A Wall is Also a Road by Annalee Newitz

October 1, 2026

A Wall is Also a Road by Annalee Newitz

Gardenpath is a single cell person (an amoeba) just like all the other life forms in their planetary system. They are a graduate student in biology, and for their research project, they are hoping to discover something new on a quiet backwater planet that was long ago declared to be empty and barren. But when they arrive at the planet, they are shocked to find a thriving ecosystem and a large number of life forms, including one rather strange life form that appears to have language, culture, society, and connection.

Have you ever wondered what an alien would think of our world when they first landed here? Especially an alien who has a vastly different physical form. The main character Gardenpath is quite endearing, as is their human friend Murtis. The descriptions of Pompeii, its culture and society are fascinating and well-researched, especially what appear to Gardenpath to be some of the weirder customs and rituals. The ending is bittersweet, even though Gardenpath finds love, friendship, and meaningful work on their home planet: they know almost from the start that they will outlive the humans that they have come to love, and they experience the pain of watching their friends age each time they visit the alien planet that has become a second home. There is a lot of world-building about Gardenpath's home planet in Part 1, although if you have ever been in a competitive environment, many of the characters and situations will be familiar. Beautiful cover art. Readers who enjoy Martha Wells and Becky Chambers will enjoy Gardenpath's adventures among the Unnamed on Planet Earth.

Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

Ruins of Pompeii

The Sea Child by Linda Wilgus

September 30, 2026

The Sea Child by Linda Wilgus

As a small child, Isabel Henley was found wandering alone on the Cornwall shore. It was unknown if she survived the sinking of a ship, was swept overboard, or jumped off a ship. The villagers believed she might be the daughter of the Bucca, a mythological sea creature. She was adopted by a wealthy couple and grew up in a life of privilege. But following the death of her parents and her husband, Isabel is forced to use her inheritance to settle her husband's debts. Left in reduced circumstances, now widowed Isabel leases a small cottage near the village where she was found as a child, planning to live a quiet life. But she finds her life turned upside down when smugglers come to her cottage with their wounded captain, which leads Isabel to have the grand adventure she has always craved while still observing the social conventions of the day.

A sweet slow-burn romantic adventure set in Cornwall. Folklore, a handsome smuggler, romance, mystery, adventure, morally ambiguous characters, and a woman learning to be independent while still falling in love - what's not to like? This will appeal to readers who enjoyed the Poldark series on PBS or the Sharpe novels by Bernard Cornwell.

Cornwall

The Memory of Borrowed Books by Meg Anderson

September 19, 2026

The Memory of Borrowed Books

Claire Ashford is the head librarian at a small town library. The building is old and the town council wants to tear it down and put up luxury condos. Claire desperately wants to save the library but doesn't know how. Then late one evening, she discovers a hidden room that she has never noticed before, filled with mysterious books.

I've had a string of disappointing books lately, maybe because a lot of them are by debut authors. This was just okay, didn't love it. It had a strong YA feel. The grown-ups in the story are constantly calling and fussing over Claire, telling her to eat and go to bed and what to do, even though she is the head librarian at the town library, a position of responsibility. And she's almost 30 years old, for god's sake. It's obvious that there is some trauma in Claire's past but she isn't going to get past it if no one will let her deal with it (and it isn't that big a trauma when we get the big reveal, since we already suspect what it is). She also adopts a dog on a whim (you should really think about it before you take on responsibility for another living creature), but it does ground her. I know some readers loved her, but I found Grace to be really annoying. Also, librarians do a lot more than just shelve books and check out books for patrons.

Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

Partita by Barbara Kingsolver

September 13, 2026

Partita by Barbara Kingsolver

Livia Cable was on track to become a concert pianist until an accident side-tracked her plans. Now a piano teacher married to a farmer, after not hearing from him for 30 years, the man who broke her heart while she was in college contacts her, wanting to see her.

