Page Verdict

A 17th-century pirate's hoard, a modern-day murder mystery, and a friendship put to the test. What could go wrong? If you're looking for a story that seamlessly stitches a historical epic into a modern-day thriller, then "Yamada's Treasure" by Anton Peeters is the hidden gem you need to unearth. This book grabs you from the first page and plunges you into a high-stakes hunt across Thailand, where the past is dangerously alive. What sets this book apart is its brilliant dual-narrative structure. We're transported back to the 17th century to follow the legendary Yamada Nagamasa—a samurai-turned-pirate whose life is a masterclass in rebellion, strategy, and secret-keeping. The historical detail is rich and immersive, painting a portrait of a man who was as skilled with a sword as he was at building a hidden empire. His story alone is a captivating piece of historical fiction. But then, we're thrust into the present with Peter and Somrak, a duo whose chemistr...

My dog has a funny habit of staring intently into empty corners, and it always gives me a slight shiver. Animals just seem to sense things we cannot. It is that primal intuition that makes the bond between Lidie and her German Shepherd, Savannah, in "Born Of The Veil" so compelling and crucial. In this chilling supernatural thriller, Savannah is far more than a pet. She is Lidie's "sentinel," her living "early warning system." While Lidie's neighbors in Queens hide their venomous jealousy behind sweet smiles, Savannah senses the truth. She growls at those radiating ill will, her hackles rising at the "tendrils of malfeasance" invisible to the naked eye. She is a mirror to Lidie's own enhanced senses, a grounding presence in a world spiraling into supernatural conflict. The way author LaToya Lawrence writes this bond is brilliant. It emphasizes the insidious nature of the threat. The evil is so palpable that even an animal can feel it,...