Saturday, October 10, 2026

The French Illusion by John Grisham

Paul and Chelsea Tanner are on their honeymoon in Paris when both are kidnapped. Chelsea is soon released after her parents pay the $2 million ransom. Paul's family also pays that amount, but he is not let go. It turns out that Paul and Chelsea are the third American couple to be taken in the last few years. Who is responsible and what is their motive? The French Illusion takes the reader on the journey to answer those questions, in addition to outlining the CIA plot to free Paul and the other two men. While I have enjoyed the several Grisham books I have read in the past, this one is a miss for me. One-dimensional characters and a story that is too leisurely-paced bogged down any momentum the book had.

Sunday, October 4, 2026

Swan Song by Charles Spencer

In this memoir, Charles Spencer, Princess Diana's younger brother, recounts them growing up together first at Park House, on the Sandringham estate, then at Althorp. Alternating with the story of their childhoods is Charles' story of learning of his sister's death and preparing to write a eulogy that turned out to send reverberations around the world. It's a heartfelt, honest portrait that I felt lost some of it's momentum with the alternating timelines. However, a worthwhile read for those interested in Diana and her life.

Monday, September 28, 2026

So, I Met This Guy...by Alexandra Potter

As Maggie is turning fifty, life is not going well. She lives in an old caravan on a farmer's land, penniless after she found out her fiancĂ©e Theo was a con man who took all of her money. Young reporter Flick comes to Maggie wanting to write a story about her situation and suggests that they try and find Theo so Maggie can confront him about what he did and Flick can write a story about it. So, I Met This Guy... follows Maggie's and Flick's journey through Europe (including Monte Carlo, Rome, the Amalfi Coast, and Tangier) as they try and track Theo down. It's the story of a blossoming friendship, good food, humor, and healing.

Friday, September 18, 2026

The Silent Appeal by Janice Hallett

The amateur drama troupe, The Fairway Players, are staging Agatha Christie's play The Hollow, but a murder occurs during the performances. Months later, lawyers Femi and Charlotte are tasked with sorting through emails and text messages of the people involved, since the person convicted of the murder wants to appeal their sentence. Who was murdered? Are all the characters who they seem? Follow along as the truth is uncovered...

Monday, September 7, 2026

Peck & Peck by Bonnie Garmus

As Batter Gray grows up, he can't think of anything he'd rather do than be involved with poetry. He knows he has a special gift for understanding and interpreting poems, but everyone from his parents to his teachers to even his college roommate Paul tells Batter that it's not a real career, but should just be a hobby. Somehow, he manages to graduate from college, jumping from major to major, in the late 1970s. He finds himself in New York City in the 1980s working at Peck and Peck, the revered poetry journal. Peck & Peck recounts Batter's early twenties through his eyes--getting a job there, the people he meets and the eccentric and (at times) dehumanizing workplace. The novel has the same quirky feel as Garmus' first novel, Lessons in Chemistry, and it has a main character you can't help but cheer on while it immerses you in 1980s literary New York. It will be published next month.

How to Find a Romance in a Bookshop by Poppy Alexander

Petra, a literary agent who lives in London, flees to the small village of Portneath to run a bookstore for six months, following a social media post gone wrong. Petra has lost confidence in doing her job and figures lying low will help her decide what to do next. As the manager of Capelthorne's, Petra becomes immersed in village life--recommending books to customers, running the book club, and enjoying all the local food. She also becomes friends with Ross, whom Petra soon recognizes as a famous novelist who published his first book to great acclaim five years ago and then disappeared. Petra agrees to keep Ross' secret, but finds herself falling in love. Does Ross feel the same way--and what will happen when the bookstore's owners come back after their time away? How to Find a Romance in a Bookshop is a cozy, feel-good romance, similar to Jenny Bayliss, Alexandra Potter, and Jenny Colgan. As a bonus, it is set in the same town as some of Alexander's past books, and those characters make appearances in this book.

Monday, August 24, 2026

Brain Damage by Freida McFadden

Charlotte or "Charly" is a dermatologist in New York City when she's shot in the head, survives, and is admitted into a rehabilitation facility. Brain Damage moves between Charly's life before the crime, when she meets and marries Clark, and after the shooting--when the reader sees up close the difficulties of therapy and healing after a brain injury. There's also the question of who shot Charly? Is it someone she knows? The novel is a fast-paced journey to uncover the truth.

