I liked bits and pieces. I liked the characters overall. I found the ending to be a bit rushed and easy fix. I would've liked the characters to have a little more depth

American Mythology by Giano Cromley

#seventyninthbookof2025 #arc #americanmythology

CW: Bigfoot, cancer, absent parents

From Netgalley: Every month at St. Pete’s Tavern in rugged western Montana, a meeting is convened by the Basic Bigfoot Society’s members—both of them. Jute and Vergil are lifelong friends, bound by an affinity for the elusive North American Wood Ape. Their monthly meetings and annual expeditions are a tradition that keep their friendship alive when so much else about their small town has fallen away. But things are about to get exciting for the Basic Bigfoot Society. Dr. Marcus Bernard, the country’s foremost Bigfoot “expert,” approaches them with a proposition that seems almost too good to be true: to join their next expedition, along with an ambitious young documentarian, Vicky Xu. Thankfully, Vergil’s daughter Rye is home from college, and decides to tag along in order to make sure her dad and Jute aren’t made fools of. Once in the woods, strange things begin to happen to them that seem to defy rational explanation. Is this a hoax? Or are they on the precipice of the greatest anthropological discovery ever?

My thoughts: I think this was a sweet story and only wished for a little more Bigfoot. It’s very heartwarming, and is more focused on the characters of the group hunting for the creature than the actual creature itself. Jute and Vergil are kind people and good friends, and I’m so pleased with the ending of the book. The entire story gave me such a cozy feel.

Thank you to @doubledaybooks and @netgalley for the advance copy. (Available now, pub date was 7/15/25)

I DNFed at 20%. The premise was really intriguing to me, but the first several chapters failed to keep me engaged.

If Hallmark did a cozy cryptid tv movie, this would be it. Vergil and Jute, best friends for decades and fellow Bigfoot Hunters, launch one last hurrah into the Montana woods to find proof of Bigfoot’s existence. Along on the journey are Vergil’s daughter, a skeptical scientist, and an amateur film maker. A sweet tale that focuses on what friendship and family really mean. I look forward to seeing what this author puts out next. Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book!

A Bigfoot expedition fueled by friendship, family, a bit of magic and a lot of skepticism! American Mythology is like the best kinds of campfire stories - mostly believable with a hint of the unknown. It's both a fun and appropriately spooky story about hunting for Bigfoot.

American Mythology is a book that straddles several genres – cryptid horror, wilderness adventure, buddy comedy, family drama – all combining to make for a fresh, surprising reading experience. I came for Bigfoot, but I stayed for the characters.

Vergil and Jute are the founding (and only) members of the Basic Bigfoot Society in their small town of Basic, Montana. They’ve been friends for decades and have gone on countless Bigfoot hunts together, but after a chance encounter at their local bar, their newest hunt is shaping up to be quite different. This time, joining them on their trek into the Montana wilderness are Vergil’s daughter, Rye, and the world’s foremost Bigfoot researcher – along with his documentary filmmaker.

I’m a sucker for a cryptid story, but I’ve never read one quite like American Mythology. Everyone’s favorite sasquatch is at the center of this story, in that the hunt for Bigfoot is the guiding force behind the characters’ circumstances – but the hunt for Bigfoot is not what this book is really about. Instead, it’s a heartfelt, meaningful exploration of family, faith, and friendship, with some sasquatch sprinkles for pizzazz. I grew to genuinely care about these characters, flaws and all. Plot-wise, things got a bit messy for me around the three-quarters mark, but Giano Cromley brought everything together in the end with a satisfying, moving conclusion.

With a few laugh out loud moments, several creepy scenes, and just the right touch of magical realism, American Mythology is a book about believing in things we can’t see but nevertheless know to be true: love, connection, the beauty of the journey, and – yes – even Bigfoot. Thank you to Doubleday for the complimentary reading opportunity.