I am never sure how I am going to feel about Barbara Kingsolver's books. Some I have really loved (The Poisonwood Bible), others not so much. This one is somewhere in the middle, and I don't feel it's one of her better books. The main character is a bundle of cliches, starting with coming from a small town, having a mother who tries to keep her in her place, going to a big university where she doesn't fit in socially or academically, falling for a really hot older guy and having really hot sex for a couple of months, getting dumped by said hot guy when he leaves town, finding out she's pregnant, and then letting her whole life fall apart after Mr. Hot Guy splits. Lots of musical terms and descriptions of musical compositions, which are metaphors for the story. Livia and her brother Cy are victims of their mother's disappointments. Their father doesn't fare much better but he doesn't protect them from her abuse, either. The ending was disappointing - it felt rushed and the story felt unfinished, like the author didn't know how to end the story (I am one of those people who likes all the various story threads drawn together, so that I know what happened to the characters). The dogs (Dolly, Ondine and Gaz) were by far my favorite characters. Possible triggers include child abuse, suicide, mental illness, hoarding, child loss, grief.

Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

The Three Graces of Pearl Street by Elizabeth Wellington Rollins

September 11, 2026

The Three Graces of Pearl Street by Elizabeth Wellington Rollins

96 year old Graziella Valentini runs her neighborhood, her church and her family with an iron hand, like a mafia don. Her daughter Grace is in the middle of a divorce that she is trying to hide from her country club friends, while her MIT educated granddaughter is floundering to find the next steps in her life. Grandmother Graziella spends her life distributing charity to those in need, but still finds time to steer her daughter and granddaughter's lives, while also fighting with the Catholic Church.

I know a lot of readers loved this but I just didn't connect with any of the characters. The plot was predictable and was really slow from the middle to the end of the book. I could see where it was going early on. The grandmother was the most developed character in the story, while the other two women characters were kind of flat. One of the things I disliked was that the granddaughter Ella had to be "rescued" by a man. Also, I'm not Catholic, but I felt that the emphasis on the church's flaws was heavy handed at times. I did like Graziella's care for homeless cats (even though I am more of a dog person), although I didn't like some of her other traits.

Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

The Half-Hearted Queen by Charlie N. Holmberg

September 11, 2026

The Half-Hearted Queen by Charlie N. Holmberg

Craft healer Nym Tallowax has been taken prisoner by Adoel Nicosia and taken to Rodsfell, the capital of Sesta, along with King Renn's sister Eden. Nym knows their only chance of survival is to free themselves and escape, because with a war raging, it might take a long time for rescue to arrive.

This was just okay. I didn't enjoy this as much as some of the author's other books. I picked it up because I read the first book in the duology, The Shattered King, and like it well enough to want to find out what happened to the characters. It takes Nym a long time to figure out the connection between Renn and Nicosia. I got tired of all the descriptions of the violence inflicted on Nym and Eden, also the descriptions of war in the second half of the book, so I skimmed over much of the last 150 pages. Possible triggers include sexual assault, violence against women, violence in general. 

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

September 8, 2026

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

Natalie is a social media influencer who promotes living a traditional 19th century farm wife, but actually, she has household help, farm help, and all the modern conveniences. She has five children with a sixth on the way, but doesn't seem to like being a mother all that much. Nor does she care much for her rich lazy husband. All of that changes when she wakes up one morning to find herself transported back to the 19th century.

This had a great premise: Natalie, a social media influencer, obsessively documents her life online as a traditional/pioneer type wife and mother, while actually being a sham. Her 19th century cabinetry hides state-of-the-art appliances and she has hired help out the wazoo. Her husband is a rich boy who is banging one of the show's producers, and all his misdeeds are covered up by his politician father. Then one morning, Natalie wakes up to find herself actually living on the same farmstead but in the reality of the hardships of 19th century farm life. 

This was supposed to be darkly humorous but I didn't find it funny. As someone who reads a lot and has studied history, I know the fantasy of living as a tradwife and being off the grid is just that, a fantasy. I suspected the "twist" fairly early on and started skimming at about the 40% mark. I did feel sorry for Natalie - she was the victim of a patriarchal cult in childhood, and then a patriarchal society that she couldn't overcome, and she never found a place where she felt she fit in and finally had a break with reality. The author is yet another podcaster host who has a large online following.

If you want to read a better book about a character who time travels back to 19th century America, try The Mirror by Marlys Millhiser. It's an older title but was reprinted in 2018.

An actual 19th century farmstead

Chivalry & Chocolate by M. J. Gillbright

September 4, 2026

Chivalry & Chocolate by M. J. Gillbright

Dassia Temperton has been masquerading as a knight for several years, for the food, the privacy and not having to deal with fat elderly merchants who want to marry her. But when she accepts a quest to hunt down a dragon, she discovers that said dragon is a charming, chocolate-loving entrepreneur who thinks they should start a candy-making business together. A great idea, except if the queen's guards discover their charade, it could mean life in prison or worse for Dassia, and certain death for the dragon.

