Review: Debbie Gibson: The Message in my Music by Debbie Gibson

Eternally Electric: The Message in My Music

by Debbie Gibson 

Release Date: September 9, 2025

2025 Gallery Books

Ebook ARC; 320 Pages

ISBN: 978-1668056769

ASIN:  ‎ B0DHY38Q9F

Audiobook: B0DWP6VM3T

Genre: Non-Fiction / Biography

Source: Review copy from publisher

 

3.5 / 5 Stars

 

Summary

Debbie Gibson was just sixteen when she released her multi-platinum debut album Out of the Blue and recorded “Foolish Beat” in 1988, making her the youngest person to ever write, produce, and perform a Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper.

A child actress who became the original pop princess, Debbie had full creative control over her music and, when that no longer aligned with a transitioning arts scene, she went on to star in Broadway’s Les Misérables, Beauty and the Beast, and Cabaret, as well as in the London production of Grease. Yet, for all the accolades and achievements, her success came at a high price.

Anxiety, depression, financial struggles, illness—Debbie writes candidly about these and other challenges, and how she ultimately redesigned her life to overcome them.

 

My Thoughts

Eternally Electric: The Message in my Music was a very candid biography by Debbie Gibson on her life growing up as a pop superstar. I have a really difficult time evaluating books like this, so I will mention that my rating focuses on organization, readability, and pacing of the book, not what the artist chooses to reveal or not reveal in their book as that is their choice.  Pretty much any girl who grew up in the 80's would be familiar with both Debbie Gibson and Tiffany as these two women were huge role models for young girls during this time period when young pop singers weren't really a thing.  

 

The memoir focuses on Debbie's rise to fame as a young artist in a cut-throat business, her struggles when her albums didn't perform as well as hoped, her venture into Broadway, her personal struggles with her health including anxiety and panic attacks as well as exhaustion, and her resilience as she re-discovers her love for writing and composing music. At its heart, its a book about self-discovery and perseverance and hope. 

 

As a kid, I definitely didn't realize how much freedom Debbie Gibson was given when making her first couple of albums. As a song-writer, producer, and artist for the albums, she certainly had a lot of creative control over them and it was a shame the music company didn't allow her the same freedom later in her career as she had certainly proven she had what it took to be successful. This is the time period when you would have to sit by the radio to record songs if you weren't able to purchase the tapes, and MTV and Much Music were just getting off the ground, so it was a different time period. You had to wait for gossip about your stars in your favourite magazines and we didn't know as much about the stars as we do today.

 

I always appreciate how open people are in their biographies and how willing they are to share their struggles with others as I am not sure I could do the same. Debbie Gibson was quite frank when sharing her difficulties with her personal relationships, her financial struggles, and the struggles with her health. I have three autoimmune diseases, so I understand how difficult it would have been when she was trying to get a diagnosis for Lyme's Disease and wondering what was going on with her and how frustrating that would have been.  When you don't know what is happening, having a diagnosis is almost a relief in comparison, even if it's not what you want. I also wonder how much having her mother as a manager created additional pressure to keep going, and going, and going, as she mentions in passing a couple of times how she is responsible for their lifestyles and their salaries, so was this too much pressure for her? While she talks highly about her mother, there are some things that make me question if her mother was the best person to be her manager. 

 

With all that being said, I did feel like the book was somewhat gossipy at times and sometimes reverted to name-dropping instead of explaining. It's not that the gossipy thing is bad as it was interesting, but a little more clarification on certain events rather than the gossip would have been nice. I did enjoy the personal anecdotes and having been a fan of NKOTB, it was interesting to hear what they have been up to these past couple of years. I also really enjoyed learning about Debbie Gibson's time on Broadway as I didn't really know a lot about that so I found it fascinating. 

 

Verdict

Eternally Electric was a book that took me back to the 80s and my high school years, and I found it nostalgic and inspiring. Her authenticity and resilience really struck a chord with me and I enjoyed reading about her life and the experiences she had as a singer, producer, composer. And boy, is she one talented lady!!! Even if you weren't a fan, I would still recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a book that is inspiring and heartfelt.  

 

Review: Carnival of Lies by D.V. Bishop

Carnival of Lies (Cesare Aldo, #5)

by D.V. Bishop

Release Date: August 26, 2025

2025 MacMillan UK

Ebook ARC; 400 Pages

ISBN: 978-1035041947

ASIN: B0DH4KR1Z9

Audiobook: B0DH99DVH2

Genre: Fiction / Historical / Mystery

Source: Review copy from publisher

 

4 / 5 Stars

 

Summary

Venice. Winter, 1539. When Cesare Aldo learns of a conspiracy to assassinate Duke Cosimo de’ Medici, he is hired to protect the ruler of Florence. With his life, if necessary. The deadly attack which follows leads to bodies, bloodshed – and something far more dangerous.

Those behind the plot obtain a journal of the duke’s, containing explosive secrets that – in the wrong hands – could destroy all of Florence. Aldo must hunt down those responsible and reclaim the journal, or face banishment from the city and everyone he loves. 

The trail leads him towards the one place Aldo has sworn to never return, a city of masks and lies where he has no allies and far too many enemies, Venice. The fate of a dynasty rests on his shoulders, if he can make it out alive . . .

 

My Thoughts

Carnival of Lies is the fifth entry in the Cesare Aldo historical mystery series, and while this was a great read, I don't think it was my favourite of the series to this point. It's not that it wasn't good as it definitely was, but that it seemed to lack the tension that existed in the previous books where I didn't know what was going to happen to Aldo and worried about him constantly. In this one, I just felt like he wasn't in the same amount of danger. Maybe it was the way it was written, but for the first time I found the twists and turns to be more predictable than usual and easily figured out what was happening.

 

I must start by saying that this book is somewhat different than the previous four installments in that Aldo was sort of inadvertently caught in the middle of something between Florence and Venice due to some intrigue that happened in the previous book. This intrigue carried into this book and while it was definitely a separate plot and very satisfying on its own, it was not Aldo simply investigating a murder or series of murders. A lot of the political stuff that was building in previous books has now reared its ugly head and Aldo can't escape its claws. There are twists and turns aplenty, a lot of intrigue, a female spy to deal with, and even the return of an old lover in Aldo's life. While there was a murder, it was a very insignificant part of the book while the author focused on the bigger political issues happening during this time period. I did find all of this very intriguing as I love politics and I love history having taught it for thirty plus years, but I did feel that it did diminish the overall tension to the plot as I never really felt like Aldo was in danger and could easily figure out the plot twists. This tension and second-guessing had always been a highlight in previous books however, and I was left feeling like something was missing from this book. Furthermore, I felt like the reason why Aldo went to Venice was a bit slim as I don't think Cosimo de Medici would have done such a thing as what he did in this book as that would have put so many people in danger and he was a careful, careful man. As usual though, the author is brilliant at bringing this time period to life and I really appreciated the descriptions of both Florence and Venice.

