I absolutely loved this family drama with its strong Little Women vibes, Chicago setting and vibrant characters. I was a little worried at first because I didn‘t love Dear Edward, but I absolutely loved this emotional and beautiful story. While parts were expected, this never detracted from my enjoyment. I literally couldn‘t put this one down, despite my to-do list growing! I can‘t wait to discuss this one with my book club in just a few days!

Happy Publication Day! I really couldn‘t put this one down! WWII stories always draw me in & this account set in the Warsaw Ghetto is no exception! Adam, a widower, finds himself unexpectedly sharing an apartment with nine others after his ex-father-in-law sets him up. As an English teacher & fluent in multiple languages, he‘s recruited to help participate in an archive to capture the variety of experiences within this new & harsh time. Riveting!

My book club is meeting at the end of the week to discuss Napolitano‘s latest book, but this one came highly recommended as well, so I thought I‘d better prepare and listen to it as well! First of all, I am definitely thankful that I didn‘t listen while we were traveling last week! This story of a plane crash and its aftermath for the sole survivor is certainly a sad one. I just wanted a bit more of that hope and a bit less on the actual plane…

Catching up on some #BOTMBacklog before the end of the year, this thriller makes for a quick read. With a past and present storyline, Cassidy mostly narrates this tale of the group of surviving students who made it out of a terrible accident. For the past decade, they have reunited on the Outer Banks but this year it‘s clear that something more is going on and secrets are spilling out. It moves a bit slowly at first but then picks up by the end!

I really enjoyed this YA thriller— my first experience with this talented author! Stevens brings all of her characters to life here. Vivid writing, with a consistent check-in with the aromas of the novel, a great dog and a thrilling plot made this one hard to put down even while preparing to host Thanksgiving! Lucy, a girl who has weathered one tragedy finds herself in the midst of another—& soon discovers the two may be connected. A page-turner!

This spooky story is framed around a podcast interview, drawing you right in. The bulk of the book unfolds across New England after a strange head is pulled up from the depths. The 90s nostalgia gives this added fun- though the head-hopping and perspective changes don‘t lend themselves well to audio. The body count (including a dog, so beware!) rises as secrets from the past emerge. Original and gory, this grabs attention from start to finish!

This start to a new YA fantasy series blends modern small-town Gracie, GA with a pantheon of gods in exile from an another world. Gem narrates this tale, struggling to find balance not only in their teen life in moving from Atlanta to a more rural community, but also in the startling revelation that their dreams may just be more than they seem. The cast size & eons of history get a bit chaotic at times but adults may not find this as approachable.

This latest short story anthology marks the 17th one set in Valdemar. Beside it, is the first—published in 1997—& admittedly, the last one that I read. I‘ve never been a big fan of the short fiction format, but I am a huge fan of Lackey and after the last few weeks, I could think of nothing better than the familiarity of this wonderful world she created. This is a mix of stories— some with firmer foundations than others but makes for a fun read!

Set mostly in the late 1950s in Texas, this becomes a found-family story about a doctor living isolated with mainly broken animals for company. But when a young boy rescues an injured wolf-dog, he brings her back to the human world. Emotional, engaging and the characters come to life. I wasn‘t expecting the romantic subplot and wished there was even more of the dogs to the story, but for the most part, this made for a sweetly satisfying listen!

Happy Publication Week! This international spy thriller both opens & closes with a literal bang! Special Agent Alexandra Martel is on loan to Interpol but becomes embroiled in a larger plot when a connection from her past turns out to be more than she seemed. With plenty of action, this one still seems a bit slower paced than I expected… maybe future installments will develop the characters beyond the action-movie status they have here!

I always delight in listening to audiobooks set in Australia. With dual timelines set in 1922 and 1868, this takes a while for the storylines to converge. Unfortunately, the author abandons the 1868 narrative right at the climax which makes this feel unbalanced though the plot is resolved. It takes a darker turn than expected and one connection feels unnecessary & overly ties this too closely together. I enjoyed the performance more than the plot.

This start to a Regency era series features Lady Petra, the daughter of an earl who has proclaimed never to marry after the sudden death of her fiancé. But hateful gossip and a rising body count has her digging in to discover a much larger and nefarious plot than first seems obvious. I enjoyed the minor characters as well as the mains. The romantic side plot may be expected but the tantalizing ending leaves you eager for the sequel!

This novella featuring a midwife with a past and secrets of her own is set in a 17th century London where babies around the world are suddenly being born with monstrous adaptations, many not able to survive. Sarah works to help solve this imbalance in this lushly descriptive story. It reminded me a bit of SWEET TOOTH and a bit of CARNIVAL ROW in some ways. I wanted even more from the story- a solid audio performance too!

