#NetGalley #BookReview of Portrait of a Witch Undone by by K.S. Shay #Fantasy #MagicRealism

 

Portrait of a Witch Undone

by K.S. Shay

Release date: Augut 25th, 2026

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(3.5 rounded up)

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I received a complimentary ARC copy of Portrait of a Witch Undone by by K.S. Shay from NetGalley and Kensington Publishing/ Erewhon Books in order to read and give an honest review.

…an original, incredibly captivating, atmospheric read that perfectly balances historical legacy with supernatural thrills…

Witches, an art heist and magic realism, sign me up! Reading this several qualities felt familiar this book reads like a brilliant mash up of Discovery of Witches-meets Charmed-meets-The Magicians meets -meets-art-history class. The story uses the infamous 1990 Gardner Museum theft as fodder for the story to create this fabulously layered blend of magic realism and real-world historical intrigue (I did a deep dive online with regards to the heist, interesting stuff if you are interested). The concept of human-made art functioning as a magical portal between dimensions is brilliantly unique. The world-building is well done with its the vividly creative “Other Marsh” and the little maps scattered throughout the pages it helps the setting feel incredibly immersive. 

Well-written, the author authentically writes twenty-three-year-old Maeve. While readers might find her a bit young, she authentically fits into that “new adult” space as she wrestles with her corrupted magic and the weight of early adulthood. Beyond Maeve, the supporting cast really launches the plot, Ash’s vanishing acts as the driving force, while Imani’s divided loyalties create excellent friction. Though, admittedly, there were a few things that I struggled with, namely, vague physical character descriptions that make it hard to form a clear mental picture. I also deeply appreciated that the romance remained a subtle undercurrent rather than hijacking the narrative, allowing the atmospheric, slightly creepy fantasy elements to take center stage. Make no mistake, this is a heavily action-driven plot that brings fantastic momentum, but it does sometimes rely on easy coincidences to get the characters out of a jam.

Despite its imperfections, it is an original, incredibly captivating, atmospheric read that perfectly balances historical legacy with supernatural thrills. I highly recommend.

#NetGalley #BookReview The Whitechapel Full Moon Society by Elizabeth DeLozier #Mystery #Historical #SpeculativeFiction

Book Review

The Whitechapel Full Moon Society

by Elizabeth DeLozier 

Release date: August 25th, 2026

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I received a complimentary ARC copy of The Whitechapel Full Moon Society by Elizabeth DeLozier  from NetGalley and Dutton/Penguin Publishing Group in order to read and give an honest review.  

…Well-written, cleverly plotted we join Caroline in Victorian London while she slowly unravels the secrets to her brother’s disappearance, the person behind the Jack the Ripper murders and the secrets that have been hiding behind the doors of the Whitechapel Full Moon Society…

This is my first book by Elizabeth DeLozier  and I would love to read more from her. In the Whitechapel Full Moon Society we meet Caroline Foster, a young woman who loses everything and goes on a mission to find her only surviving long lost brother, Charlie. Leaving with very little to her name, she arrives at the Whitechapel Full Moon Society boarding house, Charlie’s last known address. She soon learns that he had disappeared months earlier. With little means to survive in the city she takes a job there as housemaid and ends up taking cover in the unique boarding house packed with a secretive eclectic bunch off oddballs and misfits but that is only the beginning. She has been given three rules she is not to bother the residents; she is not to venture through the locked door on the second floor, and she must lock herself in her room on the evenings of full moons. When she learns about the previous maid’s murder, one of the strings of gruesome murders by a killer coined Jack the Ripper in addition to with the cryptic rules, her missing brother. 

Well-written, cleverly plotted we join Caroline in Victorian London while she slowly unravels the secrets behind her brother’s disappearance, the elusive Jack the Ripper and the secrets that have been hiding behind the doors of the Whitechapel Full Moon Society. The plot twist at the climax is heart-stopping and flips everything you thought you knew upside down. After the climax, the story keeps going, tying up all the loose threads in a brilliant and entertaining way.  

