The Rush

The Rush grabbed my attention (thanks to a fellow bookstagrammer's post) because of its Canadian location and its focus on women's experiences during the Yukon gold rush. Centred around the lives of three strong women in difficult historical times, I was expecting something along the lines of Melissa Lenhardt's Sawbones and it was ... kind of.

A mix of history, mystery and coming-into-herself, this book explores the experiences of women on the edge of civilization, during a time when societal expectations upon women were strong. It had all the fixin's for a good read but the storytelling fell flat for me. 

It took a while for the trio of women to finally connect and while the descriptions of the area were wonderful, a lot of time was spent bouncing between the three women without propelling the story enough. Martha, Kate and Ellen brought unique POVs, but Kate's dog Yukon ended up being my favourite character. [** I caution dog loving readers that there is a violent scene involving canines which I skimmed.]

This is a good pick for history lovers. It's well-researched with vivid descriptions of the Yukon and what life was like for those who were brave and desperate enough to attempt to find their fortune in the wilds and brutality of the Yukon. I appreciate how the author shines a light on women's experiences in Canadian history, but the telling of the story with so much (too much?) going on, paired with awkward dialogue and a very slow pace in the second half detracted from my enjoyment. I'm in the minority so if you love historical fiction, give this book a try.

Note: read the afterward for more historical details

My Rating: 3 stars

Author: Beth Lewis

Genre: Historical Fiction, Canadian location

Type and Source: Hardcover from public library

Publisher: Pegasus Books

First Published: June 10, 2025

Read: Dec 17-20, 2025

Book Description from GoodReads: In a lawless land stricken with gold fever, the struggle for survival and fortune takes a turn towards murder in this gripping western crime novel from the author of The Wolf Road.

Gold fever has taken him. I believe he means to kill me...

Canada, 1898. The Gold Rush is on in the frozen wilderness of the Yukon. Fortunes are made as quickly as they're lost, and Dawson City has become a lawless settlement.

In its midst, three women are trying to find their place on the edge of civilization. Journalist Kate, along with her dog Yukon, has travelled hundreds of miles after receiving a letter from her sister warning that her husband means to kill her. Martha's hotel and livelihood are under threat from the local strongman, who is set on buying up the town. And down by the river, where gold shimmers from between the rocks, Ellen feels her future slip away as her husband fails to find the fortune they risked so much to seek.

When a woman is found murdered, Kate, Martha and Ellen find their lives, fates and fortunes intertwined. But to unmask her killer, they must navigate a desperate land run by dangerous men who will do anything for a glimpse of gold...

Meet Your Baker

I picked up this first book in the Bakeshop Mystery series because I was recently given the 22nd book in this cozy mystery series and wanted to see where it all started.

This series centres around Juliet 'Jules' Capshaw, a pastry chef who has traveled the world and returns to her small town in Oregon with a broken heart to help her mom with her bakery. When a body is found in the bakery, Jules puts herself in the middle of the investigation.

This would be a good pick for readers with a sweet tooth (the recipes mentioned are found in the back of the book) who are looking for an easy-going murder mystery with the requisite small-town charm and a few twists. Where it lacked a bit for me is in its secondary characters who I didn't connect well with and I found the story to feel a bit too drawn out. But readers should be happy with the twist and the small spark of mild rekindled romance.

Final Thoughts: A decent start to the series. I'm eager to jump into the 22nd book to see how things have fared for Jules since this book and hope to get a better feel for the town and its inhabitants.

My Rating: 3 stars

Author: Ellie Alexander

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Series: Bakeshop Mysteries 1

Type and Source: ebook from public library

Publisher: St Martin's Press

First Published: Dec 30, 2014

Read: Dec 20-25, 2025

Book Description from GoodReads: Welcome to Torte-a friendly, small-town family bake shop where the treats are so good that, sometimes, it's criminal...

After graduating from culinary school, Juliet Capshaw returns to her quaint hometown of Ashland, Oregon, to heal a broken heart and help her mom at the family bakery. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival is bringing in lots of tourists looking for some crumpets to go with their heroic couplets. But when one of Torte's customers turns up dead, there's much ado about murder...

The victim is Nancy Hudson, the festival's newest board member. A modern-day Lady Macbeth, Nancy has given more than a few actors and artists enough reasons to kill her...but still. The silver lining? Jules's high school sweetheart, Thomas, is the investigator on the case. His flirtations are as delicious as ever, and Jules can't help but want to have her cake and eat it too. But will she have her just desserts? Murder might be bad for business, but love is the sweetest treat of all...

