Top Ten Tuesday – Books on my Winter 2026 To Be Read (TBR) List

On June 4, 2026 By The Unseen LibraryIn List3 Comments

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme that currently resides at The Artsy Reader Girl and features bloggers sharing lists on various book topics. For this week’s Top Ten Tuesday participants have a Thanksgiving freebie which I am going to use to look at some upcoming books. This is because today is the first Tuesday of Winter 2026, and I thought this would be a good opportunity to do my quarterly post about the best upcoming books I am looking forward to reading in Winter (Summer for folks in the Northern Hemisphere). This is a regular post I do at the start of each season, and I always love to highlight some of the most impressive sounding novels coming out in the next three months.

For this list, I have come up with ten books coming out between 1 June 2026 and 31 August 2026 that I am most excited for. There are quite a few amazing novels set for release in the next few months, so it took me a while to finalise my final top ten list, including my usual honourable mentions section. I have primarily used the Australian publication dates to reflect when I will be able to get these awesome novels, and these might be somewhat different to the rest of the world. I have previously discussed a number of these books before in prior Waiting on Wednesday articles, and I even have some early copies of a some of them (I’m hoping to read them soon). I am extremely excited for these next three months and I feel that quite a few of these upcoming reads have the potential to be some of my favourite books of 2026.

Honourable Mentions:

Hide and Seek by Chris Carter – 16 July 2026

A compelling and chilling thriller that I think has a ton of potential.

Amazon

Eight Tastes of Treachery by Ryan Rose – 21 July 2026

An intriguing food-based fantasy novel, that will serve as a sequel to last year’s fun debut, Seven Recipes for Revolution.

Amazon

The Unknown by Riley Sager – 4 August 2026

A very interesting upcoming mystery novel about missing people on a spooky island, with compelling horror elements also thrown into the mix.

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The Calamities by Chuck Wendig – 18 August 2026

An exciting tale of familial bonds and betrayal, when the scion of a half-demon business dynasty decides to turn his back on his family’s evil ways.

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Top Ten Tuesday:

Green City Wars by Adrian Tchaikovsky – 30 June 2026

The first book I want to highlight in this Top Ten list is the new upcoming novel from Adrian Tchaikovksy, Green City Wars. One of Tchaikovsky’s more entertaining and distinctive scenarios (which is saying a lot), Green City Wars is a noir-inspired mystery, set in science fiction world where humans are served by unseen, genetically enhanced animals. Set to feature a fun cast of sentient animals attempting to solve their problems without disturbing their human masters, Green City Wars sounds delightful, and I cannot wait to dive into it.

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One of Us Is Guilty by Steve Cavanagh – 28 July 2026

One of my favourite thriller authors, Steve Cavanagh, returns in 2026 with a new complex legal thriller. Part of his Eddie Flynn series, One of Us is Guilty will see the protagonist try to determine which member of a seemingly perfect couple committed a brutal murder and which one of them is being set up by their partner. Sure to be another awesome read with some fantastic legal twists, One of Us is Guilty is going to be an outstanding, and I’ve very excited to read it.

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The Infinite State by Richard Swan – 28 July 2026

Australian fantasy author Richard Swan takes a break from his acclaimed Empire of the Wolf/The Great Silence novels, and instead presents a cool, standalone science fiction release with The Infinite State. Set to follow a suddenly ultra-wealthy widow and her allies as they attempt to buy a planet to set up a democracy in defiance of a galaxy-spanning fascist government. I love the sound of this intriguing narrative, especially as Swan will likely utilise his prior Warhammer 40,000 experience, to create a unique and insightful read.

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Duel of Beasts by Boyd and Beth Morrison – 30 July 2026

The team of Boyd and Beth Morrison look set to continue their historical hijinks with their fourth Tale of the Lawless Land entry coming out soon. This time set in medieval Spain, Duel of the Beasts will see the series protagonists get involved to help another helpless sole, only to find themselves hunted across the country. Sure to be an exciting and intense historical thriller, Duel of the Beasts is going to be an awesome read.

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Bad Neighbours by Joanna Jenkins – 4 August 2026

A more grounded Australian novel that I’m keen to check out this Winter is the new Joanna Jenkins novel, Bad Neighbours. The follow-up to Jenkins’ How to Kill a Client and The Bluff, Bad Neighbours will see the returning lawyer protagonist forced to investigate her new neighbours to find justice. I love the sound of this new book from Jenkins, and I cannot wait to see her latest piece of Australian crime fiction.

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The Deep and the Drowned by Ian Green – 6 August 2026

One of the few books on this list from an author I haven’t previously read anything from, The Deep and the Drowned is an intriguing fantasy read that caught my attention a few weeks ago thanks to its cool plot and striking cover. Featuring a compelling setting of giant, monster-filled seas, multiple chaotic islands, and sailors trying to cross between them, The Deep and the Drowned sounds very awesome, and I’m so glad I’ve gotten an early copy of it.

