Getting Away with Murder by Shari Lapena

She loves her husband.
But she might love their house more.

Jill and Ted adore their New York brownstone the way others adore their children. They have carefully, expensively, made every inch of it their own. It reflects who they are, their status and tastes. With the grand mahogany staircase and state-of-the-art kitchen, it is the stuff of glossy magazines and real-estate dreams. It is their sanctuary.

So when Ted’s inheritance runs out and he makes a bad investment, they panic. How can they protect their beloved home and enviable lifestyle?

The answer is obvious. Or at least, it is obvious to Jill and Ted. The death of one wealthy family member could solve all their problems. Together, they will get away with murder.

As long as they trust each other.

And as long as there are no surprises . . .

Paperback, 368 pages

Published July 28, 2026

 by Doubleday Canada

4/5 stars

Shari Lapena is an auto-read for me, a Canadian author, I always love seeing her name pop up with something new. 

Getting Away with Murder follows Jill and Ted, a couple whose devotion to their perfectly styled New York brownstone runs a little too deep. When financial problems can no longer be hidden Ted and Jill need a plan for a big influx of cash, that's how obsessed they are with this brownstone.  The steps they take are chilling and what sounds like a good, if not great plan doesn't always go as planned.

What makes this one work is that Lapena doesn't play coy about who's behind the scheme. Instead of building toward a whodunnit, she flips the formula and lets us watch Jill and Ted plan and execute their plot in real time, which somehow makes it more unsettling, not less. Watching two people talk themselves into justifying something so awful and then having to trust each other completely to pull it off, adds a different kind of tension than her usual mystery setup.

This was a twisty story with some genuinely unlikeable characters, but that's part of what made it work. Neither Jill nor Ted is particularly sympathetic and I found myself rooting against them just as much as I was watching to see how far they'd go. I felt like a deer in headlights the whole way through- I struggled to put it down.

Though a reverse of Lapena's usual writing style, this was equalling captivating with its unique story and characters that lack feeling.  

This book was part of my 2026 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge, #32

A Time of Witches by Madeline Martin

Two women, bound by blood and betrayal, must break silence across centuries—or be silenced forever.

Lilith Legare’s life is unraveling. Since her mother’s death, strange things have been happening - plants turn toward her touch, animals linger in her path, and the birthmark on her arm has started tingling. Worse still is her recurring nightmare of being burned alive at the stake.

Her search for answers brings her from Savannah to England, to the decaying Brackenmere Manor where the past blurs with the present. There, Lilith discovers a legacy she never asked for and along with it, the threat of peril. History must be rewritten, or she too will die.

In 1645 Suffolk, Sybil Brantham stands accused as a witch. An educated, wealthy widow, she is branded a threat by men who fear her independence. As arrests begin and suspicion abounds, Sybil must protect her younger sister, even as betrayal takes root within her household.

Across centuries, Lilith and Sybil are bound by blood and by danger. To save themselves, and each other, they must confront the silence that has stolen women’s power for generations—and dare to claim their voices before it’s too late.

Kobo Edition, 380 pages

Expected publication September 1, 2026 

by Hanover Square Press

3.5/5 stars

Madeline Martin steps away from her usual World War II historical fiction with A Time of Witches,  trading the battlefields of the war for the witch hunts of 1645 in Suffolk, England. It is a big departure and for the most part it works.

The story moves between present day Lilith Legare and Sybil Brantham in the 1600s, two women connected across centuries by legacy neither of them chose. I enjoyed the present day storyline and how the links between Lilith and Sybil slowly came together. 

That said, something felt like it was missing for me, though I cannot quite put my finger on what.  Maybe I wanted more time with Sybil before her arrest. We meet her already caught up in accusation and suspicion, and I would have liked the chance to know her as a person first - an educated widow living her life before everything changes for her. That groundwork felt a little thin.

Still, this was an enjoyable read overall. Martin clearly did her research into the witch hunts and the atmosphere she builds is good throughout. 

My thanks to Hanover Press for a digital ARc in exchange for a honest review.

The Double Life of Eve Sinclair by C.C. Humphreys

The Alice Network meets The Nightingale in this romantic and suspenseful novel about a female spy who must push herself to her very limits to save herself and everything she holds dear.

It’s 1939, and Stockholm is a sea of spies. Yet Eve Sinclair couldn’t care less. Nineteen years old, beautiful, born in Montreal into privilege and educated to do little more than make a good marriage, she appears to have succeeded when she weds handsome diplomat Richard Spence and follows him to Stockholm. But, like so much in this city, Eve will discover that her marriage is not what it seems. Raised to expect only one life, she soon finds herself thrust into another one entirely—dark, corrupt and very, very dangerous.

If Eve is going to survive her newly perilous life in a world at war, she must learn certain skills—and swiftly. Discovering a core of steel buried deep within her, she will forge that steel into a career . . . as a spy. Her talents, and her need to fight evil, will take her from luxurious Sweden to the foulest tenements of Lisbon, onto the highlands of Scotland and finally to a bridge in Norway, a detonator and an inconceivable choice.

The Double Life of Eve Sinclair is much more than a war story; it’s a tale of love, passion, grit and the resilience of the human spirit. And it’s the story of one woman who discovers she has more strength than she ever could have imagined.

Paperback, 400 pages

Published June 2, 2026 

by Doubleday Canada

4/5 stars

I had the privilege of attending an author talk when this book was released,  C.C. Humphreys spoke about his own personal connection to this story. His father was from England and his mother was a spy during the war. Knowing that going in made reading this all the more interesting, there is something different about experiencing a book when you know it is rooted in the author's own family history.

