Maximum Damage by Jack Mars (Grant Valor #1)

 If you're going to narrate an audiobook, quit smoking.

I just finished listening to Maximum Damage by Jack Mars, and I have…mixed feelings.

The premise was excellent. Grant Valor and four others find themselves in the maximum amount of trouble possible with their respective governments. These are not rule-followers. They’re the kind of people who get results…even if those results occasionally make their superiors nervous.

Enter Commander Kent, who forms Sentinel, a covert team designed to stop trouble before it starts. They operate outside traditional government restraints, outside normal chains of command, and definitely outside the comfort zone. I was in. It’s a solid setup for a fast-paced thriller. A group of highly skilled operatives, working off the grid, tackling global threats before they explode? Yes, please.

The story itself was good. I think. And that’s where things get tricky. Because the narrator kept pulling me out of the story.

You know how sometimes a narrator enhances a book so much that you forget you’re even listening? This was…not that. Definitely Not That.

The voice sounded like a four-pack-a-day smoker, and there was something just…off…about the cadence. Pauses where there shouldn’t be pauses. Sentences that sounded like they were restarted mid-thought. Occasionally, it even felt like parts of lines were skipped or repeated. Instead of getting lost in the action, I kept getting pulled back to the actual narration. And that’s frustrating, because the story deserved better.

I really think the right narrator could have added so much more tension, urgency, personality. Instead, the narration made it harder to fully connect with the story. That said, I’m not giving up on the series. The premise is strong enough, and the characters interesting enough, that I’d like to give the author another chance. This time, though, I think I’ll grab a hard copy of the next book. Because this feels like one where reading it myself might make all the difference. After all, it’s not the author’s fault the narration left a lot to be desired.

And sometimes, the right voice changes everything.

Before You Were Anne by Emiko Jean

Her problem became my problem, and I was going to help her find a solution. 

Before You Were Anne by Emiko Jean is an emotional thriller that pulled me in from the very first pages and didn’t let go. The story opens with a prologue that immediately sets the tone: a woman trapped in a relationship defined by manipulation, control, and abuse. I was hooked instantly, not just curious, but emotionally invested. I didn’t know who she was yet, but I felt her fear and wanted her to escape.

From there, the novel unfolds across dual timelines, shifting between present-day United States and Japan years earlier. The Japan storyline adds important context, slowly filling in the gaps and revealing why the characters became who they are and made the choices they did. I was more invested in the present-day storyline, but both timelines worked together to build a complete and compelling picture.

One of the most striking elements was the use of second-person narration. It made the experience feel intimate and immediate, almost like the story was being directed straight at me. It’s not a style I see often, but here it absolutely worked and deepened the emotional impact.

The characters felt real and layered. I connected deeply with Anne, her trauma, her resilience, and above all, her love for her daughter. Naomi felt just as authentic, especially in the way she navigated fear, independence, and teenage defiance. Aunt May stood out as a grounding, loyal presence. Even secondary relationships felt believable and emotionally grounded.

The pacing starts as a slow burn, but the tension builds steadily until it becomes impossible to put down. By the end, I was fully caught up in the urgency of it all, wanting answers, wanting safety for the characters, and needing to know how everything would resolve.

I was completely blindsided by the reveal. I didn’t feel misled in a frustrating way, just genuinely surprised. Looking back, everything fit, but I never saw it coming.

This book deals with heavy themes, including emotional and physical abuse, coercive control, and survival. It’s worth noting as a content warning, though I found it handled thoughtfully and without unnecessary sensationalism.

The title Before You Were Anne becomes especially meaningful by the end, tying everything together in a way that feels intentional and satisfying. Overall, this is more of an emotional thriller than a fast-paced one, and it worked beautifully for me. It was tense, immersive, and stayed with me long after I finished.

I lost sleep reading this and I’m definitely paying for it now while trying to read code with tired eyes. Worth it. Totally worth it.

A special thank you to Simon & Schuster for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Bound for Murder by Audrey Shine

When the audiobook literally reads 'asterisk asterisk asterisk' out loud… we have a problem.

I listened to Bound for Murder by Audrey Shine, and this one falls squarely into my "it was fine, but I won’t be recommending it" category.

The premise itself was decent enough. A woman discovers her husband is cheating, gets divorced, and decides to follow her dreams. Along the way, because this is a mystery after all, there’s a murder. It’s a familiar setup, but sometimes familiar works. This time it worked almost just enough.

The story kept me mildly interested, but I was never fully invested. It leaned much more toward cozy mystery than thriller, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but I kept waiting for more tension, more urgency, more anything. Instead, the pacing stayed comfortable, predictable, and slow. Honestly, though, the audiobook narration may have hurt this one more than anything else.

This version was read by Caroline, a synthesized voice. And while I’m open-minded about new technology, this one didn’t quite land. There were mispronunciations. The inflection for different characters was sometimes off… and sometimes completely absent. Conversations occasionally blurred together, and emotional moments didn’t quite feel emotional. And then there was the moment that completely took me out of the story. The narration literally read:

"asterisk… asterisk… asterisk…"

Yeah. That’s when I realized I was no longer listening to a story. I was listening to software.

