Jay to the World by Donna Andrews

The Hollingsworths as well as their friends are starting to show up for the Christmas season and gifts are being prepared. Two-year-old Brynn is going to get a playhouse. Well, that's somewhat tenuous now that someone has defaced it. And put in a mechanism that knocks Meg's mom out cold. What the heck is going on? Could it be linked to the anonymous letters she's beeen getting?

As usual, there are a couple of side stories. Meg's mom is trying to get an old friend (and former bridesmaid) back with an ex (a Hollingsworth cousin). Brynn loves blue jays and the family is rehabilitating one. The holiday mansion decorating is taking place once again and there are two designers that seem to have it out for Meg's mom.

There are rare Andrews books that just don't hit as well and this was one of them. It's was fine but the solution to the mystery was a bit thin and the new characters all felt somewhat abrasive. 

Three and a half stars

Meg Langslow #40

Follows Probable Caws

This book comes out October 13, 2026

ARC of ebook kindly provided by St. Martin's Press and Edelweiss

Opinions are my own

The Christmas Dinner Murder by Sarah Dunnakey

Audrey Peppertree has invited her family and some friends for Christmas. Her family is old, wealthy, and not a little obsessed with puzzles. Her family estate is even called Puzzle House and the invitation is an acrostic. So is one of the replies, insinuating that Audry is going to die. So that's fun. And that's why Eloise is invited to the party. She's a bodyguard. Admittedly her last client did almost get blown up, but that has been Eloise's profession for a very long time, even if she is currently pretending to be a school teacher. 

 There's quite a bit going on in this book with more death threats disguised as puzzles, family tensions, and people dropping dead. I really enjoyed it as we got to solve along with the characters as well as putting together puzzles that led to the (fairly clued - I guessed most of the answer without solving all of the puzzles) solution. the puzzles included things like cryptic clues, something that I am still working on understanding but they were overall fairly fun. It did take me awhile to get into the story and there were some plot points that seemed extraneous, even as red herrings, but I mostly enjoyed this book. 

Three and a half stars

This book comes out November 5, 2026

ARC kindly provided by Avon Books and NetGalley

Opinions are my own 

Joy to the Bones by Carolyn Haines

At the end of the last book, Sarah Booth was cutting ties with almost all of her friends, with Coleman, and certainly with Jitty. She had learned some startling news about her parents death and was reacting blindly in the moment. And it takes her awhile to come around. Luckily, we're coming back after she's hit her cool down/remorseful time. 

Mr. Thompson creates a good "in" for her when he hires her to 

stars

Sarah Booth Delaney #31

This book comes out October 27, 2026

Follows Ode to the Bones

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

Opinions are my own

The Official Clue Book of Puzzles by Dr. Gareth Moore; Laura Jayne Ayres

I would definitely recommend buying this as a physical book. Trying to work through it as an ebook was not as frustrating as some books I've read, but it definitely made reading the book a lot harder. 

This was a thoughtful upgrade of the clue boardgame making jobs more pertinent to today and giving the characters more back story. Going character-by-character, the book has eight chapters (including one for Mr. Boden "Boddy" Black) filled with puzzles. Although each puzzle doesn't contribute to the overall mystery, every one does add to the story. The variety of puzzles is fantastic including putting things in order, picross, logic, mazes, and more. 

Four and a half stars

This book comes out October 27, 2026

ARC kindly provided by by NetGalley and Cider Mill Press

Opinions are my own

Everyone's a Liar by Alexandra Ivy

Olivia Benoit's mother died at their family house, the Willows, when she was two. After that, she lost her entire family and was often treated as the black sheep. Her grandfather was a martinet who is controlling the family from even beyond the grave. They must all gather at the Willows for two weeks in order to receive the payout from their trust fund. Livia wouldn't go except that she doesn't want her family to get her share of the money. 

