Tag: Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday – Ironwood by Michael Connelly

On By The Unseen LibraryIn 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.  For this week’s Waiting on Wednesday, I highlight the outstanding upcoming novel Ironwood by the master of crime fiction, Michael Connelly.

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Michael Connelly is an author who needs very introduction on this blog, especially with the impressive array of awesome crime fiction novels he has released over the years.  I have had so much fun reading and reviewing several of his most recent books ever since I started the Unseen Library, including his latest novel, The Proving Ground, which recently appeared on my favourite books of 2025 list.  As such, all of Connelly’s new books are instantly at the top of my to-read lists, and this includes his next intriguing novel, Ironwood.

Set for release in May 2026, Ironwood is the sequel to Connelly’s other 2025 novel, Nightshade, and will once again follow the author’s newest protagonist, Detective Sergeant Stilwell of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s department, a stubborn and dedicated detective banished to Catalina Island.  This novel will once again see Stilwell in trouble, as he attempts to find out who targeted his men in a deadly firefight, while also crossing paths with another Connelly protagonist.

Plot Synopsis:

Sworn to protect a scenic island that is meant to be far from the evils of the mainland, Detective Sergeant Stilwell can feel danger closing in.

Detective Sergeant Stilwell knows that his posting on Catalina Island is no paradise, but to most residents it seems blissfully separated – by twenty-two miles of ocean – from the troubles of Los Angeles County. But now a threat is coming to his safe haven.

Acting on a tip from a confidential informant, Stilwell and his deputies watch a plane land in the middle of the night at the Airport in the Sky, a remote airstrip in the mountains. A duffel bag of drugs is dropped and the deputies move in, but things quickly go sideways. While Stilwell chases the fleeing pickup man into the mountainside brush, shots are fired on the runway and the plane flies off.

An internal inquiry follows, putting Stilwell on the bench until he is cleared of responsibility for the disastrous operation. But he is determined to find out who brought deadly violence to his island and begins his own secret investigation into the drug deal gone wrong.

While under orders to remain in the sheriff’s substation, he finds in the lost and found a valuable backpack that was never claimed. He traces it to a woman who disappeared while hiking on the island four years ago. But then why was the pack only turned in two months back? Now thoroughly intrigued, he follows the mystery all the way to the LAPD’s Open-Unsolved Unit and Detective Renée Ballard.

Stilwell and Ballard work the case from both sides of the channel, and soon realize they are on the trail of a criminal who revels in taunting the authorities. Meanwhile, frustrated at being shut out of an investigation on his own island, Stilwell risks his already shaky standing in the department to pursue a case whose reach is wider than he ever imagined.

Ironwood sounds like another awesome novel from Connelly, especially as he expands on story elements from Nightshade.  Once again utilising the unique Catalina Island as an interesting background setting, Ironwood will continue to see the banished protagonist try to uncover a deadly crime on his supposed island paradise.  Once again sideline by his superiors, the main case of Ironwood sounds extremely awesome, and I’m curious to see how it will follow-up on some of the excellent storylines from the previous book.  This will no doubt be an outstanding center to Ironwood’s exciting narrative, and I cannot wait to see how this main case unfolds.

While the focus on the failed drug arrest and shootout should be awesome on its own, Connelly will further expand the narrative of Ironwood by teaming up Stilwell with another one of his protagonists, Detective Renée Ballard.  Ballard has been one of Connelly’s main police/LAPD protagonists in recent years (having appeared in books like Dark Sacred Night, The Night Fire, The Dark Hours and Desert Star), with Connelly clearly setting her up as one of the replacements for the aging Harry Bosch.  As such, it isn’t too surprising that Stilwell’s first crossover will be with Ballard, especially as both characters are outsiders amongst their respective organisations.  As such, I’m very curious to see the two of them work together in this new novel, especially as it will likely annoy both of their superiors.  It is going to be very interesting to see how the Detective Stilwell series is incorporated into Connelly’s larger crime fiction universe, and it should result in a complex new novel from this great author.

Based on how exceptional all of Connelly’s most recent books have been, Ironwood is automatically at the top of my to-read list for 2026, and it is probably one of the crime fiction books I’m most excited to get my hands on.  I had such an outstanding time with Nightshade last year, and I cannot wait to see how Connelly continues to utilise his new protagonist in this cool upcoming sequel.  I have very high hopes for Ironwood, and I have no doubt it is going to be epic.

Waiting on Wednesday – Pretenders to the Throne of God and Green City Wars by Adrian Tchaikovsky

On By The Unseen LibraryIn Fantasy, Science Fiction, 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 this latest Waiting on Wednesday post, I highlight the two upcoming books from impressive author Adrian Tchaikovsky that I’m most looking forward to in 2026.

Adrian Tchaikovsky is an extremely talented science fiction and fantasy author who has been wowing audiences with his incredible imagination since 2008, producing an insane number of books during that period.  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, and there are some true classics captured there.  I personally have had the pleasure of reading several of his latest great 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), proving to be quite amazing.

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Some of my favourite books from Tchaikovsky have been the awesome novels of his Tyrant Philosophers series.  A gripping, brilliant and highly amusing series, the Tyrant Philosophers novels are set in a cool fantasy world filled with magic, gods and demons, all with a fun Tchaikovsky twist to them.  Featuring some excellent overlapping characters and events, all set around the dark impact of the Palleseen, an empire of perfection seeking fanatics, who have been conquering the world through elaborate military and diplomatic action. All three current books in the series have been quite exceptional, including City of Last Chances and House of Open Wounds both of which were amongst my favourite books of 2023 (with City of Last Chances being one of the best audiobooks of 2023), as well as the third book in the series Days of Shattered Faith (one of my favourite books and audiobooks from the first half of 2025).  I really love these elaborate and highly entertaining novels, and we’re luckily only a short way away from the next book in the series, Pretenders to the Throne of God.

Set for release in February 2026, Pretenders to the Throne of God will once again focus on the Palleseen expansion as they engage in a deadly siege to expand their power and influence.  Featuring an outstanding plot, Pretenders to the Throne of God has the potential to be another outstanding novel, especially as we’ll get to see the next chapter of a certain character’s troubled journey.

Plot Synopsis:

Arthur C. Clarke winner and Sunday Times bestseller returns to a world steeped in magic – and the Tyrant Philosophers’ campaign to bring reason, logic and ‘perfection’ to it.

As the Palleseen’s campaign to bring Perfection and Correctness to an imperfect world rages on, Eres Ffenegh – ‘the City on the Back of a Crab’ – is the next state slated for conquest. But its citizens won’t give up sovereignty easily.

The siege has dragged into winter and the defenders – both locals and Pal renegades – hold an uneasy alliance against the enemy at the gates, while the Pal army is looking over its shoulder for the next self-destructive dictate of their government back home.

Within the city, Devil Jack, a good man apprenticed to the notorious conjurer known as the Widow, is driven to bargaining with hell to get back what he’s lost. Meanwhile Kiffel ea Leachan is the city’s champion, a child of privilege who’s just lost everything to the invaders. Both must try to survive the siege and make their own destinies in a world that’s cut them loose.

Outside the city, Pal reinforcements have arrived to take the city, but it’s the sort of help that might just damn them all…

This sounds like a very interesting continuation to the Tyrant Philosopher’s series, and it’s one that I’m particularly keen on.  Readers of this blog will know that I love a good siege novel, and I’m going to be very keen to see Tchaikovsky’s take on siege craft in Pretenders to the Throne of God.  No doubt this new book is going to feature a lot of interesting perspectives of the siege from both sides of the wall, and I cannot wait to see what over-the-top array of magical battles, as well as complex political intrigues will engulf both sides of the battle.

While the overarching story of Pretenders to the Throne of God sounds very promising, I personally I am very keen to see how Tchaikovsky continues the tale of one of his best characters, known in this novel as Devil Jack.  The man known as Jack has served as a primary character of all three previous Tyrant Philosopher’s novels, with fate throwing him into different roles and facing dangerous hardships.  However, after losing the demon he loved in Days of Shattered Faith, it looks like the formerly happy Jack is going to go through a rather dark place in this sequel.  I’m almost a little afraid to see how Tchaikovsky will torture Jack in this upcoming novel, but I have no doubt that his character arc is going to be one of the most emotionally charged of the entire novel.  Add in the rest of the complex characters I known Tchaikovsky has dreamt up for this new book, and Pretenders to the Throne of Gods is going to have some outstanding depth based around its protagonists, and probably it’s villains.

Based on how very impressive the previous Tyrant Philosophers books have been, I have very high hopes for Pretenders to the Throne of God in the new year, and it’s going to be something truly special.  One of my most anticipated releases for the first half of 2026, Pretenders to the Throne of God is going to be incredible.

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In addition to the next epic Tyrant Philosopher’s novel, there is another outstanding sounding Tchaikovsky novel that I am very excited to read in the new year, the very fun sounding Green City Wars.  Set for release in June 2026, Green City Wars will see Tchaikovsky present an intriguing and thriller with a unique twist, the protagonist is a talking racoon living in a world of genetically engineered animal helpers.

Plot Synopsis:

In a city of sunshine and secrets, the shadows belong to the animals. One genetically-engineered raccoon races to expose a deadly conspiracy – before it tears his whole world apart.

In a solar-powered future, humans live in luxury, served by unseen Little Helpers – artificially enhanced animals who maintain their perfect green cities. The animals’ golden rule: ‘Do Not Bother the Humans.’ Yet beneath this tranquil facade, a complex underworld of animal politics, crime and conflict thrives.

Enter Skotch, a freelance raccoon investigator. His biggest problem was a lack of work. Now his work may get him killed. And his latest case? Finding a fugitive mouse scientist. But powerful forces are also after the mouse, and they’re willing to kill for his secrets. Can Skotch navigate this treacherous web, outsmart rat gangsters, beat a deadly weasel assassin and keep his pelt intact? More importantly, can he find his quarry before the elusive rodent breaks Rule One in the most apocalyptic way – and shatters their fragile world.

