There‘s no question that I. S. Berry has mad writing skills. There‘s a great story embedded in this thriller. I just wish that there was also at least one likeable character. I get it, spy novels are all about treachery and betrayal. Berry describes her protagonist, Shane Collin‘s, as world-weary. He is that, and his colleagues and foes are very ready to betray him, and themselves. I kept reading to find some redemption; there is none.

What a great ghost story! Although full of the expected tropes: a young couple with secrets, a sinister federal agent, a haunted B&B landlady, serial unexplained deaths, and the titular murder road, in St. James‘ talented hands, they work, beautifully. We want April and Eddie to escape their pasts, and succeed in their new relationship. Lots of twists at the end. Highly recommended 🌟

I really wanted to like this book; people I love raved about it. Unfortunately, although I didn‘t bail, I have to characterize it as “meh.” Sam and Sadie have known each other since their tween years, although their initial friendship is based on a transactional fiction, and that‘s basically the arc of the entire story, that has gaming at it‘s core. Although Zebun writes well, I just didn‘t care about any of these characters or their world.

Set in a mythical time, during a war between gods that looks a lot like WWI, complete with trenches and mustard gas. Two newspaper reporters, rivals for a column, fall in love after they enlist as war correspondents. Written for young adults, it would have been a better book if it really was about WWI. The gods were a not well drawn distraction. Not sure if I‘ll read the next.

Another very original mystery from Turton. This one set in a post apocalyptic future on an island: a big locked room populated by simulcrum villagers created by a sinister corporation. There are also three human “elders” and an AI program that manipulates the villagers lives. Someone has murdered the most popular elder, the killer fog has been set loose and only solving the mystery will save them. Weird, but wonderful.

Rogue scientists set out to save the earth (Gaia) by planning to unleash a killer virus that will kill millions of people. Lucas Davenport and his daughter, Letty along with a strong cast of familiar and new characters, are tasked with stopping the viral release. Lots of thrills, lots of killings. The final pages were surprisingly anticlimactic. Not the strongest Sandford entry, but I did stay up entirely too late reading to the end.

Last of the series, and it was challenging. Roanhorse wrapped up the characters lives in ways that were true and meaningful. Some won the lives we wanted for them, others deserved their fates, but I was sad to lose them. As always, loved her use of pronouns, and honorific titles that are not gender specific. Wish our world was the same. VERY glad for the “People of the Meridian” list; I kept confusing the relationships. I‘ll miss this series.

Glory Broussard‘s daughter, Danielle, has come home following a scandal to find that her mother‘s life has spun out of control. Then Glory‘s childhood friend, a Catholic nun, is found dead. Police rule her death a suicide, but Glory doesn‘t believe that and sets out to find the truth. Great characters, good setting, fun story. The good news is that the second book in the series is expected this fall. Looking forward to getting to know Glory better

Oh, I have missed these characters! So glad that Ms Harkness‘ health has improved. Particularly happy that the ending of this wonderful novel hints at another book to come in this great series. Diana has returned to her Procter family home, Ravenswood which awakens her higher magic and now the Congregation wants to test her twins, Pip and Becca. Vampires and Witches unite in her support against her enemies. Haven‘t watched the TV series. Should I?

Atkins always delivers, and his latest is a joyful thrill ride! Set in Memphis and featuring Porter Hayes, a seventy year old bad-ass PI with a heart of gold. While complicated the plot is easy to follow. Addison McKeller‘s husband, Dean has disappeared and she turns to Hayes for help. What they find involves mercenaries, arms dealers, Russian baddies and a treasure that resembles the Dead Sea scrolls. I loved it — you will too!

Two broken women meet in a small library. Both are running from their past lives. Jane fled her nursing career just ahead of being arrested as an “”angel of death.” She has recreated herself as Margo, a library aide. Patricia has run away from a failed writing career, reinventing herself as a reference librarian. Crossing paths, their compulsions are reignited, but Jane/Margo doesn‘t want her secrets told. The dread increases with each page.

Dovalpage has crafted a slow mystery that builds to a reveal in the form of a letter to the protagonist, Mercedes. Although she doesn‘t trust herself, we know what‘s happening through heavy foreshadowing. I was also bothered by the notion that her life choices lessened her victimization. I get that Mercedes may believe that, but the author seems to believe it too, which is frankly disturbing. I should have bailed. Kept looking for redemption.

I‘m a big, big fan of Jame Lee Burke‘s novels and have read almost all of them. He‘s an excellent writer who has given us great stories peopled by characters we‘ve come to love. I looked forward this, particularly because it focused on Clete Purcell, one half of the”Bobbsey Twins from homicide” and Dave‘s best friend. Unfortunately, this book falls flat. Although there are flashes of brilliance, the plot duplicates earlier novels. So disappointed.

