Book Review: Rich Girl by Julie Mulhern

 From the publisher:

One secret. Two decades. And a body on the patio. A whirlwind marriage to a French count who wanted her father's money more than he wanted her? It's a secret Libba has kept for 20 years.She's never told anyone. Not even Ellison. But secrets can be deadly -- and this one is revealed with a knife in his side on Ellison's back patio. Ghisain de Fevre is dead. Quite obviously murdered. And the police think Libba might have killed him. The truth is tangled in two decades of lies, heartbreak, and unsigned divorce papers. To clear her name, Libba will have to do something she's assiduously avoided -- face the worst mistake of her life. Fortunately, she has Ellison, a sharp lawyer, and a pitcher of martinis. Unfortunately, the killer isn't finished.

Rich Girl, a novella by Julie Mulhern, was published March 10, 2026 by J & M Press.

Julie Mulhern has been a longtime auto-buy author for me. I love reading about Ellison, her friends, and her family. This novella focuses on Libba and is #20.5 in The Country Club Murders series.

The only thing that was a little hard to swallow, was that Libba could hold onto a secret from Ellison for that long. She must have really been horrified by her mistake. Fortunately, her good friend Ellison doesn't hold that against her. Her neighbor, not a nice woman, tries to hold it against her and Ellison that so many bodies have been found in the neighborhood. 
Ultimately though, that is more of a subplot. Who killed Ghislain is the focus, and who might they kill next.

It's a good mystery. The plot moves along at a good pace. The ending surprised me a little, which is a good thing. Overall, it's a suspenseful mystery with interesting characters. This one probably could be read as a standalone since it is a novella, but might read better if you've had a chance to get to know some of the characters before this. I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars. I got my kindle version from Amazon. And I've already purchased the next book in the series and am looking forward to reading it, Evil Ways. 

Book Review: The Mystic And the Missing Girl by Vikki VanSickle

 

From the publisher:

Drew Benson can read tarot cards and get impressions from objects—she just never expected to use her gifts to investigate an infamous cold case.

Drew Benson has a secret. She gets visions, something she hasn’t tapped into since she was a teenager, when her late aunt, a TV psychic known as Hannah Mystic, became the scapegoat in the unsolved disappearance of a local teenager. Twenty years later, Drew is happy to ignore her gift, focusing instead on keeping the metaphysical shop she inherited from Hannah afloat, wrangling her sole, astrology-obsessed employee, and dodging local rake Foster Banks in her picturesque lakeside hometown.

But when Drew's arch-nemesis from high school, now a big city reporter, decides to investigate the cold case from all those years ago, it’s Drew’s ability that could finally make a break in the decades old mystery. With bills piling up, a disapproving mother laying on the guilt, and a local vandal who wants Drew and her witchy store gone, Drew has a lot to lose. But what she stands to gain—finding out what happened to the missing teen, clearing her aunt’s name, and a second chance at belonging—could change everything.

My Thoughts: I didn't get the impression that her aunt was on the tv on a regular basis, but she certainly was while she was trying to help the police find a missing teenager. Years later the task falls to Drew when she realizes one of the key words from her aunt's reading is personal. I really liked Drew. It was interesting how she read the cards and explained their meanings. Her ability to get information by holding objects proved useful as well. 

I thought the mystery was well done. I didn't anticipate the ending fully. There were enough red herrings to keep me guessing. It was a little slow in the beginning, but it moved along well enough as the book progressed. There is the big mystery of the missing girl, but also a smaller mystery as to who is vandalizing Drew's store.

The descriptions from the Witches' New Year's Celebration were also interesting. I liked how it seems to blend more than one tradition into a coherent celebration.

Overall, I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars. It's well written. The characters are interesting. The way the mystery progresses is logical and creative. And I liked the use of the tarot cards and psychic readings. If you like your mysteries with a touch of the paranormal, then this would be a good book for you. It's a perfect read for spooky season.

