22 Mysteries, Thrillers, & Suspense Novels for July

July is a good month for fans of suspense, with the publication of all kinds of genre books from dark psychological thrillers to fun cozy mysteries. The titles listed here are just a handful that caught my attention. I find it hard to resist a good crime novel, and it was difficult to limit this post to just 22.

Note that I have read only a few of these books, and most of the short descriptions have been taken from the publishers’ summaries. Audiobook information is provided when available. Thanks to the publishers for the review copies (print, digital, and/or audio).

Amateur Sleuthing

The Grandmother Plot by Caroline B. Cooney (Poisoned Pen Press): Freddy may be unambitious and somewhat lost, but he loves his grandmother, whose memory is fading. When a resident in her assisted living home is murdered, Freddy must protect his grandmother and figure out what happened, while facing the consequences of his own dubious life choices. The audiobook is read by Caroline B. Cooney (Random House Audio).

The Moonshine Shack Murder by Diane Kelly (Berkley): The start of a cozy mystery series set in Tennessee featuring a 21st-century moonshiner. When one of her customers is found dead supposedly after drinking her whiskey, Hattie gets involved in the case in order to save her name and business. The audiobook is read by Tyla Collier (Penguin Audio).

Much Ado About Nauticaling by Gabby Allan (Kensington): The first in a cozy mystery series set in Southern California featuring a boat tour guide. When taking out tourists in her glass-bottomed boat, Whitney spots the dead body of a wealthy local businessman; after her bother becomes suspect number one, she gets involved in the investigation. The audiobook is read by Marnye Young (Tantor Audio).

Beware of Your Friends and Family

Fierce Little Thing by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore (Flatiron): Five estranged friends, who met while in a cult, are blackmailed into returning to the Maine compound they left almost 20 years earlier. The past is never fully buried, and as secrets are exposed they must find a way to survive. The audiobook is read by Saskia Maarleveld (Macmillan Audio).

Look What You Made Me Do by Elaine Murphy (Grand Central): This is a Dexter-like story in which a woman ends up helping her serial-killer sister hide the bodies of her victims. When a second killer seems to be targeting the sisters, they need to continue to hide their own crimes while trying to stop and expose the other person’s crimes. The audiobook is read by Elaine Murphy (Grand Central).

Not a Happy Family by Shari Lapena (Pamela Dorman): This domestic thriller focuses on the three adult children of a wealthy couple that was murdered soon after a family Easter dinner. Who would have wanted the Merton’s dead--stranger, friend, or relative? The audiobook is read by Ellen Archer (Penguin Audio).

Step back in Time

M, King’s Bodyguard by Niall Leonard (Pantheon): Set in Edwardian London and based on a true story. A Scotland Yard detective uncovers a possible assassination attempt that is supposed to happen at Queen Victoria’s funeral, when many heads of state will be gathered in the same space. The audiobook is read by Marcus Lamb (Random House Audio).

The Silver Blonde by Elizabeth Ross (Delacorte): In 1946, Clara works as a vault girl for a major Hollywood studio, awaiting her chance to become a film editor. When she almost literally stumbles across the body of a famous actress, she becomes involved in the investigation and takes a walk on the darker side of the industry. The audiobook is read by Lisa Flanagan and Elizabeth Ross (Listening Library).

A Study in Crimson by Robert J. Harris (Pegasus): Imagine that Sherlock Holmes lived during the 1940s. In the dark days after the Blitzkrieg, a copycat Jack the Ripper killer murders women on the blacked-out streets of London; can Holmes and Watson solve the case?

Neighborhoods Can Be Tough

The Sinful Lives of Trophy Wives by Kristin Miller (Ballantine): When tragedy strikes an exclusive gated community in the San Francisco Bay Area, rumor has it a wealthy widow is somehow to blame. Enlisting the help of two married neighbors, the widow attempts to learn the truth about the accident; all three have secrets to protect. The audiobook is read by Dorothy Dillingham Blue, Catherine Taber, and Cassandra Campbell (Random House).

