A Secret at Windmill Cottage - Dune Island #8

 

A Secret at Windmill Cottage is the 8th standalone Dune Island mystery romance by Kristin Harper. Released 16th Sept 2025 by Bookouture, it's 270 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats.  It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.

There's an element of family saga to the stories in this series. Each is self contained and a complete story, set in and around the same area of New England. There are gentle themes of second chances, romance, healing, and a redemption arc for the main character. 

The story arc is well written and engaging, with well delineated believable characters and settings. The language is clean, without on-page violence and a without too much dramatic tension. 

Four stars. It would be a good choice for a binge/buddy read, or possibly a solid book club selection. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.  

Sandbakkels and Sin - Cash Kristiansen Mysteries #1

 

Sandbakkels and Sin is the first Cash Kristiansen cozy mystery by George Robstad. Released 3rd Jan 2025, it's 254 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The second book in the series is also currently available on KU.

This is a queer friendly, engaging, well written small town mystery with an appealingly intelligent protagonist. He's a consultant at an investment firm in the city, and his methodical, structured way of thinking serves him well when he's drawn into a mystery back in the rural area he's been away from for years. A frantic call from his aunt brings him back to Salt Cliff Isle, but the peaceful tranquil town he remembered from his youth has changed.

The series titles have a Scandinavian vibe from the baked goods at the Fjord & Fika cafe. The characterizations are well rendered and three dimensional. The main protagonist is gay, and the author does a good job of *not* making it his whole personality. It's not preachy or strident, and that's refreshing. There are themes of found family, and a good character arc. The pacing is sedate, and the vibe is definitely cozy (too cozy?). The denouement and resolution are a bit over the top, but not too much. 

Four stars. There's a second book out now, with a third in the works. It would be a good choice for a nice mini-binge or buddy read. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.  

The Last Death of the Year - New Hercule Poirot Mysteries #6

 

The Last Death of the Year is the 6th modern classic mystery featuring Poirot, by Sophie Hannah. Released 28th Oct 2025 by HarperCollins on their William Morrow imprint, it's 288 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out from the same publisher in 3rd quarter 2026. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. 

The plotting is very slow, built up over time and quite disjointed in places. There are no really sympathetic characters; they're all superficial oddballs, and the denouement is less of a crescendo than a scattershot collection of "facts" which have very little resemblance to the standards Christie employed. There were a number of outlandish plot twists which interfered with the suspension of disbelief (no spoilers - never fear), but in the end plot threads resolve, clues are sort of sorted, mysteries are mostly tied together, albeit haphazardly, and Poirot sallies forth in search of the next mystery. 

Readers in search of classic mystery fare will find this one fits relatively well as an homage to the genre. Despite featuring Poirot, this one is more enjoyable without trying to read it as part of the canon.

Three stars. Not Christie, but quite readable.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

 

12 Ways to Kill Your Family at Christmas

 

12 Ways to Kill Your Family at Christmas is a tongue-in-cheek holiday themed murder spree in the classic vein by Natasha Bache. Released 9th Oct 2025 by HarperCollins on their One More Chapter imprint, it's 354 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references. 

With nods and winks to closed suspect pool/isolated setting mysteries of yesteryear (And Then There Were None, A Pocket Full of Rye), as well as blackly sarcastic modern offerings (Knives Out, An Unwanted Guest), the author does manage to ramp up the tension whilst bumping off the most dysfunctional family in modern history one by one.

Somewhat predictable, but satisfying denouement and resolution (there weren't many people still alive at the climax). 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 9 hours 45 minutes and is capably read by an ensemble cast. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read. 

Three and a half stars. It would be a good choice for a buddy/mystery book club read, or for public or home library acquisition. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.  

 

Undead and Unwed

 

Undead and Unwed is a cute romcom paranormal story by Sam Tschida. Released 28th Oct 2025 by Quirk Books, it's 320 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references. 

This is a Hallmark movie set in Vermont, with a twist... the heroine is a 300 year old vampire, she's accidentally turned her influencer neighbor into one too, and she's inherited a falling-down-(literally)-bed&breakfast from her recently departed aunt. It's full of tongue in cheek sarcastic humor and little cultural references, lots of romance, and tied up with a HFN ending (potentially hinting at future installments). 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 10 hours 8 minutes and is capably read by Mia Hutchinson-Shaw.  She has a bouncy, young voice which complements the vibe of the book. She does a good job delineating the various characters and keeps them distinct, as well as excellent comedic timing. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read.

Four stars. It would be a good choice for public or home library acquisition, or possibly a nice buddy read. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes. 

