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!
THE AVATAR MURDERS by Jim Rowson is a gritty detective novel that plunges readers into a futuristic world where augmented reality and digital avatars collide with murder. With a compelling protagonist grappling with personal loss, the book masterfully blends high-tech intrigue with emotional depth, making it a gripping read for fans of both sci-fi and noir.
Gustaf Berger’s THE PAPERBOY AND THE SPINSTER is a thoughtful exploration of the complexities of masculine identity in a recognizable – but hardly idyllic – 1950s America. On the cusp of manhood at 12 years old, its eponymous protagonist sometimes reflects the biases and failings of his time; but his surprising tenderness for plants, animals, and other human beings lends his story a deep, satisfying fullness.
An entertaining and complex read, Stephen J. Wallace’s debut novel HAZARDOUS LIES is a combination mystery/thriller centered around an explosion at a chemical plant. Jon Barrett, depressed after a scandal in his previous job, gets assigned the investigation on his first day in his new government job, for an agency fighting to keep its funding. The company is more interested in optics than the fact that three men died, and an intern (a politician’s son) is missing. How far will they go to protect themselves? How much political and legal power do they have to flex? While the answer is unsurprising, the way Jon uncovers doggedly uncovers each piece of the puzzle while struggling with his own depression is a good read. Wallace’s knowledge of engineering and how these types of plants work add texture to a profession few people understand and many fear. The external challenges provoke internal revelations that force Jon to make difficult decisions that will affect his future.
Imagine a world where there’s not a man in sight. In ALL THE MEN ARE GONE by K.A. Claytor, war has claimed every man, save for a few held secretly for producing future generations. Fast paced and intriguing, this fantasy sci-fi novel has colorful characters and a strange but satisfying conclusion.
Ian Crouch’s captivating historical fiction book, A PYRRHIC VICTORY VOLUME III-FATE, transports readers to the intricate political and military conflicts of ancient Greece. It provides an engaging look at Pyrrhus of Epirus’ ambition and strategic brilliance through vivid battle descriptions and intricately portrayed personalities. An intriguing book with complex historical background illustrating the balance between political and personal challenges.
Descriptive writing and colorful characters brings PINK CORROSION, the second installment of the Costi Gurgu’s “Corrosion” series, to life. Part sci-fi part fantasy, the story furthers Geo Woodman’s claim to the Silkers crown. Some political overtones, short chapters, and non-stop action will keep readers fully engaged.
FIRST CONTACT by Albert Zhang introduces readers to a futuristic, galaxy-spanning civilization as humanity encounters a mysterious and potentially hostile alien force. Through vivid world-building and complex characters, Zhang immerses readers in the anticipation and tension of humanity’s first interstellar interaction, making it a captivating read for any science fiction enthusiast.
Stacey Cooper’s PREPARING FOR A MARATHON: A BEGINNER’S GUIDE FROM A TO Z is an all-encompassing and enlightening handbook covering everything from selecting the appropriate race and course to ensuring proper nutrition. Cooper’s guide addresses all elements of marathon preparation in an easily navigable, alphabetized layout. Her personal stories and relatable writing create a sense of fellowship, offering readers support and motivation throughout their training. The book reflects Cooper’s enthusiasm for running and her intent to share her knowledge, making it a vital resource for aspiring marathon runners.
In Costi Gurgu’s PINK CORROSION, Book 2 of the CORROSION series, Geo Woodman claims his place as leader of the Silkers after defeating Prince Boris but quickly faces new struggles to earn the loyalty of the Silker Commanders and Council. With his partner (Bree), Geo must defend their newly acquired kingdom from the powerful warlord Han the Great, who is sweeping across kingdoms with his unstoppable army. Gurgu’s richly detailed worldbuilding and blend of medieval and modern elements bring this well-paced epic tale of loyalty, power, and intrigue to life, although readers may find the story even more compelling if they start with Book 1.