Would the story have worked better with a human reader? I suspect yes. A skilled narrator can add nuance, pacing, and personality, all things this artificial reader struggled with.

Using my rather snarky rating system, this one lands at a 3 out of 5. It kept me mildly interested, but I won’t be recommending it, and I probably won’t remember much about it in a few weeks. It wasn’t terrible. It just never rose above “okay.”

And for the record, as much as I love technology, I think authors might want to stick with human readers… at least for now.

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

 A reluctant hero, an unlikely friendship, smart science, and a perfect ending. 

I went into Project Hail Mary fully expecting to love it. I’ve watched The Martian more times than I can count, so I already knew Andy Weir could turn science, survival, and sarcasm into something special. I was not disappointed.

The book opens with Ryland Grace waking up alone, weak, and confused. A computer is taking care of him, and two crewmates lie nearby, both deceased. He has no memory of who he is, where he is, or how he got there. That hooked me immediately.

From there, the story unfolds gradually as his memory returns. First, he remembers being a science teacher. Then a researcher. Then… oh-holy-cow… he’s not even in his own solar system anymore.

The amnesia structure worked incredibly well. Each recovered memory raised the stakes and pulled me deeper into the story. And when Grace finally remembers why he’s there and how he got there, his anger is completely understandable. I was right there with him, thinking some very uncharitable thoughts about the project leadership.

Ryland Grace isn’t your typical hero. He’s a normal guy. He teaches science. He grades papers. He’s reluctant, scared, and honestly not thrilled about saving humanity under those conditions. That made him incredibly relatable. I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have volunteered either.

But then we meet Rocky. And suddenly, this story becomes something even better.

Watching Grace and Rocky learn to communicate was fascinating. It wasn’t easy, and it wasn’t quick, but once they figured it out, they became partners in the truest sense. They weren’t just trying to save one world; they were trying to save two.

Their friendship became the emotional core of the story. They respected each other’s cultures, adapted to each other’s environments, and worked together to solve problem after problem. Grace couldn’t have done this alone. Neither could Rocky.

I also loved the science in this book. It was understandable, engaging, and rooted in problem solving. Define the problem. Try a solution. Reflect. Try again. Watching that process play out made the story feel smart and satisfying rather than overwhelming.

The emotional moments sneak up on you, especially as their friendship grows. They look out for each other, rescue each other, and genuinely care about each other’s survival. I didn’t expect to be so invested, but I absolutely was.

The flashbacks to Earth were just as interesting as the space storyline. They were essential to understanding both the stakes and Grace’s character. Without them, the story wouldn’t have had the same depth. 

And the ending was Perfect.

It surprised me, but in a good way. It didn’t make me emotional, but it left me smiling. Grace has time to figure things out. And after everything he accomplished, I have no doubt that he will.

This was a smart, engaging, and unexpectedly heartfelt science fiction story about friendship, cooperation, and problem solving. I loved every minute of it and I completely understand why it’s being turned into a movie. 

Which I plan to see as soon as possible. 

According to my rather snarky rating system, I am giving this book four out of five stars. It didn't keep me up at night or make me lose sleep, but it was a good, solid read that kept me engaged ... and sometimes even laughing. 

An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good by Helene Turston

Don't tick her off.... Just sayin'.

Recommended to me by my work daughter, Hannah. For some reason, it reminded her of me. Hmmm...

This little elderly lady hasn't killed anyone, but Maud is a whole different story. She got away with it. And I loved it. 

16th Seduction by James Patterson (Women's Murder Club #16)

Finally! No Joe drama! 

I read 16th Seduction by James Patterson in one sitting, which is always my first sign that a book is doing something very right.

And thankfully, mercifully even, we are done with the should Lindsay trust Joe or not malarkey. Joe is back in Lindsay’s life, and the story is better for it. I didn’t realize how much that storyline was dragging things down until it was almost gone.

This installment brings multiple storylines, which is exactly what I love about the Women's Murder Club series:

• A bomber destroys a children's science museum, confesses… then suddenly denies everything and tries to gaslight Lindsay. (Spoiler: It does not go over well.)
• A terrorist organization called GAR wreaks havoc with bombings and ominous videos.
• A criminally insane genius steals anesthetic from a hospital and begins randomly killing people.

In other words: Chaos, tension, and just enough "oh holy cow" to keep the pages turning.

All four members of the Women’s Murder Club get their moment here. Cindy’s role is smaller this time, but Lindsay, Claire, and Yuki each have meaningful pieces of the puzzle. I always enjoy when the story gives each of them something to do. It makes the series feel balanced and familiar in the best way.

This one moved Really Fast. The kind of fast where you tell yourself "just one more chapter" and suddenly you're at the end wondering where the day went.

I do have one small question: why is this book called 16th Seduction?

I kept waiting for the "seduction" angle to appear… and it never really did. There wasn’t a femme fatale, romantic manipulation, or anything that clearly tied into the title. Instead, we got bombers, terrorists, and a criminally insane killer, none of which exactly scream seduction. Maybe you could argue the criminals were trying to manipulate or “seduce” public opinion… but that feels like a reach.

