Member Reviews
Thank you to Thrillerbookloversthepulse, Graydon House, #partner, for an advanced e-copy of Nothing Ever Happens Here in exchange for my honest review.
I’m still relatively new to Seraphina Nova Glass’s books, but after loving her last one, The Vacancy in Room 10, I knew I needed to read more by her!
Once again, I found myself completely hooked right from the beginning…I mean after that opening chapter, how could you not get wrapped up in what was going on? From there, the twists and turns this book took did not stop.
What I loved most, though, about this book, were the characters. Again we are given such a fun, quirky bunch of characters, especially the “gang” of senior citizens that take it upon themselves to help get to the bottom of everything happens in their town. I am always down for some amateur sleuthing & this gang takes it to a whole new level!
But don’t think this is a cozy mystery by any means. This is downright sinister & menacing, with plenty of shocking moments. And that small-town feel comes through loud & clear…another of my favorite tropes that works so well in this book!
I know this isn’t out until February, but I highly recommend adding it to your tbr or even pre-ordering it! You won’t be sorry!
This book has my jaw open quite a few times thinking WTF! We have some senior loving folks, one trying to find a hobby who decides she should start a true crime podcast. We have Mack whose husband Leo disappeared a year ago from suspicious circumstances. We also have Shelby, Mack’s friend, who has survived an attempted murder and feels like there is someone always watching her. There have been some unexplained deaths recently in their small town and now the gang is beginning to think there was foul play involved. The element of the seniors gave this book more of a cozy feel for much of the story, but don’t you worry, there were many thrilling parts as well!
🌟 Another hit for Seraphina Nova Glass! "Nothing Ever Happens Here" is such a delightful blend of quirky, suspense, and humor—it somehow just works! I haven’t loved a cast of characters this much in ages. The senior citizen sleuths, or as I like to call them, "the gang," were laugh-out-loud funny and definitely deserve their own sitcom—let’s call it "Morts Musings"!
The story kicks off with a bang and kept me hooked the entire weekend; I literally couldn’t put it down. The multiple POVs are expertly woven together, making the narrative feel so seamless. I’m still in awe of how Seraphina managed to have me laughing one moment, gasping the next, and in my feels shortly after. This book is an emotional rollercoaster in the best way possible!
5 stars all the way! If you’re looking for a fun read that’ll keep you on your toes, this is it! 📚✨
Seraphina Nova Glass's latest, Nothing Ever Happens Here, is a must-read. The wintry Minnesota setting, quirky characters and suspenseful plot kept me hooked from the start. The alternating POV chapters kept me guessing and I didn't predict any of the major twists. The assisted living setting was as intriguing as the motel in The Vacancy in Room 10. This is a must-read for fans of thrillers and cozy mysteries.
Thanks to Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse and and Graydon House for an exclusive early copy of this book. Make sure to get your copy when it comes out February 11, 2025.
3.75 stars.
This is a blend of cozy mystery and psychological thriller, told from three points of view - two best friends, Shelby and Mackenzie, and a senior citizen, Florence, living in a retirement home run by Shelby. The story is both cute and suspenseful.
The novel starts off with a bang, has some twists and turns, red herrings, and some murders which culminate in a surprising, tense, and unexpected ending. Florence and her fellow senior citizen friends are likeable, funny and resourceful and add to the cozy mystery element to the story. There is also a nice small town vibe throughout the novel.
Readers who like novels that are a blend of mystery and thriller, coziness and suspense, and that are written in an easy-to-read style, should definitely check this one out.
Thanks to the publisher for this e-ARC. All opinions are my own.
𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 4 ½✨⭐️
NOTHING EVER HAPPENS HERE
🤍𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: thriller
📖 304 pages
𝗘𝗺𝗼𝗷𝗶𝘀: ❄️😱🗒️🥶🔫👀🚔🔎🎙️☕️📱
𝗣𝘂𝗯 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲: 2/11/2025
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲:
◽️ multiple POV
◽️ true crime podcasts
◽️ small town mysteries
◽️ ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING vibes
◽️ bingeable thrillers
🩵𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲🩵
Thank you @graydonhouse @seraphinaglass for the #gifted copy! @thrillerbookloversthepulse is loving this one!