I really enjoyed this book; DeLozier completely creates a unique story with a brilliant blend of atmospheric history, dark folklore, and a cast of multidimensional quirky characters that create a heartwarming ending. I highly recommend.

#NetGalley #BookReview Brimstone Hollow by Archer Sullivan #Mystery

Review

Brimstone Hollow

by

Archer Sullivan

Release date: August 11th, 2026

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I received a complimentary ARC copy of Brimstone Hollow by Archer Sullivan from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press | Minotaur Books  in order to read and give an honest review.

…“All in all, I loved this book. I am a sucker for mysteries that take you on a twisted, fast-paced ride of thoughts and emotions from start to finish. Just when you think you have pinned the culprit, something happens and you have to rethink everything. The lines are blurred and no one is as they seem, and despite everything PI Annie Gore is going to get to the bottom of it.”

This is the second novel by Archer Sullivan, the first The Witch’s Orchard I absolutely adored, and her newest Brimstone Hollow, definitely does not disappoint. Once again, we meet Annie Gore, a former Military Investigator turned private investigator trying to launch her new business.

Annie is settling into her Louisville office when Katie May, a young mother, wants to hire Annie after hearing about her last case and knowing Annie is familiar with the Appalachians.  Katie recently learned that her estranged father Ezra, a snake handling preacher, has died from a snake bite. In fact, he was buried quickly, without an autopsy or embalming and before Katie had even been notified. Katie is suspicious about the circumstances of her fathers death and although they haven’t talked in years, she needs to know what happened to him.

Annie takes the job without hesitation, feeling an immediate kinship with Katie, as her own strained relationship with her father makes Katie’s story hit close to home. She heads back into the Appalachian Mountains, this time to Brimstone Hollow, a town famous for its sulphur springs and tent revivals. Annie jumps into the case, and at first, all signs point to an accidental death, that is, until she starts asking the locals about Ezra and suddenly finds herself a target. She knows she’s on the right track, and someone is determined to silence her for good. The deeper she digs, the more it becomes clear that nothing in Brimstone Hollow is as it seems, and a simple snakebite is anything but. Archer Sullivan masterfully captures life in a small rural community, showing how the isolation of this unique place has fostered deep bonds, solidarity, and a sense of belonging,where snake-handling pastors aren’t out of the ordinary. But beneath the surface lies a darker side, as the locals fiercely protect their own, blurring the lines between good and evil. This only fuels Annie’s resolve to get answers for her client, and with glimpses of her past emerging, solving the case might help her find answers for herself too.

All in all, I loved this book. I am a sucker for mysteries that take you on a twisted, fast-paced ride of thoughts and emotions from start to finish. Just when you think you have pinned the culprit, something happens and you have to rethink everything. The lines are blurred and no one is as they seem, and despite everything PI Annie Gore is going to get to the bottom of it.  This is a well written, suspenseful, atmospheric read with authentic, quirky, multidimensional characters, an atmospheric setting and  clever plot twists that culminate in a very dramatic but satisfying conclusion.  I highly recommend for anyone who loves intriguing mysteries and authentic feeling characters.  I can’t wait to read more from this author!

#NetGalley #BookReview Murder at University Park by Cheryl Miller Dellasega #Mystery #DarkAcademia

Murder at University Park

by Cheryl Miller Dellasega

Release date: August 4th, 2026

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I received a complimentary ARC copy of Murder at University Park by Cheryl Miller Dellasega from Net Galley and Get Red PR in order to read and give an honest review.  

… I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys well-written page-turners with driven, authentic characters and plots that truly make a statement…  

Set back in 1998, this one introduces us to Dr. Lacey Redd, an academic desperately close to getting tenure but completely at the mercy of Dr. Geoffrey Hart. Hart is your classic misogynistic department head, a stellar reputation on the outside, hiding some seriously dark secrets on the inside. When Lacey gets the chance to work on his research, she starts catching on that he might be falsifying the data.