This year is going to be especially hard becaus she's just been catfished, her cousin is getting engaged, and she's becoming especially curious about what happened to her mother. Luckily, she meets her old friend Bryce (former FBI, now a sheriff's deputy) and is able to strike up a friendship with her that helps Livia with that last bit. 

We do see some of the story from Bryce's point of view so that we can get more information which helps that it wasn't shoehorned in. Some information is shoehorned later in the story though with another childhood friend and his father. This added to my overall sense that some of the story doesn't roll very smoothly, but it wasn't enough to pull me out of the story, just to flip back a page or two and see if I had missed something. 

Four stars

This book comes out October 27, 2026

ARC kindly provided by Kensington Publishing and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

The Alibi Club by Carrie Talick

By the time I read this book, I had completely forgotten the premise. So I was able to sink into the story which is one of alternating third person viewpoints. The prologue starts in chaos and then we jump to weeks prior. 

All of the characters are either part of a Dinner for Six or peripherally connected to Jamie. Dinner for Six is the brainchild of matchmaker Lorna. Her calling is to match people. Sometimes she even does it for free. But not this group. By the time the book is halfway done, she's collected her six  people, including Cliff and Lorna who have already met.  

There were some weird overlaps in the text (Cliff notices Lorna's beauty mark at least twice), and characters repeat information several times. 

Three and a half stars

This book came out on September 29, 2026

ARC kindly provided by Alcove Press and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Snow This is Love by Christina Lauren; Julie Murphy; Jasmine Guillory; Zoraida Córdova; Jesse Q. Sutanto

Deck the Heels by Julie Murphy

It didn't take me long to realize that this was a follow up to a book I hadn't read. It looks like it's called, "If the Shoe Fits." Henry and Cindy were the end game of a reality show called Before Midnight. Now,w they're just living their lives. Are trying to, anyway. Because they were a big hit, they've got a big following of people who want to see where the two of them end up. Hopefully marriage. So, they decide to go for it; and for the wedding to be filmed. But the course of true love never does run smooth. and Henry seems really distracted. Is this really waht they both want?

Three stars

Beauty and the Baking Battle by Jasmine Guillory

Another postscript novella. I had read the book this follows, "By the Book," four years ago and remembered most of the story. In this story, Izzy and Beau have been invited to be on a last-minute bake-off-type show but for celebrities at Christmas. Beau has even offered to let them set up the baking tent in his back yard. 

Four stars

Siren in the Snow by Zoraida Cordova

Singer-songwriter Eric Reyes just wants to make his way to his woman. He's having to go through snow, blizzards, and missed planes to find her. 

Ariel is looking forward to seeing Ariel. She was also a pop star but part of a family group that has since disbanded. She has no idea that her beloved is assembling her friends and family so that he can propose. 

I hadn't read the first book but now feel like I should. 

Three stars 

Best (New Year's) Day Ever by Christina Lauren

Following a trend, I had not read this book but this is the only story that I feel would have benefitted from reading the previous story. Ren is a manic pixie farm girl who met straitlaced Edward when she was finally allowed out into the world. Lots of information followed, most of which is recapped in this book. They are looking for their perfect New Year's Day but, novel, lots of things pop up to destroy what they are hoping to achieve.

Love Christina Lauren, this one wasn't for me.

Two stars

Dreaming of a Perfect Lunar New Year by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Mulan's finally stepped into the role of CEO after her father stepped down. We're invited along on her first day when she's meeting with Dina Foster, well-known in their area for helping women-run businesses succeed. Mulan really wants her acquisition company to be a part of that. And Dina will be attending Mulan's company Lunar New Year party. But everything seems to be going wrong. 
Will she survive the stress and win Dina's business? 

Not so much on building onto the romance though her beau, Shang, is featured as a supportive partner with an option for a future. 

Three stars

This book comes out October 13, 2026

ARC kindly provided by Hyperion Avenue and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Do You See What I See? by Peter Swanson

Nicholas, our first person narrator, had some success with his first novel, a dip after his second, and was not renewed by his publishing company for a third. Marco Tavares, on the other hand, his third book hit the New York Times best seller list and stayed for eighteen months. There's even going to be a major motion picture. 

