IndieReader Discovery Awards 2026 Entrants
Added as our reviewers read them, find the latest verdicts for the 2026 IndieReader Discovery Award entrants, leading up to the big winner announcement in June!
Author Matthew Tree mixes humor, conspiracy theories, and aliens in his latest novel WE’LL NEVER KNOW. Timothy Wyndham, a science journalist whose favorite hobby is sex with the pretty young women who intern at the newspaper, is waylaid by an older woman terrified that she and her husband are in danger. Although he initially shrugs off her fears, evidence (and bodies) mount, showing she just might be right. Enlisting the help of his ex-girlfriend, a fellow journalist, he is drawn into a world of hidden government experiments in Somerset, violent responses to his investigation, and a dalliance with a highly unusual new intern. Somehow, Tree balances all the book’s elements, making it a funny, fast-paced read that’s part-thriller, part-science fiction novel with a lot of heart.
KEEP CLOSE by Kristen Wade delivers a gripping post-apocalyptic adventure that blends heart-pounding suspense with a deeply emotional journey of survival. The story follows Ren—a 17-year-old thrust into unimaginable challenges after a meteor shower leaves her family stranded at sea, only to return to a world haunted by banshees, ruthless gangs, and the fragility of human trust. What makes this novel shine is not just its fast-paced action and vividly crafted world but also its focus on raw human connections—family bonds, first love, and the resilience needed to keep hope alive—making it a powerful and unforgettable read for both young adult and adult audiences.
A SIMPLE TWIST OF FATE by T. J. Medeiros is a tense and absorbing detective story that follows Terry Eckhart as he hunts for answers after a deadly house fire in San Francisco. The trail leads him and his partner through a maze of business intrigue, old grudges, and personal demons, and each step raises new questions about who can be trusted. With crisp storytelling and a steady build of suspense, the book delivers a mystery that’s easy to follow yet full of surprises, making it a satisfying pick for crime and thriller fans.
BECAUSE OF AMY by Rita Henry is a deeply personal memoir that begins with the death of the author’s newborn daughter and unfolds into a powerful exploration of trauma, healing, and self-awareness. Blending raw storytelling with emotional insight, Henry reveals how grief can become a catalyst for transformation, making this an intimate and empowering read for those ready to face their own pain.
THE BOUNDED CURSE by Ana Stanojevic is a vivid and imaginative fantasy that captivates readers with its world of unpredictable adventures, cursed relics, and charms. Characters like Cain, Bastein, and Avery provide both heart and intensity to the plot. Stanojevic integrates danger and humor in a way that makes you want to keep reading. It is a captivating escape for anyone who enjoys fast-paced narratives of myth and enchantment.
WATER WISHES by Freya Aguiar immerses readers in the atmospheric world of Avalon Cove, where Bay’s discovery of mysterious siren stones pulls her into a realm of danger and wonder. Aguiar’s strong sense of place and attention to magical detail create a story that feels both original and compelling, offering readers a captivating blend of family ties, secrets, and sea-born fantasy.
BECOMING MARIELLA by Janet Constantino is a touching and resonant coming-of-age novel that traces one young woman’s courageous quest for independence across two very different worlds. Mariella Russo, a 22-year-old in turn-of-the-millennium Sicily, is suffocated by tradition, family expectations, and a suffocating engagement she doesn’t want. Despite her deep love for parts of her homeland, she flees to San Francisco to carve out her own path, only to find that freedom brings its own set of pressures, compromises, and moral tests. Constantino paints Mariella’s growth with warmth, emotional honesty, and rich cultural detail: from the smell of Sunday ragù to the weight of familial loyalty. Though the pace occasionally lags in places, the novel’s authenticity, strong character work, and beautiful handling of identity and emotional conflict make Becoming Mariella a memorable story of self-discovery and daring to live true to oneself.
THE CREWEL WING by Erica-Lynn Huberty is a richly atmospheric Gothic-historical novel that brings together mystery, magic, and the suffocating constraints of Victorian society. The plot follows Claire Bietris, an independent woman whose life takes a dark turn after tragedy strikes her family and she marries James Ableton, a schoolmaster and outsider. When a brutal body is discovered half-buried in an ancient long barrow, Claire’s new domestic stability unravels: plagued by a strange illness, haunted by prescient voices, and forced to reckon with old family secrets she thought long buried. Huberty’s writing is lush and precise, suffused with historical detail, eerie magical realism, and a compelling sense of place and interiority. Readers who appreciate haunted beauty, moral complexity, and Gothic romance will find The Crewel Wing deeply rewarding.
