Spotlight: Mother Daughter Sister Stranger by Hank Phillippi Ryan

What if your own family history turns out to be a terrifying lie?

Every family has its story, and this one’s deadly.

Two sisters. One secret.

And a race against time to find the explosive truth in this twisty and captivating thriller by USA Today bestselling author Hank Phillippi Ryan.

 

Hardcover, 352 pages

Expected publication September 1, 2026

by Minotaur Books

The sole survivors of the fiery plane crash that killed their parents, Eliza Ramsey and her sister Bea share an unbreakable bond. But now, on the eleventh anniversary of the tragedy, Bea fails to retrieve her pre-teen daughter from a sleepover at Eliza’s.

Eliza knows her sister would never leave her precious Piper behind, and fears the worst. But did Bea plan her own disappearance?

The Ramsey’s lives have already crashed and burned once. Now, Eliza discovers she's the only one who can protect her niece from the horrifying legacy of her family’s sinister history. Together, the two must prevent their lives from going up in flames once again.

A missing mother. Her frightened daughter. And a sister on a desperate search for a happy ending. But someone knows the deadly key to their shared past, and won’t stop until they’ve written a devastating final chapter. Mother, daughter, sister—stranger.

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.

The Last to Drown by Noelle W. Ihli

Five days. Twenty strangers. No way out.

The rafting trip was supposed to be the adventure of a lifetime. But Kaia’s starting to think she made a mistake.

Because ever since the whispers about Camas Creek began, all she feels is dread.

Seven years earlier, a guide murdered a group of rafters on this same isolated stretch of water. The killer’s body was recovered downstream—but the true-crime community has never stopped asking questions.

And for good reason.

The incidents start small—a flipped raft, missing supplies, and screams in the night—but the pattern is sickeningly familiar. And with eighty-four miles of whitewater until any sign of civilization, safety has never felt so far away.

Kaia suspects that one of the guides is lying. One of the guests knows more than she’s saying. And somewhere on this river, someone is planning to finish what started at Camas Creek.

Kindle Edition, 290 pages

Expected publication July 16, 2026

 by Dynamite Books

3.5/5 stars

I've read Noelle W. Ihli before (Ask for Andrea and Forget You Saw Her), both I really enjoyed. She writes dark and she does it well. 

The premise is undeniably gripping,  an all-women whitewater rafting trip on a stretch of river with a very dark past. About 84 miles from civilization with someone among the group who may not be who they say they are.

This started off with a bang and I settled in. There is a large cast of characters and I found myself struggling to keep them straight early on -  though that problem does sort itself out as the story progresses, for reasons I won't share.

What I did appreciate was the emotional depth woven through the story. Our main character Kaia is still navigating grief two years after losing her husband and that thread adds a layer to her character that goes beyond the survival story.

I felt the ending was a little abrupt, leaving a couple of questions unanswered that I would have liked resolved.

All in all an entertaining read, just not the edge-of-your-seat thriller I was hoping for.

My thanks to Dynamite Books for a digital arc (via netgalley) in exchange for a honest review.

Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Put the kettle on, there’s a mystery brewing…

Tea-shop owner. Matchmaker. Detective?

Sixty-year-old self-proclaimed tea expert Vera Wong enjoys nothing more than sipping a good cup of Wulong and doing some healthy ‘detective’ work on the internet (AKA checking up on her son to see if he’s dating anybody yet).

But when Vera wakes up one morning to find a dead man in the middle of her tea shop, it’s going to take more than a strong Longjing to fix things. Knowing she’ll do a better job than the police possibly could – because nobody sniffs out a wrongdoing quite like a suspicious Chinese mother with time on her hands – Vera decides it’s down to her to catch the killer.

Nobody spills the tea like this amateur sleuth.

Paperback, 339 pages

Audiobook, 10hours, 41 minutes

Published March 14, 2023 

by Berkley

4/5 stars

This isn't my first Jess Q. Sutanto book, I love how she can write serious mystery/suspense reads and then a fun, humerous story, though still a murder mystery.

I picked up the audiobook for this read and I'm so glad I did. The the narrator had the perfect voice and accent to bring Vera Wong to life, her personality absolutely shined through.

