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. 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.
Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead by K. J. Parker
The first book I recently received was the cool and sure to be hilarious fantasy novel, Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead. The first book in a new trilogy by K. J. Parker, this novel will follow a compelling nun character, who solves her church’s various problems through murder. However, her latest mission at an important religious conference quickly goes terribly wrong when certain impossible guests show up. I love the sound of Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead’s plot, and I already know this book is going to be amazing, especially after how damn impressive Parker’s previous two trilogies were.
Our Lady of Blades by Sebastien de Castell
I was also very lucky to receive an early copy of one of the most anticipated fantasy novels of 2026, Our Lady of Blades by Sebastien de Castell. The next book in de Castell’s Court of Shadows series (Play of Shadows and Crucible of Chaos), which is set in his larger Greatcoat universe, Our Lady of Blades will be another mostly standalone fantasy read, that explores conspiracies and crimes in the author’s fantasy realm. This next book sounds particularly impressive with an The Count of Monte Cristo inspired plot, as it follows a masked duelist who seeks revenge on her city’s elite after her family was betrayed and destroyed. I cannot wait to finally dive into this cool novel, and I have very high hopes for this incredible sounding book.
Dead Fall Lake by S. R. White
I also just received the latest unique outback murder from author S. R. White, Dead Fall Lake. Following on from Prisoner, Red Dirt Road and White Ash Ridge, Dead Fall Lake will force its detective protagonist to investigate the murder of a local sports hero, whose body is found in a sinkhole he routinely freedived into. This has the potential to be an outstanding Australian murder novel as White has no doubt written another amazing and complex mystery.
City of Others by Jared Poon
I also recently grabbed a copy of one of my most anticipated debuts of 2026, City of Others by Jared Poon. A cool sounding urban fantasy novel set in Singapore, City of Others sounds like an outstanding read, and I have been looking forward to it for a while. I am hoping to keep up my roll of great 2026 debuts by reading City of Others soon, and I already know I’m going to love this cool book.
The Book of Fallen Leaves by A. S. Tamaki
One of the more unique and striking novels I recently received was the intriguing fantasy novel, The Book of Fallen Leaves by debuting author A. S. Tamaki. A samurai inspired novel with some compelling dark fantasy elements, The Book of Fallen Leaves sounds very interesting, and I cannot wait to see what awesome world Tamaki has created in his first novel.
Star Trek: Red Shirts by Christopher Cantwell
I was very happy to receive an early copy of the new Star Trek comic miniseries, Red Shirts. A darker read that follows the expendable and doomed security officers of Starfleet, Red Shirts sounds like a particularly wild ride, and the above cover clearly shows that this isn’t going to be your typical, light-hearted Star Trek story. I am very curious to see how this comic turns out, and it looks set to be a particularly awesome read.
There Will Be Bodies by Lindsey Davis
I managed to finally get a copy of the Lindsey Davis novel; There Will Be Bodies. The 2025 entry in Davis’ Flavia Albia series, There Will Be Bodies promises to be another excellent read, that throws the protagonist into another investigation in the Roman Empire. This latest novel features a cool plot involving murders during the eruption of Pompeii, and I look forward to diving into this book when I get a chance.
The Debt by Glenn Cooper
Next up, I recently received a copy of the new novel from Glenn Cooper, The Debt. An intriguing thriller that features a cool plot about a debt owed by the Vatican, The Debt sounds like an excellent read, and I’m hoping to dive into it when I get a chance.
Finding the Bones by Natalie Conyer
A unique, multi-generational Australian crime fiction by a very talented author.
I, Claudia by D. N. Potter
A highly entertaining novel of revenge, murder, and lethal marriage that sounds quite delightful. I, Claudia promises to be an excellent read, and I cannot wait to dive into it.
What Rhymes with Murder by Penny Tangey
The final book I recently received was the Australian cozy murder mystery, What Rhymes with Murder by Penny Tangey. Following a group of amateur sleuths who attempt to solve a murder that took place at their local library, What Rhymes with Murder sounds like a lot of fun, and I am hoping to read it in the next few weeks.
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.
The Unseen Library 