This Book Might be Therapy Inducing!

TITLE: Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring

AUTHOR: Patrick Hovarth and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (letterer)

PUBLISHER: IDW Dark

PUBLISHING DATE: July 21, 2026

PAGES: 144   

SOURCE: Amazon Comixology Unlimited

FROM GOODREADS: It’s been eight long years since a bloodlusting brown bear drove into the city, kidnapped a kind young duck, dissected his body, and buried the pieces in the woods. The duck’s family painstakingly sought justice…but this brown bear was smart…she covered her tracks…and in the ’80s, there simply wasn’t a way for the duck’s family to find answers. 

But it’s not the ’80s anymore. Almost a decade after cuddly brown bear Samantha Strong solidified herself as the sole serial killer in Woodbrook, the world is entering a new era. As Samantha will soon find out, there are no secrets in the age of the internet. And those who lost loved ones to her massacre haven’t given up the flame of justice.

MY THOUGHTS: So, after some digging, I was finally able to get my hands on this graphic novel sequel by implementing a free 30-day trial of Amazon's Comixology Unlimited.  It translated pretty well on my Kindle Fire tablet and was a perfect way to spend a dark Saturday evening.

The town of Woodbrook has entered the 90s and along with it, are learning how hard it is to hide things as technology expands.  The sister of one of Samantha's victims in book one has spent years trying to find out what happened to her brother.  Someone finally reaches out to her on the internet saying they may have info for her if she travels to Woodbrook.  Meanwhile, Woodbrook is still recovering from what happened years prior.  Will they ever find out what evil lurks beneath their small town?

I liked this installment a lot, but it was much darker than the first one, which is saying a lot. This one shows the reader Samantha's teen years and some of the things back then.  If anything, the author hammered home the fact that Samantha really is a murderous psychopath.  In addition, the town is still reeling from what happened in the past and we get to see elderly animals in nursing homes abandoned and forgotten as well as those who have lost their loved ones at a killer's hand resorting to substance abuse to get through the days.  

I am glad I read this and I did like it overall.  It went way darker than I anticipated but again, kind of perfect for this time of the year.  I also have to note the artwork which manages to portray bloody and gruesome situations using muted colors which lure the reading into a sense of false security. 

If you enjoy graphic novels and dark themes, definitely try to get your hands on this series.

MY RATING: 4 PAWS

What Craziness Did I Just Read?

TITLE: Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees

AUTHOR: Patrick Hovarth and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (letterer)

PUBLISHER: IDW Publishing

PUBLISHING DATE: September 17, 2024

PAGES: 152   

SOURCE: Library

FROM GOODREADS: Live, laugh, shed blood. Dexter meets Richard Scarry’s Busy, Busy Town in this twisted debut graphic novel. 

Don’t murder the locals—this is small-town serial killer, upstanding citizen, and adorable brown bear Samantha Strong’s cardinal rule. A sea of potential victims is in the city just beyond the forest, but when you’ve worked as hard as Sam to build a cozy life and a thriving business in a community surrounded by friendly fellow animal folk, warm decor, and the aroma of cedar trees and freshly baked apple pie, the last thing you want is to disturb the peace. So, imagine Sam's indignation when one of Woodbrook’s own meets a grisly, mysterious demise. You wouldn’t blame her for doing anything it takes to hunt down her rival before the town self-destructs and Sheriff Patterson starts barking up the wrong tree.

MY THOUGHTS: I ran across this as a recommendation on Hoopla for a read for Spooky Season.  I knew as a graphic novel, it would be something I could read in one sitting, so I grabbed it last night and off to the races I went.  I also have to add that I am always seeing comparisons when books are recommended and this one is pretty spot-on with the "Richard Scarry meets Dexter."

Samantha Strong owns the neighborhood hardware store and seems to be pretty much love by all.  She is familiar with a lot of the town residents and kids seems to flock towards her.  But little does anyone know that every few months, she travels to a neighboring city for supplies, with a side of murder.  Samatha is handling her double-life well until someone brings murder and mayhem to her lovely little town of Woodbrook.  Before Samantha knows, she is being framed for murder - ones she isn't responsible for.  Can Samantha find the real killer before her extra-curricular activities catch up with her?

I won't call this a cute read because honestly, I don't know if it's the juxtaposition of adorable animal characters and blood, murder and mayhem but I found the book rather jarring.  Of course, it was also right up my alley and I loved it. The story was interesting and engaging and the artwork and lettering pleasant.  Overall, it was very muted colors, all except for the red blood that is.

If you like graphic novels and are looking for good spooky read, then definitely consider this one.  Just be warned, it does contain cute cartoon animal deaths.

