Book review

Featured book cover image of Hessman's Necklace in The Yorkshire Post

Reedsy Discovery Reviews ‘Hessman’s Necklace’

In the 4-star review of the novel ‘Hessman’s Necklace,’ Rachel Deeming for Reedsy Discovery, a platform dedicated to reviewing new independent books, writes: “I had high hopes for Hessman’s Necklace from the outset and I wasn’t disappointed. It was fast-paced, descriptive, with a tight plot and convincingly drawn characters throughout. The beginning of the book and the way we meet [Ray] is comic and there is a wryness of humour throughout which permeates the text; however, as Ray gets deeper into his mission, it is clear that this is no simple task and that he is going to have to have his wits about him and Litchfield infuses the book with more tension and less humour, leading convincingly to a surprising climax. I would recommend – good story, well delivered.”

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Image of The Problem You Have by Robert Garner McBrearty

Litchfield reviews The Problem You Have by Robert Garner McBrearty for the Colorado Review

My latest review for the Colorado Review centers on Robert Garner McBrearty’s new collection of short stories, *The Problem You Have*. Here’s a glimpse of what I wrote:

“In this highly engaging collection of short stories, award-winning author Robert Garner McBrearty captivates readers with tales of inner struggle and pivotal moments in life. McBrearty, whose acclaimed narratives have appeared in the prestigious Pushcart Prize anthology and have been widely published in literary journals like the North American Review, StoryQuarterly, and the Missouri Review, has previously authored four story collections and a novella titled *The Western Lonesome Society*. His latest work features fifteen stories, some of which are previously unpublished, presenting a diverse array of characters who find themselves at significant crossroads in their lives.”

Litchfield reviews The Problem You Have by Robert Garner McBrearty for the Colorado Review Read More »

Indies Today Gives Hessman’s Necklace a 4-Star Review

In a glowing review featured today, Nicky Flowers at Indies Today praises *Hessman’s Necklace*, calling it “a snarky crime noir with a decadent streak.” Flowers notes that the story offers “punchy storytelling, fully embracing the grit, grime, and sleazy charm that defines the retro thriller genre,” ultimately declaring, “Classing up crime and giving noir a bold new gloss, *Hessman’s Necklace* is a thrilling ride with a polished 1950s flair.”

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Review of Hessman’s Necklace in Kirkus Reviews

“A feverish story that effectively turns neo-noir conventions on its head. Every detail seems relevant, and not a syllable seems wasted—a tough trick to pull off. It all results in an appealing tale that also upends stereotypical impressions of ’50s Americana,” praises Kirkus Reviews, a distinguished American book review magazine established in 1933.

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Indies Today Reviews When The Actor Inspired Chaos and Bloodshed

I am delighted to announce that my latest novel, *When The Actor Inspired Chaos and Bloodshed*, has received a wonderful review from Nicky Flowers at Indies Today. For those who may not be familiar with Indies Today, it is an excellent platform that highlights independent authors and their works, offering insightful reviews and nurturing a vibrant literary community.

In her review, Nicky eloquently captures the essence of my story, stating, “Lifelike scenes unfold with such intensity and pulse-pounding momentum that the story feels like it is playing out on a giant movie screen before your eyes. Boasting a plot that is daring and unpredictable, *When The Actor Inspired Chaos and Bloodshed* defies convention, takes bold risks, and entertains from pulpy start to finish.”

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Review of Bandit Heaven by Tom Clavin

In Bandit Heaven, published by St. Martin’s Press last month, New York Times bestselling author Tom Clavin offers an interesting analysis of three secluded hideouts nestled in Wyoming and Utah that for many decades provided a place of refuge and protection for hordes of robbers, killers, and fugitives. These hangouts—Robbers Roost, Brown’s Hole, and Hole-in-the-Wall—sufficiently

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What Happens in Nebraska by Cat Dixon

Book Review: What Happens in Nebraska by Cat Dixon

This month marks the release of Cat Dixon’s engrossing What Happens in Nebraska, her fifth poetry collection, and as with Eva and Too Heavy to Carry, Stephen F. Austin University Press is the publisher. Arranged into three parts, with roughly twenty poems in each section, the general focus is on the dissolution of a romantic relationship and the process of mending.

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Hsi-wei Tales by Robert Wexelblatt

Litchfield reviews ‘Hsi-wei Tales’ for the Colorado Review

Published today in the Colorado Review is my review of Robert Wexelblatt’s wonderful story collection Hsi-wei Tales. Here is a snippet: “There is an admirable, lyrical splendor to Robert Wexelblatt’s heartwarming tales centered on the fictional Chen Hsi-wei, an itinerant Chinese shoemaker and celebrated peasant-poet of the Sui period.”

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A Forgotten Evil by Sheldon Russell

Litchfield reviews ‘A Forgotten Evil’ for the Colorado Review

Nicholas Litchfield reviews A Forgotten Evil by Sheldon Russell for the Colorado Review: “Rich in detail and exquisite prose, and with an unpredictable, weaving narrative, A Forgotten Evil is an ambitious, impressively told tale full of vivid landscapes and unique characters with an authentic voice and a distinctive presence.”

Litchfield reviews ‘A Forgotten Evil’ for the Colorado Review Read More »

To The Bones by Valerie Nieman

Litchfield reviews ‘To the Bones’ for the Colorado Review

Published today in the Colorado Review is my review of Valerie Nieman’s novel To the Bones. Here is a snippet: “In this unusual tale of death and monsters and environmental devastation, horror, science fiction, romance, and satire bleed together to form a vibrant literary delight that is as powerful and imposing as the fearsome orange-hued river that runs through it.”

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