This emotional listen captivated me from start to finish! In 1962, a 4-year-old girl goes missing from the Maine berry fields where her family works for the season. Older by two years brother, Joe, feels guilt throughout his life that he was the last to see Ruthie. His narrative as the guilt compounds the tragedies of his life is balanced by Norma‘s story, where she struggles with dreams & parents that don‘t seem to tell her the truth she craves.

This story of sisters makes for a sad yet engrossing read. Laine & her younger sister Alyssa alternate narrating chapters in the months after the car accident that claimed their parents‘ lives & left Alyssa trapped in a world of her own. While Laine struggles to make ends meet & balancing her responsibilities, Alyssa‘s chapters provide a fantasy interlude while she struggles for her survival. Unique & heartbreaking, this is an impressive debut!

Aptly described as a mix of ROSEMARY‘S BABY & ‘SALEM‘S LOT, Cassidy‘s latest horror novel provides a gripping read, dripping with tension & creepy imagery. Ana & Reid win a housing lottery to live in the prestigiously mysterious Deptford in what seems like the first turning of their luck after their continued grief in losing Reid‘s mother & the trauma of their daughter‘s birth that left Ana paralyzed. But it‘s soon clear the apartment has secrets.

This tragic love story set during WWII unfolds in two timelines. In 1993, Clara searches for whatever information she can find on porcelain figures that are somehow tied to the identity of her father. The bulk of the book begins in the rising art movement in Germany in the 1920s/30s, as Bettina & Max fall in love, even as the world around them falls apart. A sadly captivating story that I wish had a bit more balance of hope & happiness by the end.

I‘m a sucker for a fixed-setting thriller, & this one doesn‘t disappoint! To celebrate her upcoming second marriage, Jen has rented an exclusive house on a remote Scottish island with her 2 childhood friends, 2 tennis friends, her sister-in-law from her first marriage and her soon-to-be sister-in-law. But the weekend quickly takes a turn; when a mysterious message demands they make the truth known, it‘s quickly apparent each has a deadly secret!

The last installment of the #MerriwellSistersSeries focuses on the youngest, Venus. Bookish and devoted to teaching the orphans, Venus has given up her hopes of finding the sort of passionate pairings her older sisters have— least of all with the irritating and enigmatic Galahad, her brother-in-law‘s American cousin. Galahad also has no time for love, focusing on his new business endeavor— one that will bring him closer to Venus than ever!

Set in 17th century Norway, this witchy tale of two sisters unfolds a bit slowly. Kaija and Minna have spent the last decade secluded in the birch wood, safe from the wrath of the village that claimed their mother‘s life. But after their Mormor‘s death, the sisters must each embrace their own magic & fates. I loved the setting & magic but wish the characters had more depth and development. Still, a strong debut that made for a good Halloween read!

We had to reschedule our book club meeting for this one (our club just can‘t resist WWII books!), and I finally listened to the ending today. Split between two narrators, Ava is an American librarian working in neutral Portugal to help gather intelligence from publications & send them to the US. In Lyons, Elaine takes up the mantle to fight in the Resistance through the written word. Engaging & well-performed, I‘m looking forward to discussing it!

Hard to believe but after 15 wonderful years, this is the last book I started with my beloved Brody by my side. He will be missed forever.

As for the book, I suppose this grotesquely surreal novel is apropos for the #SpookySeason, but honestly I probably wouldn‘t have finished it at all had it not been for the circumstances. It‘s vividly written but macabre. I appreciated in part the devotion, but I think it was sort of lost on me unfortunately.

This YA debut thriller catches attention from the get-go with a cast of young twenties and late teens arriving at a private island. As the body count starts, it becomes a locked room mystery. While the young characters may grate the nerves of older readers at times, the plot ones hold some twists that make the pacing quick and really make this a captivating read. While I don‘t think I would follow any of these characters, the author is one I will!

This sequel to Chizmar‘s 2021 release follows the same true crime format with photos, social media commentary, interview transcripts, articles, the author‘s WIP & more, offering a multimedia effect that so convincingly blends fact & fiction. Majority set in summer 2022, this one doesn‘t have quite the same nostalgic charm of the first, but there‘s more action & surprises to the storyline— plus the cliffhanger seems to promise a third installment!

This true crime read focuses on what is rather darkly deemed “The Golden Age of Serial Killers” from 1950-2000. Vronsky provides the numbers of killers in decade increments & then goes into the specific details of some of the cases. While some killers/victims will be more familiar than others, many were completely unheard of to me. It‘s a chilling read that takes larger societal issues & ties them to the creation of these real-life monsters.