MY RATING: 4 PAWS

Go Gators! (And I Don't Mean University of Florida's Football Team)

TITLE: The House Built on Alligator Bones

AUTHOR: Sophia Huneycutt

PUBLISHER: Dutton

PUBLISHING DATE: October 6, 2026

PAGES: 384   

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS: Dartrine Beaumont believes her mother’s sudden death has left her alone in the world—until she learns of long-lost wealthy relatives living in Florida. Confused but delighted by the possibility of extended family, Dart travels to her grandmother’s stately Gilded Age mansion on Amelia Island for answers, just in time to stake a claim on an unusual inheritance: an alligator farming empire. 

Her arrival at Greer House isn’t everything she hoped. Without warning, Dart finds herself in fierce competition with her grandmother’s arrogant heir-apparent, and tensions rise as threatening acts of vandalism escalate on one of the farms. More unsettling is her hostile grandmother’s fanatical belief that the danger stems from a curse; according to legend, a larger-than-life alligator hunted down by a bloodthirsty ancestor still haunts the family. Yet Dart can’t deny that the farm’s placid alligators hiss only at Greers, or that a shadowy figure creeps through the mansion’s halls, plaguing her with suspicions that the mythical alligator and monstrous, long-dead matriarch may have unfinished business. 

As Dart uncovers the truth about her violent birthright, she faces a terrible accept her place in her family’s grim legacy or forge a new path by slaying a different beast entirely.

MY THOUGHTS: Let's just be honest.  I completely requested this book based on the cover.  In fact, it is probably one of my favorite covers of the year so far.  I couldn't wait to dive into its pages and while I found some of the animal abuse, which I will speak more about later, a bit much, it did further develop the story, and I found this a thoroughly enjoyable debut.

Dart's mother has recently died following a surgical complication.  Most of Dart's life, she has been isolated by her mom, and she is somewhat reeling being on her own.  She wants desperately to fit in and is surprised to find out that before her death, Dart's mother was contacted by her mother.  Dart had no idea she has any family anywhere, so she reaches out and soon thereafter, finds an unknown aunt waiting for her on her apartment steps when she arrives home from work. 

Aunt Virgina offers for Dart to come to Amelia Island to visit the family estate for several months, even going as far as saying she will cover the rent for her empty apartment back in Savannah.  Desperate to learn more about a family she did not know existed, Dart agrees.   When she arrives to Greer estate, Dart is met with the fact that her family has owned an alligator farm for generations and the family is well-off.  Dart starts learning more about the business but also learns more about the shady doings of her family.  In addition, her grandmother Gazzie is not extremely welcoming as she is about to name the family heir, and she believes Dart has ulterior motives for her sudden arrival. 

What ensues is a thriller/horror/family drama that kept the pages turning and the atmosphere and suspense amping up the more the story develops.  Dart straddles the line between likeable and unlikeable, but I really was cheering her on at the end.  I will also say that this book is another Gothic thriller with some paranormal aspects rather than a straight-out horror, but there were a few creepy scenes and I loved the swampish Florida setting.

Now for the hard part.  This book is about an alligator farm.  I know that implies some degree of death and dismemberment but added with Gazzie's cruelness, and the descriptions of some of the acts, and I found myself really feeling sorry for the poor gators.  So much so that I had no problem with human causalities.  So, if you do decide to read this book, just be prepared.  Everything really did tie into the story and I didn't get the feeling the author included it just for shock value, but at times, it really was a lot.

All that being said, I found this to be a strong debut novel, and I will definitely read more of this author's work as it releases. 

MY RATING: 4 PAWS

I Will Definitely Be Skipping Drinks from this Bartender

TITLE: The Dive Bar at the End of the Road

AUTHOR: Kelley Armstrong

PUBLISHER: St. Martin's Press

PUBLISHING DATE: October 6, 2026

PAGES: 288   

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS: A forested road at night, slick from the pounding rain and eerily illuminated by flashes of lightning. Just before midnight, a car swerves to avoid something—or someone—mysteriously standing in the road, only to slam into a fallen tree instead. In the pitch black, four more cars follow in a pileup no one can seem avoid. 

Stumbling out of the wreckage, soaked from the rain and nursing various injuries, five strangers find themselves in a backwoods dive bar, waiting for daybreak and hoping for cell service. But as tensions rise and the storm rages on outside, the occupants of the dive bar start to notice that not everything is as it seems. Time is moving differently, and they quickly learn that going outside—whether to assist another accident victim or to hike for help—is a very bad idea. 

There’s something in the woods, something that isn't natural. Could the figure in the road have been a warning? Or something more sinister? None of this is normal, and they'll need to work together to figure out what’s happening if they have any hope of surviving through the night.

MY THOUGHTS: I love Kelley Armstrong.  She is one of my favorite and most-read authors.  She writes a variety of genres, and I've read tons of her urban fantasy, a few mystery/thrillers, a few romances and a few horror.  Of course, when I saw this one was coming out, I immediately requested an arc and I'm so glad I did.  While this didn't end up being al all-time favorite, it was a solid read and one I enjoyed getting lost in for a day or so.

