Contrapposto

 

Contrapposto by Dave Eggers
6/9/26; 432 pages
Knopf Doubleday 

Contrapposto by Dave Eggers is an exquisite, very highly recommended, sometimes heartbreaking, literary tale of art, friendship, creativity, and love over a lifetime. As one of the best books I've read this year, this is certainly one novel that I can totally relate to and feel as if I've lived portions of it.

Growing up in Indiana, Cricket (Robert) Dib always knew he loved art and to draw and his grandfather Silas encouraged him. After his grandfather died, he was left with a dysfunctional family consisting of his mother and abusive stepfather. It is there he first met Olympia Argyros when she encouraged him to deface a playground. This begins a sixty-five-year complicated interconnection between Cricket and Olympia. Cricket is encouraged by his mother with a couple private painting lessons, which opens him up to a new world, and he later pays for life drawing classes on his own. 

The two eventually go to college and art school together, a questionable choice. While Olympia manages to establish connections in the art world, Cricket does what ever he can to make his way in the world while also making art. Over the years Olympia always seems to reappear to encourage him, offering friendship, and later opportunities, their love affair is always seemingly one-sided, with Olympia always flitting off to new opportunities and relationships. 

This is a wonderfully well-written, detailed art story that hits on some hard truths about artistic pursuits that not everyone will know or quite comprehend. Setting the whole inability to commit and/or unrequited love story aside, which I could easily do, it seemed part of the role Olympia's character plays in the novel was to display some of the highs and pitfalls of art and life. She is driven, and portrays the knowledge of, passion for, and the business of the art scene. This contrasts with Cricket who seeks beauty and the perfection in creating and enjoying a well done work of art. Cricket is art for art's sake and Olympia is the commercialization of art.

Written as seven sections, with each one jumping ahead in years, the narrative covers the long time friendship and the various events that occur over their lives. Cricket is clearly a fully realized, well portrayed character with strengths and weaknesses. He is also a sympathetic, character and remains so throughout the narrative. His early lessons and work with Marcus Carpenter help cement the love of art while also understanding the practicality of using those same gifts of seeing to make a living. Olympia is a constantly shifting force of nature, always changing and adapting while involved in the art world in some capacity. 

A lifetime ago I told students this: "Learning to draw is learning to see." You have to really see something, three-dimensionally, to capture on paper how anything takes up the space. Understanding this will help readers understand why figure drawing can be so essential. Including the figure drawings was a brilliant addition. (As an aside, the whole story line of having your art show suddenly removed is something I experienced with another artist years ago when the gallery space wanted interior design, no nudes, and nothing controversial.)

Contrapposto is an excellent choice for anyone who would enjoy a detailed literary story of artistic pursuits and a complicated friendship covering a lifetime. Thanks to Knopf for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.   

Based on a True Story

 

Based on a True Story by Sarah Vaughan
6/9/26; 416 pages
HarperCollins 

Based on a True Story by Sarah Vaughan is a recommended domestic drama following a series of secrets and lies. 

Children's author, Dame Eleanor Kingman, is holding a seventieth birthday party at her fourth home, an estate near the cliffs off the Cornish coast in Cornwall. She has invited her family and friends to celebrate that and her recent best seller. There is also a film crew there who is making a documentary about her. What she doesn't tell anyone is that she has been receiving emails threatening to expose her secrets and lies. What she doesn't know is who is threatening her over what secret. There are several candidates and secrets. Her daughters arrive with their own secrets and sibling rivalry.

Oldest daughter, Gilly, is unmarried and works for her mother, coordinating everything. What she really wants is the ability to actually take a vacation and time for herself. Rachel is married with two children and is her mother's accountant. Rachel needs to ask her mother for a loan due to her husband's financial irresponsibility. He is being threatened by a loan shark. Both older daughter are underappreciated and underpaid. The youngest daughter Delia is an influencer and the apple of their mother's eye. Delia inspired a character in Eleanor's books, which she now resents, but she always has their mother's support, along with her demanding expectations. The older two daughters, who are often taken to task by the exacting Eleanor, certainly have cause for resentment.

The quality of the writing is very good and descriptive while the plot is complex as each character adds to a mass accumulation of various concerns.  Every single one of the characters readers will encounter in this novel have secrets, flaws, and none of them are especially likeable, but their reactions can be understandable. The narrative unfolds from the different point-of-view of multiple characters so you will get all the various perspectives along with all of their individual problems. 

After slowly introducing the reader to the cast of characters and the various secrets, points of contention, lies, and intrigue, the pace continued to inch along at a glacially slow pace. I kept thinking okay, here we go, time to take off and bring on the action we know is coming based on the opening foreshadowing of a body on the beach, among other things, and... the measure pace continued. The final denouement, when all the accumulated secrets, lies, and intrigue are revealed, is actually satisfying.

Ultimately some of the secrets and lies from characters could have been left out of the plot which would have made the ending more impactful. Also, one of the big secrets ultimately seemed pointless. Additionally, although this isn't Vaughan's responsibility, I have read a whole streak of one book after another with men behaving badly or irresponsibly, especially financially, and I really want to know why their partners aren't paying attention to their finances. Actually, this novel could make for a lively book club discussion.

Based on a True Story would be a good choice for readers who enjoy an even-paced, detailed family drama. Thanks to HarperCollins for providing me with an advance reader's copy via Edelweiss. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.    

Beach Thriller

 

Beach Thriller by Jamie Day
6/9/26; 368 pages
St. Martin's Press 

Beach Thriller by Jamie Day is a very highly recommended psychological suspense/family drama and a great beach read. Day always dependably writes entertaining thrillers. 

Holly Sinclair is being evicted from her apartment in NYC so she has no choice but to move to the dilapidated beach house in Beauport, Massachusetts, that she inherited after her mother recently passed away. She's a struggling writer who is broke and needs to get her next book written asap. Holly was traumatized as a teenager after Anna, her older sister, was potentially murdered in Beauport and she left the area eighteen years ago with no plans to return.  Gail, a local  realtor, is right there when Holly moves in, making plans for her to sell the house and sending Evan, a local handyman, to help her make repairs. Holly also reconnects with Serena, the town psychic.

Soon after moving back, Holly discovers Jade, a runaway teenager who has been squatting in the house. After a bumpy start, the two make peace with each other and Holly allows her to stay there. Jade found pages of a book in the attic which she brings to Holly's attention. Holly had started the book, Beach Thriller, as a teenager and it is the unfinished true account of events years earlier. Jade soon finds a job with the wealthy Carmichael family, whose estate holds bad memories for Holly as the place where Anna died. When Jade is at the Carmichael's she also notices that there are secrets being kept there. 

The plot unfolds at an even pace in the first part allowing trepidation and suspense to gradually build up until the until the pace picks up later leading to an exciting and dangerous end game. Through chapters told from the point-of-view of Holly, Jade, and someone who only identifies themselves as The Watcher, the tension and suspense build and grow dramatically throughout the novel. There are also excerpts for Holly's unfinished book Beach Thriller from eighteen years earlier telling readers about events from the past leading up to Anna's death. 

