The Absent One by Jussi Adler-Olsen

 I am rereading this series because I started it so long ago and lost track of it around book three. I know I liked the characters and premise, but I wish I'd remembered more about this particular book. Had I remembered the graphic rape depiction and the animal cruelty, I would have skipped it. As it was, I was too invested in the book when those events occurred to stop.

The file of a 20-year-old murder of a brother and sister mysteriously appears on Carl Morck's desk. What's odd is that the case was apparently solved, and the confessed murderer is behind bars. When Morck and his assistant, Assad, try to find out who added the file to their stack of cold cases, their superiors tell them to drop it. That is the wrong thing to tell Morck. As Morck and Assad begin investigating, they find the key to the murders is a homeless woman, Kimmie, hiding from a group of influential individuals. Twenty years ago, Kimmie and the men formed a gang while in school and preyed on helpless individuals. With their past about to be exposed, the three men also begin looking for Kimmie--to silence her permanently. Now the race is on to find the elusive Kimmie. 

Aside from the two issues mentioned above, I liked the book. Admittedly, it is dark, and the deeds done by Kimmie and the men were disturbing, but I found myself caught up in the search for Kimmie and her ability to hide in plain sight. Despite what she did in the past, the current-day Kimmie is a sympathetic character who is damaged. The three men are pure evil, and I rooted for Kimmie to exact her revenge. The book's pacing is well-balanced, keeping the reader engaged throughout. 

3/5 stars.

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Eva's Eye by Karin Fossum

Author Karin Fossum came highly recommended by two of my bookish friends, whose recommendations I take seriously. Also, my recent trip to Norway has piqued my interest in Scandinavian authors, Norwegians in particular. I like to read a series in order, so even though this book is quite old, I decided to give it a try.

Eva Magnus is a struggling artist and single parent who is living hand-to-mouth. When she and her daughter discover a man's body in a river, instead of reporting it to the police, she keeps it a secret. The body is later found and identified as a brewery worker, missing for over six months, with a wife and small child. Inspector Sejer begins investigating and notices that at the time the man went missing, a prostitute was found murdered. Sejer senses a connection, and oddly enough, he finds Eva linked to both people. Now it's up to him to prove her guilt or innocence. 

I enjoyed how Fossum made clear who the killer was, then went back in time to show what led up to both killings. Eva is a sympathetic character, and the moral and financial dilemmas she faces made me root for her. I also liked Sejer and how he went about solving both murders. Overall, I liked the book, and I am willing to try the next book in the series. 

4/5 stars. 

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The Widow by John Grisham

 

Whenever I delve into a John Grisham novel, I'm immersing myself in the world of a master storyteller. His characters, like Simon Latch, are not just figments of imagination but individuals whose struggles and triumphs resonate with our own. Grisham's unique blend of legal intricacies and human drama, as showcased in The Widow, sets him apart as a compelling storyteller in the legal thriller genre. The characters are so relatable that you can't help but feel connected to their struggles.

When Simon Latch, a struggling small-town lawyer in Virginia, meets Eleanor Barnett, an apparently wealthy widow who needs a will, he thinks his money problems are solved. But as Eleanor's reluctance to disclose details of her wealth and her insistence on keeping the will secret, especially from her two greedy stepsons, the plot thickens, leaving us on the edge of our seats. A car accident leaves Eleanor hospitalized and Simon in charge of her medical decisions. The next thing he knows, Simon is on trial with a focus on his choices, a journey that will keep you guessing until the very end. With the prospect of spending the rest of his life in prison, based on circumstantial evidence, it's up to Simon to find a killer. 

The suspense is palpable, and the twists and turns will keep you hooked until the final page. The courtroom drama is spot-on, and the hunt for the killer is suspenseful. I loved the characters, and the serpentine trail to find the killer makes this a top-notch who-dun-it. 

4.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Doubleday, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is October 21, 2025.

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The Killing Stones by Ann Cleeves

This is the start of a new series featuring returning characters, Jimmy Perez, and his partner, Willow Reeves, from the Shetland Island series. The pair have moved to Scotland's Orkney Islands, and have a growing family.

