The Compound by Aisling Rawle

 Survivor/reality show thriller falls flat.

In the near future, a group of 20 contestants is taken to a remote desert compound where they will compete to be the last person remaining there for a reality television show. To win, the young adults must outlast each other in a series of group and personal challenges. They have to do tasks or manipulative performances to get basic necessities such as water along with special luxury items. The relationships of the contestants is fraught as they jockey to avoid banishment. It's survival versus spectacle in the worst way. 

The main character is Lily, who is about the dumbest in the compound. I should have DNF but I kept going hoping that things would speed up but this was very slow moving and quite boring. The premise was good but the execution missed the mark and never brought the thrills. The rest of the characters were so over the top ridiculous at times and the emotional attachments so superficial but perhaps that's down to their ages as most were barely out of their teens. This was like bad YA as I didn't identify with or like any of the female or male competitors. The pacing was off and the things that went on in the compound between the contenders seemed overly cruel at times as well as exploitative. Once the majority of the players were eliminated, the way that the remaining participants carried on trying to win just left me shaking my head in disgust. It was astounding (and not in a good way) what these young people were willing to do and say to be the last one in the compound. Materialistic and immature, left to their own devices, they became quite unpleasant. The conclusion left no doubt that this was a book I should have left unread. 

I listened to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. It was OK. I finally had to just stop and finish as I read much faster than the narrator. I wanted it to be over.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.

Tags and genre - young adult feel, reality show, romance, manipulation, sex, survivor thriller 

We Are All Guilty Here (North Falls #1) by Karin Slaughter

 Tense, exciting, and suspenseful southern gothic crime thriller. 

Two teenaged girls vanished during the North Falls Independence Day fireworks celebration. The small town in Georgia erupted and things eventually settled down when two men were convicted and put in prison. Twelve years later, another young girl disappears under similar circumstances just when the jailed man is released. Surely he’s not doing it again so that means that perhaps they put away the wrong man for the crimes. Deputy Sheriff Emmy Clifton is haunted by her missteps during the original investigation and now must work with a retired FBI consultant to unpack more than a decade of buried secrets and lies to solve the abduction and bring the latest missing girl home. 

This was so good, I couldn’t bear to step away from it. Other than annoying repetition of some statistics here and there, the writing was excellent and the fast pace kept me glued to the pages. The characters were also quite interesting and well-developed with depth and vulnerablitilies. The small town atmosphere where everyone knows each other and where there is a lot of history with the families, past crimes, and unresolved guilt makes it all a bit haunting. The evil in the bad guys is palpable. The innocence of the victims tainted by their desire to grow up too soon is heart wrenching. The blaming. Oh and did I mention the twists and surprises? It really is a well plotted story and I understand this is the first in a new series. I definitely will look for the next installment. 

There was a time when I swore I’d never read another one of this author’s books. I think many readers know why and which book. But, this one reminds me of why I liked the previous titles by Karin Slaughter. Fingers crossed she doesn’t cross my line again! 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator, Kathleen Early, did an excellent job of voicing all the characters and giving this novel the appropriate dramatic flair. The pacing was good and I enjoyed the immersive experience of this production. 

Don’t miss out on this new series.

This is the first in a new series.

Tags and genre - this book was a lot of things: crime thriller, southern gothic, secrets and lies, murder, rape, kidnapping, abduction, family drama, pedophilia 

The Hitchhikers by Chevy Stevens

 A suspenseful thriller that kept me on edge.

Don’t pick up strangers or help people if you’re on a road trip as no good deed goes unpunished. 

3.5 stars rounded up.

The year is 1976 when Alice Bell and her husband, Tom, take off in their new Winnebago for a road trip east across Canada. They are in recovery after a trauma and want to regain closeness and intimacy in their marriage. They’re nice people. And they are certainly not prepared for the terrible events that transpire when they meet a young hitching couple, Blue and Ocean, in an RV park and campground. He’s 21 and she’s 18 and pregnant. They don’t look dangerous, but looks can be deceiving and Alice and Tom find this out when Alice discovers that the couple, whose names are really Simon and Jenny, are murderers on the run. The killers take Alice and Tom hostage and force Alice to drive as Simon continues his brutal actions at every stop on this terrible journey. 

This was a real nail biter and I was sickened by the brutality and violence and despised the two young adults who were terrorizing Alice and Tom as well as others they encounter on this trip. The psychological drama exacerbates as the story is told in dual perspectives of Alice and Jenny as they both are trying to survive. The line between victim and villain blurs at times in a Stockholm Syndrome way as it becomes clear that Simon will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Definitely dark and tense as Alice and Tom are held captive facing increasingly dangerous situations. It was even more compelling set in this time before cell phones and the internet which made escape and getting help even more difficult especially along the isolated stretches of highway and small towns along the way. It was very frustrating at times for this reader who wanted Alice and Tom to get away even though every attempt was thwarted, not to mention Tom being so severely injured and incapable. Alice was very strong and I rooted for her to overcome. I know I am meant to feel sorry for Jenny but I probably didn’t get to that level of emotional empathy for her despite her backstory.

And yeah, people talk about the ending. I thought it was somewhat contrived, yes, but not unexpected. I was glad it concluded on that note. There was just a lot of violence and cruelty in the book that bothered me quite a bit and I wished the worst for Simon.  This was definitely an emotional read. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrators, Lindsey Dorcas (Alice) and Moniqua Plante (Jenny) did a fabulous job of voicing the characters. Their dramatic flair, tone, believability and speaking styles definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book. 

This is a standalone and not part of any series.

Tags and Genre - some triggers include rape, sexual assault, infant loss, lots of violence, murder, parental murder, cross country road trip, Canada, psychological, thriller 

Murder Most Haunted by Emma Mason

 Locked room cozy mystery with a humorous edge.

At her work leaving party, Detective Midge McGowan is gifted what she thinks is a truly terrible retirement present: a weekend getaway with Haunting Holiday Excursions. Along with a small group of eccentric strangers, Midge is taken to an old, purportedly haunted mansion. Of course the weather worsens and the party is snowed in. The owner of the tour has taken their phones and when someone is found murdered, they are unable to call for help. The guests are also teased by the appearance of a ghost whose sighting is meant to indicate that a death will occur. Sheltering in the house with no outside support, Midge comes into her own as she uses her long unused detective skills to uncover the killer. 

The characters in this group of misfits were well drawn and indeed interesting. Along with Midge, there’s a paranormal investigator who is recording interviews for his podcast, a doctor and his wife, a pop star just out of rehab, and the bus driver, as well as the owner of the tour. Another character is Bridie who is Midge’s wife. Midge is in her mid fifties and has a bad knee. She was never an actual case investigator but spent her career in the property room. None of them were very likable and Midge is a very odd duck, quite antisocial and probably neurodivergent. She has a tragedy in her past that has also probably affected her personality. There’s some wit and humor with the interactions. Definitely some extreme coincidence going on here with the plot. The pace is rather slow and the ultimate reveal kind of came out of nowhere which I don’t appreciate. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by he publishers. The production was a full cast recording with different voices for all the main characters. This really brought the book to life and provided an entertaining and immersive experience that definitely enhanced my overall enjoyment of the book. Definitely recommend. 

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.

Genre and tags: locked room mystery, murder, cozy, incidental LGBT

The Expat Affair by Kimberly Belle

 Slow burn mystery and psychological fiction.

Rayna Dumont, an American expat who fled to Amsterdam after a messy divorce, has a one-night stand with a Tinder date. When she wakes up the next morning, she finds Xander dead in the shower and hears that millions of dollars worth of diamonds were stolen from his safe. Soon Rayna finds herself stalked and followed as dangerous criminals think she knows more than she does. Her life becomes entangled with the Prins family who have huge generational wealth with their diamond house because Xander happens to have been their employee. The wife of Thomas Prins, Willow, befriends Rayna and soon the two of them are evading bad actors and trying to uncover the truth about the murder and the missing gems. 

Although the premise sounded promising, the story didn’t quite deliver the excitement, thrills, and suspense that I expected. I wasn’t really very attached to either of the two main characters who switch off point of view in the narrative. Both Rayna and Willow seemed suspect to me as both were unreliable, told lies, and kept secrets. Their decisions were questionable. Much of the action and events strained credulity and, after awhile, the whole convoluted mess of what happened with Xander and what was going on in the family and with the diamonds went on far too long. Perhaps if you’re really interested in the whole diamond industry you might find it more fascinating than I did.  I definitely appreciated the Amsterdam setting and enjoyed learning more about the city and the life of expats there. The conclusion was unsurprising.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both  provided by the publishers. There were two narrators, one of whom whose voice I much preferred over the other, but neither really were that great, especially when doing the accents — oh my. Jennifer Jill Anaya voices Willow and Marni Penning voices Rayna. There were other characters they did as well and there was not enough distinction for my satisfaction. The males fared the worst. Despite this annoyance, I like listening while reading as it enhances my appreciation for a book.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.

