Welcome, book friends!

If you’d prefer to listen to these reviews, you can check out the full episode on The Bookmarks ‘n Blankets Podcast on your favorite podcast platform or listen below.

I’d love to know your thoughts on any of these books if you’ve read them. I invite you to hop over to my Instagram or X (aka Twitter), where you can comment.

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I’ve decided to change how I format my book discussions. Organizing my monthly wrap-up episodes has become a bit overwhelming with the amount of novels to cover because I read so many. So, I’ve decided to start categorizing books by genre, topic, or subject. You’ll begin seeing Recent Read episodes focused on books with similar themes. This approach will make it easier for me to review the books and share my thoughts and opinions with you.

Kicking off this new format, I’ve selected the latest mystery and thriller books I’ve read from May, June, and July. Earlier this summer, I was in a HUGE mystery and thriller mood, so I picked up quite a few titles in this genre. I also wanted to explore popular mystery and thriller authors I hadn’t read before, so most of these books are new releases and were highly anticipated reads for me.

I hope you enjoy this new style of book reviews. Moving forward, I’ll be sticking with this format for the rest of the year and will no longer be doing monthly reading wrap-ups.

Summer Thrillers & Mysteries

Mister Magic by Kiersten White

Format: Audiobook – Narrator: Rebecca Lowman
My GR Rating: 2
Read more on GoodReads

GR Description: Thirty years after a tragic accident shut down production of the classic children’s program Mister Magic, the five surviving cast members have done their best to move on. But just as generations of cultishly devoted fans still cling to the lessons they learned from the show, the cast, known as the Circle of Friends, have spent their lives searching for the happiness they felt while they were on it. The friendship. The feeling of belonging. And the protection of Mister Magic.

But with no surviving video of the show, no evidence of who directed or produced it, and no records of who—or what—the beloved host actually was, memories are all the former Circle of Friends has.

Then a twist of fate brings the castmates back together at the remote desert filming compound that feels like it’s been waiting for them all this time. Even though they haven’t seen each other for years, they understand one another better than anyone has since.

After all, they’re the only ones who hold the secret of that circle, the mystery of the magic man in his infinitely black cape, and, maybe, the answers to what really happened on that deadly last day. But as the Circle of Friends reclaim parts of their past, they begin to wonder: Are they here by choice, or have they been lured into a trap?

Because magic never forgets the taste of your friendship…

My Review:

This was my first time reading an adult novel by this author, but unfortunately, it didn’t work for me. While the psychological mystery had potential, it became too confusing and strange as the story progressed. By the halfway point, I struggled to keep up with the plot, and it just became too bizarre for my taste. This was the first book where I had to look up an explanation afterward because I couldn’t fully grasp what had happened.

The writing was beautifully descriptive, with prose that stood out. However, I struggled to connect with the characters, found the plot boring, and didn’t care for the direction the story took. Additionally, the frequent foul language and the heavily woke sociopolitical themes came across as preachy, which was a huge turnoff for me.

I will try this author again, but I wouldn’t recommend this particular book.

**If you’ve read this book and want an explanation for what happened, read this spoiler from Reddit.

One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware

Format: Audiobook – Narrator: Imogen Church
My GR Rating: 2
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GR Description: Lyla is in a bit of a rut. Her post-doctoral research has fizzled out, she’s pretty sure they won’t extend her contract, and things with her boyfriend, Nico, an aspiring actor, aren’t going great. When the opportunity arises for Nico to join the cast of a new reality TV show, The Perfect Couple, she decides to try out with him. A whirlwind audition process later, Lyla find herself whisked off to a tropical paradise with Nico, boating through the Indian Ocean towards Ever After Island, where the two of them will compete against four other couples—Bayer and Angel, Dan and Santana, Joel and Romi, and Conor and Zana—in order to win a cash prize.

But not long after they arrive on the deserted island, things start to go wrong. After the first challenge leaves everyone rattled and angry, an overnight storm takes matters from bad to worse. Cut off from the mainland by miles of ocean, deprived of their phones, and unable to contact the crew that brought them there, the group must band together for survival. As tensions run high and fresh water runs low, Lyla finds that this game show is all too real—and the stakes are life or death.

