Rosepoint Publishing

Forget You Saw Her: A Thriller by Noelle W Ihli #AudiobookReview #ThrowbackThursday

Book Blurb:

Seventeen years ago, Sabina made the most difficult decision of her life: giving her newborn daughter, Andrea, up for adoption. She’s lived with the guilt ever since, clinging to the hope that Andrea was safe, happy, and loved.

Then the letter from the police arrives.

Andrea Beaumont is a missing person.

Desperate for answers, Sabina dives headlong into a frantic search for the daughter she never knew. But the deeper she digs, the more certain she becomes that Andrea isn’t coming home.

And yet…as Sabina follows the disturbing trail of evidence, she swears she can feel her daughter reaching through her dreams, warning her—and guiding her toward the truth.

But someone else is watching—and keeping close tabs on Sabina’s search. And they’ll do whatever it takes to make sure the truth stays buried.

Inspired by true events, Forget You Saw Her is a standalone prequel to the blockbuster international bestseller Ask for Andrea, sure to keep readers gasping for air long into the night.

My Review:

Seems like I’ve been bumping into a number of books lately with the same common theme of adoption. It doesn’t sound like being female and adopted is a fun childhood and many of these books would have you kissing the feet of your own parents—if you have both.

I see by the posted reviews that this was a highly successful book, based on a true experience. Perhaps that makes it even more tragic, as this book contains a number of trigger warnings, not the least of which is abuse. With readers disclosing the level of emotion the narrative wrought, it was expected to be very poignant. And to some extent, it was.

Confession here—I have not read Ask for Andrea and, therefore, had no expectation other than the description in the blurb. You’d think then that the long, possible redundancy regarding some of the characters as they are fully fleshed would be familiar enough by those who had to become tedious. It was for me and slowed the pace to the point where there were small portions I might have tuned out.

Once again, noted it contained some elements of paranormal piqued my interest and, indeed, they were a point of re-engagement for me.

Somehow, I always look for the rainbow, good triumphs over evil, everything will turn out okay. In this novel, it is heart-breakingly unattainable. I never really attained a solid connection, still, a tragic event is emotional. The storyline is told through multiple POVs and is well plotted. The writing style is beautiful.

Not what the reader might expect. I didn’t get my happy ever after, maybe that’s my problem. You may very well find this a delicious, can’t put it down thriller. Go for it.

Many thanks to my local library for providing me with the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. The thoughts expressed here are my own.

Rosepoint Publishing: Three point Five Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Psychological Thrillers, Suspense thrillers, Domestic Thrillers
Publisher: Simon Maverick
Narrators: Andi Arndt, Carlotta Brentan, Brittany Pressley
Release Date: November 4, 2025

Title Links:

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

The Author: USA Today bestselling author Noelle W. Ihli lives in Idaho with her husband, two sons, and three cats. When she’s not plotting her next thriller, she’s scaring herself with true-crime documentaries or going for a trail ride (with her trusty pepper spray).

Lady Reid’s Legacy by Jean Grainger #BookReview #HistoricalIrishHistory #TuesdayBookBlog

The Dunmara Series – Book 3

#1 Best Seller in Historical British & Irish Literature

Book Blurb:

In 1846, a young bride arrives at Dunmara as the Great Famine tightens its grip on Ireland. Evelyne Reid quickly learns that her marriage is nothing more than a debt repaid, and that her husband, Lord Reid, is as cold and merciless as the hunger stalking his tenants. Powerless by law, Evelyne must choose between obedience and her conscience.
But Evelyne makes a decision in 1846 that will echo across two centuries.

Over 150 years later Dunmara Estate is in grave peril.
On Ireland’s wild West Coast, a ruthless developer has this ancient place in his sights, and those fighting to save it are losing ground with every passing day. The answer to Dunmara’s survival is hiding in plain sight. But first, someone has to see it.
Evelyne’s legacy is all but forgotten, reduced to a whisper as the years roll on.
The question is whether anyone will hear it — before it’s too late.

My Review:

Ah, the third in the series, and my favorite so far, gets ever deeper into Orla’s contemporary fight to save her historic Dunmara House, ring fort and tower. This installment, however, introduces us to Becca who becomes a co-main character with split timeline Evelyne Reid.

I usually enjoy the early portion of the timeline more so than the contemporary one, but in this installment, I found both were pretty fascinating reading, following the author’s expert storytelling as she weaves in the background of Becca and her quest to find her (Irish) roots and that of Evelyne Reid.

