Catalyst

The first in 'The Avenging Cat' series Catalyst, a person that precipitates events. That's Catherine Vibrissae. Orphan. Chemist. Model. Avenging Cat. She seeks revenge against Loup Malefice, the man responsible for the takeover of her father's company. An accomplished climber, Cat is not averse to breaking and entering to confound her enemies. Ranging from south of England to the north-east, Wales and Barcelona, Cat's quest for vengeance is implacable. But with the NCA hot on her tail, can she escape the clutches of sinister Zabala and whip-wielding Profesora Quesada?

Catalyst (Mystery/Adventure)

By Nik Morton

Crooked Cat Publishing

ISBN 978-1910510148

Price $6.72 (paperback)

Price $0.99 (Kindle)

Rating 4-Stars

Cat Vibrissae is trying to revenge the death of her father. Changing her name and working as a model, on off times, she’s investigating Loup Malefice, the empire head of Cerberus Worldwide. Along the way she meets Rick Barnes, a Ceberus lawyer who may be trying to bring Malefice down himself. Together they get into many dangerous situations, and fall into traps that almost lead to their deaths, but miraculously they survive.  Cat is the adventurous one, trained in martial arts, mountain climbing, archery, and other things. We even see her climb a forty-story building to break into a window.

There is lots of action, and I loved the character, the plot, and the story telling. My only gripe with the story is that it is a continuing plot and story line. The bad guys escape at the end, so the good guys have to chase them all over again in the next novel. Personally, I think this is okay for television, but when I read a novel, I want the story to come to a complete conclusion at the end, with the bad guys getting what’s coming to them. I don’t want to wait for another novel, or a series of novels. But I highly recommend this book for mystery and adventure lovers; I think you’ll like it. I did, except for the end that didn’t happen.

Tom Johnson

Author of THE MAN IN THE BLACK FEDORA

The Pulp Den Awards for 2017

The 2017 PULP DEN AWARD for the best stand-alone one-shot SF book Pulp Den reviewed in 2017 goes to John Paul Cater for his novel, NEAR-EARTH OBJECT 2017AP. I read many great science fiction novels in 2017, but John Cater’s novel of discovery of an abandoned alien base on the moon took this novel above all the others. Congratulations, John. Keep them coming.

The 2017 PULP DEN AWARD for the best New Pulp novel reviewed in 2017 goes to Michael Howard for his novel, MANHATTAN MASQUERADE. I read many New Pulp stories and novels in 2017, but Michael Howard’s novel outshined them all. Congratulations, Michael. Keep them coming.

The 2017 PULP DEN AWARD for the best SF/Horror novel reviewed in 2017 goes to Chris Botragyi for his novel, BLURRED VISION. I only read a few Horror stories in 2017, but this one left a lasting impression on me. Congratulations, Chris. Keep them coming.

The 2017 PULP DEN AWARD for the best Spy series I read in 2017 is the Tana Standish female psychic spy from Britain. There is good action in this well written series, and the stories flow smoothly. This is a great new series for spy fiction fans.

The 2017 PULP DEN AWARD for the best Mystery/Thriller/Suspense novel I read in 2017 is Maggie Thom’s SPLIT SECONDS. There is good action and writing in this awesome yarn of hidden secrets and the mystery of twins separated when young. The book kept me turning the pages.

The 2017 PULP DEN AWARD for the best Fantasy novel I read in 2017 is DS Johnson’s REALMS OF ENDENOUCHT. Although Fantasy isn’t one of my favorite genres, this story kept me interested and turning the pages. A great read.

Mission: Tehran

1978. Iran is in ferment and the British Intelligence Service wants Tana Standish’s assessment. It appears that CIA agents are painting too rosy a picture, perhaps because they’re colluding with the state torturers… Allegiances and loyalties are strained as Tana’s mission becomes deadly and personal. Old friends are snatched, tortured and killed by SAVAK, the Shah’s secret police. She has to use all her skills as a secret agent and psychic to stay one step ahead of the oppressors and traitors.
As the country stumbles towards the Islamic Revolution, the Shah’s grip on power weakens. There’s real concern for the MI6 listening post near the Afghan border. Only Tana Standish is available to investigate; yet it’s possible she could be walking into a trap, as the deadly female Spetsnaz fighter Aksakov has been sent to abduct Tana. Meanwhile, in Kazakhstan, the sympathetic Yakunin, the psychic spy tracking Tana, is being side-lined by a killer psychic, capable of weakening Tana at the critical moment in combat with Aksakov. Can Yakunin save Tana without being discovered?
In the troubled streets of Iran’s ancient cities and amidst the frozen wastes on the Afghan border, Tana makes new friends and new enemies...

Mission: Tehran: (Thriller)

Tana Standish #2

By Nik Morton

Manatee Books

ISBN # 978-1544028521

Price $10.75 (Paperback)

Price $3.50 (Kindle)

285 Pages

Rating 5-Stars

“Topnotch British Spy Series”

Tana Standish is in Tehran working with some revolutionary women while monitoring the tense situation. The people are tired of the Shah’s rule, plus we see the Shah’s secret police arresting and torturing their own people. The CIA station chief is working hand-in-glove with the secret police, and stealing Iran’s treasure, so Tana can expect no help from him with her co-workers are arrested and tortured. She is also watching the Afghanistan and Iran border for Russian troop movement. Meanwhile, the Russian psychics are homing in on Tana while leading their Spetsnaz assassin after her.

We watch as America loses control on their hold of Iran when the Shah’s is deposed and forced to leave, while the revolution brings in their religious leader and a new regime of terror.

Although I read books 3 & 2 out of order, it didn’t matter, as each book is a standalone entity, although some things are revealed ahead of time in this case. Still, the reader is pulled into the story and nothing else matters. I was hard put to remember who was who in this tale, with so many names involved, not knowing the difference in female and male names, and keeping up with everyone. The author weaves his story around real events that were happening in 1978 in Russia, Iran, and Afghanistan. This is a top British spy series, and highly recommended.

Tom Johnson

Author of ASSIGNMENT: NINA FONTAYNE