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.

*****

Nowhere to Hide - Carolyn Arnold

 Nowhere to Hide - Carolyn Arnold

Pub date: May 20, 2026

She read

This is the third in Carolyn Arnold’s new series featuring FBI hostage negotiator Sandra Vos. On her day off, Sandra is called to a hostage situation at the request of the perpetrator who has taken a wealthy, influential family hostage. His demand is that the death of his mother thirty three years ago be re investigated. She died when her car hit a pole and it was ruled an accident. However, when one hostage is shot, and anomalies in the case are uncovered, Sandra is thrust into a high-stakes situation to diffuse the crisis. 

Carolyn Arnold is one of my go-to authors. With over thirty books spanning six series and diverse genres, including strong police procedurals, cozy mysteries, and adventure novels, she’s a master of suspenseful storytelling. 

With its intriguing plot, escalating tension, and gradually revealed secrets, I found myself utterly captivated by this book until the very end. Sandra is a strong, capable and likable protagonist, and her support team is equally appealing. 

This is another great Arnold series.While this book can be enjoyed as a standalone, readers new to the series may find themselves motivated to revisit the previous two installments to fully immerse themselves in Sandra Vos’s world. 

Thanks to @Netgalley and @Bookouture for the DRC.

*****

T.P. Raccoon: Sneaks into the Movie Theater - Danielle Kilpatrick

T.P. Raccoon: Sneaks into the Movie Theater - Danielle  Kilpatrick

She read

 Dumpster diver Treasure Pirate (T.P.) Raccoon sneaks into a movie theater because his friend Sammy Seagull tells him it is the best place to find popcorn, a very special treat.  See what happens to him when he breaks the rules for foraging in the theater. 

This delightful story is filled with engaging animals and charming illustrations. It’s amusing to imagine little creatures like T.P. and his friends running around the theater, using tiny shopping carts to pick up dropped food. The narrative teaches a valuable lesson about following the rules and the consequences of actions. Additionally, the book includes information about the featured animals and questions that encourage critical thinking. 

           

Thanks to @NetGalley for the DRC. 

****

The Calamity Club - Kathryn Stockett

 The Calamity Club - Kathryn Stockett

Pub. Date:  May 5, 2026

She read

From the bestselling author of The Help comes a captivating tale of women trying to survive in 1933 Mississippi, a time of financial depression and an oppressive, dangerous lack of freedom for females. Meg is an eleven-year-old whose mother has disappeared, forcing her to live a wretched life at an orphan asylum. Birdie, a single woman responsible for caring for her mother and grandmother, visits her sister seeking financial assistance; after all, her sister is married to a wealthy banker from old family money. When Birdie meets Charlie, a woman with limited resources but boundless ideas, their lives take an unexpected turn.

With an intriguing interwoven plot, I loved this book, became invested in the characters, and couldn’t put it down until I found out what happened to them. The narrative evokes a range of emotions, including fear, anger, heartbreak, hope, and joy. Interspersed throughout is Stockett’s refreshing sense of humor. 

Kudos to Stockett for this well-researched perspective on the plight of women and other marginalized groups in the 1930s South. This book, though, is a testament to their resilience in the face of injustice. Let it be a poignant reminder as we now face an ongoing reversal in attitudes and treatments of people based on gender, race, and sexuality. 

While I thought this an exceptional book and highly recommend it, I did think it got a bit tedious with redundancies at times. It is certain to be a bestseller, and I eagerly anticipate its adaptation into a movie or a series. 

*****

The Things We Never Say - Elizabeth Strout

 The Things We Never Said - Elizabeth Strout

Pub. Date: May 9, 2026

She read

Artie Dam, a history teacher, cherishes his students as much as they value him. Despite being married for over three decades and having a loving son, he often feels lonely and isolated. His existence takes an unexpected turn when he discovers a hidden truth about his life, leading him to begin a profound reframing of his perception of the world.

Elizabeth Strout’s latest novel is another masterpiece that showcases her exceptional writing skills. Her idiosyncratic characters are beautifully drawn and captivating, each with their own unique quirks and complexities. The novel is meticulously crafted, weaving a tapestry of humor, insight, and pathos that resonates deeply with the reader.  Strout’s characters are profound in their simple observations of life, yet there is also a reflection of the larger world and the divided country in which we now live. This novel is heartwarming and heartbreaking and provides the reader with much about which to think. Five plus stars!

Thanks to @NetGalley and @RandomHouse for the DRC.

*****

Their Last Cry - Wendy Dranfield

 Their Last Cry - Wendy Dranfield

Pub. Date: May 6, 2026

She read

The scream of a teenager covered in blood interrupts a retirement celebration Detective Madison Knight is attending. The girl claims her friends are dead and a red-eyed devil was the culprit. Unbeknownst to any of their parents, the girl had been camping with four friends and filming a horror movie. 

