Book Review: The Viper

Title: The Viper

Author: Brad Meltzer

Publisher: William Morrow

Publication Date: January 6, 2026

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Brad Meltzer has done it again—this third Zig and Nola adventure hit me like a freight train and is the best in the series by far.

If you've read the first two books, you know we've been slowly peeling back the layers of Nola's nightmare childhood with her abusive adopted father, Royale. Now Meltzer turns his attention to her mother—the Viper herself—and what a backstory. The twists come so fast my head was spinning like I was watching a tennis match at Wimbledon. Just when I thought I had a handle on things, Meltzer would flip the script again.

The mystery of why someone's hunting down members of the Breakfast Club drives the action, but the real meat is in the character work. Roddy's twisted dynamic with Nola gets deeper and darker, while we finally learn more about Zig's failed marriage and what makes him tick. These relationships feel lived-in and messy in the best way.

And that ending? Nobody—and I mean nobody—is going to see it coming.

Fair warning: don't start here. You absolutely need the context from the previous two books for this to land properly. But if you're already invested in Zig and Nola's world, The Viper is essential reading that pays off everything Meltzer's been building toward.

A big thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Book Review: All Eyes on Him

Title: All Eyes on Him

Author: Iliana Xander

Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press

Publication Date: December 2, 2025

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This is a psychological thriller that knows exactly what it wants to be—fast-paced, twist-heavy, and built around a premise that immediately raises questions you need answered.

The setup is straightforward: Natalie's best friend leaves a club with a stranger and ends up in a coma. When Natalie identifies the man as a celebrated millionaire on magazine covers, she goes undercover as his housekeeper to gather evidence. It's a classic thriller framework, but Xander uses it well. The alternating points of view create a sense of unease, and the pacing keeps things moving without feeling rushed.

What worked particularly well for me was the anonymous narrative voice woven throughout. I made assumptions about who was speaking that turned out to be completely off base, and that misdirection felt earned rather than cheap. The reveal genuinely surprised me. Natalie herself is a mixed bag—she takes risks that strain credibility at times, yet somehow the story maintains enough momentum that these moments didn't pull me out of the experience.

The detail about the previous housekeeper going missing adds a layer of menace that elevates the stakes beyond a simple revenge plot. There's real tension in watching Natalie realize she may have miscalculated badly. The secrets stack up in satisfying ways, and the ending brings everything together with clarity and impact.

A big thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley.  I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Turkey Films 2025

In 2025 I retired after 40 years working at the same company. What an accomplishment. And to honor this achievement, for this year's Turkey Films I am focusing on movies that celebrate retirement or feature key roles for retirees. The Turkey Film blogposts  date back over a decade to the first version in 2011 (check out the "rules" laid out in the first of these annual posts). So, in no particular order, turkey films 2025:

• The Best Exotic Marigold Turkey
• Turkey Torino
• About Turkey
• A Turkey called Ove
• On Golden Turkey
• Grumpy Old Turkeys
• The Turkey List
• Space Turkeys
• The Old Man and the Turkey
• The Straight Turkey
  

Happy and safe Thanksgiving to all!

Book Review: The Marriage Habit

Title: The Marriage Habit

Author: Casey Caston & Meygan Caston

Publisher: Convergent Books

Publication Date: February 3, 2026

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Drawing on fifteen years of data from their Marriage365 app, Casey and Meygan Caston have created a refreshingly practical guide to improve any marriage. Their central premise is simple but powerful: most couples don't need more therapy—they just need better habits.

The book's true strength lies in its actionability. The Castons present ten non-negotiable habits that successful couples use to maintain and repair their relationships, with each chapter concluding with probing questions for discussion and self-awareness:

The 10 Habits:

1. The KNOWN Position - Daily physical connection and eye contact
2. The Weekly Marriage Business Meeting - Aligning on schedules, responsibilities, and priorities
3. Love Lists - Showing love in the specific ways your partner wants
4. The 60-Second Blessing - Daily affirmations and compliments
5. Connection Time - Scheduled weekly fun and laughter together
6. Leverage Your Differences - Appreciating each other's strengths and rhythms
7. The Codeword - Using conflict as an opportunity to grow
8. Unsolicited Apologies - Keeping short accounts and admitting wrongs quickly
9. Head. Hands. Heart. Habit. - The power of forgiveness and repair
10. The sex talk - Great sex starts with great conversations

The chapters on unsolicited apologies and forgiveness particularly stand out for me, with the Castons noting that "an apology is the closest thing marriage has to a magic wand." Their emphasis on curiosity as "the ultimate relationship hack" and their reminder that "progress matters more than polish" create a safe space for couples at any stage to begin improving their relationship.

