[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

“The ‘next page’ button on my Kindle got a serious workout during my read of Steve Moore’s Aristocrats and Assassins. High stakes, high energy and intriguing characters make this book the perfect rainy-day read for those of us trapped by our Pacific Northwest gloomy spring weather.
Unlikely partners, detectives Chen and Castliblanco chase down international terrorists in a global arena, trying to stop a plot bearing mysterious and ominous consequences. For Rolando Castiblanco, the stakes are personal—his wife Pam Stuart, a New York City television reporter has also been grabbed and used as a pawn in Kadar El-Ghazzawy’s deadly game.
Twists and turns abound in this first-class thriller that ratchets up the tension from the get go. Add this one to your list of ‘must reads’….”—Mike Nettleton, in his Amazon review

Gaia and the Goliaths (C&C #7)

“I really enjoyed this book…I haven’t been reading as much mystery books as I would like. This book was a nice get-away from my usual romance. This book is about an environmental activist getting murdered on the streets of where she lives over information she wasn’t supposed to find. It turns out her boyfriend has evidence on an international conspiracy. I did like this book…. The beginning drew me in…. In the series, they are all standalone books….”—Haley Maddock, in her Amazon review

***

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!

 

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