Once Upon a Thriller by Carolyn Keene, narrator: Jorjeana Marie

Nancy, Bess, and George are on a "camping" trip, staying in a cabin. They get to the location, take a quicky hike around the lake, then decide to visit the nearby town. Once there, they discover that the local bookstore, Paige's Pages has burned down. Outside are a number of fans who had been getting ready for a book signing by a reclusive author who only ever signs books at that particular store. 

That's not the only odd thing to happen in town and many of the strange happenings seem to mirror the plot of the author's first book.

An interesting story that is fluffier than the others so far in this series but it is aimed at the middle grade so that is something to consider.   

Four stars

Nancy Drew Diaries #4

Follows Mystery of the Midnight Rider

Followed by Sabotage at Willow Woods

This book came out May 7, 2013

Opinions are my own

The Mystery at Lilac Inn by Carolyn Keene, narrator: Laura Linney

I didn't remember this book from reading it before. It's nice to find new titles even in a series I thought I had completed. Granted, this is a children's series, but there was a lot of coincidence and some fairly unbelievable aspects to this story. It was certainly interesting to think of Nancy in scuba gear. 

She's helping her friend Emily who is having some problems while converting a family house to an inn. She is also engaged to be married. There are any number of things going wrong including her jewelry inheritance being stolen from a room that a whole group is in.

There is also a sub-but-related-plot of someone impersonating Nancy.  

Three and a half stars

Nancy Drew #4

Follows The Bungalow Mystery

Followed by The Secret of Shadow Ranch

This book came out in 1930

The Silent Appeal by Janice Hallett

The Fairway Players are back. Once again, something has happened that requires lawyers to go through the correspondence of the acting group. We even get the same people looking over the papers (this is specifically because of the work they did on the previous case.)

Like the other books, this is an epistolary encompassing texts, emails, and even one player's personal journal. There are a LOT of people and, while I would say it helps to read the first book, I only have dim memories of all of the players from that one so you may not need it. 

The players are just as dysfunctional as they were in the first book with feuds that are both obvious and somewhat less so. They are putting on Agatha Christie's The Hollow which has some obvious echoes to characters both old and new. Like the last book, this one will have at least one murder. Is the ending just as weird? Yes. Did I generally enjoy it? Yes. 

Three and a half stars

This book come out August 25, 2026

ARC kindly provided by Atria Books and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Miss Morton Takes the Waters by Catherine Lloyd

Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton are on their way to Bath. Caroline's mysterious "inheritance," still hasn't come through and Mrs. Frogerton is in the doldrums so it seems like the best idea. Once there, they start meeting people. Of course, many of the people look down on Mrs. Frogerton for coming from trade. But she doesn't mind any of them, even the eternally grumpy Lady Brompton. She is not the one who is murdered, however. 
Even so, there are a number of suspects in the murder. The ending came a little bit out of nowhere and was a little more chaotic than I remember the Miss Morton series being. 

We have two famaciliar characters but in a new setting and a new supporting cast, including another inspector who is very much intrigued by Caroline. I am generally enjoying this series but hope that Caroline's personal arc gets some movement soon. 

Three and a half stars

This book comes out August 25, 2026

Miss Morton #6

Follows Miss Morton and the Missing Heir

ARC kindly provided by Kensington Publishing and NetGalley

Opinions are my own 

One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus

Five teens show up for detention. One of them runs a gossip website that is about to expose various secrets of the other four. One of them doesn't make it out of the room. Everyone gets up to look at a car accident and the fifth dies. 

Told in alternating views of the four teens, the mystery slowly unfolds, as well as the secrets of the teens and everyone in their orbit. The book is a bit dated at this point (several mentions of an ipod Nano), but the feelings remain the same. Could this happen today? Definitely. Did I like all of the characters? Not personally, and some of them definitely felt stock, but I'm willing to read the next book in the series to see how the stakes are raised.

Three and a half stars

One of Us is Lying #1

Followed by One of Us is Next

This book came out May 30, 2017

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Curse of the Arctic Star by Carolyn Keene, Jorjeana Marie (Narrator)

Nancy, along with Bess and George, starts what seems to be a series of somewhat interconnected mysteries. There have been some rumors surrounding the opening of a new cruise ship. People are thinking it might be cursed. So the granddaughter of the owner asks Nancy for help. In return, they will get to stay in one of the fanciest suites on the boat which includes four rooms. And Bess decides to invite her boyfriend du jour so the mystery is complicated by the fact that Nancy doesn't want him to know that she's doing detective work. 

There were some things that irked me about this story but might not occur to a middle schooler. I'm definitey going to keep reading. 

