Books of 2025

Books of 2025 

297 books read this year. The complete list by month follows the top picks. This year I have the Top twelve fiction, and the honorable mention top 17 on my list of the best of the best books of 2025. The date is the day my review was published. 

(All of the best books of the year earned my top rating. If you look at my year of reading many other books also earned a 'very highly recommended' rating. The stars after the books on these mentioned best books are additional stars I gave them after reading specifically for my end of the year list.)

Best Books 2025

Top 12:
My Friends by Fredrik Backman, 4/22/25 ****** literary
Hold Strong by Robert Dugoni, Jeff Langholz, Chris Crabtree, 1/1/25 ***** historical fiction
When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzén, 7/21/25 ***** literary
We Are All Guilty Here by Karin Slaughter 7/31/25 **** procedural
Peace Like a River by Scott Gould, 8/15/25 **** literary
The Elements by John Boyne, 8/29/25 **** literary
When the Moon Hits Your Eye by John Scalzi, 3/15/25 **** sci fi
The Proving Ground by Michael Connelly 10/10/25 ***** legal thriller
After That, the Dark by Andrew Klavan 10/12/25 ***** mystery
Frank and Red by Matt Coyne, 11/6/25 **** domestic drama
Three Days in June by Anne Tyler, 11/13/25 **** character study
Head Cases by John McMahon, 12/4/25 **** procedural (Inside Man on 2026 list)

Honorable mention, 17 books
End of August by Paige Dinneny, 1/13/25 *** literary coming-of-age
Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 by Lisa Unger, 1/23/25 *** mystery
Picks and Shovels by Cory Doctorow, 1/29/25 *** tech drama
Battle Mountain by C. J. Box, 2/3/25 *** thriller
The Last Days of Kira Mullan by Nicci French, 2/8/25, *** suspense
The Memory Ward by Jon Bassoff, 2/11/25 *** suspense/sci-fi
Witness 8 by Steve Cavanagh, 2/18/25 *** legal thriller
The Writer by James Patterson and J. D. Barker, 2/20/25 *** procedural
The Summer Guests by Tess Gerritsen, 2/22/25 *** mystery
Nobody's Fool by Harlan Coben, 3/2/25 *** thriller
The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits by Jennifer Weiner, 3/18/25 *** family drama
Strangers in Time David Baldacci, 3/30/25 *** historical fiction
Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell, 6/9/25 *** suspense
Party of Liars by Kelsey Cox, 6/13/25 *** thriller
Kiss Her Goodbye by Lisa Gardner, 7/29/25 *** mystery
The Widow by John Grisham, 10/6/25 *** legal drama
Impostor Syndrome by Andrew Mayne, 10/8/25 *** thriller

Vlautin novels, all excellent: 
Northline by Willy Vlautin, 11/6/25 **** domestic drama
Lean on Pete by Willy Vlautin, 11/7/25 **** drama
Don't Skip Out on Me by Willy Vlautin 11/8/25 *** drama
The Horse by Willy Vlautin, 11/9/25 *** character study
The Motel Life by Willy Vlautin, 11/10/25 *** character study
The Free by Willy Vlautin, 11/12/25 **** character study

Nonfiction
1. No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson by Gardiner Harris  *****
2. Enough Is Enuf by Gabe Henry, 3/27/25 ****
3.Turning to Birds by Lili Taylor, 4/14/25 **
4. The Kingdom of Cain by Andrew Klavan ***
5. False Claims by Lisa Pratta ***
6. The Beast in the Clouds by Nathalia Holt  **
7. The Photographs: Iconic Images from National Geographic ****
8.The Traveler's Atlas of the World by National Geographic ***

Short Stories
1. North of Ordinary by John Rolfe Gardiner 1/10/25 ***
2. Skin and Bones: And Other Mike Bowditch Short Stories by Paul Doiron 4/29/25 **
3. Something to Look Forward To by Fannie Flagg 8/8/25 ****
4. The Answer Is No: A Short Story by Fredrik Backman, 11/5/25 **** 

Books 2025 

January
1. Hold Strong by Robert Dugoni, Jeff Langholz, Chris Crabtree, 555 pages, 1/1/25, very highly recommended, ***** historical fiction
2. The Vanishing Point: Stories by Paul Theroux, 336 pages, 1/2/25, highly recommended, short stories
3.The Mailman by Andrew Welsh-Huggins, 360 pages, 1/3/25, very highly recommended, ** thriller
4. Hope by Andrew Ridker, 433 pages, 1/4/25, recommended
5. Tartufo by Kira Jane Buxton, 352 pages, 1/5/25, recommended
6. The Train from Platform 2 by Stephanie Steel, 320 pages, 1/6/25, highly recommended
7. Johnny Careless by Kevin Wade, 240 pages, 1/7/25, highly recommended
8. Amorphous Breaking the Mold by Steven Burgess, 338 pages, 1/8/25, recommended
9. Open Season by Jonathan Kellerman, 288 pages, 1/9/25, very highly recommended * procedural
10. North of Ordinary by John Rolfe Gardiner, 224 pages, 1/10/25, very highly recommended *** short stories
11. This Is a Love Story by Jessica Soffer, 304 pages, 1/11/25, highly recommended
12. End of August by Paige Dinneny, 320 pages, 1/13/25, very highly recommended *** literary
13. Tell Me You Trust Me by Elle Owens, 300 pages, 1/14/25, highly recommended
14. Blood Ties by Jo Nesbo, 384 pages, 1/16/25, very highly recommended * crime novel
15. Not Our Daughter by Chad Zunker, 240 pages, 1/17/25, highly recommended
16. Once You Were Mine by Elizabeth Langston, 363 pages, 1/19/25, highly recommended
17. Nothing Ever Happens Here by Seraphina Nova Glass, 304 pages, 1/20/25, recommended
18. The Unforgetting by Bonnie Traymore, 288 pages, 1/21/25, highly recommended
19. Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 by Lisa Unger, 384 pages, 1/23/25, very highly recommended *** mystery
20. Falls to Pieces by Douglas Corleone, 285 pages, 1/24/25, recommended
21. Every Precious and Fragile Thing by Barbara Davis, 431 pages, 1/26/25, highly recommended
22. Justice Bites by James Chandler and Laura Snider, 314 pages, 1/27/25, highly recommended
23. Picks and Shovels by Cory Doctorow, 400 pages, 1/29/25, very highly recommended *** tech drama
24. The Garden by Nick Newman, 320 pages, 1/30/25, highly recommended
25. You'll Find Out by Lisa Jackson, 512 pages, 1/31/25, recommended



