She Didn't See It Coming - Shari Lapena

I adore Shari Lapena's books! I've read than all and with new entry I've declared it my favourite. But this latest? She Didn't See It Coming is crazy good!! And yes, it's my new fave.

Why, you ask? Everything starts with one event. Bryden fails to pick up her child from daycare. The daycare calls her husband Sam to come and get the child. He’s rather put out about it but jumps in the car to go get Clara. The thing is…Bryden hasn't come home or the next day either.

The police are called in and the tale takes off from there. Bryden is a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, friend, an employee and more. And as readers we have access to everybody’s thoughts and actions. But can we believe what each character is saying?

I love twists and turns in a tale, and my goodness there’s some of the best ones I’ve ever read this book. I couldn’t predict at all how things were going to go.

What a great summer read! Well, actually it’s a great read anywhere and any place! See for yourself - read an excerpt of She Didn’t See It Coming.

Tiny Vices - Linda Dahl Spotlight!

A Bookworm's World is happy to welcome author Linda Dahl with news of her latest book - Tiny Vices.

What is about?

DESCRIPTION

For fans of Anne Tyler and Jojo Moyes, this is a tartly compassionate and contemporary tale of sibling love and conflict, marital challenges, and what personal fulfillment looks like—or doesn’t—in middle age.

Mid-life: Its obligations and demands, its petty foibles and evasions. And sometimes, its crises. Dreams are deferred, shortcomings rationalized. Like favorite old clothes, petty misdemeanors may feel comfortable, but they’re not a good look.

The Talley siblings are planning a family beach vacation—all four of them together for the first time in years. They suspect it will be their last. And God knows they all need a vacation. But wait, is it really such a good idea? Corina, with her recently diagnosed Alzheimer’s, can hardly manage to get through a day without a debacle. Pete is a just-barely-walking catalog of medical calamities stemming from his longtime addictions. Becca is reeling from her teenage son’s latest misadventure. And then there is Kathy, the eldest. After firmly avoiding going back to Rincón Bay, the beach town just a few hours south of the Arizona–Mexico border that has haunted her since a college spring break trip three decades ago, she’s determined to go back and face her ghosts—though she might be better off facing the fact that her marriage is in serious trouble.

When the Talley siblings and their entourage (two spouses, added on at the last minute, and Corina’s Mexican housekeeper/caregiver) finally land in Rincón Bay, they all encounter unexpected consequences from the wounds inflicted by careless loving—but maybe, too, the seeds of healing and hope.

For fans of Anne Tyler and Jojo Moyes, this is a tartly compassionate and contemporary tale of sibling love and conflict, marital challenges, and what personal fulfillment looks like—or doesn’t—in middle age.

Mid-life: Its obligations and demands, its petty foibles and evasions. And sometimes, its crises. Dreams are deferred, shortcomings rationalized. Like favorite old clothes, petty misdemeanors may feel comfortable, but they’re not a good look.

The Talley siblings are planning a family beach vacation—all four of them together for the first time in years. They suspect it will be their last. And God knows they all need a vacation. But wait, is it really such a good idea? Corina, with her recently diagnosed Alzheimer’s, can hardly manage to get through a day without a debacle. Pete is a just-barely-walking catalog of medical calamities stemming from his longtime addictions. Becca is reeling from her teenage son’s latest misadventure. And then there is Kathy, the eldest. After firmly avoiding going back to Rincón Bay, the beach town just a few hours south of the Arizona–Mexico border that has haunted her since a college spring break trip three decades ago, she’s determined to go back and face her ghosts—though she might be better off facing the fact that her marriage is in serious trouble.

When the Talley siblings and their entourage (two spouses, added on at the last minute, and Corina’s Mexican housekeeper/caregiver) finally land in Rincón Bay, they all encounter unexpected consequences from the wounds inflicted by careless loving—but maybe, too, the seeds of healing and hope."

"Siblings take a last-gasp vacation to Mexico in Dahl’s novel....There’s a lot of complexity crammed into this fairly brief story, and the realism is impressive...." —KIRKUS REVIEWS

Linda Dahl began writing as a freelancer about two passions, jazz and Latin America, before turning to fiction. She has written ten published books, including the novels Tiny Vices, An Upside-Down Sky, Gringa in a Strange Land, and The Bad Dream Notebook, and the nonfiction works Stormy Weather and Morning Glory. Her books have consistently garnered awards and praise, including a Notable Book of the Year nod from The New York Times Book Review for Morning Glory in 2000. Linda loves reading, swimming, music, and doing volunteer work in her community. She lives in Riverdale, New York.

