#Bookreview of Mortal Vengeance: A Grim Tale (Prequel to Mortal Vengeance)

By: Alejandro Torres De la Rocha

Publication Date: January 6, 2026

ISBN: 979-8263589110

Reviewed by: Ephantus Muriuki

Review Date: October 21, 2026

Alejandro Torres De la Rocha's Mortal Vengeance: A Grim Tale (Prequel to Mortal Vengeance) is a story about how a corrupt, abusive school created its own monster, a monster that preys on the guilty, specifically those who commit cruelty and then hide behind power, faith, and silence. The story's dedication: "To all those who fear raising their voice. Speak up. Speak out. Speak truth" is the voice of the entire novel, and a warning wrapped in a welcome. It asks the reader to read every "welcome" as a potential trap, because in this book, hospitality always comes with a catch.

The book opens with a suffocating silence, a clock counting down, and a beauty that Julián Díaz sees as a mockery. He's carrying a crushing weight: guilt, the kind that defies logic and innocence. He's done nothing to earn it, yet believes he's stained. It's also the kind that Grim Cojuelo, the monster and a figure torn from Dominican carnival myth, loves to harvest. But he's not your conventional monster. His prey's death doesn't stop him, meaning there's no escape for them, even in death. He also first offers flashes of a twisted heaven before dragging his victims straight to hell. He doesn't overpower them but outsmarts them, making them walk into their own damnation while they believe they are walking into salvation. That's precisely why he is insidious.

This book captures the monster's becoming process and aftermath, and it does so through the concept of performance. The school performs holiness, the priests perform mercy, and the students perform obedience. "Performance" here is the right grounding because it names the gap between the front and the backstage: the assembly's polished piety and the abuse happening behind closed doors. The Acts and Scenes structure makes this literal. Each one of them is a moment the reader watches, knowing the backstage truth the performers can't admit. Admitting would, of course, end the play. So, the book forces them to withhold until the monster tears the last curtain down.

That's the mark of a book that knows exactly what it's doing: building an argument the reader absorbs through the structure itself. By coupling that with short, stripped sentences like "Julián screams. It is a raw, primal sound ripped from his throat, echoing in the cavernous space. He doesn't think. He doesn't hesitate. He just bolts," the novel manages to immerse the reader into the immediacy of the moment, even as the performance thins, before again picking the ritual and letting the withholding resume. Few authors manage that. Alejandro Torres De la Rocha makes it look easy. But the ease is the scary part. He performs the same trick on the readers as his villains do, only he does it better, giving them enough to keep them reading but never quite enough to make them relax.

Quill says: Mortal Vengeance: A Grim Tale (Prequel to Mortal Vengeance) is dense in the best way: idea-rich, not wordy. It's easy to read, thanks to its short sentences, natural dialogue, and a propulsive plot. It's also well written, begging for a second reading, particularly because once you know how it ends, every earlier scene changes.

For more information about Mortal Vengeance: A Grim Tale (Prequel to Mortal Vengeance), please visit the author's website at: mortalvengeance.com/

 #Bookreview of Never Too Late to Belong

By: Declan O'Brien

Publication Date: October 20, 2026

ISBN: 979-8170636051

Reviewed by: Alma Boucher

Review Date: September 21, 2026

Never Too Late to Belong: How to Beat Loneliness and Make Real Friends After 60 by Declan O’Brien is a thoughtful, practical guide for anyone whose social circle has shrunk with age. Rather than treating loneliness as an inevitable part of growing older, O’Brien presents friendship as something you can develop and strengthen through small, intentional choices.

This book is divided into four progressive parts: the first examines why friendships and social connections often diminish, while the second explores the foundations of meaningful friendships. Part Three forms the heart of the book, offering a week-by-week approach built around manageable actions, such as returning regularly to the same places, opening up a little more in conversation, and accepting appropriate invitations. Part Four brings these ideas into everyday life, addressing practical limitations such as finances, mobility, and changing circumstances.

O’Brien’s discussion is particularly effective because it acknowledges that rebuilding a social life after age 60 can involve grief, uncertainty, changed circumstances, and even apprehension about reaching out. O’Brien makes an important distinction between loneliness and depression, explaining that while the two can influence one another, they are not identical experiences. He also recognizes that moving forward after losing someone does not mean abandoning their memory or forcing oneself to socialize before being ready. The book encourages readers to progress at a realistic pace, gradually moving from reflection to action and eventually toward maintaining the relationships they have established. The emphasis on small, achievable steps makes the process feel less overwhelming and more attainable.