All these points-of-view combine to make for a detailed plot which immediately grabbed my attention and I was all in, concerned for the safety of both Holly and Jade while trying to figure out the identity of The Watcher, whose chapters seem subtly threatening and unsettling. Holly finds herself trying to uncover what really happened to her sister Anna and suspects a cover-up from the police and the Carmichael family. The suspense is found both in the past and the present.

Both Holly and Jade are interesting characters and you will become invested in their stories and safety. Additional characters are all suspects for The Watcher at one time or another while reading, although there are a couple who were seemingly written to be your main suspects. Among the other supporting characters there was added additional drama in all their stories. Serena, the psychic, was one character who didn't really provide information fully necessary for the development of the plot. 

Beach Thriller is a perfect choice for readers who enjoy psychological suspense mixed with family drama. 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.    

The People Next Door

 

The People Next Door by Carla Kovach
6/2/26; 350 pages
Bookouture 

The People Next Door by Carla Kovach is a highly recommended domestic suspense/popcorn thriller. 

Gemma has inherited her Aunt Dorette's house on Clover Lane, a place she never thought she'd return to after her friend went missing during the last disastrous summer she was there.  However, when her husband makes some business mistakes the family finds themselves forced to move into part of the crumbling house while they work on fixing it up to sell. Their 14-year-old daughter Morgan isn't happy to leave her friends, but quickly meets Harry, a neighbor her age. What also happens right after the family moves in is all the neighbors receive disturbing letters which they all assume Morgan wrote. From this point on the rumors and vitriol fly fast and furious and Gemma doesn't feel she or her family are safe on Clover Lane.

Always keeping in mind that you have to set disbelief aside, jump into this popcorn thriller.  While it starts rather even-paced the plot will get better with each new disclosure and the tension and suspicion will also increase. The plot really doesn't pick up the pace and get better until later in the novel when more starts happening and the threats move beyond the nasty notes, rumors, and paranoia flying around the neighborhood. While some developments are predictable, once the twists start coming the novel does become more entertaining  

The narrative is mainly told through Gemma's point-of-view, with additional chapters from Morgan's point-of-view. While characters are lightly developed, the real focus is on events in the toxic neighborhood. Morgan and Harry are using the notes as clues to figure out who is writing them. None of the characters/neighbors are trustworthy and the tie to Gemma's past in the area may be the clue needed to discovering who is writing the notes. 3.5 rounded up.

The People Next Door is a good choice for anyone who enjoys popcorn thrillers and stories with potentially toxic neighbors. Thanks to Bookouture for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.    

Don't Look Back

 

Don't Look Back by O J Mullen
6/2/26; 328 pages
Boldwood Books 

Don't Look Back by O J Mullen is a recommended domestic drama where the fallout from a bad decision results in a disintegrating marriage, among other things.

By all appearances, Gavin and Jess Sterling are a successful couple who live in a beautiful home and have a successful business. The two are partners with David Hastings in their trucking company, GJD Transport. When Gavin notices that the owner and advisor of the investment firm he is with has been found dead, right after he invested all of his and Jess's savings in company stock he recommended, Gavin immediately looks up the stock. It has plummeted to nothing and they are wiped out. 

The problem is that Gavin didn't tell Jess what he did and now has to tell her that he has lost everything. Obviously it didn't go well. Then with no provocation, their business partner, David, calls up and tells Gavin he heard a rumor and wants to make it clear that he is not interested in selling GJD. As equal partners, the three, Gavin, Jess, and David, all have to agree to any sale. Suddenly, it occurs to Gavin that if they sold GJD it would solve all of his problems, setting into motion a series of bad decisions.

The initial set up of the plot showed real promise that was subsequently quickly diluted by a glacially slow pace. This is not a thriller. It is a domestic drama where a independent decision destroys a marriage and leads to increasingly bad decisions. There are several twists which work to various degrees of success in the novel that are teased in the synopsis and do serve to increase suspense. One of them begins with Gavin trying to find a financial buffer by selling one of his classic cars. Another is someone wanting to buy GJD. A third is a totally unbelievable development. 

Most of the focus is on Gavin, his drinking, and his increasingly bad, futile decisions. Jess is a sympathetic character, but underdeveloped and unrealistic. Gavin's decision is a betrayal to everything they were supposed to be working toward as a couple and all of his excuses and denial can't overcome that fact. He destroyed the future Jess thought they both wanted. Both Gavin, who is depicted as a volatile and foolish feckless liar, and David, who is set in his ways and quick to anger, are wholly unappealing characters.

Don't Look Back will appeal to those who enjoy dramas following a couple after an action from one of them tears their world apart. 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 Let This Get Out in Pinckard

 

Don't Let This Get Out in Pinckard by Celeste King Conner
6/2/26; 194 pages
Koehler Books

Don't Let This Get Out in Pinckard by Celeste King Conner is a highly recommended collection of uplifting, humorous, and heartwarming essays, stories, and musings from a down-home Southern perspective right out of Dothan, Alabama. 

The collected works were from her blog, newspaper column, and Facebook posts where she writes about her life experiences with candor, however ordinary, exceptional, or mundane, from a position of faith, family and home. While the essays can run the gamete from lighthearted family stories to serious issues, they are always presented with a positive attitude and often reference Bible verses. The majority of the pieces are positive. Each essay ends with a question, usually an optimistic thought question for readers to ponder and perhaps write down their answer. 

For anyone who has lived in the same Southern town or area their whole life and always had family nearby, these may represent the compilation of positive anecdotes you've been seeking as they all stress counting your blessings. With the discuss of everyday life the stories are reminiscent of Erma Bombeck's writings, which is intentional because Celeste admired Bombeck.

As someone who is a little older than Celeste, has lived in numerous cities and states across the country, rarely near any family, and on whom the concept of "hometown" is lost, these down home Southern stories are very heartwarming, but not always relatable. Along the way, however, I have met several friends who will love and adore everything about Don't Let This Get Out in Pinckard.

Don’t Let This Get Out in Pinckard is a great choice for women who appreciate counting their blessings (while living in or near their Southern hometown). Thanks to Koehler Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.     

The Jellyfish Problem

 

The Jellyfish Problem by Tessa Yang
6/2/26; 384 pages
Berkley Publishing Group 

The Jellyfish Problem by Tessa Yang is a highly recommended interpersonal drama, mystery, and science fiction monster tale all mixed together with magic realism in this debut novel.

Marine biologist Dr. Josephine (Jo) Ness loves jellyfish and desperately grieves the loss of her best and only friend, Aldo, who died seven months earlier in a diving accident. Jo is working at a small aquarium while trying to finish the jellyfish guide she and Aldo were writing. After not hearing from her for eleven years, Jo is surprised to have college friend and crush Nadia contact her asking for her help. Nadia tells her that a giant jellyfish is terrorizing the small island of Shattering Point, off the coast of Maine and she sends a video of the glowing red creature. The video looks fake, but Jo flies across the country to help.

Once she manages to get on the island, she discovers Nadia is gone, her husband Roger seems dismissive, and the locals are various degrees of elusive. Eventually, Jo meets Tony at the local B&B, learns from a child that they jellyfish is named Clementine, and discovers that Clementine, who appears every full moon, changes everyone who sees her. All of this while also repeatedly encountering the dive-suited ghost of Aldo. Once Jo sees Clementine, she understands what the locals didn't want to tell her and she looks for an answer to the problem.