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A Trade of Blood by Robert Jackson Bennett – 11 August 2026

Probably the Winter 2026 release I’m most excited for is A Trade of Blood by Robert Jackson Bennett. The third book in a deeply impressive fantasy murder mystery series that follows a unique team of investigators as they attempt to unravel empire-shattering crimes in a nation constantly under siege by giant monsters. This next book will follow the series protagonists as they attempt to prove that a young noble is innocent of murder, despite overwhelming evidence. The previous novels in this series (The Tainted Cup and A Drop of Corruption), where both exceptional, five-star reads, and I have no doubt that A Trade of Blood is going to be one of the very best novels of the year.

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The Dungeon Book by Gareth Ryder-Hanrahan – 11 August 2026

I always have my eye out for cool and unique reads, and one of the more outrageous fantasy novels coming out in Winter 2026 is The Dungeon Book by Gareth Ryder-Hanrahan. An entertaining standalone novel that will follow a young human who was raised by the monsters and creatures of a fantasy dungeon, The Dungeon Book sounds like a very fun and inventive upcoming fantasy release and I’m very keen to get my hands on it.

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The Killer’s Mark by M. W. Craven – 11 August 2026

One of modern crime fictions more distinctive voices, M. W. Craven, looks set to bring the chaos once more with his next novel The Killer’s Mark. Bringing back the excentric protagonists of the Washington Poe series, Craven will present another unique mystery with some outstanding twists. I’ve had a brilliant time with the last few books of this series, The Mercy Chair and The Final Vow, and I’m sure The Killer’s Mark is going to be another extremely fun murder mystery.

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Upon the Forge of Battle by Anthony Ryan – 25 August 2026

The final book I want to highlight on this list is the awesome upcoming fantasy release, Upon the Forge of Battle by Anthony Ryan. The third and final book in Ryan’s Age of Wrath series (previous featuring A Tide of Black Steel and Born of an Iron Storm), Upon the Forge of Battle will see the series’ four embattled protagonists attempt to find their destinies as war, intrigue and betrayal overwhelms them. Based on how impressive the rest of this series has been, Upon the Forge of Battle is likely to be one of the top fantasy books of 2026 and is a very worthy final entry for this list.

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Well, that is the end of my Top Ten list. I think it turned out pretty well and it does a good job of capturing all my most anticipated books for the next three months. There are some impressive books coming out in this part of 2026, and I cannot wait to read each of them soon. Let me know which of the above you are most excited for and stay tuned for reviews of them in the next few months. In the meantime, it looks like I have quite a bit of reading to do soon.

Waiting on Wednesday – Hide and Seek by Chris Carter

On April 10, 2026 By The Unseen LibraryIn Thriller, 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 my latest Waiting on Wednesday, I highlight an excellent upcoming thriller with some dark twists to it, with Hide and Seek by Chris Carter.

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Regular readers of this blog will know that I have a certain love for unusual or unique thrillers, especially those that promise to take the reader to compelling and unexpected places. This has led me to some truly wonderful books over the years and the next novel this love for distinctive thrillers is steering me towards is the intriguing upcoming release, Hide and Seek.

Hide and Seek is a very awesome sounding read, that will be the first standalone novel from author Chris Carter, who is best known for his acclaimed Robert Hunter novels. Moving away from chasing killers and monsters in LA, Carter’s new novel will be a gripping and complex read about revenge and psychological torture, as a woman tries to escape the elaborate revenge of her abusive husband.

Set for release in July 2026, Hide and Seek has a very interesting plot behind it and it’s one that I think has a ton of potential. I am extremely curious to see how this compelling story idea unfolds, and it sounds like it is going to be a truly insane and twisty read. As such, Hide and Seek is a book I am very excited to read in the second half of 2026, and I look forward to reading my first novel from Chris Carter.

Plot Synopsis:

What if nothing in your life is what it appears to be?

After being trapped in an abusive marriage, Sam Stewart finally manages to gather enough courage to take her husband, Nelson, to court. But before he is sent to prison, he makes her a promise: ‘I will be coming for you. No matter how long it takes.’

And Nelson Stewart isn’t one to make empty promises.

Sam is granted a new name and a new identity. As Mary Smith she moves across the country to start life afresh, but she knows full well what her ex-husband is capable of – and that his reach stretches far beyond prison walls.

What was supposed to be a new beginning for Mary becomes the biggest cat and mouse game of her life, where nothing is quite what it appears to be, where she HIDES and he SEEKS, however long it takes, because to some, revenge can be an art form.

Hide by Kiersten White

On August 17, 2022August 17, 2022 By The Unseen LibraryIn Audiobook, Horror, LGBT+, Thriller1 Comment

Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio (Audiobook – 24 May 2022)

Series: Standalone/Book One

Length: 8 hours and 9 minutes

My Rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars

Amazon Book Depository

Get ready to run and scurry for cover in the intriguing new horror thriller from Kiersten White, Hide. Kiersten White is a captivating author who is known for her young adult and tie-in fiction novels. I best know her for her work on the extended universe of franchises like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, where she recently wrote a series of novels about a new Slayer, which started with the 2019 release Slayer. White is also making some waves this year with the new Star Wars young adult novel, Padawan, which follows a young Obi-Wan Kenobi and which is pretty high up on my to-read list. However, her 2022 release that intrigued me the most was the thriller release, Hide. Hide had a great concept to it and I couldn’t resist checking it out in the last week to see what it was all about.

