4.11.2025 - The Maid's Secret

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House | Ballantine Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the much-anticipated next book in the Molly the Maid Series by Nita Prose.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

I am a huge fan of the Molly the Maid series and have been anxiously awaiting the next book in this series.  While I didn't love it as much as the first ones, it's still a treat to escape into Molly's world again.  This time we get the backstory of Flora, Molly's beloved Gran.  There's a mystery into a valuable Faberge egg and its true origin and just what people will do to get it.  Told in alternating timelines between Molly in the present and Gran's diary entries.  I love Molly's values, passed down to her by Gran, and of her relationship with Juan.  Fingers crossed that there are more books to come in this series!

4.11.2025 - Things Left Unsaid

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this novel by Sara Jafari, perfectly narrated by Honor Gilles and Majid Mehdizadeh-Valoujerdy.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

It’s been years since Shirin has seen Kian, her best friend, after an incident at their school tore them apart.  Since then, Shirin has lived with the weight of things left unsaid between them.  She’s struggling at work, burned out with the cultural atmosphere at the publishing house.  Shirin and Kian are desperate to make up for lost time, but can they, or will life repeat itself?

This is a book that will definitely make you think about racism and having the courage and strength to stand up for what is right.  I loved how Shirin and Kian were the best people they each needed at pivotal times in their lives.  May we all have such friends.  This also shows how our childhood shapes us and follows us.  The writing is beautiful and allows you to emotionally connect with these characters.  I also liked the peek into the publishing world.  This is a new author to me, and I’ll be looking for more from her! 

4.10.2025 - The Float Test

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins | Mariner Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by Lynn Steger Strong.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

The Kenner siblings are all at crisis points in their own lives, when they head back to Florida after the death of their mom.  Jenn is the oldest, and struggling with her own family as well as feeling the responsibility of her parents as well.  Jude is a corporate lawyer, single mom, and estranged from her once favorite sister, Fred.  Fred is struggling with life and love and still finding her way.  The baby, George, is estranged from his wife and having issues at work.  They have never needed each other more or trusted each other less.

I love a well-written family drama!  This story is told from Jude's POV, but we get all of the siblings' backstories as well, except for the reason that Jude and Fred are estranged.  That reveal doesn't come until the book is almost over, which brought out an underlying tension through the entire book.  The story felt real, with siblings taking their roles from childhood and feeling the pressure of maintaining those, as well as childhood resentments that we all hold on to.  Everyone has secrets, including the parents.  The hot Florida sun felt like another character as well.  Another fabulous book from this author - and Luli had the perfect ending!

4.9.2025 - The California Dreamers

 

Many thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishers | Graydon House for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Amy Mason Doan.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

It was a photo captured in the 1980s of a family living the van life on the West coast, a stunning photo with the family lined up with their surfboards in the sand.  The image takes on a life of its own, putting the family at risk.  Decades later, the now mostly estranged siblings gather to honor the death of their father.  But an eager journalist is also there, wanting the truth about the photo.

Told from both the present and past timelines, the story slowly unfurls.  It's a character study, a coming-of-age story of Ronan, the only girl in this family who lived such a different life.  No traditional schools, always chasing the next big wave, with family secrets galore, yet also famous because of a photograph.  There's a bit of everything - family drama and relationships, budding romance, and even a mystery.  It's very atmospheric - you can almost feel the sunshine and see the ocean!  

4.8.2025 - Blood in the Water

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest true crime book by Casey Sherman.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

When Nathan Carman is miraculously rescued from a lifeboat bobbing in the unforgiving North Atlantic, questions swirl about the fate of his mother, who is presumed to have drowned when their fishing boat sank. Nathan is in remarkably good shape for being lost at sea for a week, and his account of what exactly happened out there on the waves raises questions from family members and law enforcement.  Then there's the mysterious murder of Nathan's multimillionaire grandfather who was murdered a few years before.  With all that money on the line, did Nathan commit the ultimate betrayal?

Money, power, family - how many times have we seen that combination end in tragedy?  I'm a fan of Casey Sherman's books because he always does such a thorough job of researching and compiles all that research into a gripping story.  Although this one was on 20/20, I never saw that episode and this crime didn't ring a bell to me, so it was fascinating to delve into.  The fact that Nathan was on the autism spectrum added another layer of complexity into these crimes.  If you like true crime, this one is for you!

4.6.2025 - Remote The Six

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the first in a new series by Eric Rickstad, with the audio perfectly narrated by Ari Fliakos.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4.5 stars rounded up!

A serial killer is rampaging across the country, tying families to chairs-arranged in puzzling tableaus-then murdering them, without leaving a trace of evidence.  FBI Special Agent Lukas Stark has been hunting the Tableau Killer but is always two steps behind.  He has no idea how or why he chooses families and why they are staged.  Stark is forced to take on a new partner, Gilles Garnier, who claims to be a remote viewer who sees things remotely as if they were right in front of him.  Stark thinks he’s a con and doesn’t trust him, until he’s able to see things that Stark can’t explain.  But will they be able to catch this killer before he strikes again?

This was a chilling book, as you would expect since it’s about a serial killer who targets families.  But it’s also fascinating to watch Stark and Garnier try to stop the killer.  Just how did he get such abilities and at what cost?  I mostly listened to the audiobook of this one and the narration made it even more creepy – I was glued.  It ended with a cliffhanger, and I can’t wait for the next in this series!  If you like dark crime books, you’ll love this one.

4.6.2025 - Murder at Gull's Nest

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Atria Books for gifting me a physical and digital ARC of the latest book by Jess Kidd.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Set in the 1950s, Nora Breen is a nun who has left her monastery behind.  She's trying to find her friend, Frieda, a former novice, whose letters to Nora suddenly stopped.  Nora heads to Gull's Nest, a hotel in Kent, where Frieda was staying, and tries to quietly investigate what happened to her friend.  But then there is a series of murders at the inn, and her investigations take a deeper turn.

