[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.

(more…)

[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

(more…)

[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.

(more…)

While I thank all readers who have posted a review of one of my books, many do not appear on Amazon. Amazon is not the be-all and end-all of the book world, even the self-published or ebook world. They want to be the center of the book universe, of course, but it does not distribute either ebooks or print books to anyone else—Smashwords and Draft2Digital are ebook aggregators who distribute to many other online retailers (iBooks, B&N, Kobo, etc.) and ebook lenders (Scribd, Overdrive, Gardners, etc.). As a consequence, readers who buy only from Amazon will only see a sample of my reviews. Moreover, Amazon has the habit of losing reviews and allowing trolls to post their snarky reviews.

In this post, I will offer some reviews the reader will not find on 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

Survivors of the Chaos. “This book is a page turner. Readers steeped in current literature will appreciate the brevity of scenes that burst in front of you with a blinding flash of startling detail and then exit as quickly as a comet streaking through the night sky…ensnares you aboard a mental roller coaster catapulting over the hills and valleys of a world gone mad…a disquieted galaxy peppered with a roster of characters that would make a casting director envious, highly detailed space scenes, and an inspiring plot that will keep you on the edge of your seat.” – David W. Menefee, Pulitzer-nominated author and reviewer for Bookpleasures.com

The Secret Lab. “I will disclose this: I picked up [this book] because of Mr. Paws, the intelligent cat. Yes, I could not resist the temptation to read the adventure of a sentient, mathematics inclined cat, told by Steven M. Moore. It exceeded my expectations. Mr. Paws is the result of a genetics experiment aboard a facility orbiting Earth in 2147. The cat and his newly found friends, a group of four smart teenagers, find themselves in an intrigue with corporate agendas, young curiosity, dangerous and ethically problematic research, relationships and their difficulties when coming of age. The complexity is enthralling, but the author also makes it easy to follow, using a light, natural style to tell us their story.”–Alfaniel Aldavan, in hia Smashwords’ review

The Last Humans. “Steven M. Moore pens an apocalyptic thriller in [this book.] Penny Castro left the US Navy and became a forensic diver for the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. Penny and her fellow deputy George are called out to locate a victim offshore. Penny plunges into the ocean, finds the body and tugs on her line. The line goes limp. Letting go of the body, she swims to the surface. On the boat, she discovers her fellow deputy dead. Shocked, sickened, and saddened, she heads to shore. Upon arrival, all she finds is more dead bodies. They are everywhere! The world had turned upside down while she was under water. The stench of death surrounds her. Alone and frightened, she hides. But soon wild and feral humans begin terrorizing, looting and raping at will. Penny saves a small boy, Sammy, and then an old man named Ben. Penny, Sammy, and Ben become a family, fighting to survive in a desolate world gone mad.

(more…)

[Note from Steve: In an attempt to declutter my web page “Books & Short Stories,” I’m going to start collecting some significant reviews for each book or series in the blog category “My Reviews.” When all is said and done, readers can search for a book title or series and see the reviews. This might be doubly important, because good reviews I’ve received are often NOT on Amazon. I exclude all reviews by trolls, of course, most of which have zero content and contain only vitriol—Lord knows why. You’ll find most of those on Amazon and its sister-site, Goodreads…along with other good reviews!]

“This is a wonderful book not only for young adults, but for everyone. It has a wonderful story line that keeps you turning the pages to find out what happens next. It is a wonderfully thrilling journey following a young girl and her quest. Her multitude of experiences and how she handles them make this an excellent book.”—Rebecca, in her five-star Amazon review

“An awesome, fast-paced story that will compel you from the first page to read all of the way through. And so difficult to put down! There are such wonderful characters in this story you become invested in their adventures and their well-being. I highly recommend this!!”—Dr. Patricia Eroh, in her five-star Amazon review.

“This one is a good sci-fi mystery. Della is a young girl who has to find out what happened to the man who raised her, Ferdie. She is on a distant planet with few humans, and she is the exception, being able to psychically read peoples’ minds. She also can do various other unusual things. The story at first is a little hard to follow with all the different alien activities and places. But then, as Della is captured and transported to Earth, it gets easier to read and more interesting. I like the way she uses her gifts to escape and know what people are thinking. She quickly makes some allies who agree to help her find her friends from the other planet. Meanwhile, she’s trying to solve the mystery of why Ferdie was murdered. It’s a wild adventure and quite a different story than most, and those who enjoy sci-fi and mysteries will enjoy this book, Mind Games.”—Lee Broom, in her four-star Amazon review

“Mind Games is a fast-paced sci-fi mystery novel. The author jumps right into the story with Della coming ‘home’ to find her foster father dead on the floor. She’s numb from the shock of this because, while they live in the Domes, murder is a rare thing. She knows that he has a past, but she never once thought that it was something worth being killed over. She’s immediately determined to find out who killed him, why, and is more than willing to break the promise she once made to him to not use her psi skills to do so.

