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Mystery at Monrovia Castle: The Rebecca Orange Castle Cozy Mystery Series by Valerie Brandy

Reviewed by Nancy Eaton

This first book in the Rebecca Orange Castle Cozy Mystery Series delivers a fun, comforting escape: a charming castle setting, quirky characters, a loyal dog, and a mystery that stays light without losing its intrigue.

Rebecca Orange has a rough day at the start of Mystery at Monrovia Castle—she loses her job and her relationship almost back‑to‑back. It’s a mess, but it pushes her into this unexpected chance to work with the royal animals in Monrovia, a tiny country that feels like something out of a storybook. It’s a fun setup, especially if you like cozy mysteries where someone gets a fresh start in a completely new place.  Purchase Here.

When Rebecca gets to Monrovia, she’s not impressed. The place feels a bit weird, and the people she meets are all quirky in their own ways. She can’t figure anyone out yet. The flower shop sounds nice, though. Even though the Duke is polite, he is definitely holding back something. Her dog Joe is honestly one of the best parts. Big, calm, and just kind of comforting whenever he shows up.

The mystery starts to matter once the castle’s architect turns up dead. Someone Rebecca barely knows but already feels okay around suddenly looks like they might be involved, which throws her off balance. Even with that going on, the book doesn’t get dark. She spends a lot of time wandering around the castle and the town, trying to figure out who’s being straight with her and who’s just acting strange because that’s how the place is.

The setting sticks with you more than anything. Monrovia is easy to picture — old stone buildings, little shops, people who seem to know everyone else’s business. The writing leans more toward comfort than tension, so the mystery feels like something you can read at night without getting wound up.

If you like mysteries that are easygoing and have a main character you can root for, Mystery at Monrovia Castle is a nice start to a series that seems like it’ll only get more fun.

 

Venera LTD.

Venera LTD. by Stuart Nosler

Reviewed by Lily Andrews

“Venera LTD.” by Stuart Nosler begins in 2025 in Australia, under the shadow of a global radiation crisis where Dr. Hendrick Campbell, a nuclear physicist, is pulled from university research to investigate a mysterious wreck of a sunken warship, a North Korean vessel, which was carrying radioactive material, and whose contamination is spreading quickly, collapsing fishing economies and seeding cancers in populations across the Pacific. What follows is a journey that sees him rise from an academic to a rich head of Venera Ltd, a space logistics company that begins as a student initiative to launch a satellite cheaply, before it transforms into a monopoly that dumps the world’s most dangerous waste on Venus. Alongside this ascent is his life’s slow unraveling, which slowly grows into a desperation that later threatens to consume everything that he has built.  Purchase Here.

“The amount of plutonium aboard was absurd.” Hahn continued.”  From this passage, as the reader, I understood the weight of the catastrophe, even as I was primed for a journey that would be unforgiving and test the resolve of a team of researchers tasked with containing an escalating global crisis. Campbell’s journey forms the backbone of the story. He is a protagonist whose importance, I believe, lies in his transformation and in how he reveals ambition, grief, and what happens when compromises accumulate. Watching him move from a man who gets terrified that he has poisoned his pregnant wife to someone willing to suppress uncomfortable truths felt like watching the slow death of conscience by a thousand justifications. Then there is Henry Rockford, who, unlike traditional villains, is a brilliant and charismatic figure. Seeing him discover Campbell’s capabilities and then exploiting his vulnerabilities reveals the quiet art of manipulation at play. He carries the image of a predator circling not with claws, but with a patient, unblinking assurance that everything is just business until the prey believes it too.

One of the most outstanding elements of this book is its structure, which spans several years of its characters’ phases. The story rides on a deliberate, measured pacing in the first part, which then noticeably accelerates in the second and third parts, before slowing down a bit in the fourth part. One feels like the chapters, which grow tenser with each new one, directly work one-on-one with the pacing, making the reader feel the unbearable weight of events way before they come to pass. A shorter novel feels like it couldn’t have sufficiently captured the protagonist’s transformation with the same conviction. Personally, I would have resisted the leap from professor to a compromised titan, had the novel not made me live inside the duration of that fall. “Venera LTD.” by Stuart Nosler is a book worthy of its length. It understands that life’s greatest horrors are rarely the ones that come explosively, but those that accumulate patiently, silently, and without blinking. It is a book I would recommend to fans of character-driven tragedies as well as those who enjoy slow-burning science fiction.

 

Unmasked

Unmasking Cults: The History of Cults and Leaders that went Too Far (History with a Side of Humor) by L.E. Danvers

Think cults always start with chanting and spooky robes? Think again.

Your teen is about to have their eyes opened to the beguiling ways of influencers.

