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.

THE LIST

5 stars out of 5

Well, one of my favorite authors has come through again - most likely, at around 14 years, setting a record for the longest time a book sat in a drawer before being updated and actually seeing the light of print. It just goes to show, I guess, that excellent writing is timeless.

The story itself could have been taken straight from a John Grisham playbook; the relatively young lawyer at the heart of the story in many ways seemed interchangeable with Mitch McDeere, who kicked off Grisham's popular "The Firm" series that debuted in 2010. But the hero here, Brent Walker, is definitely his own man (even if he's not quite sure who that really is). He's just left his 10-year job in Atlanta to return home to central Georgia small-town Concord to take the job of assistant general counsel at Southern Republic Pulp and Paper Co., which accounts for the lion's share of the local employment base. Originally, he left right after his soon-to-be ex-wife died, almost smothered in guilt that somehow he was responsible.

But after his father's unexpected death - he was retired from his long-time job at the paper mill - Brent's mother's health is failing and she needs his help. So, he packed up his things and returned to the family home and a new job that puts him right at the start of negotiations for labor contracts with all three of the company's unions. The lead negotiator, Hank Reed, is an old friend; but can they maintain that close relationship when they're now on opposite sides of the bargaining table?

As it turns out, that's not their biggest concern. It seems that the three company owners, over a period of years, engineered and put into practice a deadly plan to keep the self-insured company financially afloat (unbeknownst to either Hank or Brent, of course). But one of those owners - in fact, the one who originally devised the plan - is in the midst of his own health crisis. And not only does he want to unburden his soul before he exits this world, he wants to take down his partners in the process.

For their part, Hank and Brent are free to deal with their changing relationship and Brent's rekindled one with Ashley, who happens to be Hank's daughter. But that all changes when that third partner seeks private help from Brent and Hank's illicit sleuthing in company computers turns up a list of numbers neither of them understand (and certainly were never expected to have in their possession). That, in turn, puts Brent, Hank and their families in the sights of some very powerful and dangerous people who wll do anything to keep their good thing going.

It's a wild ride right up to the end, and while I can't provide details, I can say I'm very happy that the author decided to save the story from the circular file. It's definitely a winner in my book, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to get in on the action by way of a pre-release copy.

The List by Steve Berry (Grand Central Publishing, July 2025); 384 pp.

PARTY OF LIARS

4 stars out of 5

Make no mistake: Throughout the entirety of this book, I really did hang on every word - even staying up extra late to make it to what was an exciting twist of events. That said, by somewhere around the 70% mark, I was so tired of the back-and-forth chapters that offered perspectives of the main characters that I violated my normal bedtime to read so it would be over almost more than because I wanted to learn the "truth." That writing technique is popular and certainly can be effective, but for me, at least, it also gets very old very fast.

The gist of the whole thing is this: Ethan and his third wife, Dani, are living in an expensive, eye-popping historic home, the entire back of which is a glass sheet that overlooks a steep ravine (think of your doll house as a kid that had no back on it so the contents can be seen and played with). They have an infant daughter, Charlotte, and an Irish nanny named Orlaith, the latter because Dani seems to be mentally unstable - perhaps a bit beyond postpartum depression. Ethan is a psychiatrist with partner Curtis, a childhood friend (kind of surprising that everyone refers to him as "Mr." and not "Dr." - hmmm, is that some kind of clue)?

Ethan's second ex-wife, Kim, is a disgraced veterinarian and mostly functioning alcoholic; together, they had daughter Sophie, who lives with mom and is very popular and drop-dead gorgeous. It's her Sweet Sixteen party at her dad and stepmom's big house that's the focus of the story; besides all three parents, Sophie's long-time best friend, mousey Mikayla, will be there with countless others, some of whom actually wish Sophie well. Not a single character, in fact, is without flaw - apparently, no one nice lives in Comal County, Texas.

And oh, did I mention that the house is rumored to be haunted?

