Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt

 

Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt by Ben Reeves
7/7/26; 256 pages
Avid Reader Press/Simon & Schuster 

Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt by Ben Reeves is a beautifully written, compassionate, very highly recommended literary novel about... the end. Have you ever read a novel and then found yourself quoting from it when in the midst of a serious conversation about a life threatening situation? I have, and this novel was the one I quoted from the day after I read it. I'll be the first to admit that this novel had me in tears frequently as it truly showed the importance of treasuring every moment of your life because it could be your last. 

Travis Smith is Death. He's a handsome young man who lives a quietly with a cat who chose him and also works in photo restoration. His real job is to offer comfort to those in their final hours of life. He neither judges nor interferes in anyone's fate. He is gentle, compassionate, and present as he visits people in their last moments of life. He understands that every life must eventually end.

Dalia, a midwife, and her boisterous eight-year-old daughter Layla, live across the hall from Travis. Even though he tries to keep his distance, Layla inexplicably adores him and soon Dalia starts a relationship with him. Through them, Travis actually discovers what it means to be alive, the connections people have, and what they lose when a death occurs.

This is a brilliant, heart-felt, lyrical novel that is also a highly emotional novel in which you may find yourself suddenly sobbing while reading. In the narrative are brief scenes of the deaths of people Travis is with at the end of their lives. These scenes are found throughout the plot, even while the relationship between Travis, Dalia, and Layla develops. Many of these short interludes are deeply moving. All of them are ultimately about appreciating and cherishing life even while accepting that in the end death comes for us all.

I loved the title before I even knew what the book was about. After you get a few years under your belt, it becomes easier to long for a place and time where everything is beautiful and nothing hurts. Personally, I looked at Travis as the angel of death. He's not the grim reaper in any sense of the word. He is sympathetic while giving comfort and peace to those facing the end. As for quoting from this book, in different circumstances it might have been from the Bible, and an encouragement to spend time with your loved ones and remember the good while storing your treasures in heaven where they can't be destroyed because where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt is an excellent choice for those who enjoy literary novels and can handle a novel about finding beauty in the brevity of life. Thanks to Avid Reader Press/Simon & Schuster for providing me with an advance reader's copy. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.    

January and July

 

January and July by Jeff Abbott
7/7/26; 368 pages
Blackstone Publishing 

January and July by Jeff Abbott is a highly recommended mystery/thriller.

After a disastrous failed mission in Paris, intel officer January Holte is demoted and sent on a new mission. Her task is to uncover the identity of an agent who is selling agency secrets and the clues lead her to the small town of Lethey, Texas.  January is looking for a man named Bill Connors. She arrives at his house in Lethy, finds it was broken into and there is a older woman there who is a neighbor also looking for Bill. Then someone else shows up for the same reason. It becomes abundantly clear that Lethey is one odd little town inhabited by odd citizens all looking for Bill.

At the same time, Houston bodyguard July Whitlock has lost his first client, Bill Connors. July was to wait outside a warehouse while Bill had a meeting inside. Bill never emerges, a car speeds away, and when July looks inside, he finds a used syringe but little else. Since he is technically still being paid for his time, July continues his investigation at Bills apartment. A confrontation with another man looking for Bill, leads July to the small town of Lethey where, after threats from others, he ends up cautiously working with January to find Bill.

It seems everyone is looking for Bill, all of them have questionable motives, most of them are capable of deadly violence, and there appears to be some sort of major monetary graft going on involving millions of dollars. And the money may be missing, or at least inaccessible. People have turned to violence for less, and that greed appears to be a motive here. At the same time, at every turn someone is out to get January and July. Additionally, there are other players in town looking for someone or something. Nothing is as it seems.

The writing is excellent, while the premise and set up are compelling and interesting. The intrigue and mystery factor, along with the tension, is high, although the pace is even for much of the novel. When things start moving faster toward the end of the novel, the pace takes off at a breakneck speed and throws all manner of twists and new information at you. The twists are surprising and all of them keep the suspense and tension high. The final denouement and lead up to it is all very well done.