A Box Full of Darkness

Simone St James is back with a delightfully ominous and atmospheric story, with a healthy dose of family secrets. Readers follow along with three adult siblings when they're called back to the house they grew up in - a home with memories of neglect and fear - to try to figure out what happened to their six-year-old brother who disappeared during an innocent game of hide-and-go-seek decades before. 

In typical St James' style, this Canadian author pulls readers into a sinister small-town story with supernatural vibes and a malevolent presence that will leave readers looking over their shoulders as they turn the pages. It's not all dark an ominous though, the banter between the adult siblings adds some levity and fans of this author will enjoy how St James subtly incorporates people and locations from a couple of her previous books (The Sundown Motel, The Broken Girls). 

This slow burn story is filled with family drama and trauma, and readers witness how the neglect the trio of siblings endured in childhood left scars and how the loss of their younger brother Ben continues to haunt them. Darkly haunting and thoroughly entertaining for suspense lovers, this is a story with a high creepy vibe and lingering uneasiness that doesn't waver and will have you both eager and reticent to turn the page and see what else St James will throw at you.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Berkley Publishing for the complimentary digital advanced copy that was given in exchange for my honest review.

My Rating: 4.5 stars

Author: Simone St James

Genre: Suspense, Canadian

Type and Source: ebook from publisher via NetGalley

Publisher: Berkley

First Published: Jan 20, 2026

Read: Dec 9-15, 2025

Book Description from GoodReads: Siblings return to the house they fled eighteen years before, called back by the ghost of their long-missing brother and his haunting request to come home.

Strange things happen in Fell, New York: A mysterious drowning at the town’s roadside motel. The unexplained death of a young girl whose body is left by the railroad tracks. For Violet, Vail, and Dodie Esmie the final straw was their little brother's shocking disappearance, which started as a normal game of hide-and-seek.

As their parents grew increasingly distant, the sisters were each haunted by visions and frightening events, leading them to leave town and never look back. Violet still sees dead people—spirits who remind her of Sister, the menacing presence that terrorized her for years. Now after nearly two decades it’s time for a homecoming—because Ben is back, and he’s ready to lead them to the answers they’ve longed for and long feared.

Cozy for the Holidays

This was quick and cute and features a bookshop setting and sweet longing between long-time friends. It's got a lot going for it but I think this is a case where the concept is spot on but the execution left me wanting more. 

It's got definite Hallmark movie vibes with its clean romance and adorable pining between the main characters (the miscommunication I could have done without). I was surprised that it didn't have a whole lot of 'holiday' in this festive read and overall left me feeling like there wasn't enough page time to dig into any of the issues and feelings in any depth.  

My Rating: 3 stars

Author: Liz Maverick

Genre: Romance

Type and Source: eAudio from Audible.ca

Narrators: Andrew Eiden, Eva Kaminsky

Run Time: 3 hrs, 41 min

Publisher: Audible Originals

First Published: Nov 13, 2025

Read:Dec 22, 2025

Book Description from GoodReads: A big-hearted holiday rom com about two friends who discover new love after being unexpectedly left in charge of a charming New York City bookshop.

It’s the holiday season and Caleb just got quite the Hannukah gift. The handsome scientist was able to buy his dream a brownstone with an apartment upstairs and a cozy mystery-themed bookshop downstairs. But when he moves in, he’s shocked to find that the bookshop is fully operational while its enigmatic owner has vanished. Caleb may be an expert in scientific research, but running a bookshop is entirely novel to him.

To help sort out the holiday chaos, he turns to the most bookish person he his cover designer friend, Sophie. He's long had feelings for the quirky artist, but the timing was never right. Maybe now, between the wintry magic of the city and the bookshop's cozy charm, Caleb and Sophie can finally turn the page on their own story and write their happily ever after.

Middlebridge Mysteries

Middlebridge Mysteries is a young adult spin-off of the Mistletoe Mystery series from Audible. Violet Wilner, who we met in the original series, is now attending Middlebridge University where she happens upon a trio of crimes. 

With a younger main character, the story has more of a coming-into-herself kind of vibe as Violet navigates school, her social life, romance and being on her own. She's a decent main character - she's smart, but unfortunately she lacks common sense which gets her into trouble but makes for some interesting situations for listeners.  

