 Amy Tintera’s Listen for the Lie is one of those books that feels like it was designed to mess with your head, in the best way. Picture this: Lucy flees her small Texas town years ago after her best friend is murdered. Everyone thinks Lucy did it, but the catch is... Lucy doesn’t actually remember the night in question. Blackout, blood, no memory. Not exactly reassuring, right?
Fast forward, and now a popular true-crime podcaster drags Lucy back home to “set the record straight.” The book jumps between Lucy’s very sarcastic, sharp inner voice and the podcast transcripts that read just like the shows we all binge when we should be sleeping. That format makes it ridiculously addictive, you’ll keep telling yourself “just one more chapter” until suddenly it’s 2 a.m. The best part? Lucy herself. She’s messy, she’s funny, she’s self-deprecating, and you’re never totally sure if she’s guilty or not. The whole time, you’re caught between “there’s no way she did it” and “oh God, maybe she did.” Add in a small town where everyone holds a grudge, and the gossip feels like another character in the book. This isn’t just a whodunit, it’s more like, who do you trust? Who’s lying, who’s remembering wrong, and who’s twisting the story to suit themselves? If you like thrillers with unreliable narrators, podcast vibes, and a little bit of dark humor, Listen for the Lie will absolutely hook you. Check out the book, or download the eBook or audiobook with your SPL card. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian
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 I’ve read a few of Frieda McFadden’s thrillers, and while I always appreciate the wild ride she takes the reader on, I usually find her protagonists a bit exhausting. It's like I'm being held hostage by someone with no chill and a lot of secrets, very superficial, materialistic, and frankly naïve people. That said, The Teacher was a standout for me. Easily my favorite of hers so far.
The pacing was sharp, the tension was just the right amount of unhinged, and the characters were compelling enough that I didn't feel the urge to throw my Kindle across the room (a genuine concern with some of her more frustrating narrators). Best of all were the twists, those classic McFadden whiplash but with extra polish. And that final twist in the last couple of pages? Perfectly nasty. Totally blindsided me in the best way. If you’re new to McFadden or looking for a gateway into her particular brand of domestic chaos and psychological suspense, this is the one I’d recommend. Get the book at the library or download the audiobook with your SPL card. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian  Murder Takes a Vacation by Laura Lippman
Harper Collins, released June 17, 2025 What a delight! Murder Takes a Vacation by Laura Lippman is a huggable mystery. One of those books where the main character, Muriel Blossom, reminds you of someone you know and love like your mother, grandmother, older neighbor, or yourself. Muriel, a widower and recent lottery winner, decides to take a bucket list Parision river cruise with her life long friend, Elinor. Possibly because of Muriel’s age (68), plumpness, and overall compassionate demeanor, she becomes a dupe within a crime. But, as the story unfolds, we learn that Muriel is much smarter than anyone thinks. I had a lot of fun with this book. Laura Lippman is a seasoned mystery/detective writer with numerous awards and it shows. It is a heist turned into a murder mystery wrapped up in 270 pages. Muriel Blossom proved to be a great travel companion with her warmth, humor and wit. Mrs. Blossom hinted at being bitten by the travel bug. Yes, more Muriel Blossom adventures please. The pacing was great and I often found myself laughing out loud. This book is a perfect book club read with themes such as aging, identity and second chances. But, this is also a fun cozy read - go ahead, allow yourself the indulgence of traveling with Mrs. Blossom. I give it five out of five stars. Thank you Harper Collins for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Robin Munson, Adult Programming & Grant Specialist Librarian Download this book with your SPL card on eBook or audiobook.  I went into All Systems Red by Martha Wells expecting, well, more murder from Murderbot. Instead, what I found was a deeply relatable, socially awkward security unit that mostly wants to be left alone so it can binge-watch its favorite space soap opera, The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon. Murderbot is less about killing sprees and more about navigating human interactions with the enthusiasm of someone stuck at a party they didn’t want to attend. It’s apathetic, snarky, and somehow manages to be endearing while trying (and failing) to stay detached from the humans it’s assigned to protect. Each book is more of a mystery in space rather than a Sci-Fi adventure, although there is some of that.
