What I have been reading…

Title: Murder in Rome (Goodreads link)
Author: T.A. Williams
Genre: Fiction
Publication: May 2026
My Rating: 3 on 5

Murder in Rome by T. A. Williams is one of those books where the setting does a lot of the heavy lifting. Rome comes alive through its streets, cafés, and quiet corners, adding a natural charm to the story.

The story follows Dan Armstrong, a former detective now working as a private investigator, who is drawn into a case as a woman thinks there is something shady about the death of her uncle. As he begins with his investigation, more people end up dead. Dan pieces together clues that point to a crime rooted not just in the present, but secrets from history get revealed.

The mystery itself is engaging without being overly complex. Dan Armstrong is a steady, likeable protagonist, but Oscar is the real hero of the story.

The book is in familiar cozy-mystery territory. The pacing is comfortable, sometimes a little too slow. The story holds your interest, but it doesn’t quite deliver any standout surprises.

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC.

Title: The Case of the Christie Curse (Goodreads link)
Author: Kelly Oliver
Genre: Fiction
Publication: Feb 2026
My Rating: 3 on 5

When I first heard about The Case of the Christie Curse by Kelly Oliver, I was immediately intrigued. Having been a fan of Agatha Christie since forever, I had to read this mystery book which had Christie as a character in it. What I realized only after I finished reading the book, is that the book is inspired by a few incidents in Christie’s life.

The book follows Eliza Baker and Theo Sharp, who are invited to Mesopotamia by none other than Agatha Christie, because she suspects something is off at the excavation site. They are all part of Detection Club. in case you are wondering. Christie becomes a side character in this and lets Eliza shine as the main detective.

The plot itself is interesting, though not novel. People end up dead or getting hurt at the excavation site and the locals think the place and everyone is cursed since they disturbed the burial site and took away the belongings. Christie smells something more sinister and lets Eliza and Theo crack the case.

The pacing is steady, and the mystery unfolds in layers without excessive twists. The book doesn’t try to replicate Christie’s style outright but gives a gentle nod to the famous writer. It may not deliver a twist worthy of Poirot himself, but it is a quick and easy read.

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC.

Title: Dissection of a Murder (Goodreads link)
Author: Jo Murray
Genre: Fiction
Publication: May 2026
My Rating: 3 on 5

Dissection of a Murder by Jo Murray opens with one of the most gripping premises in recent legal thrillers: newly qualified barrister Leila Reynolds is handed her first murder case – defending Jack Millman, accused of killing a well-respected judge. That in itself would be enough pressure. But Jack refuses to speak. To make matters more complicated, the prosecutor across the bar is Leila’s own husband, Julian – her mentor, rival, and the one person who knows her legal past intimately.

The courtroom scenes, drawn from Murray’s own experience as a barrister, feel lived-in and authentic rather than symbolic or performative – you get the sense of being right there under the lights, watching tactics play out in real time. Even without heavy legal jargon, the dynamics of trial strategy and jury persuasion are presented with clarity and drama.

Murray balances the external pressures of a sensational trial with the internal pressures of marriage, self-doubt, and secrecy. Leila is not just fighting for her client; she’s fighting to hold together her own life. The narrative structure, which includes perspectives from multiple characters and even a mysterious Witness X who claims to know what truly happened, adds another layer of tension.

One of the risks with mystery novels is the reveal itself. Too often, the culprit is uncovered by keeping the reader artificially in the dark, through conveniently withheld information or last-minute disclosures that feel more like sleight of hand than genuine deduction. Dissection of a Murder ultimately falls into this trap. While the build-up is tense and engaging, the resolution relies on information that the reader hasn’t been allowed to fully access, making the reveal feel less earned than it could have been.

That said, the journey remains compelling. Jo Murray’s courtroom realism and sharp pacing keep the pages turning, even if the final unravelling doesn’t quite live up to the promise of the premise.

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC.

Title: Murder of Crows (Goodreads link)
Author: Amanda McKinney
Genre: Fiction
Publication: Sep 2025
My Rating: 3 on 5

Amanda James Greig’s Murder of Crows is the third book in the Detective Corstorphine series, and it leans hard into creepy, atmospheric crime. The novel opens with a chilling scene: Detective James Corstorphine returns home to find his wife’s clinic in chaos, her receptionist has been taken, and her words send a cold shiver through him: “He’s taken your wife.”.

But this abduction is only the beginning. Greig weaves a disturbing thread when human remains are discovered in a Highland field dressed as a scarecrow. This vivid image sets the tone for what follows: ritualistic, cryptic, and deeply unsettling. It’s not just a murder investigation it feels like a twisted obsession, and the stakes climb steadily as Corstorphine races to decode macabre messages tied to an ancient festival.

The plot carries real urgency. The abduction, the cryptic book of clues, and the looming Samhain festival all contribute to a story that’s part crime procedural, part thriller. While the atmosphere is rich, there are moments when the narrative slows, especially between key revelations. The buildup takes time, and not every scene lands with the same intensity.

One thing I genuinely appreciated and had to smile at is the title itself. Murder of Crows is such a clever pun: playing on the collective noun for crows while hinting at the ritualistic, symbolic killings at the heart of the story.

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC.