Thriller – That Library Girl

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #46

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.

I had three days of work after vacation and then the school year is over! I’ve been trying to spend as much time outside as possible, since June is National Great Outdoors Month.

This is my Facebook page, if you’d like to follow me.

I am reading the newest short story I chose through Amazon First Reads program called The Safe Room by Lisa Unger. It’s only 63 pages so I should have it done rather quickly.

I am listening to The Fourth Monkey by J.D. Barker. The beginning has really drew me in, I just haven’t had a lot of time to listen to an audiobook this past week.

I am more than halfway through The Kind Worth Killing (a paperback I own). I am hoping to be finished with this one by the middle of the week.

I rewatched episodes 1 and 2 of Mindhunter the other night. Such a good show! So sad they cancelled it before season 3.

This game came up on my FYP on TikTok and I caved in and started playing it. I’m addicted! There are over 3,000 books all over the floor in the library and you have to pick them up and put them back on their correct shelf. It’s chaos and also so satisfying!

WWW Wednesday – June 17, 2026
Sunday Salon #47

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #45

Since I last posted, we went on a big 10 person family vacation to St. Lucia to celebrate my son’s college graduation.

I am dreading the last three days of work for this school year this week. I’m totally in vacation/summer mode!!!

This is my Facebook page, if you’d like to follow me.

I am reading the last book in the Vegas Shadows trilogy, The Bone Stalker. When I saw it on NetGalley I HAD to request it! I’m 62% in and it’s already keeping my interest. I hope Lazarus and Piper end up together.

I am listening to Heather by Caitlin Mullen. Definitely a slow burn mystery. Celadon sent me the widget so I am trying to finish the book before it publishes. I’m 34% into the audiobook.

I also started The Kind Worth Killing (a paperback I own). I read it a bunch by the pool. I’m 25% through it according to Storygraph.

None this past week since I was on vacation.

June Is National Great Outdoors Month

WWW Wednesday – June 3, 2026

Books Acquired In May 2026

Monthly Wrap Up: May 2026

WWW Wednesday – June 10, 2026
Sunday Salon #46

Books Acquired In May 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 May:

I borrowed all of these from Libby.

These two are First Reads choices for the month of May.

Remember how I said I would not request a lot of books on NetGalley this year? OOPS!!!!

I receive a complimentary audiobook from William Morrow’s Scene of the Crime program.

Little, Brown sent me a hardcover copy!

Acquired: 12

Total spent this month: $0.00

Total spent this year: $0.00

WWW Wednesday – June 3, 2026

Welcome to WWW Wednesday! This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and revived on Taking on a World of Words.

The Three Ws are: What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? What do you think you’ll read next?

I am reading the last book in the Vegas Shadows trilogy, The Bone Stalker. When I saw it on NetGalley I HAD to request it!

I am just starting Heather by Caitlin Mullen. Celadon Readers Program sent me an audiobook widget, and since it’s set in New Jersey (where I live) I accepted the book via NetGalley!

I own a paperback copy of The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson and decided to read it as I heard this book was really good! And so far I am really enjoying it!!

Since I last posted, all of the books pictured above have been finished and rated &/or reviewed on Storygraph.

ARC Alert! I have these three NetGalley ARCs in my possession and they are at the top of my list to read and review. Definitely my priority reads this month!

Don’t forget to link up with Taking On A World Of Words to share your WWW!

Review: It’s Not Her by Mary Kubica

Title: It’s Not Her
Author: Mary Kubica
Format: audiobook
Length: 11 hours 32 minutes
Narrators: Jennifer Jill Araya, Brittany Pressley, Gary Tiedermann
Rating: 4.5 stars
Publication Date:February 3, 2026

It’s Not Her was such an addictive and suspenseful read. Mary Kubica does an amazing job creating tension from the very beginning, and every chapter pulled me deeper into the mystery. Just when I thought I had things figured out, another twist completely changed everything.

I especially loved the emotional depth of the story and how layered the characters felt. The pacing was fantastic, the atmosphere was unsettling in the best way, and the ending was absolutely everything. This was one of those thrillers that was impossible to put down!

I also enjoyed each narrator. They made the characters come to life in such a great way!

I borrowed this book from Libby.

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #44

My son graduated Magna Cum Laude from Seton Hall University last Monday!!! We are so incredibly proud of all he has accomplished and can’t wait to see what God as in store for him in the next chapter of his life!

This is my Facebook page, if you’d like to follow me.

