Narrated by Saskia Maarleveld and Marin Ireland, The Witch by Freida McFadden promised a chilling, twist-filled thriller, and I was delighted that it delivered. A spooky supernatural mystery that will keep you on edge but won’t require you to keep the lights on.

A brand-new, haunting thriller from Freida McFadden, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Housemaid!

Some secrets don't die―they wait.

When Julia Barlow loses her job and her apartment, she has nowhere left to go but Pemberton, her family's sprawling seventeenth-century estate in rural Massachusetts. Officially, she's there to check in on her aging grandmother. Unofficially, she's hoping the old house will give her a place to disappear.

Instead, Pemberton begins to unravel her.

Every night, the grandfather clock stops at exactly 3:41 a.m. The lights flicker without warning. And a disembodied voice cries for help outside Julia's bedroom door.

As Julia digs into the house's dark history, she uncovers the story of a woman executed for witchcraft in 1692―and realizes the past may not be finished with Pemberton yet. When decades of family lies begin to surface, Julia must confront a terrifying truth: Pemberton may be haunted by women whose voices refuse to stay silent.

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Freida McFadden comes The Witch, a chilling, twist-filled thriller about secrets―those we inherit, those we bury, and those people will burn to keep silent.

I was delighted that my library hold for the audiobook of The Witch came in right in time for spooky season and quickly devoured this addictive standalone. The tale is marketed as a thriller and hits all the marks for a supernatural mystery thriller with plenty of twists and spooky vibes, from ghostly chills to slamming doors.

After Julia Barlow loses her apartment and job, she moves into her family’s seventeenth-century estate in rural Massachusetts under the guise of checking in on her aging grandmother.

The story is broken into two timelines, and both are interesting. First, we have Julia’s present-day point of view narrated by Marin Ireland. Next, we have Caroline’s point of view from 1692 when those accused of witchcraft were burned or hung. Caroline’s chapters were narrated by Saskia Maarleveld.

The Pemberton estate needs some upkeep as Julia quickly determines her grandmother, her aunt Ethel, and the loyal handyman aren’t up to the task. From the start, hints of a ghost are present, beginning with cold drafts, flickering lights and moans. She quickly learns that her father wants her to meet the owner of a local museum who is interested in purchasing the estate. I was all in. As Julia digs in, she and Henry (the interested buyer) share the beginnings of a budding romance, and her aunt is acting weird. I was all in.

Caroline and her husband, the owner of Pemberton estate. He is a man desperate for a child. The town is uneasy because there has been a series of attacks. I found this timeline the most compelling and atmospheric, from the stranger in town to the charges of witchcraft. A twisty tale follows.

While this had spooky vibes and sinister moments, it’s tame enough for anyone who enjoys a twisted mystery with suspenseful moments. Both timelines offered unique twists. I highly recommend listening as the narrators were outstanding and brought the characters and atmospheric vibes to life.

Amazon* | Audible | Libro.fm

*Available in Kindle+

About Freida McFadden

#1 New York Times, #1 Sunday Times, #1 USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and internationally bestselling author Freida McFadden is a physician who lives in Boston with her family. Freida is the winner of the International Thriller Writer Award for Best Paperback Original, the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Thriller, and was honored as one of TIME 100’s most influential people in the world for 2026. Her novels have been translated into more than forty-five languages and have sold over 90 million copies worldwide. ​Freida lives with her family and cat in a centuries-old three-story home overlooking the ocean, with staircases that creak and moan with each step, and nobody could hear you if you scream. Unless you scream really loudly, maybe.

Instagram

About Marin Ireland

Marin Ireland has won a Theatre World Award and been nominated for a Tony Award®, and has been described by The New York Times as “one of the great drama queens of the New York stage.” Outside her stage work, she has worked frequently in film and television, including starring roles in Light from Light, The Irishman, Sneaky Pete, and The Umbrella Academy.

Instagram

About Saskia Maarleveld

SASKIA MAARLEVELD is an AudioFile magazine Earphones Award–winning narrator living in New York City. Working full-time in the voice-over world, Saskia has recorded over 160 audiobooks. She switches seamlessly between accents and can often be heard speaking in British, Australian, New Zealand, and various European accents, in addition to her own American accent.

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2026 Audiobook Challenge

Source

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @CaffeinatedReviewer. It’s a chance to share news — a post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join weekly, biweekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme

Saturday I got out of bed and tripped on air. As I fell I clipped the corner of my eye on the cat tree. Thankfully my eyeball is ok, but I’ve got a black eye. For the month of October I read/listened to 15 books. My challenge results as of October 31st are as follows 182/150 Goodreads 113/150 Audiobook Challenge 18/12 Library Love. Stay caffeinated & spread kindness.

Last Week on the Blog

• Three Days Gone by Charly Cox (book review)
• Rising Waters by Aleatha Romig (audiobook review)
• Everyone’s a Liar by Alexandra Ivy (guest post/ audiobook review)
• Deadly Storms by Christine Feehan (book review)

This Week on the Blog

• The Witch by Freida McFadden (audiobook review)
• Shadow of Fall by Rebecca Zanetti (book review)
• Demons and Diplomacy by Megan Frampton (audiobook review)
• Rules of Prey by John Sandford (book review)

New Arrivals at the Caffeinated Cafe

• Witches of Questionable Intent by Jenn McKinlay

A special thank you to Penguin Audio

Around The Blogosphere

• 14th Annual 2026 Ho-Ho-Ho RAT (November 17th-December 25th) Sign up and join the fun. Challenge hosts needed.

Link Up Your Edition Of The Sunday Post

Before you link up, please be sure your weekly post includes a link back to Caffeinated Reviewer and the Sunday Post.

Source

Murder, denied passions, and suspense await you in Deadly Storms by Christine Feehan, the third novel in her romantic suspense series, Sunrise Lake. After accidentally reading the fourth book in a series, I devoured the rest thanks to my local library.

Danger is gathering on the horizon in this gripping novel of romantic suspense from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan.

Shabina Foster does her best to lead a normal life. She takes comfort in her friends and her dogs and finds passion in running her own small-town café in the eastern Sierra. But she can’t help always looking over her shoulder, not after what happened in her past. Since then, Shabina has worked very hard to build herself up and live life to the fullest.

Still, there’s no denying the scars she carries. Truly opening up her guarded world seems like an impossible dream—especially when it comes to the one man who makes her feel safe. Shabina already feels like she’s ruined his life and is determined to keep her distance, even as the ghosts of her past emerge from the shadows.

Security expert Rainier Ashcroft knows firsthand that a storm is brewing and that Shabina is in real trouble. Threats are approaching on all sides—and there’s no telling when the next hit will strike. But convincing the woman he loves to truly let him in will be just as difficult as keeping her alive.

Shabina Foster may have come from a life of privilege, but it wasn’t an easy one. As a young woman, she endured a year and a half in captivity in the Middle East before being rescued by Rainer Ashcroft. While she still suffers from PTSD, she is surrounded by trained dogs who protect her, and she knows if she calls, Rainer will be there. Shabina has built a life for herself away in Sunrise and surrounded herself with good friends.

When a series of murders occur in Yosemite National Park combined with threats, Shabina fears that the two are related. Feehan weaves a complex tale and slowly weaves several threads together as the suspense and danger build. Fearing for her life, Shabina reaches out to Rainer. But will she let him in?

The romance is complicated and filled with emotion. Rainer has always loved Shabina and has stood mostly behind the scenes, helping her recover from her terrible ordeal and stand on her own. But make no mistake, he will stop at nothing to protect her. Watching Shabina open up, trust her heart and allow Rainer in felt genuine, and I flipped the pages, hoping for happily ever after.

Be warned while most of the horror Shabina faced took place during her kidnapping off page there are plenty of triggers.

Deadly Storms was a powerful story in the Sunrise Lake series. Now, I am all caught up since I previously read book four first, not realizing it was part of a series. Each book works as a standalone romance and suspense novel. However, spoilers abound regarding the previous books.

Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm

About Christine Feehan

Christine Feehan is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, with 83 published works in seven different series: Dark Series, GhostWalker Series, Leopard Series, Drake Sisters Series, Sea Haven Series, Shadow Series, and Torpedo Ink Series. All seven of her series have hit the #1 spot on the New York Times bestseller list. Judgment Road, the first book in her newest series, Torpedo Ink, debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list.

Instagram

Source

Sophia Rose is here with the a review of the mystery thriller Everyone’s a Liar by Alexandra Ivy. In this gothic standalone the author takes us to a Southern Louisiana family mansion in the bayous. You won’t want to miss this standalone mystery.

In a novel of taut, atmospheric domestic suspense with an irresistible gothic twist from New York Times bestselling author Alexandra Ivy, a lavish Louisiana mansion is the setting for a yearly family reunion that takes a deadly turn.

In Louisiana, the name Benoit conjures a mix of curiosity and envy. For more than two centuries, Livia Benoit’s ancestors have been powerful landowners, and the Willows—a massive mansion surrounded by vast acres of land and bayous—is the jewel of their empire. Their fortunes have dwindled, but the Benoits’ influence remains. Even beyond the grave, Livia’s grandfather exerts his will, requiring family members to gather at the Willows every summer to receive their trust fund share.

For Livia, returning to the place where her mother died by suicide is never easy. She would prefer not to leave her New Orleans real estate business to mingle with status-obsessed relatives. And this year, there’s an extra layer of unease. It’s not just the circus surrounding her cousin Celeste’s new engagement, or her Aunt Delilah’s open hostility. There are secrets swirling around the old mansion, hinted at by her aging Aunt Helene. Even Livia’s childhood friend, deputy sheriff Bryce Swift, feels a curse hovering over the place.

As family tensions mount, so do mysterious threats to Livia. Maybe her mother’s spirit is trying to warn her away—or maybe the danger is even darker. Because nothing about the Willows’ history or the tangled Benoit legacy is quite what Livia has believed it to be, and this reunion may just be her last . . .