"The Marriage Habit" offers hope that with intentionality and the right habits, any couple can create the relationship of their dreams.

A big thank you to Convergent Books and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Book Review: When I Kill You

Title: When I Kill You

Author: B.A. Paris

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Publication Date: February 17, 2026

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

B.A. Paris knows how to mess with your head, and this book had me second-guessing everything. The creeping paranoia of being watched, the silent phone calls, the unexplained flowers—it all gets under your skin fast.

The novel's initial structure alternates between Nell's current life and her past identity as Elle Nugent. Fourteen years ago, Elle witnessed student Bryony Sanders getting into a stranger's car—a seemingly innocent moment that became the catalyst for murder and obsession. Paris skillfully uses this dual timeline to reveal how one traumatic event can fragment a person's entire life, forcing them to reinvent themselves while never truly escaping the past.

Where the novel stumbles slightly is in Elle's all-consuming fixation on Brett Parker, the man she believes murdered Bryony. While obsession is central to the story's psychological depth, watching Elle's life completely disintegrate—her relationships crumbling, her future collapsing—sometimes felt like it pushed past believability into melodrama. The intensity of her fixation, while compelling, occasionally made me question whether any person would truly sacrifice everything so completely for a case where she had no personal connection to the victim.

Yet this same obsession creates the novel's most fascinating element: how past trauma shapes Nell's inability to form genuine connections in the present. Her relationship with Alex becomes a study in two damaged people trying to build something real while drowning in secrets. Paris excels at showing how the lies we tell ourselves are often more dangerous than the lies we tell others.

The second half shifts entirely to the present, focusing on the central mystery: who wants Nell dead? Here, Paris hits her stride. Just when I thought I'd pieced together the puzzle, she pulled the rug out from under me. The climax arrives with shocking force, revealing connections I never saw coming and transforming everything I thought I understood about the story.

What elevates this beyond a standard thriller is Paris's exploration of identity and reinvention. Can we ever truly escape our past? Does changing our name change who we are? Nell/Elle's dual existence raises questions about whether we're defined by our worst moments or whether redemption is possible when we're haunted by unfinished business.

A big thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley.  I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Book Review: Witness Protection

Title: Witness Protection

Author: Robert Whitlow

Publisher: Thomas Nelson Fiction

Publication Date: April 7, 2026

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

I wanted to love this one more than I did. The setup pulled me in—a man in witness protection, a sketchy drug case, the constant threat of his old life catching up to him. It should've been nail-biting. Instead, I found myself checking how many pages were left.

Jon Tremaine's new life in Brunswick gets complicated when he tries to help an employee accused of drug smuggling, and attorney Kelli Quinn takes the case while rebuilding her own life after divorce. The bones of a good thriller are here, but the story never quite finds its rhythm. Things move slowly, and the suspense I kept waiting for never really materialized.

What bogged things down most were the subplots involving Kelli's kids, which felt like they existed mainly to showcase Aunt Carly's faith and prayer life. As a believer myself, I appreciate Christian themes in fiction, but this one laid it on thick—so thick that the legal thriller got lost underneath. Prayer scenes and spiritual conversations kept interrupting when I just wanted the story to build some momentum.

It's not a bad book, just not the tense ride I was hoping for. If you're looking for inspirational fiction with some legal drama mixed in, you might enjoy it more than I did.