Vera Wong was the kind of character I couldn't help rooting for. Opinionated, nosy and completely convinced she knows best. She stumbles into a murder investigation the way only Vera could, with complete confidence and zero hesitation. Given this said murder literally happened on her doorstep, how could she not take charge.  But what makes this book more than just a murder mystery is the heart woven through it.  This is also a story about family and friendship, and those threads give the book a warmth that stayed with me.

I really enjoyed the cast of unreliable suspects, they kept me on my toes and just when I thought I had things figured out, the ending surprised me completely. A satisfying conclusion that tied everything together nicely.  Can't wait to read book 2, and yes I will continue the audio route.

Though this book was part of my 2026 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge (#21), I obtained the audiobook from Spodify.

One Second Away by Rick Mofina

What happens when your worst nightmare becomes your reality?

One sunny day in California, Jessie is hugging her nine-year-old son, Dylan, goodbye at the airport. He's travelling by himself, all the way across the country, to visit his father, Jessie's soon-to-be ex-husband, and his grandparents. Her heart breaks, but she puts on a brave face and gives her son one last wave as a flight attendant leads him away.

Several hours later, Jessie gets a frantic call from Dylan's grandmother in New York. Dylan is missing.

In a second, Jessie's world turns upside down. The AirTag she'd stuck in his backpack says he's still at LAX. The airline insists that he was picked up at JFK by an elderly couple claiming to be his grandparents—but Jessie's in-laws insist they haven't seen him. Dylan has disappeared into thin air.

At the same moment, miles away, in Toronto, a train operator loses control of a subway train, and the fiery crash injures dozens of passengers.

Jessie doesn’t know it yet, but this crash is inextricably linked to Dylan's disappearance. She has to find out how—and where her son is.

Propulsive and binge-worthy, the latest from bestselling author Rick Mofina is a race-against-the-clock global thriller that will leave you breathless.

Paperback, 400 pages

Published April 28, 2026

 by Doubleday Canada

3.5/5 stars

This is my first time reading a Rick Mofina book, I impulsed purchased this because of the hype on IG and that FOMO moment took over.  Did the hype delivery, as a matter of fact it did.

This story has many layers. At its heart is the disappearance of Jessie's nine-year-old son Dylan, and as a mother, her anguish is immediately felt. But the opening prologue, set on a Toronto TTC subway train signals right away that there is much more at play here than a missing child. As a Canadian reader, that local connection was a definite grabber.

There are a number of pov's, which added to the mystery and of course characters that I kept a watch on. The story does take some time to reveal how all the threads connect and there were stretches in the middle where I had to trust the process. That patience pays off though, the final third was tense and genuinely hard to put down with everything converging in ways that kept me turning pages. An ending that was fitting with a few surprises.

Mofina has earned a spot on my radar and I'll definitely be exploring his backlist. 

This book was part of my 2026 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge, #22

The Widow by Fiona Barton

A loving husband or a heartless killer...she'd know, wouldn't she?

There's a lot Jean hasn't said over the years about the crime her husband was suspected of committing. She was busy being the perfect wife, standing by her man while living with accusing glares and anonymous harassment. Now her husband is dead, and there's no reason to stay quiet. People want to hear her story. They want to know what it was like living with that man. She can tell them there were secrets. There always are in a marriage.

The truth--that's all anyone wants. But the one lesson Jean has learned in the last few years is that she can make people believe anything. For the reporter who has secured the exclusive interview, this is the scoop of a lifetime. For the detective who has lived a half-life since he failed to get justice for the victim, it is a chance to get at the truth that has eluded him for so long. For Jean, it's a chance to defend herself, what she knew--and when.

This is the tale of a missing child, narrated by the wife of the main suspect, the detective leading the hunt, and the journalist covering the case.

 

Paperback, 324 pages

Audiobook, 10 hours, 18 minutes

Published February 16, 2016

 by Penguin Canada

2.5/5 stars

I picked up The Widow because I have the second book, The Child sitting on my NetGalley backlist and figured I should start here first. This is also my first time reading a Fiona Barton book.

