Split Screen - Lee Goldberg

 Split Screen - Lee Goldberg

Pub. Date: Oct. 20,2026

she read

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. 

Pavone has been sidelined to a desk job, and Eve is pushed into helping the new sheriff in town promote the department on social media. Part of that involves allowing the actress who portrays her in the TV series to do a ride-along. When the actress is shot by gunmen shouting “Die, Ronin, die”, Eve takes it upon herself to find them while also investigating the death of another actress, the murder of a local doctor, the questionable activities of a step-sister she never knew she had, and an explosion at the police shooting range. 

This is the seventh in the Eve Ronin series; I have read all of them, although this would work as a standalone.  Lee Goldberg’s books are well-written, fast-paced, and feature 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.

Eve is juggling multiple cases, and Goldberg seamlessly transitions from one to another. Eve is a great character - a loose cannon who is determined and unrelenting. 

I also enjoy the crossovers of other of Goldberg's series 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. 

I would recommend this series to fans of mysteries/thrillers/police procedurals, especially those featuring personable main characters. All of the books do work as standalone novels.

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

****

Bark Humbug - David Rosenfelt

 Bark Humbug - David Rosenfelt

Pub. Date: Oct. 27, 2026

This is the 34th in the Andy Carpenter series and its annual holiday installment. It would work as a standalone.  Andy is an irascible, but somehow charming defense attorney. He doesn’t really want to try cases and, fortunately, his wealth allows him to choose only those in which he believes. He has an interesting team with whom he works, including his wife, Laurie, a former police officer. He and Laurie also founded the Tara Foundation for rescue dogs, named for his loyal golden retriever. 

The mayor of Paterson, NJ, who is also a gubernatorial candidate, is gunned down along with one of his donors. The prime suspect is Jon, a former Marine raider, with PTSD. Jon’s sister tricks Andy into taking the case, which has evidence supporting both Jon’s guilt and innocence. As Andy's investigation proceeds, rampant political corruption is uncovered.

 Bark Humbug is an entertaining blend of mystery and legal thriller with comedic elements. With a solid plot, colorful characterizations, twists, turns, courtroom drama, and great humor, this is a very enjoyable, fast-paced read. What truly sets Rosenfelt’s writing apart is his ability to infuse humor throughout his stories, particularly through Andy’s witty and snarky remarks. This is one of the few series I have ever read (and I have read many) that consistently makes me laugh out loud.

I look forward to each addition to this series. It is one of my  “must reads” whenever a new one is available.  Every book is a delight.

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

*****

The French Illusion - John Grisham

 Paul and Chelsea’s dream honeymoon to Paris is brutally interrupted when they are kidnapped and held for ransom. It is an unimaginable nightmare for them and their families. As numerous international agencies become involved in the search for them, it is revealed that they are not the only young couple to have been kidnapped while honeymooning in Paris. 

International suspense is not my usual genre of choice, but Grisham is such a talented storyteller that I couldn’t put this riveting narrative down. The fast-paced, short chapters and masterful plot kept me engaged from beginning to end.

While there are some descriptions of torture, if they trigger a warning for you, do what I do and skim over them. The ending did feel a bit abrupt, but after this tense and emotionally charged journey, it was acceptable.

Without giving away any spoilers, this book reminds us that even though they may be unrelated to you in your everyday life, your government’s actions have consequences. 

Thanks to @NetGalley and @DoubledayBooks for the DRC.

*****

The Dying Light - Ann Cleeves

 The Dying Light - Ann Cleeves

Pub. Date: Sept. 29, 2026

She read

This is the fourth installment in the Two Rivers series featuring DI Matthew Venn. Although I have read and enjoyed all four of them, this would work as a standalone. 

It is summer in Devon and the weather is sizzling. A young woman is found dead, floating in the pool of a posh vacation home and her friend, the daughter of the owners of the home, is missing. As DI Venn and his team investigate, they suspect the families of the girls are concealing something. Is this a crucial clue that will lead to solving the case, or are other factors at play?

Well written, with strong character development, Cleeves will have readers guessing throughout. She prioritizes character-driven storytelling and plot-driven suspense over action-packed sequences. This is an engrossing read that I didn’t want to put down. It is atmospheric and a bit claustrophobic due to the small, rather insular community and the sultry weather.  

If you are unfamiliar with this series, you might recognize Cleeves name from her immensely successful Vera and Shetland books and TV series.  If you are a fan of  methodical, introspective, well plotted police procedurals with engaging characters, I highly recommend her books.  

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

*****

The Cortisol Cure - Dr. Erin Kinney

 The Cortisol Cure - Dr. Erin Kinney

Pub. Date: Sept. 22, 2026

She read

The stress hormone, cortisol, is receiving a lot of attention recently. In this book, a physician delves into its impact on our functioning and provides practical advice on developing a plan to improve both physical and mental well-being. The book uses patient histories to illustrate effective strategies for managing cortisol issues.

I appreciated the book’s organized approach, categorizing specific topics such as sleep, weight, and digestion. For those who benefit from reading about other people’s experiences, there are numerous examples.  Personally, I would have preferred a more concise and direct approach.

To truly benefit from the recommendations, lab work is recommended, as are a variety of supplements. There is a lot of repetition, but if the reader uses this book just by chapter headings (conditions of interest), that repetition is necessary.

There are some helpful tips and takeaways here. The extensive information provided makes repeated readings, note-taking, and underlining highly recommended. 

Thanks to @NetGalley and @GrandCentralPub for the  DRC.

****

Murder at Christmas - TA Williams

 Murder at Christmas - TA Williams

Pub. Date: Aug. 5, 2026

She read

This is the sixteenth in the Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Mystery series. It is the third I have read, and it would work well as a stand-alone.

Englishman Dan Armstrong, a retired DCI, now resides and works as a private investigator in Florence, Italy, and is married to Anna, a university professor. His faithful sidekick is Oscar, an instinctively smart canine companion.

A few days before Christmas, Dan, Anna, and Oscar are invited to an opulent alpine retreat in northern Italy. When someone is found dead, Dan must unravel whether it is suicide, an accident, or murder.  If it is murder, there is no shortage of suspects among the rancorous guests.

This captivating and entertaining read boasts a well-crafted plot that keeps readers guessing. Oscar’s delightful presence enhances the enjoyment of the story, and, as always, he proves to be a valuable and reliable assistant. The atmospheric descriptions of the scenery , weather, food, and wine immerse the reader in the locale.

I can’t wait to see where Dan and Oscar’s next mystery will take them.

Thanks to @NetGalley and @BoldwoodBooks for the DRC.

****

Our Noble Selves - Kate Atkinson

 Our Nobel Selves - Kate Atkinson

Pub. Date: Sept. 15, 2026

She read

War reporter and former POW Harry Flynn is working on the preparations for the 1951 Festival of Britain, an event organized to showcase British achievements and boost morale after World War II. When a Frenchwoman with whom Harry has shared a drink disappears, suspicion falls on him. Could he have been responsible for her death?

Clever, witty, and with a cast of very colorful, quirky characters, this was a joy to read. Some of those characters were scary, others delightful. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the Festival and the items that were deemed important to include. Additionally, the book provided some insight into the political climate surrounding World War II in Britain and the Burma Railway.

 Well researched, many of the amusing anecdotes surrounding the festival that were mentioned were based on real events. The maps of the exhibitions and  features such as the names of suppliers of the various furnishings enhanced understanding of  the Festival. This was yet another captivating and mysterious joyride by Atkinson. 

Thanks to @NetGalley and @DoubledayBooks for the DRC.

*****