I am reading the last book in the Vegas Shadows trilogy, The Bone Stalker. When I saw it on NetGalley I HAD to request it! I’m 15% in and it’s already keeping my interest. I hope Lazarus and Piper end up together.

I started listening to Five by Ilona Bannister thanks to Libby. I’ve been hearing good things about this one and the beginning has really drawn me in. I’ve only listened to an hour as of the writing up of this post.

I also started The Kind Worth Killing (a paperback I own) a few weeks ago. The first four chapters were really good! I am going to make this one a priority this week.

Randomly decided to watch this show because Netflix suggested it to me. It’s a really good show. I have one episode left in this season! I heard a second season was green lit.

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #43

TBR Plans: 20 Books of Summer 26 #20BOS26

World Football Day – March 25, 2026
Tell Me Something Tuesday
Review: The Alchemist and an Amaretto by Annette Marie
Sunday Salon #45

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #43

It’s been a freakin week!!!!!! Monday my husband had a work dinner meeting so I got some housework done and then watched some TV. Tuesday my husband had a soccer board meeting after dinner and I pretty much went to bed right after he walked out the door. Wednesday my daughter came home from college for the summer and we went out to dinner after unloading all of her stuff. Thursday my parents came up to visit for the weekend as my son is graduating from college. Friday my daughter and I went shopping to look for clothes for the graduation (nothing like last minute running around because I can’t find a dress I am happy with). And I worked all week.
Saturday was spent at the salon getting beautiful (I never spend money / do anything for myself but I decided it was time) and spending time with my family the rest of the day. Today is church, getting the dog situated with the sitter and heading to the hotel. Tomorrow is my boy’s college graduation!

This is my Facebook page, if you’d like to follow me.

Reading one hundred percent look a backseat this week. I sometimes didn’t even have the energy to read or even listen to a book, which is unlike me.

With that being said, I am reading The Night Collector on my Kindle. Book three comes out in June (that I have a ARC for) so I am trying to make this one a priority so I can get to the next book. Currently at 64%.

I am halfway through Pines, a series I’ve been wanting to read for awhile now. I’m a Blake Crouch fan. I may of seen this TV show when it came out because it’s feeling familiar… which is actually making me not want to finish the book. IS that weird?

I also started The Kind Worth Killing, a paperback I personally own. The first four chapters were really good! I may hold this one until later in the month when I am on vacation, but I haven’t decided if that’s gonna be the official plan yet.

I am also listening to It’s Not Her by Mary Kubica. My Libby hold came in and I accepted it instead of suspending it. I have so many books on suspend with Libby because I am not ready for them when it’s my turn, lol! This one is getting realllllllly good!!!

Randomly decided to watch this show because Netflix suggested it to me. They must know I like Matthew Goode! Episode 1 was pretty good- that’s as far as I’ve gotten.

Celadon Readers Program sent me a widget for Heather by Caitlin Mullen through NetGalley.

A rep for Little, Brown and Company sent me a widget of The Country Road Murders through NetGalley.

James Patterson Street Team sent me a hardcover copy of 26 Beauties.

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #42

WWW Wednesday – May 20, 2026
Sunday Salon #44

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #42

Work and a whole lot of nothing else. My husband worked late most nights this week so I was just home with the dog, doing a whole bunch of nothing exciting.

Today is Mother’s Day! This is the FIRST time since I’ve been a mother that none of the kids are physically with me celebrating. I plan to spend the day with my husband and Rollo, and go for a hike since the weather is supposed to be in the mid 70s!
If you consider yourself a mother in any capacity, Happy Mother’s Day to you!!!!!!

And one more week until my son graduates college. I have SO MUCH to do and I’m gonna be stressing all week trying to get everything done beforehand.

This is my Facebook page, if you’d like to follow me.

I am not too far in to The Night Collector. Book three comes out in June (that I have a ARC for) so I am trying to make this one a priority so I can get to the next book.

I have halfway through Pines, a series I’ve been wanting to read for awhile now. And I’m a Blake Crouch fan.

I also started The Kind Worth Killing, a paperback I personally own.

I finished Detective Hole. Great stuff all around!

Randomly I’ve been seeing some clips on TikTok of The Twilight Zone and the girl in the video is narrating what goes on in said episode she’s reviewing. I’ve seen a few random episodes before, and they were good, so I thought I’d watch a few more to pass the time.

