The Taken Ones

 

The Taken Ones by J. A. Jance
11/10/26; 368 pages 
William Morrow
J. P. Beaumont #27 

The Taken Ones by J. A. Jance is a highly recommended investigative mystery. This is the 27th book in the series featuring the former police chief, now private investigator J. P. Beaumont.

Regina (Gina) Holt leaves Anchorage Alaska for an internship. She calls her grandmother Louise Holt to let her and her grandfather Art know she arrived in Seattle and then she disappears. When the police don't initially take it seriously, Art talks to mechanic Twinkle Winkleman, who has done investigative work in the past and is immediately concerned that something is wrong. She reaches out to her old friend private investigator J. P. Beaumont (Beau). Both Twinkle and Beau begin to look into the disappearance and it becomes clear that there has been a series of promising young college women who have disappeared.

The narrative opens with Gina's disappearance. This is followed by grandson Kyle Cartwright's plans for the large family party celebrating Beau's second wife, Melissa (Mel) Soames retirement as chief of police in Bellingham, WA. Every relative who’s been invited to her surprise party and their family connection is listed. This whole chapter can be skimmed because these people do not have anything to do with the story. Those following the series will know these characters. Those reading this as a standalone will potentially be overwhelmed with all the extraneous names and information.

As the actual plot unfolds, the narrative switches between the investigations conducted by both Beau and Twinkle, and the point-of-view of Gina who has been kidnapped and is being moved across the country, restrained and blindfolded. Gina remembers her great-grandfather Lars Larson who survived the sinking of the USS Indianapolis in WWII, and is determined to follow his fortitude to survive. These alternates viewpoints work quite well as Gina's situation is terrifying and the stress and tension surrounding the search for her increases. 

Admittedly, you do have to set some disbelief aside and ignore a few factual errors. This is easily done if you just focus on the mystery, including the investigation, the information uncovered, the search, and the nefarious reason for the young women being kidnapped. The pace moves quickly and there is a satisfying final denouement. 

The Taken Ones is a great choice for those who enjoy mysteries and especially for everyone following the J. P. Beaumont series. Thanks to William Morrow for providing me with an advance reader's copy via Edelweiss. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Cold Read

 

The Cold Read by Tara Laskowski
11/10/26; 368 pages
Park Row Books  

The Cold Read by Tara Laskowski is a highly recommended popcorn thriller. This locked-room mystery is set at an old ski lodge and features the cast of actors who have returned to film the sequel to a horror movie set there a decade ago.

Izzy Bingham, the podcaster of Horrified Fans, has been asked by director Esme Duncan to be at the Frostmourne Lodge and ready to announce at midnight on January 10th the sequel to one of the scariest horror movies of the 21st century, No One Can Hear You Scream. It is noted not only for the horror but also for the disappearance of one of the cast members, Theo Cloutier, who's body was never found. The stars of the film are returning, including the scream queen Cassidy White, model and actress Ruby Morales, action heart throb Jake Abbot, smoldering Ben Hartman, and the lumberjack himself David Belfardy. Esme has bought the lodge for this purpose, while David is financing the sequel. 

When they are filming the announcement at midnight online with horror fans across the country watching, something happens and the feed is cut. Izzy comes on again briefly and then a voice is heard saying, "Shut it down, now." The Horrified.com forum goes crazy with comments from the participants speculating what has happened at the lodge. Those at the lodge also don't know what is going on. It appears they may be in a real horror novel and someone came for revenge, but who?

This is truly a well-written popcorn thriller for horror movie fans. The action starts quickly with the threatening weather as well as between the characters with all the secrets they have and the history between them, especially with the unsolved, presumed death of Theo the last time they filmed together. None of these characters are particularly likable or trustworthy and with all the bad memories of the first film it is a wonder they'd return for a second, but they all have their reasons. Esme causes turmoil briefly at the beginning and then disappears before the midnight announcement. 

