IndieReader Discovery Awards 2025 Entrants
Added as our reviewers read them, find the latest verdicts for the 2025 IndieReader Discovery Award entrants, leading up to the big winner announcement in June!
When an old gold coin is discovered in the pocket of a drowned woman, Police Chief William Templeton is shocked to be told that an identical coin was found on his estranged wife’s body, whose death a year previously was ruled accidental. When two more coins appear, William turns to friend and historian, Eva Knightly, to help him unravel their secret and find out the truth about the women’s deaths. Author Carol Ann Collins capably weaves the legend of Blackbeard through her enjoyable present-day mystery, set against the wild beauty of the North Carolina coastline. Lightly sprinkled with romance and rich in pirate history as well as intrigue, THE SEAFARER’S SECRET impresses with its nicely twisty and rewarding tale.
When two people come together, it could be magic or it could be mayhem. In KENT AND KATCHA (Espionage, Spycraft, Romance) by Larry and Rosemary Mild, American spy is captured, escapes, meets Russian girl, falls in love … and then the drama intensifies. The story has moments of intrigue, danger, tenderness, and suspense that are bound to lead readers of this genre to enjoy a satisfying conclusion.
Patrick Finnegan’s second novel TOYS IN BABYLON is both satire and mystery and a sendup of AI. Coki, the mascot of a popular language app, is missing, and feared murdered. The app’s AI, who has evolved lives and ideas of their own, plans to take over the way language is taught, making human teachers irrelevant. Further plot dissection would reveal spoilers, and there’s too much fun to be had in discovering the twists and turns as they unfurl. Love, language, friendship, deception, and AI are all entwined for a roller coaster of a ride. The author has a sharp eye for the absurd and ironic, and weaves all the elements together in ways that are delightful surprises. TOYS IN BABYLON is a fast, funny page turner.
Bruce Berls’s near-future techo-capitalism satire VEILPIERCER explores what happens when money can literally buy a better reality. Teeming with comical quips, dad-joke wordplay, and occasionally trenchant remarks, its cleverly absurd premise and band-of-misfits cast will surely entertain readers.
Martina Gruppo’s incredibly intimate and poignant memoir HELLO FLOWER leads readers on a life-changing journey of love, grief, and self-discovery. Readers interested in human resilience and the pursuit of inner peace will find the book engrossing as it combines emotional introspection with detailed depictions of significant life situations. Gruppo’s narrative skillfully conveys the intricacies of interpersonal connections and individual development.
SEE ME by Rhoda Berlin is an emotionally charged novel that masterfully blends psychological depth with suspense, drawing readers into the complex struggles of its characters. With a compelling exploration of trauma, therapy, and the human desire for connection, Berlin’s storytelling captivates, making this an engaging and thought-provoking read for those who enjoy psychological drama.
A haunting tale of desperation, Alaric Cabiling’s BELOW brings an intriguing twist to zombie tales when a young boy defies odds by escaping the gruesome deterioration of his home county, only to find himself battling to avoid falling prey to the evils he’s fought so hard to escape.
Jenna Tico’s memoir, CANCER MOON, delves into her intimate and honest journey of love, heartbreak, and self-discovery. Tico portrays the upheaval of her twenties with vivid storytelling and unvarnished emotional honesty, provoking readers to consider their own weaknesses. This book is engaging and relatable due to the author’s distinctive combination of humor and reflection.
Ceclia Valetti’s latest novel, THE TRUTH, is the first book in her new “Mysteries at Anna’s Trattoria” series. The book is set in a fictional coastal town in New Brunswick, Canada, where–Anna, who emigrated to Canada from Italy forty years ago–runs the restaurant with her daughter Silvia. Three weeks after Anna’s son Luca, a priest, dies in a car accident, Neil McKinley begins his new job as the chief inspector. McKinley is a much-revered lawman from Vancouver, and immediately dives into community life, including taking over as a basketball coach and involving himself in the local orphanage, where one of the young girls may have a connection to his past. He also becomes embroiled in a series of murders, which he believes are connected. The sense of place is strong in the book, with a location rarely seen in books, but well rendered. The meals and cooking lessons are lovingly detailed, along with the positive connection between food lovingly prepared and building community. THE TRUTH launches a new mystery series juxtaposing tight community with the perils of human shortcomings.