The cast of characters are all vastly different and interesting. Both January and July are complicated, well-developed characters with strengths and weaknesses who are facing some real questions along with life-changing information. There is certainly more room for development of these two characters.  I mention this because, once I finished January and July, it appears that it may represent the start of a series and, if this is the case, I'm all in. I liked both January and July and the ending presented some real possibili.ties for future missions and it would be interesting to see them in another thriller. 4.5 rounded down when required

January and July is a great choice for those who enjoy mystery/thrillers where nothing may be exactly how it appears. Thanks to Blackstone Publishing for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.     

No One Knows You're Here

 

No One Knows You're Here by Rachel Howzell Hall
6/30/26; 363 pages, reissued
Thomas & Mercer 

No One Knows You're Here by Rachel Howzell Hall is a recommended thriller. This novel was originally published on 11/21/11 and is being reissued.

Syeeda (Sy) McKay is a crime reporter in LA who is currently following the Phantom Slayer investigation. She is writing stories on the investigation and hopes to publish a book on the serial killer who has targeted sex workers in South Los Angeles for nearly twenty years. She was reached out by the latest victim to meet with her for more information. Instead Sy discovered her body at the meeting site. This latest victim, as a minister's daughter, didn't really seem to fit the profile of the victims.  It helps that Sy's on/off boyfriend Adam is a police detective on the cases and can feed her more information along with other inside sources like Spencer, the medical examiner. There is also a delusional stalker who is following Sy.

There is a lot going on in this novel and not all of it relates to the current investigation or past cases. The reason I'm reading the novel is for the mystery and the investigation. While some personal life of the protagonist inserted into the plot is expected, it seemed that much of the drama inserted in this story follows events in Sy's personal life and these minor story lines sometime overwhelms the actual investigative. The perpetrator was easily identified early on in the story which perhaps made the added personal drama more frustrating.

Ultimately, Syeeda became an unlikable character. While she is intelligent, it seems she often makes foolish choices and bad decisions which put her directly in the path of danger. Be prepared. If you have an alarm system, use it. Don't meet strangers anywhere by yourself. If you have that little feeling you are being watched, listen to it and get to a safe place. And, for a woman recovering from recent cancer surgery, she could allow herself to take some time off to recover rather than continually put herself in the path of danger. Or, alternately have her recovered now and don't include this in the plot.

The ending was very abrupt, which was a disappointment. In the author's end notes it was interesting to know she based the plot on the true story of the Grim Sleeper case, however, as a reader, I wasn't there for the additional lecture. It made some assumptions about the readers. This is a revised and reissued edition of the novel that you can tell it was originally published in 2011.  3.5 rounded down when required. Thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Cold Room

 

The Cold Room by J. T. Ellison
6/30/26; 397 pages (reissue)
Thomas & Mercer
Taylor Jackson #4 

The Cold Room by J. T. Ellison is a highly recommended procedural/thriller and the fourth book featuring Nashville detective Taylor Jackson. This is a revised and reissued edition of the novel originally published on 3/1/2010. 

A murder victim has been starved and then the body is found posed like a famous painting, Il Macellaio. Nashville Metro Homicide Detective Taylor Jackson, who was demoted in the last novel, is called to the scene along with her new partner Renn McKenzie. Once she views the positioning of the body, she calls her fiancé, FBI profiler Dr. John Baldwin. Baldwin has been working with the CIA following a serial killer who has been operating in Europe and leaves bodies in a similar macabre manner. 

The plot captures your attention immediately and kept a tighter focus for more of the narrative in this outing. The serial killer is creepy and disturbing. The plot didn't seem to scattered in as many different directions this time. However, there are still sections where the plot and the focus seem to be dropped for lighter fare and the pace slows down. Skim these parts to get to the actual procedural and investigation. Again, some disbelief must be set aside. It can be read as a standalone novel, but it is clear that following the series will give you more background information on the various characters and past events.

Two drawback in this outing. The addition of New Scotland Yard detective James "Memphis" Highsmythe and the sudden plot shift to a romance novel/love-triangle, left me cold. Not interested. Again, Taylor needs focus, better control of her emotions, and to try to act in a logical manner. Second, get serious Taylor, cut your hair so you can stop messing with it. Obviously it's getting in your way. I noted this quirk in the last novel. This time it was annoying. 

