I’ve had an excellent couple of weeks for books, as I was lucky enough to receive some incredible and amazing new novels from publishers and Netgalley, plus a few purchases of my own. These novels include some truly awesome new releases, including books that have the potential to be some of my top reads of the year. I cannot wait to dive into them, and I so excited to see how they all turn out.
King’s Ransom by Matthew Reilly
The first recently receive book I want to highlight in this post is the fantastic new novel from Matthew Reilly, King’s Ransom. The sequel to his 2025 novel, The Detective, King’s Ransom brings back the first book’s unique protagonist and sets him on another over-the-top case. I’ve actually already read this novel and it lived up to all my expectations, containing a particularly addictive narrative I couldn’t stop reading. A highly recommended read that I’m hoping to review soon.
138 Main Street by Gavin Bell
I was very happy to get my hands on one of the more unique thrillers of 2026, 138 Main Street by Gavin Bell. Focusing on the hunt for a serial killer murdering people who live at the titular address of the book in various towns across America, 138 Main Street sounds so damn interesting and I love the cool hook. I cannot wait to see how this novel unfolds, and I’ve heard it’s very good.
Scion by James Islington
One of Australia’s best fantasy authors, James Islington, dives into the world of cyberpunk science fiction with his cool new novel Scion. Following an enhanced assassin who finds herself forced to work a protection job for a mysterious client, Scion is a fast-paced read with an interesting story. I’ve actually just started reading Scion and I’m very curious to see how it will come to an end.
He Who Fights With Monsters: Adventurer by Travis Deverell
After falling in love with the first volume of Travis Deverell’s He Who Fights With Monsters series, Outworlder, I just had to grab a copy of the recently released sequel, Adventurer. Sure to continue the fantastic LitRPG hijinks of the series, this second He Who Fights With Monsters novel is going to be incredible, and I look forward to diving into it.
Serenity Falls by C. J. Tudor
Another amazing new novel I recently received was the fantastic horror release from C. J. Tudor, Serenity Falls. An intriguing read set in a mysterious and seemingly perfect town, Serenity Falls has been on my radar for a while, and I cannot wait to see what dark horrors are contained within.
One of Us is Guilty by Steve Cavanagh
I had to get my hands on the latest Steve Cavanagh legal thriller, One of Us is Guilty. Part of the author’s Eddie Flynn series, One of Us is Guilty sees the protagonist forced to uncover which member of a seemingly perfectly married couple committed a murder. I’m very curious to see how this crazy case unfolds, and I have no doubt it is going to be fantastic and fun.
Hard Town by Adam Plantinga
I have been hoping to read this next entry for a while now, so I’m particularly happy to finally get my hands on Hard Town by Adam Plantinga. His second novel following his debut, The Ascent, Hard Town will see the author’s protagonist engage in another brutal confrontation as he travels the United States. I had an ton of fun with the author’s first book and I cannot wait to see what carnage unfolds in Hard Town.
SHOT by Shelley Burr
I’ve also been lucky enough to receive a copy of one of the top Australian crime fiction releases from the second half of 2026 with SHOT by Shelley Burr. An awesome new release that sees a disgraced journalist attempt to solve an impossible crime, SHOT sounds like an incredible read, and I look forward to diving into it.
The Malevolent Nine by Sebastian de Castell
One of fantasy fiction’s most compelling authors, Sebastien de Castell, continues his epic 2026 with the sure to be crazy release, The Malevolent Nine. Following on from de Castell’s insane novels The Malevolent Seven and The Malevolent Eight, The Malevolent Nine will see a group of rogue mages attempt to stop the new rulers of heaven and hell in the most destructive way possible. I have no doubt this book is going to be amazing, and I’m very excited to check it out.
The Cross by Ronni Salt
Another great Australian book I recently received is The Cross by Ronni Salt. The sequel to her debut, Gunnawah, The Cross will take the reader back to 1970’s rural Australia, and feature the crime fiction misadventures of the residents of the small town of Gunnawah. I’m very interested in seeing how Salt has improved as a writer since her first book, and I am excited to read this sequel.
The Missing Season by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez
The final book I recently received was the compelling 2027 murder mystery, The Missing Season. Written by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez, whose young adult crime fiction novels I have really enjoyed, The Missing Season features another thought-provoking story, as two women embark on different journeys to solve a missing person’s case. I’m already quite intrigued by this book’s mystery, and I look forward to seeing all the cool twists and turns. A fantastic final novel for this Book Haul post.
Well, that’s the end of this latest Book Haul post. As you can see I have quite a bit of reading to do at the moment thanks to all these awesome books that have come in. Let me know which of the above you are most interested in and make sure to check back in a few weeks to see my reviews of them.