Still, the title confusion didn’t take away from my enjoyment. This felt like classic Women's Murder Club: fast-paced, twisty, and impossible to put down.

Between the multiple storylines, nonstop tension, and the welcome absence of relationship drama, 16th Seduction delivered exactly what I was hoping for and I loved every minute of it. Five stars, hands down.

Happiness Falls by Angie Kim

I finished it, but only because quitting felt like losing.

That probably tells you everything you need to know about my experience with Happiness Falls.

Let me start by saying this: This is probably a four- or five-star book for the right reader. I am not that reader.

From the very first chapter, I knew I was in for a challenging read. Mia, our narrator, explains that she gets sidetracked easily and uses footnotes to share her extra thoughts. That meant I either had to flip back and forth constantly or try to remember what was in the footnotes until the end of each chapter. I tried both methods. Eventually, I gave up and started ignoring them altogether. Not exactly a great start.

The story centers around a family whose father goes missing after spending time in the park with Eugene, the youngest sibling. Eugene has special needs, Mia and John are twins, and the family dynamics between the three siblings, along with their parents, were actually one of the strongest parts of the book. I genuinely cared about this family. I wanted to know what happened to their father. I just didn’t enjoy the long philosophical detours along the way.

And there were a lot of philosophical detours.

I have a math brain. I like definitive answers. Soft sciences don’t satisfy me, and the philosophical discussions about happiness didn’t interest me At All. The idea of calculating a “happiness quotient,” which Mia’s father was working on, felt abstract and theoretical in a way that just didn’t click with me. I found myself skimming those sections, not because they weren’t thoughtfully written, but because they simply weren’t what I enjoy reading.

The pacing suffered because of this. I cared about the central mystery, but I often felt like I had to slog through pages of philosophical discussion to get back to the story. At one point, I realized I was skipping ahead just to find out what happened to Mia’s father, which is never a great sign.

To be clear, Mia herself didn’t bother me. She’s a 20-year-old trying to figure things out, and her perspective felt realistic. The family dynamics were compelling, and I appreciated how much the story focused on relationships and communication, especially surrounding Eugene. But overall, this was a struggle for me.

I finished the book, but only because quitting felt like losing. And while I can absolutely see why some readers would love the thoughtful, philosophical nature of this story, I personally found it slow and difficult to stay engaged. It's a thoughtful, well-written book, just not my kind of book.

Please Enjoy Your Stay by Tara Goedjen

A great premise, but the tension never quite checked in. 

I received an advanced copy of Please Enjoy Your Stay by Tara Goedjen, and I found myself with mixed feelings by the time I finished.

First, I have to mention the title and cover. Please Enjoy Your Stay is such a wonderfully creepy title, and paired with the cover, it immediately gave me thriller vibes. I went in expecting something tense, unsettling, and hard to put down, and the premise absolutely supports that expectation.

When Mia was young, she witnessed her cousin Tristan’s murder. Her testimony helped convict the killer (or so she believed). Years later, the case is reopened when the convicted man claims innocence, forcing Mia to revisit the past she’s tried to leave behind. She returns to the castle where the murder took place to help her aunt Iris, a true crime writer, uncover what really happened that night.

This is a fantastic premise. A childhood eyewitness, a reopened case, and a remote castle setting all feel like the ingredients for a tense, atmospheric thriller. And to its credit, the castle setting was atmospheric. There was a lingering sense of unease and mystery, and I kept thinking how much potential there was for this to build into something truly suspenseful.

Unfortunately, the pacing felt slow, and the tension never quite developed. The story alternates between present-day events and Iris’s notes, along with podcast elements sprinkled throughout. While these additions were interesting, they sometimes disrupted the momentum. I found myself wishing the podcast pieces had been grouped together like newspaper articles, rather than scattered, and that some of the backstory elements, including other crimes connected to the castle, had been more fully explored instead of briefly mentioned. There were several intriguing ideas introduced, but they didn’t feel fully developed.

Mia herself felt reliable, but I struggled to connect with her. I didn’t feel like I really got to know her, and because of that, the emotional stakes never fully landed. Her decision to return to the castle also felt unlikely to me. If I had been in her shoes, I would have stayed far, far away. A stronger motivation for her return might have helped deepen both her character and the tension.

There were elements I enjoyed. Matteo, the gardener, added warmth to the story and was one of the more engaging characters. I also appreciated that I didn’t guess the reveal. However, when the truth came out, my reaction was more “Ah, okay. Makes sense,” rather than a shocking twist. The resolution worked logically, but it lacked the emotional impact I was hoping for.

Overall, this felt more like a quiet mystery than a thriller. The story was there, but it didn’t feel fully developed. It kept me mildly interested, but it never grabbed me in a way that made it hard to put down, and that’s a shame, because the premise, title, and setting all suggested something much more suspenseful.

I think readers who enjoy slower-paced mysteries or cozy-style suspense may appreciate this more than readers looking for high tension or fast-paced thrills.

