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I read 3 books this month. Here's an overview that respects your time
If any of the books below interest you, check your local library! Here’s a handy and free browser extension that shows you which titles are available at branches near you.
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What I read: The Big Four by Agatha Christie
A detective duo mystery featuring the eccentric Hercule Poirot. An international crime group consisting of four masterminds plans to take over the world, if not for a certain mustached Belgian detective and his friend, Captain Hastings.
For a book from the 20s, there’s a lot to like. The pacing is snappy and there’s always something happening. Poirot is so smart and ahead of everyone else that his deductions feel less like logical reasoning and more like unbelievable magic. Some of the language, especially about Asian people, doesn’t hold up too well in 2026. A fast-paced, enjoyable but ultimately just-OK reading experience
⭐️ Star rating: 3.5/5
If this sounds good, consider these:
Arsene Lupin, Gentleman-Thief by Maurice Leblanc
Elementary (CBS) a live-action retelling of Sherlock Holmes featuring Jonny Lee Miller (Sherlock) and Lucy Liu (Joan Watson) went on to be nominated for multiple Emmy awards
This adaptation takes more liberties compared to the original mysteries than the BBC version, but that’s necessarily a bad thing
Available to stream on Hulu and Amazon Prime
What I read: Murder Bimbo by Rebecca Novack
A former sex worker is recruited to help out with an assassination plot against a problematic politician with some not-so-subtle comparisons to today’s politicians. The story is mostly told in emails that the titular Murder Bimbo sends to a podcast host to try and tell her side of the story before news of her crimes get out. If you enjoy unreliable narrators and very messy characters, this might be the crime thriller for you.
I enjoyed the nuance around sex work and its perception in mainstream society. Being stuck the main character’s head was really compelling for about two-thirds of the book. I don’t think the book overstayed its welcome, but I was left wanting something else as it drew to a conclusion. I enjoyed the twists and format of email breadcrumbs.
I read this as a part of a StoryGraph buddy read with my friend Chloe
⭐️ Star rating: 3.5/5
If this sounds good, consider these:
Aubrei (earlgreypls) makes TikTok and Instagram videos about horror and thriller books. I get a lot of my recommendations for the genre from her pages
She also—in true Virgo fashion—makes reading tracker templates for Google Sheets and Excel
Cruelty Free by Caroline Glenn: Another women’s revenge plot where things aren’t as they seem
Additional Resources:
New York Times review of the book that got me interested enough to check it out
May encounter paywall
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What I read: Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes
A retelling of the story of Perseus and Medusa from Medusa’s perspective. You hear from the people affected by the random behavior of the gods. You get to see the Mount Olympus in all of its messiness, the nurturing side of the Gorgons, and learn more about Perseus’ backstory.
The story offers a glimpse into the minds of other characters in Perseus’ story in a very sympathetic style. The writing is witty and clever. The book was paced really well; it never felt like a moment dragged.
I had wanted to get into Greek retellings and this was a great way to start.
⭐️ Star rating: 5/5
If this sounds good, consider these:
Hekate by Nikita Gill: another Greek retelling, this time focused on the goddess of witchcraft and necromancy
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See you all next month!