10.20.2026 - The Joy of Cookies

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morris | Harvest for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful cookbook by Joanne Chang.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

What a beautiful cookie cookbook!  The title couldn't be more perfect - I have to say you just feel the joy coming off the author in the photographs.  She just looks so incredibly joyous!  I loved the introduction pages and the photography of the final recipe results is gorgeous.  Each recipe includes a bit of a story first, a picture that will have you salivating, an easy-to-follow recipe, and storage hints.  I feel this cookbook would be perfect for almost any level of baker - for the most part, there are no weird ingredients or difficult steps.  There are drop cookies, bar cookies, rolled cookies, frosted cookies, sandwich cookies - whatever is your favorite, you'll find it here!  I'm definitely buying a copy of the finished book to have in my cookbook library!

10.20.2026 - I Never Knew You at All

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Atria Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this novel by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.25 stars!

Simone gave up her once promising career as a journalist to support her husband, Alex, and raise their son.  Alex is finally taking over the family business of high-end grocery stores that his grandfather started.  But when her college ex, Kwame, resurfaces in her life, old feelings come back.  Kwame has the journalist life Simone dreamed up, and he is now investigating a cold case of the disappearance of a young Black man from The Tate School, which is where Alex's family attended for generations.

This is both a mystery and a family and personal drama story, and I enjoyed both parts.  I especially felt for Simone, trying to do right for Alex's family, while still doing right.  Meanwhile Alex seems to be imploding.  How race and racism affects generations of people is explored, as well as classism.  Can people really change and do they deserve forgiveness?  How do we reconcile our own beliefs against family?  Definitely a worthwhile read.

10.20.2026 - The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest historical fiction novel by Heather Morris, with the audiobook beautifully narrated by Saskia Maarleveld.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.75 stars!

In 1942, the Nazis come for a Jewish family living in the Montparnasse area of occupied Paris.  In the chaos of their arrest, eleven-year-old Josephine does what she's been taught and runs to the only person she can trust: her piano teacher, Andrée Levallois, a secret French Resistance operative. Andrée takes her in as a member of the family, spreading their rations and risking everything to keep her safe. But soon the authorities close in, and both Andrée and Josie are caught in a desperate race to stay alive.

Once again, Heather Morris, author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, has given us a horrific story, made beautiful by the actions of people who tried to do everything they could to help others.  In addition, the book stresses how important music is, bringing light into the darkest places.  Based on real people, be sure to read the author's notes.  Books based on the atrocities of WWII are always so difficult to read, but they are also a testament to the human spirit and innate goodness in most people.  The audiobook was a joy to listen to because of Marrleveld's narration.  

10.19.2026 - Missing Molly

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for gifting me a digital ARC of the paperback release of this wonderful thriller by Natalie Barelli.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.75 stars!

Rachel Holloway is living happily with her partner and young daughter, Grace, working at a small town newspaper.  The paper is failing and decides to start a podcast in hopes of luring advertisers.  The title is Missing Molly, the true crime story of a 9-year-old girl who has been missing for 15 years, since her entire family was murdered in front of her.  But Rachel knows where Molly is - because she's Molly.

What a gripping psychological thriller as Rachel basically needs to solve the murder of her family and her own disappearance without further blowing up her life and causing the real murderer to harm her once again.  I felt so bad for Rachel, both as a young child and in the present, keeping her real existence secret.  The pacing is perfect and I was glued to the pages, going along with the twists, never sure who to trust.  

10.18.2026 - Redemption

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for gifting me a physical and digital ARC of the latest book by Pulitzer Prize winner Lawrence Wright.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

A Catholic deacon who visited a women's prison in TX was moved by the 7 women on death row.  He called on the Sisters of Mary Morning Star, a group of contemplative nuns, to visit the women with him.  The author takes the reader into the death row unit with these two groups on women as they forge a connection.

What a fabulous book, exploring so much about the human and spiritual experience, as the conversation of crime, punishment, and redemption is explored.  At first glance, these two groups of women are polar opposites, yet each spend their days strictly regimented, mostly in silence, and even sleep in cells.  The stories of the women on death row are of course horrible, but we also learn about the unethical police and justice systems that put some of them there.  I liked the discussion of redemption and change and the thought that the person who eventually is killed by the state isn't the same person who committed the crime.  The sisters were so open and forgiving, full of grace and compassion - lessons we all need to learn.  This is an important book and one I can't stop thinking or talking about.  Highly recommended.