As you might expect - well, I did, anyway - things go horribly wrong at the party almost immediately. Readers don't know exactly what happened, or to whom, though - the purpose of those character perspective switchbacks is to provide hints and clues that will keep us guessing right up to the end. Trust me, it's a doozy - I just wish it had happened a little sooner. But all told, it's a terrific read, and I definitely recommend it. Thanks go to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

Party of Liars by Kelsey Cox (Minotaur Books, July 2025); 325 pp.

RAGE

5 stars out of 5

My initial interest in this wonderful series began mostly because of the location; I'm familiar with the part of Ohio in which the stories take place. I also have an interest in the Amish, often making trips to another section of the Buckeye State that gets mentioned in the books once in a while (in fact, in this, the 17th book of the series). That said, I wouldn't keep coming back for more unless the books are really, really good; they are, and this one carries on that honored tradition.

Now-veteran Painters Mill Police Chief Kate Burkholder is the primary reason for my enthusiasm, a unique character because she was born and grew up Amish but left the order in her late teens. Needless to say, that didn't sit well with anyone in the community where she later returned to work in law enforcement as an "English" - the term used for anyone who isn't Amish. Over the years, though, she's built up a healthy relationship with her family and neighbors, for the most part earning their respect. Kate's hunky husband, FBI agent John Tomasetti, complements her and adds both personal interest and professional help when needed - and he gets quite a bit of page time here, much to my delight.

This one begins with a grisly find - the dismembered parts of a young Amish man Samuel Eicher, who's been murdered and half buried not far from his landscaping business. According to a few sources, he and his best friend Aaron Shetler had been involved with some pretty shady characters, including a beautiful young woman named Cassidy, but by all accounts he was returning to the Amish fold. The search for Aaron takes up more of Kate's team's time, and that, too, ends in tragedy with the discovery of his body in a barrel that's been rolled down a ravine.

What on earth were the two friends into? And where is Samuel's reported girlfriend Cassidy? The search takes Kate to a couple of local bars and private clubs in which pole dancers and sex trafficking may be at play, so to speak - places in which Kate and her questions clearly are not welcome. When Kate's unrelenting investigation and yet another murder brings her way too close to the truth, she becomes the target and threatens to make a widower out of Tomasetti. It's a whirlwind finish that kept me on the edge of my recliner for sure. In short, it's another winner, and I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to stay tuned in by way of a pre-release copy. Bring on the next!

Rage by Linda Castillo (Minotaur Books, July 2025); 296 pp.

THEM BONES

5 stars out of 5

Jumping into a series for the first time usually brings mixed emotions for me. If I like the book, I'm happy I found it but sad that I missed those that came before (in this case, 21 of them). The happy side, though, brings another plus: the book can stand alone well enough that I "got" it without feeling left out - otherwise I'd have been frustrated.

This book is one of the happy ones. And yes, I hope to meet up with private investigator Rushmore McKenzie again (and again). This story has extra appeal to me because it involves some real science and a missing dinosaur skeleton (well, not the whole animal, just the skull). I mean, who on earth knew there's a market for dinosaur heads? 

The whole caper started as a return favor; some time ago, Angela Bjork saved McKenzie from almost certain death somewhere in the desert. Now, she's working on a Ph.D. in palentology. On an archeological dig in the Great Plains of Montana - where she rescued McKenzie - she unearthed an Ankylosaurus fossil at the center of the story. Okay, not a critter I've ever even heard of. So other than for history's sake, why is it a story? Well, because somebody - or a couple of somebodies - made off with the skull that had been placed in a truck for transport to a museum. 

Besides the historical significance, some estimates place its value in the millions, so getting it back (and hopefully in the process catching the thieves) is important - especially to Angela. So, she asks McKenzie to help. He agrees, and in turn taps some of his friends and a couple of acquaintences who owe him favors to join the investigation. Some of these folks, no doubt, I'd have appreciated more had I read previous installments, but not having done so really didn't impact my enthusiasm. The rest of the book follows the attempts to locate the skull and return it to its rightful owners. It's quite an undertaking, with more than a few twists and turns (not all in the right direction). Of course, how it all turns out is for me to know and encourage other readers to find out for themselves. Well done, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to discover a new, very enjoyable series by way of a pre-release copy.

