Lie to Me - D.S. Butler

 Lie to Me - D.S. Butler

Pub. Date: Sept. 8, 2026

She read

When the body of a man is discovered having been branded after his death, it turns out he is Damon, the childhood friend of DS Arnie Hodgson. Damon disappeared thirty-five years ago, at the same time another friend committed suicide. The night Damon vanished, Arnie was at a fair with a group of friends. He drank too much and passed out, so had no idea what precipitated the disappearance and the suicide.

Colleague DS Karen Hart joins forces with Arnie and her team to unravel the mystery surrounding Damon’s disappearance and subsequent death. All of Arnie’s close friends from those many years ago are suspects, especially since the brand found on Damon had significance to them. As another branded murder occurs and someone attempts to run down Arnie, the mystery deepens and takes an emotional toll on him.

This is the twelfth installment in the DS Karen Hart series, one of my must-read series. I’ve read quite a few of them, and while each book contributes to the development of the recurring characters, this one could stand alone.

Well-written, the plot keeps readers guessing about the culprit and their motives throughout the book. The investigation progresses at a steady pace, and the story unfolds from Karen, Arnie, and the unnamed killer’s perspectives. It’s an engrossing read that I couldn’t put down.

I like the main character and the relationship she has with her co-workers, interesting characters in their own right. Karen is competent, engaging, and empathetic. 

This is a solid addition to the series that will appeal to fans of character-driven mysteries, UK crime stories, and police procedurals.

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

****

Tough Sh!t: The angry woman's guide to embodying change: A self-reflection & somatic journal - Arianne MacBean LMFT

 Many women today feel anger, fear, sadness, and hurt. This book offers guidance on how to accept those feelings and channel them into something positive; realizing one’s true self. It’s OK to feel these emotions. Recognize them and use them.  

This book provides a safe space for women to recognize, express, and manage those emotions. While it’s designed to be used in conjunction with therapy, I believe there’s value in reading and using it independently.

Mental health professionals often recommend journaling as a positive practice,  but some individuals find it challenging to get started. This book offers a structured approach to journaling through a series of prompts and exercises.

The book is divided into five sections, each focusing on one of the four emotions (anger, fear, sadness, and hurt) and the fifth section on achieving true self. True self involves understanding one’s strengths and vulnerabilities. Accompanying each section are somatic popups that suggest light, short exercises. I found these exercises helpful and have jotted down some to assist me in dealing with my own cortisol overload.

This is a very worthwhile “self-reflection and somatic journal” for women trying to navigate our very complex world. 

Thanks to  @abprlifestyle for the Book.

*****

SIBO Uncovered - Kirsten Janz, R.H.N., CFNP

 SIBO Uncovered - Kirsten Janz, R.H.N., CFNP

Pub. Date: Oct. 6, 2026

Millions of people grapple with gastrointestinal issues stemming from small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). This comprehensive review, authored by a holistic nutritionist and functional nutrition practitioner, delves into the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of SIBO. It also serves as a guide to restoring and maintaining gut health.

The book is packed with valuable information that aids in understanding this condition and coping with it effectively. Readers with SIBO or those supporting someone with it will find the explanation of the various types of SIBO, along with treatment options and diverse diets that promote good gut health, particularly beneficial. 

Thanks to @NetGalley and @amplifypubgroup for the DRC.

*****

The Taken Ones - Jance, J.A.

 The Taken Ones - J.A. Jance

Pub. Date: Nov. 10,  2026

She read

When the granddaughter of a friend in Anchorage vanishes from Seattle airport on her way to an internship,  Twinkle Winkleman reaches out to Washington State private investigator J.P. Beaumont. His wife, a former police chief now retired, teams up with him in the investigation, which uncovers a chilling pattern of disappearances involving other young women in similar circumstances. Initially, they face resistance from local authorities, but soon the FBI joins their quest, turning it into a race against time to unravel the mystery and locate the missing girls.

This is the twenty-seventh installment in the J.P. Beaumont series. I have read only one before, and that was a few years ago.  This works fine as a stand-alone.

I can understand why the Beaumont books have garnered such a devoted following. The story is narrated from multiple perspectives, weaving a well-crafted plot that keeps readers engaged and eager to discover the truth. I thoroughly enjoyed all the protagonists in the book and eagerly anticipate reading more in this series. 

Thanks to @NetGalley and @WilliamMorrowBooks for the DRC.

*****

The Riddle Maker - Bruce Borgos

 The Riddle Maker - Bruce Borgos

Pub. Date: Nov. 17,  2026

She read

When Lincoln County, Nevada Sheriff Porter Beck solves a mysterious riddle left for him, he uncovers the body of someone who had been missing for decades. Soon more riddles appear, and Beck, his deputies, Charlie Blue Horse, and a young FBI agent whose brother went missing 17 years ago, scour the West to recover the bodies and discover the identity of a serial killer. 

This is the fourth installment in the Porter Beck series. I have read all of them, and while each book contributes to the development of the recurring characters, I believe this one could stand alone.

The plot is suspenseful and engrossing, moving at a steady pace, except for perhaps a bit too much detail as the story approached the climax, which slightly slowed it down. There are some great twists. I have grown to like the very talented Beck and those around him, especially his fiancée, Charlie Blue Horse, and, of course, his “deputy dog,” Columbo.

I look forward to the next installment.

Tw; animal cruelty,cult behavior  

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

****

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.

******