Ellie has recently lost her job and is traveling back home to her parents so she can get back on her feet.  She has always felt she has never reached her full potential and she is struggling to determine what to do next.  She ends up taking a detour through a woodland backroad in a horrible rainstorm and ends up slamming into a tree in order to avoid a mysterious woman standing in the road.  However, once she is able to get her bearings, she cannot locate the woman and is panicking that perhaps she killed her.  While Ellie is trying to figure out what is going on, she ends up getting rear-ended by Henry, an off-the-clock paramedic also traveling to meet up with some fishing buddies.

With no cell phone service, Henry and Ellie decide to walk for help.  Henry is able to patch Ellie up enough for the journey and soon the come across a bar in the middle of nowhere.  Seeking shelter from the storm, the bartender offers them a few drinks and the only other patron is a mysterious woman, who Ellie believes just might be the woman she encountered.  Before the reader knows it, the pileups continue, some people show up, some people get killed by mysterious creatures, and the bartender starts to show his true colors.  

Ellie and the others fight find a way out of this "pocket universe" but everything seems to be a constant struggle and their nightmares seem to be coming alive.  What exactly is happening and why?  Who will be standing at the end?  And who is this mysterious woman?

I've seen this book compared to Final Destination and Cabin at the End of the World. Neither of those comparisons sold the book to me as much as just the author and my love for her writing.  I would say this book definitely gave me vibes of the MGM series, From. Now that is a comparison that would have sealed the deal.  I loved Ellie as a main character and seeing her and Henry bond so quickly to try to figure out what is happening was an added extra (but I'm not talking insta-love because this definitely isn't a romance).

I have yet to read an Armstrong book I didn't enjoy. My only complainant was this one seemed a bit repetitive at time, which I'm sure was needed to expand the plot and further the suspense and action.  However, it did irritate me a bit - but not much! I am sure I have recommended many books by this author over the years, and this one is no different.  This horror is perfect for spooky season and releases tomorrow, just in time to land on everyone's TBR.  I can't wait to see what this author releases next!

MY RATING:  4 STARS

What in the Cluck Norris is Going On???

TITLE: Worry Box

AUTHOR: Chris Panatier

PUBLISHER: Angry Robot

PUBLISHING DATE: September 22, 2026

PAGES: 352   

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS: The Martins need a new home for their growing family. For Alison, Nathan, daughter Dru, and foster child Lailah, it’s love at first sight when they see the house in Tumbling Hills. It even has a cozy attic, which is great for Lailah: she needs a quiet place to be alone when her intrusive thoughts creep in. 

(crack an egg into the coffee machine) 

The family gets settled. The house is perfect, and so is the timing – Lailah’s adoption will soon be finalized. But as the date approaches, her intrusive thoughts become worse, and bad things start to happen. Lailah fears she’s losing control.

(push your sister down the stairs) 

The family is on edge, pointing fingers and taking sides. And even though they love each other very much, the cracks begin to show. Something has got to give. 

(burn them alive in their beds)

MY THOUGHTS: Although I planned on picking this book up at some point this month, I sort of grabbed it over the weekend on the spur of the moment. I am really glad I did because although I wasn't in a reading slump, I felt my reading had slowed down, and this book did a wonderful job of picking it right back up!

The Martin's are looking for a new residence to accommodate their growing family.  They are on the cusp of adopting their teenage foster child, Lailah who has been with them for several months.  Adopting is a passion of both Alison and Nathan as Nathan himself grew up in the foster care system.  Lailah is adored but all of the Martin's, especially their younger daughter Dru, but like many foster children, she carries some baggage, so everyone works especially hard to make sure all of Lailah's needs are being met

Lailah suffers from intrusive thoughts, and she works hard to not give in to them.  With the help of her therapist, the family creates a "worry box" where Lailah can write down her thoughts and keep them in a box to help her cope and put them to rest.  When Nathan and Alison have a third, rather unplanned child, Lailah's thoughts continue to spiral.  Eventually strange things start to happen around the home, Alison and Nathan, running high on emotions and a lack of sleep because to question everything and everyone around them, and the family bonds begin to break.  Are the unexplained incidents Lailah's intrusive thoughts finally springing to life, or is there something more sinister going on in the home?

I really did love this book.  For the most part, it was pretty flawless.  The suspense was present, the plot kept getting darker and darker, and the chapters, from Andy, who just happened to be probably the most interesting character and who you will just have to meet for yourself, my favorites.  Working in a foster care adjacent field, I loved the foster care representation and found it pretty realistic as well.  I was sucked in by watching the family spiral and spiral and couldn't get to the ending fast enough.  

However, I did have one major issue - and no, the dog didn't die. There was quite a bit if animal abuse alluded to, especially when discussing the history of the house. The abuse does seem to go into extreme detail, and it was almost too much for me in a few places, so it did bring my rating down a notch.  Although, I feel I must add the author did seem to use it to further the story and plot line and not just for some dramatic, bloody and shock-filled effect. 

If you are looking for a different kind of horror read, then check this one out.  And by the way, when the family settles into the new home, they build a chicken coop for the girls and one of the chickens is named Cluck Norris.  