Editor’s note: Will publish in newspapers in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, NC July 24 and weekend editions

July book roundup: Strange towns, dangerous allies, unlikely magic and … a new Reacher short story

By Tom Mayer, Tmayer@RN-T.com

This month’s fiction lineup offers something for every kind of summer reader — from high-octane thrillers and mystical fantasy to genre-defying romance and cozy speculative tales. Whether you’re chasing outlaws, getting lost in magical archives, checking into a supernatural inn or catching up with Reacher in between novels, these titles deliver imagination, suspense and emotional punch in equal measure.

But first, a bit of a cheat. Robert Dugoni’s recent Tracy Crosswhite dropped in late spring, but a final copy of the book took some time to make it to my desk. With the incredible output and range Dugoni has offered his readers in the past year (“A Killing on the Hill,” “Beyond Reasonable Doubt,” “Hold Strong” and “A Dead Draw”), and at least two more in the works for 2026 — Tracy Crosswhite and Keera Duggan series continuations — I’m going to dig a bit deeper into the author’s most recent novel before we get to the monthly list.

Dugoni’s latest and most sensitive offering, “A Dead Draw” (Thomas & Mercer), not only captures echoes of the 10 Tracy Crosswhite novels that have come before, but brings to a boil a storyline that has been percolating since the debut of “My Sister’s Grave” in 2014.

It’s also his most personal storyline to date, making the launch of this 11th full-length story featuring the high school chemistry teacher turned Seattle, Washington-homicide detective both a perfect launching pad for those new to the series, and a satisfying continuation of the narrative for long-time readers.

But it’s not Tracy that brings it home in this novel. That honor goes to a new character, Lydia “Lightning Strike” Johnson, an autistic sharpshooter who becomes the detective’s touchstone. Lydia is on the spectrum, but she’s got the potential to be self-sufficient. She’s also a double for Tracy’s younger sister, Sarah, whose disappearance and murder in that first release not only highjacked the trajectory of Tracy’s life, but continues to be a specter in her current role capturing killers.

And like Sarah, Lydia is a character over which Dugoni labored.

“I hope I captured her accurately,” the author writes in the novel’s acknowledgements. “I did a ton of research to get it right, then had two epiphanies when I met two individuals, one from my childhood and one I met fortuitously, who were clearly on the spectrum and told me so. It was fascinating to hear them tell me what they understood without any embarrassment or self-consciousness. I’ve tried to conduct by own life similarly, talking openly about my stroke (in 2016) and the anxiety that resulted from it. … I have a brother with Down syndrome and have a heightened awareness of characters in books who are different. My intent was to portray Lydia as an accomplished, high-functioning human being but one who must deal with something over which she has no control.”

Capturing that awareness in Lydia sharpens the storyline about a warrant gone bad that frees a man who is a suspect in at least two murders — a man who became a prison-disciple of Sarah’s killer, the murderer who Tracy actually helped free in the series’ debut.

Now, as that killer’s protégé, Erik Schmidt is fixated on revenging his mentor by recreating an elaborate showdown that will lure Tracy to her hometown of Cedar Grove, Washington — the place of Sarah’s murder and now the full-circle space where Tracy’s daughter, husband and friends are in fatal danger.

That’s an oversimplification, of course — as is the portrait here of Lydia — because the hazard of any Crosswhite review is overstepping the author’s intricate plotting and plundering into a spoiler or two. But also of course, the only way to absorb the full complexity of a Dugoni thriller is to begin with page 1, and “A Dead Draw” is a fine place to start.

Now, here’s a look at some of the most notable new releases on the shelves in July:

"Infinite Archive (The Midsolar Murders Book 3)" (Ace Trade Original) by Mur Lafferty: Amateur sleuth Mallory Viridian has earned her space sea legs aboard Station Eternity — but now a living, working version of Earth’s entire Internet is on its way, and there’s going to be a party, with Mallory as the guest speaker. As the massive data ship Metis docks for a murder mystery convention, Mallory’s agent is killed and now it’s up to her to untangle the whodunit amid alien etiquette and sentient tech. Ideal for fans of speculative fiction with a bit of a literary twist, this novel will captivate readers who enjoy flowing series relationship arcs (be sure to read the first two in the series).