Brimstone Hollow by Archer Sullivan

In this second mystery featuring private detective Annie Gore, Annie is hired by Katie May to look into the death of Katie's father, Ezra King. Ezra was a preacher at a snake-handling church in Mount Zion, Kentucky. He and Katie had been estranged for years. Ezra was bit by a snake and was quickly buried, which Katie finds a bit suspicious since she was Ezra's only relative. As Annie settles into Mount Zion and begins her interviews, staying under the radar in the small town becomes impossible. Working together with the local police force, however, is successful and might be enough help for Annie to solve this complex case. Brimstone Hollow is a worthy successor's to Sullivan's debut and is a great choice for readers who miss Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone. Other read-alikes include Alice Henderson, Julia Keller, and Sharyn McCrumb.

Thursday, August 20, 2026

The Tailor by Tim Sullivan

In the eighth book of the DS Cross series, George's team is investigating the death of tailor Billy Titcomb, who was brutally murdered in a train lavatory. What could Billy have been involved in that would cause someone to kill him so violently? As George looks into Billy's business and personal life, he wonders if Billy's wife Min, a chemist who was born in China, could be involved. Another satisfying entry in the series.

Saturday, August 15, 2026

Sunlight Finds You by Laura Moriarty

It's 1949 and Nora meets Leonard at their high school in St. Petersburg, Florida. Nora and her family are new to Florida. Her stepmother Mae was the driving force for their move from Missouri. Nora and Leonard fall in love, but Leonard's father disapproves of the relationship because Nora is not from a wealthy background. It is this criticism that has far reaching affects over Nora's and Leonard's lives and those around them for many years to come. Sunlight Finds You is an emotional and heartfelt love story similar to Summer Wives by Beatriz Williams and the novels of Kristin Hannah.

Saturday, August 8, 2026

Matcha on Monday by Michiko Aoyama

In this sequel to Hot Chocolate on Thursday with the Marble Cafe again as the place that ties the characters together, the reader meets the individuals who are loosely associated with the cafe when it's closed on Mondays. Taking place over a calendar year, we meet a young woman who falls for a guy named Kippei, who is opening up a branch in Tokyo of his family's tea business. There's also a singer who bonds with the owner of a lingerie shop and a duo of stories told from the points of view of both a granddaughter and grandmother who don't see eye to eye. For me, not as satisfying as the first book in the series.

Monday, August 3, 2026

One Good Thing by Alexandra Potter

Still reeling after finding out about her husband's affair and divorcing him, Liv buys an old house in the Yorkshire Dales in the same village her grandparents lived in when she was a child. The home needs a lot of work, so Liv hires Ben, whom she had a crush on when she was young, to do the repairs. Ben is recently widowed and has a young son, Stanley, who develops a strong bond with Liv's dog Harry. Liv also begins a friendship with Valentine, a close neighbor who recently put his wife Gisele in a home due to her worsening Alzheimer's. One Good Thing is a delightful cozy story of friendship and romance. A great read-alike for This Book Made Me Think of You, A Season of Second Chances, Jenny Colgan, and Gil Neil.

Tuesday, July 28, 2026

McKenna's Guy by Mike Lawson

When an intruder breaks into Roger Smith's home in the middle of the night, Roger kills him with a baseball bat. The detective assigned to the case, Grace Lillinthal, is suspicious of Roger's claims that he's just a normal guy who works for the Government Publishing Office in Washington D.C. and has a greeting card business that he runs out of his basement. Grace feels that Roger is not being entirely truthful to her. In fact, Grace is correct. For the last twenty years, Roger has secretly been working with local bar owner John McKenna in creating passports for people who want to disappear. Could Roger's side job be the reason someone wants him dead? McKenna's Guy details Roger's and McKenna's search for who is after them, Grace's investigation and her need to get Roger to come clean. A great read-alike for Thomas Perry and readers who enjoy cat and mouse crime stories with "average guy" main characters.

Sunday, July 26, 2026

Get Lost by Justin Halpern

When Lila gets the news that her mother Mattie is missing and that her father Dix is in jail because the police think he was involved, Lila is thrown back into her dysfunctional family life. Raised by Mattie, who would disappear at times--even when Lila was pretty young--Lila learned not to count on her dad for anything, even though he's revered in his hometown of Los Armarios, California because he was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in his youth. After getting Dix out of jail, Lila realizes that she and Dix have to work together to find Mattie. Dix's charm with other people is exasperating to Lila since he was never there for her. Will the duo be able to put the past behind them and discover what happened to Mattie? A mystery, at times quirky and funny, with touches of Janet Evanovich and Carl Hiaasen.