It's almost Christmas when Jimmy's long-time friend, Archie Stout, goes missing on the Orkney Island of Westray, and Jimmy finds his body. It is obvious that it was a premeditated murder, and with the weather holding back the help from Scotland's mainland, it's up to Jimmy and Willow to solve the murder. As they dig deeper into Archie's life, they find multiple suspects and one apparent motive. Following the leads, Jimmy and Willow narrow the suspect pool and close in on who they think murdered Archie.

Switching action between Jimmy and Willow, Cleeves does an excellent job of weaving suspects and motives together into a gripping novel. Once again, Cleeves makes the dramatic setting a feature that is every bit as interesting as the plot. I've never been disappointed by an Ann Cleeves novel. Her characters are always interesting, and her love for Scotland and its inhabitants is apparent. Her writing and pacing are second to none. 

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 September 30, 2025.

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Wild Fire by Ann Cleeves

 

This is the last book in the Shetland Island series, but not the last of the characters Jimmy Perez and Willow Reeves. Cleeves brings them back in the book The Killing Stones, this time set in the Orkney Islands. 

When the body of a nanny is found hanging in Helena and Daniel Fleming's barn, it is apparent that she had been murdered. Suspicion immediately falls on Daniel, who, rumor has it, was having an affair with her. Jimmy calls for help in the investigation from Inverness, and his boss and occasional lover, DCI Willow Reeves, arrives with the crime scene team. As Jimmy and Willow begin looking into the nanny, they uncover secrets in her past that may have contributed to her murder. The case, along with Jimmy's and Willow's complicated relationship, is intertwined, and both seem insolvable.

The storyline and complex plot immediately drew me in. I feared for the budding relationship between Jimmy and Willow as they struggled to define what that relationship would be. This, combined with the murder investigation, provided an interesting read. I'm happy to know that Jimmy and Willow will continue to work together, albeit on a different set of islands. 

4.5/5 stars.

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Trickster's Point by William Kent Krueger

 Krueger got back to focusing on Cork in this 12th book in the series. It was a good change from his last book, Northwest Angle, where the focus was on his family and their spirituality. While that book did advance the storyline, I didn't enjoy it very much.

Cork is bow hunting with his good friend, Jubal Little, who is a shoo-in to become the first Native American governor of  Minnesota, when Little takes an arrow to the heart. Knowing he is dying, he pleads with Cork to stay with him instead of going for help. Suspicion falls on Cork not just because he didn't go for help, but because the arrow was one of his. Knowing he is being framed, Cork must work to clear himself and find the person responsible for his friend's death.

This book offers a look into Cork's teenage years and the era in which he grew up. It also focuses on his budding relationship with a spiritual leader's niece. The suspense was non-stop, the plotting excellent, and the characters well-developed. 

4/5 stars.

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Cold Earth by Ann Cleeves

 

This is the penultimate book in the Shetland Island series, and I'd be sorry to see it end if not for Cleeves continuing the saga of Jimmy Perez, but this time on the Orkney Islands (The Killing Stones, publishing September 30, 2025).

A funeral for an old friend of Jimmy Perez is interrupted when a landslide sweeps through the cemetery and destroys a house in its path. An unidentified woman's body is found in the debris of the house, and, upon investigation, Jimmy discovers the woman has been murdered. Chief Inspector Willow Reeves is called in to head the investigation, teaming with Jimmy and Sandy Wilson to find the woman's identity and who killed her. What they find are secrets not only from the woman's past, but also connections to prominent Shetland citizens and possible murder motives.

Once again, the setting for the book takes center stage. It's winter, the weather is cold and rainy, and with the shortened daylight hours, both contribute to a hostile atmosphere. This book is solidly plotted, and the developing relationship between Jimmy and Willow adds a hint of romance to the storyline. Although I did figure out who killed the woman, Cleeves hid the motives until the very last, which kept me second-guessing myself. 

4/5 stars.

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The Frozen People by Elly Griffiths

I was disappointed when Griffiths wrapped up her Ruth Galloway series, but after reading this start to a new series, I'm happy once again. I love time travel and detective books, and the combination makes me a happy camper. 

The cold case department, which employs Ali Dawson and a handful of specialists, has a secret to solving their cases that are so cold, they are frozen: they can time travel to collect evidence. It's still an experimental program when a member of parliament requests Ali to travel to 1850s London to clear the name of his grandfather, who may have killed a woman to gain entry into a secret group called The Collectors. This is farther back than the team has previously ventured, but Ali is excited at the prospect. 

