1.31.2026 - Blade

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing | Thomas & Mercer for gifting me both a physical and digital ARC of the latest thriller by Wendy Walker.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own!

Ana Robbins was a rising star in the ice skating world and, with issues at home, her family dropped her off at the renowned Palace in Colorado, an elite training facility.  Tragedy forced her to leave all that behind.  Now 14 years later, she's a successful defense attorney working with minors.  She's called back to The Palace to help defend a young skater accused of a brutal crime.  She claims she's innocent, but all the evidence points towards only her.  Ana's investigation brings up all the childhood memories she's tried so hard to push down.

As stated in her author's note, Wendy Walker was a childhood skating star, poised to make it big, when she decided to take her life in a different direction.  Her first-hand knowledge and experience shine through every page of this book.  It also feels very relevant with stories such as this in the news all too frequently.  Told in "Now" and "Then" timelines, we get a front row seat to all the trauma these young women faced, most without family guidance, and relying on those in charge to steer them in the right direction.  I was fascinated with the peek into the skating world, and the mystery was tense and suspenseful.  Wendy Walker has penned another great thriller!

1.29.2026 - Little One

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Little, Brown and Company, and Hachette Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this novel by Olivia Muenter, with the audio perfectly narrated by a favorite, Helen Laser.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4.5 stars!

 

Catharine West seemingly had an idyllic childhood, growing up on a community-based farm that attracted others in need of a change.  But as she grew older, she recognized the darkness.  A decade later, Catharine has done her best to reinvent her life when an email from a journalist changes all that.  He wants to know if she is the same Catharine who lived in a mysterious cult in central Florida.  

 

Little One is one of those books that draws you in from the beginning, immersing you into Catharine’s childhood.  Told in alternating “Now” and “Then,” each timeline was gripping, but I also couldn’t wait for the next.  This will definitely make you think about the fine line between our “wellness” culture and an actual “cult,” and that ending – wow!  I was thinking about that long after I closed the book.  I also loved the audiobook version, which included different sound effects for voice recordings, for example, and Helen Laser was fabulous as always.

1.28.2026 - The Swamps

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Podium Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of this novella by Seraphina Nova Glass.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Husband and wife team Ethan and Macy run a paranormal show on YouTube, but are hoping to grab a Netflix opportunity.  When two women disappear in the swamps in the bayous of Louisiana, they feel it's the perfect opportunity to do some real investigation to catch the eyes of the producers.  Along with their teammates Max and Tasha, they begin their investigation, but things are about to take a dark turn.

This was the perfect length for this spooky story.  It has it all - creepy cabin, alligator filled swamps, fortune tellers, an abandoned institution, and a church revival.  Plus, there are wonderfully sinister illustrations in between chapters to up the tension.  I was flipping the pages as fast as possible and finished it in one sitting.  Wonderful!

1.27.2026 - Missing Sam

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Algonquin Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by the wonderful Thrity Umrigar.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Ali and Sam are a gay couple living in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, both dealing with estrangement from their families due to their lifestyle.  After an argument, Sam goes out for an early morning run by herself and never returns.  Ali, a Muslim, becomes under attack on social media and in real life, and makes choices that make the situation worse.  Meanwhile, Sam is being held captive, trying to survive.

Umrigar has done it again, given us an emotional novel that explores so very many themes - racism, mental health, homophobia, family, religion - to name a few.  I was on the edge of my seat reading this book as the POV shifts between Ali and Sam.  It's a tense mystery but so much more, and the writing kept me glued and thinking about these characters each time I had to close the book.  The story felt extremely relevant to today's political and social environment, even though it was set in the time right before and at the start of Covid,  As someone who lived in a different Cleveland suburb for decades, I also loved the inclusion of so many familiar places.  I can't say too much without spoilers, but get this book into your hands now!