 

Just when I thought Aldo's character couldn't be developed anymore however, the author threw a new twist into this book and proved me wrong. I loved the return of one of Aldo's former lovers and the discussions surrounding that little happenstance as it was fascinating. All I will say about that is I'm glad Aldo finally got closure about that part of his life. 

 

Now, the contessa. One of my new favourite characters. Love it when a female character develops beautifully, is empowered, and has quite a character arc. She's charismatic, charming, beautiful, wealthy, connected, but deadly as a snake. And honestly, it's that deadly side that I love. I don't know how the author does it, but to make me feel sympathy and empathy for such a person just goes to show how brilliant the writing is. No, she can't be trusted, but she is a lot of fun to read about. 

 

Verdict

Carnival of Lies was a different entry to this series, but still fun to read. While I did have issues with some of the pacing and the tension in the story, it was still fast-paced with plenty of action and plenty of twists and turns. And the author has a way of transporting you to the time period so you feel like you are there. While not necessary, I do recommend you read the earlier entries in the series to get a better understanding of the recurring characters, some of the continuing storylines, and how they all connect. There were things that happened in this book that you would only have understood having read the earlier books and I think readers who only read this book will miss the nuances because they don't understand them. Highly recommend this series if you are looking for a good historical mystery with great description.  

 

 

 

Review: A Killer Motive by Hannah Mary McKinnon

A Killer Motive

by Hannah Mary McKinnon

Release Date: September 9, 2025

2025 MIRA

Ebook ARC; 400 Pages

ISBN: 978-0778387671

ASIN: B0DR5YGPGQ

Audiobook: B0DSLTR533

Genre: Fiction / Mystery / Thriller

Source: Review copy from publisher

 

4 / 5 Stars

 

Summary

To Stella Dixon, sneaking her teenage brother out of their parents’ house for a beach party was harmless fun—until Max disappeared without a trace.

Six years later, Stella’s family is still broken, and she can’t let go of her guilt. The only thing that keeps her going is helping other families find closure through A Killer Motive, her true crime podcast.

In a bid to find new sponsors and keep making episodes, Stella goes on a local radio show. But when she says on air that if she had just one clue, she’d find Max and bring whoever hurt him to justice, someone takes it as a challenge.

A mysterious invitation to play a game arrives, with the promise that if Stella wins, she’ll get information about what happened to Max. Stella thinks it’s a sick joke…until Max’s best friend vanishes. And she’s given new instructions: tell nobody or people will die.

My Thoughts

A Killer Motive was a fun book to read and I enjoyed it quite a bit. I was drawn into this book because of the high level of tension and suspense that just kept you turning the pages, plus I really liked the true crime podcast idea. I will admit that Stella's personality really grated on my nerves at the beginning with her demanding and entitled attitude, but she did grow on me somewhat as the story progressed. However, it was definitely the story itself that kept me engrossed, not the character development.

 

The plot itself was taughtly written with mention of criminality including thoughts behind why people may commit such crimes, nature versus nurture, behaviour disorders, mental and physical abuse, and countless other themes. All of these elements were blended into the story so you didn't feel like you were reading a psychology textbook. The tension builds quite steadily and things happen quickly so you barely have time to catch your breath before something else happens. Although not necessarily realistic, it does work well in this book and I just went along with it.  I did find the pacing somewhat uneven at the beginning of the book, but the tension more than made up for it and once the game commenced, I was hooked.  But I am a horror reader so I like that kind of thing. Bring it on! Best part of the book.

 

The book was definitely plot heavy, so I did feel like some of the character development fell flat. I wasn't overly crazy about Stella at the beginning as I thought she came across as entitled and demanding, especially when dealing about anything with regards to her brother. And the way she treated her hubby? Well, I wasn't sympathetic at all. Why can't two adults simply have a conversation about things in books? And honestly, I wasn't a fan of how the secondary characters were treated in this book to make Stella look like the better person. Everyone had secrets, including Stella, and I was often frustrated with her choices simply because they were so selfish. 

 

Verdict

A Killer Motive was interesting and the plot certainly moved along rather quickly with plenty of twists and turns. It was plot heavy which sacrificed the character development in my opinion and I wasn't impressed with how some of the characters were used for twists and turns. That being said, the game was fun and it was what kept me turning the pages and I really wished Stella had been pushed even further than what happened in the book as I think the author played it safe. I do recommend this book if you are looking for a twisty book that is compulsively readable and full of tension.  

 

Review: We Won't All Survive by Kate Alice Marshall

We Won't All Survive

by Kate Alice Marshall

Release Date: July 29, 2025

2025 Viking Books for Young Readers

Paperback ARC; 330 Pages

ISBN: 978-0593691830

ASIN: B0DLFQFF7H

Audiobook: B0DM6TTBSB

Genre: Fiction / YA / Mystery / Thriller

Source: Review copy from publisher

 

3 / 5 Stars

 

Summary

Two years ago Mercy Gray was hailed as a hero for saving lives during a mall shooting. She still carries souvenirs from that incident: the fragment of a bullet lodged in her back.

When billionaire-turned-TV-host Damien Dare recruits Mercy to compete on his new survivalist reality show, she can’t turn down a chance at the whopping cash prize that could send her sister to college—but when she and the other contestants arrive at the off-grid location, something isn’t right. The set is empty. The gates close without warning, trapping them inside. Then one of them turns up dead. What appeared at first to be a tragic accident quickly transforms as more contestants start dying. With time and resources running low, surviving this show takes on a new meaning.

 

My Thoughts

We Won't All Survive had a great premise and I definitely enjoyed the interactions of the characters as they realized something was seriously wrong and how they had to depend on each other knowing that one of them was possibly a murderer. The story moved along rather quickly with quite a few twists and turns, but I have to say, not too fond of that ending and definitely disliked the motive behind the whole thing.

