A Book A Week

Like clockwork, each summer Riley Sager releases a new standalone thriller. While he’s made his name with horror-tinged novels like Lock Every Door and Home Before Dark, he’s never been afraid to push into new territory. This year’s release, With a Vengeance, may be his boldest departure yet. Instead of haunted apartments or eerie estates, Sager gives us a classic locked-room mystery in the style of Agatha Christie, set in the 1950s, aboard a train hurtling down the tracks, where a murder leaves every passenger a suspect. It’s a familiar setup, but one I couldn’t wait to see Sager twist into something of his own.

Anna Matheson has been seeking justice for her family ever since six individuals destroyed their lives back in 1942. Justice, of course, is never easily won. For twelve years, Anna has been carefully plotting her revenge, and tonight her plan finally comes into motion. She’s lured those responsible onto a luxury train bound from Philadelphia to Chicago, an overnight journey with no escape. Once trapped together, she believes they’ll have no choice but to confess, and when the train pulls into the station, the authorities will be waiting.

But the best-laid plans rarely hold. A murder aboard the train threatens to derail everything. Someone else is on board, and they're pursuing their own brand of revenge. The first victim is only the beginning. Suddenly, Anna finds herself in an unthinkable position protecting the very people she despises, all while racing to unmask a killer. After all, she can’t have her vengeance if her enemies die before they confess.

With a Vengeance feels like the most straightforward mystery Riley Sager has ever written, and I’m not entirely sure how I feel about that. I’ve come to expect original plots from him, filled with wild twists and at least a touch of the spooky or supernatural. While there are some clever reveals here, much of the story feels a bit too familiar. I also never fully connected with Anna as a main character. With nearly everyone else on the train painted as awful people, it was tough to root for anyone.

Maybe I’m being too picky. I do admire that Sager refuses to repeat himself, and with that approach, it makes sense that I’ll enjoy some of his books more than others. Taken on its own, With a Vengeance is a respectful homage to a bygone era of mystery writing. It didn’t thrill me in the same way some of his other novels have, but it’s still a perfectly fine, classic-feeling whodunit.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2025, 71)

How long do you give a book to win you over? For me, it’s usually within the first 50 pages. I can tell pretty quickly if I’m going to connect with a story, and if not, I’d rather move on. There are too many great books waiting to be read to waste time on something that doesn’t click. When I picked up Jennifer Hillier’s The Butcher, though, I didn’t need 50 pages. A coworker had recommended it, warning that it was dark, twisted, and impossible to put down. By the end of the first chapter, I knew exactly what they meant. I was hooked, and I tore through the rest of the novel in a single breathless rush.

The Beacon Hill Butcher terrorized Seattle for years, abducting and murdering young women with his signature brutality. That reign of terror ended in 1985, when Rufus Wedge—the alleged Butcher—was gunned down by police officer Edward Shank. Overnight, Shank became a hometown hero, celebrated for his bravery and eventually rising to the role of police chief before retiring decades later.

But that was a lifetime ago. Now in his eighties, widowed and slowing down, Edward is ready for one last transition. He's moving into a retirement community and passing his longtime home to his grandson, Matt. Matt Shank has gained local fame as the chef behind a fleet of popular food trucks and a hot new restaurant. Raised by his grandparents, he’s eager to settle back into the house that shaped him. But when backyard renovations uncover a buried, locked crate, Matt pries it open and finds a secret so dark it threatens to unravel not just his family’s legacy, but his entire life.

Jennifer Hillier wastes no time dragging readers into the twisted world of The Butcher. The very first chapter ends with a staggering revelation that reshapes everything you think this story will be. From there, the tension comes from watching the other characters circle around a secret we already know and wondering how long it will take before it all comes bubbling up to the surface.

Hillier doesn’t pull punches when it comes to grotesque violence or the disturbing realities of sexual assault. But she balances the horror with sharp pacing, ratcheting up suspense through a steady stream of reveals and flashbacks. Even though I guessed the final twist long before it landed, I still enjoyed watching it play out. The Butcher is a grim, twisted, and highly original thriller that kept me hooked straight through to the last page.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2025, 70)

The Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina are known as much for their beauty as for their mystery. No one knows this better than Annie Gore. She grew up in a small holler, where legend and tradition could dictate a way of life. She took the first chance she had to escape by joining the military right out of high school and working her way up to become an Air Force Special Investigator. But folks in those hills will tell you something always draws you back home. Now retired and working as a private investigator, Annie is about to be pulled back to the place she left behind.

Ten years ago, three little girls vanished from a tiny mountain town not so different from the one Annie grew up in. One returned. The others were never seen again. After a decade without answers, the brother of one of the missing girls hires Annie to find the truth. She knows it’s a long shot, but the money is good and her own need for answers runs deeper than she admits. As Annie digs into a case tangled in secrets, whispered folklore of witches and crows, and a community desperate to forget, she realizes the sins of the past aren’t buried at all. They’ve been waiting for her to come find them. 

In The Witch's Orchard, Archer Sullivan draws upon her own experience growing up in the mountains to craft a mystery steeped in the enigma of Appalachian folklore. Every page hums with a lived-in atmosphere that deepens the suspense. I was first drawn in by the central mystery of the missing girls, but I became even more captivated by the way the townspeople responded to it. Each person Annie encounters offers their own version of events, and each one seems increasingly tangled with a folktale turned horror story.

What’s real and what’s just local legend remains uncertain, and that ambiguity fuels much of the novel’s tension. Sullivan’s publisher kindly provided me with the audiobook version, and I found Emily Pike Stewart’s narration to perfectly capture the haunting, lyrical quality of Sullivan’s prose. This is top-notch mystery writing that blends compelling characters, a touch of folklore, and a chilling sense of place. All in all, The Witch’s Orchard is an atmospheric and absorbing read.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2025, 64)

Summer is in full swing, and this is the time of year when I find myself craving fast-paced page-turners—books that hook me from the very first page and don’t let go. While my definition of a perfect summer read has evolved over the years, sharp, punchy thrillers remain my seasonal go-to. Enter Girl in the Creek, the latest novel by Wendy N. Wagner. A horror-tinged mystery with an arresting cover that instantly caught my eye, it had a premise I couldn’t resist. The moment I read the synopsis, I knew I had to dive in.