The Mystic And the Missing Girl by Vikki VanSickle was released September 8, 2026 from Minotaur Books.

I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinion.

Book Review: The Retirement Plan by Sue Hincenbergs

The Retirement Plan by Sue Hincenbergs
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What The Retirement Plan by Sue Hincenbergs asks is what would you do if your husband had lost your retirement nest egg on an investment, has been making you miserable, but has a million dollar life insurance policy? For these women the answer is both simple and complex. You hire a hitman and hope to get away with murder.

Four women, best friends, find out through the death of one of the husbands about the life insurance policies. The men meanwhile are scared by the death of their friend. They suspect foul play. They turn to a member of the community with a plan. The plan is outrageous and creates crazy goings on.

I loved the characters of the women and found them relatable. Not so relatable that I would follow their plan, but they are very human. The men think they've thought things through, but they are mistaken. Between the plans of the husbands and wives there is plenty of humor.

I gave this book 5 stars for the humor and the plotting. I thought it was an excellent first book. I loved the humor, the plot, and in the end all the characters. Surprisingly, I felt this is a book I might read a second time. If you enjoy action/adventure type books with plenty of humor, then this might be a good book for you.

View all my reviews

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: Dark Is When the Devil Comes by Daisy Pearce

From the publisher:

Full of creeping dread and suffocating unease, Dark Is When the Devil Comes is an atmospheric and chilling novel from Something in the Walls author Daisy Pearce.

The woods are known as the place to avoid. What goes in, doesn’t come out.

Hazel has been gone from her small hometown of Idless in the English countryside for years. Now returned in the wake of a traumatic divorce and crumbling personal life, her simple plans are to lay low at her parents’ vacated house, reconnect with her prickly sister Cathy, and slowly get back on her feet.

She's his captive but something has come home with her.

Cathy is surprised when Hazel doesn’t show. Their relationship strained from a fallout half a decade ago, she didn’t expect them to get back into a sisterly rhythm…though she hadn’t counted on Hazel bailing, either.

But something isn’t adding up. Other people in town whisper of a threat that can’t be shaken. The woods are known for being restless. And Cathy knows the old saying.

If you go looking for trouble, you just might find it.

Dark Is When the Devil Comes by Daisy Pearce was released April 28, 2026 by Minotaur Books.

My Thoughts: I was impressed with the ability of the author to create and maintain tension and suspense. I found myself holding my breath at times. Other times I became aware that I was all tensed up and had to put the book aside to relax a little. Not only does she maintain the sense of unease and increasing dread, but she is able to keep the book fast-paced.

The characters are interesting. Their interactions both through the present and flashbacks help to show what kind of people they are. And the author does well at showing how each grows.

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars. The story and the characters have stuck with me for days after I finished the book. To be honest I almost DNF'd it because I was having trouble handling the tension and suspense. If you like books with a strong suspense, horror elements, and the paranormal then this would be a good book for you.

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

Book Review: Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth

 

From the publisher:

From Sally Hepworth, the New York Times bestselling author of The Soulmate and The Good Sister, comes a twist-filled, darkly funny mystery about the two kinds of people no one ever expects to be murderers: little girls and old ladies.

Meet Mad Mabel.

Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick is eighty-one years old. She's lived on her idyllic street, Kenny Lane, for sixty years--longer than anyone else. Aside from being a curmudgeon who minds everyone else's business, few would suspect that Elsie has a past that she has worked exceedingly hard at concealing. Because when it comes to murder, no one ever suspects little girls or old ladies. And Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick, once a little girl and now an old lady, has a strange history of people in her life coming to a foul end.

When a new little girl (talkative, curious, nosy) moves into the neighborhood and stops at nothing to befriend Elsie, her carefully-constructed life threatens to come crashing down as the secrets in Elsie's past start coming to light. Who was "Mad Mabel" fifty years ago? Who is Elsie Fitzpatrick today? And if the past has a habit of repeating itself, who has the most to lose?

