"The Last Death of the Year" by Sophie Hannah

 

"The Last Death of the Year" by Sophie Hannah is the sixth book in her new Hercule Poirot Mysteries, and by far the best of them. Yes, I have read them all. As a devoted Agatha Christie fan, I couldn't resist this new addition to the series.

Hercule Poirot and Inspector Edward Catchpool are back in a complex murder investigation that takes place on a Greek island. The time is New Year’s Eve, 1932. Poirot and Catchpool from Scotland Yard arrive on the tiny island of Lamperos, supposedly for a vacation among the eccentric locals living at the House of Perpetual Welcome.

Soon, Catchpool begins to suspect Poirot had another reason for inviting him. During a New Year’s Resolutions party, one written note—threatening to perform “the last and first death of the year”—overshadows the holiday spirit. The tension escalates when, only hours later, one of the residents is found dead on the terrace. The pair must find the culprit to ensure the first murder will indeed be the last

I enjoyed the book immensely. Although it pays homage to Christie and has shades of the Dame herself, it is not Agatha Christie—admittedly, those are very difficult shoes to fill. That doesn’t mean the book isn’t good. It’s suspenseful and fun, just not Christie. Once I stopped treating it as such, I enjoyed it even more.

The writing is tight, and the book conveys a suspenseful atmosphere as well as the detective’s methodical way of investigating and solving problems. I didn’t foresee the twists, and the mix of deceptions and red herrings kept me engaged throughout.

The plot unfolds at a slow pace, as befits a detective story. Not all the cards are revealed, and not all the moves are clear in advance. Unfortunately, Catchpool isn’t Captain Arthur Hastings. He is more needy, lacks confidence, and despite being a Scotland Yard detective, is less brilliant, continually requiring Poirot’s guidance. Still, I liked him.

Overall, I loved the book and highly recommend it to fans of Agatha Christie or simply fans of an excellent mystery. It may not be quite the original, but it comes very close. Sophie Hannah manages to capture Poirot’s mannerisms and deliver an intriguing tale while doing so. I can't wait for the next installment in the series!

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book: "The Last Death of the Year" by Sophie Hannah

"12 Ways to Kill Your Family at Christmas" by Natasha Bache

 

"12 Ways to Kill Your Family at Christmas" by Natasha Bache is a wickedly funny and clever murder mystery that entertained me from start to finish.

The book follows Olivia Weiss and is written from her POV. She, her husband Miles, and their two children, Martha and Callum, are invited to spend one last Christmas with her dreadful in-laws before their move to Australia. Since Olivia comes from a working-class family, none of the Weiss clan like her and look down on her—especially her MIL, Jeannie.

The plot thickens as one incident follows another and murder becomes the endgame. As the body count increases, it becomes clear that someone is picking them off one by one. The question is: who will make it to Christmas?

I enjoyed the book immensely. Most of the characters were horrible and nasty—except Olivia's family—so one doesn't mind their deaths too much. The writing is great, and I flew through the pages. As the body count increases, the number of suspects decreases. I thought I had an inkling of who the culprit was, but boy was I wrong.

Chapter headings provided comic relief, as did the murderer’s diary entries scattered throughout the chapters. While we don’t have an in-depth view of every character, there is enough personality to differentiate between them. The tone strikes a satisfying balance between comedic and dark, making the reading experience both intriguing and entertaining.

The book explores extreme family dysfunction, greed, homophobia, troll comments, and social media commentary. I liked the locked-room mystery slash Agatha Christie vibes. The book pays homage to Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None, which I loved. Most of us have a relative or two we don't like, but we don't go around and murder them—at least I hope so...

All in all, this was an enjoyable read that kept me turning the pages. The writing is masterful, and the plot is well thought out. Secrets, secret passages, lies, red herrings, and inventive methods of death make this a fun read despite the body count. Some things seemed over the top, but it didn’t ruin the enjoyment.