The premise is strong and I liked the idea behind the story. The blurb sounds mysterious with a lot of potential.  Even the 3 different pov's usual works for me.  But I did struggle, which is why I switched over to the audiobook. The slow pace and flat tone made it hard to engage, I even struggled to connect with the characters. I never felt any real emotional pull, which made the slower pacing stand out even more.

Overall, an okay read, but not one I was ever fully pulled into. 

Hoping The Child works better for me.

Print copy was rescued from local thrift store (hopefully readers at resort in Mexico are enjoying it), the audiobook obtained via CloudLibrary.

The Anniversary by Alex Finlay

Every Year He Comes For Them.

On one fateful night in 1992, the lives of two seventeen-year-olds are changed and intertwined forever. Quinn Riley, a boy from the wrong side of the tracks, is arrested after he innocently tries to break up a fight but ends up nearly killing someone. Jules Delaney, high school royalty, survives an attack by the elusive and terrifying May Day Killer—a serial predator who strikes every May 1st in midwestern small towns.

A year later, Jules is struggling with trauma and guilt, tormented by one question: Why was I spared? Quinn is newly released from juvenile detention and returns home to fresh the unsolved murder of his mother.

Over the next decade, their lives are revisited on a single day each year—May 1st. As secrets unravel and the paths of Quinn and Jules collide, two mysteries edge closer to the truth. All the while, the May Day Killer is still out there—and the clock is racing toward another May 1st.

The Anniversary is an utterly compelling story of the hunt for a serial killer. But it’s also a heartfelt—and heartrending—novel about fate, innocence lost, and two souls who find that sometimes being broken is the only way for the light to get in.

Kindle Edition, 336 pages

Expected publication May 12, 2026

by Minotaur Books

3.75 stars

Alex Finlay has quickly becoming one of those authors I keep an eye out for, and this one immediately caught my attention. I love the cover.

I was also lucky enough to receive both a digital and audiobook ARC, so I ended up doing a hybrid read again, which worked really well for this one. With the story going back to the same date over multiple years, having both formats actually helped keep everything straight.

The story is told from two points of view, it worked nicely since Jules and Quinn’s lives are so connected. I liked seeing both sides, especially as more pieces started to come together.

Jules and Quinn were both solid characters. The way their lives are tied together from that one night and continue to overlap over the years, it added a bit more depth than I was expecting. It’s not just about the mystery.

The Anniversary is unique in that the story kept going back to May 1st each year. It kept things interesting and I found myself trying to figure everything out as it went along. It’s one of those books where I was trying to connecting the dots.  It is a story about how one moment can change everything and how the truth has a way of coming out, no matter how much time has passed. 

Overall, this was a solid, engaging read and one that kept me turning the pages to see how it would all come together.

My thanks to both St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for advanced copies in exchange for a honest review. 

The Girl Upstairs by Jessica R. Patch

She bought this house to save her marriage. Unearthing its secrets might just claim her life.

Gwen McDaniel’s life is broken. But she knows the perfect place to fix it. Cold Harbor, Maine, an idyllic small town with views of Acadia National Park, is where she used to vacation with her parents as a child. Here, she and Steven can start over, renovating their cliff-side fixer-upper while patching up their marriage. Soon, everything will be better.

Except from the moment they arrive, Gwen sees and hears things, and it’s more than just the drafts and shadows that are part of any old house. Steven downplays her fears, warning her not to fixate on problems as she has in the past. But Gwen spent years as a homicide detective, and her instincts don’t lie. Something happened here. Proof comes when she rips up the attic’s carpet to discover a chilling message carved into the wood underneath.

As Gwen delves into the history of the house and the Cold Harbor community, she begins to piece the fragments together. And gradually, a terrifying picture A missing girl. A house of horrors. And a dark, decades-old nightmare that is more haunting than Gwen ever imagined…

Kindle Edition, 381 pages

Expected publication April 28, 2026

 by Love Inspired Trade

4/5 stars

I’ve only read one book by Jessica R. Patch before, Her Darkest Secret, which I loved. So I went into The Girl Upstairs with high expectations. Thankfully, this one delivered another suspenseful and engaging read.

From the start there’s an eerie, unsettling atmosphere with a house that practically feels like a character itself. The spooky vibe is strong throughout, and it really kept me on edge wondering what was going on behind the scenes.