Evelyne of the nineteenth century is unfortunate enough to have been married off to Lord Reid as her poverty-stricken parents face losing their home and their lives as well as those of the younger children. Evelyne is nothing more than a means to provide Lord Reid of an heir. What he does with her after she is successful is horrible and my heart sank—trying to help Ms Grainger with ways to save her. Fortunately, Ms Grainger had her own ideas.

As the Great Famine of the time wields a shocking axe to the population and changes forever the path of their lives, the author once again details the agony of hunger and the role of the overlords. Also, there is ample use of, as well as explanation of, folk or Celtic lore, which is usually an eye-opening history of a current tradition.

“…there was a cross on a donkey’s neck where it met their back to remind the world that the noble animal had carried the baby Jesus.”

“Oscar Wilde used to say? I can resist everything except temptation.”

Also, love the colorful turn of phrase, humor, euphemisms, and accents and these are also included in abundance.

Does Orla find proof of help in her fight to save Dunmara House? Does Becca find that missing link that may lead to surprising roots? You and I will both have to wait to find out but I can tell you this saga is heating up beautifully, the tension is building, and is there a possible budding romance or two coming at us in Book 4?

Well! This time, even I hope so.

Many thanks to the author for providing me with the ARC and the opportunity to read and review this book. The thoughts expressed here are my own.

Rosepoint Rating: Four point Five Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Historical British & Irish Literature, Historical Irish Fiction, Historical Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Fiction
Publication Date: September 24, 2026

Title Link(s):

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

The Author: Jean Grainger is a USA Today bestselling author with over 100,000 5* reviews of historical and contemporary Irish fiction. She is acclaimed for her authentic portrayal of Irish life and history. Born in Cork, she draws from her experience as a history lecturer, teacher, and tour guide to craft characters that feel like friends, and sometimes foes. Grainger’s works span multiple series and standalone novels, covering significant periods in recent Irish history, but told from the perspective of families, the humans behind the headlines. Her stories often intertwine historical events with personal journeys, exploring themes of family, friendship, and human resilience. Grainger’s writing style, characterized by its warmth and authenticity, has earned her comparisons to renowned Irish authors like Maeve Binchy. Her dedication to research and character development has resulted in a loyal readership who feel deeply connected to her stories and characters.

delighted with book — Delighted with book, graphic courtesy ChatGPT

Secrets of the Artis Zoo by Paulette Mahurin – #BookReview #HistoricalWorldWarIIFiction #NetGalley

An Unforgettable Story of Love, Grief, and Found Family in the Shadow of War

Book Blurb:

During the dark days of World War II, amid Nazi domination and the deportation of Jews, the light of hope shines, often from the most ordinary of people. Such is the case in occupied Holland, where neighbors support one another and where unlikely friendships blossom.

After the death of his wife leaves Karl alone and bereft, the elephant Vrij at Amsterdam’s Artis Zoo, where Karl is employed, becomes his closest companion. Soon, he strikes up a friendship with a Jewish family named Wolff, who have a little boy named Daniel. Karl is touched by the plight of the family, and he fears for the future of the little boy. But dark clouds loom on the horizon, and the family is threatened. Because of his close bond with the Wolffs, Karl too is in danger. There seems no way of escape, until fate takes over.

Based on the remarkable true story of the role the Artis Zoo played in helping refugees during World War II, Secrets of the Artis Zoo is a testament to the power of ordinary people to perform extraordinary acts of courage. In the worst of times, love and loyalty transcend all boundaries-even between species.

His Review:

Nazi Germany held no safe places for Jews. The maniacs in leadership followed the hatred of their leader for these individuals everywhere. There were no places for Jews to hide and if they were caught both the person or family hiding the individual were killed. The zoo seemed to be an answer because there were places in the zoo that had openings where the fugitives could be hidden.

The zoo was also a place loved by Hitler and enjoyed by his chief followers. Visitations were scheduled around the needs of the habitats for the animals. Large boulders and other structures were hollow and in some cases whole families would hide within these enclosures. Many of the staff were helping to hide these unfortunates and if caught were sent to the gas chambers along with their friends.

A quick bullet in the head was considered too expensive and a waste of ammunition. Therefore, elaborate alternatives were developed. This author captures the terror and desperation of these times. Well written and very suspenseful. C E Williams I recommend it as an empathetic and well-researched and written narrative. 4.5 stars – CE Williams

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this ebook. The thoughts expressed here are my own.

