7.2.2026 - The Housewife

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Natalie Barelli.  All opinions expressed in this book are my own - 4.5 stars!

Jodie has always wanted to be a housewife and has perfected her skills in cooking, cleaning, and being the perfect mate.  After a quick romance, she marries psychologist Dr Roy Davies and moves into his perfect Beverly Hills home.  But reality is a bit different - his friends think she's a gold digger, Roy still has pictures of his late wife, Deborah everywhere, and even Marie, the housekeeper, doesn't like her.  But Jodie is keeping her own secrets.

I love dark, sarcastic humor and this book was filled with it.  Add to that a twisty thriller that kept me flipping the pages and you have the perfect summer thriller.  The short chapters continue to build the tension as Jodie sneaks around the house trying to find answers to all her questions, with the fear of someone always looking over her shoulder.  Jodie is the kind of character that you can't help but root for, even when she behaves badly - she had me laughing out loud at her witty commentary and behavior.  If you love your domestic suspense on the dark side, this one's for you!

7.1.2026 - Dead but Dreaming of Electric Sheep

 

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

Julia is a former gamer, now working menial jobs and living with her uncle.  Her estranged mother, a CFO for a big tech company, reaches out and offers her a temporary job with a payday she can't refuse.  All she has to do is chaperone a man in a vegetative state - one who has proprietary AI implanted.  But what if he's not really dead?

Worry.  Worry more.  Because the best sci-fi novels are the ones that feel way too real, and with AI, all bets are off.  This book has Trembley's trademark humor mixed in with the terror, and characters that you will love.  Julia names her charge Bernie, and we hear from his POV as he struggles with memories, only knowing that he needs to find someone.  As Julia learns more about the company's intentions and Bernie's condition, she turns her back on everything to help him.  Fascinating.

6.30.2026 - Gray After Dark

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for gifting me both a physical and audio ARC of the latest thriller by Noelle W. Ihli.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Miley's dreams of Olympic gold are sidelined after a tragic accident.  She takes a summer job at a mountain guest lodge, hoping to heal and train.  She ignores the local lore about a staffer who died years ago.  But then she's abducted during a morning run and held captive in an off-the-grid cabin.  She'll have to do everything she can to escape.

I hadn't even heard of this author a year or so ago, and now I'm completely obsessed.  Every book I read seems better, and that's saying something.  This book grabbed me by the throat and would not let go.  It's so frightening and because it's based on a true story, it feels incredibly real.  It's dark, but it's also the story of resilience and strength.  Grab this one and clear your calendar!

6.30.2026 - Rules for Aging and Larceny

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the new novel by Julia London.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Frances just got the diagnosis no one wants, and she's feeling every bit of age, longing to feel vibrant again.  What she really wants just one more time is to plan and execute the perfect heist with her group of friends.  The problem is that they haven't seen each other in decades.  Can she get the gang back together one more time to right a wrong?

This sure was fun - I love books about older women being vibrant, strong, and taking on the world, or in this book, the bad guys.  As the story plays out, we learn more about each woman and what happened long ago to break them apart.  Of course, it's a bit unrealistic, but it's so much fun!  It's funny, it's sweet, it's life-affirming.  Sometimes age is a superpower.

6.29.2026 - Come Back to Me

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for gifting me an audio ARC of this rerelease of the debut novel by Sara Foster, narrated by Flora Ogilvy.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

At a work party, Mark introduces his date to a colleague, Chloe, and her husband, Alex.  Immediately he knows something is wrong.  Alex and Julia pretend not to know each other, but their faces tell a different story.  That story began a decade ago and ended with tragedy.  Now Alex has to decide how to handle knowing that Julia is back.  Meanwhile, Chloe has her own secrets.

This was a wonderful psychological drama and it had me glued.  There are so many different layers to the characters and their stories, as well as a romantic connection running through the four people.  The past tragedy combined with the current relationships made for such a compelling and tense read.  This was such a strong debut and it's no wonder that Sara Foster is a must read author for me!  The narration was perfect and the narrator did a great job with all of the characters.

6.29.2026 - The Top of the World

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Scribner for gifting me a digital ARC of the new novel by a favorite, Ethan Joella.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Told over two summers in 1974-1975, we meet siblings Maggie and Chip Bishop.  Chip is only 18 and has been diagnosed with terminal leukemia, prompting him to leave home for a few months to try and live a little before he dies.  The next summer, Maggie has just graduated but stuck in grief for Chip.  Maggie's search for where he spent his last months leads her to a resort in the Poconos.  She travels there to learn about her brother's final days.

I am always so honored to read Joella's latest book, knowing that it will push all my emotional buttons in the best of ways.  While this book is heartbreaking, it's also beautifully hopeful.  It's that reminder we all need that personal connection is what makes us the best humans.  This was also nostalgic in the best of ways.  I remember as a teenager seeing the ads for the heart-shaped tubs in the Poconos, thinking that to be the epitome of romance.  If you lived through these times, this book will take you back to a time where you could escape and no one would know where you were.  Once again, Joella writes about grief, loss, family, found family, and hope in the most beautiful of ways.  Highly recommended. 

6.28.2026 - Wasp's Nest

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Celadon Books and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the debut novel by Kat Stoddard, wonderfully narrated by the cast of Eric Yang,Major Curda, and Mia Wurgaft.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Tess is getting married for the second time; this time, to a soon-to-be state senator. and steady man.  Her first husband, Peter, hasn't seen Tess in years, so he's surprised to receive an invitation to her society wedding.  He decides to attend with Mitch, a handsome younger man, as his plus one.  Let the fireworks begin!