I’ll admit it took me a little while to get fully engaged. The beginning felt somewhat slow, and there were quite a few characters to keep track of, which made it a bit harder to settle in. But once I hit the halfway mark I was completely hooked. From that point on, I couldn’t stop reading. I needed to know how everything was going to come together.  

The Girl Upstairs is a creepy, suspense filled read that rewarded my patience. Rather then just a love story (it is published by Love Inspired Trade after all), it is a suspense mystery with many layers.  And to top it off it had a conclusion that I could not figure out, but it fit together nicely.  Just like a puzzle when all the pieces are there - know what I mean?  I need to read more by this author.

My thanks to Love Inspired Trade for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.

Dead in the Water by John Marrs

A chilling tale about life flashing before your eyes—including terrifying scenes you don’t remember.

When Damon survives a near-drowning, his life flashes before his eyes. Every memory is crystal clear—except one. A dead boy. A face he can’t place. A moment he doesn’t remember living. At first he tells himself it’s a trick of the mind. But everything else he saw was real. So why not this?

With his waking life stalked by the disturbing scene, confusion quickly turns to obsession. Desperate for answers, Damon digs into his fractured past, and becomes convinced that the only way to remember…is to die again. And again. And again. When he meets a perfect stranger who’s all too willing to help, the stage is set for his dice with death.

But if this is what it takes to uncover the truth, maybe some memories are better left buried…

Kindle Edition, 388 pages

Published January 20, 2026 

by Thomas & Mercer

3.5/5 stars

Dead in the Water was my first time reading this author and I have to say the premise immediately pulled me in. Surviving a near-drowning only to realize one memory is missing, and that it involves a dead boy,  was a chilling and clever setup.

I really enjoyed the psychological depth,  watching Damon spiral into obsession, convinced the only way to unlock the truth is to repeatedly bring himself to the brink of death again and again. It made for a dark and unsettling read. It had me reading Just One More Chapter (pun intended) because I needed to know what he wasn’t remembering and why.

There were some clever twists woven throughout, I appreciated how the story slowly unraveled rather than rushing. Though at times the repetition of Damon’s choices felt slightly drawn out, but the overall concept felt fresh and bold. It was twisty and there were moments I had to pause and remember who was who again. But as my first introduction to Marrs it was a solid read.  Dark, twisty and thought-provoking,  I’m sure curious enough to pick up another one of his books.

My thanks to Amazon Publishing UK for an advanced copy in exchange for a honest review.

Two Kinds of Stranger by Steve Cavanagh

SHE HELPED A PERFECT A STRANGER. SHE DIDN'T KNOW HE WAS THE PERFECT KILLER...

Ellie Parker had everything.
Perfect husband. Perfect apartment. Perfect friends and the perfect job.
As an internet celebrity - famed for her random acts of kindness - everyone knew it.
So when a betrayal causes her to lose it all, millions of people are watching.

But even at her lowest, Ellie will always help someone in need.
Which makes her the perfect target for a sadistic game.
Because as she soon learns, you can never trust a stranger - and a seemingly random encounter plunges her into a nightmare worse than she ever imagined.

The only person she can turn to is conman turned trial lawyer Eddie Flynn, who must take on a case where nothing is what it seems. With the most cruelly ingenious mind manipulating events from the shadows, everyone is in danger - including Eddie and his family.

Kindle Edition, 400 pages

Expected Publication, March 24, 2026

by Atria Books

4/5 stars

Two Kinds of Stranger is book 9 in the Eddie Flynn series, but it works as a standalone. I’m slowly making my way through the backlist, not just because I’m genuinely curious about these characters and their histories but they are great courtroom drama with unique plots.  

This installment centers on Ellie Parker, a high-profile social media influencer who has built her platform by sharing every aspect of her life online. She’s especially known for her random acts of kindness - surprising strangers, helping families in need and inviting her followers into moments that feel generous and authentic. Her life looks polished and purposeful… until it very publicly unravels.

During a live broadcast, a shocking moment of betrayal plays out in real time. Not long after Ellie is arrested and charged with two counts of murder, unfortunately for her all the evidence points straight in her direction.

