Review - Art Attack

Art Attack

by James Ponti

SeriesThe Sherlock Society #3

PublisherAladdin

GenreChildren’s Mystery & Thrillers

FormatKindle ARC

Pages320

Pub. DateSeptember 8, 2026

Rating[rating]

DESCRIPTION

The Sherlock Society goes undercover in the Miami street art scene to find an anonymous graffiti artist in this third book in the hilarious, New York Times bestselling Sherlock Society middle grade series from Edgar Award–winning author James Ponti!

The Sherlock Society’s latest case is tracking down stealth graffiti artist Funky Munky—well-known for their artistic statements calling out local politicians—on behalf of a developer who wants them to create a mural for a new hotel. Their investigation leads Alex, Zoe, Lina, and Yadi deep into the very colorful south Florida art scene.

But finding someone who doesn’t want to be found is challenging, and it doesn’t help that Miami Art Week is coming up, bringing lots of attention—and lots of new artists—to the area. The Sherlock Society’s best bet is an elaborate sting operation, which involves them picking up spray cans themselves. Can they trap their quarry without exposing themselves?

Link to shop the series

MY THOUGHTS

The Sherlock Society, a group of four kids, were keen to embark on an adventure that would turn their summer into anything but boring. Alex and Zoe Sherlock, along with their friends Lina and Yadi, have formed their own detective agency, The Sherlock Society. Their grandfather is the perfect adult partner for the team. Not only does he provide transportation when needed, but his decades of experience as a reporter are also invaluable when it comes to their investigations.

The unusual team of young detectives has come a long way since their first case, and in this third installment, Art Attack, they now have their choice of cases. This time, they are offered a nice paycheck to discover the identity of a graffiti artist known only by the name Funky Munky. The developers want the mysterious artist to create a mural on one of their buildings, but they have no idea who Funky Munky actually is.

Of course, things don’t go quite as planned. Before long, Alex finds himself arrested for vandalism! Now The Sherlock Society has to figure out how to get Alex out of trouble while also tracking down their elusive graffiti artist. And, as you might expect, there is a deeper mystery hiding behind their search, making this a nicely paced and entertaining adventure.

I really enjoy watching the four young members of the agency - Alex, Zoe, Yadi, and Lina - as they continue to grow. They experience some growing pains along the way, and their changing dynamics could either bring them closer together or pull them apart. That’s part of what makes this series so much fun.

James Ponti has once again delivered a fun mystery with plenty of action, friendship, and just enough trouble to keep things interesting. The Sherlock Society always leaves me wanting to know what they will get themselves into next, and Art Attack is no exception. I’m definitely ready for the next adventure!

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

James Ponti is the New York Times Bestselling author of three Middle Grade book series: the DEAD CITY trilogy about a secret society that polices the undead who live beneath New York City; the Edgar Award-winning FRAMED! series about a pair of Sherlockian tweens who solve mysteries in Washington, D.C.; and the all-new CITY SPIES about an unlikely squad of five kids from around the world who form an elite MI6 spy team. 

James grew up in Atlantic Beach, Florida and lives in Orlando. He's a die hard fan of the Boston Red Sox, the USC Trojans, and the Italian National Soccer Team. He loves travel, writing, and spending time with his amazing family.

web | twitter

Robin Loves Reading

AUDIOBOOK - Fury in Death

 

Fury in Death

by J. D. Robb

SeriesIn Death #63

PublisherSt. Martin’s Press

GenreMystery & Thrillers

FormatALC and Kindle ARC

NarratorSusan Erikson

Length13 hrs 46 mins

Pages368

Pub. DateSeptember 8, 2026

Rating🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

DESCRIPTION

In the new crime thriller from the #1 New York Times bestselling author, Lt. Eve Dallas journeys into the darkness where murder is born…

NYSPD homicide detective Eve Dallas never knows what to expect when she gets word of a body. It could be an elderly man who made the mistake of climbing a ladder in slippery footwear. And the next call could be a wealthy biotech executive beaten to death in his home office—but what was Larry Chu’s mistake?

The victim’s corpse is so mangled and damaged it’s hard to believe a lone, unarmed assailant could have managed it. The killer was clearly unnaturally strong—and smart enough to find a way into Chu’s highly secure building. Most of all, whoever did this was very, very angry.

