Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #582: A Neighbor's Guide to Murder by Louise Candlish

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher: From internationally bestselling author Louise Candlish, a witty psychological thriller where an older woman's suspicions about her charming new neighbor ignite a deadly spiral in their luxury apartment building

In Columbia Mansions, secrets don’t stay behind closed doors for long…
 
It's rare for a room to open up in London’s storied Columbia Mansions, and lonely Gwen is thrilled when an unexpected new subletter, Pixie, turns out to be a friendly breath of fresh air to its stuffy halls. Their unlikely cross-generational bond soon becomes the bright spot in Gwen’s quiet life.

But Gwen can’t help noticing cracks beneath Pixie's cheerful surface—especially when it comes to her questionable financial arrangement with her live-in landlord, Alec. As suspicions mount, Gwen’s protective instincts go into overdrive, triggering a dangerous chain of events no one is prepared for.

The last thing Columbia Mansions wants is a scandal on its hands...

Let alone a murder.

A Neighbor's Guide to Murder by Louise Candlish is expected out July 7, 2026 from Grand Central Publishing.

Why am I waiting on this book? It reminds me a little of Only Murders in the Building, but with fewer investigating characters. You've got a cross-generational friendship bond and a strong possibility of a murder. I like that the investigator is an older woman. And I am wondering about the dangerous chain of events that is triggered and no one is prepared for. It sounds like it will be an interesting novel.

What book are you waiting on? Share it in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our ever growing To Be Read lists. Thanks for coming by. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: How to Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley

Welcome to Teaser Tuesday, the weekly Meme that wants you to add books to your TBR! You can also just share what you are currently reading. We make it very easy to play along. It's as easy as 1, 2, 3! Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Ambrosia at the Purple Booker.

1: Grab your current read. 2: Open to a random page. 3: Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! Share the title and author so that other people can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teaser!

Daphne thinking about options for how to make friends... 

Join a club? she added to the list, then snorted remembering the Groucho Marx quote, "I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member." Wasn't that the truth? 

--- page 20

How to Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley was published June 11, 2024 

by Pamela Dorman Books. 

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #581: Three Hitmen and a Baby by Rob Hart

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher: Welcome back to Assassins Anonymous, where family is everything and danger lurks around every corner.

Assassins Anonymous isn't just a weekly recovery meeting for reformed killers—it's also a family.  

When Valencia receives troubling news that her brother has gone missing, she wants rush off to LA to find him. But she can’t bring her baby girl, Lucia.  Enter the other members of Assassins Anonymous—Mark, Astrid, and Booker, who offer to watch the toddler while she's gone. After all, they're three of the deadliest, most highly skilled people on the planet; what could go wrong?  

Turns out, a lot. Shortly after Valencia leaves, Mark is summoned to the lair of Zmeya, a Russian mob boss calling in a deadly favor—she wants him to kill Astrid, his protege and friend. Mark refuses, but Zmeya reveals that she knows the identity of Mark’s ex-girlfriend . . . and his son. Either Astrid goes, or they do.  

Meanwhile, Lucia spikes a dangerously high fever, and when Booker and Astrid take her to urgent care, they realize too late, that their fabricated identities are a real liability. Also, they don't know Valencia’s last name, let alone Lucia's. They can hardly blame the staff for calling the NYPD.  

Suddenly the splintered group is on the run from both the Russian mob and the police, dodging bad guys and do-gooders while trying to find refuge in a city full of surveillance cameras—all without killing anyone. That is, until Zmeya captures Sara and Bennett, and Mark is ready to throw his sobriety out the window.

Three Hitmen and a Baby by Rob Hart is expected out June 16th, 2026 from G.P. Putnam's Sons.

Why am I waiting on this book? It sounds like a good action novel with the possibility of some humor as they run around the city. And it sounds like in addition to the action that it might have some tender moments.

What book are you waiting on? Share it in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our ever growing To Be Read lists. Thanks for coming by. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: Blood Lite edited by Kevin J. Anderson

 

Welcome to Teaser Tuesday, the weekly Meme that wants you to add books to your TBR! You can also just share what you are currently reading. We make it very easy to play along. It's as easy as 1, 2, 3! Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Ambrosia at the Purple Booker.

1: Grab your current read. 2: Open to a random page. 3: Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! Share the title and author so that other people can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teaser!

Of course, one problem with playing dumb is that it seeps into your everyday life. But that has its advantages too. No one ever asks me to help with their taxes.