Some cults began with yoga, self-help seminars, or civil rights activism. Others started with meditation, space aliens, or a leader who just really believed they were the smartest person in the room. What they all had in common wasn’t weirdness—it was influence.

Get ready to dig into real cults from history and learn how movements that promised peace, equality, enlightenment, or personal growth slowly turned into something much darker.

Middle schoolers and teens will learn the psychology behind how charismatic leaders gained control, how good ideas got twisted, and why smart, well-meaning people went along with it longer than they should have.

You’ll learn how manipulation works, how to spot red flags early, and how to protect your brain from people who want to borrow it permanently. If you’re ever in a group where the theme of the day is “Wow… that escalated quickly,” you’ll be the critical thinker who makes a beeline for the door.

Because curiosity is great.
Critical thinking is better.

Stretch your muscles. Question everything. And maybe don’t join that “life-changing” group just yet.

Link to Purchase

Visit the Author’s Website

 

Unpacking Narcissism's Guises

Unpacking Narcissism’s Guises: Set Boundaries and Free Yourself From Trauma Bonds (Healing After Narcissism Book 1) by Riley Ellis

How do you fall in love with a narcissist? The same way you boil a frog—slowly, and with just enough compliments.

If, like so many others before you, you sit hung up, wondering if it’s possible the problem isn’t you, that it might actually be the other person, this book is for you.

Whether you’re waking up to the red flags or already planning your great escape, this book will help you:

Understand how narcissists are made (it’s not just mommy issues)
Recognize the subtle manipulations that keep you doubting yourself
Break free without losing your mind—or your sense of humor
Get divorce ready (if that’s your plan)
Heal your soul
Protect your children from generational trauma

In this honest, insightful, and at times laugh-out-loud guide to navigating the rocky road of narcissistic relationships, Riley Ellis combines personal stories, sharp wit, and psychological insight to answer the question so many survivors ask: How did this happen to me?

From growing up with a narcissistic father to marrying one (because apparently, childhood trauma likes an encore), Riley pulls no punches while walking readers through the manipulation, emotional confusion, and trauma bonding that keep people stuck.

For anyone who’s loved a narcissist and lived to tell the tale, this book is your no-nonsense, slightly sweary support group in a book.

Link to Purchase

Visit the Author’s Website

Saying It Out Loud

Saying It Out Loud: A Young Widow’s Triumph Over Tragedy by Amy King with Jon Land

Reviewed by Russell Ilg

“SAYING IT OUT LOUD” SCREAMS TO BE READ

So many outstanding memoirs feature a backdrop in grief. “When Breath Becomes Air,” is the first that comes to mind, but I guess you could throw the likes of “Tuesdays with Morrie” into the mix as well.  Purchase Here.

SAYING IT OUT LOUD belongs in that conversation. The widow in question is Amy King, and her book covering a year in the life of losing her superman husband in an Army Reserve training accident, leaving her to raise their seventeen-month-old daughter alone, still short of her 30th birthday, is the embodiment of human resilience in general and a young woman’s triumph over tragedy (which happens to be the book’s subtitle) in particular.

“Ma’am, I’m following behind an ambulance that has your husband in the back.”

With a sledgehammer of an opening line like that, we know we’re about to board an emotional roller-coaster and had better belt ourselves in. Amy pulls no punches in taking us along for the ride, tracing her journey over the twelve months that followed getting a phone call that changed her life forever. But she’s not asking for our tears or our sympathy. Instead, she charts the new path of her life with remarkable frankness, saying out loud what we all need to hear about the aftermath of suffering an unspeakable tragedy.

You’ll never move on, but you have to move forward. I don’t get hung up with leaving all of Andy’s things exactly as he left them. Some people may, and that’s fine if it makes them feel better, but it wasn’t for me. Accepting the new life helps honor the one I lost.

Or . . .

It was so wild to me that Adalyn was having her first little picnic at her dad’s grave, not when she’s fifty, but when she’s two. It might well have been the first burial ever to feature lollipops, and that made me angry.

That’s tough stuff, the kind of life lessons ordinarily learned the hard way. In that respect, the book is a cautionary tale aimed straight for those of us who’ve never received the kind of fateful call Amy received, but know it could come anytime the phone rings. She’s not so much standing on her soapbox as sitting at her kitchen table, inviting us into her life with the knowledge that we, too, someday may have to find the strength and resilience to overcome the unthinkable.

SAYING IT OUT LOUD is a raw, revealing, and remarkable journey through the pain of loss and challenge of rebuilding. Amy King’s year-in-the-life memoir is a testament to one woman’s ability to rewrite the rules of her own story, told in bold and breathtaking fashion. An instant classic destined to take its place alongside other time-tested tales that celebrate the enduring power of the human spirit.

