Review: Too Close To Home by Seraphina Nova Glass #thrillerbookloversthepulse @Seraphinanovaglass @thrillerbookloversthepulse @htp_hive @htpbooks @parkrowbooks

Title: Too Close To Home
Author: Seraphina Nova Glass
Format: eBook
Length: 304
Rating: 4 stars
Publication Date: April 14, 2026

Review: I enjoyed this book! The short, fast paced chapters made it a book that I could fly through. I even stayed up way past my bedtime because I could not put this book down. At some points in the story you had to stretch your imagination a little bit, but overall a great read from Seraphina Nova Glass.

Thank you to Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse, the author, HTP Books and Park Row for allowing me to read this ARC through Netgalley.

I was sent a complimentary ebook through Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse.

Review: The Chateau by Avery Bishop @averybishopbooks @audible #thrillerbookloversthepulse #audible

Title: The Chateau
Author: Avery Bishop
Narrator: Christine Lakin
Format: Audiobook
Length: 7 hours 32 minutes
Rating: 3.5 stars
Publication Date: August 21, 2025

Challenges: Audiobook, COYER

Review: I was really into this story for most of the book, but once the reveal showed itself it started to lose me.  By the end I was just wanting the book to be over. I’m fine with an unreliable narrator but the last two hours of this audiobook was a struggle to get through. I gave it a little more than an average rating because I like how the story started off with the police interviewing guests at the resort and you’re trying to figure out what happened and what’s going on.
I did enjoy the narrator, Christine Lakin. She did a great job!

I was sent a complimentary audiobook through Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse.

Review: The Wasp Trap by Mark Edwards @markedwardsauthor @this_is_edelweiss #publicationday #edelweiss

Title: The Wasp Trap
Author: Mark Edwards
Format: eBook
Length: 336 pages
Rating: 4 stars
Publication Date: September 16, 2025

Challenges: COYER, Netgalley/Edelweiss

Synopsis: A dinner party in a beautiful Notting Hill townhouse turns into a sinister game, as six old friends are forced to spill their darkest secrets…or else.

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 psychopaths: 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.

Review: I thought the beginning of this story started off slow, but it was really laying down groundwork for later in the plot. The story goes between the present and the summer of 1999, where the group of friends met to work for a start up company for a website to find love on the internet. Of course the twists were twisting, and I did not see the ending coming (I feel like I should of, but I was looking the other way lol). Overall, I would recommend this book to all my friends who enjoy locked room thrillers.

I received a complimentary e-copy. Thank you to Simon & Schuster for allowing me to read this ARC through Edelweiss.

The Curse Bearer Series by Veronica Roth @veronicaroth @macmillan.audio #veronicaroth #macmillanaudio

Last year I went out of my comfort zone and chose a book with an interesting cover that is not in my usual genre for a Macmillan Audio Influencer pick. I ended up liking the story (I think it needed to be a little longer, to really get in depth with the characters).

Now I chose the second book in the series as last month’s Macmillan Audio pick. I plan to listen to it before the end of the month!

Synopsis for When Among Crows:
When Among Crows is swift and striking, drawing from the deep well of Slavic folklore and asking if redemption and atonement can be found in embracing what we most fear.

We bear the sword, and we bear the pain of the sword.

Pain is Dymitr’s calling. His family is one in a long line of hunters who sacrifice their souls to slay monsters. Now he’s tasked with a deadly mission: find the legendary witch Baba Jaga. To reach her, Dymitr must ally with the ones he’s sworn to kill.

Pain is Ala’s inheritance. A fear-eating zmora with little left to lose, Ala awaits death from the curse she carries. When Dymitr offers her a cure in exchange for her help, she has no choice but to agree.

Together they must fight against time and the wrath of the Chicago underworld. But Dymitr’s secrets—and his true motives—may be the thing that actually destroys them.

Synopsis for To Clutch A Razor:
A funeral. A heist. A mission born of desperation. 

