Silent Embers - John Carson

 Silent Embers  - John Carson

Pub. Date: Oct. 4, 2026

She  read

A young woman is brutally murdered and buried while taking a shortcut through a cemetery on Halloween in Fife. A theater costume dress is left hanging by her body. DCI Liam Brodie is assigned to investigate. The dress was worn in a play five years ago, the night the theater burned down, killing two people and injuring others. How does this relate to the murdered woman, and who else is in danger?

This fast-paced mystery/thriller features two intriguing plotlines centered around Brodie’s investigations. There’s a touch of humor amidst the dark story, along with twists and turns.

This is the third in the DCI Liam Brodie series. While it does work as a standalone, having read the prior installments will give more background and context. 

Fans of mysteries, solid police procedurals, Scottish locations, and thrillers will enjoy this read. 

Thanks to @NetGalley and @BoldwoodBooks for the DRC.

****

All In -- David Baldacci

 All In - David  Baldacci

Pub. Date: Nov. 10, 2026

She read

When an investigative journalist is murdered on the street in New York City and the intelligence operative she was with abducted, it falls to the 6:20 man, former Army ranger turned DHS agent Travis Devine, to investigate. His probe takes him to Australia, where the involvement of the country’s richest family and outside forces endanger the balance of power in the world.

This is the fourth installment in the 6:20 man series. It is the first I have read and works well as a stand-alone. 

I am not typically a fan of espionage stories because they are usually over the top.  This one is not and, for the most part, is very believable. The theme is highly relevant to our present times and very scary. 

Baldacci is a talented storyteller, and I couldn't put this book down. Fast-paced and suspenseful, it is a compelling read. I also gained insight into international intelligence and the ongoing battle for AI superiority. Devine’s personal story and relationships add a touch of humanity to what is essentially a great mystery-espionage narrative, as well as a cautionary tale for our times.

Thanks to @NetGalley and @GrandCentralPub for the DRC.

******

The Body in the Bath - Ragnar Jónasson

 As Christmas approaches, it is a cold, snowy time in Reykjavík.  Detective Helgi is feeling particularly morose as the woman he thought was the love of his life has been killed by his abusive ex-girlfriend, Bergpóra. He has returned to work after a leave and devotes himself to investigating the disappearance of Hulda, the detective whose office he now occupies. He is particularly focused on her last case, which involved a body in a bathtub. When Bergpóra is found dead, suspicion falls on Helgi, and he becomes the prime suspect.

This is the fourth book that I have read by Jónasson, the third featuring Helgi, and I have enjoyed all of them. This darkly complex story is told in two timelines, alternating between Hulda’s investigation of her final case and Helgi’s present-day life in 2012. It is fast-paced, atmospheric, and intriguing; a delight for fans of Nordic Noir. There is a bit of a cliffhanger at the end, setting up the next installment.

Jónasson provides a comprehensive background to the story, so readers don’t need to have read the prior installments. However, I highly recommend them.

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

****

The Oxford Detective Society - Faith Martin

 The Oxford Detective Society - Faith Martin

Pub. Date: Aug. 1, 2026

She read

Amanda “Monty" Montrose was the girlfriend of the lead singer of a fleetingly popular rock group in the 60s. Tragically, she died young, her questionable death ruled an accident. During her lifetime, the press relentlessly criticized her. Lyssa Moore, a writer specializing in biographies, is commissioned by a descendant of Monty’s to set the record straight about the young woman. As Lyssa begins researching, it seems there may be people who don’t want her looking into Monty's life. When Lyssa discovers her phone has been bugged, the woman who hired her begins acting strangely, and a man living in Lyssa’s building is tracking all of her comings and goings, her friends bind together to support her, forming what they call The Oxford Detective Society.

I am a fan of Faith Martin’s DI Hillary Green and Ryder/Loveday series and was excited to read this first installment of a new series featuring Lyssa Moore. 

With an intriguing plot, red herrings, twists, an Oxford setting, a nostalgic look back at the 60s and good character development, this was an enjoyable read. I like this new main character and the colorful cast of friends surrounding her. I look forward to the next installment, especially since there is a hint of a romance to come. 

This is an excellent opportunity to get on the ground floor of a promising new series by a renowned British author.

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

****

The Christmas Killer - Ross Greenwood

 The Christmas Killer - Ross Greenwood

Pub. Date: Sept, 2, 2026

She read

This is the ninth installment in the DI Barton mystery series. Although I have read a few of them, this would work as a stand-alone.

As Christmas approaches,  DI Barton is on sabbatical. He is called back to head the investigation into a brutal murder. After another murder occurs, the team is at a loss as to motive, but suspects it may be connected to the victims’ pasts and possible police corruption. Barton and the Major crimes team race against time to prevent further deaths and uncover the culprit and their motive.

Ross Greenwood is one of my go to authors, with DI Barton a favorite character. Barton is a leader with empathy and a sense of fairness. This is a captivating read which kept me engrossed until the very end. It is a solid police procedural with engaging and richly drawn characters.

The story is cleverly plotted, told from multiple perspectives, including that of the Christmas killer. This, along with red herrings and twists, keeps readers guessing about the perpetrator’s identity.  Atmospheric, there are chillingly vivid descriptions of the cold, ice and snow.

Thanks to @NetGalley and @BoldwoodBooks for the DRC.

*****

The Heights - Ian Rankin

 The Heights - Ian Rankin

Pub. Date: Nov. 3, 2026

She Read

When the nighttime concierge in The Heights, an ultra- luxury apartment tower overlooking Hyde Park, is murdered, suspicion falls on a variety of wealthy individuals, including an actress, a pop star, a gangster, an art dealer, a mysterious international heiress. Detective Sergeant Gillian Gish and her colleagues are charged with unraveling the hidden secrets of some of London’s elite. 

I have read a few of Ian Rankin’s novels before…most notably some from the John Rebus series. I found them to be engaging, fast paced reads. This book, however, was slow paced and rather bland. There are many characters which at times was a bit confusing.  I had to really concentrate to keep  them straight. 

Despite these shortcomings, the book serves as an insightful exploration of what Rankin refers to as “money London” and “UHNW” (ultra-high net worth), shedding light on the differential treatment often received by individuals in this category from officials.

I did enjoy the main character, DS Gish and would be eager to read more stories featuring her. 

Thanks to @NetGalley and @GrandCentralPub for the DRC.

****

All Birds Have Anxiety - Kathy Hoopmann

 All Birds Have Anxiety - Kathy Hoopman

Pub. Date: Sept 24, 2026

She read

I love this book.

 Hoopman does an exceptional job of clearly explaining the feelings and physical symptoms of anxiety in a way that can be understood by children and yet also helpful for adults. She provides strategies for managing stress and anxiety. This approach is wonderfully non-threatening and offers a helpful way to cope with those worrisome feelings.

The accompanying bird photos are beautiful and perfectly illustrate the ideas being discussed.  Some are incredibly cute, even comical, and are sure to bring smiles to the faces of children and adults alike. 

This book is an excellent resource for parents, counselors and teachers. It is part of the  All Animals series that explores other topics such as autism spectrum and ADHD.

Thanks to @NetGalley and John Murray Press #SheldonPress for the DRC.

*****