This Book Will Bury Me

Title: This Book Will Bury Me
Author: Ashley Winstead
Published: March 25, 2025 by Sourcebooks Landmark
Format: Kindle, Hardcover, 475 Pages
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

Blurb: After the unexpected death of her father, college student Jane Sharp longs for a distraction from her grief. She becomes obsessed with true crime, befriending armchair detectives who teach her how to hunt killers from afar. In this morbid internet underground, Jane finds friendship, purpose, and even glory.

So when news of the shocking deaths of three college girls in Delphine, Idaho takes the world by storm, and sleuths everywhere race to solve the crimes, Jane and her friends are determined to beat them. But the case turns out to be stranger than anyone expected. Details don't add up, the police are cagey, and there seems to be more media hype and internet theorizing than actual evidence. When Jane and her sleuths take a step closer, they find that every answer only begs more questions. Something's not adding up, and they begin to suspect their killer may be smarter and more prolific than any they've faced before. Placing themselves in the center of the story starts to feel more and more like walking into a trap.

Told one year after the astounding events that concluded the case and left the world reeling, when Jane has finally decided to break her silence about what really happened, she tells the true story of the Delphine Massacres. And what she has to confess will shock even the most seasoned true crime fans.

My Opinion: This novel was my first introduction to Ashley Winstead, and if this isn’t considered her best, then I’m buckling up, because what’s in her earlier works must be phenomenal. From the first page, I was swept into a mix of memory, grief, digital sleuthing, and narrative trickery that pulled me deeper with each chapter.

Told in distinctive parts, the story is told from the perspective of Jane Sharpe (aka Searcher24), who enters the true crime world not out of voyeuristic obsession, but out of personal grief. Her plan was to learn more about her late father, whose past is knotted in shadows. That pursuit leads her to an underground collective of amateur sleuths, each with their own skills and motives: Lightly, the retired cop and father figure; Mistress, a retired librarian; CitizenNight, has a navy background; and Lord Goku, a high-level techy.

As the narrative shifts into co-ed murders that echo the recent Idaho Kohberger case and the Richard Speck case from the mid 1960’s, Winstead ups the ante. Relating a storyline to true events isn’t a bad idea, since Paula McLain did the same thing in her book ‘When the Stars Go Dark’ and the abduction and murder of Polly Klaas.

There are moments when you feel like you’re reading investigative journalism, but then Winstead reminds you that with fiction, nothing is safe. Even the structure itself is a sly deception: we’re reading Jane’s book, layered with footnotes and reflections that hint at motive, defense, and possibly guilt. A book within a book. A crime within a question.

The storytelling is laced with references to real-life cases and famous true crime voices. Ann Rule floated to the surface early for me, like a breadcrumb meant to be followed. It’s oddly satisfying how Winstead dances between homage and originality, grounding readers in familiar territory while leading us toward a disturbing and ultimately shocking ending. And let’s talk about that ending; yes, I spotted the twist early, but still, she managed to keep my interest all the way through. What I didn’t see coming was how satisfying and unsettling the final pages would be.

This book is for anyone who enjoys crime fiction that not only entertains but also raises questions about obsession, morality, storytelling, and the individuals who pursue ghosts in digital back alleys.

And with this book, Ashley Winstead earns her spot on my “be on the lookout for” list.

Broken Country

Title: Broken Country
Author: Clare Leslie Hall
Published: March 4, 2025 by Simon & Schuster
Format: Hardcover, 320 Pages
Genre: Women's Fiction

Blurb: Beth and her gentle, kind husband Frank are happily married, but their relationship relies on the past staying buried. But when Beth’s brother-in-law shoots a dog going after their sheep, Beth doesn’t realize that the gunshot will alter the course of their lives. For the dog belonged to none other than Gabriel Wolfe, the man Beth loved as a teenager—the man who broke her heart years ago. Gabriel has returned to the village with his young son Leo, a boy who reminds Beth very much of her own son, who died in a tragic accident.

As Beth is pulled back into Gabriel’s life, tensions around the village rise and dangerous secrets and jealousies from the past resurface, this time with deadly consequences. Beth is forced to make a choice between the woman she once was, and the woman she has become.

A sweeping love story with the pace and twists of a thriller, Broken Country is a novel of simmering passion, impossible choices, and explosive consequences that toggles between the past and present to explore the far-reaching legacy of first love.

My Opinion: I’m honestly puzzled, not by the storyline, but by the glowing reviews. A farmer dies, someone’s on trial, and there’s a slow-moving triangle that should have built suspense. But instead of a gripping mystery, the reader was given a meandering narrative that tiptoes around its revelations.

That’s not to say that the writing isn’t smooth since Hall knows how to craft a sentence and set a scene. I could see the farm, feel the heat of the summer, and sense Beth’s quiet unraveling. But the pacing? Painful. By a third of the way in, I still wasn’t sure what I was supposed to care about. The trial chapters tease just enough to keep you curious, but never offer the kind of breadcrumbs that make you lean in.

We get Beth’s before and after, Gabriel’s reappearance, and Frank caught in the middle, a brother’s anger, and the emotions at stakes, but other parts felt diluted by all the vagueness. I kept waiting for the moment that would hook me. It never came. Not really.

Things do pick up toward the end. The trial gains momentum, names are finally dropped, twists emerge, and it all ties together in a way that makes you reassess some characters. But it took too long to get there.

A love story, yes. One filled with broken promises, miscommunication, unresolved grief, and to be honest, more lies than insight. By the final chapter, I understood what the author was trying to do, but it didn’t hit me the way I’d hoped. I kept wanting more, but didn’t get it.

The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg

Title: The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg
Author: Krista Davis
Published: May 27, 2025 by Kensington Cozies
Format: Kindle, Harcover, 320 Pages
Genre: Amateur Sleuth
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: A Domestic Diva Mystery #18

Blurb: Stylish brunches are all the rage this autumn in Old Town Alexandria, and everyone’s posting their parties on social media. But while Domestic Diva Sophie Winston juggles her event-filled calendar, she’s approached by local designer Mitzi Lawson—who is afraid someone is following her. The very next day Mitzi loses her best friend and business partner, Denise. The two were renovating a generations-old house where Denise died unexpectedly, and Mitzi fears that it wasn’t a medical condition to blame, but murder.

It could just be the shock talking, but Sophie agrees to help Mitzi involve the police. Then she receives a panicked phone call from Mitzi, and when she rushes to the old house, Mitzi is nowhere to be found. Now Sophie’s appetite for investigation is piqued even more than her appetite for eggs Benedict and mimosas.

Could Denise’s death be connected to her viper’s nest of in-laws or the house she was working on which her husband just inherited? What of the self-proclaimed etiquette expert with some improper secrets, or the scheming mistress? Or does the old house harbor secrets of its own? There’s a generous buffet of suspects to keep the Diva scrambling for an answer . . .

My Opinion: Eighteen books in, and Sophie Winston is still at it in Old Town, Virginia. Solving murders, relying on gossip and rumor, and somehow always wearing the perfect seasonal outfit from her magic closet, since she rarely steps inside a boutique.

If you’re new to the series, don’t worry. Davis gives a friendly recap of the usual cast of characters (because who can remember seventeen books' worth of backstory?). That said, this installment throws in a whole batch of new names and you might need to reference a family tree, or at least a nap and a notepad, to keep them straight.

The setup is classic cozy: a historic mansion, a dead interior designer with complicated connections, and a whodunnit that hinges on hearsay and social slipups. With so much in the mix, Sophie is summoned, yet again, because being an amateur sleuth seventeen times gives you lifetime murder-solving privileges. And yes, on occasion, she lets the actual police do their job.

