2026 ARC Reviews

Camden Baird delivers a standout sequel with The Next Lie. As the second book in the series, it does a great job of catching the reader up on the events of the first installment without relying on a heavy information dump. While I think it is best to read the first book first to fully appreciate the stakes, the transition here feels natural and well-paced.
The structure makes the story super engaging, using very short chapters and multiple timelines to keep the momentum high. The narrative is told from several points of view, which adds layers to the suspense and mystery. Several of the characters are likable, but because everyone is so suspicious, it’s difficult to truly root for anyone. Despite the large cast, they are not hard to keep track of if you have already laid the groundwork with book one. I flew through this book very fast and was sad when it ended!

Thank you to Joffe Books and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy of this title. Violet kidnapping Florence and locking her in the basement sets a tense stage for this thriller. The premise hooked me right away, and the medium-paced story is told from several different points of view, all unfolding in the present tense. This narrative choice gives the terrifying scenario a strong sense of immediacy, and the medium-length chapters keep the suspense moving steadily forward.
Florence was a tough character for me to connect with. Her mood swings so wildly from one moment to the next that it feels jarring rather than like an intentional response to being held captive. In one scene she is aggressively lashing out at Violet, and moments later they are trading jokes as if nothing happened. It left me confused about how Florence really felt about being held captive and made her sections a bit hard to relate to.
Despite my issues with Florence's erratic behavior, the overarching suspense held my attention. There are several twists near the end and the conclusion wrapped things up quite nicely. If you like multi-POV thrillers, complex captor-captive dynamics, and present-tense suspense, then you will enjoy this book. #TheDaughterintheCellar #NetGalley.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of this title.

The Other Patient is built on short chapters, though the pacing runs quite slow. The story alternates between Freya and Iris's perspectives, with Iris quickly emerging as the more dominant narrator. She definitely comes off as suspicious throughout, while her boyfriend Isaac tries to keep her in check. Her edge grounds the book, which helps, since there are long stretches focused on describing the character’s thoughts and movements rather than dialogue and that drags the momentum down.
Despite the slow burn, the payoff salvaged the read. Hurst drops in some good twists just as the domestic details start to feel tedious, and the pacing finally snaps into high gear in the last ten chapters. The ending pulls everything together in a satisfying way, leaving me glad I stuck with it to the final page. It requires some patience to get through the middle, but the conclusion delivers exactly what the story needed. If you love unexpected twists and don’t mind a slow burn this book is for you! #NetGalley #TheOtherPatient

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.