1.26.2026 - The Unwritten Rules of Magic

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for gifting me a digital ARC of the debut novel by Harper Ross.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Emerson Clarke has never quite felt in control of her life, but she desperately tries to control those around her to make life better.  She ghostwrites a successful series, but still can't bring herself to write her own books after her father's critiques.  Her father was a celebrated author who controlled the household tightly, and her mother turned to alcohol while her father got Alzheimer's.  A single mother, Emerson's daughter has recently pulled away from her.  Going through her father's effects after his death, she steals his vintage typewriter and types out a quick wish - which comes true the next day.  She becomes obsessed trying to make life perfect for those around her.

I am always up for a magical realism escape, and loved the idea of a typewriter granting wishes.  But just like the old saying, be careful what you wish for!  Because every wish may have unexpected consequences.  I liked delving into the messy family dynamics and could understand Emerson's need for control.  She wasn't always a likable character, but her heart was always in the right place.  Be aware that the book shifts to less magic and more real-life heavy issues.  This also has me wondering if famous prolific writers are really using ghostwriters?  Yikes.  Will be anxious for more from this author.

1.24.2026 - This House Will Feed

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of this historical fiction book by Maria Tureaud.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

County Clare, 1848: In the scant few years since the potato blight first cast its foul shadow over Ireland, Maggie O’Shaughnessy has lost everything—her entire family and the man she trusted with her heart.  She's slaving in a workhouse when the mysterious Lady Catherine arrives to whisk her away to an old mansion in the stark limestone landscape of the Burren.  Lady Catherine wants Maggie to impersonate her late daughter, Wilhelmina, so that solicitors will release her widow pension which will allow Lady Catherine to continue to provide for the villagers in her care.  Maggie will receive freedom from the workhouse, and land of her own, as well as living to spite them all.  But the house is awakening terrible memories in Maggie.

This was historical fiction at its finest - you will learn the real-life horrors of The Great Potato Famine in Ireland as well as be entertained with a spooky ghost story and revenge plot as well.  I never realized the extent of the fact that the famine was a genocide by the British people, covered up as just a crop blight.  Each chapter starts with a quote showing the sentiment and despicable events of the time.  Be sure the read the author's note to learn more about the real horrors that ensued.  I loved the supernatural element here as well, and the story plays out in dual timelines.  The characters are realistically imperfect, and your heart will break over and over.  But there's hope and resilience on every page as well.  This is a must read!

1.22.2026 - Her Cold Justice

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing | Thomas and Mercer, Brilliance Audio, and Megan Beatie Communications for gifting me a physical, digital and audio ARC of the latest book in the wonderful Keera Duggan series by Robert Dugoni, with the brilliant Saskia Maarleveld narrating the audiobook.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 5 stars!

 

In a quiet Seattle neighborhood, a suspected drug smuggler and his girlfriend are murdered in their home.  A young man, Michael Westbrook, is accused of the brutal attacks.  His uncle, JP Harrison, is an investigator for Keera Duggan, and asks her to help save his nephew.  But getting justice for Michael may have far-reaching consequences.

 

I’m such a huge Robert Dugoni fan and this third book in the Keera Duggan series is why.  It’s such a sharp, legal thriller, police procedural and family drama.  This would work as a stand-alone, but please read the first two books because they are so good, and they really delve into the family aspect of these books.  This one explores a lot of relevant topics as well, most importantly, the high rate of black young men convicted of crimes they didn’t do.  Be sure to read the Author’s Note for more insight into the thoughts that became this novel.  I alternated between reading and listening to the audiobook, and Saskia Maarleveld nailed it as always.  

 

1.21.2026 - Such a Clever Girl

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by Darby Kane.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

In Sleepy Hollow, NY, the Tanner family disappeared 15 years ago without a trace.  The mystery seems to be unsolvable, until Aubrey Tanner returns during the reading of her grandfather's will.  Does she know what happened or is she the killer?  Three women in town share secrets that have never come to light and a piece of the puzzle - a teacher, a cafe owner and a psychologist.  Will they confront the truth or become the next victims?

I love a book set in a creepy locale, with a haunted house, and mysteries galore - this book checks all those boxes!  Plus, add in a huge inheritance and a reading of the will bound to please no one.  Told from multiple POV with mostly unlikeable characters, this one kept me guessing as to exactly what happened on that day 15 years ago.  It was perfectly plotted, with short chapters leaving me wanting more, until the very end.  I did somehow find it a bit confusing at times to keep everything and everyone straight, but it didn't lessen the enjoyment.  Another winner by this author.

