"Ten Perfect Guests" by Jonathan Santlofer

Ten Perfect Guests by Jonathan Santlofer is a dark mystery reminiscent of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None. I admit, I am a sucker for locked-room mysteries and the vacation-gone-wrong trope, so the premise had me intrigued.

One tropical island. Ten guests. One gathering turns deadly. When the celebrated artist Victor D'Arcangelo dies unexpectedly, ten of his nearest and dearest are summoned to a weekend memorial on a secluded island that is off the grid. They must attend or forfeit their inheritance. Each guest has their own reasons for attending and their own agenda. Once they arrive, paradise turns into a nightmare. They are trapped on the island and picked off one by one. As the body count increases, tensions and tempers rise, and they turn on each other. 

The book is atmospheric and gritty, and there is a gradual buildup of tension. The story is told from multiple third-person perspectives, presenting different personalities and motivations. The chapters are short, moving between characters, which makes for a quick read. Each guest has their own backstory, most of them unlikeable, self-centered, and egotistical. Each one has secrets and has done horrible things in the past.

Despite the large cast, I had no trouble keeping track of the characters. And yes, some of them were stereotyped. I liked the inclusion of the transcripts, how art imitates life through the staging of the murder scenes, and the way the ins and outs of the art world permeate the story.
 
The author creates an excellent sense of setting and Christie-esque atmosphere. The isolation, danger, bugs, crocodiles, overgrown grass, and heat are almost palpable. There’s a strong sense of claustrophobia. The distrust and quarrels add to the atmosphere. 

Unfortunately, the execution doesn't quite live up to the concept. The biggest issue I had with this book was the writing style and the pacing. The writing didn't flow smoothly at times, making it harder to get lost in the story. The first half of the book is especially slow, weighed down by exposition and character introductions. Also, there was too much drinking and drug use to my taste.

Overall, I enjoyed the book despite its flaws. The author introduces some interesting twists in the story, and I didn't guess who was behind the deaths, which is always a plus in a mystery. Although the execution isn't perfect, the mystery itself kept me engaged. I recommend it to readers who enjoy locked-room mysteries and Christie-inspired stories.

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

* For more info about the book: "Ten Perfect Guests" by Jonathan Santlofer  

"We Already Dug the Grave" by Emma C. Wells

 

 

 

 

 

 

 







"We Already Dug the Grave" by Emma C. Wells is a dark (and creepy) southern gothic thriller following two estranged sisters with skeletons in their closet, literally. The premise sounded promising, but unfortunately it didn’t live up to my expectations. More on that later.

The story takes place in a fictional town in Appalachia. After a traumatic event in their childhood, the two sisters, Milly and Frances Robinson, are taken to live with their eccentric aunts, Ruth and Hattie May. The Robinson women share a family inheritance: the ability to divine the future by reading leftover tea leaves. Of the two sisters, only Milly inherited the Sight. Oh, and they also have another, far more sinister family tradition, but I'll let you discover that for yourself.

After another traumatic event in their teenage years, Milly is forced to run away and break contact with her family. Stuck in a crappy job and having trouble divining the future, she tries to get by, still keeping track of her sister. On the surface, Frances’s life seems perfect, but not everything is as it seems. Years later, Frances shows up on Milly’s doorstep asking for help. Together, they return to the only place they ever called home, a place full of long-buried secrets, uncomfortable truths, and death.

The narrative is told in first person from Milly’s POV, with a dual timeline of "Then" and "Now. The book explores themes of abuse, choices, sisterly and family bonds, love, loyalty, and moral conflict. The Appalachian setting, with its witchy undertones, supernatural elements, and gothic atmosphere, was one of the book's strongest aspects. The layers of secrets slowly unravel until everything is revealed. 

The characterization is excellent. Even the morally questionable characters felt fully realized rather than one-dimensional. Milly was impulsive and at times too naive, whereas her sister was far more calculating. I loved the aunts, but disliked one of the main characters (I won't tell you whom) due to her terrible attitude and questionable choices.
   
