Shrewd characterizations elevate this taut, white-knuckle murder mystery.
In Traymore’s thriller, a teacher’s first semester at a new school is upended by a possible case of homicide.
Thirty-year-old Cassie Romano, following the sudden end to her long-term relationship, forgoes California’s sunshine for New York’s blusteringly cold winters. She takes a job in the English department at Falcon Ridge Academy, a relatively isolated boarding school. That December, there’s startling news: Kimi Choy, Cassie’s department chair (and the first faculty member to befriend her), dies in an apparent accident. But if that’s true, then why are police asking questions on campus? As Kimi’s posthumous letter to Cassie implies, something shady has been happening at the academy, and foul play is a definite possibility. Cassie takes a closer look around campus and at certain people, from the much-despised dean of the faculty, Brooke Baxter, to the curious, hunky new English teacher, Dan Moralis. She certainly doesn’t want the authorities nosing around for too long, as they might begin digging into the community members’ pasts and expose the secret Cassie has stowed away. The first half of Traymore’s brisk, well-written novel is a solid mystery—a probable murder rattles Cassie’s quiet life, introducing a few dubious characters into the mix. The story then takes a somewhat disappointing turn, answering a handful of the questions it’s stirred up as a killer is revealed (who intermittently takes the narrative reins). But while the mystery largely vanishes, suspense rises as the intelligent, methodical, and coldblooded killer (“I’m not a monster, and I do feel bad about that teacher, but then she should have minded her own business”) keeps tabs on Cassie, who may have put herself in danger simply by knowing too much. The author skillfully develops the cast throughout, particularly Cassie, whose secret gives an already-great protagonist an exciting new dimension; Cassie’s potential romantic interest, Dan; and the empathetic fellow teacher and father figure, Ed Roberts.
Shrewd characterizations elevate this taut, white-knuckle murder mystery.Pub Date: Sept. 23, 2023
ISBN: 9798218264611
Page Count: 278
Publisher: Pathways Publishing
Review Posted Online: Nov. 22, 2023
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A standout in the series.
The sixth adventure of Harvard symbology professor Robert Langdon explores the mysteries of human consciousness, the demonic projects of the CIA, and the city of Prague.
“Ladies and gentlemen...we are about to experience a sea change in our understanding of how the brain works, the nature of consciousness, and in fact…the very nature of reality itself.” But first—Langdon’s in love! Brown’s devoted readers first met brilliant noetic scientist Katherine Solomon in The Lost Symbol (2009); she’s back as a serious girlfriend, engaging the committed bachelor in a way not seen before. The book opens with the pair in a luxurious suite at the Four Seasons in Prague. It’s the night after Katherine has delivered the lecture quoted above, setting the theme for the novel, which features a plethora of real-life cases and anomalies that seem to support the notion that human consciousness is not localized inside the human skull. Brown’s talent for assembling research is also evident in this novel’s alter ego as a guidebook to Prague, whose history and attractions are described in great and glowing detail. Whether you appreciate or skim past the innumerable info dumps on these and other topics (Jewish folklore fans—the Golem is in the house!), it goes without saying that concision is not a goal in the Dan Brown editing process. Speaking of editing, the nearly 700-page book is dedicated to Brown’s editor, who seems to appear as a character—to put it in the italicized form used for Brownian insight, Jason Kaufman must be Jonas Faukman! A major subplot involves the theft of Katherine’s manuscript from the secure servers of Penguin Random House; the delightful Faukman continues to spout witty wisecracks even when blindfolded and hogtied. There’s no shortage of action, derring-do, explosions, high-tech torture machines, attempted and successful murders, and opportunities for split-second, last-minute escapes; good thing Langdon, this aging symbology wonk, never misses swimming his morning laps. Readers who are not already dyed-in-the-wool Langdonites may find themselves echoing the prof’s own conclusion regarding the credibility of all this paranormal hoo-ha: At some point, skepticism itself becomes irrational.
A standout in the series.Pub Date: Sept. 9, 2025
ISBN: 9780385546898
Page Count: 688
Publisher: Doubleday
Review Posted Online: Sept. 9, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2025
SEEN & HEARD
A grim yet gleefully gratifying tale of lost innocence and found family.
A woman fears she made a fatal mistake by taking in a blood-soaked tween during a storm.
High winds and torrential rain are forecast for “The Middle of Nowhere, New Hampshire,” making Casey question the structural integrity of her ramshackle rental cabin. Still, she’s loath to seek shelter with her lecherous landlord or her paternalistic neighbor, so instead she just crosses her fingers, gathers some candles, and hopes for the best. Casey is cooking dinner when she notices a light in her shed. She grabs her gun and investigates, only to find a rail-thin girl hiding in the corner under a blanket. She’s clutching a knife with “Eleanor” written on the handle in black marker, and though her clothes are bloody, she appears uninjured. The weather is rapidly worsening, so before she can second-guess herself, former Boston-area teacher Casey invites the girl—whom she judges to be 12 or 13—inside to eat and get warm. A wary but starving Eleanor accepts in exchange for Casey promising not to call the police—a deal Casey comes to regret after the phones go down, the power goes out, and her hostile, sullen guest drops something that’s a big surprise. Meanwhile, in interspersed chapters labeled “Before,” middle-schooler Ella befriends fellow outcast Anton, who helps her endure life in Medford, Massachusetts, with her abusive, neglectful hoarder of a mother. As per her usual, McFadden lulls readers using a seemingly straightforward thriller setup before launching headlong into a series of progressively seismic (and increasingly bonkers) plot twists. The visceral first-person, present-tense narrative alternates perspectives, fostering tension and immediacy while establishing character and engendering empathy. Ella and Anton’s relationship particularly shines, its heartrending authenticity counterbalancing some of the story’s soapier turns.
A grim yet gleefully gratifying tale of lost innocence and found family.Pub Date: Oct. 7, 2025
ISBN: 9781464260919
Page Count: 288
Publisher: Poisoned Pen
Review Posted Online: Aug. 2, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2025
SEEN & HEARD
SEEN & HEARD
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