Sophia Rose’s Review

When it comes to family reunions, a wealthy family all gathering together for two weeks each year at the Southern Louisiana family mansion in the bayous is downright gothic- and, this year, the atmosphere is positively lethal.  Long-time author of multiple genres, Alexandra Ivy pens a pip of a domestic thriller that makes the reader wonder if a haunting wouldn’t be too far off base with this set of characters.

Everyone’s a Liar is a standalone mystery thriller introducing Livia and her Benoit family legacy.  When Livia was a child, her mother committed suicide and her grandfather made the decision to send her away and allow her to be reared in foster care.  Livia resented being sent away to live with strangers, but maybe her grandfather did her a favor because now, as an adult, she can look at the successful realtor work she has done and know she’s as unlike her snobbish Benoit relations as can be.  That said, she must tolerate them all two weeks a year per her grandfather’s will.

This year, somethings off.  First, she finds her boyfriend and a strange man nosing through her papers at home in New Orleans and then when she goes to the dreaded family reunion at the Benoit mansion deep in the bayou, she discovers her cousin’s fiancé looks an awful lot like the man nosing through her things.  The family secrets are getting to her and the feeling of taut tension growing and pushing her to finally dig into the shadows and get answers with her best friend, Bryce, a sheriff’s deputy there to help her investigate.

Everyone’s a Liar is the Southern Gothic version of a classic ‘country house party’ mystery in setting and isolation of a set of characters all riddled with secrets and the rising danger among them palpable.  I really enjoyed Livia and Bryce as main characters who share the narrative.  Livia had her gutsy moments that got her into more danger as a result.

The set up and intro to the cast of characters took a bit, but the action and thriller elements really took off in the latter half of the book.  I had some figured out or at least guessed at, but felt the prickle of excitement when still more truths came out.  Yes, all these people were lying!  And, it was satisfying seeing how and why. 

This was only my second Alexandra Ivy mystery thriller and I found it even better than the older one.  I still want to read the others I’ve missed and you betcha I’ll be watching for the next one coming.  This is for those who enjoy domestic thrillers, southern gothic mysteries, woman detectives and only a whiff of romance with slow-build mystery taking the spotlight.

Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm

About Alexandra Ivy

Alexandra Ivy graduated from Truman University with a degree in theatre before deciding she preferred to bring her characters to life on paper rather than stage. She started her career writing traditional regencies before moving into the world of paranormal with her USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and New York Times bestselling series The Guardians of Eternity. Now she writes a wide variety of genres that include paranormal, erotica, and romantic suspense.

Website

About Sophia Rose

Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.

Goodreads

Source

I was in the mood for a thriller and grabbed Rising Waters by Aleatha Romig. Narrated by Charli Skye Delmare this story takes us to the small-town of Blue Gil as the town mourns the loss of a beloved coach and quickly turns deadly. A gripping tale that I enjoyed despite not connecting with the narrator.

A dark psychological thriller packed with small-town secrets, buried trauma, and shocking twists. She escaped her past—and the man she never forgot. Now both are pulling her back into a deadly game she may not survive.

Jillian Thorne built her career making the unreal feel real. On Hollywood soundstages, she stages murder, kidnapping, and violent crime with chilling authenticity—turning fiction into gripping entertainment. But nothing she's created compares to the truth waiting in Blue Gil.

Nearly six years after escaping her hometown, Jillian is drawn back by the suspicious death of the town's beloved high school football coach. What first appears to be a tragic loss quickly unravels into something far more sinister—a dark mystery no one is willing to confront. Because in Blue Gil, secrets aren't just buried . . . they're protected.

As disturbing clues surface and a brutal tragedy strikes, Jillian finds herself trapped inside a real-life psychological thriller. The instincts that made her successful in Hollywood may be the key to solving the crime—or the very thing clouding her judgment.

Everyone in this small town is hiding something. Including Jillian.

To uncover the truth, she must break through an unspoken code of silence, deception, and loyalty—and face the past. In this twisted game of suspense, trusting the wrong person could be deadly.

The story opens with a terrifying hit and run.

Jillian Thorne left Blue Gil five years ago and hasn’t been back to see her family, not even for holidays. She works in Hollywood, staging murder, kidnapping, and violent crime with chilling authenticity. The town is mourning the death of their coach, whose body was discovered in a ditch. The sheriff has ruled it a tragic accident.

Using work as an excuse, Jillian heads home but takes a cabin on the water without notifying her parents. We can tell something happened that caused Jillian to leave, and I quickly solved the cause of the coach’s death. A new mystery begins when two teenage girls go missing from a bonfire meant to celebrate the life of their coach. Is there a connection? Is it someone local or a stranger passing through? As the danger mounts, so do Jillian’s questions.

I was pulled into the search, Jillian’s thoughts and the chapter breaks featuring a true crime podcast that kept us apprised of the situation from an outsider’s view. We get a side romance as Jillian befriends a stranger at the cabins. Twists and turns led to a shocking discovery before Romig revealed all.

Rising Waters was an engaging standalone thriller and the second in her Crime Daily Podcast series. The narrator did a fine job I just didn’t like her for the main character, and her male voices, while different, sounded too feminine. This is one hundred percent a personal thing. I recommend listening to a sample yourself. Rising Waters by Aleatha Romig was a slow-building thriller with twists and secrets that kept me listening.

Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm

About Aleatha Romig

Aleatha Romig is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Indiana, USA. She grew up in Mishawaka, Indiana, graduated from Indiana University, and is currently living south of Indianapolis, Indiana. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she's not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns, she likes to spend her time with her friends and family, including her beloved grandchildren.

Instagram

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2026 Audiobook Challenge

Source

Three Days Gone by Charly Cox has Detective Alyssa Wyatt of the Albuquerque PD, and her partner, Cord Roberts joining FBI Special Agent Ryker Newlin, in Montana to search for two missing sisters. This was an addictive tale with plenty of twists and I quickly devoured it.

When two girls go missing in the Montana mountains, the unforgiving wilderness might not be the only threat to their safety. Alyssa Wyatt and her squad must find them in the dangerous woods, before time runs out...

Two missing girls. One powerful family. A killer watching them all.

When fifteen-year-old Brynn Hagen and her five-year-old sister Eveleigh vanish from their uncle’s home in the Montana mountains, the search for them becomes a race against time.

Because the girls weren’t reported missing for three days.

Detective Alyssa Wyatt of the Albuquerque PD and her partner, Cord Roberts, travel to Montana to assist the Bozeman PD, joining forces with FBI Special Agent Ryker Newlin.

But the deeper Alyssa digs, the more she realizes the Hagen family is hiding something. And their senator father seems more interested in protecting his reputation than finding his daughters.

As the team uncover decades of lies and secrets, it becomes clear someone is willing to kill to keep the past hidden.

Meanwhile, stranded in the unforgiving wilderness, Brynn is fighting to keep herself and Eveleigh alive, while being stalked by a ruthless killer.

With every hour, the odds of finding them alive grow smaller. And if Alyssa doesn’t uncover the truth in time, Brynn and Eveleigh may not survive long enough to be found.

Each of the novels in the Detective Alyssa Wyatt series works as standalone and features a case she and her team are working on . Three Days Gone is the seventh novel. Senator Hagen’s children have gone missing, and Wyatt and her partner are requested to aid because of some of their previous notoriety. What they learn upon arriving immediately sets off alarms. 15-year-old Brynn Hagen and her five-year-old sister Eveleigh vanished from their uncle’s house in Montana three days ago, and law enforcement is just now being called. The tale that unfolds had plenty of twists and lots of danger.

I am a huge fan of Detective Wyatt and her partner Cord. They are excellent at their job and dig in to find the girls. Once again, they get the chance to work with FBI Special Agent Ryker Newlin. The Senator and his team are trying to keep this entire event hush-hush, and Alyssa struggles with this, and the more she uncovers, the more dangerous things become because someone is watching.

We find decades-old scandals, and questions are raised about the Hagens themselves from the Uncle to their father. Cox wove a complex and compelling case as we spent time with the detectives and also with the children themselves as they faced danger and Brynn fought to protect her little sister Eveleigh.

If you enjoy police procedural novels and getting to know the detectives themselves, you’ll want to grab Three Days Gone and the entire Detective Alyssa Wyatt series.

Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm

About Charly Cox

Born in the South, raised in the Midwest, Charly now resides in the Southwest in the Land of Enchantment where she enjoys eating copious amounts of green chile and other spicy foods. When she's not reading, writing, or plotting sinister evils with her antagonists, she enjoys doing jigsaw and crossword puzzles, hanging out with her husband and her spoiled Siberian Husky, visiting her son in Arizona, and traveling, preferably to places surrounded by sun, sand, and warm uncrowded beaches.

Website | Facebook

Source

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @CaffeinatedReviewer. It’s a chance to share news — a post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join weekly, biweekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme

I cannot believe this is the last week in October already. We had a lovely time at the zoo. The weather was perfect even if some of the animals refused to make an appearance. The site was down for a spell due to a worldwide cyber threat that required a patch. It affected over 70% of the internet. It was a tough news week and I am so angry from horrible ads to corruption. On a positive note I got my flu, covid and pneumonia vaccines on Saturday. I feel fine just don’t ask me to lift my arms. I am ready for winter. Hopefully I stay healthy. Stay caffeinated & spread kindness.

Last Week on the Blog

• Tales from the Territory by Travis Baldree (audiobook/book review)
• The Undercover Bookshop by Katherine Reay (audiobook review)
• Murder by Memory by Olivia Waite (guest post/ audiobook review)
• Red on the River by Christine Feehan (book review)

This Week on the Blog

• Three Days Gone by Charly Cox (book review)
• Rising Waters by Aleatha Romig (audiobook review)
• Everyone’s a Liar by Alexandra Ivy (guest post/ audiobook review)
• Deadly Storms by Christine Feehan (book review)

New Arrivals at the Caffeinated Cafe

• Wood You Be Mine by Daphne Elliot

A special thank you to Berkley Romance

Around The Blogosphere

• 14th Annual 2026 Ho-Ho-Ho RAT (November 17th-December 25th) Sign up and join the fun. Challenge hosts needed.