The problem is with his follow up book. Linda, the agent for both men, summon Nicholas to New York, he's not sure what to expect. It certainly isn't that Linda wants him to go to the Cape for Christmas. It seems like Marco has the idea for his next book. And the book is mostly written. He just needs some help sorting it all out. And that's where Nicholas comes in. He's a bona fide orphan so it's not like he's going elsewhere for Christmas. Of course, he ends up taking the commission or there wouldn't be a story. 

So. Nicholas is going to the Cape for Christmas. Along with Marco, his wife, Maeve, Marco's sister, Cat, and the grandmother who raised them, Louisa. Also there are a best friend that Marco makes fun of, his ex-girlfriend and her husband, and a man who claims Marco stole his idea for the bestselling novel. It is a scene ripe for a murder. Even the characters comment on in it.
In three stories, Nicholas slowly unfolds more and more of the true story. We don't ever really learn what happened, but Swanson gives a satisfying conclusion to a book that says 128 pages in Netgalley but showed 87 in my ereader. It is truly impressive what our author unfolds in this tight of a story and I enjoyed it completely. 

Four and a half stars

This book came out October 6, 2026

ARC kindly provided by William Morrow and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Legends & Lattes: The Graphic Novel by Travis Baldree, adapter: Samuel Sattin, illustrator: Shanti Rittgers, illustrator: Sarah Webb

I read this as an all-words book and was left with a smile on my face. When I saw this book, I wondered how well the story would lend itself to a slightly different interpretation. Had I not read the book first, I think I would have liked this iteration a little bit more. Instead, I found myself missing ther rhythm of Baldree's writing. It's just not quite the same in picture form and I think there are pieces missing that added the whimsy that made me really enjoy the original. However, it was still an enjoyable book and I enjoyed the artwork immensely. 

Viv is an orc who is tired of fighting. Her long-term goal has finally come to fruition and after her last battle, she takes off. In Thune, she's going to open a coffee shop. The fact that no one in Thune knows what coffee is isn't going to stop her. 

She immediately finds the owner of a specific shop and then a Hob named Cal to help her build. As the building goes up and gets finalized, she meets more and more people like the succubus who will help her run the place and a small mouse to provide baked goods. Like life, there will be some ups and downs but this story will end with an HEA. 

Three and a half stars

Legends & Lattes #1

This book comes out October 6, 2026

ARC kindly provided by Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Murder on Threadneedle Street by Andrea Penrose

As always, the book opens with a murder. This time, the victim is someone we've met in previous books which explains why Wrexham, Charlotte, and all of their friends and wards get involved with this crime. 

The stories in this series always have a historical pinpoint and the subject under discussion in this book is banknotes. I honestly hadn't thought about it very much but it makes sense that, at some point in our history, we had to figure out a way to try and thwart counterfitting. It made for some very interesting inventions and plot points. 

Another things that Penrose does so well is to allow character growth, however slight, for her characters. The addition of Eddy, Wrex's sister to the house has caused some ripples but, shockingly, all of the characters talk to each other about friction points and manage to smooth it out rather than it causing misunderstandings and friction that become the basis of the book. Instead, the mystery is central. 

Four stars

Wrexford & Sloane #10

This book came out September 29, 2026

Follows Murder at Somerset House

ARC kindly provided by Kensington Publishing and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

A Christmas Guide to Family and Murder by Dianne Freeman

Though Frances and Rose usually spend Christmas in London, this year is different. Now, Frances is married and her husband's half sister as well as the sister's half sister are also in the house. That means that changes might happen, including how the whole family wants to spend the holiday. That means going to the coast to be with George's sister Fiona and her family. 

The children will get to play with their cousins and there might even be snow. Aunt Harriet is joining them and her gentleman caller, Gilliam, is also invited. Although there seems to be some friction between the two of them. 

