10.29.2026 - What Mother Knows

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing | Thomas & Mercer, and Brilliance Publishing for gifting me a digital and audio ARC of the latest thriller by Chad Zunker, wonderfully narrated by Austin Rising.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.25 stars!

Denver attorney Josh King has been estranged from his mother and stepfather, but when his mother is accused of killing his stepfather, Josh returns to Austin to be there for his younger sister.  But when he arrives, his mom, the city's mayor, persuades him to act as her defense attorney.  Josh must believe everything she tells him but does he?

This was a quick story, made better by the wonderful narration that made the characters come alive.  Loved the relationship between Josh and his sister and how he rose above all the noise to take care of her.  Dark family secrets abound and liked the final twist at the end!

10.29.2026 - The Other Kind of Lion

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing | Lake Union Publishing, and Brilliance Publishing for gifting me a digital and audio ARC of the latest novel by a favorite, Catherine Ryan Hyde, with the audiobook beautifully narrated by Eva Kaminsky.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.75 stars rounded up!

In the 1970s in rural California, Shirley is a Vietnam War widow living with her two sons.  She sees a young boy in need of care and gradually does everything she can to take care of him.  These simple kindnesses create a bond that will span their lives.

I will read anything that this author writes, because you will always get a heartwarming story that will leave you feeling like you can do a bit better in interacting with the world.  While the characters, especially the kids, improbably always say just the right things, it's okay because those are the things our hearts and minds need to heal.  This book reminded me of Mother Teresa's famous quote, "Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love."  The. narration was fabulous and Kaminsky did a great job with all the characters.  

10.27.2026 - Ordinary Wife

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Dreamscape Select for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest true crime novel by Gregg Olsen and his daughter, Morgan Olsen, with the audiobook perfectly narrated once again by Karen Peakes.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.25 stars!

In Idaho in 1920, a new bride set out three saucers of flypaper on the boarding house porch. By nightfall, her husband was on the floor of their canvas tent, clutching his stomach in agony. Within days he was dead.  This wasn't the first husband of Lyda Trueblood to come to an early end - 6 deaths in 5 years, including her young daughter.  

When you think about serial killers, at least I tend to think about more recent headlines and, more often than not, male perpetrators.  We've heard of black widows, killing off their husbands for money, but to get away with so many deaths in a short period of time back in the 1920s is definitely a story to read.  I'm a long time fan of Gregg Olson, and this is the first collaboration with his daughter, but not the first of his books to be wonderfully narrated by Karen Peakes.  Once again, this is a well-researched and fascinating look into the dark side of humans.

10.27.2026 - Update

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful book by Kim van Alkemade.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Audrey is living in NYC during Covid, grieving the loss of her husband, when a post about a bookshop for sale in Upstate New York comes to her attention.  She impulsively makes an offer on the rundown house and barn.  She cashes in everything she has and heads to Schuywich.  She meets a group of locals who bit by bit help her make a life.  She finds a stack of old magazine features, written by Evelyn, the former owner, and letters written to Evelyn by her long-time lover, Hazel.

This book is just so immersive.  Told through Audrey's voice in 2020, and from the magazine articles and letters decades earlier, we see history come alive through their eyes.  Audrey is full of grief, and it's so heartening to see a community come together to help her.  Plus, there's all the animal life Audrey becomes responsible for, from sheep to goats to bees.  I was just always anxious to get back to reading all three different lives and timelines - all the characters just came alive.  Added points because I live outside of Saratoga Springs where the author lives and works (shout out to Northshire Books!), and it's always fun to see familiar places when you read.  Highly recommended!

10.26.2026 - You Let Me In

Many thanks to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic } Atlantic Crime for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Lucy Clarke.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Elle Fielding is floundering. Her once perfect marriage is falling apart and she’s on the verge of losing her book deal—and, by extension, the dream home she’s poured her savings into. As her finances dwindle, Elle decides to rent out her Cornish home on Airbnb. Just this once, just for two weeks.  But when she returns home, nothing feels right.  She feels like someone is watching.  

I raced through this one, never quite being sure if Elle was being paranoid or if indeed something was wrong.  You can feel the pressure she is under to write her new book, because otherwise she will lose everything.  The story goes back to Elle's past as we learn some of her secrets.  It's atmospheric, with the house perched on a cliffside, the glass-walled writing room hanging over.  This book will definitely make you think twice about renting out your house - you just never know who you will let in.  Loved the ending.

10.23.2026 - Everyone's a Liar

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing, and Recorded Books Media for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this stand-alone book by Alexandra Ivy, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Susan Bennett.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Livia's ancestors, the Benoit, have been powerful landowners in the Louisiana Bayous, and the Willows is a massive mansion and the jewel of their empire.  Livia's grandfather's will specifies that each family member is required to gather at the Willows every summer in order to receive their yearly trust fund share.  But that's not an easy ask for Livia.  Her mother died by suicide there and the family has not been kind to her.  Livia feels the place is cursed and she wants no part of it, but she won't allow her relatives to win by not showing up either.  

This was so atmospheric, with a creepy mansion surrounded by swamps, and mean and nasty relatives with greed their only priority.  Livia is a great character, as is her long-ago friend, Bryce, now a local sheriff.  These are strong women who won't take bad behavior from others sitting down, even when it threatens their own safety.  They can't be bought and pushed aside.  There are parts that feel a bit slow, but everything ramps up to full speed at the end.  The narrator did a great job with all the voices and kept me interested throughout.

10.23.2026 - I'm Here to Help

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing | Lake Union Publishing, and Brilliance Publishing for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest psychological thriller by Victoria Helen Stone, with the audiobook wonderfully narrated by Paige Reisenfeld.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Melody Stanford  is a trusted therapist and tries to be a good person.  She's a loving wife, mother, and friend, but inside she's raging at the stories she hears from vulnerable women about the terrible crimes committed against them by men.  She decides she must take action, but just how much will she risk?

This was a fast-paced novel, with an intriguing premise, with real-world issues that would make any woman stand up and say enough is enough.  It's an outlet in itself to be privy to Melody's thoughts as she tries to do what she thinks is right, while still honoring the rules of her profession, but concerned more with the women who seek her help.  I always like a book that will put you in the mindset of a character, and you'll feel Melody's rage as she is tired of men behaving badly.  The narration by Reisenfeld was great - you could feel all the different emotions that Melody was experiencing and it just added to the story.