1.20.2026 - Anatomy of an Alibi

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Viking/Penguin | Pamela Dorman Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Ashley Elston, author of the wonderful smash debut First Lie Wins.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Camille Bayliss and Aubrey Price couldn't be more different.  Camille is married to hotshot lawyer, Ben, and daughter of a wealthy and influential Louisiana family.  Aubrey is a bartender, living in a house with criminals, and trying to come to terms with losing her parents in a terrible crash years ago.  But the two women work together to switch places for a night so that Camille can spy on her husband.  Hopefully they'll both get the answers they need.  Except the next morning, Ben is found dead and both women need an alibi.

Wow - I loved how this book was written, from different POVs and timelines, broken down by before and after the alibi.  The author skillfully takes us back in time to learn how these women really are connected.  The story is full of secrets, power, greed, corruption, family loyalty, and you will be in for such a ride following along.  There are plenty of suspects for a multitude of crimes, people in jail that maybe shouldn't be, and twists and turns galore.  The last sentence completely blew my mind!  Ashley Elston can apparently do no wrong, so get this book in your hands as soon as possible!

1.19.2026 - The Fair Weather Friend

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin’s Press, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the new book by Jessie Garcia, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Gail Shalan.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4 stars!

 

Faith Richards is a popular Detroit TV meteorologist, known by her fans as The Fair Weather Friend.  But one night, she leaves for a dinner break and never returns.  Her body is found the next day.  The town is reeling and secrets are uncovered.

 

On the heels of The Business Trip which I also enjoyed, Garcia’s sophomore book definitely shows no slump!  I liked both the look behind what we see on the evening news as well as the commentary on celebrity obsession, which is becoming more of an issue now that we get peeks into their personal lives and feel that they are “friends.”  Told from multiple POV, this was a twisty thriller that kept me guessing.  The audiobook production was great, and Gail Shalan once again was pitch perfect as the narrator.

1.18.2026 - The Future Saints

  

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

Record executive Theo is brought in to "fix" the Future Saints.  Since the tragic death of their manager and sister to lead singer and songwriter, Hannah, the band has been in a downward spiral.  Deep in her grief, Hannah writes songs with a whole new sound and the new music goes viral.  Theo puts his career on the line to give them one last shot at success.  But Hannah's grief is all encompassing, and her destructive actions become a deterrent.  

If you loved Daisy Jones & The Six, The Future Saints is the book for you.  A departure from Winstead's normal thrillers, this shows that she can write any genre, and do it exceptionally well.  This book about grief, friendship, and sisterhood set in the music industry will pull you in from the beginning.  With alternating POV between Hannah and Theo, it tackles tough subjects and messy characters, highlighting all of our messiness, especially when dealing with grief.  It's very character driven, and all (well, most!) of the characters will steal a piece of your heart.  I also liked the mixed media interjections to increase the tension and give an outside look into the group.  It's raw, real, and I couldn't put it down.  Bravo!

1.17.2026 - All the Little Houses

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by May Cobb.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Nellie Anderson is desperate to be the Queen Bee of her high school crowd, but there is a darkness in her that keeps people away.  Her mother, Charleigh, does everything she can to smooth the waters for Nellie, after a tough childhood.  But a new family moves into town, trad wife, woodworker dad, and three kids, including Jane, who Nellie hates on sight.  Who will be left when all the dust settles?

May Cobb has done it again – this was so much juicy fun!  Set in Texas in the 1980s, it reminded me of sitting at home, glued to the tv, watching Dallas in all its rich, over the top, conniving, fun.  Plus, there’s some Little House on the Prairie vibes too – how’s that for a fun combination?  I loved the short, addicting chapters, from all different POVs, with hints that someone is going to end up dead in between.  And just like in Dallas where we had to wait to see who shot JR, Cobb has left us with a cliffhanger awaiting a sequel.  Hurry please – I must know what happens next!

