A BOX FULL OF DARKNESS

4 stars out of 5

Small-town Fell, New York, isn’t exactly a great place to call home. Over the years, it’s had way more than its share of deaths – way too many of them total mysteries. The Esmie family is just one example; all their lives, siblings Violet, Vail and Dodie lived with scary things that went bump in the night, a friend whose body was found by railroad tracks and the disappearance of their much-loved young brother, Ben, who went missing as they played hide-and-seek like other kids do (just not those who live in Fell). Never feeling loved by their parents, the siblings took off for various parts doing various things.

But in many ways, they never left. They all have visions of past horrors; Violet is perhaps the most haunted, since she “sees” dead people – including an especially nasty one she knows only as “Sister.” But one other thing they have in common: they’ll never part with their family home, even hiring people to maintain the grounds – mostly because they all hope that someday their precious brother will be found.

Then one day comes a sign; some of the groundskeepers claim to have seen people at the old homestead, including a small boy who spoke the eerie words, “Come home.” Violet, the eldest child, gets the message; certain it came from Ben, she knows there’s only one thing to do: all three must drop everything to come home. For Violet, who cleans estate homes for a living, it’s a snap. For Dodie, a hand model in New York City, it means canceling her latest gig. Vail, who lives on family money and is a volunteer with the UFO society and worked on solving more than 20 “encounters,” it means eagerly picking up his investigation tools and hopping in his car. Not one of the three has a clue as to what they’ll find, but all three are certain they’ll at least get closer to solving the mystery of their missing brother.

Much of the book follows each of the siblings, both now and back when they were kids. Usually, I get frustrated with all that flipping back and forth, but with only the three it’s not very difficult. Besides, the Stephen Kind-ish aspect to the story, while not freaked-out scary, held my attention throughout. It’s also interesting in that they never really “got along” well and still don’t communicate much, but when it comes to finding out what happened to their much-loved baby brother, they’re of a single mind (well, almost; there are a few dissentions within the ranks on occasion).

Yes, there’s a big “revelation” near the end that pulls things together and brings closure, at least of sorts; that said, I felt a bit of a letdown, expecting a more shocking finale. Overall, though, it was a welcome treat to jazz up a somewhat ho-hum holiday season for me and keep my mind off worry about what next year will hold. Well done, and quite enjoyable. I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to give myself a much-needed break by way of a pre-release copy.

A Box Full of Darkness by Simone St. James (Berkley, January 2026); 352 pp.

STOLEN IN DEATH

5 stars out of 5

Since I started my book blog in 2013, I’ve logged 16 reviews of books in this series. This is the 62^nd, and I’m certain I’ve read most of them since it’s one of my favorites. Well, make that a favorite character for sure; the somewhat mysterious, hunky Irish Roarke, husband of police lieutenant Eve Dallas, has long ranked No. 4 on my list of Top 10 all-time favorite book heroes (No. 1, if anyone cares, is Israeli spy Gabriel Allon (by Daniel Silva), followed by Boston private investigator Spenser (originally by the late Robert B. Parker), and British 007 agent James Bond (Ian Fleming).

To be sure, Roarke has mellowed over the years (in his younger days, he was an ace thief, a fact that plays a major role in this book). And for a time, he stomped on my feminist nerves when he crossed over the line just a titch from loving to controlling. But now he’s back – and the two lovers are still lovers; instead of looking for treasures to steal, Roarke already owns far more than his share and serves as a consultant for the New York City police department at which Eve is considered a superstar. The story takes place in 2061 – one of the reasons I love the series, in fact. It’s close enough to the present  that some of the intriguing gadgets that pop up – like AutoChef machines that spit out coffee and fancy meals just by programming in what you want, pills for instant sobering up or killing pain and cars that can “go vertical” when necessary - are believable (and fun to dream about).

While attending a charity gala (dressing to the nines is far from Eve’s comfort wheelhouse, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do), she gets called to a murder scene. The victim, Nathan Barrister, is an ultra-wealthy guy (we’re talking billions here, folks) who’s been bashed in the head with one of his works of art. The atrocity happened in a room that has a secret vault – the door to which now inexplicably stands open to reveal an eye-popping display of priceless works of art. Problem is, all of them are stolen goods. The goodies, Eve learns, belong to the victim’s late father, a known womanizer – and now a confirmed buyer of stolen trinkets, much to his family’s chagrin. But only one is missing – and whoops, it’s one that, very early on, was a treasure originally stolen by none other than Roarke.

The victim’s family claim to have zero knowledge of not only the treasures, but the room itself, until quite recently; since then, they’ve been quietly working to return them to the original owners. Early-on investigation by Eve and her team confirm that to be true. Still, how could anyone but an insider know exactly what was in the vault, and why was only one item taken? The even bigger question, of course, is who is the thief and killer? And are they, in fact, the same person?

Everything seems to center on the dead guy’s proclivity for young, beautiful women – one in particular. Problem is, no one knows who or where she is. Until, that is, they do – and that brings up an even bigger problem that could shake Eve’s marriage – and Roarke’s future – to the very core. It’s nonstop action, bolstered by colorful characters loyal readers know and love (and let’s not forget all those futuristic gizmos). All told, it’s an engrossing tale that can stand proudly among its predecessors in this highly entertaining series.

Stolen in Death by J.D. Robb (St. Martin’s Press, February 2026); 368 pp.

JIGSAW

5 stars out of 5

Wow – can it be that this is the 41^st book in this wonderful series? I’ve been there almost from the beginning, though I’ve reviewed only 16 since starting my book blog. And you know what? I enjoyed every single one and looked forward to the next – and this one’s no exception.

The case started out like a slam-dunk; a young woman was found strangled in her own home, and strong evidence pointed to her ex-boyfriend, who was to be rounded up and charged. Until, that is, his hotshot, in-your-face attorney comes to his rescue, insisting he has an iron-clad alibi. So for homicide lieutenant Milo Sturgis, it was back to the drawing board (or should I say the murder board), and he calls in his long-time trusted friend, psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware, who’s a long-standing police consultant.

Just as they’re getting their heads together trying to poke holes in the suspect’s alibi, another murder happens; this one, an elderly woman whose body turned up in the freezer in her garage – appendages disengaged and rearranged. The house itself lends no clues; turns out she’s a big-time hoarder; just moving from room to room poses the threat of an avalanche. Complicating things is that she’s someone Milo used to know, and stuffed in between all that mess are envelopes full of cash – clearly more than a person like her would be likely to earn legitimately.

