Other Mommy starring Jessica Chastain is now in theaters. Photo: Barnes & Noble
Book-to-Movie Adaptation:Incidents Around the House
By Josh Malerman
The Book
A young girl’s troubled family is haunted by an entity she calls “Other Mommy” in this chilling tale from the bestselling author of Bird Box.
LOCUS AWARD FINALIST • BRAM STOKER AWARD NOMINEE
Synopsis
To eight-year-old Bela, her family is her world. There’s Mommy, Daddo, and Grandma Ruth. But there is also Other Mommy, a malevolent entity who asks her every day:
“Can I go inside your heart?”
When horrifying incidents around the house signal that Other Mommy is growing tired of asking Bela the question over and over, Bela understands that unless she says yes, her family will soon pay.
Other Mommy is getting restless, stronger, bolder. Only the bonds of family can keep Bela safe, but other incidents show cracks in her parents’ marriage. The safety Bela relies on is about to unravel and Other Mommy needs an answer.
Incidents Around the House is a chilling, wholly unique tale of true horror about a family as haunted as their home.
About the Author
Josh Malerman is a New York Times bestselling author and one of two singer-songwriters for the rock band The High Strung. His debut novel, Bird Box, inspired the hit Netflix film of the same name. His other novels include Daphne, Pearl, Spin a Black Yarn, and Malorie (the sequel to Bird Box).
The Movie (Other Mommy)
Now playing in theaters, Incidents Around the House comes to the big screen under the title Other Mommy, starring Jessica Chastain.
Synopsis
Bela, an 8-year-old girl living in a home fraught with marital tension, confronts a sinister entity that emerges from her closet. The presence, whom she calls “Other Mommy,” becomes increasingly threatening to both her and her family.
Movie Details
Director: Rob Savage
Writers: Nathan Elson, Josh Malerman
Cast: Jessica Chastain, Dichen Lachman, Karen Allen
‘Jigsaw’ is the latest Alex Delaware novel by Jonathan Kellerman. Photo: Penguin Random House
Book Review: Jigsaw (An Alex Delaware Novel)
By Jonathan Kellerman
Format: Audiobook
The Story
After not hearing from him in over a month, LAPD Homicide Lieutenant Milo Sturgis shows up at psychologist Alex Delaware’s place looking worn out and overworked. He’s stuck on an “easy” case that suddenly turned into a mind-bending whodunit.
When a young woman is found dead at her kitchen table, the initial evidence points directly to an ex-boyfriend with a criminal record. But Milo knows better than to trust an obvious answer, so he turns to Alex, his best friend and long-term consultant on “those cases,” the ones that are different, to help unravel an investigation that refuses to fit together.
Then comes a second grisly discovery: an elderly woman found frozen and mutilated inside a deep freeze. When Milo learns her identity, he’s stunned because she’s someone from his past. Complicating matters further, her home is an extreme hoarder’s den, virtually impassable due to years of accumulated trash and seemingly meaningless objects. Except for the envelopes of cash stashed among the garbage.
As Alex and Milo dig deeper into the seemingly unrelated crimes, they discover shocking links between the victims, unraveling a complex, multi-layered mystery that tests both Milo’s investigative acumen and Alex’s psychological insight.
About Alex Delaware
Alex Delaware made his debut in Jonathan Kellerman’s 1985 detective novel When the Bough Breaks. A forensic psychologist who originally worked in pediatric psychology, Alex frequently consults for the LAPD alongside his close friend, Lt. Milo Sturgis, who appears in every installment of the series.
Series Context:Jigsaw marks book 41 in the long-running mystery series.
I like the Alex Delaware novels because they involve psychological themes and the author is a psychologist specializing in the treatment of children, just like Alex. This gives them an authentic voice that I find intriguing. With Jigsaw, Jonathan Kellerman delivers another gripping psychological mystery that takes what looks like an open-and-shut homicide and twists it into something far more intricate.
Milo and Alex remain the beating heart of the narrative. Their long-standing friendship gives their professional partnership genuine warmth and authenticity, while their contrasting investigative styles keep the pacing sharp and engaging.
