Audiobook Review: The Inheritance by Ilona Andrews

The Inheritance
Author: Ilona Andrews
Narrator: Hillary Huber & James Konicek
Series: The Breech Wars (Book 1)
Publication: NYLA (October 29, 2025)
Length: 8 hours and 14 minutes

Description: We are at war. The interdimensional invasion brought us unimaginable suffering, but it also awoke talents slumbering deep within us, a means to repel and destroy our enemy. Every day new gates open, leading to breaches filled with monsters and valuable resources. If you are a Talent, your country needs you. The world needs you. Be the hero you were born to be.

Adaline is a Talent. Ten years ago, she had a happy marriage and a job she loved. The invasion shattered both. Now she works for the government, searching the breaches for magic metals and medicine to help Earth repel an interdimensional enemy. Two kids, one cat, bills, benefits, mortgage and school tuition...Risking her life became routine.

She had gone into the dimensional gates hundreds of times. She was always well protected. This time everything goes wrong. Now Ada is trapped in the labyrinth of alien caves unlike any other. Her only companion is a scared German Shepherd named Bear. Together they must uncover the breach's secrets and escape, because Ada promised her children that she will come home.

The future of humanity depends on it.

My Thoughts: THE INHERITANCE is the first in a new urban fantasy series by Ilona Andrews.

One day, breeches opened on Earth and monsters started pouring out. At the same time, some people developed various talents. This is the story of Adaline who goes from an ordinary housewife, with an ordinary husband, a job she loves and two great kids to someone who is divorced and employed by the government to go into these breeches and discover things that can be used to fight the monsters.

One ordinary day, she finds herself in a breech and discovers a large vein of adamantine - useful for weapons against the creatures from the breeches, but when the team finds itself in the middle of a battle of aliens, she and one German Shepherd named Bear are abandoned so that the miners and the man who was especially hired to protect her can get out safely. 

Ada isn't going to die. She promised her kids that she'd come home to them. When one of the dying aliens gives her a gift, Ada has a way to survive. She and Bear battle aliens and the alien environment and along the way learn a lot more about the purposes of the breeches and who the real enemies are.

Meanwhile, the head of the guild that provided the cowardly guard is getting ready to mount a recovery mission to get back the bodies of their fallen comrades and the people they were hired to guard which gives the reader a chance to find out about the various politics on Earth and the rivalry between the various guilds. 

This was an excellent urban fantasy story. I hope the authors write more in this world. 

I bought this one September 3, 2026. You can buy your copy here.

ARC Review: The Riddle Maker by Bruce Borgos

The Riddle Maker
Author: Bruce Borgos
Series: Porter Beck (Book 4)
Publication: Minotaur Books (November 17, 2026)

Description: In the latest in this USA Today bestselling series, Nevada sheriff Porter Beck receives an anonymous riddle leading him to a body hidden for decades, leading Beck and his team in a chase to unravel riddles that will help them uncover and stop a long-time serial killer.

Porter Beck is the sheriff of Lincoln County, Nevada, a vast expanse of desert and mountains best known to the outside world for the top-secret installation called Area 51. Just down the highway sits a weathered mailbox where UFO believers leave messages for aliens. But this time, the message is for Beck

It’s a riddle. And when Beck and his team decipher it, the answer leads them to the shrinking waters of Lake Mead and an oil drum chained to the bottom. Inside are the remains of someone missing for more than fifty years, someone tied to Beck by a thread of DNA stretching deep into his own past.

Enter Jett Lowell, a pint-sized but fearless FBI profiler who believes Beck’s riddle is connected to one she received seventeen years earlier, shortly before the disappearance of someone close to her.

Convinced they are hunting a serial killer, Beck and Jett follow a trail of riddles from the deserts of Nevada to the mountains of Arizona, and finally to the red rock wilderness of Utah, racing to uncover a chain of murders spanning generations before the killer unleashes a final, horrendous act decades in the making.