 

Mercy was the main characters and I enjoyed her inner monologues as she was negotiating what to do and how to get things done when she realized they were stranded. Not someone who liked being in the limelight, she took charge simply because she didn't panic in difficult situations and the others started to consider her judgment as sound and good. As you learn more about her traumatic past, you can't help but feel empathy for what she is going through as she has trouble connecting with others and has trust issues. I liked being in her head and seeing her thoughts about what was happening. Having gone through my own traumas, I could understand a lot of what she was thinking and why she would be reluctant to trust people. I also liked how the author spent time on giving the other characters a voice as well so you did get a chance to learn more about the reasons why they were chosen.  

 

The plot had a dark theme running through it and I liked that the author didn't muddy the waters by adding too many other themes to the book. Using that theme and some of the underlying traumas experienced by the characters, the author managed to created quite an atmospheric book, one that was full of tension and twists and turns. The story moved along at a good pace and I don't think the tension really let up at all. And while I did suspect who the culprit was quite early, I did change my find a few times as I hit some twists and turns, only to come back to that person. What I didn't get was the motive. I don't necessarily have to have a motive in my books, but when there is one, it has to be believable, and this was not. The "issue with the show" thing, I got, and if the author had just left it there, it would have been fine, but to add this other element, nope, hokey as hell. And if this doesn't make sense, it will if you read the book. I don't want to give away spoilers. 

 

Verdict

We Won't All Survive was a fun, easy read that I enjoy, except for that ending. The plot moved along quite quickly, and the tension was kept at quite a good level which kept me flipping the pages. I loved the setting and the whole atmosphere of the story. I did think the main character was a highlight of this book and very well developed; it's just too bad that the whole reason for why they were there just wasn't believable for me. I do think it's worth reading just for the atmospheric setting though, and the author definitely has a way of pulling you into the story.  

 

Review: A Spell to Wake the Dead by Nicole Lesperance

A Spell to Wake the Dead

by Nicole Lesperance

Release Date: August 26, 2025

2025 G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

Ebook ARC; 352 Pages

ISBN: 978-0593856338

ASIN:  ‎ B0DP3NGGC7

Audiobook: B0DPJHVDR5

Genre: Fiction / YA / Horror

Source: Review copy from publisher

 

3.75 / 5 Stars

 

Summary

When Mazzy and her best friend Nora sneak down to the beach one moonlit night to cast a spell, they don’t expect to find a dead body. 

The girls know they should leave the investigation to the police, but they can’t shake the weird, supernatural connection they feel with the dead woman. Using spellwork and divination, they set out to find answers of their own. But after they uncover a rash of local disappearances stretching back years—and both girls start having occult visions and hearing ghostly, whispering voices—Mazzy worries that she and Nora are in danger.

Then, Nora finds a second body. And a whispering voice is telling her where to find more. With everything spiraling, Mazzy needs to figure out who to trust and how to sever this supernatural connection—or she and Nora might be the next bodies to wash up on the beach.

 

My Thoughts

A Spell to Wake the Dead drew me in as I was interested in how far someone would go if they actually found a dead body in this scenario. I mean, no one goes to the beach expecting a dead body to roll in with the tide, but having read a multitude of books whereby this happens, I often wondered how I would react in a similar situation. And how would Mazzy and Nora explain why they were on the beach in the first place? How do you explain to the police you were practicing witchcraft at midnight? It was a pretty interesting way to set up the vibe of the book and include some spooky atmosphere though.  

 

In all fairness, I was actually quite surprised at how deeply the book delved into witchcraft and how the girls were using spellcraft in their daily lives. It definitely reflects the amount of research the author must have done and it shows in how the subject was treated in this book. The author took the time to not only have her characters make some serious mistakes because they didn't have experience, but also delved into topics such as tarot card reading, cults, darker forces, abuse of power, and the use of natural elements found in our world. I liked how it was approached as natural, but also showcased how the girls were treated by others because they didn't understand what they were doing. Personally, I would have liked an even deeper exploration of the topics than what we got in the book as it was fascinating.

 

The plot itself was interesting, but I did find it a bit uneven at times. Because the book was so focused on the happenings and the doings, little room was left for character development and this was problematic because I wanted to empathize with Mazzy's choices, but I just couldn't. While the book showcased how out of their element the girls were and how dangerous the forces were with which they were playing, they still made some stupid choices and continued what they were doing. Yes, they tried to consult an adult, but some of the other choices just made me grit my teeth.  I didn't necessarily mind the rapid pace of the book, but it certainly didn't help when it came time to connecting with the characters. Honestly, when something startling or shocking did occur, I wasn't emotionally invested in what was happening to the characters and felt distant to what was happening. There were a lot of twists and turns and some dark elements to the story, so I should have felt more strongly over what the characters were experiencing than what I did. 

 

Verdict

A Spell to Wake the Dead was a decent read and I did enjoy it quite a bit, enough to pretty much finish it in one sitting. While I enjoyed the twists and turns, some of which caught me off guard, I did feel like this was far more plot-driven which compromised a lot of the character development. I do think there is a lot to explore in this book with regards to thematic elements as well. However, I wasn't overly crazy about the ending as I think there should have been far more consequences for the girls than there were as they were playing with forces they didn't understand and I don't think the danger of it all was fully stressed in the ending. Anyhow, this was a fun ride, but I did think the substance of the book was somewhat lacking and did feel a bit let down at the end.  

 

Review: One Dark Night by Hannah Richell

One Dark Night

by Hannah Richell

Release Date: August 19, 2025

2025 Atria Books

Ebook ARC; 384 Pages

ISBN: 978-1668081334

ASIN:  ‎ B0DJJYSWWL

Audiobook: B0DWYC2CB3

Genre: Fiction / Mystery / Halloween

Source: Review copy from publisher

 

4 / 5 Stars

 

Summary

On Halloween, a group of teenage students meet in the woods near Sally in the Wood, a road steeped in local lore and rumored to be haunted by the ghost of a murdered girl. By the end of the night, one student will be dead.

Rachel, the school guidance counselor, is trying to keep a handle on her increasingly distant teenaged daughter, Ellie, while students and parents panic and mourn. Her ex-husband and detective Ben, dealing with a personal crisis of his own, has concerns about his daughter’s safety as he investigates the death of one of her classmates. Meanwhile, Ellie is keeping secrets from both her parents, including one about where she was that night.

