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.

Cold Sunset

 

Cold Sunset by William Boyd
11/3/26; 272 pages
Grove Atlantic
Gabriel Dax Novel #3 

Cold Sunset by William Boyd is a highly recommended literary espionage novel and the third book in the in this spy-drenched cold war series featuring Gabriel Dax.

In March of 1964 at the behest of Faith Green at MI6’s Institute of Developmental Studies, reluctant spy and travel writer Gabriel Dax meets with F.T. Falkner in Santa Monica. Falkner, a poet and former member of British intelligence in WWII, has information and a name. He believes Angus Fairford was a double agent for the Soviet Union. Faith orders Dax to talk to Fairford, who currently lives in Indianapolis. Once questioned, Fairford admits to being a double agent and agrees to identify others. Once Dax returns to his cottage in Britain, he soon realizes he is going to be targeted by a hitman and Faith wants him to travel to the Soviet Union.  

First, it must be mentioned that I started here, with the third book in the series and I think it would have been a more intelligent choice to start at the beginning. I could immediately tell I was missing backstory and connections from previous adventures. The first two books in the series are Gabriel’s Moon and The Predicament and I would recommend reading them before Cold Sunset. Because I was starting with book three, I also was a bit taken aback by our hero's heavy smoking, hard drinking, and promiscuity. I suppose it represents the 1960's, but it seemed a bit excessive. (This would apply to the description of what Faith is wearing too.)

The writing is quite good and the pace is even in this well-plotted novel. The chronological time line makes traversing the plot a breeze so readers can follow the action and drama along with plenty of treachery, subterfuge, and humor. It becomes clear that trust is a transitory idea that is best met with a cordial suspicion. Even though Dax is completely enamored with his boss, Faith Green, it is clear that she isn't trustworthy, but then this is a novel of spies and double agents, so who is? Even though I was missing backstory, I did enjoy this novel.

Cold Sunset is a great choice for those who enjoy cold war espionage novels and who have read the first two books in the series. Thanks to Grove Atlantic for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Madeline McKnight Signs Off

 

Madeline McKnight Signs Off by Evan Brooke
11/3/26; 352 pages
Atria Books 

Madeline McKnight Signs Off by Evan Brooke is a recommended literary novel, for the right reader.

Madeline McKnight's cancer treatment has ended and now she is waiting for the metastasized cancer to kill her. While in treatment, her doctor suggested journaling, which she considers a waste of time, so Madeline is calling it an annual report. In her report she rates how she is doing among other things. Madeline presents her former friend Cara's daughter, Bri Davis, who is a nursing student, a lucrative proposal if she will take time off from school to come care for her to the end. Bri, who has just broken up with her girlfriend and is drowning in debt, accepts. 

When Bri arrives at Madeline opulent "cabin" in the Poconos, she meets a woman who is still a force of nature and very much still resembles the former power player she once was on Wall Street. She also meets Lee, Madeline's boyfriend, Sue, her assistant and driver, and a Newfoundland name Hopie. This begins the fly fishing sessions and assisting Madeline in setting up a museum devoted to the life of Hetty Green, who was known as the Witch of Wall Street during the Gilded Age.

Chapters in the narrative alternate between the point-of-view of Madeline and Bri, with additional "reports" written by Madeline. This is technically an exceptionally well-written literary novel, but the actual content and plot would perhaps retain your attention more than it did mine if you are very interested in fly fishing, tying fishing flies, and Wall Street history involving Hetty Green, as the storylines are highly dependent upon this. I care zero about both so this narrative presented a struggle to hold my attention from the start and this continued right to the end. 

I liked Hopie. I didn't particularly like or care about any other character. Yes, Madeline reaches acceptance of things she did wrong in the past and Bri matures, experiences emotional growth, and becomes wealthy, but this novel is more dependent upon the plot (fly fishing and information/search for material about Hetty Green) rather than character development. Perhaps the better choice would have been to write a biography about Hetty Green, rather than adding her story to a fictional tale. I may be done with reading books about dying curmudgeonly old women. 

Madeline McKnight Signs Off would be recommended for those interested in a literary novel highly focused on Hetty Green and fly fishing. Thanks to Atria Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via Edelweiss. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

There Are No Giant Crabs in This Novel

 

There Are No Giant Crabs in This Novel by Jason Pargin
11/3/26; 384 pages
St. Martin's Press
John Dies at the End Series #5 

There Are No Giant Crabs in This Novel: A Novel of Giant Crabs by Jason Pargin is a highly recommended bizarre science fiction satire with horror elements featuring peculiar alternate universes threatening our world. And maybe giant crabs. Basically, it is hard to find a category for this entertaining 5th novel in the John Dies at the End series. Pargin opens the novel with a warning: "...you should not read any further if you are in any kind of emotionally fragile place or have recently eaten. What follows is an unflinching look at how the powerful can twist the rest of us in to grotesque tools to serve their own diabolical ends."

John texts his partners David and Amy to report that they need to go look at a very large log of severed arms and legs has suddenly appeared at the Spirit Nothing Store (seasonally swap out Halloween in name). John, David and Amy are local subject matter experts, or the local weirdos, who are called when the cops don't want the headache of some extra-natural event which can be common in their town. Police officer "Judy Justice" meets them there. There are footprints leading away from the body parts. Then there is a strange otherworldly visitor at the house who tells them he believes a Penetrator is here and brought the log of limbs. Oh, and one of the arms is identified as belonging to David, who still has both of his arms....

Each chapter opens with a countdown to how long before the Giant Crab Attack is coming. The pace is fast and the whole absurd complicated multiverse plot has multiples of multiples going on, threatened war, and non-stop action. The town is apparently a magnate for inexplicable events and appearances of... things. As the plot deals with a multiverse situation, there are a variety of different locations and scenes, some humorous, some gory. The characters are... originals. I was unsure if John and, perhaps, David were acting the fool or really were stupid. Amy is acknowledged by everyone to be the brains behind them. 

I somehow stumbled into this series without reading the previous novels because I loved I'm Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom (9/24/24). This is the only one of the John Dies at the End series books I've read. It has been noted that you can read this addition as a standalone, but I still felt I might be missing something by starting here. I will totally admit to feeling lost and confused at first, but once I realized this novel follows its own rules and all I was required to do was read and follow along, all was good.

There Are No Giant Crabs in This Novel is highly recommended. 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.

Molly is Missing

 

Molly is Missing by Samantha Hayes
10/26/26; 324 pages
Bookouture 

Molly is Missing by Samantha Hayes is a highly recommended domestic thriller that epitomizes everything a popcorn thriller should encompass. Set disbelief aside and enjoy this over-the-top soap opera.

Kim and Joel are looking forward to seeing their sixteen-year-old daughter Molly after her four day school history trip. Kim has been receiving texts from her documenting everything Molly has done and see. As Kim waits she sees Molly's best friend Jade get off the bus, but no Molly. Then Kim learns that Molly never went on the trip and that a text was sent by her, Kim, saying Molly was ill and would not be attending. Kim never sent this. The police are called and the search begins.  From the opening we know someone took Molly before the trip, so the question is who and why. Where is Molly?