Ali is not off to a promising start when she arrives to find a murdered woman. She then finds herself trapped in time, so she determines to solve the woman's murder. Meanwhile, in present-day London, Ali's son faces serious accusations, and the cold case team works to find a way to get Ali back. 

I enjoyed the premise of traveling back in time to research a cold case. I particularly enjoyed the historical sections of 1850s London, where Ali struggled to adapt to her new environment. With Griffiths' trademark humor, excellent characters, and intriguing plots, this series is off to a promising start. 

4.5/5 stars.

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Thin Air by Ann Cleeves

Set on yet another island in the Shetland archipelago, this sixth book in the Shetland Island series is a good one. Just when I thought I had it figured out, another twist appeared and kept me guessing.

When a group of old university friends travels from London to the farthest north of the Shetland Islands to celebrate the marriage of one of their friends, one of them, Elanor, is murdered. Jimmy Perez, Sandy Wilson, and Willow Reeves are sent to investigate. Elanor, a filmmaker, was exploring the folklore tale of the ghost of a child who drowned in the 1920s, but what the investigating team discovers is Elanor's unhealthy obsession with the story. As they work to find the killer, the team uncovers secrets about the myth with links that some want to keep hidden. 

I liked the relationship that is developing between Jimmy and Willow. Jimmy is emerging from the depression that dominated the last book, Dead Water, and is much more interesting. Sandy is gaining confidence in his abilities and is a good supporting character. The plot was twisty and compelling, and the character development added to my overall enjoyment. 

4/5 stars.

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Dead Water by Ann Cleeves

In this fifth book in the series, Cleeves again makes the atmospheric location another character.

When the body of a journalist is found on Shetland by Jimmy's boss, he is put in a precarious position. As the team, with Jimmy on the periphery, begins investigating, they find that the journalist has a sordid past and numerous islanders aren't sorry to see him dead. 

The murder is framed around an unsympathetic character, with many wishing him dead. This book also introduced a new cast member, DI Willow Reeves, whose relationship with Jimmy was interesting; I can see her taking on a larger role in his life. This book had a complex and engrossing plot, and although I wanted to shake Jimmy out of his lethargy, I know he'll bounce back soon. 

3.5/5 stars.

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Artificial Wisdom by Thomas R. Weaver

 

This is a good science fiction novel set in a dystopian near-future world. It pits AI against humans and throws in a good murder mystery for good measure.

Marcus Tully, an investigative journalist, is given the story of his life: The two candidates vying for world leader of a climate-endangered Earth are an Artificial intelligence named Solomon and former US President Lockwood. Tully may have dirt on Lockwood that could sway the election, but when Solomon's creator is murdered, Tully suspects a broader conspiracy. As Tully begins investigating both the murder and possible corruption, he faces moral and ethical dilemmas in his quest for the truth, as well as a threat to his life.

Numerous subplots made the story hard to follow at times, but for the most part, this is a well-paced, engaging novel. I enjoyed Tully's quest for the truth and the hurdles he faced obtaining it. I especially liked pitting an AI against a human to see who is best at navigating the ecological quagmire that is Earth. I found the ending rather abrupt, but it laid the groundwork for a possible series, which I look forward to. 

4/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Del Ray, for an a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

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Blue Lightning by Ann Cleeves

 

This series is just getting better and better. With four books left before Jimmy Perez shows up in the Orkney Islands, and the start of a new series, I look forward to seeing how Cleeves will wrap up this series.

Jimmy returns to his roots on Fair Isle with his fiancée, Fran, to meet his parents. What he hoped would be some time well-spent with his loved ones ends when a famous woman is murdered at the local bird watching center. As Perez begins his investigation, he uncovers secrets in the woman's past and motives galore from the local inhabitants. A storm has isolated the island, so Perez is initially on his own as he tries to solve the murder. He enlists Fran and his father to help him, but in doing so, endangers them as he races to find the killer.

Although I've never visited the Shetland Islands, these books are giving me a good sense of their bleak and wild environment. Add well-drawn characters and suspenseful plots, and it adds up to a series that is hard to put down. Blue Lightning is a riveting, excellently written addition to the series. 