10.16.2026 - Please Enjoy Your Stay

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books | Emily Bestler Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this debut book by Tara Goedjen.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.25 stars!

When they were teenagers, Mia's cousin was murdered during their stay at a castle in the Austrian Alps.  Being the only witness, Mia had to testify in court and the killer was put behind bars.  A decade later, the murderer is appealing his conviction and a popular true crime podcast is covering the case, determined to exonerate him.  Determined to prove his guilt, Mia returns to Austria where the castle is being revamped as a luxury hotel, getting a job as a nanny to the owner's young daughter.  But sinister happenings make Mia wonder about her memories of the crime and if she put her own life in danger.

A great debut that left me anxious for more from this author.  I liked the short chapters, which kept the suspense high and kept me flipping the pages.  We also read parts of Mia's aunt's journals from a decade before, going back to the time of the murder.  It was atmospheric, a creepy castle even though parts had undergone transformation, with mysterious happenings leading me to question and suspect everyone.  I was surprised at the ending, always a good thing for a thriller.

10.15.2026 - Children of the Wolf

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by Abby Geni.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.25 stars!

Liv and her brother, Finn, were raised by their Swedish-born father, Ulf, a direct descendant of the infamous Erik the Red.  He raised his children as Vikings, homeschooled and learning swordplay and archery.  But their world is shattered when they are teenagers and are separated from their father.  Decades later, the siblings are living in Michigan, raising bees, and living quietly, until mysterious happenings in the town force Liv to examine her past in a different light.

This is a bit difficult to review without spoilers, and you need to read it without spoilers for full impact.  This was a disturbing novel about a dysfunctional family, and you can't help but feel for the siblings and the childhood trauma they carry forward.  There's a lot of Viking mythology and stories intertwined, plus you'll learn about bees!  It's creepy, fascinating, mysterious and will keep you turning the pages!

10.15.2026 - The Tulip Poplars

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Algonquin Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by Silas House.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Set in the 1920s in rural Kentucky, two couples, bound by love, but forbidden to pursue - Amos and Tom and Maeve and Paschal.  Tom can't shake the religious code he was raised by and eventually marries his longtime friend, Maeve.  Maeve, meanwhile, pines for Pascal but strict Jim Crow laws prevent them being together.  The story follows them through decades of their lives.

Be sure and read the acknowledgments in the back of the book, where you will learn that this book is based on both the author's ancestors and his own life.  This book is very character driven and it kept my interest from the beginning.  It's appalling and heartbreaking to read about the injustices and cruelty experienced by so many during this time period, here focusing on Blacks and LGBTQ people.  The writing is beautiful, paying homage to the Appalachian region.  A powerful read.

10.14.2026 - Friends and Family

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Viking Penguin | Pamela Dorman Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the new release by Natalie Baszile.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.25 stars!

Babs and Nora have been friends since their children were small and they've spent the last decade sharing everything.  Nora, a white woman, is the adopted mother of Nathan, who is Black, and Babs has always been a big support for Nora on the best ways to raise her son in today's world.  But both of their worlds are turned upside down when the police are called on their teenagers while they're home alone, resulting in a traumatic police encounter for Nathan.  Afterwards, Babs and Nora find themselves divided, and Nathan turns to Babs and her family for more support for his race and culture.  

This would definitely make a good book club pick, because there's so much going on here with racism, classism, community, political issues, and more.  It was an intriguing read but where it shines is that it forces the reader to think about perspectives other than their own, just like the characters were forced to expand their own views.  It feels fraught with issues that are real and relevant, and it's definitely not a quick or easy read, which is precisely the point.

10.13.2026 - Preppy Kitchen Everyday Baking

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Simon Element for a gifted ARC of the latest cookbook by John Kanell.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

I like baking way more than cooking, and this has everything I look for in a cookbook about baking, from quick breads to desserts and everything in between.  There are gorgeous pictures, easy-to-follow recipes, tips while baking - it's perfect.  There is even a section on baking with your air fryer, which I've tried previously, and now have even more recipes to try.  I'm going to order a physical copy because this is a book that I know I'll refer to often.

10.12.2026 - Luna, Phoenix, Queen

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful novel by Julie Orringer.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Dava and Barr Pennington are both professors at a Midwestern university - his specialty is fiction writing and hers is English literature.  Dava is experiencing the ill effects of early-onset Alzheimer's disease and has to move to a memory care facility.  In the house alone, Barr discovers that Dava had been writing a novel, and he learns of her affair in the novel's pages.  Over the next two years, he rewrites the novel and publishes it as his own work.  

