Category: Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday – Dead Man’s Journey by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

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Welcome to my weekly segment, Waiting on Wednesday, where I look at upcoming books that I am planning to order and review in the next few months and which I think I will really enjoy.  Stay tuned to see reviews of these books when I get a copy of them.  For this week’s Waiting on Wednesday, I highlight a particularly distinctive upcoming thriller with Dead Man’s Journey, the next entertaining release from the legendary duo of Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child.

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In recent years I have been becoming a fan of two of the more outrageous thriller writers out there, Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child.  Well established authors who have written some fantastic and memorable novels on their own, such as Preston’s awesome novel Extinction, the two authors are probably best known for their collaborative work together.  Since their first book in 1995, Preston and Child have written an impressive number of unique crime fiction reads, often featuring supernatural or science fiction twists.  There work has so far featured several awesome standalone novels, as well as a few long-running series, including the Gideon Crews books, and their iconic, long-running Agent Pendergast series, and there are some gripping reads there.

However, the series I want to focus on in this post is Preston and Child’s Nora Kelly series.  The series follows archaeologist Nora Kelly, who was introduced in the 1999 standalone novel Thunderhead, before appearing in several Agent Pendergast books.  Nora later got her own series in 2019, which focuses on her assisting a local FBI agent, Corrie Swanson, in investigating various crimes with a historical or archaeological base to it.  I have so far had the pleasure of reading the 2025 entry in the series, Badlands, which saw the protagonists try to uncover dark secrets behind several unusual deaths associated with a lost Native American tribe.  Filled with twists, over-the-top moments, and a certain unexplained ending, Badlands was pretty damn fun, and I have been keen to read more in the Nora Kelly series ever since.

As such, I was quite excited when I saw that Preston and Child’s next novel was going to be another Nora Kelly novel, with Dead Man’s Journey.  Set for release in January 2027, Dead Man’s Journey will feature another compelling and creepy murder, when historical bodies related to witches and the Spanish Inquisition are uncovered, alongside a more recent murder victim.  I am already extremely intrigued by this cool mystery, and I have a feeling that this is going to be a particularly compelling and eventually insane read.  Dead Man’s Journey is definitely a book I will be checking out next year and I cannot wait to see how it turns out.

Plot Synopsis:

Archaeologist Nora Kelly and FBI Special Agent Corrie Swanson team up against supernatural foes once more in this exciting thriller from New York Times bestselling authors Preston and Child.

On a construction site in the foothills of Santa Fe, New Mexico, workers have uncovered a row of ancient skeletons buried upside down. It is revealed that this was the work of the Spanish Inquisition, who in 1676 condemned six women as witches and executed them, burying them head downwards to speed their way to hell.

Nora Kelly soon makes a further shocking discovery – a fresh inverted burial in the same place… and only two months old. As more murders and bizarre burials start mounting up, Nora and FBI Special Agent Corrie Swanson find themselves in pursuit of a mass killer who possesses a terrifying, ancient power defying human understanding.

Waiting on Wednesday – The Grave of Perfection by Adrian Tchaikovsky

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Welcome to my weekly segment, Waiting on Wednesday, where I look at upcoming books that I am planning to order and review in the next few months and which I think I will really enjoy.  Stay tuned to see reviews of these books when I get a copy of them.  For my latest Waiting on Wednesday, I highlight one of my most anticipated fantasy novels of 2026, The Grave of Perfection by Adrian Tchaikovsky.

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Over the last few years, I have become a massive fan of the constantly impressive Adrian Tchaikvosky, who is honestly one of the best current writers of fantasy and science fiction.  Known for his Shadows of the Apt, Children of Time, Echoes of the Fall and Final Architecture series, as well as several awesome standalone novels, Tchaikovsky has a truly outstanding catalogue of works to his name. I personally have had the pleasure of reading several of his outstanding books, with entries like Service Model (one of my favourite books of 2024), Alien Clay, the novella Orges and the Warhammer 40,000 novel, Day of Ascension (one of my favourite Warhammer 40,000 novels) and more proving to be quite amazing.

However, my absolute favourite works of Tchaikovsky has to be his incredible Tyrant Philosophers series.  This gripping, brilliant and highly amusing series is set in a cool fantasy world filled with magic, gods and demons, all of which are being consumed by the Palleseen, an anti-religious empire of perfection-seeking fanatics who have been conquering the world through elaborate military and diplomatic action. The first four books in the series have been quite exceptional, including City of Last Chances and House of Open Wounds (one of my favourite books and audiobooks of 2023), Days of Shattered Faith (one of my favourite books and audiobooks of 2025) and Pretenders to the Throne of God (one of my favourite books and audiobooks from the first half of 2026), as well as the cool novella Lives of Bitter Rain.  I really love these elaborate and highly entertaining novels, each one loaded with new settings, which made me very excited for the fifth book in the series The Grave of Perfection.

