Michael Thomas Barry

Michael Thomas Barry is the critically acclaimed author of eight nonfiction books that include California's Deadly Women: Murder and Mayhem in the Golden State, 1850-1950 (2018), In the Company of Evil Thirty Years of California Crime, 1950–1980 (2016) and Murder & Mayhem 52 Crimes that Shocked Early California 1849–1949 (2012). He is a former columnist for CrimeMagazine.com and has made numerous television and radio appearances that include PBS SoCal’s Real Orange, and Investigation Discovery’s Deadly Women and True Nightmares series.

His many literary awards include the 2011 and 2014 Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards (silver and gold medals), 2012 and 2013 International Book Awards (winner), and 2013 Beverly Hills Book Awards (winner).

Mr. Barry is a graduate of Cal State Fullerton with degrees in history and criminal justice. He is a member of The Mystery Writers of America, American Society of Journalists & Authors, The Authors Guild, and The Crime Writers Association. The author resides in Orange, California, with his wife Christyn and their golden retriever, Jake.

Book Reviews by Michael Thomas Barry

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“Borman . . . delivers a captivating and exquisitely heart-wrenching account of the mother and daughter duo who radically changed English history forever.”

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“We all know of the heartbreaks that have struck President Biden, but this biography delivers critical understanding of the role Jill has played in his life.”

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“Kudos to Patterson for creating yet another exciting chapter in the Alex Cross saga.”

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“. . . thought-provoking, hope-filled, and inspirational.”

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“A roller coaster ride that’s filled with loads of suspense, mystery, and steamy sexiness.”

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“A wonderfully poignant and intimate behind-the-scenes portrayal of George H. W. Bush’s post-presidential life and accomplishments.”

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“Anyone who appreciates historical narrative in which the boundaries of human endurance are examined will wholeheartedly appreciate this book.”

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“a fittingly timely book that fits well into the post Donald Trump era of false narratives, conspiracy theories, and cries of fake news . . .”

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“a carefully crafted and concisely arranged assortment of diverse interviews of high school students in which they attempt to explain the challenges of circumnavigating a rapidly transformi

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“a suspense-filled, heart-pounding narrative that succeeds in painting a picture of what it is really like to serve on the frontlines of the US armed forces.”

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“wonderfully sophisticated and beautifully conceived . . .”

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“A thoroughly consuming reexamination of one of the most shameful scandals of American political history.”

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“if you killed the right people, people who were poor, non-white, and who didn’t have anyone to speak up for them, you could literally get away with murder.

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“The Wife Stalker is skillfully constructed and fast paced—a mischievously tense and engaging novel filled with plenty of twists and turns that keep readers spellbound and guessing

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“an alluring psychological legal thriller that is jammed packed with layers of emotionally charged sexual revelations and suspense.”

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“an extra ordinarily charming adaptation of one the most overlooked and most important people in Jane Austen’s life . . .”

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“an incredibly researched and compelling psychological thriller.”

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“Wonderfully captivating . . . A thrilling addition to the murder mystery series . . .”

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“Chillingly frank in its discussion of our planets fragile ecological system and the fight to save our basic natural resources.”

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“an intense and action-packed roller-coaster ride of emotions that is filled with loads of political and religious suspense.”

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“an entertainingly vivid, blood-soaked, sexually charged page turner.”

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“Invigoratingly engaging from start to finish, Nicholas Meyer has yet again created a fresh take on an old genre.”

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“a remarkable debut novel . . . meticulously researched and a sure bestseller.”

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“. . . deeply moving, well researched, and fittingly appropriate tribute to the enduring legacy of Prince Albert . . .”

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“another captivating adventure in which time traveling crime sleuth extraordinaire Kendra Donovan continues her exploits through pre-Victorian England.”

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Francoise Gilot was just 21 when she met Pablo Picasso, four decades her senior.

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“Chris Pavone has continued to cultivate his craft and has become one of the elite writers of the thriller genre.”

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“[a]n exceptionally gripping spy thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.”

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“if you really want to be creeped out and want a sleepless night, enter the unsavory and often seedy world of ‘Javanka’ where ruthlessness, egotism, and pure ignorance run rampant.” 

