The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies by Westbury

THE OXFORD GUIDE TO SCANDAL AND LIES by Kate Westbury is a wonderful historical and cozy mystery debut set in the early 1950s.  The main characters are very different from each other: Ginevra Bishop (estranged daughter of a viscount and former debutante, trying to find purpose) and Sidney Braithwaite (former soldier, recovering from wartime emotional trauma) although they are both students at Oxford. It is at the university that they witness the death of a beloved librarian and are recruited by the security services (Rook is their handler) to investigate further. The handful of suspects (both professors and students) provides multiple scenarios for the dual to unravel, all while fighting a romantic attraction.  Westbury’s THE OXFORD GUIDE TO SCANDAL AND LIES was a LibraryReads selection, a September 2026 Indie Next Pick and received a starred review form BookPage (“The chemistry is delightful, the setting is academia personified and the story itself encourages propulsive page-turning―a heck of a debut novel indeed”). Enjoy!

Road Trip by Mary Kay Andrews

Publishers Weekly called the latest novel, ROAD TRIP, by Mary Kay Andrews “perfect for the beach bag” and it is a light read, with a combination of historical fiction, mystery, and romance. Two adult (thirty-something) sisters, practical professor Maeve and carefree struggling actress Therese, are brought together by their mother’s recent death and her squandering of funds on a televangelist. She wanted them to repair their relationship with a trip to Ireland and they travel, hoping to establish provenance for a family painting and thereby secure an inheritance. At first, the sisters are not very likeable characters, but the trip gradually transform them. Plus, Andrews weaves in the story of Kathleen Connor, who emigrated to America in 1926 and of an IRA heist in the mid-1970s with the present-day quest. At the end, the sisters learn to admire and emulate “all the gutsy, ballsy women in our family who’ve picked up the pieces and kept going.”

The Castle in the Glen by Rhys Bowen

THE CASTLE IN THE GLEN is the latest stand-alone historical mystery by Rhys Bowen, bestselling author of more than sixty novels. This is the story of a famous mystery writer, Iris Blackburn, who was recently diagnosed with dementia and needs to find a co-writer to help finish her latest work, the prequel to her best-selling Inspector Melrose series. She offers the opportunity to Emma Callander, a young writer living in London, but from Australia. Emma is hesitant at first but quickly becomes enthralled by the author’s book within a book about the drowning death of the daughter of a laird and her male companion. The draft chapters describe fictional Melrose’s first solo case and he, too, is concerned about solving the puzzle, especially since the main suspect, a rival suitor, has disappeared. To help writing and revising, Emma is given a trip to Glascow and the Isle of Skye and there she begins to learn some troubling facts and is threatened while also starting a romance. The pace picks up and readers will likely predict some of the ending Bowen has crafted, but she includes numerous twists and surprises, so they are unlikely to foretell them all. The unique geography and environment on Skye is vividly described in this entertaining combination of suspense and historical fiction.

The Story Keeper by Kelly Rimmer

THE STORY KEEPER by Kelly Rimmer is sure to be a popular choice with readers of mysteries and historic fiction. Just released, it is an upcoming Indie Next pick and also number one for July’s LibraryReads selections. Set in Australia, this novel cleverly provides a book within a book story, using a dual timeline and suspenseful gothic undertones.  Fiona’s daughters are starting their adult lives when her husband asks for a divorce and pushes her out of their shared architectural business. Desperate for a project and purpose, she returns to the family estate named Wurimbirra, intent on restoring it. But her mother, who lives nearby, actively discourages her from changing anything and several local residents insist the house is haunted. After some strange happenings, Fiona even starts to question her decision and turns to a book, called The Midnight Estate, for diversion. Readers can share in deciphering that tale of marital abuse and escape which has some surprising parallels with Fiona’s life and contains its own mysteries and adventure. Booklist recommends THE STORY KEEPER for those “who enjoy secret-filled family sagas by Kate Morton and Lucinda Riley.”