Such a Quiet Place by Megan Miranda (Simon & Schuster): A gated community in Virginia is double rocked: first with the murder of their neighbors and second when the woman who was initially convicted is freed to return home to that same community. Old wounds are reopened, paranoia runs high, and the true killer is, apparently, still on the loose. The audiobook is read by Rebekkah Ross (Simon & Schuster Audio).

The Therapist by B. A. Paris (St. Martin’s Press): Soon after Alice and Leo decide to live together, moving into a gated community in London, they learn their house was the site of a murder-suicide that was never fully solved. Alice’s obsessive search to learn what really happened threatens to unearth her new neighbors’ secrets. The audiobook is read by Olivia Dowd and Thomas Judd (Macmillan Audio).

School Is a Killer

Kill All Your Darlings by David Bell (Berkley): An English professor passes off a missing student’s manuscript as his own. Its publication, however, triggers a series of events that may implicate him in a murder he didn’t commit. Can he find the student or the true killer before he loses everything? The audiobook is read by Jon Lindstrom (Penguin Audio).

Safe in My Arms by Sara Shepard (Dutton): Three young mothers, each hiding something from her past, meet at the back-to-school event for their children’s first day at an upscale California preschool. Soon after, the principal is violently attacked and all eyes turn to the newcomers; together the women try to protect their secrets while uncovering the darker underbelly of the school. The audiobook is read by Eileen Stevens (Penguin Audio).

The Temple House Vanishing by Rachel Donohue (Algonquin): This modern Gothic story is set in a prestigious Irish girls boarding school, where a scholarship student is first bullied, then meets the dashing male art teacher, and then disappears with him, never to be seen again. Twenty-five years after the couple went missing, an investigative journalist is determined to find out what happened. The audiobook is read by Jennifer Fitzgerald and Clodagh Duggan (Workman).

Travel Gone Wrong

Falling by T. J. Newman (Simon & Schuster): Don’t read this thriller if you’re planning to fly. A pilot’s family has been kidnapped; to free them, he is told he must crash the plane, killing everyone on board. The audiobook is read by Steven Weber (Simon & Schuster Audio).

The Other Passenger by Louise Candlish (Atria): When his neighbor and commuting partner disappears, Jamie is accused of his murder after someone tells the police the two men had been arguing while riding the ferry across the Thames. Jealousies, secrets, deceptions, and a few twists will keep you guessing. The audiobook is read by Steven Mackintosh (Simon & Schuster Audio).

Sleeping Bear by Connor Sullivan (Atria): Grieving after her husband’s unexpected death, Cassie, an army veteran, takes her dog on a weekend camping trip in Alaska but fails to return home. Kidnapped with no clear way of escape, Cassie draws on all her skills and training to survive, while back home her father will stop at nothing to find out what happened. The audiobook is read by Hillary Huber (Simon & Schuster).

Are You Ever Really Safe?

Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix (Berkley): Five women who were the sole survivors of separate bouts of murder and mayhem meet during group therapy. When one of them fails to show up for an appointment, the other four are pulled back into danger, fighting for their lives. The audiobook is read by Adrienne King (Penguin Audio)

Just One Look by Lindsay Cameron (Ballantine): When Cassie, a lonely temp worker, mistakenly discovers the intimate email correspondence between one of her bosses and his wife, she can’t stop reading. Eventually, curiosity turns to obsession, and Cassie plans a way to be part of the couple’s life. The audiobook is read by Annie Q (Random House Audio).

The Lost Girls by Jessica Chiarella (Putnam): A true-crime podcaster lucks out on finding a lead that may help her learn what happened to her sister, who disappeared 20 years earlier. She and one of her subscribers start down a dangerous path, each looking for her own answers. The audiobook is read by Stacey Glemboski (Penguin Audio).

Sixteen Horses by Greg Buchanan (Flatiron): Part Gothic, part police procedural, this thriller, set in England, starts with the discovery of 16 horses’ heads, buried in a seemingly ritualistic manner. Detective Alec and veterinary forensic specialist Cooper together investigate this crime and several other criminal incidents that threaten to panic the seaside town. The audiobook is read by Louise Brealey (Macmillan Audio).

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Weekend Cooking: New to My Cookbook Shelf

It's nearing the end of July, and if you been following me for the last few years, then you know what time it is--Abrams Dinner Party application time!