This is certainly an interesting, well-written, genre-bending debut novel. I was hoping for the straight-up sci-fi tale of a giant jelly fish terrorizing the island. What I received was something enjoyable, but quite different. While there are sci-fi aspects, interspersed with jellyfish facts, this is all liberally mixed with relationship issues, a ghost story, folklore, and magic realism. it is really more of an even-paced interpersonal drama exploring human connections, grief, friendship, relationships, with marine science and jellyfish facts.

The character development is a key component to the novel. Jo is a complex fully realized individual with strengths and weaknesses who is neurodivergent. She is awkward in social situations and can be blunt and confrontational, but she is also deeply grieving the loss of Aldo and searching for connections to other individuals. All the supporting characters are equally unique individuals. 

The narrative follows Jo in the present day. Each chapter opens with a selection from the jellyfish guide she was writing with Aldo but is now trying to finish alone. At the side of the selection are notes written by Aldo and a few from Jo. (This didn't translate very well on my review copy for the Kindle, so it took a minute to figure out what was going on. I'm sure it will be obvious in the finished book.) These little notes give insight into Aldo and their relationship.

While being a unique novel, it's not perfect. It was almost too much genre jumping for me. Perhaps it was due to my expectations, but I could have done without the relationship pining/love story. Building new friendships and connections would have sufficiently sufficed for the purpose of the plot. There was enough going on with Jo's grief, Nadia missing, and Aldo's ghost, while discovering and solving the jellyfish problem. I also wasn't a fan of the discovery that led to the solution, but will not spoil the ending. Yang gets a point, up from 3 to 4 for the uniqueness of her plot and the many jellyfish facts.

The Jellyfish Problem would be a good choice for those who can appreciate a genre-bending interpersonal drama with hints of science fiction. Thanks to the Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.     

Blunt Instrument

 

Blunt Instrument by Amy Bloom
6/2/26; 288 pages
The Mysterious Press
Dell Chandler Mysteries #1 

Blunt Instrument by Amy Bloom is a recommended investigative mystery and the first novel in a new detective series featuring PI Dellarobbia “Dell” Chandler.

After working at and then inheriting her uncle's practice, Dell Chandler, PhD, former English professor, is currently working as a private investigator. When Cromwell University's English department head Professor Oliver Bullfinch is found murdered, college president Elizabeth Cutty has doubts about the local police department's capabilities, so she hires Dell to come to Connecticut and investigate. Dell can use the $500 daily fee plus she will be able to see her godfather. Once she begins to look into the death it becomes abundantly clear that Bullfinch wasn't well liked, the suspects are plentiful, and the police aren't going to cooperate.

As a character, Dell has her charms as well as many failings as a detective. She can be self-deprecating, sarcastic, witty, ironic, and sometimes insightful, sometimes crude. Admittedly, as a character Dell's personality and actions left me feeling alienated frequently. Reducing every encounter down to the most base thoughts and immediately jumping into bed with someone isn't what I'm looking for in a detective. I want clues, investigating, following leads. You can be sassy, tough, and candid while investigating, but you do the work.

The pacing seems rather nonchalant, and cuts to different scenes like a TV show. All of the suspects are academics. While Dell does investigate, often the clues seem to fall into her hands and seem self-evident, until the end when several surprising reveals suddenly occur. The fact is, however, if Dell had done the work, the actual investigating, earlier, the facts regarding the case could have revealed themselves sooner. The other surprising personal information shared was unrealistic. In the end, this was just average. Thanks to The Mysterious Press for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.    

Marion

 

Marion by Leah Rowan
6/2/26; 336 pages
St. Martin's Press 

Marion by Leah Rowan is the highly recommended feminist re-imagining of Psycho where Marion fights back and takes matters into her own hands. This novel doesn't so much retell the story in Psycho, but rather uses it as an inspiration to tell a different story where the woman fights back against men behaving badly. It's an interesting take.

The unnamed female protagonist (who I'll call Marion for clarity) is working for an ad agency in NYC and is worried about her sister, Lauren, who had been visiting Marion after her husband became abusive. At the last minute meeting Marion is attending Friday, she find herself suddenly with $100,000 cash that she can't deposit at the bank. Marion then decides to take the cash and help her sister. Then her bus breaks down on the way and she finds herself staying at the only place with a vacancy, Norman Billing's remotely located cabins. 

When she signs in she decides to call herself Marion Cage and pays cash for the room. Later, when the shower scene occurs, Marion turns the tables on Norman and ends up killing him. Then she is left with a body to dispose of, which is just the start of her problems. At the same time a young PI, Hannah, is searching for a missing woman and is lead to the same town where the Billing's Motel is located. Hannah's search has her inadvertently crossing paths with Marion.

After a even-paced start the twisted story takes off creating some major problems in Marion's story line that must be dealt with. At the same time, Hannah's search is underway in alternate chapters. It really becomes a tension filled quandary of a family bonding over where do you hide the bodies, while another young woman is looking for a missing woman.  

Since it is using Psycho for inspiration, there are parts that are not shocking as much as expected. This does eliminate some of the shocking discoveries and tension, but it is still an interesting twist in the plot. You do have to set disbelief aside, but it is an entertaining novel.

Marion is a good choice for anyone interested in a feminist re-telling based on Psycho. 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.    

Whistler

 

Whistler by Ann Patchett
6/2/26; 304 pages
HarperCollins

Whistler by Ann Patchett is an exceptional, very highly recommended character-driven literary family drama which will definitely be one of the best books I've read this year.  In Whistler Patchett has given us a beautifully written, eloquent, insightful and sensitive story encompassing the complexity of families, connections, and relationships over time. I love everything about this book.

As they were visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Daphne Fuller's retired husband Jonathan notices an older man following them and they discover he is Eddie Triplett, Daphne's former stepfather. She hasn't seen him for 44 years but immediately remembers her love for him and the bond they had for a couple years. The two also shared a traumatic experience when she was nine and they were in a car accident. Immediately after this Daphne's mother divorced Eddie and he disappeared from her life. After this chance meeting and reconnection, Daphne immediately and understandably needs to see and tell her younger sister, Leda, about it. 

The sisters had a complicated childhood that Daphne never felt was very happy. Daphne and Leda's biological father, Buddy Zabriskie, was a deep-sea fisherman and left the family early, although the girls had a relationship with him. Then their mother married Eddie and both girls loved him for the brief time he was in their lives. Their third and final stepfather, Lucas Ekker, still lives with her mother in Massachusetts and they had two sons. The two sisters were done with stepfathers at this point. 

As the narrative unfolds, Daphne and Eddie continue to meet and restore their relationship as father and daughter, but now as adults. While following the present day events, Interstitial  chapters jump back in time when Eddie was her stepfather and cover the events from when they were in the car accident. It is during these interludes back in time that were learn the story of Whistler and also see the deep connection between Eddie and Daphne. Events in both the past and present show how complicated interpersonal relationships are, how little we truly understand of our past, and, ultimately, how fragile life can be. 