The narrative alternates between Kim and Molly's point-of-view. The chapters are short and the pace is fast which allows the pages to fly by. There are plenty of secrets, lies, bad choices and cagey behavior among them all. The go-to approach is trust no one as Kim undertakes investigating on her own. There are also chapters from the past thrown into the mix with another story line that add little.

This one will require readers to set aside a huge, heaping dose of disbelief multiple times while reading. It really will hold your complete attention even when your shaking your head over what is happening and suspending disbelief repeatedly. The actual huge twist at the end was over the top, although parts were very predictable. It does reach popcorn thriller perfection and becomes a wildly entertaining soap opera of over-the-top drama. 

Molly is Missing is a great choice for those who love popcorn thrillers and can set any and all disbelief aside while reading. Thanks to Bookouture for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Missing Wives

 

The Missing Wives by Morgan Greene
10/29/26; 348 pages
Bookouture
Detective Alexandra Marshall #2

 The Missing Wives by Morgan Greene is a very highly recommended investigative thriller. This is the second novel in the series featuring Detective Alexandra (Alex) Marshall from the Washington state special investigations department. While this could be read as a standalone novel, I would recommend reading the first novel in the series, The Girl Who Lived, for the background information on Alex. 

On her way home from an investigation Detective Alex Marshall is called by Captain Thomas (Tom) Doyle to the small town of Dunning, Washington to investigate a murder. Kevin Hsu and Dana Garcia are on their way, but Alex will be the first to arrive. What she discovers is a woman, Rebecca Cook, has been found strapped down to a chair and drowned in a stock tank in an abandoned barn. The chair contraption was built to dunk her repeatedly and clearly the murder was premeditated. The Sheriff, Lacey Mitchell is on site, but the situation is completely out of her depth and she has no control over the crime scene or her deputies. 

Then an envelope is sent to the police with the name April Gallagher on it, clearly indicating she is the next target. When Alex and Lacey go to the house to suggest that April accompany them to the police department for her safety, what they find is a group of belligerent, angry men: Grant Walker, Scott Cook, Brian Gallagher and David Harper. Even when they get April to the police department, a lawyer is sent to take her back home. Then she is missing the next day. What Kevin discovers is that they are all business partners who run a property development company called Dunning Real Estate Company (DREC) and they control the town. Their ethically questionable practices have included buying up land, closing water sources, pushing people out of town, and destroying lives.

The writing is excellent as it creates an sinister, suspicious, and dangerous atmosphere while keeping the tension high. It will be clear to readers early that the death of the women is due to the actions of their husbands. The perpetrator definitely has an agenda and is seeking retribution. As the action moves at a fast pace, the novel quickly becomes un-put-downable. It is clearly up to Alex to discover the reason for the murders and her investigation proceeds in a logical manner with clues followed up on and plausible discoveries made. 

Alex is an intelligent, insightful investigator and a fighter for justice, but she is also a very troubled, damaged woman, both physically and mentally. Her character receives more development in this second novel. She is running on very little sleep and she takes another beating. Lacey, the ineffectual sheriff, is a very frustrating character, along with her deputies who are out of control. Kevin and Dana are taken out of the action in the plot and have a reduced role.

The Missing Wives is an excellent choice for anyone who enjoys murder investigations and especially those who read the first novel in the series, The Girl Who Lived. Thanks to Bookouture for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Missing Molly

 

Missing Molly by Natalie Barelli
10/20/26 (originally 1/5/18); 336 pages
Poisoned Pen Press  

Missing Molly by Natalie Barelli is a highly recommended psychological thriller following a cold case where the answers are closer than they know. This is a re-release of the book originally published on 1/5/2018. 

Rachel Holloway returns from vacation to learn that the South Hackney Herald, the newspaper where she works, has 8 weeks to turn things around or they will have to close. Her boss, Chris Masterson has a plan coordinated with the new guy, Jacob, to do an investigative true-crime podcast looking into a cold case from 12 years early. They are going to find out what happened to twelve-year-old Molly Forster. Her father, mother, and sister Grace were brutally murdered, but Molly disappeared and was never seen or found again. Rachel's best friend, Vivian is thrilled with the idea. Rachel is not because she IS Molly Forester and she has spent years hiding from the killer. Three people know what happened and she is one of them.

This is certainly an entertaining thriller that will hold your complete attention. The fast-pace and short chapters work together to keep the narrative moving along. Because Rachel is Molly, readers are provided with inside information and details about her life, which is kept from her colleagues for the majority of the novel. She knows who did it and she also knows she is in danger if her identity is expose. Included in the novel are written scripts from the podcast. There are several times where the plot takes an unbelievable turn and/or you will have to set disbelief aside. The unbelievable plot points seem to multiple toward the end.   

Rachel/Molly is portrayed as a complex character with several major weaknesses. Other characters are also developed, although Rachel's best friend, Vivian, never really felt like a trustworthy friend to me. Because Rachel is involved with the podcast she also knows the direction of their research and can try to control what is happening without giving away her secret. This does bring several questions and doubts to mind and is not believable at all based on her role at the paper. In my final assessment, the novel is entertaining enough to overlook the flaws.

Missing Molly is a good choice for those who enjoy psychological thrillers and can set aside disbelief. Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Hollow

 

The Hollow By Michael Connelly
10/27/26; 352 pages
Little, Brown and Company
Harry Bosch Series #26 

The Hollow By Michael Connelly is a very highly recommended investigative thriller. This can readily be enjoyed as a standalone despite the fact that it is the 26th novel featuring retired LAPD detective Harry Bosch.

Still recovering from knee replacement surgery 4 weeks earlier, Harry Bosch visits the grave of murder victim Jennifer Talbot whose case was never solved. He is leaving a vase of flowers on it when her ex-husband Gregory Talbot shows up. The two exchange words, Bosch leaves and Talbot takes the vase of flowers to give to his current wife, not knowing that the flowers were bugged and everything he says is being recorded by Renee Ballard and her team. They record him and his wife confessing to the murder. Now they need to file the charges.

When he returns home, defense attorney Mickey Haller is there to inform Bosch that the class action civil suit against MacLaren Children's Center, which was decades in the making, has been settled and he along with many others are entitled to an award for damages of $350,000. Over sixty years ago Bosch became a ward of the state and sent to the notorious MacLaren after his mother died. The news pulls Bosch back in time to 1963 when he first met his good friend Charlie Lamb "Chops" who was killed at MacLaren in 1965. At the time Chops death was barely investigated. Now Bosch wants to see the discovery papers from the class action suit and hopefully find clues about who killed Chops. He has his suspicions. Bosch's investigation leads him right into another, much larger, investigation involving the FBI.

