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.