Wednesday, February 18, 2026

BLOG TOUR - A Country Manor Murder



DESCRIPTION:

The sweeping lawns and old stone walls of Coates House make it the perfect backdrop for a baking competition. But Sarah Vane must put her scones aside to figure out who would kill for it…


Sarah Vane’s making the most of her retirement, entering the annual baking competition at the stately Coates House. Normally it runs like clockwork under the eagle eye of Madeleine Brett-Coates. But when Sarah stumbles across the body of the lady of the manor, a string of bunting wrapped tightly around her neck, the event is plunged into chaos.


Mrs Brett-Coates’s children appear heartbroken but soon Sarah learns that the kind old woman ruled her roost with an iron rod. And as well as whispers of a secret fling, Sarah discovers that someone’s name was hastily crossed out of her will just days before her death…


Everybody at the manor, even the staff, had a motive and all of them have secrets they’d kill to keep. But when one of the Brett-Coates heirs vanishes, and a threatening note is sent to the others, Sarah suddenly sees a much bigger plot unfolding. Can Sarah track down the killer before another victim is claimed?


A delightfully cozy and utterly unputdownable murder mystery, perfect for fans of Faith Martin, J.R. Ellis and Clare Chase who are looking for their next addictive read.




Title:   A Country Manor Murder
Author:  Alice Castle
Series:  Sarah Vane Mysteries Book 5
Publisher:  Bookouture
Genre:   Cozy Mystery 
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:  295
Date of Publication:  February 18, 2026
My Rating:   4 Stars 

MY THOUGHTS:

In the delightful fifth book of the Sarah Vane Mysteries series, Sarah eagerly anticipates participating in a baking competition. However, her excitement is short-lived when she discovers the body of the manor’s lady of the manor, Madeleine Brett-Coates, at the Coates House where the competition is being held. Clearly, this is a murder case that Sarah must investigate.

Initially, it appears that the victim’s heirs are devastated, but Sarah soon uncovers a web of conflicts and secrets within the household. She is determined to uncover the truth and determine if one of the victim’s heirs is responsible for her death.

Despite being retired, Sarah finds joy in this new chapter of her life. Baking competitions are enjoyable, but she has discovered a hidden talent: she’s a brilliant armchair detective. Having achieved success in solving crimes in the past, Sarah sets high standards for herself and delivers another satisfying mystery.

I’ve been thoroughly enjoying the Sarah Vane Mysteries series. I admire the strength and resilience of women of a certain age who prove that life doesn’t have to end. I eagerly anticipate the next installment in this captivating series. 

7Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion. 
 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Before turning to crime, Alice Castle was a UK newspaper journalist for The Daily Express, The Times and The Daily Telegraph. Alice is an avid reader of crime fiction, her favourite stories are cozy crimes with a strong sense of place. When she couldn’t find a series about her beloved south London, she decided to write her own – and single mum amateur sleuth Beth Haldane was born. Alice also writes twisty psychological thrillers for HQ Digital under the name A.M. Castle.  The Perfect Widow was a top selling audiobook in 2019 and  The Invitation hit the top 50 on Amazon UK in 2021. Alice lives with her two children and two cats and, if she isn’t writing or reading a whodunit, she’ll be watching one on telly.

Author Social Media Links
Website:https://alicecastleauthor.com/
Bookouture Email Sign Up: https://www.bookouture.com/alice-castle

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Review - Worse Than a Lie

Title:  Worse Than a Lie
Author:  Ben Crump
Series:   Beau Lee Cooper #1
Publisher:  Ballantine
Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers 
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   368
Date of Publication:   February 17, 2026
My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

In this gripping thriller, truth and justice are called into question when a Black man is gunned down in cold blood—the first novel in a riveting series from renowned civil rights attorney Ben Crump.

“A sensationally good crime and legal thriller . . . This is exactly what a book should be.”—Lee Child, #1 New York Times bestselling co-author of the Reacher series

It’s the night of November 4, 2008. America’s first Black president has just been elected. And fifty-three-year-old Hollis Montrose—a Black ex–police officer from the suburbs of Chicago—has become the latest victim of a brutal attack. As the result of a traffic stop gone wrong, Hollis is shot ten times in cold blood, by four white men who could have been his colleagues back in his police days.