Them Bones by David Housewright (Minotaur Books, June 2025); 317 pp.

DOGGED PURSUIT

5 stars out of 5

For at least a half-dozen years, I've bemoaned the fact that I found this wonderful series late in the game; I've read only the most recent six, and this is the 31st. More's the pity; but I'm also not one to go back and read dozens of books that came before the one with which I started. That doesn't mean, though, that I'm not interested in how it all began. Well, that itch has now been scratched. This installment basically is a prequel to the others - answering a ton of questions as well as being a doggone good book all on its own.

As it begins, former prosecuting attorney Andy Carpenter is nearing 30 years of age, newly married and, according to his retired highly regarded prosecutor father, heading for the dark side to start his own firm as a defense attorney in Paterson, New Jersey. Readers are introduced to Tara, Andy's lovable golden retriever (and, I assume, the force behind the dog rescue Tara Foundation that keeps Andy busy in his retirement years). We're also introduced to Laurie Collins, who serves as his bodyguard (but who followers of the series know comes to play a much different role in future books).

Tara the dog, in fact, is directly responsible for the beginning of this tale. When Andy goes to the shelter to look for a small-ish dog for himself, he finds her and loses his heart. But when he sees that Tara and her shelter companion, Sunny, seem inseparable, he can't resist taking them both home. Problem is, Sunny isn't up for grabs; his owner, Frank Tierney, is in jail, awaiting trial for the murder of his former boss. Unless Frank gives the go-ahead, Sunny must stay right where he is.

Not wanting that to happen to the poor pup - and a bit curious about Frank's situation - Andy visits him in jail (Frank, that is). One thing leads to another, and poof - Andy has taken Frank's case - and as he soon learns, a difficult case to win it will be. Frank meets all the requirements for conviction: he has means, motive and opportunity - some of which has been documented by the very capable prosecution. But for whatever reason - maybe Frank's penchant for dogs - Andy is pretty sure they're barking up the wrong tree and his client is innocent. Proving that, however, will be a challenge for his entire team, and ultimately put his own life in danger.

All of this, of course, is laid out for readers like me to enjoy right up to the end - and enjoy it I did. Many thanks once again to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to get my eyes on a pre-release copy. Series lovers, heads up - this one's a don't-miss. And it seems to me to be a great beginning for those who want to start reading a wonderful, thoroughly entertaining series.

Dogged Pursuit by David Rosenfelt (Minotaur Books, July 2025); 288 pp.

HIDDEN NATURE

5 stars out of 5

Inquiring minds want to know: Could this be the start of a new series? If it is, count me in; Maryland Natural Resources police officer Sloan Cooper won me over from the git-go, and I warmed up to the rest of those I'd expect to be recurring characters almost as fast.

For most of the book, though, I almost felt like I was channeling another favorite series - Kate Carlisle's Shannon Hammer. Both lead females are strong women, and both are heavily involved in the construction industry (Shannon owns her own company, while Sloan's family, including her sister Drea, are in that business here in a place called Heron's Nest while Sloan focuses on the business of being a cop. I'll also say construction is a subject near and dear to my own heart after growing up with a DIY father who could build just about anything; what that means is for the most part I really enjoyed all the details about home construction and remodeling that might be a bit of a turn-off for others.

But that part aside, the plot centers on Sloan's returning to her family's home to recover from gunshot wounds when she was off-duty and unexpectedly attacked in a convenience store. As she begins to recover, she's afforded an opportunity for a promotion and relocation right where she is - an offer that takes on a whole new meaning when both she and her sister run into very intriguing - and very hunky - guys who relocated here to start a (what else!) construction business.

But duty calls as well; a young woman who's vanished under very mysterious circumstances catches her attention - and a search for similar disappearances is a great way to spend time while she's on limited duty. Soon, though, it becomes almost an obsession as several other cases turn up in three states; all vanished with no trace, no evidence and no apparent connection. Sloan, though, believes otherwise and sets out to find one while she's in the midst of kindling a new love as well as redoing a fireplace so she can kindle a fire on cold winter nights.

