Blade

 

Blade by Wendy Walker
2/1/26; 303 pages
Thomas & Mercer 

Blade by Wendy Walker is a recommended, highly for YA readers, psychological thriller following young elite figure skaters at a training facility.

Ana Robbins is currently a successful defense attorney who specializes in defending traumatized minors. Fourteen years ago, when she was thirteen, she was a student under Coach Dawn Sumner at The Palace, a figure skating training facility in Colorado. Ana was one of the "orphans," skaters who lived in the dorms away from parents. She left after a tragic event. Now Ana is returning the defend Grace Montgomery, a young skater at The Palace who has been accused of the murder of one of the coaches.

While well-written, the pace was very slow and it really felt like a YA or maybe a new adult novel. There are moments and scenes that are presented with great clarity of purpose but for most of the narrative I really struggled to stay focused and involved with the plot. The majority of the novel tells the story of Ana's time at The Palace years earlier rather than focusing on the present charges against Grace, but the secrets and issues are ones Ana should have faced earlier.

The past, however, may hold clues for and connections to the current situation. Also included in the narrative are excerpts from the testimony of witnesses in the court case. Several elements were very predictable and others stretched believability. There are some twists along the way and expect adults behaving badly. I've enjoyed many other books by Walker much more and look forward to her next novel. Thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Dear Debbie

 

Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden
1/27/26; 336 pages
Poisoned Pen Press

Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden is a very highly recommended, insanely entertaining domestic thriller. I was totally immersed in this fun, over-the-top psychological  thriller from beginning to end.

Debbie Mullen, an advice columnist, is married to Cooper, an accountant, and they have two teenage daughters. Lately she has decided it is time to follow her own advice, take matters into her own hands, and dispense some consequences for the various actions others have been taking against her and her family. Debbie is going to fix some injustices and problems taken against those she loves. Sometimes, enough is enough and now it's payback time. Debbie's actions might be crazy or perhaps she's crazy like a fox and the most intelligent one in the room.

The writing is fantastic in this clever, humorous, entertaining thriller and I was engrossed throughout. The narrative unfolds through multiple points-of-view, mostly Debbie's, but also Cooper and Harley, a friend of Debbie's, along with various drafts of advice columns Debbie wrote. Expect and prepare for many unpredictable actions, laughs, secrets, lies, and twists until everything is wrapped up  perfectly, almost, at the end.

Reading Dear Debbie was a sheer pleasure from start to finish! Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an advance reader's copy via Edelweiss. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Paper Cut

 

Paper Cut by Rachel Taff
1/27/26; 304 pages
William Morrow

Paper Cut by Rachel Taff is a highly recommended debut psychological suspense novel, for the right reader, mixed with a domestic cult drama set in Los Angeles.

As a teen Lucy Golden committed a murder to escaped from a cult in the California desert twenty years ago and became notoriously famous. After being found not guilty in a trial, she wrote a best selling true crime novel about her experiences and has rode that success ever since. However, Lucy's success has always paled in comparison to her mother Diana, a famous photographer and narcissist, and her rock star sister Odette. When a  documentarian wants to make her experiences the subject of his next film, she is torn. It will mean renewed interest in the publication of new edition of her book, but it could also shatter the carefully cultivated story she has told over the years.

The narrative starts out slow paced and presents nothing to really intrigue readers or pull them into the plot right from the start- unless a famous, narcissistic mother and a true crime writer grabs your attention. It does get much better later in the novel, but the slow start may be off-putting for some readers. The narrative follows two timelines, the present day interviews, etc., for the true crime documentary and excerpts from Lucy's book, Rattlesnake. There is some examination of trauma, infamy, the true crime obsession, and family dynamics.

None of the characters are likable or relatable in any way. There are, however, plenty of secrets, things left unsaid, hidden motives, and all around despicable people behaving badly and selfishly. The dual narrative somewhat helped hold my attention, but really there have been better cult dramas written and this novel plays more into the true crime phenomenon. 3.5 rounded up when required. Thanks to William Morrow for providing me with an advance reader's copy via Edelweiss. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Make It Out Alive

 

Make It Out Alive by Allison Brennan
1/27/26; 400 pages
Harlequin/Hanover Square Press
Quinn & Costa Thriller #7 

Make It Out Alive by Allison Brennan is a very highly recommended investigative and escape room thriller, as well as the excellent 7th book in the Quinn and Costa FBI Mobile Response Team series. 

Three newlywed couples have disappeared from an exclusive resort in Florida and later turned up dead so Flagler County Detective Kara Quinn and FBI Special Agent Matt Costa with the FBI Mobile Response Team (MRT) are investigating. Quinn resembles the female victims so she and Costa set a trap and capture Garrett Reid. After his arrest, Matt and Kara stay on at the resort for some R&R as a couple. However, when the two don't show up for work on Monday it becomes clear that Kara and Matt are missing and the search is on.

Kara and Matt were drugged and find themselves waking up in an old warehouse/factory that they discover is a booby-trapped escape room. The MRT quickly determines that Reid had an accomplice and continue the investigation knowing that the time may be running out for their colleagues.

This is an extremely well-written, heart-stopping, and complicated investigative thriller that follows three different narrative threads. First is the time sensitive search for Quinn and Costa; second is the struggles of Kara and Matt to escape, and third is the backstory of Reid. All three story lines are interesting and compelling. The killer is clearly dangerous, sadistic, and cunning, the search is complex, and there is a complicated backstory full of twists.

