Book Review and Teaser: Killer Vibes by Jack Friday

 

From the publisher: 

Meet Peter Key: self-proclaimed “laziest private investigator in Texas” (it’s harder than it looks), unapologetic bisexual, dedicated stoner, and the surprised recipient of a windfall inheritance from an uncle he barely knew. Peter’s life was a mess before, but now— as the owner of a dilapidated house in one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Austin—he has a mountain of debt to deal with and pressure to sell from every side.

But Peter doesn’t like to be pushed around. And when he discovers a bag full of cash, he starts to suspect his uncle’s death wasn’t an accident. He soon finds himself pulled into a lethal game where not everybody plays by the rules.

Fortunately, Peter’s never been good at following rules.

Sexy, suspenseful, and packed with Austin’s quirks, Killer Vibes is a wild and wickedly funny romp that introduces us to the irresistible and irrepressible PI, Peter Key.

Killer Vibes by Jack Friday was released July 14, 2026 by Minotaur Books. It's the first book in a new series. Praise for the novel included a blurb by Elle Cosimano: "Peter Key is my new favorite amateur sleuth."

The teaser: (Peter is talking about pictures he is packing.) 

"Here was my sister Jenn getting her bachelor's. Here was Aunt Sylvie at my birthday a few years back, both of us burdened by party hats and looking as thrilled as a dog in a cone."

My thoughts: It's a good book. It was not quite as funny as I expected, but still a good book. I had not read a mystery with a character quite like Peter before. He definitely doesn't play by other people's rules. His independent streak sometimes gets him into trouble, other times out of it. He is a sympathetic character. I wanted to see him succeed and not get hurt. He was kind and smart. Some of the other characters were notable as well. I really liked his boss, Grady. And I liked his boyfriend Carlos and dog Brutus.

As in all good mysteries, things aren't always what they seem to be. There were plausible red herrings and twists. And of course some of the biggest twists came near the end. 

Generally speaking, the pace of the book was well done. There were some lulls, but only to deliver more information.

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. It's well-written with interesting characters. I'd recommend this book to fans of mysteries with a private investigator lead. Also the reader should know that Peter Key, the main character is bisexual. If that bothers a reader, then they should skip the book rather than complain about it later. 

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

Book Review: Everyone in This Bank Is a Thief by Benjamin Stevenson

 

From Mariner Books: 

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, hostages become suspects.

The Bank Robber, The Manager, The Security Guard, The Kid, The Film Producer, The Priest, The Receptionist, The Patient, The Caregiver, Me

Turns out there was more than one bank heist planned today. There are ten.

Can I solve them all and discover who is not only a thief but also a killer?

Everyone in This Bank Is a Thief  by Benjamin Stevenson was released March 17, 2026 by Mariner Books. This is the fourth book in the Ernest Cunningham series.

My Thoughts: Overall, I thought this was a good book. I have a tendency to go along for the ride rather than figure out all of Ern's clues. Definitely that was the case with this book. Ten heists, ten thieves was a little much to wrap my mind around consistently. Yet, it all makes sense in the end no matter how many twists there are. The thief who only wants one dollar from the vault leaves us wondering what is it he really wants. And there is an addition of a highly unlikely form of death which somehow still occurs in spite of that.

Ernest is still Ernest sometimes even frustratingly so. I did cringe a little at some of the things he did in the name of investigation. And the book did get slow for a little while, but in the end, it's a good book with interesting premises and characters and a really big twist or two.

If you have read the other books in the series, you will most likely enjoy this one as well. If you enjoy locked room mysteries, you will also enjoy this one as the whole bank becomes a locked room since they are being held hostage. This book is worth a read.

I received an arc of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinion.

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #537: The Library Game by Gigi Pandian

 

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:

In The Library Game, Tempest Raj and Secret Staircase Construction are renovating a classic detective fiction library that just got its first real-life mystery.

Tempest Raj couldn’t be happier that the family business, Secret Staircase Construction, is finally getting the recognition it deserves. Known for enchanting architectural features like sliding bookshelves and secret passageways, the company is now taking on a dream project: transforming a home into a public library that celebrates history's greatest fictional detectives.

Though the work is far from done, Gray House Library’s new owner is eager to host a murder mystery dinner and literary themed escape room. But when a rehearsal ends with an actor murdered and the body vanishes, Tempest is witness to a seemingly impossible crime. Fueled by her grandfather’s Scottish and Indian meals, Tempest and the rest of the crew must figure out who is making beloved classic mystery plots come to life in a deadly game.

