I love to read, recommend books and open the world of reading to others. I tutor to ensure that the next generation of readers will know the joys of a good book because their reading skills have improved. I am an avid reader, especially of mysteries and fiction. I believe that two of the world's greatest inventions were the public library and eyeglasses!
Australian author Jane Harper burst on the mystery/suspense world with her very first book, The Dry. She has gone from strength to strength since then. That first book and this one both feature Aaron Falk as the protagonist detective. I like spending time with him. I think my enjoyment was enhanced by hearing, rather than reading, this novel. Aaron and the other characters just came to life for me through the narrator’s voice.
A mother reportedly left her newborn baby at a festival just a year ago. Did she leave her child voluntarily… or not? What about all of the people that she, Kim, left behind? They include a teenage daughter with Kim’s first husband Charlie, and her second husband, as well as those around them.
Harper does an excellent job creating a setting and a story. Are the events of the story linked to the past of these family and friends? Readers/listeners will surely want to know.
I highly recommend this title. Harper is in a group with other deep favorites of mine like Louise Penny.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this title. All opinions are mg own.
Dapunt’s novel offers unique characters, including Life and Death, and some rather strange events. This one is for those who like their mysteries quirky.
Kirkus Reviews states that Dapunt combines mystery—Death learns of a series of unplanned demises that she must investigate—eschatology, and melodrama into a heady mix that may challenge some readers’ patience… Definitely for readers with a taste for the eclectic.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this title. All thoughts are my own.
Pub date: 06 January 2026
Post first published on 25 January 2026
Description:
from the publisher
Her job is to die for. Literally.
When most people think of Death, they picture a skeleton in a black potato sack. Maybe with a scythe. Truth is, she’s just a woman doing a job, and she’s very good at it. Still, even Death needs a break. But when she finally takes some time off to live on earth, things start to go terribly wrong. Someone is killing people not on her list (well, not yet anyway) and it’s up to her to find the killer before it’s too late.
To make matters worse, her sanctimonious sister Life – whom Death hasn’t gotten along with in millennia – won’t stop blaming her for the unplanned deaths . . . and then there’s the slight problem of the charming (and sexy) parasitologist she can’t quite trust.
But she’ll be fine, right?
After all, who better to investigate a murder than Death herself?
The finalists for the 2025 National Book Critics Circle Awards have been announced in six categories: Autobiography, Biography, Criticism, Fiction, Nonfiction and Poetry.
Other announcements included the Ivan Sandrof Lifetime Achievement Award, the NBCC Service Award, the winner and finalists for the Nona Balakian Citation, the finalists for the John Leonard Prize for Best First Book, and the shortlist for the Gregg Barrios Book in Translation Prize.
The National Book Critics Circle Awards will be presented on March 26th at the New School in New York City, in a ceremony that will be open to the public and will be livestreamed on the NBCC’s YouTube channel.
— Read on www.bookreporter.com/features/awards/the-national-book-critics-circle-awards-2025
The Mystery Writers of America has announced the nominees for the 2026 Edgar Awards, which honors the best in mystery fiction, nonfiction and television published or produced in 2025.
The winners will be announced on April 29th at the New York Marriott Marquis Times Square Hotel.
— Read on www.bookreporter.com/features/awards/edgar-allan-poe-awards-2026
This title is part of that trend for mystery/romance hybrids. I often enjoy this joining of two of my favorite genres. I also liked that there was humor in this one.
With country clubs and super yachts, readers and protagonist Juliette is in the world of the rich. Of course, the wealthy are not inured from crime and murder, so find out what Juliette discovers and how she solves the case. Also, watch for what happens in Juliette’s relationships.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press-Minotaur Books for this title. All thoughts are my own.
Pub date: 20 January 2026
Post first published on 24 January 2026
Description:
from the publisher
Hobnobbing with Seattle’s elite on a super-yacht, Juliette Winters is about to land the deal of the century – if she doesn’t get arrested first. She Doesn’t Have A Clue author Jenny Elder Moke returns with another riotous mystery rom-com that delights in rich people behaving badly.
Juliette Winters is used to taking care of business alone. She has no time for petty things like romance, friendships, or emotional commitments. Love is for people who believe in reality TV dating and holding hands in public. She’s too busy dominating the publishing world by single-handedly saving her company from financial ruin with the book deal of the century.
Business magnate Warren Ellingham has guaranteed Juliette exclusive rights to his explosive memoir that promises to expose the secrets of his ultra-exclusive country club, Pacific Pines. But when Warren drops dead of an apparent heart attack and the memoir is stolen, Juliette suspects that someone was willing to resort to murder to keep their secrets from being exposed.
Enlisting the help of Charlie Hawkins, a doctor with a heart of gold and abs of steel, Juliette dives into the glamorous and messy world of Pacific Pines Country Club. As the investigation heats up, so does the tension between Juliette and Charlie. But Juliette can’t afford any distractions because the bodies keep dropping, and Juliette is tee-d up to take the blame. If she doesn’t uncover Warren’s killer soon, the thing that was supposed to secure her future might just be the thing that ends it.
