Tag: book 10

April 2026 Wrap-Up

Stack of fantasy books titled The Astral Compendium, Year of Dreams 2026, Whispers of Eloria, and Tales from the Void on a wooden table with glowing fairies, a candle, an open book, compasses, a lantern, and a steaming cup.

Personal Highlights from this month:

  • For the week of March 30th through April 4th:
    • The first half of the week was full of appointments. I had my initial appointment with the Pulmonary Dr. (I have been diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and need a C-Pap machine).
    • I also went and visited my grandcats: Bug (who lived with us for 2 years along with his mom) and Coco (aka Coutore/the girls rescue kitten they adopted last Saturday). I also took in their mail/packages, topped off the cats’ water, fed both cats wet food, made sure the dry food dispenser was working, and cleaned the litterboxes. And, of course, I left my purse there, so BK, Miss R, and I went back to get it.
    • We had a surprise visitor late Tuesday night/early Wednesday morning. An unknown man came onto my porch and was looking at either my leaf blower, my air conditioner, or the charger for BK’s electric car. He kept his face covered because we have a sign that says “monitored by Ring audio and visual“. Gotta love wanna-be thieves. He got scared off when BK turned on the living room light and banged on the front window. But, I’m sure he’ll be back…sigh.
    • Miss R learned an important lesson about internet safety. She had lent her Instagram account to a school “friend“. Said “friend” posted very inappropriate pictures there, which were then shared on her Facebook. A friend of the family saw them and immediately called me. After talking to Miss R, we spent a few hours trying to delete the accounts (the girl kept undoing the deletes). We finally were able to move them all (6 of them!!) off her account, and Miss R changed her phone number, password, and put up 2-step verification. Like I said, a lesson learned.
  • For the week of April 5th through April 11th:
    • It’s spring break here, so all school-aged kids in my household were home from school for the week.
  • For the week of April 12th through April 18th:
    • Mr. Z officially has 2 weeks left of his internship. To be honest, I will not miss driving him to and from the hospital Monday-Friday.
    • Mr. Z also decided that he wants to go to the prom. And, boy, tickets are expensive ($50 for stag, $100 for a couple). He will be wearing a black tux with red lining. He is going stag.
    • Miss R rode a new horse this week, and she loved riding it. But, tacking her up was another thing. The horse wouldn’t let Miss R put the bit in her mouth, and if she got it in, the horse slipped the bridle off her head. It took two experienced people (her instructor and the barn owner’s daughter) to get the bit in.
    • Miss R had her unofficial chorus concert on Friday. I didn’t go, but I heard from friends who did that the kids did an amazing job.
    • Mr. Z had in impormto meeting with his drone class (which is why I didn’t get to go to the concert). I ended up waiting almost 2 hours for the class to finish (it was supposed to be 10-15 mins).
    • Miss R had a sleepover with one of her best friends. She also spent all day Saturday and almost all day Sunday with this friend.
  • For the week of April 19th through April 25th:
    • Mr. Z got his cap and gown this week!! He didn’t get his cords or his stole, but I think he’s getting them at Senior Night.
    • Mr. Z went to his prom, and he had a blast. He actually got up and danced (which surprised his father and me).
    • My best friend came up to visit on Sunday. We were able to catch up on a lot. I plan on driving down to visit her once school is out.

Books I Read:

