Scorched Earth by David L. Robbins.

Robbins is one of our better contemporary writers. SCORCHED EARTH is a wide-ranging legal thriller. It incorporates traditions and remnants of the "old south" in a rural Virginia setting.

Robbins builds interesting characters and brilliant descriptions of New Hope, Virginia and a blazing summer.

One tragedy after another brings out festering prejudice and rage. Good Hope is rocked by the death of a mixed-blood baby, cover-ups of crimes, arson, and the death of the sherrif's young daughter.

Nat Deeds , a troubled lawyer, is involved in the legal battles and also his own marital problems. Robbins skillfully concludes SCORCHED EARTH and it rains.

Good read!

Ernie Aiello

Chicago Confidential by Max Allan Collins

Collins has written another historical novel of the first rank. This effort moves from L.A. to Chicago, Heller's home base, and makes side trips to Washington, D.C. and Mexico.

All the action plays out in the 1950's. As in other Nathan Heller novels, real people join some interesting fictional characters. Among the real are: Senators Estes Kefauver and Joe McCarthy, Drew Pearson, Lee Mortimer, Jayne Mansfield, Sam Giancana, Frank Sinatra, and the Fiscetti Brothers.

The Kefauver Comm. is sitting in Chicago and some interesting testimony is recorded and some is protected by the Fifth Amendment. Chicago in the '50's was violent and corrupt.

This is another satisfying effort by M. A. Collins.

Ernie Aiello

What Was She Thinking? Notes on a Scandal by Zoe Heller

An intense story with stunning characterizations. A page turner with an edge!

Kate Schwartz

Monday Night Jihad by Jason Elam and Steve Yohn

MONDAY NIGHT JIHAD is a first novel for both its authors. Many will recognize Jason Elam as the fifteen year place kicker for the Denver Broncos.

This first rate spy thriller also includes some interesting intrigue of pro-sports. Riley Covington, a star linebacker, has finished his Air Force obligation. His tour of duty in Afghaninstan starts the novel.

Riley is forced to confront the "Cause", a Middle Eastern terror group. The tale includes an actual bombing of a professional stadium, and the planned attack on Disneyland on the day of the "big game."

Readers will enjoy the action from Afghanistan, to the U.S., to Italy, and finally back to the U.S.

Of course this sets the stage for a sequel due in 2009.

Ernie Aiello

The Ghost War by Alex Berenson

THE GHOST WAR is Berenson's second novel. It is a sequel to his first hit novel, THE FAITHFUL SPY, winner of the 2007 Edgar Award.

CIA agent, John Wells, returns in THE GHOST WAR. The action is exciting and fast paced from D.C. to Afghanistan, to Korea, to China and finally back to the D. C. metro area. Wells and lady friend, Exley, both work for the CIA, and are a "team" once again in THE GHOST WAR.

Action begins in the Yellow Sea and moves to Afghanistan. Chinese General Li Ping's (Chief of the PLA) negotiations with Iran results in near war between China and the U.S. Wells is sent to China to find out what is up and all hell breaks loose.

At home a "side bar" story of a mole inside the CIA complicates things and this outstanding adventure comes to a very satisfying conclusion, setting the stage for #3 in the John Wells saga.

Ernie Aiello

The Disagreement by Nick Taylor

Nick Taylor's first novel is a "hum-dinger". THE DISAGREEMENT is a historical novel of the Civil War.

The novel has no descriptions or fighting, but plenty of the aftermath of battles. John Alan Muro, the narrator, is a medical student at the University of Virginia (1861-1865).

Muro and classmates are pressed into service at the Charlottesville General Hospital, where "Dr." Muro saves the life of a northern officer. Muro also meets Miss Lorrie Wigfal, who becomes Mrs. Muro.

The end of the war finds Muro planning to flee his life in Virginia to join the saved Union officer's medical practice.

The epilogue is outstanding and a great ending to a wonder first novel.

Ernie Aiello

Angel in Black by Max Allan Collins

M. A. Collins is one of our best writers of historical fiction. ANGEL IN BLACK (2001) is his treatment of "The Black Dahlia" Hollywood Murder Case (1947).

Nathan Heller (private eye) helps to discover the body of Elizabeth Short. Heller is on a honeymoon/business trip and is thrown into this horrific murder.

Once again Collins includes real people in his novel - this time he includes: Orson Welles, Rita Hayworth, Dezi & Lucy, Eliot Ness, Mickey Cohen, Henry Fonda and many other show biz celebrities.

Heller and friends spend much time and effort "solving" this murder. The 11th "case" for Heller is well written and the reader can "taste" the post WW2 life of Hollywood.

Ernie Aiello