I loved this novel and the way it plays out.  Over decades, in eight parts, the story is gradually told in different voices, all in second person as though they were talking to the reader.  This way, we see how their marriage played out, the secrets and betrayals, the guilt, and yes, love in different forms. Dava's world was personally so impactful to me, as it will be to anyone who has dealt with memory issues in a loved one, and the author was so respectful of this world.  Get ready to be emotionally invested in this novel and especially with the dog, and all those who love and take care of her.  Plus, it will make you really think about the moral and ethical questions involved.  This is an absolute must read and is highly recommended!

10.12.2026 - Look What the Cat Dragged In

Many thanks to NetGalley, Flatiron Books, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of the latest book by Jason Rekulak, narrated by the wonderful Stephanie Németh-Parker.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.25 stars!

Penny Padgett is a cartoonist who has written a series of books called Penny and Popcorn, based on her cat.  But one stormy night, Popcorn disappears.  Despite all her efforts, the cat can't be found, throwing Penny into a funk.  She agrees to go to a work party with her boyfriend, Dean, and he talks her into pet sitting for a cat named Godfrey.  But she soon realizes that Godfrey may not be an ordinary cat.

What a creepy story - by the last part, I was listening with a lump in my throat!  The wonderful narration made it even better, with the cat noises giving me chills along with the story.  The physical book is fully illustrated and I will have to get my hands on that when it comes out.  This is a creepy, eerie book that makes for perfect reading and listening during this spooky season.  

10.11.2026 - The Spirits

Many thanks to NetGalley, WW Norton & Co., and Recorded Books Media for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this contemporary Christmas Carol by Bonnie Jo Campbell, with the audiobook narrated by Christina Delaine.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.25 stars!

It is the night before Christmas, and a family has gathered at an isolated farmhouse in Michigan.  Sister is haunted by her father's death and has estranged herself from everyone, taking refuge in the plants and trees she tends.  A surprise guest appears for dinner, and the family begins to open up and talk about the event that changed all their lives.

This is a dark tale of a family haunted by the secrets and lies they each have kept.  It moves slowly as we learn what happened nine years ago, as well as all the trauma the family has endured.  It's very character driven and the atmosphere is dripping with foreboding, as each of the family members eventually shares their version of events.  While quite different from Dickens' version, it's still a tale of redemption and compassion for others, with a nod to the past, present and future.  The narration of this story added to the haunting feel of the narrative.

10.11.2026 - It Ends Here

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press who granted my wish to read the latest book from Heidi Perks.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

In a quiet seaside town, a shot rings out early in the morning from a small cafe.  A witness is able to describe the people inside but not all of the people are able to be identified quickly.  There are no demands and no word from inside.  Nothing about the scene makes sense and it's up to the detectives to figure it all out.

I thoroughly enjoyed this creative thriller.  Five people inside, one the shooter.  The story is told from the points of view of the detective, the gunman, and the loved ones waiting outside.  We learn each of their stories and secrets while they wait, each convinced that their loved one couldn't be the gunman.  But one of them is wrong.  It was fast-paced and tense, while also maintaining an emotional punch throughout.  It's a totally different twist on a typical locked-room type thriller, being privy to some private thoughts of the gunman, but not knowing the identity.  I raced through it and thought that the ending was satisfying as well.  

10.11.2026 - Killer in the Family

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Recorded Books Media for gifting me an audio ARC of this true crime collection by Melissa Moore and Michele Matrisciani, narrated by Libby McKnight.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Melissa Moore is the daughter of the notorious Happy Face Killer, and she has made it her life work to investigate and report on true crime stories, but with a focus on the victims.  There are 8 cases presented here, with a short synopsis of the crimes, the media coverage, and those left behind.  I appreciated the fact that the perpetrators of these crimes were not the focus, instead it was on the family members.  It was a dive into how parents, siblings, children came to grips with the fact that they love someone who could commit such heinous crimes.  It was a different side to true crime, and I listened to it in one sitting.  The narration was well done and kept me listening.

10.10.2026 - Every Story is a Love Story

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by Imbolo Mbue.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Three years ago, Wolo’s wife was killed in a tragic car accident, along with any hope of their future.  Now living a quiet life, he receives a letter from Victoria, the woman behind the wheel of the car involved in his wife's accident, asking to meet with him.  His family begs him to ignore it, but he eventually meets with her.  He begins to wonder if the road to healing can be shared.

