Mystery

 The Doorman's Secret by Cassie Croft

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

Rating: ★ ★ ★1/2 (3.5 stars)

The Doorman’s Secret by Cassie Croft is a fun, easy read that really delivers on the voyeuristic thrill of New York high-society drama. The story follows Frank Cahill, an observant overnight doorman who sees it all from his lobby post in an exclusive building.

Croft does a fantastic job building a cosy, immersive atmosphere, and Frank is a likable, grounded protagonist. However, some of the subplots involving the residents feel a bit rushed, leaving you wanting a bit more depth from the sprawling cast of characters. The pacing dips slightly in the middle, but the charming premise and satisfying reveals make up for it.

If you’re looking for a low-stakes, entertaining mystery to curl up with on a rainy weekend, this one is definitely worth checking out!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dying To Meet The Newcomer by Judith Fournie Helms

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

                                    Rating:  ★ ★ ★ ★

Dying to Meet the Newcomer by Judith Fournie Helms offers a truly unconventional mystery that will get you thinking. The community is baffled by Sen Smith, an amiable newcomer whose ardent club-forming coincides with increasing afflictions among his neighbours. This leads to a petition to cast him out. But is Sen the cause of their woes, or merely an unfortunate new presence?

The book excels at creating an intriguing ambiguity. It isn't a typical 'whodunit,' but rather invites you to ponder whether the strange turn of events is causative, coincidental, or perhaps something else entirely. While the narrative cleverly resists a definitive answer – which might feel less satisfying for readers expecting a clear resolution – this open-endedness is precisely what makes it thought-provoking. If you're looking for a mystery that challenges assumptions and explores the unsettling power of community perception rather than delivering a neat solution, this is a compelling and unique read.