Three and a half stars

Nancy Drew Diaries #1

Followed by Strangers on a Train

This book came out February 5, 2013

Opinions are my own

Read Your Mind by Oz Pearlman

I hadn't heard of this author before, just enjoy reading books about how to be successful. Coming from a mentalist, it makes sense that most of the habits have to do with working with people. Nothing really ground breaking but an interesting way to experience them, through various tricks that he used in both his magic and mentalist shows. I love hearing about memory tricks, but they don't work for everyone. He trains people on the alphabet backward using a storyline and pnemonic but assumes that people will remember that particular device. 

Three and a half stars

This book came out October 30, 2025

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own 

Harvest Season by Brynne Weaver

Nolan and Harper are back again. Less killing in this book but they are still having to deal with all of the deaths in the first book. The true crime group who lost two members in the first book are in town trying to figure out what happened to their friends. There was also a big reveal at the end of the last book that is having consequences in this book. Consequences that leave Nolan and Harper at odds at the end of this book.

Three and a half stars

Seasons of Carnage Trilogy #2

Follows by Tourist Season

This book came out June 9, 2026

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The Secret of Shadow Ranch by Carolyn Keene, Mildred Benson (Ghostwriter)

Nancy is meeting Bess and George at their aunt and uncle's ranch. There's a phantom horse causing issues across the ranch and they are close to having to abandon the ranch altogether. But is there really a phantom? And does it have anything to do with the notorious outlaw Dirk Valentine who is reported to have hidden a treasure somewhere on the ranch?
Nancy gets knocked out in this book. This seems to happen to the poor girl so many times. This book is definitely dated - fascination with the old west, some of the clues wouldn't be as well known today, bit it is a fun book with a glimpse into the time the book was written.

Three and a half stars

Follows The Mystery at Lilac Inn

Followed by The Secret of Red Gate Farm

This book came out in 1931

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Rocky Road by Bob Mayer

If you are expecting this to be a continuation of the Rocky Start series, it is. To an extent. This is very much an instrospectie journey for Max to heal himself (as much as he can) from the pyschological toll his job took on him. His goal is to finish the Appalachain Trail, but his friends and family have added an additional goal of getting out of his own head by talking to at least one person every day.

It's a little corny but it really works for Max and he saves a bunch of people along the way. 

Three and a half  stars

Rocky Start #3.5

Follows Honey Pot Plot

This book came out March 17 2,026

Borrowed as ebook from Kindle Unlimited

Opinions are my own

The Cherkley Court Conundrum by Benedict Brown

Marcus is just about to declare himself to Bella when a face from his past appears. His romantic past. Which I was frankly surprised about since I had the impression that he was not very good with women. Well, Nerea needs help. A maid in the house she works for was attacked and nearly killed. She has read that Marius and Bella solve mysteries and hopes that they can come help her. 

There are strange things happening at Lord and Lady Sheridan's house. He is mostly absent, the children are beyond spoiled, and she is hosting a number of artists. Not everyone is who they seem to be and suspicion has settled on an absent gardener, Nerea's new love. 

I really liked this mystery because it moved several storylines along while still focusing on the mystery in front of them. I also liked that Valentine is once again part of the group. 

Four stars

Marius Quin Mystery #7

Follows The Holly Village Murders

This book came out July 17, 2026

ARC kindly provided Storm Publishing and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Our Marriage Is Murder by Carol Goodman

After twenty years and as many co-written mystery novels, Thea is ready to get out. Both out of her marriage and out of writing. The convention they're traveling to will be their last. But that doesn't mean she wants their lives to end. And there are an awful lot of people dying at the beautiful Casstelarosa. Suspiciously dying in the ways and order that Thea and her husband put in their first mystery. 

The local inspector seems inordinately suspicious of Thea so she's going to have to some sleuthing on her own to try and figure out what is going on.

I appreciated that Thea didn't immediately become a super sleuth just because she was a mystery writer. Parts of the plot were a little heavy handed for my tastes and Thea was a little too self-righteous. Overall, I finished the book and enjoyed the ties to Agatha Christie. I also really enjoyed Goodman's characterizations of fervent book fans and laughed out loud over a line about not crossing book club ladies. 

Three and a half stars

This book comes out July 21, 2026

ARC kindly provided as ebook by William Morrow and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Learning and Development Essentials by Albert Singh, Vibrant Publishers

A nice, basic book that is a decent introduction to Learning and Development. It covers things like basic theories of not only learning and development but of learning. It covers some of the tools that you might need if you are developing an L&D program and even touches on data gathering and reporting. 

Three and a half stars

This book comes out July 18, 2026

ARC kindly provided by BooksGoSocial and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

The Cloak and Dagger Club by Jackie McMahon

Lucy Hubbard has been invited to the exclusive Cloak and Dagger club for a meeting. The founder and president, Horace Hazelmoor, himself invited her. She's not sure why. Yes, she had a book published and, yes, it was well reviewed, but why her? Somehting happened at a party that she's still embarrassed about but we don't know what it is at the beginning. Instead, we're treated to a third person look at Horace's mind and the fact that he is planning to use Lucy for nefarious purposes. 

