Monday, May 11, 2026

Tuesday Tomorrow

Parade of Horribles by Matt Dinniman
Published by: Ace
Publication Date: May 12th, 2026
Format: Hardcover, 704 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"It's off to the races in the explosive eighth book in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series - featuring bonus material exclusive to this print edition.

As chaos and mass panic spread outside the dungeon in the wake of Faction Wars, Carl and Donut find themselves on the tenth floor, where they're forced to compete in a surprisingly normal set of tasks. Well, normal for the dungeon.

Races. Get from point A to point B, and don't come in last. After each race, they pick an upgrade for their vehicle and the track gets more challenging. It all seems a little too normal, a little too simple.

Ignore those strange glitches that are occurring with increasing frequency. Don't listen to those whispers about what's happening on the mysterious eleventh floor, something the system AI calls A Parade of Horribles. Nobody, not even the showrunners, knows what that means. Just that the AI has ominously dubbed it "a coming-out party for the ages."

Everything is fine, Crawler. I repeat, everything is fine.

Carl hates that it's business as usual. The rules of this floor have taken away his agency. That just will not do.

So Carl is planning a party of his own. It's a plan so dangerous, so insane, he can't even consult his friends lest the AI put a stop to it. Because if it goes wrong, it's not just the end of Carl and Donut. No. The stakes are higher than they've ever been.

Includes part eight of the exclusive bonus story "Backstage at the Pineapple Cabaret.""

I am so excited for this month because I have finally got my book club to read the first book in this series.

Femme Feral by Sam Beckbessinger
Published by: Penguin Books
Publication Date: May 12th, 2026
Format: Paperback, 384 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Hyper-competent Ellie thinks she's going through perimenopause, but discovers she's actually turning into a werewolf in this feminist, dark-comedy debut.

The head of a company she started from the ground-up, the worried mother of a troublingly secretive daughter, and the wife of an easy-going man who always has her picking up the slack - Ellie is already juggling too much. So, it's an inconvenient time to find herself beset by strange physical changes: hair sprouting in new places, running hot, trouble sleeping, losing time, finding bloodstains in all her clothing. And underneath it all, a boiling rage that threatens to disrupt the life she's worked so hard to build.

Her doctor diagnoses perimenopause. But it's another twenty-eight-day cycle that's taking hold, one that involves fur, teeth, and a not-insignificant amount of howling at the moon - and that gifts Ellie incredible strength and speed. Her new power's thrilling, as is releasing the anger she's suppressed for years - especially as it turns out that there are some problems that can be solved with violence: The terrible new hire who is sabotaging her careful plans. The creep who's stalking her daughter. Only, the beast within isn't easy to control, and its bloody trail is getting harder to hide. With an obsessive hunter on her trail and a growing fear of what she's becoming, Ellie must find a way to yoke her fury before she tears through the people she loves.

A deeply gratifying, highly addictive and provocative read, Femme Feral is an exhilarating expression of feminine rage, with a warning: If you swallow your anger, it's sure to come back with a bite."

I was talking about this book to a friend the other day and she was instantly asking when she could get it. Women SO relate.

All Hail Chaos by Sarah Rees Brennan
Published by: Orbit
Publication Date: May 12th, 2026
Format: Paperback, 480 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"All Hail Chaos is Sarah Rees Brennan's wicked, unmissable sequel to Long Live Evil.

One of the New York Times "Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of 2024."

THE EMPEROR IS HERE. AND SHE MADE HIM WORSE.

Rae is a fantasy reader who's been transported to her favorite fictional world of swords and sorcery, castles and monsters. Playing the villainess, she thought she could change the narrative, but this version of the plot is far more deadly than the one she knew. Her friends are on the run: the Cobra shelters in an eerie manor haunted by dark secrets, while Emer and Lia stoke a revolution in the gutters. Undead armies roam the kingdom, raiders camp at the city gates, and the all-powerful Emperor - Rae's favorite character ever, now possibly the greatest monster in the land - wants her to be his evil queen.

Romantic in fiction, complicated in reality. What's a villainess to do? Time for wicked bargains and fake engagements, in a fantasy where the most dangerous thing you can do is believe in someone."

Seriously, while this series is so fun, I would not want to be sucked into any of my favorite book series.

Vile Lady Villains by Danai Christopoulou
Published by: Union Square and Co.
Publication Date: May 12th, 2026
Format: Paperback, 352 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"A queer, gothic horrormantasy that's perfect for readers of S.T. Gibson and Kiersten White.

With the consequences of her murderous actions closing in, Lady Macbeth turns to the three witches for help. They give her a potion that transports her to an unknown realm. Desperately lost, she opens a door and comes face to face with a beautiful woman drenched in blood.

Klytemnestra, Queen of Mycenae, is exacting bloody vengeance on her husband. Yet as she revels in her triumph, an otherworldly door appears and a strange woman steps in. Thinking this stranger a spirit, she chases Lady Macbeth into the realm of stories.

Hunted by screaming wraiths into worlds that are hell bent on their demise, this murderous pair are forced to form an alliance or perish. Yet the realm's goddess, The Mistress of the House of Books, claims to hold the key to saving them.

As every threat brings our vile lady villains closer, turning ill intentions into fiery attraction that no author dare write, they have a choice: remain within the confines of their original tales... or burn down the world to pen a new story together..."

I love that our villains look like hot and sexy versions of Bette Davis and Joan Crawford's characters in What Ever Happen to Baby Jane?

The Devil and Mrs. Gooch by Oliver Darkshire
Published by: W. W. Norton and Company
Publication Date: May 12th, 2026
Format: Hardcover, 320 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"In the storm-drenched city of Verdigris, home to indolent sorcerers and undead hotels, something is dreadfully wrong. Buildings are starting to crumble due to the kidnapping of their hobs, the many-legged house spirits that keep each home in order. In such times, one would ordinarily blame the Devil, but he has been enchanted by a new and enticing evil: The jackbooted villainy of Gwendolyn Gooch, who has taken the hobs for her latest diabolical scheme - apartments for rent. As the hobs retrofit the gaudy Gooch Towers, the fate of the city lies in the hands of the arboreal Professor Green; his rare, complete set of the Household Gramarye; and its famulus, the prim Mrs. Bobkins.

A delightful new novel in a series "perfectly cut to fit the Pratchett-shaped hole in my heart" (C.M. Waggoner), The Devil and Mrs. Gooch is witty, imaginative, and brimming with charm.

The Household Gramarye series may be read in any order you wish, as wizards care little for strict sequentiality."

This series seriously has the best cover art, but this is a step beyond. Love it!

Under a Carnivore Sky by Brianna Jett
Published by: Page Street YA
Publication Date: May 12th, 2026
Format: Hardcover, 304 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"I'm the only one left hunting the monster, the only one left with a chance of saving us all.

Raised in a town surrounded by a labyrinthian, man-eating swamp, Lili craves nothing more than to track down the monster lurking in its depths and kill it.

The monster's curse claims the flesh and bone of every adult in town, stealing them away, piece by piece. For generations, people have tried to kill it or escape the town altogether, but every path out of town leads them right back in.

Caleb, a bookish boy with dreams of freedom, is hungry to escape. He thinks that with Lili's help and knowledge of the swamp, he can make a map to freedom. And Lili hopes that with a better sense of its territory, she might finally find and kill the monster.

Together, they chart the swamp's shifting terrain. Sharing in the danger and the beauty of the landscape sparks a friendship between them - and then something more. However, what they discover disrupts everything Lili thought she knew about the town, her father, the monster - even herself. The truth at the root of the curse could devour them all. And Lili must decide if risking her life to be the town's savior is worth sacrificing her own chance of escape."

Knowledge can be just as dangerous as a deadly swamp.

The Hanging Bones by Elle Tesch
Published by: Feiwel and Friends
Publication Date: May 12th, 2026
Format: Hardcover, 352 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"From the author of What Wakes the Bells comes a rich, gothic fantasy steeped in Germanic folklore about a girl who enters a dangerous, magical hunt with the goal of winning the death of her predatory overlord. Perfect for fans of Adalyn Grace, Maggie Stiefvater, and V.E. Schwab.

Some monsters are born. Some are made. All can be killed.