1.15.2026 - My Husband's Wife

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of the latest (and best?) by a favorite, Alice Feeney.  The audiobook was fantastic, narrated by the cast of Bel Powley, Henry Rowley, and Richard Armitage, and complete with sound effects that will totally immerse you into the story.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 5 stars!

 

Eden Fox, an artist on the brink of her big break, sets off for a run before her first exhibition. When she returns to the home she recently moved into, Spyglass, an enchanting old house in Hope Falls, nothing is as it should be. Her key doesn’t fit. A woman, eerily like her, answers the door. And her husband insists that the stranger is his wife.  Someone is lying.  Six months earlier, a reclusive Londoner called Birdy, reeling from a life-changing diagnosis, inherits Spyglass. This unexpected gift from a long-lost grandmother brings her to the pretty seaside village of Hope Falls. But then Birdy stumbles upon a shadowy London clinic that claims to be able to predict a person's date of death, including her own. Secrets start to unravel, and as the line between truth and lies blurs, Birdy feels compelled to right some old wrongs.

 

Oh my gosh – how many books have I read where I’ve said that there were twists and turns involved?  They had nothing on this book – it had twists and turns in spades until the very end.  Told from multiple perspectives and timelines, the secrets and lies will keep you guessing.  I had no clue where it was going most of the time, and that ending proved the fact that I was clueless.  I’m a big Alice Feeney fan, but I’ll go out on the limb and say this is my favorite.  Stop reading this review and read this book – you won’t regret it!  Bravo!

 

1.14.2026 - It Should Have Been You

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Viking Penguin | Pamela Dorman Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the new thriller by Andrea Mara.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Dealing with the stress of a newborn baby, Susan mistakenly sends an email venting about another mother in the neighborhood who called her out on the neighborhood group chat.  Instead of sending it to her sisters, she sends it neighborhood-wide, and it quickly goes viral.  Just like the flap of a butterfly wings, lives are changed forever.  

This book will certainly make you doublecheck your texts and emails in the future!  I'm a huge fan of messy domestic suspense and this one has it in spades, with just so many secrets and lies.  Told from different POVs and timelines, I liked the short chapters that keep me flipping the pages way past when I should have stopped.  There are a lot of unlikeable characters here, but many are nonetheless relatable.  Susan was the most sympathetic, dealing with postpartum issues, scary thoughts, and even with support, feeling very much alone.  Plus, there are the themes of bullying and negative social media, enough to give any parent nightmares.   So twisty good - don't miss this one!

1.14.2026 - The Briars

 

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

Annie is desperate to escape a relationship gone bad, so she takes a job as a game warden in Lake Lumin, a small town in the mountains of Washington.  A cougar has been spotted in the area and while searching, encounters a reclusive man, Daniel, who lives in the shadow of the mountain.  Annie feels chemistry from the beginning.  When the body of a young woman is found in the briars that border Daniel's property, she works with the local sheriff, Jake, on the investigation.  

I was totally engrossed with this atmospheric book, from the isolated feeling of the mountains to the luminescent lake to the small town gossipy feel.  The three main characters were realistic, and we hear from each of their point of view.  I especially liked Annie, determined to not back down from those who don't think she should be in her position, and I was rooting for her throughout the book.  The writing is wonderful, and the mysteries kept me guessing and changing my mind until the end.  After her acclaimed debut, Middletide, she shines in her sophomore book!

1.13.2026 - Is This A Cry For Help?

 

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

Darcy is just returning to her librarian job after a mental health crisis, caused by learning of the death of her old boyfriend.  She has her wife, Joy, as a huge support, but Joy is currently helping her sister after the birth of her child.  So Darcy is left alone with their cats, her anxiety, and a growing protest movement against the library and its policies.  

I was anxious to read this book because I loved Austin's last book, Everyone in this Room Will Someday Be Dead.  This book has similar dark humor, while much more serious themes swirled throughout.  I also loved that it's a love letter to and a deep dive into libraries, especially in today's politically charged environment.  Darcy was an interesting character, gutted by the death of her first real boyfriend and her anxiety over the way she ended the relationship.  We see her work through her issues with the help of a therapist and her wife.  Plus, the letters from Sammy added to the story, especially as it all wraps up.  