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“a riveting description of what really happens behind those closed doors of Washington’s flawed and dysfunctional traditions.”

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“A brilliant and fitting ending to a wickedly adored series.”

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“A clever and hauntingly grim fantasy . . . that will most certainly entertain fans of swordsmen, medieval sieges, and battles.”

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Jack and Maria have a complicated relationship. They live in a tiny Manhattan apartment with their eight-year-old son, Jonah.

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“From the decadence of high-society balls, to the swankiness of Belmont horse racing, murder and scandals abound.”

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“Sveen delves into well-trodden territory but delivers a marvelously refreshing and unusual fictionalized literary interpretation that’s devoid of judgement or preaching.”

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“In the beginning there was one murderer, one mule and one boy, but this isn’t the beginning . . .

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“Fast paced and intensely gripping, Nomad takes the reader on a high-octane thrill ride from start to finish.”

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“This captivating story will sweep the reader through fascinating and glowing accounts of the great composer’s life . . .”

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“This gripping, free-wheeling joy ride of a whodunnit invariably leaves the reader unabashedly cheering for the heroes and jeering the villains.”

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“Monster City will make an excellent addition to any true crime enthusiast's library.”

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“Putney by Sofka Zinovieff is a disturbing, yet powerfully captivating story that tells how just one secret can destroy many lives.”

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“There’s a misconception that the woods are the destination in a fairy tale. The woods are just something to get through. Scary, yes. Necessary, of course.

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“Persuasive and meticulously researched, Shakespeare and the Resistance is a must read for anyone interested in the study and interpretation of Shakespearian era politics or litera

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“. . . when you work for the dead, you’re stuck with a notoriously unreliable employer. Sometimes they’re all over you, screaming their need for justice at every cursed turn.

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“Captivating and intriguing, Chopin’s Piano will most certainly entertain both novice and hardcore music historians.”

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In 1346 Edward of Woodstock commanded the frontline at the Battle of Crécy, his father King Edward III of England, intentionally left him unsupported to win the battle, so he could “earn his spurs”

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Four old schoolmates, Art, Fabio, Tony, and Mauro have a pact: to meet up every year in the small town in Southern Italy.

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“Fare Thee Well is a passionate and well-written exposé of the behind the scenes action of one of rock and roll’s most iconic bands . . .”

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Night-Gaunts and other Stories by Joyce Carol Oates is a collection of six previously published short stories that attempts to reconnoiter the fragile forces that often exist between desir

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In the fall of 1948 Ernest Hemingway and his fourth wife Mary traveled to Europe, staying in Venice for a few months.

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“Alone time gives us permission to pause, to relish the sensual details of the world rather than hurtling through museums and uploading photos to Instagram.”

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Patrick “Pack” Walsh may not know exactly where he’s going in life, but he’s happy where he is. He’s got a girlfriend who gets him. His single dad is his best friend.

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Great Britain, 1923: Detective Inspector John Redfrye is a blessing to the Cambridge CID.

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As Queen Elizabeth I’s 50-year reign over England entered its latter years, a controversial and gifted playwright entered the theater scene and dove head first into the social causes, psychological

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For nine years Lucy has been working as a part-time librarian at a small Arizona university and struggling to complete a Ph.D. program in classic literature.

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Sigrid is in a tough place.

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It is hard to go wrong in Paris, one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

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A natural-born trapper and hunter raised in the Alaskan wilderness, Tracy Petrikoff spends her days tracking animals and running with her dogs in the remote forests surrounding her family’s home.

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Hundreds of white-hot meteor fragments plunge toward earth near Monterey Bay, California.

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“Fascinating and atmospheric, the narrative is complimented with beautifully illustrated images . . . For anyone who loves Dublin . . .”

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“The Cadaver King and the Country Dentist is a wide-ranging and explosive investigation of a racist criminal justice system that allows for the tragic exploitation and incarceratio

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“The boundaries which divide Life from Death are at best shadowy and vague. Who shall say where the one ends, and where the other begins?” Edgar Allan Poe

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Clara Kelley is not who they think she is. She’s not the experienced Irish maid who was hired to work in one of Pittsburgh’s grandest households.

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“A captivating page-turner that is filled with loads of atmosphere and suspense, The Woman in the Window is a highly recommended read . . .”