Once every few years, the Scavenge Moon rises. From beyond its pale glow steps the Breimar Stag, an otherworldly creature with eyes of burning gold. Any reckless adventurer who chooses to join the hunt for the stag only has until the Scavenge Moon sets to claim their prize - if they catch it, they are granted the death of any person of their choice. And if no one catches it, the stag will claim one of the hunters' souls instead.

Katrin has lived on the border of the forest her whole life, raised on tales of the Folk that dwell within. As a gamekeeper for the baron who rules over the region, she is saddled with the onerous task of escorting the entitled nobles who descend upon her home for the Breimar Hunt. None of them respect the forest or its legends, and Katrin is only too happy to let them risk their foolish necks for what they see as a cheap thrill.

When her beloved cousin becomes the latest target of the baron's lecherous appetites, Katrin knows only his death will keep her family safe, and the only way she can claim his life is to win the hunt herself. But something hungry has begun to stir in the woods, something even older and more powerful than the stag. As the horrifying, mutilated bodies pile up, Katrin begins to question where the true danger lies."

So, she can't just like poison the baron?

Deathbringer by Sonia Tagliareni
Published by: Atria Books
Publication Date: May 12th, 2026
Format: eBook, 432 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"For fans of Naomi Novik and Kerri Maniscalco, "a slow-burn dark academia filled with delicious yearning, dripping with atmosphere, and a compelling mystery" (Ellis Hunter, author of Blood Bound) about a death mage who hates her magic and a poison mage who hates her that are forced to work together to stop a killer before one of them is next.

Everything about Sylas Archyr feels like a sin.

Born with the ability to speak with the dead, Viola's magic killed her sister, Olivia, and if she doesn't learn why, it will kill her too. Her only hope lies within the perilous walls of Gorhail Institute of Magic, where Olivia spent her final days.

There, Viola clashes with Sylas, a poison mage whose magic stems from three magical snakes. Immortal, tormented, and reckless, Sylas is tethered to a life he never asked for and haunted by guilt for his father's death. His hatred for death mages runs deep, and he's determined to keep Viola at a distance. But when an attack forces him to heal her, their fates become intertwined by a magical bond that threatens to upend his loyalties - and his common sense.

As more students start turning up dead, Viola and Sylas are drawn into an uneasy alliance that pulls them deeper into Gorhail's treacherous passageways, where secrets fester beneath the stone and the dead do not rest. And as enemy lines begin to blur and their undeniable attraction grows, Viola and Sylas uncover a chilling conspiracy: someone is hunting mages for their magical relics, and if they can't uncover the killer in time, Viola will be next."

It's amazing how deadly academia has become.

You're Dead to Me, Reed Walker by Gwenyth Reitz
Published by: Roaring Brook Press
Publication Date: May 12th, 2026
Format: Hardcover, 352 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"A swoonworthy YA supernatural romcom where two academic rivals are trapped as ghosts to haunt the same house.

They'd kill each other... if they weren't already dead.

Tessa Sinclair is a winner. Winner of spelling bees, science fairs, and scholarships. So when she finds herself unexpectedly dead after a graduation party in an abandoned mansion, she's none too pleased. What's worse, her Harvard-bound, Mr. Perfect academic rival, Reed Walker, is there too - deceased, smug, and annoying as hell.

Being a ghost is hard enough, but it's a thousand times worse having to haunt the same house as your nemesis. But as Tessa and Reed retreat to RIP in their respective corners of the mansion, a mystery unfurls about the exact cause of their deaths.

Though they'd rather die (again) than work together, they'll need to overcome their differences to hunt down a murderer on the loose. And should they happen to fall for each other along the way... Who ever said you can't find love after death?"

I think finding out how you died would overcome rivalry. 

Never Leave Me Alone by Crissa-Jean Chappell
Published by: Regal House Publishing
Publication Date: May 12th, 2026
Format: Hardcover, 178 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Seventeen-year-old Birdie lives for danger - from rooftopping abandoned hotels to chasing the perfect shot for her Instagram alter ego, Bad Altitude.

Her dying Florida beach town may be crumbling, but her follower count is rising fast.

She's one viral post away from escaping the Space Coast for good.

Then she meets Micah, a daredevil TikTok star with a taste for high-stakes stunts and even higher risks.

At first, Birdie thinks she's found a kindred spirit.

But Micah is secretly playing a deadly game online - and after he falls to his death, Birdie is left with more questions than answers.

Determined to uncover the truth, she retraces his final stunts, getting dangerously close to his brother, Jayce.

Can she trust him, or is he hiding something too?

Now someone's watching Birdie - both online and off - and she's forced to keep playing.

Because in this game, there's only one rule: if you quit, you die."

But do you live if you win?

The Kindness of Strangers by Emma Garman
Published by: S and S/Summit Books
Publication Date: May 12th, 2026
Format: Hardcover, 304 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
A wildly entertaining debut and homage to the classic murder mystery set in post-WWII London where a stranger's arrival at a boarding house sets a deadly chain of events in motion - perfect for fans of Kate Atkinson, Agatha Christie, and Richard Osman.

London, 1953. Jimmy Sullivan lies dying on the drawing room floor while his housemates look on, their lives about to change forever.

One foggy night in the dead of February, a young man arrives unannounced at 42 Tregunter Road in Chelsea. Self-styled Bohemian Mrs. Honor Wilson - who runs a minor literary journal and lodgings from this timeworn Victorian house - introduces him to her "dear house guests": Robbie, the writer; Mina, the teenage sleuth; George, the debutante; and Saul, the haunted refugee. Jimmy Sullivan is a family friend, Honor says - yet clearly, something is not right. Despite everyone's misgivings, she lets the stranger move into the attic.

As they each try to disprove Jimmy's dubious account of himself, secrets, jealousies, and disturbing schemes come to light, fracturing the household's delicate allegiances and setting in motion, unstoppably, a tale of perilous self-invention, complicated love, and murderous revenge.

In a house built on lies, the truth will get you killed."

Wait, if this is for fans of Kate Atkinson does that mean for fans of books with nebulous endings and no actual crime solving? 

Murder Like Clockwork by Nicola Whyte
Published by: Union Square and Co.
Publication Date: May 12th, 2026
Format: Paperback, 368 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"In this London-based version of The Paris Apartment meets Only Murders in the Building, author Nicola Whyte continues the adventures of the delicious cast of 10 Marchfield Square characters.

Every Thursday at midday Audrey Brooks cleans the Petrov house. Mr. Petrov is never home - in fact he seems to use the house purely as storage for his impressive collection of antiques - but that doesn't affect the care with which Audrey mops, polishes, and carefully winds each of the dozens of beautiful clocks that decorate the tall, elegant, empty London mansion.

Until the morning she finds a corpse in the back bedroom, the pristine walls and floor covered in blood, and flees the house in panic. Fifteen minutes later, the police arrive... and find nothing. No body. No blood. The only thing slightly out of the ordinary is the clock in that back bedroom, which is now running four minutes slow.

With no victim, the police are convinced there was no murder, but Audrey knows better. A man has been killed, and if they won't do anything about it, she - and her annoying friend Lewis - will. Whodunnit is one thing, but this detective duo must also wrestle with when - and where on earth is the body?

It's not long since they solved the murder of their neighbor, so they're not rookie sleuths, and at least this time the case has no connection to their home. Does it?"

I'm more impressed by the villains who can clean a crime scene in under fifteen minutes. 

Killing Eve: Medusa by Luke Jennings
Published by: Boldwood Books
Publication Date: May 12th, 2026
Format: eBook, 264 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"The latest instalment of Luke Jennings's bestselling Killing Eve series - the inspiration behind the BAFTA-winning drama starring Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh.

I lie to her constantly, and it's always the same lie. That I'm as human as she is.

Deceived once too often by Oxana, Eve flees to the country town where she lived as a child. But violence and death are hard on her heels, and time will not be turned back. Reeling from Eve's departure, Oxana throws herself into her latest mission: to assassinate the leaders of a newly formed European drug cartel.

Turkish mafia boss Tahir Yilmaz is hosting a voyage around the Greek islands on his luxury yacht Medusa. The group includes his seventeen-year-old daughter Defne and her friend Buse, and Tahir is taking no chances. He's hired a chaperone, a nanny from a top-drawer English training school. At least he thinks that's who Oxana is...