This is the first in a coming series entitled Nora Breen Investigates, and sign me up for the rest!  In Jess Kidd's very capable hands, a cozy mystery delves into a very multi-layered story.  Nora's backstory slowly plays out, as we learn what led her to the monastery, as well as what prompted her to leave.  We see her explore a new world and become a different person away from her past life.  Everyone in the small inn has a secret, and the characters are a story onto themselves.  Nora slowly gathers respect from the local police chief, Rideout, as they try and solve the mysterious deaths.  Wonderful!

4.5.2025 - A Serial Killer's Daughter

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this true crime memoir by Kerri Rawson, daughter of self-proclaimed BTK serial killer.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 3.5 stars!

In 2005, Kerri Rawson was informed by an FBI agent that her father had been arrested for murdering ten people, including two children. It was then that she learned her father was the notorious serial killer known as BTK, a name he’d given himself that described the horrific way he committed his crimes: bind, torture, kill. As news of his capture spread, Wichita celebrated the end of a thirty-one-year nightmare.  For Kerri and her family, another nightmare was beginning.

I feel for Kerri and her family.  I believe that they didn't know that their father was a serial killer.  I believe that they are victims of him as well.  And that's what this book is about - the victimization of Kerri and her family and how they dealt with their trauma.  I found it interesting to have Kerri look back and correlate what was happening in her family when her father was committing these brutal murders.  Trust the title of this book and know that it is about her and her family and their trauma, rather than a true crime story of how he committed and got away with these murders for so long.  We all know that story.  There is a lot of religious conversation in this book, and that's how Kerri was able to cope.  More power to her.  This book may bring hope to those suffering from PTSD.

4.5.2025 - Pretty Wreck

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Books Go Social Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of this memoir by Tracy Viola, narrated by the author.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

This was a brutally honest account of the author’s addiction story.  It’s told with clarity and humor, allowing the reader to really feel the impact of drugs and alcohol on a person’s life.  I loved the quotes she used throughout the book, and she remarked on one truth that most people only learn with age – that everyone is too self-absorbed to really pay attention to other people, so live your life under your terms and stop worrying so much about what other people think.  Congrats to the author for her sobriety and kudos to her for sharing her important story!

4.5.2025 - The Last Session

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books/Emily Bestler Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the sophomore book by Julia Bartz, sister of the also-talented Andrea Bartz!  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 3 stars!

Thea works as a social worker at a psychiatric unit in NYC.  When a catatonic woman shows up, Thea knows she is familiar to her and comes to realize that there is a link between this woman and Thea's own traumatic past.  When the woman regains lucidity, she says she has no clue how she got there or what happened.  Then just as suddenly, she's gone.  Thea is determined to find her and ends up in a remote center in New Mexico, where a couple holds retreats to uncover attendees' issues.  Forced to participate, Thea finds herself not knowing who she can trust and what is real.

I was a fan of Bartz' debut, The Writing Retreat, and this one seemed to be made for me - cults, secrets, remote locked room mystery.  But I found it slow going and the second half seemed to veer off into way too much of everything.  I liked the tension in parts and was anxious to find out the truth, but it seemed to get bogged down with just a lot.  Give it a try if you like locked room mysteries - lots of people are loving this one!  I'll be anxious to read her next as well.

4.3.2025 - When She Was Gone

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by Sara Foster.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Former London police officer Rose Campbell has been estranged from her daughter, Lou, for almost a decade. But when Lou disappears from a remote beach in Western Australian-and the police suspect her of kidnapping the two young children in her care-Rose is asked to help bring Lou home.  Detective Senior Sargent Mal Blackwood is getting ready to retire when he is called in to head this last case.  The missing children are heirs to the Fisher property empire, and their multimillionaire grandfather is breathing hard down Blackwood's neck.   What has happened to Lou and the children? And can Rose and Blackwood find them in time?

This was a fast-moving thriller, made even better with short chapters from many different POV, giving us insight into the characters.  There was a lot of emotion in this book and all well-played - not too much, but enough that I was invested into the characters.  I loved Mal, trying to do the best job possible while simultaneously trying to save his marriage; Ruth was driven to save domestic abuse victims and was trying so hard to do the right thing for her daughter.  I couldn't put this one down and loved it!

4.2.2025 - The Dream Hotel

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Pantheon for gifting me a digital ARC of the March Read with Jenna Pick by Laila Lalami.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Sara is returning home from a business trip abroad, when agents from the Risk Assessment Administration pull her aside and inform her that she will soon commit a crime. Using data from her dreams, the RAA’s algorithm has determined that she is at imminent risk of harming her husband. For his safety, she must be kept under observation for twenty-one days.  Yet when she is transferred to the retention center, where she is kept with other dreamers trying to prove their innocence, she learns that the strict and ever-changing rules keep extending their stay.  A new resident arrives and leads Sara onto a scary new path.

This book is chilling, because it doesn't take too much of an imagination to think about how easily we give our personal information out and how it could be used against us, especially if you add racial profiling into the mix.  Imagine if you were judged by your dreams too.  Lalami's writing pulls the reader into this new reality and you feel the fear and desperation of Sara and her fellow captives, pulled away from their families and lives with no foreseeable end to their nightmare. But you also see the women’s resilience and strength.  Fascinating read.

4.1.2025 - Insignificant Others

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Sarah Jio.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Lena is convinced that her perfectly planned life is going just as she wants, right down to knowing that her boyfriend of two years is going to propose to her at dinner.  When he instead breaks up with her, she flees back to the safety of her beloved Aunt Rosie's house on a Seattle island for a break.  She falls asleep the first night in Rosie's guesthouse, only to wake up the next morning in Paris with another man.  Each morning when she awakens, she's in a different place with a different man.