Narration: This was a well-narrated audiobook complete with some famous Canadian voices, a full cast and background sounds. 

Overall, this was a decent spin-off, but I prefer the original series and hope there are plans for more Mistletoe Mysteries.

My Rating: 3.5 stars

Author: Ken Cuperus

Genre: Mystery

Type and Source: eAudio - Audible

Run Time: 3 hrs, 28 min

Narrators: Anna Cathcart, Eric McCormack, full cast

Publisher: Audible Originals

First Published: July 24, 2025

Read: Dec 10-11, 2025

Book Description from GoodReads: A perfect listen for both longtime fans of the Mistletoe Murders series and newcomers alike!

Middlebridge Mysteries follows Violet Wilner (Anna Cathcart) kicking off her first year at Middlebridge University, living her dream of attending her mom’s alma mater. Inspired by watching her dad, a cop, solve crimes in her hometown, she studies criminology under a renowned but demanding Professor Bellows (Eric McCormack). She has her hands full, juggling her coursework, her social life and her insecurities as she embarks on this next chapter. Between clashes with her roommate, a slow-burn romance, and spending time with her best friend Bonnie, Violet finds herself drawn into mysterious circumstances while navigating life away from Fletcher's Grove. Nothing distracts her more than a good mystery, and Middlebridge seems to have more than its share. Can Violet keep herself safe, get justice for those who’ve been wronged, have a social life and somehow manage to pass all her classes? She doubts it, but that won’t stop her from giving it the ol’ college try!

From Canadian Screen Award winner Ken Cuperus, the creator of Mistletoe Murders, comes the highly anticipated spin-off series, Middlebridge Mysteries, featuring a stellar ensemble cast including Charles Van der Vaart (Outlander) and Mason Temple (Ginny & Georgia). Middlebridge Mysteries takes us back to school and along for a wild ride as Violet finds herself embroiled in unexpected and dangerous situations, with only her wits to protect her.

Without a Hitch

This was a very easy listen a couple of weeks ago and it was ... fine. 

It incorporates some of my favourite tropes (fake dating, one bed) and a beautiful Maui location, but if we're going for a cute and spicy romance with some banter (a la Emily Henry, a readalike the blurb mentions), it falls short. The problem is that it's so generic and lacks chemistry between the main couple that it's forgettable.

Overall, this was a decent predictable bookish palate cleanser in between my darker thriller reads but it won't be a book that I'll remember.

My Rating: 3 stars

Author: Portia MacIntosh

Genre: Romance

Type and Source: eAudiobook - Audible

Run Time: 7 hrs, 32 min

Narrator: Charlotte Ritchie

Publisher: Audible Originals

First Published: August 21, 2025

Read: Dec 4-8, 2025

Book Description from GoodReads: Holly thought she had it a perfect fiancé, a dream Maui wedding, and a thriving career writing about weddings. But when she's stood up at the altar, her world crumbles. Just as she's piecing it back together, her boss sends her on assignment to Maui – the very place where her happily-ever-after wedding was supposed to take place.

Saving face and her career, Holly takes on the assignment and stuffs her ex, Ed, to the back her mind. It’s at the Grand Palm Hotel where Holly meets the gorgeous Theo, the hunky stranger who rescues her from the pool. Spluttering and soaked, their connection is electric, but there's a catch: Theo is her ex-fiancé's stepbrother, and he's in Maui for Ed's wedding…

In a moment of panic, Holly and Theo strike up fake a relationship. How bad it can it be? After all, they just pretending…

As Holly navigates this new role, old feelings surface and new ones bloom, and Holly must decide what’s real and what’s fake before the big day arrives.

Perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Without a Hitch is a laugh-out-loud, tropical escape that proves the best love stories are the ones we never saw coming.

The Pub Across the Pond

I'm heading to Ireland in 2026 and Galway was one of our stops so when I saw this audiobook on NetGalley, I requested it quicker than I can down a Guinness. I'm excited about our trip (some of it to the Galway area!) and, of course, I love a good pub stop too.  

This was a light contemporary story about an American woman winning an Irish pub in a raffle. It's a fish out of water type of deal as townspeople get used to an American coming into their small town where everyone knows everyone and the gossip is always fresh.

