Thriller

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #66

What is the Sunday Salon? The Sunday Salon is a place to link up and share what we have been doing during the week. It’s also a great opportunity to visit other blogs and join in the conversations going on there. Hosted by Readerbuzz.

What is the Sunday Post? The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly or for a monthly wrap up.

Can you believe I’ve had ANOTHER busy week? My husband hurt his back at work and he was put on light duty for a week. So I’ve been helping my husband get things done, like the soccer club’s Halloween goody bags that needed to be made, and then making food for his work event that is later on today. Yesterday I had to take my son to his friends Halloween party so I spent a good amount of the day in the car… So now my back hurts, LOL!

I am off of work this week, and I am actually excited to not have to set my alarm for the mornings. I am hoping that the weather will be continue to be nice and I can sit outdoors and read during the day! I may also go for a non-strenuous hike with the dog, but it really depends on how the week is going.

I am currently reading these two books.

I have finished listening to these two audiobooks this past week. Reviews will be posted on the blog in November.

I requested the large print edition through my local library branch, and it was available for me to pick up the other day. This book will be included in my November library stats instead of Octobers.

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading?

TV Tuesday: Shows I Am Currently Watching

Can’t-Wait Wednesday – October 28, 2026

Library Stats and Savings For October 2026

Books Acquired In October 2026

Saturday Series: Holmes, Margaret & Poe by James Patterson

Monthly Wrap Up: October 2026
Review: This Jury Is Guilty by Laurie Blake
Netgalley November 2026
Getting Set Up For A Successful 2027 Reading Year Via Spreadsheet(s)
Review: The Magician’s Nephew (The Chronicles of Narnia 1) by C. S. Lewis
The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #67

Books Acquired In October 2026

Good morning readers! These are all of the books that I acquired/received/borrowed onto my shelves, virtual and/or physical, for the entire month of October:

I borrowed all of these from Libby.

I borrowed these from my local library.

I chose this book for my First Reads choice this month.

I was approved for these two this month!

I signed up for Dervla’s newsletter and she was giving away her Novella for free.

Acquired: 10

Total spent this month: $0.00

Total spent this year: $0.00

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #65

It’s been a slower week, but nothing has really changed in the “I’ve been busy” department. After work I was getting our camper back in order (since it rained every weekend we were there we needed to dry out and air out everything), which took over two days. Then the belt on the dryer snapped on Thursday afternoon!

My brain is just mentally drained from this entire month. I am looking forward my much needed time off of work the first week of November, I can tell ya that!!

I am currently reading these two books.

I have finished listening to these two audiobooks this past week.

No books were added this week.

Mailbox Monday

Review: William by Mason Coile

WWW Wednesday – October 21, 2026

Throwback Thursday: His & Hers by Alice Feeney

Friday Book Snippets

Saturday Series: The Shadow by James Patterson

*subject to change

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading?
TV Tuesday: Shows I Am Currently Watching
Can’t-Wait Wednesday – October 28, 2026
Library Stats and Savings For October 2026
Books Acquired In October 2026
The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #66

Review: William by Mason Coile

Title: William
Author: Mason Coile
Format: audiobook
Length: 5 hours 1 minute
Narrators: Honey St. Dennis
Rating: 3.5 stars
Publication Date: September 10, 2024

William was a creepy and unique read with a really interesting premise. I really enjoyed the isolated setting, the unsettling atmosphere, and the combination of technology, psychological suspense, and horror made this a very different kind of thriller. There were several moments that kept me guessing as to what the heck was actually going on, and I liked the way the tension continued to build throughout the story. I thought the overall concept was incredibly creative and the story kept me interested. The twists and darker elements added to the suspense, and I was definitely curious to see how everything would unfold. Overall, William was a creepy, atmospheric, and entertaining read/listen.

I borrowed this book from Libby.

Mailbox Monday

I am apart of James Patterson’s Street Team and I was sent a hardcover copy of The Family Cross. Happy Publication Day to the 36th book in the Alex Cross series!

Alex Cross investigates a series of baffling murders while balancing a family crisis that threatens to upend his entire world in this thriller from the world’s #1 bestselling author, James Patterson.