An Artful Dodge by Karen Odden

AN ARTFUL DODGE by Karen Odden is an historical fiction mystery story set in 1879 London. The main character is Kit Jimeson, a twenty-year-old orphan who has been responsible for raising her younger sister, Sarah. Kit does so by acting as a thief (like her mother before her) in an all-female gang that is managed by Amelia. In fact, Odden introduces roughly three dozen characters (even providing a helpful list) and the relationships, spanning multiple generations, are a bit complex. Trouble really begins, though, when Maggie (whose mother used to run the gang) returns after being sent as a criminal to Australia and wants to replace Amelia and take things over. Kit then needs to balance Maggie’s demands (especially related to an expensive necklace) with safety for herself and Sarah. She relies on a small trusted group with surprising ties to Fleet Street and Scotland Yard, and the dangerous heist is on. The pace picks up in the last third of the book and while the ending is a bit abrupt, it looks like there will be more adventures to come. Publishers Weekly gave AN ARTFUL DODGE a starred review (“Odden matches vivid details of the hard-knock life in Victorian London with complex backstories for her large cast. Readers will be rapt.”). An entertaining, twisty and suspenseful tale from an award-winning author.

Death at King's Cross by Rosanne Limoncelli

DEATH AT KING’S CROSS by Rosanne Limoncelli (The Four Queens of Crime) is the second in the series to feature four famous mystery writers (Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Ngaio Marsh, and Margery Allingham) and pioneering policewoman Detective Chief Inspector Lilian Wyles as they all work together to solve a puzzling crime in 1941 London. A young woman is found stabbed at King’s Cross Station and the case is given to MI5 where the higher-ups seem reluctant to share information. The writers and Wyles are increasingly convinced that several more women’s lives may be at stake; it is only combining their findings (regarding stolen medicines, missing relatives, and blackmail threats) that they are able to concoct a plan and act upon it. Although the plot rests a bit too heavily on coincidences, it is still suspenseful and entertaining, especially the reflections on the role for women in the police force at that time. Look for this title when it becomes available in July 2026.

The Parisian Chapter by Janet Skeslien Charles

THE PARISIAN CHAPTER by Janet Skeslien Charles (Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade and The Paris Library) is another work of historical fiction closely tied to her other books. I have read and recommended those, but the latest (centered on Lily and her friend Mary Louise in 1995 Paris) was my least favorite mostly because it referenced the earlier work without sufficiently reprising the story for readers. Perhaps if I had read these titles more closely together than the five years between their publication, I would have felt differently. That said, I made my way through all of THE PARISIAN CHAPTER, enjoying the “found family” at the American Library in Paris and empathizing with the struggles of life as an expat (especially when one cranks Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves). Library Journal summed up the positives nicely, “A colorful tapestry shot through with themes of friendship, the power of books, the importance of history, and the joys and trials of an artist’s life. It’s told with charm and flair and filled with genuine joie de vivre.”

The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett

THE CALAMITY CLUB by Kathryn Stockett (The Help) is set in 1930s Oxford, Mississippi and the beginning is quite disheartening as Stockett describes life in an orphanage for Margot Louise (Meg) LeFleur, an eleven-year-old whose asides to the reader are reminiscent of those from Alan Bradley’s Flavia de Luce. Meg is intelligent, but scarred by being abandoned by her mother, called Charlie. And Meg struggles to cope with the abusive treatment at the orphanage. Things are a bit brighter (literally) when she meets Birdie Calhoun, poor sister to Francis Tartt, one of the local volunteers. Birdie is in town in hopes of much needed funds from her sister and the wealthier family into which she married. Sadly, it is the Depression Era, and no one is spared the ravages of poverty; that means Birdie eventually meets Charlie and, in an act of desperation, the two form a business venture. A LibraryReads Selection, THE CALAMITY CLUB is a tale of betrayal and also of loyalty; of strict social standards and also of acceptance due mainly to necessity; of sexual mores and women’s health. Book clubs will find much to discuss from this lengthy (656 pages) historical fiction novel which does drag in parts. Readers will develop affection and concern for Meg as well as Birdie - who is an especially likeable character - but their circumstances and the “calamities” they face are not.

The Moonshine Women by Michelle Collins Anderson

Beginning in 1912 and continuing through the Prohibition era, THE MOONSHINE WOMEN by Michelle Collins Anderson is a work of historical fiction set in rural Missouri that was chosen as an Indie Next pick for April 2026. The family saga revolves around the Strong sisters: Rebecca who loves nature and working on the farm; Elsie who is looking for love and a chance to escape to an easier life; and “Shine,” the youngest, who despite her impulsive personality and fiery, red hair, is the most talented at crafting moonshine with her father, Hiram and grandmother, Lidy. Rural life is especially difficult during the Depression, and, after a tragedy, these young women expand their operation to Hot Springs, Arkansas, a vacation spot for mobsters (Al Capone makes an appearance or two) and other wealthy customers. The sisters still suffer setbacks but stay strong (“who they were deep down, that core of pure obstinance and determination”) while also learning to depend on others (“enlarging your circle didn’t dilute love, but miraculously multiplied it”). Anderson has thoroughly researched this era: pointing, for example, to when “the government feared that female bootleggers outnumbered their male counterparts five to one!” She provides a useful list of Sources, some, like this, with online links, plus Discussion Questions for Book Groups. For interested readers, Hang the Moon by Jeannette Walls is another fictional work which also deals with Prohibition and has strong female characters; it received multiple starred reviews.