Haven't we all thought about the what if's?  What if we would have stayed with that high school/college/first job boyfriend?  What would our life look like?  This novel was an absolute joy exploring that thought - it was hilarious (the baby scenes!) and poignant to watch Lena explore all these other lives she might have lived.  I liked how some main characters (best friend and her husband and Aunt Rosie) were stalwarts through all her lives, just a bit different in each life story.  The perfect magical realism story that will have you reflecting on just what's important in life.

3.31.2025 - Making the Best of What's Left

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by Judith Viorst.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

I have loved all of Judith Viorst’s books, from reading her children’s books to my boys to her decade poem books that I’ve bought for myself and others, so I couldn’t wait to read her latest.  Judith reflects on her life in the Final Fifth, as she terms the period from age 80-100, and living after the loss of her husband.  There are heartbreaking and heartwarming stories, as well as much good practical advice and her trademark humor, honesty, and practicality.  As the caregiver for my mom who’s in her 90s, this one hit home on many fronts.  Highly recommended!

3.31.2025 - Follow Me

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer Amazon Publishing for gifting me both a physical and digital ARC of this debut book by Elizabeth Rose Quinn.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Adrienne Shaw feels like she is the only one who really believes that her twin sister, Chiara, who went missing at a mom-fluencer weekend, never left the resort.  The authorities found nothing, and she feels her brother-in-law is useless.  Adrienne decides to go undercover at the next influencer retreat to see if she can find any answers.  

While this is all a bit over the top, this was an entertaining story with a very relevant storyline.  Especially for moms who are struggling, it’s impossible to measure up with all the Instagram/Facebook perfect pictures and stories.  Adrienne is single and childless and it’s funny to watch her try to fit in with these “perfect” mothers.  Plus, it’s a good mystery to try and figure out exactly what happened to Chiara.  Will absolutely pick up more books from this debut author, plus the film rights have been optioned by Amazon MGM Studios!

3.30.2025 - The Murder Show

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Tor Books and Macmillan Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of the latest mystery by Matt Goldman, narrated by Dan Bittner.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Ethan is a show runner for The Murder Show, but when a writer's strike shuts down work, he returns to his family home in Minnesota to try and come up with an idea for his next season.  His high school friend and backyard neighbor, Ro, is now a police officer.  The two decide to try and investigate what happened to another high school friend, Ricky, who died in a hit-and-run accident.  But they may be in for more than they bargained for.

This book felt realistic, mainly due to the fact that Matt Goldman is a screenwriter himself.  Ethan and Ro thought the investigation would be a good subject for the next season of Ethan's show, plus it would bring them closure on what really happened to their friend.  I liked the characters and their relationships, and enjoyed following along on the investigation.  The narrator was great with all the voices, and added to the enjoyment of the story. 

3.29.2025 - The Sirens

Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of this intriguing book by Emilia Hart, beautifully narrated by Barrie Kreinik.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4 stars!

 

In 2019, Lucy is being cyber-bullied by a secret boyfriend who shared pictures of her without her knowledge, and the authorities don’t believe her.  When she awakens in his room in the middle of the night with her hands wrapped around his throat, she flees to her sister’s house.  Jess isn’t there, but Lucy stays in her house awaiting her return.  In 1999, we learn Jess’ story of always feeling different, until a teacher takes a special interest in her.  In 1800, Mary and Eliza are forced onto a convict ship from Ireland to Australia, taking them away from all they know. Trapped, they begin to notice changes in their bodies.

 

This is a wonderful magical realism book, highlighting sisterhood, women’s strength and resilience, as well as generational trauma and family secrets.  That’s a lot to wrap your head around in these different timelines, and the book was a bit slow for me at times.  But the beautiful writing will transport you to another world and the power of water and the sea to transform.  The narration was gorgeous too and pulled me into the stories of these sisters.    

3.28.2025 - The Many Mothers of Ivy Puddingstone

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Koehler Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful historical fiction novel by Randy Susan Meyers.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Annabel Cooper wants to save the world. She begins her mission in 1964 as a part of Freedom Summer in Mississippi, trying to register Blacks to vote.  She meets her first love and his disappearance ignites her fight for justice even stronger.  Later, she and her husband as well as four other couples form a Boston political group, living together with all their children.  But as the parents' pull to become more active gets stronger, they move the children to a farm in Vermont, cared for by one of the group members.  Annabel's daughter, Ivy, wants to be normal and misses her parents.  A disaster changes everything.

I love how this book explores the mother/child relationship amid all the political and societal changes from the 60s to present day, as viewed from both Annabel and Ivy.  The parents had the best of intentions - to fight for what they believed is right while keeping their children safe and away from the turmoil.  But we know what is said about good intentions.  This book languished too long on my TBR shift; it was a thought-provoking and sometimes heartbreaking read.

3.28.2025 - The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Harper 360, Harper UK, One More Chapter for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Evie Woods.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Edie Lane is grieving the loss of her mother, and has left everything behind in Ireland for a once-in-a-lifetime job at a bakery in Paris. Except, thanks to a mistranslation, the bakery is not in Paris, and neither is Edie.  The tiny town of Compiègne, complete with its local bakery on the Rue de Paris, holds many secrets. This might not be where Edie intended to be but it's not long before she realizes it's exactly where she needs to be

Evie Woods has done it again, and created a magical world that you won't want to leave.  This time it's a bakery in France, and the food descriptions will leave you hungry and needing pastries - and hot chocolate!  Just who is baking all these delicious treats?  Is there magic in the hot chocolate?  This book is sweet and heartwarming, as Evie makes new friends and works to keep the magic alive.  I appreciated how there were French words and phrases but enough information was given to decipher without constantly looking up the translation.

3.26.2025 - When the Moon Hits Your Eye

Many thanks to NetGalley and Tor Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful book by John Scalzi.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

The moon has turned into cheese.  Now humanity has to deal with it.  Just how's that going to work?  Do you question your faith in God, in science, in everything you thought you knew?  

I love John Scalzi.  In the same vein as The Kaiju Preservation Society and Starter Villain (both 5 star reads for me), these books explore humanity when faced with the unthinkable.  They are funny, thought-provoking, sci-fi light books and his latest is my favorite, I think.  I loved how it explored reactions from different people from all walks of life in almost a connected short story style, as we followed scholars, pastors, students, writers, government officials, and those billionaires who want to go to space.  This was perfection!

3.26.2025 - Saltwater

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the sophomore book by Katy Hays.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

In 1992 Sarah Lingate is found dead below the cliffs of Capri, leaving behind her three-year-old daughter, Helen. Despite suspicions that the old-money Lingates are involved, Sarah’s death is ruled an accident, and every year the family returns to prove it’s true. But on the thirtieth anniversary of Sarah’s death, the Lingates arrive at the villa to find a surprise waiting for them—the necklace Sarah was wearing the night she died.

It might have been my own distractions while reading this, but I seemed to get confused with the different timelines and POV.  The characters are pretty much all unlikeable, which didn’t help.  That being said, this was an atmospheric, twisty mystery that I really enjoyed - I never saw that ending coming!

3.26.2025 - The Last One to See Him

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest psychological thriller by Kathryn Croft.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Kate is trying to move on after a separation with her husband, when she has a one-night stand with a man she meets in the bar, Jamie.  When she returns to see him the next day, she finds him murdered in his flat!  But her past prevents her from going to the police.  When she meets a new mom at school, Harper, they get invited to her home for a playdate, only for Kate to find Jamie’s wedding picture on the wall. Does Harper have ulterior motives?

Such a completely twisty book – you won’t believe or trust any of the characters or even like them much!  But as always, Kathryn Croft’s writing and storytelling abilities will pull you in until you find yourself glued to the pages.  Everything I thought I knew was wrong and I was so shocked at the ending.  Great read!

3.25.2025 - Breaking the Dark

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for gifting me a digital ARC of this first in a Marvel Crimes series by a favorite, Lisa Jewell.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

I'll admit to being out of touch with the Marvel Universe since my boys left home, but you don't have to be an aficionado to enjoy Lisa Jewell's novel starring the superhero, Jessica Jones.  While she has superhero qualities, she's trying to live a quiet life and working as a private investigator in NYC.  She's approached by a woman who is convinced that her twin teenagers came back very different after visiting their father in the UK.  Jessica travels to the small British village, which is quite mysterious in itself, to try and discover what happened to them.

This was just a fun novel, with nods to the dangers of social media and our chase of perfection.  There is a storyline that takes us back to the origins of the mysterious affliction that seems to be possessing the twins.  I liked Jessica's character - trying to recover from trauma, drinking too much, but willing to sacrifice everything when necessary.  Lots of good characters in this one, including her teenage assistant and fellow superhero, Luke Cage.  I can't wait for the future books by more favorite authors to come!

3.25.2025 - Witness 8

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Atria Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful book by Steve Cavanagh.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

A former resident of the ultra-elite Manhattan upper class, Ruby now works as a maid in the type of houses she used to live in.  She's mostly invisible to those around her, but she sees everything.  When she witnesses a murder, she has a different plan involved rather than telling the truth.  Enter Eddie Flynn, streetwise ex con-artist-turned-defense attorney, now tasked with representing John Jackson - the one charged with the neighborhood murder.  But to save his client’s life, Eddie must first protect his own, as the scariest organized criminals in the city are out for his head.

A new book in this series featuring Eddie Flynn, conman turned defense lawyer, is always something to look forward to.  Eddie is nothing if not loyal, and I love his allegiance to his friends and his clients - especially since he's a defense attorney who only represents those he feels are innocent.  This installment had lots of different POV, but the story kept me glued.  I like legal thrillers, and it was fun to see Eddie be once again one step ahead of the prosecution.  

3.25.2025 - Twist

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by Colum McCann.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Anthony Fennell, an Irish journalist and playwright, is assigned to cover the underwater cables that carry the world’s information.  Fennell’s journey brings him to the west coast of Africa, where he uncovers a story about the raw human labor behind the task of fixing these cables when things go wrong. . He meets a fellow Irishman, John Conway, the chief of mission on a cable repair ship. The mysterious Conway is a skilled engineer and a freediver capable of reaching extraordinary depths. He is also in love with a South African actress, Zanele, who must leave to go on her own literary adventure to London.  

I thought this subject matter of this book was fascinating – a look into the cables running under the oceans that carry the fiberoptic communication lines that allow us to use the internet and our cellphones.  Do any of us normal mortals ever think about all that goes on behind the scenes to allow us to use our devices?  What happens when they break?  But the main attraction in this book is the beautiful writing of Colum McCann.  It was so immersive and atmospheric that it pulls the reader into another world; it’s tense and slow at the same time.  Plus, there are multiple mysteries and themes – can we fix our past?  How imperative is communication to life itself?  

3.24.2025 - This Book Will Bury Me

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and Tantor Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest book by Ashley Winstead, with the audiobook wonderfully narrated by Leslie Howard.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

After the unexpected death of her father, college student Janeway Sharp heads home to grieve with her mother.  She becomes obsessed with true crime and soon becomes part of an online armchair detective group, finding purpose and friendship.  When three college girls are killed in Idaho, Jane and her friends are determined to solve the crime.  

