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...

  Title: One Grimm Night Author: Chad Nicholas Genre: Horror/Dark Fantasy Published: 10/21/25 by the author Thank you to the author for the copy for review.   Six strangers seek refuge in a cabin in the woods during a storm. All have their own stories and secrets to be revealed in this world of fairy tales.  This is a great fairy tale retelling that mashes up several Grimm fairy tales and makes them even darker and more sinister. It is very cleverly plotted to give the reader many thrilling twists and reveals. This is a real strength in all of Chad Nicholas' books. It is wickedly entertaining watching all these dark tales collide on one night. I recommend this book to fans of horror and dark fantasy. I also recommend Chad Nicholas' other books Nightmare, Shade, and The Animal. They are all must reads in my opinion. My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars 

  Title: The Graceview Patient Author: Caitlin Starling Genre: Gothic Horror Published: 10/14/25 by St. Martin's Press I received a copy for review through NetGalley.   Margaret has a rare autoimmune disease and is signed up for an experimental medical trial. This trial requires her to live at the hospital as they completely break down her immune system then rebuild it from the bottom. When strange things start to happen she isn't sure if they are real or the medicine messing with her mind.  A mix of gothic, medical, and psychological horror full of atmosphere.  Most of the tension comes from the medical process of destroying the immune system. It is a brutal process that wreaks havoc on Margaret's body and mind. If you find medical horror scary than this may be the book for you. There is horror in this book, but it does not come into play until after half way through the book. If you like creeping gothic atmosphere then I do recommend this book. My Rating: 4 out ...

  Title: An Unbreakable World      Author: Ren Hutchings Genre: Science Fiction Published: 09/09/25 by Solaris I received a copy for review through Netgalley.    Page Found is a petty thief who has lost her memory who is kidnapped to take part in a heist with Maelle. Dalya is being trained to be her uncle's successor in his government leadership role on Teyr. This space opera is told from multiple perspectives. It is full of political intrigue, unlikely friendships, and revenge. There is also a alien threat to the human race and an epic heist. There is a lot going on in this book, and it is all a lot of fun to read about. I wish there was more of distinctive connection between Page Found's story and Dalya's, but I also like being able to make my own conclusions. I would recommend this book to fans of space operas who think they would enjoy the elements I mentioned above.  My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars 

  Title: The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre Author: Philip Fracassi Genre: Horror Published: 9/30/25 by Macmillan Audio I received a copy of the audiobook through Netgalley for review.    Rose is in her late 70s and living in Autumn Springs Retirement Home. When a string of strange accidents and deaths start to happen she must uncover a killer with the help of her friends. This is a unique slasher book because it involves all older adults. All the characters are very well written and likeable. You start to care for what happens to all these people trying to enjoy their golden years making the deaths very effective. It is a very fun slasher with creative kills, but also sad when the characters you love time has come. I would recommend this book for fans of slashers. Check this one out this fall. My Rating:  5 out of 5 stars

  Title: Spread Me Author: Sarah Gailey Narrator: Xe Sands  Genre: Horror Published: September 23, 2025 by Macmillan Audio I received a copy of the audiobook for review through Netgalley.    Kinsey is lead of a small team at a remote desert research outpost. Things turn for the strange when a mysterious specimen is brought into the lab.  This story mixes science fiction, survival horror, body horror, and erotica in a really interesting way that borders on the weird. It touches on topics such as gender and sexuality with a great story. The isolated desert setting makes for an eerie backdrop for some great horror. I would recommend Spread Me to those that don't mind body horror and sexual content in their books. It is a great one. My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars 

  Title: One Dark Night Author: Hannah Richell Genre: Mystery/Thriller Published: 08/19/25 by Atria Books Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy for review.     Tragedy strikes at a Halloween party in the woods, steeped in local lore, by a small English town when a teenage girl dies. Rachel, a local school guidance counselor, deals with the fallout of the tragedy.  Meanwhile her ex-husband, a local police officer, works to find a murderer in this small community before anyone else gets hurt.  This is a great book for thriller fans that want the perfect read for spooky season. It is a well crafted twisty murder mystery with wonderful atmosphere. A thriller with a Halloween party gone wrong, spooky woods, a local legend, and very strange happenings. I highly recommend this read for fall for thriller fans that don't want to read horror for Halloween. My Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars 

  Title: It Was Her House First  Author: Cherie Priest Genre: Horror Published: 07/22/25 by Poisoned Pen Press Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy for review.   When Ronnie buys a huge dilapidated mansion to renovate with the inheritance from her brother she doesn't realize the blood soaked history of the house. The vengeful spirit of the former owner, Venita Rost a silent film star, is waking with the new activity in the house. This is a fun haunted house novel with duel timelines, and multiple points of view. As Ronnie discovers the history of her new project house the story also introduces the POV of multiple ghosts. The ghosts become really well fleshed out characters, and the story feels rich without taking itself too seriously. This is not what I would call a scary story. The tragic uncovering of the mystery, super strong female main characters, and a unnerving depiction of grief are all highlights from the story that had me hooked. If you like...