FOREVER BOY by Michael J. Bowler offers readers a unique blend of coming-of-age challenges and supernatural intrigue, making it an engaging journey into both the struggles of adolescence and the mysteries of eternal youth. The intriguing character dynamics and Bowler’s rich storytelling create a captivating atmosphere, making this book an excellent pick for fans of both drama and fantasy.
BE THERE is Linsey Willis’s raw, hard-hitting, and comprehensive account of living and coping with her elder sister, Betsy’s bipolar disorder. Willis writes with a harrowing density and incredible honesty as she explores the profound, life-changing effects of Betsy’s illness and her struggles to access adequate care and support. While offering coping strategies, resources, and reassurance, Willis also shares personal correspondence and insight as Betsy’s caregiver and her sister. BE THERE is not only an invaluable companion to any reader in a similar position but is also an engrossing, well-written memoir that merits a broad audience.
MAHINA RISES by John Blossom is a captivating mix of magical realism and young adult fiction following the courageous Mahina as she defies her grandmother’s fears, embracing her mysterious dreams to uncover her family’s past and rebuild her hurricane-destroyed school. Set against the backdrop of Hawaiian lore, the story weaves a thrilling journey of self-discovery, blending magic with a call to protect the planet. Blossom’s richly layered narrative explores the tension between fear and hope, delivering a poignant message about the power of action and the dreams that inspire it.
NOT DOWN IN ANY MAP by P.A. Callaro is a poignant collection of twelve stories that beautifully captures the resilience and complexity of urban life. Through rich symbolism and lyrical prose, Callaro brings to life characters who confront their pasts and navigate profound themes of hope, compassion, and transformation. This collection offers a deeply introspective and emotionally resonant experience for readers who appreciate the intricacies of human relationships and the subtle power of literary fiction.
Peggy Jo Henry’s book, WARNING: I PUBLISHED WITH A SCAM PUBLISHING COMPANY!, explores the author’s own experiences with a dishonest publishing company in an open and enlightening manner. The book shares the financial and emotional costs of going through such an experience, but it also provides insightful analysis of the publishing industry’s problems, along with the author’s personal experiences including a suicide attempt and mental illness and thoughts on the environment and addictions. A must-read for anyone thinking about self-publishing!
Understanding our own behaviors and how to control them are ways to lead a less stressful and more balanced life. In MENTAL FREEDOM by Kim Olver, lessons of responsibility, transformations, and trust are among the elements of life’s moments we can manipulate for our own well-being. This concise “self-help” book ultimately brings the reader a simple-yet-practical “how to” manual.
Does COVET THE CHAOS mirror real life – or is it truly fiction? Judging from author Caleb Shawn Sully’s bio, it’s probably the former. In a split screen between the Iraqi war and a Ukraine Peace Corps assignment, the foreigner (also known as I) takes the reader on a journey behind and in battle in Kirkuk and within the classroom in a small town outside Kviv. Cyrillic characters pepper the narrator’s experience in the Ukraine, with enough English to understand the meaning. Yet, in spite of the foreign intrigue, it speaks of loneliness, just enough to ensure that the violence is tempered and the story, retain its appeal.
GOODE VIBRATIONS OF THE WRESTING PLACE by Amy Safford offers a deeply personal narrative intertwined with historical tragedy. Through rich storytelling, the novel sheds light on the untold history of Malaga Island, bringing together themes of loss, trauma, and reconciliation with the land. This evocative blend of personal reflection and historical depth makes the book a compelling read, particularly for those interested in the healing process between people and place.
THE ASSAYS OF ATA by K. I. S. offers a richly woven narrative set in the intriguing world of Áitarbith, where deception and espionage take center stage. The protagonist, Ata, is a compelling character whose depth and complexity drive the story forward, making this a captivating read for fans of intricate plots and strong, multifaceted heroines.