"Tricks of Fortune (A Play the Fool Mysteries Book 2)" (Bantam Trade Paperback Original) by Lina Chern: Tarot card reader extraordinaire Katie True gets embroiled in another local murder when her best friend becomes the prime suspect. When a beloved veteran police officer is found dead, Katie discovers tangled relationships and hidden truths that her cards and instincts must decipher. Perfect for readers of contemporary mysteries featuring fun, smart female leads — especially those who like their crime with a touch of cultural nuance and spry wit.

"Welcome to Cottonmouth" (Blackstone) by Jay S. Bell: What does the US government do with expired spies and special operators? It ships them to a small East Texas town where everything runs, sort of, peacefully — until a pair of women on the run from a ruthless criminal shatters the uneasy serenity. But doing the right thing for the pair might shatter the secrecy vital to Cottonmouth, Texas, and de facto mayor Devlin Mahoney has to make the choice. For fans of Slow Horses with an American twist.

"Soulgazer (The Magpie and the Wolf Duology Book 1)" (Ace Trade) by Maggie Rapier: Aboard a mythical isle quest, “Soulgazer” is rendered in prose readers will want to highlight line by line. Born with a penchant for volatile magic, Saoirse wants nothing more than to be without the curse that has plagued her since childhood. Facing an unwanted and forced marriage proposal, Saoirse seeks out a pirate who can help her get rid of the magic … but first she’ll have to use it for his own purposes. A quest, and an unlikely proposal of its own, ensues. Rapier is a debut author from Alabama and her first literary foray is tailored for those who crave both magic and romance, and high concept fantasy grounded in a human connection.

"The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy (The Dearly Beloathed Duology Book 1)" (Ace) by Brigitte Knightley: In this slow burn enemies to lovers fantasy romantasy, an assassin’s sickness forces him to rely on a healer from an enemy faction — and loyalties, plus affections, are tested. Their forced cooperation soon leads to mutual dependence, unexpected attraction and an uneasy truce with far-reaching consequences. Ideal for romance readers who love brainy protagonists, simmering tension, and meta literary hijinks. Not suitable for readers concerned with graphic violence and medical content including fictional, life-threatening diseases affecting adults and children.

"American Mythology" (Doubleday) by Giano Cromley: A bizarre group consisting of a pseudo-scientist, a filmmaker and the two, total, membership of the Basic Bigfoot Society embarks on a quest to find the creature, confronting nature’s mysteries and the human heart in equal measure. Along the journey, myth and reality weave together as secrets and the lure of the unknown collide in the wilderness. For those who want a character driven drama with friendship and a love for nature at its core.

"Bat Out of Hell" (Blackstone) edited by Don Bruns: A book of thriller stories inspired by Meat Loaf’s debut album, this anthology features a brand new Jack Reacher story and thrilling mysteries from top authors, including Andrew Child, Rick Bleiweiss, Heather Graham, Don Bruns, John Gilstrap, Dave Bruns, C.J. Kudlacz and Charles Todd — in a nonstop, engrossing mystery seesaw. At the top of that list is Child’s offering: When Reacher stops in a dying desert town, he’s drawn into a fight against entrenched criminal elements with no safe escape. This anthology is the fourth in Bruns’ Music and Murder Mystery Series. A must read for thriller devotees and long time fans of the Reacher series — especially those craving tight plots and righteous action.

"A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping" (Berkley Trade) by Sangu Mandanna: A whimsical, heartwarming tale follows a witch with no powers who is helping to run a peculiar inn for quirky beings. Enter a magical historian giving her a second chance at power, community and purpose. As Sera juggles enchanted guests and hidden pasts, she discovers that true magic lies in the bonds, and family, she rebuilds. Perfect for readers who want low stakes fantasy with heart, humor and a magical touch.

"Love You to Death" (Random House) by Christina Dotson: Kayla and Zorie have made a habit of slipping into weddings they weren’t invited to — usually to make off with the cash and gifts. But when the only two Black women show up at an antebellum-themed ceremony in the Deep South, the odds are stacked against them from the start. What was supposed to be their final, low-risk score quickly spirals into chaos, and they’re soon caught in a media frenzy as the infamous “Wedding Crasher Killers.” For Kayla — stuck in a dead-end housekeeping job and still picking up the pieces after a reckless teenage mistake — this runaway road trip becomes a reckoning with her past, her future and her friendship with Zorie, whose secrets run deeper than Kayla ever imagined. A fierce, fast-paced thriller for readers drawn to dark friendship tales and twisted crime capers.

