2026 & 2027 Upcoming Releases
Spoiler-free ARC reviews of the most anticipated thriller and mystery releases.
53 days
That Night
Sally Royer-Derr
The Pines was a sanctuary. Then a twelve-year-old boy died, struck down in a hit-and-run, and the idyllic neighborhood shattered. Now, whispers replace pleasantries, and suspicion festers where trust once bloomed.
At the center are Lainey, Jenny, and Camille - three mothers bound by friendship, routine, and an intricate web of secrets. They share coffee and childcare, but beneath their perfect facades, one of them knows the truth of that tragic night. Each woman is battling her own demons: a marriage on the brink, a child slipping away, a past refusing to stay buried.
As the hunt for answers intensifies, the line between innocence and guilt blurs. Every polite smile hides a deeper truth, every casual conversation a potential betrayal. How well do you really know your neighbors? And how far would you go to protect the lies that hold your world together?
Some secrets were never meant to see the light of day. But in The Pines, the truth will out, no matter the cost.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for an advanced copy of this title.
That Night is a great story about an upscale neighborhood where everyone has something to hide. With multiple POVs and timelines, there are plenty of secrets, unexpected connections, and revelations along the way. I enjoyed getting different perspectives, and the strong character development gave me a chance to get to know the people behind all the secrets and drama.
The pacing was fast from beginning to end, and I never found myself getting bored. The short chapters made it easy to keep reading, and I especially appreciated how the narrator changed almost every chapter without making the story feel repetitive. I never felt like I was rereading the same events from another character’s perspective, which can sometimes happen in books with multiple POVs. Instead, each perspective added something new to the story. There are quite a few characters to keep track of, but I thought the different storylines were handled really well. While the individual reveals weren’t shocking, I enjoyed watching the secrets unfold, and the ending was satisfying.
If you like fast-paced thrillers, multiple POVs, and neighborhood secrets, then you will enjoy this book.
#NetGalley #ThatNight
18 days
Certainty
Laura Dave
Cora’s own life is a landscape of uncertainty: recently unemployed, a marriage strained by infertility, and a desperate desire to believe in the best of humanity. When she is called for jury duty on a high-profile murder trial, her personal struggles collide with a public tragedy. Dr. Preston Becker, a powerful pharmaceutical executive, stands accused of running down two young girls. The initial evidence seems damning, the victims’ family testimony heartbreaking, and the motive chillingly clear.
Yet, as the trial unfolds, the foundation of certainty begins to crack. Conflicting accounts and unexpected revelations challenge every assumption. Was the crash a deliberate act, or a devastating accident? Each new witness, each piece of testimony, deepens the mystery, leaving Cora to navigate a labyrinth of ambiguous truths.
Sequestered with eleven strangers, each with their own perspective on the elusive facts, Cora is pushed to her limits. She must confront the unsettling realization that even with all the evidence in the world, the true understanding of another person—and of truth itself—remains tantalizingly out of reach.
I found the premise of Certainty intriguing, and I was enjoying the story as it unfolded, but the ending ultimately changed how I felt about the entire book. I don't mind a little ambiguity or a story that leaves me questioning certain details, but I need something to hold onto. Here, practically everything is left unanswered, including side stories that may or may not connect to the main plot. Unfortunately, those side stories weren't particularly interesting on their own, either, making them feel more like filler than meaningful additions to the story. I finished the book with more questions than answers, and it felt less like an intentional open-ended conclusion and more like the author simply chose not to wrap anything up. What started as an intriguing story ended up feeling like an unfinished puzzle with too many missing pieces.
If you like ambiguous storytelling, unresolved mysteries, and open-ended conclusions, then you may enjoy this book.
116 days
She Was Never Here
Lisa Unger
Broke, jobless, and with nowhere to turn, aspiring writer Ivy Chase is at her lowest point when a lifeline appears: a live-in nanny position at Fox Glenn, the isolated estate of handsome widower Evan White. It promises an escape, a chance to start over, caring for his two children in a house lovingly restored by his late wife, Tess.
But Fox Glenn is no sanctuary. The children are shadows, haunted by their mother's death - Lulu whispers to an imaginary friend named Lavender, while Asher seethes with anger. Then the police arrive, asking about the previous nanny, who has vanished without a trace. And as if that weren't enough, Ivy's own past is catching up, a vengeful former employer digging for secrets that could destroy her.
