Murder in an Italian Piazza - Michael Falco

 Murder in an Italian Piazza - Michael Falco

Pub. Date: Sept. 30, 2025

She read

A known opera diva, Carlotta, has come home to Positano for an unannounced concert. She wants to practice for her daughter’s upcoming wedding to a billionaire. She is staying at Bella Bella, the B & B run by the young widow, Bria. Bria is known in the coastal town for her ability to solve murders. Carlotta is not welcomed by everybody due to her past behavior. When her pianist is found murdered, Bria is determined to investigate. She is assisting her boyfriend, who happens to be the chief of police. The investigation uncovers a web of deep-seated family secrets, some that have been hidden for years.

This is the third installment in the Bria Bartolucci mystery series. While it can be enjoyed as a standalone novel, it would be beneficial to have read at least one of the previous books to fully appreciate the recurring cast of colorful characters.

I enjoy cozy mysteries set in Italy. Unlike the UK version, where tea and biscuits are the norm, Italian mysteries offer a blend of strong coffee and delectable pastries. The characters here are quirky yet charming, adding to the appeal of the story. I like the use of Italian phrases, most of which are translated.

The plot is filled with twists, turns, and red herrings. While the writing can be a bit slow and wordy at times, it is an entertaining read overall. 

Thanks to @netgalley and @KensingtonBooks and #KensingtonCozies for the ARC.

****

The Eternal Forest - Elena Sheppard

 The Eternal Forest A Memoir of the Cuban Diaspora - Elena Sheppard

Pub. Date: Sept. 30, 2025

She read

Beautifully and lovingly written, this is the story of one family’s flight from Cuba to the United States. Intermingled with a thorough, but not overwhelming history of Cuba, it delves into the lives of three generations of Cuban women and their extended family. Is it not often the women who hold the families together and are the guardians of memories? 

I enjoyed learning more about the history of this island nation and, in fact, saw some concerning parallels that serve as a cautionary for our times.…rewriting history, making people doubt, making people forget, maps changing when government changes. 

As the author recounts her family history, I couldn’t help but smile at some of the stories and how it’s often the case that there are several different versions of how events unfolded. Most impressive is the lifelong love and caring that the author and her mother expressed for the matriarch of the family, the abuela who, with her husband, made the difficult decision to flee Cuba upon the rise of Fidel Castro. Despite leaving behind the island they had called home, there is always a pull and emotional connection that binds them to it, a connection that spans generations. 

Thanks to @NetGalley and @StMartinsPress for the DRC.

****

See No Evil - D.S. Butler

 See No Evil - D.S. Butler

Pub. Date: Sept. 2, 2025

She read

D.S. Karen Hart and her fiancé, Mike, are about to announce their engagement to his family when they discover the body of his mother bludgeoned to death, with her eyes sewn shut. Karen is too close to the case and is told she cannot participate in the investigation. But, of course, that doesn’t stop her. Secrets are revealed about Mike’s mother, and Karen finds herself and Mike in danger. 

This fast-paced, well-plotted, suspenseful mystery is filled with twists that keep the reader guessing. I couldn't put the book down. D.S. Butler is another author who always captures my attention and doesn't let go. I enjoy the main character, as well as her supporting team.  Karen is engaging, capable, empathetic, and doesn’t suffer fools gladly, although in this story she does take some imprudent chances.  Her team is composed of likable, supportive, well-developed characters.   

The eleventh in the Karen Hart series, this is the seventh I have read.  Although the main players’ stories progress with successive books, each installment can be read as a stand-alone.

Fans of British police procedurals will enjoy this well-written book, as well as others in the series. I look forward to reading the next one for another entertaining read.  

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

*****

What We Can Know - Ian McEwan

 What We Can Know - Ian McEwan

Pub. Date: Sept. 23, 2025

She read

In the next century, due to climate and nuclear disasters, Britain is a series of archipelagos. Humanities academic Tom Metcalfe is obsessed with finding a lost poem from 2014, a supposed masterpiece. When he finds a clue as to the possible location of the only copy that was ever made, he sets off to locate it. In the second part of the book, the reader learns the true events surrounding the poem.

I don’t typically choose futuristic or dystopian novels. But I like Ian McEwan’s writing, and when I read the synopsis about the apocalyptic future and with what is going on right now in the world, it didn’t seem so science fiction to me.