Unfolded through dual narratives set nearly twenty years apart, MISSING MOM by Lynn Slaughter is a tense and gripping YA mystery that serves up hard-hitting twists and shocking reveals, through which Slaughter explores some weighty issues. Tightly plotted, completely intriguing, and beautifully incorporating the healing power of dance, MISSING MOM proves to be a compelling, emotive read driven by two determined protagonists.
A BUDDHIST PATH TO JOY by Mel Pine feels less like a lecture and more like sitting down with someone who’s spent a lifetime on the Buddhist path, sharing what he’s learned over coffee. He weaves his own stories, scientific curiosities and ancient wisdom into plain, friendly advice that helps readers ditch ego, face suffering and look for joy. Because it’s rooted in his bodhicitta and decades of practice, the book leaves you feeling genuinely seen and inspired to cultivate gratitude, connection and equanimity.
What could a reader want more in a novel than a refreshingly unique plot, credible characters, a compassionate understanding of human nature, an author who knows what he’s talking about, and best of all, has the writing skills to deliver it all in his debut novel? Brandon Keller is that novelist and his tension-filled book, THE GAME, will leave readers breathless and eager to see what Keller has for them next.
Travis Grubb’s A LOST CAUSE is a taut, character-driven thriller that balances espionage suspense with an emotionally resonant portrait of a man on the edge. Grubb’s flawed protagonist, Seth, takes on a contract job with the CIA that will either bring him back to his family or ruin his life. It’s a solid read for fans of adventure and high-stakes government intrigue.
ENGINEER’S PRIMER ON INVESTING by Justin Masui takes the intimidating world of finance and makes it approachable, showing step by step how to budget, calculate a retirement number, and design a portfolio that works. It covers everything from calculating a retirement number and building a portfolio to exploring risk, algorithms, and even how to think about big economic trends. It serves as a smart, well-structured guide for anyone serious about achieving financial independence through a disciplined plan.
Time traveling, love, romance, Artificial Intelligence, and science fiction fantasy come together in HIVE: A DYSTOPIAN TIME-TRAVEL THRILLER (MADDERS OF TIME BOOK 1) by DL Horton. The future is now, with an AI-powered character that helps drive the story of the “last real humans” trying to survive in their own universe. Well-written with a storyline that moves, HIVE brings high tech into the here and now, hitting the mark each time.
Tara Sanders Brooks delivers a gripping story in IT WILL LAST LONGER about Viv Klein, a photographer whose career and conscience collide after a controversial photo catapults her into both fame and infamy. The novel explores the dark intersections of art, ambition, and morality, presenting how quickly the line between creation and exploitation can blur. With its vivid setting in Los Angeles and its sharp commentary on social media and cancel culture, this is a powerful and thought-provoking thriller.
Osvaldo Calixto Amador’s poetic, powerful memoir TO KILL A COCKROACH has an unconventional structure that opens out his memoir and his memories like a nesting doll. Born in Cuba, he came to the US with his mother and sister as a small child. There’s beautiful, poetic writing throughout, with powerful imagery and sensory detail. Some of his most compelling sections deal with his father’s imprisonment in Cuba, his own growing passion for art, navigating the early years of the AIDS epidemic, and the love for his family of rescued dogs and birds. To Kill A Cockroach offers a roadmap to beauty through pain, and is a thought-provoking, page-turning memoir.
SOJOURN TO WAR by Bill Lynam is a richly textured historical novel that follows Edouard Lynn, a French-Irish Canadian who, after the tragic loss of his wife, embarks on a journey to antebellum Natchez, Mississippi. Set against the American Civil War, Edouard’s quest for purpose leads him into the heart of the Deep South, where he confronts the harsh realities of slavery, cultural divides, and the complexities of a nation on the brink of transformation. Lynam’s meticulous research is evident in his vivid portrayal of the era, capturing the nuances of Southern life and the moral dilemmas faced by individuals during this tumultuous period. For enthusiasts of historical fiction that intertwines personal odyssey with broader societal upheavals, Sojourn to War offers a thought-provoking read.
In TIGER CATE by B.E. Jackson, Cate Finley, a daring muralist with a troubled past, is forced to confront her family’s dark secrets when her sister goes missing and their remote Arizona ranch is under threat. What begins as a thrilling mystery quickly unravels into a web of deception, hidden motives, and a life-altering quest to uncover the truth. With heart-pounding suspense, captivating characters, and unexpected twists, this fast-paced novel will keep you hooked from start to finish and leave you eagerly anticipating the next chapter in Cate’s journey.