Cragside - LJ Ross

 Cragside - LJ Ross

Pub. Date: Dec. 1, 2026

She read

This is the sixth in the DCI Ryan series. It was originally released in the UK in 2017, where it was a bestseller. A new release is scheduled for Dec. 1, 2026.

DCI Ryan and his fiancée are invited to a Victorian murder mystery party at Cragside, where they are temporarily living on the grounds. All goes well until the lights go out and the owner’s valet is found dead. Thought at first to be an accident, secrets from the valet’s life are revealed, and soon there is another dead body.

With an interesting plot and well-developed characters, this is an atmospheric and compelling read. I enjoyed the camaraderie and relationships among the members of Ryan’s team. They are characters to whom readers can connect. 

The setting becomes a character almost of its own. For those not familiar with the north of England, Cragside is a real Victorian mansion with a significant history in Northumberland. Now managed by the National Trust, the house and extensive grounds are open to the public for visits. 

The ending foreshadows some bumps in the road ahead for Ryan, and I can’t wait to read the next installment.

Thanks to @NetGalley and @PoisonedPenPress for the DRC.

****

Murder in Bologna - TA Williams

 Murder in Bologna - TA Williams

Pub. Date: Nov. 5, 2026

This is the seventeenth in the cozy mystery series featuring Armstrong and Oscar. It can be read 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 student at the Art Institute in Bologna is found dead. The police rule it a suicide, but his father enlists the help of Dan to determine if foul play could have been involved. Soon Dan and Oscar are caught up in the world of a mobster, drug dealing, and fraud. 

This captivating and entertaining read boasts a well-crafted plot that keeps readers guessing and very likable main characters. 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 really enjoy this series, all of the books set in different locations.  I have only read four of them, but it is one series that I would like to go back and read the prior installments while eagerly awaiting where the next one will take me. 

Thanks to @NetGalley and @BoldwoodBooks for the DRC.

*****

Tell Me Something True - Michael Robotham

 Tell Me Something True - Michael Robotham

Pub. Date: Jan. 5, 2027

She read

Described as a crime epic, I am not going to try to summarize this complex saga as a few sentence synopsis cannot do it justice. Beautifully written, it is an emotionally charged read….heartbreaking yet hopeful.

This is not a fast paced thriller, but rather a slow burn with layers gradually unfolding and moving between timelines of past (1988) and present. I find stories about injustices to be very disturbing, so this was a challenging read for me. 

The characters are richly developed, some of whom may linger in the reader’s mind long after finishing the book. The author paints a vivid picture of a small town with its share of petty issues, despicable characters, those struggling to make ends meet, and those displaying incredible compassion.

Do read the author’s note at the back for the interesting backstory to this narrative.

Thanks to @NetGalley and @GroveAtlantic for the DRC.

****

The Big Cats Dance Party - Alexander McCall Smith

 The Big Cats Dance Party - Alexander McCall Smith

Pub. Date: Sept. 15, 2026

She read

The assistance of the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency is sought to solve a problem at an elephant sanctuary in the north which will require a long trip and a few over night stays for Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi. Mr J.L.B. Matekoni, husband of Mma Ramotswe decides to make the trip with the women. 

That leaves assistant to the detectives Charlie in charge just as a wealthy client comes forward to seek assistance to find out why one of his enterprises seems to be making too much money. Will Mma Makutsi’s ominous predictions about Charlie come true or will the trust placed in him pay off? 

This is the twenty-seventh installment in the delightful and heartwarming No. 1 Ladies Detective series. All the beloved familiar characters are here. And, yes, the talking shoes do make a cameo appearance!

This is another uplifting addition to the series. While each new case presents an intriguing challenge, the true essence of the series lies in the joy derived from the interactions and musings of the main characters.. Mma Ramotswe’s gentle demeanor and unwavering optimism in finding the positive in even the most daunting situations offer a sense of comfort and solace. Her wisdom is profound in its simplicity.

This story is perfect for a relaxing afternoon or evening read, especially while sipping a soothing cup of tea. Fans of McCall Smith’s gentle prose and insightful observations will undoubtedly welcome this latest addition to his remarkable body of work.

Thanks to @NetGalley and @AAKnopf for the DRC.

*****

Her Last Kiss - Lisa Regan

 Her Last Kiss - Lisa Regan

Pub. Date: Oct. 20, 2026

She read

It has been thirteen years since Sylvia West was the sole survivor of “The Last Kiss” serial killer. She has finally agreed to an interview with Detective Josie Quinn’s journalistic twin sister, Tiffany. When Josie drives Tiffany to a follow-up interview with the survivor, she finds Sylvia’s strangled body with the killer’s signature lipstick mark and the house in flames. 

