State of Terror was a highly anticipated fall release before its publication. It will have its admirers and detractors. I suspect that conservative Americans will be offended by the thinly veiled references to the presidency of Donald Trump and the consequent perilous state that was left in his wake. But…this is fiction and should be judged as such.
This book is a page turning thrill ride that goes from one scary scenario to another. Throughout is a stalwart Secretary of State, Ellen, who I imagine has some of HRC’s characteristics. Ellen is a good person who is willing to take risks for the good of her country. She was appointed by a president who did not like her and who perhaps wanted her to fail; will she?
Interestingly, readers learn a bit, through Ellen, about how women are judged. Ellen takes advantage of this in her role as chief diplomat. For example, while she may act one down or look a bit disheveled Ellen is as clever as they come.
In addition to the action and the feeling of insider information, there are some nice relationships with the main characters and their connections. Ellen’s friendship with Betsy is the kind of relationship many wish for with their closest connections. Readers also get to watch Ellen with her adult children.
There are many other characters in this book. All contribute to the story line and readers will care for many of them. The villains also get their time in these pages.
The collaboration of these two authors works very well. Each had a role to play in creating the book. SPOILER: Readers of LP’s books will be delighted when they see how her own series comes into play. I loved how that was done.
I recommend this novel. It is a thriller with heart and some important messages.
Sometimes the right book just comes along when it is needed. Maybe that is part of the magic of this author’s books. This was a comfort read exactly when I needed one. It is perfect for when a non-stressful read is wanted.
Emmie has returned home from a burgeoning career as a chocolate maker in Europe because her family needs her help. Emmie takes over her parents’ fudge shop, emotionally supports her mother who has a chronic health problem, and does her very best to care for her young son. She literally (and metaphorically) has a lot on her plate.
Emmie is surrounded by many others, perhaps most importantly Jakob whom she dated in high school. Also key is Henry whose TV show Emmie regularly watches. Imagine her surprise when Henry comes to her town for the summer.
Linden usually puts a bit of magic in her books. Here she inserts a special candle that tells the women of Emmie’s family their future. Will what she sees be what Emmie wants? Is there any room for interpretation?
The setting in a small Pacific Coast town with Norwegian roots (that really exists!) is lovingly described. I could so easily picture the Main Street and its’ shops.
Linden very talks about the importance of finding what a person wants in life. This is a very valid message but I think could perhaps have used a tad lighter touch.
Those who enjoy small towns, romance, stories about family and friends, and, of course, chocolate will want to pick up this title.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 19 May 2026
Post first published on 12 January 2026
Description:
A tantalizing novel about a struggling chocolatier who is granted a magical vision of the future of her dreams, only to realize that her heart may desire something else entirely, from the bestselling author of The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie.
Paris trained chocolatier and single mother Emmie Wynne gave up her own dreams six years ago when she returned to her Pacific Northwest coastal tourist town to run her family’s struggling candy store. Now on her thirty-fourth birthday, Emmie has only one wish, to be granted the vision that every Wynne woman is given once in her lifetime—a shimmering glimpse of her true destiny. This year, when she blows out her candles, it finally comes true.
Her vision is more delectable than she could’ve imagined—her very own artisanal chocolate shop filled with decadent truffles and caramels, and her celebrity crush, Henry Summers, down on one knee. And when Henry suddenly arrives in town for the summer, offering Emmie the opportunity of a lifetime, the future in her vision suddenly seems possible.
But a rekindled connection with Jakob, her former high school best friend turned hunky, brooding tattooed baker, forces Emmie to grapple with the bittersweet realization that her destiny may not be what her heart truly longs for. As the culmination of her vision draws nearer, can Emmie find the courage to create a happiness of her own making?
Rachel Linden is a novelist and international aid worker whose adventures in more than fifty countries around the world provide excellent grist for her writing. She is the author of The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake, Recipe for a Charmed Life, The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie, Ascension of Larks, Becoming the Talbot Sisters, and The Enlightenment of Bees. Currently, Rachel lives with her family on a sweet little island in the Pacific Northwest where she enjoys creating stories about hope, courage, and connection with a hint of romance and a touch of whimsy
Please note that this review is for the unabridged audio of this title. It will be released in the U.S. in March. The book is out in the U.K.
Right now, many are absorbed in watching the latest season of The Crown. There is a lot of back and forth about what is true and what is fictional drama. Well, as far as I know, The Windsor Knot is totally fiction about the monarch as detective.
This is an absolutely delightful and enjoyable title and one that I recommend highly for an escapist break. Give it a try.
In The Windsor Knot, there are murder, mysterious Russians, ballet dancers, Chinese speakers, a very likeable Nigerian aide to the Queen called Rosie, various government and palace workers, family members of the Queen, visiting dignitaries, including Obama and more. All are engagingly portrayed.