Link Up Your Edition Of The Sunday Post

Before you link up, please be sure your weekly post includes a link back to Caffeinated Reviewer and the Sunday Post.

Source

Red on the River by Christine Feehan is the second novel in Sunrise Lake romantic suspense series. Each of the stories takes place in a small-town in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Each book features one couple in a close-knit group of friends with suspenseful elements that will have your heart racing.

Vienna Mortenson isn’t your typical gambler. She prefers to stay under the radar, using her poker winnings to support her family and her community, including the local search and rescue team, which she heads up. Out in the backcountry there’s no time for hesitation when lives are on the line. Vienna prides herself on being tough and decisive. She’s not the sort to make a fool of herself over a guy, especially one who left her high and dry without a backward glance.

Zale Vizzini’s job constantly puts him in harm’s way. Working undercover and disappearing for months at a time isn’t exactly a recipe for a stable relationship. Despite the challenges and the risks, Zale wants something real with Vienna. He just needed time to figure out how to be in her life without putting her in danger. Now, he’s determined to win her back, and he’s ready to lay all his cards on the table.

As their friends’ wedding approaches, Zale takes advantage of the festivities to make a play for Vienna’s heart. But there are more deadly forces waiting to strike in the rugged terrain of Nevada and the western Sierras. Soon both of their lives are threatened, and the odds are stacked against them....

I accidentally read Frost and Venom, the fourth and newest book in this series, so naturally, I dove back in and read the previous books. While each book contains one couple, and the author does a marvellous job of sharing backstories etc, I recommend reading them in order. Although reading out of order didn’t affect my overall enjoyment, I was aware of who paired with whom. In Red on the River, we see a scene that also takes place in Frost and Venom from a different perspective.

If you like strong, independent women and overprotective alpha males who admire their woman but also want to keep her safe -you’ll enjoy these books. Red on the River shares Vienna Mortenson and Zale Vizzini’s romance. Vienna is a gambler, and most of her winnings have been online instead of in the spotlight, but an offer to sponsor her entry has her staying at a casino and playing in a high-stakes poker game. Her friends are set to meet her for a girl’s bachelorette weekend of hiking, rafting and more after the event.

The suspenseful aspect of the story was well done with plenty of hold your breath moments. The romance was heated as learned Vienna and Zale spent time together during events in the previous novel. His work keeps him undercover, and that is what he is doing in the casino hotel with his partner.

The romance felt genuine, as did the friendships between the women who lift each other up. The story was addictive, and the pacing had me devouring this one. If you enjoy romantic suspense thrillers, I recommend grabbing Red on the River.

Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm

About Christine Feehan

Christine Feehan is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, with 83 published works in seven different series: Dark Series, GhostWalker Series, Leopard Series, Drake Sisters Series, Sea Haven Series, Shadow Series, and Torpedo Ink Series. All seven of her series have hit the #1 spot on the New York Times bestseller list. Judgment Road, the first book in her newest series, Torpedo Ink, debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list.

Instagram

Source

Sophia Rose is here with a review of first audiobook in the Dorothy Gentleman sci-fi cozy mystery series. Narrated by Blair Baker, Murder by Memory by Olivia Waite takes listeners aboard a human colony ship set in the future. Come check out her thoughts…

Becky Chambers meets Miss Marple in this sci-fi ode to the cozy mystery, helmed by a formidable no-nonsense auntie of a detective.

A mind is a terrible thing to erase...

Welcome to the HMS Fairweather, Her Majesty's most luxurious interstellar passenger liner! Room and board are included, new bodies are graciously provided upon request, and should you desire a rest between lifetimes, your mind shall be most carefully preserved in glass in the Library, shielded from every danger.

Near the topmost deck of an interstellar generation ship, Dorothy Gentleman wakes up in a body that isn't hers—just as someone else is found murdered. As one of the ship's detectives, Dorothy usually delights in unraveling the schemes on board the Fairweather, but when she finds that someone is not only killing bodies but purposefully deleting minds from the Library, she realizes something even more sinister is afoot.

Dorothy suspects her misfortune is partly the fault of her feckless nephew Ruthie who, despite his brilliance as a programmer, leaves chaos in his cheerful wake. Or perhaps the sultry yarn store proprietor—and ex-girlfriend of the body Dorothy is currently inhabiting—knows more than she's letting on. Whatever it is, Dorothy intends to solve this case. Because someone has done the impossible and found a way to make murder on the Fairweather a very permanent state indeed. A mastermind may be at work—and if so, they've had three hundred years to perfect their schemes...

Sophia Rose Reviews

When she wakes up in someone else’s body, a colony ship’s investigator knows its time to come out of retirement.  Olivia Waite’s sci-fi cozy mystery series caught my attention when this book first released and I just knew it was going to be a treat.

Murder by Memory is the first in the Dorothy Gentleman sci-fi cozy mystery series set aboard a human colony ship in the future.  The listener gets dropped into the story at first and learns that in the future aboard this ship now hundreds of years away from old Earth, a copy of people’s memories can be stored in what they call the library.  People can be centuries old because they use a body until it ‘dies’ and then their mind is copied into a new young body not unlike a clone of their previous body.  Each person aboard the ship uses their skill set to do a job.

Dorothy Gentleman never expected to be woken and she is shocked when she comes alert in another person’s body.  An electrical storm in space has made the ship’s AI act like a person on a drunken bender and unable to explain the situation other than an emergency happened and Dorothy’s memory would have been deleted permanently if the ship hadn’t overridden protocol and dumped her mind into the nearest available body.

Dorothy is a veteran investigator who chose for painful personal reasons to not come back in a new body, but she wakes up years from her last time of being awake.  Things would change and did, but some things are hard and fast laws that shouldn’t be messed with.  She suspects that the body she inhabits was up to something illegal if not murderous since the woman was the only one roaming about during the electrical storm when everyone else was sealed in their cabins for safety.  And, there are the odd bits of evidence Dorothy accumulates as she encounters places and the people known to her borrowed body.

Dorothy consults with her trouble-magnet nephew Ruthie, who is her only remaining relative and a brilliant technician for the ship’s library and memory system and his enigmatic new partner, a gifted bartender who concocts unique ‘memory’ drinks for the ship’s exclusive club of intellectuals.  She follows the evidence to a shocking reveal of who and why someone tried to murder memories.

Blair Baker was a fabulous narrator and this was my first time hearing her work.  I hope she continues to narrate the series and I wouldn’t mind coming across more of her work.

Murder by Memory is a fast listen/read, but it was fabulous.  I appreciate the intriguing worldbuilding of this futuristic setting, but also the curious mystery plot and the engaging, detailed characters.  I am so glad this is a series and I look forward to the next entry. This is for the crowd who appreciate a blend of sci-fi and mystery with lots of character diversity.

Amazon* | Audible | Libro.fm

*Available in KindleUnlimited

About Olivia Waite

Olivia Waite writes historical romance, fantasy, and science fiction. She is the romance fiction columnist for the New York Times Book Review.

Website

About Blair Baker

Blair Baker is a queer, activist, feminist storyteller passionate about making and being involved with work that represents the under represented.

Instagram

About Sophia Rose

Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.

Goodreads

Source

I was drawn to the audiobook of The Undercover Bookshop by Katherine Reay with its promise of a historical mystery set in a small Cotswold village in 1950. While it was slow to start, the tale narrated by Fiona Hardingham delivered a cozy mystery with spies and a curious amateur sleuth that I found charming.

During the winter of 1950 in the small Cotswold village of Great Rollright, amateur sleuth Gemma Brown starts to suspect that the town’s best baker, Ursula Beurton, is a Soviet spy, tumbling her headlong into a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse that ends with a decision that will lead her to the Undercover Bookshop and change her life forever.

Recently moved to the English Cotswolds, Gemma Brown desperately wants to create the kind of idyllic life she’s read about in her favorite mystery novels, with herself as the leading lady. But fitting in proves difficult as Gemma is more adept at solving mysteries and setting up the village’s first bookstore than she is at baking cakes or grasping social niceties. Nevertheless, she finds a friend in Peggy, a young woman recently moved to town herself, and Ursula Beurton, who is not only the village’s best baker but an enigmatic figure who sparks controversy in the small-town gossip network.

As Gemma spends more time with Ursula, she begins to suspect all those novels are affecting her thinking. The oddities she starts to notice must be her imagination because, if not, they point to something far more dangerous than winning the local baking contest or being placed on the church committee. Could her neighbor be a real spy?

Following her instincts and a few skills learned through fiction, Gemma soon becomes embroiled in an international intrigue involving the village’s mysterious benefactor, Lady Marchmont, MI5, and the KGB. In an unexpected twist, however, Ursula asks Gemma for a favor which may endanger all their lives as their next chapter unfolds in Gemma’s new venture, the Undercover Bookshop.

Gemma Brown has recently moved to the town of Great Rollright, a small Cotswold village. Here, she hopes to carve out an idyllic life. The kind she’s read about in her favorite mystery novels. She works at the local town store and sets about making some changes, including adding a book section. She makes a friend and meets a young man working at the police department. Gemma is socially awkward and isn’t very good at baking, a skill she deems necessary to catch the interest of the young man. She enlists the help of Ursula Beurton, the best local baker and the center of much of the gossip network.

Gemma is very much a mystery buff and is very inquisitive. When she sees things that are amiss, she soon believes Ursula is a German spy. The tale unfolds slowly, but once the groundwork was set, I found myself caught up in mystery. Gemma uses knowledge she gained from her beloved mystery book to investigate. This was a rather engaging cozy historical mystery with a nod to historical figures and stories as the author explains at the end.

Fiona Hardingham narrates and captures the accents and tone of the story. I felt she was well suited and enhanced my overall enjoyment.

The story has some suspenseful moments and a side romance that felt right for the period. The author delivered a twist or two, and I ended the audio with a smile. If you fancy a historical mystery with a female amateur sleuth, I would recommend The Undercover Bookshop.

Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm

About Katherine Reay

Katherine Reay is a national bestselling and award-winning author of several novels and one work of nonfiction. For her fiction, Katherine writes love letters to books, and her novels are saturated with what she calls the “world of books.” They are character driven stories that examine the past as a way to find one’s best way forward. In the words of The Bronte Plot’s Lucy Alling, Katherine writes of “that time when you don’t know where you’ll be, but you can’t stay as you are.” Katherine holds a BA and MS from Northwestern University, and after several moves across the globe, lives outside Chicago.

Instagram

About Fiona Hardingham

Fiona is an award-winning audiobook narrator and voice-over artist whose work has earned the 2021 Audie Award for Best Middle-Grade Audiobook (The Good Hawk by Joseph Elliott), the 2022 Audie Award for Best Fiction for the full-cast narration of ‘The Final Revival of Opal & Nev’ by Dawnie Walton, Finalist for 2020 Best Young Adult for ‘Lovely War’ by Julie Berry (multi-cast), Finalist for 2019 Best Middle Grade for ‘The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: Book VI’ by Maryrose Wood, an ALA Odyssey Honor for ‘The Scorpio Races’ by Maggie Stiefvater, and 20 AudioFile Earphones Awards. For three consecutive years titles she's narrated were included in the Young Adult Library Services Association’s 'Top Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults’; list. Fiona has narrated over 430 titles across genres and is renowned for her extensive range of character voices and accents, bringing depth and versatility to audiobooks, animation, ADR, commercials, documentaries, video games, trailers, and film.

Instagram

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2026 Audiobook Challenge

Source

I love the Legends & Lattes cozy fantasy series written and narrated by Travis Baldree, so I was excited to settle in with the audiobook Tales from the Territory. This collection contains five tales featuring characters from the series, and it was wonderful. Whether you are a fan like me, or just curious, this is sure to delight.

Read by the author, Travis Baldree.

From international bestseller Travis Baldree, Tales from the Territory is a beautiful collection of cosy fantasy tales, set in the much-loved world of Legends & Lattes.

There are many tales yet untold . . .

'GOBLINS & GREATCOATS': Chaos goblin Zyll is involved in a case of mistaken identity, where she solves a murder at an inn whilst simultaneously stealing all the cutlery.

'JUST A THIMBLEFUL': The sweet rattkin baker Thimble finds a new home for his soon-to-be famous cinnamon rolls.

'PAGES TO FILL': An act of mercy leads to a life-changing discovery for warrior orc Viv.

In 'MIROGRAPH', young succubus Tandri assists a university professor on a mysterious project where art and science collide.

In 'CAVALIERS & COFFEES', Viv, now the owner of Legends & Lattes coffee shop, discovers that imitation is not the highest form of flattery.

Tales from the Territory takes us back into the world of Legends and Lattes with five adventures featuring characters we have met along the way. It was delightful and the perfect fix while we wait for the next full length audiobook.

Narrated by the author Travis Baldree, a popular narrator in his own right listening is a must. Who better to deliver the characters then the man who created them.

In GOBLINS & GREATCOATS Chaos goblin Zyll whom we met in Brigands & Breadknives arrives at an inn in a small town and is mistaken for an inspector. This was fun and the ending had me rolling with laughter. I was delighted we got a story involving the chaos goblin. 5

Next up was JUST A THIMBLEFUL gave us Thimble’s origin story. We first met this sweet rattkin baker in Legends & Lattes when he showed up with a tray of cinnamon buns. In Just a Thimbleful we see the events that led him to leave his previous employer. I loved getting this backstory. 4

In PAGES TO FILL we get a story about our warrior orc Viv, Gallina, and Fennus are chasing a female elf with a bounty. It’s Bodkin the legendary thief and one of Viv’s missions. I enjoyed this tale that proceeds Legends and Lattes and Viv’s love of coffee. 5

We learn more about Tandri the succubus who holds Viv’s heart in MIROGRAPH. We meet the young succubus as she assists a university professor with a mysterious project. This deals with art and has touches of science fiction and AI. This was dark and will make you ponder. 4.5

In CAVALIERS & COFFEES Viv discovers she has some competition when a new coffee shop opens up. This was fantastic and we saw quite a few familiar characters as we dealt with a real weasel and met new characters. 5

Tales from the Territory will satisfy your craving for more stories from Legends & Lattes. The perfect fall listen at just under five hours.

Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm

About Travis Baldree

New York Times Bestselling Author of Legends & Lattes. Audiobook narrator. Erstwhile game developer. Made Fate, Torchlight & Rebel Galaxy.

Facebook

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2026 Audiobook Challenge

Source

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @CaffeinatedReviewer. It’s a chance to share news — a post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join weekly, biweekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme

It’s a long weekend since all the grandkids were off from school. We did a lot of fall cleaning this weekend and on Monday we are taking the grandkids to the zoo. On Saturday we went to one of the local restuarants we enjoy. Since our last visit in April, our meals went up over eight dollars a dish. Ugh. We dropped our ballots off at the election center dropbox and I will check this week to make sure they were accepted. Vote. Even if you think your candidate will win. Vote. It is too important not to. Stay caffeinated & spread kindness.

Last Week on the Blog

• Murder on Threadneedle Street by Andrea Penrose (audiobook/book review)
• The Gilded Rose by Joanna Shupe (book review)
• The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vol. 7 by Beth Brower(guest post/ audiobook review)

This Week on the Blog

• Tales from the Territory by Travis Baldree (audiobook/book review)
• The Undercover Bookshop by Katherine Reay (audiobook review)
• Murder by Memory by Olivia Waite (guest post/ audiobook review)
• Red on the River by Christine Feehan (book review)

New Arrivals at the Caffeinated Cafe

• Steel-Toed Slow Dance by Maggie Gates

A special thank you to Berkley Romance

Around The Blogosphere

• 14th Annual 2026 Ho-Ho-Ho RAT (November 17th-December 25th) Sign up and join the fun. Challenge hosts needed.
• Make the switch to Libro.fm and support independent bookstores. You’ll get two audiobooks when you sign up.
• Join Prime and enjoy special sales, free books and movies. Try it for Free.

Link Up Your Edition Of The Sunday Post

Before you link up, please be sure your weekly post includes a link back to Caffeinated Reviewer and the Sunday Post.

Source

Sophia Rose continues her reviews of Journals of Emma N. Lion with Volume 7 by Beth Brower. Narrated by Genevieve Gaunt if you are a fan of Jane Austen, P.G. Wodehouse, L. M. Montgomery, and Jean Webster, you’ll want to check them out.

"The image of Pandora's Box being opened by my own hand flashed across my mind. A sobering and somewhat disappointing realization when one understands they are their own worst enemy. "

The Year is 1884 and Emma M. Lion has, at long last, gained her majority. Entering a golden age of friendship with Pierce, Islington, and Hawkes, Emma is confident she will manage whatever comes her way. It is The Season she must help Arabella secure a husband, while navigating the threat of Aunt Eugenia, the unflagging adoration of Charles Goddard, and the amusing unpredictability of St. Crispian's. But the secrets of her trusted friends are what might very well bring about disaster.

Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.

Readers have compared The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion to Jane Austen, P.G. Wodehouse, L. M. Montgomery, and Jean Webster.

Sophia Rose

Emma’s misadventures continue now that she’s come of age, discover a new chance at love, blunder through a few familial and community mishaps, and thrust into High Society once again to help her cousin make a brilliant match.  Beth Brower’s epistolary-style writing and whimsical heroine are *chef’s kiss* superb.

The Unselected Journals of Emma M Lion are chronicles in ongoing Victorian time period (just like a real journal) and divided into must-read-in-order volumes.  This is volume seven and begins in March 1884 with the Reprobates Ten dragging Emma off to witness a Duel (yes, real guns and real consequences though they are all up to their usual high chicanery) and end at the beginning of summer with a few big shockers for Emma, her friends, and her cousin Arabella.

Pierce, Hawkes, and Islington are her great friends and she is concerned when one gets attacked in a barroom brawl, one might have a secret lady friend, and one catches a near-death illness.  In between these events, Emma finds herself contemplating ‘The Great Consideration of 1884’ (aka will she and Pierce attempt an age-gap, pasts kept secret courtship after the firework producing kiss- and more kisses). Her friend Mary’s crush on The Professor advances to comic effect.  And, to battle stations Lazuli House is invaded by Aunt Eugenia who absolutely cannot discover that Emma doesn’t have a real chaperone on the premises- a fake chaperone needed pronto and Mary’s criminal friend Jack is her answer- if she does a shady favor for him in return.  The social season plans of Aunt Eugenia for Arabella’s triumphant season taking a highly connected, wealthy husband are now upon them and Emma’s bullied into helping though Aunt Eugenia may regret that.

There are some dazzling moments tucked into Emma’s comical and no longer surprising misadventures that are softer, but just as impactive.  I felt these events and moments really drilled into the heart of who Emma is down to the essentials.  Emma wants ‘The Pirate’ to sell her a new journal and accept her overtures of friendship and he makes her work for it even while doing a book-binding wonder of a job on a new journal for her.  Emma finds herself trying to get past the miserable treatment old neighbors subjected her to when she was an orphaned grieving girl to extend similar sympathy in her turn to their now grieving daughter.  And, right when pondering what is holding her back from approaching Pierce with an affirmative about trying a courtship, its her slightly vain, carefree beautiful cousin Arabella who prods to the heart of the problem that Emma is afraid to try love again after losing Maxwell.  Later, she gets dramatically panicked when her stumbling, bumbling way of helping Islington gets them into a scrape and his way of getting them untangled has her feeling a loss of freedom after she just fought her way out of her aunt’s clutches.  Its not in actuality, but her explosive reaction shows just how much her independence is necessary to her being.

Genevieve Gaunt continues to delight my ears with her talent at voices, catching the tone and pace of the scenes, and making a magical book elevate to pitch perfect heights.

The books have built on light-hearted low-stakes situations to some rather compelling and emotionally fraught situations in this latest volume.  It is obvious that most of the people Emma has a strong vested connection with are keeping secrets.  She’s aware of this and hopes they will eventually spill the tea.  I love the high-anticipation I feel for what comes next in Emma M Lion’s life.  Up until this volume, I was recommending the series as historical fiction, but I think it has finally started showing obvious romantic signs so I’m also pulling in sweet historical romance fans who like a classic-feel to their books.

