Beach Thriller - Jamie Day

 Beach Thriller - Jamie Day

Pub. Date: June 9,2026

She read

A Massachusetts beach town harboring secrets. An author grappling with writer's block forced to return to her dilapidated childhood summer cottage, where she tries to discover the truth behind her sister’s death. A juvenile delinquent seeking answers about her background finding refuge in the same coastal town. Amidst the backdrop of a wealthy family exerting its power, danger lurks, and an unseen watcher observes all.

This is another story of wealthy people behaving badly, albeit with lots of twists, one of which readers will figure out fairly early in the narrative. It is not a fast-paced read but the suspense builds as the story unfolds with its surprises and revelations. The plot, though somewhat convoluted and over-the-top, provides an entertaining summer read, perfect for pool or beachside relaxation. 

Thanks to  @NetGalley and @StMartinsPress for the DRC.

****

Death at the Castle Gates - Nick Oldham

 Death at the Castle Gates - Nick Oldham

Pub. Date: June 2, 2026

She read

For safety reasons, Sergeant Jessica Raker has relocated her family from London to rural Lancashire, a move that has strained her relationship with her husband. Jessica and her team are on the hunt for a local criminal who puts their lives in danger. One of their beloved colleagues, Dougie Doolan, is battling cancer, and his final wish is for Jessica to solve a case that has haunted him for years. Additionally, there are loose ends from her previous case involving a childhood enemy who has risen to become the queen of crime in the area, as well as a DI who seems to have a personal vendetta against Jessica. All these elements converge for a lot of action in the town of Clitheroe.  

This fast-paced and engaging read had a compelling storyline and well-developed characters. I particularly admire Jessica, an all-too-human but dedicated individual grappling with personal issues while trying to make a way for herself in her new position. The camaraderie among the established team members is also noteworthy, and I couldn’t wait to see if DI Price and the annoying new team member, Ashley, would get their due.

There is a bit of the supernatural in this story, of which I am not a big fan, but it did not take away from my enjoyment of the narrative.

This is the third in the Jessica Raker series. I read the second book, and while I don’t believe it’s essential to read the prior installments to follow the plot and characters, doing so would provide valuable background information. The ending leaves room for a potential third story, which I eagerly anticipate.

Thanks to @NetGalley and @SevernHouseImprint for the DRC.

*****

Marion - Leah Rowan

 Marion - Leah Rowan

Pub. Date: June 2, 2026

She read

Remember Alfred Hitchcock’s film Psycho (which was based on a book) where the very disturbed innkeeper kills the "fair maiden”? Well, what if the roles were reversed and instead of the woman dying, she kills the innkeeper? That is the opening premise behind this book. Marion is victim no more. She has stolen money and is on the run, but when Norm (Billings in this tale) strikes out at her, she fights back and kills him.  However, this is just the beginning of her female rage as she avenges personal wrongs.

There is a secondary interrelated storyline of a rookie private investigator looking for a young woman who has disappeared and may have stayed at the Billings Motel.

This is a compelling, if macabre read whose ending just might make you smile. I love the premise, but this not  a simple retelling of the Psycho story.  It is more of a reimagining, inspired by it. Sure, you will have to suspend belief, but isn’t that what fiction is sometimes about?

 The story explores complex themes such as maternal bonds, sexism, abuse, female retribution, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, family bonds and loyalty. At times, the pace does lag due to a lot of introspection as part of a decision making process, but the story does pick up making it an entertaining tale of horror and rage. 

****

Road Trip - Mary Kay Andrews

 Road Trip - Mary Kay Andrews

Pub. Date: June 2, 2026

She read

Mary Kay Andrews is back with another entertaining beach/summer/vacation read, romance intertwined with mystery and family drama. 

Sisters Therese and Maeve have been estranged from each other for years. Therese pursued an unsuccessful acting career, while Maeve chose a more conventional path as a college English instructor. Maeve was the one who returned home to care for their mother when she became ill.  When their mother died, she left behind a single wish that the sisters travel to Ireland together to uncover their family roots, which included a supposed ancestral portrait that could hold significant value.

Therese is struggling financially, while Maeve, having taken a leave of absence to care for their mother, has just been laid off. Their hopes of inheriting their mother's house and selling it are dashed when they discover she had mortgaged it. Faced with these challenges, they decide to take the modest amount of money their mother left for this trip and embark on the adventure. 