Jenny Elder Moke’s twisty mystery rom-com blend will delight readers with its outrageous characters, laugh-out-loud jokes, and opposites attract romance.
The Maid has garnered so much praise both before and after publication. It is a book that is definitely worth reading. Those who enjoy The Thursday Murder Club and Ruth Galloway mysteries are certain to love this novel with it quirky, idiosyncratic and (morally) good protagonist.
Molly sees the world in her own way. She appears to be “on the spectrum,” though I hate to use that term and do not want to make Molly anything other than the unique woman that she is. Molly has trouble reading social cues and people’s facial expressions. This can lead to her being naively trusting. Molly speaks with a beautifully old fashioned syntax and sometimes makes rhymes as, for example, “a tissue for your issue.”
Molly lives with her grandmother who works as a domestic. Molly is herself a maid, working at the Grand Hotel. It is a job that suits her orderly personality and Molly takes great pride in her work. (She will hopefully leave readers with more respect for those who toil in hotels for the benefit of the guests).
Molly becomes involved in a series of events that leave her in over her head. There were times when I wanted to yell “stop” to Molly when she trusted some of the hotel staff and guests but, of course, could not do so. The fact that I wanted to is a tribute to the author’s ability to create characters for whom readers will care.
Who will protect Molly? Will she get out of this mess? Will she or the hotel ever be the same? Read this charming, heartfelt novel to find out. To use one of Molly’s favorite words, it is “delightful.”
I sincerely hope that the author’s next book is published soon. I give this first novel of hers five stars.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
The cover of this book gives off a cozy/traditional vibe as does the book’s title. However, all is not light in this novel. Those who have read the first book in the series know that the detective, Helgi, has a complicated backstory in terms of his relationship with Bergotha. There continues to be a shadow spread by her as Helgi looks for happiness with Anita. In this, and other ways, Jonasson’s new book seems to pick up right where the prior title left off. While it is not necessary to have read that one, those who want the full picture may want to pick it up.
This story centers on a crime writer who has gone missing. The book follows an interesting format as it jumps back and forth in time. It examines Elin’s relationships, talks about a bank robbery, has scenes with a detective from the first book in the series, and more. Readers will wait to see how this all comes together.
Jonasson is a fan of classic mysteries. There is reference to a number of them in these pages. I enjoyed seeing what Helgi was reading.
I really wanted to like this book but will say that I found it to be a bit depressing. However, that may just be me.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press-Minotaur Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 09 September 2025
Post first published on 23 January 2026
Description:
from the publisher
An Instant National Bestseller The next thrilling golden-age-style mystery from #1 Icelandic bestseller Ragnar Jónasson, author of Death at the Sanatorium and Reykjavík.
One winter evening, bestselling crime author Elín S. Jónsdóttir goes missing.
There are no clues to her disappearance and it is up to young detective Helgi to crack the case before its leaked to the press.
As Helgi interviews the people closest to her—a publisher, an accountant, a retired judge—he realizes that Elín’s life wasn’t what it seemed. In fact, her past is even stranger than the fiction she wrote.
As the case of the missing crime writer becomes more mysterious by the hour, Helgi must uncover the secrets of the writer’s very unexpected life.
Editorial Reviews:
“Cleverly plotted, slyly humorous, and bursting with love for the golden age of detective fiction, this outperforms even its outstanding predecessor.”―Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)
“A lightning-fast read for fans willing to keep turning the pages till the crucial clues drop.”―Kirkus Reviews
“Flashbacks are effectively used as a creative way to tell the backstory of the missing novelist. This Golden Age–style mystery is a definite departure from Jónasson’s ‘Dark Iceland’ series, which was set in an atmospheric small town in Iceland.”―Library Journal
“This follow-up to Death at the Sanitarium (2024) is utterly compelling, blending meta classic mystery tropes with darker psychological thriller elements as Helgi is stalked by his violent ex-partner. Fans of Jónasson’s Dark Iceland and Hidden Iceland series will appreciate the storytelling centered around Helgi, who links the three series together.”―Booklist
Viveca Sten has written the Sandham murder series. I have enjoyed every one of these books featuring Nora Linde. I’ve also read some works by Camilla Sten who is Viveca’s daughter. So, I was intrigued to see what they would come up with working together.
The two have written a story that will keep middle grade and older children intrigued. Those who have enjoyed Elizabeth George’s Hannah Armstrong series will want to take a look.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Crossing Kids for this title. All thoughts are my own.
Pub date: 01 February 2026
Description:
from the publisher
On an icy Swedish archipelago, a girl is entangled in a dark mystery that only she holds the key to unraveling, in this fantasy thriller from the wondrous minds of Camilla Sten and Viveca Sten.
What happened out there in the woods?
Twelve-year-old Tuva couldn’t imagine living anywhere other than the Stockholm archipelago and her island home of Harö. Even if she mostly keeps to herself at her small school. Even if she sometimes gets kind of lonely.