Trapped between a family shrouded in secrets and a relentless threat from her past, Ivy quickly realizes she's living in a gilded cage. Every creak of the floorboards, every whispered secret, every stranger at the door - is someone watching her? Is she uncovering a family’s dark truth, or becoming the next victim in a sinister game? Lisa Unger masterfully blends chilling gothic suspense with pulse-pounding psychological tension, delivering an electrifying thriller where desire, deception, and revenge are deadly.
Thank you to NetGalley and Park Row for an advanced copy of this title.
I found She Was Never Here to have an interesting premise that kept me curious about where the story was heading, but the execution didn’t quite work for me. The pacing felt sluggish, particularly with Ivy’s internal dialogue frequently circling back to the same thoughts. The multiple POVs also made the narrative feel more drawn out than necessary, rather than adding meaningful perspective or momentum.
I also really struggled with the lack of character development. I never felt particularly connected to anyone, and several characters and side storylines seemed to have little purpose within the larger narrative. Some threads felt disconnected from the main plot altogether, making the story feel unnecessarily padded. Although a few pieces eventually came together, the final reveal was abrupt and far from surprising. After such a lengthy buildup, I was left wanting more from the payoff.
If you like multi-POV psychological thrillers with interconnected storylines and late-game reveals, then you may enjoy this book.
#NetGalley #SheWasNeverHere
16 days
I Saw Mummy Killing Santa Claus
Jessica Huntley
For Nick Winter, Christmas isn't just a nuisance; it's a traumatic annual ordeal rooted in one catastrophic childhood memory: witnessing his mummy 'kill' Santa Claus. Never mind that Santa was his dad in a costume; the psychological scar tissue runs deep, turning December into a personal hell for the misanthropic postman.
He endures the relentless cheer of the season, fueled by loathing and too many drinks, ready to snap at any 'Merry Christmas!' or festive offering. But this year, his long-suffering best friend and therapist, John, has had enough. John's radical solution? A 25-day Christmas Advent Challenge, designed to force Nick to confront his Yuletide demons one ludicrously festive activity at a time.
From decorating a tree to donning a Santa hat, each step pushes Nick further into the festive madness, revealing unexpected truths – and perhaps a chance at happiness. Yet, healing from a 'violent past' is never simple, especially when the lines between trauma and holiday spirit blur. Will Nick finally open his heart to the true meaning of Christmas, or is he doomed to remain a Grinch forever?
This was such a fun departure from the traditional thrillers I usually read. Rather than leaning heavily into dark suspense and tension, this thriller puts a much bigger emphasis on humor and sarcasm, giving it a personality all its own. As someone who absolutely loves Christmas, I had a great time watching the grumpy Nick get roped into all kinds of Christmas activities and seeing his demeanor gradually crack. His character development was one of my favorite parts of the story, and I loved watching his attitude toward the holiday slowly change. The last chapter and epilogue also took me through a whole range of emotions, with heartbreaking, satisfying, and downright joyful moments. I wasn’t expecting so many emotions from this book but I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it.
If you like humorous thrillers, grumpy characters, and Christmas-themed stories with plenty of heart, then you will enjoy this book.
2 days
She Deserved It
Rita Maxil
Rachel Ellison has one unwavering rule: no one messes with her daughter.
She’s sacrificed everything to give Avery a fresh start at St. Alden’s Academy, hoping to erase the scars of relentless bullying. So when the school’s golden children, the popular and charming elite, suddenly welcome Avery into their exclusive circle, Rachel should be relieved.
But a mother knows. And Rachel feels the chill of history repeating. These teenagers are too perfect, too charming, too much like the bullies Avery barely escaped.
Then the impossible happens. After an elite party, Scarlett Davenport, the group's magnetic leader and Belladonna Estates’ golden girl, is found dead.
Suddenly, Avery isn't just part of the popular crowd - she's the prime suspect. Her new "friends" abandon her, expertly building a case that points directly to Avery. With no memory of that night and no alibi, Avery is trapped.
Rachel knows her docile daughter isn't a killer. She can't be. But in a community desperate for someone to blame, protecting Avery might just be the very thing that shatters them both. This twisty domestic thriller explores the dark secrets of a wealthy neighborhood, the impossible choices mothers make, and the morally gray lines women will cross when their families are on the brink.
Thank you to Rita Maxil for an advanced copy of this title!
She Deserved It is a great addition to the Secrets of Belladonna Estates series. I was hooked early on and flew through the short chapters, eager to see how everything would unfold. The story moves between Avery and Rachel’s POVs and different points in time, but the timelines are easy to follow and the shifting perspectives add to the suspense. Both Avery and Rachel were characters I found easy to sympathize with and root for, which made me even more invested in their stories. There were several twists I didn’t see coming, and I especially enjoyed watching all the pieces come together.