This was a joy to read as Maeve brought her stereotypical Southern charm and Therese her New York moxie to a picturesque small town in Ireland. I liked the combination of the different genres and the flashbacks to their ancestors’ story.  This was fast-paced, with an intriguing story, perfect as an escapist read. 

Thanks to @NetGalley and @Stmartinspress for the DRC.

****

A River Red With Blood - John Connolly

 A River Red with Blood - John Connolly

Pub. Date: June 2, 2026

She read

Private Investigator Charlie Parker is tasked with investigating the death of a young man who had escaped from a residential treatment center in the Kennebec River Valley, Maine. Initially dismissed as an accident, the victim’s father is convinced that he was murdered.

In a parallel plot, a group of men engage in a twisted "game", involving the kidnapping, assault, torture, and murder of randomly chosen women. There are specific rules to the game, and two of the participants fear that a third has broken them.  And now there is a young woman who is missing. 

This is the twenty-third installment in the Charlie Parker series. It delves into a dark and suspenseful narrative, blending elements of a crime mystery, the supernatural, and horror. The violence depicted is graphic and disturbing.

While I have enjoyed previous books in the series, I just couldn’t get drawn into this one. The storyline had difficulty holding my attention. I’m sure others, especially fans of the Charlie Parker stories, will welcome and highly enjoy this read, but it just was not for me. Even though I have read some of the prior installments, I found it difficult in this one to follow the characters and the supernatural elements, of which I am not particularly fond, seemed more involved than in prior reads. 

I regret that I just was not the audience for this book. 

Thanks to @NetGalley and @AtriaBooks for the DRC.

***

Death on the Lanai - Rachel Ekstrom Courage

 This is the second installment in the Golden Girls cozy mystery series; I read the first one. While there are references to events from the first book, this one can be enjoyed on its own.

Blanche, Dorothy, Rose, and Sophia receive a mysterious invitation to a gala celebrating “the greatest artist of the century.” The invitation is accompanied by a box containing an elegant butterfly brooch which Sophia claims she should wear as she is the oldest.

The gala is held at a secluded mansion located on its own island, accessible only by boat. To her astonishment, the mansion is owned by the renowned artist now known as El Toro, a former lover of Blanche’s when she was younger. He was known to her as Declan and she was the muse for much of his work. 

A violent storm plunges the island into darkness when the power fails. Amidst the chaos, the brooch is snatched from Sophia’s dress, and the boat that brought them to the island is destroyed.  When Declan’s body is discovered, the group invited to the gala finds themselves stranded on the island, with suspicion falling on each and every one of them. As they grapple with the possibility of being trapped with a murderer, some must confront their own pasts and unravel the secrets that lie beneath the surface.

This book evokes a nostalgic feel reminiscent of the 1980s-early 1990s TV show, with a locked room/Agatha Christie/Clue-style plot. However, it is the delightful Golden Girls characters, rather than the intricate plot, that make this a delightful read. The witty banter and playful sniping among the women are a highlight, with Sophia’s sharp remarks being my personal favorite.  

Thanks to @NetGalley and @hyperionavebooks for the DRC.

****Death on the Lanai - Rachel Ekstrom Courage

Girl in the Mist - Helen Phifer

 Girl in the Mist - Helen Phifer

Pub. Date: May 27, 2026

She read

This is the eighteenth installment in the Detective Morgan Brookes series, one of my favorites. It can be read as a standalone as crucial background information about the recurring main characters is revealed throughout the narrative.

After three friends are attacked one misty evening at an abandoned summer camp rumored to be haunted, Morgan and her team race to investigate, despite the dangerously poor visibility.  When a body is spotted in the middle of a lake, Morgan disregards caution and risks her life by jumping into the freezing water to retrieve it.  Unfortunately, she is too late, as the young man, one of the three friends, is already dead, his head bashed in. While a second victim did escape, a third one is still missing. 

Helen Phifer is an author whose name alone compels me to request the title without reading the synopsis. Her books are so captivating that I often find myself unable to put them down until I’ve finished them.

This twisty plot is suspenseful and a bit spooky as the tension escalates.  Interspersed with the pressure of the case is some biting humor.Engrossing and fast-paced, it is an ideal read for fans of British police procedurals, mysteries, and thrillers. 

I like Morgan. She is a smart, capable, empathetic protagonist, dogged in her investigations although she does often go rogue and puts herself in danger. There is a convivial, teasing dynamic within the investigative team (well, except for Amber!). Morgan’s Aunt Ettie always adds a wee bit of the mystical to a story.

Thanks to @NetGalley and @Bookouture for the DRC.

*****