Malcolm Gladwell is one of a kind. He writes sociology about real life cultural issues and— every time— he has a way of making me see something in a completely different way. This book is compelling and important. While most of us agree that gun violence is tragic and a huge problem in America, often no one has any solutions for it. And while he isn’t a policymaker, Gladwell is going to challenge all of your assumptions and show you big correlations that you have been missing. My mouth just dropped open, several times. And this is a problem I feel very strongly about. I don’t want to spoil any of his data for you, because I truly want you to have the same jaw dropping moments as you read. I have to say, this book changed my worldview.
Maybe that’s because I’ve long suspected there was more of Zelda Fitzgerald’s voice in The Great Gatsby than history gives her credit for. Whether that’s true or not, Daisy has always struck me as a far more complicated character than she’s often given credit for. So when I heard someone had imagined what her life might look like a century later, I couldn’t resist.
First, a disclaimer: this is not a 1920s historical novel. It’s a modern-day psychological suspense novel that asks, What if Daisy Buchanan lived today? Think of it as fan fiction in the very best sense of the word—an imaginative reworking of beloved characters rather than a retelling of Fitzgerald’s original novel.
And yes…there are unavoidable spoilers for The Great Gatsby. But it’s been 100 years. I feel okay talking about them.
In this version, Daisy is a wealthy Long Island socialite trapped in an unhappy marriage, struggling with depression while trying to uncover what really happened to her best friend, Jordan Baker, after Jordan is found dead. The mystery moves quickly, the twists keep coming, and I found myself flying through the pages.
I also appreciated that Katie Cotugno doesn’t simply borrow Fitzgerald’s characters—she uses them to explore modern ideas about privilege, image, marriage, and the roles women are expected to play. Those themes are woven naturally into the suspense, giving the novel more substance than I expected.
Now, I already know this book is going to divide readers.
Some people are going to roll their eyes and call it cheesy.
To which I say…sometimes cheese is exactly what you’re craving.
Not every thriller needs to be an imported French cheese served on a charcuterie board. Sometimes you just want Cheez Whiz on a cracker, and you know what, friends? Cheez Whiz is delicious. This book embraces its big twists and dramatic reveals without apology, and I had an absolute blast with it.
The modern setting took me a little while to adjust to, but once I accepted that this wasn’t trying to recreate Fitzgerald’s novel, I was completely on board. And that ending? I genuinely did not see it coming.
If you love The Great Gatsby, enjoy psychological suspense, and are willing to have a little fun watching classic literary characters dropped into a contemporary thriller, I think you’ll have a great time with this one.
Now someone else needs to read it so I have people to discuss that ending with.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5/5)
Expected publication: January 5, 2027.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Well I guarantee this will be a celebrity book club pick. My moneys on Jenna, probably.
Set in the suburbs of San Francisco, Natalie Baszile tells the story of two longtime friends whose lives have become deeply intertwined. Babs is Black and the mother of a teenage daughter, Reese. Nora is white and the adoptive mother of a Black teenage son, Nathan. When the police are called while the teens are home alone, a traumatic encounter forces both families to confront the event—and everything that led up to it—from very different perspectives.
This is, first and foremost, a novel about friendship, but it’s equally a novel about race, privilege, parenting, and the ways our identities shape both how we move through the world and how the world responds to us. Baszile doesn’t offer easy answers or tidy resolutions. Instead, she invites readers into uncomfortable conversations that feel honest and deeply human.
As a middle-aged white woman, I want to read books like this. For far too long, much of publishing has presented stories about race in ways that allow white readers to remain comfortable. Fiction has the power to build empathy, challenge assumptions, and help us understand experiences beyond our own. That isn’t always an easy process, and this novel never pretends otherwise.
Despite the weight of its subject matter, the characters are what stayed with me. Babs and Nora are richly drawn, but it was the supporting cast that truly elevated the novel for me. Babs’s husband is one of my favorite characters I’ve read this year—steady, compassionate, and wonderfully written. The teenagers, especially Nathan, feel authentic in ways that many adult authors struggle to capture.
