Whispers at Painswick Court by Julie Klassen

Whispers at Painswick Court
by Julie Klassen

ISBN-13: 9780764244865
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Released: December 2, 2025

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
Anne Loveday, a surgeon's daughter, is determined to live a single, useful life. To escape her matchmaking stepmother, she accepts an invitation from an old friend to return to Painswick, the place she and her sister spent many happy summers until that last, fateful year.

Soon after arriving, Anne is asked to serve as sick-room nurse to Lady Celia, who forbade her nephew to marry Anne's sister years before. Pushing aside resentments, Anne moves into Painswick Court, a shadowy old house rumored to be haunted. Also in residence are Lady Celia's spinster daughter, her handsome adult nephews, and a secretive new lady's maid. Two local doctors visit regularly as well, one of whom admires Anne while concealing secrets of his own. As an escalating series of mishaps befalls her patient, Anne realizes someone is trying to kill the woman. But who? When Anne finds herself a suspect and her determination to avoid romance challenged, can she discover the real killer--and protect her heart--before it's too late?


My Review:
Whispers at Painswick Court is a romance and mystery set in 1821 in England. Someone's trying to kill Lady Celia while making it look like an accident or natural causes. Anne's skilled in medical care (both herbal and what she's learned from her surgeon father) and quickly treated Lady Celia to save her life. Nonetheless, several people threw doubt on Anne's abilities and good intentions, so she took steps to protect her reputation. Anne often happened to overhear or see snippets of important conversations, and she's observant and questioned things. She gathered information and tried to sort out who had motive and was actually involved. There was plenty of clever misdirection, and it seemed like more than one person might be involved. I really enjoyed the mystery.

The characters were interesting and acted in realistic ways. The younger doctor was clearly interested in Anne and showed his confidence in her abilities when others didn't. He was happy to hear her thoughts about various treatments and helped her overcome her feeling that she should have been able to save her mother's life. Anne had sworn she'd stay single, but someone so supportive and willing to involve her in his work was very tempting. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable mystery.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

At Morning's Light by Lauraine Snelling; Kiersti Giron

At Morning's Light
by Lauraine Snelling;
Kiersti Giron

ISBN-13: 9780764243530
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Released: December 2, 2025

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Newlywed Maya Bredesen and her husband plan their trek as immigrants from Norway to a new life at her cousin's boardinghouse in America, but on one last fateful fishing trip, a fierce winter storm steals away her husband. With her dreams for the future crushed, Maya is left grieving on the voyage to Iowa, accompanied instead by her brother.

Arriving at a boardinghouse spilling over with orphans and a newly-married couple, Maya struggles with grief and a lingering illness. Eventually, a new friendship develops between her and Eben Miller, the reserved, kind neighboring farmer. Just as Maya begins to recover from her wounded heart, more tragedy engulfs her.


My Review:
At Morning's Light is a Christian historical set mostly in Iowa in 1890. It's the second book in the series and mainly continued the story of Amalia and Absalom from the first story. A lot of time was spent on the cooking and other chores involved with running a boarding house. The one problem Amalia had with Absalom was finally solved by Amalia simply telling him that she felt like she saw him less now that they're married than before they married. Ironically, when he took a day off to spend with her, she spent all but a couple hours of it on cleaning and cooking. Go figure.

Maya didn't arrive in Iowa for several chapters, and, after she did, she and Eben didn't really meet or spend time together until halfway through the book. Maya helped out at his house for a while, they got along well, he thought her beautiful, and they agreed to marry. More time was spent on Eden's conflict with his father than on the romance, which is fine, just don't expect a romance-focused book.

The characters were likable, and historical details were woven into the story that brought the setting alive. Maya struggled with why God let her husband and another loved one die. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this story to those who enjoyed the first book in the series.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

The Snow Lies Deep by Paula Munier

The Snow Lies Deep
by Paula Munier

ISBN-13: 9781250389985
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Released: December 2, 2025

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Mercy and Troy are looking forward to baby Felicity’s first holiday season, and they’re determined to make it a Christmas to remember. At Northshire’s annual Solstice Soirée, Mercy's waiting in line for Felicity to sit on Santa Claus’s lap when Santa gets a phone call and disappears into the woods. By the time Elvis and Mercy find him, Santa Claus is lying on his back, dead, with a yule log burning on his chest. This strange murder is the first of a series of similar Solstice-themed killings. Mercy and Troy and the dogs must team up with Thrasher and Harrington to capture The Yuletide Killer before he strikes again.


