Book picks similar to
Class Clown by Allan Evans


mystery
book-club
armchair-great-lakes
itsy-bitsy-book-reviews

Monkey Business


Landon Crutcher - 2016
    Unfortunately they have no real resources, no good plans, and no idea what the hell they're doing. What they do have is an army of foul-mouthed monkeys who want them dead, a beautiful woman who wants some answers, a sex-crazed tribal chief, a caffeine-addicted demigod who wants to be worshipped, and a telepathic skull who just wants a little excitement. Through nonstop comedy and good old-fashioned adventure these guys are facing some long odds but do Ron and Willy give up? No they don't. They get down to business. Monkey Business.

The Secrets of Shepard's Woods (Shepard's Series Book 1)


Mimi Streets - 2014
    Audrey works in the canning factory by day but her nights soon become filled with suspense after she learns that the woods near her house are haunted and filled with secrets that she longs to uncover. Hold your breath as Audrey walks on the “wrong side of the fence” and share her wonder as she marvels at the mysterious, disappearing church. She may need your prayers as she brushes shoulders with the spirits of the dead but her biggest obstacle will still be ahead of her. Preacher Man, the reportedly deceased property owner of Shepard’s Woods, must be confronted before Audrey can make any headway. Will he allow her to uncover the mysterious secrets or will he refuse to let her on his property? Can she convince him that she is mature enough to help him conquer his demons? Come along for the journey and watch as Audrey discovers the secrets, excitement, and heart-felt warmth of small town living.

The Harvest Club


Iona Morrison - 2014
    A young pastor has been murdered, and Jessie finds herself following the trail of that death into the dark and deadly world of organ trafficking. Jessie is soon introduced to the detective in charge of the case. Matt Parker is a tall, scruffy, ruggedly handsome man who takes an instant dislike to her and the feeling is mutual. He wants her out of his case and she finds herself entangled in it. The tension between them mounts and so does the attraction. This is a new release of a previously published edition.

Bangers & Mash: Paranormal Investigators of the Arcane


Orlando A. Sanchez - 2021
    When it’s all at risk and you’ve lost hope…don’t call them.You’ve been warned.Meet Robert Bangers & Steven Mash, Paranormal Investigators of the Arcane.When danger terrorizes the city, Bangers & Mash take it upon themselves to investigate, despite everyone advising against it.They won’t let common sense and the threat of a horrific creature capable of ripping them to shreds stop them.There’s no case they can’t make worse, but this time they may have bitten off more than they can chew.Join Bangers & Mash—the newest paranormal investigators to wreak havoc on the city as they take their cases from bad to disastrous!

Red's Peril Part 1: The Making of an MC Prez (Satan's Devils MC Vegas #1)


Manda Mellett - 2021
    I hadn’t much ambition, my main aim being to find somewhere warmer where I could ride my motorcycle all year around. I saw my future as most men do, finding a steady job, eventually getting married and spitting out a couple of kids. Fate seemed to comply, throwing into my path my soul mate only a few hundred miles from my home. But it wasn’t to be. I’d found her, loved her then lost her, all in a matter of days. I’d ridden on alone until the gods stepped in once again and put me in the sights of the Satan’s Devils MC. Despite my initial reluctance, I was soon accepting the prospect patch, and from that point on, never looked back. I rose through the ranks, eventually becoming prez of the Vegas Chapter of the club. I’ve gained respect and loyalty from my brothers, and in many ways have everything that I want.Except, I’ve never quite lost my dream of finding my own old lady and of starting a family. But while life on the whole has been good to me, it seems my destiny is to ride through it alone.

Crab Bait


Carrie Enge - 2015
    No matter how you look at it, fishing in Alaska is a deadly way to make a living.

Firefly


Cory Toth - 2013
    Tortured by his inability to end his own life, the man is forced to face his strange connection to a series of bizarre murders. The homicide investigator assigned to the case races against time to learn the truth...but fate has something much greater in store for everyone involved.

Bake Believe


Cori Cooper - 2022
    Her best friend is also her cousin, she's about to start eighth grade, and a cute new boy just moved into the neighborhood. Seriously, best life ever.So what if her mom refuses to touch the oven? So what if they always eat frozen food or take-out? So what if Cat doesn't know the difference between homemade and store bought? It's just food. Who even cares?But food, it turns out, is a very big deal. Cat's family has a secret too fantastic to stay hidden, too incredible to be real. Something happens when they bake, something that changes everything.Can it be true?Or is it Bake Believe?

