My Current Reads
Books I’ve read and reviewed.
The Rook by Daniel O’Malley
After hearing from several reasonably reliable sources, Myfanwy Thomas accepts the fact that she will soon awaken in a London park, surrounded by dead bodies, and with her memory gone. Knowing what's to come, she decides to leave instructions for her future blank-slate self in order to ensure her survival and to hopefully get the wheels started on figuring out who wants her dead, a threat that looks to become a full-blown mole hunt.
The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh by Claudia Gray
The third book in the Jane Austen-verse mystery series, The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, featuring amateur gumshoes Jonathan Darcy (son of Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam) and Juliet Tilney (daughter of Catherine and Henry), who are pulled together again to solve a string of murder attempts on one Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
Long Island by Colm Tóibín
With Long Island, Tóibín brings back his quietly incredible character, Eilis Lacey from Brooklyn. Eilis has been married to Tony Fiorello for the past twenty years, and they have two children together. Tony and Eilis live in the planned cul-de-sac on Long Island with his Italian-American family filling out the street and residing in the neighboring houses.
Close to Death by Anthony Horowitz
In Close to Death, Hawthorne and Horowitz are without a current case demanding their attention and turn to a previously worked case in order to get started on a new book. Riverside Close epitomized tranquility, with its exclusive houses nestled away from the hustle and bustle of city life. However, when Charles Kentworthy was discovered dead, Detective Hawthorne was called in to unravel the mystery in a neighborhood where everyone became a suspect.
The Late Mrs. Willoughby by Claudia Gray
Gray gets the tone just right while also loosening the narrative a wee bit for a modern audience. Following the delightful introduction to Mr. Jonathan Darcy and Miss Juliet Tilney in 2022’s The Murder of Mr. Wickham, Gray returned with a sweet little sequel that reunited this crime-solving duo in another reimagining of a continued and united Austen-verse.
The Thirteenth Month by Elizabeth Hunter
Having been born into a powerful mage family, Narine has been committed to the order of Seba Segel since age 14, traveling back through time on assignments as she works to make a difference where — and when — she can. When it’s clear that someone has traveled back in time during the thirteenth month, breaking sacred laws, Narine and her friends must use their wits and their powers to set the timeline right again.
To Shape a Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose
Here we go. To Shape a Dragon's Breath is a dynamic fantasy that fiercely focuses on themes of colonialism, hegemony, and assimilation. Written with a gorgeous sense of place and time, with such deep world-building, even the shadows came to life. And I'm excited to see where Blackgoose takes this series.
The Other Lola by Ripley Jones
Following the success of solving what happened to Clarissa Campbell, a girl who went missing in 1999, teens Cameron Muñoz and Blair Johnson are dealt the harsher negative side to true crime fame. From death threats to lawsuits, the two and their families and friends have been swimming against the current in the wake of their explosive discovery. They’ve sworn off detective work.
House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas
In a return out of the middling range in which I found the second book, House of Sky and Breath, Maas lands quite a punch in this fast-paced, action-packed rounding out (I dare not call it a conclusion...) of the story arc that began in House of Earth and Blood.
Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas
Maas’s storytelling is stellar. Maybe more so than in her other series, Throne of Glass displays a steady building of the world, the lore, and her characters that not only feels expertly executed and stands up to re-reads, but also allows the symphony of her overarching plot to build on top of what came before and transform the story for what will come after.
Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas
Chaol Westfall, formerly known for his unwavering loyalty and strength as the Captain of the Guard, has experienced a life-altering event. The shattering of the glass castle, the loss of his men, and a near-fatal encounter with the former King of Adarlan left him both physically and emotionally damaged.
Ripples in Time by Julie McElwain
It's July 1816, rapidly approaching a full year to mark how long FBI agent Kendra Donovan has been living some two hundred years in the past. Kendra is a fantastic character, embodying both likable flaws and incredible practicality, method, and intelligence. Having accidentally….
Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
The investment Sarah J. Maas puts into her books is impressive. I'm finding that as this series has continued, really opening up with this one, the scope of the series has broadened to an astounding level.
Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas
Aelin Galathynius, once known as the assassin Celaena Sardothien, is back in the empire, seeking vengeance and the restoration of her kingdom. As the Queen of Terrasen, she embraces her identity but….
They Came to Baghdad by Agatha Christie
In Agatha Christie's They Came to Baghdad, a secret summit in Baghdad brings together superpowers concerned about an unidentified and powerful secret weapon. British agent Carmichael holds….
Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas
In Heir of Fire, Celaena has survived intense challenges and heartbreak, but not without a cost. Now, she's off to a new land to face a truth about her heritage that could change her life forever. As brutal forces gather,….
They Do It with Mirrors by Agatha Christie
Miss Marple senses danger during her visit to an old friend who lives in a Victorian mansion, which also serves as a rehabilitation center for troubled youth. A young patient fires a revolver….
All Systems Red by Martha Wells
All Systems Red by Martha Wells is a science fiction adventure novella and the first book in The Murderbot Diaries series. It explores the ethics of sentient robotics and follows a self-aware security droid known as "Murderbot."
The Assassin’s Blade by Sarah J. Maas
The Assassin's Blade, short stories within the Throne of Glass universe, inadvertently showcases how much world-building room Maas needs and uses in full-length medium. While….
Towards Zero by Agatha Christie
At Gull's Point, the seaside residence of an elderly widow, a houseparty unfolds, connecting a failed suicide attempt, a wrongful accusation of theft, and the complicated love life of a famous tennis player. As the past events converge ….