Amazon | Audible

About Beth Brower

Beth Bower graduated with a degree in literary studies, and is working on the novels that keep pounding on the doors of her mind and none of her characters are very patient to wait their turn. She lives with her wonderful chemist husband and has books in every room of their house.

Instagram

About Sophia Rose

Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.

Goodreads

Source

The Gilded Rose by Joanna Shupe gives readers a romantic Beauty and the Beast retelling set against the opulence of Gilded Age New York. An addictive romance from an author I both admire and enjoy.

USA Today bestselling author Joanna Shupe returns with an angst-filled retelling of Beauty and the Beast, set against the excess and opulence of Gilded Age New York.

Love isn’t always a fairy tale.

Charming and popular, Orson Grey is the most sought-after bachelor in Manhattan. When Caroline pledges to spend her life with him, it feels like the beginning of a fairy tale.

The fairy tale quickly turns into a nightmare.

Behind closed doors, Orson is controlling and cruel. Trapped by laws that prevent women from leaving unhappy marriages, Caroline has no choice but to endure her husband’s behavior. Each day grows more intolerable, and her frustration and resentment mounts. Even her passion for rare books is stifled, leaving her isolated and lonely, a fading rose trapped under glass.

When Caroline is offered the opportunity to catalogue a private library, she seizes it like a lifeline. Exploring the literary treasures, she discovers a friend in the library’s owner, Zane Bishop—a brilliant, wealthy recluse who was disfigured in an explosion years ago.

Thoughtful and kind, Zane is everything Orson is not. As their trust builds, Zane realizes that Caroline’s pain runs much deeper than she lets on. He suffers with her, knowing precisely of Orson’s cruelty firsthand. Zane will stop at nothing to set Caroline free, even if it means risking everything.

The Gilded Rose is a story of resilience, passion, and the transformative power of love.

I love a good retelling; Beauty and the Beast has always been a favorite. Set in Manhattan during the Gilded Age, Caroline is a book lover who works alongside her father. When she is courted by Orson Grey, she is both flattered and surprised. He is one of the most sought-after bachelors and is incredibly charming. He says all the right things, charms her father, and Caroline willingly says yes. Everything changes after the “I Do’s,” and Caroline finds herself isolated and shocked by her controlling husband.

Zane Bishop is a wealthy recluse who was disfigured in an explosion years ago. He rarely goes out and has a large, disorganization library. When his sister hires Caroline to catalog the library and prepare to sell some books, Zane is outraged, even as he finds himself drawn to the young woman.

The tale that unfolded was addictive and shed light on some of the archaic laws regarding women and marriage. The history between Orson and Zane only made him despise the man more, even as I found myself completely smitten by Zane. There are some triggers regarding intimacy, violence, and control, so consider yourself warned. I will say Shupe handled them well.

I have seen this labeled a dark romance, but the darkness comes from Orson. The romance between Caroline and Zane was a slow-burn that built on trust and preserved the sanctity of marriage. You’ll swoon and desperately be turning the pages, hoping for a happily ever after.

If you love historical romance set during the Gilded Age with a delicious nod to Beauty and the Beast, you will want to add The Gilded Rose to your fall reading list.

Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm

About Joanna Shupe

Joanna Shupe has always loved history, ever since she saw her first Schoolhouse Rock cartoon. While in college, she read every romance she could get her hands on and soon started crafting her own racy historical novels. In 2013 she won Romance Writers of America’s prestigious Golden Heart® Award for Best Historical.

Website | Facebook

Source

The Wrexford & Sloane historical mystery series has become a favorite. I quickly devoured Murder on Threadneedle Street by Andrea Penrose. A murder with ties to a decades-old event has the gang investigating as we get a look at daily life with the Weasels and Wrex’s half-sister.

Lord Wrexford and Charlotte's growing family ensures that life is a source of constant adventure. The addition of Wrexford's half-sister to their household is proving an unexpected delight. But some surprises are less welcome—and trouble strikes when Hawk, one of the young boys in their care, arrives home distraught after learning that his new drawing teacher has been found murdered on Threadneedle Street.

Fletcher Campbell's death could be dismissed as a random robbery turned violent. But as an artist herself, Charlotte suspects there's more to the case than meets the eye. Closer examination reveals that a distinctive ring was taken from the victim's finger. With Hawk pleading for the family to help solve the crime, Charlotte and Wrexford suddenly find themselves entangled in a fiendish mystery that harkens back to a decade-old scandal that nearly brought down the government.

It seems Campbell's brother was the infamous leader of a counterfeiting gang that swindled the Bank of England. Most were apprehended, but forged banknotes remain a problem. Now, the Bank of England has offered £20,000 to anyone who can use the newly-invented engineering technologies to create the Inimitable Banknote—a complex design that cannot be counterfeited.

It's a prize that could tempt anyone, and Wrexford and Sloane's investigation turns even more fraught when one of their closest friends falls under suspicion. The deeper they probe, the more treachery comes to light. For when a lie so easily masquerades as truth, danger may be much closer than they think . . .

While technically each of the novels contains its own mystery, and Prose does a stellar job of recapping the character connections, I recommend reading them in order. From their romance to the relationships to the children and secondary characters, one misses out by jumping in. It’s a binge-worthy series, especially when you listen to James Cameron Stewart narrate.

When Hawk’s drawing teacher turns up murdered on Threadneedle Street, he encourages Wrex and Charlotte to investigate. In doing so, they find ties to The Lisbon Conspiracy, a decades-old scandal. Penrose weaves in historical tidbits into her stories, and this one involves counterfeit currency and the Bank of England’s exploration of banknotes. During this time, each bank made its own currency, allowing for corruption. The Bank of England is hosting a contest for the creation of an Inimitable Banknote and the winner will receive a £20,000 prize. You can imagine the cutthroat competition. 

On the home front, the boys are navigating life with the newest weasel. They want to include Evie, but also need to respect the rules Wrex sets down. She has proved to be a delightful addition to this found family. I loved seeing bonds form and watching them engage in this mystery.

Of course, danger is always afoot, and both Wrex and Charlotte worry about unsavory characters realizing the Weasels are more than street urchins. Danger and investigating kept me listening, but so did moments with these characters. Some of the secondary characters who aided them added some humor and provided information that moved the investigation. Wrex gives us a scare when he investigates solo, and the weasels make some important discoveries on their own.

James Cameron Stewart narrates the series and honestly, I would probably hear his voice if I read them. He has created unique male and female voices with accents that allow me to know exactly who is speaking. He truly enhances my overall enjoyment of the series.

If you love historical mysteries, you’ll want to grab Murder on Threadneedle Street. It’s the perfect fall listen with a touch of history and plenty of found family moments you won’t want to miss.

Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm

About Andrea Penrose

Andrea Penrose is the USA Today bestselling author of Regency-era historical fiction, including the acclaimed Wrexford & Sloane mystery series, as well as Regency romances written under the names Cara Elliott and Andrea Pickens. Published internationally in ten languages, she is a three-time RITA Award finalist and the recipient of numerous writing awards, including two Daphne Du Maurier Awards for Historical Mystery and two Gold Leaf Awards. A graduate of Yale University with a B.A. in Art and an M.F.A. in Graphic Design, Andrea fell in love with Regency England after reading Pride and Prejudice and has maintained a fascination with the era’s swirling silks and radical new ideas throughout her writing career. She lives in Connecticut and blogs with a community of historical fiction authors at WordWenches.com.

Instagram

About James Cameron Stewart

James Cameron Stewart trained at Hull University and the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Some theater highlights of his thirty-six-year career include Frank-n-Furter (The Rocky Horror Show), Thénadier (Les Misérables), the poet Philip Larkin in Larkin with Women (Best Actor nominee, MEN Awards 2005), and originating the part of Hamish in Sir Alan Ayckbourn's Things We Do for Love. In 2008 he published his grandfather's World War I memoirs and toured his one-man show based on them from 2008 to 2011. His television/film credits include Outlander, Jericho, Flying Blind, Golden Years, Emmerdale, London's Burning, Eastenders, Coronation Street, Holby City, and Taggart. He often appears on Radio 4, and is a regular presenter on the weekly The Economist podcast. James loves recording audiobooks and is delighted to have had the opportunity to narrate such a variety of magnificent authors, from Seneca through Max Hastings and Antony Beevor, to superlative fiction by J. M. Coetzee, Michael Dibdin, Stuart MacBride, and more.

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2026 Audiobook Challenge

Source

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @CaffeinatedReviewer. It’s a chance to share news — a post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join weekly, biweekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme

This week the grandkids have their fall break and will be off Thursday, Friday and the following Monday. We have all had fall colds as our temperatures cannot decide if it’s summer, fall or winter. We got our ballots for the upcoming election and will be filling them out and hand delivering to the election office. Stay caffeinated & spread kindness.

Last Week on the Blog

• Dive Bar at the End of the Road by Kelley Armstrong (audiobook/book review)
• Evie Walters Takes the Wheel by Kathleen Fox (audiobook review)
• Murder at Sunrise Lake by Christine Feehan (book review)
• Godswar by Chris Tullbane (audiobook review)

This Week on the Blog

• Murder on Threadneedle Street by Andrea Penrose (audiobook/book review)
• The Gilded Rose by Joanna Shupe (book review)
• The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vol. 7 by Beth Brower(guest post/ audiobook review)

New Arrivals at the Caffeinated Cafe

• Rising Waters by Aleatha Romig

A special thank you to Tantor Audio

Around The Blogosphere

• 14th Annual 2026 Ho-Ho-Ho RAT (November 17th-December 25th) Sign up and join the fun. Challenge hosts needed.
• Make the switch to Libro.fm and support independent bookstores. You’ll get two audiobooks when you sign up.
• Join Prime and enjoy special sales, free books and movies. Try it for Free.

Link Up Your Edition Of The Sunday Post

Before you link up, please be sure your weekly post includes a link back to Caffeinated Reviewer and the Sunday Post.