Alex Cross is a brilliant psychologist—and a relentless hunter of killers for the FBI and DC Metro Police.

To his beloved Nana Mama, he’s still the boy she raised—and every morning, as he straps on his service weapon, she’s reminded just how dangerous his world has become.

But in Washington, DC, there are places even the police don’t go—an unseen underworld where violence thrives and rules don’t apply. And this time, Alex is stepping straight into it.

Each move pulls him deeper into the dark—and closer to a case that could shatter the promise he made to Nana … and cost him everything he holds most dear.

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #64

It’s been NON-STOP around here, and I’m actually over it!

From October 9 to October 11, I was camping with my husband, son, niece and nephew. Two days of beautiful weather followed by crazy amounts of rain. What else is new!

My husband is a big fan of the Chucky franchise

On October 12 I took my daughter to an outdoor art museum. We had such a great time and even better weather!

From October 15 to tomorrow, my parents are visiting. They had a wedding to attend here in New Jersey and came up to “use my house as their hotel” haha. They will be leaving to go home Monday morning.

Then we can get back to our regularly scheduled programming lol.

Because of ALL the craziness that has been going on this month, my reading has been suffering so bad! Barely read anything, and DNFed two books.

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #63

Stacking The Shelves #14

Stacking The Shelves #15

WWW Wednesday – October 14, 2026

Review: You’ve Killed Me First by John Marrs

Review: Rogue Ghosts and Other Miscreants by Annette Marie & Rob Jacobsen

Saturday Stack

*subject to change

#SpooktasticReads2026
Review: William by Mason Coile
WWW Wednesday – October 21, 2026
The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #65

Review: You’ve Killed Me First by John Marrs

Title: You’ve Killed Me First
Author: John Marrs
Format: paperback
Length: 381 pages
Rating: 4 stars
Publication Date: March 11, 2025

You Killed Me First was such a wild and twisted thriller! The story centers around three very different women: Margot, a former pop star whose life revolves around appearances; Anna, the quiet and seemingly innocent neighbor with a much darker side; and Liv, the glamorous newcomer who seems to have the perfect life. When Liv moves into the neighborhood, the complicated relationship between these three women quickly turns into a tangled web of jealousy, secrets, revenge, infidelity, and murder.

I really enjoyed how John Marrs slowly revealed more about each character and their pasts. None of these women are exactly what they first appear to be, and I constantly found myself questioning who I could trust. The story jumps between their perspectives and gradually connects their lives to the mysterious events surrounding Bonfire Night. Just when I thought I had figured out where the story was going, another revelation completely changed things. The characters are messy, flawed, and often completely unlikable, but that made them even more interesting to read about. Another addictive and seriously twisted read from John Marrs!

Stacking The Shelves #15

Remember when I said I wasn’t going to accept a lot of ARC this year…

One weekend. Fifty singles. Endless secrets. From the beloved author of The Golden Spoon comes another seductive, high-stakes thriller, this one set at an exclusive matchmaking retreat at an historic Newport hotel.

When fifty influencers and celebrities gather at an historic Newport estate for an exclusive matchmaking retreat, the weekend is billed as a dreamy escape—sunlit yoga, champagne by the sea, and the legendary Magnus McBride, a matchmaker with a near-mystical reputation. But behind the marble halls and ocean views, something darker lurks.

Tegan Reyes, a once-famous artist, hopes the trip will revive her stalled career. Ruby Valenti, a disgraced socialite, longs for redemption. Omar Abebe, a trivia champion haunted by loss, wants a fresh start. And Lacy Bryant, a glamorous YouTuber, is chasing more than love—she’s hunting a secret treasure rumored to be hidden in the hotel’s depths.

Then the hotel’s owner is found dead at the base of a cliff.

As a storm closes in, alliances form and fracture, old scandals resurface, and the matchmaker’s final pairings may prove fatal. Because at Windmist, everyone has something to hide—and someone will do anything to keep the past buried.

Seductive, atmospheric, and laced with shocking twists, The Last Match is a gripping tale of desire, deception, and the dangerous games we play for love.

