Don't Let Him In

Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell
6/24/25; 368 pages
Atria

Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell is a very highly recommended domestic psychological suspense novel following one one con man, or perhaps three, and the women he targets. Once you start reading this one it's impossible to put it down.

Recent widow Nina Swann receives a condolence card and soon after that a lighter from Nick Radcliffe, who claims to be an old friend of her late husband, Paddy. She meets Nick and starts a relationship with him, much to the dismay of her daughter Ash, who has bad feeling about him. Ash begins to look into Nick. In a nearby town, Alistair, husband of Martha, a florist, seems to be traveling for work more and more and she is suspicious something else is afoot. Then there is also a jump back in time following man who hates his wife and is scheming to get her money.

The writing is absolutely excellent. The tension ramps up with each revelation and shocking twist leading up to a very satisfying conclusion. Obviously, it will be clear that Don't Let Him In is following the nefarious deeds of a man who is a smooth operator and a narcissistic sociopath. His actions and thoughts are increasingly treacherous and cunning.

Give the narrative time to set up the different scenarios as it follows alternating points of views, indicated by a change in fonts. When it moves back in time, it is noted before the passage. This man's slick but devious actions will infuriate you, but keep reading. While it may seem disjointed at the beginning, things will quickly become clear and the plot becomes intense, ominous, and un-put-downable.

The characters are all portrayed as fully realized individuals with strengths and weaknesses. Following the thoughts and deeds of Nick/Alisair will anger you. At the same time you will be cheering for Ash's efforts to find out more about the man who calls himself Nick Radcliffe.

Don't Let Him In is an exceptional novel of psychological suspense. Thanks to Atria for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

I'll Be Right Here

I'll Be Right Here by Amy Bloom
6/24/24; 272 pages
Random House

I'll Be Right Here by Amy Bloom is a so-so novel about found families. 

In 1942 Gazala, seventeen, works for the writer Colette. She immigrates alone from Paris to New York after World War II, and becomes friends with sisters Anne and Alma Cohen. Gazala’s adopted brother, Samir, later joins her and the two become lovers. These four characters become life long friends and a family to each other.

This is a beautifully written novel but the(dis)organization and the lack of a noteworthy plot make it a mess to read. Nevertheless, I persisted and stayed with it because it is also a very short novel. Be forewarned that the chapters jump back and forth in time throughout the narrative. It is not a before and after set up, it is jumping back and forth to random years. It is also consumed with various interpersonal relationships. All of this and the narrative fails to tell a story. The beginning of the novel focuses on Gazala but she later becomes a secondary character. 

Bloom gets a point for her descriptive writing, but the presentation and lack of a cohesive story were disappointing. Thanks to Random House for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Whyte Python World Tour

The Whyte Python World Tour by Travis Kennedy
6/24/25; 416 pages
Doubleday

The Whyte Python World Tour by Travis Kennedy is a very highly recommended novel that blends tales of an 80's hair metal band with a Cold War PSYOP. This entertaining, fun book really is on a "satirical knife-edge between high-suspense and head-banging hilarity."

In 1986 Drummer Rikki Thunder (Richard Henderson) met his girlfriend Tawny Spice while putting out flyers for his band in Los Angeles. She soon manages to get him on as a drummer for the up and coming band Whyte Python. Rikki is thrilled to join the members of Whyte Python - lead singer, Davy Bones, shredding guitarist, Buck Sweet, and bassist, Spencer Dooley. The the band's success takes off. They have a hit single and are selling out clubs. Their album soars on the charts and they go on tour. He has a beautiful girlfriend. Life is good.

What he doesn't know is that Tawny Spice is actually Amanda Price, an undercover CIA agent with Project Facemelt. The goal is to propel Whyte Python to fame and get them to tour in eastern bloc countries behind the Iron Curtain. The mission is to inspire a youth revolution through American music. Rikki Thunder is thrust into the role of drummer and international spy as the band spreads "peace, love, and epic shredding across the globe."

Honestly, it was surprising how much I enjoyed this headbanging, shredding comedy. And yes, it is mainly a comedy, but there are some suspenseful and serious scenes too. The plot unfolds through the point-of-view of Rikki and Tawny. Readers should take note that the action is a little slow to take off but once it does it is definitely worth the wait. Expect a lot of name dropping of bands from the 80s.

The Whyte Python World Tour would make an excellent retro 80s rock 'n' roll movie. Thanks to Doubleday for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

What We Leave Behind

What We Leave Behind by Sue Halpern
6/24/25; 352 pages
Harper Perennial

What We Leave Behind by Sue Halpern is a highly recommended domestic drama following two women of different ages and backgrounds.

Delia Marcus, wife of Eddie and mother to Melody, 17, dies in a freak accident. While Eddie is deeply mourning a woman he loves, Melody, who was adopted at age 3, is both mourning and confused. She was planning on taking the SATs and then heading on to college. Now, she has never heard the full story of her adoption and her mother is dead. After talking to friends, she questions if she should even go to college, take a gap year, or work on an organic farm.

Candace Milton is a successful HR professional in her forties. She has a best friend, Paul. After growing up in a turbulent home, she is intentionally single and unattached. When her company moves to Connecticut, she leaves New York City for a home in the country located closer to her job. Friends from the city come out to visit her and on Thanksgiving they save a man who fell into the pond when he broke through the ice. His name is Tom and he may offer the emotional attachment she needs.

The chapters alternate between the separate narratives following the lives of these two women. Their individual stories are distinctive and not kindred tales. Their lives do connect, but only briefly toward the end, and in an incidental way, although it is an encouraging occurrence. Basically, the novel follows two very different women contending with their own diverse emotional trauma from their parents and their destiny.

