The Hitchhikers

The Hitchhikers by Chevy Stevens
10/7/25; 384 pages
St. Martin's Press

The Hitchhikers by Chevy Stevens is a very highly recommended thriller set in 1976.  

It’s the summer of 1976 and Alice and Tom Bell have left Seattle to take a trip through Canada in their new Winnebago RV. The trip is meant to be an enjoyable get away that can provide time for them to heal after a devastating loss. They start in Golden, BC, and have all their stops and places they want to visit mapped out on their way to the Olympics in Montreal. At a campsite they meet two young campers who introduce themselves as Ocean and Blue. When they learn they were hitchhiking, Tom offers to take them to the next town. 

Along the way, Alice first hears a radio broadcast and later buys a newspaper that identify the young hitchhikers as Jenny Perron and Simon Gray. They are wanted by law enforcement for the murder of Jenny's parents in White Cliff, BC. When Simon quickly realizes that they have been identified, he violently attacks Tom, incapacitating him. The two force Alice to drive the RV because they can't and this begins a violent, deadly trip into Canada.

This is an exceptionally well-written, fast-paced thriller that brings the terror and the setting to life. The tension rises quickly and a sense of dread and fear is ever present. Alice and Tom have no way to escape their unstable and increasingly violent, unhinged captors. With Tom injured, their hope for survival is in Alice's hands. It is clear that Simon is very violent, but Alice wonder if Jenny could be trusted away from him. The twists and danger abound. 

As a teen at this time, I totally understand setting the narrative in 1976 makes the situation much more dire with the lack of cell phones and everything else we have available now. However, I also had to set some disbelief aside because there were warnings at that time to not pick up hitchhikers. Mentally I was yelling at Tom, "No! Bad decision!" before they discovered who the two really were and I was proven right.

The narrative is told through the points-of-view of Alice and Jenny. They both are fully realized characters with strengths and weaknesses who come to life. Their backstories are shared, although Jenny's full story isn't told until the end. This thriller was un-put-downable and held my complete attention. Be forewarned, though, that there are violent scenes.

The Hitchhikers is the perfect choice for those who enjoy thrillers. 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.

Every Bend in the River

Every Bend in the River by Emerson Ford
9/23/25; 324 pages
Storm Publishing

Every Bend in the River by Emerson Ford is very highly recommended historical fiction which opens in Virginia, 1749. It follows a free spirited girl as she tamps down her nature and turns into a dutiful woman and a young man from Scotland.

Rosanna Waters loves following her twin brother Phil and their neighbor John around, fishing and shooting, rather than helping her mother do the many chores required around their farm. One day her actions results in her mother having a terrible accident, so Rosanna tries to set her rebellious nature aside and takes on caring for her brothers and sisters and the other responsibilities her mother can no longer do. 

Then one day she and Phil are allowed a day off and head into town. It is there she meets Callum Stewart, a Scottish indentured servant, who likes her for exactly who she is. Then in 1754 war sends Phil and later Callum to join Washington's army and circumstances change Rosanna's life. She marries, carves out a farm in the South Carolina backcountry and has eight children while tragedy comes and unrest in the country is all around.

The writing is excellent in this historical fiction novel which covers some of the struggles one may have experienced at the time through telling Rosanna's story. It is based on a true story and portrays the determination, spirit, strength, and grit it took to survive during that time. Included as part of the narrative are real historical events and people of the time. Beyond the tale of a life hard fought, there is an underlying love story, both of a mother, woman, and country. The chapters jump ahead by multiple years, with the chapter opening showing the date covered. 

All the characters are well-written and portrayed as realistic individuals with strengths and weaknesses as they face and persevere over hardship and unimaginable circumstances. It is inspiring to see how both Rosanna and Callum overcome their circumstances. They both have a streak of independence and determination which serve them well over the years through grief, trials, and sacrifice. 

I'm not normally a fan of historical fiction but I think those who are will truly love Every Bend in the River. Thanks to Storm Publishing for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Killer Tracks

Killer Tracks by Mary Keliikoa 
9/30/25; 319 pages
Level Best Books
Misty Pines Mystery #3

Killer Tracks by Mary Keliikoa is a highly recommended mystery/thriller and the third book in the Misty Pines Series. 

Sheriff Jax Turner and Abby, his ex who is in the FBI, are going on a vacation to reconnect. Abby planned it and declares it must be a peaceful retreat, no phones, no guns. When he learns where they are going, a former forest service outlook, he insists on at least a shotgun.  Trudy, who runs the Sheriff's office, is keeping Jax's location a secret. Once they arrive it appears that someone was squatting in the lookout before they arrived. Then Hannah, a woman who says she is camping near by, shows up at the door and things start to appear increasingly threatening.

Jax leaves Rachel, his deputy, in charge and she is immediately faced with a big case. There is an apartment fire risk called in and a body is found by Koa, Rachel's K9, before the subsequent explosion. The man was  murdered and now Rachel is in charge of the case. Evidence found by the medical examiner points to a tie-in to some murders from ten years earlier, a case Jax and his partner, Rachel's father Jameson, handled.

This fast-paced thriller moves quickly and will hold your complete attention throughout. The tension starts right at the beginning scene and then keeps ramping up as more events happen or information is uncovered in both story lines. The two narrative threads begin to connect, resulting in a heart stopping final denouement. All the fully realized characters are portrayed as realistic, with all their flaws and strengths. 

Considering their jobs and history, I did have to set some disbelief aside that Jax and Abby would go anywhere without their personal service weapons and perhaps keep a method of communication close at hand. Part of this trepidation is set up at the opening of the novel when readers learn a killer is being released from prison and he is looking for revenge. 