Death by Chocolate Ladyfingers - Death by Chocolate Mystery #9

 

Death by Chocolate Ladyfingers is the 9th "Jake" Tiptree baking-shop amateur cozy by Sarah Graves. Released 28th April 2026 by Kensington on their Cozy imprint, it's 320 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out from the same publisher in 2nd quarter 2027. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

This is a standalone mystery in a long running series featuring many returning characters in an ensemble cast. There's a very light paranormal element, but it doesn't play a significant role in this particular story. It's set in coastal Maine, and the main protagonist, Jake, runs a bakery and has quite a storied past, although these days she mostly confines herself to baking in between solving murders. 

It's very light, well written, with (mostly) believable dialogue, a "caper" feel, and an over-the-top, satisfying denouement and resolution. Although it works well as a standalone, the characters do have a significant shared past, and some minor spoilers should be expected if read out of order. 

Four stars. It would be a good choice for fans of light small town American cozies, or a binge/buddy read. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes. 

Murder on the Cornish Train - Cornish Murder Mysteries #1

 

Murder on the Cornish Train is the first book in a mystery series by J.M. Hall. Released 28th May 2026 by Hachette on their Hodder & Stoughton imprint, it's 384 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.

Despite the cover, and blurb, and vibe, and marketing, this isn't a cozy, it isn't a historical mystery, and there's no murder/death until past the halfway point. There is a fair bit of philosophizing and rumination about the nature of grief, and life, and general *stuff*. The plot is character driven, and the cast is quite diverse, and generally interesting, but cozy mystery fans looking for a closed suspect group and Poirot gathering everyone in the dining car for the denouement are going to be sorely disappointed. 

Three and a half stars. There is currently no available publishing info for book 2. It would maybe be a good choice for a reading challenge/buddy read. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.    

Slayers of Old

 

Slayers of Old is a funny standalone fantasy by Jim C. Hines. Released 21st Oct 2025 by Penguin Random House on their DAW imprint, it's 336 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out from the same publisher in Sept 2026. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

Retired "chosen ones" come out of retirement to save the world. Again. It's really a fun romp and the characters are appealing and well written. There are humorous bits which surprise a chuckle (in a good way), and the story narrative is well constructed and engineered with a very satisfying denouement and resolution. It's surprising how much solid philosophical food for thought the author has managed to sneak in without ever once resorting to being strident or preachy. 

Four stars; it would be a good choice for public or home library acquisition. It would also make a  good buddy or SF/F book club selection. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes. 

Murder in the Winter Woods - Julia Bird Mysteries #8

 

Murder in the Winter Woodsis the eighth Julia Bird village cozy mystery by Katie Gayle. Released 25th Sept 2025, it's 2564 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The other books in the series are also currently available on KU. 

This is such an engaging modern village cozy with a genuinely appealing female amateur sleuth who's in her late middle age, intelligent and earnest and generally well meaning. Despite a long career in social services in London, she maintains a mostly positive outlook on life. Having acquired a cozy cottage in a cozy village in the Cotswolds, she's built a life around her new life with fulfilling relationships, love, and a support network. The unexpected violent death of a local man (which she and her partner discover on a winter walk) once again draws her into amateur sleuth mode.

The author has a deft touch with humour, and the characters are well rendered and (mostly) believable within the allowable framework of the genre. The dialogue flows well and freely, without awkwardness or unnatural/stilted language. The usual small town eccentric characters are present and the plot moves along at a good pace.

Instead of the usual trope-y antagonistic and incompetent local police force, protagonist Julia has an unexpected ally in the form of young DI Hayley Gibson. They strike up a surprisingly good cooperation to solve the mysteries.

The main mystery is self contained in this volume, so it works well as a standalone. There are currently eight books extant in the series making it a good candidate for a long weekend binge read or buddy read. Genuinely well written and fun to read.

Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

 

How My Fake Alien Boyfriend Learned to Cook and Saved the Family Business

 

How My Fake Alien Boyfriend Learned to Cook and Saved the Family Business is a fun light NA SF/romance  by Lacey Hawthorne. Due out 31st Aug 2026, it's 290 pages and will be available in ebook format. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links.

This is a cute romance with a lot of heart and a fun storyline, mostly told in alternating PoV between the two main characters, Kal, an alien undercover on Earth (through a series of embarrassing workplace mishaps), and Lola, a human living in Appalachia trying her best to save her family's restaurant. 

There's no spice (which, given that one of the MCs is an actual tentacle-waving alien is probably a good thing), and the language is relatively clean (a few f-bombs, but nothing worse). It's perfectly safe for reading on the bus or work-breaks. 

Both characters are flawed, three dimensional, very sweet in their own ways, and, well, human. 

Four and a half stars, extra stars for fans of light romance and interspecies romance (without spice). 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes. 

Juneteenth - Holiday Fun

 

Juneteenth is a volume in the Holiday Fun series by Kim Thompson. Released 30th July 2026 by Rosen Publishing on their Norwood House imprint, it's 24 pages and is available in paperback, ebook, and library binding formats. 

