Reviews: Danger in Plain Sight
The reviews are in. Your response has been stunning. Thank you.
“Danger in Plain Sight is a highly engrossing read from the very start as it introduces the complicated dynamic between Callie and Cash. The focus is on Callie James, an intelligent entrepreneur and single mother who deftly manages to handle a business and raise a son. Callie is wary of men like Cash due to the betrayal she suffered from Daniel. She stands out with her tough exterior. Cash is a lovable rogue who inspires loyalty from friends, but seems unable to crack Callie. The plot moves at a breakneck pace, and the author imbues the writing with emotionally compelling scenes. Author Burt Weissbourd has written a fun and entertaining thriller/mystery with romantic undertones that proves hard to put down. The twists and turns in the tale will leave the reader turning the pages until the very end. It is an immersive story with richly drawn characters and beautiful prose.” — The Book Commentary
“Bravo, Callie James. A woman gets in touch with her inner action hero in this bracing thriller.” – Kirkus Reviews
“I was a fan of Mr. Weissbourd’s Corey Logan trilogy and was worried I wouldn’t like this one since I was hoping to read more adventures of the extraordinary Corey Logan (Ms. Outside) and klutzy life-of-the-mind partner in crime solving, Dr. Abe (Mr. Inside). But I am happy to report his new book is a brilliant departure, the work of a real American original trying something new. The plot twists like a snake. I finished this thing in 24 hours and I never do that. Callie James is another brilliant creation, an American Every woman, flawed and with a complicated past, caught up in a vast, unfolding plot far beyond her control. I don’t want to give too much of it away so read it for yourself. I was spellbound.” – Jacob Epstein, writer and executive story editor Hill Street Blues, writer LA Law
“Readers will know early on they are in the hands of a self-assured author with Danger in Plain Sight and, without a doubt, will come back for more.” – Michael Rand, Mobangeles
“Burt Weissbourd has a penchant for deftly drawn characters and high-octane action.” – Jason Hillenburg, The Magic Pen
“So many times in this novel, just when readers think the stars are aligning for Callie and her comrades, matters seem to get worse with Weissbourd parading a cast of killers more ruthless than the ones just thwarted. It makes for page-turning reading.” – BookTrib
“Author Burt Weissbourd plays out this non-stop action thriller across a well-planned arc with plenty of surprising layers and a series of detailed backdrop scenes that bring the tale to life with cinematic realism.” – Readers’ Favorite
“With Danger in Plain Sight, Weissbourd delivers a polished page-turner about terrorism, money laundering, and the price of sins rooted in avarice … Tart dialogue, explosive set pieces and a dexterous narrative style that favors velocity over exposition add to the book’s appeal … Thrillers may be a dime a dozen but memorable characters deserve a longer half-life, so here’s hoping Callie and Cash make a welcome return soon.” – BlueInk Review
“Here’s what happens when you enter Mr. Weissbourd’s world: You can’t get out. You will be astonished not only by the colorful, playful, lethal characters, you will be hooked into a plot that laughs at whatever else you thought you were doing today. Callie and Cash, beauty and the beast, and the characters that swim through their world are each a gem of humanity observed.” – David Field, screenwriter, former head of West Coast Production United Artists
“An inventive thriller whose unconventional heroine learns how to live again.” – Foreword Clarion Review
“… an entertaining and fast paced reading experience that should bring Weissbourd considerable notice and plenty of new fans.”– Too Much Love
“His skill as a writer is obvious and there’s a level of polish present in these pages you don’t find with less experienced authors.”– Hollywood Digest
“He is no newcomer to series characters. Weissbourd penned three novels featuring protagonist Corey Logan and the main character of his new novel Danger in Plain Sight, Callie James, is his next attempt at a series character. It isn’t often that male writers latch onto a female as the lynchpin for a potential series but I believe Weissbourd does an exceptional job creating a believable female protagonist without falling back onto formulas or clichés. The novel features a diverse cast of characters Weissbourd portrays for readers in believable fashion …” – Hollywood Digest
Reviews: Rough Justice
“I knew by page one, though, that Weissbourd was my kind of writer. Someone is telling the story of a young Rosie, who would be the perfect lady at dinner, then excuse herself and steal the change off the bedroom dresser. Better yet, she is getting sick on a plane, sitting next to a giant, muscle-bound, mean-looking man who has dozed off. She can’t hold it in and vomits all over the man and his expensive suit. Just then, as one might expect, he wakes up and is stunned to find the vomit all over him. Without missing a beat or showing the slightest look of suspicion, the young girl looks at the man and asks him, ‘Are you feeling better now, sir?’… For a rollercoaster thriller full of twists and turns and characters to latch onto, check out Rough Justice. For all the thriller masters he has engaged for their knowledge and inspiration, Weissbourd is on his way to building a reputation in his own right.” – See the review in its entirety at Book Trib