Erin Harper has arrived in Faraday, Oregon, under false pretenses. She’s pitched a travel piece to a magazine, claiming the small mountain town is the next must-see vacation destination. In truth, Faraday is anything but. Nestled in the shadow of Mt. Hood, it's a fading community anchored by a decaying hotel overtaken by fungus and rot, a far cry from the charming getaway it once was. Erin’s real reason for coming is personal. Her brother disappeared here, and she’s determined to find out what happened.

Erin's brother isn't the first person to vanish. People go missing here. Always in the woods. Always without a trace. Erin thinks she might finally get answers when another young woman vanishes and later turns up dead in a creek. But the relief is short-lived. The girl disappears again—this time from the morgue—and her fingerprints resurface days later at a violent crime scene. Is it a serial killer? A town-wide cover-up? Or is something darker taking root in the forest itself—something ancient, infectious, and impossible to contain? Erin’s running out of time. If she doesn’t solve the mystery soon, she may become the next to disappear.

Girl in the Creek sees Wendy N. Wagner blend classic mystery elements with eco/body horror in an atmospheric page-turner that hooked me from the start. There’s something irresistible about a quiet small town hiding secrets, and Wagner taps into that unease with sharp prose and a breakneck pace. The story unfolds through alternating perspectives, keeping the tension high throughout.

The cast is fairly large, but the real focus is on Erin, whose character is the most fully developed. The others serve more as background players, which isn’t necessarily a flaw, but it does mean the emotional stakes stay closely tied to Erin's journey. One of the most imaginative points of view comes from a mysterious entity Wagner calls 'The Strangeness'—a force that’s as eerie as it is original. I’d love to say more, but to do so would spoil the fun. Suffice it to say, Girl in the Creek is a quick, creepy, and satisfying summer read that kept me glued to every page.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2025, 55)

I’ve heard my reading friends rave about Linda Castillo’s books for years. She’s been on my TBR list for just as long, but I’d never gotten around to reading her work. If I’m being honest, the idea of diving into a long-running series felt a little daunting. But when her publisher offered me a copy of her latest novel, Rage, I finally gave in. It’s the 17th book featuring Castillo’s heroine Kate Burkholder, and it quickly showed me why this series has become a must-read for so many.

The brutal summer heat has settled over Painters Mill, Ohio, but the temperature isn’t the only thing rising. Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is called to a grisly scene discovered by three Amish children: the dismembered body of 21-year-old Samuel Eicher, a well-respected young man who ran a successful landscaping business. It’s a horrifying sight and the start of something far more sinister. Before long, another body turns up, this time stuffed inside a barrel and dumped in a ravine. The victim is 21-year-old Aaron Shetler, Samuel’s best friend. Two young Amish men, murdered within days of each other. But why?

As Kate begins her investigation, she’s met with silence. No one wants to talk about the two men, and it quickly becomes clear that there’s more to this story than meets the eye. Just when the case seems to be hitting a dead end, a mysterious young woman surfaces with disturbing new information. Samuel and Aaron were involved with dangerous people, far removed from the simple, peaceful life they were supposed to lead. Whatever secrets they were keeping may have cost them their lives. And unless Kate can piece together the truth, she could be next.

Although this was my first time reading Linda Castillo’s Kate Burkholder series, I was instantly drawn in. Castillo builds a tense atmosphere, establishing both the mystery and the world around it with ease. Kate, a former member of the Amish community, brings a unique perspective to the investigation. Her personal connection adds an extra layer of emotional complexity to the story. This is a dark tale. The violence and crimes are portrayed with an unflinching intensity, and Castillo doesn’t pull any punches. Still, she weaves the mystery together with compelling characters and steadily rising stakes, culminating in a satisfying and well-earned conclusion. This may have been my first experience with the series, but it certainly won’t be the last.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.

(2025, 53)

Nita Prose first captured my imagination with her novel The Maid, which I read last summer. I was instantly charmed by her original protagonist, Molly the maid—a neurodivergent hotel cleaner who unexpectedly becomes the prime suspect in a murder investigation. I loved her so much that I immediately picked up the sequel and devoured it just as quickly. When a Christmas-themed novella featuring Molly was released last fall, I didn’t hesitate to read that too. Prose has a knack for blending witty scenarios, clever mysteries, heartwarming romance, and the theme of found family into books that are a true delight. Naturally, I was eager to pick up her latest installment, The Maid’s Secret.

The last few years have brought plenty of change for Molly. First, her Gran succumbed to cancer, leaving her to face the world alone. It could have been terrifying—and at first, it was—but Molly soon found herself surrounded by people who accepted her, quirks and all. Since then, she’s been promoted to Head Maid at the Regency Grand Hotel, found herself entangled in two high-profile police cases, reconnected with her long-lost grandfather, and even got engaged to the love of her life, Juan Carlos, a cook at the hotel. Yes, change has been a constant, and with a wedding on the horizon and a recent promotion to Special Events Coordinator (in addition to her duties as Head Maid), Molly is learning to embrace it in all its forms.

But nothing could prepare her for the biggest change yet.  A film crew has arrived at the hotel to shoot the hit reality TV show Hidden Treasures. Just for fun, Molly brings in a shoebox of her Gran’s old belongings for appraisal, and to everyone’s shock, one item turns out to be a rare and priceless artifact. Suddenly, Molly becomes a rags-to-riches story, the kind that captures audiences across the nation. But just as she begins to process this overwhelming turn of events, another twist hits. The artifact is stolen in a bold heist.