February
26. Not Who We Expected by Lisa Black, 320 pages, 2/1/25, very highly recommended ** thriller
27. Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister, 336 pages, 2/2/25, very highly recommended ** thriller
28. Battle Mountain by C. J. Box, 368 pages, 2/3/25, very highly recommended *** thriller
29. Tilt by Emma Pattee, 240 pages, 2/4/25, highly recommended
30. Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall, 320 pages, 2/6/25, very highly recommended * domestic suspense
31. The Last Days of Kira Mullan by Nicci French, 464 pages, 2/8/25, very highly recommended, *** suspense
32. Message Deleted by K. L. Slater, 418 pages, 2/10/25, very highly recommended * thriller
33. The Memory Ward by Jon Bassoff, 292 pages, 2/11/25, very highly recommended *** suspense/sci-fi
34. Red Dog Farm by Nathaniel Ian Miller, 272 pages, 2/13/25, highly recommended
35. If It Isn't One Thing... by Steven F. Havill, 224 pages, 2/14/25, highly recommended
36. Ward D by Freida McFadden, 320 pages, 2/15/25, very highly recommended ** thriller
37. The Californians by Brian Castleberry. 384 pages, 2/17/25, recommended
38. Witness 8 by Steve Cavanagh, 416 pages, 2/18/25, very highly recommended *** thriller
39. You Deserve to Know by Aggie Blum Thompson, 336 pages, 2/19/25, highly recommended
40. The Writer by James Patterson and J. D. Barker, 400 pages, 2/20/25, very highly recommended *** procedural
41. Killer Potential by Hannah Deitch, 320 pages, 2/21/25, so-so
42. The Summer Guests by Tess Gerritsen, 363 pages, 2/22/25, very highly recommended *** mystery
43. Splinter Effect by Andrew Ludington, 320 pages, 2/23/25, highly recommended
44. The Fisherman's Gift by Julia R Kelly, 368 pages, 2/24/25, highly recommended
45. The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry, 352 pages, 2/25/25, highly recommended
46. The Paris Express by Emma Donoghue, 288 pages, 2/26/25, highly recommended
47. The Ten Worst People in New York by Matt Plass, 320 pages, 2/27/25, recommended
48. Saltwater by Katy Hays, 336 pages, 2/27/25, highly recommended
49. The Fourth Girl by Wendy Corsi Staub, 396 pages, 2/28/25, highly recommended

March
50. I Would Die for You by Sandie Jones, 320 pages, 3/1/25, recommended
51. Nobody's Fool by Harlan Coben, 352 pages, 3/2/25, very highly recommended *** thriller
52. Lethal Prey by John Sandford, 400 pages, 3/3/25, very highly recommended * thriller
53. The Savage, Noble Death of Babs Dionne by Ron Currie, 368 pages, 3/5/25, highly recommended
54. Death at Porthcurno Cove by Sally Rigby, 240 pages, 3/6/25, highly recommended
55. When We Were Real by Daryl Gregory, 464 pages, 3/8/25, highly recommended
56. Heartwood by Amity Gaige, 320 pages, 3/9/25, highly recommended
57. OverKill by J. A. Jance, 336 pages, 3/10/25, highly recommended
58. The Family Recipe by Carolyn Huynh, 320 pages, 3/12/25, highly recommended
59. The Last Session by Julia Bartz, 368 pages, 3/13/25, so-so
60. The Devil's Kitchen by Mark Thielman, 310 pages, 3/14/25, recommended
61. When the Moon Hits Your Eye by John Scalzi, 336 pages, 3/15/25, very highly recommended **** sci fi
62. The Float Test by Lynn Steger Strong, 272 pages, 3/16/25, recommended
63. The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits by Jennifer Weiner. 384 pages, 3/18/25, very highly recommended *** family drama
64. She's a Lamb! by Meredith Hambrock, 312 pages, 3/19/25, highly recommended
65. No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson by Gardiner Harris, 464 pages, 3/21/25, very highly recommended ***** nonfiction
66. The Baker of Lost Memories by Shirley Russak Wachtel, 317 pages, 3/22/25, recommended
67. Nothing Left to Lose, or, How Not to Start a Commune by Jeff Richards, 272 pages, 3/24/25, so-so
68.What Remains of Teague House by Stacy Johns, 432 pages, 3/24/25, recommended
69. Coram House by Bailey Seybolt, 320 pages, 3/26/25, highly recommended
70. Enough Is Enuf by Gabe Henry, 304 pages, 3/27/25, very highly recommended, **** nonfiction
71. Ruth Run by Elizabeth Kaufman, 304 pages, 3/28/25, highly recommended
72. Strangers in Time David Baldacci, 448 pages, 3/30/25, very highly recommended, *** historical fiction


