The Book Connection...: Len Buonfiglio Caribbean Mystery Series

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Sunday, June 22, 2025

First Chapter Review & Giveaway: Calypso Blue by Brian Silverman

Calypso Blue, the second book in the Len Buonfiglio Mystery Series by Brian Silverman, is on tour with Partners in Crime Tours.

BLURB: In Calypso Blue, Brian Silverman crafts a gripping tale of mystery, revenge, and redemption set against the backdrop of New York and the Caribbean. The novel follows John Saint John, a man torn between his faith, past, and responsibilities as a father, as he grapples with a life-altering decision driven by a desire for justice. As his story unfolds in the shadow of a significant historical event, another narrative emerges—one centered on Leonard Buonfiglio, an American expatriate running a bar on the island of St. Pierre. When a legendary calypso singer, Lord Ram, dies under suspicious circumstances, Leonard is reluctantly pulled into an investigation at the behest of the island’s police superintendent.

Blending elements of crime, culture, and personal reckoning, Calypso Blue explores themes of loss, second chances, and the ghosts of the past that refuse to be forgotten. With vivid storytelling and rich atmospheric detail, Silverman transports readers into a world where music, memory, and mystery intertwine.

COVER: What's not to like about this cover? Its colors work with the title, the picture captures the setting, and the cold, dark feel of the water hints at the icy secrets about to unfold.

FIRST CHAPTER: The day starts out as a normal one for Len, as he drives down to the dock for his latest alcohol shipment for the bar he opened in St. Pierre when he moved from New York. That's when he hears about Lord Ram being in the hospital. His day goes from bad to worse once he arrives at the bar and his best friend, Tubby, tells him he better expect a busy time because rumor on the island is his bar, Sporting Place, will be hosting the fete to pray for Lord Ram. After a long day entertaining what is likely the entire island, the bad news comes: the Lord is dead.

KEEP READING: My, oh my! What a ride this first chapter is. Calypso Blue opens with two prefaces--one with John St. John in New York, and the other in St. Pierre, where Len is plagued once again by a recurring dream. Silverman wastes no time bringing the reader to the day of the fete. Filled with numerous characters, including Tubby, who we met in the first book, Freedom Drop, and Superintendent Keith McWilliams of the St. Pierre Police Department, who Len has a complicated friendship with, considering he kind of gets pulled into investigations from time to time. Through the eyes of Tubby, the reader also gets a glimpse of the islanders' distrust for the local police. While I felt the first chapter of Calypso Blue overloaded my brain with new characters, this appears like it will be just as wonderfully told as the first book. I will definitely continue.

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0F2S5TPW8
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Down & Out Books
Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 30, 2025
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 1.1 MB
Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 277 pages
Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled

Book Details:

Genre: Mystery
Published by: June 30, 2025 by Down & Out Books
Read an excerpt from CALYPSO BLUE:

I received a copy of this book from the author. This First Chapter Review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Tour Participants:

Ready to visit the caribbean? Visit these other great hosts on this tour for more great reviews, interviews, guest posts, and opportunities to WIN in the giveaway!

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This is a giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Brian Silverman. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

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Saturday, June 21, 2025

First Chapter Review & Giveaway: Freedom Drop by Brian Silverman

Freedom Drop, the first book in the Len Buonfiglio Caribbean Mystery Series, is on tour with Partners in Crime Tours.

BLURB: Len Buonfiglio is a former New York bar owner and family man. He has the perfect life until he yearns for more—for something he knows will destroy everything he had, but something he can’t resist. He makes his choice and that, along with a traumatic event, shatters his world. His life and what he had now broken, his only choice is to leave the city and his family. His flight takes him to the remote Caribbean island of St. Pierre where he opens a sports bar that he runs with his friend and partner, a young local islander named Tubby Levett.

In Freedom Drop, a genial tour guide, Rawle “Big Tree” Johns is a suspect in an American woman’s fall from a cliff and held in custody. John’s mother enlists Buonfiglio to help free her son and to prove that he had nothing to do with the woman’s death. Conflicted by the need to spend time with his sixteen-year-old daughter who he hasn’t seen in two years, Mr. Len as he’s known on the island, reluctantly agrees to help.

Buonfiglio’s search for the truth reveals that there are other, much more powerful forces involved in the woman’s death that threaten both his life and his family. In the course of his investigation, he confronts a high-ranking island politician, the local superintendent of police, the dead girl’s mother, and, ultimately, a shady yet powerful outsider investor. Was the girl’s death an accident or did Johns cause that accident? Or was she murdered? The lack of clarity—the mystery of what really happened to the girl—he realizes, reflects the enigma that is St. Pierre. It’s a riddle that, despite living on the island for several years, he still cannot solve.

COVER: What a beautiful cover! Love the colors, the texture, and the deep blue sky with the moon adding a hint of mystery.

FIRST CHAPTER: Len and his best friend on the island, Tubby, are driving to the airport. Numerous people descend the ladder as they make their way across the landing strip, but Len's eyes are on only one person.