The writing is very good and the characters are all portrayed as sympathetic, unique individuals with strengths and weaknesses. You will hope both Melody and Candace find their way through life, overcome their emotional pain, and encounter future peace of mind. The choice to tell the story of these two women, side by side, in two distinct narratives is an interesting, especially since they are not dependent on each other. It kind of comes together in the end, but not completely.

There were several little issues along the way in the plot. They include: No mention of doing or even hiring someone to do yard work or snow removal at Candace's house in the country. All the climate change comments, which added nothing to the plot. Finally, the throw-away line about not moving with a company to South Dakota, specifically mentioning the Bad Lands, came across annoyingly coastal elitist since that is not where tech companies are relocating to in SD.

What We Leave Behind is a good choice for those who enjoy domestic dramas and can appreciate the dual story lines. 3.5 rounded up. Thanks to Harper Perennial for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Accidental Favorite

The Accidental Favorite by Fran Littlewood
6/24/25; 320 pages
Henry Holt & Company

The Accidental Favorite by Fran Littlewood is a recommended drama featuring a dysfunctional family.

Vivienne and Patrick Fisher have three adult daughters, Alex, 45, Nancy, 44, and Eva, 40. When all three generations of the family gather at a glass house in the country to celebrate Vivienne's 70th birthday a near- tragic accident reveals to everyone that their father, Patrick, has a favorite daughter. This revelation results in sibling rivalries being resumed, while secrets abound, long held resentments surfaces, and family ties are strained.

The narrative unfolds from alternating perspectives of the sisters Alex, Nancy, and Eva, and their mother, Vivienne. The revelations follow events from 1976 to the present, exposing their present situations and past grievances. As with any family the tensions can span years and confront varying different memories of events. Also included are all the children and partners of the sisters.

Occasionally an insightful and impactful observation surfaces, and there is some humor along with emotional depth, but, beyond that, the plot mostly feels unfocused as it wanders between memories and current problems.  They are all portrayed as realistic individuals, but, personally, I struggled with caring about all these characters.  I was left with the overwhelming questions: Why did they all agree to this week long vacation together? Why not just a quick weekend?

Normally, a story with a dysfunctional family can hold my attention, but I struggled  here. It may be the author's writing style simply isn't a preferred style for me. The ending did bump up my rating. If you like dramas with messy dysfunctional families you might want to give The Accidental Favorite a try. Thanks to Henry Holt & Company for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Black Highway

The Black Highway by Simon Toyne
6/24/25; 368 pages
HarperCollins
Laughton Rees #3

The Black Highway by Simon Toyne is a highly recommended investigative thriller. In England the River Thames is also called the black highway because of the number of homicide victims that are found in it. This is the third novel in the Laughton Rees series.

Detective Chief Inspector Tannahill Khan is called to the banks of the Thames where a male body, without hands and head, has been found. Tannahill is in a relationship with forensic specialist Laughton Rees so he immediately notices that her address has been written on the mans arm. The same night Laughton's teenage daughter, Gracie, demands to know who her father is for a school family tree project. Gracie’s father, Shelby Facer, was recently released from prison for his involvement in an international drug trafficking ring. When he unexpectedly turns up at Laughton's door he provides information that leads to the identification of the body. Then a second body in the same condition is found in the Thames.

It seems the case is tied to events from years ago and Tannahill and Laughton need to explore a past case, one that Laughton's father, Police Commissioner John Rees, was involved with. There are several twists and complications as the even-paced plot unfolds and new clues and evidence is uncovered. The pace does seem slow in the middle of the narrative. Along the way, the relationship between Laughton and Tannahill is explored and further developed.

The writing is very good and the story is interesting, however, having Gracie's father show up right after she learns his name is was way-too-much of a concurrence at the opening of the novel. It tempered my opinion while reading the rest of the novel, which essentially meant it had to be excellent in order to make-up for that glaring coincidence. Keep reading. It does make amends in many ways and the ending is surprising.

The Black Highway is a great choice for those who enjoy procedurals and investigative thrillers. Thanks to HarperCollins for providing me with an advance reader's copy via Edelweiss. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

You Don't Know Me

You Don't Know Me by Theo Baxter
6/22/25; 320 pages
Inkubator Books

You Don't Know Me by Theo Baxter is a recommended family drama following a family after the death of their wealthy parents.

Isobel, Harold, and Annabelle Marconi are planning their father's funeral when their mother is killed in a hit and run accident. At the service for both of her parents, Mary and her son David show up and introduce themselves. David is apparently their half-brother from an affair their father was having years earlier. Annabelle is uncertain, but Isobel forges ahead and invites them to move in and stay with the family while the estate is settled. Now the question of inheritance looms large as the family is very wealthy. Soon it becomes abundantly clear that something evil is afoot.

The first part of the novel does capture your attention, and sets up an interesting plot. It will keep you reading to see how events are going to unfold. Annabelle is the narrator so all the events are from her point-of-view, with the exception being the opening scene. The conflicts between siblings is realistic, if a bit overdone. The tension remains throughout the novel and the threats to their health and safety are quite credible. There are plenty of secrets on several fronts.

However, all the bad decisions and misplaced trust made throughout the narrative simply stretched my disbelief to the breaking point - and I can handle a big dose of disbelief for a good novel. Any family with the kind of wealth the Marconi's are portrayed as having would taken much more care and caution. The final denouement is also quite predictable, so the suspense lies in the anticipation of the final reveal, rather than in the whodunit question.

You Don't Know Me is for those who like family dramas with a YA feel. Thanks to Inkubator Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.