I love the sound of this upcoming novel, especially as I’m keen to see Tchaikovsky take on the noir genre in his own entertaining way in Green City Wars.  The idea of sentient animal protagonists alongside humans in serious fiction is always very interesting, and the above synopsis has seriously put me in mind of the Welkin Weasels series by Gary Kilworth (a favourite of my childhood).  However, Tchaikovsky has put a fun dark twist on it, with the animals being genetically engineered slaves to humanity.  I’m assuming that the whole story will be a compelling crime fiction novel with some great science fiction twists, overlayed with some amusing critiques of humanity, which sounds so very fun.

While featuring one of Tchaikovsky’s more unusual plot ideas, I think that Green City Wars has a ton of potential and I’m very excited for it.  I have no doubt that this awesome standalone novel is going to be particularly funny, and I cannot wait to see how it turns out.

Overall, it is quite clear that Adrian Tchaikovsky has some outstanding novels coming out in the new year, and these are just the main ones I’m currently excited for.  The author also has plans for some other exciting releases in 2026, and I’m going to make a real effort to read as many as possible.  Stay tuned to see how they all turn out.

Waiting on Wednesday – The Right to Remain by James Grippando

On 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.  For this week’s Waiting on Wednesday, I focus on a cool upcoming legal thriller I recently highlighted as one of the top books I’m looking forward to reading in early 2026 with The Right to Remain by James Grippando.

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Over the last couple of years, I have grown to really enjoy the fantastic legal thrillers of veteran author James Grippando, especially those that form part of his Jack Swyteck series.  Following the titular Jack Swyteck, a Miami based criminal defence attorney who takes on the toughest cases, the series features some outstanding court sequences and legal scenes, especially as Grippando routinely envisions some very clever and unique scenarios and clients for the protagonist to defend.  I had an incredible time with the last two books in the series, Goodbye Girl and Grave Danger, and I am extremely keen to see where the series goes next.

Luckily, I don’t have too much longer until the next Jack Swyteck novel is released with the epic upcoming book, The Right to Remain, coming out in early January 2026.  The 20th entry in the Jack Swyteck series, The Right to Remain features another very interesting plot idea, with the protagonist this time forced to defend a man accused of murder who is literally refusing to speak up in his own defence.  I love the cool idea behind this upcoming book, and I can only imagine just how awesome and unique the resulting trial is going to be.  As such, The Right to Remain is now poised to be one of the first new thrillers I check out in 2026, and I am so damn curious about how this story will unfold.

Plot Synopsis:

In this thrilling novel from bestselling author James Grippando—the twentieth in his revered series—legendary criminal defense attorney Jack Swyteck takes on a twisty, difficult case that becomes one of the most complex in his illustrious career.

Miami criminal defense lawyer Jack Swyteck must contend with a unique problem. His client, Elliott Stafford, indicted for murder, has gone silent. Not just silent in asserting his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination—Elliott refuses to speak. He won’t talk to the judge, his girlfriend, or even the attorney fighting for his life. There seems to be no medical or psychological reason for his silence. He has, as Jack puts it, “chosen to become his own worst enemy.”

To some, it’s an act of protest against a broken criminal justice system. Jack doesn’t buy it. Undeterred by the hoopla and calls to walk away, he keeps his client and tries his best to save Elliott from himself. As he digs for facts, Jack discovers a much more disturbing reason for Elliott’s silence. Virtually everything Elliott told Jack before the indictment is proving false, including Elliot’s criminal history, family turmoil, and secret past. As Jack plunges deeper, he comes to believe that Elliott isn’t trying to hide his own guilt. He may be protecting someone else—and the stakes could not be higher.

With plenty of courtroom action, scenes in which “Grippando’s years of experience shine brightest” (New York Times), The Right to Remain is one of the most thrilling entries yet in this hugely popular series that keeps going strong.

Waiting on Wednesday – Sisters of the Lizard by Jackson Ford

On By The Unseen LibraryIn Fantasy, Waiting on Wednesday2 Comments

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 highlight a very fun upcoming fantasy sequel with the awesome sounding Sisters of the Lizard by Jackson Ford

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Earlier this year I had the great pleasure of reading the very entertaining fantasy novel, The Bone Raiders by Jackson Ford.  The first book in Ford’s Rakada series, The Bone Raiders followed a small band of grassland raiders and outcasts who came up with the bold plan to train giant, fire-breathing lizards and ride them into battle against the encroaching armies of the Great Khan.  The resulting carnage, which include battles, betrayals, unlikely romance, and some entertaining lizard riding antics, was extremely fun, and I had an absolute blast getting through this fantastic read.

Upon finishing The Bone Raiders, I was very curious to see where Ford was going to take the series next, especially after some interesting reveals towards the end of the story.  Well, it looks like fans of this novel are going to get answers soon, as Ford has a sequel coming out in May 2026.

This sequel, which has the amusing title of Sisters of the Lizard, will once again follow the raiders from the first book, the titular Rakada, as they continue their chaotic life on the grasslands, now with several giant lizards for protection.  However, things look set to become complicated once again, with war, invading armies, a vengeful khan and sick lizards all coming for the protagonist.