Genre and tags: mystery, psychological fiction, murder, diamond industry, family drama

Murder at the Royal Palace (Lady Eleanor Swift #23) by Verity Bright

 

Another hit in this long running historical cozy mystery series.

Come along with Lady Eleanor Swift and her new husband, Detective Chief Inspector Hugh Seldon, as they travel to Buckingham Palace to see him knighted. As their usual luck would have it, a royal guard, Dilly Dalrymple, collapses and is carted off to the hospital where he later dies. 

If you read the previous book, you’ll remember that Hugh is resigning his position with Scotland Yard, and he, Eleanor, and Clifford are going to establish their own detective agency. Well, they get their first case when Dalrymple’s brother, Sir Leonard, head of the royal police, asks them to find out if Dilly was murdered. And they’re off with the whole household joining them in London as members of the new agency. As they all unofficially snoop around the Tower of London to find answers, they uncover palace gossip, adultery, secrets, and a hint of a long lost treasure. 

As always, the descriptions and history that surround the mystery are well researched and quite interesting. Learning about the Beefeaters was fascinating as were the facts about the Tower and its Hill by the Thames. I enjoy the characters and their interactions which are often quite witty and droll. I’m glad that Hugh and Eleanor are finally married and that their new agency seems to be taking off. The next books in the series should be quite entertaining.

Bookouture Blog Tour October 1, 2025

Thank you for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend. 

This is definitely a series that begs to be read in order from the beginning for full appreciation. 

Tags and Genre - cozy historical mystery, London, Tower of London, murder, detective agency

A Tour To Die For (The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco Mysteries, #2) by Michelle Chouinard

Entertaining cozy mystery thriller, the second in a series featuring San Francisco tour guide Capri Sanzio.

While Capri, a true crime podcaster and self proclaimed investigative journalist, is taking her guests on a city tour, one of them claims to see a woman attacked inside a building. Although the police don't find anyone there, the woman (Leeya Styles) who lived in the apartment and had a successful art studio in the garage there, is later found dead. Of course, Capri and her colleagues Heather and Ryan, decide to investigate. There's no shortage of suspects between Leeya's boyfriend, her sister, mother, the mother's fiance, and Leeya's ex bestie. In addition, there's a connection with Capri's former husband, Todd, who always seems to be in a financial quagmire. Capri manages to connect with the police and get lots of inside information via her new love interest, SF Homicide Inspector Dan Petito.

This was quite the complicated mystery as information about the San Francisco setting, its Gold Rush history, landmarks and all past true crime lore is almost a character. In addition, a unique piece of art provides some clues. So there's lots going on in the narrative and it will keep readers guessing. It's fast paced and hard to put down. Capri is a fun main character, especially given her age ("sidling up to fifty") and she's got a colorful family story and past. I did read the previous one in the series, but am struck again by how well this author writes. She has an incredible way of stringing words together and her dialogue is amazing. Lots of twists and red herrings but it all comes together.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator, Stephanie Nemeth-Parker, did well by giving clear and distinct voices to the characters and also because of the emotional tones she adds to her performance. With the huge list of characters in the book, this would definitely benefit from a larger cast, but she did an excellent job. The production enhanced my enjoyment of the book. 

This is the second in a series that should be read in order.

Genre and tags - cozy mystery thriller, murder, San Francisco history, Gold Rush, crime 

The Hostess by Cat Oyster

 Dark, disturbing and absorbing science fiction novelette that left me wanting more.

I did not realize this wasn’t a full length novel before I requested both the e-book and the audio book ARC from the publishers. I typically don’t read novelettes, novellas, short stories or whatever way they’re presented because I often end up disappointed that there isn’t enough depth to the story. That is true in this case for sure.

The premise is so intriguing — a young woman (the Host) lends out her body to a Guest through a virtual program run by a company known as the Leisure Life Club. They advertise that they can give the buyer or member the entire world from a chair in minutes. Of course the program is very popular and the Host has absolutely no control over who buys her body and her time. Some of the Guests play fast and loose with their purchase and Michaela and her friend, Susan, end up with unexplained bruises and other trauma, including rape. Of course this can’t be proved even though the girls request their activity logs — obviously altered to protect the Guest and the company. They are trapped even as they live well above the rest of the inhabitants of New York City in a dystopian future world that is all too believable.  

There’s some great contemporary social commentary within the narrative and I just wanted a deeper dive. Yes, lots of questions about the ending. Quite enjoyable. It is very thought provoking and scary which make for a good discussion for a book club. Definitely probes themes of body autonomy and exploitation as well as what the world of life and work might look like in a future with AI and other technology replacing what things are like today. 

Page count: approximately 58 pages. Quick read/listen but it will stay with you.

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by NetGalley and the publishers. The narrator, Susan Spano, did a fabulous job of voicing the main characters and providing appropriate dramatic flair. The production definitely provided an immersive experience that enhanced my enjoyment of this novelette.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.

Genre - tags science fiction, future, dystopia, mind altering, abuse, rape, trauma, technology 

Sharp Force (Kay Scarpetta #29) by Patrica Cornwell

 It’s Christmas time in Virginia, but this killer isn’t leaving any presents.

Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta investigates a serial killer known as the Phantom Slasher. The psychopath uses advanced technology and hologram ghost apparitions to stalk the victims before viciously murdering them at night in their homes. The targets are savagely attacked with a knife and also sustain deep bite wounds. There are no clues until the latest death is discovered on Christmas Day with a twist — there’s a survivor. This woman, however, is connected to Kay’s family and to a psychiatric facility on Mercy Island. 

I really enjoyed this with both Kay and Benton involved in the investigation and work side by side looking at scenes and examining evidence. Of course the rest of the gang is also involved, Lucy, Tron, and Marino doing their thing. Kay’s sister Dorothy gets on my last nerve every single time. I love the forensic and medial details and descriptions, but all of the technology and AI is almost as interesting. I was surprised, however, with how the huge build up and collection of evidence, etc. let to an abrupt denouement and quick conclusion. All of a sudden it was over. Case closed. The side plots all connected in a fell swoop. I did appreciate that most of the focus in the story was on the case but, as always, too much digression into the family relationships which I could do without. I’ve read every book in this series and always eager for the next one. Glad Kay is back working as a medical examiner and in Virginia. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator, January LaVoy, is brilliant with voices. She does a good job for both male and female characters and each has a distinctive accent and expression that sets them apart. The tone and emotion matches the story and creates an enjoyable immersive experience. This production definitely enhanced my appreciation of the book and I recommend a listen.  

This is book 29 in a series that should be read in order from the beginning. 

Genre - forensic pathologist, medical examiner, crime thriller, suspense fiction, murder, technology

Rage (Kate Burkholder #17) by Linda Castillo

 This Amish mystery series is still going strong.

In the middle of a summer heat wave, Painters Mill Chief of Police Kate Burkholder investigates the brutal murders of two young Amish men. The case leads her into probing the dark secrets and dangers lurking beneath the surface in her normally quiet community. She is forced to confront a sinister operation that goes deeper than she imagined and, once again, puts her in the crosshairs of the criminals and her life in danger.

How Kate continues to survive all the accidents and assaults she endures never ceases to amaze me. She's definitely one tough cop, and sometimes it's a bit much, but I really like her so I just go with it. I also like her husband, Agent John Tomasetti, who works for the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and who always manages to come to her rescue at the most opportune moment. The regular cohort of Painters Mill cops: Skid, Mona, and Pickles, are there to back her up and help catch the bad actors. 

This was entertaining and absorbing and I do love a well written crime thriller and police procedural. The plot was good and always enjoy the Amish aspect of these novels. I appreciate the relationships, the characters, and the setting. Definitely always look forward to the next installment.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator, Kathleen McInerney, did a good job with the female characters and the Amish words and phrases. I always wish that there would be a male voice to perform those roles to enhance the production. The audio provided a great immersive experience and increased my enjoyment of the book.

This is the 17th book in a series that should be read, in order, from the beginning.

Tags and Genre - police procedural, crime thriller, mystery, Amish, Trafficking, drugs, murder 

The Thursday Murder Club #1 by Richard Osman

 I read this because I’d heard a lot about it and also wanted to watch the adaptation on streaming. It was  murder light with a lot of unnecessary complexity and was a real strain on my credulity. 

This retirement home is seriously upscale and its residents really on the ball for being in their eighties. Not only that, but they have such interesting backgrounds and can acquire delicate and sensitive information from all sources. The four main members of the Club sure get around a lot and manage to outmaneuver the police team assigned to the murders the two owners of the property. 

There were way too many characters in this novel and many unneeded for the plot. It seemed to drag in places and the traveling seemed a bit much. I guess I wasn’t as taken with it as so many others, but glad I read it. Will I read future installments? I don’t know!

This is the first of a series to be read in order.

Tags and genre - mystery, murder, octogenarians, retirement community

A Very Bookish Murder (Ally McKinley Mystery #3) by Dee MacDonald

 

Blog Stop for Bookouture 9-21-2025

Come along to the small, Highland village of Locharran where a writers’ retreat turns deadly.