This is the second book that I have read by this author and I have to say that overall I enjoyed it the most. The storyline is not slow and moves at quite a bit of a clip. I enjoy the pace of the story as it keeps me engaged, but I do feel that some opportunities are missed with descriptions and further exploration. Della is an engaging character, and I like that she is using her unique skills, but I wanted more. Every time she exercises her abilities the other characters are quick to accept and seem completely okay with what she is capable of. I wanted some sort of reaction in more than just then like “oh wow you have psi abilities.” There is a nice amount of mystery and even danger in this story as Della is seeking information that a specific group doesn’t want her to have.

While this is a decent book overall, it is not without its flaws. I wanted an actual description of Della. We get bits and pieces here and there, but I wanted to know what she really looked like. I feel like there are some missed opportunities with this book, but I also feel that this book is meant more for teens and preteens as well. There is some danger, but nothing to the extreme.

I am rating this book 4 out of 5 stars. I enjoyed this book, but as I said before I feel that there are some missed opportunities with this story. There could have been some more drama written in, more intense moments, and even some expounding on the planets, and aliens.”—Seraphia, in her four-star Amazon review.

***

Comments are always welcome.

Mind Games by A. B. Carolan. Androids with psi powers? What could go wrong? Della arrives at her home in the Dark Domes on the planet Sanctuary to find her adopted father murdered. She vows to find his murderer. She had promised him to never to use her psi powers but now decides to use them to begin her sleuthing, which carries her to other planets in ITUIP, the Interstellar Trade Union of Independent Planets. Friends help her along the way to avenge her father’s death. Available in print and ebook format at Amazon and in ebook format at Smashwords and all its affiliated retailers (iBooks, B&N, Kobo, etc.). This novel is part of the “ABC Sci-Fi Mystery Series” by the same author, which contains two previous novels The Secret Lab and The Secret of the Urns, both “evergreen books”—sci-fi is always current!

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

[Note from Steve: In an attempt to declutter my web page “Books & Short Stories,” I’m going to start collecting some significant reviews for each book or series in the blog category “My Reviews.” When all is said and done, readers can search for a book title and see the reviews. This might be doubly important, because good reviews I’ve received are often NOT on Amazon. I exclude all reviews by trolls, of course, most of which have zero content and contain only vitriol—Lord knows why. You’ll find most of those on Amazon and its sister-site, Goodreads…along with more reviews!]

Muddlin’ Through (MJM #1)…

“Steven M. Moore takes ex-military master at arms Mary Jo Melendez and puts her through the ringer! She is given trial after trial and muddles through, as the title suggests. This was a bit of a change of pace for Moore, who seems to usually write more tightly woven stories, but it had his usual interesting characters, a series of geographically diverse settings and plenty of action. Did I buy it all? Well, I did while I was reading and what more can you ask? Perhaps this is not Moore’s best, but it’s really good, s fun, quick, exciting read!”—S. D. Beallis, in his five-star Amazon review

“A wrongly convicted woman seeks to clear her name, experiencing a series of adventures along the way. Moore creates an excellent and deep character in Mary Jo. Strong and smart, yet conflicted, she retains her humanity when her enemies lose theirs — all across the globe. I really enjoyed reading this novel, and recommend it to readers who enjoy intrigue.”—Debra Miller, in her five-star Amazon review

Silicon Slummin’…and Just Gettin’ By (MJM #2)…

“I’m a big fan of Steven M. Moore’s work, and enjoyed Mary Jo Melendez’s first adventure. But this one took the series to an even higher level for me. It combined a bit of serial killer horror (no really graphic violent scenes, though) with an excellent thriller which draws upon Moore’s SF/tech background. In this one, Mary Jo’s myriad of misadventures in the first book are coming back to haunt her. There are people who want to know what she knows…and one guy who appears to be simply fixated on her.

In this book you get your usual mix of Moore’s interesting characters who, when forced to interact with each other, find that they somehow become better and/or stronger people. Mary Jo leaves of trail of devastation in her wake, but none of it is precisely her fault. She’s a victim of circumstances that are as interesting and compelling as anything Moore has written to date. I really enjoyed this book. Looking forward to see what happens to Mary Jo in the future.”—S. D. Beallis, in his five-star Amazon review

Goin’ the Extra Mile (MJM #3)…

“It all begins with an attempted kidnapping of her two adopted children, and things only get heightened when her entire family is abducted. The Chinese are after Mary Jo and they want answers that she can’t give them. They want the MECHs that she helped, but she can’t give them information that she has no idea of knowing. Too bad they aren’t buying that she doesn’t know and will do whatever it takes to acquire what it is that they want.

