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.

WHAT ABOUT THE BODIES

5 stars out of 5

After only a few chapters of this book, one thought came to the forefront of my mind: I cannot imagine how any human can come up with a plot this complex - devious, even - especially when it's so doggone easy to read and (though I detest the word) unputdownable. 

Basically, the story follows the adventures (or perhaps more accurately, misadventures) of three adults: Carla, Reed and Liz. Carla, who is desperately trying to make something of her life by opening a restaurant in small-town Locksbury, Pennsylvania, is a single mom to son Billy. The boy is her pride and joy, but he stutters and has some social anxiety issues - plus he's had a whopping secret for about a year he's just shared with his mother.

Reed, from the same small town, is mildly autistic; he lives with his brother, Gregg, and until she recently died, their mother. His goal in life at this point is to rectify a wrong that happened when his mother was interred in a mausoleum in the local cemetery.

Third is Liz, sort of a third-rate bar singer/songwriter who's even more desperate than Carla. But just as she gets a chance at the big-time, her sleazy boyfriend gets her involved with - and seriously indebted to - an ex-con who won't rest (or let her leave town) till she repays the money he claims they owe him.

Their trials and tribulations are described in great detail, making me wonder at times if things could possibly go any more wrong and eliciting a chuckle now and again. I truly wish I could say more, but anything else would take away the fun of reading about it for yourself and learning how it all ends. And read it you should - it's really well done. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for giving me a few hours of pure delight by way of a pre-release copy.

What About the Bodies by Ken Jaworowski (Atlantic Crime, September 2025); 282 pp.

DARK HORSE

5 stars out of 5

Honestly, I'm not sure how many books this prolific author (the son of another prolific author) has written featuring former champion steeplechase jockey Sid Halley, nor am I sure how many I've read. I do know I'd bet on any one of them to be a winner because I know that's a sure thing.

This one is no exception - and it's got two additional selling points: First, Sid - who lost a hand in a nasty fight and was fighting with a prosthetic model last time I tapped into his life - has had a hand transplant and once again has the real thing. Second, this one casts aside any notion that a female jockey can't hold her own with the big [little] guys.

In fact, the first half or so of the book focuses on the life of Irish professional jocket Imogen Duffy, who's trying to win her way up the ranks to become a top performer (meaning in demand and well paid). She's reined in, though, by an ex-boyfriend who's also a jockey - and one who took it way too personally when she dumped him. In retalliation, he's stalking her, making her life miserable and, many times, afraid for her life.

Then, just as she got her sights on the pinnacle of success, said boyfriend turns up very dead - with a knife bearing her fingerprints on it sticking out of his chest. Needless to say, the police aren't wont to disregard the evidence, and she's charged with the murder.

The setting now jumps to Sid, now a private investigator who would much rather spend his time with his wife Marina and their daughter Saskia. He's approached by an old friend who just happens to be Imogen's father - a man to whom Sid owes a favor. And it's not hard to guess what that favor might be: Investigate his daughter's case in the fervent hope of getting her off.

The rest of the book, of course, follows the investigation by Sid and his team as well as Imogen's trial. That, too, was interesting to me - I love to read about courtroom proceedings, even more so when they differ a bit from the rules and regulations of U.S. venues (here, it's in England). All told, it's another great romp - and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to ride along by way of a pre-release copy.

Dark Horse by Felix Francis (Crooked Lane Books, September 2025); 336 pp.

PSYCHO-CYBERNETICS 365

5 stars out of 5

Observation No. 1: This is an insightful, enlightening book whether or not you read - as I did - the original
Psycho-Cybernetics that was written by Dr. Maxwell Maltz and published around 1960.

Observation No. 2: This likely will be the shortest book review I've ever written.

