The Essential Travel Guide for Unforgettable Destinations - Navigating Must-See Attractions in London - Sierra Quest

 The Essential Travel Guide for Unforgettable Destinations - Navigating Must-See Attractions in London  -  Sierra Quest

Pub. Date: June 1, 2025

She read

 

Having spent some time visiting London, I found this guide to identify the don’t miss highlights as well as some off the beaten path destinations. Whether one is interested in history, food, music, art, shopping there is something here for everyone. I have already made some notes of places and neighborhoods I want to visit on my next trip there, as well as some day trips I missed last time I was there.

Thanks to #NetGalley and @victoryeditingngc for the DRC.

*****

Storybook Ending - Moira Macdonald

 Storybook Ending - Moira Macdonald

Pub. Date: May 27, 2025

She read

April leads a solitary existence as remote worker. She decides to take a chance on developing a relationship with a handsome man, Westley, who works at her favorite bookstore. Her choice of communication is to leave an anonymous note for him in a book, requesting he respond to her via a note left in another book.  Through a slip up, the note is found by Laura, a widowed mother who just might be ready for dating and thinks it is from Westley. And thus, this strange triangle begins.

This is a cute, feel good story of misunderstandings, connections, friendships, found family. The richly drawn characters are unique in their own special ways. Written by a debut author with humor, compassion, and a love of reading and bookstores, it may be just the tonic some of us need right now. 

Thanks to #NetGalley and @Penguinbooks for the DRC.

****

A Dead Draw - Robert Dugoni

 A Dead Draw - Robert Dugoni

Pub. Date: May 27, 2025

She read

After a mistake on the firing range fueled by her alarming interaction with a double homicide suspect who ignites memories of her sister’s killer, Seattle homicide Detective Tracy Crosswhite takes some time off and returns to her hometown of Cedar Grove where she must revisit the tragedy of her younger sister’s murder. This time, though, Tracy is the target. 

Dugoni’s books are always well written with intriguing plots and good character development. This was another page turner that I didn’t want to put down. An avid reader of this series, I appreciated gaining more insight into Tracy’s background and psyche. Kudos for including a neurodivergent character and portraying her realistically. 

While I did enjoy this, the eleventh installment, it wasn’t my favorite; too much about guns and competitive shooting. Do be sure, though, to read the author’s notes at the end where he discusses his background inspiration for aspects of this story.

A Dead Draw can be read as a standalone, but if you enjoy a good police procedural and this is your first Tracy Crosswhite novel, you will want to go back and read the earlier ones as well.

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

****

The Last Ferry Out - Andrea Bartz

 The Last Ferry Out - Andrea Bartz

Pub. Date: May 20, 2025

She read

When Abby’s fianceé, Eszter dies while visiting an isolated island in Mexico, she feels a need to travel there as she has some unanswered question. The locals are very protective of their island, although they tolerate a small group of expats whom Eszter befriended. As Abby gets to know the group, she has even more questions, learns secrets that Eszter was keeping, and fears she may be in danger. 

I have read and enjoyed prior works by this author. Atmospheric, with an interesting plot and clever twist, the story was revealed through alternating timelines and POVs. A bit of a slow burn, I felt it got bogged down at times with Abby’s introspection and deliberations. While I read the book quickly as I did want to find out what happened, it just didn’t draw me in as much as it should have. 

Thanks to #NetGalley and #RandomHouse for the DRC.

***

25 Alive

 25 Alive (Women's Murder Club) - James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

Pub. Date: April 28,  2025

She read

The Women’s Murder Club is back in action when Lindsay Boxer’s former partner, mentor and friend Warren Jacobi is murdered and she heads the investigation. Meanwhile, Yuki is in danger prosecuting a cartel family member for murder which Joe, Lindsay’s FBI husband, gets involved with.

This is the twenty fifth in this best selling mystery series. I have read most of them, although I missed the last few. It was nice being reacquainted with these characters, whom I enjoy.

Trust Patterson and this series to deliver a fast paced, suspenseful story with twists, red herrings, and colorful characters. Fans of this series will welcome this addition. Anyone new to The Women’s Murder Club will have no difficulty catching up with the characters and their professional and personal relationships. This may be my first beach read recommendation of the year!

*****

Thanks to #NetGalley and @LittleBrown for the DRC.

Nightshade - Michael Connelly

 Nightshade - Michael Connelly

Pub. Date: May 20, 2025

She read

Catalina Island is known as a place of banishment for sheriff’s officers introuble. The latest one is stubborn, hard nosed, but very capable  Detective Stilwell. While building a relationship with a local woman, he is faced with solving two crimes; the beheading of a protected buffalo and the body of a young woman found trapped under the sea. While investigating, he crosses some lines and is also forced to work with an old nemesis. 

I have enjoyed Michael Connelly’s books for more years than I care to count so am thrilled that he is introducing a new character in this, his fortieth novel. Connelly writes consistently captivating stories; this is a solid addition to his body of work.

Well plotted, with memorable characters, Nightshade is an engrossing read. I always appreciate the bits of humor Connelly injects into his books. If you are a fan of this author, you will welcome this new character and setting. If he is new to you, be sure to get in on the ground floor of this first of a series.

Thanks to #NetGalley and @LittleBrown for the DRC.

*****

The Doorman - Chris Pavone

 The Doorman - Chris Pavone

She and he read

Pub. Date: May 20, 2025

As readers can easily find an online synopsis of this book, I am not going to summarize it other than to say it is the story of a doorman at an exclusive upper Manhattan apartment building and some of its inhabitants set in the social and political sphere of contemporary times. I don’t like to compare one book to another, but, for me, it is this generation’s Bonfire of the Vanities.

Well plotted and suspenseful, Pavone’s characterizations are masterful. He captures the pulse of New York City, along with the nuances and issues reflective of our societal and political culture. Here is social class, fiscal struggling and striving, racism, prejudice, blowback from so called woke values and initiatives. There are sharp, attuned, sometimes poignant observations of life. I did not want to put this book down and flew through it. Oh, and, yes, it is also a thriller.

Thanks to #NetGalley and @fsgBooks for the DRC.

*****