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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The Marco Effect by Jussi Adler-Olsen

 This fifth book in the Department Q series finds Carl Morck and his team at odds with management. The longtime department head has retired, and Morck's nemesis has been put in charge, complicating all their lives.

Sifting through the cold case files the Department Q team is in charge of solving, they settle on a missing banker who, after briefly visiting Africa on business, was never seen again. Switch to Marco, a fifteen-year-old who is trying to get away from his Uncle Zola, the leader of their gypsy clan, who uses the children to rob and beg. When Marco discovers a body while trying to escape the clan, Zola is out to silence him. Marco comes to the attention of the Department Q team, as well as the dead body, and a possible connection to an embezzlement case. With Marco, the missing piece to the case they are trying to solve, it's a race to see who can find Marco first. 

Marco is a wonderful character. Facing a moral dilemma with his life of crime, he chooses to try to escape and fulfill his dreams of a meaningful life. The odds are stacked against him, but his determination and street smarts are in his favor. Filled with dark humor and impossible situations, this book is hard to put down. I enjoyed the twists and the challenge of anticipating how Morck, Rose, and Assad would outsmart Zola. 

4/5 stars.

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Wolf Worm by T. Kingfisher

 I usually like T. Kingfisher's books, especially the ones that are take-offs on fairy tales (A Sorceress Comes to Call, Thornhedge), but this book, not so much. It is a dark horror story that is downright creepy — as in creepy, crawly bugs.

Sonia Wilson is a scientific illustrator who worked with her father until his death. It's 1899, and there aren't many prospects for women, especially with Sonia's talent. Unhappy as a teacher, she is in luck when a scientist offers her a position illustrating his forthcoming book on insects. When she arrives at his manor house, she finds that the scientist, Dr. Matthias Halder, is not very personable, and the locals and Halder's staff are keeping secrets about her predecessor and a mysterious building in the woods. What is more upsetting is Sonia's suspicions about how Halder is conducting his research. Are his scientific principles warped and methods unlawful? A determined Sonia is willing to put herself in danger to find the answers to her questions.

I admit that I skimmed some of the more graphic descriptions of the effects of the parasitic insects on both animals and humans. While the writing and pacing are good, the subject matter is off-putting. If you are squeamish,  this is probably not a good read for you. 

3.5/5 stars.

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Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth

This latest book from Sally Hepworth is similar to her book Darling Girls: it is poignant, with a character one roots for as she faces many obstacles in life. It is a psychological thriller with a murder thrown in for good measure.

Mabel Waller grew up an outsider, tagged with the nickname "Mad Mabel" from an early age. Death seemed to follow Mabel. Indeed, she was Australia's youngest convicted murderer. Now, eighty-one years old, Mabel has lived quietly, using the name Elsie Fitzpatrick, to try to outrun her past. All is well until Mabel discovers a dead neighbor, whose death isn't clear-cut. As the police begin investigating, Mabel's past comes to light, reviving interest in her. If that isn't enough, Mabel must also contend with the precocious seven-year-old Persephone, who is determined to befriend the cranky older woman. Fiercely independent, Mabel thinks her only friend is Daphne, a friend since kindergarten. Little does she know that her neighbors have her back when the press and police come calling.

Told between Mabel's past and Elsie's present, the story reveals secrets in both. The reader is left wondering until the end who Mabel murdered, with various candidates proposed and discarded. Mabel is a sympathetic character who was treated cruelly as a child and has difficulty accepting kindness as an adult. An unrelenting Persephone cracks her grumpy veneer, finally allowing Mabel to accept others' help. It was fun watching this closed-off woman begin to blossom, even at the age of eighty-one. 

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 April 21, 2026.

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