ARC Review: Missing by E. A. Jackson

Missing
Author: E. A. Jackson
Publication: Atria/Emily Bestler Books (March 17, 2026)

Description: In this unputdownable crime thriller for fans of Tana French, a detective returns to a thirty-year-old case—an infamous disappearance in London—that has haunted her entire career and now may jeopardize her future.

In August 1990, London is suffering through an unprecedented heatwave when baby Bella Carpenter is snatched through the open window of her hotel room. Detective Inspector Martha Allen is assigned the high-profile case and, knowing that it could make or break her career, is determined to find Bella.

When a young woman named Nell Beatty walks into the police station with a baby who appears to be Bella, and whom Nell claims she found on a bench, it seems that the mystery is solved. Her family, the police, and the press are overjoyed at her return. But DI Allen isn’t convinced, something about Nell’s story doesn’t ring true. As much as she wants to continue, however, now that the baby is safe, she’s ordered to close the investigation.

Thirty years later, Nell Beatty is found dead. Now a superintendent, Allen has never really gotten over her doubts about the Carpenter case and can’t resist doing a little digging on her own time, eager to find out what happened to Nell, and her involvement in the baby’s disappearance all those years ago. But will her efforts uncover something darker than she could have ever imagined? And what is she risking as she tries once and for all to reveal the truth?

My Thoughts: Detective Inspector Martha Allen is assigned the case of a baby disappearing from a hotel room. Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter have come to London for a short vacation along with their six-month old daughter Bella. It's 1990 and this is a high-profile case. It is also a baffling one. Allen is already dealing with institutional prejudice against women and the early stages of a pregnancy. 

As Allen interviews the hotel staff and hotel guests, she comes to the conclusion that the husband somehow did away with his infant daughter. However, there is no proof to be uncovered. She can't convince her colleagues of her conclusions either. 

Then three or four days later, after Allen's hope is lost, a young woman named Nell Beatty walks into the police station carrying a baby who appears to be the missing baby Bella. Nell claims to have found her on a park bench and, recognizing her from the many photos, brings her in. Intense questioning ensues but she holds to her story. When she is dismissed, Nell disappears. Her address, phone number and employer are all bogus.

The Carpenters seem overjoyed to be reunited with their daughter and the case is closed. But Allen is left with questions that never quite go away despite a successful career as a police officer.

Then in 2020, Nell Beatty's body is found on a park bench and all of Allen's earlier questions resurface. The investigation into Nell's death involves looking back at that older kidnapping case and trying to learn what happened to Nell in the years in between.

This was an engaging thriller. I enjoyed watching Allen's career trajectory. I was intrigued with the way a case could haunt a woman's life and career. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

Audiobook Review: No One Knew by Kendra Elliot

No One Knew
Author: Kendra Elliot
Narrator: Stephanie Nemeth-Parker
Series: Noelle Marshall (Book 2)
Publication: Brilliance Audio (January 6, 2026)
Length: 8 hours and 48 minutes

Description: For a detective and an FBI agent, two seemingly disparate murder investigations collide with a twist in an explosive novel of suspense by a Wall Street Journal bestselling author.

In the crisp mountain air of central Oregon, a teenage girl’s search for discarded cans leads to a horrifying discovery: a body, brutally murdered and abandoned in the woods. The case falls to Deschutes County Detective Noelle Marshall, who finds herself navigating a community steeped in secrets, suspicion, and distrust of outsiders—especially law enforcement.

Miles away, FBI Special Agent Max Rhodes investigates a different kind of darkness—chatter about a violent uprising from a shadowy militia group preparing for war. The two cases seem worlds apart. But as Noelle digs into the murdered man’s past and Max closes in on the source of the terror plot, their paths begin to converge in a terrifying way. This was no random killing. It was a message. A merciless killer and a hidden army are operating in the same shadows, and finding the link between them is the only thing standing between a single murder and a full-blown massacre.

My Thoughts: The second Noelle Marshall thriller begins with a young woman discovering a body while she is searching for cans to recycle. Noelle is called in to investigate and also befriends the young woman who has been living on her own since her father disappeared.

Meanwhile, Noelle's boyfriend FBI Special Agent Max Rhodes is investigating the rumors that a shadow militia group is preparing for some sort of attack. 

As more bodies appear, including one in a judge's car trunk, Noelle and Max's cases come together. Events from Max's past look like they are also part of these new cases. 

This was an engaging thriller. I liked the way Noelle and Max are getting closer. I liked the way the suspense built to a startling terror event. 

