This starts off as Bonnie and Clyde then turns into Thelma and Louise. It is very dark. A lot of important themes around friendship, family, and race. There were times I was yelling at Kayla for the poor choices she was making. It did a good job maintaining my interest.

Wow, what a wild ride! Christina Dotson gives us a modern Thelma & Louise with the murder and mayhem dialed up to eleven. This is a true-blue thriller that pulls no punches, absolutely madcap and laced with mordant humor. You’ve never met bad girls and toxic best friends like Kayla and Zorie. Good luck figuring out whether to root for them or pray for their downfall, but one thing’s for sure: you won’t be able to stop turning the pages.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Bantam for this digital e-arc.*

This book is an *insane* ride. It’s fast, chaotic, and impossible to put down. Two best friends become entangled in events that force them on the run, and frustratingly, most of these situations could have been avoided (which makes the story even more compelling).

As someone who is *not* "ride or die" (I need to know our destination and why my life is at stake), watching these two characters spiral was fascinating. One seemed destined for this chaotic path, while the other might have escaped it if her father had valued her more than his fear of loneliness.

The novel is action-packed, emotionally incisive, and skillfully written. Just when you think you've predicted the outcome, the ending surprises you. It appears straightforward but defies expectations. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy intense friendships, questionable decisions, and relentless storytelling.

I really struggled to get into this book because the main characters were just horrible, unlikable people. I couldn't finish this book.

Want a BFF story that sucks you in and then basically drives off the road in a more literal sense than Thelma & Louise? Well then this is the road trip book for you! Besties Kayla and Zorie have each other's back, or atleast think they do. Supporting each other through numerous family and other disasters, they end up trying to steal from one last wedding reception. This sets off a chain of somewhat ridiculous and unbelievable events that you won't be able to stop reading about. A great summer read, preferably when there is nothing to interrupt you!

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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Modern day gonzo Thelma & Louise story of two black women in the south that go on the lam after stealing from a antebellum themed wedding and mowing down a bridesmaid. Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Ballantine for an advanced copy for a honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for inviting me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

2.5 stars.

A stressful yet fast paced read.

This was the epitome of a toxic friendship.

Zorie was a terrible friend. I’m not saying Kayla was a saint, but at least she tried to do the right thing. Even if Kayla got her in trouble the once in the past, doesn’t justify everything else Zorie did.

Even though we barely knew them, I really liked Isaiah and I liked Dez as well. My heart broke so badly for Dez.

I am all for unlikeable characters, but you have to want to root for them, and I didn’t really want either girl to get away. Kayla maybe, but definitely not Zorie. She deserves to go to prison for life.

Usually I love toxic friendships between women, especially if they are codependent, which this one was technically, but it wasn’t very compelling. Usually there is a little imbalance between the two which is where it makes it toxic, but this seemed very extreme to Zorie being controlling over Kayla. I understand why at first Kayla didn’t want to leave her, but the more and more things happened, the more I thought even if you’re codependent, it’s smart to leave and get away from her.

I didn’t think it was written poorly or anything, but it wasn’t an excellent read either. It’s one of those where there’s not really a point of this novel, other than seeing what is going to happen to these women. It wasn’t super thrilling because you could see where it was going, even if you don’t know exactly how it’ll turn out.

I didn’t feel strongly one way or another. I didn’t hate it or really find a lot I thought was wrong with it, but I also didn’t find anything I liked that much about it either.

Honestly despite my low rating I wouldn’t say it’s not worth the read. If it sounds interesting to you, I would try it because it was quick read!

Love You to Death by Christina Dotson is a gripping and emotionally charged young adult thriller that explores the powerful bonds of friendship—and the dark consequences that can come from blind loyalty. Centered on Kayla, a teenager caught between devotion to her friends and the harsh realities of their choices, the story unfolds with chilling realism and heart-wrenching tension.

Dotson captures the intensity of teen relationships with authenticity, showing how easy it can be for young adults to get swept up in ride-or-die loyalty without fully grasping the danger it may bring. The emotional weight Kayla carries is palpable, as readers witness her love for her friends clash with her growing awareness of right and wrong.

This is more than just a compelling read—it’s a cautionary tale that resonates deeply. With its true-crime feel and timely message, Love You to Death is a story that teens should read and talk about. Christina Dotson delivers a powerful narrative that’s as thought-provoking as it is heartbreaking.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the eARC.

I am struggling with how best to review this. I really, really struggled with our main characters. They never got any more likeable for me and so I felt like I wanted the story to be over. I may need time to come back.

Best friends, wedding heists, and a road trip drenched in blood and bad decisions, this one spirals fast and hard. in the best way

Co-dependent friends who go from one bad decision to the next, this road trip is a wild ride! Kayla and Zorrie are strapped for cash in their housekeeping jobs at a small hotel in an even smaller town. Unable to turn to family for help, they take up wedding crashing to steal the wedding gifts. When their last heist ends in disaster, the pair flee on a road trip that goes from bad to worse, fast. Every bad decision is only underscored by their complicated friendship. It was difficult to read this tale of a train wreck at times, but it was even more difficult to put down. There are twists that come out of nowhere and other parts you see coming like the slasher in a horror movie.