A big thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Book Review: Anatomy of an Alibi

Title: Anatomy of an Alibi

Author: Ashley Elston

Publisher: Viking Penguin

Publication Date: January 20, 2026

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This is Ashley Elston at her absolute best—a tense, layered, and utterly consuming thriller that plays with perception, trust, and the lies we tell to protect ourselves and those we love. The story unfolds in clever, time-jumping fragments that built toward an explosive conclusion.

Elston weaves the alternating perspectives of Aubrey and Camille with precision, drawing readers deep into a dangerous game where truth and deception blur. The shifting timeline adds to the tension, revealing just enough at a time to keep you guessing who’s really in control—and who’s in danger. Each twist hits harder than the last: first the nature of their connection, then the truth behind a long-ago killing, and fina
lly, the reveal of who’s behind the present-day murder. It’s fast, tense, and deeply satisfying.

What I loved most was the psychology running under the surface—the way Elston digs into why we lie and who we protect. Lines like “It’s not just the anatomy of an alibi... it’s the psychology of it” stay with you because they hint that sometimes the biggest cover-ups aren’t about crimes at all—they’re about love and survival.

The pacing is pitch-perfect, the dual timeline is seamless, and the interplay between past and present builds a rich emotional and narrative tension. By the time I reached the final twist, I realized this wasn’t just a story about murder—it was about guilt, loyalty, and the fragile boundaries of morality.

A big thank you to Viking Pengiun and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Book Review: Imposter

Title: Imposter

Author: L.J. Ross

Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press

Publication Date: February 3, 2026

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

I was pretty sure I'd cracked this one early on. There's something particularly humbling about confidently pointing at a suspect in your mind, only to have the author pull the rug out completely. LJ Ross got me good with this moody Irish thriller, and I loved being wrong.

Dr. Alexander Gregory is running from his past—a profiling case gone sideways that left him holding the bag. Now he's keeping his head down at a mental security hospital, building walls between himself and the rest of humanity. But when a small town murder drags him back into investigation mode, those walls start crumbling. What really got under my skin was watching Gregory battle his own demons through increasingly vivid nightmares, all while wrestling with this crushing sense that he's a fraud. The book doesn't just tell us he feels like an imposter—it lets us feel it with him.

The pacing starts off deliberately, perhaps a bit dry, but this measured approach serves the story well, allowing readers to sink into the Irish setting and get inside Gregory's analytical mind. Ross expertly builds tension, and the momentum picks up considerably as the investigation deepens. The revelation of not one but two imposters in the story adds layers of complexity. 

This is psychological suspense that trusts its readers to think while keeping us entertained. Sometimes the best mysteries are the ones that make you feel a little foolish for not seeing what was right there all along. Ross has created a character with tremendous potential for future installments, and I'm already eager to see where Gregory's journey takes him next. 

A big thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Book Review: Two Kinds of Stranger

Title: Two Kinds of Stranger

Author: Steve Cavanagh

Publisher: Atria Books

Publication Date: March 24, 2026

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

What kind of lawyer breaks the law to help their client? Eddie Flynn, that's who. And here he faces his toughest case yet.

Social media influencer Elly Parker, already reeling from her husband's affair with her best friend, helps a stranger with a yellow suitcase, and that single moment of kindness destroys her life. But the real story here isn't about Elly—it's about watching Eddie's law partner Kate Brooks stand at a crossroads, staring at an ethical line she's never crossed before. Cross it and save her client. Stay put and watch an innocent woman burn.

Eddie Flynn has always been a con man playing lawyer. Kate's the opposite—until now. Cavanagh splits them up here, giving Eddie two cases simultaneously. But one is too close to home, too personal for him to handle it objectively, forcing Kate to carry the weight. And here's the thing: she realizes Eddie might be right about all of it. "The system was unfair, unjust, and it took a con man to balance those scales of justice."

The stranger is genuinely terrifying—always three moves ahead, always in control. Every time you think Eddie and Kate have him, you don't. The tension never breaks.

I've read every Eddie Flynn book, and this one is the most personal for Eddie and the most costly. It's not just about winning the case. It's about what winning costs. "Stepping across the line wouldn't be the end. It would be the beginning."