Beau Lee Cooper was born serious, as if on an urgent mission with little time to waste. Raised in the tumultuous world of 1970s Texas, he always dreamed of becoming a lawyer and fighting for what’s right, ever since he was a little boy reading To Kill a Mockingbird. And now, ten years into running his own law firm with his best friend and partner in crime, Nelson “Nellie” Rivers, and his suave right-hand-man, Brent “Cape” Capers, he feels he’s finally making a difference. When Beau Lee learns about Hollis’s situation, he’s determined to help.

Miraculously, Hollis survives the encounter, but the Chicago police department has already spun the narrative in its favor, and Hollis is given a wrongful prison sentence with an unreasonable bail. What really happened that night the car was pulled over? Was it random or was Hollis targeted? Beau Lee knows he’s treading in dangerous waters, and finding evidence of the truth will be his biggest challenge yet, but with troubling powers at play, one innocent man’s life hangs in the balance.

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

From a young age, Beau Lee Cooper was known as the “serious child.” After reading To Kill a Mockingbird dozens of times, he knew with certainty that he wanted to become a lawyer. Inspired by the moral courage he found in those pages, Beau Lee grows into a man determined to stand for justice. It is now 2008. Barack Obama is in office, symbolizing hope and change for many. And yet, systemic racism remains pervasive that is very much alive and well.

After briefly meeting the adult Beau Lee, we are introduced to Hollis Montrose, a hardworking police officer who has worn his badge honorably for twenty-five years. One night, while driving home and passing the residence of a younger officer he works with, Hollis is pulled over. What follows is tragic and infuriating and an all-too-common case of racial profiling. Hollis is violently thrown to the ground. Officers, along with backup who quickly arrive, refuse to hear his pleas that he is one of them. That they have the wrong man. His badge means nothing. His years of service mean nothing. In that moment, only the color of his skin matters.

The injustice is heartbreaking. I was in tears for Hollis. Even after surviving a brutal shooting he is miraculously clinging to life. Sadly, that is not the only battle Hollis will be experience. Several officers close ranks, twisting the narrative to protect themselves. They manipulate reports and align their stories so that Hollis, the victim, appears unquestionably guilty. The betrayal cuts deep. The corruption feels suffocating.

Beau Lee, aware of the system’s treatment of his own, is reluctantly tasked with handling this fabricated case. Beau Lee and his small team confront an entrenched system determined to safeguard its interests. Despite the mounting evidence of dishonesty among some law enforcement officers, Beau Lee accepts the challenge and files a multi-million-dollar lawsuit. As the legal battle unfolds, the blatant dishonesty becomes increasingly apparent. And quite frankly, it is disgusting. While we, as readers, are privy to Hollis’s innocence and the truth, proving it in a court of law remains a formidable task. The burden of dismantling the lies rests squarely on Beau Lee’s shoulders.


Because Ben Crump is himself a celebrated civil rights attorney, Worse Than a Lie carries undeniable weight. The authenticity in the legal maneuvering and the emotional gravity of the case make the story feel urgent and real. This novel delivers a powerful message about systemic racism and its devastating impact on Black and Brown communities. It does not shy away from discomfort, as well it shouldn’t. .

I love that this is the first book in a series because I am eager to follow Beau Lee as he continues to fight the battles that matter. The cases that make me feel. Make me think. Make me cringe. Make me feel seen. Make me feel vindicated. That is exactly what this book does.

Many thanks to Ballantine and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Through a steadfast dedication to justice and service, renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump has established himself as one of the nation’s foremost lawyers and advocates for social justice. He has worked on some of the most high-profile cases in the U.S., representing the families of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, and Stephon Clark, among others. He has been nationally recognized as the 2014 NNPA Newsmaker of the Year, the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Lawyers, and Ebony Magazine Power 100 Most Influential African Americans. In 2016, he was designated as an Honorary Fellow by the University of Pennsylvania College of Law. He is the founder and principal owner of Ben Crump Law.

web | x


Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , ,

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW - Her Last Breath

Title:  Her Last Breath
Author:  Taylor Adams
Publisher:  HarperAudio
Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers
Format:  Audio ALC and Kindle ARC
Narrator:  Sophie Amoss
Length:  10 hrs 8 mins
No. of Pages:   336
Date of Publication:   February 17, 2026
My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

From the critically acclaimed author of No Exit and The Last Word comes a story of two friends who embark on an ill-fated caving expedition—and the dark truth of what happens deep underground.

