I usually steer away from Karin Slaughter novels since they’re very procedural and I don’t want to start another series. I did love The Good 3.5 stars
I usually steer away from Karin Slaughter novels since they’re very procedural and I don’t want to start another series. I did love The Good Daughter, so I figured why not try WE ARE ALL GUILTY HERE—especially since it’s the first in a new series so I don’t need to commit any further if I don’t want to!
Karin Slaughter’s latest introduces Officer Emmy Clifton and a new town, North Falls. On the night of the fireworks, two teenage girls vanish, shaking the quiet town to its core. Officer Emmy Clifton takes the case personally—one of the missing is her best friend’s daughter, and Emmy regrets not stepping in sooner. As she digs deeper, she discovers just how many secrets the girls were keeping—and how far someone in town might go to protect them. If there’s one thing you take from my review, it is to DO NOT LOOK UP MORE ABOUT THE SYNOPSIS.
Despite the intriguing premise—a pair of missing girls and a seemingly perfect community hiding dark secrets—I found the story still too procedural for me. While the timeline’s POV and twists aim to build suspense, the pacing often dragged and the emotional stakes didn’t always land for me.
Slaughter still delivers her usual blend of police procedural and psychological drama, and there are a few genuinely tense moments. It’s not a bad read—fans of her work will likely enjoy revisiting her signature style—but for me, this one just didn’t leave a lasting impression. Overall, I liked it more than not, and would recommend it if you enjoy procedurals. ...more
This is a light and easy mystery/thriller by fan favorite Megan Miranda! If you like any of her previous novels, YOU BELONG HERE is in the sa3.5 stars
This is a light and easy mystery/thriller by fan favorite Megan Miranda! If you like any of her previous novels, YOU BELONG HERE is in the same vein from the author everyone always needs to check out.
Beckett Bowery fled Wyatt Valley decades ago after a tragic fire left two men dead and her roommate missing. Once a prime suspect, she chose exile over clearing her name and built a quiet life as a ghostwriter, raising her daughter, Delilah, far from the haunting shadows of her past. But when Delilah secretly enrolls at Wyatt College—the very place Beckett swore never to return—and then vanishes after a cryptic call, Beckett is forced to confront the dark history she tried to bury. With the town’s infamous Howling Night seemingly repeating itself, the danger feels all too familiar. As Beckett races to find her daughter, she uncovers buried secrets, tangled loyalties, and chilling connections to her former life.
YOU BELONG HERE has Megan Miranda’s signature atmosphere and a compelling setup, but I think my experience via audio didn't do it justice. While the writing is easy to follow and there are moments that really hooked me, the story is a definite slow burn that I think would be more targeted for the physical book. Fans of Miranda or dark academia still enjoy the vibes—the story unfolds in dual timelines, delivering a twisty, fast-paced dark academia mystery that’s engaging even if a bit predictable....more
Can we just take a moment to appreciate this gorgeous cover?! I knew the moment I saw it that I needed to dive into this book, so I decided to teeter Can we just take a moment to appreciate this gorgeous cover?! I knew the moment I saw it that I needed to dive into this book, so I decided to teeter between the physical and audio via @librofm and see if I can change my opinion about this author.
Not that I have any issues with this author, but this is the only second book I’ve read by Jessa Maxwell , with the first being I Need You To Read This (which was a 3-star read for me) and not feeling invested enough to pick up her debut, The Golden Spoon. I was definitely on guard with DEAD OF SUMMER because of that backstory with me, but I was hopeful. Set on a secluded New England island, the story centers on Orla O’Connor, returning to her family’s beach house years after her best friend Alice vanished under mysterious circumstances. The island is full of tension and old ghosts, with Orla’s return stirring up memories—and suspicions—among the locals. We also follow David, Orla’s childhood crush, who arrives with his new girlfriend Faith, and Henry, a reclusive local once accused of involvement in Alice’s disappearance. The narrative rotates between their perspectives, slowly unraveling secrets hidden on the island.
