The Heights by Ian Rankin

I've been an Ian Rankin fan since discovering his John Rebus series many years ago. Along the way, he has written several standalone books, all equally satisfying. This book, however, didn't grab me. Between too many unlikable characters and slow pacing, I had a hard time getting into it.

The Heights is a luxurious apartment complex in the heart of London. It caters to the ultra-wealthy, offering amenities to satisfy their every need. Its tenants, a mixed bag, range from a pop star to a gangster's wife, but when the night concierge is killed after a party hosted by the gangster's wife, the tenants are subject to a police investigation, led by DS Gillian Gish. Their valued privacy is invaded, and their lives are upended as Gish and her team begin to pry into each tenant's movements. As the investigation deepens and secrets are revealed, Gish finds multiple suspects among the tenants. 

It was hard for me to keep track of the many characters; none of them was likable, and most had motives to kill the concierge. It took a while for the pace to pick up, and by then I was having trouble caring who the killer was. I'm a mood reader, and perhaps I was yearning for a different read, because this book didn't hold my attention. There were enough red herrings that I was surprised when the killer was revealed. Overall, this is a good crime novel, but not what I was expecting. 

3/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Cardinal, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is November 3, 2026.

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Where There's Smoke by Rachel Louise Adams

This is the second book in the Coldren County series, No Rest for the Wicked  being the first. This book didn't grab me from the first chapter the way the previous book did, but it is a good addition to the series. This book contains a warranted trigger warning. Set in a slaughterhouse, it is rather gruesome in parts.

Newly divorced, Dolores Hawthorne returns to a different town in Coldren County, Wisconsin, taking a job as a medical examiner and changing her last name to Diaz—a new start at putting the events of the previous Halloween in the past. When the body of a prominent businessman and philanthropist, Benedict Marcy, is found in his family-owned slaughterhouse, Dolores and the FBI begin investigating. They quickly find that Marcy and his family have some dark secrets that someone is willing to kill to keep buried. 

Many storylines from the previous book are carried over; for this reason, I recommend reading the books in order. The author fleshes out the characters and provides background on Coldren County, which causes parts of the story to drag. It is told from the points of view of Dolores and the newly minted FBI agent Kate Butcher, offering interesting insights into the investigation. What I didn't care for was one of the storylines from the first book that was neither germane nor resolved. There is also a hinted-at love interest involving a character I don't care for. I will give the series another go to see if the author resolves some of the issues. 

3.5/5 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 October 6, 2026.

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The Dying Light by Ann Cleeves

Ann Cleeves is the master of the police procedural. Her two other detective series are Vera Stanhope and Shetland, both of which are atmospheric and feature interesting characters and settings. With this, her fourth book in the Two Rivers series featuring the uptight Detective Matthew Venn, Cleeves again creates a suspenseful novel with an intriguing plot.

Lottie and Hannah are celebrating the end of their school exams at Hannah's family holiday home in Devon. Lottie, whose snarky social media posts about a local music festival riles the locals, is found dead, and few mourn her. When another body is found, Detective Matthew Venn is called in. Pressure mounts to find the killer when Hannah's father, a powerful political figure, brings attention to the case. Thinking that the reason for the deaths is buried in the past, Venn and his detectives face obstacles at every turn from both the local community and Lottie and Hannah's families. Some secrets are meant to be kept secret.

The character Matthew Venn is a polar opposite of Cleeves' other detectives. He is quiet and still battles demons from his childhood. It took me a while to warm up to him, but with each successive novel, Cleeves reveals another layer, making Venn more relatable. In this book, Venn also addresses personal issues involving his husband that leave him vulnerable. The book is wonderfully written, with a complex storyline that draws the reader in. The characters are nuanced and the plot well crafted. 

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 September 29, 2026.

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The Hanging Girl by Jussi Adler-Olsen

In this sixth book in the Department Q series, Carl Mork and his team tackle their most perplexing case to date. 

When a detective working on a cold case contacts Carl about taking it over, Carl ignores his plea, only to find that he later committed suicide and left a challenge for the Department Q team: solve the murder of a seventeen-year-old girl. 

The case takes them to a small Danish island in pursuit of a cult leader whose current name is eluding them. Working on old information, the team begins sifting through the past, only to find there may be newer killings connected to the man. Putting their own lives in danger, the team races to discover the identity of the killer.

This is a good psychological thriller that combines dark humor and a seemingly unsolvable murder. In separate timelines, it follows the presumed killer as the deaths mount, and Carl, Rose, and Assad as they try to untangle the web of lies and deceptions from the past and present. At times, I wanted to shake Carl and company up and tell them to look in a different direction for the killer. The relationship between Carl and Assad deepens as they get closer to the killer and put themselves at risk. Overall, this is a good addition to the series. 

4/5 stars. 