After years of excuses, Tess has finally agreed to go caving with her best friend Allie. Their lives have diverged sharply since high school—Allie is a self-made travel influencer, while Tess is a shy (and claustrophobic) legal assistant struggling to pay for law school. Maybe she’s a little jealous of Allie's globe-trotting life. Who wouldn’t be?

As Tess and Allie descend into the depths, they realize they’re not alone. A stranger who claims to be a fellow caver harasses them. Confident, take-no-shit Allie insults the guy—and he retaliates. Soon, Tess is trapped inside a narrow crawl space hundreds of feet underground, fighting to stay alive.

Twenty-four hours later, as a hospitalized Tess recounts her harrowing story of survival, the detective interviewing her shares new and shocking secrets about Allie's true past. Together, they begin to suspect the brutal attack wasn’t so random after all.

Who was Allie, really? Why did this man target them? And did Tess really leave the danger behind when she escaped the cave?


MY THOUGHTS:
Tess and Allie have been best friends for years. Allie has a passion for caving, and has been all but begging Tess to go caving with her. Allie is determined to introduce Tess to her favorite hobby. Finally agreeing to go, the two embark on an adventure that turns into a horrifying ordeal. With meticulous preparation and the right supplies, they set off into the depths of the cave. However, tragedy strikes when they encounter another person in the cave, setting the stage for a fight for survival.

Tess faces the fight of her life, battling against all odds. Despite the odds stacked against her, she manages to survive and is hospitalized. While recovering, she recounts her harrowing experience to the older detective handling the case. Alongside Tess’s story, another chilling narrative emerges, laced with an undercurrent of envy.

Taylor Adams masterfully crafts a claustrophobic nightmare that grips the reader from the very first page. I was captivated by Tess’s journey underground, finding myself both surprised and shocked by the unexpected and shocking ending.

Many thanks to HarperAudio and to NetGalley for this free ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Taylor Adams is the author of several acclaimed thrillers including No Exit and Hairpin Bridge. No Exit has been published in 32 languages and was recently released by 20th Century Studios as a Hulu Original Film. Adams lives in Washington State.



 

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,

Review - The Astral Library

Title:  The Astral Library
Author:  Kate Quinn
Publisher:  William Morrow
Genre:   Fantasy
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   304
Date of Publication:   February 17, 2026
My Rating:   4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

From New York Times bestselling author Kate Quinn comes a gorgeously written fantastical adventure which poses the question: Have you ever wished you could live inside a book? Welcome to the Astral Library, where books are not just objects, but doors to new worlds, new lives, and new futures.

Alexandria “Alix” Watson has learned one lesson from her barren childhood in the foster-care system: unlike people, books will never let you down. Working three dead-end jobs to make ends meet and knowing college is a pipe dream, Alix takes nightly refuge in the high-vaulted reading room at the Boston Public Library, escaping into her favorite fantasy novels and dreaming of far-off lands. Until the day she stumbles through a hidden door and meets the Librarian: the ageless, acerbic guardian of a hidden library where the desperate and the lost escape to new lives...inside their favorite books.

The Librarian takes a dazzled Alix under her wing, but before she can escape into the pages of her new life, a shadowy enemy emerges to threaten everyone the Astral Library has ever helped protect. Aided by a dashing costume-shop owner, Alix and the Librarian flee through the Regency drawing rooms of Jane Austen to the back alleys of Sherlock Holmes and the champagne-soaked parties of The Great Gatsby as danger draws inexorably closer. But who does their enemy really wish to destroy—Alix, the Librarian, or the Library itself?