April
73. The Bookseller by Tim Sullivan, 368 pages, 4/1/25, highly recommended
74. Blood on the Vine by J. T. Falco, 320 pages, 4/3/25, highly recommended
75. 1960s Nostalgia Activity Book for Seniors by Purple Moon Publishing, 128 pages, 4/3/25, highly recommended
76. Hidden in Smoke by Lee Goldberg 300 pages, 4/4/25, very highly recommended * procedural
77. Welcome to West Street by Nicole Trope, 304 pages, 4/6/25, highly recommended
78. The Dark Edge by Nick Louth, 334 pages, 4/7/25, highly recommended
79. The Murder Machine by Heather Graham, 304 pages, 4/8/25, recommended
80. Play, Rewind by John Vurro, 338 pages, 4/10/25, highly recommended
81. If Two Are Dead by Rick Mofina, 416 pages, 4/10/25, very highly recommended * thriller
82. Such a Good Mom by Julia Spiro, 304 pages, 4/11/25, recommended
83. Cold Burn by A. J. Landau, 336 pages, 4/12/25, highly recommended
84. Julie Chan Is Dead by Liann Zhang, 320 pages, 4/13/25, highly recommended
85. Turning to Birds by Lili Taylor, 208 pages, 4/14/25, very highly recommended ** nonfiction
86. The River Is Waiting by Wally Lamb, 480 pages, 4/15/25, recommended
87. Parents Weekend by Alex Finlay, 320 pages, 4/17/25, highly recommended
88. South of Nowhere by Jeffery Deaver, 416 pages, 4/18/25, highly recommended
89. The Names by Florence Knapp, 336 pages, 4/19/25, very highly recommended * literary drama
90. The Kingdom of Cain by Andrew Klavan, 272 pages, 4/20/25, very highly recommended *** nonfiction
91. My Friends by Fredrik Backman, 448 pages, 4/22/25, very highly recommended ****** literary
92. The Language of the Birds by K.A. Merson, 368 pages, 4/23/25, highly recommended
93. Smoke and Embers by John Lawton, 416 pages, 4/24/25, highly recommended
94. Where the Rivers Merge by Mary Alice Monroe, 352 pages, 4/25/25, very highly recommended * historical
95. Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson, 256 pages, 4/26/25, very highly recommended *** humor
96. Dying to Meet You by Sarina Bowen, 368 pages, 4/28/25, very highly recommended * mystery
97. Skin and Bones by Paul Doiron, 368 pages, 4/29/25, very highly recommended ** short stories


May
98. The Missing Ones by Anita Waller, 282 pages, 5/1/25, very highly recommended * thriller
99. The Memory Collectors by Dete Meserve, 336 pages, 5/1/25, very highly recommended *** mystery/sci-fi
100. Making a Killing by Cara Hunter, 368 pages, 5/2/25, highly recommended
101. Nightshade by Michael Connelly, 352 pages, 5/4/25, very highly recommended ** procedural
102. The Doorman by Chris Pavone, 400 pages, 5/6/25, recommended
103. The Potting Shed Murder by Paula Sutton, 304 pages, 5/7/25, highly recommended
104. The Compound by Aisling Rawle, 304 pages, 5/8/25, highly recommended
105. A Dead Draw by Robert Dugoni, 395 pages, 5/9/25, highly recommended
106. False Claims by Lisa Pratta, 288 pages, 5/10/25, very highly recommended *** nonfiction
107. Don't Forget Me, Little Bessie by James Lee Burke, 368 pages, 5/12/25, very highly recommended **** historical fiction
108. The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark, 368 pages, 5/14/25, very highly recommended ** mystery
109. Badlands by Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child, 368 pages, 5/15/25, very highly recommended *** thriller
110. Fifty Fifty by Steve Cavanagh, 384 pages, 5/17/25 (re-release), very highly recommended **** legal thriller
111. Death at Fakenham Races by Ross Greenwood, 485 pages, 5/18/25, highly recommended
112. Karen: A Brother Remembers by Kelsey Grammer, 456 pages, 5/19/25, so-so
113. Believe Me Now by S. M. Govett, 320 pages, 5/19/25, recommended
114. Kill Your Darlings by Peter Swanson, 288 pages, 5/20/25, highly recommended
115. Jill Is Not Happy by Kaira Rouda, 256 pages, 5/25/25, highly recommended
116. Plays Well with Others by Lauren Myracle, 288 pages, 5/25/25, very highly recommended * domestic thriller
117. Death at the White Hart by Chris Chibnall, 352 pages, 5/25/25, highly recommended
118. Deep Water by Paul Heatley, 306 pages, 5/26/25, highly recommended
119. Question of Guilt by Sally Rigby, 246 pages, 5/27/25, recommended
120. Hazel Says No by Jessica Berger Gross, 352 pages, 5/29/25, recommended
121. Murder Takes a Vacation by Laura Lippman, 272 pages, 5/30/25, recommended


June
122. You Don't Know Me by Theo Baxter, 320 pages, 6/1/25, recommended
123. The Black Highway by Simon Toyne, 368 pages, 6/3/25, highly recommended
124. The Accidental Favorite by Fran Littlewood, 320 pages, 6/4/25, recommended
125. What We Leave Behind by Sue Halpern, 352 pages, 6/5/25, highly recommended
126. The Whyte Python World Tour by Travis Kennedy, 416 pages, 6/7/25, very highly recommended ** comedy
127. I'll Be Right Here by Amy Bloom, 272 pages, 6/8/25, so-so
128. Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell, 368 pages, 6/9/25, very highly recommended psychological *** suspense
129. The Homemade God by Rachel Joyce, 336 pages, 6/11/25, very highly recommended ** suspense
130. Party of Liars by Kelsey Cox, 336 pages, 6/13/25, very highly recommended *** thriller
131. The White Crow by Michael Robotham, 368 pages, 6/13/25, highly recommended
132. The Beast in the Clouds by Nathalia Holt, 288 pages, 6/14/25, very highly recommended. ** nonfiction
133. A Beautiful Family by Jennifer Trevelyan, 320 pages, 6/15/25, very highly recommended * family drama
134. The Red Queen by Martha Grimes, 256 pages, 6/16/25, recommended
135. The Medusa Protocol by Rob Hart, 320 pages, 6/18/25, very highly recommended ** thriller
136. Smile for the Cameras by Miranda Smith, 320 pages, 6/19/25, recommended
137. It Happened on the Lake by Lisa Jackson, 592 pages, 6/21/25, highly recommended
138. Them Bones by David Housewright, 320 pages, 6/22/25, highly recommended
139. Fast Boys and Pretty Girls by Lo Patrick, 336 pages, 6/24/25, very highly recommended, ** literary
140. Vera, or Faith by Gary Shteyngart, 256 pages, 6/25/25, highly recommended
141. The Obsessions of Harvey Usher by David Putnam, 315 pages, 6/26/25, recommended
142. The Blue Horse by Bruce Borgos, 368 pages, 6/27/25, highly recommended
143. The Woman in Suite 11 by Ruth Ware, 400 pages, 6/28/25, highly recommended
144. Our Last Resort by Clémence Michallon, 320 pages, 6/29/25, very highly recommended ** mystery
145. Until Alison by Kate Russo, 304 pages, 6/30/25, recommended


