The Mystic and the Missing Girl by Vikki VanSickle

 The Mystic and the Missing Girl

Book Summary

Small town secrets, a reluctant psychic, and a cold case that could expose them all.

Drew Benson can read tarot cards and get impressions from objects—she just never expected to use her gifts to investigate an infamous cold case.

Drew Benson has a secret. She gets visions, something she hasn’t tapped into since she was a teenager, when her late aunt, a TV psychic known as Hannah Mystic, became the scapegoat in the unsolved disappearance of a local teenager. Twenty years later, Drew is happy to ignore her gift, focusing instead on keeping the metaphysical shop she inherited from Hannah afloat, wrangling her sole, astrology-obsessed employee, and dodging local rake Foster Banks in her picturesque lakeside hometown.

But when Drew's arch-nemesis from high school, now a big city reporter, decides to investigate the cold case from all those years ago, it’s Drew’s ability that could finally make a break in the decades old mystery. With bills piling up, a disapproving mother laying on the guilt, and a local vandal who wants Drew and her witchy store gone, Drew has a lot to lose. But what she stands to gain—finding out what happened to the missing teen, clearing her aunt’s name, and a second chance at belonging—could change everything.

In The Mystic and the Missing Girl, Vikki VanSickle seamlessly draws readers into an utterly charming world in this unputdownable, small town mystery.

My Thoughts

Grab your tarot deck and a cozy drink—The Mystic and the Missing Girl by Vikki VanSickle is ready to pull you into its small-town mystery. I was quickly charmed by the metaphysical shop, psychic gifts, and cold-case setup, and Drew Benson makes an appealing lead with just the right mix of curiosity and determination. The mystery unfolds in an accessible, satisfying way, making it easy to settle in and enjoy the ride, while the pacing gives readers time to savor the atmosphere and world-building. The story offers plenty of charm, a satisfying ending, and a fun peek into the world of mystics and psychics. For VanSickle’s first adult novel and paranormal mystery, this is a warm, inviting start—and I’ll happily keep one eye on the cards for whatever mystery comes next.

Cue the cozy reading nook and fluff up that favorite pillow—there is a new mystery waiting to be cracked! 📚✨ Vikki VanSickle’s first adult novel, The Mystic and the Missing Girl, is available now from Amazon. I will return on Tuesday, September 15, with The Forbidden Caller by Shelley Shepard Gray, the second book in The Amish Widows Club series. I hope your weekend is filled with wonderful stories, comfy pages, and just enough mystery to keep your bookmark busy. Until next time, happy reading and may your TBR stack always have room for one more! 🔖📖

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Fury in Death by J.D. Robb

 Fury in Death

Book Summary

In the new crime thriller from the #1 New York Times-bestselling author, Lt. Eve Dallas journeys into the darkness where murder is born…

NYSPD lieutenant Eve Dallas never knows what to expect when she gets word of a body. It could be an elderly man who made the mistake of climbing a ladder in slippery footwear. And the next call could be a wealthy biotech executive beaten to death in his home office—but what was Larry Chu’s mistake?

The victim’s corpse is so mangled and damaged it’s hard to believe a lone, unarmed assailant could have managed it. The killer was clearly unnaturally strong—and smart enough to find a way into Chu’s highly secure building. Most of all, whoever did this was very, very angry.

The excessive violence leads Dallas to conclude that this was a deeply personal act, born of a rage that she can’t excuse but can understand thanks to her own traumatic past. And though the motive seems rooted in heated emotion rather than cold hard cash, she can’t ignore the suspicious bank account in the Cayman Islands, or the shadowy, profit-hungry company Chu worked for. The mystery only grows when it turns out Chu isn’t the only victim—and Dallas will need to tear through one layer of secrecy after another to reveal what lies behind this explosion of fury...

My Thoughts

After sixty-three books, the In Death series still knows how to deliver a pulse-pounding ride—and Fury in Death is no exception. J.D. Robb brings readers back into Eve Dallas’s world with the familiar mix of suspense, sharp characterization, and emotional warmth that makes this long-running series feel like a reunion with old friends. Eve, Roarke, Peabody, and the rest of the gang continue to grow and evolve, and it is always a pleasure to catch up with them. Of course, Galahad deserves his own spotlight: that chubby scene-stealer adds just the right touch of charm and humor whenever he appears. 