Even more wondrously complicated than the first in his Library trilogy, Lawrence‘s latest is a great read. Evar Eventari and Livira Page belong to two different species, but the love they found in the first book, brings them together again. The murderous rage and bigotry that has doomed so many through the ages continues. Is purity of thought better than compromise and questioning? I hope the answers will arrive in the next book, but perhaps not.

The first book by this author that I‘ve read and I enjoyed it thoroughly; I‘ve got to go back and read his earlier series! A great mystery set in an imperial wold that is exquisitely drawn. Gentry, officers, and 10 engineers have been killed by a terrible contagion, and just when they are needed most to defeat an encroaching Leviathan. Ana and her assistant, Dinios are tasked with finding who is responsible. A great fantasy and exciting read.

This beautifully written novel explores how childhood trauma affects us, and how the ghosts of that trauma accompany us as we become adults. Told in two timelines, we slowly come to know the Djiin as he/she wears multiple faces in the grand home called Akbar Manzil. The young woman, Sana, haunted by the ghost of her twin, is our guide. Misclassed by my Library as fantasy, this is wondrous story literary fiction at its finest. Highly recommended.

An interesting debut mystery. Two Māori children have disappeared and the community rightfully don‘t trust the Masterton police to really care. Our protagonist, Lorraine Henry, works in their records office. When her nephew also disappears, she and a visiting detective set out to find them, and who‘s taken them. There are some flaws in the narrative, but the sense of place is fascinating. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

There much better novels about Vietnam. Hannah‘s latest is hampered by a surprising lack of insight, and too much focus on romantic entanglements. The primary strength of the novel is its focus on women who served during that soul-sucking war. It is completely believable that their heroic service is dismissed by everyone, including the VA with the words “there were no women in Vietnam.” Hannah was written some good novels; this isn‘t one of them.

This was a readable, but uncomplicated mystery. The most interesting aspect of the novel is how the mother, daughter and granddaughter find their way back to each other. Lana, a shark-like real estate mogul is diagnosed with a life threatening illness. She moves in with her estranged daughter and granddaughter and bored, tackles solving a murder or two. The granddaughter, Jack, is the best developed character although I grew to like Lana.

This is such a great series! All the usual characters are back as Vivian faces her most challenging challenge. Delivering dresses she meets, and is charmed by Mr. Buchanan. When she later discovers his body, she is charged with murder and has seven days to clear her name. The truth reveals facts about people she care about. Fast paced; great historical details. We get to know Vivian, and her boss Honor much better. Don‘t miss these books.

Margaret has fallen in love with a Victorian house that a great deal. Of course, the house is haunted, and boy-howdy are there ghosts! There‘s even a dead serial killer in the basement. What makes this such a clever story, is that Margaret is able to cope by applying the skills she has learned surviving years of domestic violence. Her husband earns his just deserts in the basement. There‘s a great, powerful women-united-against-violence ending!

Hana Westerman was a fascinating character in Better The Blood. We get to know her better in this 2nd in the series, but more importantly, we get to know her family and friends better. I loved experiencing life and the crime through the eyes of daughter, Addison and her partner, PLUS 1. Hana‘s father, Eru and her former police colleagues add depth. Getting to know one of the victims, as an after-death voice is brilliant. A great read!

The protagonist of this great mystery, Sergeant Joe Swallow, is a complex interesting character and I look forward to reading the later titles in the series. In the midst of the worst heatwave on record, Dublin prepares for Victoria‘s Golden Jubilee; two women have been murdered and dissidents threaten the festivities. Swallow believes the two murders are linked and that the unrest is related but some superiors want his investigation stopped.

This was a somewhat predictable, but very enjoyable read, full of interesting historical details. A young Irish woman flees Ireland for New York. Answering an ad, she travels west as a mail order bride, seeking a family to love. Her husband is a psychopath who marries and kills wealthy women for their money. Set during and after the Great San Francisco earthquake. Speaks to the power of blended families and love. Interesting twist at the end.

“Everything that is hidden will become clear.” Ms King has given us a story that reveals the truth behind two of the lingering puzzles related to Sherlock Holmes‘s past: his mother‘s death and his relationship with Irene Adler and with Russell‘s help the truth is revealed. Fascinating, well written, and deeply satisfying, if you‘re a Baker St. Irregular, don‘t miss this read!

Well, this book was just charming, and exactly what I needed during this stressful week! So glad that it starts a new series.