Stacking The Shelves #14

Hollywood’s biggest movie star, Danny Scott, stands accused of trying to murder his wife, starlet Hope Harrison, in a case that has taken the world by storm. Everyone is asking: What led to the events of that night, and what darker truths simmer beneath the surface of Danny and Hope’s marriage? As the world watches, twelve sequestered jurors must decide Danny’s fate. But even a jury has its secrets…

Juror 6 is risking everything for this trial. Even her life.

Juror 2 is playing games. But can he keep one step ahead of his own lies?

Juror 13, the alternate, will do anything to be on that jury. Anything.

Juror 7 is hardly noticed by anyone. Just as she planned.

As each juror vies for the verdict they want, secrets, obsessions, and plots for revenge will come to light in the stands. Because everyone is lying. Everyone is guilty. And one of them might be planning a murder of their own.

With shocking twists and propulsive pacing, This Jury Is Guilty is a thought-provoking, locked-room thriller exploring our obsessions with true crime, the blurry lines between fact and fiction, and the lengths we’re willing to go to seek justice. For fans of Amy Tintera, Steve Cavanagh, and Ellery Lloyd.

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #63

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #62

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*subject to change

Review: You’ve Killed Me First by John Marrs
Review: Rogue Ghosts and Other Miscreants by Annette Marie & Rob Jacobsen
The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #64

Review: The Woman Inside My Home by D.L. Fisher

Title: The Woman Inside My Home
Author: D.L. Fisher
Format: eBook
Length: pages
Rating: 4 stars
Publication Date: October 15, 2026

A MESSAGE POPS UP ON MY HUSBAND’S PHONE. I READ IT, OF COURSE — WHO WOULDN’T?

I’m thirty in two weeks. I can’t wait to find out what my husband has got me.

So when his phone lights up while he’s in the bathroom, I sneak a peek. What I read takes my breath away.

Congratulations on your new home! You’ll find the key under the welcome mat.

He’s bought us our dream home. A log cabin in the mountains, by a private lake.

I have to see it! So the moment Ethan leaves for his work trip, I get in the car and drive. He’s not back until tomorrow evening. He won’t suspect a thing.

But when I pull up on the gravel driveway deep in the Poconos, Ethan’s truck is there.

And so is another woman . . .

The Woman in My Home by D.L. Fisher was a fast-paced, twisty psychological thriller that had me questioning almost everyone. Elena thinks Ethan has secretly bought them a dream home for her upcoming 30th birthday, so she heads to the secluded cabin in the Poconos to get a sneak peek. Instead, she finds Ethan there with another woman, Summer, and what starts as a suspicious husband and possible affair quickly turns into something much more complicated.

I really enjoyed the way the story shifted between Elena and Summer’s perspectives. Just when I thought I understood what was happening, another piece of the puzzle would come along and make me question everything again. Elena’s growing paranoia and Summer’s own suspicions created a lot of tension, while Ethan was the kind of character who made me want to yell at the page. The gaslighting, manipulation, secrets, and constantly changing perspectives kept me invested, and I especially liked how the pieces eventually came together.

There were definitely moments where I had to suspend my disbelief, and some of the twists felt a little over-the-top, but this was still such an entertaining and bingeable thriller. The isolated cabin setting added an extra layer of uneasiness, and the ending had a few reveals I didn’t see coming. Overall, a solid four-star read!

I received a complimentary e-copy through Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse.

Review: Do You See What I See?: A Novella by Peter Swanson

Title: Do You See What I See?
Author: Peter Swanson
Format: eBook
Length: 128 pages
Rating: 4 stars
Publication Date: October 6, 2026

From New York Times bestselling author Peter Swanson comes a fantastically creepy holiday story of a writer tasked with helping a famous novelist finish his next book. But when two dead bodies turn up at the seaside manor, he must uncover the killer before the clock ticks down to Christmas Day.

Peter Swanson proves once again that he can pack an incredible amount of mystery into a short page count. Do You See What I See? is a clever, atmospheric novella that blends a classic locked-room style mystery with a festive holiday backdrop, making it the perfect quick read for thriller fans.

I loved the isolated Cape Cod mansion setting and the cast of suspicious characters, each with believable motives that kept me questioning everyone until the very end. Nicholas was an engaging narrator, and I especially enjoyed how the story unfolded through multiple retellings of the same events. With each version, new details came to light, making the mystery even more intriguing and rewarding to piece together.

