The Amateur - Chris Bohjalian

 The Amateur - Chris Bohjalian

Pub. Date: Aug. 4, 2026

She read

This is a fictional memoir written by a now successful author, Mira,  who was once an up and coming golfer. At the age of 18, in 1978, she hit a practice ball that went through the safety net and killed a caddy. Her life was already in turmoil as she had been the lover of a married man more than twice her age since she was 15. Initially the death is pegged as an accident but then information services that suggests someone may be culpable. Both events haunt and influence Mira through her lifetime.

I found the story disturbing, but  couldn’t put it down. This fast-paced narrative delves into the culture of the 1970s, exploring the lifestyle of the wealthy versus the poor, and the predatory behavior of older men who prey on young girls. This multilayered narrative is a mystery, a legal thriller, a historical perspective, a psychological and sociological study that is intriguing and thought provoking.

There are trigger warnings here including drugs, alcohol, suicide, infidelity, predatory behavior.  After all, it was the 1970s!

Thanks to @NetGalley and @DoubleDayBooks for the DRC.

****

****

The Women in White - Sarah Pekkanen

 The Women in White  - Sarah Pekkanen

Pub. Date: Aug. 4, 2026

She read

Riley Bell, seeking to reinvent herself after her divorce due to her husband’s gambling debts, takes a job as a caregiver for an octogenarian named Betty. Upon arriving at Betty’s home, Riley is surprised to find that the house is stuck in the 1960s, with outdated décor and no modern amenities. Through a dual timeline, the reader learns that Betty was one of four young women in 1964 subjected to questionable research practices by a professor investigating paranormal phenomena. As Betty reaches out from her insulating time bubble home to try to find her former friends, both she and Riley uncover an unspeakable secret that puts their lives in danger. 

I recall learning about the parapsychology experiments at Duke University during my Psych 101 course. While these date back to the 1930s, this story reflects a twisted, unethical continuation of that inquiry. It is an unsettling and compelling tale. Well written, I did find some of the plot to be a bit unbelievable. While I am not sure I liked the turn the book took toward the end, Pekannen’s strong writing style prevented it from overshadowing the overall narrative.

At the beginning of each chapter, Pekannen cited phenomena that really did take place in history.  This technique helped give an authentic flavor to the narrative.

Thanks to @NetGalley and @StMartinsPress for the DRC.

****

The Subtle Pleasures of Indiscretion - Alexander McCall Smith

 The Subtle Pleasures of Indiscretion - Alexander McCall Smith

Isabel Dalhousie, a philosopher and editor of the journal “Review of Applied Ethics,” is a rather privileged woman. She enjoys a loving husband, two small children, and full-time help. However, like many women, she feels the pressure of being overextended with her responsibilities. Isabel is known for offering help to others which sometimes can be overwhelming.

In this installment, Isabel encounters a former high school acquaintance seeking advice about a family secret that is about to be revealed. A member of her editorial board informs her that another member cheated during college and he intends to make that transgression public. Additionally, there appears to be a woman scheming to get closer to Isabel’s husband.

This is the 16th book in the Isabel Dalhousie series. You do not need to have read the prior works to enjoy Isabel’s wisdom and kindness. Visiting with her is always a delightful and soothing experience. McCall Smith creates wonderful characters, and the story is filled with poignant observations and enjoyable humor. These novels may not be action-packed, but they offer profound wisdom from a philosophical and practical perspective.  

Thanks to @NetGalley and @aaknopf for the DRC.

*****

This Changes Everything - Lisa Scottoline

 This Changes Everything - Lisa Scottoline

Pub. Date: July 14, 2026

She Read

Julia, who has inherited a villa in Tuscany and resides there with her husband and three-year-old daughter, is on the phone with her best friend, Courtney, back in the United States. Courtney is about to enter her grandmother’s house in rural Pennsylvania when Julia has a frightening premonition and warns Courtney not to go in. She does, and is in time to see someone fleeing from the house who has just killed her grandmother. 