Content warnings: Murder (including past child murder), grief, discussion of violence.

My final rating is 3 stars. It has an atmospheric setting and strong concept, but the execution didn’t quite deliver the tension I was hoping for.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Paris Files by Eva Jurczyk

 Another one that rearranged by brain furniture and then hid the throw pillows. I need a fuzzy blanket.

Some books entertain you. Some books keep you turning pages. And then there are the rare ones that quietly rearrange your brain furniture while you're still standing there holding a throw pillow. The Paris Files is another one of those books.

Told entirely through police interviews, this novel unfolds piece by piece, layer by layer, like a puzzle you don’t realize you’re solving until you're already deep inside it. At the center of the story is Genevieve St. Onge, Genie to her friends, a woman who falls in love easily and has endured her fair share of heartbreak. Now 40, she believes she’s found something real with Jacob Ford while traveling abroad. Their whirlwind romance leads them to Paris… and then Jacob disappears.

From there, the story unfolds through a series of interviews: the landlord, the neighbor, the best friend, the shopkeeper, the caretaker, the classmate, and even Jacob’s wife. Each voice adds another layer. Each perspective shifts the ground just a little more. And before long, you find yourself questioning everything and everyone.

Did Jacob exist?
Is Genie a reliable narrator?
Are any of these witnesses telling the full truth?
And what about that elevator?

What I loved most about this book was the structure. The police interview format felt fresh and incredibly effective. Rather than building tension through action, the author builds unease through contradiction, omission, and subtle shifts in perspective. The tension starts quietly, almost gently, before tightening slowly until I realized I couldn’t stop reading.

This is very much a psychological thriller, but not in a don't-close-your-eyes way. Instead, it creates a creeping unease. I wasn’t scared; I was more unsettled. I felt like there was something deeper happening just out of reach, something I needed to understand but couldn’t quite grasp. 

The characters were another highlight. Genie is romantic, hopeful, and vulnerable in a way that makes you root for her even as you begin to doubt her. The supporting cast is equally compelling, even Rolande, the caretaker experiencing early dementia, whose perspective adds another layer of uncertainty. Each character felt distinct, believable, and important to the unfolding mystery.

The plot was brilliantly constructed. The layering of perspectives creates a perfect storm of unreliable narration. By the end, I trusted no one. Absolutely no one.

If I had to offer a small critique, it’s that the tension builds slowly at first. Readers expecting immediate suspense might need to settle into the pacing. That slow burn, however, is exactly what makes the payoff so effective.

Content warnings to consider: themes of psychological manipulation, dementia, emotional distress, and disappearance.

This book will appeal to readers who enjoy psychological thrillers, unreliable narrators, layered storytelling, and stories that leave you thinking long after the final page. If you like books that quietly get under your skin, this one is absolutely worth your time.

The ending was one of those stare-at-the-wall-for-a-few-minutes endings that makes you immediately want to reread the book and see what you missed the first time.

And yes… I’m already considering a reread.

Thank you to Viking Penguin for providing this advanced copy for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. 

The Stepmother by Sheila Bugler

Five Stars. Sleep Is Overrated.

Some books ease you in gently. This one grabbed me by the collar in the prologue and said, You're not sleeping tonight. And it was absolutely right.

The story opens with a woman trapped in an abusive, controlling relationship. She’s terrified, newly pregnant, and planning her escape. The tension is immediate, and I was invested before Chapter 1 even began.

Then Chapter 1 shifts to what appears to be a normal day. Sarah is heading out to pick up the kids from school. Her husband Mike is acting a little strange, and she can’t find the car keys. No big deal… except Mike rarely takes the car. When Sarah arrives at school, the kids are gone. Mike picked them up early after telling the school Sarah had been in a terrible accident. Then Sarah receives a text from him: Don’t go home. It’s too dangerous.

And just like that, <panic mode on>. From that moment on, I was completely hooked.

What I loved most about this book was the constant uncertainty. Nothing and no one was what they seemed. Every time I thought I had things figured out, something shifted. The pacing was tight, the suspense kept building, and I genuinely didn’t know who to trust.

I trusted Sarah, the stepmother, throughout the entire book. Her reactions felt authentic and grounded, even when her secrets started to surface. I understood why she made the choices she did, which made the emotional stakes even higher.

But everyone else? Suspicious. All of them. Paloma, the helpful friend who sometimes acted  ... unexpectedly. Mike, the children’s father. Surely I should trust him ... right? Sarah’s brother, believed dead for twenty years, suddenly reappearing. Helpful? Maybe. Maybe not. Alasdair, the kind, wealthy businessman looking to buy Mike’s company and eager to help. Or is he? Then the children’s godmother, who I absolutely did not trust, is murdered, Sarah becomes the police’s number one suspect, and the entire time I’m thinking:

What the Fuzzy Kitty? There will be no sleep tonight.

This book made me feel tense, suspicious, and completely invested. I kept reading “just one more chapter” and ended up staying up far too late. By the time I finished, I had a full-blown book hangover, which is always the sign of a great psychological thriller. Thank heavens I don't have any responsibilities tomorrow.