Despite its novella length, the characters felt distinct, the pacing never dragged, and the twists kept me hooked from beginning to end. If you’re looking for a smart, fast-paced whodunit with a cozy Christmas atmosphere and Peter Swanson’s signature suspense, this is an easy recommendation.

Thank you to NetGalley for approving my request for this ARC.

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #62

Monday I went to work, then came home. My husband didn’t have to work late so he was actually home for dinner. Tuesday I went to work, then came home, immediately changed and got in the car to take my son’s girlfriend to the train station an hour away from us so she could head home. Wednesday I went to work, then came home, immediately changed and got in the car with my husband to head to the camp ground (we had to move the camper to our original spot now that it’s not flooded, and set everything back up for this upcoming weekend). We were there almost three hours! Thursday I went to work, then ran errands right after leaving work- food shopping and random camping stuff needed to get done. Friday I went to work, then came home, immediately changed and got in the car to go camping!

I am halfway through this ARC and will have a review posted by next week.

A library book, which is book 2 in the Naughty of Nice series. And an Amazon First Reads short story choice for October.

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #61

Final Check In: Short Story September #ShortStorySeptember

Library Stats and Savings For September 2026

Books Acquired In September 2026

My Fall TBR List

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*subject to change

Tour Spotlight: A Killer For Christmas by Kim Harrington
Review: Do You See What I See?: A Novella by Peter Swanson
WWW Wednesday – October 7, 2026
Review: The Woman Inside My Home by D.L. Fisher
Off The Grid One More Time: Camping Weekend 2026
Books From The Backlog
The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #63

Books Acquired In September 2026

Good morning readers! These are all of the books that I acquired/received/borrowed onto my shelves, virtual and/or physical, for the entire month of September:

I borrowed all of these from Libby.

I borrowed these from my local library.

I chose this book for my First Reads choice this month. Not my usual genre but I’ve been in a autumnal mood lately.

I was approved for these two this month!

I was sent the widget of this one thanks to Tonya at Thriller Book Lovers!

Acquired: 10

Total spent this month: $0.00

Total spent this year: $0.00

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #61

This week consisted of going to work in the morning of course. Then when I got home from work I was running around doing errands for camping and then actually packing for our first camping trip of the year. I have been SO PUMPED to go camping as my soul has needed crisp sunny air. Bbuuuuutttttttttt, New Jersey was hit with a nor’easter this entire weekend! We had to move campsites for a day because we got completely flooded out.

With being so busy and having no real time for myself, my reading has suffered greatly. I have also DNFed a bunch of books this month. These are the only two I am currently reading/listening to.

Review: Lost Talismans and A Tequila by Annette Marie

Ten Before The End 2026

WWW Wednesday – September 23, 2026

Thriller Thursday: On The Ice by Keaton McGruder

Book Blogger Hop: What’s the best investment you’ve made for your blog?

Off The Grid: Camping Weekend 2026

*subject to change

Final Check In: Short Story September
Library Stats and Savings For September 2026
Books Acquired In September 2026
My Fall TBR List
Monthly Wrap Up: September 2026
The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #62

Thriller Thursday: On The Ice by Keaton McGruder

Title: On The Ice
Author: Keaton McGruder
Format: eBook
Length: 352 pages
Genre: Thriller
Publication Date: February 2, 2027

A chilling, complex mystery about a screenwriter’s feverish search for her missing brother on an Antarctic research station by debut author Keaton McGruder.

Ellie Best wins a coveted grant to write a screenplay while staying in Antarctica at McMurdo Station, and the best part is that her brother Leo, a climate scientist, is leading a research expedition there. But when she arrives, Leo has gone missing . . . and no one can survive for long out on the ice.

Desperate to find out what happened to Leo, Ellie begins to investigate. Everyone is a suspect in the isolated, claustrophobic research station. The scientists and support workers Leo knew were changed by the months of darkness, forming a tangled web of relationships, lovers, enemies and secrets. And when there’s a deadly fire on the base that echoes the script Ellie is writing, she realizes that danger is still lurking in the station—and she could be the next target.

