Skin and Bones

Skin and Bones by Paul Doiron
5/13/25; 368 pages
St. Martin's/Minotaur Books 

Skin and Bones: And Other Mike Bowditch Short Stories by Paul Doiron is a very highly recommended collection of eight short stories featuring Maine game warden Mike Bowditch. Don't miss this excellent collection!

Seven of these were previously released and one is brand new. This collection can definitely be read by those new to the series, but expect to be inspired to start reading all the novels featuring Mike Bowditch. Those following the series will certainly enjoy reading this collection.

The writing is top-notch and the plot of these tales are all interesting, complex, and compelling. Not all the stories prominently feature Bowditch, some are via his mentor, Charlie Stevens. All of them provide a perfect introduction to the series or fill in some backstory to the novels. And, since they are short stories, you can choose to leisurely read them as you have time rather than all at once. The stories include:The Bear Trap, Rabid, Backtrack, The Imposter, The Caretaker, Skin and Bones, Snakebite, and Sheep’s Clothing (new).

Skin and Bones: And Other Mike Bowditch Short Stories is a great choice and will be equally enjoyed by fans and newcomers of the series. 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.

 

Dying to Meet You

Dying to Meet You by Sarina Bowen
5/13/25; 368 pages
HarperCollins

Dying to Meet You by Sarina Bowen is a very highly recommended mystery with Gothic vibes that follows the structure of a procedural with a little romance thrown in on the side.

Rowan Gallagher is an architect who is working for Hank Wincott on the restoration of the family's historic mansion in Portland, Maine. She works closely with Hank's assistant Beatrice. Rowan is still hurt that reporter Tim Novak recently broke up with her via text and she's been tracking his movements using an app. When she sees his car is parked nearby, outside the Wincott mansion, she takes her dog out for a walk, expecting to find him with someone else. Instead she finds him in his car, dead. Tim was shot and Rowan is on the police's list of the main suspects. She begins to undertake an investigation on her own.

The narrative is told through three points-of-view in alternating chapters. Rowan is the main voice. Rowan is a fully realized, complex character who has both strengths and weaknesses. The other two points-of-view are Rowan's 16-year-old daughter, Natalie, and Hanks young secretary, Coralie. 

Natalie never liked Tim, but she also saw things she didn't tell her mother. She and her mother have a believable mother/daughter relationship. Hank is exploiting Coralie. Even the mansion itself is a character as it is reported to be haunted and the restoration crew are uncovering suggestive murals and disturbing graffiti. Then Harrison, Rowan's ex and Natalie's father is discovered to be in the area.

While the opening is even paced, my appreciation of the novel increased with each subsequent chapter as Rowan uncovered new information and looked into what Tim was investigating. The alternating viewpoints work very well to propel the plot forward and introduce fresh leads and discoveries. The plotting is intricate and progresses with each new discovery. Personally, I could have done without the romance included and stuck with finding clues to solve the mystery of who murdered Tim. The ending is riveting. 4.5 rounded up.

Dying to Meet You is a good choice for those who enjoy mysteries with a little added romance. Thanks to HarperCollins for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Run for the Hills

Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson
5/13/25; 256 pages
Ecco

Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson is a humorous, uplifting, very highly recommended road trip novel featuring half-siblings finding each other while on a cross-country journey looking for their father.

Madeline (Mad) Hill, 32 years-old, and her mom run their organic farm in Coalfield, Tennessee together after her father left twenty years years ago. Then Reuben (Rube) Hill, in his forties, pulls up to their farm stand in a PT Cruiser and informs Mad that she is his half sister. Their father left Rube thirty years ago in Boston. He hired a detective and knows of two other half siblings, Pepper (Pep) Hill, a 21 year-old college basketball star in Oklahoma, and Theron (Tom) who is 11 years-old and living in Utah. Rube has a last address of their father living in Northern California. Mad agrees to accompany Rube to meet Pep, Tom, and hopefully find the father who left each of them, reinventing himself along the way.

Hilarious, heart-warming, quirky, and hopeful truly describe this well-written cross-country dysfunctional family adventure. I was totally immersed in the intriguing and masterfully written story throughout and loved this story. It follows the siblings as they meet each other, travel together, and learn about how their father reinvented himself into a whole different person each time he moved on. They all grew up as single children so any sibling is a new experience.

The characters are all portrayed as unique individuals who are all very different from each other in personalities and interests, but they still see shared characteristics between them, with Tom being the exception which is explained. They also share the heartbreak 0f a father who left them when they were children and never contacted them again. It has an impact on them, as does the version of their father they experienced individually. They all have very different memories of their father.

Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson is perfect for anyone seeking an entertaining road trip novel. Thanks to Ecco for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Where the Rivers Merge

Where the Rivers Merge by Mary Alice Monroe
5/13/25; 352 pages
HarperCollins

Where the Rivers Merge by Mary Alice Monroe is a very highly recommended historical family drama. This is the first book in a planned two book series about a families home in the ACE Basin, an area named for the Ashepoo, Combahee, and Edisto Rivers in the southeastern corner of South Carolina. The second book will be The River's End.

In 1988, 88 year-old Eliza Rivers Chalmers DeLancey has reach a level of success as the CEO of the family business, the DeLancey Group and in charge of the family's traditional plantation home and surrounding land, Mayfield. She has already put conservation easement on four thousand acres of the land and plans to put the last thousand acres, where Mayfield is located, into a conservation plan to protect it from development. Her son, Arthur opposes this and is scheming against her, but Eliza is prepared for his machinations.