Then a third dead body turns up, and little by little, clues pile up – eventually suggesting that the cases may be not only related, but connected to a really nasty bad guy. But how? Learning that adds an additional dimension to the investigation, keeping both Milo and Alex busy (which, despite their protestations, means doing what they both love in sunny California and gives Alex’s long-time main squeeze, Robin, time to work on her professional guitar restoration projects. Of course, it all works out in the end – with a bit of a twist that wasn’t obvious along the way. Another winner in my book, for which I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to get up close and personal by way of a pre-release copy. Now bring on the next one!

Jigsaw by Jonathan Kellerman (Ballantine Books, February 2026); 256 pp.

HER COLD JUSTICE

4 stars out of 5

This, the third book in the series featuring legacy hot-shot defense attorney Keera Duggan, hits close to home. Her firm’s investigator, JP Harrison, has learned that his nephew, Michael Westbrook, is the prime suspect in the double homicide of a Seattle drug smuggler and his girlfriend. Of course, Keera must do what she can to help, so she enrolls the help of the firm’s co-workers, her sisters Ella and Maggie, and even her semi-retired father, the legendary, even hotter-shot Patsy Duggan.

It is, as were its predecessors, an engaging story that’s easy to read. I suppose I would carp that it’s a bit too heavy on exposition than I like – what someone is wearing or the style of a house can be relevant, of course, but I really don’t care about all the accessories nor what color the shutters are. But more to the point, Michael – who does have a record of not exactly following the letter of the law – insists he’s innocent. When a couple of crucial pieces of evidence are found at his home, he claims the murdered guy – who he was helping with various chores – said they were gifts for his significant other that he didn’t want her to find before her birthday. Instead (oops), they contained illegal drugs.

Enter another hotshot attorney – Kim Tran – this time a prosecutor and likely candidate for a much higher government office and comes from a disturbing background. She’s nothing if not ruthless, as Keera’s father Patsy can attest (he’s gone head to head with her in the courtroom before). But that may be a plus, since he knows how she thinks and can give his daughter a heads-up when needed. Also enter detective Frank Rossi, with whom Keera has had a kind of arm’s length relationship that so far hasn’t gone much of anywhere. But he and his partner also get entangled with some of the questionable details of Keera’s current case – most notably the prosecution’s focus on incriminating testimony from two incarcerated “snitches.”

Early on, readers follow the progress of the trial – always a treat for me, at least, to get details of what happens in a courtroom – as well as the behind-the-scenes investigations to get to the truth. I won’t say the final revelation came as a surprise – I’d guessed it much earlier on, in fact – but from my perspective, getting it right usually trumps getting smacked in the teeth with a shocker ending. The fact that I stayed up half an hour past my bedtime to finish the book is telling as well – at my age, I need all the sleep I can get.

Bottom line? Another solid entry in the series, and I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for once again allowing me to keep up with the action by way of a pre-release copy. Good job!

Her Cold Justice by Robert Dugoni (Thomas & Mercer, January 2026); 369 pp.

THE VIPER

4 stars out of 5

I read the first two books in this series, but No. 2 was about three years ago so I really don’t recall much about it. That’s no one’s fault but mine, BTW – at my age, I’m likely to forget why I walked from the kitchen to the living room. Still, given the number of characters in this one and the constant jumping around in time, it took close to a third of the book before I really “got” who was who, what was happening and was able to say, “Hey, this is a good story.”

And honestly, a good story it is. The “stars” of the series, mortician Jim “Zig” Zigarowski and former U.S. Army artist-in-residence turned recluse Nola Brown, haven’t seen each other for a while. Neither has she seen her twin brother, policeman Roddy LaPointe, who now needs help with the murder of Andrew Fechmeier, a man who’s been in hiding for many years. For that, he turns to his friend Zig.

Not long ago, the now terminally ill "Fetch" turned up at a local funeral home – in theory, at least, to leave a suit in which he wants to be buried. For many reasons, his murder is both surprising and complicated; but not long after Zig agrees to help, it becomes clear that Roddy is far more interested in learning more about the long-ago murder of his and Nora’s mother, Daniella Brown – killed while driving a car with her young twins in the back seat.

Back in college, Daniella “hung” with a group known as “The Breakfast Club” (yes, like the movie). As Zig and Roddy’s investigation reveals, all but one of those club members - including Fetch - have turned up dead. Also turning up are ties to what’s known as “Heavenly Meadows,” a place thought to be some kind of cult. But is it? And what, if any, is the connection between the secretive property and Fetch's murder?

It is at this point that more details from me will not be forthcoming – other readers will just have to read the book to find out what happens. Bottom line? Another excellent series entry (not that I expected anything else). Now I’m waiting for the next one, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to get in on the action with this one by way of a pre-release copy. Good job once again!

The Viper by Brad Meltzer (William Morrow, January 2026); 400 pp.

SPASM

4 stars out of 5

I love medical mysteries and thrillers, so it’s no surprise that this author has been a favorite for a long time – ever since his 1977 best-seller, Coma, in fact. I’ve read two others in the series featuring forensic pathologists Drs. Jack Stapleton and his wife, Laurie Montgomery (this is the 15^th) and looked forward to reading another. It was enjoyable, yes, but it’s by far my least favorite of those I’ve read. My sentiments exactly? At one point, Jack expressed them for me by calling himself “stupid but lucky.”

The plot for the most part was intriguing, though wading through endless descriptions of the surroundings and what people were doing and wearing that were unrelated to the story made it drag a bit for me. Essentially, a group of white extremists known as the Diehard Patriots live in a renovated mansion in remote Essex Falls, New York – normally minding their own business except for late-night artillery exercises. Now, it seems they’ve brought in arms “experts” from another country to teach the scraggly group the art of the battle. Inexplicably, the “instructors” have set up a brewery in an outbuilding, but since the local community pretty much leaves the Patriots to themselves, no one seems to question why.