But when a classmate goes missing, Tuva finds herself at the center of the mystery, along with Rasmus, the new boy at school. Neither one of them can understand what they saw that day in the woods near the water: Is something magical at work? Something evil?
And it’s not just their classmate who has gone missing. Other people around the islands have gone missing this fall, disappearing from their boats on the water, never to be heard from again. Can Tuva and Rasmus discover what secrets are lurking below…before it’s too late?
A Note From the Publisher
Camilla Sten is the author of The Lost Village, which was named a best mystery/thriller for NPR, a Loan Stars pick in Canada, and an Indie Next pick. In Europe, it was shortlisted for best translated crime fiction on ThrillZone.nl and for the Best Book Award by Polish Goodreads. Camilla is also the author of The Bachelorette Party; The Resting Place, which was longlisted for the Viktor Crime Award in Germany; and the Rebecca Lekman series.
Viveca Sten is the author of the #1 internationally bestselling Sandhamn Murders series, which has sold more than nine million copies, establishing her as one of Sweden’s most popular authors. It was also adapted into a Swedish-language TV series shot on location and seen by one hundred million viewers around the world. Viveca divides her time between Stockholm, Sandhamn, and Åre in Sweden, the famous Swedish ski resort that also happens to be the location for her crime series, the Åre Murders. For more information, visit http://www.vivecasten.com.
A. A. Prime is an award-winning translator of Swedish literature. She recently translated The Night Raven, by Johan Rundberg, which was shortlisted for the Global Literature in Libraries Initiative Translated YA Book Prize and was named a Kirkus Best Book of the Year and a USBBY Outstanding International Book, among other accolades. She was born in London and traveled the world studying a number of languages before settling in the English coastal town of Hastings. She now works full-time as a translator, specializing in the weird, witty, and wonderful world of children’s and young adult fiction. She has published more than thirty books in the UK and US. For more information, visit http://www.primetranslatrix.com.
Here are stories by six authors for those who enjoy romances. Featured are works by Christina Lauren; Hannah Bonam-Young; Julie Soto; Trilina Pucci; Catherine Cowles; Navessa Allen. Dip in anywhere for a light read. These may put you in the Valentine’s Day spirit.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for this title. All thoughts are my own.
Pub date: 20 January 2026
Description:
from the publisher
Fate works in mysterious ways—and this Valentine’s Day, it’s feeling particularly mischievous. From accidental Zoom crashes to graveyard resurrections, six beloved romance authors bring you a collection of increasingly steamy second chances.
Accidentally Yours by Christina Lauren
When marketing consultant Veronica accidentally crashes the wrong Zoom meeting, she’s shocked to receive a job offer from the company’s intriguing CEO. Their professional email exchanges quickly turn flirty, but Veronica’s mind keeps drifting to her reserved but gorgeous new neighbor. As Valentine’s Day approaches, she’ll discover that sometimes the most improbable meet-cute can lead to the perfect match.
Time Will Tell by Hannah Bonam-Young
When a history teacher receives a letter from her deceased grandmother revealing a secret love affair in the 1950s, it leads her to a time capsule hidden decades ago. But it’s the charming grandson of her grandmother’s lost love who changes everything, proving that sometimes the heart knows exactly where—and when—it belongs.
Second Act Romance by Julie Soto
When food poisoning takes out the lead in their Valentine’s Day production of Oklahoma!, TV sensation Colby J. Turner swoops in to save the show. But for leading lady Bex Hardgrave, this last-minute casting is more drama than she bargained for. Eight years ago, their onstage chemistry sparked real-life fireworks—until a misunderstanding brought down the curtain. As showtime approaches, Bex and Colby must decide if their second-chance romance deserves its own standing ovation.
A Play for Love by Trilina Pucci
Years ago, during a college production of Romeo and Juliet, Rory and Oliver shared one unforgettable stage kiss before fate pulled them apart. Now, while drowning her Valentine’s Day sorrows at brunch, she spots her former Romeo, wearing nothing but gold shorts and wings, playing Cupid for the lovelorn masses. Their chemistry still sizzles, but these former leads will need more than Shakespeare’s guidance to turn their second chance into a true romance.
Death to Valentine’s Day by Catherine Cowles
After her boyfriend’s betrayal, the last thing Maia St. James wants is Valentine’s Day. But when friends drag her to a Death to Valentine’s Day masquerade ball at a mountain lodge, she ends up kissing a masked stranger—only to discover he’s her ex’s older brother. And when a guest is found murdered, the party becomes a deadly mystery. Now Maia must unmask a killer before her second chance at romance is cut short.
Valentine’s Slay by Navessa Allen
Louisiana gravedigger Noah Evans’s Valentine’s night shift takes an unexpected turn when his high school crush, Emma, starts screaming from her freshly dug grave. As they unearth a deadly family conspiracy, Noah and Emma discover that old flames burn even hotter the second time around—especially when someone’s trying to kill them.
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 