Because this is a character-driven story, all the characters are portrayed as realistic, fully realized individuals with strengths and weaknesses. The narrative examines relationships, choices made in both the past and present and how many seemingly small and inconsequential moments can follow us our whole lives. It also gently shows how being recognized and understood by another person, even for a short period of time, can change your life and theirs. 

Whistler by Ann Patchett is a wonderful choice for everyone who enjoys thoughtful, sensitive, character-driven literary novels. Thanks to HarperCollins for providing me with an advance reader's copy via Edelweiss. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.   

The Husband's Secret

 

The Husband's Secret by Debra Webb
5/26/26; 224 pages
Harlequin Intrigue
Colby Agency: The Next Generation , #5 

The Husband's Secret by Debra Webb is a highly recommended romantic suspense novel, with a focus on the suspense. This is the 5th book in the Colby Agency: The Next Generation series but it can easily be read as a standalone.

Author Brenda Devers is still mourning her husband Scott's death three weeks earlier when she sees him at the airport in LA, but he quickly moves away and disappears. The two had been separated for a year before his death, but the idea he is still alive shakes her up. Once she gets home to her daughter, four year-old Janie, she is ready to unpack and relax, but then the police are there, somehow blaming her for Scott's business shenanigans. Following this her home is broken into overnight and an ominous message is left painted on her garage door, "Where is it?" 

New neighbor Ben Clark is helpful and reveals that he is a private investigator with the Colby Agency who Scott hired to keep Brenda and Janie safe. Ben is astute and insightful while helping Brenda answer questions from the police and now the FBI. Brenda decides to send Janie with her nanny to keep her safe. Then she and Ben begin to look into Scott's business dealings while looking for the mysterious hidden clue that someone is desperate to murder someone to get. 

The plot develops quickly with a very fast pace and plenty of intrigue and suspense as Brenda and Ben look for clues and follow-up on their discoveries. Personally, I skimmed over the romance portion of the plot as, considering the situation Brenda is in, it seems unrealistic, but the mystery/suspense is enjoyable and well-written, which I expect in a novel by Debra Webb. It becomes clear that Brenda can't trust the police or FBI as it appears something more is going on behind the scenes. The danger and tension increases with each chapter, along with the twists. 

The Husband's Secret is a great choice for anyone looking for an enjoyable, short, fast-paced romantic suspense novel. Thanks to Harlequin Intrigue for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.   

The Land and Its People

 

The Land and Its People by David Sedaris
5/26/26; 272 pages
Little, Brown and Company 

The Land and Its People by David Sedaris is an excellent, very highly recommended collection of 28 essays, most of which are being published for the first time. I enjoyed every single one of these humorous, impudent, and occasionally poignant essays and found this to be among one of his best collections. 

When something happens in life that is odd, surprising, surreal, or over-the-top, I often comment to those I'm with, "Well, this will make a great story." Sedaris is a writer who embodies this sentiment to perfection as he writes about the observations, struggles, absurdities, and experiences he encounters in everyday life. He covers a wide range of topics, including, in part, being a caretaker, traveling, friends, family members, obsessions with aps, encounters with strangers, aging and reflecting on death. 

Sure, his wealth allows him access to more experiences and travel than most of us, which he freely talks about, but he still manages to keep it real with discussions of, for example, the puffy, tall toilet seat Hugh needed after hip surgery, finding a favorite brand of underwear, repeated attempts to garner sympathy over a random dog bite, and realizing how many of his friends are now dead. He admits obsessions with Duolingo and 10,000 Apple Watch–monitored steps per day. Sedaris is always himself and not always PC.

Reading these essays felt like a visit with an observant, insightful, and humorous long-time friend where all the filters are off and you can both laugh and share personal anecdotes expressing exactly what you think about anything and everything. The kind of friend who will understand how annoying the reply, "Perfect!" can actually be. Sure, Sedaris can seem to be a bit of a curmudgeon at times, but as a contemporary, can't we all. 

The Land and Its People is a welcomed, excellent collection of essays and a must read for fans of Sedaris. Thanks to Little, Brown and Company for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.    

Waves of Light and Darkness

 

Waves of Light and Darkness by John K Danenbarger
5/26/26; 326 pages
Mindbuck Media

 Waves of Light and Darkness by John K Danenbarger is a recommended collection of 23 literary short stories which explore in a contemplative manner the search for something more through a multitude of unexpected perspectives. The wide variety of stories are all character-driven and each one occurs in a different setting and time period as they explore universal themes of relationships, love, grief, death, anxiety, hope, religion, and human connection as well as conflict. 

The quality of the writing is excellent and there are a wide variety of stories in this collection. As with all short story collections, some of the stories are stronger than others, many have twists in the ending, and not every story will connect to every reader. Additionally, while some of the stories are given more time to evolve, others end rather abruptly which detracts from their impact. The majority of the characters in the stories are portrayed as unique individuals, although some are archetypes on repeat.

Personally, the stories I enjoyed, I loved, and the ones I didn't, I really didn't enjoy them at all, which is an unusual reaction for me. This could be because Danenbarger doesn't shy away from some controversial opinions or occurrences. Note that there are some adult scenes and encounters described in some of the stories. 3.5 rounded down

Waves of Light and Darkness will best be appreciated by readers who enjoy literary short stories. Thanks to Mindbuck Media for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Second Home

 

The Second Home by Kathryn Sharman
5/28/26; 336 pages
Hodder 

The Second Home by Kathryn Sharman is a recommended psychological suspense novel packed with disagreeable characters and soap opera vibes. 

Lottie and Tim have saved up all year for a family vacation by the sea on the south coast with their young son Josh. When they arrive at the Airbnb rental they are shocked to see that next door is a busy, noisy construction site and they can't even allow Josh to safely play outside in the garden. Lottie is incensed and goes next door to complain. Next door, along with the construction crew, the owners, Tobias and Olivia along with their two teenagers, Bella and Drew, just happen to be on the renovation site. They are a wealthy, privileged family who have bought it as their second home. When Lottie raises her complaints, Tobias counters with anger. This sets the tone of the novel.

The even paced plot begins foreshadowing the information that a house is going to go up in flames in the near future and that there were people inside it, we just don't know who. Then, as the narrative begins, the story is told through the point of view of Lottie, Tobias, Olivia, and Marcus, the architect. The conflict between the out-of towners and the locals was interesting, but, honestly, I found none of these characters likable, appealing or even sympathetic. All of them have secrets.

Lottie is angry, determined and relentless in complaining about the construction. She struggles to find a way to enjoy what they can while there. While her frustration is understandable, ultimately yelling at Tobias isn't going to change a thing and her case needs to be taken to the owner of the rental. She does manage to notice how many of the locals feel about the changes in their community. Tobias is arrogant and stubborn as he tries to get the construction crew to work faster and he has no time or patience for anyone, especially a complaining renter from next door. Olivia seems like a bit of an airhead, but one with secrets. Marcus has some scheme going on, and, again, secrets.

While the writing is well done and the plot will hold your attention as any good soap opera-like drama does, the inability to even remotely connect with any of the main characters detracted from my enjoyment. All I ask for is one main character to support. (I did support several minor characters.) Basically you will keep reading to learn about all of their undisclosed information that is hinted at repeatedly and find out what happened in the fire from the opening. The novel does get much better toward the end. 3.5 rounded down. 