This installment takes a slightly different approach by revealing the culprit’s identity and motive early on, which gives the story a fresh, tension-filled angle rather than a traditional whodunit structure. While I usually enjoy puzzling out the mystery alongside Eve, this format lets the focus shift to the why, the how, and the race to bring everything together. The case itself is intriguing and clever, with intense moments that underscore just how high the stakes are. Some of the darker details are vivid, but they also reinforce the urgency of Eve’s work and the strength it takes to face such brutality head-on. Watching the pieces fall into place was deeply satisfying, and Fury in Death ultimately delivers another gripping, character-rich entry in the series. Best of all, newcomers can jump in and enjoy this book as a standalone—though longtime fans will find even more to love.

Bookish excitement alert! 📚✨ If you are ready to dive back into the thrills, twists, and page-turning drama of the In Death series, Fury in Death is available now on Amazon along with the other books in the series. J.D. Robb—also known as Nora Roberts—has Birth of the Witch coming out November 17, so be sure to follow J.D. Robb on Amazon to get notified when a new release hits the shelves. To learn more about Nora Roberts and her many books, visit her website. I will return on Wednesday, September 9, with The Society of Second Chances by Deborah Raney. Until then, may your coffee be warm, your bookmark never go missing, and your next chapter be a delightful one. ☕📖

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies by Kate Westbury

The Oxford Guide to Scandal & Lies

Book Summary

Set against the backdrop of post-WWII Oxford University, The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies is the irresistible debut from Kate Westbury that seamlessly layers mystery, romance, and a dash of academia to introduce the Crown’s newest undercover operatives.

Oxford, England, 1951 - The Honorable Ginevra Bishop likes red lipstick, clever retorts, and earning top marks in her tutorials. She’s following her mother’s footsteps by studying at Oxford, eager to prove she’s more than a debutante.

Sidney Braithwaite likes brooding, Latin, and ignoring his nightmares. He’s determined to forge a new life for himself at Oxford, far from his childhood mining village and free from memories of the war.

Though Gin and Sidney have little in common, the British Security Service is keen to unite her charm with his espionage experience: there’s a Soviet spy at the university, and the agent tracking them down was poisoned. MI5 wants Gin and Sidney to pick up the trail and identify the informant before more sensitive information is compromised. As a team, the pair of undergraduates clash in personality, upbringing, and taste––but have a connection neither can deny. Gin and Sidney must unite their respective talents to follow the clues before they’re caught in the traitor’s crosshairs…if the sparks flying between them don’t blow up the operation first.

My Thoughts

Step through the gates of Oxford, and you’ll find secrets tucked into every shadow. The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies by Kate Westbury is a delightful blend of espionage, history, mystery, and sparkling character dynamics, all woven into one wonderfully engaging story. I especially enjoyed the chemistry and witty banter between Gin and Sydney, as well as the way their romance unfolds slowly and naturally. 

The mystery is well-crafted and thoughtfully plotted, with secret clues, coded messages, suspicious professors, whispered conversations, and the thrilling sense that someone may be watching from just around the corner. I love a mystery that keeps me suspecting everyone, and this one does exactly that. The Oxford University setting is another highlight, filled with rich history, beautiful libraries, secret corridors, and intriguing academic societies. Westbury brings it all vividly to life through picturesque descriptions that make the story feel atmospheric and immersive. Charming, clever, and full of intrigue, The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies left me eagerly hoping this is only the first case in a brilliant new series.

Let’s wrap up the week with a little bookish sparkle! Kate Westbury’s debut novel The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies is now available from Amazon, and today also brings a deliciously spooky treat: Sue Hollowell’s boo-tifully spicy cozy mystery Food Truck Fright Night. This is my last post for the week, but I’ll be back on Tuesday, September 8, with The Mystic and the Missing Girl by Vikki VanSickle. Until then, may your weekend be cozy, your coffee be strong, and your reading pile be delightfully irresistible!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Paper Ghosts by Sarah Addison Allen

Paper Ghosts

Book Summary

Part ghost story, part love story and steeped in magical realism, Paper Ghosts will transport you to a place where old secrets echo through the years and love finds a way of bringing us home.

Every family has its secrets . . .The Wester women live inside theirs.