Character Analysis
Dr. Alex Delaware: The analytical anchor of the story. Relying on keen psychological insight rather than brute force, Alex’s primary role is decoding the hidden motives behind irrational behavior—from a calculating killer leaving subtle clues to the complex profile of a severe hoarder. His calm, observant demeanor balances the darker, more visceral aspects of the crimes.
Lieutenant Milo Sturgis: Driven, cynical, yet fiercely loyal, Milo brings grit and procedural muscle to the duo. Because this case hits exceptionally close to home, the personal connection introduces a rare layer of emotional vulnerability to his hardened LAPD persona, significantly raising the emotional stakes.
Core Themes
Deception vs. Hidden Reality: The narrative repeatedly contrasts surface appearances with deeper truths. A seemingly straightforward domestic homicide unravels into a layered mystery, reminding us how easily initial evidence can mask darker realities.
Psychological Decay and Hoarding: Beyond serving as a physical obstacle, the hoarder’s den acts as a powerful metaphor for hidden trauma, obsession, and emotional isolation. The physical clutter directly mirrors the tangled mental state of the victim and the labyrinthine nature of the crime itself.
The Interconnectedness of Disparate Lives: Kellerman explores the hidden webs connecting seemingly unrelated individuals, illustrating how past relationships, secret transactions, and forgotten histories cross paths—reinforcing the idea that no crime occurs in a vacuum.
Final Verdict
Jigsaw is a fast-paced thriller that expertly fits every piece together for a shocking final reveal. Set against a vivid, noir-infused Los Angeles backdrop, Kellerman captures the city’s unique ambience with sharp, haunting detail. Delaware’s nuanced behavioral analysis balances Sturgis’s street-smart instincts, delivering the exact cerebral punch long-time fans crave.
It’s a deeply satisfying read for anyone who enjoys psychological depth paired with classic detective work, proving once again why the Delaware-Sturgis dynamic remains a gold standard in crime fiction.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
About the Author
Jonathan Kellermanis the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than three dozen crime novels, including the Alex Delaware series, The Butcher’s Theater, Billy Straight, The Conspiracy Club, Twisted, True Detectives, and The Murderer’s Daughter.
He co-authored Double Homicide and Capital Crimes with his wife, bestselling novelist Faye Kellerman, and The Golem of Hollywood and The Golem of Paris with his son, bestselling novelist Jesse Kellerman. He is also the author of two children’s books and several nonfiction works, including Savage Spawn: Reflections on Violent Children and With Strings Attached: The Art and Beauty of Vintage Guitars. He has won the Goldwyn, Edgar, and Anthony awards.
Verity is now playing in theaters nationwide. Photo: Barnes & Noble
Book lovers, the wait is finally over! Colleen Hoover’s bestselling psychological thriller Verity has officially made its way to the big screen, and fans of the book are sure to have plenty to talk about.
With Dakota Johnson as Lowen Ashleigh, Anne Hathaway as the mysterious Verity Crawford, and Josh Hartnett as Jeremy, the adaptation brings Hoover’s dark, unsettling story to life. As Lowen begins ghostwriting Verity’s books, she uncovers a chilling manuscript that reveals shocking secrets about the Crawford family. Twisty, suspenseful, and deliciously disturbing, Verity is one book-to-movie adaptation readers have been eagerly waiting to see.
Now the big question: will the movie leave us just as stunned as the book?
Rated R (sexual content, nudity, language, violence, and bloody images)
Runtime
1 hour 57 minutes
Book Synopsis
Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish. Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity’s notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. (Barnes & Noble, 2026)
What Lowen doesn’t expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read, page after page of bone-chilling admissions, including Verity’s recollection of the night her family was forever altered. Lowen decides to keep the manuscript hidden from Jeremy, knowing its contents could devastate the already grieving father. But as Lowen’s feelings for Jeremy begin to intensify, she recognizes all the ways she could benefit if he were to read his wife’s words.
After all, no matter how devoted Jeremy is to his injured wife, a truth this horrifying would make it impossible for him to continue loving her.
About the Author
Colleen Hoover is the #1 New York Times and international bestselling author of twenty-five novels and novellas. Her work spans across New Adult and Young Adult contemporary romance as well as psychological thrillers. Colleen is also a scriptwriter, producer, and co-founder of the production company HeartBones Entertainment. (Colleen Hoover, 2026)
Battle Cabin is one of two movies being released in digital this September 29. Photo: Lionsgate, used with permission.
