I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A shocking and disturbed killer on a mission to recover his stolen “honor” brings an intense manhunt and two seasoned detectives eager to bring the killer to justice themselves in author Gary Westphalen’s “The Tattoo Murders”.

The Synopsis

When the man’s honor has been stolen, it is up to him to get it back. He needs to take care of business. Settling these scores means a series of cross-country journeys that leaves a trail of death. This quest to regain Honor captures the attention of an FBI Task Force that always seems to be a step ahead of the man, but is really a step or two behind. Maybe that’s because the man is getting help from a group of insightful characters that may or may not be real. Author Gary Westphalen masterfully blends a crime thriller plot with just enough seemingly supernatural elements to keep you guessing and flipping pages nonstop in this epic adventure, which is inspired by a true story.

The Review

This is a compelling and captivating thriller. The author does a wonderful job of diving into the psychological aspect of this thriller and exploring the chilling nature of humanity as a whole. The tension and heart-pounding action that this story infuses into the narrative are powerful and leave a lasting impression on the reader. The strong imagery the author uses in their work highlights the coast-to-coast setting in the U.S. and the atmosphere the author infuses into the narrative.

To me, what always stands out in a Gary Westphalen thriller is the true story the novel is based on and the rich themes the story touches upon. The action and suspense only serve to highlight these ideas, as the discussion around themes of mental illness, anti-humanism, and mankind’s connection to nature as a whole become prominent, as does the nature of media and communication in the 21st century and its impact on society as a whole. The chilling realities that the true story’s impact has on the author’s tale showcase the darker side of human nature, while the narrative and the true story also showcase the brighter spots of humanity and those willing to fight to protect it.

The Verdict

Memorable, haunting, and engaging, author Gary Westphalen’s “The Tattoo Murders” is a must-read psychological thriller that readers won’t want to put down. The heart-pounding tension and rich exploration of both the investigator’s and killer’s points of view will keep readers on the edge of their seats, and the brilliant writing itself will have readers eager for more of the author’s incredible body of work. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Gary Westphalen has spent most life in pursuit of the truth. First as a journalist working for local television stations, then moving on to work for national news organizations, eventually finding himself as part of the White House reporting teams for a major television network, where he engaged in verbal sparring with every President from Ronald Reagan to Barack Obama.

He also found time to work as an independent documentary film-maker, garnering numerous major awards for his work. He went on to NASA, where he produced several major documentary productions for the space agency.

Gary’s next journalistic adventure was as publisher of a major motorcycle magazine.

Now, Gary finds himself living on a Pacific coast beach in Costa Rica, where he has reinvented himself yet again as as an author and audio book narrator. His first two books have received great critical acclaim and the pipeline is full up upcoming books.

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