11.11.2026 - The Body in the Bath

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 book by Ragnar Jónasson, the third book in the Helgi series, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Will Tudor.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Police detective Helgi returns to work after taking a month off.  His boss allows him to ease back into the job and he begins investigating a cold case involving the disappearance of Hulda Hermannsdottir, the detective whose job he now holds.  Meanwhile, Helgi's ex, Bergþóra is found drowned in her bathtub. There is evidence that she was murdered.  

While you can easily read this as a stand alone, this series is so good that you should start from the beginning.  But I'm keeping my synopsis and review very spoiler free for all three books just in case you want to go back (do!).  Told from two different timelines - Helgi in 2012 and Hulda in 1980 - these are quiet, reflective Nordic mysteries, and I have thoroughly enjoyed each one.  Know that each ends with a cliffhanger - and I was shocked by the ending in this one - so please hurry with the next book please!  Narration by Will Tudor and audio production top notch again!

11.11.2026 - Revenge Plot

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by a favorite, Stephanie Wrobel.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

All Arnie Tenderton wants is to be a published author.  He’s been trying to write the perfect novel and now he just needs a literary agent, and he wants the best, Claudia.  He just happens to know where she's spending Christmas - a remote treehouse cabin in the Catskills.  He's confident he can get her to read his book.  Because he has some information she's been trying to keep hidden.  

I loved this book - from the very beginning, I was pulled into this story of three authors (Arnie, Neve, Jo) and their literary agent, Claudia.  It's very creatively told through 4 parts and the courses of Christmas dinner at the treehouse, along with Neve's backstory.  I am always a fan of books that delve into reading and the publishing industry as a whole, and this view of the literary agent was new to me.  The book and all the twists will keep you in its grasp, with the remote setting, the snowstorm, and the characters you're just not sure you can trust.  Clear your calendar - highly recommended!

11.10.2026 - The First House

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Summit Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the new novel by Avni Doshi.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.25 stars!

A husband tells his wife that he is leaving, that he was never happy.  A wife is left behind in their house with their two children.  She also has a complicated relationship with her family.  What happens to her next?

Told from the POV of an unnamed narrator, the wife, this is the story of a marriage gone wrong.  It's the story of that woman's fight to make a new life for herself and her children, taking back control that she gave to her husband and earlier, to her parents.  I loved the analogy of the cicadas' life cycle as compared to her becoming a new version of herself.  There's lots of info about astrology too and how people can let predictions control their lives.  It was a very reflective book, and I felt like I was inside the narrator's brain as she contemplates her life.

11.8.2026 This Jury is Guilty

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me a digital ARC of the debut novel by Laurie Blake.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Ripped out of the headlines, high profile Hollywood actor Danny Scott is accused of trying to murder his wife, actress Hope Harrison.  Twelve sequestered jurors must decide Danny's fate.  But even a jury has its secrets.

I'm always up for a good legal thriller, and this one turns the spotlight on the jury, because all of them are lying.  It takes the reader behind the scenes into the juror machinations, as they try and control each other's votes as well as the jury makeup itself.  It's told from many different POVs so you begin to understand where each is coming from and hopes to achieve.  I was glued to the pages to see just how it was all going to come out - and it was worth the wait for that ending!  Wonderful debut novel that has me anxious for more from this author!

11.7.2026 - The Party in the Woods

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of the new book by Fiona McPhillips, narrated perfectly by Conor Dunne  and Emer Heatley.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Twenty years ago, an illegal rave in the woods resulted in one of their group going missing, and DJ Annie gave up that life for good.  Now, married and the mother of two children, her friend group reunites when remains are found, presumed to be that of Sean.  It's starting to appear that someone in their group had something to do with his death, and may do anything to keep it hidden.

Told in two different timelines and from the POV of both Annie and Moe, one of her friends, we gradually learn what happened long ago at that party.  But everyone only knows part of the story.  Meanwhile, we also learn just how that party changed Annie and their group forever.  Everyone is carrying a lot of guilt and questions and everyone is suspect.  There are a lot of bad decisions here (youth and drugs are a bad combination), but I still felt for many of these characters, especially Annie.  The narration of the audiobook was wonderful - loved having both a male and female narrator plus those gorgeous Irish accents!

11.6.2026 - Bad Company

 

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 stand-alone novel by Sara Paretsky, with the audiobook narrated by Eliza Foss.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Lily appears to be an ordinary 70-something retiree, single and living in Chicago, but she has quite the past as a former CIA operative.  She's happy in her current life until she receives an anonymous package containing a magazine story with a previously unknown picture showing Lily in the background of a sacred women's ritual in Hayalistan, a former USSR territory.  Lily is determined to find out who's behind this.  Word of her investigation reaches the CIA and they know they must silence her, but Lily is more determined.

I love seeing strong, powerful older women in books now, and this one differed from many in that there were no cute, cuddly attributes related to Lily.  She's just tough and steel minded no matter her age or physical condition.  I appreciated all her volunteer activities as well, using what she learned as an operative to help the younger generation.  This story has a lot going on - political, moral, environmental - all wrapped up in a spy thriller.  It moved a bit slowly for me at times, maybe because my brain is on political overdrive at the moment.  I alternated listening and reading this book and thought the narrator did a wonderful job.

11.5.2026 - The Heights

Many thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing | Cardinal for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by Ian Rankin.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 3.75 stars rounded up!

The Heights, a luxurious apartment complex in London, has it all.  It caters to the uber-wealthy who don't appreciate their privacy being interrupted by a murder investigation.  

I liked the Only Murders in a Building vibe of this one, and DS Gillian Gish was a great character.  For whatever reason, I had some trouble keeping track of all the different characters, most of who had motives to kill the concierge.  It's definitely thought provoking on how the 1% live, and their portrayed expectations.  It was a big of a slow read for me, especially since I typically love police procedurals, but I'd be anxious to read more books starring Gish!