Review: Isabella's Not Dead by Beth Morrey

 

Isabella's Not Dead by Beth Morrey

Publication Date: August 25th 2025 by G.P. Putnam's Sons

Pages: 320

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Gwen’s floundering a bit in her life. Her three kids are mostly grown, and don’t need her much. Her husband seems to love his dog more than her and after being laid off Gwen’s half-heartedly making mosaic art to sell. She’s not even excited to join her old friends on a girls-only weekend, but the reunion does bring back memories of her best friend, Isabella. The last time she saw her was fifteen years ago. No one knows what happened to her. This lights a fire under Gwen, and she’s determined to locate Isabella and find out what went wrong.

 

Isabella’s Not Dead was heartfelt, witty, and hilarious! Her mother-in-law was insane and so funny! Gwen goes all about following leads, questioning family, friends and work acquaintances which takes her all over. Along the way, Gwen discovers a zest for life again while journeying off on her own and reconnecting with old friends. I absolutely loved every minute!

 

There was also a serious and a bit of a sinister edge with the mystery. I wasn’t sure how it’d all turn out and couldn’t fathom how or why Isabella disappeared. I had a lot of ideas, but I was still surprised by the reveal!

5 Stars

Book Description:

A hilarious, thought-provoking, and uplifting platonic love story wrapped in the mystery of one woman's search for the best friend who ghosted her, for fans of Where'd You Go Bernadette?

Isabella’s NOT dead.

That’s what Gwen tells anyone who asks about the best friend who ghosted them all fifteen years ago. But if Isabella’s not dead, then where is she? And why did she leave, just when Gwen needed her most?

Freshly fifty-three, out of a job and with children who no longer need her, Gwen decides to find out. Setting out to solve the mystery, Gwen embarks on an adventure across the country then across Europe that will test her friendships and her marriage, putting her on a collision course with reluctant acquaintances, a mother-in-law best described as eccentric, and a rabbit hole full of clues.

But Isabella’s not the only one who’s lost.

A tale of deep, frayed friendship, fractured memories, and skewed perspective, Isabella’s Not Dead is the story of one woman’s quest to reclaim her best friend, and herself.

Review: The Inheritance by Ilona Andrews

 

The Inheritance (Breach Wars #1) by Ilona Andrews

Publication Date: August 10th 2025 by NYLA

Pages: 280

Source: Purchased

Rating: ★★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Ten years ago, interdimensional gates opened up all over the world and monsters spilled out. The Earth paid a heavy price, but when those gates opened some humans started registering magical gifts called “Talents”.  Now these Talents go into the gates into the “Breach” to mine out special resources to help in the fight against these alien forces.

 

Ada Moore is a Talent working for the government as an Assessor, going down into the gates to look for valuable resources before they shut the gate down. As a single mother of two, she needs the health insurance and other benefits, so she braves the danger and so far, it’s paid off. However, her mission with combat team Cold Chaos, something goes horribly wrong, and she’s stuck with only the team’s German Shepherd, Bear. Ada’s determined to get out and back to her kids, though. Her time in the breach is filled with danger, discovery and change! I loved Bear, her sweet and fierce companion!

 

Right away I was rooting for Ada! She’s a relatable, normal mom, trying to get by and do the best for her two kids, but she’s also resourceful and smart! Her Talent is a special, complex one! I won’t say more.

 

Back up top, the leader of Cold Chaos, Elias McFeron, a powerful combat Talent, is trying to find out what happened after the news of the mission gets back to him. Going back down to retrieve the fallen is his priority.

 

I was so excited to pick up The Inheritance, but I waited until I had a chunk of uninterrupted time because I knew I’d want to read it straight through once starting! Ilona Andrews never fails to deliver an exciting, page-turning adventure with complex, relatable characters! While this storyline does wrap up, there’s so much more to come and I’m eager for the next book!

5 Stars

Book Description:

We are at war. The interdimensional invasion brought us unimaginable suffering, but it also awoke talents slumbering deep within us, a means to repel and destroy our enemy. Every day new gates open, leading to breaches filled with monsters and valuable resources. If you are a Talent, your country needs you. The world needs you. Be the hero you were born to be.

Adaline is a Talent. Ten years ago, she had a happy marriage and a job she loved. The invasion shattered both. Now she works for the government, searching the breaches for magic metals and medicine to help Earth repel an interdimensional enemy. Two kids, one cat, bills, benefits, mortgage and school tuition...Risking her life became routine.

She had gone into the dimensional gates hundreds of times. She was always well protected. This time everything goes wrong. Now Ada is trapped in the labyrinth of alien caves unlike any other. Her only companion is a scared German Shepherd named Bear. Together they must uncover the breach's secrets and escape, because Ada promised her children that she will come home.

The future of humanity depends on it.