The excessive violence leads Dallas to conclude that this was a deeply personal act, born of a rage that she can’t excuse but can understand thanks to her own traumatic past. And though the motive seems rooted in heated emotion rather than cold hard cash, she can’t ignore the suspicious bank account in the Cayman Islands, or the shadowy, profit-hungry company Chu worked for. The mystery only grows when it turns out Chu isn’t the only victim—and Dallas will need to tear through one layer of secrecy after another to reveal what lies behind this explosion of fury...

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS

Dr. Steven Redman is a talented scientist, and the project his company is developing, known as Rainmaker, is finally nearing completion. His personal life is also going well. He is the father of a young boy, and his beautiful wife is expecting their second child. As Steve heads home one day, thinking about both the project and his growing family, he sees an explosion. It is his home, and in an instant, his family is gone. For Steve, fury is born.

As Lieutenant Eve Dallas and her partner, Detective Delia Peabody, begin a new investigation, they are faced with another brutal murder. A biotech executive has been beaten to death, and the nature of the crime reveals an incredible amount of rage. Eve begins investigating the company where the executive worked and soon uncovers some disturbing details. Then another murder with a similar signature occurs, and Eve realizes she is dealing with a serial killer who has no intention of stopping.

The nature of these murders is fueled by fury, and it is clear to the reader who is responsible, with revenge serving as the driving force behind the killings—a revenge born from a heartbreaking tragedy. Now Eve must use all of her skills to flush out the killer before more lives are lost.

Fury in Death is another thrilling installment in the In Death series. Even when you know who the killer is, the story keeps you turning the pages because you want to understand the fury behind the murders and see if Eve can bring the killer to justice. J. D. Robb has done another stellar job, and although this is book #63 in the series, she hasn’t run out of ideas  I am sure it will be exciting to read the next book in the series. And, Susan Ericksen has continued to do a stellar job narrating this series. Her ability to voice each of the characters, especially Eve’s snarky wit, or the joy that Peabody exudes, just makes the books that much better. 

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nora Roberts was born in Silver Spring, Maryland, the youngest of five children. After a school career that included some time in Catholic school and the discipline of nuns, she married young and settled in Keedysville, Maryland.

She worked briefly as a legal secretary. “I could type fast but couldn’t spell, I was the worst legal secretary ever,” she says now. After her sons were born she stayed home and tried every craft that came along. A blizzard in February 1979 forced her hand to try another creative outlet. She was snowed in with a three and six year old with no kindergarten respite in sight and a dwindling supply of chocolate.

Born into a family of readers, Nora had never known a time that she wasn’t reading or making up stories. During the now-famous blizzard, she pulled out a pencil and notebook and began to write down one of those stories. It was there that a career was born. Several manuscripts and rejections later, her first book, Irish Thoroughbred, was published by Silhouette in 1981.

Nora met her second husband, Bruce Wilder, when she hired him to build bookshelves. They were married in July 1985. Since that time, they’ve expanded their home, traveled the world and opened a bookstore together

Through the years, Nora has always been surrounded by men. Not only was she the youngest in her family, but she was also the only girl. She has raised two sons. Having spent her life surrounded by men, Ms. Roberts has a fairly good view of the workings of the male mind, which is a constant delight to her readers. It was, she’s been quoted as saying, a choice between figuring men out or running away screaming.

Nora is a member of several writers groups and has won countless awards from her colleagues and the publishing industry. Recently The New Yorker called her “America’s favorite novelist.”

Robin Loves Reading

Review - Until She Dies

    

    

Until She Dies

by Kendra Elliot

SeriesNoelle Marshall #3

PublisherMontlake

GenreMystery & Thrillers

FormatKindle ARC

Pages331

Pub. DateSeptember 8, 2026

Rating🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

DESCRIPTION

Detective Noelle Marshall and FBI Agent Max Rhodes unearth bodies and secrets as they become targets of a serial killer in a chilling novel of suspense by a Wall Street Journal bestselling author.

When a search dog locates a mass burial ground in the Oregon forest, Detective Noelle Marshall is plunged into a hunt for a killer who’s hiding in plain sight. The key to her case lies in a decades-old a lone survivor who escaped and is still out there, living in fear. The murderer is a phantom who left behind a collection of victims with nothing in common but their final resting place.

As pressure mounts to identify the bodies and find the killer, the investigation draws in FBI Agent Max Rhodes—Noelle’s partner in work and in life. They’ve hunted monsters before, but this one has spent years preparing for this moment, and he craves revenge. As the search narrows and the clock tightens, Noelle and Max must confront a predator who knows the terrain—and their weaknesses—better than they do.

