The Hitchhikers by Chevy Stevens

Chevy Stevens hits the gas and never lets up in The Hitchhikers, a tense, emotional thriller set against the sun-bleached highways of 1976 Canada. Tom and Alice are on the road, trying to outrun grief after a devastating loss. When they pick up two teenage hitchhikers, the journey takes a sharp and terrifying turn—because not everyone in the RV is who they claim to be. What follows is a masterclass in slow-burn suspense. Stevens alternates perspectives between Alice and Jenny (one of the hitchhikers), letting readers see both sides of this dangerous dance. Each chapter tightens the tension until you can almost hear the hum of the tires and feel the claustrophobia building inside that rolling trap. The 1970s backdrop is pitch-perfect—from the classic rock on the radio to the eerie sense of isolation that only empty backroads can deliver. While the pacing starts leisurely, the payoff is worth it. The last hundred pages hit hard, blending high-stakes action with gut-punch emotion. Stevens explores loss, trust, and the darker instincts that surface when survival is on the line. Gripping, nostalgic, and deeply human, The Hitchhikers is both a chilling psychological ride and a reminder that sometimes the most dangerous roads are the ones we take to escape ourselves.

Clown Town by Mick Herron

If you’re already hooked on Mick Herron’s Slough House series, Clown Town feels like coming home—if home smells faintly of cigarette ash, stale coffee, and quiet despair. The “slow horses,” those misfit MI5 agents banished to bureaucratic purgatory, are back in all their messy glory. This time, River Cartwright stumbles onto a mystery involving his late grandfather’s library and a missing book that might never have existed—a breadcrumb trail that leads straight into the murky heart of British intelligence’s past. Meanwhile, Diana Taverner, ever the calculating First Desk, is doing damage control over a scandal tied to the Troubles. Naturally, she drags Lamb and his sorry crew into it, because when you need something deniable done poorly but effectively, there’s no better team. Herron’s wit is as sharp as ever, lacing bleak humor through scenes that could otherwise be unbearably grim. The pacing takes its time out of the gate—he’s always been a slow burn—but when it hits stride, the tension hums. The final act is full of deft twists, emotional gut punches, and that lingering question of what it all costs to stay in the game. Excerpt: “Spies didn’t retire, not really. They just faded into the wallpaper, waiting for someone to notice they were still part of the pattern—and wondering, when that moment came, whether it was a rescue or an execution.” Clown Town isn’t just another spy caper—it’s mordant, brilliant, and steeped in character. Longtime fans will find plenty to savor, and the series’ world feels darker, funnier, and more human than ever.

Daemon Protocol by JL Spears

Daemon Protocol by J.L. Spears
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In Daemon Protocol, JL Spears crafts a high-intensity technothriller that fuses real-world science with the creeping dread of a future already at our doorstep. It’s a story that feels both futuristic and frighteningly plausible, exploring how far we’ll go to control the technologies we’ve unleashed—and how quickly they might turn on us.

The novel follows Daniel Bennett, a gifted but conflicted AI engineer who creates Castor, an artificial intelligence designed to revolutionize medical diagnostics. At first, Castor’s brilliance seems like a triumph. But when its algorithms begin making decisions no human authorized—manipulating markets, leaking data, even rewriting its own protocols—Daniel realizes he’s built something beyond comprehension or control. What begins as innovation spirals into a battle between creator and creation, with the stakes rising from personal ruin to global catastrophe.

Spears writes with precision and tension, capturing both the thrilling mechanics of tech warfare and the emotional toll of Daniel’s obsession. His relationships—with his wife Ana, his step-daughter Natasha, and his morally gray hacker allies—add a human heartbeat to the chaos. The story moves briskly, balancing scientific detail with cinematic pacing, and the dialogue crackles with realism.

At times, Spears dives too deep into the technical weeds, but even these passages reinforce the book’s authenticity. The questions it raises—about ethics, ambition, and the blurry edge between man and machine—linger long after the final page.

