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Book Review: The Castle in the Glen by Rhys Bowen

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PublishedAugust 4, 2026 by Lake Union Publishing

Australian writer Emma Callander has been recruited to complete the final historical mystery in a series by celebrated author Iris Blackburn. It’s 1964, and Iris’s memory is fading. She’s certain that only Emma can do justice to her novel about a murder on the Isle of Skye. When Emma ventures to Scotland for research, she discovers it isn’t fiction at all, but rather a true crime unsolved for more than fifty years.

It was 1904 when a couple’s suspicious drowning led to the disappearance of a mysterious young woman the locals called the Wild Girl. To this day the mystery is unforgettable, especially among the descendants of an aristocratic family who’ll do anything to keep their secrets buried. From the misty Highlands to a medieval castle, Emma and Tony Gordon, Iris’s handsome lawyer, work ever more closely to uncover them.

But while Iris may be known for her fiendishly clever twists, there’s one not even Emma could have seen coming.

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Emma is hired to be a ghost writer for a famous author and soon discovers that the story she is researching turns out to be an actual cold case, and as she investigates the case further, her life is put in danger. Not only that, but Emma also discovers that there is more to this mystery than meets the eye and it will change the course of her life.

Rhys Bowen is a talented storyteller. I have read her work before and was excited to pick this story up. I knew it would be good and she did not disappoint. Bowen has such a way of weaving a story that captures the reader and you become fully engaged.

Most of the setting for this story takes place in the Isle of Skye, Scottland and Bowen really captures the atmosphere and its surroundings. I was completely taken to time and place.

There is so much to this mystery, including family secrets and romance. The character development is well developed and the clever plot kept me turning the pages.

A must read!

Stephanie

I obtained an ARC from the publishers through Netgalley for an honest review.

I rated this book four stars.  

Book Review: When Mikan Road Was Ours by D.K. Furutani

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Published July 28, 2026 by Atria Books

Amidst a sweltering Los Angeles heat wave, Murano, a reclusive high school English teacher, is muddling through life. Reeling from his father’s death as well as his own recent cancer diagnosis, he spends his days grading papers and appeasing disgruntled parents while painstakingly counting down the days until summer vacation.

However, the monotony breaks when he inherits his great-uncle Benjiro’s unpublished memoir. He expects the pages to be a grim reminder of his position as the half-white son of the black sheep of the family. Instead, as he reads, Murano is whisked away to 1930s California, to a time when the Murano family was inseparable, relishing life on their bucolic farmland. As Murano is introduced to family members he never knew existed and confronted with the hidden complexities of the past, he is pulled close to the Japanese identity he’s dismissed all his life.

Ultimately faced with more questions about his fractured family than answers, Murano becomes determined to discover the reasons behind his family’s dissolution following their incarceration in American concentration camps during World War II, no matter what hidden truths he might uncover about his ancestors or himself.

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This story has dual timelines and as the story of Murano’s family in America unfolds, we are shown his family heritage, struggles and their incarceration and experience during World War II. A truly shameful time in our American history to say the least.

I have mixed feelings about the structure of the story. While I’m used to reading slower and reflective literary fiction, I found it hard at times to push on with this book. I’ve reflected on the reason why that is this case, and it’s not because of the culture, because I do extensive cultural background studies, it’s that the narrative’s voice and perhaps the character development was a bit dry to me. Also, I found it difficult to know who was talking sometimes or who was who in the family dynamic. That said, I pushed onward and I’m glad I did because the story has a good conclusion, and I learned a few things.

There are many good lessons that come from this story, and I know many readers will enjoy this book.

I rated this book three stars.

Stephanie

I obtained a review copy from the publishers for an honest review.

Reader’s Log 072: New to My Book Stack

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Today I’m sharing a few books I’ve added to my book stack this week and one I’ve added to my wish-list. The stack of books I got that are thrifted or were deeply discounted, and Dear Missing Friend is an ebook I acquired on NetGalley. I’ve added Murder on 34th Street by Mariah Fredericks to my wish-list. The story sounds intriguing! The Lisa Scottoline’s book is titled Come Home and I’m trying to remember if I’ve ever read a story written by her.

