2.28.2026 - What Happened That Night

 

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

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

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

2.27.2026 - I Came Back For You

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing | Thomas & Mercer for gifting me a physical and digital ARC of the latest thriller by Kate White.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Bree Winter has worked hard to move on with her life after her daughter's murder a decade ago.  She's now divorced and living with a new partner in Uruguay.  Then her ex-husband, Logan, shows up with news that the man who was convicted of murdering her husband made a deathbed confession of murdering two other young women, but not their daughter, Mel.  The only way Bree can get answers is to go back to the scene of the crime and search for the truth once and for all.

This was a gripping, character-driven thriller, and I really appreciated the fact that the main character was a relatable, middle-aged woman.  She's desperate to find out exactly what happened to her daughter, and you can feel her grief and pain.  It's also interesting to explore her feelings towards returning home, seeing her ex with a new partner, and dealing with all the issues that caused their marriage to fail - all while she's in a new relationship with a partner who's a continent away.  The mystery itself is compelling as new information comes to light and the behaviors and motives of many characters are questionable.  This was a tough book to set down!

2.26.2026 - Pinky Swear

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Atria Books | Emily Bestler Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by Danielle Girard.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Lexi and Mara were childhood friends reunited in adulthood when Mara flees an abusive husband.  Lexi is estranged from her own husband because she wanted another baby and he didn't, and Mara agrees to be a surrogate for her.  But then she disappears just days before the due date.  Lexi is desperate to find Mara and save her and the baby.  

Another gripping thriller from this author, and I was there for all of it, even when it veered a bit into OTT territory.  The tension just kept building as Lexi followed clue after clue to find Mara.  I liked how we got glimpses into the background of the friends, including the mystery of what happened to their other friend, Cate.  I really felt for Lexi as she struggled with her infertility and her desire to have a baby of her own.  The name they gave the unborn baby, Goose, was so cute!  A wild thriller with themes of friends, secrets, and loyalty, 

2.25.2026 - The Violin Maker's Secret

 

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

Devlin is working at the airport baggage claim when he takes a violin left in the lost and found as a gift for his girlfriend, who wasn't happy that her gift wasn't an engagement ring.  After their breakup, Devlin connects with his former history teacher, who himself is struggling.  The two decide to determine the violin's origin and worth, leading them into dangerous territory.  They seek the help of Gabrielle, who works in a violin shop, who has her own issues.  

Come for that beautiful cover but stay for the wonderful world that Evie Woods has again created.  There's even a touch of magic in these pages, as we hear from the violin itself.  But the real magic is between these three main characters, as they form a found family.  Woods is her own form of magic, as she creates worlds to escape in as you read, which is perhaps the best magic of all.

2.25.2026 - More Than Enough

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by a favorite, Anna Quindlen.  This is Katie Couric's March Book Club Book.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Polly teaches English at a private, all-girls school, has a core group of friends that talk about everything at their book club (the only rule is that they don't read the book), and an amazing husband.  But she's struggling with infertility, her father's dementia, and her relationship with her mother.  When her book club friends give her an ancestry test kit as a joke, the results match her with a stranger.  Her investigation opens her world even farther.

I love Quindlen's books and they always seem to reach me just when I need them.  This book's portrayal of Polly's father's decline surely hit home, and it was so very realistically portrayed.  Her friend group were amazing, especially her relationship with Sarah, her oldest friend.  I appreciated her husband's family being portrayed as so wonderful, especially her mother-in-law.  This book will have you feeling grateful for all your relationships, both family and found family.  There were smiles through the tears and I loved this one.

2.24.2026 - Encounters with Unexpected Animals

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for gifting me a digital ARC of this short story collection by Bret Anthony Johnston.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Even though I am not always a big fan of short stories, I was anxious to read this because I enjoyed Johnston's recent book, We Burn Daylight.  All of these short stories also take place in his home state of Texas.  These stories are about the every day, and sometimes the unusual, about our lives and our relationships with animals.  Johnston writes wonderfully and these stories will pull you in, of course, some more than others.  Most end rather abruptly, giving the reader plenty of space to ponder and fill in the blanks, but if you like neat endings, that might trouble you.  These are mostly slow stories, where the people and the relationships shine.