Disappointing. I really wanted to like this but the writing quality was poor. There was a lot of repetition - if this wasn't written by AI, it was certainly edited by AI. Suggestion to the authors: your AI editor needs a thesaurus. A number of words were overused constantly (including but not limited to spiral, fabulous, darling, dear, sparkling). Better yet, splurge on a human editor. A human editor would have cut out at least 100 pages, improved the text, and made this a better book. I will say that it had a cute cover, and the chocolate descriptions were good, even mouth-watering at times.

Beautiful gourmet chocolates, mmmmmm...

All Her Beautiful Deaths by A. Rushby

September 1, 2026

All Her Beautiful Deaths by A. Rushby

After being thrown out of her sister's home, Minnie Price takes a job as a housemaid for a pair of wealthy eccentric twins. Edmund is fascinated by medicine, while his twin sister Edith is obsessed with photography. Over one hundred years later, in 21st century Australia, an artist comes into possession of an album of Victorian death photographs that the head of a charitable trusts wants to stop her from using. 

A gothic mystery with dual timelines - it was hard to decide who to trust in both storylines. The Victorians were fascinated by death and not only took death photos and made death masks, but also had jewelry made from the hair of a dead loved one. I was more interested in the 19th century story than the modern storyline. Interesting characters and a steady narrative kept me reading. Will appeal to readers of historical or gothic fiction.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

An example of Victorian death photography - this is one of the less macabre photos that I found

The Atrocity Archives by Charles Stross

August 31, 2026

The Atrocity Archives by Charles Stross

Bob Howard is a low-level operative for the Laundry, a super-secret government agency that deals with supernatural entities. He is a hum-drum office drone until he applies for a transfer to active service. Forgetting that the first rule of the Laundry is "never volunteer for active duty."

Explanations of a lot of magic plus a lot of science. Not really for me. I did enjoy Bob's humor and his relationships with his roommates and Mo. Readers who enjoy Matt Dinniman or Ben Aaronovitch will most likely enjoy the Laundry Files.

Whistler by Ann Patchett

August 25, 2026

Whistler by Ann Patchett

When Daphne Fuller and her husband decide to spend a morning at the art museum, they unexpectedly run into Eddie, Daphne's former stepfather who she hasn't seen in decades. Seeing him triggers a flood of memory for Daphne, including why her mother divorced him so suddenly following a car accident. Daphne remembers that while they were trapped in the car waiting for emergency services to rescue them, to distract her, Eddie told her the story of a book proposal that he had received, about a horse named Whistler.

Ann Patchett hits it out of the park. Again. The Dutch House is still my favorite Patchett novel, but this is a great read.

One of the Family by Mark Edwards

August 22, 2026

One of the Family by Mark Edwards

When a man is invited to spend New Year's Eve (Hogmanay if you're Scottish) with his wealthy girlfriend's family at their resort home in a remote part of the Scottish Highlands, he gets a lot more than a winter vacation among the rich and fabulous.'

I finished this late one evening when there was nothing worth watching on television (like most nights) and the next morning, I had to sit down and think through the ending. At first, I wasn't sure whether I liked it or not. The plot is clever and convoluted, with several deaths and a number of twists that connect actions from almost two decades earlier to what is going on in the present. Horrible family, not even morally ambiguous, just reprehensible - the only likable family member is the dog Watson, and he isn't in it enough. I have been told that the plot is similar to the HBO show Succession which I haven't seen, so can't confirm or deny - maybe I will subscribe to HBO over the winter and watch it.

Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an eARC for review. 

Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

August 21, 2026

Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

When an inter-galactic conglomerate takes over Earth and all its resources (organic, inorganic, biological, mineral, living, dead), the only chance the remaining people have of surviving is entering a series of tunnels that have appeared below Earth's surface. When Carl and his ex-girlfriend's cat Donut descend to one of these tunnels, Carl learns that they are actually part of a televised video game that is being broadcast to over six billion worlds, and their survival depends on how entertaining the viewers find them and how many followers they can accumulate.