I am very ambivalent about the book. On one hand, it was engaging and well written. On the other hand, it lost a bit of steam in the middle, and while I guessed the twist halfway through, that wasn't what bothered me. I found the resolution regarding abusive men morally troubling. While I understood some of the characters' actions, the story ultimately crossed a line for me, and I wasn't entirely convinced by how it handled accountability. It seemed to blur the line between understandable acts of self-defense and repeated, deliberate killing without adequately addressing the ethical consequences. 

In short, what ultimately didn't work for me was not just the slow pace, but also the way the book resolved its moral conflicts. Because of my reservations, I rate the book 3 out of 5 stars. If you like family secrets, supernatural elements, and morally gray characters, you may like the book more than I did. 
 
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.  

* For more info about this book: "We Already Dug the Grave" by Emma C. Wells

"Don’t Cross Mo Ellery" by Birdie Horne

 

"Don’t Cross Mo Ellery" by Birdie Horne is a chaotic cozy mystery, just like its heroine. Birdie Horne is the pseudonym of two authors, Eden Robins and Mary Winn Heider, and this is their first novel together. And a successful endeavor it is!

Told in the first-person POV, the book follows Mo Ellery, a 29-year-old bisexual hypochondriac woman who finds herself in the thick of a murder mystery. Her 29th birthday starts on the wrong foot when a Zoom work meeting goes awry due to a small accident involving indecent exposure. As a result, she gets fired, dumped by her boyfriend, and kicked out of their Chicago apartment, all on the same day. She finds a low-paying job as a crossing guard and moves into a small flat in a less posh neighborhood. However, her troubles are far from over. The neighbors are less than welcoming, the kids disregard her orders to wait for her signal to cross, and her bestie is distant.

Among the colorful locals are Claudia, a wacky old woman; Marlowe, a tween prodigy; and Poodle Dude, a man with an SUV full of poodles who speeds through her intersection each morning. The plot thickens when Poodle Dude dies after speeding into a sinkhole. Claudia believes he was murdered and drags Mo into investigating it. Soon, Mo finds herself the guardian of three poodles and in the role of an amateur sleuth. When another local dies under mysterious circumstances, Mo needs to step on it. With the help of Marlowe, her sidekick - or is it the other way around? - they try to find a murderer. What follows is a series of shenanigans, chaos, and mayhem.

I enjoyed the book very much. Mo isn't your standard heroine. You'll either like her or hate her, and I liked her. Yes, she is a mess, selfish at times, and has issues, but that made her feel human and authentic. She grows and develops throughout the tale, and I couldn't help but root for her. She doesn't always act wisely, that's true, and more than once I wanted to shout at her to reconsider her actions. But then, we all make the wrong choices at times.

What made the book work for me was the humor. Much of it comes from Mo herself, whose chaotic decision-making repeatedly lands her in awkward situations. The investigation is just as messy as its heroine, which fits the tone of the story perfectly. I also enjoyed the interactions between the characters and watching Mo become more aware of her flaws and more independent as the story progresses. And I loved the dogs and their antics!

The mystery is a light but fun one. There is a light romance subplot, which doesn't overshadow the plot. The pace was just right, and the tone strikes a nice balance between lighthearted and tense moments. Even though two authors wrote the tale, the seam is invisible, and the writing is smooth.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read, a palate cleanser if you please. Despite enjoying the book very much, there were a few things that kept it from being a five-star read. The opening scene made me somewhat uncomfortable, and I found the motive behind the murders a bit far-fetched. That said, I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to those looking for a light and fun read. I would love to read more books featuring this heroine.

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

* More info about the book: "Don’t Cross Mo Ellery" by Birdie Horne

"Murder Bites" by Mimi Montgomery

 


















I admit, I chose this book because of the dogs. Murder mysteries with dogs are very hard for me to resist. "Murder Bites" by Mimi Montgomery is a lighthearted cozy mystery that follows an activist woman who moves to a dog-obsessed small town and finds herself deeply entangled in a murder case, with herself as the prime suspect.

Margot Cartwright moved to Glendale from Washington, D.C., with her family after her husband inherited his parents’ home and the family bank. She feels like a fish out of water among the locals and is a social pariah due to her many protests and her superior attitude. Her daughter left town and cut contact after a falling-out revealed later in the book. Margot feels lonely, sad, and angry, and blames everyone except herself for the estrangement. She makes protesting her life’s work (zealous is the word). After a protest on the first day of filming of “Paws”, a purebred dog reality show, goes wrong, Margot becomes even more isolated than before.