Set in 1939, the story follows Eve Sinclair, a young Montreal socialite who marries a handsome diplomat and moves to Stockholm, only to discover her marriage is not what it appears to be. Raised to expect one kind of life, she is thrust into another entirely, one that pulls her into the dangerous world of espionage during the Second World War. Watching her transformation and all the obstacles she endured gave rise to how much strength she didn't realize she had.  

World War II fiction set in Stockholm is well off the beaten path, and it was refreshing to get a view of the war from that side of things. So much WWII historical fiction covers familiar ground, France, Britain, Germany, so setting the story in neutral Sweden gave a different perspective on how the war touched even those countries trying to stay out of it.

This book was part of  my 2026 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge #28

The Astral Library by Kate Quinn

From New York Times bestselling author Kate Quinn comes a gorgeously written fantastical adventure which poses the question: Have you ever wished you could live inside a book? Welcome to the Astral Library, where books are not just objects, but doors to new worlds, new lives, and new futures.

Alexandria “Alix” Watson has learned one lesson from her barren childhood in the foster-care system: unlike people, books will never let you down. Working three dead-end jobs to make ends meet and knowing college is a pipe dream, Alix takes nightly refuge in the high-vaulted reading room at the Boston Public Library, escaping into her favorite fantasy novels and dreaming of far-off lands. Until the day she stumbles through a hidden door and meets the Librarian: the ageless, acerbic guardian of a hidden library where the desperate and the lost escape to new lives...inside their favorite books.

The Librarian takes a dazzled Alix under her wing, but before she can escape into the pages of her new life, a shadowy enemy emerges to threaten everyone the Astral Library has ever helped protect. Aided by a dashing costume-shop owner, Alix and the Librarian flee through the Regency drawing rooms of Jane Austen to the back alleys of Sherlock Holmes and the champagne-soaked parties of The Great Gatsby as danger draws inexorably closer. 

But who does their enemy really wish to destroy—Alix, the Librarian, or the Library itself?

Hardcover, 304 pages

Published February 17, 2026

 by William Morrow

4/5 stars

And now for something completely different... known for her historical fiction stories this is a big departure for Kate Quinn. Her first venture into magical realism and fantasy.

The story centers on Alix Watson, a young women who spends her nights taking refuge in the Boston Public Library. That is until she meets the Librarian and what starts out as a simple escape into a book quickly turns into a full blown book hopping adventure, weaving through different literary worlds in ways I didn't expect going in.

The book droppings throughout are a real treat for anyone who loves books about books. Quinn clearly had fun building out different literary settings and it shows in how rich and layered the world feels. There was a stretch in the middle that felt a little off balance compared to the rest of the story, but it didn't take away from my overall enjoyment.

I have to confess, I'm a mood reader through and through and this book proved it. I first picked this one up back in February when it released - I mean look at the cover! - and could not get into it at all. I set it aside. Last week I picked it back up and could not put it down, finishing it in just a few days. Same book, completely different experience, which says more about timing and mood than anything about the writing itself.

If you love stories about libraries, books within books and a dose of adventure, plus if you're willing to let Kate Quinn take you somewhere totally different from her usual historical fiction, this is worth the trip.

This book was part of my 2026 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge, #30

Heart of Glass by Jennifer Hillier

A serial killer recants his long-ago confession regarding a small-town high school girl—and her then-best friends are forced to confront what really happened that night and what's happening now.

Twenty-five years ago in Seaside, Washington, a charming drifter named Sam met three inseparable teenage girls at the local amusement park. Days later, one of them was found dead, her body surfacing in a flooded cranberry bog not far from where she was murdered.

Barb and Nicolette were shocked to learn that the man they all met at Wonderland was the Carnival Killer. After he's arrested for the murders of five young women – one of whom was their best friend, Lorelei – Nicolette moved to the city to pursue her dreams of being famous. Barb stayed behind in Seaside, eventually becoming a reporter for the local paper. Their past safely behind them, they’ve both moved on with their lives.

But when the Carnival Killer recants his confession and a new body washes ashore on the eve of Wonderland’s grand reopening, the secrets that Barb and Nicolette have worked so hard to bury begin to resurface, threatening to destroy everything in their carefully constructed lives.

Kindle Edition, 352 pages

Audiobook, 25 hours 57 minutes

Expected publication August 25, 2026

 by Minotaur Books

4/5 stars

Canadian author Jennifer Hillier is an auto-read author for me, Heart of Glass is a perfect reminder of why.

I'll be honest,  I've been in a bit of a reading slump lately, this is the book that pulled me out of it. From the characters to the many layers woven through the story, Hillier had me completely hooked.

A quick note for anyone wondering, while this book connects to Wonderland, which I read a number of years ago, the details came back to me quickly and I don't think it was necessary to have it fresh in my mind going in. It works nicely on its own.

The premise is gripping from the start - a serial killer recanting his confession 25 years later raising questions that refuse to stay buried. I loved how smoothly the flashbacks were handled, they added depth without ever feeling disruptive to the flow.  With the different pov's it also didn't feel bogged down but added more intrigue to the story.

As for what is happening now in Seaside, very interesting...how it connects to the past, also very interesting.

As for the ending, while parts I might have seen coming ultimately it was a surprise. I pride myself on figuring things out before the big reveal, so when a book manages to genuinely surprise me, that says a lot.