The writing reminded me of books like Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid, Yellowface by R.F. Kuang, and The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, while also carrying the issue-driven emotional weight of many of Jodi Picoult’s novels. It’s the kind of story that sparks conversation long after you’ve finished reading, making it an outstanding choice for book clubs.
Content warnings: racism, racial trauma, and a traumatic police encounter involving teenagers.
Rating: ★★★★¼ (4.25/5)
Expected publication: October 6, 2026.
Thank you to Pamela Dorman Books for providing an advanced reading copy.
Murder Most Cryptic is one of those books that I can easily imagine finding its audience, even though I wasn’t part of it.
The premise is undeniably fun: during an AA meeting in Scotland, a man walks in, collapses, and dies almost immediately. When a crossword puzzle is found in his pocket, it becomes clear that the clues may point to his murder. A quirky group of amateur sleuths sets out to solve both the crossword and the mystery behind his death.
The comparison to Richard Osman’s books makes sense. If you enjoy large ensembles of eccentric characters, witty dialogue, and cozy mysteries with an unusual hook, this will likely be worth a look.
For me, though, the mystery leaned a little too far into the implausible, and I never felt particularly invested in either the investigation or the characters. With such a large cast, I struggled to connect with anyone, and several of them felt underdeveloped. While the pacing is brisk and the humor lands more often than not, the story itself never fully grabbed me.
That said, I have to give Alys Cummings credit for an incredibly ambitious feat. Every chapter title is written as a crossword clue, with the answer hidden somewhere within that chapter, eventually creating a complete crossword puzzle. It’s genuinely ingenious. Reading on an e-reader made that element a bit clunky, but I suspect it will be much more satisfying in a finished print edition.
Ironically, that same crossword construction is also what kept me from loving the book. I admired the craftsmanship behind it, but it sometimes felt like the puzzle became more important than the mystery itself. I found myself appreciating the cleverness more than enjoying the story.
This is an impressive debut, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it develops a devoted following among crossword enthusiasts and cozy mystery readers. It simply wasn’t the right fit for my reading tastes.
Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the advance review copy.
Scream City is a slow-burn small-town mystery with a compelling premise, but one that ultimately didn’t leave a lasting impression for me.
Set in Walker’s Point, Wisconsin, in 1997, the story centers on Alice Foster, the owner of a charming independent bookstore housed in the building that once belonged to her infamous grandfather. Decades earlier, he terrorized the community as the “Cream City Killer,” strangling his victims with piano wire before dying in prison four years before the events of the novel. Now, a copycat killer has emerged, and suspicion quickly falls on Alice.
The second primary point of view belongs to Rex Hale, a former police officer now serving eviction notices for a local developer. When the very people he visits begin turning up dead in the same gruesome fashion, he finds himself under suspicion as well. Knowing they’re innocent, Alice and Rex begin investigating the murders themselves before the town decides one—or both—of them must be the killer.
The mystery itself kept me engaged, even if the pacing was uneven. There are long stretches devoted to building atmosphere and suspicion, and while I appreciated the slow unraveling of the investigation, the payoff was only satisfactory. I also found myself questioning why the novel was set in 1997. Aside from a handful of references, the story rarely takes advantage of its historical setting, and it could have unfolded almost identically in the present day.
The romance between Alice and Rex also didn’t land for me. Their relationship felt underdeveloped, and I never sensed much chemistry between them, making it feel more like a subplot added because one was expected than one that naturally grew from the story.
One aspect of Hannah Morrissey’s writing that really stood out was her vocabulary. She has a very distinctive style, frequently choosing unusual, highly specific words that you don’t often encounter in contemporary fiction. Some readers may enjoy that richness of language, while others may find it occasionally distracting. It certainly gave the novel its own voice.
The story also introduces ghostly elements that never felt fully explained. They add an eerie atmosphere, but I was left wondering what purpose they ultimately served.