1.12.2026 - The Shark House

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Harper Muse and Harper Muse for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this atmospheric book by Sara Ackerman, with the audiobook beautifully narrated by Jennifer Robideau.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4.5 stars!

 

In 1998, biologist and shark expert Minnow Gray travels to Hawaii where a series of shark attacks have left the community on edge.  Determined to uncover the reason for the attacks before the mayor calls for a mass killing of sharks in the area, Minnow must rely on others.  With her own past marked by a tragic shark encounter, Minnow must face both her past and nature.

 

This is a beautifully atmospheric novel, as long as you aren’t scared just reading or thinking about sharks!  What I loved was how respectful Minnow was with the sharks, knowing that humans were much more deadly to sharks than the other way around.  Minnow must tackle the fact that she is typically the only woman in the room and in her field, as well as coming to grips with her past, so that she can move forward.  There’s beauty in this book on every page, from the creatures in the sea, to the scenery, to the connections between humans and animals.  Just lovely.

1.12.2026 - The Bookbinder's Secret

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this debut book by A. D. Bell, with the audiobook beautifully narrated by Olivia Vinall.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4 stars!

 

Lily Delaney is an apprentice to a master bookbinder in Oxford.  But she struggles against the fact that she is a woman in a man’s world, as well as the fact that her father’s bookshop is failing.  During a visit to a collector, she finds an old letter hidden beneath the binding speaking of love, fortunate and murder.  Lily learns there are more books and becomes obsessed with finding them to uncover the mystery.  But the books are becoming a very dangerous pursuit.

 

I really enjoyed this debut book set in 1901.  It felt like a book within a book, as parts and pieces of the letters formed another story.  It was also fascinating how bookbinders worked at their craft, which is unheard of in present day.  You may have to suspend a bit of belief at her chance encounters and how easily Lily was able to track down these rare books, but it’s fiction after all.  Lily’s personality was another dichotomy for me – I loved her strength and resilience, but she also had me shaking my head at some of her choices, like stealing, lying, and her romantic pursuits.  The audiobook felt immersive, with the narrator’s beautiful accent transporting the listener to another time and place.  

 

1.11.2026 - 99 Ways to Die: And How to Avoid Them

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this fascinating book by Ashely Alker, M.D., with the audiobook wonderfully narrated by Natalie Naudus.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Dr. Ashely Alker is an emergency medicine doctor, so she has pretty much seen or heard it all.  Now she shares that knowledge with the rest of us in such a great way - it's informative, darkly funny, and just plain fascinating.  Of course, you may know most of this stuff (wear a helmet, take all your antibiotics), but she covers so many other situations and conditions.  Sections include categories on sex, poison, drugs, biological warfare, disease, animals, crime, the elements and much more.   If you need them, it will give you plenty of reasons to not travel or venture out of your house (but wait - plenty in your house that can hurt you!).  The narrator nailed it too - just the perfect blend of snarky realism, if that's a thing.  I found myself repeating all kinds of crazy facts to anyone in my vicinity.  Loved it!

1.11.2026 - Strangers

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House | Dial Press for gifting me this moving memoir by Belle Burden.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

On a chilly day in early spring, Belle Burden’s husband of twenty years announced, with no prior warning, that he was leaving her. Belle was shocked; he had always been a committed partner and a devoted father to their three children. She thought they were in love. But overnight, her caring, steady husband became a man she hardly recognized. 

This was a beautifully written account of a life and a marriage, one that went very badly.  It's a story of grief as Belle struggles to understand her husband's behavior and the resultant fallout to her family.  While Belle is the first to say she was privileged, that doesn't take away any of the inflicted trauma. of losing the life she thought she had.  It's hard to understand James' abhorent behavior on so many levels, but Belle was so respectful and graceful in the way she handled this abandonment with her children.  It's also a cautionary tale about letting one partner have total control over the finances and letting naysayers change your dreams (take that, Greg!).  I also loved the osprey tie-ins.  Bravo for sharing her story - hoping that we'll be reading more from Belle in the future!

