Carry Me To My Grave by Christopher Golden

If you’re looking for the perfect spooky season book, look no further!!!

Malcolm has always known his mother was different. Having a nursery rhyme made up by the local kids in his youth about her taking out children’s eyes made that pretty clear. As he witnesses slow death at her bedside, she makes Malcolm promise an unconventional last wish. Immediately upon her death she demands that he take her body and bury her himself at her birthplace in Maine within three days time. But Malcolm isn’t the only one concerned about his mother’s final resting place as evil forces will stop at nothing to prevent her from being buried.

“Carry Me to My Grave” is 325 pages and took me three days to read.

This book is wild and is one of my favorite reads of 2026. I’m giving it a 5 out of 5! It’s action packed and truly a thrilling ride. I highly recommend for all the horror fans out there! Christopher Golden sure knows how to write creepy!

Thank you, St. Martin’s Press, for sending me this copy!

Here’s to the adventure of finding a novel novel!

Lacey

The Trident and The Pearl by Sarah K.L. Wilson

In order for a terrible hurricane to leave Queen Coralys’ island before even more of her people die, she must make a deal with the Gods. The Gods immediately stake their claim by having the Queen give up her title and marry the first man to step on the island after the storm finally passes. Much to her dismay, the wounded fisherman that has been chosen by the Gods takes her away to his home on a small remote island. As she becomes familiar with the island and her new husband, she realizes that they have more in common than she anticipated… they both want revenge on the Gods and will do whatever it takes to end them once and for all.

The Trident and The Pearl is 464 pages long and took me five days to read.

This is one of my favorite books of 2026 and is a must read if you’re a fan of mythology and/or romantasy. I’m giving this a 4.5 out of 5! It’s so rich in description without being overwhelming. It makes you feel like you’re on your own deserted island in the best way! I can’t wait for book 2 to come out and find out what happens next!

Thank you so much, Orbit, for sending me this copy!

Here’s to the adventure of finding a novel novel!

Lacey

A Violent Masterpiece by Jordan Harper

Los Angeles is not for the weak of heart and working for those who reside in the dark underbelly of the city can only be described as dangerous. When three people from adjacent worlds come colliding into one very disturbing crime, all they can do is use what they know to save themselves… this is going to get bloody…

A Violent Masterpiece is 368 pages long and took me four days to read.

It’s no surprise to me that I loved this book and am giving it a 5 out of 5! Jordan Harper is hands down one of my favorite authors. His gritty story telling puts you into whatever place, time and situation he’s describing to you. “A Violent Masterpiece” is a dark, disturbing, crime thriller that is incredibly timely. While it’s not necessary to read his previous work to enjoy this book, you should devour all of them because you shouldn’t deprive yourself of good things.

Thank you, Mulholland Books, for sending me this copy!!

Here’s to the adventure of finding a novel novel!

Lacey

Dig-J.H. Markert

Water isn’t the only thing that surrounds Crow Island, it’s also swarmed by secrets. When the town reverend can’t stop digging (both figuratively and literally), the island descends into trance that has most of its residents uncovering the town dirt (again, both figuratively and literally). The darkness that has plagued the island for two hundred years comes to the surface in this disturbing and wildly entertaining book.

Dig is 340 pages long and took me four days to read.

I’m giving this book a 4.25 out of 5! Wooooooow, this book is wild! I’ll be thinking about this story for a long time and likely won’t look at honey the same way again. If you’re into scary/slasher/mysteries, please do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Dig! You won’t regret it!

Thank you, Crooked Lane, for sending me a copy!

Here’s to the adventure of finding a novel novel!

Lacey

The Daughters-Joanna Margaret

While archiving a founding families records for a small town, it is probably a good idea to keep your head on a swivel. Especially when young women in the town have a history of disappearing. Dark secrets, disturbing coincidences and witches make “The Daughters” a book to invest in.

The Daughters is 322 pages long and took me 5 days to read.

I’m giving this book a 3.75 out of 5! I had so much fun reading this book and wasn’t entirely sure where the ending was headed but I had a blast getting there. As a lover of mysteries, this really scratched the itch I had for a good “what in the world is going on here”, type book!

Thank you so much, Mysterious Press, for sending me this copy!

Here’s to the adventure of finding a novel novel!

Lacey

Inside Man by John McMahon

The Patterns and Recognition team (PAR or “Head Cases” according to their colleagues) has another mystery on their hands. When their informant winds up murdered, the team has to find a replacement in order to make their case. The only problem is that digging into their now deceased informant’s murder, they not only uncover a possible terrorist plot and serial killer but a whole lot of “what the hell”!?!

Inside Man is 386 pages long and took me three days to read!

I feel like second books in series are always a coin toss but Inside Man did not disappoint. I truly didn’t want to put it down so I’m giving it a 4.5 out of 5! McMahon has done an incredible job of making these unique characters both lovable and feel real. I’m impatiently waiting for book 3 because I love this team and their strange chemistry so much!

Thank you, Minotaur Books, for sending me this copy!

Here’s to the adventure of finding a novel novel!

Lacey

Godfall by Van Jensen

Having, what appears to be, a giant corpse of a three mile long alien land in your back yard wouldn’t be ideal in the best of circumstances, let alone if you’re a small town with little to no infrastructure. But that’s where sheriff David Blunt finds himself. Now that people from all over the world have found theirselves making a home in Little Springs, the sheriff and his one deputy must make do with the resources they have until the next census. Being a small town sheriff meant that Blunt was used to small problems but when multiple VERY suspicious murders take place it becomes clear that his small view must change if he hopes to solve these strange cases and save the town he loves so much.

Godfall is 374 pages long and took me four days to read!

This story appealed to me so much when I first read the pitch. How could someone skip this book!? Well I’m here to tell you that you shouldn’t. This book is a wild ride and I loved every minute of it. I’m giving it a 4 out of 5! I’m hoping that this will be a series because I need more of this weird and sorta spooky new world!

Thank you, Grand Central Publishing, for sending me this copy!

Here’s to the adventure of finding a novel novel!

Lacey

The Widow by John Grisham

Moose may not be a lawyer but he knows a great book when he sees one!

Being a small town lawyer is pretty much what you’d expect, dealing with small town problems. Simon Latch, as a small town lawyer, is barely scraping by on his meager salary, a divorce on the horizon and his gambling habit that he can “quit any time”. When 82 year old Eleanor walks into his life unexpectedly needing a new will, Simon finally sees an opportunity to get himself above the waves of debt. Settings himself up for success while trying to do right by Eleanor, he finds himself in a legal battle of his own, fighting a murder charge.

The Widow is 404 pages long and took me four days to read.

While a little slow moving to start, I found myself hooked on the fate of Simon Latch. I’m giving it a 4.5 out of 5 stars! I’ve found myself thinking of these characters several days after reading which tells me that it’s going to be awhile before this story lets me go. Reading a great Grisham is truly an experience and I’m so grateful to have recieved this advance copy as I’m such a big fan of his.

Thank you to my friends at Doubleday for sending me this copy and the hat! Moose won’t be the only one wearing it! ❤️

Here’s to the adventure of finding a novel novel!

Lacey