10.22.2026 - An Unlikely Visitor

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Scribner for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful novel by Joanna Cannon.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Derek and Margaret never got over the loss of their 11-year-old daughter, Jeanie, decades ago, especially since her disappearance was never solved.  But after Derek's death, life is just too hard and Margaret loses her zest for life. When she returns home one day to an unlikely visitor, things look up for Margaret.  Maybe now she can figure out what happened to Jeanie all those years ago.

Any widowed or long-married person is going to relate so much to Margaret, and it will break your heart.  You will see yourself taking over "his" jobs and being kind of mad about that.  You'll feel the ache of loneliness in all the every day events.  But this book is also hopeful, and a good reminder that those we love never really leave us.  Full of reality and magical realism, mystery, and so much love, this book is a treasure and I loved spending time with it.  Highly recommended!

10.20.2026 - The Joy of Cookies

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morris | Harvest for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful cookbook by Joanne Chang.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

What a beautiful cookie cookbook!  The title couldn't be more perfect - I have to say you just feel the joy coming off the author in the photographs.  She just looks so incredibly joyous!  I loved the introduction pages and the photography of the final recipe results is gorgeous.  Each recipe includes a bit of a story first, a picture that will have you salivating, an easy-to-follow recipe, and storage hints.  I feel this cookbook would be perfect for almost any level of baker - for the most part, there are no weird ingredients or difficult steps.  There are drop cookies, bar cookies, rolled cookies, frosted cookies, sandwich cookies - whatever is your favorite, you'll find it here!  I'm definitely buying a copy of the finished book to have in my cookbook library!

10.20.2026 - I Never Knew You at All

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Atria Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this novel by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.25 stars!

Simone gave up her once promising career as a journalist to support her husband, Alex, and raise their son.  Alex is finally taking over the family business of high-end grocery stores that his grandfather started.  But when her college ex, Kwame, resurfaces in her life, old feelings come back.  Kwame has the journalist life Simone dreamed up, and he is now investigating a cold case of the disappearance of a young Black man from The Tate School, which is where Alex's family attended for generations.

This is both a mystery and a family and personal drama story, and I enjoyed both parts.  I especially felt for Simone, trying to do right for Alex's family, while still doing right.  Meanwhile Alex seems to be imploding.  How race and racism affects generations of people is explored, as well as classism.  Can people really change and do they deserve forgiveness?  How do we reconcile our own beliefs against family?  Definitely a worthwhile read.

10.20.2026 - The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest historical fiction novel by Heather Morris, with the audiobook beautifully narrated by Saskia Maarleveld.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.75 stars!

In 1942, the Nazis come for a Jewish family living in the Montparnasse area of occupied Paris.  In the chaos of their arrest, eleven-year-old Josephine does what she's been taught and runs to the only person she can trust: her piano teacher, Andrée Levallois, a secret French Resistance operative. Andrée takes her in as a member of the family, spreading their rations and risking everything to keep her safe. But soon the authorities close in, and both Andrée and Josie are caught in a desperate race to stay alive.

Once again, Heather Morris, author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, has given us a horrific story, made beautiful by the actions of people who tried to do everything they could to help others.  In addition, the book stresses how important music is, bringing light into the darkest places.  Based on real people, be sure to read the author's notes.  Books based on the atrocities of WWII are always so difficult to read, but they are also a testament to the human spirit and innate goodness in most people.  The audiobook was a joy to listen to because of Marrleveld's narration.  

10.19.2026 - Missing Molly

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for gifting me a digital ARC of the paperback release of this wonderful thriller by Natalie Barelli.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.75 stars!

Rachel Holloway is living happily with her partner and young daughter, Grace, working at a small town newspaper.  The paper is failing and decides to start a podcast in hopes of luring advertisers.  The title is Missing Molly, the true crime story of a 9-year-old girl who has been missing for 15 years, since her entire family was murdered in front of her.  But Rachel knows where Molly is - because she's Molly.

What a gripping psychological thriller as Rachel basically needs to solve the murder of her family and her own disappearance without further blowing up her life and causing the real murderer to harm her once again.  I felt so bad for Rachel, both as a young child and in the present, keeping her real existence secret.  The pacing is perfect and I was glued to the pages, going along with the twists, never sure who to trust.  

10.18.2026 - Redemption

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for gifting me a physical and digital ARC of the latest book by Pulitzer Prize winner Lawrence Wright.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

A Catholic deacon who visited a women's prison in TX was moved by the 7 women on death row.  He called on the Sisters of Mary Morning Star, a group of contemplative nuns, to visit the women with him.  The author takes the reader into the death row unit with these two groups on women as they forge a connection.

What a fabulous book, exploring so much about the human and spiritual experience, as the conversation of crime, punishment, and redemption is explored.  At first glance, these two groups of women are polar opposites, yet each spend their days strictly regimented, mostly in silence, and even sleep in cells.  The stories of the women on death row are of course horrible, but we also learn about the unethical police and justice systems that put some of them there.  I liked the discussion of redemption and change and the thought that the person who eventually is killed by the state isn't the same person who committed the crime.  The sisters were so open and forgiving, full of grace and compassion - lessons we all need to learn.  This is an important book and one I can't stop thinking or talking about.  Highly recommended.

10.16.2026 - Please Enjoy Your Stay

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books | Emily Bestler Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this debut book by Tara Goedjen.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.25 stars!

When they were teenagers, Mia's cousin was murdered during their stay at a castle in the Austrian Alps.  Being the only witness, Mia had to testify in court and the killer was put behind bars.  A decade later, the murderer is appealing his conviction and a popular true crime podcast is covering the case, determined to exonerate him.  Determined to prove his guilt, Mia returns to Austria where the castle is being revamped as a luxury hotel, getting a job as a nanny to the owner's young daughter.  But sinister happenings make Mia wonder about her memories of the crime and if she put her own life in danger.

A great debut that left me anxious for more from this author.  I liked the short chapters, which kept the suspense high and kept me flipping the pages.  We also read parts of Mia's aunt's journals from a decade before, going back to the time of the murder.  It was atmospheric, a creepy castle even though parts had undergone transformation, with mysterious happenings leading me to question and suspect everyone.  I was surprised at the ending, always a good thing for a thriller.