After a tense and dramatic board meeting, Eliza sets off to Mayfield, accompanied by her college-age granddaughter, Savannah, and also the granddaughter of her closest childhood friend and grandniece Norah. Once at Mayfield, Eliza shares their family's history with the young women. The novel jumps back in time to 1908, when Eliza is 8 years old and tells her story of growing up at Mayfield and her friendship with Covey, Norah's grandmother.

This well-written historical fiction family saga opens each chapter with an interesting note about the various flora, and fauna found in the area of the ACE Basin. As Eliza grows up with a love for the land, the narrative follows the different expectations and societal norms of those days. This first novel tells Eliza's story and follows historical events up to her first wedding in 1926.

Eliza is a fully realized character full of self confidence and determination which is displayed even when she is young. Her family isn't portrayed as perfect. All the characters have flaws as well as strengths. What the story of her childhood does an excellent job of is showing her love of the land, her deep ties to Mayfield, and her unstoppable spirit to persevere. It establishes the foundation behind why she is determined to protect the land and her heritage as an adult.

Where the Rivers Merge will be relished by those who enjoy historical fiction and family dramas. Thanks to HarperCollins for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Smoke and Embers

Smoke and Embers by John Lawton
5/13/25; 416 pages
Grove/Atlantic
Inspector Troy Novel #9

Smoke and Embers by John Lawton is a highly recommended detective/spy fiction set in 1950 and the ninth in the Inspector Troy series. This novel is more about events in the aftermath of WWII and the Holocaust than one that prominently features Scotland Yard inspector Frederick Troy.

Opening in London, Inspector Troy learns that his sergeant has been conducting an affair with the known mistress, Bryce Betancourt, of infamous London racketeer Otto Ohnherz, a German refugee. His associate Jay Fabian is said to be an Auschwitz survivor but there are doubts about his identity and he is suspected to be a spy. The two men also donated to the campaign of Troy’s brother, Rod, who was reelected as an MP for the Labour Party. After the opening intrigue, the novel jumps back in time to 1945 Poland during the end of the war. From here the action proceeds to cover changing identities across several countries and years.

This is an even paced novel that will hold your attention as it increases in complexity, deception, and intrigue with each chapter. The short chapters keep the steady pace moving as the cunning subterfuge continues across several countries and the layers of deception build as they try to survive. The historical details, descriptions of events and areas combined with the dialogue between characters help keep narrative interesting.

As mentioned, Inspector Troy actually plays a minor role in the novel. The focus is more on several other characters, the flood of refugees, and how they do what they need to do to ensure their survival following the end of WWII. The characters are portrayed as fully realized interesting individuals. No spoilers here, but the ending is great. There is an Afterword section which adds further details and information.

Smoke and Embers will best be appreciated by those who enjoy espionage fiction and post WWII novels. Thanks to Grove/Atlantic for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Language of the Birds

The Language of the Birds by K.A. Merson
5/13/25; 368 pages
Random House/Ballantine

The Language of the Birds by K.A. Merson is a highly recommended mystery featuring an intelligent neurodivergent teen who excels at solving codes and ciphers.

After her father's death, seventeen-year-old Arizona, her mother, and her dog Mojo are traveling in their Airstream trailer to scatter his ashes in some of his favorite places. In California’s Bodie State Historic Park she and her mother go their separate ways and agree to meet at 4:00. When her mother doesn't show up, after giving her more time, she talks to Stephen Gordon, a park ranger, to report her mother is missing. 

Later, back at the Airstream she finds it has been searched and a note “Your father should have provided us with the information that we seek. His death could have been avoided. Now we have your mother.” Included is a lengthy list of random letters that she is told to decode. She discovers Stephen Gordon is not a park ranger. He has kidnapped her mom and now he wants her to search for the clues to uncover a secret her dad, a cartographer for the U.S. Geological Survey, was guarding.

Arizona is not your average teenager. She loves cryptography, solving puzzles and cracking codes. Once the task placed before her is solved, the kidnappers give her more codes to solve and clues to find. With Mojo at her side, Arizona tackles each mystery and task placed before her. She also makes a friend, Lily, which is a huge accomplishment.

It reads like a YA novel, but adult readers can also appreciate the clues Arizona must solve while trying to save her mom. Adult readers will have to set disbelief aside several times as the plot develops, but it is entertaining and well-written. Along with solving the codes, the plot involves literature, alchemy, history, and geography.

It surprised me how much I enjoyed many aspects of this novel, especially the history and literature incorporated into the plot. The solution to solving the codes is explained in the book (Those who aren't interested can skim.) There are illustrations included in the story to assist readers in following the mystery and the solution/answer Arizona finds along the way. The ending was great. I could see this becoming a series with Arizona breaking codes and solving mysteries.

The Language of the Birds will be best appreciated by those who love solving codes and ciphers as part of a greater mystery. Thanks to Random House/Ballantine for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

My Friends

My Friends by Fredrik Backman
5/6/25; 448 pages
Atria Books 

My Friends by Fredrik Backman is an exceptional, heartbreaking, humorous, very highly recommended story of friendship, art, trust, and finding your people. This is a masterpiece and certainly will be the best book I've read this year, perhaps even over several years. Admittedly, I am a long time admirer of Backman's work but My Friends is a life-list book.

An artist's first painting, “The One of the Sea,” is being sold and eighteen-year-old Louisa needs to see the painting for her own reasons. Her best friend Fish recently died and Louisa knows that the painting isn't about the sea, it's about the small group of friends on a dock in the corner of the painting. Circumstances result into her running from a security guard and crashing into a homeless man in the alley. Only he isn't homeless, he is the artist of “The One of the Sea” who calls himself C. Jat, and he is dying.