While they are there, a storm blows up. While the house they are staying in remains standing, other buildings are knocked down and the two men offer to help set things to rights. Frances and Fiona are taking the children into the village to see if they can help as well when they stumble across a dead body. It turns out to be someone who was not well-liked in the village for many reasons. 

It will take quite a bit of digging to figure out what happened and Frances is somewhat shocked to learn that the children are curious about the deaths and crime. She thought that she and George had done a good job hiding thier preoccupation from her daughter. 

A fun story with a little less George on page than usual but we got to see some of how Frances is navigating her new family, especially when one girl is fifteen and one who is pracctially an adult. 

Four stars

Countess of Harleigh #9

Follows A Daughter's Guide to Mothers and Murder

This book comes out September 29, 2026

ARC kindly provided by Kensington and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Peg and Rose Deck the Halls by Laurien Berenson

Peg wasn't paying attention and now it's almost Christmas. That means it's time to put together the Christmas Bazaar and children's dog show. Except, while she was distracted, the kennel club gave the job to Jonabell. Even though Peg created the show and has been spearheading it for years. Years. Now, she's in charge of decorations. So what does that mean? She's going to drag Rose into it. 

But, almost before they start planning, Jonabell drops dead. At Peg's open house. And it's not natural causes. 

Because it was at Peg's house and Jonabell had taken Peg's place, rumors are floating that she is under suspicion for the death. But we don't actually hear that from the police. We don't see much of the police in this book but one of the reasons I like this series is that Peg and Rose let the police know when they find clues. Peg even directs someone straight to the police station when they have information she thinks the police may not know. 

I didn't really understand why everyone was so suspicious of Peg, especially since Jonabell wasn't well liked to begin with. I had a hard time reconciling the sudden turn against Peg just because something happened at her house. 

Three and a half stars

This book comes out September 29, 2026

Senior Sleuths #4

Follows Peg and Rose Play the Ponies

ARC kindly provided by Kensington Books and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

The Cornish Halloween Murder by Fiona Leitch

The nearby, now deserted convent is being demolished. Back in the day, it was used as a place for unwed mothers to come and have their babies before being sent home. Jodie's mother is one of the people loudly protesting the demolition. But could someone be doing something more sinister? There are old dolls hidden around the building and it's spooking the contractors. And that's before the dead body turns up. 

Suddenly, the mystery becomes much more serious. 

Very much in line with the other books in the Nosey Parker series. I don't think you need to have read them before jumping into this story. The ending was pulled together a little quickly but overall an enjoyable read. 

Four stars

The Nosey Parker Mysteries #10

Follows The Cornish Honeymoon Murder

This book comes out September 24, 2026

ARC kindly provided by HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Well Versed by Jen DeLuca

Six years ago Nina's heart was broken. That tainted her love of the Ren Faire and even made her change her major. Now, she's jobless and had to move back home where they desperately need ladies in waiting. Too bad the man who broke her heart is still there. And, through a series of unfortunate events, he is now spending more and more time with her family. By extension then, her. And she may not be as upset as she originally thought about that.
I didn't enjoy this book as well as the first one. I'm not sure if I'm just in a different place but the heroine seemed more caught up in her own issues that circled and  

Three stars

Well Met #5

This book came out September 22, 2026

Follows Well Traveled

ARC kindly provided by NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group

Opinions are my own

We Chase Shadows by Richard Osman

A dead bodyguard? What is a person to do? Especially someone who isn't... exactly... on the right side of the law. Well, you might call We Solve Murders. Which works out well because it's been a long time and they haven't had a client. So Vern is a godsend. Maybe. He's also got an enemy named Jakob Eriksson. Vern says it's definitely not him, but someone sure is trying to make it seem like Eriksson is the Big Bad. 