This is a colorful easy to read book for the youngest (kindergarten-primary school age) with a simple age appropriate introduction to the holiday and how it came to be and why. Included in the book are highlighted words and important concepts as well as a short question and answer list and glossary in the back of the book. 

The series also includes holidays from numerous cultures such as Holi, Thanksgiving, Earth Day, and others. 

Five stars. It would make an excellent choice for public, classroom, or home library acquisition, or for gift giving. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.     

I Want to Be a Scientist

 

I Want to Be a Scientist is a cute illustrated book for kids exploring some of the possible careers for scientists written by Štěpánka Sekaninová, and illustrated by Honza Smolik. Released 10th March 2026 by Albatros Media, it's 56 pages and is available in hardcover format. 

The perennial question "what do you want to do when you grow up" never stops... and kids are naturally curious and imaginative. This is a fun book, with lots of science career options, explained in easy to understand language and accompanied by fun colorful illustrations. 

Each of the specializations gets its own chapter. They range from anthropologist to UFOlogist (interesting and objective description on the part of the author). Each of the specializations gets a 2 page spread with info about what they do, how they study, what some of their experiments are like, and other interesting facts. 

The back of the book includes some general study questions (with answers) for discussion and self-testing. There's no bibliography or chapter notes included. 

Four and a half stars. This would be an excellent choice for public, classroom, or home library acquisition. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.    

The Best Selling Betrayal

 

The Best Selling Betrayal is a quick, engaging, revenge short story by pseudonymous author Reese Ruthers. Released 7th Aug 2026, it's 67 pages and is available in ebook format. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links.

This is almost certainly mostly AI generated content. The author has no online presence, it's self published (which absolutely isn't a bad thing, but), it's repetitive in phrase and narrative, and in 67 pages, the author manages to refer to her ex-husband's mistress as a whale 15 times. It's crass but potentially entertaining. The protagonist (dumped by her weasel of a husband after 20some years of sacrifice and commitment at her 50th birthday party) gets even and takes him to the cleaners with the help of her best friend and gallons of prosecco. It's revenge-y, mean girls-ish, and mildly entertaining. 

A run through an AI detector gives a probability score of 5% human, 95% AI. (Don't trust AI detectors on IMPORTANT things.. but this one is pretty egregious). The fat shaming was really bad and unnecessary (even for the weasel's nasty petty mistress), the method of revenge legally -very- sketchy (don't try this in real life, kids), and the denouement and resolution were kinda meta/story-in-a-story inception style.  It's short and readable though. 

There is -no- publishing info, no retail availability, and no author presence. It does read like a writing group exercise. 

Three stars. Mildly readable and very short. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes. 

Queen Bee and the Murder of Bugsy Siegel

 

Queen Bee and the Murder of Bugsy Siegel is a well written true crime monograph about the post-WW2 organized crime factions in the USA, especially Bugsy Siegel in Las Vegas written and annotated by Stuart Sobel. Released 16th April 2026 by Blackstone Publishing. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. Audiobook format due out in August from the same publisher.

This is an interesting and well written recollection around the murder of Bugsy Siegel, the dynamics of his family and associates, and much of the background climate in the heyday of Las Vegas of the postwar years. As a work of nonfiction, it's readable and worthwhile. The author is adept at bringing the various players to life. 

It's written in a narrative style, in everyday layman English, and isn't broken up with annotations. There are no chapter notes. The author/publisher have included a bibliography with links which will provide readers with further resources. 

Four stars, not an academic work, but readable and interesting. Worth a look. No illustrations or facsimile documents/news available in the media review copy. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes. 

Murder at the Duomo - Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Mysteries #14

 

Murder at the Duomo is the 14th Armstrong and Oscar cozy destination procedural mystery by T.A. Williams. Released 2nd Feb 2026 by Boldwood, it's 240 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The other books in the series are also currently available on KU. 

This is a beautifully descriptive and well written destination mystery set in Tuscany. Expat former policeman Dan Armstrong and his trusty canine sidekick Oscar are again drawn into an investigation, in an odd/impossible murder set in a world famous church and in the lavish villa of an international arms dealer. 

The plotting is solid and the dialogue and characterizations are three dimensional and believable. The mystery, denouement, and resolution are self contained in this volume, so it works well enough as a standalone, but the writing is so well planned and executed, that it would make an excellent long binge or buddy read. It would also fit really well in a longer term project for a mystery book club "destination mystery" type project. The overall quality of the entire series remains entertaining and engaging throughout. 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 6 hours 26 minutes and is capably read by series narrator Simon Mattacks. He has a beautifully modulated classically trained light baritone voice and does a great job of delineating a range of characters of both sexes and a number of regional accents (including amongst others, German, American, and several Italian), shifting quickly and flawlessly. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read.