 

My Thoughts

One Dark Night is one of those books I opted to read because it was about Halloween, and there is something I just love about the creepiness of that time, so here we are. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how effective the atmosphere of the book was with relation to the mystery; the woods, the creepy legend, the secrets with the community, and the general atmosphere certainly led to a menacing tale that was right up my alley, and I stayed up way too late finishing this book.

 

For me, the most impressive thing about this book was the setting. I adored the descriptions of the surrounding area and thought the folly was the perfect setting for such a book. As a teenager, I would have loved exploring the ruins left there and I would have definitely been fascinated by the legend; if you had asked me to go up there at night to go exploring, I would have been all over it. The whole thing had gothic undertones that permeated the whole book and considering the private school was set right beside the woods leading to the folly, you can guess what kinds of trouble teenagers would get themselves into, especially when told it was forbidden or out of bounds.  

 

The plot itself moved along at a good pace and it certainly delivered when it came to twists and turns. Typically I can pick out the culprit in a book such as this, but this book caught me off guard and I missed the mark, so I was pleasantly surprised by that. The murder itself was complex and multi-layered, something that gave me a lot to think about when the book finished as there were a lot of themes running through the story, themes of loyalty, family, neglect, deception, gaslighting, secrets, friendship, mental illness, and self-reflection. I liked how many of the characters were flawed and because of this, made mistakes when it came to judging what happened as well as judging the people in their lives. Some difficult realizations come to people as they realized what was actually going on their lives was not as rosy as it appeared and they had blinders on because they didn't want to see/acknowledge what was in front of them.  I think the only frustrating thing about a book like this is you don't really know if the characters have learned from their mistakes or if they will continue down the same paths that led them there in the first place.

 

Verdict

One Dark Night was a very well crafted mystery and it certainly delivered when it came to twists and turns. I thought the characters were interesting, even if some of the character development was a bit one-dimensional. The atmosphere had a spooky element to it and the author did a great job at including many credible suspects so you had to piece together what was happening with the main characters. Overall, I thought the book was fun and enjoyed it quite a bit. Highly recommend to anyone who likes a good mystery with atmosphere.  

 

Review: The Fatal Folio by Elizabeth Penney

The Fatal Folio (The Cambridge Bookshop Series, #3)

by Elizabeth Penney

Release Date: October 24, 2023

2023 St. Martin's Paperbacks

Ebook Edition; 320 Pages

ISBN: 978-1250787750

ASIN: B0BQGFXGTM

Audiobook: B0DL6GWR72

Genre: Fiction / Cozy / Mystery

Source: Review copy from publisher

 

3 / 5 Stars

 

Summary

After moving to Cambridge, England, Molly Kimball has found a lot to love, including—of course—her family’s ancestral bookshop, Thomas Marlowe-Manuscripts and Folios. And though she’s not quite ready to use the “L” word when it comes to her boyfriend Kieran, she’s definitely fallen for his intimidating family’s library.

His family is paying her handsomely for an updated catalog when Molly discovers the original manuscript of a Gothic novel, A Fatal Folio by the pseudonymous Selwyn Scott. Kieran’s cousin Oliver, a professor specializing in Gothic literature, is eager to publish a paper on the mystery—especially because a troublesome student, Thad, is threatening to file a complaint against him and prevent his long-awaited promotion.

On Guy Fawkes Night, Molly, Kieran, and her friends set out to enjoy the costumes, fireworks, and fun—at least until a stray firework starts a panic, and the group stumbles upon a prone body, their face covered by a mask. It’s Thad, and he’s been stabbed to death.

 

My Thoughts

The Fatal Folio is one of those genres of books I like to read between the heavy-hitters as I am always in need of some easy, fun reads to give myself a break. This one fit that bill quite nicely as it was interesting, fun, but didn't necessarily have a lot of depth to it. 

 

It's always fun to continue a series and see how the characters develop and to be honest, I like a series where the romantic relationship is not full of drama and miscommunications, where the adults actually talk to each other and discuss their issues, so this is always a bonus in my eyes. Both Kieran and Molly are main characters that are interesting and don't typically do anything silly when they are investigating. I enjoy Molly's interactions with her family, with whom she lives, and like learning more about how they manage the bookshop they co-own. I mean, I am a book girly, so why wouldn't I find that interesting? 

 

The plot itself was a bit erratic and while I thought the inclusion of the story within the story was interesting, to be honest, it really had no purpose as it didn't have anything to do with the actual mystery. And while there was a lot going on in this book, and there seemed to be a lot of twists and turns because of all the events, in hindsight, there really wasn't and the actual mystery was pretty shallow and predictable. It's not that I didn't enjoy it, but it was quite easy to figure things out as they happened and I would have liked a few more red herrings. And even though I read this just a few weeks ago, I actually had to look at my notes to remember the ending as I couldn't remember what happened; it just wasn't something that was memorable and stuck in my head. 

 

Verdict

The Fatal Folio definitely had some things going for it such as the descriptions of the city as well as some unique background information, something I really appreciated. The mystery itself was a bit muddled and I found it to be quite simplistic and easy to figure out. There were also some contradictory statements with regards to Molly's knowledge of things that I noticed, but not enough to really bug me too much, just something that as a librarian she would have known. Otherwise, even though this wasn't my favourite of the series, it was still fun. The publisher did send me a copy of all the books in the series so on to the next one. 

 

Review: House of Monstrous Women by Daphne Fama

House of Monstrous Women

by Daphne Fama

Release Date: August 12, 2025

2025 Berkley

Ebook ARC; 336 Pages

ISBN: 978-0593817582

ASIN: B0DMV7RCXZ

Audiobook: B0DNLVGJ3G

Genre: Fiction / Horror / Gothic

Source: Review copy from publisher

 

3.5 / 5 Stars

 

Summary

Orphaned after her father’s political campaign ended in tragedy, Josephine is alone taking care of the family home while her older brother is off in Manila, where revolution brews. But an unexpected invitation from her childhood friend Hiraya to her house offers an escape....

Why don’t you come visit, and we can play games like we used to?

If Josephine wins, she’ll get whatever her heart desires. Except Ranoco house is strange—labyrinthine and dangerously close to a treacherous sea. A sickly-sweet smell clings to the dimly lit walls, and veiled eyes follow Josephine through endless connecting rooms. The air is tense with secrets and as the game continues it’s clear Josephine doesn’t have the whole truth. To save herself, she will have to play to win. But in this house, victory is earned with blood.