Killer Tracks is a great choice for anyone who enjoys fast-paced mysteries, especially those who are following the series. Thanks to Level Best Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Girl from Devil's Lake

The Girl from Devil's Lake by J. A. Jance
9/30/25; 336 pages
William Morrow
Joanna Brady Series #21

The Girl from Devil's Lake by J. A. Jance is a very highly recommended thriller/procedural and the 21st book in the Joanna Brady series. There is enough background information provided within the story to allow readers to enjoyed it as a stand alone novel. The narrative alternates between the present day point-of-view of Sheriff Joanna Brady and Stephen Roper's point-of-view starting in 1956.

Arizona County Sheriff Joanna Brady is celebrating both Thanksgiving and her daughter Jenny’s graduation from the police academy when she is called away to a crime scene. The body of a young boy is discovered in a bag beneath a flooded bridge. It is clear to Joanna that this case has all the marks of an experienced killer and it is highly likely this was not his first murder, which means he could kill again. The case quickly becomes much more complicated and far ranging. 

Stephen Roper has always heard voices in his head since he was a young child. When he was eleven he committed his first murder, that of his grandfather's second wife Lucille. Roper commits his next murder when he is sixteen. This marks the starts of a serial killer. He becomes a respected teacher who travels across the country in the summer to find his victims.

The alternating points-of-view work very well in this fast-paced procedural. Readers are going to already know who the killer is from the start. The tension is in following Joanna's investigation as she discovers information and follows clues to identify him and his many victims in order to provide closure for the family's of the victims. 

At the same time Joanna has to balance family life with the pressure the investigation places upon her. Complicating matters is reporter Marliss Shackleford who is assiduously looking into the investigation, eager to release information to the public and greatly annoying Joanna at every turn.

For those following the series this will be a welcome addition. You will already know the characters and the backstories. New readers can easily slip into the series with The Girl from Devil's Lake and enjoy it. Thanks to William Morrow for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Killing Stones

The Killing Stones by Ann Cleeves
9/30/25; 384 pages
St. Martin's Press

The Killing Stones by Ann Cleeves is a highly recommended procedural set in Orkney, a group of islands off the northern coast of Scotland. This one sees the return of Detective Jimmy Perez after he left Shetland. He and his partner and boss, Willow Reeves along with their four-year-old son have settled in Orkney.

On the island of Westray, Detective Jimmy Perez finds his friend Archie Stout murdered at an archeological dig site. He was beaten on the head by an ancient Westray story stone, one of the two from the local museum. As the investigation into Archie's death proceeds several lines of inquiry develop along with several suspects. Willow, who was on maternity leave, assists in the investigation as they need to uncover buried secrets before another murder takes place.

The setting plays a very important role in the plot and influences how the investigation takes place. The pace is rather slow and even until the very end of the well written narrative. The suspense is found in the investigation and the tension does gradually increase along the way. There are several different paths of inquiry that are logically and carefully followed up on. The ending was completely unpredictable. 

The characters are all portrayed as fully realized individuals with strengths and weaknesses. Perez and Willow have appeared in past novels but this marks the start of a new series featuring them in Orkney. This can easily be read as a stand alone novel.

The Killing Stones is a great choice for those who enjoy detailed procedurals. 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.

In Her Shadow

In Her Shadow by Theo Baxter 
9/21/25; 289 pages
Inkubator Books

In Her Shadow by Theo Baxter is a highly recommended psychological thriller.

Rachel and Lucas Price marry and she moves into Crestwood, his sprawling seaside estate. Immediately strange and unsettling events begin to happen. Lucas seems to be keeping secrets from her, including the death of his first wife, Eliza. Then Rachel begins to hear strange noises and laughter at night, she sees ghostly apparitions, and messages from Eliza. Lucas seems to question Rachel's sanity but soon he can no longer ignore the strange events are happening. At the same time Rachel is working with her therapist and uncovers secrets from her own past.

The plot will require you to set an enormous dose of disbelief aside. Rachel seems to know so little about the man she married, like his first wife, and it is unbelievable that she never visited Crestwood until after they married. The beginning of the novel consisted of this reader wondering why Rachel didn't know the many things she should have known before marrying Lucas. Later there is a twist Lucas should have known

The opening is even paced, the strange atmosphere surrounding Crestwood evolves, and the suspense and tension begin to pick up as strange events begin to increase. The pace takes off toward the end and it is at this point In Her Shadow actually becomes the spine-tingling psychological thriller it purports to be. It's a short novel and the credibility of almost all the characters can be questioned at one time or another. 

The secondary story uncovering Rachel's repressed memories was a serious, heavy topic and felt a little out of place in the novel. This story line with her therapist does reach a satisfying conclusion. 3.5 rounded up.

In Her Shadow is a good choice for anyone who wants a quick, entertaining psychological thriller. Thanks to Inkubator Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Black Notice

Black Notice by Joy Ellis
9/9/25; 467 pages
Joffe Books
DI Jackman & DS Evans #11 

Black Notice by Joy Ellis is a highly recommended complex and detailed procedural and crime thriller. This is the eleventh book in the DI Rowan Jackman and DS Marie Evans series.

On the Lincolnshire fens Detectives Rowan Jackman and Marie Evans have three cases that come to them. First a retired officer Bob Ruston has a terrified bloodstained man with a handcuff dangling from his wrist ring his doorbell and ask for help. The man leaves before police arrive. Second a wife walks into the Saltern-le-Fen police station and asks Marie to help her find her husband who was just released from prison. Third a homeowner discovers the decomposing remains of five bodies tangled together in an old WW2 pillbox. Woven between these cases is a planned art theft and a hacker called Chaos causing trouble for criminals. All these disparate threads eventually connect and reach a conclusion.