1.10.2026 - Dandelion is Dead

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the debut novel by Rosie Storey.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Poppy is feeling stagnant in her personal life with her boyfriend, Sam, and utterly devastated over the loss of her sister, Dandelion.  She starts spending time at her sister's apartment and discovers Dandelion's phone, which contains unanswered messages from a stranger in her Hitch dating account.  She makes an impulsive decision to meet him just once to see how it would feel to be the much more adventurous sister.  Jake is also dealing with issues over his failed marriage and his unresolved grief over his mother's death and his father's abandonment when he was younger.  The connection between Poppy posing as Dandelion and unaware Jake is immediate and strong.  Poppy faces some huge choices.

I really liked this book and fell immediately into the story.  The writing is wonderful, making a book mostly about grief and resolving past trauma both funny and endearing.  While neither of these characters makes good choices, they are still relatable in their feelings.  Plus, who among us hasn't made bad decisions along the way?  There are plenty of other interesting characters too, from Jake's ex and her new boyfriend, to Dandelion's best friend.  Ultimately, it's a hopeful story about second chances and moving forward.  Will be anxiously awaiting more from this author - great debut!

1.9.2026 - Her Beautiful Life

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing | Thomas & Mercer, and Brilliance Publishing for gifting me an audio ARC of the latest book by Brianna Labuskes, narrated by Moniqua Plante, Jess Moran, and Maria McCann.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

When journalist Holland Tate is granted an interview with Catriona Bouchard, her former best friend turned mega-popular tradwife, she jumps at the chance to also possibly rewrite their bitter ending. But at the Bouchards’ gated compound, what she finds is not the independent woman she once knew. Cat may have six beautiful children and be married to the man she calls the love of her life, but she’s a ghost of her former self.

I'm a fan of this author and because of that, I chose this book as my Amazon First Reads pick, and was then thrilled to get the audiobook.  I love an audiobook with more than one narrator, and thought the audio production was wonderful.  Told in different timelines and from the voices of both Holland and Cat, there is also chapters from a detective's POV.  I appreciated the unreliable narrators and found myself second-guessing everyone and their motives.  There's also themes of domestic violence, parasocial behavior, social media, and female friendships.  I was quite surprised at the final twist!

1.8.2026 - Inside Man

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the second book in the Head Cases series by John McMahon, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by a favorite, Will Damron.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

FBI Agent Gardner Camden is an analytical genius with an affinity for puzzles. He heads up a team of equally brilliant and quirky agents known as PAR - Patterns and Recognition unit.  They solve cases that no one else can.  The team is now in Miami FL, investigating a militia group.  When their confidential informant is killed, it's clear that the militia didn't kill him.  In their investigation, they discover a mystery man that is connected to another FBI case - a series of unsolved murders of women buried in Florida.  Are these two cases related?

I have been anxiously awaiting this book, because I loved Head Cases.  These books are so unique because they are not just smart thrillers and police procedurals, but they highlight the different personality traits that make some people uniquely qualified for certain jobs.  It's just a different way of looking at things or remembering facts.  But it's also great that these characters realize their own shortcomings as well, making them feel real and multi-dimensional.  Plus, we get to see the personal and more fragile side of them.  The cases themselves are gripping, tense, and will keep you on the edge of your seat, but the characters really shine.  Now I'm back to anxiously awaiting the next book in this wonderful series!  Highly recommended but definitely start with the first book!  Will Damron again brought life into the story, and I loved having both versions of this book.

1.7.2026 - The Heart of Everything

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing and  Brilliance Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Marc Levy, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Simon Mattacks.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

There’s nothing too unusual about a father asking his son for a favor—unless, of course, the father in question has been dead for five years.  Thomas is a young, gifted pianist living a quiet life in France.  He's stun ned when his late father, Raymond, suddenly appears to him.  Not as a traditional ghost although no one else can see him.  But Thomas is able to talk to him and listen while Raymond asks for his help.

