Reviews of LEON'S WALL
"I've read all of Mauch's books, and while 'Halifax' remains my favorite, 'Leon's Wall' is a close second. Her plot development and sense of place reminded me of Sara Paretsky more than once, and although the character development was a bit unbelievable at times, if you can indulge in a bit of Willing Suspension of Disbelief, you'll have a good time with the book. It is very fast-paced and I'd classify it as a page- turner. All the plot lines were sewn up in a satisfactory way, and I closed the book with a sense of satisfaction."
─ Sharonov "To see his friend so torn up, left Leon filled with despair..." "Fictional suspense story brings it home with heartfelt interchanges between a Native American youth and one-time Mob criminal turned snitch while battling gang members from the Reservation. Mentions of the Wounded Knee Massacre and seeing photos on the internet of the Longhorn Saloon via the abandoned ghost town of Scenic, South Dakota made it all the more distinctive. A good, quick read that I did like! ─ Don Kidwell TOP 500 Reviewer "I enjoyed the slow transformation of rough and gruff Leon into a kinder and mellower Lawrence as he gets an opportunity to start-over. Recently in the witness protection program, Wall South Dakota wasn't exactly what he had in mind when he and his Rottweiler were dropped off at a run down gas station to make a go of it. Getting to know a bullied Native American boy began to bring out Leon's softer side and along with a local woman their lives begin turning around for the better. There are other twists and turns that keep the story interesting. The language is very rough in the beginning but mellows out, as Lawrence emerges, leaving Leon behind." ─ Toby Joyce Read more reviews of "Leon's Wall" on Amazon Reviews of ESCAPE FROM AMBERGRIS CAYE
"Only Halfway Thru But Really Enjoying This One! Rare for me to review a book when not completed (unless it stinks) but this one has been superb thus far! I turned to my wife this Sunday morning and said something like 'Dialogue in this book is so realistic that it brings the characters to life making the story that much better.' Certainly not an everyday occurrence to acquire a book of this caliber and unless the plot craters (which I expect not) I'm eager to purchase more from this author and would heartily recommend to others. Will update my review if need be once I finish (probably today) but have to say been a winner for me at this point!" ─ Don Kidwell Top 1000 Reviewer
"Joan Mauch took a very serious subject matter and turned it into a wonderful story of hope and survival. The characters are interesting and believable, especially the relationship between the brothers. There was plenty of excitement as well as twists and turns, which I didn't see coming. I enjoyed every page of the book." ─ Amazon Customer "Exciting! Full of twist and turns. Who can you trust? Puts the spotlight on human trafficking. Recommend this book highly." ─ Merri "This is a fun book. It's a good summer read to read on your tablet while lounging on the beach. It highlights a justice issue for our time─human trafficking. I appreciate the research and the information provided in the book (especially the resources in the Afterward) regarding this issue. At times the research into the topic seems to come across as a report or article, and distracts a bit from the plot. However, not enough to stop reading. I had to find out what happened to Jackson, etc. The twists come unexpectedly. There were a few moments when the voice of some characters changed too quickly, we did not get a chance to see the progress that resulted in the change of voice." ─ Jason Carter Stanley "A must read, can't put it down thriller! This gripping story has one on the edge of your seat from start to finish. This is a revealing novel on how human trafficking can and is possible in America, but still keeps one's adventure instincts alive without being morbid or gruesome. This is the author's best book yet and I highly recommend it!"─ Lou Hayne Read more reviews of "Escape from Ambergris Caye" on Amazon
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Reviews of UNMASKING MISS JANE
"I was so into this story line and then a few odd things started happening. First, the relationship between the main character and his wife. There is so much going on here that I just do not understand. I get being a woman I can be mad and then turn on a dime but there is usually an explanation, which I then explain to my husband (if he doesn't already know). This however seemed really weird. Then we have Markus himself. OK, the fact alone that he wasn't getting the answers he wanted doesn't totally lead me to believe that he would push so hard for one patient. It's ridiculous. He's losing his family, his job, he's threatened more than once; it doesn't add up. Actually, at the threatening part I probably would push forward just because I would be curious because what is so important about a nun's death that people are trying to hide. And that's exactly it! The plot was just so weird at times ... See full review on p. 141 of the Sept/Oct. issue at BTS emagazine!" ─ Reviewed by Christina Torretta
