Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid isn’t just a novel. It’s a journey through love, loss, and the stars. I laughed, cried, and fell in love with Joan, Vanessa, and Frances. This book broke me open and stitched me back together. To hell with space. This story is everything.

Jonathan Whitelaw’s The Garden Club Murders takes readers back into the quirky, small-town world of Amita and Jason. While their trademark chemistry felt a little dimmer this time, the cozy Scottish mystery still delivers red herrings, eccentric characters, and Whitelaw’s signature charm. A must for fans of amateur sleuths and cozy crime series.

A witty, inclusive cozy mystery with heart and haunted charm. Murder Most Haunted by Emma Mason introduces a neurodivergent detective solving a ghostly whodunit.

Celebrate Halloween with my October 2025 book roundup! From cozy paranormal mysteries like Spellbound by Murder to psychological thrillers, magical YA adventures, and clever short stories, there’s something for every fall reader. Plus, get a sneak peek at November ARCs and my 20-minute Halloween short story, The Penthouse Clue. Perfect for spooky season reading!

A laugh-out-loud cozy mystery filled with witches, family chaos, and a sassy magical bookshop! Spellbound by Murder by Stacie Ramey delivers the perfect blend of humor, heart, and Halloween charm. Between the hilarious Victoria, a meddling Gran, and enough bookish references to make any reader grin, this paranormal cozy is pure magic. Add it to your TBR. You’ll be howling with laughter before the first spell is cast!

Mochi thought she was cleaning an empty penthouse. Instead, she found a blood-stained handkerchief, a locked door, and a cryptic note. One clue leads to another. A short story of suspense, secrets, and a mystery only she can solve.

🧀 Murder at the Summer Cheese Festival by Jodie Morgan is a charming cozy mystery packed with small-town warmth, cheesy puns, and the sweetest sense of found family. From triple cremes to tangy gouda, this book serves mystery and comfort in equal measure. Laura Evans is the kind of heroine who’ll fight for her people, even when she’s the new girl in town. A must-read for cozy mystery lovers who enjoy a dash of humor, heart, and dairy-inspired drama.

A dark academia YA fantasy filled with mystery, magic, and intrigue. The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor follows Maeve’s journey to clear her father’s name, uncover secrets, and navigate dangerous twists. Perfect for fans of Legendborn, Wicked, and Truly Devious.

I picked up The Game is Murder by Hazell Ward expecting a cozy puzzle mystery, but quickly realized it’s meta-detective fiction—a genre I’m not familiar with. With constant twists and shifts, I found it hard to follow and ended up DNF’ing. Not my style, but fans of experimental mysteries may enjoy it.

A group of writers stranded on a mysterious island, a host with secrets, and a killer premise that almost delivers. You Are Fatally Invited by Ande Pliego starts strong with Agatha Christie vibes and sharp tension but stumbles in its chaotic final act. A bingeable thriller that just misses brilliance.

And Now She’s Gone by Rachel Howzell Hall is a dark, emotionally intense psychological thriller that tackles the harsh realities of domestic abuse. While Hall’s gripping storytelling and suspenseful plot keep readers hooked, the book’s heavy subject matter may be overwhelming for some. A cautionary yet compelling read for thriller lovers who seek high-stakes drama and psychological tension.

Chili Cauldron Curse was a miss for me. At just four hours long, it should have been a quick, engaging listen, but both the story and narration fell flat. I DNF’d at the halfway point when neither the plot nor Angie Hickman’s delivery could keep me invested.

Seven strangers are invited to a mysterious dinner party where each learns their time of death. Seven Reasons to Murder Your Dinner Guests starts strong with a gripping premise but slows to a crawl, losing emotional impact and clarity. A suspenseful idea that ultimately falls flat in execution. Narrated by Jacqueline King.

Dan Brown’s The Secret of Secrets isn’t a book you review. It’s a world you experience. Join me as I walk with Robert Langdon through Prague, consciousness, and synchronicity, discovering the mind’s infinite power along the way.

Belated to the party but right on time to celebrate Banned Books Week (Oct 5–11)! 📚 Join me as I revisit Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller, a witty, powerful story that defends the freedom to read. Discover the most inspiring quotes, a little history of Banned Books Week, and a celebration of stories that refuse to be silenced.

Curl up with Death by Iced Coffee (Bookstore Café Mystery #11) by Alex Erickson, a cozy mystery that blends heart, humor, and just the right amount of suspense. Follow Krissy Hancock as she navigates a marathon-turned-murder case in the charming town of Pine Hills. Melissa Moran’s audiobook narration brings Krissy’s personality to life with distinct voices and a warm, engaging style. If you love small-town mysteries with a slow-burn romance and a found-family vibe, this series is made for you!

🎄 A Wonderful Christmas Crime by Jacqueline Frost is a cozy Christmas mystery that sparkles with festive charm, small-town secrets, and a clever whodunit twist. Holly White returns to Mistletoe, Maine, pregnant, determined, and ready to sleigh another mystery. A perfect holiday read for fans of warm-hearted mysteries and festive sleuthing!

Stranded in a frozen wilderness after a deadly crash, a group of survivors discovers there’s something far more dangerous than the storm outside. Dead of Winter by Darcy Coates is a chilling blend of horror, mystery, and survival. Perfect for readers who love atmospheric thrillers with a deadly twist.

In History Lesson by Zoe B. Wallbrook, what begins as a cozy campus mystery quickly veers into unsettling territory. Marketed as a heart-warming fall cozy, this audiobook took a darker turn with stalking and assault, leaving me disappointed. Here’s my full review and why it didn’t work for me.

Set in glamorous yet deadly Hollywood, Alex Michaelides’ The Fury delivers a suspenseful, binge-worthy thriller with an unreliable narrator and Agatha Christie-inspired twists. Glamorous guests, a secluded island, and psychological tension make it a must-read for mystery and thriller fans, though the ending leaves some threads unresolved.

Get ready for a cozy mystery that’s finger-lickin’ good! 🍗 Author Carmela Dutra returns with Hot Wings and Homicide, the sizzling sequel to A Murder Most Fowl, coming May 12, 2026 from Crooked Lane Books. Fans of Joanne Fluke, Mia P. Manansala, and Valerie Burns will love this foodie whodunit filled with humor, family, and flavor.

A haunted sanatorium, quirky ghosts, and a clever young heroine! Amber Sparks delivers a paranormal YA cozy mystery with heart and chills.

The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods is more than just a story—it’s a love letter to books, resilience, and the quiet magic that binds us together. With its dual timelines, lyrical prose, and soul-stirring audiobook narration, this novel sweeps readers from the glittering 1920s to modern-day Dublin, exploring what it means to be lost and how stories can guide us home. If you love bookshop novels, historical fiction with a twist of magical realism, or emotional audiobooks that linger long after the final chapter, this is one story you can’t miss.

Rachel Howzell Hall’s They All Fall Down promised a modern twist on Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, but for me, the suspense never landed. Between the uneven pacing, disconnected plot, and audiobook narration that didn’t resonate, this book became my second DNF by the author.

When beloved bookshop owner Aster Paterson finds a writer’s body in her garden, she insists a ghost led her to it. Innkeeper Maureen Doherty—used to both spirits and small-town secrets—has to unravel the mystery, with help from her quirky residents and some ghostly sleuths along the way.