Book Reviews
5 Stars
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Reviewed by Wofford Lee Jones
Author of Hell Night in Hopewell
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D.A.Schneider masterfully weaves a 40-year-old, real-life, cold case file into this story as a backdrop for Freezer Burn. Wes O’Brien is hired to look into one of the four teenagers murdered in the late 70s. During the investigation, Wes O’Brien—along with his sidekick, bounty hunter Jackson Posey, and newcomer to the group, Evie Branch—has to re-interview individuals and suspects from years past. To me, this was one of the most interesting things of this story, as I was one not familiar with the Burger Shack murders, it brought a certain ultra-realism to the story. With all the questions asked, and with more truths (and lies) unraveling, it leads their investigation in numerous directions and ultimately to an explosive, action-packed, satisfying conclusion.
Another thing I loved about this story was that Schneider continued to build on these characters from the first book in the series, Irish Black. You found out more secrets from each character, and the reveal of those secrets gave you that realization of why they reacted to certain situations in this story as well as the first book. Even the new character, Evie Branch, had her secrets, and once they were revealed made you love her character even more. She fit right in with Irish black gang. It was an excellent read and I highly recommend this series. I would stress to read this series in order as Freezer Burn discusses story points from the first book in the series. You’ll have a great time with Wes O’Brien and the company he keeps. This was a killer sequel. My only question now is, when does book three come out? I’m already ready for it.
5 Stars
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Reviewed By Lit Amri for Readers’ Favorite
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When a drug dealer dies during a police interrogation, Detective Wes O'Brien, also known as Irish Black, faces more scrutiny from the higher-ups regarding his methods of getting information from crooks. This time, they will not let him off with a warning but let him go from the force permanently. Wes doesn't have to ponder about his future for long as someone hires him privately to prove that her husband is cheating on her. A cheating spouse case is not to his liking but the pay is good. Little does he know that the case will turn into a double homicide and that he has to work against the clock to solve the murders before he becomes the next victim. Irish Black is Book 1 of the Wes O’Brien Series by D.A. Schneider.
Drugs, powerful mobsters, prostitution, murder, crooked politics, and more - Irish Black is as gritty as one can expect from crime fiction. With brutality and fear as his methods, Wes O’Brien may not be the ideal detective of the police department but he delivers justice and gets results. The flashbacks of his younger years with his father reveal the foundation of his temperament and his personal stand against crimes. Opposite him is womanizing bounty hunter Jackson Posey; he seems reckless but proves to be resourceful as he and Wes partner up to solve the murders and face adversaries who have the power to manipulate the justice system for their own good. The story is driven forward through violent and dark action scenes, character clashes, and connecting the dots to find the truth. With a great twist and a satisfying conclusion, D.A. Schneider's Wes O’Brien series is off to a solid start.
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4 Stars
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Reviewed By Tanja Jurkovic for Readers’ Favorite
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Irish Black (Wes O'Brien Private Detective Series Book 1) is a hard-boiled detective novel written by D.A. Schneider. Wes O'Brien is a tough police detective who, after a violent incident at work, is fired from the police force and unwillingly gets dragged into private detective work. After taking on a private job involving a standard infidelity detective case, Wes witnesses a double homicide and gets involved in the case personally. The race to catch the killer and save his own neck is about to begin.
Irish Black is full of twists and turns, which gives an exciting dynamic to Schneider's writing. Wes, the main character, is a tough man who just can't stay away from trouble, and no matter what he does, trouble always finds him, usually in a very violent way. Trying to juggle this part of his life with his personal endeavors in romantic relationships turns out to be very difficult and, above all, very dangerous for everyone involved. After going into hiding, Wes teams up with an equally violent bounty hunter to find out who is behind the murders, and who exactly is the person that's trying to kill him.
Irish Black is a very exciting read, full of gritty situations and explicit language, entwined with dark humor that perfectly fits the personality of the main character, Wes O'Brien. Despite being violent and acting like he doesn't care, for me as a reader, Wes becomes more lovable as an antihero with every page turned. A great story to spend some exciting time in the world of crime, solving an intriguing case, and feel the satisfaction of catching the bad guys in the end.
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5 Stars
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Reviewed By Jennifer Ibiam for Readers’ Favorite
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Wes, also known as Irish Black, was a stellar detective who got the job done, but his methods were brutal. Once again, he took a life during interrogation, which got him kicked off the police force. This left Kevin behind, his work partner and best friend of ten years. As a freelance detective, Senator Windhill’s wife, Janet, hired him to catch her cheating husband–-a job he hated but took for the money. How hard could it be to tail a person and make tons of cash in the process? Unfortunately, that wasn’t to be. The case of a cheating husband snowballed into a series of murders, unleashing some stinking cans of worms. Read Irish Black by D.A. Schneider to discover how Wes rose to the occasion and did his thing!
Irish Black by D.A. Schneider was perfection! A crime thriller that will appeal to lovers of detective series. It put me on the edge of my seat from the beginning until the end. The plot was one of a kind and the development superb! I loved the unpredictable plot, which was perfectly executed. All the while, I suspected Posey, but in the end, he was my most favorite character. I loved watching the friendship between Jackson and Wes blossom from mutual dislike to total loyalty. The plot twist left me shocked! Money is indeed a weapon, and the love of it is the root of all evil. The stylish writing had me hooked, and the book was exceptionally edited. There has to be more between Kevin, Posey, and Wes, so I’m looking forward to the second part of the O’Brien series.
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5 Stars!
