I Might Be in Trouble

 

Author: Daniel Aleman

Narrator: Vikas Adam

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing 

Year: 2024

What would you do if you woke up one morning with a dead guy in bed next to you? 

David is a down on his luck author. His debut novel was a hit, but his second book was panned. He’s single, lonely, broke, and desperate. He needs a brilliant idea for his next book and he needs it fast. David hooks up with a sexy stranger he meets on a dating app. They hit it off and party the night away. David wakes up the next morning to find the guy dead next to him in bed. And David’s recollection of the night is fuzzy because he drank a lot. Instead of calling 911, he calls his agent Stacey. Her solution sounds easy- they’ll just put the dead guy back in his hotel room. It’ll look like the man passed in his sleep and no one will be the wiser. What could go wrong?

This is a dark and funny novel. Don’t except slapstick comedy like Weekend at Bernie’s. This is more satirical. But it also tackles loneliness, grief, the feeling of being an outsider within your own family, and the crushing weight of your dreams possible slipping away. David is a complex and interesting main character, but for me the star of the novel is his agent Stacey. Her quips had me laughing out loud and a lot of credit goes to narrator Vikas Adam for that. His performance is top notch. I really want a prequel about Stacey’s adventures in publishing. This book is going to end up on my top books of the year list. My verdict: loved it! 😍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 

For more campy, LGTBQ+ thriller fun, check out my review of The Tuxedo Society.

About the Author

Daniel Aleman was born and raised in Mexico City. A graduate of McGill University, he is passionate about books, coffee, and Mexican food. After spending time in Montreal and the New York City area, he now lives in Toronto, where he is on a never-ending search for the best tacos in the city.

Florida Palms

 

Author: Joe Pan

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication date: July 22, 2025

Thank you Simon & Schuster and Netgally for the e-arc. 

Set during the 2009 recession, Florida Palms is the story of three friends who get pulled into a drug running operation. 

Recent high school grads Eddy, Cueball, and Jesse are restless and directionless. Good jobs are scarce. Cueball’s dad is an ex-con biker who teams up with his former boss to put together an organization to manufacture & ship a new designer drug. Cueball and Eddy are recruited to deliver the drugs, while Jesse works on the manufacturing side. The drug operation is supposed to be a brotherhood, but the boys quickly find themselves surrounded by danger and violence. 

I liked the premise of this book, but the execution wasn’t for me. I thought it would be a lot grittier and more southern noir. Instead I found it too verbose with many of the characters pontificating for far too long. Every time that happened, it brought the story to a screeching halt for me. There were things about the book I did like especially Eddy and Cueball. There was action and intrigue as the bosses fought for control of the organization. But ultimately, this wasn’t a favorite. My verdict: just ok 😐

Florida Palms is out July 22. 

QOTD: what’s your go to reading spot? Mine is usually a recliner on the living room but when the weather’s warm, I like to read out on our deck. 

#crimefiction #mysterybooks #thrillerbooks #bibliofile #reader #readinglife #alwaysreading #booksbooksbooks #bookish #bookrecomendation #bookworm 

#booklover #bookstagram #netgalley 

About the Author

Joe Pan is the author of five poetry collections, his work has appeared in such publications as the Boston Review, Hyperallergic, the New York Times, the Philadelphia Review of Books, and Poets & Writers, and has been profiled in the New York Post, Publishers Weekly, the Rumpus, and the Wall Street Journal. Joe is the founding publisher and editor-in-chief of Brooklyn Arts Press, a small press honored with a National Book Award in Poetry, and is publisher of Augury Books, honored with a Lambda Literary Award in Lesbian Poetry. With his wife he co-founded Brooklyn Artists Helping (BAH), which serves unhoused populations with sleeping bags, backpacks, and goods. Florida Palms is his first novel. 

The Year of Living Constitutionally

 

Author: A.J. Jacobs

Narrator: A.J. Jacobs

Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio

Year: 2024

My book club’s choice this month is A.J. Jabcobs’ The Year of Living Constitutionally. He writes about his year long quest to follow the Constitution‘s original meaning. This is a fascinating, educational, and often humorous dive into one guy’s attempt to get into the mindset of the 18th century foundering fathers and how the document should be interpreted today. 