 

My Thoughts

House of Monstrous Women is one of those books to which I was drawn partly because of its Gothic undertones, but also because it's set in the Philippines just before the return of democracy and government reforms aided by the People Power Revolution. Having lost her family to political machinations, Josephine was just trying to protect her family home the best way she could so when the invitation came from one of her friends, one that could potentially help secure her future, she just couldn't resist.

 

One of the best things about this book was the descriptions about the Philippines, something I really appreciated. I enjoyed the family dynamics, the power plays, and learning more about the political system at the time through the characters and their motivations. While not necessarily a central motivation for these characters, it definitely shaped their lives and their actions and had a powerful influence on the choices they made.  What I often find interesting in situations like these is how some people throw themselves into the midst of everything that is happening while others shut themselves off completely and pretend that nothing is occurring, so we have this dichonomy happening in this book which reflect human nature. 

 

The gothic aspect to this novel was definitely atmospheric and haunting and visiting that house would give me the creeps for sure, I did find the actual story to be somewhat slow. I don't typically tend to mind when horror books are slow at the beginning as long as the tension is there and this was not necessarily the case as I felt pulled out from the book for various reasons. Then the tension would build again, then nothing. However, by about the sixty percent mark, it finally picked up and took off, and I thought the later part of the book was the most interesting. I did like how the horror elements were combined with local folklore. Plus, the many themes running through this book include things like inherited trauma, women's rights and liberties, family, loyalty, trust, betrayal, and friendship. 

 

Verdict

House of Monstrous Women had a very atmospheric setting and I really enjoyed this author's writing style. I did feel like the tension was a bit erratic and if you are going to have the tension build up slowly, it needs to be more consistent so the reader doesn't get thrown out of the story. I like how the political situation was woven around local folklore and enjoyed learning about both of these. Unfortunately, I didn't quite connect with the characters and I really did wish the author had spent more time exploring the game element as that was the most interesting. If you like slow burn horror, this book may be just the thing you are looking for.  

 

Review: There Will be Bodies by Lindsey Davis

There Will Be Bodies (Flavia Albia, #13)

by Lindsey Davis

Release Date: July 22, 2025

2025 Minotaur Books

Ebook ARC; 368 Pages

ISBN: 978-1250906731

ASIN: B0DH4FJ4DJ

Audiobook: B0DSQ71DZ8

Genre: Fiction / Historical / Mystery

Source: Review copy from publisher

 

3 / 5 Stars 

 

Summary

Ten years after the eruption of Vesuvius, the surrounding countryside lies buried and barren. But the destroyed cities and luxury villas on the Bay of Naples are not utterly lost.

Flavia Albia and her husband Tiberius Manlius are tasked with restoring one villa and identifying any surviving remains.

What they unearth is beyond disturbing. When the volcano erupted some people were left to their fate here, unable to escape. They included the previous owner, Publius Primus - laid out carefully and covered by falling ash.

 

 

 

My Thoughts

There Will be Bodies is the next book in the Flavia Albia series, and while I found this one interesting due to the descriptions of the aftereffects of the Vesuvius eruption, I did find the actual mystery to be somewhat less compelling than in previous books and that there really wasn't much to the 'investigation'. 

 

One of the things I truly do like about this series, and the concept does continue in this book, is the very layered discussions around women and their roles within the Roman Empire. A lot of this is done through Flavia's voice and I enjoy her sarcastic inner monologue with regards to what she sees and her interpretation of events compared to how the men are dealing with things. It is always interesting to see how she manipulates those around her to get what she wants; women have certainly developed some skilled negotiation/manipulation techniques over the years and the men don't even know what hit them. I have definitely become more cynical and sarcastic as I've grown older so I empathize with Flavia and the women during this time period who didn't have as much freedom as people would think and had to rely on men to make decisions for them, decisions they didn't necessarily agree with. The author uses Flavia's voice to discuss the problematic nature of women and other people who were struggling and this is definitely a strength to these novels.  

 

While the descriptions of the aftermath of the eruption were wonderful and personally, I don't think I've read too many of those, the investigation itself was fairly predictable, and somewhat mundane. A lot of the actual investigative work got lost within the work Flavia and her husband were doing at the villa and if I hadn't read the previous entries to this series, I wouldn't have realized how shallow the investigation was compared to previous books. There were really no twists and turns and few attempts to try to deter the reader from figuring out the culprit and I was left feeling disappointed in how everything turned out.  

 

Verdict

There Will be Bodies is the first Flavia Albia book to have its setting outside Rome and I am still not sure how I feel about that although I was fascinated with the descriptions of the area around Vesuvius after the eruption. And while I enjoyed the descriptions of what Flavia and her husband were doing to restore the villa, the mystery itself was a disappointment as it was predictable and frankly, this was probably my least favourite of the series so far. If you are a new reader to this series, you could read this as a standalone, but I do recommend starting from the beginning to get a richer experience of the characters and their life. Even better, start with the Marcus Didius Falco series, the series about Flavia's father, to get the full immersive experience.   

 

Veil: A novel by Jell Clulow

Veil: A novel

by Jeff Clulow

Release Date: August 1st, 2025

2025 Third Eye Press

Ebook ARC; 263 Pages

ISBN: 978-1764139700

ASIN: B0FJF4TL7D

Genre: Fiction / Gothic

Source: Review copy from author

 

3.5 / 5 Stars

 

Summary

An old house filled with riddles.
A young woman unable to laugh, unable to cry.
Now, through her dead mother’s wedding veil she will see the house not as it is, but as it once was.
She will glimpse the events of a day nearly thirty years before.
A day of obsession and cruelty.
A day of hope too, where a lost lover hides in the shadows.
Through the veil, she may come face-to-face with her family’s darkest secret.
She might learn the reason for her mother’s insanity.
She may even find a way back to her lost emotions.
And solve the mystery of her own past.

 

 

My Thoughts

Veil was not a traditional ghost story in the same way of other traditional ghost stories, but it was still haunting and atmospheric. It was more of a generational haunting story and how what happens to family members can have a huge effect on those in the current generation, almost floating on the boundaries of generational trauma. I really enjoyed the Gothic atmosphere of this story as well as the setting; the themes running through this book would make some great discussion points.