Ashley Winstead has once again created a book that you’ll have a hard time putting down, especially if you are obsessed with true crime (and who isn’t?).  This book, told in a story-in-a-story format, will pull you into the hunt for a serial killer.  It will have you thinking about the online true crime obsessives – good or evil or somewhere in between?  It’s also a story of grief and trying to come to terms with losing someone we love.  

3.24.2025 - The Unlucky Ones

 

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 book in the Black Harbor series by Hannah Morrissey, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Angela Dawe and Robb Moreira.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Detective Nik Kole finds a dead body in a clubhouse wrapped in bags and doused in bleach.  But things take a turn when the body is identified as Tommy Greenlee, the ex-husband of Hazel and Kole's ex-lover.  Hazel returns to Black Harbor to find out how killed Tommy, only to find that people are looking to her as a suspect.  

I think this series keeps getting better – I’d definitely recommend starting from the beginning, but there’s enough info to enjoy as a standalone as well.  But what I really enjoy in this series is how the characters all repeat, but sometimes in major roles and other times in minor roles in the various books.  The main character from Hello, Transcriber is back as a main character in this book, so we get to see how things have changed for her, as well as her relationship with Detective Nik Kole.  Plus, some previous storylines come to a resolution.  This storyline mirrors the town of Black Harbor – gritty and dark – delving more into the seedy drug world tearing up the town.  Morrissey's writing and the narration brings this town to life.  Wonderful series!

3.23.2025 - Nobody's Fool

Many thanks to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing and Hachette Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest thriller by a favorite, Harlan Coben, wonderfully narrated by Vikas Adam.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

When Sami Kierce was in college, he took a fateful backpacking trip with friends to Spain.  Then he woke up one morning, covered in blood with a knife in his hand, and his girlfriend's body lying next to him.  He runs.  Decades later, Sami is now a private investigator, married with a young child.  He's also teaching night school to wannabe investigators when one evening, he recognizes Anna at the back of his classroom.  As soon as they make eye contact, she runs.  Sami knows he must find her to understand the nightmare that has haunted him since Spain.

While this is the second in the Detective Sami Kierce series, I somehow missed that one, although I must admit I saw the Netflix series.  But it’s easily read as a standalone, so don’t hesitate.  There’s a lot going on in this one, with a big timeline and multiple mysteries, but it’s Harlan Coben so you know he pulls it off in grand style.  This is written as though Sami is talking to the reader, a style I enjoy for I feel like it pulls me into the book as a participant and not just an observer.  There are plenty of twists and reveals, along with Coben’s humorous moments.  I ended up mostly listening to this one on audiobook and thought the narration was perfect.  

3.22.2025 - I Would Die For You

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 novel by Sandie Jones, with the audio perfectly narrated by a favorite, Imogen Wilde.   All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4 stars!

 

California, 2011: Nicole Forbes lives a quiet life with her husband and daughter. She is not prepared for a writer to knock on her door asking for details into the downfall of the biggest British band of the 1980s.  Then the same day, her daughter goes missing from school.  Convinced that the two events are linked, Nicole must face her past to protect her family.

London, 1986: Sixteen-year-old Cassie is obsessed with Secret Oktober, the hottest band of the moment, and has an intense crush on the leading man, Ben Edwards.  But when Ben discovers her older sister, Nicole, singing at a local bar, he is immediately drawn to her.

 

I’m a fan of Sandie Jones and enjoyed this book and its nostalgic look into the 80s music scene.  Plus, there are lots of secrets that Nicole has kept from her husband, including why she doesn’t speak to her family.  Told in these alternating timelines, I found myself wanting to just tell Nicole to be honest with her husband!    I couldn’t gather a real connection to the characters, but I enjoyed the mystery of exactly what happened in the past.

3.19.2025 - The Story She Left Behind

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Atria Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest historical fiction novel by Patti Callahan Henry.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

In 1927, Clara is only 8 when her magical childhood ended.  Her mother, renowned author, Bronwyn, who wrote a book based on an invented language when she was just 12, disappeared off the coast of SC and was presumed dead.  Along with her, everyone's hope for a sequel to the book died.  In 1952, Clara is an illustrator raising her own daughter, Wynnie, who is obsessed with her grandmother's book.  When a stranger, Charlie, contacts her from London, he claims to have discovered a handwritten dictionary of her mother's lost language, that could finally allow the sequel to be transcribed.  While skeptical, Clara and Wynnie travel to London, only to arrive during one of London's most deadly natural disasters - the Great Smog.  They take refuge with Charlie at his family's retreat.

I felt like I was in a magical, fairy tale world while reading this book, but it also had moments of grit and fear.  Based on a true story, be sure and read the author's note about the inspiration for this book and one of the literary world's biggest mysteries.  The writing is beautiful, but the story shines with the themes of motherhood, loss, and forgiveness that will keep you turning the pages.

3.19.2025 - Tilt

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster, Simon Element, Marysue Rucci Books for gifting me a digital and physical copy of this debut book by Emma Pattee.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Annie is nine months pregnant and shopping for a crib at IKEA when a massive earthquake hits Portland, Oregon. With no way to reach her husband, no phone or money, and a city left in chaos, she realizes there’s nothing to do but walk.  Making her way across the wreckage of the city, Annie experiences desperation and kindness from strangers.  As she walks, she reflects on her life.

Be forewarned – this is a total gush review because I could not have loved this book more.  And it’s a debut?  Even more astonishing.  Because this book will make you FEEL – in all capitals – all the feelings about pregnancy, motherhood, marriage, grief, life, love.  I adored the way it played out – we get the current events over the course of one day as Annie experiences the big earthquake, then interspersed are the chapters that let us see how Annie got to that day and point in her life.  It’s funny, scary, sad, hopeful.  It’s a must read!