At this point fans will know all the characters in the series, however, I think those new to the series can also enjoy this as a stand alone novel for the investigation. This continues to be a favorite series, however, all of Brennan's novels are reliably very good. 

Make It Out Alive is a wonderful choice for everyone looking for an investigative thriller and all those following the series. Thanks to Harlequin/Hanover Square Press for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Pendergast: The Beginning

 

Pendergast: The Beginning by Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child
1/27/26; 384 pages
Grand Central Publishing
Pendergast Series #23

Pendergast: The Beginning by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child is the very highly recommended investigative thriller It is the origin story of Agent  A. X. L. Pendergast and the 23rd novel in the series featuring him. Those following the long-time series will want to read this account of his first case as a rookie while anyone who wants to start the series will enjoy this introductory novel. 

Special Agent Dwight Chambers of the New Orleans Field Office is grieving and spiraling into depression after his wife's death. When he returns to work, Chambers is dismayed to find himself assigned to mentor brand new FBI Agent Pendergast. The two find themselves banished from the office after Pendergast pulls a brilliant coup that exposes corruption. They are encouraged to find an obscure case to work on and Pendergast has just the case: a man in Mississippi found dead missing his right arm. The case soon spirals into something more that indicates a serial killer is at work.

As expected, it features a fast-paced, well written, intricate, interesting, and compelling plot. Those new to the series can easily enjoy this beginning story without having any previous knowledge of the characters. Yes, it is a Pendergast story, but it is also an exceptional investigative thriller. This story is set in 1994, when computers and other technological advances were relatively basic compared to today.

The plot will be exactly what fans of Preston and Child expect to encounter while simultaneously encountering a young agent Pendergast. Much of his personality is present here, including his extraordinary intelligence and maverick methods, but this is before his well-developed and legendary lore. Fans will certainly recognize the early Pendergast and be pleased to see the early story of Proctor. Also included is a tie in to Relic, the first novel Pendergast was in as a character.

Pendergast: The Beginning is a perfect choice for anyone who enjoys thrillers and fans of Pendergast. Thanks to Grand Central Publishing for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Her Cold Justice

 

Her Cold Justice by Robert Dugoni
1/27/26; 380 pages
Thomas & Mercer
Keera Duggan #3 

Her Cold Justice by Robert Dugoni is a very highly recommended legal thriller of suspense and courtroom drama. This is the third book in the Keera Duggan series. 

When a suspected drug smuggler and his girlfriend are murdered in their Seattle home, circumstantial evidence leads to a young man named Michael Westbrook being charged with the murder and possession of drugs with intent to sell. Michael's uncle is JP Harrison, the investigator for Duggan and Associates, and Harrison contacts  Keera Duggan to defend his nephew.  Ruthless prosecutor Anh (Kim) Tran brings in two prison informants to ensure Michael is convicted. Keera needs to dig deep into Tran's history and uncovers much more than expected. 

As expected this is a excellent, well-written mix of a legal thriller, procedural, and courtroom drama, as well as a great addition to the Keera Duggan series. The fast paced, well-plotted narrative is full of tension, twists, and drama, including compelling courtroom scenes. For those who enjoy courtroom dramas, approximately half the narrative is set in the courtroom. Although this is part of a series, I think it could be enjoyed as a stand alone novel. The characters all work well within the plot to help create an entertaining novel.

Her Cold Justice is a great choice for those who enjoy legal thrillers. Thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

A Hole in The Sky

 

A Hole in The Sky by Peter F. Hamilton
1/20/26; 400 pages
Angry Robot
Arkship Trilogy #1 

A Hole in The Sky by Peter F. Hamilton is a very highly recommended science fiction novel and is the first book in a new space opera trilogy. 

The Daedalus is a generation ship that has been traveling for 500 years searching for a new world after the last world visited was rejected. Almost seventeen-year-old Hazel has been chosen to be the flower girl on Cycling Day, the day when residents over the age of 65 are recycled (killed) to make room for the new generations. On this day three cheaters, people who hid an avoided recycling, have been captured and are going to be part of the ceremony. One of the Cheaters, an older woman, whispers to Hazel that the habitat in the Daedalus has been damaged and is running out of air.

When Hazel's fourteen-year-old brother Frazer, has an accident and is paralyzed, he is unable to work and so he is schedules to be recycled. Hazel sneaks him out one night and the two find the hidden Cheaters. Hazel discovers that the people on the Daedalus have been lied to for years and that something else is afoot on the ship. Hazel sets off to help repair the air leak on the ship while continuing to learn more and more about what is really going on aboard the ship.

The well-written narrative is mainly told through dialogue, which makes sense because A Hole in The Sky was originally released as an audiobook in 2021. There are plenty of surprises and twists as Hazel sets off on her heroic quest to save the Daedalus while also learning about the past of the ship along with her own history. Sure you have to suspend some disbelief, but the action, new revelations, the foe they must battle, and the story made this easy to do and I quite enjoyed the journey. 

This was originally released as YA entertainment, so some of the hard science fiction elements adult readers might expect aren't all there. However, the story is compelling and there are still plenty of elements to interest adult readers and intrigue those new to science fiction. It held my complete attention throughout. The only downside is that it is part of a trilogy and I'm ready for the rest of the story.

A Hole in The Sky is a wonderful choice for those readers new to science fiction as well as everyone who already enjoy it. Thanks to Angry Robot for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.