That Library Girl’s First Blogaversary

Review: The Anniversary by Alex Finlay

Stacking The Shelves #12

WWW Wednesday – May 13, 2026
Sunday Salon #43

Stacking The Shelves #12

Edison Bixby is wealthy, handsome, and, due to a traumatic brain injury, impulsively rude. He’s also a brilliant insurance investigator who solves baffling crimes by figuring out how the design of the man-made world around us makes them possible. Enter Wally Nash: a struggling actor hired to keep Bixby from offending everyone he meets.

Their first case together looks like a simple accident. Caroline Crowley took a nasty fall down a staircase at a shopping mall in front of dozens of witnesses. Video clearly shows the deadly misstep. But Bixby is certain she was murdered by design, subtly manipulated into causing her own demise. The mall itself made the crime intentional, if not inevitable.

Now Bixby must prove his outrageous theory before a very cunning killer gets others on his hit list to murder themselves, too.

Proof of Price: $0.00

Review: The Anniversary by Alex Finlay

Title: The Anniversary
Author: Alex Finlay
Format: audiobook
Length: 7 hours 38 minutes
Narrators: Ari Fliakos & Brittany Pressley
Rating: 4 stars
Publication Date: May 12, 2026

I really enjoyed The Anniversary by Alex Finlay. The story pulled me in right away with its intriguing premise and didn’t let go. The pacing was steady, with just the right amount of suspense to keep me listening, and I found myself constantly trying to piece together what was really going on.

The plot twist completely caught me off guard in the best way. It was the kind of reveal that makes you stop and rethink everything you’ve read up to that point, which I always appreciate in a thriller. It felt well-executed and satisfying rather than rushed or predictable.

I listened to the audiobook, and both narrators (Ari Fliakos and Brittany Pressley) did a fantastic job bringing the story to life. They really captured the tone and emotions of the characters, adding depth and tension in all the right moments. Their performances made it even easier to stay fully immersed in the story.

Overall, this was a gripping and entertaining read with strong storytelling and a memorable twist. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys a well-crafted thriller.

I received a complimentary audiobook copy. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to listen.

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #41

New month… and a busy one at that. My son is graduating college in a little more than two weeks! And then we are planning a big family vacation at the end of the month to celebrate. I have a TON to do in order to be ready for both big events, so of course I am stressing already! One day at a time I suppose.

Also, I had my personal Facebook page for almost a year (remember how Meta said I was not a real person after having a Facebook page since 2012 and deleted my page, along with all my family memories?). I decided to make a Facebook page for my blog and attached it to my personal page. And I linked my Instagram to it as well. Lets see if Meta lets me have them all, or deletes all my social media pages on me like they did last year.

This is my Facebook page, if you’d like to follow me.

I barely started Run On Red by Noelle W. Ihli. The first chapter really drew me in, but I am not surprised as the other Ihli book I read was soooooooooo good.

Since I am trying to keep up with series books, I am reading book 2 of Arlington Hall, titled The Surrender. I am a little more than halfway done with this one.

And I will be finished with The Alchemist and An Amaretto by Annette Marie on Monday. I had a ton of time to listen while I cleaned my house yesterday.

I am almost done with this season of Detective Hole. And wow wow wow! I am also watching it in it’s original Swedish (with subtitles) as when the voices don’t match up to the lips I can’t focus on anything else.

Books Acquired In April 2026

Library Stats and Savings For April 2026

Monthly Wrap Up: April 2026

Review: The Invitation by Jodi Ellen Malpas

That Library Girl’s First Blogaversary
Review: The Anniversary by Alex Finlay
Stacking The Shelves #12
Sunday Salon #42

Books Acquired In April 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 April:

I borrowed all of these from Libby.

I did not choose a First Reads book this month.

I requested both of these books through NetGalley and was approved!

I borrowed these two from within the Facebook group I am apart of.

Acquired: 7

Total spent this month: $0.00

Total spent this year: $0.00

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #40

I totally have not been on my laptop working on my blog, or social media at all this week. I’ve been actively reading A LOT (for me)!

My daughter came home from college this weekend. Her freshman year is almost over already, which is nuts!

My husband has been feeling under the weather all this week. He finally went to the walk in the other day and it turns out… he has a cold. He gets like a super huge baby when he’s sick so I’ve been taking care of him all this weekend, bringing him food in bed, giving him hot tea to drink and letting him rest. But now I’m starting to feel run down – lovely.

I am reading The Undoing of Alejandro Velasco by Diego Boneta. It’s an Amazon First Reads backlog book. It’s definitely a slow burn mystery so right now I think it’s just alright. I’m about halfway done with the eBook.