I bought this one January 16, 2026. You can buy your copy here.

ARC Review: The Somewhat Wicked Witch of Brigandale by C. M. Waggoner

The Somewhat Wicked Witch of Brigandale
Author: C. M. Waggoner
Publication: Ace (March 17, 2026)

Description: A practical witch must sabotage her beloved son's ascension to the throne in order to keep the kingdom from ruin, in this delightful cozy fantasy from the author of The Ruthless Lady’s Guide to Wizardry.

Once upon a time, a somewhat wicked witch named Gretsella lived in a cozy little cottage in the Dark Forest of Brigandale. She dispensed herbs and tinctures at reasonable prices, met with her slightly oddball coven on a regular basis, and had absolutely no need of any further company whatsoever, thank you very much. But then one afternoon, Gretsella came home to find a screaming infant on her doorstep.

Against all her better judgement, she took the baby in. She named him Bradley.

Eighteen years later, Bradley has grown into a bafflingly likable young man under Gretsella’s extremely tolerant—one might even say doting—eye. But the witch’s hopes for an unremarkable yet fulfilling life for her son are shattered when small woodland animals start prophesying that he is the lost prince and should ascend to the throne. Bradley ignores Gretsella’s advice that prophecies and talking chipmunks are to be avoided at all costs, and sets off for the capital. But soon confusion and chaos are reigning, and scheming courtiers are using Bradley for their own ends. Sometimes a witch has to roll up her sleeves and take matters into her own cauldron. So Gretsella resolves to bring about the downfall of her darling son…

My Thoughts: This cozy fantasy tells the story of Gretsella who is a witch living in the Dark Forest of Brigandale. She sells herbs and tinctures, meets with her oddball coven, and is perfectly happy. Then one day she discovers a baby on her doorstep.

Gretsella takes the baby in, names him Bradley, and raises him. Members of her coven gifted him with beauty, politeness, and a powerful right hook. They also told her that he was the son of the deposed monarch, but she planned to raise him to lead an utterly unremarkable life.

However, when Bradley turns eighteen, he is discovered by knights who want him to overthrow the current despot and take the throne. Gretsella tries very hard to discourage him from taking the path. She believes that he will be happiest living in the village, being a hairdresser, and playing ball with his friends. 

Bradey doesn't take her advice and heads off to the city to secure his new fate. He manages to overthrow the king, but he doesn't know anything about ruling a kingdom. He calls on Gretsella to come help him. She still has her old plan and works to find a way for Bradley to stop being a king and come home. 

This was an engaging fairy tale filled with all sorts of humor. Bradley is beautiful but not very bright. Gretsella is wicked but not very wicked. The other characters are also well-developed. I especially liked Gretsella's unusual coven. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

ARC Review: Stakeouts and Strollers by Rob Phillips

Stakeouts and Strollers
Author: Rob Phillips
Publication: Minotaur Books (March 17, 2026)

Description: Amateur private investigator and new dad Charlie Shaw gets more than he bargained for when he agrees to track down a young girl’s missing father in Rob Phillips' 2024 Minotaur Books/Malice Domestic Best First Mystery Novel award-winning debut.

Charlie Shaw is low on sleep. And cash. Otherwise, life is going pretty well for the ex-crime reporter: he’s happily married to his college sweetheart, he’s a first-time dad to the most adorable baby girl in existence, and he’s making ends meet as a rookie PI. But when Charlie meets Friday Finley, a frightened sixteen-year-old runaway on a stakeout-gone-wrong, his world gets a little more complicated.

Friday is looking for her estranged father Shawn, an unreliable alcoholic who left when she was young―and who also happens to be her only shot at avoiding the foster care system since her mother’s death a few weeks earlier. At first, Charlie believes the man is simply hiding out somewhere, avoiding his responsibilities as usual, but the more he investigates, the more unsettling―and dangerous―Shawn’s disappearance becomes. When his own family is threatened, Charlie realizes he’s in over his head, but can he back out now that he’s begun to care for Friday as his own?

A perfect page-turning blend of humor and high stakes, Stakeouts and Strollers is a heartwarming story of fatherhood, family, and what it really means to be a “Girl Dad.”

My Thoughts: Charlie Shaw, former newspaper crime writer, it working as a rookie private investigator. Despite a lack of cash, things are pretty good for Charlie. He's married to his high school sweetheart and is the father of a six-month old daughter. While tailing a woman whose husband suspects her of cheating, he sees the other man attacked and beaten by someone unknown. He also notices that he isn't the only one watching. 