For decades, the women of Wester House have unsettled and fascinated their small, timeless North Carolina town. Their home is full of whispers, old griefs, and uncanny knowing. But when Willamena Wester reaches out to the granddaughter she once pushed away, long-buried truths begin to stir.

1976: Restless young Willamena falls for a stranded musician who brings freedom and the promise of another life to her carefully controlled world. Their brief, incandescent love story promises to escape the pull of the Wester legacy until Willamena makes a fateful choice that changes her life forever.

Present day: Returning home is the last thing Bailey Wester wants. Yet as she reconnects with Willamena, the grandmother she feared, Bailey begins to understand the love, heartbreak, and impossible choices that shaped the women in her family and realizes the past may not have been trying to haunt them after all. A luminous novel filled with Sarah Addison Allen’s stunning prose and signature blend of romance, Southern charm, and wonder, Paper Ghosts reminds us that in order to have the future we really want, sometimes we need to live with the past, and not let go of it.

My Thoughts

There is a special kind of excitement that comes with opening a new Sarah Addison Allen book, and Paper Ghosts arrived with all the promise of mystery, family secrets, and a touch of magic. Ever since I discovered Garden Spells, I have looked forward to each new release, and I was eager to settle in with this story. While Paper Ghosts unfolds at a gentler pace than I expected, that slower beginning gives readers time to step into its shadowy atmosphere and appreciate its quieter moments. The unexpected shifts in time add an intriguing layer, even as I found myself wishing for a smoother path through the characters’ histories.

Wills has the beginnings of a truly compelling story, and I especially enjoyed the hints of her connection with her grandmother. I would have loved even more time with that relationship, particularly during Wills’s growing-up years, because those details could have made the family history feel even richer. Tug and Bailey also bring interesting possibilities to the story, and a deeper look at their lives would have added another warm layer to the family thread. Although this book leans darker than the author’s earlier work, with moments of violence and characters who are more complicated than cozy, it is still clear that Allen is exploring a different side of her storytelling.

I couldn't resist using this image!

Most of all, I wanted to spend more time with the family’s gift—the magic that gives the story its spark—and I finished the book curious for more answers. Even though Paper Ghosts was not my favorite Sarah Addison Allen novel, it reminded me why I continue to follow her work: her stories always invite anticipation, conversation, and the hope of discovering something enchanting on the next page. I will happily be first in line for her next tale, ready once again for whatever magic she chooses to share.

A little bookish magic is in the air today! Paper Ghosts by Sarah Addison Allen is now available from Amazon, and if you haven’t yet discovered her work, I highly recommend starting with my personal favorite, Garden Spells—an enchanting story that feels like stepping into a garden sprinkled with charm, secrets, and just a touch of wonder. I’ll be sharing my thoughts on Kate Westbury’s The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies on Thursday, September 3. Until then, may your day be bright, your tea be warm, and your next read have just the right amount of magic.

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Purranormal Activity by Cate Conte

Purranormal Activity

Book Summary

Trouble is brewing on Daybreak Island. . .

Summer is in full swing on Daybreak Island, and JJ’s House of Purrs—and the new mobile cat café—has Maddie James running nonstop with on-site cat parties.

So when Olivia McAllister, her mother’s childhood best friend, returns to the island for the first time in decades—after a family tragedy drove her away—and asks Maddie to plan a birthday party for her granddaughter, Maddie happily agrees. It’s been forty years since Olivia’s aunt, Delia McAllister, vanished without a trace. Her disappearance was never solved, and the abandoned family house has loomed over the island ever since.

But when Maddie and her mom arrive at Delia’s old house, it’s empty—except for a white-and-gray cat that leads Maddie to a hidden room. There, she finds Olivia dead.

Soon Maddie learns the mysterious cat may be tied to a ghostly island legend. And as she digs deeper, she realizes she’s unraveling two disappearances, forty years apart—while someone is desperate to keep the truth buried.

My Thoughts

A cozy mystery with whiskers, charm, and just the right touch of the supernatural, Purranormal Activity by Cate Conte is a delightful read from start to finish. The characters—felines included—are well developed and easy to like, and JJ the cat quickly became a favorite. I also enjoyed the quirky setting of Daybreak Island, Massachusetts, where everyone seems to know one another and stay delightfully involved in each other’s lives. 