The first observation needs no further explanation, but the second one is a bit more complicated. As the book description says, psycho-cybernetics basically is using using self-image psychology, visualization and action to achieve your goals. That kind of thinking and acting has been a way of life for me for many, many years; but recently finding myself having to deal with a life-altering situation, I felt I could use a boost and thus was very intriged with this book (hey, even the most inner-directed and self-motivated folks can use an occasional boot in the derriere, capisce)?

What the author - president of the Psycho-Cybernetics Foundation - has done, then, is to revisit, if you will, basic ideas presented by the late Dr. Maltz and, as he puts it, lay them out in "manageable chunks" - meaning one for every single day of a year. And that's why my review necessarily is short: the chapters are brief, and trying to summarize them would leave less for readers to experience for themselves.

I am not, however, above offering a few examples, such as this one from the first day of the year: "How you see yourself in your mind's eye changes how you feel and the results you experience in life."

Or, how about, "Body, mind and spirit are interconnected. When you elevate one, the others improve as well."

Then there's one of my personal favorites: "Life is always exciting when you're involved in learning something new."

You get the drift. And if you want to improve your life, get the book. As for me, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to get my head back on straight by way of a pre-release copy. 

Psycho-Cybernetics 365 by Maxwell Maltz, M.D., and Matthew Furey (St. Martin's Essentials, August 2025); 388 pp.

APOSTLE'S COVE

4 stars out of 5

It's always a treat to open a book knowing you're going to enjoy it - one of the hallmarks of an excellent series. For me, this is a perfect example. I've loved watching the main character, Cork O'Connor, as he's grown old enough to be married twice and have a grandson. And I love reading about his Native American roots and "meeting" characters who live and work on the reservation in Tamarack County, Minnesota.

This story begins as Cork's son, Stephen, calls his father. Stephen, who's in law school and helping prison inmates who believe they've been wrongly convicted, is working with an inmate named Axel Boshey. Cork gets the call for a simple reason: two decades ago, Cork was the county sheriff and the official most directly responsible for putting the man behind bars. Needless to say, Cork is crushed, so he vows to review the investigation that happened back then to see what, if anything, went wrong.

He hits his first major snag, though, with Axel himself; the man, who was shall we say impaired back when he was arrested and really didn't remember whether he killed his wife or not, still isn't totally sure he didn't. More to the point, he's now carved out a niche in prison helping other inmates and, after all these years, isn't much interested in being sprung. Compounding that is the fact that just about everyone Cork tries to speak with who were around at the time are downright adament about not speaking again - and some are openly hostile. So how on earth can he find out what really happened?

A big chunk of the book revisits Cork's initial investigation, when his first wife, Jo, was the attorney representing Axel. Then it returns to the present, focusing on his attempts to make things right with the help of his lovable grandson Aaron, better known as Waaboo, and Ojibwe Mide healer Henry Meloux.

More details, though, I'll just have to leave for others to read about, but suffice it to say it's another winner in my book. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to once again catch up with some of my favorite book characters (and, of course, a favorite author).

Apostle's Cove by William Kent Krueger (Atria Books, August 2025); 336 pp.

THE WITCH'S ORCHARD

5 stars out of 5

There's a certain comfort and satisfaction that comes with series and a character (or characters) with whom you become familiar and confident you'll be in for an enjoyable adventure every time you meet. I've got more than my share of those, I think, but I'm always up for (or "down with" as they say these days) discovering new ones. And this one just found a place on my future don't-miss list.

Series "star" Annie Gore is an interesting character in her own right, leaving a dysfunctional home to join the U.S. Air Force after she graduated from high school. Now in her early 30s and further scarred by military experiences she'd rather forget, she's finding work as a private investigator. When she's asked for help by the teenage brother of a little girl who went missing a decade ago. Named Molly, she was the third little girl apparently abducted from remote Quartz Creek, North Carolina - tucked into the mountains of Appalachia. Early on, one of the three missing girls was returned to her family, but the kidnapper has never been found. The only substantial clue is that whoever it was left a doll with an apple for a head to replace the little girls, suggesting that the same person abducted all three.

