Girl Dinner - Olivie Blake

Girl Dinner - Olivie Blake

Pub. Date: Oct. 21, 2025

She read

 After Sloane Hartley abandoned her tenure-track job to relocate with her husband for his university position and had a baby, she is eager to return to academia. However, the only job available to her at her husband’s university is a non-track position that comes with a dilapidated basement office and the pressure to publish. She is insecure about so much: leaving her child, her clothes, her body, her life.

Nina Klaus is pledging THE sorority on campus, where the sisters and alumnae all appear to be high-achieving, attractive, and almost perfect specimens. When Sloane is asked to be the sorority’s campus advisor and takes on new friends from its alumnae, both she and Nina learn the sinister secret of the women’s success.

This dark yet entertaining satire delves into the complexities of women’s lives. I don’t think I am spoiling anything by warning that there is cannibalism as part of the story and also some spicy scenes.

Told in alternating POVs, Blake takes on some tough questions. What is the plight of women in the world today? What has feminism done for and to women and what have they lost in recent years? Why do difficult choices, roles, and situations uniquely face women? How can women achieve power? What about the disconnect between the rich and others in society?

A little out of my usual genre, I was attracted to this book by comments by others on Bookstagram. The story won’t be for everyone, but I enjoyed it. I don’t know that any of those questions/conflicts were resolved, but I appreciated the author giving voice to them. 

While I understand that the discussion of cannibalism is satirical, I found wisdom in the observation that women who vote for men who infringe upon their rights are essentially cannibalizing themselves. 

Thanks to @NetGalley and #TorPublishing for the DRC. 

****

Gone in the Night - Helen Phifer

 Gone in the Night - Helen Phifer

Pub.Date: Sept. 29, 2025

She read

This is the sixteenth installment in the Morgan Brookes series by Helen Phifer, an author who is a “must read” for me. While the books in this series do build upon each other, each one can usually be read as a stand-alone. There are a few references to earlier cases and life experiences in this one that may pique the interest of new readers and encourage them to revisit the series from the beginning.

The story begins with the gruesome discovery of a woman’s body, stabbed to death at an isolated campsite. She had shared her location on social media, leading to speculation about whether she had a stalker. When Morgan meets with the woman’s parents, she senses something amiss. The mystery deepens when it is found that the woman’s secret boyfriend is a local policeman. Tragically, another young woman, an influencer known for her constant updates, is found similarly murdered in a pop-up tent. Will Brookes’ team be able to solve the case before another woman falls victim?

The well-plotted story, a bit on the dark side, will keep readers guessing. The suspenseful and fast-paced narrative is incredibly engaging, and I couldn’t put it down. I like Morgan, a smart, capable, empathetic protagonist, and the convivial, teasing collegiality among her team. I also like her strong advocacy for women. Interspersed throughout the tension of the case are moments of biting humor that provide levity and balance. And, oh, the ending! I won’t reveal too many details, but I eagerly anticipate the release of the sequel.

I recommend this book/series for those who enjoy British police procedurals, mysteries, and thrillers featuring capable female detectives with amiable supporting characters.

Thanks to @NetGalley and @Bookouture for the DRC.

*****

The Widow - John Grisham

 The Widow - John Grisham

Pub. Date: Oct. 21, 2025

He and she read

Simon Latch, a struggling lawyer in a small town in Virginia, is on the brink of divorce and facing financial difficulties exacerbated by his gambling habit. An elderly widow claiming to be worth millions approaches him to draw up her will, and he sees an opportunity to finally make some money. When she dies in the hospital while recovering from an accident, Simon is accused of murdering her. The race is on to prove his innocence and find the real culprit. 

John Grisham knows how to weave a captivating tale. This isn’t my favorite of his books, perhaps because I really didn’t like the characters, although they are certainly richly drawn. Yet, I stayed up late into the night because I could not put the book down. 

Touted as his first mystery, there are lots of legal machinations as well. Mystery enthusiasts who like red herrings and twists will find them here. Grisham’s signature ability to capture the essence of small-town America is evident throughout the novel. This is a compelling read that is sure to become another bestseller.

Thanks to @netgalley and @DoubledayBooks for the DRC.

****

The Lines - Matt Brolly

 The Lines - Matt Brolly

Pub. Date: Oct. 15, 2025

She read

I am a fan of Matt Brolly’s DI Louise Blackwell mysteries, and this is the beginning of a new series featuring DI Liam Kilshaw.  Liam is a former Marine with PTSD from a near-drowning experience while in the service. When Liam and his fellow lifeboat volunteers recover the body of a young man drowned along the Cornish coast, it is the beginning of an investigation into the web of intrigue surrounding the county lines drug trade. 