"I read Joan's first book 'Halifax' which I thought was excellent. However I believe that her second book 'The Mangled Spoon' is even better. In my opinion, a definite winner and fully deserving of my 5 star rating. Joan is a brilliant authoress and surely must get recognition. I recommend her books to all Kindle readers, for I know she will go far. I look forward to the next edition of her work." ─ Gary C. Atkins, author of the Inspector Kent mysteries, Leicester, England
"This is a wonderful page-turner. I loved the characters (even the bad ones!) and the plot had some brilliantly simple and realistic twists ─ great surprises just when I thought I had the mysteries solved. One comment to any Roman Catholics who might be reluctant to pick this one up: the description "about clergy abuse" is misleading. The book is not "about" clergy abuse ─ although such an incident figures prominently in the plot ─ it's not preaching and it's not judging the church. The book is a great detective tale told cleverly and sparely ─ the author doesn't waste words or information, but draws out a nearly tangible story". ─ Alison McCrary, Davenport
"If you like reading page turners that keep you guessing, you'll enjoy 'The Mangled Spoon' by Joan Mauch. From the moment you read about the starving, disheveled, and disoriented Miss Jane who is found scavenging for food in a dumpster in Chapter One, you will be dying to find out how she got there and why she doesn't want to let go of a mangled silver spoon. And Joan Mauch is not going to give you the answer till near the very end of the story. There's much in the news today about pedophile priests. It's a hot topic of great consternation to the Catholic Church and its followers. What Joan Mauch does in 'The Mangled Spoon' is create an intriguing fiction around this subject that everyone wants to cover up, both in the real world and in her story. A psychologist, Mark Rukeyser, is trying to get to the bottom of just who Miss Jane is and why she appears to have amnesia. Unable to get anything from her, he turns to police, priests, and nuns and keeps running into brick walls. In the process, he is threatened, and barely gets his family out of his house alive when it is set on fire. He suspects a cover-up, but who is covering up and why? Joan Mauch will keep you guessing. Short chapters make 'The Mangled Spoon' an easy-to-read book. Characters are well-drawn and the reader can relate to the emotions experienced by Rukeyser and his wife as he tries to get to the bottom of an unpleasant situation. Joan Mauch brings it all to a head in a rather movie-like swift finish that is the climax of the story, leaving the reader satisfied that the mystery has been solved at last". ─ Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite
"Is evil real or a product of mental instability? Dr. Marcus Rukeyser is a psychiatrist at St. Stanislaus Mental Hospital treating a catatonic young woman. Found wandering the streets of Chicago, she appears to be suffering from amnesia and possibly a traumatic event. Dubbing her Miss Jane, Rukeyser’s concern for her goes deeper than even he can understand, triggering flashbacks to losing his own sister to a mental institution years before. As he begins to suspect she’s a missing nun from a prosperous parish on the North Side, he races against time to keep her from being committed to a more severe institution, one in which he’s certain she’ll never emerge, let alone live through. With his own marriage and family life unraveling due to his obsession, and very real physical threats against him, it soon becomes clear this woman is involved in something far more sinister than at first imagined. A taut, subtle mystery that will keep you hooked to the end." ─ Kristy McCaffrey, author of "Into The Land Of Shadows"
"Magnificent! A plot so creepy you'll swear you feel the spiderwebs, and a heroine so compelling you'll wish you were her best friend. Don't miss this sure to be best-seller by Joan Mauch." ─ Shane Gericke, best-selling author of "Torn Apart"
Read more reviews of "Unmasking Miss Jane" on Amazon
"I read Joan's first book 'Halifax' which I thought was excellent. However I believe that her second book 'The Mangled Spoon' is even better. In my opinion, a definite winner and fully deserving of my 5 star rating. Joan is a brilliant authoress and surely must get recognition. I recommend her books to all Kindle readers, for I know she will go far. I look forward to the next edition of her work." ─ Gary C. Atkins, author of the Inspector Kent mysteries, Leicester, England