Photo credit to Geoffrey Doughlin.

A Case of Mice and Murder - (The Trials of Gabriel Ward) by Sally Smith

The cover to Sally Smith's book - A Case of Mice and Murder - called to me. The font used, the colors and images and the subtitle.

The setting is in 1901 Britain. Most of the book takes place in the Inner Temple Archives and Library. This is an actual place and it was fascinating to learn about it. The police can only enter by consent. And that is how we meet unwilling sleuth Sir Gabriel Ward KC. He can't say no. And he would be much happier if he could work on his latest case - the disputed authorship of bestselling children's book Millie the Temple Church Mouse.

I admit I felt overwhelmed with so many supporting players in the beginning. Names and titles abound! But with this being the first book I believe Smith is building the setting and atmosphere.

I came to really, really enjoy Sir Gabriel. I liked being privy to his inner dialogue along side with the outer. The verbal jousting is so very clever.

The plot? I knew I wouldn't guess the answer to the question of whodunit. Smith's plotting is wonderful. It benefits from her own knowledge as a Barrister and King's Counsel. 

A Case of Mine and Murder is so clever! Watch for the second book - A Case of Life and Limb.

The Unraveling of Julia - Lisa Scottoline

It's been quite a long time since I have read one of  Lisa Scottoline's books. I always enjoyed her legal suspense books.

Her latest book is The Unraveling of Julia.

Julia's husband has been killed and her life will never be the same. So when a lawyer lets her know that she has inherited a large home and financials she is stunned. But she doesn't know who has given this all to her. She packs for Tuscany to find who it might be...

Now, I can see how this might play out and I went with it. And again. Add some supernational elements and a quick new beau. I feel like everything that could happen, will. The the rest of the characters are all here for a specific reason. I had trouble liking Julia. But it's just too much happening. There were some points when I thought that this would a good time and place to wind things down. Instead, every action or event is rehashed. 

The narrator was Maria Marquis. Her Spanish is excellent and she gave an excellent performance. She provided recognizable voices for the players.  

Night Watcher - Daphne Woolsoncroft

Oh, that's a great cover on Daphne Woolsoncroft's new book - Night Watcher. The rain, the empty park and the lone figure. Are they waiting for someone? Or something else....

When Nola was a child, she escaped a serial killer  called The Hiding Man. She's back in her home town and she still feels that crawling up her back...

Nola runs a late night call-in radio and ask her listeners to help.

(And I have to insert this here. Daphne Woolsoncroft, a Los Angeles native, is the host and producer of the hit true crime podcast Going West, with a 150K-200K listeners per episode and over two million monthly downloads. Well, of course I had to have a listen and loved it.) That experience really makes Night Watcher even better. 

I chose to listen to the Night Watcher. I often find that I am more immersed in a tale when I listen. That was certainly the case with Night Watcher. The two narrators were  Helen Laser and Will Collyer. They did a great job of present Woolsoncroft's work. Both spoke clearly and were easy to understand. Their voices suited what was happening in the book. I appreciate having two narrators - it makes things seem believable.

I liked this first book and will be watching for a second - THE SEASON OF SINKING Summer 2026.

The Felons' Ball - Polly Stewart

I always have a good look at the cover of my next read. What clues can you glean from the cover of The Felons' Ball - the new novel from Polly Stewart. The play on the family's name and the cuffs...?

The book opens with the annual birthday party for Trey, head of the family. Tonight‘s party is a catalyst, bringing up secrets that were not meant to ever be uncovered again. Some characters want that, but others don’t.

And at the center of all, it is the Macready family. Dad, Mom and their three adult daughters. Each daughter has a voice in the narrative and as a reader we are privy to their, thoughts and actions.

The supporting characters are many and all of them are also keeping secrets. Slowly, but surely, answers start to come in. But what is that going to cost everyone?

Stewart does a fabulous job of melding the crimes and the family. I didn’t manage to find the right person in the who dunnit. (which I always appreciate!)

The Felons' Ball was the first book I've read of Stewart.  I would happily read her next book. See for yourself - read an excerpt of the Felons' Ball.