This was a quick, engaging read that kept me turning the pages, and I’m already looking forward to the next installment!
If you like fast-paced domestic thrillers, dual POVs, and sympathetic characters with plenty of twists, then you will love this book (and this entire series!)
116 days
Such a Nice Girl
Andrea Mara
The luxurious glow of a wedding afterparty fades into a chilling dawn for two mothers. Siobhan and Grace arrive at their daughters' shared room, not to find slumbering girls, but a scene of absolute terror: a shattered lamp, a crimson stain on the carpet, an abandoned phone. And their twenty-four-year-old daughters? Vanished.
As the frantic search begins, a horrifying truth unravels. These girls weren't the friends they seemed; their connection was far more twisted. Now, the unthinkable looms: one daughter is dead, and the other is her killer.
Andrea Mara's Such a Nice Girl plunges into the dark heart of motherhood, forcing two women to confront the ultimate question: Which one of their 'nice girls' committed murder? Prepare for a relentless psychological thriller where loyalty and instinct collide with devastating consequences.
Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for an advanced copy of this title.
I liked how much was happening in Such a Nice Girl without the story ever feeling like it was standing still. The story alternates between Siobhán narrating in the present and her daughter Ré narrating in the recent past, and I enjoyed watching the two timelines slowly come together. A great mid-book twist caught me off guard and made the second half even more interesting, with several more twists and plenty of moving parts.
I also enjoyed the character development throughout the book. No single character stood out above the rest for me, but I found most of them equally interesting, and I liked seeing how their individual stories and relationships developed as more information came to light. The fast pacing worked well for this story, and I never felt like it was dragging.
After the climactic scene, everything wrapped up very quickly, and I would have liked a little more time to see the aftermath but overall it was as entertaining of a book as I’ve come to expect from Andrea Mara.
If you like multiple POVs, secrets and twists, then you will enjoy this book.
#NetGalley #SuchaNiceGirl
116 days
Watch Her Lie
Christina Baker Kline, Anne Burt
Millions followed Isabel Hollister, the beloved influencer crafting a perfect life of vintage recipes and soft-spoken wisdom from her farmhouse kitchen. She promised women fulfillment on their own terms. Then, during a live stream, Isabel began to reveal a secret. The camera jolted. A scream rang out. The feed went dark. Isabel had vanished.
Lonely fan Ashley Goodwin, certain she witnessed a crime, rallies an online community of fans determined to uncover the truth. In New York City, cash-strapped journalist Megan Sinclair sees the disappearance as a chance to revive her career, even if it means returning to Crystal River, where she barely survived a notorious murder spree.
As Ash and Megan dig deeper, they uncover rival influencers, hidden relationships, suspicious deaths, and a woman whose carefully crafted online persona may have concealed a far more dangerous reality. The perfect life Isabel projected online was nothing more than a carefully constructed illusion.
Everyone thought they knew Isabel. Everyone was wrong.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced copy of this title.
I enjoyed the unexpected twists in Watch Her Lie and how the story kept me entertained. The story alternates between Ash and Megan’s POVs in the present, and both characters were interesting and well developed. Still, something about them made me wary of trusting either one. I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to them than they were letting on.
This is the second book in a series, and although I haven’t read the first, I never felt lost. The authors did a good job providing enough background to make the story easy to follow as a standalone.
The investigation slowed down in the middle, and I wanted more to happen to move things forward. Still, I was curious enough to keep reading, and the twists picked things back up. I also liked how everything came together, and the ending felt satisfying.
If you like dual POVs, slow-burning investigations, and twists you won’t see coming, then you will enjoy this book.
#NetGalley #WatchHerLie
20 days
Cast Away
Sarah Goodwin
Twelve strangers sought a fresh start on a remote, untamed island, believing they were miles from anyone else. They were wrong.
When the body of a stranger washes ashore, their isolated paradise shatters. A killer lurks among them, and with no escape, no contact, and no one coming to help, the challenge of survival becomes a brutal test of trust. As suspicion festers and their numbers dwindle, how far will they go to make it off the island alive?
Cast Away is a relentlessly tense and addictive survival thriller, packed with unexpected twists that will keep you guessing until the very last page. Perfect for fans of Lucy Foley, Sarah Pearse, and Amy McCulloch.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for an advanced copy of this title.
