Review: The Amalfi Secret by Dean and Catherine Reineking

Synopsis:

When Gabe Roslo arrives in Amalfi, Italy, a long-awaited reunion with his grandparents takes a tragic turn. His beloved grandfather is dead—and a cryptic diary left behind is Gabe’s only clue to the mystery surrounding his sudden death. But what starts as a personal tragedy quickly spirals into a high-stakes international puzzle.

Teaming up with Anna, a resourceful Roman local, Gabe follows a trail of hidden truths that stretches from the stunning Amalfi coast to the corridors of global power. Secret codes, powerful enemies, and a legacy of deception pull them into a world where nothing is as it seems. With each twist, they are forced to question their allies and uncover dark secrets that could shift the global balance of power.

But as the walls close in, Gabe and Anna must risk everything to expose the truth before it’s buried forever. Will they decipher the mystery and reveal the sinister forces at play? Or will they become the next victims of The Amalfi Secret?
Perfect for fans of Dan Brown and Robert Ludlum, The Amalfi Secret is a pulse-pounding thriller that will keep you guessing until the final, breathtaking twist.

Favorite Lines:

“She was slight of stature and frail to look at, but he knew from experience that she had an inner strength that would get her through almost any trial.”

“The Italians sure have style. Only  here would someone wear black leather driving gloves.”

“We Italians are more concerned with beauty than perfection.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Amalfi Secret is the kind of thriller that sneaks up on you. It starts quietly, almost cinematically, and before you realize it, you’ve been swept into a world of prophecies, politics, and secrets buried deep in the marble corridors of history. The story moves between the present and the past with a rhythm that feels effortless, and even when the stakes climb, the authors manage to keep the human element right where it belongs—at the center. What surprised me most wasn’t the espionage or the religious intrigue, but the emotion underneath it all. It’s a story about love, legacy, and how far people will go to protect the truth.

There’s a gravity to the writing that reminds me of old-school political thrillers, but with more heart. Gabe Roslo is not your typical hero; he’s quietly capable, haunted, and deeply loyal. His grief feels genuine, and his need for answers pulls you along as much as the mystery itself. The story’s backdrop—the cliffs of Amalfi, the solemn air of Rome, the shadowed corners of the Vatican—adds an atmospheric beauty to the unfolding tension. You can almost smell the sea salt and espresso as danger closes in.

I also appreciated that the authors didn’t rush the reveal. They take their time, letting secrets drip out through journal entries, coded mirrors, and the wary exchanges between friends who might not be what they seem. Every conversation feels loaded, every clue slightly out of reach. The pacing builds slowly but deliberately. And just when you think you understand the scope of the story, it widens again—to global conspiracies, ancient orders, and moral choices that test faith and loyalty.

This isn’t just a novel about espionage or religion—it’s about the spaces between them. About belief turned dangerous, power wrapped in prophecy, and how history never stays buried for long. It’s a slow burn that rewards patience and curiosity, a blend of The Da Vinci Code’s intrigue with All the Light We Cannot See’s emotional depth. If you like stories that balance intellect with heart, this one lingers after you close the book.

Summary:

Overall, The Amalfi Secret is a richly layered political and historical thriller that blends mystery, faith, and love against a vivid European backdrop. It’s ideal for readers who enjoy intelligent thrillers, religious or historical mysteries, dual-timeline narratives, and character-driven suspense. Happy reading!

Check out The Amalfi Secret here!


 

Review: We the People: A Premonition by Russel Razzaque and T.J. MacGregor

Synopsis:

What if AI could show us the future—and what if that future was our extinction?

We the People: A Premonition is an AMAZON BESTSELLER and a gripping political thriller that explores the terrifying convergence of autocracy and climate collapse. Set in a not-so-distant America ruled by a fascist regime, the novel follows three unlikely heroes brought together by one truth: if they don’t act, the future is lost.

Luna Ochoa, a former FBI analyst turned underground investigator works for Leo Montoya, a reclusive millionaire funding a network tracking the government’s abuses. When the advance AI they created suddenly starts making predictions of humanity’s collapse—nuclear war, ecological annihilation, and widespread oppression—the danger becomes existential.