Told with Sally Hepworth's twists, humor, charm, and heart, MAD MABEL is novel that weaves past and present together--through the power of justice and redemption, and all the way to its stunning conclusion.

Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth was published April 21, 2026 by St. Martin's Press.

My thoughts: Mabel is a very interesting character both in the past and the present. We get to read her creation story as well as what she has become. Her story has plenty of tragedy and death. But, there are lighter moments as well. This is less a mystery and more domestic suspense. I liked Mabel and Persephone. I thought Daphne was interesting as well. 

There are twists and turns that are revealed mostly through Mabel's interview and looking back at her life. There is tension about what she is revealing of her past as well as what's going on in her present.The plot moved along fast enough. Some things in the end were predictable while others were not.

I gave this book 5 stars. I enjoyed reading it. If you like domestic suspense with twists and some dark humor, then this could be a good book for you.

I received an eARC from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my review 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.

Book Review: You Did Nothing Wrong by CG Drews

 

From the publisher:

Dark domestic suspense meets haunted house horror in this unnerving adult debut guaranteed to keep you awake for days afterward, from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Don’t Let the Forest In and Hazelthorn

The walls are closing in on her perfect new life.

Single mother Elodie’s life has become a fairy tale. She’s met Bren, equal parts Golden-retriever-devoted and sinfully handsome. He’s whisked her and her autistic son, Jude, to the crumbling family house he’s renovating. She has a new husband, a new house, and a new baby on the way. Everything is perfect.

Until Jude claims he can hear voices in the walls. He says their renovations are “hurting” the house. Even Elodie can’t ignore it―something strange is going on.

The question is, Is it with the house, or with her son?

And what is Elodie hiding?

You Did Nothing Wrong by CG Drews was released March 17, 2026 from St. Martin's Press.

My Thoughts:

I gave this book 4/5 stars. It is gothic horror coupled with domestic suspense at its best. 

We see what's going on in the house through Elodie's eyes. And Elodie is an unreliable narrator. The reader begins to wonder how much of the haunting is paranormal and how much of the terror in the house is from the people who live there. At first I liked Elodie. But as the book goes on, it becomes clear that something is not quite right with her. And Jude swears that the house doesn't like what they are doing to it to remodel it. Eventually Elodie asks him a loaded question: Who is hurting you? The answer is kind of played down some, I think mainly because Elodie doesn't want to believe it, but it is integral to the plot. 

The plot moves along at a good pace. There are a few flashbacks that slow it down a little, but bring us more information about the characters of Elodie and Bren. As the plot draws closer to the end, it moves at breakneck speed. The twists there really surprised me. And it is a plot and book that will stay with you after you've shut the book.

If you enjoy domestic suspense and gothic tales, then you will most likely enjoy this book. 

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

Book Review: I'm Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home by Fergus Craig

 

From the publisher:

After a decades-long stint in prison, former serial killer Carol is looking to kick back and relax in her new retirement home...until a fellow resident drops dead and Carol has to prove she actually didn't do it this time....

Carol is delighted to be leaving her tiny prison cell behind to take her place in a luxury retirement home. She's hoping her past as a serial killer won't come to light so she can make a few friends and find some murder-free hobbies. But it's not long before a fellow resident—who happens to be a former police commissioner—drops dead, and Carol's true identity is leaked—making catching up over daily activities of bingo and baking rather awkward.

Just her luck, Carol soon realizes that the victim wasn't the only former law enforcement officer at Sheldon Oaks—it's filled to the brim with former cops, barristers, and government representatives, her newfound friends included. And everyone thinks Carol's guilt is a no-brainer, but she is ready to prove them dead wrong...without killing anyone, for once.

I'm Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home by Fergus Craig was released February 17, 2026 from Berkley.