This was a messy, dysfunctional bunch of wealthy people so of course it was a fun read!  This is being promoted as a modern retelling of The Philadelphia Story, but since I am not familiar with that story besides the title, I can't address it.  But it stands well on its own, sort of like watching one of the Real Housewives.  I started reading this one, but switched to the audiobook because I love when there are multiple narrators.  They all did a great job bringing this story to life.  Looking forward to more from this author!

6.28.2026 - A Dark Path

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of this collection of short stories in the Kate Burkholder series by Linda Castillo, narrated by the wonderful Kathleen McInerney.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

This is a wonderful collection of the "in between" stories in this series, with A Dark Path being the only one not previously published.  As a reader from the very beginning, it was fun to catch up on these stories, and I was especially excited to read #17.5 in hopeful anticipation of a new novel from her soon.  This is one of my absolute favorite series - I have spent a lot of time in the Millersburg OH area, nearby to the fictional Painter's Mill where these books are set, which make them come alive even more.  This is a series I would absolutely recommend to start from the beginning, because each book furthers the relationships, both personal and working.  Chief Burkholder is a wonderful character - raised Amish and now the police chief.  This is a great addition whether you are a new reader or one who has faithfully read them all!  Kathleen McInerney truly brings these stories alive, and I always look forward to her narration.

6.26.2026 - The Neighbors Are Watching

 

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 domestic suspense novel by a favorite, Aggie Blum Thompson, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Alex Picard.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Welcome to Eastbook, a wealthy suburb outside Washington DC, full of perfect families.  There was an incident where a nanny was shot in an apparent robbery, but things quickly moved on.  Meet our unreliable narrator, Caren, nearing fifty, married with an almost empty nest and feeling conflicted.  After attending a neighborhood graduation party, she has one drink too many, and blacks out on her way home.  At least that's what everyone says, even though Caren suspects otherwise.  She soon teams up with a new neighbor, Finn, who is desperate to find out what happened to his best friend, the nanny who was killed.  But their investigation leads them down dark paths.

Domestic suspense is truly one of my favorite genres.  Especially now with social media and the look into everyone's picture perfect lives, it's fun to pull back the curtains and see the real stories.  This was an addictive read, with plenty of secrets, twists and gaslighting.  Just like Caren, I didn't know who I could trust.  Told from the POV of mainly Caren and Finn, there's many relevant topics but I don't want to spoil the fun.  Great read and it was also wonderful on audiobook.

6.25.2026 - When You Loved Me

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House | Ballantine Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by Beatriz Williams.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Lucy Cooper returns to Winthrop Island with her daughter, Punkin, for the summer, only to find that her father just passed away, leaving a mountain of debt.  Her father was obsessed with finding pirate treasure on the land, and Lucy and Punkin uncover his research and begin their own explorations.  Her teenage boyfriend, Ben, is also back on the island, causing old emotions to flare.  But someone else appears to be interested in the ancient treasure and things turn dangerous.

There's a lot going on here, but in Williams' very capable hands, it's a compelling story of romance, mystery, history, along with grief and healing old wounds.  It's told in three major timelines - Lucy in the present, Lucy as a teenager, and through the diaries of Hepzibah living on Winthrop Island in 1717.  Full of fascinating characters, precocious Punkin definitely steals the show.  This is the perfect book for a summer escape!

6.25.2026 - The Make-Believe

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House | Dial Press for gifting me a digital ARC of this memoir by Hannah Murray.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 3.5 stars!

It's always hard to review memoirs, assigning a star rating to someone's story.  This is a starkly honest memoir of the author's experience with a wellness cult, her resultant psychotic break, and her struggle to get well.  It's so sad that there are these "cults," requiring people to pay for whatever garbage they can get people to pay for.  This book is less about that, and more about Murray's undiagnosed mental health issues.  Of course, combine using drugs/alcohol/food or lack thereof to deal with said issues just complicates things and leaves people open to whatever magic others are peddling.  I was a bit confused about her relationship with her parents - there wasn't enough information given to make this reader understand her almost estrangement of them, and without more information, I just felt sad for them as well.  It seems as though the author is on a good path to wellness.  This book was well-written and hopefully we'll hear more from this author in some manner.

6.24.2026 - It Could Have Been Her

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Atria Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the new thriller by a favorite, Lisa Jewell.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Jane is feeling unsettled.  Her house is falling apart and she feels that she doesn't have a purpose.  While out on a walk, she finds a small white dog and tracks down the owner.  When she goes to deliver the dog to its owner, she realizes that they live in a house that's haunted her nightmares for decades.  And something just doesn't feel right.  Along with her stepson, Jane begins investigating.

You know it's going to be a good day when you have a new Lisa Jewell book to read!  This one veered toward her darker side with family dysfunction in spades, and I loved it.  I especially liked Jane's character - a smart, older woman who is tired of sitting on the sidelines and wants to make a difference.  You do have to pay attention because there are multiple POV and timelines, but it's definitely worth it!  It's creepy, haunting, atmospheric and just so good.  

6.24.2026 - Trash!

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for gifting me an audio ARC of this insightful book by  Simon Paré-Poupart, narrated by Jean Brassard.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

The author has spent 20 years in waste management while also completing higher education, including a Master's degree.  Starting at 18, it was a way to make money for school; it became a way of life.  In between, he has amassed a true knowledge of how people treat the workers who pick up what we no longer want as well as the ever-present mindset we have of out of sight, out of mind when it comes to trash.  It's fascinating and you can easily read or listen to it in one sitting.  Narration was wonderful.

  

6.23.2026 - Nine Lives

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine | Bantam for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by Catherine Steadman.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Frankie moves to a posh little development in London after a divorce and job loss knocked her for a loop.  When her cat, Blue, comes home from a night out snooping, he has two words scratched into his collar - Help me.  Frankie puts a cat cam collar on Blue to see if she can figure out what's going on.  She starts getting glimpses of just what's going on behind her neighbors' doors, but their secrets could bring terror to her own door.

