl and makes her into a reluctant hero—almost a superhero even? I could and did, and you have just read the first installment. I hope more will follow.”

“That BBC portrait* has an interesting history, by the way. From genetic material in a pinky and jaw bones (not from the same archaeological site, mind you), researchers were able to construct the entire Denisovan genome and then use it to show us what that Denisovan girl must have looked like. For me, that portrait is Kayla [A.B.’s protagonist], a twenty-first-century Denisovan descendant who is super-smart and can kick ass with the best superheroes”

“The search for the origins of modern humans and their cousins continues to be the focus of exciting research, and the Denisovans, only discovered recently, are no exceptions. Unlike the equating of ancient hominids to burros and horses, i.e., species unable to breed and have fertile offspring, a theory found in Yuval Noah Harari’s Sapiens (his first two chapters, in particular), which Steve and I read long after I wrote the manuscript for this book, the DNA evidence shows ancient hominids did interbreed. Yet I had to wonder: If they could do so, why not more? Why aren’t we more of a mix of Cro-Magnons (always called Homo sapiens by Professor Harari), Neanderthals, and Denisovans, as well as other ancient hominids thrown in? Considering that Cro-Magnons’ descendants have come to be the dominant species, maybe that just means that they were the bad-ass denizens of ancient Earth? Maybe they were so bent on conquest that they didn’t have that much time to intermingle? I then asked myself: Would they even do so if that hominid evolution was interrupted by visitors from the stars?”

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[Note from Steve: These two NYPD cops work to solve homicide cases. The novels in this series can be divided between those set in the NYC area, mostly Manhattan, and those spilling over to US and foreign venues. This list includes reviews for the former novels. I’m guessing there might be other reviews out there, on book-blogging sites, for example, so consider this a sample. S indicates spoilers.

By the way, several reviewers complain about my mixing of first-person with third-person point of view (POV) in these novels. Those reviewers need to read more, especially classics! Lots of authors employ this mix; I first saw it done as a wee chap when I read Agatha Christie’s The ABC Murders. The second edition of The Midas Bomb was rewritten with the first/third to match the other books in the series—I find it effective. I only use omniscient (or God’s-eye) POV in narrative back story, especially sci-fi; it’s often misused and characteristic of lazy writers, and you won’t find it in most of my novels!]

The Midas Bomb (C&C #1)

[Note: Several reviews of the original Infinity edition were lost by Amazon.]

“The Midas Bomb is a very well-written, action-packed thriller. The author quickly introduces some very interesting characters. It took a few chapters for me to sort them all out. The plot is intriguing and thought provoking with many twists and turns along the way. I found myself wondering if something like this scenario could really happen? …I really got into the story and thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish.” – Paul Johnson, in his Readers’ Favorite review

“The protagonists are Detectives Chen and Castlblanco, two New York City cops with military backgrounds. Though they are not partners [they will become partners], they work together to solve two separate murders that occurred at the same time. As the investigation develops they discover the murders may be related to each other and are only a very small part of a much larger diabolical plan. I would write more on the storyline, but I don’t want to spoil this for future readers….

The Midas Bomb had many positive aspects making it an overall, enjoyable read. Mr. Moore is a very good writer. He writes clearly and to the point without being verbose. I particularly enjoyed the many different genres the author includes: thriller, mystery, psychological, political and a little romance to top it off. Mr. Moore’s knowledge on a variety of fields; physics, police procedure, South American politics and our criminal justice system is very evident throughout the book, making it very realistic…

…there were a few small things I found to be a concern for me. To begin, the author switched between first person and third person throughout the book. This disrupted the flow of the story. I had to stop many times to figure out who was actually speaking. In addition, the author introduces many different characters in the beginning of the book making it hard to remember who’s who. Again, I had to stop and go back and figure out who the character was. I believe if the characters were more developed, at the beginning of the story, it would have made identifying them easier. [See the introductory note.] Finally, [although] the author did bring everything together, I did find the ending anticlimactic and flat. I would have enjoyed more of a surprise ending that I didn’t see coming. It was somewhat predictable.

Overall, not a bad read. I look forward to reading Mr. Moore’s other books.”—LegalMagic, in an Amazon review

S “In an extensive update of this popular novel, author Steven M. Moore refines his star NYC sleuths with telling details that leave you certain you can hear the stilettos of female detective Dao-Ming Chen as they strike the city’s streets and smell the fast-food that sustains her more wizened partner, Rolando Castilblanco. This time the pair are puzzled by some easy-to-miss connections between the murder of a seasoned US operative and that of a pretty financial analyst on an innocent dinner cruise with her handsome, doctor brother. The doc survives but knows nothing about why he and his twin were targeted for apparent assassination and even less about how it relates to the death of the federal agent.

As Chen and Castilblanco pursue their killers, we meet a Russian oligarch [later books show he had a falling-out with the oligarchs, and I never used this word] whose greed is matched by a genius for evil that impacts both cases, enlisting a cast of killers to reign down terror from Las Vegas to lower Manhattan. His team includes a Colombian [actually Venezuelan] drug dealer [maybe…and a terrorist] and an unwilling Israeli scientist. But, perhaps most memorable, [there]  is a lusty Russian bent on revenging the death of her Chechen lover.