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I really wanted to like this book more than I did, especially because I love cryptids. It seems I'm a bit of an outlier compared to other reviews. I found that the middle of the book dragged quite a bit. I didn't particularly love the characters, though I understood what the author was trying to do. I probably would have DNF'd it in other circumstances.

Oh My! So far 2025 has been an interesting year as far as reading. I feel that I have read a few more books this year that defy genre, yet have somehow touched my soul. This book is one of those. I absolutely loved it, and was mesmerized by the story and the characters from page one!

I originally requested this book because Bigfoot has been a part of our family for a long time. My oldest daughter was into Bigfoot. We would go camping a lot, and my husband would sneak off in the woods near camp and bang wood on trees and whoop and howl- inviting us all to take part in a "Bigfoot Hunt". I know, it sounds crazy- but we had so much fun on these camping excursions. So when I read the blurb for this story, I immediately requested it- not sure what I was getting into. I am so glad that I did.

This story is a beautiful, mystical tale about the memories of our past that have defining strands to our future, deep bonds between family, friends and found family, embracing the unknown and accepting it like a gift. I don't know how to explain it clearly without ruining the experience, so I will give basic info!

Jute and Virgel have been friends for 35 years. They live in Basic, Montana with a population of 484. Both believe in Bigfoot, especially Jute who had an experience in childhood that still holds shadow over his life. They are the only 2 members of The Basic Bigfoot Society. Bernard is a leading expert and professor of all things Bigfoot. Vicki is a film student who is working on her masters project by following Bernard around. Rye is Virgel's adult daughter. All of these characters are lovable. There are humorous times, but there are serious moments of vulnerability when the reader sees into their hearts. The deep connection they all have to the natural world is what ties them together.

I really liked the way the author introduces us to Lake Ramsey- the lake at the top of the mountain. Through journal entries that were all written in the same green book, we see strange and dangerous occurrences happening in 1839 when a mining company was there, in the 1930's when they started logging. Something was protecting the land, and it became hazardous to the men there. Jute and his crew are unaware of this as they begin their expedition.

There are moments of laughter, and there were moments of fear. The setting is crazy good at lending itself as a lead character that drives the mood of the story. As stated before, I do not even know what genre this book would fall into! But I highly recommend it- to everyone. It touches your heart, while giving a mysterious creepy thrill. In the end, I think it will stay with you. One of my top reads for 2025!!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Doubleday. This is my honest and voluntary review.

American Mythology by Giano Cromley, the book starts with a retrospective of Jude when he was a little boy and his dad took him to a private mountain lake that his great grandfather found and claimed it had magical properties and fish that tasted better than any fish anywhere in the world. it’s at the lake they find an old hut hidden and grown into the nature around it. Inside the hut they find the book that will change Jude‘s life and eventually the lies of those surrounding him. dr. Marcus Bernard is an accredited professor but his become popular for believing that Bigfoot exist until the day we meet him. While giving a speech in Montana he inadvertently gets directed instead of Saint Petes hospital to Saint Petes bar in basic Montana this is where he runs in to Virgil and Jude the only two members of the Bigfoot society in that town. while they discussed their summer excursion to look for the buy pedal creature he decides to piggyback on their adventure. so with an ulterior motive and a graduate student named Victoria Dr. Bernard stepped out using a map Jude found in his mailbox in the green book is back but Jude doesn’t find it and the one who does isn’t telling. Virgil also has a devastating secret to tell but doesn’t know how so when his daughter decides to go with them on their summer Bigfoot retreat he hopes to have the opportunity. before it’s over Jude knows why they say you should never meet your heroes Virgil grows closer to Rye and Vicky starts learning they’re just may be something to this Bigfoot creature after all. I know this is a horrible review but I seem to always have this problem when the book is so freaking good. For those of us who like to believe there is a little bit of magic and crypto animals in the world as well as a book that has a happy ending then you will definitely absolutely love this one. I left a lot of great plot points out of my review but that is quid pro quo when it comes to writing reviews for books I love just know this is an awesome book with wonderful characters and an even better ending. #NetGalley, #TheReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #GianoCromley, #AmericanMythology,

**My thanks to Doubleday Books for providing me with an advanced review copy via NetGalley**

3 stars

This novel is an ode to magical thinking, an adult novel with strong crossover appeal to Young Adult readers interested in found family, passion projects, and camping. I thought it was solidly okay.