The plot itself was twisty and layered, with strong pacing and well-timed reveals. I especially appreciated that the twists felt earned rather than forced. And the ending delivered. It was satisfying, including outside-the-system justice, and best of all, no loose ends.

If I had one small critique, it’s that the sheer number of suspicious characters occasionally made me second-guess everyone at once, but honestly, that also added to the tension and kept me turning pages. So even that worked in the book’s favor.

Content warnings include themes of domestic abuse, controlling relationships, and violence, which may be difficult for some readers.

This is a top-tier psychological thriller that will appeal to readers who enjoy twisty plots, unreliable characters, and high emotional stakes. If you like stories where you trust no one and question everything, this one is absolutely worth picking up. Five stars, no question. I am already recommending it. 

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton for providing this advanced copy for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. 

Guilty By Association by TG Wolff (Rizk Brothers #2)

I came for the mystery, stayed for the twins, and want book three immediately.

One of my favorite things about this series is the relationship between the identical twins, Jakob and Seth, and Guilty by Association delivers that dynamic beautifully. They may look alike, but their personalities couldn’t be more different. Jakob is the cool-headed lawyer running for Attorney General, while Seth is the hot-headed investigator who charges forward without hesitation. Despite their differences, they share strong moral codes and an unshakable loyalty to each other that makes this series stand out.

Their bond really shines in this installment. Jakob is willing to skip a meeting with the Governor to fly to Florida when Seth needs help, while Seth considers a career move to protect Jakob’s campaign. That kind of loyalty is rare and compelling. We also finally meet their father and learn what really happened to their mother, which adds meaningful depth to both characters and helps explain why their bond is so strong.

I especially enjoyed Seth in this book. He’s stubborn, impulsive, and never quits but he’s also able to laugh at himself, which adds subtle humor throughout the story. Courtney’s pregnancy plays a smaller role this time, but every mention, especially Seth’s hilarious baby name suggestions, brought a smile.

The plot follows Jakob’s Attorney General campaign as his opponent attempts to sabotage him, while Seth investigates the suspicious death of a retired cop who had been looking into their mother’s case years earlier. The pacing is steady and engaging, with multiple threads unfolding at once. I was surprised by how the investigation developed and found myself sneaking in chapters whenever I had a spare moment, including staying up far too late to read “just one more.”

The characters and family dynamic are the heart of this book, and they’re what keep me coming back to the series. My only complaint is that the ending is a cliffhanger, and while it’s effective, I’m impatiently waiting for the next book because I need answers now.

If you enjoy character-driven suspense with strong family bonds, subtle humor, and layered investigations, this series is well worth picking up. This is the second book in the series, and I’m already looking forward to the third.

A special thank you to Lost Lake Press for this advanced reader copy. 

Harmless Women by Rebecca Sharpe

Harmless...yeah. We'll stick with that, sure.

Five stars. I lost sleep and procrastinated my to-do list. That’s my gold-standard rating system, and Harmless Women earned it.

This fast-paced thriller follows three women: Avalon, Prim, and Bianca. Avalon is a con artist who drugs Prim, steals her money, gives her a Botox “makeover,” shaves her head to make identification difficult, and leaves her sedated in a remote cabin. Prim, meanwhile, believes she’s headed for a relaxing spa getaway, away from her demanding job and her self-absorbed, cheating husband. Bianca is searching for her missing daughter and slowly losing her grip on reality.

I was hooked from the very first chapter, when Avalon is making preparations for Prim’s “makeover.” The tension only builds from there.

I loved the moral ambiguity in this book. At first, I trusted Prim and hated Avalon. Then I started trusting Avalon and wondering about Prim. Eventually, I found myself rooting for both of them even when there may have been a couple of murders along the way. That kind of character complexity kept me turning pages long past my bedtime.

I also really appreciated the moments when strangers chose to help Avalon and Prim, even though they were on the run and wanted for murder. These characters could have easily turned them in, but instead offered help, adding another layer of humanity to a very dark story and reinforcing how compelling these women became as they fought to survive.

The title Harmless Women is beautifully ironic. Throughout the story, the women are pressured, by men and even by Bianca’s distorted worldview, to be subservient, obedient, and controllable. Instead, these women are strong-willed, intelligent, and determined to survive. This theme of underestimated women stood out to me and made the story even more compelling.

The pacing is fast and the writing style is straightforward, which made this a quick, intense read. The shifting points of view built tension effectively, particularly as Bianca’s storyline became increasingly unsettling. Her descent into instability with flies, filth, and rambling thoughts added a creepy psychological layer that kept me guessing.

I also appreciated the unexpected emotional bond that developed between Avalon and Prim. Both women had suffered immense trauma, and watching them form a connection and become stronger together was one of my favorite parts of the book.

That said, I did have a few minor critiques. Bianca’s role felt somewhat confusing at times, and I wasn’t always sure how her storyline would ultimately connect to Avalon and Prim. I also would have appreciated translations for the French phrases used in a few places in the book. And while I enjoyed the ending, I found myself wishing for an epilogue. These women worked hard for their survival, and I would have loved a glimpse of their happily-ever-after.