“Rough Justice is the outstanding sequel to Danger in Plain Sight. Author Burt Weissbourd brings back Callie James and Cash Logan and sets them on a course of danger that the pair seem to be getting all too familiar with as their relationship deepens. The heart of the story revolves around the interactions between Cash and Sara. Sara lived a harrowing life of neglect and abandonment but her resolve kept her going. Cash and Sara are similar in their characteristics, including devotion to friends and family. Their father-daughter relationship forms the emotional power of the story … Rough Justice succeeds because it defies expectations; it is filled with unexpected moments, peppered with emotionally rich scenes, and featuring dialogues that are as snappy as they are intriguing. The story is filled with drama, thrills and quirky moments that will tug at the hearts of readers. The breezy style makes for a brisk entry in this series; the well-written relationships are flavorful and readers can’t get enough of the incredible duo.” – The Book Commentary
“As a novelist, Burt Weissbourd is a master of the Amateur Sleuth/Crime Thriller genre and his newest story, Rough Justice continues to demonstrate his genuine flair of originality and the kind of riveting and narrative driven storytelling style that makes for a truly entertaining and memorable read from first page to last.” – Midwest Book Review
“Readers will find themselves engaged in Rough Justice from cover to cover. Author Burt Weissbourd does a fantastic job of developing his characters … The fast pace of this book makes it easy to follow, and the dialogue between characters flows naturally … Fans of Patterson and Baldacci will love the story, characters, and setting in this captivating adventure.” – Seattle Book Review
“Weissbourd’s sequel takes Sara, Cash, Callie, and their crew from Seattle to New York City; South Beach and Key Largo, Florida; Port-au-Prince, Haiti; and finally, Havana. The author’s vivid descriptions of these destinations sometimes read like tourism guidebooks (Havana is ‘a world unto itself—painted in bright colors, beautiful old architecture, wonderful vintage classic cars, the rich Spanish heritage touching everything from art to music to architecture to the cuisine’). The writing in general is direct and descriptive with touches of humor. Unusually for a thriller, the narrative switches points of view between the protagonists and the crooks, which adds to the suspense by giving readers previews of the surprises in store for Sara, Cash, and their friends.” – Kirkus Reviews
“Rough Justice is a character-driven thriller in which a couple takes great personal risks in order to protect a vulnerable woman … Sara is a fascinating heroine. After being abandoned in an orphanage due to family drama, she learned how to survive horrific situations, including finding her mother only to lose her again. In addition to such hardships, she is also developed as someone who is fond of classic American movies and has an intense love of martial arts — capable enough, and sure enough of herself, to battle for survival and citizenship. At first deliberate, even in her speech, she develops into someone capable of vulnerability: soft in conversation when she needs to be, but also animated and quick at times. As a result, in her presence Callie and Cash fade in prominence; the book’s true lead becomes Sara, who is charismatic, passionate, and determined …” – See the review in its entirety at Foreword Reviews
“Rough Justice by Burt Weissbourd is the stunning sequel to his first book, Danger in Plain Sight … [it] is an incredibly well-written book with a strong cast of characters and a terrific plot line … This novel contains vivid action scenes that hold the reader’s interest and the dramatic plot twists keep one wanting more beyond the last page.” – Reader’s Favorite
“Weissbourd’s novels are always well plotted and there are a lot of great surprises here. What is next level about this excellent new book is the character work. You think you are reading a taut thriller only to realize you are watching a family healing from tragedy. I highly recommend this book. Fans of Weissbourd know what I’m talking about. First time readers? Well, you’re in for a wild ride.” – Jacob Epstein, writer and executive story editor Hill Street Blues, writer LA Law
Reviews: Out of the Past
Arlene Heyman, MD, (psychiatrist/psychoanalyst), author of Scary Old Sex and Artifact, wrote,
“Abe Stein is a terrific character. He is so good that I don’t really know why the book is about Cash and moreover, I don’t care. Just leave Abe alone. By and large, leave the book alone.”
And she added,
“Abe Stein, the unique character in Out of the Past, is a most unlikely psychiatrist, involved in solving murders and even helping them happen! But, he’s a credible literary psychiatrist and very appealing.”
“Out of the Past by Burt Weissbourd is wonderfully written with various twists and turns in a flawless plotline that kept me looking forward to subsequent chapters. Another thing that stood out was the various themes explored, such as the importance of having supportive family members. I also loved the theme of getting professional help with mental issues; this will resonate with many readers, especially now that mental health problems are on the rise. The steady narration was also excellent and added to the overall beauty of the book. Burt also ensured that all the events and emotions of the well-developed characters were vividly captured, hence helping to create a mental picture of what was happening. Readers will also appreciate the highly engaging dialogues and the easy-to-understand language, which makes the book accessible to all levels of readers.” – Frank Mutuma, Readers’ Favorite
Out of the Past received a 5-star review from BookTrib’s R.G. Belsky (read full review), an award-winning author of the Clare Carlson crime fiction series and NYC-based journalist who had a long career as a top editor at the New York Post, New York Daily News, Star magazine, and NBC News.
In his review, R.G. Belsky wrote,