Inspector Chopra has been forced into retirement after a heart attack. Surprisingly, a favorite uncle bequeaths him with, of all things, a baby elephant. As Chopra struggles to confront his retirement, he cannot ignore the drowning death of a young man. As he follows clues, his elephant becomes an invaluable assistant.

I was so glad to spend time with Vivian Kelly again. It was also good to get to know her sister, Florence better. All the other great characters are here too: Danny, Honor and Bea, whose Uncle has died. Ruled a suicide by the cops, the friends aren‘t convinced and there investigation reveals a terrible conspiracy. Once again Schellman gives us wonderful period detail. Can‘t wait for the next in the series!

Ooh, this is a good thriller! Written by a former police officer who has crafted a great procedural, given us an evil villain, and a really interesting protagonist: Detective Leonore Asker, who has a fascinating back story. Demoted by a self-serving colleague, Asker winds up in a sub basement with a group of misfit colleagues. Whip smart and courageous she solves a beautifully complicated case. First in a series with a cliff hanger at the end.

Although the end it wrapped up in a fairly trite bow, I cared enough about the characters have a bit weep at the final resolution.

Ruthie, the youngest member of a Mi'kmaq family disappears in Nova Scotia while her family works the blueberry fields. The novel tells her story as she grows up with the couple that kidnapped her, and also recounts how her birth family was affected by her loss. Peters‘ language is lush and well worth reading.

I‘m grateful that this great debut is first in a series: A Variety Palace Mystery. Walsh has given us a fascinating story, great characters, and surprising twists, particularly at the end. Set in Victorian London, the titular character, Rose, is found hanging in the Adelphi Arches. The police dismiss the death as a suicide. Minnie Ward and the private detective Albert Easterbrook investigate and find evil lurking in private men‘s clubs. Loved it!

“Endurance was strength. The courage of the lost swelled and moved, a force separating the days, clearing the way.” (p. 276) This is a remarkable novel with beautifully crafted writing and a fascinating story. Set in the aftermath of the Civil War and told through multiple voices and perspectives. Phillips gives us an account of how the horrors of slavery, poverty and war fracture lives and identities. Winner of the 2024 Pulitzer for Fiction.

This is a slow burn of a novel that, while beautifully written, does not follow familiar narrative arcs. As a result it is, at times, a challenging read.

Anisa dreams of being a famous translator but she struggles with language acquisition. Her boy friend has learned languages with incredible speed. He introduces her to The Centre, an extremely exclusive and secretive school. There is a horrific truth behind their successes.

Mrs. Wood is a very well known medium in Victorian London who is hiding a secret about her past. Attempting to attract new patrons, she takes on a young student, Emmie Finch, who has her own agenda and, blackmailing her instructor, threatens Mrs. Woods livelihood.

The details about readings, séances and the tricks of the trade are fascinating. Lucy Barker gives us a portrait of a woman potentially aging out of her profession. Well worth reading.

An engaging historical novel telling the story of two young British women and how their lives are affected by the beginning of World War I. Peggy and her neurodivergent twin, Maude work for the bindery at Oxford‘s University Press. Peggy longs for access to higher education, but fears the Maude cannot live without her support. Refugees from Belgium change their world, offering new vistas. No easy solutions or pat endings here. An interesting read.

In this first in a series, Aurora Ascher has given us a fairly unsuccessful, derivative fantasy. The novel proves, yet again, that steamy sex cannot substitute for plot, world building, or character development. That said, I did finish the novel albeit with a lot of skimming. Although a fantasy author might be excused flaws if they are resolved in a sequel, she tells us that the next book will focus another storyline, so probably not.

Good horror stories always leave you wondering about what‘s real. Medina‘s novel does a great job of leaving us guessing. We‘re unsure whether what Louie experienced as a child was real, or whether his mental health was affected by trauma. Now his niece, Naomi has terrible troubles and his monsters are back, or are they real? A beautifully written story about our fears and how they affect our attempts to save family and friends from themselves.

Benny Catspaw is nice. He‘s so nice, in fact, that a shadowy organization has targeted him as a threat to their plans for world domination. Then a mysterious sarcophagus is delivered and he is introduced to Spike, his Craggle, an alien creature dedicated to protecting their assigned charges who are too good for this world. Spike, Benny and Harper Harper set out to defeat the bad guys. Weird, yes, but more surprising is the charming humor.

Tana French has mad skills, and her latest novel is a knock-out! Set in West Ireland, in her hands the small town of Ardnakelty becomes a character in its own right. Johnny Reddy, under the control of a Brit crook, schemes to defraud. His daughter, Trey, has her own revenge agenda. Her adult friends Cal and Lena are trying to protect her from herself. The characters are marvelous and unforgettable. The ending is great. Highly recommended!