The plot thickens when a local dog walker, Margot’s nemesis, is murdered and Margot becomes the prime suspect due to her many antics, which made her unpopular. When there is a second murder, it puts her in even deeper water, enlarges the cracks in her marriage, and damages the relationship with her son. She becomes the scapegoat for every small incident. Help comes from unexpected quarters. Together with Anne, a septuagenarian and the head of the HOA, Sally-Claire, a member of the “Mommy Mafia", and her loyal canine, Sid, Margot tries to solve the case before the book is thrown at her.

Overall, I liked the book, the humor, the wit, and the quirky characters. The writing was a bit busy, with side plots of the contest, the name-dropping, and the activist streak slowing the pace in places. It explores themes of family, friendship, community, suburban living, bullying, environmental concerns, choices, and finding purpose. There is also the question of doing something bad for a good purpose, which I didn’t agree with.

I didn’t like most of the characters except Anne. I liked Sally-Claire once she grew a backbone. I had a hard time relating to Margot at first. I am all for adopting dogs and against the dog-breeding industry, but Margot was too radical for me with her insane actions, judgmental attitude, and righteous mindset. I thought the event leading to the estrangement with the daughter was unbelievable and a bit of a stretch. Two years without contact seemed too much for such an event. I also didn’t like Margot’s husband and his lack of support. He was a weak character, all said and done.

I liked that all three women went through personal developments. Despite their differences, they managed to find common ground in their shared sense of feeling adrift and eventually found new purpose in their lives. The author went to great lengths to present Margot as an outsider, turning her into an unlikeable and over-the-top character. I understood why Margot acted the way she did, but her characterization often felt overdone. Many times I wanted to shake her and bring her to her senses. “Don’t judge a book by its cover” fits here to a tee, and I liked the gradual revealing of the women’s personalities. They had more sides to them than first appeared at a glance.

All in all, this was a good read, just not quite as great as I expected. I appreciated the mystery and disliked how the town pinned the murders on Margot simply because she didn’t fit their expectations and beliefs. I did enjoy the character growth and the twists. I didn’t guess the identity of the murderer, always a bonus, and was satisfied with the conclusion. The mystery kept me guessing even when Margot drove me up the wall. I rate the book 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to fans of witty, humorous cozy mysteries.

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

* For more info about the book: "Murder Bites" by Mimi Montgomery

"The Break-Up Retreat" by Camilla Sten

 

The Break-Up Retreat by Camilla Sten is a slow-burn psychological thriller following Isobel Anderssen, a journalist determined to make a name for herself and show that she is nothing like her infamous father.

Isobel Anderssen has heard rumors about unethical practices and a missing woman at Himlafall Clinic, a Swedish wellness retreat promising to help women recover from heartbreak. Smelling a scoop, she goes there undercover to find out more and reveal the underhanded therapy techniques of Dr. Martina Hastings, the head of the psychological clinic, that led to the disappearance of a patient.

Among group and individual therapy sessions, she finds herself drawn to the charismatic doctor and her fellow women, while trying to get to the root of the issue. The more she digs, the clearer it becomes that something is rotten in the state of Denmark, or the clinic, in our case. The stakes get high when a storm hits and they lose electricity. Isobel quickly finds herself in over her head, caught in a perilous game that puts her life on the line.

Creepy, chilling, atmospheric, and haunting, this is a story that gets under your skin. After a slow opening, the story begins to take off. The Reddit and Instagram post interludes added another dimension to the tale. This is a story about mismanagement, abuse, gaslighting, manipulation, and fallible humans.

The story focuses on building dread rather than fast-paced action, and does so well. The last section had me holding my breath, and I found the ending satisfying. I liked Isobel and rooted for her, but found some of her actions hasty, not to mention foolish. There's a solid cast of supporting characters, and I liked the portrayal of the women at that clinic.

