THE VELVET BADGE
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
IR Verdict: Elevated by a satisfying blend of hard-boiled suspense and subtle hints of satire, Bob Mantel’s THE VELVET BADGE: A New York Noir is a stunning debut from a must-read author.
SNEAKY SHOWBIZ
Genre: Memoir
IR Verdict: Simo Ben’s salacious, sinfully intoxicating book, SNEAKY SHOWBIZ, walks an unsteady line between prurient exploitation and investigative journalism but readers unfamiliar with the subject of Moroccan witchcraft—and those with an appetite for the dirty secrets of the rich and famous—will find the book a fascinating read.
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THERE GO I (A Collection of Short Stories)
Genres: Short Stories
IR Verdict: Those familiar with author Bill VanPatten’s work will relish his immersive take on small-town California, but for everyone else, THERE GO I (A Collection of Short Stories) is a fitting introduction to an exceptional writer.
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HOLY PARROT
Genres: Literary Fiction
IR Verdict: Angel A’s HOLY PARROT is a well-written, compelling novel with an engaging story line and characters with depth, interesting motivations, and lots of personality.
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GHOSTS OF SAINT-PIERRE
Genre: Action/Adventure
IR Verdict: Sure-footed prose and a well-paced plot guide readers through the mystery and misery of Paul Poncy’s life in GHOSTS OF SAINT-PIERRE, Duane Poncy and Patricia J McLean’s intelligent and engrossing work of literary fiction.
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REDDING UP
Genre: Literary Fiction
IR Verdict: Melancholic and poignant, Richard Snodgrass’ short story collection REDDING UP is a testament to the perseverance of the human spirit.
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A FISH CALLED ANDROMEDA
Genre: Children’s (Early to intermediate readers)
IR Verdict: A FISH CALLED ANDROMEDA, by Cynthia C Huijgens, is a magical children’s book that pairs stunning imagery (by Yusuke Watanabe) with an empathetic character who learns an inspirational life lesson.
A LIQUID FANTASIA: Under the Rain
Genre: Women’s Fiction
IR Verdict: A symphony rich with colors and emotions, Ana Catalina Reynoso De La Garza’s A LIQUID FANTASIA: Under the Rain is a lyrical, warm, and humane story about female friendship and empowerment.
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THE UNMOORING
Genre: Historical Fiction
IR Verdict: As Ken Fireman’s debut novel, THE UNMOORING–a compelling, fictional tale with authenticity and interesting philosophical discussions based on the author’s experience as a journalist and political correspondent–the quality of the story and writing are indeed impressive.
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BROKEN SOULS
Genre: Fantasy
IR Verdict: Troy Calkins’ BROKEN SOULS is a masterpiece of swords-and-sorcery that also has the complicated depth of modern literary fiction.
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WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THEY DON’T GROW BACK
Genre: Memoir
IR Verdict: Tackling a heavy topic with a lighthearted, conversational tone, Peta Ann-Wood’s WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THEY DON’T GROW BACK is a powerful biography that educates, inspires, and challenges deep-rooted perceptions.
THE BLACK SWAN KILLER
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
IR Verdict: Daniel McKay’s THE BLACK SWAN KILLER is a well-written mystery, with a plot in constant motion, a trail of dubitable clues, and a strong compelling cast of characters that will keep readers turning the pages.
I DON’T LIKE BLUE
Genre: Young Adult
IR Verdict: I DON’T LIKE BLUE by Lyric C. Faulder is a bold and beautifully written YA novel about the difficulties of young love and struggles with queer identity and acceptance that will tug at a reader’s heart.
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THE LAST SKINWEAVER
Genre: Science Fiction
IR Verdict: W. G. Hladky’s THE LAST SKINWEAVER carries on the incredible post-apocalyptic world-building and dramatic epic fantasy begun in the previous three novels in the author’s “Book of Ruin” series.
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FORTY TO FINISH
Genre: Memoir
IR Verdict: Larry Walsh’s FORTY TO FINISH is a straightforward, quietly dramatic memoir of a 4,192-mile bike race from Oregon to Virginia, a love letter to America, and a story of hard-won victory.
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COUNT ME IN
Genre: Memoir
IR Verdict: Susan Allen’s COUNT ME IN (A Trailblazer’s Triumph in a World Not Built for Her) is a well-written self-help book narrated by an author who has worked around difficult circumstances to achieve a fully satisfying career.
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FREEZE FRAME
Genre: Coming of Age
IR Verdict: A well-written, informative, and entertaining coming-of-age story, Tyler Beauchamp’s FREEZE FRAME skillfully addresses myriad issues faced by many teenagers, all under the guise of a compelling fictional tale.
ACTING UP
Genre: Memoir
IR Verdict: Informative and powerfully motivational, Janice Bryant Howroyd’s ACTING UP is no mere vanity memoir by a successful CEO, but an accessible and heartfelt book of self-empowerment that lays out a path to success without compromising one’s values and personal identity.
JACK THROUGH TIME
Genre: Fantasy
IR Verdict: Peter B Dunfield’s JACK THROUGH TIME is a highly enjoyable romp that provides perfect escapism for fans of crime and mystery stories – whatever their age.
THE ADVENTURES OF MILO CHOW
Genre: Children’s (Early to intermediate readers)
IR Verdict: A heartwarming tale of love, friendship, and overcoming the odds, Caroline Rayfield’s THE ADVENTURES OF MILO CHOW is a sweet and touching story that will stay with readers young and old.
THE FRENCH HOUSE
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
IR Verdict: Courtney Lochner’s THE FRENCH HOUSE is a spellbinding and exhilarating literary thriller that begins as a coming-of-age story and turns into an innovative psychedelic mystery driven by psilocybin mushrooms and mind control. Feed your head.
WELCOME TO THE FREE WORLD
Genres: New Adult, Science Fiction
IR Verdict: WELCOME TO THE FREE WORLD might start off as a standard dystopian sci-fi adventure, but Lloyd Raleigh’s debut novel quickly transforms into a satisfyingly unpredictable page-turner.
THE GIRL IN THE WATER
Genre: Literary Fiction
IR Verdict: Joseph Howse evokes the literary styles of Tolstoy and Dostoevsky in THE GIRL IN THE WATER, a sprawling, complex and compelling tale of a young Ukrainian girl in the late 1980s at a personal and cultural crossroads.