When someone in Dymitr’s family dies, he’s called back home for the Empty Night, a funeral rite intended to keep evil at bay. 

The secret Dymitr is keeping from them makes returning home downright dangerous, but if he wants to get his hands on a book of curses that might appease Baba Jaga’s blood lust, he has no choice. And when that same funeral brings ferocious creature-of-legend Niko to town for his own bloody purposes, Dymitr’s charade becomes impossible to maintain. 

Family gatherings can be brutal. Dymitr’s might just be fatal.

I received both of these audiobooks through Macmillan Audio Influencer Program.

Review: The Memory Collectors by Dete Meserve

Title: The Memory Collectors
Author: Dete Meserve
Format: audiobook
Length: 8 hours 51 minutes
Rating: 4 stars
Publication Date: May 20,2025

Challenges: COYER, Library Love

Review: I can absolutely get behind a sci-fi time traveling story! I love different takes on time traveling and the current time line we are all living in. I enjoyed how you could slowly see how the characters stories intertwined as they were navigating their past.

This audiobook has multiple narrators, which was absolutely stellar! It really helped separate which character was which while listening to the story. All of them did a fabulous job! Every single narrator of this story REALLY made me get into this book. They felt like they were real people and not characters within a book.

This book is written by a Jewish author.


I borrowed this book through Libby.

Publication Day: The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer by Ragnar Jónasson @ragnarjo @macmillan.audio #macmillanaudio #macaudio2025 #netgalley

Title: The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer
Author: Ragnar Jónasson
Narrator:  Cicely Whitehead, Jane Slavin, Rufus Wright 
Format: eBook / Audiobook
Length: 283 pages / 5 hours 54 minutes
Rating: 4 stars
Publication Date: September 9, 2025

Challenges: Audiobook, COYER, HRCYED 2.0, NetGalley

Review: We get to meet up with Helgi Reykdal again, as he solves the case of a missing crime writer named Elín S. Jónsdóttir. As Helgi interviews the people closest to her (a publisher, an accountant, a retired judge) he realizes that Elín’s life wasn’t what it seemed. In fact, her past is even stranger than the fiction she wrote. I was totally invested in this story and could not believe the ending!

If you’re a fan of Agatha Christie type books, with a Nordic flair, this one is for you! 

I received two complimentary copies. Thank you to Sara Beth at St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read this ARC via Netgalley widget, and Macmillan Audio Influencer Program for sending me an ALC.

Review: Death At The Sanatorium by Ragnar Jónasson @ragnarjo @StMartinsPress @macmillan.audio #DeathAtTheSanatorium #macmillanaudio

Title: Death At The Sanatorium
Author: Ragnar Jónasson
Narrator: Sam Woolf
Format: eBook / Audiobook
Length: 279 pages / 6 hours 42 minutes
Rating: 4 stars
Publication Date: September 10, 2024

Challenges: Audiobook, Beat The Backlist, COYER, HRCYED 2.0, Mount TBR, NetGalley

Review: Ragnar Jónasson’s love for Agatha Christie shows in all of his work. This book was a rather good representation of that. It was all slowly building up to who the murder was at the very end. I enjoyed getting to know Helgi also. Another Christie-like detective you are rooting for.

I will recommend this to all my friends who enjoy mystery novels.

I received two complimentary copies. Thank you to Sara Beth at St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read this ARC via Netgalley widget, and Macmillan Audio Influencer Program for sending me an ALC.

Review: The Shepard & Gray Trilogy by Victor Methos @victormethos #victormethos

Challenges: Amazon First Reads Backlog, Beat The Backlist, COYER, Read For The Stars

Review: Victor Methos is becoming one of my favorite authors! His writing style is smooth and all of his stories flow easily, which helps move the story along at such a good pace where absolutely nothing feels forced. His characters are genuine and feel like real people you can relate to and root for throughout the whole series.

I received The Secret Witness as a First Reads choice in 2022. I redeemed a gift card to acquire The Grave Singer and The Deceiving Look earlier this year.