The central themes are connection, resilience, self-confidence, grief, and the willingness to remain open to new experiences. One of the book's strongest lessons is that friendship does not necessarily happen by accident; it often develops through consistency, repeated contact, shared interests, and the courage to reveal a little more of yourself. The advice is deliberately practical rather than abstract, with each week providing a specific focus and a selection of doable activities. This structure gives the book a reassuring sense of direction and reinforces its message that meaningful change does not require a dramatic transformation. O’Brien’s writing style is warm, conversational, and encouraging, while the four-part structure provides a steady progression from understanding the problem to taking action and preserving the connections that follow. The pacing is easy to follow, especially for readers who prefer to absorb advice gradually rather than try to change everything at once.

Quill says: Never Too Late to Belong: How to Beat Loneliness and Make Real Friends After 60 is a compassionate guide that offers hope without pretending that rebuilding friendships is always easy. Its greatest strength is its emphasis on practical, realistic steps, making the book particularly relevant to older adults navigating retirement, bereavement, relocation, changing family circumstances, or simply a quieter social life.

For more information about Never Too Late to Belong: How to Beat Loneliness and Make Real Friends After 60, please visit the author’s website at: declanobrienbooks.com.

 #Bookreview of Uplift

By: Jessica Mann

Illustrated by: Steve Habersang

Publication Date: October 30, 2024

ISBN: 979-8350968125

Reviewed by: Diana Coyle

Review Date: October 19, 2026

Columbina, along with her bird brothers, belong to a proud family of Clark’s Nutcrackers that were born high in a spruce tree in the mountains in Uplift by Jessica Mann.

As humans keep altering the forest around them, Columbina knows she must try to change the pattern she is being taught by her family, because if she doesn’t, they will find it harder to survive. She sets out with the hope that if she can change how humans see things around them, as if seeing everything through her eyes, maybe they will stop destroying the environment and begin working together for both birds and humans to coexist. Does Columbina succeed in her endeavor?

This story was such an uplifting and engrossing storyline presented by Jessica Mann. Immediately, I was pulled into the story right from the first page. Reading this storyline from the perspective of a bird named Columbina was not only moving, but completely awe inspiring. I can’t recall another book that was written from a bird’s perspective, and this factor immediately won this my love of the book. To see, feel, and think like Columbina made reading this endearing story a true delight.

It is worth mentioning that Mann wrote the trees, mountains, and other species into the storyline as real, living creatures that had important roles in this story. Each tree, mountain, bird, etc. all played a role in having the world continue to prosper for generations to come. Many people just see a tree as simply that – a tree. After reading Mann’s book, it gives readers a new perspective that we shouldn’t take anything for granted that is living around us. We all depend on each other, no matter human or environmental, to continue the circle of life. We are only hurting ourselves if we believe we are the only important species in the world. Every tree, bird, bug, or mountain has their role to play in this world. Who do we think we are to believe that we are the most important species in this world? After reading this story, readers will walk away with compassion for wildlife and the environment around them.

Jessica Mann is an award-winning author and naturalist who writes realistic animal fiction. Her goal is to entertain and inspire her readers to see life through the eyes of wild birds and animals. She has had a 35-year career in environmental health and safety, and this has shaped her perspective to help others see how the environment, and all that live and breathe in it, have important roles in this world.

Quill says: Uplift is one story that will entertain readers of all ages. It allows the readers to not only see the world around them through Columbina’s eyes, but also the trees and mountains too. If you love reading nature books, especially ones written from an animal’s perspective, you need to read this book. Well done, Ms. Mann!

For more information about Uplift, please visit the author's website at: jessicamann.org

 #Bookreview of The Robe Squad

By: Arthur Russell Smith

Illustrated by: Craig Orback

Publisher: Seacoast Press

Publication Date: October 1, 2026

ISBN: 979-8-952856-11-0

Reviewed by: Alma Boucher

Review Date: September 29, 2026

Arthur Russell Smith’s The Robe Squad: A Charlestown Tail is a gentle and heartwarming picture book that introduces young readers to the importance of empathy, compassion, and inclusion through a wonderfully simple story.

