Wolf Worm

 

Wolf Worm is a standalone horror fantasy southern gothic tale by T. Kingfisher. Released 24th March 2026 by Macmillan on their Tor Nightfire imprint, it's 288 pages and is available in hardcover, 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. 

Exquisitely well crafted; the author is very strong in both descriptive prose and characterization. There's a creepy atmospheric southern gothic vibe replete with awful doomsday misogynistic fundamentalist religious fanatic, irascible (also misogynistic) mad scientist, plucky resourceful orphan artist-in-residence helping the scientist illustrate his research (parasitic insects), a disappearance/mystery, along with lots of isolated suspicious backwoods locals closing ranks. 

The forces of awfulness arrayed against protagonist Sonia include outright creepy humans and a host of truly squicky insectoid parasites as well as other human and non-human monsters. The author has obviously taken Stephen King's advice to heart: "But if I find that I cannot terrify, I will try to horrify, and if I find that I cannot horrify, I'll go for the gross-out. I'm not proud.". 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 9 hours 14 minutes and is capably read by Mary Robinette Kowal. She does a massive range of voices, and some relatively rapid fire dialogue over a range of accents and genders without missing a beat. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read. 

This read is emphatically not for readers who are sensitive or triggered by body horror, graphic descriptions, and high "squick-factor".  Additional content warnings for animal abuse, torture, and imprisonment.

Four stars. It would be a good choice (with warnings) for public library acquisition, fans of horror, or possibly a buddy read. This is one which will be difficult to discuss in a group setting without major spoilers. 

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

Love Sucks - Tails from the Alpha Art Gallery #2

 

Love Sucks is the second book in a sarcastic rompy paranormal romance thriller/mystery series by Cynthia St. Aubin. Originally published in 2020, this reformat and re-release from Macmillan on their Tor imprint is 304 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 other books in the series are also currently available on KU. 

The author has a good grasp of "Bridget Jones" type situational girl-y comedy, and the elements of paranormal romance (exotic locations, wealthy lifestyle, mysterious but very attractive boss, art gallery with exceedingly quirky patrons and stable of artists) are all present. There's a "chosen one" element and although trope-y, it's a very popular genre for a reason. MC Hanna has learned way more than she really wanted to about her own background and not enough about the supernatural creatures proximity to her boss brings her into dangerous contact with. 

There's some graphic content, both paranormal violence (body horror + physical violence), and sexual content. Nothing extreme for the subgenre, and it's not really egregious, but it is there. The action driven plot moves very quickly and it manages to surprise a giggle/snort occasionally (along with some eye-rolls for over the top silliness and camp). 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 8 hours 39 minutes and is read by series narrator Stella Hunter. She has a well modulated, husky alto, neutral American accent in this read and does a good job of the different character voices over a range of ages, accents, and genders (and species). 

Four stars, with five books extant and a sixth due out in first quarter 2027, it would make a nice binge or buddy read, as well as a good candidate for public library acquisition. 

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

The Bone Raiders - The Rakada #1

 

The Bone Raiders is the first book in a full throttle chaos driven epic fantasy by Jackson Ford. Released 12th Aug 2025 by Hachette on their Orbit imprint, it's 480 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. 

Sarcastic, sapphic friendly, found family, female MCs, giant fire breathing land lizards, and lots and lots of fighting. It's action driven and often quite frenetically paced. It's set in a kind of fantasy steppes with horse riders, yurt dwelling nomadic groups and a fantasy-adjacent Genghis Khan overlord antagonist (with his huge standing army). 

The characters manage to be distinct and well delineated and readers won't have trouble keeping them separated. It is quite violent and the language is rough (R-rated).  Plus the ground dragons are pretty darned cool.

Four stars. For readers of doorstop epic campaign fantasy in the same general category as Joe Abercrombie, R.F. Kuang, and Glen Cook. It would be a good choice for public library acquisition, binge/buddy read, or possibly for SF/F bookclub discussion. Book 2 in the series due out in 2nd quarter 2026 from the same publisher. 