It was a sheer pleasure to read this well-written, fast-paced, un-put-downable novel featuring compelling investigations covering decades. The writing is clear and concise while following the clues in the investigations and it will hold your complete attention. He manages to follow clues and piece together information that others have missed. The deep dive into events from the past, along with Bosch's memories, added a depth to the current discoveries. He doesn't want the payout, in fact he's going to donate it, what he wants is justice.

Bosch may be feeling his age now, but his mind is still as sharp as ever and he continues to put himself into harms way. Honestly, there were times when I wanted to caution him, "Be careful. You've just had a knee replacement and you are 75." I understand that he would ignore me and continue to do things his way. The final denouement, implemented in Bosch's immutable style, was absolutely perfectly.

The Hollow is an excellent choice for those who enjoy investigative thrillers and fans of Michael Connelly's novel. 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 Brightness

 

The Brightness by Chad Harbach
10/27/26; 672 pages
Little, Brown and Company 

The Brightness by Chad Harbach is a recommended literary character study following the friendship of two young women. This is a sequel to The Art of Fielding (2011).

At Westish College in a small Wisconsin town, Pella, 27 is a recent college grad, engaged to coach Mike, and helping her friend Owen pull off a destination wedding. Her best friend Irma, 21, has just returned for her senior year. Unknown to Pella, on the night Irma returns to campus, she has plans with her other friends Dahlia and Pammy to institute "The Project," a politically charged prank, at The Parties.

Featuring in-depth character development, the well-written narrative follows the lives and history of these individuals in great depth through five parts. You will generally wonder about what will ultimately happen to them, but in a removed way as it is very slow paced so it was a challenge at times to keep invested in the plot. I was also personally struggling to truly care about these young characters, who at times felt immature for their years. At almost 700 pages there were perhaps too many superfluous details included, certainly too much for me as the pacing became very slow. Admittedly I did not read The Art of Fielding so I had no real investment in continuing the earlier story.

I did think the opening prank was ill conceived and the logical repercussions were not thought out. This did establish a barrier to truly liking any of these young women who all seemed self-absorbed and immature, without logically thinking things through. The whole destination wedding plot was also off-putting for me. I'm becoming an old curmudgeon, but I loss interest and it became a challenge to finish. Perhaps a good edit could have tightened up the story or I'm just an outlier or not the intended audience, but this was just an okay novel. I do like the book cover, though.

The Brightness is recommended for those who enjoy very detailed writing, descriptive character development, and have read The Art of Fielding. 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.

Estate: Golden Rules

 

Estate: Golden Rules by J Andrew Shelley
10/13/26; 242 pages
TENZL 

Estate: Golden Rules by J Andrew Shelley is a very highly recommended, easily accessible guide to carefully planning for your death with the goal in mind of preventing more suffering, conflicts, or resentment among family members. An unplanned or ill-prepared estate can potentially leave your family with months or years of suffering, legal problems, and expenses. Conflicts between family members can emerge and turn into anger and resentment. One person is often bearing the load of hours of work.

This is not a long, detailed, complicated textbook that covers every single detail that could possibly occur. It is an informative overview of the best approach to take as YOU prepare for your death to benefit your family and avoid probate. It is easy to understand and plan to put the information into practice. There is an overview and brief summary of what the chapters cover, basically giving you a map of what you have to read and what you could skip. Personally, I'd recommend reading the whole guide and taking notes. You will find step-by-step guidance, tools to persuade loved ones to start planning now and AI prompts to speed it all up.

Chapter 1 Estate Map is a must read chapter. It is packed with information,  explains the realities, and generally maps out a course of action to undertake. 
Chapter 2  Why Plan Why Now - basically explains designating beneficiaries on accounts, etc. 
Chapter 3 Commitment - covers the difficulties with an unplanned large estate; encourages decluttering and giving things away.
Chapter 4 First Thing: Our Health - addresses the arrangements for medical authorizations and care.
Chapter 5 The Golden Rule of Life -  Do unto others as you would have done to yourself; applying the golden rule to subdue resentments
Chapter 6 The Golden Rules of Estates - Die owning nothing and have designated beneficiaries on everything
Chapter 7 Probate is described and explained with critical facts along with details on how to avoid
Chapter 8 Making it happen shows a detailed application of the Golden Rules and some complexity warnings
Chapter 9 Classic Estate Planning facts behind wills, trusts, deeds and more. Great lists of information and answers to common questions.
Appendix finishes the story of Rhea. If you must skip something, you can skip the story of Rhea.

Those who read Estate: To My Once Darling Child, the fictional, but true-to-life, well-written, and sometimes humorous novel with an underlying helpful message of what not to leave behind for your family to handle upon your death, will want to read this informative follow-up guide. Not to get too personal, but both of these books have hit way-too-close to home for me. Several years ago I had two family members die within two months of each other. There are still repercussions today from the conflicts, perceived slights, greed, anger, entitlement, and resentments swirling around one of the deaths, which was sudden and unexpected. The majority of this could have been avoided with plans in place. Now today, since reading Shelly's first book, I have been trying to encourage my elderly mother to please declutter and give it all away.

Estate: Golden Rules is an excellent resource for estate planning written with keeping the process simple and doing the paperwork now to avoid potential legal complications. Thanks to J Andrew Shelley and TENZL for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Her Last Kiss

 

Her Last Kiss by Lisa Regan
10/20/26; 374 pages
Bookouture
Detective Josie Quinn #25 

Her Last Kiss by Lisa Regan is another exceptional, very highly recommended crime thriller/procedural and is the 25th book in the Detective Josie Quinn series. As with the previous book in the series, Stolen Family, I again stayed up late to finish it because at a certain point in the gripping plot it becomes impossible to not continue reading as fast as you can while your heart is pounding. This time the investigation follows a serial killer. Although this is the 25th book in the series, Her Last Kiss can be read as a standalone novel.

Trinity, Josie's twin sister and a journalist, is set to interview Sylvia West who was the sole survivor of an encounter with “The Last Kiss” serial killer thirteen years. Only Sylvia is discovered murdered on her bed, strangled, with the trademark lipstick smear on her mouth left by The Last Kiss killer. The house has also been set on fire and Josie manages to witness the crime scene and get Trinity out safely. The serial killer has been on the loose for fifteen years in various locations across the state of Pennsylvania and now he is in Denton. Now the team is taking a deep dive looking into previous cases to try to uncover the killer's identity... and then another victim is found.

The writing is excellent. The lightning-fast pace is propelled forward by the complicated, compelling, and intriguing plot that will hold your complete attention throughout. The procedural part of the narrative is excellent with all the clues logically followed and leads investigated. The narrative includes chapters from the killers point-of-view as the investigation unfolds which serves to increase the tension. This is seriously a riveting, un-put-downable thriller and the danger keeps accelerating with each page right up to the seriously action-packed conclusion.

The focus is always on the tense investigation while the personal interaction between the characters continues to be realistic. All of the characters are portrayed as fully realized individuals with strengths and weaknesses. Josie's and Noah's personal life is going well. Their relationship with Wren, the teenager they are custodial parents too, hits some tough struggles, but is making progress. Expect an emotional scene involving the three. Detective Kyle Turner continues to be exasperating with bursts of extreme competence and insight.There is enough of the backstory covered within the plot that new readers can easily follow the characters, however knowing their history will make it a richer reading experience. 