Content warnings include violence against women and child abuse.

Overall, this is a dark, fast-paced thriller with morally gray characters, unexpected twists, and a strong theme of underestimated women finding their strength. I would highly recommend this to fans of dark thrillers, psychological suspense, and anyone who doesn’t mind losing sleep to finish “just one more chapter.”

Because this is what happens when independent, intelligent women stop playing nice. I loved every minute of it.

A special thank you to St. Martins Press/Minotaur Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Mystic Pieces by Ada Bell (Shady Grove Mystery #1)

 A light, cozy mystery that’s perfect for easy listening.

Twenty-one year old Aly just discovered she has psychic powers, not gradually or gently, but with a sudden and unexpected vision that turns her world upside down. At the same time, Earl, a cranky old man who isn’t exactly winning any neighborhood popularity contests, is murdered. So now Aly is navigating newfound psychic abilities while also trying to solve a murder. 

This cozy mystery was cute and kept me interested, but it never quite grabbed me by the collar. By my very scientific and extremely snarky rating system, this lands at a solid 3 stars: Decent, enjoyable, but not something I’ll be rushing to recommend to my thriller-reading friends.

That said, I think tweens and teens would really enjoy this one. It has that light, cozy vibe with low stakes and an easy pace, making it perfect for younger readers or anyone looking for a relaxed listen.

Overall I found it was a pleasant mystery with psychic twists and a cranky murder victim. Cute, cozy, and perfectly… fine.

We Already Dug the Grave by Emma C. Wells

A brain with more twists than a pretzel factory and zero concern for my bedtime.

With a title like "We Already Dug the Grave", reading is not an option. It's mandatory. I finished it at an hour when only bad decisions and great books exist and I regret nothing. Well…except maybe how I feel today. Nothing a long nap can't cure.

This is a psychological thriller with a little bit of the paranormal in the form of tea leaves, and it absolutely earns its place in the “just one more chapter” hall of fame. The story follows Milly, whose present-day life is interrupted when her estranged younger sister, Frances, shows up desperate for help after previously brushing her off. The narrative moves between “then” and “now,” slowly unraveling a shared past filled with buried secrets, complicated family dynamics, and a growing sense that something is very, very wrong.

The pacing is perfect. The dual timeline reveals just enough information to keep you hooked, dropping answers right before frustration can set in. I kept telling myself I’d stop at the next chapter… and then immediately didn’t.

The psychological tension is magnificent. This isn’t just a story where a character’s mind is being manipulated. Your mind is right there in the crossfire. The slow realization of what’s actually happening is brilliantly done, and when the full picture comes into focus, well, my jaw hit the floor.

Frances is…something else. She doesn’t come across as overtly unhinged, just slightly off in a way you can almost explain away. That subtlety makes her all the more unsettling. Watching the layers of her mind unfold is equal parts fascinating and horrifying.

Milly, on the other hand, surprised me. I started out wanting to shake her and tell her to get it together, stop complaining, yeah, life is hard. By the end, I was firmly in the “someone wrap this poor woman in a blanket and protect her at all costs” camp. That shift didn’t happen by accident. It’s a testament to how well the story recontextualizes everything you think you know.

The aunts are absolutely lovely. Warm, loyal, and just as willing to do anything for family, which, in this book, is both comforting and deeply concerning.

At its core, this book asks a very uncomfortable question: How far would you go for the people you love? It explores loyalty and its cost, manipulation, and the fine line between devotion and destruction. I found myself genuinely wrestling with that idea. I hope this is a question I personally will never need to know the answer to.

This story includes dark themes such as manipulation, violence, and morally complex choices. If you’re looking for a light, feel-good read…this is not that book.

My critique is very minor. The very elements that make this story so effective, its subtlety and layered reveals, may not work for readers who prefer straightforward storytelling. You have to be willing to sit in the uncertainty and let the story unfold on its terms.

I think fans of Freida McFadden will love the twists and shifting perspectives. Readers of Dean Koontz will appreciate the eerie undertones and emotional depth.

Romance readers…this is your official warning. This is Not a “happily ever after” rainbows and puppies novel. This is more like, “Hey! I found someone who loves mind games and questionable life choices as much as I do.”

This book gets five out of five stars from me, which is the “I should have gone to bed hours ago but absolutely did not” rating. This is not a book for everyone, but for the right reader it will completely wreck you. And yes, I immediately went back and reread the final chapters just to see what I missed. It’s that good.

A special thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The Murder Code by Ava Strong (Remi Laurent #2)

 Art theft, apocalypse predictions, and one seriously unhinged mastermind.

I just wrapped up The Murder Code by Ava Strong, and I’m landing at a solid 4 out of 5 stars.

This one pulled me in right away with a premise that made me do a double take: a lunatic stealing a series of paintings so he can predict the apocalypse. I mean… who thinks of these things? It’s wild, a little over-the-top, and definitely kept things interesting.