Carlene meets the townspeople of the small town of Ballybeog. From the pub regulars to the townspeople and Ronan, the overly brooding Irishman who used to own the pub. There's some romance and a bit of mystery about who is pranking Carlene when she takes over the pub but, in the end, I felt like the story didn't have a lot of focus and readers were left with too many loose ends.

I appreciated the Irish culture and Aoife McMahon's Irish lilt as she narrates, but the story needed more oomph leaving me struggling to stay interested in this meandering story and get on board with the romance between Carlene and grumpy Ronan. 

Final Thoughts: Cute concept, great location but weak execution of the story and characters.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Dreamscape Media for the complimentary advanced copy of this digital audiobook that was given to me in exchange for my honest review.

My Rating: 2.5 stars

Author: Carlene O'Connor

Genre: Cozy, Contemporary Fiction

Type and Source: eAudio from publisher via NetGalley

Narrator: Aoife McMahon

Run Time: 13 hrs, 2 min

Publisher: Dreamscape Media

First Published: Dec 16, 2025

Read: Dec 13-20, 2025

Book Description from GoodReads: Carlene Rivers is many things. Dutiful, reliable, kind. Lucky? Not so much. At thirty, she’s living a stifling existence in Cleveland, Ohio. Then one day, Carlene buys a raffle ticket. The a pub on the west coast of Ireland. Carlene is stunned when she wins. Everyone else is stunned when she actually goes.

As soon as she arrives in Ballybeog, Carlene is smitten not just by the town’s beguiling mix of ancient and modern, but by the welcome she receives. In this small town near Galway Bay, strife is no stranger, strangers are family, and no one is ever too busy for a cup of tea or a pint. And though her new job presents challenges—from a meddling neighbor to the pub’s colorful regulars—there are compensations galore. Like the freedom to sing, joke, and tell stories, and in doing so, find her own voice. And in her flirtation with Ronan McBride, the pub’s charming, reckless former owner, she just may find the freedom to follow where impulse leads and trust her heart—and her luck—for the very first time....

LightFall - Books 1-2

I'm still very new to graphic novels and wanted to be able to give good book recommendations to my middle grade library customers so I borrowed the first two books in the Lightfall series. What initially drew me to this series was the illustrations which are gorgeous and bring this adventurous story for middle graders to life.

The story focuses on a young girl named Bea whose grandfather is a Pig Wizard (yup, magical swine!) and the keeper of the Endless Flame. When grandfather suddenly disappears, Bea goes to find him and instead finds Cad, the last surviving Galdurian, an ancient race that many thought was long extinct. They embark on a quest to find the pig wizard and save their world from eternal darkness.

The story is simple, but it was the beautiful whimsical illustrations and characters that kept me turning the pages - which included the sinister bird-like characters in book two that reminded me of Jim Henson's (creator of the Muppets) movie The Dark Crystal. It's an easy story to be swept up in, but I had some issues with a few illustrations (mainly in the second book, I believe) that were so dark I didn't understand what was happening and even who was in each frame. 

There are two things that stood out for me: I adored Cad - he's charming, goofy, funny and I loved his positive outlook and how he supports his friends even in the darkest of times. I also appreciated how Bea's anxiety was incorporated and how the illustrator visually portrayed the stifling and distressing feelings of dread and the physical reactions anxiety can cause. 

These first two books in the series are stories of adventure, with a bit of danger and features themes of friendship and standing against evil. I look forward to reading the third book (The Dark Times) when it's my turn to read my library's copy and I already have a hold on the upcoming fourth book (A Place Between) when it publishes in 2026. 

My Rating: Book 1(4 stars)/Book 2 (3 stars)

Author: Tim Probert

Genre: Middle Grade, Graphic Novels

Type and Source: Paperback, public library

Publisher: HarperAlley

First Published: Sept 1, 2020/April 26, 2022

Read: Dec 11-12, 2025

Book Descriptions: 
The Girl and The Galdurian - Deep in the heart of the planet Irpa stands the Salty Pig’s House of Tonics & Tinctures, home of the wise Pig Wizard and his adopted granddaughter, Bea. As keepers of the Endless Flame, they live a quiet and peaceful life, crafting medicines and potions for the people of their once-prosperous world.

All that changes one day when, while walking through the woods, Bea meets Cad, a member of the Galdurians, an ancient race thought to be long-extinct. Cad believes that if anyone can help him find his missing people, it’s the Pig Wizard.

