The Deep End

The Deep End by Nick Louth
11/13/25; 324 pages
Canelo Crime
DI Jan Talantire #4

The Deep End by Nick Louth is a highly recommended procedural/crime thriller and the fourth book in the series set in Devon featuring DI Jan Talantire. Although this could be read as a standalone novel, there is a major part of the plot that is a direct continuation of a story line started earlier in the series. The series includes: The Two Deaths of Ruth Lyle, The Last Ride, and The Dark Edge. 

On Boxing Day a body wearing a wet suit is found under Teignmouth Pier. DI Jan Talantire is assigned the case after the post-mortem shows heavy metal poisoning and the investigation quickly becomes complicated. At the same time Talantire's sexual harassment case against Commander Brent West is on going and she uncovers additional information. She continues to face roadblocks as West's influence is wide spread.  

As expected, this is a well-written, expertly plotted addition to the series. The complicated investigation and subplots have plenty new discoveries made along the way. It is satisfying that Talantire finally sees vindication this time out, but she also faces a life or death situation. Talantire's character development is well established by this addition to the series. She is portrayed as a tough, intelligent and compelling character with strengths and flaws.

The Deep End will best be appreciated by readers who enjoy procedurals and who have read the previous books in the series. Thanks to Canelo Crime for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Evil Bones

Evil Bones by Kathy Reichs
11/18/25; 288 pages
Scribner
Temperance Brennan #24

Evil Bones by Kathy Reichs is a highly recommended thriller and the 24th book in the series featuring Charlotte, North Carolina, forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan. Be forewarned, this time it's animals being killed before the perpetrator turns to humans. You can read this as a stand alone as connections between characters are explained. 

It is known the small creatures, rat, rabbits, squirrels, etc. have been found killed and put on display in a horrendous manner. Tempe is called when a bizarre display is found that could be human. It turns out to be a dog, someone's pet, but clearly the person doing this is escalating the violence and there is real concern that a human will be next. Tempe is paired with semi-retired, grouchy and all around unlikable homicide detective Erskine “Skinny” Slidell. As predicted the next target is human.

This is an interesting case and the pace moves quickly, upping the tension and suspense just as rapidly, because the novel is short and to the point without a lot of intricate complications. Included in the headaches beyond the murder and animal cruelty is the mercurial and temperamental behavior of Tempe's great-niece Ruthie, along with other family problems. 

For most readers, Tempe is a well-known and developed character. Her dialogue can be both witty and insightful. As expected, Tempe's is always in danger and readers will be expecting this, which make her various cases entertaining, however, it also seems that she is also entirely too careless and unaware sometimes. 

Evil Bones is a great choice for those already following the Temperance Brennan series. Thanks to Scribner for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Broken Bones

Broken Bones by John Carson
11/11/25; 328 pages
Boldwood Books
DCI Liam Brodie #1

Broken Bones by John Carson is a highly recommended Scottish procedural/crime thriller and the first book in a new series featuring DCI Liam Brodie.

Three years earlier DCI Liam Brodie was responsible for capturing Edinburgh serial killer Dr. Gabriel Kane. Now with Fife’s Major Investigations Team he is now working as the lead detective because the previous DCI is missing. In his position he must interact with Kane in an attempt to get him to disclose where his victims are buried. When the latest victim's location is revealed they discover the victim is not who Kane said it was, so now the question is if this is a new victim or is another killer involved. 

At the same time a child's bones are discovered beneath the floorboards of an old house being remodeled in Fife. It appears the body, wrapped in plastic, has been there for many years. In a shocking coincidence, it is the same house where Brodie's girlfriend, psychologist Ruth Calder, grew up as a foster daughter. She knows who the victim likely was and remembers living in the house.

This is a compelling, very good introductory novel to a new series. At a deliberate, steady pace, the procedural logically follows the clues and discoveries in the complex investigations, and there are more than two investigations going on. Interspersed through the serious investigations are also humorous moments. As a longtime reader of British mysteries, I knew what bollocks, poncy, and tossers meant, but admittedly doolally gave me pause. No worries, I figured it out.

All the characters are introduced and portrayed as realistic individuals. Since this is an introduction to the team, it may feel like a lot of characters at first, but they all quickly sort themselves out. The whole team works very well together following up on information in the cases and the intrigue held my interest throughout the whole novel.

Broken Bones is an excellent choice for readers who enjoy procedurals and a great chance to be at the start of a new series. Thanks to Boldwood Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Made You Look

Made You Look by Tanya Grant
11/18/25; 368 pages
Berkley

Made You Look by Tanya Grant is a recommended locked room psychological thriller following a group of social media influencers. This is more suitable for new adult readers or those who live their lives watching influencer content or reality TV.

A group of social media influencers head off to the Catskills for a free getaway at a new secluded retreat. All they need to do is post their vapid content, advertising the retreat to their followers. After they arrive they discover that there is no food, no staff, and very unreliable to no Wi-Fi. When a snow storm hits the group is completely cut off. It is then a killer strikes.

The group includes Sydney Kent, the ultimate It Girl; Caitlyn, another striving influencer; Lucy, a photographer; Jeff, Sydney’s boyfriend and an influencer; Nash, a stylist; and Brent, their manager. The narrative is told through the point-of-view of Lucy, Sydney, and Caitlyn. None of them are reliable narrators and every one of them is annoying, irritating, and insufferable in some way and at some point. They are also all foolish. 

It's not that it's a completely bad. This is a debut novel, the plot moves quickly, and it is a new updated take on a locked room thriller. The initial premise does grab your attention, and it is entertaining to see how many incredibly poor decisions they could make. Additionally, there are hopeful signs for Grant's next novel.