2.24.2026 - When God Was a Rabbit

Many thanks to NetGalley and GP Putnam Sons for gifting me a digital ARC of this re-released first book by Sarah Winman, author of Still Life and Tin Man, both of which I enjoyed.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Elly's older brother, Joe, is her world.  Always there when her parents are otherwise occupied, he is her person.  But as she grows, other people come into her life - mainly her childhood friend, Jenny, but also her hand and friends of her parents - that also shape her.  As they go out on their own, the connection with Joe is still there, and she becomes terrified when she thinks she has lost him.

I really like Winman's writing and the way her characters experience the world.  This book is sometimes hilarious (the Nativity play!), and sometimes so poignant and heartbreaking it's hard to breathe.  Spanning four decades, it's a coming-of-age book as experienced by these siblings as well as Elly's relationship with Jenny, with the secrets they hold dear even from each other.  We see their relationships change through real-world events, yet they are always there for each other.  Wonderful!

2.24.2026 - Where the Wildflowers Grow

 

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

Leigh is the last of the Wildes; she knows this because she watched them all die, but she carries on.  When the prison transport bus crashes, killing everyone on board except for her, she carries on.  While searching for a place to hide, she comes across a flower farm in Alabama tucked away from the world.  With the help of this new found family, she begins to heal.  But the past doesn't stay buried.

This is so beautifully written and a true exploration of grief, childhood trauma, unresolved pain.  I loved the connection of those working together on the flower farm to make life better for their community, even when the community resisted.  The family they created raised each other up when they needed it, supported each other, taught them to be better humans, and loved each other.  There's romance too (was it just me or did the sex scenes seem more graphic than necessary in this beautiful novel?) and love that is strong enough to wait.  This novel will transport you - loved the author's note too.

2.23.2026 - The Girls Before

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Flatiron Books | Pine & Cedar, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of the latest thriller by Kate Alice Marshall, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Karissa Vacker and Ina Barron.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Stranger is trapped in the dark, with only her imagination and the scribbles on the wall left by long-dead girls to keep her company.  Nearly out of food and water, she makes one last attempt to escape.  Audrey is a search and rescue expert who has never stopped looking for her frenemy, Janie, who disappeared when they were teenagers.  She stumbles upon evidence in the forest that a teenage runaway might have been kidnapped from land belong to a prominent family.  She is desperate to find out what happened to the girls before.

Told in a Below and Above format, this was a haunting book showcasing both depravity and resiliency, and the author perfectly entwines the two timelines.  It’s creepy, with characters you will be rooting for, those you’ll hate, and a dog you’ll love.  This audiobook production and narration made this book, and I would highly recommend this format!  The combination of the fabulous Karissa Vacker and Ina Barron were wonderful and also helped to differentiate the voices.  

2.23.2026 - She Thought She Was Safe

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for gifting me a physical and digital ARC of the latest thriller by Terri Parlato.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Reeling from her ex-husband's issues and her mom's death, Emma has the opportunity to meet her estranged father for the first time.  Alex Spencer is a wealthy, renowned author who had a brief affair with Emma's mom and then disappeared.  Alex invites her to stay at his beautiful lakeside home in Maine.  Emma is anxious for a quiet space and time to work on her own novel, but that peace is shattered when a neighbor is found dead under suspicious circumstances.  Alex's other daughter, Sunny, is not happy that Emma is on the scene either.  But Cheshire Lake seems to be harboring even more secrets and Emma wonders just who she can trust.

Parlato is a new-to-me author and this is a stand alone thriller from her that I really enjoyed.  I felt for Emma as she was so desperate for a family, yet still feeling like an outsider.  There are a lot of questionable characters and just like Emma, I didn't know who I could trust.  I liked the short chapters and there were plenty of twists, a few which caught me totally unaware!  It might have been a bit over the top at times, but it kept me glued to the pages to find out all the secrets.  I will definitely go back and read this author's backlist!