I’m not usually big on series as tend to lose interest or balk at the commitment of so many books, but I tore through all of the Murderbot Diaries books. They’re fast, fun reads with just enough existential angst to keep things wildly entertaining. And now there’s a TV adaptation on Apple TV, so Murderbot finally gets to be the star of someone else’s screen for a change. I’m curious (and a little nervous) to see how they handle its glorious misanthropy on screen. I've watched the first two episodes and they were delightful, but the season isn't over yet. Start your Murderbot adventure with the book at the library or use your SPL card to download the eBook or audiobook. Aimee Clark, Library IT  Sadie by Courtney Summers is one of those rare books where the format is just as powerful as the story itself. I tend to bounce between print and audio depending on what I’m doing, but for this one, the audiobook is absolutely the way to go. It uses a full cast and leans hard into the true crime podcast structure, which makes it feel chillingly real.
The novel alternates points of view between Sadie, a girl on a desperate, rage-fueled journey to track down her sister’s killer, and West McCray, a podcast host trying to piece together what happened after Sadie disappears. This shift between her raw, vulnerable narration and his more removed, investigative voice builds a slow-burn tension that’s impossible to shake. It’s like living inside two timelines at once—one spiraling forward with Sadie’s determination, and the other chasing her ghost. Both formats—print and audio—are strong, but the audiobook takes it to another level. It’s immersive, unsettling, and emotionally devastating in the best way. If you’re looking for something gripping and unforgettable, Sadie delivers. The library has the book in print, but I really recommend the audiobook, which you can download with your SPL card. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian  Stephen King’s Never Flinch is like catching up with an old friend who’s tougher now, wearier, but still unmistakably herself. Holly Gibney is back, sharper and more grounded than ever, and the story wastes no time throwing her into the fire.
Detective Izzy Jaynes is chasing a chilling letter promising the deaths of “thirteen innocents and one guilty,” and she brings in Holly to help. At the same time, Holly’s guarding a feminist activist being stalked by a radicalized creep. It starts as two stories, but in true King fashion, the threads tighten into one deadly knot. Holly shines here, not just as an investigator, but as a person coming fully into her own. She’s still awkward and kind, but there’s more steel in her now, more control. The pacing is sharp, the tension constant, and while some dialogue stumbles (yes, she still says “poopy”), the emotional beats land hard. She's by far my favorite character that Stephen King has dreamed up. You could read this as a standalone, but it hits deeper if you’ve walked the whole path with Holly. Never Flinch doesn’t reinvent the genre, it just shows how far a character can go when the writing never lets her flinch. Check out the book at the library, or download the eBook or audiobook with your SPL card. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian  Watchmen isn’t your typical comic, it’s a gritty, dark ride that flipped the superhero genre upside down and gave it a good shake. Written by Alan Moore and paired with Dave Gibbons' incredibly detailed artwork, this graphic novel set the bar ridiculously high, showing comics could dive into heavy stuff and still be seriously entertaining.
Set in an alternate 1980s America, superheroes exist, but they're pretty far from perfect. Instead of saving the world with a flourish and a smile, they're complicated, messed-up characters who often make things worse. Moore packs the pages with hidden meanings and clever symbolism, sprinkling in politics, history, and existential dread along the way. Every time you reread it, there's something new to uncover. And believe me, you will reread it to find what you missed. Watchmen didn't just impress comic fans, it got some serious recognition. It snagged a Hugo Award in 1988—the only graphic novel ever to do so, and picked up multiple Eisner Awards. People still regularly name-drop it as one of the greatest comics ever made. The real magic, though, is in Moore's hidden layers. Characters like Rorschach and Dr. Manhattan aren't just cool antiheroes; they're symbols for deeper ideas like Cold War fears, identity crises, and the messy struggle of finding meaning in a crazy world. Watchmen is way more than just superheroes, it's a dark, smart, and twisted story you'll keep thinking about long after you put it down. Get the book at the library or the eBook on Libby. We have the also 2009 movie directed by Zack Snyder based on the comic, as well as the HBO Miniseries, which takes place years after the events in the graphic novel. I enjoyed the movie, but the TV show was amazing. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian  This book goes hard. Really hard. S.A. Cosby takes us to a small Southern town with big secrets, and the result is a gritty, emotional rollercoaster that’s part murder mystery, part social commentary, and completely impossible to put down.