Rosepoint Publishing: Four point Five Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Historical World War II Fiction, Historical World War II & Holocaust Fiction
Publisher: Black Rose Writing
Publication Date: October 22, 2026
Source: Publisher and NetGalley

Title Link(s):

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK | Barnes & Noble

Paulette Mahurin - author — Bio photo courtesy Goodreads

The Author: Paulette Mahurin is an award winning international best selling literary fiction and historical fiction novelist. She lives with her husband Terry and two dogs, Max and Bella, in Ventura County, California. She grew up in West Los Angeles and attended UCLA, where she received a Master’s Degree in Science. [Amazon]

Her first novel, The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap, made it to Amazon bestseller lists and won awards, including best historical fiction 2012 in Turning the Pages Magazine. Her second novel, His Name Was Ben, originally written as an award winning short story while she was in college and later expanded into a novel, rose to bestseller lists its second week out. Her third novel, To Live Out Loud, won international critical acclaim and made it to multiple sites as favorite read book of 2015. Her fourth book, The Seven Year Dress, made it to the top ten bestseller lists on Amazon U.S., Amazon U.K. and Amazon Australia. Her fifth book, The Day I Saw The Hummingbird, was released in 2017 to rave reviews. Her sixth book, A Different Kind of Angel, was released in August, 2018.

Semi-retired, she continues to work part-time as a Nurse Practitioner in Ventura County. When she’s not writing, she does pro-bono consultation work with women with cancer, works in the Westminster Free Clinic as a volunteer provider, volunteers as a mediator in the Ventura County Courthouse for small claims cases, and involves herself, along with her husband, in dog rescue. Profits from her books go to help rescue dogs from kill shelters. [Goodreads]

Reading couple

Rosepoint Reviews – September Recap – Did you catch that Harvest Moon?

Rosepoint Reviews - September Recap

Usually we have a beautiful Harvest moon just about the autumn equinox, but with the crazy early fall weather we’ve had this year, pretty hard to see the moon or stars. Do you have a celebration to welcome in the change to seasons now or later?

Perhaps we are more inclined to celebrate the period around Halloween, although we are not due now a full moon on Halloween night until October 31, 2039. I’ve always been fascinated by the origins of the ancient festival celebrations around the end of October as it felt more like the end of the harvest season to us. I must admit, however, that my garden gave it up early this year and I’ve already spent the time to clean it up. I’ve salvaged a few acorn squash and one lonesome bell pepper.

Because the weather took such a turn, I began preparation to move the little water garden critters inside. You may remember that I mentioned setting up a little water feature in my May Recap. The orange Mystery Snails and Rosy Red Minnows have actually made the move successfully (so far) to a small aquarium. The minnows are hardy, look like goldfish, and withstand both water level and temperature fluctuations. Orange Mystery Snails - breathe both air and water The snails are the clowns of the aquarium, breathe both water and air, will go exploring, eat most any veggie and are tolerated because they clean up algae. The downside, of course, is that they reproduce like rabbits and put a heavy load on otherwise clean water. It’s been an education.

Speaking of education, a gal in one of my exercise classes started talking to me about her participation in Mahjong. Well, Mahjong! Mah Jong tiles I was introduced to the original Mahjong over in Japan when we lived there and, fascinated, went out and bought and brought home, a set of Mahjong tiles. I paid 800 Yen back then, or about $2.20, and now approximately $5.08 USD. Of course, no way, shape, or form could the Asian game be close to the now sanctioned National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) game, not that I remember how we played it back then. Needless to say, I’ll be starting a beginner class shortly. I guess it’s really catching on in the States now.

The first week of October will be our third anniversary with Punkin the Pom, who has finally allowed me to pet her (by invitation only), and has jumped up on the couch if we aren’t there and the bed when we are, though doesn’t stay close longer than to say goodnight. She will turn seven years old two weeks after that. I must say, she is a very easy dog to live with, for the most part undemanding.

Despite all the above and another trip to the VA for the CE, I did manage to read and listen to nine ebooks and audiobooks. Still trying to play catch up and not doing a very good job of it while so much is going on. As always, the link is to my review that also includes purchase links.

#RosepointPublishing - September Recap

EBooks

Every Secret Thing by Susanna Kearsley
How to Kill a Crime Writer by Sarah Lotz

Audiobooks

Whisper Creek by Allison Brennan
Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple (bookclub selection)

Poppy Montgomery Gets Even by Gordon Jack*
The Secrets We Hide by Karin Slaughter*

Dead Men Don’t Play Fetch by David Rosenfelt*
Shadow of the Solstice by Anne Hillerman*

Keep Them Close by David Ellis

Favorite Book of the Month

I went back and forth between Poppy Montgomery Gets Even and How to Kill a Crime Writer, but decided in the end that I enjoyed the unique plot device as well as the paranormal element in How to Kill a Crime Writer by Sarah Lotz just a little more.

