The Killing Habit by Mark Billingham

January 19, 2026 By Leave a Comment


The Killing Habit by Mark Billingham
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Fern

While Tanner investigates the deadly spread of a dangerous new drug, Thorne is handed a case that he doesn’t take too seriously—until a spate of animal killings points to the work of a serial murderer. When the two cases come together unexpectedly, both Thorne and Tanner must risk everything to catch two very different killers.

DI Tom Thorne and Nicola Tanner both return in this book and I feel readers are in for quite a ride with this. While this is a good number of books into the series I was pleased to find it quite fresh and still able to grip me by the throat.

I enjoyed the fact that this book – unlike most of the others in this series – had a few different moving parts to the plot. And while I was fairly sure from the beginning that they were all linked somehow it wasn’t clear at the start how they were linked – or even if they were connected at all. That kept a lot of my attention on the book in a different way that I’m used to with this series. I also thought the way things came together in the end (both linked and not) shows exceptional writing on the authors behalf and I have to admit there were a number of points I wasn’t even close to guessing correctly.

I was pleased Nicola Tanner was back, while her character is fairly new, I enjoy her strong presence, and I feel she adds a good counterpart to Thorne. I definitely feel these two work well together and I’m glad the author has continued along these lines. I also really enjoy how while these two characters are vastly different, there are a few key aspects to which they are really quite eerily the same when push comes to shove. I am very eager to read more of these two continuing to work together.

While I usually find the plots quite uneasy and uncomfortable reading I feel a few of the above points helped me with this book. And while Thorne is initially hunting an animal killer, which is obviously not lighthearted or fun as a major plot line, I did feel this book remained gritty but not the same level of discomfort I usually associate with a DI Thorne novel. I had to pause at numerous times to breath and regroup – there are still quite a few fairly hard aspects to these plots, but overall, this book was well worth the effort and was a strongly plotted and well written read.

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Ruff Justice by Tara Choate

January 16, 2026 By 2 Comments


Ruff Justice by Tara Choate
A Canine Accounting Caper
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Romance, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Irene Lisner was not expecting a request to mediate her sister’s marriage. Or to drop her own list of cases to help a coworker. Or a new dog to come into her life. Or a date. A talented principal and a rigid business manager have squared off over accusations of false enrollment, improper purchasing, and state curriculum violations. As Irene investigates the charges, she finds hidden agendas and ulterior motives that make her wonder if she can restore justice to the hardworking school. And, of course, Irene’s irrepressible best friend has something to say on everything, especially the new dog.

There are many different ways to learn the same lesson.

My review of the first book in this series, Paw Prints in the Ledger, mentioned a few pacing problems I noticed with the storyline. While of course I can’t say for sure whether or not Ms. Choate took that into account while writing the sequel, I was quite pleased with the pacing this time around. Irene steadily discovered new clues about what was truly going on, and there was never a good stopping point when I needed to take a break from reading. That reluctant feeling of tearing my eyes away from the page is something I love to experience as it means that there will be even more wonderful passages to read once I can return to the plot!

It would have been helpful to have a little more time dedicated to developing the mystery elements of this tale, especially when it came to the conclusion. I was a bit surprised by how quickly things were wrapped up given how complicated they seemed earlier on and how many of the early clues either didn’t pan out or could be interpreted in more than one way. This was the only thing holding me back from selecting a full five-star rating.

The subplots were well written and added depth to Irene’s character and life. One of my personal favorites involved a romantic arc that I thought blended in beautifully with the protagonist’s already busy life. It was something I’d love to see more of if or when this series continues as it did such a nice job of showcasing the softer side of a character who must always remain professional and practical at work.

Ruff Justice was thought provoking.

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Death Rocks by LJ Ross

January 13, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Death Rocks by LJ Ross
Publisher: Dark Skies Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS A COINCIDENCE…

When the body of a talented photographer is found on the rocks beneath the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle, DCI Ryan and his team of detectives immediately suspect the worst. But, since none of their potential suspects seems to have a motive, the case runs cold.