 

Suze discovers she has inherited a house from her mother, a woman she had never met nor known anything about. As someone who was floundering through life trying to find a purpose, this came as a shock as she had spent years trying to find out anything about her mother who gave her up for adoption, but she was determined to discover whatever she could. And that is one of the things I loved about Suze as a MC, her determination. Growing up in the foster care system, she had learned to hide her feelings and emotions at a very young age, so Suze's character development was immense as she learned to feel and to sympathize with what happened to her mother as she discovered secrets about her family she was not expecting. I thoroughly loved her determination and her willingness to give things a shot even when it was extremely difficult to do so. She had a lot to learn, but was willing to put in the work and do so.

 

The story itself wasn't overly unique, and it was a bit predictable, but I definitely enjoyed the journey. The addition of the veil to the story was fun and I wish the author had done a bit more with that aspect of the story as I felt it was underutilized. What ended up happening was more of a showing us what happened to Suze's mother rather than allowing the reader to discover it and I felt a bit let down by how that happened. I do want to make it clear though, the writing was still strong and I still enjoyed it, but a part of me was a bit disappointed to just be along for the journey rather than trying to figure it out as Suze discovered it. And it was not hard to figure out what was going on although it was still quite tragic.   

 

Verdict

Veil had an interesting mix of gothic tropes in the story, but the inclusion of the veil was unique and I enjoyed that aspect quite a bit. There was also another aspect that I thought was clever as it mirrored Suze's mother's trauma and would make a great discussion point, but I don't want to give spoilers in this review.  I liked the oppressive nature of the house, but have to say I loved the conclusion and what will happen even more.  While the delivery didn't quite work all of the time, and I wished the Gothic aspects had been used a bit more to push the level of tension (which was quite lacking for me), this was still an enjoyable read and I do recommend it to anyone who likes these types of books. 

 

Review: The Mudflats Murder Club by Brian Thiem

The Mudflats Murder Club (Mudflats Murder Club Mysteries, #1)

by Brian Thiem

Release Date: July 29, 2025

2025 Severn River Publishing

Ebook ARC; 354 Pages

ISBN: 978-1648756283

ASIN:  ‎ B0DBRJB1L8

Audiobook: B0FFM3XZ8D

Genre: Fiction / Mystery

Source: Review copy from publisher

 

4 / 5 Stars

 

Summary

Former homicide detective and recently widowed Sean Tanner has settled into Spartina Island's private retirement community, hoping to find solace after his wife's death in their chosen paradise. He soon finds himself drawn into the Mudflats Murder Club, an enthusiastic group of retired detectives, prosecutors, and forensic experts who are engrossed in solving the 38-year-old unsolved murder of Theresa Goldberg.

But the quiet of the community is shattered when Sean’s neighbor, Nancy Russo, is found dead in her home. Ignited by the crime, the club jumps into the fray, much to the annoyance of Sergeant Charlotte “Charlie” Nash, the lead detective spearheading the murder investigation. When Sean and his cohorts uncover a shocking connection between Nancy’s murder and their long-standing cold case, everything they thought they knew goes up in flames.

My Thoughts

The Mudflats Murder Club is one of those books to which I was drawn because the main characters were retired and lived in a retirement community, and as someone was had just recently retired, I was drawn to the older characters and to lives that were similar to mine.  However, this was much more than that and I found this to be a well-plotted, very enjoyable mystery. 

 

The MC was a retired homicide detective who inadvertently became involved in the murder investigation of his neighbour. While he's reluctant to give his advice, his natural curiosity and his years as a detective are hard to put aside and he is asked to help which does not endear himself to the local detective. I enjoyed Sean's character development as I understand how hard it would be to not want to get involved even if you are retired as those years you spent on the job just don't go away because you are retired. At first he clashes with Charlie Nash, the lead detective on the case, although in all fairness, the annoyance was all on her side as she felt she didn't need the help. I wasn't a huge fan of Charlie at the beginning of the novel as her uppity attitude got on my nerves, but she did grow on me as the story developed.  The ego trips are sometimes hard to deal with and the book just barely touched on the political nature of the police force in the area, something I think will be incorporated in future books. 

 

The plot itself moved along fairly comfortably and there were enough twists and turns to keep me turning the pages.  There were a lot of characters that were introduced, but it was not overwhelming, and many of them will probably feature in future books so I look forward to learning more about them as there are some intriguing characters, with some interesting backstories. What I especially liked is that the secondary characters are not just relegated to background noise, but the author took the time to develop a couple of them so they feel more fleshed out. The setting plays a huge role in the story and I enjoyed the descriptions of both the retirement community as well as the larger community in general.  I have visited the general area, so I was able to picture it in my mind.  

 

Verdict

The Mudflats Murder Club was an excellent introduction to a new series, and one I enjoyed tremendously. While there were a few problems with pace, I did like the attention to character development and setting, and thought the twists and turns were rather good. While I did figure out who was the culprit, I didn't understand the motive until the end, so that was fun.  I am definitely looking forward to the next book in this series, A Killer in the Cordgrass, when it releases February 2026.  

 

Review: Codebreaker by Jay Martel

Codebreaker

by Jay Martel

Release Date: July 22, 2025

2025 Wednesday Books

Softcover ARC: 384 Pages

ISBN: 978-1250355546

ASIN:  ‎ B0D19JY8MV

Audiobook: B0FKK7G3BT

Genre: Fiction / Thriller / YA

Source: Review copy from publisher

 

4 / 5 Stars

 

Summary

Mia Hayes has peaceful plans for the summer—find a part-time job at a coffee shop and work on her application for Harvard. Those plans are shattered one night when government agents arrive unannounced at her home seeking something they believe her father has taken. When the dust settles, her mother is dead and her father is gone, a fugitive on the run.

Three weeks later, and still reeling from her father’s betrayal, Mia spends her seventeenth birthday at a protest in the heart of D.C., where she meets Logan, a rebellious and charming hacker. Just as she’s enjoying her first happy moment since the night her world exploded, a voicemail from her father arrives to upend everything she believed about her family, her past, and what really happened that night three weeks ago. Even more, the voicemail hides another encoded message inside which, once Mia solves it, sets her and Logan off on a mission from her sleepy suburb straight into the heart of the federal government.