Favorite for September – How to Kill a Crime Writer

My Reading Challenges page…Between doctor visits, moving aquatic critters, cleaning up the yard, and trying to learn Mah Jong from YouTube videos, my reading suffered in September. I reduced my Goodreads goal to 125 and posted those audiobook reviews from last month, now showing 98 books completed and 5 ahead of schedule. Hopefully, now I can settle down to an almost indoor reading schedule and complete some goals.

To my readers and fellow bloggers: apologies once again for lagging on blog hopping. I’m also a member of the Amazon Vine community and they are finally beginning to post a few items which I do want and have received, prompting required reviews. A time sink but worth it. Still, I appreciate every view and like and appreciate so much your taking the time to check out my posts and leave your comments.

Audiobooks

*Mini-reviews

Keep Them Close by David Ellis #AudiobookReview #DomesticThriller #TuesdayBookBlog

Book Blurb:

Two siblings. One murder. So many lies.

Siblings Allison and Luke have been through a lot together. They’ve always stood by each other. They’d do anything for each other.

Or so it seems.

When Allison’s husband, Finley, is murdered, the investigation threatens to expose the siblings’ darkest secrets. An illicit affair. A decades-old accident. A stunning deception. How do these events explain Finley’s death? How far will Allison and Luke go to keep their secrets buried? And can the siblings even trust one another anymore?

As the investigation winds tighter and past and present collide, the most shocking betrayal might lie a little too close to home…

My Review:

I usually love legal thrillers written by an attorney who knows the law, the ins and outs, and the manipulation of it. This is one of those, although the law can sometimes be a rather tedious subject also. That might be my problem here, as I have a notoriously short attention span and when it comes to thrillers, I want action, in court or out.

As much as I was impressed by Allison, sharp, intelligent, and quick witted, she also annoyed the socks off me sometimes. I often viewed her as entitled and there were a few times when she exhibited that arrogance to prove her point.

Several plot points going on in this domestic thriller. Turns out, between the two partners, she is the successful and, shall we say, more powerful person in this marriage. Given her husband is unfaithful and a waste at any of his get-rich schemes, perhaps it’s not wholly shocking that he should be the one who becomes the victim.

When Allison becomes the target of road rage, it appears to kick off a random list of unexpected twists. Allison has a great support team who adds an authenticity depth to the narrative and I enjoyed them. The plot turns complex with split POVs and timelines.

I felt the pacing waxed and waned a bit for me, the twists pushed boundaries of disbelief, but the ending may supply the gotcha you thought avoided. The ending neatly provides acknowledgment but left me angry with Allison.

Domestic history plays a heavy part in the denouement as well as sibling rivalry and tension. Allison plays her cards close, she knows the law, she can handle more than one case—that of her brother—and still handle a couple other nagging issues. Will one of those nagging issues spell the end of her storied career or end her relationship with her brother Luke?

Many thanks to my local library for providing me with the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. The thoughts expressed here are my own.

Rosepoint Publishing: Three point Five Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Domestic Thrillers, Psychological Thrillers
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Narrators: Robin McAlpine, Sean Patrick Hopkins, Kelli Tager
Release Date: June 30, 2026

Title Links:

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

The Author: David Ellis is a lawyer and the Edgar Allan Poe Award winner for Best First Novel for Line of Vision. Ellis attended Northwestern Law School and began his legal career in private practice in Chicago in 1993. He served as the House Prosecutor who tried and convicted Illinois Governor Blagojevich in the Impeachment Trial before the Illinois Senate. He was elected to the Illinois Appellate Court in 2014 and took office December 1, 2014. Ellis currently lives outside Chicago with his wife and three children.

Find David at David Ellis.com.

#TuesdayBookBlog

Two Audiobook Mini-Reviews ––Dead Men Don’t Play Fetch – Shadow of the Solstice – Animal Cozy Mysteries and Indigenous Fiction – #TBT

Two reviews of audiobooks; short and sweet, that will hopefully pique your interest. (Links on individual covers are to Amazon.)

Quite the opposite of genres, one an easy fast read and the other a serious topical and unique storyline with several familiar characters from one of your favorite TV series.

