2026 ARC Reviews

Spoiler-free early reviews of the most anticipated upcoming releases.

Cover for Copycat
⏳ Releases in
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Copycat

Laura Ann

Suspense, Mystery • Jul 1, 2026

Cressida, the notorious thirty-year-old "Girlfriend Killer," has made her peace with dying behind bars. But five years into her life sentence, desperate detectives arrive at her cell with a chilling revelation: a copycat is recreating her gruesome murders. Initially intent on playing twisted mind games with the investigators, Cressida's dark amusement turns to cold terror when she learns the identity of the latest victim—Alexandra, her ex-girlfriend and the only woman she ever genuinely loved.

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3 / 5

The prison setting does a lot of the heavy lifting here, creating a gritty atmosphere that grounds the story. For such a brief read, the narrative feels surprisingly slow to build momentum, and the transitions between scenes are choppy in places. I spent a good portion of the time questioning the logic behind several character decisions, as their motivations just aren't fleshed out enough to explain their actions. On top of that, several plot points are introduced and then left completely unresolved by the end. Despite the baffling character arcs, loose threads, and uneven pacing, it is a fine read with a satisfying ending.
If you like confined prison settings, sudden plot twists, and unpredictable characters, then you will enjoy this book.

What is an ARC?

An ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) is a pre-publication version of a book provided by publishers so reviewers can share early feedback. Our spoiler-free reviews help you decide which upcoming titles to add to your pre-order list!

Advance copies reviewed on SpoilThePlot are securely sourced through industry partners, including NetGalley and Inside Story.