MY THOUGHTS:

The Astral Library by Kate Quinn is an imaginative and engaging adventure set against a richly layered fantasy backdrop. At its heart is Alix Watson, a young woman whose life has been anything but easy. Having bounced from home to home in the foster care system, Alix has never truly known stability. Even working three jobs barely keeps a roof over her head, let alone allows for anything resembling comfort.

Her one sanctuary is the Boston Public Library. Within its walls, she can momentarily escape her struggles and lose herself in other worlds. Books have always offered her refuge. What she doesn’t realize, however, is that one day they will offer her something far more literal.

While wandering the stacks, Alix stumbles upon a hidden door. On the other side waits the Librarian—a mysterious figure she instinctively trusts. Crossing that threshold changes everything. She is told she need only choose a book—any book—and she can step into a new life. Not just a fleeting daydream, but a fully realized existence complete with quests, challenges, and the tantalizing possibility of peace and security—the very things she has longed for her entire life.

What unfolds is a journey through a complex multiverse where Alix encounters literary figures she once knew only from the page. The premise is enchanting, but it is not without consequences. Each new world carries risks, and the promise of “the grass is always greener” proves far more complicated than it first appears. Alix’s adventures are filled with wonder, but also with hard truths about choice, sacrifice, and the cost of escape.

At the start of the novel, Alix’s “woe is me” outlook is noticeable, but understandably so. Given her history, her longing for something better feels authentic rather than indulgent. Watching her confront the realities behind her fantasies all while discovering her own resilience brought great strength to this novel.

Though the pacing occasionally felt a bit too brisk for my personal taste, the imaginative scope and emotional undercurrents more than compensate. For readers who enjoy magical realism blended with literary homage and multiverse intrigue, The Astral Library is a compelling and thoughtful read.

Many thanks to William Morrow and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:





Posted by at No comments:
Labels: ,

BLOG TOUR - Sing Her To Sleep



DESCRIPTION:

She sings softly to calm her little girl as his heavy footsteps move away. She clutches her daughter’s hand tightly and breathes. They are safe now. Then she feels a sharp blow to her torso and everything dims to black…

Detective Katie Scott is enjoying a rare morning of peace when she is disturbed by reports of two bodies found at the local Pine Valley building site. Rushing over with her service dog Cisco, her blood turns to ice when she finds the skeletons of a parent and child, their hands intertwined, desperately clinging to each other. What kind of monster would do this?

Katie wastes no time pulling together her team and quickly identifies the victims by the matching silver bracelets on their wrists, each with half hearts. They are Meredith and Misty Collins, a mother and daughter who were reported missing twenty years ago. They vanished into thin air, but rumors swirled for years about the screams in the forest the night they disappeared.

Soon the case takes a shocking turn when Meredith’s husband is found dead the next day. Is the twisted serial killer hunting down possible witnesses one by one? And who is the shadowy figure who has been watching Katie’s home at night. With time running out, and those close to her keeping secrets about what happened at the Collins’ house all those years ago, can Katie stay one step ahead of the unhinged killer before another life is lost?

A completely addictive crime fiction novel for fans of Lisa Regan, Rachel Caine and Melinda Leigh. A gripping roller-coaster ride from USA Todayand Amazon bestseller Jennifer Chase.

BUY LINK:
You can sign up for all the best Bookouture deals you'll love at: http://ow.ly/Fkiz30lnzdo

MY THOUGHTS:

Title:   Sing Her To Sleep
Author:  Jennifer Chase
Series:  Detective Katie Scott #15
Publisher:  Bookouture
Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   354
Date of Publication:  February 16, 2026
My Rating:  5 Stars

This fifteenth installment in the compelling Detective Katie Scott series, Sing Her to Sleep, opens with a haunting tragedy. A mother and daughter vanish without a trace. Sadly, their remains are discovered decades later when a new building project disturbs the earth that has kept their whereabouts unknown.

Detective Katie Scott, alongside her loyal service dog Cisco and her steadfast partner McGaven, is immediately pulled into the long-cold case. It doesn’t take long for the team to identify the victims as Meredith and Misty Collins, whose disappearance had once devastated their community before fading into unresolved history. But the grim discovery doesn’t end there. In fact, another body, that of Meredith’s husband, is soon found as well. 