I deducted one star as I am tired of people getting away with things they did. I would recommend this book to those who like locked-room, snowbound mysteries and don’t mind one murder or two...

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.  

* For more info about the book: "12 Ways to Kill Your Family at Christmas" by Natasha Bache

"A Killer Wedding" by Joan O'Leary

 

A Killer Wedding by Joan O'Leary is a slow-burn mystery following Christine Russo, an ambitious junior editor at Bespoke Weddings Magazine, sent to cover the glamorous wedding of a beauty empire tycoon’s grandson at a luxe Irish castle. Told from multiple perspectives and jumping between timelines, the book blends mystery, family drama, and the toxic dynamics of the glitzy elite.

Christine is thrilled when Gloria Beaufort—the formidable matriarch of the Ripton family and founder of the global beauty empire Glo—asks her to cover her grandson’s wedding for Bespoke. But when Gloria is found dead and the family wants it hushed up until after the wedding, Christine realizes she’s walked into more than just another wedding feature. She’s warned to stay silent—or face the music.

As she starts digging into the past, secrets are revealed and tensions run high. Everyone has something to hide—be it the incompetent entrepreneur, the alcoholic and hot-tempered grandchild, the unfaithful wife, or the wedding planner. Not all that glitters sparkles, as Christine will come to learn.

On paper, the book had everything: a luxurious setting, a murder, secret passageways, a dysfunctional family, toxic dynamics, and an outsider caught in the middle of it all. The writing is good, the multiple perspectives are easy to follow, and the mystery unfolds with several well-placed twists. I particularly liked the flashbacks, which helped flesh out the characters’ backgrounds. The interstitials between chapters added a nice stylistic touch (though some were hard to read due to tiny font).

Despite the intriguing premise, the book dragged. The pacing is very slow, and the story takes its time getting to the heart of the mystery. The abundance of wedding-related details weighed the narrative down, and the characters—while interesting—often leaned too heavily into familiar archetypes. I didn’t connect with any of them, which made it harder to stay invested. Still, I was curious enough to stick with it and see how it played out.

In the end, I’m giving A Killer Wedding 3 out of 5 stars. It’s a well-constructed story with a strong atmosphere and thoughtful plotting, but it didn’t fully engage me the way I’d hoped. I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy slow-burning mysteries with a heavy dose of toxic family and unlikable characters, and who don’t mind a very leisurely pace with lots of descriptive detail.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book: "A Killer Wedding" by Joan O'Leary
   

"The Hotel" by Kit Duffield

 

"The Hotel" by Kit Duffield is an engaging psychological thriller about three guests spending Valentine’s weekend at a lavish new hotel in Finnish Lapland. The story alternates between their POVs.

Beth and James are a newly married English couple honeymooning at the hotel, even though they can’t afford it. Beth mainly chose it to impress James’s snobby circle of friends—people she doesn’t even like. Fletcher is an American psychologist and CEO of Small Talk (an online therapy platform) in Silicon Valley, and he has plenty of issues of his own (psychologist—heal yourself!). Jordy is a provocative Brazilian influencer invited along with her best friends, Matteo and Rosa.

Kuvastin isn’t your typical five-star hotel. Everything—from food and music to scents—is personalized using your social media and submitted data to recreate your happiest memories. In theory, it sounds perfect.  

Alas, some memories are better left alone. Strange occurrences begin right after the arrival of the guests, dredging up old traumas. Each guest has secrets, and a data breach exposes things they'd rather keep hidden. The plot thickens when a snowstorm traps them in the hotel, and the power goes out. As secrets unravel, the perfect getaway becomes a nightmare.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. It wasn’t quite the locked-room mystery I’d expected, but it was still captivating. The writing is taut and smooth, with a steadily building atmosphere of dread. Each character is distinct and well-drawn.