But when the two arrive home, the Pig Wizard is nowhere to be found—all that’s left is the Jar of Endless Flame and a mysterious note. Fearing for the Pig Wizard’s safety, Bea and Cad set out across Irpa to find him, while danger fights its way out of the shadows and into the light.

Will these two unexpected friends find the beloved Pig Wizard and prevent eternal darkness from blanketing their world? Or has Irpa truly seen its last sunrise?

Shadow of the Bird - In the second installment of the Lightfall series, Bea and Cad continue their quest to stop Kest, the mythic bird who stole the sun.

After a battle that nearly cost them their lives, Bea and Cad awaken in the hidden settlement of the Arsai, mysterious creatures who can glimpse into the future. The Arsai's vision paints a dire picture for their planet, as the bird Kest Ke Belenus--now awoken from a restless slumber--threatens to destroy all the Lights of Irpa. Desperate for a solution, Bea and Cad seek out the help of a water spirit known as Lorgon, whose ancient wisdom may help them find a way to take down Kest and save Irpa from utter destruction.

But when their time with Lorgon presents more questions than answers, Bea and Cad must decide what's more important . . . stopping Kest or uncovering the truth.

Skylark

Skylark is a Historical Fiction story set in two timelines in Paris. The WWII timeline centres around Kristof, a doctor who works with psychiatric patients in a Paris hospital and the older timeline follows a young woman, Alouette, who works alongside her father as a fabric dyer in 17th century Paris and makes a big discovery of her own that puts her life in danger.

The strength of this story is in its beautiful descriptions of time and place, interesting historical facts which include the horrific treatment of mental health and prisoners, the hundreds of kilometres of underground tunnels under Paris and the skills of fabric dyers and the power of the dye guilds in the 1600's. 

But the story started to wane for me midway as I tried to find a connection between the two storylines. Instead, it was a quieter read with some poignant moments and a tense (if implausible) scene towards the end leading to a conclusion that felt a bit abrupt. I think this is a case of great ideas but not enough time spent on any of them for the storylines to feel complete.

This book had some great moments and historical details with a very atmospheric feel featuring themes of resiliency, limitations put upon women and standing against evil, but it will require a patient reader with its slow pace and lack of connection between the two timelines.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Atria Books for the complimentary digital and print advanced copies that were given to me in exchange for my honest review.

My Rating: 3 stars

Author: Paula McLain

Genre: Historical Fiction

Type and Source: ebook and Trade Paperback from publisher

Publisher: Atria Books

First Published: Jan 6, 2026

Read: Dec 3-11, 2025

Book Description from GoodReads: The New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Wife weaves a mesmerizing tale of Paris above and below—where a woman’s quest for artistic freedom in 1664 intertwines with a doctor’s dangerous mission during the German occupation in the 1940s, revealing a story of courage and resistance that transcends time.

1664: Alouette Voland is the daughter of a master dyer at the famed Gobelin Tapestry Works, who secretly dreams of escaping her circumstances and creating her own masterpiece. When her father is unjustly imprisoned, Alouette's efforts to save him lead to her own confinement in the notorious Salpêtrière asylum, where thousands of women are held captive and cruelly treated. But within its grim walls, she discovers a small group of brave allies, and the possibility of a life bigger than she ever imagined.

1939: Kristof Larson is a medical student beginning his psychiatric residency in Paris, whose neighbors on the Rue de Gobelins are a Jewish family who have fled Poland. When Nazi forces descend on the city, Kristof becomes their only hope for survival, even as his work as a doctor is jeopardized.

A spellbinding and transportive look at a side of Paris known to very few—the underground city that is a mirror reflection of the glories above—Paula McLain’s unforgettable new novel chronicles two parallel journeys of defiance and rescue that connect in ways both surprising and deeply moving.

A Very Novel Murder

Ellie Alexander isn't a new-to-me author, and I have enjoyed her lighthearted cozy mysteries, particularly her Sloan Kraus series that blends mystery with craft beer.

A Very Novel Murder is the first book in a new series by this prolific cozy mystery writer which I soon learned is a spin-off from her Secret Bookcase series. I have not read that series and felt a little like I was missing out on connections between characters, but I don't think you have to read the previous series before diving into this one.

The Gist: Annie Murray, owner of a cute bookshop, has started a detective agency with her friend Fletcher. Annie and Fletcher are graduates of a Criminology program and put their skills to the test in their first case when the duo is asked by an elderly woman to investigate the suspicious suicide of her young neighbour, a successful surfer.