I enjoy a deserted-island thriller, especially when a familiar setup takes an unexpected turn. Cast Away starts with contestants heading to a remote island to compete on a game show, but a shocking twist around the halfway point completely changes the direction of the story. I found that reveal genuinely interesting and enjoyed seeing how it shifted my understanding of what was happening.
The story is told entirely from Ava’s POV in the present, with medium-length chapters that kept things moving. Ava was a character I could root for, even though she was a bit meek at times. I liked seeing her gradually find her footing as she faced the challenges of her situation, and it was satisfying to see her become more capable as the story progressed.
There were a few moments when I had to suspend my disbelief because some of the decisions characters made didn’t feel realistic given their circumstances. While the explanation of what actually happened fell short of my expectations, I was fine with how the story wrapped up overall. Despite a few frustrations, I found this an entertaining read.
If you like deserted-island thrillers, reality TV gone wrong, and shocking mid-story twists, then you will enjoy this book.
#NetGalley #CastAway
2 days
The Day She Disappeared
Caleb Crowe
“Don't worry about me. I'm fine. I just needed to get away."
That was the last message Mary Harper received from her younger sister, Lucy, seven years ago, moments before she vanished without a trace. While police ruled it a voluntary disappearance and her husband moved on, Mary never stopped believing something terrible happened.
Now, as the official declaration of Lucy's death looms, Mary launches one last, desperate attempt to uncover the truth. But her search unravels a terrifying web of secrets: a hidden phone, a dangerous affair, a marriage built on fear. Everyone in Lucy's life harbored their own dark lies.
The more Mary uncovers, the more perilous her investigation becomes. Someone has spent years ensuring Lucy's disappearance remained a mystery, and they'll do anything to keep the truth buried forever.
Thank you to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for an advanced copy of this title.
I was drawn into the mystery of Lucy’s disappearance and the questions that still linger seven years later.
The story switches between Mary trying to find answers in the present and Lucy’s life in the months before she disappeared. I enjoyed getting little pieces of the story from both timelines and trying to figure out how everything fit together.
I liked both Mary and Lucy and found them easy to sympathize with. I was interested in their individual stories, which made me more invested in what happened to them. The pacing was good, and I never felt like the story dragged.
I did guess part of the twist, but there was still more to discover than I expected. Overall, I thought this was an enjoyable mystery with interesting characters and enough surprises to keep me guessing.
If you like missing-person mysteries, dual timelines, and psychological thrillers with sympathetic characters, then you will enjoy this book.
#NetGalley #TheDaySheDisappeared
1 days
Such Perfect Lives
AJ Carter
Palm Beach. A sun-drenched playground of privilege, where perfect lives are meticulously curated and even darker secrets are buried deep. For Josh and Ellie, renovating the sprawling estate of a founding family feels like their golden ticket, a chance to finally belong among the island's elite. They are welcomed with open arms into a world of opulent parties and powerful connections, where every dream seems within reach.
Until they uncover something the Spencers desperately want to keep hidden.
Their discovery threatens to shatter Palm Beach's pristine facade, but when they turn to the community for help, a terrifying truth emerges. Everyone knows. Nobody cares. The Spencers' influence blankets the entire island, ensuring silence, complicity, and the comfortable ignorance of those who benefit. Now, Josh and Ellie are trapped, pawns in a deadly game where exposing the truth means burning down everyone's carefully constructed lives - including their own.
Dive into this tense, addictive thriller about the corrosive power of privilege, the suffocating grip of secrecy, and the ultimate, deadly price of trying to fit in.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advanced copy of this title.
The premise of Such Perfect Lives sounded different from the usual thriller setup, and that’s what drew me in. I liked the idea of Ellie and Josh uncovering a secret that the entire community seems to know about but chooses to ignore because of the Spencers’ influence. I enjoy AJ Carter’s writing style, but the story itself didn’t quite work for me.
The book alternates between Ellie and Josh’s POVs in the present, and while I found it easy to read, I felt like the story took a while to get going. I also never felt particularly invested in either character because there wasn’t much character development. They felt like familiar thriller characters who are struggling financially and willing to make increasingly bad choices because they desperately need the money, without much else to make me connect with them. I was hoping for more depth, more action, and stronger twists, and I saw the ending coming, which made the payoff less satisfying.
If you like slow-burn thrillers, alternating POVs, and secrets hiding behind a wealthy community’s perfect facade, then you may enjoy this book.
#NetGalley #SuchPerfectLives
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