Review: What the Night Brings by Mark Billingham

 

What the Night Brings (Tom Thorne #19) by Mark Billingham

Publication Date: July 8th 2025 by Atlantic Monthly Press

Pages: 432

Source: Publisher 

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Audible | Libro.fm | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

DI Tom Thorne and his department are shaken when four officers are murdered. Tom and his partner Nicola Tanner need to find out if this was this was a random assault on police officers or a targeted hit. Especially, when there’s whispers that the murders were payback for another crime and it seems the killer isn’t finished.

 

The case touched on the real-life problems in policing such as corruption and the abuse of power. It made it hard to feel sorry for a few of the victims!

 

What the Night Brings was a page-turning crime procedural! The mystery is part of a long going series, but I felt it read well as a standalone.  The camaraderie and banter between Tom, Nicola and the supporting cast balanced out some of the darker themes and I enjoyed getting to know them.  There was a surprising twist and after that ending I wonder at some of the history and how things will shake out in the future. I’m looking into reading the previous books!

4 Stars

Book Description:

What the Night Brings by Mark Billingham is the latest mystery in the bestselling Tom Thorne series, and this time, a killer is targeting the police. Is it payback? And is it justified?

“Three dead coppers, Tom, maybe four by lunchtime . . .”

The targeted murder of four officers is only the first in a series of attacks that leaves police scared, angry and, most disturbingly of all, vengeful.

As Tom Thorne and Nicola Tanner dig into the reasons for the violence, a deeper darkness begins to emerge: the possibility that these murders are payback. The price paid for an unspeakable betrayal.

To uncover the truth, Thorne will be forced to question everything he stands for. He can trust nobody, and the shocking secrets revealed by one terrible night will fracture his entire world.

Sunday Post #307

 

he Sunday Post is hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated reviewer book blog, and is a post to recap my bookish and non-bookish things from the last week. I'm also linking up to The Sunday Salon hosted by Deb Nance @Readerbuzz.

Happy Sunday! We're in Austin, Texas visiting our daughter, SIL and grandkids. It's hot and humid here, typical for August, but we've had a nice time visiting. Dinners out, an indoor sport complex with rock climbing and zip-lining, watching college football and working puzzles. This afternoon we had an impressive thunder and lightning storm with a heavy downpour. We fly home tomorrow (Sunday).

I got out early for a run and snapped a few photos of the local plants/flowers:

American Beautyberry

Desert Willow

Lilac Chastetree

Read:

One Dark Night by Hannah Richell-3.5 Stars

Rules for Ruin (The Crinoline Academy #1) by Mimi Matthews-5 Stars

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker-4 Stars

Received:

Thank you to Tor Books, Berkley and Hachette Audio!

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Review: Rules for Ruin by Mimi Matthews

 

Rules for Ruin (The Crinoline Academy #1)  by Mimi Matthews

Publication Date: May 20th 2025 by Berkley

Pages: 364

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Libro.fm | Audible | Kobo | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Euphemia “Effie” Flite is tasked by her former teacher and guardian, Miss Corvus, to find evidence to ruin Lord Compton, a powerful political opponent of women’s rights. Effie’s all for women’s rights and wants the stipend promised to her, so she agrees. She hits a snag on meeting Gabriel Royce, a man intent on keeping Compton in power.

 

Lord Compton keeps the law away from Gabriel Royce’s gambling hall, but that’s not the only reason he wants Lord Compton in his pocket. Gabriel has plans to help reform the Rookery and he needs Compton’s connections and influence to accomplish them. Euphemia is a danger to his goals, but his plans to thwart her are undermined by his growing respect and attraction to her.

 

While this sounds like an enemies-to-lovers sort of romance, these two were never hateful or mean. Effie and Gabriel shared similar values and goals. Their admiration, attraction and care came through loud and clear and they had chemistry in spades!

 

I loved that Effie was a force to be reckoned with, well-educated in self-defense and strategy! Loved her adorable, spirited poodle, Franc, too!

 

Rules for Ruin was an utter delight! I was hooked from page one! The writing was beautiful, the characters multilayered and likable. I also enjoyed the author’s note detailing some of the history the story was based on. I can’t wait for the next installment, The Marriage Method (11/25/25) which centers on Nell and Miles!

5 Stars

Book Description:

No one betrays the Academy. But now Euphemia must decide: break the rules for her enemy, or let the rules break her heart.

On the outskirts of London sits a seemingly innocuous institution with a secretive aim—train young women to distract, disrupt, and discredit the patriarchy. Outraged by a powerful politician’s systematic attack on women’s rights, the Academy summons its brightest—and most bitter—pupil to infiltrate the odious man’s inner circle. A deal is struck: bring down the viscount, and Miss Euphemia Flite will finally earn her freedom.

But betting shop owner Gabriel Royce has other plans. The viscount is the perfect pawn to insulate Gabriel’s underworld empire from government interference. He’s not about to let some crinoline-clad miss destroy his carefully constructed enterprise—no matter how captivating he finds her threats.

