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.

A Drop of Corruption

Title: A Drop of Corruption
Author: Robert Jackson Bennett
Published: April 1, 2025 by Del Rey
Format: Kindle, Hardcover 465 Pages
Genre: Fantasy
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Shadow of the Leviathan #2

Blurb: In the canton of Yarrowdale, at the very edge of the Empire’s reach, an impossible crime has occurred. A Treasury officer has disappeared into thin air—abducted from his quarters while the door and windows remained locked from the inside, in a building whose entrances and exits are all under constant guard.

To solve the case, the Empire calls on its most brilliant and mercurial investigator, the great Ana Dolabra. At her side, as always, is her bemused assistant Dinios Kol.

Before long, Ana’s discovered that they’re not investigating a disappearance, but a murder—and that the killing was just the first chess move by an adversary who seems to be able to pass through warded doors like a ghost, and who can predict every one of Ana’s moves as though they can see the future.

Worse still, the killer seems to be targeting the high-security compound known as the Shroud. Here, the Empire's greatest minds dissect fallen Titans to harness the volatile magic found in their blood. Should it fall, the destruction would be terrible indeed—and the Empire itself will grind to a halt, robbed of the magic that allows its wheels of power to turn.

Din has seen Ana solve impossible cases before. But this time, with the stakes higher than ever and Ana seemingly a step behind their adversary at every turn, he fears that his superior has finally met an enemy she can’t defeat.

My Opinion: A slow beginning that demands patience, as it lays out a world of bureaucracy, ranks, and conspiracies. The early chapters are dense with names, politics, and formalities that feel like wading through mud, but once the narrative reaches the Shroud, the story sharpens, and the intrigue truly begins to shine.

Throughout the book, echoes of the first book in the series, The Tainted Cup, linger, suggesting answers without quite delivering them. What seemed foretold in the first novel edges closer to revelation, yet full disclosure remains out of reach. I assume this is deliberate to keep the reader leaning forward and turning the pages, but you never quite know.

Ana’s past is threaded into the narrative, adding layers to investigations and hidden truths. By the time Bennett reaches the final chapters, he reiterates the Easter eggs, rewarding attentive readers with nods to his broader plans. And yet, even in these moments of revelation, he holds back, leaving some mysteries deliberately unresolved.

But beneath all the layered plot, Ana and Din’s relationship is the true pulse of the novel. Their banter is sharp, witty, and grounded, which keeps the story human amid the political and fantastical complexities. The humor they weave between each moment of tension makes the book feel alive, ensuring that no matter how complicated the world-building gets, it never overwhelms.

Previous mentions of this series being a trilogy now have whispers suggesting it may expand further. For now, readers are left with lingering threads and unanswered questions—proof that Bennett’s world still holds more secrets than it’s willing to give up just yet.

The Library of Lost Dollhouses

Title: The Library of Lost Dollhouses
Author: Elise Hooper
Published: April 1, 2025 by William Morrow Paperbacks
Format: Kindle, Paperback 320 Pages
Genre: Historical Literary Fiction
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

Blurb: Tildy Barrows, Head Curator of a beautiful archival library in San Francisco, is meticulously dedicated to the century’s worth of inventory housed in her beloved Beaux Art building. She loves the calm and order in the shelves of books and walls of art. But Tildy’s uneventful life takes an unexpected turn when she, first, learns the library is on the verge of bankruptcy and, second, discovers two exquisite never-before-seen dollhouses. After finding clues hidden within these remarkable miniatures, Tildy starts to believe that Belva Curtis LeFarge, the influential heiress who established the library a century ago, is conveying a significant final message.

With a newfound sense of spontaneity, Tildy sets out to decipher the secret history of the dollhouses, aiming to salvage her cherished library in the process. Her journey to understand introduces her to a world of ambitious and gifted women in Belle Époque Paris, a group of scarred World War I veterans in the English countryside, and Walt Disney’s bustling Burbank studio in the 1950s. As Tildy unravels the mystery, she finds not only inspiring, overlooked history, but also a future for herself, filled with exciting possibilities—and an astonishing familial revelation.

Spanning the course of a century, The Library of Lost Dollhouses is a warm, bright, and captivating story of secrets and love that embraces the importance of illuminating overlooked women of the past.

My Opinion: This novel struck a familiar chord by reminding me of Death in the Details by Katie Tietjen. Both books step into carefully constructed dollhouses and dioramas where every detail holds significance. The connection between these novels deepens when considering their shared inspiration were the masterpieces of Frances Lee Glessner.