July
146. Wayward Girls by Susan Wiggs, 400 pages, 7/2/25, highly recommended
147. The Unraveling of Julia by Lisa Scottoline, 400 pages, 7/4/25, highly recommended
148. Culpability by Bruce Holsinger, 380 pages, 7/6/25, highly recommended
149. The Confessions by Paul Bradley Carr, 336 pages, 7/7/25, highly recommended
150. The One and Only Vivian Stone by Melissa O'Connor, 368 pages, 7/8/25, highly recommended
151. Dead of Summer by Jessa Maxwell, 288 pages, 7/9/25, highly recommended
152. The List by Steve Berry, 384 pages, 7/11/25, very highly recommended * thriller
153. The Writers' Retreat by Samantha Vïrant, 294 pages, 7/11/25, recommended
154. Ink Ribbon Red by Alex Pavesi, 320 pages, 7/12/25, recommended
155. Guess Again by Charlie Donlea, 352 pages, 7/13/25, very highly recommended * thriller
156. You Belong Here by Megan Miranda, 352 pages, 7/15/25, very highly recommended * mystery
157. The Therapist by Nicole Trope, 272 pages, 7/16/25, highly recommended
158. The Cleaner by Mary Watson, 400 pages, 7/17/25, recommended
159. The Wrong Sister by Claire Douglas, 384 pages, 7/18/25, highly recommended
160. The Cover Girl by Amy Rossi, 336 pages, 7/20/25, highly recommended
161. When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzén, 320 pages, 7/21/25, very highly recommended ***** literary
162. The Understudy by Morgan Richter, 336 pages, 7/21/25, recommended
163. My Father's House by Ulf Kvensler, 368 pages, 7/23/25, highly recommended
164. The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen, 320 pages, 7/25/25, highly recommended
165. Spectacular Things by Beck Dorey-Stein, 368 pages, 7/25/25, recommended
166. The Society of Unknowable Objects by Gareth Brown, 352 pages, 7/27/25, highly recommended
167. The Frequency of Living Things by Nick Fuller Googins, 336 pages, 7/28/25, recommended
168. Kiss Her Goodbye by Lisa Gardner, 416 pages, 7/29/25, very highly recommended *** mystery
169. We Are All Guilty Here by Karin Slaughter, 448 pages, 7/31/25, very highly recommended **** procedural


August
170. Rope by Tim Queeney, 336 pages, 8/1/25, very highly recommended ** nonfiction
171. Gone in the Night by Joanna Schaffhausen, 320 pages, 8/3/25, very highly recommended * mystery
172. The Stranger Inside by Amanda Cassidy, 308 pages, 8/4/25, highly recommended
173. One Dark Night by Hannah Richell, 384 pages, 8/6/25, highly recommended
174. Joy Moody Is Out of Time by Kerryn Mayne, 352 pages, 8/7/25, very highly recommended ** mystery
175. Something to Look Forward To by Fannie Flagg, 288 pages, 8/8/25, very highly recommended **** short stories
176. Bitter End Birding Society by Amanda Cox, 336 pages, 8/9/25, very highly recommended ** Christian fiction
177. The Graveyard Girls by Rita Herron, 444 pages, 8/11/25, highly recommended
178. Estate: To my once darling child by J. Andrew Shelley, 256 pages, 8/13/25, highly recommended
179. The Real Jaws by Rachel Lee Perez, 224 pages, 8/13/25, highly recommended, nonfiction
180. Forget Me Not by Stacy Willingham, 336 pages, 8/14/25, very highly recommended ** mystery
181. Peace Like a River by Scott Gould, 226 pages, 8/15/25, very highly recommended, **** literary
182. The Martians by David Baron, 336 pages, 8/16/25, highly recommended, nonfiction
183. The Break-In by Katherine Faulkner, 400 pages, 8/17/25, highly recommended
184. Three Girls Gone by Carolyn Arnold, 343 pages, 8/18/25, very highly recommended, ** procedural
185. The Burial Place by Stig Abell, 368 pages, 8/20/25, recommended
186. The Tapes by Kerry Wilkinson, 317 pages, 8/20/25, highly recommended
187. Space Ships! Ray Guns! Martian Octopods! by Richard Wolinsky, 264 pages, 8/21/25, highly recommended
188. Buckeye by Patrick Ryan, 464 pages, 8/23/25, highly recommended
189. At Last by Marisa Silver, 288 pages, 8/24/25, recommended
190. Fallout by Logan Ryles, 334 pages, 8/25/25, highly recommended
191. The Couple's Secret by Lisa Regan, 370 pages, 8/26/25, very highly recommended * procedural
192. The Deepest Cut by P. J. Tracy, 320 pages, 8/27/25, highly recommended
193. The Elements by John Boyne, 496 pages, 8/29/25, very highly recommended **** literary
194. A Killer Motive by Hannah Mary McKinnon, 400 pages, 8/30/25, very highly recommended * thriller
195. Crime Writer by Vinnie Hansen, 303 pages, 8/31/25, recommended


September
196. The Good Neighbour by Alison James, 321 pages, 9/1/25, highly recommended
197. The Whisper Place by Mindy Mejia, 320 pages, 9/2/25, highly recommended
198. The Wasp Trap by Mark Edwards, 336 pages, 9/4/25, very highly recommended * thriller
199. Other People's Houses by Clare Mackintosh, 368 pages, 9/5/25. very highly recommended * procedural
200. The Wives of Hawthorne Lane by Stephanie DeCarolis, 368 pages, 9/6/25, highly recommended
201. Don't Say a Word by Allison Brennan, 416 pages, 9.8/25, very highly recommended * procedural
202. Deadly Mistake by Rob Sinclair, 354 pages, 9/9/25, highly recommended
203. The Killer Question by Janice Hallett, 448 pages. 9/12/25, highly recommended
204. The Secret at Number 7 by Becca Day, 304 pages, 9/12/25, highly recommended
205. Black Notice by Joy Ellis, 467 pages, 9/14/25, highly recommended
206. In Her Shadow by Theo Baxter, 289 pages, 9/15/25, highly recommended
207. The Killing Stones by Ann Cleeves, 384 pages, 9/18/25, highly recommended
208. The Girl from Devil's Lake by J. A. Jance, 336 pages, 9/19/25, very highly recommended * procedural
209. Killer Tracks by Mary Keliikoa, 319 pages, 9/20/25, highly recommended
210. Every Bend in the River by Emerson Ford, 324 pages, 9/21/25, very highly recommended * historical fiction
211. The Hitchhikers by Chevy Stevens, 384 pages, 9/23/25, very highly recommended ** thriller
212. Sharp Force by Patricia Cornwell, 400 pages, 9/24/25, very highly recommended * thriller
213. Mrs Pargeter's Past by Simon Brett, 192 pages, 9/25/25, highly recommended
214. Last Night at the Disco by Lisa Borders, 256 pages, 9/27/25, recommended
215. Killer Flock by Shannon Baker, 283 pages, 9/27/25, highly recommended
216. Keep This for Me by Jennifer Fawcett, 352 pages, 9/28/25, highly recommended
217. The Stranger in Room Six by Jane Corry, 448 pages, 9/29/25, recommended
218. Fallen Star by Lee Goldberg, 301 pages, 9/30/25, very highly recommended ** procedural