There were a few plot holes - such as the backstory of Isobel's dad, which wasn't fully developed. Overall, I enjoyed the story despite it all. Therefore, I rate the book 4 out of 5 stars. The writing is evocative, bringing the eerie setting vividly to life and keeping me engaged in a suspenseful and creative plot. The story’s eerie atmosphere and unrelenting sense of dread stayed with me throughout the story. I highly recommend this book to lovers of atmospheric psychological thrillers and intense, emotionally driven stories that slowly build to a truly chilling payoff.

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

* For more info about the book: "The Break-Up Retreat" by Camilla Sten

"The Last Time We Drowned" by Saratoga Schaefer

 

This book hits two of my favorite tropes: locked-room murder and being trapped aboard a ship at sea. The Last Time We Drowned by Saratoga Schaefer is an intense psychological thriller following six influencers in a gripping tale of terror and survival. I expected a light read, as befits the genre, but what I got was a deeper, more layered novel than most thrillers of its kind — and I mean that as a compliment.

Charlie Engels is a queer Bookstagram influencer haunted by her past. Devastated by her best friend's betrayal and death, broke and desperate, she eagerly accepts a life-saving offer to join Empress, a state-of-the-art yacht houseboat off the Florida Keys where six other influencers reside. Aboard Empress, Charlie meets the other women, each carrying her own baggage: Vivienne — the charismatic, ruthless leader and lifestyle content creator; Fiona — the makeup artist; the twins Rachel (a nutritionist) and Ashley (a yoga instructor); and Piper — a fashion-focused content creator.

The plot thickens when a hurricane hits, trapping them at sea with their boss and his friend. Communications are cut, supplies dwindle, and Charlie is haunted by appearances of the influencer she replaced — whom, strangely enough, the others refuse to discuss. It turns out Charlie isn’t the only one with secrets. When the first death occurs, the storm outside mirrors the storm inside, and secrets begin to surface.

Claustrophobic, atmospheric, suspenseful, and sinister, the book slowly drags you underwater and doesn’t let go. It captured my attention from the first page and held it to the very end. The premise feels fresh despite familiar tropes, the characters are diverse and layered, and the writing works beautifully for the genre, perfectly capturing the ambience.

The story is written from Charlie's first-person perspective, and I have mixed feelings about her. I liked her, but I didn’t like that she gave good reviews to all books — even bad ones — and lied easily. It made her an unreliable narrator in my eyes. I didn’t know whether to shake her or hug her at times. I condemned some of her choices and found her a bit hypocritical — first stone and all — yet I still ended up rooting for her. I didn’t like some of the other characters and found Vivienne exhausting, but I appreciated the emotional dynamics between them.

The title fits perfectly, and the drowning motif is central to the story. The novel explores social media and personal branding, loss, grief, toxic friendships, alcohol misuse, moral dilemmas, complex relationships, isolation, and PTSD. Overall, I loved the book and finished it in two sittings. The plot is filled with twists, and although I guessed a couple of them, it didn’t lessen my enjoyment. This is a cut above many others in the genre. Those who enjoy psychological thrillers with bite and complex character dynamics will find it compelling. I highly recommend it and give it full stars!

* 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 Time We Drowned" by Saratoga Schaefer

"Agnes Sharp and the Wedding to Die For" by Leonie Swann

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Agnes Sharp and the Wedding to Die For" by Leonie Swann is the third and final novel in the Agnes Sharp series. I’ve read and loved the other two books, so I eagerly awaited this one. It closes with a bang—literally—and not in a good way. But more on that later.

Agnes Sharp, a former police officer, shares her English country home, Sunset Hall, with a group of quirky seniors: Edwina, an ex–Secret Service agent who loves reptiles; blind Bernadette, the bride-to-be; her groom, Jack, a former hitman; Marshal, an ex-military strategist; Winston, who uses a wheelchair; Charlie, the new resident and vlogger; plus Hettie the turtle, Brexit the wolfhound, and Oberon, a white boa constrictor.