I did a hybrid read, I highly recommend both formats. It's still another 6 weeks before Heart of Glass hits the shelf's, go ahead and preorder.

My thanks to the St. Martin's Press/Macmillan Audio (via NetGalley) for a digital/audio ARCs in exchange for a honest review.

Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune

Best friends have one week in paradise to fix their friendship or fall apart. 

Frankie and George have been best friends since they were eight years old. Both passionate, impulsive, and headstrong—they’ve always clashed . . . and come back together. Until now. It’s the eve of Frankie’s wedding weekend, and she doesn’t know where they stand or even if George will show up as her best man.

Then, at the start of the festivities, in walks George. For one glorious evening, surrounded by her loved ones, Frankie’s life is finally perfect. But it all comes crashing down when her fiancé dumps her the next morning, leaving only a note as an explanation.

Crushed and confused, Frankie returns to her family’s home to wallow. But George has a different idea and a plan for healing Frankie’s broken heart. He wants her to go on her honeymoon. With him. For one week, to the lush rainforests and misty beaches of Tofino.

Frankie agrees, seeing the trip for what it really is: one last chance to repair their friendship. Even if it means unearthing secrets and long buried feelings neither knows how to handle. Even if it means falling apart for good.

Hardcover, 416 pages

Published May 5, 2026

 by Berkley

4/5 stars

Carley Fortune has built a reputation for grounding her books in Canadian settings that appeal to so many Canadian readers, not just myself. In Our Perfect Storm we are in Tofino on Vancouver Island, I've been there, so I felt every bit of it through the pages.

Frankie is jilted on her wedding day. While the beginning was reminiscent of another book I read recently, it quickly went in another direction (thank goodness). Childhood best friend George takes Frankie on her week-long honeymoon to Tofino for some healing and what unfolds is a week of adventure, good food, and fun banter. Also self-discovery and revealed secrets.

What Fortune does so well is weave the past into the present. The history between Frankie and George does a lot of the heavy lifting and it makes their journey all the more interesting to watch.

Our Perfect Storm is a story of friendship, self-discovery and healing. Frankie and George are likeable characters whose chemistry reflects a lifetime of knowing each other. Set against that gorgeous backdrop, I found myself right there with them, with memories of my own Tofino vacation flooding back. I'm pretty sure there will be a spike in tourism to the Island. I know I want to go back; the rain-forests are a sight to behold.

All in all, this might be one of my favourite Carley Fortune books. I can't wait to see where she takes us next.

This book was part of my 2026 Reading of my Shelf Challenge and is #22.

The Chambermaid's Key by Genevieve Graham

From #1 bestselling author Genevieve Graham, comes a dazzling novel set at an elegant hotel in Toronto in 1929 about a young chambermaid, a handsome waiter, and a murder that will reverberate for a century.

Welcome to the Dominion, where secrets lurk behind every locked door.

1929: Rosie Ryan wants nothing more than to escape the poverty of The Ward, Toronto’s roughest neighbourhood, and become a chambermaid at the brand-new Dominion Hotel. Until she meets Damien, that is—a charming and ambitious waiter who promises her a better life—and adds him to the top of her list. The Dominion offers her a chance to do well, but behind the gleaming chandeliers and polished marble lurk dangerous secrets involving its most notorious guest, a wealthy gangster who’s about to profit from The Crash that will decimate the economy. When a friend is murdered, Rosie finds herself tangled in a web of betrayal—one that just might cost her everything.

Present City building Inspector Bridget Kelly is assigned to scrutinize the recent renovations at the elegant old Dominion Hotel, a task she relishes as a lover of history and architecture, and that gets even better once she starts working with a brilliant and fascinating archivist. But when a routine inspection uncovers mysterious boxes, locked doors, and secret corridors, bringing to light a long-buried clue to a decades-old murder, her inspection is thwarted, and threats rise round her on every side. Bridget soon realizes someone doesn’t want the truth to surface—and they’ll do anything to keep it buried.

Spanning nearly a century, The Chambermaid’s Key is a gripping dual-timeline novel about ambition, betrayal, and the secrets that bind us across generations.

Paperback, 400 pages

Published April 21, 2026

 by Simon & Schuster

4.5/5 stars

Genevieve Graham is an auto read for me, I know I am always going to get a piece of Canadian history I didn't know I was missing and The Chambermaid's Key was no exception.

Rosie Ryan is determined to become a chambermaid at the grand Dominion Hotel. And I mean determined, she didn't talk about applying for the job, she said she was getting it. She took her job seriously, she took herself seriously and I rooted for her every step of the way. In the present day, building inspector Bridget Kelly begins what should be a routine inspection of the now aging Dominion, only to find herself pulled into a mystery that someone very much wants to stay buried. I was rooting for her just as hard.

The things that tie these timelines together was no different from both times. Though it looked different in 1929 than it does today, but the message is the same. Money talks. Graham wraps this all in a richly researched portrait of Toronto, the crash of 1929 and the hard lives of immigrants trying to build something from nothing. 

The Chambermaid's Key is a story of family, corruption and determination, there is mystery and scandal. Another look at Canadian history which Graham excels at.

My thanks to Simon & Schuster CA for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. I am also thrilled to have a signed print copy on my shelf.

One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune

Good things happen at the lake. That’s what Alice’s grandmother says, and it’s true. Alice spent just one summer there at a cottage with Nan when she was seventeen—it’s where she took that photo, the one of three grinning teenagers in a yellow speedboat, the image that changed her life.