October
219. The Lines by Matt Brolly, 347 pages, 10/2/25, highly recommended
220. Murder on the River by Janice Frost, 268 pages, 10/2/25, highly recommended
221. What Have You Done? by Nicole Trope, 278 pages, 10/3/25, highly recommended
222. Two Truths One Lie by Alex Sinclair, 308 pages, 10/4/25, recommended
223. Long Way Down by Lisa Kusel, 320 pages, 10/5/25, highly recommended
224. The Widow by John Grisham, 416 pages, 10/6/25, very highly recommended *** legal drama
225. Impostor Syndrome by Andrew Mayne, 288 pages, 10/8/25, very highly recommended *** thriller
226. It's Me or Her by Victoria Jenkins, 291 pages, 10/9/25, highly recommended
227. The Surgeon by John Nicholl, 266 pages, 10/9/25, highly recommended
228. The Proving Ground by Michael Connelly, 400 pages, 10/10/25, very highly recommended ***** legal thriller
229. After That, the Dark by Andrew Klavan, 336 pages, 10/12/25, very highly recommended ***** mystery
230. Poison Wood by Jennifer Moorhead, 351 pages, 10/12/25, very highly recommended ** mystery
231. My Husband Next Door by K L Slater, 376 pages, 10/13/25, highly recommended
232. Queen Esther by John Irving, 432 pages, 10/14/25, recommended
233. Where He Left Me by Nicole Baart, 336 pages, 10/15/25, very highly recommended * thriller
234. In the Bones by Tessa Wegert, 288 pages, 10/16/25, very highly recommended * mystery
235. The Perfect Hosts by Heather Gudenkauf, 320 pages, 10/18/25, highly recommended
236. The Book Club Killer by Ross Greenwood, 384 pages, 10/19/25, highly recommended
237. The Photographs: Iconic Images from National Geographic, 464 pages, 10/20/25, very highly recommended **** nonfiction
238. The Marazion Murders by Sally Rigby, 269 pages, 10/21/25, highly recommended
239. I Took Her First by Samantha Hayes, 360 pages, 10/22/25, highly recommended
240. Wild Instinct by T. Jefferson Parker, 336 pages, 10/23/25, recommended
241. Daughters by Corinne Demas, 283 pages, 10/24/25, recommended
242. Nash Falls by David Baldacci, 448 pages, 10/25/25, very highly recommended ** thriller
243. The King's Ransom by Janet Evanovich, 352 pages, 10/26/25, highly recommended
244. The Traveler's Atlas of the World by National Geographic, 560 pages, 10/27/25, very highly recommended *** nonfiction
245. The Sunshine Man by Emma Stonex, 368 pages, 10/28/25, so-so
246. Made You Look by Tanya Grant, 368 pages, 10/28/25, recommended
247. Broken Bones by John Carson, 328 pages, 10/28/25, highly recommended
248. Evil Bones by Kathy Reichs, 288 pages, 10/30/25, highly recommended


November
249. The Deep End by Nick Louth, 324 pages, 11/1/25, highly recommended
250. Unmarried by Emily Shiner, 310 pages, 11/1/25, recommended
251. The Imaginary Friend by Michelle Dunne, 344 pages, 11/2/25, recommended
252. The Answer Is No: A Short Story by Fredrik Backman, 68 pages, 11/5/25 **** short story
253. Frank and Red by Matt Coyne, 448 pages, 11/6/25, very highly recommended **** domestic drama
254. Northline by Willy Vlautin, 224 pages, 11/6/25, very highly recommended **** domestic drama
255. Lean on Pete by Willy Vlautin, 304 pages, 11/7/25, very highly recommended **** drama
256. Don't Skip Out on Me by Willy Vlautin, 304 pages 11/8/25, very highly recommended *** drama
257. The Horse by Willy Vlautin, 208 pages, 11/9/25, very highly recommended *** character study
258. The Motel Life by Willy Vlautin, 206 pages, 11/10/25, very highly recommended *** character study
259. The Free by Willy Vlautin, 320 pages, 11/12/25, very highly recommended **** character study
260. Three Days in June by Anne Tyler, 11/13/256, very highly recommended **** character study
261. Silent Bones by Val McDermid, 432 pages, 11/14/25, recommended
262. Savage Game by JT Sawyer, 314 pages, 11/14/25, very highly recommended ** action
263. A Weekend on Allyson Island by Susannah B. Lewis, 288 pages, 11/16/25, recommended
264. A Grave Deception by Connie Berry, 336 pages, 11/16/25, very highly recommended ** cozy mystery
265. Secrets You Can't Keep by Debra Webb, 319 pages, 11/17/25, highly recommended
266. Burning State by Rob Sinclair, 384 pages, 11/19/25, recommended
267. The Quiet Mother by Arnaldur Indridason, 352 pages, 11/19/25, recommended
268. The Girl from Nowhere by Michele Dominguez Greene, 242 pages, 11/20/25, recommended
269. Their Deadly Truth by Carla Kovach, 322 pages, 11/21/25, highly recommended
270. Running Blind by Paul Heatley, 303 pages, 11/22/25, very highly recommended * thriller
271. Fatal Invitation by S F Baumgartner, 339 pages, 11/23/25, highly recommended
272. The Storm by Rachel Hawkins, 288 pages, 11/24/25, highly recommended
273. The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave, 288 pages, 11/25/25, recommended
274.The Castaways by Lucy Clarke, 400 pages, 11/26/25, highly recommended
275. The Viper by Brad Meltzer, 400 pages, 11/29/25, very highly recommended ** thriller
276. Illusion of Truth by James L'Etoile, 430 pages, 11/29/25, very highly recommended * procedural