Madison discovers the bodies of twin boys and one girl in their tent. The sister of the deceased girl is missing, and the race is on to find the murderer and the missing girl. 

This suspenseful and fast-paced page-turner keeps readers guessing. The riveting plot features red herrings, unexpected twists, and characters that linger in the mind. It’s tense and disturbing, yet laced with camaraderie and caring.

This is the tenth and, unfortunately, final installment in the Detective Madison Harper series. I recently discovered this author and have only read four of the ten. While it works as a standalone, the main characters, who are damaged individuals striving to do their best, have backstories that are alluded to but not fully explained. While this doesn’t interfere with the enjoyment of this book, it does leave the reader wanting to know more about their histories.  

Thanks to @NetGalley and @Bookouture for the DRC.

*****

The Let That Sh*t Go Guide to Life: Say Nope to Nonsense and Live a Kickass Life - Monica Sweeney

 The Let That Sh*t Go Guide to Life: Say Nope to Nonsense and Live a Kickass Life -Monica Sweeney

Pub. Date: May 26, 2026

She read

This book provides prudent advice on how to let go of those events and thoughts that hinder a happy, stress-free existence. With a lighthearted approach to self-help, it presents thoughtful and actionable ideas that will resonate with readers. Much of the content is common sense that we often overlook in our harried lives. It is an entertaining read that hopefully will make readers release negative thoughts and enhance their mental well-being.

Readers offended by profanity might want to take pause. Personally, I found the profanity to be appropriate, as it serves as a humorous way to address challenging aspects of life.

Thanks to @NetGalley and @StMartinsPress for the DRC.

****

Ironwood - Michael Connelly

 Ironwood - Michael Connelly

Pub. Date: May 19, 2026

She read

Catalina Island is known as a place of banishment for police officers in

trouble. After Detective Sergeant Stilwell (“Stil”) was sent there, he decided he liked the island, developed a romantic relationship with a local, and is content with being there. 

When a confidential informant gives one of his officers a tip about a drug deal, their stakeout goes awry, resulting in the death of the officer and a serious injury to another while Stil is pursuing a fleeing suspect. Despite orders from his commanding officer on the mainland to remain in his substation and refrain from involvement in the case, Stil’s determination to seek justice drives him to take matters into his own hands.

Meanwhile, when an unclaimed backpack turns out to belong to a woman who vanished on the island four years ago, Stil works with LAPD’s cold case detective, Renee Ballard, to find a serial killer. All the while, he attends to the various misdeeds on the island, such as graffiti and vandalism at a local vineyard.

This is the second in the #Catalina series by best-selling author Michael Connelly, someone whose books I have enjoyed reading for years. While this would work as a standalone, since it is only the second installment, it’s not too late to go back and read the first one, NightShade, for more background.

This is another of Connelly’s consistently captivating stories. Well-plotted, with memorable characters who leave a lasting impression, this is an engrossing read. The book is a fast-paced page-turner that, as the suspense built,  I could not put down. The seamless transition between the larger and smaller cases adds to the overall narrative’s flow and coherence.

Those familiar with Connelly’s works will enjoy the participation of Renee Ballard as well as the cameos by Maddie and Harry Bosch. The island itself emerges as a character in its own right, adding depth and intrigue to the story.

Although both cases are resolved, the conclusion leaves things a bit unsettled, and I look forward to the next installment for resolution.

Thanks to @NetGalley and @LittleBrown for the DRC.

*****

Stolen Grace - B.R. Spangler

 Stolen Grace - B. R. Spangler

Pub. Date: April 22, 2026

She read

As a child, Nichelle lost her policeman father, mother, and sister in an accident and was repeatedly shuffled from one foster home to another. She is now an FBI agent newly assigned to Philadelphia. Her first case involves collaborating with the local police to hunt down a serial killer who abducts children and brutally cuts out their hearts. There’s a sinister religious undertone to his twisted ritual, and another female child remains missing, her body still undiscovered. It’s uncertain whether this case is connected to the serial killer.

Amidst this investigation, Nichelle’s quest for answers about her family’s untimely deaths resurfaces. She finds herself back in her father’s old precinct and working with one of her father’s colleagues; perhaps she’ll finally uncover the truth behind her family’s demise.

This is the inaugural installment in a new series featuring Agent Nichelle Wilkinson. It’s a gritty, suspenseful tale, filled with twists and turns that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. While it is a bit more intense and graphic than my usual reading preferences, I couldn’t put it down. The theme may be a bit dark for some more sensitive readers. 

Nichelle’s character is well developed and I like her. I look forward to the next installment in this series as the ending is a perfect set up to a sequel. 

This is the first book I have read by BR Spangler, but for those familiar with him, it is my understanding that this may be a spin off series as Nichelle Wilkinson was introduced in the Casey White series, set on the Outer Banks. 

Thanks to @NetGalley and @Bookouture for the DRC.

*****