Death on the Island: A Novel by Eliza Reid

 

 

Death on the Island: A Novel by Eliza Reid. Poisoned Pen Press, 2025. Mystery. Adult fiction.

When several important people are invited to a small island off the coast of Iceland, things do not go as expected. Murder happens. The weather turns bad and no one can leave the island. From the mayor who has recently lost his spouse to the young artist whose exhibit at a local museum can make or break her to the ambassador and his wife, the chef who cooks for them all, a handsome journalist with local ties, and the man responsible for local business dealings and his wife, everyone is suspect at dasterdly dealings. 

  Advertised as "Agatha Christie meets Nordic noir, this novel gains momentum as it progresses. The author is the former First Lady of Iceland from 2016 - 2024 so details ring true. This is apparently the first in a series and has been optioned for television. It is perfect for travelers to Iceland who want a book for their bags! 

Blonde Dust by Tatiana De Rosnay

 

 Blonde Dust by Tatiana De Rosnay. Adult fiction. Historical fiction. Grand Central, 2025. (June, 2025 publication).

When Pauline Bazelet comes to America as a child, her French mother has married a soldier from Reno, Nevada. Although Pauline falls in love with the open spaces and wild mustangs, her mother never really feels at home. Pauline, as a teen, takes a job as a cleaner in the gorgeous,  tall Mapes Hotel in town. The people there get to know each  other and share their excitement as a film crew goes to work filming The Misfits. Pauline's life is changed by the son of the owner who takes advantage of the young woman. All is not lost, however, as close friends and none other than Marilyn Monroe herself help Pauline find a new life. Bookends of modern times center the book's story and provide context for the main narrative.

The author seems to have done her research well as the descriptions of the land and people of the 1960's in Reno ring true. Those who are interested in film history may enjoy the real and imagined as they twist and turn in this fascinating novel. 

The Ghostwriter A Novel by Julie Clark

 

 The Ghostwriter: A Novel by Julie Clark. Sourcebooks/Landmark, 2025. Adult fiction. Mystery.

Olivia Dumont has spent the better part of her life trying to understand her family. Her father, horror writer Vincent Taylor, is declining in health and hires Julie to ghost write his real story.  As a teen, Vincent lost both his siblings, Poppy and Danny, to murder. Although Vincent had an alibi, he has long been suspected as the one who killed them. Now, Olivia returns to her hometown, to the house where the murders took place, and to demons people only imagine.  Can she find the truth? Can she live with the truth?

Unique stories seem to be Clark's forte. If you have not read The Last Flight, try it, too! Two women, meeting at an airport, change places. Their flight goes down. Only one survives. Everything changes...

 

The Woman in Suite 11 by Ruth Ware

  The Woman in Suite 11 by Ruth Ware. Scout Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, 2025. Mystery. Adult fiction.

     If you liked Ruth Ware's twisty thriller The Woman in Cabin 10, you will probably like this one. Lo Blacklock is back after ten years, a marriage, and two children. She is trying to revamp her travel writing career and when she is invited to be a guest at a lush resort in Switzerland, she takes the chance to get an interview with the mysterious, wealthy owner. But, as you might expect, nothing is simple. Some of the guests are familiar, Lo is soon caught in dubious decision making, and, of course, there is a murder. 

 

The Last Dance of the Debutante by Julia Kelly

 

The Last Dance of the Debutante by Julia Kelly. Gallery Books, 2021. Adult historical fiction.

Until 1959, wealthy girls dressed in white and were "presented" to the Queen of England to herald the announcement of their presence in society. A series of teas, parties, and balls followed so that the girls could meet "the right" people and be seen by eligible bachelors. Lily Nichols is not terribly excited about the whole Season, but her mother and grandmother insist on the tradition. The friends she makes will influence her entire life. Family secrets loom large in this detail filled look at London and life in the late 1950's.

The Measure: A Novel by Nikki Erlick

 

The Measure: A Novel by Nikki Erlick. William Morrow, 2022. Adult fiction.

Suppose that when adults get up in March, small boxes wait for them. A string is enclosed and only accompanied by a paper that reads, "The measure of your life lies within." As people learn that the string shows the length of the rest of their lives, they fight battles of long stringers vs. short stringers. Ben, Hank, Maura, and a few others join a short string support group. They form the narrative as each chapter moves the story along and their lives intertwine in unusual ways. Time passes. Life happens. Readers will be caught up in their lives and learn that living long is not the same as living well. A fascinating notion for a book and well written, this would make a good book group read. 

Independence: A Novel by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

 

Independence: A Novel by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. William Morrow, 2023. Historical fiction. Adult fiction.

The subtitle of this book is "Three Sisters, Their Deep Bond, and the Struggle for India's Freedom." That really says it all. Priya in 1947 India loves Amit and dreams of becoming a doctor like her father. Deepa, the beautiful one, wants to marry and bring prestige to her family, but falls in love with a Muslim. Jamini walks with a limp, but is the one who can help her mother make beautiful quilts and who secretly craves the attention of handsome Amit. Caught up in the growing tensions of the Hindu and Muslims as the country of Pakistan fights for its birth, the daughters become adults and fight their own battles. Beautifully written, easy to understand even if readers know nothing about this part of the world.