In the hospital later the artist tells Ted about Louisa and proclaims "She's one of us!" The us is the group of four friends, the friends in the painting from twenty-five years earlier and the ones he knew at fourteen and fifteen, when he painted “The One of the Sea.” These friends are Joar, Ted, Ali, and the artist. The artist, who had Ted buy his painting back, tells Ted to give the painting to Louisa and this leads to the two embarking on a cross country trip where she learns about the friends and how they saved each other from their bruising home lives and in school.

The dual timeline works perfectly in My Friends. The present day is Louisa and Ted on their trip while Ted tells the story of when they were teens in a working class neighborhood and how they helped each other survive. Louisa talks about how Fish helped her survive. The story is emotional and I was tearing up and openly crying throughout. Their interactions can also be humorous. These young characters went through so much. He points out that the world has spent thousands of years practicing how to puncture the lungs of children who are different.

The characters come to life under his careful, compassionate, and insightful portrayal. They are all fully realized individuals with vulnerabilities, strengths and weaknesses. These teens know that they can love and trust each other, which is a combination that can be difficult to find in life. They took care of their friendship and helped the artist survive being different while encouraging his artistic pursuits.

As Backman notes several times in the well-written narrative that, the most dangerous place on earth is inside us. He writes: No one can explain why some fourteen-year-olds want to die. Nature gains nothing from unhappy children, yet they are still walking around everywhere, without the words to describe their anxiety. Also that a "Lack of self confidence is a devastating virus. There is no cure."

There is a plethora of observations about what art is and there were so many quotes I saved. A few examples: Art teaches us to mourn for strangers, isn't chronological, is what we leave of ourselves in other people, and art doesn't need critics, art has enough enemies already. Art needs friends.

My Friends is a must read book that is sure to become a classic, on many lists of one of the best books ever, and a top book club choice. Thanks to Atria Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

 

The Kingdom of Cain

The Kingdom of Cain: Finding God in the Literature of Darkness by Andrew Klavan
5/6/25; 272 pages
Zondervan

The Kingdom of Cain: Finding God in the Literature of Darkness by Andrew Klavan is a very highly recommended, excellent examination of how we can still find joy and beauty in this broken world and have faith in God's ability to redeem even while understanding that there is dark side of human nature, tragedy, and evil.

First Klavan examines evil in the world an why murder is the ultimate act of hubris. In part 1, Klavan writes about three murders and how they influenced works of art, literature and film. The first murderer discuss is French thief Pierre Francois Larcenaire whose 1834 crime inspired Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment, which inspired Friedrich Nietzsche. Nietzsche inspired 1920's American killers Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, who became the subjects of many movies and books.

The second murderer is the 1950's psychopath Ed Gein. His horrific actions would inspire numerous books and movies, including Psycho, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, the Halloween series, and The Silence of the Lambs. The final murder is the first, Cain killing his brother Abel and how the fault in his offering was his lack of faith. The battle we are fighting with others is really with our desires, ourselves.

Part 2 is Klavan's reflections on creative practices of truth and beauty that allow him to confront the evil around us through love with joy and deepened his relationship with Jesus Christ. The joy is present, still acknowledging grief, evil, and pain in the world, but retaining a zeal for living. He reflects on three practices that have deepened his relationship with Christ. These include communion, psychotherapy ( which allowed him to accept the grace of God), and the presence of art and beauty.

The writing is exceptional in The Kingdom of Cain. Klavan writes about murder and the imagination in literature and film. While acknowledging evil exists, he makes a clear point that God's omnipotence, love and goodness is a source of joy.

Thanks to Zondervan for providing me with an advance reader's copy via Edelweiss. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Names

The Names by Florence Knapp
5/6/25; 336 pages
Penguin Publishing

The Names by Florence Knapp is a very highly recommended literary domestic drama following three alternate scenarios with the same characters. Take note that domestic abuse is a major part of the narrative in this debut novel.

Cora sets off with her nine-year-old daughter, Maia, to register her son's birth. Her husband, Gordon, a local doctor and abusive spouse, demands that she names their son Gordon. Cora likes the name Julian. Maia wants to name her brother Bear. Opening in 1987 and covering a span of thirty-five years, what follows are three different versions of their lives based on the choice of the three different names for her son.

The chapters are all divided by name choice, Bear, Julian, and Gordon, into three parallel timelines and follow the very different scenarios based on the three name choices. There is a seven year jump between chapters until the boy is a 35-year-old man. Each of the timelines is a very different version of the boy's life. 

Honestly, if the quality of the writing wasn't so exceptional the rating might have been lower. Opening illustrations based on name choice for each new chapter helps you focus on which boy/name you are reading about, making it easy to keep everything sorted out. All the characters are portrayed as fully realized individuals with strengths and weaknesses, which differ between the name choices and the life lived with that name.

I wasn't entirely sure about how I felt about the three alternate timelines based on a name choice until I had read a good portion of the novel. Initially, I felt two would have been better, but by the time I reached the end I had fully accepted the three different scenarios based on the consequences and implications of a name choice. The domestic violence is a major drawback but does not play a major role is all three timelines.

The Names is a creative, well-written novel that explores how a single decision can influence identity and fate in a family. 4.5 rounded up. Thanks to Penguin Publishing for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

South of Nowhere

South of Nowhere by Jeffery Deaver
5/6/25; 416 pages
Penguin Group
Colter Shaw #5 

South of Nowhere by Jeffery Deaver is a highly recommended thriller and the fifth novel in the Colter Shaw series. Colter makes a living as a reward hunter and tracker usually searching for missing persons or fugitives. This series was was adapted for CBS's TV show Tracker.