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

Ancient Nubian Art: A History

 

Ancient Nubian Art is a layman accessible monograph on ancient Nubian art and culture collated and written by Dr. Rita E. Freed. Released 3rd March 2026 by Getty Publications, it's 288 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

This volume would make a good selection for students of ancient art, history, anthropology, arts, and ancient language and culture. It is written in an everyday, layman accessible way which everyone can understand. 

It's beautifully illustrated throughout in color. The plates are accompanied by short explanatory captions. 

Five stars, this is a lovely introduction to a civilization which has always seemed like a footnote in her neighbor Egypt's dynastic lineage and deserves to stand on its own merits.

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

The Bookshop Below

 

The Bookshop Below is a bookish dark academia urban fantasy standalone by Georgia Summers. Released 18th Nov 2025 by Hachette on their Redhook imprint, it's 352 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. Paperback format due out in 4th quarter 2026 from the same publisher.

This is a dark urban fantasy featuring appealing, well rendered characters and remarkably little world building. The action and settings descriptions do a fair job of drawing the reader along, and the interplay/conflict between the two main characters is believable and flows naturally. 

The actual *reasons* for the story (the river, Lady Fate, the bookshop systems, the magic) are never well defined which leaves the reader disconnected in some fundamental ways from the plot. It's a good story, however, well told, and worth a look for fans of the genre - especially readers of Erin Morgenstern and A.D. Bell. 

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

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

Compost after Reading

 

Compost after Reading is a lighthearted but competent tutorial on soil improvement and composting by Cassandrea Marketos. Released 17th March 2026 by Hachette on their Timber Press imprint, it's 208 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. 

Well written and engaging, the author encourages absolutely everyone (yes, even non-gardeners) to engage meaningfully with the waste we all produce and have a more conscious relationship with what we do with the stuff we throw away. 

The book is whimsically illustrated throughout by Sludge Thunder (!! <3) in graytone sketches. There's an appealingly trippy hippy vibe, but a lot of useful philosophical information between the covers. "Manifesto" is an apt descriptor, used on the cover, and the writing reminded me a lot of the earnest political productions from the 60s-70s. There was a sweetly nostalgic Abbie Hoffman spirit with a little whiff of Hunter S. Thompson.

Four and a half stars. We're drowning in our own waste. This would be a good choice for public or secondary school library acquisition, home library, gardening groups, etc. 

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

Gather: Black Food, Nourishment, and the Art of Togetherness

 

Gather is a well written monograph on food security, equity, and culture by Dr. Ashanté M. Reese as part of the Norton Short series. Due out 14th April 2026 from W.W. Norton, it's 160 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. 

Although written in layman accessible simple prose, the author is an academic and the book is well grounded structurally, with copious chapter notes and annotations (which are worth the price of the admission in and of themselves). The writing flows very well, and under the friendly, clear descriptions, lovingly told, is the clearly delineated disparity in justice and access which has been a reality in much of the USA for hundreds of years. Black communities have grown and thrived out of necessity, but there's also a great deal of fellow feeling, mutual aid, community, and generosity threaded through everyday existence. 

Food insecurity, food deserts, and mutual aid are taken from the daily headlines but they've been an often stark reality for ages in rural/poor areas of America. Dr. Reese does a good job of describing the realities, but also offering some hope and warmth. 

Five stars. A good read, and an important one, especially given the stark political climate in the USA at the moment. Timely. It would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, book club selection, buddy read, or personal library. 

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

Stews: One-Pot Comfort Food From Around The World

 

Stews is a wide ranging cookbook by young self-taught chef Xavier Bramble with recipes drawn from world spanning food traditions. Released 24th Feb 2026 by HarperCollins on their Harper Celebrate imprint, it's 224 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats.

This is an accessible collection of recipes arranged thematically: veg, beans, poultry, beef, pork & lamb, seafood, and allied recipes/sides/spices/ingredients.