Digital Release Alert
Movie night just got an upgrade! Two action-packed thrillers are heading to digital platforms on September 29, 2026. Whether you are in the mood for a post-apocalyptic survival story or a high-stakes espionage chase, here is everything you need to know about this week’s biggest releases from Lionsgate. (EG PR, 2026)
In the wake of a massive global attack, the world has become a brutal, lawless landscape where electricity, government, and civility are distant memories. When Kellan is forced to venture outside his secure homestead to save his wife, he is met by a wave of murderous thieves with a connection to his past. His family’s survival now depends on a brilliant battle plan and an unlikely alliance with a hardened warrior.
Cast & Crew
Starring: Josh McKenzie, Delaney Tabron, Michael Hurst, Kali Kopae, Rama Marrow, Nell Fisher, Marshall Napier
Directed By: Aaron Falvey
Written By: Justin Eade
Technical Specs: Audio: English Dolby Digital 5.1 | Subtitles: English SDH, French, Latin American Spanish | CC: Yes
Where to Stream: Fandango at Home, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Google Play.
Kyrah (Kerry Washington) and Issac (Golden Globe nominee Omar Sy) were once the leaders of a multinational special forces group called Shadow Force. They broke the rules by falling in love, and in order to protect their son, they go underground. With a large bounty on their heads, and the vengeful Shadow Force hot on their trail, one family’s fight becomes an all-out war.
Cast & Crew
Starring: Kerry Washington, Omar Sy, Mark Strong, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Cliff “Method Man” Smith, Jahleel Kamara
Directed By: Joe Carnahan
Written By: Leon Chills and Joe Carnahan
Special Features
Shadow Force: Declassified — Audio Commentary with Writer-Director Joe Carnahan and Editor Kevin Hale
Making Shadow Force — Ain’t Nothing to F*** With
International Waters: The Locations Behind Shadow Force
Technical Specs: Format: 16×9 (2.39:1) Presentation in Dolby Vision | Audio: English Dolby Atmos, English Descriptive Audio, French 5.1 Dolby Audio | Subtitles: Spanish, English, English SDH, French | CC: No
Where to Stream: Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Google Play, Fandango, Apple TV
‘Ironwood’ is the second book in Michael Connelly’s Catalina series featuring Detective Stilwell. Photo: Barnes & Noble
Book Review: Ironwood: A Catalina Novel Author: Michael Connelly Format: Audiobook Previous Book In Series:Nightshade
The Story
Detective Sergeant Stilwell knows that his posting on Catalina Island is no paradise, but to most residents, it seems blissfully separated by twenty-two miles of ocean from the troubles of Los Angeles County. But now, a threat is coming to his safe haven. (Barnes & Noble, 2026)
It begins with Stilwell and his deputies watching a plane land in the middle of the night at the Airport in the Sky, a remote airstrip in the mountains. The operation starts going sideways the moment a duffel bag of drugs is dropped and the deputies move in. Stilwell chases the fleeing pickup man into the mountainside brush, but shots are fired on the runway and the plane flies off.
Because of the internal inquiry that follows, Stilwell is benched until he is cleared of responsibility for the failed operation. Determined to find out who brought deadly violence to his island, he begins a secret investigation into the drug deal gone wrong.
To fill his time while under orders to remain in the sheriff’s substation, he begins organizing the lost-and-found bin. He uncovers a valuable, unclaimed backpack and traces it to a woman who disappeared while hiking on the island four years ago. Why was the pack only recently turned in? This discovery sparks an off-the-books investigation that bridges the mainland and the island, drawing in LAPD Open-Unsolved Unit Detective Renée Ballard.
Stilwell and Ballard work the case from both sides of the channel, soon realizing they are on the trail of a criminal who enjoys taunting the authorities. Frustrated at being shut out of an investigation on his own island, Stilwell risks his already shaky standing in the department to pursue a case whose reach is far wider than he ever imagined.
Review
With the second book in the Catalina series, Michael Connelly takes readers away from the familiar streets of Los Angeles and drops them straight onto Catalina Island. In Ironwood, paradise proves to be far more dangerous than it appears.