This is the third in the Ally McKinley cozy mystery series. Ally, owner of the Auld Malthouse B&B, is providing guest accommodations for some of the women attending, including the guest of honor, famous novelist Jodi Jones. Unfortunately, the author is found dead the first night. When Detective Inspector Rigby arrives at the scene, he suffers a heart attack and a replacement is sent to do the investigation. Of course Ally will assist in any way she can. The mystery deepens as she does some sleuthing and discovers accusations of infidelity and plagiarism leveled against the murdered Jodi Jones. One of the women attendees is indeed the killer, but which one. Then another woman is found dead.

This was generally as predictable as expected with the red herrings and the suspects being eliminated one by one. A few surprises might catch one off guard, but the conclusion is satisfying even if foreseeable. Ally is a decent character but maybe just a little too much sometimes with how she ends up everywhere doing everything around the whole town. I mean nobody is so all that all the time. Not a fan of the Ross relationship as it’s just, again, formulaic and a convenient trope. I like reading these cozy mysteries after a run of hard core thrillers just for a reset. 

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review. I’ve read both previous books in this series and recommend that anyone looking for a modern cozy set in the Scottish Highlands start at the beginning. 

This is the third book in the series.

Genre and tags - cozy mystery, contemporary, murder, amateur sleuth, Scottish Highlands

Her Many Faces by Nicci Cloke

 3.5 stars rounded up to 4

This was an interesting way to write a psychological mystery with a bit of courtroom drama and contemporary social commentary.

Four wealthy members of an exclusive London club are poisoned at a private party after drinking some brandy laced with a lethal dose of cyanide. Almost immediately, a waitress who served the group is arrested. Katherine Cole is charged and remanded for trial. The story is told from the perspectives of 5 men in her life. Her father, a childhood friend who has a crush on her, a man she is obsessed with and stalks, her lawyer, and a journalist. Each offers a different view of this girl.  Is she guilty? 

Without spoilers, it’s hard to define what kept me from rating this higher. In many ways, it was predictable. Because we do not hear from Katherine (who has many different names given to her by the men), it’s hard to know what to think of her other than I felt she was a messed up young woman. The parts about the conspiracy nuts was disturbing. I did not care at all for the character, Katherine, nor most of the men. There was a bit of a twist, but still ended up being predictable and somewhat of a let down after all.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The story was improved by the performance of the full cast with narrators including Sachin K. Sharma, Colin R. Campbell, Isaac Gryn, Maxim Ays, Louis Hill, Harvey Quinn and Florence Howard. Each did an excellent job of voicing the characters and providing appropriate dramatic flair. The production definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.

Genre and tags - mystery thriller, suspense, crime thriller, psychological thriller, courtroom drama, conspiracy nuts, Covid

Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell

 Satisfying domestic and psychological thriller.

Nina Swann is wooed by an old friend of her recently deceased husband. She's a bit vulnerable to his charms but her daughter, Ash, is immediately suspicious because Nick Radcliffe gives her the creeps. Some of the things he says don't add up, so she starts looking into to his background. 

In a nearby town, Martha, a florist with her own successful shop, becomes increasingly distressed when her husband, Alistair, keeps disappearing on sudden, extended, business trips.

If he's too good to be true, you can bet he's a manipulative and dangerous man. A very plausible tale about several women who find that their lives are intertwined through the same man who is exposed as a fraud, a sociopath and a murderer. 

This was so good that I could not put it down until I'd finished. The author is a master storyteller with the ability to construct fully fleshed out characters and a plot ripped from television serials and tabloid headlines. It rang true because this exact thing does happen to many women in all walks of life. And probably with increasing frequency because of the ability of the con artist to find and target those who are lonely or who want relationships. It's not just women, but is more often than not, that they are the ones deceived. Even though the reader knows the mind of this swindler, there is tension and concern as things start to fall apart for him. I loved how it all came together with a gratifying resolution and a fitting ending.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. Oh wow, what a fantastic full cast on this recording. The narrators, Richard Armitage, Joanne Froggatt, Tamaryn Payne, Gemma Whelan, Louise Brealey, and Patience Tomlinson did an amazing job of bringing the characters to life and giving them unique voices and personalitiees. The production created a fully immersive experience and I highly recommend you give it a listen. Definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.

Genre and tags: con man, multiple identities, swindler, liar, murder, secrets 

Other People's Houses (DC Ffion Morgan #3) by Clare Mackintosh

 Complex crime thriller - the third in the DC Morgan series.

This story follows two interconnected cases and a cold case. DC Ffion Morgan is investigating the death of a female estate agent found in the Awen River inside a kayak while on a work trip in Wales. DS Leo Brady, Ffion's boyfriend, is working on another series of crimes on The Hill. Residents living on The Hill have lots of secrets behind the doors of those opulent homes in the area’s most highly desired post code in Cheshire. They may be wealthy, but they definitely don’t have everything. Recently they’ve suffered a rash of home burglaries and an old, unsolved murder also happened there. 

This novel was quite cleverly plotted and, although there were a lot of characters, each seemed individual and well developed. There's more information about the relationship between Ffion and Leo. His ex wife, Allie, a wanna be member of the clique on The Hill, is also involved peripherally in the goings on. The author blends mystery and humor with a bit of social commentary as well. It all comes together with a satisfying conclusion.

I like crime thrillers and police procedurals because I like the details about the investigation process and the realistic pursuit of a criminal. The author does a great job describing the police work. The inclusion of the true crime podcast demonstrates the popularity of that media as well as how it affects the cold case inquiry. I enjoy the interaction between Ffion and Leo and their developing personal bonds. Although this could be read as a standalaone, I think it is more enjoyable having read the previous books and knowing the backstory. I'm looking forward to the next installment in this excellent series. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrators, Chloe Angharad Davies, Joe Eyre, and Penelope Rawlins, were amazing. Their accents and flawless Welsh made the story more authentic. I was quite glad to have the book text in front of me at times, however, as delivery is fast. The cast created a great immersive listening experience and enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

This is the third in a series that should be read in order.

Genre and tags - police procedural, mystery, cold case, podcast, murder, estate agents, social climbers, secrets, affairs, burglary 

The Girl with Ice in Her Veins (Millenium #8) by Karin Smirnoff

 A complicated and dark mystery thriller. 

This is the 8th book in the Millenium series and its third author as the books featuring Sweden’s Lisbeth Salander continue. Lisbeth is a trauma survivor and is more of an anti-heroine in most of the stories. She’s full of tattoos and piercings and definitely has her own moral code though she typically goes after any man who hurts a woman. With her fighting skills and photographic memory, she’s hard to forget or to come up against. 

In this novel, Lisbeth takes a back seat to her precocious niece, Svala, who at age 13, is already a talented writer and a confirmed environmental activist. Svala has gotten involved with a group of activists who are protesting development of new mines in Gasskas. It also happens that Lisbeth’s friend and best hacker, Plague, has been kidnapped and taken north. As luck would have it, Mikael Blomkvist, happens to get a new job revamping a local newspaper in Gasskas so those three are there together when it all goes down.

This was very slow moving at first and it wasn’t until the last part of the book that the action picked up. Not a lot of concentration on Lisbeth or her unique skills, as the shift to Svala as some kind of kid genius. Lots of deaths per usual and lots of icky people. Sometimes the writing is so ambiguous that the reader isn’t sure what is going on and so I was confused at times. Although there is as character list at the beginning, it’s hard to keep the relationships of some of the characters straight so I’d advise you to keep that handy. Also, this isn’t a book you can jump into if you haven’t read the other books in the series. I’d suggest you start from the beginning. Too much backstory.

Unfortunately, the plot just didn’t keep my interest and this is not my favorite of the series. I wanted more Lisbeth doing her thing and less about her romantic woes. Not ready for Svala to take the lead or for Lisbeth to train her up. Blomkvist is getting up there in age so we need a new guy pal to be Lisbeth’s wingman so he can get over Lisbeth and take a break. 

I tried to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided to me by the publisher. The narrator, Simon Vance, didn’t work for me. His voice drove me crazy and he sounded like an old man and mumbled. Everyone sounded the same and the accents for different people weren’t always that great. I had to stop listening. Usually an audio book enhances a book for me but not in this case.

This is book #8 in the series which should be read from the beginning in order.

Tags and genre, mystery thriller, crime fiction, vigilante, hacker, Nordic noir, Scandinavian, Sweden

Dead Line (Arliss Cutter #7) by Marc Cameron

 Pulse pounding crime and wilderness thriller.

In this 7th book of the series (and the first I have read), Deputy U.S. Marshals Arliss Cutter and Lola Teariki and their cohort are heading into the frigid Alaskan tundra on a manhunt for a contract killer as well as a dangerous group of assassins. The two cases are not connected, but they intersect in one of the coldest parts of the final frontier. 

