What’s your fave Natalie McMasters mystery?
Another Great Review for Revenge!
Amazon is at it again – they removed a 5* review for Revenge! the other day. Happily, it has now been replaced by a new 5* review which I am copying here so I don’t lose it forever.
Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars
November 1, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
Awesome Read
This was an unexpected gem. I was fully gripped from page one to the last word as the pace was fast without much down time. Natalie was the type of character I appreciate, with dimension. While hard, and often crass, there is also a vulnerability to her that makes her more than the average cardboard sassy heroine. Since I haven’t read the first part, I did get the feeling that I might have missed some of the depth between Natalie and her girlfriend, Lupe, however, that just makes me want to give it a read and see what I missed. From the other snippets of backstory, it sounds like I missed another wonderful story.
The story has a whole lot of threads that twine together to keep things tense as you try to figure out who it is that’s causing trouble for Natalie, and Lupe. Is it all related? The stakes continue to grow as well, the deeper you get. I found myself staring harder and gripping the kindle tighter as I reached the end. That end. Fantastic.
If you are looking for a thrilling mystery this one will satisfy.
The First Natalie McMasters Mystery Stripper! is now FREE
I have just joined Prolific Works (formerly Instafreebies) and set up a giveaway for Stripper! To get Stripper! for free, just go to https://claims.prolificworks.com/free/PBeoYRYy and claim your copy. As an added bonus, you’ll be signed up to my newsletter so you’ll get news about whare I’ll be, upcoming titles and more!
Reviews for Stripper!
Here are the eleven reviews I’ve gotten for Stripper! to date.
I’m posting them here so Amazon can’t obliterate them on a whim at a later time.
5.0 out of 5 stars terrifyingly realistic
By Kalli on July 20, 2018
Stripper is a mystery thriller that far surpassed my expectations. When I first opened this book, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The cover of the book, as well as the title, shows the obvious stripper, however the book is far deeper than the cover and the title suggest. The 2 main females are mistaken for sisters quite often. So Becca is an online stripper/porn star. Natalie is a struggling college student/former P.I. who is trying to figure out where her next meal is gonna come from. When Becca proposes that Natalie join her in her business, Natalie declines. I mean, there’s gotta be a line, right? Well, right after that, she tries to call Becca but she can’t get ahold of her. A few days goes by and still nothing. Turns out, Becca has been murdered! And what’s more, she has left everything she owns to a girl she has only known for a week or two!! But now Natalie’s financial problems are over. However, she takes over Becca’s online business in the hopes of catching her killer. She even gets her old P.I. job back. The interesting thing about how this plays out is that while Natalie is invested in catching Becca’s killer, she also gets kind of a rush out of performing, but at the same time she has PTSD about the whole situation. So it’s interesting to see how the whole thing plays out. We also have Danny, a former police officer turned P.I. with a dark past. I won’t give too much away, but suffice it to say that this is definitely a book that you won’t want to pass up. The story will keep you on the edge of your seat, interested, emotionally invested, and hooked. This book doesn’t skirt the nitty gritty like a lot of books, it gets right down in there and shows the dark underbelly of things. I love it.
3.0 out of 5 stars Who writes good descriptions and has a fantastic grasp of literary expression
By Surfs Up Writers’ Bookshelve son June 13, 2018
STRIPPER by Thomas A. Burns Jr. is a mystery thriller beyond my expectations. Burns, who writes good descriptions and has a fantastic grasp of literary expression, has written a book that builds tension throughout.
Although Burns depicts the reality of what women go through when they attempt to get hired by a male boss, he also depicts their sexual subjugation in various other ways. As characters come and go in this book, and their departures are often marked by trails of blood they leave behind, they predominately express themselves throughout this book by their sexual escapades.
The sneaky villain at the end of the book is dealt one of the most horrifying departures I have ever read. While the theme of the book may not be for me, the author writes well and deserves recognition for the hard work and discipline he demonstrates in his writing.
By deb on August 2, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Great Book.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read!
By Brian on July 31, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Extremely well written. The plot was very entertaining and the characters were well developed and likeable. Told from the first-person perspective of Natalie McMasters – the book is a real page turner. Great read!
