BookTrib's Bites: Secrets, Legacies and Second Chances

BookTrib's latest roundup of new releases features four titles that delve into secrets, legacies, and second chances, offering readers a diverse array of genres from crime thriller to fantasy, literary fiction, and a hip-hop twist on a classic tale.

In Otho Eskin's "Day of Wrath," Washington, D.C. homicide detective Marko Zorn investigates the murder of a cardinal archbishop, found dead with a tarot card in his hand. The case quickly expands into a conspiracy involving an ancient cult devoted to Holy Death, a trail reaching back to Mexico, and a threat to the Vatican as a papal conclave approaches. With a sharp-tongued new partner, Saoirse Richmond, Zorn races against time to uncover the truth. The novel blends fast-paced action with historical depth, exploring how faith can be weaponized. Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/day-of-wrath.

Corey E. King's "Marek of the Mists: The Sword of the Moon Maiden" launches a fantasy saga set in the mist-shrouded kingdom of Storm's End. Marek, a gifted swordsman raised by the Wolfe Gypsies, faces an ancient evil when a monstrous attack reveals a conspiracy involving a shattered celestial blade, a moon goddess, and the demon Vuoto. Joined by loyal friends and a wolf-husky, Marek must decide if he is merely an orphan or the champion his kingdom needs. The novel features illustrations, banter, and battles, emphasizing found-family bonds and light against darkness. Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/marek-of-the-mists.

Jack Martin Haley's "Allegory" follows Fred, a Korean War veteran and Gwich'in elder, whose life has been diminished by illness, alcohol, and public shame. Once a master fish wheel builder and proud descendant of Shahnyaatii, Fred receives a cancer diagnosis and turns back to the Yukon River and the old fish wheel that once gave him purpose. With the help of Jere, a young man preparing for the ministry, Fred undertakes 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. Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/allegory-epiphany.

Innton Tagger's "My Hip-Hop Wiz: A Journey Through Rhythm, Resilience, and Self-Discovery" reinvents "The Wizard of Oz" with a hip-hop culture twist. Dorothy Jones, a self-made real estate mogul, is swept by a supernatural storm into a strange new world with her loyal Rottweiler, Governor. She teams up with a sharp-tongued Scarecrow, a bionically rebuilt Tinman, and a fearful Lion, discovering the strength and wisdom she already carries. The novel includes an accompanying soundtrack on Apple and Spotify. Purchase at https://a.co/d/08r160GZ.