The Curse of Bearclaw Castle Complete Series


Emilia Hartley - 2021
    Roderick knows he’s losing himself to his bear, and he wants to see his brother one last time and say goodbye before that happens.What he’s not prepared for is an engrossing blonde who won’t stay out of his business—or his heart.When Morgan D’Marco sees trouble coming for the abandoned castle on the edge of town, she thinks her gift might be wrong for once. Nobody has lived in that place for years. Some say it’s haunted. Cursed might be more accurate. Either way, no one lives there.Book 2 – Teasing FateWade Santana’s idiot bear thinks it’s found their fated mate—but Carolina’s into women.Dumb beast. It’s been nothing but trouble since Wade woke up with the thing inside him after a feral bear attack. The only upside is the chance of finding forever love, but it doesn’t look like that’s in the cards for him, either. His bear might be excited about chasing down and taking Carolina, but Wade’s mother taught him to be a gentleman, and he’s certainly not going to force himself on a woman who doesn’t want him.Carolina Short is used to depending on herself. Her dad abandoned her early, and her mom’s a bit of a flake, but she’s proud of the life she’s made for herself. The only bright spot in her life at the moment is a handsome stranger who restores antiques for the new owners up at Bearclaw Castle.But rebound relationships never last. It’s too bad because being around Wade feels like coming home.Book 3 – Toying with FateAll Ana wants is an explanation.She thought Brandon was her forever love right up until he didn’t show up for their wedding. He left without a word. No justification. The year since has been grueling, and Ana wants to move on. But she can’t do that while she’s holding onto Brandon’s engagement ring—and his memory.Brandon hasn’t been fit for human society since a bear attacked him at his bachelor party and left him with his own internal beast. He’s certainly not fit to be around Ana. Seeing her makes him realize how much he has missed her, though.Maybe he can control himself and his beast around her, but she’ll never forgive him for leaving her at the altar.Will she?Book 4 – Twisting FateVaughn Carson vowed never to step foot in Bearclaw Castle again.The cursed place has brought his family nothing but pain for generations, so he doesn’t understand why his brother would want to restore it.Mimi Fisher knows better than anyone what’s wrong with Bearclaw Castle. After all, it was her ancestor who cursed the Carsons, bringing misery on both their families. Mimi is determined to find the remaining two stones whose destruction will break the curse, setting both the Carsons and her own family free.When she meets Vaughn, his gentle attention only increases her resolve. If anyone deserves the freedom to love and prosper, it’s Vaughn Carson.She’ll liberate him from the curse, even if it means she’s paving the way for someone else to love him.Book 5 – Triumph Over FateKai wants to see Bearclaw Castle razed, but he can’t destroy the place with his sister inside.Not that Kai is ready to forgive Mimi for leaving him alone to deal with their father, but he does still love her. He figures he should at least tell her the old man has died. While he’s still off balance from his sister’s betrayal, she comes in.Since her husband left her, Stormi Blackford has sworn off men, but Kai Fisher is tempting. She can’t remember the last time anyone looked at her with that kind of desire. Kai is just the right mix of protective and supportive. She’s beginning to wonder why Mimi thinks her brother is such a beast.Maybe it’s the influence of the ghost up at the castle?

The Girl on the Train: Sidekick to the Novel


Anna Gooding-Call - 2015
     Warning: This is an independent companion to The Girl on the Train, meant to enhance your experience of the novel. If you have not yet bought Paula Hawkins' novel, make sure to purchase it before buying this unofficial Sidekick. Riding the train on her daily commute, Rachel watches the picture-perfect couple she’s dubbed "Jess and Jason" as they go about their lives. But one day she sees something that changes her perception of the couple forever—and leads her deep into the darker truths that lie beneath the pretty smiles and charming houses of Blenheim Road. First published in the U.K. in 2012, The Girl on the Train is Paula Hawkins' debut novel and has already sold over seven million copies. With this Sidekick, you’ll: • Spend some more time with the characters you've come to know and love • Take a look at the novel’s underlying themes • Learn what you might have missed on your first read of The Girl on the Train • Explore a possible alternate ending and imagine ideas for a sequel • Get a chance to discuss Paula Hawkins’ The Girl on the Train with other readers Sidekicks are entertaining and insightful reading companions, filled with delightful commentary and thought-provoking questions. Readers have raved that they "really put you in touch with the many layers of the novel," "keep you entertained even longer," and are "perfect if you want a vivid understanding of the story." Designed to be read side by side with the novels they complement, they’ll give you even more reasons to love some of today’s best books.

The One True Ocean


Sarah Beth Martin - 2003
    There is one that is blue-a clean, bright Disney World blue, which simply is the mirror of a clear sky above. But look at the ocean on a cloudy day, she would say, and here lies the green ocean-the true ocean, full of algae and kelp and slimy creatures, evil lurking in the shadows.The One True Ocean is an atmospheric novel driven by suspense and tension when a twenty-something artist returns to her abandoned childhood home and begins to dig into her past. In a search for answers to her aunt's suicide and her father's identity, Jenna discovers that her seaside house holds dark secrets that will unravel her family history and shatter the truth she has come to believe.In this eloquent debut novel, Sarah Beth Martin mixes dark psychology and real emotion with breathless storytelling to explore the deep connections between past and present, love and loss, the dead and the living.

Serpent Con!


T.S. Paul - 2017
     Chuck and Mongo find themselves face to face with visitors of the third kind in a place that no one would ever suspect them. Serpent Con in Atlanta. The boys are there for a little fun and relaxation among the science fiction and fantasy world. Only trouble could come of this when these two are turned loose together. Enjoy this short tale ripped from the headlines of Comic cons everywhere.