I loved to two earlier Pentecost and Parker books and his third offers a gloriously complicated plot. We get to know the two detectives better, and meet their really interesting client, Holly Quick. Great historical details. Very highly recommended. I also love Spotswood‘s view of the world: “my first thanks go to everyone, everywhere, fighting for a future that‘s a damn sight brighter than the world our heroes have waiting for them” (p. 367)

A competent mystery, first in an Alaskan series and featuring Cara Kennedy. Cara is on disability leave from the Anchorage Police Department after the death of her family. She‘s still trying to track down those responsible. She exhumes their bodies in a search for clues, and finds a shocking surprise that leads her a corrupt drug company, and a village that offers safe harbor to those in need. The setting is very well done, the story needs work.

I almost bailed on this read. I found the writing kludgy and the authors‘s tendency to drop unnecessary classical allusions into the text was just plain weird. About halfway though, it was like a switch was thrown and suddenly a plot appeared and the characters began to shine, and maybe that was the point. Once Emily accepts the help of her fae colleague, Bambleby and that of her neighbors, she grows beyond her stodgy ways.

I‘m not new to the horror genre, and I‘ve enjoyed LaValle‘s work in the past, but unfortunately I decided to bail on this. I read well over half, but found that my anxiety was increasing, and I‘m not in a place where that‘s OK. That said, this had an interesting plot relating the eerie story of women pioneers in Montana who have brought their curses along as they strive to build new lives.

Set in a beautiful part of my state, and written by a Michigan author, this mystery was a joy to read. Michael Russo, a Petoskey attorney, usually handles family law. When a wealthy member of a weirdly insular resort, Cherokee Point is murdered, the police ask Russo‘s help in gaining the other resident‘s confidence. Russo winds up investigating the suspects, and ultimately solving the case, but the truth is terrible. Glad it‘s part of a series.

I have really enjoyed the books in Massey‘s Perveen Mistry series. Set in 1920‘s India, the sense of place and history are fascinating and this, her latest, is a great read. Perveen, the only female lawyer in Bombay, is representing a woman falsely charged with the use of an abortifacient, and later with the murder of her employer. The truth revolves around white colonial greed. We get to know more about Perveen in each novel

I actually enjoyed this light read. The author explores the ways in which we adjust our stories and concepts of love to protect ourselves from difficult truths.

According to Penelope, ostensibly a teacher, actually something much more and terrible, the Everly family owes her a blood debt; Violet sets out to remove the curse, sometimes aided, sometimes betrayed by Penelope‘s acolyte: Alexander. The plot gets a bit muddy at times.

What an interesting read! Set in Kyiv, 1919, a period of great unrest. Samson Kolechko has lost his entire family, most recently his father who is murdered by one of the factions fighting for control of the city. In the attack, Samson loses an ear. Reporting thieving Red Army soldiers who seize space in his home, Samson is offered a job with the newly formed police force. Fine start of a new series with great characters. Beautifully translated.

What a great read! Tautly plotted and very well written.

A young black man kills a white school teacher in the aptly named Charon County, VA. As he leaves the scene he is killed by the police. As Sheriff Titus Crowne investigates, terrible evil acts are revealed and they must hunt a serial killer. All in the midst of racial provocation by Confederate apologists.

I loved Titus‘s final redemptive act at this end of this highly recommended novel.

Ash Woods wanted to enter Lancaster College to earn his Alchemy Certificate, but unaffiliated with a powerful clan he‘s denied entry. Working as a gardener he meets Ramsey Thorne who recognizes their latent power. Ultimately joined by Callum Kendrick they embark on a quest for the Book of Source.

As a younger reader, my parents allowed to read anything I chose. I should note that this YA book has explicit bits, but well suited to the story.

I‘m not sure if I can really recommend Sager‘s latest. The first 2/3 of the book is slow, laying almost more of a back story than needed. The last third of the book has so many plot twists, it‘s almost hard to keep track. In short, the pacing is really weird. The plot: fleeing a personal scandal Kit McDeere becomes caretaker for Lenora Hope accused, but never convicted of her family‘s murder. Now she wants to tell her story.

Speculative fiction, and yet one of the more powerful condemnations of the American penal system that I‘ve read since Michelle Alexander‘s nonfiction The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration… The author‘s footnotes are brilliant!

Prisoners, tortured into a complete lack of hope, are offered a chance at freedom by participating in state supported gladiator-like killing “games.” In the midst of the carnage, there is grace. Unforgettable characters.