Here are the titles I gave five stars in May 2025. A list of the 26 titles I read this month is at the end of this post. Tell me – what have you read that you enjoyed?

Detective Aunty by Uzma Jalaluddin

I’m a big fan of Uzma’s writing and I was so excited to get my hands on this latest. When her grown daughter is suspected of murder, Kausar Khan heads to Toronto for the first time in nearly twenty years, determined to help her daughter in any way she can. Despite several warnings (some of which are very threatening), Kausar does not stop her own investigation. Kausar is quietly tough as nails, determined and fighting through her own emotions to help her daughter. I was entertained from the very first part of the story until the page-turning end. The characters are wonderful and the mystery solid. But it’s more than just a mystery – the story also explores bigger themes of mother daughter relationships, societal expectations, and cultural norms.

The Griffin Sisters Greatest Hits by Jennifer Weiner

I grabbed this on audio and just loved it. I’ve been a long time fan of Jennifer Weiner’s writing and I feel like this one might be one of her best. I was immediately drawn into the stories and even when a character was being absolutely selfish and terrible, I still was able to see the whole person. Weiner is so talented – her writing captures real emotions and behaviors – she captures the messy of life. Especially here with the addition of fame and young girls. It was sad and hopeful, hard to read and page turning.

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace

This was so good. And creepy. So creepy! It would be a great spooky season read. This is young adult gothic mystery/fantasy/romance, with so much mystery that I listened every single chance I could get. There are more in the series and I will be listening in the fall.

How To Have A Killer Time in DC by Sam Lumley

Oliver Popp is a 24 year old gay autistic travel writer working for Offbeat Traveler magazine. Oliver likes his routine, and he is a little nervous about his first feature assignment taking him to Washington, D.C. He’s paired up with Ricky Warner, a gay flirty freelance photographer, who definitely lives life a bit more (ok, a lot more) impulsively than Oliver. It’s a delightful pairing. The mystery pulled me right in and it was especially fun to get an armchair tour D.C. as Ricky and Oliver worked to uncover the truth. Cleverly plotted and expertly paced, I give this book all the heart eyes. The ending is wonderful, and I cannot wait for more featuring Oliver!

All the books read in May 2025:

• Once Upon a Time it Was Now James Alexander Thom
• Hot Tango in Argentina Nancy Nau Sullivan
• Neanderthal Seeks Human Penny Reid
• First-Time Caller B.K. Borison
• Put Another Crime in the Jukebox Misty Simon
• Four Eyes Rex Ogle
• The Secret of Moonrise Manor Stephanie Bearce
• An Auction of Secrets Victoria Tait
• #Throwback for Murder Sarah Burr
• A Fatal Waltz Kathleen Marple Kalb
• The Mystery of the Radcliffe Riddle Taryn Souders
• Jawbreaker Christina Wyman
• Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave Elle Cosimano
• The Silversmith’s Puzzle Nev March
• The Library Game Gigi Pandian
• Wheeler-Dealer Rita Moreau
• Grave Words Gerri Lewis
• The Sirens Emilia Hart
• The Body in the Backyard Lucy Score
• What Happens in Amsterdam Rachel Lynn Solomon
• A Perk of Trouble Tonya Kappes
• The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg Kristia Davis
• How To Have A Killer Time in DC Sam Lumley
• Detective Aunty Uzma Jalaluddin
• The Griffin Sisters Greatest Hits Jennifer Weiner
• Belladonna Adalyn Grace