3.18.2025 - I Bet You'd Look Good in a Coffin

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper 360 for gifting me a digital ARC of the second book in the Kitty Collins series by Katy Brent.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Kitty Collins is a serial killer, because some men just deserve it.  She's trying so hard to be good, even joining a support group called Angry Women Anonymous.  But Blaze Bundy, an anonymous influencer spreading misogyny who's stalking Kitty, is making it really hard for her to control.  Her mostly estranged mother is getting remarried and Kitty doesn't trust him at all.  

You must first read How to Kill Men and Get Away With It, not only because you'll understand this book better, but because it's so darn good.  These books are darkly funny and you will love the characters.  While this book is definitely improbable, it's fun to watch Kitty stick up for wronged women and make sure that these bad men don't hurt anyone else.  Plus there's a mystery to be solved - who exactly is Blaze Bundy?  Put this book on your summer reading list for sure.  Meanwhile, I'm hoping there's another book to come in this series!

3.17.2025 - The Summer Guests

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer Amazon Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the second in The Martini Club series by Tess Gerritsen.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

While I’ve been a forever fan of Gerritsen’s medical mysteries, this group of older, retired CIA agents has captured my heart.  Following The Spy Coast (another must read), we see this group (self named The Martini Club) try to find a missing girl visiting Purity, ME, with her family.  Once again, Acting Police Chief Jo Thibodeau is alternately frustrated and grateful for the group’s help (interference).  I love books showcasing the vitality of older adults and this group would put younger people to shame for sure.  Even when they aren't solving local mysteries, they are all active, vibrant and so much fun.  The mystery certainly didn’t go the way I thought it would, but everything resolved neatly at the end.  Great series!

3.16.2025 - First Wife's Shadow

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/MIRA Books, and Harlequin Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest thriller by a favorite, Adele Parks, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Kristin Atherton.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

When Emma meets Matthew, a kind, handsome widower, he seems to be just what she needs.  Their friendship moves quickly, and her friends are worried that she might be taken advantage of, since she's rich and Matthew isn't.  Emma isn't worried about that, but she does wonder if she is second best after his perfect first wife.  But who really can Emma trust - her friends, Matthew, or even herself?

I’m a huge fan of Adele Parks and this book is why – perfect writing with a taut storyline that kept my mind guessing, flipping, and shocked.   Emma’s character had me screaming at her naiveté, and lots stretched the imagination, but what a fun ride.  Up until the very end, the twists kept coming.  I thought the audiobook narration was spot on, and I ended up mostly listening to this one.

3.11.2025

 

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

It's 1864 in Virginia, during the end of the Civil War.  Libby Steadman's husband is presumed dead in a Union prison camp.  She spends her days trying to continue to operate their gristmill along with her teenage niece, Jubilee, a hired hand and his wife.  All the grain they produce is taken by the Confederate Army.  When a gravely-injured Union officer, Captain Jonathan Weybridge, is found left for dead in a neighbor's house, Libby makes the decision to bring him to their home to try and save him, in the hopes that someone would do the same for her husband.  But just what is she willing to risk for a stranger?

Based on a true-life story (be sure and read the author's note), this book showcases how good can triumph over evil.  It was a gripping story, with characters you won't soon forget.  The writing will transport you back in time, where every day is life or death, and decisions can have long-reaching consequences.  I loved the strong women characters - Libby, Jubilee, and Sally - and how hard they fought to do the right things, especially when it wasn't easy.  As with most stories about war, it's both horrifying and hopeful, showcasing our human resiliency and strength - a definite must read!

 

3.10.2025 - You Deserve to Know

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Forge Books for gifting me both a digital and physical ARC of this wonderful book by Aggie Blum Thompson.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Neighbors Gwen, Aimee, and Lisa are the best of friends on their street in Bethesda, MD.  But when Gwen's husband is found murdered, the neighborhood is left reeling.  The police investigation threatens to uncover all their secrets.

Domestic/neighborhood suspense is one of my favorite genres.  It’s the knowledge you never truly know what’s going on behind closed doors or in someone else’s marriage, although we do love to speculate.  Aggie Blum Thompson hit this one out of the park and I loved every minute.  Starting with a Dateline snippet giving a couple clues as to murders that happened in the neighborhood, we go back and forth in time and perspective to see just what’s really happening.  I was reading in the wee hours to finish it; the ending blew my mind and was pitch perfect.  This one gets all the stars from me and is highly recommended.  Go into it as blind as possible and enjoy the journey!

3.10.2025 - All the Other Mothers Hate Me

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful debut novel by Sarah Harman.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Florence Grimes is single, broke, and desperate for a career redo.  The one bright spot in her life is her 10-year-old son, Dylan.  But Dylan is a little different and has been struggling in school with bullies.  And Florence definitely doesn't fit in with the other moms at his school.  When Alfie Risby, Dylan's biggest tormenter, disappears during a class field trip, Dylan becomes the prime suspect.  Florence will do anything to save Dylan.

I adored this book!  I'm a huge fan of domestic suspense and dark humor, and this one had those in spades.  Even while you'll question some of Florence's behaviors, she will have you laughing and rooting for her til the end.  Along with her only mom friend, Jenny, they decide to become detectives and try and discover what happened to Alfie.  Such a fabulous debut and I can envision more books starring Florence and Jenny - pretty please?  

3.9.2025 - Girl Falling

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of the new novel by Hayley Scrivenor, narrated by Sophie Loughran.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4.5 stars!

Finn and Daphne form a tight, emotional bond at school when they realize they have a shared trauma; both lost their younger sister to suicide.  As they get older and Finn starts a relationship with Magdu, Daphne is jealous, and Finn feels pulled between the two.  When an accident occurs when the three are climbing, was it suicide, an accident, or something else?