I liked the emotional dynamics and the interactions between the characters. Fletcher was my favorite, even though he seemed a bit aloof at first. I had mixed feelings about Beth—I didn’t like her obsession with impressing others and posting the perfect Instagram shot. Her husband I downright disliked. I also didn’t care for Jordy and her constant self-justifications.

The book explores abuse, manipulation, infidelity, secrets, social media, and the craving for external approval. The ending gave satisfying closure, but its tone felt a little off compared to the rest of the story—less sharp, more subdued.

This isn’t a hotel I’d want to visit. I don’t post much online, but the sheer amount of personal data out there gives one pause. As one character comes to realize, it’s better to make memories the old-fashioned way—by living them, not by recording every moment.

To sum, I found the book a good read and recommend it to fans of a fast-paced plot, eerie settings, unexpected twists, and trapped-in-a-snowstorm trope.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book:  "The Hotel" by Kit Duffield

 

"In the Time of Five Pumpkins" by Alexander McCall Smith

 

 

 

 

Mma Precious Ramotswe and associates strike again! Alexander McCall Smith is one of my favorite authors to date. I love all his books generally, and the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series specifically. I always return to this series when in need of a feel-good book.

In this 26th book in the series—set in Gaborone, Botswana—Mma Precious Ramotswe and her associates return to us in a new case that challenges the gray cells. Precious Ramotswe and her colleague, Mma Grace Makutsi, must tackle an infidelity case that is more complex than it seems. Meanwhile, Mr. J. L. B. Matekoni, Precious Ramotswe's husband, befriends a man in the auto business who has questionable motives.

I enjoyed the book immensely. While there is a mystery, it isn’t the main focus. The story centers on atmosphere, characters, and emotional dynamics. Rather than a thriller, this is a loving and tender portrait of one country in Africa, where small anecdotes come together to form an entertaining and heartwarming story.

The latest entry is a breath of fresh air from the Kalahari Desert in Botswana. And Mma Ramotswe teaches us what self-acceptance is. Our detective walks proudly with her generous body measurements—or, in her own words, she is a very traditionally built lady. I love her optimism and kindness and her ability to see the good in everyone, even those who don’t deserve it. She solves mysteries using simple logic and intuition without sophisticated equipment.

She is joined by clever but highly temperamental Mma Grace Makutsi, and part-time assistant Charlie. And there is her friend, Mma Potokwani, the matron of the orphanage, whom one can’t help but admire. We all need friends like her! I love Charlie’s new maturity, Grace’s new inventive titles and talking shoes, Mma Potokwani’s famous fruitcake, and Precious’s Redbush tea.

Speaking of characters, Botswana is another character—with its old ways and traditions, a place where everyone has some relatives in common. The Africa described here is changing; young people are adopting new values, but it remains tolerant and bound by a brotherhood that makes people happy with what they have. There is a feeling that everyone cares about others and that they can ask for help anywhere—and even receive it. It is glorified Africa in all its glory and humanity.

It is a book full of the wisdom of life and love of man, alongside personal stories. This whole book is like a kind of bow to Africa from a sympathetic human perspective, with a longing for a world of “old values” that the West has abandoned and forgotten. A wonderful story to convey the people, the simple and obvious human insights that are always good to remember— the good, the bad, family time, and more.

It is a slower, slice-of-life type story. There are lessons to be learned, reflections to contemplate, friendships to be made. I could imagine myself drinking a steaming cup of Redbush tea with Ramotswe, eating the famous fruitcake while enjoying smelling the roses, and discussing life choices with Grace’s shoes.

The book can be read on its own; the author recaps the characters’ backgrounds and history. You would better appreciate the vibes, though, if you read it in order. And this is a series you wouldn’t want to miss. As you’ve figured out, I loved the book and highly recommend it. This is a great addition to the series, and I can hardly wait for the next one.