Her Last Kiss is a exceptional crime thriller/procedural and is a perfect choice for everyone following the series. Now I'm anxiously awaiting the next book in the series! Thanks to Bookouture for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Chain Reaction

 

Chain Reaction by Lee Child and Andrew Child
10/20/26; 416 pages
Ballantine
Jack Reacher Series #31 

Chain Reaction by Lee Child and Andrew Child is a very highly recommended, high octane and un-put-downable thriller featuring former Army Major Jack Reacher. This is excellent addition to the long-running series. The threat this time involves a nefarious scheme involving cybercrime and AI data centers.

General Susan Turner, who is now leading an investigative group called CSA G-99, which she describes "like the army's own FBI," has tracked down Jack Reacher to ask for his help. She suspects a traitor in the organization and needs a trustworthy outsider to look into the killing of CID Special Agent John Bisley, 32. Bisley flew from DC to the Denver airport and then drove to Summertown, an area full of solar panels and 5 large data centers, where he checked in for 5 nights at the only hotel. He was then found dead, stabbed 8 times, behind a biker bar 40 miles to the west the same night. He left behind a wife and baby daughter. Bisley was investigating a phantom data center copying/stealing information from nearby legitimate data centers. Reacher accepts the challenge.

WOW! As one of the best Reacher novels I've read, this is timely investigation is action-packed, compelling, fast-paced, complex, and well-plotted. It held my complete attention right up to the excellent final denouement. Sure, some disbelief has to be set aside because Reacher is unstoppable, super-human, an eating machine, hyper-aware, and the bad guys always get their comeuppance. He is also intelligent, honorable, dependable, and analytical. In other words, he is a perfect hero for action junkies and this intricate plot provides plenty of action.

Even though this is the 31st novel in the series, there is enough background information provided that you can jump in and read this as a standalone novel. Personally, I skimmed the personal encounters between Turner and Reacher as I was reading for the action, investigation and reactions rather than their personal relationship. However, there are some touching and unexpected encounters between Reacher and a baby.

Chain Reaction is an excellent choice for those who enjoy action-packed thrillers and everyone following the Reacher series. Thanks to Ballantine for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Secret Garden Murders

 

The Secret Garden Murders by J. R. Ellis
10/20/26; 283 pages
Thomas & Mercer 

The Secret Garden Murders by J. R. Ellis is a highly recommended cozy mystery/procedural for the right reader featuring a locked garden rather than room. 

In the village of Bishop Hewick in North Yorkshire 70 year-old Clarissa Morden bought a ticket to visit the historic Bishop Hewick Hall run by a trust and managed by June Kendal, Clarissa is later found dead, strangled, and neatly laid out on a bench in a locked, walled kitchen garden that is off limits to the public. She is found by gardeners Richard Cooke and Jenny Brown. DCI Jim Oldroyd and his team are on the case. The biggest hurdle is how did the perpetrator enter and leave the walled garden. The door to it requires a key, yet the key is found in the lock on the garden side and the door was bolted from the inside and the walls are too high to climb. How did the killer leave? 

As the team is trying to figure this out, they soon discover something even more sinister from Clarissa's neighbor. Apparently the old woman was blackmailing people, multiple people, throughout the village. In her cottage they find detailed records she kept on everyone she was watching along with a secret notebook written in a code of her extortion victims. Now the team needs to try and break the code to find out who her victims were along with trying to figure out the walled garden conundrum. 

This is an even-paced mystery where the investigation proceeds at a thoughtful, reliably deliberate speed. There is some suspense along the way, especially when the body of a young woman who thought she had figured out who the killer was is found dead in the river. Clearly the village is full of more secrets than one would expect. The setting, in a small village and at Bishop Hewick Hall adds atmosphere and some tension as the potential suspect could be anywhere and the blackmail list gives even more people a motive to eliminate her.

Each chapter opens with the description, history and location of a famous garden in various estates, which was an interesting addition but added nothing to the plot. It will be interesting to those who enjoy traveling to visit famous gardens. Alas, that is not for everyone. The pace does proceed a bit too slowly at times and certain points within the narrative are repetitious. Even if the investigation felt plodding at times, the clues are logically followed up on, eventually, and the ending is satisfying. 3.5 rounded up when required.  

The Secret Garden Murders is a good choice for fans of cozy mysteries and large garden enthusiasts. Thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Split Screen

 

Split Screen by Lee Goldberg
10/20/26; 301 pages
Thomas & Mercer
Eve Ronin #7

Split Screen by Lee Goldberg is a very highly recommended, action-packed thriller/police procedural and the seventh book in the Eve Ronin series, although, as Goldberg notes in his opening comments, it can be enjoyed as a standalone novel.

Detective Eve Ronin of the L.A. Sheriff's Department is on the scene of the suspected murder of former childhood star Juliette Winter, when she is called to meet with the new sheriff in town, Waylon Gifford. Due to the hit TV procedural based on Ronin, Gifford pressures her to exploit her fame by developing a social media presence and allowing the actress who plays her, Erin Casey, to ride along with her for a week.  If she refuses, he pointedly threatens her partner and friend Duncan "Donuts" who has been relegated to desk duty. So, the ride-alongs happen, but not without incident as Erin is mistaken for Eve and shot early on. The incidents and cases follow at a lightning fast speed right up to the surprising conclusion.

It is such an entertaining pleasure to read this well-written, fast-paced action-packed procedural that includes several cases and even side quests. The investigations are all logically investigated and solved, even with unexpected twists, connections, and complications along the way. There is no downtime as one incident, one revelation, follows another and Ronin is busy and on the move throughout the whole novel. The plot is compelling and the pace so fast the pages just fly by as you eagerly follow the action. I thoroughly enjoyed Split Screen and was completely immersed in the plot throughout the whole novel.

Eve Ronin is a great character and even though Duncan is on desk duty the good news is that he still plays a strong role in the plot. Eve continues to be impulsive at times but her intelligence, good instincts, determination, and observational skills also shine through. The interactions between characters is quick, clever, and sometimes sarcastic, sometimes humorous. Arson investigators Sharpe and Walker from another Goldberg series make an appearance too. 

Split Screen is an excellent choice for readers who enjoy action-packed procedurals/thrillers. 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 Pilgrimage of Primrose Honeychurch

 

The Pilgrimage of Primrose Honeychurch 

by Laura Jensen Walker
10/20/26; 316 pages
Lake Union Publishing 

The Pilgrimage of Primrose Honeychurch by Laura Jensen Walker is a recommended feel-good cozy novel - for the right reader. It follows yet another solitary curmudgeonly senior citizen who discovers it is never too late to changes her ways.

