In the very first chapter of “It’s Not Her,” Mary Kubica describes in detail a violent double murder. One of the main characters and narrators, Courtney, witnesses the brutal slaying of her best friend Emily and Emily’s husband, Courtney’s brother. The other main character is Courtney’s niece, Reese. Cleverly, while both narratives are in first person, Courtney narrates what is happening in the now, while Reese’s narrative explains the events of the preceding week.
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The latest Robert Dugoni novel is the third in the Keera Duggan series, and in “Her Cold Justice,” Keera Duggan faces another murder trial in which she must defend the accused. This time Michael, the accused, is a young man who also happens to be her private investigator, J.P. Harrison’s nephew. Michael insists he didn’t do it.
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All married couples have arguments. But what happens when shortly after that spat, your spouse disappears? That’s the beginning of acclaimed author Thrity Umrigar’s newest novel, “Missing Sam.” Aliya and Sam (short for Samantha) have been married for years and live a comfortable life in their Cleveland suburb. But after a party brings past irritations to the surface, they argue. And the next morning, Sam goes for a run and doesn’t come back.
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Nature versus nurture. Genes versus upbringing. What forces form a child into the adult he or she becomes? In “What Boys Learn,” author Andromeda Romano-Lax delves forces us to consider that dilemma as we meet Abby Rosso, a counselor whose childhood was really rough. Her only sibling is a brother who is a psychopath and ended up in prison. But Abby also has done things she’s ashamed of.
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Author Gilly Macmillan’s brilliant and unique murder/mystery novel, “The Burning Library,” takes us on a most unusual voyage, as first two, then three distinct forces search for an ancient manuscript titled “The Book of Wonder.” Whoever finds it first will have almost immediate access to millions of dollars because that manuscript offers the rare and potentially profitable opportunity to see how a few women centuries ago tried to overcome the alleged superiority of the male of the human species and prove that women were and are equal to or superior to men.
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You know that little voice in your head that sometimes feeds your insecurity? The voice that whispers maybe you aren’t good enough? In “The Naysayers,” authors Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke explore that concept by creating an alternate world in which people are paid to literally whisper negative thoughts into the heads of those who reside in the “Real World” and are in “danger” of being too happy and secure in their lives.
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In “Run for Your Life, Callie Kingman,” authors Alli Frank and Asha Youmans combine their considerable talents to bring us the eponymous main character, Callie Kingman. Callie is currently living in Sacramento, California, after giving up her career and her family to move across the country to follow her husband for his career.
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It’s been a heck of a year, and with family medical issues, I’ve been remiss in getting out reviews for the many wonderful picture books I’ve received from publishers. So just before the new year, here are some that I think are important for different reasons. Some are just really funny, some have wonderful messages, and others will make kids (and adults) think.
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During Bookreporter.com’s end of the year event, a fellow reviewer named “Don’t Let Him In” by Lisa Jewell as one of his top two picks for 2025 — high praise indeed. I decided that I wanted to make sure to include this one in my 2025 book reviews, and boy, am I glad that I did. This novel is a masterpiece of suspense, and using different points of view and different narrators to provide us with significant insight into the characters. Her choice to make Nick Radcliffe, the man at the center of the novel, tell his story in first person narrative is brilliant as his narrative, at first seemingly rational, becomes more and more unhinged as the novel progresses.
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“The Snow Lies Deep” and perhaps nowhere deeper than in a small village in rural Vermont at Christmas. Paula Munier takes us right into the heart of the small, picturesque town of Northshire as the town celebrates the holiday season in grand style. The village is hosting the “Solstice Soirée,” “twelve days of eating, drinking, and making merry, beginning on the winter solstice and continuing through Hanukkah and Kwanzaa and Christmas right on to New Year’s Day.”
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With her debut novel, “The Wondrous Life and Loves of Nella Carter,” author Brionni Nwosu presents a stunningly beautiful story about a woman who makes a deal with Death. The result is that the title character, Nella Carter, evades her own imminent death and becomes immortal. Her quest is to prove to Death that there are enough worthwhile humans, humans who are kind and good and loving, that Death should not end all human lives and start the human race anew.
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Gordon Korman’s many middle grade novels are like juvenile addictions — kids can’t get enough of them. In fact, of all the book reviews I’ve written over the past decades, it’s Korman’s reviews that get the most views. They are beloved and popular for good reason. “Snoop,” his latest novel for middle grade readers, is no exception. Korman’s ability to combine a “normal” kid with circumstances that make him (or her) do the right thing, overcome obstacles, and help others, is brilliant.
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