  • Montana Promises Series by Vella Day (I wasn’t able to finish the last book by the end of March):
    • Burning Seduction (Book 5): I believe this is the last book in this series (but there are other series in the same universe). This book centers on Charlotte and Trent’s relationship, with a murder investigation as its backdrop. I loved how their relationship progressed. I also loved the little catch-ups that the author threw in about the other Montana Promises couples. There was an interesting secondary storyline with Harmon (Trent’s brother), and I can’t wait to see if he has his own book (I need to look).
  • The Valkyrie Series by J.K. Hawk:
    • The Nameless Survivor (Book 1): If you like a book told through diary entries and interoffice memos, this is the book for you. While I usually don’t enjoy this format, I did enjoy this book. However, some parts were difficult—such as the depiction of child rape in Mia’s recollections—and I was uncomfortable with the age difference between the survivor (whose name wasn’t given) and Mia, who was 15-16 years old, as it seemed to be at least 20-30 years. Other than that, it was a good read.
    • The Surviving Son (Book 2): This book didn’t live up to the first. My main issue was that the only person who could cure the virus was inexplicably allowed to leave on a risky search for The Nameless Survivor’s son in Northern New England. The timeline was also muddled, as Abel was described inconsistently as either a six-year-old or a teenager. I wasn’t satisfied with the portrayal of The Nameless Survivor, now renamed Adam. Most frustratingly, the ending left Stephanie and Abel’s fate unresolved, leaving the conclusion feeling incomplete.
  • The Imp series by Debra Dunbar (I was able to get almost the entire series on KU. There are 5 books that were not on KU or not on Amazon).
    • A Demon Bound (Book 1): This was an engaging book with a unique twist on the genre. Sam, an imp who has lived on Earth for 40 years as a slumlord, is drawn into a murder mystery when a werewolf blackmails her into trying to kill the rogue angel targeting her kind. The book is fast-paced, witty, and decidedly tongue-in-cheek.
    • Satan’s Sword (Book 2): Another engaging book that centers on Sam and her friends. In this book, Sam had to bail her foster brother, Dar, out of hot water with a higher-up demon. All she has to do is get an ancient artifact and deliver it to said demon. Sam is also dealing with a serial killer who is taking ears as trophies and has moved from the homeless to children. This book was funny, a little gross (there was a lot of gore), and just an overall good read. I am very interested to see what happens in the next book with Sam’s new title, the elves, the demon trying to kill Sam, and the vampires.
    • Elven Blood (Book 3): In this book, Sam must work for an Elven Lord to track down a unique elf/demon hybrid and bring it to the Elven lands, dead or alive. If successful, the Lord will resolve her demon problem. I found this book as enjoyable as the first two, and it was a quicker read. The plot had interesting twists, especially regarding the hybrid, and I liked Sam’s interactions with the Ruling Council of Angels.
    • Devil’s Paw (Book 4): Sam, for once, doesn’t have anyone wanting to kill her. She is content doing impish things (having lots of sex and causing mischief). But things go sideways when Gregory (the angel) is convinced that Sam is behind the murder of an angel and several demons (because of her devouring ability). I loved this book. It was a little faster-paced than the previous three books and featured much more action. I loved Sam’s interactions with Gregory, but I didn’t love how he treated her. I also loved that Sam’s emotional maturity has come so far in just three books and that she has developed strong morals. I was a little surprised and upset by the ending. But saying that, I can’t wait to read book 5 and see what shenanigans Sam gets into in Hel.
    • Imp Forsaken (Book 5): This book centers on Sam and Gabe (Gregory’s younger brother), split between Sam’s recovery in Hel after Gregory’s banishment and Gabe’s investigation into an angel rebellion in Aaru. The narrative alternates between their experiences: Sam’s struggle to heal/recover her powers, her violent encounters with powerful beings, and her leadership in a violent rebellion; Gabe’s efforts to uncover the source of unrest among the angels. The story is marked by intense violence and significant character development. I enjoyed seeing how Sam’s experiences shaped her, and I am eager to see her reunited with Gregory.
