Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden

 

Title: Dear Debbie 

Author: Freida McFadden

Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press

Release Date: January 27, 2026

A brand new twisted thriller that will have you cheering "good for her!" from the #1 New York Times bestselling and global sensation Freida McFadden, author of The Housemaid!

Sometimes, enough is enough…

Debbie Mullen is losing it. For years, she has compiled all of her best advice into her column, Dear Debbie, where the wives of New England come for sympathy and neighborly advice. Through her work, Debbie has heard from countless women who are ignored, belittled, or even abused by their husbands. And Debbie does her best to guide them in the right direction.

Or at least, she did.

These days, Debbie’s life seems to be spiraling out of control. She just lost her job. Something strange is happening with her teenage daughters. And her husband is keeping secrets, according to the tracking app she installed on his phone. Now, Debbie’s done being the bigger person. She’s done being reasonable and practical. It’s time to take her own advice.

And now it’s time for payback against all the people in her life who deserve it the most.

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Excellent. A 5 for me!

Debbie Mullen is having a bad day. A magazine was supposed to photograph her beautiful garden, but a neighbor decided to steal her spotlight. Both of her daughters are hiding things from her, and she knows she has to protect them. In addition, she’s sure her husband is keeping secrets from her. Lastly, her boss is calling her into the office, and she’s not sure what he wants to discuss.

Debbie, who has a high IQ and once attended MIT but never graduated, is unraveling—and anyone who gets in her way will feel her wrath.

My favorite book by Freida McFadden is Brain Damage, but Dear Debbie is a very close second. I love Debbie Mullen. She was fantastic—absolutely stellar in her sense of justice. I loved everything about this book, and I can recommend it to anyone looking for a thriller that will be hard to forget. Also, if you’ve never read Brain Damage, I strongly recommend you fix that.

Cliffhanger: No

5/5 Fangs

The Quiet Neighbor by J.D. Barker

 

Title: The Quiet Neighbor 

Author: J.D. Barker

Publisher: Hampton Creek Press

Release Date: January 27, 2026

A heart-stopping tale of family secrets, buried trauma, and the lengths a mother will go to save her child, even when that child might not want to be saved.

Cynthia Burrows thought she’d built the perfect life—successful law career, loving husband, beautiful daughter. But when eighteen-year-old Tori vanishes without a trace, Cynthia’s carefully constructed world begins to crumble.

The school says Tori was excused by family. Security footage shows her leaving with an older man. And the boy she was supposed to date? His name sends chills down Cynthia’s spine—Alexander Beaufort.

That’s impossible. Alexander Beaufort is the serial killer who destroyed Cynthia’s childhood, murdered her best friend, and forced her into witness protection twenty years ago. He’s supposed to be locked away forever.

But someone is playing a deadly game, leaving clues that drag Cynthia back to her darkest memories. With only three days to find her daughter, she must confront the monster from her past and the shocking secrets Tori has been hiding.

In this quiet suburban neighborhood, everyone has something to conceal. And some neighbors are more dangerous than others.

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Don’t read the blurb!

I’m so happy I didn’t—otherwise I would have known too much going into this novel.

We get two timelines and the mysterious voice of a “Journal.”

In “Then,” there are Samantha and Vicky—two teenage girls from different sides of the tracks. We know something terrible happens to one of them, but we don’t know what or by whom.

In “Now,” there is Cynthia Burrows, happily married to David, with an eighteen-year-old daughter, Tori. Everything seems fine until Cynthia discovers that Tori never went to school and no one has seen her. Cynthia starts freaking out. She knows horrible things can happen to young women. Her fear is confirmed when she receives a phone call from the person holding Tori: she has three days to figure out where her daughter is before Tori is killed.

As a fan of J.D. Barker, I couldn’t pass this one up. From the beginning of The Quiet Neighbor, I was hooked. Cynthia was desperate to find her daughter and wouldn’t stop at anything. She was in full mama-bear mode, which I can appreciate. I guessed most of the plot, but I was still entertained. A few things bothered me—like Cynthia not discussing things with David from the moment she knew Tori was missing, or the way she disregards the police and their investigation. She went wherever she wanted, which in real life wouldn’t have happened. Despite this, I was all in until the last page.

Cliffhanger: No

3.5/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by Hampton Creek Press via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Her Cold Justice by Robert DugoniKeera Duggan #3

 

Title: Her Cold Justice

Series: Keera Duggan #3

Author: Robert Dugoni

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

Release Date: January 27, 2026

To save a client accused of murder, defense attorney Keera Duggan must fight a complex web of corruption in a riveting novel of suspense by New York Times bestselling author Robert Dugoni.