Friday Finlay is sixteen and looking for her father. Her mother has just died, and she hasn't seen her father for a number of years. He did communicate with her occasionally but has dropped off the radar. Charlie agrees to help her find her father not knowing what a can of worms he's opening for himself. Friday's father was working for a couple of local mobsters when he dropped out of sight. They want to find him too since he didn't leave empty handed. 

As Charlie and Friday search them find themselves involved in illegal gambling, drug dealing and murder. 

I really enjoyed this story. Charlie was a great character filled with a reporter's curiosity and a girl dads caring not only for his own daughter but for Friday too. I liked Charlie's point of view and his snark. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

ARC Review: The Antique Hunter's Murder at the Castle by C. L. Miller

The Antique Hunter's Murder at the Castle
Author: C. L. Miller
Series: Antique Hunter's (Book 3)
Publication: Atria Books (March 17, 2026)

Description: The third novel in the “delightful, page-turning” (Tom Ryan, USA TODAY bestselling author) Antique Hunter Series finds Freya, Aunt Carole, and friends searching for a missing colleague in picturesque Scotland.

Hot on the heels of an art forger, a member of the Lockwood Antique Hunter’s Agency disappears while investigating an isolated castle deep in Scottish countryside. Freya and Aunt Carole race to her last known location and arrive in the wintry, snow-covered Scottish Borders.

At the castle, they discover that a murdered laird in the vegetable garden and his priceless collection of silverware has been stolen. Local police believe Freya’s missing team member was involved with the robbery and murder...but where is she now?

As a snowstorm descends on the castle, Freya and Carole call in back-up to help uncover what happened that fateful night. As each question is met with more mystery, the clock is ticking to find their friend and the murderer before they are cut off from the outside world.

Another delightfully gripping and endearing mystery, the Antique Hunter’s Series provides “great characters, great story, and you’re always eager for the next one” (Ian Moore, author of Death and Croissants).

My Thoughts: The third Antique Hunter's story takes place in a Scottish Castle. The team has been hired by the FBI to track down some paintings that were discovered to be forged. They are also working their way through the third notebook left them by their friend and mentor which includes the paintings and some silver. 

Their new friend, potential partner Bella, has gone ahead. She has her own agenda that deals with finding her family. She has never been part of a team in her somewhat dubious career and isn't sure she wants to be part of one now. 

However, when Bella disappears, Carole and Freya head to the castle to see what has happened to her. They stumble over the body of the laird of the castle but can't find Bella. They call in their FBI contact Phil who is also Freya's boyfriend and begin their own investigation.

The story is filled with twists and turns complicated by a snowstorm that strands them in the castle. I enjoyed this story but think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the second book in the series. There were lots of references to that story and how the relationships between the characters began.

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

ARC Review: You Did Nothing Wrong by CG Drews

You Did Nothing Wrong
Author: CG Drews
Publication: St. Martin's Press (March 17, 2026)

Description: Domestic suspense meets haunted house horror in this adult debut from the New York Times bestselling author of Don’t Let the Forest In.

The walls are closing in on her perfect new life.

Single mother Elodie’s life has become a fairy tale. She’s met Bren, equal parts Golden-retriever-devoted and sinfully handsome. He’s whisked her and her autistic son, Jude, to the crumbling family house he’s renovating. She has a new husband, a new house, and a new baby on the way. Everything is perfect.

Until Jude claims he can hear voices in the walls. He says their renovations are “hurting” the house. Even Elodie can’t ignore it―something strange is going on.

The question is, Is it with the house, or with her son?

And what is Elodie hiding?

My Thoughts: YOU DID NOTHING WRONG is a tightly focused thriller. It is told from the viewpoint of Elodie. She's twenty-two, has recently married and moved from Australia to the United States, and is the mother of six-year-old autistic son. 

While she loves Bren who swept her off her feet, she is less enamored with the construction project they are living in. Bren has taken her home to his deceased parents' house which he is gradually remodeling and updating. 

Things are chaotic. When her son Jude begins talking about hearing voices in the walls and how the remodeling is hurting the house, things get even stranger. Soon Elodie who is about four months pregnant is also hearing things in the house. 

Elodie's focus on caring for her son who has frequent tantrums and meltdowns conflicts with her desire to hold on to her new husband. Her mental health seems to deteriorate with each page of this story. Each flashback gives some indication of why. 