Link to shop the series

MY THOUGHTS

Detective Noelle Marshall and FBI Special Agent Max Rhodes have not only partnered to solve challenging cases, but their professional relationship has blossomed into a romantic one. The cases Noelle and Max take on are brutal, often putting them in danger, and Until She Dies is no exception.

The third book in the series opens ten years in the past with Crystal, who is worried that her husband, Gage, is cheating on her. What she discovers is far worse: Gage appears to be working with a serial killer who chooses women as his “brides.” Crystal’s discovery puts her in terrible danger.

The story then moves to the present, where Noelle is hiking with a friend and his search-and-rescue dog, Thor. Thor makes a shocking discovery - a mass grave containing several bodies. As the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that the victims were buried over a period of years, pointing to a prolific serial killer who has managed to remain hidden.

Sadly, the discovery brings the past full circle for Noelle and Max. Noelle has taken in a young woman named Emma, whom she cares for deeply. Emma is still struggling with the loss of her mother - and that mother is Crystal. As Noelle and Max dig deeper into the case, Emma soon finds herself in danger as well.

This third installment is an incredibly thrilling read, especially because of the connection between Crystal and Emma. Kendra Elliott does an excellent job weaving the past and present together while keeping the tension high. At the same time, the growing bond between Noelle, Max, and Emma adds an emotional layer to the story. I especially enjoyed seeing how this investigation becomes personal for Noelle and Max, making Until She Dies an excellent addition to the series.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

As a kid, I read and read and read. Laura Ingalls, Nancy Drew, and Trixie Belden were my close companions, and I was never without a book in hand. Today mysteries and suspense are my primary reading genres. I enjoy Lee Child, Karen Rose, Robert Crais, Lisa Gardner, Michael Connelly, and Tami Hoag. But I also love to escape with a historical romance or an engrossing fantasy set in another world. Authors are always huge readers.

In 2006 I’d recently finished one of Diana Gabaldon’s novels for the umpteenth time, and I loved how satisfied and content I felt at the end. A true sign of great storytelling. Could I provide that experience for a reader? I sat down and spent six months writing a contemporary romance. Strangely I kept tripping over dead bodies in each chapter. I got the hint and my stories evolved into suspense. I never felt the need to “tell the stories cluttering my head” or “share my work with the world” like some authors. My goal was to simply see if I could entertain a reader.

HIDDEN was the third manuscript I finished, but my first book purchased by a publisher. It came out in the summer of 2012 and since then has sold over a million copies. I won the Daphne du Maurier award three times and have hit the Wall Street Journal’s best seller list more than a dozen times. I’ve been an International Thriller Writers’s finalist and a finalist for Romantic Times Magazine’s best Romantic Suspense. As I update this in 2026, I’ve sold 15 million books, and I’m working on my twenty-sixth novel. I’ve also written eleven novellas and sold the TV rights for my Mercy Kilpatrick series, but the option was not renewed after two years, so the series is not in production.

I wouldn’t trade this career for anything, and I count my blessings every day, thankful that readers have embraced my books.

Web

Robin Loves Reading

Wrap Up - September Week 1 - Sep 1 - 5

 

Books that I read August 1 - August 5, 2026

All My Sisters and Me	Sheryl Lister
Heart of Glass	Jennifer Hillier
The Devoted	Catherine Cho
Skyward	Brandon Sanderson
The Sherlock Society	James Ponti
We Chase Shadows	Richard Osman
The Raging Storm	Ann Cleeves
Hurricane Heist	James Ponti
Art Attack	James Ponti
Starsight	Brandon Sanderson
Anger Is Only a Shadow	Elizabeth Acevedo
Make It Out Alive	Allison Brennan
The Wonder of One	Suzanne Redfearn
The Case of the Christie Conspiracy	Kelly Oliver