 

I was a huge fan of Scrivenor’s debut, Dirt Creek, and loved this book as well.  This is a complete character study of relationships, friendships, grief, control.  These characters felt very real to me and you can feel the intensity and drama between the three.  Told from Before so that we see how the relationships formed and progressed, to Now, when the police investigation looks into the death.  The writing is beautiful and the narration just added depth to the story.

3.8.2025 - Name Not Taken

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Little A and Brilliance Publishing for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest book by Madeleine Henry, with the audiobook wonderfully narrated by Natalie Naudus.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 3.5 stars rounded up!

Devon and Richard are engaged, but come from two very different backgrounds.  Devon's was traumatic, being raised by a single mother with mental health issues, while Richard comes from a very wealthy family.  But after dating and living together, she had still not met his family until now.  And it is not going well - the family seems to question everything Devon does and are making Richard question her as well.  Let the mind games begin.

While domestic suspense is usually one of my favorite genres, this one was just okay for me.  I felt bad for Devon and wished she could have stood up for herself better, plus there are so many unreliable narrators that you will be questioning everyone.  I switched to listening to the audiobook and enjoyed it, but was a tad confused with the ending.  I'm blaming it on maybe too much multitasking when listening.  This was also an Amazon Prime First Read selection so try it out for yourself!

3.8.2025 - Message Deleted

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest psychological thriller by KL Slater.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Saffy is trying to get her life back on track and is waiting to go in for a job interview when she receives a text message from her best friend, Leona.  The message says - Can't speak, don't text or call, please just come.  Then the message is deleted.  Saffy is afraid that Leona is in trouble from her husband, Ash, so she rushes out of the interview to check on her friend.  When she gets to their house, Leona says everything is fine and that she didn't send the message.  Then the police show up at Saffy's door because she was the last one to see the family before they all went missing.

As always with Slater's books, this is a twisty book, with short chapters from different POV and timelines, giving the reader lots of suspects and clues along the way.  I felt for Saffy, with all her fears making her overprotective and anxious; definitely not a reliable narrator.  I never guessed how it was all going to play out and thought the ending was perfect.

3.7.2025 - The Undoing of Violet Claybourne

 

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

It's 1938 and Gillian Larkin is sent away to school while her dad is an expat in Egypt with his new wife and son.  She's used to being a loner but is befriended by her roommate, Violet Claybourne.  Gilly is thrilled when Violet invites her to spend Christmas with her family at Thornleigh Hall.  Gilly is dazzled by the family's wealth and glamour, and especially by Violet's older sisters.  But when there is a terrible accident on the grounds, Gilly's loyalty and conscience are put to the test.  

I was a big fan of the author's previous book, One Puzzling Afternoon, and was excited to read her latest.  This book has such a gothic, dark feel, full of unlikeable characters that drip with privilege and secrets, and who will do anything to protect themselves.  Told from Ginny's prospective, we feel her need to fit in at all costs and her resulting devastating decisions.  I felt for Violet and her undoings (OCDd behaviors).   It's a heartbreaking story, full of betrayal and gaslighting, but it will keep you turning the pages well into the night.  

3.5.2025 - Black Tunnel White Magic

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Mulholland Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this fascinating true crime book by Rick Jackson and Matthew McGough.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

In June 1990, Ronald Baker, a straight-A UCLA student, was found repeatedly stabbed to death in a tunnel near Spahn Ranch, where Charles Manson and his followers once lived. Shortly thereafter, Detective Rick Jackson and his partner, Frank Garcia, were assigned the case. Was there an occult factor?  Their investigation soon focused on Baker's roommates, one Black and one white, and the investigators' dogged pursuit of truth and justice.

I thought this was a fascinating look back at LA in the 1990s, where race, police brutality, and satanism were the headline stories.  But it's also such a close introspection of police work at its finest, where finding the truth takes priority over everything else.  These detectives worked for years and even decades to get justice for families.  It's a look back at the effects of the Rodney King and OJ Simpson verdicts, and you'll recognize many names from that era.  Now that our movements and conversations are tracked by cellphones and cameras, this is true, gritty detective work when DNA was in its infancy.  The crime itself was horrifying and such a tragic loss of a young man, but kudos to Jackson and Garcia for their devotion.  

3.4.2025 - The Last Days of Kira Mullan

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins William Morrow for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by the husband and wife writing duo known as Nicci French, and the second in the Maud O'Connor series.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Nancy North is trying to get back to normal after suffering a psychotic break that blew up her life.  She and her partner, Felix, have moved into a new flat and are anxious for a fresh start.  She's doing everything right, but things still seem wrong.  She hears mysterious voices that triggered her first episode, but she tries to justify it as the sounds of a new flat.  But when the young woman in the downstairs flat is found dead, everyone says it's a suicide.  But Nancy feels differently, and no one will listen except for DI Maud O'Connor.

I love this series, but you don't need to read the first book to enjoy this one.  I enjoy how in both books, Maud doesn't make an important appearance until the story is well developed, but she is a great character.  This is part police procedural, but it's also a great story about mental health.  That aspect is done really well, and you can feel Nancy's frustration at being labeled, gaslit, and trapped.  It's a good mystery as Maud tries to figure out exactly what happened to Kira.  Told from both Nancy's and Maud's POV, this is the perfect combination of genres and I couldn't put it down.  Hope there are more books to come in this series!

3.2.2025 - Wild Dark Shore

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of this wonderful book by Charlotte McConaghy, wonderfully narrated by the cast of Cooper Mortlock, Katherine Littrell, Saskia Maarleveldm and Steve West.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 5 stars!