Detective Sergeant Stilwell is experienced, stubborn, and deeply committed to protecting the island he calls home. His persistence is inspiring, and his willingness to risk his career when he knows something isn’t right makes him a compelling protagonist.
Connelly excels at exploring the illusion of safety. Catalina may be separated from the mainland, but distance cannot keep violence, corruption, or greed at bay. The underlying themes – loyalty, justice, corruption, and the blurry line between following the rules and doing what is right-elevate the story’s suspense.
The introduction of Renée Ballard adds another strong dimension to the narrative. Stilwell is a principled, island-bound lawman fighting to protect his jurisdiction, while Ballard brings the perspective of an experienced mainland cold-case detective. As they unravel the trail left by a cruel criminal, Connelly blends local island logistics with procedural grit.
Overall, Ironwood is a suspenseful, atmospheric mystery packed with complex characters and tight twists. Connelly demonstrates once again why he remains a master of procedural thrillers and cross-jurisdictional dynamics. Rich with realistic detective work, Ironwood is a stellar addition to his universe and a must-read for fans of crime fiction.
“It was as if he liked dropping these hints. That he gets off on it. It’s the I’m-smarter-than-you complex. Most serials have it. It’s the fulfillment of hiding in plain sight.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
About the Author
Michael Connelly is the author of forty-one previous novels, including New York Times bestsellers The Proving Ground, Nightshade, and The Waiting. His books. which feature the Harry Bosch, Lincoln Lawyer, Renée Ballard, and Catalina series, have sold more than 92 million copies worldwide. A former newspaper reporter and award-winning journalist, Connelly is also the executive producer of four hit television series: Bosch, Bosch: Legacy, The Lincoln Lawyer, and Ballard.
‘The City’ by Dean Koontz is a poignant combination of music and mystery.
Book Review: The City by Dean Koontz
Synopsis
The City centers around Jonah Kirk, a young piano prodigy whose extraordinary musical talent allows him to recognize the hidden pulse of the metropolis surrounding him. Joined by his brilliant best friend, Malcolm, Jonah embarks on a journey that balances the sheer wonder of creation against profound mortal danger.
His remarkable family, tested by the extremes of evil and bound by the depths of love, is on a collision course with a band of killers about to unleash anarchy. Along the way, he finds two unlikely allies: Mr. Yoshioka, an everyday hero strengthened by his past, and Miss Pearl, a woman of mystery who holds the key to the future.
These are the people of The City—a place where enchantment and malice interweave, courage and honor are found in the most unexpected quarters, and the way forward lies buried deep inside the heart. Their unforgettable story is a riveting, soul-stirring saga that speaks to everyone.
Review
Dean Koontz’s The City is a captivating blend of suspense, fantasy, music, and coming-of-age drama. Some books simply tell a good story, while others take you somewhere and make you feel as though you’ve become part of the characters’ lives. The City is that kind of book.
Jonah is an engaging protagonist because despite his extraordinary musical talent, he’s not invincible. He still feels like a kid trying to understand the complicated world of adults. His friendship with Malcolm and his sister Amalia provide emotional depth and demonstrate the importance of loyalty and companionship.
The narrative is told through Jonah’s first-person point of view as he reflects on his experiences as a young boy and how they shaped his future. The prose is haunting and poetic:
“But fear can lead people to do things they would never contemplate in placid times. Fear can blind us, but so can anger.”
Family is another powerful part the novel. Jonah’s multi-generational family faces unimaginable danger, but their love for one another becomes a primary source of strength. That devotion is put to the ultimate test and the senseless cruelty of Fiona Cassidy and her conspirators contrasts sharply with Jonah’s warmth.
The mysterious Miss Pearl, who moves in and out of Jonah’s life, remains an enigmatic figure. Her knowledge and insights suggest a larger destiny awaiting Jonah, while the city itself functions as a living character, brilliantly illuminated by light and dark magic, where fate, music, and moral choices intersect.
The novel explores timeless themes:
Good versus evil and moral choice
Courage, sacrifice, and enduring friendship
The power of love and discovering your true purpose
The way music is woven into the story stands out in particular; it represents creativity, beauty, and the ability of the human spirit to rise above darkness.
Koontz combines suspense with heart. It’s mysterious, sometimes frightening, but also surprisingly tender. Ultimately, it’s a story about finding courage within yourself and discovering that even in the darkest circumstances, love and hope can still light the way.