A big thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Book Review: Unknown Caller

Title: Unknown Caller

Author: Gilliam McAllister

Publisher: William Morrow

Publication Date: May 5, 2026

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

This isn't your typical kidnapping thriller. When Simone receives that devastating phone call and learns her daughter Lucy has been taken, the kidnappers don't want money—they want her to do "the unthinkable." This moral complexity becomes the novel's driving force, pushing Simone into increasingly impossible situations where every choice seems wrong, yet she must choose anyway.

What struck me most was McAllister's nuanced examination of how mothers and fathers love differently. The author doesn't shy away from the controversial assertion that "women love their children more than men," but then complicates it beautifully with the observation that "maybe we love her differently" and that children need both kinds of love—"different—but together, they are potent." This isn't about one parent loving more than the other, but about the unique ways maternal and paternal love manifest.

The author succeeds in crafting a thriller that forces readers to confront an uncomfortable question: How far would you go to save your child? And perhaps more unsettling—would you go further than your spouse? The result is a heart-pounding journey through the Texas desert that entertains while genuinely challenging readers to examine their own moral boundaries and the complex nature of parental love.

The twists that come in the final act genuinely surprised me, and the finale feels genuinely satisfying, bringing together all the moral threads McAllister has been weaving throughout. While the premise may stretch believability at times, the emotional truth at the story's core more than compensates for any logical leaps. This is a thriller that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page.

A big thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Book Review: Her Last Breath

Title: Her Last Breath

Author: Taylor Adams

Publisher: William Morrow

Publication Date:

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I'll be honest—I'm a huge Taylor Adams fan ever since I picked up No Exit, and Her Last Breath reminded me exactly why I keep coming back to his work. Tense and taut thrillers, traveling at breakneck speed. This is no exception.

Taylor Adams has this wicked talent for making you feel like you're suffocating right alongside his characters, and Her Last Breath might be his most claustrophobic yet. What begins as two friends on a caving trip—shy, broke Tess and her influencer bestie Allie—turns into something so much darker when they meet a stranger underground who clearly has no good intentions.

But here's where Adams gets you: just when you think you know what's happening, he pulls the rug out. Twice. Those plot twists hit like physical blows, completely flipping everything you thought you understood about who's the victim and who's the predator.

The whole thing unfolds through different timelines and perspectives, but it never feels gimmicky. Instead, it's like watching someone slowly peel back layers of lies until you realize the most terrifying question isn't "Will she survive?" but "Who exactly survived?" Because as one character puts it, "the killer always gets to tell the story, and the victims are only ever trapped inside it." This becomes the novel's central tension—questioning whose version of events we can trust when there's no one left to dispute the survivor's account.

I've never been caving and now I definitely never will. Adams doesn't just trap you in those narrow crawl spaces and rising water—he traps you in the horrible realization that sometimes the people you know the best are the people you know the least.

A big thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Book Review: Antihero

Title: Antihero

Author: Gregg Hurwitz

Publisher: St Martin's Press

Publication Date: February 10, 2026

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

I'll be honest—those early pages with the drugged-up thugs nearly lost me. But once Hurwitz gets Evan Smoak into his real mission, the story found its footing and evolved into something more meaningful than just another action-packed mission.

This isn't your typical Orphan X rampage. When Anca, the assault victim Evan wants to help, looks him dead in the eye and tells him he has no right to kill for her—that he's not a hero but an antihero—it's like watching someone pull the rug out from under everything we thought we knew about the Nowhere Man. She makes him promise not to kill her attackers, and watching Evan wrestle with that promise? Pure gold. This is moral complexity rather than black and white thinking and fundamentally challenges everything the Nowhere Man represents.

This moral tension becomes the novel's greatest strength. Evan's character development feels genuine as he grapples with concepts beyond his usual black-and-white worldview. Hurwitz skillfully shows us a man learning that "there is no weakness in emotion" and that his rigid code must evolve. 

What got me most was seeing this unstoppable killing machine completely fall apart during a simple dinner date with Mia. The guy who can handle any life-or-death situation can't manage small talk over pasta. That scene alone is worth the price of admission because it shows just how broken Evan really is beneath all that deadly competence.