 

My Thoughts

Codebreaker was a fun YA novel about a girl who discovers her family has secrets, ones in which others are willing to kill over. One night, Mia comes home and her peaceful and innocent existence was shattered, sending her on a birthday hunt that she wasn't expecting, one that could shape the future of her world. I loved the fact I could try to solve the clues with Mia and learn more about some of the codes and the code breakers who created them.

 

Mia was a smart and determined character, but she was also vulnerable having seen her mother die in front of her and knowing her father was on the run for something she wasn't sure he committed. With her world falling apart, she had to try to figure out who she was, but also figure out who her parents actually were. I really liked this aspect of the story as it is always a shock when a child discovers there is so much more to their parents than they thought and Mia's parents were hiding quite a bit; Mia had to rethink everything she knew about her relationship with them. I empathized with her struggle to try to fit this new reality into her current world and to re-discover the love she still had for them despite knowing their flaws and what they were doing as this would not have been easy to do. She would no longer be that innocent young girl she was before this happened, that's for sure.

 

The story took place over a short period of time, but moved along rather quickly. It actually reminded me a bit of the movie National Treasure where the main characters moved from one clue to the next with people trying to kill them every step of the way. I thought the story interwove the historical elements, the code breaking, and the current story quite seamlessly and yes, there were plenty of twists and turns, one of which actually caught me off guard as I wasn't thinking that way at all. However, the twist worked really well and I liked it a lot; it would also make a great discussion question about how well we really know about the people in our lives. Mia's sidekick Logan was a good addition to the story and I enjoyed seeing their relationship develop, but there were secrets there as well, something I enjoyed quite a bit.  

 

Verdict

Codebreaker drew me because of the codes and the idea that I could also be immersed in breaking them, but it was so much more than that. The plot moved along quickly, full of twists and turns, and I enjoyed the historical details that were included throughout the story. Both Logan and Mia were fun characters to follow, but I didn't really feel like the concept of the 'enemies' thoughts and ideals was fully fleshed out and I did think more could have been done with that. However, this was still a fun story and I do recommend it to anyone looking for a quick read and is also fascinated with the concept of code breaking and puzzles. 

 

Review: The Paxton's Tower Murders by Stephen Puleston

The Paxton's Tower Murders (A Detective Caren Waits Mystery, #1)

by Stephen Puleston

Release Date: June 16, 2025

2025 Independently Published

Ebook ARC; 315 Pages

ISBN: 979-8284500903

ASIN: B0FDJ71QB6

Genre: Fiction / Mystery

Source: Review copy from author

 

4 / 5 Stars

 

Summary

Detective Inspector Caren Waits was ready to prove herself on her first day in a new job—but she wasn’t expecting a murder. When a small-time drug dealer is found dead near The Paxton’s Tower, Caren is thrown into a case that demands her full attention.

Leading an unfamiliar team, she must prove she has what it takes to command respect and catch a killer.

But when a second body turns up at the same location, Caren knows she’s dealing with someone calculated and ruthless. As the investigation deepens, she finds herself chasing a murderer who always seems one step ahead.

 

My Thoughts

The Paxton's Tower Murders is the first book in a new series by this author and I enjoyed it quite a bit. Having read most of the Inspector Drake series, I was happy to read a new series featuring a character who appeared in the Drake series. Caren was starting her new job in a new town and had barely settled in when she was called out on her first case. I would be quite nervous as well if I were in her shoes and hadn't even had an opportunity to check in, to figure out the layout of where I was working, or to even have met my team, so to say she was a bit uptight and nervous was understandable. 

 

Personally, I liked Caren better in this book than in the Inspector Drake series, but it's only because I got to learn more about her. Because the book is about her, reading her inner thoughts as she juggled motherhood and a demanding job was interesting, and I could relate to her struggles to provide a normal childhood for her son while being exhausted. The fact she was a bit cool to her colleagues did not bother me as she is the boss and understands the importance of a functional team. Considering the mystery surrounding her predecessor, her more distant behaviour was understandable, but she definitely opened up as the book progressed. She was determined, fair, and was able to see the strengths and weaknesses in her team members and use them appropriately. My only question mark with regards to Caren is her behaviour towards her underlings and it is something to which I rolled my eyes constantly: a 'please' and 'thank you' would not be remiss once in a while, and if you want a cup of coffee, get off your tuff and go make it yourself. In many offices, the way that was demanded would land you in a behaviour, aka manners and DEI training, course. To me, that speaks of a lack of confidence in yourself to be a leader; there's a way to do without being a jerk.

 

The plot itself had many twists and turns and was quite interesting. The murder investigation itself was done in such a way as to introduce people who lived in the community, people we will probably see in future books, so I liked that a lot. There was also a secondary story woven through the narrative, that of Karen's husband who died in an accident a year ago. That one did not resolve itself in this book, but it definitely made me curious as to know what happened. The investigation did allow Caren to grow as a character and to connect better with her team, something I definitely enjoyed. While the ending was rushed, it was still satisfactory.

 

Verdict

The Paxton's Tower Murders was a strong start to a new series and I enjoyed both the character and the plot development. It is well written and I liked the descriptions of the Welsh landscape and some of the background information the author provided. And as a I mentioned above, while I enjoyed Caren's character development, there were some things that did not sit well with me with regards to how she treated her team so hopefully that is all part of her future character development and now displaying how a leader should behave towards one's team. All in all, the mystery and investigation were fun, and I will be reading the next book in this series. 

 

Review: Difficult Girls by Veronica Bane

Difficult Girls

by Veronica Bane

Release Date: July 8, 2025

2025 Delacorte Press

Ebook ARC; 336 Pages

ISBN: 978-0593903988

ASIN:  ‎ B0DJQBYC7F

Audiobook: B0DJWJJWCT

Genre: Fiction / YA / Mystery

Source: Review copy from publisher

 

3 / 5 Stars

 

Summary

After the incident last year, Greta Riley Green is looking for reinvention, a fresh start, a chance to run away from the many secrets she’s suddenly hiding. When fate pulls Greta into the orbit of Mercy Goodwin, star of the park’s most popular show, it feels like things are looking up. Beautiful and confident, Mercy dazzles audiences daily. And Mercy has a secret to share, if Greta will just meet her at lunch the next day. 

Only, when the time comes, Mercy is a no-show—as she is every day after that. She just stops coming to work. Greta knows something is wrong. She can’t help thinking back to the night of the party. Did Mercy seem upset? Terrified, even? Could she be in trouble? It wouldn’t be the first time a talented young performer came to a sinister end at Hyper Kid. . . .