My Thoughts: In the fourth Porter Beck mystery, Beck receives a riddle. Left at an isolated mailbox outside of Area 51 and composed of letters cut from magazines, the riddle leads Beck to Lake Mead and a long-submerged, chain-wrapped barrel. The barrel contains the remains of Beck's grandfather who disappeared many years ago. 

FBI profiler Jett Lowell hears of the riddle and discovery and comes to Beck because she too had received a riddle some years earlier that she believes might lead to the location of the remains of her younger brother who was kidnapped when she was a teen. Beck solves that tiddle too and the remains are discovered.

Both Beck and Jett are on a quest to find the serial killer who has been active for more than 50 years but with long-gaps between his kills. 

Meanwhile Beck is dealing with an experimental treatment to treat his eye disease and planning a marriage to his pregnant girlfriend who is also a sheriff's deputy. When she is shot at while examining the illegal kill of an elk, they wonder if the shooting is connected to the serial killer. There are also unexplained crop circles showing up in alfalfa fields in the county. 

This was another excellent mystery. I liked the desert Southwest setting. I also liked the characters who are all realistic and well-drawn.

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? (November 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 a nice fall week. As I'm writing this, the sun is shining and it is 44 degrees outside. The trees are all bare which is spotlighting all the evergreens in my neighborhood. We got just above three inches of rain this week which was much needed. My brother and I were both grateful that the temperatures were as warm as they were. It could have been well over a foot of snow had the temperatures been just a few degrees lower. 

I had a good reading week even though I'm not building up much of a cushion on my calendar. It really doesn't help with my calendar cushion when the book I'm currently reading has over 750 pages and the next on the stack 450. I have finished my November review books and plan to start December's this week since they are all being released early in December. Three are being released on the first and four on the eighth. 

I have a little breathing room on my review stack since after I finish my December 8 release my next review book will be released on January 5. I'm trying to fill the gap by finishing all of my 2026 TBR books. I have 23 of them to go. My Review-Pending collection on LibraryThing is down to 36 books with only seven remaining for 2026 release.

I added one Kindle book and its audiobook to my stack this week. I was waiting for a double points day at Amazon which finally arrived. I used both my banked reward points and a $5 Audible coupon to lower the prices of each of them. BTW, has anyone else noted the rising costs of Kindle books? I have one on my wishlist that is nearly $20.

This coming week will be a quiet one. The Minnesota Vikings are playing on Monday night, which means today is a reading day. I have no appointments this week to get me out of the house. I can hope to build myself a cushion on my calendar and lower my Review and TBR piles. 

Read Last Week

• Fall for a Fairytale by Isabelle Taylor (Review, November 10) -- Romantic Fantasy. My review was posted on November 6.
• Direct Descendant by Tanya Huff (Kindle & Audiobook, Mine since September 17) -- Contemporary fantasy which blends humor, romance, and horror. My review was posted on November 6.

• The Riddle Maker by Bruce Borgos (Review, November 17) -- Fourth Porter Beck contemporary mystery. My review will be posted on November 10.
• Angels & Demons by Dan Brown (Audiobook, Mine since October 24) -- Great thriller. My review will be posted on December 3.
• The Killing Time by Elly Griffiths (Review, November 17) -- Second Ali Dawson time travel mystery. My review will be posted on November 11.

• Birth of the Witch by Nora Roberts (Review, November 17) -- First in a new trilogy that looks like it is going to be one really long story since this one has the hero and heroine finally meeting very near the end of the story. Cliffhanger ending. My review will be posted on November 12.
• The Case of the Christie Honeymoon Murder by Kelly Oliver (Mine, Kindle & Audiobook) -- fifth in a historical mystery series. My review will be posted on December 10.

DNF

• Infinite Wisdom by Thomas R. Weaver (Review, November 10) -- Second in a series that apparently assumed I had just finished book 1 which made things very confusing since I read book 1 about a year ago.