The author's exploration of vulnerability versus vengeance gives real depth to what could have been just another thriller. When Evan realizes his code "weighed more now" and creates a new commandment—"If you feel more, you have to feel more"—it represents genuine character growth that feels earned rather than forced.

Hurwitz succeeds in crafting a story that questions the very nature of heroism and justice. This isn't just about whether Evan will complete his mission, but whether he can evolve beyond the limiting confines of his own moral certainties. The result is a thriller that entertains while genuinely challenging both its protagonist and readers to consider the complex shades of gray between justice and vengeance.

A big thank you to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Book Review: Other People's Houses

Title: Other People's Houses

Author: Clare Mackintosh

Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark

Publication Date: September 16, 2025

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I dove into this latest DC Morgan thriller expecting a solid crime read, but Mackintosh completely blindsided me with how cleverly she wove together multiple criminal cases, both current and cold. The story immediately draws you into The Hill, an exclusive Cheshire neighborhood where break-ins are escalating, while across the border in Wales, DC Ffion Morgan is investigating the suspicious death of an estate agent found in a lake.

The plot's complexity never feels overwhelming, instead building layers of intrigue that kept me constantly second-guessing my theories about who was behind the crimes. The author demonstrates remarkable plotting prowess, managing to keep the true culprits hidden until the final reveal.

Character development remains one of Mackintosh's strongest suits, particularly with DC Ffion Morgan. In this installment, we see meaningful growth in Ffion's character, especially regarding her commitment to both her personal relationships and professional responsibilities. Her evolution feels authentic and adds emotional depth to the procedural elements.

The investigation methodology and the way the separate cases eventually collide feels both organic and satisfying. Mackintosh expertly builds tension while exploring themes of secrets, privilege, and the lengths people will go to protect their carefully constructed lives behind closed doors. By the final chapters, I was completely absorbed, racing to see how all the threads would come together.

A big thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Book Review: Nash Falls

Title: Nash Falls

Author: David Baldacci

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Publication Date: November 11, 2025

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

What happens when your comfortable corporate life explodes overnight? This is Walter Nash's nightmare scenario—one minute he's climbing the ladder at an investment firm, the next he's being strong-armed by the FBI into becoming their inside-man spy to bring down a criminal enterprise at his place of work.

But here's where things got messy—and not always in a good way. The story morphs from corporate espionage thriller into a personal vendetta tale, and while I enjoyed the ride, it felt like two different books fighting for control. The mysterious Victoria Steers, supposedly this criminal mastermind, barely shows up on the page. For someone driving Nash's entire motivation, she's frustratingly ghostlike.

The revenge angle worked for me emotionally, even if some of Nash's transformations stretched credibility. Watching a buttoned-up executive embrace his darker instincts? That's compelling stuff, even when it goes a bit over the top.

My biggest frustration? That cliffhanger ending. After investing hours in Nash's journey, being left hanging for a sequel felt like a cheap move from an author who usually delivers complete stories with satisfying endings. Still, sometimes a book doesn't need to be perfect to be a fine read.

A big thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Book Review: The Midnight Knock

Title: The Midnight Knock

Author: John Fram

Publisher: Atria Books

Publication Date: October 21, 2025

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

I thought I was picking up a simple mystery, but "The Midnight Knock" dragged me into something far more ambitious and unsettling. This isn't your typical whodunit—it's a fever dream that feels like Pulp Fiction got lost in the desert with Groundhog Day with a smattering of Alien thrown in for good measure. The premise is deceptively simple: guests at an isolated motel must identify a killer by midnight or face something ancient and hungry lurking in the desert darkness. But nothing about the execution is simple.

Fram does something I've never seen before, l
iterally repeating the title page throughout the book. It should have annoyed me, but instead it added to the disorienting quality of the story. These aren't people you'd want to have dinner with—they're killers, fugitives, and criminals all hiding at a remote Texas motel. But somehow, their desperation became infectious. It's this kind of experimental storytelling that sets "The Midnight Knock" apart from typical locked-room mysteries.

The beauty of this book is that I had absolutely no idea what was happening, and I loved every confusing minute of it. Just when I thought I had a handle on the mystery, Fram would pull the rug out from under me. The supernatural horror creeps in so gradually that by the time you realize you're not reading a straight mystery anymore, you're already trapped.

