Mindy's Book Journey

  Title: Pictures of You Author: Josh Malerman Genre: Thriller Published: September 8, 2026 by Del Rey Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for the copy for review.   Emily and Jack are out on the town in an idyllic coastal town when their beautiful vacation turns into a nightmare. They wake up separated and find they are within the web of an unhinged artist looking to create their masterpiece. Pictures of You is a Hitchcockian thriller from one of the biggest names in horror. The greatest strength of this story is the character development. Emily and Jack seem realistic, likeable, and like a very fun couple hang out with. I would love to go out on the town with these characters in an idyllic coastal town. I was instantly sucked in and cared very much what happened to them. On the other hand, the antagonist, is incredibly unforgettable and colorful unhinged woman that steals the show in this one. The setup was also great and incredibly tense. Becoming the unwilling muse for a ...

  Title: The Silent Appeal Series: The Appeal book 2 Author: Janice Hallett Genre: Mystery Thriller Published: 8/25/26 by Atria Books  Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the copy for review.   The Silent Appeal is a murder mystery centered around an acting troupe putting on a murder mystery play by Agatha Christie. It is an epistolary novel told completely in texts, emails, IMs, articles, and diary entries. It follows two law interns scouring through the evidence in the case trying to help with an appeal.  This is an entertaining mystery that will have you guessing. It is so satisfying to have all the evidence as the law interns get it. The format is a lot of fun, and helps the pages fly by. This is the kind of engagement that will have you staying up late to find out the truth. I highly recommend this series to fans of a good mystery. My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars   

  Title: Twelve Nails in the Coffin      Author: James Flynn Genre: Horror Short Story Collection Published: 6/19/26 by Velox Press Thank you to the author and Velox Press for a copy for review.   This collection of 12 horror short stories is full of creative ideas that will have you questioning the human condition. James Flynn writes stories that are disturbing and thought-provoking. They look into the darkest corners of our psyches. They are often mixed with a touch of science fiction. I have read several of James Flynn's collections before, and some of these stories were familiar and some were new to me. This collection is a really great representation of the work that you will find from this author. I highly recommend this collection to those that love their stories dark, psychological, speculative, and sometimes brutal.    My Rating: 4.5 out out of 5 stars   

  Title: Cold Snap Series: Frost Bite book 2 Author: Angela Sylvaine Genre: Horror Published: 3/17/26 by Dark Matter Ink Thank you to the author for a copy for review. In 1998 the fight against alien worms moves from North Dakota to Canada when the other half of the infested meteor is found. Add in a blizzard, a doomsday cult, a covert military op, and college spring break shenanigans and you got a wildly fun sequel full of mayhem. This series is full of 90s nostalgia that feels naturally introduced, action, and horror. It explores wonderful themes of grief, death, betrayal, friendship, found family, and young love without taking itself too seriously. It is definitely full of fun. I recommend this book highly to horror fans. My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars 

  Title: It Came From the Floodwaters Author: Seann Barbour Genre: Horror Published: March 13, 2026 Thank you to the author for the copy for review.   Residents are trapped in an apartment building in Savannah during a hurricane that has knocked out the power and flooded the main floor. Unfortunately, the floodwaters have also swept in a coffin holding an ancient hungry horror. A group of survivors need to band together to survive the night. As if being trapped in a flooded apartment building wasn't scary enough this book adds a vampire into the mix. The isolated setting really adds to the tension. The characters are all very different and forced to work together in an attempt to survive. The clash of personalities under stress is very interesting to read. The most interesting character is Tam who is nonbinary and polyamorous. Their is a slight unique flair to the vampire lore in this book, but the main creature is very recognizably vampire. This quick novella is just over ...

  Title: A Sociopath's Guide to a Successful Marriage Author: M.K. Oliver Genre: Thriller Published: 2/17/26 by Atria Books I received a copy for review through NetGalley.    Lalla Rook has a plan to make her life better including getting her unambitious husband made partner, get her dream home in a rich neighborhood, and getting their daughter into the best school. None of this is made easier where she kills a home intruder on the same afternoon she is hosting her son's birthday party. Good thing she won't let things like moral norms or laws get in her way.  This debut thriller is a well-plotted addictive read that is funny in a dark twisted way. It is full of surprises with reveals involving Lalla's past and present. It is a roller-coaster ride that has readers desperate to see what wild thing will happen next. I was very impressed with this humorous debut. I highly recommend reading this if you are a fan of thrillers with unforgettable if not likable main charac...