Well plotted and multilayered, there are twists and turns in this suspenseful read, along with a touch of romance. Brolly’s novels are atmospheric and gritty at times, but not graphic. A fast read, I liked some of the new characters introduced and, in particular, the working relationship between Liam and his colleague, Maya. 

This is your opportunity to get in on the beginning of a new character-driven police procedural mystery suspense series.

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

****

Fallen Star -- Lee Goldberg

 Fallen Star - Lee Goldberg

Pub. Date: Oct. 14, 2025

She read

The corpse of a witness in a bribery scheme involving local businessmen and politicians is found encased in a fifty-gallon drum that washes up. A helicopter crashes in the hill below Eve Ronin’s house. Is there a connection?  Oh, and there is a Russian mobster, Eve heroically thwarts a flash mob robbery, and the sheriff, who is trying to take down the mayor, is covering up his own scandal.  

Eve Ronin is a minor celebrity, as some of her actions in the past were caught on video, went viral, and, much to the consternation of some in the LA County Sheriff Department, led to her early promotion to detective.  Much to her dismay, a TV series has been made based on her exploits. She is partnered with experienced detective Duncan “Donuts" Pavone who never passes up the opportunity for food. 

This is the sixth in the Eve Ronin series; I have read all of them. Obviously, I like Lee Goldberg’s writing. His books are well-written, fast-moving, with good character development. I particularly enjoy the humor displayed by some of the characters. While the actions and plots may sometimes stretch the imagination, they are  never too far-fetched.  This would work as a standalone. 

I enjoy the crossovers of other of Goldberg's characters that he includes. In this book, Eve has the opportunity to work with Sharpe and Walker, arson investigators from another of his popular series. Eve has appeared in some of the Sharpe and Walker installments. 

Incidentally, in a case of life imitating art, work has begun on an Eve Ronin TV series; the network to be announced. 

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

****

92 Quick & Healthy Recipes for Every Day - Maryna Verbyk

 92 Quick & Healthy Recipes for Every Day - Maryna Verbyk

She read

Pub. Date: Aug. 21, 2025

Note: I had an Advanced Reader copy and there were only 53 recipes in my copy; my review is based on this.

Quick, easy, and healthy. That is for me. I loved this cookbook.  All of the recipes take less than 35 minutes to make and the number of ingredients needed for each one was not overwhelming. The approximate calories are listed.There are quite a few vegetarian options and I appreciated that those that required butter or oil only used small amounts. 

I have not had time to try any yet, but my priorities will be chicken avocado wraps (I grow my own avocados), garlic butter shrimp with rice, BBQ chicken flatbread, quick lemon garlic salmon, salmon with dill yogurt sauce, caprese stuffed chicken, and sweet potato black been tacos.  

This is my kind of cookbook…quick, easy, and healthy

Thanks to @NetGalley and #VictoryEditing for the DRC.

*****

The Proving Ground - Michael Connelly

 The Proving Ground - Michael Connelly

Pub. Date: Oct. 21, 2025

She read

Mickey Haller, the Lincoln Lawyer, is back. Only this time he drives an electric sedan, reserving a Lincoln for special occasions. He is litigating civil law, not criminal. For those familiar with the series, Cisco, Lorna, and Maggie return as well.

A high school student has killed his former girlfriend after the chatbot he had established a relationship with validated his actions. Mickey is representing the victim's mother, who sues the chatbot company for damages, admission of complicity, and an apology. All of the plaintiffs and witnesses are in danger because there is a lot at stake for the AI business. How far will they go to end the case, and how will Mickey navigate the treacherous landscape of this unregulated technology to find a resolution to the case?

Michael Connelly is  another author whose books I have been reading for more years than I care to admit to. He has never disappointed. This is another five-star read, sure to be a best seller.

As  usual, this is well written with a clever, credible plot. It is relevant to our times, dealing with the controversy surrounding AI as well as  the LA fires as a subplot. This was an engrossing read.  I couldn’t put it down, staying up late into the night to finish. Suspenseful, with nail-biting twists and turns, I also learned more about the workings of AI. 

I love Mickey’s scheming, or should I say, strategizing, when he takes on a case. As a Connelly enthusiast, I enjoyed the references to Harry Bosch, Harry's daughter, and Renée Ballard.  

Thanks to @NetGalley and @LittleBrown for the  DRC.

*****