December
277. One Sun Only: Stories by Camille Bordas, 304 pages, 12/1/25, highly recommended
278. The Briars by Sarah Crouch, 320 pages, 12/2/25, highly recommended
279. Head Cases by John McMahon, 352 pages, 12/4/25, very highly recommended **** procedural
280. Inside Man by John McMahon, 400 pages, 12/6/25, very highly recommended **** procedural
281. Murder Your Darlings by Jenna Blum, 368 pages, 12/7/25, recommended
282. The Old Fire by Elisa Shua Dusapin, 192 pages, 12/8/25, recommended
283. The Swamps by Seraphina Nova Glass, 200 pages, 12/11/25, highly recommended
284. Detour by Jeff Rake, Rob Hart, 320 pages, 12/11/25, highly recommended
285. No One Would Do What the Lamberts Have Done by Sophie Hannah, 416 pages, 12/12/25, recommended
286. All the Little Houses by May Cobb, 480 pages, 12/14/25, very highly recommended ** domestic drama
287. The Infamous Gilberts by Angela Tomaski, 288 pages, 12/15/25, recommended
288. Such Sheltered Lives by Alyssa Sheinmel, 288 pages, 12/16/25, recommended
289. The Method by Matthew Quirk, 416 pages, 12/19/25, highly recommended
290. Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston, 352 pages, 12/22/25, highly recommended
291. A Hole in The Sky by Peter F. Hamilton, 400 pages, 12/24/25, very highly recommended * sci fi
292. Her Cold Justice by Robert Dugoni, 380 pages, 12/25/25, very highly recommended * legal thriller
293. Pendergast: The Beginning by Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child, 384 pages, 12/27/25, very highly recommended * thriller
294. Make It Out Alive by Allison Brennan, 400 pages, 12/27/25, very highly recommended ** thriller
295. Paper Cut by Rachel Taff, 304 pages, 12/28/25, highly recommended
296. Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden, 336 pages, 12/29/25, very highly recommended *** domestic thriller
297. Blade by Wendy Walker, 303 pages, 12/30/25, recommended

Blade

 

Blade by Wendy Walker
2/1/26; 303 pages
Thomas & Mercer 

Blade by Wendy Walker is a recommended, highly for YA readers, psychological thriller following young elite figure skaters at a training facility.

Ana Robbins is currently a successful defense attorney who specializes in defending traumatized minors. Fourteen years ago, when she was thirteen, she was a student under Coach Dawn Sumner at The Palace, a figure skating training facility in Colorado. Ana was one of the "orphans," skaters who lived in the dorms away from parents. She left after a tragic event. Now Ana is returning the defend Grace Montgomery, a young skater at The Palace who has been accused of the murder of one of the coaches.

While well-written, the pace was very slow and it really felt like a YA or maybe a new adult novel. There are moments and scenes that are presented with great clarity of purpose but for most of the narrative I really struggled to stay focused and involved with the plot. The majority of the novel tells the story of Ana's time at The Palace years earlier rather than focusing on the present charges against Grace, but the secrets and issues are ones Ana should have faced earlier.

The past, however, may hold clues for and connections to the current situation. Also included in the narrative are excerpts from the testimony of witnesses in the court case. Several elements were very predictable and others stretched believability. There are some twists along the way and expect adults behaving badly. I've enjoyed many other books by Walker much more and look forward to her next novel. Thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Dear Debbie

 

Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden
1/27/26; 336 pages
Poisoned Pen Press

Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden is a very highly recommended, insanely entertaining domestic thriller. I was totally immersed in this fun, over-the-top psychological  thriller from beginning to end.

Debbie Mullen, an advice columnist, is married to Cooper, an accountant, and they have two teenage daughters. Lately she has decided it is time to follow her own advice, take matters into her own hands, and dispense some consequences for the various actions others have been taking against her and her family. Debbie is going to fix some injustices and problems taken against those she loves. Sometimes, enough is enough and now it's payback time. Debbie's actions might be crazy or perhaps she's crazy like a fox and the most intelligent one in the room.

The writing is fantastic in this clever, humorous, entertaining thriller and I was engrossed throughout. The narrative unfolds through multiple points-of-view, mostly Debbie's, but also Cooper and Harley, a friend of Debbie's, along with various drafts of advice columns Debbie wrote. Expect and prepare for many unpredictable actions, laughs, secrets, lies, and twists until everything is wrapped up  perfectly, almost, at the end.

Reading Dear Debbie was a sheer pleasure from start to finish! Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an advance reader's copy via Edelweiss. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Paper Cut

 

Paper Cut by Rachel Taff
1/27/26; 304 pages
William Morrow

Paper Cut by Rachel Taff is a highly recommended debut psychological suspense novel, for the right reader, mixed with a domestic cult drama set in Los Angeles.

As a teen Lucy Golden committed a murder to escaped from a cult in the California desert twenty years ago and became notoriously famous. After being found not guilty in a trial, she wrote a best selling true crime novel about her experiences and has rode that success ever since. However, Lucy's success has always paled in comparison to her mother Diana, a famous photographer and narcissist, and her rock star sister Odette. When a  documentarian wants to make her experiences the subject of his next film, she is torn. It will mean renewed interest in the publication of new edition of her book, but it could also shatter the carefully cultivated story she has told over the years.

The narrative starts out slow paced and presents nothing to really intrigue readers or pull them into the plot right from the start- unless a famous, narcissistic mother and a true crime writer grabs your attention. It does get much better later in the novel, but the slow start may be off-putting for some readers. The narrative follows two timelines, the present day interviews, etc., for the true crime documentary and excerpts from Lucy's book, Rattlesnake. There is some examination of trauma, infamy, the true crime obsession, and family dynamics.