2.23.2026 - Watching You

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper 360 for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Helen Fields. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

A killer is active on the streets of Edinburgh, and police are getting desperate. The deaths seem unconnected but DS Lively and forensic profiler Dr Connie Woolwine know they are related; they just have to prove it. In the city’s hospital, renowned surgeon Beth Waterfall is grieving the loss of her only daughter who was being stalked, and now she feels he's after her.

Wow - what a thriller! Told with alternating chapters from the investigation and from the POV of The Watcher, the tension and suspense were high throughout the book. I liked how the characters felt real and I was emotionally involved. And that ending - mind blown! This is part of a series and I'm wanting to read the others, but it works great as a stand alone.

2.21.2026 - Nowhere Burning

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Tor Nightfire, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest literary horror novel by Catriona Ward, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Christopher Ragland and Katherine Fenton.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Desperate to escape from their abusive cousin after the death of their mother, Riley and her younger brother, Oliver, run away.  Riley is intent on joining a group of teenagers living in the abandoned ruins of an infamous movie star's ranch, Nowhere.  There's a rumor that adults cannot enter Nowhere and Riley hopes that they can find a new family there.  But the Nowhere Kids may have a different idea.

When you actually really think about it, Peter Pan is kind of scary on its own.  But in Catriona Ward's skilled hands, she has made this retelling so frightening.  The story unfolds across three timelines, and at first I was confused as to how they all fit together., but never fear.  The best part of this book to me was the love Riley had for Oscar - it was so endearing in a book filled with darkness.  I alternated between the digital and audio versions, and thought the narrators really breathed life into their roles.  Sign me up for whatever Catriona Ward writes next.

2.21.2026 - Saoirse

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Celadon Books and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this beautiful book by Charleen Hurtubise, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Róisín Rankin.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

In Michigan, Sarah's childhood was defined and fear and silence.  As a teenager, she saw a chance to escape and took it.  Now, in 1999, she is an artist living on the coast of Ireland, where she is known as Saoirse.  She has a beloved partner and two daughters, and finally feels free.  But her secrets still haunt her and no one can know of what she did.  When her artwork wins an unexpected award, the spotlight on her threatens to unravel her lies.

This was a beautiful book, and the audiobook narration and production just added to that, with musical interludes and gorgeous voices.  I absolutely loved this exploration of the decisions made by a young, vulnerable girl and how they affected her entire life.  Told in alternating timelines of Sarah in the past and Saoirse in the present, it’s a testament to strong women surviving against all the odds against them.  It’s also a tribute to art, and how it can be used to work through trauma.  Heartbreakingly beautiful.  

2.21.2026 - A Sociopath's Guide to a Successful Marriage

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Atria Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful debut novel by MK Oliver.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Lalla Rook has a lot on her plate.  She needs to make sure her husband makes partner so they can afford her dream house and get her daughter into a prestigious school.  Then there's the fact that there's a dead body in her living room and friends are arriving for her son's birthday party.  And her mother-in-law!  Just what is a girl to do?

Bravo, Mr. Oliver, on a fabulous debut - I'm very anxious to see just what your devious mind will come up with next!  I love a snarky, dark, twisted female main character and Lalla was that in spades.  Of course she's unlikable but you'll be rooting her on throughout every one of her misadventures - and there are many.  The dark humor was pitch perfect and had me laughing out loud at totally inappropriate things - just so much fun!  If you're like me and love this kind of humor, this is an absolute must read!

2.20.2026 - The Society

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for gifting me a digital ARC of the sophomore book by Karen Winn.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 3 stars!