Aunt Faye’s maybe-haunted portrait (this was a plot point in an earlier book) gets a revisit in this book. The light is golden, the frame tilts, but alas, the supernatural subplot from previous books seems to have fizzled into little more than a nod. Still, that detail, plus a twisty discovery of bones from the late 1960s found behind a wall, and Faye’s journal, offers just enough surprise to keep things rolling.

The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg is exactly what you'd expect from Krista Davis: a cozy mystery that’s more about quirky charm and familiar rhythms than heart-pounding suspense. Is this groundbreaking? Nope. But it’s not supposed to be. This is your revisit with fictional friends who get the job done while never missing brunch.

My Friends

Title: My Friends
Author: Fredrik Backman
Published: May 6, 2025 by Atria Books
Format: Kindle, Hardcover 436 Pages
Genre: Literary Fiction
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

Blurb: Most people don’t even notice them—three tiny figures sitting at the end of a long pier in the corner of one of the most famous paintings in the world. Most people think it’s just a depiction of a wide expanse of sea. But Louisa, soon to be eighteen years old and an aspiring artist herself, knows otherwise. She is determined to find out the story behind these three enigmatic figures.

More than two decades before, in a distant seaside town, a group of teenagers find refuge from their bruising home lives by spending long summer days on an abandoned pier telling silly jokes, sharing secrets, and committing small acts of rebellion. These lost souls find in each other a reason to get up every morning, a reason to dream, a reason to love.

Out of that summer emerges a transcendent work of art, a painting that, after a chance encounter in an alleyway, will unexpectedly be placed into Louisa’s care. She embarks on a surprise-filled cross-country journey to discover how the painting came to be and to decide what to do with it. The closer she gets to the painting’s birthplace, the more anxious she becomes about what she'll find. Louisa's complicated life is proof that happy endings are sometimes possible, but they don't always take the form we expect them to.

My Opinion: This is not a book you simply read, it’s one you endure, absorb, and carry with you long after the final page. The first chapters punch you in the heart so forcefully, it’s almost daring readers to continue. Yet those who continue will discover a master storyteller who weaves pain and longing into every moment.

Backman doesn’t write characters. He conjures souls. Louisa, the orphaned teen searching for belonging, holds the narrative in a fragile, fierce, and illuminating way. Her grief over Fish’s death lingers on every page. She’s forged herself a backstory to fill the void, and her desperation to avoid another foster home is palpable. Ted, drawn into her orbit, is both shaken and transformed. And then there’s the painter who cracks the veneer between art and truth, and is held tightly by those who believe in him.

What begins with a postcard and the quest for a painting becomes an emotional scavenger hunt through human suffering, reluctant hope, and the weight of memory. Backman’s style demands focus; questions are asked with no promise of immediate answers. But the journey between question and resolution is where the reader truly lives. Reaching for hope, but knowing that is not an option.

The writing is prophetic, often circling back to earlier seeds planted quietly between pages. Just when you think Ted and the others might catch a break, Backman holds back. There is no easy redemption, no tidy conclusion; only truth that is raw, devastating, and, at times, gorgeous.

Louisa injects chaos into Ted’s life, almost hilariously so. And while 40 absolutely isn’t “old,” she threatens to age him decades by sheer emotional force alone. Their dynamic adds a flicker of light in an otherwise dark tale.

I had to walk away from this book for a short time. Not because I didn’t love it, but because it created a sadness and wouldn’t let me go. Yet when I returned, it greeted me with wisdom I hadn’t seen before and proof that the most painful stories often require courage to finish.

As I reached the final pages, I found myself stalling. I didn’t want to say goodbye. And then, in a bittersweet twist, Louisa becomes someone else’s postcard. That full-circle moment. That’s where the tears come. If you reach the end and don’t feel it in your bones, I’m not sure you’re fully human.

A novel that will hurt you. It will haunt you. And you’ll love it for that.

Just Beachy

Title: Just Beachy
Author: Wendy Wax
Published: June 3, 2025 by Berkley
Format: Paperback, 304 Pages
Genre: Women's Fiction
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

Blurb: After losing her long-time acting gig on the hit show Murder 101, Sydney Ryan decides she needs a break from Hollywood politics. She heads to Treasure Island, Florida where her grandmother has been visiting and now refuses to leave. Sydney’s plan to lay low for a bit quickly goes awry though, as she is swept up in her grandmother’s now flourishing social life—Grand not only bought a new house in Casas de Flores, she’s also helping her neighbor Myra open a bookstore in Pass-a-Grille. But when someone breaks into Grand’s house repeatedly Sydney realizes her grandmother is keeping something from her.

Determined to ferret out the truth and protect her grandmother, Sydney enlists the help of the Ten Beach Road ladies and Luke, a local police officer who was once her high school crush. While Sydney puts her television crime solving skills to the test, she decides to act on the sizzling chemistry between her and Luke. And as Sydney spends more sunsets toasting to true friends and new romance, she begins to wonder if the sun is setting on her time in Hollywood and if this town could be the dawn of a new chapter.

My Opinion: I went into Just Beachy thinking I was diving back into the warm familiarity of the Ten Beach Road series, full of sunshine, friendship, fixer-uppers. What I got instead was... confusion. Sure, there are throwaway mentions of Pass-a-Grille and a nod to the ladies from the original crew, but this story is all Sydney Ryan. And wow, does her storyline stretch the boundaries of believability.

So, here’s Sydney: she’s been on a wildly successful, award-winning TV show for five years, winning Emmys and Golden Globes. But somehow, she’s broke? Because she spent it all on her dream home and personal maintenance? That math doesn’t math. Then the public supposedly confuses her with her character Cassie, a woman written into rehab, which leads to Sydney’s career collapse and a move to Florida to visit her grandmother and reinvent herself. As one does when they’re trying to reboot their Hollywood acting career. In Pass-a-Grille?

Let’s pause. Los Angeles to Florida as a career jumpstart? That’s not rebooting, that’s relocating to irrelevance. And the notion that people can't tell the difference between an actress and her character? Have we fallen into an alternate reality where basic media literacy no longer exists?

Then there’s the steamy scenes between Sydney and Luke, where I genuinely laughed out loud because they were written like an awkward improv sketch.

This book felt like one long misunderstanding between logic, plotting, and potential. Honestly, I should’ve abandoned ship early on. But instead, I popped in my earbuds, doubled the playback speed, and scrubbed the baseboards just to feel productive while waiting for something to happen that wasn’t as predictable as grandma’s secret and the gray fox.

I’m not saying I’ve broken up with Wendy Wax, but let’s just say we’re on a trial separation.

A Thousand Tiny Stitches

Title: A Thousand Tiny Stitches
Author: Stephanie Claypool
Published: November 12, 2024 by Atmosphere Press
Format: Kindle, Paperback, 313 Pages
Genre: Women's Fiction
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

Blurb: After a hit-and-run driver tragically kills Lily's daughter and son-in-law, she is left with unspeakable grief, custody of her eight-year-old granddaughter Emma, and an impossible wish: to fulfill her daughter’s dream of opening a quilt shop in the old house in their small Western Pennsylvania town.

The house is in shambles, coated with years of grime, but Lily, unable to afford contractors on her late husband’s pension, tackles the job herself. As Emma’s emotional struggles deepen, the old house presents a barrage of increasingly costly obstacles. Worse, when Lily discovers a squatter living on the property, she fears for their safety. Only her unwavering belief that the shop is the best way to build a new life for herself and Emma keeps Lily pushing forward.

But not everyone in town is rooting for Lily’s success, and the line between helper and hinderer isn’t always clear, forcing Lily to make sacrifices she never imagined. She will need to prove it isn’t the patchwork that makes a quilt but the thousands of tiny stitches that bind the layers—and maybe hold a family together.