Recent events – specifically, the bizarre deaths of two of the Patriots – has caught the attention of local doctor Robert Neilson. And since he happens to be an old school friend, he calls Jack and asks for help. Besides those two deaths, the small community has been plagued by deaths as a result of early-onset dementia that progresses at an alarming rate. Conveniently, Jack and Laurie feel the need of a break from their busy routine at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in New York City, where Laurie is the chief ME, so they head upstate to Essex Falls. There, they fawn over the property, scenery and opportunities for Jack to practicing his beloved cycling (and trying to figure out where to stash it when he’s out in public so it won’t get stolen). Amid all this, he finds time to wonder what’s up with the increasing number of dementia patients. Other sleuthing around, mostly while Laurie is off with friends, leads to the possibility that all is not as it seems with the Patriots’ visitors and that what’s being concocted in that brewery may be some kind of bioweapon that threatens lives not just in this little backwoods community, but the entire country.

More details, of course, would spoil the adventure for others, so I’ll stop right here. Overall, it’s an intriguing tale, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for providing me with the opportunity to get in on the action by way of a pre-release copy.

Spasm by Robin Cook (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, December 2025); 352 pp.

THE LAST HITMAN

5 stars out of 5

I follow the “Youngstown Mob” on Facebook (yes, it’s a real thing). I’ve been to every single town mentioned in this book, most of them many times (in fact, I lived in one of them for 50 years). Many of my friends claim to have a grandma who makes the best spaghetti sauce in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia put together. To say I enjoyed the heck out of this book, then, would be an understatement – the goings-on ring true even though some of the names have been changed to protect the not-so-innocent.

This is the self-told story of Angelo Cipriani, a high-school dropout from the Ohio Valley who ended up finding a job in the powerful Fortuna Crime Family. Although his non-full-blooded Italian heritage prohibited him from becoming a “made” man within the mafia (well, at least for many years), he was always loyal to the core. The family boss, “Big Tommy,” loved him like a brother, and Big Tommy’s son (Little Tommy, of course) called him Uncle Ange. One fine day, Angelo was told that his loyalty had overcome DNA and he would be accepted in the inner circle as a made man. And then he got instructions on what, exactly, he needed to do to make that happen.

But time has a way of changing things, and that includes the mob landscape (I’m not sure what the most recent suspected mob-related murder was in Youngstown, Ohio – a few stones’ throws from my home – but I do recall one in 1991 in particular that remains unsolved to this day). Angelo’s “nephew” Little Tommy is in charge now, and he’s taken his troops into areas of crime his late father once railed against. And now, Angelo has become about as worthless as a screen door on a submarine. Amid his feelings of stress, anxiety and betrayal, who should appear but a friendly neighborhood FBI agent – one who wants Angelo to rat on his compadres in exchange for Witness Protection.

So what’s an aging, maybe even not long for this world but still loyal to the core mob guy to do? That’s the issue Angelo faces, and he takes readers on an up-close-and-personal (and often chuckle-evoking) journey through time as he struggles with his final decision. For me, it was a highly entertaining journey, and I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to ride the bus by way of a pre-release copy. Eccellente!

The Last Hitman by Robin Yocum (Crooked Lane Books, December 2006); 331 pp.

ROBERT B. PARKER’S SHOWDOWN

5 stars out of 5

Has it really been 25 years since Spenser series creator Robert B. Parker passed away? And (whew!) 52 books since the series debut with The Goodwulf Manuscript? Even more unbelievable to me is that both my late husband and I have been there all the way (alas, for him until this installment). And this one, too, doesn’t disappoint, and I know he would have loved reading it probably even more than I did.

Of course, we’ve read all of Parker’s books that have been written by other writers; most have done exemplary jobs. With Spenser, though, I was happy to see one of our favorites – Mike Lupica – take the reins of the series, which is our favorite of the bunch. The reason, at least in my mind, is that he makes it seem (almost) as though Parker never left the building. And so far, he’s the only one who has been able to put realistic dialog in the mouth of Spenser sidekick Hawk. Maybe it’s the sports writer connection – ya know what I’m sayin’?

Anyway, this one brings at least a mention of several favorite characters – first and foremost drop-dead-gorgeous Rita Fiore, who has long had the hots for Spenser, Susan Silverman (Spenser’s main and only squeeze who will never be replaced by anyone, even Rita), the aforementioned Hawk, and even Maine police chief Jesse Stone, long a Spenser friend and the star of another long-running Parker series.

It is Rita, in fact, that provides Spenser’s involvement in this story. She wants him to meet Daniel Lopez, a college-age kid, who when going through his late mother’s belongings came to believe he’s the son of Vic Hale. That’s not necessarily a big deal, except that Hale is a bigly popular podcaster - one who spews hatred and racism to all who listen. Hale is also about to ink a deal that will shoot him into the financial stratosphere; understandably, admitting that he has a son – the result of a dalliance with an immigrant like those he rails about in his podcasts – would put the kabosh on the deal.

For his part, Daniel has no intention of backing down; he’s not in it for the money, he insists – just wants an admission that Vic is his father. Problem is, when Spenser and his buddies start to investigate, the bad guys start revving up; threats, both mental and physical, begin flying in from all directions – some of them a bit unexpected (as only the threat of losing tons of money will do). Spenser turns to his old frenemy Tony Marcus for help, which may or may not turn out to be a good thing; on the side of the law, other old friends like cop Frank Belson prove good to have around.

In the end, it’s quite an adventure, with danger lingering around every dark corner. Through it all, Spenser and Hawk maintain their allegiance (and amazing survival ability), Susan remains a gorgeous sounding board and some of the bad guys get their comeuppance. All told, it’s another winner – and I’m already looking forward to the next adventure. Meantime, many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

Robert B. Parker’s Showdown by Mike Lupica (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, November 2025); 346 pp.

FROM CRADLE TO GRAVE

4 stars out of 5

Golly, I love this series!

If you “get” that, it means you’re well acquainted with the delightful antics of Lady Georgiana Rannoch – just as I have been for quite some time now (this is the 19^th in the “Royal Spyness” series). If you don’t, I suggest you waste no time learning about it for yourself, especially if you like historical fiction with a mystery twist and a cozy flavor (just a titch; Georgie is not your typical cozy mystery heroine, but like most cozies, the blood and gore of other mysteries is noticeably absent).

At this point, Georgie is married to an heir to Irish royalty – Darcy O’Mara, and they have a not-yet-year-old son James and live in a good-sized mansion courtesy of an elderly relative who’s happy to share (and lives elsewhere, even though he’s welcome to live with them). Darcy is some kind of agent with Scotland Yard, often disappearing for days at a time on an assignment he can’t share with his wife. Georgie’s mother, a rather flighty character, lives the good life in Germany. That shouldn’t be much of an issue, except it’s the late 1930s, when Hitler was just getting revved up. Despite warnings from Georgie and her husband, she refuses to leave; Hitler, she says, is a friend who admires her (Georgie and Darcy, though, have very different opinion of the guy).

