Battle Hill Bolero, Audio Book (2017) Daniel José Older narrated by Daniel José Older (Bone Street Rumba #3) It’s almost over. Kia is back in town and now an Iyawo, Sasha and Reza have become friends, and Kia, Jimmy, Kris, and Redd–one of the ghosts from the Burial Grounds–have become friends. “Him and Damian and […]

Swordheart, Audio Book (2018) T. Kingfisher narrated by Jesse Vilinsky One of the grimmer realizations of Sarkis’s youth had been the discovery that knowing you were being an ass did not actually stop you from continuing to be an ass. “Well,” she admitted, looking at the pile of potatoes, “you’re good at that.” “I have […]

The Most Unusual Haunting of Edgar Lovejoy (2025) Roan Parrish Edgar Lovejoy sees ghosts. This isn’t a gift to him, it’s a nightmare, and one he tries very hard to avoid and flees whenever he can. But seeing ghosts is in his family, and there’s nothing he can do about it…is there? Jamie Wendon-Dale loves […]

Midnight Taxi Tango, Audiobook (2016) Daniel José Older narrated by Daniel José Older (Bone Street Rumba #2) A textbook lies open on the counter in front of me; I don’t even remember taking it out. It’s trig, some shit I already know how to do, and can’t be bothered answering a bunch of mindless questions […]

Family Matters (2018) Angel Martinez (Brandywine Investigations) What I’ve got is a headache as annoying as a cruise ship full of sugared-up four-year-olds. “So you’re saying I should’ve been more mature and ignored the fact that he hurt me?” He glanced from one face to the other, Auntie Hestia’s managing stern and sympathetic at once, […]

Open for Business (2016) Angel Martinez (Brandywine Investigations #1-3) “Epically bad.” Orpheus dropped the divorce papers on the table, shaking his fingers out as if the words had singed him. “She’s kicking him out, too. Keeping the palace and the dog.” Neither one of these dudes even smirked, like Tiberius was as normal a name […]

For Better or Worse (2017) R. Cooper (Montgomery Firefighters #2) Jimmy had been a boxer during his years of community college, and it showed in his face and how he moved. He was graceful but rarely still, and he watched everything as if a punch might come from any direction at any time. You should […]

Hottie Scotty and Mr. Porter (2016) R. Cooper (Montgomery Firefighters #1) He knew that kind of sweetie. She thought he was being dumb, but didn’t think he was smart enough to get that she was insulting him. “Caramel-stuffed snickerdoodles,” Cole remarked. “I’ll make a note that you liked them.” Scott couldn’t say how he knew […]

The House on Druid Lake (2021) Isabelle Adler Oliver has taken a job in Baltimore to make a new start, and perhaps a little bit of escaping his abusive ex. He believes he’s lucked out in finding a relatively inexpensive apartment to rent, in what looks to be an historical building, but things are not […]

Loud and Clear (2016) Aidan Wayne “Serves you right for being the smart one,” he said, shouldering his phone so he could clear away his dishes. “Shut up.” Tatyana always got touchy when Jaxon brought up that he was the stupid one in the family. He didn’t know why; it wasn’t like their parents hadn’t […]

Spectred Isle (2017) KJ Charles (Green Men #1) Set in London in 1923 (T)he Empire that had covered a full quarter of the earth was beginning to look less like an immutable and unchanging truth and more like hubris. As a normal sort of Englishman, Saul’s reaction to religious enthusiasm was usually to remove himself […]

Agents of Winter (2022) Ada Maria Soto (The Agency #2) “I’m sorry, which one is B-837?” “Romantic or sexual involvement with another agency employee or contractor.” “I… um…” Arthur felt his cheeks flush and didn’t know what to say. It had never crossed his mind to fill out the “Fucking Form” as it was referred […]

