4.28.2026 - How to Cheat Your Own Death

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book in the Castle Knoll Files series by Kristen Perrin.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

In 1968, Frances Adams is loving her new London life, going to university, and stepping into a new world of glamour thanks to a new friend, Vera.  In present day, Annie Adams heads to London to visit her famous artist mother, Laura, only to find herself investigating the murder of Laura's new protégée.  Annie has read about a very similar murder in the journals of her late great aunt Frances.  

This series just keeps getting better!  Do yourself a big favor and start at the beginning, because there is no sign of this one slowing down.  This time, the majority of the action takes place in London, rather than Castle Knolls, but we still catch up with all the regulars, including getting the backstory of Sam, Annie's father whom Laura has always refused to discuss.  I love how the story plays out, with excerpts from Frances' diary telling the story of her life as it relates to what's going on in the present.  Plus, the connection between Annie and Detective Crane continues on, or does it?  Please don't make us wait too long for the next in this series!

4.27.2026 - The Story of Marceau Miller

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Marceau Miller for gifting me an audio ARC of this novel by Marceau Miller, narrated by the wonderful team of Saskia Maarleveld, Jean Brassard, and Stephanie Németh-Parker.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 3.5 stars rounded up!

Marceau Miller is a successful writer who falls while climbing in the French Alps (with no ropes!) and dies.  His wife, Sarah, is convinced that it was not an accident and was instead murder.  Then she discovers that her husband has left behind a final manuscript that she has to find if she wants to know the truth about Marceau as well as the disappearance of his sister long ago.

The audiobook was narrated by a dream team, so I would highly recommend listening to that version.  This is a slow-burn mystery, and very clever as it is written from the perspective of the author after his death.  It kept me on my toes and I felt so bad for Sarah.  It's an exploration of just how toxic both secrets and relationships can get.  Intriguing!

4.27.2026 - We Burned So Bright

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Tor Books, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the new book by TJ Klune, with the audiobook beautifully narrated by Kirt Graves.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Don and Rodney have been married for over 40 years and thought they had more time.  But the world is ending because of a rogue black hole heading for Earth.  They hope they have enough time to make it from Maine to Washington to fulfill a promise.  Traveling in their old RV, they meet others trying to live their last days as best they can.

What a punch this book gives in only 176 pages.  I listened to and read this in one sitting, and it left me in tears, with life lessons to ponder.   It's tragic, beautiful, and a must read.

4.27.2026 - This Weekend Doesn't End Well for Anyone

 

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 in the Vacation Mystery series by Catherine Mack (pseudonym of Catherine McKenzie), with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Elizabeth Evans.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Eleanor Dash is trying to get in a vacation with boyfriend Oliver and her sister/assistant Harper by accepting a speaking engagement at a book conference in the Bahamas.  But as soon as they walk into their hotel room, someone is dead.  Plus, the trio soon realize that they are surrounded by others they know at the conference (aka characters in the other books).  Let the fun begin!

These books are just so entertaining, as Eleanor talks to the reader about all that is happening, inviting you to come along for the ride and try to solve the murder.  There's a lot in this book and at times it had my head spinning, between actual writing advice that she was presenting, a bit of a confusing plot, and those footnotes!  I actually started listening to this one and felt it was a bit easier than trying to read the footnotes in real time on my Kindle.  I would definitely recommend starting from the beginning in this series so get to the know all the characters, although Eleanor stresses that you don't need to and she will give you all you need!  Looking forward to more in this series!

4.26.2026 - Dogs, Boys, and Other Things I've Cried About

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, William Morrow, and HarperAudio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this sweet memoir by Isabel Klee, with the audiobook narrated by the author.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

I hadn't heard of this author who's a TikTok celebrity and (sorry) I'm not even a dog person, but couldn't resist the title and cover.  I found myself thoroughly enjoying this book.  It's the story of how Isabel took her childhood love of dogs and made it into a career to rescue dogs from around the world.  The stories of these dogs will touch your heart.  Along the way, we learn how she achieved her dream of living in NYC and her experiences with various apartments, friends and romantic partners.  I loved going along on her journey.  The author did a great job narrating the audiobook and I always feel that memoirs are more powerful when read by the author.

4.26.2026 - Dear Mother

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing | Thomas & Mercer for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Rea Frey.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Isabelle is back home where all her trauma happened, cleaning out her mother's house after her death.  Now a journalist, Isabelle wants an answer to the story that haunts her - her three foster siblings died tragically in a fire when she was 13.  There were so many questions circling around her mother's responsibility, even though the blaze was considered accidental.  When her mother's autopsy report comes back, Isabelle is more determined than ever to find answers.

I’m a big fan of Rea Frey’s books and this one kept me glued to the pages.  Told from multiple points of view and two timelines, the best part is how the suspense and tension was palpable through the entire book – I was just waiting for the other shoe to drop.  The characters were portrayed realistically, and I felt so anxious for them.  The creepy woods just added another layer of suspense.  Besides being a mystery on many levels, it was also a look into motherhood, even though we never meet one of the mothers.  And that ending?  Mind blown.  Sequel please!!

4.25.2026 - Dark is When the Devil Comes

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the new novel by Daisy Pearce, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Catrin Walker-Booth.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Hazel comes back to her small hometown to housesit for her parents and hopefully reconnect with her sister, Cathy.  The sisters arrange to meet for lunch but then Hazel fails to show.  Things just aren't feeling right, and Cathy enlists her friend, Suzie, to investigate.

There is a lot going on in this book - so atmospheric, with a small town closeness, creepy woods, folklore passed down, family drama, and even supernatural elements.  The horror is spun out slowly, the scare factor inching up the entire time until you can't quite catch your breath.  The villain is horrible and will make your skin crawl, while reminding you that monsters live among us and aren't always easy to recognize.  I felt for the sisters, juggling all those sibling tensions, and liked Suzie's character as well.  Even Cathy's kids will warm your heart.  he narration was wonderful with all the characters and again upped the creep factor.  Another wonderful book by this author and I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next!