Candy Apple Kisses by Amy Clipston

Four stars, zero murders, and only one character who deserved to be run over by an apple cart. 

I generally prefer a body count to a bouquet of carnations, so when the Rusty Book Club selected Candy Apple Kisses by Amy Clipston, I wasn't exactly jumping for joy. Romance novels and I have a complicated relationship, mostly involving me rolling my eyes and skipping pages of unnecessary bedroom gymnastics. But after being disappointed by James Patterson and having my brain scrambled by Nick Petrie, I was ready for something light. And stop the presses! I actually enjoyed this one!

Emily is an artist who fled her hometown after losing her parents in a tragic accident. Years later, her childhood best friend, Jake, asks her to return and help with his family's apple orchard after his father suffers a heart attack. The orchard is approaching its hundredth anniversary, and a large competitor is determined to push the family business aside.

Emily and Jake have been best friends since they were five years old, when Emily walked into his family's orchard and informed him that was how things were going to be. But Emily has been harboring feelings for Jake since she was sixteen, and returning home brings those feelings bubbling back to the surface.

Of course, there's Claire. Oh, Claire. Jake broke up with her a month ago, but apparently Claire considers a breakup more of a suggestion than a decision. She went so far as to throw a fake engagement party and tell their families they were getting married. I would have preferred to see Claire accidentally run over by an apple cart, but apparently that's frowned upon in wholesome romance novels. Perhaps I've been reading too many thrillers.

I was really impressed by how believable the characters were. Emily's grief was genuine and heartbreaking. She hadn't just lost her parents; she'd lost her direction in life. Returning home gave her an opportunity to begin healing. Jake was equally likable, a genuinely good man who cared about his family, his community, and the orchard's future. Honestly, we could use a few more Jakes in the world.

Their romance developed naturally, without a bunch of ridiculous misunderstandings that so often plague fictional relationships. Both were understandably afraid of risking a lifelong friendship, and I appreciated their caution. The orchard storyline added another heartwarming layer as they worked together to keep a century-old family business thriving despite corporate competition.

And best of all, there were no bedroom gymnastics! Just a sweet, clean romance with a few kisses and characters I genuinely cared about.

I finished this book on a chilly November evening, curled up under my electric blanket with Ernie the Kitty, feeling warm, fuzzy, and thoroughly content.

Four stars. I haven't suddenly become a romance reader. I'll still take a good murder over a marriage proposal any day. But if another book club insists on dragging me into romantic territory, Amy Clipston has earned herself a spot on my very short list of acceptable authors.

Just somebody keep Claire away from the apple carts. Or don't. I'm flexible. And I have a shovel.

26 Beauties by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro (Women's Murder Club #26)

Twenty-six books in, and the only thing being murdered is the element of surprise.

I've been a loyal fan of the Women's Murder Club for 26 books. TWENTY-SIX. I've followed Lindsay, Cindy, Claire, and Yuki through murders, mayhem, and more dead bodies than I care to count. So it genuinely pains me to give 26 Beauties two stars. But here we are.

The premise was promising. Cindy is investigating the disappearance of several beautiful women, Lindsay and Claire are working two seemingly unrelated murders, and Yuki is prosecuting a drug dealer who shot someone outside a neighborhood grocery store. Three investigations, four familiar faces, and plenty of potential for a terrific thriller.

Unfortunately, I figured out where two of those investigations were heading almost immediately. And when Brady showed up in Yuki's courtroom having conveniently forgotten to leave his backup ankle gun outside, I could practically hear the plot machinery clicking into place. Subtlety apparently took the day off.

The pacing didn't help. Days passed, the same storyline kept resurfacing, and I began to wonder whether this entire investigation could have been wrapped up before lunch. Even the eventual explanations felt handed to the detectives on a silver platter. Whatever happened to making them work for their answers?

The characters weren't much better. These women I've loved for years seemed to be going through the motions. My favorite newcomer was an entertaining older French Interpol agent, although even his fate was painfully predictable. Apparently, visiting America to help solve a crime comes with complimentary gunfire.

And the most memorable scene? Claire and her husband are enjoying a picnic when a body washes ashore. Claire promptly forgets her husband exists. Poor man. Nothing ruins a romantic outing quite like becoming less interesting than a corpse.

I finished this book in record time, not because I couldn't put it down, but because I couldn't wait to move on.

Two stars. A good premise squandered on predictable plotting, convenient coincidences, and characters running on autopilot. A crime thriller with no thrill.

Twenty-six books into the Women's Murder Club, and apparently the only thing being murdered is the element of surprise.

The Runaway by Nick Petrie (Peter Ash #7)

 Eleven stars. No complaints. Bullets for the bad guys. THIS is how you write a thriller!

I finished The Runaway by Nick Petrie at approximately 1 a.m., and I have one thing to say: OH. HOLY. MOLY.

Five stars? Please. I need eleven. And possibly a nap.

Helene is nineteen, alone in the world, and working the overnight shift at a gas station in a tiny Montana town. Her boss is a predator, her prospects are dismal, and she has nowhere to turn. Then a seemingly kind stranger wearing a John Deere hat walks into the store, hands her some money, and tells her she's better than this place. He offers her a way out.

Unfortunately, sometimes the man offering you a lifeline is actually handing you a noose.

Fast-forward to the present. Helene is heavily pregnant, terrified, and running for her life. Her car breaks down, and along comes Peter Ash, who has never encountered a person in trouble he could bring himself to walk away from. Naturally, he stops to help.

And just like that, Peter has stepped into her nightmare.

Roy Wiley, the man Helene is fleeing, is one of the most convincingly evil villains I've encountered in a long time. He's charming, calculating, manipulative, and absolutely terrifying. He's the kind of man who makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up before you can figure out why. He could teach a graduate-level course in evil.

Now, I generally dislike alternating timelines, so when Petrie started bouncing between "Then" and "Now," I was initially disappointed. Silly me. I should have known better. Petrie used those timelines brilliantly, gradually revealing the depth of Helene's predicament while ratcheting up the tension in the present. The more I learned about Roy, the more desperately I wanted Peter to rescue Helene. There were moments when I actually caught myself holding my breath. Every time I thought things couldn't possibly get worse, Petrie said, "Hold my beer," and proceeded to prove me spectacularly wrong.