My Review:

This was my first time reading a book by this author, and I was really excited since I’d heard great things about her work. Unfortunately, it ended up being a big miss for me. The story felt overly drawn out, with the first half of the book dedicated entirely to setup, which made it feel boring and tedious.

This story felt like a mix of Survivor and Love Island but lacked the entertainment and drama I was expecting. It ended up being incredibly boring. The premise had the potential for an exciting summer thriller, but it fell flat. With so many characters, it became difficult to keep track of them, and I didn’t connect with any of them, so I ultimately didn’t care about their fates. The murders were underwhelming, and there was no big reveal at the end, making it feel like a waste of time. The only saving grace was the audiobook narrator, who did an amazing job with different voices and accents for each character. She’s the only reason I kept listening. If I had been reading a physical or digital copy, I probably would have DNF’d it.

There isn’t any spice, but it has a decent amount of language and too much wokeness for my personal taste. It felt like the author had a political agenda with this story, which made it feel preachy with woke nonsense. This was a huge red flag for me because I do not like these elements in my entertainment. 

There’s no spice in this story, but it does have quite a bit of foul language and more wokeness than I’m comfortable with. It felt like the author was pushing a political agenda, which made the story come across as preachy and full of woke messaging. This was a major red flag for me, as I prefer to keep these elements out of my entertainment.

I will try this author again with some of her backlist books, but I wouldn’t recommend this particular book.

Things We Do in the Dark by Jennifer Hillier

Format: Audiobook – Narrator: Carla Vega
My GR Rating: 2
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GR Description: When Paris Peralta is arrested in her own bathroom—covered in blood, holding a straight razor, her celebrity husband dead in the bathtub behind her—she knows she’ll be charged with murder. But as bad as this looks, it’s not what worries her the most. With the unwanted media attention now surrounding her, it’s only a matter of time before someone from her long-hidden past recognizes her and destroys the new life she’s worked so hard to build, along with any chance of a future.

Twenty-five years earlier, Ruby Reyes, known as the Ice Queen, was convicted of a similar murder in a trial that riveted Canada in the early nineties. Reyes knows who Paris really is, and when she’s unexpectedly released from prison, she threatens to expose all of Paris’s secrets. Left with no other choice, Paris must finally confront the dark past she escaped, once and for all.

Because the only thing worse than a murder charge is two murder charges.

My Review:

This was my first time reading a book by this author. I’d heard good things about her work, but unfortunately, this one didn’t resonate with me. It was extremely dark and gritty, which I could handle, but the subject matter felt unsettling, and I didn’t enjoy it. It leans more toward mystery than thriller, with few suspenseful or thrilling moments. Be sure to check the trigger warnings before diving in, as it deals extensively with various aspects of abuse, which could be disturbing to sensitive readers.

This story started strong, and I was initially invested in the murder mystery, but it quickly became bogged down with too much backstory. If you’re a fan of detailed backstory, you might enjoy it, but it was too much for me. Overall, I didn’t connect with the characters, didn’t care for the plot, and found the ending a bit predictable.

There’s quite a bit of foul language and some moments of wokeness that made me roll my eyes.

I will try this author again with some of her backlist books, but I wouldn’t recommend this particular book.

The Only Survivors by Megan Miranda

Format: Audiobook – Narrators: Alex Allwine, Erin Moon, Andre Bellido, Inés del Castillo, Michael Crouch, Priya Ayyar, Greg Chun
My GR Rating: 3
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GR Description: A decade ago, two vans filled with high school seniors on a school service trip crashed into a Tennessee ravine—a tragedy that claimed the lives of multiple classmates and teachers. The nine students who managed to escape the river that night were irrevocably changed. A year later, after one of the survivors dies by suicide on the anniversary of the crash, the rest of them make a pact: to come together each year to commemorate that terrible night.

To keep one another safe.
To hold one another accountable.
Or both.