My Opinion: A Thousand Tiny Stitches opens with heartbreak. Widow Lily loses her daughter and son-in-law in a sudden car accident and is left caring for her eight-year-old granddaughter Emma. Both are quietly drowning in grief, each one afraid to crack the surface for fear of upsetting the other. And so, instead of sitting with their sorrow, they chase a dream: Amanda’s dream of opening a quilt shop in their small town. If they can focus on making something, they won’t have to look at the pieces of their life that shattered.

From there, it becomes less about quilting and more about mending the soul. The shop isn’t just a business; it’s a refuge. Lily’s circle of quilting friends rally around her, armed with comfort and tenderness. Doug, a homeless veteran living in a garage out back, shows up with his own story stitched in trauma and eventually, in kindness. And the café owner’s parents? They become another set of grandparents, helping with Emma as the community begins to form something beautiful and unexpected.

There’s just enough friction to keep things real—betrayal, financial struggles, emotional scars—but Claypool never lets the darkness take over. Instead, the story leans into second chances: love blossoms quietly, broken people find connection, and Lily rediscovers her strength one DIY project at a time. Everyone's navigating a new path, and somehow all those tangled emotions turn into something quietly triumphant.

Will you shed a tear? Yes. But it's also warm and affirming in that small-town-women’s-fiction kind of way. There's laughter tucked into even the saddest chapters, and moments where hope sneaks in through a dusty window. Lily and Emma’s grief doesn't disappear; it’s stitched into their new life softened by the people around them, and that’s what makes this story feel so gently uplifting.

The Day I Died

Title: The Day I Died
Author: Anne Frasier
Published: October 28, 2024 by Belfry Press
Format: Paperback, 294 Pages
Genre: Thriller
Series: Olivia Welles #2

Blurb: Detective Olivia Welles vanished into the shadows, faking her own death to shield the ones she loves. But now the clock is ticking and the danger she thought she'd escaped has come roaring back. Forced out of hiding, Olivia must confront her past, outsmart relentless enemies, and risk it all in a pulse-pounding race to save everything—and everyone—that matters. Hold on tight for this high-stakes, nonstop thrill ride!

My Opinion: Two and a half years after ‘The Night I Died’. Olivia is now working in a bar in the middle of nowhere, thinking she will stay there until her husband and daughter need her. This would be the same husband and daughter who think she has died.

Enter Alasdair “Father Love” Smith, a cult leader so unnervingly charismatic that it’s easy to understand how he amassed followers by the millions. He’s not just a villain in the traditional sense; he’s a reminder that manipulation stems from magnetism. When he targets Olivia, blaming her for the carnage at his compound, which took his wife and children, the stakes take on a sinister tone.

Frasier doesn’t throw her punches early. Instead, she plants quiet, seemingly unremarkable details that bloom into pivotal revelations. Those moments where the mundane becomes meaningful, hit with precision. You’re suddenly questioning everything -- who to trust, what’s real, whether Olivia herself is telling the whole story, and whether she can make it to the end.

But even as the plot becomes more demanding, what stood out most was the novel’s soul. At its core, this is a character-driven story. Horrific things happen, but it’s the people who carry you through. Olivia’s complexity and her fractured strength are compelling. Calliope might be too witty for a three-year-old, but her sass adds the emotional break you need. Will and Finn, each vying for Olivia, offer emotional tension grounded in sincerity. And Griffin... dear sweet Griffin, will quietly break your heart.

Frasier also slips in something unexpected: insight into the anatomy of cults. Not a deep dive, but just enough to make you pause. To wonder. To realize how charisma and planted ideas can shape and warp followers.

I often wonder why more readers aren’t talking about Anne Frasier. Her stories thread together suspense, nuance, and the kind of emotion that lingers. She has a devoted fan base, but her name deserves more recognition on the thriller aisle.

The Case of the Secret Spirit-Half

Title: The Case of the Secret Spirit-Half
Author: Lucy Banks
Published: October 11, 2022 by Chicago Review Press
Format: Paperback, 288 Pages
Genre: Cozy Paranormal
Series: Dr Ribero's Agency of the Supernatural #5

Blurb: Kester is a wanted man.

After letting the daemon Hrschni escape, Infinite Enterprises are hunting Kester down, and the rest of Ribero’s supernatural agency swear they’ll never forgive him. But who can he trust, Hrschni or Infinite Enterprises?

While on the run, he reencounters the powerful daemon, who uses his powers to take Kester back and forth in time. As a spectre of the past, Kester must learn the truth about his mother while staying one step ahead of agents on his tail. But when Miss Wellbeloved and Ribero are seized by Infinite Enterprises, Kester uncovers a shocking truth, one that may change the course of the entire supernatural world.

In the last and final instalment of Dr Ribero’s Supernatural Agency, it all comes down to Kester and the secrets of the past.

My Opinion: After three years away from this quirky little gem of a series, I didn’t expect to slip so seamlessly back into its world, but I did, and it felt like I had never been away from this old group of friends who just so happen to deal with the spirit world for a living.

All the familiar faces are here: Hrschni, Ribero, Kester, Miss Wellbeloved, and the full, endearing, often maddening roster of colleagues, roommates, and not-quite-smooth love interests. The story flows in a “then and now” dual-timeline that stitches together the present-day chaos with Gretchen, Kester’s enigmatic mother’s, past, who once walked the halls of the School for Supernatural Further Education.

Through a risky time-travel experiment, Kester is given the chance to see the version of his mother he never knew. A woman who was vibrant, powerful, and deeply entangled in the lives of Ribero and Jennifer Wellbeloved. It’s part revelation, part reckoning, and more than a little heartbreak.

Kester has always been the most unlikely of heroes. A reluctant recruit and the softest in the Agency is now at the center of it all. It’s up to him to piece together what’s been hidden, carry forward what matters, and protect both the living and the spirits. And he rises to it, in the most Kester way possible.

This book doesn’t just wrap up the plot threads, but deepens them, weaving in an unexpected backstory that gives weight to the title and meaning to the journey.

Tone-wise, this falls firmly into what I’d call “cozy paranormal.” No grimdark shadows or graphic encounters, just warm, peculiar people navigating the supernatural with heart, charm, and dry wit. You won’t find blistering romantic tension or haunted house horror, but you will find characters you grow to truly care about.

This series deserves a brighter spotlight. And as finales go, this one hits the perfect notes of touching, funny, and quietly profound in the way only the best genre-crossing novels manage to do.

Slow Burn Summer

Title: Slow Burn Summer
Author: Josie Silver
Published: June 10, 2025 by Dell
Format: Kindle, Paperback, 352 pages
Genre: Romance
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

Blurb: Talent agent Charlie Francisco has three problems: a divorce that ended his screenwriting career, a business he never planned to inherit, and a take-your-breath-away romance novel whose author wants nothing to do with its publication. The book is a surefire hit, if only his agency can find someone to “play” author on its summer book tour.

Enter Kate Elliott, a former soap actress who’s miraculously right for the part at the very moment her life seems to be going all wrong. Kate is still recovering from her own divorce and Charlie’s job offer is a lifeline. She agrees to the pretense for all interviews, signings, and appearances surrounding the novel’s publication. But she can’t know who really wrote the remarkable story—the one so beautiful it’s made her believe in love again.

When Kate and Charlie meet they’re all friction and sparks—the one thing they have in common is they’re determined to play their respective parts. But as the summer heat ups and the lies get bigger and bigger, can they stick to their lines . . . or will they go off-script?

My Opinion: I don’t typically reach for romance novels, but I learned a while ago that when Josie Silver is writing, it’s my kind of romance, full of warmth, wit, and just the right amount of swoon.

