Review: Strange Buildings

Strange Buildings by Uketsu
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of Strange Buildings by Uketsu from HarperVia via NetGalley.  This book was just published.

Strange Buildings is the second book in the Strange Houses series by Uketsu.  Although the first book is mentioned in this one, you can read them as standalones and in any order because nothing from the first book is spoiled here.  The mystery is self-contained.  Everything you need to solve the big mystery is in here and woven through several small mysteries.  Floor plans and drawings along with interviews help you put together what happened.  This book involves a cult with a really unique purpose.  It is a super original idea.  There is also a shady business that will have me questioning marketing tactics even more going forward!  I love that all is revealed in the end so you know whether you got it right.  Are you clever enough to see the clues?  I am a little obsessed with these books now!

View all my reviews

Review: Strange Pictures

Strange Pictures by Uketsu
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Strange Pictures by Uketsu is a mystery that has all the pieces you need to solve it in the book.  In fact,  the answers can almost all be found in mysterious drawings if you know how to put them together.  Strange Pictures is the first book, but there are now more like it by Uketsu.  I so thoroughly enjoyed trying to solve there mysteries.  They are told as separate tales, but you can start to see threads that run through them that help you figure out the overall solution.  In the end, everything is laid out for you, so you will know if you got it right.  There are even helpful recaps of clues in case you forgot what you read earlier.  The only thing that might make this book better would be if you could download the drawings so you could physically handle them.  If you like puzzles, you will want to try this book.

View all my reviews

Review: Trust No One

Trust No One by James Rollins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of Trust No One by James Rollins from William Morrow via NetGalley.  This book has already been published.

Trust No One is a standalone novel from James Rollins. If you enjoy Sigma Force, you should definitely check this out.  It has a similar vibe but new characters. This has historical aspects, occult ties, and mysteries/puzzles to solve.  Very Indiana Jones.   I liked the mix of characters and the fact that you aren't really sure who you can trust as the name implies.  I wouldn't be mad if this became a series too.

Bonus points for some really great animal characters, Hugh and Katch.  Rollins does an excellent job of incorporating animals in a way that makes them feel very real and showcases their extraordinary talents.  He is good about reminding us of the importance of conservation efforts, and the sacrifices some people make to right the wrongs of humanity.

View all my reviews

Review: The Universe Box

The Universe Box by Michael Swanwick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Universe Box by Michael Swanwick from Tachyon Publications via NetGalley.  This book has already been published.

The Universe Box is a collection of short stories by Michael Swanwick.  The stories are a mix of fantasy, speculative, and science fiction.  In addition to some very interesting stories, I found the introduction to the stories fascinating.  When someone comes up with such wild ideas, you do wonder where they come from.  Some of the stories read like myths if you like mythology.  There is some humor.  I appreciate that animals are generously represented.  If you want something different and super well-written, get a copy of The Universe Box.  

View all my reviews

Review: Toto

Toto by A.J. Hackwith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Toto by A.J. Hackwith might be my favorite version of the Wizard of Oz stories.  Don't come at me.  It is updated to a more modern time and told from the perspective of Toto.  It was so fun!  I still would have loved it even without the pop culture references.  Toto has always been my favorite character in the Wizard of Oz.  It is about time they got their own book!  And like any good little dog, Toto has big aspirations.  Toto is very funny too!  Whether you like the Wizard of Oz or animals, I think you will like this book.

View all my reviews

Review: The Break-Up Retreat: A Novel

The Break-Up Retreat: A Novel by Camilla Sten
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Break-Up Retreat: A Novel by Camilla Sten from Minotaur Books via NetGalley.  It will be published in June 2026.

I really enjoyed reading Camilla Sten's debut novel, so I was super excited when I had a chance to read an advanced copy of The Break-Up Retreat: A Novel.  More than 20 years ago, when I was going through a terrible break-up, I thought it would be genius to start a retreat for women getting over a broken heart.  Apparently, I am not the only one who has thought about this concept.  Admittedly, I was thinking of a more positive environment than the retreat in this book.  

Sten's break-up retreat is borderline culty.  No surprise that in this high control environment things start to go very wrong.  An investigative journalist goes undercover at the retreat to look into the mysterious disappearance of a former participant.  To do that, she has to confront some of her own relationship demons.  While I found the mystery/thriller aspect great, I really got into the treatment methods and the social media postings about the retreat philosophy.  I could have read a whole other book just about that because the psychology bits are intriguing. If you like a somewhat locked room mystery, cults, or psychological thrillers, check this out!

Bonus points for the way the advertising was weaved into the posts just like you see in real life.  It was perfect.

View all my reviews

Review: The Kaiju Preservation Society

The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi is the right book at the right time.  It is the pop song of books that we all need right now.  Or at least, I needed it right now.  I had it with a side of Taylor Swift.  I came to John Scalzi backwards (and in heels) by reading Starter Villain.  Anyone who could write that book is my kind of writer.  The Kaiju Preservation Society is also my kind of book.  I'm all about animal preservation.  I was excited to learn about what it would take to save Kaiju.  I have held a top secret clearance but do not do food delivery, so I'm not sure how I get into this gig, but if KPS is hiring, please give them my name.  I like that there are smart people in the book, but you don't have to be that smart to understand anything going on.  I also like that it reinforces my belief that all billionaire tech bros are douchebags.  

If you need to escape from our current reality for a couple of hours or days, check this out.  It was delightful from start to finish.  

View all my reviews