What a unique premise - absolutely was glued to this one!  Loved the chapters from the cat cam, as Blue roamed the neighborhood and even got into people's homes.  Told over nine days, Frankie is not sleeping and becoming paranoid, adding to the unreliable narrator feel.  Loved all the neighborhood drama and the suspense just kept building.  And that end was chef's kiss.  A must read for this summer!

6.22.2026 - Backstabbers

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine | Bantam for gifting me a digital ARC of this debut novel by Eliza Jabore.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Three best friends - Jade, Stef, and Zoe - go on a trip together every year.  This year, they are hiking Washington's Bones Hollow Trail, while also  listening to a true crime podcast about the serial killer who once roamed this same forest.  Then when Stef twists her ankle—badly—there's no one to hear them scream for help. The only sign of life for miles is a cabin that looks to be straight out of a horror movie, with a man who's all too eager to invite them in.  But things soon take a chilling turn.

This is a book that encompasses all the horror movies, true crime shows and podcasts you've inhaled, while you're screaming at the characters to not make such crazy decisions.  It's campy, twisty, over the top, and just so much fun!  It's got everything - creepy cabin in the woods, serial killers, toxic friendships - what's not to love?  Can't wait for more from this author!

6.22.2026 - Whisper Creek

 

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 by Allison Brennan, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Amanda Stribling.  All opinions expressed din this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

After the sudden death of her husband, Ellen McKenna is doing everything she can to keep her Texas farm afloat and her 4 children okay.  Money is tight for her and her neighbors, and some are agreeing to sell their land to a local businessman.  But Ellen refuses.  Then a storm threatens their farm and their safety.

This was such an atmospheric, tense book and I loved it!  Ellen is such a strong female character - grieving her husband, still helping her neighbors when they need her nursing experience, she's running the farm, taking care of her kids, trying to let them live their lives without the pressure of staying on the farm to help.  That's a lot for any shoulders to bear.  Then there are the businessmen looking to take advantage and a storm threatening their land and home.  The storm is a character in itself, and you'll feel the tension and fear as it makes its mark.  The family is separated, isolated, and in danger.  The narrator did a wonderful job and I loved her Texan accent.  Don't miss this one!

6.21.2026 - Gutted

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and She Writes Press for gifting me a digital and physical ARC of the debut novel by Maida Korte.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

When a lifelong city dweller follows her husband's dream of country living, the love/hate affair with a century home begins.  But as the restoration of the home begins, so does the settling of her soul.

This was a book that spoke to my life.  My husband dreamed of again building a house, but this time, 500 miles away from all that we had built and established.  This was a man who also took my children into his heart when he married me, so I owed him this dream.  And it turned into the best thing ever - we both found peace and solace in building our house on a gorgeous piece of land where we can't see a neighbor.  Where hard work every day leads to celebrating those accomplishments at its end.  We spent years building - only using contractors to pour concrete slabs that were too big for just us, and for digging our well,  Everything else was just us.  (I'm sure there's a book there if any publisher is interested - ha!). So of course I'm going to love a book that mirrored our journey, although my husband will always say that he would much rather build new than refurbish old.  But the heart and hard work are the same - and what it does to your soul changes you.  I loved the author's feelings towards her husband - her love shone through every page.  I'm wishing their family many years of happiness in their home.  Loved the book!

6.21.2026 - Restless Bones

Many thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Gillian French, and the second in the Shaw Connolly Mystery series.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Fingerprint analyst Shaw Connolly has a new case to deal with - a missing woman's body discovered in a submerged car.  But she's also still dealing with a past that won't let her rest - her sister's killer, Anders Jansen, has finally been caught and is in jail.  But now, awaiting trial, he claims responsibility for more murders of young women.  His condition is that he will only speak and work with Shaw on the search for the bodies.  Shaw can't stomach the thought, but also can't put any more families in the position hers was in with her missing sister.  

I love this series and I raced through this book.  Shaw is such an intriguing character with so many layers - still dealing with guilt and grief, taking care of her dad, separated from her husband, and dealing with teenage boys, one of whom is struggling.  She has a smart, snarky mouth that tends to get her in trouble, but will leave you rooting for her strength and conviction.  It's also a fascinating police procedural from the fingerprinting side of things.  I liked the rural Maine setting as well.  A must read series and I'm anxious for more!

6.19.2026 - The View From Here

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing | Thomas & Mercer, and Brilliance Publishing for gifting me an audio ARC of the latest book by Rachel Howell Hall, narrated by the author.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Nicole and her husband, Truman, have been married for 11 years and cracks are showing.  Then Truman is lost and presumed dead during a scuba diving accident.  Nicole is devastated by his loss and the fact that she was keeping secrets from him.  She stops sleeping and taking care of herself, consumed with grief.  Then strange occurrences start sending her over the edge, and she starts losing her grip on reality.

This was captivated me from the start and I listened to it all day.  It's such a good mix of psychological creepiness - just what's happening?  Is the house haunted?  Is Nicole losing her mind?  Is she taking too many drugs?  I loved the supernatural twist and the unreliable narrator, keeping me on the edge throughout the story.  The author did a fabulous job narrating.  I've read a few of her books lately and have enjoyed them all.  This one explores guilt and trauma in the creepiest of ways.

6.19.2026 - Little Wonder

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Ballantine Books, and Thousand Voices (Jenna Bush Hager's new imprint) for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful book, also an Oprah's Book Club pick for the spring.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

We meet Song in a small town Chinese village, living with her parents, brother, husband, and son, River.  Money is tight so her husband travels for construction work, and they reunite only once a year.  River is gifted with perfect pitch and soon becomes a piano prodigy.  Song and River travel to Beijing, but get separated at the train station.  We follow along for the next six years, in alternate POV from Song and River, as they try and make their way back to each other.