The key to solving the mystery may lie in the locked diary of her late grandmother. To find the stolen treasure and regain control of her rapidly spiraling life, Molly will have to confront her family’s past and uncover secrets of Gran's history before it's too late. 

With The Maid's Secret, Nita Prose continues to expand the world of her beloved heroine, pushing Molly’s story forward while peeling back the layers of her family's past. As the series has evolved, the sharp, twisty mysteries that defined the first two books have given way to narratives that lean more toward the cozy mystery genre. The stakes are lower, and the primary focus shifts more toward romance and personal discovery. It’s still enjoyable, but I’ll admit I miss the intrigue and tension that made the earlier books so gripping.

Prose alternates between present-day chapters and entries from Gran’s diary, offering a deeper glimpse into family history. While these glimpses eventually tie into the current mystery, I found myself less engaged with the diary sections. Ultimately, The Maid's Secret retains many of the elements that made the first book such a delight (Molly’s unique voice, the hotel setting, the warmth of found family), but their impact has softened. It’s a fun, feel-good read, just not quite a must-read.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2025, 49)

Are you in a book club? For as much as I read each year, you’d probably be surprised to hear that I’ve never had much luck with them. I’ve taken part in virtual discussions, read the same books as friends, but I’ve never officially joined a club. That changed recently when a co-worker invited me to take part in a new club they’d started. At first, I wasn’t sure I could commit to a monthly discussion, but then I learned the group would focus exclusively on thrillers. I was in. This month’s pick is What the Wife Knew by Darby Kane.

Addison’s marriage was brief and unexpected. Everyone who knew Dr. Richmond Daugherty was surprised when the renowned pediatric surgeon married the much younger Addison, his second wife. They were even more surprised when, just 97 days later, he died after a mysterious fall down the stairs, leaving his grieving young bride the sole beneficiary of his fortune. Suspicion immediately falls on Addison. After all, there had already been two suspicious “accidents” before this one. And if Addison’s being honest, she hadn’t married for love. No—she always intended to get revenge and take down this powerful man. His untimely death may have altered her plans, but she’s far from finished with the late doctor.

Then there’s Kathryn, Richmond’s first wife and the mother of his children. From the start, she suspects Addison’s involvement and leads the charge to convince authorities of her guilt. But are Kathryn’s motives as pure as they seem? What really caused her marriage to fall apart in the first place? As the layers of this tangled drama unfold, it becomes clear that no one here is innocent. Family, love, and revenge all collide in dangerous ways. Only one thing is certain. You won’t see the ending coming.

In What the Wife Knew, Darby Kane delivers a psychological thriller packed with twists, time jumps, and shifting perspectives. I’ll admit, when I first started listening to the audiobook, I found myself hitting rewind more than once just to keep track. Many of the key players are women with personal vendettas against the deceased Richmond Daugherty, and their voices can blur together, especially in audio format. I imagine the story would be easier to follow in print—something to keep in mind if you’re considering how to read it.

That said, the pacing is relentless. Kane keeps the reader intentionally off-balance, jumping from one scene to the next as she constructs a layered mystery that only clicks into place once the final piece is revealed. Each character operates with self-serving motives, and even the victim proves to be deeply unsympathetic. As a result, there’s no real moral center or character to root for, which, for me, brought the book down a notch.

Still, I’d be lying if I said the final quarter didn’t have me hooked. Revelation after revelation hits in rapid succession, and though the ending feels a little abrupt after all that buildup, it’s still an undeniably gripping ride. It may not be my favorite thriller of all time, but it’s certainly a fun, twisty one. I’m looking forward to unpacking it with my book club later this month.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2025, 48)

I’ve always been fascinated by what inspires an author to write a book. Think about it—authors have to come up with an idea compelling enough to sustain months, sometimes years, of writing. That idea then needs to be strong enough to get published, and ideally, resonate with readers. When you really stop to consider all that, it feels like a minor miracle that any book gets written at all. I’ve read and enjoyed several of Laura Lippman’s novels over the years, so when her publisher offered me a copy of her latest, Murder Takes a Vacation, I jumped at the chance. I was even more intrigued to learn that the protagonist is a side character from an earlier Lippman novel, one that the author now feels was shortchanged by the cultural blind spots of the time. That kind of creative reexamination is fascinating. But it left me wondering, can that kind of reflective impulse truly serve as the driving force for an entire novel?

Muriel Blossom never played the lottery, so it came as a shock when she stumbled upon a discarded ticket in a parking lot—one that turned out to be a winner. She tried to do the honest thing and return it. After all, she hadn’t purchased the ticket, so how could she claim the prize? But when no rightful owner came forward, the lottery board awarded the winnings to her. Suddenly, the widowed retiree found herself with more money than she’d ever dreamed, and she was determined to make the most of it.

That’s how Mrs. Blossom finds herself at the airport, about to embark on a European adventure and French river cruise. It feels like a turning point—a chance to shed the skin of the overweight, sixty-something grandmother and embrace something new. So when she meets the charming Allan in the airport security line, she allows herself to feel desirable again, something she hasn’t experienced since losing her husband a decade earlier. But when Allan turns up dead in Paris, a city he wasn’t even supposed to be visiting, Muriel’s suspicions grow. They only intensify aboard the river cruise, especially when Danny, a mysterious man with a knack for appearing at the wrong moments, begins shadowing her. He claims Allan was involved in smuggling a stolen, priceless work of art, and insists Muriel knows more than she’s letting on about both the artifact and Allan’s murder.

What began as a trip to reinvent herself is quickly turning into much more than she ever bargained for.