Their annual meeting place, a house on the Outer Banks, has long been a refuge. But by the tenth anniversary, Cassidy Bent has worked to distance herself from the tragedy and from the other survivors. She’s changed her mobile number. She’s blocked the others’ email addresses. This year, she is determined to finally break ties once and for all. But on the day of the reunion, she receives a text with an obituary attached: another survivor is gone. Now they are seven—and Cassidy finds herself hurling back toward the group, wild with grief—and suspicion.

Almost immediately, something feels off this year. Cassidy is the first to notice when Amaya, the annual organizer, slips away, overwhelmed. This wouldn’t raise alarm except for the impending storm. Suddenly, they’re facing the threat of closed roads and surging waters…again. Then Amaya stops responding to her phone. After all they’ve been through, she wouldn’t willfully make them worry. Would she?

And—as they promised long ago—each survivor will do whatever he or she can do to save one another. Won’t they?

My Review:

This was my first time reading anything by this author, and I thought it was a solid mystery. I listened to the audiobook, which featured a full-cast narration that I really enjoyed. With so many characters in the story, having different narrators helped distinguish who was who, especially since it could get a bit muddled and confusing at times.

This story alternates between past and present, and I enjoyed piecing together how past events influenced the present. The presence of unreliable characters kept me on edge, as I felt I couldn’t trust anyone. I appreciated the multiple layers to the story and how it didn’t solely focus on the past accident. The author’s restraint in avoiding turning it into a friend drama was a nice touch. However, it was a slow burn with not much happening in the first 50% of the book. I craved more action to keep me engaged, and I struggled to connect with any of the characters, as there was little development of them.

I enjoyed the beachy setting with the beach house. The big storm that hits adds a dark and ominous atmosphere, which I find really engaging. I love stories that create a strong mood and have a touch of creepiness. If you’re looking for a summer thriller or a great beach read, this one would be perfect for the season.

There’s some language in the book, but no spice or wokeness. If the premise appeals to you, it might be worth checking out, but keep your expectations low. I’m interested in reading more from this author to see if her other books might be more to my liking.

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley

Format: Audiobook
My GR Rating: 3
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GR Description: Secrets. Lies. Murder. Let the festivities begin…

It’s the opening night of The Manor, and no expense, small or large, has been spared. The infinity pool sparkles; crystal pouches for guests’ healing have been placed in the Seaside Cottages and Woodland Hutches; the “Manor Mule” cocktail (grapefruit, ginger, vodka, and a dash of CBD oil) is being poured with a heavy hand. Everyone is wearing linen.

But under the burning midsummer sun, darkness stirs. Old friends and enemies circulate among the guests. Just outside the Manor’s immaculately kept grounds, an ancient forest bristles with secrets. And the Sunday morning of opening weekend, the local police are called. Something’s not right with the guests. There’s been a fire. A body’s been discovered.

My Review:

This was my second book by this author, and it was a bit of a letdown compared to how much I enjoyed The Guest List. The story didn’t quite measure up for me. The multiple character POVs were a little confusing at times, but I listened to the audiobook with a full-cast narration. The different voices really helped distinguish the characters, and the performances were done very well.

The story unfolds over just a few days, and it felt like the author tried to pack a lot into that short timeframe. However, it remained intriguing and kept me guessing throughout. There were a few slow moments, but the murder mystery held my attention.

The book starts with a mysterious body, and from there, we’re trying to figure out who it is, who killed them, and why. It had a fun, Agatha Christie-esque vibe, which I enjoyed. All the narrators felt unreliable, so I never knew who to trust. The story alternates between past and present timelines, which makes it interesting to piece together how past events influenced the present. There are also journal entries where you’re left guessing the identity of the writer.

This story has a similar vibe to the show Nine Perfect Strangers, so if you enjoy that TV series, you may enjoy this book. It also unfolds over a few hot summer days, making it a great choice for a beach read or a summer mystery. There aren’t any truly thrilling moments, so it leans more towards being a mystery than a thriller.

There is some language and a little bit of spice. I would rate it around PG-13, it’s not too graphic.

