Showing posts with label Mystery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mystery. Show all posts

Book Review: Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson

 

Title: Not Quite Dead Yet

By: Holly Jackson

Genre: Mystery

Pages: 392

Release Date: July 17th, 2025

Rating: ★★★☆☆

 

Summary from Goodreads:

A twisty thriller about a young woman trying to solve her own murder.

In seven days Jet Mason will be dead.

Jet is the daughter of one of the wealthiest families in Woodstock, Vermont. Twenty-seven years old, she’s still waiting for her life to begin. I’ll do it later, she always says. She has time.

Until Halloween night, when Jet is violently attacked by an unseen intruder.

She suffers a catastrophic head injury. The doctor is certain that within a week, the injury will trigger a deadly aneurysm.

Jet has never thought of herself as having enemies. But now she looks at everyone in a new light: her family, her former best friend turned sister-in-law, her ex-boyfriend.

She has at most seven days, and as her condition deteriorates she has only her childhood friend Billy for help. But nevertheless, she’s absolutely determined to finally finish something:

Jet is going to solve her own murder.

 

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Review:
I think this might be an unpopular opinion, but I found the characters in Not Quite Dead Yet to be super annoying. It may have been the audiobook narrator. There was a lot of whining in the delivery, but the writing didn’t do much to balance it out. The plot itself is interesting and had plenty of potential, but I struggled to connect with the characters because their voices (literal and written) grated on me more than I expected. Overall, a decent concept with execution that just wasn’t for me.

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ARC Review: We Were Never Friends by Kaira Rouda

 

Title: We Were Never Friends

By: Kiara Rouda

Genre: Mystery

Pages: 228

Release Date: February 3rd, 2026

Rating: ★★★☆☆

 

Summary from Goodreads:

Sisters? Forever. Friends? NEVER. Who knew a reunion weekend could be so deadly?

Meet the sorority sisters of Theta Gamma

Roxy Callahan Gentry, the ruthless former sorority president and current hostess who has painstakingly choreographed every detail of this weekend—even matching the cocktails to her couture—to prove that she remains their undisputed queenAmelia Dell, the widow drenched in old money and alcohol, with her big pot-stirring spoon and uninvited boy-toy in towJamie Vale, the double-legacy pledge, straight-A student with no sparkle, now a top cardiologist with a picture-perfect family—and a well-guarded bad habitBeth Harrison, the scholarship student who never quite fit in and was only admitted because her best friend Sunny insisted that the two were a package dealSunny Spencer, the carefree and beloved friend to all, or so it seemed—until she wasn'tThey've been summoned to Roxy's luxurious Palm Springs vacation home to celebrate the engagement of her son to Beth's daughter. But the refurbished 1920s estate is eerily reminiscent of the hotel where tragedy struck during Spring Break twenty-five years ago. Long-simmering tensions and shocking secrets begin bubbling to the surface like bodies—because while the weekend was supposed to be about celebrating the future, it's not so easy to bury the past…

 

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Review:

This book gave off strong I Know What You Did Last Summer vibes but unfortunately fell short in its delivery. There was so much potential. A cast of characters who clearly don’t like each other but pretend to, all while sharing a dark secret, but the tension never quite built the way I hoped. Every detail about that secret seemed too easily revealed, leaving little mystery or suspense. By the time the ending rolled around, it just didn’t pack the punch it could have. A promising premise that fizzled out before it found its footing.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. 

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ARC Review: Made you look by Tanya Grant

 


Title: Mad You Look

By: Tanya Grant

Genre: Mystery

Pages: 368

Release Date: November 18th, 2025

Rating: ★★★☆☆

 

Summary from Goodreads:

A Catskills retreat turns deadly for a group of influencers when a snowstorm cuts them off from their greatest resource—their followers—just as a killer strikes in this irresistible debut thriller.

Sydney Kent is the ultimate It Girl. You want her effortless style, her charisma, her hair. You want to be her; you want to be with her.

But the trouble with a star is that everyone else looks dull in comparison.

Despite Caitlyn’s social media cunning, it’s impossible for her to step out from Sydney’s shadow. Even Lucy, Sydney’s best friend since before her fame, can’t escape her role as full-time photographer to the influencer.

When the women are invited to post content for a secluded new retreat in the Catskills, alongside Sydney’s boyfriend Jeff, stylist Nash, and manager Brent, the weekend feels like it will be a fresh start. But an unexpected snowstorm traps the group together with no cell service, no Wi-Fi, and no way out.

Then a killer strikes, and the dream trip becomes a nightmare. Secrets, lies, and scandals are forced to the surface, and the friends can’t help but suspect the murderer might be among them. Worse, the killing has only just begun.

But where there’s danger, there’s ju

 

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Review:

Made You Look by Tanya Grant started with promise but never quite delivered the momentum I was hoping for. The pacing felt sluggish from the beginning, and I kept waiting for the story to pick up, but it never really did. The tension that should’ve kept me turning pages just wasn’t there, and by the end, I felt little connection to the characters or their journey. While the premise was interesting, the execution left me wanting more depth and drive.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. 

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ARC Review: Murder in Retrograde by Greg Hickey

 


Title: Murder in Retrograde

By: Greg Hickey

Genre: Scifi/Mystery

Pages: 202

Release Date: August 25th, 2025 

Rating: ★★★★☆

 

Summary from Goodreads:

A steadfast private detective. A case that would cover all his debts. When the first body drops, can he catch a killer before he’s cashed out?

In a litigious future America, detective Marcus Carver sticks to civil cases. When a space tech CEO wants him to investigate a business rival for illegal hydrocarbon combustion, Carver reluctantly agrees. But the case takes an explosive turn when the police find the target’s head of security murdered.