What a beautiful but heartbreaking story.  The characters truly come to life and you can feel the anguish from both mother and son.  While it's sad, it's also very hopeful as a variety of characters open their hearts to help.  It's a fascinating look into the Chinese culture, especially as the pandemic hits, and the disparity of the wealthy and the poor in society.  It's an immersive read and you will see the pollution in the air, smell and taste the food, see the sights, and hear the beautiful music.  Bravo!

6.18.2026 - The Frenzy

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House | Hogarth for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest work by Joyce Carol Oates.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

This is a fabulous selection of short stories - the perfect combination of dark, creepy, tense, intriguing - that each left me both satisfied and wanting more.  Since I'm not always a huge fan of short stories, that's saying something, but these are by Joyce Carol Oates, so enough said.  It's like she looked into our collective dark side and explored just what might happen, so they feel very real.  While they aren't interconnected, the tension just continues to build throughout the collection.  Wonderful!

6.18.2026 - The Butler

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Podium Entertainment for gifting me a digital ARC at the first book in a new series by a favorite, Clare Mackintosh.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

In Cannes, France, Baxter is a butler who caters to the ultra wealthy.  His latest assignment has Alec Prescott hosting his ex-wife, his much younger lady friend, his son and wife, and a couple of Hollywood friends.  But before long, nothing is going well.  A guest is found dead and Baxter has to help the police figure out who is responsible and just who he can trust.

Combine an Agatha Christie type locked-room mystery told by one of my favorite thriller writers and you know you are in for a treat.  It's always fun to see unlikable characters behave badly and then get just what they deserve, and these guests are certainly a wild crew.  Everyone has secrets - even Baxter, who is a fabulous character.  This is a short book, perfect for curling up and binging on a rainy day.  Can't wait for more in this series!

6.17.2026 - Somebody Worth Killing

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful book by Jessica Payne.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Nadia Davis is living the dream as a successful working mom, two adorable little girls, and a devoted husband.  There is the little fact that she works as a hired assassin.  But she has a moral code - she will only kill people who deserve it.   So when Nadia finds out she’s been “mommy tracked” by her assassin’s agency, she demands an important mark…somebody worth killing.  But be careful of what you wish for - she just may know her latest target.

Okay, hands down, this was such a fun book that you must read this summer.  If you love dark humor, can relate to the fact that a woman's work is exhausting and never done, this book is for you.  Payne skillfully takes you along as Nadia experiences the dread of receiving a call from school about a sick kid while figuring out the best way to kill someone without being detected, so that you are laughing along while feeling completely understood.  Plus, it was suspenseful and kept you guessing about just what was happening and what secrets everyone was keeping.  Do I dare hope that this is going to be a series?  Please?

6.17.2026 - Murder at the Spirit Lounge

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Atria Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by Jess Kidd, and the second in the Nora Breen Investigates series.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Dolores Chimes, a famous medium, arrives in Gore-on-Sea, and invites a select group for a reading.  But things go terribly wrong, and Dolores loses her life.  Then one by one, the other sitters die.  Nora finds herself chasing a serial killer before the sixth sitter, Detective Rideout, is next.

Jess Kidd is a wonderful writer and this series is so good.  Set in the 1950s, Nora is a former nun living at Gulls Nest boarding house.  Just as in the first book, she finds herself investigating along with Detective Rideout, and sparks continue to simmer between them.  This leans towards a cozy mystery and there's plenty of humor, but there are real themes of past trauma throughout.  This one kept me guessing until the smart end and I'm now anxiously awaiting more in this series!  You could read this as a standalone, but do yourself a favor and read Murder at Gulls Nest first!

6.16.2026 - Arrivals and Departures

Many thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Amanda Eyre Ward.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Each member of the Perkins family has problems.  Lee, a glamorous reality-TV star, is struggling with her mental health in the spotlight.  Reagan, her younger sister, has fallen for a romance scammer and vanished overseas.  Cord, their charming brother, is one drink away from losing it all.  And their mother, Charlotte, still longs for the love she let slip away a decade ago, a lover who sailed off with her heart to a remote island in Greece.  When Reagan disappears, Lee flies to Athens to try and save her family.  

This is a look at different mental health issues affecting this family, as well as the lure that social media scams have that can be devastating in so many ways.  It's past trauma rearing its ugly head.  But it's not a bleak book - there's humor, honesty, and hope around each corner.  I didn't find myself connecting strongly with these characters, but I enjoyed spending time with them among the beautiful Greek islands!

6.15.2026 - A Year of Marvelous Ways

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Putnam Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by Sarah Winman.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Marvelous Ways has lived alone alongside a winding creek near the rugged Cornwall coast for nearly all her life, and has recently taken to spending her days sitting on the steps of her caravan with a pair of binoculars. She is waiting for something, but she's not sure what.  Francis Drake, a young soldier has seen too much of life and death, and washes up in Marvelous's creek, broken in body and spirit.  Marvelous will come to his aid, and an unlikely friendship will grow between these two solitary souls, as they share their stories and dreams.

This was another beautifully written story by Winman, author of Still Life.  Her writing is so lyrical and magical that it leaves you feeling otherworldly.  This book will really have you thinking of the ways that people are put in our lives for reasons that we can't always see.  It's the story of friendship, love, loss, and new beginnings.  There's a touch of magical realism here as well as no quotation marks, so you need to pay attention!  

6.15.2026 - New Skin

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for gifting me a digital ARC of the debut novel by Sarah Wang.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 3.5 stars rounded up!