My Thoughts: I thought the whole premise was interesting from a retirement home filled with law enforcement and government officials to a main character who was formerly a serial killer.

Carol, the retired serial killer, has to prove her innocence if she has any hope of staying out of jail and staying in her nice new digs. She uses her history and personal experience as a killer to suss out who it might be. Her new friends help her reluctantly. Simply put, they are wary of her, but want to solve the mystery. With their backgrounds as a cop, forensic pathologist, and barrister/government official, the group is well equipped with Carol to solve the mysteries surrounding the death she witnesses from her balcony. I especially like that while the characters are older, none of them fit the doddering old pensioner stereotype, but are instead forces to be reckoned with.

The plot moved along at a good pace and maintained my interest. My only complaint was that there was evidence the reader is not privy to as they try and solve along with the group. There were many suspects, but in the end it was down to one. 

I enjoyed the mystery and the characters and gave it 4 out of 5 stars. If you have enjoyed mysteries like The Thursday Murder Club mysteries and Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn, then you will most likely enjoy this one as well.

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

Book Review: The Only One Who Knows by Lisa M. Matlin

 

From the publisher:

A disgraced TV news reporter returns to her violent hometown to investigate a series of deadly shark attacks in this nail-biting suspense novel from the author of The Stranger Upstairs.

“A gothic coastal noir about generational violence and the cyclical nature of predation, The Only One Who Knows is visceral, haunting, and impossible to look away from.”—Carter Wilson, USA Today bestselling author of Tell Me What You Did

Something is lurking below the surface . . . and it’s hungry.

With her polished persona as a morning show co-host, Minnow Greenwood seems to have it all. But behind the camera, something’s about to break. When a public meltdown shatters her facade, Minnow flees back to Kangaroo Bay—a grimy fishing town on Australia’s southern coast, where locals vanish and something deadly hunts in the water.

On her first night back, a horrifying shark attack rocks the town, adding another body to the unsettling list of deaths and disappearances. Then a former colleague arrives to investigate, so she reluctantly teams up with him to find answers for herself and keep her own dark secrets buried.

But with danger closing in, Minnow must unearth her town’s deadly past—and face the darkness festering inside her—before she becomes the next to disappear.

The Only One Who Knows by Lisa M. Matlin was released March 3, 2026 from Bantam.

My Thoughts:

This is my first time reading something that is dubbed gothic coastal noir. And I would have to say it met the criteria on all three adjectives as well as thriller. The description intrigued me. All of that, plus shark attacks. I have a love/hate relationship with sharks. Would hate to meet one, but love to know more about them. This does definitely not fall into the knowledge based fiction, but more sensationalist with the deaths by shark attack. And yet the sharks seem to add to some of both the gothic mood and the noir.

Minnow is a flawed character and narrator. We see most of what's happening, past and present, through her eyes. The beginning of the novel serves to show the difference from where she came to where she was currently before she travels home. Home is such a comforting word usually, but for Minnow, it has mixed emotions. She has memories both good and bad, and more violent than peaceful. I would have to say she is the only really well developed character. All the others are supporting characters in some way, shape, or form.

The story itself generally moves forward at a decent rate. There are some flashbacks that can be a little jarring. It is definitely a mystery/thriller as well. 

i gave the story 4 out of 5 stars. It kept my attention and kept me guessing. If you enjoy thrillers with an unreliable narrator and sharks, you will probably enjoy this book. Just a note, it does get a little gruesome at some points. And there is a fair amount of different kinds of violence.

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

Book Review: Dollface by Lindy Ryan

 

From the publisher:

Barbie meets Scream with a 90s nostalgia twist in this horror romp from Bless Your Heart author Lindy Ryan.

Horror author Jill has just moved to suburban New Jersey, hoping to fit in with the new PTA moms and maybe not weird everyone out with her Final Girl coffee mug. You know. Make some real friends.

