This debut is tightly written and fast paced, even with so many threads and the psychological heft. It doesn’t sacrifice character for its sharp look at a true crime and fame obsessed society.

This is going to sound weird, but I’m surprised by how much I liked The Poet Empress by Shen Tao. Epic fantasies are not always my thing - I always feel like I’m going to have to invest all my time on a dozen 800 page books - but this one was recommended to me, and good job whoever that was. 

One of my favorite things about buying used books is finding the little things left behind, from inscriptions and annotations to bookmarks, receipts, and sticky notes, and I am ready for my own (less murder-y) adventure to start from a secret note beneath an endpaper. 

Darkrooms by Rebecca Hannigan is an atmospheric mystery that would be perfect for fans of Tana French or shows like Broadchurch - which means it was perfect for me.

Play Nice by Rachel Harrison is a thrilling horror novel with scares coming from both the literal and figurative demons.

Julie Chan Is Dead by Liann Zhang joins the chorus of media that takes a satirical look at influencers with the intent of showing they’re not what they seem - but she has a unique take on the modern trope that makes her novel feel fresh.

A mix of horror, mystery, and dark humor, with a dash of nostalgia thanks to the mid-90s setting, this second entry in the Bless Your Heart series is as comforting as a cozy mystery - though the body count and some descriptions of gore - not to mention the snark of high school homecoming queen wannabes - probably bump it out of the cozy category.

Hazelthorn by C. G. Drews is a Gothic tale complete with the classics, a crumbling mansion, mysterious atmosphere, and creepy family members, and modern trappings such as a queer romance, botanical body horror, and being othered - so, yes, it is right up my alley.

The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer is a thrilling reimagining of the Bluebeard story with a tough, funny heroine and filled with magic, romance, and all the gothic-y goodness of the folktale that inspired it.

The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow is a thrilling, time-traveling fantasy adventure about the lust for power and the power of love, about heroes and villains, about history and mythology and the stories we tell and how those stories change us and the world. 

One of Us by Dan Chaon explores themes of the self, otherness, found family, and what it means to live and die in the trappings of a thrilling adventure novel.

The October Film Haunt by Michael Wehunt is “it’s going right back in my TBR so I can read it again” good. It’s scary, funny, the characters are so real, you feel like you’re right there with them, maybe you were even part of the original October Film Haunt because you, too, always assume that you’re living in a horror movie where you don’t take your eyes off the doll as it could come to life at any moment, you do not say Bloody Mary or Candyman in the mirror because you’re no dummy, and you make a wide berth around that that tree because it could be the Pine Arch Creature.

I couldn’t find any confirmation on the interwebs whether avuncular marriage was normal for the place and time, but their flirtation felt icky to me, though I got no indication from the text that this was an issue. 

As the very good boy and at least part Australian cattle dog (just like my old girl Laika, also rescued from a shelter) alerts them almost immediately, evil is afoot.

What I got that I was expecting: dark comedy and vampires

What I got that I was not expecting: family drama, characters dealing with misogyny and/or racism, and some legitimately scary and/ or tense scenes - made especially so by the amazing audio production.

She’s a Lamb is everything it promises - dark, funny, smart. What surprised me is how Meredith Hambrock makes us empathize with Jessamyn - especially since Jessamyn is fundamentally incapable of feeling empathy for anyone - even herself.

Returning to the world Travis Baldree built in Legends & Lattes is like any of the metaphors having to do with coziness - being wrapped in a warm blanket, having a cup of tea or cocoa or mulled wine or brandy, enjoying an evening by the fire in the company of friends.

As someone who unironically uses the phrase "statistically significant" in her day job several times a week, I was drawn to Lucky Day's concept, and, in true Chuck Tingle style, it delivered.

In classic T. Kingfisher style, Hemlock & Silver is filled with intrigue, adventure, surprise, and humor , sprinkled with a touch of body horror and a little romance. 

Greenteeth, told from Jenny’s perspective, is full of adventure and humor and reminds us of the importance of family - including found family.