Such is the setting at the start of this installment; Georgie, who is a bit of a detective (both unwittingly and willingly), is for the most part a stay-at-home mom. Bucking most of the “rules” for aristocracy at the time, she’s loves interacting with her son as often as possible. While they’re far from wealthy, both she and Darcy will one day inherit tidy sums; for now, they’ve got servants courtesy of the homeowner so Georgie doesn’t need to do dishes, laundry or cook. When she goes to visit a couple of old friends (who will be familiar to regular readers).  In part, Georgie was happy to escape the uber-rigid nanny her very annoying sister-in-law hired without her knowledge to underscore Georgie’s lack of all things regal – and one of those friends asks for help with the suspicious death of her friend’s son. Despite Georgie’s begging when she gets back home, given the official declaration that the death was an accident, Darcy hesitates to get involved.

Not long thereafter, other suspicious deaths come to light; Georgie once again escapes her awful nanny (as well as Fig, the uppity sister-in-law who invited herself to occupy a room at Georgie’s home and takes great pleasure in ordering the servants around) to do more sleuthing in hopes of finding some kind of connection among all the deaths. That, she reasons, will force Darcy to take notice.

Over the course of the book, readers will follow Georgie as she tries to solve what she’s sure are murders, find a nanny who’s willing to share James with his mother and father and give Fig the boot – the latter hopefully for good. Sprinkled in between are details that make this series so interesting, such as the abdication of King Edward VII when he opted to marry divorced commoner Wallis Simpson. As a relative of Edward’s who has met “Mrs. Simpson” several times, Georgie has no shortage of opinions on that subject, by golly.

The ending, of course, ties up almost all the loose ends, leaving a bit of a teaser for the next installment. If I have a concern, it’s that Darcy, usually extremely supportive of his wife’s interests and opinions when they differ from what’s expected of “upper class” society folks, was a bit more critical than usual. And I’m still wondering how Georgie, a nursing mother, was able to leave her child for days at a time without being super-uncomfortable (to say the least).  All told, though, it’s rousing good fun once again, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

From Cradle to Grave by Rhys Bowen (Berkley, November 2025); 328 pp.

EVIL BONES

3.5 stars out of 5

As I write this, I’m not sure how I feel except, well, deflated. This series featuring forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan has long been one of my favorites (and for the record, I don’t think I ever missed an episode of the related “Bones” TV series). So naturally, I was delighted to see Tempe front and center in this, the 24^th installment. Also back are all the blood, gore, bones, nasty smells and even nastier villains I’ve come to know and love.

Glaringly missing for the most part is Tempe’s main squeeze, French-Canadian detective Andrew Ryan, but I can live with that (though if they ever break up, he’s welcome to come visit me). I can live with the couple of teenage brats who are staying with Tempe (her daughter is tolerable, but the other one I’d boot out my door before the sun went down). Though mostly weirdos, I enjoyed the other characters who are woven into the texture of the plot and give me plenty of whodunit possibilities to wrap my speculations around.

And it stayed all right with Tempe’s world right up to the ending. The best way I can describe that experience is this: I’m about to gleefully bite into a warm, sugared doughnut, my taste buds anticipating which of several flavors of ooey-gooey jelly will be hidden inside. I take that bite, and surprise: It’s sauerkraut. Where in blazes did that come from, and how in the world does fermented cabbage relate to a doughnut?

All that noted, though, the book as a whole is – as was expected – pretty much a treat to read. It begins as some small, horribly mutilated animals are discovered in the Charlotte, North Carolina, area where Tempe lives and works. She’s upset by what she sees, as is irascible detective Erskine “Skinny” Slidell, who is semi-retired but with whom she’s worked before. Together, they vow to find the culprit and bring him (or her) to justice. As the corpses pile up, though, another, more terrifying thought occurs to them both: the killer appears to be escalating. Does that mean a human could be next?

As readers will expect, the worst happens; a female body really does turn up, mutilated in much the same fashion as the animals. That’s followed by the similarly treated corpse of a male, and then another. Clues begin to pile up as to where the victims are coming from, giving Tempe and Skinny some trails to follow that lead them to a handful of prime suspects. As their investigation progresses and gets closer to a resolution, their nosing around puts the lives of a couple of notable characters in danger and me close to the edge of my seat till I ran smack-dab into that thoroughly disappointing end.

Despite that, though, I’m already up for the next installment (though hopefully with more appearances by Tempe’s hunky significant other). Meantime, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for giving me the opportunity to get eyes on this one by way of a pre-release copy.

Evil Bones by Kathy Reichs (Scribner, November 2025); 288 pp.

RETURN OF THE SPIDER

 5 stars out of 5

Wow – this is the 34^th book featuring detective and psychologist Alex Cross? Believe it or not, I’ve read almost all of the others. One of the most popular repeat characters in this series featured another noteworthy character – serial killer Gary Soneji – a nasty dude who (ahem) Crossed paths with Alex in a few books before finally getting his due.

Well, Soneji is long dead, but the author has found a creative way to bring him back to life in this installment; apparently, the killer’s debut in Along Came a Spider wasn’t the first time the two (ahem again) Crossed hairs previously. Now a homicide detective with the Washington, D.C., Metro Police, Alex and his department friend John Sampson are called by Alex’s old partner Ned Mahoney to a house that once belonged to Soneji (a.k.a. Gary Murphy). Among other things, they find a hidden notebook that clearly belonged to Soneji; as Alex begins to read it, he’s taken back to those long-ago cases.

And of course, he takes readers with him. For the most part, current wife Bree and his delightful Nana Mama are left behind except for an occasional chapter that returns to the present. Back in Soneji’s heyday, Alex was a rookie cop married to first love Maria, already the mother of a son and not far from delivering their second one. Readers follow the progression and conclusion of the detectives’ case back then as they learn how the facts impact a current one (with a few that take both the detectives and readers by surprise.

Did I love the book? You bet. Do I recommend it to all mystery/thriller readers? In that it stands alone well, sure; but I do think that while those who are not regular followers of the Cross series will enjoy the journey, those who are well-seasoned travelers are likely to get a few more miles to the gallon. In any event, I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for taking me on a great ride by way of a pre-release copy. Well done!