MY RATING: 4 PAWS

I'll Take Not Enough Therapy in the World for $500 Alex

TITLE: Not a Word

AUTHOR: Linwood Barclay

PUBLISHER: William Morrow

PUBLISHING DATE: August 25, 2026

PAGES: 314   

SOURCE: Library

FROM GOODREADS: Every family has secrets, but when Reece visits his parents’ home he’s shocked to find his father and a woman he assumes is his mother in bed. Dead. At first glance it looks like a murder-suicide perpetrated by his father, but on closer inspection there’s clearly more to the story. For starters, inconsistencies in the crime scene suggest his dad may not have shot himself. 

As Reece, shaken by his horrifying discovery, awaits questioning from the police, his phone lights up. It’s a call from his mom—his real mom. The dead woman in that bed is clearly not the person Reece believed her to be. 

His mom is at a lunch date with friends, she says, and can’t raise her husband on the phone. Could Reece drop by and see if everything’s okay? At a loss for how to tell his mother her husband is dead in bed with another woman, Reece simply tells “Come home now.” 

But instead of rushing home, she disappears. Could she have been involved? Was she seeking revenge on her husband and a mistress? Or, just as frightening, did someone kill Reece’s father and that woman, thinking wrongly that Reece’s mother had been dispatched? 

And what might this grisly scene have to do with the unscrupulous pharma company Reece’s father worked for years ago? 

Soon Reece finds himself questioning how well he really knew his parents—who they were, what they did, and who they hurt. Most importantly, he needs to figure out who might want to hurt him and his own family now.

MY THOUGHTS: I read Whistle last year by this author and really loved it.  Considering it was my first of his, and a 5-star read to boot, when I saw this at my local library, I quickly snatched it up.  I am really glad I did and I am definitely planning to read more from him in the future. 

One afternoon, Reece stops by his parents' home to return some books he borrowed.  He was also hoping to get his dad's advice having recently been a victim of downsizing at work. The door was unlocked but no one answers so he goes inside and ends up finding his mother and dad in bed, the victims of an apparent murder-suicide.  Reece starts reeling and the police start swarming, but nothing can prepare Reece for what happens next - a call from his mother asking her to check on his dad because he isn't answering his phone.  

The book continues on as we learn more about Reece and older brother, who has a history of bad behavior and addiction.  We also get a glimpse into the family's past through flashbacks and recollections.  Reece's teenage son also finds himself smack in the middle of the mess, much to his parents' dislike.

I loved everything about his book.  It was thrilling and quick paced and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I could say I wasn't a fan of Reece's mother, but his father turned out to be my favorite character which is a feat considering he died in the first chapter. The ending was satisfying and had more twists and turns that a racetrack.  

If you love thrillers and messy family drama, this is definitely a book you want to pick up.  Now off to see what I can read from this author next!

MY RATING: 5 PAWS

Of Course They Live in Labrador Falls

TITLE: The Dog Park Murders

AUTHOR: Angela Barker

PUBLISHER: Harlequin

PUBLISHING DATE: August 26, 2026

PAGES: 304   

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS: Juliette Macintyre has never met a dog she didn’t love. For one thing, dogs don’t judge, unlike the human residents of Labrador Falls. Most locals look at her with suspicion because her father was once a dirty cop, even though Juliette is upbeat, helpful, and the best pet groomer around. She just needs to prove it…starting with new resident Joel Cunningham, an enigma wrapped in a checked shirt and a scowl. 

Joel runs the Brewed Awakening café, where the coffee is as smooth as Joel is surly. He doesn’t serve pumpkin spice, he doesn’t chitchat, and he claims he doesn’t like dogs. Yet when Juliette stumbles upon a dead body in the dog park, strangled with one of her custom leashes, Joel becomes an unexpected ally. 

He has no intention of opening up, to either his cute neighbor or the foster pup she foists on him. But he can’t let a biased detective frame Juliette for murder. Whoever killed the widely loathed Maurice Allsop may be desperate enough to strike again. If they can just ignore their chemistry and focus on the clues, Juliette and Joel might be able to solve the case—before somebody else bites the dust… 

MY THOUGHTS: I don't recall Harlequin dabbling much into the cozy mystery genre.  In fact, this book is a first for me from the publisher.  However, they really know how to hook me with a series called The Dog Park Murders set in a quaint cozy town of Labrador Falls.

Juliette Macintyre and her twin Norah have lived in Labrador Falls their entire lives.  Juliette works for a local dog groomer and is working up to buy her way into the business.  Norah works as a cleaner and is the Goth Emo to Juliette's sorta sunshine personality.  See, when they were in high school, their father, who was Chief of Police back then, did something which cost him his job and unfortunately, had a negative impact on his daughters.  Juliette feels like the whole town continues to Judge her and it's the constant cloud over her head.