Colter Shaw is called in to help by his sister, Dorion, a disaster response specialist, after a levee collapses in Hinowah, a small town in Northern California. A vehicle with a family of four inside was swept into the water and Colter has the ability and skills to try and track where it went. Plenty of complications arise along the way. 

It seems the whole levee may be collapsing soon, which would wipe out the whole town. Then some nefarious player seems to be up to no good and attacks Colter while he is searching for the family. Further questions arise over what is really happening when Colter detects explosive residue near the site of the collapse, bringing into question whether it was really an accident. There is a minor storyline about someone named Margaret, who may be Colter's half sister and things happening to their mother, Mary Dove, a MD.

The pace moves fast while the pages will fly by and the twist keep coming in this well plotted thriller. The time that has passed is tracked as the narrative unfolds. There are several plot points and threads to follow while the truth is sought and uncovered. The novel starts out as a disaster novel and morphs into something else entirely. Personally, I felt like you needed to set some disbelief aside while reading, but this was easily done as the story immediately grabs your attention and keeps it without flagging.

Colter and Dorion, along with their brother Russell, grew up with a survivalist father, Ashton, and some of the many lessons he taught them are included along the way.  Since this is the fifth book in the series those new to the series may not have all the background information others have, although there is probably enough shared to keep you up to speed enough to enjoy the action. All the characters are fully realized individuals.

South of Nowhere is a great choice for those who enjoy thrillers. Thanks to the Penguin Group for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

 

Parents Weekend

Parents Weekend by Alex Finlay
5/6/25; 320 pages
St. Martin's Publishing

Parents Weekend by Alex Finlay is a highly recommended thriller centered around a small private college in Northern California.

Parents are arriving for Parents Weekend at Santa Clara University. Preceding the start of this event, the body of student Natasha Belov, daughter of a wealthy businessman, is found dead in a nearby sea cave. A group of five students who are residents of Campisi Hall, Libby, Blane, Mark, Felix, and Stella, plan to have dinner with their parents the first night. When none of the students show up for dinner, the parents initially think they are just being irresponsible college students, but when they cannot reach any of them, they involve the campus police. 

FBI Special Agent Sarah Keller is called in to assist due to the high profile parent of Blane. She, her husband Bob and their twins recently moved from NY to CA to care for Bob's father. It is a pleasure to see Agent Sarah Keller again and on the case. Even though she is a recurring character from two previous novels, this works as a stand alone.

There is a large cast of characters but if you pay attention they quickly sort themselves out. Libby Akana's parents are Ken, a well known Superior Court judge, and Amy. Blane Roosevelt's parents are divorced, his mother Cynthia works for the State Department and arrives with a security detail. Mark Wong is Blaine's best friend and comes from a troubled past. He has no parents at the event. Felix Goffman's single mother, Alice, works for the dean of the college. Stella Maldonado's parents are David, a plastic surgeon, and Nina.

The well-written narrative unfolds between the multiple points-of-view of students and parents. The multiple individuals involved open up the possibilities and suspects especially since they all, parents and students, have secrets, threats, and issues. Almost all of the parents are totally dysfunctional and the focus is more on their character development rather than that of the students. It was a wise and realistic choice to include the use of social media by students in the plot. The short chapters keep the pace moving briskly along.

Parents Weekend was engaging throughout and the twists at ending were surprising for me. Thanks to St. Martin's Publishing for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The River Is Waiting

The River Is Waiting by Wally Lamb
6/10/25; 480 pages
Simon & Schuster/Marysue Rucci Books

The River Is Waiting by Wally Lamb is a recommended prison drama - highly for the right reader. 3.5 stars rounded down.

Corby Ledbetter lost his job and is now the parent who cares for their two-year-old twins Maisie and Niko while Emily works. He has given up on any job search and turns to alcohol and Ativan first thing in the morning. Then one morning the unthinkable happens. He gets Maisie into the car, is distracted by a neighbor and backs up over Niko, who was laying on the ground looking at ants. (This happens in the opening pages of the novel.) He was clearly impaired when the incident happens, is convicted of manslaughter, and sentenced to three years in prison. 

The bulk of the novel is Corby struggling to survive life in prison and the dangers inherent in the system. Since Lamb has experience holding writing workshops in correctional institutions, life inside the prison is portrayed in a realistic manner, capturing the cruelty and inequity, but also the small acts of humanity that can help. The narrative can be engaging, while it can also be a bit prolonged and assumptive as it covers in depth Corby's prison experience.

This is not an easy book to read and it was almost set aside after the opening horrifying incident. Corby admits he caused the tragedy that tears the family apart, but he can also be full of anguish and denial in prison. He seeks redemption and hopes for a reconciliation with Emily. He is a deeply flawed character, but no matter how hard he tried and despite all the brutalty he had his character experience, Lamb could not make Corby into a completely sympathetic character for this reader.

There is no question that Lamb is a talented writer and he gets points for that but in the final assessment the narrative felt blotted and the ending of The River Is Waiting is infuriating. Fans will want to read it and will love it in spite of the flaws. Thanks to Simon & Schuster for providing me with an advance reader's copy via Edelweiss. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Turning to Birds

Turning to Birds by Lili Taylor
4/29/25; 208 pages
Crown Publishing

Turning to Birds by Lili Taylor is a very highly recommended collection of twelve essays about her passion for birds and discovering a world of meaning in paying attention everywhere you go. Actress Lili Taylor is an avid birder and a board member of the National Audubon Society, the American Birding Association, and the New York City Bird Alliance. This short book was a pleasure to read.