In the author’s note of Murder Takes a Vacation, Laura Lippman reflects on Muriel Blossom’s first appearance as a hired surveiller for her heroine Tess Monaghan back in the mid-2000s. At the time, Muriel was presented mainly as a caricature—an elderly grandmother figure defined by her flowery attire and weight. Now, Lippman writes of wanting to correct that, giving Muriel far more agency over her life, her appearance, and her desires. In this novel, that effort is largely successful. Muriel may retain many of the same surface characteristics, but she is now portrayed as a woman grappling with grief, aging, and a renewed determination to live life on her own terms. She remains a larger woman, but she embraces that fully. The stigma surrounding weight has rightfully shifted, and Lippman writes Muriel as vibrant, desirable, and a hero in her own right.

But does that transformation make for a compelling read? The answer is more complicated. Murder Takes a Vacation works well enough as a diverting summer mystery, but it often feels like a mash-up of genres. It leans toward the cozy mystery tradition, but there’s a darker undercurrent here that pushes beyond the usual conventions. While Lippman clearly set out to right some of the perceived wrongs of the character’s original portrayal, that effort sometimes feels more self-conscious than seamless. In the author’s note, she mentions learning more about obesity and aging, and working with sensitivity readers, but at times this seems to dilute the sharp, distinctive voice she’s known for. The result is a light, quick read whose aims I admire, even if the execution feels a bit more forced than organic.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2025, 47)

I’ve often preached the good word about author Stephen King, urging readers to look beyond his horror proclivities—most of which he hasn’t fully embraced in decades—to recognize that he is, quite simply, one of the best authors writing today. His prose flows effortlessly, his plots are consistently imaginative (even if he doesn’t always stick the landing), and above all, he creates characters that feel fully lived-in. While I do enjoy the eerie, often unsettling situations that form the backbones of many of King’s novels, it’s the characters who keep me coming back.

Among the most compelling of those characters is Holly Gibney. What began as a supporting role in the Bill Hodges trilogy has evolved into something much larger—she’s now appeared in two standalone novels, a novella, and she continues to grow in complexity with each new outing. Clearly, she’s taken up as much space in King’s imagination as she has in ours. With Never Flinch, King brings Holly back for another dark, gripping mystery, cementing her place as one of his most enduring protagonists.

Detective Izzy Jaynes is at her wits’ end with her latest case. It begins with the Buckeye City Police Department receiving a letter from a disturbed individual threatening to kill thirteen innocent people and one guilty person, retribution, they claim, for a jury that wrongfully convicted an innocent man. The threat turns all too real when a murder victim is found clutching the photo of a juror involved in that conviction. When a second body turns up under the same circumstances, Izzy knows she needs help, and fast. She turns to her friend Holly Gibney.

Holly, meanwhile, has her hands full. As the head of the private detective agency Finders Keepers, she’s juggling multiple cases while working to keep the business afloat. Her latest assignment is serving as bodyguard to Kate McKay, a controversial and outspoken women’s rights activist on a multi-city speaking tour. While McKay’s events draw passionate supporters, they also attract aggressive detractors—one of whom has begun actively targeting her. What starts as disruptions quickly escalates, and Holly is brought on to provide protection. The task is anything but easy. Kate is headstrong, and the stalker is growing bolder, driven by wrath and a dangerous sense of righteousness. With two intense cases demanding her attention, Holly must work quickly to untangle both before more lives are put at risk.

In Never Flinch, Stephen King puts his beloved hero Holly Gibney at the center of two intersecting mysteries. There's no supernatural twist this time. As with her previous outing, the real horror lies in the monstrous acts ordinary people are capable of. Both plotlines build toward a convergence that showcases King at his page-turning best. That said, I found myself wanting to enjoy this novel more than I actually did.

Part of the issue lies in the setup of the two central cases, both driven by timely but overtly political themes. The injustices of the court system and the attacks on women’s rights are undeniably relevant, especially in today's climate. I often agree with King’s views, but here the political messaging felt more forced than organic, unlike the seamless way he incorporated COVID into Holly. The themes themselves are worthy. It's their execution that feels heavy-handed.

Then there’s the handling of queer characters. There is one possibly transgender character and two gay characters who seem to exist mainly to serve tragic ends. The language used doesn’t always reflect contemporary understanding or nuance, either. While I know King is passionately progressive on many issues, his portrayal of queer characters continues to lag behind the care and depth he affords others.

These missteps might have been easier to overlook if the mystery had delivered more surprises. The story builds nicely and ends in a satisfying place, but it all feels too predictable. Never Flinch is a decent crime novel, but it doesn't reach the heights of the best entries in the Holly Gibney series or in King’s larger body of work. I enjoyed it, but I expected more.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2025, 46)

Happy Pride Month! While I try to read books that feature diverse stories year-round, having dedicated celebratory months is a great reminder to keep making space for them. I’ve always been a sucker for a good mystery, devouring crime novels as quickly as I can, so when I saw that Erin Dunn had written a murder mystery and a gay romance, it felt like the perfect match. I dove in eagerly, and He's To Die For turned out to be, well… to die for.

Detective Rav Trivedi is a hotshot, and he knows it. At 29, he’s the youngest homicide detective in the NYPD, with a solve rate that even seasoned vets envy. He stands out in more ways than one. He’s a gay Brit with an Ivy League education and an impeccable sense of fashion. But his instincts are razor-sharp, and he has the track record to prove it. So when a high-profile record executive turns up dead, Rav is the obvious choice for the case.

He approaches the investigation with the confidence and precision it demands. The media is watching, the tabloids are circling, and social media is already buzzing. Rav stays focused until he meets Jack, the smoldering, emotionally tortured rock star with a potential connection to the crime. Is Jack a suspect? Absolutely. Is he also the kind of swoon-worthy distraction Rav doesn’t need but can’t resist? Also yes. And just like that, things start to get very complicated.

He's To Die For is a delightful genre mash-up that delivers something for everyone. There's a compelling murder mystery to satisfy crime lovers, and a slow-burn romance full of chemistry and charm for fans of love stories. Dunn strikes a smart balance between stakes and levity, infusing the novel with plenty of heart and humor. It’s the kind of feel-good, fast-paced story that’s incredibly hard to put down.