 

My Thoughts

Difficult Girls is one of those books where I enjoyed the second half of the book far more than I enjoyed the first half, and I will be honest, I almost DNF the book halfway through. I'm glad I did persevere though, as I was curious to know what happened to Mercy and how everything would tie together at the end. I do have to say however, that Greta is probably one of the most annoying FMC that I have come across in quite a while and is the main reason why I almost put this book aside.

 

This story is set in an amusement park and I always like a setting like this as there is so much scope for imagination and for something to go terribly wrong. The mystery itself was rather intriguing and I did enjoy how it unfolded and how the unsolved murder from the past tied into the present-day one. There were lots of twists and turns, even if some of them were quite predictable, and I liked how it all unfolded. Naturally, there were a lot of things that were coincidences and where you just had to accept that they happened even if they were not quite believable, but I chose to go with them and just enjoyed the ride. Yes, there was a general tendency to over-explain concepts and it could, at times, be repetitive, but the writing style was clear and it did flow very well.

 

Now we come to an area with which I had problems, the character development. First of all, I really did not like the main character, Greta. Sorry, but no wonder she got herself into so much trouble in the past as her judgment skills are so incredibly poor I just wanted to shake her through most of the book. Let me explain. So, here's this guy she met , no SAW, maybe twice, and she had already convinced herself how great he was, how perfect he was, how he would never treat anyone poorly like she had been treated in the past, how he was just so, so, so NICE, and he was going to be hers. And it just goes on and on. For a guy she said maybe three words to and maybe had seen twice.  And then there's this other guy who she judges harshly because someone has a nickname for him that she misinterprets, and it becomes so repetitive in her thoughts it's what almost made me DNF. Honestly, I've seen this technique used in writing in other books to use as red herrings and it simply does not work; in fact, it seems like a sloppy way of trying to throw off a reader and create an unreliable narrator. Because of this, there was not a lot of room left to develop any of the secondary characters which affects any empathy shown for their situations. The character development was a bit of a mess. It also created a situation where I was rolling my eyes every time Greta had any space for inner monologues. So juvenile!! 

 

Verdict

Difficult Girls actually had a strong mystery behind it so there was no need to create an unreliable narrator, one whose judgment skills were so poor it became cringeworthy. The clues were interesting and I enjoyed how the mystery unfolded as well as how it tied to the one from the past, and it was believable. The character development was lacking however, and the FMC was in dire need of help. I don't mind flawed and vulnerable characters at all, but she was silly. Did she redeem herself in the last quarter of the book? Yes, a bit, as she realized she was putting her own wishes into people, but it was not enough to really make her likable. With that being said though, I would read another book by this author as I thought the mystery was strong and I did like some of the other characters.  

 

Review: House of Ash and Bone by Joel A. Sutherland

House of Ash and Bone

by Joel A. Sutherland

Release Date: July 1st, 2025 (First published September 2023)

2025 Tundra Books

Softcover ARC; 344 Pages

ISBN: 978-1774881002

ASIN: B0BP6P5VKY

Audiobook: B0BPMZSPX6

Genre: Fiction / YA / Horror

Source: Review copy from publisher 

 

3 / 5 Stars

 

Summary

Seventeen-year-old Josephine Jagger is a talented writer with special abilities she doesn't fully understand. Over the years she has developed methods to cope with the voices she hears in her head, but the old house her family has inherited in Vermont makes Josephine question what's real and what's not more than anything she's ever encountered before. It's filled with shadows, and whispers, and the unshakable feeling of being watched. Josephine then catches her first glimpse of a shadowy woman with long hair, pale skin, and impossibly wide smile and hollow pits for eyes. Her name is Dorcas, the ghost of a witch who died three hundred years ago. She has summoned the family to Vermont to ensnare them — then consume them — in order to rise from the grave and live again . . .

 

My Thoughts

House of Ash and Bone was an entertaining read, but I think it really misses the mark when it comes to horror as well as intentions. There were quite a few themes running through it, ones that were rather interesting, but when you have too many of them, none of them get explored into any depth so the overall story seems rather superficial. I also really wished that Josephine didn't have any 'magical' powers as I think it would have made this much more compelling as it wouldn't have relied so much on her abilities and it would have been a spookier setting for her and her family. Relying on 'magic' kind of downplays the horror element for me.

 

So let's talk about Josephine. How do you like the reference to Little Women, something I think was done on purpose. I think this author is a fan so I kind of like that idea. Maybe someone should write a horror novel based on those women, but I digress.  I rather liked Josephine as a main character. She was determined, smart, sincere, and loyal to her sisters.  Because of her ability to hear the thoughts of others and see things when she is dreaming, she is the only one to realize something was not right in the house. The pantry is always stocked with food, their personal bedrooms are stocked with everything they personally desire, and all their needs are met without them remembering a thing about how it happened, except for Jo. Josephine is the clearest character as the other ones seemed to move in a more dreamlike state, something that was done deliberately to show the reader something clearly was wrong. While I didn't necessarily mind the way this was done, it did make character development for the rest of the characters to be rather difficult and honestly, I couldn't tell you their names if my life depended on it at this point.

 

The story itself is well-paced and the haunting atmosphere is definitely there in the setting as you have this old decrepit house with a forest that has a reputation for being haunted surrounding it. There are ghostly apparitions and things that go bump in the night. The family constantly forgets what they were doing and why. So, all the elements are definitely there. However, the execution felt stilted and while there were some nice twists and turns, something else would destroy the tension that was being built up, either some dialogue that didn't quite match what was happening or something else. In fact, the dialogue pulled me out of the story a few times and I had to re-immerse myself into it to get a feel for the haunting atmosphere again and again. I do think the author likes the classics as well as fairy tales though, as I was definitely getting vibes of Hansel and Gretel from this book. In fact, lots of Grimm's fairy tale references were peppered throughout the book and I had fun looking for them.

 

Verdict

House of Ash and Bone was a story that kept me entertained even if there were issues with execution and character development. I've already mentioned that I liked the main character, but I did think her behaviour was inconsistent for a seventeen-year-old girl and it didn't help that the character development for the other characters was almost non-existent. The twists and turns were fun, if predictable, but I have to say though, that I really liked that ending as it was the highlight of the book for me.  If you like stories set in eerie locales with an atmosphere, then I suggest giving this one a go.