Vivian Lawrence was born into old-money Boston, but when her family fortune vanishes, so does her carefully curated life. Desperate, she turns to an old family legend about ties to the Knox and its inheritance, seeking a way into the exclusive secret society. She doesn’t expect that entry to come in the form of Peter, a Knox insider with movie star good looks and just enough roughness to his charm to make Vivian truly weak in the knees for the first time in her life.  Far from Boston’s glittering elite is newcomer Taylor Adams, a young nurse eager to leave her humble past behind. When the effortlessly glamorous Vivian lands in her ER after a suspicious fall, Taylor is instantly captivated. But then Vivian abruptly disappears without a trace, sending Taylor on a search for answers that pulls her into the Knox itself—as their new employee.  The further Taylor ventures into the Knox’s world of unimaginable wealth and dark history, the more the mystery of Vivian deepens. As Taylor will soon discover, more so than wealth or status, secrets are the society's true currency.

I was a huge fan of Winn's debut, Our Little World, and couldn't wait to read her new book.  While her debut was a 5 star read for me, for some reason, this book didn't hold my interest.  Told from both Vivian and Taylor's POV as well as from the Knox itself, over different timelines, I thought it was too long and not quite as suspenseful as I was hoping.  It seemed a bit far fetched to me that Taylor would become so obsessed with Vivian from seeing her in the hospital.  I typically enjoy secret societies and the mysteries held within, but while the writing was good, this one didn't quite make the cut.  But I'll happily read whatever Winn writes next!

2.20.2026 - A Good Animal

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this wonderful debut novel by Sara Maurer, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Michael Crouch.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Most kids are anxious to escape the farm country outside Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.  But not Everett Lindt.  He’s set on staying put, rebuilding his family’s sheep farm, and carving a future from the land he loves.  Then he meets Mary, a new girl in town with big plans.  When their relationship reaches a crossroads, Everett sees a life together; Mary, however, is desperate to find a way out. Together, they make an impulsive choice—one that will change everything.

This was a gorgeous, quiet, raw novel that will make you feel so much.  It was a coming-of-age novel about first love in all its powerful and painful glories.  I loved Everett’s heart – it was big and he didn’t hesitate to do whatever he could for those he loved.  I’m not a big animal person but I still felt emotionally connected to all the sheep and rams and learned so much fascinating information.  Although do remember that Mother Nature always wins.  It’s hard for me to think that this is a debut, because it was so beautifully written, making you slow down to appreciate it, though it was not a slow read.  I loved the audiobook production and narration and appreciated having both copies to totally immerse myself in this novel.  This is a must-read book!

2.19.2026 - Run on Red

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for gifting me a digital and physical copy of this thriller by Noelle West Ihli.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Laura and Olivia are on their way to a college party, driving through a very rural area, when headlights appear behind them.  It soon turns into a chase and a battle for survival.

Short synopsis, but this is a thrill ride from the very beginning and best to go into blind.  It felt like the scariest kind of movie, where young girls find themselves in scary situations and you're screaming at them to behave differently.  Although I'd probably be doing the same things, although hopefully my cellphone would be charged.  It's a short, intense read that kept me glued!  The physical copy is gorgeous, with sprayed edges, and a shiny cover - rereleased from a self-published novel, which I think is wonderful.  Read this with the lights on!

2.19.2026 - The New Neighbors

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by Claire Douglas.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Lena is struggling after the end of her marriage as well as her impending empty nest once her teenage son leaves.  New neighbors move in next door and she starts becoming obsessed that they are planning a crime.  No one believes her because the couple are older and well respected.  But with a secret in her own past, Lena just can't let it go.

I am always up for a good neighborhood drama.  Who hasn't wondered just what those neighbors are doing behind closed doors?  Told from different POV and timelines, this is a slow-burn look into Lena's past as well as her current obsession.  Told in three parts, there are plenty of twists that kept me turning the pages to find out just what was happening with the neighbors and what happened to Lena in the past.  Another intriguing thriller from a favorite author!

2.18.2026 - Evil Genius

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Audio | Ecco for gifting me an audio ARC of this wonderful book by Claire Oshetsky, narrated by Kimberly Farr.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

It’s 1974 in San Francisco and 19-year-old Celia Dent phone company employee keeps telling herself how lucky she is to be married to Drew, a man who says he loves her. But Celia’s contentment with her little life is shattered when a woman she knows is murdered in a love tryst gone awry.  Celia wonders just what that would be like to feel so passionately.  Soon, her thoughts become darker.