No, the mystery isn’t the most shocking I’ve ever read, but that’s not the point. This is warm, escapist fun that just happens to center on a queer love story, and that representation makes it all the more enjoyable. A little murder, a little romance, a lot of charm—He's To Die For is a stylish, satisfying read that's a perfect pick for Pride.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2025, 44)

Carl Hiaasen has built a career out of sharp, satirical novels set in his native Florida—books that blend tightly woven plots, eccentric characters, and a dry, biting wit. I hadn’t read one of his novels in several years, but when his publisher offered me a copy of his latest, Fever Beach, I jumped at the chance to dive back in. I’m glad I did.

Fever Beach begins with Dale Figgo, a man so astoundingly dim he was kicked out of the Proud Boys—not for his hate, but for his stupidity. During the January 6th insurrection, Figgo proudly smeared feces on what he believed was a statue of Ulysses S. Grant. In reality, it was Confederate General James Zachariah George. For the Proud Boys, this was a bridge too far. Not the act itself, of course—just the misdirected target.

Banished and undeterred, Figgo doubles down, founding his own fringe extremist group, the Strokers of Liberty. Yes, you read that right. A band of conspiracy-loving MAGA castoffs who are united by their far-right paranoia and, incredibly, a shared passion for masturbation. This is Carl Hiaasen at his most unhinged—and, somehow, his most on-point.

Enter Viva Morales, a broke, newly divorced woman desperate for housing, who ends up renting a room in Figgo’s crumbling apartment. She works for the Mink Foundation, a supposedly philanthropic organization led by grotesquely over-surgeried billionaires Claude and Eletra Mink, who, behind closed doors, are quietly bankrolling the far-right agenda. Viva eventually joins forces with Twilly Spree, a wealthy environmentalist with a volatile temper and a tendency to cause public scenes. Together, they're pulled into a tangle of dark money, political corruption, and motivations murkier than a Florida swamp.

Hiaasen presents a rogue’s gallery of misfits and monsters in a sprawling satire of political chaos, personal vice, and pure Floridian madness. Fever Beach delivers everything readers have come to expect from him: tangled plots, outrageous hijinks, environmental subtext, and a parade of morally suspect characters. But in our current post-truth era—shaped by the shadow of a Donald Trump presidency—Hiaasen’s political satire feels more pointed than ever. And he doesn't hold back. Fever Beach is a blistering commentary on disinformation, corruption, and the cult of personality, with Hiaasen’s trademark humor cutting through the absurdity like a machete in the mangroves.

Is it subtle? Not at all. But it’s wildly entertaining. Equal parts screwball crime caper and scathing political farce, Fever Beach reminded me why Hiaasen has remained a distinctive voice in American fiction for decades. This one’s political, folks, and it’s all the better for it. Buckle up. It’s a wild ride.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2025, 39)

I was first introduced to Alex Finlay’s writing through his 2023 novel, What Have We Done, a fun, fast-paced thriller, if a bit over the top. I liked it well enough, but it didn’t leave me eager to rush into more of his work. Still, when I came across the premise of his latest novel, Parents Weekend, I was intrigued. What can I say? I’m a sucker for a good mystery, and this one had a setup that hooked me right away. Even better, the kind folks at Macmillan Audio gave me a copy of the audiobook. With curiosity piqued, I dove in.

It was supposed to be the perfect weekend. At this celebratory gathering, proud parents would visit their children at a small private university in California, eager to reconnect and acknowledge their kids’ hard work. The festivities were set to begin with a formal dinner, bringing students and families together. But when five students fail to show, what initially seems like harmless college rebellion—maybe a party, a last-minute change of plans—soon takes a darker turn. As the hours stretch on with no word from the missing students, concern gives way to panic. Campus police join forces with outside authorities, and by morning, a full-scale search is underway. Are the students simply off the grid? Or is something far more sinister unfolding on the beachfront campus?

Parents Weekend hooks you with a simple setup and unspools into an effortlessly engaging thriller. Alex Finlay has a knack for crafting fast-paced stories. His latest is no exception. That said, it’s not without its flaws. The novel revolves around five missing students, and Finlay toggles between multiple perspectives—students, parents, and investigators—creating a large cast that initially feels a bit unwieldy. It took me a while to get everyone straight. Fortunately, Brittany Pressley’s narration in the audiobook helps to distinguish the characters, and by the halfway point, I was able to settle in and just enjoy the ride.

And really, that’s the best way to approach a Finlay novel. Just go with it. Are the characters deeply developed? Not particularly. Will the twist blow your mind? Probably not. But Parents Weekend is pure popcorn entertainment—absorbing while it lasts, even if it doesn’t leave a lasting impression. For me, that makes it a perfectly fun summer read.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2025, 34)

Rock climbing is no small feat. It demands athleticism, skill, and unwavering focus. Finn knows this well. An experienced climber, she respects the risks that come with the sport she loves. As she prepares for her latest ascent into the Australian wilderness, Finn isn’t just checking the strength of her ropes and gear—she’s also bracing herself for a different kind of challenge.

For years, Finn and her best friend Daphne were inseparable, bonded by a heartbreaking connection. Both lost their sisters to suicide. That shared grief became the foundation of a deep friendship. Time marches on, though, and now Finn is in a new chapter of her life, building a relationship with her girlfriend, Magdu.

Hoping to bridge the gap between past and present, Finn invites both women on a celebratory climb. She’s triple-checked the gear and done her best to prepare emotionally. But nothing could prepare her for what happens next.

As the book’s title ominously suggests, Magdu's rope snaps. In an instant, a joyful adventure turns into a nightmare. Stunned and grieving, Finn must reckon with the possibility that this wasn’t just a tragic accident. As doubts creep in and secrets rise to the surface, she’s forced to question everything she thought she knew about the people she loves, the life she’s built, and what really happened on that cliff.

