Strange Houses by Uketsu (Strange Houses #1)

Translated by Jim Rion 5 stars Who knew looking at floor plans could be so unsettling? What starts as an author asked a fairly innocent question soon unravels into a conspiracy of strange architecture, dark secrets, and murder. This was definitely a weird one but so enjoyable to read. The story was delightfully creepy and…

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Oddity Woods (Oddity Woods #1) by Kat Davault

5 stars Spooky, mysterious, and entertaining. After her father’s disappearance, young detective Marietta ventures out on her own to find him. Along the way, she’ll discover new mysteries, encounter strange beings, and discover just how dangerous leaving her house can be. Such a cool set up. Phantom trains, wicked deals, a haunted inn, and a…

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Too Old For This by Samantha Downing (Audiobook)

Narrated by Elizabeth Wiley 4 stars Lottie Jones spends her days gossiping at church bingo, cooking with her friends, and buying presents for her grandchildren. What she does not want is for her past as a serial killer to interfere with her new life. Though she hasn’t killed in years, a meeting with an investigative…

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A Death in Door County (Monster Hunter #1)

by Annelise Ryan 3 stars A cozy mystery with a cryptid twist. Cryptozoologist and bookstore-owner, Morgan Carter, is hired to help the police with an open investigation. The bodies of animals and humans have been washing up on the shores of Lake Michigan with mysterious injuries and Morgan is tasked with determining if their deaths…

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Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye

5 stars Ever read a book and get frustrated by the silly choices the main character makes? Ever wish the character had just killed off the antagonist instead of drawing out the problem? This novel scratches that itch and it was so satisfying. A fascinating exploration of the twisted road one’s life can take based…

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Strange Pictures by Uketsu

Translated by Jim Rion 5 stars An oddly fascinating collection of macabre tales featuring strange drawings and dark secrets. Well-constructed and deeply intriguing. Its format of interconnected logic puzzles paired with a dark tone really pulled me in. Mind-bending in the best of ways. Each tale invites the reader to solve the clues along with…

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I’ll Be Waiting by Kelley Armstrong

4 stars Wasn’t sure what to expect with this one, but I was pleasantly surprised. This is the first I’ve read of Armstrong’s work. Nicola is grieving over the loss of her husband, Anton. Due to her cystic fibrosis, she always expected to die first. In an effort for closure, Nicola dabbles in the world…

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Death by Dumpling (Noodle Shop Mystery #1) (Audiobook)

by Vivien Chien Narrated by Cheryl May 2 stars A fine cozy mystery. I enjoyed this well enough and appreciated the spin on the genre. I do think it kind of dragged by the end but it works fine as a relatively quick, low-stakes read. I listened to the audiobook though and the narrator did…

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My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

5 stars I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. It’s not a genre I would typically gravitate toward, but I was instantly pulled in by Braithwaite’s dark humor and dry wit. Korede would do anything to protect her younger sister, Ayoola. But after the third boyfriend who’s wound of dead in…

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