pick5/5
Niko and Dymitr's paths cross again as they find themselves in the same town in Poland. Dymitr and Ala are using a family funeral as an opportunity to reclaim Dymitr's book of curses, while Niko is using the same opportunity to hunt a knight. They all have to survive being monsters among monster hunters.
I loved the themes about family, change, and atonement, and I loved all the Polish folklore.
#netgalley
pickAn excellent Crime Procedural surrounding the seizure of illegally gotten human remains and historical/cultural artifacts. The book details the case and then the larger legal and philosophical implications of what the grave robber had done, and how the FBI and US government addressed it. (Cont.)
pickVisitors to London, especially those from outside of the UK, who wish to see the remnants of early Victorian London are probably going to be somewhat disappointed, although this is not just a recent thing, As the author argues, the truth is that the London of Dickens's time was already being lost before the end of the Victorian era & his writing was beginning to be thought of as 'old hat' by then too.
pickBook not in database
#NetGalley #ARC #MountARC #audiobook
Martin, an octogenarian, is convalescing from hip replacement surgery at the local retirement home. He's convinced he used to work as a spy for the British government and is determined to use his skills to solve the murder of another resident of the home. Albie, Martin's next door neighbour, is reluctant to be roped into the operation, he thinks Martin is loosing his marbles, ⬇️
so-so3/5
In this Little Mermaid retelling, Clara is the daughter of a wealthy Dutch merchant. She meets Maurits, a man who is clearly lying about who he is, but Clara is drawn into his world of magic.
I loved the folklore of the book and the author's note about the folklore specific to Friesland. I also appreciated the environmental message, even if it was a little repetitive. However, I found the main characters frustratingly naive.
#netgalley
pickTLDR: This is very much a historical fiction novel with elements of horror towards the end. Overall, I thought it was nicely done with the dual timelines of present-day & London 1769 working well here & a fitting, if slightly rushed ending. 3.75🌟
My thanks to #NetGalley & publishers, VERVE Books, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
Full Review & TWs: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7463737218
Read 17th - 19th Sept 2025
Tackle the TBR 🤓📚
What are you reading?
#boleybooks #thestorm #rachelhawkins #bookbeast #NetGalley #bookbuds #bookclub #letsread
pickThank you #DelRey #RandomHouseWorlds and #NetGalley for providing this #ARC Advance Reading Copy. Expected publication date is January 13, 2026.
3 Stars • Detour (Detour #1) by Jeff Rake and Rob Hart follows Ryan Crane, an everyman who saves billionaire John Ward and earns a spot on a historic manned mission to Titan. ⬇️
pickWilmur & Viola‘s boring life gets interrupted when a mysterious person crashes through their front door. Everything about her screams danger, but the 2 children are willing to trade anything to try & get away from the island. & so they meet pirates, royalty, & secrets.
Loved it! Characters were all engaging, pacing was great, world building was wild. My only complaint is that the end is less cliffhanger & more cut off in the middle.🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑
Next up is an #arc from #netgalley that I‘m finally getting around to.
This was also my June's #bookspin pick.
