Christmas Confidential Lily Chu, narrator: Phillipa Soo

I listened to this novella and enjoyed the narrator throroughly.
Hana Choi's ex-roommate and current best friend is marrying Hana's cousin, a super-famous K-pop star. But, as romance stories are wont to do, the wedding is getting out of hand. Papparazzi are everywhere, they've had to book three different luxury hotels to try and throw Jihoon's fans off their track.
What's making all of this so complicated for Hana is that it's happening right after Jihoon's former bandmate (Hana's big crush), Kit, has just announced his feelings for her. But what if them getting together destroys what they already have? They agree to do some trial dating. But the wedding, combined with Kit's new television show and fake dati
ng with his costar take a little bit away from the development of Hana and Kit's relationship.

Four stars

Connected to: The Comeback

This book came out October 15, 2026

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Plus

Opinions are my own

The Comeback by Lily Chu, narrator: Phillipa Soo

Ariadne Hui defines herself by her job. She's a lawyer. A darn good one, even if her heart isn't completely in it. But, this is what her dad has planned for her and she is nothing, if not a dutiful daughter. But her job is stressful and she's not excited to come home and find a stranger in her living room. Just... peachy. 

Choi Jihoon has just gone through a breakup according to his cousin Hana, Ariadne's roommate. He's going to hang out at their apartment while Hana is traveling. While Ariadne isn't particularly keen on the idea at first, she discovers that Jihoon is actually a really good listener. She's just starting to fall for the man when his secret is revealed and Ari is pushed into a realm she never thought she would have to join. 

I didn't love the third act miscommunication, especially since everyone seemed shocked at what I thought was a perfectly reasonable reaction from Ari. But a cute story and I hope the rest of the band members find love. 

Four stars

Connected to: Christmas Confidential

This book came out July 14, 2022

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Plus

Opinions are my own

Murder, I Spy by Lynn Morrison, narrator: Pearl Hewitt

It's early in the Roaring 20s and  Lord Reginald "Rex" Bankes-Fernsby is suspicious about his friend's death. Both Freddie and Rex were having trouble after returning from the war but Freddie had recently seemed like he was on an upswing. He had secrets but at least he had a purpose. And it's that purpose that Rex thinks may have gotten him killed. Someone who might know is the mysterious women known as Dora.

Like many after the war, Dora has secrets. One of them is that she and Rex have actually met before. At least once. But she can't let him know her secret because, underneath all the glitz and glamour, she's still working. And she's worried that her work may be what got Freddie killed. So, when Rex comes to her with questions, she uses him as a cover to keep looking for whatever Freddie had uncovered.

This is sort of a fluffy cozy but I enjoyed it quite a bit. The character building was fun and I'm ready to see where the series goes. 

Four stars

Dora and Rex 1920s Mysteries #1

Followed by The Missing Agent

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Premium Plus

Opinions are my own

The Witches: Salem, 1692 by Stacy Schiff, narrator Eliza Foss

I really enjoyed Foss's narration. Soon after the book started, I texted the friend who had recommended this book and let her know I was enjoying it. She said it took her a bit but she eventually also enjoyed Foss's tone and cadence. 

Schiff goes through the stories of both the accused and the accusers. I think this book most aligns with narrative nonfiction though it is more removed than I often think that genre is. Instead, a third person narrator walks us through the many, many trials of the men, women, and dogs put on trial for witchcraft. She gives us the history and the Venn Diagrams of how these people overlap. She gives the bare facts and steers away from analysis, allowing the reader to come to their own conclusions. I did flag a bit in the 60-90% but perked back up at the end. 

Four stars

This book came out October 27, 2015

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Dead Man's Folly by Agatha Christie, narrator: David Suchet

This is one of my favorite Agatha Christie books. The clues are all there, but the solution is diabolical.

Ariadne Oliver calls on her old friend for some help. She is helping to put together a mystery story for a village fete (so like an escape room with hints and clues!) but there is something wrong and she just can't put her finger on it. She knows that Hercule will solve the problem.
When Hercule arrives, it is to find Sir George and Lady Stubbs who have only recently bought the house from Mrs. Ffolliot (sp?). However, that woman still tends to run things as Lady Stubbs is... well, even though she's a grown woman, her mind hasn't fully developed. Then there is the group putting on the fete. There are a number of characters fleshed out fairly well. That includes the young girl who is going to be the dead body. And it is she who ends up dead first. It's up to Hercule to determine why someone would want to kill a teenager and to stop them before they kill again.

Four stars

Hercule Poirot #31

Follows Hickory, Dickory Dock

Followed by Cat Among the Pigeons

This book came out in 1956

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Destination Unknown by Agatha Christie, Emilia Fox

I knew I had read this book before but couldn't remember it from the title alone. As soon as Hilary Craven was introduced, I remembered most of the story and also why I was rereading it.

Hilary Craven doesn't have anything to live for. At least that's what she believes. It's what makes her the perfect recruit for Mr. Jessop. The world's scientists have been slowly disappearing. He was going to have his people follow Mrs. Besserton, but she died in a plane crash. The plane that Hilary was supposed to have been on. So why does Jessop come to her? Because she has red hair. She can pretend to be Olive Besserton and hopefully help the English government figure out what is going on.

There aren't a lot of clues as the story unfolds but the solution also doesn't come out of nowhere. There are crumbs that eventually lead to a rather delicious ending. 

Four stars

This book came out November 1, 1954

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

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

Tales from the Territory by Travis Baldree

What were our characters up to before we meet them in Legends and Lattes? Now we know.

Goblins & Greatcoats

Zyll is but a small goblin, traveling with her horse, Round Boy. She stops at an inn and walks into a nightmare. Well, it might be for most people but Zyll doesn't even acknowledge the bodies on the floor, she just wants food. But when it turns out there might have been something worth killing over. 

Just a Thiimbleful

Thimble has been working for an employer who doesn't even realize he's not his father. When his father got sick, he took over. No one noticed. But the employer only wants very specific (often bland) foods while Thimble knows that there cacn be more.  

Pages to Fill

How did Viv get set on the road to looking for the stone? And when did she first encounter coffee? What made her decide to give up adventuring for good. All of these questions are answered in this story.

Mirograph

From Legends & Lattes, we know that Tandri had gone to university but that something had happened while she was in school. In this story, Tandri is applying for a job with Professor Almeda. She is going to be helping with drawing as part of the professor's documentation into her work on mirography. 

Cavaliers & Coffees

What happens when another coffee shop completely rips off Legends & Lattes? Viv holds her head high and doesn't stoop to their level, but how long can they hold on if people keep going to a shop that is underselling every product? An old friend (acquaintance?) may have to step in and help them out. 

Four stars

Legends & Lattes stories

This book comes out Sepetember 30, 2026

ARC kindly provided by Subterannean Press 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

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

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

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