3.4.2026 - One of Us

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for gifting me a digital ARC of this novel by Elizabeth Day.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Martin and Ben used to be best friends, but ever since Ben's 40th birthday party, they haven't spoken.  Martin never quite fit into Ben's privileged world, but gets pulled back in when Ben's wife, Serena, invites him to the funeral of Fliss, Ben's sister.  

This is a slower, character-driven novel, told from multiple POV, but it pulls you into a different world, one of entitlement and political privilege.  It's apparently a sequel to The Party, which I didn't read, but there's plenty of information here and it works perfectly as a stand alone.  It's hard to find too many likable characters here, but there's plenty of dark humor that kept me entertained from the first page.  There's plenty of drama and secrets among all the political and human behavior themes, and I thought the ending was pitch perfect.  

3.4.2026 - Judge Stone

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Hachette Audio, and Little Brown and Company for gifting me an audio ARC of this wonderful book by James Patterson and Viola Davis, with the audiobook narrated by Viola Davis.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Judge Mary Stone is the most respected person in Union Springs, Alabama.  A case comes before her that will tear the town apart, putting many at risk, including Judge Stone.  And the judge knows that this is a no-win situation because criminally speaking, a law has been broken, but ethically is another story.  No judge can satisfy everyone, but she's willing to fight for justice.

This was a gripping story that was brought to life through Viola Davis' narration.  There's courtroom drama and tension, as well as characters that you will love and that will break your heart.  There are a lot of relevant, hot-button topics here but this author duo handled them perfectly, showing the personal side of the laws.  I'm not always one for these celebrity books, but this is a must read legal thriller - but the audiobook shines with Davis' narration so I would highly recommend that version!

3.2.2026 - Missing Sister

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, William Morrow, and Harper Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest thriller by Joshilyn Jackson, who also narrated the audiobook.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Penny and Nix were twins, but when Nix dies in a tragic accident after college, she leaves behind a cryptic voicemail to Penny, that has left her desperate for justice ever since.  Five years later, Penny is a rookie cop when she is called to her first murder scene.  When she sees the victim, she knows instantly that he's one of the three men she holds responsible for Nix's death.  But the decisions Penny makes right after that will put her on the wrong side of the law and searching for a woman who may also be searching for the same men.

This was a good thriller, and I appreciated having both formats to keep reading.  The author did a great job narrating her book, which isn't always the case.  I liked the fact that this book went into morally-gray areas, making you put yourself in various positions.  The revenge theme was strong throughout.  It was a bit of a slow burn, but certainly picked up heading towards that wild ending!  

3.2.2026 - The Ghost Women

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for gifting me a digital ARC of this creepy story by Jennifer Murphy.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

In 1972, the body of Abel Montague, a student at St. Luke’s Institute of the Arts, is found hanging from a tree in the forest. An ancient Hanged Man tarot card is found in the back pocket of his pants and his body has been positioned into the exact pose illustrated on the card.  St Luke's is a former monastery that once housed a secret order of monks who carried out witch trials and executions.  When Detective Lola Germany arrives on the scene, she believes they are dealing with a ritualistic murder.  When conducting her interviews, Lola discovers his girlfriend was part of a group of friends who call themselves witches.  Then more students are found dead, each body arranged to make a tarot card.  

I love a dark academic thriller and this one had so many dark happenings within its pages, from ghost trees to tarot cards to creepy characters.  There's the group of young women who call themselves witches who all are keeping secrets, as is the detective.  This story is told from multiple POV as the secrets and twists are played out.  It's thick with tension until the very end - read with the lights on!

3.2.2026 - Wait For Me

Many thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for gifting me a physical and digital ARC of the latest book by Amy Jo Burns, and allowing me to participate in the Little Free Library ARC drop-off as well.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Elle Harlow was a big folk star in the 1970s, but suddenly disappeared at the height of her fame.  Marijohn Shaw's dad always insists that he was the last one to see Elle when she stopped at his gas station, and has become obsessed with her since then.  We learn the background of Elle growing up in Appalachia to her rise to stardom in Nashville.  Almost 20 years later, Marijohn finds a piece of Ella's past after a meteor strike in their small Pennsylvania town.  What is the connection between these two women?

What a beautiful story – I didn’t just read this book, I felt it.  What I loved most was the sacred relationship between women, not just mothers, but those women who change us, make us better, are there for us no matter what, even when they aren’t next to us.  I loved the quote – So much of a woman’s life was this relentless unspooling.  All the things we lose remain in us and change us.  Burns’ writing was just gorgeous – the song lyrics were like poetry and just touched my heart.  It’s two different love stories that are told with tender words, not explicit sex, and It’s also an ode  to country music and how life’s scars write songs that touch us all.  This is a must read!

3.1.2026 - Lake Effect

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins | Ecco and HarperCollins Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this wonderful book by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney, with the audiobook narrated by Marin Ireland.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Set in the 1970s amid the sexual revolution and moving forward through the AIDS crisis and into the 1990s, this book explores those and other cultural touchpoints through the lives of two neighboring families torn apart by a decision, causing ripples for years.

This book was wonderful and will transport you back to a past that seems so far away but if you lived through these times, you’ll be experiencing all kinds of nostalgia, both good and bad.  Interesting to read about the women’s pressure to be thin, going to Weight Watchers and taking Dexatrim – not sure we’ve come very far on that front or many others.  Sweeney is wonderful at creating characters that are so relatable and human, with humor to grease the hard parts.  The narration by the wonderful Marin Ireland was fabulous as always and I switched over to listen to this one exclusively.  Highly recommended!

2.28.2026 - What Happened That Night

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book in the Maud O'Connor series by Nicci French.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Tyler Green has just been released from prison after 30 years, convicted of murdering his friend Leo at a university house party.  He has always maintained his innocence.  He gathers eight of his friends who were present on the night that Leo died and tells them that one person in the room killed Leo, and it wasn't him.  The reunion descends into chaos and ends with another friend dead.  When DI Maud O'Connor is called in to investigate, everyone around her is convinced that it was Tyler again, but Maud isn't convinced.

I love this series!  While each one could be read as a stand-alone, this is such a good series, you should read them all.  What I really like about them is that the first part of the book is typically the mystery and the police procedural portion doesn't kick in until the second part of the book.  It gets you completely engrossed in the story and leads you to your own thoughts and suspicious well before the investigation begins.  This book has two mysteries to solve - did Tyler kill Leo decades ago?  Who killed the latest friend?  There were quite a few characters but it wasn't confusing to me at all - I was glued to the pages.  Once again, this writing duo has written a fabulous thriller - looking forward to more in this series!