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
122 days
What Mother Knows
Chad Zunker
When twenty-six-year-old Denver lawyer Josh King returns to Austin, it isn't for a family reunion. His estranged mother—the city's powerful mayor, Lauren Snow—stands accused of murdering his wealthy stepfather. Though Josh only returns to support his fragile younger sister, Kinsey, he is quickly pressured into taking on his mother's legal defense.
Lauren swears she is innocent. She may be a ruthless politician, but she isn't reckless enough to kill the man bankrolling her ambitions. However, Josh knows his mother built her empire on smoke and mirrors. Watching her perform the role of the tragic widow with camera-ready perfection, he realizes he has no idea what she is truly capable of.
As Josh digs deeper, he unravels a dark web of conspiracies and buried family secrets. With the truth finally in his grasp, Josh must decide where his ultimate loyalty lies: with the blind scales of justice, or with the family he's trying to save.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced copy of this book.
What Mother Knows opens with a sharp focus on character development, laying out the complicated family dynamics that drive the narrative. I found myself quickly rooting for the main character, Josh, as he navigates the constant struggle between fiercely looking out for his sister, Kinsey, and his deep reluctance to have anything to do with their mother.
The short chapters give the medium pacing a steady momentum. Despite the large cast of characters and deep web of connections, the author's clear writing makes it easy to keep track of who is who. A story with this many threads can quickly get tangled, but the execution here is beautiful, making the story flow seamlessly. I loved how every piece of the puzzle fit together perfectly by the final page. If you love a good mystery with lots of moving pieces and wonderful writing, you must pick up this book.
#NetGalley #WhatMotherKnows
150 days
Possession Island
Sarah McCarry
Angela Bell never had an easy childhood on Possession Island, the isolated Pacific Northwest locale made famous by her late mother’s blockbuster vampire book. Coming back from college is hard enough, but it becomes a nightmare when her estranged best friend, Mo, turns up dead. While navigating this fresh grief, Angela suddenly finds herself the primary focus of a highly flawed local police inquiry.
Across town, Sally Raleigh is desperate to escape the island but remains anchored by her ailing father and her fierce loyalty to her twin brother, Adrian. Seeing her old high school rival Angela return is the last thing Sally wants. However, shattered by the loss of Mo, Sally decides to put their bitter history aside and reluctantly teams up with Angela to track down the culprit.
Digging into the island's dangerous undercurrents forces both women to figure out exactly what they are willing to risk for the people they care about most. As their makeshift investigation deepens, it becomes clear that the dark secrets they are hiding from one another are on the verge of being exposed.
Possession Island by Sarah McCarry is a deeply moving exploration of love, life, and friendship that relies on emotional resonance. The chapters are long and the timeline jumps around frequently between the past and present, which can get a bit confusing at times and makes the present-day plot feel like a slow burn. However, the gorgeous writing and depth of feeling more than make up for the slower pacing. Even though the overarching mystery takes a backseat to the character dynamics for most of the journey, it remains an underlying thread that pays off beautifully in the end. When all the pieces finally come together, the book delivers a great, high-stakes twist that feels much more akin to a traditional thriller. It is a beautifully crafted, thoughtful read that succeeds because it takes its time building history before delivering a highly satisfying conclusion. #NetGalley #SaturdayBooks
262 days
One Of Us Is Guilty
Steve Cavanagh
Vanessa Vanderpool knows betrayal. She’s learned its bitter taste, built her life against its shadow. Now, as she watches her husband disappear into a secret apartment, the carefully constructed walls around her world begin to crumble. Patrick’s reckless indiscretion threatens everything she’s fought to achieve. Pain and a dangerous resolve course through her veins. She steps into the building, ready to reclaim her future, no matter the cost.
Meanwhile, Patrick Vanderpool has found a fleeting escape from his powerful father's demands and his own hollow existence. In the arms of Molly Green, he finally feels real. But a moment of illicit intimacy shatters when he stumbles upon Molly’s private diary. What he uncovers within its pages isn’t just a secret; it’s a terrifying truth that turns his brief freedom into a trap. Betrayed by the woman he thought offered solace, Patrick’s own anger runs icy cold.
Two lives, consumed by deceit and the desire for control, are on a collision course. Someone is about to make a deadly mistake. The question isn't who pulls the trigger, but who orchestrated the perfect storm.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced copy of this title.
Steve Cavanagh builds a brilliantly complex structure in One Of Us Is Guilty. The story is a slow burn as the initial pieces are set up, but the payoff is worth it. The narrative switches between several different points of view and throws in a little time jumping, though it stays primarily rooted in the present. Between the shifting timelines and the large cast of characters, the plot is undeniably intricate, yet it is handled so well that it never becomes confusing.
The pacing and focus shift noticeably at the midway point. The first half leans heavily into the gritty details of the investigation, while the second half transitions into a tense, high-stakes courtroom drama. Eddie is a massive standout for me. As a lawyer who refuses to defend anyone but the truly innocent, he has a strict moral code, but his background as a former con artist means he knows exactly how to color outside the lines when the situation calls for it. That duality makes him highly entertaining to follow, especially as the plot tightens. The surprises waiting at the end are executed perfectly and completely caught me off guard.
If you like slow-burn legal thrillers, shifting timelines, and clever courtroom showdowns, then you will enjoy this book.
#NetGalley #OneOfUsIsGuilty
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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.