This was a beautifully-written story about grief, loss, and forgiveness that will make you think about those important themes in a different way.  It's also about family, and the narrative goes back and forth in time as we learn the story of Wolo and Yoma.  It was a bit of a slow book, but one I was glad to have spent time with.

10.9.2026 - The Paris Files

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Viking Penguin | Pamela Dorman Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful book by Eva Jurczyk.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Genie doesn't have a great track record with romance, but that doesn't stop her from falling hard when she meets Jacob.  They agree to meet in Paris and rent a wonderful apartment and begin planning their life.  Everything is wonderful, until Jacob disappears.  Genie knows Jacob would never leave her, but her story doesn't quite hold up when talking to police.  Just what happened?

I love the creative way this story plays out, completely through police interviews, records, and audio transcripts from all the people involved.  Of course, everyone's got a different take and the reader is left wondering who or what to believe.  I kept changing my mind as to just what was happening and couldn't have been more wrong!  I couldn't read this one fast enough, plus I loved the Parisian setting and food descriptions.

10.9.2026 - Where There's Smoke

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the second book in the Coldren County series by Rachel Louise Adams.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Dolores is recently divorced and relocates to rural Wisconsin to work as a medical examiner and to be closer to family.  She's quickly pulled into a case when a body is found at the local slaughterhouse, and the case brings her FBI friends to town.  Someone is willing to go to extremes to stop them from finding the truth about the slaughterhouse murder.

I loved the first book in this series, No Rest for the Wicked, and this one was just as fabulous.  While I'd highly recommend starting with that one, you don't need to have read it to enjoy the follow-up.  The story is definitely gross and dark, but the characters shine brightly.  Both Dolores and Kate, a new FBI agent, are strong women who also have issues they are dealing with.  It's a tense and gripping police procedural, full of small town secrets and family drama.  Can't wait to see what's next for these characters!

10.7.2026 - Home for the Homicides

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this first in a series novel by the wonderful duo of Elle Cosimano and Hannah Morrissey, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by the cast of Angela Dawe, Colin Donnell, and Patti Murin.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Welcome to Christmas, a town so cozy and charming it could be the backdrop of a Hallmark movie, where crime is never in season and it’s the holidays all year round. So when a tourist is found stabbed to death by an icicle in the middle of the town nativity scene, the local police are out of their depth—after all, how do you find a criminal in a town where crime doesn't exist?  Holly and Mark must solve the crime before the annual Jingle Bell Jubilee festival plus, whichever of them cracks the case will receive a promotion to Major Crimes—and there's only one spot.

This was just plain fun and I loved it - just the Christmas-themed names are worth the price of admission!  I found myself laughing out loud throughout the book, and the audiobook narration just made it all the better.  It's definitely a mystery, but on the lighter side due to all the Christmas shenanigans.  It's a bit bawdy and I can only imagine how much fun these two authors had writing this one.  It's the first in a series, so I'm waiting for the next for sure!

10.7.2026 - Counting Down to You

Many thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine | Dell for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Emily Stone, always a must read for me.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Christmas was always the favorite time for Ali and her best friend, Robyn.  They would exchange Advent calendars filled with challenges the other had to complete.  But this Christmas, Robyn is gone.  She left Ali one last calendar with a promise to open in December.  The first challenge sends her to the Alps, taking a sabbatical from her job, and agreeing to work as a guest relations manager for a hotel for one month.  An inadvertent selfie with a stranger at the airport leads her coworkers to think she's dating her boss.  It gets complicated from there.

It's never too early for Christmas books, right?  Not when they are written by Emily Stone.  I loved the challenges that Robyn left for Ali, knowing her well enough to get her out of her comfort zone and moving towards a life without her best friend.  There's also some family drama here, as Ali hasn't spoken to her brother in a long while.  The romance angle was perfect, and was a good contrast to the themes of loss and grief.  I loved that the author included some challenges at the end for the reader to possibly undertake this holiday season.

10.7.2026 - Bad Words

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for gifting me a digital ARC of the debut novel by Rioghnach Robinson, this month's Good Morning America book club pick.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Parker Navarro’s debut novel sold at auction for $1.2M and was set to cement his career as an actor.  Then City Magazine book critic Selina Chan’s scathing review made it the flop of the decade.  Four years later, his new book is his shot at redemption;;for Selina, reviewing him again is a professional risk she can’t refuse. When her second takedown ignites a viral feud, both their fortunes shift overnight. But as the literary world feeds on their public sparring, a quieter dialogue begins - one that challenges everything they thought they knew about success, sincerity, and each other.