The House of Hidden Letters by Izzy Broom

THE HOUSE OF HIDDEN LETTERS by Izzy Broom is a dual timeline mystery set on Folegandros, a Greek island. The story moves back and forth between the 1940s’ local resistance efforts (of Stefanos, Katerina, and her sister, Leni) and more present day when Skye (fleeing an abusive relationship) and several other new residents are attempting to renovate the older houses with the help of contractor Andreas. Storms and excavations yield bodies and clues to the long ago past: “An antique blade buried underground, a bundle of letters sealed behind stone. Six houses abandoned since the war, with nothing and nobody to tell them why. There were secrets here. Secrets that someone had gone to great lengths to hide…. The past, it seemed had begun to reawaken.” It is a story of budding friendships, romance, courage, and the importance of community woven into a beautiful setting. The award-winning author’s acknowledgments suggest more adventures will follow.

Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser

LADY TREMAINE by Rachel Hochhauser is an impressive debut, containing a clever retelling of the Cinderella story, this time focusing on its title character, the stepmother. Twice widowed and impoverished, Lady Ethel Tremaine struggles to provide for her two daughters (Matilda and Rosamund) and ungrateful, detached step-daughter (Elin), constantly hoping that a fortuitous marriage will improve their fortunes. With its themes of motherhood (“The love of a mother does away with scales and measurement altogether; It envelops and understands and embraces what is cracked along with what is beautiful.”), social standing, resilience, and feminism, this title would be an interesting and discussion-provoking choice for book groups. LADY TREMAINE received starred review from Publishers Weekly and Kirkus. It is both a LibraryReads selection and an IndieNext pick for March.

Lake Effect by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney

To be published in early March, LAKE EFFECT by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney is a multi-generational story with a Rochester, New York setting. I loved the many local references like Sibley’s or McCurdy’s department stores and several restaurants as well as the Lilac Festival. With a story that focuses mainly on the last third of the twentieth century, D'Aprix Sweeney also subtly weaves in historical details like Mr. Bubble (loved that!), Lollypop Farm, and the new concept of personal computers and the “undo” button for mistakes. She writes about cooking, Weight Watchers, divorce, Xerox corporate strategy, growth of supermarket chains, the AIDS epidemic and much more… all against a framework of two intertwined middle-class families, the Larkins and the Finnegans. I could readily picture them going to church on Sunday, socializing, and raising children in a close-knit town where so many folks worked for Kodak or Xerox (like Sam Larkin). Finn Finnegan pursues the family business, updating and expanding the local grocery chain (shades of Wegman’s?). But both their marriages are unhappy and changes impact them, their spouses (Nina and Honey), and their high school age children, Clara and Bridey (Bridgid) Larkin and Dune and Fern Finnegan. Subsequent events track the life choices of that younger generation (particularly the relationships between mothers and daughters), with a poignant ending. Overall, I would recommend this novel, but caution readers that there are some explicit scenes, including the rape of a fifteen-year-old girl. LAKE EFFECT received starred reviews from Booklist, Kirkus (“An inviting family drama with the warmth, interest, and edge readers love in Sweeney’s work.”), and Library Journal. Marin Ireland performs well as the audiobook narrator. 

