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Book Review: Where They Last Saw Her by Marcie R. Rendon

In Where They Last Saw Her, Marcie R. Rendon weaves a hauntingly powerful narrative that not only grips the reader with its suspense but also sheds light on the grim realities faced by Native American women. The novel, set on the Red Pine reservation in Minnesota, follows Quill, a determined and resilient protagonist, as she grapples with the disappearance of a woman from her community—a catalyst for confronting systemic injustices that have plagued her people for generations.

The story begins with Quill’s morning run, an activity meant to prepare her for the Boston Marathon, interrupted by a scream in the woods. What she finds—tire tracks and a single beaded earring—propels her into an investigation that exposes the horrifying vulnerability of Native women. Rendon’s use of this seemingly ordinary moment transforms it into a chilling metaphor for how quickly safety can be stripped away.

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The Truth About Gracie by Sarah Dawson Powell: A haunting tale of love, loss, and secrets

Some books wrap around your heart and squeeze, leaving an imprint long after you’ve turned the last page—The Truth About Gracie by Sarah Dawson Powell is one of those books.

Cover of The Truth About Gracie by Sarah Dawson Powell
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Grief is rarely neat, and it’s never simple—especially for a teenager who believed he had his future figured out. In The Truth About Gracie, Sarah Dawson Powell takes readers on an emotional journey through Tanner’s heartache as he grapples with the sudden and tragic loss of his girlfriend, Gracie. But the novel doesn’t just explore the pain of losing a loved one; it unravels the complexities of secrets, betrayal, and the uncomfortable reality that sometimes, we don’t truly know the people closest to us.

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What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall: A darkly thrilling exploration of friendship and betrayal

When we think of childhood friendships, images of laughter, shared secrets, and innocent adventures often come to mind. But in Kate Alice Marshall’s gripping thriller, What Lies in the Woods, childhood bonds twist into something far darker and more complex—a tale of lies, trauma, and the shadowy truths lurking beneath the surface.

Twenty-two years ago, Naomi Shaw’s childhood took a chilling turn when she survived a brutal attack in the woods near her small-town home. Stabbed seventeen times but miraculously alive, Naomi’s testimony, along with those of her best friends Cassidy and Olivia, put away a man they claimed was a serial killer. They became local heroes. But they were also liars.

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The thriller that blew me away: A review of One of Us Knows by Alyssa Cole

I am not easily impressed, so don’t take it lightly when I say that Alyssa Cole’s One of Us Knows is arguably one of the best thrillers I have ever read.

The opening of this novel is nothing short of electrifying. Imagine coming to consciousness on a wooden dock with no memory of how you got there. Your primary personality has been dormant for six years, and in that time, your headmates have taken over your life. The world around you has changed dramatically—having endured a global pandemic and political upheaval—and now, you’re being whisked away to a job on an isolated island, where things immediately feel… off. And then, as you begin to settle in, you realize that the house you’re supposed to care for is an exact replica of the castle that exists within your inner world. How could anyone *not* be hooked after reading that?

There are thrillers that grip you, thrillers that surprise you, and then there are thrillers that completely redefine your expectations of the genre. Alyssa Cole’s One of Us Knows is that kind of book. Fresh, utterly compelling, and impossible to put down, this novel takes every tired trope and reinvents it into something wholly original. I don’t say this lightly: this is literally one of the best thrillers I have ever read, if not the best!

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Book Review: The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave

What would you do if your father’s tragic death unearths a family secret so monumental it changes everything you thought you knew about him—and yourself? Laura Dave’s The Night We Lost Him begins with this gripping premise and weaves a story that is equal parts family drama, mystery, and emotional revelation.

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Liam Noone — pronounced “noon,” not “no one” — was a man of many identities: a savvy hotel magnate, a father, and a man with secrets that even his closest family members could scarcely imagine. When Liam dies in what authorities rule as a tragic accident, his daughter Nora and estranged son Sam are left to confront not only their grief but also a labyrinthine mystery surrounding their father’s life. As they piece together his past, they uncover a truth that forces them to reevaluate their relationships—with their father, with each other, and even with themselves.

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Book Review: The False Flat by Melissa R. Collings

Sometimes, life’s most pivotal moments happen when you least expect them—like a chance encounter over a box of Cap’n Crunch cereal. In Melissa Collings’ The False Flat, protagonist Penelope Auberge reminds us that even the messiest lives can be reshaped with courage, a little humor, and the right people by your side.