As the Medusa moves from isle to idyllic isle, a brutal showdown draws closer, and with it, a deadly reckoning for Eve and Oxana. Can the star-crossed couple save their relationship? Can they even save themselves?

The latest Killing Eve adventure is charged with all the savage humour, chilling violence and perversely romantic longing that fans of the series have come to love and expect. Welcome aboard the Medusa!"

First, so here for the correct continuation of Killing Eve. Second, murder on a luxury yacht! YAS!

A Very Vexing Murder by Lucy Andrew
Published by: William Morrow
Publication Date: May 12th, 2026
Format: Hardcover, 432 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Harriet Smith investigates... A murder most Austen.

A witty debut whodunit that reimagines Harriet Smith, the gullible sidekick of Jane Austen's Emma, as a spitfire con woman, hired to break off an engagement and uncover a murderer in the genteel village of Highbury.

"Seldom, very seldom, does complete truth belong to any human disclosure."  - Jane Austen, Emma

Is a killer lurking in the idyllic country domain of Emma Woodhouse?

No longer Emma's naïve companion, Harriet Smith is a feisty con-woman-turned-detective tasked with breaking off Frank Churchill's engagement and uncovering his aunt's would-be murderer. While Harriet has doubts that the deadly threats are little more than society scandal, the shrewd Mrs. Churchill suspects Frank's unsuitable fiancée, Jane Fairfax, is out to kill her. What begins as a routine investigation among Highbury's elite quickly spirals into a web of deception, dangerous secrets, and a game of survival.

As Harriet interrogates a growing list of suspects with the help of her long-suffering best friend, Robert Martin, not only does she have to contend with a potential homicidal maniac and striking out as a single woman in Regency society, but is also afraid her father (and former partner-in-crime) is out for revenge.

With a cast of unforgettable characters - including a charming scoundrel, a lovesick farmer, a ghoulish butler, and a ruthless heiress determined to hide her skeletons at any cost - this brilliantly reimagined mystery featuring the characters from Jane Austen's Emma is as deliciously dark as it is delightfully clever."

I mean, no matter how reimagined this is Frank Churchill has to be the culprit. He's a psychopath. 

The Last Lady B by Eloisa James
Published by: Gallery Books
Publication Date: May 12th, 2026
Format: Paperback, 384 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Lady B may have married Bluebeard; she may have fallen in love with a gorgeous, grumpy solicitor; she may have met a ghost and survived to tell the tale! New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Eloisa James delights with witty historical romance with a gothic twist.

In the depths of winter, Lady Genevieve Hughes, her pet piglet, and her septuagenarian husband travel to a haunted abbey in the Scottish Highlands. Evie is excited to meet a ghost (perhaps one of her husband's three previous wives), but didn't expect the funny, quirky guests to become the friends she's never had. And she certainly didn't imagine meeting Sir Godric Everly, a sardonic, witty solicitor who loathes her husband.

Yet as secrets and lies turn Evie's world upside down, Sir Godric becomes the one person whom she can trust.

When ghosts, multiple wills, and a shocking marriage certificate bring Lord Burnsby's past crashing into his present, Burnsby promptly dies, leaving Evie free to remarry... though as a virgin wife, now a virgin widow, she is more unnerved by the marriage bed than a spectral visit.

More importantly, she has to figure out whose identity is false, whose vows are dishonorable, whose truths could destroy her reputation - and where her heart belongs."

I can't wait for this book! What's more I can't wait for my copy which is part of JQ Editions!

The Lister Sisters by Rebecca Batley
Published by: Pen and Sword History
Publication Date: May 12th, 2026
Format: Hardcover, 208 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"When Anne Lister, 'Gentleman Jack, ' and her infamous diaries hit the headlines a few years ago, their popularity spawned a plethora of Gentleman Jack blogs, research and books which have focused primarily on Anne Lister's romantic relationships with (a huge) number of women, but whilst they are an integral part of the Lister story, there is another woman lurking in the pages of her diaries: The original Lister Sister, Marian.

Marian Lister was Anne's younger sister and the two women had a complex and fascinating relationship. The evidence reveals Marian to be a complicated woman who both resented, loved and was fiercely protective of her older sister. Forced to live together for a large part of their lives Anne vehemently disapproved of Marian's desire to escape in order to marry a "carpet maker" feeling him to be unworthy of the sister she herself derided. Marian, for her part, did not understand her elder sister's relationships with women, but she accepted them, defended her and worried about her excessively even whilst she ranted about Anne's spending, scheming and selfishness.

When together, the two women bickered constantly with Marian, literally at times screaming in frustration at her headstrong sister. Anne, for her part, complained that Marian was "simple... good for nothing," yet her approval meant a good deal to her.

Here, for the first time, we look at the complex relationship between the two women, how it developed, its moments of triumph and tragedy, as well as the profound influence it had on each of their lives."

If I learned anything from Gentleman Jack it's that Anne was a bitch to her sister. 

Memory House by Elaine Kraf
Published by: Modern Library
Publication Date: May 12th, 2026
Format: Paperback, 288 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"The never-before-published final novel by cult feminist author Elaine Kraf, exploring what happens when a drained writer fakes her death and joins a mysterious club for failing artists.

Once the darling of the literary world, Marlane Frack is fading into obscurity: her once-brilliant career seems over, her creativity feels nonexistent, and her demanding husband would prefer she spend her time caring for him instead of struggling to find inspiration. But one day, an enigmatic chauffeur arrives to spirit her away to Memory House, a secluded sanctuary where formerly successful artists of all kinds - writers, painters, musicians, and more - are spending the rest of their lives. They have all decided that fame in death is preferable to decline in real life.

Nestled in a remote, picturesque landscape, the house is a labyrinth of secrets and whispers, where time seems to flow differently and creativity is both a blessing and a curse. There, Marlane finds herself among a diverse group of residents, some of whom she knew in the outside world, all of them fighting with their own artistic demons - and with each other. As the line between reality and imagination blurs, and her past begins to manifest in startling ways, Marlane starts to question what is real and what is merely a figment of the house's influence.

Will Marlane find the redemption she seeks, or will the house consume her creative spirit entirely? In the last book she wrote before her death, which has never been published before, Elaine Kraf explores the challenges of being a female creator, the transformative power of art, and the enduring quest for self-discovery."

I'd be more worried that the house says you will get "fame in death." That really sounds like the house will elaborately kill you.

The Lost Book of Lancelot by John Glynn
Published by: Grand Central Publishing
Publication Date: May 12th, 2026
Format: Hardcover, 384 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"A queer retelling of the legend of Sir Lancelot, following the famous knight as he grows up orphaned, falls in love, and attempts to fulfill his destiny at the Round Table - from the bestselling author of Out East.

Hidden away on the Isle of Women, a nameless orphan grows up among a powerful sisterhood, but always at a distance. He hears whispers of a prophecy that may shed light on his destiny - and his true identity: Lancelot. Determined to master the skills of knighthood, he begins training in tandem with the handsome Galehaut. As the two become inseparable, they guide one another toward their truest selves. But no matter how tightly they cling to one another, each has a role to play in the wizard Merlin's grand prophecies.

When Lancelot is forced to follow Merlin to Camelot, he fights to protect his heart while seeking the fabled grail alongside King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table. But when Roman legionaries encroach on their kingdom, their quest takes on new urgency, as does Lancelot's explosive secret - the truth of what he left behind on the Isle of Women.

Steeped in rich medieval lore, The Lost Book of Lancelot is at once an immersive, a poignant love story and an epic, unforgettable tale of a vulnerable boy who is forced to rise to the occasion amid a battle between the old world and the new."

I mean, the denizens of Camelot are always rife for a queer bent. I mean, just watch Lancelot in the musical...

Hana and Taru by Léo Schilling and Motteux 
Published by: Magnetic Press
Publication Date: May 12th, 2026
Format: Paperback, 224 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Deep in an ancient forest, young Taru feels like a misfit among her tribe of hunter-warriors. As she tries to make her mark in the adult world, she finds herself marginalized as much for her naïveté as for her radical ideas, which are dismissed by her mother and peers as nonsense. She is responsible for watching a prisoner - Hana, a young human with a mysterious past who has been captured by Taru's own tribe. Hana provides Taru with both solace and an opportunity to find her own way. When Taru's village is once again attacked by giant rampaging forest beasts, the unlikely pair will work together to try to understand the uncontrollable and deadly force that threatens them. What is causing the beasts to rampage? And how can they be stopped?