Chapters/stories include an intro, Bird Festival, Bins (binoculars), Bedouin (birding while on location), Cedar waxwing, Swifts, Tribute in Light (9/11 memorial), Finches, Catbird, Sparrow (house sparrow vs. bluebirds), Cranes, Woodcock, and Godspeed (mass bird migration). Included are black-and-white illustrations by Anna Koska. Opening with the story of the circumstances that awakened her love of birds fifteen years ago in the introduction, Taylor goes on to list and then explains that the skills actors used are also valuable skills for birding. These include: listening, attention, investigation, observation, perception, and specificity.

The essays are delightfully personal while also being educational and interesting, especially for those who enjoy birds. Having experienced the migration of the Sandhill cranes many times while growing up, her wonder watching it is understood. I never knew that the 9/11 memorial lights in NYC are turned off for 20 minutes to help protect migrating birds when enough birds are captured in their light and found this comforting. Although perhaps an essay addressing raptors and other birds versus wind turbines would also be educational for people. Taylor's battle to protect her bluebirds was almost personal. My battle was keeping a neighbor's cat away from them.

Turning to Birds is for those who enjoy birds and beautifully crafted essays. Thanks to Crown Publishing for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Julie Chan Is Dead

Julie Chan Is Dead by Liann Zhang
4/29/25; 320 pages
Atria Books 

Julie Chan Is Dead by Liann Zhang is a highly recommended thriller that takes an entertaining trek into the world of influencers but, and this is a warning, later turns down a dark road.

Julie Chan and twin sister Chloe VanHuusen were separated at age 4 when their parents died in a car crash. Chloe was adopted by a wealthy couple while Julie was raised by her grumpy, pilfering aunt. Now Julie, 24, works as a supermarket cashier while her twin is a very successful influencer. a few years earlier Chloe reached out to Julie, gave her a rundown house, and filmed the whole event to boost her online engagement, which subsequently went viral. Then she ghosted her. 

When Julie receives a garbled message from Chloe saying she was sorry, she tries to call back but can't get through so she decides to go to her apartment in NY. She finds Chloe dead and calls the police. When they arrive, they mistake Julie for Chloe, which inspires Julie to take on her sister's identity and influencer lifestyle. It seems to be working out well since Chloe was organized, had sponsorships in place, and a large following. The only question is how will Julie fit in at the secretive, annual “Belladonna” friends’ getaway hosted by wealthy socialite mega-influencer Bella Marie.

The first part of the novel had me totally immersed and deliciously entertained as Julie entered into the, vapid, self focused influencer culture. Sure, Julie is a grifter taking on Chloe's identity, but it soon becomes quite clear that all the big influencers are also grifters. I actually like Julie despite her obvious character flaws. It was humorous to read about the influencers claiming how hard they worked compared to those who worked in fast food, etc. It can be exhausting filming yourself telling people what to think and do while promoting products.

The second part of the book when she goes to the Belladonna friends getaway veers off into unexpected horror/cult novel territory and was disturbing. The whole novel requires setting disbelief aside, but this part of the plot requires a huge commitment to accepting the preposterous. This turn in the plot dropped my rating. I really enjoyed it until the getaway. I initially stuck with it, with some trepidation, and then said, nope, not enjoying this. 

In the final analysis, the first part of the novel was definitely a five star read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The last part was maybe a two as it became increasingly absurd and horrific. Adding to my dilemma is the fact that the writing is excellent throughout, even in the part I thoroughly disliked, so I'm going with a cautious four star.

Thanks to Atria Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Cold Burn

Cold Burn by A. J. Landau
4/29/25; 336 pages
St. Martin's
A National Parks Series #2

Cold Burn by A. J. Landau (aka Jon Land, Jeff Ayers) is a highly recommended investigative thriller and climate science fiction novel. Cold Burn, following 2024's Leave No Trace, is the second book in their National Park Series.

National Park Service investigator Michael Walker is investigating the theft of artifacts when the case takes a fatal turn and becomes more mysterious. Then he is called to Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska to look for a team of missing U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists. FBI investigator Gina Delgado works on the case of a body found in Florida’s Everglades National Park. The body is discovered to be a USGS intern, but before she can wrap up the case, she is called to the scene of a sunken U.S. nuclear submarine where the entire crew has inexplicably been killed. Eventually all the action leads back to one man.

Chapters in the novel switch between multiple locations and characters with no connections in sight, which can feel disconcerting at first. Readers may be tempted to set the novel aside, but keep with it and everything will sort itself out. The mystery deepens as the action accelerates, connections begin to appear, and the tension increases up to a global scale. As in the first book in the series the antagonists are identified early on but this time all the various story lines are intriguing.

This is the second book in the series but it can be read as a standalone. Reading Leave No Trace, however, will provide more background information about the characters which helps with their development and portrayal as individuals. The focus is on the action rather than the parks. Expect to have to suspend disbelief along the way, with some lecturing on social/political topics included. 3.5 rounded up

Cold Burn will be appreciate by readers who like action-packed novels. 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.

Such a Good Mom

Such a Good Mom by Julia Spiro
4/29/25; 304 pages
St. Martin's Press

Such a Good Mom by Julia Spiro is a recommended domestic drama. It is a highly recommended, detailed account of postpartum depression which marginally includes a so-so murder mystery. Read it if you are interested in the deep dive into postpartum depression.

Romance author and Martha’s Vineyard resident Brynn Nelson and her husband Ross have a newborn son, Lucas. After having a c-section, Brynn is exhausted, sleep deprived, and struggling with the demands of constantly nursing and caring for a newborn, while at the same time Ross seems more distant and distracted.  When Brynn learns that Cecilia, a well liked waitress at the club the Nelsons frequent, is found dead she is shocked. Then Ross is arrested for the crime and she needs to uncover the truth, including a clue from Ross told her to look for "the orange sun."