Ludicrous in the best possible way. I enjoyed the snarky humor between Carl and Donut, also Carl's sense of responsibility toward Donut and others that they meet in the tunnels, as they work to survive together in an unknown environment. If you enjoy role playing games, adventure video games, or reality TV shows with ridiculous premises like Naked & Afraid or Survivor, you will most likely enjoy the Dungeon Crawler Carl series.

When Mikan Road Was Ours by D. K. Furitani

August 19, 2026

When Mikan Road Was Ours by D. K. Furitani

When his great-uncle dies, a reclusive Japanese-American teacher finds he has inherited a baseball glove and a piece of the family's farm in Japan, but more importantly, his great-uncle's memoirs. He begins to read, learning more about his father's estranged family than his late father ever said about them.

I know you're not supposed to criticize books by non-white authors, especially if they are writing about heritage or how bad their race was treated by white people. But this book seemed disjointed and heavy handed. I understand that the author was trying to educate us, but there is too much over-explaining in some sections. The memoir sections were the most interesting part, but then they just stop, like the author didn't know where to go with them. Rather than the letters and computer notes and poetry, I would have found it more engaging if Ben's memoirs had continued and filled in more of the family history. I was about ready to hit the unnamed narrator with a stick when his dog kept getting out of the yard and he wasn't doing anything to keep his dog safe. Being apathetic or lethargic is one thing, but not when you are responsible for another creature's life.

Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

World War II Japanese internment camp in California

The Intrigue by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

August 16, 2026

The Intrigue by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Ulises Linares (possibly not his real name) is a handsome con man who preys on lonely older women, cheating them out of their life savings. As his next mark, he identifies a woman names Perla who lives in a small town near Veracruz and runs a boardinghouse. But when he arrives at her guesthouse, the woman's niece Inez immediately spots the con game. But rather than expose Ulises as a crook, she wants in on his plan.

Noir fiction set in mid-20th century Mexico. All three of the main characters are morally ambiguous and unlikeable (actually all of the characters are except for the dog) but still fascinating, and I kept reading because I wanted to know how they got that way and what happens to them, which is the mark of a good novel. The plot drags a bit in the middle and the romance isn't much of a romance. Also, no elements of horror that Moreno-Garcia is known for, but still a story that draws you in.

Mountains around Veracruz

The Secret Thread by Eve Chase

August 14, 2026

The Secret Thread by Eve Chase

Seeking answers about her family, a young woman takes a job as assistant to a very famous designer to write the catalog for an auction of the designer's collectibles.

This was a good story, well written and interesting, except for one thing that didn't make sense. I found it impossible to believe that in the 21st century, a very famous, very wealthy person would hire an assistant off the street and not do a background check. Her other assistant is constantly online and on his phone and HE doesn't do a background check. It would have made more sense if the "big reveal" was the designer saying yes, she knew all along who the young woman was and was waiting for her to tell her who she was and why she was there. Every place I worked at from the 1990s on routinely did background checks before hiring anyone.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

Burn the Kingdom Down by Addie Thorley

August 13, 2026

Burn the Kingdom Down by Addie Thorley

As part of the peace treaty between their countries, Princess Rowenna of Tashir is sent to Vanzador as a bride for their crown prince. But a year later, Rowenna is dead, her body sent home in a sealed coffin. Her younger sister Indira is sent as a replacement for Rowenna. Indira is positive that Rowenna was murdered and is determined to find out who killed her and why.

This is a YA romantasy and mystery rolled into one. It had a strong start with good world building and character explanations. But I got bored with the FMC Indira pretty quickly. Instead of using some subtlety, she runs around accusing everyone of her sister's murder. Great way to tip off everyone about what you're up to! I found myself skimming about halfway through. I even caught on to the twist early in the story. Not terrible but slow and longer than it needed to be. It's a debut novel and reads like one. Lots of YA type drama.

Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an eARC for review

We Burned So Bright by TJ Klune

August 11, 2026

We Burned So Bright by TJ Klune

Don and Rodney have been together for 40 years, living in Maine. Now both retired, they have traveled all over the United States in their rusty old RV. Don and Rodney have one last quest to fulfill, but a black hole is gradually swallowing the galaxy. They realize that they may have left it too late, and they may be out of time.