This is a well-written procedural which follows the investigation of several intricate, complicated cases. The clues are logically followed as more information is uncovered in the various investigations and includes several twists along the way. A Black Notice means unidentified human remains, so readers will know what is going to be happening, although the number is surprising. The various cases are interesting, but it did take me a while to actually get engaged with the novel. This was my first foray into the DI Jackman & DS Evans series and at times I did feel a little lost.

The characters are all portrayed as realistic, complicated individuals. Those who have been following the series will likely embrace all of them as known characters and be excited to follow their new investigation. They all certainly work well together as a team. As this was my first introduction to all of them I didn't quite have the background needed to fully appreciate them.

Black Notice will be best appreciated by those who enjoy procedurals and are following the series. Thanks to Joffe Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

 

The Secret at Number 7

The Secret at Number 7 by Becca Day
9/18/25; 304 pages
Bookouture

The Secret at Number 7 by Becca Day is a highly recommended domestic suspense novel that twists into a psychological thriller.

Miranda, Lee, and their young son live at the end of a cul-de-sac. Miranda watches the neighborhood action through their doorbell camera. After experiencing  trauma and the resulting anxiety from a break-in before they moved to the quiet neighborhood, Miranda may be a snoopy neighbor, but it is comforting for her to know what is going on outside their door. When she firsts sees Anna and her husband Fraser moving into number 7, Miranda is immediately drawn to Anna. She gets a gift basket together with some other neighbors and they deliver it.

Anna is very gracious and invites them over to dinner the next night, but Fraser looks angry and disgusted at her. Anna sees an altercation between the two through her doorbell camera and later sees bruises on Anna's arms. At the dinner Fraser and Lee get along very well, but Miranda is barely acknowledged. Then, the doorbell camera shows movement at 3 am and Miranda watches Fraser carrying a heavy bag into his car, drive off, and return 15 minutes later. After that Anna is gone and Miranda is sure Fraser murdered her.

At first it seems Miranda is a delusional prying neighbor and she appears to be an unreliable narrator, but there are little clues that she may be on the something. You won't know who to trust and will be surprised more than once by this fact. The characters are all well-developed and portrayed as realistic individuals with flaws.

The novel later switches to Anna's point-of-view and the whole novel flips into something completely different, darker, and even more dangerous. Now, you do have to set a major dose of disbelief aside, but the short chapters move quickly and the tension and suspense rise throughout the novel.  The major flip in the story was unsettling and off-putting, but it also increased the tension ten-fold. 

The Secret at Number 7 is a good choice for those who enjoy twisty, fast-paced thrillers. Thanks to Bookouture for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Killer Question

The Killer Question by Janice Hallett
9/23/25; 448 pages
Atria Books 

The Killer Question by Janice Hallett is a highly recommended mystery that largely centers on a pub's weekly trivia night while the narrative is told in an epistolary style through a series of email, texts, recorded conversations, etc., and quiz night statistics.

Dominic Eastwood pitches a documentary idea through email for a Netflix documentary about his aunt and uncle Sue and Mal Eastwood. Sue and Mal ran a rural pub called The Case is Altered and had a weekly trivia game on Monday nights. Mal carefully writes the quiz questions and they have teams of regular customers who enjoy the weekly competition. The team called the Plucky Losers are always the expected winners, but everyone enjoys themselves.

 It is going swimmingly. Then the body of a known quiz cheater who has been thrown out or banned from several pubs, including The Case is Altered a few weeks earlier, is found in the nearby river. Soon a new team called the Shadow Knights shows up and begin to win with almost perfect scores, upsetting the regulars. It also comes out that Sue and Mal previously served in the police department. 

Readers will know that something big is going to happen because Dominic is pitching a documentary and the pub closed five years earlier. He is promising a story full of surprises and twists, which are delivered repeatedly. The well-planned plot delivers on the twists, surprises, and mysteries, especially later in the narrative. There are a large number of characters to sort out, which takes some time at first and slows down the pace. The last third of the novel really increased my rating.

The biggest drawback for me in this novel was the epistolary format with all the text messages, etc. I have enjoyed several novels with this format in the past, but for some reason it didn't work as well for me this time. Admittedly, it may be the presentation in my ARC and the final book may flow smoother. 

The Killer Question is a great choice for those who enjoy mysteries, the epistolary style, and pub quiz nights. Thanks to Atria Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via Edelweiss. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Deadly Mistake

Deadly Mistake by Rob Sinclair
9/17/25; 354 pages
Boldwood Books 
Simon Peake Thriller #2

Deadly Mistake by Rob Sinclair is a highly recommended action-packed thriller. This is the second book in the series featuring former special forces agent Simon Peake. 

Peake is living in the country near a small town in Georgia when three men show up at his house offering him a bag full of cash to dispose of a body in the trunk of their car. The problem is two fold. He only knows one of the men and isn't thrilled that he brought strangers to his door to do this job. The second is that the woman in the trunk is not dead. Peake chooses to help the woman and eliminate the two strangers while the man he knows runs off. This decision sets into motion a series of violent, deadly encounters in the world of drug cartels, mob bosses, and rogue CIA operatives.

This is a well-written, fast-paced, action-packed thriller. The danger is palpable and ever present. The tension is high throughout the novel. There is also a whole lot of gruesome violence. I don't think I've read a novel before where so many bones are snapped/broken and joints are dislocated, among many other actions. I will perhaps skip any other books in this series because of the overwhelming violence. It does have an intricate plot and the violence is a natural outcome of the encounters rather than being gratuitous.

