And To All a Good Bite - David Rosenfelt

 And to All a Good Bite - David Rosenfelt

Pub. Date: Oct. 14

She read

Two years ago, Jeff Wheeler’s soon-to-be fiancée tragically lost her life in a gas explosion at her office. Jeff arrived at the scene right after the explosion but was only able to save a caged puppy he found in the lobby and later adopted. Consumed by grief and anger, he blamed his girlfriend’s boss for her death and never let go of his accusation. Now, he has been charged with killing that man and seeks out reluctant lawyer Andy Carpenter to take his case. 

This is the 32nd in the mystery/legal thriller series featuring the irascible but somehow charming Paterson, New Jersey-based attorney Andy Carpenter. Independently wealthy, he and his wife, a retired member of the police department, operate the Tara Foundation for rescue dogs. Surrounded by a support system of colorful characters to assist, Andy takes on occasional legal cases when he thinks the accused is innocent.  

This installment has a well-paced and engaging plot. What truly sets Rosenfelt’s writing apart is his ability to infuse humor throughout his stories, particularly through Andy’s witty and sarcastic remarks. This is one of the few series I have ever read (and I have read many) that always has me laughing out loud. This is an entertaining blend of mystery and legal thriller with comedic elements. What more could you ask for?

As a side note, for those unfamiliar with David Rosenfelt, he and his wife actually have a real-life Tara Foundation for rescue dogs. They’ve rescued thousands of dogs. How can you not adore this author?

Thanks to @NetGalley and  @StMartinsPress @minotaur_Books for the DRC.

*****

Ghosts - Dolly Alderton

 Ghosts - Dolly Alderton

Pub. 2021

She read

In her early thirties, Nina and her friend Lola are the only ones of her group who are not married and starting families. She meets Max on a dating app and all goes well until he ghosts her after telling her he loves her. Amidst the heartbreak, she is also grappling with her beloved father’s descent into dementia.

This well crafted, captivating read may not be a recent release, but it remains relatable to women who have navigated the complexities of the dating scene and faced the challenges of caring for aging parents.

The narrative weaves a tapestry of emotions, evoking both sadness and hope with moments of humor that provide levity amidst the poignant observations about societal expectations on women and the aging process. The description of her father’s deterioration is painfully authentic for anyone who has experienced the anguish of witnessing a family member’s decline. While the story takes a weird twist near the end, it ultimately veers back on track and delivers a satisfying conclusion.

Thanks to @NetGalley and @aaknopf for a digital copy.

****

Sharp Force - Patricia Cornwell

 Sharp Force - Patricia Cornwell

Pub. Date: Oct. 7, 2025

She read

The Phantom Slasher, a serial killer who uses advanced technology to terrorize before killing his victims, has claimed another casualty, someone Dr. Kay Scarpetta knew years ago. Kay and her Secret Service husband, Benton, cancel their Christmas trip to Europe to investigate.

Although this is the 29th in the series featuring Medical Examiner Kay Scarpetta and her supporting cast, it would work as a standalone. The atmospheric settings create a spooky backdrop for the story. A fast, engrossing read, it is very scary in terms of what AI and advanced technology might hold for us in the future. I did find the ending a bit rushed. 

I get upset when professionals violate ethical standards in a story and was disappointed when Benton and Kay crossed a line by invading someone’s privacy. I lost a bit of respect for them and do wonder if there will be repercussions in future installments of this series. 

Fans of this series will welcome this new addition. Others new to it are in for a thrilling ride. 

Thanks to @NetGalley and #Grandcentralpublishing for the DRC.

****

Murder in an Italian Piazza - Michael Falco

 Murder in an Italian Piazza - Michael Falco

Pub. Date: Sept. 30, 2025

She read

A known opera diva, Carlotta, has come home to Positano for an unannounced concert. She wants to practice for her daughter’s upcoming wedding to a billionaire. She is staying at Bella Bella, the B & B run by the young widow, Bria. Bria is known in the coastal town for her ability to solve murders. Carlotta is not welcomed by everybody due to her past behavior. When her pianist is found murdered, Bria is determined to investigate. She is assisting her boyfriend, who happens to be the chief of police. The investigation uncovers a web of deep-seated family secrets, some that have been hidden for years.