The character of the queen feels pitch perfect. She is portrayed as a woman well aware of her role and importance but also as someone with an interior life, likes and dislikes. She is a detective who uses her access to information and her Poirot like gray cells to solve the case.
The narrator of the audio book is just splendid. She captures the characters and accents with aplomb and individual voices. I was only sorry when I had to part with her at the end of this title.
Put this one on your TBR or TBL (to be listened to) pile. Enjoy! It is part of a series so there is more to come.
This title is Murrin’s sophomore effort, following on Knife Skills for Beginners. Both feature an amateur sleuth who is also a chef. This means that there is a lot of delightful information about food and meals in the books.
This time Paul is on a sea cruise. He was invited by a wealthy female friend. She has just married Sir Billy. Will their happiness last? What will become of the very, very expensive necklace that Xera was given by him?
This book is peopled with so many characters. They include the crew of the private yacht and the guests. Not all of them are likeable. And, of course, one of them will be murdered, leaving Paul to figure things out.
I liked many things about this book but did find the plot to require significant suspension of disbelief. Still, I believe that Murrin had great fun while writing his tale. His sense of humor is quite evident. For example, the yacht is named the Maldemer (anyone who has studied French knows that this refers to seasickness!).
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 16 December 2025
Post first published on 11 January2026
Description:
from the publisher
For fans of Nita Prose, Benjamin Stevenson, and Jessa Maxwell, this delightfully witty and tightly-written new locked room culinary mystery from the MasterChef semi-finalist, cookbook writer, and bestselling author of Knife Skills for Beginners features a charming chef, delicious original recipes, and a killer cruise aboard a luxurious superyacht.
“If it weren’t for all the terrible things that have been happening, I’d consider myself the luckiest man alive . . .”
While his flooded house undergoes repairs, chef-turned-writer Paul Delamare has been offered an accommodation upgrade—an all-expenses-paid trip aboard a private superyacht in the company of Xéra, one of his dearest friends. Paul will help Xéra work on her memoirs as Maldemer glides its sumptuous way to the Caribbean. The scenery is stunning, the luxury is unparalleled, and the food…well, at least the dishes that Paul is roped into preparing are delicious. The hired chef, meanwhile, seems completely out of her depth.
She’s not the only one. Much as Paul adores Xéra, a Parisian socialite who he was introduced to by his late lover, Marcus, he has little in common with the other guests, a motley crew consisting of Xéra’s new husband and his grasping family.
When Xéra’s priceless new necklace goes missing, Paul falls under suspicion. But there’s far worse in store, as one of the passengers is found dead in mysterious and grisly circumstances. The stormy weather matches the threatening mood onboard, and as Maldemer veers off course, every semblance of order goes with it.
Above and below deck there are secrets and dangerous alliances. And as he untangles the truth, it becomes clear that Paul’s sharing close quarters with a killer eager to make this his final voyage . . .
I am a fan of puzzle books for when I want to engage my brain and step away from my screens. Gareth Moore and Laura Jayne Ayres have co-authored many of the titles in my collection. So, when I saw this title on NetGalley, I naturally was interested.
This title is, of course, based on the well-known game. It is an entertaining book filled with different types of puzzles. I will definitely be buying the paper book so that I can solve them all with pencil in hand.
Recommended for puzzle solvers and Clue fans.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Cider Mill Press for this title. All thoughts are my own.
Four stars 🌠🌠🌠🌠
Description
Step into the shadowy halls of Tudor Mansion and put your detective skills to the ultimate test! The thrilling world of Clue comes to life in this interactive puzzle book, packed with 80 whodunnit challenges to solve.
Inspired by the classic mystery game, The Official Clue Book of Puzzles transforms Tudor Mansion into an interactive investigation. Follow the evidence, question your assumptions, and put your powers of deduction to work as each solved puzzle brings you one step closer to the truth.
But watch out. In Tudor Mansion, everyone has something to hide.
Perfect for CLUE fans, puzzle lovers, amateur sleuths, and anyone who can’t resist a good mystery, this brain-teasing adventure invites you to:
Crack 80+ puzzles designed to test your detective skills
Search for clues and piece together evidence as the mystery unfolds
Logic problems, codes, deduction challenges, visual puzzles, and evidence to analyze
Familiar suspects including Miss Scarlet, Colonel Mustard, Professor Plum, Mrs. Peacock, Mr. Green, and Dr. Orchid
An interactive screen-free investigation that builds toward solving the murder of Mr. Boddy for solo detectives, families, game nights, road trips, and vacations
Outsmart six suspicious guests and separate useful leads from clever distractions
Immerse yourself in the iconic world of CLUE in a whole new way
Put your logic and deduction skills to the test as you hunt for the killer
Grab your pencil, sharpen your detective instincts, and solve the mystery before the culprit gets away.
