We Chase Shadows by Richard Osman

stars

We Solve Murders #2

Follows We Solve Murders

This book came out September 15, 2026

ARC kindly provided 

Opinions are my own

The Dark Lord's Guide to Honeymooning (and Other Acts of Tyranny) by Tiffany Hunt

stars

Guides to Villainy and Love #2

Follows The Dark Lord's Guide to Dating (And Other War Crimes)

This book comes out September 8, 2026

ARC kindly provided by Scarlett Press and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

The Girls Who Beat the Odds by Maj. Gen. Mari K. Eder

stars

This book comes out September 8, 2026

ARC kindly provided by Sourcebooks and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

A Ghost's Guide to Haunting a Witch (And Other Bad Decisions) by Sharon Ibbotson

stars

This book came out September 10, 2026

ARC kindly provided by NetGalley and Joffe Books

Opinions are my own

The Mystic and the Missing Girl by Vikki VanSickle

stars

This book comes out September 8, 2026

ARC kindly provided by St. Martin's Press and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Secret at Mystic Lake by Carolyn Keene

George got a birthday gift of a bicycle trip. Nancy and (a reluctant) Bess are joining her. As an adult, I had trouble figuring out why someone would take a trip run by teenagers, but as a kid I totally would have bought into this story. While previous stories in this series have made some sense, this one really didn't. There were characters that felt like they were pulled out of a jar (Blade) and dropped into the story.

Two stars

Nancy Drew Diaries #6

Follows Sabotage at Willow Woods

Followed by the Phantom of Nantucket

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The Clue in the Diary by Carolyn Keene

The book opens with Nancy, Bess, and George leaving a carnival where they met a young child, Honey, and her mother. The are on their way home when they witness a house bursting into flames. While making sure everyone is out of the house, Nancy meets a young man who is at first suspicious looking, but then she realizes is helping people. He introduced himself as Ned Nickerson. 

But that is all within the first part of the book. There is a missing father (Honey's), a man who has been duping inventors (and the owner of the house that burned), and a number of instances where Nancy is near death. 

I vaguely remember reading this as a child and enjoying it, but it is harder to suspend belief as an adult. 

Three stars

Nancy Drew Mystery Stories #7

Follows The Secret of Red Gate Farm

Followed by Nancy's Mysterious Letter

This book came out in 1932

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own