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The Puppet Show by M. W. Craven

I've discovered a new police procedural series to follow. In this first book featuring Detective Washington Poe, M. W. Craven does an excellent job of laying the groundwork for future books; I'm hooked.

Detective Washington Poe has been suspended following less-than-professional actions that resulted in a death. But when three men are ritually burned alive in England's Lake District, and Poe's name is carved into the latest victim, indicating Poe may be the next victim, he is reinstated to work on the case. 

Paired with civilian analyst Tilly Bradshaw, a genius who lacks social skills, Poe and Bradshaw begin tracking down a killer who leaves no forensic evidence. Their only lead is the killer's connection to Poe's past and the secrets it holds. With the body count rising and the pressure to find the killer mounting, Poe and Bradshaw must walk a political tightrope to find the killer.

This is a dark but compelling read. Craven has created two characters who complement each other and make the read more interesting. He does a good job of fleshing out Poe and Bradshaw and their strengths and weaknesses. This is a pair that will be fun to follow. 

4.5/5 stars.

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Maybe Tomorrow by Michael Wood

I admit it: I'm a Michael Wood fan — I love both his DCI Matilda Darke and Dr. Olivia Winter murder-mystery series. They feature strong women and are dark and gripping, with interesting plots. In this standalone, Wood outdoes himself in creating an atmospheric thriller filled with good and ruthless characters that examines a flawed justice system.

When Alice, a young woman with Down syndrome, is found raped and murdered in the woods after a violent storm, police are under intense pressure to find her killer. With no leads and no clues, they are stumped until they focus on Anthony, a man with learning disabilities, who was among the last to see her alive. When he confesses to the crime, the case is closed. But not everyone is convinced of Anthony's guilt--including his lawyer and two police officers. They are determined to prove his innocence, at great personal cost.

This is a compelling read that I couldn't put down. It shines an unkind light on the British penal and justice systems, both of which failed Anthony and Alice. It is fast-paced and suspenseful with excellent characters. If you have not yet discovered this author, this book is a good introduction to his dark world. 

4.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and One More Chapter, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is July 31, 2026.

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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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The Probability of Murder by J. D. Barker

 J. D. Barker's book, The Probability of Murder, is an excellent murder mystery with a few challenging math puzzles thrown in for good measure. It reminds me of Dan Brown's book, The Da Vinci Code, on steroids.

When Princeton police detectives Vaughn Ryan and Darnell Sacker are called to investigate a death in an old barn, they find ten bodies and a puzzling math-based clue. Stumped, they contacted noted Princeton mathematician Dr. Ivy Reeves to help make sense of the crime scene. When the killer strikes again, and it becomes apparent that Ivy may become a target, the detectives must unravel Ivy's past to find the links to the current murders.

I admit to being a self-proclaimed math nerd and enjoying the explanations of the math games the killer was using. Barker does a good job of explaining the concepts in easy-to-understand language so readers with a limited math background can enjoy this thriller even if they dislike math. The match is not the central theme, either. This book is a good, fast-paced murder mystery with twists and red herrings that will keep the reader guessing. 

4/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Hampton Creek 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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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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The Keeper by Tana French

This elegantly written novel explores life in a small Irish town when tragedy strikes. In this final book in the Cal Hooper trilogy (The Searcher, The Hunter ), French does an excellent job of wrapping up the series. 

When Rachel Holohan's body is found in the river, the village of Ardnakelty questions what happened. Was she murdered or did she commit suicide? The village takes sides, and the rumors that spread threaten to ruin the life of Cal Hooper's fiancée, Lena. At the heart is a scheme by local developer Tommy Moynihan. His plan to build a factory could enhance the village's prosperity, but it could also forever change the way of life. Rachel, privy to the scheme's facts, was conflicted about the development and the extent of Monyihan's ambitions. As the mystery surrounding her death deepens, and the rumors get more far-reaching, old feuds and power dynamics are tested.

French's lyrical prose paints a vivid picture of what can happen when rumors tear apart a small village. Her depiction of the village, its inhabitants, and the reaction to a tragedy is spot-on. This novel is both suspenseful and engrossing. I have loved the character development that has unfolded over the three books. Cal, from an outsider to a village stalwart; Trey, from a semi-feral girl to a young woman with a bright future, are both indelibly printed on my memory. I will miss the residents of Ardnakelty, but I'm sure whatever direction French takes next, I'll be along for the ride. 

4.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Viking, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is March 31, 2026.

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Wolf Hour by Jo Nesbo

Jo Nesbo has taken a page from his excellent Harry Hole series to craft the character Bob Oz, a flawed detective with a drinking problem, in this stand-alone Nordic noir thriller. Set in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Nesbo shows he's just as good at writing a novel set in America as he is in his native Norway.