Set for release in February 2027, The Grave of Perfection will conclude the Tyrant Philosophers series and bring an end to the ongoing storylines.  Taking the reader back to first setting of the series, The Grave of Perfection sees all the chaos that has been building up throughout the previous four books coming to a crashing crescendo.

Plot Synopsis:

In the final instalment of the Tyrant Philosophers quintet, award-winning author Adrian Tchaikovsky takes us back to Ilmar, the ‘City of Last Chances’, a decade after our story began. Has the Palleseen campaign to impose ‘perfection’ on a chaotically magical world reached breaking point?

It’s almost ten years since the Gownhall Rising, in which time the Palleseen grip on the city has only strengthened. Landmarks like the Mahanic Temple and even the Gownhall itself have been torn down to be replaced by Palleseen edifices. The Grove, gateway to the infinite wood and all the worlds beyond, is scheduled for destruction. Only the haunted Reproach remains too much for even the Pals to extinguish.

Istri is a playwright, writing plays contrary to perfection and keeping ahead of both the censors and her creditors. In a bad spot, she is commissioned by Fidel, the ‘Old Owl’ of the resistance, to write her last and greatest work. Innocent enough, except it is to be a play touching on the most forbidden topic, the Reproach itself.

Orlandt, soldier of fortune and Istri’s former lover, has been over a decade away from the city since fleeing into the Grove to escape the Pal occupation. Now he’s back, looking for familiar faces. But his past is always with him, what he did in the war, and what was done to him within the Wood.

Yasnic the ex-priest, the conjurer, the beloved of Hell, has come home to find his city under threat not just from the Palleseen, but other sinister sources. Meanwhile the factory demons are working to rule, the old Gownhall site has been occupied by a familiar band of foreign soldiers, and the Palleseen Commission is schisming into mutually-opposed factions whose squabbling has finally reached Ilmar.

As Palleseen control of the city fractures and the terrible details of Fidel’s plan become clear, the destinies of all these disparate groups and individuals are set to collide in a war for the future of Ilmar, and of the whole Palleseen Sway.

Well now, this sounds particularly epic.  I always knew that the final Tyrant Philosophers book was going to be amazing, but the plot for The Grave of Perfection has a lot of cool details to it that I’m excited for.  Watching the inevitable fall of the Palleseen start at the city of Ilmar, which was the setting of the first entry in the series, is going to be amazing, and I’m really keen to see how much has changed since the events of the first book, especially as there have been wars, revolutions and schisms.  It sounds like Tchaikovsky intends to reintroduce this entire city again and then bring everything crashing down, which is something I’m extremely excited to witness.  Everything above hints at a particularly cool story for The Grave of Perfection and it’s one I’m keen to read.

In addition to the awesome plot notes hinted above, I’m also very intrigued in seeing all the excellent character-driven story arcs in The Grave of Perfection unfold.  The above synopsis hints at a lot of compelling characters that will be featured in this book, including a mixture of familiar faces and new protagonists, and I have no doubt there will be some brilliantly moving and complex storylines contained within.  Of particular interest to me is the return of Yasnic, who has served as the main recurring protagonist of this series.  A lot has happened to Yasnic since his first appearance, such as losing his religion and finding love in the very worst of places, and it will be fascinating to see what happens when he returns home with all his new skills and confidence.  After breaking our hearts with Yasnic’s plight in previous books, I’m a little worried about what Tchaikovsky has planned for the character in this final Tyrant Philosophers novel, but I am sure it will be engrossing and highly emotional no matter what.

After powering through all four previous books in this series, I can guarantee that I will be reading Adrian Tchaikovsky’s The Grave of Perfection the very second it is released next year.  There is no way that Tchaikovsky isn’t pulling together another complex and emotionally charged story, and I cannot wait to see all the clever twists and unique plot threads that come together into a beautiful complete narrative.  The Grave of Perfection will likely end up being one of my favourite books (and audiobooks depending on what format I read it in) of 2027, and I cannot wait to read this epic upcoming book.