I listened to this one on audio while going back and forth to work and really enjoyed the ride. The pacing was steady, the investigation kept moving, and the dynamic between Remi Laurent and Daniel Walker worked well. That said, it didn’t quite hit that “cancel your plans and ignore all responsibilities” level of obsession for me. I was happy to come back to it but I wasn’t sneaking in extra chapters at midnight.

Overall, a strong, entertaining crime thriller with a unique twist. Not life-disrupting… but definitely worth the listen.

The Final Twist by Jeffery Deaver (Colton Shaw #3)

 Because one crisis at a time is for amateurs.

I went into The Final Twist already knowing I enjoy Jeffery Deaver’s writing, and especially his Colter Shaw series. Deaver seamlessly juggles multiple storylines without dropping a single one.

This time around, he’s hired to find a kidnapped young woman. But layered on top of that, he’s still digging into the mystery surrounding his father’s research and murder. And just to keep things interesting, his brother reappears to help…or at least complicate things in that way only family can.

What really worked for me here is how balanced everything felt. None of the storylines felt like filler or a distraction. Instead, they all fed into each other in a way that made the story stronger as a whole. It all comes together. It's the kind of payoff that makes you want to flip back a few pages and appreciate how all the pieces were quietly lining up the whole time.

Colter Shaw continues to be one of my favorite lone-wolf characters. He's smart, methodical, and just emotionally tangled enough to keep things interesting. Bringing his brother back into the mix added a nice layer of tension and gave us a different side of him that we don’t always get to see.

Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston

 Even the secrets have secrets. 

When I started reading Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston, I knew pretty quickly that something much deeper was going on. Aubrey says something in the opening chapter that immediately struck me as odd. When someone asks why she orders gin, she says, “I can't order anything else,” like she's not permitted to. That line stuck with me because it felt…off. Not wrong exactly, but like there was more underneath it. Turns out, that instinct was correct.

I realized this was going to be a twisty one when the chapters started moving back and forth between Before the Alibi, The Alibi, and After the Alibi. Timeline jumps always make my brain pause for a moment (or ten), so I actually made notes while reading to keep track of who was doing what and why. It slowed me down a little, but it helped me keep the growing pile of secrets organized. And there were a lot of secrets.

Aubrey and Camille make a deal that benefits them both. Aubrey wants to find out who really killed her parents, and Camille wants out of her marriage. On the surface, their arrangement seems mutually beneficial. But of course, both women have their own private motives they’re not sharing. And it’s all fun and games until somebody gets killed and the secrets start tripping over each other.

I’ll admit, I didn’t trust Aubrey at first. She’s perfectly comfortable pretending to be someone else for a day and then uses part of that time to visit someone in prison. That felt shadier than an old oak tree to me.

As the story unfolds, each timeline reveals another piece of the puzzle but not enough to give away the answer. I spent a good portion of the book arguing with myself:

She couldn’t have done it because…
But he couldn’t have because…
Unless they did it together…?
No, that doesn’t work either…

You get the picture. The mystery kept shifting just enough that I was never confident in any theory for very long. When the truth finally came out, the rug was successfully pulled out from under me.

And the ending was very satisfying. Let’s just say there’s a bit of justice outside the system, which is always something I appreciate in a thriller.

One lingering thought I had through all of this: Isn’t divorce easier? Sure, it’s expensive, you will exit with less than you entered, but compared to all the planning, manipulation, and general subversion happening here, it feels like the more time-efficient option.

Why should you read this book? Because it raises a question that sits quietly underneath the entire story:

Do we ever really know the people we think we know?

Readers who strongly dislike timeline jumps or multiple points of view might struggle with this one. But honestly, the effort was worth it. All those moving pieces eventually come together in a way that makes the whole puzzle snap into place. Or at least… it seems like it does. Because with this story, you can’t help wondering if there might still be one more secret hiding somewhere.

The Collateral Heart by Jeffery Deaver

Arson, genocide history, and forensic brilliance. I lost sleep and have no regrets.  

When I saw a new Lincoln Rhyme novel from Jeffery Deaver was coming out, my first reaction was a mental YIPPEE with a cartwheel. I’ve always loved the Rhyme and Sachs books, and this one reminded me exactly why.

The story begins with a homeless man getting trapped in an arson fire. Soon a disturbing pattern begins to emerge: the fires seem to follow chapters from a book about mass murderers and genocides throughout history. As the investigation unfolds, Rhyme and Amelia Sachs work to figure out who is behind the crimes and why arson would be connected to figures like Pol Pot and others.

At the same time, Detective Vale is investigating the murder of a young woman and turns to Rhyme and Sachs for help. The two investigations gradually intertwine, creating a tense race to identify the killers before yet another fire is set.

One of the things I’ve always admired about Deaver’s writing is the research. Because Rhyme is such a cerebral character, the science and forensics in these books need to be rock solid, and they always are. The investigation here involves detailed work with chemicals, artifacts, and tiny linguistic clues. At one point, something as small as the difference between “a” and “the” becomes an important piece of the puzzle. Those subtle details are what make these books so satisfying to read.