When Artie and Gizmo discover a tiny mouse trembling alone, they immediately want to help. Their challenge is both practical and emotional: how can two much larger characters make such a small, frightened creature feel safe, comfortable, and welcome? What follows is a sweet exploration of kindness in action, as the duo considers the mouse’s vulnerability and finds a way to offer warmth and reassurance. The story’s simple premise makes it especially accessible to children ages 2–6, while leaving plenty of room for parents and caregivers to discuss feelings of loneliness or fear.

Artie and Gizmo are the heart of the story, and their responses to the little mouse reveal their caring personalities. Rather than ignoring a creature who is different from them or assuming they know exactly what he needs, they respond with concern and a willingness to help. The frightened mouse, small in size, becomes an important part of the story, because his vulnerability allows young readers to see the world from another perspective. The characters demonstrate that helping someone does not require grand gestures; sometimes, simply noticing that another person needs comfort is the first and most meaningful step. Their interaction creates a reassuring message about welcoming others and making room for those who may initially feel out of place.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its ability to communicate meaningful lessons without becoming overly instructional. Empathy, friendship, generosity, and inclusion are woven naturally into the narrative, giving children the opportunity to understand that kindness can have an enormous impact even when the action itself seems small. The contrast between the large helpers and the tiny mouse also provides an appealing visual and emotional concept for young readers: being bigger does not mean being more important, and being small does not mean having small feelings. The cozy premise makes the book particularly well-suited to bedtime reading and shared reading sessions, where adults can pause to talk about emotions, helping others, and what makes someone feel safe.

Smith’s writing is clear, warm, and age-appropriate, with a straightforward pace that should hold the attention of very young children. The story does not rely on complicated language or an elaborate plot; instead, its appeal comes from its relatable situation and gentle emotional progression. The central question of how to comfort the mouse gives the narrative a natural sense of purpose and encourages young readers to think along with Artie and Gizmo. The Robe Squad: A Charlestown Tail is a tender reminder that compassion begins with recognizing someone who needs help.

Quill says: The Robe Squad: A Charlestown Tail is a cozy and uplifting story that gives young readers a beautifully simple lesson: sometimes the smallest act of kindness can make the biggest difference.

For more information about The Robe Squad: A Charlestown Tail, please visit the author's website at: arthurrussellsmith.com

 #Bookreview of Mortal Vengeance

By: Alejandro Torres De la Rocha

Publication Date: June 25, 2025

ISBN: 979-8289696717

Reviewed by: Ephantus Muriuki

Review Date: October 13, 2026

Alejandro Torres De la Rocha's Mortal Vengeance, a searing psychological thriller, dissects the corrosive power of guilt, the trauma of betrayal, and the terrifying ease with which ordinary people justify the unthinkable. The story is driven by pent-up anger and the desire to take justice into one's own hands.

Five high schoolers led by Marcos, the one who "snaps," find themselves at the edge of an irreversible act. Marcos is a young man who sees himself as an instrument of a shared grievance. He sees his rage as a scream for justice on behalf of everyone who has suffered in the hands of the teacher they call "the classroom tyrant, the purveyor of fear and humiliation." Close to him are his similarly aggrieved peers including Alex, the architect of a cold, chilling strategy; Enrique, the willing hands that carry out "the deed;" Mario, whose conscience screams "this is wrong;" and Manuel, who has decided that going along is safer than standing apart.

These are not just angry teenagers venting. They are scared ones too. They are afraid to stand apart from the pack. But unbeknownst to them, something is out there waiting to exploit this weakness. It won't allow them to hide and won't stop until it has forced them to stand apart, whether they want it or not. Perhaps most shockingly, it has an accomplice, a familiar face hiding in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to execute a personal vendetta.

This story is structured as a series of revelations, each one re-contextualizing what came before. After "the deed," for example, the reader would want to believe the worst has happened. However, the next revelation reveals that the incident was just an inciting scene to something worse. The reader is not only shown the consequences of a previous action; they are also set up for the next revelation. And when it comes, they are sunk deeper into answers and truths that make their anxiety even worse. When Enrique and Melissa go for a date, for example, you’d expect romance. Instead, the book hits you with a truth that sends shockwaves into everything you thought you understood. That's a book that understands that the reader doesn't want to be pulled up. They came for the descent. And that is exactly what it gives them.