Mack is good at hiding. She’s spent her whole life doing it after it worked so well to save her life as a child while her family died around her. However, after years of avoiding people, Mack is running out of options and money. So when a strange challenge arises, Mack has no choice but to accept, even if it brings back terrible nightmares from her past.

A mysterious corporation is sponsoring a new and unique reality competition with a prize of $50,000 to the winner. The challenge is simple: survive a week hiding in a creepy abandoned amusement park and don’t get found. The last person left hidden is crowned the winner and gets enough money to change everything.

Competing against a group of similarly desperate and determined young people, each of whom is hoping that this game will turn their life around, Mack thinks the odds are in her favour to win. However, there is something far more sinister going on than any of the contestants know. As the people around her start disappearing, one by one, Mack and the rest of the competitors begin to realise that something else is in the park with them, something that is hungry and unrelenting. Come out, come out, wherever you are.

This was an intriguing and fun book from White that I managed to get through in a few days. I loved the excellent premise behind Hide and I think that the author produced a pretty good story that appeals to both horror and thriller fans. While the book has a slightly slow start to it, once the competition starts I found myself getting pretty into it as I was very keen to see what happened. White ratchets up the tension day by day as the competition continues, and I think that the increased level of threat and uncertainty that occurred helped to keep my attention and make me want to figure out what is going on. There are some interesting revelations about halfway through the book that I thought were pretty clever, especially the reveal about what exactly is chasing them and why. Once that happens, it’s a pretty high-octane fight for survival that results in some fantastic and compelling moments. While there were still a few questions left over by the end of the book, I think White ended Hide pretty well and everything came together in interesting way. I do wish that there the competition was a bigger part of the plot, as that could have been pretty cool, but I guess you can’t have everything.

White utilised an interesting storyline telling method to get Hide’s narrative across, which worked for the most part but had a few issues. While the story is primarily focused around Mack, the book does quickly jump between the other characters in the book, giving some brief insights into their thoughts and history. While this worked to keep you in the loop about every contestant, it was a bit random at times and I felt that it impacted the pacing of the story, especially when it jumped between multiple perspectives in a very short amount of time. I also felt that the use of jumps resulted in some missing details in places, such as when some characters are removed from the contest without you realising it. I did think that White did a good job inserting the background lore behind the events of the book into the story through a series of journal entries, and that part of the book was quite fascinating, although I wouldn’t have minded a bit of a deeper dive. There is also quite a bit of social commentary chucked into the mix as well, especially when it comes to exploring the motives of the unsurprising villains, plus you must appreciate the strong LGBT+ elements thrown in as well. The story itself had a mostly fine flow to it, and you do feel the fear and terror of the contestants once they realise what is going on. All of this worked pretty well in the end, and I think that the story came across in a pretty accessible and compelling way.

White focuses the story on an interest group of protagonists, each of whom has their own reason to be there. Due to the way that the narrative jumps around to examine different characters, you get a decent look into the heads of each of the competitors, as well as some other characters, and you soon get some insights into why each of them is there. It soon becomes apparent that each contestant is pretty desperate and broken in their own way, which I felt added to the drama and intensity of the story. However, due to the quick-fire change in perspective, the reader isn’t given a lot of time to bond with most of the characters, and their eventual fates aren’t too shocking or moving as a result. The main exception to this is Mack, who you do spend quite a lot of time with. Mack has a very tragic backstory (it reminded me of last year’s book, The Final Girls Support Group by Grady Hendrix), which becomes a major part of her motivations and trauma in Hide. Watching her attempt to overcome her dark past and her reservations for being there is pretty intense, and there was some interesting character work there, as well as a potential for new friendships and romance. A couple of other characters who survive towards the end of the book (I won’t mention who) are also developed to a decent degree, and I felt that some of the story arcs around them were pretty intense as well. It was a little obvious which of them was going to survive and who was going to die, even with a few twists thrown in, although I did appreciate a few surprise changes in motivations that worked really well. An overall interesting group of characters, I do wish that we could have gotten to know a few of them a little better though.

I ended up listening to Hide on audiobook, which worked as an excellent format to enjoy this interesting horror read. Hide has a pretty short runtime of just over eight hours, so if you get caught in the story you can get through it rather quickly. I felt that this format did help to emphasise the tension and the rising panic of the protagonists, especially as narrator Emma Galvin does a good job telling the story. Galvin had an excellent voice that was pretty fitting to this setting and story genre, and she ended up doing a good job personifying the main characters. I rather enjoyed the tone and intensity that Galvin brought to this audiobook, and I felt that this was a fantastic format to check out Hide on.

Overall, I had a lot of fun with Hide and Kiersten White came up with a great story that I really enjoyed. While I do think that there were a few missed opportunities and pacing issues in places, this mostly came together pretty well and I think fans of exciting novels with horror elements to it will have a great time with Hide. An interesting book that is worth checking out.

Amazon Book Depository