Overall, this is a solid serial killer mystery with an intriguing premise, an enjoyable bookstore setting, and plenty of red herrings, but it never quite rose above “good” for me. Fans of Heather Gudenkauf and readers who enjoy quieter, small-town mysteries with off-page violence may find more to appreciate here than I did.
Thank you to Minotaur Books for providing me with an advance reading copy.
Emily Zinnikas delivers a genuinely creepy supernatural horror thriller that kept me turning pages from the unsettling prologue to its fast-paced finale. If you’re looking for buckets of gore, this isn’t that kind of horror. Instead, it leans into creeping dread, eerie atmosphere, and the unsettling question of whether the ghosts haunting this story are real—or whether the true monsters are the ones we carry within ourselves.
Seventeen years ago, Willa was the lone survivor after she and six friends disappeared into the woods outside her hometown of Rapture. Since then, she’s reinvented herself as the reclusive, world-famous artist W. Sloan, carefully keeping her past hidden. When a journalist exposes her true identity, she’s forced to return home for the funeral of her beloved art teacher, Mrs. Sloan. Planning only a brief visit, Willa instead finds herself staying to prepare her parents’ house for sale, where old memories—and perhaps something far more sinister—refuse to stay buried.
The opening chapters are wonderfully unsettling, and I appreciated how the novel sustained that sense of unease throughout. The mystery kept me invested, and the pacing is relentless, especially during the final act. Zinnikas has a talent for creating an atmosphere where every creaking floorboard and dark hallway feels threatening, making me question right alongside Willa whether the supernatural presence is real.
Where the novel lost me a bit was in its emotional depth. The large supporting cast never felt fully developed, and a few plot holes left me wishing the story had spent more time exploring its characters instead of racing toward the conclusion. Even so, the compelling mystery and constant feeling of dread made this a fun, fast read.
If you enjoy the atmospheric horror of Stephen King or Nat Cassidy, and prefer supernatural chills over graphic violence, this is a great choice to kick off spooky season.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the advanced reading copy. I Am the Monster Under the Bed publishes September 15, 2026.
If you’re looking for a cozy historical mystery with an unmistakably British atmosphere, this is an enjoyable way to spend a few hours. The 1950s Oxford setting is wonderfully realized, and the audiobook narrator’s polished British accent made this especially fun to listen to.
Genevra arrives at Oxford determined to prove she’s capable of more than simply becoming someone’s wife. Following in the footsteps of her late mother, she wants to carve out her own identity despite her father’s relentless pressure to marry. Sydney, a fellow student and former undercover operative during World War II, is carrying plenty of emotional baggage of his own after his wartime service. When an Oxford librarian is poisoned—and whispers of Soviet espionage begin circulating—the two reluctantly join forces to uncover the truth.
The mystery moves at a nice pace and was easy to follow on audio, but I found myself wishing for a bit more excitement. Despite the espionage angle, this is much more understated than adventurous, leaning into quiet investigation and character interactions rather than high-stakes action. That’s not necessarily a flaw—it simply wasn’t quite what I expected.
I also wanted more chemistry between Genevra and Sydney. Their partnership works well enough, but the romance never quite developed the spark I was hoping for. Since so much of Genevra’s journey centers on wanting a future defined by love and purpose rather than obligation, I would have loved a stronger emotional payoff by the end.
Overall, this was a charming, cozy mystery with a vivid historical setting and an excellent audiobook performance. If you enjoy lighter mysteries, postwar British society, Oxford academia, and a touch of Cold War intrigue, this will likely be a great fit.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5)
🎧 Audiobook: Highly recommended for the engaging narration.
Pub Date: September 1, 2026
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy. Murder on Charity Lane publishes August 18, 2026.
I made one unfortunate mistake before starting this book: I didn’t realize it was the second installment in the Marigold Cottages Mysteries. While it does spoil the outcome of the first book, that didn’t diminish my enjoyment nearly as much as I expected. In fact, I loved this cast so much that I’m already planning to go back and listen to book one anyway.
This series captures exactly what I want from a cozy mystery. The mystery itself has enough weight to keep me invested, but it never loses the warmth, humor, and sense of community that make the genre so comforting. Striking that balance isn’t easy, but Jo Nichols absolutely nails it.