Currently

• The Fae Duology by Sharon Lee & Steve Miller (Kindle, Mine since July 1)

Next Week

• Murder Unabridged by P. J. Nelson (Review, December 1)
• Revenge in a Small Town by Delia Pitts (Review, December 1)
• Cold Redemption by Nalini Singh (Review, December 1)

• Lily Starling and the Death Machine by Christian Hurst (Kindle, Mine since May 13)
• Mrs. Christie & the Mystery in the Mews by Amanda Chapman (Review, December 8)
• Cry of the Rain Crow by Laurie L. Dove (Review, December 8)

Reviews Posted

• You, Me, & the Conspiracy by Emma Barry (Review copy)
• Murder of a Merry Gentleman by Celeste Connally (Review copy)
• Thunderbird Ranch by Laura Griffin (Review copy)

• Bad Company by Sara Paretsky (Review copy)
• Fall for a Fairytale by Isabelle Taylor (Review copy)
• Direct Descendant by Tanya Huff (Mine, Kindle & Audiobook)

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

Review:

Bought:

• Dangerous Impulses by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Kindle, $9.99 after Kindle Rewards)
• Dangerous Impulses by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Audiobook, $3.30 after using $5 Audible Reward)

What was your week like?

Audiobook Review: Direct Descendant by Tanya Huff

Direct Descendant
Author: Tanya Huff
Narrator: Savannah Thomas
Publication: Tantor Media (April 8, 2025)
Length: 11 hours and 10 minutes

Description: This cozy horror novel set in modern-day Toronto includes phenomenal characters, fantastic writing, and a queer romance—the perfect balance of dark and delightful

Generations ago, the founders of the idyllic town of Lake Argen made a deal with a dark force. In exchange for their service, the town will stay prosperous and successful, and keep outsiders out. And for generations, it's worked out great. Until a visitor goes missing, and his wealthy family sends a private investigator to find him, and everything abruptly goes sideways.

Now, Cassidy Prewitt, town baker and part-time servant of the dark force (it's a family business) has to contend with a rising army of darkness, a very frustrated town, and a very cute PI who she might just be falling for . . . and who might just be falling for her. And if they can survive their own homegrown apocalypse, they might even just find happiness together.

Queer, cozy, and with a touch of eldritch horror mixed in just for fun, this is a charming love story about a small-town baker, a quick-witted PI, and, yes, an ancient evil.

My Thoughts: DIRECT DESCENDANT is a cozy fantasy with a touch of horror. Cassidy Prewitt in the new Mouth of the Dark. It is a traditional position for a member of her family. Lake Argen was settled by her ancestors who made a deal with the Dark so that the town will stay prosperous and successful. Their silver mine won't ever run out of silver leaving many of the citizens, including Cassidy, rich enough to not need to work. 

But, one day, a stranger comes to town and sacrifices himself. Cassidy is there but can't stop him. Now, she's looking for any changes in the town. The one change she didn't expect was the arrival of Melanie. She has been hired by the grandmother of the missing stranger. Melanie is an out-of-work English teacher who thinks making the $10,000 dollar fee will be an easy thing to do.

Melanie and Cassidy fall in love. But, when Cassidy tries to tell her the town secrets, Melanie won't believe her. Cassidy needs to break her own heart by taking Melanie's memory away and sending her away from the town. Only the grandmother forces Melanie to return because she has plans for the town and the Dark.

This was an entertaining romance filled with all sorts of paranormal beings. I enjoyed the worldbuilding and the characters. 

I bought this one September 17. You can buy your copy here.

ARC Review: Fall for a Fairytale by Isabelle Taylor

Fall for a Fairytale
Author: Isabelle Taylor
Publication: Dell (November 10, 2026)

Description: A wild adventure begins when a charming orc con artist convinces an orphaned fae that she could be the kingdom’s lost princess, launching them both on a dangerous mission with found family, a flying pirate ship, and steamy romance.