Some of his attempts to live as closely to the original meaning of the Constitution included asserting his right to free speech by writing his opinions on parchment paper with a quill & ink and then handing out them out to strangers on the street. He used beeswax candles at home in place of lights. He exercised his Article I right by writing to Congress to request a letter of marque to become a privateer (which is kind of a government sanctioned pirate). He bought a tricorn hat & joined a Revolutionary War reenactment group. He also consulted with scholars, lawyers, and historians about the Constitution and read a mountain of books and documents about the Constitution. He discusses the disagreements the founders had when writing it and their compromises. He looks at the question of how the Constitution should be interpreted today-as it was originally written or as a living document whose interpretation should change with the times. Thomas Jefferson thought the Constitution should be rewritten every few years. Jacobs also notes how difficult it is to change the Constitution. Jacobs breaks down the heady thoughts and 18th century language and makes it more accessible for today’s readers. Jacobs narrates the audiobook himself and he’s very funny. 

I think I learned more about the Constitution from this book than I learned in school. No matter what side of the aisle you sit on or if you’re just trying to make sense of current events in America, I highly recommend this book. It’s definitely thought provoking, fascinating, informative, and inspiring. 

#librarybook #lovemylibrary#audiobook #audiobookstagram #audiobookreview #audiobookrec #livingconstitionally #nonfiction  #theconstitution #yearoflivingconstitutionally #penguinrandomhouseaudio 

About the Author 

A.J. Jacobs is an author, journalist, lecturer and human guinea pig. He has written four New York Times bestsellers that combine memoir, science, humor and a dash of self-help. Among his books are The Know-It-All, The Year of Living Biblically, and Thanks a Thousand, in which he travels the globe to thank everyone who had even the slightest role in making his morning cup of coffee. He is a contributor to NPR, The New York Times, and Esquire, among others. He has given several TED talks, including ones about living biblically, creating a one-world family, and living healthily that have amassed over 10 million views.

Tell Me What You Did

 

Author: Carter Wilson

Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press

Year: 2025

Poe Webb hosts a popular true crime podcast where the guests anonymously confess crimes they’ve committed. When a creepy and somewhat familiar man appears on her show, Poe’s world is turned upside down. The man claims to have murdered her mother years ago because he knows something about the murder that only Poe knows. It can’t be true because Poe killed the man who murdered her mother. Didn’t she? 

Tell Me What You Did by Carter Wilson is dark, twisty, and suspenseful. It sucked me right in. I really liked the premise of Poe’s podcast. I thought it was a different take from the usual trope of “true crime podcaster solves cold case.” The story also has a shifting timeline that adds to the suspense. The pace steadily builds the tension as the creepy guy turns the table on Poe and makes her confess. This is a book you’ll binge because you just can’t put it down. My verdict: 😍 loved it! 

QOTD: any plans for this weekend?

I’m going to a free matinee at our local movie theater of Detour, a film noir classic from 1945. 

#crimefiction #mysterybooks #thrillerbooks #bibliofile #reader #readinglife #alwaysreading #booksbooksbooks #bookish #bookrecomendation #bookworm 

#booklover #bookstagram #librarybook #lovemylibrary #tellmewhatyoudid #carterwilson #poisonedpenpress #suspensebooks 

About the Author

Carter Wilson is the Publishers Weekly and USA Today bestselling author of ten award-winning psychological thrillers. His works have earned starred reviews from all major trade publications, have been optioned for television and film, and his 2025 release Tell Me What You Did was selected by Barnes & Noble as a national monthly pick. Carter is also the host of the Making It Up podcast and founder of the Unbound Writer company, which provides coaching services, writing retreats, and online classes. 

The Medusa Protocol

 

Author: Rob Hart

Publisher: Penguin Random House

Publication date: June 24, 2025

The erstwhile assassins from Assassins Anonymous are back for another adventure and trying not to kill anyone. In The Medusa Protocol, Astrid stops showing up to the group’s support meetings. Turns out, Astrid has been kidnapped and is being held in a prison on a remote island. Mark, Astrid’s sponsor and formerly the world’s deadliest killer, mounts a rescue operation. But can they succeed without killing anyone? 