My Review:
The Snow Lies Deep is a mystery/suspense novel. It's the 7th book in a series. You don't need to read the previous novels to understand this one, though it always helps one understand all the established relationships.

The characters were engaging, complex, and acted in realistic ways. Mercy just wanted to focus on her baby daughter's first Christmas, but the victim was someone close to her family and the assassin kept killing off people (which also disrupted the festivities). Mercy (helped by her talented service dog) tracked down clues, asked good questions, and pieced together what was going on. All while also going to Christmas events and trying to merge the Christmas traditions of her and her husband's families while making new traditions of their own.

There were only a few uses of bad language. There were no sex scenes. Overall, I'd recommend this novel to people who enjoy canine mysteries.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Abducted in the Woods by Kerry Johnson

Abducted in the Woods
by Kerry Johnson

ISBN-13: 9781335957436
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
Released: November 25, 2025

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Just when Sarah Brindley believes she and her son, Liam, are safe from the men who murdered her husband, they are attacked—and Liam is taken. Her only hope is to team up with her brother-in-law, forest ranger Tucker Brindley, to uncover who is targeting her family. When they discover her late husband’s ties to an underground medical black-market ring, it’s clear the trail of danger runs deeper than they realized. With assaults on them ramping up, they must race against the clock to recover young Liam.


My Review:
Abducted in the Woods is a Christian romantic suspense. Sarah married Tanner even though she liked his fraternal twin, Tucker, better. It seemed like Tucker wasn't interested in her, but now she finds that Tanner told Tucker that she wasn't comfortable around him and to stay away from her. Not to mention, her husband was just murdered because he was involved in something illegal, and the killers think she can help them get something they want.

Sarah liked how Tucker was supportive of her and built her up. Tucker was impressed by Sarah character and beauty. They worked well together as they tried to survive while tracking down her son's location and uncovering what got her husband killed. The main characters were engaging and reacted realistically to events. I cared about what happened to them. The suspense came mainly from the potential danger to Sarah (and her worry for her kidnapped son). The main characters prayed for help. Sarah struggled with viewing God as reliable due to her family relationships. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable story.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Against a Crescent Storm by A. L. Sowards

Against a Crescent Storm
by A. L. Sowards

ISBN-13: 9781639934539
Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishing
Released: November 4, 2025

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
The Balkans, 1389. Three years ago, Danilo’s people won their freedom from the hated Ottoman Empire, but with enemies on every side, the Serbs’ hard-earned peace remains fragile. Knowing the sultan will soon come for revenge, Danilo sets out to gain key allies for the coming war—and to escape the haunting grief of personal loss.

War has orphaned Maja and her brother, but they’ve moved forward from tragedy by crafting religious mosaics. Yet after being cheated and robbed, they are desperate for help. Rescue comes from Danilo, the man who once saved them from slavery to the Turks.

Danilo and Maja are soon drawn together by shared grief and affection, but complications arise on every side. A Hungarian noble suspects them of conspiracy. An Ottoman spy, Iskandar, is consumed by a vendetta against Danilo and a dangerous obsession with Maja. And a pending marriage alliance pits Danilo’s heart against his duty. As rumors of treason weaken Christian unity, hope of victory in the Balkans grows dim. Allies and enemies converge on the fields of Kosovo, where an epic battle will shape the destiny of nations for centuries to come.


My Review:
Against a Crescent Storm is a suspense/romance set in 1389 in the Balkans. It's the 3rd book in the series. It can be read as a standalone, though characters from the previous novels show up in this novel. Vivid historical and setting details were woven into the story, bringing it alive in my imagination. The main characters were engaging, complex, and felt like real people. The suspense came from various attacks on Danilo and Maja during their travels, an enemy set on killing Danilo and marrying Maja, and a major battle against an overwhelming Turkish force.