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Ghost Hunter Z is a work of fiction in the paranormal, suspense, and thriller sub-genres, and was penned by author D. A. Schneider. Set in the late nineteenth century in London, we meet the mysterious outsider Z, an American who flees the horrors of his past, only to find that his unique skills are required in his new life when he is commissioned by Scotland Yard. Using his abilities to see and hunt ghosts, Z faces new challenges when the King of Demons is summoned in a torrent of blood. So begins a new case to crack, but will Z’s hunt for killers lead him down the same avenues as the hauntings of his past?
Author D. A. Schneider has crafted a spellbinding paranormal thriller which also layers in horror, mystery, and action elements for a fully rounded story. I really enjoyed the setting of Victorian London, which was filled with dark avenues and unique characterization, and thus added a lot of atmosphere and dread to the scenes. Z is a really interesting character and it’s clear that the author put a lot of development into his psyche, particularly the trauma of his past and those things which haunt him way more than the ghosts he sees every day. I also thought the fantasy/steampunk style elements of the work enhanced the action for a modern audience, ramping up the danger at every chapter. Overall, I would definitely recommend Ghost Hunter Z for fans of dynamic, stylish, and genuinely chilling thriller works that leap off the page.
-K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite
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5 Stars
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The Goat by D.A. Schneider is about Sam Zorah. Sam has always been different. There was something that made him difficult at times, even for himself. He gets amazing bursts of strength that have caused him some serious problems. Although his life is not fine, he does get to meet people who become his true friends and family. Fast forward many years, he is in a relationship with a stripper and soon his whole life changes.
It is this strange strength that gives him a purpose in life. A life in crime gives him a clearer perspective and he finally understands his purpose and what his strength means to him and the people around him. Is he destined for a life of crime? Or he is the hero, The Goat?
The Goat is a fantastic novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat, get your heart racing, and give you a thrill like no other. The novel reminded me a little of Horns, but they are not too similar. It is almost written in the same fashion. The way The Goat is written makes it real and very relatable. I found Sam to be very enigmatic and intriguing. I liked his approach, his way of dealing with problems; it is just so human and real. This is exactly what many of us do. So yes, it is relatable. And it might be the best novel I read this year so far. Awesome and amazing!
-Rabia Tanveer for Readers’ Favorite
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5 Stars
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In a creepy and intriguing new work by author D.A. Schneider, The Goat is a story that will take readers on quite a dark adventure. Follow the story of protagonist Sam Zorah as he discovers who he truly is. He's always had inexplicable bursts of strength, even as a child, just at the most pivotal moments of his life. One such event lands him with a stint in juvenile hall, where he learns the value of true friendship. When, as an adult, he and his friends have to use his gift in the life of crime that they've entered to survive, the things they are forced to do lead Sam down a path that just might rob him of his sanity. Will he continue to live a life of crime, or will he emerge as something entirely different, and something neither he nor his friends have ever seen before? You'll have to read the book to find out!
I very much enjoyed The Goat. A dark and dramatic tale, this story leads readers down some very twisty and wicked paths. Author D.A. Schneider has done a great job in creating a fascinating lead character in Sam Zorah, and a story that readers will simply not be able to put down until the very last page has been read. Any reader who enjoys a great work of horror, or just a fantastic book of fiction in general, should absolutely pick up The Goat. I am pleased to recommend this book, and look forward to reading more from the obviously talented author, D.A. Schneider, as soon as possible.
-Chris Fischer for Readers’ Favorite
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5 Stars!
Mild mannered Adrian Dillard decides to join a venture to revitalize passenger train travel at the suggestion of a good friend and entrepreneur. Everything seems to be going well until a tragically fateful night leaves over a hundred people dead and Adrian becomes a vessel for 9 young ghosts. The dead kids have a mission to complete, but need the help of a person who is still alive to carry it out. Adrian is hesitant and afraid, but he is more afraid of what the spirits that inhabit his body will do to his pregnant wife and young son if he does not do what they ask.
They come to him in dreams at first, but soon they manifest themselves to explain how they need Adrian to vanquish their evil enemy – Samen. Appalled at the thought that he has to play a part in an epic battle of good and evil, Adrian resists. He defends his reluctance by reminding the 9 that he is a mere mortal, unequipped for a showdown with the devil. They quickly assure him that they each have supernatural powers that they can teach him use to vanquish their enemy. Even though he is scared silly, he has to try. So begins his transformation from dad to demon hunter.
This is not your classic story of good and evil. First of all, kids are in charge of the plan to eliminate Samen. Granted they have super powers, but they are still unruly children at times. Adrian is the perfect choice to go from zero to hero because he has a lot at stake. Unfortunately, his reluctance and gentle nature make him an unlikely savior. The deeper he gets involved with the 9, the more questions he has. His intuition is telling him that they are hiding something from him. Little things begin to not add up, especially when he does a little investigating on his own. Will this get him killed? He doesn’t know, but what will happen to the world if he doesn’t at least try?
The 9 Ghosts of Samen’s Bane is fast-paced, unpredictable and an absolute hoot to read. Of course, there are dead people milling about, and there is a force that is trying to end mankind. There is also humor in the juxtaposition of Adrian battling with dead people during the night and going Christmas shopping at the mall with his family.
If you are a fan of Christopher Moore, you will love this book. This is the first book I have read by Schneider, but will not be the last. Luckily, he is a prolific writer, so he has a list of books just waiting for me – and you – to discover.
-Laura Hartman, Reedsy Discovery