The Infamous Gilberts

 

The Infamous Gilberts by Angela Tomaski
1/20/26; 288 pages
Scribner  

The Infamous Gilberts by Angela Tomaski is a recommended historical family drama interwoven into a tour of Thornwalk, an English manor about to be converted into a hotel. 

As a tour guide conducts the reader through the various rooms at Thornwalk, he points out memories, secrets, and history entwined within it's walls that reveal the story of the five Gilbert siblings, Lydia, Hugo, Annabel, Jeremy, and Rosalind, with their mother and aunt and other family members and servants also present along the way. The timeline spans the 1920s to the early 2000s and recounts the history/story of each sibling.

While the quality of the writing is good, the actual narrative, for the right reader, is average, at best due to the presentation. The pace felt glacially slow through over half of the novel and I almost set it aside. Although humorous at times, it is overwhelmingly a depressing novel that establishes a darkly atmospheric setting. It is a short novel so the chapters moved quickly. Each chapter focusing on a specific part or object in the house in the tour, and the narrator tells the story surrounding it.

The presentation of the plot as a house tour/story through a third person narrator and tour guide was perhaps not a good stylistic decision. It made it difficult to connect with or even care about the Gilberts as we learn about all their problems and their dysfunctional traits. Perhaps having each chapter through a different characters point-of-view would have worked better or have one or two of the siblings tell the story. 

The Infamous Gilberts is recommended for the right reader who enjoy historical family dramas and The Royal Tenenbaums. Thanks to Scribner for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

All the Little Houses

 

All the Little Houses by May Cobb
1/20/26; 480 pages
Sourcebooks

All the Little Houses by May Cobb is a very highly recommended soapy domestic thriller. As all the trash talk, grudges, secrets, infidelity, drinking, and amoral actions collide with all the egos, this melodrama set in the mid-1980s quickly becomes a guilty pleasure to read.

Alexander and Charleigh Andersen are the wealthiest couple in the town of Longview, Texas. Their seventeen-year-old daughter Nellie is spoiled and shunned by all her peers probably because of her temper when she doesn't get her way, but her mother Charleigh can buy her a boyfriend and hopefully a social position. Charleigh came from a dirt poor family and knows the struggle to fit in with the privileged, wealthy crowd. Even now she struggles for the approval of the old money elitists in their social circle. She relies upon her best friend, Jackson Ford, who is also her decorator and party planner.

When Ethan and  Abigail Swift move into town with their family the social order is shaken, even though they live an agrarian life in the country and wear homemade clothes. Seventeen-year-old Jane Swift is immediately accepted by the in crowd, leaving Nellie behind. Ethan is a handsome man who builds custom furniture and has captured the eye of every woman, and one man (Jackson), in town. Abigail, who sells love potions and offers workshops catering to the wealthy townswomen. The whole family, especially Jane and Abigail, are Nellie and Charleigh's archenemies.

The well-written, complex plot opens with the ending, when a body in the water is not sinking fast enough for the unnamed  murderer. Following this, the narrative is told through the point-of-view of Charleigh, Jane, and Nellie. It is clear that the adults are misbehaving as bad as the teens, which is what keeps this soapy melodrama un-put-downable. There is also a backstory for several of the characters that increase the tension and drama. It does end a bit abruptly and deserves the sequel reportedly in the works.

Honestly, every character is unlikable, ruthless, and resentful while planning the downfall of someone while trying to elevate themselves. All the lies, secrets, misbehavior, scheming, revenge, drinking, grudges, etc., run rampant through every page and with every character. As the three narrators tell the story through their perspective, the suspense and tension increase. This novel would make a great movie or TV show with all the beautiful, unlikable characters scheming while smiling.

All the Little Houses is the perfect choice for anyone who enjoys soapy dramas full of people behaving badly. Thanks to Sourcebooks for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

No One Would Do What the Lamberts

 

No One Would Do What the Lamberts Have Done by Sophie Hannah
1/20/26; 416 pages
Sourcebooks  

No One Would Do What the Lamberts Have Done by Sophie Hannah is a recommended absurd, farcical tale, that borders on the ridiculous, told through a manuscript found after the events occurred.

In the English town of Swaffham Tilney a policeman comes to the residence of Mark and Sally Lambert and their children Ree and Toby. The constable informs Sally that the Gavey family has accused Champ, the Lambert's  loyal and beloved Welsh Terrier, of biting their daughter. The Lamberts know that Champ did not do it and the Gavey's are horrible liars. Sally, who is afraid that Champ will be euthanized because of this accusation, looks for help.  Corrine Sullivan, a local wealthy woman comes to her aid and Sally goes on the run with Champ and her family in order to keep Champ safe.

There is no question that No One Would Do What the Lamberts Have Done is one of those entertaining novels that people will either love or not. You will definitely have to set disbelief aside. Many, including me, will enjoy it at first and appreciate the various characters and the dynamics of the town denizens. Then, as the narrative continues, the enjoyment lessens as more happens and is revealed. There are plenty of twists and a surprising one that left me shaking my head. It certainly shows the devotion of dog lovers and the power of social media. 

No One Would Do What the Lamberts Have Done might be a good choice for those who enjoy odd, quirky novels and love dogs. Thanks to Sourcebooks for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

 

Detour

 

Detour by Jeff Rake, Rob Hart
1/13/26; 320 pages
Random House
Detour series #1

Detour by Jeff Rake, Rob Hart is a highly recommended character drama and lite science fiction thriller which marks the start of a new series. Warning: this ends on a "to be continued..." cliffhanger and I really needed closure so my rating may go up after I get to finish the story. 

John Ward, billionaire and presidential candidate, is financing an exploratory manned 2 year trip to Saturn's moon, Titan, where the crew will circle Titan, release a satellite, and return. This exploratory trip will provide information on Titan's potentially habitability. 

