Buyer Beware by Catherine Ryan Howard

 

Catherine Ryan Howard already has a following, with one of her earlier books, 56 Days, being adapted by Prime Video. Buyer Beware is the first book from a major publishing house so that it will give her broader exposure. I'm sure her fan base will increase because of this book.

The story is told by Ellie, Hannah, and Erin, spanning three timelines. It begins in the present with Ellie moving into a house in Dundrum, Ireland. She has secrets she wishes to withhold from her neighbors, including her true name. When someone breaks into her house and vandalizes it, Ellie must find out who is targeting her and why. Hannah is a successful businesswoman whose life changed when she, unwittingly, had an affair with a married man. Erin has put her own dreams aside when she married a man who can't hold a job. How these three women are tied together, and their connection to the house, forms the basis of the novel.

I couldn't put this book down at first because I was trying to figure out what was going on. Later, I had a hard time staying connected to it because I kept waiting for something creepy to happen in the house — it didn't. It wasn't until the rushed, final chapter that the secrets of the house were revealed, and by then, I'd lost interest. I liked how the author explored the lives of Hannah and Erin through earlier timelines; each revelation was a surprise. I think many will enjoy this thriller more than I did, and I think the author will gain fans as a result. I plan to read Howard's 56 Days because this book piqued my interest. 

3/5 stars.

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

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The Hydrogen Sonata by Iain M. Banks

 

In this final book in the Culture series, Banks explores the beginning of the Culture alliance and the ending of the Glitz civilization. It's too bad the author died shortly after this book's publication, because I believe there are stories to tell.

The Glitz civilization helped found Culture and has now decided to Sublime, the final level of existence. Before this happens, Vyr Cossant is tasked with finding Ngaroe QiRia, a semi-mythical man who claimed to be there when the Culture began. Only he may know if the Book of Truth, the Glitz spiritual guide, is based on fact, the outcome of which may affect the Glitz decision to Sublime. Racing against the countdown to Sublime, Cossant's life is endangered by those who do not want the truth to be uncovered.

This book has too many subplots to outline, and as is his style, Banks jumps into the story, leaving the reader to catch up and connect the dots. There is tension in Cossant's quest to recover QiRia's memories and solve the mystery of the Book of Truth. Banks does seem a bit obsessed with aliens' sexual activities, creating a character whose enhanced body is built for multiple orgasms. Overall, this is another excellent addition to the Culture series. Banks was an amazing storyteller who created worlds and civilizations that captured the imagination; he died too young. 

4/5 stars.

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Land by Maggie O'Farrell

What a fantastic book! I loved Hamnet, but wasn't that enthralled with The Marriage Portrait, so I wasn't sure what to expect with this book. I think I like Land even better than Hamnet — it's that good.

Beginning on an Irish peninsula in the 1860's, Land follows the lives of cartographer Tomas and his son, Liam, as they map Ireland for the British. Tomas is affected by a mysterious incident while mapping, and the local priest, who thinks he is possessed, performs an exorcism, changing the lives of Tomas and his family. 

This is a saga that maps not only Ireland, but the lives of Tomas and his family. The book is character-rich and atmospheric, as it recounts the Great Hunger that transformed Ireland and the impact of British rule on it. Beautifully written, Land is an absorbing and ambitious family saga that transports the reader back in time. 

5/5 stars.  

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Three Reasons for Revenge by Dervla McTiernan

 This book is an excellent psychological thriller, a genre Dervla  McTiernan excels at. I've read four of her novels, and have never been disappointed. Her twisty plots and interesting characters make for good reading.

When Detective Sergeant Judith Lee is asked for by name for a sexual assault report involving a patient of psychologist, Robert Walker, she is reminded of a similar case from her past. Soon after reporting the assault, the purported victim, Alexis Turner, disappears. Judith begins investigating the claim and discovers that Walker's wife has received an anonymous package containing a video showing him in a sexual situation. Soon after, two other people received anonymous packages containing damning materials. When the cases turn deadly, Judith, thinking there is a connection to the missing Alexis Turner, focuses on finding Turner before she can strike again.

