Freebies Read 2024

First Case - Jeff Kerr

Blurb

A week before Jodie Layne is scheduled to leave the Hopi reservation to begin FBI training at Quantico, an unknown assailant murders her close friend. There are no suspects, but an offhand comment by the investigating officer puts Jodie on a path toward learning the killer's identity. Now she must ask herself, does she really want to follow it?

☆☆☆ of 5, thriller, short

The writing getting simplistic towards the end. Also i don't like how everyone except Una dismissed the pedophilic nature of relationship between the victim and Winnie. 

Respect - J.M. Van Horn

Blurb

Paul's recent promotion offers a chance at a better future but is it more than he bargained for at Refuge Aceres.  

☆☆½ of 5, horror, gory

Super short, not enough to give this a feel of a story. It's more like an event of a story. 

Sharni'e Rider  - Kez Sharrow

Blurb

They call him Wharf Rat. All his life he’s been hiding, a night-time scavenger who lives under the pier. When a sea dragon arrives to choose a new Rider, Blake finally has a chance at a different life. If he survives the competition.

☆☆☆½ of 5, fantasy

Cute super short story, reminds me of movie Avatar 2.

A Fresh Cut (Betti Bryant mysteries) by Bee Littlefield

Blurb

After a spontaneous post-breakup haircut, Betti leaves the barbershop with an antique locket that may have a connection to her ex-boyfriend. The next day, she begins a quest to find the locket's true owner. Her life may be a disaster, but if she can set this one thing right, there's hope that things sometimes work out the way they should.

☆☆☆ of 5, cozy-sleuth

Betti the MC is a barista with somewhat inadequate social skill. She stumbling on awkward slash funny encounters too many times. The mystery was super light and most of the novella was more of a contemplative life story of Betti. Also Addison is a cool character. I kind of hope this is the start of Betti and Addison friendship.

A Midsummer's Night Scheme: A Short Story by Daphne Silver

Blurb

A rum runner’s mansion, a 1623 copy of Shakespeare’s “First Folio,” and a performance of a Midsummer’s Night Dream set in a speakeasy… what more could a history loving librarian want? 

Juniper Blume had simply planned a fun night out with her sister. She certainly didn’t expect to stumble upon a rare books’ puzzle in a classic locked room style mystery. Will she figure out the truth before the final curtain drops?

☆☆☆ of 5, cozy-sleuth

The Last Seance - Kendra Lisum

Blurb

What’s the point of being able to see ghosts if they just ignore you?  

But after sneaking into her mother’s seance, Rose quickly realizes that speaking to the dead is not as simple as she thought.

And now a mysterious shadow man threatens everything Rose holds dear…including her very existence. 

☆☆☆½ of 5, paranormal

The story intriguing, although there are no explanation of the entities that haunt the MC. It also short, just an introduction for an upcoming series.

Black Bane - Zee Kelley 

Blurb

Embark on a quest to thwart the relentless black bane in this gripping fantasy tale. Journey into a realm of fantastical creatures, clashing civilizations, and an enigmatic malevolence that threatens annihilation.

☆☆☆☆ of 5, short, fantasy

Short story, quite enjoyable. I'm curious about the Gillies, are they like a rabbit? bird? Such a cute animals.

This is a prequel from an upcoming series.

Murder at The Ritz - Anna Sayburn Lane

Blurb

London, 1922.

Marjorie Swallow isn’t a regular at The Ritz. But she really, really wants this job. She’s been summoned to an interview to become a personal secretary to the enigmatic Mrs Jameson, who wants assistance with ‘social engagements and private investigations’.

Over afternoon tea in the Palm Court, Marjorie’s detective skills are put to the test when a fellow guest keels over in suspicious fashion. Who killed the colonel? There are no shortage of people who wanted him dead. But which of them slipped a spoonful of poison into his Darjeeling?

☆☆☆½ of 5 , short, sleuth/cozy mystery

Many of historical cozies remind me of Agatha Christie works which is no wonder, she probably influencing a lot of mystery authors.

Nice story, a prequel for a series. The writing is good, i just wish there was Marjorie's crime scene sketch there. That would be a nice touch

The Tale of Kami and a Desperate Man by Odessa Silver

Blurb

Under the moon's gaze even the strongest of loyalties are tested. What consequences befall a lovesick fool?

In the world of Yamato, humans live alongside beings of strange power: kami, who see to the world, and fickle yokai that can bless or trap even the most wary of humans. Hotaka follows the guidance of the kami Tsukuyomi, but even kami make mistakes. And Tsukuyomi’s eyes aren’t the only ones that watch that night. Will Hotaka escape with his life, like he has before, or finally fall to kami whims? Only the moon has the answers.

☆☆☆½ of 5, fantasy

Good, although it doesn't explained the Japanese entities and Gods that appearing (yokai, tsukuyomi, suzaku to name a few). I googled a lot.

It seems the author assume the reader aware about the Japanese mythology and culture.