And so it goes, with chapters detailing progress on the building projects, Sloan's investigation and insights from a couple of very psychologically damaged people. Everything gets resolved by the end, though with no shortage of edge-of-seat action. It was a thoroughly enjoyable journey for me, and I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy of another book by a long-time favorite author.

Hidden Nature by Nora Roberts (St. Martin's Press, May 2025); 448 pp.

THE GHOSTWRITER

5 stars out of 5

When I first started to read this book, my heart sank. What a fine mess this one will be, I said to myself. Here's a character - Olivia Dumont - who has spent an entire life trying to escape someone who treated her miserably. But now, she suddenly capitulates when that despicable someone offers the potential for a bunch of money. Granted, she's broke and may lose her house, but still - do I, a person who traces her unwaivering support of strong women back to the '60s - really want to spend my precious time reading about someone who has no backbone?

But I sucked it up and dove in; after all, I'd accepted a copy from the publisher in exchange for a review, and I take that obligation seriously. Well, let me tell you this: insofar as everyday life would allow, once I started I didn't stop till I'd finished, even giving up my hotly guarded "me" time an hour or so before I hit the sack just to git 'er done. Like Olivia's decision to do her estranged father's bidding or not - and the jury's still out on that one - the story itself (and the expert crafting thereof) was irresistible. In fact, I'll go so far as to say this is one of the best books I've read so far this year.

The someone from whom Olivia has been estranged for years is her aging father, Vincent Taylor - a highly successful writer of horror novels who is dying of Lewy body dementia. Something like 50 years earlier, his two teenage siblings, brother Danny and sister Poppy, were found brutally murdered in the family home. The killer was never identified and the case long since went cold, but most of the locals believed - and still do to this day - that Vincent was the killer.

Before he dies, he wants to write a memoir that outlines what really happened. And since he's incapacitated he wants his daughter, a highly accomplished ghostwriter, to do the actual writing, using only a copious manuscript he's compiled combined with personal interviews. But at this point his memories, even those he's able to recall, are highly suspect - and as Olivia well knows, Vincent is known for his nefarious, manipulative ways and, of course, his ability to craft works of fiction. Is what he's sharing with her this time the truth?

From that point on, readers learn of Olivia's relationship (if you can call it that) with her father as well as flashbacks to what was going on prior to the event that changed the entire family's lives forever - all building up to an ending that will, for many readers, be a bombshell (I'll say only that I had an inkling, but suspecting and knowing are, of course, two different things). In any event, I'm left with the recollection of reading something quite special. Highly recommended!

The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark (Sourcebooks Landmark, June 2025); 359 pp.

BADLANDS

4.5 stars out of 5

Make no mistake: this is one of my favorite series, and even if it weren't, if I've ever passed up an opportunity to read anything written by either (or both) of these super-talented authors it was an accident. So why only four-and-a-half stars? Simply because the subject matter, while extremely interesting (I can't imagine the amount of research it must have taken to write the book) it crosses just a hair over the line of credibility for someone like me who is certain my late parents lied and I really was born in Missouri.

Still, except maybe for that one part that encompassed only a couple of pages, I loved it. And I'm pretty sure other fans of the series will love it as well. If nothing else, it once again brings together New Mexico FBI Agent Corrie Swanson and archaeologist Nora Kelly - both interesting yet very different characters. That happens following the discovery of a female skeleton in a remote section of the Navajo Nation badlands - a woman who appears to have been there all alone of her own volition. She'd inexplicably shed her clothing in the terrible desert heat, but she had with her a pair of extremely rare stones Knowing Nora likely would know more about them, Corrie solicits her advice; as it turns out, Nora is more than intrigued - and at that point, let the adventure begin.

Intrigued by the stones, Nora takes her younger brother Skip to meet Edison Nash, the wealthy dude who owns the two known stones. They take an immediate liking to one another - and bottles of expensive tequila - but Nora worries that Nash may have acquired some of his extensive collection of artifacts by not-so-legitimate means and could be a negative influence on Skip. While that's going on, Corrie's team identifies the woman's body and finds a connection to a local university professor and his loyal group of accolytes - most definitely worth checking out, especially since the professor seems to have disappeared. To confuse matters even more, yet another body is found in the badlands - another female who died under almost identical circumstances.

