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UnderratedReads is devoted to discovering underrated books and under-represented authors. We highlight hidden gems from around the world–honest reviews only, never pay-to-play.
Category Archives: Fiction
The Final Days of Abbot Montrose: An Asbjørn Krag Mystery – Sven Elvestad and Stein Riverton
(reviewed by Ann Onymous ) Retired Detective Asbjørn Krag and his police colleague Keller are trying to solve the mystery of the disappearance of Abbot Montrose. But with no photographs, no one really knows what the Abbot looks like. He … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers, Scandinavian Literature, World Literature
Tagged crime fiction, Norwegian literature
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She Shits Bricks and Other Short Stories – Samson Tonauac
(reviewed by JD Jung) We’ve all been through a lot this past year and a half. Not just with COVID-19, but with social unrest, political chaos, and dealing with people who won’t accept basic facts as reality. Everyday life has … Continue reading
Posted in Sci-Fi/Speculative/Fantasy/Mythology
Tagged compulsion, corruption, dark humor, futuristic, greed, money, reality, science fiction, sex, short books
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The Underbelly (Outspoken Authors Book 3)- Gary Phillips
(reviewed by JD Jung) Mulgrew Magrady, an often-times homeless Viet Nam veteran is trying to get his life back on track. Though he is eight months sober, he is still suffering from his earlier impulsive actions. He abandoned responsibility for … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers
Tagged addiction, class, crime fiction, gentrification, Los Angeles, noir, race, social justice
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The Wrong Side of Murder (Curtis Westcott Book 2) – Jeff Buick
(Reviewed by Don Jung) The Wrong Side of Murder involves a twenty-year murder mystery that catches you off guard with all its twists and turns. It features detective Aislinn Bryne who has to cope with a long-lost high school friend … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers, Reviewers' Top Picks
Tagged crime fiction, detective fiction, mystery
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Cenotaphs – Rich Marcello
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “If you live long enough, most people leave, a few by staying true to themselves, more by death, indifference, or being driven away. “ Seventy-five-year-old retiree Ben Sanna realizes that no one has stayed with him … Continue reading
Posted in Modern Literary Fiction
Tagged death, grief, loss, love, redemption, relationships
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Antiman: A Hybrid Memoir – Rajiv Mohabir
(reviewed by JD Jung) “I wanted to stop hiding. I wanted to tell them that I was queer. Queer sexually, queer religiously, queer by caste, and queer countried.” Rajiv Mohabir never felt that he belonged. As a resident of Central … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Immigration, Modern Literary Fiction, World Issues
Tagged class, culture, Guyanese, immigration, India, LGBTQ, multiculture, political activism, race, sexuality
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The Broken – J.J. Hernandez
(Reviewed by Christopher J. Lynch) There are quite a few novels that chronicle the struggle of formerly incarcerated individuals returning to civilian life, but none that I have read that are as good as The Broken by JJ Hernandez … Continue reading
Posted in Modern Literary Fiction
Tagged fiction, incarceration, social justice
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Cyclops Conspiracy: An Adam Weldon Thriller – William McGinnis
(Reviewed by Don Jung) If you like spy thrillers, Cyclops Conspiracy is an exciting fast-paced story you’ll enjoy. This is the third book featuring the ex-Navy Seal Adam Weldon and his girlfriend, Tripnee, as they try to retrieve small nuclear … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers
Tagged espionage, Greece, spy thriller, terrorism
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Lilia: a true story of love, courage, and survival in the shadow of war – Linda Ganzini
(Reviewed by Heidi A. Swan) If you love historical fiction, WWII and a book that will make you cry, this book is for you. Lilia is a true story about a young girl’s impoverished life growing up in Italy in … Continue reading
Posted in Historical Fiction, Reviewers' Top Picks
Tagged biography, Nazism
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Broken Pieces of God – David B Seaburn
(Reviewed by Jeyran Main) Broken Pieces of God is a fictional name about a couple and their struggles with cancer, unemployment, financial hardship, and religious reliance. Eddy works for a cable company and loses his job. Gayle is a tax … Continue reading
Posted in Modern Literary Fiction
Tagged cancer, faith, God, health
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