2026 & 2027 Upcoming Releases

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced copy of this title.
The setup for this mystery showed promise, but the execution struggled to sustain genuine suspense. Most distracting was the narrator’s habit of addressing her deceased friend directly in the second person. Framing lines around what "you loved" or what "you always said" makes sense conceptually to highlight grief, but having it woven into nearly every scene of the first half of the book quickly became repetitive.
That sense of repetition extended to the pacing and plot progression. Very little actually happens across long stretches to move the core investigation forward. Instead of an escalating sense of danger, the story spins its wheels. The protagonist constantly flip-flops on potential suspects - clearing someone in her mind only to turn around and suspect them again soon after with little justification, creating whiplash rather than genuine tension. Compounding the lag, the side story involving Ben felt like boring filler for the vast majority of the book; by the time a faint connection to the main plot finally surfaced, it felt far too thin to justify the detour. By the time the finale arrived, the resolution felt sloppy and rushed, leaving behind frustrating loose ends and dropped subplots that were never adequately tied up.
If you like grief-driven mysteries and slow-burn suspense, then you may enjoy this book.
#NetGalley #GoneSilent

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced copy of this title.
This book is a quick, effortless read, but good writing cannot compensate for a subpar plot. The story alternates between a few different POVs in the present day with occasional glimpses into the past, yet the pacing frequently hits speed bumps due to unnecessarily long chapters that over-explain and over-detail things the characters are doing in place of anything of meaning actually happening. Part of the struggle stems from an overly stripped-down cast: beyond Colby, Cassidy, Sienna, and Liam from their past, there is virtually no one else involved. With so few players on the board, the narrative lacks depth, leaving the conflict entirely dependent on every single character lacking basic common sense and refusing to communicate like actual human beings.
Having such an isolated, unlikable group makes staying invested an uphill battle. Colby is exhausting to follow because he acts like a complete doormat, making it difficult to sympathize with him or care about his fate. Cassidy and Sienna offer little relief, coming across as thoroughly unlikable rather than compelling or morally complex. By the time the central twist arrived, the familiar setup made it completely expected rather than shocking.
If you like small-cast domestic thrillers, multiple POVs driven by miscommunication, and fast-paced, easy reads, then you may enjoy this book.
#NetGalley #YouMadeMeDoThis

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced copy of this title.
A.R. Torre consistently delivers sharp, high-stakes suspense, and While They Were Watching is no exception. The short chapters keep the narrative moving at a fast pace, and the overall vibe stays tense given the urgency of four missing children. There is a large cast of characters, but everyone feels distinct, making them easy to track as the story unfolds. While the characters feel relatable, my emotional investment stayed tied directly to the safety of the kidnapped kids. Instead of relying on an endless trail of red herrings, the plot builds a steady, pervasive sense of mystery right up until the central secret comes to light. The main twist lands with a satisfying punch, accompanied by a seemingly separate subplot that is equal parts shocking and deeply entertaining in how seamlessly it ties back into the main storyline. The overall structure and clever execution keep the narrative grounded throughout. If you like fast-paced mysteries, multi-POV suspense, and unexpected side plots, then you will enjoy this book.
#NetGalley #WhileTheyWereWatching

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an advanced copy of this title.
Someone Else’s Daughter is told through Ellie's perspective as the story bounces between past and present. The setup hooks you early on with a promising premise, but once the initial intrigue settles the pacing hits a wall and struggles to regain traction. The central mystery gets buried under repetitive flashbacks that fail to move the plot forward, making the midsection feel like a chore to navigate. Instead of building tension, the timeline jumps feel like stalling tactics rather than deliberate narrative choices.
Subplots that should have enriched the character development ended up feeling disconnected from the primary arc. Digressions into Ellie's shoplifting habit and stories about her dog added extra noise without offering any substance or payoff to the core tension. While the eventual twist was solid enough to briefly spark interest, the execution fell flat due to an abrupt conclusion that wrapped up the who and the why far too quickly.
If you like dual-timeline structures and slow-burn mysteries then you may enjoy this book.
#NetGalley #SomeoneElsesDaughter

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy of this title.
A suspense novel built on a revolving door of narrators relies entirely on the strength of those individual voices to build tension. While I had no trouble keeping track of whose chapter I was reading, the character development falls flat. None of the individuals possess a distinct personality, which made it difficult to feel emotionally invested in anyone's survival or downfall.
The character logic also falters as the story progresses. Several characters swing drastically from believing in someone's innocence to deciding they must be guilty over the smallest details, which felt very unrealistic. One character in particular seemed to have an entirely different personality depending on which chapter of hers I was reading, and I really struggled to figure her out.
However, the brisk pacing and short chapters create a fast-moving momentum that kept the pages turning. It is an easy, straightforward read, that did keep me entertained throughout.
When the climax hit, the resolution felt abrupt and anticlimactic. I would have preferred a final chapter from the killer's perspective to unpack their motives; even though the reasons were obvious, hearing it in their own words would have provided a much stronger payoff. Instead, the story tacks on an epilogue that felt out of place and cringy, leaving a sour note at the very end.
If you like multiple points of view, quick chapters, and straightforward suspense, then you will enjoy this book.
#NetGalley #BadHoneymoon