The actual case was disturbing, compelling, and strong enough to carry the narrative without adding all the additional emotional/relationship drama along with the personal threats. It also could be reading the two reissued novels back to back was too much Taylor all at once. I was also left questioning what editorial revisions were made because it certainly wasn't to tightened up the plot. 3.5 rounded up when required.

The Cold Room is another good choice for those who enjoy procedurals that also include some subplot and romance. Thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.   

Judas Kiss

 

Judas Kiss by J. T. Ellison
6/30/26; 351 pages (reissue)
Thomas & Mercer
Taylor Jackson #3 

Judas Kiss by J. T. Ellison is a highly recommended police procedural/thriller and is the third novel in the Taylor Jackson series. It can be read as a standalone novel. This review is for the reissued and revised edition of a novel that was originally published on 12/23/2008.

Twenty-six-year-old Corinne Wolff, seven months pregnant, is found brutally murdered in her own home by her sister. Corrine's young 18 month-old daughter is left with her mother's body, covered in blood. As Nashville homicide detective Lieutenant Taylor Jackson and her team begin investigating, it becomes quit clear that much more is going on than they initially thought. The investigation initially points to the husband's involvement, uncovers links to online porn, a trafficking network, and even pulls Taylor into several scandals.

During this time John Baldwin, Taylor's fiancé, is called back to DC. He is the acting director title of the Behavioral Science Unit, but he is also working on an off-grid assignment partnering with the CIA to catch an international assassin out for revenge. The trouble is Taylor is a target due to her relationship with Baldwin.

This is a fast-paced thriller that has a whole lot going on and seemingly becomes more twisted as the plot unfolds. You may need to set aside some disbelief over the vast amount of moving pieces and investigative leads all uncovered and being some how related, including several video attempts to discredit Taylor. Admittedly, I quickly read the chapters following Baldwin as everything happening to Taylor was enough for one novel. Really, multiple story lines involve someone trying to humiliate and discredit Taylor was over-the-top. It will hold your attention but it is also quite obvious while reading that it was originally released in 2008. 

Taylor is basically a likeable character, but she does have a bit of an attitude, needs better control of her emotions, and didn't always act in a logical manner. Also the story lines involving her past became a bit much as the actual murder investigation was enough to follow. Also I guessed the perpetrator immediately and was surprised this person wasn't initially looked at more closely. 3.5 rounded up when needed.

Judas Kiss is a good choice for those who enjoy procedural with lots of moving pieces. Thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.    

The Wash-Ashores

 

The Wash-Ashores by Hannah McKinnon
6/30/26; 336 pages
Atria/Emily Bestler Books 

The Wash-Ashores by Hannah McKinnon is a highly recommended women's fiction/beach read for the right reader.  Set on Cape Cod, the plot brings a feel-good Hallmark movie to mind as characters have personal entanglements.

Holly is taking over running the historic Cranberry Inn on Cape Cod in hopes of inheriting it from her grandmother Francine. Francine is ready to retire, maybe, but she is unsure Holly can run and update the inn on her own. Holly is determined to keep the Cranberry up, running, and profitable, knowing that if she doesn't her grandmother has a developer interested in buying it. The summer takes off at a gallop, Holly is working nonstop to keep her team working toward the goal and make a profit. Part of Holly's plan is to open up the inn to events and this summer a prominent New York family, the Suttons, are bring the whole bridal party there in preparation for their daughter’s wedding.

This is a very descriptive novel that creates the setting and then focuses more on the characters than the actual day to day running of the inn, although certainly some of the daily complications are necessary to keep the setting and tone of the novel realistic and create drama. The inn is the setting for the many romantic/personal relationships and complications. Employees at the inn are like family to each other in the way that many high stress jobs create a closeness between employees. It's the love lost and found plot points that drive the narrative forward. 