Author Rob Hart once again delivers a fast paced, action filled, and humorous thriller. This time around, we learn more about Astrid’s background along with the why and how she became an assassin. This can be read as a stand alone book, but I think reading this series in order is a better option if possible. There’s enough information in this one to get the gist of the first book, but the added context of knowing the plot of the previous book would definitely provide better understanding. This is a fun and entertaining read. I’m already looking to the next installment. My verdict: 👍🏻 really liked it! 

The Medusa Protocol publishes June 24 so preorder it or add it to your wishlist now. Thank you Penguin Random House and NetGalley for the e-arc! 

QOTD: predictive text time: The medusa protocol is_____

The medusa protocol is a very powerful tool for making sure you have a good time. 

#crimefiction #mysterybooks #thrillerbooks #bibliofile #reader #readinglife #alwaysreading #booksbooksbooks #bookish #bookrecomendation #bookworm 

#booklover #bookstagram #themedusaprotocol #robhart #netgalley #penguinrandomhouse

About the Author

Rob Hart is the author of Assassins Anonymous, The Paradox Hotel, The Warehouse, and the Ash McKenna crime series, and the co-author of Scott Free with James Patterson. He’s worked as a book publisher, a reporter, a political communications director, and a commissioner for the city of New York. 

Dead Money

 

Author: Jakob Kerr

Narrator: Rachel Music

Publisher: Random House Audio

Year: 2025

Mackenzie is a “problem solver” for a powerful Silicon Valley venture capitalist. She makes sure nothing gets in the way of big money deals. When the CEO of the hottest tech startup is murdered, Mackenzie is inserted into the investigation. The dead CEO left billions of dollars “frozen” in his will and Mackenzie’s boss is worried about his investment. Mackenzie must navigate some of the biggest the egos of the tech industry and the labyrinth of money that’s poured into tech companies. Secrets and lies abound as Mackenzie tries to untangle tech’s biggest mystery and find an opportunity for herself. Swipe to see the full summary. 

Author Jakob Kerr really came flying out of the gate with this debut novel. High stakes technology on the line, a really likable main character, and lots of secrets to unravel makes this a riveting read. The ending was incredible in a kind of satisfying “I finally got mine” girl power way. Rachel Music’s narration gives Mackenzie a savy and cool under fire voice, while also poking fun at the often ridiculous nature of the denizens of the tech world. My verdict: 😍 loved it! 

About the Author

In addition to his work as an author, Jakob is a lawyer and communications executive in San Francisco's tech industry. He was one of the first employees at Airbnb and spent a decade shepherding the company from tiny startup to global phenomenon. Jakob has also been a bartender, sportswriter, and—for one disastrous afternoon—the driver of an ice cream truck.

Where the Bones Lie

 

Author: Nick Kolakowski

Publisher: Datura Books

Release date: March 11,2025

Dash is a former Hollywood fixer. He’s the guy who cleaned up the messes that could hurt the careers of Hollywood stars. But one particularly bad job forced him to quit. Guilt ridden, lost, & too fond of bourbon, he gets a call from a young woman looking for help. Madeline’s father, a notorious mobster, went missing when she was a little girl. A drought revealed a barrel in a dried up lake with his body inside. Madeline hires Dash to help her find answers to the 20 year old mystery. 

I really enjoyed this one! I loved Dash and Madeline’s dynamic. He’s a jaded, world-weary cynic. Deep down he’s a decent guy who’s really good at doing bad things. Madeline is a quirky girl desperate for answers. They somehow become friends throughout the course of their investigation. I’m a sucker for crime fiction set in L.A. - especially when Hollywood is involved. I thought it was really interesting how author Nick Kolakowski astutely incorporated climate change into the story. Drought & the chaos of a wildfire affect Dash & Madeline’s search for the truth. The pace of the story moves quickly. There’s several didn’t-see-that-coming twists & turns that really blew me away. This is an excellent thriller & I hope we get to see Dash again. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you Nick and Datura for the gifted book. Where the Bones Lie is out March 11. Add it to your tbr or preorder it now so you don’t miss it. 

About the Author

Nick Kolakowski is the author of several crime novels, including Where the Bones Lie and Payback Is Forever. His work has been nominated for the Anthony and Derringer awards, and his short story “Scorpions” appeared in The Best Mystery and Suspense 2024. His short fiction has appeared in numerous anthologies and magazines, including Mystery Weekly, Shotgun Honey, Rock and a Hard Place Press, and more.