Recipes are flagged with keys for speedy prep, longer time commitment, and even for dishes which require ingredients which might be more difficult to source. Nutritional information is not included. Each recipe includes a header with a short description of the recipe (and culinary tradition it is taken from) and approximate servings. Extra tips or recipe alternatives are listed in the recipes. The recipes themselves are fairly straightforward and are made for the most part with easily sourced ingredients. Ingredient measurements are written in imperial (American) units.

The recipes as pictured are attractive and appetizing, casually styled and in color. The photographs are full of exotic landscapes and inspirational locations. Not every recipe includes a photograph, but most do.

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

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

The Instant Kitchen Meal Prep Cookbook: Plan and Cook Ahead for Fast, Family-Friendly Meals Using Your Pressure Cooker and Air Fryer

 

The Instant Kitchen Meal Prep Cookbook is a tutorial and recipe guide for meal-prep with recipes developed by Coco Morante. Released 30th Dec 2025 by HarperCollins on their Harvest imprint, it's 256 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. 

The author utilizes the special strengths of the kitchen besties: pressure cooker and air fryer to make meal prep more efficient and easier with special emphasis on versatile meal-prep and portion planning. 

This book is well organized. The first section covers the introduction, definitions and concepts involved in meal prep, along with very basic explanations for how to build up a versatile larder. There are also lists of staples with quantities to have on hand for maximum efficiency and how to prep and use them.

The author has provided 10 weeks of sample meal prep menus with mix and match options which are balanced, nutritious, and efficient. There's also a good cross referenced index with ingredients included as well as some extra resources such as conversion charts and cooking info for various foods with times and setting included.  

The recipes are appealing and well written. About 20% (rough estimate) are accompanied by one or more photos. Ingredient measurements are supplied in imperial (American) units only.  The nutritional information is not included.  Extra tips or recipe alternatives are listed in sidebars with the recipes. The recipes themselves are fairly straightforward and are made with easily sourced ingredients. Many are very simple, none of them are overly complex.

This is a beautifully presented very well organized book. I would definitely recommend it to any of my friends who are looking to make their food prep even more efficient. Once a week cooking can be made family friendly, and the author has included mix-and-match recipes so that these meals can be incorporated into a family style meal environment. These would also work very well for singles or for one person (or whole family); it's very versatile.

Four and a half stars. I also love the author's irreverent, chatty, friendly voice which comes through very clearly in the text.

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

The Killing Stones - Jimmy Perez and Willow Reeves #1 (Shetland #9)

 

The Killing Stones is the 9th virtuosic outing for DI Jimmy Perez constructed by Ann Cleeves. Released 10th Sep 2025 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 384 pages and is available in hardcover, 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.

This is a strong entry in a very strong and well written series. The characters are so well rendered and filled out that at this point they live and breathe. This installment sees DI Perez in the Orkneys to investigate the disappearance and untimely death of one of his oldest friends. There are some...iffy developments uncovered in the course of the investigation which didn't sit entirely well, including some light(ish) sexual harassment which Perez treated as a minor blip, which could've been handled better, but overall, engaging and well constructed. This is *not* a particularly fair-play mystery and DI Perez is privy to some info which isn't shared with the reader along the way, so it's likely an exercise in frustration to try to figure out whodunnit before the actual ending reveal. 

The unabridged audiobook format has a run time of  10 hours, 56 minutes and is expertly narrated by Kenny Blyth. He has a well modulated and warm voice and does a perfect job with the disparate and difficult dialects and intonations from a fairly large cast of characters. His voice wasn't intrusive at all, which allows readers to concentrate on the intricate plot and various characters. 

Four stars. The earlier series is superlatively well written, and this installment fits pretty well with the others; in an allied series way and not as a direct continuation. There are 9 books in the series as it stands now including this one, making it a good candidate for a long binge read. The author is a towering talent in the procedural field. 

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

 

The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2025

 

The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2025 is a well curated anthology curated and edited by Dr. Nnedi Okorafor. Released 21st Oct 2025 by HarperCollins on their Mariner imprint, it's 416 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.

