Hank Phillippi Ryan’s Mother Daughter Sister Stranger is a gripping psychological thriller about two sisters, a long-buried family tragedy, and the secrets that surface when one of them disappears. Blending suspense, family drama, and emotional twists, this tense mystery kept me second-guessing every theory until the end. A strong pick for fans of psychological thrillers, family secrets, and suspenseful book club reads.
Book Review: Seven-Year Witch by Angela M. Sanders is a charming cozy paranormal mystery filled with small-town secrets, a magical library, and an endearing cat familiar. The second book in the Witch Way Librarian series follows Josie Way as she continues learning how to balance her role as Wilfred, Oregon’s librarian with her growing magical abilities. With cozy mystery appeal, light supernatural elements, and a warm cast of characters, this novel is a good fit for fans of magical mysteries, the Good Witch TV show, Lynn Cahoon, and Bailey Cates. While some plot elements feel lighter than expected, Josie’s gradual growth and the inviting small-town setting keep the story engaging.
Get ready to unravel clues, uncover secrets, and lose yourself in this month’s mystery-themed reading challenge. From cozy small-town whodunits and classic Sherlock Holmes adventures to fascinating true-crime investigations, our August selections are packed with twists, intrigue, and unforgettable stories. Plus, enjoy a curated playlist inspired by cinematic mysteries and suspenseful classics to set the perfect reading mood all month long. 📚🔎✨
Kelsey Cox’s Pretty Dead Things is a suspenseful, atmospheric thriller set in small-town Texas, where beauty pageant traditions, long-buried secrets, and generational trauma collide. Following multiple generations of women navigating friendship, betrayal, family wounds, and the social pressures of pageant life, this emotionally grounded mystery builds from a slow start into a gripping, unforgettable read. Cox handles difficult topics like bullying, substance abuse, mental illness, physical violence, and allusions to sexual assault with compassion and care. With a vivid winter-storm setting, realistic characters, and a mystery that keeps readers guessing until the final pages, Pretty Dead Things is a strong follow-up to Party of Liars and a must-read for fans of atmospheric mysteries and small-town suspense.
Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Aurelia spends weeks planning the perfect romantic getaway with her boyfriend—unaware that he’s been planning hookups and secret trysts with his boss. When he abandons her in Sicily to return to his affair, Aurelia makes herself a promise: … Continue reading The Ruler
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Penelope is living the dream of every devoted bibliophile: she serves as the personal assistant to one of the most famous mystery writers in the world. That places her near his inner circle all the time … Continue reading Without a Clue
Kit Fielding has worked hard to make a name for himself in the racing circuits. He comes from a long line of horse trainers and is a jockey for some of the best trainers and owners in England. So when his twin sister and her husband fall on hard times, Kit is quick to offer … Continue reading Break In
Kinsey Millhone only took this case because something felt unfinished and every day on the job is proving her right. Nikki Fife might have been convicted of murdering her husband, but when every lead takes Kinsey into danger or toward yet another dead body, it’s looking more and more like the justice system got it … Continue reading A is for Alibi
Thank you NetGalley and Victoria Editing NetGalley Co-Op for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. What would you do if you found out your partner had betrayed you? Would you leave? Or maybe look to get even? Kenneth Cruz explores these questions in the thriller Till the Last Piece. This … Continue reading Till the Last Piece
Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. London in the 1930’s is a time of magic. The city had survived the war and was returning somewhat to a semblance of normality after years of reconstruction with the arts at the center of London life. … Continue reading The Queens of Crime