As you know, I've been working with Abrams for four or five years now, receiving every food and cooking book they publish. It's been an honor and a pleasure to partner with one of the friendliest, most flexible cookbook publicists around. Even better is the fact that I'm constantly amazed with their success rate with cookbooks.

If you want to apply for a place at the Abrams Dinner Party table, just fill out the application form. The web page has testimonials (one from me!) and a sneak peek at some of next year's titles.

Just to recap some of my top picks from the 2020-2021 year, take a look at the photo above. I'm not sure I could pick just one cookbook as my number one fav, but I am still cooking out of all the books shown.

I've also been blessed with review copies of several other cookbooks that are new this month. I've cooked out of only one of them so far, and I confess that I haven't yet tried either of the two baking books. After the Fourth of July and two (small, safe) gatherings with family, we're on a vacation from baked goods for a few weeks. Take a look at what's new on my July bookshelf.

First up is The Big, Fun Kids Baking Book from Food Network Magazine. As the cover says this book contains recipes for more than 100 sweet treats. The book is geared to young bakers, ages 8 to 12, but really, this is a book for the whole family.

One thing I really love about the book is that the recipes are for desserts anyone would be proud to bake, serve, and eat. The muffins, quick breads, cakes, cookies, and bars are grownup treats, and some recipes fit special diets, like gluten free. The cookbook is full of great tips, facts, variations, and color photos. The recipes themselves call for familiar ingredients and equipment and the directions are easy to follow. Pick this up if you have a young baker in your life.

Next, let's take a look at the other baking book. Nadiya Bakes by Nadiya Hussain (Clarkson Potter) is by a winner of the Great British Baking Show. This cookbook focuses on sweets but also includes savory items (like crackers, breads, and casseroles) and a whole chapter on "no-bake bakes."

The flavors run from the common (cinnamon swirl bread) to the more unusual (blueberry and lavender scone pizza). I have a ton of recipes marked to try, including a tart with onions and blue cheese, apple and tarragon crumble, cranberry and chile brioche, and focaccia stuffed with salmon and dill. I'll let you know how the recipes turned out.

I've already made a couple of recipes from Clean Eating Kitchen: The Low-Carb Mediterranean Cookbook by Michelle Dudash (Fair Winds Press). We love Mediterranean flavors and know it can be smart to curb our intake of simple carbs, so I was fairly sure this cookbook would be a winner. I appreciated the nutritional information presented at the beginning of the book, and trust it because Dudash is both a registered dietitian nutritionist and a Cordon Bleu-certified chef. And best of all, I was happy to see that recipe flavors range from Europe to the Mideast.

Each recipe is accompanied by a photo of the finished dish, nutrient breakdown, introduction, and (when needed) tips and hints. We made a roasted turmeric cauliflower dish that was tasty served with simple grilled chicken and have put the Mediterranean meatloaf with roasted red pepper sauce on permanent rotation. I saw a number of vegetarian dishes and at least one specially marked as vegan, but do note that most of the recipes I bookmarked included meat. I recommend putting this on your library or buy list.

Another low-carb cookbook is The Anti-Inflammatory Diet Made Simple by Molly Thompso (Fair Winds Press). I was interested in this cookbook because it covers the gamut for special diets and each recipe is clearly marked with symbols for dairy-free, gluten-free, low-carb, paleo, refined sugar free, vegan, and vegetarian. Now that we have a faint hope of perhaps having friends over again (maybe??), I like to have a store of recipes that I can draw to meet my guests' needs.

I was unfamiliar with the author, but she is the person behind the blog/website What Molly Made. The recipes look reasonable and doable, though I didn't find a ton of "oh wow!" recipes that called to me. I suggest you try some recipes from her site before deciding whether you'd like to buy her book.

Finally, I couldn't resist taking a look at The Great Book of Grilled Cheese by Kim Wilcox (Fox Chapel). I'm a lifelong lover of grilled cheese but didn't realize one could write a whole cookbook devoted to the sandwich. The truth is, this book includes sides, soups, other grilled sandwiches, and desserts. Some of the recipes come from restaurants, and some are regional variations. I enjoyed reading through the beginning of the book which goes through the history of the grilled cheese, equipment, and techniques, including vintage photos.