The chapters in the narrative alternate between the point-of-view of several characters. It also includes several Interstitial chapters which include some of the online comments from the Horrified Fans forum. Making this a locked-room mystery, where they are stuck at the lodge due to the frigid, snowy weather, helps keep the characters on edge with the tension and suspicion high. The question is always there, is it one of them or an outside force?

The Cold Read is a great choice for those who enjoy horror movies and popcorn thrillers. Thanks to Park Row Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via Edelweiss. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Body in the Bath

 

The Body in the Bath by Ragnar Jónasson
11/10/26; 288 pages
St. Martin's Press
Detective Helgi Reykdal #3 

The Body in the Bath by Ragnar Jónasson is a highly recommended mystery set in Iceland. This is the third book in the series featuring Detective Helgi Reykdal. 

On 12/20/2012 Detective Helgi Reykdal is heading to Litla-Hraun prison by colleagues Mani and Alexander under suspicion for the murder of his ex-girlfriend Bergþóra Úlfsdóttir. A month earlier Helgi's girlfriend Anita was deliberately run over and killed by Bergþóra, a violent, abusive alcoholic. Bergþóra claims it was an accident and is not charged. After a month off, Helgi has finally returned to work in Reykjavík on 12/14/2012. To distract himself, Helgi begins investigating the unsolved case of his predecessor, Hulda Hermannsdóttir. She disappeared and it was presumed to be a suicide but Helgi is unconvinced. He has begun to read Hulda's case files, starting back in 1980, but before he determines anything certain, Bergþóra is found dead in her bath and suspicion immediately falls on Helgi.

This is a well-written, very tightly-plotted mystery. From the prologue readers know right at the start what is going to happen to Helgi soon after he returns to work, so that tension is ever present and overwhelming until additional information can be found. At the same time we follow Helgi looking into an old case of Hulda's, where a young woman Rúna, claims that she found a body in her bathtub but after she ran off, it disappeared. There are questions, intrigue, and tension rising based on both cases, present and past, although Helgi's current situation will weigh heavy on you.

The book opens with a reading list of Helgi and Hulda, featuring classic whodunits. Helgi's love of reading mysteries is well known and mentioned frequently in the plot. The classic plots are an inspiration for parts of the novels. Readers perhaps would benefit from reading the previous novel before the current one. The series is: Death at the Sanatorium, The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer, and The Body in the Bath. Also, be forewarned that The Body in the Bath ends on a cliffhanger. I am assuming that the trilogy will continue with a fourth novel.

The Body in the Bath is a great choice for those who enjoy tightly plotted mysteries and fans of Agatha Christie. 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 Not So Happy Couple

 

The Not So Happy Couple by Emily Shiner
10/30/26; 300 pages
Bookouture 

The Not So Happy Couple by Emily Shiner is a recommended domestic drama for the right reader. 

Marissa and Bradley are taking out his 50 ft. yacht "Surprise of the Seas" for a long weekend to celebrate their first anniversary even though she hates being on the water. Once they are far out to sea (because Bradley's trying to out run a storm he neglected to mention to her) she discovers a dead body in the master bedroom. She screams, Bradley comes running and when he uncovers the face, he claims to Marissa he doesn't recognize the dead woman, but she can tell he does. The thing is, she also recognizes her. The body is of Evelyn Borth. Bradley contacts the Coast Guard, they have problems with the boat, but eventually get back to land. Now the game of secrets and deception begins in earnest.

The narrative alternates between the point-of-view of Marissa, Bradley, and Cami. Early on there are also love letters written to Bradley from a former girl friend. Readers will know from the start that Cami, Marissa's friend, is not trustworthy as she made Marissa promise to never tell Bradley about her, claiming they were estranged siblings. (Yeah, right, I have a bridge I could sell you too, Marissa.) Set disbelief aside. The short chapters do keep the pace steady at first, but after the body was found, Marissa freaks out, and they are back on land, the plot lags. 