The Library of Lost Dollhouses captivates with its use of spiral storytelling and its exploration of themes such as overlooked history, the resilience of women, and the search for identity and connection across generations. Centering on Tildy Barrows, a librarian working in San Francisco, whose world shifts when she stumbles upon two beautifully crafted dollhouses hidden within her library. These creations are more than simple miniatures. The houses hold secrets and clues that span over a century, linking ambitious women in Belle Époque Paris, World War I veterans in England, and the world of Walt Disney’s studio in the mid-20th century. As Tildy investigates the origins of the dollhouses, she uncovers women who challenged societal norms and expectations while unraveling surprising truths about her own family.

Art, obsession, and the importance of preserving forgotten stories emerge as key elements. The dollhouses serve as powerful symbols of enduring legacies and the idea of hidden rooms, both literal and metaphorical, which reflect the spaces where secrets, creativity, and untold stories come to life.

The interconnected timelines create a distinct storytelling rhythm, drawing readers into the lives of those who owned the dollhouses. It celebrates the beauty of curiosity and courage, reminding us of the transformative power of uncovering what lies beneath the surface. This novel is a tale of connection, strength, and creativity, offering an unforgettable journey through history and imagination.

The Next Day: Transitions, Change, and Moving Forward

Title: The Next Day: Transitions, Change, and Moving Forward
Author: Melinda French Gates
Published: April 15, 2025 by Flatiron Books
Format: Hardcover, 176 Pages
Genre: Memoir

Blurb: In a rare window into some of her life’s pivotal moments, Melinda French Gates draws from previously untold stories to offer a new perspective on encountering transitions.

Transitions are moments in which we step out of our familiar surroundings and into a new landscape―a space that, for many people, is shadowed by confusion, fear, and indecision. The Next Day accompanies readers as they cross that space, offering guidance on how to make the most of the time between an ending and a new beginning and how to move forward into the next day when the ground beneath you is shifting.

In this book, Melinda will reflect, for the first time in print, on some of the most significant transitions in her own life, including becoming a parent, the death of a dear friend, and her departure from the Gates Foundation. The stories she tells illuminate universal lessons about loosening the bonds of perfectionism, helping friends navigate times of crisis, embracing uncertainty, and more.

Each one of us, no matter who we are or where we are in life, is headed toward transitions of our own. With her signature warmth and grace, Melinda candidly shares stories of times when she was in need of wisdom and shines a path through the open space stretching out before us all.

My Opinion: Melinda French Gates, staring down her 60th birthday, shares a personal reflection that grapples with transformation, resilience, transitions, and pivotal moments. The book doesn’t dwell on all the dramatic events that mark her life, but rather it poses a more nuanced question: what happens the day after a life-altering upheaval? Who do we become when the storm passes? Gates invites readers to shift their focus from the seismic event itself to the quieter aftermath, the clearing where self-discovery begins.

Her narrative opens a space to consider the questions we rarely ask ourselves: How do you train your heart and mind to let go? How do you learn to trust your inner voice? Which relationships survive life’s upheavals, standing steady through the before, during, and after? Gates approaches these reflections with humility and honesty, grounding her story in the everyday struggles and triumphs of navigating change.

The book touches on her philanthropic efforts, her faith, and her family, leaving the details of her divorce largely unspoken—a choice she attributes to allowing Bill Gates the ownership of his story. While this omission might leave readers curious about her emotional journey in the wake of his affairs, Gates instead pivots toward exploring her own path to strength and clarity.

In many ways, The Next Day reads as a prelude—a delicate toe dip into what could one day become a fully realized memoir. Gates offers readers glimpses into her thoughts and experiences, but it feels more like a concise elevator speech than an intimate coffee date. For those hoping for a roadmap to embracing life’s transitions as they approach 60, this may fall short. Instead, it’s a personal account of her journey, underscoring that every path is unique and results will vary.

In the end, Gates leaves us with a quiet invitation to reflect on our own lives and the space between endings and beginnings. It’s not the loud, definitive voice of “how-to,” but rather the softer, thoughtful whisper of “this is me.” It’s a story of resilience and discovery; one that reminds us that transformation often begins the day after the world stops spinning.

The Maid's Secret

Title: The Maid's Secret
Author: Nita Prose
Published: April 8, 2025 by Ballantine Books
Format: Kindle, Hardcover, 336 Pages
Genre: Mystery
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Molly the Maid #3

Blurb: Molly Gray’s life is about to change in ways she could never have imagined. As the esteemed Head Maid and recently promoted Special Events Manager of the Regency Grand Hotel, good things are just around the corner, including her marriage to her beloved fiancé, Juan Manuel, only two months away.