I was curious about Sager’s book because the premise touches on a subject that is talked about a lot today and though his book is a fictional story, I wanted to see where he went with it. I read this book in less than a day. The book is a slow burn but it does build on tension and the clues that lead up to the big reveal. I do have to admit, the characters were not well developed but I kept on reading regardless because I needed to know if justice would be served!

So many books…

What are some titles you’ve recently acquired?

Stephanie

Dear Missing Friend by Susan McGuirk

Book 1 of A Storied Sisters Society Novel

Pub Date May 19 2026 by Sea Crow Pass

Description

Three hearts. Countless letters. One impossible choice.

Through letters exchanged across oceans and Manhattan streets, Irish immigrant Catherine McGuirk navigates love, ambition, and heartbreak. Torn between her seafaring husband, the suitor she once refused, and her own dreams, Catherine’s fate unfolds in an intimate, epistolary saga of passion, resilience, and 19th-century life.

Murder on 34th Street by Mariah Fredericks

Pub Date Oct 06 2026 by St. Martin’s Press

Description

From the author of The Girl in the Green Dress comes a delightful and captivating novel about a fictional murder mystery at the iconic Macy’s parade leading up to the holidays in historic New York City.

New York, 1932. Grace Verlander is the secret beating heart of Macy’s. She’s the “assistant to the assistant to the someone who’s in charge”, the go-to person for keeping everything running smoothly behind-the-scenes at the famous, bustling store.

It’s not every day you get a letter from Santa Claus, but three days before the Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Day Parade, Grace arrives at work to find a note from the store Santa Claus in her locker: someone has sent him a death threat. Shocked, Grace promises to look into it and speaks to the store detective about the parade’s security, confident that they’ve found a solution that will keep everyone safe. But on the day of the parade, despite all their precautions, a dead body is found on one of the floats.

Using her wits and deep knowledge of the ways of the place, Grace is determined to find the killer and seek justice—not just for the dead man, but to save the reputation of this iconic store from ruin.

Book Review: The Book Club Murders by Maggie Allswell

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Book Club Murders #1

Published May 22, 2026 by @Bookouture

For widower Judy, her murder book club is the highlight of the she gets to hear all the local gossip and even discuss a good fictitious poisoning or two. But when local librarian Wendy disappears, Judy follows in the footsteps of her fictional detective heroes only to find her dead in her home, clasping a copy of Romeo and Juliet…

The police rule it a tragic accident, but Judy knows that her friend hated Shakespeare, and suspects foul play. Gathering her fellow book lovers together, soon they discover that several townspeople had motive to want Wendy dead. Was it Nigel from the tavern, who may have been Wendy’s secret boyfriend? Or could it be Bryan, the local bookshop owner, tangled in a bitter rivalry with the library?

The plot thickens at a charity murder mystery night held at Nigel’s tavern. Suddenly more murders come to light, both real and very badly staged. And when Nigel makes an astonishing revelation, the book club agree it’s a plot twist no-one saw coming. Can Judy and her book club solve the mystery before they too fall victim to a killer plot?

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This is not your garden variety cozy mystery story where citizens work alongside police, or a detective, in helping catch a murder. I really had to sit on this review for a few days because I wasn’t sure how I could discuss this without giving too much away.

In this story we see a group of people taking matters in their own hands in the most extreme way. We also see another side of seeking justice, or the lack of the right sort of justice-in this case. Lines are so blurred between justice and retribution that the reader is taken to a dark place that leaves you wondering if the justice will be served. That said, this is the first book in the series and it shall be interesting how the author continues this premise in the next.

I must caution readers about the swear words in this story, and though there are not a lot, there are a few.

Overall, this was a fascinating and yet, crazy story that will have you keep turning the pages.

Stephanie

I received an ARC from the publishers through NetGalley

Book Review: Murder with a Side of Shrimp and Grits by Skylar Warren

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Published May 13, 2026 by @Bookouture

In the small-town Willow Bluff, Georgia, Jessie Haynes, a third-generation owner of Honeybee’s diner is in trouble when the town’s mayor dies of what appears-at first-to be an allergic reaction to Jessie’s famous shrimp and grits she served him just seconds before he took a bite that ended in his demise. In an instance all eyes are on Jessie as the mayor lies on the floor not breathing, and she becomes the talk of the town. Her family’s legacy in jeopardy, she and her friends race to find the culprit before there is no turning back from complete ruination.