*  Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book: "In the Time of Five Pumpkins" by Alexander McCall Smith

"The Man Next Door" by Sheila Roberts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



"The Man Next Door" by Sheila Roberts is a slow-burn novel that follows three generations of women navigating life, family dynamics, and fresh starts: a 44-year-old broke divorcée, her house-bound mother, and her adult daughter.

Zona’s been dealt a rough hand in love and money. Her first husband cheated on her, and her second destroyed their savings—including her daughter’s college fund—with gambling. She had to move back in with her mom, Louise, and is trying to make ends meet by taking a second job so she can help put her daughter through nursing school.

Her mother, Louise, hasn’t had much luck either. After breaking her leg on a senior singles cruise, she is now house-bound. She and her caretaker spend their days spying on their mysterious new neighbor. They’re influenced by the movie Rear Window and other true-crime series, so tensions and imaginations run high. Her neighbor, Martin, is a great help, but she is too shallow to really appreciate him.

Bree, Zona’s daughter, has trust issues due to her mother’s bad luck with men. She works as a waitress and has put walls around her heart. She’s afraid of being in a relationship, so she doesn’t take any risks. And she definitely doesn’t want her mother to have a relationship with the new, dangerous neighbor—or any man, for that matter. They also have a dog named Darling, who keeps running away to explore the area. Things come to a head when the woman next door disappears, and they suspect foul play.

I liked the relationship between the three women. Zona was a great mother and daughter. Louise was also great. Bree was a whiny young woman. While I liked Louise and Zona, Bree irritated me. She whined a lot, kept blaming her mother for ruining her life, acted like a brat, and even tried to dictate who her mother could date. 

Bree was too judgmental and bossy for my taste, always trying to control her mother’s life. I could understand her bitterness—she wanted to enroll in nursing school but now lacked the funds—but she took it out on the wrong person: her mother. Her mother did everything she could to fix the situation by taking on a couple of side jobs, and didn’t get the appreciation she deserved—at least not at first.

Another thing that nagged me was the dog. He kept running away, and I found it irresponsible. He ran away several times, and it became tiring after a while. Enough already! And another thing—the story moved at a slow pace. I enjoyed it, but I never felt compelled to keep reading.

Overall, I enjoyed the story. I liked the psychological games playing on our minds—not being sure what to think of the man next door—and the story arc. The writing was good, alternating between viewpoints in third-person POV and giving us a window into their feelings. However, I expected a thriller based on the description. While it bears a weak resemblance to Rear Window—a house-bound woman spying on a suspicious neighbor, a dog digging in his garden, and a cynical, middle-aged nurse—it lacks the tension of the movie.

After consideration, I rate it 3.5 out of 5 stars. While I did enjoy it, it wasn’t the suspense tale I expected. It’s more of a family drama than a thriller, so keep that in mind. There’s plenty of drama and a subtle hint of mystery, but little suspense to speak of. Still, if you adjust your expectations and approach it accordingly, you’ll likely enjoy it.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book:  "The Man Next Door" by Sheila Roberts
 

"Dexter: The Stand Up Dog" by Bonnie Kelso & Kentee Pasek

 

"Dexter: The Stand-Up Dog" by Bonnie Kelso & Kentee Pasek is an uplifting true story that shows how far love, hope, resilience, and perseverance can carry you—even on two legs. I love dogs and have had them all my life, so the blurb immediately captured me. This was my first Camp NetGalley book, and what a great choice it was!

Dexter was adopted by his family when he was just a puppy. Like all puppies, he was energetic, curious, and mischievous. After a tragic accident, he lost one front leg and couldn’t walk very well on the other. His family gave him a two-wheel wagon, but it was too slow for his taste. Determined to go faster, he practiced and practiced—and it paid off. He learned to walk on two legs to the amazement of his family. Pretty soon, he was a social media sensation, and rightly so.

I looked him up on social media and was amazed. It’s hard to believe until you see it with your own eyes. I especially related to his story, as I had a dog who also went through a similar accident and became disabled. My dog didn’t lose his leg, but after surgery, he couldn’t bend it.