At twenty-six, Linli Feng is still trying to escape her mother Fanny’s orbit.  But after three years of estrangement, just when Linli has been accepted into a prestigious graduate program, she is dragged back by Fanny’s latest medical catastrophe and forced to return home.  For decades, Fanny has been addicted to plastic surgery, and now Fanny has won a spot on America’s Beauty Extreme, a reality television competition in which botched plastic surgery addicts compete for reconstructive surgery.  When Linli attempts to rescue Fanny from the sinister subculture that has already claimed her mother’s face, she must at last confront the corrosive reality of American success that is at the fraught heart of their relationship. 

This was a solid debut and brings up so many interesting topics - mother/daughter relationships, family secrets, and the chase of whatever is considered beautiful.  The extremes that people will go to in order to achieve what they think is beautiful runs the gamut from hair dye to botox to the extreme plastic surgeries depicted in this book.  Plus, that beauty bar keeps changing, as we've seen lately with the very skinny celebrities.  In addition, the damage done to daughters seeing their mothers striving for perfection is big.  A thoughtful debut - looking forward to more from this author!

6.13.2026 - Watching Alice

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing | Thomas and Mercer, and Brilliance Publishing for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest domestic thriller by Sue Watson, with the audiobook wonderfully narrated by Eilidh Beaton.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Alice knows that her marriage to Jason is over, but neither wants to walk away from their children.  They come up with a "nesting" arrangement, where the children will stay put, and the parents will take turns living there.  Sounds reasonable, right?  But it quickly becomes suffocating, and Alice is getting more frustrated with Jason.  She also feels like she's being watched - is she or is she losing her grip on reality?

Sue Watson has once again written a gripping domestic suspense novel that kept me flipping the pages to figure out just what's going on.  As the book opens with a body at the bottom of the stairs, we know it's not going to end well!  But getting there is all the fun here as things just stop adding up.  It was tense, relatable, and I loved the twist at the end!  I ended up listening to the audiobook mostly and thought the production and narrator were great.

6.12.2026 - Someone Else's Husband

 

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

Gretchen and Richard have been married for a long time, with three grown children, and a very comfortable lifestyle.  But things start unravelling when Richard and his college friends travel to Africa to climb Mt Kilimanjaro.  There they meet an artist, Frankie, and Richard seems taken by her.  Once they return home, Frankie is found dead and Richard is accused.  

I'm a fan of McCreight's books and this one is a perfect example of why - the writing kept me glued to the pages as the story is told from the POV of both Gretchen and Frankie as well as with police transcripts and interjections from an unknown narrator.  The author's real life climb of Kilimanjaro definitely put a realistic and frightening spin on that aspect of the story.  It's very character-driven and I found myself feeling for both women.  The story was tense and twisty right up to that ending - bravo!  Grab this one for sure when it comes out on June 16th!

6.11.2026 - The Spin

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Mirror House Press for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful novel by Faith Gardner.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

In the 1960s, we meet the Crawford family - Leo, an ad man, his wife, Rose, pregnant, brilliant and restless, and teenage daughter, Melinda.  During a family vacation at a cabin in the woods, Rose vanishes.  When she comes back, she's not the same.  Then things get worse when a new color tv triggers a breakdown.  

I don't want to give too much away, but this is a must read.  It's a look back at how women and specifically mental illness were treated during this time period.  You can't help but be angry at so much.   Melinda is caught up in the rebellions of the time and heads to San Francisco, Leo puts all his trust in the doctors and he has to bring in his mother, Harriet, to help but it just causes more issues.  I loved the way this story was written, from the POV of each the family members circling Rose showing how they were affected,  There are also journal entries and doctor's notes to further the story.  Be sure and read the author's note.  Wonderful!

6.10.2026 - The Forty-Year Grudge

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for gifting me the second in this fun mystery series by Liza Tully.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

It's been four decades since the women of Sigma Delta Tau were last together.  The group is having a reunion at one of the sisters' ranches in New Mexico, and private investigator Aubrey Merritt is planning on reconnecting with her friends.  She brought along her assistant, Olivia Blunt, to help her with her bags.  But then one of the sorority sisters is murdered, and it's up to Aubrey and Olivia to solve the case.

This is a fun, cozy-style mystery series, with great characters and I enjoyed my second adventure with them.  Aubrey is a bit surly but is trying to train Olivia to be a good investigator.  There are multiple mysteries here to solve and plenty of suspects with motives.  What makes this series shine is the relationship between the two - Aubrey is old school where Olivia relies heavily on technology for her research.  There's plenty of drama but also that something more.  I'm looking forward to more from this pair!

6.10.2026 - The Killer and Frank Lloyd Wright

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest nonfiction book by Casey Sherman.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 3.5 stars rounded up!

We all know about the iconic buildings that Frank Lloyd Wright made, but this book explores his private life.  He had a stormy marriage and an infamous affair with another woman, igniting one of the country's first celebrity scandals.  Then scandal turned to horror when there was a fire at Taliesin, the home Wright built as a monument to love.

Once again, Sherman has thoroughly researched his subject and we learn all the details of Wright's life.  I was fascinated with so much of it, especially how the press hounded the family even back then.  Of course, societal morals were very different then, and Wright's actions were seen as completely scandalous.  I did feel bad for his children, because they appeared to be just peripheral figures in his orbit.  The title of this book is somewhat misleading - the murders at his house were certainly impactful but the book spends very little time on them.  A good read!

