The Dream Family

 

The Dream Family by Lisa Hall
11/5/26; 300 pages
Joffe Books 

The Dream Family by Lisa Hall is a soapy domestic drama following an influencer. 

Heather Joseph is a social media influencer and is "the" Heather @ EverythingInItsPlace. She is making a good income now that she has reached hundred thousand followers.  She, her husband Jason, and their 10 year-old daughter Cora have just moved to Heather's dream home in her old hometown of Mapleford. When dropping off Cora for her first day of school Heather meets Tim, who introduces her to some of the other moms, Sanna, Verity, and Avanti. While Verity heads off to work, the others all invite Heather to coffee after drop-off and she enjoys their company. 

It seems like the move was a good choice, until someone switches Cora's lunch with junk food and reports her for stealing. Heather is also receiving aggressive, threatening messages from an anonymous sending calling her names. There are also several saying, "When are you ever going to learn that the truth can't stay hidden forever?" Posts appear that Heather didn't make. Someone is targeting Heather... and is Jason cheating again? 

After opening with an attention-grabbing future scene where Cora is picked up from a playdate by someone else, the plot settles into even-paced plot. It is also a very, very predictable plot, so the enjoyment is found in the soap opera-esque drama and interaction between characters. There is someone threatening Heather. This results in a modicum of suspense and tension building while you are waiting for the end. At the end the action picks up in a sudden burst and you get the popcorn drama you've been waiting for.

None of the characters are even remotely likable and they all feel fake, like caricatures of a type of person. That includes Heather. I think the influencer mommy character has had a good run in various dramas now and perhaps it's time to move on to some new archetype for the main character. (Note: this was originally titled The Playdate and the title was changed before publication.) I enjoyed other novels by Hall more.

The Dream Family is a good choice for those who like soapy dramas. Thanks to Joffe Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Lying Dead

 

The Lying Dead by Nick Louth
11/12/26; 320 pages
Canelo 
Detective Jan Talantire #6

The Lying Dead by Nick Louth is a very highly recommended police procedural and the 6th book in the series featuring Detective Jan Talantire. This continues to be an excellent series with interesting, complex investigations. The previous books in the series include: The Two Deaths of Ruth Lyle, The Last Ride, The Dark Edge, The Deep End, and The Hanging Place.

At the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Barnstaple, two assailants wearing gorilla masks, one in a wheelchair, enter the stroke unit on the Tarka Ward. A nurse is held at gunpoint by one, while the one in the wheelchair shoots a newly admitted stroke patient, name unknown, three times. The masked attackers leave, threatening nursing staff on their way out. DI Jan Talantire responds along with DC Dave Nuttall and DS Maddy Moran. The name of the victim is unknown. He was found, already unconscious, at a nightclub with no ID and no phone. The staff along with the head of the hospital, Dr. Darragh McNamara are reluctant to share information, ostensibly based on privacy, or work with the police, which makes their job more difficult. Some of them display a decidedly truculent attitude. As Talantire’s detective team delves deep for clues, they also expose more than expected. 
 
This presents us with another well-written, complex, and extensive investigation that includes twists and surprising discoveries. It is a welcome addition to the series. Jan Talantire and her team are faced with a crime to solve, unhelpful hospital staff, and, as they investigate, the case becomes increasingly complex and comprehensive. Their work cut out for them trying to determine exactly what happened with the clues available and everything has to be carefully examined and considered. I always appreciate procedurals where the the investigation is thorough and clues are logically followed up on in the investigation. 

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. This time the narrative doesn't follow the personal details of the characters lives as much as it has in other outings.

Although this is the 6th book in the series, I think it could be enjoyed as a standalone novel but you would miss the previous character development. It is also noteworthy that Nick Louth has a note to readers at the end of the novel informing readers that he suffered a stroke in January of 2025, which was some inspiration for the setting of The Lying Dead.

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

Bad Company

 

Bad Company by Sara Paretsky
11/10/26; 416 pages
St. Martin's Press 

Bad Company by Sara Paretsky is a highly recommended espionage novel following a retired CIA agent.  This is a standalone novel and not a part of the long running V.I. Warshawski series.

Lily Sedako, a 70 year-old former CIA agent who spent her career overseas, is living in Chicago when an anonymous person sent an article from the New Yorker magazine. In side was a picture of Lily with a group of women in Hayalistan, a former Soviet Republic where she was stationed for 20 years as a cultural attaché. The article also included students carrying protest signs. More concerning to Lily is that it suggests in the article that she betrayed the Hayali people, helped in the assassination plot of an indigenous Hayalistan leader, Rani, and brought in the company which is strip mining the land for minerals.

Since Lily was suddenly reassigned to another country before all that happened, she decides to look into why she is being targeted. She talks to former friend and CIA analytics chief Marissa Hockney, but gets no where. Lily suspects her former boss Bruce Weyrich is the one going after her. Using all her skills developed over a lifetime, she travels to Hayalistan under a different identity and begins to look into what is happening and contacting former friends. At the same time, the CIA and the FBI begin looking for her, marking the start of an intricate cat and mouse scenario.