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Dr. Katie LeClair has agreed to join the small town medical practice of Emmett and Nick Hawkins in the small town of Baxter, Michigan.

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With images of war haunting him daily, U.S. Army veteran River Roulet cannot seem to break free of the past.

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“a fabulously complex and mysterious tale that is full of atmosphere and suspense.”

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Halloween might seem like the spookiest time of the year but Charles Dickens, M. R. James, Edith Wharton, and other literary greats felt otherwise.

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“A thoroughly captivating suspense-filled read that will not disappoint any devoted thriller enthusiast.” 

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“the perfect stocking stuffer for any crime noir or mystery fiction fanatic on your holiday gift giving list.”

 

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“a tantalizing look into how Austen’s classic works were shaped by her close relationship with her brother, as well as the financial scandals and disasters of the Regency era.”

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On December 9, 2016 Australian writer Georgia Blain died from a brain tumor. Her life contained more than its share of tragedies and disappointments.

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“A white-knuckle adventure from the start, . . . thoroughly entertaining historical mystery page-turner . . . filled with bountiful amounts of action and adventure.”

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“hauntingly compelling. A highly recommended thrill ride . . .

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“bursting with southern charm and sultry atmosphere. A splendid series debut that won’t disappoint readers who love old school murder mysteries.”

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"an entertaining read . . ."

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“the author uses his typically sharp and piercing sense of humor to breathe life into a multitude of delightful characters. . . . a charming debut novel . . .”

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“plenty of intrigue to delight mystery genre enthusiasts, enough historical accuracy to placate any history buff, and sufficient courtroom drama to satisfy any legal eagle.”

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“Persons Unknown is a complex, exhilarating, and multifaceted murder mystery that includes insightful social and cultural perspectives.”

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". . . delightfully twisted and thoroughly engaging . . ."

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Why is society so fearful of crime, but also fascinated by it? Why do the details of a gruesome murder, rape, or other heinous crime hold our attention?

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The Golden Age of detective novels is almost universally agreed to have occurred between the 1920s and 1930s.

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“a wide-ranging and comprehensive interpretation of how mobsters like Al Capone and his associates came to control the criminal rackets . . .”

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“a complex and seductive page-turner that will not disappoint devoted fans and casual readers of the New York Times bestselling series.”

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The Whitechapel district of London’s East End in the latter decades of the 19th century was a popular place for immigrants and the poor working class.

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“will most certainly satisfy those readers who enjoy the combination of the psychology of marriage and true crime.”

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“The Girl Who Knew Too Much is a fun, spunky, read . . .”

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In 2015 Netflix released the controversial documentary Making a Murderer, which explored the story of Steven Avery, a man from Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, who spent nearly two decades in

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“a worthwhile read. It will most certainly fascinate Dos Passos and Hemingway aficionados, as well as the casual literary biography enthusiast.”

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“Humans are the planet’s outliers when it comes to murder.

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“Yes, I believe [Steven] Avery is innocent. This is my opinion, which I know is not worth very much, but my opinion is based on an assessment of the evidence.”
—Jerome F. Buting

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“a refreshing read that will most certainly enthrall true crime enthusiasts and those interested in the history of modern law enforcement . . .”

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“an extraordinary and thought provoking view on the playwright’s life and works.”

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“Al Capone was a son, husband, and father who was looking for the best way to become a good provider for everyone.”

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a fast-paced tour de force through history and contemporary California. It is a heart-pounding page turner filled with loads of action and intrigue.”

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In February 2005, 14-year-old Mary (not her real name) was a naïve and impressionable teenager. She desperately sought out attention and wanted to make a good first impression.

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Seasoned homicide detectives are well aware that high-profile murder cases often attract numerous false confessions.

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“[the book’s] mesmerizing allegations and scandalous conclusions . . .

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“Whatever life holds in store for me, I will never forget these words: With great power comes great responsibility. This is my gift, my curse. Who am I?

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". . . brings to life the many characters and truly bizarre and astonishing events."

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In early December 1922, Ernest Hemingway was in Switzerland on assignment as a correspondent for the Toronto Daily Star, covering the Lausanne Peace Conference.