Of course, the heart of the series is the partnership between Rhyme and Sachs. I love watching them work together, each bringing different strengths to the investigation. Their marriage has deepened their mutual respect, and that dynamic really shines in this book. Thom, Rhyme’s personal assistant, is another favorite of mine. He does an admirable job keeping Rhyme in line, and however inappropriately, his character makes me laugh.

Detective Vale was also a welcome addition. I really enjoyed her investigative style, especially the way she builds timelines to solve cases. Her home life adds depth to her character, and I found myself hoping she might appear in future books.

The pacing kept me turning pages, and once the investigators started getting close to the truth, I had a hard time putting the book down. While I had a rough idea of who might be responsible for the crimes, the motivation behind it caught me completely by surprise. The tension builds beautifully toward a very satisfying conclusion.

Content warnings include murder, domestic violence, and addiction.

For me, this was an easy five-star read. In my personal rating system, five stars means I lost sleep because I couldn’t stop reading, and The Collateral Heart absolutely earned that rating.

Fans of Rhyme and Sachs will feel right at home here, and readers who enjoy intelligent crime thrillers  with strong forensic detail (like Patricia Cornwell) will find plenty to love.

A special thank you to Putnam for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Wolf Season by Wesley King

I told myself ‘just one more page’ until it was 2 a.m. and the book was finished. 

I lost sleep over this book. If I’d had plans, I would have cancelled them.

That’s my personal five-star standard, and Wolf Season by Wesley King earned every bit of it.

The story begins with a mystery that hooks you immediately: Sheriff Dale Johnson has been missing for nearly two weeks. His truck is found abandoned near the woods, with no sign of foul play. It’s as if he simply stepped out of the vehicle, walked into a forest, and vanished.

Enter Everett Johnson, the sheriff’s oldest son, returning to town after seven years away. His departure wasn’t exactly friendly. His father kicked him off the police force, and the woman he loved, Bernadine Armel, ended their relationship. Now Everett is back, reluctantly helping his younger brother Connor, who’s acting sheriff while their father is missing.

What starts as a search quickly turns into something deeper when other deaths begin to surface. Deaths that may or may not be connected to the sheriff’s disappearance.

The setting is a classic small town where everyone knows everyone else’s business, and if they don’t, the town gossip can probably find out for you. The atmosphere is fantastic. Between the deep woods, whispers of curses, an old witch, and a mysterious recluse known as the Hill Man, the story builds an almost eerie tension.

Everett makes a great protagonist. He’s strong and capable, but also very human: loyal to his family, still carrying the pain of the past, and clearly unable to forget Bernadine. Their complicated history forms the emotional backbone of the story. You can tell she’s holding something back, but figuring out what becomes part of the tension.

The supporting characters are memorable too. Deputy Kyle Dole is exactly the kind of officer every department seems to have - the loud, badge-flashing type who makes you roll your eyes but feels completely believable. My favorite secondary character, though, was the Hill Man. Every time he appeared, the tension in the story ticked up another notch.

The pacing is excellent. Wesley King gradually layers in clues and flashbacks, revealing pieces of the past until suddenly it was two in the morning and I was still telling myself, “Just one more page.”

There are also some paranormal elements woven into the story: cursed woods, rumors of witches, and the unsettling suggestion that the Armel women may not be entirely ordinary. One particular reveal made me roll my eyes a little, but not enough to break the spell of the story. After all, this is fiction. Readers who enjoy the suspense and supernatural touches of Dean Koontz will probably love this blend.

Content warnings include domestic abuse, violence, murder, and the grief of losing a child.

At its heart, though, Wolf Season isn’t just about solving a mystery. It’s about loyalty, love, and the kind of bonds that make people willing to move the earth for each other.

And yes—I absolutely stayed up way too late finishing it.

A special thank you to Atria for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The Pike by J.J. Richards (DCI Walker #2)

 A thriller that made me look forward to my commute.

I listened to The Pike as an audiobook, and it quickly became my daily commuting companion. The story wastes absolutely no time getting started. The first chapter drops a murder on the table and the investigation takes off running from there.

The pacing kept things moving nicely, but what really pulled me in were the characters. DCI Walker and Briggs make a great investigative team, and by the end of the book I found myself wanting to know more about their history. Any time I finish a mystery thinking “I should probably go back and read the first book in the series,” I consider that a win for the author.

The audiobook narration was excellent, too. The narrator managed to bring just enough personality to the characters without turning the whole thing into a performance piece. At one point my internal creep detector started quietly pinging about a certain character. I briefly suspected something… then talked myself out of it.

There’s also a moment involving a piece of technology that made me stop and think, “Wait… maybe those voices aren’t entirely imaginary.” That little twist added an extra layer of psychological tension to the story.

I ended up giving this one four out of five stars. I didn’t cancel plans or lose sleep over it, but it was a good, solid read with engaging characters and enough psychological mind games to keep things interesting. I liked it enough that I’ve already added the first book in the series, The Icehouse, to my TBR list because now I want the backstory on these characters.

And honestly, any thriller that makes you look forward to traffic is doing something right.