Girl Falling sees Hayley Scrivenor explore the fragile threads of friendship, family, and the trust we place in those closest to us. The tragic accident that opens the novel is merely the spark for a series of thrilling and deeply emotional revelations. Scrivenor masterfully weaves between past and present, giving readers glimpses into Finn’s relationships with both Daphne and Magdu, even as we watch her navigate the grief and uncertainty that follows Magdu’s death. This dual timeline adds a richness that pushes the story beyond a typical mystery.

There’s also a powerful commentary on the relationship between Finn and Magdu, particularly in the way Magdu’s parents struggle to accept their daughter’s sexuality. Scrivenor touches on this with nuance, offering an important reminder that LGBTQ+ rights aren’t just about love or marriage. They’re about the right to grieve, to be acknowledged, and to be treated with dignity in every corner of life.

Ultimately, Girl Falling delivers a suspenseful mystery with real emotional heft. While the twist at the end didn’t entirely land for me, it didn’t take away from the novel’s overall impact. It’s a solid, thoughtful read that I thoroughly enjoyed. 

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2025, 29)

It’s a late summer night in 1995 when newlyweds April and Eddie take a wrong turn. Their honeymoon isn’t off to the smoothest start. They’ve been driving for hours, struggling to find the small resort town where they’re supposed to be escaping from the world. Still, they’re basking in the glow of newlywed bliss, content to be lost as long as they’re together. A little detour will just be another story to laugh about someday.

Then, in the glow of their headlights, they see her—a lone hitchhiker standing by the side of the deserted road. Against their better judgment, they stop. What’s a little more of a detour, after all? But as the young woman climbs into their car, April and Eddie notice something chilling: blood is seeping through her jacket. Before they can ask what happened, a pair of headlights appears in the rearview mirror. A truck is coming—fast. And whoever’s behind the wheel isn’t stopping.

By the time the night is over, the hitchhiker is dead, April and Eddie are shaken but alive, and the local police have more questions than answers. A string of unexplained murders has plagued this stretch of road, and now, with no one else to blame, the honeymooners find themselves at the center of it all. Determined to clear their names, April and Eddie begin digging into the town’s shadowy past, only to uncover something far worse than a killer. There’s something unnatural at work here, something that has haunted this road for years. And if they’re not careful, it won’t just take the town’s secrets to the grave. It’ll take them, too.

I was first introduced to Simone St. James through The Broken Girls, and I was immediately drawn in by her ability to blend a gripping mystery with a supernatural touch. Executed with such skill, that combination made me an instant fan and eager to read more of her work. Over the years, she’s released two more novels—each intriguing, though with diminishing returns. The supernatural elements that once captivated me started to feel formulaic, more of a gimmick than an organic part of the story.

Would Murder Road fall into the same trap? I’m happy to say it didn’t. From the start, St. James pulls readers into a deceptively simple setup: a couple wrongly accused of murder. Setting the novel in the 1990s adds a nostalgic, retro feel that heightens the atmosphere, making it easy to sink into the eerie, slow-burning tension. And while the supernatural is still present, it feels more naturally woven into the narrative this time. Ultimately, Murder Road plays like a classic B-movie. It may not be the most groundbreaking thing I’ve ever read, but it is undeniably entertaining. With its ghostly murder mystery and cinematic feel, it delivers precisely what it promises: a chilling, fast-paced thrill ride.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2025, 19)

Nora Roberts was a constant presence in my home growing up, with many of my earliest memories of my mom reading involving one of her paperbacks in hand. Despite being well aware of her work, I had never actually read one of her books myself. Under the pseudonym J.D. Robb, Roberts has been writing the In Death series for decades, and as a fan of murder mysteries, I figured this long-running series would be the perfect place to start. When her publisher offered me a copy of Bonded in Death, the 60th installment, I was excited to finally take the plunge.

Decades ago, Giovanni Rossi belonged to a secretive organization known as The Twelve. The Urban Wars were a time of chaos, but Rossi had long since left that life behind, settling into a peaceful existence in Rome with his wife. Yet, his ties to The Twelve were never truly severed. When an urgent call from an old comrade came, he had no choice but to answer. Rossi landed in New York, stepped into a waiting car—and was dead within minutes.

Lieutenant Eve Dallas is baffled by the case. There’s no clear evidence, no witnesses, and even the most advanced technology turns up nothing. She’s at a dead end until a link to the Urban Wars of the 2020s surfaces, leading her to an unexpected connection—Summerset, a longtime confidant and former wartime medic.

Summerset’s reaction to the crime is immediate and deeply personal. He confesses that he, too, was once part of The Twelve, a past he has spent decades trying to forget. But now, with a killer methodically hunting down its former members, he has no choice but to confront old ghosts. A chilling message makes one thing clear: others have already fallen, and the mission isn’t over yet.

As I began reading Bonded in Death, it quickly became clear that I had some catching up to do if I wanted to fully appreciate J.D. Robb’s long-running In Death series. Set in a futuristic world brimming with advanced technology and urban innovation, the novel offers a setting that modern-day investigators could only dream of. While Robb provides enough surface-level context for new readers to follow along, I couldn’t shake the feeling that having prior knowledge of the characters and their relationships would have deepened my connection to the story. That said, I was immediately drawn into the mystery at the novel’s core. The blend of espionage, suspense, and a seemingly impossible case made for a compelling read that kept the plot moving at a steady pace.

What surprised me most was the humor woven throughout the narrative, bringing moments of levity even amid high-stakes tension. The novel ultimately builds to a satisfying conclusion, even if the resolution isn’t entirely shocking. While jumping in at book 60 may not have been the ideal way to experience this series for the first time, I can see why these characters and this world have captivated readers for decades.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2025, 12)

Meeting the family is nerve-wracking in any new relationship, but it's downright suffocating for Theodora Scott. And why wouldn’t it be? Her fiancé, Connor Dalton, belongs to the notoriously wealthy and secretive Dalton family. Their whirlwind romance has gone from a chance meeting at one of Theo's art shows to an engagement in just six months, and now she’s traveling to Idlewood, the Daltons’ isolated winter retreat, to meet the family for the first time. Theo knows the stakes are high. She's determined to prove she’s in this for love, not their fortune.

