Uncategorized

    Judge Stone by James Patterson and Viola Davis

    Publication Date March 9, 2026 Last year, I read and reviewed two titles by “James Patterson and…” I wondered if Patterson might be like author Robert B. Parker, who has “written” at least thirty books after his death…tons of items come out with the famous person’s name on them, but who REALLY wrote them? The …

    Strangers In The Villa by Robyn Harding

    Publication Date March 3, 2026 Robyn Harding is one of those authors whose books kind of grab me…and I love it! In 2017, her book The Party got 5 stars from me “for the combination of domestic suburban drama, moral dilemma, suburban skewering, and all-around good story.” Then, in 2021, I gave four stars to  …

    More Than Enough by Anna Quindlen

    Publication Date February 24, 2026 I generally am a fan of Anna Q, so I was happy when my book club chose it for a future discussion, and grateful that I had a review copy of More Than Enough thanks to Random House and NetGalley. But wait, did I say “book club”??? The story here …

    Black Mafia Queen by Dr. Tonesa Welch

    Publication Date February 24, 2026 I admit to being sort of a true crime fan…ok, more than sort of, but perhaps I am just old and out of touch…or not the demographic for whom things like this are created. But I confess I have been totally unaware of BMF – both the organized crime group …

    The Method by Matthew Quirk

    Publication Date January 20, 2026 Having recently watched and enjoyed The Night Agent on Netflix, which is based on a book by Matthew Quirk, I was pleased to receive a copy of his latest book, The Method, from William Morrow and NetGalley in exchange for this honest review. This time, the protagonist is an actress …

    Food Fix Uncensored by Dr. Mark Hyman, etc

    Publication Date February 10, 2026 Dr. Hyman is well-known for his medical advice, nutritional information, and (perhaps most of all) his sales ability. Sort of reminds me of Dr. Gundry — not sure whether his advice is good, but damn, can that man SELL. Apparently this is a re-release of an earlier publication. Still lots …

    Anatomy of An Alibi by Ashley Elston

    Published January, 2026 About three years ago, I read and reviewed Ashley Elston’s First Lie Wins (****) and enjoyed it, and although I really don’t recall specifics, I remember it well enough to recommend it to people who, like me, enjoy escapist fiction in the crime/thriller category. So I was pleased to receive a copy …

    TheRightTo Remain by James Grippando

    Published January 5, 2026 James Grippando’s series featuring Miami criminal defense attorney Jack Swytek is a reliably enjoyable source of reading material for fans of legal thrillers (which I am!). In The Right To Remain, the latest — the TWENTIETH in the series (!), Grippando’s skill comes through and I definitely recommend this one for …

    Missing Sam by Thrity Umrigar

    Publication Date January 27, 2026 I am certain I have read at least one book by Thrity Umrigar, but can’t remember a THING about it…which won’t be the case with her latest, Missing Sam, which I just read (thanks to Algonquin Books and NetGalley for providing a copy in exchange for this honest review). The …

    The Keeper by Tana French

    Publication Date When I read and reviewed Tana French’s standalone novel The Witch Elm in 2018, I noted that I would have enjoyed seeing more of the Dublin Murder Squad characters (Antoinette Conway, Stephen Moran, and others), but that I had enjoyed getting to know a “whole new cast of characters.” Her next book was …

    A Killing in Cannabis by Scott Eden

    Publication Date February 3, 2026 I recently saw a promotional flyer for an event at local (wonderful) independent bookstore.  Bookshop Santa Cruz “… welcomes award-winning investigative journalist Scott Eden for a discussion with Steve Palopoli about A Killing in Cannabis: A True Story of Love, Murder, and California Weed.” Great timing! Thanks to Spiegel & …

    The Last Chance Lawyer by William Bernhardt

    Originally published March, 2019. (Reissued) Legal thrillers are among my favorite genres, and William Bernhardt has been a reliable source of entertainment for years. He has both standalone and series offerings, with his series featuring Ben Kincaid and Daniel Pike among the most popular. I was happy to receive a copy of The Last Chance …

    Weightless by Rocio Salas-Whalen, M.D.

    Publication Date December 30, 2025 (just in time for New Years’ Resolutions?) As someone who has had an up-and-down journey with my weight over the years, I am generally curious about the latest/greatest/whatever guaranteed way to lose weight…and have known several people who have been or are taking one of the GLP-1 products (Wegovy, Mounjaro, …

    The Hadacol Boogie by James Lee Burke (A Dave Robicheaux book)

    Publication Date February 10, 2026 Several years ago, when I received a copy of James Lee Burke’s book The New Iberia Blues, I noted that James Lee Burke’s series featuring Detective Dave Robicheaux was then at more than twenty titles, and since Burke has long been one of my husband’s all-time favorite authors and Robicheaux …

    The Great Contradiction by Joseph J. Ellis

    Every few years we are treated to a new movie or series (generally on PBS) by Ken Burns, focusing on a single time or “thing” – The Civil War, Baseball, The Civil War, to name a few. Now the topic is The American Revolution, with a six part, twelve hour series coming out in November, …

    False Witness by Philip Margolin

    Publication Date November 11, 2025 Again, a new standalone thriller from Philip Margolin? Yes, Please! Since 1993, when my sister recommended  one of his  books, I have been a fan of Philip Margolin, and since then have enjoyed nearly all of his 20+ books. Legal thrillers are among my favorite genres, and he is often …

    Wild Instinct by T. Jefferson Parker

    Publication Date November 11, 2025 Have I really been a fan of T. Jefferson Parker for FORTY years? Wow. A couple of years ago, when I reviewed his book A Thousand Steps, I wrote: “When I first read T. Jefferson Parker’s Laguna Heat back in 1985, I had recently moved to Santa Cruz and was …

    The Predicament by William Boyd

    Fans of LeCarre, Graham Greene, etc will love the latest from William Boyd! Thanks to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley, I am the happy recipient of an advance copy of The Predicament in exchange for this honest review.  The story is set in 1963. In Guatemala, a CIA agent named Frank Sartorious is working as turmoil …

    Fallen Star by Lee Goldberg (Eve Ronin #6)

    Publication Date October 14, 2025 In the past few years, Lee Goldberg has made his way onto my list of reliable/favorite authors…you know, the ones that when you see they have a new book, you think, “YES! Definitely gotta get THAT one!” In 2022, there was Movieland, in 2023, Malibu Burning and Calico, in 2024 …

    Nash Falls by David Baldacci

    Publication Date November 11, 2025 David Baldacci is an extremely prolific novelist after having a successful career as an attorney. His first novel, Absolute Power, was turned into a good movie in 1997 starring Clint Eastwood and Gene Hackman. Since then, he has written MANY books, both in series (Atlee Pine and Amos Decker, to …