Primrose Honeychurch, 70 year-old and a retired librarian, lives in Los Vegas in a rental house and is an endling. She has always loved books more than people, with her dear mother being the exception. After her abusive father died, her mother became ill and died before the two could take a long-planned trip, returning to Cornwall to see her family and the place of their birth. Primrose, who has recently received a medical diagnosis of her own, is now going to undertake that pilgrimage with her mother's ashes. She is also going to visit other destinations, including the famed Welsh town of books. Her trip has several surprises along the way.

This is yet another novel in the increasingly familiar trope of an intractable senior taking some chance and then miraculously changing their whole personality and world view. While on the trip, Primrose discovers among other things, that she is neurodivergent and maybe she doesn't mind jibber-jabbering as much as she claims. This is heart-warming, predictable throughout, eye-roll inducing, and very saccharine. T'aint realistic at all. Set a massive dose of disbelief aside. I understand I am an outlier here. Those who love emotional, bittersweet stories where the protagonist undergoes a transformative change will love this novel.

Admittedly the novel lost major points with me right at the beginning when Primrose unplugs a freezer which is making a bothersome noise at night, accidentally leaves the door cracked open, and discovers, later the next day, the smell of rotten meat. I might believe it was all thawed, or partially thawed, but rotten? Nope. Ain't going to happen that way. Sure she's in Vegas, but her house does have air conditioning, which we know is true later in the plot. Also, as a character, she is portrayed as especially judgemental, demanding, and rude at the beginning which makes her difficult to like.

The Pilgrimage of Primrose Honeychurch is a good choice for those who love transformative stories and can set all disbelief aside. 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.

Find Me Nowhere

 

Find Me Nowhere by Andrew Klavan
10/20/26; 336 pages
Mysterious Press
Cameron Winter #6 

Find Me Nowhere by Andrew Klavan is an exceptional, very highly recommended investigative mystery and love story. This is the sixth book in the Cameron Winter series featuring the ex-spy turned English professor who has a “strange habit of mind.” I've been following this series from the start and, while they have all been excellent, this is the best so far. Absolutely don't miss Winter's latest mission and if you haven't yet started reading this series, do so and you will be richly rewarded.

The novel opens with a battle scene in Afghanistan where Corporal Geoffrey Tubman dies in a devastating explosion in a cave, while his friend Jonah "Dooby" Henning is severely injured after going after him. Later Geoff's father, Kenneth Tubman, is stabbed and left for dead in the colonial ruins surrounded by woods known as Nowhere, which is by Kinnecombe, PA. The Recruiter visits Winter and asks him to look into Kenneth's death to see if it is somehow related to the death of his son. While talking to Kathleen Tubman, wife of Kenneth, Winter learns that the man is sure he saw his son Geoff alive and at the first Reds game of the year. 

Winter is also followed and threatened by all manner of low-life thugs in Kinnecombe, which is highly suspicious and alerts him that something is surely amiss in the town. As more bad actors and government agents appear, trying to prevent Winter's inquiry, the more his resolve to uncover the truth increases. And yes, Winter's perceptive strange habit of mind which allows him to look at a situation from all angles, deduce how the complicated clues fit together, and reach a clear understanding of what actually happened, is, again, in fine form. While this intricate investigation is underway, Winter is still clearly in love with Gwendolyn Lord and seeing Margaret Whitaker, his therapist, to work through his past.

Find Me Nowhere features remarkable writing, a fast-pace, and interesting, layered plot. Winter uses his abilities and connections to discover information, leads, and make connections that others might miss. The danger is real as a short fat gangster controls a town, a crazy beautiful spy is involved, as well as a violent CIA agent, and a trained sniper. There are also some humorous encounters with a student his nemesis, university diversity officer Lori Lesser, sent to spy on him, and a meeting with undercover operator, Stan-Stan Stankowski.

This is a marvelous continuation of Cameron Winter's story arch. Winter is a poet and a cerebral man who just happens to also have the skills of a trained assassin. At this point Winter is a complex, fully realized character and his strengths and weaknesses are well known. Those following the series won't want to miss this exceptional addition to it.  It can also be enjoyed as a standalone novel, however, you'll then want to go back and read the whole series. The Cameron Winter series consists of When Christmas Comes, A Strange Habit of Mind, The House of Love and Death, A Woman Underground, After That, the Dark, and Find Me Nowhere.

Find Me Nowhere is a perfect choice for those who enjoy intelligent investigative mysteries with a love story included and is a must read for those following the series. Thanks to Mysterious Press for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Falling Into Us

 

Falling Into Us by Denise Hunter
10/13/26; 352 pages
Thomas Nelson 

Falling Into Us by Denise Hunter is a highly recommended cozy contemporary, clean romance that features family drama, healing, and second chances.

Before Gabrielle (Gabby) Donaldson's mother Alice passed away she asked her to deliver a letter to her estranged mother, Rosemary Lindon. Gabby had been told that her grandmother had died, so this, along with the letters that Rosemary had sent Alice over the years, was a surprise. Gabby rents a B&B in Gibson, NC from Mason Morrison and sets out to deliver the letter. She immediately has a problem when Rosemary is no longer living at the address Gabby has for her. Circumstances lead to her asking Mason for help in finding Rosemary's new address.

Mason, a single father, is a working journalist who is also teaching journalism at the local college. Since he works in the area and his extended family lives there, he has lots of contacts and agrees to help Gabby, but has a favor to ask of her. He'd like to tell the story of her search, using a pseudonym, as a human interest piece for the paper. Gabby agrees and the two begin to work together, while also privately noting their mutual attraction.

This is a sweet, well-written, heart-warming romance that deals with some tough topics, including death, estrangement, healing, family history, long-buried secrets, and Alzheimer's. Along the way there are several twists, and the plot takes an unexpected direction more than once. There are also fall festival activities, pumpkins, tractor rides, and a plethora of pumpkin pies. The narrative unfolds from the point-of-view of Gabby and Mason. The Christian aspect of the plot is low key and some of the emotional healing and family situations that takes place are realistic and challenging.

The characters are portrayed as unique, fully realized individuals with both strengths and weaknesses. These are real people. Both Gabby and Mason have trauma they are healing from. Even though their emotional healing involves different situations, it is handled in a realistic, believable manner for both of them. 

Falling Into Us is a great choice for readers who enjoy cozy romances that also tackle contemporary topics. Thanks to Thomas Nelson for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Bad Like Me

 

Bad Like Me by Louise Griffin
10/13/26; 352 pages
Union Square & Co 

Bad Like Me by Louise Griffin is a recommended domestic popcorn thriller. If you enjoy soapy dramas featuring suburbanites full of existential angst and behaving badly, this may be for you. It starts with a murder to keep you reading. Oh, and prepare yourself for a swarm of characters to track.