The pacing was phenomenal. The isolated rural setting made the danger frighteningly believable. Help isn't just around the corner when you're miles from civilization, and even the police need time to arrive. Petrie used that isolation to full advantage without resorting to ridiculous coincidences or characters making spectacularly stupid decisions.

Peter Ash was, as always, magnificent. Honest as the day is long, compassionate, resourceful, and willing to risk his own life to help someone else. Even when the odds were terrible, his decisions were intelligent and calculated. He didn't survive dangerous situations through convenient plot twists and dumb luck. He fought his way through them using his brains, his experience, and sheer determination.

Helene made some terrible choices, but she's nineteen, inexperienced, and desperately vulnerable. Petrie made me understand how she ended up in her situation, even when I wanted to sit her down and discuss thinking things through first.

The ending was PERFECT. Every loose end tied up, justice served, and not a shred of disappointment on my part. I may have cheered. There may have been some enthusiastic commentary about certain people getting exactly what they deserved. I may have startled my cat.

I couldn't put this book down. I lost sleep, held my breath, worried about characters I knew perfectly well were fictional, and finished the whole thing wanting to stand up and applaud. This book should be a movie. I'd buy a ticket tomorrow. 

If you love intelligent, relentless thrillers with believable action, a genuinely terrifying villain, and a protagonist who actually uses his brain, read this book.

Eleven stars. I'm aware the rating system only goes to five. That's Goodreads' problem, not mine.

Found You by Molly Black (Rylie Wolf #1)

A promising thriller that left me wishing the FBI would solve the case, the narrator would slow down, and Rylie Wolf would learn some manners. 

I was on a mission to find my next great commuting audiobook when I stumbled across Found You by Molly Black. A serial killer is operating along a lonely stretch of Montana highway, displaying his victims at mile markers ... this had potential! Creepy, disturbing, and just the sort of mystery that should make my commute fly by. Unfortunately I then met FBI Agent Rylie Wolf.

What an unpleasant woman! Rylie is rude, abrasive, unsympathetic, and apparently considers empathy a character flaw. I don't need my fictional FBI agents to be warm and fuzzy, but a little basic human decency would be appreciated. She even treated her new partner, Agent Michael Brisbane, like an inconvenience she'd found stuck to the bottom of her shoe.

Brisbane, incidentally, was my favorite character. He's a decent, empathetic, happy-go-lucky guy who actually seems to understand how human interaction works. He finally told Rylie off, which was immensely satisfying. She made a halfhearted effort to be more pleasant afterward, but I wasn't convinced it would stick. Poor Michael. The man deserves hazard pay.

The investigation itself initially held my attention. The mile-marker mystery was intriguing, and I was genuinely curious about the killer's methods and motivations. Unfortunately, I figured out the significance of the mile markers well before the FBI did. From that point forward, I was mostly waiting for the professionals to catch up. And I didn't even need their fancy computer program. Apparently, listening to audiobooks while commuting qualifies me for a position at Quantico.

The killer's backstory didn't help matters. Without giving anything away, I'll just say that the explanation for his murderous behavior felt like a tired psychological shortcut. I was rolling my eyes so hard I was afraid they'd get stuck that way.

Then there was the narration. Holy cow! The narrator read so quickly that I had to slow down the playback speed just to make the experience tolerable. Unfortunately, that also made the voice considerably deeper. So instead of enjoying a suspenseful thriller, I spent hours listening to what sounded like someone narrating from the bottom of a well. Not exactly the immersive audiobook experience I was hoping for.

The ending was fine. The good guys lived to see another day, the bad guy received his permanent retirement package, and everything wrapped up without any earth-shattering surprises.

Two stars. The premise was excellent, and Michael Brisbane was a bright spot, but Rylie's personality, the predictable mystery, and the narration made this a disappointing listen.

I've already purchased the second book, so Rylie Wolf gets one more chance to develop a personality. After that, she and I may be going our separate ways.

Preferably at the next mile marker.

Keep Me Like a Secret by Stacy Willingham

I came for a psychological thriller and left with trust issues, sleep deprivation, and a desperate need for a nap.

I finished Keep Me Like a Secret waaay too late last night, and today I'm suffering from a five-star book hangover. I had things to do, and apparently a nap is now at the top of the list.

The prologue introduces ten-year-old Rachel, locked in a pitch-black shed, fed once a day, and desperately searching for a way to escape. No gentle introduction here. Willingham grabs you and doesn't let go.

Twenty-six years later, Rachel is a successful attorney helping children escape dangerous family situations. She's built something meaningful out of a horrific childhood, but the past comes roaring back when the man convicted of kidnapping her and murdering three other little girls is released from prison on a technicality. Evidence was planted, and suddenly everything she thought she knew is in question.

Then her best friend's young daughter disappears. And there went my bedtime.

Rachel is an excellent protagonist. She's intelligent, resilient, and sympathetic, but she's also deeply affected by her past. I felt her fear, embarrassment, shame, and determination to move forward. I admired her strength even when I questioned whether her memories and emotions were leading her in the right direction.

Willingham's pacing is absolutely superb. The suspense builds steadily rather than relying on constant manufactured emergencies. Her atmospheric descriptions brought the scenes vividly to life, and I particularly appreciated that the story unfolded naturally without bouncing around between timelines. Every revelation made me reconsider what I thought I knew.

I suspected practically everyone at some point. Every time I thought I had a reasonable theory, another piece of information sent me scrambling in a different direction. Apparently, I was so busy looking for the monster under the bed that I failed to notice who was making the bed.

The twists were diabolical. Absolutely diabolical. The clues were carefully planted, the revelations made sense, and I never saw them coming. I love being fooled by an author who plays fair!

The supporting characters were well drawn, particularly Rachel's best friend, Amber. Their relationship and the complicated family dynamics added emotional depth without distracting from the central mystery. The story explores trauma, privilege, manipulation, and the devastating consequences of misplaced trust.