There are 21 stories by my count and they're from authors both familiar and new to me. The stories are varied, there were (as always) some which didn't grab me personally, but all were well written and competently plotted. They were mostly in the 3.5-4 star range with a a decent smattering of really standout stories. This is a well done anthology. The book also features an interesting and erudite foreword by series editor John Joseph Adams, as well as an introduction from Dr. Okorafor. It includes a lot of additional resource lists and top choices for genre publishing which will provide many hours of further reading list building.

One reason I like collections and anthologies is that short fiction is really challenging.  It's spare and the author doesn't have a wealth of wordage to develop characters or the plotting.  Well written short fiction is a delight. I also love collections because if one story doesn't really grab me, there's another story just a few pages away. The guest editor for this volume provides a well written intro and commentary and, as always, the background comments are interesting and informative. I enjoyed and used the honorable mention lists included in the volume for even more good recommendations for further reading. 

Four stars on average. It's a diverting and worthwhile read to be savored like a box of chocolates. This would make a good selection for public library acquisition as well as for home readers looking for a solid anthology of stories which will also likely serve as an introduction to lots of new authors to search out, which is the best part of anthologies; reference hunting the contributors later.

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

 

The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2025

 

The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2025 is a well curated collection of essays and articles from the world of science from 2024/25 edited by Susan Orlean. Released 21st Oct 2025 by HarperCollins on their Mariner Books imprint, it's 304 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.

This is an interesting and very well rounded anthology full of layman accessible popular science articles. The selection is impressively broad, generally eschewing the most popular periodicals with the largest reach in favor of the lesser known and potentially overlooked authors and subjects. Although the NYT and The Atlantic have entries here, so also do Orion, STAT, and Hippocampus. 

There is a lot of content devoted (rightfully) to the dystopian loss of habitat and climate change, but I was gratified to see that not -all- the articles were strictly bad news; there are a broad selection of essays on scientific innovation and developing gene therapies and getting them to market, worms, color perception, and many more (20+ by my rough count). All of them were well written and engaging.

There is also an erudite and well written introduction by the guest editor, Ms. Orlean as well as a foreword by series editor  Jaime Green. 

Five stars. Accessible and interesting. Recommended for fans of science writing as well as a good choice for public or school library acquisition. Impressively egalitarian vetting and choice of material included. Lots of fodder for dinner table conversation to be found here... "I was reading about that just the other day...". 

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

 

Love Bites - Tails from the Alpha Art Gallery #1

 

Love Bites is the first book in a sarcastic rompy paranormal romance thriller/mystery by Cynthia St. Aubin. Originally published in 2019, this reformat and re-release from Macmillan on their Tor imprint is 304 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 other books in the series are also currently available on KU. 

The author has a good grasp of "Bridget Jones" type situational girl-y comedy, and the elements of paranormal romance (exotic locations, wealthy lifestyle, mysterious but very attractive boss, art gallery with exceedingly quirky patrons and stable of artists) are all present.

There's some graphic content, both paranormal violence (body horror + physical violence), and sexual content. Nothing extreme for the subgenre, and it's not really egregious, but it is there. The action driven plot moves very quickly and it manages to surprise a giggle/snort more than rarely (along with some eye-rolls for over the top silliness and camp). 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 8 hours 15 minutes and is read by series narrator Stella Hunter. She has a well modulated, husky alto neutral American accent in this read and does a good job of the different character voices over a range of ages and genders (and species). 

Four stars, with five books extant and a sixth due out in first quarter 2027, it would make a nice binge or buddy read, as well as a good candidate for public library acquisition. 

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

 

Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife

 

Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife is a sweetly cozy standalone fantasy by Deston J. Munden. Released 14th Oct 2025, it's 285 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. 

This is an engaging and heartfelt story with lots of warmth and an eccentric found family which includes a former soulless undead orc guardian in his retirement years (mostly back amongst the living these days - it's complicated), a plucky and adorable orphan, some gargoyles, an orphanage matron, a dwarven mafia don, and a ragtag bunch of monsters just trying to save the world from fanatics and run their restaurant.