This twenty page board book for little ones includes many music terms, everything from clef to instrument groups to styles of music. Youngest children will only be able to take in some of the terms but the book could grow with them.
The words are accompanied by illustrations. These use a variety of color palettes.
This book could make a nice addition to a toddler’s board book library.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Familius for this title. All thoughts are my own.
Pub date: 10 November 2026
Four stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Description:
from the publisher
A playful new board book in the100 First Wordsseries, filled with musicians and terms that every music nerd wants to teach their little prodigy.
You get overly excited when you hear a song in a minor key. Classical music makes you think better. And when you say you love spring the best out of the four seasons, you don’t mean the weather.
Congratulations! You’re a music nerd. But can Baby tell the difference between Bach and Handel?
Composed by certified music nerd Taylor Robbins, this melodious first-word primer is sure to turn your child into a musical prodigy. Forget apple and dog. Little musicians are ready to move from ABC to FACE (if you know, you know,) and other musical words like crescendo, orchestra, and Yo-Yo Ma.
Packed with hilarious illustrations and references to famous musicians, iconic compositions, and musical terminology, 100 First Words for Little Musicians is the ultimate symphony of words every future musician needs to know to stay on pitch.
I had seen this book on a British bookstore’s website and was quite intrigued. I was delighted when it became available in the U.S. and thrilled to get an early review copy of this series starter.
Jo Callaghan has already received awards and praise for her debut. She is the Winner of the Crime Writers’ Association’s John Creasy New Blood Dagger Award and the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year. These are huge accomplishments and, in my opinion, well deserved.
Readers will not forget Kat and Aide. Kat is a detective who has been paired with an artificial intelligence device. It is an experiment to see if and how AI might be useful in investigations. Aide can assume bodily form as a hologram, at times causing much consternation. He also can be rather outspoken. There is much interplay between Kat’s intelligence and emotions as compared with Aide’s brilliance and lack of tact.
Kat, Aide, her team and the creator of Aide Lock are tasked with the investigation of two (cold) missing persons cases, both young men. One is a Black student missing from Uni. The other is a white theater graduate who is from a well to do family. Are these situations independent or linked?
In this novel, there is an excellent mystery plot and added to this are the AI elements of the story. Both kept me turning the pages and sad to reach the end of the story. Luckily the sequel, which is out in the UK, will be coming to the U.S. before too long.
The other aspect of the story that I enjoyed was the characters. Each had enough back story to keep them interesting. In the case of Kat, she is widowed and has a teenage son. One of her investigators has a sister who had a bad experience at university while another, Debbie, seemingly lacks confidence. The relatives of the missing young men and others also very much come to life.
This book is easily one of my favorites of the year. I hope Callaghan writes many more titles.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this one. All opinions are my own.
I read the first of The Cazalet Chronicles (The Light Years) and it was a five star title for me. The CCs include five books written by Howard that are going to be reissued. There will be an additional three titles written by Howard’s niece. The first of these has been published in England.
Marking Time was every bit as good as its predecessor and I am so thankful to have found this absorbing, emotional saga with characters whose lives are intimately detailed. This second book follows the middle generation of Rachel/Sid, Sybil/Hugh, Edward/Villy and Rupert/Zoe while also following Villy’s sister Jessica and her family. In addition, though, this book follows the children of these characters. Some are under the age of five so won’t get much mention in this review but readers watch as Louise, Polly, Clary, Christopher and others begin to grow up. These older teens are “Marking Time,” with some feeling caught in the world of childhood while waiting to be more adult. For example, Louise is pursuing an acting career and a relationship with Michael, a portrait painter. She has also discovered things about her parents that challenge her beliefs about them. For her part, Polly knows that her mother seems ill but that no-one wants to talk about it and, for Clary, her father’s absence is challenging and heart breaking.
There are sections devoted to individual characters, along with others that bring the whole family together. At close to 600 pages, readers are deeply immersed. I still want to know more about the Cs and will be reading Confusion with joy and anticipation. In my opinion, this is a remarkable series.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for this title. All opinions are my own.
Mark your calendar for this book’s March 2027 release.
Description:
from the publisher
As the shadows of World War II loom over England, a new generation takes up the family’s story in the second novel in this beloved and bestselling Cazalet Chronicles
Sussex, 1939. War looms once more—an unthinkable return for a nation still scarred by the last. The Cazalets gather again at Home Place, but not for summer leisure; they come together for safety, the sunlit rituals of childhood giving way to fear and uncertainty.