One evening, Juliette has a disagreement with Maurice Allsop at the local dog park, a rich individual who is going through his third divorce and who is disliked by most of the town. The next morning, while walking her foster dog, she just happens to find Maurice in the same park, face down and dead.  The local police would love nothing more than to pin the murder on Juliette.  Feeling like she will be considered guilty no matter what due to her father's past deeds, she ends up talking the neighborhood coffee shop owner, Joel, into helping her.  Joel hasn't lived in Labrador Falls long and he moved there to escape a past of his own.  He really wants to be left alone, but he is somewhat drawn to Juliette and really doesn't want her to out herself in danger.  Together, along with Juliette's foster dog, one of the cutest dogs ever, the two work to find out what really happened to Maurice and why.

Joes and Juliette have some great moments together and I loved some of their banter.  I also enjoyed learning more about both of their pasts.  I think this book would be great for readers who want a tad bit of romance to their cozy reads or what more mystery in their romance.  The dogs were super cute too.  I loved Juliette's foster dog and of course, his ending was perfect.

This appears to be the first in a series and I'm really looking forward to the next installment.  I suspect it will involve Norah, but I could be wrong. Not a perfect read but definitely a good one!

MY RATING: 4 PAWS

Don't Tell My Mom

TITLE: Colt (Double U Ranch #1)

AUTHOR: Jessica Peterson

PUBLISHER: Peterson Paperbacks, LLC

PUBLISHING DATE: August 18, 2026

PAGES: 432   

SOURCE: KU

FROM GOODREADS: Lainey Brown is not ranch material. She's a city girl who landed on the legendary Wallace Ranch to give the place a fresh coat of branding—and get her career back on track. She's got no interest in cowboys, cattle, or the infuriatingly gorgeous foreman who clearly wants her gone. 

Colton Wallace has spent every day since losing his wife building something worth leaving his son: a spotless reputation, a thriving operation, and a life with no room for complications. The last thing he needs is a firecracker from Austin with a sketchbook full of big ideas and a smile that makes him forget every reason he swore off wanting things he can't keep. 

But somewhere between their very first fight and a Texas night sky that stretches on forever, something shifts. Lainey stops counting the days until she can leave. And Colt stops pretending he wants her to. 

The ranch has always been the Wallace legacy. But Colt is starting to wonder if the best thing that's ever happened to it—and to him—just walked in wearing city shoes.

MY THOUGHTS: First things first (I'm a realist - extra points if you understand that segue and please comment if you do).  Okay back on task. This is exactly the type of cover I would have razzed my mother about reading when I was a teen and stuck knee-deep in my Stephen King/Anne Rice library loans).  However, apparently, I'm still in my cowboy romance era so this is what I'm forced to deal with.  Thank heavens I love this author and I ended up loving this book!

Readers were first introduced briefly to Lainey and Colt in the last Lucky River Ranch book so it was no shock that we would be visiting this neighboring ranch and their brood of troubled sons next.  Lainey is a city girl from Fort Worth.  She has just completed college and is looking for an "adult job" despite having mixed feelings about working in the business world.  Colt is foreman on the Wallace family ranch.  His wife died a few years back but not before loading him down with plenty of baggage and an adorable and precocious kindergartner named Dean.  Colt's father hires Lainey to rebrand the ranch and solidify its legacy before he completely hands over the reins.  He failed to consult Colt so when Lainey shows up, he is less than pleased.  He fights Lainey and her rebranding research every step of the way, but it is really the possibility of things changing around the ranch that infuriates him, or the changes he sees himself making because of Lainey's presence.

I love the way this author combines serious topics and family drama with fun and spice.  Lainey's parents are not the best example of a marriage, so she loves spending time with the entire Wallace clan, who values family over all else.  And Colt has lived by the book for so long after being burned by his wife and then raising a child on his own that he is the definition of grumpy and downright mean at times.  Colt and Lainey are the perfect enemies-to-lovers trope with some excellent banter, and I just knew this would lead to some very interesting sex scenes later on. This book was on the long side for a romance, but I always fly through them and eagerly want the next in the series when I'm finished (which doesn't come out until January by the way).

If you are looking to dip your feet in the cowboy romance genre, Peterson's books are a great place to start.  However, I do recommend you read the Lucky Rivers Ranch books first as there really is a lot of cross-over between the two series.   

MY RATING: 5 PAWS

Why Did I Think This Was a Sequel???

TITLE: Ghost in the Night

AUTHOR: Tiffany D. Jackson

PUBLISHER: Scholastic Press

PUBLISHING DATE: August 04, 2026

PAGES: 284   

SOURCE: Library

FROM GOODREADS: Savannah, Georgia, is a city on edge when twelve-year-old Harmony arrives with her blues musician father for a summer gig. The recent disappearance of a local boy remains unsolved, and the trail has gone cold, leaving the simmering community without answers or closure. Savannah, with its mossy trees and ornate old homes, is also a place rich in history...and ghosts. Ghosts are what pique Harmony's interest. Still reeling from her losses back home, Harmony wants to believe in ghost stories...but isn't sure what's real. When she goes on one of the many ghost tours around town, she takes a photo of what might be a ghost. Or is it a hoax?