Waiting on Wednesday – The Guerrilla Republic by Richard Swan

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Welcome to my weekly segment, Waiting on Wednesday, where I look at upcoming books that I am planning to order and review in the next few months and which I think I will really enjoy.  Stay tuned to see reviews of these books when I get a copy of them.  For this Waiting on Wednesday, I check out one of the top sequels and science fiction novels coming out in 2027, with the epic sounding read The Guerrilla Republic by Richard Swan.

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I think that all fantasy and science fiction fans can agree that 2026 has been an amazing year for Australian author Richard Swan.  Not only has he continued some of his epic fantasy series this year to major acclaim, but he has also been writing some exceptional pieces of science fiction.  Indeed, I am currently in the middle of reading his very first Warhammer novel, with the dark and compelling Warhammer 40,000 entry Voice of Command.  However, with this post I want to focus on his epic Decurion Saga series, which I had the very great pleasure of starting this year with The Infinite State.

The Decurion Saga is an awesome new science fiction series set in a far future dominated by the fascist Decurion Empire and it’s ruling Pater Aeternus party.  The first book in this series, The Infinite State, introduced readers to this setting, and started following three intriguing perspective protagonists as they tried to survive and escape the evils of this empire.  These attempts to escape included one wealthy individual buying her own planet outside of the Empire’s influence to set up a new democracy, which the other characters eventually gravitated to.  A timely and intense read with some impressive twists and narrative ideas, The Infinite State was an incredible read that I already consider to be amongst the best novels, and audiobooks, of 2026.  I honestly cannot wait to see how Swan continues the story from the first book, which is why I have been keeping an eye out for a potential sequel the moment I finished off The Infinite State.

It really didn’t take long for Swan to announce this sequel, as the second book in the Decurion Saga is set for release in August 2027.  Titled The Guerrilla Republic, this awesome sounding sequel will continue the intrigue and threat from the first book, as the three protagonists fight to keep their new planet safe from the jealous and malicious grasp of Pater Aeternus.

Plot Synopsis:

With The Guerrilla Republic, International bestselling author Richard Swan weaves an epic tale of galaxy-spanning intrigue. Following the events of The Infinite State, the rebels have succeeded and independence has been won—but the fight for true freedom has only just begun.

TYRANNY IS AN ABERRATION

Katherine may have escaped the Decurion Empire, but her problems are only just beginning. As Gabriel gears up for its first democratic elections, she is nearly killed by an orbital mining laser. A freak industrial accident? Or something more sinister?

PATER AETERNUS IS EVIL

Cyprian is struggling to adapt to his new life in the Republic. His children are recovering from their re-education, whilst his department is being overwhelmed with reports of sabotage and corruption. Life in Kada Gamar wasn’t better, but it was certainly simpler.

IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY

Julian has a promise to keep to Kamilla Makar. The only problem is, she’s in the Labyrinth, a vast subterranean prison complex in the very heart of the Empire. A daring rescue operation may be the only answer—but can Gabriel afford to poke the slumbering Decurion giant?

Now this sounds like an extremely epic sequel.  I honestly was planning to read The Guerrilla Republic no matter what next year, but the above plot synopsis sounds so damn cool and has got me very excited.  It looks like Swan will once again centre his story around the three main protagonists, including the President of the newly formed republic of Gabriel, Katherine Fuller, who bought the planet and made it’s independence possible, former Decurion Empire cop Cyprian Reis, who has taken up the role of Gabriel’s head of security, and famed hypersled pilot Julian Yashego, who has fled to Gabriel after experiencing the horrors of Pater Aeternus’ hated.  Based on the above synopsis, Swan is hoping to get a good mixture of storylines going, with Katherine having to deal with the politics of running a new planet, Cyprian sorting out a mystery and encountering potential threats on the ground, and Julian potentially getting involved in espionage back in the Decurion Empire.

These potential storylines all sound extremely compelling, and I am very curious to see how they unfold.  I have no doubt that Swan will wrap them together into a cohesive and intense overlapping narrative in The Guerilla Republic, all centred around the potential interference of the Decurion Empire on Gabriel, while the protagonists attempt to fight back against an unbeatable enemy.  I’m looking forward to seeing how each of these complex and highly damaged characters will continue to develop in this sequel, especially now they are nominally free of the oppressive control of Pater Aeternus.  I’m also sure that we’ll see more from the dangerous antagonists who were so effectively featured in The Infinite State, and the resulting confrontations and battles across the arenas of politics, espionage, intrigue and war, are going to be amazing.