First, Such a Good Mom is not really a summer beach read. It is at its heart and core is an emotional, realistic, and brutally honest description of postpartum depression. It must be said that Spiro did an excellent job describing the struggles of new mothers and postpartum depression. It's been awhile, but all those feelings and struggles came crashing back. Some of the emotional, descriptive passages capture experiences many will  understand and they may help others. Expect some social commentary along the way.

The murder mystery really feels like an afterthought in the plot and takes a backseat to Brynn's struggles with a newborn and her depression. It's not entirely believable that she would start any investigation. In summary, the mystery is rather simplistic, basic, and predictable.

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.

If Two Are Dead

If Two Are Dead by Rick Mofina
4/29/25; 416 pages
MIRA Books 

If Two Are Dead by Rick Mofina is a very highly recommended suspenseful, twisty thriller.

Luke Conway and his wife Carrie with their one-year-old daughter Emily have moved back to Texas to spend time with her terminally ill father, Vernon Hamilton, during his final days. Luke has already obtained a position as a deputy with the county where his father-in-law was a sheriff. The decision was a difficult one. Carrie left years earlier after she was the sole survivor of an attack that left two girls dead in the woods. Carrie was hospitalized with brain injuries at the time and still has no memory of what happened. Luke was involved with a shooting as an LAPD officer and is ready to make a new start.

In the opening of the novel, just as Carrie and Emily are ready to move to Texas, Luke is driving home in a storm and hits something or someone. He gets out of his car and looks for what he hit but finds nothing so he decides to not call it in after his experience in LA. He ends up investigating on his own. This decision torments and distracts him. At the same time, after Carrie arrives some fleeting memories begin to return to her. She is still receiving support from her therapist, Dr. Bernay. Adding to the stress is the fact that residents of small towns never forget and take vehement sides on all manner of events.

The uneasiness, secrets, and stress remain high throughout this well-written, fast-paced, un-put-downable thriller. Honestly, much of the tension is due to the fact that you don't know if any of the characters are trustworthy. At one time or another it seems any or all of them have done some nefarious deed in their past. Both Luke, Carrie, and Vern are searching for answers, from the present and the past. You don't know if you should be sympathetic for their positions or hope they are caught.

The secrets, twists, and information just keeps coming strong right to the surprising, shocking, and unpredictable ending. Honestly, Mofina plotted and paced this novel like the skillful writer he is, which kept me glued to the pages waiting for the next revelation or crumb of information. The ending, though, was masterfully played and is what made the rating so high. Thanks to MIRA Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

 

Play, Rewind

Play, Rewind by John Vurro
4/29/25; 338 pages
Tortoise Books

Play, Rewind by John Vurro is a highly recommended literary family drama set in Queens, New York, during the year 2000.

Wes, 26, is caring for his mother who has Alzheimer’s and still working as a clerk at Video Planet. He had planned to go to film school for a future career in the movies. Now that dream is gone and he's struggling but committed to caring for his mother. His father walked out on them years ago. The home health care nurse, Gloria, helps with his mom when he's at work. His days are like a video tape, play and rewind.

Then some changes happen to Wes's world. Vito takes over the store from Dom and begins to make changes, including giving Wes a raise, cleaning up the store, and expecting Dom to actually work too. An even more welcomed change is Lola. They knew each other in high school and she returns to the neighborhood and seeks out Wes. The two begin a relationship.

This is in many ways a difficult novel to read as readers see Wes dealing with his mother's dementia, but even amidst the struggles there are moments of hope. Gloria has been a great support for Wes, but she is also realistically telling him it is time to get his mother into a home with full time care. Lola is a wonderful addition to his life. Wes is a young man who should have friends and be connecting with other people. 

In some ways this is also a tribute to movies and video stores. There is a plethora of movies mentioned throughout the novel. Readers who love movies are going to relish this. For those who remember video stores, the lists of movies will also bring back memories of going in and searching the aisles to pick out a movie or two.

Wes is a sympathetic character in a difficult situation. He is portrayed as a realistic individual with strengths and weaknesses. His mother's dementia is realistically portrayed and heartbreaking. Lola is an interesting character whose character is developed and secrets are revealed over the course of the novel.

Play, Rewind is a well-written literary novel that will be appreciated by those who enjoy family dramas and movies. Thanks to Tortoise Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via Edelweiss. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Murder Machine

The Murder Machine by Heather Graham
4/29/25; 304 pages
MIRA Books/Harlequin

The Murder Machine by Heather Graham is a recommended investigative procedural which explores artificial intelligence being used to kill. 

A Florida receptionist at a law firm, Marci Warden, is found dead in her home, apparently killed by her smart house turning against her. With two other reported cases of AI being used to kill via boat and car, FBI Special Agents Victoria Tennant and Jude Mackenzie team up to investigate what is happening.  They know that a machine can only do what it's been programmed to do so they need to find out who is behind the attacks. 

The plot starts out strong with a real sense of trepidation and fear that AI could be used to attack. Then this build up is wasted as the narrative continues, losing steam, and relaxes into a basic procedural while the two agents become enamored with each other. There are other AI "attacks" but no true deep dive focus on the sci-fi, technical aspects of AI and malware which left me gravely disappointed.

Once the plot settles comfortably into a basic procedural the pace slowed down and it quickly began to lose my interest. It did help, however, when Clover, a large dog, was added to the cast of characters. It was expected, naturally, that the two agents would become targets. The dialogue between Mackenzie and Tennant seemed stilted along with their increasing interest in each other.