Then, when another body is found dead on a lonely stretch of road near Hadrian’s Wall and their only suspect has an airtight alibi, the team are faced with another crime without a perpetrator.

With the number of unexplained deaths in the area increasing rapidly and only a series of coincidences to work from, Ryan and his team must find the invisible link between them to crack the case—before it’s too late.

Can Ryan solve his most dangerous case yet?

DCI Ryan and his team are called into what could be a suspicious death – but equally might just be a tragic accident – on Death Rocks. With no clear motive and no real suspects, the case quickly goes cold on the team. But when another potentially suspicious but possibly accidental death turns up DCI Ryan and his team know something just be going on – but can they work out what it is?

I’ve been enjoying this long running series and found this book to be an interesting and strongly written addition. While the team has been together for years and have a great cohesion to them, I feel that there’s enough progress – and a new team member joining the group – that this would be a perfect book to introduce oneself to the series.

I also felt the murder mystery was a delightful breath of fresh air. With no clear motive or suspects – and even a question over whether this is actually murder at all – I found the police procedural aspect to the book really well written, and it also felt fresh and interesting to me.

There is some friction between some of the team initially, and while I feel bad for Jack, sometimes I also feel he can be a real idiot. I was pleased, though, this tension and conflict was resolved fairly quickly but also realistically. Readers should be aware that this book has quite a twist and a character death at the end. Plus, while a lot of the plot is wrapped up there isn’t a complete conclusion of everything – a few aspects are left for resolution hopefully in the next book.

Readers who enjoy a well-paced and excellently written British police procedural should find this is a very good book – and possibly the opening to a whole new series.

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Murder At Work by Faith Martin

January 7, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Murder At Work by Faith Martin
Publisher: Joffe Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Looking for a brilliant bestselling murder mystery with a feisty female detective?

Meet DI HILLARY GREENE, a policewoman struggling to save her career and catch criminals.

Hillary will retire in a few weeks. But can her boss get Hillary to change her mind by putting her on a murder investigation?

The victim is found dead with his head bashed in with a piece of wood. Michael Ivers was a gambler and a notorious womaniser. He had few friends and there is a long list of people who might have wanted him dead.

Hillary wants to solve her final case as a police officer and she has just days left to find out who killed him. To add to her problems, her old enemy, ex-Sergeant Frank Ross is back on the scene and is a prime suspect.

This is a crime mystery full of well-observed characters, which will have you gripped from start to the absolutely thrilling conclusion.

DI Hillary Greene is almost at the end of her two month’s notice. Determined to retire from her beloved job and leave on her own terms – and with her dignity and reputation intact – she is systemically wrapping everything up to leave in the best possible way. With two weeks left, however, a new murder case is dropped on her plate, and despite her initial instinct to turn it away she soon finds herself drawn in despite her best intentions. Can Hillary fix these last few problems?

I have been thoroughly enjoying this series and was quite pleased with this addition. Over the last few books a series of events have been culminating and in this book a lot of that longer-running story arc comes to a fairly dramatic conclusion. I feel the author did a really good job both explaining and summarizing the events without it feeling like an info dump or catch up for the reader, so I do think that readers who pick this book up having never read any of the previous books should catch on quite easily to what’s happening. I admit that since I’ve been along for the whole ride I had quite a strong emotional connection to Hillary, her team and the series of these events in general.

While a lot is obviously happening around Hillary and her life, I did not feel this detracted from this books murder plot and the author is to be commended for this good balance. The murder and the plot revolving around that had a good pace and I don’t feel it was left to drag or languish beside all the personal drama and that sub-plot. These two items both moved along well and while they were not linked I feel they each were given plenty of time to shine without overshadowing the other.

Readers who enjoy a good British Police procedural mystery should find this is a good read. I personally also enjoy that quite a strong cast of secondary characters – both from Hillary’s past and present – have a good showing and for me this gave the book some good depth and heart. I really enjoyed this book and am very eager for the next in line to see where these events and Hillary’s decisions lead her.

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Beth is Dead by Katie Bernet

January 6, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Beth is Dead by Katie Bernet
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

When Beth March is found dead in the woods on New Year’s Day, her sisters vow to uncover her murderer.