Whether he is writing about dogs or robots or children with unusual abilities or the end of the world, TJ Klune is always able to yank at your heartstrings. The story in in this short novel follows a gay couple who have been through the ups and downs of a long life together, and realize that they are almost out of time to fulfill one last promise. Reminded me of The Measure by Nikki Erlick, in that it looks at the different responses that people have to a catastrophic event. The world may be ending but you're left with the feeling that it may just be okay. Not my favorite Klune novel but definitely worth reading.

A black hole, a region of space where gravity is so dense it sucks in everything and doesn't even allow light to escape

Crocodilopolis by John Manuel Arias

August 9, 2026

Crocodilopolis by John Manuel Arias

Seth Oreamundo has hated his younger brother since he was born, first for taking his mother's ove and later for taking his career and home. Ten years after being exiled from his homeland, Seth devises what he considers to be just revenge for all that he has lost.

I wasn't sure I wanted to read this, but once I started, it sucked me in and I finished it in just a few days. This is one messed up family. Themes include revenge, toxic masculinity, corruption, mythology, brotherhood, rage, identity, and a family secret that is the root of all the evil in the family. The crocodiles in the river are the perfect metaphor for the Oreamundo family.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

American crocodile - can grow up to 20 feet long - hideous

Sea of Charms by Sarah Beth Durst

August 7, 2026

Sea of Charms by Sarah Beth Durst

Marin is a supply runner, picking up and delivering order to the outlying islands of the Crescent Islands empire. On her most recent trip to the capital, the city is filled with unrest as rebel forces attempt to overthrow the government. With the help of her sea serpent friend Perri, Marin helps her friend Dax escape the violence in exchange for his help on her boat. And pretending to be her boyfriend.

The third book in the Spellshop magical series. The stories are intertwined with side characters from one story appearing as the main characters in another - Marin, Perri and Dax appeared in the second book in the series, as well as other characters from the first two books. Thoroughly enjoyable romantasy/cozy fantasy fiction, perfect for reading on a warm summer afternoon. The fourth book is The Magical Cheese Emporium - cheeses made from unicorn milk!

 

Ice Vegas by Larry Niven and Stephen Barnes

August 3, 2026

Ice Vegas by Larry Niven and Stephen Barnes

A retired assassin comes out of retirement to stop a megalomaniac's quest for world domination.

DNF at 40%. Based on the synopsis, I was expecting a different book, more about an underground entertainment Mecca somewhere below Greenland and a detective trying to solve a final case. But this was mostly an internal monologue by a spy/assassin, pondering how she got where she is. The themes like world domination and the threats posed by technology seem like classic sci fi themes from the last half of the 20th century. Also, including an octopus in the story seemed like a rip-off of Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. Disappointing.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

The Boleyn Secret by Alison Weir

July 30, 2026

The Boleyn Secret by Alison Weir

Twelve year old Katherine Carey is a companion and playmate to her toddler cousin Princess Elizabeth, daughter of Henry VIII and his second queen Anne Boleyn. To Kate's horror, she is summoned to the Tower of London to attend her aunt Anne at her trial and execution. Kate is convinced that her aunt was innocent and that Henry committed an atrocity. Later, Kate is called to court to serve as a maid-of-honor to Henry's fourth queen, Anne of Cleves. Throughout her life, Kate maintains her relationship with Elizabeth through Henry's reign, the turmoil following his death, and Elizabeth's eventual ascension to the throne.

Another well-researched book in the author's series on the women of the Tudor court, this one focusing on Katherine Carey, daughter of Mary Boleyn and niece of Anne Boleyn. Many contemporaries as well as historians believed that Katherine was the daughter of Henry VIII, as Mary was carrying on an affair with Henry in the years before Katherine's birth - some note a resemblance to both Elizabeth I and Henry VIII but many of the portraits from the 16th century have a similarity. Based on the known portrait of her, Katherine was actually better looking than either of them. While Katherine is the main character, Elizabeth I is also a main player, as much of the story is about her relationship with her cousin Katherine. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys fiction about the Tudor court.

Portrait of Katherine Carey

It's Not What You Think by Clare Macintosh

July 24, 2026

It's Not What You Think by Clare Macintosh

Nadeeka comes home from work to find the police at her house and her boyfriend dead on the floor. From the way he had been acting, she suspected that he had been seeing someone else and was planning to leave her. But the mystery only deepens as Nadeeka tries to piece together what her boyfriend had really been up to.

No. No, it wasn't. What I thought it was going to be.