Many more strange discoveries later, everything comes crashing together as Skip and his new best bud go missing and Nora and Corrie head out to find them. Needless to say, everything from that point on I read from the edge of my seat - until I lugged my Kindle to bed just because I wasn't about to wait till morning to finish and that seat edge was getting uncomfortable. It was definitely worth the loss of a little sleep, though, and I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to tag along on this latest ride. I'm ready for next adventure, in fact, so bring it on soon, please!

Badlands by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child (Grand Central Publishing, June 2025); 368 pp.

A DEAD DRAW

4 stars out of 5

Admittedly, for one reason or another I've missed at least a couple of books in this series - this is the eleventh - and for those I missed I'm sorry just because I enjoy them so much. Tracy Crosswhite, a detective in the Seattle Police Department's Cold Case Unit, is more like an old friend than a character in a book; I'm warming up to her husband, prosecuting attorney Dan O'Leary (their young daughter, Daniella, doesn't get anywhere as much page space as her parents, but she sounds adorable.

This one touches - no, make that pounds - on an old nemesis - the man who murdered Tracy's sister Sarah years earlier. As Tracy interviews Erik Schmidt, a nasty sort whom Tracy believes murdered two girls in one of the cold cases she's trying to heat up, believes Sarah's killer to be some kind of hero. Needless to say, that does not endear him to Tracy. 

But any charges against Schmidt go poof in the night following an evidence screw-up, and he makes it clear he's out to get Tracy. What follows is a whirlwind chase (in both directions, as Tracy tries to get to Schmidt before he can get to her and her family), plenty of head games and an action-packed finish. In some ways, Schmidt is almost too ingenious to be believed, but it makes for a fun  adventure anyway. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to be part of another exciting installment by way of a pre-release copy.

A Dead Draw by Robert Dugoni (Thomas & Mercer, May 2025); 373 pp.

FDR DRIVE

4 stars out of 5

New York City Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Nora Carleton, at least for me, wasn't an immediately lovable character when I "met" her in the first book of this series (this is the third). But by now, I enjoy her so much that I'd be delighted to sit, chat and have a beer or two with her (accompanied, hopefully, by her investigator Benny Dugan, whom I adored from the git-go).

With Nora are her mother (who, BTW, has a particularly special love interest) and young daughter Sophie. The plot centers around a wildly popular radio show host/podcaster who makes Paul Harvey sound like a flaming liberal. Samuel Buchanan is known for singling out specific people he believes are so far left that they'd fall off the earth if it were square, but even coming from one of those flaming liberals like me, so what? He's got a right to speak his opinion. Except, perhaps, when those people he names turn up dead almost immediately after he singles them out. That's the challenge for Nora and her team, then - to convince a judge Buchanan should face trial and, if that happens, offer up enough evidence to get him convicted. Meanwhile, the police - some of whom are Nora's good friends - will try their best to find who's actually committing the murders.

It all adds up to an intriguing (not to mention timely) situation, making the pages fly by. Admittedly, I'm a fan of legal thrillers, so anything that happens in a court of law always gets my undivided attention. At times, I'll admit I felt a bit "talked down to" with explanations of things that really didn't need explaining, but on the other hand, making sure everyone who reads the book fully comprehends what's going on isn't a bad thing. Along the way readers get an up-close-and-personal look at the workings of the legal system as well as a closer look at Nora's personal life (complete with an event that bodes well for the next book in the series).

And speaking of that, I hope another one will be forthcoming soon. Meantime, I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review this one. Well done once again!

FDR Drive by James Comey (Mysterious Press, May 2025); 334 pp.

FLEX YOUR FEELINGS

5 stars out of 5

When I requested this book, it was mostly because I've been a student of psychology most of my life; so much so, in fact, that my undergraduate degree is in the subject. Little did I know, however, that the direction my life would take at the time I started to read it would bring a few much-appreciated insights. Those life events, alas, also meant I was late in finishing and reviewing the book - a pre-release copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, for which I'm thankful (and very apologetic). But now I've finished, and with a little help from the book, I'm working to get my personal life back in order once again.

