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!
Ten-year-old Sally Fowler thinks the old man is sleeping when she finds him in the forest surrounding the quaint town of Brevard in the Blue Ridge Mountains. But the elderly gentleman has been murdered, shocking the residents and puzzling the police force. When the Brevard Tuesday Night Book Club, who have a fondness for Agatha Christie, begin sleuthing, they discover a fascinating story with good and bad repercussions for the Brevard community. THE CURIOUS CASE OF THE BREVARD RECLUSE is a mysterious, atmospheric, and folksy tale set within the slightly eldritch town of Brevard. Vivid with details and descriptions that lend the narrative a visual quality, author W. M. J. Kreucher has written a captivating murder mystery with a raft of quirky characters who entertain and intrigue.
HUMAN JUSTICE by Human and the Lights is a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the complex interplay between human values and corporate interests in the legal system. The book offers a rare insider’s perspective on the challenges faced by those fighting for justice on behalf of marginalized individuals, providing valuable insights into the need for reform to prioritize human dignity over profit motives.
Mythical creatures come to life with well crafted detail in Victor Marrow’s EVERGREEN DREAD when a young woman is tasked with investigating unexplained tragedies in the Pacific Northwest. The action-packed stories of her adventures will have readers on the edge of their seats while she faces both gruesome creatures and threats to her honor from those attempting to discredit her to avoid the truth coming to light.
A full-throttle tale of rebellion, peer adulation, and adolescent expression, Michael Mohr’s THE CREW follows sixteen-year-old Jack “Dog” Donnigan into Southern California’s punk rock scene and a clique of anti-conformists. With its close first-person narrative, the novel effectively conveys the protagonist’s dizzying search for self and belonging.
Leslie Kain paints a story rich in psychological drama in WHAT LIES BURIED where readers learn about complex-PTSD. Adding in Italian mob ties, dysfunctional family generational wounds, and a thriller plot gives readers a peek inside the devastating mind of a victim of PTSD and how it affects everyone around him. Expertly crafted, Kain writes with authority and creativity, giving readers quite the experience.
With some well disguised twists and turns, THE KILLER CHORUS is a gripping, noir-ish mystery set in and around the music scene in Nashville. In Detective Jed Hatcher, Jack Conlan has created a character with enough depth to warrant future outings, and by the end of the novel, readers will already be eager to meet him again.
Julie Barth’s NOTES FROM A BLACKBERRY is an intimate memoir that engages with significant feelings of life and unfortunate loss. The author ravely describes the hardships her family faced when illness disrupted the lives of her husband and daughter. Reminiscent of The Diving Bell and The Butterfly, NOTES FROM A BLACKBERRY is thoroughly insightful and inspiring.
Pat Miller’s KICK KARMA’S ASS is an engrossing and moving story about staying true to your convictions during hard times and the influence that supportive surroundings can have on your well-being. The book shows life lessons of how inner strength and a positive outlook can overcome any obstacles thrown at you by life. The resulting story is one of hope and the strength to overcome any insurmountable challenges.
Proof that some good things come in huge packages, Ashley Wall’s THE DAY I HAD A DINOSAUR is an informative and adorable children’s book that follows Luke on a yoga-saurus adventure with some prehistoric pals. With the help of Vaughan Duck’s engaging illustrations (and some pronunciation assistance), the story teaches cute lessons on teamwork, ingenuity, and the importance of inclusivity, showing that embracing ‘new and different’ isn’t always easy, but welcoming the unfamiliar can lead to wonderful new experiences, friendships, and personal growth.
REAL PEOPLE by Roberta J. Chromey is a captivating memoir that provides a rare and intimate glimpse into the Gurdjieffian training program at Sherborne House under the guidance of J.G. Bennett. The author’s honest and transparent account of her personal journey offers valuable insights into the challenges and transformations experienced by those dedicated to the Fourth Way teachings.
In PROJECT AGOSHA: Call of the Koteli by M.T. Lynx, a compelling narrative unfolds, intertwining themes of duty, sacrifice, and the uncertainties of destiny. The author skillfully navigates through the characters’ profound decisions and the burdens they bear. Through evocative imagery and deep emotional insight, the book delves into themes of allegiance, bravery, and the enduring connections that influence our paths. It presents a profound exploration of human behavior, captivating readers with its intricate storytelling and reflective storyline.
Lisa Darcy’s THE PACT immerses readers in the gripping journey of Samantha and Annie Callahan, celebrated doubles champions whose bond is tested when Annie’s engagement threatens their partnership. Through drama, action, and heartfelt moments, Darcy crafts a captivating narrative that explores the complexities of sisterhood, friendship, and love exemplified by relatable characters.
A MISFORTUNATE MISFIT is an inspiring account of one man’s journey from over 700 pounds to a fit 225, all without surgery, therapy, or visits to doctors. Far more than a weight loss book, Karl Sebastian’s well-written memoir is a moving lesson on facing life’s challenges with courage and conviction.
Pairing traditional story-telling and lyrical poetry with stunning illustrations (courtesy of Patrick Atkins), David Cary Lane’s THE PUPPY PROPHET offers readers a genre-bending novel that’s truly like no other. Part philosophical exploration, part spiritual journey, this contemplative tale offers a litany of life lessons via a lowly ‘dumpster’ stray navigating some of life’s biggest questions on a journey that will resonate with readers from all walks of life.
THE PIANIST’S ONLY DAUGHTER, a memoir by Kathryn Betts Adams, details her parents health battle after her mother is diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and her father with cancer. Adams is the only child, therefore it is her responsibility to look after them. She quickly learns that, in order to fulfill this obligation, she must find a way to get past her father, who wants to be in charge of all aspects of her mother’s daily care despite the fact that his health is deteriorating as well. Through the lens of a social gerontologist, she skillfully blends her own experiences as the only daughter with the difficult task of providing care, as well as the subtleties of love and family relationships. This heartwarming tale serves as both a helpful manual and memoir, penned with wisdom and insight regarding the optimal ways to tend to ailing and aging parents. It is also incredibly thorough and written with empathy and clarity, making it a priceless, reliable shelf companion for caregivers.
THE NOBLE ADVENTURES OF BERYL AND CAROL by Jeremy Sherr is a delightful tale that captures the boundless imagination and unwavering friendship of two young girls as they embark on a journey to build their own house and boat. Filled with whimsical adventures, relatable characters, and a heartwarming spirit of determination, this book will captivate readers of all ages with its charming storytelling and the inspiring resilience of its protagonists.
The reality of how the working class in Yorkshire, England in the middle of the 19th century dealt with a web of repressive systems is impressively painted in David Jacinto’s fictional book, OUT OF THE DARKNESS. The struggles that individuals in this century faced—child labor, poverty, mortality, and loss—are exemplified by the life of Tom Wright and his family. This story effectively demonstrates both the destructive effects of unrestrained capitalism and the inherent character of human nature. It is an intriguing historical novel that effectively highlights ambition, opportunity, and tenacity as critical components of accomplishing one’s goals.
Sigmund Freud would have a field day, what with dreams and Christian symbolism and reality interwoven in Nicholas D’Souza’s THE DEATH OF A BLUE JAY, the tale of Jeremy Martin’s spiritual journey. Many events remain unexplained, like the cause of son Leon’s death. Others can be interpreted readily, thanks to a back-end glossary. Along the way, readers might feel like a lost Alice in Wonderland with quickly switching scenes and characters; it’s balanced by the underlying emphasis on the search for the authentic self.