2026 ARC Reviews
Spoiler-free early reviews of the most anticipated upcoming releases.
16 days
Rich Little Liars
AJ Carter
Seeking a clean slate after a tragic house fire leaves her a widow, Kelly Reynolds escapes to the insulated wealth of the East Hamptons. But the tranquil illusion shatters when anonymous notes arrive, proving someone knows the dark truth about that fatal night. As paranoia sets in and the polite smiles of her neighbors begin to feel like traps, Kelly's new life spirals out of control. She survived the fire, but she might not survive the truth.
I found Rich Little Liars by AJ Carter to be a quick and easy read, which fits with what I expect from this author. The story has a slow start, with very little actually happening in the present timeline. I felt bogged down by Kelly and her constant thoughts of paranoia, which grew highly repetitive as the chapters went on.
Kelly is a tough character to root for because she behaves like such a doormat in both the past and the present scenes. Since the book features a very small cast of characters, her frustrating personality traits are front and center. The saving grace of the plot is the flashbacks, which were very interesting and kept my attention. While the main twist fell flat and was not very interesting, the very end of the book goes a long way to redeem the weaker parts of the story. This book is good for anyone who wants a quick easy read and doesn’t need a twist that will blow your mind.
19 days
Play Your Cards Right
Heather S. Chauvin
What starts as an idyllic weekend escape shatters when a member of the friend group is found dead. As Demi investigates, a chilling truth emerges: this wasn't a tragic crime of passion—it was a meticulously orchestrated execution.
This short story left me feeling underwhelmed. For a genre that relies on suspense, it unfortunately falls flat and didn't feel like a thriller. Overall, I found the plot to be boring and lacking the tension I look for in a good suspense read.
The most frustrating part of the story was the setup. Chauvin introduces a really interesting and unique family dynamic right off the bat, which gave the story a lot of potential. However, that dynamic doesn't end up mattering to the plot at all. The exact same events could have easily unfolded with any random group of friends or distant relatives, making the specific family ties feel like a completely wasted opportunity. It’s a quick read, but it misses the mark on delivering a gripping experience.
19 days
The Lion Within
Kay Elem
The town calls him Lion Strong. Here, boys are taught that true grit means suffering in silence, and that victory is the only thing that matters. But when the stadium empties, one mother is forced to ask what was ultimately sacrificed in the pursuit of perfection. Because sometimes, the deadliest cages are forged entirely from applause.
Kay Elem’s The Lion Within is a haunting, heartbreaking read. Fast-paced yet deeply engaging throughout, this beautifully crafted short story serves as a powerful cautionary tale regarding the devastating consequences of neglecting physical or mental health. Through excellent, evocative writing, the narrative captures a striking, urgent reality by holding a mirror up to the intense pressures currently found in sports at every level. It is a great read with an even greater message. If you are looking for an emotional book that will stay on your mind long after you finish the final page, this is an absolute must-read.
20 days
The Break-up Retreat
Camilla Sten
The Himlafall Clinic promises a revolutionary cure for heartbreak deep within the Swedish woods. But for Isobel Andersen, the retreat isn't a place of healing—it’s a crime scene. Investigating rumors of women who check in but never check out, Isobel goes undercover to expose the clinic's founder, Dr. Martina Hastings.
The Himlafall Clinic makes for a chilling backdrop in The Breakup Retreat, and the atmosphere is exactly what you'd expect from a Camilla Sten mystery. The story stays in Isobel’s perspective, but the addition of Martina’s social media posts and some Reddit threads keeps the mystery of the clinic engaging. Those digital snippets provide a modern layer to the plot that makes it easy to stay invested in what is actually going on.
