YvonneLayton Green, another in the recent run of fantastic authors I have encountered, who are lawyers turned writers, is responsible for the hugely successful ‘Dominic Grey’ series of adventures. Following hot on the heels of ‘The Reaper’s Game’, a novella and the fifth book in the series, Layton is awaiting some exciting news about the future of ‘Dominic Grey’, away from the printed page!
I couldn’t miss out on a ‘Dominic Grey’ case, so I downloaded the Kindle edition of this one, for the reasonable price of £1.99
The Book – ‘THE REAPER’S GAME‘
Is it murder from beyond the grave . . . or the final ruse of a twisted serial killer?
Three years ago, a deranged murderer dubbed the Halloween Killer butchered half a dozen people in New Orleans. He was caught and sentenced to die. Just before his execution, the Halloween Killer vowed to take revenge on the district attorney who put him behind bars.
Less than a week after the lethal injection, Sebastian Gichaud, a wealthy playboy grieving over the death of his mother, threw on a black cloak and hacked the prosecutor to death with a giant scythe.
Not only did Sebastian appear to be fulfilling the serial killer’s last wish — he claimed that he was the Halloween Killer.
Now, as the anniversary of the grisly murder approaches, Sebastian is facing trial. No one will touch the case. In a desperate attempt to save his son, Sebastian’s father hires Viktor Radek, professor of religious phenomenology, to investigate.
If Sebastian is guilty, Viktor wonders, then why are he and his associate Dominic Grey being warned off the case? And why did the Halloween Killer visit a series of reincarnation experts before his death?
None of Professor Radek’s doubts might matter, because he and Grey face the impossible task of convincing an Orleans Parish jury that Sebastian Gichaud is either a prisoner in his own mind – or possessed by the spirit of the Halloween Killer.
(Note to fans of the Dominic Grey series: The Reaper’s Game is a standalone novella that takes place earlier in time than The Shadow Cartel.)
Clicking on the book’s cover image will link you directly to its Amazon ‘buy’ page.
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Meanwhile, I am pleased to have been contacted by Layton, with the offer of an option to read and review this, his latest stand alone novel, which has a premise fit to rival any I have come across by other more well known authors in the genre … Thanks Layton, for the complimentary Kindle download!
The Book – ‘THE LETTERBOX‘
What if you had the chance to uncover tangible evidence of the divine? How far would you go, what dangers would you brave, in pursuit of the greatest mystery of all?
Four companions of varying beliefs, on a journey to the forgotten corners of Europe, are about to find out.
On a desolate English moor, a team of scientists unearths a two-thousand-year-old wooden box, preserved in silver and inlaid with a map of patterned gemstones. A set of runes inscribed on the box claims the map is a pathway to God.
In an attempt to decipher the map, a wealthy New Orleans collector assembles an unlikely team: a specialist in cultural antiquities who dabbles in the occult; a jaded attorney searching for meaning; a brilliant linguist who loathes organized religion; and a Catholic historian with a reputation for acquiring pieces no one else can or will.
Shackled by secrets and hidden motives, pursued by a sinister religious order, driven by an insatiable desire for answers, the four companions trek across Europe as they search for a connection among the ancient sites revealed by the map. As the hunt for truth takes them deeper into the unknown, their lives and perhaps their souls in peril, they must determine whether the letterbox is part of an elaborate, centuries-old deception—or the answer to mankind’s ultimate questions.
Clicking on the book’s cover image will link you directly to its Amazon ‘buy’ page.
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The Author – LAYTON GREEN
In addition to being an internationally renowned mystery/suspense/thriller writer, Layton Green has held down a diverse and varied array of jobs over the years, although he actually attended law school in New Orleans, qualified and was a practicing attorney for the better part of a decade.
He has also been an intern for the United Nations, an ESL teacher in Central America, a bartender in London, a seller of cheap knives on the streets of Brixton, a door-to-door phone book deliverer, and the list goes downhill from there.
Layton is, as you may have gathered, a prolific traveller, having visited more than fifty countries, lived in a number of them and still carries a burning desire to visit every far flung dot on the map.
Religion and cults, as well as all things spiritual and supernatural, have also been a lifelong interest, together with a long-term passion for Japanese Jujitsu.
Combine all of these elements together and it isn’t too difficult to see just where Layton found his inspiration for the character of Dominic Grey and the storylines for this excellent series of adventures.
When I read and when I write, I need at least one character who is a decent soul—flawed, but striving to be good—to hold my interest, and probably even to drive the story.
Catch up with Layton’s latest news at his website
Connect with Layton on Facebook
Become a Layton Green follower at Goodreads
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Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house during the last week. Be warned that Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
Mailbox Monday now has a permanent home, where links may be added each week. So why not stop by, leave a link to your own Mailbox Monday post, oh! and don’t forget to leave a comment for our three new joint administrators, after all, we all like to receive them … ‘Mailbox Monday’
Leslie of ‘Under My Apple Tree’
Serena of ‘Savvy Verse & Wit’
Vicki of ‘I’d Rather Be At The Beach’
This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… You never know where that next “must read” book will come from!