While the eerie, atmospheric setting definitely kept me engaged, I was frustrated by the book’s pacing. The first half was slooooowwwwwwww burn central. But at the halfway mark, things took off. The second half delivered the twists, although some predictable, some still threw me for a loop. Overall, this is a solid read, but the pacing really forced me to take more breaks than I would like to when it comes to thrillers. The jury is out if I will give this author another try....more
I was really excited about Holly Jackson’s adult thriller, NOT QUITE DEAD YET, because everyone raved about her YA thriller, A Good Girl’s Guide to MuI was really excited about Holly Jackson’s adult thriller, NOT QUITE DEAD YET, because everyone raved about her YA thriller, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, but after I picked it up I realized I had a theory for why I didn’t enjoy this book. NOT QUITE DEAD YET is broken into “days” and had too much filler for me. I feel like the storytelling is broken into “days” to perfectly align with a limited series (each day = each episode), but by doing that, we are given an extreme slow burn with almost no action as the story develops. The book starts off strong by giving us a protagonist with nothing left to lose, but given how long it is, I expected more once I got so far into the story. The protagonist, Jet, is awesome, but the slow burn development just doesn’t pay off for me. The ending is extremely anticlimactic and I felt like I wasted my time. ...more
Bailey Seybolt's debut novel, CORAM HOUSE, has been on my TBR for months now. It's getting so much buzz from people I trust, so I knew I need3.5 stars
Bailey Seybolt's debut novel, CORAM HOUSE, has been on my TBR for months now. It's getting so much buzz from people I trust, so I knew I needed to dive in. If you liked Ruth Ware's The Death of Mrs. Westaway (I don't know why it does, but), Ashley Winstead's newest book This Book Will Bury Me, or Jessica Knoll's Young Bright Women, then you will enjoy CORAM HOUSE!
In 1968, nine-year-old Tommy vanishes without a trace from Coram House, a mysterious orphanage with a dark reputation on Lake Champlain. Fifty years later, struggling true crime writer Alex Kelley moves to Burlington, Vermont, to uncover the truth behind the home's dark history—but her research takes a deadly turn when she discovers a woman’s body in the lake. As more victims emerge, Alex must convince skeptical officer Russell Parker that solving Tommy’s disappearance is the key to stopping a killer before she becomes the next target.
This book is more of a mystery/suspense than a thriller, but definitely a fun ride for readers who enjoy true crime and investigative stories. Although this book is a work of fiction, the subject matter is pulled from a true story. The Coram House setting itself is bone chilling and scary, which provided all the great vibes I needed to venture through. The story is a bit too slow pacing wise for me, which ultimately led me astray a little bit, but the book overall was a great read. Slow burn suspense infused with true crime investigative series vibes, CORAM HOUSE felt like a journey seen on Investigation Discovery. I am excited to see what Bailey Seybolt comes up for readers next! ...more
Ruth Ware is an auto-read author for me, but her last few books have been more misses than hits for me, so I have ventured into Ware’s books 3.5 stars
Ruth Ware is an auto-read author for me, but her last few books have been more misses than hits for me, so I have ventured into Ware’s books a bit more skeptical nowadays. That being said, The Woman in Cabin 10 is my favorite novel of hers and it got me into wanting to start a bookstagram, so when I saw that she was writing a sequel, I knew that I needed to read it!
THE WOMAN IN SUITE 11 reintroduces Lo Blacklock, now a married mother of two, who has transitioned from her magazine job to freelance journalism. Despite her contented family life, Lo misses the thrill of her past adventures. When presented with an opportunity to attend the grand opening of an exclusive Swiss hotel owned by the elusive billionaire Marcus Leidmann, she seizes it, especially since her former magazine requests an interview with the reclusive owner. From the onset of her journey, mysterious events begin to unfold, setting the stage for another suspenseful narrative.