I just started Run On Red by Noelle W. Ihli. The first chapter really drew me in, but I am not surprised as the other Ihli book I read was soooooooooo good.

And since I think I need a break from thrillers (I read so many this month) I also started The Invitation by Jodi Ellen Malpas, another Amazon First Reads backlog book.

If you’d like to be friends with me on Storygraph, this is my profile page.
I stopped using Goodreads and refuse to go back.

Still in my Joel Kinnaman phase, I watched the first episode of Detective Hole. And wow wow wow! I am also watching it in it’s original Swedish (with subtitles) as when the voices don’t match up to the lips I can’t focus on anything else.

COYER Challenge: Mystery-A-Thon 2026

Stacking The Shelves #11

WWW Wednesday – April 22, 2026

Review: Hellbound Guilds & Other Misdirections by Annette Marie and Rob Jacobsen

Saturday Series: My series reading is a complete mess!

Books Acquired In April 2026
Library Stats and Savings For April 2026
Monthly Wrap Up: April 2026
Sunday Salon #41

WWW Wednesday – April 22, 2026

Welcome to WWW Wednesday! This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and revived on Taking on a World of Words.

The Three Ws are: What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? What do you think you’ll read next?

I just started The Anniversary by Alex Finlay, thanks to NetGalley approving my request for the audio ARC.

On my Kindle I am reading The Undoing of Alejandro Velasco by Diego Boneta. It was an Amazon First Choice book from last year.

I am borrowing a paperback copy of Run On Red by Noelle W. Ihli from a friend.

I left star reviews of these on Storygraph. I have not wrote up the reviews yet.

These two are slated to be next on my list of books to read.

Don’t forget to link up with Taking On A World Of Words to share your WWW!

Stacking The Shelves #11

From the bestselling author of Parents Weekend comes one of the most anticipated thrillers of the year.

Today became an anniversary they would never celebrate.

One fateful night in 1992, Jules and Quinn’s lives are changed and intertwined forever. Quinn Riley, a boy from the wrong side of the tracks, is arrested after he innocently tries to break up a fight but ends up nearly killing someone. Jules Delaney, high school royalty, survives an attack by the elusive and terrifying May Day Killer—a predator who strikes every May 1st in small Midwestern towns.

A year later, Jules is struggling with trauma and guilt, tormented by the question: Why was I spared? Quinn is newly released from juvenile detention and returns home to fresh heartbreak: the unsolved murder of his mother.

Over the next decade, their lives are revisited on a single day each year, May 1st. As secrets unravel and the paths of Quinn and Jules converge, two mysteries edge closer to the truth. All the while, the May Day Killer is still out there—and the clock is racing toward another anniversary.

Twisty, high-concept, and emotionally charged, this novel is an utterly compelling story of the hunt for a serial killer. But it’s also a heartfelt—and heartrending—novel about fate, innocence lost, and two souls who find that sometimes being broken is the only way for the light to get in. The Anniversary reaffirms Finlay as one of the leading thriller writers today.

Proof of Price: $0.00

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #39

The only thing of note is that my husband won free concert tickets on the radio and we went to go see Patrick Mayberry, Seph Schlueter and Crowder at the NJPAC in Newark, NJ. And the seats were fantastic- we were in the third row!!!!

The weather this week has been HOT during the day and GORGEUS at night. After work I’ve been sitting in the yard and trying to get my skin used to the sunlight again (so I don’t burn this summer lol). The dog has been loving being able to run around in the yard. Sunshine really does wonders for my soul!

Also, I need to catch up with everyone and I’m so sorry I’ve been super distant in the blogosphere. I have mostly just been avoiding being online for relaxing and reading time.

I am listening to The Launch Party by Lauren Forry, an Edelweiss ARC I received in 2024 and hadn’t gotten around to reading it via Kindle. It’s a slow paced mystery set on the moon. It’s not holding my attention at the moment so I have been barely listening.

I am reading Yours Always by Corinne Sullivan on my Kindle. I’m into the story and hope to have it done in the next day or so.

If you’d like to be friends with me on Storygraph, this is my profile page.
I stopped using Goodreads and refuse to go back.

For no reason I am rewatching Altered Carbon. Joel Kinneman just does it for me, what can I say?