Opening with Larchwood's neighborhood hot dad, Sam, being found stabbed behind the playground bathrooms, the narrative jumps back in time and introduces us to a curated group of local moms, caregivers/babysitters, and children who usually gather in the park after school. Here is a helpful guide to the cast of unreliable and unlikable characters:

We have Rachel, mom to Augie, wife of Elliot, a doctor, and full of social anxiety while wanting to control people and raccoons. She leads, plans events, and actively recruits help for the local Parents Club (PC). Rachel runs everything past her husband for his approval. 
Meg is a down-to-earth caregiver/nanny/babysitter for various moms, usually Rachel. She also works other places and is the only likable character.
Lucy is mom to Bee, wife of Nathan, who is portrayed as a great guy. She's the local hot mom Sam is pursuing and she is responding. She frequently writes/addresses diary entries to her sister Joanna in the plot but didn't listen to her advice to "make good choices."
Sam is married to Grace, a lawyer. He is the main caregiver for Leo and Sorrel, but they also hire a nanny Mariposa. Sam is a complete jerk so its inconceivable that anyone would be attracted to him. You will feel sympathy for Grace.
Carmen is a real estate agent and single mom to Jade. They often go to the park after school even though it's not her neighborhood or Jades school. She's stalking Grace, who was her lawyer. She and Meg get along.
Auxiliary characters: Ashley, son Rider, Fiona and Harmony.

There, that will help you follow the multi-point-of-view narrative which is firmly set in suburbia and involves people with no interests or common sense, and too much time on their hands. There is a surprising investigation opened to an event which happened years earlier. Then the murder happens late in the novel, changing the tone and setting of the whole narrative and it becomes more of a thriller/hostage situation.

Honestly, two important points to make. First. what kept me reading is the fact that Bad Like Me is undeniably a very entertaining novel following people making poor choices, being stupid, and behaving badly. You've met these people before. Second, I finished this novel and thought "I've read this before. Was it a reprint." I checked and, no, it's new, but it the plot is very, very similar to something I've read before, rather recently. I was unable to figure out what novel due to the number of books I read each year, but it was in the similar vein, entertaining but ultimately forgettable.

Bad Like Me is a great choice for those who enjoy domestic popcorn thrillers/soapy dramas full of unreliable/unlikable characters. Thanks to Union Square & Co for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The River Runs Black

 

The River Runs Black by Tessa Wegert
10/6/26; 288 pages
Severn House
North Country #2

The River Runs Black by Tessa Wegert is a highly recommended police procedural/thriller set in New York’s Thousand Islands area. This is the second book in the North Country series following In the Bones, but it can be read as a standalone novel.

Bobby, 16, and her mother Valerie Ott, a NY State criminal investigator, are attending the Punkin' Chunkin' event by the St. Lawrence River in Clayton. It should be a fun day but the talk of the town is about the overdose of local teen Drew Fielding. Then the two see a shoeless young woman in a bikini walking down the street looking beaten up and like a zombie. When Valerie offers to help, telling her she is a police officer, the young woman runs. 

Three days earlier the team, New York State’s criminal investigators Tim Wellington, Shana Merchant, Jeremy Solomon and Valerie, had just celebrated a huge drug bust, but clearly the drug problem is still ongoing in the small town of Alexandria Bay. The drug involved in the smuggling operation is cocaine. Valerie is in a relationship with Raymond Stoll and it is revealed to readers that he is hiding something from her. Then Bruce Milton, the new Jefferson County Sheriff threatens to blackmail him with the information Raymond wants to hide. Maureen McIntyre (Mac) the previous sheriff knows Bruce is a fraud and liar. Then Bobby disappears, kidnapped, and the search is on.

Clearly, there is a whole lot going on in this well-written procedural, which features an involved investigation, atmospheric setting, and a large cast of characters to follow. While in the middle of the investigation the pace does even out for a time, but there is also a plethora of information being uncovered during this time. The narrative is told through multiple points-of-view as several different inquiries are followed in the investigation. The setting in the Thousand Island area plays an important role in the plot. 

The cast of characters is large, which can be initially off-putting, but they do sort themselves out as individuals while you are reading. This is, perhaps, the one thing that would make The River Runs Black more challenging to read as a standalone since  being acquainted with the characters from previous novels can help. Bobby's safety after her kidnapping kept me personally glued to the pages and interested in the investigation.

There are little clues dropped along the way, plenty of secrets, as well as suspicious characters which all work together to keep both your interest and the suspense high. Expect plenty of twists and surprises at the end. I thought I had most of the plot figured out but there was one twist which surprised me and some information that could become very important in a future novel. 

The River Runs Black is a great choice for those who enjoy police procedurals and everyone already following the series. Thanks to Severn House for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Silent Embers

 

Silent Embers by John Carson
10/4/26; 368 pages
Boldwood Books
DCI LIam Brody #3 

Silent Embers by John Carson is a highly recommended police procedural/crime thriller and the third novel in the DCI Liam Brodie series set in Scotland.

On Halloween night in Kirkcadly, Fife, 29-year-old Rachel Turner is late meeting her friends Emma and Jess for drinks at The Robert Nairn. She decides to take the shortcut through the graveyard where she is killed and buried in a shallow grave. A blue and white dress, a theatrical costume, is left handing on a tree branch above her, which is a clear message for the investigators. Her body is later discovered by a man walking his dog and DCI Liam Brodie and his team are called in to investigate.

The dress is obviously a major clue that leads the investigation back five years earlier when a devastating fire burned down a local theater, leaving two dead and others injured. Rachel and her two friends were active in the theater before the fire. Eventually there  are several ongoing investigations that merge in this suspenseful investigative thriller that also offers some humor along the way. There are also basically three different investigations going on simultaneously. Everything does come together in the end to a satisfying conclusion.

This is another well-written addition to the series. The investigations logically follow the clues and follow up on their instincts and all information they uncover. The characters continue to be portrayed as realistic individuals and the whole team works very well together.  As I have read all three of the novels in the series, I know these characters and their backgrounds, but I still think this could be read as a standalone. The pacing seemed a bit slow half way through the novel this time, but I'm looking forward to their next investigation. The series includes: Broken Bones, False Witness, Silent Embers, and the upcoming fourth book, Dead Locked.

Silent Embers is a great choice for those who enjoy procedurals/crime thrillers. Thanks to Boldwood Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

When the Birds Don't Sing

 

When the Birds Don't Sing by Imran Mahmood
12/1/26; 496 pages
Ballantine 

When the Birds Don't Sing by Imran Mahmood is a highly recommended literary coming-of-age and revenge novel. The narrative follows a dual-timeline, starting in present day Yorkshire, England and flashing back in time starting to the 1980s in Montana, USA.

In the present day Yorkshire, England, the wife of Caleb Silver, a mycology professor, has passed away. Her death starts him on a quest to seek justice/revenge for the ones who wounded her in their past as he travels to bury her in Montana.

In 1980 Caleb is known as "Silver" to his best friend Honey Childs and their new best friend Malaika (Malia) Khan. The three meet when they are all in 6th grade. While Honey is out going and a force of nature, Silver is hesitant and guarded. Malai is very sensitive, feels everything deeply, and is said to have the power of being sad. When they are in middle school a bully steals Silver's lighter. A fire breaks out the same day and Silver saves Malai leaving both of them injured. Silver's lighter is later found leading to a court case. This incident is the impetus for Silver's quest for revenge years later. 