I wasn‘t actually planning on re-reading this one, but I decided that I would best enjoy BECOMING THE BOOGEYMAN with it fresh in my mind! And though I did remember who is arrested in the 2019 portion, many of the details felt new to me and I greatly enjoyed the blend of fiction with fact in this true crime format that makes for a quick and genuinely thrilling read! Looking forward to seeing what will be covered in the next book!

I always love to read Andy Carpenter‘s latest case and I have a special sentiment for the Christmas ones in particular! This latest installment revolves around the defense of one of the friends Andy made through the shelter he runs named after his beloved golden retriever. With mob ties, a surprising plot and the characteristic humor and wit of the series, this makes for another fun and fast read that will put you in the holiday spirit!

This was our first listen for the roadtrip and it wasn‘t exactly what I expected it to be. There are some anecdotes of varying degrees of fame (from Nessie & Bigfoot to some lesser known cryptids like Altie in Darien, GA), alien abduction accounts and conspiracy theories, Dickey clearly approaches from a debunking/stance of disbelief. Unsubstantiated assumptions & sweeping statements can be off-putting. Slow-paced & not as much fun as I hoped!

I couldn‘t resist doing another #ThriftedGhostPainting! And this made for quite the engaging listen to accompany my project! Ruth yearns for a bigger life than being the Bottom Springs librarian & making her pastor father happy. When a skull is found the same day her best friend returns to town, the book reveals Ruth knows more about the skull-& just may wish for more than friendship with Everett. The local legend of the Low Man adds to the fun!

I finished this one in a rather unconventional spot— while in line at the Frozen ride at Epcot!! But this rather chaste romance between a celebrity chef/cooking show judge & a contestant who is a teacher with a passion for baking makes for a quick & addicting read! Some recipes are even included as your mouth may water over some of the descriptions! I loved the notes between the main characters that developed their attraction into a real romance!

What a chilling debut novel! The book opens nine months after the death of Pippa, told by the grieving father of her twin children and her own twin sister, Julia. Alfie and his daughters live in the home where Pippa and Julia grew up. A new imaginary friend starts Julia‘s memories spinning while the dark history of the house plays a role as well as the religion once practiced within its walls. Spooky and hard to put down! I really enjoyed this!

I always find myself drawn to books set during WWII and this wartime mystery makes for a fast-paced & engaging read. Evelyne Redfern has some notoriety in her past for her parents‘ bitter divorce, but a chance encounter offers her a new way to do her bit for the war as a typist in the underground Cabinet War Rooms. But her first shift leads to a new task to solve a murder, uncover a mole and put her love of detective fiction to practical use!

I wasn‘t sure what to expect from this debut novel— it‘s a quick read, set in Miami. Main character Hugo grieves & blames himself for the loss of his wife, & feels burdened by financial debts. He works in a botanica and though he has helped with hauntings in the past, he himself doesn‘t believe. When the debt collector who hounds Hugo instead turns to him for help, it turns into something more than Hugo expected. Original but rather bleak overall.

While I really enjoyed Kadrey‘s Sandman Slim series, this magically monstrous NYC was a bit too chaotic for me. Though I enjoyed the audio performance, the large cast-size & references made me feel like I was missing something… Julie makes for a tough heroine, but the villains lack depth to their motivations. It feels like a cool and slick story, but I never really connected with any of the characters… gory imagery perfect for the #SpookySeason!

Campbell‘s latest May start a bit slowly, but the ending absolutely zooms by! Madison, a Harvard law student has the chance to intern with the judge who inspired her to pursue the law— the (not-so) Honorable Judge Kathryn Conroy. To secure her internship, a small lie spirals. Madison may need to be taken by the shoulders and shook a bit, but the story hooks the reader right in! I absolutely couldn‘t put it down by the latter half! Truly thrilling!

I wasn‘t sure what to expect— my first experience with Elliott‘s writing. It‘s a genre mashup in some ways, & certainly pulls you into Alice‘s world, thoughts & doesn‘t let go. A new mother, while grieving the unexpected loss of her own mother, Alice has been living with her husband in Toronto but feeling cut off from the other family she has left— increasingly isolated, struggling to write the book of the Mohawk Creation Story. Fresh & absorbing!

I‘ve been trying to slowly savor listening/reading Chamberlain‘s backlist since discovering her about a decade ago! Like her others, this dual-timeline story moves at a fast & absorbing pace. In the modern timeline, Joelle finds herself in an impossible love triangle. In the past, identical twins have one difference with Carlin having a mystical healing power. Set in Monterey, CA, I couldn‘t stop listening while doing a thrifted #GhostPainting!

This makes for a fun, witchy read for the #SpookySeason! Cordelia and her sister, Eustace, moved around a lot as children, driven by their mother‘s idiosyncrasies but after her mysterious death, with both women struggling with their lives, the answer seems to come with their sudden inheritance of a Connecticut mansion— one that‘s filled with heirlooms & secrets as they learn to embrace what being a Bone woman really means! Exciting & entertaining!