In a quiet South Seattle neighborhood, a suspected drug smuggler and his girlfriend are murdered in their home. When a young man named Michael Westbrook is accused of the brutal double homicide, his uncle JP Harrison turns to Keera Duggan to defend him. JP is Keera’s trusted investigator, and he desperately needs Keera to save his nephew against escalating odds.

The evidence is circumstantial—Michael worked with one of the victims, drugs were found in his possession, and he bolted from authorities. Ruthless star prosecutor Anh Tran has gotten convictions on much less. With the testimony of two prison informants, the case looks grave. But Keera never concedes defeat. To free her client, she must dig deep before Tran crushes both of them.

As the investigation gets more twisted with each new find, Keera is swept up in a mystery with far-reaching consequences. This case isn’t just murder. It’s looking like a conspiracy. And getting justice for Michael could be the most dangerous promise Keera has ever made.

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I'm glad Keera Duggan is back!

Her Cold Justice begins with the double murder of a drug dealer and his girlfriend in a quiet neighborhood. Circumstantial evidence points to a young man, Michael Westbrook, who knew the victims and who worked with one of them.

Michael’s uncle, JP Harrison, is Keera’s trusted PI. When JP asks Keera to help him, she can’t say no. She wants to help, but the trial won’t be easy when the prosecutor, Anh Tran, has a reputation for getting convictions with far less evidence.

Keera and JP will do anything to get Michael out of trouble, but the hits keep coming from the prosecution.

Can Keera win this one?

I love returning to the world of Keera Duggan. She’s great at her job and getting better at her personal life. I like where she’s heading romantically, and her interactions with her father have improved. She still needs work with one of her sisters. The trial was fun to listen to and I was happy with the outcome.

I'm excited for the next novel. Bring it on!

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by Thomas & Mercer via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Loon Point A Novel by Carrie Classon

 

Title: Loon Point

Author: Carrie Classon

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

Release Date: January 27, 2026

Set against the rugged beauty of the northern woods, the heartwarming first novel by columnist Carrie Classon explores how chosen family can sweeten bitterness into surprising joy.

Alone in the Northwoods, Norry Last settles in for another springtime lull at the remote resort she inherited from her father. She’s content with the solitude, maybe resigned. But when a blizzard hits, those little cabins by the lake start to fill up fast.

First to arrive is Lizzie, an eight-year-old with resilience and wisdom beyond her years, neglected by a mother struggling with addiction. Next comes Wendell, a cantankerous old fellow whose house collapses in the storm, the same way hope collapsed inside him long before. And then there’s Bud, the helpful handyman who’s always buzzing around, his kindness thawing something Norry thought she’d buried deep in the Minnesota snow.

As white melts to green, the Last Resort’s unlikely companions learn to share space, stories, and quiet comforts—an unexpected family that makes perfect sense. After all, Lizzie needs to be cared for. Wendell needs to care. Norry needs to open up. And Bud? Bud just might fix everything.

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Quite an endearing novel!

Norry Last is the owner of the Last Resort in Minnesota. She inherited it from her father. When she was younger, she left town but returned after her divorce. She is content with her life, taking care of the cabins and the people who rent them.

Lizzie is an eight-year-old girl who is left alone during a blizzard. Her mother is an addict. Lizzie doesn’t think she can survive the night without electricity or food, so she decides to walk to the Last Resort, accompanied by her recently adopted dog, Mr. Benson. Norry can’t believe her eyes when she opens the door to find Lizzie and her dirty dog. She feeds them, lets Lizzie take a much-needed shower, and prepares a room for her to stay overnight. Norry can’t let the dog sleep with the now-clean girl, so she bathes Mr. Benson as well. Throughout the night, Norry repeatedly calls Lizzie’s mother but gets no answer.

Wendell is a recluse who is ready for life to end. His house nearly kills him when the roof collapses, but Bud saves him and asks Norry to give Wendell a place to stay until something becomes available at the independent living facility.

Bud is the local handyman. He is always ready to help anyone who needs it. He has long carried a torch for Norry. They grew up together, and he hopes she’ll finally let him take her on a date. After two failed marriages, he wants this to work.

This was a wonderful debut! The characters were memorable. I loved Mr. Benson—he was a great addition. I like how these lonely souls found each other. Their bonds strengthened, and their lives became more fulfilling when they were together.

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by Lake Union Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston

Title: Anatomy of an Alibi 

Author: Ashley Elston

Publisher: Pamela Dorman Books

Release Date: January 13, 2026

Two women. One dead husband. And only one alibi.

Everyone at Chantilly’s Bar noticed out-of-towner Camille Bayliss. Red lips, designer heels, sipping a Negroni. But that woman wasn’t Camille Bayliss. It was Aubrey Price.