Brief book summaries

1. All My Sisters and Me — Sheryl Lister
   Four sisters-in-law struggling with jealousy, family tensions, and complicated relationships must confront long-held secrets during a weeklong anniversary celebration that could either tear them apart or bring them closer. 
2. Heart of Glass — Jennifer Hillier
   When a convicted killer recants his confession to the murder of a teenage girl 25 years earlier, her former best friends are forced to revisit the night that changed all their lives while a new series of crimes unfolds. 
3. The Devoted — Catherine Cho
   A woman determined to escape her family’s connection to Hong Kong’s Triads is pulled back into that dangerous world when her young son is kidnapped. 
4. Skyward — Brandon Sanderson
   Spensa, the daughter of a disgraced pilot, dreams of joining humanity’s desperate fight against alien invaders and finally earning her place among the stars. 
5. The Sherlock Society — James Ponti
   Siblings Alex and Zoe Sherlock and their friends form a summer detective agency that begins investigating a decades-old treasure mystery and uncovers a much more dangerous conspiracy. 
6. We Chase Shadows — Richard Osman
   Amy, Rosie, and Steve take on their first official case after a mysterious body is found at an Italian villa, sending the amateur detectives on a globe-trotting hunt through a maze of suspects and secrets. 
7. The Raging Storm — Ann Cleeves
   When a famous adventurer is found murdered in a dinghy during a violent storm, Detective Matthew Venn returns to a community from his troubled past to uncover a web of old secrets, rivalries, and betrayals. 
8. Hurricane Heist — James Ponti
   After a hurricane uncovers the body of a man believed to have stolen a million-dollar fortune six decades earlier, the Sherlock Society investigates the long-unsolved heist—and discovers someone still wants the truth buried. 
9. Art Attack — James Ponti
   The Sherlock Society goes undercover in Miami’s street-art scene to track down the elusive graffiti artist Funky Munky, leading them into an investigation filled with colorful clues and plenty of danger. 
10. Starsight — Brandon Sanderson
    Spensa ventures beyond her home planet and into enemy territory, where her mysterious powers and encounters with new alien civilizations force her to question everything she knows about the war. 
11. Anger Is Only a Shadow — Elizabeth Acevedo
    Seventeen-year-old Lil, already dealing with the juvenile justice system, must navigate family upheaval, loyalty, and her own anger while trying to figure out what kind of person she wants to become. 
12. Make It Out Alive — Allison Brennan
    When FBI agents Matt Costa and Kara Quinn investigate a serial killer targeting newlyweds, they become victims themselves and must survive a terrifying, deadly escape room while their team races to find them. 
13. The Wonder of One — Suzanne Redfearn
    Born with a facial birthmark and determined not to let prejudice define her, Vivien Kendall pursues her dream of becoming a champion figure skater while discovering the power of resilience, friendship, and believing in herself. 
14. The Case of the Christie Conspiracy — Kelly Oliver
    When a fellow mystery writer is murdered and Agatha Christie disappears, young investigator Eliza Baker sets out to prove Christie’s innocence while unraveling a dangerous mystery within London’s Detection Club. 

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW - A Match for the Amish Beekeeper

 

A Match for the Amish Beekeeper

by Laurel Blount

SeriesHickory Springs Amish #4

PublisherHarlequin Audio

GenreInspirational Romance

FormatALC

NarratorStina Nielson

Length6 hrs 36 mins

Pages203

Pub. DateAugust 25, 2026

Rating⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DESCRIPTION

Sometimes falling in love

Feels like coming home…

After losing her beloved fiancé, Lydia Riehl has supported herself as a beekeeper, with Aent Mattie’s guidance. There’s only one When Mattie passes away, she bequeaths the bees and hives to Lydia, and the house and land to Caleb’s twin brother, Ben King. Ben promised his brother he’d look out for Lydia. When he steps up to repair the house and learns the ins and outs of beekeeping, their friendship deepens into something more. Will these two lonely souls decide to be open to love’s possibilities?

From Love  Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

Hickory Springs Amish

Book 1: The Amish Widower's Surprise

Book 2: Trusting the Amish Farmer

Book 3: A Courtship for the Amish Nanny

Book 4: A Match for the Amish Beekeeper

Link to shop the series

MY THOUGHTS

I have really been enjoying Laurel Blount’s Hickory Springs Amish series. Each story has been sweet, uplifting, and filled with couples who seem perfectly matched. So far, we have met Eben and Lila in The Amish Widower’s Surprise, Jeremiah and Anna in Trusting the Amish Farmer, and Eli and Trudy in A Courtship for the Amish Nanny. This fourth installment brings Ben King and Lydia Riehl together, and I enjoyed their story just as much as the previous ones. There is also a fifth book, The Amish Mother’s Redemption, and I can’t wait to read it!

This story was especially sweet because Lydia had once been deeply in love with Caleb King and planned to marry him. Sadly, Caleb died from a serious illness, leaving Lydia heartbroken. Meanwhile, Lydia’s Aunt Mattie has passed away and left her beekeeping business to Lydia. But in a surprising turn of events, Mattie leaves her house to Caleb’s brother, Ben.

Ben had moved away some time ago, but he returns to get the house in order while deciding what he wants to do with the property. As he works on the house, he also becomes involved in Lydia’s beekeeping business. What begins as a practical arrangement gradually becomes something much more personal for both of them.

