ARC Review: The Ghost Women by Jennifer Murphy

The Ghost Women
Author: Jennifer Murphy
Publication: Dutton (February 24, 2026)

Description: A mysterious art academy in the woods, a deck of ancient tarot cards, a centuries-old secret

On a hot August morning in 1972, the body of Abel Montague, a student at St. Luke’s Institute of the Arts, is found hanging from a tree in the forest. An ancient Hanged Man tarot card is found in the back pocket of his pants and his body has been positioned into the exact pose illustrated on the card.

When Detective Lola Germany arrives at St. Luke’s—a former monastery that once housed a secret order of monks who carried out witch trials and executions—she believes they are dealing with a ritualistic murder. While interviewing school administrators and Abel’s classmates, Lola discovers Abel’s live-in girlfriend, Pearl, seems shaken but also might be hiding something—along with her group of friends who call themselves witches.

When more students are found dead, each body arranged like a tarot card, Lola realizes she is trapped in a web of power and ambition that spans centuries. Soon the lines between past and present, spiritual and tangible, begin to blur, and the only way to survive is to seek answers from places she never imagined.

My Thoughts: This twisty mystery is filled with ghosts, tarot cards, and murders at a secretive art college on a South Carolina island. 

Detective Lola Germany, with a secret past of her own, is called to St. Luke's when the body of a young student is found hanging from the infamous ghost tree. His body has been posed like that of the Hanged Man from the tarot deck. Frustrated by the lack of cooperation given by the head of the school, Lola tries to investigate and interview the students who know Abel Montgomery. 

Then there are more deaths. Two students jump from a burning tower like the deaths depicted on The Tower tarot card. Hemlock poisoning and accelerants indicate that the deaths were murder, not the accident to school's dean is claiming.

The story is told from multiple points of view. Lola and Pearl who was Abel's live-in and who is a seer carry the bulk of the story. Other characters include Krista who is also a student and a green witch and Esme who is the dean's snitch and a victim.

The story is a twisted tale of murders over centuries, ghosts of wronged women, and young artists with witchy talents. Surrounding all of it is Lola who is back home and working as a police detective after a career as a prima ballerina which ended in tragedy.

I enjoyed the dreamy prose and the mysticism. I also liked the way the past was woven into the story. 

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

ARC Review: Buried in Shamrocks by Lisa Q. Mathews

Buried in Shamrocks
Author: Lisa Q. Mathews
Series: Irish Bed & Breakfast Mysteries (Book 2)
Publication: Crooked Lane Books (February 24, 2026)

Description: Kate Buckley returns to her Irish-themed hometown for the summer, but when her ex becomes the prime suspect in his fiancée’s murder, she must clear his name for the sake of their daughters, perfect for fans of Elle Cosimano and Carlene O’Connor.

Kate and her daughters, Maeve and Bliz, are back in Shamrock, Massachusetts, and Kate faces a big decision: Should they move back to their hometown for good? As she contemplates the idea, all the businesses in town, including her family’s B&B, the Buckley House, are busy preparing for the annual Great Shamrock Fair in hopes of luring back tourists after a murder during St. Patrick’s Week.

But when Kate’s ex, Ian, arrives in town from Ireland to perform with his band at the festival and his new fiancée, Fallon, is found dead at the fairgrounds, any chance of a fun and peaceful family summer goes up in green smoke.

Much as she wants nothing to do with her ex, Kate knows Ian is innocent. Amid the swirl of activity in town and her sister Colleen’s determination to keep the annual Miss Shamrock contests alive, Kate enlists her devastated eldest daughter and her father, the former Shamrock police chief, to help her unwind the trail of evidence.

With clues—and danger—piling up, can Kate find Fallon’s true killer and save her ex, before the Great Shamrock Fair and the town’s chances for a summer full of green go bust?

My Thoughts: Kate Buckley and her two daughters have come home for the summer and maybe forever. It is time for the annual Great Shamrock Fair and things aren't going well. The man who usually does the butter sculpture has had an accident and his artist daughter is standing in. Kate's ex and his band are scheduled to play at the festival and stay at her parents' B&B. So is a rival group of elderly Itish musicians who are her father's friends. 

Her ex, Ian, has also brought along a fiancée named Fallon who is the manager of the band. When Fallon is found dead, it is up to Kate to clear her name and Ian's name too. Of course, she also has to deal with her youngest who is a contestant for Little Miss Shamrock and her eldest who resents that Ian hasn't kept in touch with the family. 