I was completely captivated by this book from the very first page & found it nearly impossible to put down! The story, told from multiple POV, kept me hooked with each chapter ending on a cliffhanger, making it a fast & exhilarating read. The pacing was perfect, & I found myself racing through the pages to uncover the next twist.
There are quite a few characters introduced early on, but each one brings something essential to the plot. The group of elders from the assisted living facility was a particular favorite of mine, providing comic relief & a lot of heart. Their podcast gave off strong ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING vibes, which added a fun & quirky element to the story.
NOTHING EVER HAPPENS HERE is filled with red herrings & an array of suspects that keep you guessing. While I managed to figure out the killer (likely thanks to all the thrillers I’ve devoured 🤪), the suspense & excitement along the way never let up. Full of mystery, found family dynamics, & constant surprises, this novel was an absolute thrill ride. Glass has solidified herself as an auto-buy author for me with her binge-worthy thrillers & I can’t wait to read more by her!!
𝗣𝗹𝗼𝘁: After surviving a brutal attack, Shelby Dawson tries to move on with her life. 15 months later, she feels safe again, but a threatening note on her car brings back the terror. As evidence emerges, a group of well-meaning locals accidentally makes her case go viral, drawing more attention to her situation. With accidents happening to people close to her, Shelby realizes she’s still being watched. Meanwhile, Mackenzie’s missing husband, Leo, is suspected to be alive, complicating the investigation further as Shelby races to stop her attacker.
Nothing Ever Happens Here starts with a tension-filled scene that keeps you guessing who and why throughout the rest of the book.
Glass paints a vivid picture of the colorful characters in a typical small town - from the busybodies to the gossip mongers and a police force that hardly ever sees any real action. What really struck me was how Glass captured the true essence of rural Minnesota life - from the ice fishing to the early onset of darkness at 4 p.m., and even Perkins (my go-to spot after a night out in college). Adding to the suspense is the bone-chilling winter setting she creates: the eerie stillness when the temperatures drop below zero, and the only sound you hear is the crunch of snow under your feet as you dash to your car, desperately hoping it starts.
Amid all the suspense and unease, Glass introduces a quirky group of senior citizens who join forces to unravel the mystery of Leo’s disappearance. Their presence infuses the story with well-timed humor, creating a cozy mystery atmosphere within the heart of a thrilling plot. I absolutely loved this "gang," particularly Florence, whose fearless attitude left me hoping I'll be just as gutsy when I'm her age.
Make sure to add this to your winter reading list! It's a gripping small-town thriller with multiple twists, filled with endearing characters and an ending that will leave you shocked and - for me quite impressed. Bravo!
"It's a death omen. The words pierce the evening air and then are lost in the surrounding laughter and chatter." -- "Nothing Ever Happens Here" by Seraphina Nova Glass
The phrase death omen piqued my curiosity. After a quick Google search, I realized that while the term was unfamiliar to me, the underlying meaning resonated.
I'm really into books paired with podcasts, and "Nothing Ever Happens Here" has an intriguing one. It doesn't enter until later in the book, but it's worth the wait.
When #ThePulse offered me an advanced copy of this book, I eagerly accepted. The author's last book left me in awe, and I have a soft spot for the unique and captivating characters she crafts. This book is brimming with them. Initially, the large cast of characters felt overwhelming—I prefer a smaller ensemble to get to know each character, lol!
The story kicks off with a bang, so get ready for a rollercoaster ride!
Thank you to the author, The Pulse, and Graydon House/HTP Books for this gifted ARC received via NetGalley. All my thoughts are genuine and willingly shared.
#NothingEverHappensHere #GraydonHouse #NetGalley #SeraphinaNovaGlass
Coming February 11, 2025 (my bday)
Nothing Ever Happens Here
Saraphina Nova Glass
Graydon House Publishing
This is my first book by Saraphina Nova Glass and I will be adding all others to my TBR. There are several characters- main and supporting - but hang on because you need all of them. They are eccentric and sometimes odd, but relatable and ones you grow to love. I love the details down to the afghans, ice fishing and the shareable snacks for the podcast crew.