Now Alice lives behind a lens. As a photographer, she’s most comfortable on the sidelines, letting other people shine. Lately though, she’s been itching for something more, and when Nan falls and breaks her hip, Alice comes up with a plan for them both: another summer in that magical place, Barry’s Bay. But as soon as they settle in, their peace is disrupted by the roar of a familiar yellow boat, and the man driving it.

Charlie Florek was nineteen when Alice took his photo from afar. Now he’s all grown up—a shameless flirt, who manages to make Nan laugh and Alice long to be seventeen again, when life was simpler, when taking pictures was just for fun. Sun-slanted days and warm nights out on the lake with Charlie are a balm for Alice’s soul, but when she looks up and sees his piercing green gaze directly on her, she begins to worry for her heart.

Because Alice sees people—that’s why she is so good at what she does—but she’s never met someone who looks and sees her right back.

Paperback, 401 pages

Published May 6, 2025

 by Berkley

4.5/5 stars

Canadian author Carley Fortune is an auto-read for me.  One Golden Summer released last year so yea I am a little behind, had to get this in before her new release next month.

The thing with this author is that she gets summer.  There is the cottage setting, the lake and slower pace.  I love that her books are set in Canada, mostly Ontario.  Seeing familiar places adds to the charm.

To aid in the recovery of her Nan, Alice takes her to a cottage in Barry's Bay.  A place that has history with her family.  Alice reflects about her time there as a teen.  This is where Charlie enters the picture, he might not remember her but she sure remembers him.

I liked each of the characters, Nan gave some nice comical relief, Charlie...well he was easy to like.  And Alice as she slowly comes out of her shell.  There is secrets for each of time and watching them come to light was an emotional journey.

I won't say too much about the plot about suffice that One Golden Summer is a story of healing, family, memories and realising you are stronger then you think.  I think my favorite by this author....so far.

This book was part of my 2026 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge.  #3

A Ghastly Catastrophe by Deanna Raybourn

Veronica and Stoker are practically dying for a new adventure but when their wish is granted, they find themselves up against a secret society and a darkly seductive duo.

When the corpse of an entitled young man is found entirely drained of blood in a carriage next to Highgate Cemetery, Veronica’s interest is piqued. And then a second victim is found, his death made to look like a suicide, and Veronica and her intrepid beau, Stoker, know the hunt is on. The two men share one link: they were both members of a society so secretive that only a singular mention of it can be found anywhere.

Thirsty for more clues, Veronica and Stoker hear that a young Roma boy may know more about their first victim, but the only way to the boy is through an old acquaintance of Stoker’s, Lady Julia Brisbane. Lady Julia and her dashing husband, Nicholas, occasionally track down murderers and are only too happy to help. But as it becomes clear the secret society is a dangerous sect looking to entice immortality seekers, Veronica and Stoker find themselves ensnared by a decidedly more sinister couple.

The professed leader of the society claims to be a creature of the night; his partner practices witchcraft and they both fancy themselves emissaries of the otherworldly. Just as Veronica and Stoker get closer to learning the true purpose of the society and unraveling this macabre mystery, another body turns up, and they quickly discover they’ve gone from being the hunters to the hunted. . . .

Kindle Edition, 330 pages

Published March 3, 2026 

by Berkley

3.5/5 stars

Deanna Raybourn is back with another installment into the adventures of Veronica Speedwell and Revelstoke Templeton-Vane (aka Stoker), it felt a bit like catching up with old friends. A Ghastly Catastrophe marks the 10th installment in this series, Veronica and Stoker remain one of my all-time favorite fictional couples. 

This time around, Veronica and Stoker are drawn into a particularly strange case that begins with a suspicious death near Highgate Cemetery. As they begin digging for answers, the trail leads them toward a secretive society with some very unusual beliefs. The deeper they look, the clearer it becomes that this mystery is far more complicated and of course dangerous than it first appeared.  

  

It had a unique plot,  a tad slow on the uptake but once the action started it was a captivating read.  The appearance of Lady Julia Brisbane and her husband Nicholas, characters longtime Raybourn readers will recognize, was a great addition. Their involvement added an extra layer of fun to the story and created some entertaining dynamics as the two investigative couples cross paths. Would be great to see them again.

Even ten books into the series, Raybourn still manages to keep Veronica and Stoker’s adventures feeling fresh. The mystery leans toward the macabre and occasionally borders on the theatrical, but Veronica’s sharp narration, Stoker’s steadfast presence and their clever banter continue to keep me entertained...and guessing.

My thanks to Berkley for a digital ARC in exchange for a honest review.

Her Cold Justice by Robert Dugoni

To save a client accused of murder, defense attorney Keera Duggan must fight a complex web of corruption in a riveting novel of suspense by New York Times bestselling author Robert Dugoni.

In a quiet South Seattle neighborhood, a suspected drug smuggler and his girlfriend are murdered in their home. When a young man named Michael Westbrook is accused of the brutal double homicide, his uncle JP Harrison turns to Keera Duggan to defend him. JP is Keera’s trusted investigator, and he desperately needs Keera to save his nephew against escalating odds.

The evidence is circumstantial—Michael worked with one of the victims, drugs were found in his possession, and he bolted from authorities. Ruthless star prosecutor Anh Tran has gotten convictions on much less. With the testimony of two prison informants, the case looks grave. But Keera never concedes defeat. To free her client, she must dig deep before Tran crushes both of them.

