Reviews

Expert witness, suspect, sleuth

Val’s Book Reviews Hired Gun: Uncovering Buried Secrets by Bill Koch Altona: Friesen Press, 2025$30.49 / 97810368329448 Bill Koch’s book Hired Gun has a gripping plot with an interesting story that holds your attention until the very last page. As an experienced psychologist himself, Koch is easily able to draw his readers into the life of his protagonist, psychologist David

Expert witness, suspect, sleuth Read More »

‘It is better to speak’ (and then act)

Val’s Book Reviews Make No Mistake by Julie Wise Penticton: Wise Publications, 2025 $20.99 / 9781069525505 This debut novel by Penticton author Julie Wise is a fast-paced and exciting feminist thriller about a heroine, Maggie Carpenter, who fights for justice for women everywhere. Maggie has spent a lifetime working for women’s rights, during which time

‘It is better to speak’ (and then act) Read More »

I think we’re hooped

Val’s Book Reviews Fleeing the 51st State: A Voyage of Resistance and Hope by Peter Freeman Vancouver: Tablet Publications, 2025$35.00 / 9781069460813 Canada’s worst nightmare has happened. The country has been invaded from the south and is now occupied by the enemy. That’s the fascinating premise of Salt Spring island author Peter Freeman’s latest novel Fleeing

I think we’re hooped Read More »

Eleanor, on the ascent

Val’s Book Reviews Letters from Gerald by R.W. Butler Altona: Friesen Press, 2024$22.49 / 9781038305459 I was pleasantly surprised to find that fiction about ornithology could hold my attention to the very last page. West coast author R.W. Butler’s debut novel on this specialized topic has much to commend it. The book concerns young Eleanor

Eleanor, on the ascent Read More »