Monday, July 20, 2026

Birds of Prey edited by Harlan Coben and C.J. Box

In this short story collection by well-known American thriller writers, each person chooses a bird to feature in their tale. Highlights for me include C.J. Box's story "Precious Cargo,"about a peregrine egg thief and Ace Atkin's southern tale "Kudzu," which features one of his series characters, Quinn Colson. I also enjoyed "Silent as a Shadow" by S.A. Cosby, featuring an owl and a man who falls for the wrong woman. Robert Dugoni's "The Falcon" puts a spin on the use of a bird by featuring a Ford Falcon instead of an animal. Overall, an enjoyable collection that gives the reader an idea of each author's style.

Thursday, July 16, 2026

It Could Have Been Her by Lisa Jewell

In her fifties, Jane lives with her dogs at the estate where she grew up-- Rosebery Hall in Dorset, which is falling down and needs tons of maintenance and repairs. Jane knows in her heart she must put in up for sale. Otherwise, she has lived quite a comfortable life, twice-divorced with stepchildren she adores, but never having had a job. This idleness in part is what causes her to become overly involved in reuniting a dog she finds on her land with its owner. When Jane arrives at the home in the Vale of Heath, northwest of London, she realizes she recognizes the house from her past. After dropping off the dog, Jane is unable to get the home out of her mind,, nor the disappearance of the young woman who was seen with the dog near Jane's Dorset home. It Could Have Been Her follows Jane and her stepson Dexter as they attempt to find the woman, along with the backstory and what's going on in the London house now. A great read-alike for Jewell's The Family Upstairs, Liz Nugent, and Erin Kelly.

Saturday, July 11, 2026

Storm Tide by Paul Doiron

Maine game warden Mike Bowditch is witness to the deaths of Brian and Jenna Malloy in a house fire. No one is sorry about their passing, since Brian was a suspect in the disappearance of his son Liam. When another death occurs to someone who was accused of rape and murder, Mike wonders if there's a vigilante out there dispensing his own brand of justice. Things get personal when it appears that Mike himself is being targeted. Mike wonders what he did in the past for someone to come after him and his family. Mike is especially worried, since he and his wife, Stacey have just welcomed their first child. Will Mike be able to keep his family safe and uncover the culprit? Taking place over almost a year, Storm Tide is another solid entry in this long-running mystery series.

Monday, July 6, 2026

The Killer and Frank Lloyd Wright by Casey Sherman

In 1914, at Taliesin, Frank Lloyd Wright's Wisconsin estate, one of the servants set the home ablaze and murdered several people inside. The Killer and Frank Lloyd Wright recounts the life of Frank Lloyd Wright through the lens of his romantic relationships, most notably Mamah Borthwick. Frank and Mamah were both married to other people when they started their affair, but were soulmates. They were starting to build a life together, but the tragedy at Taliesin cut their dreams short. While the book is a work of narrative non-fiction and moves quickly, I would have loved more pictures of Wright's architectural works that are mentioned and the people involved in the story. The book also heavily relies upon Frank Lloyd Wright's autobiography and newspaper articles of the time as source materials, because that's all that is available. While that's not the author's fault, the book feels slight and at times overdramatized.

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

But For the Grace by Peter Grainger

In this second book of the DC Smith series, Smith is the lead investigator in the death of Joan Riley who lived at Rosemary House, a retirement community. Did Joan die by her own hand or was someone else involved? Joan was part of a quartet of friends, and another of the friends, Elspeth, died a few months ago. Could Elspeth's death be considered suspicious also? But For the Grace is another solid police procedural from author Peter Grainger.

Monday, June 15, 2026

An Accidental Death by Peter Grainger

DS Smith is asked to look into the death of Wayne Fletcher, who drowned in a local river. The case has been marked as an accidental death, but DI Reeve doesn't feel that's the case. Joined by newbie DC Chris Waters, Smith agrees with Reeve's assessment and soon finds that the case has its roots in the Yugoslav Wars. In this first book of the long running series that has just been published in the U.S., Smith writes a mystery that will appeal to fans of Peter Robinson and Ann Cleeves.