I enjoyed revisiting Lo Blacklock and despite not rereading The Woman in Cabin 10, I was able to quickly get back into the swing of things. I really enjoyed some of the returning characters (one specifically was the winner for me, but I’m not giving out spoilers). However, the story was very slow moving and took about 100 pages to really get into the action. I miss the fast-paced suspense from Ruth Ware’s older novels, but I did enjoy the return into Lo’s world and the luxury hotel vibes. I don’t expect another installment in this world, but no matter what Ruth Ware writes next, I will read it! STARS: 3.5, PUB: 7/8
AUTHOR RANKINGS: 1. The Woman in Cabin 10 2. The Death of Mrs. Westaway 3. The Turn of the Key 4. One Perfect Couple 5. In a Dark, Dark Wood 6. The IT Girl 7. The Woman in Suite 11 8. Zero Days 9. One by One 10. The Lying Game...more
I was not a fan of Olivie Blake's Atlas Six, but when I heard she was writing another book, specifically a magical booTHIS APP WILL MAKE YOU HAPPY :)
I was not a fan of Olivie Blake's Atlas Six, but when I heard she was writing another book, specifically a magical book of darkness and Succession vibes, I was tuned in. The cover alone is intriguing and accurately depics three powerful siblings at war with each other. GIFTED & TALENTED dives into this powerful Wren family and theur dynamics.
Thayer Wren, the visionary CEO of Wrenfare Magitech, is dead, leaving his three gifted children vying for the throne. Meredith, the biotech genius, hides a dark secret; Arthur, the ambitious congressman, is losing everything; and Eilidh, the former ballerina, seeks validation from her late father’s fortune. As each struggles with their own personal demons, only one will claim the inheritance—and the power that comes with it.
I truly enjoyed the POVs of each of the siblings in their own different ways. Meredith is a complete Slay ICON queen b psychopath, who may have been my overall favorite. Arthur is sensitive and sexy, where he dabbles in polyamory (whether his wife actually agrees on this is still out for the jury) and Eilidh is probably the most normal of the Wren family. The other characters are more down to earth than this trio, and they round out the bunch in fun and messy ways. GIFTED & TALENTED is a book about the three siblings and their journey for power and acceptance. This book is a character-driven family saga at its core, with magic sprinkled in at times, so I would say this book is magic-lite at best (win for me!). I would have given this book a total 5 stars, but midway through the pacing slowed down in ways that I didn't expect, which caught me wanting to take a break from the story. That being said, I did read this saga in only a few days because the overall story kept me completely hooked. If Olivie Blake continues down this journey for her books, this reader will be tuned in! ...more
Taking place in 2004, former reality TV star Maya Miller marries Colin Sterling, heir to a powerful family whose wealth and influence rival r3.5 stars
Taking place in 2004, former reality TV star Maya Miller marries Colin Sterling, heir to a powerful family whose wealth and influence rival royalty. When Colin’s cousin Arianna is murdered, Maya unexpectedly becomes the next heiress—and the prime suspect. Trapped in the family’s secluded estate, Silver House, Maya must uncover the truth about the Sterlings and their deadly secrets before it’s too late.
This book is definitely a perfect combination of Succession meets Saltburn, so whoever came up with that comparison, you deserve your kudos! The book had an intriguing premise, but the pacing was a bit uneven, with a slow middle that nearly lost me. I enjoyed the exploration of a wealthy family’s dynamics and the flashbacks to Arianna’s downfall were exceptionally portrayed and fun to dive into. The conclusion tied everything up well, but it felt drawn out, making the story enjoyable but slightly too soap opera'y for my taste. A GIRL LIKE US is perfect for fans of Liv Constantine or the ‘rich people problems’ trope....more
I absolutely loved Anna Bailey's Where the Truth Lies, so I knew that I needed to immediately read their newest novel, OUR LAST WILD DAYS. This book iI absolutely loved Anna Bailey's Where the Truth Lies, so I knew that I needed to immediately read their newest novel, OUR LAST WILD DAYS. This book is a slow-burning, atmospheric Southern Gothic mystery that plunges readers into the murky depths of small-town secrets and long-buried betrayals.
When journalist Loyal May returns to her rural Louisiana hometown to care for her ailing mother, she’s quickly pulled into a chilling mystery: the suspicious death of her estranged childhood friend, Cutter Labasque. Determined to seek justice where no one else will, Loyal and a team from the local newspaper begin an investigation that slowly unravels a tangled web of corruption, secrets, and heartbreak.
