Ratings & Revelations

Mad Mabel By Sally Hepworth Copyright 2026 344 Pages Five stars and a bouquet of roses for Mad Mabel — and honestly, someone go ahead and embroider her name on the June Hall of Fame because I somehow stumbled into three five‑star reads this month. The bar is rising, the stakes are high, and Mabel is hanging off the top rung upside down like a feral acrobat who refuses to age gracefully. Spoilers incoming. If you haven’t read it yet, avert your eyes and go peek at my preview i

Just Another Missing Person Gillian McAllister Copyright 2023 377 pages Sorry Gillian, babe, but who signed off on this title? Because this is NOT just another missing‑person story. This book grabbed me by the throat, dragged me through 24 hours of pure narrative mayhem, and spat me out a re‑forged creature. I am not the same woman I was when I cracked page one. I’ve shed a whole personality like a snake in a thriller‑induced spiritual awakening. Spoilers ahead, darling. Buck

The Caretaker Marcus Kliewer Copyright 2026 295 Pages This one absolutely lives in the eerie‑spooky‑“did I just hear something in the hallway?” category. It pairs beautifully with a warm cup of coffee, a chunky sweater, and a cozy blanket — as long as every door is locked, deadbolted, and maybe blessed with holy water. Because what we’ve got here is a list of Rites you’re supposed to follow for a “lovely weekend in the cabin,” and by “lovely” I mean “follow them or invite evi

The Passengers John Marrs Copyright 2019 337 Pages Okay, I devoured that ending like it was the last slice of cheesecake at a family gathering. Yes, the middle was stuffed with suspense, secrets, moral dilemmas, and all the other nutritious food groups of a good thriller — but I’m skipping straight to dessert. That finale did not quit. No dragging, no “let’s tie up every subplot with a lukewarm bow,” none of that nonsense. Everyone got the ending they deserved. Justice served

Wanting Daisy Dead Sue Watson Copyright 2025 296 Pages Welp. Without my bulletin board, red string, and a corkboard big enough to qualify as a fire hazard, I would not have survived this book. This wasn’t a mystery — this was a full‑blown relationship spiderweb with a body count. And the unravel was for the ages. I’m proud to announce that for the first time in my entire reading career, I guessed the culprit… and I’m still giving it 5 stars. Growth. In other words: library, b

Then She Was Gone Lisa Jewell Copyright 2017 356 Pages Okay, deep breath. This book did not just hit me in the feels — it drop‑kicked me into an emotional bounce house and locked the door behind me. I was somber, nervous, happy, concerned, worried, skeptical, happy again, nervous again, sad again, MAD. In that order, and also in every other order known to humankind. Spoilers ahead. If you haven’t read the book yet, turn back now and go hydrate or something. For a hot second,

The Woman in the Library Sulari Gentill Copyright 2022 250 pages Oof, there’s a lot to unpack here. Sulari, you got me again! In true Whodunnit form, about every 10 pages I changed my mind about who I thought dunnit. There I was at the end, thinking my lead suspect was the one. But no, I was wrong per usual. And don’t think I’m disappointed. If I can guess the ending, it’s a lower rating from me. So where did we leave off in the Preview? Oh yea, whodunnit? And does th

The Astral Library Kate Quinn Copyright 2026 293 pages As someone who usually camps out in the land of suspense and thrillers, this book felt like a tiny, magical getaway. A vacation you don’t have to pack for — unless you count emotional baggage — straight into a library where you can hop from one classic literary masterpiece to the next like you’re collecting passport stamps. We follow Alix as she tries to slip away from the real world for a bit, and honestly… relatable. If

Served Him Right By Lisa Unger Copyright @2026 369 Pages I’ll admit, when I cracked this book open, I was fully prepared for “angry chef seeks revenge” energy. I was not prepared for “Witch Mob with a family vendetta and a flair for the dramatic.” But honestly? A coven of herbalist girlies who usually use their powers for good but could absolutely hex you if provoked? Delicious. We’re one voodoo doll away from a full‑blown Salem reboot. This story follows Ana in her frantic s

Five Found Dead By Sulari Gentill Copyright @2025 299 Pages Well, I’m just going to say it boldly: I liked this book. The characters delivered exactly the kind of entertainment I want when I curl up with a mystery — lively, quirky, and just unhinged enough to keep me turning pages. It’s a quick read, the perfect companion for a rainy weekend when you want murder-y vibes, intrigue, and zero commitment to anything resembling productivity. The plot moves along at a brisk pace —