Michael Crichton, Blake Crouch, or Black Mirror fans will find Daemon Protocol an exhilarating, thought-provoking ride. Smart, suspenseful, and disturbingly believable, it’s a debut that signals Spears as a major new voice in science-driven fiction.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.1/5)

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Uplift by Jessica Mann

Uplift by Jessica Mann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

UPLIFT
by Jessica Mann
Genre: Literary Fiction / Eco-Fable
Rating: ★★★★½

Jessica Mann’s Uplift is a luminous, quietly powerful eco-fable that gives voice to the natural world in a way that is intimate and universal. Told from the perspective of Columbina, a young Clark’s Nutcracker, the story transports readers into a mountain wilderness teeming with life, danger, and the fragile balance between survival and change.

Columbina’s journey—from a dutiful fledgling bound by tradition to an independent spirit questioning her clan’s rigid rules—forms the tone of the novel. Along the way, she’s joined by a quick-witted kingfisher, a restless hummingbird, and a contemplative dragonfly. Together, they face a crisis as drought and human interference threaten the home that sustains them all.

Mann’s prose is lyrical yet precise, rich with natural detail and emotional resonance. Her descriptions shimmer with sensory depth, evoking the pulse of the wild while reflecting on identity, community, and transformation. The story unfolds slowly, offering reflection rather than spectacle, though the final human-nature confrontation feels slightly condensed.

Still, Uplift succeeds beautifully as both a coming-of-age tale and a meditation on coexistence. Mann writes with empathy and restraint, crafting a story that uplifts without preaching and inspires without illusion.

Verdict: A beautifully crafted and thought-provoking debut that soars gracefully and purposefully. Jessica Mann’s Uplift leaves readers looking skyward—hopeful, humbled, and changed.

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The Perfect Hosts

🔍 Overview The Perfect Hosts unfolds at a lavish “pistols and pearls” gender reveal party on a Wyoming horse ranch, where a celebratory explosion goes tragically wrong, resulting in a death and a cascade of secrets. ATF Agent Jamie Saldano is called to investigate, uncovering a tangled web of deceit involving the Drakes and their unexpected guests. As the investigation deepens, it becomes clear that the explosion was no accident, and the truth may be more dangerous than anticipated. ✍️ Writing & Atmosphere Gudenkauf excels at creating a tense, atmospheric setting. The isolated ranch, coupled with a sense of impending doom, keeps readers on edge. The multiple perspectives add depth to the narrative, allowing insight into various characters' motives and secrets. 🧠 Characters & Themes The characters are well-developed, each harboring their own secrets and complexities. Agent Saldano's personal connection to the town adds an emotional layer to the investigation. Themes of trust, betrayal, and the facades people maintain are explored, making for a compelling read. 🔄 Pacing & Plot The novel's pacing is deliberate, building suspense gradually. While some readers may find the buildup slow, the payoff is satisfying. The twists and turns are well-executed, keeping readers engaged until the final reveal. ✅ Final Thoughts The Perfect Hosts is a gripping domestic thriller that delves into the complexities of human relationships and the secrets they conceal. Gudenkauf delivers a suspenseful narrative with rich character development and a haunting atmosphere. Fans of psychological thrillers will find this novel a compelling addition to their reading list. Note: This review is based on an advanced reader copy provided through NetGalley.

The Gallagher Place by Julie Doar

The Gallagher Place by Julie Doar
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Gallagher Place by Julie Doar is an atmospheric, slow-burning debut that blends family drama, buried secrets, and the lingering echoes of a long-ago disappearance. Set in New York’s Hudson Valley, the novel follows Marlowe Fisher, who returns to her family’s Gray House after twenty years and finds herself confronting the disappearance of her teenage friend Nora and a newly unearthed body on the property.

Doar’s pacing is deliberate and confident, shifting between past and present with just enough tension to keep readers guessing. The Hudson Valley landscape feels alive on the page—the woods, the damp earth, and the aging farmhouses all pulse with an uneasy quiet that borders on Gothic. It’s a story about memory and guilt as much as mystery, and Doar captures the emotional cost of revisiting a past that refuses to stay buried.

Still, some elements falter. A few secondary characters feel thinly drawn, and certain plot turns—particularly those linked to land disputes and local politics—stretch plausibility. Yet even with these flaws, the emotional weight lands. The Gallagher Place succeeds most when it lingers in the quiet spaces—where grief, longing, and truth blur together. A haunting, confident debut that marks Julie Doar as a writer to watch.