There are inevitable comparisons to Legends & Lattes, and whilst it does fit into the general cozy fantasy subgenre comfortably, it also stands quite well on its own merits and shouldn't be ignored by the more traditional darker fantasy fans. It has a lot of heart and is told plainly and in unembellished straightforward prose. There are no extreme descriptions, and no sexual violence or descriptions. There are potential content warnings for racism (speciesism?) and racial violence. 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 9 hours 39 minutes and is capably read by Matthew Wolf. He has a well modulated gravelly low tenor voice, and does a good job with the various characters of a range of ages, species, and genders. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read.

Four stars. Warm and sweet as cocoa on a cold day.

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

 

Vagabond

 

Vagabond is a well written, moderately unfiltered memoir by Tim Curry. Released 14th Oct 2025 by Hachette on their Grand Central imprint, it's 304 pages and is available in hardcover, 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. 

Memoir fans and fans of the actor himself will find a lot to love here. He has lived a breathtakingly rich, artistic, flamboyant life. It's never possible (unless one -is- in a similar situation) to really put imagine what life must be like inside his orbit, but there are clear glimpses throughout. For introverts it seems exhausting, but undeniably exciting. 

He covers Rocky Horror (50 YEARS, is it possible?), much of his stage work, voice work, other acting gigs and many of the people whose orbits have coincided with and crossed his own. He also discusses his profound stroke in 2012 and his recovery. 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 10 hours, 40 minutes and is touchingly read by the author himself.  Due to his stroke and rehabilitation, the constraints of his physical condition do make an audible difference. After a few minutes of listening and feeling sorrow for the loss of that commanding presence, the warmth, wit, and camp shine through and there are very definitely flashes of the man he is and always has been, but the stroke and aftermath leave an indelible mark on the read.

Four stars. He's a treasure.  It would be a good choice for public or home library acquisition, book club discussion, or a buddy read.

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

Death of an Ex

 

Death of an Ex is the second PI noir mystery featuring  by Delia Pitts. Released 15th July 2025 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 320 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out in late April 2026 from the same publisher. 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 very well written PI thriller with an appealing, strong, flawed, and badass female protagonist. She's a former cop, the daughter of a cop, back in her hometown in New Jersey after a personal tragedy caused her to go back to her roots and set up as a PI. Now settling into her hometown again, with the notoriety of a high profile case behind her, she's dealing with the complication of her ex walking back into her life, soon to be even more complicated by his untimely demise.

She does the usual divorce and process serving to keep the bills paid and get back on her feet, along with recovering from alcohol (quit cold turkey), some risky dating behavior, and working out at a local boxing gym. The fact that she's female, nearly 6 feet tall, and black is both a magnet for trouble and her trademark. She doesn't back down, she's tenacious, and stubborn.

It's not at all derivative, but fans of strong "lone knight" PI fiction (John D. Macdonald, Robert Parker, and Randy Wayne White, et al.) will find a lot to like here. In this case, the fact that the protagonist is female, black, cynical, and potentially brave to the point of foolhardiness, is a plus. The prose is -really good- and there are some undertones of Val McDermid and Peter May in there (but indelibly American (and black)). 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 11 hours 52 minutes and is superbly read by series narrator Bahni Turpin. She does a phenomenal job of delineating the characters of a range of ages and both sexes. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read. 

There are central themes of open and hidden racism, sexism, assault, murder, (a LOT of) duplicity, and mental health issues.  Some scenes are graphic. The racism was difficult to read (and almost certainly more difficult to live with). It's stark and realistic. 

Four and a half stars. Five for the audiobook narration. The series is shaping up very well; the third book is due out 1st Dec 2026. The denouement and resolution are satisfying; it's a very bumpy ride to get to the end. It would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition, fans of gritty American PI fiction, or a binge/buddy read. 