But something isn’t right. Theo has received anonymous text messages for weeks warning her to stay away from Connor. Dismissing them as pranks, she steels herself to make a good impression. Yet the moment she steps into Idlewood, Theo can’t shake the uneasy feeling creeping over her. The family’s frosty reception is bad enough, but then there’s the unsettling familiarity of the place. Strange footprints appear outside her window. A disused cabin on the property hides something impossible: a photo of Theo as a child, taken at Idlewood. Theo barely remembers her earliest years, but the splintered memories that emerge point to secrets someone in the Dalton family is desperate to keep hidden. As Theo inches closer to uncovering the truth, she realizes she’s not just an outsider trying to win their approval—she’s a threat. And the Daltons will do anything to protect their legacy, even if it means silencing her forever.

Kate Alice Marshall has built a reputation for crafting atmospheric thrillers that keep readers on edge, and her latest, A Killing Cold, is no exception. After making her mark in YA fiction, Marshall broke into adult thrillers with the exceptional What Lies in the Woods, a gripping mystery that delved into the perils of memory and generational trauma. I thoroughly enjoyed that novel and was thrilled to receive a copy of this newest standalone from the publisher. From the first chapter, Marshall establishes a sense of creeping unease. Theo, our protagonist, feels like she’s wading into waters far deeper than she’s prepared for, and it quickly becomes apparent that she’s harboring secrets of her own. As her fiancé’s family secrets come to light, the narrative twists into a tangled web of deceit, ensuring no character—and no reader—is left entirely sure of the truth.

I alternated between reading and listening to the audiobook, and Karissa Vacker’s narration was, as always, a highlight. Her voice brought a chilling immediacy to Theo’s mounting paranoia and the story’s steadily escalating tension. Marshall expertly keeps the reader slightly off balance, just enough to ensure that when the big reveals come, they land with maximum impact. The pacing is relentless, ramping up as threats grow more urgent, culminating in a genuinely shocking conclusion. With A Killing Cold, Marshall proves once again that she’s a master of the winter thriller, delivering an irresistible blend of atmosphere, suspense, and twists. She’s quickly becoming one of my must-read authors.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2025, 11)

Meg has spent years numbing herself to the world. Working undercover in a casino, she uncovers scams by day and plays high-stakes poker by night, with booze and oxy providing her with an escape from emotions she’s spent years trying to bury. But when she learns of her sister Haley’s death, Meg is jolted into a reality she’s been avoiding. Estranged from her country-singing sister for years, Meg is stunned to hear Haley overdosed on heroin. Haley had her demons, just like Meg, but something about her death doesn’t sit right. Especially since she died in the very rehab clinic she checked herself into.

Determined to uncover the truth, Meg does the unthinkable—she voluntarily commits herself to The Clinic, an exclusive and luxurious rehab facility nestled in the Pacific Northwest. She smuggles in her own stash of oxy to get her through, but her real mission is to investigate the secrets hidden behind the facility’s pristine exterior. Once inside, Meg discovers a place where no one can be trusted. The doctors have secrets, the patients have ulterior motives, and every interaction feels like a move in a dangerous game.

As Meg inches closer to the truth about her sister’s death, she finds herself caught in a web of lies and danger. She’ll have to play her cards right to survive. With every revelation, the stakes grow higher, and her own safety hangs in the balance.

Cate Quinn’s The Clinic opens with atmospheric intrigue. She introduces a deeply flawed protagonist in Meg, whose journey is easy to root for despite her rough edges. The setting oozes suspense and unease, immediately drawing you into its creepy allure. As much as I appreciated this initial setup, the novel ultimately didn’t come together for me.

Quinn alternates perspectives between Meg and Cara, the manager of The Clinic, but this narrative choice felt uneven. Meg’s chapters were compelling, and I was fully invested in her journey. On the other hand, Cara's perspective felt underdeveloped, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that the story would’ve been stronger if it had stayed solely with Meg. What should have been a taut, quick-moving thriller felt overly long, weighed down by shifting perspectives and an overabundance of subplots that struggled to find their focus. By the time the twists and revelations began to unfold, I was less engaged, more eager to finish than to savor the story.

The ending was clever and surprised me, but it felt like too little, too late. The potential for a fast-paced, atmospheric thriller is there, and Quinn certainly knows how to create tension and mood. Unfortunately, The Clinic gets bogged down in excess, burying the sharp, focused story it might have been.

For more information, visit Amazon and Goodreads. 

(2025, 9)

“Life is a fairytale that rarely hands out happy endings.”

Grady Green’s world crumbles on what should have been the happiest day of his life. The moment of his greatest triumph as an author instantly shatters into his worst nightmare. He's on the phone with his wife, Abby, sharing the great news. While driving, Abby stops for something on the road. Despite Grady’s pleas, she steps out of the car. The call goes silent. When Grady reaches the scene, all he finds is Abby’s abandoned car—door open, headlights illuminating an empty cliffside. Abby is gone.

A year later, Grady is a broken man. With Abby still missing and no answers in sight, he drowns in grief and alcohol, unable to move forward. His writing career has collapsed, too. His second novel remains unwritten, prompting his publisher to cancel his contract. Grady's agent, desperate to salvage her client and his career, offers him an escape in the form of a retreat to a secluded writing cabin on a remote Scottish island.

At first, the isolation seems like it might provide the clarity Grady needs. But as he settles into the cabin and its eerie surroundings, unsettling stories about the island’s past begin to surface. Then, Grady sees the unthinkable: a woman who looks exactly like Abby. As reality and grief blur, Grady must confront the mysteries of the island, his wife’s disappearance, and his unraveling mind. Is Abby truly gone? Or is there something on the island that defies explanation?

