How To Find A Nameless Fae by A.J. Lancaster

What is a princess supposed to do when she's turned forty-one and the curse that she was born with never comes to fruition? Giselle's mother failed to guess a fae's name and he was supposed to come fetch her in return. But that hasn't happened. And Giselle has lived her whole life with no one wanting to get close to her because she's just going to leave. So, she's going to strike out and write her own story, heading into the fairy realm to find the being who has prevented her from living her life.

It turns out, the fae has lost something as well. And the two are now inextricably linked. The more time she spends with the fae, the less Giselle is convinced she's like to leave.
There were parts that you can't think too hard about but an overall charming story.

Four stars

This book came out June 26, 2025

Borrowed as ebook from Kindle Unlimited
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

She Has Her Mother's Laugh by Carl Zimmer, Joe Ochman

Starting off with the author wanting to know what heredity might mean for his unborn daughter. This kicks off a history of how the science of heredity came about and the goods and bads of all of the studies, where people went wrong, or, in the case of Watson and Crick, stole research and presented it as their own. 

He weaves in people like Pearl S. Buck who had a daughter with PKU and how genetic factors proved how the disease is inherited. Or Frederick Douglass who railed against the social mores placed on people based on the color of their skin. 

The narrators voice was very nice and lent itself well to the subject. 

Four stars

This book came out May 29, 2018

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

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

Eavesdropping on Animals by George Bumann, narrator: Eric Michael Summerer, foreword: Jon Young

Disclaimer: I know the author. The biggest disappointment of the audiobook is that he was not the narrator. We could have heard the actual turkey gobbles that won him a trophy, we could have experienced the raven's call, we could have heard his last name pronounced correctly (from his website: rhymes with human.)

The review of this book could be flattened to say, "Bumann tells you to go outside and use your senses." However it's so much more than that. He wants you to go outside and listen and watch and sync about what you're hearing and seeing not just observing but becoming a reader of the landscape.

Four stars

This book came out April 15, 2025

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

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

Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots

There seems to be a trend of flipping heroes and villains. This book follows that as Anna describes her job. She's just a data analyst. That's it. On a job-for-hire no less. Not even a full-time position. So why is she suddenly on TV standing behind a villain? And why is she feeling like she's been hit by a ton of bricks?
She's just another bystander, hurt in the crossfire of a hero/villain feud. Now she's got no friends, no insurance, and no job. And the hero who hurt her certainly isn't stepping up to help. Her one friend does eventually come back but Anna is fundamentally changed. She's ready to step up and see what she can do. Because in today's world? Data rules all.

Four stars

Hench #1

Followed by Villain

This book came out September 22, 2020

Hard copy from library

Opinions are my own

Hickory Dickory Dock by Agatha Christie, narrator: Hugh Fraser

Hercule Poirot has never considered that Miss Lemon might have a life outside of his office. As far as he knew, she was more or less an automaton. But, it turns out that she has a sister. And that sister needs help. She runs a boarding house for students and a number of items have gone missing. The only thing of any worth, a diamond ring, showed up days later in someone's soup but the overall atmosphere is chilling and she would like some help. 

Before the mystery is over, there is death. More than one. Will Hercule be able to solve the mystery? Of course, he is the great detective.

This is definitely a book of its time with some broad stereotypes and sweeping proclamations being tied to psychiatry, but the mystery is interesting and the end has a nice twist (even if it comes out of nowhere.)

Four stars

Hercule Poirot #30

Follows After the Funeral

Followed by Dead Man's Folly

This book came out in 1955

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Adversary to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer,narrator: Em Eldridge

I’m not sure why I keep reading this series (actually, in this case, I borrowed the book from a friend about three years ago and felt obligated to read it at this point). At this point it is mostly about Hannah’s love life rather than the mysteries. In this one, she starts by telling her church’s congregaton that she’s not married and the reason why. Everyone rallies behind her, one man threatening to kill her erstwhile husband. But then her husband starts pressing her for the money he gave her as a wedding gift and Hannah is trying to give it back but the bank’s red tape is working against her. Then Nolan turns up dead and the reason for his killing is not really fairly clued.

Four stars

Assistant to the Villain #4

Follows Apprentice to the Villain

Followed by ?????

This book came out August 4, 2026

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

We're All Going to Die Tonight! by Veronica Bane

The debate team is driving to their Airbnb after a disastrous meet. Avery is feeling like she's the one who lost the competition. But her musings also introduce us to the other characters riding in The Death Van (so named because it looks like a kidnapper's van.) When a tire blows out, they have to walk the rest of the way. 