Spotlight: Salem’s Fall by Rektok Ross

Title: Salem’s Fall
Author: Rektok Ross
Format: eBook
Length: 320 pages
Publication Date: August 5, 2025
Rating: My review is up on Storygraph

Challenges: COYER, Netgalley/Edelweiss

A hotshot young attorney. An enigmatic billionaire accused of murder. To uncover the truth, she’ll have to play his game—and try not to fall in love with the devil.

The Silence of the Lambs meets Labyrinth in this dangerously addictive blend of twisty psychological thriller, legal suspense, and gothic dark romance—perfect for fans of Verity, Haunting Adeline, and The Housemaid.

I received a complimentary e-copy. Thank you to Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse for allowing me to read this ARC through NetGalley.

Review: Kill Your Darlings by Peter Swanson

Title: Kill Your Darlings
Author: Peter Swanson
Format: Hardcover Book
Length: 272 pages
Rating: 2 stars
Publication Date: June 10, 2025

Challenges:

Review: This may be the DULLEST book I’ve ever read in my entire life. I forced myself through this entire book!
The concept of the story being told backwards was intriguing and this is why I wanted to read the book. The whole middle of the book was so slow and seemed to not have any meaning to the plot.
I’m normally a Peter Swanson fan, and this one did not hit!

I received a hardcover copy in the mail for free from HarperCollins.

Review: Things We Do In The Dark by Jennifer Hillier

Title: Things We Do In The Dark
Author: Jennifer Hillier
Narrator: Carla Vega
Format: Audiobook
Length: 12 hours 21 minutes
Rating: 4 stars
Publication Date: July 19, 2022

Challenges: Audiobook, Beat The Backlist, COYER, Library Love, Virtual Mount

Review: I literally have no words on how great this book was. Dark and tragic! Jennifer Hillier is a great author and I need to read more of her books!
PLEASE CHECK THOSE TRIGGER WARNINGS BEFORE READING/LISTENING TO THIS BOOK

I borrowed this audiobook from Libby.

Review: My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing

Version 1.0.0

Title: My Lovely Wife
Author: Samantha Downing
Narrator: David Pittu
Format: Audiobook
Length: 10 hours 13 minutes
Rating: 4 stars
Publication Date: March 26, 2019

Challenges: Audiobook, Beat The Backlist, COYER, Library Love, Virtual Mount

Review: I like that the book is told from the husband’s point of view. It made the whole ending part of the plot great! The kids were on my nerves, but that’s probably because they were teenagers lol.
Overall, great debut book from Samantha Downing!

I borrowed this audiobook from Libby.

Review: Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw

Version 1.0.0

Title: Nothing But Blackened Teeth
Author: Cassandra Khaw
Narrator: Suehyla El-Attar
Format: Audiobook
Length: 2 hours 32 minutes
Rating: 3 stars
Publication Date: October 19, 2021

Challenges: Audiobook, Beat The Backlist, COYER, Library Love, Virtual Mount

Review: This book definitely gave creepy vibes, but I thought it was entirely too short. Everything in the plot felt rushed. 

I borrowed this audiobook from Libby.

Review: We Used To Live Here by Marcus Kliewer

Version 1.0.0

Title: We Used To Live Here
Author: Marcus Kliewer
Narrator: Jeremy Carlisle Parker, Corey Brill
Format: Audiobook
Length: 9 hours 52 minutes
Rating: 3 stars
Publication Date: June 18, 2024

Challenges: Audiobook, Beat The Backlist, COYER, Library Love, Virtual Mount

Review: I wanted to like this book more, but most of it felt repetitive and could of been shorter. I felt my mind wandering a couple of times. The end was what I thought was going on, so this gets an average rating from me.
I did like both of the narrators.

I borrowed this audiobook from Libby.