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced copy of this title.
The premise of an island field trip gone wrong establishes a heavy, atmospheric tone right from the start. The story jumps between the group’s initial arrival on the island and fourteen hours later when two third-graders go missing. The narrative spends eighty percent of the time setting the scene, focusing heavily on who did what to whom and why before the actual kidnapping takes place. There are very few sections dedicated to the disappearance itself and the aftermath.
The shifting perspectives do provide a wide view of the escalating drama among the parents, and I found some of the character arcs quite strong. Charles stood out as a genuinely good guy making poor choices while grappling with his waning writing career. His desperate desire to recapture the feeling of his past success makes him a compelling, sympathetic figure even when he falters.
Despite those positive character moments, the story leans heavily into suspense rather than operating as a fast-paced thriller. When the thrilling moments finally arrive, that section is short and rushes by quickly. I reached the final page feeling that there were simply too many questions left unanswered to provide proper closure. If you like isolated island settings, intense parent drama, and shifting perspectives, then you may enjoy this book. #TheChaperones #NetGalley

Thank you to NetGalley and Avid Reader Press for an advanced copy of this title.
The core premise of 'The Guilty Party' promises a tense thriller, but the actual execution feels much messier than the setup implies. The story moves at a slow to medium pace, which is thankfully balanced by the short chapters. While the overarching tension remains intact throughout the reading experience, the twists telegraph themselves far too early. The reveals are entirely obvious, removing the element of surprise, though the atmosphere stays suitably dark.
A significant portion of the narrative gets bogged down in distracting side stories, such as Lena’s health issues and the marital troubles between Simone and Caleb. Several characters billed as main players barely make an appearance, and their complete removal wouldn't change the trajectory of the plot. Along with these phantom characters, a handful of storylines feel like they are building toward something important, only to be dropped or poorly explained.
The conclusion suffers from the same lack of focus, leaving several unanswered questions hanging in the air once the final chapter closes. If you like slow-burn tension and relationship drama then you may enjoy this book.
#NetGalley #TheGuiltyParty

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an advanced copy of this title.
Lucinda Berry has a distinct talent for unraveling complex family dynamics and exposing the darkest parts of human tragedy. The Golden Child navigates a devastating premise well by jumping between the present-day perspectives of Bentley, Ava, Danae, and Kash. The short chapters kept the narrative moving at a solid medium pace. This book is an emotional read because you watch a family fracture from the inside, seeing firsthand how a child who messes up too many times can become expendable. I appreciated how the tension builds naturally as the different viewpoints reveal the fractured reality of their situation.
While each character adds a necessary layer to the unfolding tragedy, I found Kash’s perspective to be the most compelling anchor. I viewed him as the sole voice who actually has everyone’s best interests at heart, providing a much-needed grounding element amidst Danae’s favoritism of Ava. Even though I didn't like the ending, it was well done and felt earned rather than rushed.
If you like multi-POV family dramas and emotional suspense then you will enjoy this book.
#NetGalley #TheGoldenChild

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for an advanced copy of this title.
Just WOW!! This is suspense writing at its absolute best. Charlie Donlea has a distinct talent for weaving a massive cast of characters into a single, cohesive narrative without ever losing the thread. The story jumps between past and present timelines and shifts across several different points of view. Usually, books that juggle this many perspectives feel disjointed, but the writing here is so sharp that I always knew I was following one interconnected story, even before I knew how all the pieces fit together.
The short chapters keep the pace moving fast, creating a completely immersive experience. The tension builds effortlessly, and despite the large cast, it is easy to keep track of who is who. I found myself emotionally invested in the outcomes for several of the characters, specifically Andi.
Everything leads to a fantastic twist near the end that caught me completely off guard. It is rare to find a thriller that executes its structure so flawlessly. The conclusion itself is brief but delivers just enough information on everyone’s ultimate fate to be perfectly satisfying.
If you like dual timelines, multiple points of view, and cleverly executed twists, then you will enjoy this book.
#NetGalley #BehindEveryFace

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing an advanced copy.
This is one of those books that demands to be read in a single sitting! The narrative jumps between several perspectives, moving at a steady, medium pace that never dips or drags. The short chapters keep the tension taut and ensure the story remains engaging from start to finish. Out of all the viewpoints, I found myself most invested in Lacy. Instead of falling into the usual romantic subplots, she is driven by the hunt for a compelling story for her YouTube channel, and she isn't afraid to be manipulative to get what she wants. That ruthless edge makes her a fascinating contrast to the rest of the cast, who appear so harmless by comparison.
The character development across the board is strong, anchoring the suspense in believable motivations. When the twists and secrets finally come to light, they unfold at a satisfying, measured pace rather than being crammed into a rushed information dump. The final reveals genuinely surprised me, and the entire plot wraps up seamlessly. If you like hidden agendas, multiple perspectives, and steady suspense, I highly recommend this book.
#NetGalley #TheLastMatch