As the investigation gets more twisted with each new find, Keera is swept up in a mystery with far-reaching consequences. This case isn’t just murder. It’s looking like a conspiracy. And getting justice for Michael could be the most dangerous promise Keera has ever made.

Kindle Edition, 380 pages

Expected publication January 27, 2026

 by Thomas & Mercer

4/5 stars

Her Cold Justice is the third book in the Keera Duggan Series. While the central case stands on its own, there are ongoing references to past events, and I do think reading the first two books helps give those moments more context.

This story follows the story of Michael Westbrook, a young man accused of two brutal murders. Keera Duggan takes on this case but standing in her way is a district attorney with a reputation for winning, which raises the stakes from the outset.

There are many layers beyond the courtroom. Alongside the trial, Dugoni weaves in sibling rivalry, fractured friendships and long-standing tensions, all of which influence what happens both in and out of court. The courtroom scenes feel authentic and grounded, which is not surprising since Dugoni is a lawyer himself,  the legal strategy and dialogue ring true.

A few stretches lean more heavily into procedural detail, but there are twists and the ending is satisfying. Her Cold Justice is a well-written, layered legal thriller that balances courtroom drama with personal conflict.

My thanks to Thomas & Mercer for a digital ARC (via Negalley) in exchange for a honest review.

Strangers in the Villa by Robyn Harding

A psychological thriller about a couple rocked by infidelity who moves to a villa in Spain’s Costa Brava to rebuild their relationship, only to welcome a pair of visitors who have no intention of leaving.

Sydney Lowe’s life in New York is shattered when her husband, Curtis, admits to a meaningless affair with a client. Begging for forgiveness and vowing to prove his devotion, Curtis suggests the couple retreat to a remote hilltop house in Spain to repair their marriage.

High above the Mediterranean, Sydney and Curtis are working on the isolated property and their relationship when a pair of Australian travelers turns up at their door in dire need of help. Lonely for companionship and desperate for free labor, Sydney and Curtis invite the attractive young couple to stay. But as the days pass, dark secrets come to light, the Lowes’ bond is tested, and not everyone will leave the villa alive.

Kindle Edition, 336 pages

Expected publication March 3, 2026

 by Grand Central Publishing

4.5/5 stars

Robyn Harding is a Canadian author who has long been an auto-read for me, so I was thrilled to get an early look at Strangers in the Villa, which releases in March...yea I couldn't wait to read it.  I picked it up one evening 'just to start' and before I knew it, I had devoured the whole thing within a couple days.

The story follows Sydney and Curtis, a couple from bustling New York hoping that a dramatic change of scenery and pace will help them reconnect and reset their marriage. Their solution? Buying a secluded villa in Spain, a gorgeous property full of promise, potential, and the hope of second chances. But isolation can be a double-edged sword and when an Australian couple shows up on their doorstep with car trouble, Sydney and Curtis welcome the company… at first. It doesn’t take long before the cracks begin to show, the atmosphere tightens, and the sense of unease slowly but steadily creeps in.

What unfolded was a intriguing and twisty mystery that kept me on my toes from start to finish. Every character comes with their own baggage, some heavier than others - and while I wouldn’t say I sympathized with any of them, that actually worked in the book’s favor. The different povs kept me on alert as to what was slowing playing out.  It was suspenseful with a nice pace, shortish chapters and cliff hanger chapter endings.  Everything I love in a good suspense mystery.

Another winner from an author I’ll always read.

Big thanks to  Grand Central Publishing for a digital arc (via Netgalley) in exchange for a honest review.

Detective Aunty by Uzma Jalaluddin

When her grown daughter is suspected of murder, a charming and tenacious widow digs into the case to unmask the real killer in this twisty, page-turning whodunnit—the first book in a cozy new detective series from the acclaimed author of Ayesha at Last.

After her husband’s unexpected death eighteen months ago, Kausar Khan never thought she’d receive another phone call as heartbreaking—until her thirty-something daughter, Sana, phones to say that she's been arrested for killing the unpopular landlord of her clothing boutique. Determined to help her child, Kausar heads to Toronto for the first time in nearly twenty years.

Returning to the Golden Crescent suburb where she raised her children and where her daughter still lives, Kausar finds that the thriving neighborhood she remembered has changed. The murder of Sana’s landlord is only the latest in a wave of local crimes that have gone unsolved.

And the facts of the case are Sana found the man dead in her shop at a suspiciously early hour, with a dagger from her windowfront display plunged in his chest. And Kausar—a woman with a keen sense of observation and deep wisdom honed by her years—senses there’s more to the story than her daughter is telling.

With the help of some old friends and her plucky teenage granddaughter, Kausar digs into the investigation to uncover the truth. Because who better to pry answers from unwilling suspects than a meddlesome aunty? But even Kausar can’t predict the secrets, lies, and betrayals she finds along the way…

Paperback, 336 pages

Published May 6, 2025 

by HarperCollins Publishers

4/5 stars

Detective Aunty was a fun and engaging read, and as someone who already enjoys Uzma Jalaluddin’s books I was excited to dive into this one. The fact that it’s set in Toronto was a big bonus for me - I love a good Canadian setting, and she really brings the city to life in all the best ways.

The premise is a great mix of heart and mystery. After living in North Bay for the past seventeen years following the heartbreaking loss of her son, Kausar Khan returns to Toronto after a frantic phone call from her daughter. There has been a murder and she is the prime suspect. What starts as a worried mom trying to get answers turns into a full-on amateur sleuth adventure, complete with community gossip, unexpected clues and plenty of determination on her part.