This is a novel that hits on a lot of points.  As a book lover and reviewer, you can see how easy it could be to get caught up in book blurbs, celebrity book picks, bestseller lists, and let them guide your opinion of a book.  This book explores both sides of that part of the literary world - author and critic - as well as the unfortunate issues of social media weighing in without the full story.  In addition, this is a wonderful romance as well, feeling real and nuanced, and I was rooting for both these characters.  There's also a discussion of family expectations and discourse, mental health, race, and culture.  This would be a perfect book club pick as there is so much to talk about!

10.6.2026 - The Memory of Borrowed Books

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me a digital ARC of the debut novel by Meg Anderson.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Claire is the librarian in the coastal town of Foxhollow Bay.  When the town announces the plan to shut it down, her life begins to crumble.  One night, while wandering the stacks after hours, she discovers a door that shouldn't exist, and a secret room lies beyond filled with books no one else can see.  Each book pulls her into memories of those who have passed through the doors of the library, and she knows she must do all she can to save the library.

This is a love story to the power of books and libraries in particular.  It's a reminder that every book can be special to someone at a moment in their life, and the library holds the power of more than just books alone.  It's also a story of the power of community and friends to help us when we need them the most.  A wonderful debut and I'm anxious for more from this author!

10.6.2026 - Newbourne Park

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Putnam Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Jennifer Thorne.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.25 stars!

Martha is ready for a break after years of caring for her dying mother.  When her brother invites her to spend the weekend at the fabulous country estate where his friend works, Martha agrees to go.  She's been assured that security cameras will be off and staff gone.  Martha finally begins to relax.  Until nightfall, when the owner returns and she's not alone.  

This is hard to review without giving anything away, and trust me, it's way more fun to go in with no spoilers.  So don't read the reviews and just read the book!  It's quietly tense and foreboding until it goes way beyond that and veers into horrific!  It's written so well, and I loved Martha's character growth.  This is the perfect October read!

10.6.2026 - Do You See What I See?

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for gifting me a digital ARC of this novella by Peter Swanson.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.25 stars!

Nicholas Child's first book had modest success but he was just dumped by his publisher.  Then, his agent approaches him with an offer - spend Christmas with Marco Tavares, a best-selling author, and his family.  Marco has writer's block and his agent wants Nicholas to get him moving on the right path again.  But a feeling of dread hangs over the seaside house, and each guest has a reason to want their host dead.

A perfect novella that you can finish in one sitting to get you in a bit of Christmas spirit while it's not even Halloween!  I liked the creative way the story was told, with Nicholas narrating, complete with different versions, as he writes his version of events to a police detective.  Plus, there's a wonderful literary theme.  Add this to your Christmas list!

10.6.2026 - Birds of Prey

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penzler Publishers | The Mysterious Press for gifting me a digital ARC of this short story collaboration, edited by CJ Box.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Harlan Coben put out a challenge to a group of highly-successful thriller articles - to pick a bird of prey and write a short story about it.  Trust me - they all stepped up and I loved them all.  Of course, in any short story collection you will like some more than others, but they are all unique and compelling.  Some even have ties to the authors' other books or series, which is fun.  There's an intro by each of the authors before their story, which was also interesting.  Pick this one up for sure!

10.5.2026 - Death of an Ordinary Man

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Mariner Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this quietly beautiful book by Sarah Perry.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

The author's father-in-law, David, is diagnosed with cancer and dies only 9 days later.  This story is the account of her and her husband tending to his father in his last days.  

Having lost my mother this year, this book rang so true and was so touching on many levels.  The author goes through each of David's end days, describing the factual parts of his care as well as the emotional and spiritual.  I loved how she went from not being able to imagine performing intimate care to feeling all the women carers before her, extending an arm to help her do what needed to be done.  Then, counting that as a gift to be performed for someone, also knowing that someone will someday be doing it for her.  It was interesting seeing the difference between the Hospice care David received and what I personally experienced in the US.  I felt bad that the family had to be the ones to make certain calls and decisions, and even had to go out and get the morphine prescriptions.  But at its heart, it shows that there is no ordinary man.  Everyone is important and we all go down the same paths, but we can help others with love, dignity, and respect.  