This is a beautifully written literary novel that uses the dual-timelines in the narrative exceptionally well. The headers on each chapter tell readers the year and location so there is no question about where and when as you bare reading, although actually this is also clear from the narrative. The focus is on deep psychological character development, but there is also action mixed into the story. It is an even-paced, sometimes very slow, plot, where secrets are kept and held, but the ending is worth the journey. 

Character development is a key component to this novel, and all of them are portrayed as fully-realized unique, flawed individuals with both strengths and weaknesses. They are all also carrying their own secrets and suspicions. We uniquely don't know who Silver married until late in the novel, which added an additional layer of mystery to the plot and the revenge plan. We know that events from the past deeply damaged her and Silver blames them for this.

There was one plot twist that was clear early on, so the reveal wasn't shocking later in the novel. At almost 500 pages, it could have been edited down a little as the middle did drag a bit for me. Finally, this may have been caught in the final published version, but fig, pomegranate, and olive trees are NOT grow outdoors in Montana as they will not survive the winter, so, perhaps a bit more research if you are setting a novel in an unfamiliar area, or make it clear that they are potted and will be hauled in and out each year. 

When the Birds Don't Sing is a wonderful choice for everyone who enjoys literary novels and coming-of-age stories mixed with a good revenge tale. Thanks to Ballantine for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Where There's Smoke

Where There's Smoke by Rachel Louise Adams
10/6/26; 320 pages
St. Martin's Press
Coldren County #2     

Where There's Smoke by Rachel Louise Adams is a highly recommended investigative thriller and is the second novel in the Coldren County series following No Rest for the Wicked (2025).

Dr. Dolores Diaz (Hawthorne) has divorced Max and moved to Circe, Wisconsin in Coldren County where she is working as a medical examiner. It is near Little Horton where her surviving family lives. Immediately upon her return from California, Sheriff Kreme calls her. A body has been found by the night time cleaning crew at Mercy's, which is what the locals call the local slaughterhouse, Marcy's Meats. The body is identified as owner Benedict Marcy II and it was murder, not accidental, based on the ligature marks on his wrists. 

FBI agents Paul Turner and his new partner Kate Butcher are assigned the case. Magnus Peterson, manager of Marcy's blames the protesting animal rights activists who made a performative slaughter video. The case is clearly more complicated than that simple when a local cop who was transporting evidence samples is killed and most of the evidence is missing. It will take the intelligence of Dolores, Paul, and Kate to collect enough evidence and follow the clues to discover what is really going on.

At the same time, Dolores is still receiving threatening Halloween cards based on an incident that happened when she was a teen in the area. She has brought the case to the attention of law enforcement which is why she is being threatened. This was likely started in the first book of the series, which I missed, but the general information is here. Her stepmother, Charlotte, is still scheming and threatening. Josie, her half sister does come to stay at Dolores's house to escape her mom. 

There are plenty of plot twists and, along with several very intuitive actions, the clues are logically followed up on in the investigation. At the opening of the novel is a long list of content warnings for things that could trigger readers. (Personally, just looking at the cover of the book should be warning enough.) After things get moving, the pace moves quickly, along with the twists and revelations. The ending is explosive, action-packed, and the plot twists unpredictable. 

Dolores is an interesting character who is clearly dealing with damage from her past while still doing exceptional work at her job. She is very intelligent and intuitive. Kate is a clever character and apparently had a backstory with Dolores that they are setting aside as adults. Paul is also intelligent and capable. It seems that these three characters will likely be back together working on another case.

Where There's Smoke is a great choice for everyone who read No Rest for the Wicked and can also be enjoyed by those who enjoy twisty investigative thrillers. 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.

Partita

 

Partita by Barbara Kingsolver
10/6/26; 352 pages
HarperCollins 

Partita by Barbara Kingsolver is very highly recommended literary fiction following the story of a woman's life. This is a stunningly beautifully written, heartbreaking novel and will definitely be on my list of the best novels of the year.

Livia Cable is now comfortably married to Charlie. They make modest livelihood in the farm country where they both grew up and she offers piano lessons to interested students. When Livia receives a phone call from an old lover it shakes her to her core. Decades ago, in 1989 when she was 20 years-old, in college, and on track to be a concert pianist, Sigurd knew her as Livia Bohusz. He discovered her again from her maiden name in her mother's published obituary. 

Sigurd will be in the area and wants to see Livia. She needs to think about it. This request brings up tumultuous memories from her past. The brief time when she knew him represents one of the best/worst times in her life, a time when Livia was traversing unknown territory and class barriers. She was a passionate and gifted pianist, a scholarships student, and estranged from her parents. 

The narrative alternates between the past and present as it follows Livia's life and also is a coming-of-age tale told from the distance time allows. The plot follows her childhood, passion for music, her mother's dismissive behavior, the death of her brother Cyrus (18) when she was 11, the devastation which followed her relationship with Sigurd, and her return to Tennessee and the life she has made there. As Livia considers whether she want to see Sigurd again or not, she is also trying to clean out her hoarder mother's house and surprises await her there too. 

The novel opens with a listening list and structures the novel with musical terms. The classical-music vocabulary is present throughout and will add depth for those well acquainted with it. As Kingsolver tells the reader early in the narrative,  A partita is a composition made of many parts with different paces and moods. All readers can appreciate the insight into the special world classical music inhabits. (Those of us with different background/education will understand the terms we know and take for granted aren't commonly used or understood by others.)

The class distinction evident between characters is sharply captured and handled with the wisdom and understanding time grants to all of us. Not all professors, as well as college kids, understand the working class or those doing shift work and they can sometimes judge them from that high lofty place and lack of true understanding. Running a dairy operation does require knowledge, skill, and dedication and true intelligence would allow one to comprehend this without  judgement. 

Livia is a survivor. She is a fully realized character with a rich history that helps comprise the adult woman she is when we meet her. Partita tells her story, all the bits and pieces that compose her personality. I'll admit there was a brief time in the novel when I was furious with her, but then forgave her while in tears while reading. Accompanying youth can be poor judgement. A life is never so simple that it can be reduced to a few facts. All the hurts, struggles, loves, losses, and experiences over a lifetime form the person you meet as an older adult.  

There were so many passages I highlighted while reading that hit close to home. Here are a few: "I heard a lot of news that year that began with, 'Don't take this the wrong way.'" Unspoken to her mother, "What is my offense? My music or me?" Her tall brother Cyrus being expected to play basketball, but he hated sports, "Everybody was judging the book by its cover, but nobody wanted to read the book." And, "You don't stop talking to people just because they're dead. When you miss them, you have things to say."  The ending was so perfect I was left in tears as there is genuine closure. 