Kate doesn’t just speak, she meanders, tangents, and spirals in the most delightful way. Her panicked, spiraling is pure gold, and when they ricochet off her sister Liv’s grounded pragmatism, it’s laugh-out-loud funny. Their dynamic is worth the read all on its own.

By chapter ten, you might think you’ve cracked the mystery of the ghostwritten book Kate’s been hired to promote. And you might be right… or maybe not. Silver plays with reader expectation just enough to keep you guessing, layering in small twists that tug at the rug beneath your feet right when you think you have it all figured out.

Then there’s Charlie. Ah, Charlie, with his “whiskey and cola” eyes and that simmering, buttoned-up demeanor that all good slow burns require. The professional boundaries are there. The spark is undeniable. And yes, eventually we get that scene, the one that hits just right and earns every wistful sigh. True to the slow burn promise, nothing comes easy. Even that scene is treated like a “deleted scene” tucked between complicated decisions and emotional restraint. Still, the embers linger... and maybe, just maybe, they get a second chance.

Just when you think the story’s comfortably coasting toward resolution, a reveal shakes everything loose. It’s not what you were expecting. It’s substantial. Kate has to decide what she’s willing to risk for the sake of someone else’s happy ending. And she does it with a kind of quiet courage that sneaks up on you.

Silver sprinkles in pop culture nods and literary Easter eggs give the book extra sparkle, making it a breezy summer read with heart and humor. This isn’t a story of fantasy spice levels, it’s a story of chemistry, conviction, and the little moments that matter most.

Bitterfrost

Title: Bitterfrost
Author: Bryan Gruley
Published: April 1, 2025 by Severn House
Format: Kindle, 336 pages
Genre: Thriller
Series: Bitterfrost #1

Blurb: Thirteen years ago, former ice hockey star Jimmy Baker quit the game after almost killing an opponent. Now, as the Zamboni driver for the amateur team in his hometown of Bitterfrost, Michigan, he’s living his penance. Until the morning he awakens to the smell of blood . . .

Jimmy soon finds himself arrested for a brutal double murder. The kicker? He has no memory of the night in question. And as the evidence racks up against him, Jimmy’s case is skating on thin ice. Could he have committed such a gruesome crime?

As his defence attorney, Devyn Payne and prosecuting detective Garth Klimmek race to uncover the truth, time is running out for Jimmy. Because all he can really be sure of is that he is capable of taking a life. The question is, in his blacked-out state, did he take two?

My Opinion: Bryan Gruley is one of those authors I’d read in the past and somehow let slip off my radar. That is, until Bitterfrost jolted him right to the forefront. This novel unfolds with a quiet intensity set deep in the heart of Midwestern Noir. An atmospheric blend of moral ambiguity, isolation, and hard truths.

Gruley builds a town that’s equal parts physically remote and emotionally stranded, where hockey isn’t just a sport, it’s the one fragile thread that might offer hope of getting out. That theme of escape, reminiscent of Fredrik Backman’s Beartown, echoes throughout the story as broken characters navigate corruption, trauma, the messy ethics of survival, and flickers of hope.

The pacing is deliberate, withholding backstory until just the right moment, then delivering a twist that feels both surprising and, in hindsight, inevitable. You don’t cheer for these characters because they’re perfect, you root for them because they’re real. Flawed, haunted, and trying.

This isn’t a story of redemption wrapped in a bow. Instead, it closes with an exhale and a sense of earned endurance. The people may still be broken. The town, still bleak. But something has shifted just enough for the reader to feel it.

This is the first in a series. I’m not sure when the second book will be released or where the story will go, but I know for certain I won’t let this author fall off the radar again.

Death Stake

Title: Death Stake
Author: Andrew Mayne
Published: October 29, 2024 by Thomas & Mercer
Format: Kindle, 311 pages
Genre: Thriller
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Trasker #2

Blurb: Retired intelligence operative Brad Trasker heads security at a remote aerospace facility when there’s a major breach. A photo of their top-secret AI-designed hydrogen engine has surfaced online. Trasker’s investigation into who did it soon leads to a start-up in Bangkok, where its three software developers have disappeared, along with nearly a million dollars in investment money.

Following their tracks, Trasker hits a dead end. The start-up’s HQ is a padlocked crime scene. No one—not the cagey locals, the mobbed-up gangs, or the Royal Thai Police—is keen on answering Trasker’s questions. But their message is get out of Bangkok or die.

Hunted by assassins, Trasker is drawn into the same complex high-tech underworld of cryptocurrency, digital espionage, and betrayal that swallowed up the runaway coders. As the line between ally and enemy blurs, and the stakes become life and death, Trasker must navigate the dangerous intersection of modern intelligence and old-school spy games to survive.

My Opinion: This novel took some time to find its footing. About a quarter of the way through, to be exact. At first, the usual high-intensity pacing I’ve come to expect from Mayne was missing, replaced by too much filler and a lack of the snappy banter that normally keeps the dialogue lively. But once the story opened, the stiffness faded, the unanswered questions started to resolve, and the momentum finally kicked in.

The technology, whether real or convincingly placed, is something I’d rather not dwell on. Some things are better left in the shadows, and the world of espionage is one of them. The mid-story twist saved the pacing from stagnating just as it was slipping into predictability, but the overall rhythm felt uneven. Lulls stretched too long, only for tension spikes to rush through like an afterthought.

Compared to the first book, this one felt a bit underwhelming. Where the debut was nonstop action, Death Stake moved in waves, starting with excess fluff before diving into a rapid, almost hurried conclusion. And let’s talk about the tangled web of Mayne’s interconnected series -- at this point, keeping track of them all is an exercise in patience. Maybe reading by publication date is the safest bet.

Then there’s Brad Trasker. A narcissist? Maybe. A man with just the right experience and just the right anecdote for every situation? Absolutely. I won’t say I don’t like him, I do, tremendously, but maybe I liked his mother more, and her absence here was a noticeable disappointment.

Trasker is the kind of protagonist who gets the job done, no matter the moral ambiguity. If you love thrillers and espionage with a central character who plays fast and loose with the rules, he’s your guy. Would I want to sit down for a meal with him? Not particularly. But if everything went sideways? He’d be the first call, right up there with Liam Neeson.

The Geographer's Map to Romance

Title: The Geographer's Map to Romance
Author: India Horton
Published: April 8, 2025 by Berkley
Format: Kindle, Paperback, 368 Pages
Genre: Romantasy
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Love's Academic #2

Blurb: Professor Elodie Tarrant is an expert in magic disasters. Nothing fazes her--except her own personal disaster, that is: Professor Gabriel Tarrant, the grumpy, unfriendly man she married for convenience a year ago, whom she secretly loves.

Gabriel is also an expert in magic disasters. And nothing fazes him either--except the walking, talking tornado that is his wife. They've been estranged since shortly after their wedding day, but that hasn't stopped him from stoically pining for her.

When magic erupts in a small Welsh village, threatening catastrophe for the rest of England, Elodie and Gabriel are accidentally both assigned to the case. With the fate of the country in their hands, they must come together as a team in the face of perilous conditions like explosions, domesticated goats, and only one bed. But this is easier said than done. After all, there's no navigational guide for the geography of the heart.

My Opinion: Whimsy. Pure, unfiltered, slightly chaotic whimsy is the heart of The Geographer’s Map to Romance. Sure, it officially falls under fantasy, historical, and romance, but really, this book plays by its own rules with its fair share of tropes that readers are looking for.