This ecological fantasy tale by writer Leo Schilling and cartoonist Motteux unravels an exciting fantasy tale about finding your own purpose and a responsible balance with nature."

FernGully for the literary set.

Friday, May 8, 2026

Season 26 - Rebecca (1996-1997)

The 1996-1997 season of Masterpiece Theatre was rare for me in that I caught it entirely. I was taking a year off before college and therefore had time to indulge in my much loved passions of reading and watching miniseries while freaking out about my future. The adaptation of Nostromo starring Colin Firth and A Royal Scandal starring Richard E. Grant were highlights that year. But what I wasn't looking forward to was the season ending remake of Rebecca. This was at the height of my Hitchcock fanaticism and I couldn't comprehend why anyone would remake a classic. Yes, Hitchcock didn't get it 100% right, but you can not deny that Laurence Olivier IS Maxim de Winter. It won best picture at the Oscars! So I planned to boycott the remake. The problem when living with your parents is that they have their own opinions on what they want to watch and seeing some of Rebecca turned out to be unavoidable. What little I saw made me instantly withdraw from the television room. My mom didn't last very long either, despite her love of Diana Rigg. For almost twenty years I shunned this adaptation shuddering from the memory of those few glimpses. So I thought perhaps I should give it a second chance. Maybe Diana Rigg could be a superior Mrs. Danvers? Perhaps the beauty of Manderley would be done more justice in color with it's lush abundant floral growth? Or perhaps I should have trusted my gut reaction and avoided this piece of crap entirely. What is striking about this adaptation is they have assembled some of the most talented actors in the British Isles and beyond and somehow sucked the life out of them. If it weren't for Faye Dunaway and Jonathan Cake I don't think a single line would have been uttered above a dull monotone. Rebecca is full of emotion and passion, both repressed and on full display, and yet here it comes across as the most flat and emotionless story ever. It should be turbulent and forceful like the sea, not fake and false like that shitty shack that was slapped together on the beach. After the first episode my dislike became more and more audible. Three hours and nothing went right. I kept making myself step back and think, if I hadn't read the book would I enjoy this? The answer was no time and time again. While the heavy-handed foreshadowing might have been driving me loopy, if Du Maurier was still alive I know what she'd hate most... they made this adaptation into a romance. Yes, there are romantic elements in Rebecca, but that is NOT what the book is. The moniker of "Romance Writer" hung around Du Maurier's neck like a millstone her entire life. To have her greatest novel reduced to being nothing more than a romance? No. She would have snapped. Plus, I like Charles Dance very much, don't get me wrong, but to see him groping and pawing awkwardly at Emilia Fox's cheek and sucking her face so that it looks like he's eating her. Eww. The book STRONGLY hints that the de Winters had a sexless marriage and yet here the demonstrative affection is overwhelming. It's the exact opposite of the book, yet oddly passionless. In the end one would hope that at least Emilia Fox was getting a kick out of playing a role her mother played almost twenty years earlier. And at least it appeared that Diana Rigg was having fun. At least someone was.

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Season 25 - The Final Cut (1995-1996)

The House of Cards Trilogy was a defining moment in television history. When The Best of Masterpiece Theatre was chosen for its thirty-fifth anniversary it easily made the top twelve with every celebrity interviewed reciting Francis Urquhart's famous line; "You might very well think that; I couldn't possibly comment." Until now I had only watched the first arc, House of Cards, and one can't deny Ian Richardson's talent. This role was made for him. The way he insouciantly address us, the audience, as his confidants and collaborators, and his breaking of the fourth wall is iconic. This was the insight into the backstabbing world of politics and the monarchy we had been longing for adapted by Andrew Davies from a book written by a Thatcher insider. The problem I had when I first watched House of Cards is that Francis Urquhart is, in my mind, asexual. What turns him on is power, not other people, unless it's his control over them. He only begins an affair with the young journalist Mattie Storin, played by Susannah Harker, because he realizes that that is what she wants and that is how he'll exert control. This is his leverage. Making her feel special. But her desire to call him "daddy" was just too creepy. There's just such an ick factor to it that Mattie and her relationship with Francis is actually creepier than the fact that Kevin Spacey played the role when it was adapted for American audiences by Netflix. Years later going back to watch this I was still just revolted by the whole "daddy" of it all. But I was determined. This was the time for me to not just watch the first arc but to finish the whole series by watching To Play the King and then The Final Cut. First off, watching this when I was already suffering form political fatigue was probably not the best of ideas, but that's on me. The problem I have with the final two arcs is, taken as a whole, they don't feel like a logical progression of the character. Once Francis becomes Prime Minister he proceeds to make all the mistakes that his predecessor did which led to Francis ousting him. What's more he begins another affair which makes even less sense because this is supposedly purely sexual in nature, and, as I've said, he is not a sexual being. What's more he somehow succeeds in toppling the monarchy. To an extent. To Play the King is about him clashing with the new king played by Michael Kitchen and they portray the man who is in all but name Charles III as a very nature loving, exercise obsessed, goody. The exact opposite of Francis and he just bows down to Francis for no reason I can see. It literally makes no sense, nor does how they portray the Royal family by noticeably not referring to the real people and their problems but doing it with a nudge and a wink. But this show keeps unraveling more and more. It literally collapses like a house of cards with Francis somehow catching remorse. This is not a man who has remorse and becoming a secondary character before his ignoble assassination in The Final Cut is absurd. He's Shakespearean, he's Machiavellian, he's not, in any way, human. Yes, you could say he went the way of Macbeth, on which this is heavily based, but no. It doesn't work. In the final analysis did I end up hating the whole series? You might very well think that; I couldn't possibly comment.

Monday, May 4, 2026

Tuesday Tomorrow

Platform Decay by Martha Wells
Published by: Tor Books
Publication Date: May 5th, 2026
Format: Hardcover, 256 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"A most-anticipated title from USA Today, Goodreads, BookPage, BookRiot, Seattle Times, and The Nerd Daily!

Everyone's favorite lethal SecUnit is back in the next installment of Martha Wells' bestselling and award-winning Murderbot Diaries series.

Having someone else support your bad decision feels kind of good.

After volunteering to run a rescue mission, Murderbot realizes that it will have to spend significant time with a bunch of humans it doesn't know.

Including human children. Ugh.

This may well call for... eye contact!

(Emotion check: Oh, for f—)"

I love Murderbot. Murderbot is me.

A Long and Speaking Silence by Nghi Vo
Published by: Tordotcom
Publication Date: May 5th, 2026
Format: Hardcover, 144 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"From USA Today bestselling author Nghi Vo comes a beautiful new tale in the Hugo Award-winning Singing Hills Cycle, drawn from the earliest days of Chih's career as a wandering cleric.

Every story begins somewhere.

On the banks of the Ya-lé River, the town of Luntien gathers to celebrate the start of the rainy season, but the celebration is marred by the arrival of refugees from the sea. Everyone has a story about the foreigners newly in their midst - lazy, violent, unwanted - while the refugees themselves grieve the loss of the home they loved.

Cleric Chih, very recently still Novice Chih, is also a stranger in Luntien. A moment of carelessness and bad luck leaves them waiting tables as they struggle to establish themself as a real cleric. A cleric's job is to listen and record, but the stories emerging in Luntien are ugly and violent, as hard to predict as the river itself. With their hoopoe companion Almost Brilliant by their side, Chih must help the refugees while also unraveling a mystery that may have roots in their own faraway home in the abbey of Singing Hills.

In the seventh entry of the award-winning Singing Hills series, we meet Chih and Almost Brilliant just beginning their journey together as Chih assumes their place on the road and in the world.

The novellas of the Singing Hills series are standalone stories linked by the Cleric Chih, and may be read in any order."

As I'll say time and again, fantasy is gives us the truest stories of humanity. 

