J. H. Markert

Vitto Gandy has returned home from World War II, his mind ravaged by the events that have taken place overseas, things he did and did not do. Vitto returns home to a child who does not remember him and a wife who has been raising a toddler and taking care of Vitto's father, Robert who has been having memory issues- what doctors now call Alzheimer's. When Robert goes missing one night, Vitto knows that there is only one place that he would go- the Tuscany Hotel that Robert and his wife show more Magdalena built years ago on the California Coast as a creative retreat for artists and scientists. When Vitto and his family find Robert, he is miraculously cured. Claiming that the water from the fountain at the hotel has aided his recovery, Robert has invited others with memory issues and re-opened the hotel. Along with the inexplicable claims of the fountain, stories of Vitto's mother, Magdalena have resurfaced. An anomaly, herself, Magdalena was born with memory issues. The water at the Tuscany Hotel flows freely as more and more people show up for its medicinal properties. However, when the other side of the water's powers are uncovered, the guests will have to decide whether or not to take the good with the bad.

A mesmerizing, magical and mythological testament to the powers of memory. James Markert artfully weaves together the very real issues of post-traumatic stress disorder and Alzheimer's with the magic of miracles and the Greek mythology of Mnemosyne, the goddess of memory. From the beginning, where Magdalena is introduced at an orphanage on a stormy night, I felt invested in her story. Magdalena's character was not present for most of the story, but it was her spirit that kept the rest of the characters motivated. The Tuscany Hotel was created for artists and creators and the writing mirrored that in the descriptions of fresco's, colors, landscapes as well as the minutiae of everyday living. The power of the fountain intrigued me as well as the stories of the people that were helped. Vitto's healing was fascinating to watch as he resisted the pull of the water and looked within himself to recuperate. As Robert and Vitto were able to heal, they slowly teased apart Magdalena's past and the story behind the the fountain. Filled with more tantalizing stories that the one's she often told of the Greek gods and goddesses, Magdalena's written memories aided to unlock more than the past. Emotional and unique, Midnight at the Tuscany Hotel delivers a powerful story of love and memory.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review. show less

Sleep Tight by J.H. Markert is a suspense-laden mystery which takes place in Kentucky.

Serial killer “Father Silence” has finally been executed but the terror begins anew in the immediate aftermath. Not long after Tess Claibourne’s dad arrested Father Silence, the family left Kentucky for Montana. Now a detective, Tess’s world is shattered when her parents are murdered and her nine-year-old daughter Julia is kidnapped. Learning Father Silence warned of “the one who got away,” show more Tess, her estranged husband Justin and her partner Detective Danny Gomes return to her childhood town to interview the only person who survived the original rampage.

Tess and Justin are interesting but flawed characters. Tess has demons of her own and holes in her memory from the time around Father Silence’s arrest. Justin is a psychologist whose lack in judgment led to their recent separation. However, the couple put aside their problems in order to find their missing daughter.

The new killer/kidnapper calls himself The Outcast and he has murdered more than once. Knowing this adds to the tension as Justin and Tess interview the survivor who seems to know more than he should. During the course of their investigation, Tess, Justin and Danny also learn about the new owner of Father Silence’s house and the creepy Lost Children of Silence cult. Will any of the people they interview provide information that will lead them to Julia?

Sleep Tight is a deftly plotted psychological thriller with intriguing characters. The setting is atmospheric with chilling elements that heighten the creep factor. Interspersed with present events are “before” chapters that include police interviews. Some of the characters are very troubled which adds another layer of uncertainty to the ongoing investigation. With stunning twists and turns, J.H. Markert brings this fast-paced mystery to a jaw-dropping conclusion. show less

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Creepy, twisty, and one of my favorite giveaway wins.

I struck gold in a #LibraryThing giveaway because this is easily one of the coolest books I’ve ever won. Huge shoutout to #CrookedLaneBooks for this spine-tingler!

After loving “Sleep Tight,” my hopes were sky-high, and “Spider to the Fly” did not let me down. If you’re saving up your creepiest reads for Spooktober, toss this one on the stack.

We’re following Ellie Isles, a true crime author who show more has been obsessed with the I-64 murders ever since one of the victims looked like her. Like, exactly! She wrote a bestselling book about the case, but four years later, the Spider, nicknamed for the horrific way he kills his victims, is still out there adding more bodies to his count.

She also runs an online network to help identify forgotten victims, the people who might otherwise disappear without a trace. I loved Ellie and her online crew! It gives Ellie a purpose and a hint of vulnerability. She’s sharp, she’s haunted, and I was rooting for her the whole way.

Then things get personal. The task force wants Ellie’s help catching the Spider, and suddenly, her therapist is in handcuffs. Makes you wonder about therapy, doesn’t it? The stakes shoot up, and I couldn’t put it down. Markert nails that sweet spot between horror and thriller.

This book is pure cat-and-mouse, packed with dark twists and just enough horror to keep your neck hairs on high alert. If “The Butcher and the Wren” or “The Whisper Man” gave you the creeps, this one will be right up your alley.

#SpiderToTheFly #JHMarkert #CrookedLaneBooks #LibraryThing

Serial Killer Thriller ~ Spooktober Reads ~ Cat And Mouse ~ Book Review ~ Bookstagram ~ Doppelgänger Victim ~ Closer Than You Think ~ Online Sleuthing show less

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Creepy, twisty, and one of my favorite giveaway wins.

I struck gold in a #LibraryThing giveaway because this is easily one of the coolest books I’ve ever won. Huge shoutout to #CrookedLaneBooks for this spine-tingler!

After loving “Sleep Tight,” my hopes were sky-high, and “Spider to the Fly” did not let me down. If you’re saving up your creepiest reads for Spooktober, toss this one on the stack.

We’re following Ellie Isles, a true crime author who show more has been obsessed with the I-64 murders ever since one of the victims looked like her. Like, exactly! She wrote a bestselling book about the case, but four years later, the Spider, nicknamed for the horrific way he kills his victims, is still out there adding more bodies to his count.

She also runs an online network to help identify forgotten victims, the people who might otherwise disappear without a trace. I loved Ellie and her online crew! It gives Ellie a purpose and a hint of vulnerability. She’s sharp, she’s haunted, and I was rooting for her the whole way.

Then things get personal. The task force wants Ellie’s help catching the Spider, and suddenly, her therapist is in handcuffs. Makes you wonder about therapy, doesn’t it? The stakes shoot up, and I couldn’t put it down. Markert nails that sweet spot between horror and thriller.

This book is pure cat-and-mouse, packed with dark twists and just enough horror to keep your neck hairs on high alert. If “The Butcher and the Wren” or “The Whisper Man” gave you the creeps, this one will be right up your alley.

#SpiderToTheFly #JHMarkert #CrookedLaneBooks #LibraryThing

Serial Killer Thriller ~ Spooktober Reads ~ Cat And Mouse ~ Book Review ~ Bookstagram ~ Doppelgänger Victim ~ Closer Than You Think ~ Online Sleuthing show less