8.14.2025 - Kiss Her Goodbye

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing and Hachette Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest in the Frankie Elkin series by Lisa Gardner, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by the wonderful Hillary Huber.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Missing person expert Frankie Elkin takes on a case of finding a missing Afghan refugee, Sabera, that no one seems to be looking very hard for.  Then a video surfaces with the young mother walking away from the scene of a brutal double murder.  When her husband also disappears and an attempt is made on their child's life, Frankie needs to act quickly.

Frankie is back!  She is such a good character, full of flaws, dark humor, and the absolute dedication to find those missing.  Frankie lands a swanky place to live for the month, with the job of pet sitting - for some very exotic pets.  But she also meets the owner's workers/friends, who become lifelines for her.  Told in two timelines, we hear Sabera's complex story in the past.  While the book also shines light on important issues such as the challenges of refugees and the affordable housing crisis, it's also a fun, twisty thriller that kept me gripped.  It can certainly be read as a stand alone (I missed the first couple) and I'm anxiously awaiting the next adventure for Frankie.  As always, Hillary Huber's narration was amazing, voicing all of the characters in the cast perfectly.  Be sure to read the author's note at the end.

8.14.2025 - Gone in the Night

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by a favorite, Joanna Schaffhausen.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Former detective Annalisa Vega, now pregnant and a floundering PI,  hasn’t forgiven her brother for his role in a murder, and he hasn’t forgiven her for turning him in, so she’s surprised when he asks her to visit him in prison. Turns out, he has a possible case for her: one of his fellow inmates, Joe Green, may be innocent of the murder that landed him behind bars.  Annalisa begins investigating and finds some issues with the original case; unfortunately, his arresting officer was her husband, Nick.  This case tests the bounds of her marriage, her family, and her sense of justice.

This is one of my favorite series, but if you haven't read it, the author gives plenty of background so that it can be enjoyed as a stand alone.  But if you've read from the beginning, you get the treat of knowing and reuniting with these characters.  These books are so well written and expertly plotted, with lots of twists and turns that I didn't see coming.  Plus, the family relationships and dynamics keep the storyline feeling personal.  Great police procedural and I can't wait to see what happens next in this series!

8.13.2025 - High Season

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the new book by Katie Bishop, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Alix Dunmore.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

At a birthday party 20 years ago, Tamara was found floating facedown in the pool of her family's mansion in the south of France, leaving her twin brother, Blake, and younger sister, Nina, behind.  Nina, at age 6 became the youngest person ever to testify in a murder trial, saying she saw her babysitter, Josie, push Tamara under the water.  Or did she?  Now Nina's memories have faded.  When a new true crime documentary about her sister's murder is announced, maybe the truth will finally come out.

Told in dual timelines of before the party and 20 years later, we get to meet all the key characters and see how they have changed in that time period.  This is a fascinating look at memory, trauma, classism, family relationships wrapped up in a gripping, suspenseful tale.  It was atmospheric and the characters felt so real - all their flaws well on display, both intentional and otherwise.  Plus there was the true crime story aspect.  I was shocked at the ending and never saw it coming.  Great read for the summer!  The narration was wonderful, and I enjoyed listening and reading.  This was my second audiobook in a row by this narrator and both were excellent!

8.12.2025 - Bless Your Heart

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books and Megan Beatie Communications for gifting me a physical and digital ARC of the debut novel by Leigh Dunlap.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Anderson Tupper, a member of one of Atlanta’s richest families, has been murdered in the dugout of the Little League field where he was a volunteer coach, and it’s up to Detective Shay Claypool, a single mother from the other side of town, to find his killer.  But to do that, she has to deal with the Buckhead Betties, the entitled women of Georgia's most affluent zip code.  One of them may be a murdered, but which one?  Because everyone has secrets and lies.

I love domestic suspense/thrillers and this one was entertaining from the first page to that shocking ending.  While there are plenty of themes of entitled people, classism, and racism, this is just some downright fun.  Plus, the southern setting was so real, you can tell that the author used to live there.  Detectives Shay and Dub are great characters too.  There's still plenty of summer time left to enjoy this juicy book!  Can't wait to see what this author will come up with next, but sign me up now!

8.12.2025 - Down Cemetery Road

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Recorded Books Media for gifting me an audio ARC of this crime fiction novel by Mick Herron, narrated by Alix Dunmore.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

When a house explodes in a quiet suburb and a young girl disappears, Sarah, married and bored with her life, becomes obsessed with finding her. But the more she investigates, the muddier things become, and Sarah finds herself in danger.

I'm a huge Slow Horses fan and when I had the opportunity to read Herron's debut book, which is also about to become an Apple TV series, I jumped at it.  It was a little confusing and jumbled for me, but that may have just been my mindset while reading.  The parts I liked were the snarky characters, especially Sarah, and the dark humor.  You're always kept on your toes because you just never know with Herron.  And that's a good thing!  We are introduced here to Zoe, who is a detective featured in subsequent books.

8.11.2025 - Hemlock & Silver

Many thanks to NetGalley, Tor Publishing and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest by T, Kingfisher, with the audiobook amazingly narrated by Jennifer Pickens.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Healer Anja regularly drinks poison, seeking cures for those that other have given up on.  Her quiet life is upended when she is summoned by the King.  His daughter, Snow, is dying, and no one can figure out why.  He's hoping Anja can save her.  Nothing works, until she finds a hidden world inside a magic mirror.

I will read anything that T. Kingfisher writes, and this retelling of Snow White was fabulous - especially the audiobook, which I would highly recommend.  I loved Anja's character - an older woman who says what she thinks no matter what, understands her own social awkwardness, and is so relatable.  Plus, there are so many wonderful characters here - including a talking cat!  This was just the perfect, dark fairy tale that really came to life with the author's skill and the wonderful narration.  

8.11.2025 - For the Record

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest novel by Emma Lord, with the audiobook wonderfully narrated by Andrew Eiden and Jesse Vilinsky.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Once rivals in the music scene, pop princess Mackenzie Waters and punk rockstar Sam Blaze electrified audiences as their bands clashed on stage. But behind the scenes, their simmering tension grew into something more until both bands fell apart, and the idea of Mackenzie and Sam did, too.  Two years later, Sam has given up the music world to raise a son he didn't know about, and Mackenzie lost the voice she was known for and is adjusting to the new one.  With their futures on the line, Sam and Mackenzie face their biggest challenge yet: giving up the old rivalry and learning to work together. 

Emma Lord always writes a good rom com, and the narration made the audiobook sing (sorry, bad pun intended).  I liked this story being set in the music world, and liked both these main characters, and enjoyed having the story from both of their POV.  I found myself rooting for them and hoping for second chances.  It definitely leaned toward YA, but I enjoyed it!