4.5/5 stars.

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Red Bones by Ann Cleeves

 

In this third book in the Shetland Island series, Cleeves sets it on a smaller island with the same atmospheric environment and interesting characters as her previous novels.

Bones are discovered on an archeological dig on Mima Wilson's land. Mima, who is Perez's assistant Sandy Wilson's grandmother, is then found shot to death in what appears to be an accidental shooting. As Jimmy begins his investigation, he begins to doubt that the shooting is accidental. Mima didn't have many friends on the small island, and her personality created some enemies. The islanders hold secrets, and it's up to Perez and Sandy to find the truth.

I enjoyed the portrayal of life on the small island and the tension between the islanders. Their desire to keep the past hidden created a challenge for Perez. The past and present combine to create an excellent whodunit that kept me turning pages. Cleeves does a fantastic job of keeping the identity of the killer a secret right up to the end. 

4.5/5 stars.

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The Good Liar by Denise Mina

 I like Denise Mina; I can always count on her for an intriguing plot and interesting characters. The Good Liar has both of these, plus a moral dilemma that challenges moral compasses.

Claudia O'Sheil has developed a blood spatter model that has been relied upon as forensic evidence in trials for years; however, it is now being challenged. If the model proves to have inaccuracies, it will reopen cases dating back years and end her career. As she begins to doubt her work, she is called to a ruthless murder of a wealthy man and his fiancée, only to find the man's son is being framed for the murder based on her forensic model. With her career and her son's future in jeopardy, she must decide whether to speak up or let a murderer go free. 

This is a thought-provoking book. Switching back and forth in time, the book follows Claudia on her moral journey from the time of the murder to a speech where she can either keep quiet or commit professional suicide. Mina holds the tension throughout and produces a provocative novel as well as a good murder mystery. 

4/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Mulholland Books, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is July 29, 2025.

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White Nights by Ann Cleeves

In this second book of the series, Cleeves again depicts life on the small Shetland Island in such a way as to bring beauty to a rough landscape and populate it with interesting characters.

The sun never fully sets midsummer on the Shetland Islands. These white nights wreak havoc with the residents' biorhythms and lend an eerie atmosphere to the islands. When a stranger is found hanging from a rafter after an elaborate art exhibition given by local artist Bella Sinclair, it is up to Jimmy Perez to determine if it was suicide or murder. When a second death occurs that is linked to the exhibition, all doubt is erased.

Cleeves brings back characters from the first book, Black Raven, and sets it a few months after those events. Jimmy's relationship with Fran Hunter is progressing, and he is once again teamed with DI Roy Taylor to solve the murders. I love the setting for this series, although I wonder at the number of murders that can occur on such a small island. If I lived there, I'd think about finding a safer place to live!

This book has an interesting plot, and I like Jimmy's relationships with Fran and Taylor. There are subplots that are resolved nicely. This is an excellent addition to the series. 

4.5/5 stars. 

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Raven Black by Ann Cleeves

When I heard that Ann Cleeves was bringing back her Jimmy Perez character in a new series set in the Orkney Islands, I decided to reread the Shetland Islands series featuring him. It's been years since I've read the books, and I wasn't surprised to find I couldn't remember much of this first book. It's like discovering an old friend. 

When the body of a teenager is found strangled, Shetland detective Jimmy Perez, with the help of his colleagues from the mainland, sets about to find the killer. The island residents are convinced that the culprit is Magnus Tait, a man of low intelligence who has had recent contact with the victim. Preliminary evidence also points toward him, but Perez is determined not to be seduced by the easy solution. Complicating things, the disappearance of a young girl eight years earlier also pointed to Tait, with the islanders anxious for their safety, pressure mounts on Perez and the investigation.

I loved this series the first time I read it, so I'm looking forward to rediscovering it. I like the characters and the setting, and the writing is excellent. Cleeves always has interesting plots, and I never figure out the ending. Her books are suspenseful page-turners that never fail to entertain--even on a second reading. 

4/5 stars.

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Marble Hall Murders by Anthony Horowitz

 

I enjoy this series by Anthony Horowitz, as well as his Hawthorne & Horowitz series. Both have interesting plots and great characters. They are also intricately written and challenging murder mysteries.