Look, after how damn good The Infinite State was last year, there is no chance at all that I won’t be grabbing The Guerrilla Republic in 2027, and I honestly think it’s going to be one of the absolute best science fiction reads of next year.  As such, I am planning to read The Guerrilla Republic as soon as I can, probably on its epic audiobook version.  If you haven’t had the chance to read The Infinite State yet, make sure you do, especially before The Guerrilla Republic comes out next year.

Waiting on Wednesday – Sons of the Reich by Simon Scarrow

On By The Unseen LibraryIn Historical Fiction, Murder Mystery, Waiting on Wednesday1 Comment

Welcome to my weekly segment, Waiting on Wednesday, where I look at upcoming books that I am planning to order and review in the next few months and which I think I will really enjoy.  Stay tuned to see reviews of these books when I get a copy of them.  In this week’s Waiting on Wednesday, I look ahead to 2027, with an outstanding upcoming murder mystery with a promising historical dark side, Sons of the Reich by Simon Scarrow.

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Readers of this blog will know that I am a massive fan of historical fiction author Simon Scarrow, whose various books set across multiple historical periods has produced some gripping and fantastic reads.  I am primarily a fan of his Eagles of the Empire series, the next book of which, The Sword of Rome, is set for release later this year.  However, while I wait for The Sword of Rome to come out, I thought I would look ahead and highlight the next Scarrow book coming out with Sons of the Reich, the fourth book in the author’s Criminal Inspector Schenke thriller series.

The Criminal Inspector Schenke series, also known as the Berlin Wartime series, are an addictive and captivating series that focus on dark murder investigations in Berlin during World War II.  Following protagonist CI Horst Schenke, a Kripo investigator and one of the few good cops left in the city, the series sees Horst investigate murders that occur against the backdrop of the war and the Nazi regime.  Inevitably, Schenke runs up against powerful Nazis and members of the SS as the crimes he investigates skirt the dark secrets of the Nazi government.  The first three books in this series, Blackout, Dead of Night and A Death in Berlin, were impressive reads that expertly combined compelling narratives with the ominous historical setting.  As such, I keep a close out for any additional books in the series, and it looks like we are going to be blessed with a new entry in the series in 2027 with Sons of the Reich.

Set for release in March 2027, Sons of the Reich sees Schenke once again in a dangerous and politically sensitive investigation, this time involving the Hitler Youth.  Featuring a very interesting story idea that will showcase murder and secrets at the heart of the Nazi movement, Sons of the Reich sounds like another complex and exciting read with a ton of potential.

Plot Synopsis:

May 1940. Nazi Party propaganda indicates that the war is nearly won, but disturbing news of casualties makes for a tense atmosphere in Berlin.

Violent crime is growing, with arrogant members of the Hitler Youth amongst the worst culprits. When a young man of the group is found brutally murdered, Criminal Inspector Schenke is called in. The crime has occurred outside his precinct, but the dead boy’s uncle is Gestapo, and SS Gruppenfuhrer Heydrich wants Schenke to investigate. Or, rather, to focus on one suspect to the exclusion of all others.

Schenke is determined to discover the truth rather than follow instructions from on high. Evidence seems too easily discovered, while the accounts shared by the victim’s fellow Hitler Youths are disturbingly similar in every detail. But if Schenke pushes his search for the truth too far, will his luck finally run out, as the might of a ruthless regime is turned against him?

I am very excited to dive into this new historic murder mystery, especially after how impressive and clever the previous three books in this series have been.  It sounds liked Scarrow has come up with a particularly intriguing scenario for Sons of the Reich that should produce an outstanding story, and I’m expecting both an impressive standalone mystery, as well as a continuation of some of the series ongoing storylines, such as the protagonist’s illicit relationship with a fugitive Jewish woman hiding in the city.  I am also quite intrigued see the author’s take on the Hitler Youth and their role in this stage of Berlin life, as well as the powers working behind them.  I have no doubt Scarrow will continue to explore and utilise the fascinating and sinister historical elements of this setting to his full extent, and I cannot wait to see how they continue to enhance the excellent crime fiction elements of the narrative.

Based on how much I have enjoyed the first three novels in this series, there is no way that I won’t be grabbing Sons of the Reich next year.  Simon Scarrow is such a good author, and I have really enjoyed this impressive World War II crime fiction series, especially as it allows him to explore wartime Berlin through the eyes of a conflicted protagonist.  I am very curious to see how this new story will unfold, and I have no doubt I am going to find it fascinating and compelling.  Due to all this, Sons of the Reich is one of my most anticipated historical fiction novels for next year, and I will dive into it the first chance I get.