    • Angel of Chaos (Book 6): The book follows the Nephilim, Sam, and Gregory (revealed as Archangel Michael), focusing on the chaos Sam creates. It features significant violence and both physical and spiritual sex. The author expands on why angels cannot procreate. Another side of Gabe emerges, as hinted at in Imp Forsaken. Harper, a mortal, was enthralled and impregnated by an angel against her will, which led to anger and trust issues. The ending was expected, and Sam’s absorption of others into her household was intriguing. I’m curious about the Kingdom of Lies and Sam’s deals with sorcerers Kirby and Gabe.
    • Kingdom of Lies (Book 7): This book picks up a few months after Angel of Chaos. Sam’s quest to retrieve a dangerous, modified gem for a sorcerer becomes more perilous when a greedy demon uses the gem’s power to grow stronger. Meanwhile, Sam manages her relationship with Gregory, the tensions in her household, and the mystery of gates opening to other dimensions. Kingdom of Lies is fast-paced, plenty violent, but light on sex. The snark level is high (I love Sam’s sense of humor and her skewed moral compass). The author does something interesting by exposing humans to demons, angels, and other supernatural beings. I was slightly disappointed that the gate closings didn’t get more time, but that would probably take another book. I’m eager to see where Exodus (the next book) will go.
    • Exodus (Book 8): As the angel rebellion peaks and the Ruling Council pressures Sam to leave while elves advance on humans, chaos erupts. In response, Sam welcomes all refugees into her household (most of them on temporary status). She plans to defend Aaru alongside Gregory and his brothers using her Lows. The ensuing battle is tense and well described; plot twists unfold logically yet remain surprising. Ultimately, the conclusion is impactful, as Sam’s allies prove formidable.
    • Queen of the Damned (Book 9): This book starts several months after the events in Exodus. The angels (and Sam) are still locked out of Aaru and trying to get back in. Soon after, Sam learns someone has kidnapped three of her Lows. The investigation is chaotic, but she eventually uncovers the culprit—a very odd figure, like Mr. Rogers with an Ancient twist. The Ancient who took the Lows is unsettling, but ultimately seems fine. As she continues, Sam discovers the Ancients have awoken and want to return to Aaru—a storyline that is both humorous and a bit sad. Later, a surprising twist involving Harper’s angel baby daddy brings the plot full circle and adds a bittersweet note. At the very end, Samael is revealed to be alive. Overall, the book was a compelling, enjoyable read—I couldn’t put it down.
    • The Morning Star (Book 10): This book concludes Sam and Gregory’s journey, focusing on Samael’s rumored return after a 2-billion-year absence. When this rumor proves true, Sam tries to unite the Ancients and demons to avert war on Earth, all while raising Lux, an adorable Angel of Order. The fast-paced, hilarious story delivers well-written twists. Although I had anticipated the Samael reveal back in book 8, the actual revelation and the intense ending twist exceeded expectations. Lux’s biological sire wants him back, but Sam stands firm, and she discusses Lux’s safety with Remiel. The author delivers an astonishing final twist that powerfully concludes the series.
    • With This Ring (Book 11): Several months after The Morning Star, Sam is adapting to her new life, balancing committee responsibilities and personal milestones, including serving as a bridesmaid in Amber/Irix’s wedding. Her adopted angel Lux brings unexpected chaos by taking his ring-bearing role literally. Amid challenges—humans wielding powerful weapons, strict immigration rules, evasive elves, and a zombie onslaught—Sam is overwhelmed but ultimately solves everything in her signature chaotic style. This chaos, paired with her indifference to rules and deep love for Lux and her found family, grounds her and makes the book a joy to read. The hilarious sex toy scene exemplifies the humor, keeping me laughing throughout.
    • A Crown of Imp and Bone (Book 12): I expected this to be the last book, but the author announced book 13, which I’m eager to read. In this installment, Sam faces her most dangerous challenge, juggling wedding preparations and a quest for peace after Lux steals the Seelie Queen’s ring—breaking a historic contract and threatening humans. Sam’s mission plunges her into conspiracies: rescuing kidnapped Seelie girls, investigating mysterious towers, battling the Wild Hunt, Unseelie King for help, and a climactic fight. For the first time in the series, I genuinely feared for Sam’s survival.