Return of the Spider by James Patterson (Little, Brown and Co., November 2025); 410 pp.

WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE

4 stars out of 5

As I reflect on my reading of this book, I’m left with a bit of a conundrum: The plot seemed implausible given the age and education level of the characters, who themselves were for the most part not likable. And while the ending brought resolution, it also read like the draft of a Sunday morning sermon. On the other hand, had I not needed to eat or sleep, I would willingly kept at it from page one to the conclusion – it held my interest pretty much throughout (well, except for that preachy ending). Ah, what’s a reviewer to do?

Since my overall impression was favorable – and the book is so short it almost doesn’t qualify as a book  so it doesn’t take long to finish - I’ll err on the positive end of the scale. The basic story follows Harvard roommates and fast friends Sara (the narrator), Barbara (Bee), Dina, Allie, Wesley and Claudine. Well, Claudine not so much; apparently, she died in the midst of a sort of “last one standing” game they played in college – and from that time forward, many folks, including Claudine’s parents, believed Sara was guilty of murder.

That was two decades ago, and each year, the remaining friends have continued their annual “killing” game, complete with fake (but not street legal) guns annually in New York City called the “Circus.” Why women of their age and stature would even think about doing anything so childish as that is beyond me, but hey, it’s not my story to write. This year, partly because Sara’s photography career has stalled and her husband Coulter’s family restaurant is inching toward failure, she wants to call it quits with the game. The others don’t agree (of course – had they done so, well, there’d be no book to read), but they do decide this will be the last year. And big surprise – unlike other years, to the victor will go substantial spoils none of them realized were possible till now.

Most of the story from that point on outlines what each of the women are like now, what they were like back in college and what’s happening at the Circus  – meaning who has the most to lose by not winning. Early on, for instance, Dina tells Sara that the investigation into Claudine’s death at the college is being reopened – not exactly what any of them want to happen – especially Sara, the once-accused murderer, and Bee, a hot-shot district attorney whose run for a four-year stint (at least) in Gracie Mansion would come to a screeching halt if word got out about the group’s secret activity. There are a few twists along the way, though I wouldn’t call any of them a big surprise. All told, I’m sure many suspense lovers will enjoy the book, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to be one of them by way of a pre-release copy.

With Friends Like These by Alissa Lee (Atria/Emily Bestler Books, November 2025); 240 pp.

QUEEN ESTHER

3 stars out of 5

I’m starting this review a way I never do and hope I never feel compelled to do again: with something personal. After losing someone with whom I shared a home for the past 63-or-so years, I’m just beginning to get my new life back together and, not surprisingly, my enthusiasm for life in general – and reading in particular – isn’t quite back to where it used to be. That’s a long way to say that when I just couldn’t seem to “get into” this novel despite its top-of-the-crop author, I thought it was just me. For days, I struggled with it, sometimes inventing something I needed to do in an effort to avoid booting up my Kindle. Keep plugging away, I told myself; you’re getting better every day, and so will the book.

I told myself that right up to the 60% mark, when I finally realized that despite some excellent writing – almost exquisite in many places – the story simply wasn’t going anywhere I cared about going (or more to the point, the mostly unlikable characters didn’t seem to know where they were going, and I really didn’t care to go with them no matter where they ended up).

The book is, according to the official description, a extension of sorts of the author’s 1985 best-seller, The Cider House Rules, which features Dr. Wilbur Larch, the director of an orphanage in Maine. While I’m pretty sure I read it, at this point I don’t recall much of anything about it (it doesn’t help that I’m now an octogenarian, so my memory isn’t at its peak) – so all that background is totally lost on me. One of the orphans the often not-so-good doctor takes in, apparently, is Esther Nacht, a Jewish girl born in Vienna in 1905.

Here, Esther has been adopted at age 14 by a wealthy non-Jewish couple, James and Constance Winslow, who are horrified by anti-semitism. They’re also one of the quirkiest couples I’ve had the displeasure of meeting. Back in the day, I, too, would have gone to some length to keep my husband from being drafted (fortunately, his status as a teacher and father made him exempt); but never in a million years would I have considered the tactics this wacko family conjured up).

The story follows Esther’s determination to get to Vienna and immerse herself in her Jewish heritage; at the end of the book, she’s made it to Jerusalem and is 76 years old (or so I read elsewhere; I called it quits while she was still in Vienna and she and her quirky friends were dealing with the assassination of former President John F. Kennedy).

No doubt those who loved this book’s predecessor will love catching up with Esther in this one, but it really wasn’t my thing. Still, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to give it a go – and I’m sorry it just didn’t work for me.

Queen Esther by John Irving (Simon & Schuster, November 2025); 432 pp.

NASH FALLS

5 stars out of 5 

It’s the creation of a human killing machine – albeit an unwilling one – and the start of what I expect will be another highly successful series from one of my favorite authors. For sure I’m already chomping at the bit to read the next installment – it was, after all, hard to put this one down. My concern, though – and I’ll be honest - is that this regenerated guy, Dillon Hope (nee Walter Nash) won’t turn out to be a carbon copy of former-nice-guys-now-seeking redemption characters from other series I’ve read. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, mind you, but I personally am not looking for another one.

That aside, it’s all systems go. Walter Nash is a top executive at Sybaritic Investments, where his direct boss is Rhett Temple, son of the company founder (neither of whom I’d call a “people” person). Walter, though, is happy enough – he’s got his wife, Judith, and their almost-20 daughter Maggie - both nice to come home to. Then one day, he gets a call from a high-level FBI agent, asking for his help in bringing down the investment company and its suspected illegal activities. Certain officials are, the agent claims, in cahoots with an international criminal named Victoria Steers.

Walter, of course, is less than thrilled with becoming a spy and whistleblower, especially knowing the end result almost certainly will be the witness protection program for him and his family – no more fancy home or cars, no huge nest egg nor other perks of his job or Judith’s – plus the kibosh on all of his daughter’s dreams for the future. But when he protests, the FBI agent makes him an offer he can’t refuse – accept the deal or go down with the ship and get nothing except possibly jail time.