One of the main “characters” in this book has to be the cold weather. Reading about temperatures going into double negatives below zero made me shiver. Everything was made more difficult because of this extreme cold as it affected not only all the people but also all of their equipment. I can’t even imagine the type of cold that the team was forced to endure in their quest to find the evil killers as well as their protected witness and his mother. All of the characters in this story were intriguing and I hate that this is the first of the stories I’ve read not knowing the backstory though the author definitely gives enough information to answer most questions. Since I want more detail, I plan to go back and pick up some of the previous titles while waiting for the next in a series that is bound to become one of my favorites.

I liked the action, the plot, and the suspense in this thriller. I was fully invested in the work done by this interagency group in this location. I have always been fascinated by Alaska and the type of people who live there. 

I love how the book has a cast of characters at the very beginning. I really appreciated being able to refer to this before I started as well as after I had finished. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator, David Chandler, did a great job with his deep, smooth voice and ability to perform various accents necessary for distinguishing between the many characters. His work definitely enhanced my enjoyment of this book and created the perfect mood for a totally immersive experience.

This is the 7th book in a series that should be read from the beginning, in order. This, however, is the first one I have read and I will definitely go back and catch up.

Tags and genre - US Marshals, assassins, Polish mob, murder, weather, Alaska, manhunt

Burned Bridges (Irene Rivers #1) by John Gilstrap

 Exciting, suspenseful, action packed thriller is the first in a new series featuring former FBI Director, Irene Rivers. 

After she brought down the President and was ousted from her job at the FBI, Irene moves her family to West Virginia and settles in the house that her grandparents had owned. Kelly is a teenager and Wyatt, age 12, is the nephew she is raising. The small family is used to notoriety and looks forward to the quiet country life. That is not to be. Events escalate after Wyatt finds the body of a young male stuffed into a shallow cave opening on their large property. Soon Irene and the kids are caught up in local politics and find that a local and powerful family controls or is responsible for almost everything that goes on in town. As the corruption and coverup extends even to the state level, Irene needs to call for some favors from some skilled friends she’s managed to hold onto since leaving the FBI. 

The characters were well drawn and there was lots of action. Irene Rivers is no shrinking violet and has a calculating mind to match the physical skills. The suspense builds with great writing that actually created tension and a sense of menace. I mean these were some really evil people. I had a hard time putting it down and read it in a single sitting. There was a lot going on in this plot and I was guessing how this was all going to come together and hoping that the good guys prevailed. Definitely a high body count and some grisly details. All in all, exactly what I want in crime fiction. 

This was really good and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. I don’t know how it’s possible, but I haven’t read this author before, so I’m not familiar with other series or even the book where Irene exists in her FBI job. I’ll have to remedy that. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator, Natalia Payne, has a deep and husky voice that lends itself to both male and female characters. She did a good job of bringing the right tone and drama to the story and this enhanced my enjoyment of the book. I always love an immersive experience that’s provided by reading while listening.

This is the first in a new series featuring Irene Rivers.

Tags and genre - suspense, action, mystery, corruption, small town, murder

Cold Island (Tommy Kelly #1) by Peter Colt

 Atmospheric, dark crime thriller.

Massachusetts State Police detective Tommy Kelly is sent to Nantucket Island to work with Nantucket police after discovery of remains at a construction site. The bones and detritus are thought to be about 35 years old, so Tommy and Detective Jo Harris try to sift through old missing persons reports to see if they can find a match to their victim — apparently a male child. Strangely enough, they can’t find anything that helps them to identify this boy. As they probe deeper, secrets that this small community have kept for years come to light.

This was written a bit differently than I’m used to reading. Lots of minute details about the island, the  food eaten, and other tidbits that immediately made me wonder if all of that is being used as misdirection. Turns out, it was. Seems that there is a huge secret just waiting for a big reveal during the last part of the book that took me by surprise. But it did kind of seem like a gotcha and I was afraid that the story was going to go off the rails for a minute until it got back on track. Still not quite sure how I felt about that. But, the basics of this plot were good though I was caught off guard. As far as the characters, well, I need to think about them. Some of what happened was predictable and I guess I’ll need to read the second book in the series to see what happens next. And I did like this well enough to want to do that. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator, Chris Ciulla, is a Boston native so his accents were perfect in this book. He gave the appropriate dramatic flair to the personalities and characters. His performance definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the story and provided an immersive experience.

This is the first in a series.

Tags and genre - child abduction and murder, crime thriller, mystery, Nantucket Island

The Last Ferry Out by Andrea Bartz

 Somewhat predictable LGBT destination thriller.

When her fiancée, Eszter Farkus, dies while visiting a quiet island in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico on a 3 week trip, Abby decides to travel to Isla Colel herself to retrace Eszter’s steps and meet the people she had spent time with before her death from anaphylactic shock. The island, decimated by a hurricane, has no real tourism and only a few expats live there forming a transient community. Abby meets them, trying to understand what happened, and finds that things aren’t adding up. Everyone is hiding something and keeping secrets. Abby starts to believe that she hasn’t been told the truth of what Eszter was doing on the island and how she died.

This was quite slow and nothing happened as Abby shuffles around chatting up the people who knew her girlfriend. I didn’t really like any of the characters and there really was no tension or suspense as they were talking, talking, talking. Abby doesn’t speak Spanish which makes it hard for her to question the locals, and she’s not certain that Rita, Pedro, Amari, and Brady are being truthful. How did Eszter come to find this place and was she planning to come back home to Abby and get married? It really wasn’t very compelling and the plot was quite thin. No surprises.  The conclusion was disappointing. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. There was a cast of narrators for this production including Dani Martineck, Imani Jade Powers and Natasha Soudek. But no male voice. I disliked whomever voiced the Eszter character but the others did alright considering the lack of real drama and uneven pacing. I usually enjoy the immersive experience of doing the formats simultaneously, but I did end up putting the audio aside and just read the last couple of chapters.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.

Tags and genre - destination thriller, expats, LGBT, island

The MYsterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer by Ragnar Jonasson

 Cliffhanger ending is unsettling and makes this Nordic noir mystery a bit unsatisfactory for me. 

A famous Icelandic author, Elin Jonsdottir, has gone missing. Detective Helgi Reykdal is assigned the case, probably due to his love of books but also because he has demonstrated some real ability with investigations. The novel is told in multiple timelines that bring in subplots about Helgi’s past relationship with a bad girlfriend, Elin’s personal history, and Helgi’s predecessor, Hulda, whose fate is unresolved since she has also vanished without a trace. 

The plot is complex and has a classic mystery style but the pacing was somewhat slow and there didn’t seem to be a lot of detecting or police work done to solve the case. So many different things going on and absolutely no progress made to answer several questions. And what about Anita? I hate cliffhanger endings and always feel cheated as it makes the novel seem incomplete. Definitely sets up for the next in this series (this is the 3rd book) but who likes waiting?

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrators, Cicely Whitehead, Jane Slavic, and Rufus Wright, did an excellent job of voicing the characters and bringing them to life. The special effects, ie the tape recorder, also enhanced the listening experience. I enjoyed the full cast performance that increased enjoyment of the book. 

This is the third book in a series that should be read from the beginning, in order.

Tags and genre - Nordic crime fiction, mystery, missing persons

The Surf House by Lucy Clarke

 Absorbing and suspenseful destination thriller.

Bea has had it with her structured role and work as a model. On a photo shoot in Marrakesh, Morocco, she rips off her couture dress, grabs her backpack and takes off for the souks and what she hopes will be an escape from her regimented life. After a crazy and dangerous encounter, she befriends a woman, Marnie, who takes Bea to a surfer's clifftop paradise guesthouse that she co-owns with her partner, Ped. It's a diverse community but all are there for the surf and for the nomadic lifestyle they call freedom. But some are hiding secrets and, in fact, wasn't there another girl there on her own a year ago who left one day and was never seen again? Savannah's brother, Seth, arrives at the house in search of her. 

Told in a past and present timeline and from multiple points of view, though primarily that of Bea and Savannah, the pace is fast and the tension builds as this perfect world starts to unravel. Although i didn't care for many of the characters, I did empathize with some. I liked the writing style and the way the author used the setting to create atmosphere that enhanced the suspense as well as the desperate nature of the situations. She captured the spirit of the young people yearning for something they can't really identify or name that makes them continue their wandering. 

There is a lot about surfing in this book, and I know nothing about that sport, so it was interesting and I could see how these young adults chase the waves for the sheer purpose of emptying their heads even as many have no ambition or other focus in mind. People and things can become an obsession. Bad decisions can have calamitous consequences. Hiding from the truth doesn't make you complete or turn things right. Betrayal is deadly. There are twists and turns, some predictable given the typical course of this genre, but I relished the process and the revelations. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator, Sarah Slimani, did an excellent job bringing the story to life and giving her characters individual accents and personalities. She gave a theatrical flourish to the production that really enhanced my appreciation and enjoyment of the setting and the story.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.