When Bernadette and Jack decide to marry at the high-class Foxglove Manor, which becomes available at the last minute, Agnes isn’t thrilled—Bernadette’s move will mean losing a beloved housemate. Still, she goes along with the plans. Time is short, and they need to come up with additional guests to make up the numbers. The unexplained death of the verger last year doesn’t help her peace of mind either, and she has to deal with Charlie’s latest idea—online dating—to boot. But once again, trouble follows the Sunset Hall gang: poison-pen letters, dead bodies, and a murderer on the loose, determined to stop the wedding.

This novel is packed from start to finish with murder, mayhem, mystery, intrigue, quirky characters, and shenanigans aplenty. The pace is slow, and the suspense-o-meter isn’t high—but it’s not that kind of book. It stands well on its own, though it’s best to read the previous installments first to fully appreciate the characters and their peculiarities.

I enjoyed most of it. It has the same humor, eccentric and likable characters, sharp writing, and creative plot as the earlier books. I loved the camaraderie among the characters and the hint of romance. The dating scenes were fun, and the few glimpses into Hettie the turtle’s and Oberon the white boa constrictor’s minds added a delightful, quirky touch.

However, the ending spoiled it for me. It didn’t fit the tone of the story or the spirit of the series, and the epilogue didn’t quite work either. It left a sour taste in my mouth. Therefore, I rated it 3.5 out of 5 stars, rounded up to 4. I reviewed the previous two books and loved them more—they had more heart and feel-good vibes, in my opinion. 

This book will appeal to fans of cozy mysteries with eccentric older sleuths. Even though the ending didn’t land for me, I’ll miss this oddball crew. It’s been such a fun, original series to follow. 

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

* For more info about the book: "Agnes Sharp and the Wedding to Die For" by Leonie Swann

"Tyler Green Will Never Be Free" by Nicci French

 

"Tyler Green Will Never Be Free" by Nicci French is a cleverly constructed psychological thriller and the third in the Maud O’Connor Mysteries. I didn’t realize it was the third in the series, nor had I read the previous books, but that didn’t impact my enjoyment. It stands well on its own, and I had no issues following along.

The book follows the reunion of a group of old university friends and its aftermath. When they were students, one of them—Leo—was murdered, and another—Tyler Green—was convicted of his murder. He always claimed he was innocent. Now, almost thirty years later, Tyler is out of jail and asks his friends to reconnect, which they reluctantly agree to.

The reunion starts off as planned, but wine and accusations soon dampen the atmosphere and tensions rise. When another member of the group is found dead in the same manner as the first murder, suspicion falls on Tyler. After all, he is a convicted murderer. Detective Maud O’Connor is called to investigate, but she isn’t convinced Tyler is guilty. As the investigation unfolds, long-buried secrets and old wounds resurface.
 
The novel is a concoction of intrigue, psychological character study, and drama. The authors seamlessly weave themes of fallible human nature, morality, relationships, friendship, caring, abuse, bullying, justice—or the lack thereof—crime, and its consequences.

The story is told in third person, alternating between characters, and divided into two parts. The first part introduces the friends, giving us their backstories and psychological profiles, while the second focuses on Maud and the investigation.

The pacing of the mystery is somewhat slow, although it didn’t dampen my enjoyment. You won’t find any breathtaking tension here—the plot moves steadily, with limited action, focusing instead on the characters and atmosphere, which isn’t a bad thing.

I enjoyed the mix of psychological insight and suspense. It’s well-plotted, and what truly shines is the portrayal of the characters—their mindsets and the way their feelings of anger, fear, sadness, camaraderie, and pain feel so palpable. The authors excel at revealing character through both physical description and acute psychological observation.

I didn’t guess the identity of the perpetrator, and the curveballs thrown me back. I liked that Maud didn’t bow to outside pressures and insisted on conducting the investigation her own way, without prejudice. The writing is sharp and compelling, though it could use a bit of tightening, as the repetitions of the interrogations and the inclusion of some minor characters slowed down the pace.
 
Nicci French is the pen name of the husband-and-wife writing team Nicci Gerrard and Sean French, and the writing is so seamless that I couldn’t distinguish who wrote which parts. This is an exciting psychological thriller that keeps you guessing until the very last page. I enjoyed the book and its psychological depth, but the slow pacing and some repetitive scenes kept me from giving it five stars. I’m now eager to read the other two books in the series.