At its core, it’s the tale of Elodie and Gabriel, a mismatched pair. She’s a walking ray of sunshine, bursting with optimism and well-intended chaos. He’s the grumpy, growling, lurking in the shadows, who is secretly (and not-so-secretly) pining for her. And here’s the kicker—they’re already married. Technically. If only the whole “happily ever after” part hadn’t gone spectacularly off the rails right after their vows. Thus enters the second-chance romance trope, served up with a side of misunderstandings (another trope) and simmering tension.

But the humor? That’s where the magic really happens. It’s not just witty dialogue; it’s the sheer absurdity of the situations these two find themselves in. The comedy is woven into the fabric of the story, driving it forward even when the pacing wobbles in places.

For true romantics, this book has moments. The kind of swoon-worthy lines that make you pause, inhale deeply, and maybe even shed a dreamy tear. There’s no shortage of quotes you’ll want to tuck away for future rereading.

And while this is part of a connected standalone series, it reads effortlessly on its own. Characters from book one make only the briefest of appearances. Elodie and Gabriel had a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment in the first installment, yet this is where they take center stage. You don’t need any prior knowledge; simply dive right in.

Need one more trope? The lack of communication. It’s the very thing that fuels the book’s charm, creating a perfect storm of frustration, missteps, and razor-sharp banter, specifically during yet another (only one bed) trope.

By the end, while I adored the humor and the witty exchanges, this one didn’t quite capture me the way the first book did. But am I sticking around for book three? Absolutely. The Antiquarian’s Object of Desire, which will follow Amelia Tarrant, doesn’t have a release date yet, but I’ll be waiting. If there’s one thing India Holton does well, it's crafting stories packed with quirky characters, baffling magic, and romance that’s smart, playful, and never overly sappy.

Canyons, Caravans, & Cadavers

Title: Canyons, Caravans, & Cadavers
Author: Tonya Kappes
Published: December 1, 2023 by Tonya Kappes Books
Format: Audiobook, 182 Pages
Genre: Amateur Sleuth
Series: Camper & Criminals #6

Blurb: When the principal of Normal High School asks Mae West to teach a semester on small town economics, since she helped bring the thriving economy in Normal, Kentucky when she used her brilliant ideas to bring the Happy Trails Campground back to life, Mae is thrilled and happy to teach the young people. But when a fellow teacher and archery Coach Roger Carlson, is found stone-cold dead, facedown in one of Happy Trails Campground campers with an arrow sticking out of his back, it puts a damper on the thriving campground when tourists cancel their reservations and Mae's excitement to teach.

Mae's hankering to snoop into the coach's private life and find out exactly why he was renting a camper in Happy Trails and not living at home with his young wife. Her efforts don't leave her short on suspects. Especially, since Mae uncovered many unhappy parents who had relied on an archery scholarship as their child's ticket to get out of Normal and go to college. Mae has to be careful or she just might find an arrow with her name written on it.

My Opinion: Tonya Kappes delivers yet another adventure with the ever-popular Camper & Criminals Mystery series. With small-town charm, a tight-knit community, and, of course, a murder that shakes up the campsite, what’s not to love?

Right from the start, the book sets the scene with that signature Kappes touch: a mix of humor, intrigue, and just enough chaos to keep things lively. The oddball cast of characters feels like old friends, and the dynamics between them make for plenty of entertaining moments. And let’s not forget the mystery itself, which was layered with unexpected twists and turns that keep the pages turning.

The plot uses all the classic elements of a cozy mystery, including eccentric suspects, charming local gossip, and an amateur sleuth determined to uncover the truth. However, Kappes adds her unique touch, making the story feel fresh instead of predictable. The pacing maintains momentum, creating an atmosphere of suspense while preserving a lighthearted tone, which is perfect for a relaxing summer day.

The Amalfi Curse

Title: The Amalfi Curse
Author: Sarah Penner
Published: April 29, 2025 by Park Row
Format: Hardcover, 336 Pages
Genre: Literary Fiction

Blurb: Haven Ambrose, a trailblazing nautical archaeologist, has come to the sun-soaked village of Positano to investigate the mysterious shipwrecks along the Amalfi Coast. But Haven is hoping to find more than old artifacts beneath the azure waters; she is secretly on a quest to locate a trove of priceless gemstones her late father spotted on his final dive. Upon Haven’s arrival, strange maelstroms and misfortunes start plaguing the town. Is it nature or something more sinister at work?

As Haven searches for her father’s sunken treasure, she begins to unearth a centuries-old tale of ancient sorcery and one woman’s quest to save her lover and her village by using the legendary art of stregheria, a magical ability to harness the ocean. Could this magic be behind Positano’s latest calamities? Haven must unravel the Amalfi Curse before the region is destroyed forever…

Against the dazzling backdrop of the Amalfi Coast, this bewitching novel shimmers with mystery, romance and the untamed magic of the sea.

My Opinion: At first glance, The Amalfi Curse had me debating whether I should even give it a shot. The opening pages weren’t promising. Filled with endorsements from BookTok influencers rather than established authors. It made me wonder: Are publishers shifting their priorities entirely, banking on influencers to sell books instead of engaging directly with readers? If so, what does that mean for the future of book publishing? That uneasy thought lingered as I turned the pages.

The first third of the novel left me feeling detached and uncertain if it would turn out to be another disappointment like The London Séance Society. I was hoping it would compare to the writing in The Lost Apothecary, which pulled me in from the start. It landed somewhere in the middle.

This time, I found myself waiting and wondering when the story would finally click. And then, around the 100-page mark, something shifted. The tangled threads of dual timelines and three distinct perspectives started to tighten into something more compelling. Sea witches, pirates, and fortune hunters are elements that should have been exciting from the start, but the book took its time, making me work for the payoff. It wasn’t until the latter half that I truly appreciated how Penner laid out the story, dropping clues rather than spoon-feeding the reader. That trust in her audience, allowing us to make connections without excess hand-holding, was refreshing.

By the end, I was surprised at how much I had come to care about the characters and the world Penner had built. What started as an uncertain read evolved into something unexpectedly satisfying. She redeemed herself here, crafting a novel that, despite its slow burn, ultimately rewarded patience. In hindsight, maybe that’s part of its charm.

FDR Drive

Title: FDR Drive
Author: James Comey
Published: May 20, 2025 by Mysterious Press
Format: Kindle, 336 Pages
Genre: Thriller
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Nora Carleton #3

Blurb: A threat is building in the city, with far right extremism powered by internet demagogues and funded by shadowy organizations. Together with legendary investigator Benny Dugan and aided by colleagues at the FBI, Nora builds a case against the key players in this burgeoning movement, arguing before a jury that some speech is actually a deadly crime. But the menace taking root is far bigger than any courtroom, and as the militants target an upcoming United Nations rally, Nora and her team must race to disrupt the plans and minimize casualties.

My Opinion: FDR Drive is not a book you pick up for light, casual reading. It’s the kind you settle in for with a cup of coffee, ready to navigate the corridors of legal and political intrigue. And yes, I understand why some readers may balk at his work; the author himself carries enough baggage to trigger strong reactions. But setting that aside, if you’ve been following the Nora Carleton series, this one pulls you in from the first chapters. The tension is immediate, the stakes high, and before you know it, you’re flipping pages deep into the night.

Some criticize the book for being too complicated and too dense. That, I don’t understand. If you pick up a political-legal thriller from someone who’s been a power insider, it’s fair to expect complexity. Comey doesn’t spoon-feed; he expects the reader to keep up. And while I may not be a lawyer, I’ve watched enough Law & Order to hold my own and this book certainly tests that focus.