None of the characters are likable or relatable in any way. There are, however, plenty of secrets, things left unsaid, hidden motives, and all around despicable people behaving badly and selfishly. The dual narrative somewhat helped hold my attention, but really there have been better cult dramas written and this novel plays more into the true crime phenomenon. 3.5 rounded up when required. Thanks to William Morrow for providing me with an advance reader's copy via Edelweiss. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Make It Out Alive

 

Make It Out Alive by Allison Brennan
1/27/26; 400 pages
Harlequin/Hanover Square Press
Quinn & Costa Thriller #7 

Make It Out Alive by Allison Brennan is a very highly recommended investigative and escape room thriller, as well as the excellent 7th book in the Quinn and Costa FBI Mobile Response Team series. 

Three newlywed couples have disappeared from an exclusive resort in Florida and later turned up dead so Flagler County Detective Kara Quinn and FBI Special Agent Matt Costa with the FBI Mobile Response Team (MRT) are investigating. Quinn resembles the female victims so she and Costa set a trap and capture Garrett Reid. After his arrest, Matt and Kara stay on at the resort for some R&R as a couple. However, when the two don't show up for work on Monday it becomes clear that Kara and Matt are missing and the search is on.

Kara and Matt were drugged and find themselves waking up in an old warehouse/factory that they discover is a booby-trapped escape room. The MRT quickly determines that Reid had an accomplice and continue the investigation knowing that the time may be running out for their colleagues.

This is an extremely well-written, heart-stopping, and complicated investigative thriller that follows three different narrative threads. First is the time sensitive search for Quinn and Costa; second is the struggles of Kara and Matt to escape, and third is the backstory of Reid. All three story lines are interesting and compelling. The killer is clearly dangerous, sadistic, and cunning, the search is complex, and there is a complicated backstory full of twists.

At this point fans will know all the characters in the series, however, I think those new to the series can also enjoy this as a stand alone novel for the investigation. This continues to be a favorite series, however, all of Brennan's novels are reliably very good. 

Make It Out Alive is a wonderful choice for everyone looking for an investigative thriller and all those following the series. Thanks to Harlequin/Hanover Square Press for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Pendergast: The Beginning

 

Pendergast: The Beginning by Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child
1/27/26; 384 pages
Grand Central Publishing
Pendergast Series #23

Pendergast: The Beginning by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child is the very highly recommended investigative thriller It is the origin story of Agent  A. X. L. Pendergast and the 23rd novel in the series featuring him. Those following the long-time series will want to read this account of his first case as a rookie while anyone who wants to start the series will enjoy this introductory novel. 

Special Agent Dwight Chambers of the New Orleans Field Office is grieving and spiraling into depression after his wife's death. When he returns to work, Chambers is dismayed to find himself assigned to mentor brand new FBI Agent Pendergast. The two find themselves banished from the office after Pendergast pulls a brilliant coup that exposes corruption. They are encouraged to find an obscure case to work on and Pendergast has just the case: a man in Mississippi found dead missing his right arm. The case soon spirals into something more that indicates a serial killer is at work.

As expected, it features a fast-paced, well written, intricate, interesting, and compelling plot. Those new to the series can easily enjoy this beginning story without having any previous knowledge of the characters. Yes, it is a Pendergast story, but it is also an exceptional investigative thriller. This story is set in 1994, when computers and other technological advances were relatively basic compared to today.

The plot will be exactly what fans of Preston and Child expect to encounter while simultaneously encountering a young agent Pendergast. Much of his personality is present here, including his extraordinary intelligence and maverick methods, but this is before his well-developed and legendary lore. Fans will certainly recognize the early Pendergast and be pleased to see the early story of Proctor. Also included is a tie in to Relic, the first novel Pendergast was in as a character.

Pendergast: The Beginning is a perfect choice for anyone who enjoys thrillers and fans of Pendergast. 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.

Her Cold Justice

 

Her Cold Justice by Robert Dugoni
1/27/26; 380 pages
Thomas & Mercer
Keera Duggan #3 

Her Cold Justice by Robert Dugoni is a very highly recommended legal thriller of suspense and courtroom drama. This is the third book in the Keera Duggan series. 

When a suspected drug smuggler and his girlfriend are murdered in their Seattle home, circumstantial evidence leads to a young man named Michael Westbrook being charged with the murder and possession of drugs with intent to sell. Michael's uncle is JP Harrison, the investigator for Duggan and Associates, and Harrison contacts  Keera Duggan to defend his nephew.  Ruthless prosecutor Anh (Kim) Tran brings in two prison informants to ensure Michael is convicted. Keera needs to dig deep into Tran's history and uncovers much more than expected. 

As expected this is a excellent, well-written mix of a legal thriller, procedural, and courtroom drama, as well as a great addition to the Keera Duggan series. The fast paced, well-plotted narrative is full of tension, twists, and drama, including compelling courtroom scenes. For those who enjoy courtroom dramas, approximately half the narrative is set in the courtroom. Although this is part of a series, I think it could be enjoyed as a stand alone novel. The characters all work well within the plot to help create an entertaining novel.

Her Cold Justice is a great choice for those who enjoy legal thrillers. Thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

A Hole in The Sky

 

A Hole in The Sky by Peter F. Hamilton
1/20/26; 400 pages
Angry Robot
Arkship Trilogy #1 

A Hole in The Sky by Peter F. Hamilton is a very highly recommended science fiction novel and is the first book in a new space opera trilogy. 

The Daedalus is a generation ship that has been traveling for 500 years searching for a new world after the last world visited was rejected. Almost seventeen-year-old Hazel has been chosen to be the flower girl on Cycling Day, the day when residents over the age of 65 are recycled (killed) to make room for the new generations. On this day three cheaters, people who hid an avoided recycling, have been captured and are going to be part of the ceremony. One of the Cheaters, an older woman, whispers to Hazel that the habitat in the Daedalus has been damaged and is running out of air.

When Hazel's fourteen-year-old brother Frazer, has an accident and is paralyzed, he is unable to work and so he is schedules to be recycled. Hazel sneaks him out one night and the two find the hidden Cheaters. Hazel discovers that the people on the Daedalus have been lied to for years and that something else is afoot on the ship. Hazel sets off to help repair the air leak on the ship while continuing to learn more and more about what is really going on aboard the ship.

The well-written narrative is mainly told through dialogue, which makes sense because A Hole in The Sky was originally released as an audiobook in 2021. There are plenty of surprises and twists as Hazel sets off on her heroic quest to save the Daedalus while also learning about the past of the ship along with her own history. Sure you have to suspend some disbelief, but the action, new revelations, the foe they must battle, and the story made this easy to do and I quite enjoyed the journey. 

This was originally released as YA entertainment, so some of the hard science fiction elements adult readers might expect aren't all there. However, the story is compelling and there are still plenty of elements to interest adult readers and intrigue those new to science fiction. It held my complete attention throughout. The only downside is that it is part of a trilogy and I'm ready for the rest of the story.

A Hole in The Sky is a wonderful choice for those readers new to science fiction as well as everyone who already enjoy it. Thanks to Angry Robot for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Anatomy of an Alibi

 

Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston
1/13/26; 352 pages
Viking/Penguin 

Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston is a highly recommended twisty thriller. "It's not just the anatomy of an alibi: having someone vouch you were somewhere else when the crime was committed, but it's the psychology of it: that someone is believable."

Camille Bayliss is married to lawyer Ben and the daughter of a wealthy Louisiana family. She is sure Ben is hiding secrets from her, perhaps even an affair, but she doesn't have proof and her prenup requires proof before she could divorce him. Ben also tracks every move Camille makes and every place she goes. At the same time Aubrey Price is poor and struggling. She is sure Ben Bayliss has inside information about the car crash that killed her parents ten years ago. 

The two women devise a plan where Aubrey will disguise herself as Camille and leave a trail for Ben to follow, while Camille will really be spying on Ben. The problem is that Ben is found murdered the next morning and there is only one alibi, but two women. Unknown to Camille, however, is the backup Aubrey has with her housemates running their own undercover operation to protect Aubrey. Let the guessing games begin.

This is a very well-written, twisty fast-paced thriller that held my complete attention throughout. The secrets, scheming, corruption, and lies are ever prevalent as the bigger picture slowly emerges from the different perspectives of all the characters and from multiple timelines. There are several different complicated relationships all intertwined within the plot to keep the suspense and tension high as the full picture slowly emerges amidst the drama and surprises.

The characters are all depicted as fully realized complicated individuals with plenty of flaws along with their strengths. Nothing is exactly how you think it is and the suspects are plentiful. What lead Camille and Aubrey to work together is surprising, but how much trust do they really have in each other. So many alibis, so many suspects, and so many twists resulted in a compelling thriller.

Anatomy of an Alibi is a great choice for readers who like twisty, complicated thrillers. Thanks to Viking/Penguin for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Method

 

The Method by Matthew Quirk
1/20/26; 416 pages
HarperCollins

The Method by Matthew Quirk is a highly recommended action-packed spy thriller featuring an actress who using her training for roles to defeat the bad guys. Set disbelief aside and enjoy the action movie plot.

Anna Vaughn usually plays the tough, tenacious doomed brunette character on the screen and in doing so she has put in countless hours training in how to fight, shoot, and defend herself. Her real life is much more pedestrian and quiet. After a difficult childhood, she is just trying to keep her career alive in order to take care of her younger sister. When her best friend Natalie goes missing after going out with a mysterious new man a few days earlier, Anna becomes suspicious that something foul is at play. Natalie dropped one clue which induced Anna to look for more clues in Natalie's apartment.

Once Anna is on the trail of Natalie it leads her into a dangerous world of wealthy oligarchs and spies, and requires her to use her training as an actor to read the room. It also puts FBI agent Kevin Matthews on her trail and he recruits her to go undercover following Natalie's trail. Soon all of Anna's training for acting roles becomes assets for the real life or death dangers she faces.

The Method is a well-written, entertaining thriller packed with action and danger as Anna faces well trained, professional antagonists. Sure, you have to set a gigantic dose of disbelief aside that Anna can fight back and win against all of these skilled goons twice her size while assessing a dangerous situation and figuring out what to do instantaneously. I am there for it every step of the way, with every clue she follows and every foe she defeats. Trying to save Natalie turns into much more as the plot unfolds.

Anna is a fully realized characters and her many strengths and a few weaknesses are on full display. She also has a vulnerable, caring side that propels her forward to do the right thing. I would love to see another outing of this intelligent, tenacious, tough, and vulnerable woman. Perhaps a movie adaptation? 

The Method is a great choice for those who like action-packed thrillers with a female protagonist, and who can relish the action and plot in spite of it's incredulity at times. Thanks to HarperCollins for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Such Sheltered Lives

 

Such Sheltered Lives by Alyssa Sheinmel
1/20/26; 288 pages
Atria/Emily Bestler Books

Such Sheltered Lives by Alyssa Sheinmel is a recommended novel of psychological suspense set at a celebrity rehab center in New York's Hamptons.

Rush’s Recovery is an exclusive rehab center located on Storm Island that only accepts three clients at a time who stay in luxurious cottages equipped with an individual care manager and staff. The three clients visiting are: Lord Edward of Essex, a British aristocrat who is fighting a pain killer addiction after an accident; Amelia Blue Harris, the daughter of a 90s rock legend who has an eating disorder; and Florence Bloom, a bad-girl rocker who needs to remove herself from a tabloid scandal. 

The expectation is that the guests will keep to themselves and concentrate of their recovery. Amelia Blue and Lord Edward happened to meet when arriving and later begin sneaking out at night to walk around the grounds together. Ten years earlier, Amelia Blue's mother, rocker Georgia Blue, was found dead after checking out the day before and she is there to discretely delve into what happened. There is also some flirtation between Florence and one of her a staff members.

This is an even-paced, atmospheric, unsettled, and secretive suspense novel with chapters alternating between the point-of-view of the three clients: Edward, Amelia Blue, and Florence. Everyone has a secret and the tension rises as the plot unfolds. While there are twists, much of the plot is predictable. It is entertaining, but actually felt slow moving for a shorter novel and I was expecting more suspense.

There is character development along the way, but ultimately none of the characters are relatable or even really likable. They really are all reticent to actually work on helping themselves in their therapy sessions, although their individual care managers are also all irritating. The secrets will keep you reading for answers.

Such Sheltered Lives is recommended for readers who like suspense novels with secrets and some suspense. Thanks to Atria Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via Edelweiss. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

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.