Monday, June 8, 2026

Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan

Dolly and her teenage son Gus are spending the summer with her dad and her younger brother Christopher to help with the cleanup after a fire in her childhood home. Located in the oceanside small town of Whitfield, Rhode Island, Dolly's family has owned Brick Fish House for four generations. Dolly plans on working there, but longs to expand the business with all the baked goods she makes. In a chance encounter, she meets wealthy Stewart Whitfield, who wants her to pose as his girlfriend for the summer after his fiancee cheats on him. Dolly agrees, since Stewart will be paying her enough money to replace the roof on her father's house. Their arrangement soon becomes personal as they develop feelings for one another. In her fifth novel, Monaghan writes another great beach read with in-depth characters that you really root for.

Monday, June 1, 2026

Dog Person by Camille Pagan

Miguel is the owner of Lakeside Books, which sits in a tourist town on Lake Michigan. He hasn't been the same since his wife Amelia (a romance author) died more than a year ago. In fact, the bookstore is now in danger of closing after bestselling author Jonathan Middleton-Biggs didn't show up for an author event Lakeside was hosting. Miguel decides to try and find Jonathan so they can do a makeup event, but instead he meets Jonathan's sister Fiona and niece, who coincidentally is named Amelia Mae. Told through the eyes of Miguel's and Amelia's dog, Harold, Dog Person is a story of love, loss, and second chances.

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

Ironwood by Michael Connelly

Stilwell is the top law enforcement person on Catalina Island. He and his team get word that a drug drop is happening, but the team is ambushed and Stilwell then has to find out who was responsible. In addition, Stilwell gets to assist Renee Ballard of the LAPD's Open-Unsolved Unit when cases that both are working on turn out to be connected. A solid second book in the series that's hard to put down.

The Calico Cat at the Chibineko Kitchen by Yuta Takahashi

In this second book in the Chibineko Kitchen series, the reader meets more people who have come to the restaurant to be reunited with someone from their past who has died. There's Nagi, who has been told by her doctors that she has five years left to live. She wants to see her mother, who also died young. Keita, now working after many years of unemployment, needs to show his mom how far he's come. Mitsuyo, on the other hand, would like to see Ken'ichi Kawakubo, a singer who was famous when she was young. The tales, while at times somber, provide closure to characters, which is satisfying.

Thursday, May 21, 2026

The Foursome by Christina Baker Kline

In the 1840's, sisters Sallie and Addie live with their parents near Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Neither are married, and with a scandal looming over the family, their marital prospects are slim. Cojoined twins Chang and Eng Bunker have recently moved to the area, and soon the sisters find themselves spending time with the brothers and then marrying them. In The Foursome, the story of the two couples is told through the eyes of Sallie, who is Eng's wife. The reader gets an up close and personal view of what the two couples lives were like as they had children, owned slaves (even though Chang and Eng were formerly enslaved), faced prejudice, and lived through the Civil War. An interesting story, especially for book groups.

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

To the End of Reckoning by Joseph Moldover

Lukas Moore has left an acting career behind in New York City and come back to his hometown to take care of his father, Richard, a psychiatrist, who had a traumatic brain injury after being hit by a car. Richard can't be left alone for long and, while he was always opinionated and difficult, he now sees details others miss and has become obsessed by the death of fellow psychiatrist Jason Grant. Jason disappeared a year ago and is presumed dead. Richard feels Jason was murdered and draws Lukas into helping him investigate what happened to Jason. To the End of Reckoning is a debut mystery with interesting characters and a puzzle that keeps the reader turning the pages.

Monday, May 18, 2026

The Teacher by Tim Sullivan

With DS Ottey taking time off, DS George Cross finds himself working under DI Bobby Warner on the investigation into the murder of retired teacher Alistair Moreton. Moreton was not well-liked in the small village of Crockerne, and was sadistic and violent to the young boys when he was headmaster at a boys' school many years ago. Additionally, Moreton and his next door neighbors, the Cotterells, had a long feud. There are lots of people who would have loved to see him dead--but which one actually killed him? In this sixth book of the DS Cross series, Sullivan writes a mystery that will satisfy lovers of British police procedurals.