For openers, while it's easy to read, this isn't what I call a "pop-psych" book; you won't find cognitive distortions like "stinking thinking" or "analysis paralysis" (although I'll give the author, a clinical psychologist, points for tidbits like, "You only need to get up one more time than you fail"). Rather, she outlines seven steps for achieving emotional fitness: mindfulness, curiosity, self-awareness, resilience, empaathy, communication and playfulness. And she follows that up with a discussion of why we need to get better at each and presents specific steps for getting there.

That doesn't mean it will be a walk in the park. As she puts it, "Every single thing you want in your work and personal lives lives on the other side of discomfort." Examples taken from her personal experiences as a therapist are helpful, and exercises make it easier to put the suggestions to work in your own life so you can become, as the book description suggests, the best leader, entrepreneur and human you can be. At the end are resources like related books and the author's sources that back up what's in each chapter. I certainly learned from it, and I'm sure other readers will as well.

Flex Your Feelings by Dr. Emily Anhalt (G.P. Putnam's Sons, May 2025); 288 pp.

TOM CLANCY LINE OF DEMARCATION

5 stars out of 5

The late play-by-play announcer at a local high school's football games was known for his occasional on-air promotion: " Buy a program - you can't tell the players without a program." Well, as is customary with the Clancy books, this one begins with a list of players. And I'm here to tell you that it really didn't matter much. Even with that list, it was almost impossible to tell the good guys and gals from the bad except for the "stars" of the show.

Another hallmark of the series, of course, is nonstop action. Here, you can't catch a break for a second - starting with an opening salvo fired - with dire consequences - at a U.S. Coast Guard cutter on patrol near oil rigs off the coast of Guyana. It is an act that, depending on politics, diplomacy, negotiations and who's willing to start a war, has the potential to rock world order. 

A perfect setting, then, for Jack Ryan Jr., son of U.S. President Jack Ryan, and his band of brothers and sisters who work both the "white" and "black" sides of their company, Hendley Associates. As the story unfolds, Jack is plying his "white" side activities (meaning legitimate business) in nearby Georgetown, looking to land an export license from the Guyana government - totally unaware of the Coast Guard cutter disaster - when he runs into a situation involving some really nasty characters that requires him to hang around and ply his considerable "black" side skills.

Chapters shift from one scenario to the other - the oil rig involving U.S. security forces at the highest level - and before too long (as most readers will suspect) it becomes clear that the two situations are connected. Still, the danger is real; Jack's life is in danger, as is that of one of The Campus's most accomplished undercover agents and Jack's fiance, Lisanne (also a top agent). As I mentioned at the beginning, it's pretty much nonstop action as usual, but that's a large part of what makes this series so good. As for me, I'll heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy. Well done once again!

Tom Clancy Line of Demarcation by M.P. Woodward (G.P. Putnam's Sons, May 2025); 396 pp.

SOMETHING I KEEP UPSTAIRS

4 stars out of 5

Okay, this one's pretty creepy. I'm not a huge fan of the paranormal just because I have to put my "scientific" brain on hold; on the other hand, I can't totally discount the possibilies. I guess what that means is I got quite a kick out of this book once I decided to just go with the flow.

It starts off innocently enough; after his grandmother dies, teenager Billy Hasler's best friend David Spivey inherits her Wood Island home off the coast of New Castle, New Hampshire (apparently granny wanted to bypass her daughter, David's mother). What a great place to hang out, the boys assert as they gather friends together for some pre-college partying.

But in books like this, nothing is as it seems. To be sure, the house isn't; and all too soon, it becomes evident that none of the people associated with the house aren't, either. There are quirky house "rules," appearances, disappearances and reappearances and tons of things that go bump in the night - all signaling a danger that no one understands nor want to believe.

But this story isn't mine to tell - it's for other readers to discover just as I did. And once I get my head back to some semblance of normal I'll thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to get creeped out by way of a pre-release copy. If "yikes" is your style, don't hesitate to give it a go.