Luckily, her best friend and tech-whiz colleague, Sandy, steps in to help her dig deeper. But when Sandy suddenly dies under highly suspicious circumstances, Lacey knows it wasn’t an accident. Convinced Sandy was murdered for what she uncovered, Lacey is dead-set on finding justice and bringing Hart and his cronies down.

As she keeps digging, Lacey uncovers an even uglier truth: Hart has been preying on female grad students for years. Things come to a head when he attacks her at a department party, but Lacey isn’t having it, she fights back, leaving him injured and completely exposed. With a new department head stepping in and Hart finally out of the picture, it feels like justice has been served but Lacey still feels something is wrong.

Honestly, what kept me hooked on this academic thriller wasn’t a complex, mind-bending puzzle, but rather its raw, unflinching look at the sad reality of navigating a male-dominated career. Dellasega absolutely nails the toxic side of academic life: the petty politics, the untouchable “old boys” network, and the insidious ways authority is weaponized to silence women.

Dr. Lacey Redd is such a relatable lead, she’s smart, overwhelmed by the stagnant system, and just stubborn enough to push back when everyone else wants her to stay quiet. The true power of this novel is how it tackles institutional dynamics and gendered credibility. The quiet alliances between the women and the almost combative maneuvering feel so authentic and lived in.

Fair warning, though: if you’re looking for a tightly plotted whodunit packed with elaborate misdirection, you might find this one a bit frustrating. The mystery definitely takes a backseat to the characters and the heavy atmosphere, and the final reveal moves a little too quickly. Seasoned thriller readers will probably spot the culprit from a mile away. Even so, the pacing works, and the emotional stakes are incredibly high. Dellasega delivers a sharp, unsettling look at what it actually takes to challenge the power in a system built to protect its own. If you appreciate character-driven suspense and the darker, grittier side of academia, there is a lot to admire here.

I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys well-written page-turners with driven, authentic characters and plots that truly make a statement.

#NetGalley #BookReview Write Yourself Home by Johanna Franzel #chronicIllness #somatic #journaling # self-care #self-help

Review

Write Yourself Home

A Creative Guide for Living Well in the Body You Have Through Embodied Writing and Movement Practice

by  Johanna Franzel

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I received a complimentary ARC copy of Write Yourself Home: A Creative Guide for Living Well in the Body You Have Through Embodied Writing and Movement Practice by  Johanna Franzel from Net Galley and North Atlantic Books in order to read and give an honest review.

… It is perfect for writers, journalers, and anyone craving a gentler relationship with their body and inner voice. …

Write Yourself Home by Johanna Franzel is about coming home to yourself, not who you were before or who you hope to be, but learning to find peace, love, joy, and acceptance for who you are now. As someone who navigates chronic illness, this book feels less like a workbook and more like sitting with someone who genuinely understands what it means to live in a body that carries pain, memory, and resilience. Franzel’s invitation to “stop making sense” struck me deeply; it’s such a simple line, yet it helps you find a more forgiving way of being.

The book unfolds in six lessons, each guiding you a little closer to yourself through writing, breath, and gentle somatic practices. Franzel doesn’t offer quick fixes or glossy wellness promises. Instead, she meets readers exactly where they are, whether they are navigating chronic illness, burnout, trauma, or the uneasy feeling of disconnection. Her prompts are thoughtful and expansive, encouraging honesty without pressure.

I especially appreciated the sections on masking, medical “noncompliance,” and the emotional realities of chronic pain. Franzel writes with fierce compassion, acknowledging the hard parts while still making space for joy, creativity, and community. The exercises and prompts were deeply thoughtful, helping me reconnect with parts of myself I often overlook.

This is a book I’ll return to again and again. It’s soothing, insightful, and beautifully written. I highly recommend it. It is perfect for writers, journalers, and anyone craving a gentler relationship with their body and inner voice. Quietly powerful and deeply needed.