As Harmony and her new friends look into the truth behind the ghost picture, they stumble into a dangerously tangled web of ambition, lies...and murder. Can Harmony unravel the mystery in time...or will she have to give up the ghost?

New York Times bestselling author Tiffany D. Jackson delivers thrills and chills once more with this layered, evocative mystery that is sure to give readers goosebumps.

MY THOUGHTS: For some reason, I thought this was a sequel or companion novel to last year's Blood in the Water, Jackson's debut MG book I loved so much. Shows you how much I know.  Either way, I really enjoyed this spooky MG read and am glad I grabbed it off of Hoopla and started it on a whim.

Harmony has spent the past few months touring with her father following her grandmother's recent death.  Her father takes an extended gig in Savannah for six weeks and the two of them are staying in a cottage on one of his friend's properties. Harmony has a fascination with ghosts, partly because she believes she saw her grandmother's ghost in their apartment after her passing.  In every city they visit, Harmony attends a local ghost tour hoping to see more. 

The friend's son Robby, who is a bit younger than Harmony, ends up attaching himself to Harmony. He is a unique kid smart beyond his years who spends his time building robots and entering robotic competitions.  In addition, one of the town's historians has recently been murdered and his young grandson is missing.  One night, Robby goes with Harmony on a ghost tour of Savannah. Harmony ends up taking a picture and she thinks she has captured a ghost peering out the haunted Myers Mansion. Harmony meets another girl her age, Myah, who thinks Harmony actually caught the ghost of murdered historian.  Can Harmony and her friends prove what happened to him and just as importantly, his missing grandson?

You know, I think I just realized how much was really going on in this book.  On top of that, you have growing pains between Harmony and her father, her missing her friends back in Harlem and trying to find out the real connection between her father and his friend, and Harmony dealing with the death of her grandmother. In fact, maybe it was a bit too much.  I enjoyed the ghost story and how all the ended up and loved seeing Harmony and Robby grow closer and Robby finding "family" that has seemed to elude him since his dad died but would have liked to see a bit more of Harmony and her father exploring the loss of her grandmother and the toll it has taken on both of them.

Also, I have to say, Harmony is young - I'm guessing 13 maybe, and her father is allowing her to go on nighttime ghost tours of cities like Savannah and Chicago alone.  I'm not sure that is really a message to send MG readers but hey, maybe that is just me. 

Overall, this was a quick read and a perfect MG to work in for my Summer of Horror event.  If you like this author, I am sure this book will be a hit and is definitely something you could grab for some of the younger readers in your life. 

MY RATING: 4 PAWS

Not Safe to Be a Horse

TITLE: Stay Buried

AUTHOR: Jennifer McMahon

PUBLISHER: Gallery Books

PUBLISHING DATE: August 11, 2026

PAGES: 400   

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS: Some towns stay isolated for a reason. 

1919: Frankie O’Massey has always been the black sheep of isolated Boone’s Ferry, Vermont. Her uncle, Dr. Thomas Endicott, has been training her in the science of medicine, something the townspeople are wary of. When a mysterious illness strikes the town, and the community suspects supernatural forces, the two desperately search for a logical explanation. Patient zero seems to be the town’s knackerman—a recluse who collects dead and dying farm animals to make use of their parts. 

2016: Siblings Ashley and Malcolm lost their mother two years ago. When their grandmother dies, they inherit a property in Boone’s Ferry—a place they’ve heard of, but their grandmother has always refused to talk about—and embark on a trip to their ancestral home. The idyllic town is full of autumnal décor, picturesque farmland, and small-town charm. But some of the townspeople aren’t very welcoming—and they have some unsettling traditions, like leaving offerings to a vengeful spirit four times a year.

MY THOUGHTS: I've read at least three previous books by Jennifer McMahon and have a couple more on my shelves so when I see a new release announced, I'm always excited to see what she comes up with next.  I personally have never heard of a knackerman and after reading this book and by the sheer nature of his job, I don't think I would like him.

This book is expertly told in dual timelines and I have to admit, I was thoroughly invested in both.  In 1919, Frankie is living with her uncle and learning to practice medicine.  Frankie has not been well accepted as she prefers wearing men's clothing and has a secret relationship with her childhood bestie, Pearl, but she fits in as her uncle's assistant and she and Pearl have dreams of one day sharing their lives together out in the open.  In 2016, Ashley and Malcomb have just recently lost their grandmother following their mother's disappearance two years ago and after the passing, they have been left with more questions than answers.  