The story offers two mysteries to solve, both filled with enjoyable twists and turns. Although I guessed the resolution of the whodunits, I still wanted to keep reading to see exactly how everything would unfold. The paranormal element is balanced just right, and the humor adds extra warmth throughout. The cat café manager is especially unique, with her clear preference for felines over humans. Purranormal Activity is the tenth book in the Cat Café Mystery series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. For readers who enjoy cozy mysteries with humor, heart, and a few fabulous cats, this one is a real treat.

Ready for a little mystery with a whisker of fun? Purranormal Activity is available now on Amazon, along with the nine other books in the Cat Café Mystery series. If you’d like to be the first to know when Cate Conte has a new release, be sure to follow her on Amazon. Thank you so much for joining me this week—I always love sharing these bookish visits with you. I’ll be back on Tuesday, August 18, with The Secret in the Sampler by Abigail B. Hartwell, the first book in the Plain Truth Mystery series. Until then, I hope your weekend is full of cozy corners, good books, and just enough curiosity to keep things interesting!

Kris

The Avid Reader

A cat lounger!

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Probable Caws by Donna Andrews

Probable Caws

Book Summary

Readers will flock to New York Times bestselling author Donna Andrews's next installment in the award-winning Meg Langslow series.

Meg has finally found time to get some blacksmithing done when a call from her dad interrupts her--can she come out to Ragnar’s right away to help with the horses? Their friend Ragnar Ragnarsen, who is gradually turning the enormous house on his nearby estate into an authentic moated castle, has agreed to shelter nearly fifty horses for Hoof and Hearth, an equine rescue organization that has lost access to the farm where the horses have been living. The owner of the farm recently died without leaving a will, and while his older son Abel would be happy to let the horses stay, younger brother George wants to sell to a developer . . . and is suspected of sending a thug to harm the horses as part of his efforts to evict Hoof and Hearth.

That night, while Meg and her family are camping at one of Ragnar’s barns, to keep an eye on the horses, they discover that the thug has been murdered. Unfortunately George is alibied . . . but his horse-loving brother Abel is not. Neither are the hot-tempered founder of Hoof and Hearth or the passionately protective ex-jockey who serves as its stablemaster. Meg juggles helping keep the horses safe and doing what she can to help the chief solve the thug’s murder . . . all the while hoping that the killer won’t turn out to be one of the dedicated horse rescuers she has come to like and respect.

My Thoughts

Feathers, horses, and a mystery with plenty of heart—what more could a cozy mystery fan want? Probable Caws by Donna Andrews is a witty, charming addition to this engaging series. I enjoy Andrews’s writing style; she has a wonderful gift for world building, weaving in interesting details, and adding just the right touch of humor. Meg is as strong and compassionate as ever, and her wonderfully eccentric family adds to the fun. 

The story also features a delightful cast of familiar secondary characters, along with a few new faces who fit right in. I especially enjoy the sense of community and the way everyone jumps in to help when trouble arises. And speaking of scene stealers, the horses, Trouble and Spooky, absolutely earn their moment in the spotlight. Meg even gets to do a little blacksmithing, which adds another enjoyable touch. The mystery kept me interested, and the ending had me laughing. Probable Caws can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading all the books in this delightful series. This one left me smiling, chuckling, and ready to saddle up for Meg’s next adventure!

Okay, fellow cozy sleuths—have you read Probable Caws, or do you have another Meg Lanslow favorite tucked up your sleeve? Swoop into the comments and tell me which mystery has you happily following the clues!

Looking for your next cozy mystery obsession? Probable Caws is available on Amazon, along with the other delightful novels in Donna Andrews’ A Meg Lanslow Mystery series. Follow Donna Andrews on Amazon to get an email whenever she has a new book release, and be sure to stop back on Thursday, August 6, for my thoughts on K-9 Wilderness Rescue by Monique DeVere. Until then, keep your bookmark handy, your TBR pile towering, and your reading spirits bright. Happy reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Sisterhood Above All by Kathleen Barber with Amayah Shaienne

SISTERHOOD ABOVE ALL

Book Summary

Being a Gamma at Southern State University means belonging to the most desirable, exclusive sisterhood there is. For Ava, it means even more—it’s the last connection she has to her beloved late mother, and she’ll do anything to wear the Gamma letters.