The airbnb does not provide the shelter that they had hoped. Instead, two of the teens are attacked, two of the teachers are missing, and someone dies. 

I suspended a lot of disbelief and just want along with the story and that helped me to enjoy this book quite a bit.

Four stars

This book comes out September 15, 2026

ARC kindly provided by Random House Children's Books and NetGalley

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 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 Manor of Dreams by Christina Li

After two catastrophic events, Vivian Yin sent her daughters to a boarding school and their family was never the same. Now the first Chinese actor to win an Oscar is dead. Her family is shocked to learn that she changed her will two weeks before she died to benefit someone unexpected. Now, there are five people in a house that has deep secrets, some of which may still be hanging around. 

Four stars

This book came out May 6, 2025

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

168 Hours by Laura Vanderkam, narrator: Elizabeth London

As with many of the nonfiction books I read, this doesn't have any especially groundbreaking material. But the hook is interesting, even a decade and a half after the book was written.  One of the things that happens in our lives is that we fritter away time. But if we track our time, pay attention to what we do, we might actually get more done. This is always a good reminder, especially when we have more things than ever to distract us.

There are a surprising number of references to Bel Canto, though it was a hit at the time this book was written.

Four stars

This book came out May 26, 2010

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates by Shailee Thompson

Two women are heading out to a former club to attend a speed date. Jamie Prescott and her best friend Laurie are hoping to meet some men. They are not hoping to get murdered. But that, somehow, seems to be an option for the evening as, halfway through the rounds, the bodies start to pile up. Jamie is a big fan of both horror and rom-coms (writing her thesis on them, in fact) and has the list of rules for how to be the Final Girl. But will the rules work in real life? 

Four stars

Followed by While You Were Screaming

This book came out February 3, 2026

Borrowed as hard copy from library

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

Mystery of the Midnight Rider by Carolyn Keene, narrator: Jorjeana Marie

Nancy and Ned are at the horse show. Nancy never misses it and Ned has a family friend, Payton Evans, who is competing. Rumors are that Payton is being considered for the Olympic team. That would definitely cause a lot of jealousy and may be part of the reason that someone seems to be trying to sabotage her efforts. 

A really fast read but, like chips, still enjoyable. And the ending made sense which was nice. 

Four stars

Nancy Drew Diaries #3

Follows Strangers on a Train

Followed by Once Upon a Thriller

This book came out May 7, 2013

Opinions are my own

Murder on the Rocks by T.E. Kinsey

Flo and Lady Hardcastle are in a locked room mystery. Locked island mystery? It starts with a train trip though that doesn't serve much purpose other than to introduce a character who doesn't show up again until the end of the story. 

But the ladies are going to the island at the behest of an old friend, J. B. McIntyre. They're relatively excited because he is a millionaire who always shows them a good time. 

When they get to the island, everything seems wonderful... at first. Yes, the married couple running the place are a little rough around the edges and at least one of the couples seems to be in a bit of a feud, but that is par for the course at any house party. Not so par for the course? A dead body. Although Flo and Lady Hardcastle do seem to encounter more bodies than normal.

Four stars

Lady Hardcastle Mysteries #13

This book came out May 26, 2026

Follows The Beast of Littleton Woods

Borrowed as audiobook from Kindle Unlimited

Opinions are my own

The First 90 Days, Updated and Expanded by Michael D. Watkins

This was a really interesting book in how the ideas for getting up to speed in a new job should be prioritized. I enjoyed that the author prioritized learning the company's culture over making immediate changes. I don't love the layout of authors telling stories around why their programs work (So-and-so did this thing and here's one example of why that failed). I really enjoyed the narrator but would advise people to read the e- or physical book. There were a lot of references to charts that probably would have been helpful to see. 
Was it perhaps written with an overly idealistic idea of most companies? Yes, yes it was. But that doesn't mean there aren't some good takeaways. It is perhaps geared a little bit more toward the upper echelon than frontline managers so may not be AS useful for them.

Four stars

This book came out September 18, 2003

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

A Talent for Murder by Peter Swanson

I had not read other books in this series and didn't really even feel like I needed to. It might have provided some more background but most of the story is about Martha, a librarian who believes that her husband, Alan, might be a serial killer. She reaches out to the person who helped her out of a bad relationship once before, Lily Kintner. 

There were a LOT of twists and turns. Too many? Meh. It was close. 

Four stars

Henry Kimball/Lily Kintner #3

Follows The Kind Worth Saving

Borrowed as hard copy from library

Opinions are my own