From the rookeries of St. Giles to the ballrooms of Mayfair, Euphemia and Gabriel engage in a battle of wits and wills that’s complicated by a blossoming desire. Soon Euphemia realizes it’s not the broken promises to her Academy sisters she should fear. . . . It’s the danger to her heart.

 

Photo credit: Vickie Hahn 2021

About the Author:

USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews writes both historical nonfiction and award-winning Victorian romances. Her novels have received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Booklist, Kirkus, and Shelf Awareness, and her articles have been featured on the Victorian Web, the Journal of Victorian Culture, and in syndication at BUST Magazine. In her other life, Mimi is an attorney. She resides in California with her family, which includes a retired Andalusian dressage horse, a Sheltie, and two Siamese cats. Learn more online at www.mimimatthews.com. 

Sunday Post #306

 

The Sunday Post is hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated reviewer book blog, and is a post to recap my bookish and non-bookish things from the last week. I'm also linking up to The Sunday Salon hosted by Deb Nance @Readerbuzz.

Happy Sunday! 

Even though the temps are hot this week (mid to high 90s) I feel like fall is in the air. The days are getting shorter and the sun feels different. Still, it's been hot and I've had a hard time getting myself out on walks or runs because of the heat, only getting out once this week. I'm going to try and do better next week.

 Last Sunday I joined the read-along chat online hosted by Anne @Books of My Heart for Sweep of the Blade by Ilona Andrews. It's always fun to discuss and get different insights from the group. 

I made apple pie filling and canned it from some of the apples from our apple trees:

Today (Saturday) my sister and BIL picked us up and we went exploring some of the small mountain towns and lakes nearby and had lunch in Truckee on our way back home. It was beautiful! 

Sierra Buttes Mountain Range

Gold Lake, Sierra City

Waterfalls along the Yuba River

This weeks puzzle completed:

Vintage Library by eeBoo

Read:

(Click on cover for Goodreads listing)

What the Night Brings (Tom Thorne #19) by Mark Billingham-4 Stars

Hunter's Heart Ridge (Franklin Warren & Alice Bellows Mystery #2) 

by Sarah Stewart Taylor-4 Stars

The Rawhide Man by Diana Palmer-2 Stars

Dead of Summer by Jessa Maxwell-3 Stars

Network Effect (The Murderbot Diaries #5) by Martha Wells-4 Stars

Received:

Thank you to MIRA, Macmillan Audio, Simon & Schuster Audio and Libro.fm!

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Review: Asylum Hotel by Juliet Blackwell

 

Asylum Hotel by Juliet Blackwell

Publication Date: July 29th 2025 by Berkley

Pages: 384

Source: Publisher 

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Audible | Libro.fm | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Aubrey Spencer is vacationing near the old Hotel Seabrink, indulging her hobby of photographing abandoned buildings of architectural interest. The hotel has a mixed history with a few deaths and is rumored to be haunted. She finds out more about its history when she runs into Dimitri Petroff scouting the location to feature on his popular podcast. Dimitri and Aubrey have an immediate connection and end up spending the night together. However, when Aubrey wakes up, she’s startled to discover Dimitri left sometime in the night and fell to his death from the cliffs outside her hotel room.

 

The responding deputy is convinced that Dimitri took his own life, but Aubrey can’t fathom it. He was excited about his new show, and they had an amazing night together. There’s also rumors that Dimitri died because of the curse on Hotel Seabrink. Aubrey is determined to get to the bottom of things. Her friend Nikki joins her to help. I liked their supportive friendship and the fun back and forth they had even in some scary circumstances!

 

Asylum Hotel was a fun mix of paranormal and mystery! I loved the misty Northern California coastal setting which gave it an atmospheric and spooky vibe! It sounded haunting and beautiful! The past and present collide in a page-turning, thrilling conclusion!

4 Stars

Book Description:

When a mysterious figure shows up in the photograph an architect takes of the derelict Seabrink Hotel, ghostly encounters and murder are unleashed.

Aubrey Spencer loves photographing classic old buildings and abandoned places that hold old secrets. The Hotel Seabrink, perched overlooking the sea, is one such place. Currently abandoned but scheduled for a major renovation, it has a torrid history. Back in the 1920s it hosted A-list celebrity clientele, and now the locals insist it is haunted by the ghosts of two young women who died there. When Aubrey goes to photograph the site before the renovation begins, she bumps into a man named Dimitri Petroff, a minor online celebrity who shares her fascination with old buildings, the Hotel Seabrink in particular.

When he is found dead the next day at the base of a cliff, the police are quick to close the investigation. But Aubrey feels unsettled by locals who claim he was murdered and that it’s not the first time someone interested in the hotel was killed. As she digs deeper into the property’s dark history (and its origins as an asylum) as well as Dimitri’s professional rivalries, she becomes mired in an unsolved murder case from several decades earlier, one with eerie parallels to the contemporary case.  But someone is determined to keep her from discovering the truth—at any cost.