Enter Jake Kessler, a Pulitzer-winning journalist silenced for exposing political corruption. After crossing paths with Luna, he becomes entangled in a movement bigger than any of them imagined. Together they enter a race against time—not just to survive, but to reclaim the future.

The novel asks the question at the heart of today’s global crisis: Can we still choose a different path? Drawing on the ancient Athenian model and powered by modern technology, their vision is to build a new system where people participate in governance directly—every voice heard, every idea tested. It’s dangerous. Revolutionary. And it may be our last chance to avoid extinction.

With cinematic pacing, unforgettable characters, and razor-sharp political insight, We the People is not just a warning—it’s a call to action. It reminds us that democracy is not a guarantee. It’s a choice. And the most important character in this story is us

Favorite Lines:

“Not if our democracy deepens its roots. Not if we share power, instead of leaving the levers in the hands of a tiny cabal. If we become a real democracy, where ordinary people from every walk of life are involved, then a whole new predictive trajectory opens up.”

“You see, every crisis is also an opportunity. I created this space, not just to protect us, but to protect future generations.”

“Decisions are about judgements. We want individual people, from all backgrounds, to exercise their judgement and produce answers, through this iterative process.”

“Diversity is key. We need broad representation from the rainbow of humanity, so we can benefit from everyone’s lived experiences. That is where the creativity and innovation will come from – people from all walks of life regardless of backgrounds, ethnicity, and religious beliefs.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the authors in exchange for my honest opinion.

We the People: A Premonition follows Luna Ochoa, her brother Juan, and journalist Jake Kessler as they uncover AI-generated predictions of a near future defined by authoritarianism, violence, and ecological collapse. Working with Leo Montoya’s secretive organization, they confront the dangers of a government bent on silencing dissent while struggling to protect their families and preserve the last fragments of democracy.

What immediately stood out to me about We the People is how uncomfortably close its fictional world feels to our current reality. This is speculative fiction that doesn’t hide behind far-flung futures or alien landscapes—it sets its stage in recognizable cities, among ordinary people, and asks us to face what could happen if democracy erodes unchecked. The opening chapters, where Luna and Juan uncover horrifying AI-predicted images of global collapse, feel almost too vivid. The terror isn’t just in the events themselves—mass protests crushed, cities drowned, governments corrupted—but in how plausible they all seem.

I found the book compelling in the way it braids thriller pacing with political commentary. The narrative never slows down—characters stumble from discovery to danger, always pursued by unseen forces loyal to an authoritarian regime—but beneath the action, Razzaque and MacGregor are making a sharp critique of our fragile democratic structures. It reminded me of dystopian classics, but the authors’ choice to anchor it in the immediacy of Orlando and other familiar settings made it hit harder.

The characters themselves—Luna, her brother Juan, journalist Jake Kessler, and their enigmatic employer Leo—give the book its heart. They’re not superheroes. They’re regular people, bruised by loss and compromise, who stumble into carrying truths bigger than themselves. I appreciated how their fear, exhaustion, and even their doubts are depicted. It makes their small acts of resistance feel braver, because they’re not framed as destined saviors, just as people making choices in impossible circumstances.

That said, the novel can feel heavy-handed at times. The imagery of catastrophe is relentless, and the villains—the billionaires and political loyalists—are painted in very stark colors. But I think that bluntness is deliberate. This isn’t a book trying to be subtle; it’s trying to sound an alarm. By the end, I wasn’t left with a neat resolution but with an uneasy sense of responsibility. The authors’ message is clear: the future isn’t written, and what happens next depends on “we the people.”

Summary:

Overall,  We the People: A Premonition mixes political thriller urgency with speculative what-ifs. The novel becomes both a story of survival and a warning—reminding readers that the fate of society rests on ordinary people’s willingness to resist and reimagine the future.

For readers who enjoy fiction that feels both urgent and socially conscious, this  book sits at the intersection of political thriller, dystopian speculative fiction, and social commentary. Happy reading!

Check out We the People: A Premonition here!