Review: Falling For Them by Calista Jayne

Title: Falling For Them
Author: Calista Jayne
Format: eBook
Length: 250 pages
Rating: 2 stars
Publication Date: May 17, 2022

Challenges: COYER, Thrifty Thursday

Review: I am looking for more MFM trope books, so when I find one I scoop it up. I found this one through the free section on Bookbub a few years ago. The backstory on these characters was not doing it for me, and I skimmed most of the book just to see how it all ended. It ended on a cliffhanger, but I will not be continuing the series.

I found this book for free through Bookbub’s free ebook tab.

Review: Abscond by Abraham Verghese

Title: Abscond
Author: Abraham Verghese
Format: eBook
Length: 39 pages
Rating: 2.5 stars
Publication Date: July 1, 2025

Challenges: COYER

Review: This was a short story I got for free from Amazon First Reads. This type of book isn’t my normal genre, but the book takes place in New Jersey and felt the need to read it. I wouldn’t call it heart-warming, but there were life lessons to learn from Ravi. I’d recommend it to my friends who are into this genre.

I chose this book as a First Reads bonus book.

Review: Good Neighbors by Chad Zunker

Title: Good Neighbors
Author: Chad Zunker
Narrator: Amara Jasper
Format: Audiobook
Length: 1 hours 4 minutes
Rating: 3 stars
Publication Date: June 2, 2025

Challenges: Audiobook, Virtual Mount

Review: I have read Chad Zunker before and enjoyed his books. This one felt like it needed to be just a little bit longer for the twist to really hit. Felt like you could see it coming a mile away and that’s no fun.

I borrowed this audiobook from Prime Reading.

Review: Don’t Believe It by Charlie Donlea

Title: Don’t Believe It
Author: Charlie Donlea
Narrator: Nina Alvamar 
Format: Audiobook
Length: 10 hours 31 minutes
Rating: 3 stars
Publication Date: May 29, 2018

Challenges: Audiobook, Beat The Backlist, COYER, Library Love, Read For The Stars, Virtual Mount

Review: Not my favorite Charlie Donlea book, but it was good all the same. A lot of legal and medical jargon so I sort of did tune those parts out. I figured that Grace did not kill her boyfriend, but I did not guess who actually killed him. And I did not care for the ending. 

I borrowed this audiobook from Libby.

Review: Stranded by Sarah Goodwin

Title: Stranded
Author: Sarah Goodwin
Format: eBook
Length: 398 pages
Rating: 4 stars
Publication Date: September 16, 2021

Challenges: Beat The Backlist, COYER, Library Love, Virtual Mount

Review: I flew through this book. The premise of people stranded on an island for a reality TV show, and not everyone making it off the island, sucked me in. I did not see where the story was going, and I did not guess any of the twists. This book was recommended to me and I am so glad I read it. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys thriller books.

I borrowed this book on Libby.

Review: You Are Fatally Invited

Title: You Are Fatally Invited
Author: Ande Pliego
Narrator:  Mia Hutchinson-Shaw, Alejandro Ruiz , Victoria Villarreal, Feodor Chin , William Damron, John Lee , Dawn Harvey , Jeremy Carlisle Parker 
Format: eBook / Audiobook
Length: 363 pages / 11 hours 02 minutes
Rating: 3.5 stars
Publication Date: February 11, 2025

Challenges: Audiobook, COYER, Library Love, NetGalley

Review: This story has definite And Then There Were None vibes (and even a very small Clue (the movie) reference early on), so while it absolutely started off slow… it got more interesting once the characters were being killed off. I guessed the murderer incorrectly, and did not see any of the twist coming. I like how each character had a different personality and it felt like a real writing retreat (minus the murders lol).

I enjoyed each narrator and am glad they gave each characters chapter their own narrator. It helped keep the story flowing.

Note: I gave this one 3.5 on Storygraph, but will mark it as 4 stars on NetGalley because they do not use half stars. 

I received a complimentary e-copy. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC. I borrowed the audiobook through my local library to immerse myself into the story.