Holly's previous love interest Ben is back. Greta and Oliver slowly make a connection. A bride is suddenly hedging. Ezra finds a purpose and pleasure in life again. Francine struggles with letting go. Guests create drama and demands. Linus keeps everything running smoothly. And Holly makes plans to expand Cranberry Inn's business. 3.5 rounded up.

The Wash-Ashores is a good choice for an entertaining summer vacation read that will appeal to women. Thanks to Atria/Emily Bestler Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.   

Keep Them Close

 

Keep Them Close by David Ellis
6/30/26; 368 pages
G.P. Putnam's Sons 

Keep Them Close by David Ellis is an exceptional, very highly recommended, twisty murder mystery and legal thriller. It is so surprising and twisty it's like a pretzel on steroids. This complex, clever thriller will surprise you multiple times while reading. Read this book. Oh, and trust no one.

When Finley Brice is found dead in a dumpster, his wife, Allison, is obviously a suspect. Allison is also a top lawyer in Chicago and has, incidentally, been keeping tack of her husband's affairs. During this same time Allison's brother, Luke, is facing legal problems of his own, but Allison and Luke always have each other's backs, or do they?

This is an extremely well written, complex, original, clever, and twisty thriller that moves at a fast-pace throughout and will hold your complete attention throughout. It will also blow your mind with some of the complex twisty-twists and the pages will fly by. Trust me, this one has it all and you will not be able to guess where it is going. Pay attention and follow the chapter timelines closely. They are all based on April Fools Day, the day Finley died, but can be following action before and after that day. The plot unfolds through the points-of-view of Allison, Luke, and Louise, the police detective on the case. 

Allison is a complex, fully realized character. She's astute, cunning, intelligent, and never a pushover. Luke is also more than he seems. You wouldn't want to turn your back on either of these siblings as they are both very intelligent but also have secrets. None of the characters are trustworthy. The complications, duplicity, questions, suspicions, and lies abound throughout the plot. Again, trust no one and nothing is as it seems.

Keep Them Close is an exceptional mystery mystery/investigative thriller and should not be missed. Thanks to G.P. Putnam's Sons for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Not What It Seems

 

Not What It Seems by Lisa Jackson
6/30/26; 416 pages
Kensington
The Savannah Series #5 

Not What It Seems by Lisa Jackson is a highly recommended Southern Gothic murder mystery. This is the 5th book in the Savannah series featuring crime writer Nikki Gillette and her husband, Detective Pierce Reed. It can be enjoyed as a standalone thriller as enough background information is provided in the plot.

When Detective Pierce Reed gets phone call out to a murder, his wife, reporter and crime writer Nikki Gillet, is immediately intrigued. Victim Billy Huber’s house and land resemble a junkyard, so the scene that initially resembles an accident only becomes a murder scene upon closer examination. The polished, engraved stone left under his body is also curious. Nikki, although warned against getting close to the scene, is on Huber's land, watching. Within days another body is found. This time a wealthy, thrice-married Savannah socialite dead in her lavish home, also with a polished engraved stone. Soon another body follows.

This is a well-written investigative crime thriller that focuses on both the investigation of the murders along with the domestic life of Nikki and Pierce. When the novel is focused on the murder investigations it is compelling and will hold your attention.   There are chapters from the point-of-view of the killer. Several red herrings are within the plot, although attentive readers may guess the real serial killer. 

Even when Pierce warns her off Nikki continues to be headstrong and takes unnecessary risks rather than taking a modicum of thoughtful consideration concerning the consequences of her actions. Since she is described as a successful crime writer of books and only a supplementary news writer, mainly using the office at the newspaper for research, perhaps she could stop inserting herself into active investigations, especially considering the danger and the fact that it interferes with Pierce's job.

Since the last Savannah novel was The Third Grave published in 2021, (following 2013, 2004, and 2003) the focus on the domestic life and goings on of Nikki and Pierce don't seem quite as vital to share as it does in linear series where books follow each other in a quick succession. Much of that could have been edited out, keeping the basics, which would result in tightening up the pace tremendously. This would include the personal romantic interludes. Also I could have done without the paranormal/black magic.

Not What It Seems is a good choice for those who like murder mysteries with a Southern Gothic atmosphere. Thanks to Kensington for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.