Plot Synopsis:

Following The Bone Raiders comes the next thrilling new novel set in the world of the Rakada: an edge-of-your-seat, action-packed epic fantasy series, where a wild band of raiders harness the power of gigantic, fire-breathing lizards to defend their homeland.

All Sayana wanted was to enjoy her life in the rolling grasslands of the Tapestry. After she and her fellow Rakada managed to ride humongous fire-breathing lizards to face down the Great Khan’s army, they should have been able to kick back a little for once. Not too much to ask, right?

Instead, the Tapestry is in turmoil – invading armies threaten, the other raider clans are at war, and inside his fortress city of Karkorum, the Khan broods and plots. What’s more, the Rakada’s giant lizards are getting sick, and they have no idea how to cure them. If they die, there’s no telling what might happen to the Tapestry.

But then the Rakada receive a vision – apparently from the gods. A deep emerald pool surrounded by bone-white sands – one that may be able to heal their lizards. With no other option, the raiders set out on an epic quest across the mountains and into the desert.

But the danger that awaits them will be one greater than they’ve ever faced before. These guys really can’t catch a break.

I really love the sound of this upcoming sequel, especially as Ford is expanding on a lot of the interesting open story elements from the first book in Sisters of the Lizard.  Focussing on the consequences of the protagonist’s actions from The Bone Raiders should make for quite an intense read, especially with all the betrayals, wars and revenge that is likely coming their way.  The excellent cover of the book seems to indicate that a certain former Rakada member is going to make a return in this novel as an antagonist, and I’m sure that will lead to some particularly dramatic scenes. I also am curious to see how the author will expand on some of the lore around the giant lizards in this sequel, and it should be fun to see how much the protagonists and their unlikely mounts have evolved since the events of the first book.

Overall, I am quite excited to read Sisters of the Lizard in the new year, and I think it has a lot of potential.  Ford really impressed me with his entertaining and compelling 2025 novel, and this intriguing sequel will likely be just as good.  An awesome and no-doubt deeply compelling upcoming novel I’m really looking forward to.

Waiting on Wednesday – Dead Fall Lake by S. R. White

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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 post, I check out an excellent upcoming Australian crime fiction novel from an author who has really impressed me in recent year with Dead Fall Lake by S. R. White.

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S. R. White is an outstanding author who has been making an intriguing impact on the Australian crime fiction scene in recent years. Primarily known for his Detective Dana Russo series, White has written some deeply complex, character-driven crime fiction novels, that provides some fresh new takes on the classic crime fiction narrative. This includes the first book of White’s that I had the pleasure of reading, Prisoner, which contained a fantastic murder mystery solved through a series of complex interrogations.  The next novel in the series, Red Dirt Road, was another impressive read, with the protagonist forced to uncover the truth amid a closed pool of suspects in a remote Australian town.  His fourth Dana Russo novel, White Ash Ridge, featured another clever story, as the protagonist needed to solve a murder likely committed by a board member of a charity formed after a previous failed police investigation.  All of these, as well as the 2025 spin-off novel Pacific Heights, have been extremely impressive, and I like the elaborate and memorable cases they contain.

As such, I am always keen to see what White will be writing next, and it looks like he has another very interesting novel coming out in March 2026 with Dead Fall Lake.  Featuring another compelling case, this time involving an extreme sports enthusiast found dead in a wilderness sinkhole, Dead Fall Lake sounds pretty damn awesome, and I am curious to see how this new novel unfolds.  Based on my experiences with White’s other novels, I already know I’m going to love Dead Fall Lake, and it is already one of the top Australian releases I am looking forward to in the new year.

Plot Synopsis:
Deep in the Australian wilderness, a famed sinkhole renowned as a stunning freediving spot attracts people from all over the world. But there’s a dark, puzzling mystery when a local sports hero – and the glamorous face of a high-adrenaline video channel – is found dead far beneath the surface.

Despite diving the sinkhole hundreds of times, his lifeless body is discovered dressed in normal clothes, handcuffed to a supply line. With no witnesses – and evidence submerged 30 metres underwater – how can Detective Dana Russo unravel such a shocking case?

Waiting on Wednesday – Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead by K. J. Parker

On By The Unseen LibraryIn Fantasy, Waiting on Wednesday2 Comments

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 highlight what is sure to be one of the more hilarious novels of early 2026 with Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead by K. J. Parker.

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Fans of this blog will know that I love a fantasy novel that utilises humour and comedy to enhance its story, and to my mind few authors do that better than K. J. Parker.  A pseudonym of author Tom Holt, Paker has been delighting readers for decades with his intriguing reads that blend his unique sense of humour with elaborate and well-thought-out fantasy or historical fiction-inspired scenarios.

I fell in love with Parker a few years ago when I was lucky enough to receive copies of his captivating and brilliant The Siege trilogy, which includes some of the funniest books that I have ever read. Set around a lengthy siege of a powerful city, all three books told unique stories of the besiegement from a different, unreliable narrator, in a great, loosely connected trilogy which perfectly showcased Parker’s outrageous humour and impressive inventiveness.