Through the character Vicky’s thoughts on filmmaking, this novel regularly and self-consciously seems to defend its decision to meander through genres. It plays a little with creature horror, it plays a little with sad man lit fic, it flirts with the paranormal and humor. For me, the end result wasn’t a transformative piece that rose above genre, but a “squint and you can see what you want out of it” puddle, rather like a blobsquatch (a blurry photo that could arguably be a sasquatch sighting but is probably an unfocused tree).

The ending is actually the best part of the book, and is very satisfying even though (or perhaps because) it’s a little predictable. A part of me feels like it’s a more satisfying ending than the middle of the book deserves, but I can’t say it wasn’t set up by what came before it.

This isn't really about Bigfoot, it's about family, friendship, grief, and, well, the search for Bigfoot. Jute has never forgotten a mysterious camping trip with his father and now, as an adult, he talks Bigfoot with his best friend of many years, Vergil, at the local tavern. Dr. Marcus Bernard is a renowned expert on Bigfoot who has suddenly announced that Bigfoot doesn't exist but circumstance sees him at the tavern along with Vicky Xu, who wants to be a documentary filmmaker. And then there's Vergil's daughter Rye.. This somewhat motley crew teams up to prove or disprove the existence of a Bigfoot in the nearby woods and lake. There's definitely something going on but what? Their story is periodically interrupted by excerpts from a journal documenting what happened to people in the area over a period of years-miners, teens, trappers. This journal proves to be more important than it first appears. The trek of the team through the woods becomes quite difficult but they all persist for different reasons and no spoilers from me. This was an unexpected delight. It's nicely atmospheric but it's also generous toward its characters. And the plot kept me turning the pages. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Really enjoyed it.

*American Mythology* by Giano Cromley is a raw, reflective, and quietly powerful novel that hit me much harder than I expected. It’s a story steeped in memory, masculinity, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive—about our families, our country, and our own identities.

The narrative unfolds with a slow-burning intensity, pulling you into a deeply personal reckoning that feels both intimate and universal. Cromley’s writing is understated but precise—he knows exactly when to twist the knife and when to let silence do the heavy lifting. There’s a lot of emotional weight here, but it never feels forced. Instead, it builds naturally, layer by layer, until you're immersed in something much bigger than one man's journey.

What really stood out to me was how the book explores legacy—not just what we inherit, but what we choose to carry forward and what we try to leave behind. The relationships are complicated, especially between fathers and sons, and the way Cromley captures those tensions felt heartbreakingly real.

*American Mythology* isn’t flashy or overly dramatic—it’s honest, unflinching, and deeply moving. It made me reflect, and it stayed with me long after I turned the last page. A quiet triumph.

American Mythology is fun adventure set in the wilds of Montana. Jute and Vergil, along with Vergil's daughter Rye, Dr. Marcus Bernard and budding documentary filmmaker, Vicky Xu set out to find Bigfoot. It's an engaging read and a delightful story with a few scares and laughs along the way.. I really like the ending and felt it fit very well with the novel's tone.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

If you're looking for a summer read that blends humor, heart and the elusive North American Wood Ape (commonly known as Bigfoot), then this is the book for you. Filled with a cast dynamic characters and just enough creeping suspense, American Mythology had me laughing and biting my nails in equal measure.

Cromley weaves a beautiful tale of adult male friendship that is deeply refreshing in the context of a destructive "male loneliness epidemic" plaguing our society. Outcasts are embraced here and people are given permission to believe in magic. This has the feel of an instant classic.