The ending gets a bit wobbly, but Fram manages to bring everything together in a way that feels both surprising and inevitable. The climax delivers on the promise of the setup, even if the path there occasionally feels uneven.

A big thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Book Review: The Survivor

Title: The Survivor

Author: Andrew Reid

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Publication Date: March 24, 2026

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The Survivor is a relentless thriller that transforms a simple subway ride into a nightmare of psychological terror. Ben Cross's story grabbed me from the opening scene—fired from his new job and escorted out by security, only to board the 1 train uptown and receive chilling text messages from an anonymous killer who knows his darkest secrets.

The premise is simple yet terrifying: an ordinary man trapped on a moving train, forced to follow a killer's commands while innocent lives hang in the balance. Reid demonstrates the killer's deadly seriousness early on, creating an atmosphere of dread that permeates every page. The revelation that Ben wasn't chosen randomly adds compelling depth to what could have been a straightforward cat-and-mouse thriller.

Reid masterfully maintains breakneck pacing throughout the narrative, creating a genuine page-turner. Both Ben and Kelly, the cop investigating the case, are perfectly crafted as damaged characters needing redemption, their broken backgrounds adding emotional weight to the high-stakes action. 

While the novel's rapid-fire pace occasionally glosses over some plot inconsistencies that might not withstand closer scrutiny, the sheer momentum and expertly crafted suspense more than compensate for these minor issues. Reid has created a thriller that delivers the kind of heart-pounding experience that makes subway commutes feel suddenly more ominous.

A big thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Book Review: The Fair-Weather Friend

Title: The Fair-Weather Friend

Author: Jessie Garcia

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Publication Date: January 20, 2026

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

I started this domestic thriller expecting to love Faith Richards, the sunny TV meteorologist who vanishes one night and turns up dead. Instead, I found myself trudging through a maze of unlikeable characters, struggling to care about anyone's fate as Garcia's multi-POV storytelling left me constantly scrambling to piece together connections.

For the first two-thirds, I'll admit I was tempted to DNF as I couldn't find a single character to root for. But something shifted in that final act and I became caught up in twists I never saw coming. Garcia's rapid-fire style finally clicked, pulling me deep into secrets that had been lurking beneath Detroit's surface all along.

The ending stung a bit as I wanted that satisfying justice. But sometimes the bad guys do win, and Garcia doesn't shy away from that uncomfortable truth.

Despite my initial frustration, "The Fair-Weather Friend" won me over when it mattered most. It's the kind of book that makes you forgive its flaws because those final revelations are so good. Garcia knows how to craft a mystery that stays with you, even when the journey there tests your patience.

A big thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Book Review: The Colour of Fury

Title: The Colour of Fury

Author: Andrew Barrett

Publisher: The Ink Foundry

Publication Date: July 5, 2025

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I just finished "The Colour of Fury" and my heart is still racing. This fourth installment in Barrett's DS Regan Carter series grabbed me by the throat and didn't let go. While it took me a moment to reorient myself with the intricate plot details from the previous installment, once the literal dust from prior explosions settled, this story accelerated from first to fourth gear in a heartbeat. 

DS Regan Carter continues to evolve as a flawed but compelling heroine. In this installment, we see her becoming more vulnerable, particularly regarding her relationship with her mum, and more trusting—until plot twists drive a sharp skewer through that development. Barrett poses a crucial question that dangles tantalizingly throughout: will Carter cross the line to save the person she loves and join the ranks of the corrupt? It's this moral complexity that makes her character so engaging and had me holding my breath, rooting for her while dreading what she might become.

The new character Moniche left me constantly second-guessing—friend or foe?—which kept me deliciously on edge throughout. Barrett's genius lies in making me care about morally gray people doing questionable things, and this finale showcases that talent brilliantly. Ironically, some of the most likable moments come from cameos by Sid and extended appearances by Eddie Collins—characters we know are morally questionable, yet Barrett makes them surprisingly engaging.