But Molly’s entire existence is upended when a film crew descends upon the hotel to shoot the hit reality TV show Hidden Treasures, starring popular art appraisers Brown and Beagle. On a whim, Molly brings in a shoebox containing a few of her gran’s old things for appraisal, and much to everyone's surprise, one item turns out to be a rare and priceless treasure. Instantly, Molly is both a multi-millionaire and a media sensation—the world’s rags-to-riches darling—until the priceless piece vanishes from the hotel in the boldest, brashest antiquities heist in recent memory.

The key to the mystery lies in the past, in a long-forgotten diary written by Molly’s gran. For the first time ever, Molly learns about Gran’s true-to-life fairytale, a young girl to the manor born, the only child of a wealthy magnate. But when Gran falls head over heels in love with a young man her parents deem below her station, her life is thrown into turmoil. As fate would have it, the greatest love of Gran’s life is someone Molly knows quite well….

Together with her friends, Molly combs the past and the present to catch the thief before looming threats against her become real.

A spirited heist caper and an epic love story, The Maid’s Secret is a spellbinding whodunnit that will capture and warm your heart.

My Opinion: A fitting conclusion to the Molly Maid series. A narrative that comes full circle with charm and depth. It not only ties up loose ends but enriches the story by highlighting Molly’s grandmother (who might be the “maid” referenced in the title) and the origins of their quiet life. Readers witness how Molly Gray first absorbed her grandmother’s wisdom. An education rich with aphorisms, metaphors, and foundational stories that shaped her view of the world.

The development of characters throughout the series stands out as one of its defining traits. Growth is present in every corner, but it takes many forms: some characters fight against it with every fiber, while others embrace it slowly and gradually, finding their way. Molly herself remains an intriguing puzzle. While debates about whether she is on the spectrum persist, her direct, literal worldview is not a limitation, it’s her strength and the lens through which readers connect with her. It’s what makes Molly who she is: frustrating at moments, but so endearing and unique that we can’t help but root for her.

However, there’s one lingering disappointment in Juan Manuel, her fiancé. His portrayal lacks depth, and rather than presenting him as a true equal to Molly, he feels oversimplified. Juan is a missed opportunity to showcase a partnership full of potential and teamwork. This portrayal feels out of step with the otherwise nuanced narrative arc.

As the series ends, I won’t necessarily miss Molly. Her story has reached its natural conclusion. This isn’t a loss but an acknowledgment that her journey has been told. It feels right, like a curtain falling on a play that has given us all it could. Prose crafts a farewell to Molly that honors her quirks, challenges, and triumphs, leaving readers with a quiet satisfaction and a sense of closure.

The Sirens

Title: The Sirens
Author: Emilia Hart
Published: April 1, 2025 by St. Martin's Press
Format: Kindle, Hardcover 352 Pages
Genre: Literary Fiction
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

Blurb: A story of sisters separated by hundreds of years but bound together in more ways than they can imagine

2019: Lucy awakens in her ex-lover’s room in the middle of the night with her hands around his throat. Horrified, she flees to her sister’s house on the coast of New South Wales hoping Jess can help explain the vivid dreams that preceded the attack—but her sister is missing. As Lucy waits for her return, she starts to unearth strange rumours about Jess’s town—tales of numerous missing men, spread over decades. A baby abandoned in a sea-swept cave. Whispers of women’s voices on the waves. All the while, her dreams start to feel closer than ever.

1800: Mary and Eliza are torn from their loving home in Ireland and forced onto a convict ship heading for Australia. As the boat takes them farther and farther away from all they know, they begin to notice unexplainable changes in their bodies.

A breathtaking tale of female resilience, The Sirens is an extraordinary novel that captures the sheer power of sisterhood and the indefinable magic of the sea.

My Opinion: Emilia Hart has done it again. The Sirens is a novel that will sweep the reader away. I picked it up on a whim one morning, intending to read just a few pages to see if it resonated. Seven hours later, I finished. And I can’t remember the last time a book gripped me so entirely that I had to read it in one sitting.

Having loved Weyward, I had high hopes for Hart’s latest, and she delivered with precision. Her storytelling is immersive, her themes rich with meaning—sisterhood, generational trauma, power imbalances, and the resilience of women who refuse to be broken. She exposes history with a skilled touch, revealing the harrowing reality of convict ships that carried women to Australia—something I had no idea existed. But now I find myself ready to research.

Hart’s ability to blend historical fiction with elements of magical realism is what makes The Sirens so absorbing. There’s a quality to the prose, in the ability to bend time and memories across generations. Two sets of sisters, separated by centuries, yet tied together by shared dreams and the call of the sea. The past and present, meld seamlessly, shaping a story that is haunting, lyrical, and deeply evocative.

This is a novel that will linger with the reader. Hart has once again woven a tale that is a testament to the voices of women who refuse to be silenced.