Danilo and Maja enjoyed each other's company, became friends, and helped each other. Danilo sought Maja out to talk about things that concerned him. However, Danilo has been betrothed to secure a vital military alliance that might make the difference in the upcoming battle. And Danilo had to fight in that major battle where few survived, trusting God with his future (in death or in life). There was no sex or bad language. The bad guy started to force himself on Maja twice, though it went no further than forced kissing and the knowledge that he intended to rape her. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting, suspenseful historical novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Deadly Trade by Sara Driscoll

Deadly Trade
by Sara Driscoll

ISBN-13: 9781496756312
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Kensington
Released: October 28, 2025

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
After a difficult assignment and the excitement of her wedding to firefighter Todd Webb, Meg is more than ready for two weeks of sun, sea, and gorgeous Hawaiian scenery. Her K-9 partner, Hawk, accompanies Meg and Todd to their resort, reveling in his celebrity status with both staff and guests. After a week of relaxation, all three are ready to get out into nature on the Big Island, where Meg and Hawk can practice search strategies.

In the remote fern forest of Pu‘u Maka‘ala Natural Area Reserve, Hawk’s senses are on high alert. When Meg lets him leave the path, they encounter two men trapping bright birds. The poachers escape, leaving their bounty behind, and when agents from the FBI and US Fish and Wildlife arrive, they confirm that the birds are all endangered species near extinction. Super-wealthy collectors acquire them for private zoos, with no regard for the birds’ survival. Alive or dead, these beautiful creatures are merely trophies.

Meg, Todd, and Hawk join an official search using a local conservation dog to pinpoint vulnerable nesting grounds in an attempt to protect trafficked wildlife and to stop the poachers in their tracks. But beyond the threat posed by determined poachers lurks another danger—Mauna Loa, one of the island’s active volcanoes, has been grumbling, and is poised to turn this mission into their most terrifying yet.


My Review:
Deadly Trade is a K9 suspense. This book is the 10th in a series, but you don't need to read the previous books to understand this one. Meg and her K9, her FBI partner and his K9, Meg's paramedic/firefighter husband, and the expert researcher/journalist who are part of her usual team were all in on the investigation along with local law enforcement. A lot of details about rare bird trafficking were woven into the story as well as details about the setting that brought the story alive in my imagination.

The main characters were likable, interesting, and reacted realistically to events. The high suspense came from the danger from the bad guys, the tough terrain, and the increasing threat of the nearby volcano erupting. The FBI dogs tracked down the bad guys while a local K9 and his handler searched out nesting areas (where the bad guys were likely to be). The researcher looked into how the bad guys might be getting the birds off the island and where the desirable birds were most likely to be located--which was still a huge area to search. The goal: catch the bad guys, save any caught birds, and maybe even uncover the entire trafficking ring.

There was occasional use of bad language. There were no sex scenes. Overall, I'd recommend this suspenseful novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

On the Edge of Trust by Patricia Bradley

On the Edge of Trust
by Patricia Bradley

ISBN-13: 9780800747008
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Revell
Released: November 4, 2025

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
When decorated FBI undercover agent Scott Sinclair suffers a gunshot wound in his right arm, the injury threatens his future career in the field. He is determined to regain his former job by training himself to use his left hand, and failure is not an option--especially when he's unofficially pulled into an investigation.

Tori Alexander is a passionate crime reporter and podcaster who has dedicated her life to seeking justice. Her relentless pursuit of the truth has freed two men from prison who were falsely convicted, and when her nephew is accused of murder, nothing can stop her from getting involved and clearing his name.

Sparks ignite when Tori reconnects with Scott on the case, but she's doubtful if she can extend grace and trust. As the investigation intensifies, they find threats targeted at themselves. They'll have to combine their skills and rely on their growing relationship to outsmart the killer.


My Review:
On the Edge of Trust is a Christian romantic suspense. It's the 5th novel in a series but works as a standalone. Tori is a crime podcaster who has proven that an innocent man was sentenced for murder. She's now being attacked, but is it the angry ex-husband accused of abuse by his ex-wife on the podcast? Or her on-air declaration that she's going to find the true murderer? Or the fact she's trying to solve the murder of a friend who may have uncovered a crime? The suspense came from the repeated attacks on the main characters.

Scott and Tori liked each other and had a shared passion for justice, but Tori didn't trust that Scott wouldn't relapse into alcholism since her own dad did once with tragic results. They had to work through this lack of trust, and Tori struggled with forgiving her dad. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this novel to suspense fans.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.