Source

Godswar by Chris Tulbane continues The Many Travails of John Smith. I was excited for a new book and delighted that Tantor Audio picked up the newest novel on audio with Joel Richards continuing the narration. He has become the voice of John and his motley crew of friends, allies, and enemies. What follows is another addictive tale with battles, humor, and bundles of joy!

John Smith, supernatural mediator and private investigator, has come a long way since he first got kidnapped by vampires.

He has a girlfriend now and an ever-growing list of responsibilities. Even the supernatural species of San Diego seem to think he's someone to be reckoned with.

And then Bill, the asparagus Demigod of Nightmares, Terror, and Vindication, shows up in John's dream with ominous one of Bill's fellow immortals has been murdered.

How do you kill a demigod, especially in the heart of their own domain? And was that death an isolated incident, or the start of something even worse? John will have to find those answers quickly, because more than just San Diego's fate hangs in the balance.

When gods war, reality itself trembles. Now, one mortal mediator finds himself stuck in the middle of all that chaos, with no way out but through.

Fans of the Dresden Files need to check out this urban fantasy series. John is a human private investigator and the mediator between supernatural factions in San Diego. He has come along way from the barely getting by PI who lived in his parent’s basement in book one. He now finds himself with plenty of work, coin in his pocket, and the hottest and most dangerous woman in San Diego is his vampire girlfriend.

Like most urban fantasy, it is important to listen to this series in the order of its release. Series arches, relationships, allies, character growth, and discoveries about John’s own abilities all unfold over the series. Tullbane does a great job of catching listeners up, but trust me, you are only cheating yourself.

The story is a blend of mystery, mythology, magic, humor, and character growth as John and Lady Anastasia Dumenyova work to protect the city and their secret. (Lots of development on the home front fans will not want to miss) Humor, food, and lots of detective work ensue.

In my humble opinion, each novel in the series is better than its predecessor. John is having troubling dreams and soon finds he has been tasked to solve the death of an immortal god and find Bill, the asparagus Demigod of Nightmares, Terror, and Vindication. He needs to call upon his friends, allies, and other immortals to aid him. Things aren’t easy because as he tries to investigate, doors are closed and someone is trying to kill him. But when has that ever stopped John?

The world-building in this series has been phenomenal, from the vampires that run the city to the different gods and demigods. I mean the god of traffic violations- I love it. Tullbane’s vivid imagination shines as both gods and lesser demons join in the battle when the stakes become too high. We traverse worlds and realms joined by shifters, giant cockroaches, and more. Don’t even get me started on the humorous nods to some of my favorite fandoms, like Monty Python. I love these little Easter eggs.

Joel Richards once again rocks the narration. Even though I bought the ebook when it was released earlier this year, I held out for the audiobook. Richards has become the voice of John and these characters. He elevates the story and my enjoyment of this world.

While the deadly problem wraps up in Godswar, we learn of some troubling developments ensuring more stories in this world. I, for one, cannot wait.

Amazon* | Audible | Libro.fm

*Available in KindleUnlimited

About Chris Tullbane

Chris Tullbane began as a gleam in someone’s eye, but birth and childhood were quick to follow. He’s been fortunate enough to live in Spain, Germany, and all over the United States of America, and is busy planning a tour of the distilleries of Scotland. He currently lives in Nevada with his angelic wife and ever-expanding whisky collection and occasionally ventures outside to peer upwards, mutter to himself about ‘day stars’, and then scurry back into the house. Chris is the author of two series; The Murder of Crows and The Many Travails of John Smith, as well as a collection of novelettes and stand-alone novels, Stories from a Post-Break World, which are set in the world of The Murder of Crows.

Website | Instagram

About Joel Richards

Joel Richards was the kid who did crazy things just to have a good story to tell afterward. On deciding to make his affection his profession, he received a BFA in acting and a BA in English from the University of Utah, and later an MA in oral storytelling from East Tennessee State University. He has narrated over 150 audiobooks (fiction and nonfiction) and continues to tell his original stories to live audiences.

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2026 Audiobook Challenge

Source

Murder at Sunrise Lake by Christine Feehan is the first novel in the romantic suspense series, Sunrise Lake. Set at tMurder at Sunrise Lake by Christine Feehan is the first novel in the romantic suspense series Sunrise Lake. Set at the Sunrise Lake resort high in the Sierra Nevada mountains, we meet the owner, Stella. She loves the peace this small resort gives her, far away from her traumatic past. When the nightmares return, she knows a killer is on the loose, but can she stop him before it’s too late?

It starts in her dreams. Hideous flashes from a nightmare only she can stop. Images of a murderer stalking the ones she cares about most...

Stella Harrison thought she got away from the traumas of her past. Running the Sunrise Lake resort high in the Sierra Nevada mountains has brought her peace, even though she doesn't truly share her quiet life with anyone. Not even Sam, the hired handyman that notices everything and always seems to know exactly what she needs.

Stella doesn't know anything about Sam's past, but somehow over the last two years his slow, steady presence has slipped past her defenses. Still, she knows she can't tell him about her recent premonitions. So far there's been no murder. No body. No way to prove what's about to happen without destroying the life she's built for herself.

But a killer is out there. And Stella knows that this time she'll do whatever it takes to stop him.

Recently I reviewed Frost and Venom, not realizing it was the fourth book in the Sunrise Lake Series. While each is a companion novel featuring its own mystery and romance, I utilized my local library and grabbed the first novel. Murder at Sunrise Lake delivered a suspenseful murder-mystery, and it introduced us to Stella, her friends, and the quiet, yet stealthy man who has slowly worked his way into Stella’s heart.

Sam is the resort’s handyman. His troubled past has honed him into a lethal weapon, and he’s very protective of Stella and her friends. He senses her moods and is quietly there for her, offering an ear, a meal, or just companionship. When Stella’s nightmares begin Sam moves to protect her and make his feelings known, but is Stella ready to trust again and let Sam and her friends in?

This has a little paranormal element with Stella’s dreams. We learn when they began and the dark events from her past. Each night she sees bits of a murder that hasn’t yet happened. The dreams last for a few nights before the killer commits the act. Fearing for her friends, Stella steps in to prevent the murder. I found these dreams to be terrifying and could not imagine having this curse or gift.

The author did a fantastic job with the murder-mystery as the danger and stakes intensified. She took time to let us get to know Sam, Stella, and her circle of friends all smart, tenacious women with their own troubled pasts and the men who vow to protect them.

This wasn’t as fast-paced as the subsequent books in the series, but it allowed Feehan to flesh out the characters, the town, and set the stage for these stories. I loved the setting, from the mountains to the deserts. Hiking, rock climbers, and outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the author’s attention to detail with these outdoor activities.

Murder on Sunrise Lake delivered, and I am glad I went back and started this series from the beginning.

Amazon | Audible* | Libro.fm

*included in Audible Plus

About Christine Feehan

Christine Feehan is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, with 83 published works in seven different series: Dark Series, GhostWalker Series, Leopard Series, Drake Sisters Series, Sea Haven Series, Shadow Series, and Torpedo Ink Series. All seven of her series have hit the #1 spot on the New York Times bestseller list. Judgment Road, the first book in her newest series, Torpedo Ink, debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list.

Instagram

Source

If you are a fan of titles such as A Man Called Ove, you will want to grab Kathleen Fox’s debut novel Evie Walters Takes the Wheel narrated by Janet Metzger. This story features a seventy-year-old woman’s journey after her husband’s death. I laughed, cried, and soaked up every moment of this heartwarming tale.

In this warmhearted and witty debut, a mysterious gift spurs a widow to take a cross-country journey to find its sender—and along the way, she rediscovers herself.

Evie Walters has lived most of her seventy-one years according to others’ expectations. But on the day of her husband’s funeral, she receives an anonymous an egret orchid. The same flower a Montana ranch hand once gave her decades ago—Novel Daniels, the boy who thought she could do anything.

So now, she does.

Defying her children’s plans to move her into a retirement home, Evie buys a camper van and leaves life in North Carolina abruptly behind. Accompanied by her devoted rescue dog, she heads west to find her cowboy, befriending an unlikely cast of characters along the way. Free-spirited young vanlifers, roadside waitresses, eccentric billionaires, and kindhearted widowers all show Evie a side of life worth living.

But Evie’s drive toward the future takes her back to the past, to memories of the family ranch and childhood dreams. Now, with a second chance as open as the road before her, there’s no telling who Evie Walters will become.

We meet Evie Walters shortly after her husband passed away from a terminal illness. On the day of his funeral, she received an anonymous Egret Orchid. The same flower a Montana ranch hand once gave her decades ago—Novel Daniels, the boy who thought she could do anything.

She is mourning, and her oldest daughter has been pressuring her to purchase a unit in an adult living facility. Her son seems to agree, and her youngest tells her to follow her heart. As Evie reflects on life, she is reminded of her first love and a promise. She pulls out postcards from all over the country, and when she sees a camper on an outing with her granddaughter, she buys it and follows her heart.

The tale that unfolds is Evie’s roundabout journey back to Montana and a promise. I absolutely loved this tale that took us to Tennessee, New Mexico, and more. Along the way we face danger, make friends, and Evie discovers herself.

I can hardly believe this is a debut novel. Evie Walters was genuine, and as a sixty-year-old, I identified with her on many levels. I’ve been married for almost forty years, and while I know more than Evie (especially about finances), I know her life is very similar to others. Evie was brave, adventurous, and determined to learn. While I am quite certain I will not be traveling in a camper van nor living in a retirement home, I loved traveling with Evie via my couch.

Evie Walters Takes the Wheel is perfect for everyone on your holiday reading list. I laughed, cried, and lost myself within the story and the journey to Montana. The ending left me swiping a tear and grinning like a fool.

Janet Metzger narrates and beautifully captures not only Evie but her children and the strangers turned friends she met along the way. I highly recommend listening. As for author Kathleen Fox, I cannot wait to see what she writes next.