The Woman in Suite 11 - Ruth Ware

 I’ve read and enjoyed all of Ruth Ware’s books. Her latest is The Woman in Suite 11. This book is a follow up to The Woman in Cabin 10 with character Lo Blacklock. If you have read Cabin, you’re all set. If you’ve not read Cabin, you’ll have to make a choice as you would find out all the answers from 10 in this book. Sorry, I hope that makes sense!

Lo has all of the of the things she wanted - husband, kids, and home.  It’s time to go back to work. When she receives an invitation to cover the opening of a new hotel, she jumps at the opportunity. And is shocked when her past catches up to her present…

There’s a lot going on in the suspense filled plot and a mystery to be solved. There are a lot of twists and turns and I had to be on my toes. The direction of who, when and where changes quite often. There were a few things that I just thought were awkward. Not sure why Mom and her ankle were even in the book. Nobody goes to see her.

This one is not one of my favourite Ware books, but I do like the author's work so I will happily pick up her next book.

Writing Mr. Wrong - Kelley Armstrong

If Kelley Armstrong's name is on the cover - then I'm reading it! I enjoyed last summer's rom-com - Finding Mr. Write. I knew I would enjoy Writing Mr. Wrong this summer.

Debut author Gemma runs into her past when she agrees to be interviewed on a local talk show. The host (and others) have read her book and....well, Gemma might have based her male character on Mason Moretti. Mason was Gemma's crush in high school and .....

I loved the characters, the premise, the truths and the writing. It's cute and funny as well. Building a relationship is hard work and I think Armstrong did a great job in truly depicting the goals and the path to get get it right. Take note that there steamy scenes.

 Writing Mr. Wrong is perfect for hot summer reading!

Don't Let Him In - Lisa Jewell

I always like to stop and take a good look at a cover before turning the first pages. Lisa Jewell's new novel - Don't Let Him In - had me curious. About halfway it struck me! Very clever!

And it's not just the cover that is clever. The plot is wonderfully byzantine. I am going to be purposefully obtuse and hope that I don't give anything away! There are three players who have who have something in common...

The narratives change rapidly. The reader has all of that information but the characters are limited in what they know. I had more than a few words for one of the players.

Jewell kept me up turning pages. I just had to know what happens. 

You must add Don't Let Him In to your beach bag! See for yourself - read an excerpt. 

  

So Far Gone -- Jess Walter

I had many people telling that I would love Jess Walther's new book - So Far Gone. So - I picked up an audio version and settled in to listen.

Rhys Kinnick has gone off the grid. But when his grandchildren are in danger....there's no question. He's going to save them. And can he save himself?

Honestly, I bounced between laughing and crying. There are many truths in Rhys’s beliefs, his history, his actions and reactions and more. He’s forced to step into his past with a second look. What about the future? He’s just such a wonderful lead character. And the supporting cast was just as well drawn.

Now, there’s a lot of light hearted situations and dialogue. But things get darker as you get closer to the end of the book. It was really late when I got to that section.. And I couldn’t stop listening. There’s much food for thought in So Far Gone.

Edoardo Ballerini was the narrator and he did a fantastic job of it. I find that sometimes I become more immersed in a tale. This was the case with So Far Gone. Ballerini captures the actions, the thoughts, dangers and more with his voice. He has created voices for all of the characters that suit and it's easy to know who is speaking. His his voice is clear and easy to understand. A wonderful presentation of a wonderful novel.

Hear for yourself - listen to an audio clip.

The East End Girls - Jean Fullerton - Blog Tour!

Don't you love coming across the first book in a new series that you just know you're going to enjoy it? I did! The East End Girls is Jean Fullerton's new book. It's set in 1942 East London, Britain.

I really enjoy WW2 historical fiction. But it's not all fiction. Our lead character is Effie Weston. She is one of a number of women who are learning how to launch a Barrage Balloon. I did not know about the Balloons before this book - it was fascinating.

I quite like Effie as a lead character - she's intelligent and determined to support the war effort. There's a good number of supporting players as well. I mostly enjoyed them. But...there is always a bad apple. It will be easy to find them. And of course - a romance!

The settings are well described and easy to imagine. The mind sets, the shortages, the mores, and the attitudes of the citizens are very well written. The realties are there.