Dexter’s journey was both touching and inspiring—it made me feel for him and want to hug him. I loved the message of the story: that any challenge can be overcome, one step at a time. We could all take a leaf from Dexter’s book. With minimal text and charming illustrations, the book shows that when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade.

The illustrations were lovely—simple but very effective—and helped me connect emotionally to the tale. There were a couple of pages where the dark background made the text hard to read, so the author may want to adjust that before publication.

Overall, I loved the book! It’s a great choice to read to children or have them read on their own. It teaches important life lessons, empathy, and an appreciation for life. Full stars from me! Dexter is surely one lucky dog!.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book: "Dexter: The Stand Up Dog" by Bonnie Kelso & Kentee Pasek

"An Introvert's Guide to Life and Love" by Lauren Appelbaum

 

What a charming story! An Introvert's Guide to Life and Love by Lauren Appelbaum is a delightful women's fiction novel about family, personal growth, and stepping out of your comfort zone. Written in the present tense, the story follows an introverted woman's life-changing journey from her perspective.

Mallory Rosen works from home in her comfortable Seattle apartment, in a tech job she doesn’t really enjoy. Her parents and sister are all lawyers, so she’s sort of the black sheep of the family—the only one not working in the legal profession. She’s full of insecurities, and as an introvert, working from home suits her just fine. She has her own routine and loves her alone time.

All that changes when she inherits her late grandmother's seaside cottage in Florida. There’s only one condition: that she takes care of her grandfather. Mallory flies to Florida for a few weeks to sort out the property and reconnect with her grandfather, who lives in an independent living community, doing her best to care for him as her grandmother asked. Her stay lengthens more than she predicted, as the cottage needs fixing before it can be let out—according to her extroverted property manager, Daniel. Just as she starts to find her rhythm, real life gets in the way. 

I enjoyed this feel-good book immensely. Please note that this is more women’s fiction than rom-com. Although there is a slow-burn romance, it isn’t the main focus. The pace is steady—some might say slow—but it didn’t feel that way to me. It’s a slice-of-life kind of story, so the pace felt just right. And I absolutely loved the small-town vibes and the portrayal of community life.

The heroine’s awkwardness is relatable, and I found it easy to connect with her. I loved her relationship with Daniel and her growing bond with her grandfather. I adored their interactions—the nightly chats, the gradual development of trust and closeness. It reminded me of my own relationship with my late grandparents, whom I greatly miss.

Yes, Mallory isn’t perfect. She doesn’t always act responsibly (especially job-wise) and can be a bit immature at times—but that’s what makes her so relatable. And she’s a “good egg.” One detail that nagged at me was that, on one hand, she didn’t eat pork because she’s Jewish (I loved having a Jewish heroine), but on the other hand, she ate seafood, which isn’t kosher.

The writing style is natural and flows well, with touches of gentle humor that balance out the heavier emotional themes. There’s a subtle thread of grief and healing, as Mallory’s grandfather learns to adjust to life without his wife—with help from his granddaughter and the supportive community around him. Through their growing bond, Mallory also begins to open up and grow—with others and within herself.

Overall, this is a lovely story with a slow-burn romance that I simply adored. The story arc was engaging, and the emotional undercurrents gave it depth. I recommend this heartwarming novel to readers who enjoy stories about family, self-discovery, community life, and finding love when you least expect it.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.  

* For more info about the book:  "An Introvert's Guide to Life and Love" by Lauren Appelbaum

"Reader's Retreat" by Michael Layne

 

"Reader's Retreat" by Michael Layne is an intense psychological thriller that will keep you turning pages until the very end. One remote island. Seven readers. A retreat gone awry. I'm a sucker for this trope, so the blurb immediately caught my eye—and I wasn’t disappointed.