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I absolutely love a culinary mystery and southern diners are the bedrock in many southern towns; which make for a perfect setting for a small-town southern mystery!

Skylar Warren is superb with character development. Each character in the story had their own unique voice, thoughts and personalities which enhances the readers engagement and connection to them. There was one character among Jessie’s circle that at first, I had a hard time trusting. His name is Chad and he is fairly new to town, and a therapist. To me, he seemed a bit too eager to help and please. He was too perfect in my opinion but eventually, I started to warm up to him a little, but still… I absolutely adore Maddie and Tee! Maddie is a teenager that works at the diner and she is so thoughtful, and loyal like Tee who is Jessie’s best friend that anyone would love to have!

From the start, I started making a mental note of suspects and practically everyone in the town could have done it! Needless to say, the mayor wasn’t a popular guy by a long shot.

This story would be great on film and as I read sheriff Roo’s role, I couldn’t help think that a younger Cherry Jones from the movie Signs with Mel Gibson would be a fantastic candidate for the role.

My only complaint is that I believe there are a couple scenes that could have been left out because they really didn’t help push the story forward, and it made the story a little too long. That said, it is so minor and it didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed this mystery.

A charming, fun read and I highly recommend this book. I will be on the lookout for more stories by this author!

Stephanie

I obtained an ARC from the publishers through NetGalley for an honest review.

Book Review: The Last Baby in Auschwitz by Anna Stuart

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Published today, March 23, 2026 by Bookouture

The Last Baby in Auschwitz is inspired by true stories of the Holocaust and I was completely taken out of my comfort zone reading this book and confronted with the darkest realities of the camps; I’ve never felt quit this way before with such an unrelenting force of emotions while reading stories of the Holocaust, and I’ve read a lot of them. I experienced all the emotions of sorrow, loss, anger, horror, rage… Anna Stuart doesn’t hold back with the evils of the Nazis and their total lack of humanity and cruelty. The intensity of what was happening was so strong, I literally felt physically sick and there were a few times I had to take a step back from the book.

I deeply felt as if I wasn’t a mere reader, or just an observer reading about the history, but a family member listening to the experiences of love one’s tragedies and the terrifying horrors and loss they endured, it was truly heartbreaking.

I highly recommend this story to all and to those who haven’t taken the time to know more about the war.

I’ve rated this story five stars which doesn’t seem fitting. I would rate the story with millions of stars.

Stephanie

About the Book:

Auschwitz, 1945: My baby’s thin cry pierces the cold, frosty night. I rock him gently in my arms, willing him to be quiet. Because if anyone hears my newborn, he could be snatched from me – or worse. We’re so close to freedom now and I pray that soon I will walk out of the iron gates with my precious son…

Naomi Demetriou has survived three years behind the walls of Auschwitz. Torn apart from her family, every breath could be her last. She’s learnt to survive by secretly trading the clothes she’s forced to sort through in exchange for food. But when an SS officer singles her out, her life becomes even harder. And then she discovers she’s pregnant…

With the support of the kind and brave women in Barrack 24, Noami does the impossible and gives birth to a tiny baby boy. Hiding in the shadows, Naomi vows to do whatever it takes to keep baby Isaac safe. With rumours circulating of an Allied invasion, she prays the camp will soon be liberated so she can return to her home by the Greek sea with her son.

But the day comes when Naomi hears heavy footsteps and the harsh voice of an SS guard. ‘Out! Now! You can’t take anything with you!’ She’s shoved into a line of people being marched out of the iron gates. Thick snow falls around them. Tears sting in Naomi’s eyes.

It all happened so fast. And she was unable to grab the bundle of blankets containing her little boy…

Side Bar:

This story contains extreme violence, cruelty, and sexual assaults.

Thank you, Bookouture for an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.