This was a fun cozy with an interesting setting and main character. 

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

ARC Review: The Wolves Are Watching by Victoria Houston

The Wolves Are Watching
Author: Victoria Houston
Series: Lew Ferris Mysteries (Book 4)
Publication: Crooked Lane Books (February 24, 2026)

Description: Sheriff Lew Ferris has a new partner in crime in the fourth installment in Victoria Houston’s atmospheric mystery series, perfect for fans of Marc Cameron and Nevada Barr.

It’s early September when a competitor in a high school fishing tournament is approached by a stranger who threatens him and his family in an attempt to blackmail him into throwing the first round of the tournament. The boy flees into the woods, where at night he sleeps with wolves watching him from the shadows.

When the boy’s father asks Lew’s deputy, Ray Pradt, for help finding his son as well as the man who threatened him, they’re thrown into a world of illegal betting that’s more dangerous than either could have imagined. Meanwhile, Lew Ferris learns that a couple who went on a wolf-watching trip has disappeared without a trace, right near an old log cabin that Ray remembers from his childhood.

Sheriff Lew Ferris finds herself challenged more than ever before: arms dealing, sports betting, blackmail, and wolves. Is she under threat from predators too?

My Thoughts: The fourth mystery starring Sheriff Lew Ferris takes place in early September. A competitor in a high school fishing tournament is approached by someone who wants him to cheat. A man and woman who are wolf watchers disappear. And an old cabin in a protected area has been fixed up and is being used for illegal arms. 

Lew is assisted by her investigator Ray Pradt who is a coach for the fishing team and an excellent guide and tracker. He's the one who brings Lew to the old cabin and he's the one who discovers the wolf watching couple's bodies buried in a shallow grave. 

The illegal arms have Lew calling in the Feds who set up a sting at the cabin which is blown by a cop who needed to use the outhouse in the early hours. Clues seem to indicate that all three cases are connected and all clues also lead to a family that used to be prominent in the area. 

The story is told from multiple viewpoints which gradually come together as Lew and her cohorts work on solving the case. 

I enjoyed this story which stars a fly-fishing sheriff who is a whole lot smarter than the crooks believe. 

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

ARC Review: The Curious Case of the Poisoned Professor by Lucy Connelly

The Curious Case of the Poisoned Professor
Author: Lucy Connelly
Publication: Cooked Lane Books (February 24, 2026)

Description: A new job can be killer in this series debut mystery set in Wales, perfect for fans of Sheila Connolly and Paige Shelton.

After crossing the pond, Dr. Gwen Griffith finds herself in the quirky place she fell in love with, Dillynaidd, Wales. A former managing editor for a Texan newspaper, Gwen is ready for the next stage in her life as the head of the journalism department at the local university in town. With her best friend, Carolyn Sparks–who is also the university’s dean–at her side, Dillynaidd feels like a dream, until murder comes knocking at her doorstep.

Gwen had only just met the victim, Dr. Alice Rice, at a faculty party, but that doesn't stop police detective Gareth Jones from suspecting her of foul play–after all, the victim was found on her doorstep. With her journalism background, Gwen decides that it’s up to her to clear her own name. But she’ll need all the help she can get when her idyllic small-town life is turned upside down in order to stay one step ahead of the killer.

This brand-new series by Lucy Connelly, author of the Scottish Isle mysteries, will charm cozy mystery readers everywhere.

My Thoughts: Gwen Griffith, after an early retirement as a newspaper editor, has accepted a new job as a professor in the journalism department at the college where she took her undergraduate degree. Her best friend is the university's dean and put her on to the job. Gwen is eager to get to know the people working for her and gladly accepts her friend's invitation to a gathering to meet them. Dr. Alice Rice is the only one Gwen has trouble with. Alice resents the newcomer Gwen has been given the post she wanted so badly. She makes all sorts of rude remarks at the party.

Later that evening, when Gwen has returned to her new flat, Alice comes to her door, makes a cryptic remark, and falls dead into Gwen's arms. Gwen's curiosity is aroused. She wants to learn more about the woman no one from faculty to students liked. And when the verdict of murder by poison is given, she is even more curious. 

Gwen teams up with her new assistant who is also headed for a career as an investigative journalist to learn more about Alice and about who might want her dead. Somehow, Gwen finds herself on the killer's radar. Anonymous notes, a stalker, and a near miss hit-and-run indicate that someone believes Gwen is getting too near to solving the case. 