But before Horace's grand plan is realized, he is killed. And all of the authors at the club come under suspicion. Especially Frank, with whom Lucy has a past. So she decides to make like Pandora Grey (her fictional detective) and solve a murder.

There's a lot going on in this book with the main focus being on Lucy and Frank but our third person omniscient view swings around to other characters as well. 

Three and a half stars

This book comes out July 14, 2026

ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Enter the Nightmare by Jayne Castle

The book opens with Alice Radstone returning to the Hotel of Dreams. Except this time, she's there on purpose. It's been ten months since she escaped a ward for the criminally insane after being dubbed "The Mad Bride." Everyone thought she had killed her husband, but she has no memory of that night. Nor has she any memory of that husband.

Owen March is feeling guilty. He helped a very wealthy man track down Alice, but he's beginning to thingk that the story he was told is a lie. He's going to make sure that Alice can return to her regular life a free woman. And to do that, he'll have to keep her safe by marrying her.

Is this book a little bonkers? Oh yeah. Did I still enjoy the ride? Mostly. It stretched my disbelief suspension to the max but I overall had fun.

Three and a half stars

Ghost Hunters #18

This book comes out June 30, 2026

Follows It Takes a Psychic

ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

The Cornish Honeymoon Murder by Fiona Leitch

Fiona and her husband Nate are newly marrired and ready for their honeymoon. Suddenly, they are taking it... along with her mother, daughter, and dog. At least it's a free trip to an almost carbon-neutral resort in one of the Isles of Scilly off Cornwall Why free? Because multi-millionaire owner, Isaac Barnes,believes someone is sabotaging the opening and he wants the help of the woman who solved a murder for him a few years ago. 

At first, it seems like a lark. There are a lot of famous people to ogle. The resort is right plush. Unfortunately, the pranks start escalating. And a death is discovered, just as a storm comes bearing down on the island. Nate and Fiona are on a timeline to find out who killed this thoroughly objectionable character before the storm clears up. 

Three and a half stars

The Nosey Parker Mysteries #9

Follows The Cornish Christmas Pantomime

This book comes out June 26, 2026

ARC kindly provided by HarperCollins UK and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Funny Man Patrick McGilligan

A deep dive into the life of Mel Brooks. This book starts, as many good books do, at the beginning, with Brooks' birth in 1926. The whole first chapter is devoted to his first eighteen years, growing up in New York as the youngest of five, being coddled and cosseted. The books moves on to his time in the army during WWII, his time in television, and his movies. There are touches on his marriages and other romances. 
This book is not sycophantic, acknowledging that Brooks was often a horrible coworker and employee, stealing ideas, not crediting people, and often raging at them. 
I'm not sure why, in this day and age, various slurs were in this book They weren't needed for verisimilitude and any number of other words could have been used instead. 

Three and a half stars

This book came out March 19, 2019

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

Redshirts by John Scalzi

I think knowing the conceit of this book, since it was recommended to me by at least two people, took me a little bit out of the story itself.

Andy Dahl is about to join the spaceship Intrepid. He's going to added on with four other people, two he knows. But there's something strange on board the ship. The crew tend to scatter whenever the officers come around. And four is a large number of people to replace at one time. As Andy and his crewmates begin to explore, they begin to realize that not all of them will survive to a happy ending.

Three and a half stars

This book came out June 5, 2012

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House by Joanna Davidson Politano

Sydney Forrester has never known her mother. But little did she know that a search for the woman would lead her to a new life. While more or less happy in London, Sydney is given the chance to change her life at Blakely House when she learns that she's the sole inheritor of the place. She assumes it's a small cottage but instead, it is a large house on a small island and it is feared by the neighbors.
She arrives with her cat, Micah, in the middle of a storm. She is saved (?) by a one-armed Frenchman but finally makes it into the house where she is immediately charmed by all of the movement, then immediatley after scared by the servants. It's then that she finds out that she is not actually the sole inheritor but one of four. Now it's up to her to figure out not only the machinations in the house, but in person.
The ending to the main story was a little overwrought but an overall okay story.

Three and a half stars

This book came out Aprill 15, 2025

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The Dark Lord's Guide to Dating (And Other War Crimes) by Tiffany Hunt

This books is VERY like the Assistant to the Villain series although Arabella doesn't end up with Kazimir by choice. Instead, she is kidnapped because of her bloodline. The Dark Lord needs someone with magical blood to help unlock an ancient artifact. However, it seems like the artifact needs more than just marriage to have the powers the Dark Lord needs. Kazimir doesn't want to trick Arabella but the attraction they feel toward each other isn't necessarily a bad thing so a lot of Happy Fun Times ensue. It's just a darn shame that every time they have sex, they destroy a little more of the castle. 

Three and a half stars

Guides to Villainy and Love #1

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

This book came out May 24, 2025

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own