The real heart of FDR Drive, though, is the dilemma it presents: Where does free speech end, and culpability begin? The novel threads together real-world concerns about podcasters being charged with incitement, existential threats, and online radicalization. It forces the reader to ask tough questions: should a podcaster be held responsible for the actions of their audience? If someone names a name, drops an address, or expresses outrage, does that implicate them in the act that follows? And what about the puppet masters behind the scenes, the people who feed the information -- are they just as guilty? These are questions with no easy answers, ones that could spark heated discussions in a book club, assuming you’re all still on speaking terms by the end.

By the third book in the series, Nora Carleton, and the characters around her feel like people you want to see make it to the next day. This isn’t a simple read. It demands patience, attention, and a willingness to wade through moral complexity. But if you’re up for the challenge, FDR Drive delivers a thought-provoking, layered narrative that sticks with you long after the final page.

Motorhomes, Maps, & Murder

Title: Motorhomes, Maps, & Murder
Author: Tonya Kappes
Published: December 1, 2023 by Tonya Kappes Books
Format: Kindle, Audiobook, 210 Pages
Genre: Amateur Sleuth
Series: Camper & Criminals #5

Blurb: Mae West, owner of Happy Trails Campground, never thought she would become an actress like her namesake. Calling herself an actress might be far stretch as she plays a minor role in the local Civil War reenactment BATTLE AT CAMP WILDCAT.

When the reenactment doesn't go as planned, not one but two of the town's folks aren't playing dead. . .they were MURDERED! Come to find out there was a prison break and the serial killer is believed to be in Normal and someone has stolen a motorhome from Happy Trails Campground.

Are these connected?

Mae lets boyfriend and hunky detective, Hank Sharp, follow all the leads about the murders and on the trail of the serial killer because she's got bigger s'mores in the fire.

The motorhome owners have filed a lawsuit and suing her for the deed to Happy Trails Campground. Mae has embraced Normal and there's nothing or no one going to take her campground. She's determined to find the motorhome and return it to the owners before she hands over any deed to anyone.

Mae just might find out that tapping into her namesake just might come in handy when coming face to face with a serial killer.

My Opinion: Tonya Kappes delivers suspense and small-town charm in Motorhomes, Maps, & Murder, packing a surprising amount into its 210 pages (5 hours of audio). From the very first chapter, chaos unfolds in Normal, Kentucky, as the town prepares for a Civil War reenactment, only for real battles to emerge when townsfolk turn up dead. The lingering question looms: Is the infamous serial killer to blame? Is he hunting down the jurors who sealed his fate? Or is there something more sinister lurking beneath the surface?

Against this backdrop of chaos, Mae West faces her own crisis, not just fighting for justice but for the very livelihood as well. Happy Trails Campground, her pride and joy, is suddenly at risk when an RV vanishes, threatening everything she’s worked for. This time, the stakes feel higher than ever.

But Kappes knows how to balance suspense with levity. Mae, her boyfriend, and the endearing residents of Normal infuse the narrative with humor and warmth, ensuring that the mystery never overshadows the novel’s lighthearted charm. The result is an engaging, page-turning blend of high tension and cozy camaraderie that is perfect for readers who love small-town drama served with a side of fun.

Gifted & Talented

Title: Gifted & Talented
Author: Olivie Blake
Published: April 1, 2025 by Tor Books
Format: Kindle, Hardcover, 512 Pages
Genre: Fantasy
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

Blurb: Where there’s a will, there’s a war.

Thayer Wren, the brilliant CEO of Wrenfare Magitech and so-called father of modern technology, is dead. Any one of his three telepathically and electrokinetically gifted children would be a plausible inheritor to the Wrenfare throne.

Or at least, so they like to think.

Meredith, textbook accomplished eldest daughter and the head of her own groundbreaking biotech company, has recently cured mental illness. You're welcome! If only her father's fortune wasn't her last hope for keeping her journalist ex-boyfriend from exposing what she really is: a total fraud.

Arthur, second-youngest congressman in history, fights the good fight every day of his life. And yet, his wife might be leaving him, and he's losing his re-election campaign. But his dead father’s approval in the form of a seat on the Wrenfare throne might just turn his sinking ship around.

Eilidh, once the world's most famous ballerina, has spent the last five years as a run-of-the-mill marketing executive at her father’s company after a life-altering injury put an end to her prodigious career. She might be lacking in accolades compared to her siblings, but if her father left her everything, it would finally validate her worth—by confirming she'd been his favorite all along.

On the pipeline of gifted kid to clinically depressed adult, nobody wins—but which Wren will come out on top?

My Opinion: This isn’t just a book, it’s an experience, a ride through chaos, sharp wit, and unsettling family dynamics that leave you wondering what just happened. It moves fast, then slows down, then throws something at you that you didn’t see coming. It’s the kind of book that makes you pause, reread, and mutter, “Wait, what?” more times than you’d like to admit.

There’s no shortage of quotable lines, either. Some are funny, some are profound, and others just hit differently. If you go the audiobook route, do yourself a favor and speed it up a notch. It heightens the manic energy and makes the humor shine even brighter. Speaking of humor, it won’t be for everyone, but if it works for you, it really works.

The first few chapters are a jumble of confusion as Blake throws the reader headfirst into the tangled backstories of the Wren siblings. It’s overwhelming, but once things settle, the real intrigue begins. That is, until you realize you have no idea who Lou is and who’s telling this story. Let’s just say their identity is part of the fun. The reveal? Brilliant. And Lou’s identity? An unexpected twist that makes you rethink everything.

Now, about the world-building. The Magitech industry, with its roots in electromagnetic waves dating back to Tesla’s era, offers a fascinating backdrop. But despite being placed in the fantasy genre, magic isn’t really the driving force here. Sure, the siblings have their abilities, but this isn’t a story about spellcasting or grand magical battles. No, this is a story about deeply flawed people making bad decisions, tangled in dysfunctional family dynamics that steal the spotlight.

And let’s be honest: Gifted and Talented does not offer a single truly likable character. Some had potential, but you wouldn’t want to sit down to dinner with most of them; they’re either morally gray or downright terrible. That said, the morally gray ones would make for some fascinating conversation, but don’t believe a word they say.

This was my first Olivie Blake novel, and I completely understand the hype. It’s unpredictable, clever, and relentless. A book that lingers in your mind long after you’ve turned the last page.

2 Sisters Murder Investigations

Title: 2 Sisters Murder Investigations
Author: James Patterson, Candice Fox
Published: April 22, 2025 by Little, Brown and Company
Format: Hardcover, Audio, 368 Pages
Genre: Mystery
Series: 2 Sisters Detective Agency #2

Blurb: Rhonda and Barbara “Baby” Bird are half-sisters—and full partners in their Los Angeles detective agency. They agree on nothing.

Rhonda, a former attorney, takes a by-the-book approach to solving crimes, while teenage Baby relies on her street smarts.

But when they take a controversial case of a loner whose popular wife has gone missing, they’re accused of being PIs who can’t tell a client from a killer.

The Bird sisters share a late father, but not much else…except their willingness to fight.

Fight the system. Fight for the underdog. Fight for the truth. If they can stop fighting each other long enough to work together.***

My Opinion: You really start to notice the difference a co-author makes when you read James Patterson's books back-to-back. Some of them feel rushed, while others, like 2 Sisters Murder Investigation, thanks to Candice Fox, have more depth. This one was an easy win, balancing sharp storytelling and engaging character dynamics in a way the Murder Club books don’t always pull off.

Now, regarding the audiobook, it was a mixed experience. I tried switching between the print and audio versions but ultimately had to ditch the narration. Mela Lee’s portrayal of Baby Bird was like nails on a chalkboard and came across like an exaggerated caricature instead of the quick-witted teen detective she’s meant to be. In print, Baby’s street smarts, impulsive decisions, and sharp instincts landed much better, without the distraction of an aggravating voice and tone.

