The First Time I Saw Him

The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave
1/6/26; 288 pages
Scribner 
Hannah Hall #2

The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave is a recommended thriller and the sequel to The Last Thing He Told Me (2021), which you will want to read first, or watch the TV show which has apparently been made based on The Last Thing He Told Me. 

Almost 6 year ago (5 years, 10 months, 24 days)  Hannah Hall's husband and her stepdaughter, Bailey's father Owen disappeared, leaving them with a bag of money and a note to keep her safe. Now it seems they may be in danger again. Owen shows up almost unrecognizable at Hannah's new exhibition and secretly slips her a flash drive. Almost immediately after that Hannah receives a message to get out of there now and she and Bailey are on the run again. They are following an intricate plan they have in place to keep them safe. 

The pace is fast and the tension is high throughout this sequel about the power of forgiveness. The crime family of Frank Campano Pointe from the Organization are after Hannah and Bailey again. It also appears the Nicholas, Bailey's grandfather, has passed away, but that is later proven to be untrue and he has a plan. Between present day action are multiple points-of-view following the backstory of where Owen went along with other explanatory background information/stories.  

Hannah and Bailey get along in this outing, which is a nice change from the teen with an attitude from the first book. All the interpersonal relationships between Hannah, Bailey and Nicholas are well done. This sequel is well written, but predictable and, again, uneven in parts. It also requires you to set a huge dose of disbelief aside. While I enjoyed this book, the first book was stronger, based on my review,  and after all this time I clearly never felt a sequel was needed.

The First Time I Saw Him is recommended for those who have read The Last Thing He Told Me and have been waiting for a sequel. Thanks to Scribner for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Storm

The Storm by Rachel Hawkins
1/6/26; 288 pages
St. Martin's Press 

The Storm by Rachel Hawkins is a highly recommended, atmospheric, Southern gothic mystery set in at the Rosalie Inn, a century-old Gulf Coast beach motel on St. Medard’s Bay, Alabama, an area where hurricane season can be murder.

For Geneva Corliss, the current owner of the Rosalie Inn, every day is a struggle to survive between maintenance and booking customers. When writer August Fletcher offers to pay double to book a two month stay, Geneva knows it can help save her bottom line. When August shows up, he brings the infamous Gloria “Lo” Bailey with him and books a room for her too. Now 60 years-old, back when she was 19, Lo was the mistress of political heir 30 year-old Langdon Fitzroy. During 1984’s infamous Hurricane Marie, Langdon died and his family presumed he was murdered by Lo. Lo claimed he was injured during the hurricane and was acquitted after a mistrial for lack of evidence. Now August and Lo are working on a book about the case.

Along with ties that interconnect many characters to each other through generations, the occurrence of hurricanes and their devastation is also a running theme through the novel. The story unfolds through the point of view of Geneva, events from the past, through the writings of Lo and August, and old letters, articles, etc. This is an entertaining, atmospheric, even-paced thriller that held my attention throughout. 

The characters are all portrayed as realistic individuals with strengths and flaws. Geneva is the character with the most development, but all the others receive some further development. The setting is also comes alive and is an important part of the story. This generational tale is Southern to it's core and the mystery is satisfying.

The Storm is a great choice for anyone who enjoys Southern gothic mysteries with strong female characters. Thanks to St. Martin's Press for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Fatal Invitation

Fatal Invitation by S F Baumgartner
12/5/25; 339 pages
F.B. Publishing/BooksGoSocial
Kylie Cassidy #1

Fatal Invitation by S F Baumgartner is a highly recommended investigative crime thriller. This is the first book in the new Detective Kylie Cassidy (KC) series, although KC was earlier introduced in the short story Christmas Murders.

Detective Kylie “KC” Cassidy has left the small town police force of Pine Grove to work in the Orlando Major Crimes Unit. When KC is called out to her first murder case by her senior detective partner, Rick Spaulding, she has to handle it on her own until he is done re-certifying at the gun range. The body of a young woman without ID is found in a park and turns out to have a connection to Pine Grove. KC recognizes her as a clerk at the grocery store there. 

