2026 ARC Reviews

In this 57-page thriller, Sara Lea delivers an emotional punch that centers on every mother’s nightmare: a missing baby. Written from Jess’s perspective, the story is fast-paced and leans into the concepts of the protective love of a mother and the raw, desperate grief of a woman longing for a child. Jess is a very easy protagonist to empathize with, and the sharp writing keeps the tension high as the mystery unfolds. The story is gripping and well-executed, and while the plot leans into sci-fi elements that aren't to my personal taste, I still really enjoyed it. The emotional journey and high-stakes suspense make this a compelling, one-sitting read from the In The Cards collection.

Danielle Fear crafts a fast-paced and highly engaging whodunit in Justice, condensing a high-stakes mystery into a very small window of time. The structure is incredibly effective: short, clear, and powerful chapters told from alternating perspectives. Every single character had a compelling motive to kill, making it impossible to stop reading until the final reveal. I loved every page of this book, I couldn’t read it fast enough!

This is a short story from the In Your Cards collection. I really enjoyed the dual perspective, as jumping between Roslyn and Dominic’s POVs gave the narrative a lot of depth and kept me guessing about their motivations.
For a short read, the character development was solid but not too deep. The tension builds steadily throughout, leading up to a twist at the end that I honestly didn't see coming. It’s a great pick if you’re looking for something quick that still delivers a solid, suspenseful payoff.

The Hollow Space by Carly Black straddles the line between thriller and horror. The author builds an intensely eerie atmosphere as Tess uncovers supernatural clues, racing against the clock to solve a mystery before time runs out. Tess is a highly sympathetic protagonist, making it easy to root for her and stay invested in the unsettling narrative.
Because it is a short story, I expected the pacing to be a bit faster, but it settles into a solid medium pace, leaning more into a creeping dread than a breakneck speed.
While I didn't love the ending due to a personal stylistic preference, it was handled exceptionally well and made perfect logical sense for where the plot needed to go. Overall, it’s a highly atmospheric, genre-blending read that succeeds at being both suspenseful and spooky. This feels like a great book for a thriller reader who wants to ease themselves into the world of horror.

Beneath a Broken Sky is the fourth book in the Ben Packard series and is just as good as the rest of the series.
The story is told from both Ben Packard and Charlie’s perspectives. Packard is a very lovable character. I really loved the character of Symphony and her connection to Marcus. Even though we never got to meet Marcus, he was a big part of Packard’s story, so having that connection resurface through her felt meaningful.
As for the actual investigation, it was a really interesting story that I thoroughly enjoyed. It held my attention the whole way through and balanced the police work well with the character dynamics.
#NetGalley #BeneathABrokenSky

The Greek Island by A. J. McDine is a fast-paced island thriller. The story is told mostly from Amber’s perspective in the present day, with only a couple small flashbacks.
The chapters are short, and the suspense was there throughout, making the book easy to fly through. I did not like or feel invested in any of the characters because most were whiny, but that did not diminish my ability to enjoy the story. There is a great twist I did not see coming, followed by a surprise ending. This is a great choice for anyone who loves an island theme with a lot of tension. #NetGalley #TheGreekIsland

A Breathing House is a chilling departure from my preferred genre of thrillers and it did not disappoint. As part of the In The Cards collection, this horror story leans into an unsettling atmosphere that builds a genuine sense of dread very quickly. The pervasive creepy factor kept me fully invested to see what would happen next. The breathing element is handled through eerie chants and physical shifts in the protagonist's health, making the house feel like a living, predatory entity. I appreciated that the main character's reactions felt grounded and realistic even as the situation escalated. It features a masterfully executed ending that delivers a satisfying conclusion to a truly haunting read.

D.M. Foley delivers an interesting tale in Stepping Into The Star. Because the book deals with the metaphysical, the overall tone is steeped in suspense. Intrigue builds right from the opening pages. For a short story, the character development is well done. It gives the narrative enough depth to make the reader care while avoiding any drag in momentum.
The story unfolds in the present tense through a few different characters' points of view. I enjoyed the format of several short chapters. They complement the fast pace, keeping the story engaging while delivering a complete, satisfying mystery in a compact footprint. Anyone who likes books about the paranormal will enjoy this read.

The Replacement by Liv Constantine is a very enjoyable quick read.
The plot seems straightforward at first, but there are some good twists you won’t see coming, backed up by some good foreshadowing. The short chapters keep the pacing fast, and the character development is surprisingly good for a short story.
Overall, it’s a highly satisfying, straight-up thriller.