 

Dominic Salt and his three children (Raff, Fen, and Orly) are caretakers of Shearwater, a tiny island not far from Antarctica, and home to the world’s largest seed bank.  With sea levels rising, the Salts are the only inhabitants and are packing up the seeds before being transported away.  During a terrible storm, a woman washes up on shore. As the Salts nurse the woman, Rowan, back to life, they all come back to life a bit.  Until secrets start showing their faces.

 

This is a wonderful atmospheric novel.  You can see the beauty of the landscape, the wildlife, but see the damage the world has done as well.  The Salt family is completely isolated, running out of food and time, with no way to communicate with the outside world.  When Rowen enters their tiny circle, she keeps the real reason she is there to herself, but the Salt family is full of secrets as well.  It was taut and tense, as the family fight the elements as well as their personal demons.  The audiobook was fabulous, with a full cast making the story even more immersive.

3.1.2025 - Killer Story

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing/Brilliance Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of this memoir/true crime story, written and narrated by Claire St. Amant.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Claire spent almost a decade in network television covering the biggest true crime stories for 48 Hours and 60 Minutes.  In this book, she details how she got there, the cases she covered, and the toll it took on her psyche.  

This was a fascinating look behind the curtain of all those true crime stories I have watched for decades.  Besides going over the cases, it was fascinating to see how these shows develop and get produced, and the race against the clock to beat the competition.  The story of how she almost got indicted for a felony was unbelievable as well.   I appreciated that the author narrated her story, feeling that it adds a more personal touch.  If you're a true crime junkie, this book is for you.

3.1.2025 - Profile K

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Avon/Harper 360 for gifting me a digital ARC of this stand-alone thriller by Helen Fields.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Midnight Jones is a data analyst for Necto Corporation in London.  After a potential employee or student takes a Netco-developed test, she analyzes the data to determine the person's fit for that position.  When she gets a profile completely off the charts, she tries to tell her superiors that she received a Profile K - which they all said doesn't exist and is strictly a training protocol.  But Midnight is convinced that she uncovered a very dangerous person, one who may kill again.  

This one was definitely dark, but completely fascinating, partly because with AI and technology advances, you can see how something like this test software could be on the horizon.  Midnight is a wonderful character, as she devotes all non-working hours to care for her twin sister, Dawn.  Midnight didn't know who she could trust and felt completely let down by everyone she went to for help.  The murderer's story was beyond creepy, but I flew through this one.  As always with Fields' books, it's immersive, tense, and gripping.  

2.27.2025 - Close Your Eyes and Count to 10

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/Park Row for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by Lisa Unger.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Extreme adventurer Maverick Dillon is hosting the ultimate game of hide-and-seek.  Set on a remote island, the game quickly turns into a game of survival instead of a social media stunt.  As a storm threatens, and everyone has their secrets,  Adele is a single mother of two teenagers, desperate to win the prize money to offer them the stability they need.  But has she made a mistake coming to this island that may cost her everything?

I always look forward to Lisa Unger's books, and this was a perfect escape book.  Plus, I always enjoy an atmospheric,  locked room mystery, and this one ticked off those boxes in spades.  There's some warnings here about social media and influencers, and how blurry the lines are between gaming and the real world.  A bit implausible at times, I still was thoroughly invested to figure out everyone's secrets and just how things would end up.  Tense and full of thrills!

2.27.2025 - Back After This

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine Books for gifting me the latest rom com by Linda Holmes.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Cecily Foster loves to make podcasts, but is worried about the company she works for and the boss who always disappoints her.  When he offers her the chance to host her own show, she's thrilled until she learns that it is about her dating life and she will be coached by an influencer, Eliza Cassidy.  The premise is that Eliza will find Cecily 20 dates, all to be recorded for the podcast.  To add to the mix, Cecily meets Will on the street while he's rescuing a dog, and they seem to have a spark, but Eliza warns her off.  

While rom-com is not usually my favorite genre, there are a few must read authors for me, and Linda Holmes is one.  She writes about characters you will care about, with sharp dialogue, and realistic settings.  Plus in this one, you'll learn a lot about the behind-the-scenes world of podcasts and audio, as well as social media.  And there's Buddy the Great Dane!  It's a good story of finding love without losing yourself.

2.26.2025 - The Strange Case of Jane O

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by Karen Thompson Walker.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

A year after her child is born, Jane suffers from a series of strange episodes and seeks out a psychiatrist.  Then she goes missing, only to be found unconcious in what appears to be an episode of dissociative fugue.  She has no memory of what happened when she awakes.  As the psychiatrist delves deeper, he begins questioning everything.

Go into this one as blind as possible, so that you can explore all the magic slowly unfurling on these pages.  It's beautifully written and drew me in right away, as the pieces of the puzzle slowly fit into place.  That's what it felt like - just something slowly clicking in your mind, rather than a big in your face twist.  It's that perfect mesh of reality and speculative mystery revolving around our memory, identity and love.  A must read!

2.25.2025 - The Housemate

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Datura for gifting me a digital ARC of this mystery by Sarah Bailey.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4 stars!

Three housemates.  One dead, one missing and one accused of murder.  Dubbed the Housemate Homicide, it's a mystery that has baffled Australians for almost a decade.  Olive Groves worked on the story as a junior reporter and became obsessed by the case. Now, nine years later, the missing housemate turns up dead on a remote property. Oli is once again assigned to the story, this time reluctantly paired with precocious millennial podcaster Cooper Ng.  What really happened to the housemates that night?  

This was an intriguing mystery, with the murder taking place years ago but suddenly thrust back into the present time.  I loved Cooper’s character, and he was a good contrast to Oli’s more traditional journalistic style.  Oli was an interesting character as well – she’s engaged to a wealthy man from her past whose wife was killed, leaving him to raise their twin daughters.  But is he hiding something from Oli?