#Review - When We Go Missing by April Henry #YA #Thriller #Suspense

Series: Standalone
Format: Hardcover, 272 pages
Release Date: May 13, 2025 
Publisher: Christy Ottaviano Books
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Thrillers & Suspense 

New York Times bestselling author April Henry delivers a true-crime-style mystery featuring a teen determined to save a missing girl she sees in a disturbing photo. 

What if you found evidence of a crime, but no one believed you?

Seventeen-year-old Willow always has a camera around her neck. She volunteers as a photographer at Finding Home, an animal shelter. When Willow stumbles upon a lost camera memory card, it’s filled with hundreds of photos of teenage girls. Some are smiling, others look unaware, and a few seem terrified.

The police tell her taking photos in public isn’t a crime. But Willow can’t seem to let it go, especially after she finds her own photo on the card. So Willow teams up with new volunteer Dare to figure out what happened to the girls. As their investigation heats up, so does the chemistry between them. But everyone around Willow seems to have a secret: Finding Home’s owner, her own mom, and even Dare. When Willow learns that some of the girls on the camera card have gone missing, she realizes the unknown photographer might be a serial killer. Can Willow find him before he finds her?

April Henry’s When We Go Missing is a young adult thriller that blends true-crime elements, suspense, and a touch of romance. When We Go Missing centers on seventeen-year-old Willow O'Connor, an aspiring photographer who volunteers at Finding Home, an animal shelter in Portland, Oregon. While walking shelter dogs, Willow discovers a lost camera memory card containing hundreds of photos of teenage girls—some smiling, others unaware, and a few visibly terrified. The discovery takes a personal turn when Willow finds her own photo among the images, prompting her to suspect foul play.

Despite the police dismissing her concerns, citing that taking pictures in public isn’t a crime, Willow teams up with Dare Milani, a new volunteer at the shelter, to investigate. As they uncover connections between the photos and missing girls, Willow realizes the photographer may be a serial killer. The narrative unfolds through three alternating perspectives—Willow, Dare, and the predatory real estate agent Ryan—creating a tense, multi-layered mystery that keeps readers guessing. Willow's challenging home life, with an ill mother and distant stepfather, grounds her character in emotional reality, making her quest for justice feel personal and urgent.

Dare, meanwhile, is a layered counterpart, grappling with guilt over a past accident that led to his probation. Volunteering at the shelter is a condition of his plea deal, adding complexity to his motivations. Willow's relentless desire to find the young women being targeted, while also dealing with the local authorities who think she has too much time on her hands, and the possibility that Finding Home is on the brink of closure, leads to an interesting conversation.

The alternating perspectives heighten the suspense, particularly Ryan’s chilling chapters, which offer a predatory viewpoint without glorifying or sensationalizing his actions. This narrative choice adds a layer of creepiness, as readers glimpse the killer’s mindset while rooting for Willow and Dare to outsmart him. Lastly, I think the author intends to draw in a younger audience. Except for Willow, Dare, and Ryan, all the other secondary characters are in the 14-15 age range. That's her choice, but I think I will read reviews of future works Henry creates before reading the story.

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#Review - Breathing Space by Kristen Painter #SyFy #Romance

Series: Ellis McFadden Mysteries # 1
Format: Kindle, 274 pages
Release Date: January 31, 2025
Publisher: Amazon
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Genre: Space Opera / Romance

Step into the enigmatic world of the Athos—a vessel that blends the luxury of a cruise ship, the intrigue of a scientific research station, and the might of a military starship. Here, amidst the stars, you'll find Ellis McFadden, the ship’s head librarian, embarking on adventures she never anticipated this late in her career.

Even better that she gets to experience it all while in proximity to her daughter, who just happens to be the vice admiral. But life aboard the ship takes a darker turn when a library patron is found dead, and Ellis falls under suspicion.