Enter Eddie Flynn. A former conman turned defense attorney, Eddie is known for courtroom drama that never lacks twists and turns. You truly never know what he has up his sleeve next. Just when it seems like the case is airtight, he pivots. When things look impossible, he finds another angle. Watching him strategize is half the fun.

This was a  smart, fast-moving legal thriller with plenty of tension. I can't wait to see what Eddie Flynn is up to next  - One of Us is Guilty coming in 2026 - I'll be working on getting caught up in series by then. 

My thanks to Atria Books for a digital ARC (via Netgalley) 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.

The Girls Trip by Ally Condie

From the author of  The Unwedding comes a novel of suspense and friendship as three friends decide to disappear from their lives for a few days while on a trip to a national park—only to have one of them vanish.

Hope, Ash, and Caro met at an online book club. Over the past two years, they’ve been there for each other in every way—except in person. When each of their lives reach a crossroads, they decide to meet in real life at the gorgeous Sonnet Resort at Eden National Park.

Hope, an actress, has become entirely too famous and needs to get away from it all. Ash, a successful online entrepreneur, isn’t sure what has happened to her marriage. Caro, a doctor, has lost a patient and doesn’t know if she wants to carry on or start all over.

Kindle Edition, 320 pages

Expected publication April 7, 2026

by Grand Central Publishing

2.75/5 stars

The Girls Trip was my first time reading Ally Condie,  the premise hooked me immediately. Three friends vanishing from their everyday lives for a few days. With no phones, no explanations and no one knowing where they’ve gone, felt like the perfect setup for a tense, escapist read. The opening delivered on that promise, I was genuinely intrigued about what was taking place.

As the story moved, things began to feel a bit disjointed. It wasn't until the last third or so that personal histories and background layers really come into play. But unfortunately by that point, I found myself wishing those elements had appeared earlier to deepen connections and give the twists more impact. There are also several red herrings sprinkled throughout, some more effective than others.  

While the concept is compelling and the early chapters pulled right me in, the uneven pacing and later structural shifts held this one back for me. But I did finish since I was intrigued enough to know what was going on.

My thanks to Grand Central Publishing (via Netgalley) for a digital arc 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.

A Box Full of Darkness by Simone St. James

Siblings return to the house they fled eighteen years before, called back by the ghost of their long-missing brother and his haunting request to come home.

Strange things happen in Fell, New York: A mysterious drowning at the town’s roadside motel. The unexplained death of a young girl whose body is left by the railroad tracks. For Violet, Vail, and Dodie Esmie the final straw was their little brother's shocking disappearance, which started as a normal game of hide-and-seek.

As their parents grew increasingly distant, the sisters were each haunted by visions and frightening events, leading them to leave town and never look back. Violet still sees dead people—spirits who remind her of Sister, the menacing presence that terrorized her for years. Now after nearly two decades it’s time for a homecoming—because Ben is back, and he’s ready to lead them to the answers they’ve longed for and long feared.

Kindle Edition, 344 pages

Expected publication January 20, 2026

by Berkley

3.25/5 stars

Simone St. James has been one of my go-to Canadian authors ever since The Broken Girls, a book I absolutely loved and continue to recommend every chance I get. Her signature blend of mystery and the paranormal has always worked for me, so I was eager to dive into this her latest, A Box Full of Darkness, which releases next month.

This story follows three adult siblings who return to their childhood home 18 years after the disappearance of their six-year-old brother, Ben. It happened on a snowy winter day during a simple game of hide-and-seek… and then he is just gone. No footprints in the snow, no signs he left the property, nothing. That impossible mystery has haunted them ever since and their return home forces them to confront the truth about what really happened.

St. James leans even more heavily into the paranormal here, weaving an atmosphere that’s moody, eerie, and full of tension. While I enjoyed the setup and her trademark supernatural flare the story didn’t grip me quite as tightly as some of her earlier novels. And I have to admit, the ending did left me with a number of unanswered questions, more than I usually expect from her work.

Still, the central mystery of what happened to little Ben kept me turning the pages. A solid, atmospheric read with that classic Simone St. James chill, even if it isn't my personal favourite. I’ll always be excited for whatever she writes next.