4.0 out of 5 stars A zesty take on the genre
By E. Itkin on June 27, 2018
Natalie McMasters’ best friend of a week or so has been murdered. The friend in question was an internet sex worker, so Natalie decides to track down the killer herself by working at a strip club. During her escapades both on and off the pole, she meets and must best a number of creepy characters. Along the way, she gets in touch with her burgeoning sexuality by developing a relationship with Lupe, a fellow dancer at the club.
Natalie, while ditzy, has an irrepressible spirit and a can-do attitude, which makes her a likable protagonist. She’s also funny, and I laughed out loud multiple times while reading this.
“My first pep talk from my stripper mom. Now there’s a high point in my life!”
“A stripper with a black eye. That will attract the right kind of fans!”
Although I enjoyed this fresh, fast-paced novel, I found Natalie’s voice (relayed in first person) to be inconsistent. She uses lots of teen-speak (“OMG,” “totally,” and tons of exclamation points), all of which is believable. Yet we’re supposed to believe that she, a college dropout, also comfortably employs words like “fetor” and “replenish.” Sometimes, it feels like the author’s voice overpowers Natalie’s before Natalie takes over again.
“She serves dinner up on the bar, replenishes the wine, then sits next to me. The salad is scrumptious with its creamy, citrusy dressing and even better when wrapped in the crispy, golden pancakes. The wine goes perfectly with the food. I’m not much for rabbit food, but this is one of the best meals I’ve had, ever!”
I also found that some things strained credibility. A therapist encourages Natalie (who’s not even a proper PI yet) to go after the killer, which doesn’t seem like anything a therapist would ever do. Also, Becca, Natalie’s new BFF, leaves Natalie all her money, even though they barely knew each other. Natalie’s coming out as a lesbian also feels handled glibly, with little self-reflection.
Fans of murder mysteries will appreciate this zesty take on the genre. For those who are squeamish, the body count is on the high side, and some of it is graphically described although I didn’t find it to be anything different than what I’ve seen on TV.
By Jeffrey Cochrane on June 14, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Good premise, good action. I liked the main character, who grew through the book. Some of her actions should have been thought out better but it was part of her character. The sexuality issue was resolved without being explicit. All in all, recommended.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great reading
By richard solomson on June 14, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Good storyline and characters. Start book 2 soon and I’m sure to enjoy it. Check out the author’s work, you’ll be pleased
5.0 out of 5 stars A thriller page-turner until the very end
By Camille Marino on June 11, 2018
Stripper! is an exciting and fun book but, for me, the most important element was the depth of character that emerges as strippers and johns, dirty cops and drug dealers, or just regular people — students or single mothers trying to make a living — navigate a largely-hidden and misunderstood subculture.
When an internet sex worker is murdered, her new friend, Natalie McMasters, is thrust into a world of bright lights, g-strings & stillettos, and unsavory characters. As a young woman working toward her law degree, there’s a vicarious thrill as necessity thrusts her onto a stripper pole in a g-string and stillettos to solve the crime. And she finds that maybe all the male attention is just a little repulsive and intoxicating at the same time. Without giving away any details that the reader will enjoy discovering for themselves, the likely suspects range from an abusive strip club owner, his muscled henchmen, disgruntled working girls who’ve been raped, johns, and drug dealers. The reader will be left guessing until the final chapters when the real depth of human depravity is revealed in full display.
On another level, in the characters of Danny, an ex-cop who left the force because of pervasive corruption, and Lupe, an illegal immigrant who dances for men and allows herself to be raped to protect her family, Natalie is allowed to explore her own sexuality and, ultimately, find true love against a backdrop of sex, drugs, and shocking violence.
It needs to be noted that Thomas A. Burns negotiates some salacious and provocative material without a hint of cliche or tackiness. As soon as we entered the netherworld of internet hitmen, I just knew I’d turn a page and find a reference to the “Beso Mafia” — a darknet phenomenon that’s been known to snag more than a few wannabe criminals. It never happened. The author crafted this story with nothing but realism and sincerity. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
5.0 out of 5 stars Fast Paced Plot With Twists And Turns
By Peter J. Reilly on April 27, 2018
Natalie McMasters is an engaging character that I got to like quite a bit. It is hard to say a lot without introducing plot spoilers, but you probably would not want to hang out with Natalie – way too dangerous. In “about the author”, Burns notes the influence of Rex Stout and sometimes you can catch a bit of Archie Goodwin, the narrator of the Rex Stout novels coming through, which might seem disconcerting from a way cute college girl, but a bit of cynical wise-assery probably transcends gender. The setting is a little generic, but you get the sense that the city might turn into something like Ed McBain’s Isola in subsequent installments.