Reluctantly, Walter agrees, and it soon becomes clear the FBI isn’t wrong; something is terribly amiss at the company. But who is behind it? And more to the point, can he find out before someone at the company finds out he’s a snitch? When things begin to look as if it’s all a downhill slide, Walter is contacted by his late and long-estranged father’s former military buddy, nicknamed Shock – a man Walter was certain hated him even more than his own father had. Truths emerge, but more important, Shock points out the only direction that will lead to the company’s downfall but at the same time save Walter’s skin - and he follows that up with a promise to lead the way.

Problem is, it means Walter will have to be transformed into the kind of person he never in a thousand years wanted to be.  Worse, there’s no guarantee he’ll survive the journey. But it’s the only choice he has, so he goes along for the wildest ride of his life. Put another way, Walter Nash falls, rising again as Dillon Hope (leading to the next book, appropriately titled Hope Rises, tentatively set for release in early April 2026).

You can bet your last dollar I’ll be snagging that one too. Meantime, I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to get in at the beginning. You should, too!

Nash Falls by David Baldacci (Grand Central Publishing, November 2025); 448 pp.

 

THE PERFECT HOSTS

4 stars out of 5

What a mash-up of nasty characters – all of them, including even the “hero” - have some kind of agenda that’s not totally revealed till the end. And speaking of the ending, we’re left with a bit of a cliffhanger – making me think there’ll be another installment (at least) to come. If that includes the aforementioned hero, a guy I really, really liked, I’m ready and waiting.

That hero is Jamie Saldano, an agent with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). He’s been called to the scene of a death by explosion at the home of wealthy and pregnant Madeline Drake and her husband Wes, where a gender-reveal party was taking place. The “reveal” was to be made by an explosion triggered by a rifle shot to a staged container that would release the properly colored smoke. That happened as planned, but the shot was followed by another explosion that destroyed a nearby building – killing Madeline’s midwife and good friend Johanna. The question Jamie must answer is whether it was an accident or intentional. If it’s the latter, of course, it likely means someone at the party is a murderer.

But who might that be? And for that matter, was Johanna the actual target, or did she just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time? As the investigation progresses, evidence points in more than one direction – from guests to the people who threw the party. Also not to be discounted are Wes’s older brother Dix and a party server named Millie, who narrowly escaped the burning barn with her life, and Madeline’s estranged sister, Lucy, who suddenly appears out of nowhere.

For his part, Jamie is haunted by his past years here – highlighted by the fact that Wes Drake once saved his life back when he was a teenager and his sister disappeared, never to be found again. But his ongoing quest to find out what really happened to her is overshadowed by doing the job he came here to do, so for the most part his memories get put on the back burner.

Of course, the rest of the book focuses on the investigation, muddled in large part because everyone – including Jamie – has some kind of an axe to grind. Except for Jamie, most of the characters to me weren’t very likable, but that simply made me more curious as to which one would end up being the worst of the lot. Overall, it’s a thoroughly engaging adventure (with a bit of a surprise ending), and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

The Perfect Hosts by Heather Gudenkauf (Park Row, November 2025); 320 pp.

THE GRACEVIEW PATIENT

4 stars out of 5

Honestly, I'm not sure how to review this one. All the way through it was gripping - mesmerizing, even - but in the end I don't know how much that matters because it felt as it I were back at the beginning of a loop that will just keep going...and going...and going. Yeah, I know that doesn't make much sense, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

It begins innocently enough, though a bit out of my mental wheelhouse, as Margaret Culpepper enters Graceview Hospital as part of a treatment research trial. It seems she has an incurable condition - one that renders her nearly helpless and has resulted in alienation of all her famiily members and friends. Enter the trial, her medical consultants say, and there's a chance that you'll be cured once and for all. The process, which is long, involved and often painful, requires that her entire immune system be destroyed and a new one to be "rebuilt" from the inside out.

It certainly doesn't sound appealing to me, nor did it to Margaret; but given the prognosis, if she does nothing, she'll never get better. And after all, how many ways can it go wrong? Well, I lost count of that number in the first half-dozen chapters - and it shot higher from then on, as outlined in gory detail throughout the rest of the book. Suffice it to say Margaret alternates between being happy that she's getting a chance at a cure and trying desperately to escape from what is fast becoming a prison from which she - like other trial subjects who have gone before her - will never escape alive.

All told, it's creepy, unnerving and on occasion downright terrifying - and perhaps a little too often for my liking, off-the-charts unbelievable. Then came the ending, which as I alluded to earlier, isn't exactly an ending - reminding me of an old song by the late, great Peggy Lee, "Is that all there is?"

Do not misunderstand, though; I certainly recommend it to others who like this kind of thing. Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for giving me some by-the-minute thrills by way of a pre-release copy.

The Graceview Patient by Caitlin Starling (St. Martin's Press, October 2025); 297 pp.

DYING CRY

4.5 stars out of 5

Okay, I'm a sucker for books that have lovable dogs in them. Robo, the K-9 partner of Timber Creek (Colorado) Sheriff's Department Deputy Mattie Walker, is among my favorites (this is the 10th in the series). Here, Mattie and her relatively new husband, Cole (a veterinarian and member of the Sheriff's Posse), are taking a few days off at a high country resort to teach Cole's daughters Sophie and Angela - Mattie's new family -  to snowshoe. As they make their way with Robo along a canyon, they hear what appears to be a human scream. Knowing that's not a common thing and sensing danger, Mattie and Robo send the girls back to the resort with their father and head on to investigate.

What they find is anything but pleasant; an apparent body at the bottom of a cliff. Just as they get closer, though, more danger comes in the form of a landslide that, well, lands right on top of the body. When they can safely approach, Mattie - with help from Robo - uncovers the body of a man who was attending a bankers' retreat at the resort lodge. That's bad enough; but it turns personal when the body turns out to be Tom Murphy, the husband of Cole's very competent veterinary tech assistant, Tess. 

Needless to say, that puts Tess in the crosshairs of Mattie's investigation (the spouse is always a suspect, don't you know) and Cole in the middle. Then other possibilities begin to surface, especially when they learn Tom was concerned about something amiss at the bank. Could it be he was murdered to keep him silent? As the investigation progresses, both Mattie and Cole have their hands full trying to find the killer as well as soothe the agitation and concern of young Sophie and Angie and the demands of their mother, Cole's ex-wife Olivia.