---From The Ungrateful Dead by Kelley Armstrong location 69

Blood Lite edited by Kevin J. Anderson was released October 21, 2008 by Gallery Books.

What are you reading?

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #580: Cross Your Heart and Hope He Dies byJenny Elder Moke

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher: Juliette Winters is used to taking care of business alone. She has no time for petty things like romance, friendships, or emotional commitments. Love is for people who believe in reality TV dating and holding hands in public. She's too busy dominating the publishing world by single-handedly saving her company from financial ruin with the book deal of the century.

Business magnate Warren Ellingham has guaranteed Juliette exclusive rights to his explosive memoir that promises to expose the secrets of his ultra-exclusive country club, Pacific Pines. But when Warren drops dead of an apparent heart attack and the memoir is stolen, Juliette suspects that someone was willing to resort to murder to keep their secrets from being exposed.

Enlisting the help of Charlie Hawkins, a doctor with a heart of gold and abs of steel, Juliette dives into the glamorous and messy world of Pacific Pines Country Club. As the investigation heats up, so does the tension between Juliette and Charlie. But Juliette can't afford any distractions because the bodies keep dropping, and Juliette is tee-d up to take the blame. If she doesn't uncover Warren's killer soon, the thing that was supposed to secure her future might just be the thing that ends it.

Jenny Elder Moke's twisty mystery rom-com blend will delight readers with its outrageous characters, laugh-out-loud jokes, and opposites attract romance.

Cross Your Heart and Hope He Dies by Jenny Elder Moke is expected out January 20th, 2026 from Minotaur Books.

Why am I waiting on this book? It sounds like it will be a fun read. The mystery seems interesting. I am curious to see how the rom-com affects the investigation of the mystery. And I like that it sounds like it will have some humor to it.

What book are you waiting on? Share it and a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our ever growing To Be Read lists. Thanks for coming by. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: Imogene's Grand Fiasco by David Putnam

 

Welcome to Teaser Tuesday, the weekly Meme that wants you to add books to your TBR! You can also just share what you are currently reading. We make it very easy to play along. It's as easy as 1, 2, 3! Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Ambrosia at the Purple Booker.

1: Grab your current read. 2: Open to a random page. 3: Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! Share the title and author so that other people can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teaser!

And now Lem, out of the kindness of his heart, had applied pressure on the parole system to keep her out of prison.This when everyone else wanted her back behind bars: state parole,the Secret Service, the mob (because it would be much easier to take her out, once on the inside), and most of all her old cellie, Ange. What kinda world was it that thought an old woman needed to be incarcerated? --page 24

Imogene's Grand Fiasco by David Putnam was released June 24th, 2025 by Level Best Books.

What are you reading? Have you read this book? Leave a note in the comments. Happy Reading!

Book Review: Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix

 

Have you ever shopped in Ikea? Did you get lost trying to find the exit or the bathroom or the people you came with? Getting lost like that is horrifying enough. Grady Hendrix  starts with that and runs with it in his low budget knock off of Ikea called Orsk. On top of being difficult to navigate at times, strange things are happening in the store overnight. Things are being broken or otherwise desecrated. As the book goes on, so does the strangeness.

Management is having fits. People from corporate are coming to see the store. 3 employees volunteer to stay overnight and try and puzzle out what's going on. But, will they make it through the night?

My Thoughts: Haunted building stories are interesting. Like a good haunted house story, they can be satisfying and perhaps make you a little more grateful for the mundane homes and businesses. 

The main character of the book is Amy Porter. Her point of view is crucial to the success of the story. The other 2 employees that stayed are Basil (management) and Ruth Anne. In some ways they are stereotypes. Amy is the employee that wants to get by by doing the least she can. Basil wants everyone to toe the line and follow corporate rules. Ruth Anne is that employee who is nice to everyone - customer and fellow employee alike. I wasn't expecting it, but each character reveals more about themselves as the book goes on. They go from stereotypes to real people. And they are not always what you would expect them to be. The other thing that surprised me about some of them was that their characters showed growth and change as the story progressed.

The plot moves along fairly quickly once night has come to this Orsk store. At first everything is pretty normal. Then stuff hits the fan. One event leads to another and it snowballs to the conclusion.

I could suspend my disbelief for most things in the book because I was expecting a haunted building story and it delivered. The only thing that I couldn't quite buy was the very end of the book. It was set up in such a way that the author could have written a sequel if he wanted to do so. Otherwise, I loved the character development, setting, and pace of the novel.

I gave this book 5 out of  5 stars. It has stayed with me even after more than a week's time since my reading it. And I have to admit I am currently a little less likely to go shop in Ikea until this works its way out of my system. If you like a good haunted house story, especially one with a little humor, then this could be a good match for you. I think it's definitely worth a read.

Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix was published September 2014 by Quirk Books. I purchased my review copy.

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #579: Last Night Was Killer by Mary Pauline Lowry

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher: A suspenseful, bighearted, and laugh-out-loud story of a single mom trying to do it all—including solve a murder she may or may not have committed…

When Tilly Turner signed up for an introductory pole-dancing class, she was looking for a distraction. Reeling from her mother’s passing, and with her career as a stand-up comedian in ruins, Tilly has just moved back to the Idaho hometown she was desperate to leave, with her twin daughters in tow.

But Tilly gets more than she bargained for after a night out with her new pole-dancing pals. She wakes to a raging hangover, no memory of the evening before, and a dead body in the trunk of her car.

Who was the dead man? And more importantly, who killed him? Tilly has no alibi and needs answers. But investigating a murder is complicated, especially with an old frenemy circling, childcare plans falling through, and pole-dancing classes to attend. And don’t even mention the sexy ATF agent who she’s trying (and failing) to keep at arm’s length.

As Tilly races to solve the mystery before the police come knocking, she finds herself implicated in a larger plot that includes political subterfuge and arms dealing. But who knows—maybe busting a criminal enterprise will be just the shake-up she needs.

Balancing both heart and hilarity, and with a witty take on the struggles of modern motherhood, Last Night Was Killer is a charming introduction to the most unlikely—and likable—of sleuths.

Last Night Was Killer by Mary Pauline Lowry is expected out July 7, 2026 from William Morrow.

Why am I waiting on this book? This sounds like a fun read. It reminds me of Elle Cosimano and Jesse Q. Sutanto in that it sounds funny and has a mysterious dead body. I'm guessing if you like books by those two writers, then you will probably like this one as well.

What book are you waiting on? Share it and a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our ever growing To Be Read lists. Thanks for coming by. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: Somewhere in the Night by Julie Mulhern

 

Welcome to Teaser Tuesday, the weekly Meme that wants you to add books to your TBR! You can also just share what you are currently reading. We make it very easy to play along. It's as easy as 1, 2, 3! Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Ambrosia at the Purple Booker.

1: Grab your current read. 2: Open to a random page. 3: Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! Share the title and author so that other people can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teaser!

"You know better than anyone in this family that there's more than blood. The family we choose can be more precious than the family we're born with."

-page 65

Somewhere in the Night:  A Country Club Murder Thanksgiving Novella by Julie Mulhern was released November 4th, 2025 from J & M Press. It's currently available from Amazon on Kindle for $2.99 

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #578: The Bookshop Below by Georgia Summers

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher: A disgraced bookseller journeys into a lush, wondrous world of magical books, deadly ink magic, and secret societies, in this darkly spellbinding standalone fantasy novel from the #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of The City of Stardust.  

We are but story made manifest...

If you want a story that will change your life, Chiron’s bookshop is where you go. For those lucky enough to grace its doors, it’s a glimpse into a world of powerful bargains and deadly ink magic.

For Cassandra Fairfax, it’s a reminder of everything she lost, when Chiron kicked her out and all but shuttered the shop. Since then, she’s used her skills in less ethical ways, trading stolen books and magical readings to wealthy playboys and unscrupulous collectors. 

Then Chiron dies under mysterious circumstances. And if Cassandra knows anything, it’s this: the bookshop must always have an owner.

But she's not the only one interested. There's Lowell Sharpe, a dark-eyed, regrettably handsome bookseller she can't seem to stop bumping into; rival owners who threaten Cassandra from the shadows; and, of course, Chiron's murderer, who is still on the loose. 

As Cassandra tries to uncover the secrets her mentor left behind, a sinister force threatens to unravel the world of the magical bookshops entirely...

Why am I waiting on this book? It's a standalone fantasy taking place below an alternate London. I love the thought of magical bookshops under the city. I enjoy stories about bookstores anyway, so a magical bookstore is icing on the cake. And it's a mystery. What happened to Chiron? Who did it? It looks to me like it will be a satisfying, creative read.

The Bookshop Below by Georgia Summers is expected out November 18th, 2025 from Redhook.