The Girl with a Thousand Faces by Sunyi Dean
Published by: Tor Books
Publication Date: May 5th, 2026
Format: Hardcover, 320 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"From the USA Today bestselling author of The Book Eaters comes The Girl with a Thousand Faces, a stunning Gothic tale set in a historical Hong Kong that meshes ancient myths and local legends into a haunting story of ghosts, grief, and women who will not forgive.

When Mercy Chan washes up on the shores of Hong Kong with no family, no money, and no memories, the only refuge she finds is the infamous, ghost-infested slum of Kowloon Walled City. Since then, she has rebuilt her life, working for the local triad as a ghost talker and dealing with the angry and bitter spirits who haunt the district. The filthy gutters and cramped alleyways of Kowloon have become her home.

But the past Mercy can't remember isn't done with her. An unusually powerful ghost has infested Kowloon's waterways, drowning innocents and threatening the district. It claims to know Mercy - and secrets from her past that are best left forgotten.

As Mercy is drawn into a deadly cat-and-mouse game with this malignant spirit, she begins to realize that the monster she fights within these walls may well be one of her own making."

Always here for the ghosts.

Clara and the Devil, Volume 1 by Olivie Blake and Little Chmura
Published by: 23rd St.
Publication Date: May 5th, 2026
Format: Paperback, 176 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"The devil has come to town. And he wants a library card. Star author Olivie Blake and artist Little Chmura kick off a deliciously dark graphic novel romance series with Clara and the Devil, Volume 1.

Clara has the rest of her life figured out. She'll graduate college with the support of her best friend, Jonah; marry her adoring boyfriend; take a full-time job at her local library; and settle down in her small seaside hometown. But when an unusual tourist - tall, dark, and infernal - comes to town, Clara's careful plans quickly start to unravel.

And even while the stranger, who openly calls himself the devil, strikes up a situationship with Jonah, he continues to tempt Clara with reckless talk of power, ambition, and lust. Over the course of one sultry summer, tensions between Clara, Jonah, and the devil mount to an intolerable degree, and Clara is forced to confront the desires she's kept secret her whole life, even from herself.

This deliciously dark tale of Faustian bargains and seduction from New York Times-bestselling author Olivie Blake and fan-favorite artist Little Chmura kicks off a series that explores artistry and power through the temptation of the seven deadly sins."

I twist on the old saying of God laughing when you make plans.

Agatha Harkness: Fall of the Coven by Sara Shepard
Published by: Random House/Marvel
Publication Date: May 5th, 2026
Format: Hardcover, 352 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"When Agatha Harkness finds herself yanked out of her mysterious past and plopped in a modern-day high school, the race is on to find the key to saving her coven while discovering first love and battling an ancient foe.

Agatha Harkness is a powerful witch stuck living amongst an untalented group of witches in 1690s Salem, Massachusetts. That's all right - the dreary coven meetings and fake herbal potions will all be worth it once she finally gets her hands on one of the most magical artifacts in existence: the Darkhold, a book of extraordinary power. But just as it's within her grasp, disaster strikes the coven!

Agatha is about to reluctantly save the day when she is rebuffed by the nosy, stuck-up Martha. Now, thanks to the interference, Martha, Agatha, and the Darkhold have been unceremoniously dropped in one of the most terrifying locations a witch has ever encountered - modern-day high school.

Armed with just her smarts and her spells, Agatha embarks on a quest to recover the Darkhold and an incognito Martha. Along the way, she encounters a meddlesome crow, a potential first crush, and a new coven. She almost starts to feel like she's found her home, until Martha returns from the shadows - this time with dire consequences."

Agatha with a big dollop of Sabrina.

Out Law by Jim Butcher
Published by: Podium Publishing
Publication Date: May 5th, 2026
Format: Paperback, 208 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"The past comes back in a big way for Chicago's only professional wizard in this action-packed novella from the #1 New York Times-bestselling Dresden Files.

In a city that's just beginning to recover from the devastation caused by the Battle of Chicago, Harry Dresden is finally pulling himself together as well. He's ensconced in his own personal castle, healing his various wounds, and training an eager new apprentice. The last thing he wants is any trouble. But, as history has consistently - and quite annoyingly - shown, what Harry wants is rarely what Harry gets.

It starts with a visit from Harry's most powerful frenemy, Gentleman John Marcone, Baron of Chicago. He needs Harry to assist in the redemption of an underling who's looking to go straight. And since Harry does kinda sorta owe Marcone for saving his life once (stupid honorable debt!), it's not a request he can refuse. He'll just wish he had.

Because this little favor is going to drag Harry into a fight he doesn't want on behalf of a lowlife he doesn't trust against an enemy more powerful and pestilent than he ever could've expected: an insatiable, demonic foe whom Harry himself may have created when he wiped out the vampires of the Red Court so long ago.

Before, all it wanted was blood. Now it wants the entire world..."

Damn honorable Dresden!

For Better or Murder by Simon R. Green
Published by: Severn House
Publication Date: May 5th, 2026
Format: Hardcover, 192 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"It's wedding season with a spooky twist! The Holy Terrors are trying to tie the knot while solving a ghostly murder in the latest witty, creeptastic paranormal mystery from New York Times bestselling British fantasy author Simon R. Green.

There are those who say seagulls cry over the sins of mankind. And that if we could only get our act together, they could stop crying...


Holy Terrors dream team - actress Diana Hunt and her partner in crime (solving) young bishop Alistair Kincaid - are getting married! The plan is to hold a small ceremony with just some family and friends at a charming and secluded hotel in Cornwall. But in true Holy Terrors fashion, the Pale Rider hotel carries the legend of a killer ghost rider and his skeleton horse, which sets the perfect tone for a cheerful occasion!

Trying to make the best out of the stormy weekend and seemingly haunted place, spirits fall even lower when one of the guests is found murdered in the hallway. Did the legendary pale rider strike again or is there something more sinister going on - and will Diana and Alistair finally have the chance to say yes?

The 'hugely entertaining' (Booklist) Holy Terrors Mysteries are perfect for fans of Simon R. Green's urban fantasy novels, authors Jim Butcher, Terry Pratchett and Ben Aaronovitch, as well as those who enjoy American Horror Story, The X-Files and murder mysteries with a supernatural twist."

I mean, there are some people who should just elope. 

Body Count by Codie Crowley
Published by: Disney Hyperion
Publication Date: May 5th, 2026
Format: Hardcover, 304 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Three wishes. One prom queen celebrating at the Jersey Shore. And one monster who will keep killing until her wishes are paid for.

From the virally popular author of Here Lies a Vengeful Bitch, a queer feminist YA horror/slasher novel perfect for fans of You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight.

Seven years ago, Sundae Valentine made a deal with a monster she met at the bottom of a motel pool. She didn't know the wishes he offered had a price - or that the third wish, the one she still hasn't made, will cost her life.

Back then, she barely escaped Wildwood alive. Now, the cheerleaders and football players are headed to the Jersey Shore for prom weekend - leaving Sundae no choice but to return to the scene of her sun-bleached nightmares.

Sundae tries to forget, throwing herself into the rides on the pier, the tequila-fueled dance parties, and the guitar-strumming girl she can't quite look away from. She hopes the beast has forgotten, too.

But there are eyes like silver coins watching from the shadows, and teeth like a rusty saw glinting in the light of the boardwalk. Because Sundae still owes a debt. And whatever it takes, whoever he has to kill, this time the monster's determined to collect."

It's always dangerous to make a deal with a monster. It's more dangerous when he decides your time is up.

I Know a Place: Rest Stop and Other Dark Detours by Nat Cassidy
Published by: Shortwave
Publication Date: May 5th, 2026
Format: Paperback, 504 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"The first collection from USA Today bestselling author Nat Cassidy, featuring his unique blend of gleefully terrifying short fiction.

There are locations in this world where the light doesn't seem to reach. Where, no matter how illuminated the place might be, shadows creep in too strongly to fight back.

A suspiciously empty gas station rest stop in the middle of the night, littered with googley eyes... A doctor's office, where a bottle of booze and a tear-stained folder wait on the desk... A tech millionaire's haunted kitchen... A Bible-quoting ventriloquist's dingy apartment... A yoga retreat in the middle of the desert, silent except for the screaming...