This was a new-to-me author and I just loved this book - genius indeed!  I'm sure it says something about my personality, but I just love dark, sharp humor in a book.  Plus, this one was so nostalgic, taking the reader back in time when working for the phone company was considered a lifetime job.  And not cellphone companies back then to be sure!  It was a different time for women specifically, and we see Celia growing in her desires for a better life.  Celia is such a great character and I loved to see her grow and change.  The narration was fabulous - wildly entertaining!

2.17.2026 - So Old, So Young

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster | Gallery Books | Scout Press for gifting me a digital ARC of this novel by Grant Ginder.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Six Friends.  Five Parties.  Twenty Years.  Six college friends come together at five parties over twenty years - what changes, what stays the same?  

While this is a story about the millennial generation, anyone can relate to looking back over your life, wondering how this decision or that brought us to where we are, and whether that's for the best or not.  No matter how hard we try, maintaining close friendships and relationships over a long period of time isn't always easy or possible.  I liked how this book was laid out - from the present in the prologue, to going back to that first college party, then moving forward.  We hear from the POV of the different characters who sometimes view the same happenings very differently.  This is a very character-driven novel, and some characters are more likable than others, but it's hard to overlook the themes we all face as we look back at how young we were, yet how old we felt then, and how old we are now.

2.17.2026 - When I Kill You

 

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 B.A. Paris, with the audiobook narrated perfectly by Georgia Maguire.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Nell has escaped her past by moving to London.  She’s now in a new relationship with Alex, frustrated only by the fact that she doesn’t see him enough.  However, she also feels that she’s being watched and is convinced that she didn’t really escape her past, and that someone is out for her.  Told through past timelines as well as from journal entries, we learn just what happened in the past to make her so afraid.

I’m a fan of this author and this was another good thriller.  I do have to say that Nell was so frustrating as a character because she kept making dumb decisions and putting herself in dangerous situations.  It was like a slasher movie where you’re screaming at the girl not to go into the basement!  But that didn’t keep me from racing through the book to see how it was all going to work out.  I alternated between reading the digital copy and listening to the audiobook so that I could figure it out, which I never did!  This is a tense thriller that will have you doublechecking to make sure you aren’t being followed.  The audiobook production was great, and Georgia Maguire once again was pitch perfect.

2.17.2026 - Good Daughtering

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Dey Street Books, and Harper Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this important book by Allison M. Alford, PhD, with the author also narrating the audiobook.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

The place of daughters in families is something that is not really thought about - until it is.  I think this is an important book, although it will hit every woman differently based on where they are on life’s spectrum.  I especially enjoyed the portrayal of the kinship shift throughout our daughtering life and as our parents age.  When I started this book, I was at the end of that spectrum caring for an elderly mother, so those portions were more impactful for me personally.  I have two brothers who were more than happy to let me take care of all parts of her care.  She just died and now I'm dealing with all the paperwork myself too.  These are roles that the daughter (or typically the elder daughter) seem to inherit without question.  Thoughtful, well researched, and a very valuable read.

2.16.2026 - How to Get Away With Murder

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the debut book by Rebecca Philipson, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Michael Geary and Tamsin Kennard.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

DI Sam Hansen has been on a mental health break suffering from PTSD when a 14-year-old girl is murdered in a local park.  She jumps at the chance to prove she's still Scotland Yard's most successful homicide detective.  One of the only leads is a copy of a self-help book found in the victim's backpack called How to Get Away with Murder by Denver Brady.  Brady claims to be the most successful serial killer of all time and details his methods and victims.  