Amazon | Audible

About Kathleen Fox

Kathleen Fox is a wanderer, happiest when her van is packed, her dogs are snoring in the passenger seat, and the road ahead promises at least three good stories and one questionable decision. An explorer of backroads, small towns, and the wonderfully weird corners of the world, Kathleen’s fictional work is grounded in underrepresented rural voices and unexpected moments that only “van life” brings. After years of writing educational material, Kathleen decided to take a journey of a different kind—into women’s fiction. Her debut novel, EVIE WALTERS TAKES THE WHEEL (Lake Union) hits the road October 2026! When she’s not chasing horizons, Kathleen calls the coast of South Carolina home.

Instagram

About Janet Metzger

Janet Metzger has nearly 200 audiobooks to her name. She is a professionally trained actress and winner of 5 Earphone Awards. With decades of experience on stage, film, and TV, she has worked with Denzel Washington, Harrison Ford, and Kevin Hart, among others. A nonfiction and political junkie, she was the voice of CNN and Headline News for over 5 years and the narrator of a blue ribbon-winning documentary at the New York Film festival.

Instagram

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2026 Audiobook Challenge

Source

‘Tis the season for horror and I dove right into Kelley Armstrong’s newest offering, Dive Bar at the End of the Road. Narrated by Helen Laser, Sean Patrick Hopkins, and Shane Ghostkeeper this supernatural horror has crash victims trapped at a dive bar on a deserted road surrounded by woods.

Final Destination meets The Cabin at the End of the World in this supernatural horror from New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong, in which a series of car accidents traps a group of strangers at a dive bar.

A forested road at night, slick from the pounding rain and eerily illuminated by flashes of lightning. Just before midnight, a car swerves to avoid something—or someone—mysteriously standing in the road, only to slam into a fallen tree instead. In the pitch black, four more cars follow in a pileup no one can seem to avoid.

Stumbling out of the wreckage, soaked from the rain and nursing various injuries, five strangers find themselves in a backwoods dive bar, waiting for daybreak and hoping for cell service. But as tensions rise and the storm rages on outside, the occupants of the dive bar start to notice that not everything is as it seems. Time is moving differently, and they quickly learn that going outside—whether to assist another accident victim or to hike for help—is a very bad idea.

There’s something in the woods, something that isn't natural. Could the figure in the road have been a warning? Or something more sinister? None of this is normal, and they'll need to work together to figure out what’s happening if they have any hope of surviving the night.

Dive Bar at the End of the Road delivered an atmospheric creepiness that had strangers working together to survive. First, we have Ellie, who is headed home to her parents. It’s raining, there is a detour, and she sees a woman standing in the middle of the road and ends up crashing. Next comes Henry, an EMT traveling who hits Ellie’s car. These two are the main characters who find the bar and work closely together. Secondary characters are a couple, Noemi and Caleb, and then there is Raymond, an SOB who blames everyone else for everything.

The tale that unfolds from the bartender to the strange woman at the end of the bar to whatever the hell is in the woods all seems to reflect each person’s fears. Can they work together to free themselves? Because no one is walking or driving out.

If horror is not your thing, but you enjoy spooky supernatural stories, this tale will work well for you. Think Supernatural, the television show spooky.

While I read along to this one, the narration really enhanced my enjoyment of the story. Helen Laser as Ellie and Shane Ghostkeeper as Henry captured the characters, the fear, and helped suspend belief as events unfolded. Sean Patrick Hopkins perfectly portrayed Raymond’s attitude.

While not my favorite Armstrong book, it was a good campy horror that kind of reminded me of a Supernatural episode but didn’t quite match the horror of The Cabin at the End of the World. I highly recommend listening to this one, as it elevated the supernatural atmosphere.

Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm

About Kelley Armstrong

Kelley Armstrong has been telling stories since before she could write. Her earliest written efforts were disastrous. If asked for a story about girls and dolls, hers would invariably feature undead girls and evil dolls, much to her teachers' dismay. All efforts to make her produce "normal" stories failed. Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.

Website | Facebook

About Helen Laser

Helen Laser is Member of SAG-AFTRA and Actors' Equity. She is an Audiofile Magazine Earphones Award-winning narrator and Audie Award Finalist. Helen is a theatre actor in Off-Broadway and regional shows around the country. She has been featured on TV Shows on CBS and HBO. She has a B.A. in English and Theatre from Muhlenberg College.

Instagram

About Shane Ghostkeeper

Shane Ghostkeeper is known for his roles in Suzy Makes Cupcakes (2023), Parallel Minds (2020) and Come True (2020). He has narrated titles such as The Buffalo Hunter, The Devil is a Southpaw and Dive Bar at the End of the Road.

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2026 Audiobook Challenge

Source

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @CaffeinatedReviewer. It’s a chance to share news — a post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join weekly, biweekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme

I turned sixty this week without much fanfare. My husband arranged dinner out with the children and grandchildren. We had a lovely time and there was cake. We have had rain every day but one for the last 20 days and honestly we are all over it. On Wednesday we saw massive flooding throughout the town when we had over 8 inches. Cars were trapped, basements flooded and some schools/shops were closed. Thankfully we are at the top of a hill and didn’t have any damaged. Our daughter made it through flooded roads but ended up with a flat tire. Thankfully she was fine. Mosquitos are out in full force and everyone has been bitten just walking to their cars. For the month of September I read/listened to 17 books. My stats are as follows; Goodreads Challenge 166/150, Audiobook Challenge 103/150 Library Challenge 14/12. Stay caffeinated & spread kindness.

Last Week on the Blog

• Worry Box by Chris Panatier (audiobook review)
• The Vanished Sister by Sherry Thomas (audiobook review)
• (Mostly) Human Resources by Grace Viall (guest post/book review)
• 14th Annual Ho-Ho-Ho Readathon – Sign Up (event)

This Week on the Blog

• Dive Bar at the End of the Road by Kelley Armstrong (audiobook/book review)
• Evie Walters Takes the Wheel by Kathleen Fox (audiobook review)
• Murder at Sunrise Lake by Christine Feehan (book review)
• Godswar by Chris Tullbane (audiobook review)

New Arrivals at the Caffeinated Cafe

• Potions & Prejudice by Tee Harlowe
• The Christmas Yes List by Melissa Ferguson
• The Undercover Bookshop by Katherine Reay
• Other Worlds Than These by Stephen King & Peter Straub
• Tales from the Territory by Travis Baldree
• The Best Christmas Ever by Sarah Morgan

A special thank you to Berkley Romance, Libro.fm, and Macmillan Audio & MIRA books

Around The Blogosphere

• 14th Annual 2026 Ho-Ho-Ho RAT (November 17th-December 25th) Sign up and join the fun. Challenge hosts needed.
• Make the switch to Libro.fm and support independent bookstores. You’ll get two audiobooks when you sign up.
• Join Prime and enjoy special sales, free books and movies. Try it for Free.

Link Up Your Edition Of The Sunday Post

Before you link up, please be sure your weekly post includes a link back to Caffeinated Reviewer and the Sunday Post.

Source

It’s time to sign up for the 14th Annual Ho-Ho-Ho Readathon hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer. This year’s event will take place on Wednesday, November 25th through Wednesday, December 17th, 2026. During the event, participants will read or listen to as many holiday or winter reads as they can while taking part in challenges. Prizes, hot cocoa, bookish friends and more!

13th Annual Ho-Ho-Ho Readathon

This year’s annual Ho-Ho-Ho Readathon will begin at 12:01 am on Wednesday, November 25th and will end Wednesday, December 17th at 11:59 pm in your time zone. Giving us twenty-two days to read or listen to as many holiday and winter reads as our hearts desire all while participating in fun games.

Get your holiday & winter setting books and be prepared to have fun! Audiobooks, library books, ebooks, old books or new books — we don’t care. Don’t forget the hot chocolate!

Host A Challenge

BE AN ELF: We need Challenge hosts. Please email me, if you’d like to host a challenge for the event. You will need to provide a small international prize. Create a festive puzzle, exchange recipes, create a spine poem, make a bingo board, a scavenger hunt, holiday movie trivia, Instagram Challenge or come up with your own clever idea.

Link up and join the fun!

*Linky will close on December 7, 2025, at 8pm.

Grab the Button and Share!

<div align="center"><a href="https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2026/09/14th-annual-ho-ho-ho-readathon-signup.html" rel="nofollow" title="HoHoHo Readathon Signup" target="_blank"><img src="https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/326/2026/09/2026-HoHoHoRAT-300X300.jpg" alt="2025 HoHoHo Readathon" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Don’t Miss Out

Get an email reminder one week before the event starts!

Do you have a book or audio you’ve been saving for the readathon?

Source

Sophia Rose is here with a review of (Mostly) Human Resources by Grace Viall. Come see what she thinks of this first in series, dark urban fantasy that dabbles in horror.

Amongst mountains as old as time, the jackalopes and ghouls are the least of your worries.

Working in Human Resources was not what Alexys had in mind when she joined Entity, the company who categorise and manage the monsters and cryptids of the world. But after her dad was killed as a Warden in the Appalachian Mountains, she was filled with noble ideas of carrying on his legacy... from behind the safety of a desk.

But when one of her new Wardens, Elliot, goes missing, her chances of promotion go missing too. Determined to find him safe and sound, she marches off into the mountains to find him herself.

Because Elliot had been talking about sightings of a highly dangerous and never-recorded monster, The Hollow Walker, and she's promised herself that no Warden will ever die on her watch.

Meanwhile Nic, Director of Research and Cataloguing, is not one to ignore the words 'never-recorded'. With Alexys, his work nemesis, leading the charge into the mountains, he's not going to let her have all the fun. If he can be the youngest Entity employee to discover a new monster, his name will go down in the annals of cryptozoology... and if it means spending some extra time with Alexys then he's not one to argue.

But Alexys and Nic are about to discover why the Appalachian Mountains are the last place you want to find yourself after dark.

Sophia Rose’s Review

When one of her Wardens goes missing, a paper-pushing human resources worker hits the trail into the dark Appalachians where cryptids and legends are reality.  Grace Viall’s nature meets gothic urban fantasy opener had my attention from the moment I spotted title, cover, and blurb.