Camille Bayliss appears to have the picture-perfect life; she’s married to hotshot lawyer Ben and is the daughter of a wealthy Louisiana family. Only nothing is as it seems: Camille believes Ben has been hiding dirty secrets for years, but she can’t find proof because he tracks her every move.

Aubrey Price has been haunted by the terrible night that changed her life a decade ago, and she’s convinced Benjamin Bayliss knows something about it. Living in a house full of criminals, Aubrey understands there’s more than one way to get to the truth—and she may have found the best way in.

Aubrey and Camille hatch a plan. It sounds simple: For twelve hours, Aubrey will take Camille’s place. Camille will spy on Ben, and the two women will get the answers they desperately seek.

Except the next morning, Ben is found murdered. Both women need an airtight alibi, but only one of them has it. And one false step is all it takes for everything to come undone.

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A good thriller!

Camille Bayliss is desperate to escape her marriage to the controlling Benjamin Bayless, a powerful lawyer. Camille knows her prenup is airtight, so she must uncover something Benjamin is hiding in order to fight for her freedom. When she meets Aubrey Price, she sees a way out. Aubrey agrees to impersonate her for a day while Camille investigates her husband.

Aubrey Price lives with ex-criminals, but she feels safe with them. She works at a bar, and when Camille confronts her there, Aubrey realizes Benjamin might know something about the deaths of her parents a decade ago. They were killed in an accident by a drunk driver. Aubrey decides to play along and help Camille gather the information they both seek. She disguises herself as Camille, with her friends assisting her.

The next day, Benjamin is found dead—by Camille.

Who killed him and why?

This is the question you’ll keep asking yourself while reading Anatomy of an Alibi. So many suspects who had a reason to get rid of Ben, starting with Camille and ending with Aubrey.

Quite an enjoyable novel.

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by Pamela Dorman Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Regretting You by Colleen Hoover

 

Title: Regretting You

Author: Colleen Hoover

Publisher: Montlake Romance

Release Date: December 10, 2019

Morgan Grant and her sixteen-year-old daughter, Clara, would like nothing more than to be nothing alike.

Morgan is determined to prevent her daughter from making the same mistakes she did. By getting pregnant and married way too young, Morgan put her own dreams on hold. Clara doesn’t want to follow in her mother’s footsteps. Her predictable mother doesn’t have a spontaneous bone in her body.

With warring personalities and conflicting goals, Morgan and Clara find it increasingly difficult to coexist. The only person who can bring peace to the household is Chris—Morgan’s husband, Clara’s father, and the family anchor. But that peace is shattered when Chris is involved in a tragic and questionable accident. The heartbreaking and long-lasting consequences will reach far beyond just Morgan and Clara.

While struggling to rebuild everything that crashed around them, Morgan finds comfort in the last person she expects to, and Clara turns to the one boy she’s been forbidden to see. With each passing day, new secrets, resentment, and misunderstandings make mother and daughter fall further apart. So far apart, it might be impossible for them to ever fall back together.

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Another book I had to read in order to see the movie!

Regretting You is a mixture of Young Adult and Contemporary Women's fiction.

Morgan Grant is a sister, a mother, and a wife. She is content with her life. Her daughter, Clara, is about to turn seventeen. Jonah, their high school friend, is back in their lives. He and Morgan’s sister, Jenny, used to date. In the last year, they reconnected, and now they have a son together.

Clara is on her way to her mom’s birthday when she sees one of her classmates, Miller, on the side of the road. He looks like he needs a ride. At first, she isn’t sure she wants to stop for him, but in the end, she does. She spends time with him and finds herself intrigued by him.

Then, just a day later, everything changes for Morgan and Clara. Their world turns upside down, and they seem unable to communicate with each other. There is fighting and unshared secrets that only divide them more.

How can they both move forward from all the pain?

Regretting You was classic Colleen Hoover. I enjoyed the book and its characters, although the plot was fairly straightforward.

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs

The Extra by Annie NeugebauerThe Outsiders Sequence #1

Title: The Extra

Series: The Outsiders Sequence #1

Author: Annie Neugebauer

Publisher: Shortwave Media

Release Date: September 9, 2025

10 people head out on a backpacking trip, but the first night 11 set up camp. Everyone remembers everyone else. Who's the extra?

THE EXTRA is the debut dark sci-fi novella by Annie Neugebauer.

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Who else thought we needed one more chapter or an epilogue?

The Extra begins with ten people heading out on a backpacking trip. At night, while setting up camp, the guy in charge, Matt, does a headcount—and instead of missing someone, he comes up with eleven!

Who is the extra with them?

How come he seems to remember everyone from orientation, and nobody seems to be new in the group?

Is he losing his mind, or did the Extra give him a false memory?

This short story was fascinating. The chapters were short. The ambience was well displayed, with a constant sense of foreboding and danger.

Cliffhanger: Yes

4/5 Fangs