But the Gammas didn’t become the best house on campus by letting just anyone in, and every prospective pledge is expected to earn her spot. As president, Madison is the ultimate gatekeeper, and she has a special test for Ava.

Rival sorority Theta is nipping at the Gammas’ heels for the top spot on campus, and president Shay is proud they’ve gotten there by rising above the hyper-competitive gamesmanship that consumes other houses. She knows she’s made some enemies in her quest to change the Greek system from the inside, but she can’t imagine the depth of Madison’s resentment for her … or how far Ava will go to become a Gamma.

The sisterhood, the parties, the elite status—and the connection to her mother—are what Ava has always wanted, but she never guessed the cost of membership would be so high. Three women, two houses, one dead body: rush has never been this messy.

My Thoughts

Sisterhood Above All by Kathleen Barber with Amayah Shaienne drops you right into rush-week chaos with sparkle, secrets, and plenty of drama. This fun, fast-paced sorority mystery kept me turning the pages, thanks to its multiple points of view and short, snappy chapters. With two rival houses competing for the best pledge class, things get deliciously messy fast. I loved the steady stream of twists, surprises, and reveals that kept the momentum going. The peek behind the polished sorority image added just the right dose of intrigue, making the drama feel extra juicy and fun.  I would have loved the characters to have a bit more depth, but overall, this was an entertaining, twisty read that’s easy to fly through. If you’re craving something juicy, quick, and full of sorority secrets, grab this one and let the rush-week games begin!

Sisterhood Above All is available from Amazon. If you enjoy Sisterhood Above All, take a moment to check out Kathleen Barber's other novels.  I am a stop on the Celebrate Lit Tour for Mabel and the Privy of Doom tomorrow, Wednesday, July 15.  It is a Mysteries of Medicine Spring novel.  Enjoy the little things today.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Road Trip by Mary Kay Andrews

Road Trip

Book Summary

Pack your bags for a summer journey shaped by family secrets, long-buried history, and charming men with Irish accents.

Maeve and Therese Dunigan haven’t spoken in years. Raised under the same roof in Savannah, the two sisters could not be more opposite—Maeve the rule follower, Therese the unapologetic rebel. But when their mother’s death pulls them back together, they inherit more than just grief: a mysterious painting that may be worth millions…if it’s real.

Determined to uncover the truth—and desperately in need of the money—the sisters set out on a journey to Ireland, tracing their family’s roots and the origins of the portrait. What begins as a search for answers soon becomes something deeper—a reckoning with the past, as they uncover secrets that span generations and reshape everything they thought they knew about their family.

With tensions simmering, the two hit the road and find themselves on twisty lanes, in colorful villages, at local pubs, and with handsome men whose gift of the gab is surpassed only by their charm.

Can Maeve and Therese actually survive the journey without killing each other? Join Mary Kay Andrews on a road trip that will entertain you for miles.

My Thoughts

I picked up Road Trip by Mary Kay Andrews because the combination of family secrets, family drama, and a road trip sounded especially appealing. There were certainly interesting ideas throughout, and I could see what the story was aiming for, but it didn’t connect with me as strongly as I had hoped. I had a hard time warming up to some of the characters, especially Therese, and the number of secondary characters occasionally made the story feel a bit crowded. At 439 pages, the novel also felt somewhat longer than necessary, with certain details revisited more often than I would have preferred. The romance moved a little quickly for my taste, and I wasn’t fully convinced by the chemistry between the couple. I also found some of the language not to my personal preference. For me, this story lacked the charm and spark I usually associate with Mary Kay Andrews. The premise was strong, but the execution didn’t fully live up to its potential.

Road Trip can be ordered from Amazon as well as other major booksellers.  You can find Mary Kay Andrews other novels here.  The pictures that I shared today are from Ireland. It is a country that I have always wanted to visit.  How about you?  In Ireland, you could you greet somone casually by saying, "What’s the craic?" (How's it going?) or Haigh (which is Hi). 

I will be sharing my thoughts on Silent Witness by Tracy Fredrychowski on Wednesday, June 3.  It is the third An Amish Book Club Mystery. I am off to take care of some chores (I wish the house could sweep and dust itself). Take care and I hope today treats you kindly. Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.