Ashley and Malcomb learn they have inherited a home in Boone's Ferry, a place their grandmother claims she has never been.  In addition, it was also the last known whereabouts of their mother, who was working on a genealogy project when last seen.  The timelines overlap and little by little, the reader is told of the Knackerman.  The Knackerman was an elusive man in Boone's Ferry who came and took away the dead animals in the town and turned them into useful items such a glue, leather and other materials.  One day, most of horses turn up sick and Boone's Ferry and before the week is out, most have passed gruesome deaths, often mutilating and injuring each other in the process.  Frankie and her uncle are trying to figure out what is going but before long, the illness has spread to humans and results in them dying and then "coming back to life" before succumbing to irreversible madness.  Everyone blames the Knackerman as he was the Patient Zero and what transpires is an urban legend that continues to haunt Boone's Ferry into 2016. The danger grows the more Ashley and Malcomb learn more about this history and the evil that lurks in Boone's Ferry and can they uncover the truth and escape before it is too late.

I adore McMahon's writing and the moment I started enjoying one timeline more than the other, she pulled me right back in to choosing another favorite.  The whole book is filled with suspense and an atmosphere filled with dread.  I loved all the main characters and wanted to best for them all but ultimately knew that wouldn't happen.  I also loved the way McMahon showed us several sides to the Knackerman and the lore surrounding him in Boone's Ferry. 

I will warn you this was a difficult read in the beginning.  The poor horse situations were graphic and hard to handle at times.  However, they were not abusive and were not sensationalized at all.  I can't rave about this book enough and when I finished it, even though it was 400 pages, I still wanted more.  McMahon is becoming an auto-read author for me, and I can't wait to learn what she comes up with next.  

MY RATING: 5 PAWS

I Think I Need a Cowboy Romance Slasher for Summer of Horror!

TITLE: Halfway Home (Clear River Ranch #1)

AUTHOR: Janalyn Knight

PUBLISHER: Independently Published

PUBLISHING DATE: July 14, 2026

PAGES: 174   

SOURCE: KU

FROM GOODREADS: Addie Kingsley never outgrew the habit of loving Talon McGraw. He was her big brother Silas’s best friend. Her shadowed childhood hero. The city boy her father took in and taught to rope, ride, and tend cattle. The boy who let her trail after them no matter how close she followed—who gave her the nickname Tagalong and never once told her to go home—until the day he left town. 

After ten years as an Army Ranger, Talon returns to Clear Water Ranch a different man—wounded, hardened, and carrying scars he won’t explain. He takes up residence in a remote hunting cabin and makes one thing he doesn’t want to be found. 

Addie should respect that. She should listen to her brother. She should stay far away from the man who has always been off-limits. But she can’t. Because behind Talon’s silence is something darker than pain—something that isolates him, consumes him, and calls to every part of her that’s loved him for years. 

Talon knows better than to let her close. Silas would never allow it. And more than that, Talon doesn’t trust himself with her. Not now. Not like this. But Addie isn’t the girl he left behind. She’s stronger. Braver. And far too determined to walk away from him. And when she finally steps into his solitude, refusing to be shut out, the line Talon has held for years begins to fracture. Because wanting her was always dangerous. Now it might be inevitable. And if he gives in—if he lets her see the man he’s become—he risks losing the only family he’s ever had. But walking away from her might cost him everything he is.

MY THOUGHTS: I needed something to break up all the horror I've been reading so I put my Kindle Unlimited subscription to good use and grabbed a cowboy romance.  

Talon has returned home from service with a few injuries.  Needing some time along and some solitude, he ends up staying in a cabin on his best friend's family farm.  However, this puts him in close proximity of his best friend's sister, Addie.  Addie has always had a crush on Talon and truth be told, he always had feelings for her as well, but he never acted upon them because he was afraid of angering his best friend.  

Addie starts texting Talon and leaving care packages on his porch and eventually they start hanging out with each other behind every one's back.  Things start heating up, and let's get real, we knew they would, and Talon has to decide between possibly losing his best friend or losing his chance at happiness.

This was a fun quick read which is on the shorter side at under 200 pages.  It scratched my romance itch, and I really did like Addie and Talon as characters.  My main complaint was that the ending seemed to be rushed and left me wanting more of the in between. Of course, there was your happily-ever-after epilogue, and the writing is on the wall for the next installment.  I will probably pick it up eventually because I am curious and want to see how thing progress on the ranch.  If you are looking for a quick fix, this would work, but if you want a longer read, there are plenty of other places to start.

And by the way, does anyone know of any cowboy romance slasher novels.  Now THAT would be something I would jump on!

MY RATING: 3 PAWS

Don't Trust Anyone!

TITLE: The Wasp Trap

AUTHOR: Mark Edwards

PUBLISHER: Atria Books

PUBLISHING DATE: September 16, 2025

PAGES: 327   

SOURCE: Library

FROM GOODREADS: Six friends reunite in London to celebrate the life of their recently deceased ex-employer, a professor that brought them together in 1999 to help build a dating website based on psychological testing.

But what is meant to be a night of bittersweet nostalgia soon becomes a twisted and deadly game when the old friends find themselves held at gunpoint. They are given an ultimatum: reveal their darkest secrets to the group or pick each other off one-by-one. 

