The Agathas by Kathleen Glasgow & Liz Lawson (The Agathas book 1)

 

“Last summer, Alice Ogilvie’s basketball-star boyfriend Steve dumped her. Then she disappeared for five days. She's not talking, so where she went and what happened to her is the biggest mystery in Castle Cove. Or it was, at least. But now, another one of Steve’s girlfriends has vanished: Brooke Donovan, Alice’s ex–best friend. And it doesn’t look like Brooke will be coming back. . .

Enter Iris Adams, Alice's tutor. Iris has her own reasons for wanting to disappear, though unlike Alice, she doesn't have the money or the means. That could be changed by the hefty reward Brooke's grandmother is offering to anyone who can share information about her granddaughter's whereabouts. The police are convinced Steve is the culprit, but Alice isn't so sure, and with Iris on her side, she just might be able to prove her theory.

In order to get the reward and prove Steve's innocence, they need to figure out who killed Brooke Donovan. And luckily Alice has exactly what they need--the complete works of Agatha Christie. If there's anyone that can teach the girls how to solve a mystery it's the master herself. But the town of Castle Cove holds many secrets, and Alice and Iris have no idea how much danger they're about to walk into.” - taken from Goodreads.

Alice Ogilive returns to the halls of Castle Cove High School on Halloween after disappearing for five days and finishing her house arrest. Behind in her classes, Alice’s parents hire a tutor for her, fellow classmate Iris Adams. Far from being two peas in a pod, Alice and Iris soon bond over trying to find out what happened to missing classmate, Brooke Donovan, Alice’s ex best friend. With the help of Agatha Christie, the girls are convinced they can discover who killed Brooke while proving Steve Anderson’s innocence. But Castle Cove holds its secrets close and the closer Alice and Iris get to the truth, the more danger they find themselves in.

Book two, The Night in Question, is out now.

Visit Kathleen Glasgow’s website.

Visit Liz Lawson’s website.

Mysteries of Thorn Manor by Margaret Rogerson (Sorcery of Thorns book 1.5)

 

“In this sequel novella to Sorcery of Thorns, Elisabeth, Nathaniel, and Silas must unravel the magical trap keeping them inside Thorn Manor in time for their Midwinter Ball!

Elisabeth Scrivener is finally settling into her new life with sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn. Now that their demon companion Silas has returned, so has scrutiny from nosy reporters hungry for gossip about the city's most powerful sorcerer and the librarian who stole his heart. But something strange is afoot at Thorn Manor: the estate's wards, which are meant to keep their home safe, are acting up and forcibly trapping the Manor's occupants inside. Surely it must be a coincidence that this happened just as Nathaniel and Elisabeth started getting closer to one another...

With no access to the outside world, Elisabeth, Nathaniel, and Silas - along with their new maid Mercy - will have to work together to discover the source of the magic behind the malfunctioning wards before they're due to host the city's Midwinter Ball. Not an easy task when the house is filled with unexpected secrets, and all Elisabeth can think about is kissing Nathaniel in peace. But when it becomes clear that the house, influenced by the magic of Nathaniel's ancestors, requires a price for its obedience, Elisabeth and Nathaniel will have to lean on their connection like never before to set things right.” - taken from Goodreads.

This was a great glimpse into the lives of Elisabeth, Nathaniel, and Silas since the conclusion of Sorcery of Thorns. Will Elisabeth and Nathaniel be able to break the curse on Thorn Manor and can the two of them finally decide to be together? This novella was a nice wrap up of these characters. 

Visit Margaret Rogerson’s website.

Lying in the Deep by Diana Urban

 

“After being jilted by her ex-boyfriend and best friend, Jade couldn't be more ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime—11 countries in 4 months, all from the luxurious Campus on Board ship—and to wedge an entire globe between her and the people who broke her heart.

But when Jade discovers the backstabbing couple are also setting sail, her obsession with them grows and festers, leading to a shocking murder. And as their friends begin to drop like flies, Jade and her new crush must race to clear her name and find the killer they’re trapped at sea with….before anyone else winds up in body bags.” - taken from Goodreads.