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #38

Stacking The Shelves #10

WWW Wednesday – April 15, 2026

COYER Challenge: Mystery-A-Thon 2026
Stacking The Shelves #11
WWW Wednesday
Sunday Salon #40

WWW Wednesday – April 15, 2026

Welcome to WWW Wednesday! This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and revived on Taking on a World of Words.

The Three Ws are: What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? What do you think you’ll read next?

I am about to listen to The Launch Party by Lauren Forry. I borrowed the audiobook of an Edelweiss ebook I accepted awhile back and haven’t gotten around to reading. Easy way to catch up on my ARCs TBR shelf.

On my Kindle I am reading Yours Always by Corinne Sullivan. It was an Amazon First Reads choice last month, and it’ll work for a HRCYED prompt I need. I’m about halfway through the book at this point.

Also on Kindle I am tackling book 2 in the Vegas Shadows series The Night Watcher by Victor Methos. I just received book 3 via NetGalley and wanna read it as soon as possible lol.

I reviewed both of these on Storygraph last week.

All of these above books I need for multiple challenges I am doing. I am trying to juggle everything lol!!!

Don’t forget to link up with Taking On A World Of Words to share your WWW!

Stacking The Shelves #10

When a terrifying new killer targets Detective Lazarus Holloway’s inner circle, he ventures into the darkest corners of the city to unmask the murderer—and the one who’s really pulling the strings.

Lazarus Holloway is no stranger to violent crime. The seasoned detective has built a career on weeding out the worst of the worst from the glittering streets of Las Vegas.

But he never knew the worst could get this bad.

The Bone Stalker is a new kind of murderous. His MO is brutal, calculated, and ritualistic, removing only specific bones from his victims’ bodies. Each bone taken has a symbolic meaning…and they all tie back to Lazarus himself.

As Lazarus digs deeper with the help of investigative partner and guardian ad litem Piper Danes, they discover the detective isn’t the only connection. But before they can unravel the web of lies that’s been spun through the city for years, the killer ensnares another innocent in his trap.

Someone close to Lazarus becomes the bait. And he’ll stop at nothing to get her back—even if it means embracing the darkness he’s spent his life fighting against.

Note: This is Book 3 in the Vegas Shadows trilogy.

Proof of Price: $0.00

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #38

I did not post a Sunday Salon last week because my mother was in the hospital from March 30 until April 8, after her routine procedure did not go according to plan. My family is in North Carolina and I am in New Jersey, so I had only been getting text and phone call updates about her condition. It had been so hard being a million miles away from them during this rough time! She is currently home and doing well, thank God!

Easter Sunday was last week! The kids were home to celebrate the holiday with my husband and I. We did our traditional things like going to church in the morning, followed by watching a Sight & Sound DVD of Jesus. Then a nice relaxing dinner and we always play a board game after.

Of course, once we came home from church everyone changed into comfy clothes and we did not take one family photo. What a fail!

Also, I need to catch up with everyone and I’m so sorry I’ve been super distant in the blogosphere. I have mostly just been avoiding socials and being online for relaxing and reading time… and some video game time as well lol.

I am listening to Hellbound Guilds & Other Misdirections via Libby. It should be finished later today. I am reading Yours Always by Corinne Sullivan on my Kindle. So far it’s just alright but I’m only like 10% in. And still slowly getting through The Gone World by Tom Sweterlitsch. The heavy sci-fi aspects were intriguing at first, but starting to lose me as the story is progressing.

If you’d like to be friends with me on Storygraph, this is my profile page.
I stopped using Goodreads and refuse to go back.

We just finished season 4 yesterday.

Monthly Wrap Up: March 2026

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading?

Review: Kill For Me, Kill For You by Steve Cavanagh

NetGalley Quarterly Update 2026

HRCYED2.0 – Update 4

WWW Wednesday
Sunday Salon #39

Review: Kill For Me, Kill For You by Steve Cavanagh

Title: Kill For Me, Kill For You
Author: Steve Cavanagh
Format: Hardcover
Length: 340 pages
Rating: 4 stars
Publication Date Of My Edition: March 19, 2024

I gave Kill For Me, Kill For You by Steve Cavanagh four stars because it completely pulled me in with its dark, twisty premise and kept me guessing the whole time I was reading. The concept is chilling and clever, and the pacing made it hard to put down once things really got going. I especially liked how the multiple POVs were essential to the story. Seeing events unfold from different perspectives added layers to the plot and kept building suspense, making me want to keep reading to piece everything together. The characters were compelling, even if not always likable, which added to the overall intensity. Just when I thought I had things figured out, another twist would shift everything.