Series Sunday: Daggermouth

(The Heart #1) 

My Series Sunday pick is Daggermouth, the first book in The Heart duology by H. M. Wolfe. This review is very difficult to write. I struggled with updating it due to recent developments. I could not let it go without praising the novel but expressing my disappointment in the author's actions. Let's start with the positives, shall we?

"You may still have a heart, but you lack emotion." ~ pg. 34

I absolutely loved the characters, enemies-to-lover arc, twists and emotional turns. The main character is a beautiful woman of color (per the written description and sketches drawn by the author herself). Shadera Kael is a mercenary raised to kill. She is strong-minded, determined, physically fit and a lethal assassin living in a dystopian world. The city is divided into rings of privilege and poverty, ruled by the masked elite. Shadera, backed by the Rebellion, is hired to kill the president's son, Greyson Serel. But the bullet misses the mark and they are forced to marry. Their union is a battlefield surrounded by secrets, betrayals, passion and a revolution.

Daggermouth was a true page-turner that I stayed up late reading, throwing responsibility on the back burner. The twists on twists with perfect pacing had me frantically turning the pages. The true enemies-to-lovers dark dystopian romance was like nothing I had read before. I told anyone who would listen to read it. I recommended it to Bookhearts in their dark romance era. I selected it for Sistahs Be Readin' Book Club, excited to discuss it with others. Even though I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review, I wanted to spend my hard-earned coins to purchase the hardcover so it could sit prominently on my physical bookshelves as a thick ass 6-heart read. That's how much I enjoyed Daggermouth! 

"Beautiful things are often built on ugly foundations." ~ pg. 206

Until the book cover controversy. Until the very Black Shadera was whitewashed. Until the author started gaslighting readers. Until the AI allegations. I was one of the few readers with an opportunity to read Daggermouth back in March before it was officially published. Before all of the drama. So for purposes of this review, I am going to stick with the story itself and not delve into all the negative details. But for the record, it tainted my experience with Daggermouth. I still plan to read Python when it releases in March 2027 because I can't let these characters go just yet. But best believe, it is with a strong side-eye and pending the author's actions.

Happy Early Pub Day to H.M. Wolfe! Daggermouth will be available Tuesday, July 28.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Title: Daggermouth
Author: H. M. Wolfe
Published: July 2026
Pages: 544
Edition: Galley
Genre: Dystopian Romance
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

Series Sunday: Murder at First Slice

(Baker Street #5)

"This is war, and I intend to win." ~ 42%

My Series Sunday pick is Murder at First Slice, the fifth book in the Baker Street mystery series by Valerie Burns. Social media influencer turned bakery owner Maddy Montgomery is back with her inherited 250-pound English mastiff, Baby. Friends and family have taken over the little town of New Bison, Michigan, to celebrate her nuptials to the handsome veterinarian Michael. 

Drama reaches new levels with love in the air, feuding cousins on the guest list and rehearsal dinner crashers. Then sweet 'ole Miss Hannah is found standing over a dead body with a bloody rolling pin in hand. Now the bride-to-be has to catch a killer before she cuts the wedding cake.

Murder at First Sight brings the familiar characters back: Maddy, her widowed father, fiancé Michael, innkeeper Mrs. Law, memory-challenged Miss Hannah and the Baker Street Irregulars. They sleuth their way around the small town murder. As usual, Valerie Burns knows how to pen a good cozy mystery: recipes for the foodies, characters of color, smallish town and a big 'ole adorable dog.

I have a dog bone to pick with this fifth book though. It took way too long to get to the cozy mystery part. Most of it read like a novella centered on Maddy and Michael's wedding preparations. It should have been 100 pages shorter and considered #4.5 in the series. Nevertheless, I still recommend it to followers of the Baker Street mystery series and look forward to the next installment.

Happy Early Pub Day, Valerie Burns! Murder at First Slice will be available Tuesday, July 28, 2026.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Title: Murder at First Slice

Author: Valerie Burns

Published: July 2026

Pages: 249

Edition: Galley

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Rating: 🖤 🖤