2026 & 2027 Upcoming Releases
Spoiler-free ARC reviews of the most anticipated thriller and mystery releases.
15 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.
1 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!)
1 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
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What is an ARC?
An ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) is a pre-publication version of a book provided by publishers so reviewers can share early feedback. Our spoiler-free reviews help you decide which upcoming titles to add to your pre-order list!
Advance copies reviewed on SpoilThePlot are securely sourced through industry partners, including NetGalley and Inside Story.