With her reputation on the line, Ellis must navigate a labyrinth of secrets and lies. Armed with her wits, the loyalty of her eclectic friends, and her trusty android cat, she dives into a mystery that's as thrilling as the unexplored galaxies around her. Can she find the critical evidence to clear her name before the next jump into the unknown?

Breathing Space is the first installment in author Kristen Palmer's Ellis McFadden Mysteries series. The Ellis McFadden Mysteries series is a blend of cozy mystery and sci-fi, set aboard the luxurious yet enigmatic starship Athos. The novel introduces readers to Ellis McFadden, a middle-aged head librarian who embarks on an unexpected adventure in her later career, drawn to the ship partly to be near her daughter, the vice admiral, Hazel Perry. 

Painter crafts a unique setting that feels like a cruise ship among the stars, combining the intrigue of a scientific research station with the might of a military vessel. The story kicks off when a library patron is found dead, and Ellis becomes the prime suspect after she decides to bring a copy of a book that the deceased wanted to his habitat. Determined to clear her name, she dives into a web of secrets and lies, armed with her sharp wit, a loyal group of eclectic friends, her charming talking android cat, Hieronymus (aka Harry), and a new love interest in Frank Kitson, who has a few interesting twists of his own.  

The mystery is engaging, though not overly suspenseful, striking a cozy tone that avoids sharp edges. The droid pets, especially Harry, steal the show, bringing warmth and humor to the narrative. Ellis is a compelling protagonist—relatable, mature, and resourceful. Her budding friendship (and potential romance) with Frank adds a sweet layer without overshadowing the mystery. While the story could have used a few more twists or deeper stakes, the solid mystery, endearing characters, and promise of more adventures make it a strong series starter. 

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#Review - In the Pines by Kendra Elliot #Mystery #Thriller

Series: Columbia River # 3
Format: Kindle, 335 pages
Release Date: August 16, 2022
Publisher: Montlake
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Genre: Mystery / Thriller

Clues to a hidden treasure. Clues to a family secret. Both lead to murder in a twisting novel of suspense

A national treasure hunt with a $2 million prize has driven obsessed fortune seekers to overrun the small town of Eagle’s Nest, Oregon. The hunt’s cryptic clues and the lure of wealth have exposed the desperate side of human greed: theft, fights, trespassing—and even the motive to kill. Police chief Truman Daly craves peace in his town but has a murder on his hands instead. Now the big prize isn’t the only thing hiding in the pines. So is a killer.

When a young boy walks into the local café and claims his mother and baby sister have been missing for weeks, FBI special agent Mercy Kilpatrick investigates and exposes a disturbing twist in his story. Deep family secrets and lies that started sixty years ago have burst into the present, bringing with them deadly consequences.

Mercy’s and Truman’s investigations lead down a path of murder, revenge, and buried secrets to uncover two intertwined mysteries as dark as an Oregon forest.

In the Pines, by Kendra Elliot, is the Third installment in the author's Columbia River series, and can also be considered the Sixth installment in the author's Mercy Kilpatrick series since this story features Mercy, Truman, and Detective Evan Bolton. It has been six months since Mercy and Truman were married, and now they have an adopted family of 4, along with Ollie, Kaylie, and various animals. 

Three weeks ago, a lawyer posted a composition called "In the Pines," alleging that a millionaire named Charlie Rollins left $2 million in hidden treasure somewhere in the area. This leads to chaos, greed, and deadly consequences. The influx of fortune seekers, including Ollie and Kaylie, overwhelms the small town, leading to theft, trespassing, fights, and, inevitably, murder. 

Police Chief Truman Daly is tasked with maintaining order while investigating a series of crimes tied to the hunt. Then a teenager named Theodore tells Truman Daly his mother, Bridget Kerr, and his 18-month-old sister Molly are missing. Two weeks ago, Bridget apparently was headed to her brother's house but hasn't returned. Since a missing child is involved, Truman calls Mercy to investigate and find out who Theodore and Charlotte's uncle is. 