My only complaint was that a few people deserved a considerably more creative form of justice. But that's probably just my appreciation for outside-the-system justice talking. Despite the disturbing subject matter, the violence isn't excessively graphic, and there's no unnecessary bedroom gymnastics to interrupt the suspense.

Content warnings: Child abduction, child murder, childhood trauma, psychological abuse, manipulation of a minor, wrongful imprisonment, and violence.

If you enjoy psychological thrillers with unreliable memories, compelling characters, carefully concealed clues, and twists that leave your brain doing somersaults, put this on your reading list. Fans of Final Girls and The Silent Patient should feel right at home.

Five enthusiastic stars. I lost sleep, loved every minute, and was genuinely sorry when it ended. Now I need a copy for my permanent library.

I received an advance review copy of Keep Me Like a Secret through NetGalley, courtesy of St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books. All opinions are my own.

 

Final Price by J. Gregory Smith

A killer who's a few lug nuts short of a full set, a detective worth rooting for, and enough suspense to make bedtime completely negotiable.

I've dealt with pushy car salesmen before, but after reading Final Price by J. Gregory Smith, I may never negotiate the price of a vehicle again. Apparently, asking for a better deal can be hazardous to your health.

Shamus Ryan sells new cars for a living, and he's had just about enough of customers who waste his time, haggle over every penny, and expect him to practically give away the merchandise. Most salesmen might complain to their coworkers or go home and have a stiff drink. Shamus, however, is a few lug nuts short of a full set. He decides the appropriate response is murder.

And just like that, a serial killer is born.

The story alternates between Shamus, who has some rather creative ways of justifying his murderous activities, and investigator Paul Chang, who's trying to figure out how a series of seemingly unrelated murders fits together. We know who the killer is from the beginning, but that doesn't diminish the suspense one bit. If anything, it makes things worse. I knew what Shamus was doing, I knew someone else was going to die, and I desperately wanted to reach into the book and drag Paul toward the answers. Unfortunately, he couldn't hear me yelling at him.

Paul was a wonderful character. He's transferred to Delaware after a case went sideways in New York, his marriage has fallen apart, and he's haunted by his past. To make matters worse, his new workplace is populated by bigots, including a boss who seems more interested in displaying his department's diversity than respecting Paul's abilities. When Paul's former partner Nelson joins the investigation, he encounters homophobia as well.

But Paul rises above it. He remains professional, thoughtful, and determined to do his job. His combination of Eastern and Western investigative techniques, including feng shui and an inner focus he calls the Dragon, makes him particularly interesting. His boss even bolts his desk to the floor to prevent him from rearranging his workspace. Apparently, achieving inner harmony is against department policy.

The investigation unfolds naturally, with Paul and Nelson methodically following the evidence and trying to discover what connects the victims. Shamus's unusual use of food in his murders adds another wonderfully disturbing element. I won't elaborate, but let's just say Smith has managed to make both car shopping and certain dining experiences considerably less appealing.

The atmosphere is relentlessly tense. There aren't necessarily shocking twists around every corner, but there doesn't need to be. The suspense comes from knowing the danger is there and wondering whether Paul can connect the dots before another person dies. I kept telling myself I'd stop after one more chapter. Smith apparently considered that a personal challenge.

The ending was believable, satisfying, and exactly what the story deserved. No ridiculous coincidences, no eye-rolling investigative shortcuts, and no unnecessary bedroom gymnastics. Just excellent storytelling from beginning to end.

Five enthusiastic stars. Smith gave me a fascinating killer, a protagonist I genuinely cared about, an intelligent investigation, and a serious case of sleep deprivation. I loved every minute of it.

And if I ever buy another new car, I think I'll just pay sticker price. Better safe than sorry.

You'll Be Sorry by Lisa Gardner

Every time I thought I had the mystery figured out, Lisa Gardner tossed another twist into the snowbank. 

Apparently, Lisa Gardner doesn't believe in easing her readers into a story. You'll Be Sorry opens with a couple desperately running for their lives, only to lose consciousness beneath falling snow. Are they alive? Dead? Who's chasing them? And when exactly is this happening? Past? Present? Future?

Welcome to my very late night.

In a small New Hampshire town, the disappearance of the Dixon family has cast a shadow for thirty years. Six people vanished without a trace, leaving behind an abandoned house and enough unanswered questions to keep the local gossip mill operating indefinitely. Now the house has finally been purchased, renovations are underway, and the past is beginning to stir.

But wait! There's more!

An old skeleton is discovered in a sealed well, along with an eighteenth-century journal and the remains of an infant. Suddenly, we're digging into the town's darker history, including accusations of witchcraft, mysterious infant deaths, and the persecution of a midwife who apparently had the audacity to try to help people. Naturally, when tragedy struck, the townspeople decided that blaming a witch was preferable to investigating what actually happened. Sometimes I don't like people very much.

I found this historical mystery fascinating, although the treatment of the accused woman made me angry rather than frightened. Even more disturbing was the way the town's prominent families seemed determined to keep inconvenient truths safely tucked beneath their very expensive rugs. And those rugs were getting pretty lumpy.

Meanwhile, there's still that little matter of six missing people.

Gardner weaves these mysteries together beautifully. Just when I thought I understood where the story was heading, another revelation sent my theories straight into the nearest snowbank. I suspected one particularly pretentious, know-it-all character from the beginning, although admittedly my initial reasoning was mostly that I wanted to tell him to sit down and shut up. Sometimes your instincts just know.

The pacing was excellent. There were quieter moments, but they never felt like filler. They gave me just enough time to catch my breath, consider the clues, and get comfortable before Gardner tossed another surprise into the mix. Every time I thought I had things figured out, I discovered how spectacularly wrong I could be.

What impressed me most was how believable everything remained. This is an intricate story with multiple mysteries, complicated histories, and some truly astonishing revelations. Yet the characters' decisions made sense, their motivations were convincing, and the twists never felt like cheap tricks designed merely to shock the reader.

The ending was absolutely satisfying. The mysteries were resolved, the pieces fell into place, and I didn't have to roll my eyes even once. I stayed up reading until I practically passed out, which is generally a pretty reliable indication that a book has earned five stars from me.