6.8.2026 - The Break-Up Retreat

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for granting my wish and gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest thriller by Camilla Sten, with the audiobook wonderfully narrated by Peyton Mader.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Himlafall Clinic, located deep in the Swedish woods, and run by the esteemed Dr. Hastings, uses revolutionary therapy techniques to heal your heartbreak.  But journalist Isobel Anderssen has heard rumors too - sometimes people are never heard from again.  She checks in with a false story and hidden phone ready to expose Dr. Hastings and bring closure to the families of those missing.  But nothing goes according to plan.

Creepy woods?  Check.  Locked room mystery?  Check.  Cult-like happenings?  Check.  Plus, who doesn't have some heart ache that needs healing?  So of course I enjoyed getting lost in Sten's latest book.  It was tense, atmospheric, and kept me wondering, although I also wondered sometimes about Isobel's decision making.  There were quite a few characters but I didn't have trouble keeping them straight, and I thought the audiobook narration was done very well.  

6.7.2026 - The Quitter's Club

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing | Lake Union Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by Jessica Strawser.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Four best friends reunite for a getaway, each looking for a break but they've also each reached a pivotal point in their lives and feel stuck.  Marie's teaching a class on how to say no, while her marriage struggles.  Brooke's struggling with infertility, Collins is trapped in grief, and Lucy's writing career has left her empty.  They've always encouraged each other not to give up, but maybe they just need to quit.  

I'm a big fan of anything that Jessica Strawser writes (and extra points for her Ohio settings!) and this one veered away from her normal suspense.  And it was still riveting.  I love books about women in midlife making changes and being resilient enough to maybe make even more changes if the first doesn't work.  We all can use more role models like that - and friends like these.  I loved how the women came together for each other no matter what, even when things got really hard.  While it tackles lots of tough issues, it never feels too heavy because of all those supporting hands.

6.6.2026 - Heather

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Celadon Books, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the sophomore book by Caitlin Mullen, with the audiobook wonderfully narrated by the cast of Bailey Carr, Christine Lakin, and Mia Wurgaft.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

In 1994, in a small town in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, 16-year-old twins Annabelle and Sabrina both disappear.  Sabrina had been having an affair with a mysterious older man and Annabelle had her own secrets.  Years later in the same small town, new Police Chief Callie Hauser makes an arrest that unexpectedly resurrects details from a cold case.  As she digs deeper, the past and present collide.

I love mysteries that take place in small towns, where everyone knows your secrets or at least it feels that way.  This is a slow burn, with multiple POV, done perfectly in the audiobook format with different narrators.  I felt compassion for the teenage girls and loved Callie’s grit and determination to find answers.  This book is tense, and the suspension continues to build throughout the book, with secrets galore and characters that will pull at your heart.  Plenty of themes of motherhood throughout.  I loved this author’s debut novel, Please See Us, and this one is just as powerful.

6.6.2026 - Beach Thriller

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the new thriller by Jamie Day, with the audiobook narrated by the cast of Emily Shaffer, Jane Oppenheimer, Jennifer Pickens, and Megan Tusing.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Holly is a struggling writer who returns to her family’s seaside cottage.  Holly still blames herself for the death of her sister when they were teenagers.  She encounters Jade, a teenage runaway, who is searching for her own family connections.  Jade discovers the manuscript of a book Holly started the summer her sister disappeared, based on the true events.

A beach thriller for sure!  I thought the book-in-the-book trope worked very well here, giving the reader a peek into just what happened when Holly was a teenager and her sister died.  Told from alternate POV of both Holly and Jade, the mysterious “Watcher” chapters added another layer of tension into the mix.  I liked the characters – both Holly and Jade – and felt like they helped each other fill those missing parts in their lives; they both have family secrets and questions.  I wouldn’t have guessed the ending at all!  Loved the full cast production on the audiobook - take this one along on your beach vacation!

6.5.2026 - The Last Run

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing | Lake Union Publishing, and Brilliance Publishing for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this wonderful novel by Rachel Weaver, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Saskia Maarleveld.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

It’s been years since Ellie fished the Alaskan coastline—not since her mother died.  But when she finds her father beat up behind the local bar, she learns he’s done the gambled away the family’s commercial fishing boat—her five-year-old son’s inheritance and the life she longs to reclaim. For nefarious reasons of his own, the bookie gives them one season to earn the money to buy it back.  Ellie agrees to fish with her father, Pete, bringing her son, Drew, along as they chase the slim hope of paying off the debt. 

If you would have told me that I would have been enthralled with a book about Alaskan fishing, I would not have believed you.  Apparently, this is why those tv shows were so popular, because this story was so tense and gripping that I couldn't look away.  I loved Ellie’s character, trying to be the best mom possible while struggling, still trying to help her dad who has disappointed her yet again.  Of course, the Alaskan fishing environment is a character itself, and I felt the harshness, the struggles, the sense of accomplishment at the end of a hard day.  There’s some romance involved too, but just enough to keep things interesting.  The narration by Saskia Maarleveld was top notch and I ended up listening to this one exclusively.  Wonderful!

6.4.2026 - Valet

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Saga Press for gifting me both a physical and digital ARC of this wonderful debut novel by JP Lacrampe.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Cy has worked for the St Claire family since his inception, and his owner has tasked him to help her 35-year-old son, Grayson, do more with his life.  Grayson is nothing like his CEO sister, Charlotte, who is running the family robotics company after their dad died.  But when Grayson learns that Charlotte plans to sell the company to a tech conglomerate, he panics.  He doesn't want the technology their dad created over the year, like Cy, to be in the wrong hands.  So he does what he thinks he must, and soon he's on the run

I absolutely adored this quirky book and all its characters, but especially Cy for showing us just what it means to be human.  This book has it all - family drama, corporate espionage, second and third chances, working together to accomplish what we can't on our own - all in a way that will have you cheering on robots, laughing and tearing up along the way.  It's dystopian light, showing us a world run by technology and robots, but one that still feels like home.  It's hopeful, cozy, and perfect - just what I needed in a book today.  Don't miss this one!

