9.17.2025 - The Whisper Place

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic | Atlantic Crime for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest in the Iowa Mysteries Series by Mindy Mejia.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Former police officer, Max and psychic detective, Jonah, have combined their talents into their business, Celina Investigations, concentrating on finding missing people.  When Charlie walks into their office looking for his missing girlfriend without a past or even a real name, this may be their hardest challenge yet.   Meanwhile, a woman drives across the country with all her belongings packed into a car, desperate to escape a dark past. The question posed to the fleeing woman is the same one that keeps Max and Jonah awake at night: can you ever really change your life?

This is another great series, made so not only by the intriguing stories, but by these characters.  Don't worry if you haven't read the first two, but you definitely should!  The author gives plenty of info to make this a worthy stand-alone as well.  Jonah is tortured by the dreams and visions he has, and Max is dogged in his investigations, but they have forged a strong partnership.  Darcy is on the run from her old life and finally feels like she's found home, only to have it disappear again.  Blake and Charlie are great secondary characters as is the bakery - I was hungry the whole time I was reading!  This was a twisty mystery told from these three POVs, and I couldn't put it down.  

9.16.2025 - The Family at No. 1

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK | Thomas & Mercer, and Brilliance Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest thriller by Caroline Mitchell, with the audiobook wonderfully narrated by Laurence Dobiesz and Eilidh Beaton.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

When estate agent Laura Bradley is asked to sell number 1 Aspen Hollow, it feels like a dream come true. The house is beautiful and it's surrounded by beautiful woods.  She knows murders happened in this house, but she's convinced that she can make it someone's dream house.  But then things begin happening — graffiti painted on the walls, strange noises and threatening messages.  Someone doesn't want the house to be sold.

Told from multiple POV, including the wife who was murdered and the husband who is in prison, this is a twisty tale that will keep you guessing.  It's full of secrets, nosy neighbors, family drama - all those things that make a domestic thriller engaging and relatable.  It was suspenseful and tense because you were never quite sure what was happening and who you could trust.  Was the husband innocent?  I was rooting for Laura and her family throughout the book and loved the ending.  The audiobook narration was great and kept me glued.

9.15.2025 - Other People's Houses

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark and Highbridge Audio for gifting me a digital and audio ARC of the latest police procedural in the DC Morgan series by one of my favorite authors, Clare Mackintosh, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by the cast of Joe Eyre; Chloe Angharad Davies; Penelope Rawlins.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 5 stars!

 

Everyone wants to live on The Hill in Cheshire, but now someone is breaking and entering into these exclusive homes, one by one.  DS Leo Brady suspects the burglar is looking for someone or something in particular.  Across the border in Wales, DC Ffion Morgan recovers the body of an estate agent from the lake.  Who wanted this woman dead?  As their cases intersect, they learn people will do anything to keep their secrets hidden.

 

This is a wonderful police procedural series, and it was so fun to get reacquainted with Leo and Ffion (and, of course, Dave!).  There are three mysteries to solve here, including a cold case that is the subject of a popular podcast, but Mackintosh’s writing keeps the plot moving at a breakneck speed.  But the best part of this series is the characters; I love seeing their relationship unfold even when there are so many issues.  Fabulous series and another 5-star chapter.  Loved the ending and I’m so anxious for more books to come!  The audio production was wonderful – I always appreciate a cast for all the different characters to really make the story come alive.

9.15.2025 - Saratoga ABCs

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Globe Pequot | North Country Books for gifting me this cute children's book about Saratoga Springs NY by Lauren Magina.  All opinions expressed in this book are my own - 5 stars!

I live here so I have to give this book 5 stars for its wonderful drawings and cute, simple, rhyming descriptions of this city's attractions from A - Z.  It would be a great early reader book ahead of a visit to the city, to learn its history and attractions.

9.15.2025 - The Children of the Roses

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Book Whisperer for gifting me a digital ARC of the sequel to The War of the Roses by Warren Adler.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

After The War of the Roses, this book introduces us to the lives of their children, Josh and Evie, but picks up decades later as Josh is married to Victoria, with two children of his own, and Evie is single and struggling, selling off what's left of her parents' valuables to make ends meet.  

I recently reread the first book, followed by this sequel, before I watch the new movie based on the original book.  For the most part, these books have stood the test of time, as marital difficulties are certainly still occurring.  Some things may be a bit cringy for our current times - in this book, the focus for Evie is on her weight and food choices.  Helicopter parenting is in full force here, as the lines are drawn on just how far we will go for our children.  This was still another entertaining read, as generational trauma raises its ugly head and continues to haunt the Rose's.  

9.14.2025 - The Wrong Daughter

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for gifting me a digital and physical copy of the new book by Dandy Smith.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Sixteen years ago, Caitlin and Olivia were home alone while their parents went to a dinner party.  When their parents get home, Olivia's bed is empty and Caitlin will feel guilty forever afterwards.  But then Olivia returns along with so many questions about where she's been, what Caitlin really saw that night, and which daughter should be believed.

This twisty book will keep you guessing until the very end, with unreliable narrators and an alternating storyline featuring two characters, Elinor and Heath, who don't quite seem to fit into the story.  But be patient, because the storylines eventually come together.  It was an entertaining book and you just weren't sure who or what you could trust.  I was intrigued with both storylines and was surprised at the ending.

9.14.2025 - The War of the Roses

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Zando for gifting me a digital copy of the re-released novel by Warren Adler.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars

Jonathan and Barbara Rose are the perfect couple, living the dream in their beautiful house, filled with their precious antiques, their darling children, and their prized Ferrari in the garage.  It’s all any red-blooded American could possibly want.  But when Jonathan experiences a sudden heart attack (or so he thinks) Barbara realizes that she wants a new life, without him. There’s just one they both want the house. For husband and wife, it’s not just a it’s a passion, one that will escalate an ugly divorce into a full-blown battlefield, complete with weapons and casualties.

We all know this story from the original movie and the recently released version, as well as the fact that this title has seeped into our common vernacular to signify issues with divorce.  It's a dark comedy, filled with increasingly deadly hijinks as Jonathan and Barbara both stick to their guns about wanting the house and its possessions at all costs.  Funny if it wasn't so true, but an enjoyable read nonetheless.  I'm on to a re-release of the sequel now, The Children of the Roses.  I'll be all ready to watch the new movie then!