The Second Home is a soapy suspense novel for those who enjoy disagreeable characters with plenty of secrets. Thanks to Hodder for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.    

Ironwood

 

Ironwood by Michael Connelly
5/19/26; 336 pages
Little, Brown and Company
Catalina Series #2 

Ironwood by Michael Connelly is an excellent, very highly recommended police procedural/thriller and the second book in the Catalina series following Nightshade. Detective Sergeant Stilwell was sent to be the police substation director on Catalina Island (the island of misfit toys) due to infighting and office politics, but he now enjoys this post and is still in a relationship with Tash, acting harbor master.

When a drug bust operation goes wrong, leaving Deputy Alton Quigley dead and Deputy Ilsa Ramirez hospitalized, the internal inquiry results in Stilwell being benched until he is cleared of responsibility for the operation which was undertaken based on a tip Quigley received. Stil quietly undertakes his own investigation into the drug deal gone wrong and identifies the drug courier as Gonzalo Kalas when he is trying to leave the island. Kalas is apprehended and subsequently detained but then, when Stil is out of the substation, ICE agents unexpectedly show up and take Kalas. 

During the same time, while cleaning up the substation, Stil finds a key in a backpack that he discovers belonged to Angela Metier, a woman who went missing four years ago, but the backpack was turned in only two months earlier. He follows this lead to the mainland, or Overtown, and LAPD’s Open-Unsolved Unit and Detective Renée Ballard. It appears that there may be a serial killer at play. Stil continues his investigations, to pursue both cases. There are also several other minor cases and incidents that Stil has to handle along the way.

Connelly has given us another exceptional, intricate, well-written police procedural with a fast-paced plot which will hold your complete attention throughout the whole novel. It is clear that there is a whole lot going on behind the scenes and Stil is the man to uncover the nefarious connections and clues while logically investigating. As expected, his superiors at the LAPD are constantly keeping watch of him and exerting their authority, however, Stil is very perceptive and intuitive while he follows clues and makes serious connections. 

Stilwell is a great, fully realized character. He continues to be tenacious, intelligent, and methodical, while exercising astute investigative instincts. It is a pleasure to follow his handling of all the investigations, large and small, in Ironwood. This second book in the series leaves room for future development and changes in the personal at the Catalina substation. Clearly the ending indicates a future addition to the series and I'm already eagerly awaiting it. 

Ironwood is a perfect choice for those who enjoy intelligent police procedurals. It can be read as a standalone novel but will be especially welcomed by those who have read Nightshade. Thanks to Little, Brown and Company for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.    

The Burning Side

 

The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff
5/19/26; 336 pages
Simon & Schuster 

The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff is a very highly recommended domestic drama that explores a relationship on the verge of collapse.

The night Leo says he wants a divorce is the same night the home of Leo and April Torres burns down. The couple have two young children and manage to get out of the burning house safely with both children. They end up at April's parents house in Dallas. Deb and Billy Russo, as expected, warmly welcome them into their home, but they also have a secret they have been keeping from their three children April, Josie, and Cameron. What emerges is a family saga about the aftermath of the fire, but more importantly focuses on the numerous complications, secrets, joys, struggles, misunderstanding, support, and love found in family relationships.

The narrative is told through the point-of-view of April, Leo, and Deb. Additionally, the story alternates between telling the stories of their relationships in the present and past. We see the events and mistake that preceded Leo's desire for a divorce, but we know that Leo and April's expectations were worlds apart and that neither one had any idea of how hard things were for the other one. Deb and Billy's story adds additional depth based on their experiences. Currently, they have been hiding Billy's Alzheimer's diagnosis from their children, but April notices it. 

Throughout the exceptionally intuitive, well-written narrative April and Leo are forced to decide what is worth saving, what is important, a question Deb and Billy confronted years earlier in their relationship. Deb presents a strong example of  prioritizing what is important - love, acceptance, family, forgiveness, and perseverance. Leo had a troubled childhood without a strong support system, so the Russo's are the only real family Leo has ever had. 

Leo, April, and Deb are all developed as fully realized characters with both strengths and weaknesses. While April and Leo face the devastation of the fire, their crumbling marriage, and inability to view events through the eyes of the other, Deb must face a decision about Billy's deteriorating memory and what their next move needs to be as a couple based on the care he needs. The ending elevated the novel's rating.

The Burning Side is an excellent choice for everyone who enjoys literary domestic dramas that explores relationships going through difficulties. Thanks to Simon & Schuster for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.    

Last Seen

 

Last Seen by Lucy Clarke
5/19/26; 448 pages
Grove/Atlantic 

Last Seen by Lucy Clarke is a recommended domestic drama. This edition is a re-release of the novel which was originally published in 2017 by HarperCollins.

Seven years ago Jacob and Marley went swimming in the sea – and only Jacob was brought back to shore.  The two were best friends living next to each other in The Sandbank, a beach huts community, where their mothers, Sarah and Isla were also best friends. The story opens seven years later when now 17-year-old Jacob attends a beach party and disappears on his birthday, which is also the anniversary of the accident. Sarah is out, asking his friends if they've seen him but he has seemingly disappeared.

This well-written novel starts at a slow pace. As the narrative alternates between the point-of-view of Sarah and Isla, it also jumps back in time to tell the backstory of the characters. This is certainly more of a domestic drama rather than a thriller as it focuses on and explores relationships as it builds up tension over Jacob's disappearance. There are plenty of unanswered questions, along with lies, secrets and rumors from all of the characters. It is also a bit too long for the story it is telling as many readers are going to guess some of the big reveals early on, as I did. The pace and the twists do pick up at the end.

Both Sarah and Isla are fully realized characters with strengths and weaknesses. However, all the characters are deeply flawed and, however realistically they are portrayed, they not particularly likable. Sometimes it's fun to read a novel full of disagreeable, flawed, and unreliable characters and sometimes it becomes tiresome. In the final evaluation, I'm not sure why this novel is being re-released in 2026.

Last Seen is recommended for those looking for a domestic drama with a beach setting. Thanks to Grove/Atlantic for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Mist and Malice

 

Mist and Malice by Rachel Howzell Hall
5/19/26; 367 pages
Thomas & Mercer
Haven Thriller #2 

Mist and Malice by Rachel Howzell Hall is a recommended investigative thriller and the second book, following Fog and Fury, in the Haven series.

Sonny Rush, current private investigator, former LAPD detective, moved to Haven, a small town on the Northern California coast, to join her godfather’s PI business and also keep an eye (and air tag) on her mother, who has Alzheimer's and a new boyfriend. Trying to adapt to Haven has been a struggle. When runaway teenager Honor Butler shows up at her house afraid and beaten, Sonny takes care of her immediate needs before learning her story of being taken advantage of and abused. Three hours later a dead man is found in the nearby forest. He is the man whose wife said he was missing for months. These disparate cases coalesce into a massive case of corruption.