Tags and genre - travel, Morocco, surfing, young adult community, missing girl, mystery, atmosphere, thriller 

Murder Takes a Vacation by Laura Lippman

 Entertaining cozy mystery.

Mrs. Blossom, in her late sixties and a widow, finds the winning lottery ticket in a parking lot. The money changes her life as she decides to take advantage of her new found wealth to find a reason to experience this period in a new way on her own. She books a river cruise in France and takes along her childhood friend. But, from the beginning of the trip, unusual things start happening and soon she’s involved in a mystery involving a stolen artifact and possibly murder. 

I loved this main character with her comfort in her body and in her own ability to change so that this period in her life will allow her to continue to be happy despite her losses. The way she interacts with people she meets, her generally positive attitude, and her self perception combine to make this introspective as well as poignant. There is some humor as well, and lots of cultural references as well as a nice description of her tour of France and its iconic sights.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator, Kimberly Farr, did an excellent job with the French word pronunciation and the accents. She brought a great deal of tenderness to the main character’s voice and appropriate dramatic flair when necessary. The production definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.

Tags and genre - cozy mystery, cruise, France, Murder, stolen artifact,

All This Could Be Yours by Hank Phillippi Ryan

 Fun, fast paced suspense thriller.

Tessa Calloway has written a sensational debut novel about a woman who follows her dreams and achieves happiness and fame. She's riding on her wave of success, making all the bestseller lists, and is on a whirlwind book tour, visiting a new city each night. Although sad at leaving her husband, Henry, and her two children at home in a new house she's really not lived in yet, she's holding it together despite the early wake-ups to catch planes and the late nights after bookstore appearances and book signings. It becomes clear, soon enough, that Tessa -- used to adoring fans -- has a stalker who is not one of those. Tessa has a secret and this person wants it outed.

This was a slow burn as the situation got more tense and I was unable to put the book down as I frantically turned pages wanting to find out who and why. I loved the author in an author story premise and the details about what a book tour is actually like. The main character was believable and her responses to the situation seemed realistic and appropriate. As the tormentor got closer, the more Tessa realized she was not in control of the story and decided to use her the voice of her own book's character to take it back. The writing was good and the conclusion satisfying.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator, Sarah Mollo-Christensen, did an excellent job of voicing all the characters. She provided a great sense of building tension and keeping me engaged. Her dramatic flair enhanced my enjoyment of the book. I loved the immersive experience of listening while reading. 

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.

Tags and genre - suspense, mystery, author on tour, stalker, secrets in past 

The Billion Dollar Ransom by James Patterson

 Fast and suspenseful crime thriller.

Planned down to the second, simultaneous kidnappings occur in 3 different locations. A billionaire’s wife is taken outside a beauty salon. His two children are hauled off a private bus, and his oldest son and a starlet are surprised in their room at a luxury resort. The ransom demand is quick to follow. One billion dollars is demanded for their safe return. An ambitious FBI agent, Nicky Gordon, leads the hastily assembled task force that includes her sometime lover,  LAPD Detective Mike Hardy. As the police try to track down witnesses and mount a manhunt, the kidnappers stay a step ahead, leading the cops to believe that there’s a mole inside the investigation. 

This was action packed with lots of twists and turns. The kidnappers, known only by numbers, are committed to their jobs because they want their share of the money. There are lots of characters and with the short chapters and focus on the details of the kidnapping and hostages, they are not really fleshed out much and fall into somewhat of the cliche category. It was just a fun plot with plenty of bad guys and red herrings. It was an easy read that took me only a couple of hours and provided a nice escape.

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator, Cynthia Farrell, did a great job voicing all the characters and providing appropriate dramatic flair. Her pacing was spot on and she did well with accents and both male and female voices. Her performance definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

This was a standalone and not part of any series.

Tags and genre - police procedural, crime thriller, suspense, mystery, kidnapping, ransom, hostages, murder

The Oligarch’s Daughter

 Riveting action packed spy thriller.

Paul Brightman, a successful hedge fund trader on Wall Street, is flying high when he meets and marries the daughter of a Russian oligarch. He subsequently ends up working for Arkady Galkin, Tatyana’s father, in his investment firm. Despite his misgivings, he is successful but ends up stumbling upon some evidence that Galkin is breaking the law, is corrupt, and coming crimes. The FBI approaches Paul who agrees to spy. Things go awry and Paul has to go into hiding. He steals an identity and moves to a small town and works in obscurity as a boat builder. Unfortunately, his past comes calling 5 years later and he has to run. 

There is a lot going in in this novel and as Paul tries to escape his pursuers, he has no idea whom to trust. Many different characters that may or may not be helpful to Paul and his life is in danger. He has a few contacts from his past and ends up in an unlikely reunion with his father. Although quite a complex plot with twists and turns, it is full of great espionage spy and counterspy details. Very hard to put down, I was turning the pages trying to figure how all the loose ends tied together and hoping Paul was going to find some helpful good guys. I could not put this down so read it all today in a matter of hours.

Excellent writing and the type of expertise on a subject that can only be done by someone who knows what they’re talking about. Finder does a great job with political intrigue and especially the Russian conflict and involvement in geopolitical activities. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator, Mark Bramhall, did an excellent job of voicing all the characters and adjusting his tone and pace to match the different parts of the story. His accents added to the ability to differentiate between the many Russian and American characters and he brought a nice dramatic flair. His performance definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.

Tags, genre - Russian spies, FBI, CIA, Wall Street, Investment firms, oligarchs, off the grid, murder

Forget Me Not by Stacey Willingham

 Suspend disbelief as you ease into this mystery thriller evoking the hot, humid, lazy days of summer.

Claire Campbell is called back home after her mother is injured. She had left South Carolina when her older sister went missing 22 years ago. The case was closed and the convicted killer in prison, but Claire is still haunted as they never did find Natalie’s body. Once back, Claire has nothing to say to her mother and is uncomfortable in the house where she’d grown up with Natalie. Trying to get some closure, Claire visits a vineyard where her sister had briefly worked as a teenager one summer. Adrift after quitting her job as a journalist, she decides to work at Galloway Farm where she will help pick the grapes and receive free room and board. Almost immediately, Claire finds a hidden diary in the ductwork of her cabin (she’s either a slow reader or it’s really thick) that chronicles how a young woman named Marcia came to live with the owner of the farm. Over the space of a couple of days, all the secrets are revealed. 

This was somewhat of a slow burner as it seemed to take ages to get to the action. There were so many coincidences that the whole set of events seemed contrived and stretched credulity. I didn’t care for Claire who definitely is easily led and is a poor judge of people not to mention jumping to some erroneous conclusions. Once the chips start to fall it really gets complicated and the revelations seem a bit over the top. The conclusion was a bit underwhelming after all.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrators, Helen Laser and Karissa Vacker, did a good job of voicing the characters and giving the story a suitable dramatic flair. The production definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.

Tags and genre - missing girls, cult, murder, secrets and lies, southern setting

With a Vengeance by Riley Sager

 This locked room mystery runs off the rails.

The  year is 1954 and Anna Matheson has invited six people on a luxury express train journey to Chicago. These are the people who destroyed Anna's family and ruined her life 12 years ago. She has collected her evidence and now wants vengeance; Anna has a plan. Her scheme goes awry shortly into the journey, and from then on, tables are turned and nothing goes according to her agenda. 

Although the premise sounded good, it was flawed from the beginning as there seemed no reason to host this train journey. But I love trains and so I picked this up expecting something quite different to how it all turned out. I totally understood Anna's reasons for wanting revenge, but the execution of exacting that just seemed like a waste of time, effort, and money. Since all went to heck quite quickly, it became obvious that her method of obtaining validation and causing the perpetrators of the events that brought down the Matheson family to suffer didn't come to fruition. 

All the characters with their history and misdeeds was repetitive. Her moments with each alone didn't really get Anna what she was wanting and sometimes it seemed like all she did was move up and down the train endlessly. I would have loved lot more info about the train and less about the people. The appearance of one unexpected character was first one thing and then abruptly quite another and it was a huge plot hole. All the attempts at making this twisty -- who was the killer -- also went on far too long. In short, the story bogged itself down and got mired in its own attempt to deliver shocks and surprises. When Anna steps out onto the roof of the speeding train in a snowstorm, I lost interest as it led to that ridiculous ending. I surely hope there are no sequels planned.

I have been hit and miss with Sager for awhile. He used to be an automatic want to read but now I need to be more judicious. I appreciated the effort in setting the book in a time period without technology so there was no magic hacker ah ha moments, etc. but overall, it just didn't work for me.


I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator, Erin Bennett, did a good job voicing the characters and her performance definitely enhanced the story and gave a bit of dramatic flair despite the drawbacks noted above.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.

Genre and tags - locked room mystery, luxury train, 1954, WWII, murder, revenge

The Spider to the Fly by J.H. Markert

 Definitely a dark and twisty thriller — beware if you’re afraid of spiders!