The star of the show (well, to me, at least) is Robo, whose sensitive nose and protective nature get a good workout in this fast-paced adventure. The outcome of the investigation came as a surprise (and perhaps a little contrived), but it made sense and certainly kept my Kindle thumb busy turning the pages right to the end. Oh, and if you haven't read any others in the series, don't worry; this one stands alone quite well (the last one I read was in 2019, and I had no problem at all). I'm ready for the next one, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to catch up by way of a pre-release copy. Well done!

Dying Cry by Margaret Mizushima (Crooked Lane Books, October 2025); 282 pp.

COYOTE HILLS

5 stars out of 5

If you're looking for a good mystery series, this father-son team has come up with one I've thoroughly enjoyed (this is the sixth installment). And IMHO, it's the best of the lot so far. For those who don't want to start at the beginning (always my recommendation with any series), this book easily stands on its own.

Private-eye friend Regina Klein calls Clay Edison, a former coroner turned private investigator, to ask for help with a case. Adam Valois, who earlier went missing, has turned up dead in a park in Coyote Hills, California. Apparently, he hit his head and drowned, but especially since he had drugs in his system, the question of accident or murder comes into play. 

Adam's wealthy parents are sure it's not an accident, so Clay goes to work - in between spending time with his wife, Amy, and kids Charlotte and Myles (it was not lost on me that Clay's children have the same names as two of my four grandkitties, not that it matters much on the book review side of things). Digging around turns suspicion on Adam's former girlfriend, Olivia, as well as a sketchy childhood friend, Trevor Vogel, who's a known druggie. But then Clay recalls an old case of his in which the victim died in a similar manner and, more importantly, with the same drug combination in his system at the time of his death. Followed by another, and another. Coincidence? Possibly, but Clay isn't so sure.

The rest of the book follows the investigation, and I while it gets a bit convaluted in spots, the generous heaping of humor sprinkled throughout more than makes up for it (hint: Regina is positively a hoot). Bottom line? Easy to read, easy to love and I'm ready for the next one. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to get in on the action once again by way of a pre-release copy.

Coyote Hills by Jonathan Kellerman and Jesse Kellerman (Ballantine Books, October 2025); 352 pp.

THE WIDOW

5 stars out of 5

It's been a while since I read a book I really, really didn't want to put down. When I find one, it's likely to be by one of my favorite authors like the prolific Mr. Grisham - but even he outdid himself on this one. It's a titch off center from his usual fare, but viva la difference.

Simon Latch has a decent but boring life as an attorney in backwoods Virginia, struggling to keep his office open and his long-time secretary Matilda paid after 18 years. To keep his sanity, he's also a sort of under-the-table gambler whose losses typically outweigh his wins. Then one day, in walks elderly Eleanor Barnett, who claims to need a new will. So what, Simon says (to himself, which is a good thing since the old bag also claims to be loaded). Her late husband, it seems, racked up a fortune in corporate stock before he died - and also told her he didn't want either of his two grown sons to inherit a cent. She's got a will drawn up by an attorney across the street, but she's not happy with it and wants Simon to write a new one that will make the previous one - even though it also excludes her stepsons - null and void.

Simon's nose does twitch a bit at her story, but that's soon overwhelmed by the smell of financial opportunity. He can, he decides, draw up a better will - one that gives the bulk of her money to the charities she wants, but also provide a more than comfortable future for him (make that way more). First, though, he needs to gain her full confidence (not to mention rack up fees and expenses) as well as details she's reluctant to reveal about her financial situation. So for a time, he becomes a frequent companion, making sure she gets where she wants to go and eating what she wants to eat - while his nose twitches with every dollar spent.

Then comes a major roadblock; she's hospitalized as a result of an auto accident. And from that point on, Simon's life takes on a life of its own - ending with his realization that in many ways he's been had and his arrest for a murder he didn't commit.

At that point, my job as a reviewer is done - just as Simon's terror that his life outside jail will be over unless he can somehow prove his innocence begins. How he tries that - and whether or not he's successful, makes up the rest of the book and is for readers to learn (as well, of course, as the juicy and intriguing details of everything I spoke of in previous paragraphs). In the end, it's an engrossing tale told by a master of engrossing tales. My advice? Don't miss it. And while I'm still writing, I'll say many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the pre-release copy. Loved it!

The Widow by John Grisham (Doubleday, October 2025); 416 pp.

FALLEN STAR

5 stars out of 5

Every year, I read and review just over 100 books (and even on an "off" year, I come within half a dozen of that mark). I've also been extremely fortunate that very few are stinkers - but neither do they all qualify for "knock-your-socks-off" status. It's a real treat, then, to know when I start a book it's going to ring all my happy bells - and books by this author certainly fit into that category. I love the "star" of this one - Los Angeles Sheriff's Department detective Even Ronin (and her partner, Duncan Pavone). This one, the sixth, gets extra kudos in my book for including two characters from another of the author's series - arson investigators Andrew Walker and Walter Sharpe.

A hot-shot detective who's a media darling - albeit an unwilling one - Eve hates that her life has now become the subject of a popular TV series. But somehow, she routinelymanages to get herself into sensational crime scenes - as she does once again at the opening of this book. Worried that the incident will be showcased in a couple of weeks, her concerns get pushed to the background when she gets called to Malibu Beach. There, a 55-gallon drum has washed up filled with the body of Gene Dent, a person with whom Eve and Duncan are very familiar from an old bribery case that involved the mayor of Los Angeles. Depending on the outcome of this one, the way that case was handled could spell career trouble for both partners.

Shortly thereafter, Eve watches a helicopter crash right behind her magnificent home (courtesy of the aforementioned TV show). It explodes, presumably killing everyone aboard - hence the need to call in compatriots Walker and Sharpe to help determine whether or not the crash was an accident. Having them on board always is a treat for me, by the way, because their sense of humor is guaranteed to bring me a chuckle or two every single chapter in which they appear.

The rest of the book follows the crash investigation as well as resolving - hopefully in a positive way - the situation with the guy in the barrel. All the good stuff is in there - political corruption, power (or the desire for it), fraud and more. Details, of course, I won't provide - that would spoil it for others. Resolution comes at the end, but in this case, so does disappointment, at least for this reader (no, I won't give that away, either). All told, it's another satisfying, exciting installment, and of course I look forward to more. Meantime, I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to get reacquainted with this bunch by way of a pre-release copy. 

Fallen Star by Lee Goldberg (Thomas & Mercer, October 2025); 298 pp.

