Last year, Lisa at ANZ LitLovers hosted the inaugural Short Story September. This year, Rebecca from Bookish Beck is stepping in to host on behalf of Lisa and she will have a master post on her blog from the first of the month.
These are the books I am thinking about reading in September. I’m a mood reader so it’s always up in the air!
Title: Dear Debbie
Author: Freida McFadden
Format: eBook
Length: 340 pages
Rating: 3.5 stars
Publication Date: January 27, 2026
Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden is a quick psychological thriller with a straightforward writing style typical of the author. The story moves at a steady pace and kept my interest. The characters are not especially deep. It’s an easy read that may appeal to readers looking for a light, uncomplicated suspense novel.
I received a complimentary e-copy. Thank you to Edelweiss.
Title: The Safe Room: A Short Story
Author: Lisa Unger
Format: eBook
Length: 63 pages
Rating: 4 stars
Publication Date: July 1, 2026
Private investigator Rae Donovan’s relationship with her father is distant to the point of estrangement. But when she learns he’s dying in hospice, she drops everything to be at his side. By the time she arrives, he’s already too far gone to speak, and a doctor says his death is consistent with poisoning.
As she scours his isolated Adirondack home for clues, she discovers a hidden room filled with surveillance equipment, weapons, and a safe full of cash—maybe her father wasn’t the unassuming retiree she’d imagined. Rae must decide whether knowing the full truth about her family is worth the danger of tracking it down.
Lisa Unger knows how to pull you into a story, and The Safe House was no exception. From the very beginning, I was hooked by the mystery of who killed Rae’s father, and wanted to know how everything was connected. I wish this story could of been a little bit longer so the ending could of been more flushed out, but overall I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys quick paced thrillers.
I chose this book as a First Reads choice in June 2026.
Title: The Delivery: A Novella
Author: Gregg Hurwitz
Format: eBook
Length: 225 pages
Rating: 4 stars
Publication Date: July 1, 2026
Rebecca and Mark Higgins are doing their best to hold their family together. She’s healing from the pain of a miscarriage, he’s drowning in pressure at work, and their neurodivergent daughter, Maddy, needs all the care she can get. So when a cutting-edge tech company offers the perfect solution, they jump at the chance. And they welcome “Mr. Man”―a humanoid AI companion―into their home.
Designed to anticipate their needs, he’s like a miracle at first. The house runs like clockwork. Meals appear on the table. And Maddy thrives under his patient attention. But when inexplicable tragedies start to strike the neighborhood, Rebecca glimpses a darker pattern at play.
Each incident is an answer to an unspoken fear, each kindness shadowed by violence. Mr. Man isn’t just following instructions―he’s anticipating what they want. Even the things they never dared to say. And if he’s executing their darkest desires, it’s their responsibility to stop him…at any cost.
Gregg Hurwitz knows how to write suspense, and The Delivery was an entertaining read. The story grabbed my attention immediately with what seemed like a routine delivery that quickly spiraled into a dangerous, high-stakes fight for survival. The tension never let up, and I found myself constantly wondering how the family was going to escape each new obstacle. I especially enjoyed the fast pacing and the way Hurwitz kept raising the stakes without slowing the story down. There were several tense confrontations that had me turning the pages as quickly as possible. This was a fun, adrenaline-fueled thriller that delivered exactly what I was expecting from the synopsis. If you enjoy nonstop action and edge-of-your-seat suspense, this one is well worth reading.
This is a new author to me and I would definitely read more of his work.
I chose this book as a First Reads choice in June 2026.
Title: The Invitation
Author: Jodi Ellen Malpas
Format: eBook
Length: 329 pages
Rating: 4 stars
Publication Date: July 1, 2025
I stayed up all night reading this book, which is rare for me. Was it a masterpiece? Not really. But I was totally invested in Amelia and Jude’s relationship. I liked the witty banter the characters had with each other and did laugh out loud a few times. I wish Jude would of came clean instead of just yelling “wait, wait” at her while Amelia was running away. Anyway, I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
I chose this book as a First Reads choice in June 2025.
The mystery-a-thon took from April 12th to April 19th, hosted by the COYER Discord group. Real simple rules: If it’s a mystery it counts. It can be suspenseful or a cozy. As long as someone is trying to find out who done it, it counts.
I read these three books for the challenge:
Title: When I Kill You
Author: B.A. Paris
Format: audiobook
Length: 7 hours 52 minutes
Rating: 4 stars
Publication Date: February 17, 2026
I listened to this last year so it counted for last years challenges.
When I Kill You is another gripping, emotionally charged thriller from B.A. Paris, and I was hooked from the very first page. The tension builds beautifully throughout the story, with Paris’s signature blend of atmospheric suspense and deeply personal stakes. I found myself completely immersed, not just in the plot but in the way the story unfolded with such precision and psychological depth. I did guess the plot twist before it happened, but it did not ruin the book for me.
If you’re looking for a thriller that keeps you on edge while delivering strong character insight, When I Kill You is absolutely worth the read.
I received a complimentary ALC through NetGalley.
Title: Inside Man
Author: John McMahon
Format: audiobook
Narrator: Will Damon
Length: 9 hours 35 minutes
Publication Date: January 13, 2026
Inside Man by John McMahon is a gripping, smartly constructed thriller that kept me fully invested from start to finish. McMahon writes his cast with depth and emotional realism, making it easy to become immersed in their world and genuinely care about what happens as the story unfolds.
The dual investigations are especially compelling. As the two cases gradually intertwine, the tension builds in a way that constantly pulled me forward. Just when I thought I understood where things were heading, new connections emerged, keeping the story fresh and unpredictable without ever feeling forced or confusing. The pacing strikes a great balance between thoughtful development and propulsive suspense.
The audiobook elevates the experience even further. Narrator Will Damron does an outstanding job, bringing nuance and authenticity to each character’s voice. His performance enhances the emotional beats and sharpens the tension, making it hard to stop listening.
I received a complimentary audio copy. Thank you to the lovely people I reached out to at Macmillan for allowing me to have this ALC on my NetGalley Shelf.
This is where I will be keeping track of my COYER Challenge books to share with everyone. You know I also track everything on multiple spreadsheets like a huge nerd!
January 2026
February 2026
March 2026
April 2026
May 2026
June 2026
July 2026
August 2026
Title: Warping Minds and Other Misdemeanors
Author: Annette Marie and Rob Jacobsen
Format: audiobook
Length: 6 hours 34 minutes
Rating: 3.5 stars
Publication Date: August 25, 2020
COYER Library Love
I liked the characters in this book, but something about the story won’t let me rate it above 3.5 stars. I think my mind is wanting to compare it to the other series that Annette Marie wrote, and while they are in the same universe, this one just has a different feel. It was not a bad story, and I will continue on with the read-along.
From November 9 to November 23, COYER was hosting a New Release Catch Up Readathon. Any book published in 2025 counts for this challenge!
