Review: Death Spell by David Sodergren

Published 2025

Horror

I’ve read and loved a few (several?) books by David Sodergren. Things I’ve appreciated include, but are not limited to: creative, violent deaths; at least one scene I get such a kick out of that I put my put my book down and either stare at a wall or rush to describe it to my significant other only for him to look at me as though he is questioning his own life choices. And corny jokes, which Mr. Sodergren appears to enjoy as much as I do.

Death Spell has all of that in excess. At its heart this is a book about terrible things happenings to terrible people. Really terrible, gross, unexpected things, and really terrible, gross people that you like to see the terrible, gross things happen to. Angry, good-for-her revenge, black magic, and Meatloaf jokes. I might have appreciated the Meatloaf jokes most of all.

I would consider this an extreme horror book, although if you are reading David Sodergren your tastes might lean to the more extreme anyway. This was a bit different though, and I think I knew that as soon as we got to the worms. So if you are someone who benefits from trigger warnings you should probably check them before you pick this up.

Cause it’s gross. But so much fun at the same time.

Review: Her Last Breath by Taylor Adams

Published 2026

Survival Thriller

I placed a hold at my library for my first Taylor Adams thriller as soon as I heard that it involved caving. I love reading about life threatening, extreme survival challenges. If it involves climbing up a mountain or descending into a cave, I’m in. As a reader, anyway. No bloody way you’d get me there for real. The feelings of claustrophobia and nervous energy were intense and everything I was looking for.

The story starts in the midst of dangerous and tenuous rescue of a young woman trapped in a subterranean tunnel, then jumps to a hospital room as a police detective interviews Tess, who narrowly survived being trapped in the Devil’s Staircase. Readers, along with Detective Washington try to piece together what happened, following along as Tess recounts how an adventure for two best friends turned in to a violent nightmare that not everyone will survive.

This being my first time reading anything by Adams I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was absolutely pleasantly surprised. I was hooked quickly, found the dialogue believable and the characters developed and changed as the story progressed in a satisfying way. The plot was full of twists and turns but they all made sense, as far as thrillers go, and I really enjoyed noticing the connections and hints Adams drip dropped throughout. I was never quite sure where things were going, but found no unsatisfying loose threads floating around at the end.

I thought this book was great, and strongly recommend to readers who enjoy unrelenting twists and turns in their thrillers. My first Taylor Adams thriller will not be my last.