The first book in the series was the very impressive Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City (one of my favourite books of 2019), which saw an amoral engineer take command of the city’s defences and use a mixture of mechanisms and bluffing to keep out the enemy. This outstanding read was followed up by the extremely funny How to Rule an Empire and Get Away with It (one of my favourite books of 2020). Set years after the events of the first book, this sequel followed an actor in the still besieged city tasked with impersonating a dead war hero, and who then uses his position to take over everything. Parker masterfully finished the trilogy off with A Practical Guide to Conquering the World (one of my favourite books of 2022).  This outstanding finale saw a scribe and scholar from the city out on embassy duty manage to use his unique array of obscure knowledge, as well as a strong understanding of basic human nature, to overthrow a nation and then the entire world in a brilliant sequence of manipulation and cleverness.

After The Siege trilogy, Parker was fully on my radar as an author to grab as much as possible for, and I made sure to follow through with that in the following years.  While I haven’t always been able to get his intriguing novellas, I did make sure to get his next three novels, all of which were part of the hilarious and gripping Corax trilogy.  Set in the same universe as The Siege trilogy after a substantial time skip, the Corax series follows the titular Saevus Corax, a professional battlefield scavenger, whose secret past makes him one of the most dangerous and wanted figures on the continent.

All three of the Corax books were extremely impressive, with the first novel, Saevus Corax Deals with the Dead, introducing the titular protagonist and saw him engage in a series of brazen plots to stay alive after he is kidnapped and forced to become the ultimate pawn in a sprawling game of kings, religions and money.  I had so much fun with this epic book, and Saevus Corax Deals with the Dead ended up being one of my favourite books of 2023.  Naturally I had to keep going with this cool trilogy, especially as the next two novels, Saveus Corax Captures the Castle and Saevus Corax Gets Away With Murder, were released in quick succession in late 2023 (although I didn’t get a chance to read them until 2024).  Both these impressive novels, which took Corax on even more deadly adventures, were simply incredible, and I loved the intense humour, elaborate schemes, constant betrayals, as well as the clever world building, as each of Corax’s adventures results in additional conflicts and wars down the road.  All these books were instant five-star classics, and I have been eager to see what elaborate, comedic novels Parker will write next.

Well, it looks like I won’t have that much longer to wait, as Parker has an awesome new novel coming out in January 2026.  This book, Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead, will serve as the first book in the author’s Loyal Opposition trilogy, and will follow an unlikely religious figure, as they engage in murder, intrigue and deadly theology, in what sounds like a brilliantly insane and hilarious read.

Plot Synopsis:

Not even the Church of the Invincible Sun is invincible – and somebody has to do its dirty work. Enter Sister Svangerd and her accompanying priest, both accomplished practitioners. Their mission is simple: to make a meddlesome princess disappear (permanently).

To get to her, they must attend the legendary Ecumenical Council, the once-in-a-century convening of the greatest spiritual minds the world has to offer. But when they arrive, they find instead a den of villainy that would make the most hardened criminal blush.

To complicate matters further, it appears that some people long considered dead might not be after all. What began as a simple murder is about to escalate into a theological debate of terrifying complexity.

From World Fantasy Award-winning author K. J. Parker comes a devilishly clever tale of murder, intrigue, and existential crisis.

Now this is another awesome and hilarious sounding book from Parker.  Following a murderous nun who serves as a church’s troubleshooter and assassin is a very fun idea, especially as her next mission is in the middle of a cutthroat and corrupt religious conference to kill a meddlesome princess.  I’m expecting that Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead is going to feature Parker’s trademark blend of clever storytelling, self-aware characters, and a massive array of betrayals and schemes.  I’m honestly expecting so many secrets, lies and double-crosses to come out, and I cannot wait to see the protagonist navigate her way through the religious fanatics and corrupt clergy to achieve her goal.  I’m also curious to see what world-building Parker does with this new novel and whether the Loyal Opposition novels sit within the same world as some of his previous series.  Even if there is a different setting, I’m expecting a lot of the same energy as The Siege and Corax trilogies, which can only mean that Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead is going to be exceptional.

Look, there is honestly no chance I won’t be reading Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead in the new year, especially as K. J. Parker’s last two trilogies were just too damn good.  I am so extremely excited to read another twisty and hilarious novel from Parker, especially one filled with killer intrigue and over-the-top religion.  Sure to be one the funniest and most intelligent fantasy novels of 2026, Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead is so very high up on my reading list, and I will be devouring this the second I get it.  Special mention also needs to go to the second book in the upcoming Loyal Opposition trilogy, Sister Svangerd and the Devil You Know, which is currently coming out in March 2026 and will likely be a top sequel of the new year.

Waiting on Wednesday – The Shark by Emma Styles

On By The Unseen LibraryIn Australian, Thriller, Waiting on Wednesday4 Comments

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 post, I check out an intriguing and intense upcoming Australian thriller with The Shark by Emma Styles.