The Storm by Rachel Hawkins

THE STORM by Rachel Hawkins is full of suspense as the best-selling author uses multiple viewpoints to share events that takes place over several decades. A central theme is the physical and emotional damage which hurricanes can leave behind. In 1984, Landon Fitzroy, considered an heir apparent in Alabama politics, died during Hurricane Marie. His teenage mistress, Lo Bailey, was acquitted of the murder, but returns 40 years later with a young author, August Fletcher, to write a book about her experiences. Another strong storm starts brewing during their stay where the innkeeper of the Rosalie Inn, Geneva Corliss, is their hostess. Geneva also has a box which her Mom (Ellen, now residing at a memory care unit) filled with old clippings about the 1984 storm. So, what, if anything, is the connection? Slowly, Hawkins brings these pieces of a puzzle and the consequences of another fictional hurricane together. There is quite a bit for readers to track and they will likely be surprised by some of the twists. The audiobook of THE STORM is narrated by a cast of characters, providing a creative way of differentiating who is speaking and when. Library Journal said that readers will enjoy this “fast-paced, atmospheric suspense novel” which is a LibraryReads Hall of Fame selection for January. 

Deeper than the Ocean by Mirta Ojito

DEEPER THAN THE OCEAN by award winning author Mirta Ojito is beautifully written. The story takes place in two time periods, contrasting a tale that is set in the modern day with one that begins in the early years of the twentieth century. It is a story of family, of secrets, and of thwarted love. In 2019, Mara Santander, an investigative journalist, is mourning her husband: “What I needed, what I wanted was life assurance, the guarantee, in writing, if possible, that he would live as long as I did, that his side of the bed would never be pristine and that my hand would always find his in the dark. He laughed off my fears and hugged my worries away. Now, of course, I'm grateful for his foresight.” She eventually travels to the Canary Islands in search of information about her great grandmother, Catalina. Married to one man and in love with another (“my love for you is higher than the sky and deeper than the ocean”), Catalina experiences the heartbreak and trauma of an ocean storm and eventually rebuilds her life in Cuba which is where, many years later,  Mara emigrated from (“What do you do when you can’t stay, and you can’t go back?”). DEEPER THAN THE OCEAN is a very moving debut novel, where “hope … could be even more heartbreaking than grief,” and is recommended by USA Today for “fans of Isabel Allende, Julia Alvarez, and Kristin Hannah.” The settings are beautiful, the culture is exquisitely shared, and the emotions are complex. 

From Cradle to Grave by Rhys Bowen

FROM CRADLE TO GRAVE by Rhys Bowen is the latest (19th) mystery story in Bowen’s Royal Spyness series featuring Lady Georgiana. Although these cozy tales have a loyal and enthusiastic readership, I have found the last few (see The Proof of the Pudding and Peril in Paris) to offer a less positive picture of the heroine. Similarly, in this case, she needs to hire a nanny and stand up for herself against interfering relatives. Given that Lady Georgiana and her friend Belinda have shown themselves as more than capable in solving murders, those tasks should not seem to be so daunting although they help move the story forward. Once again, I would recommend reading earlier entries in this light and entertaining series. FROM CRADLE TO GRAVE eventually develops into a fine mystery (multiple young aristocratic men are dying without any apparent link) but hopefully Lady Georgiana will channel her grandmother and show a stronger spirit in future outings.

A Dark and Deadly Journey by Julia Kelly

A DARK & DEADLY JOURNEY by Julia Kelly is number three (after A Traitor in Whitehall and Betrayal at Blackthorn Park) in the Evelyne Redfern mystery series. These historical fiction (WWII era) titles are best read in order. In the latest, young British espionage agent Evelyne is again paired with agent David Poole and the two are sent to Lisbon to find an informant who has gone missing. They have barely landed when a dead body is discovered and Evelyne falls under suspicion. Their mission, in support of the local intelligence office, involves interaction with desperate ex-pats at glamourous parties. It is further complicated by a personal connection and additional deaths, testing the partner’s trust of each other. As author Kelly explores the choices between reputation and money over doing the right thing, she arrives at a rather abrupt ending, tying up the missing pieces in Lisbon only to open questions that will lead to further adventures for Evelyne and David.