This case is quickly followed by another similar murder. Commander Frank Travers and the Orlando Prime team steps in because they have several similar cases, but the two departments end up working together to solve the murder cases. It appears the young women were part of an illegal organ harvesting cabal and the clues keep leading back to Assistant State Attorney Gavin Watkins and his elusive ally, Kozlov.  

This investigative police procedural moves at an even pace as the clues are logically uncovered and followed up on. The case is interesting and timely, especially with a tie-in to a social media money-making offer/ad and the subject of organ harvesting. Baumgartner is known for writing clean thrillers which focus on the investigations of the cases involved and character development. I'll be looking forward to the next case KC tackles as well as more information about her Aunt Mae.

KC is a likable character and readers will be rooting for her success (and safety). She is developed as a full realized individual with strengths and weaknesses. KC is intelligent, determined and very attuned to clues, both verbal and physical, while investigating. At the same time, she also has to deal with becoming hyper-focused on clues, enough so that it looks like she's spacing out. KC is still in a relationship with FBI agent, Nate Tanner.

Fatal Invitation is a great choice for readers who enjoy procedurals. Thanks to BooksGoSocial for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Running Blind

Running Blind by Paul Heatley
12/7/25; 303 pages
Inkubator Books
Tom Rollins #19

Running Blind by Paul Heatley is a very highly recommended action-packed thriller and the 19th book in the Tom Rollins series. Tom Rollins, PhD and former black ops specialist, is known for using his training and lethal skills in the pursuit of justice. This can be read as a standalone novel.

Tom is working as a bartender in Reno when he is approached by a woman who happens to be with the CIA. Jess Chen has been told about Tom's skill and needs to recruit him to assist her on a mission. An undercover agent, Hao, is helping Li, a Chinese defector reach the USA. She has a USB drive containing the identities of deep-cover moles embedded throughout American intelligence. Jess needs Tom's help to meet Hao and Li and assist in safely getting the woman and the USB drive to Langley. Once Tom agrees to help her, the mission quickly becomes more complicated when both the Chinese government and a ruthless Triad network try to eliminate them both. 

This is another well-written, intense addition to the series where the good guy eliminates all the antagonists in the pursuit of justice. Tom has a lethal skill set and he needs it as they are constantly being tracked and attacked. The plot becomes more complicated when it becomes clear that there is a mole operating within the CIA so they aren't safe anywhere. Set disbelief aside and follow the fierce non-stop action. This is my favorite book in the series to date. I'm anxiously awaiting Tom's next mission.

Running Blind is an excellent choice for readers who like nonstop action featuring a take-no-prisoners black op specialist. Thanks to Inkubator Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Their Deadly Truth

Their Deadly Truth by Carla Kovach
12/17/25; 322 pages
Bookouture
Detective Gina Harte #18 

Their Deadly Truth by Carla Kovach is a highly recommended procedural and the 18th novel in the Detective Gina Harte series. Enough background information is provided that it can be enjoyed as a standalone novel for the investigation.

When a body is found in the trunk of a parked car, Detective Gina Harte and her team are called in to investigate. The body is identified as Kain Pickering and the car belonged to his deceased mother. At her house, where Kain was living, a blue teddy bear is found. Kain's sister Lindy Pickering is notified. She admits to police that her brother had a lot of issues but has no idea who would kill him. When another murder happens with a blue teddy bear at the scene, it becomes clear that someone is targeting specific victims. Then DCI Briggs is suddenly pulled off the case and a new DCI is brought in for the lead. 

The writing is very good and the pace moves quickly in this intricate case that may involve events from the past but also seems to be targeting a friend group of women too. A teddy bear left at the scene or homes is one of the clear clues that mark the victims. All the clues are logically followed and there is a lot going on as several suspect emerge in the investigation continues. This is a unpredictable procedural, so just go with the clues uncovered and follow the action as the team investigates. 