This was a hard story to read because of its emotional intensity. The tight focus on Elodie made the story seem almost claustrophobic. And the twists in the story gave me a sort of mental whiplash. Fans of the horrific will enjoy this exploration into the mind of a young woman.

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (March 9, 2026)

 It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.

It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

Want to See What I Added to My Stack? links to Stacking the Shelves hosted by Marlene at Reading Reality.

Other Than Reading...

This was an excellent week. I had a chance to do a lot of reading and listening because I didn't leave the house. I also watched a lot of baseball including some games in the World Baseball Classic along with Spring Training games. 

Right now, I'm awake early waiting for an Instacart delivery from Cub Foods. I'm still not driving by choice, and I was running out of the kinds of diet soda that I drink which was on sale at Cub. This week had freezing drizzle and freezing fog which made for some slippery roads and lots of ice-coated fallen trees. It was enough for me to try something new in grocery delivery rather than chance to roads. 

Tomorrow is my H & R Block appointment. I don't have to drive there either since my brother's appointment follows mine and he'll do the driving. It will be nice to have taxes checked off my to-do list. 

The rest of the week should be quiet. I'll finish my March review copies and immediately dive into April's since I have nine on my stack. I do need to set up my April calendar and get the draft posts done. I included a couple of books and audiobooks that I don't own yet. The books haven't been released yet but will be before they'll come up on my calendar. I'm still hoping for an Audible sale for the audiobooks I want to read but don't yet own. Otherwise, I do have Audible credits banked. 

Read Last Week

• Magelight by Kacey Ezell (Audiobook, mine since February 22, 2026) -- Romantasy which begins a series. My review will be posted on March 20.
• Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict (Review, March 24) -- Historical fiction which splits its time between the Pharaoh Hatshepsut and Lady Evelyn Herbert who wants to find her tomb in the 1920s. My review will be posted on March 17.
• Blue Dahlia by Nora Roberts (Audiobook, mine since January 25, 2026) -- First in a romance/ghost story series. My review will be posted on March 24.

• Five Golden Wings by Donna Andrews (Audiobook, mine since December 7, 2025) -- Another humorous Christmas mystery by a favorite author. My review will be posted on March 26.
• The Survivor by Andrew Reid (Review, March 24) -- Tense, emotion packed thriller told from multiple viewpoints. My review will be posted on March 18.
• Celebrity in Death by J. D. Robb (Audiobook reread)

• A Deadly Inheritance by Kelley Armstrong (Review, March 24) -- A YA mystery filled with well-handled tropes. My review will be posted on March 19.
• The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst (Review, March 31) -- The was a sweet, adventurous YA fantasy. My review will be posted on March 24.
• Eclipse Bay by Jayne Ann Krentz (Audiobook, mine since December 3, 2025) -- An engaging romantic suspense title. My review will be posted on March 31.

Currently

• Dawn in Eclipse Bay by Jayne Ann Krentz (Audiobook, mine since December 3, 2025)
• The Barn Identity by Diane Kelly (Review, March 31)

Next Week

• Family Lies by Karen Rose (Review, March 31)
• Jules Cassidy, P.I. by Suzanne Brockmann (Kindle, mine since February 2, 2026)
• The Book Witch by Meg Shaffer (Review, April 7)

• The Escape Game by Marissa Meyer & Tamara Moss (Review, April 7)
• Blood Trail by Matt Query & Harrison Query (Review, April 7)
• Bark of Night by David Rosenfelt (Kindle, mine since June 1, 2021)

Reviews Posted

• Spellbound by Murder by Stacie Ramey (Review copy)
• Magic & Mischief at the Wayside Hotel by Elizabeth Everett (Review copy)
• A Lie for a Lie by Ren DeStefano (Review copy)

• Forging Silver into Stars by Brigid Kemmerer (Audiobook)
• The Pie & Mash Detective Agency by J. D. Brinkworth (Review copy)
• Jolene by Mercedes Lackey (Mine)

Want to See What I Added to My Stack Last Week?

Review:

• Restless Bones by Gillian French (Review, June 16)
• Savvy Summers and the Po'boy Perils by Sandra Jackson-Opoku (Review, July 21)

• Murder on Charity Lane by Jo Nichols (Review, August 18)
• The Oxford Guide to Scandal & Lies by Kate Westbury (Review, September 1)

Bought:

• Love You More by Lisa Gardner (Kindle, Free with Kindle Rewards)
• The Shop on Hidden Lane by Jayne Ann Krentz (Kindle, Gift Card)

What was your week like?