Pretty good selection of books in this edition of the Minotaur Sampler!! These are Always fun to read because you get a preview of multiple books. We get time travel, serial killers, Martha’s Vineyard and more in this sampler. I was most excited by “The Lost House” by Melissa Larsen. The plot set in Iceland was a fresh take on the podcaster thriller genre. “Such A Good Mom” by Julia Spiro also intrigued me…a new mom learns about a death on her island home.

Thanks to NetGalley, Minotaur Books & St. Martin’s Press for the advanced samples of these books.

So appreciative of the opportunity to preview soon-to-be released titles. Not only does this give me the opportunity to add to my TBR, but also to discover new authors. Love these previews and the chance to get a sneak peek!

I always love to read these samplers, and this one is no different! This is a compilation of excerpts from seven upcoming thrillers.

First up is The Lost House, by Melissa Larsen. I have actually already an ARC of this title and loved it. It is a murder thriller set in Iceland. Perfect for Fall and Winter reading.
Then we had She Doesn’t Have a Clue by Jenny Elder Moke. This is a story set at a Seattle wedding where a murder also takes place. I know I will love the Seattle setting.
Head Cases by John McMahon, looks like an exciting new series about FBI agents after a murderer. I'm not really a series person, but I think it will definitely appeal to those that are.
I had not heard of Something in the Walls by Daisy Pearce, but c'mon! That title alone is guaranteed to give you Halloween heebie-jeebies!
Splinter Effect by Andrew Ludington seems to be a series with some Science-fiction elements. Not my personal style but seems well-written.
I have already been waiting for I would Die for You by Sandie Jones, so was excited to read this excerpt. Sounds like another winner, as are all of her books! The story involves an 80's rock band and a missing girl and told in dual timelines. Anything involving the 80's definitely gets my interest.
Such a Good Mom by Julia Spiro is the last entry and I want to read this one for sure! We have a new mom whose husband is accused of a murder.
Thank you to #NetGalley for these samples and I look forward to reading most of them!

Love these samplers! So excited to see what's coming.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #Minotaur for a free copy of #TheMinotaurSamplerVol13. All opinions are my own.

Discover your next favorite book with this curated collection of sampler stories from exciting upcoming novels. Whether you're looking for your book club’s next pick or planning a buddy read, this selection offers a sneak peek into a variety of genres and authors. It’s designed to help you explore new stories and make your reading choice easy and enjoyable. With something for every reader, you can dive into these samplers and confidently choose your next page-turner!

Thrillers, mysteries, and horror were my first loves when I started reading, and they’re still some of my favorite books to read. The new Minotaur Sampler, Volume 13 promises seven new books coming in early 2025, all bound to make your heart race. And indeed, in reading the seven excerpts here, I found all thrilling and am eager to continue each story!

First on the list is The Lost House by Melissa Larsen, a thriller set in Iceland about a murder in the family years earlier… and a newly missing girl. This book wasn’t on my radar before, but I’m requesting it now! I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds.

Next is She Doesn’t Have a Clue by Jenny Elder Moke. This romance-mystery is set at a lavish wedding outside of Seattle where a murder takes place… one very similar to the most recent novel that the main character (an author) wrote. This one looks like a lot of fun and as a western Washingtonian myself, I’m excited to recognize the places present throughout the mystery.

Following that is Head Cases by John McMahon, the first in a new series about FBI agents zeroing in on a murderer. While this one is less my personal style, the writing and storytelling both look engaging.

A book that was already on my radar is Something in the Walls by Daisy Pearce. A child psychologist, a kid haunted by a witch, a healthy dose of folklore… sign me up! I am excited to read this one in full.

Splinter Effect by Andrew Ludington starts a captivating new series with time travel and uncovering artifacts lost to history. It’s a bit sci-fi with a lot of thrills, and this is a book that I’m very curious to read all the way through!

Sandie Jones is back with her new novel, I Would Die For You. It’s a dual timeline thriller involving a 1980s British band and a mom’s missing teen daughter. I love anything music-related, so this is a book I’d love to read.

Finally, we have Such a Good Mom by Julia Spiro. The main character is an exhausted new mom (I can currently relate!), but there’s a devastating twist: Her husband has just been accused of murder. Uh oh. To clear her husband’s name, she takes matters into her own hands to try to solve this case.

All in all, these seven books are definitely ones to look out for in 2025. The multi-paragraph excerpts here have won me over!

Enjoyed reading this mystery/thriller sampler from Minotaur and now looking forward to reading several of these books!
My favorites were Sandie Jones (love her books), Melissa Larsen, Julia Spiro & John McMahon (based in my city). Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

These samples have me excited for some Halloween reads! Thanks as always for the Minotaur samples. Head Cases is going to be the first one I pick up! Can't wait to read the rest and get into this new series.