This is well written and intricately plotted. Paretsky creates very detailed, information packed deep dive into the background and customs for Hayalistan, a fictional former Soviet republic, and the people there. She provides the same very detailed information about Lily, making her a fully realized character who feels fully formed even though this is her first outing. Readers will be rooting for Lily, a strong woman, while also being amazed at her physical abilities for a 70 year-old evading and escaping capture from much younger pursuers. She tackles aging, political corruption, greed, institutional power, individuals seeking influence, and searching for the ultimate truth.

There is an abundance of background information on everyone and everything throughout the entire novel. I'll admit that the plethora of intricate details and numerous names slow down the narrative, were periodically repetitive, and overwhelmed the plot at times. The ambition to create this fully former character and world is impressive. In some ways I felt like this could have been rewritten into multiple novels rather than providing all these characters and information at us at one time. On the other hand it is also nice to have the complete and very complicated story and character development all done in one fell swoop. 

Bad Company is an excellent choice for those who appreciate complex espionage novels. 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.

Our Greatest Work

 

Our Greatest Work: A Novel by Twins  

by Sam and Joe Eicher
11/10/26; 296 pages
Akashic Books 

Our Greatest Work: A Novel by Twins by Sam and Joe Eicher is a recommended literary bro drama, with some comedic scenes, featuring twin brothers and written by twin brothers. 

Joe and Sam are 28-year-old Jewish twin brothers who have been estranged and are about to see each other at their ten-year high school reunion in Chicago. Both twins tell their story in alternating first-person chapters. Joe, an actor, is flying from Paris seated next to Broadway actor Anthony Rapp, the original star of Rent, and he tells his story to Rapp in his chapters. Sam, a writer, has been living in Aix-en-Provence, France, for several years where he works as a guide for Ramble. He reflects on the past after meeting with Isaac, an old high school friend who offers him a book deal. The problem between the brothers began back with their high schools production of the musical Rent, and with Chloe, who was Sam’s first love, but also had a history with Joe.

Part of the goal of the novel, beyond telling an entertaining story, is to show readers the dichotomy identical twins face, along with all the various ways twins are portrayed as they struggle to differentiate themselves as individuals. Even siblings who grow up together can feel a close bond, but twins know each other intimately. Along with the obvious looking like each other, they know each others background, triggers, shortcomings, dreams, and insecurities. This alone could explain the desire for some distance and autonomy from each other as they get older. As brother is pitted against brother, there is no good side/choice.

I classified this as a bro drama because, well, it feels like a bro book with partying, lots of talking smack, relationship talk, humor, and cultural references all from a young(er) male point-of view.  As I was reading it became abundantly clear that I was not the target reader and this novel wasn't a good fit for me. I'm, honestly, an older woman, which placed some of the topics and cultural references out of my purview, however, it was worth reading even if at times it was challenging to tell the brother's voices apart and at other points it seemed to meander through topics and events. I'm likely an outlier on this one.

Our Greatest Work: A Novel by Twins is a good choice for those who enjoy very contemporary literary novels. Thanks to Akashic Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Hit

 

The Hit by Paul Heatley 
11/1/26; 300 pages
Inkubator Books
Zeke Greene #1 

The Hit by Paul Heatley is a very highly recommended thriller and the first book in the Zeke (Ezekiel) Greene series. 

After working black ops along with Tom Rollins for the CIA put his family in danger, Zeke Greene has left the agency. The CIA was not pleased with his decision made it difficult for him to find a job. Finally he is hired for the position of Constable of Lavigne County in Louisiana and he and his wife Naomi along with their children, Tre, 8, and Tamika, 6, move to the small town of Moreau. His first day in town introduces two local bullies, brothers, Lance and Howie Erskine who harass Naomi and then think they'll beat up Zeke when he tells them to apologize. This is also his introduction to two deputies on the local police force, the third Erskine brother, Damien, and young Joseph Dufont, 22.

Zeke meets Sheriff Lawrence Fontaine the next day. Clueless about his background and thinking Zeke was just a security guard before this, Fontaine makes it clear that Zeke is beneath him and not worthy of any consideration. The county is his to run, his way, and Zeke is just a constable. The previous Constable, Laslo Colbert disappeared. Then Zeke happens to see a meth lab blow up, has people shooting at him, and finds a body. He calls the police, who want him to leave it alone and ignore the area, with the exception of Joseph. Zeke takes the body to the coroner, Samuel Fox, who warns Zeke to watch his back and be mindful of who he trusts. This includes the sheriff. Zeke is keenly aware that there is  a lot of criminal behavior being ignored in Lavigne County.

This is an excellent start for the new series featuring Zeke Greene. The plot is interesting, complex, and will hold your complete attention. The action takes off right away and keeps a lightning-fast pace straight through the whole un-put-downable novel. It is clear that the corruption in the county is widespread and Zeke's investigation into it is portrayed in a believable manner. As if there wasn't enough going on already, there is a subplot where Arthur Shackleton, with the CIA, hires hitman Dean Valchek to eliminate Zeke and his family if necessary. This novel takes place after the events in the Tom Rollins book #10, Search and Destroy, which first introduced Zeke and his family. It can be read as a standalone thriller.