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

A Christmas Witness - Inspector Rutledge 24.5

 

A Christmas Witness is a self-contained standalone long novella in the Inspector Rutledge historical mystery series by Charles Todd. Released 21st Oct 2025 by Penzler on their Mysterious Press imprint, it's 216 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. 

This is a poignant Christmas themed story with Rutledge being sent to Kent to smooth the ruffled feathers of an important local man who insists he's being targeted and will likely not make it through the holiday season alive. The characters in the original series are nuanced and delightful. This novella doesn't feature many of them except Rutledge himself. 

Some background history. The original series (and this is book 24.5) was a very successful, long running collaborative effort between a mother and son. Caroline Todd (the mother) passed away in 2021 and this particular novella is not up to the standards of the regular books in the series. There are fundamental differences in Rutledge's behavior and motivations, and they're quite noticeable. 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 4 hours 18 minutes and is read by Stephen Crossley. He has a well modulated tenor voice and does a variable job with the read. The secondary characters and disparate accents are very well done. His voice reading Rutledge himself varies quite astonishingly much, often quite high and oddly breathy, sometimes more like series narrator Samuel Gillies' interpretation. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read. 

Three and a half stars. It would possibly be a good choice for die hard (loyal) fans of the original series, or for a buddy/book club discussion (evolution of series over long periods, changes in collaborative efforts with the loss of collaborators, etc). 

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

Miss Winter in the Library with a Knife

 

Miss Winter in the Library with a Knife is a deviously sharply funny standalone mystery by genre maven & historian Martin Edwards. Released 7th Oct 2025 by Poisoned Pen Press, it's a hefty 432 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 throughout. 

This is an exceptionally sharp and exceedingly intricately crafted mystery in the classic style, and with sly nods to Clue, Only Murders in the Building, as well as OG classics like Christie's Hickory Dickory Dock, and The ABC Murders . The limited suspect pool, the shrouded backstory filled in in small bits throughout, the isolated setting (snowed in and alone in an odd and unsettling village) all hearken back to golden age classics. 

It's very long, possibly unnecessarily so, but it was generally fun to read. The author is clever and all the nuts and bolts function well. Well engineered is a good description. 

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

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

The French Bookshop Murder - French Village Mystery #1

 

The French Bookshop Murder is the first book in a new destination cozy mystery series by Greg Mosse. Released 18th Sept 2025 by Hachette on their Hodder & Stoughton imprint, it's 323 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.

There's a large cast here and the sheer volume is a bit unwieldy in places. That being said, there's an absolutely irresistible allure when authors combine village life, cozy plots, books, and quirky secondary characters. This is a book for lovers of cozy crime, but with the understanding that the plotting is glacial in places and alternates with choppy PoV shifts and a battalion of secondary characters. 

The denouement and resolution are self contained in this volume. Definitely better in the setting and descriptions (a strong part of the book) and atmospheric French, and much less so in the characterizations and interactions which are often disjointed and staccato. 

Three stars. It would potentially be a good lazy weekend vacation read or possibly a buddy read. Second book is due out from the same publisher in June 2026. (and it will also be available on Kindle Unlimited).

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

 

Bodies and Battlements - A Ravensea Castle Mystery #1

 

 

Bodies and Battlements is cozy series opener by Elizabeth Penney. Released 27th May 2025 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 288 pages and is available in mass market 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

This is a well written, engaging, and finely constructed amateur sleuth mystery with the bougie daughter who's trying to turn her family castle into a working bed & breakfast destination to stay afloat. The death of a local unlamented busybody on the cast grounds could scupper the whole project, so she's (of course) determined to figure out whodunnit and save the family honor. The characters are well rendered and mostly believable (for the genre) and the pacing and plot move along at a pretty good clip. It's a continuing series, book 2 is due out in May 2026 from the same publisher.

Spelling and vernacular are British standard English, but won't pose a problem for readers in context. 

Four stars. A fun start to a nice light series. It would be a nice choice for public library or a light buddy read.

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