This is a dark, character-driven novel with an intricate plot that slowly reveals Alexis Turner's motive. That's not to say it's a slow-burn novel, quite the opposite; Three Reasons for Revenge is fast-paced and atmospheric. McTiernan usually sets her books in Ireland, so this switch to Australia was a surprise. I liked this new setting, and I can see where McTiernan could easily write another novel featuring Judith Lee. 

4/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is July 21, 2026.

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The Quiet Kill by Robert Bryndza

I can always count on Robert Bryndza to dish up a tasty murder mystery. Between his Detective Erika Foster and his P.I. Kate Marshall series, Bryndza delivers intricate plots and interesting characters. This new series, featuring Detective Jamie Day, promises to be another great crime series.

It's 1987, and Detective Constable Jamie Day has just transferred to London's Metropolitan Police from a sleepy seaside town. Before he gets a chance to unpack, he is first on the scene at the site of a dismembered young man. Soon, another young victim is found similarly dismembered, and the hunt begins for a serial killer. Still adjusting to his new surroundings and colleagues, Jamie is caught up in what turns out to be a high-profile case. A misstep causes problems and draws the attention of his commanding officer — something he didn't need. 

Told through the eyes of both the killer and Jamie, The Quiet Kill is a dark, spellbinding novel that is suspenseful and addictive. Jamie is an appealing character, the writing is excellent, and the pace spot-on. I look forward to following Jamie's career as he grows and develops as a detective. 

4.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Raven Street Publishing, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is July 7, 2026.

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Country People by Daniel Mason

 

Daniel Mason has once again created wonderful characters who come to life as we watch them grow and adapt to a new environment. Mason's last book, North Woods, was one of my favorites in 2025, and this one will rank up there among my favorites in 2026.

Miles, his wife Kate, and their two children relocate from an urban California city to a small college town in rural Vermont when Kate gets a one-year visiting professorship. Miles, a bit of a dreamer, is a stay-at-home dad, ostensibly working on his PhD dissertation. At age forty-five, after eleven different dissertation topic attempts, he is now drawn to Russian folktales as a sure-fire topic. Alas, he is soon diverted from his task by a group of local characters who convince him that the earth is hollow and that there is a cave leading to an underground world — if only they could find it. Miles soon comes to believe there may be some truth to the local legend and enthusiastically joins the hunt for it.

As the months pass and the seasons change, the family gradually settles into their new life, trying to shed their urban ways and become Country People. 

This is a study in family dynamics and the lengths people will go to "fit in." I loved the Hollow Earth characters, who are so dedicated to their mission that they don't see its absurdity. Miles is a big-hearted character who tilts at windmills. Although North Woods is still my favorite Daniel Mason book, this, in its own quirky way, is also very good. 

4/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is July 7, 2026.

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Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt by Ben Reeves

 What a wonderful book! Ben Reeves does a good job of imagining how the specter of Death would operate in today's world. 

Travis is a tall, scruffy-looking individual with holes in his socks. He is also Death. His job is to comfort the dying without interfering with how or when they will die. We first meet Travis when he ushers out a young man killed in a car crash. Many years and many deaths later, Travis is living next door to that man's sister, Dalia, her precocious eight-year-old daughter, Layla, and Dalia's infant daughter. A cat has also adopted him. Although he doesn't intend to get close to the family, Layla draws him in, and he becomes an integral part of Dalia's life. This relationship changes Travis in unexpected ways — he is no longer just an usher into death but a participant in the feelings of those around him. 

Told with insight into the final moments of dying, this book, while sad at times, is more about appreciating life and how one person dealt with grief. The relationship between Travis and Dalia is interesting: both help each other grow, and Dalia helps Travis become more invested in the lives of the people he takes. It is beautifully written, the characters are sympathetic, and Travis's relationship to the dying is affecting. I highly recommend this book, not just for those who have experienced the loss of a loved one, but for those looking for an unforgettable, uplifting novel. 

4.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Avid Reader Press, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is July 7, 2026.

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