Waiting on Wednesday – First Degree Murder by Jennifer Pearson

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Welcome to my weekly segment, Waiting on Wednesday, where I look at upcoming books that I am planning to order and review in the next few months and which I think I will really enjoy.  Stay tuned to see reviews of these books when I get a copy of them.  For this latest Waiting on Wednesday, I check out an intriguing murder mystery release coming out next year with First Degree Murder by Jennifer Pearson.

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2027 is shaping up to be an excellent year for sequels, with several impressive authors following up on amazing novels with compelling and intriguing continuations.  One of the ones that I am currently most excited for is First Degree Murder, a follow-up to one of the better mystery novels of 2027, Drop Dead Famous by Jennifer Pearson.

Drop Dead Famous was a captivating young adult murder mystery I was lucky enough to read earlier this year.  Following an amateur teenage sleuth who investigates the murder of her famous sister with the help of an obsessive fan girl, Drop Dead Famous featured a particularly strong mystery, with Pearson loading in a ton of twists and shocking reveals as the protagonist uncovered various secrets about her town and her damaged family.  I had an incredible time reading Drop Dead Famous, and I really cannot get over how clever the story got.

Due to how impressive I found Drop Dead Famous, I have been eagerly awaiting a potential sequel for a while now, and I was very happy to find out some details.  This sequel, First Degree Murder, is set for release in May 2027, and will once again bring back the entertaining protagonists for brand new mystery.  Based on how strong Pearson’s first excellent teen thriller was, I’m expecting great things from the sequel, which I imagine will be filled with even more twists and shocks.  As such, First Degree Murder is now one of the books I’m most looking forward to in 2027, and I cannot wait to get my hands on it.

Plot Synopsis:

THIS CAMPUS HAS SECRETS. AND ONE OF THEM KILLS.

Stevie Baker came to Wexford University hoping to leave the past behind. But when her friend Nate is found dead in his dorm room, Stevie is thrust into the middle of another murder investigation. And this time, the police are looking at her.

Determined to clear her name, Stevie and her best friend Colby start asking questions of their own. But the deeper they dig, the more dangerous the truth becomes. Because a killer is still out there.

Waiting on Wednesday – Floralinda by Tamsyn Muir

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Welcome to my weekly segment, Waiting on Wednesday, where I look at upcoming books that I am planning to order and review in the next few months and which I think I will really enjoy.  Stay tuned to see reviews of these books when I get a copy of them.  In this latest Waiting on Wednesday, I check out a cool and enticing fantasy novel coming out next year with Floralinda by Tamsyn Muir.

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There are a lot of cool fantasy and science fiction authors out there who specialise in unique and distinctive stories.  However, one of the more popular at the moment is the talented Tamsyn Muir, who gained particular attention in recent years thanks to her Locked Tomb series.  Featuring an elaborate, galaxy-spanning narrative that follows several complex, space-faring lesbian necromancers, the Locked Tomb series is deeply compelling, with some great queer representation.  I had an outstanding time reading the first two books in the series, Gideon the Ninth and Harrow the Ninth, especially as they contained some impressive twists and clever swerves.

While I still need to read the third book in the Locked Tomb series, Nona the Ninth, I currently have my eye set on Muir’s next upcoming book, Floralinda.  A captivating new upcoming fantasy novel, Floralinda looks set to be a fun twist on the classic trapped princess story, which will see the princess in question forced to implement her own escape after all the princes sent to rescue her brutally die.  Set for release in July 2027, Floralinda has an intriguing plot behind it which I really love the sound of.

Plot Synopsis:

THE TOWER BROUGHT THEM TOGETHER. TRUE LOVE MADE THEM WORSE.

The princess in the tower is a classic for a reason. Witch kidnaps princess. Witch puts princess in tower guarded by monsters. Prince kills monsters, rescues princess: happily ever after, roll credits. Princess Floralinda’s story goes a little differently.

Her witch was an artiste, and she got carried away. After a dozen or so princes died on the very first floor, the rest decided there were easier paths to wedded bliss. So Floralinda sets out to rescue herself, armed only with a breadknife, a good upbringing, and a captive fairy named Cobweb.

THE ONLY WAY OUT IS DOWN

Unfortunately for Floralinda, the trouble with the tower is only beginning. On the outside, succession looms. The Fairy Courts call. A princess would have no hope of surviving all that is to come… but maybe a monster could.

