Review of Human Collateral by Thomas Anderson, Editor In Chief of Literary Titan.

In Justified Malice, Miles is once again catapulted into a high-stakes mission, this time journeying through the vivid terrains of Mexico. Tasked with an undercover assignment for PG Parts—a company ensnared in an embezzlement whirlwind—Miles is driven by a dual ambition: to resolve the case promptly and to relish a vacation alongside his cherished partner, Ken. But destiny has other plans. The re-emergence of the elusive Jonathan Reese in the heart of Southern Mexico sets the stage for a riveting confrontation. Miles, grappling with bygones and lamenting his past oversight with Reese, is galvanized with renewed resolve to corner his nemesis, even if it necessitates allying with local cartels.

Justified Malice boasts a mesmerizing mystery, well-conceived and laden with intricate layers. The meticulous design of the plot is evident, pulling readers into a vortex of suspense with each unfolding chapter. While Miles may initially seem like a conventional lead, it’s his steadfastness and professional fervor that underscore his significance. Ryan, however, emerges as the novel’s unexpected heart, propelled by personal loss and a pursuit for closure amidst chaos. While I enjoyed the story, I felt the narrative’s reserved approach to early suspense, notably during the bomb episode, could have been improved. Heightening the immediacy and tension of such moments might have heightened the immersive thrill for readers. But this is a minor point in an otherwise riveting novel.

Justified Malice is an exhilarating read, blending crime, suspense, and deep-seated grudges into a compelling tale. It showcases an intricate plot, unforeseen deviations, and characters that linger in memory. For fans of detective mystery novels, this is an indispensable addition to their collection. Brace yourself for a whirlwind of mystery and suspense that keeps you riveted until the closing page. 

Review of Human Collateral by Thomas Anderson, Editor In Chief of Literary Titan.

When a young woman goes missing it’s up to two lifelong friends, Miles Darien and Ryan Duffy, to get to the bottom of things. When Miles starts his PI service in Lakeville, he didn’t anticipate a desperate mother to come knocking at his door. Cora Sims asks Miles to find her missing daughter, Olivia, after she up and leaves one day to start a new life in the big city of Chicago. With the help of his best friend, Ryan, Miles tracks down Olivia and undercovers a loan-shark organization that asks for organs as collateral. A penniless Olivia doesn’t realize how dangerous her situation is until it’s too late. In Harry Pinkus’ thriller novel: Human Collateral characters dodge bullets left and right, but will everyone make it out alive?

Author Harry Pinkus has written a riveting crime fiction story that is clear, concise and to the point. There is not a single plot structure or character that doesn’t fit in the story. The book is realistic when it comes to the political chain of command and police procedures. Even though Miles notes how the FBI blocks him from their investigation, he’s not trying to step on anyone’s toes or override police procedures to get the information he’s looking for. Generally, in murder mysteries, you have the noisy detective who jumps through loopholes to get to the bottom of things, not caring who they have to step over to find their killer. Not Miles though, he respects the police force and doesn’t push the investigation. Even though, as a reader, I wanted more information to help find the killer, I respect Miles for not bulldozing through the chain of command and letting the FBI do what they do best.

This is a realistic police procedural that puts the facts over the need for thrills. We follow the investigation with few surprises due to the methodical method with which everything is provided. Miles and Ryan’s day-to-day life is one that readers can understand, if not relate to, because of how grounded they are. Every character in this story has a very polite air about them. Their conversations reflect this and everyone has the same cordial sensibility.

Human Collateral is a compelling mystery novel that takes readers into the trenches of the private investigator world and tells a crime fiction story that feels realistic while still being interesting. If you are a reader looking for a meticulous who-dun-it that takes a pragmatic approach to solving a heinous crime, then this will certainly entertain you.

4/5

Review of Human Collateral by Stephen Glick, Wiscosnisn Writers Association.

Human Collateral, written by Harry Pinkus, is an enjoyable, quick reading mystery. The main character, Olivia, has gone missing. When her mother, Cora, cannot find her, she hires private detective ex-police officer, Miles Darien to find her daughter. The book then follows the investigation of locating her.

The characters in the book are realistic and enjoyable to meet. Along with the missing girl (or woman) Olivia, and her mother, Cora, the reader is introduced to private detective Miles Darien, his friend, Ryan, from New York, and George, a good friend to Miles.

The book leads the reader into a world of loansharking and the use of human body parts for collateral. The turning point in the book leads you into a world that is unfamiliar to many of us.

I found the book to be quite an enjoyable read.

Reviewer Stephen Glick lives in southern Wisconsin. He loves buying and reading books and his library tops over 1,000 titles. He is the author of Six Haunting Tales, a collection of short horror stories, and The Testament (Atmosphere Press, 2019), a paranormal mystery tinged with horror and noir.

5-Star Review of The Kingmaker’s Redemption from the Midwest Book Review.

The Kingmaker’s Redemption is recommended reading for political intrigue readers seeking high-octane action, and provides a story of winners, losers, and subterfuge steeped in the power, money, and processes of the American political system.

Departing from the status quo and prior precedents comes with its problems, as Jack McKay discovers when he decides to support a candidate he really believes in rather than the party he’s usually led to victory. His business is winning elections, but it’s about to become the center of a whirlwind of controversy when Jack lends his considerable influence to a campaign for an Opposition candidate against the Party.

Liberty Party leader Randall Davies knows what McKay’s decision means to his chances. Forces that operate behind the scenes contrive to implicate McKay in a crime that will sully his reputation and limit his ability to be a political influencer.

As the conspiracy gains momentum in the courts, McKay and his team are drawn away from their original objective and into a trial that leaves him fighting for more than his reputation, even as he learns new things about the process and the people behind it: “Jack was getting a real insight into what the prosecution was likely planning to present. He might have actually enjoyed the education had his life not hung in the balance.”

Harry Pinkus crafts the perfect intersection between legal and political thriller, cementing action with strong characters that operate on both sides of the election process, with special interests and influencers on all sides.

The personal challenges McKay faces as his choices affect family relationships and career are as much on the line as the question of who will win the election.

More than just a story of innocence and guilt, Pinkus calls into question motivation, political and legal processes, and fluctuating relationships changed by new realizations.

The Kingmaker’s Redemption is as much a story of survival, enlightenment, and changing interpersonal connections as it is a political legal thriller. Audiences who enjoy investigative mysteries operating at high levels of political circles will relish a story that winds through drama and action, adding a dash of romance as icing on the cake of intrigue.