"This is a wonderful page-turner. I loved the characters (even the bad ones!) and the plot had some brilliantly simple and realistic twists ─ great surprises just when I thought I had the mysteries solved. One comment to any Roman Catholics who might be reluctant to pick this one up: the description "about clergy abuse" is misleading. The book is not "about" clergy abuse ─ although such an incident figures prominently in the plot ─ it's not preaching and it's not judging the church. The book is a great detective tale told cleverly and sparely ─ the author doesn't waste words or information, but draws out a nearly tangible story". ─ Alison McCrary, Davenport
"If you like reading page turners that keep you guessing, you'll enjoy 'The Mangled Spoon' by Joan Mauch. From the moment you read about the starving, disheveled, and disoriented Miss Jane who is found scavenging for food in a dumpster in Chapter One, you will be dying to find out how she got there and why she doesn't want to let go of a mangled silver spoon. And Joan Mauch is not going to give you the answer till near the very end of the story. There's much in the news today about pedophile priests. It's a hot topic of great consternation to the Catholic Church and its followers. What Joan Mauch does in 'The Mangled Spoon' is create an intriguing fiction around this subject that everyone wants to cover up, both in the real world and in her story. A psychologist, Mark Rukeyser, is trying to get to the bottom of just who Miss Jane is and why she appears to have amnesia. Unable to get anything from her, he turns to police, priests, and nuns and keeps running into brick walls. In the process, he is threatened, and barely gets his family out of his house alive when it is set on fire. He suspects a cover-up, but who is covering up and why? Joan Mauch will keep you guessing. Short chapters make 'The Mangled Spoon' an easy-to-read book. Characters are well-drawn and the reader can relate to the emotions experienced by Rukeyser and his wife as he tries to get to the bottom of an unpleasant situation. Joan Mauch brings it all to a head in a rather movie-like swift finish that is the climax of the story, leaving the reader satisfied that the mystery has been solved at last". ─ Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite
"Is evil real or a product of mental instability? Dr. Marcus Rukeyser is a psychiatrist at St. Stanislaus Mental Hospital treating a catatonic young woman. Found wandering the streets of Chicago, she appears to be suffering from amnesia and possibly a traumatic event. Dubbing her Miss Jane, Rukeyser’s concern for her goes deeper than even he can understand, triggering flashbacks to losing his own sister to a mental institution years before. As he begins to suspect she’s a missing nun from a prosperous parish on the North Side, he races against time to keep her from being committed to a more severe institution, one in which he’s certain she’ll never emerge, let alone live through. With his own marriage and family life unraveling due to his obsession, and very real physical threats against him, it soon becomes clear this woman is involved in something far more sinister than at first imagined. A taut, subtle mystery that will keep you hooked to the end." ─ Kristy McCaffrey, author of "Into The Land Of Shadows"
"Magnificent! A plot so creepy you'll swear you feel the spiderwebs, and a heroine so compelling you'll wish you were her best friend. Don't miss this sure to be best-seller by Joan Mauch." ─ Shane Gericke, best-selling author of "Torn Apart"
Read more reviews of "Unmasking Miss Jane" on Amazon
Reviews of HALIFAX
"Haunting, scary, mesmerizing and gripping, "Halifax" is a wonderful and chilling thriller novel written just like a film and featuring a relatable main character who, even through the trauma of a dangerous gunman ready to kill her, still manages to give readers a glimpse into the life of a working woman who ends up in the wrong place at the wrong time." ─ Rebecca McNutt on GoodReads
"Like many readers here, I immediately felt empathy and then compassion for the self-deprecating protagonist who has as many inward challenges as external. Her honest and naive internal dialogue kept me reading until I learned her final fate. The added benefit is the travelogue from Florida to Nova Scotia filled with stalkers, thieves, and traitors and especially Ellie's perceptions of them all." ─ Robin Throne, author of "Her Kind"
"Ellie is a 40-year-old school cafeteria worker who believes she will never live the life she wants. She’ll always be plain and she’ll never be as great as her wonderfully beautiful and perfect sister, Carrie, no matter what she does. At least that’s what her overbearing harpy of a mother relishes telling her, despite the fact that it is Ellie who lives at home and takes care of her. 'Halifax' truly begins when a gunman opens fire at a park, taking aim at young kids. Ellie summons strength and courage even she didn't know she possessed and strikes the man down with his own gun. She is a hero and enjoys the spotlight, but still has trouble getting over witnessing one of young boys, Sammy, being gunned down. Joan Mauch does a splendid job of painting the picture of Ellie’s life and just how disconnected she feels towards her mother and sister.
"The way Joan Mauch illustrates the progression of Ellie’s anger in the aftermath of the shooting is brilliant. She highlights the changes to come within Ellie as she imagines herself performing brutal acts of violence on her mother, her sister, and her “ill-behaved brats” and even a general killing spree. Her thoughts darken the more she allows herself to put up with the abuse from those around her. She realizes the only way to avoid succumbing to these dark thoughts is to flee her hometown of Hummerly. After trotting around for a few days, Ellie makes her way to Halifax. In Halifax, Ellie comes to life which includes a healthy dose of friendship, love, a lost virginity, and even the sting of betrayal. Halifax is a well-written novel that proves it’s never too late to start living your life and becoming the person you want to be…just ask Ellie!" ─ Reviewed by Natasha Jackson for Readers' Favorite http://bit.ly/ReadersFavoriteHalifax
"In the wake of the Newtown tragedy,'Halifax' examines how one’s heroic action prevents a similar loss of life, and also, how that individual’s own life changes by an instinctual act of courage. ... As novelist and short story writer, Flannery O’Connor, once shared “a good man is hard is find.” A good mystery is equally as elusive. And as readers turn the pages of 'Halifax', it is encouraging to know more mysteries by Joan Mauch are yet to come." ─ Andy Leheny, freelance writer and columnist
"What kept me turning the page is the writing. It comforts my senses like a boat floating in perfect rhythm on genteel waves. I am on page 24 and still want to read more because for me, the story has struck a chord. I love psychological thrillers. I like her (Eleanor Hurley), have empathy for her and already find myself rooting
for her." ─ Playwright Richard James Zieman, Chicago
"A good plot and a cast of characters that will keep you guessing. Eleanor is an unlikely heroine, mired in a dysfunctional family and crippled by her own indecisiveness. Her path to a better life is strewn with equally damaged men. This one will keep you up at night and guessing!" ─ Anonymous
Read more reviews of "Halifax" on Amazon
"Like many readers here, I immediately felt empathy and then compassion for the self-deprecating protagonist who has as many inward challenges as external. Her honest and naive internal dialogue kept me reading until I learned her final fate. The added benefit is the travelogue from Florida to Nova Scotia filled with stalkers, thieves, and traitors and especially Ellie's perceptions of them all." ─ Robin Throne, author of "Her Kind"
"Ellie is a 40-year-old school cafeteria worker who believes she will never live the life she wants. She’ll always be plain and she’ll never be as great as her wonderfully beautiful and perfect sister, Carrie, no matter what she does. At least that’s what her overbearing harpy of a mother relishes telling her, despite the fact that it is Ellie who lives at home and takes care of her. 'Halifax' truly begins when a gunman opens fire at a park, taking aim at young kids. Ellie summons strength and courage even she didn't know she possessed and strikes the man down with his own gun. She is a hero and enjoys the spotlight, but still has trouble getting over witnessing one of young boys, Sammy, being gunned down. Joan Mauch does a splendid job of painting the picture of Ellie’s life and just how disconnected she feels towards her mother and sister.
"The way Joan Mauch illustrates the progression of Ellie’s anger in the aftermath of the shooting is brilliant. She highlights the changes to come within Ellie as she imagines herself performing brutal acts of violence on her mother, her sister, and her “ill-behaved brats” and even a general killing spree. Her thoughts darken the more she allows herself to put up with the abuse from those around her. She realizes the only way to avoid succumbing to these dark thoughts is to flee her hometown of Hummerly. After trotting around for a few days, Ellie makes her way to Halifax. In Halifax, Ellie comes to life which includes a healthy dose of friendship, love, a lost virginity, and even the sting of betrayal. Halifax is a well-written novel that proves it’s never too late to start living your life and becoming the person you want to be…just ask Ellie!" ─ Reviewed by Natasha Jackson for Readers' Favorite http://bit.ly/ReadersFavoriteHalifax
"In the wake of the Newtown tragedy,'Halifax' examines how one’s heroic action prevents a similar loss of life, and also, how that individual’s own life changes by an instinctual act of courage. ... As novelist and short story writer, Flannery O’Connor, once shared “a good man is hard is find.” A good mystery is equally as elusive. And as readers turn the pages of 'Halifax', it is encouraging to know more mysteries by Joan Mauch are yet to come." ─ Andy Leheny, freelance writer and columnist
"What kept me turning the page is the writing. It comforts my senses like a boat floating in perfect rhythm on genteel waves. I am on page 24 and still want to read more because for me, the story has struck a chord. I love psychological thrillers. I like her (Eleanor Hurley), have empathy for her and already find myself rooting
for her." ─ Playwright Richard James Zieman, Chicago
"A good plot and a cast of characters that will keep you guessing. Eleanor is an unlikely heroine, mired in a dysfunctional family and crippled by her own indecisiveness. Her path to a better life is strewn with equally damaged men. This one will keep you up at night and guessing!" ─ Anonymous
Read more reviews of "Halifax" on Amazon
