Somebody Worth Killing
by Jessica Payne
Assassin Mom (5/11/2026)
This book is a fun, fast read built around an interesting idea: a mom juggling everyday life—PTA meetings, school drop offs, grocery runs, and family responsibilities—while also being an assassin It gave me Dexter vibes in the "vigilante with rules" sense, except the guiding moral voice here comes from a grandmother who may have the same impulses, which adds a fresh twist. Once another assassin enters the picture with his own agenda, the plot gets twisty and kept me turning pages. The ending also leaves room for more—either a sequel, or a prequel digging into the grandmother's backstory. Overall, it's an entertaining mix of mystery, secrets, and a touch of romance.
Summer's Never Over
by Darby Bozeman
Secrets are Over! (4/13/2026)
Secrets abound in this suspenseful mystery set at a remote summer camp ringed by dark woods. Alongside the eerie setting, the story captures a girl's uncertainty as she tries to figure out where she belongs and what she wants, while long-buried truths from years ago begin to surface. It raises an unsettling question: do we ever really know who someone is—especially when we are still learning who we are ourselves? I found it to be a page-turner, and with so many plausible suspects, I did not guess who was behind the events and only knew as they were revealed.
The Insomniacs
by Allison Winn Scotch
Sleeplessness and Secrets (3/23/2026)
I found the story compelling, especially the mystery of Betty's past and the final reveal of what drove her to run and who was behind the fatal acts. The characters were engaging, and even though they came from diverse backgrounds, I found it endearing that they bonded over their insomnia and became friends who supported one another. At times, the push-and-pull of Zeke and Sybil's feelings for each other felt a bit overdone and slowed the pacing whenever the narrative circled back to the same misunderstandings. Still, it was not enough to detract from my overall enjoyment and keep me awake reading!
Boring Asian Female
by Canwen Xu
Pressure to Acheive (3/6/2026)
When I first began reading the book, I found the percentile ratings amusing. However, as the character's fixation on them grew into an obsession, the story took a much darker and more unsettling turn. The book effectively illustrates how intense pressure to achieve can lead to unhealthy and even deadly consequences. Over time, I became less sympathetic toward the protagonist and ultimately came to dislike her. Despite this, I continued reading because I was intrigued to see how far her obsession would go and the toll it took on her friends and family. I would give it 3 1/2 stars.
Everything Lost Returns: A Novel
by Sarah Domet
Dual timeline mystery (12/22/2025)
The book weaves the connections between two stories separated by over 75 years with a steady unfolding of events culminating in heartbreaking resolutions. I found it well-written and the story intriguing and it kept me engaged. Both Bertie and Opal had to fight against the suppression of their rights but their choices had consequences that reverberated across time.
The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives
by Elizabeth Arnott
Serial Killer Ex-wives Club (12/17/2025)
What better group to solve serial murders than a disparate trio of ex-wives of convicted serial killers that likely would not have been friends without this commonality? It is an interesting premise for the book which at times was a bit light without diverging into humor and verged on becoming a "cozy" mystery. I could see this developing into a series with Enid joining the group. There were enough twists to keep me interested. However, I was not a fan of the time period in which it took place and how the women were treated even though they prevailed.
Dandelion Is Dead
by Rosie Storey
Unique Relationship Premise (10/6/2025)
The story had a mixture of humor while navigating romantic relationships and contending with grief both old and new. While I was rooting for the characters, if it was real life, I am not sure all the lies and misunderstandings that occurred would bode well for a long-term relationship. However, I did enjoy the story, characters, and all the highs and lows that Poppy and Jake went through to find their way forward.
The Sister's Curse
by Nicola Solvinic
Mystical Mystery (7/16/2025)
The air of mystery of past and current events evokes an unsettling atmosphere, it keeps you reading but I wanted to yell at the main character "Please leave, it is too dangerous!." The power of belief whether in good or evil shaped the town, people, and events. I look forward to other books by the author.
The Bone Thief
by Vanessa Lillie
Cultural conflicts. (7/16/2025)
It is a history that you do not always think about day-to-day but that had a lasting impact on indigenous cultures that continues today. The conflicts carried through from the past and shaped the present-day events in the book. It did prompt me to look up some of the historical events. However, i thought some of the characters were stereotypical and not much complexity was provided for them.
The Vanishing Place
by Zoë Rankin
Fear and isolation in the bush (6/22/2025)
My heart broke for the children and the misunderstandings and misperceptions that shaped their lives and affected their relationships. The dual timelines created suspense that kept building throughout the novel with a surprise identity towards the end. You can leave but never fully escape the past.
The Whyte Python World Tour: A Novel
by Travis Kennedy
Raucous Rock and Roll (4/15/2025)
It was a fun read with entertaining characters and humorous dialogue. It was an interesting premise for a covert operation if a bit unbelievable but it added to the absurd antics. There was a nostalgic view of metal (don‘t say hair) bands and some old school Cold War times. If a story about a rock and roll spy working with a group of CIA operatives on probation to end communism in the Eastern Bloc through music and T-shirts is your kind of story, this is the book for you!
Making Friends Can Be Murder
by Kathleen West
Entertaining read (2/6/2025)
I read this in two nights! It had friendship, mystery, and a little romance with engaging characters. I found the idea of a multi-generational same name club that solved crimes an interesting premise and the author executed it well. At first the dates were a bit confusing but once I realized the timeline shifted back and forth, I paid better attention at the beginning of the chapter to the dates.
Jane and Dan at the End of the World
by Colleen Oakley
Fun Read (12/15/2024)
I enjoyed reading this book and found it engaging. The sense of humor throughout was similar to mine and had me laughing. If I could write a book, I imagine it with this type of writing. Some may find the light touch on a terrorist action to be disturbing. I am recommending friends to read for the phrasing and wit of the writing.
Smothermoss
by Alisa Alering
Magical Mountain (5/23/2024)
I was not sure where the novel was going at first as it seemed to jump around but as I kept going, I found the writing lyrical and captivating. The development of the sisters and their relationship with each other and their environment (particularly the mountain) was moving. We do not always think about our relationship to nature and how where we live creates ties that bind us to each other and to the land. This novel captured that in a magical way. I found the mysticism in the story as a metaphor for things that can pull us down or lift us up. However, I am not sure if it will have broad appeal because it took time to get interested in the characters and story and the magical aspects may not appeal to a broad audience.