The politics here are potent, teasing a wistful smile from this reader as the story reminds us of the Obama years when our opposites were easy to recognize in the daily play of partisan battles.

Today, the picture is not so clear. Just imagine the stories ahead for us as Moore contemplates what kind of characters to star against Chen and Castilblanco next.”—Amazon Customer, in an Amazon review

Teeter-Totter between Lust and Murder (C&C #3)

“Chen and Castilblanco together again—this time in a police crime thriller–loved it! This is solid work—two lead characters who are as opposite as can be but who form a perfect crime-fighting combo. What I especially like about this book is that everything was laid out in front of the reader—there were any number of suspects—and I let myself be led down a trail only to be shocked at who actually did it! Great writing—wonderful character development—I think the best yet from this author!” – DebKell, in her Amazon review

“Who can you believe? Who can you trust? How long will you live if you poke your nose into the business of people without conscience? How high does the corruption reach? Steven Moore’s protagonists wrestle with these questions as they set out to solve a murder and become targets for the killer. Good description and some terrific similes.”—Carolyn J. Rose, in her Amazon review

The Collector (C&C #5)

“I certainly hope I don’t start a riot in the crowd once more, because we have another dish from the pantry that is not technically the first volume in a series. However, once again, I have been assured by the chef that this is a solo dish, one that doesn’t need to be served in the proper order of courses in the larger meal. After my last experience, I was a bit more dubious. However, recalling the time I had spent with many of the classic pulps of years past, I decided to crack open the box and see if this modern-day mystery/thriller didn’t leave me wanting….

To get the big question out of the way, *this* is how you cook up a series where each book stands on its own. As I chewed my way through The Collector, I was never lost or confused. Mr. Moore has done an excellent job in evoking past meals he has created while succinctly adding the flavor of familiarity to each call-back to previous meals. It takes an even hand and a skillful pen to do that, so kudos are definitely deserved there.

That is all well and good, but how does this mystery/thriller stand up as, well, a mystery/thriller? As always, we must look at the core ingredients of the meal: characterization, plot, and pacing. So, in that order, characters! The chef didn’t skimp here to make his job of series writing easier. Our main protagonist duo are exceptionally well-written, seeming to step off the page. Moore doesn’t hold back much in terms of the secondary cast either, filling them out as well as any of the main characters.

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First they ignored masks, social distancing, and washing hands…young (i.e. idiots less than forty) doing just what the virus wanted people to do. It was all about hedonism and freedom; “we deserve to have fun!” Completely irresponsible behavior! Now they refuse to be vaccinated. As we approach a situation where vaccine supplies are more than enough to vaccinate anyone over sixteen, i.e,. we can achieve herd immunity in a safe way, too many in this age group now express their freedom by refusing the vaccine.

Unlike the “marching morons” in C. M. Kornbluth’s classic novella, our current morons might be bright enough otherwise—and maybe that’s how their sociopathic behavior arises—but they’re too stupid to realize they’re playing Russian roulette with five chambers loaded. And, when it comes to public health, they’re selfish people who don’t care about their fellow citizens.

It’s not for lack of information. They obviously don’t read this blog, which isn’t much of a surprise (they might never read anything intelligent!), but can’t they see and hear all the warnings about the danger of those crazy actions mentioned above? Maybe they do; they just don’t believe them because they don’t want to.

Because of political proclivities, religious beliefs, conspiracy theories—whatever—some of these current morons rationalize their actions with them. That verb is absurd’ there’s nothing rational going on here. Others are just in defiance. They’re all marching over the cliff. Generally there a lot of hypocrites too…or maybe some part of their brain is just wired wrong, causing suicidal actions?

Their leaders, unlike the lemmings, sometimes exploit this for political and religious gain while secretly getting vaccinated (like Il Duce aka Mr. Trump the Big Loser), if the morons actually listen to them. Two recent cases show that all too often leaders are members of the marching morons too. Both Florida and Tex-ass governors have banned the use of “vaccine passports” in their states: No institution there can require a vaccine! This is the same thing as not allowing a “no shoes, no shirt, no service” policy or prohibiting states from requiring vaccinations for school children (why people are allowed to skirt these requirements for any reason is the ultimate stupidity!).

We’ll see who wins in future SCOTUS cases when this resistance to vaccination is adjudicated—I suppose the current court will approve policies that amount to mass suicide because they don’t give a rat’s ass about protecting public health (especially cult member Amy and the perverts Kavanaugh and Thomas). Democracy is being attacked from many directions! Logic and reason are thrown out the window!

If the suicidal morons only marched to their own deaths, I wouldn’t give a damn; I’m tired of these people, and the world would probably be a better place without them! But they’ll hurt the rest of us, and that’s equivalent to aiding and abetting murder. And if they kill me or anyone else I love and there’s an afterlife, I’ll try to make sure they go straight to hell when they die! I don’t want them to mess up heaven for me or my family and friends!

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Comments are always welcome!

The “Detectives Chen & Castilblanco” series. A seven-book series ideal for binge-reading. You’ve seen some reviews in “Reviews not on Amazon,” and I’ll be archiving more on Wednesday.  Pick an ebook and jump in anywhere. Available everywhere quality ebooks are sold.

Around the world and to the stars! In libris libertas!