A BLEAK PROSPECT awarded 98 out of 100 possible points.

Jul 26, 2018 by

Storytelleralley.com is a site that lists and endorses juried books by independent authors and writers traditionally published by small presses. Recently they reviewed A BLEAK PROSPECT (Sam Jenkins mystery #8) and awarded it 98 out of a possible 100 points. Please take a look at what they said about the book…
Published by Melange Books, LLC in April 2018.

Cover Design Score: 10
The cover for this book is good. The darkness it totally appropriate to its genre and adds effect to the ‘darkness’ of the subject matter.
The background is good, and the girl is placed well as the obvious ‘next’ victim. The run in her stocking highlights the sadness of the situation.
The typography is good and lends itself well to the cover of a mystery. I believe it will appeal to anyone looking for a book in this genre.

Book Blurb Score: 10
Blurb is good for this book. It pulled me right in. It shares just enough of the story to make the reader want to know more without giving away too much.

Formatting Score: 10
This book is well formatted.
Front matter is placed correctly.
Body of text is good size. Margins are good.
Chapter headings are good. Spacing is good.

Grammar & Spelling Score: 8
Grammar and spelling are good in this book. I found no serious mistakes.
Some writers and publishers still observe the old rules for conjunctions at the beginning of sentences being a no-no, so I’ve listed them for reference below:

Author’s Note: The many items listed were all contained within dialogue. I’ve deleted the specific lines because not many people will care to read them all, and it’s my contention that rarely do real people use perfect grammar or sentence structure while speaking. I only write ’em as I hear ’em. However, I left the message above, because it was an issue that the critic stated in his/her critique. If you wish to see exactly what was mentioned, you may at

http://www.storytelleralley.com/bleak-prospect-sam-jenkins-mystery-8

Sentence structure issue:
Chapter One: “ The last previous body showed up a hundred yards east…” Sentence doesn’t need both words “last previous”. One or the other would suffice since they both mean the same thing in this instance.
Author’s note: Oops.

Plot & Structure Score: 10
Plot and structure are good in this story. The plot keeps you riveted all the way through, and it’s structured so that each new chapter brings just a little more information to the table. Holds the readers attention very well.
I love how the story uses technology to help solve the crime. For instance, when they used the victims cellphone to call the killers cellphone (using his false-name ID), to prove it belonged to the killer in the first place.

Character Development Score: 10
The character development in this story is good. The characters interact well together and even though there are constantly new characters being introduced during the course of the investigation, it’s never hard to keep up with each one.
I love the description of character “Leary”. “Whenever Leary and his boys showed up, you smelled two things: his cigar and a rat.”

Originality Score: 10
At first I thought it might be reminiscent of the “Jack the Ripper” story, but it does have its own originality in spite of the initial similarities in the description.
Good, original mystery and a surprising (and pleasing) amount of humor throughout the book.

Pacing Score: 10
The pacing in this book is great, right from the beginning, and it’s fast paced all the way to the end. Good ending.

Use of Language Score: 10
Vivid. Scenes are so well described you could almost be there. The use of language is great in this book. Uses the language of the day and is easy to understand.

Overall Readability Score: 10
Overall readability of this book is great. It’s a page turner! Hard to put down. You find yourself re-arranging your day so that you can come back to this book.

This book received a critic’s score of 98 out of 100 possible points.
http://www.storytelleralley.com/bleak-prospect-sam-jenkins-mystery-8

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PAPER TRAIL, a new Sam Jenkins novelette finds a home in the UK

Aug 1, 2014 by

PAPER TRAIL, the Sam Jenkins mystery no US publisher had the courage to touch finds a home in Britain. UNCUFFED, an anthology of the works of several worldwide police writers was released on July 16, 2014 and PAPER TRAIL was part of it. Retired and currently serving police officers contributed stories to raise money for the UK based charity C.O.P.S. (Care of Police Survivors) that gives aid to the families of police officers killed in the line of duty. ALL PROCEEDS COLLECTED ARE DONATED TO C.O.P.S.