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Back in 2022 I had the pleasure of reading the exciting and entertaining thriller, No Country For Girls, which was the debut novel of new Australian author Emma Styles. Set in the harsh Western Australian outback, No Country For Girls was an outstanding read, featuring two great protagonists on a gritty and deeply personal journey. Fun and compelling, No Country For Girls ended up being one of my top debut novels of 2022, and I was curious at the time to see what Styles would write next.

Well, it looks like I will finally be able to find out soon as Styles has her second novel coming out in early 2026, and it sounds pretty epic. This new novel, The Shark, is set for release in March 2026, and features a powerful plot about a deadly Australian serial killer and two teenage girls who attempt to stop him.

Plot Synopsis:

A killer is stalking the suburbs of Western Australia. Two teenage girls hell-bent on revenge take matters into their own hands, with deadly results. Another dark, uniquely voice-led crime thriller from Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize-winner Emma Styles.

Every monster has a weakness.

At the height of Australian summer, a serial killer dubbed The Shark stalks a beachside suburb, targeting young female swimmers whose bodies are later found on the shoreline.

Disempowered and angry at the failures of the police to protect them, two young women are hell-bent on revenge. Raych has lost someone and will go to any length to discover what happened to her, while Carmen suspects a disturbing connection to the killer.

Together they form an uneasy alliance and, in a moment that changes the trajectory of their lives, Carmen and Raych abduct and imprison the prime suspect. Do they think they can save the day, or are their intentions darker? Can they trust one another’s agenda? And when another young woman goes missing, what stops them from going to the police?

A dark and voice-led serial killer thriller that subverts the tropes of crime fiction at every turn, The Shark is an unforgettably propulsive novel about victimhood, power and autonomy.

Now this is a very interesting book by Styles.  I love the awesome scenario above, which promises to turn The Shark into a particularly intense read.  Pitting two teenage protagonists against a potential serial killer, while other deaths and disappearances are occurring outside their prison has so much potential, and this thriller has one of the more distinctive and exciting plot synopses of novels coming out in early 2026. 

While I would probably have grabbed The Shark no matter what in 2026, especially after really enjoying No Country For Girls, I must admit that I’m already a little obsessed with the above plot.  Emma Styles has come up with an extremely interesting idea for her second novel and I am extremely curious to see how it comes together.  If Styles backs up this great plot with some amazing characters and dark moments of dread and uncertainty, then The Shark will likely be one of the top pieces of Australian fiction in 2026.  I cannot wait to see how this book comes together, and I have a strong feeling that I am going to love it.

Waiting on Wednesday – Mortedant’s Peril by R. J. Barker

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 this latest Waiting on Wednesday, I highlight one of the more intriguing and potential laden fantasy novels of 2026 with the awesome upcoming book, Mortedant’s Peril by the always impressive R. J. Barker.

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Ever since I started getting back into fantasy fiction a few years ago, I have had the pleasure of reading some truly amazing works from a range of very talented authors.  However, few authors have engaged me with their creativity, cleverness and ability to bring complex characters to life than the phenomenal and continually improving author, R. J. Barker.

Barker debuted back in 2017 with his debut novel, Age of Assassins that kicked off The Wounded Kingdom trilogy. Following an apprentice assassin and his master as they attempt to unravel a political conspiracy in a dark castle, Age of Assassins was an awesome book that served as a great introduction to Barker’s writing style.  However, Age of Assassins was only the start, as he soon followed up this first book with two epic sequels, Blood of Assassins and King of Assassins, both of which saw the aging protagonist become involved in several elaborate plots and battles as he tries to keep his king/best friend alive. Both these novels were extremely incredible, and Barker seemed to markedly improve as a writer with each book, with King of Assassins being an exceptional, five-star read, especially with its many dark twists.

As such, by the end of The Wounded Kingdom trilogy, I was very impressed with Barker, however, he was just getting started.  In 2019, only two years after his debut, Barker unleashed a second trilogy with The Tide Child series.  Set in a whole new fantasy world, The Tide Child trilogy was an intriguing nautical-based dark fantasy that followed a crew of a condemned ship, made of dragon bone, as they attempt to survive the dark machinations of a corrupt government while attempting to bring back the ancient sea dragons previously hunted to extinction.  This incredible trilogy stated with The Bone Ships (one of my favourite books and audiobooks of 2019), an excellent and powerful read that perfectly introduced the trilogy’s main characters and showcased just how far Barker had come as an author as he seamlessly dived into a whole new sub-genre of fantasy fiction by pulling together an epic and grim tale on the high seas. The following two novels, Call of the Bone Ships and The Bone Ship’s Wake (one of my favourite books and audiobooks of 2021), were incredible sequels the expertly continued the great story while providing some powerful development to the main characters. Everything was given a dramatic and fitting ending in the final novel and The Tide Child series ended up being one of the very best trilogies I have ever read.

Naturally, after how exceptional Barker’s first two trilogies were, I was quite eager to see what this talented author would do next.  Unfortunately, I quite spectacularly failed to read his 2022 release, Gods of the Wyrdwood, as well as the following novels in the Forsaken trilogy.  This honestly wasn’t a conscious decision on my part, as I was really looking forward to Gods of the Wyrdwood, but for some inexplicable reason it just never happened.  As such, it’s been a little while since I’ve had the pleasure of reading a Barker novel, and that is something I plan to rectify in 2026.