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I still have my doubts whether this is a series for me as I really don’t enjoy reading about the occult. I’ll admit ‘The Letterbox’ sounds interesting, though it’s been awhile since I read anything in that genre.
But to each his own …. and with that said, I added several science fiction titles to my Kindle this week. 😉
Hi Kelly,
I can’t say that I am an avid fan of the supernatural or occult, however I am so taken by the characters that Layton Green has created in the ‘Dominic Grey’ books and by his style of writing, that I have become well and truly hooked on the series.
I can remember that as a child, my reading ability was so far ahead of my age, that after reading my own weekly ration of books from the childrens library, I would pinch my dad’s Dennis Wheatley books after he had finished with them.
I would place Layton well and truly on a par with the great man, so it will be interesting to see how he has handled the premise of ‘The Letterbox’, which seems to take him sideways into the realms of the Dan Brown style of story telling.
Now, science fiction is a definite non starter for me, as I have no understanding of the genre at all 🙂
I hope that your RIP challenge is progressing well – perhaps ‘The Reaper’s Game’ would be a possibility for that and it is only novella length!
You might be surprised (or not) to learn that I’ve already completed all four books for RIP! Rather than adding any additional selections, I’m doing some “prep” reading for my book club’s November choice. It’s not required, but knowing the situation, my daughter recommended I go back and read some earlier books first – not a great burden since she read them years ago and I was able to find them packed away in her closet. Of course she wants me to pass along the book club selection so she can read it, too. 🙂 I’ll include her old books for a refresher.
Well Done! on reading all four books so swiftly and I can understand why you wouldn’t want to extend the challenge unnecessarily.
I don’t know if you have mentioned the November book club choice in a post I might have missed, or is it another secret one that I have to wait to find out about? 🙂
You make it sound so intriguing, almost like a study project, when you talk about revisiting a series of books from some time ago – Perhaps you are discussing the author, rather than a specific book?
You can’t just leave me hanging on a string – You have to spill the beans 🙂
Haha… no, I’ve not mentioned the November book choice yet. It just turns out that it’s a sequel to a popular (YA?) series from about ten years ago. The author has come back and caught up with the girls a decade later. I don’t think the member who chose the book realized there had been four prior installments. It might work well on its own, but since my daughter already had the others (and they’re easy reading), I decided to read them first in order to get the most from the new book. I’m almost through with the first and loving it.
It’s the ‘Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants’ series by Ann Brashares.
Ah! now it all makes sense!
I think this series might be just too big a dose of chick lit for my liking, but I shall be interested in seeing what kind of job you think the author has done in resurrecting the group some time later 🙂
Not so sure about The Letterbox – I’d read it if the opportunity arose but can’t see myself buying a copy. The Reaper’s Game however I have to have a copy of.
Hi Tracy,
Be warned that ‘The Reaper’s Game’ is quite a short novella, although it would be an excellent good quick read to fill a slot in your R.I.P. challenge, if you are taking part this year.
I can’t quite remember if you have read any of Layton’s previous books in the ‘Dominic Grey’ series and Goodreads didn’t list any reviews from yourself, so that left me none the wiser.
The series is so good and I hope that you get the opportunity to enjoy it also 🙂
Sounds like you might have a good book or two for the RIP reading challenge this fall.
Hi Serena,
I hadn’t thought about that, as I don’t tend to participate in many challenges, as I simply don’t have the time. However, there are several of my blogging buddies who I know have signed up to the challenge, so who knows .. maybe one of them will decide to feature one or the other of these great Layton Green stories!
Thanks for the great comment 🙂
I.ve read this author before, this sounds good, enjoy.
Hi Mary Ann,
It would be good to know whether you are a follower of Layton’s ‘Dominic Grey’ series, or if you have read his previous stand alone novel ‘The Metaxy Project’ – and also whether you enjoyed the storyline and like Layton’s writing style?
Thanks for taking the time to stop by, it is always good to receive your comments and feedback 🙂
I have enjoyed Mr. Layton’s books I have read.
ENJOY!!
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My Mailbox Monday
Hi Elizabeth,
Layton assures me that the 6th ‘Dominic Grey’ adventure will be another full length episode in the series and that ‘The Reaper’s Game’, the 5th installment, can be read as a stand alone story and doesn’t need to be slotted in anywhere in the series in particular.
I admit that I don’t generally tend to read short stories or novella’s, certainly not when I am paying for them, but I am so hooked on the characters and Layton’s great writing style, that I just couldn’t bear to miss out on a story 🙂
I hope that all is well with you and thanks for visiting 🙂