These locations and more are your destination and bestselling author Nat Cassidy will be your guide. Featuring the Bram Stoker Award-nominated, critically acclaimed novella Rest Stop (one of Esquire's Best Horror Books of 2024), along with a number of other original short stories, some which have never been published before, I Know A Place: Rest Stop and Other Dark Detours is a travelogue down twisting side streets and through alleyways where the darkness has eyes... and teeth.

Let's hope you make it home in one piece."

My book club recently read Cassidy's When the Wolf Comes Home and I couldn't help but love its vibe, akin to The Twilight Zone. In fact I thought if it was shorter it would have been fantastic. Which is why I'm so looking forward to reading Nat Cassidy's shorter work. Which is something I rarely say.

She Waits Where Shadows Gather by Michelle Tang
Published by: Poisoned Pen Press
Publication Date: May 5th, 2026
Format: Paperback, 304 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Parents should pass down stories, not spirits...

Avery and Carlos Tam have built their lives on logic, not legends. Carlos, the host of a hit reality show that exposes paranormal hoaxes, has made a name disproving the supernatural.

But when they travel to his ancestral home in the Philippines, darkness clings to every corner. The mirrors are shrouded. The housekeeper won't stay in the house alone. And no one will speak of the tragedies the family has seen.

Then a brutal car crash leaves Carlos trapped in his own body - silent, helpless, and utterly vulnerable. As Avery tends to him, the house begins to stir. It watches. It listens. And it speaks - in a voice only Carlos can hear - offering a twisted kind of comfort.

And as the lies buried by Carlos and his family begin to surface, Avery must confront the truth: if the past won't rest, their future may never begin.

Some inherit memories. Others inherit monsters."

Monsters are the worst inheritance.

That Which Feeds Us by Keala Kendall
Published by: Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: May 5th, 2026
Format: Hardcover, 352 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"A native Hawaiian teen travels to a luxury island resort in search of her missing twin and uncovers the dark side of paradise, in this YA supernatural thriller that's Mexican Gothic meets She is a Haunting.

For the world's wealthiest, Kōpa'a Island Resort is more than a destination. It's the ultimate escape. With no cell service or Wi-Fi, the Hawaiian island is a coveted wellness retreat renowned for its persimmon orchard and promises of rejuvenation.

But their dream vacation is Lehua's nightmare. When her twin sister, Ohia, goes missing, Lehua follows her trail to Kōpa'a to find her. Instead, Lehua is cut off from civilization - and help - after the island's boat leaves without her, stranding her with the resort's lavish guests and enigmatic staff.

As Lehua investigates Ohia's disappearance, she discovers her missing sister isn't the island's only mystery. Kōpa'a's rich exterior and sweet persimmons hide its dark plantation past. And Lehua can't ignore the dreams haunting her each night - nor the warning telling her to leave the island at once. To uncover what happened to Ohia, Lehua will have to unearth the island's bloody history and face the horrors that lurk within its sugarcane fields - or risk being consumed by them.

Sharply observed and gorgeously written, That Which Feeds Us explores the true cost of paradise as Lehua must fight to reclaim the land, the stories, and the very souls of her people."

Hokuloa Road meets The White Lotus.

Accumulation by Aimee Pokwatka
Published by: G.P. Putnam's Sons
Publication Date: May 5th, 2026
Format: Hardcover, 336Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"A twisty, searing, conversation-starting novel about a filmmaker-turned-housewife who moves into her dream house and is forced to consider whether it's the house or herself that is haunted.

When documentary filmmaker turned stay-at-home mom Tennessee Cherish moves into the the dream house her husband bought for her, a brighter future seems to be on the horizon. Even if her husband is frustratingly absent due to his new high-paying job. Even if their two young children begin acting out in strange ways. Even if she feels lonelier than ever.

Distracted by the endless details that come with moving into a new town, a new house, and new schools, Tenn doesn't notice when odd things begin happening at home. The faucet that runs at all hours. The creepy doll that seems to show up in every room. The human tooth they found in the floorboards.

As the kids' outbursts and the strange events start to escalate, the family finds themselves increasingly caught in loops, repeating everyday actions with dangerous - and then devastating - effects. Tenn realizes she must find the source of what is haunting her family, before it kills them all.

Taut and twisty, scary and searing, Aimee Pokwatka's Accumulation lays bare the high price women pay for the promises of domesticity and motherhood, and the many ways in which families can be haunted."

Hauntings take many forms. Sometimes you become your own ghost.

Spider, Spider by L.C. Winter
Published by: September Publishing
Publication Date: May 5th, 2026
Format: Hardcover, 288 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Vengeance is theirs and theirs alone. But who will deal the fatal blow?

Young Nancy Ratcliffe is on the run. Her father had sought refuge for his family with the Brethren, led by the charismatic but dangerous Prophet. But now her father is gravely ill, and even the sooty streets of Victorian London hold less terror for Nancy than the brutality of Brethren Hall.

Meanwhile, Spider is biding her time. Wrapped in dreams and visions, she paces the dark corridors and hidden staircases of the crumbling house she grew up in. The man who murdered a part of her disappeared many years ago, but still she hopes for revenge.

Jet-black and thrilling, Spider, Spider is an unforgettable tale of a woman who has lost herself in the poison of vengeance, and the knife-sharp girl who might just bring her back."

Victorian and creepy, AKA just my vibe.

Ghoul by Kasey Iris
Published by: Top Shelf Productions
Publication Date: May 5th, 2026
Format: Paperback, 292 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Be careful what you wish for! This graphic novel about a lonely Filipino American teen and her ghoulish companion puts a spooky twist on the imaginary friend.

When they were little, Lyn and Meg promised to be friends forever. but now Meg is dead, and Lyn is 15 and miserable. Moving into a new condo with her family doesn't help, especially given the gossipy neighbors. But just when Lyn needs a friend the most, a monstrous cartoon ghoul climbs out of the pages of a comic book and into her life! The bizarre duo will soon discover just how many secrets lie within the walls of Forest Court Apartments."

I pretty certain my childhood invisible friend was actually a ghost.

As I Dream of You by Jennifer Lee and LeUyen Pham
Published by: First Second
Publication Date: May 5th, 2026
Format: Hardcover, 352 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Franny and Sam are each other's entire world. So what do you do when your world ends? Frozen's Jennifer Lee and Lunar New Year Love Story's LeUyen Pham deliver a tour de force young adult romance with a supernatural twist.

Falling in love is supposed to hurt. That's what Franny and Sam, two cynical teenagers raised on tales of heartbreak and loss, have come to understand. Yet when they fall for each other, they find the reality of love is something else entirely: it's electrifying, all-encompassing, and easy. Theirs is a love that can conquer anything... perhaps even death.

But Franny and Sam's quest to stay together - no matter the cost - soon blurs the line between reality and fantasy, and their shared dream threatens to turn into a nightmare."

Dreams can turn nasty so quickly.

Change of Plans by Sarah Dessen
Published by: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: May 5th, 2026
Format: Hardcover, 368 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"From acclaimed and #1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah Dessen comes a "sweet, nuanced, and reflective coming-of-age love story" (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) about an unassuming girl who learns to stand on her own while falling in love during a life-changing summer.

Finley has always felt most comfortable in someone else's shadow. Fortunately, she's got Colin, her magnetic boyfriend, who sweeps her along for activities, friendships, and future plans. Then she goes on a last-minute trip with her distant mom to a family vacation house that Finley didn't know existed and is now about to be sold.

Her mom was estranged from her own parents and siblings since leaving home for college, and it's a novelty for Finley to see her aunts and cousins. There's also the handful of teens who work at the Egg, her aunt's diner, and make up a found family of their own - including undeniably handsome guitarist Ben.

Then her relationship with Colin goes into freefall, and Finley's roadmap for life after high school is gone. She has no choice but to live, for the first time, without plans. The longer Finley stays, the closer she gets to the truth about why her mother stayed away - and why she's brought Finley here now.

And the closer she grows to new friends at the Egg, the more she starts to fall for charmingly awkward, soulful Ben and to realize how much of herself she's been missing. By the end of the summer, nothing will be the same - for this community or for Finley herself."

When you are that young sometimes it's best to live without a roadmap. 

The Miseducation of Caroline Bingley by Lindz McLeod
Published by: Carina Adores
Publication Date: May 5th, 2026
Format: Paperback, 384 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Pride, prejudice, and... lessons in love?