Saturday, May 9, 2026

Storm Warning by Alice Henderson

Wildlife biologist Alex Carter finds herself on the island of Hawaii working for the Center for Sea Turtle Restoration to monitor the hawksbill turtles in the area and watch over their nests. As Alex camps on the beach, she is able to recruit volunteers to help her with the project, but also comes into contact with poachers who want to steal the turtles and their eggs. With a hurricane set to make landfall in a few days, Alex will also have to relocate the eggs until the weather danger passes. Soon, however, Alex and some of the people she met are in the crosshairs of a group that have come to the island to wreak havoc with no regards to human life. Storm Warning, the fifth book in the series, gives the reader lots of details about sea turtles and their changing environment along with a suspenseful survival story. 

Sunday, May 3, 2026

Inheritance by Jane Park

Anne is a successful lawyer in New York City who has tried hard to put her childhood as the daughter of Korean immigrants behind her. During her youth in rural Alberta, her parents struggled to be accepted, yet both worked long hours to provide for Anne and her older brother, Charles. Charles chafed under his parents strict rules and discipline, so Anne took his place as the child that would achieve all their parent's dreams by going to Yale and making a generous salary. Anne's father has just passed away, so she's back in Edmonton for the funeral and to settle his financial affairs. It is also time for Anne to reflect on the past and to think about what she really wants out of life. A story about the memories of childhood, familial obligation, and coming to terms with the past.

Friday, April 24, 2026

The Last Letters of Sally and Walter by Cammie McGovern

Sally and Walter are both residents at the Golden Grove retirement community and meet when Sally comes to the Scrabble club that Walter runs. Walter happens to be the only member, but soon they are playing a game and it becomes clear that they are kindred spirits. Sally is also a very good Scrabble player, probably better than Walter, because she stays calm under pressure. Soon, Walter is coaching Sally and they find their friendship possibly deepening into something more, but both find that they have unresolved issues with their adult children that they need to take care of. Additionally, Sally's increasing Parkinson's symptoms are causing her to revert inward. Can Sally and Walter expose their true feelings and become truly vulnerable with each other? The Last Letters of Sally and Walter is a cozy story of friendship and romance similar to Major Pettigrew's Last Stand and the novels of Elizabeth Berg.

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Last One Out by Jane Harper

Five years ago, Ro Crowley's 21-year-old son Sam disappeared from their small town of Carralon Ridge in rural New South Wales. Since then, Ro and her husband Griff have split and she has moved to Sydney with their daughter Della, although she comes back to Carralon Ridge annually for a memorial around the time Sam was last seen. The few residents that are left in the town join the family in remembering Sam, but numbers decrease every year, since the local mine has continued to buy people's homes. In Last One Out, Harper writes a novel that's a slow burn, with tension building as she introduces all the inhabitants of the town through Ro's eyes, a mother who really wants to know what happened to her son. With a great sense of place and atmosphere, this is one of her finest, right up there with The Lost Man. Absolutely one of the best books I've read this year.

Thursday, April 16, 2026

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

Natalie lives with her wealthy husband Caleb and five children on a five hundred acre farm in Utah. She is an influencer who has embraced the homestead lifestyle and is fervently Christian. However, there are cracks in the image that Natalie is presenting, and one day she wakes up on her land--but it's 1855, not the present time. What has happened to Natalie and why is she where she is? Yesteryear recounts Natalie's time in the past and goes back to give the reader insight on how Natalie and Caleb met, in addition to them establishing their farm, Yesteryear. A book that's hard to put down and eminently discussable.

Friday, April 10, 2026

Upward Bound by Woody Brown

In Upward Bound, the reader meets both the employees and the clients of an adult day care center for people with disabilities. There's Walter, who's non-verbal and has gone to college. Tom nurses a crush on Ann (one of the workers), but complications of his cerebral palsy prevent him from telling her of his feelings. Dave, the director of the facility, is a failed actor who tries to do what he thinks is best without adequate funding. Worker Carlos is beloved by everyone and has developed a strong bond with Jorge, who doesn't speak and has a tendency to bolt from the center frequently. Written by author Woody Brown--whom the character Walter is based on--the novel is able to give the reader much insight into the disability community.