Monthly Playlist (I use songs featured in the book, if there are any, along with a playlist generated by ChatGPT).

Featured Song of the Month

The Final Curtain (Kyoichiro Kaga: Book 10) by Keigo Higashino, Giles Murray (Translator)

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books

Date of publication: December 12th, 2023

Genre: Mystery, Japan, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Thriller, Crime, Detective, Japanese Literature, Novels, Asian Literature

Series: Kyoichiro Kaga

Books 1-3 and books 6-7 do not have English translations.

Malice—Book 4

Newcomer—Book 5

A Death in Tokyo—Book 6

The Final Curtain—Book 7

Purchase Links: Kindle | Audible | B&N | AbeBooks | WorldCat

Goodreads Synopsis:

From the acclaimed author of Malice and Newcomer, a confounding murder in Tokyo is connected to the mystery of the disappearance and death of Detective Kaga’s own mother.

A decade ago, Tokyo Police Detective Kyoichiro Kaga went to collect the ashes of his recently deceased mother. Years before, she ran away from her husband and son without explanation or any further contact, only to die alone in an apartment far away, leaving her estranged son with many unanswered questions.

Now in Tokyo, Michiko Oshitani is found dead many miles from home. Strangled to death, left in the bare apartment rented under a false name by a man who has disappeared without a trace. Oshitani lived far away in Sendai, with no known connection to Tokyo – and neither her family or friends have any idea why she would have gone there.

Hers is the second strangulation death in that approximate area of Tokyo – the other was a homeless man, killed and his body burned in a tent by the river. As the police search through Oshitani’s past for any clue that might shed some light, one of the detectives reaches out to Detective Kaga for advice. As the case unfolds an unexpected connective emerges between the murder (or murders) now and the long ago case of the missing mother of Detective Kaga.

The Final Curtain, one of Keigo Higashino’s most acclaimed mysteries, brings the story of Detective Kaga to a surprising conclusion in a series of rich, surprising twists.

First Line:

Despite decades having passed, Yasuyo Miyamoto could still recall that day with absolute clarity.

The Final Curtain by Keigo Higashino

Important things you need to know about the book:

Pace:The pace of The Final Curtain was slow-paced.

POV: The Final Curtain is told from a 3rd person point of view. It is told from Kyoichiro Kaga, Shuhei Matsumiya, and Hiromi Kadokura (aka Hiromi Asai)’s POV.

Series: The Final Curtain is the 10th book in the Kyoichrio Kaga series. You can read this book as a standalone.

Trigger/Content Warning: The Final Curtain has trigger and content warnings. If any of these triggers you, I suggest not reading the book. They are:

  • Murder
  • Sexual Assault
  • Abandonment
  • Statutory Rape
  • Foster Care
  • Adult-minor relationship (a teacher has a years-long affair with a student, who is one of the main characters)
  • Depression
  • Abortion
  • Dead Bodies
  • Death of a parent
  • Grief & Loss Depiction
  • Strangulation

Sexual Content: There is sexual content in The Final Curtain.

Language: The Final Curtain has mild swearing in it. There is no offensive language.

Setting: The Final Curtain is set in and around Tokyo, Japan.

Age Range: I recommend The Final Curtain to anyone over 21.

Plot Synopsis (as spoiler-free as I can get):

Called to help with the investigation of a strangulation case, Kaga is surprised to discover the victim is an old schoolmate of his. While he is investigating that murder, another murder happens, and he is surprised to find the two are connected. But there are few clues, and the one person who could have answers is not talking. It is up to Kaga to wade through decades of lies and misdirections to find out the answer. And in doing so, Kaga might finally get an explanation about the death of the mother who abandoned him decades earlier.

Main Characters

Instead of listing the main characters and giving my opinion, I will share my overall view of them. The Final Curtain didn’t have a set main character. The book flowed from one character to another. If I had to pick out three characters that stood out the most, they would be:

  • Kyoichiro Kaga
  • Shuhei Matsumiya
  • Hiromi Kadokura (Hiromi Asai)

These characters (well, all of the characters) were well-written and multi-faceted. I was surprised by this, seeing that this is the final book in this series and the first time I have read any book by this author. It was a pleasant surprise and added to my enjoyment of the book.

My review:

I didn’t know what to expect when I started reading The Final Curtain. I was a little iffy about it because it was book 10 in the series, and I figured I would have difficulty getting into it. Not in this case. My only complaint was that it was slow in spots. But, in my eyes, that slowness added to the overall ambiance of the book. It also allowed the author to build up the storyline and tie everything together without looking rushed.

The author did something clever at the beginning of the book. He added a cast of characters. I was thrilled that he did that. I usually go through my Kindle to find names while writing my review. I didn’t have to do that in this book.

The main storyline in The Final Curtain is centered around the murder investigation of Michiko Oshitani and the homeless man. The storyline was well-written and well-fleshed out. A few red herrings were thrown out that had me thinking that Kaga would never solve the mystery (the bridges angle was fascinating). The twist at the end and how the author tied everything together were well done. I was left shaking my head at who the killer was and why that person did what they did.