I really loved this #FairytaleRetelling! Greta & her brother, Hans, are adults- though the town still whispers about Greta (what kind of child pushes an old woman into a fire alive? A witchy child!). And Hans‘ gambling ways are bringing about more trouble still. Plus, a new baroness may be more than she seems… a fresh take on a familiar tale that is perfect for this time of year! And a great audio performance— plus a real scene-stealer of a book!

Set in the titular city, in 1956, a fifteen year old girl goes missing. The bulk of the book takes place 30 years later when an intrepid reporter rehashes old information & uncovers some new leads in solving the mystery of Lara‘s fate. The storyline moves slowly, though I appreciated the richness of the setting & getting a real sense of 1986 Reykjavik! I felt the author duo collaborated well here, & it‘s well-plotted despite the plodding pace.

While the premise seemed promising, after a quarter of the way through, I just couldn‘t bring myself to continue. The murder of a 1944 politician in San Francisco— even with the tantalizing prospect that it may be one of three society darlings— failed to capture my interest. Info-dumps galore here slow down the pacing & the social commentary feels at odds with the time period in a jarringly modern way that makes the characters feel inauthentic.

This epic and layered novel, set in the same spot in the woods of western Massachusetts draws the reader in from the start. Each chapter and section shifts in time period, style and perspective— yet builds and slides into the preceding pieces seamlessly. It tells the story of these north woods but also the human (animal and ghost) lives that all intersect here. Beautifully written and unique, I really enjoyed this more than I expected to, even!

This sequel to ALIAS EMMA makes for another solidly entertaining and fast-paced read. Months have passed and Emma is ready to be thrust back undercover— this time on the yacht of a wealthy Russian man suspected of being involved in chemical weaponry. Tense and thrilling, this is a hard one to put down! Emma makes for a great heroine and the threat of the titular traitor keeps the reader guessing! A fun spy read with great suspense!

I have been holding off on listening to this one since I knew it was guaranteed to be a great listen- one of my favorite authors, performed by my very favorite audio performer! I knew it would be a fast listen, & at over 18 hours long, I wanted to make sure I had time to listen to it in bigger chunks! This family drama sucks you right in & I listened to this faster than I thought possible! The characters come to life with their bad choices & all!

What a fun #RegencyRomance! This is my second read by Enoch and I absolutely loved it! Michael, a duke, has mostly absented himself from the Season, parties & soirées in favor of pursuing his own scientific studies. Elizabeth, the Diamond of the Season, may at first seem like the frivolous young woman he can‘t stand, but when a mix up with poodles forces them together, sparks fly! A fun & fast read that I just couldn‘t put down! I really loved it!

Harrow is one of my favorite authors & her latest is absolutely fantastic! I just love how she brings the whole town of Eden, Kentucky to life with its history, the fairy tale-like story at the center & a terrific, tough main character. Opal‘s long been fascinated with Starling House-& now that it‘s just her and her brother, she finds she can‘t resist the pull of the house, even as she learns the darker parts of its story. Sad, funny & wonderful!

I can definitely see why this was one of this month‘s #BOTM offerings! I couldn‘t put this memoir down— Kissinger‘s large family (she‘s one of 8 siblings) have all dealt with mental illness in their lives— from their parents to some of the even darker issues of two of their siblings. Kissinger highlights how silence does more harm than good & uses her career to shine a light on the shoddy way this nation treats those with mental health issues.

While I was loving the Chicago setting and the feature of one of my favorite museums (the Field!)- I just couldn‘t bring myself to finish this one! While a diverse cast in a romantic comedy is great, there needs to be a bit more character development and actual romance rather than a story that feels like it‘s just checking off diversity boxes & adding oddly placed lecture-it‘s hard to connect with characters that aren‘t developed & lack chemistry!

The third book in the #CaptainJimAndLadyDianaMysteries series has the fixed-setting & locked-room trope as the duo cross the Atlantic from Boston to Liverpool. When the unofficial Spanish diplomat is found dead, an investigation is soon underway! Unfortunately some of the best dialogue is kept offsides & the overly passive language slows the pacing down. Though well-researched, a few vocabulary words appear before their time here. Still enjoyable!

My book club gets together this weekend to discuss this one— my second experience with the author‘s writing! I really didn‘t know much of anything about the life of Marjorie Merriweather Post going in, I did enjoy this view of her life. The cereal heiress and wealthy women hits some discordant notes throughout- vacillating between savvy and naive, generous and completely self-absorbed. I just wish there was more to really bring her to life here!