Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

 I am usually wary of highly praised books. I have found that I'm more selective in my praise than many readers, so I was pleased to see that I agree with the majority of readers who thought this was an especially good book. 

When a mysterious elderly gentleman appears in the city of Golden, going only by the name of Theo, people are curious about him. Then he begins acquiring portraits of the locals for sale in a coffee shop and giving them to the people depicted. His goal is to buy the nearly 100 portraits on display and reunite them with their subjects in exchange for getting to know them. Along the way, Theo becomes acquainted with the artist and several interesting and sometimes quirky individuals. Theo remains an enigma to the residents of Golden, but he is seen as harmless, if a bit eccentric. With only one exception, the subjects welcome Theo's generosity and accept him into their community.

The writing and the stories of the people of Golden captured me from page one. The reader is just as uninformed as the residents about Theo's motives, but the journey of discovery is well worth the effort. This is Allen Levi's debut novel, and I foresee a long and successful career. I look forward to his next book. 

4.5/5 stars.

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The Hardest, Longest Race by Eric Moskowitz

 

I'm a fan of Erik Larson and his historical nonfiction books. When I read about this book, The Hardest, Longest Race, it sounded like a project Larson might tackle--a 1909 ocean-to-ocean automobile race. Although Eric Moskowitz was unknown to me, I was interested in the premise and decided to give this book a try; I'm glad I did. Moskowitz does an excellent job of recounting the race and writes it in such an engaging manner that I was hooked.

In 1909, with interest in automobiles burgeoning, millionaire Robert Guggenheim rallied support for a New York-to-Seattle automobile race to showcase the current crop of automobiles. Guggenheim envisioned an international race with numerous entries, and even though there were over 250 automobile manufacturers in the US alone, only five cars entered the race, and two of those were Fords. 

In the era before our highway system, when there were no road signs, no maps, and very poor roads, completing this race would have been a challenge. While trying to cross prairies, rivers, lakes, and mountain ranges, the competitors were bound by rules governing vehicle maintenance but not by rules governing gamesmanship. Henry Ford was determined that his two Model Ts would finish first and second. Utilizing his network of dealerships, he attempted to give his cars every advantage and put roadblocks in competitors' way when necessary. 

Moskowitz brings to life the people and the almost impossible conditions the competitors faced. It also showcases Henry Ford's ambitions and the extent to which he would go to achieve his goals. It is a compelling, if cautionary, story, full of suspense. I liked the conversational writing style and the extensive background material that highlights both the history of the cars and the people associated with them. It is an engrossing read from ocean to ocean. 

4.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is June 2, 2026.

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Kills Well with Others by Deanna Raybourn

In this second book in the Killers of a Certain Age  series, the four semi-retired assassins are back together and out to kill some bad guys. 

Billie, Mary Alice, Helen, and Natalie are called into service when an Eastern European gangster starts targeting Museum agents. Knowing they are on his list because of having killed his father years earlier, they decide to get him before he starts picking them off. In the process, they discover a mole in the Museum leaking information; they are now battling opponents on two fronts in their fight to stay alive.

I enjoyed this book with its shadowy killers matching wits with the four sixty-something assassins. The plot is unpredictable with twists I didn't see coming. Raybourn does an excellent job of exploring the personalities of the four women with humor and snappy dialogue. I highly recommend this series. 

4/5 stars.

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The Final Target by Nora Roberts

 

I have read some J. D. Robb books by this same author, and enjoyed them. This book sounded intriguing, and although her books under the pen name Nora Roberts are usually in the romance genre, I thought I'd give it a try. In the future, I think I'll stick to her J .D. Robb books.

Arden Bowie is promoting her debut novel when Dustin, another aspiring writer, arrives at her book signing. Although he seems a bit aggressive in wanting her time to discuss writing, Arden doesn't pay much attention. Then Dustin shows up at her next signing, and the next. Still not suspecting him as being anything other than an obsessive fan, Arden lets her guard down, and Dustin attacks and nearly kills her. He is given a five-year sentence in a psychiatric facility, and Arden begins rebuilding her life in a small Oregon town, always aware of Dustin's impending release. 

The book starts fast, but quickly bogs down after Dustin is incarcerated. Arden's remodel of her home is recounted in excruciating detail, right down to her obsession with doorknobs. The romance between her and an ex-Los Angeles police detective is predictable, and her stereotypical gay neighbors border on the trite. I ended up skimming a good portion of the book, but I was engaged enough with the story to finish it. I think fans of Nora Roberts will enjoy this book; it just wasn't my cup of tea. 

2.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is May 26, 2026.

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The Final Score by Don Winslow

 

I first discovered Don Winslow when I read his Danny Ryan trilogy (City on Fire, City of Dreams, City in Ruins). They made me want to read more. I had read he had retired from writing, so I was delighted to see this story collection come out. Focusing mostly on crime, every story is a gem with great characters and plots.

I liked all of the stories, but my favorite was "True Story," a conversation in a diner between two gangsters. The back-and-forth dialogue is both funny and fast-paced. I didn't see the twist at the end coming. 

The other stories are good character studies involving illegal activity, thus the crime genre. 

If you haven't read Winslow, this is a good sampling of what he can do. The writing is excellent, the characters realistic, and the setting believable. I highly recommend this book and the above-mentioned trilogy. 

4/5 stars.

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The Anniversary by Alex Finlay

 Alex Finlay has outdone himself in creating a twisty psychological thriller with two intriguing protagonists. I have read a number of his books over the years, and The Anniversary ranks right up there with his best.

On May 1, 1992, the lives of teens Jules and Quinn are forever changed. Although they only know each other in passing, the events in their small Nebraska town will draw them together. 

Jules is attacked but spared by a serial killer known as the May Day killer, who has been killing young women each May 1--May Day--for several years, leaving no clues to his identity. Traumatized by the attack but suffering survivor's guilt, Jules doesn't report the crime. 

Meanwhile, mild-mannered Quinn tries to break up a fight but only succeeds in nearly killing a person. While Quinn is in juvenile detention, his mother is brutally murdered. Her killer is caught, but Quinn is not convinced they have the right man, and he begins his own investigation into her murder. 

The story is told each May Day, year after year, as we follow the lives of Jules and Quinn and the paths they take. Both make some bad life choices, but they eventually come together to help each other in their quests for closure. I did figure out who the serial killer was before the big reveal, but there were enough plot twists and red herrings to keep me guessing about what would happen next. 

4.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Minotaur Books, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is May 12. 2026.

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How to Cheat Your own Death by Kristen Perrin

 

I recently finished the third book in the Castle Knoll Files series (following How to Solve Your Own Murder  and How to Seal Your Own Fate). In this installment, Annie Adams returns to solve a new mystery using her Great Aunt Frances’s diaries.

The story follows dual timelines. In 1968, Frances begins university in London and joins a new social circle, including socialite Vera Huntington, until a murder disrupts her life. In the present day, Annie is in London helping her mother, Laura, prepare for an art exhibition. When Laura’s assistant is murdered in the same manner as the 1968 victim, Annie must find the killer to protect her mother.

I enjoyed the first book but missed the second; however, I would recommend reading them in order, as this third book contains spoilers for the previous titles. The dual timelines effectively connect the two murders, leading the reader through a twisty path with a compelling cast of characters. Overall, it is a cleverly plotted, fast-paced mystery. 

4/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Dutton, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is April 28, 2026.

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