What book are you waiting on? Share it and a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our ever growing To Be Read lists. Thanks for coming by. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: Anima Rising by Christopher Moore

 

Welcome to Teaser Tuesday, the weekly Meme that wants you to add books to your TBR! You can also just share what you are currently reading. We make it very easy to play along. It's as easy as 1, 2, 3! Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Ambrosia at the Purple Booker.

1: Grab your current read. 2: Open to a random page. 3: Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! Share the title and author so that other people can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teaser!

"I taught her to fly," Raven said to Freud. "It's not my fault that she doesn't pay attention."

--page 174

Anima Rising: Klimt, Freud, and Jung Meet the Bride of Frankenstein by Christopher Moore was released May 13th, 2025 from William Morrow.

What are you reading? Share it or a teaser in the comments. Happy Reading!

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #577: A Bride's Guide to Happiness and Homicide by Kristen Bird

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings.

This week I'm waiting on:

From the publisher: When Dakota Green’s best friend asks her to be the maid of honor, she expects champagne toasts and bouquet tosses—not a dead priest in the holly bushes of The Rose Palace estate. But in Aubergine, Virginia, something borrowed and something blue might just include a corpse or two.

A winter getaway in the Blue Ridge Mountains should be wonderland bliss for pre-wedding festivities. Instead, it’s a blizzard of suspicion as the groom’s Texas relatives arrive with secrets as deep as the falling snow.

Just when Dakota thinks she can’t handle one more wedding disaster, the officiating priest takes a fatal plunge from the fourth floor, with a bullet through his heart and Dakota’s boyfriend Sheriff Charlie Strong becomes the prime suspect.

With Charlie behind bars and the wedding hours away, Dakota must clear his name while ensuring her best friend gets her perfect day. Between a gun-wielding father of the groom, a scandalous romance and a bride who refuses to postpone, Dakota faces her greatest challenge yet. Can she unmask a killer before the wedding march? Or will this matrimony end in mayhem?

If you love the humor of Janet Evanovich and Elle Cosimano, the charm of small-town secrets, and amateur sleuths with a flair for finding trouble, this maid-of-honor mystery is your perfect match.

A Bride's Guide to Happiness and Homicide by Kristen Bird is expected out January 23, 2026 from Storm Publishing. This is the third book in the Dakota Green Mystery series. Book one, A Beauty Queen's Guide to Murder and Mayhem, is currently available on Kindle Unlimited. I receive nothing for sharing this information with you.

Why am I waiting on this book? The cover is striking as is the title.The wedding she is to attend is plagued with murder and mayhem.  And I'm intrigued by the comparison to both Elle Cosimano and Janet Evanovich. Elle Cosimano in particular is a favorite of mine for the humorous mysteries she writes.

What book are you waiting on? Share it and a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our ever growing To Be Read lists. Thanks for coming by. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: 3 Days, 9 Months, 27 Years by John Scalzi

 

Welcome to Teaser Tuesday, the weekly Meme that wants you to add books to your TBR! You can also just share what you are currently reading. We make it very easy to play along. It's as easy as 1, 2, 3! Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Ambrosia at the Purple Booker.

1: Grab your current read. 2: Open to a random page. 3: Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! Share the title and author so that other people can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teaser!

We are told of the great fears of the dangers of time travel and whether traveling to the past would warp and change the present, and how, not unlike the pre-Trinity concern that a nuclear blast could ignite the earth's entire atmosphere, a human-scale test of time travel might wipe out the history of the planet. We did it anyway, because humans can't not stick their fingers into wall sockets (this is a personal observation, not an organizational conclusion). --page 6

3 days, 9 months, 27 years by John Scalzi was released November 1st, 2025 from Amazon Original Stories. It is part of The Time Traveler's Passport series.

Happy Halloween! Folklore and Origins of Halloween

Happy Halloween! Trick or Treat! Hopefully this will provide some treats for you.

 Halloween has its roots in the Celtic celebration known as Samhain (pronounced sah-win). It was basically a celebration of the harvest and the Celtic New Year. Also on Halloween, they believed that the veil between this world and the afterlife was thin enough that some spirits could pass through into this world. Because not all of them might have had good intentions, people took to dressing up in costumes to confuse the spirits.

I've included 3 links below for people who are interested in learning more about Halloween and it's traditions. 

The first one is from the History Channel. https://www.history.com/articles/history-of-halloween 

The second one is from the Library of Congress https://blogs.loc.gov/headlinesandheroes/2021/10/the-origins-of-halloween-traditions/

The third link is from the University of Kentucky https://uknow.uky.edu/campus-news/fun-facts-you-probably-didn-t-know-about-halloween-uk-folklorist

I hope you have a Happy Halloween!

