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!

10.31.2026 - Gloria Don't Speak

Many thanks to NetGalley, HarperAudio and Mariner Books for gifting me an audio ARC of the debut novel by Lucy Apps, a Women's Prize for Fiction nominee.  The audiobook was narrated to perfection by Olivia Vinall.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.25 stars!

Gloria is mostly nonverbal, has aged out of school, and spends her days wandering the streets.  That's where she meets Jack, who talks to her, gives her Cokes, walks with her.  It's 1999 and Jack fears everything will change when the calendar flips to 2000.  But Jack breaks before the world does and changes Gloria forever.

This book is so well written and the narration made Gloria come alive.  I felt like I was inside her head, hearing all the words she couldn't say.  But Jack occupies Gloria's brain, even as her life moves on.  I was set for an incident that didn't occur, and that made the real incident even more powerful.  It's heartbreaking to think of how society treats those with disabilities, and showcases how all of us need others.  I felt privileged to spend time with this book.

10.31.2026 - The Tribes

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House | Dutton Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the debut novel by Mari Howes.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Heather is a college student, not fitting into the expectations of her family, and failing out of college.  She comes across a group that seems so welcoming and loving, giving her all she needs.  Until she's trapped.  Decades later, police respond to a 911 call that a newborn baby has died, and they charge Heather with murder of her infant son.  Abby, single and pregnant, is Heather's lawyer, and she's convinced that there's more to Heather's story than she's admitting.

Wow - I was completely engrossed with this book until the very last page.  It has a bit of everything - a cult, mystery, legal thriller, intriguing characters - wrapped up in such a fashion that you won't be able to look away.  The old saying, Nobody joins a cult, is sure apt here.  Things always look good in the beginning until you slowly lose yourself.  Heather's story is parsed out slowly as the chapters alternate between her past and Abby's defense of her in the present.  These characters and their plights felt so real to me.  Know that this isn't an easy read, but it is so well written with such a thought-provoking, emotional storyline that I was obsessed with it and felt gutted at the end. 

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!