Title: Killing Time
Author: Michael Joseph Mahn
Publisher: PageTurner Press and Media
ISBN: 979-8886221015
Pages: 384
Genre: Suspense Thrillers/Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Reviewed by: Christina Avina

Read Book Review

Now, more than ever before, the interest in conspiracy theories has ratcheted up as the access to greater amounts of information  Thanks to an increase in technology, people can to research further than ever into these theories. From corporate secrets and political back dealings, to historical events with hidden agendas, people are naturally drawn to the mystery and intrigue seemingly impossible or unexplainable events may hold. One of the biggest examples of this is the JFK Assassination in 1963. Officially linked to lone gunman Lee Harvey Oswald, many believe either Oswald worked with other groups, or was a patsy used by powerful figures behind the scenes to remove the President for reasons kept hidden from the public.

In author Michael Joseph Mahn’s Killing Time, the author explores one of these alternative theories to the infamous event through the eyes of two men. Set in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, the story focuses on former district attorney Henry Xavier O’Grady and writer Martin “The Kid” Montague, men who have made many enemies thanks to how well they do their jobs. When bodies begin piling up as people take advantage of the chaos the storm has left to make good on old vendettas, the men must work together to uncover the truth and survive their enemies as Martin’s past as a witness to the assassination of JFK begins to catch up to him.

The author did an incredible job of layering this mystery with intrigue and rich character dynamics. The story jumps off immediately, as the buildup of tension is shown in an intense showdown during a police interrogation – and only gets more and more tense as the story progresses. The rich development of these characters and the relationships they build, from the ways in which The Kid and O’Grady collide after a chilling encounter, to the heartfelt romances between one protagonist and a young bar owner, only served to heighten the human elements behind this mystery-thriller, and allow readers to connect to the narrative in a real way.

This is the perfect read for those who enjoy mysteries, especially those that incorporate elements of suspense, thrillers, romance, action and adventure genre plot devices. As a fan of the genre and as someone who has long thought the story behind the JFK Assassination was far more complex than people originally thought, I was immediately enthralled by the author’s story and found myself drawn further into the conspiracy and mystery of this tale.

Adrenaline fueled, entertaining, and brilliantly written, author Michael Joseph Mahn’s Killing Time is a must-read mystery thriller. The twists and turns the narrative takes and the emotional connection the reader makes with these characters will have you hanging off of the author’s every word, and the imagery and atmosphere in the author’s writing really brings both this setting and the air of mystery this narrative takes to life in a natural and believable way.