If this truly ends Regan Carter's story, Barrett has crafted a conclusion that left me both satisfied and aching for more. This redhead's fury burned bright right to the final page, and I'm already missing her fierce presence in my reading life. I'm grateful for the opportunity to read this advanced copy, and I can confidently say this series finale lives up to its predecessors' high standards.

Book Review: The Wasp Trap

Title: The Wasp Trap

Author: Mark Edwards

Publisher: Atria Books

Publication Date: September 16, 2025

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

We all have secrets we prefer to keep hidden. But how many have a secret that will mean life or death to those around us? This unsettling premise forms the foundation of Mark Edwards' latest psychological thriller, "The Wasp Trap," a tense and twisted tale of friendship, betrayal, and long-buried secrets.

The story's dual timeline switches between the charged atmosphere of 1999 and the claustrophobic tension of a present-day Notting Hill townhouse where six former colleagu
es find themselves trapped in a deadly game of revelation. Each character is forced to unveil their darkest secret or face deadly consequences.

The opening moves somewhat leisurely, but once the psychological cat-and-mouse game began, Edwards had me completely ensnared. The psychological dating questionnaire they developed years ago takes on sinister new meaning as the night progresses, and I found myself frantically trying to piece together the puzzle before the characters did

While I wanted to know more about the enigmatic Sebastian, whose shadowy presence drove so much of the plot, the finale more than compensated for this minor disappointment. Just when you think you've figured out who's behind the deadly game, Edwards pulls the rug out from under you with a revelation that is both shocking and, in retrospect, cleverly foreshadowed

For anyone who relishes that delicious feeling of dread that builds as secrets unravel, "The Wasp Trap" delivers a stinging read that will have you eyeing your oldest friends with newfound suspicion. 

A big thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Book Review: The List

Title: The List

Author: Steve Berry

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Publication Date: July 22, 2025

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

I was swept into the deceptive calm of small-town Georgia in "The List," experiencing Steve Berry's pivot into legal thriller territory. Following Brent Walker's return to his hometown, I felt the growing unease as he stumbles upon a deadly corporate conspiracy hidden behind Southern Republic's perfect company-town facade.

Berry masterfully builds tension around a cryptic list that kept me turning pages. While some plot twists were predictable, Berry compensates with engaging characters, high-stakes action and mounting suspense that drives the story forward to a satisfying conclusion.

What fascinated me most was discovering this novel sat dormant for 30 years before being resurrected and refined sitting COVID to find its way to readers—explaining its nostalgic early Grisham-esque atmosphere. For anyone craving a compelling corporate conspiracy with deadly stakes, "The List" delivers an absorbing journey into darkness hiding beneath small-town charm.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

A big thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Book Review: Peter Miles has to Die

Title: Peter Miles has to Die

Author: Katie Collom

Publisher: Bantam

Publication Date: August 12, 2025

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Collom's debut thriller packs a punch. It explores the deadly consequences of vigilante justice. The premise is deliciously unsettling—three friends commit what they believe is the perfect murder, only to discover that revenge comes with a soul-crushing price tag.

The narrative dances between the sweltering late '90s Texas setting where the murder occurs and the cold, unforgiving walls of the state penitentiary in the early 2000s. What haunted me wasn't figuring out who killed the corrupt cop—we know that from the start—but watching guilt slowly devour the characters from within as they realize there's no escaping what they've done. This structural choice creates a fascinating psychological exploration of how guilt affects each character differently in the aftermath of their violent act.

Against a backdrop of law enforcement sexism and discrimination, the story builds to a genuinely shocking twist that I never saw coming, leaving me both satisfied and disturbed in equal measure. 

A big thank you to Bantam Books and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Book Review: The Man Made of Smoke

Title: The Man Made of Smoke

Author: Alex North

Publisher: Celadon Books

Publication Date: May 13, 2025

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

I enjoyed Alex North's haunting psychological thriller that crept under my skin from the first chapter. It expertly blends childhood trauma with present-day mystery. The book introduces us to Dan Garvie, whose life has been shaped by a childhood brush with a serial killer that continues to haunt him into adulthood. When Dan returns to his small island community following his father's suspicious death, the narrative takes us on a journey that questions whether the monster from his past has returned. I found myself pulled into a world where past trauma bleeds into present danger.