This is a sweet story and the audiobook is easily listened to in a day.  Full of magical realism and humor, it's also a poignant reminder of the important things in life, and that love endures even death.  This was Thomas' chance to know his father in a new way after his parents divorce, to ask those questions, and hear of regrets.  You'll laugh aloud at the hijinks that ensure when Thomas tries to fulfill his father's request.  

1.6.2026 - The Ice Angels

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Recorded Books Media for gifting me an audio ARC of the latest thriller and first in a new series by Caroline Mitchell, with the audiobook wonderfully narrated by Aryana Ramkhalawon.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Ten years ago, in the depths of the Finnish winter, Detective Elea Baker’s daughter, Liisa, was taken—and never found.  Elea has never been the same and holds onto the hope that her daughter is still alive.  Now, in the UK, girls are disappearing again.  When one is found alive but not speaking, detectives feel she may hold the answer if they can reach her.  Detective Swann calls his almost ex-wife Elea to help, because she knows more about the so-called Ice Angels than anyone.  

Wow - this was a gripping, atmospheric story.  You will feel the bone cold weather as well as the chilling events.  Told from the alternating perspectives of Elea in the present and Liisa in the past, I was emotionally pulled into these characters.  Elea is such a broken person but determined that she will bring Liisa home and prevent this from happening again.  The best part?  This is going to be a new series!  The interaction between Swann and Elea as well as the new detective on the scene was fabulous.  Caroline Mitchell is always a must-read author for me, because as a former police officer, she writes such realistic yet sensitive police procedurals.  Grab this one when it comes out!  The audiobook narration and production were top notch and just added to the listening experience.

1.6.2026 - Skylark

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Atria Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest historical fiction novel by Paula McLain.  This was just picked as the January Good Morning America Book Club selection!  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

In Paris in 1664, Alouette works in secret to make dyes from plants, while her father works as a dyer for the guild.  Women are not allowed or deemed able to create dye recipes, only to do all the manual labor involved in the process.  But when her father is accused of treason and taken away, both their lives are in jeopardy.  Alouette soon finds herself in a mental asylum, subjected to horrific "treatments."  During WWII as Hitler invades Paris, Kristof is working as an intern in a psychiatric facility, becoming alarmed at the "treatments" being inflicted upon the patients.  At home, he becomes friendly with the Jewish family living below him.  At night, a friend introduces him to Paris underground.

This is a beautiful novel of human determination, grit, and resiliency in the face of evil, as well as a reminder of what an impact small acts can make on the world.  I thought the exploration of the world beneath Paris was fascinating, and the dual timelines show how the tunnels were created and used.  Both timelines are taut with palpable fear and angst, and I was totally immersed in both.  I liked that not all of the stories within had clear endings, nor are the timelines specifically connected.  It added depth to the feelings of helplessness and lingering questions that especially the WWII generation experienced.  But the characters' spirits really shine in this novel, making this a must read!

1.5.2026 - The Odds of You

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin’s Griffen and Macmillan Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of this book by Kate Dramis.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4 stars!

 

Sage did what her parents wanted and became a data analyst.  When she quit to become a writer, they were definitely not happy, even when her novel became a hit.  But now Sage is stuck and can’t make any headway on the novel’s sequel.  On a flight, she meets Theo, a Scottish actor who is up and coming in Hollywood.  Paparazzi catch a moment and their lives blow up.

This was a fun book – I liked both the main characters as well as Sage’s friends.  While it’s a cute rom com, it also touches on important subjects, like standing up for yourself regarding others’ expectations, ignoring the noise and not worrying about opinions of people who don’t matter.  This is the second book I’ve read recently that talks about parasocial behavior – something I had to look up the first time around.  You can definitely see how it’s becoming more prevalent that people think they “know” others through their online persona.  And – thank you Kate Dramis for being completely on the right side of the pop vs soda debate (pop all the way!).  The narration was great and loved the Scottish accent.

1.5.2026 - The Storm

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest thriller by Rachel Hawkins, with the audiobook narrated by a full cast.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4 stars!