There continues to be more character development for Gina in this outing. For readers new to the series, some events in Gina's past are mentioned in the narrative which are helpful to introduce her and her history. The hidden personal relationship between Gina and DCI Chris Briggs is still on the rocks.

As an aside, one clue is a blue hoodie and the team searches a house for it. This actually had me laughing at the absurdity of it as a clue because any search of my home would unearth all manner, styles, and hues of blue hoodies along with hoodies of many other colors, sizes, and variations. 

Their Deadly Truth is a good choice for readers who enjoy procedurals and especially for those following the Gina Harte series. Thanks to Bookouture for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Girl from Nowhere

The Girl from Nowhere by Michele Dominguez Greene
12/9/25; 242 pages
Storm Publishing
Special Agent Emily Ray #3 

The Girl from Nowhere by Michele Dominguez Greene is a recommended investigative mystery and the third book in the series featuring FBI Special Agent Emily Ray. Although this can be read as a standalone, readers would benefit from reading the books in order.

Special Agent Emily Ray is assigned to verify the identity of Kaveri Miller Browne, who went missing as a very young child and has been found eighteen years later by a former LAPD detective turned PI, Rawley Jaynes.  Kaveri is the heiress to the Doucette-Browne family fortune so this is big news featured on a TV show. On the same show Rawley also claimed to find missing girl Danica Hansen, which shocks Emily because she is the real Danica Hansen. She's been living under a pseudonym to protect her identity. It is claimed that DNA proved their identity but Emily knows this can't be true. She and agent Andy Ryan are on the case.

This is a short book and the plot moves quickly. It is clear from the start that some shenanigans are underway by Rawley Jaynes and Kaveri's grandmother, Mackenzie Miller Browne. Emily's job is to uncover proof of this, but there is also more going than initially apparent. It also places Emily in an awkward position, does she reveal her true identity or keep it hidden. This dilemma does require a huge amount of disbelief to be suspended as I would imagine an FBI agent would be thoroughly vetted and and pseudonym would be outed. 

There is also another plot point involving Emily's failing marriage. This was a whole lot less compelling than the main investigation and I could have done without it. However, I haven't read the other books in the series and that most certainly could influence my disinterest in Emily's personal drama. For those following the series there is character development in this outing. 

The Girl from Nowhere is recommended for those who enjoy investigative mysteries and are following the series. Thanks to Storm Publishing for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Quiet Mother

The Quiet Mother by Arnaldur Indridason
12/9/25; 352 pages
St. Martin's Press
A Detective Konrad Novel #3 

The Quiet Mother by Arnaldur Indridason is a recommended Icelandic crime procedural. Originally published in 2019 this English edition translated by Philip Roughan will be available on 12/9/25. This is the third novel in the Detective Konrad series. There are two case followed in this novel, as well as events from 1960's.

Retired detective Konrad returns to Reykjavik to assist in the investigate of the murder of Valborg, a seventy year old woman in her apartment, which had also been burglarized. Days earlier, she had been in contact with Konrad, trying to hire him to find the child she gave up 47 years ago. He declined, but now feels duty bound to follow up on her murder. At the same time Konrad and his friend, Eygló, are looking for clues in the murder of their fathers back in 1963. Their fathers worked together as spiritual con artists. At the same time, Eygló believes that her psychic abilities are real. Together, Konrad and Eygló look for old clues.

The narrative jumps between the two different cases while also switching to some events from the past without warning. It also moves at an extremely slow pace. The primary case is Valborg's murder. The cases are both interesting but the slow pace causes the story to drag on and it begins to feel overly long. Adding to this is the sometimes repetitious text in the story. The two cases do connect at one point. Valborg's case does reach a conclusion while the murder of his father does not. The novel might resonate more with those who have read the first two books in the series. 

The Quiet Mother is recommended for those who enjoy Nordic Noir and crime fiction and don't mind a slower paced novel. Thanks to St. Martin's Press for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.