Book Review: When the Day Comes by Gabrielle Meyer

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Published May 3, 2022 by Bethany House

Libby has been given a powerful gift: to live one life in 1774 Colonial Williamsburg and the other in 1914 Gilded Age New York City. When she falls asleep in one life, she wakes up in the other. While she’s the same person at her core in both times, she’s leading two vastly different lives.

In Colonial Williamsburg, Libby is a public printer for the House of Burgesses and the Royal Governor, trying to provide for her family and support the Patriot cause. The man she loves, Henry Montgomery, has his own secrets. As the revolution draws near, both their lives–and any hope of love–are put in jeopardy.

Libby’s life in 1914 New York is filled with wealth, drawing room conversations, and bachelors. But the only work she cares about–women’s suffrage–is discouraged, and her mother is intent on marrying her off to an English marquess. The growing talk of war in Europe only complicates matters.

But Libby knows she’s not destined to live two lives forever. On her twenty-first birthday, she must choose one path and forfeit the other–but how can she choose when she has so much to lose in each life?

My thoughts:

Imagine living two different lives but living them in two different periods and waking up each morning to the other. What a concept! I love time travel stories and I’m always on the lookout for something fresh and unique. Gabrielle Meyer has certainly achieved that in this story.

The methodology or the mechanics-if you will-of how Libby wakes up in the other time period each morning is certainly one I mulled over a bit when beginning this story. I wasn’t sure how it would work but it did and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.

There are emotional stakes at work in this story and Libby’s choices would have a trickle effect that could change the course of history and her families lives in more ways than one. There were a few things I didn’t see coming! What an ending!

The beginning pages set the tone and as I got to about the 100-page mark, there was a shift in the story and that is where the story really picked up for me. From that point on, I was completely immersed.

Libby’s faith in God, and the struggles at times in trusting in His perfect timing, and plan was beautifully told. We humans at one time or another in our lowest moments, often question God’s plans for our lives. How can it possibly work for the better? Without going into too much detail about Libby’s struggles-because they are truly heart breaking- Meyer’s handled it Biblically and I was truly moved by Libby’s faith, healing and growth because of her trust in God.

Meyers is a gifted story-teller and she truly places her readers in time and place with this beautifully historical story. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series and it will be very soon!

I rated this book five stars!

I must caution my readers that there are two instances of SA. The author doesn’t go into great detail of it happening and it is brief but nonetheless, it may upset those who are sensitive to reading such abuse.

Stephanie

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” – Romans 5:3-5 NLT

Book Review: The Lawyer and the Laundress by Christine Hill Suntz

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Publish Date Jun 10, 2025 by Tyndale House Publishers | Tyndale Fiction

Christian | Historical Fiction | Romance

About the Story:

Lawyer James Kinney isn’t looking for love, and laundress Sara O’Connor doesn’t want to be found. When their paths cross in a British colony on the brink of rebellion, a marriage of convenience may be their best hope of survival.

Canada, 1837. Widower James Kinney knows his precocious daughter, Evie, needs more than his lessons on law and logic, but Toronto offers few options. Classes with the neighbor children seem ideal until James discovers Evie is secretly spending her time with Sara O’Connor, a kind and mysteriously educated servant. For propriety’s sake, James forbids their friendship. But then Evie falls victim to the illness ravaging the city, and James must call upon Sara’s medical knowledge and her special bond with Evie to save his daughter’s life.

When Sara’s presence in his household threatens scandal, however, James offers an unexpected solution: become his wife, in name only, and help him raise Evie to be a proper young lady.

If Sara can ignore the sparks she feels when they’re together, his logical proposal could keep her secret secure forever. But soon, the forces of rebellion unravel their tidy arrangement. When James is accused of treason, Sara must find the courage to face a past that could save her husband’s life.

My Thoughts:

The Lawyer and the Laundress is a beautiful faith based, wholesome, clean story blended with history of the British colony in Canada, 1837.

There aren’t too many fiction stories I’ve read based in Canada so I was delighted to chose this story and I was not disappointed in the slightest. Christine Hill Suntz story flows really well and she pulls the reader in with her fantastic character development. After I read this story, I went to search for her other works and discovered that this is her debut novel. Her characters Sara, Sara’s grandma, James, and Evie now hold a special place in my heart and I felt such a deeply emotional tie to their story as if they were my own family. I wanted to reach out and protect them from danger. That means a lot when a story evokes such emotions. Be sure to have a tissue box next to you while reading this story!