The above story for Floralinda sounds extremely cool, and it is something that has definitely caught my attention.  A fun take on the classic trapped princess narrative that sees the princess have enough of her captivity and then fight down multiple levels of a monster-filled tower has a ton of potential, and I imagine that Muir will throw in multiple fun twists as the story continues.  This has the potential to get quite crazy, and I’m very curious to see the author’s first full foray into fantasy fiction, especially one filled with adventure, intrigue and a clever deconstruction of iconic fairy tale tropes.  It also helps that I haven’t had the chance to read Muir’s existing novella, Princess Floralinda and the Forty-Flight Tower, which the author apparently used as a base for this book, so I can check out Floralinda with no existing expectations.

Due to it’s awesome sounding plot, Floralinda is now one of the top fantasy releases in 2027 that I want to read.  Sure to be one of the more entertaining and unique fantasy novels of the year, Floralinda has so much potential, and I cannot wait to see how Tamsyn Muir’s next book turns out.  I have no doubt I’m going to love every second that the protagonist spends descending this crazy tower, and Floralinda is going to be such an incredible read.

Waiting on Wednesday – While You Were Screaming by Shailee Thompson

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Welcome to my weekly segment, Waiting on Wednesday, where I look at upcoming books that I am planning to order and review in the next few months and which I think I will really enjoy.  Stay tuned to see reviews of these books when I get a copy of them.  For this week’s Waiting on Wednesday, I look at a fun upcoming thriller from a rising Australian author with While You Were Screaming by Shailee Thompson.

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Those familiar with my blog know that I’m a massive fan of weird and unique thrillers, especially those that take established genre elements and flip them on their head.  It’s thanks to this love of unusual books that I was lucky enough to read the fantastic 2026 debut, How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates by Shailee Thompson.  A hilarious novel that served as a combined parody of romance and slasher films, How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates was an extremely compelling read, and it ended up being one of my favourite debuts and Australian releases from the first half of 2026.

Based on how much I enjoyed How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates, I’ve been eager to see what Thompson would write next, which is why I discovered the focus for this week’s post, While You Were Screaming.

Set for release in February 2027, While You Were Screaming is another amazing sounding thriller that will a protagonist find love in all the wrong places.  This time combining the romance genre with a gritty thriller narrative involving murderous cults, While You Were Screaming has an awesome plot behind it, and I’m already curious to see how it’s fun, if deadly, narrative goes.  Sure to be one of the distinctive thrillers of 2027, I’m very eager to read While You Were Screaming and it should be an early entertaining read for me next year.

Plot Synopsis:

From the #1 bestselling author of How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates comes a swoony killer romance in which a sinister couples retreat results in cult chaos – for fans of Grady Hendrix and Brynne Weaver.

Filmmaker Laurie Hamilton knows a red flag when she sees one, and Kindred Souls sets off every alarm. The organisation claims to counsel couples for a steep price, but what’s their real deal? Is it a scam … or a cult?

On a hunch that might get her killed, Laurie heads undercover with Connor Kincaid – a dangerously handsome podcaster and the one man she swore she’d never see again. Posing as the perfect match, they infiltrate a Kindred Souls retreat run by Cardinal, the enigmatic leader whose eerie charisma and devoted followers suggest there’s far more going on than relationship counselling.

Once inside, there’s no leaving. Surrounded by couples desperate to prove they’re soulmates, Laurie and Connor quickly realise the retreat isn’t about finding love – it’s about deciding who deserves it.

When things go from creepy to deadly, Laurie must decide who she can trust. Getting out alive is one thing, but what if she starts to grow feelings for the man she’s pretending to love? Urgh.

Waiting on Wednesday – Termina Station by Nick Martell

On By The Unseen LibraryIn Fantasy, Waiting on Wednesday1 Comment

Welcome to my weekly segment, Waiting on Wednesday, where I look at upcoming books that I am planning to order and review in the next few months and which I think I will really enjoy.  Stay tuned to see reviews of these books when I get a copy of them.  For my latest Waiting on Wednesday post, I look at a unique and compelling new fantasy novel coming out in 2027 with Termina Station by Nick Martell.

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There have been some very talented fantasy authors who have gotten their start in the 2020s, but one of these authors who really stood out to me was the incredible Nick Martell.  Debuting in 2020, Martell impressed me right off the bat with The Kingdom of Liars.  The first book in his Legacy of the Mercenary King trilogy, The Kingdom of Liars was an exceptional fantasy novel that saw a damaged protagonist attempt to restore his disgraced family and uncover a conspiracy impacting his city.  I had such a great time with The Kingdom of Liars and it ended up being one of my favourite books, audiobooks and debuts of 2020.  Martell continued this excellent writing throughout the entirety of the Legacy of the Mercenary King series, with the following books, The Two-Faced Queen and The Voyage of the Forgotten, each being incredible reads. Indeed, The Two-Faced Queen was one of my favourite books and audiobooks of 2021, while The Voyage of the Forgotten was one of my favourite books of 2022.