6.3.2026 - Man of My Dreams

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by Olivia Worley.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Bestselling romance author Ivy Harcourt has been unlucky in love, so she's shocked when one of the characters in the book she's writing seems to come to life.  They have the perfect meet cute in the park, and soon Ivy is convinced that Liam is the man of her dreams.  But is he too perfect?

This book took me on a roller coaster ride in the best ways.  Ivy was a character with a history of drinking, blackouts, and sleepwalking so I was never quite sure if I could trust her.  And was Liam really as perfect as he seemed?  The twists started piling up in the second half of the book and even though I thought I could guess some of where it was going, i never could have guessed all that happened in the end!  It was a book I raced through to figure out just what was going on, and I enjoyed it thoroughly.

6.2.2026 - Down With the Shipmans

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Wiliam Morrow for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by Meg Mitchell Moore.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

The Shipman sisters, Jordan, Natalie, and Mae, return to their family summer home on the New Hampshire coast, the first without their late mother.  However, things quickly so south when their father, Calvin, tells them that he plans to sell the beach house.  Each of the sisters are already dealing with various dramas in their lives, and when Calvin's new wife shows up, all bets are off.

This book felt like a mini beach vacation - while it dealt with some tough topics, it was infused with plenty of sunshine and hope as well.  There are dogs and cute kids, and sisters being there for each other.  It's a reminder that families can be messy, but we can never have too many people that love us.  Don't miss this one - a perfect summer read!

6.2.2026 - The Last Time We Drowned

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Cosmo Reads for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by Saratoga Schaefer.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Charlie is broke and desperate when her bookstagram account lands her the offer of a lifetime - join Empress, a yacht/houseboat off the Florida Keys turned influencer paradise.  She'll not only be paid well, but she'll have a group of internet stars to help her forward her account.  It's the perfect distraction too after Charlie's former best friend betrayed her in the most terrible way.  But things on the ship are not what they seem and cracks soon appear - or is Charlie imagining everything?  Enter a hurricane to make it all even worse.

This is another taut thriller by Schaefer and I loved it.  There's always something about a locked-room mystery, a remote location, and a storm that will get me every time - plus mean girls!  This is also a peek into the drama and underbelly of the influencer world, where all that matters is your latest stats.  I thought I knew where this was going, but the big twist really got me.  Be sure to add this book to your summer reading list - but maybe stay off the water!

5.31.2026 - Hunger and Thirst

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Zando | Tin House for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by Claire Fuller.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

in 1987, after childhood trauma and years in and out of the care system, sixteen-year-old Ursula finds herself with a new job in the postroom of a local art school, a bed in a halfway house, and some new friends, including wild-child, Sue. When Ursula is invited to join a squat at The Underwood, a mysterious house whose owners met a terrible end, she can’t resist the promise of a readymade, hodgepodge family.  Thirty-six years later, Ursula is a renowned, reclusive sculptor living under a pseudonym in London when her identity is exposed by true-crime documentary-maker who is digging into an unsolved disappearance.  But it is not only the filmmaker who has discovered Ursula’s whereabouts, and as her past catches up with her present, Ursula must work out whether the monsters are within her or without

I'm not sure I've read a book that gave me such creepy, unsettling feelings from page one to the end.  I was questioning everything and everyone, never convinced what was real and what wasn't.  It's that kind of book, where timelines are slippery and intermingle as Ursula looks back over the events of the summer of 1987 as an accomplished adult.  The writing is amazing as you would expect from this author, and it kept me engaged throughout, with that dark, gothic feel so prevalent.  It also brings up topics of childhood trauma, mental illness and the care system for minors, which in this book will make you mad and understand the characters a bit more.  I felt for young Ursula as she wanted so badly to fit in and belong.  And that ultra-creepy house was practically a character itself.  Be sure and check this one out if you like your reading on the dark side!

5.31.2026 - Road Trip

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest book by the queen, Mary Kay Andrews, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Kathleen McInerney.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Maeve and Therese Dunigan are sisters but they couldn't be more different and have been estranged for years. The death of their mother brings them back together to face a huge debt on their family home instead of the money they were hoping for.  It was in the will that the sisters use money for a trip to Ireland, and when they find a painting that could be worth millions, it was a potential way out of both their financial troubles.  So it was off to Ireland where they begin investigating.

This is a different setting from Andrews' typical Savannah beaches, but it was still the perfect summer romp and won't disappoint!  It's so atmospheric as the two make their way through Ireland, trying to get along as well as determine if there really is a curse on their family.  It's a trip full of laughs, charm, romance, and intrigue.  What else could you want?  I'm a big fan of Kathleen McInerney, and once again her narration was perfect and I ended up listening to most of this book.  Definitely pack this one along for your next road trip!  

5.28.2026 - Girl's Girl

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House | Dial Press for gifting me the debut novel by Sonia Feldman.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Fifteen-year-old Mina’s whole world is her two best friends, Margaret and Eleanor.  After an unexpected kiss, the established dynamics of their trio quickly unravel. Everything that was once shared openly, from clothes to secrets, now feels impossibly fragile. Loyalties shift and tensions simmer across the long days of this pivotal summer, where the girls have nowhere new to go and everything new to feel.

This was a wonderful debut really exploring the coming-of-age experience of young women and their friendship experience.  Having two close friends naturally sets up painful dynamics.  It was also a good look at differing mother/daughter relationships, and Mina's thoughts about her mother were funny and felt so real.  I liked how the story was told from the vantage point of adult Mina, looking back on that summer.  It's nostalgic in the best of ways, when teenagers are just trying so hard to fit in and friendship is everything.  Being from Ohio, I loved the relatable feel and setting.  Great debut - can't wait to read more from this author!