Ellie Isles runs a true crime network that is focused on discovering the identity of a serial killer known as the Spider. He kills his female victims using poisonous spiders. She begins an intense investigation when one of the victims is found to be her exact double. While doing a deep dive into the backgrounds of the victims, she begins o connect with memories of her past. In addition, several people in her current life now, including her therapist and her neighbor, may also have ties to what happened to her as a child.

There is a lot going on in this book and it can get confusing with all the twin sets and relationships. Definitely difficult to figure out who are the good people and who are the bad, and why. This gets pretty scary with the truths coming to light and the magnitude of all that happened to the children. There are a lot of characters to keep track of and quite a bit of unexplained events that leaves a lot of unanswered questions by the end. But, it’s still quite shocking and intense. The perspective of the killer and also the time jump to before times give some insight. The conclusion seemed a bit rushed and left me a little disappointed because I always want to know a lot more about the why of these disturbed minds.

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrators, Wayne Mitchell, Xe Sands, and Vanessa Moyen were a mixed bag for me. I don’t know who did which female voice, but I don’t care for a deep, gravelly female voice and it sounded wrong for Ellie. Sometimes the male voice doing a particular character was growly. I appreciate that there were both male and female cast members for the production. 

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.

Genre - serial killer thriller, murder, spiders, twins, experiments, child abuse

Murder in Paris (Kitty Underhay #21) by Helena Dixon

 

The 21st installment in this cozy historical mystery series is a delight.

At the behest of her grandmother, Kitty and Matt are taking her to Paris for a visit with an old friend, Eliza DeTourner. A bit of sightseeing and some marvelous food are on the program, and to top it off, they've all been invited to a private fashion show at the House of Dido. It seems that Eliza's handsome son, Julian, is in love with one of the models, Simone, and he's eager for them all to meet his beloved. All is going perfectly until Simone is found dead in the dressing room immediately after the show. How can it be that everywhere Matt and Kitty go, a dead body turns up?  Of course they involve themselves in the murder investigation with plenty of suspects to question and even more secrets to unravel.

I really enjoy this series and reading another one is like taking a nice little break from current times. The characters are very well-developed and readers have been there for all the changes in them and in their personal lives through the previous mysteries. If you love the description and details about life in England and on the continent in the 1930s, you will really want to check out this series. I think it best to start from the beginning so that you can get the completely backstory to appreciate where the characters are at now in their relationships. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book to read, review, and recommend.
Blog Tour Stop 8-28-2025

This is the 21st book in a series that should be read in order from the beginning.

Tags - murder, mystery, cozy, historical fiction, jealousy, 1937, private investigators 

Framed in Death (Eve Dallas #61) by J.D. Robb

 Another excellent and absorbing book in this long running crime thriller series.

When an author reaches book #61 in a series that features the same characters I can imagine it’s hard to create something new and different, but JD Robb always manages to do just that. This series is as fresh and fun as it was since I began reading it many years ago. Though many of the same characters are still featured, they keep changing and growing to hold my interest in their welfare and their lives.

In this novel, Lt. Eve Dallas and her cohort are on the hunt for a serial killer who fancies himself a great artist. Unfortunately, he has no talent, but his ego is such that he is using murder to create a sort of immortality. He is determined to receive the accolades and fame he knows he deserves, and nothing will stop him. 

I enjoyed this immensely as always. The futuristic setting, the details of that life in New York City, the cool toys, and such make it fun. The snark between the characters provides humor as they interact and that whole dynamic is a huge part of the success of this series. The plots are always well developed and the writing is excellent. I could do without the descriptive passion scenes but oh well, I know some like that. Yeah, Eve and Roarke are still going hot and heavy. Always a good blend of mystery and their personal lives entwined as they investigate. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator, Susan Ericksen, always does a fantastic job of bringing all the characters to life with her dynamic performance. She captures different accents to help differentiate between the characters and brings the right amount of dramatic flair. A well done production on audio always enhances my enjoyment of a book. 

This is #61 in a series that is best read from the beginning in order.

Genre - crime fiction, police procedural, futuristic, murder, art

Runner 13 by Amy McCulloch

 Lots of action in this survivor thriller.

An elite runner, Adri, returns to do an ultra marathon in the Saharan Desert after years away from the sport. The race is 250 miles long under additional extreme circumstances and the goal is not only for her to finish, but to win. She knows most of the other elite runners on this course, but there's also a contingent of fun runners who won't be forced to endure the same rigid rules and conditions. It all starts out as expected, but then some of her friends are hurt or are being kicked out on some flimsy evidence and she wonders if there is more danger on the sand and weather or if it comes from someone else in the competition. 

The story is told from a dual point of view -- two female characters, one is Adri and the other is Stella. The premise, while initially intriguing, ultimately felt contrived and the depth was just not there to turn this from mediocre to great. I'm not a runner, in fact a lot of extreme physical activity scares me, so I couldn't relate to any of the reasons for someone to want to do this. So much so that I really can't even believe the things those runners did and endured. I never connected with or liked any of the characters. The whole mystery thing with the killer part seemed so artificially inserted with the motivation quite lame. There were so many clues for all that led up to what was supposedly the big twist at the end so I found the conclusion predictable and way too tidy a wrap. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. There were two female narrators for the parts of Adri and Stella, and I honestly didn't care for either voice. They just didn't sound right for their characters to me. Also for specific spots, ie the podcast, the two male voices did a fine job. Unfortunately the production wasn't enough to really enhance my appreciation of the book.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.

Genre and tags - ultra marathon running, killer, mystery, desert, sexual abuse, suicide, attempted murder 

Departure 37 by Scott Carson

 Captivating premise isn’t enough to make this Cold War mystery thriller a standout for me.

The calls come in the middle of the night, ostensibly from the moms of pilots meant to fly the next day. The message is clear and results in a callout that empties the skies. 

That’s a pretty exciting opening and honestly, that whole concept would have been enough to get me really going, but the whole Seeker Script plot line just fizzled. Then the dual timeline starts and we are alternating between a brilliant physicist, Dr. Martin Hazelton, doing experiments in 1962 and then to present day when two teenagers left alone in Ash Point, Maine, can’t escape their little peninsula when electricity and internet go off when the airline shutdown occurs. Just so happens they are close to a supposedly inactive airfield owned and maintained by the US Navy. And then a B-62 bomber appears out of the sky and lands. Charlie and Lawrence, both 16, learn about secrets and bizarre aviation events from the Cold War. 

I can suspend disbelief about lots of scientific things in a heartbeat, but what I just could not wrap my brain around was the inclusion of these two teenagers and them having such a huge impact on what happens in the story. Seriously? If I want my heroes and main characters to be that age, I’ll read young adult literature. It ruined the book for me honestly. I’m sure I’m an outlier, and that’s fine, because it would have made a better and more realistic climax and ending if it wasn’t for that “perceptive” teen girl and her tagalong. Maybe I’m not the right audience but I do like science fiction and the whole concept of being able to disappear a plane and then call it back was quite interesting. All of the characters felt incomplete and at times the flip between past and present was disorienting. There were other issues I might expand upon as well too explain why this book didn’t really work as well for me as I had anticipated, but that would be spoilers.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrators, Mia Barron, Catherine Ho, and Johnny Heller, were a mixed bag. I liked the voices and performance of both women, but Johnny Heller consistently mispronounced the word, nuclear, and that got on my last nerve. I finally had to just skip over his part because I did not find his voice fitting for the part.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.

Tags and genre - science fiction, time travel, Cold War, pilots, dual timeline

Kiss Her Goodbye (Frankie Elkin #4) by Lisa Gardner

 The search for a missing woman turns deadly.

 

This is the 4th book in the Frankie Elkin series. This time, she makes her way to Tucson, Arizona, to find a missing Afghan woman.

Frankie, a missing persons expert, heads out with her meager belongings and finds temporary lodgings at a huge gated mansion in Tucson where she is hired to pet sit an iguana and some snakes. Also in residence, since the owner is absent, are a transgender cook and a big tough chauffeur with an obviously checkered past. The three team up to investigate the local Afghan refugee community while searching for the missing Sabera Ahmadi at the behest of her friend. The local police are uninterested and Frankie immediately ascertains that there is much more going on than a missing wife who left her 4-year-old daughter and husband behind. It seems that Sabera has some very unique skills and abilities that made her a target for those who want the information she hides.

I was looking for a classic escape into the typical but this was too sad, too emotional, and too real for the type of suspense thriller that I was expecting in this series. I just couldn't get into all the background of what happened (twice) in Kabul with the Taliban and the people of Afghanistan. Their terrible struggles to survive and their treatment in refugee camps both abroad and in USA were just not what I was anticipating in a beach read. Also the whole ghost thing isn't something I like to read in a novel in any case. It was just too realistic on one hand and too out there with the visions on the other. There were other aspects that detracted as well. And can we please stop with the main characters being able to find the passwords and get into computers and/or phones they happen to find lying about? For the most part, I just couldn't buy into the whole story arc and how it all played out.