It's not derivative at all, but it calls to mind in a lot of good ways, Leon's exceptional Brunetti books as well as Walker's lovely Bruno, chief of police books. Fans of those authors will find a lot to enjoy here.

Four stars. Highly recommended.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

 

Grandpas, Piranhas, and Other Stories

 

Grandpas, Piranhas, and Other Stories is an adorable picture book written and illustrated by Rocío Bonilla. Released 10th March 2026 by Albatros Media, it's 48 pages and is available in hardcover format. Spanish language edition also available from the same publisher. 

Nico and his grandpa Rodrigo have a special bond and get to have lots of fun adventures together, tell stories, build blanket forts, and help each other with challenges like math homework and cell phones. This is a cute book with lots of imagination and heart. The illustrations are full of small details, beautifully colored, and support the story nicely. 

The text is simple and easy to read. 

Four and a half stars. It would be an excellent choice for public, school, or home library acquisition. All content is age appropriate (ca 3-6 years, Lexile 730L). Fun and imaginative. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.   

The Dentist - The DS Cross Mysteries #1

 

The Dentist is the first book in Tim Sullivan's series featuring DS. George Cross. First published in 2020, this reformat and re-release from Grove Atlantic on their Crime imprint was released 21st Oct 2025. It's 384 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. 

This is an exceptionally engaging and well engineered book from a scriptwriter/author who is gifted at scene-setting and characterization. The plot is intricate and the cold-case and current crime (both murders in the same family with a 15 year gap), intertwine inexorably. 

MC George Cross is a detective sergeant in the Met and his meticulously logical (neurodivergent) personality and method help him to see connections many of his neurotypical colleagues miss. There were lapses in protocol with the cold case murder and he is soon involved in working the case from both ends. 

The denouement and resolution were well crafted in a solidly readable whole. Potential content warnings for language, violence (it's graphic in places), and potentially less-than-stellar depictions of Asperger's syndrome. 

Four stars. It would be a good choice for public or home library acquisition, or potentially a long binge/buddy read. There are 8 novels plus some shorter works extant at the current moment. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.  

A Streetcar Named Shenanigans

 

A Streetcar Named Shenanigans is a fun light series crossover novella by Rob Byrnes and J.M. Redmann. Due out 11th Aug. 2026 from Bold Strokes, it's 109 pages and will be available in ebook format. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. 

Both series authors have long running series (3 and 12 books), and this fun novella sees tough PI Micky Knight crossing paths with gay conmen Grant & Chase, battling corrupt hypocrite mega-church, corrupt politicians, living it up in New Orleans, and diverting crypto-funds to keep the money from funding anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation. 

It's quite over the top, and there is a lot of silliness, and pratfall humor, but the denouement and resolution are funny and satisfying, and even though (like most crossovers) it's a zero-sum ending, it's fun to see uptight Micky loosen up and live a little.

Content warnings for strong language (lots of "f-bombs"), and some comedic nudity/humiliation. 

Four stars. A fun short romp. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Fancy Dogs

 

Fancy Dogs is a very cute illustrated story for the youngest readers by Tini Malina. Originally released in German, this English language translation from NorthSouth Books is 48 pages, fully illustrated, and available in hardcover format. Publishing date 6th Oct 2026 from NorthSouth Books. 

The art is simple and effective, full of movement and detail. Fancy dogs are fancy of course, but they're also -dogs- and this little book, full of fancy dogs doing doggish things is funny and so appealing. The text is simple and partly written in free-flowing rhyming couplets full of simple words and accompanying illustrations.

The translation work, by Tammi Reichel is seamless, and scans very well and doesn't read as though it has been translated. 

Four and a half stars. It would be an excellent choice for public or home library acquisition, classroom use, or story circle. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.  

Making History

 

Making History is an ascerbically funny, cynical, dark academia novella by Tom Holt, writing pseudonymously as K.J. Parker. Released 2nd Sept. 2025 by Macmillan on their Tor/Forge imprint, it's 128 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. 

For fans of the author, who are familiar with his biting humor and juxtaposing horrifying elements into absurdist comedy, this is more of the same. This time, a bunch of hapless academics who would much rather be studying dead languages and military history, get sucked into a warlord's plot to change the past as an excuse to start a war. It all predictably goes belly-up, spectacularly. 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 3 hours 5 minutes and is well read by Ian Bedford. He has a gravelly well modulated professionally trained baritone in this read and does a good job with a large cast of disparate characters across a range of ages, both male and female. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read. 

For readers who enjoy linguistics (word nerds), for fans of Holt/Parker's other works, especially the Saevus Corax trilogy, and folks who enjoy absurdist humor (Dungeon Crawler Carl, et. al.). 

Four stars. Funny, sharp, sarcastic, and jaded. It would be a good choice for public or home library acquisition. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.