Mercy quickly finds the children's uncle closer to home than anyone could have guessed. His name is Evan Bolton, a Detective for the Deschutes Sheriff's Department and a friend of Truman and Mercy's. Mercy Kilpatrick navigates personal and professional challenges as she uncovers connections between the treasure hunt, a family secret, and a disturbing mystery. The treasure hunt exposes the darker side of human nature, as fortune seekers resort to unethical and violent means to claim the prize. 

This mirrors the personal stakes for Mercy, whose investigation uncovers family secrets that challenge her sense of identity. The novel alternates between the perspectives of Mercy, Truman, Evan, and Ollie, who, while chasing the treasure with Kaylie, also becomes a sort of brother figure to Theo and Charlotte. While the treasure hunt’s resolution and some predictable elements could be stronger, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise engrossing novel.

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#Review - Dead End by Annabel Chase #Fantasy

Series: Crossroads Queen # 9
Format: Kindle, 290 pages
Release Date: April 17, 2025 
Publisher: Red Palm Press LLC
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Queen of the Crossroads Lorelei Clay has the fight of her life ahead of her in this final, must-read installment of the bestselling urban fantasy series.

Lorelei never believed she would have a place to call home. She’d grown accustomed to hiding, to putting up walls and avoiding interaction with the world around her.

Until Fairhaven.

Lorelei has grown to love the small town with its multirealm crossroads and the residents who welcomed her with open arms, as well as those who were slow to warm up. She’s fallen in love with a demon prince, and befriended ghosts, a cursed vampire, the werewolf pack, and the Assassins Guild. She’s overcome her grudge against witches, and brought the local police into the fold. Now those residents are under threat, and Lorelei is the only one who can save them.

But first she has to save herself.

The stakes have never been higher. If she fails, she’ll have played a pivotal role in destroying the very place she swore to protect.

Good thing Lorelei is no stranger to sacrifice. Whatever the price, she’s ready and willing to pay it.

Dead End, by Annabel Chase, is the Ninth and final chapter in the author's Crossroads Queen series. This urban fantasy saga has captivated readers with its supernatural intrigue and fiercely compelling protagonist, Lorelei Clay. The narrative picks up where Half Dead (Book 8) left off, with higher stakes than ever. Lorelei confronts formidable foes in a climactic showdown that tests her strength, resolve, and the bonds she’s forged throughout the series.

After losing a challenge to Lucifer to keep Kane from being tortured and held as a prisoner, Lorelei must find allies to escape Paradise and the Corporation and get back to Fairhaven, which is now controlled by Lucifer and his demons. The Corporation is even more destructive and dangerous than thought of and is moving into a new avatar creation project using supernaturals like those Lorelei has become friends with, and maybe even family found. Thankfully, there are those who don't like the path the Corporation is taking.

Meanwhile, the fate of Kane Sullivan hangs in the balance, as does everyone else who has become part of Lorelei's circle of friends and supernatural allies who have chosen to stand with her against those who would try to harm Fairhaven and those who live there. Lorelei Clay remains a standout protagonist—complex, relatable, and fiercely independent. Her journey from a reclusive supernatural figure to a leader who embraces her community is fully realized in Dead End. 

If you have read this series from the beginning, congratulations! If you haven't, I suggest you do before jumping into this book. Every supernatural and human character, like Chief Garcia, who has been introduced throughout this series, appears in this book, including Hestia and the Furies, who have tried to get Lorelei to pick up her station as Queen of the Underworld. Even though this book is short, a whole lot happens, including one truly emotional scene featuring Nana Pratt, Ray, and Lorelei. There are scenes in Paradise and scenes in the Underworld, and readers are finally told what really happened to Hades and Persephone, which should satisfy those like me who were hoping for a satisfactory conclusion to the story. This urban fantasy has an original story, action, adventure, a slow-burning romance, funny moments, and many surprises.

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