Partita is a perfect choice for those who enjoy beautifully written literary novels. Thanks to HarperCollins for providing me with an advance reader's copy via Edelweiss. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Life Out of Order

 

Life Out of Order by Audrey Niffenegger
10/6/26; 560 pages
Hanover Square Press 

Life Out of Order by Audrey Niffenegger is a dystopian/speculative story where virtual reality and real life converge. It is not recommended. 

This is a purported sequel to The Time Traveler’s Wife (2003), which I loved, but actually it isn't a sequel. If you are looking for a continuation of the The Time Traveler’s Wife, this time following Alba, forget it because that is not what is here. What slops our direction is w-a-y too long, too political, too convoluted, too annoying, too pretentious, too self-righteous, too much. In order to finish, I ended up skimming through this nonsense looking for the connection I sought because I loved the Time Traveler's Wife when I read it over a decade ago. 

This one is a treatise on political propaganda that pretends to be a novel and is so bad it tempts me to lower my rating of The Time Traveler’s Wife. No thanks. Do not read this. Ever.

Close Range

 

Close Range by Paul Heatley
9/13/26; 289 pages
Inkubator Books
Tom Rollins #22

Close Range by Paul Heatley is a highly recommended thriller and the 22nd book in the Tom Rollins series. This time Tom encounters a corrupt police force  in Pennsylvania.

Tom Rollins is traveling while waiting for a call from Cindy Vaughn who is tracking down Blake Stavers, the man who killed Tom's Parents. When he is near the town of Furness, PA, he decides to pull over into a quiet spot and get a few hours of sleep. Deputies Holland and Becker out of Furness wake him up and rather than telling him to move on they decide to threaten him. Tom handles them in his own special manner, but is later stopped by Deputies Paver and Olivia Brown which leads to his stay in the jail. After the deputies continue to try to take him down, it suddenly occurs to Sheriff Watson that the local who runs the town could use a man with Tom's skills.

Sebastian Huskey along with his "aide" Charlie (Charlotte) Russell meet with Tom. Sebastian claims his nephew Jack is on meth, cooking it on the mountain somewhere, and he need someone who can track Jack down and bring him home so they can get treatment for him. Helping a young man who needs it is in Tom's wheelhouse so he agrees and heads up the mountain with Riley (Sebastian's son) and hired men Bobcat, Rayjohn, and Gil. However, once circumstances lead to Tom finding Jack without the others, Tom learns what is really going on, and it's time to take Sebastian and his men down. Deputy Olivia Brown is pulled in to assist.

As expected this is another fast-paced, action-packed thriller with clear distinctions between good/bad players in which Tom takes no prisoners and eliminates the bad guys. The setting, search on the mountain, along with an encounter with moonshiners helps add to the suspense and danger, which rises exponentially throughout. There are really no surprises in predicting that Sebastian is dirty, along with the police. The only real questions are when will Tom uncover what is really going on and how will he handle it. Olivia really added little to the plot and her role, other than their brief physical attraction, could have been filled with any honest character, although it does make Tom realize how important Cindy is to him.  Set disbelief aside and enjoy the non-stop, over-the-top action.

Close Range is a great choice for those who enjoy action-packed thrillers. As the 22nd book in the series, you might appreciate this latest outing more if you have read some of the previous books and are already acquainted with Tom and his background and very particular set of skills. However, I think new readers can enjoy this and then may want to look at some of Tom Rollins earlier adventures. Thanks to Inkubator for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The French Illusion

 

The French Illusion by John Grisham
9/29/26; 352 pages
Doubleday 

The French Illusion by John Grisham is a highly recommended thriller that begins with a kidnapping and ransom demand.

Paul and Chelsea Tanner are on their honeymoon in Paris and Chelsea is posting everything they see and do on social media. Neither of them realize that they have been under surveillance. Then the nefarious plan of the unknown perpetrators is set into motion. The two end up kidnapped, drugged, held in separate places and the ransom demands start. First Chelsea's parents, Dr. Lowell and Justine Clayburn, are contacted. They can tell no one, no law enforcement, if they want Chelsea to remain alive. 

The demand is a $2 million ransom. The Clayburns are able to meet this demand. Their son, Sam, has the foresight to get and set up burner phones for the families so they can communicate privately. Lowell travels to Paris for the exchange. Next Paul's parents Fritz and Linzy Tanner are hit with the same $2 million ransom and demands. They have to sacrifice almost everything to raise it. It is here that the story takes a dark and dangerous turn. It also marks the second part of the novel.

The first part of The French Illusion is excellent and held my complete attention. The second part lost some of the initial tension and marks a change in tone as it becomes a rescue mission involving FBI, CIA, and French Intelligence. It seems the kidnapping and ransom demands have occurred at least twice before. Now the plan is to recruit a young lawyer to be the bait in an elaborate rescue operation. 

This time the novel is not a legal thriller with a trial and a courtroom, although there are several lawyers. It should be noted that there are very graphic torture scenes described and a plethora of drugging characters. I felt the pace slowed down in the second part of the novel as more logistics are undertaken and discussed. The ending felt rushed. It also leaves Chelsea behind even though readers care about and sympathize with her character. There is a plot element that involves/is described as dental implants that is not realistic.

The French Illusion is a good choice for those who enjoy thrillers and fans of Grisham. Thanks to Doubleday for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Dying Light

 

The Dying Light by Ann Cleeves
9/29/26; 384 pages
St. Martin's
Two Rivers series/Detective Matthew Venn #4 

The Dying Light by Ann Cleeves is a recommended police procedural. This is the fourth book in the Two Rivers series featuring Detective Inspector Matthew Venn. It can be enjoyed as a standalone novel.

Friends Hannah Armstrong and Lottie Cauldwell, both 17, have finished their A levels and immediately drive to the Devon vacation home of Hannah's family, Tide House, near the small town of Millscombe. They'll spend a few days there during Millsfest, a music festival, before the family arrives. When Hannah's father MP Paul Armstrong along with her mother Cath and two little brothers arrive, Lottie is found dead in the pool and Hannah is missing. DS Jen Rafferty calls DI Matthew Venn and the search is on for Hannah as they start questioning locals. When Hannah's body is found, clearly murdered, the investigation expands.

The tension with some of the locals opens up the inquiry, especially when Lottie's social media videos mocking them as parochial slowly comes to light. There is also a previous event a couple years earlier with another student, Elizabeth, whose parents just happen to be in the area, evading questioning, while disappearing and reappearing frequently. There are several red herrings along the way and the final denouement is surprising, but a logical conclusion to the investigation. 

While well-written, the pacing is glacially slow at times in this investigation. I appreciate detailed investigations where clues are logically followed up on, and that is present, however, the pacing of the investigation was so slow and repetitive, tedious, and overly descriptive. Adding into the mix is Matthews relationship with husband Jonathan. Everything is fine, but there is focus this time on a personal issue that Jonathan is going through, which, while very surprising, detracts from the investigation, increases Matthew's anxiety, and is totally an unnecessary distraction. I'm an outlier on this one as other's enjoyed it much more. I just wish the main focus was the investigation and the pace picked up.

The Dying Light is a good choice for those already following the series. 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.