Deadly Mistake is a good choice for those who enjoy action-packed thrillers. Thanks to Boldwood Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Don't Say a Word

Don't Say a Word by Allison Brennan
9/16/25; 416 pages
MIRA Books 
Angelhart Investigations #2 

Don't Say a Word by Allison Brennan is a very highly recommended investigative procedural. In this second book in the Angelhart Investigations series they are looking into the death of a teen to determine if it was an accident or murder. Even though this is the second book in the series following You'll Never Find Me (2024), it can be read as a stand-alone novel.

Elijah Martinez’s death was officially ruled an accidental drug overdose, but his mother doesn't believe it. Elijah was an honor student and had no history of drug use. She thinks the investigation was perfunctory, and asks Angelhart Investigations to look into it. Private Investigator Margo Angelhart agrees to do so. After talking to his friends, a school counselor, and his employer, Margo also thinks something more was behind the death. When another murder happens during her initial investigation, Margo begins to suspect a connection to the drug ring that previously ran through the school.

Don't Say a Word presents a well-written, compelling, complicated, and intricate investigation in a fast paced plot. It's always enjoyable to read an investigative procedural that logically follows clues along the way while uncovering more areas of inquiry to explore. There are plenty of clues to follow and Margo realizes quickly that the danger to herself and those she is questioning is also increasing. Elijah's death is clearly connected to something sinister.  

All the characters are realistically portrayed as complicated individuals with strengths and some flaws. As a family business, Angelhart Investigations consists of Margo, an experienced P.I., her brother Jack, a former police detective, her sister Tess, who excels at research, and her mother, Ava, a former county attorney and prosecutor. Margo is tenacious, intelligent, and very intuitive. She has plenty of discernment and can really read people when talking to them. Elijah's best friend, Angie, is a well portrayed teen. 

Don't Say a Word would be an excellent choice for everyone who enjoys intricate investigations featuring a tenacious P.I. Thanks to MIRA Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Wives of Hawthorne Lane

The Wives of Hawthorne Lane by Stephanie DeCarolis
9/16/25; 368 pages
Ballantine/Bantam

The Wives of Hawthorne Lane by Stephanie DeCarolis is a highly recommended domestic drama with plenty of "Desperate Housewives" overtones that shows the deceptive side of residents in an upscale neighborhood as the plot leads up to a murder investigation. 

The novel starts with the body being found on Halloween night and  Detective Frank Olsen investigating. After this opening, there are chapters jump back in time following actions leading up to the murder with some chapters following the murder investigation and some following a couple who don't live on Hawthorne Lane.

Residents of Hawthorne Lane include:
Mark and Hannah Wilson have just moved to Hawthorne Lane. We know Hannah has a secret she's afraid to tell Mark. 
Colin and Georgina Pembrook have two teenagers, Sebastian and Christina. Georgina is the reigning Queen Bee of the neighborhood and plans all the neighborhood events.
Audrey Warrington works for a large publisher and is married to Seth, an author. She's having an affair.
Libby Corbin and her husband Bill are separated and he is seeing another woman. She owns a florist shop and has a teenage son, Lucas.
The chapters following Maggie and her abusive boyfriend Dean will eventually tie into the residents of Hawthorne Lane.

The writing is very good and the plot moves quickly. There is plenty of suspense, secrets, and twists. All the characters are well developed, have secrets, and are dealing with big issues. The narrative unfolds through the point-of-view of each character 

The biggest drawback to reading it is all the domestic abuse. It was too much for me. The final denouement makes up for some of it, along with the information DeCarolis includes after the novel. If you can handle the domestic violence, it is a well written novel. Thanks to Ballantine/Bantam for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Other People's Houses

Other People's Houses by Clare Mackintosh
9/16/25; 368 pages
Sourcebooks Landmark
DC Morgan #3

Other People's Houses by Clare Mackintosh is an excellent, very highly recommended procedural which follows three complex cases that unexpectedly converge. Other People's Houses is the third book in the DC Morgan series but can be enjoyed as a stand alone novel.

In the first case DC Ffion Morgan recovers the body of estate agent Natasha Brett who was found dead in a kayak on the lake. Natasha had been at a drunken estate company get away weekend with her coworkers.

The second case involves a series of breaking and entering in the exclusive homes on The Hill in Cheshire that DS Leo Brady is investigating. In the odd break-ins nothing of great value is taken. Complicating matters is Leo's ex, Allie, who doesn't live on The Hill, but is trying to ingratiate herself with the women who do.

The third case unfolds through the social media posts from fans of the true crime podcast called Without Conviction. It is covering a cold case from ten years earlier when the Carmichael's were murdered in their home. When new evidence is found, the popularity of the podcast increases.  

The well-written narrative starts out at an even pace as Ffion and Leo are involved with investigating their separate cases and Ffion follows the Carmichael case on the podcast. There are also chapter following Allie trying to wheedle her way into the crowd on The Hill. As the cases become more complex and convoluted, the tension and pace increase. For much of the plot, the social media posts about the Without Conviction podcast feel like space filler, rather than an important part of the plot, but keep reading as it will become important.

Once everything takes off the pace becomes lightning-fast and the novel becomes un-put-downable as secrets are uncovered and connections between cases begin to emerge. As you continue reading it will become clear how marvelously plotted the novel really is and how brilliantly everything is tied up.

