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The Extraditionist (Benn Bluestone – 1) by Todd Merer

When the world’s most notorious cartel bosses get arrested, they call Benn Bluestone. A drug lawyer sharp enough to exploit loopholes in the system, Bluestone loves the money, the women, the action that come with his career…but working between the lines of justice and crime has taken its toll, and he desperately wants out. He’s convinced himself that only an insanely rich client can guarantee him a lavish retirement.

When the New Year begins with three promising cases, Bluestone thinks he’s hit pay dirt. But then the cases link dangerously together—and to his own past. Does the mysterious drug kingpin Sombra hold the key to Bluestone’s ambitions? Or does the key open a door that could bring the entire federal justice system to a screeching halt and net Bluestone a life in jail without parole?

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Author’s Bio

In his 30 years as a criminal attorney, Todd Merer specialized in the defense of high-ranking cartel chiefs extradited to the United States. He gained acquittals in more than 150 trials, and his high-profile cases have been featured in the New York Times and Time magazine and on 60 Minutes. A “proud son of Brooklyn,” Merer divides his time between New York City and ports of call along the old Spanish Main. The Extraditionist is his first novel.

My Review

4 stars

Benn Bluestone is an attorney that represents the worst of the worst. He is an ultranarcissits and someone you won’t like. He represents drug cartels and plays a major role in getting them off the charges or getting their lives shortened. Of course he has to watch his back because there is always someone that wants to keep their secrets safe and Benn on the wrong side of a gun. But then he finds himself tangled up with Sombra and things take a serious turn for the worst.

You can tell that Todd Merer is a real life attorney that deals with cartels. This sounds like something that would happen in real life and is well written. Having said that, I couldn’t stand Benn because he irritated the heck out of me and had me cheering for those trying to kill him. I know, I’m a horrible person but between Benn and all the characters I had a hard time reading this book.

If you can get past that, there is a lot of action and thrills. There are a lot of twists and turns that this will keep you entertained until the last page. This is not a bad book but one that I had a hard time getting into. I do recommend checking it out, it might be your new favorite.

I received The Extraditionist from Little Bird Publicity for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.

A Conversation with Author Todd Merer

Q: The Extraditionist is clearly based on your own experience as a criminal attorney—but, given the danger and illicitness that surrounds protagonist Benn Bluestone, hopefully not too closely! How much of the novel is rooted in truth, and how much of it is imagination?

A: To quote Mr. Nietzsche, “We have art in order not to die of the truth.” Yes, Benn and I have shared experiences. We both are old-timey Brooklyn born and bred, we both have been threatened – legally and physically – we both made and lost fortunes, we both have been privy to deep, dark secrets. Like the time an insane Mexican drug lord locked me in the basement where he stashed his millions (fortunately, when I started a fire he unlocked the door and in the ensuing panic I escaped). But since I don’t care “to die of the truth,” names and other particulars have been changed to protect the guilty…and I confess to adding a few dollops of imagination.

Q: You make the unusual decision to have two narrators—Benn Bluestone and Alune, the god of the Logui people and, it is soon revealed, the drug lord Sombra. Why did you decide to share this second perspective (unknown to Benn) with readers?

A: I thought that because the readers – being the proverbial fourth wall audience – already have so many twists and turns to keep track of, two narrators would help their understanding of Benn’s journey. Not to mention my own enlightenment.

Q: The Extraditionist is so intricately plotted, with dozens of characters and three main storylines all weaving in and out of each other. What techniques did you use while writing to keep everything straight—and make sure that every loose end was tied up?

A: Hmm. No big deal. First I conjured up the central story, then I spliced its three parts together.

Second, I obeyed the old writer’s dictum: Revisions, revisions, revisions…

Q: Early on, Benn Bluestone professes a hatred of the acronyms that surround his life and career—yet he continues to use them, even when they’re not necessary, throughout the manuscript. What did you intend for this to say about Benn’s character?

A: I wouldn’t say hatred, rather intense dislike. And Benn’s smart enough to know that if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.

Q: Billy and (briefly) Bea, who live in Benn Bluestone’s old neighborhood in Brooklyn, are special in that they are the only characters who don’t touch on Benn’s sordid life of drugs, murder, and mayhem. Tell us about the role you feel they play in Benn’s story and why you decided to include them in the book.