It's at this point it becomes a slow moving plot that loops continually on a chorus of "Oh, we don't trust each other; oh, we all have secrets; distrust; suspicious; secrets" - on repeat, but nothing really happens until the twisty, explosive ending. There is no doubt that a bunch of people who are purposefully keeping secrets from each other while planning and scheming can be compelling and keep you reading to see what they do next. This is the reason I kept reading because every single character is has some sort of subterfuge underway. However, this is also a plot that requires you to set a huge dose of disbelief aside. None of the characters are even remotely believable or likable, which made any deep investment in the plot difficult. I've enjoyed other books by Emily Shiner much more and look forward to her next book.

The Not So Happy Couple is recommended for readers who like domestic dramas with deceptive characters. Thanks to Bookouture for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Monsters of Ohio

 

Monsters of Ohio by John Scalzi
11/3/26; 272 pages
Tor Publishing Group 

Monsters of Ohio by John Scalzi is a very highly recommended quirky monster story. Chose your own adventure: this can be an entertaining farcical science fiction story about an amicable, but bloody monster outbreak in a small town, or it could be allegorical tale about contemporary politics. I chose the hilarious, entertaining sci fi option.

The appealing prologue featuring the story of a rabbit, provided a quote (censored and abbreviated) that left me laughing, in tears: "Rabbits absolutely ___ swear. You're a prey animal for ___'s sake, and everything.... is trying to eat you every single moment you exist. You aren't made for any existential crisis." Following this we are introduced to Richland, Ohio, a small town, population 2800, in Darke County. With the impending loss of jobs from the closing of the local meat processing plant Bradson Foods, what the town doesn't need, but finds itself facing, is something strange and explosive happening to animals and people while some other underhanded fraud is underway.

Mike Boyd, a furloughed government USDA employee, is returning to stay with his Dad, Harv, and Harv's wife, Barb in Richland while he looks for a new job in Ohio. Even though he graduated from high school 20 years ago, Mike's immediately recognized by Bill at the gas station and his old friend, Dave Prost, now the Police Chief, has fun pulling him over. Dave and Mike make plans to meet later at Club 713. It is there they run into the new Mayo Caleb Huber, Bret Lawrence, who is there representing Leyton Capital as they prepare to close the Bradson Foods Plant, and Andi Sunders who was brought in to plan the fall festival, the Monster Mash. While there Caleb is call out to the Keller's farm. Something awful has happened to young Jeremy's favorite cow and best friend, Cassie. This portends the messy, but congenial monster outbreak.

I was entertained throughout this well written, fast-paced science fiction story about a bloody, explosive monster outbreak, with tentacles and all, that actually results in everything improving in Richland. There is a plethora of characters introduced, but in a small town everyone pretty much knows everyone else and all their business. The actual narrative focuses on several main characters and it is easy to remember who's who as they are all portrayed as unique individuals with their own distinct voices. The dialogue between characters is natural and flows smoothly. There is a reason for the outbreak that is clearly introduced early in the narrative. The ending ties everything up nicely.

Scalzi's gonna Scalzi (sigh) but I've given Scalzi a hall pass. I have a fluid rule that authors need to keep their editorializing on personal social/political views on contemporary topics to themselves and out of books to extend the longevity of the novel. Most readers will know his opinions will be present in some form, but at least he's talented enough to integrate his allegorical and satirical take on contemporary societal ills into the story and keep it entertaining. Adding the storyline involving executive theft and corporate greed gets a pass too. He should count himself as lucky because I haven't given out many of these special exceptions at all. 

Monsters of Ohio is an excellent choice for fans of quirky monster and science fiction stories along with those who enjoy Scalzi's oeuvre. Thanks to Tor Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Numb Were the Beadsman's Fingers

 

Numb Were the Beadsman's Fingers by Alan Bradley
11/3/26; 256 pages
Ballantine
Flavia de Luce Novel #12 

Numb Were the Beadsman's Fingers by Alan Bradley is a very highly recommended cozy mystery featuring Flavia de Luce, a favorite precocious young detective and chemistry prodigy. This is the 12th and final addition to the Flavia de Luce mystery series. Author Alan Bradley, died at the age of 87 on May 20, 2026. 