Merlin in the Library (2018) Ada Maria Soto (The Agency #1.5) The previous day had been bad on the pain scale, leaving him with little appetite. Now, under the persistent ache, he found himself to be hungry. He would have to get up. Doctor’s orders, if he was hungry he needed to eat. He also […]

His Quiet Agent (2017) Ada Maria Soto (The Agency Book 1) “Do you have anyone running a Super Bowl pool up here?” Arthur hated football but he couldn’t handle another sideways promotion, even if that meant sticking his head up. “Agent Sims used to do it, but he bashed a fax machine to death with […]

Joy (2017) C.S. Poe (Lancaster) I pulled my cell out and opened the Internet browser to find out, but my signal dropped down to one shaky bar and nothing would load. Fuck. Are you kidding me? I was maybe ten miles outside of Lancaster and the Internet ceased to exist? Two days ago I’d been […]

Play It Again (2019) Aidan Wayne Books were easier than people. talking on the phone gave him enough anxiety as it was. Never knowing whether a call might turn nasty made him dread it every time he was given a ring. People in general made Sam nervous, but he’d mentioned a few times how he […]

Shade Spells with Strangers (2025) Sarah Wallace & S. O. Callahan (Fae & Human Relations #3) Set in London in 1814 The sequel to Fire Spells Between Friends starts at the wedding between Emrys Wrenwhistle and Torquil Pimpernel-Smith, where Silas Rook-Worth and his family are creating the protection spells and area for the wedding. Silas’ […]

A Silence in Belgrave Square (2025) Jennifer Ashley (A Below Stairs Mystery #8) Set in London in 1884 This might be the end of the series–at the very least it is the final case Daniel will work for Monaghan. Monaghan suspects Viscount Peyton of being involved in the Irish bombings, and sends Daniel in to […]

Family Man (2017) Heidi Cullinan and Marie Sexton Trey eventually went on. “I hate that you know.” That one threw Vince. “Why? Did you think I was going to be a dick about it? Didn’t you think I’d want to help you?” Trey’s cheeks colored as his rage simmered up to boiling. “I don’t want […]

Rapport: Friendship, Solidarity, Communion, Empathy (2025) Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries #2.5) Did I read this online when it first came out? Yes I did. But I read it again once I downloaded the copy Tania gifted me to my ereader. Because even if there is no appearance of Murderbot, it’s still a Murderbot story. […]

Better Than People (2020) Roan Parrish (Garnet Run #1) I do adore the cover for this book. “I worked at a c-company before.” He shuddered. “It was awful. Cubicles and p-people and no one would leave me alone.” “What’d they do?” Jack asked, preemptively furious on Simon’s behalf. Simon turned to him, eyes wide with […]

The Missing Page (2022) Cat Sebastian (Page & Sommers #2) Set in Cornwall in 1947 “One spends so much effort not thinking about a thing that it becomes a sort of obsession.” James was struck by the sudden thought, both ghastly and somehow reassuring, that this was not the first time Leo had been called […]

Hither, Page (2019) Cat Sebastian (Page & Sommers #1) Set in England in 1946 You can’t hold it against him. He had a bad war. He ought to have developed a callus over whatever part of his heart was meant for mourning, but instead, it was like a wound that never quite healed. “No, I […]

Gumption & Gumshoes (2013) Alex Kidwell I wanted to shift. I didn’t often, because seriously, what would be the point? None of us did. Personally, I was just really hooked on the opposable thumbs thing that I had as a human. But right then, I wanted to be smaller. And why would you want to […]

And Everything Nice (2016) Ada Maria Soto I adore this short story. “He might not be gay, and he’s probably already got a boyfriend.” “Prescouted. Single, new in town, currently into Elder Scrolls online, and has a pride flag bumper sticker, so out and proud.” “Why are you helping me?” Mark had suffered through the […]