Intertwined in Annie's investigation are stories - some say folklore, others say truth - about a witch, her daughters and the crows who caw raucously and incessantly in the woods nearby. I'm certainly not a believer in such tales, but it's still pretty scary stuff (we do have a bunch of crows who regularly visit our backyard, and it's always a bit unsettling to see them swooping in). It doesn't help when most of the folks Annie must speak with are reluctant to do so, if not downright hostile. They're part of a close-knit community, have never recovered from the horror of never finding the girls and don't welcome questions from a nosy stranger. That is, all except Molly's older brother, who diligently saved up to pay for Annie's services, and a certain hunky deputy sheriff who's trying his best to run interference.

With no shortage of suspects, there are of course some twists, turns, roadblocks and dead ends, some of which are all too reminiscent of Annie's own troubled past. For readers, though, all that adds up to an engrossing story - plus, at least for me, the anticipation of reading the next installment. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for making that possible by way of a pre-release copy. 

The Witch's Orchard by Archer Sullivan (Minotaur Books, August 2025); 311 pp.

KISS HER GOODBYE

5 stars out of 5

Without doubt, this was a thoroughly engrossing and enlightening book that introduced me to a new character (this is the fourth in a series of which I've read no others). And also without doubt, it was of the most thoroughly depressing books I've read in a while.

Enlightenment came by way of an up-close-and-personal look at the life of refugees from foreign countries - in this instance, Afghanistan - and the difficulties they face trying to learn an entire new way of life, often living among people who are, shall we say, not the most welcoming. Readers also learn the horrors they left behind, leaving them to grieve not only the loss of their beloved country, but the lives of those they were forced to leave behind.

The series features Frankie Elkin, who specializes in finding missing people - in this instance, a recent Afghan refugee named Sabera Ahmadi. She's been settled in Tuscon, Arizona, with her husband Isaad and young daughter Zahra. But she's disappeared, and her local friend Aliah contacts Frankie for help. To ease the financial strain, Frankie lands in a Tuscon mansion, agreeing to take care of it in exchange for room and board. What she didn't count on caring for, though, was a large iguana named Petunia, an even larger python named Marge and a whole bunch of baby snakes. Fortunately, the mansion also has a very competent caretaker named Daryl and an oddball cook named Genni to help her over the rough spots (usually involving some giggles and grins).

Frankie also underestimated the missing woman and her family; she fluently speaks several languages, her husband is a mathematician and their daughter has an absolutely remarkable memory. The more she learns about them, the more Frankie worries; and soon enough, it becomes clear that some very bad people want to find Sabera even more than Frankie does.

Finding Sabera becomes an all-consuming, and extremely dangerous task, and I'm certainly not going to spoil things by serving up details. Suffice it to say it's quite a ride, filled with humor, eye-opening revelations about the life of refugees and spine-chilling danger. I'm already eager to read about Frankie's next adventure, but in the meantime, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy of this one. Well done!

Kiss Her Goodbye by Lisa Gardner (Grand Central Publishing, August 2025); 410 pp.

GONE IN THE NIGHT

4 stars out of 5

Chicago private detective Annalisa Vega is almost an old friend by now - this is the fifth book in the series, and I've read all the others. This time out, she has a little extra to deal with: the impending birth of a new baby with her husband, police detective Nick Carelli (who she married for the second time after the first time didn't "take." She's left the police force (and working with him), but given her talent for police work and the sheer boredom of not having many clients, keeping her nose to herself is proving a bit difficult.

Although I enjoyed this one as I always have, I did have a bit of trouble keeping all the characters in this one straight - partly because it seemed as if half of them aren't who they claim to be. It makes for a complex plot for which I give props to the author, but it also meant a fair amount of flipping back to prior pages to make sure I knew who was who.