The cases are complicated so stay focused while reading as there are a lot of various plot threads and characters introduced in the development of this story. While dealing with events, she also learns some heartbreaking information that shakes up her life. Everything does connect at the end, but the lead up to the resolution can feel a bit scattered. Also, it would be beneficial for you to read the first novel in the series before this second one. While reading at times it felt like I was missing important background information. 

Sonny is an intelligent, intuitive character who can be alternately humorous and deadly serious. There were several quotes from Sonny which had me immediately laughing. It is very clear that she doesn't much like the town or citizens of Haven. Along the way, some occurrences and comments do get a bit too political and judging. The final denouement is satisfying, although somethings will be continued into the next novel in the series.

Mist and Malice is an investigative thriller that will best be appreciated by those following the series. Thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.   

Artifacts

 

Artifacts by Natalie Lemle
5/19/26; 352 pages
Simon & Schuster

Artifacts by Natalie Lemle is maybe a recommended debut suspense novel, for the right reader, which explores the world of stolen artifacts.

Trusts and estates attorney Lena Connolly is asked by a colleague, based on her ability to speak Italian, to assist in a repatriation case after the Italian government claims an artifact was looted and donated to a museum illegally. The main artifact in question is a cup made of dichroic glass. Eighteen years ago, Lena spent a summer on an archaeological dig in the Italian Alps and this case forces her to remember events from that summer when she fell in love with both archaeology and Giamma.

The rather scattered, but very detailed, slow-paced story alternates between the present and past. In the present, Lena is ostensibly investigating the cup’s provenance and any connections to individuals at the archaeological dig site of the Roman Villa were she helped, along with family drama. In the past, the plot follows 19-year-old Lena in Italy falling in love with local Giamma, on the archaeological dig, the professor Cyrille's disappearance, the hidden networks that link museums to organized crime, and, also, family drama. Ultimately, as a character, Lena is not fully realized, hard to connect with, and not very likeable.

Honestly, the plot failed to fully grabbed my full attention and felt as if it moved at a glacially slow pace even when covering the subjects that interested me. I was here for the present day investigation, clues for the current lawsuit, the artifacts, art history, and tie-ins with mythology. Let's follow the cup made of dichroic glass, which is, in fact, rarely mentioned. Instead I was disappointed. There are a lot of details, but many of them focus on past events, Lena falling in love, organized crime, discussions on cultural heritage and ownership, and family drama. All in all, the novel was not well executed and there is no final resolution. 2.5 

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

The Hanging Place

 

The Hanging Place by Nick Louth
5/14/25; 336 pages
Canelo Crime
Detective Jan Talantire #5 

The Hanging Place by Nick Louth is a very highly recommended procedural and the 5th book in the series featuring Detective Jan Talantire. This continues to be an excellent series with interesting investigations. Previous books in the series include: The Two Deaths of Ruth Lyle, The Last Ride, The Dark Edge, and The Deep End.

First there was a theft on his farm and then, at a later date, Police and Crime Commissioner Lionel Hall-Hartington (Bagpuss) and the employee in charge of security are both shot dead at his farm, Bychecomb Manor. All CCTV footage from security is down. Lionel's disabled wife, Helena de Courchevel, Mrs. Hall-Harrington, is found injured and suspended upside down in an ancient well in the cellar, her wheelchair left upstairs. On the door to the well is a creepy Victorian-style doll and a knife on the floor. There are bloody footprints, but no real clear perpetrator or suspect is in sight. Most employees were at an engagement party at the pub. It appears the house has been ransacked, but no clear robbery has taken place. 

Jan Talantire and her team have their work cut out for them trying to determine exactly what happened with the clues available. The number of potential suspects at the manor is limited because almost everyone was at the party, making this akin to a locked room mystery. Helena is hospitalized the team has to wait to question her more about any clues she may recall. 

This is another well-written, intricate, and expertly investigation that includes twists and surprising discoveries. Nothing is as it seems and every piece of evidence and lead has to be carefully examined and considered while trying to figure out what the clues left behind may mean. The case was very compelling this time out and held my complete attention.

Talantire's is portrayed as a tough, intelligent and compelling character with strengths and flaws. Her character's personality is well established by this addition to the series and most of the team members should be recognizable to those following the series. I think it could be enjoyed as a standalone novel but you would miss the previous character development

The Hanging Place is a great choice for readers who enjoy complicated procedurals and especially those following the series. Thanks to Canelo Crime for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.    

Space Marine

 

Space Marine: and the Edge of Moon Rising by Stephen R. Pratt
5/2/26; 702 pages
Ocean's Light Publishing
Space Marine #1 

Space Marine: and the Edge of Moon Rising by Stephen R. Pratt is a very highly recommended science fiction adventure/space opera for New Adult readers featuring a group of unlikely heros.

Aspiring marine biologist and naval cadet Naval Mason Beckett, 21, just failed his diving test aboard the submarine Arleth. Of course having a robotic shark attack him wasn't exactly his fault, but Mason informs Captain Silva that he's giving his notice. His father and sister Ella, 14, are going to visit the moon colony via the space elevator, while he'll be staying with Nan, his grandmother who has Alzheimer's disease. Mason doesn't have empathy status, which allows those who do have it to not only get away with a lot, they can also claimed to be easily triggered, get cushy jobs, and benefit from others doing the hard work. Mason, who does have a crippling fear of heights, finds a new position in the strategic command building. 

In his new position he formally meets Winston Huxley, who he briefly met on the sub, and Zoe Torres. The three are together when they learn that something is going wrong on the moon and they are running out of oxygen. Clearly something big is in play as the quantum distortion has grounded all aircraft and all governments are claiming any rescue mission is impossible. Mason, Winston, and Zoe all have family on the moon so the three devise a daring lunar rescue plan using a submarine, the Stealth Falcon, and launching it into orbit by using the space elevator.

This well-written, entertaining but hefty space opera unfolds in five parts and represents the first book in a planned new Space Marine series. It is indicated that it is a New Adult book, but most fans of hard science fiction will enjoy it. At 700+ pages there is room for plenty of action scenes and narrow escapes as the nefarious plot taking place on the moon is uncovered and our young heroes take it on while trying to save the survivors. Sure, some disbelief must be set aside but it is easily done as you will want to know what happens next.

The three main characters are all portrayed as fully realized individuals with strengths and weaknesses who must go far beyond what they think they are capable of during their daring rescue mission. You will be rooting for them as they are undertaking the seemingly impossible task of rescuing survivors from the moon in a submarine. Along the way there is backstory provided for the characters, with the focus on Mason. 

The one drawback for some readers is going to be the substantial page count. A case could be made for additional editing to pare it down, but on the other hand many readers who enjoy sagas set in space won't mind the extended story and action. There are author's notes at the end on the science and the very specific date chosen for this story. 4.5 rounded up.

Space Marine: and the Edge of Moon Rising is a great choice for readers who enjoy science fiction adventures/space operas with a hefty page count. Thanks to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Dissection of a Murder

 

Dissection of a Murder by Jo Murray
5/5/26; 416 pages
Dutton  

Dissection of a Murder by Jo Murray is a highly recommended British legal thriller, courtroom drama, and a great debut novel. 

In Durham, England, Leila Reynolds, a newly qualified barrister from a working class background, is defending club bouncer and ex-con Jack Millman who is on trial for the murder of Crown Court judge Anton Smythe. Millman asked for Leila personally to represent him. The experienced and ruthless prosecutor, Leila's opponent, is her mentor and now husband, Julian Kesler. Let the games begin, where no one is seemingly telling the truth and more is going on behind the scenes than anyone will admit.

The narrative is mainly told through Leila's point-of-view with some chapters from the mysterious Witness X. Leila is clearly recognizable as an unreliable narrator, and this is proven out as the plot continues. Witness X not only knows what happened, they also know secrets from Leila's past and become increasingly threatening about exposing the secrets they know. Along the way there are details about numerous other entanglements and relationships thrown into the mix.

Dissection of a Murder opens with an explanation of the court system procedures and legal terminology in Great Britain, which is helpful. Author Murray was a Criminal Barrister so her experience provides insights about the British legal system, including the procedural peculiarities and gender inequality ingrained in it. The astute information about the inside working of the legal system are presented throughout the plot.

Then the novel is presented in two parts. Part One is The Arrest and follows events leading up to the trial. Quite frankly, this part, while playing an important, informative role in the plot, can be a little slow moving even while it builds tension and suspense. Lots of suspicions about others are raised during this part. Part Two is The Trial, which is really putting all the information together for the surprising, very twisty conclusion and revelations after the trial. 

Dissection of a Murder is a great choice for everyone who enjoys legal thrillers, especially British courtroom dramas. Thanks to Dutton for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.    

The Anniversary

 

The Anniversary by Alex Finlay
5/12/26; 336 pages
St. Martin's Press  

The Anniversary by Alex Finlay is a very highly recommended suspenseful mystery/thriller following an elusive serial killer in small towns of Nebraska dubbed the May Day Killer because he strikes his victims on May 1st. 

On May 1, 1992, teenagers Jules Delaney and Quinn Riley both end up separately attending the same concert. Following it Jules is assaulted in her car by the May Day Killer. She is one of the lucky ones he allows to live and she reports it to no one until later, through a letter anonymously. The same night Quinn breaks up a fight, resulting in his being arrested and sent to juvenile detention. Jules is traumatized by her attack and begins to drink daily. While Quinn is in juvie, his mother is bludgeoned to death. 

What follows is an addictive story spanning over ten years revisiting Jules and Quinn on May 1st. Jules continues to ask "Why was she spared?" even as she suddenly finds success as a model. When released, Quinn first wants to find out who murdered his mother, but he goes on to join the army, is injured, and returns to become a private investigator. The narrative alternates between the story of Jules and Quinn every May 1st catching up with the two. Their paths occasionally intersect over the years. 

This excellent, well-written character-driven thriller moves at a fast pace with a compelling plot. It held my complete attention and I stayed up late to finish it since it quickly became un-put-dowable. As the years went by, I was equally interested in the lives of both Jules and Quinn. They both experienced very different trauma and hardships, but also worked to overcome them. This single day of the year held such trauma and dread. 

Both of the characters were fully realized, with both strengths and weaknesses. Doing what he thought was the right thing changed Quinn's life as a teen and now he still persists in finding out the truth behind his mother's murder. Jules questions why she survived and eventually turns her traumatic experience into something that could help others. I had suspicions but was totally surprised by the twisty ending.

The Anniversary is an perfect choice for everyone who enjoys character-driven, suspenseful mysteries/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.

The May House

  

 

The May House by Jillian Cantor
5/12/26; 368
Atria Books 

The May House by Jillian Cantor is a recommended domestic drama/soap opera saga for the right reader. It follows three sisters over forty years for the one week they spend together.

Julia, Emily, and Nora May spend one week every May creating memories at their maternal Grandmother Vera's beach side home in Coronado, near San Diego. They also made a life-long friend with Nate, who lived next door and was pleased to see them every year. Their mother passed away when they were very young and the three grew up with their father in Chicago, so Grandma Vera was a link to their mother. After Grandma Vera's passing the three inherit her home on the condition that they continue to meet together one week in May every year. Even as they go their separate ways, they continue the tradition until one year when Julia didn't show up, arriving first, as she always did.

While the quality of the writing is good, the pace is rather slow and plodding. The narrative is written in a non-linear timeline, jumping between the present (mainly 2019) and various years in the past when they were in Coronado. In this case the presentation of the plot via the dual timeline was a drawback. It wasn't very effective to have "Oh no, Julia didn't show up" in 2019 going on for an abundance of chapters contrasted with events from many years earlier. It might have made more sense to tease with an opening about 2019 and then organize the novel chronologically as a family saga over the years leading up to Julia not arriving first and missing.

The sisters are all portrayed as unique individuals with strengths and weaknesses, but, honestly, none of the characters in this book were likable or relatable in any way. There are some strong story lines along the way, however, making a promise that you will meet every May for one week is nonsensical in real life. I guessed the big twist immediately. Additionally, Nate's continuously damp, tousled, curly hair and acorn colored eyes, along with everyone else have green or hazel eyes was mentioned way-too-often. I'm an outlier here as most reviewers enjoyed this novel much more.  My rating is generous.

The May House is recommended for those who enjoy soapy family dramas. Thanks to Atria Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Death on the Norfolk Express

 

Death on the Norfolk Express by Ross Greenwood
4/30/26; 392 pages
Boldwood Books
The Norfolk Murder Series #6

Death on the Norfolk Express by Ross Greenwood is the very highly recommended sixth procedural in the Norfolk Murder Series featuring Detective Inspector Ashley Knight. This investigation is centered around the steam engines on North Norfolk Railway also called the Poppy Line.

When Terry Hardy, 90, is found dead in one of the carriages on the North Norfolk Steam train, it is initially assumed he had died of natural causes but later determined to be murder. When another man is spotted tied to the tracks and barely manages to free himself before being hit by the train. At the start DI Ashley  Knight is dealing with life shattering news but still chooses to work to take her mind off of things. The man tied to the tracks is identified as Luke Dillon, and there is a connection between the Hardy family, Dillion, and others. When another murder occurs it is clear that resentment and anger is still seething below the surface due to events that happened many years ago and this may be the impetus for the current murders.

In this character-based procedural the action follows DI Ashley Knight of a Wymondham based Norfolk Major Investigative Team and her colleagues as they carefully, and methodically investigate the murders and the interconnections between the victims. All the characters are fully realized and familiar to readers following the series. There are further development on personal matters for several characters too. For those new to it there is a helpful list of the team members at the front of the novel. 

This marks another well-written procedural in the series. With a fast-paced plot, it is descriptive, atmospheric, and interesting throughout. The investigation proceeds logically, clues discovered, information revealed, and suspects were noted. Even though I had several suspects in mind, the perpetrator was completely unpredictable until the end.  Along the way I learned some new information about steam trains and the North Norfolk Line. Although this is the sixth in the series, I think new readers could read this a a standalone novel.

Death on the Norfolk Express is a great choice for those who enjoy character-based procedurals and for everyone following the Norfolk Murder Series. Thanks to Boldwood Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Our Little Secret

 

Our Little Secret by Samantha Hayes
5/5/26; 322 pages
Bookouture 

Our Little Secret by Samantha Hayes is a highly recommended psychological thriller that epitomizes everything a popcorn thriller should encompass.

Gemma and Doug have been happily married for twenty years and have two teenagers. She has a clothing store she loves and a new assistant who is wonderful help. Gemma also meets once a week with a support group for her previous drinking problem, a secret she keeps from her husband, claiming to go to the gym. This is the life she dreamed of after running away from a secret in her past and a man she knows was dead the last time she saw him.  When Aiden Black, the man she once loved and left for dead, shows up at the support group one night, Gemma is shocked. Aiden is the one man who knows her deepest, darkest secret and now he begins to insert himself into her life again.

The action will grab your attention from the start, mostly because of the over abundance of lies, continuous bad choices, secrets, nonsensical actions, and highly unlikely coincidences, which all quickly multiply. Adding to the absurdity is how very annoying Gemma can be as a character. However, sit back, set a huge, gigantic dose of disbelief aside, tamp down any initial annoyance, keep reading, and let the ridiculousness play out. It will quickly reach popcorn thriller perfection, become wildly entertaining, and will hold your complete attention.

The narrative is through Gemma's voice and chapters alternate between present day action and events from over twenty years ago when Gemma and Aiden were dating. While we watch Gemma feel threatened in the present day, she is fawning over Aiden in the past. The pressing question is what did he do to change her mind about him? The next question is why is he back? The twists in the action from both timelines come quickly toward the end. Some you will have predicted, other's maybe not, but there is no question it ended up entertaining.

Our Little Secret is a great choice for those who love popcorn thrillers and can set any and all disbelief aside while reading. Thanks to Bookouture for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Where the Water Meets the Sky

 

Where the Water Meets the Sky by Diane Les Becquets
5/5/26; 320 pages
Simon & Schuster  

Where the Water Meets the Sky by Diane Les Becquets is a recommended coming-of-age drama about memory and the natural world. 

As a seven-year-old Abby escaped from the fire that killed her mother at their farmhouse in the upper peninsula of Michigan. She has few memories of that night and it haunts her because she fears she started it because she was found holding a book of matches. Now, over ten years later in the summer of 1996, she has returned to the area to help her Uncle Dennis with his environmental study of trees. While there she is hoping to find answers about that night as she reconnects with her Nonna, her aunts, and Brew, the cousin by marriage she’s loved since childhood.

Honestly, while I was initially reading this novel it was rated much, much higher in my estimate until the thoroughly unnecessary, unbelievable, and ridiculous twist in the plot toward the end. In one fell swoop, after the eye rolling stopped, my rating dropped two points.

Setting aside the incredulous twist, the pace is even and the writing beautifully descriptive and thoughtful as Abby reflects on the natural world around her. Abby and Seda, a local girl she meets, end up retreating to a local abandoned cabin they found where Seda becomes a friend of sorts and a safe sounding board for Abby's feelings as she tries to remember what happened years earlier. 

Where the Water Meets the Sky is recommended for those who enjoy the natural world and reflective coming-of-age stories, and can ignore a very bad plot twist. Thanks to Simon & Schuster for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Teacher

 

The Teacher by Tim Sullivan
5/5/26; 408 pages
Grove/Atlantic
DS George Cross Mystery #6 

The Teacher by Tim Sullivan is a very highly recommended procedural and the sixth book in the series featuring Detective Sergeant George Cross of the Avon and Somerset Major Crimes Unit.

Alistair Moreton, an 80-year-old retired headteacher is found dead at the foot of the stairs, but the stab wound  makes it clear it wasn't an accident. By all appearances Moreton could be a taciturn but disagreeable man. The first likely suspects in the investigation are Moreton's neighbors with whom he has had multiple, on-going disputes. Cross's partner, DS Josie Ottey, is on leave, so DS Cross is initially at the scene collecting evidence with his boss, DCI Ben Carson.

Carson brings in DI Bobby Warner from Kent to work with Cross, and Warner immediately tries to antagonize Cross just because he can. He is a thoroughly disagreeable man who also resorts to taunting, name-calling and belittling Cross while simultaneously harassing Alice Mackenzie. Warner immediately decides who is the perpetrator, charges him, and looks no further, operating in a manner in complete antithesis to the manner in which Cross investigates. While Warner charges forward with his brash decision, Cross individually continues his careful, methodical investigation, looking into all clues. Ottey does return to work early, joining Cross in his investigation.

George Cross is neurodivergent. He has autism spectrum disorder or, as he prefers, condition. He is a tenacious, brilliant, and insightful investigator who can also struggle following social cues. On the job his differences make him a formidable investigator who can follow and catch clues others might miss. Cross is known in the department for his high conviction rate. Ottey understands Cross and works well with him. Cross also continues to deal with some personal, family issues in this outing. 

The Teacher is a another very well-written addition to the series which sets itself apart with the uniqueness of the main character and the twisty, complicated, intuitive, and analytical investigation. The intelligent investigation which proceeds through logically and instinctively following the clues and putting the puzzle together made it another enjoyable procedural in the series. Although this can be enjoyed as a standalone novel, reading the previous books in the series and knowing all the characters and their backgrounds makes it a even greater pleasure to read. 

All the characters are portrayed as a fully realized individuals with strengths and weaknesses. At this point in the series, they are all well-known, unique characters. This series depends on both the strong characterizations, along with the complicated, well reasoned plot, to propel the action forward. The unique main character also serves to set this series apart from others. 

The Teacher is a wonderful choice for those who enjoy procedurals and are also following the DS George Cross series. Thanks to Grove/Atlantic for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.     

Platform Decay

 

Platform Decay by Martha Wells
5/5/26; 256 pages
Tor Books
Murderbot Diaries #8 

Platform Decay by Martha Wells is highly recommended science fiction rescue adventure and the eight book in the Murderbot series. 

SecUnit, a security robot is on a mission with SecUnit Three on an extraction mission of three individuals at a Corporation Rim station. SecUnit Three will provide the distraction while Murderbot follows Dr. Mensah’s instructions, gets through the Rim security and proceeds to the safe house holding Farai, Sofi, and Naja. Once there, however, the three aren't alone. Supervisor Leonide, a higher-up in the Corporation Rim, informs Murderbot that five more humans, members of her family also needs to be rescued. The extraction/rescue suddenly becomes much more complicated and dangerous.

This is an entertaining, well-written character-driven series. Admittedly, I dropped into the series unprepared and struggled when starting to get up to speed on the "snarky, hyper-aware, murderous security android." It is probably to your benefit and well-being to read this series in order rather than dropping into it with no background information - unless you've been watch the Apple TV+ adaptation, which I had no idea existed. Once you understand the mission and Who SecUnit is, the setting, and the mission, you will quickly get caught up in the fast-paced plot.

The SecUnit is developed as a character, which is at times quite humorous. This character development includes walking like a human and appropriate hand movements, while simultaneously hacking security systems, erasing the SecUnit's existence while dealing with human emotions and ill intent in an interesting setting. The worldbuilding is well-done too.

Platform Decay is going to be thoroughly enjoyed by those already following the Murderbot Diaries series. Thanks to Tor Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.