2026 ARC Reviews
Spoiler-free early reviews of the most anticipated upcoming releases.
42 days
The Date
T.H. Murdock
A year ago, Miles Deverill was a rising star. Then he was charged with the murder of Caira Kennedy after their very first date. Though acquitted, the public isn't convinced, and the media won't let him breathe. When he begins receiving threatening messages in Caira’s own voice, Miles flees to the woods with friends to escape the nightmare. But when a member of their group is murdered in the isolated forest, Miles realizes someone close to him knows the truth about that night—and they aren't finished with him yet.
The Date is a tense and enjoyable read. I really liked T.H. Murdock's writing style and the short chapters. The narrative structure—jumping between the present tense and past snippets from Miles’s trial across a few different POVs—builds and layers the suspense.
The official book blurb feels a little deceptive, as the characters don't reach the forest until the 50% mark. However, the steady build-up and sharp prose make the journey worth it.
Miles is an interesting main character. The story keeps you questioning his guilt or innocence regarding what actually happened to Ciara, acting as a hook that keeps you turning pages right up to the reveal. With its escalating tension and a good twist, it’s a solid thriller from start to finish.
#NetGalley #TheDate
44 days
Fatal Fitting
Danielle Fear
Iris is the perfect employee: reliable, friendly, and entirely forgettable. From her post at a quiet lingerie boutique in a declining mall, she spends her days blending into the background while meticulously studying the customers she serves. Iris isn't just selling silk and lace; she is decoding the secrets of the people around her.
When a series of women vanish from the mall, the disappearances are dismissed as random occurrences in a sea of transient faces. But Iris has been paying attention.
She isn’t the only one. Across the corridor, Eiralynne has been observing Iris with equal intensity, waiting for the perfect moment to move.
As the walls close in and long-buried secrets emerge, Iris realizes she is entangled in a lethal pattern—one that stretches back decades and hits closer to home than she ever dared to fear. In a game of observation and evolution, the greatest threat isn't the stranger you don't know, but the person who knows you too well.
Fatal Fitting by Danielle Fear is a quick read with short chapters. Despite the brief length, it delivers a lot of suspense and mystery from the start. The character development is good for a short story, and I specifically liked the mystery surrounding the character of Eiralynne, which made it easy to get invested in the plot.
There were a few parts where I found myself wondering, "Is the author implying what I think she's implying?" That kind of subtle ambiguity feels typical of this author, and it works well to build the atmosphere. It is an engaging thriller that executes its premise without dragging on. I highly recommend this story if you want a short read that is a bit darker than your typical thriller.
55 days
The Next Lie
Camden Baird
Surviving their daughter’s kidnapping was supposed to be the hardest test of Sadie and Allen Wilson’s marriage. But just as their lives finally begin to stabilize, their neighbor is found murdered, and Allen vanishes without a trace. Left to navigate the police investigation alone, Sadie uncovers a chilling trail of deceit. As the body count rises and dark secrets from Allen’s past come to light, Sadie is forced to question if she ever truly knew the man she married.
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!
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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.