3.19.2026 - Wolf Worm

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Tor Publishing, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest novel by a favorite, T. Kingfisher, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Mary Robinette Kowal.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Sonia Wilson is a talented scientific illustrator—but she is only able to follow her dream because of her father’s reputation as a renowned scientist. Such is the lot in life for a woman in science in 1899. And after his death, she is left without work, prospects, or hope.  When the reclusive Dr. Halder offers her a position illustrating his vast collection of insects, Sonia jumps at the chance to move to his North Carolina mansion.  But once there, she encounters dark happenings in the woods and questions she just can't answer.

Only T. Kingfisher could write this book and keep me reading about disgusting insects!  Definitely be prepared to be grossed out!  But the story is just so dark, twisted, and well-written that I couldn't stop reading.  The audiobook was fabulous, making the words come alive and bringing an extra creepy factor into the story (not that it needed it!).  I could never have guessed where this one was going to go, but I loved the ride!

3.18.2026 - The Hiding Season

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine | Bantam for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by Ava Glass.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Maya Landry is looking for a fresh start after a painful divorce.  She lands in Montana and is hired as a summer caretaker of billionaire ski lodges.  She enjoys the peace and quiet - until she opens one of the doors and finds a dead body.  There's no cell service, so she heads down the mountain until she can contact the police.  By the time they get there, the body is gone and they don't believe her.  Later that night, a stranger walks up to her and tells her that someone knows she was up on the mountain and they are willing to kill to keep their secret.  Only one thing is certain: The people who committed the murder are coming for her. Maya is the only person alive who might reveal what happened up on the mountain. And they want her gone.

I love the Emma Makepeace series by Ava Glass and was excited to read this book, which is not a spy novel per se, although it does have lots of people in the alphabet agencies.  You won't be able to stop rooting for Maya, who is just an average person caught up in an unbelievable situation.  She's gaslit, she doesn't know who she can trust, she's on her own.  There's a lot in this book - a little romance, action, corruption, and danger lurking at every corner.  Did the author possibly leave it open as the start to a new series?  Here's hoping!

3.17.2026 - The End of My Life is Killing Me

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Zibby Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of this memoir by Annabelle Gurwitch.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Annabelle is an author, TV host, and actress who was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer found when getting a Covid test.  She decided early on that she didn't want to be on a cancer journey or be a cancer warrior; her motto was no runs, no ribbons, no religion.  What she did to was to embrace the ordinary in life.

I loved this book and it is applicable to anyone, because we're all going through something, even if it's not cancer.  It's a reminder to slow down, appreciate friends, eat the bread.  It's also a look into the inequalities of medicine and drug access throughout the country, let alone the world.  Annabelle didn't just bemoan those inequalities; she became a different kind of warrior, educating herself and speaking out at conferences around the world.  It's full of dark humor - the kind that gets people through tough times.  The cover - perfection! 

3.16.2026 - What's Mine is Yours

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest domestic suspense book by Leah Mercer.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Ava and Emily were once close friends but have fallen apart.  After a break-in at Ava's neighbor's house, her daughter Lexi is scared to be home.  Ava is desperate for the friendship to be restored and offers to switch houses with Ava.  Both women have secrets they will do anything to keep.

Told in alternating perspectives, this story plays out slowly, keeping the reader engaged and guessing until the end, plus there are some crazy twists!  What's that old saying - With friends like these, who needs enemies?  A quick read because you'll have to know how it ends up!

3.16.2026 - Everyone in This Bank is a Thief

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Mariner Books, and HarperAudio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest in the Ernie Cunningham series by Benjamin Stevenson, with the audiobook narrated perfectly once again by Barton Welch.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Ernest Cunningham and his fiancé are trying to get a bank loan for his detective agency with no luck.  So they are when they are called to a bank, but they find the senior executive missing and he's the only one with the combination to the vault.  Then a man with a gun appears to rob the bank and takes them and the other people in the bank hostage.  The doors are chained shut.  No one in or out.  Which means that when someone in the bank is murdered, everyone is a suspect.  And everyone in the bank is a thief.  

This series is just so much fun, and even though you could read it as a stand alone, it's much better if you know all the back stories.  Ernest will give the reader all the clues necessary to solve the puzzle, but you probably won't - only Ernest can solve this case.  It's pure over-the-top fun - multiple mysteries to solve, snarky humor, suspicious characters, and just a smart plot.  The narration was also wonderful and I mostly listened to this one.  Bravo once again on a fabulous series - can't wait for more! 

3.16.2026 - Life: A Love Story

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by a long-time favorite, Elizabeth Berg.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Flo Greene is 92, recently diagnosed with cancer, and is writing a letter to Ruthie, a younger woman who grew up next door but is still like a surrogate daughter.  She is leaving the house and its contents to Ruthie, but is explaining the value of things that would easily be discarded.  But Flo is also not done living, and is helping another neighbor, Teresa, to take more chances.

I just loved every page of this short but so meaningful book.  It's definitely a reminder that the small things in life are what make up our lives, and we should never take them for granted.  It's also a testament to sticking things out when they get hard, and making forgiving a conscious act.  Of course, probably every senior can relate to the fact that their house is full of stuff - meaningful to us, but not appreciated or wanted by our children.  I loved the idea of putting the meaning of these things in a letter, but Flo also realized that they still may not be important to others and suggested relevant donation options.  It was just lovely, made me feel all the emotions, and is very highly recommended!

3.15.2026 - The Last Page Cafe

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Kate Storey.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Erin runs The Bookmark Cafe, a local community hub where people can relax with a coffee and treat while reading or working.  Erin is scarred from a previous relationship and is scared of any change or risk, so much so that her book club reads the last page of their selection first just to make sure it's worth the chance.  When a new member arrives, Erin is uncomfortable with her feelings towards him.  She's also scared because she's received a letter raising her rent, and she fears she will have to shut down the cafe.

What a lovely novel and just what I would expect from this author. The characters are all wonderful (even the cat!) and you just can't help rooting for all of them to make some changes.  It's also the story of the power of a community, both for having safe places for people to gather and the larger aspect of caring for each other.  I liked how the book club embraced their name in a new way, and the ending was just perfect.