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #576: You Should Have Been Nicer to My Mom by Vincent Tirado

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher: Demons clash with inheritance claims as secrets unfold and violence is unleashed over twelve harrowing hours trapped in a house with the worst thing imaginable: family.

When Papi Ramon, the patriarch of the wealthy Abreu family dies, he gives the family one last message in the will: “One of you is el bacà, the demon that I made a deal with. Get rid of them or you will be damned.” Xiomara, the uncontested favorite of Papi Ramon (and therefore the least liked in the family), watches as everyone dismisses this as the joke of a senile old man and demands the lawyer obtain the previous will Papi wrote.

While the lawyer drives back to his office, a storm breaks out, forcing the entire family—Xiomara’s aunts and uncles and cousins—to remain in the house. And the words of Papi’s will hangs over their heads even heavier than the rain clouds. Over the course of the night, scandal after scandal is revealed to the public about the family. Suddenly a tense few hours of surviving her family turns into a vicious night of recrimination, violence, accusations…and murder.

Xiomara is faced with an impossible task: uproot a demon and somehow kill it or excise the ghosts that linger within her own family.

And the clock is ticking...

You Should Have Been Nicer to My Mom by Vincent Tirado is expected out March 10, 2026 from William Morrow.

Why am I waiting on this book? I find it an interesting concept that a demon would masquerade as one of the family. And I am wondering what scandals of the family will be revealed. I figure Xiomara will probably survive, but will all of the rest of them? And honestly, I really like the cover. The book also is billed as a modern gothic. And since I've enjoyed gothic literature, I am curious about what makes it so.

What book are you waiting on? Share it and a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our ever growing To Be Read lists. Thanks for coming by. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix

 

Welcome to Teaser Tuesday, the weekly Meme that wants you to add books to your TBR! You can also just share what you are currently reading. We make it very easy to play along. It's as easy as 1, 2, 3! Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Ambrosia at the Purple Booker.

1: Grab your current read. 2: Open to a random page. 3: Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! Share the title and author so that other people can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teaser!

All at once, Ruth Anne strode past him, approached the bed and raised one end, revealing a man splayed out facedown like a starfish. He burst into motion, scuttling away like a bug after its rock has been lifted.

--page 92

Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix was released September 23, 2014 from Quirk Books. I am on page 92 and it is a quirky read so far. It is scary, but it is also tinged with humor. Puts me in mind of my first trip to an Ikea where I got lost trying to find the bathroom on the market level. Too much fun. The horror was real. 

Are you reading anything spooky? Share something about it in the comments. Happy Reading!

Spooky Season Recommendations: Horror with Some Humor

 October is the perfect time to read books that give you a bit of a chill or a thrill. As far as I'm concerned, horror books are made better when they have some humor to them. One example released this past Tuesday would be, Slayers of Old by Jim C. Hines. 

From the publisher: 

Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Golden Girls in this humorous contemporary standalone fantasy about a group of former Chosen Ones coming out of retirement to save the world one last time

Three former Chosen Ones have joined together to spend their retirement in peace and quiet, running Second Life Books and Gifts in Salem, MA. A calm, peaceful, tourist-filled oasis, where they never have to worry about saving the world. Until some of the locals start summoning ancient creatures best left where they were . . . and they discover that their bookstore basement just may be the portal to the underworld. These ex-heroes may have thought they were done . . . but if they want to finish their retirement in peace, they’ll have to join together to save the world one last time.

Why leave saving the world to the young? Cozy mystery readers looking for an extra dash of magic will eat this story up: fun, funny, and heartwarming, it's a novel about community, second chances, and the healing power of scones.

While that is the most recent example, and one I am looking forward to reading, there are plenty others in the genre.

Suburban Hell and Hex Education by Maureen Kilmer are two such books. One asks the question of what would happen if evil is accidentally summoned in a suburban neighborhood by a group of friends looking to build a she-shed. And the other sees a group of friends from college that have been practicing witchcraft for decades losing control of their magic and needing to work hard to get it back under control. 

Bless Your Heart and  Another Fine Mess by Lindy Ryan also present a pair of horror stories that have humor as an element. While humor is definitely not the whole thing, it is present. The Evans women who run a funeral parlor in a small town have been keeping it safe for a long time from the undead. In these two books, they and the sheriff continue to do so.