Quill says: Mortal Vengeance’s structure is deliberate and integral, and makes the novel go beyond what ordinary thrillers achieve. Readers who love stories with a psychological stance that force them to confront the possibility that even the most compassionate impulses can be twisted into something deeply monstrous will find this book impossible to forget. Its dialogue flows naturally, the prose is cinematic and sensory, and the pacing is quick. It's the kind of book that makes you side eye your own friend group, and wonder if anyone is holding a grudge from years back.

For more information about Mortal Vengeance, please visit the author's website at: mortalvengeance.com/

 #Authorinterview with Carmen Amato

Today, Feathered Quill reviewer Alma Boucher is talking with Carmen Amato, author of Dragon Cartel: A Detective Emilia Cruz Novel.

FQ: Emilia Cruz is already under considerable pressure when DRAGON CARTEL begins. What inspired you to place her in this particular situation?

AMATO: Emilia is the first female police detective in Acapulco. The police department never wanted a female detective and they still don’t. She’s always juggling that tenuous position with the suspicion in inherent in a corrupt system lubricated with drug cartel cash. She never knows who can be trusted.

In DRAGON CARTEL she’s looking for a teenaged assassin who calls himself El Barracuda. He killed several US diplomats and shot her boss in the previous book, BARRACUDA BAY. So she already has her hands full when she’s asked to look for a missing Customs inspector.

Each book reads like a standalone, although they reflect a series arc.

Author Carmen Amato

FQ: El Barracuda is a particularly dangerous antagonist. What did you want readers to understand about him, and what makes him such a formidable threat to Emilia?

AMATO: El Barracuda is the nephew of an El Chapo-like drug cartel kingpin who escaped police custody and is a fugitive outside Acapulco. The kingpin has a simmering interest in Emilia that occasionally boils over.

The nephew is the anointed heir but wants to break free from his uncle’s control and make a name for himself in underworld circles. He thinks if he kills Emilia, his uncle will finally respect him.

FQ: The shipping container lists become an important clue in the investigation. What drew you to the world of ports, customs, and commercial shipping in the story?

AMATO: The initial inspiration for DRAGON CARTEL was a shocking statistic: an increase of more than 8000% in the number of Chinese nationals coming over the US-Mexico border during the Biden administration. I also wanted to write a missing persons story but it had to tie into the Chinese angle. Commercial shipping gave me a way to do that.

FQ: The novel introduces a mysterious Chinese national with multiple passports and encrypted communication devices. What attracted you to the idea of bringing international espionage into Emilia's investigation?

AMATO: A 30-year veteran of the CIA, I understand how China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS) works and how deeply it is integrated into all of China’s overseas activities.

Pitting Emilia against an MSS agent, when he has the full picture and she just sees a sliver, made for a great catch-me-if-you-can plot element.

FQ: Acapulco plays a significant role in the novel. How important is the city itself to the Detective Emilia Cruz series, and what aspects of Acapulco did you particularly want to capture for readers?

AMATO: Acapulco is a great place for a mystery series. Beaches, resorts, restaurants, glamor and nightclubs. It is the ultimate vacation destination.

Outside the tourist zone, however, Acapulco’s high poverty rates, abandoned buildings, and cartel violence are starkly evident.

Emilia Cruz has to navigate both the highs and lows of Acapulco. She’s from a poor neighborhood but now lives in a luxury hotel with her boyfriend, the hotel manager. Her job as a female police detective takes her into places where life is cheap and loyalty is for sale.

FQ: What research did you undertake into cartel operations, Mexican law enforcement, customs procedures, and international crime while writing DRAGON CARTEL?

AMATO: Besides my own experiences in Mexico and Central America for so many years, I’m a newshound. I read the news coming out of the region every day and keep a file of events that I can use. Google Earth, real estate listings, maps and YouTube are my go-to sources for incidental details.

FQ: How do you balance the procedural elements of Emilia's investigations with personal development of the protagonist?

AMATO: Every Detective Emilia Cruz thriller has 3 core elements: the main crime, a secondary crime and a personal issue that keeps Emilia up at night. In DRAGON CARTEL, she’s dealing with the hunt for El Barracuda, assisted by a DEA agent working out of the US consulate in Acapulco. Then she takes on the hunt for the missing Customs inspector, only to find a link between the two cases.