I didn't quite connect with the characters (main and secondary) as much as I had hoped and I had to suspend disbelief over a few things - namely police pulling the duo into the investigation - but otherwise this was a quick and entertaining mystery to curl up with on a chilly winter day.

This story has all the cozy mystery fixin's - quaint small-town, eager local character who inserts themselves into a mystery, a few red herrings and a satisfying conclusion. Fans of Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle) will love the many references to those mystery greats! 

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Storm Publishing for the complimentary digital copy of this book that was given in exchange for my honest review.

My Rating: 3 stars

Author: Ellie Alexander

Genre: Cozy mystery

Series: Novel Detectives Mystery 1

Type and Source: ebook from publisher via NetGalley

Publisher: Storm Publishing

First Published: Jan 20, 2026

Read: Dec 4-8, 2025

Book Description from GoodReads: Opening a detective agency above her beloved bookstore seems like the perfect business plan—until Annie Murray’s first case involves a suspicious death right on her doorstep.

June Munrow, an elderly resident of Annie’s home town, Redwood Grove, is convinced that young Kelly Taylor’s recent drowning wasn't the tragic accident everyone believes it to be. Despite the police ruling, June is determined to prove there’s more to the story and hires the Novel Detectives to uncover the truth.

As Annie delves into Kelly’s life, she discovers a tangled web of secrets involving Kelly’s complicated relationships, a peculiar landlord, and her mysterious roommate. Everyone connected to Kelly seems to be hiding something, and the deeper Annie digs, the more puzzling the case becomes.

With her trademark blend of curiosity and compassion, can Annie piece together the clues and solve her first official case—before she gets into deep water herself?

Perfect for fans of Lauren Elliott, Merryn Allingham and M.C. Beaton, this charming cozy mystery is brimming with small-town secrets and bookish charm that will keep you turning pages late into the night.

Detective Aunty

Detective Aunty, the latest book by Canadian author Uzma Jalaluddin, is a blend of mystery and an exploration of complicated family dynamics and the impact of grief. 

Kausar Khan is widow in her mid-50's who has a penchant for inserting herself into mysteries. When her daughter calls asking for help after being accused of murder, Kausar leaves the safety of her new life in North Bay and returns to her old neighbourhood in Scarborough to find the real murderer.

The balance between the mystery and exploring strained family relationships and grief was equally balanced in this book. The personal relationships added to the story, but I would have preferred more focus on the mystery. I loved the sweet and delightfully flirty potential romance, the bits of humour and thought the highlights of Muslim culture and the expectations put upon women added an interesting dynamic and would give book clubs great conversation fodder.

While touted as a 'cozy' mystery, I think of it more of a contemporary mystery that also has a strong focus on Kausar's journey of self-discovery as she works through grief and figures out what she wants the next chapter of her life to look like and who she wants in it. My only beefs are that the mystery felt too convoluted and it irked this 50-something reader that Kausar, who is in her mid-50's, was treated as if she was well into her dotage by other characters.

Overall, this was an entertaining, slower paced mystery with culture, family dysfunction, bits of humour filled with a few red herrings and a satisfying ending. I love that this book had a Canadian setting as it explores how people in their 50's and beyond should excitedly embrace new chapters of their lives. 

My Rating: 3.5 stars

Author: Uzma Jalaluddin

Genre: Mystery, Canadian

Type and Source: Trade Paperback, personal copy

Series: Detective Aunty Investigates 1

Publisher: Harper Perennial

First Published: May 6, 2025

Read: Nov 25-Dec 2, 2025

Book Description from GoodReads: When her grown daughter is suspected of murder, a charming and tenacious widow digs into the case to unmask the real killer in this twisty, page-turning whodunnit—the first book in a cozy new detective series from the acclaimed author of Ayesha at Last.

After her husband’s unexpected death eighteen months ago, Kausar Khan never thought she’d receive another phone call as heartbreaking—until her thirty-something daughter, Sana, phones to say that she's been arrested for killing the unpopular landlord of her clothing boutique. Determined to help her child, Kausar heads to Toronto for the first time in nearly twenty years.

Returning to the Golden Crescent suburb where she raised her children and where her daughter still lives, Kausar finds that the thriving neighborhood she remembered has changed. The murder of Sana’s landlord is only the latest in a wave of local crimes which have gone unsolved.