Multiple POVs a fast paced story line, a little humor sprinkled in - this is full of twists with an unguessable ending. All the boxes are checked for me. Thank you @seraphinanovaglass @graydonhousebooks @thrillerbookloversthepulse for the opportunity to read this in advance.
Are you looking for a dark and pulse pounding thriller with female protagonists and unpredictable twists? look no further. Add this to your TBR now.
The book is dark, suspenseful and mysterious. There are secrets and mystery. This is an utterly gripping and unputdownable book. Shelby Dawson has survived a horrifying attack. She is oblivion to her attacker’s identity but something feels so oddly familiar about him. Fifteen months later, It all feels good but an anonymous note puts her in an unexpected situation once again. Her best friend’s husband disappears and something sinister is happening in Minnesota. The person is targeting people in town. It is all connected with the past. I like the female protagonists. Revelations at the end shook me. I didn’t see some twists coming. The author did it again. The book has been narrated through multiple perspectives. Some characters were odd while some were really clever. This was such a clever plot.
Many Thanks to the Publisher for giving me early access to this book. Thanks to the Author as well.
This chilling and twisty book will be a great way to kick off your 2025 reading!!! This isn’t just a cozy mystery because the suspense was intense with several twists to keep you on your toes! But it was also a fun read because of the delightful group of characters and the bonds of friendship. I’m so glad to have discovered this new to me author!
Nothing ever happens in small towns…
Shelby Dawson survives an attack that should have left her dead. On that same night, her best friend’s husband, Leo, disappears. Over a year later, Shelby finally feels safe again. But when an anonymous note appears on her windshield bearing the same threats her attacker made, she realizes that her nightmare has only just begun.
Intertwined with the suspense, Glass lightens the mood with a group of quirky senior citizens who unintentionally makes the case go viral, making the situation even worse. As one disaster after another affects Shelby, she can’t help but be paranoid about being followed. But by who and why?
But Shelby isn’t the only one with questions. Her best friend, Mack is still reeling from the disappearance of her husband, Leo. As his secret life unravels before her, Mack is determined to track down her husband and find the answers she seeks!
Thank you, @seraphinanovaglass and @netgalley
for a digital copy of this book. The opinions are my own and freely given.
Shelby & Mackenzie are best friends. One girls' night out finds Mackenzie's husband Leo gone, while Shelby is terrorized. This leaves lasting effects and the man behind it is a mystery to her.
Months later as Shelby is starting to get her life back together, she starts being threatened.
Mackenzie, while moving on with her life, can't help but wonder where Leo disappeared too, and she starts to independently look for him.
Shelby manages a retirement community and the "gang" there decides to investigate who is behind what is happening to Shelby.
I loved this book! My favorite characters were all the retirees that were trying to help Shelby, as the police weren't taking her seriously. I know that Leo's story, disappearance, was a big part of this story, but that was my least favorite part. Told in alternating chapters between Shelby, Mackenzie and Florence (the lead of the retiree gang) I would highly recommend this book.
This is only my second read by this author; however, I liked it MORE.
What an “𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙙𝙜𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙩” kinda thriller!!! I could not put this one down.. It 𝐤𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐮𝐩 all night and I was completely 𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙚𝙙!!! Please do yourself a favor and pre-order this book today!!!
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced reader copy!!!
This is my second by Seraphina and I’m a fan. I’m learning that her speciality is writing a compelling balance of cozy mystery with lovable oddball characters mixed in and I’m here for it.
After reading so many thrillers and mysteries I feel I’ve gotten pretty good predicting twists, but I couldn’t get a handle on this one. Even though I had some theories going, I just couldn’t nail down who it was.
While the mystery was intriguing I think my favorite part of the book was The Gang. The found family feeling on top of the eccentric characters was an entertaining touch to the story. Also, in the past few years there have been a lot of podcast mysteries so it was a nice to have seniors making the podcast for a change.
You’re going to want to add this small town mystery with snowy vibes to your winter TBR!
Read if you love:
🔈Multiple POVs
🏘️ Small towns
❤️ Found family
👵🏼 Meddling seniors
Thank you Graydon House and Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review!
I’m a big fan of @seraphinanovaglass and have read all her books to date. As soon as I saw that @thrillerbookloversthepulse had an exclusive to read her new book early, I threw my TBR out the window and immediately got reading.