Uncommonly Tidy Poltergeists (2017) Angel Martinez They half-watched late-night television and tried to pin down what Taro had witnessed. The large sentient insects possibility didn’t make him feel better at all. “You’re a very kind person, Mr. Not-a-Root Vegetable.” “Thank you, Mr. Absolutely-Not-Named Jack.” Characters: Taro Torres, Mr. Manny Torres, Mrs. Lise Torres, Ben, Luka, […]

Rogue Community College (2024) David R. Slayton (Liberty House #1) Isaac Frost was raised by The Undertaker and the other boys the assassin has been training, but he has never been sent out to kill. Until now. Isaac had to find the school’s heart, its beating, living heart. He didn’t really understand it, but magic […]

The Monster of Lightower Library: A Lamplight Short Story (2025) Morgan Stang (Lamplight Murder Mysteries #1.5) Evie, Isabeau and Penny need more information about the monster they are hunting, so they head to the library, of course. Unfortunately, the library seems to have it’s own unexpected monster. These stories really are fun. They make monster […]

The Last Devil to Die, Audiobook (2023) Richard Osman narrated by Fiona Shaw (Thursday Murder Club #4) The young man they have just interviewed is called Thomas Murdoch. He said “no comment” to every question except when Jill asked who had sold him the heroin and he said “five pensioners,” but even his solicitor looked […]

Viscounts & Villainy (2025) Allie Therin (Roaring Twenties Magic #3) November 1925 Sebastian and Wesley are in New York after the events of the previous book, and Sebastian is trying to learn to live without magic. It’s not going well. He’s a pacifist who has relied upon his magic to get him out of fights […]

Stone and Sky (2025) Ben Aaronovitch (Rivers of London #10) Of course I loved it. And I can’t wait for the audiobook to come out. This story is split between Peter and Abigail, and I wonder how many people are going to take issue with that. Personally, not only did I like it, but I […]

That Kind of Guy (2019) Talia Hibbert (Ravenswood #3) In truth, Zach was a messy fucker who resented his own compulsion to fill in other people’s gaps but couldn’t make himself stop. “I like being around you, Zach. Even when you’re not performing.” She’d been taught so thoroughly that standing up for herself was an […]

Untouchable (2018) Talia Hibbert (Ravenswood #2) If you want me to read all of this, it’ll take me a while. And I’ll need digital copies.” “You will?” He glanced up. “Oh, yeah. Turns out I’m dyslexic.” Zach: Want to get a drink? Hannah: No. Zach: Want to eat cookies and bitch about people? Hannah: Meet […]

Copper Script (2025) K.J. Charles Set in London in 1924 Aaron Fowler likes being a detective, likes working for the cause of justice. What he doesn’t much like is how the Met refuses to acknowledge the existence of bad coppers. He also doesn’t much care for his cousin, who expects him to fix his problems, […]

The Ladies Road Guide to Utter Ruin (2025) Alison Goodman (The Ill-Mannered Ladies #2) Set in England in 1812 This is set soon after the events of the previous book. Gus and Julia are hiding Lady Hester and Miss Ponsonby from Lord Deele while Gus tries to learn more about the death that led to […]

An Unsuitable Heir (2017) KJ Charles (Sins of the Cities, #3) Set in London and Norfolk England in 1873 I do like Mark. “Gone back off home now to bring down the Empire, trzymajmy kciuki.” He tipped his glass. “What was that?” “Polish. Means ‘Let’s keep our fingers crossed.’?” “Did you just drink to the […]

An Unnatural Vice (2017) K.J. Charles (Sins of the Cities #2) Set in London and Norfolk in 1873 He looked like the sin of angels, like the sweetest fruit at the goblin market, and Nathaniel despised everything about him. “Oh, for— What did you think I was doing?” “Didn’t have a clue.” “It might work,” […]

Murder in the East End, Audiobook (2020) Jennifer Ashley narrated by Anne-Marie Piazza (Below Stairs Mystery #4) Set in London in 1882 “Daniel and I were raised together, and he tells me you know under what circumstances. We refer to each other as brother, but we were no such thing, though as close as. After […]

