2026 ARC Reviews
Spoiler-free early reviews of the most anticipated upcoming releases.
94 days
Do You See What I See?
Peter Swanson
When struggling author Nicholas Child is sent to a Cape Cod mansion to help the famous Marco Tavares finish a long-overdue sequel, he expects a quiet holiday. Instead, he finds a seaside estate dripping with festive decor but devoid of cheer. Every guest at the gathering has a reason to want Marco dead—from his estranged wife and bitter ex-girlfriend to a rival writer claiming Marco stole his best ideas.
As Christmas approaches, a night of heavy drinking ends with two corpses and a house full of suspects. Trapped in a web of old grudges and hidden agendas, Nicholas becomes convinced the entire weekend was a setup from the start.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advanced copy of this book.
I really love this Christmas novella for its clever structure and depth. The inclusion of a "cast list" at the very beginning is a brilliant move; by identifying the characters before the first chapter starts, the narrative never gets bogged down in clunky introductions, allowing the tension to remain front and center. Despite the shorter length, the story offers a surprising amount of depth, unfolding in layers that make the narrative feel far larger than its page count suggests.
The book consists of only three long chapters, which helps it read like a full-length novel. The constant sense of mystery is captivating and kept me turning pages until the end. Nicholas is an exceptionally well-developed protagonist for a novella, and the "story-within-a-story" approach—written from his perspective as he writes his own account—is a particularly engaging way to reveal the plot.
#DoYouSeeWhatISee #NetGalley
94 days
It Ends Here
Heidi Perks
The tranquility of a coastal town shatters with a single gunshot. Inside a local café call The Boatyard, five strangers are suddenly held hostage. Outside, a frantic crowd gathers—among them, five loved ones desperate for answers. With time bleeding away, authorities struggle to piece together the identity and motive of the shooter. There are no demands, no warnings, and no apparent escape route. The only certainty? Someone is not making it out alive. As the horrific standoff unfolds, the families waiting on the other side of the glass must confront an agonizing question: What if the person holding the gun is the one they love?
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an advanced copy of this title.
The blurb promises a high-stakes standoff with five people held hostage inside a cafe, and while that is the central event, the story takes a much different angle. Instead of getting a tense survival scenario from the hostages' point of view, the narrative stays on the outside, focusing on the detective running the investigation and the loved ones waiting for news. Hannah’s point of view was particularly interesting to follow and provided a strong anchor for this outside perspective.
Because of this structure, the pacing is noticeably slow and the middle sections dragged for me. The author leans heavily into deep character development, but there are also a few side stories that feel like completely irrelevant filler. Certain details are brought up several times, making it seem like they will be an integral part of the plot, but they never amount to anything - not even red herrings or meaningful backstory. When the twist finally drops, it isn't particularly shocking or unique. I did appreciate how well the loose ends were tied up, though. The resolution makes sense and wraps up the plot neatly without leaving any glaring holes.
If you like deep character studies, shifting perspectives, and slow-burn mysteries, then you will enjoy this book.
#NetGalley #ItEndsHere
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.