Told from the first-person POV of Kalah, a poison control hotline operator who wins a contest hosted by a mysterious new author, the story alternates between her perspective and a couple of others, with occasional flashbacks woven in.

First, there were seven—readers, influencers, bloggers, even a literary agent. They’re invited by a new author to a reading retreat on a secluded island in the Florida Keys to preview his debut thriller. At first, everything goes smoothly—until the island’s caretaker vanishes without a trace. And that’s just the beginning.

It may look like paradise, but every paradise has its snake—and this one has one too. As the guests begin reading the thriller, they notice a disturbing similarity between the book’s plot and real life. And pretty soon, life begins to copy art—with deadly consequences.

This is the first book by the author that I’ve read, and it definitely won me over. I loved the writing—it flowed smoothly and kept me completely hooked—and found the plot deeply intriguing. The island’s name—Isla Tumbas, or “Island of Graves”—couldn’t be more fitting. The atmosphere is thick with tension, paranoia, and the growing sense that something is very wrong.

There are brief excerpts from the ARC throughout the book, though in some scenes, we’re simply told what it contains rather than shown it directly. It gave me And Then There Were None vibes, a book I loved—the same eerie isolation, mounting dread, and the sense that no one is safe.

While only a few characters felt fully fleshed out, enough description was provided to give a decent sense of the rest. The book explores themes of revenge, isolation, obsession, hidden secrets, and survival. Toward the end, I began to suspect the villain’s identity—and though I was right, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment, nor did I guess the motive. 

One detail that nagged at me was the locked-room murder—it was never addressed how the killer gained access to a locked room, which stood out in an otherwise tightly plotted story. However, it didn’t diminish my appreciation of the book.

To sum up, I enjoyed this book immensely and finished it in a few sittings. The trope may be familiar, but the motive felt refreshingly original, and the twists delivered suspense in spades. It’s a fresh take on a classic setup, and the final twist lands with chilling precision. Highly recommended for fans of the trope, dark psychological suspense, and atmospheric, locked-room thrillers. 

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book: "Reader's Retreat" by Michael Layne

"The Survivor" by Andrew Reid

 

"The Survivor" by Andrew Reid is an explosive thriller that will keep readers gripped to the last page. Told in third-person POV, the story alternates between timelines and protagonists, weaving together a pulse-pounding narrative full of twists and rising suspense.
 
Ben Cross suffers from acute claustrophobia due to a traumatic past. Fired on his first day at a new job in New York City, he boards the subway—only to start receiving text messages from an anonymous killer warning him not to turn off his phone or get off the train. Otherwise, people will die. There’s already one victim, and the body count is rising.

Meanwhile, NYPD detective Kelly Hendricks—assigned to the transit police as a punishment—tries to figure out what’s really going on. Is Ben the victim or the perpetrator? The plot thickens when the train is hijacked and the demands escalate. As the story unfolds, we discover the reasons behind it all, along with the protagonists.

I enjoyed the book and was immediately pulled into the story. This is one subway ride you won’t forget! The action keeps you riveted, and the twists keep you guessing. I love a good twisty thriller where the reader is left in the dark just as much as the characters, and we get to piece together the puzzle right alongside them.

The book started off a bit slow, but once the action begins, it doesn’t stop. The pacing is like a train ride—there are brief stops along the way, but once it picks up speed, it doesn’t let up. Some passages require a suspension of disbelief, and I did think Ben could have avoided all the hassle with one simple act, but you need to understand his psyche to understand his choices.

Overall, it’s a well-crafted and engaging thriller that builds the right atmosphere to carry off the tale. My opinion of Ben changed frequently, and I didn’t guess the identity of the killer—which genuinely surprised me. If you like your characters flawed yet understandable, realistic yet fascinating, you’ll love this. If you like a book to surprise you, you’ll love this. And most of all, if you enjoy a frantic roller coaster of a novel—then you’ll absolutely love this.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book: "The Survivor" by Andrew Reid