"Old friends, new secrets, one deadly reunion." Just what the doctor ordered.

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

* For more info about the book:  "Tyler Green Will Never Be Free" by Nicci French

"Here Lie All the Boys Who Broke My Heart" by Emma Simmerman

 

"Here Lie All the Boys Who Broke My Heart" by Emma Simmerman is a dark debut murder mystery about a college student whose habit of writing eulogies for her exes takes a deadly turn.

Sloane has a bad record: a history of substance abuse, a DUI, and an affair with one of her teachers. In short, a mess. On top of that, she writes fake eulogies in her journal every time a guy breaks her heart. Now she’s ready to start her senior year at Pembroke College and leave all that behind, with the support of her friend group.

The plot thickens when her exes turn up dead one by one, each with a note containing her eulogy near the body. She becomes the prime suspect and is forced to team up with her frenemy, Asher, to find the murderer. Between college parties, drinking to excess, a fake relationship, secret societies, and murders, her life has never looked darker.

I picked up the book because of the intriguing premise. While it delivered on that front, it disappointed on the character side. This is one of those books where I liked the plot but couldn’t care less about the protagonists. I enjoyed the group dynamics, the banter, the dark humor, and the mystery—but not the main characters.

To say Sloane is a mess is an understatement. She drinks too much, does drugs, and makes one bad decision after another—decisions that only make things worse. She’s 21; she should act like it and get her act together. That said, she does have some redeeming qualities.

Asher isn’t any better. He’s rude, manipulative, jumps from one girl to another, and only cares about himself. He does grow a bit toward the end, but it’s too little, too late. And no, his home circumstances don’t justify his behavior. I didn’t like the way he treated Sloane. For all her flaws—and believe me, there were many—she felt remorseful about the deaths of her exes and was big enough to forgive a few.

Asher’s family wasn’t any better. They knew what was happening at his home and did nothing. And don’t get me started on their friends. A memorial for a murderer? Really? I rolled my eyes when I read that.

The book explores themes of toxic relationships, abuse, found family, love triangle themes, psychological dread, betrayal, and forgiveness. There are a couple of smut scenes, so be aware. The romance is a slow-burn, and I liked that it was built up gradually rather than sprung on us. The last chapter is written from Asher’s POV, which didn’t make me like him any better.

To sum up: a great mystery with very unlikable characters. There are plenty of red herrings and twists. While I guessed the identity of the murderer toward the end, it still caught me by surprise. The ending is more implied than explicit, which I can’t say I liked.

Overall, it was a tense and quick read, so I only knocked off one star. Twisty, dark, and full of flawed characters you’ll love to hate—this one kept me hooked from start to finish. If you love a twisty mystery and don’t need to relate to the characters to enjoy it, this one is for you.

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

* For more info about the book: "Here Lie All the Boys Who Broke" by Heart Emma Simmerman

"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

 

"Very Dangerous Things" by Lauren Muñoz

 

"Very Dangerous Things" by Lauren Muñoz is a top-notch YA whodunit with a unique setting, colorful characters, and plenty of red herrings. A murder mystery game turns deadly at J. Everett High, a private criminology school, turning everyone into a suspect and forcing a criminology student to crack the case.

Every year, the school stages a murder mystery to test its students. This year, crime junkie Dulce Death Castillo is determined to win the big prize. A longtime fan of Lord Wimsey, the literary detective created by Dorothy L. Sayers, she applies his methods to her own life. The plot thickens when the student playing the victim, Xavier Torres, is found poisoned in the school’s greenhouse - and suspicion falls on Sierra Fox, her ex-best friend and Xavier’s ex-girlfriend.

Sierra begs Dulce to prove her innocence, but Dulce refuses at first, still resenting her for abandoning her after her mother’s accidental death. Meanwhile, her best friend Emi starts investigating on her own, growing closer to another student, much to Dulce’s dismay. Then there’s Zane, a new student with a shady past and secrets of his own. Hoping to uncover the truth about both the murder and her mother’s accident, Dulce joins the investigation, applying her keen powers of observation - and Lord Wimsey’s methods - to catch a murderer and seek justice.