Multiple award winning author Gigi Pandian masterfully weaves wit and warmth in the Secret Staircase Mysteries. Readers will delight in the surprises Secret Staircase Construction uncovers behind the next locked door.

The Library Game by Gigi Pandian is expected out March 18th, 2025 from Minotaur Books.

Why am I waiting on this book? This is the fourth book in the Secret Staircase Mysteries. I've read the others and have always enjoyed them. Gigi Pandian is a master at locked room mysteries. The novels always seem to have at least one locked room impossibility with other elements contributing to the story. It's always a very good read.

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

Book Review: River Woman, River Demon by Jennifer Givhan

 

From the publisher:

When Eva’s husband is arrested for the murder of a friend, she must confront her murky past and embrace her magick to find out what really happened that night on the river.

Eva Santos Moon is a burgeoning Chicana artist who practices the ancient, spiritual ways of brujería and curanderisma, but she’s at one of her lowest points—suffering from disorienting blackouts, creative stagnation, and a feeling of disconnect from her magickal roots. When her husband, a beloved university professor and the glue that holds their family together, is taken into custody for the shocking murder of their friend, Eva doesn’t know whom to trust—least of all, herself. She soon falls under suspicion as a potential suspect, and her past rises to the surface, dredging up the truth about an eerily similar death from her childhood.

Struggling with fragmented memories and self-doubt, an increasingly terrified Eva fears that she might have been involved in both murders. But why doesn’t she remember? Only the dead women know for sure, and they’re coming for her with a haunting vengeance. As she fights to keep her family out of danger, Eva realizes she must use her magick as a bruja to protect herself and her loved ones, while confronting her own dark history.

A psychological thriller that weaves together the threads of folk magick with personal and cultural empowerment, River Woman, River Demon is a mysterious incantation of reckoning with the past and claiming one’s unique power and voice.

My thoughts:

This book is a paranormal thriller. That being said, it would be a thriller even without the paranormal aspects. Eva Santos Moon makes a perfect main character. We are seeing through her eyes and from her perspective. It's hard for her to tell exactly what's real. So, it's hard for us to know also. That alone is frightening. Add in that her husband is being detained for the drowning murder of a close friend of theirs and that ratchets up the tension and suspense. 

This book works well as a paranormal thriller because of the ways that Eva and her family handle Majick. When Eva asks for supernatural help, it really starts the part of the plot where mystery and Majick intertwine.

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. It's a page - turner. I liked the characters readers are supposed to like, and didn't like the ones we're not supposed to like. I didn't like some of the choices the characters made, but it made them more real. I would recommend this book to people who like paranormal thrillers as well as those who like a story where Majick is accepted as real and attainable.

Review: Angel of the Overpass by Seanan McGuire

 

"I have no idea what kind of timeline I'm working with here, but I know what's riding on my success: Bethany's existence, Gary's freedom, the safety of the living people that I love, and yeah, my vengeance. I do this and maybe Bobby Cross goes away forever. I do this and maybe I can get a little peace."  (23% through on my Kindle)

Rose Marshall was 16 years old the night Bobby Cross ran her off the road. Rose became the Phantom Prom Date, the Angel of the Overpass. Bobby chased after her wanting to use Rose as fuel for his gas tank the way he had so many other ghosts. His car, his eternal youth and handsomeness were gifts from the Crossroads. Now Bobby has been threatening all Rose holds dear. The Crossroads are gone. Bobby is no longer protected. Rose may have a good chance of getting her revenge. But to do so, she will need to contact some heavy hitters and call in some favors.

Seanan McGuire manages to ratchet up the tension in the story and keep it up for long periods of time. Rose has more than one adventure and relives some memories as well. Always the tension is there. There were times I had to put the book aside for a little while to give me a break from it. As the book goes on, the stakes get higher and higher. 

And just when you think things will go on the same as always, things change for Rose. It becomes clear along the way that she is brave and valued by more than one entity. And if she succeeds, there will be far reaching repercussions.

The book is well plotted and well written. I gave it 5 out the 5 stars. If you enjoy your fantasy heavy on the ghostly side, this series would make a great read for you. I would not recommend this as a standalone. There are events and characters from previous books that come into play and previous knowledge makes it richer. It's definitely worth a read.

Angel of the Overpass by Seanan McGuire is the third book in the Ghost Roads series. It was published May 11th, 2021 by DAW.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.