 

 

 

Mrs. Shim is a Killer

Mrs. Shim is a Killer: A Novel by Kang Jiyoung

Reviewed by Ephantus Gold

“Mrs. Shim Is a Killer” by Kang Jiyoung follows Shim Eunok, a widow and mother of two whose husband took his life five years ago following a series of complications with his health. She is now unemployed, hopeless, and ashamed, and dreads going home to the sight of a mailbox overflowing with unpaid bills. We meet her at one of her lowest moments, overwhelmed by despair, where we are reminded that the family had to sell their butchery to pay off the damages of a pub her husband drove into, in what police ruled as suicide.  Purchase Here.

As fate would have it, Eunok stumbles upon a Help Wanted notice from a private detective agency.  She’s all too aware of the worn clothes on her back and the fact that her schooling ended early, and the worry creeps in that they’ll judge her before she even gets a word out. As she pauses outside the building, an older guard gives her a salute that feels strangely knowing. It’s a small, unsettling moment that hints at something bigger already moving around her—something she hasn’t begun to piece together.

The interview shifts from odd to chilling as the interviewer focuses on her experience with knives. And much to her shock, he offers her a job on the spot, leaving her feet frozen to the floor in disbelief. You almost want to scream at her to resist the offer, but that is just before a gold bar is placed on the table, promising quick wealth that could secure her children’s future, if she does the new “job” well.

From there, the novel expands outward, shifting perspectives to reveal the agency’s inner workings and the many lives entangled within it. You are drawn into a layered story that moves between various voices, among them, The Boss, a relentless secret agent, a watchful daughter, and clients whose pain is so deep that revenge feels like their only remaining answer. These voices do not unfold in a straight line, and by taking that form; readers are offered the thrill of assembling the puzzle pieces themselves. Through it all, Eunok remains at the center, not as a cold professional but as a reluctant woman learning to survive inside a world that demands detachment. In that light, as a reader, you might feel forced to root for her even when questioning the morality of her choices, especially when consequential figures from her personal life begin brushing dangerously close to her new reality.

This book will surprise you with how well it balances humor and horror. It moves steadily, allowing tension to build through shifting viewpoints and quiet revelations, as well as unsettling realizations that raise the underlying personal stakes into something that can’t be solved with skill alone. If you enjoy stories that blur the line between dark and playful, or where characters are underestimated only to quietly reinvent themselves in ways that surprise even them, then “Mrs. Shim Is a Killer” by Kang Jiyoung should be your next read!

 

 

 

 

First Loser

First Loser by Scott Walker Cunningham

Reviewed by Matthew McCarty

Life is full of choices. The choices we make often lead us down the wrong path, or one full of potholes and sadness. Choices are what help us make sure we make the right decisions. “First Loser“, the recent book by Scott Walker Cunningham, outlines the choices that open up in life and how those choices can influence the journey of life. The characters in “First Loser” illustrate just how important making the right choices can be, but also just how often the right choices are overlooked.  Purchase Here.

Connor Castaway is an all-state wrestler. He works hard to be the best wrestler in the state, but struggles with his personal life and the loss of his dad. He also struggles with the damage that wrestling is causing to his body and how he has to turn to narcotics to manage the pain that he experiences throughout his life. Connor is emblematic of a tortured soul who often wonders why his life has turned out as it has. He feels like he is responsible for not helping his dad recover from the illness that claimed him in the prime of life.

Connor experiences many ups and downs and difficulties as he navigates trying to succeed in wrestling. He manages to gain a new perspective when he sees his best friend struggling with how to win a match and fight off his own demons that will eventually consume him and leave Connor wandering about what might have been. Connor prevails through a world of hurt, anxiety, stress, and confusion to become a strong provider who learns how to conquer his doubt and fear. The lessons that Connor learns help him to become a father to his own children and a dedicated husband to his wife Isla. These lessons underscore the humanity that comes with life’s struggles.

“First Loser” is a work that could be useful in guiding young lives in decision-making. The lessons presented deal with behavior, choices, and dealing with pain and doubt. These lessons not only affect the lives of star athletes but also those of all human beings. While not a book for a general reading audience, “First Loser” can be impactful on the lives of teens and their family members. It could definitely help with some difficult conversations and could be a light for any young person struggling with what choices to make and how those choices can impact everything that happens in their lives.

 

 

 

Ms. Mial and Murder at the Grand Island Hotel

Ms. Mia and Murder at the Grand Island Hotel by Jennifer Branch

Reviewed by Nancy Eaton

The cover of Ms. Mia and Murder at the Grand Island Hotel caught my eye – enough to make me want to read the book, and I’m really glad I did. It has that classic cozy‑mystery feel, but it never drags or gets too predictable. The whole story has this easy flow to it, like you’re just tagging along with someone who’s naturally good at noticing things the rest of us would miss.  Purchase Here.