KEEP READING: After a suspenseful and intense prologue that takes place in the past and sometime in the present, the reader finds Len and Tubby headed down the dangerous roads of St. Pierre to the airport. Silverman provides just the right amount of description to keep the reader engaged, without bogging them down with what they don't need to know yet. The friendly banter between Len and Tubby helps to lighten the emotions of the trip. The reader must wonder at this point how many, if any, of these other new arrivals to the island will play a bigger role, but the one Len has been waiting for will certainly be part of the story. I'm eager to see what happens next!

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DTJ8TSMW
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Down & Out Books
Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 7, 2025
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 2.0 MB
Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 301 pages
Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled

Read an excerpt from FREEDOM DROP:

I received a copy of this book from the author. This First Chapter Review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Tour Participants:

Win Big! Enter Now for Your Chance to Win!

This is a giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Brian Silverman. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

Can't see the giveaway? Click Here!

Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Tours

Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Series Showcase & Giveaway: Len Buonfiglio Caribbean Mystery Series by Brian Silverman

Len Buonfiglio Caribbean Mystery Series

FREEDOM DROP & CALYPSO BLUE

by Brian Silverman

May 19 - June 27, 2025 Virtual Book Tour

Amazon | Goodreads

FREEDOM DROP

A Len Buonfiglio/St. Pierre Caribbean Mystery

Len Buonfiglio is a former New York bar owner and family man. He has the perfect life until he yearns for more—for something he knows will destroy everything he had, but something he can’t resist. He makes his choice and that, along with a traumatic event, shatters his world. His life and what he had now broken, his only choice is to leave the city and his family. His flight takes him to the remote Caribbean island of St. Pierre where he opens a sports bar that he runs with his friend and partner, a young local islander named Tubby Levett.

In Freedom Drop, a genial tour guide, Rawle “Big Tree” Johns is a suspect in an American woman’s fall from a cliff and held in custody. John’s mother enlists Buonfiglio to help free her son and to prove that he had nothing to do with the woman’s death. Conflicted by the need to spend time with his sixteen-year-old daughter who he hasn’t seen in two years, Mr. Len as he’s known on the island, reluctantly agrees to help.

Book Details:

Genre: Mystery
Published by: April 7, 2025 by Down & Out Books
Read an excerpt from FREEDOM DROP:

Amazon | Goodreads

CALYPSO BLUE

A Len Buonfiglio/St. Pierre Caribbean Mystery

In Calypso Blue, Brian Silverman crafts a gripping tale of mystery, revenge, and redemption set against the backdrop of New York and the Caribbean. The novel follows John Saint John, a man torn between his faith, past, and responsibilities as a father, as he grapples with a life-altering decision driven by a desire for justice. As his story unfolds in the shadow of a significant historical event, another narrative emerges—one centered on Leonard Buonfiglio, an American expatriate running a bar on the island of St. Pierre. When a legendary calypso singer, Lord Ram, dies under suspicious circumstances, Leonard is reluctantly pulled into an investigation at the behest of the island’s police superintendent.

Blending elements of crime, culture, and personal reckoning, Calypso Blue explores themes of loss, second chances, and the ghosts of the past that refuse to be forgotten. With vivid storytelling and rich atmospheric detail, Silverman transports readers into a world where music, memory, and mystery intertwine.

Book Details:

Genre: Mystery
Published by: June 30, 2025 by Down & Out Books
Read an excerpt from CALYPSO BLUE:

Praise for FREEDOM DROP:

"An impressive debut…Silverman capably captures the feel of his setting en route to a satisfying conclusion. A sequel is warranted."
~ Publishers Weekly

"Silverman had me at the Caribbean setting, and held me with his fully human characters—of both good and bad natures—and their situation."
~ SJ Rozan, Edgar-winning author of The Murder of Mr. Ma

"A mystery steeped in authentic Caribbean atmosphere. Silverman knows his territory, as does his hero, an ex-Marine-turned-sleuth who discovers that, even in paradise, things aren’t always what they seem."
~ Wallace Stroby, author of Heaven’s a Lie and Some Die Nameless

"A buddy book, a whodunit, and a family drama, Freedom Drop is mystery magic."
~ Reed Farrel Coleman, author of Sleepless City

"Brian Silverman’s Freedom Drop is an exciting and welcome new addition to the crime writing pantheon."
~ S.A. Cosby, author of Razorblade Tears and All the Sinners Bleed

Author Bio:

Brian Silverman’s writing career has spanned over 30 years. He has written about travel, food, and sports for publications including the New York Times, Saveur, Caribbean Travel and Life, Islands, the New Yorker, New York, and others. From 2004 through 2013, he was the author of the annual Frommer’s New York City guidebook series. He co-authored the acclaimed Twentieth Century Treasury of Sports with his father, Al Silverman.

His short fiction has appeared in numerous publications, including Mystery Tribune, Down and Out Magazine, and Mystery Weekly. His stories have been selected to appear in The Best American Mystery Stories in 2018 and 2019, and The Best American Mystery and Suspense Stories 2021. His other short fiction has appeared in publications such as Down and Out Magazine, Mystery Magazine, Dark Waters, and Vautrin. Freedom Drop is his first published novel. He lives in Harlem, New York, with his wife, Heather, and his sons, Louis and Russell.