THE KILLING STONES

4 stars out of 5

I'm a little confused about the status, if you will, of this book. Is it the first in a series? Or is it a continuation of an old series with a couple of different characters? Well, since I'm not familiar with Scotland detectives Jimmy Perez and Willow Reeves and the book works on its own, I guess it doesn't matter much. The only thing that still confuses (and annoys) me is that all the characters are referred to by their first names except Perez. Huh?

Anyway, apparently Jimmy used to live in Shetland but now lives in Orkney off Scotland's northern coast with his partner, Willow. Jimmy has a 14-year-old adopted daughter, Cassie, who lives most of the time with her biological father. Together, Jimmy and Willow have a four-year-old son, and it won't be long till she gives birth to another. Adding to all that is that Willow, too, is a police detective - in fact, she's Jimmy's boss (well, sort of). For the moment, though, she's officially on maternity leave and, for all intents and purposes, supposed to keep her nose out of police business.

That becomes a bit difficult, though, when Jimmy calls to tell Willow that his good friend and distant relative Archie Stout is dead - an apparent murder. It seems his head was bashed in by one of a pair of Westray story stones that have gone missing from the local heritage center. Archie, of course, is upset on many levels; he's lost a good friend, must now question other people close to Archie, including the wife Jimmy knows well. The investigation takes on a new dimension when Jimmy learns that Archie may have been having a tryst with a beautiful artist - a newcomer to the island. Understandably, she denies any such relationship. 

As the investigation progresses, several potential suspects are identified, but the evidence is lacking. Then, one of the suspects turns up dead as well - conked with the second of those missing stones. That, in turn, opens still more possibilities and forces Jimmy and Willow to take a different approach. Those details, of course, I can't provide without spoiling things for others, but I can say for sure that it all works out in the end. Now, I'll be eagerly awaiting their next appearance. Meantime, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to "meet" Jimmy and Willow by way of a pre-release copy of this story.

The Killing Stones by Ann Cleeves (Minotaur Books, September 2025); 384 pp.

SHARP FORCE

5 stars out of 5

No. 29 in the series? Seems impossible that I've followed the adventures of medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta for that many years (the first installment, Postmortem, was released in 1990, and I've looked forward to her next adventure since 28 times since then).

It hasn't all been roses, though; for one period of time I almost gave up on the esteemed doctor as the plots bordered on the supernatural and Kay somehow morphed into a paranoid (and rather unlikeable) version of her former self. Here, she seems to be back to her usual self. The story still hovers close to unbelievable - holograms that go blink in the night and security systems that mysteriously foretell another visit by the dreaded Phantom Slasher who's having his (or her) way with victims in northern Virginia - but it never reached far-out status.

Then there's Janet, an AI-generated avatar version of Kay's technology whiz and FBI consultant niece Lucy's late wife. While that one is rooted in real-life examples - such things really do exist - it's hard to wrap my head around a fake person who seems to know more about everyone and everything around her than the humans who are "talking" to her.

As the Christmas holidays are set to begin, Kay and her hunky husband Benton Wesley, a forensic psychologist for the U.S. Secret Service, are about to head overseas on their first vacation in a long time. But of course, serial killers don't care about vacations, and two more victims turn up (one of whom didn't end up dead). Needless to say, Kay must deal with the deceased one, Benton gets called in from the government side and oops, there goes the vacay.

The dead one is found on the grounds of a defunct psychiatric hospital known for its shady practices - coincidentally (well, not really - I'm sure the author planned it that way) in the same area where Kay, Benton, Lucy and Kay's sister Dorothy live - the latter with Kay's longtime colleague and investigator Pete Marino. As she returns home from her lab, Kay spots the dreaded hologram lights near her home and thinks the worst, but everything is fine thanks to Lucy's technology expertise and insistence on protecting all those she loves. Still, it hints that Kay - or someone close to her - could be the Slasher's intended next victim.

The rest of the book, of course, follows the progress of the investigation - and also of course, I'll leave those details for me to know and other readers to find out. But overall, it's another winner in my book - and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to get in on the action once again. No. 30? Bring it!

Sharp Force by Patricia Cornwell (Grand Central Publishing, October 2025); 392 pp.

THE WHISPER PLACE

4 stars out of 5

Admittedly, I've not read the two books in this series that preceded this one. But reading a bit about the main characters - private investigators Max Summerlin and Jonah Kendrick, enticed me to dive in (as did previous experience with this talented author). And now, I'm already eagerly awaiting the next installment.

Despite having what I'd call a tenuous relationship, Max and Jonah are trying to keep their firm, Celina Investigations, afloat. Their specialty? Finding people - especially those who have gone to extreme lengths to not be found. Their success, to a large degree, comes because of Jonah's special ability - he's a psychic who's able to "read" what's in the minds of other people (not always a plus, as when his target person is Max).

The latest case, though, seems especially difficult; a man named Charlie is looking for his missing girlfriend, who showed up at his sister's pastry shop alone and shaken and agreed to stay and help out. But Charlie knows almost nothing about her - not even her real name (she calls herself Darcy). Photos? Nope. Max, who's in the office by himself, has serious doubts - but when the man hands over more than enough cash to get the team going, he agrees he and Jonah will give it a shot. The other problem? He's just broken a rule of the partnership: No cases will be accepted unless both partners agree. Whoops - welcome to the first of many "blunders" that threaten their already tenuous relationship.

Charlie also emphasizes that the police are not to be involved, adding even more tension because Max is a former cop. Finally, Charlie finds something that suggests the woman's real name may be Kate and that she seemed to be running from something or someone terrifying - although that doesn't provide much to go on. As all this is going on, Jonah is trying to deal with his infatuation with scientist friend Dr. Eve Roth, but he's sure she's far too intelligent and beautiful to ever look twice at someone like him.

The story follows the efforts of Max and Jonah to track down "Kate," especially when it becomes clear she could be in mortal danger. That, in turn, puts the investigators in mortal danger and provides edge-of-seat experiences for readers all the way to the end. My only issue, and it's a minor one, is that I found it difficult to keep the timeline straight (meaning not fully understanding when what I was reading actually took place. But it all came together in a gruesome, but satisfying way and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to meet the quirky and intriguing characters by way of a pre-release copy. Bring on the next one - I'm ready!

The Whisper Place by Mindy Mejia (Atlantic Crime, September 2025); 320 pp.