Ms. Mia herself is a great character. She’s sharp, but not in an over‑the‑top “super detective” way. She feels like a real person who happens to be curious enough (and stubborn enough) to poke around where others wouldn’t. I liked her right away.

The hotel setting is perfect for a mystery — a little glamorous, a little eerie, and full of people who all seem to be hiding something. The author does a nice job giving each character just enough personality that you start forming your own theories about who did what.

As for the mystery, I thought I had it figured out twice, and both times I was wrong. The clues are there, but they’re subtle, and the ending actually makes sense once everything clicks into place. It’s satisfying without feeling forced.

Overall, Ms. Mia and Murder at the Grand Island Hotel is a fun, quick read with a good balance of humor, suspense, and character moments. If you like cozy mysteries with a smart but relatable lead, this one is definitely worth picking up.

 

Without A Face

Without a Face by Lonnie Busch

Reviewed by Lorena Padureanu

Without a Face is a very well-written sci-fi thriller, blending thought-provoking concepts with realistic details to create a fully engaging read from start to finish. This book is more than meets the eye. Unwrapping the truth, layer by layer, the reader is pulled into a rollercoaster of shifting perceptions, emotions and suspense, avidly searching for explanations alongside the protagonists.  Purchase Here.

Set in 1967, the plot follows Kurt and Alice, a married couple in their 50s, whose monotonous life is violently disrupted when a strange man kidnaps them in the dead of night. But this is not the only unsettling aspect of this brazen intrusion. Although putting up a fight at first, they soon succumb to the shock of realizing that this man is clearly not human. After eventually escaping to the middle of nowhere, they venture into the wild, searching for help and a way back home. Little do they know, the life they desperately hope to return to has been irrevocably altered.

As they search for any sign of humanity or civilization, they face unfamiliar landscapes, growing desperation, fear, hunger, mounting unanswered questions, unusual and violent encounters, and the imminent threat of an alien-like presence closing in.

The book’s topical themes and the characters’ authentic reactions make the plot feel all the more vivid and tangible. Along the way, Kurt and Alice are put to the test, their principles and beliefs challenged against the limits of their human nature.

Their incredible journey is primarily seen through Kurt’s eyes. Concerned for injured Alice, he’s focused on getting them both to safety. Bearing the full responsibility of her wellbeing, he anxiously examines, ponders, and questions every decision and move he makes in the midst of the bizarre and hazardous circumstances they come upon.

At the basis of the heart-pounding situations, a soft love story unfolds. The middle-aged couple grows increasingly aware of their affection for one another. They communicate without words, complementing each other – Alice, a free spirit with a gentle, cheerful, and composed nature, and Kurt, a natural leader, with a rigid, practical, and fiery temperament. This ordeal serves to test and strengthen their bond and friendship against all challenges.

Beyond the building suspense and mystery, the novel is also a subtle healing journey. From the start, the couple is shown to be mourning the premature death of their son. Their grief resurfaces even more now when faced with these extreme and agonizing circumstances. Yet, the new reality they face will ultimately redefine their values and outlook on life.

The writing style is well-balanced, with moments of calm, reflection, and introspection perfectly interwoven with scenes of action and tension, allowing the plot to be fully experienced and absorbed. This is a fully immersive novel that is as emotionally compelling as it is captivating and thrilling.

 

 

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Don’t Answer the Phone by Miranda Rijks

Reviewed by Nancy Eaton

Just finished this book and I’m still kind of thinking about it.

It starts fast. Like, I wasn’t even settled in yet, and it already had that weird, uneasy vibe going.

My phone rang while I was reading, and I literally froze for a second, which seemed ridiculous but whatever.  The whole thing revolves around a woman getting these strange calls, and you’re basically stuck with her trying to figure out if she’s imagining stuff or if something’s actually happening.  Purchase Here.

It’s not dramatic, just that slow “hmm… something’s off” feeling that creeps up on you.  I kept changing my mind about what I thought was going on…like every few pages. The story stays tight; no random side characters or weird detours.

It’s mostly her, and whatever’s happening, and you’re just kind of in it with her.  Every time I thought I had it, something tiny shifted, and I was like… okay, maybe not.

The ending was fine – not huge nor wild. Just… yeah, that makes sense.  I closed the book and sat there for a minute doing nothing.  If you like the everyday kind of creepy “this could actually happen” stuff, Don’t Answer the Phone hits that, and yes, I looked at my phone weirdly afterward.  Not proud of it!