As the daughters of Edward, Hugh, and Rupert come of age, their private ambitions and heartbreaks unfold under mounting pressure. Louise, who dreams of the stage, begins to see her parents not as pillars but as fallible, fragile people. Sensitive Polly is paralyzed by dread, her nightmares colored by the reality of war. And Clary, an aspiring writer, must confront the unthinkable: her beloved father is missing in France.
Poignant and unsparing, Marking Time reveals how love, loyalty, and ambition are tested when innocence gives way to experience—and a family must decide who they will become as the world changes forever.
Perfect for curling up with on a winter’s evening, this book engaged me right from the start. Six bakers arrive at a Vermont estate to compete on a baking show that fans of the Great British Baking Show will recognize right away. However, what if unlike on the GBBS, all did not go well and the issues were not only with the bakes? What if, Instead, murder and mayhem occur during the competition? The bakers are a captive audience so there are also echoes of Agatha Christie, along with Mary Berry, in these pages.
The bakers all have their stories and get to tell them as each narrates sections of the book. They range from a former foster child to a retired nurse, from a self made millionaire to a math teacher, along with a young pie maker and a construction worker. There are other characters as well. These include baking show host and owner of Grafton Manor, Betsy Grafton, the new co-host, Archie, the conniving Melanie and others. How do these characters backstories impact their actions? Who will be murdered and why? Find out, even as you enjoy the baking challenges.
Simon & Schuster’s Editorial Director describes The Golden Spoon as “this wonderfully atmospheric debut” that is “one of the most satisfying puzzles I have read in ages.” I concur. This novel is written by an assured writer who tells an involving story. I highly recommend this one.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this title. All opinions are my own.
Elly Griffiths is one of my favorite authors. Her book are always a must read for me.
The Killing Time is the second title in Griffith’s newest series, following on The Frozen People. While this book could be read as a standalone, readers will most enjoy it if they have had the joy of reading The Frozen People.
The novels in this series do require suspension of disbelief. However, I am always willing to follow wherever Griffiths wants to take me.
These novels combine a traditional crime story and time travel. In this title and in the first book, most of that travel is to Victorian England. In the first book, Ali experiences the life of someone without money, while in the second, she is having a far more luxurious time with Lady Serafina, aka Jones, who is a character in both stories. Readers also revisit a number of the people that Ali met on her first time bending adventure. Readers may especially remember Cain.
In the present Ali and some of her colleagues attend a show with a mind reader named Barry. They are skeptics for sure. Barry is being investigated because Ali was asked by a mother to look into her son’s suicide. This son’s death is not the only one in these pages and one of the murders strikes quite close to home.
I was delighted to again spend time with the characters in the present as well. These include Ali’s son, Finn, and all of her colleagues. One of these coworkers, Dina, has a budding romance with a detective in the story.
Be sure to look at the cover of this novel. You will see some images that are relevant to the story there.
I highly recommend this title. I am eager for the third in the series which will come out in England in February 2027. I look forward to it being issued here in the U.S. as well.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for this title. All thoughts are my own.
Pub date: 17 November 2026
320 pages
Mystery
Five stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Post first published on 26 October 2026
Description:
from the publisher
The second mystery following Ali Dawson, the brilliant time-traveling detective, on her newest foray into Victorian London
Detective Ali Dawson leads a unit that investigates cases so cold her team must travel back in time to solve them. But ever since their technical expert, Jones, got stuck in Victorian London, Ali and her team have been forbidden from time travel.
At a loss, Ali dives into a present-day case – an apparent suicide of a young man who fell to his death from a high building. Ali believes the death is linked to a bad-news psychic medium, Barry Power, who convinced the boy he could fly. Suspicious, Ali attends one of Power’s shows, where he claims to be in contact with none other than Jones.
Minor trouble closer to home inspires Ali to sneak back in time just long enough to prevent misfortune. Her plan backfires, and she finds herself once again in Victorian London, where she reencounters Jones, as well as the darkly mysterious Cain Templeton, with whom Ali has unfinished business from her previous visit to the nineteenth century . . .
When she spies Barry Power lurking in the past, Ali knows she’s onto something. But with a potential murderer operating in multiple centuries, how on earth is she supposed to protect everyone at risk?
It’s a different time. It’s a dangerous time. It’s the killing time.
From the Publisher:
Editorial Reviews
Review
Advance praise for The Killing Time
“Warm and engaging characters and a wildly brilliant story wittily told; I loved this book.” —Ann Cleeves, New York Times bestselling author of the Vera Stanhope and Jimmy Perez series
“Here’s a paradox: a thriller that is full of zest and joy.” —Nicci French, international bestselling author of The Last Days of Kira Mullan
“[An] entertaining sequel to The Frozen People . . . Delicious subplots . . . brisk pacing, cleverly managed time travel, and fascinating bits of historical detail win the day. Fans of the first novel will be delighted by this one. ” —Publishers Weekly