But then a plastic face-masked serial killer begins slashing their way through town, one overly made-up mom at a time. The police are incredulous. The moms are indignant. And Jill is slowly wrapped into a killer’s murderous spree, until she might just be the last woman standing.

A delightfully murderous novel that is equal parts scathing and salacious, Dollface will win you over with its gossip and gore, one body at a time.

"A juicy, irreverent and bloody twist on the genre." - Variety

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed the book. I've enjoyed other things that I had read by Lindy Ryan, so I went into it thinking that I might enjoy this book as well. I like my horror a little on the light side. This was perfect for me. There were some scenes that were horrifying to be sure, but it all came together to make one good book.

From the minute that Jill has to answer the door in her bathrobe for her overly friendly new neighbor to the final scene, the book delivers on its promise. There is 90s nostalgia and horror trivia. There are mean girls. All that Jilly wants is to fit in and get her book written. The attacks and the growing friendship she has with Darla keep the book moving forward. It moves along at a good pace, right up until the final scenes with the plot twists. While I did guess at some of what was going on, I didn't predict all of the twists. That makes it a good book. It was unique. 

I gave this book 5 stars. I would recommend it to people who enjoy light horror and aren't too squeamish. There are a few scenes that are rather descriptive when it comes to the actual attacks.If you enjoyed other writings by Lindy Ryan, you will most likely enjoy this as well. Also, if you enjoyed Suburban Hell by Maureen Kilmer, you might enjoy this one as well.

Dollface by Lindy Ryan was released February 24, 2026 from Minotaur Books.

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

Book Review: Strange Animals by Jarod K. Anderson

 

From the publisher:

An ordinary man discovers a hidden world of supernatural creatures—and an unexpected home—in this enchanting contemporary fantasy debut.

Green trips on the curb, falls flat into the street, and sees the city bus speeding toward him. And then . . . blink. He’s back on the curb, miraculously still alive. A five-foot-tall crow watches him from atop a nearby sign, somehow unseen by the rushing crowd of morning commuters.

Desperate for answers and beset by more visions of impossible creatures, Green finds his way to a remote campsite in the Appalachian Mountains, where he meets a centuries-old teacher and begins an apprenticeship unlike anything he could imagine.

Under his new mentor’s grouchy tutelage, Green studies the time-bending rag moth, the glass fawn, and the menacing horned wolf. He begins to see past hidden nature’s terrors and glimpse its beauty, all while befriending fellow misfits—and finding connection and community.

Along the way come clues about the forces that set him on this path—and, most incredibly, a sense of purpose and fulfillment like nothing he’s felt before.

But Green’s new happiness promises to be short-lived, because alongside these marvels lurks a deadly threat to this place he’s already come to love.

Creepy, cozy, and beautiful, Strange Animals is a fantasy about home, belonging, and the fearfully wondrous nature all around us.

Strange Animals by Jarod K. Anderson was released February 10, 2026 from Ballantine Books.

My thoughts: The book kicks off with Green's death and not death as witnessed by a very large crow. This makes a lot of sense since crows are known to be something of a trickster spirit. And they can signify change as well. Change is definitely what the crow brings to Green. He is drawn to the mountains and to a particular campsite. And change continues to hound him in both good and bad ways (though I think mostly good) throughout the book.

I liked Green and his teacher as well as the camp owner Dancer. The characters all move him on his journey as do the events. There is seldom a dull moment even when it's quiet.

The pace of the book was well done. The ending was a little much, but it was foreshadowed and looking back could be seen that way. This is a standalone novel, but I am hoping that there will be more of these characters at some point in the future.

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars. I felt it was a well-written debut novel. I would recommend it to people who enjoy contemporary fantasy, found family, and stories with cryptids. 

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

Book Review: Wreck Your Heart by Lori Rader-Day

 

From the publisher: 

From award-winning author Lori Rader-Day, Wreck Your Heart is an engaging, “wisecracking and wonderful” crime novel with a big heart, about a country and midwestern singer out to catch her big break before family—or murder—wrecks everything.