The story begins as Annalisa's brother Alex, who's in jail for murder (Annalisa played a major role in putting him there, albeit reluctantly), calls and asks her to visit. She does, but it turns out he doesn't want her help for himself, but rather for another inmate named Joe Green. The man, Alex insists, is innocent of the murder of his ex-wife's lawyer for which he was convicted.

Annalisa is skeptical, of course, but a letter from an unknown person suggests that the witness whose testimony sealed Green's fate was lying. Curious, Annalisa does a bit of digging and learns that the witness did lie about at least one crucial detail. But she also learns something even more potentially devastating: her husband was Green's arresting officer. That, in turn, exacerbates tension between the two as Nick sometimes considers his wife's no-holds-barred approach to solving crimes as an attempt to upstage him.

But of course, Annalisa forges ahead, and Nick - to his credit - for the most part realizes she's simply trying to figure out what really happened, not cut his legs from under him. As her investigation digs deeper, more murders make her even more sure sure that Green is innocent - at least of the crime for which he was convicted - and Nick concurs. It's not an easy investigation and it ends up putting Nick's life in danger, but that makes it even more of an adventure for readers. Definitely worth checking out - and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to go along for the ride by way of a pre-release copy.

Gone in the Night by Joanna Schaffhausen (Minotaur Books, August 2025); 320 pp.

SMUGGLER'S COVE

3.5 stars out of 5

At the time I received an advance copy of this book for review courtesy of the publisher (via NetGalley), at least, this book was described as being in the "thriller" and "mystery" genres. Well, although I did enjoy reading the book - the first in what will be this prolific author's "Twin Lights" series - there's nothing in it, including a dead body, that to me was thrilling, and almost nothing mysterious. I can't even describe it as a cozy mystery, although a case probably could be made for that. Rather, it's just a story - albeit it an interesting one - about a brother and sister who grow up in the shadow of a father who was sentenced to 100 years in jail for bilking his financial clients out of millions back when they were barely dry behind the ears.

The "kids" are Madison and Lincoln Taylor, who starting out living and loving the good life with mom Gwen and dad Jackson. Their lives changed forever in 1996, when Madison was a junior at a prestigious fashion design college and Lincoln was in his first year of college elsewhere. Their mother called with the gobsmacking news that their father had been arrested and carted away to jail. 

Madison and Lincoln grow older, Lincoln  marries Madison's best friend and co-worker at the New YorkCity fashion magazine Madison heads up. Their father remains in jail, and they rarely speak to his brother, Kirby, who lives life along the New Jersey shores that's close to being off the grid. Then comes another smack in the teeth: Kirby dies, leaving the siblings his broken down but thriving marina in Smuggler's Cove, tucked away along the Navesink River where the infamous Captain Kidd and other pirates of the day are rumored to have buried treasure. Assuming they'll sell the property as fast as they can, Madison, Lincoln and Olivia pay a visit to check it out. During their visit, their plans take a twist when a dead body is found under their marina dock (for the record, this appears somewhere around the 60% mark of the book on my Kindle; a bit of a mystery, yes, but since there are no signs of foul play, it barely qualifies).

From there on - and there's not much left - it's more of their plans for the rest of the summer and hints of what may be in store for the next book. I can't say I'm looking forward to reading that one, especially if it's more of the same, which quickly became same-old for me. The writing is excellent, and I'd even describe the story as engrossing, but it went nowhere that I really wanted or expected it to go.

Smuggler's Cove by Fern Michaels (Kensington, July 2025); 288 pp.

ROBERT LUDLUM'S THE BOURNE ESCAPE

4 stars out of 5

It's kind of like Yogi Berra's deja vu all over again: Memory lost and found, falling in and out of love (and beds) and, of course, danger lurking in the doorways of every restaurant, hotel and "safe" house. If I'm honest, it's getting a teeny bit ho-hum after all this time (this is the 21st book in the series) - but on the other hand, I certainly can't say I wasn't on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.