Wow - what a creative and well-written debut!  The story plays out in alternating chapters between the investigation into the murder and Sam reading the how-to book a chapter at a time.  This book-within-a-book guide to murder is filled with dark humor and nothing too gory, which blends perfectly with the more serious police procedural chapters.  Sam is a great, relatable character and her interactions with both her trainee, Taylor, and her found dog, Toni, were an added bonus.  And the ending?  Chef's kiss!  Plus the narrators were great - Geary's voice was perfectly creepy, while Kennard does her normal great job voicing Sam.  Can't wait to read more from this author!

2.16.2026 - Adrift

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster | Atria Books | Emily Bestler Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by a favorite, Will Dean.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own.  I've never rated his books lower than 5 stars and this one is no exception - 5 shining stars!

Peggy and Dean live on an isolated and run-down canal boat with their teenage son, Sampson.  Dean was once a promising author and still works on his craft every night, requiring his family to be completely silent while he does so.  Peggy is not allowed to work, but volunteers at the local library where she works on her own novel in secret.  Sampson is bullied relentlessly at school, and his home life is full of tension.  Soon things come to a boiling point.

Will Dean has done it again - I sped through this book with my heart in my throat the entire time.  The tension and fear drip off every page and I felt all the emotions along with the characters.  The control and isolation inflicted by Dean onto the family is complete - they are at his mercy for whatever scraps he offers.  Told in the alternating POV of Peggy and Sampson, we get a first row seat to the gaslighting and abuse.  It's raw, real, emotional and you won't be able to look away.  Very highly recommended!

2.15.2026 - A Killer Guest List

 

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

The invitations come in the mail for the "Murder on the Moors" weekend at a luxury country house in Dartmoor.  Sadie has attended for the past 50 years; this year she's bringing her goddaughter.  Cassie and her wife are attending for the first time, hoping to relax at the luxurious setting, even though it's also sort of a work trip.  But this year someone new has taken over the murder mystery event and things are going to get very interesting.

I love a locked room mystery and a weekend set in a wonderful location revolving around solving a murder mystery definitely fit the bill.  Told from alternating POV between Sadie and Cassie, there are quite a few characters to keep track of, and twists and turns galore.  Sadie is an older woman who has lots of secrets, so she was a fascinating character.  Was it over the top?  Sure, but it was definitely fun and entertaining while letting you ponder the differences between justice and revenge.  

2.15.2026 - Ours is a Tale of Murder

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

One quiet neighborhood.  Three different families.   Murder will soon thread its way through this world in ways no one will see coming.

Okay - shortest synopsis ever because you really need to go into this one as blind as possible.  To say I was shocked at the twist would be selling it short.  You really will not be able to put this one down once you get into it, because each of these storylines is compelling and emotional.  Each has characters that you will feel for, either in a positive or negative way.  There was that feeling of quiet dread throughout the book and the ending was perfect.  Loved the running theme throughout of motherhood.  Bravo - perfection achieved - very highly recommended if you love domestic suspense!

2.14.2026 - Trad Wife

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by Saratoga Schaefer.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

When Camille Deming isn’t cooking, cleaning, or homesteading in her picture-perfect country farmhouse, she’s posting about her trad wife lifestyle for her online followers.  But in order to reach the next level, she needs a baby, and things with her husband, Graham, aren't as perfect as she pictures.  When she discovers a mysterious well in the woods behind her house, she makes a wish for a baby.  Her wish comes true in a most strange way.

I just read One Bad Mother by Ej Dickson, a nonfiction book that has a chapter devoted to trad wives.  This book takes that trend in a way that only Saratoga Schaefer, on the heels of their book, Serial Killer Support Group, can do., without putting the trad wife movement or followers down.  It sure makes you think about influencers and the stress some people put on their social media standing.  Trad Wife is a gross, disturbing, uncomfortable book that I loved and could not put down!  Social commentary, dark humor, horror - it had it all and then some.  