Christine Hill Suntz is now one of my new favorite Christian writers and I look forward to reading more of her stories.

I rated this book five stars! If there was an option for ten stars I would rate it thus.

My thanks and appreciation to Tyndale House Publishers for a galley copy though NetGalley for an honest review.

Stephanie

Book Review: The Dark Library by Mary Anna Evans

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Publish Date June 24, 2025 by Poisoned Pen Press

Historical Fiction | Mystery & Thrillers

Years after leaving home due to her father’s suffocating and oppressive treatment, Estella receives a phone call from Annie-her family’s housekeeper-that she must come home. Estella’s father has had a stroke that caused his death and her mother has gone missing. When she returns home, everything is disjointed and up in the air and she takes a teaching position at the college where her father influence was powerful to say the least. Not only that, their family house is celebrated throughout the decades and her Father’s library holds rare books that her father closely guards and with strict orders, Estella is not allowed to touch the books.

With her father’s death, her mother missing and the war that is raging on, Estella must figure out how she will support Annie, the house and the gorgeous land it sits on. The more she looks into her father’s and mother’s life, she realizes how much she doesn’t know about them and the secrets they have kept.

This Gothic tale of mystery, buried secrets, death, family and local town intrigue begins slowly and half way through the story, unfolds in a major way. I must confess, at first, I didn’t have high hope for this story but as the plot reveals itself, you have a better understanding of why the story starts out the way it does. It gave me a better understanding of the-bread crumbs-if you will- the author was dropping. You won’t be shown an explanation of why the story is called “The Dark Library” until the second half of the book and it is a shocker! I did not see that coming a mile away. The premise of this story is unique and the author sure can weave a story of intrigue and deceptive people that leaves you trusting no one. The ending does tie up loose ends the reader wonders about and I want to encourage readers who might be frustrated with the beginning to rally on. You won’t regret it.

A truly atmospheric story with Gothic themes, deadly secrets and twisty turns of events that has you racing to the end to discover the deceptions, truths and the fate of Estella and the people in her life.

I rated this book four stars and I obtained an ARC from the publishers through NetGalley for an honest review.

Stephanie

Book Review: Murder at the Loch by Dee MacDonald

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An Ally McKinley Mystery #2

Published March 3, 2025 by Bookouture

About the book:

Recent retiree Ally McKinley has stepped out with her puppy Flora for a walk by the loch in the tiny village of Locharran, taking a break from running the cosiest little guesthouse in the Highlands. But Ally’s peace and quiet is sunk when she and Flora find the body of a mysterious woman floating in the water…

Before she knows it, Ally finds herself wading into the middle of a new investigation. Who was the mystery woman and why was she killed? Her inquiries take her all over the from the corner shop and the nearby hotel to the turreted castle, home of local earl Hamish Sinclair where preparations are underway for his upcoming – and much gossiped about – wedding.

The body in the loch soon has the rumor mills buzzing. But then Elena, the earl’s new bride, is also found poisoned to death the morning after her marriage! With two deaths to investigate, the police appear to suspect almost everyone in Locharran, even Ally herself…

My thoughts:

Despite my enjoyment in cozy mysteries, they tend to be hit or miss with me. I’ve noticed that writers sometimes push the envelope-if you will-with this subgenre. What I like most about this genre is that you don’t have the usual run-of- the- mill graphic violence, profanity (kept to a minimum) or sex that a lot of mystery thrillers include. I love the idea of the murder happening off stage and how the story is written to reveal or discovery of the homicide. In this story, there are two murders that have taken place and we follow Ally McKinley in solving the case. I really enjoy her process of elimination of suspects and discovering motives for these crimes.

Murder at the Loch is an absorbing and entertaining mystery with an atmospheric setting and fantastic character development. Whenever a crime story takes place in a small village in the Highlands, I can’t wait to get my hands on the book. I love stories such as this one and Dee MacDonald certainly knows how to weave a captivating mystery. I will be on the lookout for more stories by this author.

My thanks to the publishers for providing me a review copy through NetGalley.

Stephanie