While preparing the body of deceased Sister Garance for her burial, the Sisters of Clemency in the cloisters of Golgotha House are shocked to discover she was actually a man. The Reverend Mother asks Flavia and Dogger, of Arthur W. Dogger & Associates (Discreet investigations), for their assistance in identifying who Sister Garance was in order to notify the family. It seems being a man in an order of nuns who have a vow of silence is a perfect hideout. Flavia and Dogger undertake the challenge to discover the secret behind the decades-old deception. 

Flavia is well-established, intelligent, resourceful, and innovative character in the series set in 1950s England and it is a pleasure to be back in her world as she conducts a charming, more traditional final investigation. There is the expected humor and wit along the way while Flavia researches the past to uncover the identity of Sister Garance. There is a side story that Cynthia Davidson, the vicar's wife is concerned Denwyn, the vicar, is drinking. Mrs. Mullet, Feely, Deiter, Daffy and Undine all make an appearance. There is a heart-felt farewell from Alan Bradley at the end of the novel. 

For all of us who have been following Flavia Numb Were the Beadsman's Fingers is an excellent, suitable final mystery for her to solve. If you have never accompanied Flavia on an investigation, this is a series worth reading right from the start with The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (2009). Thanks to Ballantine for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Other Kind of Lion

 

The Other Kind of Lion by Catherine Ryan Hyde
11/3/26; 286 pages
Lake Union Publishing 

The Other Kind of Lion by Catherine Ryan Hyde is a very highly recommended, tenderhearted, domestic drama where an act of kindness marks the beginning of a life-long relationship.

In the Autumn of 1970 in rural California, Shirley Bennett, a widow after her husband Hal died 15 years ago in the Vietnam War, lives with her two sons, Reid and Curtis. One morning Shirley hears Hal's horse, Phoenix, nicker at an unkempt boy who is walking by the fence. The only person Phoenix ever nickered at was Hal, so she wants to know who is this boy. She asks 16 year-old Curtis to offer him a ride to school and find out. This marks the start of Ludlow "Cash" Pierce, 11 years-old and in 6th grade becoming essentially a part of her family. 

Cash's mother is in jail, his father disappeared, and he is being cared for by his 18 year-old brother, Jace, who works at a gas station. Curtis comes up with his nickname and protects him from a bully. He is there for dinner every night after school. Shirley makes sure he has lunch money. She even made him a couple shirts. Even Edsel, their older dog likes Cash. He is there when Reid goes off to war and never comes home, comforting Shirley the best he can. Then one day Cash and his brother disappear, they moved away so his brother could find a better job.

Life goes on for Shirley. They write letters to Cash until one day they lose touch. Curtis moves to Canada. Shirley has a fall out with her neighbors. She eventually sells the house and moves, but always hopes Cash will reach out again. And He does, in totally unexpected circumstances. Then it becomes his chance to return her kindness and care for Shirley as well as reconnecting with Curtis. 

This was exactly the novel I needed. Yeah, I cried during several parts. It is well written and the pace is even throughout, but the pages flew by because of the excellent writing, the plot, and the characters. This is the story of a life, an ordinary, realistic person, and a chosen family. It also embodies how actions always have consequences, but this time the actions are giving and caring, are for the good, and the consequences are the same. Following the narrative are discussion questions that could be very beneficial for a book club discussion.

Shirley has faced many unexpected losses in her life, but she still reached out and showed love and kindness while caring for a neglected boy who needed the support. He always remembered the kindness of "Mrs. Shirley" and returns with the same years later. (The title is based on the fable of Androcles and the lion.) The novel spans 1970 to 2026, a lifetime, but moves very quickly. Shirley is regular, normal person who is just doing her best as she ages. She's not wealthy. She has experienced great losses. She doesn't become an opinionated curmudgeon that you are supposed to love because she's grumpy.

The Other Kind of Lion is an excellent choice for those looking for an uplifting domestic drama about a life well lived. Thanks to Lake Union Publishing for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.