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The Swell by Kat Gordon

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....In places of darkness, women will rise... I really enjoyed this book (so much that I ended up buying a physical copy for my Mom). I have a soft spot for books set in Iceland, as my grandfather was Icelandic and his sister was named Guðrun. There’s something about the stark landscapes, the sense of isolation, and the quiet intensity of the tales that always pulls me in. The Swell by Kat Gordon absolutely delivers on the atmosphere. To me, it felt immersive without trying too hard, letting the setting do its work in shaping the mood and the mystery of Guðrun in 1910 and Sigga in the 1970s (around the time of the Rauðsokkahreyfingin or Red Stocking Movement to combat misogyny and demand equality). The story unfolds across dual timelines (I do love books with dual timelines!). One thread follows a contemporary narrative featuring Sigga, while the other slowly reveals events from the past (Guðrun and her sister Freya), and the connection between them is teased out in a really satisfying...
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I really enjoyed this YA novel about a modern-day descendant of Edgar Allan Poe. Ellen is pulled into a hidden world tied to Poe’s legacy, where she begins using her affinity with numbers and puzzles to search for mysterious artifacts and uncovering “forgotten lore”. The premise is a lot of fun, and the artifact hunt gives the story good momentum. As much as I loved the adventure, I also liked Ellen’s journey as she sought to understand her connection to Poe and what it all means for her and her family. There’s a good balance of literary mystery, light gothic atmosphere, and coming-of-age relationships without it getting too heavy. It’s an easy, engaging read with just enough intrigue to keep you hooked. Definitely one I’d recommend if you like bookish mysteries with a gothic or ghostly edge, and I’d happily pick up the next in the series.   The audiobook was very well narrated with good pacing and believability for the character.  Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and a...
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This is a solid cozy mystery, but I admit that I enjoyed it mostly for the Scottish castle setting. The atmosphere was the highlight as Freya and her Aunt Carole race to figure out who murdered the laird of the castle and stole the priceless silver collection. At the same time, they are also trying to find their missing team member who had last been seen at the Castle. It's filled with family secrets and eeriness.
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The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts by Robert Thorogood

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I really enjoyed this one more than the last one! Judith Potts is such a great main character, and I love her connection with her two friends. Judith is sharp, independent, a little eccentric, and completely unwilling to be ignored. This mystery centres on a series of murders targeting local celebrities, which turn out to be linked to a blackmail scheme. As Judith and her friends investigate with their usual determination, the case begins to intersect with the long-standing mystery surrounding Judith's husband’s death years earlier, adding a more personal layer to the story. The trio dynamic continues to work well, but Judith is the standout. I like that this book was faster-paced. It's a fun, cozy mystery with a bit more depth. Looking forward to the next in the series. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for the e-Arc
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Homecoming by Kate Morton

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5 stars! I loved this story. I honestly can’t believe this was my first book by Kate Morton after meaning to read her for so long (and being late in reading this e-arc - sorry!!!!). Homecoming is one of those slow-burn, layered stories that just completely pulls you in. The dual timeline works very well in this novel moving between the story of what appeared to be a tragic murder-suicide of a family and the present-day investigation. At the centre is Jess, returning to Australia after her grandmother has a critical fall and uncovering a decades-old mystery after she passes away. The story unfolds through the revealing of secrets, family history, and shifting perspectives. It kept me hooked the whole way through. I also loved the element of gothic mystery in that the stories also centre around a beautiful but isolated old mansion, Halcyon, that has had several owners. It’s not a fast-paced thriller, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s atmospheric, emotional, and really satisfying. Now I wil...
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The Hitchhiker by Martina Behm - best shawl pattern ever!

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There are knitting patterns you enjoy, and then there are the ones you keep coming back to. For me, the Hitchhiker shawl by Martina Behm firmly falls into that second category.   I don’t think I fully appreciated it the first time I knit one.  I saw a sample of a Hitchhiker in a knitting store on vacation back in 2016 and promptly bought the yarn and pattern (sadly that yarn store is no longer open). It seemed like the perfect vacation pattern. Simple.  Just garter stitch, a bit of shaping, those little “teeth” along the edge. However, this pattern has just clicked with me.  It always looks great and is just brilliant. I love that there is also a literary connection. The name of this shawl is a playful nod to its origin. It is designed to include 42 “teeth,” a subtle reference to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and its famous answer to life, the universe, and everything. My first Hitchhiker in 2016 It is the perfect “just one more row” project The rhyt...
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A Killer Guest List by Sarah Bonner

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Sarah Bonner's new book delivered! This was so much fun. It is one of those books where the premise hooks you immediately, a murder mystery weekend that is the cover for a twisted plot of actual murders. The story follows Sadie, an elderly murderess of bad people, who arrives at a remote retreat for her annual attendance at an immersive murder mystery experience alongside a group of guests (including her god-daughter) who, very quickly, do not feel randomly selected. There is a constant sense in the beginning that something with the game isn’t quite right. Once things start to go off-script, it becomes a full “who can you trust” situation—and I was completely in. I loved the atmosphere here. The closed setting, the blurred lines between the game and reality, and the way the secrets are revealed piece by piece. Every time I thought I had a handle on what was going on, something shifted just enough to keep me guessing. The characters were also a highlight for me. Sadie is a great anc...
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