It soon becomes clear that their current predicament is related to their shared past. The love questionnaire they helped develop in 1999 for the dating site was also turned into a tool for weeding out The Wasp Trap. This and the other tragic events of that summer long ago may help reveal the truth behind a killer hiding in plain sight. 

Alternating between the past and present with a colorful ensemble of characters, The Wasp Trap is a fast-paced and twisty thrill ride that is perfect for fans of Lucy Foley and Alice Feeney.

MY THOUGHTS: If you love a good thriller where you have some truly despicable characters you are going to love to hate, this might be the book for you.  It is the first book I've read by the author, but I will definitely be checking out his backlist for more to add to my backlist.

Will and his post-college friends haven't seen each other in 25 years.  Following college, all six of them spent the summer at a reclusive professor's estate working on a dating app called Butterfly.net.  Soon though, the dating app wasn't enough and a side project, a test to see if someone is actually a sociopath, starts taking shape.  One night, during project ending celebration, something tragic happens and the project dissolves and everyone is sent home.  

Fast forward and the professor has passed away. Georgina and Theo, who married after that summer, and who are probably the most successful of the group have invited everyone to their home for a dinner and celebration of Professor Marlowe's life.  When they arrive, everyone soon realizes they have unpacked baggage and secrets from years ago.  In fact, Georgina and Theo have a college aged daughter themselves who has recently disappeared.  As the evening goes on, they gang finds themselves being held hostage by the chef catering the party and his assistant. They are demanding that someone in the group is holding a secret and unless they spill it, no one may make it out alive.  The problem is, there are so many secrets from that summer how will they know which is the right one?

This book was a lot of fun, and I basically read the whole thing one Sunday afternoon.  I found it hard to put down, in part because I love an alternating timeline and in part because this group of individuals was one hot mess.  Edwards managed to surprise me with some reveals as well as more than one twist and turn. The ending might be predictable to some, but it caught me off guard, furthering cementing my belief that I need to read more by this author. 

If you are looking for a solid lock-roomed mystery, then I definitely feel this is one you should grab.

MY RATING: 5 PAWS

I Am Groot! No Sorry, Root, It's Root!

TITLE: Carry Me to My Grave

AUTHOR: Christopher Golden

PUBLISHER: St. Martin's Press

PUBLISHING DATE: July 21, 2026

PAGES: 336   

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS: Maggie Wise will take your eyes.

When Malcolm was growing up, the local kids made up that chant about his mother, claiming she was a witch. He and his siblings did their best to ignore it. Now, Maggie is dying, and those same siblings have left Malcolm and his sister-in-law Violet to hold a vigil at her bedside. 

But they’re not as alone as they think they are. A dark figure waits and watches from beneath the willow tree across the street. Hundreds of miles away, an ancient evil stirs in its burrow under a farmer’s cornfield. Across the country, other buried things begin to dream in anticipation of Maggie’s demise. On her deathbed, the old woman elicits a promise from Malcolm, her youngest child―when she dies, he and Violet must return her body to her birthplace in Shediak, Maine. 

From the moment she takes her last breath, before her remains are even loaded aboard the baggage car of the Imperial Limited, there are forces trying to stop Malcolm from fulfilling that promise. Violence erupts on the train, evil preys on its passengers, and once the sun goes down, those long-buried things are coming to make Maggie Wise pay for her past. God help anyone who stands in their way.

MY THOUGHTS: I have always loved Christopher Golden's horror and if you haven't checked him out yet, I highly recommend you do.  I have read at least five of his books, with All Hallow's Eve still remaining my favorite, and have several more on my shelves.  However, I have to say that this newest novel threatened to knock All Hallow's Eve off the top spot once or twice.  

Malcomb's mother is dying.  He and his sister-in-law Violet have been at her bedside for several days and when she finally passes, Maggie explains that Malcomb has a limited amount of days to travel to Sediak, Maine to bury her remains and if they fail, they cannot imagine the repercussions.  

Malcolm's family has never been close.  His brother is basically a gambler who hasn't been home in years and his older sister, even longer.  Violet is the only help he has had and together they have formed a forbidden love.  Maggie has always been rumored to be a witch but Malcolm never believed.  However, as the trip progresses, Malcolm starts to realize there may be some truth to the tall tales and that he has no idea who his mother really is or about the life she has lived.

This book kept me engaged from the first chapter and never let up.  The chapters on the train where Malcolm, Violet and Maggie's body are holed up in the cargo train are some of the most atmospheric and suspenseful ones I've read in a long time.  Also, the evil entities they contend with throughout their journeys are original and terrifying.  I won't clue you in to their supernatural nature (and no, they aren't really Groot) but they have lived underground for hundreds of years and when they finally pop up to introduce themselves, people all around better run.

I cannot recommend this book enough and am so glad I picked it up.  I really need to find time to read some backlist titles from the author because he hasn't disappointed me yet.

MY RATING: 5 PAWS