A: Billy and Bea provided a way to reveal Benn’s backstory, which needed telling because it’s the foundation of who he truly is. As for old, pre-gentrified Brooklyn, East Flatbush was a neighborhood where the lingua franca was dis and dat, and whose mean streets were my classroom.

Q: The end of The Extraditionist teases a possible return for Benn Bluestone. Can you tell us anything about what you have planned next?

A: Benn takes Horace Greely’s advice: “Go west, young man.” In Benn’s next great adventure, he’s westward bound on the Orient Express.

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My Review

4 stars

This is a classic fantasy world and the start to a new series, Heartstone. In this story, you have a beautifully created world where those that have magic abilities can be selected to be sent to the Drowned Tower. Sylvie Sirx is part of this world working her magic and living day by day. Then an Elder comes by Ferus Terria and chooses Sylvie to go to the Drowned Tower. There Sylvie learns more about her abilities, how to strengthen them, and has to make some tough decisions about her future.

This is a great start to a new fantasy series. I loved the world building and the descriptions of the different locations. I really liked Sylvie. For a little girl she is very mature and about to grow up a lot faster. There is some great action and a lot of foreshadowing.

This is a great start to a new series and well executed. I think this is a great new world and there is room for a great adventure. I can’t wait to read what is going to happen in the next book in this series.

I received The Drowned Tower from Reading Addiction Virtual Book Tours for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.

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Well, it is November 1 and going to be a busy day. I guess the best way to get to it is to jump right in. The first review I have is on London Noir. Enjoy!!

London Noir by Ann Girdharry

Memory loss, nightmares, the urge to kill – Sophie has it all. Is it Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder? Or something more sinister? Kal is about to find out…

After a near-fatal road accident, Kal helps a young girl in trouble. The girl’s friends are being murdered one by one. Why? And who by?

Kal must kick start herself out of her downward spiral to save the young stranger.

But Kal is in the grip of the London Cartel and is someone after the girl, or is the girl after someone?

Crime, with a dark, psychological twist. The second book in the Kal Medi series.

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Make sure to check out London Noir on Amazon. It will be free for 48 hours.

Early Praise for London Noir

‘An absolutely fantastic read.’

​’Highly recommended.’ Ellie S

​’The characters are outstanding’

​’A thoroughly good read that makes me wish book three was already available…’

​’Wow!’

‘Had me hooked from the beginning…’ SandyJ21

​’Well that was a twist I didn’t see coming…’ Goodreads, Emma Y

​’Loved this book’

​’..an absolute stunner of an ending. Highly recommended.’ Kaz Angel

‘A five star thriller which keeps you guessing to the end’ Jules1960

Author’s Bio

Ann Girdharry is a British, crime suspense thriller author.

She is a trained psychotherapist. She worked as a manager for many years in the not-for-profit sector – for agencies working with vulnerable older people, survivors of abuse, and victims of racial attacks.

Today, she lives in Montpellier, France with her husband and two children.

Her debut novel, Good Girl Bad Girl, is an ERIC HOFFER BOOK AWARD Finalist 2017.

Here are a few fun facts from Ann Girdharry –

I love to travel and visit different cultures. As an adult, I’ve lived in the USA, Norway, UK and France.

One of my passions is roller blading. I belong to a club and get up early every Saturday for our 9.30am club session!

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My Review

4 stars

Kal Medi has heard that her partner has woke up from his coma. On the way to his bedside she almost runs over Sophia. After talking to Sophia and learning that she was on her way to a brothel, Kal decides to take her under her wing and try to help the girl. Sophia’s parents are dead and it seems that her brother is looking for her. The poor girl has spent most of her time in either a mental institute or the brothel. But then Sophia’s friend start turning up murdered and the more Kal learns of Sophia the more she is starting to question her feelings for the girl. Is she really the innocent victim or the hunter?

I hosted a blog blitz on Good Girl Bad Girl about a year ago and was approached to review the second book in this series. Having not read the first book I did not have any trouble jumping into this story and do feel that it could be a standalone book. Although I’m sure a little background would make this story pop a little more.

Clearly something has happened and thrown Kal for a loop. For being someone that is supposed to be good at reading people she dropped the ball with Sophia. From the start you could tell something was off. I do like how you were kept guessing about the killer, I got that one completely wrong.

Overall I liked this book. It was a good story that kept me engaged and wanting to rush to the end. It has a great story of how our pasts can mess with us for years. Now I want to go back and see what I missed in the first book.

I received London Noir from Rachel’s Random Resources and Daycause for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.

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