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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.

Publication date: February 16, 2027
Rating: ⭐⭐½

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.

Rating: ★★★☆☆
Publication Date: January 27, 2027

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.

★★★★☆ (Story) | 🎧★★★★★ (Audiobook Performance)

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!

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5/5)

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.

Lynn Painter has done it again. She continues to prove that she’s the undisputed queen of the cute YA rom-com, and Trust Fall was an absolute delight.

Julia has spent her whole life in Springfield, Nebraska, where her family owns the local grocery store. Then, completely out of the blue, they learn that their late neighbor, Lou, has left them his enormous mansion on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. If the family lives there for six months, they’ll inherit not only the mansion but also Lou’s hundreds of millions of dollars.

Once they’re in New York, Julia is suddenly trying to navigate prep school, high society, and a lifestyle that’s about as far from small-town Nebraska as you can get. She meets Damion, Lou’s nephew, who knew him as Uncle Remi and is convinced there has to be some mistake. After all, why would his uncle leave everything to strangers? As Damion tries to figure out what’s really going on, he ends up helping Julia adjust to her new life—tutoring her in math, showing her how to survive the subway, and, of course, spending a lot more time with her than either of them expected.

This book is basically every small-town girl’s daydream. It’s such a fun wish-fulfillment story, and I couldn’t help smiling while I read it. Julia’s introduction to Manhattan society gave me The Princess Diaries vibes, while some of the glamorous social events reminded me a little of Bridgerton. It was so much fun watching her figure out this completely different world.

One thing I really appreciated was the setting. Most of Lynn Painter’s books are set in Nebraska, so it was fun to see her take readers to Manhattan while still keeping the warmth and charm that I always associate with her books.

The banter between Julia and Damion is exactly what I’ve come to expect from Lynn Painter—funny, sweet, and full of chemistry. I also loved that Julia quickly found good people in New York. There really isn’t a “mean girl” element here, which made the whole story feel refreshingly cozy and easy to settle into. Even Julia’s parents were just genuinely kind people, and I found myself rooting for this whole family.

Is the story a little formulaic? Sure. But honestly, that’s part of the charm. Lynn Painter knows exactly how to write a feel-good YA romance, and this is another reminder that this is where she shines.

If you’ve loved Better Than the Movies, The Do-Over, or Fake Skating, I think you’ll have a great time with this one. It’s sweet, completely closed-door, and just a wonderfully escapist read that’s perfect for fall.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5

Publication date: September 29, 2026.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the advance reading copy. As soon as I finished, I was happy I’d already preordered a copy to round out my Lynn Painter shelf.

3.5 ⭐️ | Don’t Blame the Wife by Darby Kane

Darby Kane has become one of those thriller authors I can count on for an entertaining, twist-filled ride, and Don’t Blame the Wife delivers exactly that. If you love wealthy families, locked-room mysteries, long-buried secrets, and plenty of soap-opera-worthy scandals, this one is worth adding to your TBR.

The story centers on Amery Aberdeen Benedict, the formidable matriarch of a powerful family living in a $28 million estate. Ten years ago, her husband Walter was found floating dead in the swimming pool, and many believed Amery got away with murder. She has always maintained her innocence.

To mark the tenth anniversary of Walter’s death, Amery summons her children, their partners, and everyone who was present that fateful night back to the mansion. When another guest winds up dead, no one is allowed to leave until the mystery is solved. As an added incentive, Amery announces that whoever uncovers the truth will inherit her entire estate.

From there, the novel becomes a fast-paced, locked-room mystery filled with shifting timelines, multiple points of view, family betrayals, secret affairs, and enough drama to rival Knives Out by way of The Young and the Restless. Everyone seems to fear Amery, and she easily became the most compelling character in the book. Every time she was on the page, she commanded attention.

As always, Darby Kane excels at pacing. The chapters fly by, the twists keep coming, and the story constantly gives you new suspects and motivations to consider. I never felt bored, and I was eager to see how everything would come together.

What kept this from being a four-star read for me was the characterization. While there are several points of view, many of the voices blend together, making it difficult to become invested in anyone besides Amery. Gena, Cooper’s fiancée and the story’s primary outsider, feels like the character readers are meant to root for, but she never develops enough of a distinct personality to truly stand out. As a result, the emotional stakes never landed quite as strongly as I hoped.

Even so, this is another solid thriller from Darby Kane. It follows a formula similar to some of her previous novels, but it’s a formula that works. If you’re a fan of locked-room mysteries, dysfunctional wealthy families, and page-turning suspense with plenty of shocking reveals, I think you’ll have a great time with this one.

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for providing me with an electronic ARC. Don’t Blame the Wife is expected to be published on January 12, 2027.