My opportunity for redemption when it comes to being a Barker fan will come in the form of his next upcoming novel, Mortedant’s Peril, which is set for release in May 2026.  An intriguing sounding book, Mortedant’s Peril will see a protagonist who can speak to the dead become a fugitive in his own city after being framed for murder.

Plot Synopsis:

In a city of ancient automata, strange spirits, and sleeping gods, a cleric of death finds his own life on the line in this vividly imagined fantasy murder mystery from the acclaimed author of The Bone Ships and Age of Assassins.

He can speak to the dead. But the living want him silenced . . .

Irody Hasp’s unique gift is his curse: he reads the final thoughts of the dead. But a routine reading of a lowly records keeper implicates him in a vast, high-level conspiracy. Then the unthinkable happens: his own apprentice is brutally murdered and Irody is framed for the crime. As he stumbles deeper into a web of magic and betrayal, he draws the attention of the City of Elbay’s most powerful and ruthless figures.

With the city’s corrupt elite closing in, Irody has just one chance to clear his name and expose the truth. No Mortedant is popular, but the uncompromising Irody is even less popular than most. So he’s forced to rely on unlikely allies: Mirial, a cunning street urchin, and Whisper, one of the enigmatic sea people. As this unlikely trio unearths Elbay’s darkest secrets, they discover a city where lives are expendable and every faction, from guilds to nobles to thieves, battles for control. Three insignificant outsiders must fight not just for their lives, but for everything their people hold dear – and the fate of their magical city.

I really like the sound of Mortendant’s Peril’s plot, especially as Barker is diving into another cool sub-set of fantasy fiction, this time with an urban fantasy thriller.  Set in a cool new fantasy city, loaded with guilds, thieves, factions and magic, Mortedant’s Peril will throw the author’s no-doubt complex protagonist into a massive conspiracy that he’ll need to uncover with the help of his ability to speak to the dead and a band of unlikely comrades.  This sort of scenario has produced some outstanding fantasy narratives in the past, and I cannot wait to see Barker’s take on it.  Based on my prior experiences with the author’s work, I am expecting a dark and engaging tale, loaded with compelling protagonists and impressive character development.

Pretty much the moment that I heard R. J. Barker had a new fantasy novel coming out in 2026, I knew I was going to grab it.  Barker is such an impressive author, and his previous works that I have had the pleasure of reading have all been so damn good.  Combine that with the awesome plot synopsis above and Mortedant’s Peril is now one of fantasy books I most looking forward to in 2026.  I have no doubt at all that Barker is going to once again wow me with his outstanding writing, and I just know Mortedant’s Peril is going to be something special.

Waiting on Wednesday – Dark Desert Road by Tim Ayliffe

On By The Unseen LibraryIn Australian, Thriller, Waiting on Wednesday3 Comments

In addition to the Waiting on Wednesday post I did for 30Seven by Jeremy Robinson, I’m also going to do an additional post this week for an awesome upcoming Australian crime fiction read.  This is to make up for missing my regular Waiting on Wednesday post last week (I was away), plus I really wanted to talk about this book which I literally discovered was coming out last night.  This new book is Dark Desert Road by impressive Australian thriller author, Tim Ayliffe, which sounds extremely awesome.

Tim Ayliffe is a rising Australian author whose work I have been really enjoying in recent years, primarily thanks to his John Bailey series.  Utilising his experience as a journalist, Ayliffe has pulled together a series of compelling and complex crime fiction novels as part of a series that follows his journalist protagonist, John Bailey, as he finds himself part of a series of dark crimes and conspiracies. Many of these books, which include The Greater Good, State of Fear, The Enemy Within, Killer Traitor Spy and The Wrong Man, cleverly reference or utilise real-world elements that have been impacting Australia, such as terrorism, espionage and the rise of right-wing extremism, to enhance their narratives.  I have really enjoyed these excellent books, which are regularly amongst the best Australian novels released each year, and it is always interesting to see what Ayliffe explores next.

While I was hoping that we would be getting a new John Bailey novel soon, it looks instead that Ayliffe is going in a very different direction with his next book, Dark Desert Road.  Following a new protagonist, Dark Desert Road will feature a complex Australian thriller as a burnt-out cop attempts to save her long-estranged family while also dealing with the dark fringes of Australian society.  Set for release in early January 2026, Dark Desert Road will likely be one of the very first books I read in the new year, and I am already excited by its compelling sounding plot.

Plot Synopsis:

Kit McCarthy hasn’t seen her identical twin sister, Billie, in more than a decade.

The sisters don’t see eye to eye, which is understandable, considering Kit’s a police officer and Billie followed their violent father into a life of crime.

Kit is no angel. Burnt out by years working in child protection, she has been accused of using excessive force in the arrest of a violent drunk. Kit has just been ordered to take time off work when she gets a frantic message from Billie, telling her she has a young son and that somebody is trying to kill her.

And then Billie disappears.