I’m happy to report that Nothing Ever Happens Here is a great read. The book perfectly combines twists and turns with cozy vibes and humour.
Glass has a knack for balancing plot, pace, and character development. The way she integrates “the gang” from the Oleander into the darker mystery plot is #goals. These retirees/true crime podcasters/ amateur sleuths are the characters I did not know I needed in my life and now cannot live without. Just trust me; it works.
I’m a big fan of Florence. When I’m retired, I want to be a combination of her and Minnie. # lifegoals.
The only downside of reading Nothing Ever Happens Here early is that I have to wait longer for Seraphina Nova Glass’s next book. I know it will be worth the wait!
Trust me, you’ll want this one on your 2025 TBR!
Thank you to the publisher and @netgalley for the gifted copy.
Nothing Ever Happens Here is the story of a small town and a woman who survived an attack. The same night as the attack her husband, Leo, goes missing. Now almost a year and a half later she finds clues that Leo is still alive and she is determined to find him. At the same time she is dealing with threats that will lead to an expected ending. This book is filled with twists and keeps you guessing. A truly thrilling read!
As soon as I heard that Seraphina Nova Glass had another book coming out, I knew immediately that I had to get my hands on it ASAP. So when I saw that those of us at Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse had an exclusive to read it early? Well, I snapped it up quick. After all, she’s one of my favorite authors, as her thrillers are always packed with sublime characters, evocative settings, and unguessable twists. Let me tell you, Nothing Ever Happens Here had all of that and more. Unfurling with ratcheting suspense that easily kept me on the edge of my seat, I was utterly captivated from the first compelling page until the very last word.
As evidenced by Glass’s prior books, her biggest talent is creating eccentric, oddball characters and comedic yet drama-filled scenes. Just as I loved her rundown motel setting in The Vacancy in Room 10, the realistic yet unforgettable assisted living community was equally well done in Nothing Ever Happens Here. I mean, I could vividly see the gray-haired old dears bickering over Murder She Wrote until bad things began to occur. From there you can just imagine how the spunky protagonists got down to business in the hopes of stopping the evil doer in their tracks before even more dead bodies began to accrue.
All in all, Glass definitely managed to do it again. From the giggle-worthy humor to the pulse-pounding climax, this author knows just how to blend it all into one truly dynamite premise. Told via multiple POVs who made the book sing, the well-plotted storyline was addictive in the extreme. Was it on the edge of over-the-top? Well, yes…but only in the best possible way. So suspend your disbelief, plant yourself in your favorite reading spot, and get ready to meet some truly endearing personas as they take you on the ride of your life. Intense, humor-filled, twisty, and fun, you’re going to want to read this book as soon as it’s out in the world, no ifs, ands, or buts. Rating of 4 stars.
Thank you to Seraphina Nova Glass, Graydon House Books, Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse, and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
EARLY REVIEW ✨
Seraphina knows how to weave together a story so nicely!
🔥 edge of your seat thriller
🔥 who done it?
🔥 family secrets
🔥 trauma
🔥 small town
🔥 podcast
🔥 humor
So many characters, but once you get into the story you will come to love them all. Well, some of them might be rotten…but who? Loved this thriller!
Nothing Ever Happens Here captivated me from the start and kept me guessing throughout! As a big fan of twists within twists, I was pleasantly surprised when the story took an unexpected turn! I may have had to backtrack to be sure I read it right! Seraphina Nova Glass has remarkable technique for crafting relatable characters. They may seem like ordinary, nameless members of our collective communities, but her creative embellishments give them personality.
The inclusion of the retirement home residents gave this suspense thriller an edgy-cozy mystery vibe and I loved it! With the small-town setting, paired with the never-ending winter of the Midwest, provided the perfect atmospheric backdrop for this storyline. I’ve lived through many Midwest winters and felt the chill!
Nothing Ever Happens Here starts off with such intensity, my heart was racing in chapter 1. Chapter 2 upped the ante. There are many nail biting moments throughout but they are counter balanced with this amazing group of senior citizen armchair detectives. They seriously stole the show and I'd love to see them again.
This is only my second book by this author and I definitely need to get my hands on the backlist.