Zeke is a great character and he is easy to support throughout the novel. He is intelligent, observant, skilled, and, if needed, very dangerous. Joseph Dufont is there for Zeke as the one deputy he can trust and it seems he will be helping Zeke in future outings. It also needs to be mentioned that Naomi can hold her own too as she has an incredible scene in the novel. From the end of the novel readers will know that there is still a whole lot of corruption in the county that needs to be dealt with and that Zeke and his family are still going to be in danger. I'm looking forward to the next one. 

The Hit is a great choice for those who enjoy action-packed thrillers and want to get in at the start of a new series. Thanks to Inkubator Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

All In

 

All In by David Baldacci
11/10/26; 448 pages
Grand Central Publishing
6:20 Man series #4 

All In by David Baldacci is an excellent, very highly recommended, action-packed thriller and the fourth novel in the 6:20 Man/Travis Devine series. 

Travis Devine, current Department of Homeland Security agent and former Army Ranger is called to investigate after investigative reporter Theresa Lee is shot and Five Eyes associate Bill Walker is kidnapped and later his body turns in the Sydney Harbor. Walker was married to Australian billionaire Charlotte Woolwine, although he had recently filed for divorce. The Woolwine family is a wealthy, powerful Australian dynasty with worldwide connections. The U.S. is involved because of Walker’s work with Five Eyes, the intelligence-gathering alliance of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. 

Devine begins his investigation in NYC and then is sent to Australia, where he teams up with DS Anais Jones of the NSW Police Force. As Devine and Jones investigate, the danger is ever present and increases throughout the narrative. It becomes clear that Walker's death is tied to the Woolwine family, but the question is in what capacity. In the investigation they encounter rogue intelligence operations, Russian mobsters, compromised prisons, AI data centers, and a quiet campaign to redraw the global balance of power. Devine must use all his intelligence and special skills to survive this investigation.

All In is another compelling, well-written, fast-paced, well-plotted, riveting, action packed thriller in the 6:20 Man series that will hold your complete attention throughout. Even though it is part of a series it can easily be enjoyed as a standalone novel. The plot is intricate and complex, but it is so well written that the complications are easy to follow. You will find yourself racing through the pages to see what could possibly happen next, understanding that danger is around every corner. Quickly it becomes apparent that you can't trust anyone and everything may not be as it seems.

Devine and Jones are both strong characters and are portrayed as intelligent, fully realized individuals. You will be rooting for these two to uncover the truth and remain healthy and alive while doing so. There is a subplot following the hospitalization and failing health of Devine's father along with their complicated relationship. This adds another undercurrent of stress to an already challenging and dangerous situation.

All In is an excellent choice for everyone who enjoys high octane, action packed thrillers. Thanks to Grand Central Publishing for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Price of Silence

 

Price of Silence by Elise Hart Kipness
1/1/27; 317 pages
Thomas & Mercer
Sydney Price #1 

Price of Silence by Elise Hart Kipness is a highly recommended investigative domestic drama following a wealthy, influential media family.

Sydney Price is a reporter at WNEX in NYC. Even though she is part of the Glenmont Media family after her father married her stepmother, Judith Glenmont,  Sydney wants to make her own way on her own merit in the business. The plot opens strong with an explosion at the Glenmont Media Headquarters across the street from WNEX, Sydney immediately makes sure her family is okay, while colleagues are hoping she can uncover inside information. Veteran reporter Randy Fields uncovers intel that small pipe bombs were responsible and this delayed an important vote in the boardroom.  A huge storm moves in, and Sydney needs to go to a swanky engagement party for her stepbrother James and Dalia, where her ex, Oliver, is also attending. Randy suddenly, suspiciously, becomes violently ill, is hospitalized, and dies.

The narrative starts with a lot going on, including bombs, a storm, a plethora of secrets, intrigue, lies, and plenty of interpersonal and family drama. Since the author was a reporter, the newsroom scenes are realistically portrayed. Parts of the drama are predictable because there have been clues clearly shared in the narrative, which does lessen some of the big twists/reveals in the plot. There is, naturally, much attention of the ultra-wealthy Glenmont family and plenty of infighting. It's not always easy to feel a connection with an entitled wealthy family behaving badly. 

After a fast-paced start with an abundance of excitement and intrigue, the plot slowed down in the middle, but it does recover to a satisfying ending.  There is also a romance subplot that was annoying, unrealistic, and unnecessary as it distracted from the actual plot. Really, a conspiracy is being uncovered, family drama is escalating, there are ties to other powerful people, a co-worker dies suspiciously, a huge storm is causing havoc, you might be in danger personally, and you suddenly feel romantic? Yeah, not likely. 

Price of Silence is a good choice for those who enjoy following an investigation by a reporter and the ensuing drama in her very wealthy family. Thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGally. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.