One thing I do like is that this installment brings together several of the characters from his past, some to haunt on-the-run former paid assassin Jason Bourne, others to love him, others to deceive him and still others to kill him outright (including no less than Russian President Vladimir Putin). After a period of relative calm with lover Johanna in which he regains some of the memories he's lost over a ton of previous books, his situation takes a dark turn when the boat they are on suddenly goes boom - taking Jason, Johanna with it. 

When he's somehow rescued, he finds that the blast took his memories with it as well - so he's pretty much starting from scratch once again. Johanna, he believes, is dead. One memory that remains intact, sort of, is his former relationship with Treadstone and its founder, David Abbott - who's been dead for awhile. But turns out that's not true; when he reunites with Shadow, a beautiful woman who now heads up Treadstone, he learns the truth. His old mentor and employer - the man who made him the efficient assassin he is - is alive and missing, and his enemies will leave no stone unturned until they find him. If they find Jason in the process, so much the better.

Or, maybe it's Jason they really want. Shadow has betrayed Jason before; is she doing it again? One of Treadstone's rules was to "trust no one" - a rule that has so far kept Jason alive. But Shadow is relentless - and irresistible. When she reveals her secret reason for finding and rescuing Abbott, it makes sense - but is she telling the truth? And what, if anything, does her quest to find him have to do with a very powerful government leader?

It's all part of an intricate and deadly game - a common theme for the books in this series. This is another good one, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.

Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Escape by Brian Freeman (G.P. Putnam's Sons, July 2025); 400 pp.

THE LAST FERRY OUT

3.5 stars out of 5

I tried really hard to enjoy this book - and I admit there were times when it clicked and my "I'm Lovin' It" meter shot up. But in the end, a plot that seemed a little too contrived and rather unlikable characters led to my final verdict.

The story takes place on the remote Mexican island Isla Colel, which for all intents and purposes is a haven for misfits. The main characters, I suppose, include the hard-driving Abby, who seems to love Eszter (at least she's proposed marriage to her); Eszter, who seems to love Abby but has a love-hate relationship with her dictatorial father; Brady, an Australian who seems to fear his father but a guy everyone else seems to love; and Amari, who seems to be - well, I'm not exactly sure who that is except that she, like Eszter, is gay.

At issue is Eszter's untimely death as she's visiting the island on her own - a peaceful place she found and wanted to check out, or so she told Abby before she left. Her death was even more unexpected since it was a result of anaphylactic shock; with multiple life-threatening allergies, Eszter has an EpiPen with her at all times - except this once, when somehow she didn't. Devastated, Abby heads to the island (by way of a ferry) to learn what she can and, hopefully, walk in the same places and talk with the same people Eszter did during her final days.

As an island newbie, Abby doesn't know what to expect, but what she does get from the close-knit group of "expats" doesn't seem to do much besides confuse her even more - as does the presence of a now-closed but once-thriving resort with a mysterious past. Her behavior turns almost paranoid; who's telling the truth? Who's lying? Why? What secrets do the walls of the resort hold? Why didn't Eszter have her EpiPen near her when it counted most? As she tries to ferret out what really happened, Abby grieves for her forever-lost bride-to-be - well, except maybe when she gets the hots for another hot islander.

Of course, the plot follows Abby's quest to find out how Eszter died and prove whether or not their love was a one-sided affair. The answer is complex, often meandering, and when it comes it didn't shake up my world nearly as much as I'd hoped it would. Overall, though, it's quite readable - a good one to help pass the time on a lazy beach with the book in one hand and a margarita in the other, in fact. While it won't make my list of Top 10 all-time favorite books, I really did enjoy it, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for giving me the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

The Last Ferry Out by Andrea Bartz (Ballantine Books, May 2025); 308 pp.

AN INSIDE JOB

5 stars out of 5

I enjoyed this, the 25th installment of the series featuring my all-time favorite male character in a book series more, I believe, than any of the 24 that came before it - and as far as I know, I haven't missed a single one. I'll admit I read it following a book that had so many grammatical and content errors that I can't believe it got past publishing house editors, and perhaps that did influence my appreciation of this one a bit. In any event, the contrast really underscored how wonderful it is to read a story that's well-written, engrossing and entertaining. And for sure this one is all that and more.