Both Lydia and Ben are grieving Caleb, which creates an emotional conflict neither of them could have anticipated. Could they really fall in love with each other? I especially appreciated the way Laurel Blount handled the delicate situation of a woman falling in love with her deceased fiancé’s brother. Their relationship is complicated by grief, memories, and the question of whether moving forward means leaving Caleb behind.

Ben also has another reason for wanting to remain close to Lydia. Before Caleb died, he made a promise to his brother that he would look after Lydia and help her find a worthy husband. But what happens when Ben begins to wonder if perhaps he could be that husband?

I am really enjoying this series, and this installment tackles some particularly meaningful themes, including grief, second chances, faith, forgiveness, and learning to open your heart to love again. Lydia and Ben’s story is a beautiful reminder that finding happiness again does not mean forgetting the person you lost.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Award-winning author Laurel Blount writes captivating romances full of grit and grace--with characters who'll walk right off the page and into your heart. She lives on a farm in Georgia with her husband, their four fabulous kids, and an assortment of ridiculously spoiled animals.

Robin Loves Reading

Review - Make It Out Alive

 

Make It Out Alive

by Allison Brennan

SeriesQuinn & Costa #7

PublisherHanover Square Press

GenreMystery & Thrillers

FormatKindle ARC

Pages392

Pub. DateJanuary 27, 2026

Rating🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

DESCRIPTION

Allison Brennan returns to her bestselling series with an edge-of-your-seat thriller that thrusts Quinn and Costa into the crosshairs of a sadistic serial killer.

Three newlywed couples have disappeared from an exclusive resort in Florida, only to turn up dead soon after. With the location and the similarities between the female victims as their only leads, it’s up to the FBI Mobile Response Team to catch a serial killer before anyone else ends up dead. And they have the perfect bait—Detective Kara Quinn, who bears an uncanny resemblance to the targeted women.

Undercover as newlyweds pretending to enjoy their honeymoon, Kara and FBI Agent Matt Costa set a flawless trap. When their plan works and they arrest the predator, Matt sends the rest of the team home so he and Kara can have the weekend for some much-needed R&R. But on Monday morning, the couple doesn’t show up to work, and the MRT learns they never checked out of their hotel.

As their team tries to find them, Matt and Kara learn the truth—the killer wasn’t acting alone. He had a partner who succeeded where he failed. Kidnapped and forced into a twisted escape room, they need to find a way out, because if they don’t escape, they’ll die.

Link to shop the series

MY THOUGHTS

As the book opens, the FBI Mobile Response Team has finally honed in on the identity of a serial killer targeting newlywed women. Detective Kara Quinn bears a striking resemblance to the victims, making her the perfect undercover operative. She and FBI Special Agent Matt Costa pose as a newlywed couple at the exclusive Florida resort where the other women were murdered. Their plan works, and they successfully lure Garrett Reid - the man they are convinced is the killer - into a clever trap. Case closed… or so they think. Matt has his doubts that it could really be that simple.

Kara and Matt are expected to leave the resort and return to their jobs, but they suddenly disappear, sending their colleagues into a frantic search to find them. From the moment Kara and Matt awaken after being drugged, the tension kicks into high gear. It quickly becomes clear that the man they thought was responsible for the murders had a partner, and Kara and Matt are now fighting for their lives against a series of meticulously designed traps.

A secondary storyline involves an attorney whose wife and son are being held under dangerous circumstances as he is blackmailed into cooperating. Eventually, these two storylines converge, revealing just how far this killer is willing to go to carry out a very specific agenda.

Brennan keeps the suspense building throughout, with plenty of twists, danger, and moments that had me wondering how Kara and Matt would possibly make it out alive. The story ends with a shocking conclusion that brings this book to a fitting close.

Make It Out Alive is an intense and suspenseful thriller that stands out as an excellent addition to this series. If you’re a fan of FBI thrillers filled with danger, clever twists, and relatable characters, this book is a must-read.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ALLISON BRENNAN is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of over thirty novels. She has been nominated for Best Paperback Original Thriller by International Thriller Writers and the Daphne du Maurier Award. A former consultant in the California State Legislature, Allison lives in Arizona with her husband, five kids and assorted pets.

Social Links:

Author website: https://www.allisonbrennan.com/

Facebook: @AllisonBrennan

Twitter: @Allison_Brennan

Instagram: @abwrites

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/52527.Allison_Brennan

Robin Loves Reading