Beautiful Ugly sees Alice Feeney craft a missing-person tale that intertwines themes of creativity, marriage, and grief. While I’ve had mixed reactions to her previous novels, I eagerly accepted a copy of this one from her publisher. Feeney hooked me immediately with the intriguing mystery of Abby’s sudden disappearance. The novel pulses with a sense of unease, heightened by the eerie setting of an isolated island cabin disconnected from the outside world. The story unfolds through Grady’s present-day perspective as he uncovers the island’s dark secrets, interwoven with flashbacks from Abby’s point of view, revealing her life in the days leading up to her disappearance. Both narrators prove unreliable, keeping readers unmoored and engrossed throughout.

Feeney’s signature shocking twists are in full force here, and Beautiful Ugly culminates in one that I didn’t anticipate. While surprising, though, the twist didn’t feel entirely earned. The best plot twists carry a sense of inevitability upon reflection, with breadcrumbs scattered along the way. Though effective in delivering an over-the-top shock, this one feels abrupt and disconnected from the story's foundation. Despite this, the novel’s suspenseful build-up and immersive atmosphere make it a compelling read. Fans of literary suspense will find much to appreciate in the tension and mood that Feeney so expertly weaves.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2025, 4)

Christmas is a time for giving, togetherness, and sharing the season's joy. While I’m a sucker for the heartwarming holiday stories that flood the season, I’ve found them becoming a bit predictable. Recently, I’ve been searching for something different. This year, I was thrilled to come across You Better Watch Out, a thriller set during the holidays by James S. Murray (of Impractical Jokers fame) and Darren Wearmouth. With its eerie twist, it’s a fresh, unexpected Christmas novel that blends holiday cheer with a dash of horror—just what I was looking for.

Just days before Christmas, Eddie Parker is making the long drive home when he pulls into Old Forge for a quick stop. It’s a classic small town, the kind that time—and everyone else—seems to have forgotten. As he browses the dusty shelves of the general store, his eyes are drawn to an elderly couple shuffling through the aisles. A glimpse of crisp bills in the woman’s purse catches his attention, and despite knowing better, temptation gets the best of him. Old habits die hard, and Eddie could use the extra cash. He follows them out, ready to make his move. But just as he’s about to strike, he realizes he may have underestimated his targets. A sharp sting on his neck is the last thing he feels before the world darkens.

Jessica Kane wakes with blurred vision and a splitting headache. Her fingers brush her forehead, coming back slick with blood. Panic sets in. Where is she? How did she get here? As her vision clears, she recognizes the town of Old Forge, but something is wrong. The once-familiar place is completely abandoned, draped in eerie, vintage Christmas decorations as if frozen in time. But it’s not the past she’s traveled to. Soon, Jessica discovers five other strangers, including Eddie, each with no memory of how they arrived in this strange place. They share the same confusion and dread, but one thing is clear: they must find a way out. Escape, however, won't be easy. Someone is hunting them, methodically orchestrating their deaths, one by one. Each time, they watch helplessly as another life fades before their eyes. They must find a way out of this nightmare before they become the next victim. 

You Better Watch Out isn’t your typical holiday read. It unfolds more like a horror thriller than anything else, making for a refreshing take on the genre. Authors Murray and Wearmouth fully embrace the fun of this unique narrative, crafting a gory and thrilling holiday tale that feels like a blend of A Christmas Carol and the Saw movies. The characters aren’t exactly good people. They find themselves in a scenario that forces them to confront their past while seeking redemption for their futures. But first, they’ll have to survive.

I went into the novel blind and was blown away by the adrenaline rush it delivered. There’s a central mystery surrounding the mastermind behind this holiday horror, and the twist caught me completely off guard. While you might need to suspend some logic to fully enjoy the ride, don’t let that deter you. You Better Watch Out is a thrilling, clever novel that is a unique addition to the holiday reading season.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2024, 77)

Curdle Creek has long been a sanctuary for its residents, an all-Black community seemingly frozen in time since the late 1800s. This quiet, isolated world offers safety and stability, especially when compared to the volatile, racially charged 1960s that rage beyond its borders. Yet, this peace comes at a cost. Osira, a 45-year-old widow, has lived her entire life in Curdle Creek, a town bound by tradition where adherence to strict rituals is the price of survival. One such ritual, the annual "Moving On," demands that the community votes for one resident to sacrifice each year in exchange for collective well-being. It's a harsh and unquestioned reality, especially for Osira, whose mother is one of the town’s ruling matriarchs.

Despite spending her life within these rigid confines, Osira begins to see cracks in the veneer of this supposed utopia. Her own husband was "moved on" years ago, and her children have mysteriously vanished. With her world slowly unraveling, Osira begins questioning the traditions she’s lived by and whether life in Curdle Creek is worth the price. As doubt stirs within her, Osira embarks on a journey into the past, seeking the truth about her community and the rules that have governed it for so long.

I’ll admit, the striking cover first drew me to Yvonne Battle-Felton’s Curdle Creek. Its gothic mystery vibe was impossible to resist, and when the publisher offered me the audiobook, it felt like the ideal pick for spooky season. But this isn’t horror in the conventional sense—the cover only hints at the deeper, more intricate narrative inside. Battle-Felton has created a fever dream of a novel, delving into themes of race, motherhood, and tradition. The questions the story raises aren’t easily answered, which may shape your overall impression of it.

Osira, the protagonist, is trapped in a dilemma, torn between the life she’s always known and the possibility of something different. The first three-quarters of the novel delves into this internal conflict, delivering thought-provoking drama. However, in the final act, Osira embarks on a time-travel journey that pushes the narrative in a direction that left me more confused than intrigued. Complex themes like those in Curdle Creek are often best conveyed through straightforward storytelling, which the book largely does well. Despite an overwrought ending, it remains a compelling exploration of the allure of utopia and the harsh costs often hidden beneath its surface.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2024, 76)