Lisa Gardner has gained another fan. I'll definitely be reading more of her work. Just preferably when I don't have anything important to do the following morning.

Cleaning the Gold by Karin Slaughter and Lee Child (Jack Reacher #23.5)

Two favorite authors, two favorite investigators, one terrific collaboration, and a missing fortune. I have questions.

When two of my favorite authors decide to bring two of my favorite fictional investigators together, I'm going to be first in line. In Cleaning the Gold, both men are working undercover at Fort Knox, literally cleaning gold. Reacher is investigating someone suspected of selling state secrets, while Will has been sent to arrest Reacher for a murder he allegedly committed in Margrave. Two investigators, two separate agendas, and enough secrets floating around to make things interesting.

What impressed me most was how seamlessly Slaughter and Child blended their writing styles. The story felt cohesive, not like two authors taking turns at the keyboard. Neither character dominated, and both remained true to the personalities I've come to know and love. Whoever edited this collaboration deserves a raise.

Reacher, naturally, figures out Will isn't quite what he claims to be almost immediately. Will, meanwhile, is doing his best to maintain his cover. Their interactions are entertaining, although I would have loved more time for their relationship to develop. Unfortunately, this story is over almost before it begins.

The pacing is excellent, and the primary mysteries are wrapped up satisfactorily. But then there's the little matter of the missing gold. Yes, apparently Fort Knox has a rather significant inventory problem (oops!), and just when things get interesting, the story ends.

I would love to see these two team up again in a full-length novel, solve the gold mystery, and eventually go their separate ways. Will can return to Georgia, and Reacher can climb aboard another bus into the sunset.

I'd recommend this one primarily to readers already familiar with both series. The nuances of these characters are half the fun, and newcomers might miss some of what makes their interactions special.

Four stars. I thoroughly enjoyed what I got, but two of my favorite authors left me hanging, and I have issues with that.

The fifth star is being held hostage until somebody tells me what happened to the rest of the gold.

Sanctuary by Nora Roberts

It took this family twenty years and a psychopath to discover what Sanctuary really meant. 

Nora Roberts and I have an understanding (that she doesn't know about). She provides me with beautiful settings, interesting characters, and a good mystery, and I overlook the inevitable sweaty sex scenes. I like a little romance with my suspense, but honestly, and in my humble opinion, sometimes the bedroom gymnastics are just unnecessary. Give me love, loyalty, and a good mystery. The rest is just cardio.

Jo Ellen Hathaway is a successful, world-traveled photographer with a new book deal and a life that appears to be firmly under control. But appearances can be deceiving, especially when you've spent twenty years trying to outrun your childhood.

When Jo was young, her mother, Bella, disappeared without a trace. Her father, Sam, was so devastated that he essentially abandoned his three children emotionally. Brian, Jo, and Lexy were left to navigate their grief in their own ways, with Bella's best friend, Kate, stepping in to raise them.

Now someone is sending Jo disturbing photographs connected to her mother's disappearance. Her carefully constructed life begins to unravel, and after suffering a breakdown, she returns to Sanctuary, the family's island home and inn. Unfortunately, whatever happened twenty years ago may not be finished with the Hathaways.

And just like that, Nora had me hooked.

I love a mystery that gives me enough clues to play detective without making the solution painfully obvious. I had an early suspect, dismissed him for lack of evidence, and eventually hauled him back in for questioning. Unfortunately, I still didn't have enough to convict anybody. When the pieces finally started falling into place, I had one of those "Well, of course, Sherlock. Try again next time" moments. The clues had been there all along! But the mystery wasn't the only thing that kept me interested.

Of the three Hathaway siblings, Brian was my favorite. He stayed at Sanctuary, managing the food side of the inn and making a life for himself despite his own abandonment issues. Lexy, on the other hand, occasionally made me want to reach into the book and shake her. Dramatic, jealous, and fond of mind games, she apparently confused being an aspiring actress with making everyone's life a theatrical production. Fortunately, she eventually grew up enough for me to like her.

And I couldn't help sympathizing with Sam. Losing Bella devastated him, and although his emotional absence hurt his children terribly, I understood his grief. Kate deserves a medal for keeping that family together while occasionally poking Sam back toward the land of the living.

Roberts does a wonderful job creating atmosphere. Her descriptions made the island and Sanctuary itself easy to picture, and the family drama added to the suspense rather than distracting from it. The tension remained throughout, even when the story wandered into romantic territory.

What I loved most, though, was the transformation of the Hathaway family. They began as fractured, bitter people carrying twenty years of unresolved grief. But when Jo was threatened, the squabbles and petty jealousies took a back seat to something much stronger: love.

And the title? Perfect. Isn't home supposed to be a sanctuary? A place where you're safe, loved, and protected? It took this family twenty years and a psychopath to figure that out, but they finally got there.

The ending was immensely satisfying, including a little outside-the-system justice that I thoroughly appreciated. The family found its way back to one another, and the emotional resolution was every bit as rewarding as solving the mystery.

Four solid stars. Sanctuary didn't keep me up past my bedtime, but it gave me a compelling mystery, beautifully drawn surroundings, and characters I genuinely cared about. It turns out I'm a bit of a romantic at heart.

Just not the sweaty sex scenes kind of romantic.

The Winemaker's End by Jean-Luc Bannalec (Brittany Mystery #12)

An atmospheric French getaway, complete with exquisite wine, gourmet food, and murder. So much for a peaceful honeymoon!

Can't people even honeymoon in peace? Apparently not if you're Commissaire Georges Dupin. One minute you're enjoying the beautiful French countryside, sampling exquisite Muscadet, and indulging in gourmet meals with your new bride. The next, you're investigating a murder. So much for romance.

In The Winemaker's End by Jean-Luc Bannalec, Georges and his wife, Claire, are honeymooning in French wine country when they visit Claire's friend, Cécile. Unfortunately, Cécile's ex-husband, Brian, a talented winemaker, has been murdered. Between a fierce winery rivalry, a possible discovery of rare wines, and some questionable relationships, there are plenty of suspects. When another body turns up, the investigation becomes even more complicated. Are the murders connected, or is something else going on?