At the same time, she has canceled her wedding plans and is unsure about marriage. Emilia is a tenacious detective but terrible at emotional commitment.

FQ: Your novel brings together cartel crime, a missing person, organized corruption, and international intrigue. How do you keep multiple storylines manageable while maintaining suspense?

AMATO: I plot each book using color coded notes to keep all the threads organized. I aim to give the reader an exciting escape into the world of Detective Emilia Cruz, complete with vibrant characters, twisty storylines and situations that connect on an emotional level.

The color coded outline helps me create cliffhanger chapters, big action scenes, and a page-turning pace.

When you put down an Emilia Cruz book, I want your heartrate to slowly go back to normal as you think, “If Emilia can do hard things, so can I.”

FQ: For readers who are discovering the Detective Emilia Cruz series with this book, what would you like them to know about Emilia and her world?

AMATO: Think Hawaii 5-0 meets Narcos, with the character depth of Vera.

If you’re discovering Emilia Cruz for the first time, you’ll quickly find out that she’s a strong, compelling woman navigating cartel crime and corruption in contemporary Acapulco. Her survival is a daily battle of wits and resilience.

Surrounded by bad actors, she holds onto her own moral compass with both hands yet being a good liar is one of her best weapons.

Her journey unfolds over 10 books and counting, so if you love international crime fiction by Ann Cleeves, Jo Nesbo, and Ian Rankin, you’ll love the Detective Emilia Cruz series, too.

For more information about Dragon Cartel: A Detective Emilia Cruz Novel, please visit the author's website at: carmenamato.net/

 #Bookreview of The Daydreaming Sink

By: J.H. Diehl

Illustrated by: Kathryn Freeman

Publisher: Leaning Rock Press

Publication Date: July 9, 2026

ISBN: 978-1-960596-41-3

Reviewed by: Rebecca Jane Johnson

Review Date: September 30, 2026

The Daydreaming Sink: A Book of Household Limericks is a delightful read, written by journalist and author J.H. Diehl with drawings by poetic realist artist Kathryn Freeman. This collection of poetry amuses a reader with rhyme, humor, and quirky illustrations that make everyday household objects come alive, feeding the imagination of any age reader. The images and nonsense ideas can lighten us all up. This book invites absurdity and easy silliness into the hardest and darkest days.

Not only is this a book of rhymes, rhythm, puns, and wordplay that gives youth and those young-at-heart something to share with each other out loud, but it also celebrates the amusing kinds of mischief we like to indulge in within domestic settings. What happens when the refrigerator gets moody or the dinner plate gets bossy? And what kinds of mischief erupts when the toothbrush decides to wield a sword? Wasting time, dallying, singing as we please in the shower, preferring ice cream to doing the laundry: these are all behaviors that get the spotlight in The Daydreaming Sink.

Recently, researchers have reported that people are speaking to each other fewer and fewer words each day; this book, however, has the power to revive our human longing for spoken word connection. Not only will you want to read-aloud these rhymes to your loved ones, but you will also want to make up silly rhymes about the tired phone charger, the swooning tea spoon, or the shy toilet seat. Imagine young readers getting a kick out of these rhymes and feeling inspired to make up their own rhyming and rhythmic puns and word play about objects all over the house! This book gives the impression that everyday objects can be endowed with personality, emotions, and secret lives of their own. This teaches young readers the art of personification and emotional intelligence. Also, these nonsense lyrics are a tribute to Edward Lear who was a famous artist and writer who lived a fascinating life and embraced nonsense. This book encourages readers to learn more about the history of the limerick form and others who have tried their hand and imagination at writing limericks and nonsense. The rhymes and rhythm are so catchy and clever, you’ll be repeating them in your mind. This book can be read over and over. It’s perfect for an elementary school library book shelf or for a bed time routine.

In a recent interview, the author said, “Something I learned from my dad reading to me aloud is that nonsense writing can be a kind of literary balm,” (from an online interview with Deborah Kalb). This book is a balm and when life doesn’t make sense, there is never too much nonsense.

Quill says: The Daydreaming Sink gifts readers with a delightfully fun, lyrical, lively, and humorous experience. The amusement this book gives has the power to inspire a strong foundation for a lifetime of love for poetry and song. It’s sure to bring smiles when we are in the darkest of moods and pulling the longest of faces.

For more information about The Daydreaming Sink, please visit the author's website at: jhdiehl.com