By Jennifer E. Smith
​** Publication Date 8 April 2025 **
4 stars


Sometimes you need something other than a mystery or thriller to give you chills. This novel does all that, and even shed a tear or two along the way. 


Four siblings, raised almost parentless, become estranged over one sibling’s violation of their privacy. So when a message comes from one of the four, to the other, asking them to join her in North Dakota for a weekend, of course they all agree. It is with trepidation that the family reunites, now with extended family members, to try to pick up the pieces and become one group again.
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This book was amazing. I am an only child, so I cannot imagine what it’s like for a group of siblings, mostly raised by the oldest, to stop speaking to one another. To me, it would have to be mighty big to cause such a rift. Jennifer E. Smith unwinds this spool of thread inch by inch. Gives us current bits and old bits to marinate before unspooling more. It kept me so engaged and looking forward to the hopeful time where these four would no longer feel like strangers. 


I did shed a tear or two several times throughout. Really good.

By Jess Kidd 
** Publication Date 8 April 2025 **
​ 4 stars

Jess Kidd excels at creating an environment for her stories. This novel, set in coastal Britain, gives off the mood of gulls, damp air, clouds. It is a cozy mystery, and while there is some gore, it is mostly mild.


Sister Agnes has left the monastery to find a friend, Frieda, who also left the monastery for her health. Frieda landed at Gull’s Nest, a tattered boarding house on the coast. When Sister Agnes suddenly stops receiving letters from Frieda, she feels compelled to try to find out what happened to Frieda. It’s back to being Nora Breen after 30 years as a nun.


Nora takes over Frieda’s room at the boarding house, but does not tell the other inhabitants that she knew Frieda. Her investigation begins of the rather diverse population. Stella and Teddy, newlyweds. Professor Poppy, a puppeteer. Bill, the bartender. Then there is the proprieties, Helena and her mute daughter, Dinah. We cannot forget the very domineering Irene, the housekeeper and cook. 


All have taken refuge in this locale which is known for its people who come and go. All have secrets as well. Nora is convinced that Frieda didn’t just take a train out of town. Especially once murder happens at the boarding house. Murder becomes quite the theme of this house, with fingers pointing at all the occupants and then some. While the local constabulary seems to think it’s coincidental, Nora thinks otherwise and is out to prove them wrong. All the while becoming something of a companion to Inspector Rideout.


I love that this is going to be a series of books. Nora is such a pleasant, fun former nun. The time and setting are perfect for mystery and crime solving. I look forward to the next installment. 

By Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez
** Publication Date 8 April 2025 **
4 stars 



Bring on Irish mythology in the 19th century! The tales of Cú Chulainn and the Morrigan are shifted into New York in the 1870s. The shift is nearly seamless, with our two main characters having dreams of previous lives. Such a great take on the myths, though when you read this, you wonder, were they really myths?


Emma Harrington has disappeared from the family summer home in upstate New York. When she reappears, she is not the same Emma who left. Apparently that Emma, beautiful but troublesome, at least could pretend to be upper class. This Emma who has returned not only cannot behave as though she is part of the nouveau riche, but wants to antagonize and turn the world upside down.


The Lord of Donore is a mystery as well. He has embedded himself into the upper crust of Manhattanites, courting the daughter of his business partner. He is not drawn to her for any reason other than to cement himself into society’s elite. To ensure that his place will allow him to continue to support the Irish families that daily arrive on ships to America.


When the ‘new’ Emma and the Lord meet, the worlds collide and each is drawn to the other like magnets. But Emma, rather Rua as she prefers to be called, would be the downfall of Finn’s hard work. How can he make sure that she’s safe and cared for, but still maintain his dignity and place? The more they are thrust together, the harder this becomes. Especially with the memories of their former lives haunting them in their sleep.


Such a beautiful story about a love affair that crosses realms and time. Finn and Rua are the perfect match for one another. Rua/Emma is to be admired for her strong will. Cú/Finn is her foil, wanting to make sure that she is not ostracized.


The book is wonderfully written and captivating. These are not myths that I was familiar with. While I knew of the Morrigan, Cú Chulainn is not a character I’d heard of. But what a warrior he was. His bravery and dignity shine through Finn. I was hoping, as I reached the end of this novel, that it might go on for a while, perhaps a series? Although it does seem to be a standalone. This is one of those novels to be savored again and again.

By Tanya Guerrero
** Publication Date 1 April 2025 **
​5 stars


Call me a cat lady, or an animal lover, but I adored this novel. Told from multiple points of view, the best were the cat’s point of view. There were times Cat literally had me crying. So moving were this little stray’s words. Honestly I loved this one.


Cat is a stray on the streets of Brooklyn. He lives near a hedge where a really nice lady, he calls Rainbow Lady, comes to feed him and talk to him daily. Rainbow Lady is Núria, who volunteers to take care of strays. She has three cats of her own, and her paying job is as a barista. She adores the cats though. 


Next door to Cat’s hedge is Collin. Collin is a bestselling author with no ideas for his next book. He sees Núria visit Cat everyday and takes notice of her. She is the bright spot in his life these days even though they’ve never met. There’s also Omar, the mailman who has a smile for everyone, including Cat, who makes the delivery rounds with Omar. 


Add in Lily, the checkout girl from the grocery store, and Bong, the owner of the nearby bodega, and you’ve got a group of people who all care about Cat. And vice versa. Cat is very intuitive and brings such a spark of life to these people’s daily lives. He is a very special cat. Somehow his relationships with all of these humans brings the entire story, and this group of random people, together. He gives a story to remember.


Yes, I cried. I cannot remember the last time a book made me actually cry, but this one sure did. Cat’s commentary was the key. His sadness, joy, exuberance, pain, and love were so real. Honestly, if you’re a cat person, or maybe if you even like stories that make you feel good, you will like this one.

By Robert Jackson Bennett
** Publication Date 1 April 2025 **
5 stars

Robert Jackson Bennett has created a fantastical world that is both advanced and ancient in its ways. His writing brings this whole world to life. You can imagine the fretvine buildings, the seas, the leviathan. There is so much to absorb and capture in this unusual place with very unusual people. It’s wonderful. I was so excited to return and see what was in store for us this time around. 


Din and Ana return with another mystery to be solved. This time in the canton Yarrowdale, a Treasury officer has gone missing. From a fully locked and guarded room. This is the type of mystery only the brilliant and eccentric Ana Dolabra can explain. Though there will be a lot of challenges along the way. Cryptic messages, humans turned into plants, plants growing human parts. It’s a grisly one, but most in the Empire are. So many people with secrets and secret agendas. For Din, it’s hard to know who or what to believe. 


This time Din is paired with an Apoth named Malo. She’s a tough girl with a mouth full of hina root, the Yarrow version of chewing tobacco.. But she’s also smart and enhanced in such a way that she will be very useful to Din and Ana in their quest to find this mysterious Pale King that is wreaking havoc throughout Yarrowdale.


While you don’t necessarily need to read The Tainted Cup prior to this one, it will help explain Ana’s bizarre behaviors and Din’s backstory. Book one gives you a lot of background on the Empire, while this book brings more information about the Khanum to light. 


I just hope that this series goes on for a while. It’s an extraordinary place. Bennett’s words are magical. Please also take the time to read the Author’s Note at the end of the story. It was profound in its own way.