Dead Men Don’t Play Fetch by David Rosenfelt
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Narrator: ‎ Grover Gardner

My Thoughts

I try not to miss any of the Andy Carpenter Mystery series since discovering them in 2016. The last I read turned out to be a prequel to the series he called Dogged Pursuit. Andy is a wise-cracking but extremely sharp defense attorney who has been trying to retire for years but keeps getting cases of the wrongly accused. Carpenter’s side hustle is a dog shelter and in this case, it’s the dog of the newly gained defendant that goes to his rescue.

The Andy Carpenter series seems to begin on a simple whodunnit (we already know he must be innocent), but usually escalates into a complex and many layered plot.

The attorney has surrounded himself with a cadre of experts in the field from ex-cops (one being his wife) to a man who does the “heavy” work as well as a computer hacker (not always white hat) who wants to do more than hack. (He envisions himself a dark detective.) Love the support characters—they are always fun.

Still, I think it’s the courtroom scenes I might enjoy second only to the inclusion of the canines. It’s a song and dance that must come off perfectly if he’s going to win.

If you enjoy cozy animal mysteries, legal thrillers, and a sarcastic sense of humor, this might be your next read. These are fun, fast books—and certainly addicting. Released in July, it’s in your library. For the best experience (you’ve heard that one before but this time it’s accurate), don’t miss the audiobook narrated by Grover Gardner. Just the best! Totally recommended.

Shadow of the Solstice: A Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito Novel by Anne Hillerman
Publisher: Harper
Narrator: Jessica Matten

Leaphorn & Chee #28

The series originally created by Tony Hillderman continues with the Navajo Nation police notified of a visit to Shiprock by the US Cabinet Secretary. At the same time, they are facing a resumption of uranium mining along the border where a body is found near a radioactive uranium waste dump site.

If that isn’t enough, there are indigenous people disappearing during their quest for help and a group shows up claiming to be peaceful but may have more sinister plans than meditation.

I must admit that I requested this book on the basis of the Leaphorn character noted in the title. I loved the Dark Winds series, originally created for TV by Graham Roland, from novels written by Tony Hillderman. My favorite character in the series is Joe Leaphorn, well played by Zahn McClarnon. In this episode of the series, Leaphorn has retired and presents only cameo appearances.

The book dives into complexity by tackling several current topical issues including poverty, addiction, and education. I was appalled that people could take advantage of the government effort to offer recovery services for addicted indigenous. Several topics had me in disbelief, not that it couldn’t happen but that it was.

The book is generally classified as a western noir thriller or crime drama. It is dark, authentic, disturbing, and atmospheric. A drama that captures the essence of Native American life as they navigate living in a capsule that challenges their spiritual beliefs.

It’s excellent and highly recommended.

Many thanks to my local library for providing me with the opportunity to listen to these audiobooks. Any opinion expressed here is my own.

Audiobooks

Every Secret Thing by Susanna Kearsley #BookReview #HistoricalWWIIFiction

Book Blurb:

Some secrets refuse to die.

When journalist Kate Murray is approached by a stranger desperate to reveal the truth about a long-buried crime, her life is upended, and a dangerous journey begins. A tangled web of betrayal, loyalty, and courage draws Kate in as she follows the trail from present-day London to the shadowy alleys of wartime Europe. The answers lie in her own family’s hidden past, but with every step, she awakens powerful enemies. To bring a killer to justice, Kate must risk not only her career—but her life.

My Review:

When Andrew Deacon is killed right in front of Canadian journalist Kate Murray, she is drawn into who and why. Kate is in London covering a murder trial when an elderly British gentleman approaches and engages her in a quick invitation to meet regarding a murder story that never saw justice. He is killed by a hit and run driver as he’s walking away.

Every Secret Thing by Susanna Kearsley — Every Secret Thing – US cover

Perhaps she would not have given the man the time she did except that he asked after her grandmother.

It devolves into a split time line—that of WWII involving her grandmother—and a more recent somewhat hazy decade. Complexity ramps up with the sense of time and multiple locations and the transition is not always as smooth as it might be. How does a journalist afford to traipse all over the world, chasing clues, entirely on her own?

There is a mystery that works hard on suspense, with a side helping of a small but impactful romance. Oh, and I enjoyed that part, very poignant. For his very short appearance in the book, I grew to love Deacon.