Anyway, this was an OK read, but wasn't what I was looking for in a book in this series. It seems I'm an outlier in my review and reaction and I'm find with that. If there's another in the Frankie Elkin series, I'll likely check it out. This one can stand alone as everything you really need to know requires no backstory to be appreciated. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator, Hillary Huber, did a nice job with all the character voices, particularly with the accents. I always believe, however, that a production would be enhanced by having a male speaker as well. In any event, enjoying both simultaneously enhances my appreciation of any novel.

This is the 4th in series. You  may want to read them from the beginning but this worked for me as a standalone.

Genre - crime, murder, Afghanistan, Afghan refugees in USA, Kabul, missing persons 

The Tapes by Kerry Wilkinson

 

Blog stop for Bookouture - 3.5 stars

A murder mystery with an old school feel.

Eve Falconer is clearing out her recently deceased father’s house when she finds a box of old cassette tapes. When she listens to one marked with her name, she hears her mother’s voice reaching her over time and space for her mom disappeared out of the blue over 13 years prior. On the tape Angela talks about her life, with some exaggerations and what Eve knows are outright lies in some spots. But one thing she can’t wrap her head around is when her mom’s recording tells Eve that she’s probably been murdered. 

Eve can’t believe what she’s heard and even more worrisome is that she’s concerned that her mother was a victim of a serial killer that hunted in her town of Sedingham for many years and was never caught. Her mom left a clue that she knew who it was and Eve becomes obsessed. Unfortunately, the killer doesn’t want Eve to figure it out.

There was a lot going on in this thriller with plenty of red herrings and many characters that were suspicious. Eve has a history of behaving badly and is an alcoholic on the wagon so people she talks to don’t always take her seriously. They feel she might be unreliable. Anyway, she investigates on her own asking questions all over town. This moved a little slow with a bit too much repetition of the particular tape segments until we get to the climax and the big reveal that might surprise some. 

I was able to read this in a single setting and it kept my interest.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review. Blog tour 8-14-2025

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.

Tags - murder, cassette tapes, alcoholism, unreliable narrator

Bless Your Heart by Leigh Dunlap

 Fast and fun debut mystery thriller.

Don’t mess with the Buckhead Betties. These affluent Atlanta women aren’t afraid of anything or anyone. Except outsiders who have no idea how hard it is to maintain their images in this social cesspool. They know everything about each other’s marriages, children, and lives; any secrets they have will soon be outed. When Anderson Tupper, a single, handsome, and wealthy Little League coach, is found murdered right after their big charity bash, tongues wag and everyone in their tight circle is a suspect. 

This was so entertaining as these women get down and dirty while the accusations fly. There’s a lot going on behind the closed doors of those mansions. The investigation, led by Detective Shay Claypool and her partner, Sergeant Dub Rattigan, is stonewalled and the pair is met with snubs and plenty of reasons why many of those residents would want Tupper dead. Lots of rich people cliches and designer name drops pepper the narrative, but it’s all satirical while showing that even people with tons of money have problems. Slowly but surely the truth is revealed and the climax was quite surprising with the conclusion taking a great twist. 

The narrative is told in a before and after fashion with each of the main female characters taking a turn at point of view. Keeping them straight got easier after awhile with trying to remember who was married to whom and the names of the kids. I liked the writing style and the themes involving social status, race, and family. I’ll definitely look for future books by this author. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. I loved the narrator, Hallie Ricardo, who did a fantastic job voicing the female characters giving them individuality with various accents, tone, and timbre. Her performance definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book and I highly recommend it. 

This is a standalone debut and is not part of any series.

Tags - south, Atlanta, wealthy, murder, society, family, female friendship

High Season by Katie Bishop

 Engrossing summer mystery thriller.

The beautiful Côte d’Azur is the setting for this nostalgic coming of age story that involves a murder. It’s got a dual timeline — 1999 to present day — so the back and forth allows multiple narrators and points of view to describe what happened on the fateful night in question.

Evelyn Drayton, a former “it” girl and her family have always summered here in the French Riviera. Her grandfather had designed and built the place where the entire family have spent years. Rarely interacting with any of the locals, the family has an air of magic attached to them. The 17 year old twins, Blake and Tamara, along with their little 5 year old sister, Nina, have the run of the place while their mother, Evelyn, tries to keep hold of her latest husband. When Tamara is found dead on the night of her mother’s birthday party, the entire town is in shock. It’s unbelievable to hear that one of their own, Josie Jackson, has been accused of killing Tamara. Motive speculated, but never known.

I loved the multifaceted characters in this story, especially Josie and Tamara. All of the things that were going on behind the curtain so to speak and led to Tamara’s death were never really exposed or explored. Nina’s testimony at trial when only 5 years old led to Josie going to prison for 10 years. It’s only twenty years later that a true crime blogger wants to delve deeper into the case and help to figure out what really happened that night. The author deftly weaves a web of connections that point to another as the perpetrator. Even tho I guessed the whodunit, I really enjoyed how the author got me there with all the revelations. 

I loved the writing and even though I don’t relish stories about teenagers and the ridiculous things they get up to, some of that was necessary to put the reader in the right headspace to understand all that led up to Tamara’s death.

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator, Alix Dunmore, did a fabulous job of voicing all the characters in the story. Her dramatic flair and ability to adapt accents and tone really enhanced the production. The only voice that grated on my nerves was when she did the annoying podcaster’s voice. But that was fleeting thank heavens and probably quite an accurate portrayal. I’d highly recommend the audio book.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.

Tags. Coming of age, murder, mystery, teenagers, thriller, podcast

The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen

 Compelling psychological thriller about sisters with a unique connection. 

Georgia Cartwright is locked up in the psych ward after she’s accused of murdering her younger sister, Annabelle. Pretending to be in a disassociate state, she is desperate to prove her innocence and reaches out to Amanda — her twin. The shock of finding that she has a twin is almost too much for Amanda, owner of a bar, to process, but she tries to wade through all the secrets and lies of Georgia’s wealthy family to find out the truth. 

I enjoyed the dynamic between the sisters and the slow reveals about their relationship as well as what happened with Annabelle. Some of it was predictable, but definitely kept be interested and invested. The narrative is told in alternating points of view between Amanda and Georgia. Raised separately, their twinship is an awakening for them both. The other characters were rather one dimensional and it seemed like a few threads were left unanswered, like who were their birth parents, etc. and what about Patty? Anyway, I liked it well enough.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator, January LaVoy, did a great job of giving two distinct voices to the twins and even included a fairly convincing southern accent. She always brings te characters in the book to life and her performance enhances my appreciation of the story.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.

Tags - twins, murder, psych ward, adoption, mystery, lies and secrets

The Woman in Suite 11 (Lo Blacklock #2) by Ruth Ware

 Entertaining mystery thriller that is as predictable as it is entertaining. 

First and foremost, before you open this book, you need to know that it features many of the characters from The Woman in Cabin 10 and it's probably a really good idea to read it first if you have not.

Secondly, you must suspend any and all disbelief as this entire story will seriously strain any credulity you have. 

It's been 10 years since Laura (Lo) Blacklock experienced all of the traumatic events on the Aurora. Since her lucky escape from death, she's gotten married, had two children, and written a bestseller about her experience on that ship. She has, however, not worked at all since and wants to get back to her old career as a travel writer. Out of the blue, she gets an invite to the opening of a grand hotel owned by Marcus Leidmann, a billionaire. Lo manages to leverage that name with an old contact who works for Financial Times publication who encourages Lo to go to Switzerland and try to get an interview with the man. Lo does go to Switzerland and finds herself quickly in way too deep in a new and crazy situation. And it gets even more wild when she reconnects with someone from her past.

As always, Ruth Ware hooks the reader quickly and you're in way too deep before you realize that Lo hasn't changed a bit and she's still not experienced as much personal growth as we would have hoped. There are lots of twists and turns and many red herrings though a savvy reader will be able to guess where it's all going. The fun is in seeing how the author gets you there. Was this sequel necessary? Nope, not at all, but it was a quick read and kept me dialed in and amused.

I was able to listen to the audio book while reading along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. I liked the narrator, Imogen Church, only when she was voicing the main character. The way she did other voices, especially the kids, was almost cringe sometimes. (Maybe there should be a prohibition in adult books with narrators trying to imitate children.) The accents and male voices didn't fare much better. In any event, I do enjoy the immersive experience of both at once.

This is a sequel to The Woman in Cabin 10 and it should be read before this one.

Tags - travel writer, murder, naive, Britain, mystery, suspense, thriller 

Coded Justice (Avery Keene #3) by Stacey Abrams

 Artificial intelligence — villain or savior?

