Book Review: The Little Bee by Nicola Killen

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The Little Bee  by Nicola Killen  is a children's picture book about a girl name Ollie who follows a bee to a magical, secret garden. But, the next day, the beautiful garden was gone, and the little girl misses her new friends. What will she do? This beautiful book has an expected publication date of May 5, 2026. I'd like to thank NetGalley, Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, and Beach Lane Books for approving my request for a digital Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of The Little Bee . I received a copy for free in exchange for my honest review. Nicola Killen wrote such a beautifully worded story that I found myself immersed in the story, and I'm not even the target audience. It's a charming tale that should encourage children to explore nature and make them want to plant their own secret garden.  Equally beautiful were the illustrations. I found myself taking the time to actually look a the pictures as I read. It's a great story to read   at bedtime  with ch...
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Book Review: The Hunter by Jennifer Herrera

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Advanced Readers Copy of The Hunter by Jennifer Herrera
The Hunter by Jennifer Herrera opens with NYPD Detective Leigh O’Donnell returning to her hometown of Copper Falls, Ohio, to investigate three suspicious drownings that may not be accidents. Leigh hopes that solving this unsettling case will help repair her reputation and put her career with the New York City Police Department back on track in New York City.

I’d like to thank NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for providing me with an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of The Hunter. I was both thrilled and honored to be selected to review this suspense novel prior to its publication. Receiving early access to highly anticipated mystery and thriller releases is always exciting, and this one definitely stood out.

At first, I wasn’t entirely sure how I felt about The Hunter because the pacing started off slower than I expected. However, after the first few chapters, the story began to gain momentum, and once it did, I found myself completely invested. The tension steadily builds as secrets begin to surface, and the deeper Leigh digs into the drownings, the more complicated and dangerous the investigation becomes. I thoroughly enjoyed the unexpected twists, clever misdirection, and well-placed red herrings that kept me guessing. The suspense was handled beautifully, and I can honestly say I did not see the ending coming. As someone who reads a large number of mystery, thriller, suspense, and horror novels, that is not something I say lightly.

Book Recommendation of The Hunter by Jennifer Herrera
Leigh was a strong and well-developed main character. She felt realistic and relatable, especially as she struggled to balance her demanding career, her complicated family relationships, and her responsibilities as a mother. Her daughter added warmth and emotional depth to the story. Leigh’s uncles were initially difficult to like, but as the story progressed, their layers were revealed, and I came to appreciate their loyalty and love. I also had mixed feelings about Leigh’s brother and her soon-to-be ex-husband, which added authenticity and emotional complexity. While many of the secondary characters were unlikable, that actually enhanced the story because it created a sense of suspicion and made it difficult to determine who could be trusted.

I gave The Hunter four out of five stars, and I sincerely hope this is the beginning of a series featuring Leigh O’Donnell. Jennifer Herrera has created a compelling small-town mystery filled with tension, emotional depth, and shocking revelations. If you enjoy mystery thrillers, police procedurals, and suspense novels with unpredictable endings and strong female detectives, I highly recommend reading this book. It is a gripping, twist-filled story that mystery and thriller fans won’t want to miss.

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