An Unseen Attraction (2017) K.J. Charles (Sins of the Cities, #1) Set in London in 1873 This is one of my favorite queer historicals. It’s the first book in a series, and I’ve read just this book, or just the first two, because I adore Clem and Rowley. Look me in the eyes, boy! had […]

Death in Kew Gardens, Audiobook (2019) Jennifer Ashley narrated by Anne-Marie Piazza (Below Stairs Mystery #3) Set in London in 1881 I always met the beggars exactly between the streetlamps, where the darkness was greatest. The poor things feared the light, knowing they could be arrested for being unemployed and hungry. “Why didn’t you tell […]

Dominoes, Danzón, and Death (2024) Raquel V. Reyes (A Caribbean Kitchen Mystery #4) It’s been three years since the events in Puerto Rico, and Miriam hasn’t been involved in a single murder–mostly because everyone was staying at home because of the pandemic. My husband was a recent convert to Miami’s craft brewery scene. Our recycling […]

Scandal Above Stairs, Audiobook (2018) Jennifer Ashley narrated by Anne-Marie Piazza (Below Stairs Mystery #2) Set in London in 1881 I renewed my conviction that he was not married as I viewed his rumpled frock coat and noted a missing button on his waistcoat. No wife would let her husband be seen like that unless […]

Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea (2022) Rebecca Thorne (Tomes & Tea #1) Reyna and Kianthe have been dating for years, but because Reyna is one of the queen’s private guards, they have to keep things secret. But one night after stopping another assassin, Reyna realizes she has had enough, and is going to take Kianthe […]

The Masquerades of Spring, Audiobook (2024) Ben Aaronovitch narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (Rivers of London) Set in New York City in 1926 I do love Kobna Holdbrook-Smith. But most of his American accents are just the slightest bit off and not quite right. Otherwise, I utterly adore everything about this novella. the show, which was […]

Confounding Oaths, Audiobook (2024) Alexis Hall narrated by Nneka Okoye (The Mortal Follies #2) Set in London in 1814 I really love Nneka Okoye’s narration. And of course Alexis Hall’s snark. And whereas in the enlightened twenty-first century the marriage of a British aristocrat to a Person of Colour is a wholly unremarkable thing that […]

Fire Spells Between Friends (2024) Sarah Wallace and S.O. Callahan (Fae & Human Relations #2) Unbeknownst to their friends and family, Emrys Wrenwhistle and Torquil Pimpernel-Smith have been lovers since they day the met. Emrys position is heir and Torqil’s position as disinherited half-fay and half-human gossip columnist meaning they don’t mix in the same […]

An Affair for Aumont (2022) J.A. Rock & Lisa Henry (The Lords of Bucknall Club #5) Louis-Charles Aumont was in love with Luke Winthrop, but turned down his offer of marriage, after which Luke joined the army and was killed at Waterloo. Since then Aumont worked as a spy for France, and avoided those who […]

Murder Most Actual (2021) Alexis Hall These are desperate times, Miss Blaine. And desperate times call for desperate measures.” “Desperate measures that mostly cause problems for people who aren’t you?” “People who aren’t me,” said the colonel, “aren’t really my concern at the moment.” Marriage was getting to the end of the serial and hearing […]

Mortal Follies (2023) Alexis Hall narrated by Nneka Okoye (The Mortal Follies #1) Set in Bath in 1814 I am that knavish sprite that frights the maidens of the villagery. I am Oberon’s jester—was Oberon’s jester, that’s rather the issue. I am called hobgoblin by some and, contrary to what certain people might have told […]

System Collapse, Audiobook (2023) Martha Wells narrated by Kevin R Free (Murderbot Diaries #7) I still felt radically off my game and I was hoping for reassurance rather than statistics that confirmed that I was correct in thinking that everything sucked right now. (According to Martyn, ART is of course capable of doing its own […]