This is the third installment in the Bria Bartolucci mystery series. While it can be enjoyed as a standalone novel, it would be beneficial to have read at least one of the previous books to fully appreciate the recurring cast of colorful characters.

I enjoy cozy mysteries set in Italy. Unlike the UK version, where tea and biscuits are the norm, Italian mysteries offer a blend of strong coffee and delectable pastries. The characters here are quirky yet charming, adding to the appeal of the story. I like the use of Italian phrases, most of which are translated.

The plot is filled with twists, turns, and red herrings. While the writing can be a bit slow and wordy at times, it is an entertaining read overall. 

Thanks to @netgalley and @KensingtonBooks and #KensingtonCozies for the ARC.

****

The Eternal Forest - Elena Sheppard

 The Eternal Forest A Memoir of the Cuban Diaspora - Elena Sheppard

Pub. Date: Sept. 30, 2025

She read

Beautifully and lovingly written, this is the story of one family’s flight from Cuba to the United States. Intermingled with a thorough, but not overwhelming history of Cuba, it delves into the lives of three generations of Cuban women and their extended family. Is it not often the women who hold the families together and are the guardians of memories? 

I enjoyed learning more about the history of this island nation and, in fact, saw some concerning parallels that serve as a cautionary for our times.…rewriting history, making people doubt, making people forget, maps changing when government changes. 

As the author recounts her family history, I couldn’t help but smile at some of the stories and how it’s often the case that there are several different versions of how events unfolded. Most impressive is the lifelong love and caring that the author and her mother expressed for the matriarch of the family, the abuela who, with her husband, made the difficult decision to flee Cuba upon the rise of Fidel Castro. Despite leaving behind the island they had called home, there is always a pull and emotional connection that binds them to it, a connection that spans generations. 

Thanks to @NetGalley and @StMartinsPress for the DRC.

****

See No Evil - D.S. Butler

 See No Evil - D.S. Butler

Pub. Date: Sept. 2, 2025

She read

D.S. Karen Hart and her fiancé, Mike, are about to announce their engagement to his family when they discover the body of his mother bludgeoned to death, with her eyes sewn shut. Karen is too close to the case and is told she cannot participate in the investigation. But, of course, that doesn’t stop her. Secrets are revealed about Mike’s mother, and Karen finds herself and Mike in danger. 

This fast-paced, well-plotted, suspenseful mystery is filled with twists that keep the reader guessing. I couldn't put the book down. D.S. Butler is another author who always captures my attention and doesn't let go. I enjoy the main character, as well as her supporting team.  Karen is engaging, capable, empathetic, and doesn’t suffer fools gladly, although in this story she does take some imprudent chances.  Her team is composed of likable, supportive, well-developed characters.   

The eleventh in the Karen Hart series, this is the seventh I have read.  Although the main players’ stories progress with successive books, each installment can be read as a stand-alone.

Fans of British police procedurals will enjoy this well-written book, as well as others in the series. I look forward to reading the next one for another entertaining read.  

Thanks to @NetGalley and @AmazonPublishing #ThomasandMercer for the DRC.

*****

What We Can Know - Ian McEwan

 What We Can Know - Ian McEwan

Pub. Date: Sept. 23, 2025

She read

In the next century, due to climate and nuclear disasters, Britain is a series of archipelagos. Humanities academic Tom Metcalfe is obsessed with finding a lost poem from 2014, a supposed masterpiece. When he finds a clue as to the possible location of the only copy that was ever made, he sets off to locate it. In the second part of the book, the reader learns the true events surrounding the poem.

I don’t typically choose futuristic or dystopian novels. But I like Ian McEwan’s writing, and when I read the synopsis about the apocalyptic future and with what is going on right now in the world, it didn’t seem so science fiction to me.

There is such depth to this story.  There were many passages that I saved (I read ebooks, so I screen shoot) to go back to revisit and savor. There is a wealth of thought-provoking ideas. Most germane for me are the astute and unsettling observations of the present political situation and climate denial and the dystopian consequences it could bring. The novel also explores themes of legacy, the persistence of myths (or shadows of truth), guilt, relationships, and the encroachment of technology on our privacy.

The novel poses an important question: How much do we truly know about the past? Despite the enduring legacy of what lives on in the digital realm, what can we know?

The tempo shifts in the second part of the book.  Some readers will prefer the first section, others the second. 

Thanks to #NetGalley and @aaknopf for the  DRC.

*****