I loved this book! It's one of the best YA novels I’ve read recently, packed with twists and turns that will leave you spinning. The writing is sharp and engaging, pulling you in from the very first page. The characters are well-developed and well-rounded, with interactions that feel authentic and reveal glimpses of their pasts.

The story explores themes of grief, loss, betrayal, and friendship, and I love how the author expresses these emotions in such a relatable way. There’s even a bit of romance, though it never overshadows the mystery. The suspense keeps you hooked while making you root for the protagonists. Some moments may require a suspension of disbelief, but they don’t take away from the story’s impact.

Each chapter begins with a Dorothy L. Sayers quote, adding another layer of depth to the book. I’ve read a few of Sayers' novels, but after finishing this, I feel an even stronger urge to read the rest. That said, prior knowledge of Sayers’ work isn’t necessary to enjoy the story. 
 
I adored everything about this book and found Dulce incredibly relatable. She is observant and perceptive, and I loved reading her thought process and the way she analyzed others’ behavior. Her attempts to step into Lord Wimsey’s shoes, along with her character development, were a joy to follow.

The plot moves at a great pace, with just enough detail to paint a vivid picture of the characters and setting without becoming tedious. I didn’t guess the identity of the murderer, which made the reveal even more satisfying. It’s not a heart-pounding, edge-of-your-seat thriller, but there’s plenty of suspense to keep you engrossed.

To sum up, this is an absolute page-turner, highly recommended for fans of suspense and dark academia. I’d love to read more books featuring this heroine!

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

* For more info about the book: "Very Dangerous Things" by Lauren Muñoz

"Lie in the Tide" by Holly Danvers

 

"Lie in the Tide" by Holly Danvers is a solid suspense thriller set on Cape Cod, exploring the impact and consequences of white lies on relationships. I love the reunion gone wrong trope, so I had high hopes for this book. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to my expectations.

The story follows four friends reuniting after 20 years apart: Mori, the hostess and a bestselling erotica author; Calista, a suburban mom and high school English teacher; Remi, a yoga instructor; and Avery, a farm wife living in Iowa. They all have secrets - some more serious than others. The plot thickens when one of them fails to arrive at the reunion, leaving no trace behind. As the friends try to uncover what happened, tensions rise, secrets unravel, and then - there’s a murder.

This is a book about secrets and lies. At times, I felt there were simply too many. While the story delves deep into the characters' mindsets, I struggled to connect with any of them or the foolish decisions they made. Some of their actions left me raising a brow, as they didn’t always make sense. And their constant arguments were exhausting, to say the least.

That said, I appreciated the attention to detail in the characters' interactions and inner thoughts. The writing itself was strong - the emotions leapt off the page. However, this also slowed the pacing at times. I wasn’t fully engaged or eager to see what would happen next.

Overall, it was an okay read. It started off really well, but eventually lost momentum. The mystery itself was predictable and didn’t keep me guessing, though the twist at the end did manage to surprise me. The identity of the villain was obvious (at least to me), and I found it unrealistic that they weren't on the suspect list.

That being said, I still enjoyed the book to some extent, so I’m giving it 3 out of 5 stars. The twist at the end made up for some of the flaws. I’d recommend it to readers who don’t mind a slow-paced story and are new to the genre.

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

* For more info about the book: "Lie in the Tide" by Holly Danvers

"Death on the Island" by Eliza Reid

 

"Death on the Island" by Eliza Reid is a slow-paced locked-room mystery set in the Westman Islands, Iceland. It is the first in a planned series featuring some of the characters introduced in this book.

Nine people gather at chef Piotr's restaurant for a diplomatic dinner, each with their own reasons for being there. Among them are Kristján, the grieving mayor; Hanna, a former local artist; Graeme, the Canadian ambassador, and his wife Jane; Kavita, the deputy ambassador, and her husband Rahul; Linda and Thor, owners of a fish factory; and Ben, a famous author.

The plot thickens when one of the guests dies after drinking Piotr’s signature cocktail, the Flaming Viking. To make matters worse, a violent storm traps them on the island. When an inexperienced officer is assigned to the case, Jane takes it upon herself to investigate with the help of another guest. The clock is ticking, and no one is safe.

