Thank you PRH Audio for the ALCs and Viking Books #partner for the physical copies in exchange for my honest reviews.
The new year is off to an amazing start when it comes to thrilling, twisted reads. And these authors, both of who I have read before have solidified their place on my must-read list! While I listened to both, print would work just as well.
ANATOMY OF AN ALIBI by Ashley Elston
Published: January 13, 2026, Pamela Dorman Books / Penguin Audio
Summary:
Two women. One dead husband. And only one alibi.
Everyone at Chantilly’s Bar noticed out-of-towner Camille Bayliss. Red lips, designer heels, sipping a Negroni. But that woman wasn’t Camille Bayliss. It was Aubrey Price.
Camille Bayliss appears to have the picture-perfect life; she’s married to hotshot lawyer Ben and is the daughter of a wealthy Louisiana family. Only nothing is as it seems: Camille believes Ben has been hiding dirty secrets for years, but she can’t find proof because he tracks her every move.
Aubrey Price has been haunted by the terrible night that changed her life a decade ago, and she’s convinced Benjamin Bayliss knows something about it. Living in a house full of criminals, Aubrey understands there’s more than one way to get to the truth—and she may have found the best way in.
Aubrey and Camille hatch a plan. It sounds simple: For twelve hours, Aubrey will take Camille’s place. Camille will spy on Ben, and the two women will get the answers they desperately seek.
Except the next morning, Ben is found murdered. Both women need an airtight alibi, but only one of them has it. And one false step is all it takes for everything to come undone.
My thoughts:
Talk about whiplash! I loved Ashley’s debut novel, First Lie Wins, and didn’t know how she could top it, but I think she does with this one. It is such a twisted and complex web of lies and deceit that had me hanging on for dear life! Every time I thought I had a pulse on things, a new twist would be thrown in to shake it all up, leaving me questioning everyone and everything!
I love it when I am so tangled up that I don’t know which way a book might go and that is exactly what happened here. I could not for the life of me figure out the connection between these two women, and with a murder thrown in, lots of secrets and so many red herrings, I just couldn’t work out how the pieces fit together. This one really begs you to pay close attention and I think would greatly benefit from multiple readings…it’s probably one of those books that get better each time as you pick up on things with each read. I for one will certainly be doing that!
Ashley Elston has clearly shown she is a master at her craft and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next!
Audio thoughts:
The full-cast narration really made this audiobook come to life. Narrators MacLeod Andrews, Saskia Maarleveld, Amanda Stribling and Dan Bittner all bring their A-game!!
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IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN YOU by Andrea Mara
Published: January 13, 2026, Pamela Dorman Books / Penguin Audio
Summary:
Your neighbors have secrets. How far would they go to keep them?
You press send and your message disappears. Full of secrets about your neighbors, it’s meant for your sister. But it doesn’t reach her – it goes to the entire local community WhatsApp group instead.
As rumor spreads like wildfire through the picture-perfect neighborhood, you convince yourself that people will move on, that this will quickly be forgotten. But then you receive the first death threat.
The next day, a woman has been murdered. And what’s even more chilling is that she had the same address as you – 26 Oakpark – but in a different part of town. Did the killer get the wrong house? It won’t be long before you find out…
My thoughts:
Another fantastic, twisted story that had me on edge and suspicious of everyone! I loved the possibility that our one MC, Susan, might be unreliable, which leads you to wonder if she is trustworthy. But she’s not the only one we have to worry about. This domestic drama really keeps you on your toes and the twists are perfectly plotted, pulling you in so that you don’t want to stop until you reach the conclusion…and what an ending it was!
This author has won a place on my must-read list. I’ve now read two books by her, and watched a show of one of her books – that I now need to read – and have been blown away each time! Each one is so cleverly crafted, keeping me on my toes and unable to work it out, even though I think I can. These books are so easily bingeable and I love that…they delve into characters as much as they are thrilling plots.
Audio thoughts:
Jessica Regan brings this story to life effortlessly, giving every character their own unique voice.
BOTTOM LINE:
I suggest going into both books knowing as little about the plots as possible. Just know they both have multiple POVs and might require you to pay more attention than some thrillers normally do…but the payoff is so worth it!!
Have you read any of these books or do you plan to? What’s the last book you read that you cannot stop recommending?
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Both books sound like what a good read should be like. Thanks for the reviews.
Author
Yes! Both were thrilling, exciting reads…highly recommend!!