Jane Austen meets My Fair Lady in this joyful, clever opposites-attract Sapphic romance featuring Caroline Bingley and Darcy's younger sister, Georgiana.

Being snubbed by Mr Darcy - passed over for Elizabeth Bennet, no less - is humiliating.

Being told she's arrogant and unkind, and that if she doesn't mend her ways, she might never find love... that's simply preposterous. Isn't it?

Feeling the sting of Darcy's rejection, Caroline Bingley does what any self-respecting woman of means would do: she hatches a plan. Get Georgiana Darcy, the epitome of grace and sweetness, to teach Caroline how to be perfect like her.

But Caroline's transformation from status-hungry socialite to proper marriage material won't be easy. She must be charming, and even worse... she must be kind. And Georgiana herself isn't so sure about playing fairy godmother. Beneath Miss Darcy's polished facade lies an entirely different set of struggles.

As the two grow closer, Caroline discovers she's less interested in securing a man, and more intrigued by the woman helping her to reform her character. Before long, their lessons in finding love and acceptance blossom into something completely unexpected..."

I mean, it's always nice to assume that Caroline Bingley wasn't totally destroyed by rejection because she's a lover of women...

Austenland by Shannon Hale
Published by: Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication Date: May 5th, 2026
Format: Paperback, 336 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"New York Times bestselling author Shannon Hale invites readers to Austenland, an utterly delightful, romantic escape.

Newly updated edition with brand new content, including a "behind the scenes" look at the making of Austenland the movie!

Preorder the third book in the series, Christmas in Austenland, coming in September 2026!

Jane Hayes is what some might call a hopeless romantic. Normal life (and men) continuously disappoint her. Why can't she find anyone remotely like literary heartthrob, Mr. Darcy? Why can't real life feel like a novel?

When a wealthy relative bequeaths Jane a trip to an English resort for Austen superfans, Jane's fantasies become realer than she ever could have dreamed. Dressed in empire waist gowns and torn between a charming gardener and an actor playing the brooding Mr. Darcy role, Jane attempts to master the Regency-era etiquette and the flirtatious games. But when it's time to bid Austenland farewell, will she be able to leave her sincerest fantasies - and the men who helped bring them to life - behind for good?

The first book in this utterly delightful series gives readers the chance to relish all the fun of Regency romance, from the comfort of their modern lives."

I'm all here for this series by the talented Shannon Hale to continue and grow. But I'm always here for the movie. It's one of my favorite movies. Ever.

Rolls and Rivalry by Kristy Boyce
Published by: Delacorte Romance
Publication Date: May 5th, 2026
Format: Paperback, 384 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Roll the dice, strike up the band, and get ready for a swoon-worthy summer! A charming gaming romance that blends the magic of D and D with the camaraderie of band camp - from the bestselling author of Dating and Dragons!

Questing for love...

Hazel Buchanan has her senior year mapped out: Win respect as color guard captain, kick off her first D and D campaign, and steer clear of distractions. But her plan takes a critical hit when Max - her former best friend and longtime crush - returns to town with drumsticks in hand and an unexplained chip on his shoulder.

Hazel and Max can't help bickering every time they're together, and thanks to meddling parents, he's invading her D and D game too. As Dungeon Master, she's ready to shut him down, but D and D has a way of bringing people together like nothing else. Is this rivalry masking something more? With dice rolling and emotions spinning, Hazel might be in for more than she planned..."

I feel like this series going to band camp is a natural progression. 

Lindsey Cheng Dates a White Boy!!! by Asia Miller
Published by: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Publication Date: May 5th, 2026
Format: Paperback, 208 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"The rock-steady bond of college bandmates is tested by a new boyfriend in this hotly anticipated graphic rom-com by cartoonist and viral animator Asia Miller, perfect for fans of Bryan Lee O'Malley and Mariko Tamaki!

Lindsey Cheng is a college freshman figuring herself out. She's got a band with her best friends, an overprotective Chinese mom, and a date with a super cool indie rocker boy named Jason. Good luck, Lindsey!

It's the anticipated graphic debut by CalArts Alum and viral YouTube animator Asia Miller, expanded and in full color! An indie rock rom-com of liberating self-discovery, Lindsey practices juggling love, friendship, and family - ultimately learning to choose herself."

I have so been waiting for this!

Saturn Returning by Kim Narby
Published by: Bindery Books
Publication Date: May 5th, 2026
Format: Paperback, 320 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"A smoldering, soul-splitting debut that tracks three friends through the celestial chaos of adulthood, love, and queer identity.

Jordan Caleb is a freshman at McCallen College when she meets Trace. From the moment the confident, tattooed Trace compliments Jordan's Alanis Morissette T-shirt, their friendship feels fated and electrically charged. When the two friends meet mercurial transfer student Silvia, she catches Trace's eye. Their instant attraction eclipses the nascent pull between Jordan and Trace, forming a messy constellation among the three women.

Over the course of a decade, their orbits send them to opposite coasts: Jordan builds a life in New York City, while Trace and Silvia get engaged in Seattle, yet the three remain linked by the gravitational pull of the past. As they approach thirty and the apogee of their Saturn return, their bond splinters when Trace calls Jordan with a shocking revelation, exposing a web of heartache, secrets, and unspoken desires.

Saturn Returning charts the complex paths of human connection and queer friendship, questioning how we define ourselves against the relationships that have shaped our lives."

Oh yes, here for the mess.

Hollow Inside by Asako Otani
Published by: Pushkin Press
Publication Date: May 5th, 2026
Format: Paperback, 112 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"A witty, deadpan novel about modern relationships, pets, and living as a single woman; for fans of Sayaka Murata, offbeat humor, and sharp social observation.

In this skewed, mordantly funny Japanese novel, two women navigate aging and relationships in divergent ways.

Hirai, 38, has recently started living with her colleague Suganuma, 42. Both women are single and feel ambivalent at best about the prospect of marriage. Stuck in bland jobs that don't pay enough for them to afford one-bedroom apartments in the city, they defy social expectation and create their own domestic routines, allowing space for Suganuma's side-hustle - 3D-printing figurines of beloved dead pets for their grieving owners.

Though initially united by their resistance to romantic love, the pair begin tentative forays toward partnership. Suganuma strikes up a secret affair, which shocks Hirai into action and back into the world of dating apps. As she drifts through painfully adequate dates and endures intrusive questions at office socials, Hirai frets over whether she really needs to freeze her eggs again. In a dating world sapped of genuine connection, where can she turn to feel less hollow?

The debut novel by a bright new voice in Japanese fiction, Hollow Inside won the prestigious Subaru Prize. With a dark, deadpan tone and sharply witty observation, Asako Otani satirizes the myths and pressures of contemporary romantic love, as Hirai and Suganuma try to chart their own paths in a precarious world."

Here for the snark, but I also kind of want a 3-D printed figurine of my beloved Spotty.

A Zoom with a View by Jess Cannon
Published by: Dutton
Publication Date: May 5th, 2026
Format: Hardcover, 384 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"A cozy murder mystery filled with hometown drama, social media influencers, an over-the-top mother, and two very attractive local men, A Zoom with a View will make you want to move to Blue Oak - if only the Fourth of July festivities didn't end with a dead body.

Leo can't believe she's back in Blue Oak. Her small, quirky Texas hometown feels suffocating after trying to make it big as an English professor in New York - especially due to her strained relationship with her overly hair-sprayed mother, Karina. But with Leo's career in academia in shambles, at least she's able to work as a photographer for her godmother's real estate business. And her best friend, Emily, is around to help her navigate through the mess - and maybe force her to reconnect with her old high school boyfriend, Mack.

But while at work, Leo makes a grisly discovery at one of her godmother's properties: the dead body of rival real estate agent and social media influencer Chaz. Even worse, Leo and Emily have been secretly running a snarky Reddit page making fun of Chaz's cringe-inducing advice and duck-faced selfies. When someone she loves is accused of the murder, Leo finds herself flung headfirst into a dangerous investigation, teaming up with a local detective who is a lot more attractive than she remembered when they were both teenagers. Meanwhile, Karina has been acting stranger and stranger, as if all her hair hides a big secret....

A bold and hilarious introduction to a new sleuth who is looking to get her life back on track, but finds a man with his skull bashed in instead."