It's the middle of summer, and I was expecting a juicy "is he cheating/isn't he cheating" thriller, with a host of suspects: the current girlfriend, the girlfriend's ex, the boyfriend's new side piece, the side piece's partner, the boyfriend's ex, the BFF, the jealous buddy, the creepy neighbor, etc. But this turned out to have heavy poitical/social themes. Not my thing at all, especially since it's a reflection of what is going on in the world today. There were a couple of twists but I saw both of them coming well in advance. 

I've read other books by this author and really enjoyed them. This one, not so much, although I'm sure it will appeal to many readers. Disappointing.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

The Secret Life of Sunflowers by Marta M0lnar

July 23, 2026

The Secret Life of Sunflowers by Marta Molnar

During his lifetime, Vincent Van Gogh struggled to earn a living as a painter while also battling mental illness. His brother Theo and sister-in-law Johanna supported him financially and emotionally, but eventually Vincent slipped deeper into mental illness and took his own life. Shortly after his death, his brother Theo was hospitalized for consumption and insanity, and died a short time later. Theo's widow was left with the task of selling Vincent's paintings and keeping his name alive, while also supporting herself and her young son.

I like historical fiction where I learn about unknown people or events. I knew Vincent Van Gogh's brother was married and had a child, and that Theo died not long after Vincent. Johanna Bonger, Theo's widow, believed in Vincent's genius and worked hard to promote his work, while also running a boarding house and raising her child. There is a dual timeline here and I enjoyed Johanna's story far more than Emsley's narrative. The dual timeline structure has been used a lot in fiction, especially the trope of an heir cleaning out an old house and finding a secret diary or letters as well as a priceless antique. I found myself skimming over Emsley's story which was predictable and not all that interesting, and I didn't care about any of the characters in those sections. On the other hand, Johanna was an amazing woman who worked to promote Vincent's work at a time where it was unheard of for women to act as an artistic representative.

Van Gogh's Sunflowers

Bodies of Magic by Freya Marske

July 22, 2026

Bodies of Magic by Freya Marske

Five medical students are about to take their final exam to graduate from medical school. It's a practical exam and has five parts, and they must work as a team to pass. But when they arrive for the first part, they find the body of one of their most brilliant classmates dead on the floor. The five students must band together to solve the mystery while still passing the exam.

I really liked the concept of this book and wanted to love it. But there was a lot of information thrown at the reader, especially in the first half, and the pacing dragged at first. It picked up in the second half and raced to its conclusion. Because there were five main characters, we didn't really get to explore their individual powers, which was also disappointing.

Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

Queenswood by Kathleen Schwab

July 16, 2026

Queenswood by Kathleen Schwab

Angus is the High Prince of the Faerie world, destined to become king. He is dismayed when a seer tells him he must find a bride among the mortals, since the fae bloodlines are so weak they are no longer able to produce heirs. Angus finds an acceptable bride in Rhiannon, a girl from a noble family destined to become a nun before he abducts her. But many of his courtiers and the fae are not accepting of his human queen and displeased with his choice, and they plot to take his throne.

This story isn't sure what it wants to be: is it historical fiction, a romantasy, a mythological epic? Adventure, fairy tale, coming of age story? There are also overtones of the Snow White story. I think the author tried to incorporate too many ideas into one book, when maybe she should have written one book about Angus and Rhiannon, and then a follow up book about Angus' struggles to hold onto his kingdom. The moral of the story is that the fae world is a dangerous place for both the fae and humans. Not terrible, but it certainly wandered around. Beautiful cover art. Will appeal to readers who are into atmospheric reads with heavy world building.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

Everyone in This Bank is a Thief by Benjamin Stevenson

June 26, 2026

Everyone in This Bank is a Thief by Benjamin Stevenson

After the publication of his third book, Ernest Cunningham and his fiancee Juliette are seeking a bank loan to open a detective agency. But when they arrive at the bank for their appointment, they learn that rather than discuss a bank loan, the bank manager wants Ernest to take on a new case.

Another locked-room mystery in the Ernest Cunningham series, this time set in a bank. All of the mysteries follow the rules of the Golden Age mysteries, such as not introducing a new character who turns out to be the villain late in the story, and a parlor-type reveal at the end. This one was really twisty, with ten suspects and ten thefts. The characters are quirky, there is a lot of dry humor, and the ending is unexpected, although it took a long time to get there. I did think the center of the book dragged. Will appeal to fans of Knives Out or Glass Onion.