That said, once you start reading it becomes quite clear that there are better locked-room thrillers out there for adult readers that feature a more diverse cast of characters and create more intrigue. It felt like this novel targeted a much younger audience, either a YA or new adult reader - someone who actual follows the often insipid, uninformed, self-promoting content of the kind of influencers portrayed in the novel. 

Made You Look by Tanya Grant is recommended for YA or new adult readers. Thanks to Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Sunshine Man

The Sunshine Man by Emma Stonex
11/11/25; 368 pages
Viking/Penguin

The Sunshine Man by Emma Stonex is a so-so literary thriller, recommended for the right reader, about revenge family secrets, betrayals, and unsolved mysteries set in 1989. 

Birdie Keller has been waiting eighteen years to hear that her sister's killer, Jimmy Maguire, has been freed from prison. She leaves her home with a handgun and a plan to avenge her sister, Providence’s, murder by killing him. Jimmy, who has always claimed the murder was committed by Floyd, is met at the prison by his daughter who drives him to see his family. It becomes clear that Jimmy was mentally ill and being treated for this while in prison. 

The narrative is divided into parts following both characters and a dual timeline. It opens following Birdie in the present and tells the story of her childhood and formative years in the past. Next is Jimmy's point-of-view, where he also becomes a sympathetic character through his dual timelines. His vocabulary is filled with swearing only it is written blanked out as: ‘——ing’,  ‘——ed’, or  ‘——‘, etc. This technique to avoid the actual word quickly becomes annoying and tiresome due to the number of times it is used and the reader is left to guess the swear word they would insert in the blank. 

While the actual quality of the writing (ignoring the over usage of blanked-out words) is good, the pace and plotting are both ploddingly, glacially slow. As a consummate reader, for me to have to try to not doze while reading is a very rare occurrence, yet nod I did. While there were some glimmers of the novel it could have been, alas, this one left a lot to be desire for me. Thanks to Viking/Penguin for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Traveler's Atlas of the World

The Traveler's Atlas of the World by National Geographic
11/4/25; 560 pages 
Disney Publishing Group

The Traveler's Atlas of the World by National Geographic is a beautiful, very highly recommended and educational coffee table book that provides photographs of and travel recommendations for every country in the world. This truly is packed with essential information and everything is accompanied by 300 spectacular photographs and invaluable traveler’s secrets.

The volume covers nearly 200 sovereign countries, island nations, and dependent territories. Each entry is written by a National Geographic travel expert who has spent time or lived in the destination and is, of course, accompanied by incredible photographs as well as 250 illustrated maps. The contents are divided into six sections: North America & The Caribbean; South America; Europe; Asia: Africa; and Australia, Antarctica, & The Pacific. The countries in each section are presented in alphabetical order.

Each entry starts with the name and an illustration of their flag. Across the top of the entry are the capital, area, official language, and currency. This is followed by a description of the area and things to do, which can include historical sites, hikes, cultural treasures, food,  nature retreats, destination spotlights, etc. In each entry there is an illustrated map followed by a list of Fast Facts that cover the following topics: Best Known For; When to Visit; Climate/Weather; Plan Ahead; Best-Kept Secret; and Good to Know. As expected, some entries are longer than others with additional special information about things to see/do, including must do lists, fun road trips, and top ten lists.

At first glance you'll think The Traveler's Atlas of the World is a wonderful educational resource for children, and it most certainly is, but it also has plenty of information for adult travelers, like highlighting wine regions, culinary experiences, and  specialty foods. At the end there is a list and brief biography of the many contributors of the information in the volume, a long list of photo credits, and an index. This would be an excellent and welcomed gift. I know this because it has been picked up and looked at by everyone since it has been sitting on my coffee table.

Thanks to Disney Publishing Group for providing me with a reader's copy in partnership with TLC Book Tours.  My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The King's Ransom

The King's Ransom by Janet Evanovich
11/11/25; 352 pages
Atria Books
The Recovery Agent #2

The King's Ransom by Janet Evanovich is a highly recommended action thriller. This is the second novel featuring Gabriela Rose, following The Recovery Agent, and just as in the first, expect plenty of action, laughs, and escapism.

Investigator Gabriela Rose is a recovery agent, or insurance fraud investigator, it all depends upon the job. She has no problem hunting down just about anything and is hired to find lost heirlooms, treasures, or any missing asset. When her ex-husband Rafer Jones and his cousin, Harley, show up at her place needing her help recovering missing artifacts, how can she say no? The three grew up knowing each other in Scoon, S.C.. 

Harley was the president of a bank and, at the urging of his board, he authorized  insuring some priceless artifacts, including the Rosetta Stone, a solid gold sarcophagus, and two Van Gogh paintings, among other items.  Once insured, the pieces started going missing. If they can't be recovered, Harley may be headed to jail as nothing connects the board to his authorization of the insurance policies. 

This fast-paced, entertaining action thriller sends Gabriela, along with Rafer and hapless, but charming Harley, to London, Egypt, and Italy to uncover clues and information to find the missing artifacts, along with uncovering massive corruption and a conspiracy. There are twists, danger, and surprises to keep you focused, which are accompanied by plenty of humor to entertained you. This is a perfect read for escapism, humor, suspense, and a bit of romance. Featuring excellent writing, the plot gallops at a fast pace and keeps racing right to the conclusion. 

Gabriela Rose is witty, intelligent, reliable, cool under pressure, able to think on her feet, and well trained in weapons of all types. There is a bit more character development in this second novel in the series, but really the focus is the action, humor, and entertainment. Personally, I did grow a bit tired of reading about her designer wardrobe this time. Admittedly, you have to set disbelief aside, but that would be expected with a protagonist who can do everything she sets her mine to do. 

The King's Ransom is a get choice for anyone who enjoy thrillers with action, adventure and humor.  Thanks to Atria Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.