Final Thoughts
Overall, The City is a supernatural thriller about growing up, discovering one’s purpose, and finding strength through love and courage. It suggests that the way forward through hardship lies buried deep within the human heart. Readers who appreciate a mix of mystery, suspense, and literary fiction will find it both entertaining and deeply heartwarming.
“Outside the wind blew cold and the sun shone bright. On that bustling street, among those many big trucks and busy people, with the city all around for miles and miles, I felt terribly small, and worse than small. Suddenly I felt alone.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
About The Author
Dean Koontz is an American author of suspense thriller that frequently incorporate elements of horror, fantasy, science fiction, mystery, and satire. Many of his books have appeared on The New York Times Best Seller list, with fourteen hardcovers and sixteen paperbacks reaching the number-one position. He has published over 105 novels and a number of novellas and collections of short stories, and has sold over 500 million copies of his work. He has been acknowledged as “America’s most popular suspense novelist” by Rolling Stone and as one of today’s most celebrated and successful writers.
‘No Saints Only Killers’ by Luke Deckard is 1920s post-war nor at its finest. Photo: Paste Creative Book Tours, used with permission.
Book Review: No Saints Only Killers by Luke Deckard
Part of Paste Creative Book Tours
The Story
Logan Bishop is an American war-damaged private investigator living in London in 1922. On a cold Monday morning, he returns to his modest home to find a postcard in the mail from his estranged father, Reverend Daniel Bishop of Chicago. He’s in town and needs to meet up with Logan to talk about important matters.
Logan hasn’t heard from him in over a decade, and for good reason. Daniel was abusive to Logan throughout his childhood and Logan equates contacting him with being back at war. Reluctantly, he calls the hotel room. Daniel sounds desperate and paranoid, pleading for Logan’s help with an urgent matter. But before he can explain, the line goes dead after what sounds like a violent confrontation.
Before slipping into a coma, Daniel leaves Logan with a desperate plea: find Greta Matas, a woman tied to his past, before she’s killed.
Logan heads to Edinburgh in search of answers, but from the moment he arrives, nothing adds up:
Greta is missing.
Her son is wanted for murder and on the run.
Logan is being watched—by the police, by gangsters, and by men who will do anything to keep the truth buried.
As Logan encounters police officers, gangsters, and dangerous secrets, his investigation becomes both a hunt for the truth and a search for personal redemption… provided he doesn’t end up dead first.
Set against the backdrop of 1922 London and Edinburgh, No Saints Only Killers delivers a sharp and atmospheric slice of post-World War I noir. The novel follows Logan Bishop as he is forced out of his isolated routines by the brutal attack on his estranged father, launching him into a deadly, fog-shrouded investigation to find a missing woman from his father’s past.
Character Analysis
Logan Bishop is a complex and deeply flawed protagonist who embodies classic hardboiled detective tropes while remaining grounded and human. As a former military sniper struggling with severe shell shock and a crippling morphine addiction, Logan’s willingness to pursue the mysterious Greta Matas reveals a stubborn sense of loyalty beneath his damaged exterior. His troubled relationship with his father gives the story personal stakes, driving Logan into dangerous territory despite his instincts to stay hidden.
Core Themes
Trauma and Disillusionment: The shadow of the Great War hangs over every chapter, illustrating the psychological scars left on a generation trying to numb their pain in the early years of the Jazz Age.
Systemic Corruption: The narrative explores the dark underbelly of 1920s Britain, exposing a world where institutions offer no salvation and power rests in the hands of ruthlessly corrupt forces.
Moral Ambiguity: True to its title, the novel demonstrates that in a broken society, absolute virtue is an illusion and everyone is navigating varying shades of grey.
“‘You want compassion?’ I wanted to laugh. ‘There are no saints in this world, only killers.’”
Style & Tone
In true noir fashion, the story is told entirely through Logan’s first-person perspective. It’s fast-paced, easy to read, and packed with plot twists around every corner. The prose balances gritty edge with vivid, poetic language:
“Two teardrops landed on the table and exploded. I crushed my eyes shut and inhaled as I pushed Tim and the hate I had for myself to the back of my mind.”