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

Forget You Saw Her by Noelle W. Ihli

She lost her daughter once. Now, she’ll go to hell and back to find her.

Seventeen years ago, Sabina made the most difficult decision of her giving her newborn daughter, Andrea, up for adoption. She’s lived with the guilt ever since, clinging to the hope that Andrea was safe, happy, and loved.

Then the letter from the police arrives.

Andrea Beaumont is a missing person.

Desperate for answers, Sabina dives headlong into a frantic search for the daughter she never knew. But the deeper she digs, the more certain she becomes that Andrea isn’t coming home.

And yet … as Sabina follows the disturbing trail of evidence, she swears she can feel her daughter reaching through her dreams, warning her—and guiding her toward the truth.

But someone else is watching—and keeping close tabs on Sabina’s search. And they’ll do whatever it takes to make sure the truth stays buried.

Inspired by true events, Forget You Saw Her is a standalone prequel to the international bestseller Ask for Andrea.

Kindle Edition, 370 pages

Expected publication November 4, 2025

 by Dynamite Books

5/5 stars

Though Forget You Saw Her is the prequel to Ask for Andrea, it works as a standalone , but honestly I highly recommend reading both. They complement each other with each read offering a unique emotional punch with that touch of paranormal mystery that Noelle W. Ihli does so well.

This is the story of Sabrina, a young woman who made the heartbreaking decision to give up her baby for adoption when she was just a teenager. Seventeen years later the past won’t stay buried, and what follows is an emotional and eerie story about love, loss and the ties that never really break. There’s that paranormal element that is woven in, in the same vibes as Ask for Andrea. It set the tone nicely with the haunting edge respecting a very human story.

Ihli has such a gift for writing emotional suspense. Her characters felt real and flawed, her pacing kept me engaged and the story hits all the right notes - heartbreaking at times, hopeful at others and unforgettable.

If you enjoyed Ask for Andrea you’ll definitely want to pick this one up. And if you’re new to Noelle W. Ihli, like I was then this is a great place to start, just be prepared for a story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

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

Nash Falls by David Baldacci

When Walter Nash is recruited by the FBI to help bring down a global crime network his life is turned completely upside down.

Walter Nash is a sensitive, intelligent and kindhearted man. He has a wife and a daughter and a very high-level position at Sybaritic Investments, where his innate skills and dogged tenacity have carried him to the top of the pyramid in his business career. Despite never going on grand adventures, and always working too many hours, he has a happy and upscale life with his family.

However, following his estranged Vietnam-veteran father’s funeral, Nash is unexpectedly approached by the FBI in the middle of the night. They have an important request: become their inside man to expose an enterprise that is laundering large sums of money through Sybaritic. At the top of this illegal operation is Victoria Steers, an international criminal mastermind that the FBI has been trying to bring down for years.

Nash has little choice but to accept the FBI’s demands and try to bring Steers and her partners to justice. But when Steers discovers that Nash is working with the FBI, she turns the tables on him in a way he never could have contemplated. And that forces Nash to take the ultimate step both to survive and to take his revenge: He must become the exact opposite of who he has always been.

And even that may not be enough.

Kindle Edition, 448 pages

Expected publication November 11, 2025

 by Grand Central Publishing

3.5/5 stars

Nash Falls by David Baldacci marks the beginning of a brand-new series and delivers a very different feel from his previous novel, Strangers in Time, which I really enjoyed. While that book drew me in through its emotional depth and strong sense of connection, Nash Falls moves in a darker direction, one that explores how a single decision can alter everything.

At the center of the story is Walter Nash, a man whose choice sets off a chain of events with serious and far-reaching consequences. As the story unfolds through shifting points of view I was able to see into the secrets and truths that some remain unaware of. This added tension and some nail biting on my part seeing the ripple effects of  Nash's actions from multiple angles. 

Again this was another combo reading and listening formats for me, keeping me immersed when I didn't want to stop reading (listening).  Nash Falls didn’t quite hit the same emotional mark for me as Strangers in Time, it was still an engaging and well-written read. With its mix of perspective, buried secrets and  suspense/mystery setting a strong foundation for what could become a very promising series. I’m curious to see where Nash goes next.

