A Word With The Dead by Rhys Dylan

May 11, 2026 By Leave a Comment


A Word With The Dead by Rhys Dylan
Publisher: Wyrmwood Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Fern

A body in the hills. A missing man. An unreliable witness.

When a drone uncovers a dead cyclist in the West Wales countryside, DCI Evan Warlow is pulled into a case where the clues are scarce, the suspects slippery, and the motive buried deep beneath layers of power and deceit.

From a silent hospital ward to a shadowy woodland path, this is a mystery that exposes more than murder—it unravels a community.

Gripping, atmospheric, and disturbingly relevant.

DCI Warlow and his team are called in to what is a suspected hit and run cyclist death. From that single point the case soon spirals out of control, leading to some dark and murky places, Can they uncover what’s happening in the small, remote town?

I have found this to be a really enjoyable Welsh police procedural series and I thought this was a very good addition. The team is well linked and cohesive – I think readers will easily enjoy the various characters and what they each add to the problem solving aspects of the case. While there is plenty of history between the characters I do still feel the plot of this story stands very well by itself. I feel readers might get more emotional attachment and enjoyment for having read the series, but that isn’t necessary to enjoy and pick this book up by itself.

A few of the personal life plotlines do tend to arc over numerous books, and while I feel that gives longer-term readers a better depth to the story the mystery plot is very well contained just inside this story. I also really enjoyed the slightly darker, gritter aspect of these Welsh stories. While the pace is slower and more of a police procedural style of story (as opposed to an action-orientated plot) there are some quite heavy and deeper issues that are brough forward so this isn’t a fuzzy or warm kind of “feel good” plotline.

With excellent characters and a realistic plot I found this to be a thoroughly enjoyable story and a series I am really liking. Recommended.

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Swept Away by Jo Hiestand

May 7, 2026 By 2 Comments

Swept Away by Jo Hiestand
Publisher: Cousins House
Genre: Mystery
Rated: 5 stars
Review by Rose

Dan Winter asks his friend, former police detective Michael McLaren, to discover what happened to his wife, Ellie, who disappeared on the third day of the couple’s holiday on Bow Island. Dan thinks she was swept away by rough ocean waves. Perhaps, but after three weeks there is no sign of her, alive or dead.

McLaren’s inquiry seems to be going along swimmingly until the police suspect Dan of killing Ellie and hiding her body. Now McLaren has to dive deeper for the truth. Was Ellie really swept away or did she disappear of her own volition, perhaps helped by a wildlife expert who knows all the hiding place on the island? Or there’s the Chaucer-spouting war veteran who seems eager to help with anything. Or did Dan actually murder her?

Once again we are back in the world of Michael McLaren, and there have been a lot of changes since my last visit with him. I will definitely have to find the time to go back and read this series from the beginning, because I absolutely love these characters and the growth I have seen in them through the few books I have had the chance to read and review (see below for the links to those).

As much as I have enjoyed the rest of the books, I have to say I think this is my favorite so far. They just keep getting better and better. Ms. Hiestand really conveys the desolation and the weather on Bow Island, and the list of characters/suspects leave the reader with several possible solutions. There are twists and turns that truly keep you guessing with every new bit of information that Mike discovers.

I can often figure out the solution, but Ms. Hiestand has me guessing right up until Mike’s explanation on this one. Good job! I love it when that happens.

I am looking forward to more books in this series, and I also want to delve into her other series.

Here are my reviews of other McLaren Mysteries:

An Unfolding Trap
The Cottage
Overdue
Related by Murder
An Unwilling Suspect

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Alteration by Claire Ibarra

May 5, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Alteration by Claire Ibarra
Publisher: Atmosphere Press
Genre: Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Margaret is an acclaimed fashion designer, devoted mother, keeper of order and elegance in a city that never slows. But one morning, she simply doesn’t get out of bed. She has the startling discovery that here, within her quilted sanctuary, life feels gentler, truer, and more alive.