Over the years, the killer has struck throughout the state of Pennsylvania, and when another victim is found in Josie’s hometown of Denton, she must delve into those other cases to uncover clues as to the motivation and identity of the culprit. 

This is the twenty-fifth in the Detective Josie Quinn series, and I have read many of them. This can work as a standalone, however, as author Lisa Regan does an excellent job of filling in background information on the main players. In fact, each installment offers deeper insights into their histories and personalities.

This is yet another page-turner from Regan. It is difficult not to repeat the same accolades for this narrative as given to the prior ones, yet each story is unique and compelling. Well written, the suspense and suspicions mount as the plot progresses. And, oh, those twists!

I like how the repeating characters show growth and change with time and experience. Josie, despite all the travails she has met with in her life, is a strong, intelligent, though vulnerable woman. The introduction of Wren, a teenager Josie and her husband Noah are guardians of, provides opportunities for them to strengthen their relationship, grow as parents, and explore the impact of their backgrounds on their personalities.

Detective Turner, a relatively new and annoying character nicknamed “Douchbag” by Josie, reveals even more of his history and abilities and perhaps even some chance to redeem himself with the team.

If you’re a fan of well-written, character-driven, fast-paced police procedurals and thrillers, and you’re not familiar with author Lisa Regan, I highly recommend this book and series. I eagerly anticipate the next installment! 

Thanks to @NetGalley and @BookOuture for the DRC. 

*****

The Little Lodge in Lapland - Annabel French

 The Little Lodge in Lapland - Annabel French

Pub. Date: Nov. 5, 2026

She read

Violet, an event planner in the UK, wins a December holiday in a charming lodge nestled in Lapland.  Despite a tumultuous encounter with a local named Rasmus, she can’t help but notice his striking appearance. As they get to know each other, with Rasmus showing her around the breathtaking countryside and Violet assisting him with a cause close to his heart, she falls for him and the wonderful community she discovers in this little town. Would she be willing to give up her uninspiring life in the UK, knowing that she can run her business from anywhere, to be part of this close community?

Although I am not a big romance reader, I enjoy Annabel French’s Floating Shop series and wanted to try something from her European Escapes series. I was not disappointed.

This is a sweet, enchanting romance with colorful characters and a captivating setting. It was so descriptively atmospheric that I went and made myself a cup of hot spiced chai even though it was 90 degrees outside at the time.

As in her other books, the location becomes a character in its own right, with vivid descriptions that immerse the reader in the beauty and magic of the area. With vivid descriptions, the reader is transported to the beauty and magic of the Lapland setting. The enchanting atmosphere of this little town left me yearning for more.

Thanks to @NetGalley and @AvonBooksUK for the DRC.

****

Bleed - Robin Cook

 Bleed - Robin Cook

Pub. Date: Dec. 1, 2026

She read

Jack Stapleton is a former ophthalmologist turned pathologist for the Office of Chief Medical Examiner for New York City; his wife, Laurie Montgomery, is the Chief Medical Examiner. Jack finds himself entangled in a medical mystery when a former colleague, facing a lawsuit, seeks his assistance. The case revolves around a patient who succumbed to an infection following eye surgery. As Jack delves deeper into the investigation, he uncovers a disturbing pattern: the hospital where the surgery took place has been acquired by a profit-driven equity firm, and there have been an alarming number of other deaths attributed to infections at the facility.

The CEO of the equity firm, driven by a desperate need to raise capital to settle his divorce settlement and evade arrest, will stop at nothing to stay out of jail, and soon lives are in danger.

This is the 16th in the Jack Stapleton Laurie Montgomery series. It is the third I have read. It would work well as a standalone.

This is another fast-paced, engrossing medical thriller by best-selling author Robin Cook, who has been writing such tales since 1977. The book is filled with action, intersecting storylines, and a compelling theme that explores the detrimental impact of greedy corporations on American medicine. The narrative provides detailed information about bicycle routes in NYC, which is not as captivating as the medical mysteries, and there is some technical medical information which might be intriguing to some readers; others may be prone to skim over them. 

The protagonists are likable, well-developed characters. The theme of the book is alarmingly relevant.

****

Thanks to @NetGalley and @PutnamBooks for the DRC.