  Title: Requiem Author: John Palisano Genre: Science Fiction Horror Published: 05/27/25 by Flame Tree Press Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy for review.    Ava is part of a small crew stationed on Eden a moon-sized cemetery in space. If they are to keep their sanity or even their lives Ava will need to take on a cosmic entity who has taken hold in Eden. A satellite with hundreds of dead people in space has to be the perfect  setting for a horror novel. Add in a cosmic entity messing with  minds of the dead and living, and you have the greatest premise I have heard in quite some time. The characters are diverse and interesting. I thought the psychological attacks went on a bit too long before answers are given, but overall I really enjoyed this book. If you like very psychological science fiction horror stories than this one might be for you.  My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars 

  Title: Sacrilege Author: Barbara Avon Genre: Psychological Thriller   Published: 10/26/2020 by the author Thank you to the author for providing the copy for review. Cris Corelli is an ex-priest, recently leaving the church and struggling with alcoholism, finds himself living in a boarding house run by Jules. Jules is also fighting her own traumatic past. The two lean on each other for support, but after a horrible tragedy they plunge into a pit of despair fueled by drugs and alcohol. This book is pitch black dark. It is intense involving every trigger warning in the book, but written in the most beautiful way. It is the kind of book that can have you rereading passages to enjoy the beauty of the words even though the content is hard to read at some points. I would highly recommend this psychological thriller to those that love a character study of truly tortured people.  My Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars 

  Title: In Darkest Dreams Author: J.P. Graves Genre: Horror Published: 09/15/2024 by Twisted Tree Publishing Thank you to the author for providing a copy for review. Mark and Steve are veterans and friends that sign up to man a fire-watch tower in the mountains of Wyoming. During a storm the men get more than they bargained for when a reality bending creature begins stalking them forcing them to face all the secrets and trauma they have hidden deep inside themselves. In Darkest Dreams has great character work and setting. The forests of Wyoming create the perfect isolated setting to build the tension as the truly terrifying creature arrives. Mark and Steve have really sad backstories that really get the reader invested in where the story will end up. The powers of the creature force the characters to face all their darkest fears and secrets. It is a really effective horror story for fans of creature features. My Rating: 4.25 out of 5 Stars 

  Title: The Witch Roads Author:   Kate Elliott Series: The Witch Roads Duology Book 1 Genre: Fantasy Published: June 10, 2025 by Tor Books Thank you to Tor and NetGalley for the copy for review.   An arrogant prince is stuck at Orledder Hall, and needs the help of Elen to get his party through the hills to his destination.  This is a fantastic start to a duology full of political intrigue. It has really rich world building that we find out about through a treacherous journey. It is wonderful learning about the politics, religion, magic, class system, and lore of the world in such an exciting way. There is great character building focusing on themes of found family, gender, and class. This was a fantastic start to a series, and I highly recommend it for those that love epic fantasy. My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars   

   Title: Alt Vegas: Nuclear Dreams Author: Wren Cavanagh Genre: Horror Published: September 28, 2024 I received a copy for review from the author.    Kyle and Mandy have dreams making a profit by developing when they purchase land in Esperville, Oregon. Soon they find out the land is home to a portal to another dimension stuck in 1950s Las Vegas. It is a hard place with unforgiving desert and fiendish creatures. This a fantastic creature feature horror novel with an alternate dimension flair. The characters, Kyle and Mandy, did not seem sympathetic at first as foolhardy newlyweds taking on more than they can chew. However, throughout the story they become more and more endearing. They are great underdog characters to root for. The portal to Alt Vegas allows for such contrasting settings. The lush and overgrown Oregon with the desert landscape outside 1950s Vegas. The last fourth of the book could have used another round of line editing, but overall this was a fantas...

Title: Overgrowth Author: Mira Grant Genre: Science Fiction Horror Published: May 6, 2025 by Tor Nightfire I received a copy for review through NetGalley.   Anastasia has not fit in since she walked into the forest and was turned into an alien plant. To make things worse she can't seem to help telling everyone that the alien invasion is coming. No one believes her, but they should have heeded the warning. Science fiction and horror is a genre blend that works so well. This is a very character focused story with a quirky main character and her amazing found family. It shows the alien invasion from the perspective of an alien plant that has been raised human that needs to choose sides. It is light on horror past a very disturbing plant attack of a child, but it is an epic and fun story with an interesting perspective. If you are wanting to read about an invasion of sentient blood drinking plants that does not take itself seriously then this story is for you. My Rating: 5 Out of 5 Sta...

  Title: Happy Bunny and Other Mischiefs Author: Rebecca Gransden Genre: Weird Fiction/ Horror Published: 10/30/24 by the author I received a copy for review from the author.  This collection of 14 short stories that are full of imaginative scenarios. The ideas are truly unique which helps to draw you in.  Imagine taking a friend's pigeon to the vet leads to an underground cult. Imagine a sentient turducken escaping its packaging to explore the world. These are just of a couple of the outrageously weird concepts explored in this collection. A couple of the stories are written a very fever dream kind of way that makes following the plot difficult. I don't fault the experimental writing, but I personally do not enjoy the confusion they left me feeling. The rest of the stories I enjoyed. The standout stories for me were SparrowEyes, with its creepy setting and creature, and Happy Bunny, with a person in a bunny costume getting teleported to various television and movie s...