Overall, it was an okay read, but unfortunately, it didn’t fully work for me. The book started out strong - with a suspicious death - but it quickly lost its momentum. I loved the premise, the atmospheric setting, the Christie-esque locked-room setup, and the twists. However, I expected more suspense and tension. The slow pace, combined with extensive backstories, made it less gripping than I had hoped. While the character backstories added depth, they also slowed the narrative down significantly.

The book had all the ingredients for a great mystery - an exotic setting, an intriguing locked-room setup, and a group of strangers trapped with a murderer - but the execution fell short. Too much telling (about the island’s history, the characters' pasts, and the back-stabbing) and not enough showing made the reading experience tedious at times.

I also wasn’t a fan of how justice wasn’t fully served. I’m growing tired of stories where culprits walk free. What is it with this new trend of letting wrongdoers off the hook? In the end, I rated this book 2.5 out of 5 stars, rounding up to three, mainly because, despite its flaws, the book had its moments.

I didn't rate it higher because, at the end of the day, the story didn’t hold my engagement as much as I had hoped. The mystery didn’t have enough suspense to keep me fully invested. It’s a decent start to the series, but with a tighter plot and better pacing, it could be much stronger.

To sum, a promising premise that doesn’t fully reach its potential. A good pick if you enjoy slower, character-driven mysteries, but if you’re looking for a tense, edge-of-your-seat thriller, you might want to look elsewhere.

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

* For more info about the book: "Death on the Island" by Eliza Reid

"The Case of the Elusive Bombay Duck" by Tarquin Hall

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"The Case of the Elusive Bombay Duck" by Tarquin Hall is the sixth installment in the delightful Vish Puri series, featuring India’s Most Private Investigator. As a long-time fan of the series, I was thrilled to see a new addition. And it is just as good as the other books!

The hero of the piece is Vish Puri, a brilliant private detective and owner of a detective agency who is offended when people dare to compare him to the fictional Sherlock Holmes. Unlike other classic detectives, he does not work alone and has a host of colorful agents at his disposal: Handbrake, Tubelight, Flush, to name a few. Also, there is Madam Rani, his secretary and the recorder of his exploits.

Vish is 59 years old, smart, patriotic, a master of disguise, and a passionate lover of everything fried and spicy (even if he's not allowed to). He is a detective in the old-fashioned sense. His main tools are common sense and intuition, combined with the technological skills and daring of his assistants.

When he wins the International Detective of the Year award, he is asked to keep it a secret. Within hours, it seems all of Delhi knows – including his indomitable Mummy-ji, who announces she will come with him and his wife Rumpy to the ceremony in London, much to their dismay. The plot thickens when a senior government bureaucrat asks him to track down India’s most-wanted fugitive, billionaire pharmaceutical fraudster code-named Bombay Duck, rumored to hide in London, a request he can't refuse.

Vish’s predicament is both humorous and chaotic as he juggles keeping the investigation secret from Rumpy - who would not approve of him working during their much-anticipated vacation - and from Mummy-ji, who has her own ways of meddling. Alongside his nephew Jags and Bromley, an English police detective, Vish dives into the case while his mother pursues an investigation of her own.

I absolutely loved the book! It’s brimming with humor, clever wordplay, mouthwatering descriptions of Indian food, and comparisons between the Indian and British cultures. Mummy-ji is a sharp, hilarious force of nature, and her adventures were a highlight. The story seamlessly weaves between London and New Delhi, juggling multiple plotlines that all tie together brilliantly.

While the book can be enjoyed on its own, I recommend reading the earlier installments to fully appreciate the characters and their dynamics. The chapters include helpful explanations of cultural concepts, and a glossary of Indian words and terms at the end enhances the experience.

Overall, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read that captures the essence of its settings and cultures. I found myself smiling at Vish’s struggles to find non-vegetarian food while staying with his vegetarian hosts, or when he failed to catch the irony of Inspector Bromley. If you’re a fan of Alexander McCall Smith’s series, you’ll adore this book even more - it delivers a richer mystery, vivid characters, and plenty of substance. Highly recommended!

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

* For more info about the book: "The Case of the Elusive Bombay Duck" by Tarquin Hall