Dahlia “Doll” Devine had the kind of hardscrabble beginning that could launch a thousand broken-hearted country songs, but now she’s the star of her own stage at McPhee’s Tavern. As part of Chicago’s—yes, Chicago’s—country music scene, Dahlia is an up-and-coming singer in spangles and boots of classic country tunes. Up and coming, that is, until her boyfriend Joey up and went, taking the rent money with him.

So Dahlia is back to square one, relying on Alex McPhee—again. Alex helped her out of a bad situation when she was a kid living rough with her mother. Now he’s part landlord, part band booster, all-around rescuer. It’s just that Dahlia wishes she didn’t keep giving him reasons to have to do it.

Just as Dahlia suspects she’s scraped rock bottom, the mother she hasn’t spoken to in twenty years shows up with something to say. The next morning, a distraught young woman arrives at the bar, asking after her missing mother—Dahlia's mother, too, even if the missing suburban PTA mom the girl describes sounds pretty different from the one who let Dahlia down all those years ago.

Though no one is using the word sister any time soon, Dahlia lets herself be drawn into reuniting the family that might have been hers. But when a body is discovered outside McPhee’s Tavern, the crime threatens not just the place Dahlia has made into a home, but everything she’s believed about her past, her dreams for the future, and the people she was just, maybe, beginning to let into her heart.

Wreck Your Heart by Lori Rader-Day was published January 6, 2026 by Minotaur Books.

My Thoughts: The characters were interesting, some more than others. Dahlia was probably the most interesting character in the book which is apt since it's a book about her. When the book starts, we see her at close to her lowest moment. She has been evicted because her boyfriend Joey disappeared with the rent money. She's carrying her belongings in a trash bag going back to Alex McPhee's Tavern. Her life after this point has its ups and downs. More downs than ups. Honestly I felt for her much of the time, but there were occasions where she came across to me as difficult and a little bratty. As the book progresses, the reader can see her changing. She grows emotionally.

Second most interesting character would be Alex McPhee. He is the neurodivergent owner and bartender of McPhee's Tavern. I thought that the author did a pretty good job of portraying him without hitting the audience over the head with his differences.

Plot wise, it's slow at first. When it picked up though, it kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next. The closer to the end, the faster the plot runs. I was rooting for Dahlia and her friends and family to come out alive at the end. The mysteries that drive the plot are varied. There's something for everyone.

I gave the book 4 out of 5 stars. Overall it is well-written. The characters are interesting. The plot moves once it gets going. I would recommend this mystery for people who like found family stories, a variety of mysteries, and diversity in the characters. 

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

Book Review: King Sorrow by Joe Hill

 

From the publisher:

Arthur Oakes is a reader, a dreamer, and a student at Rackham College, Maine, renowned for its frosty winters, exceptional library, and beautiful buildings. But his idyll—and burgeoning romance with Gwen Underfoot—is shattered when a local drug dealer and her partner corner him into one of the worst crimes he can imagine: stealing rare books from the college library.

Trapped and desperate, Arthur turns to his closest friends for comfort and help. Together they dream up a wild, fantastical scheme to free Arthur from the cruel trap in which he finds himself. Wealthy, irrepressible Colin Wren suggests using the unnerving Crane journal (bound in the skin of its author) to summon a dragon to do their bidding. The others—brave, beautiful Alison Shiner; the battling twins Donna and Donovan McBride; and brainy, bold Gwen—don’t hesitate to join Colin in an effort to smash reality and bring a creature of the impossible into our world.

But there’s nothing simple about dealing with dragons, and their pact to save Arthur becomes a terrifying bargain in which the six must choose a new sacrifice for King Sorrow every year—or become his next meal.

King Sorrow by Joe Hill was published October 21, 2025 by William Morrow.