And the facts of the case are Sana found the man dead in her shop at a suspiciously early hour, with a dagger from her windowfront display plunged in his chest. And Kausar—a woman with a keen sense of observation and deep wisdom honed by her years—senses there’s more to the story than her daughter is telling.

With the help of some old friends and her plucky teenage granddaughter, Kausar digs into the investigation to uncover the truth. Because who better to pry answers from unwilling suspects than a meddlesome aunty? But even Kausar can’t predict the secrets, lies, and betrayals she finds along the way…

The Last Sister

I became a fan of author Kendra Elliot's after reading the first four books in her Mercy Kilpatrick series. Eager to read more from her, I grabbed The Last Sister, the first book in her Columbia River series (and the fifth book in the Callahan and McLane series since characters from that book are central in this plot).

Unfortunately, this book didn't resonate with me like the Mercy series. It was slower paced with awkward dialogue and unfocused storytelling that relied too heavily on miscommunication. There's some romance between Zander and another character, but it felt like a last minute add-on, not contributing to the overall story and just distracting.

While this book didn't tick many boxes for me, I remain a fan of Kendra Elliot's work and eagerly look forward to reading more in her Mercy Kilpatrick series. 

My Rating: 2.5 stars

Author: Kendra Elliot

Genre: Suspense

Series: Columbia River 1 and Callahan & McLane 5

Publisher: Montlake

First Published: Jan 14, 2020

Read: Nov 26-Dec 3, 2025

Book Description from Amazon.ca: Three sisters’ secrets collide in a shocking novel of suspense by the bestselling author of the Mercy Kilpatrick series.

Twenty years ago Emily Mills’s father was murdered, and she found his body hanging in the backyard. Her younger sister, Madison, claims she was asleep in her room. Her older sister, Tara, claims she was out with friends. The tragedy drove their mother to suicide and Tara to leave town forever. The killer was caught. The case closed.

Ever since, Emily and Madison have tried to forget what happened that night—until an eerily similar murder brings it all back. It also brings FBI special agent Zander Wells to the Oregon logging town. As eager as he is to solve the brutal double slaying, he is just as intrigued with the mystery of Emily’s and her sisters’ past.

When more blood is shed, Zander suspects there’s a secret buried in this town no one wants unearthed. Is it something Emily and Madison don’t know? Or aren’t telling? And Tara? Maybe Emily can’t bear to find her. Because when Tara disappeared, she took a secret of her own with her.

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder

Admittedly, I went into this audiobook with high expectations. I've heard that the Netflix series is good, and a couple of coworkers enjoyed books by this author, so I grabbed an eAudiobook copy at my local public library.

I listened to his audiobook two weeks ago and I'll be honest, I don't remember much. And that may be the problem because it was ... fine. It had some twists and secrets, but it wasn't the 'edge of my seat' kind of read I was expecting. It was a bit too repetitive, with characters like Pippa who needed more depth and a story that required readers to suspend disbelief too far - like how easy it was for teenage Pippa to get everyone to share their secrets, and she bested even the police at figuring out the culprit. 

Despite a solid and tense ending, I don't think this book lived up to its hype. I wasn't emotionally connected to any of the characters, and I found the cast and the story to unfortunately be quite forgettable. 

I'm happy that so many other people have loved this book and the popularity of the Netflix show proves it has found its audience! I'm in the minority with my views (and not in the teenage target audience) so take my review with a grain of salt. 

 

My Rating: 3 stars

Author: Holly Jackson

Genre: Suspense, Teen

Series: A Good Girl's Guide to Murder 1

Type and Source: ebook from public library

Narrators: Bailey Carr, Marisa Calin and more

Run Time: 10 hrs, 53 min

Publisher: Listening Library

First Published: May 2, 2019

Read: Nov 25-28, 2025

Book Description from GoodReads: Everyone in Fairview knows the story.

Pretty and popular high school senior Andie Bell was murdered by her boyfriend, Sal Singh, who then killed himself. It was all anyone could talk about. And five years later, Pip sees how the tragedy still haunts her town.

But she can't shake the feeling that there was more to what happened that day. She knew Sal when she was a child, and he was always so kind to her. How could he possibly have been a killer?

Now a senior herself, Pip decides to reexamine the closed case for her final project, at first just to cast doubt on the original investigation. But soon she discovers a trail of dark secrets that might actually prove Sal innocent . . . and the line between past and present begins to blur. Someone in Fairview doesn't want Pip digging around for answers, and now her own life might be in danger.

