2026 ARC Reviews
Spoiler-free early reviews of the most anticipated upcoming releases.
30 days
I Shouldn’t Have Come Here
Daniel Hurst
The French sun is shining, the cocktails are flowing, and my family is blissfully celebrating my mother’s seventieth birthday. Standing on the balcony beside my gorgeous husband, Reuben, it looks like absolute paradise. But to me, this luxurious hotel is a beautiful cage. Twenty years ago, someone was murdered in the glittering waters of the hotel pool. I know exactly what happened that night, and I've spent two decades hiding the truth behind a perfect smile.
Then, the text arrives: You should never have come back here… Paranoia sets in as I watch my children play and my family laugh, completely unaware of the danger surrounding us. But the true nightmare begins when Reuben and I take a late-night stroll, only to find a woman's lifeless body floating in the pool. My mouth opens in a silent scream. My worst fear has come true: it's happening all over again.
I Shouldn't Have Come Here is an enjoyable, straightforward read that delivers a good story, even though it lacks any shock-and-awe factor. The narrative jumps back and forth between the past and the present, and the short chapters make it easy to fly through the book in one day.
While the book starts off at a steady, medium pace, the momentum slows down quite a bit right around the 50% mark. It also feels sparse on character development, making it difficult to deeply connect with or invest in the cast. Furthermore, the overarching plot is pretty predictable. If you are a seasoned thriller reader, you will likely piece together where the story is headed long before the final reveal.
Overall, this is a solid read. It won't blow you away with unpredictable, mind-bending twists, but it is still a nicely structured story that will keep you entertained.
#IShouldntHaveComeHere #NetGalley
39 days
Getting Away With Murder
Shari Lapena
Jill and Ted’s New York brownstone isn't just a house—it's their identity. They’ve perfected every expensive inch. But when a bad investment threatens their sanctuary, they panic.
Their solution is simple and shocking: murder.
To save their home, they plan to kill a wealthy relative and secure the inheritance. It’s the perfect crime... provided they can trust each other, make no mistakes, and avoid any surprises.
Shari Lapena has done it again! "Getting Away with Murder" is a fantastic, medium-paced thriller. The characters are so well-developed and the plot kept me guessing the entire time.
This book is a page turner with little reveals throughout that kept me fully engaged.
I loved watching Jill and Ted spiral as they desperately tried to control their own destiny. It was so enjoyable seeing the chaos and waiting to see how Jill and Ted would handle it.
The plot has such depth compared to a typical, shorter thriller and the ending was satisfying. I highly recommend it if you're looking for a compelling thriller that really lets you sink into the story and enjoy the ride.
Filter By Release Month
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.