Monday, April 6, 2026

Missing by E.A. Jackson

In 1990, amid a heatwave in London, DI Martha Allen is in charge of the investigation into the disappearance of five-month-old Bella Carpenter. Bella and her parents--Viv and Tom--are visiting from Wells and staying at a local hotel where Bella was taken from the room as her parents slept. With two distraught parents and intense media coverage, no one is more surprised than Martha when Bella is dropped off at the police station by a woman named Nell Beatty. Even though Bella is back with her family and Martha is told to drop the case, she has lingering questions about the situation. Now, thirty years later, Martha gets word that Nell Beatty has died and decides once more to investigate Bella's kidnapping. With a tense, almost claustrophobic setting, Missing is a book that's hard to put down. A great read-alike for Nicci French's Frieda Klein series.

Thursday, April 2, 2026

The Politician by Tim Sullivan

The former mayor of Bristol, Peggy Frampton, is found dead in her home. She was not without enemies--after her tenure she provided online advice and had more than five million followers. DS George Cross and DS Josie Ottey soon are looking for her murderer. The Politician follows along with their investigation, but also explores George's feelings about his mother, who left his father Raymond when George was a child. What part might Raymond have played in the breakup? A solid entry to the series.

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Hot Chocolate on Thursday by Michiko Aoyama

In this delightful short novel, the story starts at the Marble Cafe in Tokyo, where Wataru, the manager, has feelings for a regular customer that he has nicknamed Ms. Hot Chocolate. From there, in each subsequent chapter the reader meets characters who are tangentially connected to one another. There's Ena who is reprimanded by senior teacher Yasuko for wearing nail polish to her job as a kindergarten teacher and  Yasuko, who gets her own story about her friendship with childhood friend Risa (who is getting married). Risa and her husband, Hiroyuki, then honeymoon in Sydney, where several of the stories are set. Hot Chocolate on Thursday then comes full circle with the last story told by Maco, Ms Hot Chocolate. A cozy, heartwarming read.

Sunday, March 29, 2026

Life: a Love Story by Elizabeth Berg

As Flo Greene nears the end of her life at ninety-two years old, she begins to write letters to a woman named Ruthie. Ruthie grew up next door to Flo and they developed a strong friendship. Flo has decided to leave her house and possessions to Ruthie in her will, since Flo and her late husband Terrence had no children. Throughout Life: a Love Story, Flo recounts the events of her life, both major and minor, through the possessions she's leaving behind. A heartwarming story of connection and love.

Thursday, March 26, 2026

Once and Again by Rebecca Serle

When the women in Lauren's family are born, they are given a ticket that they can use once to turn back time. Lauren's mother, Marcella, used hers when Lauren was fifteen and Lauren's father, Dave, died in a car accident. Lauren's grandmother, free spirit Sylvia, still has hers, as does Lauren. The three generations of women, along with Dave, lived together in a house in Malibu (that Sylvia bought in the 1960's) until Lauren grew up. Lauren, now married to Leo, is coming back to the house as Leo is working in New York City for the summer. There has been strain in Lauren's marriage of late, owing to their inability to have a child. Leo wants to stop trying and move on, Lauren does not. When Lauren's first love, Stone, comes back into the picture she finds it hard to resist his charms. Once and Again explores the relationship between mothers and daughters and how the opportunity of a "do over" affects people's lives.

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

The Patient by Tim Sullivan

In this third book in the DS Cross series, George and his colleagues Ottey and Mackenzie investigate the death of a young woman named Flick after her mother, Sandra, repeatedly tries to tell the authorities that she was murdered rather than having died of a drug overdose. The team finds evidence that seems to support her claim, along with several suspects that deserve a look. The Patient is a satisfying police procedural that continues to develop the personal relationship between George, Ottey, and Mackenzie. Give to readers who enjoy Ann Cleeves and Peter Robinson.

Friday, March 6, 2026

The Midnight Taxi by Yosha Gunasekera

Siriwathi "Siri" Perera drives a taxi in New York City. One evening she picks up public defender Amaya Fernando and Siri senses they could possibly be friends, since both are Sri Lankan. While in Brooklyn, Siri then gets another fare and is stunned soon after to find the man dead with the knife still in his chest in her back seat. She then calls Amaya for help and, after calling the police, Siri is then arrested for murder. While out on bail, with Amaya's help, Siri must investigate who the man she supposedly murder was, in addition to finding the real killer to clear her name. The Midnight Taxi is a debut mystery featuring an likable main character in Siri, with a rich backstory.