Determined to find her estranged sister, Kit’s only lead comes after visiting their father in prison. Malcolm McCarthy claims Billie married a former United States Marine and has been living with a group of sovereign citizens in the desert country of the New South Wales Riverina.

Kit’s journey to find Billie takes her through shuttered towns destroyed by drought, where everybody owns guns, nobody talks to cops, and people get lost for a reason.

Out here a war is brewing between a ruthless bikie gang and a separatist community that is re-engaging with society in the most violent way.

Kit will risk everything to find her sister and the nephew she never knew she had.

But does Billie really want to be saved?

Ok, now this looks like another particularly impressive Australian crime fiction novel from Ayliffe.  Moving away from the author’s previous journalistic/espionage focused narratives in the big city, Dark Desert Road will be more of a classic, outback Australian crime fiction tale, loaded with gritty action, complex characters and an isolated setting.  However, Ayliffe will also throw in his customary examination of Australian society, this time by looking at sovereign citizens in the countryside, which, thanks to recent tragic events, is a very significant issue.  I look forward to seeing Ayliffe’s compelling take on this, as well as his depiction of Australia’s declining rural towns, and I am curious to see what sort of story he writes around them.

Due to how compelling and socially relevant Ayliffe’s previous novels have been, I’m quite keen to check out Dark Desert Road, especially as it has an outstanding sounding plot behind it.  It is going to be interesting to see Ayliffe focus on a new protagonist and a very different story focus, and I strongly believe that Dark Desert Road is going to be one of the top Australian releases of 2026, and I am very excited to check it out.

Waiting on Wednesday – 30Seven by Jeremy Robinson

On By The Unseen LibraryIn Science Fiction, Thriller, Waiting on Wednesday3 Comments

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 an outstanding science fiction thriller coming out in early 2026 with 30Seven by Jeremy Robinson.

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Over the last few years, I have been really enjoying the outstanding novels of Jeremy Robinson.  An interesting author who has who has a fantastic career writing clever, fun, and occasionally terrifying thrillers and science fiction elements novels, including his Antarktos Saga, Chess Team and Nemesis Saga series, Robinson has authored a staggering amount of fiction including additional cool series and standalone reads.

I personally got into Robinson’s work through some of the books in his interconnected Infinite Timeline series, including Tribe, The Dark and Mind Bullet (the latter two of which were amongst my favourite books and audiobooks of 2021), all of which were incredibly fun and addictive. I have also started getting into Robinson’s standalone novels, such as last year’s fantastic novel Point Nemo (one of my favourite audiobooks of 2024), and his latest exceptional novel that come out only a couple of months ago, Artifact. Artifact was a particularly epic science fiction thriller, and it has gotten me in the mood for more awesome books from Robinson.

Luckily for me and all other fans of Jeremy Robinson, we don’t need to wait much longer for the author’s next book as the highly prolific writer already has an outstanding new novel coming out very soon.  This new book, 30Seven, is set for release in January 2026, and it has already ensnared me with its cool plot that will mix an alien abduction story with an intense, character-driven thriller story that has an epic hook to it.

Plot Synopsis:

Twenty-eight people are abducted from a lakeside beach―and a killer is among them―in this twisty UFO horror novel from the bestselling author of The Others.

After a year of torment following the loss of his wife, Isabella, to a serial killer with an artistic flair, Marcus Lockwood retreats with his son, Elias, to Moose Hollow―a secluded campground in backwoods Maine―in search of healing. There, a close-knit band of lifelong campers immerses them in a warm, nostalgic experience filled with fishing, canoeing, crackling barbecues, and a taste of normalcy.

When whispers of eerie UFO sightings ignite a vigil on the beach, Marcus and Elias eagerly join the hunt for the inexplicable. But when the sky erupts in otherworldly light, they’ll get much more than they bargained for. A mysterious craft descends, and in one surreal moment, the group is abducted and transported into the unknown. Amid the chaos and disorientation, a gut-wrenching discovery terrifies Marcus:

One of them is Isabella’s killer.

I honestly am already deeply in love with the outstanding plot for 30Seven.  Only Jeremy Robinson could up the ante of an alien abduction narrative by forcing the protagonist to simultaneously deal with a serial killer responsible for his wife’s death.  Watching a likeable Robinson protagonist try to protect his child from aliens and the unknown, while also dealing with the grief and anger this revelation will bring about is going to be so damn powerful and it will be an impressive centre to this novel.  Throw in Robinson’s proven ability to craft fast-paced stories with shocking horror elements, clever, reference-laden humour, and tons of epic action, and 30Seven has so much potential to be a first rate read.

Honestly, after having so much fun with Artifact earlier this year, there was no way I wasn’t going to pick up the next standalone novel from Jeremy Robinson.  However, thanks to the outrageous and captivating plot synopsis above, I am now even more eager to read 30Seven and it is currently one of the novels that I’m most eager for in early 2026.  I have absolutely no doubt I am going to power through this outstanding read, especially if the audiobook version is once again narrated by the legendary R. C. Bray, and I fully expect to give 30Seven a full five-star rating when I get my eager hands on it.