The Murder Machine is recommended for those who enjoy procedurals. Thanks to MIRA for providing me with an advance reader's copy via Edelweiss. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Dark Edge

The Dark Edge by Nick Louth
4/24/25; 334 pages
Canelo Crime
DI Jan Talantire #3

The Dark Edge by Nick Louth is a highly recommended police procedural and the third book in the DI Jan Talantire series set in Devon.

DI Jan Talantire is investigating the death of Joanne Dexter after she apparently fell off a cliff trying to retrieve her elderly mother's hat. At first it appears to be an accident, but as more evidence is collected it becomes clear that it may have been murder and some of the witnesses are lying. Complicating matters is the fact that Joanne work for a UK intelligence agency and Talantire doesn't have the security clearance needed to hear all information. At the same time the sexual harassment case is ongoing.

This is an intricate, complicated investigation with plenty of twists and surprising discoveries along the way. I found the case Talantire was on in the previous book was more interesting, but this is still a well-written and expertly plotted addition to the series. Expect several subplots and misleading clues while the team sorts through all the clues and conduct interviews.

As the third book in the series, Talantire's character development is ongoing. She is portrayed as a tough, intelligent and compelling character with strengths and flaws, however, it also feels like her character is written from a male perspective. There are also a plethora of other characters to keep track of while reading, including members of her team and various suspects and witnesses. 

The Dark Edge will best be appreciated by readers who enjoy procedurals and who have read the two previous books in the series. Thanks to Canelo Crime for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Welcome to West Street

Welcome to West Street by Nicole Trope
4/22/25; 304 pages
Bookouture

Welcome to West Street by Nicole Trope is a highly recommended psychological thriller. It must be said that Nicole Troupe can be relied upon to always write a page-turner.

Amanda and her two children have moved into a house, sight unseen, in an attempt to escape her abusive husband. Her husband Mike is abroad on business and will return home to find divorce papers. Amanda's son Jordan, 11, is angry and yelling about the situation while her daughter Kiera, 9, is usually happy but struggling, missing her friends. Amanda is sure that this is the safest place for them to be.

Caroline, a neighbor, is watching the new family's every move. They have secrets on their street and like to keep things quiet. She also likes to have readily available for her use all the information about everyone. Now she needs to find out the secret behind the new family moving to their street.

This is another fast paced, twisty, domestic psychological thriller that will hold your complete attention throughout. It is full of characters with secrets and you won't know who to trust. It becomes clear that things may not be what they seem to be but the question about what is really going on isn't answered until the shocking ending.

The narrative unfolds through the point-of-view of Amanda and Caroline. You can feel Amanda's pain and fear over what is going to happen. Caroline is a completely different character who comes across as cool as a cucumber but with something to hide. The reliability of all the characters will be in question at some point during the novel.

You may have to suspend disbelief a time or two, but the drama and twists in Welcome to West Street will be worth it. Thanks to Bookouture for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Hidden in Smoke

Hidden in Smoke by Lee Goldberg
4/22/25; 300 pages
Thomas & Mercer
Sharpe & Walker #3

Hidden in Smoke by Lee Goldberg is a very highly recommended investigative procedural following two different story lines and the third installment of the Sharpe & Walker series. Although you don't have to read the others in the series to enjoy Hidden in Smoke, Goldberg does suggest you might want to read the previous novels in this case.

The main story line follows Los Angeles County arson investigators Walter Sharpe and Andrew Walker as they are assigned to a series of arson fires at apartment buildings. When they are coming close to a suspect, a major fire breaks out under part of the I-10 Freeway and closes it down. Sharpe and Walker are pulled off their original investigation and put on the freeway disaster.

Complicating matter is that contractor George Petroni, who is experienced in repairing infrastuctures after a fire, has already cleared the scene in anticipation of repairs, thus destroying any forensic evidence. Sharpe and Walker, however, are not defeated and uncover clues indicating an even larger problem. They end up calling in homicide detectives Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone to assist them.

A second story line involves Danny Cole, the con man from Malibu Burning (2023), and a favor Walker asks him to do, after finding him. It involves wealthy businessman Roland Slezak and the increasing drug prices one of his companies is now charging. Danny calls in his cohorts and sets up an elaborate scheme to do this.

The action is fast-paced and the investigations are interesting, compelling, and multifaceted. Admittedly, sometimes you have to set disbelief aside and in other cases there is some dialogue that goes over the top, but when taken in all together this really is a satisfying , entertaining novel that held my complete attention throughout. The second plot line is much shorter so the focus is really on the arson investigations of Sharpe and Walker, joined in part by Ronin and Pavone.

All the characters are well known for those who follow their series. Their characters are established along with all of their various strengths, weaknesses, and piccadillos. It's always enjoyable to follow a well planned plot following a logical investigation with characters you know.

Hidden in Smoke is a perfect choice for those who enjoy procedurals. Thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

1960s Nostalgia Activity Book for Seniors

1960s Nostalgia Activity Book for Seniors by Purple Moon Publishing

2/10/25; 128 pages

Purple Moon Publishing

1960s Nostalgia Activity Book for Seniors by Purple Moon Publishing is a fun retro-themed activity book. This is highly recommended for seniors but also for those who enjoy the 60s music, TV, movies, etc. 