As always, Katie’s personal journey adds emotional depth to the investigation. A military veteran living with PTSD, Katie relies heavily on Cisco, her service dog in the field. However, Cisco’s role in her life extends far beyond his service duties; he serves as her anchor during quieter, more vulnerable moments. Their bond remains one of the most captivating aspects of this series. At the same time, Katie’s loving relationship with John Blackburn, the forensic supervisor in the crime lab, introduces a refreshing sense of warmth and stability into her life. Witnessing her cautious opening of her heart as she navigates such difficult and often heartbreaking cases provides a satisfying balance to the story’s intensity.

This latest entry delivers the layered suspense, emotional depth, and steady character development that readers have come to expect from the series. The decades-spanning mystery unfolds at a gripping pace, with each revelation tightening the tension until the final pieces fall into place.

Longtime fans will appreciate the depth and heart woven into the suspense, while new readers will find plenty to keep them turning pages late into the night. This is another strong, satisfying installment that proves the Detective Katie Scott series still has so much to offer.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jennifer Chase is a multi award-winning and best-selling crime fiction author, as well as a consulting criminologist. Jennifer holds a bachelor degree in police forensics and a master’s degree in criminology & criminal justice. These academic pursuits developed out of her curiosity about the criminal mind as well as from her own experience with a violent psychopath, providing Jennifer with deep personal investment in every story she tells.


In addition, she holds certifications in serial crime and criminal profiling. She is an affiliate member of the International Association of Forensic Criminologists, and member of the International Thriller Writers.



Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Jennifer Chase here: https://geni.us/B097H5XLDVsocial
BgbvCX

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , ,

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW - First Sign of Danger

Title:    First Sign of Danger
Author:  Kelley Armstrong
Series:  Haven's Rock #4
Genre:   Mystery/Thrillers
Publisher:   Minotaur Books
Format:  Kindle ARC and Audiobook ALC
Narrator:  Thérèse Plummer
Length:  9 hrs 38 mins
No. of Pages:  352
Date of Publication:  February 17, 2026
My Rating:  5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong continues the atmospheric Haven's Rock series as Casey Duncan investigates a threat to their off-the-grid Yukon town.

Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton, are entering a new chapter of life as parents to their six-month-old baby. Their family is hidden away in the sanctuary town of Haven's Rock where they can live safe and private lives. But when they encounter hikers too close to the borders of Haven's Rock, they realize they're in danger of being exposed.

When they find one of the hikers dead the next day, they realize that their paranoia was justified, but they're no closer to finding out who these people were and what they were doing in the vicinity of Haven's Rock. Only by tracing the hikers' movements, as well as examining the recent behavior of their closest neighbors, the workers of a secretive mining camp, will they be able to figure out where the threat is coming from and shut it down. Otherwise, the lives of everyone in Haven's Rock--and their safe, secure new existence--are at risk.


MY THOUGHTS:

Detective Casey Duncan and her husband Eric Dalton are now parents to a gorgeous six-month old daughter. As they live in a hidden town with no contact with the outside world, becoming parents wasn’t part of their plan. However, they couldn’t be happier. Their residence is Haven’s Rock, a town developed only two years ago after leaving their lives in a similar Alaskan town, Rockton. 

Living a life with a small population and limited amenities has definitely not been easy. Keeping their town secret is paramount, along with the level of serious crimes, including murders, has been an extremely difficult challenge. Keeping people away, keeping their town, secret, and now keeping their daughter safe is paramount to Casey and Dalton. One day, while walking with the baby and their dog Storm, they happen upon a woman. She leads them to her injured husband, and he is subsequently found dead the next day. 

Casey and Dalton struggle to contain the situation, because it is more than clear that the man’s death is definitely a case of murder. Solving that crime, dealing with the woman who is now in their sights, as well as what appears to be an illegal mining camp, keep them very busy.


Many thanks to Minotaur Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kelley Armstrong has been telling stories since before she could write. Her earliest written efforts were disastrous. If asked for a story about girls and dolls, hers would invariably feature undead girls and evil dolls, much to her teachers' dismay. All efforts to make her produce "normal" stories failed.

Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets. 

web | twitter | facebook 

Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Comments (Atom)