First, let's talk about the writing. It was exquisite. Bannalec transported me straight into the French countryside. I could practically see the vineyards, smell the food, and taste the wine. Had it not been for the inconvenient matter of murder, I'd have been ready to pack my bags.

Georges was a thoroughly likable detective. He genuinely tried to remain in honeymoon mode, but curiosity and unanswered questions eventually got the better of him. His investigation unfolded logically and believably, without improbable heroics or ridiculous decisions.

Claire was fiercely loyal to Cécile, even when I began to wonder whether her friend might be hiding something. I admired that loyalty, although I questioned Claire's honeymoon priorities. Personally, if someone offered me gorgeous French scenery, exceptional Muscadet, and gourmet meals, I wouldn't be volunteering to investigate a homicide. You'd have to drag me away, possibly with a court order. Friendship is wonderful, but so is a nice glass of wine.

The pacing was perfect for the atmosphere. The descriptions occasionally slowed things down, but that was part of the charm. This isn't a heart-pounding thriller designed to keep you awake until three in the morning. It's a cozy mystery meant to be savored, much like the wines featured throughout.

The mystery itself was wonderfully satisfying. I had my suspicions, and more than one turned out to be spectacularly wrong. Bannalec kept me guessing without ridiculous twists or unbelievable revelations. The solution surprised me, but everything made sense. Human nature, particularly jealousy, can be a dangerous thing.

I also appreciated the absence of graphic violence and unnecessary steamy scenes. Yes, there are murders, but that's rather like ordering a cheeseburger and being warned it contains beef. When you pick up a mystery, you know what you're getting into!

This was my first Bannalec novel, and I didn't even realize I was jumping into an established series. I had no trouble enjoying it as a standalone. Readers who love Agatha Christie's Miss Marple mysteries, traditional whodunits, charming settings, and thoughtful detective work should feel right at home. I experienced those same wonderful Miss Marple vibes throughout.

Five stars. The Winemaker's End didn't keep me awake all night, but it didn't need to. Bannalec delivered a beautifully written, atmospheric, believable mystery that was an absolute pleasure to read. Sometimes a great book isn't one that makes your heart race. Sometimes it's one that makes you wish you could stay a little longer.

Preferably with another glass of Muscadet.

Content warning: Murder and death, without graphic descriptions of violence.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for the complimentary advance reader copy. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

 

Final Girls by Riley Sager

Riley Sager didn't just pull the rug out from under me...he rolled me up in it. Oh, holy cow. 

I'm suffering from a serious thriller hangover. Not enough sleep, too much caffeine, and pieces of my brain still stuck in an endless "Oh holy cow. Holy cow. WOW." loop. Riley Sager, I hope you're happy.

Final Girls doesn't waste time easing readers into the story. We open with a terrified young woman running for her life, the sole survivor of a massacre. Welcome to the world of the Final Girls, where surviving is apparently just the beginning of your problems.

Quincy Carpenter survived the horrific events at Pine Cottage, where a birthday celebration with college friends turned into a bloodbath. Years later, she's built a successful life as a baker and blogger, living with her defense attorney boyfriend, Jeff. She still keeps in touch with Coop, the police officer who rescued her that terrible night.

There are three known Final Girls: Quincy, Lisa Milner, and Samantha Boyd. Then Lisa dies, and suddenly Quincy's carefully constructed world starts coming apart.

Here's the problem: Quincy doesn't remember what happened at Pine Cottage. She suffers from dissociative amnesia, leaving a massive hole in her memory. She's tried to recover those memories, but nothing has worked. And as a reader, I kept wondering how much she actually remembered, how much she thought she remembered, and whether I could trust any of it. Enter Samantha Boyd, who apparently decided Quincy's life needed a complete renovation, preferably with a wrecking ball.

I didn't trust Samantha. Not one little bit. Yes, trauma affects people differently, and I tried to give her some grace. But she pushed Quincy into increasingly questionable behavior, and I wanted to grab her by the shoulders and tell her to leave the poor woman alone. Quincy had survived. She'd built a life. Maybe it wasn't perfect, but it was hers!

Jeff wasn't much help, either. He wasn't a bad guy, but his preferred method of dealing with Quincy's problems seemed to involve sweeping them under the nearest rug. And I had serious questions about how much attention he was paying to her increasingly unhealthy reliance on Xanax. Pretty soon, he was going to need wall-to-wall carpeting.

Sager alternates between present-day events and flashbacks to Pine Cottage, and the pacing is brilliant. The flashbacks become more frequent as Quincy's memories begin returning, gradually revealing pieces of that terrible night. Every answer seemed to raise another question. I suspected practically everyone at some point, including Quincy herself. And then came the ending.

OH. HOLY. COW.

I'm not telling you a thing. Not one little hint. Suffice it to say that my jaw hit the floor, my brain divided itself into warring factions, and I seriously considered sending Riley Sager a bill for emotional damages. I was played. Completely, thoroughly, magnificently played. The conclusion was both shocking and satisfying, bringing Quincy's journey full circle in a way that felt absolutely right.

Five stars, hands down. If you love psychological thrillers, unreliable memories, suspicious characters, and twists that leave you questioning your own intelligence, read this book. Just don't start it too close to bedtime.

Trust me. I have the caffeine consumption and sleep deprivation to prove it.

How to Disappear Completely by Liz Kerin

Four stars for the journey, with a deduction for the destination.

At thirteen, Hazel and her sister Kira receive a mysterious message they believe comes from another world. They call the being responsible the Snow Angel, and Kira becomes obsessed with it. Then Kira disappears without a trace.

Twenty years later, Hazel is still haunted by her sister's disappearance. No body. No answers. No closure. Just two decades of grief, guilt, and unanswered questions. Then a podcast revisits the mystery, other people who experienced the Snow Angel begin coming forward, and those people start having unfortunate little accidents. Apparently, hearing messages from another world comes with a rather alarming mortality rate.

I never really connected with Hazel, but I understood her. Between the grief and mysterious episodes that leave her freezing to the bone, sometimes to the point of unconsciousness, she's developed a rather unhealthy relationship with pills and alcohol. Not exactly a physician-approved treatment plan, but I understood her desperation.