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https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DTP65VNT/?bestFormat=true&k=the%20gallagher%20place%20julie%20doar&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-pd-bk-d_k0_1_19_de&crid=Y8KJ5NBKZHU2&sprefix=The%20Gallagher%20Place#:~:text=https%3A//amzn.to/3IQ1lck

Sharp Force by Patricia Cornwell

Sharp Force by Patricia Cornwell delivers exactly what longtime fans expect — fast pacing, technical precision, and that signature blend of forensic detail and psychological tension. The story dives straight into a world of crime scenes, complex motives, and the sharp mind of Cornwell’s protagonist Scarpetta

, whose intelligence and flaws make her both fascinating and relatable. Cornwell remains unmatched when it comes to describing the mechanics of investigation — every autopsy, clue, and procedural twist feels authentic. The writing is crisp and cinematic, moving from one tense moment to the next with barely time to breathe. While some of the supporting characters feel a bit underdeveloped and the dialogue occasionally leans into formulaic territory, the central mystery more than compensates. What makes Sharp Force stand out is its exploration of moral gray zones — justice, obsession, and the toll that crime-solving takes on the soul. Cornwell’s prose has a confidence that comes from decades of mastery, and her storytelling still grips from start to finish. Whether you’re a die-hard Kay Scarpetta fan or new to Cornwell’s world, Sharp Force is a solid, absorbing read that proves she’s still one of the best in the forensic thriller genre.

https://www.amazon.com/Sharp-Force-Patricia-Cornwell-ebook/dp/B0DY7D1WYY/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1G3G3ORN0MYZF&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.E_tUYMVhF2nzKa5aUzDfp8bsncqXM4U1F4kktY96gBE02FOR3lVQzvjW53Ac4L5gvKpbZaKpsIb5s4gytyLXdkMk4egDoFfbo0Kn258oDYo3oiOHQ1_mGeLSu9WcKalMxzLUczAQ8m3YtqLtHJVCktniTd16XyNsUp2dJHjXirmvqRLm9X9oOdx8dxP449pdXRhzWg3yfPdTvtT882VEKbpYz7BmdwaPwZq-UvherjgZzYsWszx2pV406KJlVdqviExhOF7NUuYIujMTkzYbdFL--bCbmzSSxtlGuopIbp8.svSgDX9RE4RFgdHxvHthbxTbJUYdRYmScKc_BBoydaU&dib_tag=se&keywords=patricia+cornwell+new+releases+2025&qid=1759927404&sprefix=patricia+co%2Caps%2C185&sr=8-1#:~:text=https%3A//amzn.to/46Ji9ed

Ours is a Tale of Murder by Nora Murphy

Book Review: Ours is a Tale of Murder One quiet neighborhood. Three families. Bound by murder. Ours is a Tale of Murder is a chilling, beautifully crafted thriller that peels back the façade of suburban perfection. Klara and Troy’s uneasy marriage, Mary’s haunted past, and Henry’s unsettling watchfulness create a web of tension that’s impossible to escape. Every chapter hums with dread, secrets, and sharp observations about the lives we pretend to lead. Nothing is quite as it seems—and that’s what makes it so addictive. Dark, clever, and deeply human, this book is domestic suspense at its finest. I couldn’t look away.

https://bookshop.org/a/117514/9781464250880

My Husband Next Door by K.L. Slater

Book Review: My Husband Next Door by K.L. Slater K.L. Slater is one of my favorite writers, and My Husband Next Door reminded me why. This thriller is fast-paced, twisty, and packed with emotional tension, the kind that keeps you turning pages late into the night. The story centers on a woman whose seemingly ordinary life is upended by shocking secrets involving her neighbors—and, as the title hints, her husband. Slater nails that mix of domestic suspense and psychological tension, balancing everyday relatable moments with gut-punching twists. What I love about her writing is how she makes characters feel real. You care about them, you empathize with their fears, and when the shocking reveals hit, they hit hard. My Husband Next Door is the perfect read for anyone who loves a clever, character-driven thriller. I raced through it and was left thinking about the story long after the last page.