Suspects abound. There’s the neighbor who has feelings for not one but two of the girls. Meg’s manipulative best friend. Amy’s flirtatious mentor. And Beth’s lionhearted first love. But it doesn’t take the surviving sisters much digging to uncover motives each one of the March girls had for doing the unthinkable.

Jo, an aspiring author with a huge following on social media, would do anything to hook readers. Would she kill her sister for the story? Amy dreams of studying art in Europe, but she’ll need money from her aunt—money that’s always been earmarked for Beth. And Meg wouldn’t dream of hurting her sister…but her boyfriend might have, and she’ll protect him at all costs.

Despite the growing suspicion within the family, it’s hard to know for sure if the crime was committed by someone close to home. After all, the March sisters were dragged into the spotlight months ago when their father published a controversial bestseller about his own daughters. Beth could have been killed by anyone.

Beth’s perspective told in flashback unfolds next to Meg, Jo, and Amy’s increasingly fraught investigation as the tragedy threatens to rip the Marches apart.

I’ve read the book Little Women more times that I’d like to admit. I know these characters. Katie Bernet does an admirable job in bringing the March sisters into the twenty-first century. The writing is fast-paced and kept me involved with the story. I needed to know what would happen and how it happened. I wasn’t able to figure out the ending, which is great. I like to be kept guessing.

The reader is introduced to the March sister, Amy, Jo, Meg and the perished Beth. Each girl’s personality shines through and they have been written in a thoroughly modern way. I liked the updates. That said, some who haven’t read the original book might not get the references to the Louisa May Alcott original, might get a little lost in the sauce. If one knows the source material, then this is a fun, twisted retelling. If one doesn’t, it can be a little confusing. There are a lot of characters to keep straight, which might be a challenge for some readers. While many readers may not mind the present first person telling of the story, it took me out just a bit. None of this is to say this isn’t a good book. It is.

If you’re looking for a novel with characters that seem familiar (or if you’ve read the original, are familiar) with plot twists you won’t see coming, then this is the book for you. This book kept me guessing. I suggest you find a copy and get to reading!

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Denied Crimes by Daniela Alibrandi

December 31, 2025 By 4 Comments


Denied Crimes by Daniela Alibrandi
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Suspense / Thriller
Rated: 4 stars
Review by Rose

In Rome, in the middle of a cold winter in the Eighties, preparations for Christmas are in full swing. Near the Vatican City, in a workshop of sacred objects and clothes, old Rinaldo’s day begins, as always, among the tourists crowding the streets and the smell of freshly baked pizza. At the same time, Commissioner Rosco says goodbye to the agents of his team, before the imminent transfer to the Rieti police station: the punishment for a mistake made during his last case. A forced confinement that will become the opportunity to show off his intuition and investigate a crime committed thirty years earlier. The two apparently unrelated situations will intertwine in a crescendo of incredible events, after the strange death of old Rinaldo, while a creepy voice follows the entire unfolding of the narration. With her original and clear style, here imbued with faith and sacredness, Daniela Alibrandi offers the reader a multidimensional thriller full of twists, centered on the eternal struggle between Good and Evil.

I love a good police procedural and this one, set primarily in Rome, ranks near the top.  We jump right into the action as Rosco, the main character, is in disgrace and being transferred to a small station to wait out the result of the investigation into his transgression in his last case.  He is immediately drawn into a cold case that gives him a different look at justice.

Returned to his post in Rome, he finds himself in a new relationship with his team.. and a brand new murder to solve = as well as a shift in his personal life.

The author balances the different parts of Rosco’s life well, without getting too caught up in either the personal or the crime to the detriment of the other. We also get several points of view which add to the richness of the narrative – including an anonymous voice that you just know is going to be the killer’s and which gives clues both to the identity and the motivation behind the crimes.

One of the strongest points in the book is the relationship with Rosco and his team… and is probably my favorite part of the book. I would love to see more of them.  The book does not end on a cliffhanger or anything unresolved, but I do hope Ms. Alibrandi considers bringing this team back to work on other crimes.  4 stars.