While I initially struggled with the shifting timelines and perspectives without clear signposting, the disorientation soon gave way to appreciation for North's clever storytelling technique. The novel doesn't just tell you about trauma—it makes you feel it through its very structure.

Just when I thought I had the mystery solved and the killer identified, North delivered a surprising twist that left me stunned. North demonstrates a particular talent for weaving psychological insight into the fabric of the mystery, creating characters whose motivations feel authentic even as they surprise us.

Despite some initial challenges navigating the narrative, I found that persistence was amply rewarded with a thriller that delivers both emotional resonance and genuine surprise. For fans of psychological suspense with heart, "The Man Made of Smoke" is a compelling read.

A big thank you to Celadon Books and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Book Review: The Doorman

Title: The Doorman

Author: Chris Pavone

Publisher: MCD

Publication Date: May 20, 2025

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

The Doorman is a compelling thriller that artfully examines class divisions and other contemporary issues in New York City. Though it takes some time to build momentum, necessary to establish the intricate character dynamics and social context, once it finds its rhythm, the story builds up a head of steam that accelerated toward an explosive and seemingly inevitable conclusion.

The novel centers around Chicky Diaz, the beloved doorman at the prestigious Bohemia apartment building, and the residents whose lives intersect: Emily Longworth in her loveless marriage to a wealthy but morally bankrupt husband, aging art dealer Julian Sonnenberg, and the predominantly Black and Hispanic building staff. Against the backdrop of protests following a police shooting of a black man, Chicky makes the fateful decision to bring a gun to work, setting the stage for a night where secrets will be exposed.

Pavone skillfully weaves these diverse perspectives into a cohesive narrative that examines pressing social issues. The stark contrast between the privileged residents of the Bohemia and those who serve them creates a powerful lens through which to explore themes of race, class, and privilege in contemporary America. The author unflinchingly tackles topics including white privilege, police violence, right-wing extremism, homelessness, and the isolating bubble of extreme wealth.

What begins as a seemingly straightforward thriller evolves into something more complex and surprising. The plot delivers several unexpected twists that challenged my expectations and elevate the story beyond genre conventions. Pavone's sharp social commentary never feels heavy-handed, instead emerging organically through authentic characters and situations. By the climax, the various narrative threads converge in a satisfying and thought-provoking conclusion that justifies the careful setup.

A big thank you to MCD and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Book Review: Cutting Ties

Title: Cutting Ties

Author: Andrew Barrett

Publisher: The Ink Foundry

Publication Date: April 3, 2025

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I just finished an advanced reader copy of "Cutting Ties," the third installment in Andrew Barrett's DS Regan Carter series, and I'm still catching my breath. This novel picks up exactly where the previous book left off, plunging readers back into the gritty streets of Leeds where corruption remains as deeply rooted as the city's history.

While it starts somewhat slower than its predecessor, don't be fooled—once Barrett shifts into high gear, the narrative transforms into an unsto
ppable locomotive of tension and suspense. This installment delves deeper into Carter's personal history, revealing crucial details about her parents and the tragic death of her brother that shapes her present motivations.

DS Carter herself remains a compelling protagonist—fiery, rebellious, and willing to bend or even break rules to achieve justice, though never crossing into the corruption that plagues her colleagues. Her character's strength lies in this moral complexity, making her both relatable and unpredictable as she navigates the treacherous landscape of the Leeds police force.

DS Carter remains fiery and rebellious, willing to bend rules for justice without falling into the corruption surrounding her. Her character's strength lies in this moral complexity, making her both relatable and unpredictable as she navigates the treacherous landscape of the Leeds police force. 

Barrett's unflinching portrayal of morally complex characters continues to impress, with authentic dialogue and a narrative where corruption touches both present and past. As Carter finds herself caught between her mother's betrayal and a killer's ambition, we finally glimpse her vulnerability before the story ends on a perfect cliffhanger.

A big thank you to the author for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. I'm already counting down the days until I can follow DS Carter on her next adventure!