5.28.2026 - Blunt Instrument

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Penzler Publishers | The Mysterious Press, and Highbridge Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this first in a new series by Amy Bloom, with the audiobook wonderfully narrated by Hillary Huber.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 3.5 stars!

Dell Chandler lost her job as an English professor and is now working as a private detective, when she is called to investigate the death of a not very well-liked professor at Cromwell University.  The university is trying to keep things quiet and avoid the media, so Dell needs to solve the murder before the police do.

I seem to have a love/hate relationship with Bloom's books - either they are a 5 star or they are less than.  This one was less than, but I am still interested in reading the next in the series because there's lots there to build on, especially since the ending was rather abrupt.  Plus, I liked the academic setting.  The audiobook narration by Hillary Huber was wonderful as always, and kept me listening when I may have otherwise stopped.  

5.26.2026 - The Midnight Train

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by Matt Haig.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

No one can change the past, but the Midnight Train can take you there. The chance to re-live the moments that meant most. To see what kind of person you really were.  For Wilbur his best days were with Maggie, the love of his life., on his honeymoon in Venice.  Before he gave it all away.

This is listed as part of the Midnight world, after the wonderful The Midnight Library.  Their themes are similar, but they are different books so no worries if you haven't read the first (but you should!).  This is just a beautifully-written story that will have you rethinking your life choices.  I always say you should try and live your life so that you don't have any regrets, although after a life, we all have them.  Wilbur is not always the easiest character to love, but he's had a tough life and is just trying to do his best.  Things always look different when we look back.  It's also a book about books, which I always love.  Never stop reading, live your best life, read this book.

5.26.2026 - Murder By Design

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing | Thomas & Mercer, and MB Communications for gifting me both a physical and digital ARC of the new book by Lee Goldberg, and the first in a new series.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Edison Bixby is wealthy, handsome, and, due to a traumatic brain injury, impulsively rude. He used to work for the LAPD, but since his injury, he works as a consultant as well as an insurance investigator.  Bixby solves baffling crimes by figuring out how the design of the man-made world around us makes them possible.   Wally is a struggling actor hired to keep Bixby from offending everyone he meets.  Their first case looks like an accident - a woman falls down the staircase at a mall - but Bixby is certain she was murdered by design.  He must now prove his theory.

This was so much fun!  If you, like me, enjoyed watching Elementary years ago and seeing the world differently through Sherlock Holmes' eyes, you'll absolutely love this one.  It feels like a class whodunit.  Bixby is not a very likable character, but Wally has enough personality that the two make a great team.  Their dialogue is so funny, but the true star in this book is how the mysteries are solved with just a different eye to the world.  Goldberg certainly did his homework, and even the author's note and acknowledgments were fascinating.  I can't wait for more in this series - soon please!

5.25.2026 - Take Me With You

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Putnam Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by Steven Rowley.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 3.5 stars rounded up!

They have been together for 30 years when Jesse witnesses his husband, Norman, go out in the middle of the night into a strange beam of life and disappear.  Jesse knew their relationship had seemed lacking, but where did he go?  With Norman gone, Jesse struggles to figure out his new life.  Norman's sister, Lally, is equally confused as to Norman's whereabouts, going so far as to hire a PI to find him.  All eyes are on Jesse.

I'm a huge fan of Steven Rowley's books, and this one had his trademark sweetness, humor, and good messages.  The alien storyline was a bit weird and never quite finished to me, but otherwise, I liked the plot line of two married people who after time forget what drew them together in the first place.  It's a message to not take people for granted.  I may not have loved this one as much as his others, but I'll still be first in line to read whatever comes next!

5.25.2026 - Dolly All the Time

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Putnam Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Annabel Monaghan, just chosen as the June Good Morning America Book Club Selection.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Dolly Brick has had to be in charge since she was young and her mom left.  Now as an adult with a teenager of her own, she's trying her best to keep everything running smoothly, not only in her own life, but in her dad's and brother's lives back in Whitfield, Rhode Island.  She heads back to Whitfield for the summer to try to keep them from losing their family home.  When she comes across the eldest Whitfield son with a flat tire, it's in her nature to help.  Stewart later has a proposal for her that will enable her to keep the family going, but is it going to be more than she asked for?

I'm not always a huge romance or romcom fan, but I have loved Monaghan's past books and absolutely adored her latest. You can't help but fall in love with these characters, especially Dolly, but also her hilarious best friend, Naomi, and Stewart's sister, Busy.  It's so fun and empowering to watch these middle-aged (hardly but everything is relative!) women take charge of their own lives and support each other.  One of the best parts was Stewart's relationship with Dolly's son, Gus.  Don't miss this one - it's the perfect summer read!

5.24.2026 - Beneath a Broken Sky

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book in the wonderful Ben Packard series by Joshua Moehling.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

A tornado has just swept through small town Sandy Lake, Minnesota, leaving trees felled and homes destroyed.  Detective Ben Packard is called to investigate the death of a woman killed in her home.  The mother of a gay teenager and unpopular in town, there are plenty of suspects in her death.  Packard is gay and used to being judged for that, so this death hits close to home.  Before summer is out, someone else will die.

I love this series and getting to know Ben Packard more with each book, but I'm sure you could read this as a stand alone if you must.  It's a taut, tense mystery that left me questioning everyone until the reveal.  It's gritty, violent, and the summer storms and wildfires add another layer of stress.  Each chapter begins with an air quality report, which again emphasized the danger.  It's a wonderful police procedural, but where this book shines is with Ben's character.  He's morally driven, capable, but with heart and compassion.  I can't wait for more in this series!