Ffion and Leo's relationship is developing along with their characters throughout the novel. Ffion can be outspoken and opinionated, but she is also intelligent and clear-sighted. Dave, Ffion's dog is an exuberant addition to the cast. Allie becomes a sympathetic/pathetic character with all her fawning attempts at social climbing.

Other People's Houses is a perfect choice for anyone who enjoys procedurals. Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Wasp Trap

The Wasp Trap by Mark Edwards
9/16/25; 336 pages
Atria Books

The Wasp Trap by Mark Edwards is a very highly recommended locked-room thriller where a dinner party in Notting Hill turns into a deadly game.

In 1999 six university students stayed at the estate of psychology professor Sebastian Marlowe to work on creating a unique dating website based on psychological testing. Something happened that abruptly ended their work and they were all sent home. Now, 25 years later, Marlowe has recently passed away and Georgina and Theo, a couple from 1999, invite the others to a dinner party to celebrate the professor's life. The others attending include Will, a teacher, failed writer, and the narrator; Sophie, Will's love interest in 1999; Rohan, married and struggling financially; Lily, the brilliant programmer in the group; and Finn, a recent assistant to Marlowe.

Other than Georgina and Theo, the other's haven't been in touch for years. Finn is unknown to most of them and immediately raises some suspicion by Will. The evening starts out pleasant enough until the WiFi goes out and the security system locks the doors and windows. Shortly after this a deadly game begins. Their armed captors want them to reveal their darkest secret from 1999 or they will be eliminated one by one.

The narrative follows events in two timelines from 1999 and 2024. Be forewarned that the beginning of the novel starts slow as the characters are introduced and we learn about them in 1999 versus today. Readers get to know the characters in the present and 25 years earlier when they were students working on a big project. The present day requires a secret from back then and the chapters from 1999 show their interpersonal relationships and build up to what might be the secret. 

Will was already suspicious that something was going on, but once the deadly game begins, the tension explodes, the mysteries deepen, multiple twists come into play, and the consequences deadly. The locked-room trope has been in plenty of plots to different degrees of success, but it worked well in The Wasp Trap. The meaning of the title comes out later in the plot and is significant. The final denouement and the big secret is totally unpredictable.

The characters are all realistically portrayed as vastly different, unique individuals with strengths and weaknesses. Naturally there is growth between them as college students versus adults, and it is interesting to see how they interacted with each other. It provides the base for why they would want to gather together for a dinner party honoring the memory of the professor they all worked for many years earlier. Their shared memories from working closely with a small group, isolated, and under a tight deadline on a big project provides the impetus for wanting to meet up again.

The Wasp Trap by Mark Edwards is a great choice for those who enjoy locked-room mysteries and thrillers. 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 Whisper Place

The Whisper Place by Mindy Mejia
9/16/25; 320 pages
Grove/Atlantic
Iowa Mysteries #3

The Whisper Place by Mindy Mejia is a highly recommended investigative thriller and the third novel in the Iowa Mysteries series.

Max Summerlin, a former police officer, and Jonah Kendrick, a psychic detective, are private investigators who specialize in finding people who don’t want to be found. When Charlie walks into their business, Celina Investigations, he wants them to find his girlfriend Darcy, whose real name is likely Kate. He also offers them $10,000 cash to start, which Max can't turn down. Charlie has his own reasons for not wanting to go to the police. Finding Kate is going to be tricky since Charlie doesn't know her last name either. The investigation leads to some dark and dangerous situations.

The well written, fast-paced narrative is told through the points-of-view of Max, Jonah, and Kate (Darcy). Max and Jonah begin the investigation, trying to find out information about someone who doesn't want to be found. All the discoveries made and lines of inquiry they make are presented and logically followed. Kate's account provides her story and we know immediately that she is a young woman who is on the run from something, but we don't know exactly what until later in the plot. 

Even though this is the third book in a series, I think it could be read as a stand alone. There is enough information about the characters provided to easily follow the plot along with their personal lives. Additional character development occurs in this third book for those already reading the series. There is enough action and suspense going on to keep you engrossed in the plot right to the end. The only drawback is I'm not a fan of Jonah's psychic abilities.

The Whisper Place is a good choice for those who enjoy investigative thrillers. 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 Good Neighbour

The Good Neighbour by Alison James
9/12/25; 321 pages
Bookouture

The Good Neighbour by Alison James is a highly recommended psychological thriller. Rounded up from 3.5

After living in Australia for five years, Bryony, a radiographer, returns to London and buys an apartment near the hospital and her friend Claire. A near accident on move-in day introduces her to Kyle, a strange young man who subsequently continues to insert himself into her life. As Bryony begins work and attempts to start dating, she also recalls her previous relationship with Robbie, a young man she dated briefly before moving to Australia and a past she would like to keep hidden. Soon it becomes clear that keeping the secret is no longer up to her.

The first half of the novel is glacially slow moving but the second half makes up for it and actually raised my rating. Just read through the first part of the novel as quickly as you can and try to overlook all of Bryony's bad decisions. The sense that something is wrong does begin to very slowly grow. Then, when the big secret is exposed, things finally do begin to happen. As the action takes off, the tension also rises.

The plot does require you to set a large dose of disbelief aside while reading as Bryony is the queen of bad choices and poor decisions. Really, she annoyed me throughout the whole novel, mainly because she never made a logical, intelligent decision. Thanks to Bookouture for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Crime Writer

Crime Writer by Vinnie Hansen
9/9/25; 303 pages
Level Best Books

Crime Writer by Vinnie Hansen is a recommended thriller set in the California coast city of Playa Maria.