What kept me turning pages wasn't necessarily Hazel herself. It was the mystery of Kira's disappearance. Where did she go? Why was her body never found? And what on earth (or elsewhere) was the Snow Angel?

Kerin tells the story across two timelines, 2006–07 and the present, and I thought she handled them well. The beginning takes its time establishing the characters and mystery, but once the suspicious accidents begin piling up, the suspense really takes off. Every time Hazel gets close to someone who might have answers, something terrible happens. I began worrying about her safety, although I had no idea who or what was responsible.

That's when the book started interfering with my bedtime. One more chapter. Just one more.

Of the supporting characters, Lily, Hazel's childhood friend, was easily my favorite. She's funny, loyal, and apparently believes happy hour can begin around two in the afternoon. Finally, someone with reasonable priorities! Her humor provided a welcome break from the grief, obsession, and the increasingly suspicious body count.

Kerin did a good job keeping me guessing. There were clues, and eventually certain characters started setting off my internal alarm bells, but the mystery wasn't obvious from the beginning. I enjoyed her writing style and the balance of suspense, emotional complexity, and occasional humor.

Unfortunately, the ending lost me. Without giving anything away, the final explanation involves some ambitious ideas about trauma and the nature of reality. And I understood it. I really did. But understanding something and believing it are two entirely different things.

Kerin explained her reasoning, but accepting it required a bigger leap than I was willing to make. I was perfectly happy to suspend my disbelief. Unfortunately, by the ending, my disbelief needed a parachute.

Despite my disappointment with the resolution, How to Disappear Completely earns four stars. The storytelling was engaging, the suspense kept me reading, and I genuinely wanted to know what happened to Kira. I just wish the ending had been as satisfying as the journey.

Readers who enjoy psychological suspense with speculative or supernatural elements, complicated family relationships, and explorations of grief and trauma may appreciate this one. Those who prefer more grounded explanations might share my reservations.

Four stars for a compelling mystery and several nights of just one more chapter. The ending? Well, we can't have everything.

Content Warnings: Grief and loss, child disappearance, murder, substance misuse, overdose, PTSD/trauma, violence, sexual content including choking/breath restriction during intimacy, and near-drowning.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing an advance reader copy of How to Disappear Completely by Liz Kerin in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

 

In Contempt by TG Wolff (Rizk Brothers #3)

A murder mystery with enough suspects to fill a jury box, characters I adore, and a plot that stole my sleep. 

I have a complaint to file against T.G. Wolff. Her latest book, In Contempt, kept me reading every chance I got, and then kept me up well past my bedtime because I absolutely HAD to finish it. I have things to do, you know. Sleep is supposed to be one of them.

This is the third book in the Rizk Brothers series, and I am happy to report that Jakob and Seth Rizk remain two of my favorite fictional characters. These two are about as different as identical twins can get, and I love them both.

Jakob is the serious, law-abiding brother, currently serving as Indiana's interim Attorney General and running for the position permanently. He's married to Courtney, who is pregnant with twins. Seth, on the other hand, considers rules more like suggestions, has a talent for pushing his luck, and apparently believes danger is something to laugh in the face of. Preferably while doing something that would give Jakob a coronary. And this time, they've got a murder to deal with.

Jakob's opponent in the Attorney General race, Jessica Hartley, is found murdered in the sauna at her gym. Naturally, suspicion falls on Jakob. After all, eliminating your political opponent is certainly one way to win an election, although I doubt it's covered in the campaign handbook. Fortunately, Jakob has an alibi.

That leaves the question of who actually killed Jessica. And oh, what a collection of suspects we have! We have a murder victim with enough potential enemies to fill a jury box. A senator who apparently interpreted she's like a daughter to me rather creatively. A potentially furious wife, jealous sisters, an ex-boyfriend, and a neighbor whose music apparently registers on the Richter scale. Seriously. With this crowd, I'm surprised the police didn't have to hand out numbered tickets.

Meanwhile, Seth is supposed to be returning to Miami to resume his job as a vice detective. Unfortunately, a power failure causes him to miss his flight, and his boss has apparently reached the end of his patience with Seth's excuses. He's told not to bother coming back. Well, that's one way to clear your schedule.

Now unemployed and with time on his hands, Seth gets involved in the murder investigation alongside Detective Angel Martinez, a no-nonsense detective who has caught his attention. At first, it's mostly Seth pushing his luck and Angel trying to keep him in line. Then Angel needs a date for a family gathering and, for reasons known only to her, asks Seth. Oh, honey. What have you done? I thoroughly enjoyed watching their relationship develop. Angel is more than capable of standing up to Seth, and I suspect she's having almost as much fun keeping him in line as he's having testing the boundaries.

But this book isn't all murder suspects, romantic complications, and Seth being Seth. Jakob is under enormous pressure. He's running for office, his opponent has been murdered, his office is trying to bring the killer to justice, his wife is expecting twins, and his brother is suddenly unemployed. That's a lot for anyone to handle, even someone as responsible as Jakob.

Unfortunately, he's been using alcohol to cope with the stress, and when Courtney is rushed to the hospital, he makes a dangerous mistake trying to get to her. I appreciated that Wolff didn't gloss over this. Angel helps him through the situation but also has a serious conversation with him about his drinking. Jakob promises to get himself straight. It's a reminder that even the responsible brother isn't perfect.

And then there's Seth's approach to helping his brother manage stress. It involves old golf clubs and some property that was headed for the curb anyway. Sometimes you just need to beat the stuffing out of something that doesn't mind being destroyed. What I particularly loved about this scene was the relationship between the brothers. They may approach life from completely different directions, but they're there for each other when it counts. Beneath Seth's wisecracks and Jakob's seriousness is a genuine bond that makes these characters so much fun to follow.

One of Wolff's greatest strengths in this book is the balance between the murder investigation and the brothers' personal lives. Not once did I feel like the family issues, romantic developments, or humor were unnecessary distractions or page-filler. Everything fit together naturally. The personal stories added depth to the characters without slowing down the mystery, and the investigation never got lost in the family drama. That's not always easy to pull off, especially three books into a series, but Wolff makes it look effortless.