10.3.2026 - Dive Bar at the End of the Road

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this wonderfully creepy novel by Kelley Armstrong, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by the talented trio of Helen Laser, Sean Patrick Hopkins, and Shane Ghostkeeper.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

It's a dark, stormy night when a car swerves to avoid something, or someone, standing in the road, only to hit a fallen tree.  Four more cars will follow in a pileup no one can seem to avoid.  These strangers find themselves in a backwoods dive bar, waiting for daybreak and hoping for cell service.  But they soon notice that not everything is as it seems and going outside is a very bad idea.

I cannot believe this is a new-to-me author, but this is the perfect book to read for spooky season.  I listened to it on audiobook and would highly recommend that format because of the wonderful narration, which just added to the story for me.  It's such an atmospheric read, with the creepy woods around the bar and just everything feeling wrong - kind of like an old Twilight Zone episode.  There's also some good themes here to ponder but I don't want to reveal them in case I would inadvertently spoil anything.  It's a non-stop thrill ride that you won't be able to look away from.  

10.3.2026 - The Back Bedroom

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing | Amazon Original Stories, and Brilliance Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of this true crime story by Gregg Olsen, with the audiobook narrated by Karen Peakes. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

In 1976, police found the decomposing body of Davey Weilbacher, just 3 years old, who had been beaten by those who should have loved him. The adults in the home claimed that Davey was possessed and that they were trying to rid him of the Devil.

Such a sad story, and another chapter in the unbelievable saga of people falling under the spell of one man, whether it be a family or a cult. It's heartbreaking that these people just went along with whatever the patriarch of this family said to do, and could inflict such trauma onto a toddler in the name of religion. The story is short and you can read it in one sitting, but poor Davey's plight will stay with you.  The audiobook narration was very well done - the narrator's voice added to the creepy feeling of the story.

10.1.2026 - A Field Guide to Death and Deceit

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful book by Michelle L. Cullen, the second in the Harry & Emma series.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Harry's long-ago girlfriend gets in touch after 50 years, begging him for his help, asking him to meet her at a farm on the outskirts of their town.  Emma, Harry's one-time caretaker and now partner, is suspicious and insists on joining him.  When they show up, Willow is nowhere to be found, but they discover the farm owner is dead.  When they return to Harry's home after being interviewed by the police, Willow is there with a story of a real estate scam involving the farm.  Harry decides to help her, even recruiting his brother and a neighbor in the investigation.  

I had to first go and read A Field Guide to Murder, and I recommend that one before this book so that you fully understand these two main characters.  I love books with smart, older characters who won't let a little physical ailment stop them from living their best life.  Harry and Emma such a good team and the investigation is taut and will leave you guessing.  Plus, there's a bit of humor and romance to keep things interesting.  I'm here anxiously awaiting the next book in this series!

10.1.2026 - The French Illusion

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by a long-time favorite, John Grisham.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Paul and Chelsea have the perfect fairytale wedding, and then head to Paris for a dream honeymoon.  But the dream turns to a nightmare when they are kidnapped while on a day trip.  Who would kidnap them and why?  It turns out they aren't the first couple this has happened to.  The search for clues stretches across borders, with the FBI, CIA and French Intelligence trying to work out what's happening.

A departure from his normal legal thrillers, this book lends more to a spy/espionage thriller, with cat-and-mouse covert operations, and Grisham nails this genre as well.  Still here is the tense, gripping plot line leaving you glued to the pages, with characters you will relate to and feel for.   I especially liked both Stuart Nash, an attorney, and Rae Claire, a CIA officer, who get pulled in for a rescue effort.   I also felt for the parents in this book, giving up everything for their children.  A great new read from a wonderful author!

10.1.2026 - Unreliable Narrator

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Putnam Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by Araminta Hall.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Hope arrives at the isolated Shadowlands estate, excited to spend her summer assisting the writer Ambrose "Rosie" Glencourt.  Hope is swept up into an unfamiliar world, captivated by their brilliance, especially Tom, who resides on the property.  Ten years later, she is living in self-imposed exile when she opens Rosie's new bestseller and discovers it's a retelling of her time at Shadowlands and all she swore to keep hidden.  

This was an intriguing story and was true to its title - you didn't know who or what to believe.  It's a story of obsession, revenge, and people who take advantage of others for their own gain.  I was kept interested throughout, feeling for Hope, and enjoyed the twisting plot.