I really enjoyed The East End Girls. I'll be looking for the second book! Check what other bloggers thought below.

Born and bred in East London, Jean was a District Nurse by trade working throughout East

London. She has published twenty-three sagas, including the popular World War Two Ration Book series, which, like all her books, is set in East London. Jean has also written her autobiography A Child of the East End , about growing up in post-war Stepney and Wapping. She is currently working on first book of her new four book WW2 series.

The Friendship Fling - Georgia Stone

It’s very hot in my part of the country right now. And author Georgia Stone turns up the heat even higher with her new book, The Friendship Fling! This book is most definitely a beach read!

Ava is a barista in a coffee shop. She doesn’t really love her job. Her love life is a series of one night stands. And then Finn walks into the café. He’s in London for six months on a work contract. And Ava can’t stand him. He talks too much, he’s upbeat and he’s got a list of things he wants to do before he leaves the country.

I really enjoyed the back-and-forth of this pair. Each of them have chapters, but it is Ava that drives the tale. The supporting characters are well drawn and have their parts to play.

Now you might think that you know what’s going to happen in this book. And you might be right, but you’ll enjoy the journey to get there! Beach reading for sure!

Fifty Fifty - Steve Cavanagh

I just finished Witness 8 by Steve Cavanagh. I really enjoyed it and was quite happy to read another book featuring lawyer Eddie Flynn and his supporting crew - Fifty Fifty. 

Neat fact - Cavanagh  is a lawyer himself. He is now a full time writer - and his books benefit from his 'insider' knowledge. 

 

The premise of this case is another great idea. Two sisters each call 911, reporting that their father has been killed - by their sister! Which one is telling the truth? Who is a killer? Well, we readers are privy to what "She" has done...and it's downright scary! 

I really liked the 'behind' machinations of the trial. If you like twists and turns, you'll find them in Fifty Fifty. It's a page turner!

Note that you can read these as stand alones. 

Nightshade - Michael Connelly

I had heard that Michael Connelly had a new book out -  Nightshade. What I had missed was that this was the first book in a new series!

I was reticent to jump up and down until I had a few chapters under my belt. After that, I was on board. 

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Detective Stilwell has been moved back to policing Catalina Island. It's beautiful but he's capable of so much more. When a body is found in the harbor he goes to work. But he's told to let the mainland detectives in charge and to stay out of it. Yeah, you know what happens right? He can't stop...

Connelly has done an excellent job in creating a lead that you can't help but be behind. The plotting kept me engaged from first page to last. The supporting cast are well drawn. The set is well drawn and actual places are included.

Just a winner all round! I'll be waiting for book number 2.

Marble Hall Murders - Anthony Horowitz

A new book from Anthony Horowitz is such a treat. I think he is such a talented author. His new book, Marble Hall Murders is so very clever!

Marble Hall Murders gives us a book inside a book again. Editor Susan Ryeland returns as well. She’s out of work so she’s agreed to work with Eliot, a new author on Pund’s Last Case. After a reading, she’s found similarities and deliberate clues to a death in Eliot’s family. Was it an accident or a murder…?

I dove into the book and honestly forgot that I was lost in the manuscript. Scrambling out, I was still in a fictitious tale. I adored the fictional Detective Pund. He reminded me of Hercule Poitou in his methodology and mannerisms.

For those of you that are like me and try to solve the mystery before the final pages - I wasn’t able to do it. There’s twists, turns, red herrings, and more it kept me guessing till the last pages. Absolutely recommended for those who love 'old school' mysteries, where the answers are in deduction, not DNA.

Whistle - Linwood Barclay

I’ve read everything that Linwood Barclay has written. And I thought I knew what I would find - some excellent thrillers and mystery suspense. But…I’d also heard that Whistle was a new direction from Barclay. It was indeed!

“A cursed toy train.  A desperate mother.  An evil with a one track mind…..”

Annie is a great lead character.  Barclay gives the reader more info than Annie has about the trains, ensuring I couldn’t put the book down. There are other characters who figure it out and those who already know. I was surprised by some of their fates.

The choice to use toy trains as the ‘evil thing’ was excellent. Because because who would think of them as being dangerous. What kid doesn't have a set?  And the inspiration? Barclay has a large train set up in his home...

I really enjoyed this one and I’m hoping that Barclay continues to explore other ideas like this one.