Determined to get to the bottom of things, Carver finds himself sucked into a morass of cyberpunk gangsters, cultish environmentalists and crooked cops. And when another body turns up, it’s clear this ruthless killer doesn’t intend to stop.

Can Carver crack the case before it blows up in his face?

Murder in Retrograde is a thrilling science fiction crime novel. If you like stories about dystopian systems and hard-boiled detectives battling corrupt institutions, then you’ll love Greg Hickey’s propulsive futuristic whodunit.

 

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Review:

Murder in Retrograde by Greg Hickey is a sharp, fast paced blend of science fiction and crime noir. I loved following detective Marcus Carver through a dystopian future full of gangsters, environmental extremists, and crooked cops. The story balances gritty mystery with imaginative world building, keeping the tension high from start to finish. While there were a few moments that felt a bit dense, overall it’s a propulsive and cleverly constructed whodunit that fans of both sci fi and detective fiction will enjoy.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. 

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Trope Tuesday: Historical Whodunit with Kelli Gardiner

 

Welcome to this week’s Trope Tuesday, where we dive into the classic yet ever-compelling world of the Historical Whodunit! Today’s spotlight is on Kelli Gardiner, whose work masterfully blends the intrigue of a murder mystery with the rich texture of a bygone era. If you love unraveling secrets amid candlelit ballrooms, coded letters, or smoky Victorian alleys, you’re in for a treat.

Title: Miss Caroline Bingley, Private Investigator

By: Kelly Gardiner & Sharmini Kumar

Genre: Historical Mystery

Pages: 368

Release Date: April 2nd, 2025

Rating: ★★★☆☆

 

Summary from Goodreads:

A missing maid. A murder most foul. A highly imprudent adventure. Only her fine eyes can uncover the truth.

Two years after the events of Pride and Prejudice, Miss Caroline Bingley is staying at her brother's country estate within an easy ride of Mr and Mrs Darcy's home, Pemberley, and wondering if there's more to life than playing cribbage and paying calls on country neighbours. So when Georgiana Darcy's maid, Jayani, vanishes - and worse, Georgiana disappears in search of her - Caroline races to London to find them both, and quickly discovers a shocking, cold-blooded murder.

Soon Caroline and Georgiana are careering through the gritty, grimy underbelly of London assisted by Caroline's trusty manservant, Gordon, and demanding answers of shady characters, police magistrates and mysterious East India Company-men to discover the killer. Along the way they uncover the cost of Empire on India and its people ... and Miss Bingley's incomparable powers of investigation. As Caroline puts her superior new talents to work, she finds out exactly what an accomplished, independent woman with a sharp mind and a large fortune can achieve - even when pitted against secrets, scandal, and a murderer with no mercy.

 

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Review:

This playful reimagining of Austen's world brings Caroline Bingley into the spotlight with a surprising new role, as a detective. The premise is clever and the writing often charming, with witty nods to the original Pride and Prejudice. However, the mystery itself felt underdeveloped and the pacing uneven. While it was fun to see Caroline take center stage and grow beyond her traditional character, the story sometimes leaned too heavily on its concept without delivering a fully satisfying mystery. A light, inventive read for Austen fans, but not quite as sharp or gripping as it could have been.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. 


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Triple Take Tuesday - Roberts, Hoffman and Rekulak

 


For this week’s Triple Take Tuesday, I’m diving into three captivating reads from a trio of talented authors: Lauren Roberts, Alice Hoffman, and Jason Rekulak. Each of their books brought something unique to the table, whether it was Roberts' deep dive into superhero struggles in Powerful, Hoffmann's enchanting blend of magic and family in The Book of Magic, or Rekulak’s intriguing exploration of love and secrets in The Last One at the Wedding. Join me as I share my thoughts on these diverse novels that range from thrilling to heartwarming, each leaving a lasting impression in its own way.

Powerful
Lauren Roberts


★★★★☆
Lauren Roberts' Powerful offers an electrifying companion tale to the New York Times bestseller Powerless, shining a spotlight on fan-favorite Adena as she navigates the perilous streets of Loot. Adena's resilience and fierce loyalty drive the story as she grapples with Paedyn's absence and forms a compelling bond with the enigmatic Mak. The gritty, high-stakes backdrop of Loot is vividly rendered, pulling readers into a world of danger, betrayal, and forbidden connections. While some twists are foreseeable, the dynamic between Adena and Mak adds depth and emotional complexity, making this a gripping read for fans of intense, character-driven fantasy.

The Book of Magic
Alice Hoffman

★★★☆☆
Alice Hoffman’s The Book of Magic brings the Owens family saga to a bittersweet close, weaving together themes of love, loss, and the enduring power of family bonds. The lyrical prose and richly atmospheric settings are classic Hoffman, but the plot often feels weighed down by too many subplots and a predictable resolution. While long-time fans of the series may appreciate the continuation of the Owens’ story, newcomers might struggle to connect with the characters' histories. The novel’s charm lies in its evocative magic, but it occasionally falters under the weight of its ambition. A solid read, but not quite spellbinding.




The Last One at the Wedding
Jason Rekulak

★★★☆☆
Jason Rekulak's The Last One at the Wedding starts with an intriguing premise—a wedding weekend rife with secrets and drama—but struggles to deliver a compelling story. The plot feels overly convenient, with events unfolding in ways that seem contrived rather than natural, and predictable twists that fail to surprise. Adding to this is a cast of largely unlikable characters whose flaws are exaggerated to the point of making them difficult to empathize with. While Rekulak’s writing is engaging and the setting relatable, the forced drama and lack of character growth leave the story feeling flat. Ultimately, it’s an entertaining enough read for fans of interpersonal conflict but unlikely to leave a lasting impression.


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