This book was crazy! It was like a gnarly car accident I could not look away from! The characters get themselves in spectacularly bad situations and they make them worse! I had to look away at how cringey some of the scenes were! That said, I could not put it down! Write more books like this! I will read them! Thank you to NetGalley and Bantam for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I was really excited for this read—but unfortunately, it just didn’t land for me. The two main characters felt more insufferable than intriguing, and honestly, I struggled to connect with anyone in the cast. Think Cinderella’s stepmom and stepsister meets a spineless dad—no one to root for.

There were moments that felt like they were aiming for Thelma & Louise energy, which I thought could really work… but for me, it missed the mark. I also didn’t get strong thriller vibes—more chaos than suspense. Just not the ride I was hoping for.

Two best friends crashing weddings for cash? Great setup. But when their final heist ends in bloodshed, the story turns into a cross-country escape filled with betrayal, broken friendships, and a mounting body count. It should have been an addictive, twisty ride through the Deep South—but instead, it just felt like being trapped in the car with two people who desperately needed therapy, not more time together.

Two best friends navigate loyalty and bad decisions in this modern day Thelma & Louise misadventure. These young women have each other's backs through thick and thin, but this also extends to enabling each other's increasingly poor choices. What starts as one bad decision spirals into a series of impulsivity that traps them deeper and deeper in trouble.
The story explores themes of guilt and accountability as the characters struggle to take responsibility for their actions, both toward others and each other. As their situation deteriorates, complete chaos ensues as they simply don't know when to stop or lay low.
The book held my attention for the first three-quarters, but then I began to question whether there would be any satisfying result to the mess they'd created. The constant cycle of one character or the other making another stupid decision, whether stealing from or killing someone, became exhausting and repetitive. I found myself thinking, "Oh, come on!" more than once.
While the conclusion felt inevitable and justice was served to some degree, the relentless escalation wore thin. The book delivered on its premise but pushed the envelope perhaps too far for me.

Review posted to StoryGraph and Goodreads on 7/20/25. Review will be posted to Amazon on release day.

Down on their luck Kayla and Zorie decide to do one last heist but it quickly turns into a nightmare causing them to go on the run. As their time on the run progresses Kayla begins to question if Zorie, her best friend, is the person that she grew up with and if the two of them will survive this experience.

This was a wild ride. I found myself oscillating between feeling sympathetic for the girls and rooting for their demise. There were sections that dragged a little for me but overall it was an engaging read.

"Love You To Death" by Christina Dotson is a compelling read that masterfully weaves deep friendship, intricate family ties, and self-discovery into a fast-paced plot. The story grips you from the first page, pulling you into a world where relationships are as complex as they are heartfelt.

Dodson's characters are exceptionally well-crafted, each bringing unique perspectives and depth to the narrative. Their development throughout the book is a highlight, making it easy to form strong connections with them. The interplay between friendship and family dynamics adds layers of emotional resonance, making the story feel authentic and relatable.

The pacing keeps the reader engaged, with twists and turns that maintain suspense without feeling rushed. The exploration of self-discovery is seamlessly integrated, offering thought-provoking insights alongside the thrilling plot.

Kayla and Zorie crash weddings as a quick heist, but they're now the only Black women at an antebellum-themed wedding. Kayla has an arrest history thanks to a teen prank, so she's at a disappointing job. Zorie and the wedding crashes are the bright spots in her life, but the thefts have started getting risky. For this wedding, their getaway turned lethal. They're now the “Wedding Crasher Killers” on the national news. Their escape plan leaves behind a bloody trail from Georgia all the way to the bayou. As past grudges resurface, Kayla realizes that the best friend she thought she knew is more dangerous than she could ever have realized.

Kayla's life is not great to start with, and it gets even worse when she's fired from her job for a mistake she made. It goes downhill from there, given that she and Zorie scrape by from paycheck to paycheck and by selling off stolen wedding goods. Their last score goes wrong very quickly, since neither is a professional thief, so they take off running because Georgia has the death penalty. Any stroke of luck quickly gets turned around into something worse, adding to their (and our) tension and panic. It's like watching a car wreck in slow motion: we know it's going to end badly, that it's going from bad to worse, but we can't help but watch to see how truly terrible it gets.

While Kayla and Zorie were always close, their myriad hurts since early childhood shaped them into people who don't feel like they can rely on anyone but each other. They look for quick scores, and their quick tempers mean they turn on each other as often as they turn on others. It's sad and horrible at turns, with cascading long-term effects for everyone involved.

A sleigh ride of a read. Kayla and Zorie have been BFFs since forever, with Zorie a sister in all but blood. Now in their early twenties, the consequences of things have caught up to them and they're living on the margins working as maids at a hotel and robbing gift table at weddings to pay for rent and food. And then in an instant everything goes sideways when Zorie runs over the maid of honor at a wedding they've robbed. Now the pair are on a wild journey to New Orleans to see Zorie's aunt but the violence amps up and Kayla wants out. But can she leave Zorie? Zorie has always been impulsive but now she's frightening and this forces Kayla to think not only about the future but also their past. Kayla makes one bad decision after another as she follows Zorie even when she knows she should not. It's an intriguing look at how someonecan be swept into madness. Zorie is thoroughly horrible and irredeemable (sorry but no). This is bold, propulsive, and you might want to turn away. Certainly you'll want to say no, just no more than once. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It was a page turner for me.

Through the heartaches hiccups, and mishaps, these ladies keep their Thelma and Louise energy. What a ride! It kept me hooked from the beginning.