Something I Keep Upstairs by J.D. Barker (Hampton Creek Press/Simon & Schuster, May 2025); 492 pp.

NIGHTSHADE

4 stars out of 5

I've been a big fan of this author for quite some time (just for grins, I counted reviews of those I've posted since I started my book blog in 2013, and there are 13 in there). So getting the chance to sample the first in a new series put a smile on my face for days. Now that I've finished reading, the smile is still there and I'm looking forward to the next installment, but I have to say I'll need more time to really warm up to the new guy in town - if for no other reason than I just can't trust anyone who apparently doesn't have a first name (or maybe that's a plot hook reminiscent of Leroy Jethro Gibbs).

Actually, Stilwell is on an island - Catalina Island, to be exact. Once a detective for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, he irritated the powers-that-be there enough that they deported him to the island where all the department misfits go - a place where they figured he couldn't get in much trouble (and if he did, it wouldn't be their problem).

To kick things off, he responds to a report of a female body that's been found at the bottom of the harbor; she's in pretty bad shape and is devoid of any identification except for the purple streak in her hair. At the same time, a buffalo turns up in even worse shape at a local preserve - the victim, presumably, of a poacher. Immediately, Stilwell takes charge of both investigations (with a bit more emphasis on the human victim, understandably). And in short order, he runs afoul of some of his former LA colleagues who now would like nothing better than to kick him to the curb. If that weren't enough, the investigation leads right through the doors of an exclusive men's club on the island - and wealthy, snooty males don't take kindly to having their domain invaded by common folks like the police. 

The rest of the book is focused on the two investigations, both of which have the potential to end Stilwell's career (if not his life) as well as fleshing out his character and that of several key characters I assume will play central roles in future books. The plot held my attention - as have those of every other book I've read by this author - so I'll definitely be watching for the next one. Meantime, thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to get in at the beginning.

Nightshade by Michael Connelly (Little, Brown and Co., May 2025); 352 pp.

THE CHILDREN OF EVE

4 stars out of 5

Perhaps what struck me the most about this, the 22nd in the author's Charlie Parker series, is that Charlie clearly isn't a spring chicken anymore. His old injuries still give him fits, and the new ones fit him too close to for comfort.

I'll also say of all the Parker books I've read so far (seven since I started my book blog), this is only the second one to which I'm not giving a 5-star rating. It's hard to explain why, exactly, except that it seemed a little "jumpy" and hard to follow and the subject matter just didn't "grab" me like the others. Still, it's Charlie - and his wonderful friends Louis and Angel, who simply can't appear in the pages often enough to suit me - so I certainly recommend it to others.

It begins as quirky artist Zetta Nadeau asks Charlie to find her missing boyfriend Wyatt Riggins, who took off in a flash. Left behind was his cell phone, on which he'd received a one-word message: Run. Through not a small amount of investigation, Charlie learns that Riggins was somehow involved in the kidnapping of four children that belonged to Mexican cartel leader Blas Urrea. It's not hard to understand why he'd do anything to get them back, except for the fact that his children are alive and well and still with him in Mexico. So who are the missing kids, and why is Urrea so determined to do whatever it takes to get them back?

The questions dogs Charlie throughout the story, but at least one of the obstacles between Charlie and the children is a dangerous man named Eugene Seeley, who's been hired by Urrea to do the dirty work to find and rescue them. And, it appears he's hooked up with an even more evil cohort - an unidentified woman. 

Along the way - as is a common occurrence in other books - Charlie stays "in touch" with his dead daughter Jennifer, and his live daughter Sam, who also "sees" Jennifer from time to time, plays a role as well. In fact, aside from the race to find the missing children, something more sinister is afoot; someone, or some thing, has been trying to find Jennifer and Charlie. Who, or what, is it, what's the reason for the search, and will it be successful? Hmmm, I'll never tell. From this point on, all I'll say is thank you to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read a pre-release copy of this book. Another good one!

The Children of Eve by John Connolly (Atria/Emily Bestler Books, May 2025); 464 pp.)