Some of the grilled sandwiches were old favorites (the patty melt, for example) and some were totally new (sausage and gravy grilled cheese). As might be expected, the sandwich combos ran the full range from yum! (add bacon) to I'd try that (add tart apple slices) to huh? (add pasta). A few of the non-sandwich recipes looked good, and I had fun reading through the cookbook and picking up some ideas, and you might too. I'd put this one on your library list if you're curious.

Shared with Weekend Cooking, hosted by Marg at The Intrepid Reader (and Baker)

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12 Science Fiction, Dystopian, & Fantasy Books for July 2021

What's your favorite type of escape reading for hot summer days? I go for either speculative fiction or crime fiction. In today's roundup, I'm sharing some of the science fiction, fantasy, and dystopian books that caught my eye this month. I've already read some of them (reviews to come) and haven't been disappointed yet. All of the following books will be available in July.

The short descriptions are based on the publishers' summaries or from my own impressions, and I've included audiobook information. Thanks to the publishers for the review copies (either print, digital or audio).

Science Fiction Meets Mystery/Thriller

The 22 Murders of Madison May by Max Barry (Putnam): Set in an alternate New York City. A space/time-traveling serial killer is perused by the journalist who was assigned to report on the murder of Madison May. The audiobook (Penguin Audio) is read by Helen Laser.

Midnight Water City by Chris McKinney (Soho Crime): First in a science fiction noir trilogy. A kind of police procedural set in the not-so-distant future involving the murder of a space scientist and the detective who will stop at nothing to solve the case. The audiobook (Recorded Books) is read by Richard Ferrone.

We Have Always Been Here by Lena Nguyen (Daw). Set on a space ship. A behavioral psychologist attempts to save her fellow crew members from a mysterious mental breakdown that begins to manifest after the ship was hit by a radiation storm. The audiobook (Recorded Books) is read by Catherine Ho.

It's a Dystopian World

Appleseed by Matt Bell (Custom House). Set in an alternative North America with sci-fi, historical fiction, and fantasy elements. In the past, two brothers plant apple trees in the territories slated for colonists; in the near future, a group of people are devoted to the rewilding of the continent; in the far future an AI being makes a startling discovery. The themes include climate change, survival, and humankind's relationship to the environment. The audiobook (Harper Audio) is read by Mark Bramhall.

Council of Animals by Nick McDonell, illustrated by by Steven Tabbutt (Henry Holt): Set in the future when humans are almost extinct thanks to pandemics, climate change, and more. The fate of the remaining people are in the "hands" of the animals. The audiobook (Macmillan Audio) is read by the author.

East Asian Roots

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers (Tordotcom): This hopepunk novel is set on a moon. A tea monk travels the wilderness offering solace to those they talk to; when they cross paths with a sentient robot, the two begin a series of discussions about the nature of humankind and what people need. The audiobook (Macmillan Audio) is read by Emmett Grosland.

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan (Tor Books): Set in an alternative ancient China. This is a reimagining of the founding of the Ming Dynasty with a young woman, who must pass as male, at the center. The audiobook (Macmillan Audio) is read by Natalie Naudus.

Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim (Knopf BYR): Based on Asian folklore and Western fairy tales. This is the story of a banished and silenced princess who must find a way to save both her cursed brothers and her repressed kingdom. The audiobook (Listening Library) is read by Emily Woo Zeller.

A Return to Camelot

Half Sick of Shadows by Laura Sebastian (Ace): A retelling of the Arthurian legend from the point of view of Elaine, the Lady of Shalott. The audiobook (Penguin Audio) is read by Ell Potter.

Sword Stone Table edited by Swapna Krishan and Jenn Northington (Vintage): A collection of reimaginings of Arthurian tales from a variety of perspectives, times, and places, emphasizing diversity in its many forms. The audiobook (Random House Audio) is read by a stellar cast of narrators.

Strong Young Women

Red Wolf by Rachel Vincent (HarperTeen): A fairy tale retelling of "Little Red Riding Hood" in which the wolves have a surprisingly different role to play and a young woman must decide her fate and that of her community. The audiobook (Harper Audio) is read by Taylor Meskimen.