It turns out that Esteban, the dead guard, won't be the only pereosn to die in this book. He's not even the only person to get shot. What does that mean for Amy, Steven, and Rosie? Well, in addition to some characters from the last book, Adam (Amy's husband/Steve's son), Felicity (the office admin/former talent agent), Tony (Steve's best friend/Felicity's beau), Marco (security at a Florida airport), Ernesto (Interpol/former lover of Rosie), and Trouble, Steve's cat who helps solve the mystery. 

Action-packed and including world travel, this book takes a little bit of time to get into. It ended up being very good but, even with starting off with a murder, takes some time to get to the story. 

Four 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

I'm going to say this up front: this book was SO long. I always forget to look at the total number of pages until I am far enough into the book to wonder when the end is going to be. The overall length on this one surprised me. I feel like it could have been tightened up a little bit as the informaiton in some places felt extraneous. Given the number of times this book could have ended, this could have also been split into a book and a novella. 

Kazimir and Arabella are very much still in the honeymoon phase of their relationship. And on their honeymoon as well. They are battling their way across the country and almost immediately pick up an old acquaintance (friend?) of Arabella's. And he's not the only person from one or both of their past's that they'll have to confront. Even worse, they can't spend two seconds together to clear up a misunderstanding that goes on for far to long in this book. 

Three 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

A really interesting book that explores women who excelled at various sports and whose name may or may not have been forgotten by time. Eder covers a number of different sports including tennis, diving, skating, and more. She also weaves in the history of the sport, sometimes telling how it was invented or why it became popular. 

The storytelling is a bit factual at times rather than weaving a story but I enjoyed learning about a number of different women who paved the way for other women to join the sports. 

Four stars

This book comes out September 8, 2026

ARC kindly provided by Sourcebooks and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

The Mystic and the Missing Girl by Vikki VanSickle

Drew Benson has inheriting her aunt's once thriving metaphysical shop. It started going downhill after her aunt, who was psychic, couldn't help find a missing girl. Her aunt could only come up with three words, none of which narrowed down the searching area. 

Now Drew has been tarred with the same brush. And she has a secret, she is psychic too. Her skill lies more in reading tarot. But she hasn't advertised that since Hannah was so publicly shunned. Now her high school nemesis (and NOT a love interest; refreshing!) is back in town. He's a new reporter researching the disappearance on the twenty year anniversary. So Drew is somewhat helping Nick, while also trying to keep paying her sole employee, and avoiding a love interest she knows is no good for her.

The world building on this one was maybe a bit rough but the characters were well-fleshed out without relying on stereotypes. The mystery was interesting and there were some clues that could help you determine what the outcome was going to be. 

Four stars

This book comes out September 8, 2026

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

Opinions are my own

Kiss Slay Replay by Rachel Harrison

Willa is stuck. She's heading to the wedding from a group of friends she met in college, but she's bound to see her ex there. The one she broke up with because they were beginning to want different things in their relationship. She is dreading it with the passions of a hundred fiery suns. And it sucks. It sucks so bad and it's even worse than she thought. Than she could have imagined. But... then she wakes up. And it's the same day. And it's even worse. And it happens again, and again, and again. 
Super gory but I really enjoyed getting to know Willa. We don't get to know the others as well but this really is a book that focuses on her. Is there some hand waving in this book? Yes. Yes there is. But I enjoyed it anyway and Harrison is still an author I will only read during the daylight hours.

Four stars

This book came out September 8, 2026

ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Philippa Flynn's Year of Panic and Piracy by Jacqueline Firkins

Phillipa Flynn has a near-death experience and upends her life. She quits her job and moves into her grandmother's house. The only wrinkle? Her grandmother's writing partner is still in the house. But that's fine, they can both be there. Even if the house is falling apart, it's still large. 

At first, she and Dylan don't interact much, he doesn't really seem to have much to say. But then they start to open up.

And even though this seemed to be billed as a romance, the focus is more on Philippa and her personal growth. It took me some time to get into the book, but I really enjoyed the middle. Unfortunately, the end didn't match the rest of the story. 

Three and a half stars

This book comes out September 1, 2026

ARC kindly provided by Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley

Opinions are my own