Review: The Game Is Murder

The Game Is Murder by Hazell Ward
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Game is Murder by Hazell Ward is like going to a murder mystery party in book form.  It is quite trippy though!  I thought this book was a lot of fun as it points out many of the mystery novel tropes.  It also plays with reality, and you aren't quite sure what is going on.  There are definitely red herrings.     Everything you need to solve the mystery is in the book.  However what is really going on might remain a mystery!

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Review: Platform Decay

Platform Decay by Martha Wells
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Platform Decay is the eighth book in The Murderbot Diaries series by Martha Wells.  I recommend reading all of the books because they are fairly short, and it will give you a good sense of who the characters are in this one.  You could read this as a standalone, but I think you would wonder why you should care about some people.  

As always, Murderbot is hilarious and deadly.  I like the addition of having Murderbot check in their emotions periodically.  I was often, "same Murderbot same."  I love seeing the growth in Murderbot's character.  Also, how often can you read a book that is essentially a sci-fi thriller with incredible violence and belly laugh at the same time?

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Review: The Rose Field

The Rose Field by Philip Pullman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Rose Field is the third book in The Book of Dust series by Philip Pullman. I wouldn't read this as a standalone, and I wouldn't read it if you haven't read His Dark Materials. This book builds on the foundations of those other books and includes references you won't get if you aren't familiar with the universe. As always, the writing and the philosophy are super compelling. Pullman's books make you think. They are epic and sweeping. Without spoiling anything, I was relieved at the end. Lyra and Pan grow through their adventures, but they had to make big sacrifices to get there.

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Review: The Unveiling

The Unveiling by Quan Barry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Unveiling by Quan Barry is a tough read in a good way. The Antarctic setting was really engrossing. I have only flown over the continent. It would be a dream to get to actually be on the ground there but maybe not with this particular group of tourists. The brutal animal violence was really hard for me to read. I can deal with violence against people but animals nope. If you are white, also be prepared to confront yourself on issues of race. This is not for the weak.

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Review: Mystery Play

Mystery Play by Elizabeth Kostova
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of Mystery Play by Elizabeth Kostova from Ballantine Books via NetGalley.  This book will be published around October 13, 2026.

Mystery Play by Elizabeth Kostova is the sequel to The Historian.  I really loved The Historian, so I was super excited to get a copy of Mystery Play.  You can read this as a standalone.  There are some references to things that happened in The Historian, but it won't affect your ability to enjoy this book if you haven't read that one.  Like The Historian, this book is a bit of a time investment.  There is a lot packed in here covering a giant span of time.  At the same time, it is engrossing, and I found that I wasn't ready to finish it when I did.  I am still thinking about it 10 days later and how I wish there was more.  I am doing my best not to give anything away.  There is a lot of time spent in the theatre, especially on Shakespeare.  There are journal entries for those of us who like a story told in various formats and/or points of view.  There are mysterious deaths and some very cool libraries.  Would it be too much to ask for a third book?

Bonus points for loyal canine companions who deserve our undying commitment.  

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Review: Automatic Noodle

Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Don't read Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz on an empty stomach!  I was immediately craving Chinese hand-pulled noodles and had to make some to get through the book.  Spoiler alert:  There are noodles in the book.  This is a sweet book about robots who just want to do what they love.  It isn't hard to draw the comparisons to the current situation with immigrants in America, documented or not.  The bigger lesson, in my opinion, is how much are lives are driven by algorithms and how easy it is for someone with an agenda to influence our "reality."  Still, this book left me with a warm heart and a strong noodle craving.


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Review: The Unknown

The Unknown by Riley Sager
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Unknown by Riley Sager from Penguin Random House.  According to the note with the book, it should be published today, August 4, 2026!

The Unknown by Riley Sager might be my favorite book by him so far.  The story is told through two points of view, one being a journal written by a woman who disappeared and the other by an actress rehearsing at the same location for a film based on that journal.  It just happens that the return to the island seems to be causing the mysterious disappearances to happen all over again.  Is the island haunted?  Just when you think you know all the answers, there are a few more surprises!  I actually would love to see this movie!

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