What We Devour by Linsey Miller (Sourcebooks Fire): A young woman is caught between believing what she’s always been taught--that the rulers of her land are evil--and an alternative view presented by the crown prince himself. Down which path will she find the salvation of her land? The audiobook (Recorded Books) is read by Amy Scanlon.

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Weekend Cooking: 4 Winning Recipes

Happy Saturday, my friends. If you're in the Northern Hemisphere, I hope you are seeing the end of the unbearably hot weather for a while. I'm so glad things have moderated a bit here in Pennsylvania. For those of you on the other side of the equator, let's hope winter has done its worst and signs of spring have arrived.

Most of my cooking lately has been from tried-and-true recipes or from online sources. I have a couple of new cookbooks and food-related books to talk about, but today I want to alert you to four new-to-me recipes that have earned a spot in my permanent files.

Let's start with dessert first. I was looking for a sheet cake to make for July 4 and came across this one from Six Sisters' Stuff. If you don't know about Six Sisters, you should check out their website and YouTube channel. It's true that many of their recipes rely on processed foods (like cream-of ___ soup), but you can also discover some real gems, like this cake. I find their recipes to be reliable and delish.

The cake came out moist and light, and it was truly good. In fact, our dinner guests asked for the recipe. In case you're not sure, the correct pan size for this Easy White Texas Sheet Cake is a half-sheet pan. I looked for red, white, and blue sprinkles, but my grocery store was out of them, so I used the standard mix of colors. The website says the cake freezes well, so that's what we did with the leftovers. We'll have cake again later in the summer.

You may recall that we are now getting the bulk of our meat from Butcherbox. We've been with them for over a year and have never had a bad piece of meat. When we first signed up, we used a friend's discount code; if you're interested, mine's here: $30 discount to Butcherbox (I will also get a $30 credit if you use the code). Anyway, their site also includes tips for cooking various cuts of meat, informative videos, and recipes.

I decided to give their Easy Braised Eye Round a try. Our roast was about 2 pounds, and I used a meat rub from the cookbook BBQ&A (recipe available on my blog here). I followed the beef recipe exactly. We sliced the roast across the grain and made hot sandwiches: we put mustard on ciabatta rolls, then the meat, and topped with the oniony sauce. Yum!! (Photo from the Butcherbox site.)

The next recipe is vegetarian, but it could easily be made vegan by substituting something for the feta cheese. This main-dish grain bowl comes from one of my favorite recipe sites: Budget Bytes. I wrote about the Budget Byte cookbook a few years ago and still use that book and the website frequently.

The recipe for Kale and White Bean Power Bowls says it serves four, and that was just about spot-on; we had it for dinner two nights in a row. This was really good just as written. When I made the vinaigrette, I was worried there wouldn't be enough, but it was perfect. Instead of separating the servings, I put the rice in the bottom of a serving dish, tossed the kale and beans with the dressing, and scattered on the toppings. The dish held up beautifully for two days, even with the vinaigrette. I used oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes. Note: next time, I'm going to skip sauteing the kale; instead I'll wilt it under boiling water and add extra garlic to the dressing.

Finally, I made a ramen noodle and chicken dish from Epicurious, another recipe site I use all the time. This is billed as "a perfect summer picnic dish," and I would have to agree. It was all that we could do to not eat the entire salad in one sitting. It was really just that good. And it would defintely be fine as a picnic dish, because it was just as good the second night as it was the first.

The Garlicky Instant Ramen Noodle Salad with Grilled Chicken Thighs was easy to put together. I made only a couple of simple changes. First, I used cilantro leaves and stems (no roots) in the marinade. Second, as is often the case, Wegman's was out of Fresno chiles, so I used jalapenos. Third, I had a fresh lettuce mix from a neighbor's garden, so I used that instead of romaine. Finally, I have a mild peanut allergy, so I used sliced almonds instead. I would make this again and again. It was truly a winner. (Photo from the Epicurious site.)

I plan to catch up on your Weekend Cooking posts from last week as well as from this week as soon as possible. We have a couple of family activities this weekend (including a christening!) that will take me away from my phone and computer.

Shared with Weekend Cooking, hosted by Marg at The Intrepid Reader (and Baker)

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