There’s a nice balance of humor, heart, and mystery here. Kausar is a great character - warm, stubborn, sharp, and just chaotic enough to make the whole thing feel lively and real. The mystery moves at a good pace and I loved how Jalaluddin weaves in family, culture, and neighbourhood dynamics without ever making it feel heavy.

Overall, this was a enjoyable read - a little twisty, a little heartfelt, very Canadian and completely entertaining. This is the first in new series, I can't wait to see what happens next.

This book was part of my 2025 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge (#44)

The Perfect Hosts by Heather Gudenkauf

A couple’s gender reveal party turns deadly and everyone is a suspect.

Is it a boy or a girl? They would die to know…

Cordelia and Wes Drake have invited two hundred of their closest friends and family to their sprawling horse ranch for the most anticipated event of the year: a “pistols and pearls” gender reveal party so sensational it is sure to make headlines. But the party descends into chaos when the celebratory explosive misfires, leaving one woman dead and a trail of secrets.

As the aftershocks of the bloody party ripple across the small town, Agent Jamie Saldano is brought on the scene to investigate. Battling his own demons from the past, Saldano unearths a web of deceit spun around the Drakes. The appearance of some unexpected houseguests only deepens the mystery. And as tensions mount, it becomes clear that the explosion wasn’t just an unlucky accident. But who was the target, and why? As the shadow of a killer looms, the happy parents-to-be must unravel the truth before it’s too late.

Kindle Edition, 320 pages

Expected publication November 4, 2025 

by Park Row

3.5/5 stars

Heather Gudenkauf has long been one of my go-to authors, I try to stay up to date with all of her new releases. 

The Perfect Hosts starts with a bang, quite literally, when a gender reveal celebration goes terribly wrong. The opening chapter introduces a wide range of characters, each with their own backstory and connections to the central couple, Madeleine and Wes, the wealthy parents-to-be.

This is a story about secrets, privilege and the fallout of choices made behind closed doors. The addition of a firearms agent’s point of view brings a strong investigative thread and deepens the mystery. While I didn’t connect with most of the characters, Agent Jamie stood out as the most grounded and engaging presence throughout. His past was mysterious and that thread I found more intriguing.

The Perfect Hosts is a domestic suspense with plenty of layers and an explosive premise, though for me it lacked some of the emotional pull found in Gudenkauf’s earlier works. Still, it’s a solid, twisty read that kept me guessing right till the end - yea didn't see that coming.

My thanks to Park Row for a digital arc (via Netgalley) in exchange for a honest review.

The Portal Keeper by David Alexander Robertson

Eli and Morgan experience life-changing revelations in the fourth adventure in the award-winning, Narnia-inspired Indigenous middle-grade fantasy series, now in paperback.

While exploring World's End, an area in Aski they've just discovered, Morgan and Emily delight in their developing relationship, while Eli struggles to understand his new-found the ability to locate a portal. A shocking turn of events leads them to a new village, Ministik, where the animal beings who live there are going missing. Horrified to discover who is responsible, the children vow to help and turn to friends, old and new. But it's getting harder and harder to keep the two worlds separate, especially when details of a traditional legend change everything. 

Forever.

Paperback, 256 pages

Audiobook, 7 hours, 35 minutes

Published July 2, 2024

 by Tundra Books

3.5/5 stars

The Portal Keeper, is the 4th book the Misewa Saga. It's another imaginative and heartfelt journey into the richly woven world of Indigenous storytelling. Robertson continues to blend fantasy and Cree culture in a way that feels both magical and meaningful.

Morgan and Eli continue into new realms and face fresh challenges that test their courage, wisdom and friendship. Being the 4th book I wondered what could be next and again the Misewa world expands in new ways  that offer new characters and settings.

I don't really want to say too much, especially for those that haven't started this series.  Book 6 just released today.  Suffice to say this is an adventure filled series with emotion and cultural insight.  I definitely recommend reading this series in order.  Though written for the middle grade readers this adult is enjoying this series.

This book is part of my 2025 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge - #40

She Didn't See It Coming by Shari Lapena

When a beloved wife and mother disappears, a luxurious condo building transforms into a potential crime scene, and the investigation begins: can the detectives find her before it's too late?

Bryden and Sam have it all: thriving careers, a smart apartment in a luxury condominium, supportive friends and a cherished daughter. The perfect life for the perfect couple.

Then Sam receives a call at his office. Bryden–working from home that day–has failed to collect their daughter from daycare. Arriving home with their little girl, he finds his wife’s car in the underground garage. Upstairs in their apartment her laptop is open on the table, her cell phone nearby, her keys in their usual place in the hall.

Except Bryden is nowhere to be seen. It’s as if she just walked out.

Paperback, 352 pages

Published July 29, 2025

 by Doubleday Canada

4.5/5 stars

Shari Lapena’s She Didn’t See It Coming was a gripping page‑turner that was a fast paced story that opened with a chilling twist: Bryden, a devoted mother and wife vanishes mysteriously from her upscale condominium while working from home. Her keys, phone, and laptop are all in place, everything suggests she never left...but she’s nowhere to be found.