I really wonder if people associate "zoom" with photography anymore...

False Relation by Veronica Heley
Published by: Severn House
Publication Date: May 5th, 2026
Format: Hardcover, 224 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Secrets are never safe in a small village.

Julian Marston-Lang calls Bea Abbot in a panic - his glamorous step-cousin Mona has been murdered!

Mona's body was discovered in the garden of the house where she was living with her husband, Marcus. Once a billionaire businessman, Marcus's reversal of fortunes and inability to maintain his wife's lavish lifestyle was the source of heated rows. Did they reach breaking point?

While it seems an open-and-shut case, Marcus has mysteriously vanished. And Bea is sure there's something Julian isn't telling her.... As she travels down to Marston Hall, Bea is determined to solve the mystery. But she's about to discover that there's more to Mona's death than meets the eye...

Fans of Richard Osman, M.C. Beaton and Agatha Christie will love this page-turning mystery."

Marston Hall you say? I'm always done for a Hall with a capital "H!"

The Inklings by John R. Kelly
Published by: WaterBrook
Publication Date: May 5th, 2026
Format: Paperback, 352 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Agatha Christie, and other literary legends join forces to unravel a deadly conspiracy in this gripping mystery that sweeps from the halls of Oxford to the streets of London and the shores of Loch Ness.

In the shadowy streets of 1936 Oxford, England, members of a secret society keep turning up dead. When J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and their fellow literary masterminds, known as the Inklings, are called upon to catch a killer, they trade their pens for magnifying glasses. With time running out, they get a helping hand from mystery writers Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers to unravel a sinister web of secrets.

Packed with historical details, intrigue, and a thrilling whodunit, this novel is a masterful blend of high-stakes drama. Dive into a world where the creators of fantasy and mystery confront a real-life menace in a race against the clock. Will dark forces prevail, or will these literary giants crack the case before the murderer strikes again?"

Did they really need Dorothy Sayers if they have Agatha Christie?

The Great Houses of Pill Hill by Diane Josefowicz
Published by: Soho Crime
Publication Date: May 5th, 2026
Format: Hardcover, 368 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"A scintillating, wickedly intricate locked-room mystery following an unconventional woman who makes miniatures of murder scenes and finds herself entangled in a real one when the client of her dream job turns up dead.

Hannah "Cookie" Cooke, an interior decorator with a sideline making miniature reproductions of crime scenes for the local police department, lands her dream job when New Preston's wealthiest couple hires her to renovate their historic New England home. But things go spectacularly wrong when her client Chuck - with whom she is having an affair - is murdered at the housewarming party.

The detective on the case commissions one of Cookie's miniatures to help solve the baffling murder. While grappling with her own complicated role in Chuck's life - and the thorny layers of her own envies, resentments, and ambitions - Cookie delves into the strange details of his death, including his overly involved therapist, his wife's nebulous textile empire, and a room decorated in nineteenth-century Egyptian kitsch hidden on the premises. In untangling the mystery, Cookie reveals an ugly truth about New Preston's elite that might prove deadly.

At once an irreverent interpretation of the hard-boiled genre and a skewering of traditional domesticity, this show-stopping work of crime fiction is crackling with narrative voice, resulting in a read that is equally engrossing and electrifying."

Oh, this has to be inspired by Frances Glessner Lee!

The Library After Dark by Ande Pliego
Published by: Bantam
Publication Date: May 5th, 2026
Format: Hardcover, 368 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"A bookseller must escape the infamously haunted library that holds her darkest secrets, but with a murderer in her tour group, escaping alive is not as simple as it seems, in this twisty locked-room thriller from bestselling author of You Are Fatally Invited.

Not all fairytales were meant for children.

Aria Stokes is finally feeling settled - she lives in a tiny New York apartment, works as a bookseller at a local shop, and has even taken a leap of faith in love by indulging her attraction to bookstore regular Jasper. And he seems to already know her so well.

As a Valentine's Day surprise, Jasper gets the two of them tickets to an exclusive, after-dark tour of the Daedalus Library - the grandiose establishment famed for its immersive genre-based reading rooms and, more notoriously, its rumored hauntings. While Aria normally loves all things ghastly, this place holds more dark secrets than she'd prefer Jasper to know. Like that the last time she was here, she left a body behind.

But when the automatic-door entry malfunctions and Aria, Jasper, and the five other people in their tour group become trapped in the library, they are forced to venture through the storied rooms and hidden passageways of the Daedalus in search of escape... and Aria quite literally has nowhere to hide from the shadows of her past. Then the group learns there's a murderer in their midst.

Now, as she tries to break out of the library's intricate reading rooms, Aria has to decide who she can trust - and what secrets are best kept buried - if she wants to make it out alive."

They all aren't getting out of this maze alive.

26 Beauties by James Patterson
Published by: Little Brown and Company
Publication Date: May 5th, 2026
Format: Hardcover, 352 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"From the world's #1 bestselling author, the Women's Murder Club goes searching for 26 Beauties - young women missing in San Francisco.

SFPD's Sergeant Lindsay Boxer's best friend, Claire Washburn, is named medical examiner of the year. But an uninvited guest crashes the Women's Murder Club's party: a concerned father seeking investigative reporter Cindy Thomas's help in locating his missing daughter. And she's not the only one. Lindsay's been investigating the deaths of a Jane Doe washed up on a nearby beach, and a young woman found in Golden Gate Park.

What if all these cases are connected?

The answers lie with the 26 Beauties on the run and in the wind."

Always here for the Women's Murder Club!

The Masked Truth by Kelley Armstrong
Published by: Tundra Books
Publication Date: May 5th, 2026
Format: Paperback, 352 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Now in paperback with a brand-new cover comes the heart-stopping suspense thriller for teens from #1 New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong.

Filled with suspense and unexpected twists, The Masked Truth will have you on the edge of your seat.

Riley Vasquez is haunted by the brutal murder of the couple she was babysitting for. Max Cross is suffering under the shadow of a life-altering diagnosis he doesn't dare reveal. When they're forced by their families to spend a weekend away at a therapy camp for teens with "issues," neither of them think things can get any worse... until three masked men take them hostage.

Now, with no way to escape and their captors on a killing spree, Riley and Max must rely on their wits and courage to survive. As they navigate this dangerous situation, they uncover dark secrets that shake them to their core. Will they find a way out before it's too late? Kelley Armstrong delivers a gripping thriller that delves deep into themes of survival and trust... and that escape doesn't equal freedom."

What if the three masked men are like the platinum package at the camp? That would be wicked. And a wicked good read.

This Dark Night by Deborah Lutz
Published by: W. W. Norton and Company
Publication Date: May 5th, 2026
Format: Hardcover, 352 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Emily Brontë (1818-1848) was only twenty-seven-years old when she began work on one of the most important novels in the English language. Two years later in 1847, she completed Wuthering Heights. It took the world almost a century to catch up to Brontë's masterpiece, and it has taken even longer to know Brontë - an elusive figure, with a ghostly legacy provoked by her early death and the loss (and likely destruction) of almost all her personal papers.

Drawing on formerly inaccessible notebooks and manuscripts, This Dark Night constructs a portrait of Brontë, her famous writing sisters Charlotte and Anne, and the effect of their sisters' and mother's tragic deaths. In the first full-length biography in over twenty years, renowned scholar Deborah Lutz sketches the days of a woman crafting otherworldly fiction while running her father's parsonage: writing interweaving with household work, daydreaming, and exploring the rough-hewn outdoors.

As she traces the influence of Brontë's life and work, Lutz follows how Brontë's fantastical early poems of the night sky, women rulers, and outsiders and rebels grew into the stormy, transcendent Wuthering Heights. Lutz also illuminates the overlooked ways that the legendary writer addressed debates of her time that still resonate today, including questions of gender and sexuality, race and class, and rapid industrialization set against the natural world.

From her menagerie of dogs and birds to the beloved moors that Brontë wandered and later emblazoned in her novel, Lutz depicts the passions of an author at odds with convention. Uniting the domestic and the cosmic, This Dark Night plumbs the life and writing of this idiosyncratic woman, dark soul, and monumental genius."

Might I suggest reading this book instead of watching a certain new film?

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