And the mystery itself? Excellent! There were plenty of suspects, motives, and questions to keep me turning pages. About halfway through, I developed a theory about the killer. I didn't have proof, but I had my suspicions. When everything finally came together, I discovered I was right. There's something deeply satisfying about solving a fictional murder before the detectives do, even if you couldn't actually prove your case in court.

The ending wrapped everything up satisfactorily, and I closed the book feeling thoroughly entertained. The pacing was excellent, the characters were wonderful, and the combination of mystery, humor, and family relationships was exactly what I wanted.

If you enjoy mysteries with memorable characters, a healthy dose of humor, complicated family relationships, and enough suspects to keep your detective skills busy, I highly recommend the Rizk Brothers series. I'd suggest starting with the first book, though, because getting to know these brothers is half the fun.

Five stars. No hesitation. This book cost me sleep, and I regret absolutely nothing.

Well, except that I don't have the next book waiting for me. Which brings me to one final thing.

Dear T.G. Wolff,

I love the Rizk brothers. I love their adventures. I love the way you balance murder, mayhem, family, and humor. But I've finished In Contempt, and now I have a problem. I NEED MORE!

Please get back to the keyboard immediately. These brothers have more trouble to get into, and I intend to be there for every minute of it. Preferably before my next bedtime.

Although we both know how that's going to turn out.

Exit Strategy by Lee Child (Jack Reacher #30)

Thirty books later, Reacher still can't enjoy a cup of coffee without someone making a career-ending mistake.

Jack Reacher was minding his own business, enjoying a cup of coffee in Baltimore. Naturally, this couldn't last. Apparently, the man is constitutionally incapable of consuming caffeine without stumbling into a criminal conspiracy.

This time, trouble starts when Reacher witnesses a couple of grifters cheating an elderly couple out of their life savings. Reacher takes care of the situation in his usual efficient fashion, and you'd think he could finally get back to his coffee. You'd be wrong.

Someone bumps into him and slips a note into his pocket. A desperate plea for help. And if there's one thing we know about Jack Reacher after thirty books, it's that he doesn't ignore someone who needs rescuing. Especially when there are bad guys who could benefit from a little attitude adjustment.

And just like that, we're off on another adventure.

One of the things I particularly enjoyed about Exit Strategy was that I had absolutely no idea where the story was going. The people I thought were the good guys mostly weren't, and the people I thought were the bad guys mostly weren't. Every time I thought I had someone figured out, I had reason to reconsider. I knew Reacher would prevail in the end. But how he was going to untangle this particular mess was anybody's guess, and it certainly wasn't mine.

Reacher himself was everything I've come to expect and love. Wonderfully intimidating, ridiculously observant, and armed with the kind of dry sarcasm that really ought to have its own specialized font. Seriously. Someone needs to invent Reacher Sans. Bold, intimidating, and best used immediately before someone makes a very poor life decision. It would come in one size: Threatening.

The pacing was steady throughout, and I had no complaints about the storytelling. There was enough mystery to keep me interested, plenty of uncertainty about who could be trusted, and the satisfaction of watching Reacher do what Reacher does best: figure things out and dispense his own very particular brand of justice.

And let's talk about the audiobook!

Scott Brick, narrating for Random House Audio, was fantastic. I could listen to him read for hours. His delivery was excellent, his timing perfect, and he captured Reacher's personality beautifully. A good narrator can make an enjoyable book even better, and Brick certainly did that here.

The ending was satisfying, too. The pieces fell into place, the appropriate people got what was coming to them, and Reacher did what he always does. He simply walked away, heading off to the next town and the next adventure. Or the next coffee shop. You never know.

So why four stars instead of five?

Honestly, there's nothing I can point to that I particularly disliked. The story was interesting, the pacing was good, the twists kept me guessing, and the narration was excellent. But while I thoroughly enjoyed the book, it didn't have that irresistible one-more-chapter quality that makes me sacrifice sleep. It was a solid, entertaining Reacher adventure that I was happy to pick up again whenever I had the chance.

If you're already a Reacher fan, you'll find plenty to enjoy here. If you're looking for a mystery with shifting loyalties, a hero who doesn't tolerate bullies, and enough dry wit to make you chuckle while the bad guys reconsider their career choices, this one delivers. Thirty books into this series, Reacher is still wandering around the country, minding his own business until someone makes the unfortunate decision to involve him in theirs.

You'd think word would have gotten around by now.

Big Cult Energy by Jack Friday

 A stoner PI, a con man, Lizard Jesus, and mountain lions. There's probably medication for that.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Peter Key has recently inherited a considerable amount of money and a dilapidated house. You'd think that would be enough to keep a man occupied, but apparently not. Although he has no desire to return to his career as a private investigator, trouble has other plans. As it turns out, trouble arrives wearing white tunics and sandals, with a firm belief in Lizard Jesus.

Yes, you read that correctly. Lizard Jesus.

It all starts when two kids down the street begin receiving mysterious Amazon packages addressed to someone who doesn't live there. Then two members of a rather peculiar cult show up looking for the same person. Everyone is confused. Including me.

Before Peter can make sense of that mess, another case drops into his lap. A little old lady has been burglarized while stuck in a hole in her floor, and the thief couldn't even be bothered to help her out. Dastardly, if I may say so myself.

And we're off!

Peter Key is not your typical brilliant, methodical private investigator. He's a stoner who seems to survive on dumb luck and a remarkable ability to stumble into situations that would send a sensible person running in the opposite direction. Along the way, he encounters a con man, a fellow preaching the gospel of Lizard Jesus, and an assortment of characters who make you wonder whether there's something in the water.

The humor is absurd, the situations are ridiculous, and Peter often seems just as bewildered as the reader. But I suspect that's exactly the point. This isn't a mystery that takes itself particularly seriously, and neither should you.

What impressed me most was the imagination behind the story. Jack Friday takes seemingly unrelated mysteries, throws in a cult with some truly bizarre beliefs, and somehow brings everything together. I suspected the cases would eventually connect, but I couldn't figure out how. That kept me reading, even when I was wondering what on earth Peter was going to do next.