The residents of Marigold Cottages are the true stars of the story. There are plenty of characters to keep track of—sometimes almost too many—but somehow that’s part of the charm. The cottages feel like the kind of place you’d actually want to live, surrounded by neighbors who genuinely care about one another. My favorite was Mrs. B, who completely stole every scene she appeared in.
I also have to rave about the audiobook. The narration is phenomenal. Every character has a distinct voice and personality, making such a large ensemble surprisingly easy to follow. If you’re an audiobook listener, I can’t recommend this format highly enough. It’s one of those performances that elevates an already enjoyable story into something even more memorable.
Maybe I was simply in the perfect mood for a cozy mystery, but this one absolutely hit the spot. It’s charming, funny, heartfelt, and delivers a mystery that kept me engaged from beginning to end.
If you’re looking for a cozy mystery with lovable characters, an inviting village setting, and an exceptional audiobook performance, this series is well worth picking up. Just do yourself a favor and start with book one!
Sarah Pinborough has a knack for writing mysteries that pull you in from page one, and They Say a Girl Died Here is no exception. Set in a small Appalachian town haunted by a string of murders, the story follows Anna as she begins to question the version of events her community has accepted for years. While everyone else believes the case was solved long ago, Anna can’t shake the feeling that something doesn’t add up—and she starts to wonder if the key to the truth lies with her grandmother, whose fading memories may be hiding more than anyone realizes.
This was a true page-turner. Pinborough’s pacing is excellent, steadily building tension while dropping just enough clues and red herrings to keep me guessing. I especially enjoyed the eerie small-town atmosphere and found myself eager to unravel the mystery alongside Anna. There is a significant twist that I never saw coming, even if it felt a bit abrupt once it arrived.
Where the novel lost me was in its resolution. I found myself more intrigued by a few of the alternate possibilities the story teased than by the direction it ultimately chose. I also thought some of the portrayals of rural Appalachian life leaned on familiar stereotypes, which pulled me out of an otherwise immersive setting.
That said, this is still an engaging mystery with strong momentum, memorable atmosphere, and a compelling central puzzle. If you enjoy twisty mysteries from authors like C.J. Tudor or Every Sweet Thing Is Bitter by Samantha Crewson, this one is well worth adding to your TBR.
I also highly recommend the audiobook. The narrator does an excellent job distinguishing each character with unique voices, making the story easy to follow while adding another layer of tension to an already suspenseful read.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy. They Say a Girl Died Here publishes August 25, 2026.
It still feels a little surreal that The Time Traveler’s Wife has a sequel arriving 23 years later. I remember enjoying the original novel, although it’s been so long that many of the details have faded—I’ve probably read well over 2,000 books since then. I was genuinely curious to return to this world and see what Audrey Niffenegger would do with Henry and Clare’s daughter, Alba.
Unfortunately, A Life Out of Order wasn’t the follow-up I was hoping for.
Alba has inherited Henry’s chronodisplacement disorder, causing her to involuntarily jump through time without warning or control. She’s an intriguing protagonist, and I was interested in exploring how growing up with this ability would shape her life. But despite that strong premise, the novel never found its footing for me.
Time travel is one of the hardest concepts to execute well, and I found this story surprisingly difficult to follow. The narrative splinters into countless directions with an ever-expanding cast of POV characters, many of whom never feel fully developed. Several plotlines seemed like they were building toward something meaningful, only to quietly disappear without much payoff.
My biggest hurdle, though, was the length. At over 560 pages, the story felt incredibly bloated. I kept waiting for the various threads to come together, but instead the novel became increasingly sprawling and unfocused. By the end, I found myself pushing through rather than eagerly turning the pages.
There are moments that reminded me why I loved Niffenegger’s imagination in the first place, and Alba herself is a compelling character. I just wish her story had been told with a clearer narrative structure and a much tighter edit.
Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)
Thank you to NetGalley and Hanover Square Press for the eARC. A Life Out of Order publishes October 6, 2026.