2.14.2026 - Our Beautiful Mess

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Adele Parks.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Connie can’t wait to have all her daughters back home for the holidays. It’s not just the excitement of the girls being together under one roof; uni student Fran is bringing a new boyfriend to stay. The empty nest will once again be full of friends, family and young love.  Yet from the moment she sees Zac, Connie feels a deep unease. Zac reminds her of the worst mistake she has ever a man whose charm and good looks nearly destroyed her marriage. Then, Fran announces she’s pregnant.  But Connie isn't the only one with secrets to hide, and someone is going to pay the ultimate price.

I read this on the hills of being introduced to Connie in Parks' first book, Playing Away.  While this is certainly a stand-alone book, it was fun knowing the backstory.  I liked how the story played out - it opens with a murder, and then goes back 11 days before and moving forward.  All along, you know that someone is going to die, but there are plenty of messy characters all with secrets to wonder about.  I always enjoy messy family dramas and this one had it in spades.  Don't miss it!

2.12.2026 - Playing Away

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of this re-released first novel by Adele Parks, narrated by Cassidy Janson, Antonia Desplat, and Arthur McBain.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Connie Green’s life should be perfect. She’s married to gentle, loving Luke, has a good job and really fabulous friends. She thinks she can’t be happier.  But she’s just met John Harding.  He's about to destroy her peace of mind and her happily ever after, and she just can't resist.

I'm a big fan of Adele Parks and this was a good story, made better by the fact that she has brought back these characters in her new book, Our Beautiful Mess.  And apparently there is a middle book that I'll have to catch up on too, Young Wives' Tales.  So I was happy to listen to this book to get the backstory.  Connie is definitely the epitome of the grass is always greener trope, because while she's pining for the excitement of a new man in her life, she's ignoring all the good things she has already.  Narration on the audiobook was great - love when there are multiple narrators - and kept me listening.

2.12.2026 - Family Drama

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for gifting me a digital ARC of the debut novel by Rebecca Fallon.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

It’s 1997, and two 7-year-olds watch as their mother's body is tipped overboard in a Viking funeral.  A confusing and apt send off for soap opera star Susan Bliss.  We go back in time 15 years, to when Susan meets Alcott, and her double life begins.  She struggles with the transition to New England wife and mother and the glitzy lights of LA.  In the present, Susan's twins still struggle with the loss of their mother in different ways.  

This is a sharp, beautifully written debut that intertwines timelines to explore and magnify the different forms of ourselves that we share with others and keep private.  I felt for Susan, even while I didn't condone her decisions, because she was raised in a time where women were supposed to be able to have it all.  But can we?  What gets sacrificed in the mix?  Al was harder for me to understand, because he kept Susan's other world away from the twins, even as they were adults, so that they weren't able to properly process their loss or the true nature of their mother.  I'm looking forward to more from this author.

2.12.2026 - This is Not About Us

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House | The Dial Press for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Allegra Goodman.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

When their beloved sister passes away, Sylvia and Helen are unmoored.  But then a misunderstanding about apple cake turns into a decade of them not speaking.  Busy with their own lives, their children try not to get involved.  

I am a huge fan of generational family drama stories and this one was infused with the perfect amount of humor, mess, and of course love.  We first hear from Jeanne as she is dying, but then the story is passed down and told from the perspective of a multitude of family members, We hear about the simple things in life and those more complicated and painful as well.  It's all so very relatable, making you think about the special bond of family,  leaving you with a smile and a reminder to call your sister, if you have one.

2.11.2026 - One Bad Mother

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster | Simon Element for gifting me a physical and digital ARC of this fascinating non-fiction book by Ej Dickson.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

This is a meticulously-researched book into what constitutes "good" moms and "bad" moms, and the inherent problems in even thinking about those distinctions.  What makes this book shine is the humor and personal notes that fill the book as well, as we learn the author's own motherhood experience.  We as a society are so quick to judge, and this book will make you think, even if you are on a different side of the aisle from the author.  Each chapter explores a different type of "bad" mom, nudging us to really explore the effects of race and class on our judgmental views.  A must read book that will bother enlighten and entertain!