#NetGalley #BookReview Sit Write Here:6 Mindfulness Practices to Help You Write More and Suffer Less by April Dávila #Writing #Inspiration

Review

Sit Write Here

6 Mindfulness Practices to Help You Write More and Suffer Less

by April Dávila

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I received a complimentary ARC copy of Sit Write Here: 6 Mindfulness Practices to Help You Write More and Suffer Less by April Dávila from Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press in order to read and give an honest review.

… This book is warm, thoughtful, and quietly compelling. It’s honest, lived-in, and doesn’t rely on fluff. If you’re looking for a guide to help you cultivate a more intentional, spacious creative practice, this is an easy five-star recommendation…

If you’re a fan of Natalie Goldberg or Julia Cameron, you’re going to feel right at home here. This book belongs on that same shelf, acting as a powerful guide for putting yourself back in the driver’s seat of your life rather than remaining at the whim of circumstances. It’s truly about using mindfulness as a tool to unlock your full creative potential.

The author does a brilliant job of highlighting how we often lose our way. She points out the perils of social media derailing any chance of mindfulness. Instead of making space for our own ideas, these platforms are designed to keep us endlessly engaged while we hardly notice what’s happening right in front of our faces. It was a sobering, necessary reminder.

There’s also a beautiful section on “loving kindness,” using the metaphor of a spoonful of salt. If you dump that salt into a small cup, it’s undrinkable. But drop that same salt into a vast lake, and it becomes indiscernible. The salt, our life’s difficulties, doesn’t change, but by expanding our “container,” we make those hardships manageable. We can’t always control the salt, but we can definitely grow our capacity to hold it. This held true for me after a year that almost completely derailed my writing.

My absolute favorite part, though, was the chapter on the myth of writer’s block. She pulls back the curtain on what is really behind that stuck feeling and gives such practical, grounded advice on how to break through to your productive side. It’s the kind of insight that turns “I can’t write today” into a solvable problem rather than a personality flaw.

This book is warm, thoughtful, and quietly compelling. It’s honest, lived-in, and doesn’t rely on fluff. If you’re looking for a guide to help you cultivate a more intentional, spacious creative practice, this is an easy five-star recommendation.

#NetGalley #BookReview Isis of Egypt Goddess of Thrones #HistoricalFiction #Egyptology #EgyptianMythology

Review

Isis of Egypt: Goddess of Thrones

by Malayna Evans

Release date: June 23rd, 2026

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I received a complimentary ARC copy of Isis of Egypt: Goddess of Thrones A Novel by Malayna Evans from Net Galley and Alcove Press/Penguin Random House

…Isis of Egypt: Goddess of Thrones is a powerful meditation on love, loss, and the lengths we go to protect those we cherish...

Fascinated by Ancient Egypt since childhood and even going on to study Egyptology later in life, I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to read and review Isis of Egypt: Goddess of Thrones. Having read and enjoyed the author’s previous book Neferura, the author did not disappoint. Evans brings one of the most iconic figures of the Egyptian pantheon vividly to life. Isis emerges here not as an untouchable symbol but as a fully realized woman: intelligent, resilient, fiercely devoted, and heartbreakingly human. The novel lets us feel her joy, lust, grief, anger, and uncertainty, and it shows how she moves heaven and earth for those she loves.

What sets this retelling apart is balance. Isis’s strength never becomes a stereotype; it is tempered by flaws and moral complexity. For all her wisdom and power, she can be ruthless, when necessary, driven by a conviction to effect change rather than by cruelty. That moral ambiguity makes her more compelling and believable.

Evans’s command of Egyptian mythology and material culture is evident on every page. The prose is steeped in detail and scholarship, yet never dry; the world feels both authentic and immersive, as if recorded by Thoth himself. The gods retain their grandeur while also being allowed vulnerability, jealousy, tenderness, and fierce loyalty. The emotional core of the book lies in the relationships, especially between Isis, Osiris, Set, and Nephthys, which give the story its weight and momentum.