The Bird sisters are officially running their late father’s detective agency, juggling cases that range from recovering stolen dogs to unraveling a darker mystery involving a missing wife and a trophy box.

And then there’s Baby’s side mission. Developers are circling like vultures, trying to push an older man out of his home, but they clearly underestimated who they were dealing with. Baby takes them on with the kind of relentless determination that makes you want to cheer her on from the sidelines.

Both storylines pulled me in, proving that Fox adds depth to Patterson’s quick-release style that makes this book stand out. Do I trust Patterson’s annual book factory to churn out consistent hits? Not really. But this one? This one did exactly what I hoped it would by delivering a fast, fun, Patterson-level mystery.

Before We Forget Kindness

Title: Before We Forget Kindness
Author: Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Published: September 19, 2024 by Picador
Format: Hardcover, Audio 224 pages
Genre: Magical Realism
Series: Before the Coffee Gets Cold #5

Blurb:
- The father who could not allow his daughter to get married
- A woman who couldn't give Valentine's Day chocolates to her loved one
- A boy who wants to show his smile to his divorced parents
- A wife holding a child with no name . . .

They must follow the café's strict rules, however, and come back to the present before their coffee goes cold. Another moving and heartwarming tale from Toshikazu Kawaguchi, in Before We Forget Kindness our new visitors wish to go back into their past to move on their present, finding closure and comfort so they can embark on a beautiful future.

My Opinion: The reader arrives at Funiculi Funicula, a cozy Tokyo café where time travel is possible. That is if you follow the rules. With the right seat, the right cup of coffee, and a willingness to revisit the past, patrons get a brief chance to reconnect with lost moments and lingering regrets.

I started reading the book but eventually switched to the audiobook. Not because I wasn’t enjoying it, but because it fit better as enjoyable background listening, with a few moments that made me stop and think. The premise is intriguing, and the themes of reflection and closure are heartfelt, with straightforward storytelling. I kept waiting for a deeper connection, though it never quite landed.

I had no idea this was part of a series when I picked it up. It was one of those casual “You might like this” recommendations, and I jumped in without checking. Reading the books in order might provide better context. That said, I never felt lost. Before We Forget Kindness is the fifth book in the series, but the individual stories felt self-contained enough that I didn’t struggle with missing details.

Overall, the book has a gentle, reflective tone, and while it didn’t fully draw me in, it wasn’t forgettable either. It lingers quietly, like a memory you’re not sure what to do with, but one that’s still worth sitting with until the coffee gets cold.

Legends & Lattes

Title: Legends & Lattes
Author: Travis Baldree
Published: June 7, 2022 by Tor
Format: Kindle, 296 Pages
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Legends & Lattes #1

Blurb: The battle-weary orc aims to start fresh, opening the first-ever coffee shop in the city of Thune. But old and new rivals stand in the way of success, not to mention the fact that no one has the faintest idea what coffee actually is. If Viv wants to put the blade behind her and make her plans a reality, she won't be able to go it alone. But the true rewards of the uncharted path are the travelers you meet along the way. And whether drawn together by ancient magic, flaky pastry, or a freshly brewed cup, they may become partners, family, and something deeper than she ever could have dreamed.

My Opinion: Cozy fantasy tends to divide readers -- you’re either charmed by its warm embrace or find yourself wanting something with sharper edges. Legends & Lattes falls into that unique space where fantasy meets comfortable storytelling. While many fantasy books ask you to memorize elaborate magic systems and wade through dense world-building, this novel keeps things light. There is no need to decode ancient prophecies or navigate a maze of unfamiliar names; just a simple, satisfying tale with all the charm of a well-worn café.

That said, the author does plant a historical anchor, a reference to a 1300’ish date, but rather than grounding the story, it ended up feeling more like a distraction. With a cast of non-human characters and a setting that felt removed from any factual historical timeline, this detail pulled me out rather than drawing me in.

As for reading order, it’s a puzzle. I started with Bookshops & Bonedust, the prequel, which gave me some helpful context for the world and its characters. But with a third book, Brigands & Breadknives, coming soon (following Fern, a character first introduced in the prequel), the question of where to begin feels even trickier. Do you start with Viv’s story, where an orc warrior turns coffee shop owner and builds a community from scratch? Or do you work backward first, unraveling the past before stepping into the present? Either way, one thing is for certain: this series thrives on its sense of found family. Viv’s journey isn’t just about coffee (or bean water, as some call it); it’s about resilience, friendship, and the quiet joy of building something lasting.

However you approach it, you’re in for a world that feels less like an epic saga and more like a warm, familiar retreat that invites you in with the promise of companionship and a freshly brewed drink.

25 Alive

Title: 25 Alive
Author: James Patterson, Maxine Paetro
Published: April 28, 2025 by Little, Brown and Company
Format: Hardcover, 336 Pages
Genre: Police Procedural
Series: Women's Murder club #25

Blurb: SFPD homicide detective Lindsay Boxer knows her way around a crime scene.

But nothing can prepare her for the shock of recognition: the victim is Warren Jacobi, Lindsay’s onetime partner who rose to chief of police.

A top investigator until the end, Jacobi managed to leave Lindsay a clue.

Following a trail of evidence along the west coast, the Women’s Murder Club pledges to avenge Jacobi’s death before the killer can take another one of their own. (Amazon)

My Opinion: The first thing that stands out, aside from the oversized font, is how the novel launches into an immediate, high-voltage moment designed to seize the reader. It’s an opening that longtime fans won’t see coming, an abrupt jolt that momentarily tricks you into thinking this installment might break from the formula.

Lindsay Boxer’s presence moves at a steady pace, which is a welcome departure from the weakening character she’s had in previous books. She’s less insipid here, more grounded, and while that’s an improvement, the narrative itself still struggles with depth. There’s a subplot lingering in the background, barely scratching the surface of its potential, almost like a half-hearted attempt at complexity that the authors didn’t have time to flesh out.

And then the redundancy. Pages of fluff, rehashed descriptions, and scenes that could have wrapped in half the time. It’s frustrating. It’s the kind of padded storytelling that makes readers mentally plead with the authors to just move the story along. I’ll admit, I found myself talking out loud to the writing team: We get it, enough already.

Then, just as the plot hits the required page count—boom. It’s over. Abrupt, unsatisfying, and with an ending that clashes with the murder mystery genre itself. Instead of a gripping final act, it settles into something oddly saccharine, more happily ever after than thrilling conclusion. But with Patterson and his revolving door of co-authors churning out a relentless ten books a year, depth is a luxury they can’t afford. This novel proves it.

Madrigals and Mayhem

Title: Madrigals and Mayhem
Author: Elizabeth Penney
Published: November 26, 2024 by Minotaur Book
Format: Kindle, Paperback, 288 Pages
Genre: Amateur Sleuth
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: The Cambridge Bookshop Series (#4)

Blurb: Molly is eager to experience her first English Christmas with family and friends now that she's adjusted to her move to Cambridge and her restoration of her family’s ancestral bookshop, Thomas Marlowe—Manuscripts and Folios. When local toyshop Pemberly’s Emporium reopens, Molly is excited to meet the new owner, Charlotte Pemberly, who is determined to make the toy store a success after unexpectedly becoming her grandfather Arthur’s sole heir.

Arthur's new wife Althea Winters and her unpleasant family loathe Charlotte for inheriting what they believe was theirs and have set their sights on a valuable Madame Alexander doll that's gone missing. When Althea's grandson is poisoned by cakes from Tea & Crumpets, Charlotte becomes the top suspect. Molly believes Charlotte was the intended victim and investigates the Pemberly’s home, only to discover that Arthur had been murdered.