The False Flat by Melissa R. Collings

Pen is at her breaking point: juggling an overbearing mother, a toxic relationship with her married boyfriend, and a finance career where her efforts are overshadowed by her male colleagues. Instead of sinking under the weight of it all, she does something most of us only dream of: she uproots her life, leaving Minnesota for Tennessee to start fresh. Determined to open her own financial business and build a life she can truly call her own, Pen sets off for Nashville with a plan to reinvent herself. But she soon learns that even the best-laid plans can’t erase the past.

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Book Review: This Girl’s a Killer by Emma C. Wells

Do you just love watching bad things happen to bad dudes? The big guys like Harvey Weinstein, Louis C.K., Aziz Ansari, Andrew M. Cuomo, (and hopefully someday Donald Trump) are toppled publicly for all to see. But what about the everyday bad guys—the nobodies who use and abuse those who don’t have the power or the platforms to make their voices heard? In This Girl’s a Killer, Emma C. Wells introduces readers to Cordelia Black, a pharmaceutical rep by day and an unapologetic dispenser of justice by night. Set against the sultry, morally gray backdrop of South Louisiana, the novel delivers a character-driven thriller that’s as sharp and polished as its protagonist’s designer wardrobe.

This Girl’s a Killer by Emma C. Wells

Cordelia Black isn’t your typical serial killer. Or, as she would vehemently argue, she’s not a serial killer at all. To her, “Karma” isn’t just a concept; it’s her calling. Her targets are meticulously chosen—men who have evaded justice for their heinous crimes. And though the evening news might paint her as a monster, Cordelia’s actions feel like a balm for those who crave retribution in an unjust world.

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Book Review: Such a Quiet Place by Megan Miranda

Megan Miranda’s Such a Quiet Place unfolds with an eerie precision that turns the familiar suburban landscape into a pressure cooker of secrets and lies. Hollow’s Edge, the quintessential quiet neighborhood, becomes a vivid character in its own right—a place where the veneer of idyllic community is paper-thin and ready to crack under the weight of a murder that’s left everyone raw and mistrustful.

Such a Quiet Place by Megan Miranda

This novel is set in a tightly-knit neighborhood where most of the residents also work together at the college across the lake. Everyone’s lives seem to revolve around one another’s in this insulated community. Keys to each house are scattered among the neighbors, and everyone is always listening in on everyone else. It’s an environment rife with tension and secrets—an unfortunate combination when the neighborhood is already grappling with a horrific crime. I couldn’t imagine being this immersed in the lives of my own neighbors. This setup creates intriguing dynamics, especially between the protagonist, Harper, and her boss—one of the murder victims. Living in close quarters with coworkers would be challenging enough, but add a murder into the mix, and it’s downright suffocating.

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Book Review: What Have You Done by Shari Lapena

Shari Lapena has done it again with What Have You Done, a chilling and twisty tale set in the seemingly idyllic town of Fairhill, Vermont. Known for her talent in crafting domestic suspense, Lapena expertly transforms Fairhill from a sleepy, trusting community into a landscape of fear and suspicion after a young girl, Diana Brewer, is found dead in a hayfield. With vultures circling overhead and an air of menace settling over the town, Lapena dives deep into the darkness lurking behind closed doors.

What Have You Done by Shari Lapena

At its heart, What Have You Done is more than just a murder mystery—it’s a sharp commentary on the societal dynamics that enable violence against young women. Lapena skillfully portrays how quickly suspicion can spread, as the police draw up their list of suspects: the jealous boyfriend, the male teacher accused of inappropriate behavior, and the creepy customer who harassed Diana at her job. These characters feel all too familiar, not just in fiction but in the real world, where stories of young women harmed by those around them are all too common.

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A Haunting Escape: Book Review of After We Were Stolen by Brooke Beyfuss

I love a good cult novel, and Brooke Beyfuss’s After We Were Stolen did not disappoint! It is a gripping exploration of cult life, family, and the enduring power of the human spirit. The novel follows Avery, a young woman who escapes a secretive, controlling cult after a devastating fire. As she navigates the complexities of the outside world, Avery grapples with the trauma of her past and the uncertain future that lies ahead.

Raised in a secluded compound, Avery’s life has been defined by rigid rules, grueling physical training, and an unwavering belief in her father’s teachings. When a fire ravages the compound, forcing her to flee with her brother, Cole, Avery is thrust into a world she barely recognizes. Struggling to adapt to the unfamiliar landscape of freedom, she must confront the horrors of her past and the lingering fear that her family may not have survived the blaze.

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