Even though the star of the show, Gabriel Allon, no longer officially plies his trade as a well-known and successful Mossad spy, his legend continues. These days, he practices his unmatched talent as a restorer of art (not only does he "fix" damaged artwork by the old masters, he can copy their style so well that experts can't tell his painting isn't an original). As he and his beautiful wife Chiara and their twins Raphael and Irene live the good life, he's been working on the restoration of a very important one. That work gets rudely interrupted, however, with his discovery of a dead woman in the waters of the Venetian Lagoon. That, in turn, leads him inside the walls of the Vatican, where a painting thought to be a lost DaVinci - which could be worth many millions of dollars - somehow disappeared.

Soon it's clear that the painting could not have gone missing without help from the inside. Since Gabriel is good friends with the Pope (he played an instrumental role in his election, in fact), the two meet up quite often. Mind you, I'm not Catholic, but I loved the late Pope Francis and the current Pope Leo XIV). Gabriel's good buddy, though, turns out to be an absolute delight - every interaction between the two brought a smile to my face (despite concern that either or both will make it out of the book alive).

The rest of the story, of course, serves up details on how they plan to get the painting back, what really happened to the dead woman and who the bad guys and gals are. It's the usual suspense and action, but also to my great delight it brings together several familiar characters from previous books and puts a bit brighter spotlight on Gabriel's delightful 9-year-olds.

All good things must come to an end, of course, and already I'm chomping at the bit for the next adventure. After all these years, Gabriel may be getting a little long in the tooth and tries his best to avoid the kind of dangerous cloak-and-dagger situations that earned him his stellar reputation as a spy. But he certainly hasn't lost his edge - if anything, he's become all the more interesting. 

An Inside Job by Daniel Silva (Harper, July 2025); 415 pp.

GRAVE WORDS

3 stars out of 5

I missed the first book in this series, but when I learned of this one, the concept was interesting just because the main character - a woman named, believe it or not, Winter Snow - is by profession a writer of obituaries. And as a former journalist a bit familiar with that process, I simply couldn't pass it by. My verdict? An interesting plot and a book I'd unhesitatingly call a good beach read, but way too many continuity slips and grammatical errors plus a heroine who simply refuses to listen to reason took this one down a notch or two in my eyes.

The whole thing begins as Winter, resident of Ridgefield, Connecticut, and owner of a slobbering Great Pyrenees rather appropriately named Diva, learns that somehow one of her client's paid-for obits ended up published with her name on top - but of course she's very much alive. As she tries to have the name corrected before the local newspaper is published - more so people won't think she's dead than to make sure the deceased person gets proper notice, it seemed to me - a popular local businesses catches fire and the body of a reportedly homeless man was found inside. To make matters worse, her newspaper reporter friend  Kevin ("Scoop") Blake has become the prime suspect since he reportedly was the last to see the guy alive.

As she's exhausting attempts to learn the deceased man's last name, she becomes frustrated and irritated that her detective boyfriend Kip Michaels refuses to share details from the police investigation with her - never mind that he could lose his job if he did. And he's frustrated and irritated that she continues her unauthorized sleuthing in the case, even involving her uncle Richard - the man who is like a father to her - and his good friend Horace, who lives nearby. Also in the mix is her friend Carla, a gum-chewing funeral home employee who seems to have the inside scoop on much of the town's goings-on.

As the story progresses, other arsons take place, as does the murder of a man known to be the homeless guy's friend. The latter death gives Winter a bit of an information boost, in that she's been hired to write the guy's obit and (this time legitimately) needs to get details on his life. As for more details, I won't tell, except to note that they include at least one uplifting experience and fodder for what I expect to be the next book in the series. Overall, it's an enjoyable book, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.