This is a thriller that tackles many different aspects of AI, but specifically in this book it is working on delivering medical care to marginalized veterans. Avery Keene, now working in the private sector, is hired by Dr. Rafe Diaz, CEO and founder of Camasca, an AI enabled healthcare tech company after an incident that resulted in the death of one of the head programmers. Ruled an accident in a cursory police investigation, Diaz is concerned that there’s something going on that might impact the IPO he’s planning. Avery is meant to assemble a team as an internal investigative unit with attorney client privilege to see if there are any potential issues that might derail the big debut. So Avery gets her best friends and boyfriend on board and they get busy.

There’s a lot of technical jargon and detail about AI and a lot of other things in this novel. It’s almost exhausting to read through the info dumps, even though it’s all very interesting. And scary. Especially when it starts to look like the various components of this huge neural network might be going rogue. I really liked the medical application aspects and the mission of Camasca with its focus on veterans. But the bottom line is that giving over a huge part of anything to quantum computers with sophisticated learning models could prove more deleterious than it does good. 

I wasn’t sure who or what was going to answer the questions about the issues at the company so I had to finish the book in one sitting. Definitely mind boggling and will provide a lot to think about. At present, there’s no regulation or set of rules about how this type of technology is to be created, implemented and evaluated so I still feel that without some checks and balances it could all be a very dangerous tool in the wrong hands. And certainly I don’t want to see sentience. 

The author is obviously creative and brilliant and I’ve enjoyed the previous Avery Keene books as well. Who knows what’s next for her and friends, but I look forward to reading more.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator, Adenrale Ojo, did a great job of voicing the characters and giving the appropriate dramatic flair. The voices were distinct, but of course I always wish for a male to be doing the men. The production enhanced my enjoyment of the story. 

This is part of a series, the third book, and they should be read from the beginning in order.

Tags - legal thriller, suspense, AI, medical, veterans, murder, greed

The Hampton’s Lawyer (Jane Smith #3) by James Patterson and Mike Lupica

 Fast and entertaining legal thriller.

This is the third in the series featuring criminal defense lawyer, Jane (Effing) Smith, who is, at least in her own mind, the best of the best but definitely so in this part of Long Island. This is the only one I’ve read, but I’m definitely hooked and look forward to checking the others out.

In this book, Jane and her investigative partner, both ex NYPD cops, are defending a local real estate creep named Rob Jacobson. He’s been accused of murder, the triple homicide of a man, wife and teen daughter. The evidence against him is overwhelming, but Jane and Jimmy Cunniff have a plan. Unfortunately, the case has ties to a local bunch of bad guys who are into loan sharking, racketeering, and bookmaking. 

Meanwhile, Jane is dealing with a personal health crisis of her own that means she has to win this case if it is the last thing she does. 

Lots of action and bad guys doing what they do. The characters were interesting and I’d probably know them better if I had read the first two books. This was fine as a stand alone. The medical aspect was a bit, ok wildly, unbelievable but I just ignored that and went with it. This is the type of book you can just lose yourself in for a couple of hours and just have fun with it.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along with the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator, Eva Kaminsky, did a great job of voicing the characters and they were easy to differentiate. Her dramatic flair added a nice touch and made the immersive experience more pleasurable.

This is the third in a series and even though I didn’t, they probably should be read in order for best enjoyment.

Tags - murder, mob, loan shark, legal thriller, suspense

The Maid’s Secret (Molly the Maid #3) by Nita Prose

 Heartwarming cozy mystery series comes to a touching end.

It’s wedding bells for socially awkward Molly the Head Maid/Events Coordinator and her handsome chef fiancé, Juan Manuel. Both work at the Regency Grand, a five star hotel, and are looking forward to the big day. Plans are interrupted however, when Molly finds that a Faberge egg left to her by her grandmother is worth millions. With all the media attention and theft of the egg, Molly is overwhelmed but finds answers to many secrets hidden in her grandmother’s diary. 

This is part fairy tale with a riches to rags theme as well as an ill fated love story. I enjoyed the diary entries and Flora’s history which explains so much. In addition, we have the present day mystery of who stole the egg and why. The connections are a bit too convenient and hard to believe, and the conclusion is quite predictable. I think this was a bit more contrived than the other books in the series, but it wraps everything up and alls well that ends in a happy ever after, right? It might be a bit too much sappiness for some, but it seemed a fitting end to the series. 

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-book ARC to read and review. I did enjoy the series and would recommend it. I listened to the audiobook while reading and the narrator, Lauren Ambrose, does a fantastic job of voicing Molly. The other characters also have distinct voices which made the book come alive and created a more immersive experience.

This is the third in a series that should be read from the beginning in order. A novella, The Mistletoe Mystery, is also part of the story. 

Tags - cozy, mystery, neurodivergent main character, hotel, maid, family secrets, heirloom

Guess Again by Charlie Donlea

 Fast paced and convoluted psychological crime thriller.

3.5 stars rounded up

A teenage girl disappeared 10 years ago and detectives in Cherryview, Wisconsin found no clues so the case went cold. Ethan Hall, previously a detective, currently working as an ER physician, is called back into law enforcement by a former partner who is dying and can’t let it go. The situation is complicated because an inmate at the local prison (convicted and incarcerated for murdering Ethan’s father who was also a detective) seems to know something about Callie Jones and wants to make a deal. 

This was twisty but quite predictable despite the red herrings and diversions into other points of view and shifts in time. I love Donlea and will always want to read his new books despite the need to often suspend disbelief. How is it that everyone (but me) casually knows a fantastic hacker who can give them tons of information? I liked the main character ok, but honestly none of the cast was fully fleshed out and I never related to any of them. Multiple threads unwound for the big climax and reveal. The themes in the story are familiar ones of friendship, relationships, loyalty, revenge, and murder. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator, Vivienne Leheny, did an acceptable job of voicing the characters but the choice of a female for the voice seemed wrong as so much of the book was male point of view and the story would have been well served with a male narrator instead. I find that listening while reading allows for a more immersive and enjoyable experience with a book. 

This is a standalone and not part of any series though the ending leaves one to imagine that there might be a follow-up with this same main character, I would prefer not.

Genre and tags, mystery, crime thriller, serial killers, missing persons, teenagers

The List by Steve Berry

 Very entertaining novel of suspense and a departure from this author’s typical work.

Brent Walker has moved back to Concord, a small town in central Georgia, after being hired by Southern Republic Pulp and Paper Company as its assistant general counsel. When he left it behind years ago, he also left a woman he loved and his parents. Now, since his father is no longer alive, he is going to help care for his mom who has recently been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s. 

Not too long after beginning his new job and reuniting with an old friend, union leader Hank Reed, Brent faces a curious mystery when a list of names and numbers comes to his attention. Once the implications of that list becomes clear to Brent and Hank, they know that everything they believed about their town and its biggest employer was wrong. 

This was so well written and very fast paced. I found it hard to put down as things heated up quickly. So many characters, easily divided into the good guys vs the bad guys, but the premise was good and there was lots of action. It was a fun read and though the ending was anticipated to some degree, I enjoyed how it all played out.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided for review by the publishers. The audio format was narrated by the incomparable Scott Brick. I love his voice and his dramatic flair that always brings the novel to life and this production was no exception. This immersive experience definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book!

This is a standalone and not part of any series.

Genre - mystery, thriller, suspense, action 

I Did Warn Her by Sian Gilbert

 A whodunit on the high seas.

A beautiful yacht, owned by a billionaire, and a full crew is crossing the Atlantic. The stunning stewardesses, Sasha, Jade, Imogen, Euphemia, and Lola. Lots of competition and gossip among them. The handsome deck hands taking care of the ship and the ladies don’t you know. The captain on his last cruise before retiring and the chief trying to keep the schedule. Everyone’s main purpose is to keep the two rich men and their female escort guests happy and satisfied. 

But the boat and its occupants are keeping lots of secrets and definitely there’s a hidden agenda for this trip. Then one of the stewardesses is murdered. Jewelry and other items going missing. Everyone is suspicious of the rest and they are all held hostage and isolated on this yacht in the middle of the ocean. Who is doing what and to whom.

This was a locked room style mystery complicated by a large cast of characters who are skulking about, lying, and doing things they should not. The story is told in shifting point of view as each stewardess reveals her thoughts, motivations, and activities. They were hard to keep straight at first, especially with the all the other names bandied about. Eventually it became easier but be sure to note who is speaking at the beginning of each chapter.

I felt this was definitely like a reality show with all the expected misbehavior below decks and the way that the clients acted during the voyage. There were red herrings and twists, but the denouement was a bit anticlimactic. Definitely a lot of irrelevant side plots but everything was wrapped up in a tidy conclusion. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The production had a large cast of all female narrators and I definitely preferred some of the voices over others. The disappointment in the audio, however, is because there was not a single male voice to do those character roles so the voices of the men were not ideal. It would have been so much better had that happened. At times I had to stop listening and just read when I became annoyed at the sound of a particular voice. I do enjoy, however, the immersive experience of both listening and reading.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.

Genre and tags - mystery, locked room, rich people doing bad things, yachts, below deck crew, murder, schemes