The Last Time We Drowned is a solid mystery and suspense novel that leans away from the typical high-octane thriller. The writing style is engaging, with medium-length chapters that match the steady pace of the story. While one element did feel a bit repetitive, the overall construction of the plot is strong.
My main struggle was with the protagonist, Charlie. It was difficult to sympathize with her throughout the chaos because she felt so meek, which made her hard to relate to as a lead. However, the mystery itself is compelling enough to keep you hooked. There aren't any massive, world-shifting twists, but the ending is satisfying and wraps everything up well.
One of the highlights was finally discovering the significance of the title—it’s a clever tie-in, but you’ll have to read it yourself to find out why. If you enjoy mysteries with a trapped atmosphere, this is definitely worth picking up.
#NetGalley #TheLastTimeWeDrowned

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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!

Mark Edwards delivers a gripping thriller with One of the Family. From the very first chapter, the story pulled me in and refused to let go.
The narrative is told primarily from Patrick’s point of view, with a few brief but highly effective flashbacks that add layers to the unfolding drama. What makes this book so compelling is how easy it is to sympathize with Patrick. He finds himself abruptly caught up in a completely crazy situation, and as the tension escalates, he is forced to navigate a nightmare where every potential way out seems like a genuinely bad option.
Edwards masterfully balances a heavy dose of mystery and intrigue with a relentlessly fast pace. Just when you think you have a handle on the dynamics at play, the story delivers some fantastic surprise twists that completely shift the ground beneath you. It's a suspenseful, emotionally engaging read that puts its protagonist through the wringer and keeps you guessing until the end. This book is a must read for anyone who loves lots of tension, drama and twists you don't see coming! #NetGalley #OnOfTheFamily

If you are looking for a thriller that will completely consume your attention, That Night by Gillian McAllister is it.
The book is structured with short chapters, multiple POVs, and multiple timelines, which keeps the pace moving quickly; I could not stop turning pages.
McAllister does a brilliant job of sprinkling little mysteries throughout the narrative. Just when you think you have a handle on the situation, a new layer of intrigue is revealed, making it impossible to put down.
Beyond the plot, the emotional stakes are incredibly high. It was so easy to sympathize with Frannie, Cathy, and Joe. The central theme really hit home: most of us have that person (or persons) we would do absolutely anything for, regardless of the cost. Watching these characters navigate that moral grey area made the story feel grounded and terrifyingly realistic.
I highly recommend this book for fans of fast-paced, morally complex thrillers!
#ThatNight #NetGalley

WOW! This was my very first book by Jennifer Hillier, and I am officially a massive fan. Heart of Glass feels less like reading a book and more like an immersive experience—it pulls you so deeply into the story that you feel like you are part of the plot. It is rare for me to become this emotionally invested in a book, but I found myself deeply attached to the entire cast. I felt incredibly strong emotions—both good and bad—toward every single character as the events unfolded.
The story is told through various POVs, which adds incredible depth. While there is a surprisingly large cast of characters, they are introduced slowly, making it easy to keep track of everyone. The short chapters keep the pacing fast, and the secrets are peeled back layer by layer, keeping the suspense high the entire time. This book is a must-read for anyone who loves a great story with depth that will have them feeling all the emotions!
#HeartOfGlass #NetGalley

It was wonderful to reunite with the Fairway Players in The Silent Appeal. I absolutely love Janice Hallett’s unique writing style, and jumping back into this familiar, mixed-media format was a treat. The fact that Sarah-Jane's sister, Nicky-Rose, appears out of the blue and becomes so important to the group added an exciting level of mystery and intrigue right from the start. Plus, the surprise return of a previous Fairway Player was a great twist - that was the moment I knew things were going to get wonderfully wacky!
However, I felt this installment wasn't quite as strong as her previous books. The correspondence and summaries sent from Femi and Charlotte to Roderick were very redundant, often bogging down the pacing. There is also a massive cast of characters to keep track of, and I found it difficult to remember everyone's roles at times, even with the handy character list at the beginning of the book. Surprisingly, the main murder ended up being overshadowed by the other events and interpersonal dramas unfolding at the same time.
I really enjoyed this book even though the ending felt a bit crammed with information. Hallett’s signature format is engaging, and seeing the theater troupe back in action was a lot of fun. If you love a good mystery, this book is well worth the read.

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