Burns doesn’t mention F Paul Wilson as an influence, but you can also catch a bit of Repairman Jack in Natalie particularly in her process of becoming a gun nerd. There was one scene that struck me like the classic Western as round after round is fired without reloading, but when I looked back, I realized that Natalie had explained in some detail the thirty round magazine she was packing.
Another strong point of the characterization in the novel is villains who manage to be quite satisfactorily villainous while maintaining believability.
What really distinguishes the work is the fast paced plot, with twists and turns that are surprising but plausible within the story line.
I regret that I was not able to read Stripper straight through, which would have enhanced the tension. I plan on doing that this summer and will be looking forward to the next installment in what I hope will be a series.
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent crime/mystery story
By Craig Chapman on April 20, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Excellent crime/mystery story, kept me turning the pages. Burns has created a fascinating lead character–Nattie McMasters. She’s young, sexy and courageous. That makes her a tough cookie but her weaknesses make her so much more interesting. She’s hard-headed, naive and sexually-conflicted. The story is written in first person, so the reader gets to see Nattie’s point of view as she throws herself into a seedy world to solve a murder. I felt intrigued and entertained by this story and Nattie’s tendency to put herself in danger. She’s an inspiring combination of capability and vulnerability, with a large dose of sex appeal thrown in.
Amazon is at it again!
Amazon just removed two five star reviews for my books Stripper! and Revenge!, with no explanation, of course. I’m copying all of my Amazon reviews for Revenge here so I won’t lose them. I’ll put the ones for Stripper! in a different post. Of course, they won’t have the same visibility, but at least I’ll have them.
5.0 out of 5 stars Something Different (For Me)
By Some Programmer on August 21, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
This book occupies a niche outside of my usual reading, and I probably wouldn’t have given it a second glance if I’d stumbled across it on Amazon. I only discovered it because the author and I attended the same beta reader group, and I’m glad I did. Revenge! turned out to be a very enjoyable read.
First off, the writing is great. Natalie McMasters, the protagonist, has a distinct voice and a complicated personality. Most of the supporting characters have some depth to them as well, and the setting (a fictionalized version of a certain Southern city) is vividly drawn. I thought the book nailed the plot and pacing as well. The story does a great job of sprinkling in little details that turn out to be important later, and the tension level increases with almost every page up to a downright thrilling climax.
No book is perfect, and I did find a few minor elements I was less enthusiastic about. I wished that Natalie’s girlfriend Lupe had been fleshed out as thoroughly as Natalie herself. Also, there’s some very graphic sex and violence throughout the book. Given the theme, it’s kind of unavoidable, but it’s something you should be aware of going in.
These quibbles took very little away from a great book, and I’m looking forward to the sequel. Speaking of sequels, it’s worth mentioning that while Revenge! is the second book in a series, it stands on its own very well. Even though it (minor spoiler) ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, it manages to tell a complete story while still fitting into a larger plot. I wish more authors could pull this off.
3.0 out of 5 stars I look forward to the next book in this series!
By Tommy on August 19, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
What I liked:
Let me start out by saying the synopsis takes care of telling you what the story is about, so I’ll give you my thoughts about the writing.
The story itself held my interest and kept me turning pages to find out what will happen next. The pairing of characters and interaction between them is well written—Rebecca and Nattie, Danny and Nattie, Lupe and Nattie, and LeBrowne and Nattie, just to name a few. You can hear the distinction in each of their voices. They are all well-developed characters. Well done, Mr. Burns.
What did not work for me:
The overuse of the word “I” in parts of the writing slowed down the flow. For instance, a paragraph with several sentences that all begin with “I” made the writing feel like wood, telling and not showing. But, then things would begin to flow again wonderfully.
The information dump regarding immigration law is too much at one time and took me out of the flow of the story. At this point we do not know what Lupe will face in the future to fix her problem. Reveal the legal immigration process as Lupe is living it. Let the law support the action she needs to take at that moment in time. Spoon feed it to me.