Final Verdict
Overall, No Saints Only Killers by Luke Deckard expertly combines historical mystery and postwar trauma, successfully transplanting gritty American noir into 1920s Britain. With its complex protagonist, high stakes, and dark atmosphere, readers who enjoy historical crime fiction and hard-boiled detectives will find this one hard to put down.
“Maybe I was a sucker for her pretty face. Maybe my motivation was shallow. I don’t know. I wanted to believe her. I also wanted to believe that maybe there was something between us, which possibly made me ignorant, or foolish.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
About the Author
Luke Deckard is the author of No Saints Only Killers, which was shortlisted for the Amazon New Voices Awards and a finalist at Bloody Scotland’s Pitch Perfect. He is the co-host of the CINEMA SLEUTHS podcast, a reviewer for Get Your Comic On, and a creative writing mentor at the University of Westminster.
Photo: Paste Creative Book Tours
**Thank you to Stephanie Caruso, Paste Creative Book Tours, and Luke Deckard for the gifted copy for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
Taron Egerton’s She Rides Shotgun will be released in 4K on August 18. Photo: Lionsgate
Digital Release Alert: She Rides Shotgun
Where can you run when there’s nowhere to hide?
Taron Egerton stars as Nate, an ex-con on the run, in the new gritty action-thriller She Rides Shotgun. Based on Jordan Harper’s acclaimed 2017 novel of the same name, the film follows Nate as he tries to protect his 11-year-old daughter, Polly (Ana Sophia Heger), while being pursued by unrelenting enemies—including a corrupt sheriff who double-deals as the brutal leader of a criminal gang. (EG PR, 2026)
Photo: Barnes & Noble
As Nate teaches Polly how to fight and survive, she teaches him what unconditional love truly means in an intense, moving story about loyalty, strength, and redemption.
‘Artemis’ by Andy Weir is a sci-fi crime story set on the Moon. Photo: Barnes & Noble
Book Review: Artemis by Andy Weir
Synopsis
Jasmine “Jazz” Bashara lives in humanity’s first lunar colony, Artemis. She never signed up to be a hero—she just wanted to get rich. Not crazy, eccentric-billionaire rich, like many of the visitors to Artemis, but rich enough to move out of her coffin-sized apartment and eat something better than flavored algae. Rich enough to pay off a debt she’s owed for a long time. (Barnes & Noble, 2026)
When a chance at a lucrative heist presents itself, Jazz can’t say no. But engineering the perfect crime is just the start of her problems, because that little heist is about to land her in the middle of a conspiracy that threatens the future of Artemis itself.
Trapped between competing forces, pursued by a killer and the law alike, she’ll have to hatch a truly spectacular scheme to have a chance at staying alive and saving her city. Jazz is no hero, but she is a very good criminal.
Review
Artemis begins with Jazz reeling from failing her EVA exam, which she needs to join the EVA Guild. Members of the guild lead groups of tourists across the lunar surface and earn a significantly better living. She tries to talk her way into passing, but Bob Lewis, former US Marine and head trainer, doesn’t budge. He tells her to try again and focus on the quality of her equipment.
The story centers around Jazz, a clever, sarcastic porter and small-time smuggler who dreams of escaping poverty. She’s an engaging protagonist whose intelligence, resilience, and moral ambiguity make her both flawed and relatable. Unlike the idealistic heroes often found in science fiction, she survives through quick thinking, technical expertise, and sheer determination. Her growth from a self-serving opportunist to someone willing to risk everything for others forms the emotional core of the story.
“How dare you call me lazy? I’d come up with a scathing retort but, meh, I’m just not motivated.”
Weir once again showcases his talent for making complex engineering and scientific concepts accessible without slowing down the narrative pace. Themes of survival, greed, class inequality, and redemption are woven throughout the novel, highlighting the real-world challenges of building a human society beyond Earth.
Lunar Economics: The realistic financial friction between tourists, workers, and corporations.
Life-Support Mechanics: Detailed systems keeping the dome breathable and safe.
Industrial Realism: Meticulously researched aluminum-smelting processes that anchor the plot.
The fast-paced plot keeps the tension high as Jazz relies on her sharp technical instincts and criminal ingenuity to pull off a spectacular multi-stage scheme.