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Love Like Blood by Mark Billingham

December 30, 2025 By Leave a Comment


Love Like Blood by Mark Billingham
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

In Love Like Blood, DI Tom Thorne, “the next superstar detective,” teams up with perfectionist DI Nicola Tanner, the protagonist of Billingham’s acclaimed stand-alone thriller Die of Shame (Lee Child).

When her domestic partner Susan is brutally murdered, Nicola Tanner is convinced that she was the intended target. The murderer’s motive is likely connected to her recent work on a string of cold case honor killings. Despite being placed on leave, Tanner insists on pursuing justice for Susan—and she turns to fellow DI Tom Thorne for help.

Agreeing to take the case, Thorne quickly finds that working in such controversial territory among London’s Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh communities can be dangerous in more ways than one. But when a young Bangladeshi couple goes missing, Tanner and Thorne must put everything on the line to investigate a case that is anything but cold.

DI Tom Thorne is reluctantly drawn in by a fellow officer to what appears to be a series of contracted honour killings. The link is tenuous, but Nicola Tanner is convinced and – always one to play by the rules – her conviction sways Thorne. Tanner is up front by the reasons for her tenacity, but when another pair of young lovers go “missing” Thorne has to admit there seems to be something to Tanners theory. Can they work out what’s really happening?

While I absolutely have been enjoying this series I admit I find most of the books varying degrees of uncomfortable. The author has an amazing knack of taking difficult – if not taboo – circumstances and cantering his plot lines around it. I found this book – based around a pair of killers who hire themselves out to perform honour killings for families refusing to get their hands dirty – to be equal parts discomfortable and an excellently writer murder mystery.

Readers who enjoy a grittier – or even noir – style of British police procedural should definitely find this book appeals to them. I can also recommend the rest of the series as being along a similar line.

This is well into the DI Thorne series this book can absolutely be read and enjoyed as a standalone. Readers shouldn’t worry about not having read previous books, this one stands well by itself. Found it to be an excellent – if slightly uncomfortable- read and worth the emotional investment.

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The Talisker Dead by JM Dalgliesh

December 19, 2025 By Leave a Comment


The Talisker Dead by JM Dalgliesh
Publisher: Hamilton Press
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Fern

Digging up the past… is enough to kill you…
When a teenage islander goes missing on Burns Night, D.I. Duncan McAdam takes a strong interest despite the apparent lack of concern shown by the boy’s father. When a woman’s body is soon discovered in Talisker Bay, with a single stab wound to the chest, Duncan and his team realise they have a killer on the island.

A brutal winter storm is battering the island, and it soon becomes a race against time to find the missing boy. Is he hiding or is someone keeping him from coming home? As the team delve deeper into the lives of the teenager and the deceased, they come to the conclusion that nothing is quite what it seems and more than one person has a vested interest in concealing the truth.

A closely guarded secret, lying in a shallow grave for years, is under threat of being revealed and no one seems willing to face up to their past… least of all, Duncan McAdam himself. Duncan has a decision to make, one that will impact not only his life but the lives of those he cares about the most. Does he have the courage to follow his instincts? And just who is he acting in the interests of… the people he loves… or purely for himself?

A teenager goes missing on Burns Night, and although some of the lad’s family aren’t too concerned, DI McAdam still takes a strong interest in the case. Soon afterwards, a woman’s body is discovered, and even though Duncan and his team can’t see how the two incidents can be connected, there’s no denying that there’s now a killer on the island somewhere.

This is the third book in JM Dalgliesh’s mystery series based on the Isle of Skye. While still feeling very much like a British Police Procedural style of murder/mystery to me I must admit I really enjoy the remote, island community feel these stories bring. I feel somehow the author really manages to balance just right the isolated small town feel with enough personalities and links to still keep things interesting and keep me as a reader guessing. And I’ll admit that while I certainly managed to work out a few aspects of the plot, there were still a number of items I hadn’t guessed, and some of the characters still managed to surprise me too.