The mission will be manned by three NASA astronauts and 3 civilians with limited training. The civilians include Padma Singh, an astrophysicist for Ward, Ryan Crane, a police officer who saved Ward’s life, and Stitch (Courtney) Smith, a graffiti artist who won a lottery for his place on the crew. The astronauts include Mike, who has a drinking problem, Della, who has family problems, and Alonso, who has personal questions. 

The focus is more on the personnel, their private lives, the preparation for the trip, and repercussions after the trip rather than the space mission itself. The two year mission flies by quickly with one major event. As the ship is circling Titan, there are two unexplained explosions, but the crew works together to get back on course, and they return to Earth as heroes. Once back on Earth, it quickly become clear things have changed and the crew members may now be in a parallel universe.

It is a well written novel and held my complete attention. For the first book in what will hopefully be a great series, it was a great choice to focus on character development and background. The mission to Titan is important, but really serves to further the complicated interpersonal drama already established. Readers will be invested in what happens to these characters and all the information behind the conspiracy that seems to be taking place. While reading, it becomes quite clear that this was written for a TV series.

Detour is definitely worth reading, but it is best to start knowing there will be no closure until the next book in the series. Cliffhangers are perhaps better saved for TV shows rather than books; rounded down due to 4 due to this. Thanks to Random House Worlds for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

 

The Swamps

 

The Swamps by Seraphina Nova Glass
1/27/26; 200 pages
Podium Publishing

The Swamps by Seraphina Nova Glass is a highly recommended atmospheric mystery following influencers looking into two missing women in the Louisiana bayou.

Macy and Ethan are investigating the paranormal on their YouTube channel, Ghost Patrol, where Ethan is a believer and Macy counters him as a skeptic. Ethan is sure their look into the mysterious disappearance of two women is sure to get them the views and perhaps seal the Netflix deal they are seeking. Photographers Tasha and Max show up with Max's brother Robert to the rundown cabin they rented on the bayou and they all start their investigation.

Because this is a fast paced, short novel/novella, it quickly sets up the creepy atmosphere and keeps the plot moving while making it sinister almost immediately. The action unfolds through mainly through the point-of-view of Macy and Tasha and there are illustrations included along the way. While the character development meets the minimal requirement and the plot depth and intricacy may be abbreviated, the twisty story moves at a lightning fast speed, which ensures you will be thoroughly satisfied. 

The Swamps is an enjoyable, well-written, entertaining, quick read that will be a great choice for those who enjoy mysteries mixed with true crime and a little horror. Thanks to Podium Publishing for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Old Fire

 

The Old Fire by Elisa Shua Dusapin
Translated by Aneesa Abbas Higgins 
1/13/26; 192 pages
S&S/Summit Books

The Old Fire by Elisa Shua Dusapin is recommended literary domestic fiction translated from the French by Aneesa Abbas Higgins. Two sisters, Agathe and Vera, return to the crumbling family home five years after their father's death in order to clean it out after selling it.

Agathe, a 30 year-old screenwriter living in New York, left her home at 15 to live in the U.S. and hasn't returned to France until her Vera calls and asks for help cleaning the family home out.  Véra has been aphasic since she was six, after their mother left them, and communicates through texts. Now the two, almost strangers, have nine days to empty the house which will them be demolished while simultaneously old memories, resentments, secrets, and traumas resurface.

This atmospheric novel has a unsettled, melancholy feeling due to the dilapidated house, the untamed setting, Agathe's personal struggles, and even the hunters in the woods, all intermingling with the haze of old memories, hurts, and expectations. The pace is slow, but the novel is short. In spare writing, it begs the question what do we owe an estranged family member and can you set your past aside.

The two sisters know very little about each other, have no connection except their parentage, and don't appear to truly care to try to reconnect. Agathe, as a successful scriptwriter, has achieved some success, but Vera's life is unknown. Their relationship growing up was complex and left scars. And, no, to answer the question Vera asks, the two would not be friends if they weren't sisters. 

The Old Fire will be best appreciated by those who enjoy atmospheric, pensive literary novels. Thanks to S&S/Summit Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Murder Your Darlings

 

Murder Your Darlings by Jenna Blum
1/13/26; 368 pages
HarperCollins

Murder Your Darlings by Jenna Blum is a recommended romantic suspense drama, perhaps highly recommended for the right reader. 

Simone “Sam” Vetiver is a writer who just finished a publicity tour for her latest novel and now faces both writer's block and a deadline for her next book. She receives an fan email from successful author William Corwyn and attends one of his publicity events where the two the two meet and go out for dinner. This is the start of a steamy affair. During this time William is being stalked by a woman he calls The Rabbit, who also begins to follow Sam. However, everything isn't as it seems to be.

The plot unfolds through the point-of-view  of Sam, William, and the Rabbit. The glimpse into the publishing world was interesting and when the plot finally becomes interesting toward the end of the novel it did make up somewhat for the bulk of it. Sam is a well developed character, which is part of what made it hard to believe she'd fall for William who is more of a caricature of a type of man. Rabbit is an interesting character who is introduced into the narrative as an antagonist.

For me, the majority of the novel was glacially slow paced. Honestly, I almost gave up on this novel early on and struggled to keep an interest in it until the last quarter, when it does become much, much better. I'm not a fan of romance novels, so all the steamy encounters were just time wasters, especially when it was made clear from the start that William is an arrogant narcissistic player. It was impossible to believe Sam was foolish enough to fall for his drivel. 

Murder Your Darlings would best be appreciated by those who enjoy romance novels. Thanks to HarperCollins for providing me with an advance reader's copy via Edelweiss. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.