My thanks to Grand Central Publishing and Hachette Audio for the digital arcs (via Netgalley) in exchange for a honest review.

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 Hitchhikers by Chevy Stevens

The open road beckons.
A chance for them to reconnect.
Then they make a fatal mistake.

It’s the summer of 1976 and Alice and Tom set out on the remote Canadian highways in their new RV, hoping to heal their broken hearts after a devastating tragedy.

They’ve planned the trip perfectly, taken care of every detail. Then they meet two young hitchhikers down on their luck and offer them a ride. But Simon and Jenny aren’t what they seem. They’ve left a trail of blood, destruction, and madness behind them.

Now Alice and Tom are trapped, prisoners in a deadly game, with nowhere to turn. As the tension builds, the lines blur, and the question becomes, In whose heart does evil truly lie? What secrets are Jenny and Simon hiding? And who will live another day?

A chilling, twist-laden ride to the final page, THE HITCHHIKERS is that rare novel that will break your heart as well as hold you in suspense. The author of the classic thrillers STILL MISSING and THOSE GIRLS has delivered her next breathtaking novel.

Kindle Edition, 379 pages

Expected publication October 7, 2025 

by St. Martin's Press

3/5 stars

Chevy Stevens has long been an auto-read author for me, and one I’ve managed to stay current with over the years. She’s one of those writers I can always count on for an intriguing premise and The Hitchhikers certainly started out with one that had me curious from the get-go.

A chance meeting changed everything for Alice and Tom, especially when they discover who Simon and Jenny really are. Taking place in the 1970's was a refreshing change and getting the different points of view rounded things out nicely. That being said, while the setup was strong I found parts of the story a bit repetitive and the pacing slow at times. Once the last quarter hit, the tension really picked up and I ended up binging the final 25%, and the ending definitely took me by surprise (well, aside from a few unanswered questions that lingered).

What I did enjoy was the strong Canadian setting. Having traveled to some of those same location myself, it wasn’t hard for me to visualize it and that made the backdrop feel even more vivid and authentic. Despite some of my struggles with the flow, there’s no denying Stevens knows how to capture a sense of place.

With all the glowing reviews out there please take this one with a grain of salt. For me, The Hitchhikers landed at 3 stars,  Chevy Stevens remains an author I’ll continue to follow and I look forward to seeing where her next book takes me.

My thanks to St. Martin's Press for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.

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

One Dark Night by Hannah Richell

One night in the woods
A party gone wrong
A body discovered at sunrise

He murdered her at the folly on their wedding day, left her body for the crows. They say she haunts the woods now, a girl in a white dress …

Everyone in the small town of Thorncombe knows the tales of the haunted woods where the birds don’t sing and a girl in a white dress roams, luring people to their deaths. But when a girl in white is found dead the morning after Halloween, her body carefully arranged at the bottom of an old stone folly, the community is thrown into turmoil.

With a teenage daughter of his own, police detective Ben Chase knows how high the stakes are. Was the girl the victim of a party prank gone wrong, or does her death represent something more sinister and ritualistic?

As the investigation unfolds and the noose tightens around Chase’s own family, the only thing anyone can be sure of is that no one is safe until this violent killer is caught.

Kindle Edition, 419 pages

Publishing on August 19, 2025

by Atria Books

4.5/5 stars

This is my first time reading a Hannah Richell novel and I can say it won't be my last.

One Dark Night  begins with the chilling discovery after a Halloween gathering near an elite boarding school. What follows is far more than a mystery, it’s a layered, character-driven story about the effects of trauma, fractured relationships and the secrets families keep.

Told from multiple povs - including a detective, his estranged wife, and their teenage daughter - the novel slowly unpacks the events of that fateful night. Richell does an exceptional job balancing suspense with tension and emotion that drew me into a world where guilt, grief, and love all exist. It was atmospheric giving that gothic and moody vibe. 

One Dark Night was a suspenseful read that wasn't just focused as a whodunit but delves into themes of family dynamics, privilege and the past. As for the whodunit part, it kept me guessing right to the end. Definitely recommend this one, it sure helped me out of a reading slump.

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