There is such depth to this story.  There were many passages that I saved (I read ebooks, so I screen shoot) to go back to revisit and savor. There is a wealth of thought-provoking ideas. Most germane for me are the astute and unsettling observations of the present political situation and climate denial and the dystopian consequences it could bring. The novel also explores themes of legacy, the persistence of myths (or shadows of truth), guilt, relationships, and the encroachment of technology on our privacy.

The novel poses an important question: How much do we truly know about the past? Despite the enduring legacy of what lives on in the digital realm, what can we know?

The tempo shifts in the second part of the book.  Some readers will prefer the first section, others the second. 

Thanks to #NetGalley and @aaknopf for the  DRC.

*****

The Couple's Secret - Lisa Regan

 The Couple's Secret  - Lisa Regan

Pub. Date: Sept. 1, 2025

She read

Seven years ago, an engaged couple vanished on their way home from dinner, leaving three children to fend for themselves. Their disappearance remained an unsolved mystery until a submerged car containing their bodies is found three hours away in Denton, Pa., the jurisdiction of Detective Lisa Regan. When it is discovered they were murdered, Lisa and her team reopen the case to find the culprit. As the investigation unfolds, surprising secrets are revealed.

Meanwhile, on the home front, Josie is trying to establish a relationship as a new guardian of a teenager (the cliffhanger ending of the last installment of this series), dealing with husband Noah’s PTSD, and planning a vow renewal ceremony with him.

Cleverly plotted, this is a compelling, twisty mystery with elements of psychological thriller and family drama. Readers will be privy to more and more of the personal aspects of Josie and Noah’s life as well as gaining a little insight into the relatively new character of Turner, annoying enigma that he is. 

I enjoy seeing Regan’s characters show growth and change with time and experience. I like Josie.  She is a capable, intelligent, though vulnerable young woman. 

This is book #23 in the series and I have read all of them, as it is one of my favorites.  Regan does a good job of filling in pertinent information in characters’ backstories so it does work as a standalone, although I do recommend trying to read some if not all of the prior stories. 

If you like well  written, gripping, police procedurals/thrillers, I highly recommend this book/series.  I can’t wait for #24. 

Thanks  to @NetGalley and @BookOuture for the DRC.

*****

In the Time of Five Pumpkins - Alexander McCall Smith

 In the Time of Five Pumpkins - Alexander  Mc Call Smith

Pub. Date: Sept. 30, 2025

She read

This is the twenty sixth in the captivating No.1 Ladies Detective series. The beloved characters, including the talking shoes, are all back.

Precious Ramotse and her associate, who has yet again given herself a new title, are approached by a man who seeks their help in investigating his wife. As they delve into the case, there are some unexpected twists. Meanwhile, her husband, Mr J. L. B. Matekoni, has a new friend, a prosperous man in the auto business. The women and Charlie harbor suspicions about this new friend’s ulterior motives. 

Mma Ramotswe, as always, demonstrates her remarkable ability to devise clever and successful solutions to problems. Her gentle demeanor and unwavering optimism in finding the positive in even the most challenging situations offer a sense of comfort and solace. Her wisdom is profound in its simplicity.

With its intriguing plotlines and colorful characters, this is another delightful addition to the series. It’s an ideal choice for a cozy afternoon or evening read, accompanied by a warm pot of tea. Fans of McCall Smith’s gentle prose and insightful musings will undoubtedly find this latest endeavor to be a welcome addition to their reading list.

Thanks to @NetGalley and @aaknopf for the DRC. 

*****

The Girl From Devil's Lake - J.A. Jance

 The Girl From Devil's Lake - J.A. Jance

Pub. Date: Sept. 30, 2025

She read

Sheriff Joanna Brady is busy with her family preparing for the holidays and the upcoming marriage of her daughter. All that is put on hold when the body of a young child is discovered. Clues suggest that this is not the first time the perpetrator has killed. As the mystery unfolds, Brady uncovers a nationwide trail of murders spanning decades.

I haven’t read a Jance novel in years, and despite this being the twenty-first Joanna Brady story, it is the first in the series that I have read.  Credit the author that despite what must be a lot of background history for the repeating characters, this worked well as a standalone, and I really liked it.

This fast-paced and riveting read is a journey through different timelines, providing insight into the background and mind of a serial killer. That narrative parallels the police procedural, solving a murder that unexpectedly spirals into a much larger and more complex mystery. Throughout the story, the humanity of the victims and their families is never forgotten.