Suddenly we are in a complicated novel of espionage spilling out of a WWII British embassy in Lisbon. There were occasions of disbelief—okay—just go with it. Decades after the war, suddenly Kate becomes the hunted and those around her at risk, including her grandmother. Hers was just the first of the body count. Still, that wasn’t Kate’s clue to stop interviewing people possibly associated with either the present or the murder never brought to justice.

The good guys and the bad guys, neither of whom could be wholly explained or examined as it was all national security, hush-hush. Parts I liked (the romance—yeah, me, liked that part—and parts I didn’t. Why the extensive confession—the long explanation—which still didn’t cover all the unexplained threads?

I think I was supposed to love this novel more than I actually did. Sorry about that but when you catch yourself dosing between chapters, there is bound to be something missing. Hard to know the bad guys; seems like all have an agenda and difficult to decipher which one was a positive.

Not just themes of war, but of disease, suicide, theft, and loss. Profound loss. If you love historical fiction and appreciate the spy game, you may very well enjoy this more so than I.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book. The thoughts expressed here are my own.

Rosepoint Rating: Three point Five Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Historical World War II Fiction, World War II Historical Fiction, Historical World War II & Holocaust Fiction
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Publication Date: November 17, 2026

Title Link(s):

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Susanna Kearsley - author — Susanna Kearsley – author

The Author: I’m a former museum curator, avid amateur genealogist, and writer of modern gothic novels that interweave contemporary suspense and romance with historical adventure, meaning they don’t fit neatly into any category and are therefore a marketer’s nightmare.

The Bookseller once said of me, in a review, “She has a poetic sensibility and a sense of mystery; she could write the modern Rebecca.”

So that’s what I strive for.

Two Audiobooks – Mini-reviews That Save Your Time

Poppy Montgomery Gets Even

The Secrets We Hide

So easy to listen to audiobooks when you are trying to juggle multiple personal and business tasks. This summer has presented a number of challenges to my time. Below are two of the books that filled wait times, errands, and household and yard work. One is a humorous take on senior amateur sleuths and the other a crime thriller by your favorite author. (Links on individual covers are to Amazon-US.)

Poppy Montgomery Gets Even by Gordon Jack

Highbridge Audio
June 9, 2026

Okay, maybe written for an older generation, but it’s definitely a subject everyone is keen to do something about. The difference is that this granny has also had enough of scams as well, and when it’s obvious that her bestie Ginny is being scammed by an online dating service for seniors, Poppy is up for the fight.

Poppy is a great protagonist. Yes, some dialogue is geared towards the younger generation; she does have a mouth on her, but she is also smart and knows where to go for tech help—her grandson–and he’s a fun support character. Seniors are easy targets for cyber crimes. Poppy has determined it’s about time to turn the tables.

There are witty and humorous moments, mystery and suspense, and friendship support and chaos mixed into a fun and fast amateur sleuth mystery. The narrator, Elizabeth Wiley, does a super job adding full-hearted character to the engaging plot. This is one you need to check out! Recommended! 4.5 stars

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The Secrets We Hide: A North Falls Thriller by Karin Slaughter

#1 Best Seller in Crime Fiction

William Morrow
August 11, 2026

Yeah, if you have a chance to listen to a new Karin Slaughter book, will you pass it up? Nope. I did catch We Are All Guilty Here last year, the first in the new North Falls series, so thought I’d try Book 2.

Officer Emmy Clifton is the featured protagonist who is unfortunately grappling with a heavy number of personal issues. I’m just not a fan of Emmy. She has some crippling issues that tend to run interference with her work, in my opinion, a serious no-no. On the other hand, the ex-FBI gal, Jude, (her sister), is again the strong one here and I preferred her last time as well as this.

It’s the small town feel, everyone’s secrets, tension-filled family dynamics. That’s a signature storyline and in this case, I’m not liking that Emmy’s pushing a breakdown and obsessing over…well, just about everything. When neighbor and friend Allison is found dead and her daughter viciously injured, those small town people smile knowingly, sure they know who did it.

But nothing is simple. It’s complicated and layered along with the obsessing. I wasn’t thrilled. The narrator, Kathleen Early does a credible job, but tired of the domestic violence theme, tended to tune some of it out.

More character driven than police procedural, there is a mystery with twists and turns but also a deep dive into family dynamics. I felt it a slower pace than the first installment. As only the second in the series, I think you could read as a standalone. Actually, however, I think I preferred Book 1. 3.5 stars

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Many thanks to my local well-stocked library for providing me with the opportunity to listen to and review these recently released audiobooks. Any opinion expressed here is my own.