This novel thrives on its rich setting—the humid, haunting Louisiana bayou practically becomes a character of its own—paired with lyrical and creeping writing. While the slow pace and abundance of characters can sometimes make the plot feel unwieldy, the core of the story remains strong. Fans of Southern Gothic fiction, complex characters, and slow-burn mysteries that simmer with tension until the final reveal will find themselves thoroughly immersed. If you enjoyed Where the Crawdads Sing or Chris Whitaker's We Begin at the End or All the Colors of the Dark, you will love OUR LAST WILD DAYS....more
I fell in love with Silvia Moreno-Garcia's writing after Mexican Gothic and since then will always pick up a new book she releases, however some are gI fell in love with Silvia Moreno-Garcia's writing after Mexican Gothic and since then will always pick up a new book she releases, however some are grand slams and some strikeout with me. THE BEWITCHING is more critical for me than Moreno-Garcia's other works.
While researching her thesis, Minerva uncovers a chilling and ironic connection with the famed author Beatrice Tremblay and a decades-old disappearance. Tremblay’s novel The Vanishing appears to be based on a true event: during the Great Depression, she became obsessed with her ethereal college roommate, who vanished without a trace. As Minerva digs deeper, she begins to suspect the same dark force that haunted Tremblay may still be lurking on her campus.
The story spans three timelines, weaving in Minerva’s great-grandmother Alba’s youth in 1900s Mexico, where she encountered a witch and fell under a terrifying curse. Of the three perspectives, Alba’s was the most compelling and unsettling. Silvia Moreno-Garcia has a gift for writing women who evolve from seemingly fragile figures into ones of great strength. No matter what Moreno-Garcia writes, she will continue to have me turn the pages.
Despite the witches premise (which I love as a storyline BTW), the pacing was way too slow, especially in the 1990s chapters. The repetitive scenes and Minerva’s storyline didn’t grip me as much as the other two timelines. Still, I appreciated the atmospheric storytelling and setting that Moreno-Garcia always provides. While THE BEWITCHING didn’t reach the heights of Mexican Gothic or The Daughter of Doctor Moreau for me, Garcia’s talent remains undeniable, and I’ll always pick up whatever she writes.
RANKINGS: 1. Mexican Gothic 2. The Daughter of Doctor Moreau 3. Silver Nitrate 4. Certain Dark Things 5. Gods of Jade and Shadow 6. The Bewitching 7. Velvet Was the Night 8. The Seventh Veil of Salome ...more
Katie Garner's 2025 thriller, THE FAMILY INSIDE, immediately caught my attention because of the synopsis and the intriguing cover. I knew tha3.5 stars
Katie Garner's 2025 thriller, THE FAMILY INSIDE, immediately caught my attention because of the synopsis and the intriguing cover. I knew that this book was one I needed to prioritize because it sounded so juicy and similar to Lisa Jewell's A Family Upstairs (my favorite of her novels). Three years after her husband’s unsolved murder, Iris Blodgett is drowning in grief, debt, and the challenge of providing for her rebellious daughter, Ellory, after losing her job. When her new boyfriend, architect Hugh Smoll, offers a chance to move into his family’s eerie, centuries-old mansion during renovations, Iris discovers the house hides sinister secrets—and that her arrival was no coincidence.
This book wasn't similar to Lisa Jewell's A Family Upstairs, but it definitely had the creepy family mystery alive throughout the story. I felt that this book was more of a family drama, rather than a mystery/thriller, but it still was an enjoyable time regardless. The pacing of this story is rather slow and I caught myself wanted to skim ahead, so I had to catch myself a few times. That being said, the final twist(S!!) in this story completely through me for a loop, which put a nice little bow on my reading experience with this book. Fans of Georgina Cross and Seraphina Nova Glass will enjoy THE FAMILY INSIDE....more
I was so excited to get an audio copy of Jenni Howell's BOYS WITH SHARP TEETH just from the cover alone. That being said, THIS BOOKS IS NOT L3.5 stars
I was so excited to get an audio copy of Jenni Howell's BOYS WITH SHARP TEETH just from the cover alone. That being said, THIS BOOKS IS NOT LGBTQ+. I am not sure if the publisher is trying to push this narrative, but it's very disappointing to see that this book was not queer (the cover says otherwise). Marin James has always lived in the shadow of Huntsworth Academy. When her cousin’s body is found on campus, she’s convinced Adrian Hargraves and Henry Wu are to blame. Disguised as a student, she infiltrates the school seeking justice. But as she’s drawn to the boys and their secrets, the lines between truth and illusion begin to blur.