Julia flies to Courtney’s side to provide support and assistance. As they investigate the murder, they discover dark secrets hidden within the town. Soon Courtney is in trouble, there are more deaths, and Julia’s continued intuition puts her in danger as she uncovers a sinister plot and races against time to thwart it. 

I’ve been a fan of Lisa Scottoline’s writing for many years and have read most if not all of her books. This was not one of my favorites as I don’t usually choose books that involve the paranormal or having to suspend belief for some of the action. That said, I enjoyed the repeating characters and was especially happy  to see Bennie resurface…it’s been a long time. Well written, the plot and twists kept me engrossed, although I do admit to skimming over some of the pages. 

Thanks to @NetGalley and @GrandCentralPub for the DRC.

****

The Quiet Kill - Robert Bryndza

 The Quiet Kill - Robert Bryndza

Pub. Date: July 9, 2026

She read

It is1987 in London, and Detective Jamie Day has just been promoted from a small seaside town constabulary to work with the Metropolitan Police. On his first unofficial day on the job, he finds a dismembered body. As more bodies of young men are discovered, Jamie, not totally sure of himself, works with his new colleagues to find the monster behind these heinous crimes. 

This is the inaugural installment in a new series by Robert Bryndza, whose thrillers/mysteries I enjoy, especially the Erika Foster and Kate Marshall books. This is a chilling case set in the context of 1987, a time when homophobia was rampant, and fear of AIDS was a pervasive concern. The technological advancements available to aid crime-solving were limited, with a fax machine serving as the pinnacle of technological sophistication. Bryndza’s mastery of fast-paced and riveting storytelling is evident throughout this gripping narrative.

Now is the time to get in on the ground floor of a new series from a best-selling author. It will be interesting to see the growth and maturation of the novice character, Jamie, as he gains experience and confronts the challenges of his new role.

TW: Male rape, gruesome murders

Thanks to @NetGalley and @Robertbryndza #RavenStreetPublishing

****

Love You More - Emily Griffin

 Love You More - Emily Griffin

Pub. Date: July 7, 2026

Billie moved on from her home in Wisconsin to medical school in New York City and along the way, lost her high school love, Mick. She has a successful medical practice in the city and is newly engaged to fellow doctor, Dean when she receives a call from Mick with news that changes everything. As she returns to her hometown, she faces some difficult choices involving friends, family, found family, and love. 

Beautifully written, this fast-paced read includes some tortuous and emotionally charged choices. While I’m a fan of second chances, the twist was a bit predictable, and I was disappointed and unsettled with the resolution of this particular story. Nevertheless, I would recommend this as a good summer beach read.

Thanks to @NetGalley and @Randomhouse @BallantineBooks for the  DRC.

****

Dead Men Don't Play Fetch - David Rosenfelt

 Dead Men Don't Play Fetch -David Rosenfelt

Pub. Date: July 7, 2026

She read

Despite attorney Andy Carpenter’s desire to retire, he takes on a challenging case of a homeless physicist and veteran accused of murdering a wealthy but eccentric inventor and entrepreneur. There is damning evidence, but Andy believes in the accused’s innocence and works with his team to prove it. 

I always look forward to each addition to this series. In this, the thirty-third installment, the plot is well-paced and engaging, the characters colorful, the dialogue crisp, and the humor laugh-out-loud. And there are adorable dogs. What truly sets Rosenfelt’s writing apart is his ability to infuse humor throughout his stories, particularly through Andy’s witty and sarcastic remarks. This is an entertaining blend of mystery and legal thriller with comedic elements.

As a side note, for those unfamiliar with David Rosenfelt, he and his wife actually have a real-life Tara Foundation for rescue dogs. They’ve rescued thousands of dogs. How can you not adore this author?

Thanks to @NetGalley and @StMartinsPress for the DRC.

*****