What begins as a quiet rebellion becomes a daring experiment in stillness. From her antique four-poster bed, Margaret receives a parade of visitors – among them are her free-spirited best friend, fretful daughter, young neighbor, and even the echo of her late husband. As secrets and old wounds surface, she begins to confront painful truths.

With wit, wonder, and a sharp eye for the absurd, Alteration invites us to ask what happens when we stop merely performing and begin fully living — one unexpected revelation at a time.

Nothing can remain hidden forever.

Margaret was a multi-faceted character who evoked all kinds of conflicting emotions in me as I read about her. Sometimes her stubbornness irritated me while in other scenes I was gently surprised by how thoughtfully she approached the world around her. This was even more true when her definition of the world shrank to not only her apartment but eventually to her bedroom and nothing more.

I would have liked to see a stronger explanation for why the protagonist decided to spend all of her time in bed when this tale began. Honestly, I was expecting her to grapple with more conflict during her time there, so the list of what she was attempting to figure out never quite felt large enough to justify this choice for me. While they were no doubt important to her, I did find myself wishing that either more time had been spent exploring them or that she could have revealed a few additional things she was wrestling with that would help to explain her sudden withdrawal from the world. This was amplified by the fact that that this was set in late 2019 and early 2020, just before the Covid-19 pandemic spread widely enough that many cities began to shut down non-essential businesses and services temporarily.

The mystery was barely even a whisper in the beginning which made the gradual revelation of what it was and why it haunted Margaret so much even more appealing to me. I especially appreciated the later passages that showed what happened when she tried to discuss this topic with the authorities. It was definitely not a typical conversation, especially for this genre, and it illuminated not only the character flaws in the people participating in it but also some of the flaws of American culture when it comes to how justice is pursued and how people react to information that conflicts with their assumptions about how the world works. This is really all I can say on that topic without sharing spoilers, but it was thought provoking and one of the best scenes in this book in my opinion.

Alteration has piqued my curiosity about this author’s work, and I hope to read more of it soon.

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Murder In The New Forest by Carol Cole

May 4, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Murder In The New Forest by Carol Cole
Publisher: The Book Folks
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Fern

A Scottish detective in England’s New Forest.

Detective Inspector Callum MacLean should be unpacking boxes in his new home. But when a man is run over and killed outside Godshill Village Hall, his week’s leave is cut short.

The victim, Brendan Stafford, was a retired lecturer from Birmingham. No one knows why he was attending a local village meeting in the middle of the New Forest on a freezing January night.

The post-mortem reveals Stafford was already dead before the car wheels struck him.

Everyone in the village seems to be hiding something — from the butcher to the forest keeper. Callum and his team must dig into old quarrels and quiet vendettas — and uncover secrets as tangled as the forest brambles.

DI Callum MacLean has newly arrived in rural Hampshire from the bustling city center of Glasgow and he immediately is drawn to the stark contrasts. Called onto his first murder investigation before he’d even official clocked on to his first day, Callum hits the ground running. Learning about his surroundings, his new team, the office politics as well as the locals, can Callum sort everything out in time?

I bought this new to me author and series on a whim and am very happy with the discovery. I feel this book stands very well on it’s own, and while it is absolutely a British Police Procedural with the slower mystery pace of the genre I still thought there were plenty of twists and red herrings to keep even more active readers engrossed.

I thought the author did a good job balancing between all the new information – a whole cast of new secondary characters, as well as the main protagonist and new scenery – but keeping the plot and mystery moving forward at a decent pace. There were no info-dump sections which I was grateful for and while there was a lot of explanations needed I didn’t find myself bored or skimming ahead.

I also enjoyed the fact that I managed to guess a few parts of the plot, but was delightfully surprised by a few twists and secrets that I hadn’t seen coming. This made me feel like there was a good amount of conflict and mystery but nothing so high level it’s impossible to figure it out until the main characters lead you there.

A lovely first book that I greatly enjoyed – I had already ordered the next in the series before finishing this one. I expect this to be a series I shall enjoy further in the future. Recommended.