In a world where the monsters are real, of course there is a business that tracks and hunts monsters.  Alexys works for them in charge of scheduling trained Wardens to follow up on sitings, tag and analyze new finds, and take care of monsters gone bad.  Her father was a Warden and died.  Alexys wants to continue his legacy, but from the safety of her desk.  She warned Elliott away from this assignment, but he went after the ‘Hollow Man’ anyway.  She’s determined to find him and leaves her files and computer behind to take to the trail.  Annoyingly, Nic, a workplace rival is determined to tag along to find Elliott.  Turns out Nic was the one who egged the young guy on.

Out on the trail, things are dark and there are more than whiskey-sipping jackalopes populating the woods.  Alexys is untrained and far from prepared, but she’s determined.  Slowly, she and Nic get past their irascible and illogical workplace rivalry and raillery turns to banter as they learn to work together because the monsters are playing for keeps.  The secrets of the Appalachia are not ready to come to light.

I was half-way through when I started to get an inkling that Mostly Human Resources was setting things up for a long haul and the plot was building toward something longer than a standalone read.  Turns out, upon investigation, this is the first in a trilogy.  There is no cliffhanger, but it does change a reader’s mindset to know how the story arc is going to flow.

There is some level of resolution, but Alexys and Nic (if I’m right that they are a romance pair) still have a ways to go on that count.

Another surprise came when, wow, this slid right past gritty urban fantasy and bumped into horror with some grisly monster antics.  There is a balance though because the light bantering of the lead pair swings things back the other direction.  But, yeah, fair warning for us squeamish types.

I confess that Alexys is a character I’m on the fence about.  She pulled some impulsive stupids including the big choice to dash out into those woods armed with nothing, but determination and lacking any skills.  She has some contrary motives, too.  I raised an eyebrow that one of her motivations to finding Elliott was losing a promotion and tarnishing her dad’s legacy?  Yeah, not very heroic even if its natural.  And, the rivalry with Nic was thinly-veiled envy because he got the job she wanted.  I’ll give it some patience as there are more books and she was growing plenty in this one.

The jewel in it all were the descriptions of the Appalachian region, the lore, and that ability to instill a spooky, mystical atmosphere that makes one believes there are indeed amazing beings out there in the woods.  I was intrigued by the Entity company, Wardens, and researchers into all things cryptid and legend.

The story is building to something and hints including certain other characters give one a tingly sense of anticipation for what comes next.

So, really dark urban fantasy and maybe even horror.  You determine if that attracts you or sends you to your blanket fort.

Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm

About Grace Viall

Having been raised on the edge of the Appalachian Mountains by a pair of bookworms, Grace Viall can usually be found in a randomly selected state park or forest gathering inspiration for her monster-filled fantasy projects. Grace is currently living in Maryland (US) with her husband and two dogs and is an avid reader and book hoarder. She grew up with a grandfather who loved to spin stories around campfires, and that love of storytelling has stayed with her as she pursues her career as an author. Grace’s hope is to give a new life to old stories but with her own special twist.

Instagram

About Sophia Rose

Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.

Goodreads

Source

The Vanished Sister by Sherry Thomas is the ninth audiobook narrated by Kate Reading in the Lady Sherlock historical mystery series. Sherlock puzzles out a missing persons case when Mrs. Watson’s long-estranged sister goes missing. Another addictive tale in this beloved series.

Charlotte Holmes—aka Sherlock Holmes—becomes entangled in a puzzling missing person case that hits close to home for her beloved Mrs. Watson in this Victorian-set mystery from the USA Today bestselling author of A Ruse of Shadows.

It’s been three years since Charlotte Holmes struck a decisive blow against Moriarty's operations in Britain, three years of relative calm and benign developments. In a buoyant mood, everyone gathers at Lord Ingram's seaside cottage in North Devon for what promises to be a perfect summer holiday. Until Mrs. Watson receives an invitation from Mrs. Carstairs, her long-estranged sister, to attend a house party nearby.

Mrs. Carstairs has married spectacularly well. She is the mistress of a great manor, a doyen of all domestic arts, and still an unforgettable beauty. Now she clamors for a reconciliation with her sister. Mrs. Watson does not trust Mrs. Carstairs's motives. Yet she cannot help but feel tremors of the old admiration for this once-beloved sister.

Then Mrs. Carstairs disappears without a trace. The next day a woman is discovered floating on the waves, her build and coloring matching those of Mrs. Carstairs. But her husband insists that the corpse fished out of the Bristol Channel cannot be his wife. So where is the real Mrs. Carstairs? Would she have purposely dragged Mrs. Watson into a murder investigation? Or was it Sherlock Holmes's involvement that she needed from the very beginning?

While each audiobook contains a mystery, I recommend starting the Lady Sherlock series from the beginning. Particularly if character relationships and spoilers are important to you. In The Vanished Sister, we get to know more about Mrs. Watson, her family, and niece.

Three years have passed since events of the previous book, and Charlotte is at Lord Ingram’s seaside cottage in North Devon along with Mrs. Watson and her niece, enjoying a summer holiday. While on a boat, Mrs. Watson is taken aback when she notices her estranged sister, Justina, on the shoreline. Later that day she arrived at Ash’s summer home and invited Mrs. Watson and her niece to attend a dinner at her summer home.

We learn the backstory surrounding the sister’s relationships and the daughter Mrs. Watson has been forced to not claim. Hoping to mend fences, they attend along with Ash and Charlotte. Mrs. Watson does not trust Mrs. Carstairs’s motives, but at one time she adored her sister. That changes when Justina disappears without a trace. All hope seemed lost when a body washed up on the shore, but Mr. Carstairs is certain the body is not that of his wife.

Naturally, Charlotte investigates, and the tale hooked me and never let go. Thomas is a masterful storyteller and her mysteries superb and unique. Mix in the slow-burning romance between Ash and Charlotte and the tight-knit group, and you cannot help but be drawn in.

An absolutely addictive tale; I cannot recommend The Vanished Sister enough. Kate Reading narrates the series and gives voice to each of these characters. She captures the tone of the tale and the characteristics of each character perfectly. I cannot imagine not listening to this series. It has become one I look forward to each year.

Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm

About Sherry Thomas

Sherry Thomas is one of the most acclaimed historical romance authors writing today, winning the RITA Award two years running, and appearing on innumerable "Best of the Year" lists, including those of Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal, Dear Author, and All About Romance. She lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband and sons.

Website | Facebook

About Kate Reading

Kate Reading is an Audie Award–winning narrator who has recorded hundreds of titles in many genres. She has received numerous Earphones Awards from AudioFile magazine, in addition to being named Narrator of the Year and Best Voice in Science Fiction and Fantasy. She has been recognized as Reader of the Year by Publishers Weekly and has appeared on Booklist's 2019 Top of the List for the American Library Association. She and her husband, narrator Michael Kramer, record at their home studio in Maryland, Madison Productions.

Website

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2026 Audiobook Challenge

Source

Tis the spooky season and if you are looking for an atmospheric tale with a house at its center, you’ll want to grab Worry Box by Chris Panatier narrated by Chris Sorensen.

An unsettling horror story with a mysterious twist from a celebrated voice in horror. Perfect for fans of Paul Tremblay's A Head Full of Ghosts .

The Martins need a new home for their growing family. For Alison, Nathan, daughter Dru, and foster child Lailah, it's love at first sight when they see the house in Tumbling Hills. It even has a cozy attic, which is great for Lailah; she needs a quiet place to be alone when her intrusive thoughts creep in.

(crack an egg into the coffee machine)

The family gets settled. The house is perfect, and so is the timing—Lailah's adoption will soon be finalized.

(push your sister down the stairs)

But as the date approaches, her intrusive thoughts get worse, and Lailah fears she's losing control.

(burn them alive in their beds)

In this standalone horror, the Martins are looking for a new home for their growing family. Alison, Nathan, daughter Dru, and foster child Lailah all fall in love with Tumbling Hills. The home seems to welcome them. I was immediately pulled in as the house (yes, the house!) shared its dark past and excitement about the new family)

The family is interesting. They are in the middle of adopting Lailah, their foster daughter who suffers from intrusive thoughts. Dark, deadly thoughts. They are doing all the right things. She has a social worker, a therapist, and writes all of her thoughts to control them. The house seems perfect for them; Lailah even has a quiet spot in the attic underneath a round window.

The tension and suspense were slow-building as unexplained events happened, which caused division between them. I questioned whether the suspicions were correct or whether the house was responsible. Points of view from the house were fascinating and made me think about all an old house has observed. You know the adage, “If walls could talk.”

We get multiple points of view, allowing us to understand each character and see the love they had for each other. I felt bad for Alison, who was sleep-deprived and torn in her role as protector. The tension built, and the last few chapters kept me on edge.

Chris Sorensen narrates and captures the tone and increasing suspense. His voices, both the male and female characters from the spunky nine-year-old to the house itself, enhanced my overall enjoyment.

If you are looking for a spooky tale that leans more into suspense, you’ll want to grab the Worry Box on audio.

Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm

About Chris Panatier

Chris Panatier lives in Dallas, Texas, with his wife, daughter, and a fluctuating herd of animals resembling dogs (one is almost certainly a goat). He writes short stories and novels, “plays” the drums, and draws album covers for metal bands.

Instagram

About Chris Sorensen

Chris Sorensen is the bestselling author of The Nightmare Room, The Hungry Ones, The Messy Man, Suckerville, and Bee Tornado. He’s penned over fifteen plays for Thin Air Theatre Company and the Butte Theater of Colorado, including A Haunting at the Old Homestead, The Vampire of Cripple Creek, and Dr. Jekyll’s Medicine Show. He lives with his wife and pups in Colorado, where he splits his time between writing spooky stories and narrating audiobooks. Chris has narrated 300 titles for Audible, Tantor Audio, Hachette, Podium, Bee Audio, Recorded Books, and many others. He studied under William Esper at the Rutgers Professional Actor Training Program and has taught/directed at Cornell University, the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, the Atlantic Theatre Company School, Interlochen Center for the Arts. Additional credits: original company member of The Present Company Theatre (Edinburgh Fringe First Award) and member of SAG-AFTRA and the Horror Writers Association.

Instagram

Source