To Find a Killer by Leah Brewer offers a twist on the traditional detective thriller, serving up a quirky, small-town mystery with a strong focus on relationships rather than fast-paced crime-solving. When Detective Tammy Sharp returns to her hometown of Pocahontas, Arkansas, after a near-fatal injury, she plans to grieve her uncle and recover. Instead, she finds herself entangled in an unexpected reunion with her ex, Jace Eubanks, and a decades-old murder mystery that leads to more questions than answers. While the book sets the stage for what one might expect to be a gripping detective thriller, it takes a different route. The narrative focuses heavily on Tammy's reconnection with Jace and the quirky, charming people in her hometown. Tammy's relationship with her mother, her ex, and the town's residents takes center stage, with the mystery of the murders simmering in the background. For readers looking for an intricate, crime-driven plot, this book may feel a bit slo
Firebolt is the first book in Adrienne Woods' The Dragonian series, a thrilling blend of fantasy, romance, and coming-of-age adventure. The story follows sixteen-year-old Elena Watkins, a seemingly ordinary teenager whose life is turned upside down when her father is killed by a dragon, launching her into a world she never knew existed. Woods does an excellent job of world-building, introducing Elena to Paegeia, a magical realm where dragons and sorcery are not just fairy tales. The setting is richly detailed, with its own lore and hierarchy of dragons, sorcerers, and mythical creatures. This world is both enchanting and dangerous, making it a perfect backdrop for Elena’s journey of self-discovery and survival. At the heart of Firebolt is Elena’s transformation. Initially, she’s a frightened and disoriented girl who has just lost her father, but as the story progresses, she must learn to navigate the complexities of her new school, Dragonia Academy, where riding dragons is a