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Murder Never Misses by Faith Martin

May 1, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Murder Never Misses by Faith Martin
Publisher: Joffe Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Three missing young women. One evil stalker. But Hillary doesn’t think it all adds up.

Hillary is recovering from the vicious attack by her stalker. It appears that he is also behind the disappearance and murder of three women. Her bosses want these unsolved cases closed, but Hillary has a theory that will shock everyone.

However, as the truth comes to light, Hillary and the team are faced with a dire emergency — can they prevent an imminent murder?

Hillary Greene has returned to Thames Valley Police HQ, acting as a cold-case consultant for the Crime Review Team, looking into murders which the police have never been able to solve.

She wasn’t sure she wanted to go back. But solving crimes is irresistible for Hillary Greene. And it doesn’t hurt that her new boss is devastatingly handsome.

Hillary Greene and her team are searching for three missing young women and the connection these ladies have to her stalker. With the cases closing in, can Hillary keep on top of everything?

While this book definitely had it’s own trilogy of linked cold cases, I feel it should be noted these directly relate to the previous book (Murder of a lover) and Hillary’s stalker. The cases and resolution of Hillary’s circumstances are all well contained in this book, I do feel it’s likely readers might find a deeper emotional connection and understanding of the stakes if they’ve read the previous book in this series.

I thought the pace of the cold cases – and especially the way they unfurled – was really well written and interesting. This plot wasn’t there just for padding or show, I really enjoyed how it wasn’t quite as you might expect and while I admit I had correctly guessed some of it, parts still took me delightfully by surprise. I think this should definitely keep most readers on their toes and I found it thoroughly enjoyable.

With solid plotting and a strong cast of well written secondary characters I feel this has been a great series and I am eager for the next installment and to see where it leads Hillary next. Recommended.

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Murder in the Locked Library by Ellery Adams

April 30, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Murder in the Locked Library by Ellery Adams
Publisher: Kensington Cozies
Genre: Cozy Mystery, Contemporary
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Snowdrop

Welcome to Storyton Hall, Virginia, where book lovers travel from near and far to enjoy the singular comforts of the Agatha Christie Tea Room, where they can discuss the merits of their favorite authors no matter how deadly the topic . . .

With her twins, Fitzgerald and Hemingway, back in school, Jane Steward can finally focus on her work again—managing Storyton Hall, and breaking ground on the resort’s latest attraction: a luxurious, relaxing spa named in honor of Walt Whitman. But when the earth is dug up to start laying the spa’s foundation, something else comes to the surface—a collection of unusual bones and the ragged remnants of a very old book. The attendees of the Rare Book Conference are eager to assist Jane with this unexpected historical mystery—until a visitor meets an untimely end in the Henry James Library. As the questions—and suspects—start stacking up, Jane will have to uncover a killer before more unhappy endings ensue . . .

To begin with, I love this Ellery Adams series, Book Retreat Mystery. This special weekend at Storyton Hall involves rare books and everything associated with them. One attendee is the book doctor and can bring many ill-treated books back to good health. Another attendee knows how to make paper, while others are collectors. They are all interesting, and they all have their quirks.

Although I think Ellery Adams writes good plots, I must say that Storyton Hall itself, full of much history and mention of so many recognizable books, is so fascinating that I’m lost in it every time. However, with Jane’s young children, there is always some humor and definitely some talk about good food too. Maybe a better way to explain it is that while these stories are definitely for biblionuts, oops bibliophiles, every part of Storyton Hall and its characters steep you in bookish things. I wish I could go there. No, wish I could live there.

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The Dark Hours by Michael Connelly

April 27, 2026 By Leave a Comment


The Dark Hours by Michael Connelly
Publisher: Orion (Hachette UK)
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Fern

There’s chaos in Hollywood at the end of the New Year’s Eve countdown. Working her graveyard shift, LAPD detective Renée Ballard waits out the traditional rain of lead as hundreds of revelers shoot their guns into the air. Only minutes after midnight, Ballard is called to a scene where a hardworking auto shop owner has been fatally hit by a bullet in the middle of a crowded street party.