The Final Say:
This author has created a refreshingly original character in Natalie McMasters. She has all the flaws of a real person, a little offbeat, quirky, roughed up edges, with a heart and soul. She has loved strongly and lost painfully for her young years. She’s a survivor and faces her challenges. She also keeps secrets and is guarded. She’s wonderful. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
3.0 out of 5 stars A step down from book 1
By Corey Pon August 29, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Book 1 was great. Natalie McMaster was a bada$$ and didn’t take any grief from anyone. The story kept the reader entertained throughout even enough to overlook grammatical errors. Book 2 was a let down. Natalie did a 180 and just cried and blubbered. The story just drug along and didn’t entertain enough to overlook the grammatical errors. I was glad to get to the end. Book 3 would take some consideration if I was to read.
4.0 out of 5 stars It was good
By Jeffrey Cochrane on August 24, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
I think I liked the first book better. This was good. The relationship between Nattie and Lupe grew. The premise was good. Don’t know why I didn’t enjoy this as much as the first. Strong suggestion is to read the books in order. This definitely builds on the previous one. Recommended.
4.0 out of 5 stars Keeps you captivated
By Ilia Davidovich on August 22, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
This is a sequel to the Stripper! and it further opens up Natalie McMasters world of danger, mystery, and unconventional lifestyle. Her actions in the first book come back at her as her enemies mount a revenge. The writing is superb, the plot is fast paced and never dull. A perfect novel to take with you on a long trip. Take it with you on a plane, just don’t start it if you plan to get some sleep.
4.0 out of 5 stars Good story
By Kalli on August 22, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
The characters and plot were well written. It definitely falls on the dark side, which I love. It DOES have an overuse of certain words, but I can overlook that because of how well developed the story is.
5.0 out of 5 stars Revenge! A Great 2nd Novel in the Series
By TXB on August 21, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
I have read both novels by Thomas Burns in the Natalie McMasters Mystery series (Stripper! and Revenge!). And both books are so entertaining. Revenge! is a well written novel for the continuation of the series. I did a binge reading of the book because there was a good flow to the story and I was interested in the outcome. I find the characters believable and Natalie shines above all. Not your usual protagonist but Mr. Burns has made her to be a worthy and interesting detective. I look forward to more novels by this author. If you are a crime drama aficionado, then Revenge! is a good book for you.
5.0 out of 5 stars Something Different (For Me)
By Some Programmer on August 21, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
This book occupies a niche outside of my usual reading, and I probably wouldn’t have given it a second glance if I’d stumbled across it on Amazon. I only discovered it because the author and I attended the same beta reader group, and I’m glad I did. Revenge! turned out to be a very enjoyable read.
First off, the writing is great. Natalie McMasters, the protagonist, has a distinct voice and a complicated personality. Most of the supporting characters have some depth to them as well, and the setting (a fictionalized version of a certain Southern city) is vividly drawn. I thought the book nailed the plot and pacing as well. The story does a great job of sprinkling in little details that turn out to be important later, and the tension level increases with almost every page up to a downright thrilling climax.
No book is perfect, and I did find a few minor elements I was less enthusiastic about. I wished that Natalie’s girlfriend Lupe had been fleshed out as thoroughly as Natalie herself. Also, there’s some very graphic sex and violence throughout the book. Given the theme, it’s kind of unavoidable, but it’s something you should be aware of going in.
These quibbles took very little away from a great book, and I’m looking forward to the sequel. Speaking of sequels, it’s worth mentioning that while Revenge! is the second book in a series, it stands on its own very well. Even though it (minor spoiler) ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, it manages to tell a complete story while still fitting into a larger plot. I wish more authors could pull this off.
5.0 out of 5 stars Fast paced exciting page turner
By Peter J. Reilly on August 21, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
It was great to have Natalie McMasters back in my head. Burns has crafted one of the greatest opening paragraphs in detective fiction.
“When you kill someone, it changes you. Totally. My name is Natalie McMasters. I’m twenty, short and blonde (OK, it’s bleached) and I’m way cute. And I’ve killed three people.”
As Natalie is dealing with the psychological strain created by the events in Stripper!, the first book in the series, we learn enough to follow along without having read Stripper! (although you really should read it).
And by the end of the first chapter we are back to the races again as one or more somebodies is out to get Natalie again.