To get closer to this treacherous family, Molly and her boyfriend Kieran go undercover by volunteering to act and sing for a madrigal dinner directed by Althea and her daughter at St. Hildegard’s College. Molly must help her new friend clear her name while searching for the missing doll and wrangling her own family during the chaotic holiday festivities at the bookshop.

My Opinion: This book should have been a DNF by chapter three. I was convinced that it had to get better. There had to be an unpredictable twist. Nope.

From the moment an object is mentioned twice in rapid succession, any seasoned amateur sleuth reader already knows where this is headed. And as for the grand "whodunit" reveal? Let’s just say narrowing down the culprit required about as much effort as finding the salt shaker on the kitchen table. Predictability doesn’t always spell disaster, but when the story treats it like a twist, well… that’s where things start to crumble.

Then there’s the fluff—oh, the fluff. Chapters padded with unnecessary detours, characters who seem to exist purely for window dressing, and the utterly exhausting "book within a book" gimmick that quickly loses its charm. And let’s not forget the romantic subplot. The main character’s relationship with a spare heir, blessedly free from the weight of actual aristocratic responsibility, tries to convince readers he’s just a regular guy who just so happens to own the bicycle shop next door. Except, no, he isn’t. The effort to make him relatable feels forced, making the whole thing more tedious than intriguing.

Which brings me to the bigger question: Why do authors in this genre keep writing protagonists who assume their readers are as oblivious? The logic leaps, the conveniently ignored clues, the way characters constantly need things spelled out—it’s enough to make a mystery lover want to grab a red pen and start fixing things mid-read.

Maybe my tastes have evolved, or maybe some books just aren’t meant for certain readers. Either way, continuing this series isn’t in the cards. This book is best left to those who enjoy yawning with their predictability.

One Death at a Time

Title: One Death at a Time
Author: Abbi Waxman
Published: April 15, 2025 by Berkley
Format: Kindle, Paperback 400 Pages
Genre: Amateur Sleuth
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

Blurb: When Julia Mann, a bad-tempered ex-actress and professional thorn in the side of authority, runs into Natasha Mason at an AA meeting, it’s anything but a meet-cute. Julia just found a dead body in her swimming pool, and the cops say she did it (she already went to jail for murder once, so now they think she’s making a habit of it). Mason is eager to clear Julia’s name and help keep her sober, but all Julia wants is for Mason to leave her alone.

As their investigation ranges from the Hollywood Hills to the world of burlesque to the country clubs of Palm Springs, this unconventional team realizes their shared love of sarcasm and poor life choices are proving to be a powerful combination. Will secrets from their past trip them up, or will their team of showgirls, cat burglars, and Hollywood agents help them stay one step ahead? Are dead piranhas, false noses, and a giant martini glass important clues or simply your typical day in Los Angeles? And will they manage to solve the crime before they kill each other, or worse, fall off the wagon? Trying to keep it simple and take it easy is one thing—trying to find a murderer before they kill again is a whole other program.

My Opinion: Abbi Waxman boldly steps away from her signature rom-com charm and dives headfirst into the world of amateur sleuthing, proving that sometimes a sharp left turn is exactly what an author—and readers—need. One Death at a Time is a genre shake-up packed with acerbic wit, mismatched partnerships, and enough intrigue to launch a full-fledged series.

Julia Mann, a perpetually cranky former actress with a sharp tongue and an allergy to societal norms, stumbles into sobriety coach Natasha Mason at a chance AA meeting. Mason, a Gen X pragmatist who prefers using her last name, is every bit Julia’s opposite—structured, competent, and generally exasperated by her newfound client. Their forced alliance is built on sarcasm, reluctant respect, and the undeniable chemistry of two people who know they’re a mess but refuse to admit it.

While Waxman throws in a whirlwind of names, past grievances, and relationships, she manages to keep them distinct and memorable, ensuring readers never lose track of who’s who. The central mystery kicks off with a dead man floating in Julia’s pool—a man she had a decades-long contentious relationship with, but, unfortunately, no memory of speaking to before his untimely death. The police, unimpressed by her lack of recall, charge her with murder.

Enter Mason, alongside a ragtag team of close friends, new acquaintances, and accidental tagalongs. Together, they tumble from one predicament to the next, stumbling upon clues, dodging trouble, and unwittingly collecting more stray characters as they go. The novel is a chaotic, laugh-out-loud romp that thrives on the charm of its flawed but fiercely entertaining protagonists.

By the time readers reach the final page, they’ll be holding their breath for Waxman to continue Julia and Mason’s escapades. One Death at a Time isn’t just a mystery—it’s an absolute riot, with the perfect balance of humor, tension, and irresistible character dynamics. Here’s hoping this is just the beginning of their wild misadventures.

My Next Breath: A Memoir

Title: My Next Breath: A Memoir
Author: Jeremy Renner
Published: April 29, 2025 by Flatiron Books
Format: Kindle, Audio, 224 Pages
Genre: Memoir

Blurb: Two-time Oscar nominee Jeremy Renner was the second most googled person in 2023… and not for his impressive filmography. His searing portrayals on film ranged from an Iraq-based army bomb technician in The Hurt Locker and a Boston bank robber in The Town to a crooked Camden mayor in American Hustle before he became heir to the Jason Bourne franchise (The Bourne Legacy). Amongst other iconic roles, he also captured hearts as fan-favorite comic book marksman Hawkeye in seven Marvel films.

Yet, his otherworldly success on-screen faded to the periphery when a fourteen-thousand-pound snowplow crushed him on New Year’s Day 2023. Somehow able to keep breathing for more than half an hour, he was subsequently rushed to the ICU, after which he would face multiple surgeries and months of painful rehabilitation.

In this debut memoir, Jeremy writes in blistering detail about his accident and the aftermath. This retelling is not merely a gruesome account of what happened to him; it’s a call to action and a forged companionship between reader and author as Jeremy recounts his recovery journey and reflects on the impact of his suffering. Ultimately, Jeremy’s memoir is a testament to the human spirit and its capacity to endure, evolve, and find purpose in the face of unimaginable adversity. His writing captures the essence of profound transformation, exploring the delicate interplay between vulnerability and strength, despair and hope, redemption and renewal.

My Opinion: A memoir that initially reads like poetry with lyrical, reflective moments packed with quotable lines. At times, the prose flows beautifully, offering moments of genuine insight and emotional weight. But then there’s the word “love” which was used 178 times. By the 47th mention, the reader fully grasps the sentiment, yet Renner continues to hammer it home, making certain no one misses the theme.

The book is divided into three sections, though the first feels bloated with repetition and filler. Given the memoir’s 224-page length, it’s hard not to wonder if the first section was stretched to meet a minimum page count rather than refined for impact. The redundancy makes it easy to scan through pages, as much of what’s said has already been covered.

There are undeniable heartbreaking moments. Renner’s near-fatal accident and recovery should have been enough to carry the book, but the emotional weight is diluted by self-congratulatory reflections. The “aren’t I great” moments, the “I can accomplish anything with enough information” declarations, wear thin. The balance between vulnerability and self-praise feels uneven, making it difficult to fully immerse in the rawness of his experience.

As the first section dragged on, the initial 5/5 rating began to slip to a 3/5, then teetering even lower. For the remainder of the book, I switched to the audiobook version, played at an increased speed, and helped smooth out the pacing issues, making the retelling of familiar stories more bearable. The narcissistic undertones remained, but at least the delivery was more digestible.

By the end, the book landed at a generous 4/5. Beneath the repetition and self-aggrandizement, there is a story of resilience, one that could have been truly compelling with tighter editing and a more balanced tone. The memoir has its moments, but it leaves the reader wondering what it could have been with a sharper focus and a little less self-promotion.