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.

The Guilty Sleep by Jeremy D. Baker

 The payoff showed up fashionably late.

I just finished The Guilty Sleep by Jeremy D. Baker, and this one lands squarely in my 3-star category.

Not bad. Not amazing. Just… okay.

The premise had potential. Military trauma, buried guilt, secrets unraveling in the present day, all things I usually enjoy. And to be fair, by the final stretch, everything did come together in a way that made sense.

The issue was it felt like most of the book was setting the table.

We spent a long time circling the backstory, hinting at the Big Event, layering in tension. And I kept thinking, “Alright, here we go… here we go…” But the real momentum didn’t kick in until the last quarter of the book.

By then, I understood what the author was doing. I just wish we’d gotten there sooner.

It’s the kind of read where you close the book and think, “Okay. That worked.”
But you’re not immediately texting a friend, “Drop everything. You need this.”

So yes — 3 stars. A decent concept. A slow burn. A late payoff.

And while I won’t be recommending it anytime soon, I’m also not mad I read it. 

Sometimes a book doesn’t have to be life-changing. Sometimes it just has to be fine. I am interested in seeing more by Mr. Baker.