The pacing is driven as much by Peter's unpredictable adventures and the eccentric characters he meets as by the mysteries themselves. There were moments when the absurdity got a little tiresome, and I could have done with fewer opportunities to exercise my eye-rolling muscles. But for the most part, the humor worked, and I appreciated the sheer creativity of it all.

I also enjoyed the ending. The various threads came together, the story reached a satisfying conclusion, and I was left feeling that the journey, however ridiculous, had been worthwhile. Sometimes that's all I ask of a book. Well, that and a little less confusion, perhaps.

The book includes LGBTQ+ representation among its characters, which fits naturally into the story. There's also a healthy dose of irreverent religious satire, particularly surrounding the cult and its rather unusual beliefs.

Content warnings: Alcohol and recreational drug use, manipulation, and some violence.

Readers who appreciate quirky private investigators, unconventional mysteries, eccentric characters, and humor that ventures well into the absurd would enjoy this novel. If you like your mysteries straightforward, your detectives sober, and your religious figures decidedly non-reptilian, this probably isn't the book for you.

I'm giving Big Cult Energy four stars. I got lost a couple of times while I was reading it, and I spent plenty of time wondering what color the sky is in these people's world. But it was wildly imaginative, entertaining, and ultimately satisfying.

The title of the book is Big Cult Energy, and lemme tell ya', they're not joking.

 

While They All Watched by Sulari Gentill

The bodies are piling up, the suspects are multiplying, and apparently nobody in this town is safe. So much for small-town charm.

This one snuck up on me!

When Clementine and Oscar receive word that Oscar's best friend, Jack, has been murdered, they immediately leave Australia and return to their original hometown of Roberta on the Lake, Michigan. What should have been a family reunion under happier circumstances becomes a nightmare as the siblings struggle to understand who killed Jack and why. And Jack, as it turns out, is only the beginning.

The night of his funeral, Bart is murdered. Then Jed disappears. Then the substitute high school principal is murdered. And somehow, all roads seem to lead back to the high school Bobby Sox baseball team, where several of these men once played together.

Apparently, high school baseball can leave you with more than fond memories and a few old trophies.

Clementine, or Clem, narrates the story, and I liked her immediately. She's a photographer, she's intelligent, and she's a reliable narrator, which is almost refreshing in a psychological thriller. I didn't have to spend half the book wondering whether she was lying to me, losing her mind, or both. I also liked Oscar, her veterinarian brother. I mean, how can you not trust a vet?

Then there's Sam, the high school principal, whose calm demeanor and effortless authority over his students made him another favorite. Carter, who returned to town shortly before people started dropping like flies, was another character I enjoyed. Gentill does an excellent job developing the blended family and the people surrounding them. They feel like actual human beings rather than cardboard cutouts waiting for their turn to be murdered.

And that brings me to my biggest criticism.

This book starts slowly. Really slowly.

Gentill spends a considerable amount of time introducing the characters, establishing their relationships, and immersing us in the family's history. I appreciate good character development, but at one point I started wondering whether Jack was going to be the only murder victim in this murder mystery. Fortunately, I didn't have to wonder forever.

When Jed disappeared, things started picking up. And when George, another former baseball player, called to say he thought he might be next and then disappeared himself, I was officially hooked.

George claimed he was protecting himself. Okay, fine. But he left behind a wife and a one-year-old child? Without a better explanation? Oh, George. Something is definitely rotten in Roberta on the Lake.

From that point forward, the book became increasingly difficult to put down. The tension continued building, the questions multiplied, and I found myself suspicious of practically everyone.

One of the most unsettling elements of the book is the way each chapter begins with a conversation involving the killer. We don't know who's speaking or who the murderer is, but these little glimpses add another layer of unease to an already disturbing story. I loved that technique. It kept reminding me that someone knew exactly what was happening, even when I hadn't the foggiest idea.

I had absolutely no idea who the killer was. None. Zip. Nada. Gentill completely blindsided me. The clues were there, but they certainly weren't waving little flags and announcing themselves. When the truth finally came out, things fell into place, but that didn't make the revelation any less jaw-dropping. I love a mystery that surprises me without making me feel as though the author simply pulled an answer out of thin air. That's exactly what happened here.

So why four stars instead of five? Pacing. Plain and simple. The final third of this book was riveting, and the payoff was excellent. But I can't ignore the fact that the earlier chapters moved slowly enough that I started getting impatient. All that character development ultimately helped make the mystery work, but I would have appreciated a little more momentum along the way.

Readers who enjoy character-driven mysteries, complicated family relationships, small-town secrets, and carefully constructed twists should find plenty to enjoy here. If you appreciate a slow-burn mystery that rewards your patience with a spectacular final act, this one deserves a spot on your reading list. If you need nonstop action from the first chapter, however, you might find yourself checking your watch during the early going.

As for me? Four solid stars. A slow beginning, an increasingly disturbing mystery, and a final third that made me forget all about the dust bunnies. Well, almost. Those little freeloaders aren't going anywhere.

Content warnings: Murder, violent deaths, missing persons, grief, child abuse, sexual abuse of a minor, and family trauma.

I received an advance reader copy of While They All Watched by Sulari Gentill through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

 

The Simple Truth by David Baldacci

Two brothers, two storylines, and one thoroughly confused listener.

I have enjoyed quite a few books by David Baldacci, so I had high hopes for The Simple Truth. Unfortunately, this one just wasn't working for me.

The story goes back and forth between two brothers, and I found myself constantly trying to figure out which one I was listening to at any given moment. By the time I sorted that out, we'd moved on again. Somewhere along the way, I lost the plot. Possibly more than one.

I don't necessarily think this is a bad book. I think it's a book that would work better for me in print. When I'm reading, I can flip back a few pages, double-check who's who, and get myself straightened out. Audiobooks aren't quite so forgiving, especially when I'm trying to follow the story while doing something else.

And frankly, listening to a book shouldn't feel like taking a pop quiz on character identification.

So I'm calling this one a DNF, but only for the audiobook version. I'm not ruling out picking up the print edition someday, because I suspect there's a perfectly good Baldacci story buried beneath my confusion.

Sometimes it's not the book. Sometimes it's the format. And sometimes you just need to know which brother you're dealing with!