The end of The Final Curtain was a little bittersweet. I liked how the author brought everything together and wrapped up the storylines. I also liked that there was a finality to the storylines. Seeing that this is the end of the storyline, the author ends the book in a way that clarifies that there will be no more after.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, NetGalley, Keigo Higashino, and Giles Murray for allowing me to read and review this ARC of The Final Curtain. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

If you enjoy reading books similar to The Final Curtain, then you will enjoy these books:

Other books by Keigo Higashino

The Hollywood Spy (Maggie Hope: Book 10) by Susan Elia MacNeal

Book Cover

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, Bantam

Date of publication: July 6th, 2021

Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Thriller

Series: Maggie Hope

Mr. Churchill’s Secretary—Book 1

Princess Elizabeth’s Spy—Book 2

His Majesty’s Hope—Book 3

The Prime Minister’s Secret Agent—Book 4

Mrs. Roosevelt’s Confidante—Book 5

The Queen’s Accomplice—Book 6

The Paris Spy—Book 7

The Prisoner in the Castle—Book 8

The King’s Justice—Book 9

The Hollywood Spy—Book 10

Purchase Links—Amazon | Audible | B&N | WorldCat

Format Read: Unedited ARC

Received From: Publisher

Goodreads Synopsis:

Los Angeles, 1943. As the Allies beat back the Nazis in the Mediterranean and the United States military slowly closes in on Tokyo, Walt Disney cranks out wartime propaganda and the Cocoanut Grove is alive with jazz and swing each night. But behind this sunny façade lies a darker reality. Somewhere in the lush foothills of Hollywood, a woman floats, lifeless, in the pool of one of California’s trendiest hotels. When American-born secret agent and British spy Maggie Hope learns that this woman was engaged to her old flame, John Sterling, and that he suspects her death was no accident, intuition tells her he’s right. Leaving London under siege—not to mention flying thousands of miles—is a lot to ask. But John was once the love of Maggie’s life . . . and she won’t say no.

Maggie is shocked to find Los Angeles as divided as Europe itself—the Zoot Suit Riots loom large and the Ku Klux Klan casts a long shadow. As she marvels at the hatred in her home country, she can’t help but wonder what it will be like to see her lost love once again. But there is little time to dwell on memories once she starts digging into the case. As she traces a web of deception from the infamous Garden of Allah to the iconic Carthay Theater, she discovers things aren’t always the way things appear in the movies—and the political situation in America is more complicated, and dangerous, than the newsreels would have them all believe.

First Line:

It was 1943 and America was at war.

The Hollywood Spy by Susan Elia MacNeal

I have a fascination with World War II. And being fascinated with it, I have read a ton of books that have taken place in various countries during World War II. But, to my knowledge, I never have read a book set entirely in Los Angeles during World War II. When I read the blurb and saw where this book was set, this book caught my interest.

The Hollywood Spy is book 10 in the Maggie Hope series. Readers can read this book as a standalone, but I highly recommend that the other books be read first. There are people and events referenced that I had no clue about, and it drove me nuts.

There were two distinct plotlines in The Hollywood Spy. The first being the plotline where Maggie is investigating the death of John’s fiancee. The second involved the KKK and a plotline to cause as much mayhem as possible. I had zero problems keeping the plotlines separate.

The pacing and flow of The Hollywood Spy were good. It did take forever for the book to get going, but once it did, it kept up a steady pace until the end of the book. The same goes for the flow of the book. It flowed nicely between characters and plotlines, with little to no lag.

I liked Maggie and thought she was a relatable character. She dealt with everything that life threw at her with grace and a bit of humor. I also liked that she was super bright but had to be careful not to tread on people’s toes.

The mystery angle of The Hollywood Spy was interesting. There were so many twists and turns in the plotline that I didn’t know where it would take me. I wasn’t that surprised at who the killer ended up being or why that person did it. Considering the times and how close-minded people were (and still are), it made sense.

There was a massive twist in the plotline with John and Maggie. I did not see it coming, and it took me 100% by surprise when he dropped that bomb on her. It also saddened me because what I was hoping wasn’t going to happen.

I do want to add that racism and homophobia are very much a part of this book. Seeing that it is set in the 1940s, I wasn’t that surprised that it was portrayed. It was still heartbreaking to read (the scene with the nanny in the diner made me cry). It was even more painful because 80+ years later, there is still blatant racism. The author discussed this in her author’s note at the end of the book.

The end of The Hollywood Spy was well written. The author ends the storylines in the book but is left open enough for book 11.

The Hollywood Spy was a well-written mystery. I enjoyed reading it and was kept on edge with the different twists and turns that the plot took.

I would recommend The Hollywood Spy for anyone over the age of 21. There is violence and language. There are implied sexual situations.