Goin’ The Extra Mile by Steven M. Moore is the first book that I have read by this author. This book is book three in the Mary Jo Melendez mystery series, but I don’t feel like it is imperative that I read the first two books in the series. The author does a good job at filling in details in the right places so that I can have a bit of backstory as well. I like how much of a mystery and thriller this story is. The author really keeps the reader on the edge of their seat as they follow along with Mary Jo and Marguerite Fontaine, a French physician. This story is gripping from beginning to end as Mary Jo faces so many obstacles to try and reclaim her family. This story spans more than one country and keeps the reader engaged.

I enjoyed this book immensely. I will give this warning…the story switches back and forth between Mary Jo and Marguerite. There are no defining points of when this will happen. At first, I didn’t like these unexpected transitions and wanted them defined so I’d know, but the more I read I found I actually appreciated them. The switches kept me on my toes as I didn’t know what to expect with the turning of the page/beginning of the next chapter.
I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars. I don’t read a lot of mystery espionage novels, but this book is worth picking up. It will keep you intrigued from beginning to end. So if you like a story with a woman who will do whatever it takes to get her children back and some adventure mixed in grab this book!”—Seraphia in her five-star Amazon review

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[Note from Steve: In an attempt to declutter my web page “Books & Short Stories,” I’m going to start collecting some significant reviews for each book in the blog category “My Reviews.” When all is said and done, readers can search for a book title or its series and see the reviews. This might be doubly important, because good reviews I’ve received are often NOT on Amazon. I exclude all reviews by trolls, of course, most of which have zero content and contain only vitriol—Lord knows why. You’ll find most of those on Amazon and its sister-site, Goodreads…and more reviews by good readers!

Also please note: If you’d like more information about me, please see my interview tomorrow at the Write Way Cafe. Join HiDee and me for a cup of virtual coffee to discuss The Last Humans and learn more about this post-apocalyptic thriller and why I wrote it. And please peruse the features and past visitors to this wonderful blog promoting reading, literacy, and other authors. Bookmark it–you’ll be glad you did.]

“Steven M. Moore pens an apocalyptic thriller in The Last Humans. Penny Castro left the US Navy and became a forensic diver for the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. Penny and her fellow deputy George are called out to locate a victim offshore. Penny plunges into the ocean, finds the body and tugs on her line. The line goes limp. Letting go of the body, she swims to the surface. On the boat, she discovers her fellow deputy dead. Shocked, sickened, and saddened, she heads to shore. Upon arrival, all she finds is more dead bodies. They are everywhere! The world had turned upside down while she was under water. The stench of death surrounds her. Alone and frightened, she hides. But soon wild and feral humans begin terrorizing, looting and raping at will. Penny saves a small boy, Sammy, and then an old man named Ben. Penny, Sammy, and Ben become a family, fighting to survive in a desolate world gone mad.

The Last Humans is a thrilling ride into a dystopian world. Written in first person narrative, the heart and soul of the heroine emerges. Every thought, emotion, and action is seen from her perspective. She is courageous but not necessarily brave. She faces her fears and often vomits in the aftermath. Her femininity at times gets the better of her, but her humanity always prevails. The cast of characters and the tragic events surrounding her cause her character to grow beyond expectation. This concept is mandatory for survival in an apocalyptic world, keeping to the adage ‘that which doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.’
To survive you must have water. History has proven most wars are fought over water rights. Therefore, it is not surprising that there is a continual battle over water. Moore obviously did his research on the desalination process, bringing a realistic level of science into the conflict. Minimizing politics, the story never reveals the source of the plague; instead, the narrative concentrates on the aftermath of the global disaster. As the story comes to an end, the action slows, leaving you wondering if those who survived were truly the last humans. ‘The future was an unknown, but the known past had to be put aside to make room for it.’”—Cheryl E. Rodriguez, in her four-start Readers’ Favorite review

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[Note from Steve: In an attempt to declutter my web page “Books & Short Stories,” I’m going to start collecting some significant reviews for each book in the blog category “My Reviews.” When all is said and done, readers can search for a book title and see the reviews. This might be doubly important, because good reviews I’ve received are often NOT on Amazon. I exclude all reviews by trolls, of course, most of which have zero content and contain only vitriol—Lord knows why. You’ll find most of those on Amazon and its sister-site, Goodreads…along with other reviews!]

“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 5-star review.

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