Overall, it was a decent mystery with some odd but intriguing local town folklore about birds. I really enjoyed the audiobook and the short chapters. Although it was a bit disappointing, I would still recommend it to fans of the author or anyone who finds the plot appealing. Just be sure to go in with low expectations.

Murder Road by Simone St. James

Format: Digital ebook
My GR Rating: 3 (3.5)
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GR Description: July 1995. April and Eddie have taken a wrong turn. They’re looking for the small resort town where they plan to spend their honeymoon. When they spot what appears to be a lone hitchhiker along the deserted road, they stop to help. But not long after the hitchhiker gets into their car, they see the blood seeping from her jacket and a truck barreling down Atticus Line after them.

When the hitchhiker dies at the local hospital, April and Eddie find themselves in the crosshairs of the Coldlake Falls police. Unexplained murders have been happening along Atticus Line for years and the cops finally have two witnesses who easily become their only suspects. As April and Eddie start to dig into the history of the town and that horrible stretch of road to clear their names, they soon learn that there is something supernatural at work, something that could not only tear the town and its dark secrets apart but take April and Eddie down with it all.

My Review:

This was my first book by this author, and I had heard great things about her work, especially her use of supernatural and paranormal elements, which I absolutely love. However, this book was a bit of a letdown for me. I was expecting more ghostly and spooky scenes, as well as more thrilling moments.

I loved that this story is set in the mid-90s, and I enjoyed all the cultural references from that era. It evoked a strong sense of nostalgia and was a wonderful trip down memory lane. Additionally, the absence of the internet, cell phones, and social media, due to the time period, felt refreshing and added to the charm of the story.

The plot was intriguing, but the pace was slow and it felt quite repetitive. It seemed like I was reading the same things over and over without much progress in the story. I was hoping for more action and suspense, but there was a lack of buildup. By the time we reached the big reveal at the end, it felt disappointing and underwhelming.

However, I still enjoyed the story and it kept me guessing throughout. I was intrigued enough to keep reading, and the spooky moments did manage to feel creepy.

The characters were likable, but they didn’t undergo much development and felt a bit flat to me.

The book includes some mild language but no explicit spicy scenes.

Overall, I liked the book but am eager to explore other works by this author. I’ve heard her backlist is stronger than this one. If you’re a fan of the author or find the plot appealing, I recommend giving it a try but keep your expectations low.

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth

Format: NetGalley ARC – Digital ebook
My GR Rating: 4 (3.5)
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GR Description: For as long as they can remember, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia have been told how lucky they are. As young girls, they were rescued from family tragedies and raised by a loving foster mother, Miss Fairchild, on an idyllic farming estate and given an elusive second chance at a happy family life.

But their childhood wasn’t the fairy tale everyone thought it was. Miss Fairchild had rules. Miss Fairchild could be unpredictable. And Miss Fairchild was never, ever to be crossed. In a moment of desperation, the three broke away from Miss Fairchild and thought they were free. Even though they never saw her again, she was always somewhere in the shadows of their minds. When a body is discovered under the home they grew up in, the foster sisters find themselves thrust into the spotlight as key witnesses. Or are they prime suspects?

My Review:

This was my first book by this author, and I was eager to dive in after hearing so many good things about her domestic and psychological thrillers. However, it fell a bit short of my expectations, as I anticipated it to be more thrilling. Despite that, I still enjoyed the story, and it kept me guessing about the bones they found under the house.

The plot of this book primarily centers on the broken foster care system in our country, and I appreciated the author bringing attention to such a significant issue. It’s a dark and heavy story that can be difficult to read at times, especially with its descriptions of child abuse, so be sure to check the trigger warnings before diving in. Despite the tough subject matter, the writing was excellent and really drew me into the story. I became deeply invested in the characters and genuinely cared about their outcomes. I felt a strong connection to the three women and hoped they could heal from their traumatic childhoods and build better lives for themselves.