2.11.2026 - Wolf Hour

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House  Alfred A. Knopf for gifting me both a physical and digital ARC of the latest stand-alone novel by the wonderful Jo Nesbo, master of Nordic noir.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Set in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a detective and crime writer conduct parallel investigations, six years apart, into a series of puzzling murders.  In 2016, a small-time criminal and gun dealer is shot down, and all signs point to Tomas Gomez.  Gomez has a mysterious past and connections to a gang, and he's vanished into thin air.  Other murders soon follow.  Bob Oz, a suspended police officer, becomes fascinated by the case and obsessed with hunting the killer.  In 2022, a Norwegian crime writer with ties to Minneapolis has traveled to the United States to research the Gomez case, in the hopes of writing a book about it. But as his investigation progresses, things become more complicated.

I'm a huge fan of Jo Nesbo, especially the Harry Hole series, but love the stand-alones as well.  This one is a gritty, psychological suspense story, delving into the reasons behind the murders.  It's told from both timelines and in different POV, so pay attention!  I really liked the character of Bob Oz, destroyed by his daughter's death, struggling with life after divorce and his job suspension, but still trying to do the right things.  There was plenty of action, twists and turns, and a good ending to make this another hit!

2.4.2025 - The Secret of Snow

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Atria Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this charming and heartfelt debut by Tina Harnesk.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Máriddja is quite eccentric, eighty-five years old, and facing a cancer diagnosis. She’s determined to keep the truth about her illness from her husband Biera, who is suffering from dementia, while also finding someone who can take care of him once she’s gone.  Kaj is a new transplant to the village, recently engaged to Mimmi, and mourning the death of his mother. One day, when Kaj unexpectedly finds a box of Sámi—the indigenous people of Scandinavia—handicrafts belonging to his mother, he unlocks something he never anticipated.

If you are a Fredrik Backman fan, you will love this book.  Set in Sweden, your heart will go out to this elderly couple with no family trying to survive on their own.  It sounds like it might be a depressing book, but it's anything but, because the author balances it so well with humor and charm.  Máriddja talks to Siri, thinking she's a friendly operator, and the ensuing conversations will have you in stitches, all the while understanding how technology can be so confusing to elderly people (I certainly feel that way quite often myself!).  Be sure and read the author's note on the story of the Sámi people.  Just a lovely book.

2.4.2026 - Good Intentions

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 Marisa Walz, with the audiobook beautifully narrated by by the wonderful Brittany Pressley.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4 stars!

Cady gets the call she never could have imagined; her twin sister, Dana, has been seriously hurt in a car accident.  Cady meets another woman in the waiting room who has also had an imaginable loss.  Cady soon becomes obsessed with this woman, telling herself that she has such good intentions to help her over her grief.

This is such a wonderful debut, so well-written and multi-layered.  It’s a story of grief on so many fronts, from grieving a twin, a daughter, a son, a miscarriage.  It’s also about grieving the losses that result from death, such as changes in family, relationships, marriages, and jobs.  And about obsession – how easy it is to get too involved to the detriment of all.  I liked the way the story spooled out – Cady talking to her twin, Dana, explaining all her actions since Dana’s death.  It’s eerie, unnerving and you won’t be able to look away until that surprising end.  Will be looking for more from this author!

2.1.2026 - We Were Never Friends

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for gifting me a physical and digital ARC of the latest thriller by Kaira Rouda.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Sorority sisters Roxy, Jamie, Beth, and Amelia have come together to celebrate the engagement of Roxy's son to Beth's daughter.  The location is a beautifully restored Palm Springs mansion. But the mansion is eerily similar to the hotel where tragedy struck during Spring Break 25 years ago, bringing all those memories to the surface.

As with all of Kaira Rouda’s books, this is a tense, atmospheric mystery, but this one has a locked-room premise with a touch of some possible supernatural feelings as well.  Plus, there’s that whole sorority sister thing – kind of mean girls grown up.  Be aware that there are only a couple of likeable characters – everyone has secrets they are hiding.  But it definitely kept me entertained on a cold day when I have a cold, and I was happy to be able to transport myself to California.