Told in dual perspectives, in Leo’s polar winter in pure darkness and Ellie’s austral summer in constant light, On the Ice is a chilling debut mystery about isolation, survival, and the need for human connection and love—set against the breathtaking, and deadly, landscape of Antarctica.

Kat White over at St. Martin’s Press sent me a widget through NetGalley.

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #60

My mental health has been in the toilet most of this week. My husband has been working late a lot of nights, and the dog hurt himself (nothing series) but we had to take him to the vet to get antibiotics. I drove up to get my daughter from college so she could come home for a quick weekend as well.

I barely read on my Kindle this week, so I haven’t made much progress on Falls To Pieces.

I am almost done listening to Lost Talismans And A Tequila.

And I just started What Have You Done? a few days ago.

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading?

National Hispanic Heritage Month 2026

Can’t-Wait Wednesday – September 16, 2026

Review: Old Ham by Seraphina Nova Glass

Stacking The Shelves #13

Shelfie Saturday

*subject to change

Ten Before The End
Review: Lost Talisman and A Tequila by Annette Marie
WWW Wednesday – September 23, 2026
Thriller Thursday
Book Blogger Hop
The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #61

Stacking The Shelves #13

Not my typical genre.
It’s been autumn weather around here & it’s put me in a seasonal mood.

Samhain sweeps magic into Gracie’s cosy Irish hometown, and with it the boy who broke her heart ten years ago…

Sunny librarian Gracie isn’t looking for love. After dumping her cheating ex, she’s living the life she’s always dreamed of as a small-town librarian – surrounded by books, knitted pumpkins, and the cosy magic of Samhain.

Then Flynn Anderson walks back into her life.

Not only is Flynn her childhood best friend, he’s the boy who broke her heart ten years ago, disappearing to New York with no explanation. Now he’s back, annoyingly handsome and somehow roped into helping her organise the village’s Halloween festivities. Even worse? They’re forced to share his family’s cottage. With only one bed.

Between sweet, funny notes, stolen glances, and far too many moments that make her pulse race, Gracie finds her feelings for Flynn are more complicated than she thought. And when a spicy fake kiss feels all too real, she faces an impossible choice.

Will Gracie be heartbroken again? Or will the magic of Samhain, and the support of their cosy small-town community, help Gracie and Flynn find their way home – this time, for good?

Review: Old Ham by Seraphina Nova Glass

Title: Old Ham
Author: Seraphina Nova Glass
Format: eBook
Length: 195 pages
Rating: 4 stars
Publication Date: October 13, 2026

Old Ham by Seraphina Nova Glass was a quick-paced, darkly entertaining read. From the very beginning I couldn’t look away from the main character. Junie is completely unhinged and watching her justify every increasingly outrageous decision made this book impossible to put down. Her unpredictable behavior kept me constantly wondering what she would do next but also cringe at the same time. The cast of supporting characters added even more chaos to an already wild ride. You honestly didn’t know what was going to happen next throughout the entire story.

Thank you to Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse, Podium Entertainment, and Seraphina Nova Glass for allowing me to read this ARC.

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #59

The school year started back up, which means I went back to work. This is my second year with my current company but my 11th year as a lunch lady.

Today we went to church in the morning, and then I attended a baby shower for my good friends wife in the afternoon. This is their first baby and we are so excited to meet him next month!

I haven’t had a ton of energy to sit and read this week. I listened to my audiobook to and from work and I tried to get some Kindle pages in before bed… but that’s about it. Wednesday I barely had the energy to pet the dog let alone stare at words on a page. (I actually took a two hour nap on Wednesday, which I never do because it messes with my sleep at nighttime. It did not this time, lol.)

I read this book a few years back so I thought I’d watch the movie when I saw it pop up on Netflix. I liked the movie even though it was different than the book (or what I remember of the book).

This is a mini series I’ve wanted to watch since 2022, and I finally got around to it this week.

Library Book I Currently Have Checked Out

Throwback Tuesday

WWW Wednesday – September 9, 2026

Thriller Thursday: Don’t Tell Me How To Die by Marshall Karp

Friday Book Snippets

https://thatlibrarygirl27.blog/?p=4616

*subject to change

National Hispanic Heritage Month 2026
Review: Old Ham by Seraphina Nova Glass
WWW Wednesday –
Stacking The Shelves #13
The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #60