BookTrib’s latest roundup features four diverse titles that delve into secrets, legacies, and second chances, offering readers a range of genres from mystery to fantasy to literary fiction.
In "Day of Wrath" by Otho Eskin, Washington, D.C. homicide detective Marko Zorn investigates the murder of a cardinal archbishop found dead beneath a high balcony in the city’s cathedral, a tarot card clutched in his hand. The case soon expands into a conspiracy involving an ancient cult devoted to Holy Death, a trail reaching back to Mexico, and a threat to the Vatican itself. With the pope dying and a conclave approaching, Marko has only days to uncover who wanted the archbishop silenced. He is paired with a sharp-tongued new partner, Saoirse Richmond, who distrusts his methods and judgment. The novel is described as fast, sly, and steeped in history, sending its unconventional detective into a world of ritual, power, and buried secrets. It is available for purchase at tinyurl.com/day-of-wrath.
Corey E. King’s "Marek of the Mists: The Sword of the Moon Maiden" introduces readers to the mist-shrouded kingdom of Storm’s End, where Marek, a gifted swordsman raised by the Wolfe Gypsies, is drawn into a quest involving a shattered celestial blade, a vanished village, a moon goddess, and the demon Vuoto. When a monstrous attack reveals darker forces moving, Marek must decide whether he is merely an orphan or the champion Storm’s End has been waiting for. The fast-paced, illustrated fantasy saga features banter, battles, and found-family bonds. It is available at tinyurl.com/marek-of-the-mists.
Jack Martin Haley’s "Allegory" is set along the Yukon River and follows Fred, a Korean War veteran and once-respected Gwich’in elder whose life has narrowed under illness, alcohol, and public shame. Once known as Sarge and a master fish wheel builder, Fred is now mocked by younger men. After a cancer diagnosis, he turns back toward the river and the old fish wheel that once gave him purpose. With the aid of Jere, a young man preparing for the ministry, Fred begins a final act of restoration and redemption. Rooted in Gwich’in tradition and Christian faith, the story explores one man’s last chance to be remembered rightly. It is available at tinyurl.com/allegory-epiphany.
Innton Tagger’s "My Hip-Hop Wiz: A Journey Through Rhythm, Resilience, and Self-Discovery" puts a bold, beat-driven spin on "The Wizard of Oz," rooted in hip-hop culture. Dorothy Jones is a self-made real estate mogul whose life is upended when a supernatural storm sweeps her and her Rottweiler, Governor, into a strange new world. She joins forces with a sharp-tongued Scarecrow, a bionically rebuilt Tinman, and a powerful Lion learning to master his fear. The journey becomes about recognizing the strength, wisdom, and courage she already carries. An accompanying soundtrack on Apple and Spotify extends the experience beyond the page. The book is available at a.co/d/08r160GZ.