In the process we see matters develop in Natalie’s romantic and family life as the pretense with her uncle that her lover Lupe is just a roommate is uncovered and family trumps other concerns. The characters flesh out more, although I keep wanting to get more of Uncle Amos and also the setting is fleshed out more – a University city in the south.
We also get some backstory on Natalie her pre-Stripper walk on the wild side, which may now be coming back to haunt her. So character and setting are good, quite good, but it is the relentless plot that keeps the pages turning.
The biggest criticism I have is that a couple of the villains don’t quite hang together and their actions against Natalie are a little implausible. Behind the though is a villain of Moriarty quality lurking from Natalie’s past.
Although the book ties things up in a quite satisfactory manner, we are left with a new crisis that will keep us waiting for the next installment
5.0 out of 5 stars New Natalie McMasters Mystery
By Craig Chapman on August 21, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Natalie McMasters, the heroine from Tom Burns’s novel Stripper, is back in another fast-moving mystery–Revenge. I really like this lead character. She’s a smart, sexy, hard-edged detective but the story reminds us that she’s also a naïve and vulnerable college-age girl. The plot is full of perplexity that kept me guessing about the source of the many troubles that threaten Nattie and the ones she loves. I found myself applauding her pluck and determination, while cringing at her tendency for putting herself in danger.
I appreciate authors who do their homework and Burns has certainly done his research. Besides the obvious background on police procedures, the story takes us into the ins and outs of CCTV signaling, trends in street narcotics, the arcane rules of federal deportation proceedings and the psychology of a young woman dealing with her history of violent confrontations and a same-sex relationship. These details helped make the story real and relevant.
Revenge gives us plenty to chew on while taking us through the heroine’s misadventures. Great reading for people who appreciate intelligent and exciting mysteries.
5.0 out of 5 stars Another great Natalie McMasters book
By Brian on August 21, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Well written book. Great story. Well developed characters. This is a great read and you’ll find yourself rooting for Natalie throughout! I’m already curious to see what she’ll get into next!
4.0 out of 5 stars Fast paced, interesting characters, topical themes
By Skip Dyer on August 21, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
This story was well-written with a “keep turning the pages” pace. The plot is well-crafted, the characters interesting and well-developed. There was one minor character whose story didn’t seem to resolve by the end and I wanted the bad guys to get a more robust comeuppance. Those items aside, it was an entertaining read and kept my interest throughout. I’ll definitely continue with the series.
What Makes a Character Iconic?
We all know who they are. Sherlock Holmes. Superman. Batman. Tarzan of the Apes. There are others. These are not just wildly popular fictional characters today – they are cultural icons. It’s the dream of every fiction author to create such a being, but how? What are the characteristics that these and other extremely popular characters share?
1. They were the first of their kind. Sure, there were fictional detectives before Holmes came on the scene, but he was the first to employ his “methods” – forensic investigation, deductive reasoning, a chameleon-like ability to become almost anyone he chose. John Clayton, Lord Greystroke, was the first child to be raised by non-humans in the wild and to gain special powers because of it, while retaining all of the exemplary characteristics of the perfect man – strength, courage, and the morals of his time and culture.
2. They had a compelling story. Kal-El was introduced as the lone survivor of a lost world. Bruce Wayne was orphaned by the powers of evil. John Clayton was also orphaned in one of the wildest, most inhospitable places imaginable. All of these characters possessed inestimable characteristics that allowed them to rise above great adversity to become paragons of their times.
3. They were crafted with meticulous detail. I can close my eyes and see Holmes’ rooms in Baker Street or Tarzan’s cabin in the jungle. Many of the details about them were ancillary, that is, they were not important in the context of a particular story, but in aggregate, they served to define a unique, unforgettable individual whom a reader could feel that they knew intimately.
4. While each character was a product of his era, they also had characteristics that appealed across generations. Holmes has been updated many times with varying degrees of success, as has Tarzan. Batman and Superman undergo almost continuous transformation in the comic books, graphic novel and movies about them. These updates are successful only if the character does not lose their essential iconic characteristics.
I’m sure that Arthur Conan Doyle, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Bob Kane and Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster had no idea that they were creating cultural icons when they were developing their respective characters. But what they did do was pay attention to the principles of good writing, and let nature take its course.
I’d love to hear from my readers in the comments about these or any other characters you feel are iconic and what makes them so.