Grave Words by Gerri Lewis (Crooked Lane Books, June 2025); 330 pp.

WHAT KIND OF PARADISE

5 stars out of 5

If nothing else, I got a huge charge out of being transported back to the early days of the Internet in this thoroughly enjoyable novel - I, too, can remember the excitement over the first PCs, BASIC programming and my wide-eyed, jaw-dropping virtual tour inside the Louvre right from my computer chair. But even for those who aren't quite my age, it's a totally engrossing read that serves up food for thought given the concerns for the future that surround technological advancements with which we're bombarded every single day.

The story is told by Jane Williams, who grew up with only one parent, a survivalist father in a backwoods cabin in Montana in the 1990s. He taught her philosophy, music masters, how to kill and cook dinner and hide, should it become necessary, when strangers encroached on their property. As she reaches her teenage years, she begins to question a few things as teenagers will, but as far as she knows her mother died in a car accident.

But even though her father rails against technology, the Internet comes to Montana, providing dial-up access from the landline next to the wood-burning stove in their wood cabin. That access to what's in the rest of the world opens unending possibilities and the possibility of finding answers to questions she has about both her parents, making her beg to accompany her father when he takes off on one of his few-day forays away from home. Reluctantly - but perhaps sensing an opportunity - he agrees. And when they get to his destination - the U.S. technology Nirvana called Seattle - something horrible happens that will change the world for Jane and her father forever.

Exactly what happens there, and from that point on, is for other readers to discover, with details reminiscent of familiar headlines from years past. In the end, I, at least, was left with many rather heavy questions: When do ethics and following the law give supersede loyalty to some you love - and should they? When does technology shift from tomorrow's savior of the human race to the downfall of the world? The list goes on - and while searching for the answers in my own head isn't keeping me awake nights, those issues are still on my mind as I watch and try to comprehend what's happening in the world around me.

All in all a wonderful book, and I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for giving me the opportunity to read it by way of a pre-release copy.

What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown (Random House, June 2025); 352 pp.

DEATH OF AN EX

4 stars out of 5

I missed the first book in this series, but I certainly enjoyed the heck out of this, the second - an easy one to read as a standalone. That said, I'll be watching for the installment for sure.

The main character, Evander (Vandy) Myrick, is a cop turned private investigator who's come home to ply her trade in Queenstown, New Jersey - the only Black P.I. in the community. Years ago, she was married for a brief time to Phil Bolden, with whom she had a daughter Monica, who died close to three years ago in a fraternity house as a student at nearby Rutgers University. After their marriage broke up, Phil remarried and has become a prominent Queenstown resident, businessman and philanthropist; he and his wife have a son, Tyriq, a star athlete with an artistic bent and a chip on his shoulder.

Vandy is befriending Ingrid Ramirez, a student at the town's prestigious Rome School. It's the school of choice for the town's wealthier folks, with scholarships available to the less financially fortunate (read: Blacks). Accompanying Ingrid to an awards dinner where the girl will get an award that's a first for a Black student, Vandy learns that Tyriq and Ingrid have a "thing" - and that Vandy's ex, Phil, is getting some kind of award. But when Phil gets up to give his presentation, what he says seems to be not only unexpected, but not, shall we say, well received.

Later, Phil - who is married to another school employee and private college guidance counselor, Melinda - later reconnects with Vandy, who starts having second thoughts about why they divorced. The next morning, Vandy gets the surprise of her life as the police knock on her door.

From that point on, I can't divulge much without spoiling the thrill for other readers (tempting though it may be). Suffice it to say that Vandy becomes part of an investigation that for me conjured up memories of a certain "Full House" star, bribery and money laundering. The whole thing ends with a bang as well as my vow, as I mentioned at the beginning, to not miss another of the books in this series. Meantime, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for introducing me to it by way of a pre-release copy of this book. 

Death of an Ex by Delia Pitts (Minotaur Books, June 2025); 306 pp.