The novel flows with multiple viewpoints and as suspicion grow throughout the building as an investigator pieces together secrets that some want to keep secret. What kept me reading was the premise, it was captivating in the sense of Bryden's portrayed perfect life which makes her disappearance baffling. The characters were flawed but authentic.  The plot I found to be tight, the twists were cleverly executed - I've come to expect that with Lapena's books.

She Didn't See It Coming isn't just a suspense mystery, it's also a story of family and trust. In the end I grabbed the audiobook through my Spodify account so I could listen to the last half, highly recommend both formats.

This book was part of my 2025 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge, #39

Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure by Rhys Bowen

Blindsided by betrayal in pre-WWII England, a woman charts a daring new course in this captivating tale of resilience, friendship, and new love.

 
Surrey, England, 1938. After thirty devoted years of marriage, Ellie Endicott is blindsided by her husband’s appeal for divorce. It’s Ellie’s opportunity for change too. The unfaithful cad can have the house. She’s taking the Bentley. Ellie, her housekeeper Mavis, and her elderly friend Dora - each needing escape - impulsively head for parts unknown in the South of France.

With the Rhône surging beside them, they have nowhere to be and everywhere to go. Until the Bentley breaks down in the inviting fishing hamlet of Saint Benet. Here, Ellie rents an abandoned villa in the hills, makes wonderful friends among the villagers, and finds herself drawn to Nico, a handsome and enigmatic fisherman. As for unexpected destinations, the simple paradise of Saint Benet is perfect. But fates soon change when the threat of war encroaches.

Ellie’s second act in life is just beginning—and becoming an adventure she never expected.

Kindle Edition, 377 pages 

Expected publication August 5, 2025

  by Lake Union Publishing

3.5/5 stars

Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure is a warm and quietly engaging story that takes place as rumblings of war begin and continue through the next 5 years. 

Eddie Endicott, recently divorced - a scandalous status for a woman in that age - finds herself searching for meaning and freedom in a time that offered little of either to women. Her journey takes her to a fictional village on the French coast, it's a great setting, it is charming and made me want to visit. There, she reconnects with herself and builds new bonds with Dora and Mavis, two women also quietly pushing back against the roles society has forced upon them.

Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure is a story of friendship, trust and self discovery. It explores the lingering effects of the war with sensitivity.  The war years, with it's historical context help shape the characters’ choices, relationships and courage to change. While the pacing was a tad slow and some resolutions a bit too neat, the novel’s heart lies in its depiction of women taking charge of their lives, often for the first time, highlighting it's not too late to go after what you want in life.

My thanks to Lake Union for a digital ARC in exchange for a honest review.

The Stone Child by David Alexander Robertson

It's a race against time to save Eli, in this third book in the award-winning, Narnia-inspired Indigenous middle-grade fantasy series.

After discovering a near-lifeless Eli at the base of the Great Tree, Morgan knows she doesn't have much time to save him. And it will mean asking for help — from friends old and new. Racing against the clock, and with Arik and Emily at her side, Morgan sets off to follow the trail away from the Great Tree to find Eli's soul before it's too late. As they journey deep into the northern woods, a place they've been warned never to enter, they face new challenges and life-threatening attacks from strange and horrifying creatures. But a surprise ally comes to their aid, and Morgan finds the strength to focus on what's most saving her brother's life.

 

Paperback, 256 pages

Published July 5, 2023

 by Tundra Books

3.5/5 stars

I really enjoyed The Stone Child. It’s a solid addition to David A. Robertson’s series, The Misewa Saga. 

It's a race against time for Morgan to save Eli, and she has to step out of her comfort zone and ask for help. Good on her! Though it is slower paced compared to the previous books. That said, the story still kept me interested with its mix of adventure, mystery and deeper themes. Eli and Morgan continue to grow in meaningful ways, plus the world-building remains strong and imaginative.

While it didn’t quite grab me as much as earlier installments, it still felt like an important stepping stone in the series. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing where things go next in The Portal Keeper.

This book was part of my 2025 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge #38

The Rebel Witch by Kristen Ciccarelli

The highly anticipated sequel to The Crimson Moth.

A WITCH…

Rune Winters is on the run. Ever since the boy she loved, Gideon Sharpe, revealed who she was and delivered her into enemy hands, everyone wants her dead. If Rune hopes to survive, she must ally herself with the cruel and dangerous Cressida Roseblood, who’s planning to take back the Republic and reinstate a Reign of Witches―something Cressida needs Rune to accomplish.

A WITCH HUNTER…

Apparently it wasn’t enough for Rune to deceive Gideon; she’s now betrayed him by allying herself with Cressida―the witch who made his life a living hell. Gideon won’t allow the Republic to fall to the witches and be plunged back into the nightmares of the past. In order to protect this new world he fought for, every last witch must die―especially Rune Winters.

AN IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE…

When Rune makes Gideon an offer he can’t refuse, the two must pair up to accomplish dangerous goals. The more they’re forced into each other’s company, the more Gideon realizes the feelings he had for Rune aren’t as dead and buried as he thought. And now he’s faced with a terrible choice: sacrifice the girl he loves to stop a monster taking back power, or let Rune live and watch the world he fought so hard for burn.

In Kristen Ciccarelli’s The Rebel Witch, the exciting conclusion to The Crimson Moth duology, love has never been so deadly.

Hardcover, 458 pages

Published February 27, 2025

 by Magpie

4.5/5 stars

The much-anticipated sequel to The Crimson Moth had me going in with both excitement and a tad nervous.  Kristen Ciccarelli did not make things easy for Rune and Gideon at the conclusion in The Crimson Moth. The enemies-to-lovers setup between the witch and the witch hunter? Yeah, it was looking pretty doomed by the end of book one.