Readers looking for an action-orientated or fast paced story might not find this book quite fits their needs, but the characters are delightfully complicated and realistic, and the situations are relatable and believable. I also thought the murder mystery was interesting and also layered enough to keep my attention throughout the story.

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One Killer Night by Trilina Pucci

December 17, 2025 By Leave a Comment


One Killer Night by Trilina Pucci
Publisher: Montlake
Genre: Contemporary, Horror, Erotic Romance, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Love is patient.

Love is kind.

Love will stab you from behind.

It’s Halloween night, and out-of-work writer Goldie Monroe’s trip to the drugstore scares up more than the fake blood she’s looking for. It leads to the man of her naughtiest dreams. And in spite of her costume, sparks fly from the moment they meet.

Noah Adler, aspiring sneaker designer, is impossibly gorgeous—like a tatted-up version of Goldie’s favorite blue-eyed vampire. He’s there for candy, but it’s Goldie he can’t resist. When she invites him to her sister’s F/X company bash, he’s all in without a second thought.

The pair’s flirty connection heats up fast, carrying them to electrifying new heights. But after Goldie discovers Noah is hiding a dark secret, it all starts to crumble. Looking for answers about her own past awakens new dangers, and when Goldie and Noah land at a slasher camp for adults, a deadly tragedy threatens to repeat itself. If they can survive this one killer night, they can definitely slay a happily ever after.

A meet-cute that goes a little sideways, but could be the best thing to happen? There’s that and more in One Killer Night.

Trilina Pucci has written a hot book with twists and turns. It’s a quicker read because of the humor. The characters are interesting and it’s easy to root for them, even if the reader isn’t always sure of their intentions, but isn’t that the mark of a good mystery or horror book? This one sure kept me on my toes. Goldie and Noah are fascinating, but can they be trusted? I had to keep reading to find out.

The one thing that was a bit of a distraction for me was how this book felt like an adult retelling of the 80s teen slasher films. Yes, it was a good read, but it was almost too throwback and took me out of the story at times. That’s not to say all readers will feel the way I did. Most will like this story, plus Goldie and Noah do have off the charts chemistry.

If you like slasher films in book form, like mysteries that need to be unraveled and want something that’s a little throwback, then this might be the book for you. Check it out.

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Framed for Murder by Marla A. White

December 17, 2025 By Leave a Comment


Framed for Murder by Marla A. White
Publisher: Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Snowdrop

After a life-changing injury, Mel O’Rourke trades in her badge for bed sheets, running a B & B in the quirky mountain town of Pine Cove. Her peaceful life is interrupted when an old frenemy, the notorious and charismatic cat burglar, Poppy Phillips, shows up on her doorstep, claiming she’s been framed for murder. While she’s broken plenty of laws, Mel knows she’d never kill anyone. Good thing she’s a better detective than she is a cook as she sets out to prove Poppy’s innocence.

The situation gets complicated, however, when the ruggedly handsome Deputy Sheriff Gregg Marks flirts with Mel, bringing him dangerously close to the criminal she’s hiding. And just when her friendship with café owner Jackson Thibodeaux blossoms into something more, he’s offered the opportunity of a lifetime in New Orleans. Should she encourage him to go, or ask him to stay? Who knew romance could be just as hard to solve as murder?

Once a cop always a cop or it seems to be that way for Mel who is now running what you might call a family-owned B&B in Pine Cove. When the head of a big oil corporation is found dead and it is rumored that he had the magic potion to clean up oil spills, many suspects came to light, but Poppy was certain the cops would be sure it was her. She went straight to the honest cop she knew to help her out. Thus began the friendship/frenemy-ship Mel never thought could happen.

This is the first book I have read by Marla White. It was cute. It reads fast and I will tell you first-hand the characters and their antics will win you over immediately. There’s Poppy with her British accent, Grandma O insulting every customer that comes into the B&B, an adorable brother, and a handsome restauranteur and chef. Well, you get my drift. They are all a bit quirky and somehow it all falls together to make an easy-to-read, pleasant cozy mystery. I sure hope there will be more action in Pine Cove.

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