My Thoughts: When I started this book, I didn't realize that it was more than 800 pages long. By the time I found out, I was hooked on the characters and the plot and wanted to see what would happen. That desire to see what would happen next to the characters drove me to finish the whole book in a little over a week. For me, that's great. It had been a long time since I had read a Joe Hill novel. I had forgotten just how much of a master he is at grabbing your attention and keeping it. And that he has such a way with words.

The characters were interesting. There are 6 friends who are definitely individuals. My favorites would have to be Gwen and Arthur. I loved the way that they did the crossword puzzle together. There were other things, but their sweet feelings for each other shone through.

Plot and pace wise, the book is fantastic. It has momentum. And so much happens with and to the characters it keeps your attention. There is a huge twist at one point that was surprising to me, but it works. And while there are dragons, there are other fantastical creatures as well. This is definitely a dark story. Still, I would read it again if my TBR list wasn't so long. Who knows, I might reread it some day anyway.

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars. The characters are real. There is plenty of action. The plot is interesting and well paced. If you have read and enjoyed Joe Hill, then this is a must read. Don't let the size deter you. You will want to finish it once you've started. It will get its talons into you and keep you reading to the end.

I borrowed my copy of King Sorrow from my local library. Check it out. You might love it too!

Book Review: A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett

 

Ana Dolabra and her assistant Dinios Kol are called in again to solve a seemingly impossible mystery. This time a man has disappeared from a locked room at the far edge of the empire. Ana and Din quickly discover there is more murder than missing about this crime. And discovering one mystery leads to another and things snowball fast. The number and complexity of mysteries puts Ana to work. The suspects and crimes seem impossible. And the perpetrators seem one step ahead of Ana which is nigh on to impossible. 

We see what's going on filtered through Din's eyes, much the same way Ana does. And we are privy to his worry that Ana may finally have met her match.

This is the sequel to The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett. It's the second book in the Shadow of the Leviathan series. It was released April 1, 2025 from Del Rey.

The setting for A Drop of Corruption is another well realized portion of the world we were introduced to in The Tainted Cup. This time we are at the edge of the Empire bumping hips with a more primitive autocracy. Some people are born into a life of nobility. Others are born as slaves. And still others are the ruling class of the autocracy. There is a busy port town which is primarily run by people from the Empire. More rural areas are home to the nobility and their slaves. And then there is the capital city where negotiations are taking place to give them a place in the Empire. The world is complex and fully realized.

I have read other reviews that compare the partnership of Din and Ana to Watson and Sherlock. This seems valid since both are told from the non  eccentric genius's point of view. And Ana and Sherlock are masters at deduction. My favorite other character is Malo who has enhanced vision, smell, and hearing. These things help Ana and Din to move towards solving the mysteries at hand.

The book gets your attention and keeps it. Every scene helps move the plot forward. There are very few slower scenes. And as I said, each mystery leads to another. They are not all solved until the big reveal scene, although we get many clues along the way. 

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars. It's very well written and enjoyable as a fantasy mystery. If you read The Tainted Cup and enjoyed it, this book is not to be missed. It can be read as a standalone, but it's better read in order. I recommend this book to people who like their mysteries in new, fantastical, fully realized settings. It's also perfect for fans of locked room mysteries.

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

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.

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.

Book Review: Killer Tracks by Mary Keliikoa

 

Sheriff Jax Turner of Misty Pines is invited on a getaway by his ex-wife Abby who he is trying to reunite with. This means leaving his second in command, Rachel, in charge of the unit while he's gone. It's not her, but leaving at all that has him anxious. And when Abby requests that they leave their service revolvers behind for the weekend, he has his qualms.

When they arrive at the cabin, there are signs of a break-in.  And soon other events follow that have the hairs standing up on the back of his neck and his suspicions in overdrive. A death with the markings of a serial killer that he put away ratchets up the tension. Meanwhile, they are dealing with a similar death in town. Add in a mysterious young woman and a wildfire for a few more elements and you have the makings of a thrilling mystery.