The story follows Titus Crown, the first Black sheriff in a deeply divided Virginia county, as he investigates a horrifically disturbing crime. What starts as one murder quickly unravels into something much darker, and Titus ends up confronting not just a killer, but the deep-rooted racism and hypocrisy baked into the town's history. Cosby's writing is sharp, raw, and real. He’s got a way with words that hits you right in the gut. One minute you’re caught in a tense shootout, the next you’re reflecting on trauma, justice, and what it means to do the right thing in a messed-up world. Titus is a total standout, flawed, principled, tired, but relentless. He’s the kind of character you root for because he’s trying so hard in a place that’s actively working against him. If you’re into crime thrillers with depth, soul, and a little blood on the page, All the Sinners Bleed is your book. S.A. Cosby is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Get it at the library or download the audiobook or eBook. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian  House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski is one of those rare books that's genuinely unlike anything you've read before. It's creepy, mind-bending, and totally unique, mixing psychological horror with an experimental approach to storytelling that keeps you guessing from start to finish.
On the surface, the story is about a family whose new home turns out to be mysteriously larger on the inside than on the outside, strange rooms and hallways appear, leading into darkness. But that's only the beginning. Danielewski tells the story through multiple layers: footnotes upon footnotes, scattered fragments, and pages that twist and turn physically as much as the narrative itself. The complexity of the print and layout is actually one of the book's biggest strengths. Weird formatting, sideways text, pages with only a few words, and chaotic notes all mimic the confusion and anxiety experienced by the characters. It’s not just a style choice, it's a clever way to pull you deeper into the weirdness, making reading feel like you're actually exploring a dark, unpredictable maze. Sure, the unusual style might throw off readers looking for something more straightforward, but if you're open to something different, that complexity pays off big time. It makes the experience feel fresh, immersive, and unforgettable. Overall, House of Leaves is creepy, fascinating, and creatively daring. It sticks with you long after you've finished, making you question what's real and what isn't. If you like books that challenge you and keep you on your toes, definitely give this one a try. This is a book you definitely need a physical copy to read. Reserve it at the library here. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian  Allen Eskens’ The Quiet Librarian is one of those books you just can’t put down. Think The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah with a tiny sprinkle of John Wick.
The story follows Hana Babic, a quiet, mousy, unassuming librarian in Minnesota with a dark, complicated past. When her best friend is murdered, Hana suddenly finds herself responsible for a young boy and pulled into a web of danger tied to a life she thought she’d left behind. Back during the Bosnian War, she was a teenage resistance fighter known as the Night Mora, a figure who became something of a boogeyman to the oppressing army. She buried that part of herself long ago, but now it’s all bubbling back up as she tries to protect the boy and figure out what really happened to her friend. What really makes this book stand out is Hana. She’s complex, brave, and haunted in a way that feels totally real. Watching her shift from someone who just wants to stay invisible to someone who has no choice but to face her past is both powerful and heartbreaking. Eskens does a fantastic job weaving together past and present, showing how trauma leaves its mark, but also how strength and healing can grow from it. The writing is sharp, the pace is spot-on, and the emotional moments really land. If you’re into stories about hidden identities, strong women, and a bit of mystery with real emotional weight, The Quiet Librarian is 100% worth the read. Reserve the book at the library here. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian  After his wife is killed in a mass shooting, Aaron discovers a mysterious hotel receipt, sending him on a desperate quest for answers in Ronald Malfi's Come With Me. His search unravels Allison's secrets and exposes a terrifying truth. Malfi is the master of creating chilling atmosphere where the familiar becomes sinister, and the setting itself amplifies the dread. The novel delves deep into the characters' heads, exploring their vulnerabilities and hidden darkness. The pacing builds suspense to a fever pitch, delivering unexpected and impactful scares. While touching on genre tropes, Malfi's unique voice and fresh twists keep readers guessing. He has easily become one of my favorite authors. Come With Me is a captivating and thought-provoking read for those that like a spooky thriller, tapping into our deepest fears.