This reads like a true crime novel.  I had to keep reminding myself that it was fiction. A five star read for me.

Thanks to #NetGalley and @WilliamMorrowBooks for the DRC.

*****

The Killing Stones - Ann Cleeves

 The Killing Stones - Ann Cleeves

Pub. Date: Sept. 30, 2025

She read

Detective Jimmy Perez, formerly employed in Shetland, now resides and works in Orkney, a remote area off the coast of Scotland. He lives with his partner, Willow, and their young son. Willow had been his boss, but is now on maternity leave, preparing to give birth to their second child.

On a cold and blustery night, Jimmy’s good friend, Archie, is found bludgeoned to death, the weapon being one of two a historic stones missing from the Heritage Center. Willow steps in to assist, concerned that Jimmy is too close to the victim and possible suspects.

I have read and enjoyed several selections from Ann Cleeves’ Two Rivers and Vera Stanhope series, but somehow have missed the Shetland/Jimmy Perez series. This is my first one and it does work as a stand alone.

This cleverly plotted police procedural is well-written and features unique, colorful characters. It is not a fast read, but the heightened tension as the story progressed drew me in; I couldn’t put it down until I reached the denouement. 

Cleeves’ evocative descriptions of the claustrophobic isolated island life and fickle Scottish weather, along with a bit of the history of the area create a strong sense of place. The relationship between Jimmy and Willow is intriguing as they navigate around unsaid thoughts, and I eagerly anticipate the next installment to see how they progress. 

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

****

All This Could Be Yours - Hank Phillipi Ryan

 All This Could Be Yours - Hank Phillipi Ryan

Pub. Date: Sept. 9, 2025

She read

Tessa quit her job to stay at home with her two children while pursuing her dream of writing a book. The dream comes true as her debut novel  becomes a bestseller, launching her on a whirlwind promotional tour. The tour takes a terrifying turn as she is hiding secrets from her past and realizes she is being stalked by someone out to make sure secrets are revealed, thus destroying her career and her family.  

I have read and enjoyed works by this author before, but this one started off slow for me. I thought Tessa’s musings about a found piece of jewelry repetitive and her husband annoying. I couldn’t believe he went out and bought an expensive house for the family without consulting her and continued that disrespect by painting the kitchen an unusual color with no discussion.  

As the tension builds, so does Tessa’s paranoia and I found I couldn’t put the book down reading late into the night to find out the resolution. Skillfully plotted, this  is an entertaining, engrossing psychological thriller with some surprising twists. 

I also want to acknowledge the author’s insightful exploration of the pressures and anxieties inherent in projecting an image in today’s world, exacerbated by the pervasive influence and constant concern surrounding social media.

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

****

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer - Ragnar Jónasson

 The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer - Ragnar Jónasson

Pub. Date: Sept. 9, 2025

She read

After a well known mystery writer, Elín, goes missing, the case is assigned to Reykjavík police detective Helgi. As he investigates, long-held secrets of Elín’s and her closest friends are progressively revealed. Meanwhile, he is also interested in another missing person, a fellow police officer, and on a personal level, he is striving to solidify a new romantic relationship that his prior abusive partner tries to thwart. 

This is the fourth book that I have read by Jónasson, and I have liked all of them. The story is told in three timelines, creating a fast-paced, atmospheric, and intriguing Nordic Noir narrative. The clever twists make for a compelling read. And, oh, that ending!

The character of Helgi was introduced in Jónasson’s prior novel, Death at the Sanatorium. This is not advertised as a series, and it is not necessary to have read the prior novel as this works well as a standalone. I do hope, though, that there will be another book continuing Helgi’s story as there were some questions left unresolved, and I can’t wait to find out what happens next. 

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

*****

Three Girls Gone - Carolyn Arnold

 Three Girls Gone - Carolyn Arnold

Pub. Date: Aug. 27, 2025

She read

A young girl is missing. When her body, dressed in a ballerina tutu, is discovered in a local park, Prince William County (VA) Detective Amanda Steele and her partner, Trent, are on the case. They uncover a connection with a twelve-year-old case in which another child was taken and murdered. When a third girl goes missing, Amanda and Trent race against time to try to save her.