Susan Ryeland is trying to rebuild her life in England after her relationship and her venture at a hotel on a Greek island failed. Now a freelance editor, she is tasked with editing a continuation novel in the Atticus Pund series by a struggling writer who happens to be the grandson of a famous author. Susan's past work on this detective series didn't end well and almost cost her her life, so she is less than thrilled with the job. Furthermore, the author, Eliot Crace, is portrayed as an arrogant jerk whose ties to his famous family serve as the inspiration for the current book. As more of Eliot's story is revealed, Susan questions the dividing line between fact and fiction.

This book-within-a-book story shifts between two timelines with characters whose names and situations are so similar that it gets confusing at times. I always had to remind myself who was who when the storyline switched. Despite this, I got caught up in the book and the two storylines. I don't know how Horowitz was able to keep both storylines straight, but he did a remarkable job. I don't know if this will be the last book featuring Susan and Atticus, but I hope not. 

4.5/5 stars.

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Murder Takes a Vacation by Laura Lippman

 

I've enjoyed Laura Lippman's Tess Monaghan series, so when I saw what sounded like a cozy mystery with one of her minor characters from that series, I was intrigued. In typical Lippman fashion, she has crafted a riveting story with interesting characters.

Sixty-eight-year-old Muriel Blossom, who has been a widow for ten years, finds a winning lottery ticket worth millions and decides to take a luxury boat cruise up the Seine. Not used to international travel or traveling in style, she is befriended by the attentive Allan Turner, who takes charge when Mrs. Blossom misses her flight from London to Paris. The attraction appears to be mutual, and the pair spends a romantic day in London before Allan puts Mrs. Blossom on the train to Paris. Once in Paris, Mrs. Blossom is soon visited by the police who tell her Allan has died from a fall from a Paris hotel room when he was supposed to be in London. When the mysterious Danny Johnson tries to strike up a relationship, Mrs. Blossom is suspicious and doesn't know whom to trust. Throw in a stolen art treasure and some misadventures, and Mrs. Blossom's life gets more complicated.

Mrs. Blossom is a wonderful character. Both naive and savvy at the same time, she is a strong woman who is trying to cast aside her comfortable life and spread her wings. I found the book a wonderfully written page-turner filled with wit and intrigue. The plot is clever and the characters engaging. 

4.5/5 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 June 17, 2025.

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Vermilion Drift by William Kent Krueger

I was wondering how Krueger would adjust his characters after what happened in the last book, "Heaven's Keep." I never should have doubted him.

An abandoned mine near Aurora is being considered as a site for the storage of nuclear waste, which provokes the locals. Cork is wearing two hats: security consultant to the storage project and private investigator for the mine owner, who has hired Cork to find his missing wife. While inspecting the mine, a secret room is found that contains the remains of six murder victims, one of whom is the missing wife. The remaining victims are fifty years old and from a period when Cork's father was sheriff. In his investigation of the older victims, Cork revisits his father's actions, some of which are suspect. 

William Kent Krueger has done an excellent job of delving into Cork's past while he is still recovering from a recent tragedy. He deftly intertwines the present and past to tell a compelling story of love and the repercussions of moral decision-making made under extenuating circumstances. It's an intricate and suspenseful story that examines the evil that humans are capable of and how to combat it. 

5/5 stars.

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Death at the White Hart by Chris Chibnall

 I like police procedurals, and this one was good. The pacing was a bit slow, but the story was interesting.

In a small town in Devon, the man who ran the White Hart pub is murdered, and his body is graphically displayed in the middle of a road. Detective Sargent Nicola Bridge, recently returned to the area, and Detective Constable Harry Ward are assigned to the case. They discover that similar murders occurred many years ago, and wonder if there is a link. As they investigate, they begin uncovering secrets that many wish to stay hidden. What was once an idyllic village is now a place where neighbors point the finger at neighbors, and speculation runs rampant.

The beginning grabbed my attention with the description of the victim, but the pace slowed, and I skimmed over the character's navel-gazing. I didn't find Nicola engaging, and often felt sorry for the way she treated Harry.  The writing is good, but I figured out who the murderer was well before the reveal. 

3.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Pamela Dorman Books, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is June 10, 2025.

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