“A rollicking fast-paced adventure with delightful characters and a swoony romance. From start to finish, this enchanting cozy romantasy is a whole lot of fun!”—Emily Krempholtz, USA Today bestselling author of Prudence Marsh Is Not a Nobody Anymore

Clove is no stranger to hard work. As a young fae, she woke up in an orphanage with no memories and a torn wing. Since then, Clove has toiled in bustling taverns, saving every coin to reach the enchanting Wingspire City with her adorable, feathered companion, Goosebug. Now, finally with enough money, she’s ready to say goodbye to her past and find her future.

Jayce, a charming and handsome orc, is currently on the run from a notorious crime lord he borrowed money from. That’s when he runs into the girl he’s been looking for—a fae who could pose as the missing princess. This con, and the huge reward, is finally in sight, but when Jayce stars to feel something for the feisty Clove, he knows it won’t be easy.

Clove has never felt so alive, sneaking onto moving trains and soaring through the clouds on a magical pirate ship. Despite her better judgment, she’s beginning to trust Jayce—he’s so certain she’s the missing princess, and she desperately wants him to be right, especially if it means one more night with him . . .

As they draw closer to the castle and each other, they must confront the truth, the past, and the passion brewing between them.

My Thoughts: This romantasy stars Clove who is a fae. She doesn't remember any of her past before she awoke in an orphanage with a scarred wing. She was about eight. Now, she is a tavern wench saving her coins for a trip to Wingspire City where she hopes to find someone who knows her. She is also hoping for a family.

One day, Jayce walks into the tavern where she works. He's an orc and on the run from the bullyboys who are collectors for Silver, the man he borrowed money from. Money that he isn't able to repay. He was raised as a gardener's boy, but after the revolution, he's been making his way as a con man.

Jayce takes one look at Clove and sees the biggest con of his life. During the revolution, Princess Arabella, the eight-year-old daughter of the king, disappeared and has been presumed dead. Jayce was there when she and the villain fell out of a window and presumably landed in the river far below. She was never found.

Jayce convinces Clove to go with him to meet with the king. At first, he thinks it is a con, but along the way he comes to hope and believe that Clove really is the missing princess. Clove doesn't remember but lets herself be convinced by Jayce that she is the missing princess.

The two have lots of adventures along the way to Windspire City chased by Silver's henchmen. They find themselves on a runaway train and taken about a ship of sky pirates. Along the way Clove makes a number of friends among people she helps and falls deeply in love with Jayce.

This was a fun fantasy romance. 

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

ARC Review: Bad Company by Sara Paretsky

Bad Company
Author: Sara Paretsky
Publication: Minotaur Books (November 10, 2026)

Description: International bestseller and groundbreaking icon Sara Paretsky returns with a brand new novel and character - proving once again that she's one of the pre-eminent authors in crime fiction and beyond.

To all appearances, Lily Sedako is an ordinary retiree―a seventy-something single woman living in Chicago, her days filled with the routine tasks of normal life. But underneath that exterior, lies a remarkable past. A former CIA field agent, she spent her career in various Central Asian countries, most notably in Hayalistan, a former USSR territory. But everything went sideways when Lily's connections to the mountain tribes resulted in her being moved to a new post and Rani, the tribal leader and first democratically elected President was removed, presumed killed, in a coup

All of this is long behind her when she receives an anonymous package containing a magazine with an article about Hayalistan―an article with a previously unknown photo showing Lily in the background. This was no mistake―someone out there is trying to expose Lily, after more than two decades, for reasons unknown. Even worse, the magazine story casts doubt on everything she believed to be true about her time in Hayalistan.

Lily is determined to find out who is behind this and, even more important, the truth of what really happened so long ago. As word of her investigation reaches the CIA, the company knows that they must silence her but Lily is no one's pawn, even now. Using hard won skills and personal connections from her former life, Lily takes on the unwise, and perhaps impossible task of fighting back against the powerful forces aligning against her.

In a powerful novel about love, power, corruption, aging, trust...and revenge, Bad Company reaffirms Sara Paretsky place as one of the pre-eminent crime writers of our time.