The book features both past and present timelines, along with multiple POVs. I enjoyed exploring the lives of the three women who became foster sisters during their childhood. The narrative reveals their past experiences and how these have shaped their present lives. At times, I found the past timeline more compelling than the present one. Despite the gut-wrenching and sad depiction of their childhood abuse and trauma, there are also hopeful and uplifting moments. My favorite part was watching the sisters develop a strong bond with each other, and I loved the dynamics of their sisterhood and the found family element.

The story includes some language but no explicit spicy scenes. However, it does feature a lesbian relationship with a few makeout scenes.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and appreciated getting to know the three sisters and their childhood experiences. Although it was heartbreaking at times, it kept me guessing throughout and had a surprising twist at the end. If you enjoy slower-paced mysteries that focus more on character development than on the plot and can handle dark subject matter, you might really like this book. I definitely recommend it and plan to explore more of this author’s backlist.

Middle of the Night by Riley Sager

Format: Digital ebook
My GR Rating: 4 (3.5)
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GR Description: The worst thing to ever happen on Hemlock Circle occurred in Ethan Marsh’s backyard. One July night, ten-year-old Ethan and his best friend and neighbor, Billy, fell asleep in a tent set up on a manicured lawn in a quiet, quaint New Jersey cul de sac. In the morning, Ethan woke up alone. During the night, someone had sliced the tent open with a knife and taken Billy. He was never seen again.

Thirty years later, Ethan has reluctantly returned to his childhood home. Plagued by bad dreams and insomnia, he begins to notice strange things happening in the middle of the night. Someone seems to be roaming the cul de sac at odd hours, and signs of Billy’s presence keep appearing in Ethan’s backyard. Is someone playing a cruel prank? Or has Billy, long thought to be dead, somehow returned to Hemlock Circle?

The mysterious occurrences prompt Ethan to investigate what really happened that night, a quest that reunites him with former friends and neighbors and leads him into the woods that surround Hemlock Circle. Woods where Billy claimed monsters roamed and where a mysterious institute does clandestine research on a crumbling estate.

The closer Ethan gets to the truth, the more he realizes that no place—be it a quiet forest or suburban street—is completely safe. And that the past has a way of haunting the present.

My Review:

This was my second Riley Sager book, and while I didn’t enjoy it as much as The Only One Left, it was still an enjoyable read. Despite the mixed reviews, I found it well-written and appreciated the emotional depth it brought. The story doesn’t just focus on the mystery of Ethan’s best friend’s disappearance from their childhood; it has layers and adds a nice touch. I also liked the focus on mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and insomnia—issues I personally deal with—which made Ethan’s character feel particularly relatable to me.

Although I related to Ethan and liked him, he did feel somewhat flat and lacked much personality for the most part. However, I appreciated his character development as he started to let go of his traumatic past and work toward healing himself. Ethan is burdened with guilt, pain, and sadness following his best friend’s disappearance, and these intense emotions follow him into adulthood, contributing to his trauma. I found the emotional depth moving, and by the end, I even got teary-eyed. There were a few touching and tender moments that really tugged at my heartstrings.

The plot had an interesting concept, but it felt a bit repetitive and slow-paced. I didn’t become fully immersed or invested in the story until about the 25% mark. However, I enjoyed the setting of the suburban cul-de-sac—it was atmospheric and occasionally felt claustrophobic, but very realistic. Growing up in middle-class suburbia myself, I found the depiction of life in this neighborhood to be vividly accurate. The 90s nostalgia and cultural references were also a highlight, making it feel like a nostalgic trip down my own childhood.

The mystery was somewhat lackluster, but it kept me guessing throughout. There were some red herrings that threw me off, but by the end, I had figured things out, making it feel a bit predictable. I enjoyed the dual timelines, which allowed us to explore both the past and the present as we unraveled the story.

Overall, while it wasn’t a thrilling read, it was a well-written, emotional mystery with a touch of the supernatural that was a bit spooky. I found it engaging and couldn’t put it down, eager to discover what happened to Billy in the past. If you’re a fan of the author or looking for a compelling entry into the mystery and thriller genre without the gore and intensity of typical thrillers, this book is a great choice. I definitely recommend it and look forward to exploring more of Sager’s backlist.