I enjoyed this first in a new series title. I liked the setting and characters. I liked Gwen's young assistant and can see the local detective as a possible love interest for Gwen in future stories. 

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

ARC Review: The Whisking Hour by Ellie Alexander

The Whisking Hour
Author: Ellie Alexander
Series: Bakeshop Mysteries (Book 22)
Publication: Minotaur Books (February 24, 2026)

Description: Another delicious installment in Ellie Alexander's Bakeshop Mysteries set in Ashland, OR!

Fall is in full flush in the charming hamlet of Ashland, Oregon, and baker Juliet Capshaw is excited to celebrate the season with a night at the theatre. Lance Rousseau, Ashland’s renowned theater director and one of Jules’ closest friends, has put his own spin on a production of the Broadway classic Perfect Crime, drawing the audience into a cozy New York apartment as a nefarious set of suspects pulls off the perfect murder. As the final show approaches, Jules and the team at Torte are eagerly whipping up a murderous feast for the cast party, baking a bevy of treats like panna cotta eyeballs with blood orange coulis, deviled eggs, and savory cheese fingers with pumpkin dipping sauce.

On the day of the soirée, life seems to imitate art when a storm rolls over the Siskiyou Mountains, ushering in gusty winds and unrelenting rain. The audience buzzes with electric energy as the lights flicker and the actors take the stage. After the actors take their final bow, the cast trickles into Carpenter Hall, ready for a night of frivolity. But when an actor is discovered dead in his dressing room, Jules wonders if she’s just witnessed the real perfect murder.

My Thoughts: Jules Capshaw is eagerly awaiting the birth of her twins in this 22nd Bakeshop Mystery. It's fall and the OSF is putting on a murder mystery. Her friend Lance who is the theater director is busy planning his wedding and calls upon a noted New York director to put on this show. 

When the director is murdered and found in the lead actress's dressing room, Lance with Jules very reluctant help begin their own investigation. Jules would be more than happy to leave the investigation to the very competent Ashland Police Force. 

Even a cursory investigation provides lots of suspects. The lead actress has been bullied by the producer. The director's almost ex-wife has her own reasons for wanting him dead. One of the other actors has been pushed by the director into stalking other cast members. The female understudy is trying to gather evidence that the director has a history of hitting on his pretty female cast members. Even the props guy has reasons to want the director dead. 

Besides the various villains and searching for the clues, the food Jules and her staff create all sounds amazing. Unlike many culinary cozies, this one doesn't have selected recipes in the back. 

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? (February 16, 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...

I had a great reading week. I managed to stay on track with what I had planned to read without taking any audiobook detours. I hope to do the same thing this week and rebuild my cushion of scheduled posts. I have decided that, while I really like audiobooks, I don't like romance audiobooks. When I'm reading a print copy, I can skim over the love scenes if they get too long or embarrassing. I can't do that as easily with an audiobook. 

Despite our January thaw coming late this year, I still stayed inside all week. Friday and Saturday the temperatures reached the mid-forties. Melting ensued leaving our driveway clear and dry and grass showing in large bare spots on our lawn. We do have today and Monday when the temperatures should be in the lower 40s and the skies clear and blue too. 

Of course, a winter weather event is also in this week's forecast. There is a chance of snow in the forecast from Tuesday night until Friday. The exact track of the storm isn't known yet. We could get rain or up to 6 inches of snow. Wednesday is supposed to be the day with the bulk of the precipitation. 

I do have a brief doctor's appointment on Monday and want to get 2026 license tabs for my car which means a trip to the DMV. Otherwise, I should be able to stay home and read. 

My brother has Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday off this week. I'm planning to make a Marry Me Chicken crockpot soup on Monday. I don't know what he plans to cook on his days off. 

Read Last Week

• Don't Open the Door by Allison Brennan (Audiobook, mine since February 9, 2026) -- Contemporary thriller. The second book starring former US Marshal Regan Merritt. My review will be posted on February 26,
• The Ghost Women by Jennifer Murphy (Review, February 24) -- A mystery set at a reclusive art school. The story has ghosts, murders staged to look like Tarot cards, and a detective with a secret past. My review will be posted on February 19.
• How to Get Away with Murder by Rebecca Philipson (Review, February 24) -- This twisty thriller has a woman coming back to work after a breakdown and trying to track down the author of a book about being a serial killer. There are alternate chapters from the book. My review will be posted on February 20.