In the book are a variety of activities including matching word puzzles, word scrambles, fill in the lyrics, cryptograms, trivia quizzes, word searches, crossword puzzles, and mazes. Covered are a wide variety of interests -music (with a focus on individual bands too), space race, civil rights movement, hippies, feminist movement, art, TV shows (with some focus on individual shows), movies, fashion, car culture, sports, toys, political events, and advertising slogans. An index to solutions pages is at the front of the book, with the answers beginning at page 100.  The illustrations are in back and white illustrations and it is in large print.

The music section should be popular with younger users and almost everyone who even causally listens to music should know the songs. Audiophiles and music enthusiasts will appreciate this section. At the opening are twelve QR codes for a 1960s playlist, which kind of had me chuckling knowing QR codes aren't always highly popular with seniors. The TV trivia section will also appeal to a wide age range with so many people who have likely watch them through reruns. This same appeal can apply to movies, sports, toys, etc. 

It is a theme through the activity book that people of any age who enjoy the individual areas of 60s trivia will likely enjoy doing the activities which makes this an activity book that others beyond seniors can enjoy. Thanks to Purple Moon Publishing for providing me with an advance reader's copy via LibraryThing's Earlier Reviewers. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Blood on the Vine

Blood on the Vine by J. T. Falco
4/22/25; 320 pages
Crooked Lane Books

Blood on the Vine by J. T. Falco is a highly recommended procedural following the investigation into the recent murder of two young women.

A former resident of Napa Valley, FBI agent Lana Burrell, returns over twenty years later to investigate what may be a situation with an active serial killer. The complications in returning involve the case of her father who is in prison for killing her best friend Jess many years ago at a Napa Valley vineyard. Returning to the area after being gone for years mean Lana must face her memories but she will also have insight into the area and the residents. Once there, Lana notices a man who is following her and she has questions if a cult might be involved.

The narrative opens up with one of the victims fleeing the killer, which immediately grabs your attention. Then readers are introduced to Lana, who is a clearly a flawed, wounded individual. She is also, ultimately, a fully realized intelligent, insightful and competent character. The introduction to her liaison with the sheriff's department, Deputy Essie Leroux, adds some comic relief, but the sixty-year-old recent police academy graduate proves her competence and abilities.

In this well-written, fast-paced procedural, there are several suspects, along with many questions and directions the investigation can go. Clearly, there are a whole lot of secrets individuals are hiding and expect some twists. Between chapters are various pieces of evidence related to the case which includes news articles, interviews, filed court cases, etc., which add depth, background information, and insight into the investigation. This is a debut novel, but written by an experienced writer and it shows.

Blood on the Vine is a perfect choice for those who enjoy procedurals. Thanks to Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Bookseller

The Bookseller by Tim Sullivan
3/18/25; 368 pages
Aria & Aries
DS Cross Series #7

The Bookseller by Tim Sullivan is a highly recommended procedural and the seventh book in the series featuring DS George Cross.

Torquil Squire is the 90 year-old owner of Squires Rare Books in Bristol. The family business is currently ran by his son Ed, with assistants Sam and Persephone (Percy). When Torquil heads to London for the day to attend a rare book auction, he returns in the evening to find his son, Ed, dead and Percy locked in the bathroom upstairs. DS George Cross and his partner DI Josie Ottey are called in to investigate and must figure out who would want to kill Ed and how the business of rare and antique books works.

George Cross is neurodivergent. He is a tenacious, brilliant, and insightful investigator who is also socially awkward and struggles following social cues. On the job his differences make him a formidable investigator who can follow and catch clues others might miss. At the same time as the murder investigation is underway George's father, Raymond has a brain tumor diagnosis. He has a stroke during surgery and is now facing a longer recovery. His father's situation makes George consider retiring from the force to care for his dad.

For those who enjoy following the clues in detailed, intricate procedurals, The Bookseller would be a good choice. This is part of a series though it can still be enjoyed as a standalone novel. However, it is easy to see where reading the previous books in the series would be beneficial. It did seem a little long and drawn out at times. Thanks to Aria & Aries for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Strangers in Time

Strangers in Time David Baldacci
4/15/25; 448 pages
Grand Central Publishing

Strangers in Time David Baldacci is a descriptive, very highly recommended character driven historical fiction set in 1944 London during WWII.

Thirteen-year-old Charlie Matters lives with his grandmother, his only surviving relative. He's dropped out of school and spends his days using his wits to make money or steal what he can. When he notices through a window some biscuits on a plate and money in a cash drawer at a book store called The Book Keep, Charlie rushes in, steals the food and money, and runs. Later circumstances lead to him returning the money to the store owner, widower Ignatius Oliver.

Fifteen-year-old Molly Wakefield has just returned to London after spending years in the countryside. When she arrives home the only person there is her nanny. She learns her mother has been hospitalized and her father is gone. She meets Charlie on the streets and asks him to help her find the building where her father is supposed to be working, but he's not there. Later, Molly meets Ignatius when looking for Charlie and as bombs wreak havoc on the city, the three forge a relationship.

The characters are richly drawn and depicted as fully realized, complicated individuals with flaws and strengths. The setting is also skillfully descriptive of place and time. All the characters are struggling with personal battles while a battle is literally going on around them, exposing everyone to potential death. The overwhelming sense of anxiety and the hustle for survival, as well as their tenacity, is clearly depicted in bomb-shattered London.

Strangers in Time moves at a fast pace and will hold your complete attention right to the end. The detailed, descriptive writing helps to vividly bring the characters and the setting to life. There are several plot twists, threats, mysteries, and surprises incorporated into the narrative along the way. Generally I'm not a huge fan of historical fiction, but this novel is excellent, compelling, and thoroughly enjoyable.

Readers who enjoy well-written historical fiction should definitely read Strangers in Time. Thanks to Grand Central Publishing for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.