Stephen King gave Whistle this blurb -“Terrific“. And on the flip-side, I really enjoyed the nod given to King by Linwood.

Death at a Highland Wedding - Kelley Armstrong

Death at a Highland Wedding is the fourth entry in Kelley Armstrong's Rip Through Time series.

I have enjoyed every book that Kelley has written. Her female leads are always intelligent women that don’t back down. That’s certainly the case with modern day detective Mallory Atkinson. I say modern day because she has slipped back in 150 years into the past in the Scottish Highlands. She now helps an undertaker and a detective with cases.

It’s a great premise!  Everything has to change if she’s going to stay….or go…. Speech, the attitudes, the roles and the rules of women, dressing, and so much more.

In this book Mallory, Gray, and McCreadie travel to a Highlands castle that’s surrounded by wilderness. A perfect setting for a murder, don't you think? It’s feels a bit like a Christie book. The answer for who dunit changes many times on the way to the final answer. I loved every page.

The mystery is excellent but that’s only half of it for this reader. The ‘yes, no, maybe so’ from some of the players will have you wondering. I’m always eager to see what’s going on with the players.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - some books are better for me if I listen to them. That’s the case with this series. The narrator is Kate Handford and she did a fantastic job of presenting Armstrong's work. I appreciate the continuity with having the same narrator for each entry of this series. Her voice is clear, easy to understand and easy on the years. She's created many identifiable voices that let the listener who is speaking. A Scottish accent is needed for many of the characters and an inner American one for Mallory. The accent often changes within conversations and Handford keeps up with that. There's lots of scenes and situations that are dangerous, emotional etc. and Hanford captures the tone of the plot with her voice. An excellent reading of a really great book. An easy five stars.

Death at a Highland Wedding - Kelley Armstrong

Death at a Highland Wedding is the fourth entry in Kelley Armstrong's Rip Through Time series.

I have enjoyed every book that Kelley has written. Her female leads are always intelligent women that don’t back down. That’s certainly the case with modern day detective Mallory Atkinson. I say modern day because she has slipped back in 150 years into the past in the Scottish Highlands. She now helps an undertaker and a detective with cases.

It’s a great premise!  Everything has to change if she’s going to stay….or go…. Speech, the attitudes, the roles and the rules of women, dressing, and so much more.

In this book Mallory, Gray, and McCreadie travel to a Highlands castle that’s surrounded by wilderness. A perfect setting for a murder, don't you think? It’s feels a bit like a Christie book. The answer for who dunit changes many times on the way to the final answer. I loved every page.

The mystery is excellent but that’s only half of it for this reader. The ‘yes, no, maybe so’ from some of the players will have you wondering. I’m always eager to see what’s going on with the players.

An easy five stars.

The Man Made of Smoke - Alex North

The cover of Alex North’s newest book - The Man Made of Smoke - promises a dark tale.

As a child, Dan witnessed a serial killer. It has stayed with him all these years. He’s now a criminal profiler. When his father dies, Dan heads back to the small island that he grew up on. He’s sure there are secrets and memories and more that he needs to uncover to finally have answers. 

There are most definitely some dark spaces in this book! Alex North has written yet another story that will have you turning on the lights after the sun goes down - and making sure the locks are on…

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Some books are better in audio format for me. This was definitely the case with The Man Made of Smoke. The narrator was Shane Zaza. He has such a rich and velvety tone to his voice. It’s low and he never has to raise it. The listener is drawn into the story. Those tones are very effective in describing the crimes and the perpetrator.

Another great listen from Alex North! And a great performance from Shane Zaza. 

Parents Weekend - A Novel by Alex Finlay

Parents Weekend is the new book from Alex Finlay. I've read and enjoyed his previous titles and I knew I was going to enjoy Parents Weekend.

Why? Well...first is the lead character - FBI Special Agent Sarah Keller. She's brilliant and is always a step ahead. I really enjoy how she finds the next steps. 

The plot is a good one - five college kids are missing - and one is already dead. And another reason to hunker down - the book is told from multiple view points - and it's hard to put the book down. And of course some are lying, leaving out pieces of their accounts and more... Piecing everything in time is Keller's goal.

Alex Finlay keeps the suspense up on every page. Parents Weekend reads like a movie. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Parents Weekend.