My Darkest Prayer by S.A. Cosby

 

I loved S.A. Cosby's other four books, so I was looking forward to reading this, his debut novel. I'm happy this book wasn't my introduction to the author, or I probably wouldn't have picked up any of the others. It's good to know he has grown so much as a writer, and I look forward to more from him.

When a pastor is found dead, and law enforcement is calling it suicide, parishioners turn to Nathan Waymaker, a former sheriff's deputy who now works in his cousin's mortuary, to investigate. Scraping the surface of the man's life, Nate uncovers an unsavory character, who, though much loved by his parishioners, is corrupt and associated with gangsters. The more he digs, the more his own life is in danger. 

The story, while good, relies too much on stereotypes and gratuitous sex and violence. There were implausible situations, such as the admiration Nate received from a gangster and his almost superpowers in fights, whether fists or guns. There were a couple of good characters, but mostly they were unlikable--even his love interest came off as shallow. I'm chalking this up as an ambitious first effort that didn't quite do it for me. 

2.5/5 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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107 Days by Kamala Harris

 I don't usually read books by politicians. They are generally written to either cast blame or build themselves up. Either way, they are typically written to say "it wasn't my fault." In this case, I hoped to find answers about what went so wrong in the last election. I did get some answers, but there was plenty of "it wasn't my fault" to go around.

While I didn't find more precise explanations of what happened with Joe Biden and his decision to withdraw from the election, finally, I did get a clearer picture of Harris's role as Vice President and the lack of support she received from Biden and his administration. Harris faced an uphill battle against a candidate who had been running for president for over 10 years, and this book showed how close Harris came to pulling off an upset. 

Harris did occasionally state the mistakes she made, but mostly this is a justification for how she and her team ran the campaign. It is a restatement of the platform she ran on and support for her positions. What I came away with was the realization of just how little governing experience she has. When she defended herself, she relied on her experience as a district attorney and as California's attorney general, emphasizing how little she had been used as vice president and how little she had accomplished in the Senate. I liked her behind-the-scenes look at what happens in a political campaign at the highest level. Overall, it's a book worth reading if, like me, you're still looking for answers. 

3/5 stars.

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The Ferryman and His Wife by Frode Grytten

 

What a fantastic book! Norwegian author Frode Grytten has been compared to Amor Towles, and I see why. His character, Nils Vik, is truly unique and memorable. Although Grytten is better known in his native Norway, I suspect this translation will captivate a wider audience with his excellent storytelling. I certainly hope so.

Nils Vik, a ferry driver on a Norwegian fjord, wakes one day knowing this is the day he dies, soon to join his beloved wife, Marta. We follow Nils as he makes his way around the fjord, encountering ghosts and reliving his past. His long-dead dog Luna, his companion, often chimes in with anecdotes and observations. Frequently referring to his logbook to relive his impressions of the day he met a person, his conversations with the deceased are illuminating--informing him of things about their encounter that he didn't know. This emotional depth makes the book a truly empathetic read. 

The Ferryman and His Wife and an earlier book by Grytten have both won a prestigious Norwegian literary prize. This is a beautifully written book that is both captivating and enlightening. By reflecting on a life well lived and exploring the themes of life, death, and reflection, Grytten brings Nils Vik and the people from his past to life, making the reader feel contemplative and thoughtful. I highly recommend this book. 

5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Algonquin Books, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is November 18, 2025. 

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King Sorrow by Joe Hill

I've liked Joe Hill's previous novels and short stories, but with his latest novel, King Sorrow, I've been converted to a full-on fan. This book, an epic tale of greed, ambition, and friendship, is his best yet. 

Arthur, Colin, Allie, Van, Donna, and Gwen are college friends who enjoy experimenting with the occult. When Arthur is blackmailed into stealing rare books from the college library, they band together to summon a dragon, King Sorrow from the Long Dark. Little do they realize that their seemingly innocent act will have grave consequences, as they find themselves in a lifelong pact with the dragon--they must choose a sacrifice every year or one of them will be the next victim. This burden weighs heavily on their shoulders. 

Spanning decades, the book follows the friends as they mature and go their separate ways. Bound by the pact with King Sorrow, they face a never-ending commitment to finding a yearly sacrifice, often with innocent individuals as collateral damage. Arthur explores ways to end the Faustian agreement, but not all his friends are willing to relinquish their power. As the rift among the friends deepens, they each face a moral dilemma that strains their relationships, inviting the reader to empathize with their predicament. If you enjoy horror stories with great characters facing morally dubious situations, I recommend this book. 

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 October 21, 2025.

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The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman

 

Richard Osman returns to his Thursday Murder Club after his last book, We Solve Murders, began another series. This is the fifth TMC book in this series, and it brings back all of the old characters in a plot that's as twisty as ever, full of the red herrings that mystery novel readers love. 

Joyce is in her element when her daughter, Joanna, gets married to Paul, a man she barely knows. Elizabeth, still grieving, meets the best man, Nick, who asks for her help. It seems someone is out to kill him, having planted a bomb in his car. When Nick disappears, Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron, and Ibrahim turn to his business partner and discover that the pair is worth a fortune in Bitcoin, a fortune worth killing for. 

There are subplots involving Ron and Ibrahim that are every bit as intriguing as the search for Nick and the Bitcoin fortune; all plots are well-constructed and satisfactorily tied up. I love the relationships, especially with the minor characters; they enhance the story and add depth to the storyline. 

5/5 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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