Ballard quickly concludes that the deadly bullet could not have fallen from the sky and that it is linked to another unsolved murder—a case at one time worked by Detective Harry Bosch. At the same time, Ballard hunts a fiendish pair of serial rapists, the Midnight Men, who have been terrorizing women and leaving no trace.

Determined to solve both cases, Ballard feels like she is constantly running uphill in a police department indelibly changed by the pandemic and recent social unrest. It is a department so hampered by inertia and low morale that Ballard must go outside to the one detective she can count on: Harry Bosch. But as the two inexorable detectives work together to find out where old and new cases intersect, they must constantly look over their shoulders. The brutal predators they are tracking are ready to kill to keep their secrets hidden.

It’s mid-pandemic and detective Renee Ballard has noticed the department is going through quite a change. Called out to a murder on New Years Eve and also helping out on what appears to be a serial rapist with the Sex Crimes unit, Renee doesn’t want to lose the murder when she finds her case links back to a much older case – an open case – from Harry Bosch’s time. Can they work together again to solve both their cases?

I’m a longtime fan of Bosch (more than twenty years now) and love seeing him retired but still in action with Ballard. I feel Connelly manages to really blend the old and the new with this book and I also admit I enjoy the dynamic now between Bosch and Ballard – they’ve really found a good groove to give them both their independence but also a trust and working relationship that works for them both. I found it a joy to read.

I also enjoyed the reality and Covid additions. It felt there was enough there to be real and truthful without delving too deeply or harping on about the pandemic years. I feel Connelly did a really good job with this balance and reality too.

Readers looking for a modern and realistic police murder mystery with an excellent plot and relatable characters should absolutely give this a try. While I feel the book can absolutely be read as a standalone I do think more emotional attachment might be felt for readers who have at least a few of the previous books under their belts.

A solid and well written mystery. Recommended.

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One Less Snake by Rhys Dylan

April 23, 2026 By Leave a Comment


One Less Snake by Rhys Dylan
Publisher: Wyrmwood Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Even sleepy, picturesque coastal towns have their secrets.

Welcome to Solva, where a burned-out car, a corpse, and a hauntingly precise execution greets a morning walker.

DCI Evan Warlow faces a case steeped in fear and the worst of modern crimes.

As clues lead him down twisting trails, Warlow must confront not only the killer’s identity but also the lingering echoes of a community’s darkest sins and the intersection of power, revenge, and justice.

DCI Warlow and his team are called in to investigate when a body is found in a burned out car at the bottom of a quarry. Suspecting the body is that of a local politician Warlow and his team soon discover there are any number of murky possibilities. Can they unravel the truth?

I have been greatly enjoying this Welsh police procedural mystery series and found this book to be a solid addition to the ongoing storylines. While the main murder mystery was the primary focus of the book I was really interested that various sub plots around the police team had a good amount of time too. Gina’s visiting brother and some of Jess’ Italian relatives and a bit more of her back story. While this book can absolutely be read as a stand alone I admit I do think readers who have read at least a few of the previous installments – and therefore have a strong emotional attachment to the team – might find this books hits a bit deeper and the enjoyment might be a little more than someone just picking this up fresh. I also really appreciated that we had a good update and a few scenes with Catrin as well. I’m looking forward to her return soon.

Readers looking for a well plotted, primarily police procedural style of mystery should find this really works for them. I admit I enjoy the fact this is based in Wales. I do find this gives a slightly different atmosphere – a little grittier or harder sometimes – than the usual British mystery storylines. I enjoyed the pacing and the conflict – I also am wondering if down the line there might be a bit more trouble from a new character – a female reporter who struck me very much as not a finished plotline in this book.

With a solid cast of strong secondary characters and an enjoyable mystery I can easily recommend both this book and the series as a whole. Highly enjoyable.