This was an interesting mystery that takes place on a cruise ship.When the first body is discovered, fingers begin pointing at Jade. Desperate to clear her name, Jade joins forces with Felix to help clear her name as the bodies of those involved begin to pile up. Who is the murderer on this cruise ship of terror? And why?

Visit Diana Urban’s website.

The Mortal Instruments: The Graphic Novel, Vol. 6 by Cassandra Clare and Cassandra Jean

 

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first five books in the series, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the story for you.

“With the Mortal Instruments in his possession, Valentine means to unleash havoc on Shadowhunter and Downworlder alike. Despite this, for many in the Clave, fighting alongside werewolves, faeries, warlocks, and vampires would be as terrible as submitting to Valentine. Clary must convince them that working together–aided by her new rune-creation ability–is their only hope for a future!” - taken from Goodreads.com

This is the sixth volume in this graphic novel series retelling that concludes the storyline of City of Glass. The final page does offer a teaser for a seventh volume that readers can hope will start with City of Fallen Angels. Release date is not yet known.

Visit Cassandra Clare’s website.

Visit Cassandra Jean’s website.

The Mortal Instruments: The Graphic Novel, Vol. 5 by Cassandra Clare and Cassandra Jean

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first four books in the series, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the story for you.

“On a mission to save her mom, Clary prepares to leave for Idris, the homeland of the Shadowhunters. Sure, Jace is adamantly against the idea and Magnus refuses to help, but Clary now has powers of her own. What awaits her on the other side of the portal, though, might not be exactly what she’s expecting…” - taken from Goodreads.com

This is the fifth volume in this graphic novel series retelling that begins with the storyline of City of Glass. Great news, there is a sixth volume.

Visit Cassandra Clare’s website.

Visit Cassandra Jean’s website.

 

Demon in the Wood by Leigh Bardugo, ill. by Dani Pendergast (A Shadow and Bone graphic novel, Grishaverse book 0)

 

“Eryk and his mother, Lena, have spent their lives on the run. But they will never find a safe haven. They are not only Grisha—they are the deadliest and rarest of their kind. Feared by those who wish to destroy them and hunted by those who would exploit their gifts, they must hide their true abilities wherever they go. But sometimes deadly secrets have a way of revealing themselves…” - taken from Goodreads.

This is a graphic novel adaption of the short story The Demon in the Wood, that tells a short story about The Darkling as a young man.

Visit Leigh Bardugo’s website.
Visit the Grishaverse.

Saint by Adrienne Young (Fable book 0.5)

 

SPOILER ALERT! Not really. This is a standalone novel about Fable’s infamous father, Saint. Fans of the series, Enjoy!

“As a boy, Elias learned the hard way what happens when you don’t heed the old tales.

Nine years after his lack of superstition got his father killed, he’s grown into a young man of piety, with a deep reverence for the hallowed sea and her fickle favor. As stories of the fisherman’s son who has managed to escape the most deadly of storms spreads from port to port, his devotion to the myths and creeds has given him the reputation of the luckiest bastard to sail the Narrows.

Now, he’s mere days away from getting everything his father ever dreamed for him: a ship of his own, a crew, and a license that names him as one of the first Narrows-born traders. But when a young dredger from the Unnamed Sea with more than one secret crosses his path, Elias’ faith will be tested like never before. The greater the pull he feels toward her, the farther he drifts from the things he’s spent the last three years working for.

He is dangerously close to repeating his mistakes and he’s seen first hand how vicious the jealous sea can be. If he’s going to survive her retribution, he will have to decide which he wants more, the love of the girl who could change their shifting world, or the sacred beliefs that earned him the name that he’s known for―Saint.” - taken from Goodreads.

This was a great story about how Fable’s parents met. Fans of the series will enjoy diving back into the world and discovering Saint’s background and how it influenced the man he would become. Readers learn how Saint and Isolde met and began their trading empire. A great wrap up to this series that will leave you wanting to go  back and reread the earlier books.

Visit Adrienne Young’s website.