In 2022, Holger Rudi, an aspiring Norwegian crime writer, sets his eye on an old serial murder case that occurred in Minneapolis in 2016. His interest in the case is complicated and not without bias. He begins his research by visiting the old crime scenes and familiarizing himself with the city and the culture.

In 2016, a police homicide detective, Bob Oz, was the first on the scene of the attempted murder of a gun dealer. Oz learns that another tenant in the apartment building, Tomas Gomez, may be the gunman. Oz begins an unofficial investigation just as another shooting occurs, this time with deadly consequences, and Oz is sure it's Gomez behind the attacks. As Oz looks into Gomez's past, he discovers a tragic history and a man out for revenge. With Gomez seemingly always one step ahead, Oz must figure out who Gomez is going to target next if he has any hope of stopping him.

This is a suspenseful book with a serial killer that I found myself conflicted over. On the one hand, Gomez's tragic history cries out for justice that never came. On the other hand, vigilante justice is never the answer. With two strong characters in Oz and Gomez, Nesbo does a good job of making it hard for the reader to choose sides. The book is intricately plotted, with a dark twist that shocked me. Nesbo is a mesmerizing storyteller, and Wolf Hour is an excellent example of Nesbo at the height of his game. 

5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Knopf, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is February 3, 2026.

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The Purity of Vengeance by Jussi Adler-Olsen

 This is another winner in the Department Q series. With Adler-Olsen's signature humor and interesting characters, I found myself rooting for the killer. Her vigilante justice was, to me, justified.

In the 1950s, Nettie Hermansen was the victim of forced sterilization and unjustified incarceration. Thirty years later, she plots her revenge against those who wronged her. Now she is a wealthy widow whose past may be catching up with her in the form of Carl Morck and his Department Q assistants. 

Carl and company are focused on the cold case of a brothel owner who disappeared in the 1980s. When they begin investigating, they uncover similar disappearances and a link to a current extreme right-wing political party leader. Just how they are connected is a dangerous puzzle they must solve.

I liked how the story used flashbacks to Nettie's life and her later revenge against those who had harmed her to weave the past and present together. Nettie is a sympathetic character pitted against an unjust society that facilitated the despicable treatment of innocent women. The intricate plot, combined with some truly evil characters, made this a book I couldn't put down. The fact that actual events inspired it made it more compelling. 

4.5/5 stars.

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Impostor by LJ Ross

This is the first book in a series featuring psychologist Dr. Alexander Gregory. The series has done well in Great Britain and is now being published in the US. Based on this book, it's a promising psychological thriller series.

Dr. Alex Gregory, a former criminal profiler, is a psychologist at a mental health prison. Cathy, one of his patients who was convicted of killing two of her three children, is an interesting person who is in denial of her role in her children's deaths. She's intelligent and manipulative, and a challenge for Gregory. 

Meanwhile, a brutal murder occurs in a small Irish village, and the mayor appeals to Gregory to help. With no forensic evidence, the police rely on Gregory for help in finding the killer. Initially distrustful of Gregory, especially when he contradicts their theories, they soon realize that they are facing a perpetrator who is likely to kill again.

I found this to be a fast-paced thriller with multiple twists and red herrings. Both cases that Gregory is focusing on are intriguing. Cathy, especially, is a puzzle. The writing is good, the characters well-developed. In this book, Gregory is torn between his patients and his desire to return to criminal profiling. He is a conflicted but well-intentioned character. I look forward to the next book to see what path he takes. 

4.5/5 stars. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is February 3, 2026.

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A Slowly Dying Cause by Elizabeth George

 It's been quite a while since I delved into an Inspector Lynley book, but this one, set in the familiar landscapes of Cornwall, felt like a warm reunion. The setting, so reminiscent of my own experiences there, brought back a flood of fond memories. A Slowly Dying Cause felt like an old friend, welcoming me back with open arms.

When Michael Lobb is found murdered in his workshop by an agent of a mining company intent on acquiring his land, suspicion initially falls on the agent. Pressure is on Inspector Barbara Hannaford to solve the murder, so when a company employee appears to confess, Hannaford thinks the case is solved--but she isn't convinced the case is airtight. When Inspector Thomas Lynley, in Cornwall, attending to estate business, offers to take a look, Hannaford eagerly takes him up on the offer. Sergeant Barbara Havers is also in Cornwall with Lynley, but she is re-investigating the case on behalf of the accused's family. At first, Lynley and Havers appear to be at cross-purposes, but they soon join forces to solve the murder. 

At 650 pages, it seemed like George was ranging far afield with so many subplots. That proved not to be the case, however, by the time she wrapped up the storylines. The book's pacing was steady, keeping me engaged throughout. This book is well-plotted with interesting characters and situations. I was disappointed by the lack of repercussions for a couple of the characters, but overall, this was a satisfying read. 

4.5/5 stars.

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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 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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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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