In A HUSH AT MIDNIGHT by Marlene M. Bell, former celebrity chef Laura Harris finds herself at the center of a chilling murder after her beloved mentor, Hattie Stenburg, is found dead, and Laura inherits her fortune amid swirling suspicion. As she fights to prove her innocence, Laura uncovers hidden secrets in her seemingly perfect small town—with a cunning adversary always lurking in the shadows, leaving cryptic threats and clues. This gripping tale of betrayal and intrigue will keep readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover whether Laura can untangle the web of deceit before it is too late.
Kay Smith-Blum’s finely written debut, TANGLES, unfolds the stories of neighbors, Mary Boone and Lucas Hinson, living under the toxic shadow of the Hanford Nuclear Reservation during the 1940s. Trapped within an abusive marriage and beginning to realize the devastating consequences of the radioactive waste being pumped into their environment, Mary is determined to play her role in exposing the horrors of Hanford, but at what cost? Told through dual timelines that twist and converge, the story effortlessly moves between genres to gift the reader a beautifully touching love story and a brutal mystery set against the dawn of the nuclear age and its impact. Impeccably researched, forensic yet deeply human, TANGLES also resonates with contemporary relevance.
V.P. Evans’s THE REBIRTH is an intriguing thriller that skillfully combines suspense, betrayal, and ethical dilemmas. As readers navigate a web of deceit and power, they are kept on edge by the book’s captivating plot and well-developed characters, especially Jason and Oscar. The story’s ability to blend philosophical reflection with high-stakes action makes it a compelling read.
Katy Motiey’s IMPERFECT is a lightly fictionalized account of an Iranian family that covers the 1970s’ Civil unrest before and after the Shah retreats. How those changes affect a new widow and her two children are more a matter of long-held traditions and culture than the ongoing demonstrations. Sympathy, outrage, and, finally, a breath of relief will envelop readers as they follow Vida, Roya, and Kasra after the sudden death of their father Kamran and their encounters with relatives and their flights to Munich, London, and Boston.
Keith G. McWalter’s second novel, LIFERS, is an eerily relevant, thought-provoking science fiction novel. In the not-so-distant future, a new plague has spread. But instead of killing people, they live well into their hundreds. Called “Lifers” and “triples” they are straining an overloaded infrastructure, frustrating descendants who want to inherit generational wealth, and fighting increasing anti-Lifer factions promoting mortality and encouraging them to take a suicide pill. Told from multiple points of view, the novel weaves strong characters with disturbing and difficult situations. The writing is excellent and the scientific elements are well-integrated, imparting necessary information in ways that make sense within the context of the story. The characters are multi-faceted and interesting and the possibilities explored are a nuanced blend of logic and imagination. Part genome thriller, part family saga, LIFERS is a page turner that will stay with the reader for a long time after finishing the book.
INTO THE UNKNOWN by Hai Van Le is a riveting thriller that explores the depths of human resilience and cultural discovery as it traverses hostile landscapes and tense geopolitical contexts. Le’s dynamic storytelling and the suspense of a high-stakes adventure keep readers on edge, while the rich details of exotic settings lend authenticity and vibrancy to the journey.
A chilling journey of an apocalyptic world, C. Fulster’s MARTHA’S NOTEBOOK is a tale of found family and the survival of not just humanity, but also human values as an unlikely band of survivors take on AI zombies that upgrade their tactics at every turn of the story.
ANEMONE by Jim Frazee crafts an atmospheric, suspenseful journey through a tightly knit family torn by secrets, deception, and trauma. Frazee’s vivid prose and carefully woven plot bring to life the emotional weight and tension in each scene, making it an absorbing read for those who appreciate psychological depth and dramatic storytelling.
When nursing student Jan Hendricks meets Lavio Rossano on a summer evening in 1948, she is captivated by the good-looking Italian and the feeling is mutual. After the couple settle down, Jan becomes aware of the criminal nature of her husband’s business but assumes any repercussions will be kept away from family life. Part mob novel, part love story, Brittnay J Sears’s THE LEFT HAND is an entertaining blend of crime thriller and romance voiced by the warm, witty yet uncompromising Jan. Sears brings 1950s Montana convincingly to life as Jan’s intriguing trajectory from wide-eyed farmgirl to ruthless mafia wife plays out in absorbingly good style.