However, Jazz’s dialogue and internal monologue can feel somewhat forced and juvenile at times, occasionally undermining the tension. While it doesn’t quite match the sheer survivalist charm of Mark Watney’s journey in The Martian, Artemis still delivers a fun, fast-moving sci-fi crime caper.
The Bottom Line
Artemis by Andy Weir is a fast-paced science fiction thriller that blends suspense, humor, and real-world science into an entertaining lunar adventure. If you enjoy hard science paired with high-stakes action, it is well worth the trip to the moon.
“People will trust a reliable criminal more readily than a shady businessman.”
Andy Weirbuilt a career as a software engineer until the success of his first published novel, The Martian, allowed him to live out his dream of writing full-time. He is a lifelong space nerd and a devoted hobbyist of subjects such as relativistic physics, orbital mechanics, and the history of manned spaceflight.
Bonus
If you enjoyed the fast-paced survival, witty problem-solving, and high-stakes criminal plots of Andy Weir’s Artemis, these sci-fi heist and mystery novels offer a similar blend of technical intrigue and fast-paced schemes.
High-Stakes Sci-Fi Heists
The Quantum Thief by Hannu Rajaniemi features post-human master criminal Jean le Flambeur breaking out of prison to pull off an impossible heist across a high-tech moving city on Mars. Chasm Cityby Alastair Reynolds follows a security operative hunting a ruthless killer through a bizarre, virus-corrupted sci-fi metropolis while navigating high-stakes crime networks.
Space-Bound Sci-Fi Mysteries
Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty combines a locked-room murder mystery with cloning technology as a spaceship crew wakes up to find their previous bodies murdered and their recent memories wiped. Leviathan Wakes by S.A. Corey pairs a hard-boiled detective on an asteroid belt with an ice-miner captain as they unravel a system-wide conspiracy triggered by a missing girl.
Which Should You Pick?
For an intricate, mind-bending criminal heist set in a futuristic solar system, go with The Quantum Thief. For a claustrophobic, locked-room whodunit packed with survival tension, start with Six Wakes. For a grounded space-noir investigation with vast geopolitical stakes, choose Leviathan Wakes.
Turning Point will be available On Demand and Digital on August 25. Photo: Lionsgate, used with permission.
Movie Premiere: DJ Qualls Stars in the High-Stakes Horror Thriller Turning Point
If you’re looking for a horror movie that refuses to play by the rules, Turning Point deserves an immediate spot on your watchlist. Fusing the nail-biting suspense of a home invasion thriller with the relentless chaos of a zombie outbreak, it delivers edge-of-your-seat tension from start to finish.
Every knock at the door and every shadow could spell disaster, creating a gripping atmosphere that never lets up. Packed with intense action, unexpected twists, and high-stakes survival, Turning Point offers horror fans a fresh, adrenaline-fueled experience that stands out in a crowded genre.
A Simple Heist Becomes an Absolute Nightmare
Directed and written by Joshua Wagner, Turning Point is a claustrophobic, high-tension thriller coming directly to Digital and On Demand courtesy of Lionsgate. (EG PR, 2026)
The story follows two thieves trapped inside a house with a mutating victim. To stay alive, they must rely on a bizarre neighbor in a race against time before they become the monster’s next meal.
“There is danger in the night, but the true terror is inside the house.”
Official Synopsis
Margot and her partner-in-crime break into a home, only to find themselves locked inside with the owner, who is in the middle of transitioning into a zombie. They must find a way out before they become the ghoul’s first victims. Their only hope for survival is a bizarre neighbor with expert knowledge of the undead and the lingering flicker of humanity in their mutating stalker.
Cast & Crew
DJ Qualls as “Casper” (Road Trip, Hustle & Flow, The Man in the High Castle)
Jillian Lee Garner
Mike Apple
Shane Brady (Ballers, Synchronic, Doctor Sleep)
Lydia Hearst (The Haunting of Sharon Tate, Z Nation, Slayers)
Sanchita Malik (Happy Anniversary, Love, Escape the Night)
Film Specifications
Detail
Information
Title
Turning Point
Street Date
August 25, 2026
Release Format
Video on Demand / Electronic Sell-Through (Lionsgate)
Genre
Thriller / Zombie Horror
Rating
R (Violent content, gore, language, and some drug use)