My Thoughts: This is a good, solid mystery/thriller. The action, thrills, and mystery start early on. They grab you and take you on a ride as the tension only increases. Jax and Abby are in danger in one place. Rachel and his deputies are dealing with dangers back in town. 

The book is told from Jax's viewpoint and Rachel's. We get to know more about both characters. And we get to see them both wrestle with issues and grow as people and law officers.

There's an unexpected twist to the ending of the crime storyline that works quite well. There is a personal twist as well.

I did have a little trouble suspending disbelief that two officers of the law would go someplace isolated and not carry their service revolvers. The shotgun makes a nice compromise.

Overall, I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars. The thing with the guns was my only complaint. Otherwise the mystery/thriller was well executed. I would recommend it to people who have been reading the Misty Pines series as this is book 3. But, it can probably be read as a standalone as well. Things were explained well enough to enjoy the mystery. So, if you enjoy fast-paced, small town mysteries, this could be a good book for you. It's not quite a cozy because it's professionals doing the crime solving, but it still has a little of that vibe.

Killer Tracks by Mary Keliikoa was released September 30, 2025 from Level Best Books. I received a copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my review.

Book Review: No Rest for the Wicked by Rachel Louise Adams

 

From the publisher:

With an expert hand, Rachel Louise Adams’s debut No Rest for the Wicked reads like an edge of your seat, heart-pounding scary movie.

In one Halloween obsessed Midwestern town, everyone’s on red alert after a local politician goes missing. Little do they know it’s only the beginning.

It’s been close to twenty years since forensic pathologist Dolores Hawthorne left her hometown of Little Horton, Wisconsin. The town is famous for its Halloween celebrations, but also its history of violent deaths linked to the holiday. To Dolores, it’s the place she fled, family, bad memories, and all. Until the FBI calls to tell her that her father--the former mayor turned US Senator--is missing under mysterious circumstances.

Some people count to ten to wake up from a nightmare. Dolores always counts the bones of her head instead: sphenoid, frontal, lacrimal. But no matter how many times she counts them, it doesn’t change the fact that her father is missing, that his final words of warning to her were to trust no one, and that now, the rest of her family is giving Dolores a chilling welcome. With Halloween fast approaching, Dolores must face the past she left behind before it’s too late.

No Rest for the Wicked by Rachel Louise Adams was released September 16, 2025 by Minotaur Books. I received a copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinion nor my review.

My thoughts: Overall this is a good book. I gave it 4 stars out of 5 possible. 

The characters are well drawn. Some you will probably like for the most part,  like Dolores. Others you won't like as much, like Charlotte. It was hard for me to figure out who the kidnapper was. It was a surprise twist and a good one. 

The book had good pacing. It begins right away with Dolores finding out her father has been kidnapped. This captured my attention. There's more than one mystery in this book. There is a subplot of what happened to Dolores all those years ago. Flashbacks help tell the tale and don't slow it down. There are also at least 2 other subplots. Most of the subplots enrich the story. The one about the stray cats, though, I felt could have been done without for the most part. It did help characterize the female police officer's place among the other officers though.

I felt like the synopsis was a little misleading. It focuses on the town being associated with Halloween and having deaths around that holiday. I thought it was gearing up for something paranormal to be going on. Don't get me wrong. It is still a very well written mystery/thriller. It's just that Halloween is more a coincidence rather than a plot point.

Also some people may prefer there to be trigger warnings for at least sexual assault and the cat subplot. Neither one is really done in great detail. The sexual assault is mostly behind closed doors. And the thing with the cats is likewise very minor part of the plot.

Overall I would recommend this book to people who enjoy thrillers and mysteries. It's basically well-written and interesting. And there are some good twists.

Have you read this book yet? What did you think? Will you add it to your TBR list? Leave a comment and share your thoughts with us.

Happy Reading!