• A Ghastly Catastrophe by Deanna Raybourn (Review, March 3) -- Tenth Veronica Speedwell historical mystery. Wonderful main character with a unique voice. My review will be posted on February 24.
• Fangirl Down by Tessa Bailey (Audiobook, mine since February 8, 2026) -- Spicy sports romance with some depth. My review will be posted on February 27.
• Collared by David Rosenfelt (Kindle, Mine since September 29, 2023) -- Fifteenth in the Andy Carpenter mystery series. My review will be posted on February 25.

• Spellbound by Murder by Stacie Ramey (Review, March 10) -- Fun paranormal mystery with a great setting and intriguing main character. My review will be posted on March 3.
• Magic & Mischief at the Wayside Hotel by Elizabeth Everett (Review, March 10) -- Contemporary romantasy with great worldbuilding and a nice love story. My review will be posted on March 4.

Currently

• Forging Silver into Stars by Brigid Kemmerer (Audiobook, mine since January 18, 2026)
• A Lie for a Lie by Ren DeStefano (Review, March 10)

Next Week

• The Pie & Mash Detective Agency by J. D. Brinkworth (Review, March 10)
• Jolene by Mercedes Lackey (Mine since November 18, 2025)
• You Did Nothing Wrong by CG Drews (Review, March 17)

• The Antique Hunter's Murder at the Castle by C. L. Miller (Review, March 17)
• Stakeouts and Strollers by Rob Phillips (Review, March 17)
• The Somewhat Wicked Witch of Brigandale by C. M. Waggoner (Review, March 17)

Reviews Posted

• The Reckless Bride by Stephanie Laurens (Audiobook)
• Half City by Kate Golden (Review copy)
• Owl Be Home for Christmas by Donna Andrews (Audiobook, mine)

• First Sign of Danger by Kelley Armstrong (Review copy)
• Murder Will Out by Jennifer K. Breedlove (Review copy)
• The Edge by Dick Francis (Mine)

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

Review:

Bought:

• Stolen in Death by J. D. Robb (Gift Card Kindle & Audiobook)
• Don't Open the Door by Allison Brennan (Audiobook, Audible Credit)
• Fangirl Down by Tessa Bailey (Audiobook, Gift Card)

What was your week like?

Book Review: The Edge by Dick Francis

The Edge
Author: Dick Francis
Publication: G. P. Putnam (August 2, 2005)

Description: To the Jockey Club, the racing world would be a better place without Julius Apollo Filmer. An expert in corruption with a devastating line in witness intimidation - and proving to be a slippery character to put behind bars. Baffled, they call in undercover security agent Tor Kelsey to keep an unflinching eye on Filmer and his associates. A mission that takes him from the finest of English racecourses to the wild Canadian interior - on a luxury transcontinental train journey to end them all. On board, a troupe of actors are playing out a murder mystery for the amusement of their diamond-studded passengers. Ideal cover for a secret investigator with secrets of his own. And better still for an ice-cool blackmailer for whom murder is just one of many options...

My Thoughts: Tor Kelsey works as an investigator for the Jockey Club. He was raised around horses, left England for about seven years, had his trust funds come due, and was looking for meaningful work. His former trustee introduced him to the head of the Investigations Department who offered him a job. He has been working more or less undercover for three years. 

Julius Apollo Filmer was one of the men he watched. He has found some way to blackmail owners into selling him or giving him their best horses. All of the owners are too frightened to tell the Jockey Club what he's been doing. Before a young groom could confess all, his body was found in a ditch. Filmer was brought to trial but was acquitted. 

Now, Filmer has decided to take part in a Canadian venture that puts a number of horses, owners, grooms, and racegoers on a train that will be traveling across Canada and stopping at various racetracks along the way. Tor has been given a place on the train to keep an eye on Filmer who doubtless has some dastardly plan in place though no one knows what it is. The train is also hosting a bunch of actors who are doing a murder mystery along the journey.

Tor assumes the role of one of the waiters on the train reasoning that no one will look past the uniform. Anonymity has been his friend in his new job, and he doesn't want to lose it. The only ones in country who know his secret identity are the young woman who is organizing the tour, and she only knows part of the truth, and the head of the Investigations department of the Canadian Jockey club. 

This was an engaging mystery filled with lots of action and adventure. Tor was a great character who job means that he is lonely most of the time. He's bright, he's dedicated, and he's very observant. 

I bought this one January 1, 2026. You can buy your copy here.