Marin uncovers a dark, otherworldly secret within Huntsworth’s gates, and reality begins to blur. To enjoy this book, you have to suspend disbelief—something I expect with YA, which is why I rarely read it. IYKYK. I won't go into too many details, but the ability for Marin getting into the Academy gave Legally Blonde ridiculousness. Despite these flaws, the writing was haunting and mysterious, creating an atmospheric and suspense-driven storyline. Though the ending had believability issues that were continued throughout the story, I still enjoyed it wrapping up the way it did. As mentioned above, I don't normally read YA, so I am unsure if I'd dive into this author's works again, but I think Jenni Howell would slay writing adult fiction! ...more
Riley Sager's newest release, WITH A VENGEANCE, pays homage to the queen of mystery, Agatha Christie! Taking place in the 1942, Anna Matheson boards aRiley Sager's newest release, WITH A VENGEANCE, pays homage to the queen of mystery, Agatha Christie! Taking place in the 1942, Anna Matheson boards a luxury travel train with a plan for revenge—but when a passenger is murdered, the hunter becomes the hunted. Now, to get justice, she must protect the very people she came to destroy.
WITH A VENGEANCE is a revenge-fueled locked-room mystery set on a luxury train with only six passengers—and one deadly plan. Anna lures the people who ruined her life onto a 14-hour ride to deliver them to the FBI, but when one of them is murdered, her plan spirals out of control. I loved the intense, claustrophobic atmosphere and the race against time, even if the twists didn’t fully surprise me. This book is a bit repetitive and takes a while to get into, but overall its a solid locked-room mystery that readers will enjoy. Old school Sager is not back, but he's still a good time.
RANKINGS: 1. Lock Every Door 2. Final Girls 3. Survive the Night 4. Home Before Dark 5. The Last Time I Lied 6. The House Across the Lake 7. The Only One Left 8. Middle of the Night...more
I am up and down with Chuck Wendig's books. I DNFd Wanderers, loved The Book of Accidents, and somewhat liked Black River Orchard. That being said, I I am up and down with Chuck Wendig's books. I DNFd Wanderers, loved The Book of Accidents, and somewhat liked Black River Orchard. That being said, I knewwwww I wanted to read his upcoming novel, THE STAIRCASE IN THE WOODS, not because it was giving different realm vibes but I am weirdly obsessed with spiral staircases!
Five troubled high school friends find an abandoned staircase in the woods, and when one of them, Matty, disappears, the mystery remains. Twenty years later, Nick brings the others—Hamish, Lore, and Owen—back to search for him, forcing them to choose between friendship and the unknown.
This book wasn't really a horror novel, but more like a fantasy with a YA edge to it. I felt that the story dragged a bit and left a lot of open-ended side stories by the end. It explores themes of friendship, abandonment, and PTSD. The book wasn't really something I would pick up if I knew it leaned more into fantasy than horror. However, the social commentary and political environment within this book was a factor in the storytelling, but it was done in a non-preachy way (I really don't want to hear about it from the MAGA folks). The story is an epic adventure and somewhat fun journey at times, with fun chapter titles to keep you in the groove and want to investigate. I was banking on the ending to push this to 4 stars, but it was a bit abrupt compared to everything else going on (like c'mon, we get it wrapped up way too easily and fast for a 400+ page slowburn). Overall, I really enjoyed the "universe" that THE STAIRCASE IN THE WOODS provides readers, but I felt that I wanted more from it.
RANKINGS: 1. The Book of Accidents 2. Black River Orchard 3. The Staircase in the Woods 4. Wanderers...more