St. Medard’s Bay, Alabama, is famous for three things:  the deadly hurricanes that sweep into town; the Rosalie Inn that’s survived every one of those storms; and Lo Bailey, the local girl accused of the murder of her lover, Landon Fitzroy, in 1984.  Geneva Corliss’ family has owned the Rosalie Inn but it’s struggling now.  When she is contacted by a writer, she’s hoping that a true crime book might help draw people to the inn.  But August Fletcher brings Lo Bailey along with him, who says she’s anxious to clear her name.  But as Geneva gets closer to both of them, she has her doubts.

Rachel Hawkins is wonderful at atmospheric thrillers, and this one definitely has tension as yet another storm is about to hit the bay.  I started reading this one, but the audiobook has an amazing full cast which I love, and I quickly switched over to that format.  There are multiple POV and timelines as we learn about the hurricanes’ impact on the Inn as well as the women in the story.  I enjoyed seeing the mysteries and secrets unravel.  

1.4.2026 - The Viper

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by a favorite, Brad Meltzer, and the third in the Zig & Nola series.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Andrew Fechmeier has spent decades concealing a secret that could get him killed. So when he’s diagnosed with a terminal disease, he heads for the local funeral home carrying the blue suit he eventually wants to be buried in. But what no one knows is that Fechmeier secretly tucked something inside, turning the suit into a final, untraceable hiding spot.  It's a perfect plan. Until Fetch is brutally murdered by a mysterious killer who will stop at nothing to find the priceless object hidden in the suit.  Enter Roddy, a law enforcement officer, who is investigating the case because he thinks it just may be tied to his mother's murder decades earlier.  Roddy recruits Zig, a mortician, in the investigation, and Roddy's twin, Nola, begins investigating on her own.  

I love this series and this book dives back into the history of Roddy and Nola.  You could read this as a stand alone but you'd be doing yourself a disservice because this is a must-read series.  One of my favorite parts is that Zig is a mortician for the government, paying such respect to fallen soldiers and their families.  This is a top-notch thriller, even when it's a bit complicated, so stay with it and enjoy the ride.  The characters are flawed but doing their best to do what's right.  I cannot wait for more in this series!

1.2.2026 - The First Time I Saw Him

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for gifting me a digital ARC of the much-anticipated sequel to The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4.5 stars!

Five years after her husband, Owen, disappeared, Hannah Hall and her stepdaughter, Bailey are settled into new lives.  They also both have close relationships with Nicholas, Bailey’s grandfather.  But when Owen shows up at Hannah’s new exhibition, she knows they are in danger again.  Can they be safe and still find a way back to Owen?

I loved the first book as well as the Apple TV+ series and was anxious to read this sequel.  I would strongly recommend reading that book first to be able to fully understand the sequel.  I sometimes struggle when sequels are so far from when I read the first, since I read so many books in between.  Dave did give background but just read the first if you haven’t already!   This is high-action, pure adrenaline, cat-and-mouse fun.  But it’s also about loyalty and forgiveness.  It’s a quick read that you won’t want to put down.

1.1.2026 - No One Knew

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Montlake and Brilliance Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest police procedural by a favorite, Kendra Elliot.  The audiobook is perfectly narrated by Stephanie Németh-Parker.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 5 stars!

 

In central Oregon, a teenage girl hunting for cans finds a body abandoned in the woods.  Detective Noelle Marshall is on the case while dealing with a community with a big distrust of outsiders, especially the police.  FBI Special Agent Max Rhodes is investigating a different darkness – chatter about a violent uprising from a shadow militia group.  Can these two cases miles apart be related?  

This is the second book in the Noelle Marshall series, with appearances by characters from her other series (all are fabulous – read them!).  Elliot knows how to write a strong police procedural/crime fiction/thriller/suspense – whatever genre you want to call it, she nails it.  I loved getting back to these characters and professional relationship, as well as their beginning personal one.  Plus, we delve more deeply into their backgrounds and how it affects them today. This was atmospheric, tense, and another great book by Elliot.  I appreciated having an immersive experience with both the digital and the wonderfully narrated audiobook as well.