Yet another of Arnold’s fast-paced, suspenseful police procedurals, this is the fourteenth in the series, although it would work as a stand-alone.  Carolyn Arnold is one of my go-to authors and never disappoints. Once again, I devoured this book in a day as I couldn’t put it down. Arnold knows how to capture and maintain readers' interest and keep them briskly turning the pages. I enjoy the repeating characters, especially Amanda, who, despite an earlier tragedy in her life, is a strong, capable, independent, and empathetic woman, and her complicated relationship with Trent is always interesting. 

If you are a fan of police procedurals, and well written, suspenseful stories with compelling character development, I highly recommend this series. 

Thanks to #NetGalley and @Bookouture for the DRC.

*****

Forget Me Not - Stacy Willingham

 Forget Me Not - Stacy Willingham

Pub. Date: Aug. 26

She read

Claire’s sister, Natalie, disappeared twenty-two years ago just after her eighteenth birthday. An older man whom Natalie was supposedly seeing was arrested and convicted of her murder, though a body was never found. Claire couldn’t wait to escape her stifling small southern town and headed to New York City as soon as she could, where she became a journalist. Now out of a job, her father calls her home, concerned about her mother, who was divorced from him but had been involved in an accident.

After one day home, Claire escapes and impulsively takes a job at a vineyard where Natalie once worked. When she discovers a hidden diary, secrets are uncovered; will one of them lead to finally finding out what happened to her sister? Danger lurks as she begins to unravel the truth. 

This is the third thriller I’ve read and enjoyed by this author. While the pacing slows down a bit in the middle, there are twists and turns in this dark story that will keep readers constantly on edge. Some of the twists are predictable, while others are unexpected and will keep you guessing. The book is atmospheric, with Willingham painting a vivid picture of the sultry South Carolina summer—hot, humid, odiferous, and filled with biting creatures. I thought Claire a bit reckless at times, and some of her decisions weren’t the best, which was annoying to me.

Willingham uses an interesting technique in this book. As Claire reads the journal she finds, each entry becomes a new chapter in the book, told as a third-person narrative rather than a first-person account.

Thanks to #NetGalley and @StMartinsPress @minotaur_Books for the DRC.

****

Backstage: Stories of a Writing Life

 Backstage: Stories of a Writing Life - Donna Leon

Pub. Date: Aug. 26, 2025

She read

I’m a huge fan of Donna Leon’s Guido Brunetti mystery series set in Venice. I’ve read and loved all 30+ installments. I also enjoyed her 2023 memoir, Wandering Through Life.

While Backstage includes some stories from her life, many of her observations and thoughts in these essays are more esoteric, delving into the writing process and the structure of opera. The reader learns about her favorite authors and what makes their books so special.

What I enjoyed most were more tales of her life as a teacher in pre-revolutionary Iran, her life in Venice, and, in particular, her personal note to the fictional Brunetti and an encounter with Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Just as a tourist may wander through Venice, this book meanders back and forth from one topic to another. It is almost as if the reader has stopped for a cup of coffee or glass of wine and conversation with Ms. Leon.

This nonfiction work may not be for everyone, but fans of Donna Leon and her Brunetti will enjoy it, as will readers interested in the writing process and opera buffs.

Thanks to #NetGalley and @GroveAtlantic for the DRC.

****

Smuggler's Cove - Fern Michaels

 Smuggler's Cover - Fern  Michaels

Pub. Date: Aug. 26, 2025

This is the premiere of Fern Michaels’ new Twin Lights series. The privileged lives of Madison and Lincoln Taylor are upended when they are in college; their father is arrested for fraud and the family loses everything. Now adults living in New York with successful careers, they inherit a derelict marina along the Navesink River in New Jersey from their estranged uncle. When their desire to sell it quickly is thwarted by the discovery of a dead body floating under a dock as well as some legal issues, they decide to renovate and operate it as a business. Will this lead to new adventures and rewards for them?

Although this is labeled as a thriller, I believe it is more women’s fiction with some romance and a mystery. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the background history of these two characters. Fern Michaels is a skilled storyteller, and I couldn’t put the book down. Despite the siblings’ hardships, this was a heartwarming story.

This is the first book by this author that I’ve read, and I was initially unsure if her writing style would resonate with me. However, this was a great introduction to the series, and I cannot wait for the next installment.

Now’s your chance to get in on the ground floor of what appears to be a charming new series. 

Thanks to #NetGalley and @KensingtonBooks for the DRC.

*****