For something heavier on the humor and lighter in tone while still asking some tough questions there are books by Christopher Moore. A Dirty Job and Secondhand Souls investigate what it might be like to be saddled with the job of Death unwittingly and unwillingly. Sophie, the daughter, is precious in the first book along with her hellhound companions. Her father is struggling with what it is like to be raising a precocious daughter while quite possibly being Death with a capital D. If this particular pair of novels is not quite for you, Moore has several others that are humorous while investigating other paranormal topics such as vampires, demons, and zombies.

These are just seven novels in the genre. There are many more where they come from: The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix and Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero are just two more. Hopefully, you will find something you will enjoy this spooky season. Do you have a favorite Halloween time of year book? Or perhaps a favorite genre? Share it in the comments. Wishing you Happy Reading and a Happy Spooky Season!

Book Review: The Salvage by Anbara Salam

 

From the Publisher:

It is 1962, and Marta Khoury, a trailblazing marine archaeologist, has been called to Cairnroch, a small island off the east coast of Scotland. A Victorian shipwreck, dragged from arctic waters, holds the remains of a celebrated explorer and the treasures of his final expedition. But on her first dive down to the ship, Marta becomes convinced she has seen a dark figure lurking amid the wreckage.

When the Cuban Missile Crisis and the deep chill of a record-breaking winter keeps Marta stranded on Cairnroch, she forms a relationship with Elsie, a local woman working in the island’s only hotel. When the ship's artifacts inexplicably disappear, Marta and Elsie have to brave the freezing conditions to search for the missing objects before anyone else catches on. As something eerie seems to follow her at every step, Marta must confront if the haunting is a figment of her imagination, the repercussions from a terrible mistake from her past, or if something more sinister is at play that will trap her and everyone on the island—and their secrets—in an icy wilderness.

The Salvage by Anbara Salam was published October 7, 2025 by Tin House Books.

My Thoughts: This is a gothic tale set in the 1960s. It starts in the water, but spreads to land. Marta's dive is creepy in and of itself. But, then she sees a figure amidst the wreckage of the ship. Later she thinks she might have also seen it on land. Convinced it is a ghost, Marta has to figure out who or what it is haunting. She keeps the sightings of the ghostly figure to herself for many reasons including fear that she wouldn't be believed. As she works to recover the stolen artifacts, there are more clues as to the mystery of the figure.

I liked Marta and her love interest the best, but there are other good characters. There are bad as well as morally questionable characters also.

The plot was interesting, but moved slowly for the most part. The slowness seemed to echo how life had slowed down on the island with the uncharacteristic amount of snow and freezing temperatures. Still, I felt like it could have moved a tad faster.

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. The haunting is mysterious. And it is infectious. More people are aware of it than are willing to admit to it. And it affects people in different ways. There is a question of whether or not it is a real haunting. It is definitely gothic in tone. And it is generally well-written. If you like gothic books with some effects from the real world, then this would be a good book for you. I would buy it for a fan of gothic literature and I enjoyed it as a fan of gothic literature. This does make a good spooky season read.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinions.

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #575: Everyone in This Bank Is a Thief by Benjamin Stevenson

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher: Ten heists. Ten suspects. A murder mystery only Ernest Cunningham can solve in this delightfully clever and twisty new novel in Benjamin Stevenson’s bestselling series—perfect for fans of Richard Osman and Anthony Horowitz.

I’ve spent the last few years solving murders. But a bank heist is a new one, even for me. I’ve never been a hostage before.

The doors are chained shut. No one in or out. Which means that when someone in the bank is murdered, everyone is a suspect.

THE BANK ROBBER, THE MANAGER, THE SECURITY GUARD, THE KID, THE FILM PRODUCER, THE PRIEST, THE RECEPTIONIST, THE PATIENT, THE CAREGIVER, ME

Turns out, more than one person planned to rob the bank today. You can steal more from a bank than just money.

Who is stealing what? Are they willing to kill for it? And can I solve the crime before the police kick down the door and rescue us?

Everyone in This Bank Is a Thief by Benjamin Stevenson is expected out March 17, 2026 from Mariner Books.

Why am I waiting on this book? I've enjoyed all the other books I've read by this author. The mysteries are clever. And there is humor to the telling of the stories. Ernest Cunningham makes a good sympathetic main character. I want to know what happened in the bank and see how Ernest will solve it.

What book are you waiting on? Share it and a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our ever growing To Be Read lists. Thanks for coming by. Happy Reading!