But yes, Ciccarelli does deliver here.

Set in the smartly imagined world as the first, The Rebel Witch picks up with Rune and Gideon very much at odds - still reeling, still hurting and still tangled up in a complicated mess of magic, betrayal and fate. The weight of the Rebellion, the danger of magic in hiding and the complexity of a society built on fear and control. 

And the story? Completely gripping. Ciccarelli knows how to keep me turning the pages with just the right mix of action, heartbreak, and the kind of emotional slow burn that makes enemies-to-lovers one of the best tropes when it’s done right. (Spoiler: It’s done right here.) But really it wasn't a slow burn pace but action packed throughout.

If you liked The Crimson Moth and were afraid of where it was all heading, trust me: pick up The Rebel Witch. It’s intense, magical, and worth the emotional rollercoaster.

This book was part of my 2025 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge, #30

Munro vs. the Coyote by Darren Groth

Since the sudden death of his younger sister, Evie, sixteen-year-old Munro Maddux has been having flashbacks and anger-management issues. 

He has a constant ache in his right hand. And there's a taunting, barking, biting voice he calls "the Coyote." Munro knows a six-month student exchange will not be the stuff of teenage dreams, but in Brisbane, he intends to move beyond his troubled past. 

It is there, at an assisted-living residence called Fair Go Community Village, that Munro discovers the Coyote can be silenced. Munro volunteers as a "Living Partner" and gets to know the team of residents he is assigned to. The burden Munro carries, however, is not so easily cast aside. When one of the team makes the decision to leave, the Coyote gets a new life. When a second resident is taken away, the specter of trauma and death looms larger than ever. 

Will Munro learn how to silence the voice? Or will the Coyote ultimately triumph?

Paperback, 288 pages, 

Published May 11, 2021

 by Orca Book Publishers

4.5/5 stars

Munro vs. the Coyote was a thoughtful and emotionally honest read. It is the story of a teenage boy dealing with grief after the sudden loss of his sister. It tackles some heavy themes that include mental health, suicide, guilt, and resilience - with a quiet strength and empathy that doesn’t feel forced or preachy.

Munro is a believable and hurting character. His grief feels raw and genuine, and the way he interacts with the 'Coyote' his internal voice of doubt and pain is both clever and heartbreaking. The metaphor might seem quirky at first, but it becomes a powerful symbol of the internal battles so many young people face.

Darren Groth writes with a simple, clear style that lets the emotional weight of the story come through without over-explaining. There are moments of dark humor, genuine warmth and small flashes of hope that keep the story grounded, even as it explores a difficult subject.

It’s not a fast-paced book, and there were a few spots that felt a little slow or repetitive, but overall, it’s a deeply meaningful story about love and loss and learning how to keep going when everything feels broken.

I’d definitely recommend this to older teens or adults looking for a raw, compassionate take on grief and healing.

This book was part of my 2025 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge #17 - I read this in March and struggled putting the words together until now.

Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell

Three women are connected by one man in this kaleidoscopic thriller.

“Who are you? Who are you really?”

Nick Radcliffe is a man of substance and good taste. He has a smile that could melt the coldest heart and a knack for putting others at ease. He’s just what Nina Swann needed in her life after her husband’s unexpected death. But to Nina’s adult daughter, Ash, Nick seems too slick, too polished, too good to be true. Without telling her mother, Ash begins digging into Nick’s past. What she finds is more than unsettling…

“Because there are things that don’t make sense, and I’ve been so patient, so very patient…”

Martha is a florist living in a neighboring town with her infant daughter and her devoted husband Alistair. But lately, Alistair has been traveling more and more frequently for work, disappearing for days at a time. When Martha questions him about his frequent absences, he always has a legitimate explanation, but Martha can’t share the feeling that something isn't right.

“You know that’s mad, don’t you? I’m your husband. We know everything there is to know about each other.”

Nina, Martha, and Ash are on a collision course with a shocking truth that is far darker than anyone could have imagined. And all three are about to wish they had heeded the same warning: Don’t let him in. But the past won’t stay buried forever.

Kindle Edition, 368 pages

Expected publication June 24, 2025

 by Atria Books

2/5 stars

Lisa Jewell has long been one of my go-to authors - an auto-read whose unique plots and unexpected twists usually has me finishing within a couple days. Naturally, I dove into her latest release, Don’t Let Him In without reading any reviews or even looking at the blurb. I was anxious to experience the story fresh, trusting in Jewell's talent to deliver a gripping story.

The novel follows a man who appears charming and confident - someone who believes he's irresistible to women - but beneath that facade lies someone far more sinister. He preys on women from various walks of life, manipulating them with ease. As suspicions grow, the truth about him begins to unravel piece by piece, like a jigsaw puzzle slowly taking shape.

While the premise had all the ingredients of a compelling psychological thriller, the execution didn’t quite hit the mark for me. The pacing was so slow, there were many characters to keep track of and the execution - jumping between similar characters and multiple timelines - made it difficult to stay engaged. By the time the story picked up, I found myself emotionally detached from the characters and their outcomes.

Don’t Let Him In had promise, and I appreciated the clever setup of its central mystery. But overall, it didn’t captivate me the way Lisa Jewell’s previous books have. Longtime fans might still find elements to enjoy, but for me, this one fell short of the mark.

My thanks to Atria Books for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.