The short chapters also make this a very quick read, which is always a plus for keeping the momentum high in a thriller. While Isobel is a decent lead, the subplot involving her father felt unnecessary and didn't really add anything to the story. The twist itself is quite interesting, though some of the ways things play out near the end feel a bit juvenile and silly. It isn't a perfect thriller, but it is a solid, enjoyable read. #TheBreakUpRetreat #NetGalley
22 days
The Aunt
Courtney Psak
When the phone rings, Amy’s life is shattered. Her estranged younger sister, Lexi, and her brother-in-law have perished in a devastating boating accident. Despite a decade of silence between them, the loss of the sister she never stopped loving leaves Amy reeling.
But grief quickly gives way to shock when the contents of Lexi’s will are revealed. Amy is named the sole guardian of a newborn niece she never knew existed—along with inheriting a sprawling Palm Beach estate and a massive fortune.
As Amy struggles to process the existence of Lexi’s secret child, the police drop another bombshell: the fatal crash wasn't an accident. Forced into a dangerous web of lies, Amy must uncover the dark secrets her sister took to the grave. Can she protect the innocent baby now in her care, or will unearthing the truth destroy what's left of her world?
The Aunt by Courtney Psak delivers a unique storyline. In a thriller genre where so many plots are feeling identical, finding a new concept is refreshing. The story is an interesting read, told through a dual timeline that alternates between Amy’s perspective in the present and Lexi’s point of view in the past.
While the mystery is engaging overall, the execution is a bit uneven, with transitions between scenes feeling abrupt at times. The biggest hurdle, however, is the main character of Amy. She is a frustrating protagonist to follow, getting upset over situations she entirely caused herself and wildly overreacting to things. She was a tough character to relate to or empathize with.
The plot delivers a few small twists, though there is nothing mind-blowing. The primary flaw in the mystery's construction lies in its dropped red herrings. A well-crafted thriller should neatly explain away its false leads once the actual truth comes to light, but here, several plot points are introduced as misdirections and then abandoned entirely. Despite an annoying protagonist and a few dropped narrative threads, it remains a solid read that stands out from the crowd thanks to its unique hook.
#TheAunt #NetGalley
27 days
Murder and Mayheim
Ronica Black, Toni Logan
Mystery bookstore owner Cassie Mayheim practically investigates fictional murders for a living. When she’s gifted a ticket on an Alaskan "WhoDunIt" cruise for her fortieth birthday, she thinks it’s the perfect playground for her amateur sleuthing skills. But the theatrical fun takes a chilling turn when the staged crime reveals very real danger. On the other side of the script is Hannah Garcia, a veteran cruise performer used to the nightly theatrics. When Hannah inadvertently uncovers a deadly, unscripted twist, she becomes a killer's very real target. Desperate and trapped at sea, Hannah finds an unlikely ally in Cassie. As the luxury liner cuts through the icy, isolated Alaskan waters, the two women must team up to catch a murderer—before the final curtain falls on them both.
Murder and Mayheim by Ronica Black and Toni Logan is a really enjoyable, fast-paced read. I loved that the story is structurally driven by short chapters; it kept the momentum going and made it easy to fly through the pages.
One of the strongest elements of the book was the character development. I easily got invested in the main character, Cassie, and the progression of her story. Furthermore, I thought her sidekicks, Goldie and Rosie, were a great addition. They brought a fun, entertaining dynamic to the narrative and perfectly complemented Cassie throughout the book.
The central romantic relationship was another highlight, and I genuinely enjoyed watching it unfold. I will add a quick content note though: the book does contain a few somewhat explicit romance scenes. While I really liked the romance itself, the heat level of those specific scenes did catch me a bit by surprise!
As for the mystery itself, I thought it was okay, though it felt a bit complicated with a lot of moving parts. My biggest critique is just how the conclusion is handled. Rather than a steady, organic build-up to the final reveal, the ending felt a bit abrupt to me. It definitely ties up all the loose ends, but the execution of those final explanations just wasn't as satisfying as I had hoped it would be.
Overall, despite my mixed feelings about the ending, I thought this was an entertaining book with a great cast of characters and a relationship I could easily root for. If you are looking for an engaging read with great sidekicks and a brisk pace, definitely pick this one up.
#MurderandMayheim #NetGalley
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.
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.
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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.