Ultimately, Isis of Egypt: Goddess of Thrones is a powerful meditation on love, loss, and the lengths we go to protect those we cherish. Evans reshapes a well‑known myth into an intimate, emotionally charged journey that kept me invested in Isis’s fate long after the final pages. Rich in scholarship yet tender in its portrayal of grief and devotion, this novel will appeal to readers who love immersive historical fiction and bold, humanized retellings of myth.

#NetGalley #BookReview of Whisper Creek, A Thriller by Allison Brennan #Thriller #Suspense #Mystery

Whisper Creek

by

Allison Brennan

Release date: June 23rd, 2026 

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I received a complimentary ARC copy of Whisper Creek by Allison Brennan from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press /Minotaur Books in order to read and give an honest review.  

…This is the kind of small‑town suspense that grabs your chest and refuses to let go. The stormy North Texas setting, the relentless rain, and the sense of isolation create a pressure cooker of tension that the author sustains brilliantly from the first ominous cloud to the final, satisfying twist.  …

It’s been a while since I visited the world of Allison Brennan and I have to ask, “what took me so long?” Whisper Creek did not disappoint and had me flipping pages into the early morning.

At the heart of the book is Ellen McKenna, a fiercely determined widow trying to keep Whisper Creek Farm alive for her four children. Her grief feels real and raw, and her grit is at the novel’s center. The family dynamic is beautifully drawn; you root for them as they stumble, argue, and rally together. The practical details of ranching and the daily chores undercut the melodrama and make every threat feel immediate and believable. 

The plot layers are masterful. Corporate pressure from Verdacorp, a string of violent home invasions, a sabotaged barn, washed‑out roads, several hostage situations and severed communications pile on until the stakes are almost unbearable. The storm is more than weather; it is a character that amplifies fear and forces choices. The pacing is relentless and smart, with pulse‑pounding set pieces and well‑timed revelations that kept me guessing without ever feeling contrived. 

And then there were the animals, who steal scenes and hearts. Small touches like having the presence of “furbabies” give the story warmth and humanity amid the danger. The children are vivid and distinct, the neighbors feel lived in, and the moral questions about survival and community linger long after the last page. 

This is the kind of small‑town suspense that grabs you and refuses to let go. The stormy North Texas setting, the relentless rain, and the sense of isolation create a pressure cooker of tension that the author sustains brilliantly from the first ominous cloud to the final, satisfying twist.  I thoroughly enjoyed Whisper Creek with its dynamic cast of characters, engaging plot that twists and turns putting the reader through the ringer of emotions and ending with a satisfying conclusion.  For those who enjoy a page-turning, engrossing read I highly recommend it.

#NetGalley #BookReview of Hemlock Bay (Rachel Savernake #5) by Martin Edwards #Mystery #GoldenAge

Review

Hemlock Bay

Rachel Savernake #5

by Martin Edwards

 Release date: June 16th, 2026

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I received a complimentary ARC copy of Hemlock Bay (Rachel Savernake #5) by Martin Edwards from NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press in order to read and give an honest review.

“...The Rachel Savernake novels aren’t in-your-face thrillers but slow-burn, elegantly constructed puzzles that reward readers who notice the details. Well-written and thoroughly engaging, especially if you enjoy clue-driven mysteries ...”

The fifth entry in Martin Edward’s Rachel Savernake Series gives us a deliciously old-school mystery that will delight anyone who savours Golden Age puzzles. Set in a glamorous seaside resort that hides darker secrets, the novel drops you straight into a 1930s postcard of a picturesque coastal retreat, where the elite spend their time enjoying all the luxury the town has to offer. The setting itself becomes a character with its atmospheric cliffs and stunning views.

Rachel Savernake is back again and remains an intriguing, slightly impenetrable sleuth; cool, razor-sharp, and quietly ruthless when justice demands it. As usual she is supported by a loyal household and the warm curiosity of Jacob Flint. The unique cast of emotionally repressed suspects, suspicious accountants, fortune tellers, with hidden identities keeps the reader entirely wrapped up in unearthing their secrets one by one. The plotting is intricate in the best Christie tradition: impossible-seeming deaths, carefully calibrated alibis, and a final gathering that satisfies the genre’s appetite for explanation.