Aztec Odyssey: Historical Action Adventure


Jay C. LaBarge - 2020
    Wracked by plague and war, the majestic Aztec empire begins to crumble. As their beloved capital city falls to the ruthless Spaniards and hordes of vengeful tribes, the Aztecs make a last-ditch attempt to secretly save their heritage before it’s lost to the sands of time forever.Meanwhile in the modern day, a string of high-profile robberies lays waste to archaeological sites and museums across Mesoamerica, overshadowed by a brewing nationalistic fervor which threatens to topple already fragile countries. Rumors say the artifacts hold the secret to a legendary myth—The Seven Cities of Cibola—which has concealed countless treasures for centuries.Faced with unraveling the mysteries of both the present and the past, aspiring archaeologist Nick LaBounty embarks on a dangerous mission to solve a long-held family mystery and discover the truth behind the stolen artifacts.He soon finds his fate irreversibly entangled with a civilization from over five hundred years ago. But time is running out, and the future of both a fabulous treasure—and all Central America—teeters precariously in the balance.

The Hands of Time Series


Irina Shapiro - 2014
    The Hands of Time: When a young American woman vanishes without a trace from a quaint fishing village on the coast of England only one person knows the truth, but he remains silent, safe in the knowledge that she will never be found. Meanwhile, Valerie Crane finds herself transported to the year 1605. Terrified and confused, she turns for help to the Whitfield brothers, who take her in and offer her a home. Both Alexander and Finlay Whitfield fall in love with the mysterious woman who shows up on their doorstep, creating a love triangle that threatens to consume them all. Valerie must make her choice, deciding between the brother who will lead her down the path of destruction and one who will give her the love she couldn’t find in her own time. A Leap of Faith: Alone and bereft, Valerie’s sister, Louisa, makes the fateful decision to follow her sister into the seventeenth century. But, the best laid plans often go awry, and she finds herself on the wrong continent, and in the wrong year. Louisa must cross the Atlantic to get to Virginia, hoping that Valerie is still there in 1620, and face the uncertainty of her situation as she makes the dangerous journey to the New World. Will the two sisters reunite, or will they pass like ships in the night, never knowing how close they came to finding each other? A World Apart: Reunited with her sister at last, Louisa settles in colonial Virginia, but an unexpected visitor throws life into turmoil once again by offering Valerie and Louisa an opportunity to return to the future. Before the sisters have a chance to make a decision, the unthinkable happens; ripping the family apart, and scattering them over continents and time itself. No one is spared as child is torn from parents, sister is parted from sister, and a devastating famine threatens the colony. The Whitfields and Sheridans must fight for survival and face challenges they never imagined as they are cast a world apart. A Game of Shadows: It’s 1624, and the Whitfields finally arrive in England, eager to spend time with Louisa and Kit, but their visit is not the happy reunion they’d hoped for. In the meantime in 1777, Abbie and Finn go behind enemy lines to spy for the Revolution, putting themselves in grave danger. The slightest mistake can mean the difference between life and death, and tear them apart forever. Even Finn’s knowledge of what’s to come is not enough to keep them safe from their own carelessness. Unexpected revelations, long-buried secrets, and unforeseen reunions threaten to destroy everything the Whitfields and Sheridans hold dear, throwing their lives into turmoil once again. Shattered Moments: Murder, blackmail, long buried secrets, and a tender new romance take center stage in Shattered Moments, the final installment of The Hands of Time Series as the Whitfields and Sheridans face their toughest challenges yet.

Holy Shroud


J.A. Bouma - 2018
    A sacred relic. A religious belief under siege. Silas Grey—ex-Army Ranger, professor of religious studies, and leading relics expert—is on the verge of rocking the religious and nonreligious alike with scientific proof of the Church’s central belief: Jesus Christ’s resurrection. Proof he believes has been hidden all along within the Shroud of Turin, the Christian relic purported to be the burial cloth of Jesus.But a series of suspicious deaths and devastating attacks not only threaten Silas’s shocking announcement and those close to him. They are a sign of an even greater threat reemerging from the shadows of history.Coming to his aid is the Order of Thaddeus, a religious order that has been battling for the very survival of the Church since its birth. Soon it becomes clear that an ancient cultic enemy has risen to once again wage war against the Church and destroy the Christian faith—beginning with its most sacred relic and teaching. Spanning the globe from Washington to Paris to Jerusalem, Silas and the Order combine forces to plunge into a desperate mission for the very survival of the Church and all it holds dear. Can they preserve the memory of its central belief before its archenemy erases it forever? Holy Shroud is the first book in the inventive bestselling Order of Thaddeus action-adventure thriller series leveraging the familiar conspiracy suspense and special-ops thrill of James Rollins, wrapped in the historical insight of Steve Berry and inspiration of Ted Dekker.Embark on this new action-packed adventure by emerging author J. A. Bouma that combines faith, fact, and fiction like few religious writers—delivering a “highly entertaining” and “compelling” page-turner people have all agreed “you won't want to put it down!”