Want to read it? Reserve the book at the library, or the eBook with your SPL card.  As always, Paul Tremblay delivers with his latest book, Horror Movie.
The story shifts between timelines: thirty years ago, a group of young filmmakers set out to create an arthouse horror film that was tragically never completed. The narrator, known only as The Thin Kid (we never learn his real name), was part of the cast and is now the sole survivor of the ill-fated production, which has since become a legend among online cult horror fans. In the present day, a reboot is underway, and the narrative alternates between past and present as we unravel what really happened. Was it real? Supernatural? Madness? I never knew what to expect, and even now, I’m not entirely sure how I feel. But, wow. What a ride. Tremblay never disappoints. Reserve the book from the library, or the eBook or audiobook with your SPL card. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian  After 30 years in prison for causing a child's death, Vincent King is finally released. He went to jail at 15, turned in by his best friend, Walk, who’s now the local chief of police. Walk keeps an eye on Vincent’s ex-girlfriend, Star, a struggling drug addict, and her kids: 13-year-old Duchess, who’s had to grow up too fast to care for her little brother, Robin.
They all still live in the same small California town where it all started. Then, a body is found. Secrets unravel, tensions rise, and the big question looms: who did it? We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker is an emotional rollercoaster of a crime thriller with so much heart. It’s got a gripping plot, but what really stands out are the unforgettable characters, especially Duchess, the tough-as-nails, complex girl the story revolves around. The writing is beautiful, full of raw emotion and small-town drama, with twists that keep you hooked. It’s heartbreaking and hopeful all at once, a truly memorable read. If you love character-driven stories with a side of suspense, don’t miss this one! It may be my favorite book ever. We have it available to reserve, plus Large Print and Audio CD copies for checkout. How about a downloadable audiobook or ebook? No, really. Read it. Please. Then come and tell me what you thought. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian  In 1975, a 13-year-old girl from a wealthy family vanishes from a summer camp. Oddly, her older brother disappeared from the same camp 14 years earlier. To make things even stranger, her parents own the camp.
This story dives into class divides—the wealthy camp owners, their privileged friends, and their children who attend, contrasted with the local workers hired to maintain the camp and its grounds. It’s a tale of power, privilege, and the secrets that simmer beneath the surface. This was such a gripping, eerie read. The mix of mystery and atmosphere totally pulls you in, and the creepy, woodsy vibes blows you away. The story keeps you guessing, and the characters feel so real. If you’re into dark, twisty tales with a lot of feels, this is your book. Aimee, IT Librarian Interested in this book? Click here to reserve it in the catalog! We even have it in Large Print! Use your SPL card to reserve the eBook or audiobook.  Marshall Miller, raised by his single mom, is thrilled to get his license. But on his first drive, just a few miles from home, he’s pulled over by a strange, unsettling officer with a crying girl in the backseat. Months later, he’s shocked to see her face on a missing person poster. Who is she, and what really happened that day?
This book is a chilling page-turner that perfectly blends suspense, mystery, and a touch of the supernatural. The eerie small-town setting and vivid atmosphere pull you in, while the twists keep you hooked. It’s the perfect read for fans of spooky thrillers so grab it and prepare to be captivated! Aimee, IT Librarian Interested in this book? Click here to reserve it in the catalog! There is also an eBook available to download with your SPL card. Reserve it here. |
The SPL StaffWe work here at the library, and we’re into all kinds of books! How Do I Get These Books?See our Quickstart Guides page for information on how to use the online catalog and how to get eBooks and audiobooks for your specific device. You can also contact us there if you need more help!
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