Red Verdict is a solid fourth entry in the Nora Carleton series. Comey leans hard into the espionage side of things this time around, and it really works. The Russia plot is the engine of this book, and it kept me engaged from the start. The whole setup with the Novichok poisoning at a Manhattan restaurant is so specific and so plausible that it immediately pulls you in. From there it becomes this layered investigation into Russian intelligence, a possible mole inside an American drone company, and a legal case that feels almost impossible to win.

I’ve read all four Nora Carleton books now, and I think this one does the best job of showing how complicated it is to prosecute a case when national security is involved. Comey obviously knows this world inside and out, and you can feel that in every scene. The investigation takes Nora and Benny from New York to Las Vegas, and the pacing keeps things moving without ever feeling rushed.

If I had one small note, I’d say the espionage elements overshadow some of the character moments I’ve enjoyed in earlier books. But that’s a minor thing when the plot is this compelling.

Cassandra Campbell narrates the audiobook and does a great job as always.

If you enjoy legal thrillers with a spy novel twist, or if you’re a fan of John Grisham or Michael Connelly and want something with a bit more of an intelligence angle, this series is worth your time. You can absolutely start here, but I’d recommend going back to Central Park West to get the full picture of Nora and her team.

Special thanks to NetGalley and RBMedia for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is an excellent sequel to 10 Marchfield Lane, and honestly it might be even more fun than the first book. All of our favorite characters are back, but this time the mystery takes us out of the block of flats and into a seemingly unused mansion that Audrey cleans every Thursday. When she discovers a body in the back bedroom and runs outside to call the police, the body vanishes without a trace before they arrive. No body, no blood, no case. The police are convinced she imagined the whole thing, so Audrey and Lewis have no choice but to investigate on their own.

The setup is so clever, and the mystery kept me guessing in a way that felt satisfying rather than frustrating. I loved the addition of a new friend, a cab driver, who fits right into this little world Whyte has built. We also get a small peek into Celeste’s backstory, which I was not expecting and absolutely loved. I would be thrilled if the next book gave us a prequel with her whole story, or at the very least, more details woven into Audrey and Lewis’s adventures.

Nneka Okoye did another perfect job with the narration. She brings so much warmth and personality to each character, and at this point I can’t imagine anyone else voicing this series.

If you loved 10 Marchfield Lane or enjoy cozy mysteries with charming characters, clever puzzles, and a bit of a locked-room vibe, this one delivers. Fans of Richard Osman and Janice Hallett should definitely pick this up.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion.

I was pleasantly surprised by how strong this third installment is. Set not long after the events of No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding, Eleanor, her sister Harper, her boyfriend Oliver, and several other characters from the previous books head to an all-inclusive resort in the Bahamas for a murder mystery writers’ conference. Because Eleanor Dash cannot catch a break, she and Oliver arrive to find a dead body in their hotel room before they’ve even unpacked.

What makes this one work so well is the setting. A resort full of mystery writers who all know exactly how to craft the perfect crime? The suspect pool practically writes itself, and Mack leans into that with real energy. I loved all the nods to Agatha Christie plots woven throughout, and the subplot of whether Harper should continue serving as Eleanor’s assistant added a fun new dynamic to their sisterly tension.

Elizabeth Evans continues to be the perfect narrator for this series. She nails Eleanor’s voice: exasperated, sharp, and just the right amount of over it.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy of the audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion. #ThisWeekendDoesntEndWellForAnyone is available 4/28 wherever you listen to audiobooks 🎧