Zoey Kozinski is with Officer Austin from the local police department on a ride-along when a routine traffic stop turns deadly. Officer Austin is shot and Zoey as the only witness, calls it in on the police radio. A good Samaritan, Jimmy, stops just before help arrives and both Zoey and Jimmy are detained and questioned. Zoey is looked at with more suspicion when pages from the book she is try to write are found in the police vehicle. Her living situation on an illegal cannabis farm with no address doesn't help. When she notices someone who might be following her, she's rightfully nervous.

The shooter, whose car had stolen plates on it and was full of illegal substances, is ordered by his boss to clean up his mess and take care of the eye witness. He finds Zoey's name in the news account of the shooting and begins looking for her. At the same time, the officer’s widow is angry and claims Zoey's ride-along was a distraction.

What follows is a cat and mouse game as Zoey evades someone she doesn't know while suffering from writer's block, and making numerous bad decisions. The short chapters are mainly from Zoey's point-of-view, with some from the antagonists. The opening and end of the novel are engrossing and compelling, but the majority of the plot drags while jumping from one thing to another. For me, Zoey was an annoying character from start to finish which also made it a challenge to be invested in the narrative. 

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

A Killer Motive

A Killer Motive by Hannah Mary McKinnon
9/9/25; 400 pages
MIRA 

A Killer Motive by Hannah Mary McKinnon is a very highly recommended tension-packed thriller. Once this thriller takes off it is impossible to put down.

Six years ago Stella Dixon's almost eighteen-year-old brother Max slipped out of the house and went with her and her boyfriend Jeff to a beach party.  Then Max disappeared without a trace. Now Stella and Jeff are married and she has a true crime podcast, A Killer Motive. When she is interviewed on a local radio someone calls in and asks why she isn't looking for her brother Max, Stella says if she had just one more clue she'd find Max. Someone took this seriously and starts a dangerous game where they make the rules.

This well-written, lightning-fast-paced psychological thriller gets better and more intense as the plot unfolds. Once the deadly game initiated by someone using the code-name Anwir starts, Stella knows that she can't tell anyone or people will die. Whoever Anwir is, they know everything Stella says or does. When you start reading the tension and stress ramp up very quickly and explodes as it heads toward the shocking ending. 

Stella is a believable, fully realized, intelligent character with strengths and weaknesses. She is also a sympathetic character and you will want her to get through this and find closure. All the other characters are portrayed as realistic individuals with flaws. Everyone is a suspect, you'll get whiplash considering which character is responsible. 

Readers will be very well rewarded if they set some disbelief aside and go with the plot. Admittedly, very early on when Stella receives the first two anonymous emails from AL and subsequently deletes everything, I questioned her actions and wondered why she didn't immediately go directly to the police to at least have it on record. Of course, this action would have changed the entire novel. The last half of the novel makes up for any initial doubts I had.

A Killer Motive would be an excellent choice for anyone who enjoys fast-paced psychological thrillers. Thanks to MIRA for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Elements

The Elements by John Boyne
9/9/25; 496 pages
Henry Holt & Company 

The Elements by John Boyne is a very highly recommended collection of four interconnected literary novellas. Each story explore a different perspective on crime and sexual abuse/assault and are presented as an element: water, earth, fire, and air. Water is the enabler, Earth is the accomplice, Fire is the perpetrator, and Air is the victim. This is a complex, powerful novel and among the best I've read this year. 

In Water, Vanessa Carvin flees to a remote island off the west coast of Ireland. Her husband has been convicted of abusing children and she wants to escape the publicity and notoriety while reflecting on any role she played in enabling his crimes and find healing. 
In Earth, Evan Keough escapes his life and abusive father on the same island. He wants to be a painter, but instead works as a prostitute before finding success on a soccer team. He ends up being on trial as an accomplice in a crime.
In Fire, Dr. Freya Petrus, is a successful burn surgeon during the day and deals with her childhood trauma by being a predator at night.
In Air, Aaron Umber, a child psychologist in Australia, is still damaged by abuse he experienced as a child. He and his teenage son are taking a trip back to Ireland which results in some healing.

The writing is exceptional in this compelling literary collection. While the stories can be disturbing and are not always emotionally easy to read, the abuse and crimes are brutally but honestly depicted. The impact of the crimes and abuse experienced by (or doled out by) these deeply wounded characters is handled with candor and authenticity. The impact and consequences of the abuse is far-reaching.

All of the characters are portrayed as fully realized, complex individuals with strengths and weaknesses. Each of their voices are distinct in each story and the relationships between characters is organic. Not every character or choice made induces sympathy or understanding, but the grim reality of their situations is there.

The Elements is one of the best books of the year and would be a great choice for a serious book club. Thanks to Henry Holt & Company for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Deepest Cut

The Deepest Cut by P. J. Tracy 
9/9/25; 320 pages
Crooked Lane Books
Monkeewrench Series , #11

The Deepest Cut by P. J. Tracy is a highly recommended procedural featuring the Monkeewrench crew, cyber and software experts, who assist the Minneapolis PD and Dundas County Sheriff's Office. This is the eleventh book in the series. The plot continues the story started in the tenth novel, Ice Cold Heart from 2019. Readers new to the series will want to start with earlier novels or at least Ice Cold Heart before reading The Deepest Cut.

Wolfgang Mauer escaped from a maximum security mental hospital in a rural area and it set on revenge against those responsible for his incarceration, including Minneapolis homicide detectives Leo Magozzi and Gino Rolseth along with the Monkeewrench gang. He leaves a trail of three dead bodies and kidnaps a ten-year-old boy, Travis. Sheriff Iris Rikker is a new, inexperienced sheriff and needs the help of Magozzi, Gino, and Monkeewrench in the search before more lives are lost.

This is an action-packed fast-paced manhunt for Mauer and young Travis. The action follows both Mauer's actions and those searching for him. During this same time Magozzi is getting ready to retire to stay home with Grace MacBride (a member of Monkeewrench) and their daughter, Elizabeth. These are all well known characters for those who have been following the series and fans will be pleased to see them again. 

The Deepest Cut will be best appreciated by Monkeewrench fans and those who have read the previous book in the series, Ice Cold Heart. 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 Couple's Secret

The Couple's Secret by Lisa Regan
9/1/25; 370 pages
Bookouture
Detective Josie Quinn #23

The Couple's Secret by Lisa Regan is a very highly recommended mystery/procedural. This is the 23rd novel in the Detective Josie Quinn series but it can be read as a stand-alone novel. In fact, after reading it you will want to read more in this series.

A call comes in alerting the Denton Police department that a car has been spotted in the river at a remote area. Detective Josie Quinn and her partner Gretchen go out to investigate and Josie determines the car has been there for several years. It is revealed that inside the car are the skeletal remains of Tobias Lachlan and his fiancée Cora Stevens, a couple who disappeared seven years earlier. 

The medical examiner reveals that the couple were both murdered which means the car was pushed into the river and the missing persons case is now a murder investigation. Tobias and Cora’s children, Jackson, Zane and Riley, are now adults and Josie is determined to find who murdered their parents because someone always knows something.

The writing is excellent, the pace is lightning-fast, and the tension rises with each chapter as all the clues are all logically followed up on in this compelling murder mystery. There are some obvious suspects, but, as the investigation unfolds, secrets are uncovered and seem to multiply. There are several twists in the plot as new information is uncovered and changes the direction of inquiries.

In Josie's personal life, Noah, who also works for the police department, is still recovery from the aftermath of a previous case. The two are now custodial parents to Wren, a teenager who is still grieving from her parents deaths. All the backstory and history of the characters is covered enough that new readers can follow along and appreciate this latest addition to the series. I really enjoyed all the realistic interaction between characters which helps bring them all to life as fully realized individuals.

The Couple's Secret is a natural choice for anyone following the series, but new readers can jump into it this time and enjoy the excellent mystery/procedural. Thanks to Bookouture for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Fallout

Fallout by Logan Ryles
9/2/25; 334 pages
Severn River
Prosecution Force #8

Fallout by Logan Ryles is a highly recommended thriller. This is the eighth book in the Prosecution Force series and very highly recommended for those already following the series. 

There have been two nuclear blasts, at the Panama Canal and in Azerbaijan. Reed and four other members of the CIA's elite Prosecution Force are being held and tortured in Azerbaijan. The White House is trying to prevent global war, but with the president ill,  Vice President Stratton is in charge. The world is careening toward WWIII while leaders from Russia, China and Iran are missing and unavailable to contact. Separated from the others, Lucy is shell-shocked and in a daze, and, while Turk has the intelligence information needed, he has no way to get the information back to Langley. He also needs to rescue the missing team members, but it is clear that troops in Azerbaijan are preparing for war at the border with Georgia and Russia. 

This is a tension-filled, action-packed, heart-stopping thriller that takes off at a gallop and doesn't let up until the end, which will leave readers longing for the next installment of the series. It will hold your complete attention throughout. Fallout really is a riveting thriller. The strength and sense of purpose of all the characters is impressive. The only drawback for me was starting the series here, with the eighth book. After reading Fallout it became clear it might have been better to start at the beginning and follow the team to this point. 

Fallout is a perfect choice for those who enjoy action-packed thrillers and are already following the Persecution Force series. Thanks to Severn River for providing me with an advance reader's copy via Edelweiss. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

At Last

At Last by Marisa Silver
9/2/25; 288 pages
Simon & Schuster 

At Last by Marisa Silver is a recommended, melancholy domestic drama which consists of twelve chapters that are actually interconnected short stories.

Helene Simonauer and Evelyn Turner first meet in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1971 when their children, Tom and Ruth, are getting married. Helene is tasked with getting flowers for the wedding and Evelyn drives her to the flower shop. The two women immediately don't like each other. From this point on the two women are connected by their granddaughter, Francine, even after their children divorce.

While the quality of writing is good, the pacing is very slow in this rather depressing character driven novel. There is a time jump between the chapters, so the novel covers decades in their lives. None of the characters are fully developed and never felt like real individuals, although their flaws are exposed. None of them are likable and they are all unhappy. Disappointment reigns supreme throughout the novel.

The plot point about the translated letters was left hanging, which was disappointing. There was also a throw away line early in the novel saying Evelyn's family sold the family farm east of Omaha. This puzzled me. My first thought was 'what, you mean across the Missouri River in Council Bluffs, Iowa' because, of course, Omaha is a river city, right by the river. Perhaps a small plot of land by the river, but no farm would be happening east of the city.

At Last may be best appreciated by those who enjoy domestic dramas through interconnected short stories. Thanks to Simon & Schuster for providing me with an advance reader's copy via Edelweiss. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Buckeye

Buckeye by Patrick Ryan
9/2/25; 464 pages
Random House

Buckeye by Patrick Ryan is a highly recommended multigenerational domestic drama and historical fiction novel which follows decades in the lives of two families.

In Bonhomie, Ohio, where they both grew up, Cal Jenkins marries Becky Hanover and takes a job managing her father’s hardware store. Due to having one leg shorter than the other Cal is unable to serve during WWII. Becky has the ability to communicate with those who have passed on and she conducts seances in her family's home to help others find closure. The two have a son, Cal Jr. who is nicknamed Skip.