Valet by J. P. Lacrampe

June 26, 2026

Valet by J. P. Lacrampe

Cy is a VALET, an AI-controlled robot assigned to be the personal assistant to Grayson, the 35 year old son of the the owner of AI+, Cy's creator. Grayson grew up with Cy and Cy's current assignment is to find Grayson a wife or at least someone who will look after him so his family doesn't have to. This is harder than it sounds since Grayson is something of an oddball. The longer it takes, the lower Cy's success rating drops. If it falls below a certain level, not only will Cy not be eligible for an upgrade, he will be farmed out for parts. Worse yet, Grayson's sister Charlotte, the company CEO, is working on a deal to sell the family corporation to a competitor.

It's impossible to turn on the television or computer these days and not get bombarded with ads for AI, and generally speaking, it's pretty annoying (no, I don't need AI to write an email for me, summarize an article, or tell me how to invest). Set in the not-too-distant future, AI and robots haven't exactly taken over society but humans are dependent on them for everything. The takeover plot is silly and you know from the start that it's not going to work. You can't help but love Cy, who is devoted to his human "brother" Grayson and Grayson's dog, a golden retriever named Sasha III who is a clone of Grayson's childhood dog (non-spoiler alert: Sasha III is fine at the end of the book). The real question here is what makes us human and what makes us a family. I did want to slap Cy's friend Larry by the end of the book. Will appeal to readers who enjoy the quirky fiction of Kevin Wilson or Augusten Burroughs.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

The Murder at World's End by Ross Montgomery

July 15, 2026

The Murder at World's End by Ross Montgomery

On the eve of the return of Halley's Comet in 1910, Stephen Pike arrives to take up a position as a footman at a country house called Tithe House, located on a peninsula known as World's End. World's End off the coast of Cornwall is a tidal island, which means that when the tide comes in, the peninsula is cut off from the mainland and becomes an island for up to 18 hours until the tide goes out again. Stephen also learns that his new employer is an eccentric who believes that the comet's tail is bringing poisonous cyanide gases that will kill off all life forms. He has all the doors and windows boarded up, and issues orders that all guests, residents and staff are to sequester themselves in their quarters until morning when the noxious vapors will have passed. But after what was otherwise a quiet night in the sealed up house, the staff and the family wake up to discover that one of them has been murdered in the night. And not by the comet. Because of his criminal background, Stephen is quickly singled out as the likely culprit. He realizes he has to discover the murderer and solve the crime unless he wants to find himself back in prison or worse.

I love a mystery set in an English country house. The characters are always guilty of something, not to mention eccentric, and the family here is no exception. Ex-con Stephen is young and naive and good-hearted, just grateful to have a job and wanting people to like him. His unexpected sleuthing partner is Aunt Decima, a foul-mouthed octogenarian who is easily the smartest person in the house and a fabulous character. She does not suffer fools gladly and has no qualms about dropping the f-bomb frequently. A cross between an Agatha Christie locked-room mystery and Downtown Abbey or Upstairs/Downstairs. Very enjoyable.

A tidal island with the causeway connecting it to the mainland underwater at high tide

The Devoted by Catherine Cho

July 12, 2026

The Devoted by Catherine Cho

Eunha is a Korean woman living in Hong Kong. Her father is a Dragon Head, the leader of one of the notorious Triad families that make up organized crime in the city. Although her grandmother tries to shield her from the Triads' influence, it's always there in the background. When her son is kidnapped, Eunha finds herself pulled into the Triads' sphere as she mistrusts everyone around her. Even marrying the love of her life comes at a cost.

An intense story that triggers a wide range of emotions from heartbreak to dread to anger to triumph. Told from Eunha's POV in two separate timelines, the story focuses on her growth and coming to terms with not being able to escape her past, that she has to seize control of her fate with both hands in order to secure the future that she wants for herself and her sons. Up until that point, she is more of a passive observer of life around her, reacting to the actions of the men in her life and doing as she is told. I would like to say that this is unique to her story but women all over the world living in patriarchal or male-dominated societies experience this. At times, I was as devastated as Eunha by the revelations about those she trusted and her realization that she couldn't trust anyone. Characters were well-developed and multi-layered. Themes include family, loyalty, forbidden love, betrayal, honor and revenge. If you're expecting Mafia violence a la The Godfather, this isn't that book.

Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

The Chateau on Sunset by Natasha Lester

July 13, 2026

The Chateau on Sunset by Natasha Lester

After her parents are killed in a freak accident, 13 year old Aria is sent to California to live with her aunt, a former Golden Age actress who lives at the historic Chateau Marmont hotel in Los Angeles. Aria soon discovers the seedy side of the hotel and Hollywood, and is determined to help the young starlets being abused by producers and studio executives.

A retelling of the Jane Eyre story set in Hollywood. But the real story here is the Hollywood studio system, where powerful men expected aspiring actresses to trade sexual favors for movie roles. Although the story here is set in the 1950s and 1960s, unfortunately these abuses continue to the present day as demonstrated by the Me Too movement. The ending was a little too saccharine and unbelievable for me.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for review. 

Hotel Marmont, Los Angeles, CA

Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch

July 9, 2026

Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch

Constable Peter Grant is just coming off his probationary period when he is assigned to one of the Metropolitan Police's special units, the one dealing with magical crimes. But he never expects his new assignment will lead him to the Thames family and their many offspring (tributaries?) as he follows a crime spree based on the Punch and Judy puppet story.

An urban fantasy set in modern London that is also a police procedural using a combination of policing and magic to solve crime. The mystery here is based on the traditional British Punch and Judy puppet show which most Americans are not familiar with, which may be a difficulty for readers who are not Anglophiles. The main character Peter is very likable, a mix of intelligent, naive and nerdy. There is a certain amount of geeky science as well as references to historical and cultural figures, and it helps if you are familiar with London since the action moves all over the city. Fans of the Harry Dresden, Discworld or Dr. Who series will enjoy this urban fantasy mystery.

Traditional Punch and Judy puppets - I hate puppets

Fabulous Bodies by Chuck Tingle

July 5, 2026

Fabulous Bodies by Chuck Tingle

Social media influencer and single mother Poppy Stringer has over 200,000 followers and posts constantly to her social media sites. To support her lavish lifestyle, Poppy has a secret side hustle as a modern day grave robber, stealing bodies by contract, mostly from funeral homes. But on the day her music idol is killed in a freak accident, Poppy receives a commission to steal his body from the city morgue. It seems straightforward enough, not to mention wildly lucrative, but things quickly take a bad turn.

Imagine that you finally get the chance to meet the guy who has been your musical idol all your life, but it turns out that he is nothing like you expect? For one thing, he's dead, and for another, he's on a killing spree. I worry about Chuck Tingle, I really do. What is going on in his head? What kind of childhood trauma did he experience to come up with the kind of stuff he writes about? This is a road trip of a very different kind, full of gore and horror set against the glittering backdrop of Palm Springs. At the same time, there is a a dark humor as Eddie shares unexpected bits of wisdom, like telling Poppy it's always a bad idea to meet your idols. Poppy realizes that she and Eddie are both influencers and have a deeper connection than she could ever expect. Real horror fans will get into this fast-paced novel.

Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

Palm Springs, CA

The Foursome by Christina Baker Kline

June 18, 2026

The Foursome by Christina Baker Kline

After touring Europe and the large cities of North America, celebrated conjoined twins Chang and Eng Bunker decided to settle down in a small town in North Carolina. They soon bought land, built a fine house, and opened a general store. Wealthy and educated, the only things missing from their lives were wives and children. They met Adelaide and Sarah Yates, a pair of sisters from a local family with a questionable history. Addie was fascinated by the brothers and immediately decided to marry Chang. She convinced her sister that marrying Eng was the only way to redeem past mistakes and the only way that Addie would be able to marry Chang.

Eng and Chang Bunker were the first pair of conjoined twins to find international fame. Born in Siam (now Thailand), they were the source of the now-obsolete expression Siamese Twins. Their lives were well documented, and the two sisters who married them were distant cousins of the author. Not only did Chang and Eng marry, they went on to father 21 children (!) between them. After their deaths, an autopsy determined that they were joined at the liver, and it would have been impossible to separate them during their lifetime. Today this type of surgery would have been possible and most conjoined twins are successfully separated. I highly recommend this fascinating look at two unique families and the times they lived in.

Chang and Eng Bunker