11.6.2026 - Bad Company

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest stand-alone novel by Sara Paretsky, with the audiobook narrated by Eliza Foss.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Lily appears to be an ordinary 70-something retiree, single and living in Chicago, but she has quite the past as a former CIA operative.  She's happy in her current life until she receives an anonymous package containing a magazine story with a previously unknown picture showing Lily in the background of a sacred women's ritual in Hayalistan, a former USSR territory.  Lily is determined to find out who's behind this.  Word of her investigation reaches the CIA and they know they must silence her, but Lily is more determined.

I love seeing strong, powerful older women in books now, and this one differed from many in that there were no cute, cuddly attributes related to Lily.  She's just tough and steel minded no matter her age or physical condition.  I appreciated all her volunteer activities as well, using what she learned as an operative to help the younger generation.  This story has a lot going on - political, moral, environmental - all wrapped up in a spy thriller.  It moved a bit slowly for me at times, maybe because my brain is on political overdrive at the moment.  I alternated listening and reading this book and thought the narrator did a wonderful job.

11.5.2026 - The Heights

Many thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing | Cardinal for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by Ian Rankin.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 3.75 stars rounded up!

The Heights, a luxurious apartment complex in London, has it all.  It caters to the uber-wealthy who don't appreciate their privacy being interrupted by a murder investigation.  

I liked the Only Murders in a Building vibe of this one, and DS Gillian Gish was a great character.  For whatever reason, I had some trouble keeping track of all the different characters, most of who had motives to kill the concierge.  It's definitely thought provoking on how the 1% live, and their portrayed expectations.  It was a big of a slow read for me, especially since I typically love police procedurals, but I'd be anxious to read more books starring Gish!

 

11.5.2026 - The Brightness

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for gifting me a digital ARC of the follow up to The Art of Fielding, by Chad Harbach.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

We follow Pella and Irma in the years after Westish College and into their adult lives.  Pella is engaged to Mike, and helping her best friend plan his wedding on Block Island.  But things go wrong, and Pella soon finds herself trying to start a new life in NYC.  Meanwhile, Irma's involvement in a political prank has gone viral.

I read The Art of Fielding when It came out forever ago, and while I don't remember much, I appreciate how that book appears in this book in a unique way.  You certainly don't have to have read it to read this one.  This has a lot going for it, and at almost 700 pages, probably too much.  I liked seeing how these young women tried to invent and reinvent their adult lives, and how their friendships changed.  There are certainly many relevant themes, although in a period before #MeToo, so some of the happenings feel extra cringey.  It's very character driven and I enjoyed my time with them.

11.3.2026 - Madeline McKnight Signs Off

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Atria Books for gifting me a digital and physical ARC of the debut novel by Evan Brooke.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Madeline is dying.  Once a powerful figure on Wall Street, she still uses pie charts, line graphs, and predictive formulas in her life.  Madeline knows she's going to need help, so she presents her goddaughter, Bri, an offer she can't refuse.  Bri, the daughter of Madeline's estranged best friend, is struggling with debt to finish nursing school.  Bri isn't expecting Madeline's feistiness nor her plans for the future.  Can Madeline make things better before it's too late?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and all its snarky humor while dealing with some serious subjects.  Madeline was treated horribly in her past and that has fueled her behaviors.  But she has regrets too and a desire to leave things better.  There are just wonderful characters here, including Madeline's male friend, Lee, and Hopie, the dog.  Some of my favorite parts were Madeline's musings in between alternating POV chapters.  You'll also learn a lot about Hetty Green, known as the Witch of Wall Street, the richest woman at the turn of the 20th century.  On a personal note, I liked all the NE Ohio references.  Wonderful debut - looking forward to more from this author!

11.2.2026 - How to Be Less Useful

  

Many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for gifting me a digital and physical ARC of this wonderful book of essays by Priyanka Mattoo.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Some books arrive just when you need them, even if you wish you had them decades ago when you really needed them!  This is that book.  So much of the author's stories about wanting to swoop in and fix things for people, especially family, and then getting internally upset and frustrated when you have given everything you have just really rang true.  Even now, when my kids have long flown the nest, it's still in my nature.  But when actively parenting, these messages would have been invaluable.  This book is filled with ah ha moments that I marked and plan on revisiting, as well as relatable humor just being a human in these times.  Never preachy, just wonderful.  

11.1.2026 - Sweet Pea

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this wonderful novel by Kit de Waal, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Sara Powell.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.75 stars!

Paulette's grandmother called her "Sweet Pea," and taught her to avoid temptation and embrace love and forgiveness, in that order.  Paulette feels like it's her time - she has a good job, hopefully she's soon to be married, children and a home will follow.  Until tragedy strikes and she finds herself grieving and with a son, Bird.  Then another child comes into her life who needs her.  

Oh, this story will sneak up on you and will slowly carve out a special place in your heart for these characters.  In all her troubles, Paulette can still open her heart to others, even when her own is broken.  It's the story of how small kindnesses can mean so much - just one of the lessons that will make you look into your own life and feel that you can do a bit better.  This story is very character-driven and one that readers will relate to, because most of us have a future that we mourn for, but this book gives hope in that future even though it may look a bit different.  I loved this book and the ending was perfect.  I listened to the audiobook and felt that the narration and production just added to my immersion in this story.

10.31.2026 - Another Name for Red

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Pantheon for gifting me a digital ARC of this debut novel by Amber Blaeser-Wardzala.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

A red dress remains on the clothesline of the house on the Minnesota Rez where Old Sister has been missing for a year.  Middle Sister is keeping a secret from her family, and feels that her sister's disappearance is her fault.  All of her old relationships have disintegrated, and there's a new man in town, John Smith, who follows Middle Sister around.  Middle Sister is also actively trying to investigate her sister's disappearance, finding she must rely on her community for assistance.

A beautifully-written debut that once again showcases the plight of Indigenous women disappearing and being found murdered, while a nation turns a blind eye.  It's also a moving story about grief, guilt, and loss and what it does to individuals, families, and communities.  It's very atmospheric, and a sense of impending pain and dread hangs over Middle Sister, yet there's a hopeful turn as well.  A wonderful debut - looking forward to more from this author!