My Thoughts: Lily Sedako looks like an ordinary retiree who is living in Chicago. However, Lily spent forty years as a CIA agent. She spent most of her time in Hayalistan which is one of the Stans. She fell in love with the people and with the man who became the Prime Minister until he was violently overthrown. 

Lily was a successful agent despite being hated by her immediate supervisor who didn't think women belonged in the field and did everything he could to sabotage her. His supervisor was her godfather who managed to keep Lily in the field. 

Now, she receives an anonymous package containing a magazine with an article about current day Hayalistan which features a photo of Lily taking part in a women's ceremony. The article blames Lily for the woes Hayalistan suffered after a billionaire opened lithium mines in the country which led to pollution, drug abuse, and the destruction of the way of life. 

She is determined to find out who outed her and who is blaming her for the problems. Also, the mining leases are coming up for renewal, and the owner doesn't want anything to get in the way of that process. The current CIA is unduly influenced by the billionaires who are darlings of the current administration and want Lily silenced.

Lily is on the run from the CIA while she tries to find out what is going on and deciding what to do about it. 

This was a fast-paced thriller with an intriguing main character. She smart. She's determined. And she's old with the various aches and pains that come with age and with a woman who suffered injuries on her job. 

Lily not only needs to save herself but has to save her mentor while bringing down the bad guys. Great story!

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

ARC Review: Thunderbird Ranch by Laura Griffin

Thunderbird Ranch
Author: Laura Griffin
Publication: Berkley (November 10, 2026)

Description: When a prominent Texas family’s celebration ends in murder, local law enforcement discovers they are keeping dark secrets in this tense new suspense novel from USA Today bestselling author Laura Griffin.

Cal Truitt is dead, no one knows who killed him, and everyone is a suspect.

Perhaps it’s his bride-to-be, ranching heiress Faye McCann, who’s facing a midlife crisis after falling into deep debt and being forced to convert her property into a posh retreat. Or maybe it’s one of her three children—who all despised Cal and were summoned to the ranch by Faye to learn some long-buried family secrets.

Lilian Lasko is new blood, but she has some secrets of her own. She sees her boyfriend's family, with their bitter rivalries and resentments, through the eyes of a wary outsider. Lilian is eager to please, but by the night’s end, she’s running through a creek bed, covered in blood.

Only one person knows the truth: the killer.

Detective Kate Graham is determined to unravel the family’s toxic manipulations and lies to reveal Cal Truitt’s murderer. But with a family that hates and loves one another with equal fervor, Kate’s pursuit of justice becomes more complicated and dangerous with each passing hour.

My Thoughts: THUNDERBIRD RANCH begins with a murder. Cal Truitt is found dead in a creek bed by Lilian Lasko who has come to Thunderbird Ranch with her fiancé to celebrate his mother's birthday and be introduced to the family. She finds all sorts of tensions.

Faye McCann is renovating the property in order to turn the ranch into a resort. She also introduces Cal Truitt to the group as her new fiancé. Truitt is much despised by all three of Faye's children. Her oldest son has had run-ins with him since he was a teen. Her daughter claims that he assaulted her when she was a teen. And Lily's fiancé Will just doesn't like him. Lil felt he came on too strong when she was introduced to him.

Deputy Sheriff Kate Graham is put in charge of the murder investigation. She hopes it means that her dedication has been recognized by the sheriff but fears she's being set up for a fall. She interviews all the McCanns and Lilith but isn't ready to name a suspect despite pressure from the sheriff and the district attorney. 

As Kate tries to unravel the secrets and relationships, Lilian has her own secrets to conceal and her own questions about what is going on in Will's family. 

The story is told from three viewpoints. Faye, Kate, and Lilian each have sections from their points of view. The story is also told in a nonlinear fashion. I had to keep looking at the chapter titles to figure out when each piece came in the broader narrative. 

Fans of suspense with just a little romance will enjoy this one. 

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