After such a great opening trilogy, I made sure to keep an eye out for more books from Martell, and I was especially keen for some sort of sequel series that would follow some of the open storylines from the first series.  However, after a few years without any news from Martell and I was beginning to worry we might not see any more from him.  That changed earlier this week when by chance I found out that Martell had a new book coming out in 2027, Termina Station.

Termina Station, which is currently set for release in February 2027, is an intriguing new novel from Martell, which takes a protagonist on a unique sounding journey through life and death.  This new book has very compelling plot idea behind it, which should prove interesting to explore as it is a very different sort of fantasy adventure from Martell.

Plot Synopsis:

Joe Hill’sNOS4A2 meets Ray Bradbury’s Something Wicked This Way Comes in this captivating novel about a father trapped in Knowhere, a deadly border town between life and death, run by the sinister Mister Teeth.

When Roger falls asleep on the train after a long day at work, he’s shocked to learn he isn’t stuck at the end of the line. Instead, he emerges from the last stop to step out into the rainy gloom…in a place he’s never heard of: Knowhere, where monsters roam at night and the only way home is to travel through each of the five ringdoms to the very center. It is only there, at Termina Station, that he can take a train out of Knowhere and return to his wife and children.

But each ringdom has its own twisted logic, and the ticketmaster, Mister Teeth, isn’t keen on letting Roger out of Knowhere. With Mister Teeth’s son in tow, Roger hopes he has what it takes to puzzle his way out of each ringdom and face his demons in the process. But Mister Teeth is a powerful enemy, and he’ll do anything to stop his son from boarding the train at Termina Station.

Termina Station looks set to be a very curious and compelling new book, which is looks set to be very different from Martell’s previous epic-fantasy trilogy.  A standalone fantasy story about exploring a dark realm of death and mystery likely inspired by the protagonists’ own demons has a Stephen King-vibe to it (or Joe Hill as the above synopsis suggests), and I’ll be interested to see how Martell brings this about in Termina Station.  This will likely be a very personal, character-driven story, with the protagonist forced to overcome aspects of their past, and I’m curious to see how that ties into the more fantastic or horror-inspired aspects of the setting.  I’m also intrigued by the book’s villain, Mister Teeth, who has the potential to be a chilling and haunting figure, and I cannot wait to see them hunting the protagonist.  All this promises to be quite a cool story, and I know that Martell has the writing chops to really pull it together into something special.

If I’m being honest, the moment that I saw Nick Martell had a new book coming out, I knew I had to read it.  However, the above intriguing plot idea has also gotten me quite excited, and I am now very keen to read Termina Station.  Sure to be one of the more unique novels of early 2027, Termina Station is now very high on my to-read list for the new year, and I cannot wait to dive into it.

Waiting on Wednesday – Absolon Creed by R. S. Ford

On By The Unseen LibraryIn Fantasy, Murder Mystery, Waiting on WednesdayLeave a comment

Welcome to my weekly segment, Waiting on Wednesday, where I look at upcoming books that I am planning to order and review in the next few months and which I think I will really enjoy.  Stay tuned to see reviews of these books when I get a copy of them.  For this week’s Waiting on Wednesday, I check out an awesome upcoming fantasy novel with Absolon Creed by R. S. Ford.

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I’m always in the mood for epic and dark fantasy reads and one of the more compelling sounding upcoming releases of 2026 is set to be released by R. S. Ford.  Ford is a veteran fantasy author who has previously written several intriguing series across the genres.  This includes his The Age of Uprising series (Engines of Empire), as well as some other excellent fantasy releases.  Readers may also be familiar with Ford’s contributions to the historical fiction genre under the alternate pen name of Richard Cullen, which includes his excellent Chronicles of the Black Lion series (Rebellion and Crusade).  I’ve had a great time with several of Ford’s previous novels; however, his next book has the potential to be his most exciting.