In 1939 Felix, and Margaret Salt moved to Bonhomie for him to help manage the aluminum plant. Margaret is ashamed of her past and never shares the fact that she was an orphan, abandoned as an infant. Felix decides to enlist in the Navy and is assignment to a cargo ship in the Pacific. On VE day, Margaret and Cal meet and begin a short affair before Felix returns home from the war, wounded in more than one way. The two have a son named Tom.

This is an exceptionally well-written character driven novel which follows through the centuries how decisions made by flawed adults change the lives of members of both families in this one small town. Since it is character driven, Ryan explores the inner lives of his characters and their relationships. He also carefully includes historical events along the way covering the 1920s, into WWII, the 1950s, the Vietnam War, and right up into the early 1980s.

The characters are all portrayed as fully realized individuals and expertly crafted, with both strengths and weaknesses. He delves deeply into their insecurities and interpersonal struggles throughout the novel. The deep insight into the characters helps make this a very compelling novel. This would be an excellent choice for book clubs as the characters and events would provide fodder for great discussions.

There were two minor issues I had with the novel which means I'm a bit of an outlier with my rating. First, at times the pacing occasionally felt too slow and deliberate. Secondly, the whole focus on Becky's ability to communicate with the deceased annoyed me. 

Buckeye is a wonderful choice for those who enjoy character driven domestic dramas and historical fiction. Thanks to Random House for providing me with an advance reader's copy via . My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Space Ships! Ray Guns! Martian Octopods!

Space Ships! Ray Guns! Martian Octopods! by Richard Wolinsky 
9/2/25; 264 pages
Tachyon 

Space Ships! Ray Guns! Martian Octopods! by Richard Wolinsky is a highly recommended compilation of interactive discussions between writers from the Golden Age of science fiction, between 1920 and 1960. The discussions are from  Probabilities, a radio show which ran from 1977-95 and the text follows a free flowing discussion on topics rather than an interview of one author at a time. The interviews were conducted on air by Wolinsky and his fellow writers and co-hosts Richard A. Lupoff and Lawrence Davidson.

There is a lot of discussion of various pulp magazines, editors, science fiction publishers, inside gossip, and personal opinions all from more than fifty legendary writers. The Table of Contents will provide readers with insight on how this collection is organized by era, starting in the 1920's, and topic. It also lists who is being interviewed and some of the pulp magazines (additional ones are mentioned by authors in the text) for that era. 

Chapters are: Chapter 1 Space Ships! Ray Guns! Martian Octopods!: Science Fiction in the 1920s; Chapter 2 The Story of Weird Tales; Chapter 3 The Years of the Depression: Triumph of the Pulps; Chapter 4 The King of Science Fiction: John W. Campbell & Astounding; Chapter 5 World War II & Beyond: Science Fiction in the Forties; Chapter 6 The Fifties: The World Rushes In; and Chapter 7 From the Science Fiction League to the Futurians: Fans for All Seasons. Appendix II lists the interviews.  

Wolinky suggests you read the book following George Plimpton's advice (for a book he wrote) and approach it as if you were at a cocktail party and happen to overhear discussions. Many of the discussions do resemble a group of friends discussing various topics and people they know, with all the gossip, opinions, complaints, and insider's knowledge that this implies. One drawback of the book for me is how the interviews are not by individual writer, but are an amalgamation of several authors addressing a topic. It does create a nice discussion format, but I was expecting more individual interviews.

Space Ships! Ray Guns! Martian Octopods!  is definitely a good choice for anyone who enjoys early science fiction. Thanks to Tachyon Publishing for providing me with an advance reader's copy via Edelweiss. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Tapes

The Tapes by Kerry Wilkinson
8/11/25; 317 pages
Bookouture

The Tapes by Kerry Wilkinson is a highly recommended domestic mystery/psychological thriller.

Eve's father has recently died and she is tasked with cleaning out his house. Her dad was a bit of a hoarder, which makes the task difficult. While digging out things in his garage, she discovers a cassette player, which she sets aside to show her daughter Faith. Then she discovers a box of tapes all labeled in her mother's handwriting. Eve's mother Angela disappeared without a trace thirteen years ago. As Eve plays a tape, she remembers her mother recording a diary of sorts on them. 

Then she notices a tape labeled 'Eve.' On it her mother says, "If you're listening to this, I've been murdered and I need you to know that I love you ." Apparently, her mother who was a kleptomaniac stole a jewelry box from someone and discovered in it the earrings collected by a serial killer named "the Earring Killer." Her mother is sure the person will know it was her who took the jewelry box and will come for her next. Eve needs to discover who owned the box so she can identify the killer.

The well-written fast paced narrative follows Eve in the present day as she tries to find out who owned the jewelry box in order to identify the killer. Also included are excerpts from a book about the Earring Killer that was written years earlier which identifies all the victims and includes interviews with their family members. The novel held my complete attention throughout. Alternating between Eve's present day search while dealing with her father's death with the books true story of the victims of the serial killer worked very well. There are several twists along the way.

Eve is a complicated, fully realized character who is very flawed, but you will like and support her in her search. She knows her flaws and struggles. She also knows Angela's weaknesses and realizes that the tapes would mean nothing to the police because of her mother's history. There are several suspects along the way and no one who is really trustworthy.

The Tapes is a great choice for anyone who enjoys reading domestic mysteries that have some aspects of a psychological thriller. Thanks to Bookouture for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.