The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes by Chanel Cleeton

THE LOST STORY OF EVA FUENTES by Chanel Cleeton is one of my favorite reads of the year so far. The story takes place in three distinct time periods: 1900 when Eva, a Cuban school teacher, travels on an exchange program to the United States; 1966, when librarian Pilar and her husband, Enrique, struggle with the changes and oppression of the Cuban revolution; and 2024 when Margo and her ex-husband Luke combine efforts to locate a missing book originally written by Eva. Cleeton does a good job of evoking the characters and their respective time periods, but I would have liked to have learned even more. The mystery involving the lost story and a violent murder were well done with a twist at the end. But the aspect which I truly enjoyed was the way in which Cleeton repeatedly spoke to her readers about lost love, emotions like grief, and about the value of books and stories. She writes, “If the roles had been reversed, if something had happened to her, Enrique would have taken solace in the company of others. She took hers in the cocoon she placed around herself that kept the world at bay” … “Fear and anger wound their way through her like twin snakes, and in her grief, she did the only thing she knew to do. She read.” Another example: “The reader was promised the possibility of sinking into another world, of escaping their problems, the weight of life subsiding for minutes, hours, days at a time. They were promised a story, a fiction, a sleight of hand, a shuffling of letters that altered reality. And yet, in that make believe world the reader looked for truth - for the words on the page to resonate, for the characters in the scene to make them feel seen, for a thread that they could hold on to, for the book to sink its hooks into them and carry them on an unforgettable adventure.” 

Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure by Rhys Bowen

MRS. ENDICOTT'S SPLENDID ADVENTURE is the latest historical fiction from Rhys Bowen (In Farleigh Field). She is a personal favorite and a prolific author of novels including The Constable Evans mysteries, The Royal Spyness series, and many featuring Molly Murphy in addition to several dealing with WWII and its impact.  This novel begins in 1938 in Surrey, England and moves fairly quickly to the South coast of France (near Marseille) throughout the war. After Mrs. Endicott’s husband seeks a divorce, she – and a group of “strays” – settle in a charming village whose inhabitants, including many fishermen, are largely self-sufficient. Gradually, Mrs. Endicott and her companions (an older woman with health problems, a kind-hearted cleaner fleeing spousal abuse, and a young, unmarried lass) build a community and start to thrive. Even in this remote area, the war years are predictably difficult, but most everyone (including other English ex-pats, a broad-minded priest, and the head of a nearby monastery), pull together. Mrs. Endicott learns to try new adventures, reflecting, “All my life I've been sensible and reasonable. I've done the right thing, tried to please everybody, but nobody ever tried to find out what I wanted.” Instead of giving into despair, she and the others grow and manage to find happiness. At one point, the abbot advocates prayer: “Why don't you start with three things you're blessed with, three things you're afraid of and finally three things you ask of him? And don't forget to listen, too.” An uplifting story in a beautiful setting. 

Dear Miss Lake by AJ Pearce

DEAR MISS LAKE by AJ Pearce is the final novel in an excellent four book series which began with the award-winning Dear Mrs. Bird. These historical fiction titles should be read in order and are set primarily in London or the English countryside during WWII. Emmy Lake is a major character who becomes an active correspondent for a magazine titled Woman’s Friend.  In the latest book, she is devoting time to an advice column dealing with issues like financial worries, problems with relatives living together, unexpected pregnancies, and unfaithful husbands. In addition, Emmy works with the British government by conducting interviews and profiling the contributions that women like nurses and factory workers make to the war effort, especially on the Home Front. It is all quite upbeat even when she becomes involved in trying to obtain answers about British POWs. Throughout, there is a strong comradery amongst the team (e.g., brother-in-law Guy Collins, fashion editor Monica, young assistant Hester, and stalwarts like Mrs. Shaw and Miss Peters) at the magazine. And, happily, there’s a wedding or two to plan despite the wartime shortages impacting food and clothing. Resilience, resourcefulness, and courage combine again and again in this hopeful, inspiring read: “Tonight as I kiss the glass of the photo frame and wish Charles goodnight, I felt sure he would know I was thinking of him. … ‘whenever you think of me, I will feel it in my heart and be thinking of you too.’” 

Knave of Diamonds by Laurie R. King

KNAVE OF DIAMONDS by Laurie R. King is the 19th book in the well-regarded Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes mystery series which began over thirty years ago with The Beekeeper’s Apprentice. This may be one of the best yet – it certainly is an engaging tale. Three main characters – Russell, Holmes, and Mary’s sometimes criminal uncle Jake – share the adventures and narration duties. The story is set in 1925, but hinges on the still publicly unsolved theft of the Irish Crown Jewels in 1907. Readers soon learn that both Holmes and Jake have an emotional stake in that event and it’s entertaining to see them “dance” around each other as they contemplate teaming up to find the jewels, all while looking out for Mary (who is more than capable of taking care of herself). I hope Uncle Jake returns for more mysteries and recommend KNAVE OF DIAMONDS and the entire series to mystery fans. An author’s note references the actual theft and provides additional background on historical figures who appear in the novel. A fun, quick read with bursts of Irish affability.