This new book is the fantastic sounding Absolon Creed, which is currently set for release in November 2026.  A grimdark fantasy novel with a compelling murder mystery centre, Absolon Creed sounds awesome, as it sets a monster-slaying knight on a quest to uncover a killer in city on the edge of ruin.  Everything about this novel, including its brutal setting, damaged protagonists and captivating plot, sounds incredible, and I have no doubt it is going to result in an outstanding read.  As such, I am extremely excited for Absolon Creed, and I have a feeling it is going to be a top fantasy novel of 2026.

Plot Synopsis:

A legendary soldier is the last line of defense between his city and monstrous chaos in this grimdark adventure from an unmissable voice in epic fantasy.

Bastion, the once-shining capital of Morrengard, teeters on the brink. Its grand spires are crumbling and its nobility fight over scraps, all while eldritch creatures stalk the streets. The only thing standing in the way of its utter destruction is the Order of Draken: a knightly order more brutal than the threats the city faces. And its most brutal champion… Absolon Creed.

When two nobles are found murdered in a manner most grotesque, suspicions arise about a traitor within the Order itself. Creed is tasked with investigating, and for his sins he is saddled with a partner: Guenivar Blackmere, a daughter of nobility and the Order’s newest, and most untested, initiate.

Together, they are plunged into Bastion’s fetid underbelly, where warlocks rub elbows with corrupt nobles and necromancers cavort with the dead. Guenivar must learn fast or perish under Creed’s cold tutelage. Her mentor is quick to anger, and about as friendly as a cornered wolf, but that is the only way to survive these unforgiving streets.

But as the investigation deepens, Guenivar discovers a secret about him that could shatter everything she believed about the order and its heroes. While Creed himself must defeat the ghosts he’s spent years trying to bury… before they bury Bastion itself.

Waiting on Wednesday – Choppy Water by Jack Heath

On By The Unseen LibraryIn Australian, Murder Mystery, Waiting on Wednesday1 Comment

Welcome to my weekly segment, Waiting on Wednesday, where I look at upcoming books that I am planning to order and review in the next few months and which I think I will really enjoy.  Stay tuned to see reviews of these books when I get a copy of them.  In this week’s Waiting on Wednesday, I highlight an incredible and unique upcoming murder mystery from one of my favourite Australian authors with Choppy Water by Jack Heath.

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There are a lot of talented and entertaining Australian authors writing outstanding novels these days, but one of my favourites due to his consistently clever and entertaining reads is the wonderful Jack Heath. Hailing from my home city of Canberra, Heath has been entertaining Australian readers for years with his interesting combination of complex works.  I am a massive fan of his amazing crime fiction novels, which includes his spectacularly over-the-top international Hangman series (including Hideout and Headcase).

Heath has also written some brilliant and twisted murder mysteries that make great use of an Australian setting.  This includes the impactful and addictive, Kill Your Brother (one of my favourite Australian novels of 2021), the outrageous and memorable Kill Your Husbands (one of my favourite Australian books of 2023), and the very relatable Kill Your Boss (one of my favourite Australian novels of 2025).  All these fantastic Australian novels from Heath are both clever and quite fun, and I really enjoy some the unique scenarios that the author comes up with.  Due to this, I’m always keeping an eye out for Heath’s next intriguing read, and it looks like he will be delivering something special for crime fiction fans later this year.

This next book from Heath is the standalone novel, Choppy Water, which will take the readers on an entertaining ride, while also diving into the familiar chaos of the Covid period from a very different perspective.  Set for release in November 2026, Choppy Water has a great plot behind it that is going to make for an outstanding read.

Plot Synopsis:

Death on the Nile meets Die Hard in this new ‘locked room’ mystery by the King of Twists, Jack Heath.

A woman’s body is found in a laundry cart aboard the Silver Lady cruise ship. Management says it was a freak accident and her death is quickly covered up, so as not to spoil the voyage for the passengers.

Cesar Cain doesn’t want to get involved. He boarded the Silver Lady to disappear. If the cops find him, he’s in a cell. If the Hell’s Hounds catch him, he’s in a grave.

But it’s March 2020, and the borders are slamming shut. Cesar soon discovers that the woman wasn’t the first victim – and with the ship suddenly quarantined and unable to dock anywhere, she won’t be the last …

I love this fun sounding plot for Choppy Water, which looks to combine Heath’s love of unique scenarios with some homages to classic whodunnit storytelling.  A reluctant protagonist investigating a murder aboard a quarantined cruise ship has a lot of potential, and it’s going to be very interesting to see how this entire plot comes together.  Based on my previous experiences with Jack Heath and his very entertaining reads, I foresee that Choppy Water will end up being one of the top Australian books of 2026 and I cannot wait to check it out.