Review: The Secret Dinner

The Secret Dinner by Raphael Montes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Secret Dinner by Raphael Montes from Celadon Books via NetGalley.  This book will be published in English around August 18, 2026.

The Secret Dinner by Raphael Montes is dark.  It was described as a mystery/thriller, but it is more horror in my opinion.  There was definitely dark humor in it as well.  Four childhood friends trying to make it in the big city find themselves struggling to pay rent and resort to some pretty extreme measures to get the money so they won't be evicted.  Throwing a pop-up dinner when one of them is a chef isn't a bad idea.  But even that doesn't go as anticipated.  You will need a strong stomach to get through this menu.  Don't say I didn't warn you!  

P.S.  Have never been more grateful to be a vegetarian!

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Review: The Art of Confidence

The Art of Confidence by Wendy Lee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wendy Lee is related to a friend of mine, so I was gifted a copy of The Art of Confidence when it first came out.  Now that I've finished it, I am sorry I didn't read it sooner.  I was hesitant in case I didn't like it.  As it turns out, it is quite good!  The focus on art in general was fascinating.  The inclusion of Chinese art history and culture were a wonderful surprise.  It took me back to studying art in Hangzhou.  And yes, you do basically just copy the masters.  The story follows several characters as their lives intersect.  There are mysteries and misunderstandings.  Some of the men are loathsome but not all male artists are letches apparently.  If you like art, give this a read.

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Review: Unlocked: An Oral History of Haden's Syndrome

Unlocked: An Oral History of Haden's Syndrome by John Scalzi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Unlocked: An Oral History of Haden's Syndrome is the prequel novella to the Lock In series by John Scalzi.  I haven't read the rest of the series yet.  This could definitely be read as a standalone story.  I'm not sure if it has any spoilers for the rest of the books. I really enjoyed this novella and finished it in one sitting. It reminded me so much of the COVID times I had to go see when it was written.  It was published way before COVID which makes it even scarier to think John Scalzi warned us of what was coming.  Haden's Syndrome is not COVID though.  If it doesn't kill you, there is a chance it will leave you "locked in" your body.  Your mind works just fine but your body won't move.  This creates a whole host of other issues for the entire world. The history is told through a series of interviews with various people who were touched by Haden's in some way.  So good!

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Review: Unknown Number

Unknown Number by Blue Neustifter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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Review: STET

STET by Sarah Gailey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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Review: Identity Unknown

Identity Unknown by Patricia Cornwell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Identity Unknown is the 28th book in the Kay Scarpetta series by Patricia Cornwell.  You could read this as a standalone, but it will have a few spoilers from earlier books.  You also wouldn't have quite the idea of how important one character is.  I won't say who because I don't want to spoil it for you.  If you read the series, all your favorite characters make an appearance.  This is a tough one though because the initial case involves suspected child abuse.  There is also a very emotional death.  Again, no spoilers, but it hits Kay hard.  I wasn't sure how it was going to all come together, but it did!  However, I don't think things are going to be quiet for long.

Bonus points for Merlin, a very smart kitty.

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Review: The Glass Box: The Shocking True Story of How CrossFit Broke the Rules, Made Millions, and Changed Fitness Forever

The Glass Box: The Shocking True Story of How CrossFit Broke the Rules, Made Millions, and Changed Fitness Forever by Calum Marsh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Glass Box: The Shocking True Story of How CrossFit Broke the Rules, Made Millions, and Changed Fitness Forever by Calum Marsh from HarperOne via NetGalley.  This book will be published around October 27, 2026.

I'll admit I had some preconceived notions about the cult of CrossFit prior to reading The Glass Box: The Shocking True Story of How CrossFit Broke the Rules, Made Millions, and Changed Fitness Forever by Calum Marsh.  The first notion was that it is culty as the CrossFit adherents are pretty adamant that their way is the best way.  It looked tough.  It didn't always look safe.  This book didn't necessarily convince me I was wrong, but it did give me a much better appreciation of why people get so into CrossFit and how the diet and exercise CrossFit promotes does have science behind it and does produce results even if the execution is sometimes flawed.  I now realize how many of our current fitness trends have their roots in CrossFit.  If you are/were ever into CrossFit or CrossFit-curious or enjoy reading about fitness, you will want to read this book.  

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