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Edwin Steelside: Searching Out the Devil by Bradford Bennett

April 21, 2026 By 1 Comment


Edwin Steelside: Searching Out the Devil by Bradford Bennett
Publisher: Tellwell Publishing
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Rated: 4 stars
Review by Rose

Unsolvable murders, and innocent suspects. It’s time to bring in Steelside.

The Final Scene
Two talented performers take center stage for a heart-wrenching love song. Their soaring voices deliver a dramatic aria for a scene that will never be surpassed. Or will it?

The Marathon Murder
Great human sports achievements fill our history books with superhuman feats. Then comes one runner to break all the records, plus anyone else in his way.

The Pharmacy Incident
Advancing the science of medicine gives us miracle cures for life-saving treatments. Now Ed is hired to look into their dark closets and finds—do we trust them too much?

There’s Death in Texas
A deadly killer stalks the state of Texas, and no one knows he’s coming except for fate and a crack detective. Now, Ed must find the path to stop one of the most deadly killers in North American history.

These four stories hit the spot for this overly-busy, mystery-lovin’ reader! Each of the stories were short enough to read in a short setting, but still full of mystery, intrigue, and good old fashioned detecting. They were all good, but my favorite one by far was The Marathon Murder.

It was good to see recurring characters in the stories as well…and Ed really depends on his team to help him solve the mysteries. He depends on his friends and associates to really find out a lot of information that leads him to solve the cases. Plus, he has quite a bit of luck several times.

I really enjoyed his relationship with his old partner… it was good to see a private investigator and the police working so well together. Very refreshing.

My favorite extra character, though, has to be Molly. And, I have to admit, Ed drove me crazy with his wishy-washy ways towards her. I wish she had had a bigger role in the stories.

I’m hoping to see more of Ed Steelside….thanks, Mr. Bennett. I would love to see this character and his crew all fleshed out in a full length book!

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Dead Ground by M.W. Craven

April 20, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Dead Ground by M.W. Craven
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Detective Sergeant Washington Poe is in court, fighting eviction from his beloved and isolated croft, when he is summoned to a backstreet brothel in Carlisle where a man has been beaten to death with a baseball bat. Poe is confused – he hunts serial killers and this appears to be a straightforward murder-by-pimp – but his attendance was requested personally, by the kind of people who prefer to remain in the shadows.

As Poe and the socially awkward programmer Tilly Bradshaw delve deeper into the case, they are faced with seemingly unanswerable questions: despite being heavily vetted for a high-profile job, why does nothing in the victim’s background check out? Why was a small ornament left at the murder scene – and why did someone on the investigation team steal it? And what is the connection to a flawlessly executed bank heist three years earlier, a heist where nothing was taken . . .

DS Washington Poe and analyst Tilly Bradshaw are in court, fighting his eviction from Poe’s beloved croft home. Before the verdict can be made, they are both whisked away in a flurry of secrecy to a brothel where a murder with important ramifications has occurred. Can Poe and Tilly work out the complexities of what’s happened without stepping on too many feet?

I have been greatly enjoying this series and absolutely loved this book. Poe and Tilly are both very different characters but I adore how well they work together and their skills mesh and compliment one another. I also particularly love how there is a great working and friendship chemistry between them – bot no hint of sexual tension or “more” which is rare in this sort of dynamic and I really love it.

There is a good cast of strong secondary characters that I also find enjoyable – but the plot and complexities revolving around the various moving parts here is where I really feel the author shines. I found it clear from the beginning that there were multiple layers to everything and watching both Poe and Tilly connect everything and unveil the next layer down was just a pleasure. Nothing came too easy for them but – equally important to my mind – nothing felt beyond reach or like there would need to be a bending of realistic to make something occur. I thought the plot and author walked a good line between complex but realistic.

Readers who enjoy mysteries and in particular British based police procedural style settings should absolutely enjoy this book. While I personally love them all and would happily start back at the beginning of the series I feel the plot and story is well encapsulated within this book and it’s not strictly necessary to have read any of the previous books – but why deny yourself? This is an exceptional series and one of my absolute current favourites, do yourself a favour and go back to the beginning and enjoy the full ride. Highly recommended.

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