Sunday, March 1, 2026

One & Only by Maurene Goo

Soon to turn forty, Cassia works in the family business--One & Only Matchmaking--in Los Angeles. It was started by Cassia's grandmother Halmoni and her great aunt Emoni, and has been very successful. All the women in the family have the ability when meeting someone to be able to see their past lives and loves, so they are able to produce a name of the person who is their perfect match for their clients. Cassia has known the name of hers, Daniel Nam, for ten years, but hasn't had any luck finding him. When she meets a much younger guy named Ellis, they have an instant connection and sparks fly. Then Ellis introduces Cassia to his boss, Daniel Nam. Can Cassia forget Ellis and be with her fated, Daniel? One & Only is the adult debut of young adult author Maurene Goo.

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

My Husband's Wife by Alice Feeney

When Eden Fox comes back from a run, she's perplexed because her key won't open the front door of her house, Spyglass. The woman that answers the door looks like her and tells Eden that she can't possibly be Eden Fox because she is. Even her husband, Harrison who's home at the time, tells Eden to leave. The big question for the reader becomes just who the real Eden Fox is. Another storyline in the book is told through the eyes of a woman named Birdy who six months ago inherited Spyglass from her estranged grandmother. In My Husband's Wife the stories of Eden, Birdy, Harrison, and those around them are told as Feeney reveals one surprise after another in her signature style.

Friday, February 13, 2026

This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page

When Tilly gets a phone call from Alfie, the owner of London bookshop Book Lane, letting her know she has a book to collect, she's confused. It turns out her husband Joe, who passed away six months ago, ordered a book a month over a year for her. At first, Tilly is angry about the gift, but slowly, over the course of the year begins to embrace the books and messages that Joe left for her. She also begins to open her heart. A cozy, heartwarming tale, perfect for readers of Jojo Moyes, Clare Pooley, and Jenny Colgan.

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

The Cyclist by Tim Sullivan

In the second DS Cross mystery, George leads his team in the investigation of the murder of cyclist Alex Paphides. Alex was found dead at a building site. Who could have wanted to kill him? Did it have something to do with Alex's business dealings or possibly the cycling club that he was part of? Suspects abound, but the guilty are no match for George's brilliant investigative techniques. A traditional British procedural, especially for fans of the Monk and House television shows.

Saturday, January 31, 2026

Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden

Debbie lives with her husband, Cooper, and two teenage daughters, Lexi and Izzy, in suburban Massachusetts. When things start going wrong in her daughters' lives and she's fired from her job as an advice columnist at the local newspaper, she decides to exact revenge upon those who have wronged her family. Once Debbie starts down this road, she finds it hard to stop... A novel that's hard not to finish in one sitting.

Monday, January 26, 2026

The Hitch by Sara Levine

Rose is thrilled when her brother Victor and his wife Astrid let her take care of her six-year-old nephew Nathan while they go away to Mexico for a week. Rose can't wait to spend a lot of time with Nathan, since they usually only see each other for a few hours on Saturdays. However, soon after Victor and Astrid leave, Rose's dog Walter kills a corgi at a park and Nathan tells Rose that the corgi's spirit is now inside of him. This incident, of course, unsettles the quirky and judgmental Rose as she attempts to make things right, i.e. exorcise the dog. A novel, at times humorous, about love and familial obligations.

Saturday, January 17, 2026

The Rest of Our Lives by Ben Markovits

Twelve years ago, when he found out his wife Amy was having an affair, Tom vowed to leave her once their younger child went to college. That day has come, as Miri is leaving for Carnegie Mellon. After dropping Miri off in Pittsburgh, Tom heads west, visiting his brother in South Bend, an old girlfriend in Las Vegas, eventually arriving in California to see his son, Michael. However, a mysterious illness is dogging him as he reflects on the relationships and the choices he's made. A meditative novel of one man's life.

Monday, January 5, 2026

Too Old for This by Samantha Downing

Lottie, now in her 70's, has tried to put her violent past behind her, but when producer Plum Dixon knocks on Lottie's door wanting to interview her about some murders she was accused of many years ago, Lottie murders Plum and disposes of her body. The police know Plum was at Lottie's house and are asking if she knows what happened to Plum. Will Lottie be able to stay ahead of the authorities, keep the secret of all the people she's killed and live out her retirement in peace? Only time will tell...