I also loved the author’s inclusion of the Cluefinder it holds all the clues the reader needs to explain the solution are laid out to turn reading into a game. Despite spotting many of the hints, I was definitely outwitted and missed quite a few. The Rachel Savernake novels aren’t in-your-face thrillers but slow-burn, elegantly constructed puzzles that reward readers who notice the details. Well-written and thoroughly engaging, especially if you enjoy clue-driven mysteries and seaside atmospherics, Hemlock Bay is a very satisfying read that I would highly recommend!

#NetGalley #BookReview A Botanist’s Guide to Tradition and Treachery (A Saffron Everleigh Mystery #5) by Kate Khavari #Historical #Mystery #CrookedLaneBooks

A Botanist’s Guide to Tradition and Treachery

A Saffron Everleigh Mystery #5

Kate Khavari

Release date: June 9th, 2026  

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(3.5 rounded up)

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I received a complimentary ARC copy of A Botanist’s Guide to Tradition and Treachery (A Saffron Everleigh Mystery #5) by Kate Khavari from Net Galley and Crooked Lane Books in order to read and give an honest review.  

… I must admit the cast of characters is endearing, I love Saffron, a brilliant, quirky, and brave woman, who although struggling with her fears thrives in the face of danger. …  

I have been a fan of this series since book one, A Botanist’s Guide to Parties and Poisons, I have absolutely loved following Saffron Everleigh’s botanical adventures over the years, but with this fifth instalment, A Botanist’s Guide to Tradition and Treachery, I find myself wondering if the bloom is beginning to fade from the rose. While Kate Khavari’s latest offering treats readers to a wonderfully unique setting, a remarkably sluggish beginning ultimately costs it a star.

This time around, Saffron is leaving the familiar halls of London behind to join an archaeological expedition to the newly formed republic of Turkey. Accompanied by her fiancé, Alexander Ashton, alongside an eclectic group of scientists and historians, it should be the opportunity of a lifetime for a brilliant female botanist fighting to secure her place in a male-dominated field.

As a self-proclaimed armchair archaeologist this high stakes dig site makes for an incredibly refreshing backdrop for Saffron to conquer. Khavari does a beautiful job bringing the atmosphere to life; the descriptions of the Turkish landscape and customs are evocative, and the descriptions of the cost of war chilling. I also appreciate the author addressed the surrounding colonial archaeological practices, cultural heritage, and the true ownership of historical artefacts, treating these themes with genuine empathy and thoughtfulness.

The book although slow to move on the mystery did keep me engaged although seething, when we are introduced to the character a misogynistic, reckless and arrogant  archaeologist named Joseph Clark who goes out of his way to relentlessly belittle, undermine, and dismiss Saffron’s professional expertise even to the point of trying to injure her to get her to leave the dig. As always Saffron handles him in her fierce, intelligent, and sassy manner. Sadly, some of the misogynistic vitriol aimed a Saffron occurred during that time and still does today.

We are nearly halfway through the novel before the central tragedy occurs, the death of an expedition member. Thankfully, the momentum shifts dramatically once the crime takes place and Saffron suddenly finds herself framed for murder and locked in a foreign jail. Watching Saffron and Alexander work against the clock to clear her name from behind bars injects some much-needed adrenaline into the story, complete with a sprawling cast of characters, a trail of clues, and a few clever twists.

I must admit the cast of characters is endearing, I love Saffron, a brilliant, quirky, and brave woman, who although struggling with her fears thrives in the face of danger. Alexander Ashton her fiancé, who loves her dearly, offers support but trusts her without smothering her. I also like Cynthia Henry; although it’s taken me a while to warm up to her I really appreciate her and her interactions with Saffron, and I truly hope she teams up with Saffron in future instalments.

While it works perfectly well as a standalone adventure for readers jumping in for the first time, long-time fans might find that the vibrant spark that made the earlier books so unputdownable feels noticeably muted here. Not my favourite in the series but still a good read!