by Lorie Lewis Ham

Details at the end of this post on how to win copies of True Fiction and Killer Thriller. There are also links to purchase them from Amazon, and an indie bookstore where a portion of the sale goes to help support KRL.

True Fiction by Lee Goldberg
Review by Lorie Ham

In True Fiction, bestselling thriller writer Ian Ludlow is on a book tour in Washington State when his life is turned upside down! Along for the thriller ride is Margo French, a dog walker and aspiring singer who had taken the job of driving Ian around to his events.

A passenger jet crashes on the beaches of Waikiki and now someone is trying to kill Ian. He and Margo end up on the run—they think from the CIA. Years ago Ian and some other writers had been brought together to come up with terrorism scenarios to help the CIA be more prepared—or at least that is what they all thought. Suddenly now Ian’s fiction is coming true and the other writers from that group are all mysteriously dying.

As they run for their lives, Ian finds himself having to think like his main character Straker to survive, and they both find themselves more capable than they ever would have expected. Before it’s over, they end up turning to a reclusive actor who had been the star of Ian’s old, over the top TV show to help them save the world and themselves. They are now living a thriller crazier than anything Ian could ever have written.

This book is wild, and crazy, and fun! With a plot that we hope couldn’t happen in real life, Lee Goldberg manages to give the reader characters that truly feel real despite their unreal circumstances—the average Joe (with an above average imagination) saving the world. I am a big fan of Lee’s wit and ability to add fun and humor to any story–lightening up what could otherwise be very dark. Lee is well known for his TV writing on such mystery shows as Monk, Diagnosis Murder, and many others-including a new mystery movie series on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries channel.

I highly recommend this new thriller series created by a master storyteller!

Killer Thriller by Lee Goldberg
Review by Lorie Ham

In Killer Thriller we find Ian back to his normal life, enjoying the success of his new book, based on his recent adventures. As far as he is concerned, that is all behind him, despite the CIA wanting him to become a real spy. He is content just being a writer.

When a film company in China wants Ian to go there to watch them make a movie out of one of his Straker novels, he sees it as a chance to do some research on a new book set in China. Margo shows up on his doorstep a bit lost after everything that happened, and Ian feels sorry for her and hires her as his research assistant.

In China, the Chinese government hacks into Ian’s laptop and thinks that the notes for his new book are instead him having uncovered their major terrorist plan to basically take over America. They are convinced that he really is a spy. Soon Ian finds himself once again in the middle of a real life thriller that leads him and Margo (who ends up having some secrets of her own) into some crazy situations to save the world! Once again, his writer’s imagination helps them save the day. I wonder if Ian ever thinks about writing cozies instead.

This is another fun, action filled thriller, packed with twists and turns you never see coming, and with the wonderful wit and clever writing style of Lee Goldberg. The premise is fun and original and I can’t wait for the next one. If you love a good thriller, be sure to pick up both books in this delightful new series!

To enter to win a copy of both books, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “thriller,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen March 30, 2019. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address (so if you win we can get the book sent right out to you), and if via comment please include your email address. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. Also listen to our new mystery podcast where mystery short stories and first chapters are read by actors! They are also available on iTunes and Google Play. A new episode went up this week.

You can use this link to purchase any of these books from indie bookstore Mysterious Galaxy, and KRL gets a portion of the sale:

True Fiction (Ian Ludlow Thrillers #1)

Killer Thriller (Ian Ludlow Thrillers #2)

You can also use this link to purchase the book on Amazon. If you have ad blocker on you may not see the link:

Lorie Lewis Ham is our Editor-in-Chief and an enthusiastic contributor to various sections, coupling her journalism experience with her connection to the literary and entertainment worlds. Explore Lorie’s mystery writing at Mysteryrat’s Closet.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.