Mistletoe Murders 1,3 & 4

What's more festive than a small Canadian town featuring a Christmas shop owner with a past and a penchant for stumbling upon murders? Mistletoe Murders is a series of Christmasy audiobooks from Audible that are short, sweet and full of murder and mayhem.

If you're looking for something with a Canadian vibe, this is it! Written by Canadian TV writer and producer Ken Cuperus, this group of audiobooks are narrated by a trio of Canadian talent - actress Cobie Smulders (How I Met Your Mother and Marvel), Raymond Ablack (Degrassi, Ginny and Georgia), Anna Cathcart (To All The Boys, Descendants) and a full cast, complete with background sounds. Holy poutine, that's a lot of Canucks!

With solid mysteries that have bits of humour and larger story arcs, they will make you want to listen to the next book in the series asap. Each book has two sections and runs a total of about 3 hours making them great to listen to while you're wrapping Christmas gifts or stuck in looooong checkout lines at the mall this December.

My Rating: 4.5 stars each

Author: Ken Cuperus

Genre: Mystery

Type and Source: eAudiobooks from Audible.ca

Series: Mistletoe Murders

Narrators: Cobie Smulders, Raymond Ablack, Anna Cathcart ...

Publisher:Audible

First Published: 2022 - 2025

Read: Nov 28 - Dec 2, 2025

Series Description from GoodReads: When Emily Lane isn’t busy running her charming Christmas-themed store, “Under the Mistletoe,” located in the quaint tourist town of Fletcher’s Grove, she finds herself compelled to investigate not so quaint local murders. On the surface, Emily is a perfectly lovely, good-natured puzzle-solver and mystery lover. But she is hiding a secret past from everyone in town. And when Emily begins her personal investigations, Detective Constable Sam Wilner, a smart and attractive local cop — with a crush on Emily that is not completely unrequited — begins to wonder if there's more to Emily than meets the eye.

Secret Sauce

Enjoying one of your favourite meals at a restaurant can be fun, but also expensive! In Secret Sauce, Kelly Jaggers has created 200 copycat recipes from many popular American restaurants - from dips and sauces to dressings and more, so you can create these delicious dishes at home. One of my favourite stops when we visit my parents in Fort Myers, Florida is Carrabba's spicy dipping oil. The recipe for this tasty dip is in this book so I'm happy I can now make it at home!

This cookbook begins with the very basics - ingredients to have in your pantry, appliances and kitchen tools you'll need etc. making it feel like it's geared towards new home cooks. 

There are recipes for everyone with easy instructions and some fun facts too. Many of the sauces/dips seemed very similar to each other but I'm sure sauce lovers will be able to find something for their individual tastes in this cookbook. 

Some of the recipes you'll find are for:

- McDonald's Big Mac Sauce (I'll be trying that soon!)

- Outback Steakhouse's Blooming Onion Sauce

- Olive Garden's Alfredo Sauce

Many of the popular American restaurants featured in this book were unknown to this Canadian reviewer. But while I may not have firsthand experience eating at these establishments, I look forward to trying many of these recipes! 

Disclaimer: Thanks to the publisher for the complimentary digital copy of this book which was given in exchange for my honest review.

My Rating: 3.5 stars

Author: Kelly Jaggers

Genre: Cookbook

Type and Source: ebook from publisher via NetGalley

Publisher: Adams Media

First Published: Nov 11, 2025

Read: October 31, 2025

Book Description from GoodReads: Skip the pricey restaurant bill and recreate your favorite restaurant sauces right at home with these 200 fast, easy, and delicious copycat recipes for popular sauces, dips, dressings, and more!

Enjoy your favorite restaurant sauces…without waiting in lines, paying inflated prices, or stocking up on sauce packets to save for later meals. With 200 quick and simple recipes, you can now recreate your favorite restaurant sauces, dressings, and dips right at home. You’ll find iconic recipes

-Chipotle’s Guacamole
-McDonald’s Tartar Sauce
-Applebee’s Oriental Vinaigrette
-Shake Shack’s Cheese Sauce
-Carrabba’s Dipping Oil
-Taco Bell’s Creamy Jalapeño Sauce
-And more!

With these classic, tried and true recipes, Secret Sauce helps you recreate popular restaurant sauces as closely as possible—while still receiving the same rave reviews as the real thing—on a much smaller tab.