UNCUFFED is available as an eBook from Amazon
PAPER TRAIL summary
A lone, mentally disturbed young gunman murdered his mother, two adults, and six small children at the elementary school in Prospect, Tennessee before ending his own life.The man carried three guns; one pistol had been legally purchased by his mother for her protection. The origins of the other pistol and the fully automatic Russian assault rifle were anyone’s guess.After Police Chief Sam Jenkins conducts an investigation to track down the past ownership of those guns, he confirms a few suspicions and uncovers more interesting facts.

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Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves Now available!

Jul 1, 2013 by

Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves Now available!

For synopsis, excerpt, and purchasing information, please visit the book page at Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves.

Purchase Gypsies, Tramps & Theives eBooks from:

Purchase from Amazon

Purchase from Barnes & Noble

Purchase from Mind Wings Audio

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Clive Eaton Interview

May 6, 2013 by

I’m off to Great Britain to be interviewed by thriller author Clive Eaton who wanted to know all about
HEROES & LOVERS. Read the interview.

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A Leprechaun’s Lament reveiwed by Jennifer Kimble for US Review of Books

Mar 28, 2013 by

Those who some see as the worst, are heroes to their families and the people they represent. Those seen as the best by others, are monsters to the people they oppose.

When routine Homeland Security funded background checks of all police department civilans take a mysterious turn, Sam Jenkins finds himself caught up in a case the likes of which he thought he hasn’t seen since trading his New York detective badge for the simple life of Prospect Tennessee Police Chief. Finding one of his investigated employees murdered execution style shakes the small police department to its core, thrusting the two newly appointed sergeants into investigative police work unseen by them before. Finding dead end after dead end in their search to uncover the real identity of someone they had unquestionably worked side by side with for over 30 years is only the beginning of their problems.

The author has created quite the character in Sam Jenkins. His raw wit, flirtatious style, and penchant for police work make him someone the reader wants to hear more from. Obviously well-experienced in law enforcement, the author brings intrigue backed by accurate detail to make this a must-read for any crime/mystery lover. The small-town setting of Prospect, TN is the perfect backdrop to introduce Sam Jenkins, as he attempts to adjust to southern life filled with sweet tea, a narcissistic mayor, and a department full of good ole’ boy policemen and women who have likely seen little more than moonshiners and fender-benders in their careers. Twist after twist and the introduction of a little IRA revenge makes this one a page-turner. It’s a Sam Jenkins mystery, which is a good thing because it means there are more in the series to keep us in the trenches with Jenkins.

“AN INGENIOUS, SUSPENSEFUL MURDER MYSTERY!”

Award-Winning Author Wayne Zurl delivers another Masterpiece in the Sam Jenkins Mysteries, made for the Big Screen. The main character who we all grew fond of, known as Chief of Police for Prospect is on another case. This was supposed to be a routine investigation of the civilians who work within the department. To Sam’s surprise, the expected and simple becomes the unexpected and complicated.

The drama begins when Murray McGuire is found dead, appearing to be executed. The drama becomes intense when Sam finds a British passport for Murray, and after Sam calls in different helpers to fit the pieces to the puzzle, the drama becomes explosive. Is the murder an act of revenge, and will the suspect be an international killer? The FBI, CIA, and British Intelligence spices up the compelling story.

A beautiful woman, [his dog] Bitsey, and Sam’s unique personality brings more interest to the story, making it more enjoyable.

“A LEPRECHAUN’S LAMENT” ratchets up the tension as much as it does in REVENGE, is as electrifying as NO WAY OUT, and is as entertaining as THE DEPARTED. Highly recommended for all mystery lovers who enjoy thrilling crime stories.

This gem aims to please!

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A NEW PROSPECT Retires From Competition

Mar 28, 2013 by

In addition to being named Best Mystery at the 2011 Indie Book Awards, A NEW PROSPECT, the first full-length Sam Jenkins Mystery, was chosen as 1st Runner-Up from all Commercial Fiction entries at The 2012 Eric Hoffer Book Awards and Finalist for a Montaigne Medal Finalist for the First Horizon Book Award.

Hoffer Awards

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